Laptop resurrection?

[TFOGGER]

It might be fun from a "building a tube radio" standpoint, but even if it was high end in 2004, a $250 current laptop will most likely smoke it in terms of performance. IDE hard drives are not hard to come by, but you may have issues trying to find driver software for the other old hardware, particularly if you want to try to upgrade to windows 7/8/10.


Note: I probably have a HD around that I would be willing to donate to the cause...

[JohnnyDrama]

Thanks for the replies.

It might be fun from a "building a tube radio" standpoint, but even if it was high end in 2004, a $250 current laptop will most likely smoke it in terms of performance. IDE hard drives are not hard to come by, but you may have issues trying to find driver software for the other old hardware, particularly if you want to try to upgrade to windows 7/8/10.


Note: I probably have a HD around that I would be willing to donate to the cause...

It's funny that you mentioned a tube radio. I'm trying to convince my daughter that a crystal set would make a cool science project for school (I might take you up on that offer).

My motives for trying this project are twofold. One, I'm haunted by the words of a professor I had back in the mid 90s. He was a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel who did a lot with missiles. He said that as computers were being developed, scientists believed the world would probably not need more than seven or eight to handle everything we needed. I figure it's a waste to let that computational power go to waste. It doesn't have to go fast, just go. Even a little (This machine will probably spend most of the time in the garage). Two, I'd like to show my daughter that computers can be "fixed" like any other machine. They aren't magical devices and you don't need a wizard's hat to make them work. So, it's kind of personal. Maybe I need to step away...

To simplify my question, if I were to drop something like this

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DZBMIK/ref=dp_cerb_3

into my computer, would it work? At least a little? That's just something that popped up as I was looking around. I haven't seriously looked into buying something.

As far as operating systems, I was looking at Ubuntu again. I used an Open Office program to build the database before. I figure I can do that again.

[Grant H.]

Thanks for the replies.



It's funny that you mentioned a tube radio. I'm trying to convince my daughter that a crystal set would make a cool science project for school (I might take you up on that offer).

My motives for trying this project are twofold. One, I'm haunted by the words of a professor I had back in the mid 90s. He was a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel who did a lot with missiles. He said that as computers were being developed, scientists believed the world would probably not need more than seven or eight to handle everything we needed. I figure it's a waste to let that computational power go to waste. It doesn't have to go fast, just go. Even a little (This machine will probably spend most of the time in the garage). Two, I'd like to show my daughter that computers can be "fixed" like any other machine. They aren't magical devices and you don't need a wizard's hat to make them work. So, it's kind of personal. Maybe I need to step away...

To simplify my question, if I were to drop something like this

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DZBMIK/ref=dp_cerb_3

into my computer, would it work? At least a little? That's just something that popped up as I was looking around. I haven't seriously looked into buying something.

As far as operating systems, I was looking at Ubuntu again. I used an Open Office program to build the database before. I figure I can do that again.

Per the description, yes, that will work. Per the picture, no, it will not. Based on the comments and reviews, I expect the picture is wrong and the description is right.

Given your explanation of why, sure, it'll probably work out, and could be good for teaching your daughter.