Mini 486 gaming PC?

dr.zeissler · Sep 10, 2017

Weird thing, this litte Desktop with ViaChipset https://www.usbid.com/datasheets/dsid/180878.pdf
Don't know if the manual is correct, but the linked pdf is not available anymore: http://public.support.unisys.com/pcproducts/manuals/AquantaDesktops/AquantaSC/46196747-000.pdf

Here are some pictures of my machine: https://www.flickr.com/photos/94839221@N05/albums/72157683681646872

My actual tests show this behavior with my CT4170:

1. CTCM does not find the device, CTCU finds no PNP card.
2. I start "setup" from the MS-Client 3.0 and change the network address from 300 to 310 and reboot
3. CTCM finds the Vibra16 and the FM and one! digital output works.
4. The second digital output does not work anymore.
5. A reboot leads to "no PNP device found"
6. Starting "Setup" from the MS-Client 3.0 again and changeing the Adress from 300 to 310 again and reboot.
7. The vibra is detected and works again for one playback.

So what is the deal here. The NE2000 has IRQ10/IO300, the Vibra has IRQ5/IO220 SB and IO330 for Midi.
The Network is correct at IRQ10/IO300. Perhaps it's the DMA1.

Were can I checkout what's the problem and solve it.

Thx!

soviet9922 · Sep 14, 2017

Also you can go this way, and build your own portable it gets very compact and you can use a modern led display choose any at board you like use isa cards nice keyboard and can store it when not in use.
Just search for "portable computer" on ebay is full of them, remove everthing and add your own stuff.

Here is mine:

dr.zeissler · Feb 21, 2018

After trying an ESS-Soundcard and installing the intel PnP manager, everything works fine. Soundcard is working and Lan too.
I have read that 8GB CF-Card is recognized in that system with the LBA-Option activated.
In mine there seem to be a 2GB border. Where can I check if I have the latest Bios?

486-CWD VER. 1.08 07/26/95-VT82C505-2A4L40000-00

The HDD-Autodetection seems to have problems with a bigger e.g. 4GB CF-Card. This 4GB-CF Card has a smaller detection within the Bios.
So I think currently I am limited with 2GB (except from using Ontrack DM), but I will use a multiboot with OS/2-Bootmanager, so it's
much easier while skipping Ontrack and using Bios-Detection for the HDD.

Krille · Feb 24, 2018

dr.zeissler said:
The HDD-Autodetection seems to have problems with a bigger e.g. 4GB CF-Card. This 4GB-CF Card has a smaller detection within the Bios.
So I think currently I am limited with 2GB (except from using Ontrack DM), but I will use a multiboot with OS/2-Bootmanager, so it's
much easier while skipping Ontrack and using Bios-Detection for the HDD.

Perhaps XTIDE Universal BIOS would be an option?

Casey · Mar 4, 2018

At the risk of sounding stupid, if the original poster just wants to mostly play MS-DOS games, what's wrong with Dosbox?

dr.zeissler · Mar 4, 2018

Krille said:
Perhaps XTIDE Universal BIOS would be an option?

Yes indeed, but where to store that Bios? The machine has only one ISA slot and the LAN (NE2000) is Onboard.
But there is one free Socket above the Bios... https://www.flickr.com/photos/94839221@N05/36927871726/in/album-72157683681646872/

Btw. I have installed the system and got the soundcard working !!! Don't know why, formerly it was not detected a hundred times. I have tried everything. Deactivating all other thing in the Bios, changing jumpers for the Onboard-Components. It never found anything. It simply reported no 220H 240H 260H free for SB. But there was NOTHING at these adresses, they were free. Nevertheless it works now and I did not change the pnp-config either (formerly i did change it, but after a view reboots it loss the card and a hundred tests/reboots did not get it back). As I said it works now, don't know why.

I use intel-pnp manager and this seems to recognize it now and preparing the adresses for "esscfg" which is only started without any flags. Just like the description tells it. No "flags" for PNP bios.

Currently I have installed: (XFDISK Bootmanager) LAN Works everwhere, so synology-nas data is available.

2GB CF-Card "LBA" mode
- 500MB Primary FAT16 MSDOS622 (Win1x/2x/3x/PC-Geos/Gem12)
- 500MB Primary NTFS WINNT351
- 500MB Primary FAT16 WIN95A
- 410MB Primary HPFS OS2/WARP3
2GB CF-Card Primary FAT16 Data

The machine has LPT and 2x Serial. The ESS-Soundcard is a ESS1868.

Future plans:
- Nullmodem-cable (Serial1 = A2000; Serial2 = MegaSTE)
- LPT Switchbox (#1541, Covox, DSS-Covox, Laserprinter)
- Soundcard (softmpu=> Midi-switchbox => MT32, CM32L, SC55) and several joysticks.

Greetings
Doc