Anything about old PCs, their uses, related OSes and their users

floppywhopper · 12-24-2015, 06:09 PM

have two older computers ( around 10 - 12 yrs old )
one set up as firewall for home network using ipfire
the other set up as file server using sme server

rvijay · 12-29-2015, 09:46 AM

The best retro experience is to just DL media from older PC. Then use eReader or mp3 player as needed. They are both energy efficient, portable, hold a lot of media, easily available, cheaper to replace even new. This way, the older PC can also be used only for basic surfing, email, games etc., when needed, reducing power user and also helping it last longer. I love reading classics from Gutenberg on my eReader these days, it is easier on eyes also due to the eInk screen. This helps extend life of PC monitor also. Lastly, with good choice, one gets a lot of quality reading without any other distractions on eReader(I try to avoid files with images even). With time, one can even learn to speed read on the eReader.

Media
podiobooks.com is excellent for contemporary audiobooks, it is free. Librivox is good for classic audiobooks. I listen to audiobooks only if I can't read. manybooks.net has some good contemporary ebooks for FREE. Staying away from a glowing screen and a big PC feels quite freeing.

Accessory
Inregards to older laptops, sometimes one may come across one with a damaged or dying adapter etc., In this regard an interchangable multi outlet laptop power adapter is reasonably priced around 70 bucks with tax is an useful investment to consider.

Hope this helps a few folks. Happy 2016 in advance.

rvijay · 05-10-2016, 06:11 PM

Presently, I am still using the old P4 server with Puppy Linux I got from local freecycle as my main PC. Issues are starting with this as the OS
is old, with old browser and so some sites are not loading anymore. I have tried other more recent OSes and they don't work on this PC.

So at this point learning LFD, Gentoo and Arch Linux and building my own OS for this PC seems like a good investment interms of learning. Not sure if I will get around to it tho. as these involve considerable time, I have been on this path a few years ago but other things cameup and never got to completion. Perhaps this will be a good future winter project.

On a different note, regarding the older P2 PC that I have, sometimes I feel like taking the floppy drive, CD Writer out of it and then recycling the rest of it. Will not rush on this for now tho.

enine · 05-10-2016, 08:59 PM

I picked up an HP200LX this week. Its an 80186 with 2M of RAM running DOS 5.

rvijay · 05-11-2016, 03:13 PM

Read all these links today, good info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_live_CDs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightw...x_distribution
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compar...ons#Live_media
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compar....2FDVDs.2FUSBs

I believe making a bootable USB drive will solve many of my current issues with this older PC and allow me to use it with greater ease. Have to look into this tho.

I also looked up local older PCs for sale, some are good prices, but if the parts fail, then it will be a real issue. Need to reflect more on this.

rvijay · 05-11-2016, 06:52 PM

Wow, I kept trying it step by step, made the bootable USB Flash Drive with Puppy Linux OS and my personal files on it. Slow to boot but works like a charm. Couldn't ask for more. Only thing is since the PC has older USB port, to copy 500Mb takes like 30 mts. Still this is better than nothing.

Partitioned the USB drive as follows:
1. 2GB for OS, bootable
2. 1G For Linux Swap
3. 2Gb for puppy personal config. files
4. Rest for the data files.

Great experience, awesome day. Now, if I get an external HD, I can also partition it similar and make it bootable with OS on it. Was advicd tho that static can make the USB key to loose data, so better to have a backup of this also just in case.

noordinaryspider · 05-16-2016, 10:51 AM

I hope I learned my lesson about being too quick to upgrade.

My older Thinkpads:

T20 #2 is rock solid compared to its much flimsier sucessors. It runs Damn Small Linux 1.3.1 (T20 #1 always ran much more bloated distros because it could) and is mostly used for word processing and playing .mp3s right now. It can get online with Dillo if necessary, but it reads a USB drive and external HDD with archived .mydsl extensions just fine.

X60 #1 was $20 and I wound up liking it so much as an eReader, paper-saving doodlepad for my minor kid, and various other timeless uses that I grabbed a lot of three more off of eBayfor $60, which I intended to use for spare parts or sacrificial victims to the "noordinaryspider wants to learn how to flash libreboot" project, but all of them are functional with the possible exception of the one with the noisy fan and the tempermental video card that could go at any minute.

