HOW MANY OF US would like to upgrade the “old” computer but can’t justify the expense or simply cringe at the thought of transferring over hundreds of files?

On top of that, we’ve already upgraded the CD, loaded the computer with fast memory, and installed new components such as a DVD player and a larger monitor. Why would we want to waste all this?

Suddenly out of Byte Heaven we heard the siren song of the Upgrade Micro Processing Unit (MPU)! Wow, we thought, this makes a lot of sense! Just pop in a new processing chip and it’s away we go!

Uh huh.

Not quite that easy folks. An MPU upgrade can be a deliverance... or a disaster! And perhaps this true story will help with your decision to upgrade or bite the bullet and pop for a new computer.

This writer has had tons of experience with computers going all the way back to the old IBM 1401 mainframes, on through the Rat Shack Trash 80’s, the original, original IBM PC’s, and finally into the latest and greatest. As a well respected computer consultant, I felt comfortable with the prospect of upgrading an MPU, making the necessary changes to the computer’s VRE voltage and tweaking its clock speed.

After years of working with these critters, I also had several “prehistoric” (200 mhz) computers laying around just begging to do some work. However since they were so slow and no would use them, I decided to upgrade their MPU’s with the Evergreen Spectra 400... a decision I’ve long regretted!

The Evergreen Spectra 400’s package claimed it “Includes illustrated guide for easy installation.”

Ho! Ho! Ho! And I have a wonderful bridge for you!

What they didn’t say was more important: if all doesn’t go perfectly, your computer will be completely useless.

And they also didn’t tell you that you may wait a VERY long time for their tech support (an oxymoron with Evergreen) to come to your aid: I waited 72 hours for a response to a very serious problem... my computer’s BIOS chip was made completely inoperable by their software. And without a BIOS, your computer is worthless.

Scratch one computer!

A super person on our email list claimed he had the same trouble with the Evergreen upgrade but was quite successful with a different package from Zerus. And he was right! I tried the Zerus upgrade on another computer and it was a snap. Their instructions were complete, their tech support responsive, and the chip performed as advertised.

However in the final analysis, I found the best way to handle the MPU upgrade game is to buy a complete upgrade box from Zerus. This inexpensive package includes a new BIOS and fast MPU already mounted on a motherboard together with a more than adequate power supply all installed in a new computer housing. Just transfer the components over from your old computer and wahla! You’re up and running!

(This report submitted by Jack Koenig, consultant to business and industry since 1972.)

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