• Please review our updated Terms and Rules here

Magnavox 386SX-16 & Targa TS30AS

C

[Chris]

Experienced Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2013
Messages
83
Location
Corona, New York, United States
Hey, i'm pretty much new here.

So here's two of my vintage PC's i have:

Magnavox 386SX-16


I've had this one for a few years now. Found it in the trash one afternoon while going home. Plugged it in, and it started up right away without any trouble at all. Sorry for the lack of pics as i gotta dig it out from my storage locker which i will do one day to show the PC in full action. Also got the service manual with the schematics and all.

The specs as followed:

16MHz Intel i386 SX
1MB Onboard RAM + 4MB DRAM expansion (for a total of 5MB)
40MB Seagate HDD
Crystal Labs ISA Sound card (which i was testing on the video)
Lotus Magellan OEM Install + MS-DOS 5 + Windows 3.1


The other one:
Targa TS30AS

null_zpsf6ebb09b.jpg


null_zps291f8fbf.jpg


null_zpsca11c9b7.jpg


Got this recently from eBay, just needs an OS. Hadn't checked if the HDD is still good despite the fact it does show up on the BIOS. But if it doesn't, i do have a 256MB CF card and an adapter to use as an "SSD"

Specs:

66MHz Intel i486DX2
8MB RAM
450MB Seagate HDD
32KB Video chipset

I'm debating whether to install Windows 95, or just plain ol' MS-DOS 7 and Windows 3.1

I also own a few older PowerPC Macs but they really don't fall into this category.
 
I have never seen a Magnavox computer. Interesting find.

It should be possible to dual boot 3.1/95 if you have a large enough hd.
 
Here's a full video of the Magnavox PC in action:


Only issue i'm having is getting the Felix mouse to work on Windows 3.1
I already tried going to setup.exe and it seems not to pick up the mouse at all despite the mouse working fine in MS-DOS apps.
 
The system manual says so. You could always try a 25MHZ: it may just be clocked down with the crystal.
 
Of course it's clocked with the crystal. The number on the chip is just the rated speed.

But before putting in the effort (and money) in tracking down a coprocessor, stop and consider whether you really need it. I personally wouldn't bother installing one unless I already happened to have the chip on hand. Those sockets are usually empty for a reason... a copro isn't particularly useful in a 386.
 
[Chris] said:
Only part i'm having a hard time with is finding the math co-processor. It has the socket for it, but does it necessarily have to be a 16MHz 387SX?
Click to expand...

It must be a 387SX - not a DX - but any speed rating above 16Mhz is fine.
As mentioned though, other than being 'oh cool I filled a socket' - you wont really notice any differences - it's only a speed booster for applications designed to use it.
 
SimCity utilizes the FPU. And Lotus 123 and other business software. :) Games virtually never.
 
Last edited:
Spreadsheets do come to mind when lotus 123 is mentioned. Some of us like the guessing please don't spoil the moment Stone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top