Re: 386sx/25mhz compatibility
From: Noi (noi_at_siam.com)
Date: 09/16/04
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Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 17:05:51 GMT
On Thu, 16 Sep 2004 14:45:03 +0000, Michael Black thoughtfully wrote:
>
> Lasse Jensen (fafler@linuxmail.org) writes:
>> Nitro wrote:
>>
>>> I have 2 (very) old Dell PCs and I was wondering if it was possible to
>>> install linux on them in a home network. I have looked at the
>>> compatibility charts of several distributions, but couldn't find all
>>> the info.
>>>
>>> Here is a link to the motherboard (specs):
>>>
>>> http://www.thegreenhouse.us/th99/m/C-D/31331.htm
>>>
>>>
>>> The machines are Dell Dimension 386sx/25mhz computers. Both computers
>>> came with 4MB of ram, and I need to look into whether they can be
>>> upgraded to 16MB as that seemed to be the minimum system requirements
>>> to install any linux OS. I'd need to add hard drives also, since the
>>> current drives are both very small (20MB).
>>
>> Max. out the RAM. Consider getting a SCSI controller, like the Adaptec
>> AHA-1542. Strip everything of whichever distro you choose.
>>
> But at that point, the better but not much more complicated answer is
> to strip them down, and get the metal casing into recycling. Then dig
> a better computer out of the garbage.
>
> About six years back, I had a Mac and wanted to run Linux. The level of
> computer that was appearing in the garbage and cheap at garage sales
> were at the 386 or lower level. But the moment I bought a used 200MHz
> Pentium, mid-2001, suddenly better computers started appearing. A week
> later, I got a 50MHz 486 with 16megs of memory, for ten dollars. I'm now
> finding Pentiums in the garbage, sometimes even complete, with memory
> and hard drives.
>
> If one can't get something better cheap, then of course one makes do
> with what there is. But the moment better things drop to the ten dollar
> level, or the scrap heap, then it makes little sense to use something older.
>
> One problem I had six years ago was that I wasn't finding much loose memory
> or bigger hard drives. That still holds rather true, if someone is selling
> them used they tend to keep a higher price (since people want them to upgrade
> older comptuers that they are still using). One often is luckier with
> complete systems, from garage sales or the garbage heap. They aren't always
> intact, but if they are they often are cheaper than buying memory or hard
> drives used. I put 64megs more memory in that 200MHz Pentium a year after
> I bought it, because I hauled home a ten dollar early Powermac for ten
> dollars. I've pulled ram out of various computers I've found in the garbage,
> they were incomplete or else I would have brought the whole thing home.
>
> Of course, this only applies in rich nations where people can afford
> to toss out computers.
>
> Michael
Yes but as I read the original he wants to use the 2 386sx machines not
simply have another machine. So, for which OSes and for purposes can he
put those 2 dinosaurs to use.
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