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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: tipo33 on Sun, 03 November 2013, 15:16:06

Title: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: tipo33 on Sun, 03 November 2013, 15:16:06: I found a 40 megabyte ( yes you read that correctly ) Apple hard drive from an Apple Classic.
(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k494/tipo33/hd40g_zpsfae9efa9.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/tipo33/media/hd40g_zpsfae9efa9.jpg.html)
So my server happens to have an old SCSI card. Don't judge me, It's a carryover from when it did actualy use SCSI hard drives, before SSD's.
( insert horrible "back in my time" joke here )
So I plugged it in just for giggles.

(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k494/tipo33/1391724_10152017012110972_480716287_n_zpsb975750a.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/tipo33/media/1391724_10152017012110972_480716287_n_zpsb975750a.jpg.html)
Who would have thought it would actually work?

But it does.... It's loud as hell, but it works.

Now I'm trying to figure out what to do with it. It's too small for anything, even swap space. Do you guys have any stories about older hardware surviving way past their MTBF??

Apart from Microsoft Windows, not sure how half of that still works. :p
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: dante on Sun, 03 November 2013, 15:36:21: How's your hand doing?
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sun, 03 November 2013, 15:37:21: I have my 1989 Goupil Golf 286... 100% original and functioning. It has a 10mHz 80286 processor +80287 coprocessor, 640k ram with 4MB expanded memory, 40MB hard drive, 3.5" floppy drive and monochrome lcd. Even still it seems very quick and responsive. Also have Tandy1000EX from 1986 in storage somewhere that I believe still works. I've been meaning to go find that one for some time now.
Somehow I doubt things made today will have as good of a chance of lasting and still working properly in 20+ years.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: tipo33 on Sun, 03 November 2013, 15:45:45: Quote from: dante on Sun, 03 November 2013, 15:36:21
How's your hand doing?

I get the splint off in another 3 days. It's been torture.
Thanks for remembering Dante! :D
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: Oobly on Sun, 03 November 2013, 16:03:46: Apple IIc with 10" green CRT! Some of the floppies have given up the ghost, but the hardware still works. :D :thumb:
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: baldgye on Sun, 03 November 2013, 16:13:23: My PS3's still doing alright.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: 0100010 on Sun, 03 November 2013, 21:20:36: My Atari 2600 still works.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: noisyturtle on Sun, 03 November 2013, 21:24:42: When I went home for thanksgiving last year I found my Little Professor with ancient Caldor brand batteries in it that still worked perfectly.
est. little professor - says 1979 on the back of it
batteries - probably bought in the late '80s
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: HaaTa on Sun, 03 November 2013, 22:11:20: (http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/04/ujydy9yh.jpg)

I probably have older but this is the easiest pic :P
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: Hak Foo on Sun, 03 November 2013, 22:50:55: Nobody brings out a LaserJet 4 or 5? My 5 dates to '96, and I have a 4+ I have on hand as a spare, not sure how old it is.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: metalliqaz on Sun, 03 November 2013, 22:54:29: I posted my answer last year. This thing was a tank:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37348.0
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: tipo33 on Sun, 03 November 2013, 23:18:14: Quote from: HaaTa on Sun, 03 November 2013, 22:11:20
Show Image
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/04/ujydy9yh.jpg)

I probably have older but this is the easiest pic :P

Are those nixie tubes??
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: thegagne on Sun, 03 November 2013, 23:19:45: You saw my VT52 right? (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50097.0)

It almost works, I think there's an issue with the vertical on the CRT. May try to fix before I sell it.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: kishy on Mon, 04 November 2013, 07:40:15: My oldest complete system is either my generic (but same case and keyboard as a Dolch) 286 luggable computer, IBM PS/2 Model 25, or my IBM 4704 terminal (working condition unknown on that one), depending on what attributes you're using to date them.

Oldest individual piece of hardware is probably some random 8 bit ISA card, or 640K IBM XT motherboard. I have a 20-something MB Seagate HDD hanging around that works, too.

All of the aforementioned hardware predates me by a little bit, but tinkering with new hardware is boring, so there.
Haven't had any time for computer hardware related hobbies since I got my car(s) though.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Mon, 04 November 2013, 07:50:06: Paging MW! A thread you can actually contribute to!!!

I have an old Mac SE that I run every once in a while. Momochrome display, Mac OS 7 (I think, might be 6). Has one of those Salmon ALPS keyboards with it too...

It makes for a good desk clock.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: korrelate on Mon, 04 November 2013, 08:31:39: Quote from: HaaTa on Sun, 03 November 2013, 22:11:20
Show Image
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/04/ujydy9yh.jpg)

I probably have older but this is the easiest pic :P

F*** YEAH!!! Nixie Tubes!!!!
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: tipo33 on Mon, 04 November 2013, 08:40:18: Quote from: Computer-Lab in Basement on Mon, 04 November 2013, 07:50:06
Paging MW! A thread you can actually contribute to!!!

