TECH 15 Year Old Computer Still Online

So my computer is approximately 15 years old. Its a bit slow but eventually I get what I need/want done most of the time.

This year is supposed to be the year they quit updating the windows 7 operating system and its not going to be supported any more.

So far its still working. Also I had a blue screen pop up a few weeks ago that had white lettering and it basically told me to get rid of this computer and buy a new one because this computer would no longer be supported and that there would be no more updates to the system ever and that I am at great risk to hacking if I do not change to a newer system with windows 10.

Well today I get an update pop up, lol. I could postpone it but decided to go ahead and let it update. It was gonna happen sooner or later anyway when ever I lost power or was forced to turn off the computer for one reason or another. Update went through and its running fine. I figured as old as this old clunker is I am due a new computer but if it keeps getting me through I will keep running it. They7 can hack me all they want. I only surf the web and have never entered a single important bit of info on here so they are not going to get much info out of this piece of junk, ha ha.

So I was wondering if any others here are gonna see how long they can hold out before buying a new computer?

I held out 13 years, but my windows 7 computer finally died. I hated to go 10, but had to.

I'm inheriting an XP machine. We did send the Apple I away though.

RR

Running Vista on a computer we only use for a DOS program but need to send the files to laptops via net. Still running fine want to say almost 20 yr.

My Windows Server 2003 down in the basement was built new in 2003. It is on a UPS and has been powered up since 2003 with only a couple of periods of downtime when a hard drive went bad and had to be replaced and then along the way I added a gigabit Network card to it.

Otherwise, kept it updated with all the patches until they stopped patching it and rebooted it every few months. It continues to run to this day. It auto-backs up to two other computers on the home network every night, to one a 11pm and to the other at 1am.

I am still running Windows 7. When I talked to my computer guy he didn't say anything about a new computer. I think I can have Windows 7 changed to something else on this computer and just move everything to a new hard drive.

The guy said he very much doubted anything would happen to my computer and its guts if I waited a while to change to a new set-up. I would like to wait until flu season is over before I have to spend time leaning over a computer with the guy who will be working on it. I try to stay close to quarantined during flu season, which is easy to do because I'm so unsociable.

I will hate it if I have to leave my computer at the shop overnight, but I suppose I'll survive the trauma. Not looking forward to the whole business, though.

One can run outdated versions of WinDoze as long as one doesn’t surf the Internet with those machines. My now-10-year-old laptop is running Win7, but all it gets used for is running my tax software each year. I haven’t surfed the web with it in years.

NOTE: Running Win10 requires 8 gigs of RAM in order to run properly.

There was Windows 10 on this computer when I bought it. It was changed to Windows 7 at my request and I knew I'd have to eventually change it back No idea what doing so involves, but it will be changed back to 10 when I take it in.

I've been running a year 2000 iMac G4 and a 1998 PowerBook Wallstreet this evening. They both run something called Airfoil, and I was installing a Squeezebox client on the Wallstreet (the iMac has been running this). Both work fine; the iMac is running Mac OS X 10.5.8, the Wallstreet is running Mac OS X 10.4.11.

Missus Shimoda just upgraded to my Mac Mini, Mid-2010 model from her 2006 iMac so she may run Adobe Creative Suite 6 Master Collection in El Capitan (the Mini also has Mojave installed on it). My new-to-me primary machine is a 2015 Dell 3153 2-in-1, running Elementary OS.

Missus Shimoda is currently in the living room working on her 2009 MacBook. Mojave is installed on it.

I bought the Mini and the Dell off of eBay. The Mini I bought quite a few years ago for a couple hundred; the Dell I bought recently for around $100.

The rest of them were things people threw away that I tinkered back to life, and they are running fine.

I'll occasionally bust out my 1997 PowerBook 3400 and use it, just because I can. I think it's the current oldest machine I have in the stable.

Next acquisition is one of these:


I'm searching for the magical $5 special...

