1999 Compaq Presario 5304 running Windows 98
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- My dad's home computer, in nearly daily use since he bought it new in 1999 at PC Richard's. Here are the original specs: web.archive.or...
I upgraded it with an extra 128 MB of RAM (for a total of 192 MB) and a Zip drive, but otherwise the hardware is pretty much original. It has been absolutely 100% reliable and is even still running the original Compaq OEM installation of Windows 98 (first edition) and Office 97. He has a current computer at work, but at home this Compaq still does what he needs it to do. It has outlasted three HP color inkjet printers and now for the time being is paired with a trusty old HP LaserJet 4L.
Sounds like my old Compaq from the same year. I miss that pc. It had the same hard drive noise. :(
Yes, I have a cold. My dad uses it for word processing (Word), spreadsheets (Excel), e-mail and light web browsing (Firefox), and he also has "Band In a Box" for MIDI music composition and a program to link it to his TI graphing calculator. He also used to use it for scanning and printing photos with an HP inkjet printer/scanner, but that printer broke and the new one he got no longer supports Windows 98, so that's why the old LaserJet is there now.
Funny, in 2009, a 10 year old computer was very outdated and difficult to use on the internet. In 2023, a 10 year old computer is perfectly usable and can run the newest version of windows well. I think technology has slowed way down.
The fastest CPU I could put in this Compaq's motherboard is an AMD K6-III+ 500, which is about as fast as a Pentium III of equal clock speed. The motherboard can actually be set to run as fast as 733 MHz (133 MHz x 5.5), but I don't know if the K6 would tolerate that amount of overclocking!
Wow, All that hard drive does is grind away in all its glory
back then hard drives were made like nokia 3310
@NASIMNASIM This "obsolete crap" has gotten over 8500 views here, so I think that's more than enough proof that people are interested in it. And if you want to pay me $500 to buy an iPad, then I'd gladly do a video about it!
This used to be my home computer as a kid. Brings back memories.
He is putting the computer to good use as well.
AutoCad 2002? On this?
The man's a God of patience.
But seriously, I love that even after all this time he's still got this computer - let alone as his main system!
AIO inc. What is wrong with AutoCAD 2002? is it like a slow version or something
@Jallge Security was simply not a big concern for non-networked home computers back in the '90s. Apple's Mac OS didn't have much security back then either. It was only when computers started being connected to the Internet full-time and spyware and malware became prevalent that home users started taking things like virus protection, passwords, and encryption seriously.
The piece of wood is the stand. :-) The shelf was originally built for a laptop, with a cutout where the display would flip up.
I have the exact same pc, except I swapped all the parts and made it into a beast of a gaming rig. It's like a sleeper car, but a computer.
@TheHplatop I think you mean "delete some of the desktop icons so the computer won't run so slowly"? Yes, but this is my father's computer and those are his personal documents, so I don't want to mess with that. As long as it still works, that's OK for him.
I had one of these new and loved it, I added a second hard drive and a Nvidia TNT video card and maxed out the ram. Great video! :)
See guys? Compaq's weren't all that bad. They last.
+Len Kagamine, The yandere (VintagePCsalike) This was pre-HP-takeover Compaq.
Yeah. I know.
+VintagePC's alike Packerd Bell was the worst of all. ( just like medion is now adays:)
Medion? Haven't heard that name in a long time, thought that aldi brand died awhile ago in like 2007.
Sadly we got aldi and they release all kinda of stuff. I think even tablets. Ofcourse screens etc. and the 1 in all pc....:/
like putting INTEL i7 8 core game pc !!!!with 8 gb of ddr 3 1866 mhz !!!. But a gtx 710 video or so.. Yep they still scam:P
rather have the old q6600 quad with a gtx 285. , even a 250 a 260 or gtx 550 ti, 640 ... then a crappy useless 710:/ with an intel 8 core.
I love old computers. I have an old Compaq Presario from 1998 and its still runs great. I only use it to play old pc games.
My dad was a college math teacher, and he now also uses a TI graphing calculator as part of his consulting job.
@TRENTSSPORTCYCLES It's a Seagate 6.4 GB hard drive. I'm not sure of the exact model number, but it's very noisy.
You have to use a BIOS designed for your motherboard, or an equivalent -- sometimes the same board was made under several different manufacturer names and model numbers, but that takes some detective work to figure out. I just meant "generic" in that there is no manufacturer's logo on it anymore. I looked and Gigabyte still has the BIOS image for this model of board on their web site! The last update is from 11/27/2000.
