cheapest system possible

  • Thread starter Thread starter JB
  • Start date Start date
J

JB

I'm looking for a "dummy" computer to use for installing alternate
(and outdated) operating systems. I'm a writer and I need to do
occasional testing on Windows ME or 98, Linux, and other things. I'm
looking for something reliable (aka, new) but as cheap as possible. I
know Gateway has their 310 for about $400, but I'd love to spend $200
or less. Any idea son how to piece together a system liek this:

-- Fast enough to not slow me down in testing, but not a speed demon
-- Don't need sound usually
-- Don't need DVD
-- For video, can be a really cheap card, no 3D graphics
-- I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse

Really, I just need:
-- Motherboard and CPU
-- Case and psu
-- HD
-- RAM
-- CD drive

Thoughts?

- JB
 
JB said:
I'm looking for a "dummy" computer to use for installing alternate
(and outdated) operating systems. I'm a writer and I need to do
occasional testing on Windows ME or 98, Linux, and other things. I'm
looking for something reliable (aka, new) but as cheap as possible. I
know Gateway has their 310 for about $400, but I'd love to spend $200
or less. Any idea son how to piece together a system liek this:

-- Fast enough to not slow me down in testing, but not a speed demon
-- Don't need sound usually
-- Don't need DVD
-- For video, can be a really cheap card, no 3D graphics
-- I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse

Really, I just need:
-- Motherboard and CPU
-- Case and psu
-- HD
-- RAM
-- CD drive
Click to expand...


if you live in the US
i just built an AMD-1000
 
JB said:
I'm looking for a "dummy" computer to use for installing alternate
(and outdated) operating systems. I'm a writer and I need to do
occasional testing on Windows ME or 98, Linux, and other things. I'm
looking for something reliable (aka, new) but as cheap as possible. I
know Gateway has their 310 for about $400, but I'd love to spend $200
or less. Any idea son how to piece together a system liek this:

-- Fast enough to not slow me down in testing, but not a speed demon
-- Don't need sound usually
-- Don't need DVD
-- For video, can be a really cheap card, no 3D graphics
-- I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse

Really, I just need:
-- Motherboard and CPU
-- Case and psu
-- HD
-- RAM
-- CD drive

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

First, I'd use a boot system such as Partition Magic, so you can boot to
whatever system you want without constantly reinstalling. Second, I'd go to
a used computer store, or buy something used on eBay. You could buy
something that works quite well for your purposes for under $100.
 
I know you said "new," but there are LOTS of used computers for less
then $200. Check your local newspaper, trading radio program, and
ebay.
 
JB said:
I'm looking for a "dummy" computer to use for installing alternate
(and outdated) operating systems. I'm a writer and I need to do
occasional testing on Windows ME or 98, Linux, and other things. I'm
looking for something reliable (aka, new) but as cheap as possible.
Click to expand...

Since I recommended used I thought I'd comment. "Reliable" and "new" are
not necessarily the same thing. If you want reliable, get a Dell and pay
for the 3 year in home warranty. But that is going to cost you. There are
some incredible deals in computers right now, but you're not going to get it
with the big names at the prices you want, because they simply don't sell
that stuff. For example, if 40G hard drives are only $75, wouldn't it be
great if 2G hard drives were only $10? But it doesn't work that way - they
just don't sell anything smaller than 40G. You have to go to eBay, etc. to
find them. You might still find them new, and some of the stuff will be
very reliable, but....
 
jeffc said:
just don't sell anything smaller than 40G. You have to go to eBay, etc. to
find them. You might still find them new, and some of the stuff will be
very reliable, but....
Click to expand...

It's not that I don't trust eBay, I just don;t trust all the sellers
-- especially in this market.
 
On 10 Nov 2003 10:33:50 -0800, JB pondered exceedingly, then took quill in hand
and carefully composed...

| I'm looking for a "dummy" computer to use for installing alternate
| (and outdated) operating systems. I'm a writer and I need to do
| occasional testing on Windows ME or 98, Linux, and other things. I'm
| looking for something reliable (aka, new) but as cheap as possible. I
| know Gateway has their 310 for about $400, but I'd love to spend $200
| or less. Any idea son how to piece together a system liek this:
|
| -- Fast enough to not slow me down in testing, but not a speed demon
| -- Don't need sound usually
| -- Don't need DVD
| -- For video, can be a really cheap card, no 3D graphics
| -- I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse
|
| Really, I just need:
| -- Motherboard and CPU
| -- Case and psu
| -- HD
| -- RAM
| -- CD drive

