WTB/T: REALLY old obsolete computers (IBM or Apple Macintosh 1980's, 1990's era)

[n45048]

Hi everyone!

I'm appealing to anyone who might have some old computers tucked away somewhere (garage, roof space, shed...) that are no longer wanted or needed. I'm talking about the really old stuff such as:

- IBM PS/1 or PS/2 machines
- Apple Macintosh Classic, Classic II, SE/30, Plus, Power Macintosh etc...
- Any IBM Compatible 286, 386, 486, early Pentium or older
- Anything old, weird and wacky I can have a play with (Amstrad, Microbee...?)

Basically anything with a CPU clock speed of 166Mhz or under  ;-)

They don't need to be 100% working properly or even complete (a few missing bits like I/O cards, RAM, hard disks etc... is fine) but a complete unit would be nice.

What on earth for?!? I hear you say... well, I have a huge bunch of old RAM modules that I'd like to re-home, but before I do, I'd like to test them to see what's good and what's bad. Most of them are the old 30-pin or 72-pin EDO modules which no longer fit in anything I have (the oldest machine I have is a Pentium III which takes SDRAM).

My other reason is that just as some people like restoring old cars, I enjoy the challenge of restoring old computers to their former working glory (or if that isn't possible, simply refreshing my knowledge and reminiscing over old technology that I grew up with by conducting my own little private teardowns).

I am happy to pick up from you (if you live in or around Sydney, Blue Mountains or Wollongong). I'm not looking to spend a whole lot of money on this hobby (as I'm in the process of pouring most of my earnings into my first home) but I might be able to offer some remuneration depending on what you've got.

I'm also happy to discuss a trade if you're after something in particular yourself. I have boxes full of random parts (mostly server bits and some complete Dell rack servers). I might even have a Sega Mega Drive console somewhere. Alternatively, I could offer you my services as an IT nerd (computer/laptop repairs, data recovery) and I even do VHS to DVD conversions using proper professional video gear (none of this home VHS player and composite video stuff!)

If you can assist, I'd love to hear from you!

Michael.


By the way, Dave: You should really consider starting something like EEVbay.com exclusively for EEVblog buyers/sellers/traders ;-)

[station240]

I've got a Mac LCIII (system + keyboard + mouse), no monitor though.
Works but I formatted the hard drive at some point.

I also have some sort of Power Mac, can't remember what model and it's stored somewhere not so easy to get to at the moment.
No monitor, but may have keyboard etc for it.

Either trade for some PC stuff, or a small sum of money. You'd have to cover the postage costs though.

[linux-works]

any desire for an old atari ST (520 ST but had some mods to upgrade to 1040).  I have 1 or 2 floppy drives, both monitors (bw and color; they were 2 separate models) and maybe the psu's for them, too.  no idea if it still works or not but it did about 20 yrs ago when I first boxed it up for a long distance move

it would be expensive to ship most of that stuff but if you're into it, I certainly don't need the old atari ST system anymore!

[auxie22]

I have an old CPU: intel overdrive 486 DX2-66 and also 32mb of EDO ram no motherboard or case though not sure if you are interested

[johnboxall]

Hi everyone!

I'm appealing to anyone who might have some old computers tucked away somewhere (garage, roof space, shed...) that are no longer wanted or needed. I'm talking about the really old stuff such as:

- IBM PS/1 or PS/2 machines
- Apple Macintosh Classic, Classic II, SE/30, Plus, Power Macintosh etc...
- Any IBM Compatible 286, 386, 486, early Pentium or older
- Anything old, weird and wacky I can have a play with (Amstrad, Microbee...?)

Basically anything with a CPU clock speed of 166Mhz or under  ;-)

They don't need to be 100% working properly or even complete (a few missing bits like I/O cards, RAM, hard disks etc... is fine) but a complete unit would be nice.

What on earth for?!? I hear you say... well, I have a huge bunch of old RAM modules that I'd like to re-home, but before I do, I'd like to test them to see what's good and what's bad. Most of them are the old 30-pin or 72-pin EDO modules which no longer fit in anything I have (the oldest machine I have is a Pentium III which takes SDRAM).

My other reason is that just as some people like restoring old cars, I enjoy the challenge of restoring old computers to their former working glory (or if that isn't possible, simply refreshing my knowledge and reminiscing over old technology that I grew up with by conducting my own little private teardowns).

