Thread

A Nice Little Software Haul

A Nice Little Software Haul Hardware 38 posts Nov 18, 2010 — Dec 2, 2010

#1 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 - 03:58

I have never posted anything under the "Conquests" section before, as I am always getting old Mac/Windows stuff, and it can become irritating posting everything I add into my collection.

Anyway, I was looking for software for my 1996 Thinkpad 365x (another story in itself), and my economics teacher advised me that there was a closet filled with "forgotten" Windows software (my school was/is predominantly IBM-based), which was located where the school's original computer lab used to be. After speaking to several teachers, I finally found the teacher who was teaching in that classroom (the lab was inside a room adjacent to it). During my 4th period spare, she unlocked the closet door, and there was a monsoon of Windows software/textbooks from the late 80s to the mid 90s. I currently have a Xerox box filled with software, which includes two shrink-wrapped Win 95 installation packages, a shrink-wrapped Win 3.1 installation package, an opened Win 3.1 package, Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect Presentations, a big package of Epson printer driver software still in its original shrink-wrap, IBM DOS 5.1, Lotus Jazz, etc. There was even a whole bunch of Novell server books, but they were of no interest to me.

I still have more stuff in my locker to pickup tomorrow, in addition to checking out a couple of other classrooms with "forgotten" software.

Here are some pics for those vintage Windows-lovers (like myself) out there:

#2 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 - 04:34

Ewww, Windows!

Just joking, nice grab.

#3 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 - 06:00

I've got tons of Mac-related software as well, like System 7.1 (in its original box), OS 8, Macproject Pro, VideoShop, etc. I just have not had the time to photograph all of my software finds.

#4 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 - 07:43

Time to haul out a 486/586 system and play with Windows 95. Make sure you are using a hard drive like an 8GB or smaller drive for the FAT32 partitions (does 95 do fat32, or fat16?, I forgot...)

So go dumpster diving and get a system that would work great.

I have been trying to get a Pentium III system up and running with Windows 2k pro or windows 98 SE for fun, but I seem to be having hardware issues. It's not RAM, and not video, so I have no freaking clue why it throws it out...

Oh well, would have been interesting to have a 128GB FAT32 partition on a dual 160GB SATA Striped system, 1.5GB RAM and an 866Mhz Pentium III processor.

That would been a B*tching setup, so to put it into the awesomeness of it.

I wish I could have found my dual Pentium III 933Mhz board, oh well...

I will still plug away at getting the P III up, but that's on the backburner right now. Bah, too much work to do!

#5 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 - 13:32

Time to haul out a 486/586 system and play with Windows 95.

I had a 1993 Bondwell 486 system, but I sold it two weeks ago because the motherboard was on its way out, the HD was failing, the power supply was dying, the CD player would not read any discs (it was specifically designed for that system)- and ironically enough, I got that computer from my school about a year back, when it was "working" & running Win 3.1.

I was hoping to find some Win 98 & 2000 discs, but no luck so far.

#6 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 - 17:53

Windows 95 was better on a Pentium class machine.

If you like older Windows try thrift stores, I pickedup a boxed Windows 98 upgrade (retail) for like $1last weekend. The local thrift also had a huge bundle of OEM never opened Win95/Win 3.11 packs for a couple dollars.

While Windows was sold in the mega millions it seems most of the 9x era versions were OEM and most people have tossed them in the trash by now. Win95 upgrade was probably the best retail version for sales.

#7 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 - 18:37

I wish we had the kinda thrift stores you guys have. All the charity shops have here is clothes and books

#8 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 - 18:52

Lotus Jazz for Windows? Sure you don't mean Lotus Symphony?

#9 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 - 18:57

I wish I had one of those Goodwill computer tech stores around here, the ones we have are just clothes and junk computer scanners. The only decent thrift is not of the national chains (forget the name).

#10 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 - 19:12

Lotus Jazz for Windows? Sure you don't mean Lotus Symphony?

Yes, you're right. It's Symphony (I also have a copy of Jazz, which is the "Mac" version of 1-2-3). They are so easy to mix-up.

Anyway, I picked up the rest of the software haul today, and I will post some pics asap. I would have checked out those other classrooms, but I've been busy with my studies, and they take first priority.

Overall, it's sad to see that my school invested so much money in software, and simply forgot about it (on the upside, I have managed to inherit some very mint software packages, which I intend to keep that way). And then the administration wonders why our board is always in a deficit.

