Ibm Aptiva Memory Upgrade

[W4CBJ]

I have an IBM Aptiva computer running Windows 98. It works very well and can display digital pictures but with poor resolution. The RAM is 64K and can be upgraded to 128K. A ham buddy of mine told me that the memory can be increased by using a flash memory chip (thumb drive). I do have a USB port (one) on the rear of the tower. What do I need and how do I proceed? Your input will be greatly appreciated. 73 Joe W4CBJ

[WA9SVD]

A thumb drive can increase storage capacability, but not base system memory.

64 or even 128K is not a possibility for a Win 98 machine. Do you mean 64 or 128 MEGABYTES?

An increase to 128 MB would certainly make the machine run better (64 MB is barely enough to allow Win 98 to load) but video quality (resolution and color depth) are functions of VIDEO memory, not system memory. (Although computers with video on the motherboard do share some system memory.)
The only real way to improve the graphics is to add a video card with it's own memory IF the motherboard will allow the built-in video to be disabled.

HAve you TRIED to adjust the video settings?

Right click on the Desktop, and selext "Properties." Then select "Settings" and see if you can increaase the color depth (number of colors.)
It's also possible the proper video drivers were never properly installed on the computer, so the default of 640x480 resolution at 16 or 256 is selected.

Let us know what the "settings" are currently set at.

[ve3sre]

Finding RAM modules so that you can upgrade the old beast might be a little difficult these days...depending on what type of RAM the machine uses.

You might find some at a hamfest, a local computer shop's "junk bin" or on "Freecycle". Or you might tear apart another machine for the RAM modules (and whatever else you can scrounge).

Whatever you do don't spend a whole lot of money.

73

[WA9SVD]

CBJ:

What kind of memory does the computer use?

Is it 30 Pin in sets of four,

or 72 Pin (usually in sets of two)

or something different???

And what processor / speed is the beast?

Increasing the memory is worthwhile (yet not necessarily cost-effective) but that still won't improve the video quality.

[KD6NIG]

In most cases RAM for video is either on the board itself (if its an actual video card) or sometimes on the motherboard. Sometimes its taken out of the actual system ram, but usually at a set limit (usually 8MB or 16MB). Some of them will increase the video ram if you increase the ram in the computer.

The problem is most systems (even systems today) have limits based on the motherboard for amount of ram. You'd have to find out what that limit is.

Also, resolution is usually based on the adapter. If it cannot support higher resolution its likely beyond the means of the adapter itself, and that wouldn't be because of the amount of ram it has.

RAM usually helps refresh rates and processing in "high end" graphics such as games with a lot of motion. Or, rich colors or effects like sliding menus.

You might honestly be better off looking for a "used" low end XP system if you're not going to put it on the internet, then install 98 on that if you're looking for 'legacy' compatibility. Probably wouldn't be too hard to find as many people upgrade computers every few years to "keep up with the Jones' " as they say.

I have acquired many a used computer by helping a friend transfer stuff from the old to the new. Once its done, "how do I get rid of the old one" is often asked, and I offer to do it for them. SOLD!

Many a Linux server has been made this way, or I part them out and keep the parts. Sure a 40GB hard drive is small by todays standards, but for backing up an 80-120GB thats half full and using compression its perfect, as an example....

I'm sure if you check around you could probably find an older system cheap or gratis that would be cheaper than trying to find legacy ram. People sell that stuff for a mint nowadays.

[W4CBJ]

Hey fellows, I certainly appreciate your replies. FYI, I purchased this IBM Aptiva tower, monitor, KB and mouse with cables for twenty bucks ($20.00) from a thrift shop. Nice and clean. Cleaned out a bunch of files and from the getgo, it works fine. Also found a HP 648C printer at anothere thrift shop for FREE. It did not have an AC adapter but bought one on E-bay for five bucks. My point here is that I do not have a bundle invested. I should have the memory chips in the mail tommorrow or Friday and will be better prepared to answer those question then. The default setting was 640x480 and I moved it to 1024x768. The colors set to 256. The processor is: Authentic AMD, AMD-K6, 450 MHz 3D processor. The model number is: 2170 245. Yes, the RAM should read: 64 MB (my mistake). Expandable to 128 MB. Uses PC100 type of memory(has banks of 1 socket each. Hopefully, this is what I should receive.
This has been an excellent learning project. By investigating the limitations of this system I have learned. I do not find separate specifications for a video card so I'm afraid that it is built into the motherboard. Again, I certainly appreciate your input and will keep you informed of my progress... 73 Joe W4CBJ