@Ratezable Since it is still working so well after 10 years on the original installation, I prefer just to leave it alone. It's not my computer anyway, so I'm not sure exactly which programs my dad does or does not use.
@LuigiFan128 My dad got a new laptop, but he still uses this old Compaq for word processing because of the better keyboard and larger screen. So for as long as it still works, I'll just leave it alone.
Half of the icons are for documents. It is set to 800x600 resolution.
@NASIMNASIM As I wrote in the description, this is my dad's computer, not mine. Since I made the video he got a new laptop, but he still uses this one a lot. I just made a video showing the computer I use most often, too. Next time don't jump to conclusions and insult me based on incorrect assumptions. And finally, no computer is ever "obsolete" if it still serves a useful purpose and gets the job done. I see computers even older than this one in use in businesses every day.
@flushstuff The Compaq Presario Internet PC wallpaper you see is the only Compaq-specific one that came with it.
This was my family's very first computer. We bought the Compaq Presario MV500 monitor and IJ900 Inkjet printer with it too. In total it was $1,000. My dad kept wanting to get a computer and one day we decided to just get one. The monitor gave out at about 2004 or so after lots of use. I've still got parts to the computer laying around and last time I checked the 4GB hard drive still worked fine.
@Kargaroc286 If you look up the actual manufacturer and model of the motherboard, you can use their BIOS update for it. However this only works on computers which Compaq used a generic aftermarket motherboard in, instead of one of their own custom-designed boards.
Yes, he got a new Dell laptop a few months after I made this video, but he still uses the Compaq once in a while.
@Jallge You only have to type in the password in Windows 95/98/ME if you want to use workgroup networking. So the password is not for security; it's just to authenticate your computer on the network.
I used to have this comp lol. I do believe it is still in my parents house along with the original keyboard mouse and monitor
That's not possible on this one because it has been reflashed with an updated BIOS from the motherboard manufacturer, not a Compaq OEM version.
I used to have the Presario 5360 back in 99. Almost same setup but with an AMD K6-2. Brings back memories
The motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-5SMM.
Nowadays a 10 year old computer still seems fairly modern but back then a system from 1999 already was completely outdated in 2009
I think I posted in this one a long time ago. Anyway, I had an identical 5304 back in the day. I snapped the connector off the hard drive, and ended up getting a new computer. Well, I never did throw the drive away, hoping to fix it one day. Well, I desoldered the connector off another broken drive, and soldered it onto the 5304 drive just for kicks. And it worked! It was really fun to look at all my old stuff from more than ten years ago, stuff I thought was gone forever. ^_^
The power supply cooling fan on my Dad's old Pentium 75 made a sound very similar to the sound that PC is making, I think the bearings in the fan were failing in Dad's PC. It's amazing that this PC has been in use for so long, your father mustn't do demanding tasks on his computer if he still uses it after 10 years.
Very wicked!!!! May I ask a silly question? Are u some kind of computer whiz? It seems like it, very interesting stuff! Thanks 4 uploading all these cool vids!
@PompousPreacher FDISK does work. There are web sites where you can download a Windows 98 boot disk with FDISK and FORMAT on it. Make sure you answer "yes" when FDISK asks if you want to enable large drive (FAT32) support.
Gotta love the sounds those machines make when they start. The floppy and the hard drive grinding sounds bring back memories of my Gateway Performance from 1999.
I have a Compaq Presario that I bought in 2002 and I just putted it away because it died on me last week (the thing just wouldn't start). Nice job keeping this elder alive, mate. 5*. I just love old HP Compaq, they are beast if use them right (dont watch porn and stuffs, lol) Best
Years ago I found a flash BIOS update for the Gigabyte GA-5SMM motherboard which it uses and installed it. It was the generic Award BIOS image so that removed the Compaq boot logo, but otherwise it works just the same, and unlocked more advanced settings in the setup, as you see.
Good old firefox(not virevox as i used to call it when i was 10)nice to see you again its been a while :P
cool stuff, vwestlife. btw, are you the same vwestlife who posts on the VCF?
Only the BIOS was different. The rest of the motherboard was not modified in any way by Compaq.
Oldie but goodie! (You still have this machine anywhere? :) )
That's the one thing I dislike about CRT's: No detachable monitor cables, so if the cable goes bad, you had to get another one or deal with it.
+Len Kagamine, The yandere (VintagePCsalike) Some CRTs do have detachable cables.
vwestlife
Yeah, I figured, the ones I own don't, I only keep CRT's that are in good shape and with a good picture..
I had to retire my hp CRT this year because the VGA cable went bad. I tried to repair it, but had no luck.
@@y2kbug16 SAD!
