How to Revive an Old Computer Howard Fosdick (C) 2008 FCI V 1.0 Who Am I ? * Independent Consultant * Oracle DBA (not a PC specialist) * Founded Database User Groups (IDUG and MWDUG) * Author of Rexx Programmers Reference hfosdick at the domain compuserve.com Geek ! Why This Talk ? My hobby -1. Get PC donations 2. Hardware (verify / rebuild / fix) 3. Software (verify / anonymize / install) 4. Give away to someone who needs it Topics 1. How to revitalize an old computer 2. Implications -What it all means Outline I. What can old computers do II. Hardware III. Steps to revitalize an old PC IV. Windows V. Linux (and other free Oss) VI. Where to get a Free computer (and where to donate one) VII. “Free Computing” VIII. Resources I. What Can Old Computers Do ? ? ? ?? Why Older Computers ? Free Useful Fun * “Old” computers improve capabilities yearly * Save the planet --> reduce e-waste * Appropriate technology -- is not always the latest technology Example -- P-II laptop giving this presentation Save the Planet -- PCs and monitors contain toxic... -- lead -- cadmium -- mercury -- chlorine -- bromine -- nbd plastics -- 400 to 600 million PCs yet to be disposed of in attics -- Avg PC lifespan < 3 years Sources: Galt Global Review webofcreation.org One solution -- use them ! Caveat: end user running common software What Can You Do With an Old PC ? I • Office • Fast Internet (Broadband) • Slow Internet (Dial Up) • • • • Word Processing Spreadsheet Presentation Graphics Graphics, images • • • • Web surfing Research Wireless Social websites • • • Email Brief web searches IM / Chat • Multimedia • • • Photos Music / Audio Video • Games • • Current games Older games II III IV + Caveat: end user running common software What Can You Do With an Old PC ? I • Office • Fast Internet (Broadband) • Slow Internet (Dial Up) • • • • Word Processing Spreadsheet Presentation Graphics Graphics, images • • • • Web surfing Research Wireless Social websites • • • Email Brief web searches IM / Chat • Multimedia • • • Photos Music / Audio Video • Games • • Current games Older games II III IV + More Uses for Old Computers... • Specialized App servers • Routers • Firewalls • Print, File, or Network server • Email station • Word processor • other single-use • Run old programs (compatibly) • Business programs (eg: Instrumentation, Farming) • Retro gaming box • Act as terminals (Linux Terminal Server Project - LTSP) • Run Free software on Free hardware Summary • New PCs are required for -• • • • • Pentium III does everything else • Pentium II fine for many uses but -• Dial-up Latest games State-of-the-art graphics High-end multimedia Current Microsoft software • 450 Mhz + 256 M tops Pentium I useful but -• • 266 mhz + 128 M tops Security software overwhelms them “Turnover Events” • Driven by -Technology • Marketing Technology Examples -• • • • or Monitors ZIP disks Pentium-II’s -> flat panels -> USB thumb drives -> newer machines Marketing Examples -• • • New releases of MS Office Vista What happens to PCs that can’t run Vista ? II. Hardware Generations of PCs Pentium IV + III Simplified View II I pre-Pentium Typical Hardware Processor: CPU Speed (mhz): Typical Memory (Megabytes): Cost: Pentium IV and dual core systems Pentium III Pentium II Pentium I MMX Pentium I 486 386 286 8088 1.3 – several ghz 256M – several Gig Current 450 – 1.4 ghz 233 – 450 150 – 266 60 – 200 16 – 133 16 – 33 8 – 16 4.77 – 8 128 – 1 Gig 64 – 256 32 – 128 16 – 128 4 – 32 1 – 16 1– 4 <1 Low cost to free Free Free Free Free Free Free “Collectable” Processor: CPU Speed (mhz): * Memory varies widely * Desktops versus laptops * Max’ed out versus what shipped Xeon Celeron Pentium Pro 400 – 3.6+ ghz 266 – 2.9+ ghz 150 – 200 * “Celeron” and “Xeon” mean nothing Source: Tom’s Hardware, other web sites Typical Hardware AMD Equivalents Processor: CPU Speed (mhz): Opteron Athlon 64 Athlon XP Duron Athlon Thunderbird Athlon K7 K6 2/3 K6 K5 AM5x85 Am486 Am386 1.4 – 2.4+ ghz 2.2 – 2.6+ ghz 1.3 – 2.1 ghz 600 – 1.8 ghz 650 – 1.4 ghz 500 – 1 ghz 233 – 533 166 – 300 75 – 166 133 40 – 120 25 – 40 Source: Tom’s Hardware, other web sites Memory SDRAM PC 66 PC 100 PC 133 66 mhz 100 mhz 133 mhz Maximum RAM (typical) DDR (aka DDR1) PC 2100 PC 2700 PC 3200 266 mhz 333 mhz 400 mhz DDR2 PC2 3200 PC2 4200 PC2 5300 PC2 6400 400 mhz 533 mhz 667 mhz 800 mhz --- Usually --* Use one level slower as next level faster * All in group cost same -> buy fastest ! 