test-drb

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

101090 discussions

by jeffh＠eleventh.com

On 13-Apr-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote: >Quite apart from the fact that the machine should be kept original. After >all, it's one of the few portables for which a real techref is >available... And that's exactly what I intend to do with it. Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Sent from an Amiga 3000..the computer for the creative mind! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Collector of classic home computers: Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, IBM 5155, Kayro 2X, Osbourne Executive, Radofin Aquarius, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A, Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4. Plus Atari Superpong and 2600VCS game consoles.

28 years, 1 month

How did you get started?

by jeffh＠eleventh.com

On 11-Apr-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote: >I remember demonstrating my Tandy CoCo-3 in 1988 to some PC-goon or >other. He had a 386 PC running MS-DOS. I had a 2 mHz 6809 running OS-9. He >was totally amazed that 'that little video game' could have several >programs running at once, displaying their output in different windows >(something his PC didn't do at that time), and that I could even log on to >my machine from a remote terminal. I still want to find a disk system for my CoCo-3 so that I can run OS-9 on it. OS-9 is still amazing to this day, which is why any number of companies use it for the base OS for cutting edge stuff such as set-top boxes for the TV. Until I saw it, I would've never thought you could put a Unix-like OS witch was multitasking and multiuser on a 128k 8bit machine! I've heard mention of there being a version that runs on the Commodore 128 as well, but haven't been able to find anything out about it. >I don't play computer games that much, but IMHO the games from 10-15 years >ago are much more fun than the modern ones. OK, so now we have 3D rendered >graphics, real sound effects, but no 'plot' - nothing to do except blast >everything in sight. I personally prefer a good text-only adventure with >some logic behind it, and no sound. I agree. The excitement just isn't there, even though the technology is years ahead in graphics and sound. About the only game I've enjoyed recently was a 3d bitmapped update of 'Asteroids' on the Mac, which I play on my Amiga 3000 under emulation. I'm also a big fan of INFOCOM's text adventure games, as well as the Basic 'Star Trek' game that seems to have been ported to nearly every platform known. I have a number of original disks for my Atari and Commodore's that have the INFOCOM games on them. Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- // Amiga: Today's Technology Ten Years Ago // ------------------------------------------------------- \// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware, \/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Collector of classic home computers: Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X, Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A, Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4. Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.

28 years, 1 month

Aquisitions

by jeffh＠eleventh.com

Well I went out yet again today and found a really nice IBM 5155 Portable PC at the local Salvation Army thrift store. I picked it up and brought it home, and it works like a champ! The only DOS I had for it though was either CoronaDOS 1.25 or 2.11, and both booted fine on it, though I can't get either CP/M-86 or Concurrent CP/M to boot on it. This is an interesting machine considering it has the full 8 expansion slots in the rear! I think it will make a nice addition to the Osbourne and Kaypro portables I already have, though I hadn't planned on adding a PC to the collection at all. Now all I have to do to round out the portables is find a Commodore SX-64 some day for a good price. BTW, the IBM has a whopping 256k of RAM. Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- // Amiga: Today's Technology Ten Years Ago // ------------------------------------------------------- \// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware, \/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Collector of classic home computers: Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X, Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A, Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4. Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.

28 years, 1 month

How did you get started?

by carl.friend＠stoneweb.com

On Tue, 8 Apr 1997, Mr. Paul E Coad spake thusly unto us: > This raises the question of how people got into this hobby. Was it > a single event or something which happened over time (with or without > you being aware of it?) Well, I'm not sure whether there was a single event that got me started (other than an offer of my original Nova 1210), but I can honestly state that there was an event that made me get serious about the preservation of older machines. That event was my missing the acquisition of a PDP-15 by about a half-hour in 1987. I had expressed an interest in the machine, and was told that it was going to scrap _very soon_, so I should grab what I wanted. I was going to try and make arrangements to get the machine picked up (it was fully configured and quite large) and get the machine home. I arrived (hurriedly) to do an initial disassembly and triage on the system, only to find that the bone man had come earler in the hour, and all that was left of the system was an empty space where it once was. I knew then that -15s weren't very common, and when I realised that the count had just dropped by one, I was fairly beside myself. Other than that anecdote, I've been collecting for about 10 years or so; my stash is fairly well focussed on minicomputers, although I do have the odd micro here and there. Minicomputers are where I desire to keep my energies, especially those of DG manufacture. With DG, at its' peak, being only 1/5 the size of DEC those machines are pretty hard to come by nowadays. Any leads, of course, would be vastly appreciated. :-) While I'm greatly pleased that folks are preserving microcomputers, I've never felt a "bond" to that particular realm of design. I like things like time-states, core memory, and pulse-logic. I guess that makes me an "old fart". ______________________________________________________________________ | | | | Carl Richard Friend (UNIX Sysadmin) | West Boylston | | Minicomputer Collector / Enthusiast | Massachusetts, USA | | mailto:carl.friend@stoneweb.com | | | http://www.ultranet.com/~engelbrt/carl/museum | ICBM: N42:22 W71:47 | |________________________________________________|_____________________|

