18 Oct
2000
18 Oct
'00
7:33 a.m.
On EBAY there is an 11 7/80 (currently 6 cents). The
guy has no where to
put it and hopes someone can pick it up. It's located in Greencastle IN
Anyone?
This is a very large system, right? 72-inch cabinets, 220v 3-phase juice,
etc? I ask because it's relatively close.
-dq
18 Oct
18 Oct
7:57 a.m.
On EBAY there
is an 11 7/80 (currently 6 cents). The guy has no where to
put it and hopes someone can pick it up. It's located in Greencastle IN
Anyone?
This is a very large system, right? 72-inch cabinets, 220v 3-phase juice,
etc? I ask because it's relatively close.
-dq
9:12 a.m.
New subject: Beginner into Micros, etc.
<newbie>
Ok, bear with me here. All this talk about VAXes and PDPs has me wanting
to delve into this area of minicomputer collecting, mainframes, etc. But
so far my experience is with micro computers only, so this is a whole new
ballgame, I'm sure.
But, I'm unsure where to start. I mean, getting hardware in the micro
realm is a matter of chance stops at the Goodwill store or something...plug
it in, see if it works, etc. No doubt in areas which have businesses which
throw away minis the same is the case. However, it looks as though places
like Ebay et al will be my source for such things.
I don't know how the hardware follows conventions. I mean, in the micro
world, there are a lot of standards: ISA, PCI, VGA, etc...so it makes some
parts interchangeable and such. I would imagine when you get into micros
and such the parts aren't all that interchangeable, and some are downright
nasty to obtain.
For example, I was looking at this auction today:
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=469865813
It's a VAXstation 3100. I know nothing about it, but that doesn't mean I
can't learn. But it looks like it doesn't come with a monitor, keyboard,
etc, so I'd have to get those. And, of course, for the life of me I don't
know what they take. So, if I were to bid on it, I'd be getting something
I didn't know about, get it home, and then watch it collect dust.
I guess I'm looking for advice from the list members to whom this stuff is
"old hat". How you shop around for systems of this nature, how easy it is
to interchange hardware, where you manage to find your systems, what to
look for, what to avoid. Things like that.
Just trying to expand my collective horizons and see how far my knowledge
of the subject can go. Thanks for the help!
Tarsi
210
</newbie>
9:42 a.m.
New subject: Beginner into Micros, etc.
On Wed, 18 Oct 2000, Tarsi wrote:
But, I'm unsure where to start. I mean, getting
hardware in the micro
realm is a matter of chance stops at the Goodwill store or
something...plug it in, see if it works, etc. No doubt in areas which
have businesses which throw away minis the same is the case.
However, it looks as though places like Ebay et al will be my source
for such things.
Here's an article I wrote earlier this year on where to find stuff, aptly
titled "Find Old Computers". Perfect for the beginning collector:
http://www.vintage.org/cgi-bin/content.pl?id=001
I don't know how the hardware follows conventions.
I mean, in the micro
world, there are a lot of standards: ISA, PCI, VGA, etc...so it makes some
parts interchangeable and such. I would imagine when you get into micros
and such the parts aren't all that interchangeable, and some are downright
nasty to obtain.
I assume you meant "minis" in the last sentence, but even micros before
the IBM PC standardization basically homogenized the computer world, you
had a lot of uninterchangeable computers.
I guess I'm looking for advice from the list
members to whom this stuff is
"old hat". How you shop around for systems of this nature, how easy it is
to interchange hardware, where you manage to find your systems, what to
look for, what to avoid. Things like that.
Read the article referenced above, but what you really need is a good
surplus shop in your area where this stuff will filter in. And your best
resource for learning about what you've found or acquired is this very
list. Ask away. There is an amazing amount of knowledge floating around
in here. I think historically the number of questions posed that have
gone unanswered is less than one percent.
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
10:35 a.m.
New subject: Beginner into Micros, etc.
But, I'm unsure where to start. I mean, getting
hardware in the micro
realm is a matter of chance stops at the Goodwill store or something...plug
it in, see if it works, etc. No doubt in areas which have businesses which
throw away minis the same is the case. However, it looks as though places
like Ebay et al will be my source for such things.
I don't know how the hardware follows conventions. I mean, in the micro
world, there are a lot of standards: ISA, PCI, VGA, etc...so it makes some
parts interchangeable and such. I would imagine when you get into micros
and such the parts aren't all that interchangeable, and some are downright
nasty to obtain.
For example, I was looking at this auction today:
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=469865813
It's a VAXstation 3100. I know nothing about it, but that doesn't mean I
can't learn. But it looks like it doesn't come with a monitor, keyboard,
etc, so I'd have to get those. And, of course, for the life of me I don't
know what they take. So, if I were to bid on it, I'd be getting something
I didn't know about, get it home, and then watch it collect dust.
Few quick thoughts.. Your right about this item. If you are just getting into
collecting, things like this are good if you can get them real cheap and have
a place to stash them. After about a year you start getting enough different
parts to put things together.
I was at the same point as you about a year and a half ago. After some
seaching I started running across stuff and now I'm considering getting
a storage place for some of it. Sellam has written a good intro on finding
stuff on www.vintage.org. Be persistant and piles of cheap stuff will
turn up.
You may also consider paying a larger sum for a fulling working system with
disks, docs, etc to get you going for now. It took me over a year to boot
my first PDP which was annoying.
Kirk
10:02 p.m.
New subject: Beginner into Micros, etc.
You may also consider paying a larger sum for a fulling
working system with
disks, docs, etc to get you going for now. It took me over a year to boot
my first PDP which was annoying.
Generally I am a real cheapskate, ie homeless people think of me as a bit
too frugal, but I have found a great deal of satisfaction can result from
biting the bullet and PAYING for key items to make a system work.
