The main problem I can see is that many of those are small-form-factor
machines and may have limited pci slots (2?). It won't be possible to add a
couple of sound cards (sdr use), extra ports, etc. The integrated video is
also not great if you are doing heavy SDR use...
Tor
N4OGW
-------------- Original message from Doug Freestone <dougf@sasktel.net>:
--------------
> Pete:
> As an alternative to building a contest or general purpose shack machine
> from scratch, have you considered these (NO assembly required):
> http://www-304.ibm.com/shop/americas/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/default/CategoryD
> isplay?storeId=124&catalogId=-124&langId=124&categoryId=2576395
>
> Many are HT 3GHz P4s and all are built as only IBM can build things, c/w
> serial and parallel ports and even floppy drives in some models and XP-Pro
> already installed. Some are under $200 incl shipping. Detailed
> documentation is available from the website.
>
> I have purchased several of these for my own use and for customers (I'm a
> small WISP) and all have worked as advertised. A few of them were in
> pristine condition - perhaps had never been deployed.
>
> STD DISCLAIMER: I am not associated with IBM in any way and have no
> connection with the sale of these machines. They just represent excellent
> value, IMHO.
> --
> 73, doug ve5uf
>
>
>
> At 05:44 2/6/2009, Pete Smith wrote:
> >At 11:03 PM 2/5/2009, Jim George wrote:
> > >Thanks to all for the suggestions. Most suggested I run SMARTDRV. Believe
> > >it or not, I was using DOS 5.0, which does not support either DEFRAG or
> > >SMARTDRV. My friend and wizard in a number of areas here, Jim, W5JAW,
> > >helped me find a nice new OEM version of DOS 6.22 and then installed it
> > >with me looking over his shoulder. The DEFRAG helped a little, however the
> > >SMARTDRV really did the job. It seems to me (unscientific) that when I
> > >moved from my standby TR 6.78 to TR 6.93, the program ran slower on my
> > >albatross PC. In any event, going to SMARTDRV did the trick and now my 66
> > >MHz IBM PC is running TR like a champ again. It had gotten so slow that it
> > >was taking 4 to 5 seconds to "process" a QSO and complete the logging.
> > >Obviously that was not going to work.
> > >
> > >Thanks to several of you who suggested the SMARTDRV and to W5JAW who helped
> > >me switch over.
> > >
> > >Jim N3BB
> >
> >Congrats, Jim - you win the prize for the oldest, slowest computer and
> >operating system still in use by a top-grade contester! A 66 MHz IBM! wow
> >- words fail me!
> >
> >Actually, the serious point of this message is to suggest that people take
> >a look at just how cheap a decently competent computer is these days. I
> >just bought one (in pieces) to use as a dedicated machine for CW
> >Skimmer. Total cost, including Windows XP operating system and a wireless
> >network adapter, was $375. If anyone is interested I'll be happy to share
> >the details. I'm no hardware or software jock, had only built one machine
> >from scratch before, but this time went very smoothly. I could have
> >updated the main shack computer, but cringed at the thought of
> >re-installing literally hundreds of programs, so I went this route instead,
> >and I'm very glad I did.
> >
> >73, Pete N4ZR
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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>
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