You have no memory on your AWE32! You need to upgrade! /s
I have mine populated, but honestly I don't even know what the extra ram does, but wait, I have the original manual. lol
Your audio card can support additional RAM for the expansion of the MIDI instrument maps (apart from the 512KB already on board). Single Inline Memory Modules (SIMMs) can be used to provide more RAM. The presence of the SIMMs is set by jumper DRAM_EN. The factory default setting of jumper DRAM_EN, shown in Figure 1-8, is no SIMMs. Refer to the chapter "Changing Your Audio Card Settings" for more information on setting the SIMMs.
I remember those. I had four of them on the PC that I ran a BBS on. Setting jumpers for I/o address and IRQ to not interfere with anything else or each other was a bear.
Yeah, it was a Mitusmi drive connector. Some sound cards of the era -also- had mitsumi drive connectors (some would have: mitsumi, Panasonic, and sony, which I believe your AWE32 should actually have support for.)
Love that game… my friend had a double speed drive but mine was single. I could play Rebel Assault but it would stutter during the FMV sequences. It just blew my mind to be seeing video on a computer monitor.
I upgraded at some point to the sound blaster awe 32 and the difference to MIDI music in games gave me goosebumps! I miss being excited by advances in computing! 🙂↕️
Lol, I had an AWE32 as well with memory sticks for the expansion slots. I cried when I saw the Star Wars Logo for the first time on my computer. Before that, Star Wars games were nice, but not really cinematic.
Annoying is what they were. I think there were two or three different standards competing before everything went IDE. SCSI drives existed of course but they were expensive
There were proprietary interfaces as well. One of the big reasons I got my Soundblaster 16 back in the day was due to this, it had connectors for the various manufacturers CD-drives without needing expensive and complicated SCSI or slow external parallell-port.
Not sure why but my comment detailing the system specs is not showing? Copy pasting here, hope it works.
Decided to build a VLB-based system circa 1993-94 since I had never owned one before. The motherboard suffered significant damage from a battery leak, but managed to revive it by cleaning and reconnecting all damaged traces. Initially, I was aiming for a DX4 @ 100MHz system but I encountered too many stability issues and got tired and reverted back to a DX2 @ 66MHz. All problems disappeared like magic.
I had previously found a nice MIDI case with a large perspex panel and a large LED speed display behind it. However, it still felt empty. Came up with the idea to install a VU meter like the ones found on some 90s cases that I adored but never had the luck to own.
After modifying plastics and a little bit of the case, I managed to fit both displays. Once the perspex panel is in place, you can't tell what's hidden behind it until you hit the power switch. To tap into the sound signals, I soldered three 90° angle pins at the back of the sound card's output. Here is a video of the VU meter in action: https://imgur.com/a/vtiRj3Y
Last but not least one of my favorite CD-ROM drives the Mitsumi LU005S was begging to find a place to live and even though it's a slow drive compared to the rest of the system I love the novelty too much to not have it in and it is still period correct.
System specs:
Biostar MB-1433/50UIV-A VLB Board
iNTEL 486DX2 @ 66Mhz
32MBs of RAM
NEC (1.44")
NEC FD1157C (5.25")
Western Digital Caviar 33100
Data Expert S3 86C805-P VLB VGA
Holtek VIO3B-V1.1 VLB Controller
Mitsumi LU005S CD-ROM
Mitsumi I/F 16Bit CD-ROM Drive Card (74-1645A)
Soundblaster AWE32 (CT2760)
That board may not really support DX4-100 as the chipset used is rather buggy. Have you also thought of recapping the board as boards that age may have caps that are getting a bit spicy and running outside of spec.
Will definitely revisit at some point the issues as soon as I complete a couple of unfinished projects. I spent 3 days trying different things to no avail. I even tried a different board but had almost the same results that led me to believe that probably the VLB cards are not meant for such higher speeds. Unfortunately, I don't have a ton of VLB cards, so my options are limited. Still, even at 66mhz, the benchmarks are impressive (compared them to phils' computer labs tests), so I can only imagine what the results will be with a DX4.
Why not scour ebay or FB marketplace for somewhat newer VLB cards that supports the bus speeds required for DX4-100. You could even do some testing to determine which VLB card you have that flakes out at the higher bus speeds and replace just that card.
Holy shit. I gasped at the CD-ROM drive! I LOVE it so much! Of course, the rest of the build is utter perfection, with the VU meters and all. (BTW, the only thing not period correct here is the cable management :-D! Great work!).