OTOH I have had the experience of months of struggle to get a system
working, followed by total disinterest in the end result. The converse of
the first part about buying critical items is not to be greedy with systems
that you have lost personal interest in, PASS THEM ON to others even if you
lose money overall.
11:17 a.m.
New subject: Beginner into Micros, etc.
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11:12 a.m.
New subject: Beginner into Micros, etc.
On Wed, 18 Oct 2000, Tony Duell wrote:
I started with a few incomplete machines and over the
years I found the
missing bits, made up some parts from scratch, modified things to work,
etc.
This theme seems to keep popping up.
This is definitely a hobby of time, in many regards. We're playing with
computers that were built a long time ago. We're looking at computers as
they've progressed and changed over time. And it takes time to seek out
and find old computers.
Besides money, you must also invest time in searching out old computers.
If you've only been at this for a few short months and are frustrated
because you haven't found many old computers, don't be. You are still
just a beginner. It takes years to assemble a significant collection.
Have patience. Take your time :)
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
12:24 p.m.
New subject: Beginner into Micros, etc.
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19 Oct
19 Oct
3:07 p.m.
New subject: Beginner into Micros, etc.
Besides money, you must also invest time in searching
out old computers.
Its really time OR money. Many of us on the list are bargain hunters with
old computers the choosen prey. There is nothing wrong with just BUYING
what you want and letting someone else do the hunting. Years ago on the
Compuserve Hifi forum somebody was lamenting that try as they might they
could not find a certain very desirable old Marantz tube amplifier. The
advice he got was to make a "serious" cash offer, which he did, and half a
dozen of them magically became available. He was able to buy a matched pair
in mint condition, for what later turned out to be a VERY fair price ($500
each if I remember correctly).
If you REALLY want some certain item, that is what I would suggest, make a
large serious cash offer and pick the finest system out of what you are
offered. This list has a HUGE bias toward buying near junk at cheap prices
and spending the rest of your life fixing it, and looking for parts and
manuals. If that is what you like, and its more or less my personal
preference, then hop in the mud is fine.
If you want a "working" system without a LOT of time spent, buy the
absolute best unit you can afford. A complete working system that has never
been out of a clean room with conditioned power that has all the software,
manuals, and spares is a WORLD apart and better than many of us start with,
or end up with.
If you've only been at this for a few short months
and are frustrated
because you haven't found many old computers, don't be. You are still
just a beginner. It takes years to assemble a significant collection.
Kind of funny the two main questions from collectors are;
Where can I find more stuff.
Where can I put all this stuff I found.
2:34 p.m.
New subject: Beginner into Micros, etc.
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4:25 p.m.
New subject: Beginner into Micros, etc.
Besides money, you must also invest time in searching
out old computers.
Its really time OR money. Many of us on the list are bargain hunters with
old computers the choosen prey. There is nothing wrong with just BUYING
what you want and letting someone else do the hunting. Years ago on the
18 Oct
18 Oct
12:16 p.m.
New subject: Beginner into Micros, etc.
Err, I never 'plug it in, see if it works', not
even with micros. And
certainly not with minis. You need to take things slowly, check the PSU,
then a minimal system, then add peripherals checking as you go. Otherwise
you might do a lot of damage to your new toy.
Oh, absolutely, I didn't mean it quite like that. I usually take it apart,
clean all cards and peripherals, blow the dust out, make sure everything is
seated well, before attempting the first boot. But, at least with micros,
it's kinda a learn-as-you-go how they work and were put together, and since
I've dealt with a lot of micros by now, my knowledge transfers from one to
the next on technologies, drive characteristics, OSes, etc. I don't think
as much knowledge will transfer over to minis, and that's my concern and
ignorance.
Err, those are modern standards for one particular type
of micro. Repeat
after me 'All the world is not a PC' (especially not on this list).
Right, as per above, my familiarity is mostly with the PC and vintage
Macintosh hardware, and I have little to no mini experience. Kinda feeling
blind ATM.
Thanks for the advice.
Tarsi
210
12:30 p.m.
New subject: Beginner into Micros, etc.
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12:49 p.m.
New subject: Beginner into Micros, etc.
What was that survey we filled out? There was lots of good advice on
collecting in general. It is on a website out there somewhere....
Regards,
Jeff
--
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jeffrey S. Worley
President
Complete Computer Services, Inc.
30 Greenwood Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803
828-277-5959
THETechnoid(a)home.com
-----------------------------------------------------------
19 Oct
19 Oct
5:01 a.m.
I'm in Peoria, IL... I have spares for an 11/780 and such. I might be able
to clear some room for it if nobody else can take it; let me know if it's
in danger of going to the dumpster.
Although I'd much rather have a KS10... ^_^
-------
20 Oct
20 Oct
3:39 a.m.
Hi Daniel,
If I win this thing, would you be willing to sell your spares to me as
I drive by? North from Indianapolis to Peoria, then west to Denver only
adds 100 miles or so...
Thanks,
clint
On Thu, 19 Oct 2000, Daniel A. Seagraves wrote:
I'm in Peoria, IL... I have spares for an 11/780
and such. I might be able
to clear some room for it if nobody else can take it; let me know if it's
in danger of going to the dumpster.
Although I'd much rather have a KS10... ^_^
-------
8677
days inactive
8679
days old
16 comments
10 participants
participants (10)
-
ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com -
DSEAGRAV＠toad.xkl.com -
foo＠siconic.com -
kdavis＠ndx.net -
lemay＠cs.umn.edu -
mikeford＠socal.rr.com -
tarsi＠binhost.com -
THETechnoid＠home.com -
vaxman＠uswest.net