Any Computer Builders Here?

[dickn52]

Nice...but was there a question that I read over?

 

[chop house]

i just let my kids do it and take their hand-me-downs. i spent 40 years designing military hardware - including airborne weapon systems micro-coded bit slice machines in the early days and tactical missile hard-coded fft processors in the later.

so referencing 'building' a computer is akin to the debate recently held on the forum about 'building' a rifle.... might we say 'acquired and assembled'?

i would rather piddle with ballistics now.

 

[outasite`08]

i just let my kids do it and take their hand-me-downs. i spent 40 years designing military hardware - including airborne weapon systems micro-coded bit slice machines in the early days and tactical missile hard-coded fft processors in the later.

so referencing 'building' a computer is akin to the debate recently held on the forum about 'building' a rifle.... might we say 'acquired and assembled'?

i would rather piddle with ballistics now.

You might want to borrow group therapy's flamesuit! It`s coming,just don`t know from where. Jeff

 

[chop house]

You might want to borrow group therapy's flamesuit! It`s coming,just don`t know from where. Jeff

ruh roh!

i did my time. ain't too skeerd. everyone needs a hobby. some like 'puters.

 

[Fuj]

Now that I think about it, I did put together a computer in 1993ish. The first desktop PC I bought was in 1991, a 386SX16 with a 106 meg HD. I don't remember how much RAM. In 1993 remember buying a 486DX50 on a motherboard in a case with perhaps 512k of RAM from CDW, then I moved the other parts over.

I still have a running DX-4/100 with 32k of Ram. I can still use
it for email if the main goes down. For shit's an giggle's it even
has the first version of Netscape loaded !! It can still bring up
sites but all graphics much be off. Main purpose though is when
the grand kids show up. They think Wolfenstein is pretty cool.
Can we say 28800 baud PCI modem ??

 

[jepp2]

so you have to buy a copy of windows right?

Did you get a copy of the Win 7 operating system when you bought your computer? I have the Iso file for Win 10, and probably have a Win 7 install disk somewhere around here. If you need it, I'll check.

Doing a format and a clean install of the operating system every couple of years really keeps the machines running well. It gets rid of all the programs that you don't want anymore. I keep all my files on my NAS, so it makes it pretty painless.

I just checked, you can still get the Win 7 iso file here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

 

[JFrank]

I just use an I phone

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

The problem with most builders is that they overbuild. Unless you are a gamer, You don't need a super fast CPU. Most folks use their computers for email and news along with special forums like this one. Unless you are building a computer for complex calculations, the CPU speed is not that important. Even a slow CPU will be super fast with a Ram tailored to your needs. Want to run several programs simultaneously, Ram is the answer.

At this time, I am running a computer I built when the I-7 chip first came out. It has 32 Gb of memory and is lightening fast. I had to replace the video card several years ago and was able to find an exact used one to replace it for a few dollars. If you are going for overkill, the best place to start is the power supply, which is usually the first thing to quit because folks underpower their builds.

My first computer was wire wrapped and had soldered. Thank goodness we don't have to do that anymore.

 

[jelenko]

micro-coded bit slice machines in the early days and tactical missile hard-coded fft processors

Just wow. Very detailed, precise work! In applications that can't fail.

 

[jelenko]

I still have a running DX-4/100 with 32k of Ram. I can still use
it for email if the main goes down. For shit's an giggle's it even
has the first version of Netscape loaded !! It can still bring up
sites but all graphics much be off. Main purpose though is when
the grand kids show up. They think Wolfenstein is pretty cool.
Can we say 28800 baud PCI modem ??

Wow. And modems started at 300 baud!

 

[chop house]

They think Wolfenstein is pretty cool.

so do i... haha

i'm so old i programmed - i mean 'patched' - analog computers in undergrad. then i learned to do base 2 arithmetic. here is my first machine:


btw, if anyone is looking for ssi/msi parts, either commercial or mil temp range, i have a stash.....

 

[group therapy]

You might want to borrow group therapy's flamesuit! It`s coming,just don`t know from where. Jeff

 

[mensajd]

Assembling computers is a fun and useful hobby. But I haven't been able to source a decent GPU board in ages.

 

[Joe R]

I thought this was going to be a thread for young guys, it turns out its more fossils reminiscing about the old days .

Since you all have significant early computer memories, you may like the Netflix series "Halt and catch fire".

Joe

 

[jelenko]

so do i... haha

i'm so old i programmed - i mean 'patched' - analog computers in undergrad. then i learned to do base 2 arithmetic. here is my first machine:

View attachment 1204202
btw, if anyone is looking for ssi/msi parts, either commercial or mil temp range, i have a stash.....

Did you work in the semiconductor industry? I was in sales/marketing when MSI [i.e., registers, flip flops, etc] first came out.

 

[chop house]

you may like the Netflix

what's a 'netflix'?

 

[Intheshop]

I thought it was like,vs being a contractor......... you know,computer wood working or cabmet making heros.

We've used a few old computers as longrange targets, does that count or is it a different field?

 

[Joe R]

what's a 'netflix'?

You are joking right?

If not go to www.netflix.com

 

[chop house]

Nice...but was there a question that I read over?

yes. it's in the thread title. i think the answer is 'yes'...

 

[xring]

I waited over 20 years for a Flat-Screen TV . How long do I have to wait for a Star Trek Computer ? Why do we have Alexa which can execute all sorts of Verbal Commands , but we are still punching Keyboards with sore fingers ? I would be happy to Verbally access a dozen Sites , order stuff on these Sites , Ebay , etc. and Copy anything I like on the Screen . What's the hold-up ? When do we leave the dark age Computers ? Rant off !