Author Topic: What can I do with 8 computers? (Read 5844 times)

USSEnterprise · « **on:** December 31, 2005, 05:26:56 pm »

For some reason, which I can't begin to fathom, I just bought a lot of eight computers on eBay for $1.76. All of them are probably a Pentium 1 or lower, with the exception of a Mac Performa. I already have 7 unused computers sitting in the closet. Help me think of things to do with them all. Please. Too much crap piled into a 10x15 foot room as it is!

SirPeale · « **Reply #1 on:** December 31, 2005, 05:32:52 pm »

Yup, going to have to say that was kinda dumb. P1 or lower? Man...

Well...since you're stuck now...

1) VAntAGE machine.

2) Home server. I ran one off a 386 running Linux for some time.

3) Router. See #2.

4) MP3 player. Yes, a P133 will play MP3s. Not much else, though. Maybe a jukebox? DOSCab might work, not sure what the minimum specs are. Chris once asked me to try it on my 486 and I never found the time.

5) ... okay now I'm coming up short. I'd say thing of things to do with the cases, practice case modding or something. I dunno.

shmokes · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2005, 05:34:51 pm »

If you'd at least said they were Pentium 2.....The answer to your question is to look into a computer recycling service. I know that Dell has one. I think for $50 they'll come and take as much stuff as you want to give them.

Those computers are 100% useless, especially considering that you've already got more than enough spare computers that are at least, and likely far more powerful. You will be a healthier person. It's amazing at the emotional benefits that come from a major physical dejunking.

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #3 on:** December 31, 2005, 05:41:01 pm »

I cannot dejunk. I have a computer that is older than I am. After I get these, the grand total for just my bedroom will be 19 computers.

I have a problem! Help!
I'll probably keep the Mac. And the Pentium Pro server.

M3talhead · « **Reply #4 on:** December 31, 2005, 06:37:44 pm »

Keep one for a DOSbox for sure. There are still some quality games that cannot be played on XP machines (Xwing/Tie Fighter come to mind).

As for the rest, have you thought about making a Folding@Home cluster?

Sephroth57 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2005, 06:47:36 pm »

big doorstops?

markrvp · « **Reply #6 on:** December 31, 2005, 08:03:23 pm »

In all seriousness, in Rotary club we used to have people speak all the time about taking 486 & Pentium class computers to underpriveleged areas of Mexico and Central America. Pentium class computers will run Windows98 and Microsoft Explorer which allows them to access the internet.

You might contact a few churches and see if they know groups accepting them.

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2005, 08:59:23 pm »

I can profit from that! Tax Deductions!

TOK · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2005, 10:53:46 pm »

You can really piss off the garbage man.

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2005, 10:57:59 pm »

Drop them off the roof. Open the case and throw a bunch of M-80s attached to one fuse, close the case, light it, and run.

missioncontrol · « **Reply #10 on:** December 31, 2005, 11:07:44 pm »

put one in a microwave........

danny_galaga · « **Reply #11 on:** January 01, 2006, 01:39:31 am »

cube them. i remember in the eighties that was the next big thing...

see how effective it is. you should get at least the power of say, a 10ghz processor...... or if not at least p166....

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #12 on:** January 01, 2006, 02:06:15 am »

Cube them?

danny_galaga · « **Reply #13 on:** January 01, 2006, 02:39:59 am »

yeah, it was some way of networking a number of computers to give them some kinda 3 dimensional way of processing- it's right up there with bubble memory!

SOAPboy · « **Reply #14 on:** January 01, 2006, 03:45:37 am »

Quote from: danny_galaga on January 01, 2006, 01:39:31 am

cube them. i remember in the eighties that was the next big thing...

see how effective it is. you should get at least the power of say, a 10ghz processor...... or if not at least p166....

Clustering..

danny_galaga · « **Reply #15 on:** January 01, 2006, 04:36:16 am »

Quote from: SOAPboy on January 01, 2006, 03:45:37 am

Quote from: danny_galaga on January 01, 2006, 01:39:31 am

cube them. i remember in the eighties that was the next big thing...

see how effective it is. you should get at least the power of say, a 10ghz processor...... or if not at least p166....

Clustering..

cubing, clustering. it was all hippy talk if you ask me...

M3talhead · « **Reply #16 on:** January 01, 2006, 06:57:11 am »

Quote from: SOAPboy on January 01, 2006, 03:45:37 am

Quote from: danny_galaga on January 01, 2006, 01:39:31 am

cube them. i remember in the eighties that was the next big thing...

see how effective it is. you should get at least the power of say, a 10ghz processor...... or if not at least p166....

Clustering..

Which goes back to my Folding@Home idea. Stanford University designed software for PCs to help solve huge protein algorithms in the search for cures to diseases like Parkinson's, Diabetes and Alzheimer's. By utilizing the processor while its "idle", the computer solves a small portion of the huge equation and uploads it to the schools server. Its kind of like the SETI screensaver project they had a few years back, without all the spyware and crappy coding. People have formed teams across the internet and are in competition with each other for "points" given out by the programmers of F@H. Points are awarded to teams or individuals participating by the number of CPUs running folding and how frequently. Its pretty cool. Check it out.

c64rulez · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2006, 06:58:26 am »

You could start your own little museum.
Or you can sell them for 0.99$ and make some profit

Thenasty · « **Reply #18 on:** January 01, 2006, 11:06:39 am »

I just threw away about 15 MOBO's from 386 to Pentium/2/3. Some were combo (built in Video/Sound). I was tired looking at it collecting dust and I figured that when its time for me to make a MINI MAME, I could probably gather a better system for it.

Now as far as the CPU's and RAM ( SIPPS, SIMMS, DIMM, etc..) I keeped them, just in case I need it in the future or someone might be looking for it. You interested ?

At this point, I have 2 MINI system (1 no PS)

http://www.lhsystemsllc.com/products/bk630e.html

and with all the CPU's I have, I don't have this particular P3 FCPGA CPU. I have the SLOT P3 CPU only (ranging from 400-533 mhz).

SithMaster · « **Reply #19 on:** January 01, 2006, 11:52:18 am »

Does anyone have mobos with composite out? Everything i have access to only has a composite out.

Thenasty · « **Reply #20 on:** January 01, 2006, 01:29:14 pm »

I have VID Card that has Composite out. When i used it, I had it setup to have the output to BOTH VGA and Composite and it also work in DOS on my TV screen.

paigeoliver · « **Reply #21 on:** January 02, 2006, 08:06:54 am »

Quote from: markrvp on December 31, 2005, 08:03:23 pm

In all seriousness, in Rotary club we used to have people speak all the time about taking 486 & Pentium class computers to underpriveleged areas of Mexico and Central America. Pentium class computers will run Windows98 and Microsoft Explorer which allows them to access the internet.

You might contact a few churches and see if they know groups accepting them.

Funnily enough I was just read this on another forum.

Quote

...goes on to describe some of the surprising ways that technology affects poor countries. For example, 'recycled' computers from first-world countries end up in third-world villages where poor villagers try to extract metals from the equipment, and end up getting exposed to obscenely high levels of lead, chronium, and barium. The villagers consequently have higher rates of birth defects, infant mortality, TB, blood diseases, and respiratory problems.

paigeoliver · « **Reply #22 on:** January 02, 2006, 08:09:28 am »

As for the 8 computers.

Pull the RAM throw the rest of them away.

List the RAM on ebay, for $1.76 and learn not to buy garbage in the future.

I had (and still have), too much out of date computer clutter floating around. It is worthless, totally worthless, and pretty much useless too.

Bones · « **Reply #23 on:** January 02, 2006, 08:23:00 am »

You could surf for porn at an incredible rate that few other perverts would ever achieve.

Well except maybe Goz.....

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #24 on:** January 02, 2006, 05:47:46 pm »

I just picked the bloody crap up. 6 "beige box" machines, one of which is a server. There is also the Mac Preforma. Additionally, an IBM PS/2 Model 80, which I may be able to get some $$$ for from vintage computer people.

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #25 on:** January 11, 2006, 05:19:33 pm »

Holy Crap. One of the computers in this load was an IBM PS/2 Model 80. 386, 4MB RAM, 40MB ESDI HDD, and MCA bus. I just saw one of these on eBay. It was up to $200.

Havok · « **Reply #26 on:** January 12, 2006, 09:49:17 am »

Pile them up and make walls out of them.

Or, try and sell them to some other person on ebay with the same kind of "problem" you have...

Thenasty · « **Reply #27 on:** January 12, 2006, 09:56:16 am »

If I were you USS, I'll E-mail that guy who bought it for that much ($200.00) for the model 80. I myslef did not know this and threw away my model 80 and model 60 (or was it 90) been a while already, and threw away the DISK w/it. If I only known some guy would give me $200 or even $50.00 bucks it, I would have been a little richer today

Now I only have this IBM 5150 POrtable left w/20MB HD MFM, built in b/w/moncrome monitor, flip over keboard, wieght lot a TON, it has DOS 6.22 w/ASteroid, Bouncing BABY games etc..... Anyone wanna offer something for it, I no longer have the PAPERS that thing was used for

Otraotaku · « **Reply #28 on:** January 12, 2006, 10:42:09 am »

Quote from: BrokenBones on January 02, 2006, 08:23:00 am

You could surf for porn at an incredible rate that few other perverts would ever achieve.

Well except maybe Goz.....

hah.. true.. ^.<

but you could also send me one... ^.<

Stingray · « **Reply #29 on:** January 13, 2006, 03:36:06 pm »

Quote from: USSEnterprise on January 02, 2006, 05:47:46 pm

There is also the Mac Preforma.

What model Performa is it? There are tons of great Mac games that will run fine on older hardware. If you decide you want to keep that one, jump back on ebay and buy yourself an ADB gamepad.

