Anyone here into dusty computing?

crxgames · 02-29-2008, 11:44 PM

As some of you may know, I'm very into computers. Over the past year I've collected an interesting group of old computers, including some of the rarest around. Is anyone else here into old computer hardware?

Some of mine:

This is the box that started it all for me. An old HP PA-RISC system. Got it for $60 shipped, which is a crazy deal considering it's at least 80lb. The power supply in this is just insane, almost 1kW. (Most modern computers have between 400w and 600w).
Edit; my photo hosting site is moving servers so I can't get to this pics. I'll update it when they come back.

My DEC Alpha. Crappy, but working. It's a relabeled Multia designed to run windows NT Server. Currently running OpenBSD:

That started my interest in DEC equipment. So then I bought a VAX. (Unix, woot) This was an odd ball though, it was designed to be a router. I ended up returning it to the guy I bought it from as it was missing some seriously hard to get parts.

So once I returned that, I just bought a real VAX, or at least a microVAX:

As some of you may notice (maybe...) it's in need of an IO board, but it does currently power on. Need to finish rebuilding it.

Sun Ultra10 (ultrasparc):

Rarest I own, the BeBox.

Took me like 8 months to locate this bad boy. There was 400 models like mine made, not sure how many are left:

First ever NetBSD 3.x boot on a bebox (At one time I was going to help the porting effort, I still hang around though)

So if anyone here is into old computers, what do you have?

TattedXB · 02-29-2008, 11:52 PM

uh, i built my own gamer pc a year ago, it's got dust in it...and it glows blue too!

(p.s. i'm drinking)

<3 jeff

Wiggles · 04-20-2008, 11:04 AM

I have a working RadioShack TRS-80 with the built in tube, with printer. Missing the connection cable... Bought it from a pawn shop for 10 bucks.

Oldest one I have.

Have a working Macintosh SE-30. Had a classic but it bit the dust.

Nice to see some other computer nerd on the board. At least another Linux/BSD/Unix User... Made the switch about a year ago to fully LinuxMINT (Ubuntu spin off) and haven't been back since. (Stuck with windows at work, but what can you do.)

Flea · 04-25-2008, 01:17 PM

about the oldest i have is a Commodore 64 with the tape drive, 2 5 1/4 drives, and the ancient modem ... last time i checked it still works ...

and somewhere i still have an old 286 motherboard with all the chips .. this one took IC chips for the memory .. not the 32 pin memory sticks.

BoomBox · 04-25-2008, 05:05 PM

I don't have it anymore, but I had an ADAM computer when I was younger. When we moved out of our old house - I forgot to grab it from the basement.

I do however, have all sortsa older computer parts - including a beta P3 n some other junk just sitting around.

BusTruck · 04-25-2008, 08:05 PM

I have an Osborne 1. It even has the 12 bit modem, unfortunately I lost all the software somewhere along the way.

Also, a MAC Classic and an Apple IIc

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_1

Trust · 05-01-2009, 05:26 PM

I knew I should have held on to my Tandy 1000

**ogerdgonz** · 05-01-2009, 11:22 PM

I remember when the SUN was the $hit to have at work. It was a pain in the arse to do tech support for software though because it can have 50 different possible keyboard configurations.

awinter · 05-01-2009, 11:32 PM

Last time I moved I threw out my old Vic-20 with old style tape drive.

cpyter · 06-01-2009, 09:24 AM

I have an original Apple II boxed up in the garage.. VIC-20, Commodore 64, and that PONG system which doesn't qualify as a computer I guess, but gave me much entertainment on the black n white TV.

boots · 10-01-2009, 04:29 PM

I used to have quite a bit of vintage PC bits and systems - but I made a career transition from MCDST style work to Systems Engineer after college and had to move to Knoxville. I gave away a ton of my stuff - although I still have all my old software as well as manuals and books. Windows 1.1 terminal wewt.

crxgames · 10-01-2009, 09:09 PM

Haha 1.1 Terminal ftw!

xB_Jag_Bx · 10-23-2009, 10:01 AM

I thought that his was a thread about dust gathering in the computer?? Like mine

Quote:

Originally Posted by TattedXB

uh, i built my own gamer pc a year ago, it's got dust in it...and it glows blue too!

Also like mine

boots · 10-23-2009, 10:31 AM

I remember BEos - what a sad thing it never reached full potential, kind of like Lindows or Linspire. I saw them on the shelves for about a week, and then the plug got pulled. I guess for all the evil Microsoft can be, it does what it does better than everyone else.

On that note, I am running Win 7 Ultimate now on the home PC. Well worth the cash, and so much more stable (IMHO) than Vista.

I have some pics to throw up here soon of the collection - I am going home this weekend and the G3 farm and crazy OS boxes are still running at mom and dads. lol

crxgames · 10-23-2009, 05:17 PM

Haha yeah, that's how my room at is. I've got a 16U server rack too.

Lt4mula · 10-23-2009, 05:45 PM

What do you guys do with them? Visit this site on dial up? Program in DOS? Curious...

ketchup_xb · 10-23-2009, 05:56 PM

im using windows diamond now instead of vista. hows windows 7?