[W4CBJ]

Resetting the display properties to 1024x768 has significantly improved the picture resolution... not perfect but much better. Also, the IBM nameplate states: " EXPANDS TO 256 MB." (128 my error). WE are making progress. Thanks 73 Joe W4CBJ

[WA9SVD]

Resetting the display properties to 1024x768 has significantly improved the picture resolution... not perfect but much better. Also, the IBM nameplate states: " EXPANDS TO 256 MB." (128 my error). WE are making progress. Thanks 73 Joe W4CBJ

OK, Joe, thanks for that info.

You have a decent machine. While not "state of the art" anymore, it's not quite ready for the scrap heap yet. (In fact, I've been using the equivalent (K6-2/450 MHz, 256 MB PC-100) since just after Christmas while I'm trying to find time to rebuild my regualr XP machine after a hard drive failure.)

I'm not sure if that particular model has "video on board" or a seperate vidio card. If you check documentation (you can probably get some info from the IBM WebSite) you can answer that. IF the video is on the MoBo, you should have an option of disabling it and installing a seperate video card. You can get some decent ones at hamfests; or watch for sales.
If you do look for a seperate video card, a few caveats:

There will be two types: AGP or PCI interface. While AGP is preferable, and faster, that's really only a major consideration for video games or DVD/streaming video. For static applications, (no animation or rapidly changing images) it's not terrible important.
the real problem is that a computer of your vintage needs an AGP 1.0 or AGP2.0 compatible card; not all NEW AGP cards will accomodate those old standards, and cen either be damaged, damage the MoBo, or both, unless you have the specs on the card and MoBo.

PCI cards should be more than adequate for your applications, and can be found for relatively little $. Our last swapmeet, I was able to get a couple of good cards (excellent at the time your computer was made) for $5.00 each. I also upgraded this present computer (the K6-2) with a NEW video card with 128 MB memory for $29.00 and a $30 rebate at our Fry's Electronics a couple of months ago.
What you would be looking for is a video card that will have at least 16 MB memory and support at least 800x600 or 1024x768 resolution; and a color depth of at least 16 bits. (Yes, for good graphics you need MORE than 256 colors; 16K is usually acceptable, but 64K or more is much better. It's sometimes referred to as 16, 24, or 32 bit color depth.) If you are dealing with video that's contained on the motherboard, then you may be limited to whatever resolution and color depth you now have. Sometimes you can increase color depth (such as from 256 colors to 16 K) at the sacrifice of screen resolution; see if you can set the resolution to 800x600, and possible get increased color depth. (Again, Desktp Right Click>Properties>settings.)

[W4CBJ]

Larry, thanks for the excellent info. As I previously stated, this is a great learning experience for me. I dig technical stuff, especially research. QRZ provides an excellent way to interchange information. Today is Friday and I am expecting that the RAM memory chips will arrive in the mail. At that time, I will be able to furnish more info. Thanks again ! 73 Joe W4CBJ

[W4HDM]

I bought one of the Aptivas in the mid 90s and loved it
33MHz and 4MB Ram LOL

I used it up until about 2000 ... Lightning got it.:( It would have been a great secondary machine for logging and such.

[W4CBJ]

Received package in the mail today (02-22-2008). Contained three (3) parts. P/N 1 = a 56K data/fax modem. The modem I have in the Aptiva is a Rockwell 56K data.fax modem and works fine, so I'll keep the 'new' one as a spare. P/N 2 = PC-133 128 MB GLO151148 022202 128MB 16x64 PC133
7002152-138911 with 10-30-45 pins (circuit board connectors) It measures: 135mm x 24mm. (5 1/4" x 15/16")
P/N 3 = 128 MB,SYN DIMM, 100 174E5 108695
with 10-30-45 pins. Measures: 135mm x 34mm (5 1/4" x 1 1/4"). The specs for the IBM 2170 245 states: Maximum memory 256MB. Sockets: 2, Slots/banks: 2 Compatible Memory Upgrades: SimpleTech 128MB PC100 100mHz Non-ECC Unbuffered SDRAM.
Memory: IBM part 01K1138. So far, I have not opened the case to examine the innards. SOME GOOD NEWS: Before you advised me on how to change the settings, the picures would show up like black and white negatives.No color. Since your advice: Pictures show up nicely in color. I'm as happy as a dead pig in the sunshine (WHEW). It takes from one minute fifteen seconds to two minutes to change from one picture to the next. I can crop, enlarge and store the pictures to the hard drive, but each picture takes several minutes to load. The Kodak EasyShare system seems to work fine. What is your next advice in installing the memory and your advice on what to do nexy. Many thanks ! 73 Joe W4CBJ