To this day I still use Office 97. I still have the cd too
I just love the sounds of the older hard drives.
the sound of that keyboard... so satisfying.
My God! I also had a Cyrix-366 based PC in 1999., though not a compaq.That thing could barely run Shockwave games (remember those?). I can't believe yours is still chugging along...and able to (barely) run Firefox, no less. Wow!
Viva pre-911, pre-Y2K low-end computing!
I miss those computer really bring back memories miss the 90s Windows 98 is the future as well.
Yep, as you said, this is an issue I had with a vga cable to my cinema projector recently. It came out yellow due to a short in the blue connection. (I think I got my punctuations right in this comment?) ;o)
Hello vwestlife, you are one of the kings among kings and queens on youtube!
Is it actually possible to put in a 'real' bios in a compaq? I wonder because I have a compaq deskpro from back in fall of 1999! Hugs from sweden, Falkis...
If it has a motherboard made by a company like MSI, Gigabyte, etc. and you can find a generic BIOS image for it instead of the Compaq-specific BIOS, yes, you can flash it with the "real" BIOS.
I used to have that same tower till I upgraded to a small form factor XP machine. The compaq ended up being formatted, and running in straight DOS mode for some DOS gaming.
Gigabyte says the motherboard supports up to 768 MB RAM using 3 x 256 MB modules, but there is really no need or benefit to put so much memory into a computer like this.
LOL, funny seeing that Mac Switcher ad hiccuping on that old computer. In my opinion, Macs are for three types of people: simpletons who never upgrade their computers and just buy a new one when it's obsolete, rich folks who can afford the $2,000 required to get the Mac Pro (all the others are all-in-ones with very limited upgradeablity), and professionals who use Macs in their jobs. I don't fall into any of those, so I'm a PC, and I'm loving it!
Since moving the computer to a new location, the monitor no longer has that problem.
nice old machine. appears to work great. I'd hang on to it.
I had a similar model, a 5204... but the PSU died, and it was going to cost $120 for a rare manufacturer's part to replace. The hard drive also died after three years, but that was easy to replace, so it lasted me for about 6 years. Didn't use a standard ATX PSU. I ended up being able to buy a new motherboard, PSU, and case for the CPU, hard drive, and RAM that I had in the thing for about the same price as a replacement unit would have cost. It was a shame, because the motherboard that came with it was really nice and had a half-decent video card built-in.
This being 2009 it's nostalgia atop of nostalgia
I have a Compaq Presario 7360 built in 1999 as well. Built like a freaking tank, original parts still working. I did a hard drive upgrade to 60GB and increased ram to 512MB. Running XUbuntu 10.10 (linux) and it still works well. Slow yes, but hey it works!
Just got one of these complete systems last week. Box, monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and all literature, disks, patch disk, recovery disk, etc. Still need to hook it up but the seller claimed it worked fine. (They installed XP, I'll put it back to 98)
@oxnardcollegegirl22 It would run XP very, very slowly. My father has since gotten a new Dell laptop, but he still uses this Compaq for word processing since the IBM keyboard is much nicer to type on.
that hard drive is still alive WOW!
I had that same computer, and printer. My dad bought the computer for me when I was in high school. Still have that 4.3 gig hard drive. Had the integrated SiS 530 video card, no new drivers. Should upgrade to 98 SE, really good performance improvements and better USB support, fixed allot of issues.
pretty cool. I had a computer from 1998 for a short time about 5 years ago. It had a bad video card and a lot of missing essential software for it to work right.
It's so amazing that this computer has lasted so long from when it was new until now, even when new that computer wouldn't have been anywhere near top of the line, state of the art for high end games and other similar applications at the time, so it's no wonder they call it an Internet PC.
@MixerVM It is a PS/2 keyboard.
Adobe Photoshop has been around since 1988, so I don't know why you're surprised. And this computer has 128 MB of RAM, not 2 MB.
You can run Firefox 3 on win 98. Also, that HDD is noisy as hell!
OMFG. I had a computer that looked like that in like 2005. (I never really had internet until I got my first laptop on the 30th of October 2011.)
Could you upload the "compaq presario" blue desktop wallpaper somewhere? I've been looking for it everywhere.
orig01.deviantart.net/e305/f/2015/129/3/b/blue_compaq_presario_wallpaper_by_brianwiiartstudios-d8ssgv0.jpg this?
If you want to have some fun you can try running KernelEx, which is an application interface overlay that allows running newer versions of software (e.g. Firefox) on Windows 98 computers. Never tried it on "First Edition", though. I'd be afraid to install (or uninstall) anything on that computer, however.
