This page has been put back on the web for those who may be interested. It is a venture that I had as a hobby whilst at University, and hasn't been touched since 1996, when I lost interest. I now work in the computer industry full-time, and have resurrected this for people with similar interests. This page lists some of the machines I have had in my collection. You can mail me at mikewalder@yahoo. com. All comments, suggestions and idle chit chat welcome.

This page was last updated on 9th September, 1996

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FRAMES MENU

Jump to the bits that interest you!

Non PC Machines

IBM PC Compatible Machines

Useful drivers and utilities for older machines, mainly PC

Other Collections and Museums on the 'net

Items currently forsale

 Blue Ribbon Campaign

Non PC Machines

SuperComputers

Altos

8/16-bit Microcomputers

Sinclair Digital Hewlett Packard Apricot Other Marques

 This is where all my various machines can be viewed. Most are obsolete and some I don't even know what they are used for.

"SuperComputers"

Altos 2086 Multiuser Computer System.

Described in the hand book as a "Supercomputer", it has an Intel 80286 Main CPU, 8086 Disk CPU, 8086 I/O CPU, 2x80Mb 5.25" Full Height MFM Hard Dives, 2Mb ram, 20 serial ports for connecting 9600 baud dumb text terminals, was running the multiuser operating system XENIX. I have the manuals for this machine and some software. Now hard drives have gone down. I'd like to be able to use this machine again, as it is one of the few obsolete machines I know how to use. If anyone has the software to reformat and sys some new disks, please get in touch!

8/16-bit Microcomputers

ZX81

1K Ram, 16K RAM expansion Pack, Timex Sinclair Thermal Printer. It was the first computer that retailed at under UK£50. Not working at present.

ZX Spectrum +2

Zilog Z80A processor, 128k RAM, Integral Cassette Tape Drive, Multiface 128. The original grey +2, the first of the Amstrad Sinclair machines. Many said it was better than the +2a, but I can't remember why. Not currently working, and the case has had model glue spilt on it which has deformed it. I'm looking for a replacement machine, with or without PSU, manual etc. If you have a spare one lying around, please mail me!

ZX Spectrum +3

Zilog Z80A processor, 128k RAM, Integral 3" Floppy Drive, Multiface III, joysticks and loads of software. This was the last machine in the Spectrum range. It was manufactured by Amstrad, as they took over Sinclair after the C5 failiure and other things. All the +2, +2a and +3 machines were made by Amstrad. Sinclair intended the QL to be the flagship of the Sinclair range, but Amstrad felt differently, the +3 was Amstrad's Sinclair Flagship.

Rainbow

Dec's first IBM PC lookalike, equiped with a Z80 and an Intel 8088 CPU, 128K RAM, twin 5.25" Floppy drives, Runs CP/M and MS-DOS although not IBM PC-DOS. Manuals and Software. The biggest mistake Dec made with this machine was not making it fully IBM PC compatible. They realised this at a later date however, and brought out proper PCs.

Decmate II

Z80 CPU, Twin 5.25" Floppy drives, no hard disk. Running OS278 the proprietry dec operating system, which is now in the public domain, along with lots of other software.

Decmate III

Twin 5.25" Floppy drives, no hard disk. Also Running OS278, and some other software.

DecStation 220

This machine is manufactured by Olivetti for Digital. Despite it's unix like name, it is in fact just another PC. It is based on an AMD 80286 running at 12MHz, has 1Mb of onboard RAM, 4 x 30pin simm sockets, an IDE interface, and an onboard VGA graphics adapter. It is fitted with a 1,44Mb floppy drive, and a 20Mb Conner hard drive. These machines always come fitted with a Conner drive, as it is limited to these parameters in it's bios, not even modern bios editing utilities can fit a better drive than a 105Mb Conner. I am looking for a small unix like operating system that will run on this MINIX perhaps? LINUX requires more power. If you have one, or know that this is in fact just a PC and never intended to run UNIX, please mail me!


HP 9816

Got two of these, Both with Graphics and 512K ram. One machine only reports 256K and reports a memory error. This error goes if the second memory board is removed. They appear to be graphics terminals as once they have completed their self tests, they set about "Searching for System", presumably via the HP-IB interface.

HP 9830A

One of HP's infamous Calculators. Desktop machine with various options and 9866 Thermal printer on top. This has three keys missing, if anyone knows where to get keys and switches please mail me!

HP 9845B

Another of HP's Calculators, This one built into one unit, has a CRT display, two integral tape drives, integral thermal printer, and lots of options fitted. Noone I have spoken to knows much about this, it seems to be too new for collectors, too old for engineers! If you know more details about this, please mail me

For more information on all types of HP Calculators, from the high end desktops you see here, to the wrist watch types, go to the Museum of HP Calculators.

Xi

This machine was one of the early Apricots made by what was then ACT, the company that also inported the Sirrus machines into the UK. This machine could either run CP/M or MS-DOS. Mine is running MS-DOS 2.11. It has a single floppy drive, a 10Mb "Winchester", and 256Kb Ram. It is fully working, but currently lacks a keyboard.