Bot? I wish! If I were a bot, there'd be no problem. No, what I have is a shitposting abnormality, one so unbelievable that it must be hidden from the public at all costs. You see...
Great looking build but those ram sockets look rather sparse is there a maximum for the board.. I’d always much rather fill spare sockets where possible. 32mb could be built upon I’m sure.
What an absolutely gorgeous build, I'm kinda obsessed with period correct builds and this hits all the right notes. I love that the case is inverted, reminds me of the Lian Li A05N, a case I still have in storage dying to be used again.
Is it just me or do modern machines miss the mechanical feel of the old machines? Like they feel less like computers each year and more like magic boxes.
I like the vintage beeps and bloops and buttons and drives of the old computers. Like theres something so much better about it
Built an ISDN router of the predecessor of this thing. It was 386SX / 4 MB and ISA extension cards for ethernet NIC and ISDN modem. Externally attached 100 mbit switch with magnetic pads on the case of this machine.
Coupe368@reddit
You have no memory on your AWE32! You need to upgrade! /s
I have mine populated, but honestly I don't even know what the extra ram does, but wait, I have the original manual. lol
Mythrilfan@reddit
That's the silliest CD drive I've ever seen, I love it.
darth_laminator@reddit
We had one of those back in the early '90s. It was 1x speed.
Honestly, they were very satisfying to open and close. The mechanisms were spring-loaded and had a nice "clack" to them.
BonesJustice@reddit
Beats the 1x drive I had on my 386. It was caddy-less, but the tray had to be pushed in to release, then manually pulled out. No motor.
mps@reddit
I remember them being very slow but it was nice they didn't need a caddy. I do not think they were IDE.
refuge9@reddit
It’s a mitsumi drive. I think they maxed at 4x. That was my first CD drive ver back in the day, and I loved it. I still have one.
russdoggy@reddit
I remember those. I had four of them on the PC that I ran a BBS on. Setting jumpers for I/o address and IRQ to not interfere with anything else or each other was a bear.
Torkum73@reddit
Mitsumi CRMC FX-001D and it was a double speed drive with a proprietary bus system, which needed an ISA card to function.
It was my first drive as well. Good old times. Rebel Assault 1 was my first game for CDROM
refuge9@reddit
Yeah, it was a Mitusmi drive connector. Some sound cards of the era -also- had mitsumi drive connectors (some would have: mitsumi, Panasonic, and sony, which I believe your AWE32 should actually have support for.)
Electronic-Country63@reddit
Love that game… my friend had a double speed drive but mine was single. I could play Rebel Assault but it would stutter during the FMV sequences. It just blew my mind to be seeing video on a computer monitor.
I upgraded at some point to the sound blaster awe 32 and the difference to MIDI music in games gave me goosebumps! I miss being excited by advances in computing! 🙂↕️
Torkum73@reddit
Lol, I had an AWE32 as well with memory sticks for the expansion slots. I cried when I saw the Star Wars Logo for the first time on my computer. Before that, Star Wars games were nice, but not really cinematic.
WayneRooneysHairPlug@reddit
If it's not IDE, then what were they? SCSI?
mps@reddit
Annoying is what they were. I think there were two or three different standards competing before everything went IDE. SCSI drives existed of course but they were expensive
WayneRooneysHairPlug@reddit
I remember MFM, but I forgot all about the standards that failed.
isecore@reddit
There were proprietary interfaces as well. One of the big reasons I got my Soundblaster 16 back in the day was due to this, it had connectors for the various manufacturers CD-drives without needing expensive and complicated SCSI or slow external parallell-port.
sipes216@reddit
I totally dig it though, and want one.
hamburgler26@reddit
Seriously what a time to be alive when they were trying to figure out what form factor would work. I had never seen this one, fantastic.
okaygecko@reddit
It's a CD-eating clam.
Pro-Rider@reddit
It’s better than the insert type that will eat your CD and not give it back 😂
DeepDayze@reddit
I've seen some SCSI CD drives like that.
darth_laminator@reddit
We had one of those back in the early '90s. It was 1x speed.
nilseuropa@reddit
Hah, I used to have this case when it came out. 😄
Maximum_Scale2120@reddit
What’s the name of the case please
Consistent-Pumpkin-8@reddit
I have the exact same Case with a 486 DX2 80 build but what's that under the mhz displaying? Looks like from an 80s stereo system?
