Reviving the Barn Find Pentium Pro: From Dust to Vintage Gaming Beast

Reviving the Barn Find Pentium Pro: From Dust to Vintage Gaming Beast

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Journey of the Barn Find Pentium Pro
3. The Quest for a New Motherboard
4. Upgrading the CPU and RAM
5. Expansion Card Dilemmas
6. Sound Card Swapping
7. Going Voodoo with a Graphics Card
8. Putting it All Together: The Final Build
9. testing and Enjoying the Beast
10. Conclusion

The Journey of the Barn Find Pentium Pro

In the world of computer enthusiasts, stumbling upon Hidden Gems of the past is like finding treasure. And that's exactly what happened when I discovered the Barn Find Pentium Pro. This machine, named after its Pentium Pro CPU and the circumstances of its discovery, became my pet project over the past 18 months. From being a broken and neglected piece of hardware, it has transformed into a functioning vintage computer that transports me back to the early days of computing.

But this journey hasn't been without its challenges. The Barn Find Pentium Pro comes with a few disabilities. The ISA slots and built-in IDE channels are non-functional, and the processor speed is slower than it should be. Despite checking the bus speed and multiplier settings, I am convinced that the motherboard needs a Recap. However, given the mix of surface mount and polymer electrolytic capacitors on the Intel VS440 FX motherboard, it seems more cost-effective to find a new one.

The Quest for a New Motherboard

After searching high and low, I stumbled upon a potential solution on eBay - a motherboard almost identical to the original one. This discovery opened up new possibilities for making the Barn Find Pentium Pro fully functional. The research revealed that Intel either manufactured this board for other companies or sold the design to them. Companies like Dell and Gateway had their own versions with minor differences.

The newfound motherboard, with a 200 MHz CPU and 16 MB RAM included, arrived while we were in the middle of moving back to the UK. It sat patiently in its box until now, as I finally find the time to give it some attention. With the CPU compatible with the existing one, I replace the RAM with four sticks from my spare bin, giving the system a whopping 160 MB of RAM - an immense amount for a machine from 1995.

Upgrading the CPU and RAM

The Barn Find Pentium Pro might have challenges, but it also presents opportunities for upgrades. Although the CPU will remain the same model, the added RAM significantly enhances its performance. With the new motherboard in place and the CPU correctly recognized in the BIOS at 200 MHz, it's a promising start.

Expansion Card Dilemmas

One of the decisions I need to make is about the expansion cards. The Adapttex SCSI controller will stay to support the current SCSI hard disk and optical drives. Although the new motherboard has a built-in IDE controller, the manual suggests it only supports older PIO transfer standards. So, sticking with SCSI seems like the logical choice.

Another dilemma involves the graphics card. While I previously swapped out the Trident VGA card for an S3 Trio 64, the system kept crashing in Windows 95. So, I decided to revert to the Trident card, which has proven to work reliably.

Sound Card Swapping

With the Barn Find Pentium Pro now equipped with a functional motherboard, it's time to address the sound card. While the Sound Blaster Live SB0100 PCI card has served me well, I now have working ISA slots thanks to the new motherboard. Therefore, it makes sense to utilize them and swap in a Creative All 64 ISA sound card. This card not only provides excellent DOS support but is also a better match for the system's age and ensures better compatibility with period-correct games.

Going Voodoo with a Graphics Card

With three PCI cards and one ISA card already in the system, there is still one vacant PCI slot and up to three ISA slots to play with. And what better way to utilize these slots than to go "voodoo" with a graphics card? After consulting the retro gaming community, the majority voted for a Pentium 2 build to receive the coveted Voodoo card. However, being the owner of the card, I've decided to give the Barn Find Pentium Pro the honor instead. With this addition, the system is equipped to handle an array of 3D games.

Putting it All Together: The Final Build

With all the components in place and connections secured, it's time to put the Barn Find Pentium Pro back inside its case. The culmination of all the research, upgrades, and careful assembly is about to be put to the test.

Testing and Enjoying the Beast

The moment of truth arrives as I power on the Barn Find Pentium Pro. The BIOS confirms the correct CPU speed, the Windows boot process proceeds smoothly, and the system detects the various cards. As I install drivers and test the system's performance, everything seems to be working flawlessly. The Glide API and utility install without a hitch, paving the way for an immersive gaming experience with better graphics capabilities.

Conclusion

The journey from a dusty barn find to a fully functional retro gaming machine has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Barn Find Pentium Pro now stands as a testament to the joy of preserving and reviving vintage hardware. With its new motherboard, upgraded CPU and RAM, and a selection of compatible expansion cards, it has become a beast that transports me back to the golden era of computing. As I continue to thoroughly enjoy this machine, the only question that remains is what new adventures await it in the future.

Highlights:

• The Barn Find Pentium Pro, a neglected machine, is now fully functional and a vintage computing gem.
• The ISA slots and built-in IDE channels Present challenges, indicating the need for a motherboard recap.
• A replacement motherboard, almost identical to the original, offers a ray of hope for the system's revival.
• Upgrading the CPU and RAM significantly enhances the machine's performance.
• Expansion card decisions involve sticking with SCSI and reverting to the Trident VGA card for stability.
• Swapping the Sound Blaster Live SB0100 PCI card for a Creative All 64 ISA sound card ensures better compatibility.
• The addition of a Voodoo graphics card unlocks exciting possibilities for immersive 3D gaming.
• Careful assembly of all components leads to the final build of the Barn Find Pentium Pro.
• Testing confirms the system's Flawless performance, providing a remarkable retro gaming experience.
• The journey from a forgotten relic to a fully functioning machine brings joy and nostalgia to the owner.

FAQ

Q: Where did you find the Barn Find Pentium Pro? A: The Barn Find Pentium Pro was discovered in a barn, hence its name.

Q: What challenges did you face during the restoration process? A: The system had non-functional ISA slots and built-in IDE channels, as well as a slower-than-expected processor speed.

Q: How did you address the motherboard issues? A: After conducting research, I found a replacement motherboard, almost identical to the original, which allowed me to overcome the challenges.

Q: What upgrades did you make to the system? A: The CPU remained the same model, but the RAM was upgraded to a total of 160 MB, significantly improving the machine's performance.

Q: Which expansion cards did you choose for the Barn Find Pentium Pro? A: I opted to keep the Adapttex SCSI controller and Trident VGA card, and I replaced the Sound Blaster Live SB0100 PCI card with a Creative All 64 ISA sound card. Additionally, I added a Voodoo graphics card for enhanced gaming capabilities.

Q: How has the Barn Find Pentium Pro transformed after the restoration? A: The machine is now fully functional, offering an immersive retro gaming experience and taking me back to the golden era of computing.

Resources:

• eBay (https://www.ebay.com/)