as stated before i am getting some old computers
windows 95 mac os(not x)
i've been reading things that one can do with them
my question is what can one turn an old computer into
ie: Mame box, server, firewall, linux box
what else could i do to these computers on my limited teenage funds...
2007-07-29 16:38:58 · 10 answers · asked by Zaq 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Other than as storage, such as a mail server, the best option is to allow them to work on distributed computing problems. Look up cancer distributed networking for a link. Who knows, you could help find the chemical structure for a drug that really works on these hideous diseases.
2007-07-29 16:43:52 · answer #1 · answered by lovingdaddyof2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an ISP and still we have some old systems running. They are running Linux and work as our firewalls, and routers. Why? Because they can and I'm cheap. Oh they are pentium 1's 75 and 100 Mhz processors. So yes there is value in old stuff. Just because something won't run the newest Windoze doesn't mean it has past is prime. Just that Microspounge needs more money.
As far as the Mac stuff goes. Well not all hope is not lost on old macs either. As long as they are powerPC processors you can get away with a bunch. In fact it is possible to put OS X on some of them. With the help of XPostFacto. You can bring old macs into the current age. Tee Hee. I do it all the time.
I hate spending money that I don't have so I alway search for freebies / open source. So your next haunt will be sf.net where you can find all sorts of goodies free for old stuff.
Google Xpostfacto and you'll find where to download it. Everything I just gave you is free for download. So enjoy the old and phooey on the new.
2007-07-29 23:47:13 · answer #2 · answered by bigmatlem 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Old computers don't have the stamina to do much of anything. Win95 is a very small windows(takes 200mbs of a small hdd) like 455mbs. Not much you can do with that especially in these days of games and applications.
Seems to me, these answerers do not know what an old computer is. Old as in 90mghz or 133mghz or 100mghz with memory no bigger than 32mbs and no more than 32mbs. Theres no applications for that small of a system! I know, I had lots of old computers. Linux will not run on them or win xp or win 98 for that matter. Sheesh! Old as of 1996 - 1999.
2007-07-29 23:50:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless they are at least 500 MHz with 128 MB Ram don't bother. Linux is one thing though you can play with that doesn't require a lot of power.
2007-07-29 23:45:35 · answer #4 · answered by podunksunshine 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
for a start download Linux and install it on these system, are you could set them up as linux virtual servers and pass them on to local schools, or train yourself to network with them..
any more bright Ideas
2007-07-29 23:46:58 · answer #5 · answered by Carling 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
use them on a network with terminal server for cheap client access to updated programs running on the server
2007-07-29 23:42:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
old macs make great server storage. even a small 20gb hd is 20gb you don't have to store on your local hd. i've seen plans to turn old macs into jukebox storage for itunes, photo warehouses, and movie, storage. if it's ethernet ready then it's a fairly easy setup.
2007-07-29 23:54:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well... if they have a firewire port you can make a DVR with a Cable Set-top box, thats what I did, e-mail me if you want to know how...
Mame=Awesome
Linux=Awesome+Free
Get ubuntu with beryl
2007-07-29 23:42:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Load Windows XP onto them, then sell them in the newspaper classifieds as brand new computers.
2007-07-29 23:43:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
cluster them with openmosix.
2007-07-29 23:51:29 · answer #10 · answered by The man in the back 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