Inexpensive Crack Racks?

[Harrald]

Even though I'm new to RC5 and team TA I would like to help a bit more. Can anyone suggest some inexpensive equipment to build a crack rack?

I have 4 machines at home cracking and 3 at work doing what they can BUT I want more!!

If you have any suggestions try and keep them in english (I'm a stagehand not an IT guy). I have some basic skills.

Thanks.

 

[GeoffS]

- a mobo
- a cpu
- a floppy drive
- a nic (any cheap ISA nic will do... I've got lots.. LMK if you need some!)
- a cheap vidcard
- a copy of Klinux (download from klinux.teamrc5.com)
- a PSU (there was a thread for really inexpensive PSUs a day or so ago)
- a cardboard box to put it all in (I'm partial to real cases, but you don't really need them!)

- a hub (I've got a 12-port 10BaseT that I can sell cheap!)

Thre was also a recent thread on putting all this together for some ridiculously low price... check back a few days!

 

[DanC]

I have some components that may help you. Some mobo's in particular. I'm trying to stick to mostly Durons - so there's some spares available.

 

[poohke]

geoffs: isn't the metal case needed to 'release' (don't know the proper word) the electrostatic electricity?
If that can't escape.. it could damage your hardware!

cheap PS-thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=39&threadid=324770

 

[blade47]

No poohke, you don't need a case. Haven't you ever seen the pics of some of the guys crackracks?

 

[Russ]

Metal case? We don't need no stinking metal case!

Russ, NCNE

 

[JHutch]

You don't need the metal case for the computer. However, if you walk across a carpeted floor in your stocking feet, it would probably be a good idea to touch a grounded (metal) surface before touching your crackrack. You can build up a lot of static electricity that CAN cause damage to your computer.

JHutch

 

[RaySun2Be]

Russ,
My sentiments exactly!

The start of my crackrack:
Not nearly as impressive as Russ'

 

[Lord Demios]

Heheheh. TMR and Warpcore are both racks that have been running without metal cases for a while. I will be honest. I can't afford to put more then a single board at this time in warpcore. But hey, every little bit helps.

LD
Check the sig for my rack.

 

[Russ]

You guys realize, of course, that normal people think we're a bit weird.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Dee67]

Russ, everytime I see that pic my heart goes pitter pat

My wife already thinks I'm insane for leaving our systems (and my super-puny laptop) on all the time... BUT I'd certainly like to give her one of THOSE babies to "be concerned" about

Do tell oh master of the racks, what is the minimum ram need to crack and what's the fastest/easiest/cheapest way to network all those pups together?

 

[Train]

Celeron or Duron, A minimal Power supply, A floppy, a cheap mobo (preferably integrated video) a cheap NIC, ONLY 32 megs of ram, then a klinux boot floppy, all networked, with a Win2k box running a pproxy, which dumps to the net.

 

[Russ]

Dee67,

I use 32MB on each of the nodes, but that's more then needed. For RC5, 16MB would be plenty, and you could make due with 8MB.

As for networking, any cheap Klinux compatible NIC is fine. I'm using a mixture or old SMC Ultra Chip ISA's that I picked up for $5 each, and some new Realtek 8139 PCI's that I buy by the boatload.

For connectivity, I'm using D-Link and Asound 10/100 switches, but any cheap hub would be fine. You can pick up 8 port hubs as low as $25 to $30 for for fixed speed 100's; a little more for 10/100's, a little less for 10's.

Russ, NCNE

 

[GeoffS]

Russ- You mean we're not normal?

 

[JonB]

Russ, my wife looked over my shoulder moments ago as I was looking at your Crack Rack picture.

Her comment was - "No. Don't even think about it."

Now, is that nice???????? She has more than one pair of shoes.

 

[Russ]

JonB,

Yep, I know that phrase. That's why I got rid of mine. Bwuahahahahahaha!!!!!

BTW, I'm a little disappointed in my TBird; it'll only do 1.2GHz. Can I have yours?

Russ, NCNE

 

[JHutch]

I'm familiar with that phrase, too.

That's why I sneak parts into the house whenever possible.

JHutch

 

[JHutch]

And BTW, I think I'm completely normal... It's everybody else that's weird!

JHutch

 

[JimMc]

There's at least 5 or 6 of us here with racks, 2 or 3 is all you need for "normal"--we have now become commonplace.

You can also use 1X2's and pegboard for smallish, ExecuRack type setups, plenty sturdy enough for 3, maybe 4, stories. 18"X10" will give you enough room for a MB, PS and floppy standing on edge to fit. I allow about 10" between floors.

Edit: I got mine after my wife asked what I wanted for Christmas--I said "a crack rack". She asked what it would cost, I said a couple hundred and she was pleasantly surprised and agreed. She wasn't thrilled when she saw it put together, but a Christmas present is a Christmas present, too late then .

 

[Harrald]

OK,

I guess the way to go is to keep an eye on "pricewatch" and wait for surplus.

I think I'm going to a small show next week I'll see if there are any MB's floating around.


I have a full blown carpenter shop in the basement. I'll slap a stand together in no time.


Thanks all

PS I was almost tempted to call the guys at CompuCheap and order stuff. But Wifey put the breaks on me.

 

[dennilfloss]

Wow. Just came across this old thread. Reading it is a blast from the past for sure.

 

[Shuxclams]

What the hell is going on with the old farts and lifer in this thread...

 

[petrusbroder]

Those were the times ...

 

[PCTC2]

Wow. was about to comment about dead thread revival but it's just a bunch of old fogeys here.

 

[Ken g6]

Does anybody still run computers in a rack like that? I know some of us have, or have had, a lot of computers, but are they in racks or cases?

And I was amazed Russ' TACube.com domain was still up, let alone that crackrack pic!