An IBM Copy of Windows 3.1 (plus some Thrift Store Finds)

[@tspawn35]

It always amazed me how little IBM actually cared about their consumer line. They have always cared about the commercial side to the point they made sure that the consumer line was never better than their commercial side.

[@Ptero4]

In fact. The only reason they made the PC platform was to outmuscle every other micro computer maker out of the market and once they were the only game in the market they would discontinue the PC and move every customer to the mainframe/minicomputer lineup which was their cash cow. The plan backfired because they made the PC from components that were already made and used open, publicly available schematics which was cheaper for them but in the end meant that other people could (and did) clone IBM's platform, essentially wrecking their plan of monopolizing the market and killing it.

[@juango500]

@@Ptero4 task failed successfully. cared too much about the consumers

[@helmaschine1885]

The seal having broken is good. Shrink wrap continues to shrink and crushes boxes. Sometimes as soon as after 3 years.

[@mhfsilver_]

I used to work with Free Geek at their original location, certainly an organization that helps a ton. They were also lifesavers for people that needed computers during the start of the pandemic, when getting a computer became incredibly difficult. I used to work in computer sales at the time and would always direct people to them if I had no stock. Certainly, worth checking out if you're in a city that has one.

[@kFY514]

I once played with archived ThinkPad restore images, and found out that the one for the 755CD included both DOS+Win3.1 _and_ OS/2 Warp, installed in a dual-boot configuration. And don't forget about WinOS/2, the compatibility layer that allowed running Windows apps on the OS/2 desktop, but required files from a copy of Windows to work. So yeah, the aspect of competition between Microsoft and IBM was... weird. And wild.

[@zlatatomic394]

Sś

[@zlatatomic394]

IT Look Like uno wild

[@PCWindowstechguy]

Always happy to see new episodes of thrift store finds and definitely the weirdest item you've got is the iDog, but anyways. Keep up with the amazing content Michael MJD!

[@eliliws7997]

Yea

[@RemyJustice97]

Thank you for having captions enabled on your videos. It makes them so much more consumable

[@48pluto]

I've worked with Windows and OS2, and OS2 ran so much smoother. I'm surprised that Windows has won over OS2.

[@Dtr146]

I got gigabit fiber installed at my current apartment. It took me forever to convince the landlord but they finally caved in. It literally has me to the point where I'm debating whether or not I want to move out. A lot of stuff has been coming up but that fiber is legitimately part of the reason why I'm still there. It's so freaking fast.

[@masejoer]

Yeah, fiber is amazing. For most browsing, latency means far more than bandwidth. In every situation I've experienced, the fiber connections (no experience with Xfinity fiber, so different networks), with appropriate network hardware and hard-wired ethernet to minimize the latency, can make webpage total load times a good 30-50% faster than any Xfinity cable connection. Even for 25Mbit fiber link vs a Gigabit Xfinity link. Only real limit to this is video streaming and large downloads. Decent ISP network, ONT straight to router's RJ45 jack (often requires running your own ethernet cable to the terminal box, to bypass the typical coax converter install), and the internal networking - the performance reminds me of T1 lines in days long past where that latency was incredible. Even with cable though, best to ditch wifi for computers, and many times the ISP-provided modems/combo boxes too for something with better performance. An oversaturated network on the ISP's side can always be a deciding factor though, especially is there is a high packet loss. Of course then there's also those pesky ads that often reach out to slow servers, greatly delaying or breaking a webpage, so block those when you can...

[@Dtr146]

@@masejoer My latency is pretty good too. Mainly because my upload speed is just as fast as my download speed

[@gbraadnl]

5:00 Hilarious. I had never seen that video... In short, the coupon was still accepted after 17 years!

[@r66fplaysgames]

3:50 Davidson, along with MECC (Makers of the Oregon Trail game series.) & Broderbund Software (Makers of the Carmen Sandiego game series.) were all bought by & merged with the Learning Company (Makers of the Reader Rabbit game series.). I would watch a video about the history of edutainment software.

