Old Laptop as Music Server?

[HorseSoldier]

I'm really new at this so please forgive my ignorance...

Re the How To Article "Turn Your Computer into an Audiophile Music Server" (http://forums.audioreview.com/showthread.php?t=9829#goto_threadsearch).

I have an aging Dell Inspiron 7000 notebook computer running Windows 98SE, 40GB hard drive, Intel Celeron 333Mhz, 256MB RAM and the USB port is 1.0 or 1.1.

Might this notebook, stripped of non-essential software (I plan to buy a new one when the new Micro$oft OS finally starts shipping next year) and using an external hard drive, e.g., the SimpleTech STI-USB235/500 (http://www.simpletech.com/estore/index.php?partNumber=STI-USB235/500&ProfileID=1), Xitel HiFi-Link (http://www.xitel.com/product_hfl.htm), and Foobar/Exact Audio Copy freeware fulfill the functions of a *wired* digital music server for hi-fi music playback through my stereo system along with a convenient on-screen display, the ability to copy my current CDs, and download/save music from the internet on a DSL connection? All the items would sit atop the rack cabinet housing other components and would not be used for anything other than music storage and playback, probably MP3s recorded at 320 kbs. Any "ripping" of new CDs would be done on the old or new notebooks for transfer to the external hard disk drive.

Would this work or have I missed something?

HorseSoldier

[noddin0ff]

I'm really new at this so please forgive my ignorance...

Re the How To Article "Turn Your Computer into an Audiophile Music Server" (http://forums.audioreview.com/showthread.php?t=9829#goto_threadsearch).

I have an aging Dell Inspiron 7000 notebook computer running Windows 98SE, 40GB hard drive, Intel Celeron 333Mhz, 256MB RAM and the USB port is 1.0 or 1.1.

Might this notebook, stripped of non-essential software (I plan to buy a new one when the new Micro$oft OS finally starts shipping next year) and using an external hard drive, e.g., the SimpleTech STI-USB235/500 (http://www.simpletech.com/estore/index.php?partNumber=STI-USB235/500&ProfileID=1), Xitel HiFi-Link (http://www.xitel.com/product_hfl.htm), and Foobar/Exact Audio Copy freeware fulfill the functions of a *wired* digital music server for hi-fi music playback through my stereo system along with a convenient on-screen display, the ability to copy my current CDs, and download/save music from the internet on a DSL connection? All the items would sit atop the rack cabinet housing other components and would not be used for anything other than music storage and playback, probably MP3s recorded at 320 kbs. Any "ripping" of new CDs would be done on the old or new notebooks for transfer to the external hard disk drive.

Would this work or have I missed something?

HorseSoldier

I think you're good to go. I run a circa 2000 Mac G3 (500Mhz) which is probably a little faster but more than adequate. It shares over a network from an external harddrive that is connected via a firewire connection (similar in speed to USB2.0) and it only hiccups when 3 other users are also using it. I would check the requirements of the software you want to run. If you're currently playing tunes on it it will be fine. A potential concern is the USB 1.0 connection. The maximum transfer rate for that is 1.5MB/sec. A file at 320kbps (.32MB/sec) shouldn't be a problem but if you have more demands on the server, then that could be a bottle neck. If you find the music server stalling consider a simple USB2.0 card for the PCI slot. This is an example of one
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=DLDUBC2&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=403652
It will give you 40 times the data rate to/from the external harddrive.

I'm not familiar with the PC software, you have to get another opinion on that. The difference in ripping speeds between and old and a new processor I'm guessing is easily 8-fold.

[HorseSoldier]

Thanks(!) for the informative -- and easy to understand -- advice. Like I said, I'm only just getting into this digital music on/from computers and the internet. I really appreciate all the good suggestions I can get -- and afford:)!

If the initial setup doesn't work, I now at least have excellent ideas on how and where to begin to correct/improve things. Again, many thanks!

HorseSoldier

[HAVIC]

Horse Soldier, You can get a USB 2.0 PCMCIA (a standard port on most laptops) card for around $25 but it may not help you much as your system may not be able to handle those speeds anyway. Win98 may not be the best operating system either for this.

As noddin0ff stated you may come across slow data transfers resulting in music that sounds like it is skipping. Also you can not compare a MAC @500Mhz to your PC @300Mhz becuase the chip architecture is completley different. The PC will be much slower.

You do not mention if this laptop is to be used to play music directly to your system or you want remote access throughout your house from other computers.

An alternative to running windows on that machine would be to download Suse Linux 10 for free and install in laptop mode. Linux will run better than windows on the same machine because of less overhead in the operating system.

Another expensive alternative is a Slim Devices Squeezebox ($200) and a NAS (Network attached storage) device for around ($1200) the Infrant ReadyNas Line offers direct support for the Squeezebox.

There are many ways to set this up but I feel the 300Mhz laptop may not suit you best. I would definetly try it first but you may have to look elsewhere.

[noddin0ff]

Yes, the chip architectures are very different. And how well software is written for a chip makes a big difference. If the software runs that's really the answer. Just for a frame of reference on speed. When the Celeron 333 came out it was being benchmarked against the iMac G3 233. Depending on the test used either one performed better
http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/18124/18124.html
So since my laptop is basically an iMac G3 in a small box I'd say its basically in the same ball park performance wise. If slower, the Celeron won't be that much slower than an old and adequate Mac. Provided the software is compatible...

I believe the data rates supported by a PCMCIA card are limited by the system bus. I don't think there's any issue with the system handling those speeds.

I guess the take home message is try the software and see if you're laptop plays music. You won't be limited on the external drive speeds.

[HAVIC]

Noddinoff,
It is not a problem with the data rates of the pcmcia, but the overhead of the os.

But I definetly say give it a try, if it doesn't work out there are alternatives.

[noddin0ff]

Noddinoff,
It is not a problem with the data rates of the pcmcia, but the overhead of the os.

But I definetly say give it a try, if it doesn't work out there are alternatives.

gotcha, thx!

[HorseSoldier]

This is a very useful discussion for me. Many thanks again for all the ideas and suggestions.

As the old Inspiron laptop will be *solely* used for running the music file management software to select and playback music files from of the external hard drive directly to my stereo system (I don't have a home network), I hope the Windows 98SE OS won't have problem. Any/all files, drivers, etc. not needed by the Foobar/EAC software, Internet Explorer and external hard drive will be removed. I don't think I'm ready to learn/deal with Linux but one never knows.

The suggestions re USB 2.0 are most(!) welcome. I'm hoping I won't need it but it is great to know that the upgrade, if needed, can be easily and affordably done.