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Welcome to ComputerHobbyShop.com  Click here for a ChatGPT 4 Summary of this Website.
The ComputerHobbyShop Mission:Build, Upgrade, Repair, Restore, Recycle, and Save Computer TechGo to YouTube to watch my retro computer discovery videos. Read my restoration and upgrade projects to learn how Richard's ComputerHobbyShop Makes Computers Fun and Affordable. ComputerHobbyShop is a place for Vintage Computer Enthusiasts and Retro Tech Hobbyists who also enjoy collectible technology as a hobby.  Motto: For Computer Enthusiasts Who Love To Use A Computer For Anything They Can. Because I'm a computer enthusiasts, I too enjoy using a computer for anything I can. See my fun Mac Pro Computer Upgrade Project Welcome to the ComputerHobbyShop post for
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Richard is a Professional IT Trainer, Tech Author, and Retro Computer Systems Collector.
This site made by RAM at ComputerPro2000, Copyright 2025, All rights reserved.
Save Over 80% Off Now on my Special LCD Monitor Sale!
Sorry, both these SOLD VERY FAST... Two iPhone 8s in the Original Apple Retail Box on eBay
or buy it local from Facebook Messages at this link.
Completed Top Project: A+ Upgraded 2016 Apple Mac Pro
A+ Renewed Apple Mac Pro 12 Core, 3.5 GHz Turbo,
Fast 4th Gen Sabrent Rocket 2 TB NVMe PCIe SSD, + 64GB RAM
Apple Factory Manufactured as a CTO, (Custom-built To Order, in Nov 2016)
Past Project: A Gaming & Video Creation 3 TB SSD Storage Extreme PC
Wow, my $1,375.00 PC sold for only $258.93 on eBay after 40 bids...
A Custom-Built Intel Core i7 8th gen PC, a 12 Thread 6 Core, Gaming & Video
with 3 Fast SSDs, plus a Wireless RGB keyboard and mouse, and the buyer could easily
add an Allstate 1 Year Warranty on top of the eBay Buyer Protection Guarantee.
Past Project: PowerBook G4 Collector's Mac Laptop
OS X 10.4.11 and OS 9.2 with 2GB RAM upgrade finished and restored!See how it sold with lots of inculded retro games here.
Project "4K Apple iMac Update"
Other than updating this to the most current Mac OS Sonoma, and a previouscustom order doubling the RAM, here is one iMac 4K that I did not have to restore!
See this Apple iMac 4K with Upgraded RAM and 1TB SSD here
and save over $1,000 compared to a new 2020 5K iMac from a large dealer.
Project: "Restored Apple Mac mini"
This picture shows one of three*
Apple Mac minis that I bought from SDSU Surplus.
In this project each upgraded Apple Mac mini has the Certified SDSU intial numbers,
clearly on the top and all have MS Office for Macintosh + common Apple software.
Each mini has a fresh macOS and I'm giving away one of these cool Apple Mac minis.
The exact mini won will be fully restored with everything that's in it working.
Each SDSU Surplus Mac mini is the last model of an Apple Mac mini with a built-in DVD
Drive. Each mini will come with an A/C power cord & upgraded memory to 16GB RAM.
I also upgraded the old style slow mechanical hard drive to a lightning fast 1TB SSD.
*One will be given away at random to a winner who has shown real interest by
subscribing or donating on my site, or becaming a new Patreon Member.
If you are curious how easy it is to win something here,
click this link.
Working Apple MacBook Pro Being Upgraded for a Mac Collector.
Pre-posting a product before it is even finished may seem crazy to you, but it is
my most effective way to judge interest in advance as it had 200+ views
before an interested collector made an offer and agreed that it...
...Will Not Ship Until All Parts Came
And All Repairs & Upgrades Were Done
Overall it is very clean with case having few small dents and/or scratches.
You'll love owning this cool Retro Collector's Mac.
Click to see my MacBook Pro detailed post here on
Computer
Hobby
Shop.
Project "Apple iMac 5K"
Like before, without donations, I sold this just to pay non-profit expenses,
and was posted by ComputerPro2000 to cover hosting and website costs.
