Anything about old PCs, their uses, related OSes and their users
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You can save some time with the old stuff. For example anything in the MSDOS archive you could run under dosbox. Likewise the Amiga I already have some running under FS-UAE
This is not exactly old PC, however pretty close so sharing it here. Impressive article, gives an idea to get several old PCs together to make a more powerful PC.
Edited to add:
What one can do with super computers, gives an idea about
the extreme end of computing. This can be scaled down greatly for use of old computers: https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/...upercomputer/2
Today I found a flat-screen monitor and a Pixma Cannon printer/scanner. I don't currently need another printer and the Cannon had no power adaptor/cable, so I left it. But the monitor had cables attached so I took it home to replace an old crt monitor that I use upstairs.
When I looked at the power cable, it looked very odd. There was the expected 3-pin mini-socket at one end, but the other end carried a fused-on plug with two long widely-spaced pins. We used to have 2-pin electric sockets when I was little but I haven't seen one for years, and this connector had a different geometry. What kind of power supply was it intended for?
Today I found a flat-screen monitor and a Pixma Cannon printer/scanner. I don't currently need another printer and the Cannon had no power adaptor/cable, so I left it. But the monitor had cables attached so I took it home to replace an old crt monitor that I use upstairs.
When I looked at the power cable, it looked very odd. There was the expected 3-pin mini-socket at one end, but the other end carried a fused-on plug with two long widely-spaced pins. We used to have 2-pin electric sockets when I was little but I haven't seen one for years, and this connector had a different geometry. What kind of power supply was it intended for?
There are many different connector configurations, and there is nothing from the configuration alone that will tell us what kind of device it was used with, or what voltage or current was involved. If someone HAS that model they may know. If we can find the service information online for that monitor, it may be specified: there may even be an illustration.
Sorted! It's a German mains connector. The monitor is a Fujitsu-Siemens ScenicView Series A but it was made in Germany. I found this Wikipedia article about AC plugs and it shows a German connector and socket much like this one. There's no earth pin because earthing is done through conductive strips along the sides of the plug.
The funny thing is that oldboy is a Fujitsu-Siemens Scenic, so it's now finally got the monitor it was made for.
Correction: The plug is actually a Europlug (CEE 7/7). These work for both German and French sockets. There's a hole for the earth pin that French sockets have, and earthing strips along the sides for a German one.
Last edited by hazel; 01-12-2017 at 07:52 AM.
Reason: Additional information
Yes, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal, among others, use those. Here in the UK, you often find that some printers come with two "kettle leads" - a UK one and a Euro one.
I normally get old computers and try to refurbish as best as I can and give away or charge a nominal fee, to the poor/low income people in my area. I've been trying to find a nice distro to install on it. I ran across Q4OS, with Trinity DE, and may start installing it.
That's more or less what I did for my "computer virgin" friend. She's been a carer for years and still doesn't have a paying job, so she's rather short of cash.
I put a system together for her from things found or not required by me any more. The TFT screen was found. The keyboard and mouse came from me. I found a nice keyboard with a ps2 connection, which bigboy can take, but most modern PCs don't support any more. So she got my old usb keyboard. The tower was bought for £10 off Gumtree, but it came with a wireless dongle which I kept, and I think that alone was worth a tenner.
So now she has a working computer with AntiX running on it, and I'm teaching her how to use it. Her dad has recently bought a tablet, so he has acquired a broadband connection which we are piggypacking on. The ethernet cable we are using is a foundling and so is the splitter.
That's more or less what I did for my "computer virgin" friend. She's been a carer for years and still doesn't have a paying job, so she's rather short of cash.
I put a system together for her from things found or not required by me any more. The TFT screen was found. The keyboard and mouse came from me. I found a nice keyboard with a ps2 connection, which bigboy can take, but most modern PCs don't support any more. So she got my old usb keyboard. The tower was bought for £10 off Gumtree, but it came with a wireless dongle which I kept, and I think that alone was worth a tenner.
So now she has a working computer with AntiX running on it, and I'm teaching her how to use it. Her dad has recently bought a tablet, so he has acquired a broadband connection which we are piggypacking on. The ethernet cable we are using is a foundling and so is the splitter.
Excellent, just this one post makes this thread a success. Glad you helped your friend.
littlebrothers.org helps lonely seniors
It is interesting to consider the uses of a PC to overcome loneliness, can help folks who are alone and want company, like sick, disabled, elderly etc.
in poor weather also. Old computers are excellent for games, books, comics, puzzles, movies, chat, music, audiobooks, radio shows, podcasts etc.,
Lots of options for that with old PC.
It is not the same as interacting in person but atleast something.
On a different note, here is a video about using a DOS PC in 2016, it is rather limiting in regards to net and can do only one task at a time, however it still has its positives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeZS46t7zrQ
Very impressive to see that DOS has such a large community of users, developers and is still going very strong. A must watch for those into retro computing.
The users mailing list is good to join for those interested at www.freedos.org
Freedos is very good for retro gaming. Helps to find and dl a collection of FREE DOS games.
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