Author Topic: old wx computer???  (Read 3198 times)

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Offline offroadjosh

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old wx computer???
« on: July 20, 2009, 02:13:06 PM »
my grandparents got rid of there 2002 P4 mini computer that was custom built and has been REALLY reliable. So i am wondering if i can use it as a reliable wx computer for years to come vs setting my current puter to a wx comp and building a general use computer. I would install a new HD in my grandparents puter if you guys think the computer would work.(again its P4 uhhh its pretty damn slow but like i said its been super reliable never needed anyhting and runs XP.)



Josh
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Offline Cienega32

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Re: old wx computer???
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2009, 02:26:20 PM »
That's all I'm running - P4s. The WL software was running on an HP laptop 1.6GHz w/ 1 Gig of ram, 60 Gig HD and XP Pro for a few months before I shuffled it over to the desktop P4 3GHz that's been running as my main box since 2003 or so.

I've read members here that use P3s and almost makes me want to dig one of my old ones out of storage just for the Wx stuff.

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Offline offroadjosh

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Re: old wx computer???
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2009, 02:28:14 PM »
awesome!! so i think you just confirmed my idea of replacing the old HD in it and going ahead and running it as my wx computer, doesnt need to be a special high speed puter:)


Josh
Josh Patten

Davis VP2 Wireless -May 2008
VWS 14.00P90\WL 5.9.9/Plus others!
Skywarn trained
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http://josh.northwestwx.com/station/usa.htm
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Offline wxtech

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Re: old wx computer???
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2009, 03:38:46 PM »
Don't call me old (I'll show you old).  I'm a P4 HP Pavilion 950 custom built @ over $2000 in 2002.  I'm a 2.2 GHz XP Professional machine.  I've outlived a Compaq which is now a flowerpot, and two laptops.  
I've been running VWS since May 2004.  I have my original hard drive and some added drive trays.  My Zip drive is still installed but no longer used.  My power has remained on since unboxing.  
My power supply was fried by a house electrical failure, but was quickly repaired.
Al Washington, Lexington, Ga.,  NWS Coop station=LXTG1, Fischer Porter, SRG, MMTS. 
CoCoRaHS=GA-OG-1. CWOP=CW2074.  Davis VP2+ WLIP 5.9.2, VP(original) serial, VWS v15.00 p02. ImageSalsa, Win7 & Win8 all-in-one.

Offline sam2004gp

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Re: old wx computer???
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2009, 04:20:04 PM »
Yes use that computer.  I am running a P2 at 300MHZ for my weather box and it works fine.  Don't send it to the landfill, either use it or send it to me.
SAM --->>> http://www.mountcrawfordweather.org
OS WMR-968 with a Dedicated PWS Weather Computer running VWS v13.01 p09


Offline offroadjosh

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Re: old wx computer???
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2009, 04:45:32 PM »
Thanks guys i will use that computer!:-)



Josh
Josh Patten

Davis VP2 Wireless -May 2008
VWS 14.00P90\WL 5.9.9/Plus others!
Skywarn trained
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Smith Valley Fire Dept Firefighter:)
http://josh.northwestwx.com/station/usa.htm
CWOP-DW0711
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Offline CNYWeather

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Re: old wx computer???
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2009, 04:46:04 PM »
Well one of my Weather Computers motherboard died. This is the computer I have the Boltek detector in
and run my GR Level 3 on. It's now on a spare I had laying around,
a 1998 Dell. 384 megs of super fast PC300 ram, pretty sure it's around a
1.4 Ghz processor, floppy drive, smoking fast 32x CD drive also. Goes for
a month or 2 till it needs a reboot.

I'd use the old computer Josh.
Tony




Offline ncpilot

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Re: old wx computer???
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2009, 09:12:57 PM »
Well one of my Weather Computers motherboard died. This is the computer I have the Boltek detector in
and run my GR Level 3 on. It's now on a spare I had laying around,
a 1998 Dell. 384 megs of super fast PC300 ram, pretty sure it's around a
1.4 Ghz processor, floppy drive, smoking fast 32x CD drive also. Goes for
a month or 2 till it needs a reboot.

I'd use the old computer Josh.

C'mon, don't make us all jealous!!  :lol:
Marc
Wilmington, NC
"Monkey Junction Weather"
Davis VP2 wireless, WeatherLink

Offline Cienega32

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Re: old wx computer???
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2009, 11:52:44 PM »
If you're planning on upgrading any 184 pin DDR mem, don't wait too long. That stuff is getting expensive - 60 bucks for 2x1G dual channel.

Then again, I paid $150 for the 2x512M Kingston Hyper X when I built the one box I mentioned.

Pat ~ Davis VP2 6153-Weatherlink-Weather Display-StartWatch-VirtualVP-Win7 Pro-64bit
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Offline port1

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Re: old wx computer???
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2009, 07:16:53 AM »
If you're planning on upgrading any 184 pin DDR mem, don't wait too long. That stuff is getting expensive - 60 bucks for 2x1G dual channel.

Then again, I paid $150 for the 2x512M Kingston Hyper X when I built the one box I mentioned.

 :-) Josh, I ditto the quote.
You may need some more memory, but that machine will be fine for you as a Wx puter.
Go for it...and make sure you have a UPS for it.  ;)
 8-)

Henry
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Offline mackbig

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Re: old wx computer???
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2009, 08:18:35 AM »
Wow things are relative.  I think My '93 486DX2, cost me around $60 (or was it $120) per MB.

Andrew

If you're planning on upgrading any 184 pin DDR mem, don't wait too long. That stuff is getting expensive - 60 bucks for 2x1G dual channel.
Then again, I paid $150 for the 2x512M Kingston Hyper X when I built the one box I mentioned.

Andrew - Davis VP2+ 6163, serial weatherlink, wireless anemometer, running Weather Display.  Boltek PCI Stormtracker, Astrogenic Nexstorm, Strikestar - UNI, CWOP CW8618, GrLevel3, (Station 2 OS WMR968, VWS 13.01p09), Windows 7-64

Offline wxtech

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Re: old wx computer???
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2009, 10:03:13 AM »
awesome!! so i think you just confirmed my idea of replacing the old HD in it and going ahead and running it as my wx computer, doesnt need to be a special high speed puter:)
Josh
Why not leave the old hard drive with the operating system in place and add a second, maybe higher capacity hard drive?
My drive has been running continuously for 7 years with nary a single problem.  I never turn power off, just re-boot once/twice a month as needed.
Al the Wxtech
Al Washington, Lexington, Ga.,  NWS Coop station=LXTG1, Fischer Porter, SRG, MMTS. 
CoCoRaHS=GA-OG-1. CWOP=CW2074.  Davis VP2+ WLIP 5.9.2, VP(original) serial, VWS v15.00 p02. ImageSalsa, Win7 & Win8 all-in-one.