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  • If You Build It, They Will Code

    From Mortar M.@[email protected] to comp.sys.cbm on Tue Apr 14 23:30:01 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

    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.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mortar M.@[email protected] to comp.sys.cbm on Thu Apr 23 03:00:02 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

    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.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bo Holt@[email protected] to comp.sys.cbm on Thu Apr 23 00:30:01 2026
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.cbm

    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!

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2