BBC Model B Computer "stuff"

Mel_P · 17 Jan 2018 at 12:22

I am clearing out my roof and one item that I have been looking at is my BBC model B computer. Despite coming on once I cannot get it to boot so am not sure it is working. I also have a pile of "floppy" discs (5" and 3") I think - with a pair of disc drives. Again not sure if working. Also a spare "genuine" power supply.

Does anybody know of a club or organisation that has an interest in this kit. As it's non-working I suspect museums aren't interested.

Mel

skaif · 17 Jan 2018 at 12:51

Schools would be, I would take it but I'm miles away. Get in touch with your local secondary and see if the head of comp sci will take it

vanpeebles · 17 Jan 2018 at 12:53

stardot bbc forum! A modern school would have zero interest in it sadly.

MookJong · 17 Jan 2018 at 13:01

skaif said:
Schools would be, I would take it but I'm miles away. Get in touch with your local secondary and see if the head of comp sci will take it

You can only mean from a historic point of view? It's not 1984!

skaif · 17 Jan 2018 at 13:03

I have loads of old stuff here that I give students to get a hands on experience of what it used to be like. I have a Z88 and a T2130CT to show them old school "tablets" and "laptops"

skaif · 17 Jan 2018 at 13:05

Also, if all else fails, donate to these guys www.computinghistory.org.uk
They are awesome and have loads of them already!

Maccapacca · 17 Jan 2018 at 13:10

I'll take it off your hands, my daughter is looking for and using loads of old interesting PC parts for her art and the school have offered to take them for the class to use for may years to come.

valve90210 · 17 Jan 2018 at 13:12

Mel_P said:
I am clearing out my roof and one item that I have been looking at is my BBC model B computer. Despite coming on once I cannot get it to boot so am not sure it is working. I also have a pile of "floppy" discs (5" and 3.5" I think - with a pair of disc drives. Again not sure if working. Also a spare "genuine" power supply.

Does anybody know of a club or organisation that has an interest in this kit. As it's non-working I suspect museums aren't interested.

Mel

There's a museum in kent that has all kinds of old computers and things I'm sure they'd be interested.
I'll see if I can their website, I stumbled across it the other day.

Here you go, it's down in Ramsgate so not too far away.

http://www.themicromuseum.org/

wolfie138 · 17 Jan 2018 at 13:18

used to be a fair bit of interest for these on ebay, working or not.

Hades · 17 Jan 2018 at 14:07

A museum of some kind would be best. But failing that I'd also be interested in it to see if I can get it going. Never owned one before (I was a Commodore VIC20/64 man). But it would be such a shame to allow a piece of history to be thrown away or disposed of.

Edit: as above check eBay first though as you may get some money for it.

jonessa · 17 Jan 2018 at 14:09

vanpeebles said:
stardot bbc forum! A modern school would have zero interest in it sadly.

Not true - i'd take it if you were closer OP.

wolfie138 · 17 Jan 2018 at 14:22

there was one of these in the Science Museum when i was in London the other year. it's odd, cos you go "ah cool, i had one of those!

" then you pause and start realising you must be getting old if something you played w/ and used in school is in a museum... :-/

Housey · 17 Jan 2018 at 15:05

Mine

vanpeebles · 17 Jan 2018 at 15:14

Oooh, an intact ash tray cover too

I have a B+.

Housey · 17 Jan 2018 at 15:15

vanpeebles said:
Oooh, an intact ash tray cover too I have a B+.

Fully boxed too. I collect em!

vanpeebles · 17 Jan 2018 at 15:23

I know, we have talked about

Housey · 17 Jan 2018 at 15:24

Im also 50 so stuff goes in one ear and vanishes before it has time to come out the other one

valve90210 · 17 Jan 2018 at 15:31

Oh I like the old Acorn Electron, my brother and I had one of those as out very first computer!

vanpeebles · 17 Jan 2018 at 16:12

Housey said:
Im also 50 so stuff goes in one ear and vanishes before it has time to come out the other one

Hehehe! The A3010 was my first proper home computer with a desktop and stuff. I loved that machine, brillant!

rodders · 17 Jan 2018 at 16:29

I have a broken BBC B in the loft too.
Booted up the other day and was ok, then wasn't lol
Put back in loft

BBC Model B Computer "stuff"

Tea Drinker