[WA9SVD]

Received package in the mail today (02-22-2008). Contained three (3) parts. P/N 1 = a 56K data/fax modem. The modem I have in the Aptiva is a Rockwell 56K data.fax modem and works fine, so I'll keep the 'new' one as a spare. P/N 2 = PC-133 128 MB GLO151148 022202 128MB 16x64 PC133
7002152-138911 with 10-30-45 pins (circuit board connectors) It measures: 135mm x 24mm. (5 1/4" x 15/16")
P/N 3 = 128 MB,SYN DIMM, 100 174E5 108695
with 10-30-45 pins. Measures: 135mm x 34mm (5 1/4" x 1 1/4"). The specs for the IBM 2170 245 states: Maximum memory 256MB. Sockets: 2, Slots/banks: 2 Compatible Memory Upgrades: SimpleTech 128MB PC100 100mHz Non-ECC Unbuffered SDRAM.
Memory: IBM part 01K1138. So far, I have not opened the case to examine the innards. SOME GOOD NEWS: Before you advised me on how to change the settings, the picures would show up like black and white negatives.No color. Since your advice: Pictures show up nicely in color. I'm as happy as a dead pig in the sunshine (WHEW). It takes from one minute fifteen seconds to two minutes to change from one picture to the next. I can crop, enlarge and store the pictures to the hard drive, but each picture takes several minutes to load. The Kodak EasyShare system seems to work fine. What is your next advice in installing the memory and your advice on what to do nexy. Many thanks ! 73 Joe W4CBJ


I hope that works. There are apparently two types of "PC-133" memory. And only one type will work in a machine that typically uses PC-100 memory. Try it and see. If the BIOS doesn't recognize the full amount, you mnay have to exchange it. (Keep us posted.)

As far as the photo display/editing, I don't know what is causing such a "delay." Photo manipulation shouldn't take that long with the machine you have. THAT may be an inherent problem in the software.

I use "PaintShop Pro" and you might be able to find an older version somewhere. (Such as Ver. 5.) I have versions. 8, 9, and 10, but I still use version 5 on all my machines, it's more than good enough, and reasonably fast. (One multimedia Instructor from Cal Poly said it compares very well with Adobe PhotoShop.) You should be able to find an older version quite reasonably; even the newest versions are well under $100, and there are often competitive rebates that bring the current version price down to about $30.


Memory installation should be straightforward. Turn off and UNPLUG the computer. Open the case, and locate the memory slots; one should be empty. Push the "tabs" on the sides down so they move slightly away from the memory connector edge. Carefully line up the new memory module in the empty slot, (it only goes in correctly one way) and gently press down; the module will "snap" into place, and the "tabs" will "POP" into position to latch onto the memory to secure it into place. (Removal would be the opposite; press down geently on the tabs and the memory will be pushed up and out of the socket.

Let us know how you are doing.

[W4CBJ]

O. K. and thanks for your advice. I am beginning to get the picture (HI). Will record, log and take pictures for the file and future reference. The parts were new and free so there is no return for a refund. (HI). I'll ask my same buddy if he has any of the video cards you suggested. Will advise. 73 Joe W4CBJ

[WA9SVD]

O. K. and thanks for your advice. I am beginning to get the picture (HI). Will record, log and take pictures for the file and future reference. The parts were new and free so there is no return for a refund. (HI). I'll ask my same buddy if he has any of the video cards you suggested. Will advise. 73 Joe W4CBJ

If the pictures' display is is now acceptable, I wouldn't even bother changing the video card. You would still have to worry about getting the correct drivers in many cases, and it's hardly worth the effort unless there are other reasons to change. If you can get at least 16 bit color depth at the resolution you use, you probably won't notice a difference on most computer monitors.

