Category: Compaq Portable 386

Installing MS-DOS on the Compaq Portable 386 is pretty straight forward, but before we get into retro-gaming on it, I thought I’d post a quick intro on installing Windows 3.1 on a Compaq Portable 386. Getting Windows 3.1 / 3.11

This is the last post in a 6 post series on the Compaq Portable 386 Computer. In this section, we take a look at installing MS-DOS and using FDISK after using the diagnostic diskette. You can jump to: First Impressions

This is the 5th post in a 6 post series on the Compaq Portable 386 Computer. This part focuses on the Conner hard disk, the BIOS settings, its limitations, and alternatives to using a real hard disk. You can jump

This is the 4th post in a 6 post series on the Compaq Portable 386 Computer. This section looks at the floppy drive, the 720K disks it accepts, and the Compaq Diagnostics program to configure the computer. You can jump

This is the 3rd post in a 6 post series on the Compaq Portable 386 Computer. In this section, we look at turning the computer on, getting it to POST, and taking a peek at the insides & motherboard. You

This is the 2nd post in a 6 post series on the Compaq Portable 386 Computer. This section looks at the Gas Plasma Screen, the computer’s specifications, and what the display looks like running MS-DOS games. You can jump to:

This is the first post in a 6 post series on the Compaq Portable 386 Computer covering its history & legacy, price, capabilities, and relative importance at the time. You can jump to: First Impressions The Gas Plasma Screen Booting