In a message dated 7/24/00 5:46:17 AM Central Daylight Time,
paprika@... writes:

> I use an old 486 PC inside the observatory to do CCD imaging. Usually I
> print in advance finder charts that I'll need for during observing session.
> I wonder if I could install even a limited set of files (even DOS mode) on
> my 486 PC without CD drive just to show star fields for finding object

using

> Windows 3.1 capabilties to open different windows simultaneously.

Until I finally gave in just a couple of years ago and bought a new one, I
was still using a 486-25 withOUT a mathco and a Win 3.1 OS as my main
computer. Guide ran quite happily on the underpowered 486 in all the routine
charting modes as long as you didn't try to zoom in far enough on Jupiter to
see moon transits (not that it couldn't do that -- but you had plenty of time
to eat dinner while it finished digesting the intense graphics involved <g>).
The only limitation you might find is having to do without a few less needed
databases if you have a very small hard drive on it.

Cheers,
Sandy Mc.

Sandra McNamara
Stanford, IL N 40d 26' W 89d 13m
EMail: SandyMc456@...