Gammitin (Ben) 💾

Obsessed with Vintage / Retro tech - I collect, repair, upgrade retro Laptops, Desktop Computers, Consoles, unusual tech. Also love Gaming and Cats 😸

https://linktr.ee/gammitin

Public Key

npub1zr42xl24v2r3ynkzd4kjzunqfqau3vdg9hkds3rgtle8fvg7v6xsqj5p7x

NIP-05 Address

Gammitin_at_mastodon.social@mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqspp64r042k9pcjfmpx6mfpwfsysw7gkx5zmmxcg359lun5ky0xdrgprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wdmksetjv5hxxmmdqy2hwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnddaehgu3wwp6kyhy5mhk

Publishing to

relay.noswhere.com

relay.mostr.pub

Author Public Key

npub1zr42xl24v2r3ynkzd4kjzunqfqau3vdg9hkds3rgtle8fvg7v6xsqj5p7x

Show more details

Last Notes

2024-07-19 14:30:01

This was £4, a no brainer for a trackball nerd like me! 🖲️
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/813/630/938/013/358/original/7cb106015030739e.png

2024-07-14 10:30:38

8-Bit Sega Game Gear - Sonic the Hedgehog Games
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/784/378/233/615/061/original/899c64d33921a7da.jpg

2024-07-12 18:52:30

- reply

Triple Supertwist Nematic
A passive-matrix LCD screen that has been enhanced to make it closer in performance to the more expensive active-matrix screens. While most passive-matrix screens turn on just one row of pixels at a time, this screen can activate many rows at once.

2024-07-09 18:20:46

- reply

Booting from NEC PC-9801 - MS-DOS 3.30 install disk:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/757/915/084/951/222/original/cb197aa9dbe59774.mp4

2024-07-09 18:01:52

- reply

Holy Crap, I've only cracked it!
Wooooooooooooohooooooooo 😃😃😃
This may be the first time anyone has used a Gotek on this particular and unusual model laptop. 👍
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/757/840/921/425/079/original/c91fc2b4b2edc75b.jpg

2024-07-09 17:42:19

- reply

I've made a testing cable, I wasn't confident with my previous setup, this one is sturdy and the connections are really snug.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/757/764/067/851/284/original/9c910949aa41aec5.jpg

2024-07-09 17:38:41

There's absolutely no way I'm giving up on the Epson PC-386 Note A laptop, it's too much of a rare gem. It turns out it's one of the VERY few laptops that uses a 1.2mb/640k 3.5" floppy, there's only one model made with the hardware specs and mine is ☠️
It's Gotek or Notek! 😂 💾

2024-07-01 17:59:03

- reply

Mission accomplished! 💪
BeOS 5.0 Professional in all its beautiful glory!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/712/527/454/077/108/original/216b3e02ae37974c.mp4

2024-07-01 17:49:03

- reply

W00t! It boots!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/712/492/081/152/840/original/06198f8d4e3f89b0.jpg

2024-07-01 17:47:05

- reply

The install is progressing well......
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/712/484/414/674/671/original/db4741349fe1bcae.jpg

2024-07-01 17:26:21

- reply

BeOS 5.0 Professional Install on my Pentium II 350->
Oh heck yes, it sees the full size!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/712/402/145/549/216/original/baedc0b28b0a36dc.jpg

2024-07-01 17:19:10

- reply

Well Partition Magic 8.0 sees the full size, that's a good sign, I'm going to format it as Fat32, let's see how I get on!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/712/374/605/597/092/original/f26d592ef26bb69e.jpg

2024-07-01 17:15:00

- reply

I've added a 32GB SD card in the IDE to SD adapter, last time I tried this I was able to install BeOS (but it only saw 8GB), then it would not boot after the installation finished.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/712/358/229/040/678/original/c10d716ce14ca25a.jpg

2024-07-01 17:04:35

PC's that have bios released earlier than Aug 1999, have a 8.4 GB HDD size limit, or less. My Pentium II has this and it's both limiting and causes issues with IDE to SD adapters. I have a solution!
A while ago I made a legacy PCI based XT-IDE card for such computers, test time!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/712/317/297/218/772/original/15824099cd4e75de.jpg

2024-06-28 21:08:11

Doing Windows updates in Windows 98SE makes me feel like I've time travelled back to when I ran a computer shop, back 25 years ago. My happy nostalgia place 😊
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/696/288/117/629/865/original/0f4a289330a07266.jpg