#11 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 - 04:18

Upon going through my software haul, I found this StyleWriter EtherTalk adapter in a package of brand new B & C cables.

Just a quick question- what AC adapter must I use to power it & can I hookup an Apple-branded printer, like an ImageWriter II, to my MBP via Ethernet?

Here are some pics below:

#12 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 - 06:01

The Goodwill Computer stores are a mixed bag. Sometimes you can pick up a good item or two, but a lot of the stuff tends to be overpriced (namely the older stuff). I did find a bunch of NOS DS/DD 3.5" floppies there once though. (They were from approximately 1988 and all but one of them worked).

I'll be going to mine again sometime in December. Does anyone want me to look out for any particular items? (Most of the store is Wintel parts, but there are occasionally some good Mac items too).

#13 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 - 06:35

The Goodwill Computer stores are a mixed bag.

In this scenario, everything aforementioned in this post was discovered at my school. No Goodwill intervention was required (which was good for a change).

Sometimes you can pick up a good item or two, but a lot of the stuff tends to be overpriced (namely the older stuff).

Yeah, it's hit & miss with thrift stores nowadays. And I do agree with you, their prices for some items are ludicrous, which begs the question- who is pricing these items & how do they determine the "value" of these items?

I tend to avoid Goodwill. I use to like going there, but I prefer Value Village. There's more selection, and the prices on most items there are reasonable. Personally, however, I wouldn't spend more than $5.00 on a single item at a thrift store, regardless of whether it is in pristine condition, or not.

But let's face facts- the guys working at these places are delinquents, and arrogant-types, who have no clue of what merchandise they have/receive. To them, a Compact Mac is nothing more than an obsolete POS, which can be had for $10. To us, its something far more valuable.

Anyway, I would like some insight on this StyleWriter Adapter. I'll probably post it under peripherals to reduce confusion (even those this was part of my software haul).

#14 Sun, 21 Nov 2010 - 08:30

...B & C cables...

I believe you mean BNC cables(Bayonet Neil Concelman)

Great haul BTW

#15 Sun, 21 Nov 2010 - 16:58

I believe you mean BNC cables(Bayonet Neil Concelman)

Yes, Torbar, you are correct. That's one of the problems of composing a post late at night.

#16 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 - 05:32

Here are the pics from the rest of the software haul. I was hoping to find some Win 98 & Amiga 2000 disks, but no success thus far. One can only have so many boxed copies of Win 3.1, if you know what I mean.

#17 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 - 05:38

Some more pics (I can't fit them all on one post for some reason)...

So, in a nutshell, there's a variety of textbooks (some in their original shrink-wrap), owner's manuals & setup guides (some in shrink-wrap, some not), and a few boxes of software, all in mint condition.

Now on for more Mac-related software! :beige:

#18 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 - 11:56

Are any of those diskettes from the PS/2 starter sets marked "Education Programs", "Entertainment Programs", or "Personal Productivity Programs"?

Supposedly the aforementioned disks are very rare. I do have a set and can verify the contents of each. They appear to be the only diskettes containing the Wayne Hammond card games for DOS, and the only copy I've ever seen of these disks is my own. I've always wondered how many are still left in the wild.

#19 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 - 13:27

Are any of those diskettes from the PS/2 starter sets marked "Education Programs", "Entertainment Programs", or "Personal Productivity Programs"?

I'll send you a PM on my findings. Fortunately, two packages were left unopened, so if they are rare, this could mean $$$. Of course, I have no intention of selling anything at this point, as I want to continue building a collection of rare & mint (or somewhat mint) software.

#20 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 - 17:28

Nice score!

If you need to find a home for a Windows 3.1 set, I'm sure someone here would be happy to assist.

#21 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 - 18:12

Nice score!

If you need to find a home for a Windows 3.1 set, I'm sure someone here would be happy to assist.

Thanks, but I think I am going to keep these for a while. It's not everyday you find Win 3.1 in its original box shrink-wrapped.

If you desperately need copies of 3.1 with its original box, I think there are still a couple of mutilated (part flattened/torn) boxes with floppies in them in that closet. I didn't take them because of their condition, and the fact I already have 6 copies of 3.1 disks (with some still in their original shrink-wrap).

#22 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 - 02:57

Just out of curiosity, is that "Windows 3.1 Bible" published by Peachpit Press, the publishers of the "Mac Bible" series? If so, it's probably a very useful and informative book.

