Possible uses for a 286? Are there any?

[Whitedog]

Get a video camera, a friend, a chainsaw, a hockey mask...

Make a funny video of a chaimsaw murderer cutting up a computer...

Put it on the internet in .mgp format adding to the enjoyment of downloading funny crap!

 

[Whitedog]

Carry it to various computer stores and ask the technicians how much it would cost to upgrade it run Windows2000.

 

[shawnmos]

ROTFLMAOPIMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KouklatheCat]

Whitedog....TOO DAM FUNNY

What about freezing the CPU with dry ICE and turning it on. I did that with a P60 and a really cool blue flame shot out.

I guess that is what happens when you are bored, and substitute a cube of dry ice for a HSF......

 

[paruhd0x]

SETI, RC5, Router, ummm yea.

 

[shawnmos]

You could overclock it the highest the motherboard can handle and set the voltage the highest you can and if you are lucky you will see smoke and of you are really luckly flames!!! If that doesn't work put the power connector for the floppy drive on wrong. Plug it in and turn it on!!! And if that doesn't work cut the end off of the power connector and connect them all together!!! And if that doesn't work then stick the motherboard in the microwave!!! Fun! Fun!!

 

[erub]

i like that windows 2000 one..haha - could you use any part of it?!?

 

[WoodDogg]

The RIM handheld wireless internet device has a 486 processor in it. *laugh* Your 286 is pretty much worthless. Although it would do well for target practice... or maybe a museum piece in a few years!

 

[DRGrim]

Distributed Computing!

Team Anandtech realy needs some help.

 

[Sir Fredrick]

A 486SE is AWFUL for cracking RC5, let alone a 286!

Anyway guys, nobody's mentioned the OS I was thinking of. This thing was designed to have a really small footprint, and it's relatively new, I think its name starts with a Q. Bah. I wish I could remember

 

[shawnmos]

I am thinking about sticking my old 386 motherboard in the microwave. Would that be too dangerous? I know it would look cool when I turned it on!

 

[Scrapster]

Whitedog,

I almost spit up my coke! lol.

 

[Trident1]

I'm not sure about a 286, but 386's run ok with Terminal Services through Win2K Advanced Server at my school. We are handling a new Thin Net idea with them and seeing how it works. So far, not many problems. But, I would try this out before junking it, but if all else fails, I hear that you can make cool clocks out of old hard drives!

 

[miniMUNCH]

I say target practice...

 

[Dan]

Okay Whitedog. Now the wife thinks I'm completely nuts as I sit here at my PC wheezing and cackling to myself. That was a good one!

 

[KouklatheCat]

Shawnmos

Not sure if you are serious but yeah putting the 386 in the Nuke-O-Rama would be bad, very bad.

 

[shawnmos]

Maybe I could talk my friend into doing it. I ask if he could video tape it for me. I would be afraid to be there cause the microwave might explode! Could you imagine putting a motherboard in the microwave though??? ALL THAT METAL!!! ;drool; Oh you know what is fun is putting an old scrached up CD or CD-R in there. You have you choise of silver fireworks or blue fireworks. The cd has to be centered in the micro though so you should but it on top of a coffie mug. A spoon is fun too. HEHE!!

 

[jamarno]

About anything DOS-based runs well, and I know of an entire medium-size factory whose machinery is monitored and partly controlled by by a pair of 286 machines. But a 286 isn't practical for Windows because I believe even 3.1 requires at least a 386.

 

[KouklatheCat]

Shawnmos

You are giving me flash backs of highschool, that was 15 yrs ago plus. I was at a party where someone put a telephone in the nuke. Oh boy not a good thing.

 

[Nih]

good for practicing assembler!

 

[KouklatheCat]

Drill a hole in it, tie a rope thru the hole. Tie the computer to a tree limb and VOILA a pinata for a computer camp......

 

[KouklatheCat]

Dang it Whitedog....ive got the flu and im STILL lauging at your post....it hurts

 

[fallenoncrack]

boat anchor

 

[fallenoncrack]

no wait, Drill a hole in the entire system and use it as a key chain. har har

 

[Jim]

Way back when I built my first Pentium a female friend mentioned her girlfriend had just bought a used 286 with Windows on it. She said it ran great. I asked her how long from the time she powered it up till Windows was ready for action and she said with a straight face "7 or 8 minutes is all".