I think you can do everything with modern pc's .. Collecting retro stuff is just kind of hobby i think

When it comes to vintage hardware the old saying "it's the journey, not the destination" really rings true for me. Once I restore a system I either give it away to a collector or museum for them to enjoy. I stopped a few years ago because prices went into the realm of absurdity.

Emulation is where I go for the fun. I finally sat down and played Duke Nukem 3D all the way through a few years back via DOSBox. Had an absolute blast. WinUAE instead of buying multiple expensive Amiga systems. Need an Amiga 1200 with 2MB ram for this game? Click.

I only have one system (and quite a bit of spare parts to mod it occasionally). One separate desk with lots of Sidewinder gear in the drawers, one old 4:3 screen and the PC itself.

It's nice to tinker around in that small area and I actively use the machine to play old games. I have a lot of fun, even after many years! If I'm up for XP, I put in some modern parts - if I want to play a 95 classic, I rebuild it again, maybe with some hardware I never used before.

Maybe the fun gets lost somewhere on the way if you build a big room full of computers that are all finished but actually never use them.

Oh. I'm quite happy with what I have, can't complain.
I'm using these old vintage PCs for my other hobbies, too, though.
Listening to MOD music, running space programs (astronomy, orbit prediction), playing chess, ham radio programs, surfing net in Arachne..
And then there's the aestethics. These old vintage PCs, once restored, are nice decoration.
They're an enrichment just being there. Like an old globe, a 1950s TV in a wooden cabinet or a vintage telephone.
Having them around helps me to relax on some days. It's not the most important bit, maybe, but a nice extra. ^^

For me, part of the fun comes from revisiting some of my old favorites using hardware that I didn't have at the time. To use your rig as an example, I never had a Voodoo 1 back in the day, so it's fun for me to play the Glide versions of Tomb Raider and Need for Speed 2 SE. I only experienced those games using software rendering back then, so it feels great to see them with Glide enhanced graphics.

Similarly, I had a SB16 during the 90s, so I only knew FM synth music in DOS games. For that reason, it's fun for me to replay something like Doom using an AWE64 or an SC-55 as I get to hear the enhanced music.

I play old games only when I'm in the mood. I've been playing TombRaider for the second year now, maybe I'll finish the 3rd part by summer. Last year I couldn't tear myself away from the game Siberia, an unforgettable experience. But this is only when I'm in the mood, you don't need to do it as if you have to, out of duty

I had a massive collection of old computers (See "Daves Old Computers") - in prep to downsizing I've placed most of them to good
homes (other collectors)

But I've kept a few ... I still have about 1/2 dozen DOS PCs, a few Model-100s, and several homebuilt embedded systems...

For me the enjoyment comes mainly from reliving simpler days - when systems were simple enough that one
person could know and understand ALL the details of it's operation. I can do something on a DOS system and
know exactly and entirely what is going on within the box.

I also do a fair bit of custom hardware control (you should see my Halloween display!) ... and I like to just do things
directly without having to figure out and fight with a myriad of "special drivers" (which often change monthly) just
to be able to read/write signal/control bits...

Dave ::: https://dunfield.themindfactory.com ::: "Daves Old Computers"->Personal

I have the exact same "problem". I started buying back the pc's/parts i had in the days i had the most fun with my pc's (clan gaming, casemodding and most of all lanparty days). Then it got out of hand and i am buying things left,right and center that i know are somewhat valueable and the seller either doesn't know the value or just wants to get rid of it. I also started collecting parts from the days i started using computers (K6 era).

So now i have a boatload of retro stuff that i basically do nothing with. Or at most build the PC and then it just sits there. Instead i am more inclined to play retro games on my modern rig because it's extremely quiet and i don't need to resort to a second desk with old and (to be expected) loud hardware. I expected playing old games on a modern setup would be a crapshoot but to my surprise it was fairly easy in my case. Mostly because i'm talking games from the XP days.