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
It's a VU meter
Consistent-Pumpkin-8@reddit
For audio?
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
Correct. Check the photos, you will see cables running at the back of the soundcard.
Consistent-Pumpkin-8@reddit
Is it simply one of these? Looks like you soldered some extra contacts on your Soundblaster
https://www.ebay.de/itm/405033998185
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
That is the one. For signals you need to tap to 3 pins on the speaker out socket. Left channel, right channel and Ground.
Consistent-Pumpkin-8@reddit
By the way did you post it on Tiktok showing the VU-meter in Action?
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
Not on TikTok - I only posted a link on imgur. This one: https://imgur.com/a/vtiRj3Y
Consistent-Pumpkin-8@reddit
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeWEdPFQ/
That's why I'm asking
Consistent-Pumpkin-8@reddit
Nice 👍 Thanks very much I think I'll get that one and install it when I come back from holiday 😀
rpocc@reddit
Never seen sexiest 486 machine in my life. A really great enclosure.
Simba_7@reddit
I want that case!
Heythisworked@reddit
Looking at the first photo, I thought this was AI generated. This thing is absolutely cherry. Awesome work.
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
Not sure why but my comment detailing the system specs is not showing? Copy pasting here, hope it works.
Decided to build a VLB-based system circa 1993-94 since I had never owned one before. The motherboard suffered significant damage from a battery leak, but managed to revive it by cleaning and reconnecting all damaged traces. Initially, I was aiming for a DX4 @ 100MHz system but I encountered too many stability issues and got tired and reverted back to a DX2 @ 66MHz. All problems disappeared like magic.
I had previously found a nice MIDI case with a large perspex panel and a large LED speed display behind it. However, it still felt empty. Came up with the idea to install a VU meter like the ones found on some 90s cases that I adored but never had the luck to own.
After modifying plastics and a little bit of the case, I managed to fit both displays. Once the perspex panel is in place, you can't tell what's hidden behind it until you hit the power switch. To tap into the sound signals, I soldered three 90° angle pins at the back of the sound card's output. Here is a video of the VU meter in action: https://imgur.com/a/vtiRj3Y
Last but not least one of my favorite CD-ROM drives the Mitsumi LU005S was begging to find a place to live and even though it's a slow drive compared to the rest of the system I love the novelty too much to not have it in and it is still period correct.
System specs:
Biostar MB-1433/50UIV-A VLB Board
iNTEL 486DX2 @ 66Mhz
32MBs of RAM
NEC (1.44")
NEC FD1157C (5.25")
Western Digital Caviar 33100
Data Expert S3 86C805-P VLB VGA
Holtek VIO3B-V1.1 VLB Controller
Mitsumi LU005S CD-ROM
Mitsumi I/F 16Bit CD-ROM Drive Card (74-1645A)
Soundblaster AWE32 (CT2760)
DeepDayze@reddit
That board may not really support DX4-100 as the chipset used is rather buggy. Have you also thought of recapping the board as boards that age may have caps that are getting a bit spicy and running outside of spec.
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
Will definitely revisit at some point the issues as soon as I complete a couple of unfinished projects. I spent 3 days trying different things to no avail. I even tried a different board but had almost the same results that led me to believe that probably the VLB cards are not meant for such higher speeds. Unfortunately, I don't have a ton of VLB cards, so my options are limited. Still, even at 66mhz, the benchmarks are impressive (compared them to phils' computer labs tests), so I can only imagine what the results will be with a DX4.
DeepDayze@reddit
Why not scour ebay or FB marketplace for somewhat newer VLB cards that supports the bus speeds required for DX4-100. You could even do some testing to determine which VLB card you have that flakes out at the higher bus speeds and replace just that card.
Oddgenetix@reddit
She’s stunning. Absolutely stunning.
graywolf0026@reddit
And he tests the VU with Tyrian 2000. ... Peak Culture.
TheGillos@reddit
Fucking flawless dude! Best tower I've seen in a long time.
Rusty_924@reddit
this post is ART
GritsNGreens@reddit
The VU meter does the thing where the peak signal hangs out for a couple seconds while current level is displayed! Utter perfection.
If you could add anything I would recommend a Colorado tape drive, QIC80 was a workhorse and I think Travan would still fit the time period.
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
Thank you! Yes a tape drive would be nice since I got a spare bay. Need to check what I got in my collection and make a choice.
taxiboy@reddit
I know may be a tall order but any suggestions where to find a case like this (excluding custom Perspex)?
