cheapest system possible

[JB]

I'm looking for a "dummy" computer to use for installing alternate
(and outdated) operating systems. I'm a writer and I need to do
occasional testing on Windows ME or 98, Linux, and other things. I'm
looking for something reliable (aka, new) but as cheap as possible. I
know Gateway has their 310 for about $400, but I'd love to spend $200
or less. Any idea son how to piece together a system liek this:

-- Fast enough to not slow me down in testing, but not a speed demon
-- Don't need sound usually
-- Don't need DVD
-- For video, can be a really cheap card, no 3D graphics
-- I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse

Really, I just need:
-- Motherboard and CPU
-- Case and psu
-- HD
-- RAM
-- CD drive

Thoughts?

- JB

 

[philo]

I'm looking for a "dummy" computer to use for installing alternate
(and outdated) operating systems. I'm a writer and I need to do
occasional testing on Windows ME or 98, Linux, and other things. I'm
looking for something reliable (aka, new) but as cheap as possible. I
know Gateway has their 310 for about $400, but I'd love to spend $200
or less. Any idea son how to piece together a system liek this:

-- Fast enough to not slow me down in testing, but not a speed demon
-- Don't need sound usually
-- Don't need DVD
-- For video, can be a really cheap card, no 3D graphics
-- I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse

Really, I just need:
-- Motherboard and CPU
-- Case and psu
-- HD
-- RAM
-- CD drive

if you live in the US
i just built an AMD-1000

 

[jeffc]

I'm looking for a "dummy" computer to use for installing alternate
(and outdated) operating systems. I'm a writer and I need to do
occasional testing on Windows ME or 98, Linux, and other things. I'm
looking for something reliable (aka, new) but as cheap as possible. I
know Gateway has their 310 for about $400, but I'd love to spend $200
or less. Any idea son how to piece together a system liek this:

-- Fast enough to not slow me down in testing, but not a speed demon
-- Don't need sound usually
-- Don't need DVD
-- For video, can be a really cheap card, no 3D graphics
-- I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse

Really, I just need:
-- Motherboard and CPU
-- Case and psu
-- HD
-- RAM
-- CD drive

Thoughts?

First, I'd use a boot system such as Partition Magic, so you can boot to
whatever system you want without constantly reinstalling. Second, I'd go to
a used computer store, or buy something used on eBay. You could buy
something that works quite well for your purposes for under $100.

 

[jeffc]

if you live in the US
i just built an AMD-1000

If I don't live in the US, did you not build it?

 

[Phisherman]

I know you said "new," but there are LOTS of used computers for less
then $200. Check your local newspaper, trading radio program, and
ebay.

 

[jeffc]

I'm looking for a "dummy" computer to use for installing alternate
(and outdated) operating systems. I'm a writer and I need to do
occasional testing on Windows ME or 98, Linux, and other things. I'm
looking for something reliable (aka, new) but as cheap as possible.

Since I recommended used I thought I'd comment. "Reliable" and "new" are
not necessarily the same thing. If you want reliable, get a Dell and pay
for the 3 year in home warranty. But that is going to cost you. There are
some incredible deals in computers right now, but you're not going to get it
with the big names at the prices you want, because they simply don't sell
that stuff. For example, if 40G hard drives are only $75, wouldn't it be
great if 2G hard drives were only $10? But it doesn't work that way - they
just don't sell anything smaller than 40G. You have to go to eBay, etc. to
find them. You might still find them new, and some of the stuff will be
very reliable, but....

 

[JB]

just don't sell anything smaller than 40G. You have to go to eBay, etc. to
find them. You might still find them new, and some of the stuff will be
very reliable, but....

It's not that I don't trust eBay, I just don;t trust all the sellers
-- especially in this market.

 

[JB]

Anybody heard of Maincomp.com?? -- they seem to have computers for about $250 or so.

- JB

 

[Larc]

On 10 Nov 2003 10:33:50 -0800, JB pondered exceedingly, then took quill in hand
and carefully composed...

| I'm looking for a "dummy" computer to use for installing alternate
| (and outdated) operating systems. I'm a writer and I need to do
| occasional testing on Windows ME or 98, Linux, and other things. I'm
| looking for something reliable (aka, new) but as cheap as possible. I
| know Gateway has their 310 for about $400, but I'd love to spend $200
| or less. Any idea son how to piece together a system liek this:
|
| -- Fast enough to not slow me down in testing, but not a speed demon
| -- Don't need sound usually
| -- Don't need DVD
| -- For video, can be a really cheap card, no 3D graphics
| -- I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse
|
| Really, I just need:
| -- Motherboard and CPU
| -- Case and psu
| -- HD
| -- RAM
| -- CD drive

