How to Revive an Old Computer Howard Fosdick (C) 2008 FCI V 1.0.

How to Revivean 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

Why This Talk ?Geek !

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 ?

* “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

??? ?Free FunUseful

Save the Planet

-- PCs and monitors contain toxic...

-- lead -- mercury -- bromine-- cadmium -- chlorine -- nbd plastics

-- 400 to 600 million PCs yet to be disposed of in attics

-- Avg PC lifespan < 3 years

One solution -- use them !Sources: Galt Global Reviewwebofcreation.org

• Office

• Fast Internet(Broadband)

• Slow Internet(Dial Up)

• Multimedia

• Games

• 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

I II III IV +

What Can You Do With an Old PC ?Caveat: end userrunning common software

• Office

• Fast Internet(Broadband)

• Slow Internet(Dial Up)

• Multimedia

• Games

• 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

I II III IV +

What Can You Do With an Old PC ?Caveat: end userrunning common software

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

• New PCs are required for --

• Latest games• State-of-the-art graphics• High-end multimedia • Current Microsoft software

• Pentium III does everything else

• Pentium II fine for many uses but --

• 450 Mhz + 256 M tops

• Pentium I useful but --

• 266 mhz + 128 M tops• Security software overwhelms them

Summary

Dial-up

• Driven by --

• Technology Examples --

• Monitors -> flat panels• ZIP disks -> USB thumb drives• Pentium-II’s -> newer machines

• Marketing Examples --

• New releases of MS Office• Vista• What happens to PCs that can’t run Vista ?

“Turnover Events”

Technology Marketingor

II. Hardware

IV +

III

II

I pre-Pentium

(486, 386, 286/AT, XT, PC)

Pentium

Generations of PCs

Simplified View

Processor: CPU Speed (mhz): Xeon 400 – 3.6+ ghz Celeron 266 – 2.9+ ghz Pentium Pro 150 – 200

* Memory varies widely * Desktops versus laptops * Max’ed out versus what shipped

* “Celeron” and “Xeon” mean nothing

Source: Tom’s Hardware, other web sites

Typical Hardware

Processor: CPU Speed (mhz): Typical Memory (Megabytes): Cost: Pentium IV and dual core systems

1.3 – several ghz 256M – several Gig Current

Pentium III 450 – 1.4 ghz 128 – 1 Gig Low cost to free Pentium II 233 – 450 64 – 256 Free Pentium I MMX 150 – 266 32 – 128 Free Pentium I 60 – 200 16 – 128 Free 486 16 – 133 4 – 32 Free 386 16 – 33 1 – 16 Free 286 8 – 16 1 – 4 Free 8088 4.77 – 8 < 1 “Collectable”

Processor: CPU Speed (mhz): Opteron 1.4 – 2.4+ ghz Athlon 64 2.2 – 2.6+ ghz Athlon XP 1.3 – 2.1 ghz Duron 600 – 1.8 ghz Athlon Thunderbird 650 – 1.4 ghz Athlon K7 500 – 1 ghz K6 2/3 233 – 533 K6 166 – 300 K5 75 – 166 AM5x85 133 Am486 40 – 120 Am386 25 – 40

AMD Equivalents

Typical Hardware

Source: Tom’s Hardware, other web sites

128m 256m varies P-I P-II P-III

Maximum RAM (typical)

Memory

Source: Tom’s Hardware, other web sites

SDRAM PC 66 66 mhz PC 100 100 mhz PC 133 133 mhz DDR (aka DDR1) PC 2100 266 mhz PC 2700 333 mhz PC 3200 400 mhz DDR2 PC2 3200 400 mhz PC2 4200 533 mhz PC2 5300 667 mhz PC2 6400 800 mhz

--- Usually ---* Use one level slower as next level faster * All in group cost same -> buy fastest !

What Is Free ?

• Mix changes yearly

• Capabilities of “old computers”

constantly increase

• Where you get free PCs shades the mix

Pentium

10% 70% 20% P-I P-II P-III

IV +

III

II

I pre-Pentium

(486, 386, 286/AT, XT, PC)

This Talk focuses on PC Desktops ...Other Computers ?...

