Re:Why did old PCs have key locks? (2017) [video]
by femto on Wednesday May 08, 2019 @09:53PM
(#19864682)
Ummm.. that is my everyday computer! DVD burner, 3.5" floppy, 5.25" floppy, zip drive, Bt848 based tuner. It's based on an Intel Core 2 Duo and must be pushing 10 years old by now, but it still works. Okay, about a year ago I moved all the data off my floppy and zip disks and unplugged the 5.25" floppy and zip drives to save power (the machine also runs 24/7 as a dns/email/http/file/print server). Still got the SCSI card in a box in case it's ever needed. Sadly, no turbo button.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:Why did old PCs have key locks? (2017) [video]
by stereographic on Thursday May 09, 2019 @08:26AM
(#19867609)
I mean, I understand you might not have the need to upgrade, but why?
Re:Why did old PCs have key locks? (2017) [video]
by femto on Thursday May 09, 2019 @11:24AM
(#19869093)
It fits my purpose and just works.
The system has a fanless power supply and GPU making it virtually silent. When it's idle it consumes relatively little power as a server. Admittedly with 2GB of RAM and the latest Gnome/Debian it's beginning to lose it's snappiness as a desktop, but it's still usable. Unfortunately suitable DIMMs aren't easy to find anymore, as a memory upgrade would restore that responsiveness and extend its life by a few more years. Chances are I will have to replace it in the next year or so.
Re:Why did old PCs have key locks? (2017) [video]
by falcolas on Thursday May 09, 2019 @09:39AM
(#19868159)
Based on the final comment in GP post, it's because they have information on all of those mediums. If you've been in computing for a few decades, you'll find dusty floppy disks, zip disks, and the like hiding in weird corners. Having the ability to easily read and move that data can be invaluable.
Personally, I can't remember how many old disks and pieces of my computing history that I've thrown out because I can't read them anymore.