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Retro Computer Room Fun


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I have a Sega SC-3000H and SF-7000 Disk Drive, I have had it since the 80's. It is another that uses the 3" disks. Strange little buggers. Sadly, it's not operational at the moment :(

 

Loving this thread Trav, really cool collection. :023:

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I have a Sega SC-3000H and SF-7000 Disk Drive, I have had it since the 80's. It is another that uses the 3" disks. Strange little buggers. Sadly, it's not operational at the moment :(

 

Loving this thread Trav, really cool collection. :023:

 

Thanks mate I like to share. Keen to see your Sega next time you pull it out.

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Time to load some more games up. Any period correct suggestions?..Mechwarrior 2? ☺

 

Got a spare 1TB HDD kicking around? I've got the entire ExoDOS collection here that weighs in at just over 500GB. Pretty much has everything you could ever want to drop on an old PC like that!

 

Edit: Found a spare working 1TB SATA drive here. Happy to dump the collection across and shoot it up if you're interested.

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Next up and just because its already in here is my Amstrad CPC 6128.

 

Any interest in the user manual for this? I have one that's water damaged (still readable, but not flat and the front cover is haggard), been going to remove the bindings (it's spiral bound, so should be non-destructive if I'm careful), run it through the scanner and send the pdf to bitsavers... but if you're interested you can have it?

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Got a spare 1TB HDD kicking around? I've got the entire ExoDOS collection here that weighs in at just over 500GB. Pretty much has everything you could ever want to drop on an old PC like that!

 

Edit: Found a spare working 1TB SATA drive here. Happy to dump the collection across and shoot it up if you're interested.

 

I'll check my nas and get back to you mate. I think I have ExoDos collection there but not sure if its 500 gig.

 

 

Any interest in the user manual for this? I have one that's water damaged (still readable, but not flat and the front cover is haggard), been going to remove the bindings (it's spiral bound, so should be non-destructive if I'm careful), run it through the scanner and send the pdf to bitsavers... but if you're interested you can have it?

 

Same as above mate I think I have one I'll check my "stuff" cupboard and get back to you.

Appreciate the offers!

 

 

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[ATTACH=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"custom","height":"355","width":"355","data-attachmentid":2118515}[/ATTACH]

This is the type I'm chasing.

 

I just dropped the ram, a few audio cables and the stubby coolers\coasters at the shed. Also dropped down the coolers\coasters for @Brad there too. Figured it might be an easier pickup location for him. Hope this was ok

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I just dropped the ram, a few audio cables and the stubby coolers\coasters at the shed. Also dropped down the coolers\coasters for @Brad there too. Figured it might be an easier pickup location for him. Hope this was ok

 

Thanks Andy. Forgot all about those. Really appreciated :)

 

Cheers,

 

Brad

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Any interest in the user manual for this? I have one that's water damaged (still readable, but not flat and the front cover is haggard), been going to remove the bindings (it's spiral bound, so should be non-destructive if I'm careful), run it through the scanner and send the pdf to bitsavers... but if you're interested you can have it?

 

IMG_20200322_162859.thumb.jpg.35e970f1e49497def1c6ef8bea77bc0c.jpg

Found my manual mate and its complete and in not bad condition.

Thanks again for the offer though!

 

 

I just dropped the ram, a few audio cables and the stubby coolers\coasters at the shed. Also dropped down the coolers\coasters for @Brad there too. Figured it might be an easier pickup location for him. Hope this was ok

Another shout out to Andy. Got your "care package" mate and @Brad got your stubby coolers here too.

 

Next computer on the list is the ZX Spectrum another computer I have no nostalgic attachment to. Back in the day I used to see ZX Spectrum screen shots of games in 8 bit mags and think what a heap of shit.....fast forward 30 years and how wrong was I.

After watching You Tube videos on the history of the UK computer scene this little Z80 based computer that looked like a giant calculator deserves its place in computer history. I'd put it on par with the if not a little higher (dare I say) than the C64, not because it had great graphics and sound but because it was cheap, could be bought in kit or fully assembled and started the UK bedroom coder revolution.

Anybody not familiar with the Sinclair Spectrum should go and do a search on Youtube post haste.

I recommend Micro Men.

[video=youtube;XXBxV6-zamM]

Kim Justice makes a lot of good videos on the history of the UK Computer scene as well.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Z...yt2cdiQYjxS_1w

 

On a side note the Amstrad CTM-644 monitor I have is perfect for a lot of UK computers which mostly have in built speakers.

