Need help identifying old computer

What you have is a rare NCR liscenced IBM Microchannel BUS machine, no idea why you are in such a hurry to scrap it when it is worth more on ebay.

Originally Posted by Bamcis

Well darn... I guess that's what I get for being trigger happy when it comes to taking things apart. I searched ebay and couldn't find anything like it. Do you have any idea what it would have been worth if I had just left it alone and tried to sell it? Also, are the boards worth anything to computer hobbyist/collectors?

First off rare stuff doesn't hit ebay every day and since you can only search back 30 days on closed auctions it isn't a great tool on researching rarities. I collect computers so I know a MCA bus slot just by looking at it, and I know a few companies made MCA machines that are pretty rare (Tandy made a Model 5000 MC machine which people lust after for example). The last NCR MCA machine I recall was from 2010 I think and went for more then I wanted to pay, forget how much it was.

Anyway for what its worth, that depends on if it works, what cames with it, details in the auction header, and whoever happens to see it and feel like bidding (could be anything). Rare doesn't mean $$$$ all the time, but I know the people in the PS/2 newsgroups do snag the rare MCA stuff when they see it, as do other collectors. I can't see the CPU numbers since they are covered in dust, did you find the model number on the back of the case?

MCA machines do not have a BIOS, everything is stored in battery backed up RAM and you need a reference disk to reload that information (can be found on the net in floppy image). Since you have taken the machine apart and I don't see a battery on the board (meaning it is probably a remote battery close to the speaker) anything stored is now gone (if the battery is dead it was gone anyway so no loss). If you turn the machine on and it works you will get a bunch of error codes because the settings have been wiped. The cards you have are basic video and SCSI, the configuration files would be online. Those floppy drives are not standard (if they are the same as what IBM used), and working ones and worth selling alone (power is provided in the interface cable not a seperate plug if you like to check).

If you see an old system with brown slots instead of the normal black/white you probably have an EISA or MCA bus machine or the more common VLB is the slots are extensions to the ISA bus. You might want to look into those before taking them apart.

Originally Posted by unknownk

First off rare stuff doesn't hit ebay every day and since you can only search back 30 days on closed auctions it isn't a great tool on researching rarities. I collect computers so I know a MCA bus slot just by looking at it, and I know a few companies made MCA machines that are pretty rare (Tandy made a Model 5000 MC machine which people lust after for example). The last NCR MCA machine I recall was from 2010 I think and went for more then I wanted to pay, forget how much it was.

Anyway for what its worth, that depends on if it works, what cames with it, details in the auction header, and whoever happens to see it and feel like bidding (could be anything). Rare doesn't mean $$$$ all the time, but I know the people in the PS/2 newsgroups do snag the rare MCA stuff when they see it, as do other collectors. I can't see the CPU numbers since they are covered in dust, did you find the model number on the back of the case?

MCA machines do not have a BIOS, everything is stored in battery backed up RAM and you need a reference disk to reload that information (can be found on the net in floppy image). Since you have taken the machine apart and I don't see a battery on the board (meaning it is probably a remote battery close to the speaker) anything stored is now gone (if the battery is dead it was gone anyway so no loss). If you turn the machine on and it works you will get a bunch of error codes because the settings have been wiped. The cards you have are basic video and SCSI, the configuration files would be online. Those floppy drives are not standard (if they are the same as what IBM used), and working ones and worth selling alone (power is provided in the interface cable not a seperate plug if you like to check).

If you see an old system with brown slots instead of the normal black/white you probably have an EISA or MCA bus machine or the more common VLB is the slots are extensions to the ISA bus. You might want to look into those before taking them apart.

Wow, that's a lot to chew on considering I'm a somewhat of a novice when it comes to computer systems and how they operate, but I get the gist of it. The model number on the case is "1210". And yes, there was a small lithium battery next to the speaker mounted in the frame. Considering I've jumped the gun and already taken this thing apart, destroying the power supply in the process, is there another way to test the floppy drive? And is there a market among collectors for replacement boards/other parts?