The Bulbous Budget Compaq Presario 5356 Celeron Desktop for Unwitting PC Users in 1999

[@Gany1701]

The way you open it up is so much better than my '98 Presario! It has to lift up the metal exterior and it's a pain to get on correctly.

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

Absolutely, the old style cases where you have to take the metal shell off are my pet hates - especially when trying to get it back on. When I built my modern pc one whole side is a glass pane on a hinge that simply swings open and I bought it because of the ease of accessibility! But yes, this compaq has a very nice sliding mechanism - however its very crampt inside so actually getting to the components is pretty difficult!

[@wabbit234]

I have a Deskpro EN that I'm waiting on a couple of caps to arrive as they've gone bad in the power supply and it was doing slightly funky things last time I used it. I recommend chucking in a dos compatible soundcard, because these make great DOS and early Directx games machines.

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

I didn't get around to seeing if the integrated ESS drivers also work in dos after setting up the autoexe/config files. I might need to give it a go. On a tangent, I like to use Phil's computer lab script to load into Dos, but on my 233mmx PC I get stuck in dos and have to rename my files to force it back into windows :D

[@ScanLinesAU]

Those are some neat little machines! I have a similar compaq deskpro with a Pentium III.

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

The older compaq's are built pretty well from the ones I've come across. This was dusty inside and apart from the HDD it seems to run very well. Not too yellow either. If it had a P3 or an AGP slot Id probably keep it but I have too many similar machines.

[@itsMarik]

Simple Awesome! Thanks for the throwback!

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

Glad you liked it!

[@cbw56]

My grandma bought this model back in the day. I played so much Midtown Madness on it bc it was the only computer in the family that could handle it at time haha

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

Man I loved Midtown Madness. That was my first taste of an open world racing game. Couldnt run anyone over, but I loved finding the shortcuts and smashing through building foyers :D

[@travelthetropics6190]

Hi mate, can you tell me how can we enter the BIOS to change boot order ? I got a same CE31-A from Compaq Presario 100C but I can't access BIOS with any keys (DEL, F2, F1, F10 etc). It just shows red COMPAQ logo it goes to floppy boot and asks for a bootable disk.

[@SeñorDossierOficial]

I remember being a tween and wanting a compaq presario that had the joystick port in the front However my brother bought an assembled computer that had the same specs as the one in your video.

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

I don't think I've ever seen an older PC with the gameport on the front. That sure would've been handy

[@RediscoveringRetro]

ISA port helps potential at least, it's all there for a decent DOS/98 machine. I'm so not a fan of the roundy case facias though, blurgh. Comments on the PSU reminds me I've got to check my 98 machines PSU. I've just continued to use it after its previous ownership. Cool video again tho buddy.

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

Yep, I reckon it would be half decent with a voodoo2 in it (even though current prices mean that the card would be worth 3 times the PC!)

[@RediscoveringRetro]

@@ByteSizeThoughts You're not wrong. I recently caved on a boxed 12mb V2. Was £120 posted final bids. To be fair for a nice boxed one it was worth it to me. I'll display the box aswell. Prices are getting crazy tho. The price people ask for the PCI version V3 is scary. Have you had much time to tinker or picked up anymore boxed PC games lately? I just received a whole system but I'm going to do a little video of it as I'm chuffed to pieces to get one.

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

@@RediscoveringRetro thats awesome, good work on a boxed v2. I do see them sometimes come up but too much for me at the moment. I have picked up quite a few boxed games but havent made a video on them as no body seems to watch them :D But Ive also got quite a bit of console gear and things over the past few months whilst working from home. Might do some kind of quick update video or something. I will keep an eye out for your video on the whole system!

[@RediscoveringRetro]

@@ByteSizeThoughts I watch them :) I've just received a few (er, 4) motherboards as well. I blame you guys ;) I just need the motivation to start building something. I love your videos mate, as do others I'm sure, but I know it's getting time to do them as well. I should pull my finger out and start doing something.

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

Making the videos is honestly a hobby all in its own right! I got a fantastic console last week which I've kinda always wanted so will prob do a short video on that next

[@MN-gp2cu]

Have Presario 4760, do you know where I could get some parts?

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

Facebook groups for vintage computers is best if you have some in your area, otherwise ebay I'm afraid. If you are friends with an electronics recycler then that would also be a good avenue. Last option is to put an open advert on local classified sites like gumtree or craigslist and people might reach out to you with their old hardware. Best of luck!

[@shiveringisles3509]

What were they thinking with that ultra curvy design lol. Deskpros are nice however, but the PSUs are harder to find a fitting replacement.

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

Ha, I guess they were trying to stand out. Could you image if they had invented coloured led lighting :D

[@AM-mk3zc]

This afternoon i saw this video and i've just bought the same pc model on ebay 🤣🤣 so fascinated by its sliding rear mechanism 🤪 seems to be built Like a tank right??

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

They are rock solid (though very compact so makes it a bit harder to work in and upgrade) :)

[@AM-mk3zc]

@@ByteSizeThoughts nice 😎

[@SHUMI1986]

that expansion card is a modem not a network card

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

I'm so glad we have moved past dial up modems. Quake 2 was unplayable over my 56k modem back in the day!

[@kolawolesamuelolotu9229]

Bull ppppppppppppppppibies