3 May
2004
3 May
'04
4:45 a.m.
If anyone could help this woman out with the question of memory options for an original
Compaq Portable, please do respond directly back to her, as well as to the list. Thanks,
David
3 May
3 May
5:08 a.m.
You forgot to attach her message and/or address.
AFIK there were no options for the original Portable. I've had several
and read the manuals and I don't remember hearing of any options. But it's
been a long time and I could be wrong. I think somewhere I still have an
original brochure and some manuals but don't ask me to find them. I can't
find half the stuff that I thought I knew where it was.
IIRC they were 256k, 8088 CPU and dual DS disk drives and that was it.
The Portable II was 40% smaller and lighter and had 640k of RAM. I think a
hard drive was available in the P-II but I don't know if that was from the
factory or a third party job.
Joe
At 09:45 AM 5/3/04 -0400, you wrote:
If anyone could help this woman out with the question
of memory options
for an original Compaq Portable, please do respond directly back
to her, as
well as to the list. Thanks, David
11:09 a.m.
On Mon, 3 May 2004, Joe R. wrote:
IIRC they were 256k, 8088 CPU and dual DS disk
drives and that was it.
The Portable II was 40% smaller and lighter and had
640k of RAM. I think a
Between the original and the II, there was a "Portable
286", which was
ALMOST the same as the original, but with a 80286 motherboard, etc.
(The II was also 286)
hard drive was available in the P-II but I don't
know if that was from the
factory or a third party job.
factory
but third party was fine - other than having a very limited list of "drive
numbers", which didn't exactly match the IBM AT list, the hard drive could
take ordinary 506/MFM drives.
1:11 p.m.
I think you're mixed up.
I think the first one was the Portable (8088 w/ 256k, then the Portable
II (smaller but still 8088 and 640K) then the Portable 286 (286 CPU and
640k(?)), then the Portable III (the small lunchbox sized computer (I don't
remember if theese were 286s or 386SXs)) and then the Portable 386 (it had
a full fledged 386DX). FWIW I have a P-II sitting about five feet from me.
FWIW I think the Portable 286 was probably the same size as the P-II. It
wasn't much smaller than the original Portable but I distinctly remember
Compaq saying that it was 40% smaller. Probably about 10% smaller in each
direction so ~40% smaller volume.
Joe
At 01:09 PM 5/3/04 -0700, you wrote:
On Mon, 3 May 2004, Joe R. wrote:
IIRC they were 256k, 8088 CPU and dual DS
disk drives and that was it.
The Portable II was 40% smaller and lighter and
had 640k of RAM. I think a
Between the original and the II, there was a
"Portable 286", which was
ALMOST the same as the original, but with a 80286 motherboard, etc.
(The II was also 286)
hard drive was available in the P-II but I
don't know if that was from the
factory or a third party job.
factory
but third party was fine - other than having a very limited list of "drive
numbers", which didn't exactly match the IBM AT list, the hard drive could
take ordinary 506/MFM drives.
1:43 p.m.
New subject: FS: "rare"????? models of Compaq (was: Fwd: compaq's portable computer
On Mon, 3 May 2004, Joe R. wrote:
I think you're mixed up.
ABSOLUTELY!
no argument there!
I think the first one was the Portable (8088 w/
256k, then the Portable
II (smaller but still 8088 and 640K)
How much would you pay for a "Portable
II" that came stock with a 286
motherboard?
I think that there were both a "Portable II" AND a "Portable II/286",
but
the 286 "II" that I have says "Portable II".
then the Portable 286 (286 CPU and
640k(?)), then the Portable III (the small lunchbox sized computer (I don't
remember if theese were 286s or 386SXs)) and then the Portable 386 (it had
a full fledged 386DX). FWIW I have a P-II sitting about five feet from me.
FWIW I think the Portable 286 was probably the same size as the P-II. It
wasn't much smaller than the original Portable but I distinctly remember
Compaq saying that it was 40% smaller. Probably about 10% smaller in each
direction so ~40% smaller volume.
How much would you pay for a "Portable 286" that IS EXACTLY the size and
shape as the original portable, with MOST case/body parts interchangeable
with the original portable?
The original portables that I had (sold off at VCF a few years ago),
and the "Portable 286" that I still have are EXACTLY the same size and
shape, and are difficult to tell apart (minor differences, such as
horizontal v vertical drives).
The "Portable II" that I still have is significantly, noticeably, and
obviously smaller.
