I believe I was the first person to actually buy a System 80 from Dick Smith, I actually made the purchase in May 1979 (well before the dates published on your website), however you are correct there were delays in production, and I did not receive the machine until something like Jan 1980.

However as no-one else had purchased one before, the manager of the the York St Sydney store of DSE gave me a job as he assumed I must have known a lot about the computer to buy one (which I didnt at the time), ended up getting given all the variations of the models and upgrades subsequent.

Interesting thing with the upgrades was they were modules where you had to basically cut the PCB tracks and install new components and boards which piggybacked the original board. I went through all the mods including the B/W to colour, by installing myself.

After 2-3 years Dick got in the Ferranti computer which was the IBM clone and the system 80 was phased out.

Cant say I miss the System 80, but it was cool to be the first kid in my school to have their own computer for a year or two, as first stock deliveries were very limited.

From memory only 20 computers per month arrived due to the quality control issues which did slow production for first 6 months.

Hi !

Accidentially due to some friends notification I came across the page and found "Fixing a Flat Dallas DS1287 Real Time Clock Chip", which links down to an article I wrote half an eternity ago.
Didn't know that it spread *that* far ...

This topic is still going, particularly after DalSemi discontinued most of the original DS1287-family - and there are still a lot machines around using that sort of ... err ... crap.

Thanks for helping the people in keep their old gear going !

Peter from Germany
[www.mcamafia.de]

Awesome website. Thank you very much for the detailed info. You saved my butt a few times this year alone.

Hi Tez, long time no see!

I have just donated my entire Bits & Bytes collection, September 1982 to September 1998 (with the last 3 issues using the NZ Computer masthead) to TechVana computer museum here in Auckland, along with some hardware and books. Eventually I will donate my Exidy Sorcerer, after I have converted my tape collection to .mp3 so they can be loaded easily from a USB player.

I found that I was missing the following B&B copies if you know of anyone that may have them to donate:
September 1993, October 1993, February 1994, March 1994, April 1994, May 1994, June 1994, October 1994, August 1998

Also I do have some spare copies from the 90's if you are interested.

Regards, Selwyn Arrow
arrow.comp@xtra.co.nz

Your website has proved invaluable in helping me restore my IBM PC 286, thanks a million!

Watched some of your YT videos (c64, atari800, mac...) and found them to be both entertaining and instructive. Too bad that ive got some problems getting all straight cause your pronounciation is quite new to me

I've enjoyed watching your videos, I like the background you give and the look inside the old beasts.

I also quite like the articles you have about fixing the machines. I wouldn't mind seeing a video or two about that.

You've encouraged me (and I'm sure many others) to repair and collect old machines. I started blogging myself partly because of seeing videos such as yours about machines I had or wish I had.

keep up the good work!
Sparcie

I really found your site interesting and it helped me diagnose and fix my computer collection. Thanks!
My collection has been expanding at a rate of about three micros a year and this site has helped me with fixing up the computers. Do wish that there was an entry on storing computers in the best way.

i have an apple 2e that i use to make patterns to send to my STOLL KNITTING machine, when i load a disc to send to machine , it does not allow me. it used to work last week , but now it wont. does any one know, what it could be. ed

Hi Tezza,

Thank you for all your hard work and the great information you are providing to the community.

I also own a cbm 8032 which has been sitting in the corner for decades.

with your inspiration I think I will revive my old Cbm.

I could not bear to throw my old cbm away because I have so many good memories / fun playing with it when I was in high school.

appreciate all your efforts.

my kindest regards,
John

Looks like a great site. Thanks very much for creating it. My System 80 is currently sitting amongst other stuff in a non working condition.

"THANX!!!!!!"

Hi Tezza
Nice site, I was dumpster diving today and found an SVI 728 with disc drive, tape deck and dot matrix printer (all in boxes) as well as a green screen monitor.
It had been exposed to the weather so all compnents are drying gently in my hot water cupboard until they are dry inside.
I hope it goes.
Glenn

I did use the Dallas timerchip teardown and now my Veridata 386/40 is working again. Thanks for putting usefull information on your website.

I have been watching the new TV series 'Halt and Catch Fire'. It really took me back to the early 80's and my days starting out on MicroComputers. I decided to do some looking around and found your site. I originally used a TRS80 mod 1, and then went on to buy my own Mod 3. Fantastic to see your site and all the contributors. I get to relive my early basic programming days!

Great site and youtube channel. Have been looking for an Achive of bits and bytes forever! Really enjoying working through the videos and reliving some of the computers i used in the past.

Very nice collection. Amiga RULEZ!

Great site. Also enjoy your youtube channel.

Keep up the great work.

THKS
Gary

Tezza,Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Came here looking at the Epson HX-20 (i still have mine and it still works perfectly), and ended up watching ur vids about the machines i have owned (my forst was a Sinclair ZX-80.

I wish i had kept all my old puters :(

Great videos