7 Jan
2003
7 Jan
'03
2:05 p.m.
I have an original Compaq portable, that I had hoped to some day gut out and put in a
"modern" motherboard etc, with an updated screen, but now it appears as if it
may actually be of worth to someone as is. I even have the original receipt from Sears
Business Center, where I bought it. Got an IBM proprinter also at the time, but that is
now long gone.
Anyway, is there some way to find out what the value of my Compaq is?
Thanks to all who reply.
John Clarke
Philadelphia, PA
7 Jan
7 Jan
5:36 p.m.
I tried sending this directly but it bounced so. . .
I would estimate that your Compaq is probably worth between $50 and $200
depending on condition and what other original parts you have with it
and, of course, who is buying it and where.
?
About a year ago, I paid $100 for a like-new Compaq with all of the
original manuals and disks, which I considered reasonable considering
the machine. I?ve passed over trashed Compaq?s for under $10.
?
Best regards and best of luck!
Erik
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin@classiccmp.org]
On Behalf Of John Clarke
Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2003 5:11 PM
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: An original Compaq "portable"
I have an original Compaq portable, that I had hoped to some day gut out
and put in a "modern" motherboard etc, with an updated screen, but now
it appears as if it may actually be of worth to someone as is. I even
have the original receipt from Sears Business Center, where I bought it.
Got an IBM proprinter also at the time, but that is now long gone.
Anyway, is there some way to find out what the value of my Compaq is?
Thanks to all who reply.
?
John Clarke
Philadelphia, PA
6:39 p.m.
I tried sending this directly but it bounced so. . .
I would estimate that your Compaq is probably worth between $50 and $200
depending on condition and what other original parts you have with it
and, of course, who is buying it and where.
About a year ago, I paid $100 for a like-new Compaq with all of the
original manuals and disks, which I considered reasonable considering
the machine. I've passed over trashed Compaq's for under $10.
Best regards and best of luck!
Erik
Wow, near the end of VCF 4 one of the vendors put a post-it with the word
"FREE"
on it on an original, pristine Compaq portable, and now it sits on a rack in my
garage. Complete with upgraded 10MB full-height HDD.
-W
11 Jan
11 Jan
12:31 p.m.
On Tue, 7 Jan 2003, Erik S. Klein wrote:
I would estimate that your Compaq is probably worth
between $50 and $200
depending on condition and what other original parts you have with it
and, of course, who is buying it and where.
I think that is incredibly overly optimistic. The original Compaq
portable was sold in such numbers that literally tens of thousands still
exist in garages and closets all over the country (and perhaps the world).
I run into one nearly everytime I go out looking for old computers. They
are not only not rare, they are incredibly common.
Quoting between $50 and $200 for one is ludicrous even at eBay dollars.
About a year ago, I paid $100 for a like-new Compaq
with all of the
original manuals and disks, which I considered reasonable considering
the machine. I’ve passed over trashed Compaq’s for under $10. Best
regards and best of luck!
Erik, I'm sorry to say but I think you ripped yourself off.
:(
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
* Old computing resources for business and academia at www.VintageTech.com *
2:34 p.m.
"Erik, I'm sorry to say but I think you ripped yourself off."
Hehe. I may have but the condition of the machine and manuals sold me
on the deal. The thrasher's I've passed up were truly junk.
Either way, I've made far worse financial decisions in my time, so I
wouldn't be too bummed about overpaying on a $100 machine.
Erik
www.vintage-computer.com
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin@classiccmp.org]
On Behalf Of Sellam Ismail
Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 10:26 PM
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: RE: An original Compaq "portable"
On Tue, 7 Jan 2003, Erik S. Klein wrote:
I would estimate that your Compaq is probably worth
between $50 and
$200
depending on condition and what other original parts
you have with it
and, of course, who is buying it and where.
I think that is incredibly overly optimistic. The original Compaq
portable was sold in such numbers that literally tens of thousands still
exist in garages and closets all over the country (and perhaps the
world).
I run into one nearly everytime I go out looking for old computers.
They
are not only not rare, they are incredibly common.
Quoting between $50 and $200 for one is ludicrous even at eBay dollars.
? About a year ago, I paid $100 for a like-new Compaq
with all of the
original manuals and disks, which I considered reasonable considering
the machine. I?ve passed over trashed Compaq?s for under $10. ? Best
regards and best of luck!
Erik, I'm sorry to say but I think you ripped yourself off.
:(
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer
Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger
http://www.vintage.org
* Old computing resources for business and academia at
www.VintageTech.com *
12 Jan
12 Jan
4:17 p.m.
At 05:36 PM 1/11/03 -0800, you wrote:
"Erik, I'm sorry to say but I think you ripped
yourself off."
Hehe. I may have but the condition of the machine and manuals sold me
on the deal. The thrasher's I've passed up were truly junk.
