HP DOS computer selection advice sought

From: Joe R. <rigdonj_at_cfl.rr.com>
Date: Fri Jul 2 13:49:26 2004

At 09:09 AM 7/2/04 -0500, you wrote:
>I have a large multi-tier printer stand on casters that I use for my HP
>logic analyzer setup. 1631D analyzer, 9122 dual floppy drive, 2225 printer,
>probe hangers, etc. It's nice to have on that stand because I can roll it
>around the work area from system to system easily.
>
>I would like to put a computer on that stand too, that has HP-IB interface
>(all the gear above is HP-IB). The primary purpose of the computer is to
>interface to the logic analyzer, but I will also use it for interfacing to
>my Data I/O programmer, various DOS programs like IC stat lookup, etc.
>
>My problem is I'm not that familiar with HP DOS machines. I have particular
>requirements for this and I'm not sure what model to look for. Perhaps those
>familiar with HP's DOS machine lineage can suggest a machine I should look
>for. Here's the criteria:
>
>1) It has to be an HP. My TI3100 would look out of place with all the HP
>gear on the rack :)
>2) It has to allow putting an 8 bit ISA HP-IB card in it (or dare I say
>already support HP-IB)
>3) It really needs 1mb of RAM for some of the programs I want to run on it.
>4) DOS version needs to be 5.0 or better, would be nice if I could use the
>free DR-DOS
>5) It would have to have an external serial port
>6) I would like to get it on the wireless network. I was thinking of using
>the zircom parallel port adapter I have, and then getting an ethernet to
>wireless bridge. Of course, I have to find DOS TCP/IP drivers for the
>zircom, if such a thing exists. I'm open to options here.
>7) Vertical space is a premium on the rack, so I would prefer something
>without a full-size monitor, preferrably an all-in-one unit rather than
>separate cpu, keyboard, monitor, etc.
>8) Would need at least 40mb hard disk.
>9) Need a somewhat standard size keyboard (this rules out my 200LX).
>
>So far from my looking around, the HP 110 seems very close to what I'd want.
>The small vertical height of the screen is a big plus, but, I really have to
>have 80x24. Plus the 110 seems to be stuck with 256k ram and only DOS 2.11.
>I would LOVE to use my HP-85 for this, but alas, it isn't going to be
>running promlink anytime soon. Can anyone suggest a vintage PC machine for
>this purpose?
>


   Let's see. #2 will require a PC clone and you can't add an ISA card to a
HP-110 so it's out. #6 rules out things like HP-85s and the like. I can't
think of any HP machine that has an intregrated display that also has ISA
slots. MY suggestion would be to use an HP Intregral PC! But no wireless
networking for that one uneless you can find something that works via the
seriel port. Since it's HP-UX you also can't use any programs written for
PCs. Another suggestion is a Compaq Portable-III or Portable 386 with the
ISA expansion pod on the back but that's not an HP product. The only HP
computer that comes close is one of the older Vectras but they use regular
CGA/EGA/VGA monitors. You could use one of those with a flat LCD monitor. I
think $HP $even $makes $them $now. I suppose something like the Omnibook
430 that I just picked up would work if you put the wireless network card
and HP-IB in PCMCIA slots but PCMCIA HP_IB interfaces are probably
expensive. Have you seen an Omnibook 430? It looks just like a HP-200LX
but it's about twice as big so the keyboard and screen have a decent size.

   If you're interested in an old Vectra, I have one that I'm supposed to
pick up later today or tomorrow. It looks like it's in good condition but I
haven't checked it. They use regular PC type components and they're about
13" square and about 7" tall. It's probably an old 286 12Mhz machine but
they work fine. That's what I'm using for my HP HyperViper setup. BTW I do
have the CMOS setup disks for them too.

    Joe
Received on Fri Jul 02 2004 - 13:49:26 BST