upgrade an IBM desktop

[drtom]

I have an IBM desktop (300 XL, model 8588-51U) that my father had for a few years and was thinking of upgrading beyond its current PII and 4 gig HD. Can anyone send me a link to a site that can advise me on the limits and/or possibilities?
Thanks

 

[drtom]

Oops, the machine is a 6588-51U

 

[wolluf]

Have you tried Google?

 

[drtom]

Looked and there was a bunch of info but nothing that I could find pointed to upgrading possibilites for that machine.

 

[wolluf]

There's a manual here -

http://www.wdsd.org/strut/IBM/ibm300xl.pdf.

What exactly are you intending? Machine is from 1997? Probably be able to upgrade processor to a faster PII than it has, and it will probably take a hard drive up to 32GB (might need bios upgrade). But I'm just guessing - though could probably find more fine tuning Google. One thing - you won't be able to upgrade it 'much'. What o/s system are you intending running? You could probably buy a second hand machine with a better spec for less than you'd spend upgrading this.

 

[drtom]

Thanks, I was thinking that if I could move it to a faster PII or even a PIII and install a larger HD. I would like to find out the what the limits are so I can determine how much it might cost. I have since found a website linked from IBM's site that has several refurbished possibilities at not much money so I'm thinking that upgrading this machine wouldn't likely be cost effective in the end. I could just set it aside and use it to backup data on my other unit.

 

[VacuumTubeEra]

drtom - Good decision to just use it "as-is". With a front side bus (FSB) speed of 66 MHz for your model IBM there is little possiblilty of making a meaningful upgrade. I have looked extensively into upgrading my old Pentium II machine. It begins to make some sense with a FSB of 100 MHz but probably in not really worthwhile unless it has a FSB of 133 MHz.

Best Wishes

 

[drtom]

Cheers. That confirms my suspicions on value for money. I'll just park things there for safe keeping and let the better half access her mail from it.
Thanks.