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. 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. 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 advertised over the web. I don't recall whether there was memory, a keyboard, video card, or a mouse, but I was so overwhelmed, I didn't even think to look. The local discounter wants that much for just the processor IC! 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 to set the priorities, e.g. high quality quiet fan in your computer vs. $15 per unit in their pocket, have no trouble at all with their decision. That certainly accounts for the presence of such low quality in the average computer. The "real" electronics houses here in the US operate on the notion that they provide what you buy. If you buy fewer than 5k pieces per week, then it's probably more like you buy what they provide, but you get the picture. If, out of the vast number of computer buyers out there, 1% kept them long enough to have problems enough with the fan noise, life, or PSU that they replaced them, grumling loudly as they went, there would be high quality replacements available. Unfortunately, when your fan dies or begins to make lots of noise, that corporate repair/installation fellow comes around and you get a new computer. Not too many average users complain about this. Dick -----Original Message----- From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Thursday, August 19, 1999 3:55 PM Subject: Re: imsai 2 replacement fit