[Trlog] Problem with "slowness" in the CQ160 Contest

[Doug Freestone]

True, Tor, for the small FF boxes.

e.g. The small form factor Model 8171-xyz has just one PCI slot but despite 
the small size has 2 serial, one parallel plus 6 USB-2 ports on the back 
plus two more USB-2 on the front.

The "standard" large desktop form factor boxes like the Model 8171-xyz have 
the same 6 USB ports and serial/parallel ports and 4 PCI slots for normal 
height PCI cards.  There's yet another variation with a mid-size footprint, 
low profile case ( e.g. 8303-xyz) but it will take only 3 lo-profile PCI 
cards.   Video chipsets vary by model, it seems.   The available 
documentation is fairly explicit as to what you get.
-- 
doug  ve5uf



At 12:12 2/6/2009, rt_clay at bellsouth.net wrote:

>
>  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 at 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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