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Old hardware back in service for Propeller programming — Parallax Forums

Old hardware back in service for Propeller programming

Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
edited 2011-05-04 13:27 in General Discussion
I had a customer hand me an old laptop tonight. It was gently cared for, and being in such nice shape, I thought I'd take the challenge to see if the unit could be re-purposed for programming the Propeller.

A Sony VAIO 933Mhz w/128 MB of ram.

Success!

* Installed Puppylinux (http://www.puppylinux.org)
* Plugged in a USB wireless adapter
* Installed BST for Linux & TTF font.

I'm running right at the edge of memory writing this message using the "PuppyBrowser", so I think I'll cheat and add another 128mb of ram. The system is reasonable fast, usuable, and saw the Propeller immediately.

So now I've got this extra, really nice Propeller workstation. What shall I do with it? Anyone know anyone (verifiable) who would benefit from having it for learning the Propeller? Ideally someone who doesn't have hardware resources?

OBC

Comments

  • TtailspinTtailspin Posts: 1,326
    edited 2011-05-03 20:52
    So now I've got this extra, really nice Propeller workstation. What shall I do with it?
    Supposing of course, one was holding a particularly large Unofficial Exposition type gathering...
    Something like that could draw alot of blood and blankets if it were used in a Red Cross drawing. :love:

    Just Sayin. :smile:

    Regards
    Tommy
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2011-05-03 20:53
    Personally, I would love to learn the Propellar and all it has to offer. I have been using the BS2 series of micro controllers and think it is time to move on.
  • davidsaundersdavidsaunders Posts: 1,559
    edited 2011-05-03 21:00
    Write an IDE for the Propeller demo/.proto-board :) , using an editor in the style of QB4.5. Then you will have two nice new Propeller development systems :) .
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2011-05-04 09:02
    Ttailspin wrote: »
    Something like that could draw alot of blood and blankets if it were used in a Red Cross drawing. :love:

    A good idea.. Think I'll couple it with a Propeller and toss it in the suitcase.

    OBC
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2011-05-04 09:13
    I have installed Windows XP on a 233mhz laptop and 64mb ram,
    Works pretty good as long I don't upgrade to SP2.
    So XP should work great on your system too.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2011-05-04 09:25
    There is a Windoze home license on the bottom of the unit, but being so light on memory you would really need a min of 512mb of ram to have a functional system with antivirus (avast) running. Typical minimum installs result in memory usage of around 240mb of ram at boot (with SP3/Antivirus).

    OBC
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,935
    edited 2011-05-04 11:27
    OBC: Would you be interested in helping me duplicate that setup on an old NEC Versa Laptop that has a 233MMX processor? It currently has a "new" install of Windows 95 and runs rather well. If I remember correctly, I have a 4GB SSD as the hard drive in it. The power adapter cable needs some TLC, but otherwise it works great. I thought about having it at UPEW as an extra workstation for someone to use, but donating it for the raffle is another good idea.
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2011-05-04 13:27
    I'm game if only to see if BST will function at 233Mhz. The real test is compile and install Boulderdash (which I think is the largest spin program currently). If the workstation is going to be useful, I'd make sure it has 256mb of ram at least.

    OBC
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