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This may be a silly and out of place question/comment...
Why not buy a cheap barebone system and run a free OS instead of DOS? Computers (and printers) are dirt cheap nowadays. You can get free software for all your needs, OS, office etc.
Using DOS is like going to work everyday in car that you have to wind up before starting it.
Those are fascinating websites! It seems there is still a generation of PC die-hards out there!
When you consider of all those thick PC hardware and software user-guides for "dummies" that were so necessary to own in the late 80's and early 90's, and the time one needed to plow through all of that stuff, I suppose it's no wonder there are some of us who don't want to feel we wasted all of our precious time and money learning how to efficiently use our earlier computers
--but never quite reaching that goal because of the "next best thing" on the market six months later. :(
Nothing seems so forlorn as that old PC or monitor sitting in a garbage heap and never before has "planned obsolescense" been so blatant and unavoidable! But...I digress.
I salute the well-schooled tinkerer with a room full of spare parts who is capable of cobbling together a perfectly good home-made computer rather than tossing out what most of us have been brainwashed into believing is "worthless junk".
Who said "one man's trash is another man's treasure"? ;)
Talking of well used components the EEC have a new law coming into force next summer which makes it illegal to dump old PCs,monitors and the like at the local land fill they have to be recycled in some form or other.
Yes, I've heard about that law. Trouble is, not every country has it and how do you enforce it where it does exist? That's like telling people not to throw away their old tires anywhere they like. Or soft drink and beer bottles and cans.Quote:
Originally Posted by 104456
Unfortunately, there's a lot of hypocrisy and half-measures in the recycling industry where some states accept returned aluminum cans, for example, and others do not--depending on where they are purchased, etc., etc.
If recycling centres will pay you to bring computer junk to them, it might work.
Think of all the perfectly good fans inside PCs that can be re-used! In fact, I removed the fan from my old discarded IBM PC 256 K clone and use it now as a spare to cool one of my ham radios. The same fan would cost upwards of $20 in an electronic store! So, if you ever see an old junk PC lying around, remove the fan along with its wiring, add a switch and you're all set.
But, like I said, only someone whose hobby it is to build stuff from scratch is going to go to all the trouble to recycle old boards, diodes, and the like--particularly when some of those components become impossible to find later on.
I have a 1982 vintage VCR that needs one single IC board that I've yet to find anywhere! :mad: I hesitate throwing it out because it is far and away of superior construction and ruggedness than the absolute crap modern VCRs are made out of today! But then, a lot of stuff we buy nowadays is flimsy compared to not so long ago.
But, back on topic: computer CRT screens, on the other hand, are obviously worthless when they're dead and ought to be disposed of properly.
How cool it would be to see a custom-made computer with all the pre-existing peripherals: 5 1/4" drive, 3 1/2", CD, DVD, MP3, etc., all the old and new plugs and sockets and with total multimode capability. None of the stupid..."oops, but it won't play VCDs...sorry!" Yeah, thanks!
But only a dedicated hobbyist would build something comprehensive like that.
Whats a VCR? ;) :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Northface22
Huh? VCR: Video Cassette RecorderQuote:
Originally Posted by usil
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/vcr.htm
What do you call them in Israel?
We call them DVD players :D
Dont listen to Usil hes still got a 78rpm record player :rolleyes: :D :D
LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by 104456
You know thats true, 10! :D
Videocassettes are not DVDs. And anyway, I'm willing to bet that the new DVD player/recorders are cheaply built as compared with VCRs constructed up until about 1990 when the quality went down the drain.Quote:
Originally Posted by usil
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VHS
(Can't believe I'm actually explaining this. :rolleyes:
Don't tell me VCRs and VHS tapes are already obsolete in Israel?
Or maybe you don't have electricity in your kibbutz? :eek: :D
Don't laugh about 78 rpm: old jazz collectors need turntables with 78 rpm to play their music--at least those who haven't wisely transferred their collections to another mode.
Seriously, I was just pulling your chain :D
I just thought it was funny that you are stuck in the 80's technology... Dos, VCRs :eek:
I still have a VCR at home, but haven't used it in years. I guess that because my kibbutz doesn't have electricity since the mule got sick and can't pull the mill anymore :D
Israel is actually very technologically developed. We boast one of the highest percentage of broadband users of any country. I guess its been a while since you last been on a Kibbutz :)
Hope you didn't take offense. Was just trying to have a laugh. :p
Not in the least.Quote:
Originally Posted by usil
I am, however, appalled at how quickly we discard "old technology" without complaint.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it", seems to have been forgotten with respect to recording methods, not to mention too many competing "standards" and early, false starts such as DAT (digital audio tape)--remember that?
And how many of your friends are willing to transfer their videotape collections onto DVD? Since over 20 years now, average consumers have purchased and recorded hundreds if not thousands of VHS tapes! Are we all to throw our VCRs in the trash heap just because some greedy conglomerate has developed a new media? I don't think so.
Vinyl records are also sorely missed by many. Though not completely gone from the scene by any means, I prefer them over these crappy plastic CD boxes and the tiny booklets inside--all sold at outrageous prices, of course!
It's no wonder KaZaa and other peer-to-peer downloaders are so popular.
My rant for today.
Your turn...anyone?
Hello! It's been a while!
I wonder if it is possible to use old PC's such as the 386-XT as input devices for more recent computers?
It would be cool if I could hook up my still-funtioning XT directly into my HP laptops via the latters' USB ports or wherever. That way, I could recover old file data written on the PC's 640 KB hard drive, as well as from its 5.25 inch and 3.5 inch floppies. Yes, I am aware that software exists which would accomplish the same end by making the data on the old floppies readable.
A Google search has produced nothing relevant to this, nor can I find an XT manual or even a rear-panel diagram!
Here is what I see on the back and inside of my XT. Surely one or more of the first 6 can be used to accomplish my goal?
1) One circular 5-pin socket with black, brown, red, orange, and yellow wires
2) Two 25-pin male sockets (printer type)
3) One RJ-11 female line socket
4) One RJ-11 female phone socket
5) One 9-pin female socket (similar to the printer type)
6) Five unused expansion slots (internal)
7) DIP switch (five positions)
8) One 15-pin female CRT socket
9) One 25-pin female printer socket
Now I suppose someone is going to tell me that there's some sort of compatibility issue involved with this, but then perhaps a savvy technician could work around it?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Lap link with the parallel cable is what I used. I was transfering from Fat32 to fat 32, so that needs to be checked out.
http://www.laplink.com/
Or use a isa nic in the old 386 and use tcp/ip to transfer the files through your lan. The route I would use now.
Thank you, kind sir!Quote:
Originally Posted by Train
I will certainly look into your suggestion and let you know what the results are as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, on my new laptop, I am currently wading with apprehension into the well-publicized, murky waters of Windows Vista. Fortunately, I haven't drowned--as yet.