128m P-I 256m P-II varies P-III Source: Tom’s Hardware, other web sites What Is Free ? Pentium IV + 10% P-I 70% P-II 20% P-III III II • Mix changes yearly • Capabilities of “old computers” constantly increase • Where you get free PCs shades the mix I pre-Pentium This Talk focuses on PC Desktops ...Other Computers ?... Laptops ----- Fewer out there Higher priced Free is less common More proprietary Apples -- Proprietary -- Parts --> even across the Apple line ! --> expensive, hard to find III. Steps to Revitalize an old PC Steps to Follow With an Old PC 1. Identify what you’ve got -- Hardware -- Software 2. Verify hardware & software -- Check the boot configuration panel & run diagnostics -- Ensure devices work (hardware and drivers) -- Check disks, reading/writing CD/DVD & floppy -- Windows Device Mgmt panel -- Ensure software is malware free -- Verify installed programs work -- Break login password (ntpasswd in Linux rescue CDs) 3. Define objectives 4. Determine whether this old pc can achieve them 5. Download drivers, manuals, etc, from vendor’s web site 6. Fix hardware & software, download, configure, install to achieve objectives Example -- This Laptop • IBM Thinkpad 770Z P-II @ 366 mhz / 128M ram / 14g disk • CDROM, floppy, 56k modem, USB port • 13.7” screen w/AGP graphics and 8M ram NO --> 10/100 port, wireless card, Writeable CD or DVD • All hardware works • Config panel • Config diagnostics • Windows Devices panel * Disk check * Tested devices • Software is Windows 98 • Virus / malware clean • Registry clean * Programs work * MSCONFIG and daemons More at -- www.Desktoplinux.com/articles/AT6185716632.html Example -- My Objectives ... * * * * * Office support (word processing etc in MS formats) Presentations (in MS format) Email (dial-up ok) Web look-up (dial-up acceptable) Run common Windows and Linux apps Conclusion -> • Keep Windows • Install Linux and run from RAM • Buy 128M for $20 --> 256M UpgradeMemory.com KingstonMemory.com Example #2 -- Professional’s Desktop Objectives • Office work (all in MS formats) • Word processing • Presentations • Spreadsheets • Email • Web use: 0 in 1996 to lots today • Doesn’t want to pay $500 for new computer P-II Pentium-II Purchased 1997 P-II+ Goal -- heavier multi-tasking --> Upgraded memory to 256M --> Windows tune-up P-III Goal -- heavier web use --> Switched to free P-III --> Added $10/month AT&T DSL Goal -- OS outdated --> Added Ubuntu Example #2 -- Professional’s Desktop • Dell P-III 550 mhz / 448M ram / 2 x 6 G disk • DVD-ROM, CD/RW, floppy, 10/100 card, USB ports • From the P-II -• P-II monitor, keyboard, mouse • Original 6 gig disk • From one P-III -• System Unit, 320m ram, USB ports, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, floppy, 10/100 card • From the other P-III • 2nd 6 gig disk, 128M ram • Remaining P-II parts go to other builds Easy-to-Fix Problems Windows + Viruses / spyware / malware + Registry or software corruption + Slow and needing software tune-up -> Defrag disk, remove malware, prune start-up list (msconfig & Runlist), check daemons & Services, erase index.dat & other temporary, set-up, internet, cache, & “junk files”, cookies, URL history... Hardware + Broken or replaceable device + Slow due to needing memory + Random shutdowns -> Overheating - check fans, redo heat