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Megasquirt Laptop purchase
JAG - 22/10/07 at 12:22 PM

Hi all,

Just picked-up a 2nd hand laptop for tuning my Megasquirt but wanted some advice. It's coming with NO software - not even an operating system!

So what do you suggest and why?

I have an offer of Windows XP or 98 (+service pack 2). Which would you choose?

Or maybe I should get Linux on board? anyone tried that? is it any good? Is it compatible with the Megasquirt software?

Your opinions and experience would be great

Fatboy Dave - 22/10/07 at 12:37 PM

Lets have the specs first!

No point putting XP on a P233 with 64mb of RAM

martin1973 - 22/10/07 at 12:53 PM

i would go for win 98 as its freely avalible doesn't need registering.

unless you already have xp ofcourse

mcerd1 - 22/10/07 at 01:13 PM

I'd go for 98 (make sure its 98 SE), XP will just use all the memory and slow it down

2000 Pro (not ME) would be ideal if you can get it - similar to XP and still supported by lots of stuff (and you can get drivers for older parts/PC's) but its not as demanding as XP

[Edited on 22/10/07 by mcerd1]

JAG - 22/10/07 at 01:37 PM

Yeah, Sorry about the spec'

I'm told it's a Pentium II/266Mhz.

It's a bit difficult to prove until I can get it running properly

Fatboy Dave - 22/10/07 at 02:09 PM

Seconded!

RazMan - 22/10/07 at 03:41 PM

Definitely Win98se - the most stable and frugal on resources.

GregSL75 - 22/10/07 at 05:27 PM

quote:

Or maybe I should get Linux on board? anyone tried that? is it any good? Is it compatible with the Megasquirt software?


Not tried under Linux, but I do use Megatunix which is the UNIX / LINUX version of Megatune. IMO FAR better than Megatune with a much easier interface. (even if you go for Windows, i'd suggest using the windows version of Megatunix)

http://megatunix.sourceforge.net/

[Edited on 22/10/07 by GregSL75]

martyn_16v - 22/10/07 at 07:47 PM

Windows 2000 all day every day, I wouldn't touch 98 these days if you'd paid me

Linux is a workable option, but bear in mind that although Megatunix is available most of the other software tools available for MS are still windows only. Megatunix also lags behind MS development slightly in some areas, so it may not be suitable if for some of the more esoteric installs. It is quite swish if it'll work with your install though

Oh, and you should be able to get a bit of info about the laptop spec just by booting it up without an OS. The BIOS will report processor and RAM details on startup, and if you go into BIOS setup you should be able to find out how big the hard disk is.


[Edited on 22/10/07 by martyn_16v]

JAG - 23/10/07 at 09:10 AM

Thanks for the info' guys.

I've been offered a copy of Windows ME - will that be any good?

Peteff - 23/10/07 at 09:44 AM

Not as good as 98se. ME is like a tarted up version of 98. If you're not using the laptop for everyday use it will be fine though.