Retro Tiny computer

Malcolm17 · 5 May 2019 at 21:31

I'm trying to resurrect a Tiny desktop computer to use it's video capability, unfortunately the soundcard contacts have come adrift. Can anyone tell me the correct pins to reattach the leads to or have a manual for ann early
Tiny computer.

an0nym0us · 25 May 2019 at 07:57

Sorry, no idea about the sound card.

Are you referring to this Tiny Computers, the one that went into administration in 2002?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiny_Computers
That PC may not have decent playback of HD videos. Have you tested the playback first before bothering with getting the sound working?

Quartz · 25 May 2019 at 11:00

Malcolm17 said:
Can anyone tell me the correct pins to reattach the leads to or have a manual for ann early Tiny computer.

Tiny were box-shifters. Look on the motherboard for the manufacturer and model. You may be better off plugging in a Soundblaster audio card.

Donnie Fisher · 26 May 2019 at 13:23

Should it not just have a 3pin header on the board labelled audio you can plug the lead into ?

almoststew1990 · 29 May 2019 at 13:33

@Malcolm17 I might well have the manual for this (if they came with a manual at all) as I picked up a new in box PC not that long ago for a retro project. I also have the boot and drier disks etc for it. I can have a look when I get home.

Darujhistan · 31 May 2019 at 17:27

I've got some Tiny PC speakers from 1997 and they're still going strong.

deshepherd · 4 Jun 2019 at 20:01

Tiny computers ... my first ever "build" - came as a base unit with a 386sx mboard with 1MB RAM and a basic graphics card (won't use the term "accelerator"!) but you had to buy and fit your own HDD (bought a 40MB drive - which smallest available - which I thought was insanely big and would never fill ... I only had 20MB at work!) and install OS - DRDOS6. Start of years of upgrades - my wife still occasionally asks why we can't "buy a ready built PC like everyone else" though went I point out £10-30k 8pack systems it seems this wasn't what she meant!

Darujhistan · 6 Jun 2019 at 16:43

deshepherd said:
Tiny computers ... my first ever "build" - came as a base unit with a 386sx mboard with 1MB RAM and a basic graphics card (won't use the term "accelerator"!) but you had to buy and fit your own HDD (bought a 40MB drive - which smallest available - which I thought was insanely big and would never fill ... I only had 20MB at work!) and install OS - DRDOS6. Start of years of upgrades - my wife still occasionally asks why we can't "buy a ready built PC like everyone else" though went I point out £10-30k 8pack systems it seems this wasn't what she meant!

My pre-bought Tiny lasted me years I had no idea about PC's at all when I bought it. It finally died when I choked it to death with dust, when I took the side panel off compacted dust literally fell out, I couldn't see the components for dust. It never occured to me to clean it out, that event set me off down the road of building my own systems. So, i've a lot to thank that old Tiny PC for.