This all started with nostalgia and wanting to go back to the days when things were fun (in my mind at least). I have yet to experience even half the amount of fun in a game like i did back in the early to mid 2000's and frankly i probably never will. But thats just the way things go.

I still enjoy playing old games. I recently got around to beating several Apogee software games such as Biomenace and Halloween Harry, that I only had shareware versions when younger. This was rewarding for my inner child, fulfilling dreams I had as a kid to buy and play the full versions of shareware games I played to death... but as others said, I have to be in the mood for it, and that's not every day.

Doing the building and configuring is rewarding for me and part of the fun over just playing what I want on an emulator on a modern PC. Nostalgia is also a motivator for me - restoring an old 386 that was in the family for 30+ years and hadn't been used for decades was very rewarding.

Even if you have your dream old PC fully built and configured the way you like from a hardware perspective, you can always spend time making the software end of things exactly to your liking. Are there games you wanted to play but never did, or games that ran poorly on your PC back in the day and you want to test them out with your retro machine? I spend a lot of time "testing" games over playing them and I'm probably not the only one 😁

Even if you have the hardware and software all figured out, are you abreast of the latest hardware developments in the modern day for old PCs? Stuff like midi daughterboards for old sounds cards, recreations of classic expensive sound cards, the raspberry pi pico isa cards, probably lots more I'm not even thinking about.

If you have a removable storage solution like an ide2cf adapter, you can easily build different OS and software setups for your machine. Not sure whether you want to use win98 or win2000? Why not spend 10 bucks on another cf card and try them both out, moving between whichever one you want when the mood strikes you.

I cycle between generations a lot, sometimes socket 7 floats my GOAT, other times it's 486, Turbo XT, 386, Socket A, 286... all over the place.

Sometimes I step away from computer altogether and read books or play with telescopes, or contemplate building a boat

But aren't XTs really where it's at, the refined form of the original PC, king of the 80s, 640k ought to be enough for anyone 🤣

It's a common problem. It's why many of us has multiple systems.

Get into the hobby because you want to play old games.
Find out you enjoy building process more than the actual gaming!?

Personally, I have over 10 permanent retro PC's although at least 1 has something wrong with it at any giving time.
Plus, enough hardware to make another 10 PC's.

This gives me the flexibility to play with hardware when I'm in that mood or play a game if I'm in that mood. Complete with backup as more then once I've gone to play a certain game on a certain PC just to find it doesn't want to work.

The thrill of the hunt, which could mean stuff like - trying to find hardware or software in person or online for a good deal, I think is another key motivator for many hobbies that have a collecting aspect to them. I dabbled on forums related to video game collecting for a time and it really seemed most people enjoyed driving out to yard sales and thrift stores and seeing what popped up more so than actually sitting down and playing the games.

Similarly the feeling that your saving something from it's certain destruction - like getting your friends hardware that he is otherwise taking to the dump or electronics recycler, or finding something interesting on the side of the road... Fixing whatever it is up into an impressive like new condition when it was otherwise about to disappear forever can be rewarding.

Having or making something that is a tribute to your past, like a build of a machine that's very close to something you used to have, or a good example of an era of history you like can be very satisfying too. I bought a gateway 2000 machine that happened to come with an OEM keyboard, monitor, mousepad, manuals and advertisements, etc and it's one of my favorites machines not only to use and play games, but also to just look at and be like wow that's a chunk of history right there considering how ubiquitous this brand and it's PCs were 30 years ago, and how they can now be hard to find and expensive, especially to have all the accessories. I don't know if that's fun per se, but it does give me some satisfaction.

How to have fun:
What a deep philosophical question 😉 . I would like to suggest 3 general things:

Firstly – in any hobby it is generally possible to buy almost anything for any amount of money. Model trains – how about this starter pack for 10$? Or this original steam engine driven unique for 10.000$. This kind of fun usually wears of pretty quickly (or if you already regret your purchase once it arrives it may be rather a sign of compulsive buying). One solution here may be to learn to “fix” or later even build your own things. Deliberately buy broken things and see if you can get them working again. If successful it can be a rewarding experience (but can also be difficult and at times feel like work).