Got a home brew box here that's at least 20 years old chugging along with xp. Only gets used in December to run the Christmas lights.

I could always see about getting my Commodore 64 upgraded.

I never did find a Vic 20 of my own.

Install Linux and you can run your computer for another 15 years!

Best
Doc

I maxed out my TRS-80 years ago so had to break down and get a newer machine.

Doc1 is right about using Linux to get a few more years out of and old machine. I got several old machines that I play with that run Linux just fine.

I should have mentioned that there is also a Gateway desktop available. I might have to look at that one as well. Dunno what system it uses, but pretty sure that 30 lb laptop (yes, still ANOTHER computer) is still Win 3.1 or 3.2. It boots though.

RR

Oldest computer in the house is a late 2008 MacBook running a dual boot MacOS/ Suse Linux Leap 15.0 OS.
Wife's desktop is a 2010 IBM/Lenovo Think Center dual booting Win 10 and the above mentioned Linux.

She uses the Win side rarely these days but it still is updated regularly.

My laptop is a IBM W 530 laptop workstation working with Suse Linux and Windows never to be found in any form on it.

custom built windows 98 (built in 2000) still running that I do all my business on.

Geez... I don't think I've had one over 5 years before it bogs down on me...

Somewhere around here I have a Sinclair ZX-81.
I built it with the 2K ram upgrade.

Profit of Doom said:

Somewhere around here I have a Sinclair ZX-81.
I built it with the 2K ram upgrade.

Click to expand...

We couldn't afford a Commodore 64 or Apple when I was a teen, so I got a TI-99/4a...



FREAKING AWESOME!!!

It used an actual tape recorder and cassette tapes for storage rather than floppy disks...

Reasonable Rascal said:

I'm inheriting an XP machine. We did send the Apple I away though.

RR

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Good decision.

We had a Commodore 64 when they first came out, son now buys old ones and fixes them up. Have a couple of computers now but one is a 1999 laptop with Windows 7 which works for most things. I mostly keep it for music, documents, and pictures.

I've found it to be more hardware dependent than it is operating system dependent. A good running Win7 machine is fine and no reason to dump it if it's still working o.k. Lot's of time older desktops are approaching their end of life especially if no maintenance is ever done like blowing the dirt and cobwebs out of the cooling fan and you end up overheating components and the older optical hard drives do have a service life. Of course if you like to tinker you can replace drives, memory and mother boards but you can pick up brand new or refurb machines off of Amazon with a warranty so that might be the way to go and they aren't that expensive.

If your running an old operating system that is no longer supported I certainly wouldn't be using that computer for e-commerce with making purchases or for banking purposes. But as has been mentioned you can dump a copy of Linux on it that runs perfectly fine on older machines and the Linux operating systems are routinely updated so if a problem pops up it can be patched.

My 'desktop' is a late 2012 27" iMac that I'm going to keep but when it bites the dust at this point I see no reason to replace it. I use a tablet most of the time at home and a notebook computer will work just fine when the iMac craps out.

Mine is 6 years old. I upgraded the RAM to 16GB. Installed a 1TB SSD drive, which makes it run very fast. I was hesitant about upgrading to Win 10, but I found that I really like it. And not that much different than Win 7.

Our desktop is about 10 years old. Son pulled it apart and cleaned it out just recently with canned air. Also, cleaned it by getting rid of things that were running that we didn't need or use. OTOH, DH and I use tablets not the desktop anymore.

I'm running an old window 7 and so far it's still hanging in there. I did see an ad for Xtra-PC something you plug into the USB port that makes old computers like new again. $79. still cheaper than a new computer and was going to ask the computer savvy here their opinion of it.

I'm still running Windows 7 on an old, but pretty well equiped refurb. and don't plan to change anytime soon. Have a hard copy of the Win7 software sitting ready to install on a new machine if this one croaks. Windows support is pretty much meaningless to me, since I haven't and do not allow their security upgrades anyway. Won't miss 'em.

