[Hallicrafters] Clocks and MSFT (long)

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 29 Mar 2008 at 20:52, Bob Macklin wrote:

> And I don't plan to buy any more MSFT products!
> 
> Bob Macklin

Although MicroSnot no longer "supports" Windoze 98 as far 
as new upgrades, etc, are concerned, they DO still provide 
all the updates which were available up until that time in 
2006 when support was supposed to stop.

However, in order to get to the downloads and install them, 
you have to, simply, FIRST install Internet Explorer ver 6.0 
SP 1, which is available from MicroSnot's website 
(support.microsoft.com) as a download.

After you have done that, then you simply, from within your 
new IE 6.1, click on "Tools" then "Windows Update" and 
follow the prompts.

As part of my job, I recently had to go through 14 surplussed 
laptops to cull out those that still worked well, vs those that 
didn't.

I found that 95% of the OLD laptops, those which originally 
had Windoze 95, 98 or 98SE installed on them, still worked 
perfectly...even the old batteries still worked fine. 

Most power-supplies also worked fine. Those that didn't only 
needed the connector at the end fixed in most cases.

Those laptops that didn't have original power supplies could 
easily use one that was used on another manufacturer's 
laptop, since there are only about 3 unique voltage/current 
requirements for all laptops. Most take 19 VDC at 3.15 
amps, and that info is usually listed on the bottom of the 
laptop.

I then wiped the HDs, and reinstalled Windoze 98SE from 
an original install CD (I hardly ever throw anything away), 
and did the above.

THEN I discovered that all of the various motherboard 
drivers (video, LAN, modem, sound, etc) are also still 
available from several sources easily reached on the 
Internet.

This site:

http://www.driveragent.com/

is a gigantic help for this sort of thing...

So, now I have a nice little laptop to use with my PK-232-
MBX for Packet, etc, in the shack!

Those Win98SE boxes are really not up to snuff for 98% of 
modern users of computers or modern bloated software, but 
they work PERFECTLY in the shack.

In fact, I was told to "...get rid of..." any laptop which would 
not support Windoze 2K Pro or XP. One of those missed the 
dumpster and landed in my shack. :-)

I was told by the guys at surplus (here on the U. of I. 
campus) that they could sometimes get as much as $30.00 
(!) for a working old laptop with all the accessories, and that 
it wasn't worth the paperwork hassle.

Oh, BTW, after installing Win98SE and doing all the 
available updates, the system now is correct for DST.

Oh...another BTW...if you wanted to upgrade the HD in any 
of these old laptops, larger IDE HDs are available on Epay 
for very little. I bought a good, working 60 GB HD for a 
laptop for $41.00. 

ALL laptop HDs are identical (except for the newest SATA 
drives) and are easily replaced. Also, older laptop memory is 
VERY cheap, and most laptops require the same kind. I.e., 
memory "chips" are NOT unique to the manufacturer.

Some laptops are really "weird" to disassemble, but all it 
takes is patience, imagination, and a couple of small Phillips 
screwdrivers.

Most laptops I have experimented with output very low 
levels of RF noise, unlike most desktops.

So this is yet another reason why a laptop might be very 
useful in the shack.

Also, they all can accept a full-sized keyboard, mouse, and 
a full-sized monitor. Some monitors, however, output a 
TERRIBLE amount of RF noise so be aware.

Lastly, AVGFree (free.grisoft.com) and some other 
antivirus/antispyware programs work perfectly with 
Win98SE.

Ken Gordon W7EKB