Secondly, I am convinced that DOS era and older PC games really are something special and there really are a lot of gems that are worth exploring even today – without any nostalgia. However, this too needs effort. I recently read that TV programs are adjusting to parallel phone use. If that’s the effort you want to put into your hobby / entertainment, then I can’t see this working. Otherwise (as already suggested) – why not explore games from an era slightly before your current interest.

Instead of the Sims – try “SimCity2000” (also a Sim, or if you want more action – X-Wing)
Instead of Duke – Try “Fate of Atlantis” (also snarky dialog and action – if preferred)
Instead of Quake - Try “Eye of the Beholder” (Also in 3D !)

The experience may include a steep learning curve and can be anything from difficult, frustrating, to amazing. Altogether though, especially if you if you stick to the end and beat these games - this too can be fun. (I am currently educating myself on classic arcade games - well before my time - Im at level 54 in Galaga, Level 14 in DigDug and already beat Outrun – and yes – I am having fun) In general this second suggestion does not really require any real hardware. Emulation / GOG etc. is usually a much easier approach.

Finally – there is the “Original Game on Original Hardware”. Imagine you are taking a trip by plane. In 99% of the cases, you will enter the plane via a boarding bridge where you may not even see the plane. Sit down in a seat just like in a bus with an overall similar experience. Compare that with an open 2-seat plane where the pilot is starting the propellor by hand (i.e. an XT PC). Now think of the noise (mid 90s CPU fan), the smell (blown capacitor) and the time such an old plane needs to get from A to B (loading your software form tape). Why would that be fun?

dukeofurl wrote on 2025-01-19, 23:19:

I still enjoy playing old games. I recently got around to beating several Apogee software games such as Biomenace and Halloween Harry, that I only had shareware versions when younger. This was rewarding for my inner child, fulfilling dreams I had as a kid to buy and play the full versions of shareware games I played to death... but as others said, I have to be in the mood for it, and that's not every day.

Oh, that's a good keyword! Shareware! 😃
I loved getting shareware CDs (aka shovelware CDs) in 90s/early 2000s!
They had games with them, but also images (stereograms, nature, space, etc.), sound effects, music (MOD) and much more.
From what I've heard, there are also collectors of shareware magazines, floppy disks, etc.
The cover art of the shareware is particularly important.
Collecting shareware is sort of a sub hobby, perhaps.

How game demos were distributed in the early 90's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGTcNn_6MUw

Some LGR videos, too:

Software Evolution - Early 1990s Shareware Disks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opYotBhLw60

Playing Four Shareware Games from Software Evolution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pd18OBG8p8

Absurd Shareware Art from the Troubled Wiz Technology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ3znwa9AL8

Exploring the Attitude Games Pack for DOS PCs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVimQcvOo7o

PS: I have a few shareware magazines somewhere, too, I think.
Also, Macintosh and Amiga/Atari had shareware compilations, as well.
They just weren't as mainstreams as DOS/Win31 shareware, though, perhaps.

BitWrangler wrote on 2025-01-19, 23:20:

But aren't XTs really where it's at, the refined form of the original PC, king of the 80s, 640k ought to be enough for anyone 🤣

I didn't think it would be but, strangely, my Pocket 8086 is one of my favourite retro PCs. I replaced the NEC V30 it came with to an 8088 CPU. Then I went down a rabbit hole of buying books on the original IBM PC and XT. I also got books on MS DOS and Assembly language programming for the PC.

Those books go into the detail of how the machine works. The boot process, the BIOS, disk layout, memory layout, how graphics modes work, DOS software interrupts etc. It's all fascinating and easily possible to understand the whole machine.