FP

This machine is Apricot's first atempt at a portable machine. It was also made by ACT and is mains powered only. It has a small case with an 640 x 200 LCD display, quite hi res at the time. It was designed as a budget machine selling for £1695. The machine is based on the intel 8086 running at 5Mhz, just a tad faster than the IBM XT's and Apricot F1's 4.77MHz. Mine still has the carrying case and all the software which included SuperWriter, SuperCalc, SuperPianner, ACT Diary, ACT Sketch and an interactive tutorial. Another interesting feature is that the machine came with Voice Recognition as standard, and the keyboard has no cable, it was linked by infra red like the optional trackball mouse. This machine currently does not boot. I beleive it may be a floppy disk problem.

XENi-AWS

This is one of the first Apricots made by Apricot Scotland. It was based on the AMD 80286 processor running at 8MHz and is a true IBM compatible machine. In an attempt to make it as compatible as possible, this is one of the few Apricots which is fitted with an internal 5.25" floppy drive, this one a high density 1.2Mb. It also has onboard video, I/O and a Western Digital based hard disk controller. This machine also has voice recognition. Interestingly, the machine is fitted with two video outputs, one for the Apricot Mono Monitor, which takes it's power from the socket, and one for a standard type of monitor, using apricot's own graphics adaptor.

For more information on ACT Apricot machines, try Jonathan Marster's ACT Apricot page He has PCW's review of the Apricot FP, and lots of other Apricot related info and Links.

Other Marques

Oric Atmos

Fitted with 48k RAM, 3" External Floppy Drive, Plotter/printer, manuals and software, not working at present. Originally made by Tangerine, but taken over by a French concern at a later date. The company that originally made this were good at making machines, and this machine is proof of that, but I was told, no good at handling business, this is why they went bust, not the fault of the machine. Bit of a shame really, as this machine is far superior the the Sinclair and Commodore stuff of the time, and these were the big players. Another example of the better standard failing. There is also quite a following for this machine, there are still user groups out there supporting it, and even a guy who makes new ones!

Commodore VIC20

Fitted with a 6502A CPU, 8k RAM, 32K RAM Pack, modulator, Cassette drive, manuals and lots of tape and cartridge software, It was my first computer, bought in 1983 for UK£119. Unfortunately it's not working at present.

Amstrad PCW 8256

Using a Z80 CPU, 512K RAM (Upgraded), and an Integral 3" Floppy Drive. I have some software + the 9pin PCW Dot Matrix Printer. This was and still is a very popular wordprocessing machine for home use, as it was sold in many high street stores. I always felt that these machines were costly for what they were, and still are. But you can't really beat them on simplicity, just put the disk in and go. Although the software is dated now, and even the current PCW 9512 doesn't come with a mouse, the machine is still popular, and has quite a following.

Durango

Wordprocessing system that looks like a typewriter with a screen and twin 5.25" floppies bolted to the end. Can't get to work.

BT Merlin Kennet W

8086 CPU, Twin 5.25" floppy drives, I have had a suggestion that it may have been part of a computerised telephone PABX, don't know anything else... if you do, please mail me!

Gemini Microcomputers Galaxy 2

Big grey box with twin floppies... haven't had a look inside yet... No more details at present

IS µAnalyst 2000

Smart cream box, with several expansion slots mostly filled, looks modern until you look inside! no more details at present!

Mentor Graphics Corp. Hardware Varification System

Looks identical to the µAnalyst, don't know what either of these do, if you do please mail me!

Motorola EXORset 6809 Development System

Old fashioned machine for when CPU emulators didn't exist! Faulty diskette controller, loads of software, manuals, boards and even an EPROM blower! Unlike the more modern cheapie development systems with a keypad and a LED display, this machine cost thousands new, and came in a single piece box (Commodore PET style), with a green CRT display. Inside it has several expansion slots, many filled.

Tandata P.A.

I think that this is for accessing Prestel, it is a modern unit with a SCART lead and matching grey colour monitor. I have no power supply, so if anyone has any information on this machine, ideally PSU voltages, please mail me!

Sirrus 1

This machine was made by Sirius Systems Technology an Scotts Valley, CA, USA. This company was later renamed Victor Technologies. ACT were the UK distributor for these machines, and later went on to make the Apricot series of machines; these machines were compatible with the Sirius 1 and Victor 9000 machines It runs Sirrus MS-DOS 1.25, an international version of MS-DOS 1.2, and is complete with manuals and a 10Mb Fixed disk, which is dying, can anyone supply boot disks, if you can, please mail me!

IBM PC Compatible Machines

IBM Wyse Non IBM

This is where all my IBM PC Compatible machines can be viewed. Some collectors do not collect PC machines, or feel that PCs are not collectable, so I have included them in a different section.

I am essentially a PC man. The only machines I enjoy to use are PC machines. I can't stand Macs and find it a chore to use UNIX (I do however have a 486 machine running LINUX for educational purposes).

