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How to Revive an Old Computer

How to Revive an Old Computer. Howard Fosdick. (C) 2008 FCI. V 2.2 1 hr. Who Am I ?. * Independent Consultant * Hands-on DBA ( not a PC support specialist ) * Founded Database User Groups (IDUG and MWDUG) * Management consulting with vendors. Geek !. Why This Talk ?.

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How to Revive an Old Computer

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  1. How to Revive an Old Computer Howard Fosdick (C) 2008 FCI V 2.2 1 hr

  2. Who Am I ? * Independent Consultant * Hands-on DBA (not a PC support specialist) * Founded Database User Groups (IDUG and MWDUG) * Management consulting with vendors

  3. 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

  4. Geek ! Geek ! Fix Old PCs “How to Secure Your Windows PC and Protect Your Privacy” Presentation • Give away free under OPL • Need your feedback • Email address in paper • Thank you!

  5. I. What old computers can do II. Hardware III. Steps to revitalize a PC IV. Windows V. Linux (other free OS’s) VI. Where to get a Free computer (& where to donate) VII. “Free Computing” VIII. Resources Outline

  6. I. What Can Old Computers Do ?

  7. ? ? ? ? Why Older Computers ? Free Useful Fun * “Old” computers improve capabilities yearly *Appropriate Technology versus Planned Obsolescence “Obsolescence is just a failure of imagination” -- James Burgett

  8. Sources: Galt Global Review earth911.org electronicrecyclers.com others Save the Planet * PCs contain toxic materials * ~ 500 million PCs yet to be disposed of * Avg PC lifespan < 3 years One solution -- use them ! Buy Re-purpose Recycle “Re-use, then recycle” -- James Burgett

  9. What Can You Do With an Old PC ? Caveats: (1) end user (2) subjective I II III IV + • Word Processing • Spreadsheet • Presentation Graphics • Graphics, images • Web surfing • Research • Wireless • Social websites • Email • Brief web searches • IM / Chat • Photos • Music / Audio • Video • Current games • Older games • Office • Fast Internet (Broadband) • Slow Internet (Dial Up) • Multimedia • Games

  10. What Can You Do With an Old PC ? Caveats: (1) end user (2) subjective I II III IV + • Word Processing • Spreadsheet • Presentation Graphics • Graphics, images • Web surfing • Research • Wireless • Social websites • Email • Brief web searches • IM / Chat • Photos • Music / Audio • Video • Current games • Older games • Office • Fast Internet (Broadband) • Slow Internet (Dial Up) • Multimedia • Games

  11. Specialized App servers • Routers • Firewalls • Print, File, or Network server • Email station • Word processor • other single use • Run old programs • Business • Consumer (eg: games) • Act as terminals (Linux Terminal Server Project - LTSP) More Uses for Old Computers... See http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/free_computing

  12. Summary • New PCs are required for the latest -- • Games • Graphics • Multimedia • Microsoft software • Pentium III does everything else • Pentium II useful but -- • 450 Mhz + 256 M tops • Pentium I useful but -- • 266 mhz + 128 M tops Dial-up era

  13. II. Hardware

  14. This Talk is on PC Desktops Laptops -- Fewer out there -- Higher priced -- Free uncommon -- More proprietary Apples -- Proprietary --> even across the Apple line ! -- Parts --> expensive, hard to find

  15. Typical Hardware * Memory varies widely * Desktops versus laptops * Max’ed out versus what shipped * “Celeron” and “Xeon” mean nothing Source: Tom’s Hardware, other web sites

  16. Typical Hardware AMD Equivalents Source: Tom’s Hardware, other web sites

  17. Memory P-II P-III Maximum RAM (typical) 128m 256m varies P- I P- II P- III --- Usually --- * Can use one level slower as next level faster * All in group cost same Source: Tom’s Hardware, other web sites

  18. What Is Free ? Pentium IV + III II I pre-Pentium (486, 386, 286/AT, XT, PC) 10% 60% 30% P-I P-II P-III • Mix changes yearly • Where and how you get free PCs shades the mix • Capabilities of “old computers” constantly increase

  19. “TurnoverEvents” • Technology Examples -- • Monitors -> flat panels • ZIP disks -> USB thumb drives • 2-generation old PCs -> newer machines • Marketing Examples -- • Microsoft’s Internet Explorer • Microsoft’s Vista or Technology Marketing

