OT: What to do with an old 486

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Trog Dog

Any suggestions on what to do with an old 486?

My ADSL modem has built in NAT and firewall so using it as a firewall seems
redundant. I'm using my PII as as a P2P server.

I'm tossing up whether to use it as an MP3 jukebox or something else.

Alternatively, I've just discovered some websites dedicated to free, public
wireless networks, maybe I could hook it up to a wireless AP and antenna and
have it function as a router.

It seems a waste to just ditch it.
 
Trog Dog said:
Any suggestions on what to do with an old 486?
<snip>
It seems a waste to just ditch it.
Click to expand...

When others place their old PC's by the curb to be hauled off, I pick 'em
up, clean them up, make necessary repairs (if it doesn't cost me too much),
install a bunch of freeware games & educational software, and donate them to
organizations like the Battered Women's Shelter, Homeless Shelter, etc. so
that the children have something to keep 'em busy.

--
Kendall F. Stratton III
Fort Fairfield, Maine USA
k3@(86_THE_SPAM)maine.rr.com
http://home.maine.rr.com/k3

"Support bacteria -- it's the only culture some people have!"
 
Trog said:
Any suggestions on what to do with an old 486?

My ADSL modem has built in NAT and firewall so using it as a firewall seems
redundant. I'm using my PII as as a P2P server.

I'm tossing up whether to use it as an MP3 jukebox or something else.

Alternatively, I've just discovered some websites dedicated to free, public
wireless networks, maybe I could hook it up to a wireless AP and antenna and
have it function as a router.

It seems a waste to just ditch it.
Click to expand...
I have an old 486/33 and plan to use it for DOS games.

Mike Sa
 
Any suggestions on what to do with an old 486?

My ADSL modem has built in NAT and firewall so using it as a firewall seems
redundant. I'm using my PII as as a P2P server.

I'm tossing up whether to use it as an MP3 jukebox or something else.

Alternatively, I've just discovered some websites dedicated to free, public
wireless networks, maybe I could hook it up to a wireless AP and antenna and
have it function as a router.

It seems a waste to just ditch it.
Click to expand...

It's getting hard to even give 'em away these days. Nip into any local
tip and you can pick up working pentium II's around the 500MHz range
for a couple of quid.
If you're lucky you might even bag something in the 1GHz plus range
for a fiver.
These days I don't even bother to look inside the case if there's not
a couple of USB ports on the board.

Even charities are picky these days, simply because there's so much
usable kit knocking about.

Regards,
 
When others place their old PC's by the curb to be hauled off, I pick 'em
up, clean them up, make necessary repairs (if it doesn't cost me too much),
install a bunch of freeware games & educational software, and donate them to
organizations like the Battered Women's Shelter, Homeless Shelter, etc. so
that the children have something to keep 'em busy.
Click to expand...

I tried that. If they're not at least a PIII with at least 128mb of RAM,
nobody wants them. Nobody.
 
: : > Any suggestions on what to do with an old 486?
: > <snip>
: > It seems a waste to just ditch it.
: >
: >
:
: When others place their old PC's by the curb to be hauled off,
I pick 'em
: up, clean them up, make necessary repairs (if it doesn't cost
me too much),
: install a bunch of freeware games & educational software, and
donate them to
: organizations like the Battered Women's Shelter, Homeless
Shelter, etc. so
: that the children have something to keep 'em busy.
:
:

Excellent idea.

EDEB.
 
Trog Dog said:
Any suggestions on what to do with an old 486?

My ADSL modem has built in NAT and firewall so using it as a firewall seems
redundant. I'm using my PII as as a P2P server.

I'm tossing up whether to use it as an MP3 jukebox or something else.

Alternatively, I've just discovered some websites dedicated to free, public
wireless networks, maybe I could hook it up to a wireless AP and antenna and
have it function as a router.

It seems a waste to just ditch it.
Click to expand...

My old computer has become an exceptional and very-much-needed doorstop.

;-)
 
Bob Adkins said:
I tried that. If they're not at least a PIII with at least 128mb of
RAM, nobody wants them. Nobody.
Click to expand...

Is there a Savers thrift store in your area? A couple years ago, I saw a
PCjr on the shelves of the one near me.
 
Lefty said:
<snip>

Look at this article - Linux firewall on a 486

http://techupdate.zdnet.com/techupdate/stories/main/0,14179,2503199-
1,00.html

If you can't reach this URL, then do a GOOGLE search.

Lefty
Click to expand...

