Re: Re: Commodore 64 Ultimate Starlight
By: Daniel to All on Mon Apr 13 2026 16:30:01

I watched a computer being built for the first time. I had no idea what was what. Everything looked alien to me.

First time I saw the inside of a PC, that was my reaction as well, but I was facinated as well. When I learned that everything just plugged into the various mobo slots, and that no soldering was involved (I thought that was a prerequsite), I decided to give it a shot. I picked up a book at a local bookstore (remember those, kids?) and read it cover to cover before getting any of the components. When I was done, it really did seem simple enough. The only thing I was nervous about was dealing with the CPU. Specifically, locking it into place and applying the thermal paste. The most important (and expensive) component and I was sure I was gonna mess it up. Turned out my apprehension outpaced reality. Not only did the CPU lock in place flawlessly, I didn't even have to mess with the paste as the cooling fan had it's own thermal pad...<whew!>

Then cam that magic moment. Will it work? <CLACK...whirrr...clickity clickty...BEEP!> The screen displayed the proper BIOS boot screen. You should've seen me. I was dancing around like a foodball player who just made the winning Super Bowl touchdown. Yeah, you never forget your first build.
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)

First time I saw the inside of a PC, that was my reaction as well, but I w facinated as well. When I learned that everything just plugged into the various mobo slots, and that no soldering was involved (I thought that was prerequsite), I decided to give it a shot. I picked up a book at a local bookstore (remember those, kids?) and read it cover to cover before gettin any of the components. When I was done, it really did seem simple enough. The only thing I was nervous about was dealing with the CPU. Specifically locking it into place and applying the thermal paste. The most important expensive) component and I was sure I was gonna mess it up. Turned out my apprehension outpaced reality. Not only did the CPU lock in place flawles I didn't even have to mess with the paste as the cooling fan had it's own thermal pad...<whew!>

Then cam that magic moment. Will it work? <CLACK...whirrr...clickity clickty...BEEP!> The screen displayed the proper BIOS boot screen. You should've seen me. I was dancing around like a foodball player who just m the winning Super Bowl touchdown. Yeah, you never forget your first build --- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)

Very cool! I'm guessing the machine was a DX2, DX4, or Pentium system?

... I cut it three times and it's still too short!

--- Renegade v1.40/DOS
* Origin: The Titantic BBS Telnet - ttb.rgbbs.info (1:129/305)

Re: Re: If You Build It, They Will Code
By: Bo Holt to Mortar M. on Wed Apr 22 2026 09:05:25

Very cool! I'm guessing the machine was a DX2, DX4, or Pentium system?

Not 100% sure, but I think it was a 100mhz P6. I built it in '86-'87, so that would fit.
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)