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What to do with 486 computer
Question: I recently upgraded to a new Pentium 133 Mhzcomputer. I have
tried very hard to sell my old 486SX 25Mhz machine but no
takers. What am I going to do with this old pal? I wonder
if I can connect my two computers together by some kind
of hardware or software to make them work as one and resulted
in a slightly more powerful machine than my new Pentium
133?
Answer: Your question is probably one of the most asked by computer users today.
Your 486 system is on the low end of the 486 PCs so it's
approaching boat anchor status. It's fine if you're willing
to use software that is as old as it is. Without major upgrades
,running newer software on it will drive you a little nutty.
You could consider upgrading the processor to a high-end
486 or a Pentium Overdrive chip. More info on this is at
www.intel.com.
You might also consider adding more RAM.
Setting up a home network might be fun, especially if you're into head-to-head games, like Doom or Marathon. "If he feels adventurous he could set up a two-system network very simply," said Mathew Fiszer, a senior support advisor at CompuSmart in West Edmonton. "Both systems would be able to share their resources."
All you'd need to accomplish this is two network cards and a network cable. CompuSmart sells a network starter kit from StarTech which includes two ISA network cards, 25 feet of coaxial network cable and comprehensive instructions on the setup for $99.95. "It gives you the ability to connect up to 30 computers or printers together," said Fiszer.
That method wouldn't produce a more powerful computer, though. If you want symmetrical processing capability, which means hooking the two together to make one powerful computer that shares tasks between two processors, it can be done, but enters into the domain of the computer hobbyist.
"It would take considerable electronic/computer engineering know-how," explained Christopher Salvador, a tech whiz at Edmonton's Vicom Multimedia. "There are actually devices that can fit into the respective ISA slots of the two computers, connected by a cable and when the proper software drivers are installed, can facilitate a type of symmetrical processing."
As you may expect, there are limitations to this scheme."Unfortunately, to achieve this 'hack' both processors chips would have to be identical," said Salvador. "It's definitely in the realm of dedicated hobbyists and hackers."
Maybe your best solution is to be charitable. Take it down the street to a local church, school or various boys and girls clubs around your city.
If there are charities or non-profit organizations out there that take donated computer equipment, e-mail me, I'd be happy to run a list in an upcoming column.
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If this column still doesn't fully help you with your
computer query or answer questions that you may have, you
should contact Tech24
for personalized help with your problem.
Question: There is a daily journal program on my old Tandy 1000 that I would like to move as I can't find any similar software to buy. If you know of any Diary software I think I would as soon go in that direction. Can you help?
Answer: There's a decent piece of software called "Journal"out there available via the Web. You can order it and/or download it from the Web at www.busprod.com or, if you don't have access to the Web, you could e-mail the author at davidrm@busprod.com.
The distributor is: Kagi, 1442-A Walnut Street #392 Berkeley, CA
94709-1405, USA.
E-mail :kagi@kagi.com and their fax number is: (510) 652 6589.
They didn't publish their phone number.
***
If this column still doesn't fully help
you with your Windows service pack query or answer questions
that you may have, you should contact Tech24
for personalized help with your problem.
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Adding RAM is easy, 
