imsai 2 - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

19 Aug 1999

-----Original Message-----
From: jpero(a)cgocable.net &lt;jpero(a)cgocable.net&gt;
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
&lt;classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu&gt;
Date: Thursday, August 19, 1999 8:58 PM
Subject: Re: imsai 2

...
 > Date:          Thu, 19 Aug 1999 17:44:06 -0600
> Reply-to:      classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu
> From:          "Richard Erlacher" &lt;edick(a)idcomm.com&gt;
> To:            "Discussion re-collecting of classic computers"
&lt;classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu&gt;
...
   Subject:      
Re: imsai 2
 X-To:          &lt;classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu&gt; 
> Tony, we have stores like that too, such as "CompUSA" or Circuit City.
Even
...
 > though their prices are often outrageously high
for the "add-ons" such as
> mice or cables, their system prices are normally in line with other stores.
...
 > They have a replacement parts/upgrade components
counter where things like
...
   CPU fans,
video boards, etc. are sold, but you have to bring your
 information with you.  What you get there is not reliable. 
Those "upgrades" and loose boards on display are generic type no
different from no-brands except for branded ones upgrade boxes.

>
> The thing that's insulting is that the prices of these items vary so
wildly
...
   that one dares
not to rely on being able to afford even a simple add-on
 without first knocking over the liquor store down the street. 
Not how I shop.  I pick out a specific brand and few models then shop
around with that limited specifics for good price and warrenty.
Example Asus  MEL-M, one shop has it for 150 CDN 1 yr.  Other shop
has it for few dollars less and 1 year manufacter plus 2yr extra.
So on. Beauiful board and works well on linux and winblows 95 upgrade
ver after patched the chipset driver into winblows. :-)  I own 3
other boards by Asus.  To others, sorry to hear about sucker
problems.  I think it's the wholesaler thing passing sick ones onto
unsuspecting users.  Happened on 2 occasions, once w/ asus from a
little known vendor (sick parallel port), and once with tyan board
from a vendor that poofed right afterwards who we contacted refused
to resolve this problems.  Their claims tested it it's fine!  BULL!
 I have a particular problem with ASUS, dating back to their '486 days which
removed them forever from my list.  Whats more, their motherboards without
processor cost more than the ones I have used for some time with.  I've
never seen anyone willing and able (some are willing, but not many) to
enforce the warranty.
...

> I saw an ad a couple of days ago while shopping for motherboards, and found
...
   a "bare
bones" system consisting of a motherboard, CPU (300 MHz K6)
 enclosure, floppy drive, and power supply, for $100.  This was nationally Snip!

That barebone thing, I smell rat, avoid!
 ... and what, exactly, is wrong with the "barebone thing" pray tell? 
Last
time I bought barebones systems I got enough for a whole law firm.  The
motherboards have been replaced for upgrades, but the boxes, drives,
keyboards, etc, are still in place.

...

> Now, in today's high-volume, fast-paced market, I doubt there's any need
for
...
 > one to worry about the power supply wearing out
before his hardware becomes
...
 > obsolete.  (These days that's when you
can't even give it away any more or
...
 > about a year, whichever comes first.)  The cheapo
fans and PSU's we've been
...
 > kicking around generally last longer than that,
and those fellows who have
...

Bzzt!  I have seen 2~4 generation upgrades done in same old cases
so can't be stated simply.  Some even started out as 386 box even
smattering of XT or 286 vinage!  All those boards that came out of
them are perfectly functional and resold on cosignment as used parts
for other users on very small budget to upgrade their even older
machines.  Average age for a case after 4th upgrade is around 6 years
old.
 People in an office don't want the same old PC (remember we're looking at
the outside) they've had for more than a year.
...

I have the cute 286 case holding 16X cdrom, Pentium 100, 'T2P4 etc
etc and it still bears the label '286' for fun to pick on people who
saw that case 'running' winblows.  :-)  Took me long time to find
that style I liked.

Wizard.

  Dick 