[W4CBJ]

Good thought that had not occured to me. The Performance Status display shows: "MEMORY 64.0 MB of RAM" . After I install the new memory stick, I will check to see if it recognizes the upgrade. Many thanks and will advise. 73 Joe W4CBJ

[W4CBJ]

Monday 02-26-2008. Performed the following:
Opened case, cleaned both cooling fans and CPU heat sink. Removed dust. Removed PC-100 64 MB DIMM, replaced with PC-100 128 MB DIMM. Made notes of empty and filled slots, recorded existing data on drive nameplates,
noted empty sockets... took digital pictures of front, rear. sides, top, bottom and innards for future reference. May seem silly to you but I am a beginner at working on computers. Put cover back on case, connected it back up and YES, the computer recognized the upgrade and indicated 128.0 MB of RAM. Very good so far. One thing that I noticed is that previously, I could hear the handshaking on the phone line and now it is silent. I thought it was accidently, but there was no dial tone.
Also the CPU is a AMD K6-2 (like yours). The bottom slot is empty and the one above it is the 156K modem. The third from the bottom has a unit that has a socket for a phone plug and a green LED marked "Link". I am unfaniliar with this unit. (inside card marked: ENL832-GTX-RENT. The top slot is empty. The CD-ROM drive is a 18x-40x speed. There are 2 slots in the front and then the 3 1/2" floppy drive. Could I install a drive that will burn CD's and install the appropriate programs to run it? What do you suggest? The more I use this IBM, the more I like it. Not scratch on it. Not bad for twenty bucks ! Thanks for your help. So far it has been a total sucess. 73 Joe W4CBJ

[W4CBJ]

More good news. The picture change that I reported as taking from one minute and fifteen seconds to two minutes to change...now only takes a few seconds. Using Kodak EasyShare program. I
I'm happy as hell. Disregard the stuff about the telephone handshaking.. There must have been a disconnect by me altho I haven't found it yet. Now I'm wondering if I should add another 128 MB of RAM for a total of 256 MB. What do you think ? Thanks again. 73 Joe W4CBJ

[W4CBJ]

Overall, I find that preliminary start-up to operational, the upgrade speeds the machine up. It loads in about (timed) 75% of the former time. 73 Joe W4CBJ

[WA9SVD]

If you have the additional memory, by all means, try it. On some machines, a PC-133 memory module will work fine; on some, however, it won't recognize the proper amount. (Depends on both the individual memory and the particular machine.) The performance improvement won't be as dramatic as the increase from 64>128 MB, but it will still help.
(BTW, the additional memory also saves wear and tear on your hard drive.) The long processing time for pictures with only 64 MB means a lot of transfers from memory to hard drive and back to memory Now, most of the processing can occur in physical memory.

The card with the socket and "LINK" LED is an Ethernet card, that can be used for networking or connection to a DSL or Cable modem if you have that service.

It should be quite easy to add a CD burner. The cable attached to the hard drive should have an additional connector for a second drive, or there may be another connector on the motherboard to attach another cable. Many drives will come with a ribbon cable for attachment, ot you can probably beg one from a friend. CD burners usually come bundled with the software necessary to burn CD's; typically "NERO:Burning ROM." It's more than adequate for most purposes, although the documentation is either sparse or contained on the CD itself.

(If all else fails, you can at least replace the current CD-ROM with a CD-R/W drive, and not have to worry about additional cables, etc.)

[W4CBJ]

Larry, fine and thanks again for the info. Do you have any recommendation for a CD/R/W drive ? 73 Joe W4CBJ

[WA9SVD]

Larry, fine and thanks again for the info. Do you have any recommendation for a CD/R/W drive ? 73 Joe W4CBJ

Best quality and reputation (probably hightest $$, also) is a drive made by Plextor.

But considering the market now, the drives are basically considered "disposable" if they die in a couple of years. With sales and rebates, you shouldn't have to pay more than $20 ir $30. Sony is probably a good brand also, but I doubt there;s much difference between most. Just about any should be "good enough." Try Fry's, Best Buy, Circus City, CompUSA if they are still in your area. To be honest, I'd just go for the best price. The computer probably doesn't have enough "OOMPH" to properly support a DVD burner, but even those have been in the $20-$30 range lately.