Either way, I've made far worse financial decisions in my time, so I
wouldn't be too bummed about overpaying on a $100 machine.
If you find something you want, and its something hard to find, and you can
afford the price regardless of what it is, passing it by is a mistake.
Anything you want, and turn down at $100 you really must not want very much.
OTOH I have a whole host of things I would like to have, but only in the
course of the hunt, ie I have to dig it out of a box and haggle for it.
8 Jan
8 Jan
1:47 a.m.
At 08:10 PM 1/7/03 -0500, you wrote:
I have an original Compaq portable, that I had hoped to
some day gut out and put in a "modern" motherboard
That's been done. I THINK the guy that did has a website explaining the changes.
The most difficult part was finding an AT compatible keyboard that fits the case. Compaq
did make some (used in a 286 version of the Portable) but they're not easy to find.
etc, with an updated screen, but now it appears as if it may actually be of worth to
someone as is. I even have the original receipt from Sears Business Center, where I bought
it. Got an IBM proprinter also at the time, but that is now long gone.
Anyway, is there some way to find out what the value of
my Compaq is?
E-bay.
Thanks to all who reply.
John Clarke
Philadelphia, PA
Attachment Converted: "C:\EUDORA\Attach\Anorigin.htm"
8:20 a.m.
On Wed, 8 Jan 2003, Ron Hudson wrote:
If you mean a cable adapter, NO WAY.
On the other hand, you COULD remount the circuitry of an AT keyboard into
a Compaq keyboard case, or make a box to go inline that would take the
signals from the XT keyboard, and emulate the signals of an AT keyboard.
Well, Tony could do it. If I had to do it, I'd probably use a PC
(probably a Compaq) to do the task.
The original Compaq "Portable 286" is basically the same case
configuration as the original "Portable". Why not just start with it?
It has the right keyboard, and is trivial to switch over.
And they are cheaper than the original, since they are not yet
"collector's items". (I sold a few for $10 each).
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com
The most
difficult part was finding an AT compatible keyboard that
fits the case. Compaq did make some (used in a 286 version of the
Portable) but they're not easy to find.
Wouldn't a keyboard adapter work?
Use the keyboard you got and just
adapt it to the motherboard. 
11:36 a.m.
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9 Jan
9 Jan
3:09 p.m.
At 06:31 AM 1/8/03 -0800, Ron wrote:
> The most difficult part was finding an AT
compatible keyboard that
> fits the case. Compaq did make some (used in a 286 version of the
> Portable) but they're not easy to find.
>
Wouldn't a keyboard adapter work?
Not if you want a keybaord that will fold up and latch to the case just like the
original. FWIW the guy that did the conversion used a 486 or Pentium MB (don't
remember which) that had the AT layout and it used the old 5 pin DIN connector for the
keyboard. A standard Compaq Portable keyboard wouldn't work with it since they are XT
compatible and not AT compatible.
Joe
8 Jan
8 Jan
7:22 a.m.
--- Joe <rigdonj(a)cfl.rr.com> wrote:
At 08:10 PM 1/7/03 -0500, you wrote:
I have both an original dual-floppy Portable and a 286 Portable II. I
was recently attempting to use the Portable II to drive my UP600A
device programmer, but the PSU isn't strong enough to power the CRT,
the hard disk *and* a box of linear ICs. When you flip the UP600A
on, the PSU in the Portable shuts down for a moment, then comes back on.
I didn't think that it would survive lots of that treatment, so I
turned my attentions to the Compaq SLT/286 that's doing just fine.
At one time, I, too, entertained putting a more modern motherboard in
a portable. Given the keyboard issues and the mono CRT, it just doesn't
seem worth the effort. Laptops aren't expensive anymore. I did notice
that the fellow who put a modern board in an SX-64 used a wireless
keyboard/mouse to get around the keyboard issue, but that means that
you have to lug around two parcels instead of one.
-ethan
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I have an original Compaq portable, that I had
hoped to some day gut out
and put in a "modern" motherboard
That's been done. I THINK the guy that did has a website explaining
the changes. The most difficult part was finding an AT compatible
keyboard that fits the case. Compaq did make some (used in a 286 version
of the Portable) but they're not easy to find.
9:01 a.m.
On Wed, 8 Jan 2003, Ethan Dicks wrote:
I have both an original dual-floppy Portable and a 286
Portable II. I
was recently attempting to use the Portable II to drive my UP600A
device programmer, but the PSU isn't strong enough to power the CRT,
the hard disk *and* a box of linear ICs. When you flip the UP600A
on, the PSU in the Portable shuts down for a moment, then comes back on.
I didn't think that it would survive lots of that treatment, so I
turned my attentions to the Compaq SLT/286 that's doing just fine.
