Non-Mac, but apparently within guidelines...

[ianj]

A guy selling UNIX gear at a computer show I went to in March told me about a recycler in the area, and I finally made it over there last week. There were a number of interesting things, but for this trip, I picked out a Sun Blade 1000 and an Apple IIGS for $25 each.

I don't know if the Blade 1000 works yet because it didn't come with any RAM. I'm going to test it next week to see whether or not I should buy some.

The IIGS is a ROM 01 and works fine, but I'll need to invest in some expansion cards to set it up the way I want it.

Both machines were covered with black dust on the outside, but nearly spotless inside. I'll be making another trip within the next couple weeks and seeing what else I can find - there's a section full of Mac stuff (with two NeXTstations I was unable to test but might buy later mixed in), large numbers of SCSI hard drives, Intel workstations and servers, and some Sun equipment (including two Fire V880s).

 

[JRL]

Wow, nice conquests!

 

[John8520]

Very cool, blade 1000s are seemingly really spiffy UNIX workstations.

 

[Bunsen]

two NeXTstations

8-o

Doooooo iiiiiiiitttt!!!

 

[Temetka]

Excellent score on that Sun Box!

Quick look over there!

/grabs sun box and runs

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

I've got the Mac Video/ADB Version of that SwitchBox, is that what you've got there?

If so, THAT is an awesome 68k peripheral conquest all on its ownesome!

jt *drools on HP_Mini's KBD*

 

[Outlander]

Where do you guys find these "recyclers"? Are there any in VA? :-/

Awesome finds!

 

[oneboyarmy]

Ohmygosh envious!! How lucky are you?!

 

[ianj]

I've got the Mac Video/ADB Version of that SwitchBox, is that what you've got there?
If so, THAT is an awesome 68k peripheral conquest all on its ownesome!

I got that KVM off of the LowEndMac Swap List. I originally intended to use it to share a keyboard between my MDD G4 and my Power Mac 8100 until I found out that Griffin iMates don't play well with such devices, but I kept it to use for extra Apple gear without disconnecting the 8100. The video inputs are all standard Macintosh DA-15, but the KVM has an HD15 output. The box and the KVM itself make no mention of a brand name, but it's a very well-built device with a nice, solid mechanical switch.

Where do you guys find these "recyclers"? Are there any in VA? :-/

I'm not too far from Virginia (Baltimore), and I grew up down there. I couldn't tell you about recyclers there; I mentioned how I heard about this particular one in my original post, and it's the only one I know of around me so far. It seems easier to find this kind of gear around areas that host big universities, but do some research, check out some (not MarketPro) computer shows, and try your luck. Seeing as I'm not terribly far from you, I'll give you a heads-up if I hear of anything.

Just so all of you know, the place I got this gear from is CDM e-Cycling. Their location is nondescript and seemingly tailored to people dumping equipment to be recycled, but if you walk in the front door and hit the buzzer, then tell the person on the intercom that you're there to buy stuff, they'll let you into the lobby and send someone out to lead you into the warehouse so you can roam around freely and pick things out. The staff is very helpful, and it's a great place to check out - lots of Mac stuff and smattering of UNIX (mostly Sun) things along with the typical PC gear.

Very cool, blade 1000s are seemingly really spiffy UNIX workstations.

Yes. I made my way to techfury90's place this week and tested my machine with his Blade 1000's RAM and hard disk... we discovered that it's fully functional, so I placed orders for RAM, an FC-AL disk, and the requisite Sun SPUD bracket yesterday. By next week, I should have a slick Solaris machine running alongside my current Blade 150.

As for the Apple IIGS, it will require a few hundred dollars' investment to really get it how I want it to be (4MB RAM, mass storage of some sort, mostly likely CompactFlash, and ethernet), so I will be moving along with that gradually.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

I've got the Mac Video/ADB Version of that SwitchBox, is that what you've got there?
If so, THAT is an awesome 68k peripheral conquest all on its ownesome!

I got that KVM off of the LowEndMac Swap List. I originally intended to use it to share a keyboard between my MDD G4 and my Power Mac 8100 until I found out that Griffin iMates don't play well with such devices, but I kept it to use for extra Apple gear without disconnecting the 8100. The video inputs are all standard Macintosh DA-15, but the KVM has an HD15 output. The box and the KVM itself make no mention of a brand name, but it's a very well-built device with a nice, solid mechanical switch.

Yep, your box is identical to mine, I think I've still got the packaging info in my files somewhere. :

I've also had exactly the same experience as you w/Griffin's iMate on my G4-466 DA.

A much better way to go w/G4s is to use a PS2 switchbox, as the PS2 -> USB adapters play very nicely w/the G4. You can find PS2 KVMs at rock bottom prices as opposed to USB KVMs. Also I've got, IIRC, Silicon Valley Bus Company's PS2 -> ADB adapter to hook up any NuBus architecture Mac with whatever else is on the PS2 switchbox, with minor problems that are easily dealt with:

If you ever have trouble with an ADB computer on a switchbox, there's a utility called "ADB Reset" which is ALWAYS in residence on the desktop of my 2300c/DuoDock II. It repairs any (usually mouse drag error) problems caused by the switchbox taking the 2300c's ADB input offline, however temporarily.

Enough about KVMs, that story is for another thread, didn't mean to hijack the thread about your righteous conquest!

jt :b&w: