Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

12 posts / 0 new
Last post
jwg1962's picture
Offline
Last seen: 1 week 1 day ago
Joined: Jan 29 2012 - 07:17
Posts: 363
Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)
AttachmentSize
Image icon IMG_1751.JPG280.04 KB
Image icon IMG_1752.JPG261.36 KB
Image icon IMG_1753.JPG263.07 KB
Image icon IMG_1754.JPG281.73 KB
Image icon IMG_1755.JPG247.58 KB
Image icon IMG_1756.JPG258.32 KB
Image icon IMG_1757.JPG290.28 KB
Image icon IMG_1758.JPG270.79 KB
Image icon IMG_1759.JPG260.27 KB
Image icon IMG_1760.JPG289.54 KB
Image icon IMG_1761.JPG402.23 KB
Image icon IMG_1762.JPG224.51 KB
Image icon IMG_1763.JPG248.67 KB
Image icon IMG_1764.JPG396.96 KB
Image icon IMG_1765.JPG334.77 KB
Image icon IMG_1766.JPG151.96 KB
Image icon IMG_1767.JPG201.53 KB
Image icon IMG_1768.JPG221.55 KB
Image icon IMG_1769.JPG204.48 KB
Image icon IMG_1770.JPG220.28 KB
Image icon IMG_1771.JPG191.42 KB
Image icon IMG_1772.JPG304.1 KB
Image icon IMG_1773.JPG193.36 KB
Image icon IMG_1774.JPG237.06 KB
Image icon IMG_1775.JPG162.14 KB
Image icon IMG_1776.JPG216.27 KB

---
Well I have been looking for a Bell and Howell for my collection for a while now, but I couldn't bring myself to spend 400-900 dollars on fleabay to get one. Well I lucked out and somebody gave me one and it works. I posted pictures below. I haven't done too much research on it, but I think it is an older Apple II model because it has the raised power light. It doesn't have the backpack unit or disk ii drives. He had two Franklin drives attached to it with a Franklin disk controller in the machine.

The RAM Card in it was a Legend Industries 64KC card that allowed you to use 16K for the Apple II and then the other 48K could be used as a RAM drive. The manual is available online. Interesting piece.

The other card is a Centronics Printer Interface with the word Centronics scratched out. Not sure why.

Also it looks like the power supply is a replacement as it has the address of a local computer show back in the day. D&A Electronics. I think I actually remember them as being a huge Apple II shop, but when the Apple II died, so did they.

Now to try to find a pair of Disk II drives for a reasonable price and then I will have a set.

I cleaned this one up and ran diagnostics and it works. The power supply switch is backwards, you click it down to turn it on. This also makes me think it is a replacement.

Just wanted to share and any and all comments welcome. I am going to do a little research and familiarize myself with these now that I own one.

Thanks,
Jay

gsmcten's picture
Offline
Last seen: 6 years 3 months ago
Joined: Oct 4 2005 - 18:52
Posts: 2629
Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Holy Cow Jay!

This unit is SWEET!

Fantastic!

Steven Smile

dorkbert's picture
Offline
Last seen: 4 hours 40 min ago
Joined: Apr 12 2009 - 16:33
Posts: 371
Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

pity the power supply isn't original.

Offline
Last seen: 2 years 2 weeks ago
Joined: May 27 2013 - 13:01
Posts: 849
Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Good! Goooooooodd! Welcome to the dark side...

Offline
Last seen: 4 years 1 month ago
Joined: Jan 24 2005 - 16:20
Posts: 356
Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

It's a mixed bag. The case and keyboard go together - congratulations on getting one of the initial B&H developer machines (serial-wise). The motherboard however is a swap (the original probably died). Everything else is aftermarket.

Offline
Last seen: 4 years 1 month ago
Joined: Jan 24 2005 - 16:20
Posts: 356
Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Also, some B&H trivia - you won't find an AV backpack on an early B&H (3K serial #) machine unless someone recently added it. It wasn't an option on the developer machines -- It didn't exist yet.

Offline
Last seen: 4 years 1 month ago
Joined: Jan 24 2005 - 16:20
Posts: 356
Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

dupe post

jwg1962's picture
Offline
Last seen: 1 week 1 day ago
Joined: Jan 29 2012 - 07:17
Posts: 363
Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Sean,

Thanks for the info. After doing some research on the B&H yesterday, I didn't think the MOBO was original either. It didn't look right. Oh well, the price was right. Smile

It came with two Franklin Ace 100 Disk II "knock offs" too. I did see where the Backpacks were added as an option in the later models.

He also gave me a NextStation Turbo with Monitor. However, it used non-ADB keyboard and mouse that I don't have.

Like I said, the price was right and I rescued it from the dumpster. Smile

Jay

Offline
Last seen: 4 years 1 month ago
Joined: Jan 24 2005 - 16:20
Posts: 356
Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Like I said, the price was right and I rescued it from the dumpster. Smile

You done good!

Offline
Last seen: 9 years 9 months ago
Joined: Oct 16 2013 - 17:01
Posts: 2
Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Is there a bunch of info on the Bell & Howell's available? Watching Ebay it seems that at > 4000 on the serial number the keyboards went to the non-raised power light and the newer motherboard. When were the backpacks added? Jay, great machine - I have one (It was my Fathers) that is Serial A2S3-1212 - I believe the motherboard is a REV 3. and it also has the raised power light. I'm not sure what power supply should be in your unit. Silver - Gold - ?? Any pointers on how to search? Thanks in advance..

Rodney

gsmcten's picture
Offline
Last seen: 6 years 3 months ago
Joined: Oct 4 2005 - 18:52
Posts: 2629
Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Rodney,

Start Here:

http://apple2history.org/

Steve has good info there.

You could also do a Google or Wiki Search.

Steven Smile

Offline
Last seen: 4 years 1 month ago
Joined: Jan 24 2005 - 16:20
Posts: 356
Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Is there a bunch of info on the Bell & Howell's available? Watching Ebay it seems that at > 4000 on the serial number the keyboards went to the non-raised power light and the newer motherboard. When were the backpacks added? Jay, great machine - I have one (It was my Fathers) that is Serial A2S3-1212 - I believe the motherboard is a REV 3. and it also has the raised power light. I'm not sure what power supply should be in your unit. Silver - Gold - ?? Any pointers on how to search? Thanks in advance..

I would love to see pics of your B&H.

Log in or register to post comments