0092 The first ever home "computer", a Digital laptop, motherboard trays and more!

[@walterbeer2386]

Adrian, I got a Digi-Comp 1 computer as a gift in 1968 when I was 11. I was never able to get it to work and in fact the computer programmers at my mom's work were unable to figure it out as well. I don't think mine had the more extensive manual that you showed. Anyway it's been lost to time but I still have fond memories of it. I'm looking forward to seeing any videos you might produce on it!

[@thomaskorner3978]

The Serialnumber on the Shirt means „GEEK MANS WORLD“!😉😂

[@modulusixt]

Yeah, that was easy ;) G33K M4N5 WORLD! nice catch!

[@MarianoLu]

Came to write this comment but assumed that the crowd already had it

[@scottishcontentcreators]

Can't wait for the digi comp video. Mega interesting stuff.

[@timradde4328]

Same.

[@lexluthermiester]

@AdriansDigitalBasement][ Most of us regulars don't care about the mic. As long as we can hear you clearly, we're golden! Carry on good sir!

[@MakersEase]

I watch your content religiously.. You are my mid-week fix. (well - and weekend fix). I grew up in the 80's and had a TI and commodore 128. I don't really have the 'want' for retro - but sure do love watching you fix things. As a electronic tech by education and and IT person by trade - your content is awesome. Your troubleshooting ability is next level. Keep up the great work!

[@YuenanCao]

My dad had that plastic computer! He was so excited and showed it to me and it went right over my 7 year old head

[@Clavichordist]

I had one of those! I got it as a Christmas gift from my uncle. Wow! I got mine in 1969 when I was 8. My father set it up for me and like a lot of things from back then it disappeared into the great landfill due to lost parts, etc. A company I worked for used to loan these same machines out to management and other executives when they traveled. They were pretty good and solid workhorses in their day.

[@snap_oversteer]

That DEC laptop deserves full restoration! Also in case the 2.5" HDD is from Conner, it will most likely have sticky head end stop, but it can be fixed by opening it up and taping over the melted rubber with small piece of tape. There's plenty of tutorials on how to do it, I've personally done it on 5 of them and all that didn't have other problems survived and have 0 bad sectors.

[@SergiuszRoszczyk]

I created myself similar 3D printed frames for my 286, 386 and 486 boards that use only two rows of holes. The peg you mentioned missing - each of my board have it in different spot. Also spacing is “misalligned” by around 4 mm between 3 boards so my frame is actually two pieces to fit 18x18cm print bed and screwed together with some spacers to accommodate inaccuracy in each board design

[@Bob-1802]

Even with the mic on the table at the end, I didn't notice it until you told us. I use headphones and still, I had to listen a second time to notice the slight fan noise. It adds ambiance 😏

[@TheInternetHelpdeskPlays]

Those 3d printed mounts are awesome, it's a testament to the longevity of the ATX mounting standard.

[@hlsix]

Since you have a bunch of frames, all you need now is a rack to store them in! Storing vertically would seem simplest since you wouldn't need to worry about the type of motherboard or size. One of those rack that hold skillets or trays in the kitchen might do for starters although they might be too widely spaced apart. You should be able to print your own rack with spacing to accommodate frame with motherboard attached. Maybe even space for a label on the front so you can group like boards together. Maybe a rack like the ones to hold vinyl records is a possibility.

[@dennissdigitaldump8619]

Internet Archive is backed up on a giant tape library, yeah a big one with robot loading, it's kinda back up, but it'll be a while to copy a "lot" of tapes back to the server hard drives. Back in the day the system actually worked off the tapes, it took forever.

[@TheLemonhawk]

I don't recall a Dec PC laptop! I had the loan of a PDP11/20 at work until our PDP11/40 arrived. Eventually we also got a PDP 11/60. All were connected to Inertial Navigation system used on Navy aircraft during the 70's, an were used to collect instrumentation data.

[@ultrametric9317]

DO make a separate video for the PLASTIC 1 flop computer! When I was a nerd kid, I would pore over the science toys in the Sears and Penneys Christmas catalogs and that thing fascinated me. I was soon reading about how to do similar things with relays.

[@meominest3407]

Would love to see the digital rehabbed at some point.

[@Supertech-86]

Back in the day Zenith laptops had an issue with corrosion on socketed IC's, unsure which model maybe Supersport, and they sent us like a pint jar of Deoxit. The warranty repair was to remove the socketed IC's and scrub the chip legs with a mild abrasive (pencil eraser) and apply 2ml per unit. At the time we remarked if you had enough Zenith warranty work that bottle was worth $175k.

