find out what type of sound card I have in a old Packard Bell that has Windows 3.1. The CD ROM won't work so I need to be able to load some sort of software on a floppy. I done everything to find out what it is, FCC ID, P.Bells site (worthless). I'm trying to fix it for a lady that can't afford to pay anything. I need the jumper info for the card. Thanks in advance.
2006-10-31 02:24:40 · 6 answers · asked by MDTBA 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Forget it. That computer has got to be about 11 years old (or older). Parts are beginning to fail because of OLD AGE. You see, the tiny capacitors begin to leak and simply won't work.
There are many old computers that she can probably get for FREE. I would be looking for a Windows 98 machine for her. At least that would be about 7 years old; and internet capable.
She can also use a computer for FREE at the public library. Give her a half-dozen floppy diskettes to use. (or even a $10 memory stick from STAPLES).
The work that you are doing is admirable. Keep up the good work.
2006-10-31 02:31:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try the obvious, my friend. Inspect the casing for Model / Type number, and then do a search on the web. If indeed the hardware is factory installed (original) there is surely a site out there that will tell you exactly what the soundcard is.
I've successfully done this with some old 486 (pre-Pentium) units from Compaq & IBM. The specs are surely there.
If there is no Model / Type info, remove the sound card (unless onboard) & inspect it for a part or model number / brand name. Use this info for a separate search on the sound card itself.
Needless to say, even if you have all this info you will need to Win3.1 driver.... go to this site:
http://driverguide.com/
examples of third party Packard Bell tech sites
http://www.tribalsmile.com/pbupgrade/
http://forum.packardbell.com/
regards,
Philip T
2006-10-31 02:54:34 · answer #2 · answered by Philip T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the poster who is above the poster above me - suggest that she purchase a Pentium II 450 era machine from PCRetro.com or similar refurbisher (preferably with 256 MB of RAM - more is better) for less than $75. Windows 2000 would run like a dream on that system and you wouldn't waste your time with ancient equipment. You can take the ancient system to a place which would recycle the remaining gold or platinum rather than polluting the environment.
2006-10-31 04:47:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry I don't any software that will work on Windows 3.1
However, I'd simply open the case and read on the sound card the model number. Then you might have more information to progress your search
Good luck
2006-10-31 02:28:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you look at the sound card itself there should be a model number on it. Then search Packard Bell for that.
2006-10-31 02:28:12 · answer #5 · answered by intel233 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
she can't afford 10 dollars? Because I'm sure you could buy one of the $10 sound cards from newegg and it'll be 10 times better than that old one.
2006-10-31 02:28:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