[@SenileOtaku]

A company I used to work for (Future Vision Multimedia) was also bought out by Softkey (which eventually renamed itself to The Learning Company). I have yet to see anyone cover any of our software though.

[@brianwalker7771]

This is the first I have head of this company. I Really like the Painters tape labels they put on the products easy to see and easy to pull off with out messing up packaging. If only other places did this labels can be such a pain to remove.

[@Vlad-1986]

That's quite cool. I also got a Spanish IBM OEM copy with my first computer. 1995 or 1996. Still have it and it quite different: Carboard box, with IBM printed on top, but no blue Windows logo (normal colours). It comes with that bulky Windows 3.1 manual, and another bulkier Ms-Dos manual instead of PC-Dos (but no install disks for DOS). Lots of DOS drivers tho. Back of the box with a ton of screenshots and promotion of Win31 main feature: True Type fonts.

[@CDRiley]

It always amazed me that youtubers don't focus on little things like Bubble wrap. I wish more youtubers do a video focusing on wonders of Bubble Wraps.

[@NoahClevinger]

I love a good episode of thrift store finds! Such a great series.

[@airfixer9461]

I'm interested in unwrapping the IBM/MS 3.1...what might be in there one wonders?😉

[@ArcadeAssaultSrb]

Sunday and an MJD video,best day ever

[@WindowsG]

>.> i adore the color of that, the blue windows flag on the black text is very IBM

[@RetroPC]

I am fortunate to be only hours from the Twin Cities and love Free Geek! Amazing place with incredible old computers and parts available. I go there every time I'm in town. I hope to run into Colin from TDNC there one day. How cool would that be?!?

[@erichkohl9317]

I actually have one of those USB cassette converters. Worked for me. 😉

[@Ptero4]

Wow man. I had no idea ISP's actually charged extra for the modem they are supposed to give you. At least in my country the ISP's we have only charge the normal subscription fee ($50+something/month) and give you the modem for free as part of the plan, in all their plans, and even replace it for free if it breaks due to thunderstorms (we get those constantly during winter).

[@abhishekkushwaha2455]

same here in india

[@Napoleonic_S]

I don't think they gave you the modem, here they lend you the modem or router (for these days)

[@yashwantkannayashkanna]

@@abhishekkushwaha2455 for bsnl you need to buy the modem.

[@andywavecl]

Same here in Chile, i pay $20 for fiber 500/500mbps

[@Ptero4]

@@Napoleonic_S They lend you the modem. But you dont pay extra for it. No matter what plan you subscribe

[@aarontrupiano9328]

i still have my idog and it still works. i need to retro bright it though

[@mikicrep]

MJD, you always make me happy! Thank you for putting effort in your videos. Also about stuff you got, you do not need to open it, just keep it like new, we dont need to see everything, its always much much better to have sealed stuff

[@ethanlaborde]

Michael, would you mind providing a link to the Microsoft article you referenced? It sounds fascinating.

[@MichaelMJD]

Sure! www.seattletimes.com/business/ibm-wins-850-million-settlement-from-microsoft/

[@bizarre5559]

Michael I love your videos so much it is what I always crave!! you're my number 1 KZbinr! everytime I eat food, I watch your videos so that I can really enjoy it! I think you should make a discord server for all of us folks that love the same thing! (old tech and windows things) it would be a great way for all of us to get along and talk about all these things, and for people that need help with these tech!

[@sebastian19745]

May be that Windows 3.1 was intended to be installed under OS/2 and not under plain PC-DOS?

[@richardsequeirateixeira]

No, the version of Windows that was installed under OS/2 was called the blue spine edition.

