compaqportableplus
Veteran Member
I've finally gotten another one of my "holy grail" systems, the original Compaq Deskpro 8086. This thread will be documenting the Deskpro as I build it up to how I want it to be.
As some of you already know, the Compaq Deskpro was released in 1984, and was Compaq's first desktop computer.
Since IBM released the 5155 portable earlier in 1984 to compete with Compaq's own Portable, Compaq decided to make a desktop to compete with IBM's PC and XT! Compaq used the full 8086 instead of the 8088, making the Deskpro a faster machine than IBM's own PC and XT. It also used the same dual-mode graphics sub system that the Compaq Portable used, allowing for high-res text and graphics on the same monitor. IBM had to have been more than a little ticked off.
Here is my unit in its current state with an original amber monitor that I found for a great price:
Such a nice looking desktop. Built like a tank too, It's heavier than an IBM XT.
The system unit I got from someone in Huston, Texas and I believe from what I was told that it came from Computer Reset. It's in excellent condition. No rust or anything. It is 100% stock, with two 360KB drives, the floppy controller and a graphics adapter. Nothing else, not even a serial port. So I'll be the first one to ever upgrade it.
The only thing I had to replace in it were two shorted tantalum caps on the floppy controller board. Finding that fault didn't take long, as the system would only start with the floppy controller removed. Otherwise it hasn't needed any other repairs.
Here's another pic of it running Windows 1.01 (from floppies, as I don't currently have a hard drive installed):
:happy3: :happy3: :happy3: Looks so good in amber. I can't even express how excited I was to see this running on here. I will be doing a full install of it once I get an MFM/RLL hard drive in there.
I will be sure to get an internal pic of this machine next time I open it.
I did also find an original Operations Guide for the Deskpro, which I'll upload a pic of later. It's in great shape, aside from smelling a bit like a cigar. Hopefully it'll air out in time.
And I actually found a set of drive rails for this machine on eBay! I thought I was going to have to make something, but a few days later I found some, which makes things a lot easier.
The next item to find is the original keyboard.
That's all I have for now. LOTS more to come...
As some of you already know, the Compaq Deskpro was released in 1984, and was Compaq's first desktop computer.
Since IBM released the 5155 portable earlier in 1984 to compete with Compaq's own Portable, Compaq decided to make a desktop to compete with IBM's PC and XT! Compaq used the full 8086 instead of the 8088, making the Deskpro a faster machine than IBM's own PC and XT. It also used the same dual-mode graphics sub system that the Compaq Portable used, allowing for high-res text and graphics on the same monitor. IBM had to have been more than a little ticked off.
Here is my unit in its current state with an original amber monitor that I found for a great price:
Such a nice looking desktop. Built like a tank too, It's heavier than an IBM XT.
The system unit I got from someone in Huston, Texas and I believe from what I was told that it came from Computer Reset. It's in excellent condition. No rust or anything. It is 100% stock, with two 360KB drives, the floppy controller and a graphics adapter. Nothing else, not even a serial port. So I'll be the first one to ever upgrade it.
The only thing I had to replace in it were two shorted tantalum caps on the floppy controller board. Finding that fault didn't take long, as the system would only start with the floppy controller removed. Otherwise it hasn't needed any other repairs.
Here's another pic of it running Windows 1.01 (from floppies, as I don't currently have a hard drive installed):
:happy3: :happy3: :happy3: Looks so good in amber. I can't even express how excited I was to see this running on here. I will be doing a full install of it once I get an MFM/RLL hard drive in there.
I will be sure to get an internal pic of this machine next time I open it.
I did also find an original Operations Guide for the Deskpro, which I'll upload a pic of later. It's in great shape, aside from smelling a bit like a cigar. Hopefully it'll air out in time.
And I actually found a set of drive rails for this machine on eBay! I thought I was going to have to make something, but a few days later I found some, which makes things a lot easier.
The next item to find is the original keyboard.
That's all I have for now. LOTS more to come...