2024-06-28 19:09:22

Which 1999 OS should I try on my Pentium II?
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/695/821/036/354/829/original/d849fb275d6433b4.jpg

2024-06-13 20:38:45

Tonight I'm staying in a hotel room that Queen Elizabeth II stayed in, it wasn't planned - luck of the draw! 😂
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/611/237/723/664/172/original/92874445c68f595d.jpg

2024-05-24 14:32:28

- reply

@npub1mvr…yp47 the left is the area where I live, the right is where I'm at this weekend 😬
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/496/551/314/968/891/original/32a094f732eebd35.jpg

2024-05-24 14:21:05

Last month I expanded my EV adventures, I have no home charger for my Tesla, but did a 1,000 mile road trip down to Cornwall without any issues. This weekend it's an east coast (England) trip where chargers are even more sparse.
⚡🪫Wish me luck 🤞

2024-05-18 20:23:21

Some of the crown jewels of my collection: a selection of laptops from the golden age of portable computing, 1985 to 1990:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/463/957/033/338/947/original/3f3b98f23bf318eb.jpg

2024-05-10 17:33:37

- reply

Some real quality engineering in here, a very clever use of lenses!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/417/991/272/113/410/original/d3f02defaf767e38.jpg

2024-05-10 17:26:34

Mouse Systems Corporation M-1 Mouse (OEM version: Sun Type 4)
This is one of the two first optical mice to be released for sale, back in the early 80's. I'm going to strip it down and deep clean it!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/417/963/557/930/033/original/286b98dcac170d9e.jpg

2024-05-01 16:40:17

Sun SPARCstation LX update:
I have the internet working in Solaris 7 (SunOS 5.7). Obviously I had to load up the oldest website on the internet (it's been live since August 6, 1991), it predates this computer by just over a year. Buzzing! 👍🤓
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/366/820/818/358/363/original/1feebb8bef796f2f.jpg

2024-04-27 00:13:28

My quad NIC is detected in Debian Etch as 10Base-T, unable to get the network working on my 1Gbit network switch. I need to figure out if I can change this in Linux, or do something with hardware to drop the port speed down to match the 10mbit. 🤔
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/340/291/243/103/694/original/afc616be212970a6.jpg

2024-03-02 00:56:37

Windows 95 Plus! Theme - The 60's USA
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/023/371/502/426/930/original/bb06e791c98d659b.jpg

2024-02-20 01:04:41

Want to hear old HDD sounds on your modern near silent computer, check this out:
DiskClick!
Link: https://deervo.itch.io/diskclick
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/961/117/765/160/522/original/d78985107a85c54b.png

2024-02-07 13:32:23

I showed my youngest son how to diagnose, desolder and resolder a new part. We removed the faulty 'right click' micro switch in this Steelseries mouse and fitted a new one.
He is happy that he has a working mouse and also learned a few new skills. 👍
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/890/447/797/805/987/original/fa10ff7274b84b33.jpg

2024-02-06 17:46:23

- reply

It was absolutely not sealed at all: Sussy Baka! 🤣
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/885/784/262/869/016/original/e24aca7daab3ced9.jpg

2024-02-02 13:00:25

Beefy Dualhead OS/2 Warp 4.52 Rig mission complete, which has made my Friday! 😍
I've never seen dual monitors used for OS/2 before and it's flipping amazing, my CRT handles 1600x1200 @ 120Hz too, wow 🤯
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/862/010/555/660/621/original/c973adc7065fe3b8.jpg

2023-10-21 13:27:17

I've put the first couple of shelves up in my new retro room, it seems to hold around 37 Big Box games (they're not organised yet just testing it out). On to the next shelf now, then I have desks to build, peg boards to put up, I better to stop talking and get on with it...... 😃🛠️
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/273/214/509/546/320/original/a8b64134053bbb37.jpg

2023-10-19 11:39:29

#StarTrekLowerDecks is the only #StarTrek that has the right vibe for me since Voyager ended in 2001. It honestly feels like I'm watching a TNG/DS9/VOY show, with more comedy (which I love).
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/261/487/371/657/180/original/af404908cfe1a20b.png

