Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!apple!bionet!ames!dftsrv!oneel From: oneel@heawk1.gsfc.nasa.gov ( Bruce Oneel ) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware Subject: Re: Building a cheap AT system, any advice? Message-ID: Date: 13 Jun 91 13:15:50 GMT References: Sender: news@dftsrv.gsfc.nasa.gov Organization: STX/GSFC Nasa Lines: 35 In-reply-to: garrik@valnet.UUCP's message of 12 Jun 91 16:42:33 GMT In article garrik@valnet.UUCP (Eric C. Garrison) writes: Hello, I am looking into upgrading my system, as I am currently struggling along with a PC-1 (8086, 2 floppy 5 1/4", CGA and monitor, 1200 baud modem, Epson MX80III printer and parallel card). I'd like to go to an 80286 processor, 40+ meg hard drive cheaply. So far, the best (cheapest) I can find by going through a mail-order place is by getting a bare bones 286 machine (case, motherboard w/ 1 meg mem, 200W power supply) for $275, and a 30 meg hard drive with controller for $250, cannibalizing all other parts from my present machine. Is this the way to go? Also, the company I am thinking of buying from is USA Electronics, does anyone know of a reason not to order from them? any advice would be appreciated! I did just about what you are trying to do. The thing to watch out for is that if the boards (cga and such) in you system are more than a few years old they may not be fast enough to work with your new system. I had to replace my herc board ($40) to get it to work at 12mhz. Also, if you hard drive controller doesn't come with a floppy controller you need a new one of those. Depending on the case you get, both of the full height 5.25" floppies may not fit. bruce -- Bruce O'Neel oneel@heasfs.gsfc.nasa.gov NASA/GSFC/STX/Code 664