On Thu, 17 Jul 1997 21:35:17 GMT ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell) wrote:
>>Have you tried Tandy/Radio Shack National Parts? At one time they sold
service
>>manuals for all their computer stuff, and such manuals almost always
contained
>>schematics/data on the 'bought-in' parts -- things like PSUs, drives,
monitors,
>>
They still have lots of parts/info. Last week, I ordered the service manual
for the Tandy Model 1 Expansion Interface. In 3 days, I got the *original*
manual, not a copy of one that was used in a R/S repair center. In the past,
I've ordered system diskettes for my Model 100 from the National Parts
Software group (Tandy Software, I think, and a different telephone number,
too). So, it's clear that they are continuing to support these old machines.
Message text written by INTERNET:classiccmp@u.washington.edu
> The bulk of the information regarding the B-128 was 'loaned' to the
Chicago B-128 Users Group by Commodore (wow, that's a change, eh?) a few
years back, I have no idea what had ever happened to the group or where
the B-128 info now resides.<
Yes, that was quite a deal. The Chicago group seems to have showed up on
Commodore's doorstep just as Commodore was getting ready to trash all the B
series stuff, and the user group ended up with it all. I wasn't aware it
was a "loan", but I guess at this point, nobody is going to show up on
their doorstep and ask for it back. If only the rest of the Commodore user
group community had showed such drive; we might not KNOW where the rights
to the 8-bit stuff ended up, but also we might collectively have owned
them!
I don't know what happened to the group either. In 1990, before I got a
B-128, I wrote and got info, and directed to them everyone I ran across
that had a B-series question. Then I wrote in early 1993 to check in on
the progress of the group for a newsletter article, and got nothing-- no
returned letter, no response. I wrote a second letter a few months later
(in case the Chicago post office had lost the first) and still got nothing.
I tried again after I got my B-128, and again, nothing. I think basically
the "group" was one guy in Chicago and a number of out of town members,
domestically and internationally. I suspect as interest in the B series
waned, the guy got tired of it and just quit. Still, upon receiving
inquiries he might at least have sent out
thanks-for-your-letter-but-the-group-doesn't-exist-any-more responses.
Postage couldn't have been THAT much. Course, he may have gotten hit by a
beer truck, for all I know. (Address was 4102 N. Odell, Norridge, IL.
60635; I probably have the head guy's name somewhere.)
Gil Parrish
107765.1161(a)compuserve.com
At 12:48 PM 7/18/97 -0500, Cord Coslor wrote:
>Does anyone know if Atari is still around? I remember years ago (really
>not TOO long ago) I wrote to them and they sent me a pretty huge list of
>old Atari 2600, etc., games still available, as well as old Atari 400/800
>software they still had around. Does anyone know if there are still Atari
>disutibutors that do this?
>
>Thanks,
>
>CORD
>
There are a number of businesses still selling atari stuff. As far as the
company is concerned, only the coin-op still remains under the Atari name.
Check out www.myatari.com or email Rick Detlefsen
(74766.1561(a)CompuServe.COM). They both have a pretty good selection, and I
know Rick is pretty cheap. I work about 5 mins from his place, and it makes
a wonderful lunch to go over there and browse through all of his stuff, and
pick up goodies. The atari vendor and developer faq is at
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/atari-8-bit/vendev/ If you can't get to it, I
might be able to round up a copy and email it. Hope this helps.
Isaac Davis | Don't throw out that old computer,
idavis(a)comland.com | check out the Classic Computer Rescue List -
indavis(a)juno.com | http://www.comland.com/~idavis/classic/classic.html
Message text written by INTERNET:classiccmp@u.washington.edu
>I have the low-profile version of the machine, with no monitor or drives.
I
plan on getting the 8050 drives today at noon, if they're still there.
There was also an IEEE-488 printer to go with it.<
That's what it sounded like; this seems to be the most common machine in
the P/B line, at least in the U.S. It's the same as what I have.
>[[ BTW, I'm still on the fence as to whether I'll keep this one or not...
It seems rather unique, which I like, but I'm not sure if I'd actually use
it, which is something I like to do as well... ]]<
"Using it" is somewhat problematic. While there is a fair chunk of
software out there for the PET/CBM line, a lot of that won't run on the B
series, at least without modification. As a "for instance", the typical
way to find out how much memory you have on a Commodore machine is the
check FRE(0). The "0" is a dummy variable on most C= units-- checking
FRE(0) will give you the same answer as FRE(1) or FRE(10), etc.-- but "0"
is the one typically used. However, on the B series, the variable makes a
difference; since it is bank-switched, the different variables let you
check different banks. As I recall, a PRINT FRE(0) command on a B-128
yields-- 0. So any software that checks for free memory-- and a lot of
PET/CBM software did, since there were 8K machines, 16 K machines and 32K
machines-- asks a B-128 that question, gets "0" in response, and crashes.
I note the TPUG newsletter seems to indicate the group has some B-128
software, so you could try that route if you wanted. Or, trade the unit
off, since it sounds like other folks might be interested.
