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Good morning guys, welcome to the ValorosoIT channel. Here we talk about vintage computers and electronics. If you are interested in these topics, I invite you immediately, with confidence, to like the video and then subscribe to the channel and activate the notification bell.
Today I would like to test some laptops that have been given to me over the years. I bought some and you have already seen others on the videos. But today, one at a time, we try to turn it on, see if it starts and see what operating system it loads.
A clarification: if you have any doubts that your laptop's power supply may have problems, you should check the voltage. It's a pretty quick thing to do with the tester. I don't show it here in the video, as I have made other videos in which I show how to test the power supply voltages. It's an extra precaution. It is true that, on the motherboard of the laptop, there are actual voltage regulators that power the processor, the RAM and all the other internal peripherals. However, it is still a test, that of testing the power supply, which is useful if the computer has not been turned on for a while and if you have doubts that the power supply may not be working.
Today we therefore see some portable computers from the late 80s, 90s and even early 2000s. We will not see transportable computers such as the IBM 5155 or even the Commodore SX-64, which have already been the subject of some videos and could also be the subject of future videos.
Let's start straight away with an Epson Q150A, a computer from the late '80s with an Intel 8088 processor that was given to me by Flavio Agostinini. The computer was not equipped with a power supply, but I was sent this power cable, and the original power supply must have been 15 V. From my super Chinese power supply with adjustable voltages I can select a connector that is equivalent, hoping that it will really work. Positive pin is the central one. Obviously, before connecting it, adjust the voltage to 15 V.
And then, with all the necessary attention, let's connect. Ok, you can't see it, but here there is a light that has come on. Let's see if it goes.
I obviously kept quiet during the startup, so you could admire the ASMR of the computer startup. So, you can't see it well from the camera, but I actually read the monitor very well: white writing on a light blue background, very nice, 600 KB of RAM, error 161. Evidently it doesn't hold the configuration because the internal battery is flat. Let's press F1 and see if it starts.
Nice splash screen, even hard drive sound.
Ok, computer has started. Let's go straight to the next one.
Other laptop, show: Toshiba T3100E. This is also a late 80's computer. It features an Intel 286 processor and was given to me by Marco Bergomi of MOS Commando. This is powered directly by 230 V and must be connected to the rear.
Let's try to turn it on.
Here too he gets angry about the configuration. Now, I know that you see very badly, but in reality I see the monitor very well. We see. F1...
No, this one needs to be configured, because the hard disk has it.
So let's go to F2...
Ok.
Here the hard disk sees it now.
Control + Alt + Canc ...
Oh, by chance eh, he left! I put my blog signature above because I have already modified the AUTOEXEC.BAT file with a little program I created in Turbo Basic, compiled for MS-DOS. Entertainment, nice computer!
Let's go straight to the next one.
Facciamo un salto nel tempo fino a inizio anni 2000: questo è un Dell Latitude C840 con Intel Pentium 4. Fa parte di una donazione che mi sono "comprato" da Amleto. Se vi suona strano una donazione comprata... beh, andatevi a vedere il mio ultimo video che ho pubblicato, così avrete tutte le risposte.
In addition to the computer, there is also its power supply inside. Let's see if it goes.
Ok.
Oh, everyone's pissed off at these computers, eh! From the older ones to the newer ones they all have problems with the setup. All batteries empty. Alright, let's try F1 right away to see if it continues, otherwise we'll press F2 later to configure it.
Ah no, Windows 2000 is starting. Hmm...
I don't like these vertical lines that are visible. Eh, unfortunately I don't know the password here, so nothing... for the moment that's how it is.
So, these vertical lines... will have to be understood, will have to be understood. You see, don't you? Which are not seen here, and then appear later. So, rather than the monitor, perhaps it could be either the video card or just a driver. Alright, that's it for now. I have another one just like it anyway. Now let's try to turn that on. Second DELL computer from the donation I bought for myself. Ok, let's try to turn it on.
All strange noises. He's pissed off too. Ah, I think there's something wrong. Except that here it says that there is no boot device, and therefore... Ah, because there is a broken hard disk.