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I bought this CTM-644 to scart adapter off Ebay, works great.

 

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I never was able to get my hands on an original 16/48k dead flesh keyboard speccy but I do have the sought after 128k "Toast Rack" model. They call it the Toast Rack due to the heatsink on the side.

The significance of this machine being it was the last ZX Spectrum made by Sinclair before being bought out by Amstrad in 1985.

I really love the look of this thing. The keyboard looks nice but is terrible to type on. The other significance of this machine (and all that followed it) was the added AY-3-8912 sound chip. All previous models just had a beeper similar to old PC's...but sounded worse.

 

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The other one I have is the Spectrum +3. This was the last Speccy ever made and you can see the Amstrad influence with the same 3" drive as the Amstrad CPC 6128 in the previous post and similar look.

I really like the keyboard on this however not a fan of the Amstrad "all in one" look. I've got my HXC floppy emulator hooked up to this as drive B transferring files to the internal drive to make sure it worked.

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Some Speccy games, a lot which were monochrome. The ZX is also famous (or infamous) for its colour clash.

 

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If you ever get a Speccy I recommend the DivMMC Future.

Over all a really cool computer that im glad to have in my collection.

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Sinclair made the QL500 after the Spectrum, but you probably know that.. Then he went a bit mad and made the Sinclair C5 - Google it if you don't know :)

 

But you probably do...

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Sinclair made the QL500 after the Spectrum, but you probably know that.. Then he went a bit mad and made the Sinclair C5 - Google it if you don't know :)

 

But you probably do...

 

37wbcg.jpg

:lol

Seriously though I don't own a QL only the ZX so I never mentioned it and they aren't compatible but still an interesting computer.

That movie I linked to has Uncle Clive driving his C5 :lol

shame it never took off....and I mean literally it never took off or went up hills.

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I had a QL for a while as part of the collection, a bit of a dull machine really as there is next to no software for it, and what there is looks very basic. I couldn't find anything that really taxed the machine.

 

On the speccy it's worth checking out some of the games that use modern multicolour engines like Bifrost and Nirvana. Totally amazing what can be achieved with these on stock hardware, would have been game changers back in the day.

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I had a QL for a while as part of the collection, a bit of a dull machine really as there is next to no software for it, and what there is looks very basic. I couldn't find anything that really taxed the machine.

 

On the speccy it's worth checking out some of the games that use modern multicolour engines like Bifrost and Nirvana. Totally amazing what can be achieved with these on stock hardware, would have been game changers back in the day.

 

What's your nostalgic favorite?

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Next up and just because its already in here is my Amstrad CPC 6128. I bought this computer from the UK for a really good price before GST and the poor AUD ruined all the fun.

I also serviced the monitor and put a new belt in the 3" drive.

[ATTACH=JSON]{"alt":"Click image for larger version Name:\tIMG_20200318_171212.jpg Views:\t0 Size:\t173.5 KB ID:\t2118650","data-align":"none","data-attachmentid":"2118650","data-size":"medium"}[/ATTACH]

I've got no nostalgic attachment to this computer however since collecting retro computers I've gained a lot of Interest and respect for the UK computer scene. I've also got the original CPC 464 with integrated tape deck.

The defining thing about Amstrad was their all in 1 design. There's only one power cable to the monitor where the the computer. The monitor supplies the power for the computer. A very neat and tidy design however the computer itself is very long and takes up a bit of desk real estate. CP/M is another interesting feature.

Graphics are colourful and reminds me of the Sega Master System pallet which look far nicer than the C64 however no hardware sprites and scrolling unlike the C64 though.

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Another strange thing is the 3" disks this thing uses.

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[ATTACH=JSON]{"alt":"Click image for larger version Name:\tIMG_20200318_173941.jpg Views:\t0 Size:\t263.7 KB ID:\t2118645","data-align":"none","data-attachmentid":"2118645","data-size":"medium"}[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=JSON]{"alt":"Click image for larger version Name:\tIMG_20200318_173110.jpg Views:\t0 Size:\t177.2 KB ID:\t2118646","data-align":"none","data-attachmentid":"2118646","data-size":"medium"}[/ATTACH]

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I got a bunch of games that came with them, some of which don't work :(

Overall another nice addition to the collection although I wouldn't call it a favorite it's still cool to own.

It's really worth going to Youtube and watching some history videos on Alan Sugar, Amstrad and the UK computer scene, a very interesting subject.

