About 30 Sun SPARC workstations need a new home.
Posted by wheresmylart@reddit | vintagecomputing | View on Reddit | 44 comments
Hi all. Back in the day I was a developer working exclusively on Solaris. About 25 years ago, for one reason and another I came into possession of about 30 assorted SPARC based workstations and a few other bits and bobs, network/SCSI cards, keyboards, mice, etc. I think there's also one UltraSPARC in there too. This stuff was well past its prime even then.
I need to clear out the space they're stored in and it would be a shame for them to end up in landfill, so if anyone wants them they're free to a good home. They're currently located in West Berkshire, England.
It should be noted that none of these machines have been powered up in well over a decade. I've no idea if any of them still work and with the exception of the one UltaSPARC I'm not sure what use they'd be to anyone. But the offer's there.
SCSkeet@reddit
Try computer history museums
Quiet_Cable8747@reddit
I need one
giantsparklerobot@reddit
WHAT? NO, YOU CAN BARELY TELL THEY'RE ON, WHISPER QUIET!
My Sun Blade is ridiculously loud. I can't imagine a lab full of those damn things. Best of luck.
Blah-Blah-Blah-2023@reddit
My SparcStation 5 has the loudest hard drive I have heard this side of 1980.
giantsparklerobot@reddit
My Sun Blade desktop is so loud I don't like to turn it on but once a year or so when I want some hot Solaris action. It's really silly how loud the damn thing is.
wheresmylart@reddit (OP)
The workstations weren't that bad, honest. Those 21" monitors though, when they started up you could hear them in the next county.
ropi313@reddit
In '96 my main rig was an Ultra 1 with the 21" Sun Trinitron monitor. Great machine, and the monitor was very good. I bet the monitors would be very usable even today.
wheresmylart@reddit (OP)
Still have a 21" Trinitron monitor on my UltraSPARC. The desk bows under its weight.
Illustrious-Peak3822@reddit
*might
ryguymcsly@reddit
I used to have an IPX, it was silent.
raindropl@reddit
I have a blade 2 it’s noisy; heck the ultra10 is noisy. I want to swap the front fan with a noctua.
Blackholeofcalcutta@reddit
Real computers should sound like an F4 Phantom.
wheresmylart@reddit (OP)
At one place I worked we had a spate of cooling fan bearings going. The Sun service guy was in every week replacing them. That was quite noisy.
khooke@reddit
I’d be interested to pay for a 20 if it’s in working condition or take a gamble if it’s unknown condition. I’ve been watching eBay for a while and frustrated there’s not many that show up, most are in the US. I’m near Cambridge and would be willing to make a drive to pickup. Thanks!
wheresmylart@reddit (OP)
I don't want anything for them, I just need them gone. Having a new roof put on the building they're in and so it needs emptying.
The corollary to this is that they're big and heavy and packaging them up isn't straightforward so delivery/collection is the recipient's problem.
I also don't know if they still work. So it's very much a case of caveat emptor.
khooke@reddit
Thanks, I understand where you’re at. I had an Ultra 60 for a while but left it when we moved house because it was too heavy to deal with :-(
invokes@reddit
I'm used to saving collections!! Also lots of museums in the UK that might be interested.
wheresmylart@reddit (OP)
Had a quick look at where they're being stored. Couldn't get to all of them but here's a list:
SparcStation 20 × 8
SparcStation 10 × 4
SparcStation 5 × 3
SparcStation 2 × 4
SparcStation 1 × 1
4 others that I couldn't easily get to. From memory there was a SuperSparc in there and some other lesser stuff.
Couldn't find the rack mountable UltraSparc. Had 3 of them and thought I'd only disposed of 2.
Useful_Resolution888@reddit
I'd love to get a sparcstation 20! DM me and we can sort out details.
wheresmylart@reddit (OP)
This has taken off a bit! I'll DM you Friday/the weekend if that's OK? Sure I can find something for you.
Useful_Resolution888@reddit
Excellent!! Thanks a lot
rosiestquartz@reddit
I'd also be interested in a Sparcstation 20 and/or the V100 if you're willing to ship (and they've not been destroyed by leaky batteries and such like).
rayui@reddit
Hi! I've DM'd you!
raindropl@reddit
I sol switch I as in England!!
thejpster@reddit
I’m in Cambridge and I’d be happy to take a bunch. Can collect.
2raysdiver@reddit
As much as I would love to take a few of them off your hands, my wife would divorce me if I did.... I'm going to miss her.
packetmon@reddit
Oooh. Got any IPX's in there? Not that a) I can afford one b) shipping? 💀
I just think they're neat!
WhiteRedWolf@reddit
Would Germany still be close enough? I'd pay shipping for at least one if that's doable
redisthemagicnumber@reddit
Maybe reach out out Neil here: https://www.retrocollective.co.uk/contact.php
Thalidomidas@reddit
In Scotland and would love a machine or 2 will pay shipping
wheresmylart@reddit (OP)
They are properly heavy!
As there's more interest than I expected I'll catalogue what I've got and divide it up as best I can.
Thalidomidas@reddit
thanks
I can remember their weight !
Katacalysm@reddit
I'm in the Portsmouth area and interested, could give a home to a couple of machines.
I'll have to ask someone for a lift and i'm currently recovering from flu so not 100% certain at the moment, but definitely interested.
Necessary-Score-4270@reddit
Yet again, here I sit wishing I lived in the UK....
rosiestquartz@reddit
Also in Scotland, and depending on what you've got I'd also consider paying for shipping where possible!
LopsidedLegs@reddit
I've loved to take one or two in.
SimiShittyProgrammer@reddit
Ebay?
The_Original_Miser@reddit
Have a list? Will you ship? What state?
I am interested depending on details.
wheresmylart@reddit (OP)
Sorry. I can not even begin to image how much it would cost to get this little lot back to their ancestral home.
KeyStomach3362@reddit
Damn, no where close for me. If no one will get them it could be an excuse for me to go to UK but
Damn if it was Asia or USA I’d do it.
pinksystems@reddit
parts list is useful here. not all of those are useful or interesting, so if you want to get rid of then tell us what you have with SKUs, and pics.
sparrow_42@reddit
25 years ago me called and said this post is super relatable.
wheresmylart@reddit (OP)
I paid £15 pounds for the whole lot and another £15 for some keyboards and mice.
I only needed two, but the seller said it was an all or nothing deal.
Useful_Resolution888@reddit
Wow I'd love to get one. I'm in mid Wales and happy to pay for shipping.