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| Thread ID: 34836 | 2003-06-25 06:41:00 | Windows 3.11 | merlin a (3926) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 155004 | 2003-06-25 06:41:00 | Hi people, I'm on a kindergarten committee and we were recently given an old computer that has Windows for workgroups 3.11 on it. Now that initself is not the problem ? When I first looked at it the Power Suppy fan was caked in dust, on opening the CPU case it was again caked in the dusty stuff. I gave it a gentle but firm blast with the air compessor (its in the shed). When it looked reasonably clean I connected all the cables and plugged into the power, surprise it worked. The CPU cooler fan was so caked with dust I think thats gone the fins don't turn by them selves. Now I don't know much about this model of computer, (don't know what model, lost) on the RAM it don't say what size, (it has two black box things on each of the RAM banks Typed on these is (525y next line KM416C1200A-J_7) and R1-R2-R3-R4-R5-C1-C2-C3-U1-U2 scattered over the block itself. From that description can you tell how much the RAM is, (cause I can't seem to find it in the File Manager Program. Now the HDD at the base of File Manager (C:477 Free, 813 MB total) now I take it, that it is 813 MB total size, (just under 1000 MB about a GB) Or am I out there. See I'm trying to figuire out if its worth doing anything with it. Personaly I would use it for a Linux box, but it 's not mine, and I don't think Linux would be suitable for Kindergarten aged children to start learning on, (Just a tad young). Your thoughts and wisdom please, cheers merlin a ;-) |
merlin a (3926) | ||
| 155005 | 2003-06-25 06:45:00 | When you boot it up it should tell you how much Ram is installed before it loads Windows. Doesn't sound like it's worth much. In a Kindy it is going to depend what kind of apps you want to run on it. If you're talking Kids CDs (Living Books, that kind of thing) then it might be OK, but it might need an upgrade to Win95. What stuff does the Kindy wnat to run on it? |
Biggles (121) | ||
| 155006 | 2003-06-25 06:49:00 | If it runs Windows 3.11 at the moment with out any problem then it will be worth it. There a few reasonable story books out there that should still work on it... If all else fails you could go to the Game Station or such like and see if they have any old games that want to sell cheaply. But if it's going to take too much work, or looks like it will fall over at a moments notice, then it may be debateable. Does the computer go through a memory check on startup - that should tell you the RAM (can some one confirm if this true? It's been a while since I've used win3.11) N |
nicnz (2273) | ||
| 155007 | 2003-06-25 06:53:00 | Its a 16mb DRAM module. Have a look in dos type mem. It'll tell you how much ram you have(total). If you have two modules it'll have 32mb etc. You will be right about the 813mb. You can verify this if you want in dos, by typeing chkdsk. if you not familar with bytes, mb etc 1000 bytes to 1kilobye 1000kilobyte to a megabyte. So 1000,0000 bytes is a megabyte. Just telling you this because this is the way dos will tell you how much mem, space etc there is. |
rsnic (3780) | ||
| 155008 | 2003-06-25 09:24:00 | Thanks for the replies people, Not totally sure what they want to do with this computer, but it will only be for the kids use, that way the staff can get there computer back from the kids. But it doesn't sound like it will be of much use as is, the RAM will have to be increased and the CPU cooler fan will need replacing. cheers merlin a ;-) |
merlin a (3926) | ||
| 155009 | 2003-06-25 09:28:00 | You haven't said what the processor size/speed is but if it is reasonable (eg a 486) then it would make a wonderful box for the littlies if you can get hold of some of the old games those things used to run. I have got Arthur's Teacher Trouble, Math Blaster, Flying Colors and a few other good children's programs that were/are well-loved. I am not keen on parting with mine yet but you are bound to be able to pick them up on Trademe or in the paper. So yes, get the machine running sweet first and let it have a whole new lease of life at your kindy. :-) |
Susan B (19) | ||
| 155010 | 2003-06-25 09:38:00 | Not sure if you will be able to get a new fan for the CPU? Just lubricate it - that might be enough. If not, take it to bits carefully and clean the dust out of it. | JohnD (509) | ||
| 155011 | 2003-06-26 23:52:00 | If it's got 32MB for WFW3.11, it's got plenty. (It runs fine in 4MB). That would handle W95 OK too. | Graham L (2) | ||
| 155012 | 2003-06-27 10:01:00 | Hi My kids (4 and 5 years) are running an old 486dx and having heaps of fun & learning lots. Whatever you do don't junk it, some family will be glad to give it a go |
Garibaldi (3838) | ||
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