Let's try to get into the setup for a moment.
So, here the monitor seems to work, compared to the other computer which instead had those lines that we don't know what they are. 256 MB of RAM, Intel Pentium 4 at 2.4 GHz, even an Nvidia GeForce4Go, 30 GB hard disk... which however doesn't work.
Let's see if there are other setup pages that we can do something with. Alt + P to change pages.
No, this is just the boot order.
So, inside the setup, I honestly don't see... I don't see any settings for the hard disk. Maybe the controller could have been disabled, but in reality, if you already see it on the home screen... The fan has started. The hard drive is probably broken.
Nothing, let's just see... No, nothing, not even with F1. So here the hard disk is dead. Maybe between the two computers, this one and that one, we can make one. Maybe simply change the hard disk, with a commercial one that is easily found around, even a small, ancient, old one... you could start this computer.
Come on, let's try the next one.
Let's go back a few years, so to the end of the 90s. Here we jump in time, forward, backward, forward and backward, in no pre-established order, with this Compaq LTE 5400 computer with Intel Pentium 1 processor. Nino Ardagna gave it to me. There is the Floppy Disk Drive, but it could be replaced, if desired, with a DVD or CD player. It is a CD player, so the internal drive is replaceable with a CD player.
The power supply was not included, but below it says that it must be powered at 18 V with central positive.
I'd say try turning it on.
Mh...
The noise from the hard drive isn't... it's not very heartening.
150 MHz.
So he doesn't leave.
Let's see if we can enter the configuration. Where is the Delete key? Where is the Del? Here. No. I need to find the Delete key. Where is it? Here...
Okay. F1. F2. È... F10 it Setup. F10...
Hm, nice...
But ah, you have to use this little pin... So, let's see: 32 MB of RAM, Pentium at 150 MHz, it says the ROM is from 1997, 2 GB hard disk. Well, in short, I would say that he sees all things, so why shouldn't he leave?
Of course, the mice that were once invented were really... really "very comfortable".
Alright, get out. What should I tell you? Save, though, so at least you remember the configuration. Then, at least, we try to restore the factory settings, if it doesn't work now.
Ok...
Yes!!!
The hard disk light here is also nice, which is LCD.
Well come on, the computer has started. After some initial uncertainty, he left.
Let's turn it off and move on to the next one.
This is also very cute, very small.
We always remain on the Compaq brand, with a Compaq Contura Aero 4/25, therefore from the mid-90s. Let's go back a few more years. It is a 486 at 25 MHz. External floppy drive and its original power supply.
This computer was given to me by Corrado Costantino. Unfortunately his monitor is ruined, so what we can do is turn it on, but I don't think we could see anything on it.
Hmmm... I'd say we have more than one problem here.
Ok, so the hard disk is definitely not working, because that noise isn't the best. Surely the monitor isn't working, because... we see it.
It's a shame, because this computer here is very nice. Oh well, peace... we can't do more than that, because either you find a replacement monitor and then at that point you start to see what the errors are, change the hard disk, etc.... but then it's complicated to even be able to get your hands on it. Alright, come on, let's move on to the next one.
So, this is a Digital TS30G that was given to me with its power supply. I think I bought it, but it was part of a batch, because I wouldn't have bought a computer, let's say, with obvious aesthetic defects, unless I needed spare parts for another computer. So, evidently, it was within a lot.
Now, honestly, I don't know the big features. I see Intel Pentium, but if we can turn it on maybe we'll find out something more. The power supply is also not in the best possible state. We see...
Mh... but it turns on.
Where does it attach? Where does it attach? Here it is. Here's where it sticks. Yes, on the contrary too...
Mh. And there's not even a spy that says you're alive? Alright, let's try, eh.
Ah, here they are. Yes, there were lights here, LCD. He's angry too. Always question of the internal battery, because it gives CMOS error. 32 MB RAM, Pentium MMX at 133 MHz. So, it still has to be a mid-90s computer.