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
I just got lucky and found this case someone was going to throw out. I still can't find who is the maker.
networkingyuppy@reddit
This is one of the coolest baby at case I've seen
ConstantPop4122@reddit
Yes, but can it run visualisations on winamp?
HowMyDictates@reddit
Yet another showstopper.
Summoning u/raiderofawesome -- I think you'll enjoy this one.
craeftsmith@reddit
I definitely miss builds that look like they could survive a drone strike. A lot of modern computers seem very flimsy to ke
T1m3Wizard@reddit
Beautiful
IPanicKnife@reddit
Unironically, one of the sickest builds I’ve seen
bakedforlunch@reddit
This build is incredible!
arkadiysudarikov@reddit
Where is the dust inside?
Junior_Budget_3721@reddit
This is like heaven's retro museum...and the awe32 hangs upside down! What a cool build.
FAMICOMASTER@reddit
What kind of case is that? I gotta have one
supercruiser5000@reddit
That is super slick.
yvesicle@reddit
What a slick and gorgeous build!
Distance2Tree@reddit
Glorious, that side locking ram slot taking me back
Neuromaster@reddit
That's one of the most incredible retro builds I've ever seen. #goals
jphgamer11@reddit
It has everything i could ever want in my retro build
Eagle19991@reddit
That is beautiful.
Pichigaymer@reddit
😍
Oscarcharliezulu@reddit
That build is spectacular
triscious@reddit
This brings back some memories. Love the look of your build!
AustriaModerator@reddit
*faps*
gingerbeard1775@reddit
*unzips* https://www.tiktok.com/@.lost.emo/video/7359088996049390894
nighthawke75@reddit
Could not load video.
Carlen67@reddit
Video of turkey narration "bet you didn't know turkeys could sound like this" followed my moaning.
arpeas@reddit
Holy shit. I gasped at the CD-ROM drive! I LOVE it so much! Of course, the rest of the build is utter perfection, with the VU meters and all. (BTW, the only thing not period correct here is the cable management :-D! Great work!).
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
I need to hear those plates spin up and the heads shake otherwise a vintage pc has no soul lol.
arpeas@reddit
Hehehe, me too!
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
I need to hear those plates spin up and the heads shake otherwise a vintage pc has no soul lol.
mondocock@reddit
It looks really old tho lol like is it supposed to look so old like its from the 80s or something lol maybe its just me
mondocock@reddit
its actually not good I bought a lenovo legion with oled and rtx 4070 and I think its a lot better and a lot newer than this
redstern@reddit
Bot account
mondocock@reddit
Bot? I wish! If I were a bot, there'd be no problem. No, what I have is a shitposting abnormality, one so unbelievable that it must be hidden from the public at all costs. You see...
windude99@reddit
This needs an nsfw tag
windude99@reddit
Holy shit that is clean
vanGn0me@reddit
That’s a cool ass build!
Mike1978uk@reddit
Great looking build but those ram sockets look rather sparse is there a maximum for the board.. I’d always much rather fill spare sockets where possible. 32mb could be built upon I’m sure.
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
Indeed and I got plenty more of 72pin ram to install. It can go up to 64MB so a couple more sticks are in order.
Veddermandenis@reddit
What an absolutely gorgeous build, I'm kinda obsessed with period correct builds and this hits all the right notes. I love that the case is inverted, reminds me of the Lian Li A05N, a case I still have in storage dying to be used again.
grateparm@reddit
Inverted AT towers make me weak in the knees
-RetroLune-@reddit
No joke, this is one of the sickest builds I've ever seen here. Makes me remember how much I want to build a PC with a clock speed display case.
Also, these photos are just fire. Amazing job!!
Dutch_van_der_Dill@reddit
Woah!
DuranDurandall@reddit
Quick question - new to the community.
VLB?
Very Low Budget? Is that what it means? If so I'm even more amazed. The case looks like the kind of cool shit you could only buy from the Skymall.
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
VLB as in VESA LOCAL BUS :)
DuranDurandall@reddit
Okay now that makes a lot more sense 🤣
Thank you for sharing the build
DuranDurandall@reddit
This post introduced me to the community. Good job algorithm, but GREAT job, OP. This is beautiful.
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
CRACK-BONE@reddit
What case is that??? I want one.
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
No info unfortunately. I've only found a couple pics online on vogons but maker name.
