Eye tooth for old XP with ISA slot computer

[lloyd]

Right now, I'd give my eye tooth for an old XP computer that has at least one ISA card connector that can accommodate a full-length ISA card.

Anyone? Just one in the garage? PM me... PLEASE!

This is to help out a friend who has a machine that REQUIRES a full-length ISA card in it to control his machine.

Thanks!

Lloyd

[MadMat]

I don't know about the machine, but if you get one that needs an OS, I can help you out there. I will check through my "pc boneyard" and see what I got.

 

After thinking about it, aren't ISA cards pre-XP? I'm thinking that those big ISA cards are more in the range of Win95/98

era.

Edited May 22, 2018 by MadMat

[lloyd]

This IS an older machine, made (likely) a couple of years before it was sold as 'new' in 2003. It is definitely a P3 with an ISA bus.

 

FWIW, during the 'transition time' from 98 to XP, I owned several ISA bus machines that had been upgraded to XP.

 

Anyway... I've got to try to replace this with something akin to what's in there, because the controller won't fit in anything but an ISA slot, and the software is XP-based.

 

Sigh... Yeah. I may have to custom-build such a machine, and 'hack' my way to a solution, since you can't even 'reinstall' XP, anymore... it never finishes the registration process.

 

Lloyd

[stix]

Lloyd, initially I thought you were referring to an old XT computer, ie. 8086 (I think) not a computer running Win"XP".

 

I think you could get an older motherboard, perhaps it would be easier? From my memory there are motherboards in between that have both slots ISA. 8bit and 16bit.

 

I've got an old "tower" case that has a tape drive and can handle the old iomega drive - not that it's of any use to you, but a point to why we should keep older gear.

 

So what are you/your friend trying to do?

 

I know you said "REQUIRES" - are you sure there are no alternatives?

[lloyd]

Stix,

One reason I need a 'working installation' of XP (with hard drive) for such a board is because it is now impossible to re-install XP (full installation) even on the machine to which it is licensed. Microsoft will no-longer permit the 'registering' of such a copy, and any work-arounds are temporary, only, and limited in the number of times you can apply them.

 

This is for an OLD truss-cutting saw which has only the XP version of its software available, and for which the manufacturer will provide NO support -- not even to the extent of selling NOS parts for it. Any repairs have to be done 'from scratch' by the technician.

 

One remote possibility is to find such a board, install a legit copy of Win7-pro on it, then use the XP emulation mode. Eh... that's not always compatible with application software.

 

Lloyd

[stix]

Oh, I see.

 

Hopefully someone surely on this forum has an old computer running XP. If not I'll see what I can do via a programming forum with contacts in the US.

[MrB]

Not that it's the route anyone WANTS to go, but nixsys.com sells "new" motherboards for socket 370, (PIII & Celeron) 478, (most Pentium 4 & Celeron) and Socket T (also known as socket 775,for the latest generation P4, Pentium D, and Celerons)

 

I'm pretty certain i have some PIII motherboard in storage that has the needed ISA slot, but being located in Sweden, it makes more sense buying something new from nixsys, then having my junk shipped out, and quit working after 6 months.

(PIII era and early PIV had those nasty capacitor problems, and even if they were ok when they were retired, who knows how long they would last today... Not to mention that shipping from Sweden is just stupid expensive.)

[Baldor]

I don't condone pirating software. But this is one of the situations when I find totally justified to use a pirate activation. MS have all the right to stop supporting the software, no problem here. But have no right to prevent legitimate users to keep using not supported software. If software requires online activation even for a reinstall, they must keep the activation server active, or issue a last patch that skips online activation.

 

Not so long ago, I was programming for high speed milling machines that had a Win 3.11 front end!!!! Luckily, the 5 axis high speed machine had a Linux front end. Programming the monster was really fun :-)

 

And now I rant. This is the reason you must avoid proprietary software in anything that have an expected life of more than a few years. You will end with a perfectly working machine with no software support.

[Baldor]

BTW: You can try to run the software on wine under Linux. Probably doesn´t work, but if it works, is a way out of legal dilemmas. (As said, I don't see a moral dilemma using pirated XP in this situation)

[lloyd]

Neither do I see any ethical conflict, Baldor! I PAID for XP. For MS to simply PREVENT my re-installing it on a licensed machine should be a crime, punishable by DEATH! <grin>

 

Lloyd

[MrB]

For what it's worth. Microsoft has killed the servers for automatic activation of Windows XP, but as far as i know, the call in and get activated, phone number, & service still works. It's a couple of months since i used it on a virtual machine, but i haven't heard anything bout them killing it of.

 

Also, for updates... There is a registry hack to trick XP in to thinking it's "Windows Embedded Industry" which makes it download security updates and patches that came out during the last 4 years, after "official support" was terminated.

