[ubuntu-za] Very old computers

[Robert]

On Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 7:45 AM, Mark Stockton <mark at linuxworx.co.za> wrote:

> Hi Bill
>
> You might want to look at the Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP). Some
> time
> back I ran an entire creditors department for a large retail group using
> diskless P1's thin clients with 32mb ram networked to a reasonable server.
>
> Regards
>
> Mark
>
> "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's
> limits."
>                -- Albert Einstein
>
> ---------- Original Message -----------
> From: Bill Cairns <cairnsww at gmail.com>
> To: Ubuntu South African Local Community <ubuntu-za at lists.ubuntu.com>
> Sent: Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:19:50 +0200
> Subject: [ubuntu-za] Very old computers
>
> > Our computer club (here in Kokanje - far in the bushveld) has been
> > given, over time, a lot of very old computers. We have eight which
> > may still work, but which are so old that it is difficult to know
> > what to do with them. They are all "pre-pentium", most do not have
> > CD drives of any sort while some (two I think)  have ancient CD
> > readers.  Don't ask about USB ports. None of the disk drives seem to
> > work, but we do have some spare disks that might be compatible.
> >
> > Can I make a bootable Xubuntu stiffy? Or is a stiffy just too small?
> >
> > Any other ideas?
> >
> > There is an insatiable demand for cheap computers up here. But of
> > course, they must work!
> >
> > Bill
> >
> > --
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> > ubuntu-za at lists.ubuntu.com
> > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-za
> ------- End of Original Message -------
>
>
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Hi Bill

I agree with Mark that a Linux Thin Client setup would probably be the best.
What you could do, is download a copy of Edubuntu, and install that onto a
decent server. Then hook the other computers up to the server with network
cards that support lan booting and you'll be able to put them to good use,
even without disk drives, much ram, or fast processors.

According to the page at
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToCookEdubuntu/Chapters/HardwareRequirements,
you'll need at least:

233MHz with 48MB ram. 2MB video ram.

The network cards (which with many clients, should preferably be gigabit),
and obviously the server will be the other expense.

The server should have Raid, 256MB Ram + 128 MB per client, and a decent
processor like a Xeon, or a dual/quad core.

Problem is you wouldn't really be able to sell them, however you would be
able to donate them to a school, or even set up your own computer lab.

Good Luck

Robert
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