Welcome guest. Before posting on our computer help forum, you must register. Click here it's easy and free.

« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2  All   Go Down

Author Topic: REALLY old laptop  (Read 5295 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Soviet_Genius

  • Guest
REALLY old laptop
« on: January 16, 2008, 02:11:46 PM »
I have a really old laptop, an AST Ascentia 810n (that company doesn't even exist anymore!). It has a 486 processor and 4 MB RAM. It only has a floppy drive. It has a really weird PCMCIA slot and only old cards fit into it because the new ones have a slightly different shape. Is there ANY way to get it on the internet? Right now it only has DOS and Windows 3.1. Maybe theres some distro of linux that will run on it?
Logged

Calum

  • Moderator


    • Egghead

    Thanked: 238
    • Yes
    • Yes
  • Certifications: List
  • Computer: Specs
  • Experience: Beginner
  • OS: Other
Re: REALLY old laptop
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2008, 04:24:19 AM »
You could buy an old card with an Ethernet port, and hook it up that way.
However, I don't think you'll get very far, you'll need a very stripped down OS to run on that setup.
Logged

patio

  • Moderator


    • Genius
  • Maud' Dib
    • Thanked: 1769
    • Yes
  • Experience: Beginner
  • OS: Windows 7
Re: REALLY old laptop
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2008, 08:33:19 AM »
If you can still find a Type1 PCMCIA card that is...
Logged
" Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

Soviet_Genius

  • Guest
Re: REALLY old laptop
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2008, 02:13:08 PM »
Suppose I do find a card, which OS could I use?
Logged

patio

  • Moderator


    • Genius
  • Maud' Dib
    • Thanked: 1769
    • Yes
  • Experience: Beginner
  • OS: Windows 7
Re: REALLY old laptop
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2008, 09:30:20 AM »
That would depend entirely on what drivers are available for that card...
Logged
" Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

Soviet_Genius

  • Guest
Re: REALLY old laptop
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2008, 03:09:52 PM »
I know where I could get a Netgear FA411 16-bit, and I know for sure that it does fit into the hole.
Logged

patio

  • Moderator


    • Genius
  • Maud' Dib
    • Thanked: 1769
    • Yes
  • Experience: Beginner
  • OS: Windows 7
Re: REALLY old laptop
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2008, 05:17:23 PM »
Quote
    * OS Support: Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000/NT 4.0/ME, Windows Workgroups 3.1, Novell NetWare, Red Hat Linux 6.0/6.1/6.2
Logged
" Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

Soviet_Genius

  • Guest
Re: REALLY old laptop
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2008, 07:49:36 PM »
OK, since I already have Windows 3.1, where do I find a browser that runs on it?
Logged

Deerpark



    Egghead
    • Thanked: 1
    Re: REALLY old laptop
    « Reply #8 on: January 19, 2008, 04:26:42 AM »
    Logged
    Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
    Arthur C. Clarke (1917 - 2008)

    quaxo



      Guru
      • Thanked: 127
      • Yes
    • Computer: Specs
    • Experience: Guru
    • OS: Windows 11
    Re: REALLY old laptop
    « Reply #9 on: January 19, 2008, 05:28:51 AM »
    I used to run Windows 95 on my old 486 DX2 laptop. If you could find a disc for it, that might work for you.

    Oh, and here's a REALLY old laptop. It's a Tandy. This obviously isn't mine, but I do have one of these sitting in a box somewhere. Amazingly, it still works. It ran on AA batteries if i remember right.

    Hard to tell the size of it from this picture, but it was about as big as most laptops are now.

    [file cleanup - saving space - attachment deleted by admin]
    Logged

    Soviet_Genius

    • Guest
    Re: REALLY old laptop
    « Reply #10 on: January 19, 2008, 10:02:24 AM »
    According to the system requirements for netscape, it needs 8MB RAM, this thing only has 4. Windows 95 would run WAY too slow for sure. Plus, it doesn't have a CD drive.
    Logged

    patio

    • Moderator


      • Genius
    • Maud' Dib
      • Thanked: 1769
      • Yes
    • Experience: Beginner
    • OS: Windows 7
    Re: REALLY old laptop
    « Reply #11 on: January 19, 2008, 11:16:09 AM »
    Suggestions

    Slim Browser would be a good choice...
    Logged
    " Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

    Soviet_Genius

    • Guest
    Re: REALLY old laptop
    « Reply #12 on: January 19, 2008, 11:58:22 AM »
    It needs Windows 95. I'm ready to give up at this point.
    Logged

    Deerpark



      Egghead
      • Thanked: 1
      Re: REALLY old laptop
      « Reply #13 on: January 19, 2008, 12:08:24 PM »
      « Last Edit: January 20, 2008, 04:03:31 AM by Deerpark »
      Logged
      Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
      Arthur C. Clarke (1917 - 2008)

      patio

      • Moderator


        • Genius
      • Maud' Dib
        • Thanked: 1769
        • Yes
      • Experience: Beginner
      • OS: Windows 7
      Re: REALLY old laptop
      « Reply #14 on: January 19, 2008, 12:55:46 PM »
      Nice catch DeerPark...i forgot about Mosiac. ! !
      Logged
      " Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "
      Pages: [1] 2  All   Go Up
      « previous next »