Law212 wrote on 2026-04-29, 19:07:

Are you finding a lot of stuff in Greece? My dad took a bunch of old computers to Greece in the 80s to a school in our village of Visinia so the kids could learn english. When I was there last I didnt think to check the school if they were still there. I wonder if they are.

Yes, but nothing that old. I typically find early 90s to late 2000s stuff, but even that has also started to move forward. I also live in Athens, so I have no clue what happens in other areas.

Found this in the trash today. Not really computer hardware, but you could connect it to a computer with serial cable for some retro navigation software experience (if I had a serial cable). Cool device, works and finds satellites just fine.

CrFr wrote on 2026-05-12, 18:43:

Magellan GPS

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works and finds satellites just fine.

Surprised pikachu face 😮 I would expect with week number rollover (10 bits = ~20 years max) old GPS receivers to no longer function correctly, or even refuse to boot.

It took a long time to acquire the position on first start. I waited for something like 5-10 minutes and still nothing. At that point I thought it was not going to work. I left it outside and went to do something else. After 15-20 minutes when I came back to check, it had found the satellites. Coordinates match with iPhone GPS. I walked around a bit with it, and it displayed speed and track. On next power-on it was a lot faster to start.

I find it impressive, that a device from 1998 still works with modern day satellites.

CrFr wrote on 2026-05-13, 09:06:

I find it impressive, that a device from 1998 still works with modern day satellites.

so it has 1-2 years of life left, or until internal battery dies and it forgets current date, after that its game over

CrFr wrote on 2026-05-12, 18:43:

Found this in the trash today. Not really computer hardware, but you could connect it to a computer with serial cable for some retro navigation software experience (if I had a serial cable). Cool device, works and finds satellites just fine.

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Is it all ASIC or does it have a general purpose CPU like a Z80?

douglar wrote on 2026-05-14, 17:12:

CrFr wrote on 2026-05-12, 18:43:

Found this in the trash today. Not really computer hardware, but you could connect it to a computer with serial cable for some retro navigation software experience (if I had a serial cable). Cool device, works and finds satellites just fine.

Is it all ASIC or does it have a general purpose CPU like a Z80?

I highly doubt it has any general purpose CPU. It runs on four AA batteries and gives estimated runtime of 30 hours on those. It has to be some kind of ASIC for that efficiency. Sure, I was tempted to open the case to see what kind of hardware it has, but the device is weatherproof. After opening it might become less weatherproof 😁

CrFr wrote on 2026-05-14, 17:30:

douglar wrote on 2026-05-14, 17:12:

CrFr wrote on 2026-05-12, 18:43:

Found this in the trash today. Not really computer hardware, but you could connect it to a computer with serial cable for some retro navigation software experience (if I had a serial cable). Cool device, works and finds satellites just fine.

Is it all ASIC or does it have a general purpose CPU like a Z80?

I highly doubt it has any general purpose CPU. It runs on four AA batteries and gives estimated runtime of 30 hours on those. It has to be some kind of ASIC for that efficiency. Sure, I was tempted to open the case to see what kind of hardware it has, but the device is weatherproof. After opening it might become less weatherproof 😁

Because with that D-pad on the thing, maybe you could get it to play Tetris

The E-waste bins at work typically only have crap LCD monitors, peripherals, and broken laser printers. So when some stuff that very much ISN'T that got dumped today, I grabbed as much as I could!

EvieSigma wrote on 2026-05-14, 21:40:

The E-waste bins at work typically only have crap LCD monitors, peripherals, and broken laser printers. So when some stuff that very much ISN'T that got dumped today, I grabbed as much as I could!

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I love that style of ~1994 AT case. Those were by favorite. Looks just like my 486-100 VLB system.

What's inside?

Yeah the case is cool, but scoring not one but two CRTs, now that's epic and always make a haul special! 😁

CrFr wrote on 2026-05-12, 18:43:

Found this in the trash today. Not really computer hardware, but you could connect it to a computer with serial cable for some retro navigation software experience (if I had a serial cable). Cool device, works and finds satellites just fine.

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Bonus points if you get Doom running on it!

douglar wrote on Yesterday, 01:24:

EvieSigma wrote on 2026-05-14, 21:40:

The E-waste bins at work typically only have crap LCD monitors, peripherals, and broken laser printers. So when some stuff that very much ISN'T that got dumped today, I grabbed as much as I could!

The attachment PXL_20260514_210552915.jpg is no longer available

The attachment PXL_20260514_210627521.jpg is no longer available

I love that style of ~1994 AT case. Those were by favorite. Looks just like my 486-100 VLB system.

What's inside?

An extremely good motherboard, turns out...

Haven't figured out the CPU yet but I imagine it's probably a K6 or K6-2.

Oh yes, you have won the pot of jacking... umm jackpot.

Is there a Dumpster FILL thread?

I decided to pop open my PS (piece of...) and it needs unobtanium caps. I will NOT desolder and resolder an Antex 303, though my Hakko FM-204 would make short work of it. Will order one off the dock of the bay instead. If that one needs work... has anyone turned one of these into a modular design? Meanwhile the mother ... board ... could use new caps.

Reading around vogons a bit... It might be easier to make a daughter board or breakout box, plugging the PS into one side and adding connectors to the other ... But offhand, ... why do I suspect this is a waste of time?

BitWrangler wrote on Yesterday, 23:40:

Oh yes, you have won the pot of jacking... umm jackpot.

That looks like a legit ATi Rage IIc !! (joking) Those Ali ALADDiN V boards are pretty rare these days. Nice find.