Laptops

-- Fewer out there-- Higher priced -- Free is less common-- More proprietary

Apples

-- Proprietary --> even across the Apple line !-- Parts --> 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 site6. 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 * Disk check• Config diagnostics * Tested devices• Windows Devices panel

• Software is Windows 98

• Virus / malware clean * Programs work • Registry clean * MSCONFIG and daemons

More at -- www.Desktoplinux.com/articles/AT6185716632.html

* 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

Example -- My Objectives ...

• Keep Windows • Install Linux and run from RAM• Buy 128M for $20 --> 256M

UpgradeMemory.comKingstonMemory.com

Conclusion ->

Example #2 -- Professional’s Desktop

• 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

Pentium-IIPurchased 1997

Goal -- heavier multi-tasking--> Upgraded memory to 256M--> Windows tune-up

Goal -- heavier web use--> Switched to free P-III--> Added $10/month AT&T DSL

Goal -- OS outdated--> Added Ubuntu

Objectives

P-II P-II+ P-III

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

+ 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...

+ 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

Easy-to-Fix Problems

Windows

Hardware

Operating System Choice is Key

* OS overhead on limited computer resources

* Your Apps

* How easy or hard they are to find

* How much they cost or if free

OS determines --

OS

3 “Operating Environment” Choices

Keep Windows

only

ReplaceWindowsw/ Linux

(or other OS)

Add Linuxto

Windows

+ Easiest+ Drivers included+ Age-appropriate software

-- Cleanup required-- No MS fixes or support-- License & COA required

+ No malware+ Simplest install+ Linux benefits

-- 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)

Comes on the computer

Device drivers

Efficient GUI on 486 to P-II

Easy to use

Compatible file formats

+ 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

Eg -- firewall + virus scanner + malware scanner + intrusion blocker is required if you connect to internet

Microsoft GUI is Efficient on 486s - P-I’s - P-II’s

Windows 3.1, 95 or 98 with Office 4, 95 or 97

But security software sinks them

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 !

Examples

Windows 98 plus Office 97

* P-I 90 mhz / 32M * P-I 166 MMX mhz / 64M

Double Microsoft’svalues forgoodperformance !

WindowsSystemRequire- ments

From: Microsoft’s web site 2006

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

“How to SecureYour Windows PCUsing Free Software”

by H. Fosdick

at DBAZine

http://www.dbazine.com

Free SoftwareRequired to Secure Windows

Product: Purpose:

AVG Free Anti-Virus, A-Squared 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)

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

• Re-format hard disk -> Darik’s Boot and Nuke+ Quick, easy, sure-- Loses value of installed software

****************************************** 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

How to Anonymize Windows PCs

“Rescue Disks”

ultimatebootcd.com

ubcd4win.com

Ultimate Boot CD for Windows

Ultimate Boot CD (for Linux) Linux “Rescue Disks”

Knoppix and others

(To Fix Windows or Linux)

V. Linux (etc) on Old PCs

Linux

BSD

Minix

DOS

Others

+ Biggest family+ Most software+ Most popular

+ Fast+ Small+ Bug free rep

+ Very lightweight+ Inspired Linux-- Limited apps-- Less popular

+ Tons of apps+ Very lightweight+ Still popular worldwide-- GUI

+ BeOS+ OS/2 soon?+ New Deal-- Not popular

Free Operating Systems

Linux Benefits (versus Windows)

Small distros

Free apps !

No forced upgrades

No artificial lockout from current software

No licensing issues

No WGA, Product Activation, or stealth updates

Co-exists with other operating systems

Many distros

No privacy issues

No viruses, spyware, malware

No Registry or DLL problems

“Small Linux” Strategies

Small distro

Older release of big distro

Tailor distro during install

1.

2.

3.

See --

DistroWatch.com

DistroMania.com

SomeSmall 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.