-S

SithMaster · « **Reply #30 on:** January 13, 2006, 03:40:27 pm »

Marathon and some others by bungie come to mind.

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #31 on:** January 13, 2006, 09:58:38 pm »

Quote from: Stingray on January 13, 2006, 03:36:06 pm

Quote from: USSEnterprise on January 02, 2006, 05:47:46 pm
There is also the Mac Preforma.

What model Performa is it? There are tons of great Mac games that will run fine on older hardware. If you decide you want to keep that one, jump back on ebay and buy yourself an ADB gamepad.

-S

575. 33MHz, 5MB RAM, 250MB HDD, 2x CD-ROM

c64rulez · « **Reply #32 on:** January 14, 2006, 11:25:41 am »

Did you try this ?

Harry Potter · « **Reply #33 on:** January 14, 2006, 11:35:11 am »

You dork. That's only five.

c64rulez · « **Reply #34 on:** January 14, 2006, 11:40:31 am »

I dork.
That's the current guinness record holder.
Anybody who'll do 8 beats that juggler

MinerAl · « **Reply #35 on:** January 14, 2006, 12:21:53 pm »

The 575 is the highest form of the all in one Performa/LC 5XX series... You can try to sell the logic board out of it on ebay as a Color Classic upgrade board. That seems to be what most of them get used for these days.

Paint it black and pretend it's a MacTV

As for the rest... make a fort out of them.

DYNAGOD · « **Reply #36 on:** January 14, 2006, 07:03:08 pm »

ghetto render farm

c64rulez · « **Reply #37 on:** January 15, 2006, 11:42:47 am »

Most of the people out there don't even know what to do with one...

Harry Potter · « **Reply #38 on:** January 16, 2006, 10:19:17 am »

Render some milk.

ChadTower · « **Reply #39 on:** January 16, 2006, 01:12:09 pm »

You could make a damn fine stack of useless crap out of those 8 machines.

AC. · « **Reply #40 on:** January 16, 2006, 11:43:33 pm »

Target practice.
Dejunk.
Stack them and get an 8 way KVM switch.
Double up the hard drives in the best ones and use it for internet sponging.

Otraotaku · « **Reply #41 on:** January 17, 2006, 08:28:10 am »

what you didnt decide to send me one yet... ^.<

ChadTower · « **Reply #42 on:** January 17, 2006, 09:56:50 am »

Pull the boards and practice soldering.

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #43 on:** January 17, 2006, 06:35:03 pm »

I've been thinking about something involving M-80s

Crazy_Mack · « **Reply #44 on:** January 17, 2006, 09:14:19 pm »

Quote from: USSEnterprise on December 31, 2005, 05:41:01 pm

I have a computer that is older than I am.

Okay, how many other people felt old by reading that comment?

Chris · « **Reply #45 on:** January 19, 2006, 12:25:43 am »

Quote from: Peale on December 31, 2005, 05:32:52 pm

4) MP3 player. Yes, a P133 will play MP3s. Not much else, though. Maybe a jukebox? DOSCab might work, not sure what the minimum specs are. Chris once asked me to try it on my 486 and I never found the time.

DOSCab will run on a P133 with 32 MB of RAM with a classic skin. It's been tested down to a P100, although not extensively. With a CD skin it would probably be choppy.

c64rulez · « **Reply #46 on:** January 21, 2006, 01:42:58 am »

Well, did you find out already ?

cause if not, you can buy 12 more and start a new thread.

c64rulez · « **Reply #47 on:** January 24, 2006, 01:31:23 am »

Now seriously, I think the order in which this request is posted is somewhat of a wrong nature.
I mean you don't buy 8 computers and then starts asking what to do with them.
A better tactics would be like:

Hey guys, there is an Atomic russian submarine on ebay, do you think it would be possible for me to use that periscope on my cab ? (I really don't need all the remaining silly stuff).
Thanks
Perry

ChadTower · « **Reply #48 on:** January 24, 2006, 09:07:29 am »

That would actually be a hella cool upgrade for a Battlezone.

c64rulez · « **Reply #49 on:** January 25, 2006, 01:21:55 pm »

Yep. From the rest you could just build a submarine for blinds.

SirPoonga · « **Reply #50 on:** January 25, 2006, 01:54:40 pm »

Quote from: DYNAGOD on January 14, 2006, 07:03:08 pm

ghetto render farm

Heh, beowulf cluster and solve pi, even though today's computers would still be faster at that.

c64rulez · « **Reply #51 on:** January 25, 2006, 06:29:11 pm »

3.15 is good enough for me. know what ? make it 4. I'm a capitalist pig,

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #52 on:** January 25, 2006, 06:39:34 pm »

Pi is exactly 3!

c64rulez · « **Reply #53 on:** January 25, 2006, 06:43:25 pm »

Well, I never thought of it this way. You may be right, though the consequences might be unpredictable


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