>Anyway, again -- I love this list! :-)<
I'm finding it interesting too, at least when it covers the home 8-bits
(which I know something about) and not mini-mainframes (which mean nothing
to me personally).
>-- and thanks one and all for the
help you've given me for the help on this little beastie!<
Hopefully, that's what we're here for!
>I'll let y'all know if the 8050 was still there.<
If you want to trade it off, you might not want the drives. Those 8050 and
4040 units are VERY heavy, and a true Commodore enthusiast may already have
a compatible drive with his PET/CBM equipment. And there ARE other CBM
drives that will work; you might run across them elsewhere. (Actually, one
of the nicest drives to own is a third party dual drive called an MSD-SD2.
It is a smaller and quite rugged drive, which uses the 4040/1541 format.
It has both an IEEE port and a Commodore serial port, so it will work with
virtually any C= unit ever made (not counting Amiga and PC-clones).
Further, another party came up with a "mass duplicator rom" for it, that
allows quick copying from one drive to the other. In fact, it will copy a
standard Commodore disk in 15 seconds, or 22 seconds for copy with verify--
and it doesn't even have to be hooked to a computer to do so!)
Gil Parrish
107765.1161(a)compuserve.com
Yes there are still distributors around! I will put a list together.
Atari merged with JTS, a make of PC hardrives, owned by the person who
used to put out Tandem harddrives. Atari is now known as ATARI
INTERACTIVE, a maker of game software for all platforms!
Mike
----------
From: Cord Coslor
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
Subject: Atari still around?
Date: Friday, July 18, 1997 1:48PM
Does anyone know if Atari is still around? I remember years ago (really
not TOO long ago) I wrote to them and they sent me a pretty huge list of
old Atari 2600, etc., games still available, as well as old Atari
400/800
software they still had around. Does anyone know if there are still
Atari
disutibutors that do this?
Thanks,
CORD
//*=====================================================================
++
|| Cord G. Coslor P.O. Box 308 - 1300 3rd St. Apt "M1" -- Peru, NE
||
|| (402) 872- 3272 coslor(a)bobcat.peru.edu 68421-0308
||
|| Classic computer software and hardware collector
||
|| Autograph collector
||
++=====================================================================*
//
In comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.systems, nospam(a)see.below.for.real.email
(Vacler) wrote:
>All this stuff is used unless otherwise noted. I have noted all problems
>that I am aware of, but I haven't turned on a lot of this stuff in a
>while. So everything is being sold as is. All prices are negotiable(so
>make an offer), and don't include shipping. Items marked "---" are
>included with the above item, and items marked "T.O." are ones that I'd
>rather trade, but if you really want something marked "T.O." make an
>offer. I prefer trades to sales. A list of things I'm looking for is at
>the bottom. My real email address's are also at the bottom. Feel free to
>ask questions.
>---------------------------------------
>FOR SALE / TRADE
>---------------------------------------
>APPLE
>---------------------------------------
>Hardware:
>Apple IIe Platinum $60
>Apple IIe Platinum(bad motherboard) $20
>Apple II+ $30
>Beltron(Apple II clone) $30
>Bell & Howell Apple II(Darth Vader) $60
>Laser 128EX T.O.
>Apple II Mouse ---
>Laser Power Supply ---
>Laser Manuel ---
>Apple IIgs(rom 3) T.O.
>Apple IIgs Mouse ---
>Apple IIgs Keyboard ---
>Apple Lisa II w/keyboard(bad power supply) $170
>Macintosh 512K $50
>Mac 128/512 Plus Mouse ---
>Macintosh Plus(4meg ram) T.O.
>Mac 128/512 Plus Mouse ---
>Mac 128/512 Plus keyboard ---
>Macintosh Plus(4meg ram) T.O.
>Mac 128/512 Plus Mouse ---
>Mac 128/512 Plus keyboard ---
>Macintosh Portable w/carry case T.O.
>Macintosh SE(bad analog board) $40
>Apple II Joy Stick $10
>Apple ImageWriter I Printer $45
>Apple ImageWriter II Printer $60
>Apple Monochrome Monitor $30
>Apple II 51/4 disk drive $20
>Apple II 51/4 disk drive $20
>Apple II 31/2 disk drive $30
>Apple II 31/2 disk drive $30
>Mac 128/512 Plus 31/2 Disk Drive $30
>SSB-Apple Voice Synthesis Board $20
>Several unknown Apple II cards $15
>Software:
>Apple II Calmpute Biofeedback Stress Reduction Program (NEW) $6
>Apple II Calmpute Biofeedback Stress Reduction Program (NEW) $6
>Apple II Calmpute Biofeedback Stress Reduction Program $5
>---------------------------------------
>ATARI
>---------------------------------------
>Hardware:
>Atari Video Pinball model C-380 $25
>Atari Video Computer System 2600 black w/fake wood trim $25
>Atari Joy Stick X2 $10
>Atari Game Paddles X2 $10
>Software:
>Atari Space Invaders $5
>Atari Star Raiders $5
>Atari Warlords $5
>Atari Donkey Kong $5
>Atari ET $5
>Atari Street Racer $5
>Atari Qbert $5
>Atari Sea Quest $5
>Atari Breakout $5
>Atari Cosmic Ark $5
>Atari Raiders of the Lost Ark $5
>Atari Pac Man $5
>Atari Football $5
>Atari Telegames $5
>Atari Brain Games $5
>Atari Donkey Kong $5
>Atari Bridge $5
>Atari Qbert $5
>---------------------------------------
>COMMODORE
>---------------------------------------
>Hardware:
>Commodore SuperPET SP9000 T.O.