[@KatarinaMelki]

I've deal with a lot of those Resume/Standby batteries on all the old ThinkPads I restore. As you guessed it is so you can put the laptop in to standby while swapping the main battery. Ultimately I always just remove them and don't bother trying to replace them. Overall that is an interesting machine. I wasn't aware DEC made a laptop, but now I kinda want one.

[@ray_mck]

I clicked a SMMC and, like always, first checked the video length for a smile. BUT what is going on?!? Are pigs flying? How is it only 36 minutes?

[@maxtornogood]

Did Adrian finally realise what "Mini" actually means? 😝

[@adriansdigitalbasement2]

It's hard to say how they end up once the editing is done. I like to keep people guessing 🙂

[@denniswoycheshen]

The first thing you gotta do is like the video, they are always good.

[@JenniferinIllinois]

This one truly is a super MINI mail call. 🤣

[@monikaw1179]

Adrian.......you are the sweetest, funniest, most clever man on KZbin. TF....WTF.....lol! You had us in stitches here in the UK. xx

[@llwellyncuhfwarthen]

To repair the box, my suggestion is to get a large sheet of heavy grade paper, and then use a full contact glue, coat the paper, and then carefully lay the box pieces onto the paper, that way it acts as a reinforcing while not brittling the box or anything like that.

[@jlawrence71]

Concerning the lid... I think something like light poster board cut to the inside dimension of lid and glue spread evenly with a brush. During this step, you could also apply some glue to the tear 'seam'. Then use something heavy to press it together. Cleanup excess glue and use wax paper to avoid anything sticking to the box. This would give it more support and look better than tape. It deserves a decent looking box. This is a really cool item and I look forward to the dedicated video. Thanks again for your content as you have taught me a lot. (I am doing an Amiga 2000 (with video toaster) right now: battery leakage damage, keyboard restore, retro rewind button battery installed, 1080s power button replacement,.... Used all your techniques and ... "It freek'n works" !! ) Cheers

[@tankgrrl]

I agree with @jlawrence71 I've restored a few boxes in my video game console collection and I tend to look to reinforce rather than to try just re-assembling. I would not use packing tape as it will come loose over time on this old cardboard and it also may react weirdly with the acids in the cardboard absorbing the adhesive (or both). I suggest using PVA glue (or book repair glue) and, as suggested above, some rigid poster board (acid-free if possible - comic book backing boards are a good option, but obviously not everyone has those just lying around). I also use book-binding repair tape for the sides, but, again, not something you maybe have on-hand. I'd be willing to attempt restoring it if you all decide that's something you'd like top pursue. You have my email. :)

[@adriansdigitalbasement2]

@@tankgrrl Great advice, thanks!

[@TheErador]

I would suggest gummed brown paper tape. It's stiffer than packing tape,and the adhesive less offensive

[@John-uc6gb]

I actually owned a brand-new Digi Comp1. Great video

[@katelights]

Hi Adrian, the big ones are a #6-32 UNC thread, and the small ones are metric M3

[@root42]

What‘s UNC?

[@BaguetesGarage]

​@@root42 Unified Thread Standard, imperial stuff 😂

[@katelights]

@@root42 UNified thread standard Coarse. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Thread_Standard

[@Renville80]

That small component in the glass package is indeed a thermistor. That battery pack had trouble written all over it! Hope you cleaned the mat real well afterwards!

[@dondywondy]

Can't WAIT to see the episode on the plastic mechanical computer!

[@hak1985org]

That digital laptop has GOT to be the same as the equivalent spec Tandy laptop of the era. They look identical except the logo.

[@JenniferinIllinois]

Love that 'garment serial number'. 🤣

[@hugoegon8148]

16:07 Geek man's world. 😊

[@HarryBroadwell]

I was able to print the ATX motherboard holder on my Bambu Lab P1S by setting the holder at a 45 degree angle and turning on supports. Might work on your Ender 3 as well but your print bed is 20mm smaller so you might have to change the angle a bit.

[@nathanahubbard1975]

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot was absolutely a thing back in 1993 when I was in boot camp in the Navy. I assume it goes way back.

[@frankowalker4662]

Looking forward to the Digi Comp video.

[@chriswareham]

I had a Digital Equipment Corporation branded laptop way back near the start of my programming career. I think it was actually a Japanese made machine from someone like Toshiba and just badged as a DEC machine. I still miss the fantastic Alpha machines that DEC made, fantastic technology that along with SPARC, MIPS and PA/RISC should have eclipsed the awful Intel x86 architecture.

