VCF 10.0 and a Stride 460 Restoration project

Hello, I exhibited some of my Sage and Stride computers, manuals, datasheets, newsletters and software at the Vintage Computer Festival 10.0. It was an exciting and rewarding event and I'm looking forward to the next one. I took some pictures and video. I've uploaded the pictures, the video will follow soon. VCF 10.0 pictures: http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/561582429RvEsQG?vhost=entertainment One of the Sage Computer Technology founders, Rod Coleman, gave a talk about the early days of Sage Computer Technology and some of the Stride Micro story. Sellam let me add one of his computers to my exhibit, a Stride 440 (http://www.sageandstride.org/html/stride_440.html). During the show a really interesting guy came to visit my exhibit and he told me about his experiences with Sage and Stride computers. He still has the original systems he used for development in the 80's. More on that interesting story later ... He has a couple Sage IV's (in beautiful condition) and a Stride 460 tower!! (http://www.sageandstride.org/html/stride_460.html) I've been looking for a Stride tower for quite a while. Recently, he let me get my grubby hands on the Stride 460 tower and I've been restoring it. It was not in the best condition when I picked up the pieces. I've documented the process with tons of pictures that I've uploaded for others to enjoy. I'm not finished with the project. I'm hoping to get the system fully operational and then retrieve the data from the hard drive. I've pulled the hard drive from the system and substituted another MFM drive until I've figured out the safest method for retrieving the old data. I'll be asking for advice on that topic soon. I think the original drive has Idris installed. Here are links to the pictures of the Stride 460 system: Disassembly: http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/561576298tAcFSb?vhost=entertainment Cleaning: http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/561577961QEgBvM?vhost=entertainment Reassembly: http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/561575340kcreuM?vhost=entertainment Booting: http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/561575350zNSULy?vhost=entertainment Stride 460 datasheet: http://www.sageandstride.org/html/stride_460.html Any suggestions on how to carefully check if an old MFM drive is still operational, without damaging it, are appreciated. The drive has some oxidation on the exterior and it appears to have been stored in an occasionally damp location. Regards, david. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - David W. Erhart daviderhart at hotmail.com daviderhart at oldzonian.com http://www.sageandstride.org