Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!ames!killer!igloo!jeffery
From: jeffery@igloo.Scum.COM (Jeffery E. Sheese)
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: PC speeding uping
Message-ID: <1248@igloo.Scum.COM>
Date: 18 Mar 89 20:04:56 GMT
References: <37386@vax1.tcd.ie>
Reply-To: jeffery@igloo.UUCP (Jeffery E. Sheese)
Organization: igloo, Northbrook, IL
Lines: 49

This response was sent via email, but as an afterthought reposted
for posterity.

In article <37386@vax1.tcd.ie> ambarry@vax1.tcd.ie writes:

>		I want to speed up my 8086 based PC. I've heard of certain
>chips that one can replace the 8086 with. Can you recommend a good substitute,
>and answer a few pertinent questions for me ?

Wnat you want to do is purchase a Zilog V20 processor.  You will get about
20% more speed, because most of the basic math instructions use at least
half the clock cycles required for the 8086/8088.

>	1. Most important.  Will I lose any/some/all of the IBM compatibility
>	   by changing the CPU ?

No.  You will gain the ability to emulate a Z80, should you desire
that capability.

>	2. Is it easy to do DIY style ?

Turn off the PC and remove the cover.  Leave the power cord plugged in
so that you can use the chassis as ground.  Use a flat blade screwdriver
to gently rock each end of the 8086 out of the socket.  Keep your
other hand on the chassis so that your grounded.  After you remove the
8086, place it on top of the power supply case so it doesn't get zapped
by static.

Next, get the V20.  New chips always have the pins bent outwards so that
they may be held with automated chip insertion equipment.  That means that
the new chip will not go straight into the socket.

You need to place the pins on one side of the chip ON the socket, but
not IN.  Gently push the chip so that the pins are bent inwards towards
the bottom center of the chip.  Do this until the pins extend downward
at a 90 degree angle from the bottom of the chip.  Once this is done, 
do the same to the other side.

Check the positioning of the other chips and place the chip in the
same general direction.  One end of the chip will have a small notch
or indentation.  This should be pointing in the same direction of the 
motherboard as the other chips.  This side is where pins 1 and 40 are
located.  Once the chip is in position, insert it into the socket.

Before turning on the machine, inspect the pins on the chip CLOSELY
to make sure that all pins are seated in the socket.  When inserting
a chip into a socket by hand, sometimes the pins bend under the chip
instead of seating into the socket.  If this happens to you use a small
pair of needle nose pliers to straighten the pins and try again.