got a huge lot of Apple II and IBM stuff, how to test

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got a huge lot of Apple II and IBM stuff, how to test

I know I don't post often, I still lurk, but I haven't had cause to make a post until now. Long story short, I had a windfall of Apple II and IBM stuff. More stuff than I can ever use for myself! (images included)

I got 7 chassis, in various states, from nearly destroyed, to "passable", power supplies, 4x IIe color monitors, and at least 2 big boxes of cards.

My main concern at this stage, is testing. Naturally, people want tested parts. Power supplies and monitors are easy, but when it comes to other boards... not so much.

Case in point, the microsoft z80 cards, Also I have like twenty floppy drive cards, but they are all the 2nd gen types (dsub). How do I test these when I only have the old style drives? Or should I even bother with those?

Anything I should prioritize? For the record, I plan on putting most things on ebay. It seems to be the 'most fair' thing to do. Just start things with a <$10 opening bid and let the market decide is my plan.

albums:
https://imgur.com/a/81wCm
https://imgur.com/a/vdwS2
https://imgur.com/a/zDHVR
https://imgur.com/a/u51AF

Also, there are a few cards I could not really find much info on. (blue & tan cards in image #5, album #1 & image #11) As for the chassis, I'm open to suggestions.

thanks for any pointers!

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Re: got a huge lot of Apple II and IBM stuff, how to test

Your first photo shows a bunch of Apple ][e 128K memory boards, the rest pretty-much not applicable as IBM PC stuff.
Nothing here in great demand. Don't expect a windfall. These are still dime a dozen items. Good luck.

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Re: got a huge lot of Apple II and IBM stuff, how to test

The IBM computers will bring a bit of money.

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Re: got a huge lot of Apple II and IBM stuff, how to test

Testing z80 boards, run some cpm stuff on them, maybe even a memory test. That's reasonable testing for a vintage z80 card.

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As for the chassis. Repair and fix up the ones you think you can. Then sell the unrepairable ones for parts, or strip them down and sell the parts individually.

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Testing a D-sub connector controller card .. get a drive.

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I suggest selling all on ebay for maximum profit. Or trading individually with members.

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Re: got a huge lot of Apple II and IBM stuff, how to test

Well, I've made some progress. I have the apple 2 from my first post. Long story short, the disks I were trying to use were crap, and it wasn't the computer. I now have adt going via serial. I must admit, it was a VERY cathartic experience. I also located a torrent with an Apple II dealer test program. Didn't seem to like being on an IIe. Blum 3 After I post here, I'll try to find a better disk. If there one I should avoid, I would love to know, so I can avoid it.

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Re: got a huge lot of Apple II and IBM stuff, how to test

Apple-Cillin and XPS are two keywords to search on the asimov archive. That and some real-world game playing and application loading.

Platinum //e units have reliable RAM memory, models before that, not so much.

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Re: got a huge lot of Apple II and IBM stuff, how to test

WOW that really is a massive haul - I would start with the Microsoft Softcard IIe Premium and the Lego Card.

I saw that you had a ton of disk controllers, any of them LIRON cards if so those will do great also.

If you happen to find a Apple 3.5 Disk control in there I would be interested it it.

The IBM stuff I would think would do well also lots of guys out there looking to build classic gaming rigs.

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Re: got a huge lot of Apple II and IBM stuff, how to test

I will double check, but I'm 99% sure they are all 5.25" controllers, and all were Apple branded. I did quite a bit of testing last night. The XPS software was really quick and no-nonsense. thanks for that tip! Out of 20+ cards only one had bad memory. I'll still try to sell it on ebay. Properly labeled as such. The only reason I'm even going to try is the card has Apple branded memory chips. Past experience has taught me people tend to pay extra for anything with an apple logo. I will pay more for things labeled IBM.

The XPS program claims it can test disk interface cards. I tested mine, but it didn't bother to engage the floppy drive. It seemed more interested in testing the prom than anything else. Would this be acceptable or should I still locate a 5.25" drive? Also I do own a 800k apple drive. Came with a Macintosh plus. Works fine. Any way I can use that, just to test for functionality of the card? I don't dare plug it in. Not worth borking my drive.

In one of my images, there is a Video 7 card. But it appears to be missing a chip in the top right corner. The silkscreen claims "74" and if my intuition is correct, I believe it refers to a 74HC74 chip. Other pictures I see of the card, I can't make out the part number.

I'm really on the fence selling the super scsi card. One hand, I'm technically supposed to sell it on consignment. On the other, I'm probably never going to get another one. I hate decisions like this!

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Re: got a huge lot of Apple II and IBM stuff, how to test

I found 2x echo ii cards and in testing them, I got a bit sidetracked....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvOB9n_kgeI&t=0s

I'm probably going to keep one now. Blum 3

Also I have a total of five Z80 cards. it was a bitch to find the proper boot disk for each one. thanks to older posts here it only took a few hours!

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Re: got a huge lot of Apple II and IBM stuff, how to test

Anyone have any pointers regarding a "meg 80" 1mb expansion for the IIe (fully populated)? I ran the program I have been using, it passes, but I'm convinced it is only testing the first 64k and isn't aware of the remaining 960k. I realized there is no image of it in the above links. It looks like a normal 64k/80col card but with 32x 256x1 memory chips. (mb81256-15)

I'm going to go out on a limb here and ask; is this card really useful? Are there any games that might make use of it? I'm trying to decide if I should sell it or keep it for myself.

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