i am a complete novice to what i am about to describe, but am wondering if anyone out there can give me any suggestions. given the following challenge, what are your suggestions: " an organization wants to upgrade its existing systems to Pentium class systems... they currently have: ...windows 3.11 O.S. ...80386 computers ...baby AT system boards ...2/3 size multi I/O cards ...9-pin serial mice ...500MB IDE hard drives. what would you advise them to do to upgrade the machines with the least cost and the most advantage?" the above specs are all that i am given, any advice would be greatly appreciated, as you can see i am totally in the dark as to how to proceed. thank you..

Just get new/or less old systems. A 386 system is too old to upgrade to a Pentium, especially if you upgrade the software. If you buy a Dell TV special, you can get a new P4 with CD, OS, and monitor for less than $600. If you are a non-profit org, try a bank or insurance company, maybe you can get some used ones when they upgrade. Local bank gave about 50 to school. 1 Gig machines.

Look at Pentium II computers or better in the range of 400 MHz or more.These ATX computers are offered at very low cost and can be set up for Internet effectively.You can probably get them for free since they are for a non-profit organisation.Make sure they are fitted with 256 Mo of RAM and it will be a big improvement for your organisation.It should be easy to find a used copy of Windows 98 SE to run these computers.The Windows 3.1 programs can still be used but you would be better off with Office 2000 if you want compatibility for file transfer over the web.The printers they have can be used at no cost particularly the dot matrix ones once configured.The 386 units are far too old and only the hard drives and mice could be recycled on newer computers.The 14 or 15 in. monitors can be used if they are SVGA and you intend to have a web connection.The basic 14 in. VGA is good for 640X480 resolution and this also can be used for word processing only.Good luck.

Sure - those just aren't upgradeable to any realistic degree. Too many computer 'generations' between those models and the current state of affairs (circa 1989 - 1991?) - you'd spend more time & money looking for obsolete components, and in the end you still wouldn't have much to show for it. Don't necessarily need state of the art though - depending upon what they want the machines to do, decent Pentium I or II class computers could fit the bill and be purchased very inexpensively. Use

No real way to upgrade those older machines to Pentium processors. There are ~tons~ of Pentium I and Pentium II computers for sale at eBay. Companies that specialize in corporate salvage unload them for $20-$50 apiece. You could even buy a pallet-load of 'em. Don't forget to budget for shipping, and corporate salvage monitors are $20-$30. Or just check the Dell / Gateway website and buy whatever's on sale. They often have new computers for $500 - $600. WalMart.com has brand new computers for $199, but you'll need to run Linux or buy Windows seperately. -Bob

look at local news papers i am shure you could at least get a couple of 486dx2 66mhz for about 25-45 dollors. a 486\66mhz with 12mb of ram is the minimume reqirement for all versions of win 98, 24mb of ram is the min. reqirement for the net, but i recomend atleast 48 to 64 mb ram to keep up. i have two low end 486 computers and the both run 98 just fine and they both go online and they still work fine even in todays world, one thing tho you need to make shure that the have atleast two pci slots for new 56k modems and soundblasters. well thats the cheap way. but if you look on the net you can find many 400mhz with 128 to 256megs of ram with 5 to 20+ gigbite hard drive and all other exsesories except for the monitor, for about 75 dollors shiping included.

Many small organisations may wish to upgrade to better PC's but retain DOS 6x/Windows 3x OS and business software. Beleave it or not, but 'Licenced' software can cost more than the computer! If they have custom 16bit manufacturing software even more. So differant linked queries really. 1. What do you want to achieve with new hardware. 2. Does the presant Software still do the job? 3. Is there really any advantage to upgrade OS? I worked for a medium sized company that used Windows 3x till 1999, and plan to use 98se for as long as possible. Software costs are that high... PowerLoad Home Page Please reply with a message to let us all know we are on the right track with you