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Replacing a motherboard for an old pc

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Technical User
Feb 18, 2003
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I am trying to work out how i can replace a motherboard for an old pc running win98. It is a problem with powering down, ie it wont power down at all (apart from pulling out the cable). I have checked the actual button, and even if it is removed, it still starts up when power cable is attached. I have also tested the psu. That leads me to the fact that it can only be the mobo. But now the problem is that it is some years old and i cannot be sure what type of mobo it is - if the processor is a GenuineIntel 600MHz, is this a P2 or P3 - and which boards will be compatible?

Im sure this may seem really obvious, but i cannot get a sure answer from web sites or books.

Thanks in advance
 
I've been successful using several different boards with celerons as replacements.

Would suggest that you modify msdos.sys to get the boot menu available before you make the swap, and go to safe mode on 1st boot and delete the HKLocalMachine enum key to remove any possible hardware conflicts. This will force hardware detection in the next few reboots.

But you also need to make sure that any board you use has 98 drivers available for the hardware parts.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
 
Sorry Ed, the processor seems to be working fine, but it is the motherboard that i need to replace, do i just look for a motherboard that supports a 600MHz Pentium? Would this mean it could only be a PIII or a PII?

Your reply seemed slightly complicated, but thanks all the same.

Andrew
 
Was suggesting that a M/B and processor combination will probably be more available than just a M/B to fit an existing processor.
Sorry it was complicated. This is the best way I've worked out over several swaps. And actually it isn't that complicated.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
 
R U sure that you actually have faulty hardware?
Non shutdown was quite common with W98 and there is at least one patch available to cured the problem.
I've had 2-3 systems (not recently) that were cured just by patching.
A Google search should turn up what you need.
Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.
 
Ive tried booking from a startup disk and the same shutdown problem occurs, ie that it will not shut down!

Thank you all the same
 
Sorry Ed, I see exactly what u mean - Is this because this type of motherboard is so outdated it will more often than not come complete with processor?

Andrew
 
Just was commenting on the fact that processors have progressed 2 or 3 generations beyond what you have and the M/B manufacturers have progressed to use the current processors. So you may not be able to find a new board to fit your processor and memory.
The sellers I've seen bundle some stuff at good prices, generally the slower stuff in their inventory to get rid of it, but since speed isn't a priority with you it would probably work out well.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
 
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