A video showcasing the iMac and model mentioned above.
Here is the ComputerHobbyShop feedback from previous eBay Auctions.
The top feedback was for my restored G4 Cube.
In this video Steve Jobs says it's important to ask for help.
I'm telling visitors, "All persons who donate anything or join me
here will be automatically entered into my next cool giveaway!"
I made this site for my Vintage & Retro Friends and Followers,
so any winner who did not join, will have to pay shiping costs!
(Maybe joining isn't such a bad idea after all).
When only a few
subscribe to enter giveaways, or
join me on Patreon
I'll again sell some items to cover costs for giveaways, so if you are in
the few who clicked my links, odds to win can be very low as you'll see next.
As fun as my door prizes tend to be, imagine this... If only 5 people join my
Patreon Membership by my next computer Giveaway, the odds of winning
are 1 in 5. If only 6 people have donated by my PayPal link those 6 are
added to the 5 and the odds are 1 in 11. If you donate any retro computer
or even just a part, then I add you to the list and the odds are 1 in 12.
Someone who donated a PC part already won 1 door prize drawing!
Where else could you get that kind of odds? Not in other sweepstakes
I know of. So people can call me crazy, but as Steve says in the video,
"I just ask, ... most people never ask and that's what separates sometimes the
people who do things from the people who just dream about them."
When someone wins, an email will be sent to them.
I never ask for your personal information and only post secure links,
So if you received a Winner email, be sure it is a secure link.
See my secure shipping payment link in the original post.
And All Repairs & Upgrades Were Done
Note: I've made this safe for you and I cannot be held responsible
for anyone falling for someone pretending to be me. Legal Notice
Did you know Gold Planet Saving Members save shipping costs?
A great way to help save vintage tech is to mail your retro computers to my non-profit.
Join the mission & Your Name could be in the Film Credits of a future video!
See the full details on YouTube.
Ready to join the fun?
Simply mail your vintage computer items to:Attn: ComputerHobbyShop
C/O Richard A. McFarland
P.O. Box 383
Saint Anthony, Idaho 83445
Don't want to donate it, but want it fixed instead?
If parts are not needed, all you do is pay shipping fees.
Ask me to help save tech you already have.
If you came from one of my other web pages
you can or read my next tech post below.
Network Access for Classic Computing.
I have seen some posts where people seem concerned and will not put an old Mac on the Internet at all.This post is not about 'net security', but about the larger issue of 'getting classic Macs online' at all.
Most Apple Macintosh Enthusiasts agree, the website called "Macintosh Garden" is...
... a "must-go-to-place" for classic Mac computers we try to save & restore.
That is, of course, if we've managed to even make old Macs go online at all.
But even if we could make them work, few bad actors care to hack old Macs simply because they are so old. Still, many hobbyists may worry about a possible home network attack, so I suggest a simple solution. Use a second device as a firewall between your primary home router and a classic Mac or whatever rare vintage device you are using. An inexpensive Netgear GS305 Switch will make it much less likely any intruder can compromise your network data security, because the switch acts as a physical firewall.
A WNR2000 will offer needed early WiFi protocols like 801.11g and even older 802.11b, as well as supporting somewhat newer 802.11n standards you might decide to use later on.
The WNR2000 is old enough to talk to early PCMCIA WiFi cards in a Mac, (like in my Powerbook 1400c), or even early Airport Cards a Mac might need.
Stilll, there maybe many users rightly concerned that older WEP, WPA, and WPA2 protocols are known to be easily compromised, but if you have the Netgear GS305 in the line between your primary Gateway and your classic Mac, any chances of a serious attack are nill to zero, even if WEP is easily decoded by an attacker.
So the real issue in getting our oldest computers like classic Macs online is not net security as much as it is changing protocols the Mac actually works with.
See Changing the WiFi security protocol
Fun Tech Projects!
ComputerHobbyShop has a brand new recreated SE/30 Logic Board.
Update: The boards are now here and more details + a rebuild video link is posted below.
My Top Outsourced Project, SE/30 Reloaded!
