In the #ewaste scores is this random USB drive, with the "Bank of Communications" on one side and "2010 USB Key" for bankcomm{DOT]com
Serial number: HDE-30156307

It shows up in a fresh Win11 install as an "unknown smart card" (because I was not going to insert this USB from #China in any old #PC of mine).

In my searching so far there are no drivers are found anywhere for this device.

Do I keep messing with getting this to work, or does it go back to ewaste and I use the #yubikey that was found? 🤔

#vintagecomputing
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk
#vintagehardware
#computerHistory
#retro
#retrocomputing #retroComputers
#WallOfRetro #upcycle #restore #TechnologyRepair #WasteNotWantNot
#retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech #encryption #security #cybersecurity #siliconValley #SillyValley #sanfrancisco #sanfran #sanfranciscocomputers #sanfrancomputers #sanfranciscovintagecomputers #sanfranvintagecomputers #sanfranciscovintagehardware
#sanfranvintagehardware #informationsecurity #IT #ITsupport #hardwaresupport #computerrepair

I booted one of the original Slackware ARM development machines this week.

It’s a StrongARM RiscPC, running a Slackware ARM system that was last booted in April 2008. There was a kernel mismatch between the public builds and the original development kernel, so it took some careful archaeology to get it running; but it did boot, and I was able to log in and explore.

https://youtu.be/_I7CgyMXDYU

#floss #linux #slackware #retrocomputing #vintagehardware #ARM

ZDNet: Want to save your old computer? Try one of these 9 Linux distros – for free. “With these operating systems, you can revive an old machine and make it run as though it were new. Here are 9 Linux distributions that are perfectly at home on older (and even newer) hardware.”

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/12/10/zdnet-want-to-save-your-old-computer-try-one-of-these-9-linux-distros-for-free/

Grabbed a #Lenovo #Ideapad C330 (#Chromebook) from my local #ewaste facility, looking to log into certain #Google Workspace accounts without providing a footprint on an actual #PC. And in the future when no longer supported install #Debian on it.
Also: this Chromebook folds to a tablet.

Unfortunately, the battery never fully charges: solid red for a few hours, then blinking red LED. I can get it to boot, but it will stay on for just a few minutes and then dies. Leaving it charging overnight, I was able to get logged in and started the upgrade for #ChromeOS 105.0.5195.134 (32 Bit), got the reboot and then it died. Left it unplugged, and there is no juice at all.
I found replacement batteries for $5 and up on #ebay, $10 plus shipping on gotlaptopparts.com, and stupid prices elsewhere. My concern is that it is not the battery but the circuits that managing charging the battery (which I would consider beyond repair and take back to eddies).

Via https://cros.tech/device/maple/ it looks as this Chromebook will support ChromeOS 143.0.7499.46, so there should still be some life in this device if the power issue is addressed.

Anything I’m missing here/not considering? Worth getting that cheap assed ebay battery and giving it a try?

#siliconValley #SillyValley
#vintagecomputing
#vintagecomputing #vintagecomputint #vintagecomputer #vintagecomputers #vintagecomputalk
#vintagehardware
#computerHistory
#retro #IT #ITsupport #hardwaresupport #computerrepair
#retrocomputing #retroComputers
#WallOfRetro
#retroTech #retroTechnology
#nerdsOfVintage #happyNerding
#computer #tech
#laptop #IBM #thinkpad #thinkpads #VintageThinkPad #IBMhardware
#lenovoHardware #Thinkpadnium
#upcycle #restore #TechnologyRepair #ThinkPadRepair #WasteNotWantNot #Thinkpadnium

The Register: Old-school rotary phone dials into online meetings, hangs up when you slam it down. “We’ve all been there: A meeting goes sideways and you really wish you could physically slam the phone down and walk away. Maker Stavros Korokithakis knows that feeling well, so he took an old rotary phone and turned it into a device that can dial into – and hang up on – video calls in a decidedly […]

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/11/26/the-register-old-school-rotary-phone-dials-into-online-meetings-hangs-up-when-you-slam-it-down/

Boing Boing: This site captures laptop sticker collections before they disappear. “The site captures laptop stickers spotted in coffee shops, submitted by travelers, and photographed before the hardware inevitably becomes obsolete.”

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/11/13/boing-boing-this-site-captures-laptop-sticker-collections-before-they-disappear/