PC-FXGA question

[geepee16]

hey all, i got a shiny, minty fresh pc-FX GA accelerator board here but it's for the NEC PC98 series of computers.  i am wondering if aynone out there has ever gotten this to work on a non pc98 pc or if there is a way of emulating that pc on windows because if not, i will have to track one down and somehow get that back home when i leave japan.

[MissaFX]

You could by running a 486 DX 4 100 or DX 2 80 with a VLB slot which has a pc-98 emulator running on it...but I think you are best off just buying a pc-98 in japan, make sure it has a standard power supply like an AT, then leave the powersupply and the case in Japan.  Ship the rest of the stuff back in a STATIC proof way in a suitcase.  This way you will only move a few pounds of hardware and will leave the real weight in Japan.  Then go to a goodwill type store and get an AT case and hunt arount for a used AT powersupply (or whatever they use, I am assuming they use AT).

If you cannot find a PC-98 in a standard case, you are screwed.

Oh and if you try to go the emulation route, you might be SUPER lucky and might be able to find a P100-133 (no mmx) motherboard with a VLB slot and nothing blocking your ability to use the full length of the slot.

If you are not well versed in computer hardware, feel free to talk to me more about this.

Your best bet though is to strip down a pc-98 and transport the key parts back here though, then re-assemble it once you are home again.

[Necromancer]

I don't think a VESA bus will do you much good, as the PC-98 version of the PC-FX GA uses the PC-98's proprietary C-Bus.  If you want to use a standard PC, then you'll need to find a DOS/V version of the card and load the computer with a Japanese version of Windows 95 (and don't forget a roomy case to fit the super long ISA card).

[MissaFX]

I don't think a VESA bus will do you much good, as the PC-98 version of the PC-FX GA uses the PC-98's proprietary C-Bus.  If you want to use a standard PC, then you'll need to find a DOS/V version of the card and load the computer with a Japanese version of Windows 95 (and don't forget a roomy case to fit the super long ISA card).

Oh, I read on several websites the PC-98 version used a VLB slot which took the full length of the case.

So then surely you want to strip down a PC-98 and move it.

[geepee16]

oh man, that sounds complicated.  i have found a few pc98 notebooks which seem to have the specs in order and they are going for less than $25. i may just go that route rather than trying to run the emulator on my pc as i just *ain't* got the skilz for that
  thanks for the feedback on this though!

[Mednafen]

There's a 486(IIRC) PC-98xx system on eBay:  http://cgi.ebay.com/T28760-NEC-Control-PC-Loaded-Power-Supply-Unit_W0QQitemZ330094577799QQihZ014QQcategoryZ97184QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[geepee16]

thanks!  it looks to be in good condition too.  $250 is a little high and i am not clear on the specs but if i don't pick something up here in tokyo, i may have to turn to ebay usa. i wonder if there is any benefit to just getting the dos vga.  it's more expensive, yeah but unless i score a working pc98 here for a good deal, it might be the cheaper option after all.