Now that I'm retired, I have fun restoring vintage computers and posting YouTube Videos. Since I'm still sort of new there I like to also watch other creators already on YouTube. When fellow Computer Hobbyists ask, "Who do you follow", I say, @CayMacVintage who does nice vintage restoration work and @JDW-Both make some of the best vintage and retro restoration videos for hobbyist like me. I am not related to those content creators, but I do recommend the in-depth videos and I use the services they provide because my eye sight is less than needed and they can help with tiny solder work I cannot see anymore to do myself.
I invite everyone to CayMac Vintage to see Will Jacobs page at
ko-fi.com/caymacvintage
Click the picture below to see videos from the @CayMacVintage YouTube Channel.
Past Project Review, Apple Hard Disk 20 (HD20 Recap)
Click the picture below to see this video from the @JDW- YouTube Channel.
Project "Powerbook 1400c Memory Upgrade
Below is the link to the test results.
See computerhobbyshop.com/1400c_Modded_RAM_Tests.html
Project "Restored Apple G4 Cube"
See My G4 Cube Video Here or Posted on YouTube
Click below to see the saved original eBay post.
You'll find more retro posts in my RANDOM ACCESS FILE:
My Retro Time Machine takes you back to cool things ... there and back again ...
Just like the Good Ol' Days, enjoy fun and exciting tech projects!
A True Story: 1983 at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma
I was a Fire Inspector there, where a WIMS Team was based.
As I have no pics of the classified Wang Information Management System,
or WIMS, (see this unclassified off brand terminal shown below).
Tinker ran a multimillion-dollar test to decide how the US Military would use Wang computers
they had distributed at many offices on Tinker Air Force Base. The original Wang Company Programmer
came over from Japan to program the test systems on the base. He brought his 17-year-old teenage son.
His son spent his time on 32 green screen games that he put on the system. That was how they used to
test computer responsiveness. It was rumored after he left the base, the games were all still there.
I was one of two airmen who accidentally discovered how to load and play them.
One day while entering in Inspection Reports, a friend became frustrated and hit the keys "ZZZ".
After I saw him get into it, I thought if he could find this with just "ZZZ", I could try "YYY".
Sure enough, up came "32 Big Beautiful Games". While he played Hang Man, I played Star-Trek!
Luckily, my friend and I did not get demoted for hacking, but the Wing commander called up our office. He said to the Master Sergeant in charge, "Several Generals and a couple of Full Bird Colonels who flew in to oversee the systems tests just remotely watched terminals playing HangMan and StarTrek on our newest multi-million dollar U.S. Air Force test system!"
Coincidentally, this happened before the movie, "War Games", 1st seen, June 3rd, 1983. It was not an outside attack but occurred in a U.S. Air Base where amazingly, 2 Airmen almost started a war!
Credits for pic idea goes to "thedrive"
START OF NEW POST | ONE-OF-A-KIND MAC PRO
Credits for pic goes to "wccftech"
TECH PRESERVATION POST | SE/30 REPAIR GUIDE PDF
Thanks to Mac fans in Japan who made a helpful SE/30 repair guide long ago.
See how I saved the helpful retro post from the defunct Japanese Website!
SE/30 Repair guide. (Saved from defunct Japanese Website)!
Side Notes:
I found a modern use for older Apple Cinema Displays, (especially the 30" model & version similar to the picture below). These use Dual Link DVI, and the Apple Dual-DVI Video Card will drive these monitors in machines the way Apple intended. But did you know you can get the display to work with many modern Computers? This includes PCs when you use an Active Adapter like the Club 3D CAC-1510 USB Type C to DVI-D DUAL LINK Active Adapter. It has to be an Active Adapter like a Club 3D for the DVI-D DUAL LINK video signal.See a Cinema Display & Recomended Club 3D Active Adapter.
Note: I have the Club 3D and have connected the Apple Cinema Display via USB C to send the correct signals even from my Samsung Galaxy Book2 (with SnapDragon 8x CPU and Windows 10). A pretty cool use for an older Apple product and of course it works with newer MacBooks too.