28 years, 1 month

How did you get started?

by kaikal＠MICROSOFT.com

| From: A.R. Duell[SMTP:ard12@eng.cam.ac.uk] | I wonder how many others on this list don't even own a non-classic | computer? Depends on how you define "computer". Even my surround sound processor has a 80 MHz 40 MIPS 24-bit DSP with more than 64K of RAM on-chip. Most of our cars have sophisticated engine management computers. I mentioned to my wife the other day that my Pentium Pro has more transistors (5.5M) than the entire rest of my antique machine collection and other household items put together, _including_ her Pentium machine (3.1M). Even subtracting the Pentium chip, the Pro still has enough transistors to make about 83 PC-XT's and who knows how many Altairs. On the other hand, we all still have a bunch of Z80's even if we don't collect classics. Zilog has a huge family of Z80 processors for IR remotes, keyboard controllers, IDE hard drives, PCMCIA, televisions/cable boxes, voice memo units, serial ports, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if the average American owned half a dozen Z80's. Kai

28 years, 1 month

Just getting started.

by idavis＠comland.com

Speaking of getting started, my next door neighbor who is retired and in his sixties and I were talking the other day, and I mentioned that I would kill to be retired. He asked me just what I would do with my time. I mentioned that I would probably spend every waking moment on my atari writing programs. He looked interested and wanted to go take a look. He has never owned a computer, and can't afford an expensive pc, and what I showed him on my atari just blew him away. He now wants to buy an atari and get started in the world of computers. I am now on the active alert for an atari system for him. It's neat to see someone that hasn't ever owned a computer get interested especially on one of the older computers. He was even happy about the fact that you could connect it to a tv, and not have to shell out hundreds of dollars for a monitor that you can't use on anything but the computer. I think these classic computers are great to learn on and now they can be picked up for a very reasonable price. Of course, I miss being able to go down to the local store and pick up what I needed, but there are things still out there, it just takes a little longer to find. I got started when I went to visit my uncle in california in 1981 or 82. He had an atari 800, and after playing a few games, I asked him how you make a game. He pulled a sheet of paper out of the basic manual, and told me to type this in exactly as it is printed. I did, and two hours later, I had an american flag on the screen. I couldn't decide whether you just type and type and whatever comes up, you just enjoy it, or if these people actually knew what they were doing. Before I had even received my atari, I had magazines laying around, and had just about figured out how to program before I had even gotten the machine. I bet I really pissed off that u.p.s. guy stopping him every day asking if I had a package. That started my career in computers, and now I program for a living. I still own my atari, and use it often. I didn't start as a classic collector, I started as a classic user, but through time I have ended up as a classic collector. If anyone comes across an atari, or atari equipment that they don't want, I will be more than happy to give it a good working home. To me it feels like stepping into a time machine and rolling back the clock to my high school years to be able to sit down and use my old machines. Of course, back then I didn't have any bills, and had 3 months off in the summer. Maybe that's why I keep using my atari. Isaac Davis : Doing the bull dance. idavis(a)comland.com : Feeling the flow. indavis(a)juno.com : Working it. Working it.

28 years, 1 month

How did you get started?

by jeffh＠eleventh.com

On 11-Apr-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote: >I assume you realise that a CoCo2 disk drive + controller will work. >That's what I currently use. Actually, it's just that I've not run across the drive and/or controller yet. I recall seeing the items years ago on the clearance shelf of a local Radio Shack, and could kick myself for not picking them up...then again, I didn't have a CoCo at that point either. It brings to mind that I saw a whole bunch of TRS-80 bus mice for the Model 2000 at the military exchange in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba about 1990 or so...long after they became hard to find here in the U.S. I had just gotten rid of my Model 2000, so didn't bother picking any of them up either. Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- // Amiga: Today's Technology Ten Years Ago // ------------------------------------------------------- \// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware, \/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Collector of classic home computers: Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X, Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A, Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4. Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.

