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Linux Based Computer from the 1980's. An 'Olivetti'

PostPosted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:03 pm
by RonTurner
http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/other/auction-683002755.htm

3B2-400 ; Nice little retro setup :D its a lot of steel for only $30

Pickup from Lower Hutt City, Wellington, NZ

it comes complete with the Original Linux Box Set (Total of 11 boxes) for instruction manuals.

Bens computer as mentioned here: http://classic-computers.org.nz/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&p=8228

Just thought it would be best to post the link to the Trade Me auction here cause it is easy for punters to miss in that section of TM :?:

would be a shame for it to go to the tip, just because no one knew it was for sale on TM :(

Re: Linux Based Computer from the 1980's. An 'Olivetti'

PostPosted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:40 pm
by mrad01
Linux based - hahahaha!

Re: Linux Based Computer from the 1980's. An 'Olivetti'

PostPosted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 12:01 am
by RonTurner
I guess he's selling a Linux computer complete with UNIX manuals :wink:

Re: Linux Based Computer from the 1980's. An 'Olivetti'

PostPosted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 5:41 am
by tezza
Yes, he means UNIX. This is the same guy (Ben) mentioned in my post that Gavin has sited above. He did say he might try to sell the machine and the manuals.

Re: Linux Based Computer from the 1980's. An 'Olivetti'

PostPosted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:19 am
by SpidersWeb
I clicked buy now, because I'd already organized to pay/pickup after work lol
Thanks for pointing out the auction, otherwise that could have been weird.

Cool machine, will go nicely next to my RT.
Now where to find 20 or so terminals.... hmmm

Re: Linux Based Computer from the 1980's. An 'Olivetti'

PostPosted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:57 am
by tezza
SpidersWeb wrote:I clicked buy now, because I'd already organized to pay/pickup after work lol
Thanks for pointing out the auction, otherwise that could have been weird.

Cool machine, will go nicely next to my RT.
Now where to find 20 or so terminals.... hmmm

Good one. That UNIX OS must be a beast because there are a huge number of manuals!

Re: Linux Based Computer from the 1980's. An 'Olivetti'

PostPosted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:17 am
by SpidersWeb
tezza wrote:
SpidersWeb wrote:I clicked buy now, because I'd already organized to pay/pickup after work lol
Thanks for pointing out the auction, otherwise that could have been weird.

Cool machine, will go nicely next to my RT.
Now where to find 20 or so terminals.... hmmm

Good one. That UNIX OS must be a beast because there are a huge number of manuals!


The OS itself is very close to AIX, but these manuals are much more detailed and themed (e.g. users, programmers, administrators) than what IBM provided for AIX and the RT.
e.g. in one book, it shows you how to insert and remove floppy disks, and in another it shows you how to write in assembly! In the IBM books it'd start you off with something less friendly like "Insert your VPM disk and perform an IPL" and doesn't touch on programming (that I could see, perhaps there was a separate book to order).

When my RJ45 crimper arrives, I'll make a serial cable, and see if I can get it to power up.

It appears to have:

Cipher 23Mb QIC + card (standard)
DSQD 720Kb floppy (standard)
2 x PORT cards - each has 4 x RS232 and 1 x Centronics parallel.
Haven't checked hard drive(s) yet, need to take the case off.