Let's try: F2, let's see if we can do something in the setup. Ah, the keyboard doesn't work either. No, F1, F2, nothing.
What do you say? Shall we try attaching an external keyboard to it? But just to try, eh.
Let's also try restarting it with the keyboard: Control + Alt + Del. Nothing, we have to turn it off and on again.
It doesn't even turn off. I mean, he's really angry. That is, it does not turn off or on. I'll turn off the power, eh, don't think.
Let's try again with the external keyboard connected. Let's see what he does.
This is very quiet compared to other computers. F2, let's do it now. Oh, we're in! Let's see if the keyboard works now. Yes, now yes. He was probably angry for other reasons before.
Hard disk drive says it's not there, because... But I heard the noise of the hard disk. How strange...
It just doesn't let me get down to the configuration.
Let's try doing F9 to load the default values. Anyway it says: the hard disk, nothing. But the IDE is activated.
Let's save and try.
Let's see what he does, if maybe he decides to leave. Even if it's difficult, eh.
Ah... So, it's trying to load something, but... then it freezes. Now the hard disk sees it, however: 1.5 GB.
Let's try the startup sequence again, just to see if maybe it warmed up a little and now works a little better...
No, nothing. It gets stuck here. The computer starts, the hard disk has now seen it, but honestly it remains dead here.
Eh, this seems to work anyway, so in this case you should simply install an operating system, apparently like this. Alright.
Next laptop: Siemens PCD-5ND, a mid-90s laptop, was given to me by Francesco Molinetti.
So, it should be a 75 MHz Pentium, a 500 MB hard drive, and 8 MB of RAM.
Regarding the power supply, through my super Chinese power supply I will power it at 22.8 V. And oh well, obviously I assume that the positive is the central one.
Let's see where the power supply is, first of all. Here, among other things, there is also a small crack.
We see...
Yes, the LED has turned on. Let's see if it goes. Shall we turn it on?
Here you can see a band of burnt pixels...
I don't see any writing. No, actually the writing is there. They can be seen against the light.
How do you adjust the contrast here? Here, perhaps with the keyboard? Here it is!
I'd say it looks good that way. Yes, confirm: mid 90s, 1995, Pentium at 75. Ah! Hmm, there must have been an increase in memory, because previously we said 8 MB, but in reality here you see 16.
Always pissed off about the usual problem, that the battery doesn't hold the configuration. So let's try F1 right away, come on.
I mean, don't make me go into configuration... Let's try to see if it starts.
No, direct F1. Go.
Oh well, nothing.
Yes, it's going! Windows 95!
Too bad about these pixels...
Okay. Nothing, since we don't know the password, we stop here.
Mh, so, it's a little difficult, eh, this pointer here. It's not exactly immediate, because sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Maybe it just needs cleaning, because it has all the directions.
And nothing, since we don't have the password, we can't enter. We should format it.
IBM ThinkPad 390E model 2626. This is a computer from the late 1990s. It should be equipped with an Intel Celeron processor and is also equipped with an original IBM power supply. Giosuè D'Amico gave it to me.
Let's see... Oh, can you believe I can't find the power button? Here. Maybe here to the side... No, I was joking. Ah, here it is.
So, it started, but it started in configuration mode.
Ah no, these are configurations... Come on! Ah, it says it's a Pentium 2, so not a Celeron, a 300 MHz Intel Pentium II.
Let's see if it goes.
I mean, if he spins the fans like that just to turn on...
Oh well, come on, we know it by now: the battery, everything... we've seen all the other computers the same. It's nothing new. This is nothing new, come on! F1... No, what an F1! ESC, let's go! Pretend, pretend. Go!
Windows 98.
The monitor looks very good.
Are you angry? No. So as long as it runs, we'll let it run, eh, as long as you don't get stuck.
Miiii….. What happened? Isn't there something to turn off this sound?
No, okay...
I have to... I have to turn off the sound.
Please make me turn off the sound, I'm going deaf!
Please! Yes, volume! Turn that damn volume down!
Ah, what happened to him? I mean, crazy!
