Date   : Sun, 27 Sep 2009 10:59:21 -0500
From   : jules.richardson99@... (Jules Richardson)
Subject: Acorn "System" machines & software

Pete G. wrote:
> Hi folks - As part of a long running project of mine, that kind of gets
> revived evry once in a while, I've almost got enough Acorn "System"
> eurocards to attempt putting someting like a System 3 sort of machine
> together (the big dilemma though is whether modifying a System 1 to put it
> into a rack would be a crime in itself!). Anyway, I could still use a VDU
> interface & an original RAM card of any description. It's a very long shot
> I know, but if anybody does have any System cards that they might be
> persuaded to part with then please shout! 

I think I may have a spare Acorn RAM card - and almost certainly some CU ones, 
although possibly with no memory on them... problem being they're all in 
storage (still, grr) so I have no idea when I'll be able to get to them :-(

> The other problem with the System stuff is of course the almost total lack
> of software/firmware. I'd dearly love to find a copy of System DOS & System
> Basic - must be out there somewhere? 

I certainly had DOS running on one of my System boxes - again though, 
aforementioned "stuck in storage" problem. (At one time I had a System 1, 2, 3 
and 5 - I kept the 1 and 5). I've got quite a monstrous pile of Control 
Universal System-bus boards and enclosures, too (but about 60% of it was scrap 
as it had been "wet stored" in someone's garage for years, bah!)

 > (Swap ya for a rom image of BBC Basic OS for the Acorn Atom ;-) )

I couldn't bear to part with my Atom with the beeb BASIC board... I have a 
disk pack for it too, and an Econet board. Never did find the colour board, 
though - just the manual, so building one might be on the cards one day.

Anyway, I'm rambling as usual :) Upshot of that is that if you don't get 
anywhere, keep asking every once in a while - one day I will actually manage 
to get my collection to where I live again, so should be able to help out... 
(I'm pretty much AWOL from the mailing list right now too, but happened to 
spot your message)

cheers

Jules