Atleast three versions of Linux (Tiny Linux, Deli Linux and Vector
Linux) run happily on these and will do almost all things one normally
does (excluding sound & graphics manipulation). Older versions of Free
BSD also can be run well on the se old machines. Those who remember DOS,
look up to see how folks are developing that :-)

Regards
hg.
 
harsha godavari avait écrit le 6/09/04 :
Atleast three versions of Linux (Tiny Linux, Deli Linux and Vector
Linux) run happily on these and will do almost all things one normally
does (excluding sound & graphics manipulation). Older versions of Free
BSD also can be run well on the se old machines. Those who remember DOS,
look up to see how folks are developing that :-)

Regards
hg.
Click to expand...

Can you use it as a dvd or cd-reader/writer ?
 
I tried that. If they're not at least a PIII with at least 128mb of RAM,
nobody wants them. Nobody.
Click to expand...

_SOMEONE_ out there should be willing to take them in order to get
basic computing skills, word processing, etc. I can understand kids
wanting eye candy, but are that many P3's looking for a home?

Jeez, I've got a bench full of 286, 386 & 486's I thought I might fix
up some day for someone.
 
ALPI said:
harsha godavari avait écrit le 6/09/04 :

Can you use it as a dvd or cd-reader/writer ?

-
Click to expand...

As a cd reader -Yes. I don't have a spare burner(or a DVD reader) to try so I
cant say about burning CDs. Thanks for the idea though. I will pick up a cheap
burner and try :-) It might be a while but I will let you know.

regards
hg.
 
REM said:
_SOMEONE_ out there should be willing to take them in order to get basic
computing skills, word processing, etc. I can understand kids wanting eye candy,
but are that many P3's looking for a home?

Jeez, I've got a bench full of 286, 386 & 486's I thought I might fix up some
day for someone.

=-----
Click to expand...

Try one of the following distros for your old computers(386s and above). Try
Alt.MSDOS for ideas on how to use those 286s to surf the web etc :-)

Tiny Linux:
http://tiny.seul.org/en/
processor : i386 or better
hard disk : 50 Mo is enough for installation itself, but you will do better with
at least 80 Mo
ram: 8 MB minimum, 12 MB or 16MB is better
floppy drive :3"1/4 keyboard, mouse

Deli Linux
http://delilinux.berlios.de/
DeLi Linux is a Linux distribution for old computers, from 486 to Pentium MMX 166
or so. It's focused on desktop usage. It includes email clients, a graphical Web
browser, an office package with word processor and spreadsheet, etc. A full
install, including XFree86 and development tools, needs no more than 300 MB of
harddisk space.


Greycat Linux
http://home.wanadoo.nl/peterdekoning/main.htm

Grey Cat Linux 3.0 is a small linux distribution (about 12mb to download) that
installs onto a FAT16/32 partition in c:\linux and uses UMSDOS. GCL is great for
older computer systems such as 486 and Pentium 1 machines. It can run with a small
amount of ram such as 8 MB. Distro includes XFree86, IceWM, Links (console
browser), Netscape (X-Window browser), XV & more.

GUI (X-free-SVGA+VGA16) and Icewm. Netscape 3, Netscape mail. xv, and more! It has
also all features from GCL 2.x. Download size is approx.12 megs.

Vector Linux(v 4.0) has slightly higher requirements but older versions serve a
486 quite well The above three mentioned were designed for older systems.

regards
hg.
 
Bob Adkins said:
I tried that. If they're not at least a PIII with at least 128mb of
RAM, nobody wants them. Nobody.
Click to expand...

I haven't had that issue. If I call my church or local grade school and
tell them I have 4 PCs to give away to deserving families, they're gone that
day. Never had even a Pentium sit for more than one day...
 
why dont you be nice and give it to the local op shop? could make a good
doorstop or boat anchor : P
 
Any suggestions on what to do with an old 486?
Click to expand...

Go dust off all those 10-year-old games in your closet and replay them for
nostalgia.

It's surprising how good some of them are -- a lot of today's games
subsitute eye candy for substance.
 
Trog Dog said:
Any suggestions on what to do with an old 486?

My ADSL modem has built in NAT and firewall so using it as a firewall seems
redundant. I'm using my PII as as a P2P server.

I'm tossing up whether to use it as an MP3 jukebox or something else.

Alternatively, I've just discovered some websites dedicated to free, public
wireless networks, maybe I could hook it up to a wireless AP and antenna and
have it function as a router.

It seems a waste to just ditch it.
Click to expand...

My back up computer is a 66 mhz with 8 mb ram. I've used it as a back up
for a long time. Very solid computer, even if it is slow. I have a 200 mhz
that I plan on learning some form of linux on. There are still uses for
these computers.
 
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