ONLINE TECH SUPPORT
	Upgrading a '486 computer A 486 is a 16-bit processor, and SHOULD be running a 16-bit operating system like Windows 3.1 A Pentium/Pentium2 computer is a 32-bit computer and should be running a 32-bit operating system, like Win95 or 98. While it IS possible to install Win95 on a 486, many people say that (a) it runs way to slow (b) eventually crashes & needs to be installed again. The crashes are caused by the hard drive which is formatted with a 16-bit FAT (file allocation table) while Windows 95/98 requires 32-bit FAT for native support of long filenames (names longer than the old DOS 8x3 filename convention)(12345678.123) Other concerns: The CD-ROM drive, the hard disk, the video card, etc. were all made before "Plug & Pray" came about. This means that if the attached devices don't automatically come up during the installation of Win95, they would need to be installed manually to IRQ and DMA settings - which may turn a 1 hour job into an all-day affair. Plus, there are hardware incompatibilities.... some CD-ROM drives (a) will not work under Windows95 or (b) would require finding Win95 drivers from the manufacturer. And many of the non-Plug & Play devices are NO LONGER manufactured. Companies have HAD to upgrade their products to stay in business. Consequently, little or no tech support is available today on those devices. These are just SOME of the problems encountered when trying to retrofit Win95 onto an older computer. Likewise, the Pentium computers built only TWO years ago don't even resemble today's computers, like the current versions of the AMD K6/2-450. Today's computers are just so much smarter inside... The Y2K issue with older motherboards is (a) the clock and (b) the BIOS. Some brands may be fooled with new Y2K software, others cannot. Won't know unless you try it, which takes some time. Learn more... Visit College.1usa.com for a large list of sources for additional information. BarryZ Our advertisers help keep your costs low. Let them know that you've seen their web pages on 1USA.COM! (c) by 1USA Internet Services This Website is maintained by the staff at 1USA. All Contents including GIFs and JPGs are Copyrighted by 1USA.COM, a division of Magic Multimedia, Inc. and may not be used by others for any reason. All rights reserved.
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