Post of a History fact: The Weber State University original Macintosh Lab lasted a decade and a half and when the lab was finally retired, the systems all went into a dumpster. The surplus manager was retiring about that time, so he let a few of us Mac collectors reach into the dumpster and take out as much RAM as we could hold in our hands, all for just $1 per handful per dive.
Some of those sticks of RAM live today, and for a long time now I've done many upgrades to old Macs and still today have some of those rare sticks left over. Try not to laugh, but in memory of that day, I offer a graphical eulogy.
On a more serious note: Before I retired from professional a I.T. services career, I taught Apple Macintosh Seminars in over 70 US Cities, where I used my Bondi Blue iMac G3 to make my Seminar Presentations, but my 100+ Apple Specs History Collection was on my old SCSI drive. I had to upgrade my iMac with an SCSI add-in that I put in the secret mezzanine slot, (this mezzaniene slot was a Molex 52760-1609 connector hidden inside on the motherboard).
Here is just one example of what that strange slot was for. I purchased an SCSI card from a company in Germany called Formac. They called the card, "Formac iProRAID Ultra Wide SCSI" It cost me almost $200 USD plus shipping costs. I had a lot of backup files and old software, so it was very useful to get all my 68030 stuff into the G3 from my older Mac SCSI drives!
Click for a pop-up showing where the Formac Card was installed.
Understanding URL Parameters and Safety Tips
I recently went to a website and noticed something strange in the URL.After the main dot com name, there was a "?" just after the forward slash "/" in the URL.
Know as "parameters" after the main dot com name, here are examples of them being used:
https://www.[could be any site].com/could be any directory/?viewas=&should_open_composer=false
&show_switched_toast=false&show_invite_to_follow=false&show_switched_tooltip=false
&show_podcast_settings=false&show_community_review_changes=false
&show_community_rollback=false&show_follower_visibility_disclosure=false
&bypass_exit_warning=true
Explanations:
There are parts of the URL that can come after the "?" called query parameters.Parameters help customize the user experience based on specific needs or preferences.
To control behavior & webpage display, the parameters pass specific information to the server.
Each parameter is a key-value pair, separated by an equals sign (=),
and multiple parameters are separated by an ampersand (&).
See the list of common uses for parameters mentioned:
- viewas: This might control how the content is displayed, such as viewing as a guest or a registered user.
- should_open_composer: This could determine if a text editor or composer will be opened automatically.
- show_switched_toast: Controls if a notification (toast) is shown, switching between views or modes.
- show_invite_to_follow: This determines whether an invitation to follow a user or page is displayed.
- show_switched_tooltip: Controls if tooltips are shown when switching between different elements.
- show_podcast_settings: Can be used to determine whether podcast settings are displayed.
- show_community_review_changes: Control whether changes in community reviews are shown.
- show_community_rollback: Could determine if rollback options for community changes are displayed.
- show_follower_visibility_disclosure: Can control whether follower visibility settings are disclosed.
- bypass_exit_warning: This could allow bypassing any exit warnings when leaving the page.
Risks:
Query parameters can potentially be used maliciously if someone crafts a URL with harmful intent.Code may be used maliciously, as when someone sends you a link to do something it normally could not.
Here are a few ways this could happen:
- Phishing: A URL might include parameters that make a fake website
look more legitimate, tricking users into entering sensitive information. - Data Manipulation: Parameters could be used to alter data on the
server in unintended ways, potentially causing harm or unauthorized access. - Session Hijacking: Parameters can be used to steal session tokens, allows attackers to impersonate users.
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Malicious scripts can be injected into URLs, which then execute when the URL is accessed, potentially compromising user data.
parameters themselves are not inherently malicious, they could potentially be part of a malicious URL
(especially if they are then combined with other harmful elements). See safety tips listed below.
Important Tips for URL Safety
If someone sends you a link with many unknown parameters,the link could redirects to a phishing site or include malicious scripts,
and it could pose any number of other risks. So, it's always important to:
A specific example to look out for is someone asking you to be friends on Facebook.
An official-looking link leads you to their page with many strange parameters activated in the URL.
