Multiple Machines

**williams22** · June 6th, 2003, 02:20 PM

Hey I was looking at the total cpu power post and noticed that a lot of you have many computers running. Do you buy cheap systems when you see them even if they are older? If I were to buy some systems, is there a way I can run them without having to buy new monitors?

**DoctorReno** · June 6th, 2003, 02:22 PM

You can get a switch that will let multiple systems share one each, Keyboard, Mouse and Monitor.

**thePh@r@oh** · June 6th, 2003, 02:25 PM

we mostly build our own systems not many of us buy systems

**williams22** · June 6th, 2003, 02:30 PM

Could someone please list all the parts I would need to build a system and the price range for each? If I'm not gonna use this computer much I would assume things like burners, high tech video cards and sound cards, and all pci cards would not be needed, correct? could someone just give me an idea of how much money i would be looking at

**Omardeth** · June 6th, 2003, 03:57 PM

i think most of us just build our own systems and upgrade alot and just use the old parts for the "cows" to be honost . i know i have anuff parts in my house to make about 3-4 more complete systems . and i have 6 pc's running now . i just don't have monitors for them .

**ck42866** · June 6th, 2003, 07:11 PM

For 800 dollars, you could build yourself a pretty nice system.

But that doesn't mean you cant build one for lots less.

And if your looking for cheap, and I mean cheap, go to www.computergeeks.com and look at their lower end PIII and pII systems. And by going there doesn't mean you are sacrificing quality. This of course if you are interested in buying. To build, search the forums. Not trying to evade the question but it is better for you to search, learn, then ask questions.

Try the overclocking forums for CPU's.
Video and benchmarking to get an idea about VC's.
Motherboards, self explanatory

They are pretty much clearly labeled. If you need additional help feel free to start a thread in each forum or, I didn't tell you this

, email me and maybe I can help find you some links.

**ck42866** · June 6th, 2003, 07:16 PM

Look at this system for 99 bucks.

http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp...=GX1PIII450-7B

**rockpile** · June 6th, 2003, 07:16 PM

I built my last system for under 300 hundred dollars had a graphics card and monitor laying around but I bought the rest.

Case,motherboard.RAM,CPUxp1700+,cpu fan 24 bucks=new system

mickwish · June 6th, 2003, 07:22 PM

If ya wanna control PC's cheap without multiple monitors, don't use a KVM (the special switch that let's you control multiple keyboard/video/mouse). Just get the PC up and running first, then use software to connect to it via network. VNC is free, and well supported bu users here, so you should have no trouble getting help.

That's all I use now. Less cable tangle.

Cheers
Mick

**sharder8** · June 6th, 2003, 10:29 PM

Originally posted by mickwish
If ya wanna control PC's cheap without multiple monitors, don't use a KVM (the special switch that let's you control multiple keyboard/video/mouse). Just get the PC up and running first, then use software to connect to it via network. VNC is free, and well supported bu users here, so you should have no trouble getting help.

That's all I use now. Less cable tangle.

Cheers
Mick

I'm with Mick on this one!

I was using vnc in the beginning, but I snagged myself a copy of Remote Administrator. Right now, I have 4 of my computers running without monitors, keyboards, or mice!

I also like Remote Administrator because I have two means of remote access, "View" and "Full Control". I can check up on the kids and what they are doing without them knowing I'm watching by using "View".

Or, I can go in under full control and lock out their keyboard and mouse!

Harder

BTW, I built all my own with the exception of "Tweetybird", which is an HP!

Or should I say, started out as an HP!

**ck42866** · June 7th, 2003, 12:23 AM

Thats a good idea mich and hard. I downloaded it and I really can't figure it out. Networking is not my forte if u know what I mean. If u know an easy, and I mean easy way to explain it to me, I'd appreciate that. I hat sending info from each cow, everyday. The rush is nice but getting whoever off the machine for the moment is starting to suck.

**Wizzard~Of~Ozz** · June 7th, 2003, 12:38 AM

Install the program on all machines, in the VNC menu (from start button) under adminstrative tools, click "install as service" then set the password.

Now on the machine you want to connect from, type in the name of the machine you want to connect to, enter the password and it's now on your screen (and you mouse and keyboard are now controlling that PC.

**Dazbo666** · June 7th, 2003, 01:09 AM

Originally posted by sharder8
.....I was using vnc in the beginning, but I snagged myself a copy of Remote Administrator. Right now, I have 4 of my computers running without monitors, keyboards, or mice!

I also like Remote Administrator because I have two means of remote access, "View" and "Full Control". I can check up on the kids and what they are doing without them knowing I'm watching by using "View". Or, I can go in under full control and lock out their keyboard and mouse!

I'm checking out Remote Admin today.... Only got 2 PCs at home ATM, but planning on setting up 2 or 3 more for number crunching.
Got my main box, and the 2nd unit is gonna be used by my kids for homework and gaming so the "View" facility looks ideal for me!
Thanks for the advice sharder8 !!

**ck42866** · June 7th, 2003, 11:55 AM

Thanks WoO. I'll try it like that today.

**RustyGT** · June 8th, 2003, 09:13 AM

williams22. Gday

Welcome to what will likely be a growing obsession.
The "need to build more boxes".

This is how i've been building my herd.

Scrounging bits here and there.
Buy some bits new.
Some 2nd hand.

Everything is useful.
So if you find someone selling a cpu and a bit of ram at the right price, take it.
Next week you might find someone with 3 or 4 network cards.
Grab them too.
Discover a box of old hard drives for sale. Cheap.
Sold!
Look at some ugly cases, seller wants to be rid of them?
Thankyou very much.

You'll find if you pick up enuff stuff.
You'll have plenty of boxes to build.

With enuff spares to be able to troubleshoot.
Which is a good thing!

About cows [crunchers] Most of mine are in ugly cases, do not have CDs or sound or even floppies.
Two of them have 420 Mb HDs.
But they do have NICs. Thats how i talk to them! With VNC.

I have 8 systems [atm] and 2 monitors. A 17 that is on my main box.
And an old 14 that i use for troubleshooting the herd.

You do not need to spend a lot of money to build a herd.
But you do need to be resourceful.

You can say, that you 'dont know how' to build a box, or to setup a network.
But how do you think the 'rest of us' learnt.

By jumping in and doing it.
And asking questions of the good folk of 'TIMO'

Some may not understand. But computers are a legit hobby.
DC is a great and very useful purpose to put them to.

Cheers Rusty.

mickwish · June 8th, 2003, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by sharder8
I also like Remote Administrator because I have two means of remote access, "View" and "Full Control".

If you like this feature, and don't wanna pay for Remote Admin, try TightVNC.

Has a few more features than VNC, and a better installer.

Also has some good install instructions.

Cheers
Mick

**RustyGT** · June 8th, 2003, 10:13 AM

Havent tried the links yet Mick.
I still use an earlier version of VNC.
[Much easier to setup]

Had a thought, that these sort of utilities.
Could be useful links in the FaD sticky.

R.

mickwish · June 8th, 2003, 10:15 AM

Actually, they could be useful for most DC's where multiple PC's are involved.

Maybe Auntie Surreal would put them as links on TimoDC pages??

Good idea, mate.

Cheers
Mick

**Wizzard~Of~Ozz** · June 8th, 2003, 11:26 AM

I just switched over to TightVNC, and all I can say is wow, much better then the version I was running, and just had to re-install over VNC (no need to hook up a monitor except for the Win98 machine, but it already had a monitor)

there is no more lag in the mouse cursor (even over the 10base part of my network)