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1999 KC Tang production
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This page will be helpful to many of you guys out there without the
thorough understanding of the common desktop PC. So lets uncover some
simple myths and learn some useful tricks to handle your computer
just like an expert.
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Colin's Guide to PC installation
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PC installation is not a difficult task but certain
preparation and understanding is required especially for non technical
personnel. Considering the numerous steps and explanation is required
in order to complete a system. I would only give a brief overview
to the procedural steps and certain utilities requirements for PC
installation.
The following list of common components is required
before the installation of a new system can commence.
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Motherboard (BX, ZX and etc) |
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Memory chip (66,100,133 MHz) |
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CPU chip (AMD K6, AMD K7, celeron, pentiumII,
pentiumIII etc) |
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Harddisk (UDMA 33, 66MHz) |
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Floppy disk drive (3.5 inch, super disk
etc) |
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CD-ROM drive (CD-R, DVD drive etc)
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Casing (ATX perferred - power supply included) |
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VGA Card (PCI, AGP perferred) |
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Audio Card (optional - ISA, PCI) |
Some pointers to take note!!!!!!!!
| Celeron chip chosen |
Additional converter board
is required.
(pentium celeron is a socket 7 chip while BX or ZX board only
come with "slot 1" slot) |
| Memory chip |
(66 MHz does not really enable you overclocking,
you may try your luck) |
| Boot Disk |
1) Fdisk.exe
2) Format.exe
3) Operating system files
4) MSCDEX.exe (CD-ROM driver) |
Some simple terms :-
| Fdisk.exe |
Enable you to partition your harddisk
prior to format. In short, fdisk prepares the harddisk for formatting. |
| Format.exe |
An utility that formats your harddisk
so that operating systems like Win95/98 and file system can reside
in it. |
| Operating system files |
Command.com, IO.sys and MSDOS.sys |
| MSCDEX.exe |
file that enables the system to access
the CD-ROM drive. Note that this file does not come with the CD-ROM
disk.However, the driver that come with the purchase of the CD-ROM
is required to initiate the drive |
Lets begin
Setting up a system is a breeze. Important thing is to have confidence
in the manual and yourself. Be daring to experiment.
I have read a benchmark specification that in fact that Celeron 400
is actually out performing the Pentium II 400 in terms speed of rendering
3D images when running intensive 3D programs like 3D Studio Max. This
is due to the faster FSB (Front side bus) used in Celerons. However,
when multi-tasking is often th case then the pentium II L2 cache will
definately come into play. So for guys out there who wishes to get
a new system, you must be clear what your main appliaction is.
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Colin's Guide to overclocking
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Erm for this section, I would only recommend celeron
chips for overclocking. Pentium II and Pentium III is a complete waste
of time and money. Reason :- celeron gives you a substantial increase
in CPU speed at a much lower cost while PentiumII & III enables
u probable success with less than 60MHz at at least 2x more than the
price of a celeron.
How do I "overclock"???????
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Change clock
oscillator module |
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Change jumper
settings |
Take note that all celeron chips
are clock locked and thus only the jumper settings could be change.
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For Celeron Chips only
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| 266* (4x66) |
333 (4x83) |
400 (4x100) |
| 300* (4.5x66) |
375 (4.5x83) |
450 (4.5x100) |
| 300A* (4.5x66) |
375 (4.5x83) |
450 (4.5x100) |
| 333* (5x66) |
375 (5x75) |
416 (5x83) |
| i) |
Change the jumper settings on the motherboard
(refer to the motherboard manual's instructions) to set the CPU
to the desired clock rate. |
| ii) |
Boot up the system |
| iii) |
Did it boot up normally and to the desired
speed? (See the boot up screen
information/bios information?)
Yes - go to step v.
No - proceed to step iv.
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| iv) |
Sorry pal, it looks like your CPU is not
able to be overclocked to the speed that you desired. Hmm... this
is due to that some CPU revisions have different properties than
others, and therefore some tend to be less cooperative in the
overclocking process than others. Try another setting. If you
still unable to overclock it, post the problem to me and perhaps
a solution will be ready for you. |
| v) |
Well its good that you have reached this
step. Enter your BIOS setup program (not sure how to do it???
refer to the manual on the BIOS page). Recommend "set BIOS
default" to novices. As for advance users you should be capable
of handling most things on your own. |
| vi) |
Reboot the system and allow it to complete
the boot process. |
| vii) |
Viola!!! Next thing is to test your system's
reliability at the increased speed. Run your most CPU intensive
software for as long as you can. If the system does not crash,
congratulations, you've just overclocked your CPU!
Benchmarking ??? Not necessary, you should be able to feel the
difference when you have run your most intensive program. You
caan change your BIOS setting to further optimized the performance
by increasing the setup settings as fast as they could go without
compromising the system integrity. Should the system crash on
the new settings simply change it back to the previous settings.
Have fun! |
| viii) |
Hmm abit of warning - the life span of
your CPU chip definately going to be shorten even if you have
down sufficient cooling. However, this will be very subjective
and very much dependant on the your usage level. |
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