My Asus Eee PCs still run modern distros, but the little pink 2 gig surf doesn't have room for a GUI unless I boot from an SD card. It has a lot of "shock value" at public hotspots and isn't likely to get stolen.

I still have an excessive number of computers, it's just a lot easier to stuff them into drawers and closets when the landlord or adult kids drop by now.

maples · 05-16-2016, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noordinaryspider

My Asus Eee PCs still run modern distros

How does that work for you? I have a few Eee PC 1000 netbooks that my school was getting rid of. And though I'd still consider them "usable", it's painful to watch. The bottleneck for mine seems to be the hard drive, the light is almost always on when I'm working, and running 'sync' usually takes anywhere from 5 to 30 seconds.

Code:

root@eee-anthony2:~# mount /dev/sdb1 -o remount,sync
root@eee-anthony2:~# dd if=/dev/zero of=testfile bs=4k count=1024
1024+0 records in
1024+0 records out
4194304 bytes (4.2 MB) copied, 8.67327 s, 484 kB/s

rvijay · 05-20-2016, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noordinaryspider

I hope I learned my lesson about being too quick to upgrade.

My older Thinkpads:

T20 #2 is rock solid compared to its much flimsier sucessors. It runs Damn Small Linux 1.3.1 (T20 #1 always ran much more bloated distros because it could) and is mostly used for word processing and playing .mp3s right now. It can get online with Dillo if necessary, but it reads a USB drive and external HDD with archived .mydsl extensions just fine.

X60 #1 was $20 and I wound up liking it so much as an eReader, paper-saving doodlepad for my minor kid, and various other timeless uses that I grabbed a lot of three more off of eBayfor $60, which I intended to use for spare parts or sacrificial victims to the "noordinaryspider wants to learn how to flash libreboot" project, but all of them are functional with the possible exception of the one with the noisy fan and the tempermental video card that could go at any minute.

My Asus Eee PCs still run modern distros, but the little pink 2 gig surf doesn't have room for a GUI unless I boot from an SD card. It has a lot of "shock value" at public hotspots and isn't likely to get stolen.

I still have an excessive number of computers, it's just a lot easier to stuff them into drawers and closets when the landlord or adult kids drop by now.

Thanks very much for sharing. It is good to make use of older hardware as much as possible by creative thinking. This helps reduce the need, use of newer hardware. Your post gave me some good ideas. Hope this thread benefits more people.

rvijay · 06-23-2016, 03:43 PM

I bought used Core2Duo PC at a local store for 50 bucks, learned to run VMs and boot from dd images to USB. Was able to install Linux Mint on it and can see youtube videos on it again. The DVD drive on this has stopped working, so even if this thing works for a year or two, it is a good deal. It is a great learning experience to keep an eye on the used PC market and accessories both at the mid and lower ends. Helps to get spare used routers, modems, cables etc., in advance.

rvijay · 07-02-2016, 10:34 PM

I am back to using my P4 again. More comfortable with it, also mostly reading PDF documents these days, so this is enough. Here is a nice link about uses for older PCs:
http://www.geekyprojects.com/old-com...computer-uses/

hazel · 07-03-2016, 03:10 AM

All my computers have always been second-hand. Some have been found by front gates.

rvijay · 07-05-2016, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazel

All my computers have always been second-hand. Some have been found by front gates.

How many computers you have ? How old is your oldest computer and what kind is it ? What do you use your old computers mostly for ?

Thanks.

rvijay · 07-05-2016, 06:39 AM

Retro Old Computer Emulators for Linux. Here is a nice treat for all, enjoy:
http://www.linuxlinks.com/article/20...Emulators.html

ardvark71 · 07-05-2016, 06:54 AM

Hi all...

My two systems would be considered "older," as well. My primary is a Dell Inspiron 531s desktop with 2 GB's of memory and an Athlon x64 X2 4400. I also have a HP Pavilion dv9830us laptop that I use as a secondary (as needed) or if I need something mobile.

I also have a slightly upgraded eMachines T-5026 that I use as a public access station for the apartment complex where I live.

Regards...