[@JohnSmith-xq1pz]

This reminds me of the "fun" I had completely tearing down my Inspiron 6400 to replace the dried out thermal paste with a thermal pad (temps have been great since , I can use it on my lap without it getting burning hot) I also finally permanently fixed the wobble in the screen due to loss screws with a little help from plumbers tape

[@SenileOtaku]

I would suggest getting some archival, acid-free tape for repairing that box lid. Packing tape, or (even worse) masking tape will eventually destroy the cardboard.

[@Freykling]

I have a couple of later mid 90's DEC laptops, one of which has 2 docking stations that mount on top of each other (yo dawg). Didn't know the one you received existed until now, great to know. I also have a couple of Toshiba's that had that "standby" battery in them, better to remove them as they corrode straight through the wire onto the connector on the mainboard. As others have said, it is not really needed as battery packs are not available anymore and if they are, they are dead anyway. :)

[@retrozmachine1189]

I used the phonebook as a stand for PC motherboards and best part, even if I didn't actually have a phone they'd still deliver a new one each year here.

[@simonscott1121]

Definition of insanity - being sent something called the BabyAT and trying it with an XT :D

[@fragglet]

The Digicomps are really cool. In one of the lobbies at MIT there's a working, scaled-up DigiComp II that runs on pool balls instead of marbles. Sadly the visitors have not been too kind to it :(

[@ruthandjoebarrett]

I had the Digi-Comp. Got me into computers. And I wound up at Microsoft!

[@Psychlist1972]

The "e" in DEC is for "Equipment". They were local to us growing up, so my jr high school had a bunch of DEC computers, as did my college.

[@paulshurmon138]

Thanks for the video.

[@tomteiter7192]

ooh that DEC Laptop is so cool! Check out the socket of the 386SX. I've never seen that before!

[@geiger9]

I have a Samsung 386SX desktop with that type of socket.

[@briangoldberg4439]

I'd like to see if that DEC laptop works. I wonder if there are any modern replacements that cold cathode LCD that would make it look a lot better?

[@turbinegraphics16]

That laptop is a beast

[@geiger9]

I'm looking forward to the restoration video on the DEC laptop.

[@twocvbloke]

That long and thin battery is generally not needed in laptops like that DEC, as you alluded to it's usually used to suspend the computer to change power sources, for general running though it's basically just dead weight if you're not going to run it off batteries... :)

[@ultrametric9317]

FYI the coarse screws are called sheet metal screws - they make their own threaded sockets. The others are machine screws.

[@waterup380]

I owned that laptop, and indeed, the screen displays that color.

[@kelvin1316]

I've asked on Patrick's design for the standoffs if he could release a STEP file as it would allow for easy modification so it could be designed to split and print on smaller bed printers. Just to save him having to modify for every motherboard variant out there 😁

[@stefanegger]

Packing tape or so is not really made to glue that together long term if you want to preserve it. Reason is there is acid (at least that is the word in German) in it which will de-color the paper over time. That is why there is special acid-free tape for e.g. images or photos. If you dont care about it as it is damaged already and not a restoration in any way, sure, glue it together and be done with it. Or maybe glue it onto a sheet of cardboard so it has more rigidity

[@Gattancha]

Surprised you missed this - the serial reads - "G33KM4N5W0RLD" or more accurately - "Geek Man's World" 😉

[@thomaskorner3978]

Greetings from Krefeld, near Duesseldorf Germany!🎉

[@nunyabusiness7602]

Many of the links in your description for tools go to either dead links or products that are not available any longer. Consider updating these as I wish to check these out. Thank you.

[@beatadalhagen]

Dunno how important the torn cardboard box is, you could go all the way from 'reliable brand' packaging tape to archival quality stuff. I suspect it's going to come down to the condition of the cardboard (hopefully it is not rotten) and the adhesive.

[@senilyDeluxe]

LOL at the fine print on that T-Shirt "[..] It's just a shirt. Use is subject to the following conditions: (1) this shirt must be washed after wearing and (2) the user must accept any criticism regarding its fashionability including any criticism that may cause undesired feelings"

[@GeorgeZ213]

I use the white nylon standoffs that most mobo's or cases come with.

[@KennethScharf]

My brother had one of those when we were kids. He still might have it buried somewhere.

[@WabuKa]

hi Adrian, DB19 pin female 90° print still available on ebay Germany, 9,95 Euros each or 50 Euros for 10 pieces 😊

[@KAPTKipper]

Glue the lid back using card stock lining the inside

[@robertfear7021]

Not to give away my age but I had something very close to that "computer". Mine had a drive motor and simple "cards,"

[@samcostanza]

Go to your local Michael's or Hobby Lobby and get some archival tape. This won't attack the cardboard.

