RandomStranger wrote on 2022-05-13, 13:41:

maverick85 wrote on 2022-05-13, 13:18:

Thinkpads are overrated, especially after the T60's.

They are sturdy and the T40-T42 models are decent W98 laptops with a competent GPU. I often see them just below $60, sometimes docking station included and I think they are rated just right. T43 and anything newer than those however lack W98 support while at the same time lack XP gaming performance.

Yes, i'm aware T42 was the best 98 laptop of the thinkpads. Its just the screens on these laptops let them down.

maverick85 wrote on 2022-05-13, 15:04:

RandomStranger wrote on 2022-05-13, 13:41:

maverick85 wrote on 2022-05-13, 13:18:

Thinkpads are overrated, especially after the T60's.

They are sturdy and the T40-T42 models are decent W98 laptops with a competent GPU. I often see them just below $60, sometimes docking station included and I think they are rated just right. T43 and anything newer than those however lack W98 support while at the same time lack XP gaming performance.

Yes, i'm aware T42 was the best 98 laptop of the thinkpads. Its just the screens on these laptops let them down. I got rid of my thinkpads post win xp. the current laptop i have is a hp 8770w in beat up condition upgraded to i7 and 670m. i've gone off laptops until the prices come down for 11th gen intel dell laptops

What you can do:

Take a true R52 15" with GPU (important!, due to hard to find heatsink separately) as they tend to have better LCD options and transplant a T42 with GPU (either radeon 9000 or 9600) motherboard into R52 chassis. The R52 has better cooling too. This is exactly what I did using T42 motherboard with radeon 9600.

Cheers,

Fiddeling around with emulators on a Wii.

I've been playing a lot of Guild Wars (original) lately. Not exactly retro, but whatever I try to get other people to play with me they always scoff at the game being "too old".

I bought the original collector's edition and have several exclusive pre-order items. I've played this game for about 17 years on and off and still love it.

I'm in a state of depression. Evident by me tinkering with old parts. I don't have the patience to play games anymore

maverick85 wrote on 2022-05-13, 20:30:

I'm in a state of depression. Evident by me tinkering with old parts. I don't have the patience to play games anymore

Chin up old chap. I regularly struggle with depression too. Quite a few do, sadly. If any aspect of this hobby helps you to cope, then that's cool and should be encouraged.

There are few purer antidotes to depression than actively doing something you can enjoy (or learn to enjoy). And also, sharing it with likeminded folk, is a small but useful help. It all adds up.

Almost a daily ritual to get a lousy 32MB of SDRAM operating in an Intel VX-based ECS motherboard. Stick rolls in, I test it out, then toss it onto the island of misfit RAM. It's getting crowded there.

maverick85 wrote on 2022-05-13, 20:30:

I'm in a state of depression. Evident by me tinkering with old parts. I don't have the patience to play games anymore

I'm just getting out of a deep dark hole. Just talking to a professional has saved my life.

Edited, too controversial.
Cheers,

+

pentiumspeed wrote on 2022-05-13, 22:14:

Save up bit more to get better stuff, enjoy the healthy food you really like, and occasional fast food and tasty non-alcoholic d […]
Show full quote

Save up bit more to get better stuff, enjoy the healthy food you really like, and occasional fast food and tasty non-alcoholic drinks. Even changing jobs do wonders too if one can.

And spend around 15 to 30 minutes a day doing nothing in meditation, slowly breathe out and listen to soothing music. If some like to walk, walk, so on.

If you wanted something, save up, not lesser quality. Wait more to save up some more.

Etc.

Cheers,

Just. Don't. Giving that kind of lecture is a big no-no. It doesn't help at all. Mental health isn't a checklist, and giving people this advice only makes them not want to open up to you.

pentiumspeed wrote on 2022-05-13, 22:14:

Edited, too controversial.
Cheers,

It's not controversial, at least in my opinion, but its akin to telling someone with a broken leg to "walk it off". I understand you meant well with your comments and they are totally valid from your point of view. I feel more people need a bit of education when it refers to mental health. It should be openly discussed. Just maybe not here, at this time.

Yes it's a bit of a deep and potentially emotive topic especially for this thread. Suffice it to say that I hope all of you fellow Vogoners get at least some small measure of enjoyment, positivity, or relief, as a result of playing your part in this good hobby and it's communities.

Once I can finally stop my compulsive web browsing!, I intend to do some weekend gaming and attempted relaxing. It's raining, so the weather is perfect for it.

Kahenraz wrote on 2022-05-13, 19:27:

I've been playing a lot of Guild Wars (original) lately. Not exactly retro, but whatever I try to get other people to play with me they always scoff at the game being "too old".

I bought the original collector's edition and have several exclusive pre-order items. I've played this game for about 17 years on and off and still love it.

Coincidentally I started playing World of Warcraft: The Burning Crucade Classic a few days ago for the first time. Back when WoW was released I couldn't care less about it and made fun of people who played it, now 17 years later it seems I'm the butt of my own jokes as I kinda like the game so far 🤣

Every year as summer gets closer and the days worm up I get less and less interested in games that have a strong storylines and start to prefer games that are easy to jump in and out and this works well for that. It's pretty relaxing actually even though it can be a bit unforgiving at times being the classic version, but I find that really refreshing. I bet I wouldn't like the non-classic modern WoW at all.

maverick85 wrote on 2022-05-13, 20:30:

I'm in a state of depression. Evident by me tinkering with old parts. I don't have the patience to play games anymore

I don't play new games anymore. I tend to just play the same ones until they become too familiar, then I forget about them but know I like them, and repeat. This has been my experience with Guild Wars for years. The nice thing about it is that there is lots to do and my progress is always additive with my past accomplishments.

Sombrero wrote on 2022-05-14, 05:19:

Coincidentally I started playing World of Warcraft: The Burning Crucade Classic a few days ago for the first time. Back when WoW was released I couldn't care less about it and made fun of people who played it, now 17 years later it seems I'm the butt of my own jokes as I kinda like the game so far 🤣

Every year as summer gets closer and the days worm up I get less and less interested in games that have a strong storylines and start to prefer games that are easy to jump in and out and this works well for that. It's pretty relaxing actually even though it can be a bit unforgiving at times being the classic version, but I find that really refreshing. I bet I wouldn't like the non-classic modern WoW at all.

I'm on Benediction and going into the "latest" raid, sunwell this weekend. ^.^

Took a look at my dozens of empty cases and untested old systems. Going to have to take photos some time, and get opinions on roughly what year(s) they all are, so I can build period appropriate systems in them. Doubt I have anything earlier than 486 though other than the untested 286 system and non working 386 based PS/2 56 486SL2 (I think it's an SLC2 system with dead PSU that probably needs a full recap and new fuse)

The whole case style thing is a bit of a mess really, late 286es got into the first minitowers, and even early pentium P5s shipped in those huge "AT clone" horizontal desktop cases that looked too much like 1985.

That makes sense, but I'm sure most can be at least pinned down to a 5 year range. Almost all my cases are tower, even the AT cases. Will be keeping an eye out for a couple of desktop cases for pre-486.

I just have no idea personally when it comes to cases - except that better airflow is usually newer 😀