It probably can be fixed, but as you said, it is an old 486 machine, and the
question is do you want to fool with it for a long time with lots of grief
and aggravation for substandard performance?  You are asking if you should
just trash it, and I would vote yes.  Give the machine to some non-profit
organization for kids, take a tax deduction and get something a little more
current.  I have a 486 built in 1993 that probably cost over $3000 at that
time.  I am going to completely rebuild it for my kid.  That means a new
mobo to install some parts I already have.  It actually works with Win 3.11,
but it is so ancient I wouldn't want my 4 year old to have to learn it since
she can't read yet.  I will put Win 98 on my third hard drive and put it in
along with my old sound card, video card, PII 233, and 256 Mb of 66 mhz
SDRAM.  I like doing stuff like that, and it is a form of relaxation.  If it
weren't, I would get a new one for me and give her my old one.  But I would
not waste any time on an old 486 when there are so many non-profits crying
for computers for disadvantaged kids to learn on.

> Hello,
>      I hope someone can help me.  I do not know what else to do.  I have
an old 486 computer.  I formatted my C: drive.  I cannot load windows 95
back on my drive because my cd rom will not work.  I downloaded a driver off
of the internet.  My cd rom is a Mitsumi fx001d.  I went through the steps
of installing it but when I reboot my computer it keeps telling me Device
Driver not found.  No valid cdrom device drivers selected.  I have been
working on this computer for a week.  Do you think I need to give up and
trash it?  Please Help. :(
> Signed
> Frustrated Kat
>
>

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