I've got one of these bad boys upgrade to the gills with a 2.1gb hard drive (thanks ontrack bios overlay!), ISA 3C509 NIC, and 1.44mb floppy, all running windows 3.0. I would have to say windows 3.0 runs OK on 640k ram, windows 3.1 however would be useless without at least 1mb.
It has a Intel 80286 12MHz cpu. There was also a another portable with the same chassis that had a 386, which is a bit faster. :)
I have not tried Windows 3.0, because it needs 1MB of ram to run decently, and the Portable III comes with 640KB. It is upgradable to 2MB, but I do not have the correct modules to upgrade it.
I have however, had the Portable III on the internet, using arachne browser, isa pack, and a ISA 3cc509 NIC.
The 386 also lets you run DOS programs in Windows instead of full screen.
I have found that if you have HIMEM.SYS in your CONFIG.SYS file, Windows 3.0 runs okay in "real mode" with only 640K of RAM. It will run all of the Windows apps and most of the DOS apps without problems. If you don't use HIMEM.SYS, Windows 3.0 will still run in real mode, but it might crash a lot because programs try to go after the same piece of memory.
Using HIMEM.SYS also racks up another 64K of memory. Hooray!
I encourage you to try using Windows 3.0, but I stand behind my experience that 3.0 will be agonizingly slow under just 640KB ram and 12MHz. DOS shells or pre 3.0 windows versions are recommended.
i here you man my dad wont let me by a tandy 1000ex or a ibm 5150 on ebay he says i dont need old stuff but one of my teachers is going to give me a kaypro 2 this week new in the box with software and books and crap so im happy but i still want a compaq protable an da ibm 5160
Woah nice thats old :o How'd you get it?.. And "first comment" Nice computer i could never use old pcs but its still neat to see it. sure does take alot to open stuff :)
wow what is that like to run on the internet ??
Biggie1231 1 year ago
I've got one of these bad boys upgrade to the gills with a 2.1gb hard drive (thanks ontrack bios overlay!), ISA 3C509 NIC, and 1.44mb floppy, all running windows 3.0. I would have to say windows 3.0 runs OK on 640k ram, windows 3.1 however would be useless without at least 1mb.
Kamakazihampster 1 year ago
How much were those compaq portables,back then?A new netbook is a few hundred dollars.
MrTabby5000 2 years ago
they were fucking expensive. I heard about one being $2449.00
origingiratina 2 years ago
and don't forget that the Dollar had a higher value than today, so that's nearly $10,000 today.
VintageJunior 2 years ago
Have you tried to replace CMOS battery?
These "barrel" type old batteries may leak and destroy PCB around and under the battery.
ZXRulezzz 2 years ago
compaq III mod i did:
>1.44 floppy, small connector anyways inside
>800mb ide hd
with the compaq "bios" disquette ,
change the disk type manualy, with the biggest number you can punch in there. then count down a few ( try em a couple about 200 pos max).
one of them is unlisted , and permit 600mb or more from bios.
i used old 1gb ide hd and some 800mb. worked perfect with the COMPAQ DOS, since dos 6.22 from harddisk wont work.
i found the disks online, still avail
cuterhead-at-gmail-dot-com
cuterhead 3 years ago
20 mb?! That's some serious memory there! I love old computers. Nice video:)
kevinbrueck 3 years ago
I have a CPIII. Its shape is a little different. My CMOS battery died too.
My step-father wanted to throw it out but I kept it. May not work much but it's well worth keeping!
rudyiking 3 years ago
they called that type screne "Amber Monochrome Display" as i recall
SkipW 3 years ago
vintage RULES! good old gear dude keep it running!
SkipW 3 years ago
i got 1 form my dad but i don't have a system disk or what ever do u know where i can get 1
psp12345678998765432 3 years ago
How fast is the modem? (bytes or kbytes per second)
themaritimeman 3 years ago
That would be Bits per second.
If it has a modem it would be anywhere from 300 to 1200 Bits per second.
rudyiking 3 years ago
God, i've always wanted a Portable III!
What does it have for a CPU? Have you ever tried it with Windows 3.0?
themaritimeman 3 years ago
It has a Intel 80286 12MHz cpu. There was also a another portable with the same chassis that had a 386, which is a bit faster. :)
I have not tried Windows 3.0, because it needs 1MB of ram to run decently, and the Portable III comes with 640KB. It is upgradable to 2MB, but I do not have the correct modules to upgrade it.
I have however, had the Portable III on the internet, using arachne browser, isa pack, and a ISA 3cc509 NIC.
alexkerhead 3 years ago
The 386 also lets you run DOS programs in Windows instead of full screen.
I have found that if you have HIMEM.SYS in your CONFIG.SYS file, Windows 3.0 runs okay in "real mode" with only 640K of RAM. It will run all of the Windows apps and most of the DOS apps without problems. If you don't use HIMEM.SYS, Windows 3.0 will still run in real mode, but it might crash a lot because programs try to go after the same piece of memory.
Using HIMEM.SYS also racks up another 64K of memory. Hooray!
themaritimeman 3 years ago
I encourage you to try using Windows 3.0, but I stand behind my experience that 3.0 will be agonizingly slow under just 640KB ram and 12MHz. DOS shells or pre 3.0 windows versions are recommended.
alexkerhead 3 years ago
Ok, sorry if I sounded pushy.
themaritimeman 3 years ago
@themaritimeman Ditto that Wanting a Portable III. Love that gas plasma display...
LegacyMicro 3 weeks ago
try uploading the Compaq prolinea!
winerrs 4 years ago
I wish I ordered one of those but my parents said no
winerrs 4 years ago
i here you man my dad wont let me by a tandy 1000ex or a ibm 5150 on ebay he says i dont need old stuff but one of my teachers is going to give me a kaypro 2 this week new in the box with software and books and crap so im happy but i still want a compaq protable an da ibm 5160
DRNEGOLICIS 3 years ago
huh, my mom's a bit more lenient. she doesn't care what i buy as long as i make the money myself. oh well, it'll still be snowing come january.
poopskinTheLiar 3 years ago
also, it seems the CPIII seems to be smaller than my PS/2 p70...Of course, the P70 falls more into portable workstation territory...
poopskinTheLiar 3 years ago
I wish I ordred one of those on the internet but my parents said no
winerrs 4 years ago
I have an old Portable III clone, but in copying it, the designers made several improvements.
-It's a 286-8, but it has a turbo switch to boost it to 12Mhz.
-The drive bays (and consequently the floppy drive) are 3.5 in.
-Best of all, the expansion slots (5 of them) are integral to the case! No more bulky expansion chassis with only 2 slots.
It still has that same great gas-plasma display (that's what they're called, btw)
I've even got text-based internet set up on it.
SHOOTANGAEMS 4 years ago
I just bought one on eBay with Windows 2.0!
jacobdallen 4 years ago
Very interesting stuff, thanks for showing this!
GrosvenorAudio 4 years ago
Yeah, they don't have any real uses, but they are fun to mess with.
Did you check out my portable I and II videos as well?
They are even older.
alexkerhead 4 years ago
Woah nice thats old :o How'd you get it?.. And "first comment" Nice computer i could never use old pcs but its still neat to see it. sure does take alot to open stuff :)
zsakul2 4 years ago