If that has one of the original hard disks, then a disproportionate amount
of the power is goingto thehard disk. Replacing it with a more
"modern" hard disk might free up enough power to dothe job.
I found that using an ST-4096 was pushing the limits for Compaq portable
power supplies.
At one time, I, too, entertained putting a more modern
motherboard in
a portable. Given the keyboard issues and the mono CRT, it just doesn't
Be aware that the internal CRT is EGA compatible! Although normally
shipping with CGA, Compaq had an EGA board available. (Compaq video
boards are recognizable by the extra dual row header in the middle of the
board for connecting the internal monitor). There was also a special
Compaq adapter available for the ATI "EGA Wonder".
seem worth the effort. Laptops aren't expensive
anymore. I did notice
that the fellow who put a modern board in an SX-64 used a wireless
keyboard/mouse to get around the keyboard issue, but that means that
you have to lug around two parcels instead of one.
IF you abandon the keyboard latching onto the case (in which case, why
bother with the Compaq Portable at all??), then you could certainly cable
any regular keyboard, such as a Keytronics.
12:59 p.m.
--- "Fred Cisin (XenoSoft)" <cisin(a)xenosoft.com> wrote:
On Wed, 8 Jan 2003, Ethan Dicks wrote:
> I have... 286 Portable II. I was recently attempting to use [it]
> to drive my UP600A device programmer, but the PSU isn't strong enough
> to power the CRT, the hard disk *and* a box of linear ICs.
If that has one of the original hard disks, then a
disproportionate
amount of the power is goingto thehard disk. Replacing it with a more
"modern" hard disk might free up enough power to dothe job.
It has a 20MB 3.5" ST506/ST412 drive with bolt-on adapter card that
lets it appear to be a native embedded IDE drive. The ISA controller
is an ordinary Compaq-badged WD IDE/floppy card.
I found that using an ST-4096 was pushing the limits
for Compaq portable
power supplies.
No doubt! That one will put a noticable load on a DEC BA-23 chassis.
Be aware that the internal CRT is EGA compatible!
Interesting. I had no idea.
(Compaq video boards are recognizable by the extra
dual row header in
the middle of the board for connecting the internal monitor).
That I did know.
-ethan
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11 Jan
11 Jan
12:31 p.m.
On Tue, 7 Jan 2003, John Clarke wrote:
Anyway, is there some way to find out what the value
of my Compaq is?
Sure, I'll tell you: $5.
:)
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
* Old computing resources for business and academia at www.VintageTech.com *
3:57 p.m.
On Tue, 7 Jan 2003, John Clarke wrote:
Nadeau's book gives a range of $20 - $75, but I wouldn't give $20 for
the hardware alone. Original documentation and software, on the other
hand, is likely much harder to find and would be worth some extra $$$s.
It's hard to quantify value if you have all the extras, which are often
almost impossible to accumulate. I think most collectors know that
documentation is far more difficult to find than machines. I have an
IBM 5100, which is somewhat rare, but what is really rare is the full
set of documentation I have, including the original sales invoice and
factory build sheet.
For example, I have a Texas Instruments Portable Professional Computer
(actually I have three of them) which in terms of hardware, is not worth
much ($15 to $40 according to Nadeau). But, I also have virtually every
piece of software and documentation that ever went with it (all in those
hideous orange TI boxes), as well as a big box full of development
boards of every variety that I got from a retired TI guy that worked on
the project in the early 80s. I also have stacks of preliminary
production documentation and schematics from the same sorce. Now that's
history -- and as they say in the Master Card commercials --
"priceless."
By the way, one of my three TIPPCs has an upgraded 286-10 Soyo MB and is
IBM compatible (and therefore won't run the bulk of the specialize TI
software). Anyone ever see one of these before?
-W
Anyway, is there some way to find out what the
value of my
Compaq is?
Sure, I'll tell you: $5.
:)
Sellam Ismail Vintage
Computer Festival
12 Jan
12 Jan
6:49 a.m.
On Sat, 11 Jan 2003, Wayne M. Smith wrote:
It's hard to quantify value if you have all the
extras, which are often
almost impossible to accumulate. I think most collectors know that
You're right, and that's where an appraisal would be warranted. The
values I quote are always based on the hardware alone in decent condition.
Whenever someone askes me the question, "How much is this worth?", I
always add the caveat that it would be worth more with documentation,
software, etc.
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
* Old computing resources for business and academia at www.VintageTech.com *
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16 comments
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-
ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
cisin＠xenosoft.com -
classiccmp＠vintage-computer.com -
erd_6502＠yahoo.com -
foo＠siconic.com -
jac＠clarkeorg.com -
mikeford＠socal.rr.com -
rhudson＠cnonline.net -
rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com -
wmsmith＠earthlink.net