I am happy to pick up from you (if you live in or around Sydney, Blue Mountains or Wollongong). I'm not looking to spend a whole lot of money on this hobby (as I'm in the process of pouring most of my earnings into my first home) but I might be able to offer some remuneration depending on what you've got.

I'm also happy to discuss a trade if you're after something in particular yourself. I have boxes full of random parts (mostly server bits and some complete Dell rack servers). I might even have a Sega Mega Drive console somewhere. Alternatively, I could offer you my services as an IT nerd (computer/laptop repairs, data recovery) and I even do VHS to DVD conversions using proper professional video gear (none of this home VHS player and composite video stuff!)

If you can assist, I'd love to hear from you!

Michael.

I've bought some vintage gear off this guy every now and again, worth following to see what he comes up with:
http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/dr.ians_junque

Working Microbees are getting quite expensive, and some owners are quite reluctant to sell. 

[EEVblog]

I have an old IBM L40/SX in the roof.
Have thought about dragging it out for a retro teardown, but not sure how interesting it would be to people?
It had quite possibly the world's best keyboard feel, and was apparently quite sort ofter for many years due to that.

[Shock]

I have an old IBM L40/SX in the roof.
Have thought about dragging it out for a retro teardown, but not sure how interesting it would be to people?
It had quite possibly the world's best keyboard feel, and was apparently quite sort ofter for many years due to that.

Never heard of that one.  But there were several exceptional IBM PC keyboards.
The first was a white XT keyboard and later AT keyboards with metal backs.  These were quite clicky mechanical keyboards.



In recent years they came out with a black AT (PS2/USB) IBM "Preferred Pro" keyboard (aka Lenovo).
Been using these about a decade now. One model of it also came with the metal back plate.

The best description of this keyboard is a full travel key with a soft landing, excellent tactile response.
They are extremely reliable and can be easily cleaned repeatably without damaging the keyboard.
It's also gimmick free and comes with an optional palm rest.

[johnboxall]

Ah the Model M keyboard - you can still buy them easily.
http://www.clickykeyboards.com/

[Shock]

Hah yeah, I wouldn't use one of those old clicky ones if you paid me.
Fatigue, noisy and looks like you own a $10 PC (I'm sure some people would be outraged to hear that).

I think this new trend in buying high end mechanical keyboards is mostly because of all the junk out there.
As this guy mentions and I agree, hardly anyone even knows about the IBM/Lenovo Preferred Pro keyboards. 

[jlmoon]

I have an old 'Movie Star' computer.. IMSAI 8080 that still works.. anybody know what movie I'm referring too?

[SeanB]

Shall We Play A Game?

Tic Tac Toe

[Kjelt]

I have an old 'Movie Star' computer.. IMSAI 8080 that still works.. anybody know what movie I'm referring too?

Global Thermonuclear War, are you sure Dr. Falken?

[echen1024]

While I'm not one of those mechanical keyboard freaks, I found an IBM model M in a closet a few years ago and have been using it ever since. I actually quite like it, except it's a bit too loud, but I swear. This thing is like the Agilent of keyboards. One could kill someone with it using blunt force then plug it back in and resume working. And the feel is just great when typing those long, dreadful school reports.

CLICK CLACK CLICK CLICK CLACK CLICK CLACK CLICK CLACK
**SHUT UP**

[Kjelt]

Those keyboards are very wanted nowadays by the gamers community.
These are almost indestructable and I remember that in university a company in the summer took them all to have them washed (cleaned thoroughly).
I also still have one, if I feel in a melancholic mood i take it and program some code on it, it takes me 30 years back, when my father brought home a personal computer from the company for the christmass holiday, my first computer I could program on *deep sigh* still remember crying the day it went back.

[jlmoon]

Global Thermonuclear War, are you sure Dr. Falken?

Ah yes, we have a winner!  I refuse to retire that old 'Movie Set Piece'   

[Kjelt]

Global Thermonuclear War, are you sure Dr. Falken?

Ah yes, we have a winner!  I refuse to retire that old 'Movie Set Piece'   

I can imagine, would love to see a youtube demo of it sometime or a take it apart
BTW SeanB also had the correct movie just before me

[GreyWoolfe]

My boss loves those old mechanical keyboards.  He has his connected up to the docking station for his I5 laptop .  It's funny to listen to when you talk to him on the phone while he is at his laptop.

[grenert]

This thread has been completely hijacked, but I'll move it a bit back to buy/sell/wanted.  You can actually buy brand new Model M keyboards from the company that used to make them for IBM:
http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/UKBD

I got one at work, feels great!