Keep your nose clean. Don't expose yourself to viruses and malware, stay away from hinky websites, screen your email on the web...not downloaded to your PC, don't ever open random links, plus keep your anti-virus and anti-malware programs installed, updated and running....and you will be fine as long as that old boat anchor still sparks up.

Rabbit said:

I'm running an old window 7 and so far it's still hanging in there. I did see an ad for Xtra-PC something you plug into the USB port that makes old computers like new again. $79. still cheaper than a new computer and was going to ask the computer savvy here their opinion of it.

Click to expand...

Before you spend $79.00, download a free copy of CCleaner, and a couple of good FREE anti-malware programs, update and run them. Probably the same thing as what's on that expensive thumbdrive they are selling.

WalknTrot said:

I'm still running Windows 7 on an old, but pretty well equiped refurb. and don't plan to change anytime soon. Have a hard copy of the Win7 software sitting ready to install on a new machine if this one croaks. Windows support is pretty much meaningless to me, since I haven't and do not allow their security upgrades anyway. Won't miss 'em.

Keep your nose clean. Don't expose yourself to viruses and malware, stay away from hinky websites, screen your email on the web...not downloaded to your PC, don't ever open random links, plus keep your anti-virus and anti-malware programs installed, updated and running....and you will be fine as long as that old boat anchor still sparks up.

Click to expand...

As long as you don’t surf the web on that machine, you’ll be fine.

Ragnarok said:

We couldn't afford a Commodore 64 or Apple when I was a teen, so I got a TI-99/4a...

View attachment 179630

FREAKING AWESOME!!!

It used an actual tape recorder and cassette tapes for storage rather than floppy disks...

Click to expand...

That was my first computer when they discontinued and were $50. My parents didn’t spring the money for the tape recorder. I wrote my programs and then lost them when I shut the machine down.
It was still a positive in the end, especially for an 11 year old. I devoured the two books that came with it and learned Basic. Once I was writing my own programs, I learned how to get the maximum from the least amount of code. Once I reached high school, I realized I knew quite a bit of Algebra from writing tight code that I couldn’t save.

I just don't see how you are ever going to run "Red Dead Redemption 2" from a 15 year old computer! I suppose if you have a console, keep on trucking. As mentioned in previous replies here, Linux would be a good option.

People with old computers don’t do games.

Dennis Olson said:

People with old computers don’t do games.

Click to expand...

Their computer IS the game.

Dobbin

Howdy, Folks!

Dobbin said:

Dennis Olson said:

People with old computers don’t do games.

Click to expand...

Their computer IS the game.

Dobbin

Click to expand...

Dennis: sure we do - old games!

That joke aside, Dobbin's got it right, that's for sure.

I love to tinker with the old boxes, and the biggest use of them I get is reading, creating content (one might say say writing, but as I use a lot of speech-to-text stuff these days and do clean up afterwards, I just don't feel like it's the same as sitting down with either a notebook and pen or even a keyboard), and music.

