I've been off and on into retro computing, but my fascination dwindles after
a few weeks of geeking out on the hardware. So far here is what I have, and they all work perfectly.

* Commodore Amiga 500 (With gotek drive)
* Commodore C64 -- Dead MB, so now has a pie in it running vice
* Commodore C128 + 1541-II Drive. Works perfectly

That's it so far.. On my hunt list is an Apple ][C (yes, the c model), a Commodore Pet (with the good keyboard) and a TRS80 CoCo with the 4k badge. I mostly keep my eye open at flea markets and garage sales.

I do enjoy messing with them :) Brings back memories of being a computer nerd in the 80s.

-F

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On 07 Aug 2021, Fratm said the following...

I've been off and on into retro computing, but my fascination dwindles after a few weeks of geeking out on the hardware. So far here is what I have, and they all work perfectly.

* Commodore Amiga 500 (With gotek drive)
* Commodore C64 -- Dead MB, so now has a pie in it running vice
* Commodore C128 + 1541-II Drive. Works perfectly

Nice! I was more of an Atari guy growing up. My collection of (nominal)
8-bits includes:

* Atari 800XL (the most nostalgic for me)
* Atari 130XE
* Apple IIgs
* TI-99/4A
* Timex/Sinclair 1000
* Timex Sinclair 2068
* TRS-80 Model I

All but the TRS-80 work great; I haven't tried to turn on the TRS-80 yet because the power supply brick rattles and I don't trust it.

As far as add-ons, I have FujiNet devices for both of the Ataris, a
RetroMicro Drive/Turbo and Uthernet II for the Apple, and a TIPI for the TI,
so they're all internet-capable.

I also have a couple of Harlequin ZX Spectrum clones that I built from kits, one of which has a SpectraNet, and one each of Oscar Vermeulen's PiDP-8 and PiDP-11.

Jeff.

"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong." -- H. L. Mencken, who indeed was a racist thereby proving himself right.

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Sweet, I've been wanting to get an Atari 800xl to play around with and then maybe an 1040st.

Since my original post I pulled out my 128 to make sure it was still working, and it seems the power supply might be dead, so I ordered a modern
replacement off of amazon, should be here Monday, I will know then if it
works.

I also found in my 128box of stuff, a wifi modem, and a SDCard drive thingy,
I forgot what they are called, so I should be able to get this puppy up and running next week.. It will be neat to use the wifi modem to connect to BBSs again.

-F

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On 07 Aug 2021, Fratm said the following...

Sweet, I've been wanting to get an Atari 800xl to play around with and then maybe an 1040st.

Awesome, man. If you do get an Atari 8-bit, be sure to look into the FujiNet. It's not just an internet modem, but you can mount disks and execute programs over the internet. It's pretty amazing, actually.

Jeff.

"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong." -- H. L. Mencken, who indeed was a racist thereby proving himself right.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
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Fratm wrote to All <=-

That's it so far.. On my hunt list is an Apple ][C (yes, the c model),
a Commodore Pet (with the good keyboard) and a TRS80 CoCo with the 4k badge. I mostly keep my eye open at flea markets and garage sales.

The PETs are in high demand, so you're going to pay plenty for one unless you get REALLY lucky.

My collection is:
Commodore PET 4032 - with SD2PET
Commodore 64 - with a 1701 monitor and Pi1541. I have a real 1541 and printer, but I don't have them set up.
TRS-80 Model 4P - with FreHD, but the 5.25" floppy drives still work.
Tandy 102 - With a home built TPDD.
TRS-80 Pocket Computers 2, 3, 4.
Kaypro 4/83 - With HxC floppy drive
Kaypro "1" - Actually a Kaypro 2x in a Kaypro 1 case. Gotek floppies.
Tandy 1100FD - Gotek-ed
Tandy 1400LT - Real 3.5" floppy drives
Compaq Portable 386 - CF hard drive and OpenFlops

I have a TRS-80 Model I Level I (no upgrades at all), but it's not functional. The plastic is really brittle, so it's for display only.

... Just got a new car for my wife... Great trade...
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I agree about the high demand and rarity of PETS, that is why I do not have
one yet :) My main way to find stuff like this is via garage or estate
sales, sometimes you can get real lucky and get a great deal.. Fingers
crossed that I find one some day.

Tandy computers are cool, the reason I want to pick up a CoCo 4K is because that was my very first computer when I was a kid, so 100% nostalgia on that one.

After posting here, I pulled out my C128, which was working the last time I turned it on about 2 years ago, and it is dead now.. Maybe the power supply,
so I ordered a replacement on amazon, should be here tomorrow. I may start doing BBSing on it, just for the retro kicks of it.

Cheers,

-F

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Quoting Fratm to All <=-

That's it so far.. On my hunt list is an Apple ][C (yes, the c
model), a Commodore Pet (with the good keyboard) and a TRS80 CoCo with

My first computer was an Apple IIe. I would love to see that in action again but in all honesty, I don't know what I would do with it besides look at
it. Hmmm. At least that would save me some money. I could get one that
doesn't work. LOL I remember wanting an Apple IIc too. But, again, I
don't know what I would do with them today.

~Elf


... There were computers in Biblical times. Eve had an Apple.
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again, I don't know what I would do with them today.

Lol, all my retros end up in the closet collecting dust, so I hear ya. I'm just a collector, and hope someday I have a spare room that I can set them
all up in.. Maybe when the kids go to college I can commandeer one of their rooms for my computer museum.

=F

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Quoting Fratm to Dr. What <=-

I agree about the high demand and rarity of PETS, that is why I do
not have one yet :) My main way to find stuff like this is via garage
or estate sales, sometimes you can get real lucky and get a great
deal.. Fingers crossed that I find one some day.

I wish I could get that lucky. I keep looking at ganage/estate sales
hoping that they are clearing out the house of a vintage computer
collector. 8)

I have gotten sort-of lucky a couple times.

Estate sale. They had a bunch of Osbornes and a TRS-80 Model I. The
Model I was out of my budget, but I was able to pick up an Osborne
Executive plus all documentation and software. But the guy didn't know
how to store his old PCs and it was obvious that they were stored in a
barn. I ended up selling it off to someone with the skills who could
repair it.

Another estate sale. The guy used a Commodore 64 to run his business.
I was able to pick up 2 C64s (both working), cables, power supplies,
Commodore monitor, printer and disk drives, and software.

Facebook. I was able to score my TRS-80 Model 4P. It needed a little
work to get it running again, but I was able to locate the parts.

Tandy computers are cool, the reason I want to pick up a CoCo 4K is because that was my very first computer when I was a kid, so 100% nostalgia on that one.

We all have a soft spot for that first computer.


... Reality-ometer: [\........] Hmmph! Thought so...
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