Twenty Five Year Old Computers

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 7:39 am

I still have an old computer and it works. It is a Gateway. The first commercially built computer that I owned. I assembled and programmed a couple before I could afford to buy this one. This was back in the days of 300 baud modems, 64K memories and 8" floppy drives.

The Gateway still works but it does not hold a candle to the desktop that I am using now. Virtually unlimited memory, massive hard drives, flash drives, dual monitors (capable of more), wireless interface, etc, etc.

I got my monies worth out of this old Gateway but will that be true of the computer that I might go out to buy today. If I was to purchase a state of the art desk top with all the bells and whistles that I might want is there a ghost of a chance that it will last me the balance of my life time.

More importantly, is there a ghost of a chance that it will work 20 years from now if owned by someone who cannot fix it himself. What if it needs reprogramming? Can that be done by a layman or will that layman have to send it to a professional?

I think the answer is in another old computer that I have. It is a Toshiba laptop that runs on Windows 95. Microsoft no longer supports Win95. They just decided and reported one day that after some date (way in the past) that they were washing their hands of Win95.

Can they really do that? Will they do this to Win98 and Win2000 and Windows 7 and Windows 8? Can they just say sorry - "We don't support that anymore" and leave us hanging like that.

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 9:31 am

dusty wrote: Can they really do that? Will they do this to Win98 and Win2000 and Windows 7 and Windows 8? Can they just say sorry - "We don't support that anymore" and leave us hanging like that.

Yes they can and they will... (shrug)

.

dforeman · Post by **dforeman** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:13 am

Yup! They can and they will. I see it all the time. Software Companies keep pushing newer, better and greater technology. And in order to keep up and running; everybody will have to keep purchasing computers, software, and access services. When you think about it, it really is a vicious circle of supply and demand. Technology developers keep pushing the latest and greatest in order to force everybody to keep purchasing their products. It is how they generate demand for their product within the information and technology industry.

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:52 am

My first computer was a Mac Plus I bought in 1984...I remember I thought I was so cool because I also bought an external hard drive that was just smaller than a shoe box and was a whopping 40mb (!)...nowadays I can buy a portable 1tb hard drive (almost one million times as large) for $100 that is not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes. I wish I still had the Mac - I would turn it into a fish tank:

While I agree that virtually any computer I've owned in the last ~10 years would not be functional after 25 years, I think in virtually every case in my experience it's been software functionality and not hardware that has ultimately been it's demise. Most hardware components that fail can be replaced fairly cheaply, but as noted, the habitual software upgrades seem to render a machine useless after 5-10 years. I have erased and reformatted drives etc. in an attempt to start over, but then getting software to reload and function etc. seems like a lost cause. As noted, this is a crafty ploy to keep the consumer pulling out their wallet on a regular basis. Not much different I suppose then the life span and long-term repairability of today's cars compared to those when I grew up in the 60's-70's (and obviously well before that), or for that matter, most any appliance, tool etc. we buy today. Not only are they not made like they used to, I believe that's intentional.

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:56 am

Speaking of old computers, just yesterday I was moving some things around in the basement and came across two old ones -- a TI 99/4A and a Commodore 64. Who knows what else is down there.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 11:24 am

We be 'spoiled'!

Sadly the provider of that has started to 'correct' that!

Any M5/V part that is not included in 'current' new production is/will become 'unavailable'.

At least that has been my recent experience.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 11:37 am

I only buy a new computer when the one I'm using would cost more to upgrade than a new one would cost.

I'm faced with that now I have an old XP computer that only has 512 meg memory. All the new windows requires at least 1 gig. I can buy more memory but it is out of production and costs more than it is worth. Also the graphic card is out date. Then I get into the 32 bit and 64 bit play ground.

I can buy a new computer with more capability than I presently have for less than the cost of upgrade.

Now if I was going to the state of the art ( I first would wonder why unless I had a need that would tax anything less) it would cost me a lot more.

My biggest complaints are OEM software where they limit which windows release they will support and OEM hardware where the manufacture does not provide a driver for newer window releases.

Example I have a HP G55 Office jet all in one printer. Love it and it works like a charm. However it doesn't have wireless capabilities and really doesn't understand networking. I have it connected (hardwire USB) to my xp desktop but there is no way to connect it to my laptop via the net work. I have tried every trick I can think of. This I'm forced to buy a new printer.

I'm quickly getting to the point of buying a laptop that does what I want now for as cheap as I can find and when I need something new capability buy another one.

I think the days of upgrading desktops is pretty much over unless you are a gamer and want the latest graphics or sound card.

derekdarling · Post by **derekdarling** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 11:55 am

dusty wrote:.... Microsoft no longer supports Win95. They just decided and reported one day that after some date (way in the past) that they were washing their hands of Win95.

Can they really do that? Will they do this to Win98 and Win2000 and Windows 7 and Windows 8? Can they just say sorry - "We don't support that anymore" and leave us hanging like that.

I recently acquired a 1952 Ford. I called the local Ford dealer and asked if I could bring it in for service. He said they no longer supported that year and model, no parts, etc.

OK, I don't REALLY have an old Ford, but that doesn't change the fact that some things are supported for only so long by the manufacturer. Closer to home, why doesn't Shopsmith give me support for my 1952 Model 10ER?

Also, the (hypothetical) 1952 Ford doesn't support GPS, no electric windows, no CD player, and a host of other things that you expect in a modern vehicle. My first computer was a kit, and I soldered it together and programmed it in assembler. I don't do that anymore. I don't WANT to do that anymore. I suppose I could still use it (if I had it), but why bother?

At least Microsoft lets us know a long time in advance that support will end. Although they extended XP support due to massive non-takeup of Vista, I dan't see anyone seriously preferring XP over Windows 7, given hardware to support it.

maggeorge · Post by **maggeorge** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 11:56 am

I think they can do that. That way, an update is mandatory. *wink*

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 12:42 pm

derekdarling wrote: I dan't see anyone seriously preferring XP over Windows 7, given hardware to support it.

Perhaps not in the circle you travel but in my circle of computer freaks most prefer XP over everything else. I have both XP and 7 and if I had the choice I would keep XP as 7 has nothing I need or want.

I understand as people utilize more of the "social Networking" Windows 7 and now 8 are more functional. But as someone that knows better than to to use one of these sites I have no use for the function they offer.