I certainly am not a fan of Windows '95 and I work with and install this software on new machines! (I probably dislike it bacause I install this software and have to set it up in various Plug 'n Prey configurations :-) )

Personal Computer

The original PC! I have three of these, all 8-bit 4.77MHz Intel 8088 based, one with 384K, 20Mb MFM, 64k EGA, another with 256K, 10Mb, CGA, and the final one with twin floppies, 1.8Mb RAM, a 8087 numeric co-pro and an expansion unit comprising 1 x 10Mb MFM disk and other things, This gave the machine a total of 13 expansion slots! most are filled in this machine, the machine I learnt DOS on! They'll all run DOS, CP/M and MINIX amongst other things. I have so many manuals and original IBM software titles to list here, all in the standard IBM boxed ring binder affair.

Personal Computer/XT

The eXtended Technology PC, has the newer Intel 16-bit 8086 processor also running at 4.77MHz, 640K, 40Mb MFM 5.25" Hard Drive, MDA display and adapter, and is very original!

Personal Computer/XT-286

I have two of these, one original with 640K Ram, 20Mb MFM 5.25" Seagate drive, 1.2Mb High Density 5.25" Floppy drive, and CGA display and card. The other an upgraded XT, it uses the original IBM XT-286 motherboard, in an XT case, presumably an upgrade provided by IBM. Both these machines are based on the 8MHz Intel 80286.

Personal System/2 Model 60-071

An early IBM MCA machine, a full height tower, with a intel 80286-10 CPU, and originally a 70Mb ESDI drive and controller, now downgraded to a 20Mb MFM as I could not get a replacement ESDI to work, or a decent MFM due to bios limitations. If you have any tips, please mail me!

Wyse pc286 model WY-2200

The original Wyse pc286. An IBM AT clone, it came with an Intel 80286 running at 8MHz (2MHz faster than the original AT). This comes in a case as big as the AT, and has a smoked door that slides across in front of the drives. This case was designed to take a standard AT type motherboard at a later date. This machines has 1.7Mb ram (XMS) all DRAM on Wyse specific boards, also equiped with a 32Mb MFM drive and WD controller. It is fitted as standard with a 5.25" 1.2Mb High Density floppy drive.

Wyse pc286 model WY-2108

The series II pc286. This type is also based on an 8MHz Intel 80286, but housed in a sleek modern case, with a reasonable footprint, and features a Passive Backplane design, ending the Wyse's ability to be upgraded using third party parts, you'd have to go back to Wyse for the 386 upgrade (which incedentily costed more than an upgrade to a rival box). It has an Intel 80286 8MHz CPU, and usually fitted with an WD MFM controller a 20Mb Seagate ST-225, and 512k Ram. I have four of these, one with 1Mb Ram. These also have an interesting 20 character 1 line backlit display on the front which can display date, time, processor activity (bar graph) and also hdd activity.

Wyse pc286 model WY-2112

This is also a series II pc286 in the same case, bit with a Intel 80286-12 CPU. I have not got the original motherboard, so I have fitted an 8MHz one instead.

Wyse pc286 model WY-2116i

This is one of the last 286 machines Wyse made. It is in a similar case as the Series II, but has the backlit LCD display replaced with the normal (and cheaper) three LEDs. This is fact a very nippy machine for a 286, it has an IDE controller, and four SIMM sockets on the motherboard. It easily beats a 386sx-20! This machine is fitted with an 80XL287 co-pro (probably why it's faster than a 386), a 40Mb disk, and is still being used today (not for any CAD work anymore mind!).

Other Non IBM Marques

Amstrad PPC512

One of the first affordable Portable computers. It came with twin 3.5" 720k Floppies, 512K Ram, and PPC Organiser software. This one has the carry case, Car adaptor, and has been upgraded to 640K.

Olivetti M24

This is Olivetti's popular 8086 based machine, it it fitted with an 8087 numeric co-processor or FPU. It has a proprietry Olivetti Mono CGA monitor, and 640K of Ram. It also has a 20Mb 5.25" HH Hard Disk and Western Digital Controller. This machine is fitted with the Keyboard 2 (F keys along top), although Keyboard 1 (F keys down side) was also available. Olivetti has now launched a new range of M24 pc's, snappily titled M24 NEW. They come with the current Pentium processors... along way from the original M24!

Samsung SPC3000

This is one of the first machines to use the modular passive backplane approach to PC building. This concept was mainly used in industrial machines, and machines where it was sold as an easy way to upgrade, you just replace a card (pretty pointless if, like this machine it has an 8-bit bus). This particular machine is fitted with 640k RAM, and a mono Display. It also has a 360k 5.25" floppy drive, but has a faulty PSU, otherwise working.
Copyright (C) 1996 M.Walder. All Rights Reserved, All Trademarks Acknowledged. E&OE.

All or parts of this page may be reproduced with permission of the author Mike Walder. email mikewalder@yahoo.com