Finding old gear

[CheshireNoir]

I think we all scavenged. I still do, I've just got better at it :-D
(I don't remember the last time I purchased a dedicated power supply. Not with the IT department chucking away old gear all the time)

Chesh

[Ashes]

I am amazed at what I actually put away all of this years ago. I am sorting the IBM and Wang stuff, and still working out what to do with a complete Gamma11 machine based on a PDP 11/34 with multiple drives.. The Microbee was the first real machine i had and was used in all sorts of locations, even the Ticket Office of Puffing Billy while I was on duty.

[Ashes]

Is there possibly a way of working out the original configuration of a machine via the Serial Number? I have an idea that some of the Microbees I have are a little modified looking at the EPROMS in the core boards.

[Ernest]

Is there possibly a way of working out the original configuration of a machine via the Serial Number? I have an idea that some of the Microbees I have are a little modified looking at the EPROMS in the core boards.

Mostly no,
Many of the Microbee's came out of the factory with MOD's already fitted.
Your best starting place would be to find the board I'd's and revisions and get hold of the associated schematics from the Repository, but even that is only a rough starting point. You may then need to look at the Engineering Correction Notices (ECN's) and find which ones you may actually want to keep, many were critical improvements.
In the case of the Coreboard an owner may have added latter functionality to an early revision board to increase either RAM or ROM or both, I.E. PC85b from an original PC85 effectively doubling the number of PAK ROMs available.

Ernest

[CheshireNoir]

Ashes, your collection sounds amazing!
I definitely want to see pictures if you get a chance :-D

Chesh

[Ashes]

I don't have an option to post pictures yet, but try to get something up somewhere soon.

[CheshireNoir]

All good :-)
If you get really stuck, stick the photos on somewhere like photobucket, Facebook or Instagram and just paste a link.

Chesh

[Ashes]

I have setup Google Drive so will see if that works. It appears I can add pictures to other posts if needed, just not this one.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1...sp=sharing

Ashes

   

[I've pasted it in here for you - ChickenMan]

[CheshireNoir]

What an amazing collection! Thanks for posting here. As you go through your collection further, you'll have to post more pictures for us.

Chesh

[Ernest]

Ashes looks like you have a bit of work (fun) on your hands there.
It would bee great to see them all up and running again

Ernest