quote: I need a 286 laptop or a 386sx25mhz laptop. I need this to run some old Motorola RSS. It has to have a hard drive, but not a big one by any means. It must also have a 3.5 drive. It needs to actually work and preferably have DOS 5.1 or so on it. NO WINDOWS. Battery need not work but I need to be able to use this computer and it needs to come with a power cord for a wall outlet.
If any of you have one of these, please email me with specs and asking price. He needs it to be able to program the volunteer fire department's radios. Thank you.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
If we're looking to buy old laptops, I'm in the market for a really cheap one, too. I'd prefer Windows, because I've gotten too lazy to use anything else, but I don't really care much about speed or memory. Decent battery life would be nice, but I'm not picky. It'd be best if it's able to accomodate a wireless network card if it doesn't already have one, but even a regular net card is ok.
Sorry I can't help you, Boon.
--Pop
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Boon, there is an old laptop in my basement. A friend who was moving didn't have time to deal with it and I said I'd get it to a recycling program or donate it somewhere for her, and I never did. I have no idea what it's specs are, but when she left it she said it was in reasonable working order. If you don't get a better offer I'll check it when I get home, and let you know. You're welcome to it for the cost of shipping.
Shipping! I still need to send rivka her bag! Drat, drat, drat!
Posted by scottneb (Member # 676) on :
Once again I got a bad image from the thread title. For some reason I thought of an old woman giving a lap-dance.
*shudder*
I really need a break from this place.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
<Tries to erase image from mind.>
Posted by 0range7Penguin (Member # 7337) on :
<Shudder> <Shudder> Posted by scottneb (Member # 676) on :
Glad to share the corruption. Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Thanks, ElJay, that'd be great if you'd check on the specs for me. :-) It can't be too fast, or the program won't work. Maybe if I can't use it, Papa could. :-) No one else has said they have one.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
No problem. I'll be getting home around 8:00 CST tonight... if I don't post, it probably wouldn't hurt to bump the thread to remind me. Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
<Bumps for ElJay. Sorta for ElJay, anyway.>
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
It's only 6:24 CST, Pops. I'm still at work. Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
You meant CDT, then?
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Ooops. Guess so.
Thanks, though. Very thoughtful of you. Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
*wink* I admit to jumping the gun a little, though. *cower*
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
*giggle* Cowering is not necessary.
But considering how long ago this computer was left at my house, I'm betting it'll be old enough to work for Boon.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
In that case, I'm bumping it for everyone else. *beams like a 3-year-old who just pooped on the potty -- and yes, I know what that looks like -- yes, both the child and the poop -- welcome to my life*
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Boy, I really need to clean my basement. But the laptop was right where I thought it was.
It's a Toshiba Satellite. It says 315CDS on it. It is 2 1/8" thick, closed. It has a power cord, and when I plug it in the battery charging light comes on, so it might have battery. It has one of those little eraser mouse buttons, and a real mouse in the bag. The mouse click button is sticky... yuck. It has a 3.5 drive and a CD drive.
HOWEVER. When I turn it on, it says Insert system disk in drive. Press any key when ready...
I have a Mac. I do not have a system disk. So I have no idea if it meets the other requirements. Oh, it does have an Intel Inside pentium processor sticker on it. And on the bottom there's a sticker that says Model No PA1262U VCD, if you can find out from that.
So, if you want to take a chance, Boon's got first dibs, Pops has second. You can have it for the cost of shipping. It weighs... around 10 pounds, according to my bathroom scale.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
I appreciate the specs ElJay. He says he'll have to do the research on it before he commits. I expect that to happen tonight. Can I let you know in the morning?
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Does he specifically need a computer that slow? If so, why? I'd imagine it'd be very hard to find a laptop nowadays that isn't at least a Pentium.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Yes, it really does need to be that slow or the program won't work correctly.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
*laugh* Boon, you can let me know anytime, I don't care. It's been sitting in my basement for a couple of years, another day or 10 won't make a bit of difference. Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
ElJay's won't work, then. It's at least three times too fast.
Has he looked into running a program that artificially limits -- or appears to limit -- clock speeds on modern CPUs? I use a program like this -- or used to -- to run games like Wing Commander and Oregon Trail on a Pentium box.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Fahim does that, too, to play old DOS games. You just need some kind of DOS emulator. Boon, let me know if you need help with that and I'll get info from Fahim.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Those don't work. "Motorola software is smarter than that."
He says if the computer is as fast as what's listed, he has to run MOSLO to get it to work right. I, personally, have no idea what any of this is, but that's what he says.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
If you were to run your hubby's program under DOS on a fast computer, he'd be right. But with a DOS emulator, you can throttle down the CPU speed, which is the whole point of the emulator. Has he tried it?
Fahim say he can try the old DOS games site, or perhaps dosbox.sourceforge.net - there's a forum there where he can talk to the geeks and get some help.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
No, he's not tried a DOS emulator.
The software he's trying to run is Motorola RSS. It's an old, DOS based software to program a Motorola VHF 2-way radio.
Specifically, where do I need to go and what do I need to look for?
