Putting an old server to good use
April 18, 2007 Posted by Jeff in : DIY, Tips , trackback,
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Remember back in 2002 when you purchased that hot new server for your customer? Remember when he called you back and you both decided to replace it? Well, now what do you do with it? I ran into this exact scenario.
I had this very nice rack-mounted PC with a 500 mhz P3 processor and about 500MG of RAM with hardware raid. At the time, very nice. Now… a bit dated. So what do you do with it?
Well, I’m a bit of an audiofile, and a hardware nut. In my past life, I designed high powered amplifiers and custom designed speaker systems. The decision was made - I remembered that in my “spare stuff†stock was a Soundblaster Live card. I installed the card, formatted the drives and loaded the server with Windows 2000. Why Windows 2000? It’s stable, it’s good on overhead and that’s all it needed. Then I installed all the supporting drivers. Next I mounted it in the rack with the rest of my stereo gear and hooked it up to my preamplifier as if it were a tape deck. Line out of the computer goes into tape 1 input, line in from the computer goes to tape 1 output.
Next, I collected my MP3 backup disks that I’ve been holding on to since 1998, and loaded them up onto the more than ample hard disk. Add to that all the MP3s on my laptop and MP3 player, and WOW! Thousands of MP3 files immediately available and playable over my 200 watt sound system (in a small condo, believe me, that’s more than enough!). I loaded iTunes, then Winamp. First, I brought up my ’80s collection. The first song that pounded its way out of the speakers was ABC’s “The Look Of Love” (first song in alphabetical order). I went down the list and clicked on The Smiths‘ “How Soon Is Now†- wow… nice. Clean and clear. (Server pictured 3rd piece up from bottom)
The next thing was to create playlists. I am planning a barbecue for next week, so the music needed to be fun. In Winamp, I created a playlist containing hits from the ’60s to the ’90s and some new stuff. It was great to be able to build a 5-hour playlist in just under 10 minutes. I could be the DJ, play the songs I wanted, and not have to stand over it all day. Plus in Winamp, I have a plug-in loaded to make the volume of all the songs about the same. No messing with volume controls… set it and forget it.
I’m really enjoying the way I can conjure up any song I want, any playlist I want, and hear it over a very nice sound system. All thanks to this old Pentium 3 server that almost got tossed in the trash.
So before you toss out that old computer, give it a second thought. If you don’t have another use for it, then donate it to a charity or give it to a needy family.
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I got a couple emails asking what’s in the rack:
Sanyo Plus T55 - Quartz PLL Memory Synthesizer Stereo Tuner
Sanyo Plus C55 - DC Mosfet Preamplifier
Sanyo Plus E55 - Timer/Clock and system Power Controller
Denon DN1000F - Professional CD Player with Pitch and cueing controls.
TASCAM 112 - Professional Cassette Deck(also has pitch control).
Electra EQ - A studio grade piece. Nice specs.
Pentium 3 Server - Holding MP3 Collection
2 custom built 100 Watt Amplifiers. (my design)
Speakers (only 1 shown) My design, based on Altec Voice of the Theatre, but at 1/8 the size. Bass Accelleration port on bottom.
I too have a sanyo plus t55. It is stuck in 9khz on AM. Do you, or your owners manual describe how to change it to 10 kHz tuning for here in the usa? thanks for any assistance from you
Hmm.. it’s been some time since I opened the tuner. I think there is either a switch on the rear, or a jumper inside the unit. Go to the forums section of texxors.com and we can continue our exchange there. I have the original manual for these pieces.
And I have a sanyo plus t55 I found in a thrift store. Fm is great, AM is in 9khz only. Were you able to help that other guy Tim on May 9, 2007. I’ve looked all over mine. It’s 120 VAC but never could find how to switch for 10 khz AM?
Any help would be very appreciated
2nd request for information? And I have a sanyo plus t55 I found in a thrift store. Fm is great, AM is in 9khz only. Were you able to help that other guy Tim on May 9, 2007. I’ve looked all over mine. It’s 120 VAC but never could find how to switch for 10 khz AM?
Any help would be very appreciated
Hi can you tell me the model of the Electra EQ and how you like it.thanks dd
Anyone care to sell their SAanyo T-55?
Oops! Make that “Sanyo T-55″.