  20. III. Steps to Revitalize an old PC

  21. Steps to Revitalize an Old PC 1. Identify -- Hardware -- Software 2. Verify -- Check boot configuration panel & run diagnostics -- Devices work (hardware & drivers) -- Check disks, reading/writing CD/DVD & floppy -- Windows Device Mgmt panel -- Malware free -- Installed programs work -- Break login password (ntpasswd in Linux rescue CDs) 3. Define objectives 4. Can this pc can achieve them ? 5. Download drivers etc from vendor’s website 6. Fix & configureto achieve objectives

  22. Example – Laptop Hardware /Software • P-III • XP • “too slow” • Office work (MS file formats) • Multimedia web surfing • Run Windows & Linux apps • Tune-up XP • Buy 256M => 512M • add Ubuntu Linux • OpenOffice Objectives Solution UpgradeMemory.com or KingstonMemory.com

  23. Example -- Compatibility ... Microsoft Office OpenOffice You’re viewing it on -- Presentation created on -- OpenOffice on Linux (on old laptop) Powerpoint 97 & 2003 on Windows 98 & XP

  24. Example -- Professional’s Desktop Objectives • Office work • Email • Doesn’t want to pay for new computer P-II P-II+ P-III Goal -- heavier web use --> Switched to free P-III --> Added $10/month AT&T DSL Goal -- OS outdated --> Added XUbuntu Goal -- heavier multi-tasking --> Upgraded memory to 256M --> Windows tune-up Pentium-II Purchased 1997 More at -- http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/free_computing

  25. Easy-to-Fix Problems Windows + Malware + Registry + Slow + Device driver + Software corruption + Tune-up -> Defrag disk, remove malware, prune start-up list (msconfig & Runlist), check daemons & Services, prune index.dat & Registry, erase temporary, set-up, internet, cache, & “junk files”, cookies, URL history... + Broken replaceable device + Slow needs memory + Random shutdowns -> Overheating - check fans, redo heat sink, clean PC + Won’t boot -> Check wires, card seating, loose screws See “How to Secure Your Windows Computer and Your Privacy” Hardware

  26. O S OS Determines * Your Apps * How easy to find * Free ? * Drivers ? * OS overhead

  27. 3 “Operating Environment” Choices Keep Windows only Replace Windows w/ Linux (or other OS) Add Linux to Windows + Benefits of Windows and Linux + Linux co-exists with Windows -- Effort -- Requires 1/2 G disk + No malware + Simple install + Linux benefits -- Drivers -- Loses value of installed software + Easiest + Drivers + Age-appropriate software -- Cleanup required -- No MS fixes or support

  28. IV. Windows on Old PCs

  29. Windows Benefits (versus Linux) Compatible file formats Easy to use Efficient GUI on 486 to P-II Device drivers Comes on the computer

  30. Windows runs well on 486s to P-II’s Windows 3.1, 95 or 98 Office 4, 95 or 97 + Faster than stock Linux GUIs (on 486 or P-I) + More user-friendly ! Example -- 486-DX2 @ 25 mhz / 8M ram / Windows 3.1 / WP 5 / Freelance Firewall + Virus scanner + Malware scanner + Intrusion blocker are required if you connect to internet But security software sinks them !

  31. Security Software Soaks Resources Windows 98 SE plus Office 97 * P-I 90 mhz / 32M * P-I 166 MMX mhz / 64M 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 ! Windows 98 plus Office 97 * P-I 90 mhz / 32M * P-I 166 MMX mhz / 64M

  32. Free Software Required to Secure Windows See --- “How to Secure Your Windows PC and Your Privacy”

  33. Windows System Requirements Double these values for good performance ! From: Microsoft’s web site 2006

  34. How to Anonymize Windows PCs (1) Windows gives users into a false sense of privacy (2) Anonymizing Windows is hard --- See --- “How to Secure Your Windows PC and Your Privacy”

  35. How to Anonymize Windows PCs --- See --- “How to Secure Your Windows PC and Your Privacy” • Re-format hard disk -> Darik’s Boot and Nuke + Quick, easy, sure -- Loses value of installed software ****************************************** or ******************************************* Remove personal info and Registration info from - • Registry (First name, last name, organization, user id, etc) (Do this for all users, in both Keys and Values) • Binaries that support Registry (user.dat, system.dat, etc) • Spash panels (Product Options, Registry, Office 95/97 binaries) • Locate & delete personal files (in My Documents & elsewhere) (*.doc, *.xls, *.ppt, *.pps, *.txt, *.rtf, etc) • Locate & delete system files (*.wab, *.acl, *.pwl, *.pcb, *.pst, *.dbx, etc) • Address book files (Outlook, Outlook Express, IE) • Email (*.mbx and *pst files) • Web history (index.dat files and Registry (“Typed URLs” & “ZoneMap/Domains”)) (use PurgeIE or PurgeFox for index.dat files, edit Registry manually) • Virus / spyware / adware / malware scan -> AVG, A-2, Clamwin... • Delete Temp, Internet Temp files, cache -> CCleaner, FIWW • Delete MRUs, product histories, IE history, cookies -> MRU-Blaster, Ad-Aware • 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