Also, ElJay, he said to ask how much shipping would be to 74008?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Go to the www.dosbox.sourceforge.net site - there are DOS emulators there, plus a forum with a tonne of geeks to give him a hand should he need any help.
Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :
I got out the old laptop, and it's a pentium 133, which surprised me. Oh well. Also, the battery is shot. I've thought of getting a new one but it would cost $100 and I'm not sure this hunk of junk is worth it. It'll be a hunk of junk until I try to persuade the man to let it go. He has a velveteen rabbit thing going with machines.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Just my two cents here...and BTW, Papa, I was thinking of posting that same message about how I could use a laptop, but I didn't because it might be solicitation, only to be beaten to the punch by a Mod...
If a emulator would work by limiting teh CPU, then any laptop would work, and perhaps Boon's husband would have acces to one already....
Freeing up the other one for Papa.
If not, well, Boon should still have dibs, of course..
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Well, he doesn't have one already, except for MINE. And I need it here...I do some work with it and need it available. (And there truly isn't room for any extra programs on it unless I delete some of mine, and that would not make me very happy.)
So if we can get the program to work on ElJay's computer, great, and if not, Mr. Moose is welcome to it.
You know, I didn't even think about it being solicitation, and I'm sorry if that's what I've done. I was just hoping that my geek friends could help out the volunteer fire department. Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I don't think it is, really. You dodn't ask to sell something, either goods or services, and this type of thread has happened here before.
I think that rule is in place so this doesn't turn into swap meet, and to give them a reason/justification to boot anyone who abuses it, like the idiots who spam everone on a site.
I just liked the irony of Papa Moose beating me to the punch.....you too, really, because I almost posted a thread like this a few days ago, because I could use a cheap laptop for my new job as a mortgage loan officer, but I never got around to it.
It's a 386, but it has a hard drive, external floppy, and as far as I know it works. I will have to dig up the power supply to confirm. Will follow up tomorrow.
I won't need anything save covering the cost of packing and shipping from Northern VA.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Well, that might work perfect for Boon...and that means Papa gets one too!
Everyone wins but me....
[ April 28, 2005, 01:13 AM: Message edited by: Kwea ]
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Shipping is from 55406... It looks like it would be about 10 bucks sending it parcel post.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Alright. Can I send you PayPal or would a money order be better?
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I don't have paypal to get money... do you still have my address from the KamaCon shirts? I think I still have yours... I'll go ahead and send it and let you know what actual shipping is, I'm sure you're good for it. Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Actually, I do not still have your mailing address. Mostly, I do not keep such things past their intended usage period.
I'll be happy to send you a check or money order as soon as I get it though. Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Jason, did you check on that?
ElJay, did you send it?
The fire department is in need here...and if I can get ElJay's to work, even for a few days, it would help tremendously. Then, if Jason's works, I'll send ElJay's on to Papa Moose. I'll even install Windows 98 on it before I send it. Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
But what about me? Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Boon, not sent yet... I checked my spreadsheet from KamaCon, and I have two addresses listed for you, a PO Box and a physical address. Which should I use? I'll be sending it USPS, but I don't know if you can get packages at your PO Box address.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
The PO Box would be best...sometimes the weather is nasty this time of year and packages left by our mailbox out front sometimes dissappear. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Okay. I just need to find a box it will fit in...
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Will it fit in one of those flatish rectangular priority mail boxes? I think they're about 10 X 12 X 2 or so...
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Nope, it won't. It actually fits almost perfectly in the lid to a Xerox paper box except it's a little too tall, I'm thinking of taping a second one on top and sending it that way.
(With lots of packing tape.)
[ May 02, 2005, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: ElJay ]
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
That would work. Send it priority mail anyway? I'll pay whatever the shipping is.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Sure, if you want me to. You want to put an upper limit on that? If it's over $XX you don't want it sent priority?
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
$20?
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Okay. I'll probably go this afternoon, then. I'll let you know... it depends on how my next call goes, if I can make it before they close.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Great! Thank you SO much.
I'll send you a receipt too...for tax purposes. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
If ElJay is correct about it weighing 10 pounds, parcel post is $9 and priority is $12.60. If you can get it into the priority flat rate box it'll be less than $8.
At 12 pounds, priority would still only be $14 (flat box is the same rate up to 70 pounds), and parcel is $10.
To hit $20 sent priority, it would have to be over 20 pounds.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
(rivka's bag is sitting right next to the laptop, to be mailed on the same trip. )
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Great. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I didn't make it to the post office before it closed yesterday, but I did go this morning. Both packages are on their way. I was a little concerned that they wouldn't like my improvised "box" for Boon's, but I taped it up well and they didn't even bat an eye.
rivka, I just sent yours parcel post, so they said 5 - 6 days. Boon, yours is priority, should be there within 2 days.
Hope they both work out!
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Yay! Send me an email with the amount and address?
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I'll send one when I get home... don't have your email addy here with me.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
*points to profile link*
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote: Yay! Send me an email with the amount and address?
Ditto, please. And thanks!
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
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I'll be getting home around 8:00 CST tonight... if I don't post, it probably wouldn't hurt to bump the thread to remind me. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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