 Really Old Computer Fix Up, Really Old...., Good or bad idea? |
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 Feb 9 2007, 06:54 PM
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 Forum Addict  Group: BC Advisor Posts: 1,179 Joined: 28-September 06 From: New York Member No.: 87,553  |
The computer is an IBM from I think 1999. It was a hammy down from my grandma. Well anyways here are the specs: (don't laugh  )Windows 98 AMD K-2 3D processor, 333mhz, 512kb L2 burst cache (that seems high though for an L2 cache of its time) 1 stick pc100 64mb of ram, motherboard supports up to 256mb 6gb. hard drive integrated graphics of some sort only one cd drive and it can't burn disc Really is this computer worth putting in 256mb of ram and getting another/better hard drive? I remember seeing about a 550Mhz K-2 processor on ebay for $7. Would that make any improvement? I was just thinking of useing it for internet browsing, instant messenging, and for the fact of having 2 computers in my room  . If its not worth it though and I should just throw it out, as it would probably be a waste of time and money then I will. Thanks for reading this long post! --------------------  |
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Feb 9 2007, 09:27 PM
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 Distinguished Member Group: Members Posts: 645 Joined: 2-April 04 From: Fulton, NY > Snow country. Member No.: 53 |
It may or may not recognize the larger CPU. Some of those old Socket 7 / Super Socket 7 in the proprietary computers such as HP would only handle up to a 350-450MHz K-2. If you added the additional memory and slapped 98SE it would run fine. You would need to run a decent anti-virus program plus firewall, and other anti-spyware applications to be somewhat safe. Getting the drivers may be an issue. What would be feasable would be to install some flavor of Linux on it. This would give you a good 'nix box to practice with.
-------------------- I am a transplant survivor.
Get Your Donor Card Download a page with 8 cards ready for printing (pdf) Order as many as 10 free paper copies |
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Feb 10 2007, 01:23 AM
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#3
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Forum Addict Group: BC Advisor Posts: 2,609 Joined: 6-November 05 From: Avondale, Arizona USA Member No.: 39,726 |
Try to look up the machine on IBMs web site. use the machine number. (2643-A3U) is an example of what the machine number looks like. the max hard drive in this era was about 8 gig, and yes, It would make a great box to run some flavor of Linux, also the machine would run better and more stable with 'nix. But do try to max out the ram and increase the processor speed, the old K6-2 series of processors have a math coprocessor that runs at half of the processors speed. Do not try to substitute ram -- use the exact kind that the specs call for most of these IBM machines would not run properly if the ram was even slightly mismatched.
-------------------- The name says it all -- 59 and holding permanently
**WARNING** Links I provide might cause brain damage |
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Feb 10 2007, 07:11 AM
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#4
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Forum Addict Group: BC Advisor Posts: 1,179 Joined: 28-September 06 From: New York Member No.: 87,553 |
Thanks for the replies! I didn't really think about useing it for linux, even though I have a couple of boot disc I've messed around with before. I'll look around a bit for a good linux program, and probably make a post about this in that part of the forum.
One other thing is it doesn't have an Ethernet port. I was looking at one on newegg and it was like $70.... Really don't want to pay that much. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16815150048 Anyone find any cheaper? I would like to keep it under $20 if its possible. Thanks again! -------------------- |
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Feb 10 2007, 10:09 AM
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 Visually handicapped, hence the avatar :0) Group: Moderator Posts: 14,526 Joined: 2-October 05 From: Southeastern CT, USA Member No.: 35,824 |
-------------------- - John
**If you need a more detailed explanation, please ask for it. I have the Knack. ** |
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Feb 10 2007, 12:11 PM
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 Forum Regular Group: Members Posts: 304 Joined: 29-January 07 Member No.: 109,004 |
Very good idea to do this! I did this with an old Windows 98 comp, and ran Fedora and Ubuntu on it fine. It's also useful to have another computer to experiment with hosting your own ftp servers and whatnot. Really, once you upgrade the processor and ram and harddrive, you should be good to go. Grab that ethernet card as well.
