• Retro Rigs + Dialup BBS Action

    From Snobsoft@VERT/PARTYBOW to All on Saturday, January 24, 2026 02:32:01
    Hey folks,

    just wanted to share a project I've been working on - actually, two machines - and I finally recorded a long, detailed video about both of them. Grab some snacks, because it's a deep dive; the second system kicks in at 41:56.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGT6XxzP0QE

    Oh, and for the full nostalgia blast: in the video I'm dialing into two BBSes using my trusty US Robotics modem. Nothing beats the sound of a handshake sequence in 2026.

    DOS PC #1 - Classic 486 Setup

    PC-Chips board with UMC chipset
    486 DX2-80
    Trident TGUI9440
    2x 2GB CF cards as HDD
    Sound Blaster Pro
    Arowana ALS100+
    Roland SC-55 + MT-32 (external)
    Fanless Silentmaxx PSU with -5V support

    Quiet, clean and perfect for early DOS gaming.

    PC #2 - DOS / Win98 / XP Hybrid

    Gigabyte GA-7IXE4 (AMD-750)
    Athlon Thunderbird 1 GHz
    Radeon 7000 or Matrox Millennium
    80GB Seagate Barracuda
    Toshiba DVD
    Colorado QIC-80 tape streamer

    Sound hardware lineup:
    Roland LAPC-I + MCB-I
    Roland SC-55 (external)
    Gravis Ultrasound Classic
    Sound Blaster Live! Value

    All inside an Avance Airliner Terminator Tower, powered by a fanless Thermaltake PSU with -5V support.

    If you're into retro hardware, sound cards, or just want to hear a modem scream again, check out the video.
    Feedback is very welcome.

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