[Coco] OT: DMS/3

[Frank Swygert]

Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:12:23 -0500 From: Louis Ciotti 
<lciotti1 at gmail.com> On Tue, Nov 20, 2012 at 2:26 PM, Mike Pepe 
<lamune at doki-doki.net> wrote:

> Yes, I wonder how well computer hardware built in 2012 will work in 2041.
> Somehow I'd guess not as well as this computer from 1983 works in 2012!
>
>
I the main problem with keeping newer computers working as long as the old
ones is their dependance on some sort of storage media/battery to even
power up completely.  That the COCO.  It can operate totally fine with no
storage media.  As long as the power supply works, and the ICs have not
gone poof, it will work.  A new PC today requires a CMOS, 16GB to 20GB hard
drive (Windows 8 requirements) to even run.What are the chances of a hard
drive sill spinning 30 years form now when quality standards have fallen to
the point where if you get 5 years out of an item it s OK.

==============================

Well, there are all sorts of solutions for that! There is a cheap IDE adapter that lets a large SDHC card be used as a drive, or a compact flash (old tech there too!). We have invented solutions for the CoCo and other old hardware, I'm sure some hacker will come up with ways to keep things going. I agree -- the HD is the weak link. CMOS batteries can be replaced easy enough. I think the caps in the CoCo are starting to be a problem (electrolytics leaking), and would be with any modern electronics.

-- 
Frank Swygert
Editor - American Motors Cars Magazine
www.amc-mag.com