[@ChloeKenobi]

I literally gasped when I saw the iDog omg… I loved those things so much as a kid hahaha

[@techshibe137]

Sometimes we all need a break from life, MJD, you are the break I need. Thank you :)

[@DavidWonn]

I'm definitely curious what the IBM branded version has beyond a typical MS Win 3.1 installation. Specific IBM drivers? (PS/2 line, etc.) Maybe some PC-DOS programs, like the E editor? REXX?

[@root8272]

ThinkPads of the era came with drivers, but they were usually on separate floppy disks. I think these were only very slightly customized. Perhaps the splash screen, but that's about it.

[@nickwallette6201]

@@root8272 Yeah. I have a couple OEM DOS and Windows distributions. Usually, if they change anything at all, it's the banner copyright string in DOS, a bit of customization in the Setup program, maybe an OEM notice in the About box in Windows, and possibly a customized winlogo.rle file. More often than not, it's nearly (if not completely) bone stock. The one noteworthy exception is my copy of AST MS-DOS 5.0. Where usually MS-DOS would have io sys and msdos sys, the AST version uses PC-DOS style ibmbio sys and ibmdos sys, but it's still entirely MS-DOS other than that. I had an AST Advantage! 486SX/25 when I was a teenager, and I always thought that was strange. Still do.

[@georgeh6856]

Back in the day, Microsoft did some very bad things. But IBM was also not good at selling OS/2. It was difficult to order an IBM PC with OS/2 pre-installed. Part of the reason was that the division that OS/2 was in was different from the division that the PC was in. For a long time, there was little coordination between the two. PC salespeople just wanted to make the sale not caring whether the machine came with Windows or OS/2.

[@pineappleroad]

In the country where i live, ISPs automatically send out a combined modem and router thing (which has WiFi built in, the modem part of these is always DSL, I don’t think cable internet exists where i live, its either DSL, FTTC (which uses DSL for the last bit), or FTTP, our connection is FTTC), and make it as hard as possible for you to use your own equipment

[@kaitlyn__L]

FTTP/B is great, getting an ethernet cable directly into the apartment is so easy and flexible. My router still has ADSL/VDSL(FTTC) modems because it’s from before I switched but if I replaced it I could get just a router.

[@pineappleroad]

@@kaitlyn__L Unfortunately FTTP is currently not available in the village where i live, it will be made available at some point (between now and 2026) (And FTTP connections will be made available with 3 options, 100 down, 500 down, or 900 down, the 900 down option will have limited availability)

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@pineappleroad I’m not surprised, it’s one reason I moved to the city - I was on VDSL FTTC a decade ago. Although ironically I was stuck on much slower ADSL2 for a little while as I waited for the FTTB company to do all their stuff in the basements across the street. I’m glad your village is getting FTTH that soon though! I suspect mine is never getting it. Though I don’t keep up with it anymore.

[@mikuoctoling]

Cool When Michael MJD uploads : time for me to discover more

[@scoopshort]

dankpods 2.0 but pc

[@techshibe137]

True

[@JoCaTen]

That's the best part tbh, while we wait for dankpods to post, we got Michael here.

[@gordonfreeman6464]

Heck yeah, he's got that dank vibes, especially when he puts dankpods backround music

[@knkjchannel55]

Oh, I found it at Cashies, mate Where you can find your dreams They've got wares and chairs and a bog dowstairs Some clubs, some tubs, and hats for scrubs And out of date movies So get on down to Cashies, mate You know it'll change your life So get off the floor, head out the door Forget eBay, they'll charge you more And lose your life at Cashies ᵐᵃᵗᵉ

[@redstonegod296]

bósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbósterbóster

[@andresbravo2003]

IBM Branded Version of Windows 3.1… so rare to find this oddity.

[@01302]

As soon as I hear infotainment I think of Thinking Things 2 on the mac. Great video

[@anon_y_mousse]

I'd like to see a video of you setting up that cable modem. I've got cable and the modem is as far as I can tell free, but if it's only part of a promotional period that I wasn't paying attention to, I'd definitely want to buy one instead of renting.

