Author Topic: E-Machine set-up (Read 255 times)

falcon23 · « **on:** May 07, 2007, 05:07:55 PM »

Hello all,
Just got an e-machine for falcon23 jr..was hoping it would run aces high,but alas it does not.At least it is not the reason we got it for him.

I talked to skuzzy by phone,:aok ANd he said what many of you probably know as well,It just does not have the processor to run it..SEE DXDiag below...
And upgrading could be troublesome..

Skuzzy did mention northwood processor,and possibly one could be found,but I do not know the first place to look,or for that matter what it is I am looking for totally..Forgive my computer ignorance..

Anyway,after you have finished laughing at the fact that I actually PAID MONEY for an e-machine..and just for the record,I only paid $35...I know,I know,$34.50 too much..Can anyone speak to what it would take to upgrade this puppy to be an OK machine,or if it is even worth it?

Thanks,
Kevin

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 5/7/2007, 16:28:04
Machine name: THE-CORY-ZONE
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack
2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Emachines
System Model: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BIOS: Version 1.01
Processor: Intel Celeron, ~1.0GHz
Memory: 382MB RAM
Page File: 202MB used, 718MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) 82810E Graphics Controller (Microsoft
Corporation)
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 82810
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_7125&SUBSYS_7148109F&REV_03
Display Memory: 32.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (24 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: SyncMaster 753DF(T)/ 783DF(T), MagicSyncMaster AQ17DF
Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
Driver Name: i81xdnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.13.0001.3198 (English)
DDI Version: 8
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/3/2004 19:56:44, 702845 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: i81xnt5.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/3/2004 17:29:38, 161020 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-3265-11CF-517F-4951A1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x7125
SubSys ID: 0x7148109F
Revision ID: 0x0003
Revision ID: 0x0003
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Intel(r) Integrated Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2415&SUBSYS_7148109F&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ac97intc.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.3523 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
Date and Size: 8/17/2001 07:20:04, 96256 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0x0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Intel(r) Integrated Audio
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: ac97intc.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.3523 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 8/17/2001 07:20:04, 96256 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x0
Format Flags: 0x0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output,
DLS, Internal, Default Port
MPU-401, Hardware (Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
MPU-401, Hardware (Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
Intel(r) Integrated Audio, Software (Kernel Mode), Output,
DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel
Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not
Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
MPU-401 [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No
DLS, External
MPU-401 [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Input, No
DLS, External
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

eagl · « **Reply #1 on:** May 07, 2007, 05:36:14 PM »

Looks like a pentium 3? There was a 1.4 ghz celeron (tualatin core) that was a screaming cpu, pretty much the last and fastest of the P3 line. You might check to see if it'll fit and if the mobo bios would support it. You might find one of those cpus on ebay, and powerleap sells upgrade kits that would probably trick the mobo into running one of the newer cpus, however the adaptors and cpus cost more than that computer is worth. Again, try ebay.

That said, I had an old bookpc with similiar specs (i810 mobo) and it's bios topped out at 700mhz so the 1.4 P3 celeron I dropped in it wouldn't run any faster than 700mhz. The powerleap adaptor might have worked but it wasn't worth trying.

You'll need info on FSB speed, multipliers, and available voltages in order to match the specs with any potential cpu upgrade. I'd bet that you would notice a usability difference going from 1.0 ghz to 1.4 ghz when running winXP.

Going to 512 mb memory or more would also help a lot, but you really shouldn't spend much money on this at all. What you have will run winXP just fine, it just won't play games very well and he'll have learn a little patience waiting for windows to respond.

Fulmar · « **Reply #2 on:** May 07, 2007, 05:59:11 PM »

To be honest, you may be able to get that machine to run AH, but its not worth it.

It's a 1.0ghz Celeron* and its probably a Socket 378 Coppermine. It's going to have a slower FSB than a Pentium 3 and its sketchy if the eMachine motherboard would recognize a Pentium 3 or faster Celeron processor.

Save yourself the time and money and don't stick any money into it. The eMachine you have there probably has onboard video and the expansion slots are all PCI. By the time you buy upgrade parts like a PCI video card, more memory, possibly a new power supply that has enough wattage/amps for that new PCI video card (ones that can run games like AH are becoming rare), and a new processor, you'd could have saved enough money for new computer. **Your onboard video is probably really whats killin your performance attempts at AH.

Card name: Intel(R) 82810E Graphics Controller (Microsoft
Corporation)
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 82810
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_7125&SUBSYS_7148109F&REV_03
Display Memory: 32.0 MB**

*A 1.0ghz Celeron is going to benchmark lower than a 900mhz Pentium 3 because it has half the cahce and half the FSB.

TinmanX · « **Reply #3 on:** May 07, 2007, 06:03:06 PM »

My current PC started out as an E-Machine. Of course the only thing left now from the E-M is the power cord and a hard-drive. It did actually run AH though and had similar specs to yours when it did. This was of course many years ago (maybe 5). The motherboard ended up with a brown patch under the processor where it got way to hot and started melting and thus began the long series of upgrades and replacements that still continues today.

Did you 'x' out the model? It'll be pretty hard to find a processor that is compatible without a MB model number.

falcon23 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 07, 2007, 07:18:23 PM »

Thanks for the responses guys,and I will process it as well as I can..I did not X out the model,but here it is.. it is a t-1115 model..

I should also add that we are awaiting more ram and it will have a total of 512..The most it says one can install..
This site I have been looking at for upgrades. http://www.emachine-upgraders.info/ Thanks,Kevin

Fulmar · « **Reply #5 on:** May 07, 2007, 09:51:57 PM »

Since your video is onboard and you are increaing your RAM, you may be able to increase the amount of video memory available to the computer. You currently have 32mb on the video ram, you may be able to bump it up to 128. But this depends on the motherboard. You would see these options in the BIOS for the motherboard.

If this is possible you'd notice a boost in performance and may let you fly in AH.

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2007, 01:35:26 AM »

$50 is not a bad price for the XP license if you can manage to activate it on another computer. Usually you can.

Everything else needs to go.

humble · « **Reply #7 on:** May 08, 2007, 09:01:50 AM »

1st off, its a working computer for $35. Often we get wrapped up in AH (or similiar interests) and forget why we have computers in the 1st place. It's perfectly adequate for word processing, surfing the net and basic stuff. As mentioned its also a licensed copy of windows.

I wouldnt waste a dime on it (except possibly memory upgrade). Based on your sons age and interests I'd turn him lose on his toy. It might be the best $35 you ever spent.

I'd be curious what the cheapest AH capable (lets say 40 FPS at defaults in tower) box would be at current pricing. I just gave a friend who flies AH my old Ti-4200 and an extra stick of PC2100 (512M) to bring his emachine up to "spec" {he had 512 and an Fx 5200 (or 5700?}...

hubsonfire · « **Reply #8 on:** May 08, 2007, 10:04:36 AM »

If he invests a total of 100 bucks in it and it runs AH, excellent. If he invests that money and it doesn't, he's still got a working PC for cheap.