He_Who_Browses_RDT@reddit
Nice!
Brilliant-Leader-643@reddit
Is it just me or do modern machines miss the mechanical feel of the old machines? Like they feel less like computers each year and more like magic boxes.
I like the vintage beeps and bloops and buttons and drives of the old computers. Like theres something so much better about it
replikatumbleweed@reddit
Also mad props for the Tyrian Jukebox on that last pic
replikatumbleweed@reddit
This is absolutely beautiful. Phenomenal work!
JebusMaximus@reddit
Sexy
Merlin80@reddit
A exellent build this one, really nice!
abyssea@reddit
I'm in love with that display.
whatThePleb@reddit
Tyrian Jokebox ftw.
villefilho@reddit
Wow… what a beautiful computer
inrageds@reddit
that is one beautiful computer
DelosHost@reddit
True beauty.
ApatheistHeretic@reddit
Good lord, I would've killed for a case like that back in the day. Nice.
Just-Conclusion933@reddit
Built an ISDN router of the predecessor of this thing. It was 386SX / 4 MB and ISA extension cards for ethernet NIC and ISDN modem. Externally attached 100 mbit switch with magnetic pads on the case of this machine.
MortgageStraight666@reddit
HOLY SHITBALLS!!!
cbdoc@reddit
This is awesome. I wonder if there’s a market for this? I’d buy one for the right price.
waveform_123@reddit
very nice. is the whole display panel custom? or did you just add the sound leds?
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
Speed indicator is factory. Just added the VU meter below it after some modifications.
ORA2J@reddit
It's always a treat every time you post a build here.
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
General_Exception@reddit
This brings back such fond memories!
What are you going to run on it?
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
For now it's got a copy of MS-DOS 6.22 and Windows 3.11 for Workgroups
DeepDayze@reddit
Bet you can use the VU meter for CPU usage or when playing audio. Wonder if there's drivers for that?
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
CPU usage display is a cool idea. It never crossed my mind!
DrMcFiddles_@reddit
I love the build. What case is that?
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
Unfortunately no idea - couldn't find any markings on the case to help with research.
DrMcFiddles_@reddit
That’s unfortunate. An amazing build nonetheless.
Zdrobot@reddit
Really nice case, love those indicators on the front panel!
Would love to know the model too.
ux386@reddit
Superb! The Mitsumi drive gives it a nice and unique touch! Btw, I love how the cards look in the stand.
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
McTrinsic@reddit
Damn thats sexy!
sold1erg33k@reddit
So clean, and that rom drive!
StaffMindless1029@reddit
Now that brings back k memories, clean build OP
Ranma_chan@reddit
god damn this is the prettiest 486 I've ever seen
soulless_ape@reddit
Such a neat, clean and new looking build.
DreadPyrate6@reddit
Incredible build! Now, let’s boot up some Sim City 2000!
penis-tango-man@reddit
Reticulating splines
robotorigami@reddit
This thing is gorgeous!
Financial-Opinion334@reddit
Is that LCD just built into the case or was it custom? It's giving me Knight Rider vibes
DeepDayze@reddit
The LED VU meter is cool too.
Anonymous_linux@reddit
I love that LCD!
dyntaos@reddit
What a beautiful machine. I absolutely love the complexity/pcb count.
MojaMonkey@reddit
What an awesome build. Can you share more details on how you did it?
32KOFDATA@reddit (OP)
Thank you! just commented with info and specs.
OPhasballz@reddit
Where? It's not showing up for me.
Alarchy@reddit
Check their profile - post was deleted probably by automod
daibido1123@reddit
Man this is a work of beauty. I'd love to see the full tech specs of this rig.
Knight-Rider86@reddit
Wow!!! This is a BEAUTIFUL piece of art!! 😍🤩
iryngael@reddit
This build is beautiful. I love the CD drive.
isecore@reddit
Wow, I had a case very similar to this back in my pre-ATX days. Haven't seen one like it in ages.
dizzywig2000@reddit
That’s definitely a strange CD drive, I want it
okaygecko@reddit
A retro PC build with actual cable management?! Heretic! JK, this looks amazing. Also, play some Heretic!
Surer123@reddit
That is one of the coolest things i have ever seen
longpumpkin30@reddit
Wow, one of the most gorgeous builds I've ever seen!
Chrunchyhobo@reddit
That disc drive is SICK.
I need 3.
ShockWave_Omega@reddit
Nice also very clean.