Upgrading the Memory on a DreamCast?

dknight asks: "Ok, a friend of mine recently has his computer die on him. Rather than go out and buy a computer, we thought we'd try converting his DreamCast to fit the bill. We've got the keyboard and mouse, and now have Linux running on it successfully(we're working on getting the network adapter). The problem we're running into, however, is that it's REALLY painfully slow. I'm figuring this is due to the meager 16 Megs of RAM it comes with. My question is: Is it possible to upgrade the RAM on a DreamCast? Has anyone else attempted this feat?" I highly doubt this is possible, but if this can be done, this might breathe new life into those unused DC consoles that are lying around.

Comments

imho just get a cheap pc

[StandardDeviant]

Becuase, as other posters have mentioned, a BBA is going to set you back 150-200, the modem doesn't work with Unix, the cpu isn't a speed demon for desktop use, and if you try to start hacking the DC you'd need $$ for parts/tools/replacement DCs when you bork them experimenting.

Just as an example: www.used-pcs.com They're a shop in Austin, TX (actually a little suburb) that the people in the local freenix community have had nice things to say about.

Here's one solution that'd run a free unix great, and win9x pretty well: DELL OPTIPLEX GXPRO #BWRZK $129 PPro 200 6.4G 64M, DESKTOP, 1.44FD, IDE CD-ROM, USB, NIC, Sound Add on another $59 for a 15" moniter and you're set (if he's got broadband, add another $29 for a 56k modem if not). [Every now and again they even get dual cpu ppro machines in for about the same cost, for that extra geek factor...]

Or check the classified adverts in your local paper. You should be able to pick up a decent system (web surfing, email, text processing and the like) for <$300. If there are any state agencies or universities near where you live, try asking if they have a surplus department. You can find the craziest things that way (like a friend of mine that got a mint condition 20" xterminal for $10).

All this assumes that his old machine is completely dead. Is it just one part that failed? If you can replace the dead parts for <=150 you're probably ahead of anything you could do with the dreamcast...