@MixerVM It's a Seagate.
My friend uses to have a computer like that!! It worked great for years till one day the BSOD (blue screen of death) appears... I think he still got it somewhere...
It's only about half full. Windows 95/98 software doesn't take up much space, compared to XP and especially Vista software.
No, it came with a Seagate drive.
Oh my Lord. I have an identical 5304 that I purchased in 1999 as well. Unfortunately, I snapped the IDE plug off the original hard drive. It still works, though. It's got a place of honor in my junk room. :D
Nice Compaq I would love to have a computer like that
My Seanix starts up almost exactly the same as this.
I remember the old Compaq that my dad brought home from my aunt's, and it had Windows 98. I clearly remember that a floppy with a virus killed it around five years ago.
This is so 90's!
That thing is so old!!! listen to the noises it makes!
for some odd reason, it makes me really miss the '90s. Remember Orbitz drinks? Those fruity tasting drinks with the little gelatin balls floating in it? Ah the '90s were awesome lol
@TheMoodybaby Not originally, but I added it later.
I'm a bit interested in doing this myself and haven't figure it out yet. I have a Dell that you can't even view the POST results and the BIOS settings are extremely limited.
This is the video that made me subscribe to you.
OMg l0l the sound of that monitor and comp starting up...
My childhood. i nostalgia'd
@KingMacintosh The hard drive is a Seagate.
back when the web was still kind of usable on ancient hardware... nowadays its just too heavy for anything that isnt at least a dual core
Even dual cores are struggling now
That is because Windows 98 wasn't that old in 2009
it was like Windows 7 now
@TheNascarfan14 It was like that even when brand new. Older hard drives are loud.
I just threw away the Compaq Presario I bought in 2004 and it looks quite a bit different than that one. It had a 2.93 gigahertz Pentium 4 with 512 mb of memory and 80 gb of file storage. It was in service for 11 years and it was used a lot. Right now I'm using a 2007 Dell that I found next to the trash. It has the same XP Professional operating system with a 3.30 gigahertz Pentium 4 HT processor. 2 gigs of memory but only 37.5 gigs of storage. It was loaded with malware and viruses but Panda Cloud Cleaner did a great job disinfecting it.
ldchappell1 Your machine was from after HP bought out Compaq and turned it into their low-end consumer brand. This Deskpro EN is the last of the "real" Compaqs.
vwestlife Seems to me HP improved Compaq. I had a Compaq computer for a couple of months in 1996 or 97 and it was a piece of crap, but that's probably because the guy I got it from didn't take care of it very well. The one I bought in 2004 was much sturdier and more reliable. All steel casing instead of that 90s era beige plastic. It lasted 7 years longer than the iMac I bought in 2000.
Was our first computer back in the day.. Well the '98 version!
Internet PC? Not so much anymore sadly. Even Pentium III 1GHz computers have problems on the internet. Too much fanciness going on that older computers can't really support anymore. vwestlife, since you do show a lot of older computers, exactly how many do you use even to this day that are pre-Pentium 4? Do you still find practical uses for computers even like this one? (I'm sure you do, but I'm just curious :))
I have several Pentium III machines in semi-regular use, mostly for audio recording and playback.
+vwestlife That's not too bad of a use for them. It's good to see that old machines are still being used because honestly, as long as you do the things you did with them in the past, they should theoretically always work for those tasks. Even if I don't have as much use for them as I would've say, 12 years ago, I still really enjoy using them if not just to experience how far technology has come, the good and bad. Hope more videos like this are in your lineup future because I will certainly watch them. I just hate how UA-cam doesn't really like to show off your videos to me that much so I don't always know when you upload them. I guess I should set email reminders for your channel so I don't miss anything.
I think from a CompUSA store, back when they used to be around.
What brand of motherboard was in that thing, a FIC by chance?
I flashed the BIOS on a Compaq board (K6/2-450) My friend Dan said I exorcised it.
That board is in the basement in a different case running 2k pro and functioning as a file server. I guess I could hook it to the stereo down there for MP3 playback, but I usually perfer FM.
Haha these computers bring back memories but I definitely do not miss them
Whoa...a Cryrix based machine. Nice!
That computer isn't that bad at all, I thought it wouldn't play youtube at all and it loads up a lot faster than I would have expected.
Does your dad still use this computer?
Once in a while, but it's not his main computer anymore.
No doubt that Dell and Compaq are the best laptop makers.
These were the good ol' days..haha
not bad for a late 90s computer. I didnt think it would play youtube either but it does, that jumping would get annoying after awhile.