Is it unreasonable for me to assume that the 286 with a case like the
original was an earlier model than the 286 with a smaller more modern
case?
I do not have any of the Portable IIIs (lunchbox)
One of my Compaq's is "upgraded" to the Compaq EGA card
Another has the ATI EGA Wonder, with "special Compaq adapter"
The Portable 286 has sheet metal "damage" (I mounted a 3.5" drive above
the expansion cards)
If still around by then, I'll sell them at VCF. (along with the usual
pile of boxes of crap)
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com
At 01:09 PM 5/3/04 -0700, you wrote:
--
Fred Cisin cisin(a)xenosoft.com
XenoSoft http://www.xenosoft.com
PO Box 1236 (510) 558-9366
Berkeley, CA 94701-1236
On Mon, 3 May 2004, Joe R. wrote:
IIRC they were 256k, 8088 CPU and dual DS
disk drives and that was it.
The Portable II was 40% smaller and lighter and
had 640k of RAM. I think a
Between the original and the II, there was a
"Portable 286", which was
ALMOST the same as the original, but with a 80286 motherboard, etc.
(The II was also 286)
hard drive was available in the P-II but I
don't know if that was from the
factory or a third party job.
factory
but third party was fine - other than having a very limited list of "drive
numbers", which didn't exactly match the IBM AT list, the hard drive could
take ordinary 506/MFM drives.
2:09 p.m.
New subject: FS: "rare"????? models of Compaq (was: Fwd: compaq's portablecomputer
At 03:43 PM 5/3/04 -0700, you wrote:
FWIW one of the more useful features of the Portable 286s is that the
keyboard will work with the 286 and up clone boards. Why does that matter
you ask? Because then you can take a Portable case and stuff a late model
clone MB and video card in and and make a useful computer out of it and
still keep the detachable keyboard.
--
Fred Cisin cisin(a)xenosoft.com
XenoSoft http://www.xenosoft.com
PO Box 1236 (510) 558-9366
Berkeley, CA 94701-1236
On Mon, 3 May 2004, Joe R. wrote:
The same as I paid for all the other Compaqs that I have. $0.00
I think you're mixed up.
ABSOLUTELY!
no argument there!
I think the first one was the Portable (8088
w/ 256k, then the Portable
II (smaller but still 8088 and 640K)
How much would you pay for a "Portable
II" that came stock with a 286
motherboard? I think that there were both a "Portable II"
AND a "Portable II/286", but
the 286 "II" that I have says "Portable II".
I don't remember a Portable II/286. It sounds like Compaq had to P-II
cases left over and decided to stick 286s in them. Similar to IBM with
their XT/286.
then the Portable 286 (286 CPU and
640k(?)), then the Portable III (the small lunchbox sized computer (I don't
remember if theese were 286s or 386SXs)) and then the Portable 386 (it had
a full fledged 386DX). FWIW I have a P-II sitting about five feet from me.
FWIW I think the Portable 286 was probably the same size as the P-II. It
wasn't much smaller than the original Portable but I distinctly remember
Compaq saying that it was 40% smaller. Probably about 10% smaller in each
direction so ~40% smaller volume.
How much would you pay for a "Portable 286" that IS EXACTLY the size and
shape as the original portable, with MOST case/body parts interchangeable
with the original portable?
The original portables that I had (sold off at VCF a few years ago),
and the "Portable 286" that I still have are EXACTLY the same size and
shape, and are difficult to tell apart (minor differences, such as
horizontal v vertical drives). The "Portable II" that I still have is
significantly, noticeably, and
obviously smaller.
Is it unreasonable for me to assume that the 286 with a case like the
original was an earlier model than the 286 with a smaller more modern
case?
No. but I don't remember a full sized 286 portable. I suspect Compaq had
some full size chassis left over and decided to use them up.
I do not have any of the Portable IIIs (lunchbox)
One of my Compaq's is "upgraded" to the Compaq EGA card
Another has the ATI EGA Wonder, with "special Compaq adapter"
The Portable 286 has sheet metal "damage" (I mounted a 3.5" drive above
the expansion cards)
If still around by then, I'll sell them at VCF. (along with the usual
pile of boxes of crap)
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com
> At 01:09 PM 5/3/04 -0700, you wrote:
> >On Mon, 3 May 2004, Joe R. wrote:
> >> IIRC they were 256k, 8088 CPU and dual DS disk drives and that
was
it.
