Playing mp3's on a 486!

[helix_rider]

Yes, that's right. I've been playing mp3 files (256k bps) on my old 486 that I use for vintage gaming.

It's an old 486/DX2 running at 80-mhz. with Dos 6.22 and Windows 3.11 and a Soundblaster 16.

I downloaded and installed Winplay 3 (Windows 3.11 mp3 player) - actually designed more for the earlier Pentiums - but it works!

Smooth full play too, no cutting out...

 

[The_Eric]

This is how you know you're a computer geek...

Have you played any Castle Wolfenstein lately?

 

[helix_rider]

The mp3 thing was just an experiment. I've tweaked the 486 (but not overclocked) and it's running incredibly well. I didn't think a machine like this would play mp3's with a higher encoding rate - but it did.

As a matter of fact, Wolfenstein 3d was played earlier this evening, as was Doom and Duke Nukem 3D. I set this up to play old games on - i'm not fond of DosBox emulator and similar programs, they just don't have the look and feel of the old systems.

Whats even better is, most of this equipment was free (or at least VERY cheap). I hauled several home, took the best parts from each, and put together a pretty decent little mini-tower.

486/DX2 40/80 mHz, 16-meg RAM, 1-meg Cirrus Logic Video Card, Soundblaster 16, and a 2-GB hard drive (Dos 6.x doesn't have the 500mB limit). Also has working floppy drives (5.25 and 3.5) along with an 8x CD Rom (for ease of copying files), along with a Serial mouse.

Yup, certified retro-computer geek..

 

[OVERKILL]

You need an old Voodoo2!!

 

[Rick in PA]

Originally Posted By: helix_rider
...Whats even better is, most of this equipment was free (or at least VERY cheap). I hauled several home, took the best parts from each, and put together a pretty decent little mini-tower...


neat

 

[dparm]

Commander Keen anyone?

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
You need an old Voodoo2!!


I sadly never had one of those. Only a TNT. (which was also good at the time)

 

[eljefino]

Does your box have the turbo button and LED display of clock speed?

 

[helix_rider]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Does your box have the turbo button and LED display of clock speed?

Sure does, i'll see if I can get a few pics uploaded soon. My camera pooped out on me, have to get a new one this next week.

With many of the old games I remember being abandonware these days, the software is priced right too. Actually the games and applications are easy to find, but Drivers have been a little bit of a challenge to locate.

And Yes, I do have Commander Keen (1 thru 6) downloaded and installed, but haven't played them yet. My 7-year old daughter loves 'The Oregon Trail' and the 'King's Quest' series - so now it's become more of a family project. My wife isn't crazy about Windows 3.11 (and hates DOS) but she enjoys Sierra's 'Police Quest' series. Between the 2 girls, I might have to build another vintage system so that I can get a turn.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
This is how you know you're a computer geek...

Have you played any Castle Wolfenstein lately?


yep, using DOS Box on older MacBook. And on my iPhone.

And have a virtual machine running OS2 Warp 3.0. Woohoo!

Does that media player play other formats such as AAC or WMA?

 

[helix_rider]

Originally Posted By: ToyotaNSaturn
Does that media player play other formats such as AAC or WMA?


I believe it only plays mp3's, but i'll have to check later and i'll give you a more definate answer.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Commander Keen anyone?

Oh

My

God.

I just had a HARDCORE flashback!!!!!

I miss that game! I have it on a 5.25" floppy here somewhere!

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
You need an old Voodoo2!!


I sadly never had one of those. Only a TNT. (which was also good at the time)


I had both. I may see if I still have a Voodoo2 kicking around to toss one of these together too! This thread is inspiring!

 

[helix_rider]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
I just had a HARDCORE flashback!!!!!

I miss that game! I have it on a 5.25" floppy here somewhere!


Let's see if I can help you out with that probelm.

Here's are screenshots from 2-more games I so fondly remember.

The Secret of Monkey Island

And, of course, Doom!

I hope this helps inspire more members to resurrect and old machine. They still are quite fun, and much better than any emulator.

 

[helix_rider]

Update on 486 machine - I cabbaged out another old parts junker dropped off to me yesterday afternoon.

I thought it was a worthless box of junk, until I found another 16-mB sitck of memory I needed - putting me at 32-meg of RAM.

Not bad for an old 486 running Dos 6.22 & Windows 3.11, now I just need to find a better video card..