Turn an old comp into an mp3 player

corblimey

I have an old comp (Win98, 192megs Ram, 20gig h/d) and I'm considering moving my mp3 collection to it just to save room on my main machine. Then I thought that I might be able to turn that comp into a wireless mp3 player, so that I can set up some speakers around my house and listen to the tunes.

What sort of equipment would I need to do this and would I be better served going to a hifi shop or a computer shop? The old comp has no USB ports and I tried to install some on a PCI card, but the installation program wouldn't run. I suspect I'd need USB ports for anything of this nature, so this may make things a little more difficult (impossible?)

uberpixie

To get your pci card to work you may need to use a newer flavour of windows either 2k or xp. Unless you want to go the linux route. A newer os will have better support for wireless gear as well.

My friend has an old dell p2 350 with 384 mb of ram and runs 2k very smoothly and sure for it's intended purpose your auld machine doesn't have to be ultra fast.

degsie

Here's a neat idea I've been toying with myself. You can get a PCI fm transmitter for your 'puter. There's one called "PCI Max 2005" available from several places. This allows you to transmit fm signals from the 'puter and then simply tune in your fm radio to the correct frequency. So you could send your sounds around the house....

ChRoMe

I have a p200 64ram windoze 98 with a wireless pcmcia card which plays the music from my server in the basement. It works no problem. Usb doesnt come into it

"Then I thought that I might be able to turn that comp into a wireless mp3 player, so that I can set up some speakers around my house and listen to the tunes."

I dont understand what your saying. Are you talking about using wireless for the speakers?!? And if this is going to be your sole mp3 player why network it if it will house your whole collection? BTW I'm hungover to bits so its prob my lack of brainpower atm thats leading me not to understand your post.

Will_hendrix

i have my pc hooked to the tv and the sound to the 100w sterio system for gaf parties, and using a wireless mouse and winamp's milkdrop vis on fullscreen its easy for anyone to chose a tune while keepin the vis on for the light fx, every one thinks it kicks ass

Loobz

degsie wrote:

Here's a neat idea I've been toying with myself. You can get a PCI fm transmitter for your 'puter. There's one called "PCI Max 2005" available from several places. This allows you to transmit fm signals from the 'puter and then simply tune in your fm radio to the correct frequency. So you could send your sounds around the house....

Sweet Jesus thats genius!! Please keep us up to date on how its goin' any trouble u ran into and how well it works.

Chalk

Will_hendrix wrote:

i have my pc hooked to the tv and the sound to the 100w sterio system for gaf parties, and using a wireless mouse and winamp's milkdrop vis on fullscreen its easy for anyone to chose a tune while keepin the vis on for the light fx, every one thinks it kicks ass

how do you choose a tune with a visulaisation on fullscreen?

rymus

with yer.. .like miiiiiiiiind maaaaan....

corblimey

ChRoMe wrote:

I have a p200 64ram windoze 98 with a wireless pcmcia card which plays the music from my server in the basement. It works no problem. Usb doesnt come into it

I dont understand what your saying. Are you talking about using wireless for the speakers?!?

Well, you have a PC in your basement playing your tunes, where do you hear them? How does the sound travel from your basement to your head?

I'm thinking of something along the lines of Sonos but a lot cheaper and lot more DIY. A wireless transmitted hooked up to my PC and a bunch of wireless speakers around the house picking up the tunes.

I like the idea of the fm transmitter thingy too, get myself one of them boomboxes I've been hearing so much about...

daveirl

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