Reviving a 1996 Pentium Pro CPU: Unboxing and Installation

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Background on the Barn Find Pentium Pro Machine
3. Issues with the Motherboard
4. Recommendations to Try a Different Processor
5. Unboxing the Intel Pentium Pro Processor
6. Installing the New Processor
7. Overview of the Intel Pentium Pro Processor
8. Setting up Jumper Settings for the New Processor
9. Powering On and Checking BIOS
10. Conclusion

Unboxing the Intel Pentium Pro Processor

Welcome back, everyone! Today, we have an exciting video lined up for you as we unbox and install the Intel Pentium Pro processor from 1996. This machine, known as the barn find Pentium Pro, has been quite a journey to get it up and running. In previous videos, we discovered some issues with the motherboard, including malfunctioning IDE channels and ISA slots, as well as a misrepresented processor speed. While the logical next step would be to replace the motherboard, we received recommendations from some viewers to try replacing the processor first. So, let's dive in and see if this new processor can breathe new life into this old machine.

Introduction

Welcome to another video featuring the barn find Pentium Pro machine! In this episode, we will be focusing on the Intel Pentium Pro processor from 1996. If you haven't been following my previous videos, this machine was discovered in a shed in New Delhi, and it required a lot of cleaning and repairs to get it working again. However, we encountered some persistent issues, including malfunctioning IDE channels, non-functional ISA slots, and a misrepresented processor speed. While the logical solution seemed to be replacing the motherboard, some viewers suggested trying a different processor first. Thus, in this video, we will unbox the Intel Pentium Pro processor, install it, and assess its impact on the machine's performance. Let's get started!

Background on the Barn Find Pentium Pro Machine

Before we proceed, let's have a quick Recap of the story behind the barn find Pentium Pro machine. This extraordinary machine was discovered in a shed in New Delhi. It was covered in Dust and rust, but something about it caught my attention. With a combination of determination and improvisation, I managed to clean it up and bring it back to life.

One of the standout features of this machine is its Pentium Pro processor. Released in 1996, the Pentium Pro was hailed as a powerful and innovative processor for its time. However, our barn find machine had some serious issues with its motherboard, which affected the performance of the processor. The IDE channels were not working properly, the ISA slots were non-functional, and there was a discrepancy in the processor speed. It was clear that something needed to be done to restore this machine to its former glory.

Issues with the Motherboard

After extensive troubleshooting and attempts to fix the issues with the motherboard, it became apparent that the motherboard needed to be replaced. The malfunctioning IDE channels and non-functional ISA slots were hindering the machine's functionality, and the misrepresented processor speed was a further cause for concern.

Replacing a motherboard, however, is not a simple task. It requires finding a compatible replacement, which can be costly and time-consuming. Additionally, the overall process of swapping out a motherboard is quite complex. This led some viewers to suggest an alternative solution: trying a different processor before delving into the daunting task of replacing the entire motherboard.

Recommendations to Try a Different Processor

Several viewers who had been following the journey of the barn find Pentium Pro machine reached out with an interesting suggestion: why not try a different processor? According to these viewers, the processor itself could potentially be the culprit behind the motherboard issues. Surprisingly, finding a replacement processor was much easier and cheaper compared to getting a new motherboard.

After considering these suggestions, I decided to take a leap of faith and follow their advice. In this video, we will unbox a new Intel Pentium Pro processor and install it in the machine to see if it has any effect on its performance. This will help us determine if the processor was indeed the main cause of the issues or if a motherboard replacement is still necessary.

Unboxing the Intel Pentium Pro Processor

It's time to unveil the Intel Pentium Pro processor from its packaging. The processor we have here is the 200 MHz variant with 256KB of cache. While it may not be the fastest version available, it is still an improvement compared to the 150 MHz version installed in the current machine.

Let's carefully open the packaging and take a closer look at our new processor. The processor Package comes with a fan heatsink, which is quite fascinating. Unlike the 150 MHz variant that only had a heatsink, this one includes a fan for better cooling. This could potentially contribute to improved performance and stability.

In addition to the processor, we also have a bag of goodies included in the package. This includes a power adapter for the fan, a molex adapter to connect it to the power supply, thermal paste, and a certificate of authenticity. It's interesting to see how Intel emphasizes the performance and features of the Pentium Pro processor family in the provided certificate.

Furthermore, we find a familiar sight - an Intel Pentium Pro sticker. While I initially contemplated replacing the current sticker on the machine with this original one, upon closer inspection, I found that the sticker I obtained from Geek and Spiel is of better quality and a more suitable size. Therefore, I decided to leave the Geek and Spiel sticker in place, as it complements the overall aesthetics of the machine better.