>Commodore Plus/4 in original box w/power supply and manual $40
>Commodore 64 (for parts) $15
>Commodore 64 (for parts) $15
>Commodore 64C w/power supply $35
>Commodore SX64 T.O.
>Commodore 128 w/power supply T.O.
>Commodore VIC-20 w/power supply
>T.O.
>VIC-1541 Disk Drive $20
>C64 1541 Disk Drive $20
>Commodore 1571 Disk Drive $30
>Commodore 1571 Disk Drive $30
>Amiga 31/2 Disk Drive $35
>Amiga 1000 (w/signatures in case) T.O.
>Amiga Keyboard ---
>Amiga Mouse ---
>Amiga 31/2 Disk Drive $35
>Amiga Pin $5
>C64 Modem $10
>C64 HesModem II $15
>C64 Joy Stick $15
>Commodore 1701 Monitor $35
>Commodore Cassette player $10
>Commodore MPS 803 Printer $30
>VIC-20 ram cartridge $10
>Software:
>C64 Business Systems $5
>C128 Swift Calc $5
>C128 Word Writer $5
>C128 Data Management $5
>C64 Omniwriter & Omnispell (NEW) $7
>C64 Project Space Station (NEW) $7
>C64 Project Space Station $7
>C64 Graphics Basic (NEW) $7
>C64 Graphics Basic (NEW) $7
>C128 Ghost Writer $5
>C64 Forth $5
>C64 Rootin Tootin $5
>C64 Rootin Tootin $5
>C64 Rootin Tootin $5
>C64 Rootin Tootin $5
>---------------------------------------
>Tandy / Radio Shack
>---------------------------------------
>Hardware:
>TRS-80 I w/monitor and printer $45
>TRS-80 Color Computer I T.O.
>TRS-80 Color Computer II $20
>TRS-80 Joystick $10
>Software:
>TRS-80 Color Script $5
>TRS-80 Color Baseball $5
>TRS-80 Pooyan $5
>TRS-80 Mega-Bug $5
>TRS-80 Dungeons of Daggorath $5
>---------------------------------------
>Other
>---------------------------------------
>Hardware:
>Texas Instruments TI-99/4A CPU(Silver & Black) $20
>Super Nintendo System w/2 controllers $40
>Sega Genesis w/3 controllers $40
>Kaypro I $35
>Kaypro II $45
>Software:
>Genesis Shining Force $15
>Genesis Shining in the Darkness $10
>Genesis Game Genie $10
>SNES Secret of Mana $17
>SNES Secret of Evermore $17
>SNES Game Genie $10
>SNES Super Mario World $10
>SNES Mario All Stars $15
>---------------------------------------
>WANTED
>---------------------------------------
>Hardware:
>IBM 5100
>TRS-80 Model 100
>Acorn Archimedes 3xx-4xx
>Atari 520STm or 520STfm
>Apple Macintosh 128k
>VGA Monitor
>Mac IIfx Memory
>External Macintosh CD-Rom Drive
>---------------------------------------
>Loren Everly
>everly(a)interpac.net
>vacler(a)hotmail.com
>http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Vista/7533/
>---------------------------------------
On Thu, 17 Jul 1997, Les wrote:
>>Last I checked/remembered, ESCOM held the rights to the Commodore name and
>>to many of their patents/literature/etc. They are at
>>http://www.commodore.net. Lately, Gateway purchased all the Amiga stuff
>>and if I remember correctly started licensing clone makers.
True, ESCOM, AG owned all of the rights to the Commodore name, intellectual
property, etc., but it mid-96, filed for the German equivalent of bankruptcy
(receivership, I think). This put the Commodore assets in play again. GW2K
bought the Amiga stuff, but the other stuff is still in limbo (I think).
In January, with advice of counsel, I made two attempts to contact
Commodore's US bankruptcy counsel (Commodore had manufacturing operations in
West Chester and Norristown, PA) to inquire about purchasing Commodore's
remaining intellectual property (i.e., the rights to the schematics,
technology, source code, etc.). I never got a response from them. Anyone
interested in buying Commodore assets??
I only have several VICs, a 64, and a lonely PET. I'm in need of "rounding
out" my CBM collection. So many models, so little time...
-------------------------------------------------
Rich Cini/WUGNET
- ClubWin Charter Member (6)
- MCPS Windows 95/Networking
