[sdiy] older PC synth applications

[John L Marshall]

Nick,

The boot screen will tell you what CPU, clock speed, how much RAM you have.
Otherwise run MSD (MicroSoft Diagnostics) from the DOS prompt.  You may be
able to upgrade the operating system. Windows 3.11 is a GUI on top of DOS.
Finding older applications for DOS and WIN3.11 or WFW3.11 may be a
challenge. If you upgrade to WIN95 there will be a good choice of MIDI
applications that you can run. This MIDI computer could be the master
controller for softsynths on other computers.

Things to consider for any upgrades (Remember this computer is worth about
what you paid for it.):

If there is a single 40 pin connector for the hard disk then it is probably
an IDE connector not an EIDE and if the BIOS is CHS only then you will be
limited to a maximum hard disk capacity of 528 MB. ATA-1 does not support
CD-ROM.

If you continue to run WIN3.11 you will be stuck with FAT16 and the
limitation of 2047 MB disk partitions (not really a problem). You can have
many partitions on one hard disk.

Max out the RAM but only if you can get the RAM for free.

If all else fails and you have cable or DSL use this computer as a firewall
for the WWW.

John


----- Original Message -----
From: Nicholas Pelkey <njpguy at icqmail.com>
To: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2002 10:28 AM
Subject: [sdiy] older PC synth applications


> hey i was just given an older packard bell computer.. early ninties
issue... its using either 3.11 for Windows.. or something similar... I can
confirm that later.
>
> Main question.. Are there any fun synth applications for this sort of
computer?  Either programs.. or a way to use it as a MIDI or CV brain?
>
> Let me know if you have any fun ideas.
>
> I'll at least see if I can put a version of "Say it" on the computer.
>
> Nick P
>
>
>
>
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