I have an old Mac SE that I run every once in a while. Momochrome display, Mac OS 7 (I think, might be 6). Has one of those Salmon ALPS keyboards with it too...

It makes for a good desk clock.

Lol. I'm converting my Mac Classic into an aquarium.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: ynrozturk on Mon, 04 November 2013, 10:05:50: My Gameboy Pocket still works like a champ.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: Melvang on Mon, 04 November 2013, 10:10:01: I recently tore into a Fischer Studio Standard receiver from early 70's that still technically worked but had TONS of static and pop in the speaker output that had been fixed 2 or 3 times but each time got harder and harder to find the parts so I tore into it and robbed a couple things from it. My dad still uses the speakers to this day that he got with that stereo. Same Fischer Studio Standard speakers. Each box has a horn tweeter, two 4" midrange and a 15" sub. They are currently hooked up to his Denen 987 receiver.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 04 November 2013, 16:20:04: Quote from: Computer-Lab in Basement on Mon, 04 November 2013, 07:50:06
Paging MW! A thread you can actually contribute to!!!

I have an old Mac SE that I run every once in a while. Momochrome display, Mac OS 7 (I think, might be 6). Has one of those Salmon ALPS keyboards with it too...

It makes for a good desk clock.

Good, but power hungry.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: Parak on Mon, 04 November 2013, 21:26:20: Probably as a combo of oldness and complex-ness is my Tek 485:

(http://i.imgur.com/lSYOcbV.jpg)

Sometimes I like to pretend like I know what I'm doing and twiddle knobs on it. It's VERY satisfying to twiddle knobs on.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: paicrai on Tue, 05 November 2013, 11:26:23: Quote from: Parak on Mon, 04 November 2013, 21:26:20
Probably as a combo of oldness and complex-ness is my Tek 485:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/lSYOcbV.jpg)

Sometimes I like to pretend like I know what I'm doing and twiddle knobs on it. It's VERY satisfying to twiddle knobs on.

Holy **** dude, that looks cool as hell! I'd twiddle knobs on that thing all day, and move the screens around - BASICALLY I'D TOUCH EVERYTHING.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: microsoft windows on Thu, 07 November 2013, 08:00:27: I've got some old Macs with 10MB hard disks that still run.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: Elrick on Thu, 07 November 2013, 21:22:47: Quote from: microsoft windows on Thu, 07 November 2013, 08:00:27
I've got some old Macs with 10MB hard disks that still run.

Still have a working 8600/350 Powermac. Still my favourite after all these years (1997 purchased) and running MAC OS-7.6.1 (the best ever version of the Mac-OS) :thumb: .
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: jevvix on Thu, 07 November 2013, 23:46:25: Oldest thing I have that still works is a Micronta DMM from the early-mid 80's.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: padath on Sat, 09 November 2013, 18:08:25: I've got a BBC Micro Model B from the mid-eighties that still works. I don't think (m)any of the 5.25 inch floppy disks work anymore though.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: Leslieann on Fri, 15 November 2013, 20:01:19: My printer was made in 1989 or 1991 (I think), it's an old box style HP Laserjet 4+, to which I added a network card. It's survived at least 2 offices that I know of, and shows that it's had around 800,000 pages printed through it. Probably weighs 40 pounds and works like new.

Not that I use it a ton, but it's used regularly.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: bueller on Fri, 15 November 2013, 20:10:01: Love this old LaserJet 4's and 5's, used to be a printer tech and they are total workhorses!
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 16 November 2013, 04:11:30: I discarded a couple of LaserJet 4s a while back.

I still have my LaserJet 2100 which I found lying by the side of the road. Works fine, although the toner is getting a bit thin now.

A new toner cartridge was nearly $200 last time I checked.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: davkol on Sun, 17 November 2013, 08:11:53: Maybe I could find some ancient hardware in the closet, but I don't see any point in doing so. Even the relatively modern (mid 90s) SCSI scanners are PITA to get to work without an ISA SCSI card.

The oldest thing I actually use on daily basis is probably Sennheiser HD 565. There aren't many usable headphones older than 15 years.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: berserkfan on Sun, 17 November 2013, 12:50:27: When Dante asked his question, I thought he meant that tipo33's hand was ridiculously old hardware that still functioned!

Oh well, I have a 35 year old cake mixer that still works... I know not computer device, but haven't got anything else to contribute.

Quote from: tipo33 on Sun, 03 November 2013, 15:45:45
Quote from: dante on Sun, 03 November 2013, 15:36:21
How's your hand doing?

I get the splint off in another 3 days. It's been torture.
Thanks for remembering Dante! :D
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: iri on Wed, 20 November 2013, 15:49:02: Quote from: tipo33 on Mon, 04 November 2013, 08:40:18
Quote from: Computer-Lab in Basement on Mon, 04 November 2013, 07:50:06
Paging MW! A thread you can actually contribute to!!!

