Tandy 1000 TL/2

[danrorie03]

I bought a 1989 Tandy 1000 TL/2. I want to get some ideas on how to upgrade it. I have thought about using the case with a new mobo. I am open to suggestions though. Any ideas?
You can view some info on the system @ http://support.tandy.com/support_computer/1220.htm

 

[Kato]

You bought a 286 machine? What do you mean by upgrade?

BTW, welcome to AT.

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: danrorie03
I bought a 1989 Tandy 1000 TL/2. I want to get some ideas on how to upgrade it. I have thought about using the case with a new mobo. I am open to suggestions though. Any ideas? You can view some info on the system @ http://support.tandy.com/support_computer/1220.htm

Seriously...you BOUGHT this PC now? besides the obvious question (What were you thinking?!?), we also have to ask what kind of upgrade you are looking to perform? My recommendation is to throw it in the trash and not even bother upgrading. Buy a pre-built system from Dell or some other company, or find a decent Barebones system online.

There are a few reasons, but basically: You are not going to find a processor to run in this without buying a new board. Any new motherboard will not support than ram you have. (hmm...30 pin SIMMS, or did it have a memory board?) Anyway, the ram is so outdated you are going to have buy new ram. The video card, if not on board, is probably ISA at best, and probably isn't even VGA. (maybe an RGB card?). It's getting more and more difficult to find ISA slots in mobos, so that's out. The power supply and that case are not going to be ATX, so you will need a new case and PSU, too. Lastly, the hard drives, whatever are in there, are probably so small that you couldn't even fit the latest Operating Systems on them without using all of the space (if it even fits at all). Basically, you can probably get away with salvaging the floppy drive if it is a 3.5" drive.

End result: sell it for scrap metal, or try to find someone that knows how to pull the Gold off the connectors (if it was used on that board) and try to make your money back from selling the gold.

I actually feel bad that you spent money on this at all. I'm afraid to ask, but I gotta know: How much did you pay for this?

 

[Kato]

SIMMS? This thing uses individual DRAM CHIPS for upgrade w/max mem of 768k. 8Mhz 80286 cpu.

Power supply is rated @ 67 watts. CGA graphics. If it has a monitor, I'll bet it's monochrome (green, amber, or white).

Floppy is a 3.5" 720K double density, if it's stock.

You really cannot use anything from the machine in an upgrade.

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: Kato
SIMMS? This thing uses individual DRAM CHIPS for upgrade w/max mem of 768k. 8Mhz 80286 cpu.

Power supply is rated @ 67 watts. CGA graphics. If it has a monitor, I'll bet it's monochrome (green, amber, or white).

Floppy is a 3.5" 720K double density, if it's stock.

You really cannot use anything from the machine in an upgrade.

I was too lazy to click on the link for specs before I posted initially, but a little later I checked the link and just started laughing. The memory expansion card goes to 768k. Heh...

Yeah, this was bought as a boat anchor at best.

 

[AbsolutDealage]

I think (at least I hope...) that dan bought this as a joke.

You have to admit, it would be kinda funny to gut the thing and build a P4 3.06 or something in a tandy case

 

[AbsolutDealage]

Just read this off that support site:

To order parts call 1-800-843-7422 or visit your local RadioShack store.

I wanna go in to radio shack and order some replacement parts just to see what the register jockey would tell me

 

[Warin]

Congrats, ATOT Tech Support people. You've been trolled!

At least I hope to god this is a ttroll, because I cant imagine anyone actually paying money for a 15 year old computer!

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: Warin
Congrats, ATOT Tech Support people. You've been trolled! At least I hope to god this is a ttroll, because I cant imagine anyone actually paying money for a 15 year old computer!

Well, his profile shows that he is from Mountain Home, Arkansas. The website in his profile s about how to make money for email, at home, etc. I'll pass on making judgements at this time, though.

 

[danrorie03]

I already have a new HP. I bought this to see what I could do with it, I figured most new cases are a lot more than what I paid for the computer so if nothing else I could use the case. Take a look at this site http://www.mini-itx.com/ it has stuff like this. And the link in my profile is to make money reading email, sign up for it. Not anythig big but maybe $10 once in a while for nothing.

 

[altonb1]

I'm too lazy to click on the link your provided, but I'm glad you didn't spend a lot on the system (although >> I << wouldn't have paid for it at all)

One thing that it MIGHT come in handy for: I have heard that you can take old PCs and use them to decode digital TV/Satellite. basically, you pop in some bootleg card and the Pc will act as a cable descrambler. Of course, that is illegal in my area, but your local laws may differ.