#23 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 - 03:07

Windows for Workgroups (Win 3.11) is more useful today if you are going to network machines then the older Win 3.1.

Win 3.1 disks can be founf boxed on ebay all the time for a reasonable amount of money, cheaper then getting something shipped from Canada to the US anyway.

#24 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 - 03:20

Just out of curiosity, is that "Windows 3.1 Bible" published by Peachpit Press, the publishers of the "Mac Bible" series? If so, it's probably a very useful and informative book.

Great to hear from you, Sir Bunsen Honeydew. To answer your question, yes this bible was published by Peachpit Press, and yes it is very detailed, and useful (considering it's for a Windows operating system). Fred Davis is a great author. His approach is almost similar to that of Arthur Naiman & co. in the Macintosh Bible series, which is also very useful, and entertaining to read.

Btw, how many editions of the Macintosh Bible are there? I have edition 3 & 4 at the moment, which are both in fairly good condition (although my copy of the 4 edition does have some significant wear on the front/back cover).

Also, what ever happened to Beaker, Bunsen?

Win 3.1 disks can be founf boxed on ebay all the time for a reasonable amount of money, cheaper then getting something shipped from Canada to the US anyway.

I am sure they are, but attending school at an older institution does have its benefits, which by far outweighs the necessity for eBay.

#25 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 - 03:39

There is a big difference between getting your hands on any lot of old software and needing something in particular. For example thrifts are good for finding old software for little money (boxed Win98 upgrade for $.98 a few weeks back), but not so good for something specific you need and that is where ebay comes in.

#26 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 - 03:49

There is a big difference between getting your hands on any lot of old software and needing something in particular.

As a matter of fact, the reason why I even bothered to check out that closet was to find software disks for my Amiga 2000HD, and my IBM Thinkpad 365x (the only thing I found for my systems was the second edition owner's manual for my 365x). In all honesty, I was not expecting to find the amount of software I did in this haul. Besides, the school admin is starting to "clean up house," if you know what I mean, so it was beneficial to get this software now then waiting to find a use for everything before its thrown out, or returned to the school board.

And who knows. I may be able to get my hands on an old IBM PC, which requires these DOS disks to boot. So I don't see how this haul was a waste. And btw, why the hell do I need to pay some lunatic on eBay 10x the amount that this software is actually worth (not including shipping) if it was under my nose all this time? Think before you type, my friend.

#27 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 - 04:14

Not all of us have convenient access to a treasure trove of classic hardware and software. Schools over here don't keep any old stuff, it goes while it is still worth something. eBay is one of the only places for the rest of us to get these sorts of items. Unless you wanna share the love by procuring for others on this site?

#28 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 - 04:20

Who the hell said the haul was a waste? All I am saying is that it is cool to find a stash of free old software (even duplicates you can trade for other items), but it doesn't much help if you need something in particular. There are many places besides ebay to get software, but ebay can be the only place you can find some things.

I have found software all over the place online and around my house, have been hunting for most of this decade and have a heck of a collection to show for the effort.

#29 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 - 04:40

I have found software all over the place online and around my house, have been hunting for most of this decade and have a heck of a collection to show for the effort.

I'm sure you do. Feel free to post some pics of your collection. Perhaps we share some common ground in that manner.

but it doesn't much help if you need something in particular.

Well, beggars can't be choosers. I took what was available. The things that are compatible with my DOS systems I intend to utilize when I have the time to do so properly, and the things that are in the shrink-wrap, or are for systems that are not included in my collection at this moment I intend to keep, and treasure till death do us part (or if someone offers me a million dollars for it, whichever comes first). Just because it can't be utilized at this exact moment doesn't mean that I should just leave it there just to kick myself in the pants 5, or 10 years down the road when their requirement becomes necessary for a vintage project.

#30 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 - 03:31

Looks like the Macintosh Bible is effectively over since 10.3 days.

It's a bit sad because I definitely feel that modern Apple fans could stand to learn a little about older times. I have a 3rd and a 7th myself, they're good reading.

1st Edition -

2nd Edition -

3rd Edition - 1991 (the delayed System 7.0 about to hit)

4th Edition -

5th Edition -

6th Edition -

7th Edition - 1998 (OS 8)

8th Edition - 2001 (9.2.1 and 10.1)

9th Edition - 2004 (10.3)