kixs wrote: I believe there are already many topics on this... Yeah I'm sorry about that, I guess I didn't really know what I was searching for exactly so i couldn't really narrow down any keywords to search for. I appreciate these responses though, they've given me some things to look into.

How do you guys deal with hard drives in older systems? Some of the hard drives in my systems are going on 20 years and it just seems to me like they're ticking time-bombs. I don't store any information I don't have backed up on these older drives, but I'd like to replace the drives in my systems …

I wouldn't pay very much for it. If you're diligent you can probably find a business that's giving a pallet of them away for free. If they don't give them away or sell them they have to pay a junkyard/recycling center processing fees. Also, if you ask around at said junkyards, you can usually set up …

They do not even care for static electricity. They are wearing nylon clothes and putting cards on nylon carpets. I think they don't really grasp the concept of computer parts, isa/pci/agp cards and static electricity. I think their frame of reference is for modern parts which are a little less …

I use an analog Weller soldering station and a solder sucker attachment. Think dedicated desoldering stations like the Weller WR2000X aren't really needed unless you do regular professional repair, they're way to expensive for what they are and the old $100 station performs almost as well with a …

They're not that rare ... it's the retro-gaming thing that is driving the people crazy ... I know and it's pretty upsetting. Not to say I don't want more people to get into retrocomputing, but I liked my quiet hobby built around computer tat no one wanted. Now it's all popular and it seems if …

Just started playing a good puzzle-type game for GNU/Linux (and Windows, and OSX I think) where the goal is to control and manipulate data as it flows from inputs, through nodes, to outputs. In each node you write code in a psuedo-Assembler type language to direct the data. You can even manipulate …

jhl2600 , I'm still waiting for an IBM (or clone) mechanical keyboard on the local flea market. I'm hoping I'd find one soon. You know, there was a time when I had many, I even gave them for free 15+ years ago... Now I'm willing to pay for one. Life's crazy, you know. I know what you mean, I always …

I think it's this one http://nl.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-Brand-New-3-5-1-44MB-USB-Floppy-Disk-Drive-Emulator-Guaranteed-100/494397459.html You have to open it to get to the jumpers. I think I'll grab one of these. $20 isn't too much to get something to mess around with at least. I think …

I quite like XP, I have several (non-internet facing) computers running it. It allows those computers to do what they need to do and there's no real reason for an upgrade. That said, I think that it would be ludicrous to use it on a computer that processes sensitive information, particularly in …

I find that the Macintosh keyboard is way more suited for fast-paced programming than the old Compaq dinosaur. I wouldn't imagine by much :-P To each his own though I guess, I would get a nice mechanical keyboard like a Model M. Nice set-up though overall, I really like it. I'd like to add a 486 …

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-3-5-Inch-5-25-Inch-Mounting-Bracket/dp/B000HLZXH2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435334818&sr=8-1&keywords=5.25+bay+adapter for Black Cases Beige one are more expensive Great thanks, I knew they had to have something like this. Black is fine too because I have access to free …

The vast majority of my floppy disks I've bought over the years are starting to die. I don't know if it's the weather or if I'm just not caring for them right, or what, but I feel like this is something that isn't just isolated to me. I've decided to replace the floppy drives in my systems with …