What to do with an extra computer parts...

Hey folks, this is my first post.
I want to get degrees in EE and Computer Engineering, but now I would
like some practice.
I have 3 spare hard drives laying around (2 3GB and 1 6GB) and a
couple video cards. I was wondering if there was anything I could do
with these things? Anything really. I was thinking of just taking them
apart or something, but that wouldn't learn me anything.
If anyone could post some links to a site that has projects to do with
spare comp parts, that would be awesome.
Thanks

 

What I did last week was to go to the recycling center and went
dumpster diving for more spare parts. Brought 'em home, stripped 'em
and took the carcases back. Could have saved a case cover for sheet
metal, but I can always go back. Also could have fixed that 17"
monitor, but I only had room for the one I found that worked

I also got a working tower and a few video and sound cards. THe
compaq POSs worked, too, but being POSs, I just stripped 'em. Of
course I let them boot and read all the dirty sh*t educators don't
remove from their computers before they trash 'em. 1 unit from a
college prof and 2 from some middle school with a bunch of little
supposedly educational games.

So I build a new Linux box. It might be a bit slow for X windows,
have to pare it down and see, but it'll serve up files fast. If that
node hub I grabbed works, I might use it, too.

That's not a bad idea - a linux box. You're likely to benefit from
the Linux experience.

If you don't do as I, I figure the hassle of taking the components
off for parts is just a timely PITA. I can't think of what you might
do with a card other than using it as a spare or putting it in a new
system.

But if nothing else. Look at the way the boards are laid out and how
the tracks are routed. You can take a picture for posting to the
binaries group if you have any specific questions. Just edit the
photo and circle the area of interest. Save as JPG to keep the size
down. Possible PNG but only if it's smaller, which for that kind of
picture, I doubt it will be.

Have fun. Good luck.

 

I have 3 spare hard drives laying around (2 3GB and 1 6GB) and a

For a wannbe computer engineer,
Active8's Linux box suggestion for old PC hardware is good.
(You'll need more stuff--easily obtained.)

Common rookie mistake: starting with parts and trying to make something of them.
It takes a lot of insight (knowledge + imagination).
It's easier to *start with a schematic* and scrounge for parts.
(Generally difficult, but you may learn something
in looking up the specs for what parts you have.)
....and you'll quickly find out about PITA "in-house part numbers".

 

recycling center...dumpster diving

Hey, Colasono:
No maps to these treasure troves?
Not that they will do me any good. Decades since I was near the Chesapeake.

X Window (singular). Windows is from ThatOtherCompany.

 

Same here. I can give you directions and maps to the place I hit in
PA, though

Well. I was trying to remember which way XFree86 gets capitalized
and said f' it

When did we last speak, email, or meet? I haven't posted my last
name in a while. You even spelled it right I'm going through
Jeffs in my head... Fulmer, Carpenter,... drawing a blank, drawing a
beer...

Here. If you want to backchannel a message to me, use this:

 

No maps to these treasure troves?

I thought you were in the Baltimore area. Not close enough?
I worked in the Hampton Roads area for a year. Too cold for me.

Only in these groups.

Just one WOP remembering another's surname from those old times.
http://www.google.com/search?&q=wop+without-papers+immigration

 

I've mentioned Baltimore enough times that you'd think that. I'll
probably move back, too - at least for business. I'm acclimated to
that from the mid-west - brrr cold and windy.

Then you're pretty sharp. A quick check of sent emails didn't jog my
memory.

Hmm. Nice how google sometimes answers the question in the short
descriptions.

I figured you might have googled back through the groups but that
would've required an exhaustive search because there was a time I
was away from this group and when I came back, IIRC, I just dropped
the surname and went to the moniker - new ISP, too.

So your last name is Martini, right