The Mother Lode of Pickups Part 1 - Amigas, Apples, Amstrads and a Bull

[@MichaelEhling]

1:00 I nominate CRG for the award for Best Set-up and Reveal in a Retro Technology Video. Still giggling at the pile behind the front room door.

[@peterhurn4045]

Wyse terminal was a dumb terminal, used them back in the day, wow that makes me feel old, good haul.

[@garyhart6421]

OMG !!! What a haul ! I used an Amstrad PCW back in 1994-95 and a PC1512 + 1640 in 1990-91.

[@amigang]

Like your Amiga cd32 braided plug socket.

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Adrian Black had the same thing with a terminal monitor he was testing. The caps reformed and it came good before his eyes. Fantastic and very interesting lot of things. Did I spy an Olivetti on the floor there? Looks like you are going to be making videos about these 'till you are old and grey! haha. :-)

[@CRG]

Old and grey... I'm about half way there so better get started working on these systems haha. You did indeed spy and Olivetti on the floor, complete with its monitor and keyboard. I'm very much looking forward to digging into it. Its one of the stand out machines from the lot. I seen Adrian's video pop up on KZbin yesterday, I just haven't had a chance to watch it yet but will do.

[@stefanbol4078]

Adrian uses a Raspberry Pi to connect the terminal to. Just don't know how, he doesn't show (on his second channel by the way). Thanks for the great video. Really like the collection! And now, finding some space for it LOL

[@PaulinesPastimes]

@@CRG :-)

[@douro20]

Bull did sell PCs in the US, even if it was indirectly since they owned Zenith Data Systems for a while. Zenith PCs were well known for their very robust construction using a heavy chromated steel chassis and were sold in large numbers to the US government. I'm quite certain those Amiga monitors were made by Philips.

[@CRG]

There's a couple of Zenith PCs coming up in the next part. I think you're correct on the Amiga monitors. Still haven't had a chance to open the one with the damage but will get to it.

[@brostenen]

Keep the Amiga's. As a fellow Amiga collector and a person in love with this platform, they are what one holds on to.

[@CRG]

Do I need 4 Amiga 500s, yes, yes I do :)

[@brostenen]

@@CRG That is not questionable at all.... We need Amiga's. 😁😁😁

[@HanD_1964]

Great stuff! Love to see the machines! I'm looking for an empty A500 case. Keep up the good work!

[@CRG]

All being well part 2 will be out next week looking at the rest of the systems.

[@CollinBaillie]

Don’t forget MS DOS has the ‘type’ and ‘more’ commands to view text file contents.

[@Oldgamingfart]

I can recall using a dumb terminal like that on a work experience placement way back in 1995. Even by mid-nineties standards, the setup was pretty ancient! I recall it had orange phosphor instead of green. The cables all plugged neatly into wall sockets. And those Amstrad PC's were pretty prevalent. I'm sure Mr Sugar was quietly pleased with their relative success..though I doubt he ever let it show on his face (I don't think those are laughter-lines!). Anyway, a very nice haul should keep the ol' grey matter firing on all cylinders for a while! :)

[@mark12358]

OMG. What a big pickup! I bet that those two dimms saved your a**, as they've absorbed all the gunky-stinky-dripping battery fluid! Cheers, M

[@CRG]

Certainly looks that way within the Apple. I'm still working through the rest of the lot then I need to have a think about what gets looked at first. The battery damage will be high up the list though.

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

I remember the day at work we got an iMac and Blue and White G3. Right after they came out. Back in the day they were cool.

[@MrLukealbanese]

Great score but looks like a lot of work!! Looking forward to the rest of it!!

[@CRG]

There is a lot of work here to restore all of it. Some will be passed onto other collectors but it should keep me busy for a while.

[@johnrogers-thorn6504]

Wow, a good result there buddy. Great vid as per usual, thanks.

[@CRG]

Thanks

[@TheBasementChannel]

Great haul, can relate to not having any storage space 😅

[@CRG]

I've got this stuff stored away now but having spent the last week working through all the 14 x86 systems, I've no idea where they are going.

[@GMTVAerials]

I worked for Micro World in Portadown in 1988/89 repairing computers. Flash back of memories when I spotted the labels in that Amiga.

[@CRG]

Cool, any stories to share? Always good to hear from a viewer in Northern Ireland, thanks for the comment.

