So I got this Commodore PC-10 III, which the sellers photos clearly showed a different one without that red button at the front and a small Floppy Drive. It also cost me around 200€
On the other hand, from the Inside it seems to have a VGA Graphics card, a Hard Drive and even some type of Internet connector which are all nonstandart
So for one im quite split on if I should keep it or ask for a refund. But lets asume I keep it, there is another big problem.
For one the lacking Floppy drive was something I really really wanted and would need to build a new one in so I can even do things with it. On the other, much bigger hand, it doesnt seem to work.
Upon booting it up, it first shows some DOS text and then this red screen shows up (sorry about the flash)
After a bit, it then tries to check the RAM which after a bit returns a “Bad Ram” error.
Then it prompts me to press the F1 Key which I do on my Commodore Keyboard which results in the text repeating itself and not continuing.
In other words, I cannot get past this screen. Pressing any key repeats that Message and the space bar plays a sound for some reason. The best thing I can try is to unplug everything and see if it boots then. If not, I’ll inspect the board, especially the RAM Chips… but with not much knowhow this’ll be a bit hard…
But yeah, what you all think? Keep it? refund it? Try to get it to run again? Any tips when it comes to that?
that is some ancient hardware. 200 euro is an insanely high price. :-/
your “internet connector” is an arcnet network card - not much use to you, but quite a cool little heirloom.
assuming the memory is not soldered, you can swap out SIMMs (likely 30 pin), or DIPs/ZIPs (if you can even find them). you may have some fun trying to bring this PC back from the dead, but that price is insane for an ancient box in poor shape.
is that filecard hard drive an ST-506 interface (two ribbon connectors)?
pull all cards out except the video card and see if it boots.
good luck.
Oh… The good old MFM disks… Those were the days …
Around where I live thats a pretty okay deal for these machines, especially considering I also got the original Commodore PC Keyboard which on its own is worth around 100€ here.
The memory does seem sodered in. Reading trough forums, I did find a potential issue, that being the battery. Seems rather krusty to me, and they are known to cause these types of issues and errors
The filecard seems to be only cinnected via its slot and for some reason 2 cables for the lights at the front of the machine.
Still doesnt boot even after taking everything. Though I did order a new battery which probably will fix it
You mean the bnc cable for Ethernet?
It’s a pretty crap move that they sent a different system than what was advertised, especially is is drive missing a floppy. The fact that it’s not functioning isn’t great either. Do you not have any other hardware to test with? At the minimum, a reliable power supply, a tested graphics card, and some RAM. Also a floppy drive emulator/SD card adapter.
Your be dealing with ancient, leaky caps and deteriorating drive belts with something this old.
Here’s a service manual though
Thank you for the advice, since I’m still pretty new to Retro Computing I don’t have a lot of equipment (or knowledge). Though after combing trough some old Forums, it seems the issue can be found with a leaky and somewhat krusty batter,. Will get a replacement part delivered for it next week
Look into getting a floppy emulator/sd card adapter. It makes getting files onto vintage systems much easier.
