Is there a "Best Build" category for my recently completed build?

[ncmike]

It took four months and rare parts from the 4 corners of the earth. Enjoy it - if you can fathom the significance and appreciate the challenge. Lots of photos and full back story here: http://orignialbeast.blogspot.com/

Build Summary (Hardware)

• 
  ■ Features an extremely rare Intel InBoard/386 PC accelerator adapter from 1986
  ■ The Intel Inboard has been upgraded using a Cyrix CX486DRX2-20/40GP 40MHz 133-pin compatible, clock-doubled CPU
  ■ The Intel InBoard has an 80387 math co-processor (enabled)
  ■ Uses an ultra-fast bootable, solid-state, swappable compact flash (and the XT/IDE adapter is Slot 8 compatible!)
  ■ Has twin half-height, front (bay) mounted, compact flash drives for super-easy access and swapping of CF cards
  ■ Runs multiple operating systems including PC DOS 2000, Windows 3.1 - just pop in a different CF card
  ■ The Intel InBoard/386 has 1MB of on-board memory with a 4MB daughter card used for extended memory
  ■ Implements a 1MB virtual RAM disk
  ■ Running PC/DOS 2000 and full Microsoft Windows 3.1 with Internet Explorer 3.02a and Java - on a PC/XT!
  ■ Has 8MB of expanded memory via an Intel AboveBoard Plus 8, which is fully compatible with the Intel InBoard/386
  ■ Has a rare PC/XT (5/86) BIOS that natively supports the IBM Model-M 101-key classic keyboard
  ■ Uses an auto-sensing ATi 38800-1 Graphics Ultra Mach8 SVGA adapter with 1.5MB of vide memory
  ■ Supports a 20" ViewSonic flat panel display at 1024x768x256 SVGA resolution in Windows
  ■ Has a Backpack CD-ROM with audio
  ■ Has a high-density floppy drive controller with native on-board BIOS that supports bootable 1.44/1.2MB drives
  ■ Has full internet & web connectivity via a 3Com Ethernet III 3C509B RJ45 Ethernet Adapter and Trumpet WinSock
  ■ Modem connectivity via an US Robotics 56K external modem
  ■ Has a rare Sound Blaster CT1350B 8-bit audio card with an option to add CMS support
  ■ Has a serial Microsoft mouse (uncommon for PC/XTs, mice didn't get popular until Windows 3.x came along)
  ■ Uses a BOCA 9582 multi-function adapter for serial and parallel ports to conserve slots
  ■ Has a classic Kraft 2-button Joystick driven off of the SoundBlaster CT1350B
  ■ Has a 100MB hot-swap cartridge Iomega Zip drive
  ■ 80mm blue LED 30CFM fan mounted inside the front chassis to provide additional air flow for the 80386
  ■ Bootable half-height, high-density 3.5" 1.44 and 5.25: /1.2MB floppy drives with a dual-drive bay mount
  ■ All in a single, classic PC/XT chassis - no 5161 expansion chassis required

----------------------------------------------------

Software Installed and Fully Operational

Primary Base OS: IBM PC DOS 2000 (7.1)
Memory Optimization: Quarterdeck QRAM
Graphical Desktop 1: Windows 1.3
Graphical Desktop 2: Windows 2.3
Graphical Desktop 3: Windows 3.1
Graphical Desktop 4: DesqView 2.0
Graphical Desktop 5: OpenGEM
Windows 95 Shell for Windows 3.x Calmira II
Plain Text Editor (DOS): Mansfield KEDIT Version 5
File Manager: IBM File Command
Word Processor #1/DOS: WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS
Word Processor #2/DOS: Microsoft Word for DOS Version 4
Word Processor #3/Windows: Microsoft Word 6 (Microsoft Office Version 4.2)
Accounting: QuickBooks Version 1.0
Page Layout: Aldus PageMaker
Spreadsheet #1/DOS: Lotus 123 Version 2.4
Spreadsheet #2/DOS: VisiCalc
Spreadsheet #2/Windows: Microsoft Excel for Version 5 (Microsoft Office Version 4.2)
Spreadsheet #3/Windows: Lotus 123 Version 5 for Windows 3.1
Contact Manager: Contact Master
Graphics #1/DOS: Harvard Graphics 2.03
Graphics #2/Windows: Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows (Microsoft Office Version 4.2)
Communications (Dial-up): QMODEM and ProComm Plus
Database: Ashton-Tate dBase III Plus
Document Reader (DOS): Acrobat 1.0
High-End Document Composer: DWSCRIPT
Games: Monopoly, PacMan, Pong, Jeopardy, Space Invaders, and Wheel of Fortune
MIDI Software: Voyetra Sequencer Plus Pro
CD Music Player: CDP (CDPlayer)
Internet Browser/DOS: Arachne
Internet Browsers/Windows): Internet Explorer, Lynx, and Netscape
Internet TCP/IP Stack/DOS): mTCP
Internet TCP/IP Stack/Windows: Trumpet Winsock with a DOS shim
and a boatload more....


Enjoy,
Mike

 

[LucoTF]

So many smiles as I read through that list

 

[MeteorsRaining]

I'm stunned!

This system is based on a platform available way before I was born, something I haven't heard of. The title seemed interesting so I checked this out, and the scale of detail you've put on, in your blog, is truly a treat. I'll be honest here, I'm not familiar with 90% of the parts you mentioned, but I appreciate the very spirit of taking up such a project.

The blog has been bookmarked, I'll be studying the parts in greater detail. Sorry, I'm not aware of any specific vintage build exhibitions or categories, but I'd like to thank you for sharing this beauty here at Tom's!

 

[ncmike]

So many smiles as I read through that list

Exactly! That was the entire motivation and intended effect - bring back the great memories. I hope younger builders might appreciate this as well; this is before many folks time. I encourage everyone to take a look. Even I learned a slew of new things that I either didn't know or plain 'ol had forgotten long ago. It was fun doing this build and taking a break from 'modern' builds. It was also a hoot to network this build to my current i7-3930 OCed monster.