Recent content by bsd64

Since there is an option for Win11, would it make sense to add an option for zeroing out the boot sector using Linux? - something like: $ sudo dd if=/dev/zero of={device} bs=512 count=1 Where {device} should be replaced by the actual device. The device information can be retrieved using...

Here in Atlanta, we have two holdouts - both Micro-Centers! We lost our Comp-USA's long ago, the Radio Shacks have withered, and Fry's arrived in town too late - just before the end really. I was in CA for company training in early 2000's and after work all the computer guys were like "Hey -...

Its been a while since I used DOS, but when you set up a new disk - after fdisk and reboot - instead of steps 6/7/etc, try using the "SELECT" command and see if that works. It should format the drive, install the system, and copy over the files. SELECT A: C: 001 US

I would choose option 3 as well. This world has been a poorer place since Heathkit stopped selling quality kits. At VCF East, I stopped and talked with the great Lee Hart. He had a really nice display there - and as everyone probably knows, he puts together some epic little computer kits. He...

I'm sure to get some opinions on this, and I respect very much other folks that might feel differently. But my history is with the old Ham Conventions, where you might get entry for a nominal 5 or 10 dollars. The price at the door for 3 days at VCF East was $80! What? Sure, that might be...

I think all the moderators must be at the VCF East ... This thread started out with the question "Can anyone recommend a good modern(ish) linux distribution for Pentium II class machines?", and has since tried to ascertain the definitive definition of "UNIX" before moving on to discuss the...

I would recommend taking a look at one of the old versions of SUSE Linux from that time period - for example, version 7.3 with the 2.4 kernel. They released a really slick boxed set that contained a manual, a nice installer (yast) and all the available software on CD, so you don't need a...

You might be interested in ordering the reproduction kit: piDP-10 I have the other kits - piDP-8/11, and they are well made. Having the front panel might make learning about the system that much more interesting! My 2 cents is that DEC assembly is more complex/varied compared to some other...

...how much information could be stored on a ... paper tape? The Data General Nova was a popular minicomputer in the '70s that could use a paper tape reader and paper tape punch. The paper tape was 1" wide, 8 bits across to make up a frame, and 10 frames to the inch. The writer operated at max...

Great design! I own the SC-131 from Cousins and it runs using only power from the usb port (it's listed to use 100mA without the SD card and up to 300mA with SD). It's a really nifty little computer. I feel the Z180 may be underappreciated for these retro-computing designs when compared the the...

I would argue that, for non-GUI systems, OpenBSD is actually very simple and elegant compared to modern Linux distros. The installer may be text based, but just asks a few simple questions and generally provides working defaults. The boot process is simple to understand with a few rc scripts...

I would recommend trying the original Unreal Tournament (UT99). Totally my opinion - but the game play was a lot better than UT2004. Used to have a blast playing that game!

I would highly recommend the RC-2014 if you are looking for a self-contained, simple kit to get started with. You can build it in an afternoon or so. It uses a z80 processor and is sold on Tindie. There is a large support group, and many enthusiasts have created their own add-in cards for the...

Seems to be a Cosmac Microtutor on ebay right now: https://www.ebay.com/itm/314760473927

Gaming on a PC compatible in the 90's was so much different from gaming in the 80's, my advice would be to just get the 90's machine or get two: For a decent 90's period-accurate experience I'd recommend a 486 DX2-66 w/8mb ram. The CPU came out in '92, so fits your timeline. Doom in '93, Doom...