28 years, 1 month

Aquisitions

by jeffh＠eleventh.com

On 12-Apr-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote: >Hmmm. Y'know, if that portable really is built up from a standard PC >motherboard with the video connector in a card slot, you could (if you wanted >to) change the motherboard for a newer one and have all kinds of fun. The biggest hurdles would be the 8-3/8" CRT (measured bezel-bezel) and the power supply inside. If one wanted to upgrade the CRT as well, you'd have a hard time finding a modern one to fit, or you'd have to go with an expenisve LCD, which would destroy the appearance that it was still the orginal machine. Also, given that most XT-clones tended to ship with 135-150W power supplies, and the early IBM's shipped with even less, you'd have a hard time running a newer board on one. I tried a few years ago with a 386DX-40, and it didn't like it at all! >Yeah, I know this is a collecter's item probably, but with PCs upgrading is >my first instinct. I don't even want to talk about how much that's cost me >over the years. Your idea isn't any worse than turning the orginal Mac's into aquariums, which seems to have a bit of a following! At least you're talking of keeping it a useful computer. I know the feeling about the upgrade-mania though...it's one of the things that turned me away from the PC, though I have two now, including the portable. Jeff Jeffh(a)eleventh.com -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- // Amiga: Today's Technology Ten Years Ago // ------------------------------------------------------- \// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware, \/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Collector of classic home computers: Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X, Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A, Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4. Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.

28 years, 1 month

How did you get started?

by jeffh＠eleventh.com

On 11-Apr-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote: >The Full-screen editor & other stuff were in 10K Rom, with the Basic in >another 8K Rom, totalling 18K. I wasn't aware that the editor for Basic was in the OS Rom...I stand corrected. Still, to think that the game cartridges either were confined to the 8k space or they somehow bankswitched to allow larger programs, I find interesting. >Of course, there were 3rd party upgrade boards that would up the memory to >256K to be used as a Ram drive or as a printer buffer... How many people >you know nowadays who are hacking their 486/Pentium machines to be able to >use over 5x more memory than it's supposed to??? A friend of mine had his Atari 800 upgraded to 128k I believe. It required a bit of soldering on his part to incorporate the bankswitching scheme the manufacturer used. He also had a 'Happy' chip and any number of other things added to it as well, having bought the machine new in the early 80's and continued to use it for quite a few years. Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- // Amiga: Today's Technology Ten Years Ago // ------------------------------------------------------- \// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware, \/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Collector of classic home computers: Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X, Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A, Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4. Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.

28 years, 1 month

Osborne withdrawal !

by classicjr＠juno.com

Help! I was promised an Osborne Executive a couple of weeks ago and was getting psyched up to get it for nothing other than the shipping costs, then at the last minute the guy said his wife wanted him to keep it. Anyone else have an Osborne they can part with? I have never owned one and would love to get it and pamper it. Any model will do, just would like it to be in good working order and in good physical shape. Any diskettes would be appreciated also. Thanks!! Jeff R. in Texas rottman(a)juno.com

28 years, 1 month

How did you get started?

by jeffh＠eleventh.com

On 11-Apr-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote: >When I look at the software (and hardware) of 10-15 years ago, I realise >how far _down_ we've gone since then. Very well put Jim! I know my Amiga 3000, which is my everyday system, doesn't fit into the realm of this group (being roughly 6 years old), but it is far superior to modern systems when it comes to usability and efficiency. That is one of the reasons I appreciate the early micros so much....it's amazing what was done by programmers and such in such tight constraints. Take for example the Atari 800...this is a 2mhz 6502 cpu with 48k RAM and a full Basic, with full-screen editing, in an 8k ROM. This system amazes me at the animations and such I've seen on it at times. It's version of Frogger is great, and I typed in a Basic program from 'Compute!' that displayed the Atari logo with 128 colors onscreen at once. I think modern day systems could still learn quite a few things from the earlier ones. Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- // Amiga: Today's Technology Ten Years Ago // ------------------------------------------------------- \// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware, \/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Collector of classic home computers: Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X, Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A, Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4. Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.