[@craigleaman5647]

ANOTHER VID I WONT BE BORED DURING HOMEWORK!!!!!!!!!

[@JustPyroYT]

Same😂😂

[@SenileOtaku]

I would buy my own cable modem, but I also have my phone line through it, and buying a VoIP cable modem that *doesn't* suck is quite pricey. So for now I use the Crapcast/suXfinity modem in bridged mode. (and before someone makes a snarky or useless comment; there's little to no cell signal at my house. And I wouldn't want to be dependent on just that either).

[@thegaelicgladiator665]

I really wish we had thrift shops like that in Ireland

[@FBxx3527]

Winter, and… Red Baron: Former famous German pilot, former edutainment software, and now pizza…

[@FBxx3527]

Wintel*

[@mateuspinesi]

I really like these stories about disputes between tech companies.

[@colaphizer2191]

yes, renting modems is a ripoff if you know what youre doing...if your ISP will provision anything that you throw at it. (mine does). you have to take the ISP and their regs into account. the other ISP in town, for example only provisions Arris 8200's - a $170 MSRP modem. If your ISP does free replacements when they burn out from wonky signal, or just regular use and abuse, it *can* be net cheaper to rent.

[@fnjesusfreak]

Yeah, the IBM Win3.1 was for the PS/Valuepoint and had a custom logo but was otherwise stock.

[@RetroGamerOG_]

Thrift stores are cool but mjd makes them even cooler

[@waterup380]

when you score at the local thiftstore is always a bonus

[@SenileOtaku]

Around here those scores are few and far between. Can't think of any really fabulous Goodwill/thrift finds since I found a complete set of "Martian Successor Nadesico" three or so years ago.

[@ShinyElGhosteo]

I've got a demo tape that goes to a pontiac trans sport which talks about vehicle controls on side 1 and radio controls on side 2. I can't find it online so I don't think it's been archived so if that sounds interesting I'm more than happy to send it your way.

[@kebab_hill]

He finally mentioned about the Compaq Portable, i've waiting for a very long time.

[@KaliRoseWolf]

Free Geek Twin Cities is the best, glad I am local to them lol

[@WhtKenny]

you gotta be careful w cable modems from goodwill. it might be tied to somebody else's account and there might even be money owed from that other account...also, it's probably technically the ISPs property. since they charge a rental fee for it, it never belonged to whoever donated to goodwill.

[@FromASatalitePlace]

That only applies to rentals, not for ones that are purchased outside of the company like the Motorola he has hence why it has a few different isp's that are compatible with it. There are alot of companies that reuse other companies modems when they are bought out. Mainly the smaller ISP's though.

[@bagoly.brick.studio]

Cool! I love Thrift Store Finds!

[@t4N9410oR]

Hopefully you also have a suitable vintage copy of IBM PC DOS to install on the same computer, if there is enough interest in showing us the IBM Windows 3.1

[@mirkomihkelson1927]

I if you have any old computer/software ad posters I recommend to but them on the wall.

[@0xEARTH]

here's a fun fact; Davidson & Associates used to own Blizzard.

[@RockyBergen]

Yes please open and review everything! :P

[@blainepalmerza]

Awesome video, Michael!

[@alt666]

Maybe I can get some stuff for my old ibm Thinkpad I series laptop. Hard to find replacement batteries now.

[@brianballa8803]

Could you share a video on installation of Windows 3.1 and the other rare finds?

[@root8272]

I'd like to see him do it too, but if anyone is curious, you can find the OEM Windows 3.1 editions on places like WinWorld.

[@Lostcontroller]

Do a vid on the IBM version of Windows 3.1.

[@oemoemoem]

Good morning Michael mjd

[@daniel_lucio]

Oh my God! Red Baron, another Damon Slye pearlon Dynamix, I miss that days

[@JoshOsRocks]

+1 for unboxing and installing win 3.11. But, maybe find a unopened copy of DOS 6.2 before you do it?

