This particular web page is dedicated to my ongoing personal project of building my own PC computer system. My old system was no longer suiting all my needs and definately was not cutting edge. I decided to go the route of building my own from components, rather than buying a completely assembled name-brand unit.
Since then, I've pretty much obtained my final goal system, though I'm still planning to get a new monitor, and undoubtedly upgrade other parts over time. Much will change as I make additions, modifications, and even take things out. This set of pages has no specifically envisioned final appearance.
These pages were last updated with new material on: 5/5/97
NO LONGER UPDATED
Date: 4/29/97
Added stuff about memory upgrade, attempted cache upgrade, and quest
for a new monitor. At this point, it's become clear to me that I'm not
going to be able to keep this page updated as frequently as I once did.
A revision of the page design is in the future, once my system is "complete",
after which it will only receive maintenance work.
Date: 1/21/97
Added details about my quest for a new a soundcard and it's eventual
installation into my computer. Also filled in the section about adding
the large capacity hard drive I got months ago.
Date: 11/5/96
Despite the considerable time since I last updated this page, I have
been working on my computer. A lot of it has been software-related stuff
(installing and configuring various OS's, etc.), but I also ordered and
installed a new hard drive. But I have had not had the time to add that
info...
Date: 8/19/96
My new CD-ROM drive arrived today and I was able to install it quickly
with little hassle. For details, check out the assembly
page.
Date: 8/12/96
After several weeks of operation, I'm finally able to continue the
project. I've ordered a CD-ROM drive and will hopefully be able to buy
a new, high-capacity hard drive in the very new future.
Date: 7/26/96
My new computer has been up and running for a week now. I haven't had
the time to fully update the pages accordingly. I'll be doing as much as
I can in chunks. I'll go back later and add more links and details as time
permits.
Date: 7/1/96
Now that the ball is once again rolling (and who knows where it will
stop!), I've re-formatted this page. It's been broken up into several chunks
and so presentation should be in a somewhat more logical order, and take
less time to download.
Date: 6/19/96
Amazing! An update! :)
The past month I've been busy with moving to a new apartment, which
has been time consuming as well as financially draining. However, we've
gotten the deposit refund from the old apartment complex and have pretty
much settled in, so it's about time to get serious.
I realize that little has happened over the past months. This has partly
been because of external demands, but I also have been procrastinating,
trying to find the "perfect" components, expecting the small selection
of local vendors to meed all my needs, etc... Sometimes I get bogged down
in the details when trying to make a decision.
Well, as of July 1st, 1996 I will be ordering all of the components
I need to actually assemble my computer. By August, I expect to have significant
updates to add to this page.
One more thing: I appreciate all the comments and input I've been given! I'm sorry if I haven't responded to everyone, but I do read all the email I get. Expect to see some changes in the specs I give below as well, thanks to falling prices and re-considerations. And this page will likely be broken up into smaller pieces Real Soon Now. :)
Date: 5/13/96
I haven't done much on the system the past two months. The main problem
has been lack of time and dealing with slow local vendors. Also, in a few
more weeks I'll be moving to a new apartment, so I've had to spend a lot
of savings. But by the end of June, I should either have the remaining
components I need, or at least be ordering them.
This document is "fair-use friendly". Anyone may quote up to 15 percent of the document contents for the purpose of comment or criticism.
I have many years of experience in the usage of various computer systems, programs, etc. I hacked around on VAX/VMS for some years, started using IBM PC's around 1990 and have been involved with telecommunications since the mid 80's. I'm proficient with IBM PC's, Macintosh, Unix, VMS, and am able to learn any computer system or program language given enough documentation and a little time.
I have previously performed small hardware upgrades on my PC, such as adding on a sound card, an additional 4MB of RAM, and putting in a Super I/O controller card to replace the broken on-board serial port.
This page has been accessed
times.