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Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : piles of junk + time & effort = semi-good computer systems


FrozenLiquidity
10-12-2000, 11:28 AM
In my last class of the day in school, there is a pile o' junk in the back room(workshop). This is a networking class and it is pretty unstructured at this time because of the new certifications for the Windows 2000 operating system. So we do not actually do anything related to networking right now. However, we are straightening up the back room. The back room consists of pile and piles of old Socket 7 and Socket 3 motherboards that use mostly the 430vx chipset. There are plenty of loose cables of all types and casesof all sizes are strewn about the area. There are many hard drives also, most sizing around 200-500 megs. CD-ROMs are a bit less abundant, most of them are 4x, but once in a while you will run across a 16x or better. There are many, many monitors here as well, most of them are generally pretty bad, but you can find a good one here and there. RAM and CPU's are also abundant, most CPU's are Pentiums ranging in speeds from 90 to 133.

So we ecided if we couldn't put some of this stuff to use...

So our class of 7 people (only select people were allowed to enter the class) went around and started to gather up parts to make our own systems for use at school.

After many days of testing motherboards, CD-ROMs, hard drives, and RAM, we managed to assemble a few decent systems.

I was able to get a Pentium 200, and I was shocked whe I was able to find 2 pairs of 64mb 72pin SIMMS, with the motherboard I had(a very old ASUS)with 4 SIMM slots, I had a total of 128mb of RAM! Wow, unleash the power.

My friend was able to round up a AMD K-6 233 and another 128mb RAM for his system. We were both able to find decent 17" monitors. (Viewsonic even!) And with a 1.2gb hard drive and a Voodoo2 8mb, on each of our systems, GL Quake ran pretty smooth. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

We were also able to round up a few network and sound cards and we finally had some decent systems, decent that is considering that this stuff is just lying around.

With the addition of a hub and network cables, we were able to tap the resources of the school's internet connection and the next thing we knew, we were downloading files at 120-160k a second.

Combinded with another system I brought in from home,(P2 300, 64mb RAM, TNT) we have a little party going on for a good hour and a half every day! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Comments?

FrozenLiquidity

Target
10-12-2000, 01:13 PM
Who was it that recently said "one man's old **** is another man's treasure"??? Oh yeah, Socal said it http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif and it certainly is VERY true.

You'd be surprised at how thrilled some people without computers would be to get their hands on some of our "older" stuff. To be honest, I sometimes feel guilty holding on to my older components knowing that someone else could be using them....but alas, I have to have spares to fall back on should my regular system/items fail.

At any rate, for a larger majority than we would probably like to admit, some of the older equipment that ends up laying around is all the power some people need or desire. My father is a prime example. He's still completely satisfied with his Pentium 200. I keep trying to upgrade him, but his standard response is always "why? It works perfectly for my email, and the occasional web surfing".... To each his own. I guess its a lot like having a car. If all you really care about is not having to walk, any old car will do.

Anyway, congrats on putting those components back into service!!!

Warthog
10-12-2000, 03:40 PM
Target - that's the way my dad is http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. He has a 233 w/64 mem. I'm gonna give him another 64 for Christmas because he is starting to need it. There is no need to upgrade for people like him, like you said.

Warthog

Eli
10-12-2000, 05:17 PM
These older systems still have a lot of life left. Heck, my main system here almost belongs in that junk pile. I set up a P133 and a P166 (at 200MHz) for a couple of kids to use here, and they love them.

voogru
10-12-2000, 05:26 PM
yep Think about it 2-3 years ago those things were top of the line!

FrozenLiquidity
10-12-2000, 06:23 PM
Yeah, we have so many spare parts that if I wanted to I could build at least 20 complete systems that would be decent for everyday use.

Most of them would have these specs...

Pentium 133 or 100
64-32mb RAM
Standard PCI Video card (1-2mb)
420mb Hard drive
4x CD-ROM
ISA Sound Card
ISA Network card
15" color monitor
Keyboard and Serial mouse

Not bad for a junk pile. Hey, we even found a dual Socket 7 mobo in there!

FrozenLiquidity

Savant
10-13-2000, 01:02 AM
now I wish I went to school I love tinkering with stuff like that even if it is old...

Warthog
10-13-2000, 05:18 AM
Ha! I wish my school even had a class like that. We only have a software classes. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif

Warthog

Wiruz
10-13-2000, 05:39 AM
Dual socket 7? - i didn't even know they existed?

Socket 7 SMP.... hmmmm... does it work?

I love messing with my old computer junk to, nothing brings more pleasure then building a system from scratch, and then make it work.

~Wiruz

FrozenLiquidity
10-14-2000, 09:02 AM
Yeah, but when we tried to use the Dual Socket 7 mobo with a few 166 Pentiums (same stepping of course) it didn't work. We think the mobo's busted.

I'll try to get a pic of it for you guys.

FrozenLiquidity