"Boxer_4" (Boxer_4)
10/05/2016 at 21:04 • Filed to: None
5
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"Boxer_4" (Boxer_4)
10/05/2016 at 21:04 • Filed to: None | 5
| 18 |
The Leading Edge Model D is finally back up and running! Sort of...
I was finally able to track-down the proper monitor, which is unsurprisingly hard to find. This computer has been in the family since new, but some of the peripherals have disappeared over the years (I’m also missing the awesome DC-2014 keyboard that came with these).
Now, for a bit of information on the computer itself:
The Model D was a simple computer. This version (2011E) featured an Intel 8088 that could run at either 4.77 Mhz or 7.16 Mhz, 640k of RAM, and dual 360 kb 5.25 floppy drives...though, one of the floppy drives was replaced (I still have both though)...
...with a Seagate ST-238R 30 MB hard-disk drive and 8-Bit ISA controller. The last time this hard-disk drive had run before was probably ~20 years ago. It fired right up, but that’s as far as I tested it.
It also has an add-in RAM expansion card; a DFI 8-Bit Rambank Expansion. I know nothing about this setup except for the fact that it is filled Siemens HYB41256-12 chips.
The Leading Edge Model D shipped with MS-DOS 2.11 in the early days, but I believe this came with either MS-DOS 3.2 or 3.3. That’s the main issue I’m having now...
I need to track down a copy of DOS 3.2 or DOS 3.3. That shouldn’t be too hard. However, actually creating the disk is going to be annoying. I have to put my spare 5.25 360k floppy drive into one of my computers that still has 5.25 360k floppy support (most likely one of my Gateway 2000s). The only computer I have running at the moment that has a 5.25 floppy drive has a 1.2mb drive, which doesn’t do well writing 360k disks...
While I’m at it, does anyone have some suggestions for good early DOS software and/or games?
jkm7680
> Boxer_4
10/05/2016 at 21:14 |
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The important question: Is the keyboard mechanical?
GRS1
> Boxer_4
10/05/2016 at 21:42 |
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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
So it has a turbo? I don’t see one; looks like reset on the lower right
BorkBorkBjork
> Boxer_4
10/05/2016 at 21:45 |
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I played Global Thermonuclear War on a similar system, but I could never beat it...
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Boxer_4
> jkm7680
10/05/2016 at 21:51 |
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The current one I’m using is not. The original one, however, was mechanical. It used Alps Blue keys, and is quite sought after these days. On the rare occasion that one shows up on eBay, they usually go for upwards of $150.
(Not my picture)
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Boxer_4
> GRS1
10/05/2016 at 21:53 |
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That is a reset switch on the lower right. There is a toggle switch on the back for switching between the frequencies; it’s nearly as cool as a turbo button, as the the switch is an actual metal toggle switch.
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jkm7680
> Boxer_4
10/05/2016 at 21:57 |
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Oooh, very nice.
bhtooefr
> Boxer_4
10/05/2016 at 22:00 |
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Be aware that basically everything I’m about to recommend is CGA, and therefore you want to flip it over to color mode, and use a color monitor instead. I’ll toss one MDA-capable (barely) game I’m aware of, but MDA is really, really lame for gaming, unless you really like text adventures.
So, the classic stress test of IBM PC compatibility is Microsoft Flight Simulator, and FS 2 is the last version that really runs well on XT-era hardware (you can run as high as 4, but it gets really ugly): http://fshistory.simflight.com/fsvault/msfs2-pc.htm
Indianapolis 500: The Simulation requires a Turbo XT at minimum, and recommends an AT... you’ve got the bare minimum of what’s considered a Turbo XT (basically, it divides the master clock by 2, instead of by 3). (9.54 is the other common speed for them, obtained by dividing the master clock by 3, then doubling it.)
ZZT might be worth a shot even with the mono screen, it supports MDA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZZT Although, the lack of color will make it... tricky...