So it's always a good idea to be cautious with URLs, especially when coming from unknown sources.
If a URL looks suspicious or contains unfamiliar parameters, it's best to avoid clicking on it and...
- Verify the Source: Ensure the link is from a trusted source.
- Check the URL: Look for any unusual or suspicious parts of the URL.
- Use Security Tools: Utilize URL checkers or security software to scan the link.
- What I Use: Malwarebytes Premium Non-sponsored, automatically check links before allowing URLs.
Tools to Check URLs for Malicious Intent
- VirusTotal: Analyzes URLs + file viruses, worms, trojans, and other kinds of malicious content.
- Norton Safe Web: Provides safety ratings for websites based on their security and potential threats.
- Sucuri SiteCheck: Scans websites for malware, viruses, blacklisting status, and other security issues.
- Google Transparency Report: Checks URLs with Google's Safe Browsing data to check if safe to visit.
- Cloudflare Radar URL Scanner: Provides detail report on security, performance, and technology of URL.
Malwarebytes Premium checks links before access based on URL history, security, and potential threats.
References:
- networkencyclopedia.com
- en.wikipedia.org
- pcmag.com
- hostinger.com
- example.com
especially when they come from social media platforms like Facebook.
Again, if you ever feel uncertain about a link, it's best to err on the
side of caution and avoid clicking on it. Signed RAM, Happy Clicking!
It's not all tech work and no play here...
See what was posted the end of October for Halloween!
A YouTube video I made Halloween night is now posted for a fun diversion!
See a another fun video and also posted on YouTube is my 2024 Marchintosh Project.
(Please forgive or ignore the YouTube ads, sadly, I don't get a dime for those ads).
Have a fun project for ComputerHobbyShop, contact me.
I may choose to use your ideas and/or donations in a future post and,unless you choose to be anonymous, I'll post your name in the credits.
Of course, I don't like SPAM anymore than you do, so please
You may email an idea or question or to not miss any new post and
be listed with the first to know about new Giveaways, just subscribe.
Or if you came from one of my other web pages, you can
Click here to see a modern game computer, custom made by
RAM, (not the chips, but the Pro IT Trainer Guy).
See the history of 'RAM' on LinkedIn
Attention New Visitors
! A 4 decade Certified IT Trainer helps you save $$$ getting a computer!My subscribers are interested in my Fun Money Saving Computer Projects!
Subscribers who become my Patreon Members enjoy my cool non-profit computer hobby projects.
Like this one that sold for just 1/6th the normal cost!
Plus, my goal for vintage and retro-style computers is to restore and upgrade as many as I can.
Not only does saving vintage computers reduce pollution, it means
more vintage and retro-style computer projects are being posted.
Now is the best time to sign up while patreon members are few and opportunities are highest. To get early access to computers I give away, and be part of the excitement, go to my Patreon page!
What Happens When You Subscribe or Signup at Patreon?
You will help save computers from landfills and become a part of my coolproject of collecting and restoring vintage computers to give them away!
I give all subscribers "early access" to my Fun Computer Videos and my newest Posts, and help you find my upgraded systems and retro giveaways.
My site can be your contact for my exclusive deals and Giveaways, but if anyone doubts my sincerity, please read my Facebook response.
See what I restored and sent to the lucky winner in Japan by Christmastime!
For this Collectible and Retro Style Computer, the lucky winner paid shipping,
but my "Gold Planet Saving Patreon Members" pay no shipping in the lower.
So you won't miss my money saving posts, here is how I can help you get
great tech deals while doing your part to save our planet from toxic e-waste!
I collect and restore vintage computers and I make videos about them, as too many owners do not know how to keep vintage computers working or they simply just throw out all old technology. But I would rather restore and give away collectible computers than see unique vintage and retro items end up in a landfill.
It's OK if you are not a geek and don't understand computers yet.
I can show you how computers do compute with RAM .
My baby boomer generation was the first to grow up in a technology-dominated world, and us boomers have seen it all happen, from LPs to DVDs and from Happy Days to BluRays.
