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[ Installations Plus+ PC Forum ] [ Archive Sep-Dec 97 ] Posted by: Louis Bruno on November 09, 1997 at 15:49:47
Homepage: Installations Plus+ (websites, upgrades, PCs, repairs, training)
In Reply to: Upgrades: part II posted by Linda on November 09, 1997 at 13:53:16Subject: Re: Upgrades: part II
Hello again, Linda. Nice to see you back. And thanks for the thanking. It's really appreciated.
It's hard to answer your question without actually looking inside the case of your PC. Some Gateway models are made using a "standard" motherboard and plug-in video, sound, modem and maybe also a controller card. Some integrate one or more of these "cards" into a proprietary motherboard.
Probably the single best indicator of the type of motherboard is the video card. If your monitor cable plugs into a connector mounted on a removable card that's one of several in a bay of three to eight extension slots, it's a standard, replaceable motherboard. If your monitor cable plugs into a connector mounted directly on the big motherboard, it's probably a non-replaceable proprietary board.
If your motherboard is proprietary, I'd go ahead with the 83 mHz Pentium upgrade processor. The games you're reading about will run on any Pentium, but will run a little more slowly on 83 mHz than on 100 mHz.
If your motherboard is standard, I'd farm out the job to someone who can evaluate the existing cards and drives and memory, find a motherboard to use them (if that's reasonable), and install and configure it properly. Changing a motherboard isn't a simple plug and go operation. It's actually more difficult (require more knowledge) than building a PC from scratch because the new motherboard has to be selected to match and then be configured to use the existing cards, which may have no useful documentation.
Let us know the outcome. I'm sure the other folks visiting our Message Board forum would benefit from your information.