[@GMTVAerials]

@@CRG I didn't start working in the shop repairing computers. The guy that was employed lasted about 2 week and was unable to repair anything. I suggested to Paul, the owner, if I could have a go. I was quite handy with a soldering iron but not a lot of diagnostics experience. However, after reading through the service manuals for the C64 and ZX Spectrum, I repaired my first 2 Spectrums. First one was a TR4 failure, second one was the CPU. Most Spectrums where CPU, ULA, TR4 or Ram, seldom any other faults. The C64, Ram, CIA's, 4066(U6 I think) and PLA's. Logic probe was my best friend for most repairs. C64C most common fault, the fuse. MSX, Memotech, BBC, Amiga and Atari ST where less common arrivals. Orac and Lynx computers seemed super reliable only ever repairing Ram faults on one of each of these. I eventually left and started computer repairs from home. GM Technologies I called myself. Repaired for quite a few computer shops for a few years after. Market changed in favour of consoles and computer repair at component level faded away.

[@CRG]

Great story thanks for sharing. I always enjoy working on the 8 bit machines myself. Looking forward to getting stuck into the Cpc, never worked on before.

[@gary2255]

Great haul, I am down South here and got a haul like this last week, 130 systems in all. Apple IIe all the way to Sinclair QL absolute madness, all in the shed until I figure out what to do with them :D Just goes to show ya never know what gems are hiding in someones attic.

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

Don't lose the orig. iMac. Used to love programming it back in the 90's. The LC was the 3rd Mac I owned and was 1 of the machines where I learned C programming. The good old days.

[@skonkfactory]

Drive B (the lower one) on the PCW8512 is actually a DSDD drive, 720k.

[@Arti9m]

I need to draw a line for myself right now regarding the old stuff I buy, otherwise I'll end up with an overfilled room like yours :D

[@CRG]

My name is Glen and I've got a problem....

[@RetroRecollections]

Wow what an amazing pickup! 😀

[@CRG]

Thanks, still a lot to go through with the x86 stuff, hopefully get the 2nd part out this weekend.

[@cthlhu]

Epic haul! Love watching these videos.

[@CRG]

Glad you enjoyed it, the second part looking at the IBM compatibles will be out this Sunday (hopefully)

[@Flamelily-IT]

Nice haul👌🏻 Stick a gotek in the PCW and get the many dsk images for the system. Just make sure you get (or make) a power converter cable as the 3inch drives have different pinout to the standard 3.5 inch or gotek pinout.

[@CRG]

Yeah I think this will be the best option. Thanks for the heads up on the power pinout!

[@LUNATIC75]

You know you've watched too many 'retro' videos when you can predict that one or both 90's Macs are going look quite gruesome inside and that the A500's were likely to be good runners. I can only imagine what you're going to do with all that stuff!

[@CRG]

Hoping to restore most of it, should keep me busy for a good few months.

[@42markk42]

Mega haul .... Many , many videos to come I'm sure :) OK , I'll address the elephant in the room that no-one else has asked, how many silver cases full of cash did you part with? lol

[@CRG]

Thanks, yes it should keep me and the channel busy for a good while. As for the cases of money let's just say some things are better not discussed in public, just in case my wife reads these comments lol.

[@42markk42]

@@CRG Very wise :)

[@Wormetti]

Nice haul! You may know but just in case, one way to view text files in DOS without edit is by using the type command. I don’t know much about old Macs but I know some won’t even boot without a PRAM battery or they require PRAM resets. Hope you can save some retro tech.

[@CRG]

I keep forgetting about that command, thanks for reminding me. I didn't know that about the macs so I'll bear that in mind when working on them. Need to order some half AAs.

[@dennisp.2147]

Jealous! The guy who runs RMC has a museum that might be able to take some of your overage. BEWARE! that Imac doesn't use a coin cell, it has the standard PRAM battery, you're gonna want to pull that one too!

[@CRG]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll have to strip it down then.

