Back Into Service: Thinkpad 600E, Presario 2132EA

I put my old IBM Thinkpad 600E and Compaq Presario 2132EA back into service. Here are the specs on the machines:

IBM Thinkpad 600E:

Intel Pentium II 366MHz processor
64MB RAM
56kbps modem
1 USB port, 1 VGA port, 1 parallel port, 1 serial port, 1 PS2 port, 1 IrDA port
DVD-ROM drive (front-loading!!!)
External floppy disk drive
Crystal Audio

Compaq Presario 2132EA:

Intel Pentium III 1 GHz processor
384MB RAM
56kbps modem, 100Mbps network interface
2 USB ports (inaccessible), 1 VGA port, 1 parallel port, 1 PS2 port, 1 IrDA port
DVD/CD-RW drive
Internal floppy drive

The problem with the Thinkpad is that it's too slow and doesn't have enough RAM to run a web browser. I can, however, use the USB port to connect to my ADSL router which effectively turns it into a network interface. The Presario, on the other hand, can get onto the 'net and do all kinds of stuff but the power connector is loose so I have to keep a paperweight on it, which makes the USB ports inaccessible. Also, the Spacebar and the 'B' keys on the keyboard don't work. The batteries on both laptops no longer work.

My current setup has the Thinkpad running Windows 98 Second Edition. I've installed the Terminal Service Client for Windows, which enables me to connect to the Presario running Windows XP SP2 (I plan to upgrade to SP3 sometime soon). That solves the low resources problem of the Thinkpad as well as the keyboard and loose power connector problem of the Presario. I'm hoping to install a wireless USB interface on the Thinkpad so I'm not tied down to the ADSL router but that's a plan for later.