Retro Build Mockup Overview

Project Reference

Three-OS Retro Build

Asus M3N78-VM · Athlon II X2 245 · 4 GB DDR2

FreeDOS · Windows XP Home · Linux XFCE — each on its own disk, selected at boot (F8).

Hardware

MotherboardAsus M3N78-VM Socket AM2+/AM2 · GeForce 8200 (nForce) chipset · REV 1.02G · legacy BIOS
CPUAMD Athlon II X2 245 2.9 GHz dual-core · 45 nm "Regor" · AM3 chip in AM2+ board · 65 W · made wk49 2009 · needs BIOS 1303+
Memory4 GB DDR2 Max 8 GB (2 GB per slot). 32-bit OSes use ~3.2 GB.
GraphicsIntegrated GeForce 8200 VGA output in use. Linux uses the open-source nouveau driver.
Storage40 GB IDE/PATA HDD + 2 × Patriot Burst Elite 120 GB SSD SATA II, ~270 MB/s ceiling.
OpticalDVD drive (data, on PATA) + CD drive CD drive works standalone as an audio player: front play/skip, volume wheel, headphone jack.
MonitorAcer V196L bmd 19" · 1280×1024 · connected via VGA.
SoundOnboard VIA HD audio Optional Yamaha YMF724/744 PCI for DOS. See the Sound page.
InputPS/2 keyboard + serial Logitech M-C48 mouse One PS/2 combo port, so the mouse goes on the COM port.
NetworkPending Atheros ath9k PCIe card, or reuse the spare Zyxel router as a bridge. Linux is the online machine.
CaseAVANCE Comfort midi tower

Operating systems

Each lives on its own disk; pick one at startup with F8.

Applications & topics