Does anyone know anything about the Vector 3-5030 from Vector Graphics?
Is it considered a collectable? I recently found one at the town dump
and brought it home. It displays some sort of ROM monitor screen when
it comes up with version number 4.2. It has a dual floppy drive but no
software. I assume it is a CP/M machine since one of the boards in the
S-100 card cage has a Z80 on it.
--
David Betz
DavidBetz(a)aol.com
dbetz(a)xlisper.mv.com
(603) 472-2389
Hello,
I guess it's about time that I introduce myself. I've been lurking here
for a month or better. I guess I really have not responded before
because I didn't really have much to add especially to the discussions
of late 70's stuff and the discussions of minis.
My main interests (although I enjoy reading all of this) is the older
systems based on the IBM-PC (XT & AT class) machines and PS/2s which I
know is a bit more current than many of you like. I also have a
Commodore 64 and Plus/4 and periphs, I guess I can qualify based on
that.
I really didn't start out to be a collector, but kind of fell into it.
The Plus/4 was the first computer my family ever had, so I've now taken
over the care and nurturing of it. I picked up my C64 a couple of years
ago from my former minister who had is sitting in his closet. He had
two 1541s, a MPS-803 printer, vicmodem, fast load cartrigde, joystick,
and monitor, plus a ton of software. He wanted $30 for the lot after I
enquired. I was in hog heaven but why wife rolled up her eyes and said
"What are you going to do with THAT!"
The XTs and PS/2s were give aways. I've really been having fun with the
PS/2 Mod 60 (a 286 w/ one 1M and 40M HD). I have been watching
AuctionWeb and have added pieces to bring it up to a '486 with 8 meg
with SCSI periphs.
One of the more interesting 'gives' I have since obtained is the Amstrad
PC1512 - It's an XT class machine with built in joystick port in the
keyboard (uses same joystick as C64), built it mouse port, serial and
parrallel built in with the expansion slots going left to right rather
than front to back. The power supply for the whole thing is in the
monitor. The case has a 'cutout' for the the stand of the monitor to
fit into. It also uses 4 AA bateries for the clock which are easily
accessible (move the monitor). It is really a neat design.
I live in Rochester, MN - so I'm not close to either coast (but Canada
isn't that far away)
Dan
> From: Paul E Coad <pcoad(a)crl.com>
> Subject: Re: Who was in Australia?
>On Fri, 20 Jun 1997, Kai Kaltenbach wrote:
>> Subject: Mint Commodore PET FOR Sale
>> From: "Stephen McCoy and Charmiane Barr"
>> <mrsmrx(a)efni.com>
>> Date: 1997/06/17Message-Id:
>> <01bc7b43$fddee5c0$b8933dcf@charmaine>
>> Newsgroups: aus.computers.amiga[More Headers]
>I'll bite on this. How much is one of these worth? I have almost
>zero experience with PETs having only seen 2 in person. What are the
>relative rarities of the various models of PETs? Did they make a
>bunch of them? Are they really common in some places and pretty
>rare in others?
As everyone says worth is a relative term, some computers that hvae high
perceived values are given to people, etc. This is a question YOU have
to answer as a collector, no one can set your price for you.
Well alot of the PETS were purchased by schools and some businesses,
prices for the computer back then when they were new (1977-1981) ranged
>from $700-$1,200, disk drives were about $1,000 for a dual drive model.
Nowadays in my region of California schools have been ridding themselves
of them at a high rate. The computers are not too terribly hard to come
by but the drives are harder to find.
Rarity? Hmm, probably the most interesting is the original series
with it's colorful calculator-style keyboard (circa 1977) and in-case
cassette unit. Next I would say is the SuperPET (circa 1981, the last
of the line, which I described about two digests ago) with it's
mainframe-friendly, multi-language ability. All units had monochrome
displays and either 40x25 or 80x25 screens (no hi-res graphics without
3rd party hardware), the BASIC is almost exacly the same as in the
Commodore 64 or VIC-20 and uses a 6502 processor. Memory ranged from
the first 4k units (a short run), 8k, 16k and 32k with some of the
latter 80 column machines sporting 96k expansion bnoards. There are a
few collections of programs available on the internet with most still to
be re-discovered.
>The ones I have seen are pretty cool looking in a retro-future kind of way.
That's true, back then they 'looked' like a modern computer, more
than some of the other computers (which looked like the steel boxes they
were in). You can spot them as props in movies now and again (Star Trek
II, in Kirk's apartment).
They were fun, and they were pretty good even for their limitations.
If you are a fan of Commodore computers it is a nice addition to have
some PETs in the house. ;)
>Also note that whois reports that efni.com is in Canada. The machine
>might not be in Australia.
