[Coco] Semi OT: My Latest addition to my vintage computer collection

[Andrew]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Derek dml_68 at yahoo.com
> Sent 9/13/2007 5:51:21 PM
> To: CoCo List coco at maltedmedia.com
> Subject: [Coco] Semi OT: My Latest addition to my vintage computer collection
> 
> Someone very kind asked me a few days ago if I wanted it as it needed a good home and they would not take payment They just wanted to pass it to someone who would enjoy it. It arrived today. I am probably too excited over a vintage computer system. 
> 
> http://www.iinet.com/~dloughrey/My_SOL.jpg
> 
> Woohoo!!!

Very nice! A while back I found and purchased an Altair from a local 
computer/electronics junkyard...I understand your excitement.

I would advise against turning it on (any part), unless you know that it 
had been in constant use by the owner. Mainly because of the power 
supply - what you have likely isn't a switching supply (linear - iirc, 
most likely). It will have large capacitors and other parts, and if they 
have "aged", you might plug the thing in and start a fire (at worst case).

What you are going to want to do is inspect it with a fine tooth comb, 
especially if it is a "kit built" machine. You want to make sure 
everything is still solid and "working", that the power supply is in 
good shape (it is possible to rejuvenate the caps in the power supply 
using a variac), no cold solder joints, no broken wires, traces good, 
etc. Treat this like an antique restoration, because that is what you 
are working with.

My Altair didn't come with any documentation at all, and the top cover 
of the case is also missing. It is covered in dust and dirt, and needs a 
serious cleaning. I got plenty of parts (memory cards, floppy interface 
cards, etc) with it. No drives, though (not that it really matters - not 
like you can find hard-sector floppies any more). I also didn't get the 
original 8080 cpu - mine had the popular Z-80 upgrade board (so, in 
theory, in the future - hah! - I could run cp/m!).

Good luck and fun with your "new" gift - it is a rare one, indeed!

-- Andrew