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TheMacGuy's Latest

CC_333

Well-known member
Concorde1993: I'm curious as well :?:

Some kind of Newton, perhaps?

Or let's put it this way: is it a computer in it's own right, a small handheld device (such as the aforementioned Newton), or is it simply a peripheral for either?

c

 

Concorde1993

Well-known member
The only other "smaller" (and rarer) vintage Apple products I can think of are the Newtons and the Quicktake cameras (unless you consider an Apple IIc Plus rare).

 

TheMacGuy

Well-known member
It is an accessory for older Macs. This is the last post I'm going to make about it until I get it in my hands. I should have it by the end of the week.

 

TheMacGuy

Well-known member
So here it is:

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A TechStep! Very dirty huh? But, it turns on!

Here is is cleaned up:

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And here is what was formally a black case for the TechStep, but was abused and is now mocha brown.

 
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Macdrone

Well-known member
Wow congrats I'd love one of those but I have enough I think but it's way cool.

As for cleaning soap and water hang dry should be ok its how I clean the portable bags and they look like the same material.

 

TheMacGuy

Well-known member
Huh, just realized that one of the original ROMs, SCSI HDD Test is gone, but I have CPU Tests Vol 3 instead. I guess the CPU Test Vol 3 was an add on.

Thanks macdrone! I will have to try that later.

 

TheMacGuy

Well-known member
Thanks mcdermd!

As far as I can tell, the TechStep is fully functional and the only thing I'm going to need is the cables. All I have are the sound cable and the export cable.

I cleaned the case with some mild soap and water and got the dirt off the case, but I am sad to report that the case is sun bleached. I was only able to get it from a light/mocha brown to a dark brown. It looks funky.

I don't think the device it's self was exposed to water, but the books are waterdamaged and the case has (for whatever reason) sand in it. Beach sand. Kinda weird.

I'm going to keep an eye out for the original cables and more of the ROMs. I might also try my hand at retr0bright on a keyboard since the TechStep has some yellowing on the left side of the device. Otherwise, I was able to take the sticker residue off that was on the connection block and it looks like-new. Amazing what canned air and rubbing alcohol can do.

I have also came to the connclusion that it was used less then a dozen times to probably diagnose someone's IIci, si, vi, vx or a Performa 600 (computers on the CPU Vol 3) since there aren't very many marks on the TechStep and someone had to purposely pay for the extra, later ROM (Vol 3).

 

TheMacGuy

Well-known member
I got mcdermds Plus the other day, and its working like a champ! Already used Sys 6.0.8 install floppies I had in my collection to make a 6.0.8 boot floppy.

Also picked up a small haul off of eBay over the weekend:

12 blank 800k floppies. Used I believe, as they have labels on them. They could be blank though. Seller said they were formatted for Macintosh. We'll see when I get them.

PowerBook Duo 210. FINALLY! I have been wanting to add a Duo to my collection for years! I almost got 2 this year (2300 on CL, and one on eBay) but I was either A: outbid or B: never got a response. I'm glad I was able to find the original model. Now to look for the last model.

And the big win:

Brand new, in the original Apple Service Box, untouched 128k board! Sealed, with a ship date of 1985! The guy didn't take pictures of the actual board, so it didn't sell for very much, but I am very glad to have gotten it! Earlier in the day, another confirmed 128k board ended at over $150 with the same part number. A Google search confirms the part number is to a 128k board. It is definitely a 128k board inside.

 

TheMacGuy

Well-known member
Some updates (wow this thread is gathering dust!):

The floppies needed to be formatted, but I also discovered that they were permanently write protected, so before the seller shipped them, he put tape over the holes.

PBD 210: The system hung, unleashing on of Sys. 7.5.3 bugs and corrupting the data on the drive (just the OS). Trying to figure out a way to fix it.

The 128k logic board was brand new, but something is wrong with either the RAM, RAM decoder, or something. Still need to fix it.

I also had a conquest today, my first accessory for an Apple II, a Silentype! I sold a bunch of items on CL just to buy this, and I'm glad I did. Paid a decent $56 for it. Now just to get an Apple II and a Silentype card, or an Apple ///.

I also find it funny that I'm now looking for a computer to use with the accessory, not the other way around! I'm also skipping the swapmeet this month, but I'll hopefully go next month.

 

TheMacGuy

Well-known member
The Silentype came in today! It looks to be a very early model, the serial number is just above 005000. I'm guessing it was made in late 1979/early 1980. Here are some pictures:

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TheMacGuy

Well-known member
11-DSC00458.JPG

I found that serial number and sticker kind of odd. First off, the model number is different. Secondly, low serial number. Third, it says Apple Computer, not Apple Computer Inc, and makes no mention of the original manufacture, Trendcom. I've searched Google with this model number, and nothing has shown up, although I did find this on myoldmac. Model number matches. Any ideas on the odd stickers?

 
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