Commodore was pretty big for a good while in other countries as they
had the foresight to start manufacturing plants internationally (Germany
was probably one of its largest). As far as shipping a PET it would
require a very sturdy box about the size needed for a 19" television and
would weigh 30 to 40 pounds.
--
Larry Anderson
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Visit our web page at: http://www.goldrush.com/~foxnhare/
Call our BBS (Silicon Realms BBS 300-2400 baud) at: (209) 754-1363
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> Z-80 CP/M -- This cartridge goes right into the cartridge slot to turn
> your machine into a Z-80 base computer enabling you to access the vast
> array of CP/M software. With over 2000 CP/M software programs
> available, there is little you will not be able to access.
That's 20,000 and for those with a PC Walnut Creek produces a CP/M cdrom
that has most all of them. They also have titles online WWW.cdrom.com
Allison
Welp, that rules out rigging one, thats beyond my techincal ability to
fabricate. Anyone have an Extra for sale or trade?
----------
> From: jpero(a)mail.cgo.wave.ca
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
> Subject: Re: IBM PCjr
> Date: Monday, June 23, 1997 8:44 AM
>
> > Date: Mon, 23 Jun 1997 11:13:59 -0500
> > Reply-to: classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu
> > From: "Bill Girnius" <thedm(a)sunflower.com>
> > To: "Discussion re-collecting of classic computers"
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
> > Subject: IBM PCjr
> > X-To: "Classic" <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
>
> > Picked up one of these the other day, no power supply, anyone know what
> > this monster needs for the 3 pin powersupply connection? {pinouts}
> >
> Center tapped ransformer is used. Both 17v ac at 2amp each on each
> outmost pins, center pin is the center tapped wire for transformer.
>
> Kind of kludge. But I worked out a pinout for that power slot to use
> regular efficient power supply via a custom adapter.
>
> Jason D.
I have a PC05 card (LSI-11) it's a punch reader interface. This one is
different...it's a virgin bare board! Anyone that want's it let me know.
Anyone know what a DEC 54-17101/2- ACTOR video daughter is used on? I have
two of these.
Allison
I apologize for the intrusion but I just bought a lot of Apple service
parts for older apples (IIe, IIc, IIGS) and listed some of the ones I
don't need on the auction. They were supposedly in stock at a service
facility when they cleaned out the old stuff.
I'mm still intending on clearing out most of my stuff but I couldn't
pass up a good deal. I did get some parts for my laserwriter, Mac plus,
a couple new in box 400k drives. Too bad I had to buy 30 boxes to get
the 5 things I wanted. ;-)
There are also some systems listed. Here's what I have listed there as
of today:
Apple IIe Power Supply (new in box!)
Bidding starts at: $1.00
Auction ends on: 06/29/97, 11:58:50 PDT
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=egt71446
IBM PS/2 MOD 50 Mother Board (in box)
Bidding starts at: $1.00
Auction ends on: 06/29/97, 12:07:10 PDT
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=lbl753
Apple IIe Ext 80 Column/RGB Card (in box)
Current bid: $1.00
Auction ends on: 06/29/97, 17:54:14 PDT
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=jaq4937
bjv77574: Apple IIGS Memory Expansion Card (in box)
Current bid: $1.00
Auction ends on: 06/29/97, 17:58:41 PDT
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=bjv77574
oyf368: Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computer I (photo)
Current bid: $3.00
Auction ends on: 06/29/97, 19:33:30 PDT
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=oyf368
fwr8114: Radio Shack TRS-80 5 MB Ext. Hard Drive (pic)
Bidding starts at: $3.00
Auction ends on: 06/29/97, 20:19:52 PDT
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=fwr8114
Pair Apple IIc, IIe Handcontrollers (photo)
Current bid: $1.00
Auction ends on: 06/26/97, 12:40:28 PDT
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=sfx4367
Commodore 128D System
Current bid: $51.00
Auction ends on: 06/26/97, 21:12:47 PDT
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=qrk459038
Commodore 64 - White
Current bid: $10.00
Auction ends on: 06/26/97, 21:16:04 PDT
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=wbj37502
Apple IIC System with External Floppy
Current bid: $10.50
Auction ends on: 06/26/97, 21:22:31 PDT
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=hxz389
Atari 520ST Computer, Floppy, Mouse, etc
Current bid: $50.00
Auction ends on: 06/26/97, 21:26:58 PDT
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/itemfast.cgi?item=czo512
I use alcohol, windex, fingernail paint remover and other noxious things to
clean apple][ cases, just avoid getting the nastiest of these solvents on
things like the little lite that says power, or the apple ][ logos on
monitors or the name badge at the top of the machine. I've also heard that
some people will dissasemble the computer leaving the empty shell, take out
EVERYTHING, and run the plastic case through the dishwasher, not using the
Heated drying cycle of course.
