Vista on a cheap computer

[airman00]

OK

I need a computer that can do the following : run Vista, store ~ 5 GB of robot code, and have at least 512mb RAM

now heres the catch : IT HAS TO COST LESS THAN $150 !!!

Look I know this doesn't really cost 72 bucks, its more  BUT can I upgrade the system so that it can fulfill the characteristics I need?
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/how20/157a2ea4fc033110vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html



I needs some help! 

Thanks
,Eric

P.S.  I know I can just take used laptops , but they are relatively big , I'm trying to save space.

[airman00]

I've looked around and got the following requirements for Vista Basic

# 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
# 512 MB of system memory
# 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
# Support for DirectX 9 graphics and 32 MB of graphics memory
# DVD-ROM drive
# Audio Output

I guess the 72 bucks PC won't cut it . Can I perhaps assemble a computer (its not portable) for under 150 dollars that can do all of the above. Maybe mini-itx?

I need some help in this matter .

[Dr_Worm]

http://www.logicsupply.com/products/ln10000eg

it would go over your budget by like 12 dollars, but all you need is the motherboard, cpu, and 512mb of ram right?

correction: you'd need a video card too like this one;  http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3249827&CatId=1603

[airman00]

thanks ill look into that


but do you think I could find a regular 1ghz computer for under 150 bucks

[krich]

About a year ago, I found a P4-2.8GHz, 512 RAM, 80Gb HD Dell on the Dell Outlet site for $79.  It was a regular desktop machine, not a laptop. You might want to take a look there.  Sometimes they have smoking deals.  Being after Xmas, they may be dumping their overstocks (if they have any) in the Outlet.

[frank26080115]

if you can squeeze another $50
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7754614

[airman00]

thanks for the comments , ill check the dell outlets

its a computer for a car by the way

[SmAsH]

for a car? like plugs into the car? or inbuilt dash comp or something...



~smash

[airman00]

for a car? like plugs into the car? or inbuilt dash comp or something...



~smash

just a computer that runs off the car's 12V battery source
So anyways, I'm going to get a 1ghz computer ready built from eBay in a month or so , unless I decide to get a mini-itx

[Trumpkin]

lol I want a laptop for under $50 dollars.

[Admin]

I need a computer that can do the following : run Vista, store ~ 5 GB of robot code, and have at least 512mb RAM

. . . why?

[airman00]

I need a computer that can do the following : run Vista, store ~ 5 GB of robot code, and have at least 512mb RAM

. . . why?

For my new CarBuddy software

too lazy to explain, details are in a post titled carbuddy

[ed1380]

if this is for the carbuddy. go here http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/index.php

they'll know all about putting computers in cars

you could also try to find a lite version of vista and instal the voice recognition part later

[airman00]

if this is for the carbuddy. go here http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/index.php

they'll know all about putting computers in cars

you could also try to find a lite version of vista and instal the voice recognition part later

thank you that is perfect!

[GUmeR]

How about HD protection? Won't one bump kill a powered-working HD? Even if not, will it work long?

[ed1380]

solid state hard drive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-state_drive

[airman00]

How about HD protection? Won't one bump kill a powered-working HD? Even if not, will it work long?

I don't think so , since there are so many computers in cars and none of them are solid state . But I will take that into consideration and test it with a crappy computer thats running some old version of Windows or linux

maybe I can use a removable 250gb  flash drive  as teh main hard drive, anyone do this before?

[ed1380]

250gb flash drive?

[Admin]

since there are so many computers in cars and none of them are solid state

are you sure they aren't solid state? i was under the assumption cars only had microcontrollers . . . (I didn't check, but I'm assuming)

[ed1380]

car modules(mcu) are solidstate. but I'm assuming he's talking about the custom carputers (link i posted earlier)

[airman00]

car modules(mcu) are solidstate. but I'm assuming he's talking about the custom carputers (link i posted earlier)

yes ,  the carputers aren't solid state are they?

[ed1380]

quick search on their sites and it looks like they use normal laptop drives

[airman00]

quick search on their sites and it looks like they use normal laptop drives

yep, I will make a  new post relating how I plan to run the CarBuddy program in a car.

[cooldog]

smash...
no know what admin said... no useless posts
___________________________________________________________________________________________


isn't windows vista $300 alone so that might make it hard to find one for $50

[airman00]

I have a copy of vista already and all i need is a compatible computer

[krich]

How about HD protection? Won't one bump kill a powered-working HD? Even if not, will it work long?

Stick with laptop drives.  You'd only have to worry about G forces if you're putting it in the General Lee and Boss Hogg is after you.

Yeeeeee Haaaaawwwwww!!

 

[SmAsH]

have you looked around in dumpsters near universities? or colleages?

[airman00]

have you looked around in dumpsters near universities? or colleages?

good idea , though I doubt people throw away vista compatible computers in the garbage. I want to go scavenging after the colleges are done for the year , see all the junk they throw out which is my treasure

[ddemarco5]

check Harverd college dumpsters

[SmAsH]

ya...last year my sister got a free working laptop (no software) from her italian teacher made me jealous. i wish our school had a dumpster for electronics.