sink, clean PC + Won’t boot -> Check wires, card seating, loose screws + Bad device driver OS Operating System Choice is Key OS determines -- * OS overhead on limited computer resources * Your Apps * How easy or hard they are to find * How much they cost or if free 3 “Operating Environment” Choices Keep Windows only Replace Windows w/ Linux Add Linux to Windows (or other OS) + Easiest + Drivers included + Age-appropriate software + No malware + Simplest install + Linux benefits -- Cleanup required -- No MS fixes or support -- License & COA required -- Drivers? -- Loses value of the installed software + Benefits of Windows and Linux + Linux co-exists with Windows -- Effort -- Requires 1/2 G disk IV. Windows on Old PCs Windows Benefits (versus Linux) Compatible file formats Easy to use Efficient GUI on 486 to P-II Device drivers Comes on the computer Microsoft GUI is Efficient on 486s - P-I’s - P-II’s Windows 3.1, 95 or 98 with Office 4, 95 or 97 + Faster than Linux GUIs on 486 or P-I + More user-friendly ! + Retain this software on 486 to P-II Example -- 486-DX2 @ 25 mhz / 8M ram / Windows 3.1 / WordPerfect 5 But security software sinks them Eg -- firewall + virus scanner + malware scanner + intrusion blocker is required if you connect to internet Examples Windows plus Office Windows98 98SE plus Office 97 97 ** P-I P-I 90 90mhz mhz // 32M 32M * P-I 166 64M / 64M * P-IMMX 166mhz MMX/ mhz Both work great Both crawl if you add--- Virus and spyware scanners -- Firewall and intrusion detector -- Plus try downloading anti-virus updates with dial-up ! From: Microsoft’s web site 2006 Windows System Requirements Double Microsoft’s values for good performance ! Version CPU Minimal / Recommended Memory Minimal / Recommended Windows 3.1 >= 386 2 MB Windows 95 386DX / 486 4 MB / 8 MB Windows 98 486DX @66 + MHz 16 MB / 24 MB Windows 98-SE2 486DX @66 + MHz 16 MB / 24 MB Windows ME Pentium @150+ MHz 32 MB Windows NT 4.0 Workstation Edition Pentium 16 MB / 32 MB Windows 2000 Professional Edition Pentium @ 133+ MHz 64 MB Windows 2003 R2 Standard Edition Pentium @ 133+ MHz / Pentium @ 550+ MHz 128 MB / 256 MB Windows XP Home Edition Pentium @ 233+ MHz / Pentium @ 300+ MHz 64 MB / 128 MB Windows Vista Pentium @ 800+ MHz 512 MB Free Software Required to Secure Windows “How to Secure Your Windows PC Using Free Software” Product: Purpose: AVG Free Anti-Virus, ASquared or ClamWin Free anti-virus scanners. All three support batch scanning. AVG also scans email and file activity in real-time. Ad-Aware SE Personal, Spybot Search & Destroy Spyware / malware scanners. Free Internet Windows Washer Eliminates Windows's history of your activities, including the index.dat file that keeps track of all the websites you visit. MRU Blaster Eliminates lists of your Most Recently Used (MRU) files. Tiny Personal Firewall, ZoneAlarm Tiny Firewall is small and light. ZoneAlarm works great but may be a bit weighty for some older computers. MemWatcher Shareware that displays memory use. StartUp Cop Controls what software loads at start-up time (an alternative to the msconfig command present in some versions of Windows) by H. Fosdick at DBAZine http://www.dbazine.com How to Anonymize Windows PCs • When you Delete files, and empty the recycle bin, those files are still accessible • When you Delete IE history, the list of all web sites you ever visited is still accessible • When you Outlook Delete email, & empty the waste basket, all that email is still accessible • When you change personal info in product Options, that doesn’t change the splash panel or product ownership Conclusions -- (1) Windows gives users into a false sense of privacy (2) Anonymizing Windows is hard How to Anonymize Windows PCs • Re-format hard disk + Quick, easy, sure -- Loses value of installed software -> Darik’s Boot and Nuke ****************************************** or ******************************************* • Remove personal info • Registry (First name, last name, organization, user id, etc) (Do this for all users, in both Keys and Values) • Spash panels (Product Options, Registry, Office 95/97 binaries) • Locate & delete personal files (in My Documents & elsewhere) (*.doc, *.xls, *.ppt, *.txt, *.rtf, *.wab, *.acl, *.pwl, *.pcb, *.pst, *.pps, etc) • Address book files (Outlook, Outlook Express, IE) • Email (*.mbx and *pst files) • Web history (index.dat files and Registry) -> PurgeIE and manual • Virus / spyware / malware scan -> AVG, A-2, Clamwin... • Delete Temp, Internet Temp files, cache -> CCleaner, FIWW • Delete MRUs, product histories, IE history, cookies -> MRU-Blaster • Delete user ids and their files • Delete info embedded in products (registration, user ids, etc) • Defrag then overwrite unused disk (inc slack, swap & dir.) -> BcWipe or Eraser “Rescue Disks” (To Fix Windows or Linux) Ultimate Boot CD for Windows ubcd4win.com Ultimate Boot CD (for Linux) ultimatebootcd.com Linux “Rescue Disks” Knoppix and others V. Linux (etc) on Old PCs Free Operating Systems Linux + Biggest family + Most software + Most popular Minix BSD + Fast + Small + Bug free rep + + --- Very lightweight Inspired Linux Limited apps Less popular Others DOS + + + -- + BeOS + OS/2 soon? + New Deal -- Not popular Tons of apps Very lightweight Still popular worldwide GUI Linux Benefits (versus Windows) Co-exists with other operating systems No Registry or DLL problems No viruses, spyware, malware No privacy issues No WGA, Product Activation, or stealth updates No licensing issues No artificial lockout from current software No forced upgrades Free apps ! Small distros Many distros “Small Linux” Strategies 1. Small distro 2. Older release of big distro 3. Tailor distro during install Some Small Linuxes Version System Requirements Damn Small Linux Minimum requirement is a 486DX with 16 MB memory. Runs fully in memory on machines with 128 MB. Also boots from USB thumb drive or from a live CD. 50 MB disk footprint. Details here. Puppy "Puppy has been tested on a few very old machines but for best results..." use a Pentium @166+ MHz with 64 MB for releases prior to 1.0.2, and 128 MB for releases since version 1.0.2. Be sure to create a swap partition on systems with less than 64 MB of memory, otherwise no hard disk required. Feather "Feather should be able to run on a 486 with 16 MB of RAM, but only in console (non-graphical) mode. To use X, 24 MB of RAM or more are required." Wolvix Requires 36 MB to boot slax, 96 MB to run X Windows with Fluxbox, 144 MB to run X Windows with KDE. 486 or better processor. A suggested system has a minimum Pentium @266+ MHz and 128 MB memory. No hard disk required. Vector The Standard Edition requires only a 386 or better processor with 16 MB of memory and 350 MB of disk space for a full install. The SOHO (Small Office / Home Office) edition requires Pentium III or better, 128 MB memory with 256 MB recommended, and 3 G for the OS on disk. STX "Oldest system tested so far: K5/75, 64 MB RAM, 130 MB Swap ... very slow but works" Pocket Linux "...you should at least have a Pentium II computer with 400 MHz and about 128 MB+ RAM in order to work efficiently." Slackware 486 or greater processor, 16 MB memory with 32 MB suggested. Additional hardware required to run the GUI. 100-500 MB hard disk is minimally required with 3.5 G for a full install. Debian Pentium @100+ MHz minimum, plus 24 MB memory and 450 MB on disk for "No Desktop" systems, or 64 MB and 1 G disk for systems "with the Desktop." Red Hat 8 64 MB for text interface, 128 MB for GUI. 400 MB hard disk for minimal install, 2 G for a "Workstation" install. See -DistroWatch.com DistroMania.com Review System Requirements 3 Favorite “Small Linuxes” BeatrIX / BeaFanatIX Damn Small Linux + + --- Smallest (486 w/ 