[IAEP] [Sugar-devel] Getting data about the upgrading older machines and SoaS responsiveness.

[Sean DALY]

Hmmm I'm not sure a BIOS will be wiling to boot from a USB port on a
card. However, combined with a CD boot helper might do the trick.

Reconditioning older PCs (even just adding RAM or a USB card) is a bit
of a thankless job :-(

I'm wondering if there's a way for SoaS to automatically report what
it has booted on. Computer labs are prime candidates for SoaS and are
often populated with a single PC model; it would be great if we could
offer good upgrade advice x30.

Sean




On Sun, Jun 7, 2009 at 3:34 PM, Caroline
Meeks<caroline at solutiongrove.com> wrote:
> This week, thanks for installing the Broadcom drivers separately, we got
> Sugar on a Stick up and running on the GPA computers.
> http://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Gardner_Pilot_Academy#Current_computers_at_GPA
>
> They are older computer and they run faster then an XO but still not that
> snappy.
>
> A big part of SoaS is using existing computers and donated computers.  I
> wonder what it would take to upgrade  older computers, and make them
> snappier.
>
> I don't know if we will get permission to open up these particular
> computers, (which are owned by Boston Public Schools) but there are
> certainly tons of older computers like them around.
>
> I think there are two things that might make them perform better.
>
> 1. Add a USB 2.0 port.  They are almost certainly USB 1 right now.  I see
> that if the box has the right slots for it, USB 2.0 cards are less then $10.
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815123010
> 2. Add more RAM.  Earlier this year I worked with a group that specialized
> in repairing and recyclying computers. They had lots of RAM they had
> scavanged.
>
> It would be very cool if someone had some old computers and could try Sugar,
> then do motifications like add a USB 2.0 port and RAM and document the
> results.  Caryl, this is another potential project for someone who wants to
> help.
>
> --
> Caroline Meeks
> Solution Grove
> Caroline at SolutionGrove.com
>
> 617-500-3488 - Office
> 505-213-3268 - Fax
>
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