28 years, 1 month

Bernoulli Drive

by gmast＠polymail.cpunix.calpoly.edu

Our local Goodwill has an old Bernoulli drive. Looks like a dual drive that takes two 10 meg disk (or was it 5 meg?) cartridges that are about 10" square. Includes 1 disk. Anyway if this sounds interesting to someone, I could snag it and ship it for cost. (probably $5 + shipping) Greg

28 years, 1 month

Classic Computer Available

by dcobley＠island.net

Several weeks ago, through a contact made here, I offered my Xerox 16/8 system to a fellow Canadian who lives in Saskatoon, and to whom I had previously shipped a set of manuals for the TRS 80 Model 16. I never heard if they arrived. And I can't get a reply to an e-mail from him so I'm assuming he's incommunicado or uninterested. So - I'm going to follow the suggestion made by our worthy founder and offer it here. I wish to dispose of my Xerox 16/8 system which is just sitting idle packed away in it's original cartons. I'm not interested in selling the system. It's free to whoever wants to pay the shipping charges. Can't beat the price. But it's take the lot or take nothing! It comprises:- Xerox 16/8 Professional Computer system:- 1 Display Unit. 1 Rigid Drive + 5.25" Floppy Disk Expansion Module. 1 Keyboard and Mouse. 2 Shoe boxes full of 5.25" 360k diskettes, some original, some copies, about 200 or so disks altogether. Manuals, All in original covers and in excellent condition. 1 Operating System Reference Guide. 1 Technical Reference Manual 1 CP/M 80 & CP/M 86 Operating Systems Programmer's Information Manual. 1 Operations Manual. 1 MS-DOS Operating System Programmer's Reference Manual. 1 Business Graphics Reference Guide. 1 MS-DOS Operating System Reference Guide including: 1 - User's Guide & 1 - Macro Assembler Manual. 1 CP/M 80 & CP/M 86 Operating Systems Handbook. 1 MS-DOS Operating System Handbook. 1 Business Graphics Handbook. 1 dBase II Manual. When I received the system from my vendor, last summer, I assembled it and it worked beautifully. But I needed the space in my computer room for my heavily upgraded Coleco-Adam which was my first computer. So the Xerox had to be stored away and I'm concerned it may be deteriorating in my unheated loft. So, either the Xerox continues sitting up in the loft, or someone wants it. The problem is I live on Vancouver Island which means that shipping these 4 heavy cartons, 3 for the computer and 1 for the books and disks, could be expensive. Even by bus. That's how they came to me from Vancouver. I weighed each of the four packages that comprise the Xerox and it worked out like this:- Expansion Module (hard and floppy drives) weighs just under 35 lbs. I called it 35# Display unit weighs just under 35 lbs. I called it 35#. Keyboard and Mouse weigh just under 10 lbs. I called it 10# And the books and disks weigh just under 40 lbs. I called it 40#. I also have a Kaypro Technical Manual covering the Kaypro 2, 2/4, 10. 2/84, 2X, 4/84, and ROBIE systems that I don't need. Anyone interested can let me know by e-mail. Cheers. David Cobley. Fidonet on the ADAM, CP/M Tech and Hewlett-Packard Echoes. Internet-dcobley(a)island.net, or, davidc(a)macn.bc.ca

28 years, 2 months

Wanted Systems

by kaikal＠MICROSOFT.com

I can't believe you have Nova 1200's. I used a 1220 in the late 70's in high school and it was old then. Ours actually had a hard drive which was about 36" on a side, covered with woodgrain vinyl, with a capacity of a MEGABYTE!! I might still have the source to my Nova multiuser Star Trek around someplace. It was so popular it got banned from the system since it slowed everything down too much. Kai > ---------- > From: carl.friend@stoneweb.com[SMTP:carl.friend@stoneweb.com] > Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 1997 6:02 AM > To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers > Subject: Wanted Systems > > I've seen a certain amount of conversation as to the > appropriateness > of "For Sale" messages on the list. So long as it doesn't get out of > hand, some of the posts can be quite useful (like the one on IMSAI > switches, for instance). How about "Wanted Systems" posts? > > I'm looking to flesh out my collection of 16-bit Data General > hardware, and am looking for leads to systems, or systems themselves. > Anything in the Nova/Eclipse line is fair game, with the exception > of the 32-bit MV series (although I hope somebody is preserving > them!). > Any documentation is, of course, more than welcome. > > Thanks! > > -- > > > ______________________________________________________________________ > | | > | > | Carl Richard Friend (UNIX Sysadmin) | West Boylston > | > | Minicomputer Collector / Enthusiast | Massachusetts, USA > | > | mailto:carl.friend@stoneweb.com | > | > | http://www.ultranet.com/~engelbrt/carl/museum/ | ICBM: N42:21 W71:46 > | > |________________________________________________|____________________ > _| >

