Swapping a 386 motherboard into a 286

[Image Processing Center]

In article <279 at serene.CTS.COM>, rfarris at serene.CTS.COM (Rick Farris) writes:
> I've been wanting to upgrade to a 386 for a while.  I've been hoping to
> 
>     If I just swap the motherboards, will 286 Xenix boot and run with no
>     problems on the 386?  That would be really peachy, because then I could
>     install the 386 version of Xenix over the top of the 286 version, and my
>     spool directories, and user stuff would still be intact.
> 
> 
Like Steve Dyer, I installed two INTEL Inboards as part of a SLEP (Service
Life Extension Program) in my rotgut mongrel nameless clones. I've run
all manners of XENIX and UNIX on them. No problems were noted except for
the A31 coprocessor bug. Performance was slightly better than the 16 mhz
Compaq when the 2 meg daughter cards were used. XENIX 386 obtained 6000
dhrystones with 32 bit memory, while with 16 bit one wait state AT memory
cards, memory, I still clocked 3700 dhrystones. With no wait state bus 
memory, such as an Everex card, performance would be somewhere in between.

It is possible to install XENIX 386 on top of the 286 version - an upgrade
is available. 

My experience indicates that the INTEL Inboard is the most cost effective
way to upgrade to a 386. I must admit I was also swayed by the five year
warranty, since otherwise one would have to factor the cost of a service
contract or catastrophic repair cost into the equation.

If you want to read about my experience with UNIX on the INBOARD, get
ahold of the August issue of Micro/Systems Journal, where I did a 
review.