Actually I don't switch this number of computers on every single
day. Sometimes it is more and mostly less. I do enjoy the computers
and try to have as many as possible available to use. This allows
me to check things and keep the insides working. My biggest issue
is failing hard drives. My solution is to run the computers very
regularly.
And so I thought today I would drag the camera along with me
as I switched the computers on and take a pic and explain what
the computer is and why I use the thang. I do have a number of
other computers that are not connected to monitors that I test.
I also failed to show images of all the Amstrads and various
networked PCs that I have here. Primarily cus they get tested on
other days and I didn't want to task the village substation.
I've numbered the computers just for fun though this was totally
arbitrary. It does not reflect the sequence that I normally test
the machines nor indicates that I always test this number of
computers. Mostly I leave testing to once a week. The Amigas on
the other hand get a good old bashing most days.
I also bench test machines on rotation and these you will see
featured on the blog pages.
One last comment worth mentioning. I have been considering more
and more not ever switching certain computers on. This is due
to their fragile nature and more their weight. This applies to
the A4000T, A3000Ts, Ateo Concepts, BBC Master, Osborne, SX-32
and the Pets and CBM Business Machines. Time has come for them
to rest. I may move the Sharp into that bracket and the AppleII.
It gets tricky knowing what to do. And I do have to consider
keeping my own hard drive working also. After all I am way older than
any of the computers.
And so to the pictures. Be aware that I was using a camera on the
hoof without lighting and at times with annoying reflections on
the screens that I could not control. So sorry for the pics.
I try.
Computer Checks - Morning Ritual.
No 01 Amstrad 1512 HD20
Computer switched on to keep the
hard drive alive with GEM.
No 02 Checkmate 1500
The computer is a credit to the
man that once owned it. And whilst
he is no more the computer lives on.
No 03 Tatung Einstein
I love seeing the blue screen
and having access to CP/M and Logo.
Shame the picture isn't better.
No 04 PCW9512+
I brought this machine back to
life and make sure she stays that way.
No 05 A500 with 520 ViperCD
I have to keep the hard drive oiled
and check her each day.
No 06 Amstrad 6128
Another computer that I fixed and
so get a kick out of seeing her work.
No 07 Acorn 7000
I have to boot with the DELETE now
I removed the battery. Not happy each
day unless I know she is alive.
No 08 Amstrad PCW9512
One of my all time favourite
computers and yet another that
I repaired. And I check daily.
No 09 Amiga 2000
The hard drive on the GVP was a
gift from someone who just sent it
to me. So I feel obliged to keep
the drive working.
No 10 Amstrad 8256
The screen isn't really curved like
that at the top. Another computer
that came here dead in the water.
Gives me a thrill seeing her work.
I even had to repair each key on
the keyboard. Great machine.
No 11 Acorn 5000
Removed the battery and fingers crossed
she still boots each day. Classic.
No 12 Amstrad MegaPC
A MegaDrive in a PC and I have
two of them. Removed the batteries
when they arrived and now they live on.
No 13 A500 with GVP Sidecar
My A500 games machine in the Workshop.
No 14 Amiga 4000d/040
This computer holds the whole of my
Amiga archive, which is massive. I use
her nearly every day to both archive
and unarchive disks.
No 15 A1200 with SCSI
This computer has external drives
ZIP and CD and is Parnet connected
to the 4000 so I can transfer files
via ZIP into the system. My PCs have
ZIP, USB and writeable CDs so these
can be used to transfer to other PCs
and my other Amigas.
No 16 Amiga 1200 GVP Turbo
Amiga 1200 games machine loaded
with fun games for when I am
waiting for things to cook in
the Workshop. Mostly Sensi-Soccer.
If you study the photograph you
actually see the reflection from
two other Amigas.
DreamWeb by the way.
No 17 A1200 Chantal
Been running almost every day
since November 1993. I really
couldn't be without her.
No 18 Amstrad 6128Plus
I saved this computer and so
feel obliged to check she is OK.
No 19 Amstrad CPC464 with DDI-1
Another Amstrad that I fixed and
she is my main Amstrad that I use.
No 20 Amiga 500 With Switcher and 590
Amiga 500 in the disk room for
basically checking all A500 disks.
She has both the 1.3 and 2.04 ROM.
No 21 A600 Share
I have four computers that share
the same monitor. This A600, an
A500 with 590/3.1 ROM, Amiga 1000
and Graham the A1200 in a 2000.
No 22 A1200 Q Drive Share
Another computer that shares a
monitor with an Amiga 1000/1060
and another Amiga 1200 with SCSI drive.
This computer has my Q Drive for
accessing Aminet disks and Fish disks.
It also has 5.25" drive.
No 23 Amiga 4000d/030
Shares a monitor with an A3000d.
Sits behind me here and I use the
CD for accessing files. She is
Parnet linked to a networked A1200.
No 24 A1200 Jaws with external IDE
Amiga 1200 workhorse running on a
dodgy 1942. Has external high density
drive so I can drag stuff off this
Win7 machine and quickly create Amiga
disks. I use her for my icon and
animation work. Plus she checks
Amiga disks I refer to on blogs.
Always busy this computer.
Clara Veiga
Another image for my Clara spotting feature.
No 25 IBM PS/1
I fit a 5.25" Mitsubishi to
this computer and guess as a Win3.1
I ought to try and keep her alive.
For shame... For shame !!
I can switch them all off now
Well that was a sprinkling of what
I have. Keeps me busy every day.
I do it in the hope that nothing
changes .... as I love my computers.
oo ~ oo
Ritual (Nous Sommes du Soleil)
When albums only had one track.
Nous sommes do soleil
We love when we play
Open doors we find our way
We look, we see, we smile
Surely daybreaks cross our path
And stay maybe a while
