*updating* 8088's

[Ensor]

Hi,

  > Were there ever 8086 to 80286 upgrades for the
  >few machines that used them?

There was at least one available. I had one in my first PC clone, a home 
built machine with a motherboard sporting an NEC V30 processor (NEC's clone 
of the 8086).

It was a 1/2 or 1/3 length 8-bit ISA card from which ran a (very) short 
cable which plugged into the processor socket on the motherboard (the 8086 
was removed and plugged into the ISA bard). There was a switch on the back 
plate which selected "normal" or "286" mode.

I don't recall the manufacturer, but "AST" rings a bell for some reason? I 
got it in late '90/early '91 and it was at least a couple of years old then 
I think.

Didn't use it much....LOL.


  TTFN - Pete.