Major Score! 8600 with Sonnet CPU, 3DFX card, Etc

Even without a SATA card, getting an IDE to SATA bridge board and a cheap SSD is more than overkill for just about any IDE Macs.  You really can't beat ~$30 for an SSD that works with IDE Macs ($10 for the IDE to SATA bridge and $20 for the SSD):

https://www.microcenter.com/product/317195/kingwin-sata-to-ide-bridge-board

https://www.microcenter.com/product/485877/inland-professional-120gb-ssd-3d-tlc-nand-sata-iii-6gb-s-25-internal-solid-state-drive-(120g)

I've used that exact combination in my G4 Cube and Beige G3 minitower on the stock IDE controllers with no issues.

Why are the above links In-store pickup only?  Bizarre...lol

Looks like the way to go when my IDE HDD dies.  Actually with a second IDE input on the card i should get one in there and backup my data to it first...

If you don't already have an IDE card and you can find a SATA card reasonably priced, that's the way I'd go entirely for the reason that inside a computer, SATA cables are much easier to manage and route.

Incidentally, I'm like 90% that the Kingwin adapter is the one I have (except I got mine at Fry's Electronics) and I couldn't get it running, in my QS'02, in a firewire enclosure, with disks above or below 120 gigs.

At some point, I do want to find a working adapter though, because being able to use some of the onboard IDE connections in some of my existing systems (with onboard IDE and pre-routed cabling) would be very convenient.

I’ve considered a SATA card for my PT Pro. If you work it out, let me know. As of now, I have an ATA card with old HD, as well as SCSI2SD as the main drive.

Dug out a Image Writer II Platinum and cleaned it up; hooked up to the 8600.  It's a little old but there it was in the Chooser  

Prints okay; need to grab a new ribbon ASAP.  Going to keep it setup and try to find a better home/location for it. 

Glad to see that mic in place! That's a really nice looking IWII. I have my family's original. Most of them you find elsewhere these days are in absolutely awful shape.

I bought these ribbons about a year ago. Other than some initial smudging, they work well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JGVS6RS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got them for $16.99. It appears the price has gone up somewhat since then.

Thanks for the link!  I also PM'd a member about ribbons that was mentioned earlier in the thread. 

I could feed in one page at a time but typically there is no way to use loose paper with these right?  You have to use the connected paper?

EDIT:  Much better; made some space for it on the desk, now looks like a full 90's setup haha

You can use loose paper: The selector is the large sliding tab on the right rear by the feed knob: towards you for tractor feed, away for single sheet feed. I don't recall if the printer is smart enough to detect that, or if you have to select manual feed as an option in the print dialog box. At any rate, I didn't bother and went for the retro experience with this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027653CK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the link; def going for box of tractor feed for old times sake.  I think they still sell it at staples too of all places.  

I think if you do loose feed you have to feed it in one sheet at a time because there is no tray to support loose paper behind the machine...lol 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Apple-ImageWriter-II-POS-Ribbons-A2M0077-Free-Shpping/191355613448?hash=item2c8daef108:g:m-AAAOSwxH1ULFsT

Any reason NOS ribbons would not be good if they are factory sealed in plastic? 

I'd be most concerned about chemical breakdown, but I can't validate that concern. A show of good faith from the owner by demonstrating their condition (even if it was rubbing it on paper or whatever) would be nice.

Maybe forum user eraser would have some insight. They sell the new-make color ribbons on the forum (stickied in the trading post). Maybe shoot them a PM?

I believe it was Maceffects who had the new color ones made, and stated that any NOS stock would be dried out by now, sealed or not.

I think eraser started the whole new ribon thing, and then maceffects took over(but I don't think he's doing that anymore as he has his hands full with the cases)

The ebay link says it has 1 year warranty and the dude has really good feedback, so could be worth buying it from him

For under $5 shipped I took a chance on it

Will still try to buy new if anyone heard any members are still making them or have stock available.

@maceffects mentioned to me he was out of stock.

That was known as fan fold paper once upon a  .  .  .  not a very descriptive moniker these days though.

travistouchdown said:

For under $5 shipped I took a chance on it

Will still try to buy new if anyone heard any members are still making them or have stock available.

@maceffects mentioned to me he was out of stock.

Click to expand...

The ink in one of these is oil based and not water based (otherwise, the hardware would be prone to rust -- same with typewriter ribbons). What has happened if a NOS ribbon has dried out is that the oil has evaporated and/or solidified, but in a NOS item the pigment is obviously still present. Theoretically, such a ribbon ought to be able to be "reactivated" by opening up the case and giving the fabric a quick burst of a spray-based  oil. The cartridge rollers and any foam etc. could be inspected/renewed at the same time. The goal is not to make anything sopping wet, but just lightly damp. The ribbon ought to barely stain your fingers when touched.

Renewing the ribbon's oil should do the pins in the printhead some good as well, once printing begins.

WD-40 was often used back in the day to breathe extra life into used ribbons, so it should work on NOS ribbons even better. However, WD-40 WILL gum up if left to fester for long periods of time, so beware if using it around a printhead that might, as is in the nature of things in our hobby, lie inactive on a shelf for years between uses. If a proper machine oil (which WD-40 isn't) can be found to use instead, I'd go with it.

Wanted to let you guys know that those cheap $4 and change printer ribbons work great.   I think they are new generics, not NOS from the 90's.   Anyway for the price i feel like i did pretty well. 

I've got an 8600/300 with the Sonnett Crescendo processor card and USB card if someone wants to make me an offer.  I'm in Montgomery, AL.

travistouchdown said:

I could feed in one page at a time but typically there is no way to use loose paper with these right?  You have to use the connected paper?

Click to expand...

There was a "Cut Sheet Feeder" attachment available for feeding regular paper.   Or you can feed it in one at a time.

LaPorta said:

You can use loose paper: The selector is the large sliding tab on the right rear by the feed knob: towards you for tractor feed, away for single sheet feed.

Click to expand...

trag said:

There was a "Cut Sheet Feeder" attachment available for feeding regular paper.   Or you can feed it in one at a time.

Click to expand...

You definitely want to stick with tractor-fed paper for the ImageWriter. Sheet-fed paper will lead to a high-percentage of jams and misfeeds (like pulling 2 sheets at a time).