28 years, 2 months

Classic Computer Available

by dcobley＠island.net

At 11:11 PM 4/7/97 -0500, you wrote: > >Maybe <snif> we <snif> should<snif>n't <snif> allow <snif> posts like >this!!!! BAWWWWWWWWWW BAWWWWWWWW BAAWWWBAWWWWBAWWWWWW > >I could NEVER afford the shipping. I could probably DRIVE there and >PICK IT UP but not until summer BAWWWBAWWWWW Tell you what, if I ever get another one, I'll save it until Summer and you can drive from wherever you are and pick it up. Deal? Cheers, David Cobley. Fidonet on the ADAM, CP/M Tech and Hewlett-Packard Echoes. Internet-dcobley(a)island.net, or, davidc(a)macn.bc.ca

28 years, 2 months

Wanted Systems

by carl.friend＠stoneweb.com

I've seen a certain amount of conversation as to the appropriateness of "For Sale" messages on the list. So long as it doesn't get out of hand, some of the posts can be quite useful (like the one on IMSAI switches, for instance). How about "Wanted Systems" posts? I'm looking to flesh out my collection of 16-bit Data General hardware, and am looking for leads to systems, or systems themselves. Anything in the Nova/Eclipse line is fair game, with the exception of the 32-bit MV series (although I hope somebody is preserving them!). Any documentation is, of course, more than welcome. Thanks! -- ______________________________________________________________________ | | | | Carl Richard Friend (UNIX Sysadmin) | West Boylston | | Minicomputer Collector / Enthusiast | Massachusetts, USA | | mailto:carl.friend@stoneweb.com | | | http://www.ultranet.com/~engelbrt/carl/museum/ | ICBM: N42:21 W71:46 | |________________________________________________|_____________________|

28 years, 2 months

It's true! (Also, Acetronic/Radofin Video Games)

by alexios＠vennea.demon.co.uk

Ok, I admit it. You really *can* find more stuff these few weeks. I went to car boot sale today and got three machines (five, were I willing to shell out for two C64Cs with a floppy drive and a PSU between them). I'm not the proud owner of a Spectrum 48k (at last!) in mint condition and a Spectrum +2A in even better shape. I actually got the +2A at half the price of the 48k -- 5 pounds for the +2A (around $7? Not sure) as opposed to 10 pounds for the 48k. There was another +2A for sale at the outrageous price of 15 pounds (at least I *hope* I heard 15 -- at that noise level, it could have been -gasp- 50). Anyway, enough about the Spectra (sic). :-) There's another find I might need a little help with. It's not strictly a computer, it's a video game (Video Entertainment System, as it says on the front panel). Specifically, an Acetronic MPU-1000. The PCB has a Radofin label on it. There are two analog joysticks with two red fire buttons and a 12 button keypad each. They're connected to the unit with spiral cable (no plugs). The controllers are designed to take overlays to give meaning to the 12 unmarked keys. I don't have any overlays, but there are four carts: Invaders, cart #1 (Olympics -- actually a more or less standard set of Pong-like games), cart #11 (Super Maze -- remember A-Maze-ing on the TI? It's very similar. Analogue control of the players is quite tricky), and cart #13 (Circus -- I haven't figured this one out yet due to the erratic behaviour of one of the controllers [read: vertical axis doesn't work properly, fire button won't]). The cartridges claim to be "suitable for Acetronic, Radofin 1292 & Prinztronic microprocessor systems". Does anyone have any ideas about this? Is it common or uncommon? The name Radofin was familiar, after a bit of research it turns out it's the company that bought the rights to the Aquarius. Any technical information would be welcome, since I can't identify either of the LSI ICs on the PCB (yes, two of them). Oh, by the way, in the highly unlikely case this is amazingly rare and the only one left on the planet (unlikely because at least another person on the WWW has one, albeit an MPU-2000), I obtained this at the silly price of 2 UK pounds. The previous owners seemed a bit amazed at the fact that someone might actually be *INTERESTED* in that piece of junk. Can't complain, really. :-) Thanks, Alexios --------------------------- ,o88,o888o,,o888o. ------------------------------- Alexios Chouchoulas '88 ,88' ,88' alexios(a)vennea.demon.co.uk The Unpronouncable One ,o88oooo88ooooo88oo, axc(a)dcs.ed.ac.uk

