This is the first computer I ever had. At the time, it was the fastest computer in the market. I used it practically forever (until I got the Dell notebook) and I learned a lot my early computer knowledge on this computer. I learned how to install hardware with this system, when I recieved a CD-Burner and a Voodoo Banshee grahpics accelerator. This computer has seen it all - it spent very short-lived hiatus with my girlfriend, but I reclaimed it when my laptop died last year (2004). In operation since December of 1997, I have only upgraded or installed a few new parts as noted above- most of the rest of the parts are still the stock equipment that came with the computer. The rest are parts that I have assembled via beg, borrow or steal :)
It runs an older version of Damn Small Linux, which runs quite well on the older hardware I've got in this system. I hope to turn this into a server for my website, but I haven't qutie gotten around to it yet.
|
Hardware |
Name/Description |
|---|---|
|
CPU |
Intel Pentium 200mhz (with MMX technology!) |
|
RAM |
64 mb (Recieved in a trade) |
|
Hard-Drive |
2.0 gb Seagate (3200 rpm?) |
|
CD-ROM |
Quad-Speed CD-ROM drive (CD-burner was given away) |
|
Network |
Generic D-Link Ethernet Card |
|
Video Card |
ATI Rage II+ with 4mb VRAM |
|
Video Acceleration |
Voodoo Banshee 16mb card |
|
Monitor |
11-inch IBM (The original monitor was given to a friend of mine) |
|
Other |
Standard floppy drive, MS optical mouse and keyboard |
My second computer. I was torn betweeen desktop and notebook, but I thought it would be better to have something portable for college. I had heard good things about Intel's new Pentium M line of computers, and I thought it wise to get a system based on this new technology. With some help, I was able to pickup this system at the ultra-low price of $1800. While at first, this seemed like a good choice (especially about all the good things I heard about Dell technical support), I was unprepared for the hell I was about to face with this system.
To be honest, I have never had as much trouble with ANY computer like the trouble I have had with my laptop. To date, I have replaced (or had Dell replace) -
And that list doesn't include the 200gb Western Digital hard drive that literally died after I plugged it into the USB port of the laptop. Most of the problems occured within the first year to year and a half of ownership. I swear this thing has an affinity for problems. Further complicating matters is the fact that Dell shipped out all of their tech support to downtown Banglore. While I have nothing against our friends in India, it was sometimes hard to deal with them. They have a way of getting you off the phone, even if your problem is not solved. I had almost all of this taken care of by Dell, if only after I hassled numerous people or demanded supervisors. this after plenty of time on the phone. I don't like Dell much anymore, and I let everyone I know that you're better off building your own or buying from Apple.
I initially experimented with Linux on this system, trying the new Fedora Core (which was sometime around early 2004). After a bunch of problems, I took a recommendation from my C professor and installed SuSE 9.0. SuSE was the answer, and I have been using SuSE ever since. Currently, I'm running SuSE 9.2 Professional, and am gearing up for the soon-to-be released 9.3. I've tried Ubuntu once or twice, but it wasn't quite the same as SuSE.
|
Hardware |
Name/Description |
|---|---|
|
CPU |
Intel Pentium M 1.3 gHz |
|
RAM |
256 mb (Dell-supplied) |
|
Hard-Drive |
40 gb (7200 rpm) |
|
CD-ROM |
24x CD-Burner/8x DVD-ROM drive |
|
Network |
Dell Truemobile 1300 802.11 b/g Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet |
|
Video |
ATI Mobility 9000 (64mb) |
|
Monitor |
14.1 LCD |
|
Ports |
2 USB, 1 S-Video Out, 1 PCMCIA slot, parallel, serial, VGA out |
|
Other |
In-N-Out burger sticker (Mmm good!) |
More about the MythBox can be found here
My workhorse printer. This thing has been around since last semester, and I have yet to refill the cartridges (Knock on wood). I picked it up after my last Epson died. They are incredibly linux-compatible, and they seem built to last a bit longer than the POS Lexmark X75 I used to own.
This router was an award-winner when it rolled out. I bought it at the campus bookstore, after I was told my books would only be taken in return for store credit. Much more reliable than the Dell wireless router I used to have. I liked the dual-antenna setup, but I'm considering upgrading whenever Belkin realizes that a pre-802.11n router is NOT worth $150. This should last me for a good while longer, and all of my wireless cards are 802.11 b/g. I don't feel like running out and replacing all of them just quite yet.
A worthwhile find at $60 on eBay, I have no use for it anymore. It's a hassle to carry it around with the laptop (and I'm suprised it didn't eat that too) and I haven't found a place for it with the MythBox, as the motherboard I built the MythBox on comes with 5.1 surround built in. The sound quality that this card produces is superb, but I don't really have a use for it anymore.
Same problem with the Extigy - it's a hassle to carry around. I'm prone to laying in bed with my laptop on my stomach/lap, so it's hard to have various appendages that hang off the sides while I lay in bed. Furthermore, I can't find the battery door to the mouse, so the rechargable batteries are prone to falling out of the mouse. I thought I could integrate it into the MythBox, but I bought a new Logitech Wireless Desktop, and this mouse sits in my closet.
A spiffy piece of hardware - a credit-card sized PIM, with many different functions. I haven't figured out how to sync it in Linux yet, and I always seemed to be better off using my head to remember things. It's still cool to have, and a steal for $20 at a garage sale.
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