Installing the New Processor

Now that we have unboxed the Intel Pentium Pro processor, it's time to install it in the machine. Let's bring the barn find Pentium Pro onto the workbench and begin the installation process. First, we need to remove the old processor and its cooler. Carefully pressing down on the retention clip, we can safely remove the old processor.

Next, we apply a small amount of thermal paste on the new processor. It's imperative to ensure proper heat dissipation between the processor and the heatsink, as this is crucial for optimal performance and cooling. Once the thermal paste is applied, we attach the cooler to the processor.

After securing the cooler, we need to connect the fan to the power supply. In this case, the processor kit only includes a molex plug for connection instead of an integrated fan header. While it would have been more convenient to have a dedicated fan header, we can still make use of the molex adapter to power the fan.

With everything set up and ready to go, we can now proceed to power on the machine and see if the new processor has any noticeable effects on its performance.

Overview of the Intel Pentium Pro Processor

Before booting up the machine with the newly installed processor, let's take a moment to delve into some details about the Intel Pentium Pro processor itself. Released in 1996, the Pentium Pro processor marked a significant advancement in Intel's lineup. With its superior performance and architectural improvements, it aimed to cater to 32-bit applications running on advanced operating systems such as Windows NT and Unix.

The processor we have here is the 200 MHz variant with 256KB of cache. Though not the highest-end version available, it still offers a considerable improvement over the previous 150 MHz processor installed in the machine. With its gold top and 256KB cache, this processor is poised to deliver enhanced performance and efficiency.

In addition to its technical aspects, the Intel Pentium Pro processor also comes with a certificate of authenticity. This certificate assures users that their system is powered by an authentic Intel processor and comes with a three-year limited warranty. It's reassuring to know that Intel stands by the quality of their processors and offers support in case any issues arise.

Setting up Jumper Settings for the New Processor

To ensure the new processor functions properly, we need to set up the correct jumper settings. The jumper settings determine the bus speed and multiplier settings for the processor, as well as other essential configuration parameters. By referring to the manual, we can identify the correct jumper positions for the desired processor speed.

In this case, we plan to switch from the 150 MHz processor speed to the 200 MHz speed. This change requires adjusting several jumpers on the motherboard. We carefully make the necessary adjustments to the jumper positions according to the manual's specifications. These changes will Align the motherboard with the intended processor speed and ensure optimal performance.

With the jumper settings correctly configured, we can move forward with reassembling the machine and preparing it for booting up with the new processor.

Powering On and Checking BIOS

Now that we have completed the installation and made the appropriate jumper setting adjustments, it's time to power on the machine and see if the new processor has made a difference. Fingers crossed, we hope to see a significant improvement in performance and have the correct processor speed reflected in the BIOS.

Upon powering on the machine, we are pleased to observe that it still boots up successfully, indicating that the installation process went smoothly. We do not encounter any beep codes or error messages, which is a positive sign. Now, our focus shifts to the BIOS, where we can check if the processor speed is accurately detected.

Upon entering the BIOS, we are met with a surprising result. The reported processor speed is 133 MHz, which indicates that there is still an issue with the BIOS chip on the motherboard. Despite having installed a 200 MHz processor, the bus speed and multiplier settings are not properly reported. This discrepancy suggests that the BIOS chip is not communicating the correct information to the system.

While the machine still operates and boots into Windows without major issues, this BIOS miscommunication remains an annoyance. At this stage, we are left with two choices: either continue using the machine as it is, albeit with some functionality limitations, or proceed with replacing the motherboard entirely to address these persistent issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our venture into the world of the barn find Pentium Pro machine has been a rollercoaster ride filled with discoveries and challenges. While replacing the processor did not completely resolve the motherboard issues, it still provided valuable insights into the machine's inner workings.

Despite the persistent issues with malfunctioning IDE channels, non-functional ISA slots, and the misrepresented processor speed, the barn find Pentium Pro machine still remains capable of running old DOS games and early Windows 95 applications. The decision to replace the motherboard ultimately depends on whether the benefits of a fully functional machine outweigh the costs and efforts involved.

Thank you for joining us in this journey. If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up and consider subscribing to our Channel for more exciting content. We appreciate your support and look forward to sharing more adventures with you. Until next time, Take Care and have a great day!

Highlights

• Unboxed and installed the Intel Pentium Pro processor from 1996 in the barn find Pentium Pro machine.
• Discovered persistent motherboard issues, including malfunctioning IDE channels, non-functional ISA slots, and a misrepresented processor speed.
• Recommended by viewers to try replacing the processor before tackling the motherboard replacement.
• Provided an overview of the Intel Pentium Pro processor and its features.
• Set up the correct jumper settings for the new processor.
• Powered on the machine and checked the BIOS, revealing continued issues with the motherboard's communication of the processor speed.
• Explored the possibility of using the machine with its current limitations versus replacing the motherboard entirely.