[@hunsra]

S/N is "Geek Mans World"

[@fadate7292]

Hands up anybody raising 2 fingers ✌ for the number "2" from the intro ! If the whole frame doesn't fit in your printer you can print a modular frame with sliding parts that can be affixed with screws and size it depending on the mobo. For the torn box, use a large cardboard sheet and glue it to the the unfolded back of the lid and fold it like before.

[@BastetFurry]

I would do heinous things for that DEC notebook. 🥺

[@mikesilva3868]

Great video 😊

[@simonhall886]

I would probably use some brown paper and glue it across the whole back, using pva glue

[@DuaneBendt-ch2od]

Having worked on computers for over forty years now, I thought maybe the modem was keeping the system from starting. I have seen that happen a number of times to desktops as well as laptops.

[@gregpoehlein6654]

Use acid-free archival tape. 3M makes a Scotch brand of acid free cellophane tape. This will not discolor or attack the cardboard.

[@TheDrivenDemon]

Thin card stock and rubber cement to fix the box would be my thought

[@waverlyarbeau4962]

internet archive is back up and running

[@user-nd8zh3ir7v]

digi-comps are cool, but its hard to get them to work correctly even when they are new. There are new kits out there. Some 3-d printed, another one is card board.

[@Synthematix]

3d printing = yuk I just fit 10mm standoffs to the mainboard job done no swapping of backplates required

[@klaatubob]

Maybe the people who designed the kits in the 70s got the idea from the Digi Comp 1...

[@freefall2003]

Some laptops pass power though the battery pack then on to the laptops

[@YoureUsingWordsIncorrectly]

Curious to see that Laptop going again, I had a 286 with a similar shell.

[@rtechlab6254]

14v on NiMh is probably too high and its off on protection. 1.2v per cell is the nominal charged voltage

[@arcanescroll]

Use an acid free archival tape on the inside. Normal tape will yellow and destroy the material.

[@njgriebel]

Hey adrian, good to see you again. How have things been since you decided to go full time? I hope things are going good! I'm not sure if youtube is a stable platform for money or not. I see why you would want to do this full time though :) Thanks for the video! ~Nick Griebel

[@K-o-R]

"Coarse" PC screws are 6/32, and "fine" PC screws are M3.

[@GeekmanCA]

Seems the other commenters have already "deciphered" the serial number. 😉 Man, what a great haul! I love that test-bench standoff frame for motherboards. New old-stock Mac floppy connectors? Nice! And that mechanical toy computer is wild - I'd definitely like to see an episode on it.

[@Vermilicious]

I think fixing that laptop could be a good video, even though it might not seem very fruitful :)

[@danieljm1234]

How about a super macro mail call marathon one day 😏😏

[@YuenanCao]

Regarding the NEC laptop: so you are saying there’s a chance

[@nrdesign1991]

The motherboard' holes not perfectly lining up may be due to the intended way of attaching them with the click-in standoffs instead of screws, at least on some of the holes

[@jeromewink557]

10 cells at about 1.25v per means the pack was 12.5v

[@DeanHorak]

The serial number on the tshirt says Geekmansworld

[@kaitlyn__L]

Didn't Matt Parker do a video with the cardboard version of that computer, like, 10 years ago? Maybe even 14 or 15 now...

[@andrewb9830]

That Digital laptop seems to be a twin of the Tandy laptops. Very similar to a 1500HD but with faster guts.

[@CutieHoney]

The T-Shirt Serial Number is Geek Mans World

[@stphinkle]

I wonder if that model used a battery backed RAM drive or bubble memory, or had a RAM disk or something that needed the second battery. I also wonder about the odd shape of the second battery.

[@der.Schtefan]

What's the official name for freedom units? Is it "US customary"? Or imperial?

[@YuenanCao]

GEEK MAN’S WORLD LOL

[@GeorgeZ213]

03:00 no such thing as a universal mobo design. Impossible with 5 slot, 8 slot, 4 mem slots, 2 mem slots, 8 mem slots, 1 cpu, 2 cpu, micro xt sizes and configs, etc.

[@fredlendzian7082]

Hey do u have any advice for new Linux users

[@ChuckMcMillen]

My late brother had one of the Digi-Comp. He got from Edison Scientific in New Jersey. I don’t know whatever happened to it.

[@thirstyCactus]

That diode in the battery back is used as a temperature sensor. Forward voltage drop is a function of temperature, if current is held relatively constant.

[@fredlendzian7082]

Inside and out would be stronger

[@horusfalcon]

DEC - Digital _Equipment_ Corporation.s Neat board stands and other gear. I hope you get this DEC laptop going eventually. Looks like a piece of computing history.

[@diskettenfett3161]

I guess the Digital laptop is made by Panasonic. I used to have a 286 laptop that looked exactly the same, the Panasonic CF-270 (if I remember correctly).