28 years, 2 months

FS: Misc Computers on AuctionWeb

by gmast＠polymail.cpunix.calpoly.edu

I just listed a few different systems on auctionweb. This is a great place to look for stuff. Included is an Apple III, hard to find. I also have some old video game systems listed. Check them out at the links below: Channel F Game Console Bidding starts at: $2.00 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 19:12:53 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=wwm1252 Lot of 4 Channel F Game Cartridges Current bid: $2.00 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 19:23:06 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=omg7762 Commodore Plus 4 Computer Bidding starts at: $2.00 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 19:30:29 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=myy11036 Lot - Texas Instr. TI-99/4A Computers & More! Bidding starts at: $2.00 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 19:58:46 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=ggv55391 RS TRS-80 Color Computer 2, Carts, Joy, More! Bidding starts at: $2.00 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 20:48:46 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=tdu0192 Atari 7800 ProSystem w/Game Cartridges! Current bid: $10.50 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 21:31:20 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=fcf174 Apple III Computer System! (photo) Bidding starts at: $20.00 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 22:55:24 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=ely44807

28 years, 2 months

How long will they last?

by jimw＠agora.rdrop.com

At 06:01 PM 3/31/97 -0800, you wrote: > >I was talking to a friend this weekend who brought >up this idea that before long EPROMs in our old >computers are going to start to go bad. This is >something I've heard before but, to be honest, I >don't know enough to make a judgement on it. If >this is the case, I suppose I should be burning >backups. > >While I'm at it... What are some other concerns >along these lines. What should we be planning >for as these machines grow 5, 10, 15 years older? Good questions all, so some comments and some thoughts. EPROMS: yes, they will forget. Being stored charge devices they will eventually start to lose the stored information. As I recall the original estimated life for stored data was 10-15 years. Punched tape (mylar preferably or paper if stored properly) may be the closest thing we have to a true "archival" medium. Electrolytic Capacitors: They dry out, or will start to ooze the electrolyte. (I address this to some extent on the 'Repair Tips & Tricks' section on my web pages) Average lifetime (of large caps such as found in power supplies) is probably 5-10 years. On machines that I restore they are (almost) always replaced before I do anything else. The very small caps found on logic boards for timing and similar circuits do not seem to be a prone to failure. Disks: depends highly on how they are stored. Should be treated similar to records. (remember those?) Store upright, loosely packed, dry but cool. Watch for oxide flaking on very old disks. Tapes: similar to disks for storage. Should be retensioned (repacked?) >from time to time. (fast forward to end, then rewind) As with disks, watch for oxide flaking. Dampness will cause some tapes to adhere to itself, and strip off the oxide when run. Had this happen to my "Standard Pack" tape for an HP-85 I obtained recently. Went to load the tape and got a read error. Manual inspection of the tape showed a 3/4 inch strip where there was no oxide at all. it was stripped away by the tape adhesion when I rewound the tape for probably the first time in 4-5 years! Card edge connectors: corrosion is common, expecially is stored in damp places or contaminated by skin oils. Can be cleaned with the classic "Pink Pearl" eraser. (Don't use the grey erasers - too abrasive!) Hmmm... probably more, but it's late and I forget... (often it seems - bad EPROM?) More later... -jim --- jimw(a)agora.rdrop.com The Computer Garage - http://www.rdrop.com/~jimw Computer Garage Fax - (503) 646-0174

28 years, 2 months

New ATARI 1040ST user needs help...

by jeffh＠eleventh.com

On 07-Apr-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote: >I picked up an Atari 1040ST today for $25 -- as is. No cables, no manuals, >no floppy disks, nothing. I figured I'd be able to build up a little >working system (if the thing still works), but need some help. >If anyone here knows of any resources for floppy disks, manuals (i.e. how >do I plug this thing in?), etc. please let me know -- I'd like to put this >computer to use in my studio -- it has MIDI In/Out, and there's some cool >software for it and one of my synthesizers that I've been meaning to check >out. The 1040ST is a nice system, but you'll need to find one of the Atari monitors for it, such as the SM-124 (very nice mono) or the SC-1224 (color). You don't need an OS disks for it, as the OS is built into ROM, and it uses standard PC 720k disks. For software and such, Toad Computers in Severna, MD is a good resource..and they even sell TOS upgrades and refurb monitors. Atari's have been their specialty for years. Hope this helps. Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- // Amiga: Today's Technology Ten Years Ago // ------------------------------------------------------- \// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware, \/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Collector of classic home computers: Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X, Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A, Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4. Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.