I have an old Mac SE that I run every once in a while. Momochrome display, Mac OS 7 (I think, might be 6). Has one of those Salmon ALPS keyboards with it too...

It makes for a good desk clock.

Lol. I'm converting my Mac Classic into an aquarium.
best use case for a mac!

how's your hand feeling? do you touch type? haha j/k, hope it's completely fine soon.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: taylordcraig on Fri, 22 November 2013, 03:28:11: I have a 78 Les Paul Pro. And a Rhodes Mk1 Stage Piano, can't recall the year, 75 I think [honestly can't even remember the production dates, I'm not a snob about it].
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: tipo33 on Fri, 22 November 2013, 05:05:58: Quote from: iri on Wed, 20 November 2013, 15:49:02
Quote from: tipo33 on Mon, 04 November 2013, 08:40:18
Quote from: Computer-Lab in Basement on Mon, 04 November 2013, 07:50:06
Paging MW! A thread you can actually contribute to!!!

I have an old Mac SE that I run every once in a while. Momochrome display, Mac OS 7 (I think, might be 6). Has one of those Salmon ALPS keyboards with it too...

It makes for a good desk clock.

Lol. I'm converting my Mac Classic into an aquarium.
best use case for a mac!

how's your hand feeling? do you touch type? haha j/k, hope it's completely fine soon.

I was supposed to get the splint off 2 weeks ago, but when we re-did the x-ray, it was still broken. :( I finaly got it off yesterday. Before the break, yes, I was a touch typist. Now, not so much. lol It is actually amazing to see how fast my skills have deteriorated. For 2 months I typed regularly with my right hand, and hunted and pecked with my left. I am currently using an M with blank keycaps to get my skills back up.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: iri on Fri, 22 November 2013, 06:07:10: everything will be fine soon. i've had a tendon rupture in my foot. my right leg was in a knee-high plaster cast for three weeks. after the plaster was removed, i found out i can't walk haha. but it became well very fast.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: BlueBär on Fri, 22 November 2013, 06:38:35: Does this count?

[attach=1]

From 1935, new ribbon, works like a charm :)
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: Elrick on Sun, 24 November 2013, 02:46:58: Quote from: BlueBär on Fri, 22 November 2013, 06:38:35
Does this count?

(Attachment Link)

From 1935, new ribbon, works like a charm :)

If we ever suffer from WW3 or some Electrical Attack then your item maybe the most advanced communications device left on the face of this planet 8) .
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: terran5992 on Sun, 24 November 2013, 05:09:21: I would say my dad's model m
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: BlueBär on Sun, 24 November 2013, 05:42:18: Quote from: Elrick on Sun, 24 November 2013, 02:46:58
If we ever suffer from WW3 or some Electrical Attack then your item maybe the most advanced communications device left on the face of this planet 8) .

Exactly my thoughts! ;D
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Fri, 29 November 2013, 00:05:10: I Was able to locate my very first PC out of storage today! I now have the 1986 Tandy 1000EX at home... I forgot to find any of the diskettes though, so it's pretty much useless for the moment. It turns on and tells me to insert a disk. :cool:
I can't wait to find those disks and play some Rampage in blazing 16 colors!
Damn is the keyboard one of worst feeling nasty things. It makes MY switch feel like a nice dream.
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: compgeke on Sun, 01 December 2013, 19:38:28: I find the old computers to be a fair bit more reliable than a modern system, and when something does go wrong it's fairly easy to fix as opposed to the new garabge we have today.

All working I have:
2x IBM 5150 (IBM PC)
IBM 5160 (IBM XT)
IBM 5140 (PC Convertible)
And the Compaq Portable, sans the keyboard which has the deteriorated foam and foil disks.

On the other hand, when something does go wrong, it's quite easy to fix. You can piggyback ram to find bad ram chips most of the time, nothing is surface mount and they even used sockets part of the time!
Title: Re: riddiculously old hardware that still works
Post by: Leslieann on Mon, 02 December 2013, 00:20:26: Quote from: compgeke on Sun, 01 December 2013, 19:38:28
I find the old computers to be a fair bit more reliable than a modern system, and when something does go wrong it's fairly easy to fix as opposed to the new garabge we have today.
Older systems didn't get as many cheap, low quality, bottom of the line parts. Also, the only ones still working are the survivors, for each one you see, many others failed.

The quality and reliability of quality parts are actually higher than ever before, unfortunately, we also have a LOT of junk these days too. Buy better quality and they are easily just as reliable or more-so than older systems. Something I learned long ago... Use an UPS with line conditioning and use a GOOD power supply. It's amazing what those two things do to the long term reliability and stability for a computer. There is no way I would trade my current desktop and file servers for older hardware. No chance.

I don't mind an old printer, keyboard, and even some old mice as they still run and function as well as they did way back when, but my cell phone has more computing power than an old Pentium. I don't care how good they were, they don't compete performance-wise. I love being able to watch a movie, run Photoshop, have 50 browser tabs open while uploading gigs of files and not see anything slow down.