Compaq Portable III

This is the compaq portable III demonstration.

I don't know where my mind was, these came out in 1987, but were designed in 1986.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• compaq
• portable
• suitcase
• computer
• vintage
• electronic
• mfm
• green
• screen
• monitor
• dos
• three

[themaritimeman]

God, i've always wanted a Portable III!

What does it have for a CPU? Have you ever tried it with Windows 3.0?

[alexkerhead]

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.

[themaritimeman]

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!

[alexkerhead]

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]

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.

[LegacyMicro]

@themaritimeman Ditto that Wanting a Portable III. Love that gas plasma display...

[Biggie1231]

wow what is that like to run on the internet ??

[Kamakazihampster]

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.

[VintageJunior]

and don't forget that the Dollar had a higher value than today, so that's nearly $10,000 today.

[origingiratina]

they were fucking expensive. I heard about one being $2449.00

[MrTabby5000]

How much were those compaq portables,back then?A new netbook is a few hundred dollars.

[ZXRulezzz]

Have you tried to replace CMOS battery?

These "barrel" type old batteries may leak and destroy PCB around and under the battery.

[cuterhead]

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

[kevinbrueck]

20 mb?! That's some serious memory there! I love old computers. Nice video:)

[rudyiking]

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!