I remember that *My* first computer was a 286-16 with 4 MB RAM, DOS 3.3, a 1/2 x CD-ROM and a 360k floppy. The keyboard was missing a few keys, the case (XT) had gotten rusty from sitting in a damp basement, and I had found the EGA monitor in the garbage (I had to replace the power cord). It didn't have a mouse, and when I finally was given an old mouse, I found out that neither serial port worked. I eventually bought a serial card for $1, and a copy of Windows 3.0 for $10 (on CD, in 1992). It was the first program that I ever had on CD. It took 5 hours to install. The printer was a Tandy DWP ][ that I was given by someone who got rid of their TRS-80. Instead of buying a cable for it, I ripped the D-connector out of the fried serial board and made my own cable. I used Windows Terminal to connect to a local BBS with a 2400 manual-dial Racal-Vadic modem that I found a Salvation Army for $3. The computer was running up until two years ago, when the HD crashed (heads?) and a cloud of tan/orange smoke billowed from the front of it. I pulled the serial card, CD-ROM controller and video card. I gave the monitor and vid card to a cousin that was building a computer, the case/MB/floppy/HD to a computer recycler (since out of business), and the CD-ROM is still chugging away on my 5170. I think that entire system cost me about $20. -- -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1> -----Original Message----- From: Fred Cisin (XenoSoft) &lt;cisin(a)xenosoft.com&gt; To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers &lt;classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu&gt; Date: Tuesday, January 12, 1999 2:35 PM Subject: Computers for children