CompuServe Thread

Yes, but what can you run with 32 meg? Why get a PC at all if you can't run anything on it? (Well, to be perfectly frank, my "anything" expanded from Windows and WP5.2 to include practically everything in the computer store. I just went nuts when I discovered all that nifty available applications software. And then there are the drawing programs… And the fonts…) Probably it's just a question of semantics. PS – on my "absolute minimum" list, I forgot to say that, in order to run Windows, one needs AT LEAST 4 meg of RAM. (I have 8.) …..Nancy In Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

1. I would get at least a 1 meg VGA card, which are about $100 up here. 2. I don't know how much a switchbox would cost in the states. A tech here made me one for about $50. 3. I got a combo IDE and multi-function card for about $20 Canadian. Mine just has some extra ports – serial/parallel/joystick. 4. Hard drive: I had 105 meg, but after getting myself in trouble with SuperStor Pro, I bought a 240 meg which cost about $500 Canadian, but would be a whole lot cheaper down there – and it's full. (Or was, until I installed DOS 6 and compressed it.) I had a "bit" of trouble w/DOS 6, as you'll see from my other messages on here, but it got straightened out. Someone posted a message that other BB owners had had trouble w/DOS 6 and said that there were messages to that effect on the "other" network. However, I looked over there, and there weren't any at all. I think you can probably use it. If I had it to do over again, I would have gotten the combination VGA/multi-function/SCSI (at least I think it's SCSI) that's been talked about on here. I have the message saved, but I can't access it right now. Someone will respond and post the details. As a matter of fact, as soon as the budget allows, I'm going to buy that card, because I need more slots. (I also have a Logitech scanner installed.) Windows needs at least 4 meg to run with any zip at all, and 8 are better. I put in 4 originally, then went to 8 when I changed my hard drive. Re the flicker fixer: I have Microway's, and have had it since it came out. However, there is another display available – made in Canada – that is much better. My daughter and son-in-law have it, and it's just super. It costs about $50 more than the display card from C=. I've had a multi-synch monitor right along – but upgraded recently to one with a bigger display. (Mine is a Mitsubishi Diamond Scan 16, and it was expensive – $1000 Canadian.) You can get some pretty hot deals occasionally on these monitors. There were some reconditioned NEC's going for about $200 sold by some firm in the South. A good place to find out about these deals is in the Amiga forum of a certain other major international telecommunications network which needs to be nameless here. For some reason, the "hot deals" topics on that forum are very active. I tried this floppy sharing business, but didn't like it at all because it will only work on low density. So, I bought a 3 1/2 inch external and am happy with it. All this sounds pretty expensive, and, to tell the truth, I spent more than I had initially planned to. However, I did not spend as much as I would have for an equivalent PC. I'm really happy with it – and particularly like the fact that I have the advantages of both (and certain other advantages that come from having the combination) in the space of one. One real exciting thing happening in the PC world is that there are a lot of very good deals now in applications software – competition is terrifically hot. It will boggle your mind. For the occasional exceptional deal, look in the Windows magazines – especially Windows user. There is a place called Surplus Software that gives unbelievable bargains. I got Adobe Illustrator for $99 and upgraded to the current version for the shipping charges; Ami Pro for $89; and Microsoft Publisher for $79. I notice they now have Norton Desktop for $59. Have fun with your 2386 (otherwise known as the "money eater") …..Nancy From Edmonton, Alberta, Canada