I see no reason why you couldn't boot some flavor of DOS from a floppy on
even a brand new machine, then format to your hearts content.
As for the other items you are asking about, sure you can use older systems
for that.  However, when they *do* die, it often makes more economic sense
to invest in a new machine then to try to keep the old one running on life
support.

Tony Mayer



>Carl Houseman wrote:
>
>>Current generation monitors go into a nearly-off or power saving mode
>>when permitted by the current generation operating systems.
>>
>>If the computer from which the 7-year old power supply came was also 7
>>years old, it's very long in the tooth.  New computers (with new
>>monitors) don't cost nearly what you paid for that 7 year old job.
>>Time to catch up with the current century!
>>
>>Carl
>>
>>
>>
>Unfair jab. Many people still use older computers for many things current
>computers can't do. I use my DOS/3.11 to format QNX disks to use with my
>medical equipment that I work on because I do not have a UNIX system. Some
>use them for home monitoring, print spoolers, etc. Throwing things away just
>because it is 'old' is not resourceful.
>
>Jean Bourvic

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