[@senilyDeluxe]

My aunt has an LC-II. It also had a black screen and made weird noises out of the speaker. Recapping it fixed the noises, but still black screen. Then I wanted to recap the power supply, so I unplugged the cable to the mainboard and there was another leaked cap hiding below. After swapping that one, the system booted. I have a similar WYSE dumb terminal. It does come in handy every now and again. But it doesn't have that grid on bootup, it just goes straight to that screen yours shows. If you short pin 2 and 3 (and handshake is off), you can write on screen with the keyboard. I don't remember the hotkey for the menu on that thing, I believe it was shift+alt+the setup key on the top right corner of the keyboard. Or was it ctrl+alt+setup or shift+ctrl+setup?

[@CRG]

Thanks for the advice. I've put he terminal away for now while I look through the rest of the lot but looking forward to getting it out again and trying to get it to talk to something, probably from a Pi.

[@senilyDeluxe]

@@CRG I have the idea of creating video game modules for dumb terminals. Inside is some controller like an Atmega which sips power from the RS232 control lines, the entire electronic resides in a 25 pin serial plug and will let you play text adventures like Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy or Zork or something. I'm not thinking of actually doing it myself, so if anyone wants to, go ahead. Just saying it would be a neat idea, making dumb terminals into game consoles.

[@keithbeesting]

Great video whats the grey crt/PC/FM Towns at 1.28?

[@CRG]

It's a Fujitsu TV PC. I'll be showing it in the next video although it's missing its remote and I can't get it apart just yet.

[@OtterlyInsane]

Cruising through Lisburn City I see!

[@CRG]

Yep

[@DaveVelociraptor]

Restore them all, upgrade them for modern use, retrobrite them, and sell them on!

[@CRG]

That's part of the plan. I will keep some of those system I currently don't have but most the x86 stuff will be moved on.

[@user-wj9xq7ig2v]

It'd be nice to the power pc get some attention. Is there an update video?

[@CRG]

I still have the machine but never did anything else with it. Some of us KZbin folk do Mac stuff in March. That might be a good opportunity to take another look.

[@kc7wzl]

that dumb term at the end, I had many of those and have fond memories of then.. the reason you have no out put is modem @echo is off .... with a modem and a few old commands you could dial into old a bbs, and have fun, I use to use them a lot back in the day. also old Linux systems with com port cards could log in with a null modem cable log in and do all kinds of things.. as far as a dumb termal they was the cream of the crop.

[@chriswareham]

If you don't have a use for the Wyse terminal then I would be interested it. I have a PiDP 11 that I'd love to have a real hardware terminal for.

[@CRG]

It probably isn't something I'd use but another person may have beaten you to it. If that falls through I'll certainly let you know.

[@chriswareham]

@@CRG I'll keep my fingers crossed - I used to have a DEC VT320 terminal, but gave that away a few years ago. I should've hung onto it!

[@CRG]

@@chriswareham drop me an e-mail [e-mail]

[@RetroTechChris]

1:20 is that an Okidata Microline 320 (or 321) printer? You should do a vid on that, they print wicked fast! Quite the haul you got here!!

[@CRG]

It's an OKI Microline 321 Elite. I do hope I can get it going although it will take some refurb. Its in rather poor condition unfortunately.

[@RetroTechChris]

@@CRG ah, shoot! Oh well.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

What about using VCR belts that are the right size for the floppy drives.

[@mrvellu]

nice find! so much to do 😎

[@CRG]

A lot to do, should keep me busy for a few months at least.

[@GeorgesChannel]

Nice collection! Whats the black all in one computer at 1:33?

[@CRG]

It's a Fujitsu TV PC. I'll be looking at it in the next part although it's missing the remote control and I can't get into the case, so far.

[@GeorgesChannel]

@@CRG Thank you very interesting. I have a faible for black computers..:) Looking forward to the episode.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

If you want to make COMMODORE C64 games harder then what about installing a 65F10 (FPGA) in place of the original CPU

[@pantonebear]

Apple DESKTOP Bus

[@CRG]

Really, I genuinely thought it was data. Learn something new each day as they say. Thanks for clarifying.

[@SLRModShop]

Wait... It's "mother lode" and not "mother load"?!! That's okay, I'm French, I have a pass for not knowing these things and being pretentious ^-^

[@CRG]

I didn't know that was the spelling until I googled it either 😂.

[@garyhart6421]

It's a Mining Term so LODE is correct.

[@TimothyMusson]

You've reminded me of Lode Runner - the C64 version was one of my faves as a kid! :) There's a web-browser implementation here: loderunnerwebgame.com/game/