Need old computer

Most of us are not "computer people" so post your technical questions and comments here. If you have computer or Internet expertise, share it here.

Moderators: carlson1, Keith B

User avatar

Topic author
Charles L. Cotton
Site Admin
Posts in topic: 7
Posts: 17787
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:31 pm
Location: Friendswood, TX
Contact:

Need old computer

#1

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

I anyone has an old computer they'd like to get rid of, I'll take it. By old I mean a 286 or 386 machine and a dos-only one would be even better. Yeah, I know, no one keeps these things, but I thought I'd try.

I need it to use Motorola software to program certain radios. Faster machines using a DOS command won't work.

Thanks,
Chas.

Piney
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 535
Joined: Mon Nov 14, 2005 8:42 am

Re: Need old computer

#2

Post by Piney »

There is a Goodwill Computer Store out west HOU off Westheimer. I've never been. Perhaps they've got an oldie out there ?
User avatar

oohrah
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 1375
Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 5:54 pm
Location: McLennan County

Re: Need old computer

#3

Post by oohrah »

Goodwill is what I would've suggested.
USMC, Retired
Treating one variety of person as better or worse than others by accident of birth is morally indefensible.
User avatar

Topic author
Charles L. Cotton
Site Admin
Posts in topic: 7
Posts: 17787
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:31 pm
Location: Friendswood, TX
Contact:

Re: Need old computer

#4

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

Piney wrote:There is a Goodwill Computer Store out west HOU off Westheimer. I've never been. Perhaps they've got an oldie out there ?
I'll call Tuesday. Thanks for the suggestion.

Chas.
User avatar

SATX-Scrub
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 382
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:41 pm
Location: Hurricane, Utah

Re: Need old computer

#5

Post by SATX-Scrub »

Charles, while you wait, try dosbox http://www.dosbox.com/download.php?main=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for a X86 emulator. It runs the old (slow) DOS programs like joe and wordstar. Doesn't hurt to try!
“He looked like an accountant or a serial-killer type. Definitely one of the service industries.”
― Kinky Friedman, Elvis, Jesus, and Coca-Cola
http://atomicnumber13.blogspot.com/
User avatar

Jim Beaux
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 1356
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:55 pm

Re: Need old computer

#6

Post by Jim Beaux »

Goodwill has become selective in the hardware they will accept. Due to limited space and resources they can only take the newer equipment that will sale quickly. Anything else is a white elephant and incurs an expense to get rid of.
“In the world of lies, truth-telling is a hanging offense"
~Unknown
User avatar

G.A. Heath
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 2
Posts: 2983
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 9:39 pm
Location: Western Texas

Re: Need old computer

#7

Post by G.A. Heath »

If I had known 6 months ago I could have given you two 386sx-16 systems with 2 meg of ram and 120meg of hard drive space. I since donated them to some metal recyclers.
How do you explain a dog named Sauer without first telling the story of a Puppy named Sig?
R.I.P. Sig, 08/21/2019 - 11/18/2019
User avatar

jimlongley
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 2
Posts: 6134
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 1:31 pm
Location: Allen, TX

Re: Need old computer

#8

Post by jimlongley »

G.A. Heath wrote:If I had known 6 months ago I could have given you two 386sx-16 systems with 2 meg of ram and 120meg of hard drive space. I since donated them to some metal recyclers.
Almost the same here. I had an old old PC sitting in my garage, a 386 vintage, that I was going to use for a ham radio project of my own. I finally realized that that was one project that was not getting done in this lifetime, so I gave it to a young geek friend of mine who was going to cannibalize it. Didn't even know if it worked, but he only wanted it for the case, the 5.25 floppy and other internals.
Real gun control, carrying 24/7/365
User avatar

jimlongley
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 2
Posts: 6134
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 1:31 pm
Location: Allen, TX

Re: Need old computer

#9

Post by jimlongley »

I do still have a pretty old laptop out in the garage - possibly 10 years or more.
Real gun control, carrying 24/7/365
User avatar

Topic author
Charles L. Cotton
Site Admin
Posts in topic: 7
Posts: 17787
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:31 pm
Location: Friendswood, TX
Contact:

Re: Need old computer

#10

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

SATX-Scrub wrote:Charles, while you wait, try dosbox http://www.dosbox.com/download.php?main=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for a X86 emulator. It runs the old (slow) DOS programs like joe and wordstar. Doesn't hurt to try!
I was going to do that, but the danger is that a machine that is too fast can turn the Motorola radio into a door stop, or "bricked" as they say. I almost tried that several weeks ago before someone warned me. There's a program called GM300 Radio Doctor that runs on modern machines that may or may not work. If it works, great; if it doesn't you just bricked the radio.

Chas.
User avatar

Topic author
Charles L. Cotton
Site Admin
Posts in topic: 7
Posts: 17787
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:31 pm
Location: Friendswood, TX
Contact:

Re: Need old computer

#11

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

jimlongley wrote:I do still have a pretty old laptop out in the garage - possibly 10 years or more.
Do you want to let it go? If so, do you have any idea what processor it's running? I'll ask around and see if anyone has experience with it.

Chas.
User avatar

jmra
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 10371
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:51 am
Location: Ellis County

Re: Need old computer

#12

Post by jmra »

Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid.
John Wayne
NRA Lifetime member
User avatar

WhiteLightning
Junior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 34
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 1:40 pm

Re: Need old computer

#13

Post by WhiteLightning »

I never throw any thing away! Yes I'm a hoarder. I still have a couple laptops that don't even have colored screens... unless you count amber as a color "rlol"
I'll have to see what condition they are in. And if I still have not re purposed the power supplies.

o b juan
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 427
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:44 pm

Re: Need old computer

#14

Post by o b juan »

This post reminds me I Have A KAY-PRO 10 Mega bites they called a portable weighed about 35 lbs the key board cinched into the front and covered the screen which was about 8 " wide x 6 high & green.
Ashton Tate was a name that had somthing to do with it and danged if I dont still have all the books on programming.. I believe it was called CPM (Critical Path Method?) It was set up for me by a guy who worked for me, in my printshop.

Did acount lists. receivables, 3 check books and accts payable and it was hooked into a cannono typwriter to do all the printouts from late 83 till june 88..

I knew nothing except how to enter and print it did all the adding and subtracting.

It had some games but didnt use very much for that..

havent turned it on sine 88 did it a few minutes ago and it came on but forgot how to access the durn thing.\

It cost 3,200.00 when I bought it in 88..

Things sure have cahnged; acception would be me I still KnoW ; next to nothing about computers :cheers2:
CHL Instructor since 95'/ School safety Since Jan 17' :patriot:
User avatar

Pawpaw
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 6745
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2010 11:16 am
Location: Hunt County

Re: Need old computer

#15

Post by Pawpaw »

o b juan wrote:I believe it was called CPM (Critical Path Method?)
CP/M stood for Control Program for Microcomputers. It was one of the original Disk Operating Systems (DOS) for small computers.

In fact, Bill Gates ported it over from the original 8080 processor to the 8086 (with a few changes) and sold it to IBM as PC DOS to be bundled with their IBM PC.
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. - John Adams
Post Reply

Return to “Technical Tips, Questions & Discussions (Computers & Internet)”