Check around to find some local build-your-own enthusiasts. Many of us always
have at least two or three extra systems sitting around collecting dust. ;-)

Larc



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Larc said:
On 10 Nov 2003 10:33:50 -0800, JB pondered exceedingly, then took quill in hand
and carefully composed...

| I'm looking for a "dummy" computer to use for installing alternate
| (and outdated) operating systems. I'm a writer and I need to do
| occasional testing on Windows ME or 98, Linux, and other things. I'm
| looking for something reliable (aka, new) but as cheap as possible. I
| know Gateway has their 310 for about $400, but I'd love to spend $200
| or less. Any idea son how to piece together a system liek this:
|
| -- Fast enough to not slow me down in testing, but not a speed demon
| -- Don't need sound usually
| -- Don't need DVD
| -- For video, can be a really cheap card, no 3D graphics
| -- I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse
|
| Really, I just need:
| -- Motherboard and CPU
| -- Case and psu
| -- HD
| -- RAM
| -- CD drive

Check around to find some local build-your-own enthusiasts. Many of us always
have at least two or three extra systems sitting around collecting dust. ;-)

Larc



§§§ - Please raise temperature of mail to reply by e-mail - §§§
Click to expand...

Larc is right.

I use an old K6-400 system for the same thing you want.
I have an old E-Machine Celeron 600 that I would sell VERY cheap.
(Much cheaper that the $200 you mentioned)
But unless your'e in the Austin TX area, shipping would cost too much.

But, I'm sure there are people in your area with old systems they'll sell
cheap.

John
 
jeffc said:
First, I'd use a boot system such as Partition Magic, so you can boot to
whatever system you want without constantly reinstalling.
Click to expand...

Why not just use the free "boot manager" lilo that comes with linux? I guess
windows users are so used to buying software.....
 
jeffc said:
If I don't live in the US, did you not build it?
Click to expand...

<G>
i meant, that if he lived in the US i could send one to him ...
but out of country postage would make it impractical
 
stacey said:
Why not just use the free "boot manager" lilo that comes with linux? I guess
windows users are so used to buying software.....
Click to expand...

No, there are free partition programs for Windows too, but they are not
full-functioned. I'm not familiar with the Linux boot manager. OS/2 used
to have one also included free, but that's out of the question. If this
"lilo" does what it needs to do, then go for it.
 
For example, if 40G hard drives are only $75, wouldn't it be
great if 2G hard drives were only $10? But it doesn't work that way
Click to expand...

_________________________________________________________

It does work that way for used drives. I just bought a 1.6 gig HD for
$6.84 *including* shipping on ebay. Guaranteed good, reputable seller.
Going to use it for pagefile.sys.
 
W7TI said:
_________________________________________________________

It does work that way for used drives. I just bought a 1.6 gig HD for
$6.84 *including* shipping on ebay.
Click to expand...

Yes, in the used market it can work that way.
Guaranteed good, reputable seller.
Click to expand...

I've had mostly good luck with eBay, but there is no such thing as a
guarantee, my friend.
 
but there is no such thing as a
guarantee, my friend.
Click to expand...

_________________________________________________________

Sure there is. I think you're confusing "guarantee" with absolute
assurance. Guarantee means it will be made good if is isn't; absolute
assurance is not available to us mortals.

These are my own definitions of course, feel free to substitute your
own.
 
W7TI said:
_________________________________________________________

Sure there is. I think you're confusing "guarantee" with absolute
assurance. Guarantee means it will be made good if is isn't; absolute
assurance is not available to us mortals.

These are my own definitions of course, feel free to substitute your
own.
Click to expand...

I think that definition has been foisted upon us by manufacturers and
sellers. What you are describing is a warranty A real guarantee would be
more like putting up collateral for a loan - for example, leaving something
at the pawn shop. That way, the pawn shop owner is guaranteed to get his
value. So I don't mean there is no such thing as a guarantee - I mean
there's no such thing on eBay :-)
 
the problem with used hard drives is that if you have important stuff
on it and it breaks down, then its absolute HELL.
 
zalzon said:
the problem with used hard drives is that if you have important stuff
on it and it breaks down, then its absolute HELL.
Click to expand...

The problem with NEW drives, as well, is that if you have important stuff on
it and it breaks down, then it's absolute HELL.
 
| the problem with used hard drives is that if you have important stuff
| on it and it breaks down, then its absolute HELL.

That's true, but failure can occur even with new hard drives. All of the hard
drives I have now are used. I'm the one who has used them. ;-)

Larc



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