28 years, 2 months

Digital Microsystems DMS-3F, DEC Rainbow, TS 1000

by Bill_Opalka.INTDATA＠notes.intdata.com

>> Btw, is it true that you can't format disks on the Rainbow and need DEC >> preformatted ones instead? Actually, if you have CPM-86, you can format regular 5 1/4 floppies into RX50 floppies. The MSDOS version of the software was hindered so that it couldn't be done. /Bill

28 years, 2 months

FS: Misc Computers on AuctionWeb

by gmast＠polymail.cpunix.calpoly.edu

bm_pete(a)ix.netcom.com (Barry Peterson) wrote: > <snip> > > >Ahem... If you were really interested in offering these systems to = > someone.....<snip...Snip> > > I had assumed that for sale ads were forbidden/discouraged here. I was under the impression that it was ok as long as it's not excessive. I even mentioned it in my introduction message and have seen it discussed a couple times. I believe this was my first post of this type. I don't want to make any enemies here. Sorry for any inconvenience. Greg

28 years, 2 months

New ATARI 1040ST user needs help...

by lists＠phx6.phxmedia.com

A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text Size: 531 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/attachments/19970406/c23d2253/at…

28 years, 2 months

FS: Misc Computers on AuctionWeb

by gmast＠polymail.cpunix.calpoly.edu

Hello, Jim Willing <jimw(a)agora.rdrop.com> wrote: >>I just listed a few different systems on auctionweb. This is a great >>place to look for stuff. Included is an Apple III, hard to find. I also >>have some old video game systems listed. Check them out at the links >>below: <<< listing omitted to save space... >>> Thanks Jim > (hoping that this does not come off sounding too rude... ((I'm going > to develop a reputation)) It doesn't (I don't think). I feel the same way sometimes. > Ahem... If you were really interested in offering these systems to someone > who might appreciate them, why not list them HERE with an asking price first > and then move to AuctionWeb (or similar) if they did not sell or you could > not get your price. Here's my situation: I enjoy searching for these old computers. Sometimes even more than toying with them. I spend a lot of time digging and driving and hauling and testing but I love it. I have saved quite a few from the landfill. If you watch the auction you will see that the items there do not necessarily sell for more than their value. In most cases, I don't even know what to ask and in quite a few I have sold them for less or as much as I paid for them. Not to mention my time and packing, shipping, etc. No, I'm not a charity. But I'm also genuinely interested in the hobby. I make a few bucks and it helps me pay my tuition. I'm a full time engineering student and am putting myself through school. I'm really working cheap. And believe me if I was back in the "real" world with a paycheck coming in every week, I'd probably give these little guys away for a song or trade them to help someone elses collection. > This message to me feels like little more than trolling for dollars... Sorry it appears that way. I really try not to post this stuff too much. Greg

28 years, 2 months

Digital Microsystems DMS-3F, DEC Rainbow, TS 1000

by george.lin＠documentum.com

Hello, Does anyone know something about Digital Microsystems DMS-3F? I saw one today. It has a built-in monitor, 2 5.25" floppy disk drives, centronics printer interface, and 4 serial ports (?) for connecting terminals I presume. If it is worth collecting then I will haul it home. I also saw a DEC Rainbow. However, it is priced at $89.95--way more than I am used to pay. Does a DEC Rainbow worth this much? I picked up a mint condition Timex Sinclair 1000 though. I have been wanting to collect it for some time. Does anyone know the polarity of its 9V DC input? I don't want to risk damaging it by reversing the polarity. Thanks in advance for any information. George -- George Lin "Accelerating your business through Network Architect, MIS enterprise document managment." Documentum, Inc. (Nasdaq: DCTM) http://www.documentum.com Inet Fax: mailto:remote-printer.George_Lin@4.3.8.6.3.6.4.0.1.5.1.tpc.int My PGP Public Key for encryption is at http://george.home.ml.org/pgp.htm

28 years, 2 months

Jump to page:

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

test-drb