ATMs.

From: Russ Blakeman <rhblake_at_bigfoot.com>
Date: Fri Oct 30 20:25:02 1998

CLASSICCMP_at_trailing-edge.com wrote:

> More seriously, the things are probably melted down for scrap. The
> ATM's that I've seen being serviced probably weigh as much as a
> small car.

They average around 600 lbs and the paper supplies and cash on hand adds to
that. Many are bolted down which gives the appearance of weight.

> Many recent ATM's have PC-clone hardware in their "smarts". I've
> seen several different ones in the process of "rebooting" and
> displaying the OS/2 startup screen. I've seen out-of-commision
> ATM's show the "General failure reading drive C:" message, as
> well.

Many others use embedded DOS such as Caldera DR-DOS rather than chance the OS/2
croaking on the disk. The hard disk in many is used to hold transaction info
until the daily (or whatever it's set for) transfer over the wire. They aren't
that complicated but there is more than just a computer system in them. There's
a reader, printer, money handler, deposit container and video survellance
system all in that one cabinet on top of all the exterior being relatively
theft proof.

> Tim "Who is this General Failure, and why is he reading my drive C?" Shoppa

Good question, he sure is a pain in the rump.
Received on Fri Oct 30 1998 - 20:25:02 GMT