creepingnet
Veteran Member
Just got most of the non-computer (read CLASSIC GAMING & GUITAR/BASS) related gear into the new "Mad Cave" as I guess I'll start calling it. Have started moving the computers in...here's the report.....
The Tandy 1000 needs either a new hard disk, or a reformat/reinstall of DOS and all applications/games. Thank god I already have a batch file made so all I have to do is break out the 360K's for DOS (I might go with 5.0 this time instead of 6.22), and then network to my Win7/Linux box and pull all the files over via batch file on the network. If it's new hardware, might be time to order another XT IDE card and go the CF/(micro)SD card route as the Tandy is my carry-around 8088.
By contrast, that pesky old GEM 286 is still up and running and is now surfing the internet via Comcast broadband. It seems a bit faster than I remember it being under Arachne, so maybe once my Youtube channel is updated it'll be time to post some new vids of the old Protected Mode monster in action. It's been up 62 hours so far without a single gasp and is currently running the Dazzle screensaver while I'm at work.
I've got the Pentium and 486 staged for their parts transplant. I'm planning to build another "crammed" 486 like I did years ago - every slot has a card, and every expansion bay has a device. The 486 is taking on a new role using removable hard disk drives so I can run multiple O/S on it. As much as I have enjoyed Virtual PC, I have a lot more problems with it than I do running old operating systems on a 486. The current dilemma is weather or not to put a DVD or a CD-RW drive in the 486. I'm thinking CD-RW as that's what's already in there, but with the DVD drive I Could put newer Linux distros and fancier new O/S's on it without having to host them on a newer machine. I also plan to try some ridiculously big hard drives on it for some of the newer O/S (windows 98 SE, Windows 2000 Pro, and maybe even a specially tweaked and modified Windows XP Pro).
The Pentium will be configured as a base model pentium PC and then given away or sold. It needs a home, I'm populating the cleaner CAT case with the Pentium stuff, and putting all the 486 components in my old, modified Flight 386 chassis.
I also found two system boards in my parts bin that I may or may not build something out of regarding newer O/S. One is a 1.4GHz Pentium 4, the other is an mPGA socket 478 board.
Also had to work out the Mistubishi last night with the NES and Atari 2600. The Atari and NES are up and running but there was much fiddling around with the sound-settings for the Mitsubishi to get sound to even play through the TV for both consoles. Lots of fiddling with the EQ, SAP, bypass, and whatnot (ah, the joys of an 80's high-end television). When I kicked in the EQ, I boosted the bass and treble so now my sound quality is practically as good as a nice Arcade cabinet. Now I need to stop by Rat Shack and get one of those Coax to RCA converters so I can put the Intellivision on there too (not to mention a new stand for the TV).
I'm gathering a pile of Mac stuff to most likely let go of, I found the FDHD in my kitchen cupboard, and the 6400/180 is in storage. The 6400/180 has a Mac to VGA converter on it so it works with regulard D-sub connectors for my LCDs, and I found all the keyboards including the old Mac SE keyboard vegging out in my old closet in Everett. I also have a trackball, 2 to 4 mice, and cables galore.
The next machine I'll start working on after the Pentium and 486 will be the 8088 PC/XT. I'm not sure what state it's in but then I don't worry as I have the mighty XT-IDE card on it, and a whole basket-full of 120MB to 80GB ATA HDD to use with it (an 80GB in an XT...what the HECK would I do with that). I may do some swappage between the Tandy and the XT as well since I need a 360K drive in the XT, and the Tandy has 2, and I could use that other slot as a home for a new hard disk if I end up going that route.
I've also got some non-computer related projects to worry about, like how to hang 9+ electric guitars from the wall in the cave.
The Tandy 1000 needs either a new hard disk, or a reformat/reinstall of DOS and all applications/games. Thank god I already have a batch file made so all I have to do is break out the 360K's for DOS (I might go with 5.0 this time instead of 6.22), and then network to my Win7/Linux box and pull all the files over via batch file on the network. If it's new hardware, might be time to order another XT IDE card and go the CF/(micro)SD card route as the Tandy is my carry-around 8088.
By contrast, that pesky old GEM 286 is still up and running and is now surfing the internet via Comcast broadband. It seems a bit faster than I remember it being under Arachne, so maybe once my Youtube channel is updated it'll be time to post some new vids of the old Protected Mode monster in action. It's been up 62 hours so far without a single gasp and is currently running the Dazzle screensaver while I'm at work.
I've got the Pentium and 486 staged for their parts transplant. I'm planning to build another "crammed" 486 like I did years ago - every slot has a card, and every expansion bay has a device. The 486 is taking on a new role using removable hard disk drives so I can run multiple O/S on it. As much as I have enjoyed Virtual PC, I have a lot more problems with it than I do running old operating systems on a 486. The current dilemma is weather or not to put a DVD or a CD-RW drive in the 486. I'm thinking CD-RW as that's what's already in there, but with the DVD drive I Could put newer Linux distros and fancier new O/S's on it without having to host them on a newer machine. I also plan to try some ridiculously big hard drives on it for some of the newer O/S (windows 98 SE, Windows 2000 Pro, and maybe even a specially tweaked and modified Windows XP Pro).
The Pentium will be configured as a base model pentium PC and then given away or sold. It needs a home, I'm populating the cleaner CAT case with the Pentium stuff, and putting all the 486 components in my old, modified Flight 386 chassis.
I also found two system boards in my parts bin that I may or may not build something out of regarding newer O/S. One is a 1.4GHz Pentium 4, the other is an mPGA socket 478 board.
Also had to work out the Mistubishi last night with the NES and Atari 2600. The Atari and NES are up and running but there was much fiddling around with the sound-settings for the Mitsubishi to get sound to even play through the TV for both consoles. Lots of fiddling with the EQ, SAP, bypass, and whatnot (ah, the joys of an 80's high-end television). When I kicked in the EQ, I boosted the bass and treble so now my sound quality is practically as good as a nice Arcade cabinet. Now I need to stop by Rat Shack and get one of those Coax to RCA converters so I can put the Intellivision on there too (not to mention a new stand for the TV).
I'm gathering a pile of Mac stuff to most likely let go of, I found the FDHD in my kitchen cupboard, and the 6400/180 is in storage. The 6400/180 has a Mac to VGA converter on it so it works with regulard D-sub connectors for my LCDs, and I found all the keyboards including the old Mac SE keyboard vegging out in my old closet in Everett. I also have a trackball, 2 to 4 mice, and cables galore.
The next machine I'll start working on after the Pentium and 486 will be the 8088 PC/XT. I'm not sure what state it's in but then I don't worry as I have the mighty XT-IDE card on it, and a whole basket-full of 120MB to 80GB ATA HDD to use with it (an 80GB in an XT...what the HECK would I do with that). I may do some swappage between the Tandy and the XT as well since I need a 360K drive in the XT, and the Tandy has 2, and I could use that other slot as a home for a new hard disk if I end up going that route.
I've also got some non-computer related projects to worry about, like how to hang 9+ electric guitars from the wall in the cave.