Need a PC For Vixen? P4 3Ghz, 2G Ram -- $260

[nromanel]

Saw this in an e-mail from Buy.com this morning.
If anyone is looking for a machine, this may help!!

IBM ThinkCentre 8113 Mini Tower PC, Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz, 2048MB, 400GB HDD, DVD-RW, Microsoft Window XP Pro w/ Recovery CD (Factory Refurbished) - 1-Year Warratny

External Ports
PS/2 Keyboard Connectors: 1
PS/2 Mouse Connectors: 1
Serial Communications Ports: 1
Parallel Ports: 1
USB Ports: 8
LAN Ports: 1
Audio Out Jacks: 1
Line in Jacks: 1
Microphone Jacks: 1
VGA Ports: 1

http://www.buy.com/prod/refurb-offlease-ibm-8113-m52-mt-p4-3-0ghz-2048-2-dimm-400gb-sata-dvd/q/loc/101/211441211.html?adid=17992&dcaid=17992

[dirknerkle]

I've long been a proponent of dedicating a machine to a specific task instead of trying to make it bake bread at the same time it trims your nose hairs.

There's a lot of GREAT, previously owned refurbished hardware out there. Micro Center is another good resource (www.microcenter.com) as well.

BUT... the truly big thing, and I mean BIG is to keep the machine truly dedicated and never, never, never, never (did I say NEVER?) install any games, Internet file sharing programs, Internet music, or any other software of any kind on it because it will only create havoc down the road.

And, if you keep it off your network and don't connect it to the Internet at all you don't even have to worry about firewalls, anti-virus and anti-spyware issues. Instead, you can use your other computers to filter/scan/clean downloaded MP3 or other files you need and use a flash memory stick to transfer them to your Vixen box after you know they're safe.

If, and it's a huge IF, you can stick to this regimen, you'll discover the computer will run Vixen so fast you won't believe it, and you'll have virtually no "weirdness" that can conflict with its operation.

[Macrosill]

That was in interesting post to read.

[Wayne J]

I've long been a proponent of dedicating a machine to a specific task instead of trying to make it bake bread at the same time it trims your nose hairs.

There's a lot of GREAT, previously owned refurbished hardware out there. Micro Center is another good resource (www.microcenter.com (http://www.microcenter.com)) as well.

BUT... the truly big thing, and I mean BIG is to keep the machine truly dedicated and never, never, never, never (did I say NEVER?) install any games, Internet file sharing programs, Internet music, or any other software of any kind on it because it will only create havoc down the road.

And, if you keep it off your network and don't connect it to the Internet at all you don't even have to worry about firewalls, anti-virus and anti-spyware issues. Instead, you can use your other computers to filter/scan/clean downloaded MP3 or other files you need and use a flash memory stick to transfer them to your Vixen box after you know they're safe.

If, and it's a huge IF, you can stick to this regimen, you'll discover the computer will run Vixen so fast you won't believe it, and you'll have virtually no "weirdness" that can conflict with its operation.

A dedicated machine would cure a lot of the issues had by many. I for one use a dedcated machine. I think the last time I turned it on was about 4 months ago. :shock: It runs Vixen flawlessly.

[rstehle]

A dedicated machine would cure a lot of the issues had by many. I for one use a dedcated machine. I think the last time I turned it on was about 4 months ago. :shock: It runs Vixen flawlessly.

I use a dedicated machine also. It does have a wireless card in it in case I want to download new releases of Vixen, or songs from iTunes, but it doesn't go on line for anything other than that. It does have an AV program installed for safety.

[51fordf2]

Thanks! I got mine ordered...plus, if you "google", you can find a $10 off promotion before July 31, that takes it down to $250, shipped, for first time customers!

Wow, I paid over $1500 for my desktop, with just about the exact specs, AFTER upgrading!!

Thanks for letting us know...

Roger

[IdunBenhad]

Hi:
I put my dedicated computer together from parts on-hand, Ebay, Craigs List and local suppliers. Total cost was about $50, not including the parts I already had.

