Epic V2

Friday, July 1, 2011

Last Updated: Friday, January 17, 2014

Quick Specs
Case Type:	ATX
Motherboard Brand, Make, Model, Revision, Type:	FIC (First Star International) FA15T v1.2 Motherboard
BIOS Type, Release/Version [Original, Upgrade/Today]:	Award: VBD42 [from June 2011 to 2011/07/29], VBD43 [as of 2011/07/29]
CPU Brand, Make, Model, Speed:	Intel Celeron 1.3GHz (1300MHz) Intel Pentium III-S 1.4GHz (1400MHz)
RAM:	768MB
Hard Drive Capacity:	One 13.1 GB Internal
Optical Drive:	Samsung SC-148 CD-ROM drive, HP cd16e CD-RW drive (modded!)
Chipset:	VIA Apollo 694T Northbridge, VIA 686B Southbridge
Video Spec:	nVidia GeForce 4 MX 400 64MB Video SDRAM AGP Card (Original) eVGA nVidia GeForce 7600 GS 128MB Video GDDR3 AGP Card (Current)
Sound Spec:	VIA Onboard Sound Card
Operating System:	Windows XP Home SP3
Monitor Spec:	Dell 15" CRT Monitor
Date Obtained:	July 1, 2011

A recently constructed computer with an estimated budget of $85 USD. It is to replace the even older Dell Optiplex GX1, which had been unstable since 2007. Some quirks, one sound-related, one network card-related, and one PC case-related, were quickly rectified before the transition.

History

2011: June. Parts were carefully picked for this build, except the computer case. It was originally going to a Gigabyte case, but looking back, in a way, I'm glad I didn't buy it, as the USB header probably would have been for a Gigabyte motherboard... which I do not have. After the parts arrived, they were tested for functionality and possible bugs before final use, especially the motherboard. Also, late July. Bought THREE Pentium III-S CPUs for nearly $9, including shipping. Testing them worked (recognized), but hanged the PC under BIOS VBD42 [it froze on the FIC screen, right before the system stats]. Upgrading to VBD43 fixed the issue. The CPUs worked: the computer recognized them and booted normally with them in use.
2012: December. Finally upgraded the CPU to a Pentium III-S CPU.
2013: November. Geforce 4 MX400 graphics card replaced with a recapped GeForce 7600 GS graphics card.That also required a replacement PSU. That replacement did trip the Windows XP activation, though.
2014:January. This build may have to be retired sometime...

Documents?
No...

Photos?
No...

Downloads?
Yes! Here. FIC FA15T

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