Check around to find some local build-your-own enthusiasts. Many of us always
have at least two or three extra systems sitting around collecting dust. ;-)

Larc



§§§ - Please raise temperature of mail to reply by e-mail - §§§

 

[John]

On 10 Nov 2003 10:33:50 -0800, JB pondered exceedingly, then took quill in hand
and carefully composed...

| I'm looking for a "dummy" computer to use for installing alternate
| (and outdated) operating systems. I'm a writer and I need to do
| occasional testing on Windows ME or 98, Linux, and other things. I'm
| looking for something reliable (aka, new) but as cheap as possible. I
| know Gateway has their 310 for about $400, but I'd love to spend $200
| or less. Any idea son how to piece together a system liek this:
|
| -- Fast enough to not slow me down in testing, but not a speed demon
| -- Don't need sound usually
| -- Don't need DVD
| -- For video, can be a really cheap card, no 3D graphics
| -- I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse
|
| Really, I just need:
| -- Motherboard and CPU
| -- Case and psu
| -- HD
| -- RAM
| -- CD drive

Check around to find some local build-your-own enthusiasts. Many of us always
have at least two or three extra systems sitting around collecting dust. ;-)

Larc



§§§ - Please raise temperature of mail to reply by e-mail - §§§

Larc is right.

I use an old K6-400 system for the same thing you want.
I have an old E-Machine Celeron 600 that I would sell VERY cheap.
(Much cheaper that the $200 you mentioned)
But unless your'e in the Austin TX area, shipping would cost too much.

But, I'm sure there are people in your area with old systems they'll sell
cheap.

John

 

[stacey]

First, I'd use a boot system such as Partition Magic, so you can boot to
whatever system you want without constantly reinstalling.

Why not just use the free "boot manager" lilo that comes with linux? I guess
windows users are so used to buying software.....

 

[philo]

If I don't live in the US, did you not build it?

<G>
i meant, that if he lived in the US i could send one to him ...
but out of country postage would make it impractical

 

[jeffc]

Why not just use the free "boot manager" lilo that comes with linux? I guess
windows users are so used to buying software.....

No, there are free partition programs for Windows too, but they are not
full-functioned. I'm not familiar with the Linux boot manager. OS/2 used
to have one also included free, but that's out of the question. If this
"lilo" does what it needs to do, then go for it.

 

[W7TI]

For example, if 40G hard drives are only $75, wouldn't it be
great if 2G hard drives were only $10? But it doesn't work that way

_________________________________________________________

It does work that way for used drives. I just bought a 1.6 gig HD for
$6.84 *including* shipping on ebay. Guaranteed good, reputable seller.
Going to use it for pagefile.sys.

 

[jeffc]

_________________________________________________________

It does work that way for used drives. I just bought a 1.6 gig HD for
$6.84 *including* shipping on ebay.

Yes, in the used market it can work that way.

Guaranteed good, reputable seller.

I've had mostly good luck with eBay, but there is no such thing as a
guarantee, my friend.

 

[W7TI]

but there is no such thing as a
guarantee, my friend.

_________________________________________________________

Sure there is. I think you're confusing "guarantee" with absolute
assurance. Guarantee means it will be made good if is isn't; absolute
assurance is not available to us mortals.

These are my own definitions of course, feel free to substitute your
own.

 

[jeffc]

_________________________________________________________

Sure there is. I think you're confusing "guarantee" with absolute
assurance. Guarantee means it will be made good if is isn't; absolute
assurance is not available to us mortals.

These are my own definitions of course, feel free to substitute your
own.

I think that definition has been foisted upon us by manufacturers and
sellers. What you are describing is a warranty A real guarantee would be
more like putting up collateral for a loan - for example, leaving something
at the pawn shop. That way, the pawn shop owner is guaranteed to get his
value. So I don't mean there is no such thing as a guarantee - I mean
there's no such thing on eBay

 

[zalzon]

the problem with used hard drives is that if you have important stuff
on it and it breaks down, then its absolute HELL.

 

[jeffc]

the problem with used hard drives is that if you have important stuff
on it and it breaks down, then its absolute HELL.

The problem with NEW drives, as well, is that if you have important stuff on
it and it breaks down, then it's absolute HELL.

 

[Larc]

| the problem with used hard drives is that if you have important stuff
| on it and it breaks down, then its absolute HELL.

That's true, but failure can occur even with new hard drives. All of the hard
drives I have now are used. I'm the one who has used them. ;-)

Larc



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