As for key repair, they are little plastic wedges that are shoved against
two vertically mounted contacts, counter forced by a small spring. You can
not remove the keys without damage. To repair a keyboard you have two
options, One, Replace the entire keyboard, or aquire a ][ for parts and
remove the keyboard from the unit, the contacts are soldered into the
keyboard cirucuit board. You can then replace the switch. The Key caps
can be removed. but you can't get to the switch of course without
destroying it, or desoldering it as a unit. I have manually recontructed
them before, but they never seem to work quite right once forced open, but
the do function enough to use as long as it's not an alpha charcter, or god
forbid the enter key.
----------
> From: J. Maynard Gelinas <maynard(a)jmg.com>
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
> Subject: apple II - SCORE!
> Date: Sunday, June 22, 1997 11:57 PM
>
>
> OK, I just got my first decent item since I stopped collecting
> several years ago. This is an original apple II, serial number 7833. It
> came with what appears to be the Microsoft basic language card. The card
> contains six 24 pin sockets, five filled by PROMs (C48040; each with an
> APPLE 1978 sticker), a red switch on the back, and another sticker on the
> board's surface reading: 851. Just below that sticker printed on the
card
> it says ROM CARD 600. There's also a disk II interface card, circa '78,
> but the drive itself was unavailable. Could someone verify if that card
> *is* the Integer BASIC replacement, or Microsoft BASIC?
>
> The motherboard is functional, video works just fine, it seems
> filled out with 48K of that old Military grade metal topped RAM;
obviously
> the PSU is good. The keyboard is a mess, hoewver. It's been sitting in a
> basement for years, so many keys have gummed up; some seem to have been
> in a perpetual depressed state waiting out obsolesence like Atlas. The
> machine itself is filthy. The plastic case has just burned in grime from
> years of use and then even more years of basement ambiance.
>
> I'm guessing that some folks here may know a bit more about
> system restoration. Mind if I ask a few questions?
>
> How do I go about cleaning this without destroying the case? Does
> anyone know of some good solvents or cleaners for plastic?
>
> Can I pull a keytop off the keyboard without destroying the key?
> If it's really bad I guess I could change keyboards - but I'd really like
> to attempt to get this guy working, as it was the original.
>
>
> And then there's stuff: I lack a floppy disk drive. Hmmm... how
> rare is hard disk technology that will work with this apple? Hahaha,
> here's a good one: does anyone know if ever there's been manufactured
> 10base-T cards, or am I just dreaming here? If so, guess I'll be looking
> for a SuperSerial card as well.
>
> And basic 'dumb' (no time to RTFM quite yet!!) questions: How do
> I get out of the ROM monitor into BASIC? I guess I need some basic DOCS
> here as well as a good technical reference, huh?. I figure most of the
> 'stuff' can be had on comp.sys.apple2.marketplace and the M.I.T. flea
> fest approaching on July 20. If anyone wishes, however, please feel free
> to offer items for sale. I want to get this computer clean and
> *functional*, but I'm also not in a hury to do it tomorrow. ;-)
>
> Price: I got it FREE! 8-))
>
> And the guy couldn't imagine why I'd want it!!!
>
> J. Maynard Gelinas
At 01:25 PM 6/22/97 -0700, you wrote:
>I see a number of references to people who get things at hamfests,
>swapfests, and other amateur radio type events. As such, I was just
>curious who out there has their amateur radio license. I have one and
>my call is KE6HTS.
>
I'm WB5PFJ, but VERY inactive.
Tim Olmstead
timolmst(a)cyberramp.net
FOR TRADE:
- Osborne 1 (with copy of Osborne CP/M system disk)
- Kaypro 2 (good condition, no boot disk, though it's available through
the cp/m archive)
- Commodore PET 2001 (full size graphics keyboard version, looks great,
one small hole drilled in front panel, probably for a switch)
- Tandy Color Computer 1 (good condition, some cosmetic wear at hand
positions)
- Macintosh 128 with keyboard and mouse
- Macintosh 512 in original box with keyboard and mouse
- VIC-20 in original box with PS
- Commodore 64 in original box with PS
- Timex-Sinclair ZX1000 (no PS but it takes standard 9VDC I believe)
(game systems)
- Vectrex system, very rare, yes this is the original *vector graphic
monitor* console game system by Milton Bradley/GCE
- Odyssey^2 system, PS, joysticks, in original box
- Intellivision system, captive joypads & integral PS
- Colecovision system, 2 controllers, PS
WANTED:
- Exidy Sorcerer
- Processor Tech Sol-20
- Apple II (no suffix)
- Apple Lisa
- Apple ///
- Compucolor II
(software, parts, etc.)
- TI 99/4A disk operating system cartridge
- Expansion Interface for TRS-80 Model I
- Tandy floppy for TRS-80 Model I
- DOS master disks for Apple II+
- Tandy Color Computer I 5.25" disk software
Kai