[@gabe80million]

Based on your speeds, I'm going to assume you have Comcast Xfinity

[@nticompass]

I have an NEC OEM copy of Windows 3.1. It has an NEC logo on the boot screen 🙂

[@PieFights]

I would love to see the un boxing of the IBM windows 3.1

[@ariadnavigo]

I wonder whether this version of Win3.1 is based on regular MS-DOS or on IBM's PC-DOS 🤔

[@root8272]

It's possible that it came bundled with neither. I'd imagine there'd be a separate set of disks for DOS altogether.

[@ariadnavigo]

@@root8272 Yeah, good point too! I guess will have to wait for the video to learn more about this! 😅😀

[@thefrecklepuny]

Yep. Open the Windows box up!

[@ashleyfox2420]

My oldest son would like me to ask if you could please install the IBM copy of Windows 3.1? He doesn't have his own account to ask on but he loves watching your channel on my account on our TV. He is inspired by your videos thanks for putting out great content! 🙂

[@AddieDirectsTV]

Dude. You’d love FGTC. I’m one of the retro vols. It’s a GREAT group of people we have! (Also is this where I should say come say hi to us on Discord?)

[@aryansaraf2448]

I wanna see those softiies work

[@knightcrusader]

I think you meant PS/1 instead of Aptiva, the PS/1 line came with Windows 3.1. We had one.

[@TRITON_gaming]

I wanna see you do videos on all of those things, honestly.

[@FatherMcKenzie66]

amazing video Mike!

[@DaPogLord]

i would like to collect every version of windows over time where did u buy yours from. (Edit) Also i have installed a virtual machine with windows xp on it but how do i install another browser on it as internet explorer is no longer supported?

[@station5045]

i have one of those cassette converters! i uhh actually stole it... but it works so theres that

[@danieldavis2055]

Some real LGR vibes in this video here.

[@maxtech66999]

Yah you should really look to there's softwares because it's always interesting to watch your videos ! Keep it up man ;) 💯❤️

[@petcatt]

Now all that's left is to try to install it on an IBM 5100

[@root8272]

Windows 3.1 requires an 80286 or higher with 1 MB of RAM. The 5100 came out in 1975, and used a proprietary IBM processor with a maximum of 64 KB of RAM. The oldest IBM PC to run Windows 3.1 is the 5170, which was released in 1984.

[@petcatt]

@@root8272 yeah I know, but still thanks though :) I was making a joke on the anime steins gate, maybe I'm too much of a weeb tho :p

[@root8272]

@@petcatt Ah, I'd never heard of that series before, but I looked it up, and it seems that itself is a reference to the ancient online posts that John Titor made online around the beginning of the new millennium. I heard about the John Titor stuff decades ago, but never thought someone would make an anime about that...lol

[@DippedToast]

Watching this 10 minutes after the release

[@brett9000]

Nice finds and I cant wait till I can get fibre internet at my house I am on the fastest connection available for me I get 60Mb down and 18Mb up it is still a copper line UK internet sucks.

[@kaitlyn__L]

Yeah that’s VDSL, I used to live right next to a cabinet and still lost 5Mbps. It’s so much worse than DOCSIS as FTTC options go

[@nticompass]

You don't have any IBM machines? Not even an old IBM ThinkPad (pre-Lenovo)?

[@RamunRami]

I'd like a video about the IBM Windows 3.1

[@BilisNegra]

So, it's clear for IBM there must have been some kind of benefit in selling some of their computers with Windows preloaded even at that precise period of time they were trying to push their own OS, OS/2. But what benefit could there be? I have no idea, what do you people think?

[@Quirriff]

If you're going to install it use it with PC DOS, not MS DOS.

[@joshuagriffin3210]

Since when did a pizza brand make software? Red Baron lol

[@troybarnes66]

What compaq portable parts do you need?

[@MichaelMJD]

I've been trying to track down a power supply and CRT for it!