But did he make the joke? Did you play the joke, Joshua? By force! It's not possible! I have gone deaf! Still whistling! How is this possible?
In my opinion it has sound card problems... Ah, but there's something here, eh? You see there is something to adjust the volume. You never know it amplified a microphone and there was the effect of the microphone hearing the speakers. Larsen effect.
Let's continue with another laptop. Giosuè D'Amico always gave it to me: Dell Latitude C600/C500.
It's hard to understand why it says everything and more here: it says PP01L, then underneath Latitude C600/C500... What is it? A single model that has a double name or are they two different models?
However, now let's see if we can turn it on and then maybe the computer itself will give us the answer.
Qua è il lettore DVD o CD, che sia... " compact disc" c'è scritto, quindi in teoria lettore CD, e qua sotto si può adattare anche il lettore dei floppy disk al posto del CD.
The computer is supplied with an original Dell power supply. Let's try it, come on.
So, it says Windows XP and Intel Celeron. Let's see if it's true...
C500.
This also gets angry about the setup. What news!
Ah, if you like the video, like it, eh! If you haven't already done so, subscribe to the channel and activate the notification bell!
Ok, but... eh... got stuck?
I mean, I would also start the setup program, but generally these things happen... that is, even without a power supply. So this here is the only computer that has a working battery and therefore doesn't want to turn off.
Oh! Yes! It turned off with the off button.
F2! F2!
I mean, speed isn't your thing? What do you need to prepare to enter the setup? Just come in, right? I don't know... it's strange to me, but oh well.
Eh, but what will this CD player be? You say you don't feel it? Maybe this... or some other device you can't hear?
Ugh. Let's try to get this CD player out. We put the floppy disk inside...
As long as that's the problem. Eh...
Here is another... station. Ah, this is the battery.
Well, let's try again.
Ah, good! Let's take a look at the setup.
So, 192 MB memory, but it will be a 256 module, which is also partly used by the video memory. The computer, in fact, is equipped with a 900 MHz Intel Celeron. The 10GB hard disk, so you can see it.
Then, as we saw before on the DELL, you have to press Alt+P to change the page.
And it's not like you have much to see, in fact, but maybe we'll give it a good memory boost. Let's see... No, got it, but did you save or not?
Let's see... Windows XP.
Beh, il computer parte, dai! Poi Windows XP lo conosciamo tutti. Almeno io l'ho utilizzato anche per lavoro fino a un anno fa, e poi lo utilizzo molto spesso anche per i fatti miei. Diciamo, non è un sistema operativo che io al momento considero vintage. Però, in effetti, ha già più di 20 anni, quindi potrebbe tranquillamente essere considerato vintage se utilizziamo la definizione dei 20 anni per dire "vintage".
So, the computer starts, so it works perfectly. We can turn it off. And who cares about installed programs! What did he install new? The Office?
Oh, I can turn it off now. It's too complicated... Turn off. In short, with the touchpad, this is practically a modern laptop. You can work on it easily...
As long as you want to turn it off.
Alright, come on, let's move on to the next computer.
Another laptop: IBM ThinkPad R40E, it is a computer from 2004. I purchased this myself, then later I also purchased the various accessories: power supply, carrying bag.
I recently purchased it... you also saw the short video with the various unboxings.
I'll show you this clearly, with all the accessories I had purchased, therefore: computer, power supply. I had already removed the battery too, in short, to avoid problems.
So, these IBM power supplies don't even have a light to say: I'm on, I'm off.
Let's try.
It's probably always due to the CMOS battery inside... flat.
Oh, indeed. But if you already use the configuration yourself, maybe we don't ask me.
F10. Save and get out, anyway... yes, yes, don't worry, leave, leave.
Yes, but there is no need to do the same things every time if we have already understood that you don't have the configuration right.
So, I have the idea that, as long as I don't change the CMOS battery - I don't mean the battery of the computer, I mean that of the device where the configuration resides - this one will always be here waiting for minutes and minutes...
This IBM R40E.
But... date and time?! But who cares? Do you really have to put the date and time?
Let's put the date and time...