I know that the Pocket 8088 isn't the same as an original IBM. But hooking it up to my CRT with desktop keyboard and mouse, really does give me the impression that I am using an original XT. You can almost see it "think", because it is so slow.

For me, it's all fun. I'm definitely hooked on the journey, but I also truly enjoy using the old hardware once it's going. I love the build, getting it all up and working, repairing when necessary. I enjoy problem solving, and with older tech, that's a must.

The thing is, it's not limited to old hardware. I play a lot old and retro games on my modern hardware as well. There are very few "modern" games I play by comparison.

Honestly, at my age (50's), I've lost most of my interest in modern hardware and technology. My happy places are in DOS and Windows 9x for the 1990's. Anything powered by an MOS 6502 or Zilog Z80 for the 1980's. Sitting at my desk or workbench working on, or playing, something 20+ years old or more.

RetroPCCupboard wrote on 2025-01-20, 05:24:

I didn't think it would be but, strangely, my Pocket 8086 is one of my favourite retro PCs. I replaced the NEC V30 it came with […]
Show full quote

BitWrangler wrote on 2025-01-19, 23:20:

But aren't XTs really where it's at, the refined form of the original PC, king of the 80s, 640k ought to be enough for anyone 🤣

I didn't think it would be but, strangely, my Pocket 8086 is one of my favourite retro PCs. I replaced the NEC V30 it came with to an 8088 CPU. Then I went down a rabbit hole of buying books on the original IBM PC and XT. I also got books on MS DOS and Assembly language programming for the PC.

Those books go into the detail of how the machine works. The boot process, the BIOS, disk layout, memory layout, how graphics modes work, DOS software interrupts etc. It's all fascinating and easily possible to understand the whole machine.

I know that the Pocket 8088 isn't the same as an original IBM. But hooking it up to my CRT with desktop keyboard and mouse, really does give me the impression that I am using an original XT. You can almost see it "think", because it is so slow.

Ugh, CGA, ugh! I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with it. 🙂
Composite CGA with NTSC artifact colours is interesting, I think, but also hi-res monochrome mode.
Playing with palettes, too. If only there was a 640x200 4c mode, at least. Sigh.
Anyway, it's always fun to try to create good graphics for CGA.
Drawing is fun and the time just flies when you try cleaning up the pixels.
Last year I've built a little Pokèdex for DOS, using CGA modes.
My old PC/XT with Hercules and CGA is good for testing.

Jo22 wrote on 2025-01-20, 06:45:

Ugh, CGA, ugh! I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with it. 🙂 Composite CGA with NTSC artifact colours is interesting, I th […]
Show full quote

Ugh, CGA, ugh! I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with it. 🙂
Composite CGA with NTSC artifact colours is interesting, I think, but also hi-res monochrome mode.
Playing with palettes, too. If only there was a 640x200 4c mode, at least. Sigh.
Anyway, it's always fun to try to create good graphics for CGA.
Drawing is fun and the time just flies when you try cleaning up the pixels.
Last year I've built a little Pokèdex for DOS, using CGA modes.
My old PC/XT with Hercules and CGA is good for testing.

Lol. Yes, CGA modes are ugly for sure. I love the simplicity of programming for it. But I really wish there was the ability to do a custom graphics pallet. 4 colours, whilst very limiting, could look nicer with colours that you can customise. Even black, white and two shades of grey could be useful.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not sure what do yet or how it will unfold.

I have finished the first episode of Doom and it started of slow (the fun) but at some point I really go into it and now I'm already looking forward to episode 2.
Playing it on a CRT monitor with Midi sound is a really cool experience.

One of the things that hinders me from having fun is the lack of concentration or the so called tiktok brain.
I start a retro game which I have been looking forward to for years but i get bored so quickly (within a minute), it's not healthy.

But I've noticed that when i push through, for like example doom 1, I'm starting to have fun, I just need to remember this.