HISTORY
This is another vintage PC I acquired with the objective of data retrieval. This objective could not be met - the original Quantum hard drive had failed in a strange way. Although making a clicking sound, it was detected by my imaging equipment and data could be read. However, only one platter / drive head was working, so only around 50% of the drive could be imaged, the other half being completely unreadable. Unfortunately this meant that all the data was corrupt and unusable. Aside from this, the PC itself looked in great condition, especially considering it's age, and was complete with it's original keyboard, mouse, screen and speakers. A new hard drive, and it could be back up and running, as good as new...
SPECIFICATIONS
Machine Type: Desktop Tower
Model: PACKARD BELL ICONNECT 1100
Year of Manufacturer: 2000
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-6WMM7 REV 4.1
Chipset: INTEL 810
Processor: INTEL CELERON 633MHz (Socket 370)
RAM: 64MB SDR SD-RAM (1x 168-Pin DIMM)
Hard Drive(s): 15GB PATA 3.5" (Replacement: 80GB PATA 3.5")
Optical Drive(s): CD-ROM PATA 5.25"
Graphics: Integrated (Intel)
Audio: Integrated (Intel)
Network: NONE
USB: 1.1 (2 Front, 2 Rear)
Power Supply: FSP 145W ATX (Replacement: FSP 400W ATX)
Other Features: Floppy Disk Drive, Dial-Up Modem
COA: Windows ME
INITIAL INSPECTION
As expected from a PC this old, a few other problems showed up during testing. The power supply had bad 5v and 12v outputs, the power button was sticking and the CD drawer wouldn't open properly. Fortunately, the motherboard looked in good shape, and little dust could be found in and around the cooling fans.
REPAIRS & MODIFICATIONS
- I had a power supply that worked but was not up to the job of powering the system it was in (too much demand from the processor and graphics card). This proved perfect for this purpose.
- Suitable replacement CD and hard drives were selected from a number of units that had been kindly donated.
- The power button was removed and the sides sanded down with emery paper to stop it sticking.
- The micro switch in the left mouse button was cleaned to increase it's effectiveness.
PREPARATION
With the main hardware items dealt with and diagnostics run, it was time to think about software. With more RAM, this computer could have run Windows XP, but I could see little point in this. Even if a network card was fitted, web browsing would have been very, very slow, and highly impractical. On the other hand, with Windows ME it would stay fast and original, and could still be quite useful as an offline PC, especially with the bigger, faster hard drive now installed.
SETUP
I was amazed at how easy and quick it was to get Windows ME loaded up to a working condition. Despite all it's criticism, I actually found Windows ME quite good, even when it was released back in 2000. I used it on my first self-built PC and it ran well. Likewise here, the operating system boots up in no time at all, making the desktop in a much shorter time than many Windows 10 computers do today. I initially did have a performance issue with mouse judder, but this was soon corrected by enabling DMA mode for the hard drive in Device Manager.
CONCLUSION
Packard Bell often gave away large software bundles with their systems, and this computer was obviously no exception. It was given to me a plastic wallet of disks, many of which would have come bundled with the computer when it was new. It was great to be able to have a quick go with 'Rayman 2' and 'Rally Championship', no doubt still as playable as they ever were. This system is by no means a practical substitute for anything remotely recent, but as a modern classic it would be hard to beat.
With the main hardware items dealt with and diagnostics run, it was time to think about software. With more RAM, this computer could have run Windows XP, but I could see little point in this. Even if a network card was fitted, web browsing would have been very, very slow, and highly impractical. On the other hand, with Windows ME it would stay fast and original, and could still be quite useful as an offline PC, especially with the bigger, faster hard drive now installed.
SETUP
I was amazed at how easy and quick it was to get Windows ME loaded up to a working condition. Despite all it's criticism, I actually found Windows ME quite good, even when it was released back in 2000. I used it on my first self-built PC and it ran well. Likewise here, the operating system boots up in no time at all, making the desktop in a much shorter time than many Windows 10 computers do today. I initially did have a performance issue with mouse judder, but this was soon corrected by enabling DMA mode for the hard drive in Device Manager.
CONCLUSION
Packard Bell often gave away large software bundles with their systems, and this computer was obviously no exception. It was given to me a plastic wallet of disks, many of which would have come bundled with the computer when it was new. It was great to be able to have a quick go with 'Rayman 2' and 'Rally Championship', no doubt still as playable as they ever were. This system is by no means a practical substitute for anything remotely recent, but as a modern classic it would be hard to beat.
