Tech Help

In the early 1990s this was my computer, an IBM PC Convertible. The operating system was DOS 3 on floppy disk.

It was the first commercial computer to use the 3.25″ floppies – replacing the previous 5.5″ floppies.

This was the first computer of mine that went on the internet with a 300 baud dial-up modem.

I created my first internet art work – a text based piece. In 1990, I was introduced to the internet by a friend named Lynn, who showed me Peacenet and other Usenet groups. I decided to take this laptop to the Stein Valley Festival that was being held in Boundary Bay. Lynn was hosting a table for peace at the event, so I went with her and her Japanese friend. While the Japanese woman made origami cranes to give away and Lynn handed out pamphlets, I collected messages for peace and tried to explain to the participants that the messages would travel to Japan on the internet. As soon as I arrived home, Lynn used her account and I was able to post the messages to the Hiroshima Nagasaki Peace project group.   

There were no websites then as Mosaic, the first browser I used,  was not yet introduced. The internet was completely democratic because my text looked the same as text written by the richest person on my tiny screen. It was all about content, not presentation.

The screen only displays monochrome – not colour.  

 

 

A top view with the handle extended.

 

 

 

 

 

I removed the battery when I put the computer into storage. It fits in the compartment on the back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The charger takes a regular 3 prong plug  that I did not put in the photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was lucky to have the clip on adapter that came in a separate box with instructions. this attachment added weight and size, but allowed use of a regular serial port printer.

 

Even then, few printers worked with a parallel port connection. I realize I should have taken a photo of the other side of the adapter with the serial port!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I still have all the manuals and instructional materials that came with the computer.

The colourful cardboard box is full of DOS information and the small blue manual has several parts.