Pentium 4/2.6 ghz Intel Motherboard=$.99 + $15 shipping
Power Supply=$10 (shipped with motherboard)
Mid tower case/CD R/W drive=$20.
1 ghz memory I had removed from my regular machine.
15" lcd display (had been replaced by 19" display on regular machine).

Motherboard had built-in audio and video, so no sound or video cards were added.

Loaded Windows XP and activated it by phone.

Machine runs great. I did put an existing WIFI card into machine to assist in file transfer from the regular computer, but it doesn't go on line much.

No other programs but Vixen 2.1 and programs to run PIC burner.

Look around and you can come up with some good deals. The computer doesn't have to be the latest whiz/bang, top of the line gizmo to run Vixen and your lights.

Another source of older computers is garage sales and sometimes some of our senior citizens will give away older computers they no longer use.

I will be using 64 Renard Channels, 16 parallel (relay) channels. I HOPE!

Idun

[51fordf2]

I actually have two 1.3 ghz systems, that came from freecycle, one I upgraded the memory for a few bucks. They were dedicated, one for the DIO and FireGod systems, and the other for LEDTriks. When I went with the Helix, my laptop is much better suited, so I'll just use the one for LEDTriks.

I bought this one, to keep my desktop going. It's been a good machine, but almost 7 years old, and having some "issues". I like the refurbed stuff, plus I like the 1-year warranty. It was about what I wanted to pay, and didn't want Vista on my desktop. The XP Pro SP3 that comes with it, is usually $100, or more, and I needed another copy. I'm sure by looking, I could find it cheaper, but this system works for me. Now, to start migrating 7 years of programs and files over!

Freecycle, and Craig's List can both be great resources for free, or very inexpensive systems, if you like to put them together, or trouble shoot systems, and have the time. I don't mind putting systems together, but the "time factor" is what would cripple me, right now. Most of the systems I've put together, come right up, but I have had a few, that took a long time! They can be humbling, and brightly shine on my short-comings!! :)

R

[fkostyun]

I found my dell P4 3.0ghz on a government surplus auction site for $90 with a 17" LCD monitor. I sold the LCD monitor on ebay for $120 as I already had a larger one.

[Virtus]

I turned on my dedicated machine for the first time since January today (to prove I wasn't crazy and utilize a known good setup to assist in troubleshooting). It worked perfectly upon boot and didn't mention needing any updates...because all that stuff was either never installed or disabled.

[Aurbo99]

I used my family PC the first year then Frankenstein'd a machine from last year and dedicated the system to Vixen.

This year I purchased a local computer store special;

MSI K9N mobo AMD 5200 CPU with 4gig ram, DVD/CD combo and a 160Gig HD.

The normal ports; 1 Serial, 1 LPT, Ethernet, sound, and video are all on board.

No need for extra graphics or sound IMO the 256meg shared video and AC97 internal sound system works fine for me

I did add an extra 2 Serial ports and an additional LPT card for the Rens and such.

280.00CDN.

Small price considering how much you can drop on
other gear for this hobby.

WindowsXP, Anti-Virus, Audacity and Vixen are all thats on it.

I currently have the system sitting beside me at work and and I'm treating it as my redneck laptop... I bring the whole tower into work each night and plug it in and spend the quiet hours sequencing my routines for this coming season.

Thank Jebus I work solo at night.. I'd hate to wonder what any co-workers would be thinking seeing me doing a Stevie-Wonder imitation with the headphones on and pounding the keyboard in the wee hours of the morning ..

I'm using a older removable Hard drive shuttle that uses a metal case instead of the newer plastic cases to house my 30mw transmitter. I have no reason to see the frequency numbers unless I need to troubleshoot. A simple key enables the power on the shuttle and locks it into the bay and I use it to power the transmitter.

The Lock led is on and I'm transmitting, turn the key off and its not getting power.

I've not detected any isssues with it sitting inside the metal shuttle inside the computer case yet. Shielded RG cable goes to the case and a BNC chassis mount for the Ant.. Power comes directly off the PC's through the shuttle

8 sequences done so far.. a bazillion to go..