"In complete darkness we are all the same,
it's only our knowledge and wisdom that separate us.
Dont't let your eyes deceive you."
[Janet Jackson, 1814]
Spectrum
48
My very first computer. On the age of Commodore 64 I was stranger with my Spectrum, yet it was sufficient for playing games & programming. I had to bought some extra devices like 'minidisc', 'heat printer', 'joystick port' etc. though ...
Commodore
128
Bought it straight away when it hit the market with floppydrive (was it 5414 or something). Well, what can I say, it was a improvement, but so much though.
Amiga
500
Amiga was a real killer at the time (and still is when you watch modern demo-scene products). Again a little programming, but mainly games and graphics!
486DX2-50MHz
Amiga series was way too expensive when compared with PC power --> so the choice was clear! First 4Mb and later 8Mb memory with first 210Mb (later another 345Mb) harddisk. I had Cirrus 1Mb (ISA) VGA controller (later Genoa 850 (ISA) accelator). This happened about the same time as I decided to begin study computer science.
486DX2-66MHz
The hardware was the very same as above ... just a little overdrive of my own. I added HP 500 DeskJet printer to the collection.
60MHz
Pentium
90MHz versio had just hit the market when I changed to Pentium series with 16Mb, 720MB, Tseng ET4000W32P 2Mb. This was my hardware a long time --> efficient enough
100MHz
Pentium
This should be my machinery a long time (due cronic lack of cash). I added harddisk space to 1.3Gb and bought CD-ROM, but that's it. I have always thought that hobbies will drain your money. That's exactly my case, but case ain't closed yet (and for long time to come)!
133MHz Pentium
A little updates like processor, a new soundcard [GUS PnP] and hard disk [2.1Gb Seagate]. The printer of mine didn't want to co-operate any longer --> so 'early' retirement was it's destiny. Too bad, because it had server me well.
Canon FAX-B360 replaced my HP(which was better when it comes to printing) but it features fully functional home office: fax sending&receiving with even line regognition. Operates as normal telephone and can be used to scan (only text because it's just black&white). I also bought a cheapest possible Vegas PCI Ethernetcard for temporary possibilities to connect some network.
A second Pentium 120MHz
I used a change to get a really cheap second machine and builded a network between them. This was mainly to get little experience about networks and of course --> the NET games(those little older ones which still runs OK ;-(. This is officially Compaq ProLinea 5100(yes, a known brand) with soundcard and display adapter(Cirrus 5434) integrated to the motherboard. 32Mb memory, quad speed CD-ROM and SMC netcard with only 653Mb harddisk.
I gave up the amplifier and now both machines have those little speaker systems. Much more useful when you temporarily change place I can assure you.
Changed the second Pentium to Playstation
Whee...P133Mhz is becoming too old for running new games and on the other hand: I have became too lazy to fight with GUS to get the sounds working. I saw PSX on one of my friend, two days later I had my own. I have being very satisfied: Games are far more better played from sofa with Dolby Surround! No more hanging & booting & fighting! Just power on and play! This is how it should have always been ...
So, at the moment my PC is dedicated mainly for working purposes (of cource it may still occasionally be used for gaming) and Playstation handles the games(with light guns and ... ;-).
Sold the P133 and bought a new 366MHz Celeron based PC
I noticed that I spent more and more time browsing and comparing computer prices and tought that it ends only when I have no reason to do so. So, in store I went and got myself 366MHz Celeron(now runs 458MHz with 83MHz bus), 128MB DIMM, 15.2Gb, Voodoo3, SB live! with 4 point Surround sound system which is, by the way, awesome! With cordless mouse and keyboard this was a perfect system to run various emulators I use to do some retro gaming. After visiting the SPEL (which is a group of Finnish collectors of classic coin-operated games, such as pinballs, videogames, jukeboxes and pajazzos) I got the idea of building one of my own! I managed to buy an old cabinet which suited my needs, and so the project begun. The goal was to make Arcade game which had as many games as possible in it and which would be as Arcade- like as possible. The project is currently almost finished(it will never be 100% finished).
The computer section ends here. By clicking the following link you can download some progs which I have made during the years. I Reserve the right to add/remove them as I please ;-)
Last Modified
15.11.1999, Authored by Aki Seuranen
Back to my hobby section
Back to the front page