Refurbs, yea or nay?

[DontSayBanana]

Well, I've got too many computers (3 Compaqs, a Dell, a Cybernet Elite-II "Zero Footprint PC," and the laptop from which I'm posting).  Mostly, they're not real usable- one of the Compaqs is a 486 that I was going to put Windows 3.1 on as a nostalgia piece, and the Cybernet is one of those crazy over-soldered proprietary "form factors" that only leaves enough room for a single PCI expansion slot; it looks like my prime candidate is the middle Compaq- it claims to be ATX form factor (the newest one is uATX, so I can't really get a motherboard that'd fit in it anymore), so I'm wondering if, with some hacking of the hard drive cage, it could be made to accept a more modern motherboard (it's currently sitting with a P2 600 MHz in it).  I wouldn't even try with the Dell because of Dell's whacky "easy connector" schemes- I'm sure that hacking that cage would be more trouble than its worth.  Any opinions?

[Grey Fox]

Nay.

I should have read the post.

I really don't know what you are asking?

[Josquius]

Cases are the least of concerns when buying a new computer. Just get a new case.

[DontSayBanana]

Basically, 3 of my 5 computers are mothballed.  I'm thinking of modernizing one so that I can use it as a starting point for a pieced-out gaming rig, assembled over time.  Does anybody with some familiarity with those older Compaq towers know if it really is close enough to ATX spec for me to gut it and start putting in a new mobo, processor and hardware, or is it one of those ones that claims to be "ATX" just because it's a tower layout with stacked PCI ports?

[Grey Fox]

You shooting yourself in the foot by wanting to build a computer out of those thing.

Get yourself a modern real case, something like the HAF922 or 932.

[Caliga]

one of the Compaqs is a 486 that I was going to put Windows 3.1 on as a nostalgia piece

Why on earth would you want to do that?  I understand C64/SNES nostalgia... but what memorable software ran under Windows 3.1? 

[DGuller]

one of the Compaqs is a 486 that I was going to put Windows 3.1 on as a nostalgia piece

Why on earth would you want to do that?  I understand C64/SNES nostalgia... but what memorable software ran under Windows 3.1? 

Microsoft Word 6.0.

[Josquius]

one of the Compaqs is a 486 that I was going to put Windows 3.1 on as a nostalgia piece

Why on earth would you want to do that?  I understand C64/SNES nostalgia... but what memorable software ran under Windows 3.1? 

Old DOS games.


I'm really not understanding what you're doing here...cases cost £40 or so. Good modern internal components on the other hand are closer to £100. The case is one of the cheaper things to buy when building a new computer.

[Caliga]

Dude there are plenty of DOS emulators.  You don't need Win 3.1 to do anything in DOS.

[Barrister]

I'm really not understanding what you're doing here...cases cost £40 or so. Good modern internal components on the other hand are closer to £100. The case is one of the cheaper things to buy when building a new computer.

QFT.

First time I ever said that for a Jos post...

[grumbler]

Microsoft Word 6.0.

WordPerfect Office 

[Darth Wagtaros]

M.U.L.E.

[Caliga]

M.U.L.E.

Well that would be a reason for a C64 emulator. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6L6MhSgpgo