Windows 3.1, Gateway 2000 4DX2-66V 286: soliciting advice 3

[SantaMufasa]

Earlier this week, a 60-year-old, low-income friend handed me their Windows 3.1, Gateway 2000 4DX2-66V 286 box and asked me to "check it out" for them. I loaded it up with as much RAM as the slots would physically accommodate (192MB). The machine would address only the first 7MB of RAM !

Neither they nor I have the fundage to buy them a new machine. All they really want to use the machine for is surfing the web and accessing their yahoo.com e-mail account.

Before I spend anymore time "checking it out" for them, can anyone tell me if IE will even run on this boat anchor? Can I obtain/download the Java components to make this thing run IE? What other landmines will I trip over with this thing?

(Remember back in the days when Win3.1 was bleeding edge and we were thrilled with a 300 baud modem.)

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I can provide you with low-cost, remote Database Administration services: see our website and contact me via www.dasages.com]

 

[edfair]

Can't offer any more than my opinion that it will be an IED in it's effect on you.
At the selling prices I see on Dell GX1 PII 350s I think we can probably come up with enough moola to fund one for your friend. If we can just find a shop that handles them in Sandy, or close by.
If I had a method of transfer I would send one off the pile.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[SantaMufasa]

Ed,

You are a gentleman and a scholar ! I wouldn't expect you to go to that kind of effort, but if you can tell me more about what you are seeing out there, perhaps I can squeeze some blood out of my "turnip bank account" and take care of business on this end.

Thanks, Mister!

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I can provide you with low-cost, remote Database Administration services: see our website and contact me via www.dasages.com]

 

[GlenJohnson]

Dave, can they get down to the local library, if there is one, where a lot of them have Internet access for free? Just a thought.

Glen A. Johnson
If you like fun and sun, check out Tek-Tips Florida Forum

 

[SkipCox]

Putting a machine together is not a big problem...shipping costs are. How 'bout I just send you a twenty to contribute to the effort.

I'm sure you can find 'em a decent PIII for a price that won't kill us. Last one I bought on ebay was a 1.0Ghz tower and keyboard for 55 bucks...got the mobo and proc I needed and plenty of leftovers to build another giveaway machine.

IE, yahoo, and everything else is getting to be a hog nowdays. Netscape3 ain't gonna do the job for old machines anymore and sure won't allow stuff like yahoo mail to run.

I'll give you a call in the morning for a mailing address.

Skip

http://skipcox.net

 

[edfair]

The Piis had been in the $40 retail range until a recent surge in lease returns, when I picked up 10 of them for $90. (wholesale-no warranty)
These deals come from medium size dealers that take trades.

I did a quick ebay scan. They are selling from $10 up and shipping in the $30 to $40 range. Didn't see anything in the SLC area but will scan occasionally. A SLC sale with local pickup should be a pretty good deal, especially with the train service rather than driving in.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[SantaMufasa]

You folks are GREAT ! I appreciate your unselfish, thoughtful suggestions.

Presently, I'm checking our local sources for old machines that will give the functionality we're looking for. I'll re-post here when we get a resolution along the lines that you have suggested.

Have some Purple Stars, not only for helpful solutions, but also selfless solutions...willing to help people in need.

Kind regards,

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I can provide you with low-cost, remote Database Administration services: see our website and contact me via www.dasages.com]

 

[diogenes10]

What about the video/monitor in this situation?

Lots of stuff now requires svga minimum, an old 286 could have an ega or only vga monitor.

 

[SkipCox]

How 'bout an update Dave...get a machine? Need a contribution to defray expenses?

Skip

http://skipcox.net

 

[SantaMufasa]

I'm checking for redundant machines at some local businesses. At this point, there is no need for any Dead Presidents. I'll repost as soon as I get some definitive answers. Thanks for checking, Skip.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I can provide you with low-cost, remote Database Administration services: see our website and contact me via www.dasages.com]

 

[GlenJohnson]

Dave, how will they connect to the internet if a better machine is made available? I'm assuming dial-up if he's low income. Reason I ask, if that's the case, a new laptop that could be taken to a coffee shop or book store that offers free internet access might be just the thing for getting folks out of the house and really enjoying the net. Just a thought.

Glen A. Johnson
If you like fun and sun, check out Tek-Tips Florida Forum

 

[BionicJohn]

Earlier this week, a 60-year-old, low-income friend handed me their Windows 3.1, Gateway 2000 4DX2-66V 286 box and asked me to "check it out" for them. I loaded it up with as much RAM as the slots would physically accommodate (192MB). The machine would address only the first 7MB of RAM !

I used to use one of those in the late 90s.

Firstly, I'm 100% sure it's a 486, not a 286. Lifting the lid would identify the processor.

Secondly, you may need to enter the BIOS (Ctl+Alt+Esc, IIRC) to set or confirm the amount of RAM.

Thirdly, try just one pair of memory modules in slots 0 & 1 for starters, making sure they're identical.

LIVERPOOL FC - FA Cup Winners 2006.
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[MdeJ]

You inserted 192 MB of ram in that 486 DXII. I assume that there are 4 DIMM ram-sockets on the mainboard. That implies 48MB pro ram-socket. I did not know that SIMM's with that amount of RAM ever were produced. It would be possible that you exceed the very limit for each ram-socket of the motherboard.

One of my first PC's was a 486 DXII 66 with 4 MB Ram, I bought in 1995. In two ram-socket was inserted a 2MB SIMM. The operating system was Dos 6.2 and Windows for Workgroups. Later I expanded the memory by adding a SIMM of 4 MB so this made a total of 8 MB. Now I was able running AutoCAD 12. The last upgrade consisted of 2 Simm's of 8 MB and the 4MB simm to a stunning 20MB.

I'am just returning from the attic and found the M601 486 Motherboard User's Guide. About the Main Memory: "Single In-line Memory Module) sockets are provided for 256K, 1MB, 4MB and 16MB SIMM modules. Memory can be configured from 1MB to 64MB."

Memory Installation:
"The M601 lets you add system memory via SIMM sockets on the Mainboard. On-board memory is located in two banks: Bank 0 and Bank1. Four SIMM sockets are provided i each bank. You can install either a 256K, 1M, 4M or 16M SIMM in each socket. Note that all SIMM modules in a bank must be the same capacity."

Hope this helps you out

 

[SantaMufasa]

Thank you all for you assistance on this topic.

I was able to acquire and install (at the user site) a redundant Pentium III machine that was donated by TenFold Corporation. The machine has all of the computing resources that the user will need for the foreseeable future.

I appreciate your suggestions and support on this thread that led to the successful resolution of this need.

Best holiday cheer to all,

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]

 

[ANFPS26]

Glad you were able to help these folks! Good job!!

Jim