Is anyone here into vintage computer stuff?

[csziggy]

I'm helping my sister clean up my Mom's house. Among the clutter are LOTS of books and manuals for older computer operating systems and programs. I don't have a list, but the subjects covered start with Windows 3.1 and go through Windows 2000, maybe even Windows 8. There is at least one book on Red Hat Linux.

Programs covered are Word, WordPerfect, Corel Draw, and more.

We brought home two computers - not sure if they work, not sure what vintage they are. I will have to remove the harddrives before I can pass them along to any one to protect any information left on them.

If I don't find a home for this stuff it will all go into recycling. If any one is interested, let me know. We hauled some stuff home this trip and will be unloading it today. Another carload is still at my Mom's house and I will have to bring it home next trip - or maybe I can get my sister to ship stuff out from down state.

Any takers?

[sinkingfeeling]

1. That's vintage? I have punch cards, reel tapes, 3330 disk drives, etc.

[Galileo126]

3. Heh heh! Me, too...

I keep 'em around for nostalgia purposes. My nephews just laugh.

[csziggy]

4. Well, I do have the manual for the Wang computer my Dad leased in the 1960s

But I want to hang on to that.

[csziggy]

6. I just found a punch card for my Dad's 1951 taxes!

I didn't know they ever did that, but it was a shock to see a standard IBM format punch card folded up with his tax form. That's pretty cool and it will stay with the family records.

[PJMcK]

2. Thanks, but no thanks

Like you, I have far too much older computer hardware, software, manuals and various additional equipment and cables. Over the years, I've discovered that none of it has any value because I don't use it and no one else wants it.

This detritus accumulates so every few years, I have to go through the drawers and cabinets and dispose of the junk. After all, once you migrate to a newer and faster machine, why go back? Since I'm mostly self-employed, I try to keep two systems running, one for work and one for home. Further, I like to overlap them by a few years so they stay functional and up-to-date. This way I always have a backup system if any problems develop.

One particular beef I have with computer equipment is when the hardware manufacturers change a standard such as a particular cable or plug. Instantly, my older equipment is obsolete. For example, when Apple changed their printer connectors from the Apple Data Bus to USB. Obviously, USB is better but that meant that my laser printer would no longer be compatible with a new computer. When I upgraded, I needed new peripherals. I still have a ZIP drive somewhere and I found an older but beautiful flat-screen monitor (which is no longer compatible). Time for a trip to the recycling center.

Good luck with your stuff!

[csziggy]

5. Yeah - I need to clean out my old books, too

I kept them for a while since for several years I was rebuilding old computers. But I haven't done that for over ten years and I need the shelf space now.

I suspect it will all go into recycling. I have posted on another forum which used to have some vintage (Win3.1, Win XP) fans so maybe some of them might want some of it.

Anymore I don't buy books for reference (other than building web sites) - I just Google the problems.

[Bayard]

7. That's vintage?

I'm banging away on an old NT machine now.

[Binkie The Clown]

8. Check for any computer recycling outfits in your area.

We have several places in my city where you can bring old computers and electronic equipment. Even the Goodwill Store has a computer recycling department. They sell good, working used computers for $25 to $100, and they will wipe your hard drives for you.

[csziggy]

10. I didn't think about Goodwill - they have at least one store here

That specializes in computer stuff. I'll call them Monday. While I know it would be a nuisance to them, I will likely just take the hard drives out. Dad kept a lot of sensitive financial records on his computers, including social security for family members numbers and FEI numbers for family businesses. I will not take a chance on someone else's - or even my - ability to wipe a drive thoroughly.

Most of the material is books, several hundred pounds of them, but I guess they can go into recycling. My sister works with the Friends of the Library and set up for a dumpster to recycle books they couldn't sell (or stuff they don't want to sell like Bill O'Reilly books ). The company that does that pays them for the material so they still make something on them.

[unc70]

9. I have a large storage unit full of real vintage computers and such

My oldest stuff is from the 1950s. I learned to program in 1963, worked at interesting places in the 1960s, and started my first software company in 1972. I have nearly fifty working (I think) systems, plus all the software and documentation. Millions of lines of code by myself and my companies, much of it in widely use products through the decades. Also, massive documentation of work we did on national and international standards bodies.

I have items to duplicate a major university lab from around 1969-1970. I have preserved the software starting in 1966 until today.

You think you have problems!

[csziggy]

12. Wow! That is amazing!

I know there used to be a Vintage Computer Museum - let's see what I can find:

http://oldcomputers.net/

http://www.obsoletecomputermuseum.org/

http://www.old-computers.com/museum/default.asp

http://www.digibarn.com/

http://vcfed.org/wp/vcf-museum/

https://www.facebook.com/Vintage-Computer-Museum-242132649202076/

http://www.computerhistory.org/

And lots more! Many are just online virtual museums, some like the last are actual physical museums. I bet some of them later might be interested in your collection. The stuff I have, not so much.

[lpbk2713]

11. If you have a setup disk for WordPerfect 7 or later ...

you can install it on a Win 7 machine. Only a few of the minor features won't function. And you can probably find a workaround. I always liked WordPerfect over any MS crap. I'm using ver X6 now.

[csziggy]

13. I've got WP X6 here also

I used to buy OEM versions from BuyCheapSoftware.com but they've gone out of business. Now I buy download versions from Amazon.

I've been using WordPerfect since 5.2 on my 486. MS Word sucks.

[csziggy]

14. OMG - found eighteen boxes of UNOPENED 3.5" floppies!

Ten floppies per box- 180 floppies! WTH do I do with those? There are also about that many used ones.

[lpbk2713]

15. You have a lifetime supply of coasters.

[csziggy]

16. LOL! They are selling on Amazon for over $17 a box of ten!

I've got 18 sealed boxes of ten - that is over $300 worth of stuff.

On eBay they are cheaper, but still - I can get some money out of these things!