Best mobo that has an ISA (yes ISA) slot?

[sdsumike619]

If I wanted to build the best new system that I could whose mobo has an ISA slot, what would you recommend? In other words, I'm looking for the "latest or last" motherboard released that has an ISA slot on it.. Suggestions?

[dragonkeeper]

ISA??
Are you looking g to build a system running windows 3.1 or win 95? I haven't seen a board with ISA slots in years and if you found one I'm not sure if you would be able to get drivers for anything above Win 98.

[AlanHK]

http://www.adek.com/ATX-motherboards.html
http://www.ibase.com.tw/mb700pic.htm
http://www.ibase.com.tw/mb800.htm
http://www.interloper.com/custserv/corral/computers_isa_slots.htm

[Kerry56]

http://www.orbitmicro.com/global/imba-9454isa-r10-p-8745.html?ref=base

Its not cheap. But it is an Intel 945 chipset, so drivers should not be a problem. And it is standard ATX size, so you don't need an extra large case.

Ah, beaten to the punch by AlanHK.

[sdsumike619]

Hi, thanks for the replies,, but I decided to keep the machine I have. I discovered I can upgrade it quite cheaply. It's just an old machine that I have to keep running, no big deal really.

[dragonkeeper]

Glad you got the answer you needed.I didn't realize there were so many boards out there around with ISA slots.

[greymalkin]

so now I'm curious...what are you using t hat still requires an ISA card? perhaps we can find another solution to keep you from depending on legacy hardware?

[Computer Nerd Kev]

Wow!!

Those motherboards are my dream! I never even considered the possibility that such a thing might actually be made.

Imagine, Floppy and SATA, ISA and USB 2.0 not to mention the ability to use the latest processors and RAM. Set this up as multi boot and you (OK, I guess this should be "I") could do anything you want!

As for useful input to this thread, the best I can give is that the web store linked to by Kerry56 also offers at least one of the motherboard models made by ADEX Computers (1st link by AlanHK). MB-8650 = IMBA-8650GR-R22

Now I think I'll frame the specification sheet while I curse the $130 postage cost to Australia.

[edDV]

Another option is a PCI to ISA bridge card.

You can contact this company. Main issue will be drivers for a modern OS.
http://eurekatech.com/products/pci/ec150.htm

[El Heggunte]

so now I'm curious...what are you using t hat still requires an ISA card? perhaps we can find another solution to keep you from depending on legacy hardware?

Nah, months ago I happened to meet an, let's say, "audiophile apprentice" , who wanted to bring a third-hand Sound Blaster AWE32 "back to life"

[sdsumike619]

Yes, it has to do with music actually.. Let's just say that I need to keep an old machine running.. Along those lines, I need to find an AGP 4X video card that supports 1440x900 resolution now.....

[aedipuss]

newegg still has agp cards.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130198
even the $20 card has a max res. of 2048 x 1536@60Hz

[sdsumike619]

I contacted EVGA:

Thank you for contacting the EVGA Customer Service Team. My name is Jayson Cane and I will be answering your question today.

Answer:
Unfortunately it will not function on the 2x slot. Thank you, EVGA

These are the specs I was able to pull:
http://www.e4allupgraders.info/dir1/motherboards/slot1/napoli2.shtml
http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/emachines-emonster-600-piii/1707-3118-30053176.html#manDesc

But I also saw this on a forum discussing upgrades on this particular board:
Video Cards ~ You got an AGP Slot flaunt it as of this writing GF4 TI4200's are a great choice, ATI up through 9200 have worked ok with the bios update, have not heard / remeber anything higher... I have not tested my FX5600 yet but I suspect the power supply will be lacking for full force graphics.

So I don't understand, is it AGP 4X or 2X and does it even matter because I thought AGP was forwards and backwards compatible?

[aedipuss]

the terminology is difficult. there is agp(1.0) 1x 3.3v, agp(1.0) 2x 3.3v, agp(2.0) 4x 1.5v, agp(3.0) 8x 0.8v, etc.

most agp cards before the geforce 6 series will work in either 3.3v or 1.5v slots. it all depends on the cutout keys in the connector.

[aedipuss]

the card i linked to before has both keys so it will work in either a 2x or 4x board.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=14-130-198-07.jpg&Image=14-13...20Video%20Card

[NJRoadfan]

The biggest limitation of those "modern" ISA slot boards is that they lack full DMA support which some older cards need. What kind of card are you trying to run exactly? Perhaps the best machine to keep these cards running is an Intel 440BX based motherboard. Plenty of ISA slots, but modern enough to support XP while keeping compatible with classic OSes like NT 3.5x and DOS/Win 3.1x. Many older video cards can run widescreem without a problem.

Personally I would seek out an older Matrox or ATI AGP card and use Powerstrip to add custom resolutions as needed. My old Matrox Marvel G400 even has a DVI addon adapter so I can use modern LCDs without a problem.

Another option, USB to ISA: http://www.arstech.com/item-USB-2-0-to-ISA-card-ROHS-usb2isar.html

Personally I keep a 486 around for the few ISA soundcards I have (mostly Creative) for genuine DOS gaming. DOSBox just doesn't cut it sometimes.