[forum2forum]

Hi all,

Ive a computer 386 Compaq Presario with only minimum RAM and is internet-abled. Bought it almost 8 years back and now hardly use it. Currently running Win 95 but is extremely slow. I felt like uninstalling everything and reformating the drives and use the computer for something else.

Any good suggestions? Though it's not as powerful as the computers we have today, this computer is tough and has decent computing power.

Thanks in advance!

[xgerryx]

Its a bit like an old car. Does it have enough collectors value to justify the garage space? Sometimes they just have to go to that big place where old puters go.

[cheese]

Have some fun with it. Know any good high buildings?

[coderitr]

Turn it into a file server. Keep all your documents and stuff on it so if your new box crashes you will not have lost anything.

Build your website on it. If your broadband connection is anything like mine, you've had the same IP address for a while. The address can change but it rarely does.

[forum2forum]

Originally Posted by coderitr

Turn it into a file server. Keep all your documents and stuff on it so if your new box crashes you will not have lost anything.

Build your website on it. If your broadband connection is anything like mine, you've had the same IP address for a while. The address can change but it rarely does.

Good suggestions!! That thing has about 4 gig. of memory.

So that's 2 ideas. Thanks.

[Big-K]

I agree with coderitr's suggestions. Also, you might try turning it into an experiment box. Try various things on it. Mess around with your operating system, or install a totally different one for experience.

And what do you mean by 'that thing has about 4. gigs of memory'? I thought you said it was 8 years old.

[forum2forum]

Yeah thinking about doing that too - like install a different operating system on it.

That thing has 4 GB of storage - sorry ...not RAM.

Thanks Big-K!

I've many good software on the system and it makes me so reluctant to part with them. If I have enough good reasons to do so, I would just give myself that excuse ... and give it a go.

[coderitr]

Originally Posted by Big-K

And what do you mean by 'that thing has about 4. gigs of memory'? I thought you said it was 8 years old.

I think he means hard drive capacity.

[JohnWill]

They make excellent targets at the shooting range.

[CouchMaster]

Put a Linux distro on it...

[MSM Hobbes]

I like the idea of installing different OS's - that way can gain knowledge, if so inclinded and/or interested, about non-Window systems. I too have a couple old boxes, and am in process of contemplating doing that. Right now, they are good enough for gaming and word processing, etc. for the boys to learn upon. Oldest critter [12 yo] likes to tinker and play w/ electronics, gears, etc., so also good for him to experiment with.

[Big-K]

Yeah, storage makes more sense. That computer could be very useful.

[forum2forum]

Thanks for the good suggestions.

The hard drive currently has 2 partitions. If I reformat the whole drive, does it mean that the partitions will also disappear? I'm not sure why the drive have to be partionded like that (seems there's a reason to do so) - I'm no good with such stuff. Is there anyway to "clean" the drive and install a second operating sytem without getting rid of the first one? I could sense that the drives are "clogged". Many programs could no longer be uninstalled from the "Add/Removed programs" panel.

[coderitr]

Formatting the drive has no effect on the partitions. To remove the partitions, you need a bootable diskette (a Win ME boot diskette will work) with the FDISK utility. Run this program to remove all the partitions and create a new one using the entire drive. Then format that drive.

You can install more than one operating system though in only 4 gig of space you won't be able to install much else on either one of them. It's called a dual boot setup and I don't know enough to advise you on that. There are plenty of people here that can surely help with that. You'll probably find them in the Windows forums. Post your question there if you want to investigate dual boot.

[Space Cowboy]

Here's what ya do with it:

1) Call the local church of your choice.

2) Ask how you can donate it to some less fortunate family with children.

3) Write it off on your taxes.

You'll feel good and have one less thing to worry about.

Good Luck
Cowboy