[W4CBJ]

Larry, you have been of tremendous help to me. Thank you again for your advice and all the other hams you have have helped. That's what amateur radio is all about. Also, thanks to the QRZ website that made this information exchange possible. 73 Joe W4CBJ

[W4CBJ]

Larry, you have been of tremendous help to me. Thank you again for your advice and all the other hams you have have helped. That's what amateur radio is all about. Also, thanks to the QRZ website that made this information exchange possible. 73 Joe W4CBJ

[WA9SVD]

Larry, you have been of tremendous help to me. Thank you again for your advice and all the other hams you have have helped. That's what amateur radio is all about. Also, thanks to the QRZ website that made this information exchange possible. 73 Joe W4CBJ

Glad to help. I just don't subscribe to the "upgrade for the sake of upgrade" philosophy. And while it's true that even a K6-2/450 is getting on in age, it's not quite ready for the scrap heap. At one time, it WAS considered "state of the art." But progress does eventually take over.

I just finished re-re-working my XP machine; an Athlon XP 2100+. Finally upgraded to 2 GB memory (thanks to Fry's/Kingston.) It could use an extra 1 GB in addition, but it's not really worth the trouble or expense; it's not cost effective for MY uses.
It's obsolete by now, but XP IS a definite improvement over Win98SE, IF the hardware can handle it. A K6-2/450 with even 256 MB will be much happier running Win98SE than XP. But some programs DO run noticably faster than on the K6/Win98 machine. And surprisingly, the internal modem in XP connects faster than the external modem does on the Win98 machine. But with dial-up, the bottleneck is the hponeline, not the computer hardware. But I have to travel too often to justify having broadband at home, at least for now. At least Earthlink dial-up has been available everywhere I've needed it.

I see two K6-2/450 machines headed to the Salvation Army real soom. I inherited four, and I intend to keep the "pick of the litter" for backup purposes, and use it mostly in the radio shack. As a stand-alone, it won't need an Internet connection. And as with ALL my machines, it multi-boots with DOS 6.22. I have a few programs (esp. satellite tracking) that only work in DOS; they don't "play nice" with any XP, and even were a bit reticent in minding their nammers with the Win98 MS-DOS mode.
Enjoy the machine. Glad I could help.

[W4CBJ]

What next ? One of my ham buddies read my posts and E-mailed me that he is shipping me a Sony DVD/CD-RW external drive with all disks, documentation and cables. Amateur radio folks are hard to beat ! 73 Joe W4CBJ

[WA9SVD]

What next ? One of my ham buddies read my posts and E-mailed me that he is shipping me a Sony DVD/CD-RW external drive with all disks, documentation and cables. Amateur radio folks are hard to beat ! 73 Joe W4CBJ

That's an EASY question to answer. The week after you get everything hooked up and working, it's time to upgrade!:rolleyes: :D :D

[W4CBJ]

My buddy in Indiana sent me an e-mail today stating that he has shipped me a Sony EXTERNAL DVD-CD-R/W drive. He also asked me if I had space in the box for an INTERNAL drive. WOW ! How lucky can I get? The Aptiva is working splendidly and is a good deal faster dialing up the Internet and processing the digital photos. WOW ! 73 Joe W4CBJ

[W4CBJ]

Monday, March 3, 2008. Sony DRX-710UL EXTERNAL drive and software received today. Internal drive expected soon. Thanks 73 Joe W4CBJ

[W4CBJ]

UPDATE on the IBM Aptiva: my ham buddy in Indiana E-mailed me and told me to look for a package this weekend. I am assuming it will be the internal disk drive... No further info now...but will advise upon receipt... 73 Joe W4CBJ

[W4CBJ]

Thursday, March 20, 2008. Received package in mail today from my ham buddy in Indiana: Contents= 2 more memory DIMM 128MB matched pair and
MAXTOR 10.2GB UDMA/66 5400RPM 512KB IDE Hard Drive, Model 91021U2.
Connector on back (for ribbon cable) has 39 male pins. Ribbon cable shipped with unit has plug with 34 female connectors and "V" grooves for proper alignment. Socket has no projections to fit grooves. Most probably wrong cable (?). I wonder if this unit is compatible with the IBM Aptiva running Win 98 and 256MB of RAM ? Your advice will be appreciated.. 73 Joe W4CBJ