My recent "game" is converting over my Apple-centric Airfoil system to Logitech Media Server/Squeezebox.

~~~~~~~~~~
Seriously - I love older computer games, especially ones that rely more on storyline than fancy graphics. They are just as playable and enjoyable now as they were 30 years ago.

That all said - I've never been much of a gamer.

A favorite of mine was something called, "Escape Velocity" by Ambrosia Software. It has been re-imagined as "Endless Sky" for Linux, and is a lot of fun.

I have "Endless Sky" on my Linux box, and play it maybe 30 minutes a week, if that long. To me, a game should be something that is fun, and easy to pick up and put down - not so time consuming I have to dedicate hours to just learning how to even turn on the damn thing.

It is amazing to me how the gaming industry has been a driving force in personal computer hardware development and advancement...

Peace and Love,

Donald Shimoda

Dennis Olson said:

People with old computers don’t do games.

Click to expand...

Sure they do, they just are stuck in time and play only the games that worked on it in the first place.

We had an old Sears pong games from 75 or 76 that we played, our kids played and it still was working so our grand kids played it when they were younger. It finally died, but it was used well past its estimated life.

I still have an Atari with the cartridges that we get out once or twice a year and the grand kids make fun of it but still play missile command … for a few games, then it's back to one of the computers in the house or the xbox for "real game playing".

You can still get Windows 10 for free! I did two days ago. Go here:


It's going to take some getting used to, but it seems to run OK. I upped my RAM to 8 gigs a few years ago.

Howdy, Folks!

Donald Shimoda said:

I'll occasionally bust out my 1997 PowerBook 3400 and use it, just because I can. I think it's the current oldest machine I have in the stable.

Click to expand...

I just remembered, I need to clarify that. I have one older one that still runs, but it's a decoration now and I don't consider it "usable" as I have no storage medium for it. It's hanging on the wall next to me; I remember when I bought it new way back when for $80:




[That photo is about 8 years old as well...]

Peace and Love,

Donald Shimoda

Brings back memories. The trash 80, the Vic-20 and Commodore 64, I had them all. Had an old 286 notebook up until a few years ago but I threw it out when I decided to do some house cleaning. Was good for a door stop but that was about it.

Donald Shimoda said:

Howdy, Folks!



I just remembered, I need to clarify that. I have one older one that still runs, but it's a decoration now and I don't consider it "usable" as I have no storage medium for it. It's hanging on the wall next to me; I remember when I bought it new way back when for $80:

View attachment 179657


[That photo is about 8 years old as well...]

Peace and Love,

Donald Shimoda

Click to expand...

I might have one of those NIB yet. Something we 'inherited' from a charity yard sale that couldn't/wouldn't find a home. One of these days when the glacier recedes I'll check the storage unit to see if it is tucked away in there.

RR

I have an original mint condition Atari 2600 with about 50 games, a set of paddles and joysticks that I got off eBay about a decade ago. It works fine, but I have no idea how to connect it to modern TVs.

A few notes on operating systems (from a clueless dude): I'm great with hardware. I've built several computers and can repair almost anything that goes out on our desktops. On the other hand, I'm terrible with software and am absolutely certain that Windoz is a product created by devils and gremlins (genuflects and makes the sign of the cross)!

One thing that annoyed me greatly is that after Win 3.1, there was too much to learn every time Windoz came out with yet another iteration. In that respect, it is similar to the annoyance I feel towards modern mechanics. In times past, someone could be a fairly good backyard mechanic understanding basic engine tech, ignitions and carbs - across different makes and models. In more recent decades everything has become completely high tech and computerized and it's different for every model of vehicle. A modern mechanic's education never ends, similar to a computer techs. Hey, I'm not begrudging mechanic's or computer tech's salaries. They earn it! It's just that with my limited time and, to be honest, inclination, I haven't wanted to devote the time to really learn most modern mechanics or operating systems.

Sooo, years back I discovered Linux and life suddenly got better! A free download or a $5 disc from eBay and you get a virtually trouble-free OS that's (almost) completely compatible with anything on the internet. Also, it's virtually immune to viruses. No back doors and it requires an affirmative command from you to let anything in.

Now like nearly everyone who owns a computer, I was hesitant to install a completely new OS at the expense of Win. I think the various Linux developers understood that so every version of Linux I've tried gives you the option of installing a dual boot menu. IOW when the menu comes up, you can open Win or Linux. There's no reason to get rid of Win, just to install LInux. Eventually, I just deleted Windows and haven't looked back. The machine I'm posting this from is pure Linux, though DW's machine is still dual boot.

If any of you are reluctant to try LInux take it from me - a real computer idiot - that it's completely painless (and easy) to install. Further, you don't have to lose Windoz as you become accustomed to Linux. As a bonus, everything seems to run noticeably faster on Linux.

I hope this helps some of you who've been hesitant to take the Linux plunge.

Best
Doc