If applying, FIRST download and update as far as you can with the regular service.

If anything, i think it sucks that they are developing all these security patches, but wont release them for actual XP users.

[lloyd]

MrB,

I run the "Point of sale" version of XP on one of my laptops, and it's still "fully supported", until late 2019!

 

I'll try the phone numbers, but the last time I tried, none were available.

 

Lloyd

[MrB]

"Windows Embedded Industry" used to be named "Windows Embedded Industry POS" but someone told Microsoft what POS actually stands for... As the article i linked states, it used to be called "Windows Embedded POSReady" but i guess someone wised up.

 

On the phone numbers. I googled it right now as well. For some reason it seems parts of USA get a test voice on that number, part of the time. I'm not sure if redialing, or waiting and calling in later is what fixes it, but people do seem to get it sorted still.

[lloyd]

I'll research that. I get regular updates on my shop CNC control laptop -- on XP-POS. I know they won't last forever, but it gives me 'lead time' to get upgraded for what I need to do!

 

Thanks,

Lloyd

[Arthur]

I used to see XP computers on ebay UK regularly. They were all ex cash machine with XP embedded loaded. BUT as ever the PC was already as old as XP.

 

If you can find a computer exactly the same as the one that needs replacing can you simply swap the HD over?

[lloyd]

No, Arthur, I cannot do that. First, because the hard disk was destroyed in whatever event occurred to the machine, and second, because XP is 'keyed' to the board (most usually), and won't run on a board to which it was not originally licensed.

 

There are 'hacks', but even the one I know of that works can present ugly artifacts to the user. I'm willing to live with them, because I'm an OLD 'computer geek', but a non-tech user would be perplexed and disturbed by them. And this machine is for a totally 'non-tech' person.

 

Lloyd

[Arthur]

If the HD is destroyed, then where is the end user going to find the software for the device and all the drivers. The data on the dead HD may become a dead stopper.

[lloyd]

Nah... he's got the software on (guess!) CD! It's not a large package. He just cannot install it in anything but XP, and the board requires an ISA connector.

 

He WILL lose all of his prior designs, but he'll get the software up and running again.

 

(he never backed-up!)

 

Lloyd

[MrB]

Any luck? I'm to lazy to do anything in the current heat, tomorrow is going to be wasted as well, Saturday i'm preoccupied, driving a car older then my self all day, but Sunday, i could have a stab in the dark storage, and see if i cant find a system. But as i said, it's going to be stupid expensive to ship anything from Sweden. My guess is that it would be cheaper to arrange pickup from a global shipping partner, from your end, rather then deal with Swedish VAT (25%) and stupid pricing.

[lloyd]

MrB,

Thanks. I can still buy a board that accommodates an ISA plug-in. I'll just have to 'bite the bullet', and buy one, then build-up a chassis around it!

 

Yours,

Lloyd

[stix]

Hi Lloyd,

 

I did get some response from the programming forum. This guy has a batch of older ISA systems - He's in Arizona?

I've asked if he can pass on his email address, if so I can pm it to you and you can discuss it directly with him - if you are still interested.

 

Cheers.

Edited May 24, 2018 by stix

[lloyd]

Indeed! Please put him in contact with me: lloydsp2@gmail.com!

 

Thanks!

 

Lloyd

[stix]

Ok, I'll ask him if it's ok. He has just posted me this:

 

 

Sure, but I only have incredibly used systems. As far as XP is concerned, if he has the CD/DVD, it will still install and run on most any system. We still run it here on a pair of brand new Intel 1U rack servers (3 months old), so it's also not a hardware limitation.

The real question is why does he need the ISA slot? That is where the true issue lay. It sounds as if he has an antique HBA that he needs to use for a very specific purpose. If you can find out what that card is and what the purpose is, I may have other answers (I've been working with PC design since 1981).

One thing that is available is a PCIe to ISA chassis for old MODEM cards. It's an x8 lane PCIe card with a snake that plugs into the chassis that contains 4, 8, or 16 ISA slots.

 

Give me a short answer, then I post him and ask if it's ok that you guys can converse directly.

[lloyd]

This is for a friend, not me. It's a replacement for a computer on a piece of CNC gear that was accidentally destroyed by a careless employee. Fortunately, the ONE full-length ISA-bus card in it was not damaged. But the MOBO was broken right in two, and the case was crushed.

 

I have all the experience and equipment to restore the OS and application (if needed... the HD might even still be OK, too, but I have all the softs). But I need a board (and cabinet/Power Supply) that will support XP and possesses one available full-length ISA slot.

 

Lloyd

[stix]

No probs Lloyd. I've sent him your email address.

 

His name is Tim Jones - hopefully he will contact you direct.

 

It's a bit hard for me to facilitate - I'm at my work