[k5phw]

Nice thread. Like a breath of fresh air. :)



73 Clyde

[W4CBJ]

Yep, I agree.. Great stuff when you have a problem and a fellow ham can help you out. Thanks also to the QRZ site that makes this endeavour possible. Attended my first ham meeting in Maplewood section of Malden, MA in March 1938 at age eleven (11)/ My older brother (15) was W1LSC. 73 Joe W4CBJ

[WA9SVD]

Thursday, March 20, 2008. Received package in mail today from my ham buddy in Indiana: Contents= 2 more memory DIMM 128MB matched pair and
MAXTOR 10.2GB UDMA/66 5400RPM 512KB IDE Hard Drive, Model 91021U2.
Connector on back (for ribbon cable) has 39 male pins. Ribbon cable shipped with unit has plug with 34 female connectors and "V" grooves for proper alignment. Socket has no projections to fit grooves. Most probably wrong cable (?). I wonder if this unit is compatible with the IBM Aptiva running Win 98 and 256MB of RAM ? Your advice will be appreciated.. 73 Joe W4CBJ

Not real familiar with the Aptiva line specifically. You said the IBM docs said it's expandable to 256 MB, so you will apparently have to remove the memory modules you have in the machine now, and replace them with the ones you received. (Just make sure the new ones ARE the right type; the SD-RAM you need is PC-100 and will have two notches in the row on contact at the bottom; they are asymmetrical, so they can only be installed one way. You push outwards on the tabs at the side of each module, and they will pop right out. To install the new modules, make sure the tabs are all the way down, and using equal pressure on each side of the module, push down, and it will snap into place, and the retainer tabs on the side will latch module into place.

Not sure how to advise on the hard drive. What is the size of the hard drive already in the machine, and what brand? Without knowing a bit more, I can't say if the drives are configures as "Master/Slave" or they use "Cable Select;,"
there will be a small jumper on the rear of the drive that has to be set properly.
I also don't know if that model has one or two IDE channels, or how they are configured. The original hard drive and CD-ROM are probably on a single IDE channel.
The ribbon cable is almost certainly the wrong type; a 34 conductor cable is for floppy drives, not IDE drives. The IDE drives are 40 pin. (Or 39, with one removed for indexing and orientation.
If you know anyone who has added an internal drive to a computer lately, they might have a spare ribbon cable to loan you. (The ribbon cable usually comes with retail boxed hard drives and CD-ROM or DVD drives.) I can mail you a cable if we can determine how the drives are configured. (But that will take time.)

You also have to determine if the machine DOES have a second IDE channel. If so, what you will want to do is reconfigure the machine so that both hard drives are on one channel, and the CD-ROM drive is on the second channel.

The ribbon cables usually have a polarized plug or other mechanism to ensure proper orientation. Pin 1 is always the color coded end wire; it will usually be red or red striped or otherwise identified; the edge connector will also have a small, inconspicuous arrow pointing to pin 1. Most ribbon cable connectors will also have a small tab in the center of one side; that tab will fit into a slot in the connector on the drive. if the tab is missing, the "hole" in the ribbon connector that corresponds to the missing pin on the drive connector will usually have a stop inserted to prevent insertion of the ribbon connector the wrong way. (Usually, but not always.) Remember, the colored wire (pin 1) always goes nearest the power connector.

If the drives use the "Master/Slave" system, then the Master (presumably your original drive) goes on the far end of the cable, and the new drive will go on the middle connector. Likewise, with the CD-ROM, you may have to reconfigure it as a Master (again, there's a jumper on the back of CD or DVD drives that usually has three possible positions, marked "MA SL CS." The jumper sets the drive as Master (or single drive) Slave, as a drive added to an existing Master drive, or "Cable Select," if that's how they configure IBM's.

Once you get the drives installed, then you will have to format (or partition and format) the new hard drive, if that hasn't already been done.

Then you should be good to go.

SUGGESTION: Install the memory first, to make sure the system recognizes it and works properly. Then tackle the drives a day or two later, if you haven't done this before.

What is the specific model number of your APTIVA? If there's some info at the IBM site, I might be able to figure out how they configure the IDE drives, and if your model does, in fact, have two IDE channels. (And refresh my memory: What is the capacity of your current hard drive, even if you can't find the model number?