> >
> >> The Portable II was 40% smaller and lighter and had 640k of RAM. I
think a
>Between
the original and the II, there was a "Portable 286", which was
>ALMOST the same as the original, but with a 80286 motherboard, etc.
>(The II was also 286)
>
>> hard drive was available in the P-II but I don't know if that was
from
the
factory or a third party job.
factory
but third party was fine - other than having a very limited list of "drive
numbers", which didn't exactly match the IBM AT list, the hard drive could
take ordinary 506/MFM drives.
2:38 p.m.
New subject: FS: "rare"????? models of Compaq (was: Fwd: compaq's portablecomputer
>How much would you pay for a "Portable
II" that came stock with a 286
>motherboard?
On Mon, 3 May 2004, Joe R. wrote:
The same as I paid for all the other Compaqs that I
have. $0.00
Congratulations, you are currently the high bidder!
I'll continue accepting bids through VCF
I think that
there were both a "Portable II" AND a "Portable II/286", but
the 286 "II" that I have says "Portable II".
I don't
remember a Portable II/286. It sounds like Compaq had to P-II
cases left over and decided to stick 286s in them. Similar to IBM with
their XT/286. FWIW one of the more useful features of the
Portable 286s is that the
keyboard will work with the 286 and up clone boards. Why does that matter
you ask? Because then you can take a Portable case and stuff a late model
clone MB and video card in and and make a useful computer out of it and
still keep the detachable keyboard.
The "Portable 286" that I have has an "AT compatible" keyboard
that fits the original style case. Complete with inadequate latches.
The "Portable II" that I have is somewhat smaller, but also AT compatible.
The biggest limitation to "upgrading" them is that the internal monochrome
monitor can handle EGA, but NOT VGA.
No. but I don't remember a full sized 286
portable. I suspect Compaq had
some full size chassis left over and decided to use them up.
I don't think that
it was their most popular model.
But I still think that it came BEFORE, or overlapped when they changed
the case.
Here's your big chance to complete a collection!
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com
4:15 p.m.
Compaq released a replacement address decoder chip that would allow
replacing two rows of 64K chips with 256K chips to go to 640K. They're
unobtanium now, of course, so you have to waste a slot on a memory card.
Paul Pennington
Augusta, Georgia
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe R." <rigdonj(a)cfl.rr.com>
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts"
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 10:08 AM
Subject: Re: Fwd: compaq's portable computer
You forgot to attach her message and/or address.
AFIK there were no options for the original Portable. I've had several
and read the manuals and I don't remember hearing of any options. But it's
been a long time and I could be wrong. I think somewhere I still have an
original brochure and some manuals but don't ask me to find them. I can't
find half the stuff that I thought I knew where it was.
IIRC they were 256k, 8088 CPU and dual DS disk drives and that was it.
The Portable II was 40% smaller and lighter and had 640k of RAM. I think
a
hard drive was available in the P-II but I don't
know if that was from the
factory or a third party job.
Joe
At 09:45 AM 5/3/04 -0400, you wrote:
as
If anyone could help this woman out with the
question of memory options
for an original Compaq Portable, please do respond
directly back to her, well as to the list. Thanks, David
4 May
4 May
12:34 a.m.
At 10:08 AM 5/3/04 -0400, you wrote:
You forgot to attach her message and/or address.
AFIK there were no options for the original Portable. I've had several
and read the manuals and I don't remember hearing of any options. But it's
been a long time and I could be wrong. I think somewhere I still have an
original brochure and some manuals but don't ask me to find them. I can't
find half the stuff that I thought I knew where it was.
IIRC they were 256k, 8088 CPU and dual DS disk drives and that was it.
The Portable II was 40% smaller and lighter and had 640k of RAM. I think a
hard drive was available in the P-II but I don't know if that was from the
factory or a third party job.
Joe
The Portable II is a 286 (8MHz from memory). I had a couple once, both had
factory fitted 20MB HDDs. The HDDs were Miniscribe 8425s. A 3.5" MFM
drive mounted on rubber in a bracket that would almost fill a full height
5.25" drive bay. In both the machines a WD (with a Compaq sticker) MFM to
IDE adapter was used to run it off the IDE port on the original Compaq I/O
card. Both of mine had Compaq CGA cards in them, but they did better than
CGA text. I think EGA was available later. I had a Deskpro 386 with a
Compaq EGA card. The EGA card has an internal video connector that matched
the Portable II's monitor connector. I never tried this out, I sold the
deskpro before I got the Portable IIs.