16M) Popular Geekiest (not for end user) Minimal apps Puppy + + + + All the apps you need Popular Not as geeky as DSL Small 128M -> 320M to run in ram -- Not as friendly as BeatrIX + For end users + Runs on any Pentium + 128M to run in ram -- Not widely used All run from memory with 128M + Ways to Install Linux Almost all Linuxes Some Linuxes 1. Live CD -- To verify product, video, drivers, etc -- To evaluate and learn product 2. Full Install -- Co-exist with Windows -- Needs its own partition -- Most Linuxes recognize Windows -- They create boot selection list -- Little disk required (Continue to use Windows partition for your data) 3. Frugal Install -- Stores Linux as file(s) in existing Windows partition 4. Windows Program -- Icon on Windows desktop 5. USB memory Stick -- Leaves Windows un-changed 6. Updatable CD or DVD -- Leaves Windows un-changed How to Co-Install Linux with Windows Linux includes the Partitioning, Boot Selection, and Windows-recognition tools you need… free 1. Verify Windows disk is good (My Computer | Properties | Tools | Disk check) 2. Defrag Windows volume 3. Live CD to boot Linux 4. Resize Windows partition smaller if you need space 5. Create new Linux partition 6. Create Linux Swap partition 7. Install Linux 8. Verify boot selection menu (/boot/grub/menu.lst) GUI is Key to Resource Usage * Always in use * Memory-consumptive * Gnome & KDE + Linux “standards” -- Require 128 M * JWM, IceWM, Xfce, FVWM, Flubox, others + Much less Memory ( < 64M) * Command line + Fine for App Server + Ok for geeks -- Not ok for end users See xwinman.org for GUI details Lite ! Pick Light Apps ! Good Linux Windows Bad Abiword Gnumeric Dillo Terminal window JWM, FVWM OpenOffice 1 (64M) OpenOffice 2 (128M) Firefox, Mozilla GUI apps Gnome, KDE Older releases (Acrobat, Winzip, etc) Newer releases of the same products Office 97 Office 2000, 2003, 2007 Notepad Word K-Meleon IE (any version), Firefox ImgBurn, FinalBurner Easy CD Creator, Nero TinyFirewall, Sygate ZoneAlarm Ad-aware, AVG ClamWin Windows 98, 3.1 GUIs Vista GUI Free BSD NetBSD NetBSD is a highly configurable Unixlike open source OS that is highly portable across systems. Dating back to 1993, it runs on many resourcelimited computers. Another heir to BSD, FreeBSD may be the most popular general-purpose BSD system. FreeBSD Runs down to 386s and is small enough to run on embedded devices. Details here. Versions prior to 5.x require at least a 386 with at least 16M memory and 60M disk for standalone systems. 5.x and later require at least a 486, with 24M memory and 150M disk. Details here. BSD requires minimal resources for older versions -- originally released in 1993 Minix 3 • • • • Inspired Linux Fast and light (down to 486s) Apps cover all the bases... but not as many as Linux Open source CTLALTDEL Free DOS • • • • • Tons of apps Best on really old equipment (486/386/286/XT/PC) Great for non-GUI systems Some GUIs available Modern DOS overcomes old DOS limitations 1. FreeDOS 2. OpenDOS 3. DR-DOS Learn about today’s DOS at -www.devedia.com/dosghost/dos/dosw31.asp Collectable Computers -- www.vintage-computer/vcforum Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP) PC Linux Server 100 mhz and 64 M + X-terminal PCs Running LTSP Linux Big Money Saver ! See: FreeSoftwareMagazine.com article by Robert Pogson http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/linux_terminal_server Also: www.ltsp.org VI. Where to get a Free PC -- or -Give one away ! Where to Get a Free PC-- Phoebe Jane does the job ! Where to Get a Free PC-(or very low-cost PC) * Trash FreeSharing works ! * IT co-workers * Friends * www.FreeSharing.org * www.FreeCycle.org * www.CraigsList.org * Rummage sales Church rummage sales What Does “Free” Mean ? • Free Hardware • Free Software • You pay labor • Maybe you buy a part (eg: Memory) • Internet “subscription” is not free • • $ 10 avg / month SLOW $ 30 avg / month FAST ($5-10) ($10-40) AT&T / Yahoo DSL is $10 / month ! Where to Donate a PC ? Works? Resources? • Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/donate.htm#local • Craigslist.org, FreeSharing.org, FreeCycling.org, rummage sales • People’s Resource Center (www.peoplesrc.org) Wheaton -> 500 mhz or better • If too old for re-use -> Sims/United Recycling 166 Harvester Ave, W. Chicago $0.25 / lb. VII. The New World of “Free” Computing How the PC Industry Works • Wintel monopolizes U.S. computer market • Over 50% of Microsoft’s revenue is from Windows & Office • They have to force you to upgrade • Each release soaks up new hardware for new functionality • This Planned Obsolescence is artificial • Conclusions -• Word 97, 2000, 2003, 2007…. Who cares? • Non state-of-the-art PCs are useful • Vista -- a great example of a needless upgrade How Microsoft Forces You to Upgrade • MS software is designed not to run on older computers • Software prerequisites are marketing-based (not technology-driven) (eg: you must have IE to get Windows Updates or run XP or etc. Or, you must have a certain level of product to use an unrelated product) • Older MS software doesn’t run on newer machines (eg: Win 98 needs bug fixes for > 512 M and > 2 ghz) • MS terminates security fixes, support for older software (key due to Windows security flaws) • WGA & PA kill old copies of software • Registry prevents porting a Windows disk across computers or even an upgraded computer • Registry locks / controls installed software • Intentional incompatibilities between different versions of the same product (eg: older version of Word can not read *.doc file from newer version) • EULAs say you can’t legally transfer software to a second owner without COA and all doc • Very difficult to anonymize Windows without wiping the disk • New Windows versions are bundled with all PC purchases (no consumer choice due to coerced vendor lock-out) Ability to Enforce Planned Obsolescence High Low US Automotive Industry PC Industry 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 The Monopoly is Ending Free software End of Monopoly Cheap commodity hardware Result -Planned Obsolescence Appropriate Technology Low-end Machines Proliferate Laptop Projects • • • • Millions to be produced Built-in WIFI Kid-tough case Specs, cost in transition OLPC -• 433 mhz, 256M ram, 1G flash • Self-powered • Linux • $175 -> $100 Intel Classmate -• 900 mhz, 256M ram, 1-2G flash • 4-hr battery • Windows XP Pro or Linux • $225 -> $200 Household appliance Consumer PC School requirement Purchase at Walmart or Target VIII. Resources Example Computer Charity Programs People’s Resource Center (www.peoplesrc.org) Wheaton -> 500 mhz or better -> Give away > 5,000 computers in Dupage Country -> 100 / month -> Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) • Alameda County Computer Resource Center (www.accrc.org) -> Linux on old PCs (Suse or Ubuntu) -> Give away 5,000 to 10,000 / year “Re-use, then Recycle” “Obsolescence is just a failure of imagination” -- James Burgett Recommended Resources Free software websites-- Hardware Info websites-- Windows-- TheFreeCountry.org MajorGeeks.com Download.com Linux-SourceForge.net Freshmeat.net 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. TomsHardware.com PCGuide.com Computer.HowStuffWorks.com PCMech.pair.com PCSupport.About.com Hardware books-Where to get Drivers-- Upgrading & Repairing PCs by Mueller Complete PC Upgrade & Maintenance Guide by Minasi Windows -- DriverGuide.com Linux -- Linux-Drivers.org Articles -http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=06/02/13/1854251 http://www.linuxforums.org/desktop/a_linux_distribution_for_an_old_laptop.html http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/free_computing ? ? ? questions... ? ? ? ? ? ?
© Copyright 2024