2023-10-02 11:07:08

My 635 page signed #revbook has arrived, charting the adventure game developer: Revolution Software. Broken Sword, Lure of the Temptress, Beneath a Steel Sky. Ohhh this is going to be good!!!!!!!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/165/100/901/893/705/original/fd3541b6dec9dec5.jpg

2023-09-22 14:56:52

Happy Friday folks, I picked up a bunch of IDE CD/DVD drives this week, I shall be testing and refurbishing them. Right stack seem mechanically ok, just need further testing, the ones on the left are not even ejecting. The one on the bottom left was destroyed in transit.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/109/381/200/085/195/original/a6d6152220acdcaf.jpg

2023-09-18 22:30:30

- reply

@npub1q38…0un3 how handy is that! I've just ordered a bunch off AliExpress for dirt cheap, looking forward to having a mess about.

2023-09-17 16:18:13

- reply

FFS!
I'm currently using a 4GB CF, so I'll try one of my smaller ones (512MB):
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/081/384/269/645/921/original/db4f95c4185cd25a.jpg

2023-09-14 14:53:34

- reply

Oh my, there are plenty of goodies here! 👍👍👍
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/064/069/668/581/247/original/33764bf23d546eae.jpg

2023-09-14 14:42:29

- reply

Well it's in good shape, nothing seems damaged or loose inside, so that's a good thing! It's a yellow beast!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/064/026/163/855/796/original/0c8123c9cdbb4c24.jpg

2023-09-13 20:05:40

Having a mess about with the case for my 386DX build, I've decided against the retrobrighting as I really like the 'patina', I don't want it to look brand new!
I'm thinking:
1) CD-ROM
2) 1.2MB 5.25" Floppy
3) Gotek
4) Front mounted Compact Flash
Thoughts? 🤔
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/059/634/687/903/370/original/d1164378903bd78e.jpg

2023-09-12 21:17:37

- reply

@npub12ze…hunm good choice! I think this was the first video game I ever played on my Atari 2600, with the paddles. I was mesmerized! 🕹️🕹️👍👍

2023-09-12 13:12:07

- reply

@npub1zth…jrck unfortunately no 😞
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/052/346/174/137/925/original/0a78d31a510ba6db.png

2023-09-10 08:08:24

- reply

@npub1s8r…j3l8 that's the one: Headland Hotel.

2023-09-09 12:16:49

- reply

@npub1kav…9n8w really great bunch of people! ☺️

2023-09-09 12:09:47

Sometimes I'm overwhelmed with how friendly and nice the retro / vintage computer community is, we have something special here! I want to thank Shmbler an absolute legend. He hooked me up with literally the nicest condition 386 motherboard I've ever seen in my life.
Thank you my friend 🤗
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/035/114/112/108/777/original/a33788828dc13a08.jpg

2023-09-07 10:12:27

- reply

@npub1apz…fqk7 this one will be going in a 'new' 386 build I'm doing soon! Super excited

2023-09-07 09:57:50

Got me another 5.25in Floppy Drive: a Newtronics / Mitsumi - D503V 360K. This one will be a repair job, but for £20 it's worth trying to save, wish me luck!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/023/270/290/095/791/original/99e7be4f34305dbc.jpg

2023-09-03 10:42:44

I have this Hayes modem expansion port on my 386 luggable computer, I'm thinking this might just be something proprietary. But has anyone seen this small 30 pin connector before, wondering what kind of connection it might be? 🤔
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/000/797/807/965/198/original/5a34f6ad29b3e415.jpg

2023-09-01 10:27:26

- reply

Ok, I've gone down a rabbit hole, anyone fancy a military Inkjet printer to go with this? (This one is actually for sale - someone bloody stop me! 😍)
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/989/412/474/698/360/original/e50cfdf0f629568b.png
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/989/412/777/548/371/original/3694d34b06e19934.png
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/989/413/080/277/567/original/92751444c78efecf.png

2023-09-01 10:00:47

#GingerCatAppreciationDay my Cat - Honey, she's getting on in age now, but she's beautiful and the most lovely cat you'll ever meet. If anyone in my house cries, she runs up to comfort them, a true empath. 😻
#CatAppreciationDay
#CatsOfMastodon
#MastoCats
#MastodonCats
#ItsACatsLife
#GingerCats
#Cats
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/989/298/070/348/512/original/c2703b66ce186b0d.png

2023-08-04 17:44:55

- reply

@npub17s3…hp6p commodore knew what they were doing! 👌👌👌