IBM PC hacking

[Jim Leonard]

Cameron Kaiser wrote:
>>other than video so they are helpful in diagnosing RAM problems.  And the 
>>sound, joystick, video, and floppy drive tests are helpful in determining if 
>>the machine is functional on a basic level -- I always run them on any new
>>PCjr I come across to determine if it's worth hauling away or not :-)
> 
> I have to admit, even though I'm not a PC fan by any means, I found the PCjr
> fascinating. It didn't deserve the fate it got (though it *did* deserve a
> better price point than it was saddled with).

I have several, as I've always found them fascinating:

- They had diagnostics, BASIC, a "game" and other stuff in ROM

- They introduced 16-color graphics and 3-voice sound to the world of PC games, 
however it was Tandy's CLONE of those graphics and sound that became popular 
and advanced the industry

- To reduce costs, the case of the PCjr is not metal but plastic coated in 
metal -- IBM patented a new process to do this (I'm not sure if they sprayed it 
on or if it was dipped)

- The system is so small and light, it is more portable than the original 
Compaq deskpro :-)

- built-in modem (albeit 300 baud)

In short, a radical departure from the model 5150.  If it cost half of what it 
debuted at, and came with a floppy drive standard, it easily would have taken 
over.  A fascinating little machine.
-- 
Jim Leonard (trixter at oldskool.org)                    http://www.oldskool.org/
Want to help an ambitious games project?             http://www.mobygames.com/
Or check out some trippy MindCandy at             http://www.mindcandydvd.com/