 

My grandparents had TWO Amstrad PC1512, one with a HDD too! I then owned this model for a number of years unti the thing just never turned on, so I strupidly sold it on ebay for next to nothing, one of my biggest regrets ever...

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My grandparents had TWO Amstrad PC1512, one with a HDD too! I then owned this model for a number of years unti the thing just never turned on, so I strupidly sold it on ebay for next to nothing, one of my biggest regrets ever...

 

I feel your pain brother.

While I got the CTM-644 out I may as well plug in the original CPC 464.

IMG_20200324_165455.thumb.jpg.7d725c88a6e1fdd70016122d82a6384a.jpg

Look at the size of this thing, you could use it as a cricket bat.

I've never had any Amstrad tape games so this is the first time I've loaded anything on it or really used it. At first games never loaded so I changed the belt and adjusted the tape head a bit and now it works perfectly.

IMG_20200324_165848.thumb.jpg.650d38d89694832073e90c301ea6ca7b.jpg IMG_20200324_170125.thumb.jpg.1a6feb45cc2809894a60f206f155c033.jpg

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These the only games on tape I own and yes I do have a thing for Head over Heels.

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What's your nostalgic favorite?

 

Machine wise it would be the ZX Spectrum 48k, that was my only machine for about ten years, until I bought a second hand Atari ST. On the games side it would be Gunfright, one of Ultimate's isometric titles. Is probably the least rated of their games but I always used to play it as a kid, its still good for a quick spin.

 

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IMG_20200329_185716.thumb.jpg.a9fb22a84956a28bc13fecc45e43a0f1.jpg IMG_20200329_185729.thumb.jpg.5007fd544133bc3388b68c5cc10be67a.jpg

Next up is my Acorn BBC Micro Model B which was the main rival to the Sinclair ZX Spectrum. Acorn won out over Sinclair for the BBC contact which saw these computers in many schools in the UK however, the ZX Spectrum was more popular overall for the home PC mainly due to the Model B being far more expensive.

 

Very interesting beast this one powered by a 6502A and industrial look, it was certainly over engineered for what it was used for. Took me awhile to learn how to use this thing again, it's far more complicated than most micros of the era however it's fun to use once you learn the basic commands.

 

IMG_20200329_185740.thumb.jpg.faec5fe203bc2a3eb9627af21af9da70.jpg IMG_20200329_185802.thumb.jpg.7fc7410027ca9baeb3c298160f123eb4.jpg

I've pimped my Beebs out with a Retroclinic Datacentre and 12 rom board with 16k of sideram. A lot of software was on rom for this machine which is one of its quirks.

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image_149134.thumb.jpg.d9f369cc0addbf00eae7779ae62330f0.jpg

 

Another awesome computer for my collection with really vibrant colours and good sound it has some really nice arcade ports.

The only negative is it's temperamental, it really needs new sockets. The only other downside is it only had 32k of ram.

 

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I will never forget finding a Beeb for super cheap on Gumtree about 8-10 years ago. The dude was still using it as his desktop PC, it was amazing. He had this desk filled with old floppy disks that he would boot into his various programs for typing etc. I snagged it and all of the software for like $50. It worked fine and I played with it for a while, but I never had much use for it, so I sold it onto a retro PC collector. Came with an RGB monitor as well, but the tube was very old and tired. I regret selling that old thing.

 

Funniest thing ever was when I was running it and was typing away to load a program. There was a loud pop and then the telltale burning smell and smoke rising from the back of the PC. The PC kept working fine, no issues. I still find it hilarious that it likely blew a PSU cap and just decided to keep on working.

 

Edited by namastepat
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Chucky Egg and Dare Devil Dennis - my favourite BBC games.!

 

Back in the day a 48k Spectrum was like 129 quid, where as the BBC B was 399 quid. Only the rich kids had the B. I had a Dragon 32.. Piece of shit.

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Chucky Egg and Dare Devil Dennis - my favourite BBC games.!

 

Back in the day a 48k Spectrum was like 129 quid, where as the BBC B was 399 quid. Only the rich kids had the B. I had a Dragon 32.. Piece of shit.

 

Wasn't the Dragon a knock off of the Tandy Colour Computer? (coco)

I was playing chucky egg the other day...very addictive.

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Wasn't the Dragon a knock off of the Tandy Colour Computer? (coco)

I was playing chucky egg the other day...very addictive.

 

Pretty sure.. It was a clunker.

 

What machine we're you playing Chuck Egg on.?

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