Nibby
> Boxer_4
10/05/2016 at 22:35 |
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aww yes
This is amazing. Have you played with DOS Navigator?
https://www.ritlabs.com/en/products/dn/
Roundbadge
> Boxer_4
10/05/2016 at 22:58 |
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I think the PC my high-school programming teacher lent me was one of these. Would’ve been spring of ‘91, I’d guess. (Edit: It was obsolete at the time, which is why he had no problem loaning it to me.)
He asked me one day why I always waited until the last few minutes before class started to do my homework. I explained that I’d written the program at home in my notebook, but that was the first opportunity I’d had to actually key it in as I didn’t have a home computer like everyone else. He loaned me an old PC with no hard drive, and 3.5 & 5.25 floppies.
I brought it home and set it up, and started working on my homework right away. My dad came home early that afternoon, and was surprised.
“Where’d that come from?”
“(Teacher) loaned it to me.”
“What are you doing?”
“Homework.”
“The yard needs mowed.”
“Okay.”
“NOW.”
“But...(sigh)...alright.”
facw
> Boxer_4
10/06/2016 at 00:27 |
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Had one of these as a kid (pretty sure it is still in my parent’s attic actually). Don’t have any good game recommendations for you, mainly just played educational games (Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego, Think Quick, Math Blaster Plus, etc.)
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Boxer_4
> Roundbadge
10/06/2016 at 13:02 |
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That’s an great story! And an awesome teacher! Computers weren’t cheap back then; the Leading Edge retailed for around $1,500 back then, or about $3,000 in today’s dollars.
I’ve been involved in refurbishing computers for high school students that don’t have one at home over the last few years. I’m in an area where most people are doing well enough to have a computer at home (thanks largely to how far prices have come down over the years for a basic system), but there still students where that isn’t the case. It’s great knowing that these students are able to have the tools to help them in their studies.
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Boxer_4
> Nibby
10/06/2016 at 13:03 |
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I’ll have to give that a look, it looks interesting.
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Boxer_4
> bhtooefr
10/06/2016 at 13:07 |
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I’ll have to give those a look.
I believe I have a CGA monitor laying around, though I plan on primarily running it with the monochrome monitor (mainly nostalgia reasons).
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bhtooefr
> Boxer_4
10/06/2016 at 13:38 |
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Also, as far as applications go...
If you’ve got an ISA Ethernet card or a parallel port Ethernet adapter, http://www.brutman.com/mTCP/ is pretty neat.
There’s always WordPerfect and Lotus 1-2-3 for the classic productivity software, if you’re into that kind of thing.
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Roundbadge
> Boxer_4
10/06/2016 at 13:46 |
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He was probably my favorite teacher in high school, possibly one of the better instructors I’ve ever had, and one of the reasons I’m in IT today.
He had said early in class that the act of keying in the program “isn’t programming. This is just data entry...punching keys. Programming happens on chalkboards and whiteboards and notebook paper where you figure out the mechanism you’re going to use to solve a problem.” Because of the background I had where I didn’t touch the PC until the next day, I got pretty good at debugging early and seeing errors before they happened. I don’t do much programming anymore, but that experience still helps today.
Well done, regarding refurbishing computers! It’s a big deal for kids to have something to work on, even if it isn’t the newest thing out there.
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Boxer_4
> bhtooefr
10/06/2016 at 21:28 |
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I’ll have to track down a compatible Ethernet adapter and give that a try.
I did manage to find a copy of
Leading Edge Word Processor
, which was also a Leading Edge product. I’ve heard good things about it, but have never tried it myself.
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Boxer_4
> Roundbadge
10/06/2016 at 21:42 |
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That’s actually quite a good philosophy for programming. Not being a programmer, I’ve never really thought about it that way before.
A friend of mine and I got into refurbishing computers while we were in our high school’s computer club. We will have graduated 5 years ago in the spring, and we’re still involved. It’s great to know that some of the older but still useful computer hardware is being put to use by someone who needs it, and hopefully making a difference. We have fun with it at any rate.
CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)
> Boxer_4
12/23/2016 at 05:38 |
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Stunts. I recall I hooked at least 6 of my classmates on that game.