ReviewSystemRequirements

Damn Small Linux

Puppy

BeatrIX /BeaFanatIX

+ Smallest (486 w/ 16M)+ Popular-- Geekiest (not for end user)-- Minimal apps + 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

3 Favorite “Small Linuxes”

All run from memory with 128M +

Ways to Install Linux

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 partition4. Windows Program

-- Icon on Windows desktop5. USB memory Stick

-- Leaves Windows un-changed6. Updatable CD or DVD

-- Leaves Windows un-changed

Almost allLinuxes

SomeLinuxes

How to Co-Install Linux with Windows

1. Verify Windows disk is good (My Computer | Properties | Tools | Disk check)

2. Defrag Windows volume3. Live CD to boot Linux4. Resize Windows partition smaller if you need space5. Create new Linux partition6. Create Linux Swap partition7. Install Linux8. Verify boot selection menu (/boot/grub/menu.lst)

Linux includes the Partitioning, Boot Selection, and Windows-recognition tools you need… free

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

Pick Light Apps !

Abiword OpenOffice 1 (64M)Gnumeric OpenOffice 2 (128M)Dillo Firefox, MozillaTerminal window GUI appsJWM, FVWM Gnome, KDE

Older releases Newer releases of (Acrobat, Winzip, etc) the same products

Office 97 Office 2000, 2003, 2007Notepad WordK-Meleon IE (any version), FirefoxImgBurn, FinalBurner Easy CD Creator, NeroTinyFirewall, Sygate ZoneAlarmAd-aware, AVG ClamWinWindows 98, 3.1 GUIs Vista GUI

Good Bad

Linux

Windows

Lite !

BSD requires minimal resources for older versions -- originally released in 1993

• Inspired Linux• Fast and light (down to 486s)• Apps cover all the bases... but not as many as Linux• Open source

Free BSD

Minix 3

NetBSD NetBSD is a highly configurable Unix-

like open source OS that is highly portable across systems. Dating back to 1993, it runs on many resource-limited computers.

Runs down to 386s and is small enough to run on embedded devices. Details here.

FreeBSD Another heir to BSD, FreeBSD may be the most popular general-purpose BSD system.

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.

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

Learn about today’s DOS at -- www.devedia.com/dosghost/dos/dosw31.asp

Collectable Computers -- www.vintage-computer/vcforum

1. FreeDOS2. OpenDOS3. DR-DOS

CTL-ALT-DEL

Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP)

100 mhz and 64 M + X-terminal PCs Running LTSP Linux

PC Linux Server

See: FreeSoftwareMagazine.com article by Robert Pogson http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/linux_terminal_server

Also: www.ltsp.org

Big Money Saver !

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--

* Trash

* IT co-workers

* Friends

* www.FreeSharing.org

* www.FreeCycle.org

* www.CraigsList.org

* Rummage sales Church rummage sales

FreeSharing works !

(or very low-cost PC)

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 ($5-10)• $ 30 avg / month FAST ($10-40)

AT&T / YahooDSL is

$10 / month !

Where to Donate a PC ?

• 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.

Works? Resources?

VII. The New World of “Free” Computing

• 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 the PC Industry Works

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

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

USAutomotiveIndustry

PCIndustry

High

Low

The Monopoly is Ending

Result --

End of Monopoly

Free software Cheap commodity hardware

PlannedObsolescence

AppropriateTechnology

Low-end Machines Proliferate

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

School requirement

Purchase at Walmart or Target

Laptop Projects

• Millions to be produced• Built-in WIFI• Kid-tough case• Specs, cost in transition

Consumer PC

VIII. Resources

Example Computer Charity Programs

-> 500 mhz or better

-> Give away > 5,000 computers in Dupage Country-> 100 / month-> Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR)

•

-> 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

Alameda County Computer Resource Center (www.accrc.org)

People’s Resource Center (www.peoplesrc.org) Wheaton

Recommended Resources

Free software websites--

Windows-- TheFreeCountry.org MajorGeeks.com

Download.comLinux-- SourceForge.net

Freshmeat.net

Hardware books--

Upgrading & Repairing PCs by Mueller Complete PC Upgrade & Maintenance Guide by Minasi

Hardware Info websites--

1. TomsHardware.com2. PCGuide.com3. Computer.HowStuffWorks.com4. PCMech.pair.com5. PCSupport.About.com

Where to get Drivers--

Windows -- DriverGuide.com Linux -- Linux-Drivers.org

Articles -- http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=06/02/13/1854251http://www.linuxforums.org/desktop/a_linux_distribution_for_an_old_laptop.html http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/free_computing

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