Mhh no, but we didn't understand each other. I want you to be a startup. Go, from the hard drive. Go, go, go!
Ancora Windows XP.
True, it came from Spain. I forgot to mention that I bought it from Spain, but in fact it has an international keyboard with all the characters, including Italian, German, Spanish, everything.
The touchpad is missing, but it has this usual pin... I don't know what it's called... this disgusting mouse which in theory, on this computer, shouldn't be there, because if there's Windows XP it means we're at the beginning of the 2000s. So in short, they could have even put a touchpad, right? What do you say?
Okay, let's turn it off, we saw that it entered anyway.
There you have it, another computer. So, here we just have some Macintosh disks... Macintosh disks.
Mhh... So, I know that this video may be a little long and boring, sorry. There were many computers to try. But I know that you watch my videos when you're in the bathroom, so come on, at least it helps you!
Here it is: Apple Macintosh PowerBook 170, a computer from 1991.
Unfortunately there is no power supply, so we will have to do something with my big Chinese power supply.
I see the power supply needs to be 7.5V, so let's find a connector that fits. 7.5 V. Let's see...
Eh... exploding... it's not exploding, but I don't see it. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...
I don't see any LEDs. Possible?
How do these Apple computers turn on?
Yes, something is happening.
He doesn't seem very happy to me, from the images he shows. Ah, but now something happens...
You can hear the hard disk spinning.
I think he's trying to leave, but he can't.
But honestly, I don't know much about these computers. In my opinion it's stuck anyway, because it's not doing anything.
Just out of curiosity I would like to try to insert this diskette into him, but I fear, I repeat, that it is the hard disk that is blocked, because from the noise it doesn't seem to be a question of the diskette, however...
Nothing, let's try turning it off and on again.
Done too quickly.
So, the computer is alive, because you can see the mouse moving, but in my opinion the hard disk is blocking it.
Last attempt before giving up.
Let's try all the keys, just in case.
Nothing, so it doesn't even start with the diskette inside, which at this point however...
Eh eh, how do I get it out if the computer doesn't work?
Because I remember that Apple has that mechanical way of taking out diskettes. They don't have the button. Or you have to put something in here... Oh well, in any case I don't know much about these things. Let's try to see if we can. Oh...
But really one... Ok, everyone, come on, has their own tastes. We get it: everyone has their own tastes.
Well, unfortunately we couldn't get it started.
Other Apple: Macintosh PowerBook 100. This one is unfortunately a little more refined. In fact, we can see that even the monitor has its own problems.
I see that the power supply voltage is the same, so you can easily connect the power supply, but I fear that this too, unfortunately...
It doesn't work. Which, among other things, I can't understand... where do you have the buttons? I mean, you don't understand anything! Where do you have the buttons to turn it on?
Inside there is a lever here. Let's see what's needed... Let's disconnect...
Let's see what he does. Nothing. But where are the buttons? I mean, where does it turn on?
Does it do anything? It does not matter? Well, except with the monitor like this...
I would say that all Apple hard drives have problems.
And then, on this, you can see absolutely nothing.
Sin.
I would have liked to try an Apple system too.
Finally, if we don't get scabies from touching all these things... a laptop that's rotted.
I say "unfortunately" because this was my laptop, which I used at the beginning of my working career to go around, go on business trips... Veridata Xtra Pro 486S/33.
And nothing, I just tried to turn it on, but the power supply doesn't work. But the LEDs wouldn't even light up.
Unfortunately, the connector is a connector that knows how many power supplies go into it, because here it says 18 V DC, then 16 again for charging... However, in theory, we could perhaps only rely on 18 V. But here... mmm... in short, I would have to cut the wire, power the right pins.
I'd say that's work for another time.
I'll show you, though, even if we don't turn it on.
Anyway, 486 at 33 MHz.
And, nothing. Beautiful... rotten.
As soon as I have the chance I will try to turn it on and let you know.
Well! If you liked this video, I remind you: like, subscribe to the channel, activate the notification bell... and we'll see you in the next video.
Ciao!