Linux may be a challenge at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's great! Good luck! --------------------  |
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Feb 10 2007, 03:52 PM
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Forum Addict Group: BC Advisor Posts: 1,179 Joined: 28-September 06 From: New York Member No.: 87,553 |
Thanks for the replies! Actually right now I'm useing a boot cd of knoppix just to mess around (the games are pretty fun too
). When browsing the internet useing the konqueror program, everything looks much clearer. I think I will go ahead and do this.
This post has been edited by Sterling14: Feb 10 2007, 03:58 PM -------------------- |
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Feb 10 2007, 10:37 PM
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Forum Addict Group: BC Advisor Posts: 1,179 Joined: 28-September 06 From: New York Member No.: 87,553 |
Well after looking on that list you sent me usama, the $3.50 one for instance had a 15$ shipping cost
 and the other cheaper ones were all about 20$ after shipping. So after looking on newegg some more I found these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...82E16812107293R , http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...82E16812203024R . Would these work well? I realize they're probably not as good as a PCI slot card, but I'm looking for cheaper stuff, and since I will be buying my ram from newegg I figure I might as well get this from there too. Thanks for the help everyone! -------------------- |
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Feb 11 2007, 02:04 PM
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#9
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Distinguished Member Group: Members Posts: 645 Joined: 2-April 04 From: Fulton, NY > Snow country. Member No.: 53 |
I would not use the USB to Ethernet adapters. You already are using a small processor and running your Internet connection through the USB port uses the processor.
This is a good NIC card that'll work with Linux as well as Windows. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16833156107 -------------------- I am a transplant survivor.
Get Your Donor Card Download a page with 8 cards ready for printing (pdf) Order as many as 10 free paper copies |
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Feb 11 2007, 07:47 PM
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Visually handicapped, hence the avatar :0) Group: Moderator Posts: 14,526 Joined: 2-October 05 From: Southeastern CT, USA Member No.: 35,824 |
Sorry! I didn't check the shipping costs!
You can probably get a PCI NIC (Network Interface Card) from WalMart for under $15. Also, shop around at the local computer stores to see if they've got a used parts bin - you can find some amazing deals there! -------------------- - John
**If you need a more detailed explanation, please ask for it. I have the Knack. ** |
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Feb 11 2007, 09:06 PM
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Forum Addict Group: BC Advisor Posts: 1,179 Joined: 28-September 06 From: New York Member No.: 87,553 |
My dad says he doesn't want me to waste my money on upgrading this old junk, but it should be fairly cheap now.
I would look to buy from Wal-Mart, but the Wal-mart here isn't a Super one so they don't carry much computer stuff (kind of a small town), and unless I want to pay for 200% profit best buy gets, I'm kind of stuck with ordering parts on the internet. I like that NIC card that TheTerrorist_75 anyways. Sounds good and is cheap  .11$ (including shipping) for that Ethernet card, 22$ (including shipping) for a stick of 128mb pc100 ram, and I found a 500mhz k6-2 AMD processor for $1 and $5 shipping on ebay. About 40$ isn't bad (only have to mow 3 or 4 lawns this summer to make that up ). I guess I might try finding some cheap ram too on ebay.Thanks for everyones help!
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Feb 13 2007, 04:52 PM
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Forum Addict Group: BC Advisor Posts: 1,179 Joined: 28-September 06 From: New York Member No.: 87,553 |
Woohoo! My friend's dad had an old stick of pc133 128mb ram laying around, and when looking for it we also found a PCI card that had Ethernet and fiber optic ports! So for a very reasonable price he sold me this stuff and now I'm looking online, while on instant messenger using the computer! It has 192mb of ram now and while idling has about 75% free. I want to thank everyone for their help! Next step is to put linux on the hard drive, but thats another topic for another day
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