HP 9000 520

From: Joe <rigdonj_at_intellistar.net>
Date: Sun Apr 8 11:12:12 2001

At 07:07 PM 4/7/01 +0200, you wrote:
>On Sat, 7 Apr 2001, Joe wrote:
>
>> First, are we talking about the same machine? I'm talking about the HP
>> 9000 520. Aka 9020. It's a large desktop machine with a built in keyboard
>> and monitor. It looks like a grossly oversized Commodore 64. I think the K
>> 520 is an entirely different machine.
>
>Are there any other similar HP machines? I've seen such a beast at a
>mate's, but I could be mistaken. It had several cartridge ports, IIRC.

    Most of the HP 98xx series machines have cartridge ports in the front.
Does it have a monitor? Then it's probably a 9835A or a 9845 (the 9835B has
a single line LED display). The 9835 is slightly larger than a Commie 64.
The 9845 is much larger. The 9020 doesn't have any cartridge ports. If it
has cartridge ports in the rear then it could be a HP 85 (small built in
CRT) or a HP 86 or 87 (external monitor).


>
>> Next, I was speaking of old computers in general. Some of people on the
>> list are always complaining about how the internet, E-bay (and now the
>> ex-MITS building computer museum) are driving up the prices of old machines
>> and how they can't afford old computers any more, etc, etc. However I
>> manage to find something interesting nearly everytime that I go looking. I
>> didn't even go out this week but still managed to aquire some HP Integral
>> manauls, a HP documentation index and found the auction listing for the two
>> 9000 520s. Last week I did go looking and found two NICE Kaypros with loads
>> of original disks. The week before that I found an IBM L40SX, IBM P70, a
>> Sun 635 MP, a HP 9000 520, a HP 9836, a HP 9000 series 300 and a HP 9000
>> 835. My point is there are still loads of old computers out there and for
>> cheap prices if anyone is willing to get off their a** and go look!
>
>I don't believe that's the case where I'm at. I don't know where old
>machines go here, but I suppose a lot of them have either wound up in the
>collections of the academic computer clubs and their members, or gone to
>the "recycling" plants. There even doesn't seem to be that many collectors
>over here.
>Then again, I'm not the kind who likes stealing or begging. I'm such a
>coward, I won't take chances.

   I know a lot of people find their machines by dumper diving but I don't.
Every machine that I get, I buy at a hamfest, trift store or on the surplus
market. I've had very good luck finding machines by simply searching out
the local scrap compannies and asking them if I can go through their yard
and look for anything usefull. Most of them think it's pretty weird that
someone wants the OLD computers but they're not going to turn down a chance
to make money! FWIW I stopped at one scrap metal dealer Friday and dug
down through a barrel of old cards and found at least 10 S-100 cards. About
half of them were Crommeco cards. It's that easy. (The same place just got
a huge lot of manuals including a lot of very old Zenith computer manuals
and a LOT of HP 85, 86, 87 and 9825 manuals. I'm trying to buy that lot.)

   Joe

>
>
Received on Sun Apr 08 2001 - 11:12:12 BST