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Author Topic: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer... (Read 9072 times)

Offline ssr86

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If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« on: 2014.November.14. 20:36:05 »
Hi, I'm thinking about buying an ep128 but don't really know what and for how much would be considered a good buy...
What would I need (apart from the computer itself)?...
What additional hardware would I need (and where to get it) to be able to transfer data between pc and ep?
Is it harder to find one with english keyboard?

There are a few ongoing auctions at the moment - the ones on ebay mentioned by Zozosoft and 3 on vatera.hu:
http://szamitastechnika.vatera.hu/pc_asztali_szamitogep/retro_szamitogep_kiegeszito/egyeb/enterprise_128_mukodo_retro_szamitogep_2004101231.html
http://szamitastechnika.vatera.hu/pc_asztali_szamitogep/retro_szamitogep_kiegeszito/egyeb/enterprise_128_retro_szamitogep_2000416292.html
http://szamitastechnika.vatera.hu/pc_asztali_szamitogep/retro_szamitogep_kiegeszito/egyeb/enterprise_128_1999122731.html


I'm in no hurry and still thinking if it'd be worth it... Nearly 10 years ago I bought myself an amiga500 but was dissapointed with the purchase...
 

Offline Z80System

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Re: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« Reply #1 on: 2014.November.14. 20:40:18 »
Quote
I'm in no hurry and still thinking if it'd be worth it... Nearly 10 years ago I bought myself an amiga500 but was dissapointed with the purchase...

What was the problem with the A500 ?

I used to see A1200 machines in a good price and condition on ebay and such ...
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Offline geco

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Re: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« Reply #2 on: 2014.November.14. 20:56:24 »
The 3rd is broken, this is the reason why it is so cheap, the other two is very expensive, normally it should be a joke :D I think about half price  or less would be correct for an EP without floppy.

Offline Zozosoft

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Re: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« Reply #3 on: 2014.November.14. 21:02:51 »
What would I need (apart from the computer itself)?...
PSU :-) But if you have a ZX Spectrum (original Sinclair) then the Spectum PSU can be used for Enterprise.
Because the PSU are heavy make the shipping cost expensive.

Good to have the cap for the internal joystick, because it is at very wrong place in the original box, this is the first missing components when the machine not used.

Also good to have the Basic cartridge, but you can load machine code programs without it.
If not problem some soldering, then can you put my upgraded EXOS to the motherboard, which is also include the BASIC ROM, then cartridge not needed.


Quote
What additional hardware would I need (and where to get it) to be able to transfer data between pc and ep?
The old good solution using floppy drives with EXDOS card. Then standard MS-DOS compatible 720K disks can be used.
But todays very hard to find EXDOS card, and very expensive.

It is possible to connect PC sound card to EP tape input, and send programs as tape sound.

Today best way pre-order the SD cardtridge, then you can copy programs to SDCard, and use it as hard disk for Enterprise.

Quote
Is it harder to find one with english keyboard?
Yes, I think about 60-70% of machines sold as German version.

Offline ssr86

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Re: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« Reply #4 on: 2014.November.14. 21:04:20 »
Quote
What was the problem with the A500 ?
Well...the amiga itself wasn't the problem...It was me... I didn't like the experience...
As a child we had a c64 but my uncle had an amiga and we played sometimes on it. There was some nostalgia. But when I bought the computer, bought additional discs with games... I was dissapointed... The disc loads (couldn't take it)...transfers from pc (8mins per disc)... Programming on it the classic waywith all the disc trouble...

And also: I overpayed quite a bit, second disc drive wasn't working (although was supposed to be fine), when buying discs one seller cheated me (sold me molded discs)... All in all not very fond memories. But I bought quite a lot of books for it, programmed for a while (although - as always - didn't finish anything). Sold all three years ago.

But I really-really enjoyed future composer and making music on it... That was my favourite use.
« Last Edit: 2014.November.15. 10:26:51 by ssr86 »

Offline Z80System

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Re: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« Reply #5 on: 2014.November.14. 21:08:26 »
Now you can use HDDs and CF cards for Amiga, too ... quiet, fast and everything you want ... some guys make ADF games to run from HDD, too ...
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Offline Zozosoft

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Re: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« Reply #6 on: 2014.November.14. 21:16:01 »
The disc loads (couldn't take it)...transfers from pc (8mins per disc)... Programming on it the classic waywith all the disc trouble...
The Commodore and crazy unstandard disk formats, argghhh :evil:

We very lucky with the Enterprise because use standard FAT formated disks. And EXDOS don't use Ready and Disk Change signals, then any old or modern drive can be used. (These signals made a lot of problems at many other computers when the old drive dead, but modern drive not compatible...)

Offline Zozosoft

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Re: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« Reply #7 on: 2014.November.14. 21:19:05 »
the other two is very expensive, normally it should be a joke :D
Just the sellers looked the Ebay prices.

Anyway the cheap machines instantly bought by Ebay sellers and sell on Ebay.

Offline ssr86

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Re: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« Reply #8 on: 2014.November.15. 10:44:27 »
Quote
Today best way pre-order the SD cardtridge, then you can copy programs to SDCard, and use it as hard disk for Enterprise.
This would be the best solution for me, but I have to find the computer first. Will it be still available for order in the future?

Quote
Also good to have the Basic cartridge, but you can load machine code programs without it.
If not problem some soldering, then can you put my upgraded EXOS to the motherboard, which is also include the BASIC ROM, then cartridge not needed.
Well, I have an electronics hobbyist in my family so I could ask him to do the soldering for me...

How often does an enterprise pop up on the auction sites?
How much money should I have prepared to buy the computer with the psu (couldn't I uses an universal psu?) in a working state? I don't need the box etc, as I'm not a collectioner. I'd like to use it for programming and testing...   
How much will the sd adapter and the upgraded exos cost?

Sorry for asking so much about money, but I'm clueless about the cost of these things...

Offline ssr86

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Re: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« Reply #9 on: 2014.November.15. 17:43:56 »
http://www.ebay.pl/itm/Enterprise-128-one-two-eight-computer-tested-working-BOXED-SN-01117-/221589626050?pt=UK_VintageComputing_RL&hash=item3397c55cc2

so expensive??...
Since when do the enterprises cost so much...?
Hiowever english keyboard and looks good...

there's also an auction for the zx spectrum emulator cartridge and tape recorder...

Offline geco

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Re: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« Reply #10 on: 2014.November.15. 18:32:41 »
Zozo few days ago inserted an EP link for 130$, the seller is a Hungarian as I see, the emulator card is very expensive also, but it is very rare, it is good for collectors, if somebody wants to use it, then the upgraded Spectrum emulator by Zozo has to be used.

Offline Zozosoft

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Re: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« Reply #11 on: 2014.November.15. 18:54:16 »
You can review the latest Ebay auctions which linked to the forum.
The boxed machines sold at about 150-250 euros, complete machine without box at about 70-100 euros, English version usually the expensive. Plus the shipping cost...

Offline Zozosoft

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Re: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« Reply #12 on: 2014.November.15. 19:08:02 »
Will it be still available for order in the future?
If I know right the production will be continuously perform the pre-orders.
Contact address here.

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How often does an enterprise pop up on the auction sites?
I think about 2-3 new machine per month. Some higher priced will continuously running.

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(couldn't I uses an universal psu?)
Can used, 1.3A or more, 9V DC. need to very carefully about the polarity! The inner are the negative, outer the positive!

Offline Zozosoft

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Re: If I wanted to buy an Enterprise 128 computer...
« Reply #13 on: 2014.November.15. 21:15:42 »
How much will the sd adapter
I asked it, it is a 50 euros+shipping.