  36. “Rescue Disks” (To Fix Windows or Linux) Ultimate Boot CD for Windows ubcd4win.com Ultimate Boot CD for Linux Linux “Rescue Disks” Knoppix and others ultimatebootcd.com

  37. V. Linux (etc) on Old PCs

  38. Free Operating Systems Linux Minix Others BSD DOS + Biggest family + Most software + Most popular + BeOS + OS/2 ? + New Deal -- Not popular + Very lightweight + Inspired Linux -- Limited apps -- Less popular + Fast + Small + Bug free rep + Many apps + Lightweight ! + Popular worldwide + Few limitations vs old DOS -- GUI www.devedia.com/dosghost/dos/dosw31.asp

  39. Linux Benefits (versus Windows) No Vista DRM crap No WGA, Product Activation, or stealth updates No Registry or DLL problems No viruses, spyware, malware No privacy issues Co-exists with other operating systems No licensing issues No artificial lockout from current software No forced upgrades Free apps ! Small distros Distro choices

  40. “Small Linux” Strategies Small distro 1. Older release of big distro 2. Tailor distro during install 3.

  41. A fraction of what’s available... Some Small Linuxes DistroWatch.com DistroMania.com Review System Requirements

  42. 3 Favorite “Small Linuxes” Damn Small Linux BeatrIX / BeaFanatIX Puppy + For end users -- Not widely used + Smallest (486 w/ 16M) + Popular + All the apps you need + Small (128M -> 320M in ram) + User-friendly + Fuller Apps + Geekiest + Minimal Apps All run from memory with 128M +

  43. Ways to Install Linux 1. Live CD -- Verify product, video, drivers, etc -- Evaluate & learn product 2. Full Install -- Co-exist with Windows -- Needs own partition -- Linuxes recognize Windows -- Linux creates boot selection list -- Little disk required -- 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 Almost all Linuxes Some Linuxes

  44. How to Co-Install Linux with Windows Linux has free Partitioning, Boot Selection, and Windows-recognition tools 1. Verify Windows disk (My Computer | Properties | Tools | Disk check) 2. Defrag Windows 3. Boot Live Linux 4. Resize Windows partition (if you need space) 5. Create Linux partition 6. Create Linux Swap 7. Install Linux 8. Verify boot selection menu (/boot/grub/menu.lst)

  45. GUI is Key to Resource Usage * Always in use * Memory-consumptive * Gnome & KDE + Standard -- 128 M * JWM, IceWM, Xfce, FVWM, Flubox, others + Less Memory ( < 64M) * Command line + For App Server + Geeks -- Not for end users See xwinman.org for GUI details

  46. Pick Light Apps ! Lite ! Good Bad Abiword OpenOffice 1 (64M) Gnumeric OpenOffice 2 (128M) Dillo (300K) Firefox, Mozilla Terminal window GUI apps JWM, FVWM Gnome, KDE Older releases Newer releases of (Acrobat, Winzip, etc) 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 Linux Windows

  47. Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP) 100 mhz 64 M + Linux X terminals Big Money Saver ! See: FreeSoftwareMagazine.com article by Robert Pogson and: www.ltsp.org

  48. LTSP This material courtesy of Robert Pogson’s article Server for up to 60 clients -- * AMD Opteron 170 dual core 2 MB cache CAD$519 * 4GB ECC DDR333 RAM CAD$500 * ASUS A8N-E motherboard CAD$125 * ATX case and power supply w/400-500W capacity CAD$200+ * 10/100 baseT NIC CAD$15 * dual 200GB hard drives SATA CAD$210 * Edubuntu CAD$0 * Total CAD$1570

  49. VI. Get a Free PC -- or -- Give one away !

  50. * Trash * IT co-workers * Friends * Rummage sales * FreeSharing.org * FreeCycle.org * CraigsList.org * FreeGeekChicago.org * Peoplesrc.org Where to Get a Free PC-- FreeSharing works ! Church Rummage Sales

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