Epson Equity 1 Computer Overview & Demonstration

Sorry about the audio blip around the 5:30 or so mark in this video. I'm not sure what went wrong there. I think the computer got a little behind and started dropping audio during the capture process.

Here is a look at a clone of the IBM Personal Computer. Epson's Equity I was a pretty standard "clone" machine, but it did have a few interesting features that added value and helped to differentiate it from other computers. At the time of its release, more powerful PCs did exist, but a system like this represented what most people bought. (Although, it should be said that the hard drive was often left out of home computers to save money.)

This machine's hard drive--seemingly made by Seiko Epson, or at least with a lot of their parts--has a stiction problem and needs help to run if it has been sitting. It also could use a cosmetic restoration and plenty of Retrobright on both the PC and monitor.

If you have an Epson Equity I+ PC, Epson's support page is here:
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?oid=14215

On a related subject, I had a near-perfect Epson Apex PC that my grandmother purchased new. I was at the computer store with her when she bought it in the early 90s. Eventually it came into my possession around the early 2000s after being owned by several other family members. I had all the boxes it came in and all of the books/software, but like a total idiot, I let my mother talk me into turning that computer into the recyclers. I'm still kicking myself over that one. Perhaps I will find another one someday. I do still have the books and software.

My dad purchased a used Epson Apex computer a few years after that, but the flood of 1994 took it away.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• uxwbill
• Tech Demo
• Epson
• Equity
• I+
• 1+
• personal
• computer
• system
• use
• demonstrate
• explore
• ms-dos
• windows
• microsoft
• micropro
• wordstar
• BASIC
• demonstration
• 8088
• CPU
• PC
• XT

[Lachlant1984]

You speak of the dip switches on the front panel and you say they're used for setting CPU speed as well as other settings, what other settings are those dip switches used to set?

[uxwbill]

@Lachlant1984 The switches set memory size, monitor type (color or monochrome), number of installed disk drives, as well as the configuration of the serial and parallel ports. Another switch sets the CPU speed, and a momentary contact button resets the computer if it locks up or needs to be started over.

[michelinman8592]

LOVE the computer, and the thunder @ 20:42!! :-)

[uxwbill]

@michelinman8592 Thanks! I wondered if the power might go out during this video. Thankfully it did not. Later in the night, the thunder picked up in intensity.

[Maxxarcade]

I had one of these computers with some custom hardware in it, that was used in a school's central clock and PA system. One of the cards was a terminal emulator of some sort. Neat to see one running as a normal computer! Love the Hercules card too. I've used a few of those over the years.

I have an Acer 286 system sitting at work that I plan on making video about soon. The case actually looks a lot like that Epson.

[uxwbill]

@Maxxarcade Very nice! It's always great to hear from someone who saw the same computer doing something else. I have some terminal emulator boards, mostly 5250 and 3270 stuff from IBM, DCA and Attachmate.

As with all of your videos, I'll be looking forward to seeing it!

[Maxxarcade]

@uxwbill Now that you mention it, I think the card mine had was a 5250. I've never seen one in action though, and I'm not sure exactly how they are used.

[uxwbill]

@Maxxarcade I should still have a copy of that driver somewhere. Microsoft developed a "speaker driver for Windows" that was developed for Windows 3.1x and would work in a fashion on Windows 95. Some machines did better with it than others.

I used it on a Compaq Contura 4/25 notebook through my grade school and junior high years. That machine had a loud speaker and I got into trouble with it a few times when Windows would say something "witty".

[Maxxarcade]

Another thing this reminded me of- Some years ago I found a driver that allowed the system to play normal sounds through the PC speaker, albeit a bit gritty sounding. I used it on an old Compaq laptop that had no audio card.

[uxwbill]

@88musicrox It could be worse. You could be addicted to something that was bad.

Anyone telling you Rigs of Rods is bad would be a "quack".