I had a Portable I. It had 256KB on the motherboard, but could be expanded
to 640KB with an ISA memory card like (almost) any other XT. From memory
there was a Portable Plus, a Portable I with a 10MB HDD.
I've still got a Portable 486, I think that was the last of the luggables.
It looks like a smaller version of the Portable III case, but with an LCD
display rather than plasma. 486DX2-66, 16MB RAM,500MB SCSI HDD, 2 ISA
slots, mains powers only. Definitely not a laptop, would be a nice little
machine (well, as nice as a 486 luggable gets anyway) if the display worked
properly.
3 May
3 May
11:05 a.m.
On Mon, 3 May 2004 MTPro(a)AOL.com wrote:
If anyone could help this woman out with the question
of memory options for an original Compaq Portable, please do respond directly back to her,
as well as to the list. Thanks, David
That depends on what the question is. (NOT included)
To get up to 640K: use a regular ISA card with memory.
To get LIM/EMS: use an ISA LIM/EMS card.
To meet RAM requirements for Windoze 3.10 or above: remove the entire
contents of the case, and start with a different MB, and consider a
different case.
3.00 is the highest version of Windoze that will run with it. But
recommend switching to the Compaq EGA card for that.
6:57 p.m.
On Mon, 3 May 2004 13:05:01 -0700 (PDT)
Fred Cisin <cisin(a)xenosoft.com> wrote:
On Mon, 3 May 2004 MTPro(a)AOL.com wrote:
I ran Windows 3.1 on frighteningly underpowered machines for a long time. My 8088 XT
Clone ran Windows 3.1 in several configurations: With a 'hercules clone'
monocrhome card, with a Paradise MGA card (cga emulation on a 9-pin mono monitor) and with
a 64K IBM EGA card in Monochrome mode (best overall video resolution for Windows of above
three configurations). Back then I don't remember _ever_ having a video monitor that
actually had a case. I used cast-off monochrome monitors from dumb terminals that I wired
9 pin connectors onto, after figuring out which lines provided the seperate H/V sync.
There was a very-slow-green-phosphor tube that I remember being my favorite for a long
time. My chosen hardware to run Windows on back then wasn't the norm, nor was I being
a good Wintel "wave-plastic-frantically-at-the-store" customer in doing so, but
it worked for a long time. For fairly loose defintions of 'worked' of course.
You're likely correct about driver support for the Compaq Portable display. I sold a
Portable III recently with a fresh install of Windows 1.03 on it, which suited that
hardware fairly well.
If anyone could help this woman out with the
question of memory options for an original Compaq Portable, please do respond directly
back to her, as well as to the list. Thanks, David
That depends on what the question is. (NOT included)
To get up to 640K: use a regular ISA card with memory.
To get LIM/EMS: use an ISA LIM/EMS card.
To meet RAM requirements for Windoze 3.10 or above: remove the entire
contents of the case, and start with a different MB, and consider a
different case.
3.00 is the highest version of Windoze that will run with it. But
recommend switching to the Compaq EGA card for that.
8:05 p.m.
> 3.00 is the highest version of Windoze that will
run with it. But
> recommend switching to the Compaq EGA card for that.
On Mon, 3 May 2004, Scott Stevens wrote:
I ran Windows 3.1 on frighteningly underpowered
machines for a long
time. My 8088 XT Clone ran Windows 3.1 in several configurations:
You were probably running 3.0!
3.1 requires extended memory (286)
3.0 was the last one that could be run on 8088.
3.0 would work fine with CGA. 3.1 would work with CGA, but not right.
4 May
4 May
11:21 a.m.
> 3.00 is
the highest version of Windoze that will run with it. But
> recommend switching to the Compaq EGA card for that.
On Mon, 3 May 2004, Scott Stevens wrote:
I ran Windows 3.1 on frighteningly underpowered
machines for a long
time. My 8088 XT Clone ran Windows 3.1 in several configurations:
You were probably running 3.0!
3.1 requires extended memory (286)
3.0 was the last one that could be run on 8088.
3.0 would work fine with CGA. 3.1 would work with CGA, but not right.
7390
days inactive
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12 comments
7 participants
participants (7)
-
cisin＠xenosoft.com -
dr.ido＠bigpond.net.au -
jpero＠sympatico.ca -
MTPro＠aol.com -
paulpenn＠knology.net -
rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com -
sastevens＠earthlink.net