Techsurvivors

Archives => 2008 => Topic started by: chriskleeman on February 02, 2008, 04:57:48 PM

Title: PeeCee information if you please
Post by: chriskleeman on February 02, 2008, 04:57:48 PM
I got a used Dell laptop on eBay today to use for the ski race series I run and administrate here at Okemo Mountain. The two main software programs that I use to time and administrate the statistics are both Windoze based, and even if I owned a MacBook Pro or a MacBook, I probably wouldn't take it up on the hill for these races. But, I need some basic word processing and spread sheet stuff, and also some Anti-virus software, even though this machine may not ever see the internet. It's got XP Pro preloaded with a COA, but no system discs.

I'm also wondering if there is a program like Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper for Windows based computers that I can use to clone the drive to, just in case.

TIA,

Chris K
Title: PeeCee information if you please
Post by: gunug on February 02, 2008, 06:40:03 PM
OpenOffice is free and readily available for Windows XP and it will handle WORD & EXCEL type functions just great.  There are probably dozens of programs that do at least part of what Carbon Copy Cloner does for Windows XP.  I use one called GHOST that comes from Symantec (they bought the company) and is included with Norton Systemworks Professional or separately.  There are probably others that are free or cheaper but I recommend GHOST because you can use it drive to drive, over a network or using a laplink cable (hooks two parallel ports together).  

Coincidentally I just bought a USB Link Cable (PAN PACIFIC ADL-USB-LINK) that will hook two PC's or a PC and an MAC together.  I got it at an electronic part supply place that was going out of business in Topeka but I've seen it dozens of places out there.  Mine wants Classic but I think the new ones come with software for OS X.  

Open Office:
http://www.openoffice.org/

GHOST:
http://www.symantec.com/norton/products/ov...mp;pvid=ghost12

I've also picked up a nice backup/restore package for PC's when I bought an external USB hard drive.  I can't lay my hands on it right now though!  I just had a phone conversation with a friend and he uses this program (paid for it after he tried it):

http://www.keriver.com/index.html


Title: PeeCee information if you please
Post by: kimmer on February 02, 2008, 06:49:31 PM
Oh NOOOOO! eek2.gif

Chris has gone to the dark side! pc.gif

Oh, what is this world coming to!!!!!

* scram.gif   from thread*
Title: PeeCee information if you please
Post by: Xairbusdriver on February 02, 2008, 07:19:28 PM
I don't blame him for not wanting to take a valuable computer up on the slopes! smile.gif
Title: PeeCee information if you please
Post by: chriskleeman on February 02, 2008, 07:23:58 PM
QUOTE(kimmer @ Feb 2 2008, 07:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Oh NOOOOO! eek2.gif

Chris has gone to the dark side! pc.gif

Oh, what is this world coming to!!!!!

* scram.gif   from thread*


That's right Kimmer, just call me Darth Vader! Devilish2.gif

Just pretend you never saw that post...  whistling.gif

Come on over, try the Dark Side... rofl.gif

CK swoon.gif  

Don't worry, it's just for ski racing Kim, now take a deep breath, that's it, breathe, breathe....  tease.gif wink2.gif

Thanks Jim, at least you understand! laughhard.gif

Gunug, thanks for the links!
Title: PeeCee information if you please
Post by: sandyman on February 03, 2008, 03:36:58 AM
Chris
For a free disk imaging program you could try Drive Image XML. As gunug said, you can use Open Office for Word processing etc. Personally, I don't like it.  I find it is a real resource hog. A cheap, but not free alternative is Ability Office.  It will do everything you need and does not use up a lot of system resources.

Sandy
Title: PeeCee information if you please
Post by: kimmer on February 03, 2008, 03:50:48 AM
QUOTE(chriskleeman @ Feb 2 2008, 05:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Don't worry, it's just for ski racing Kim ....

That's what you say now ...

Sneakers loves Linux
Chris is turning into Darth Vader

What next? Bill Gates goes fruity?  Devilish2.gif
Title: PeeCee information if you please
Post by: Paddy on February 03, 2008, 11:00:22 AM
Nobody has mentioned anti-virus software - that's the FIRST thing you should get when you take the Dell online! My recommendation would be for Avast - free and works well. I've used it for a number of years on my PeeCee until I gave it away, and now on the XP install on my MacBookPro. smile.gif

http://www.avast.com/
Title: PeeCee information if you please
Post by: chriskleeman on February 09, 2008, 12:58:10 PM
So, I got the PeeCee, (Dell D600 Latitude, Pentium M 1.6 Mhz, 512 MB RAM, CDRW/DVD drive) did all the OS updates, am now running XP Pro with SP2 (Came with a really old version of SP1), and downloaded AVAST, and ran a virus scan, and so far so good (thanks Paddy!). I downloaded the AVAST on my iBook, and moved it over to the Dell on a USB stick. I also downloaded Ski Club, which is one of the programs I need to run the Tuesday races, and moved it over on the stick as well.

Haven't tried to download anything else yet, but at least the machine is in fairly good condition (some cosmetic small scratches and a couple of small dings) and seems to run fine. The display is fairly bright, no dead pixels so far, and all the updates went smoothly. The keyboard is in good shape, I'd say a decent deal (if one has to use a  PeeCee, that is!)

Interestingly enough, it came with a brand new third-party wireless card which was a breeze to install and is running quite fast off of the old Airport Extreme (811.b/g).

So far, so good. I ran the ski race program and picked up one of the races that was backed up to the USB drive, and now the only thing left is to see if all the ports I need to run the races will work (serial and parallel ports)

I'll drag it up on the hill on Monday and see if it smokes!

Haven't tried to download the Drive Image XML yet Sandyman, but over the course of the next couple of weeks I'll get around to it.

The biggest issue is not having a Windows disc to start from if there's trouble, so I've got to figure out how to clone XP Pro to a bootable CD or DVD.

Don't worry Kim, I'm not very impressed by XP Pro...  LOL.gif Devilish2.gif tease.gif yet... rofl.gif wacko.gif