[@troybarnes66]

@@MichaelMJD I have a power supply I rebuilt. It came to me in rough condition but I fixed it and it works fine now. Had some bad traces and caps. As far as a CRT are you looking for just the tube or the whole thing? Neck board, flyback etc??

[@troybarnes66]

@@MichaelMJD ok well if I can help let me know or respond or something. Other than that thanks for actually responding regardless. I have 2 fully functional portables, one assembled and one not. The one not is because I was/am going to make a sleeper out of it. Have a good day

[@MichaelMJD]

@@troybarnes66 I am not 100% sure about the CRT, so I have been looking for a whole unit. But I believe the current issue I'm having is with the power supply. My email is michael at teammjd dot com if you want to get in touch with me there, I'll be able to respond quicker. And thanks so much!

[@tfruba]

Why shouldn't you rent a modem from an ISP? Here, in Poland, you can't even use your own one...

[@Semmelstulle]

I'd say keep it sealed!

[@LostBeetle]

Get yourself a real half decent cassette deck for digitizing. Doesn't need to be expensive. But that little thing is not what you want to use.

[@WindowsOSStuff]

I'm watching this 2 minutes after the video came out

[@JibplayzYT]

Michael will some day become the richest person due to how many rare things he has

[@techshibe137]

Y u got the fake verify symbol 🤔 only BOTS use them to try to TRICK others. OK Mr.sus

[@ExperiencersInternational]

@@techshibe137 to be honest, it feels very obvious it's fake (shows as a V for me) but yeah some people will fall for it

[@techshibe137]

@@ExperiencersInternational yeah pretty obvious

[@JibplayzYT]

@@techshibe137 I found it on some guys profile I'll remove it when I have a real checkmark

[@techshibe137]

Sorry for mistaking you for a bot, I am your 120th subscriber BTW :D

[@stevenjlovelace]

Open it! 😁

[@ZA2F]

Nice

[@NatetheNintendofan]

More logo slapped netbpoks please

[@silverchairx]

Anyone else had to stop the video go and watch LGR's Red Baron video and then come back?

[@michaelwood9866]

Dude I have the compaq portable 1 with the Styrofoam and box. You have a need for it? I have 2 of them...one has the 2 5.25 drives and the other has a 5.25 drive and a hdd.

[@MichaelMJD]

With the box?! That's awesome! Yeah I have been looking for a couple of parts to repair the one I have.

[@michaelwood9866]

@@MichaelMJD there's a way to take off the panel and inspect the board but I haven't been able to do that....don't want to turn it on if it has leaky or busted caps...I'm in fairview park ohio...if you have a need let me know...also have the manual book for it.

[@michaelwood9866]

@@MichaelMJD also I collect ati/amd radeon graphic cards I'd u wanted to do a trade....also looking for big box win95 and win98.

[@michaelwood9866]

If you

[@MichaelMJD]

So I made the first part of a repair video on the Compaq a little over a year ago. It's one of those projects that I had to shelve because I wasn't able to get the thing back up and running. I needed a replacement motherboard which I was able to get, but I believe there is an issue with the power supply and potentially the CRT. My email is michael at teammjd dot com if you want to get in touch with me there, I'll be able to respond a lot quicker than here. Thanks so much!

[@francesquare8708]

me when i find out microsoft was a monopoly: Oh no!, anyways

[@JavisoGaming]

Keep it sealed!

[@kevincoones4368]

Hi Micheal please install windows 3.1

[@Gavantar]

would you like some old computer mags I have a computer gaming world mag that has the very old game called Indy Car1993. I also have old computer mags the late 90's. I also have a lot of old old games to for the computer that I have used on a 486. If you want anything just ask

[@askhowiknow5527]

In 2022 I can't imagine using the OEM OS image on a computer's hard drive. The first thing I want to do is completely wipe it

[@luka.smaras]

if dankpods was calm