It's a matter of history in the 70s & 80s, geeks like me gathered in User's Groups to have fun helping each other out with tech projects!
Your subscription on this website or your membership on Patreon can help!
Members get ahead of the game - they don't miss exclusive tech giveaways.
All membership levels get "early access" to my Fun Computer Videos and new
Tech Posts, so members can find out early how I manage hardware projects.
Members save on sponsored giveaways + chances to win upgraded tech. With
early access, a member saved over $2,400 on my gaming computer!
You'll also see fun Computer Videos and enjoy your enthusiast hobby!
Don't miss your chance to save big & win great tech gear - sign up now!
Save $,$$$ because ComputerHobbyShop is non-profit!
I'm on a Mission to Build, Upgrade, Repair, Restore, Save, & Recycle Computers.Watch me post stories here and on YouTube for free because...
I enjoy finding and restoring older Vintage tech and computers too, for example,
I just saved a rare Mac from the landfill. I wonder who will get this one?
Short Video by @ComputerHobbyShop (Newer 2024 Version on YouTube).
(The 2023 original long version plus more fun videos are also on Patreon).
There is a lot more fun coming, so subscribe to not miss a future post, new video or a giveaway!
Ready for more?
Be sure to sign up & subscribe to be an early notified member.Vintage Computer Retro Fun Giveaways!
Happy new owner gets a free giveaway of a Commodore 128Kwith Floppy Drive & Printer all in the original boxes! (That's cool, now ).
The lucky new owner in this giveaway took ownership of a classic Commodore system and did not even have to pay for shipping, (like my Gold Planet Saving Patreon Members).
Wait! Did you actually give a vintage Commodore 128 System away?
Yes and here is why I'll do it again.
I don't like that many old computers end up in landfills because owners do not know how to keep them working or they consider them obsolete.
Rather than see them go to a landfill and pollute the earth,
I choose to repair and restore vintage or retro style computers!
I also let my upgraded computers sell on eBay for very little to keep costs low!
It's my way of advertising for new members to join my Patreon Channel too.
.
But don't forget My Mission - Saving Collectible Computers.
You too can help prevent them from ending up in landfills!
Each tech sent in, no matter what it is, gives 1 raffle ticket entry for prizes.
I make sure that items are restored and go to a good home and not a landfill.
Of course I understand if you don't want to part with anything.
If you just want it fixed, email me to ask.
So if you do want to donate retro tech, unlike some websites,
I turn nothing legal away, then the magic happens!
When you send something in, it is a great way to help save vintage retro-tech and your name will be entered into my next free random tech giveaway.
Be sure to contact me 1st then simply mail your vintage computer items to:
Attn: ComputerHobbyShop
C/O Richard A. McFarland
P.O.Box 383
Saint Anthony, Idaho 83445
ComputerHobbyShop Makes Saving Vintage Tech Fun and Affordable.
Each donation, no matter how small or large, is like one raffle ticket for tech.
Donate as little or as much as you want via Secure PayPal by clicking on Spock!
When you become a follower here or a supporting member at Patreon, you're
1st to know about Giveaways, Patreon Members get other Special Bonuses!
Wait! Did you actually give a vintage Commodore 128 System away?
Yes and here is why I'll do it again.
I don't like that many old computers end up in landfills because owners do not know how to keep them working or they consider them obsolete.
Rather than see them go to a landfill and pollute the earth,
I choose to repair and restore vintage or retro style computers!
I also let my upgraded computers sell on eBay for very little to keep costs low!
It's my way of advertising for new members to join my Patreon Channel too.
.But don't forget My Mission - Saving Collectible Computers.
You too can help prevent them from ending up in landfills!
Each tech sent in, no matter what it is, gives 1 raffle ticket entry for prizes.
I make sure that items are restored and go to a good home and not a landfill.
Of course I understand if you don't want to part with anything.
If you just want it fixed, email me to ask.
So if you do want to donate retro tech, unlike some websites,
I turn nothing legal away, then the magic happens!
When you send something in, it is a great way to help save vintage retro-tech and your name will be entered into my next free random tech giveaway.
Be sure to contact me 1st then simply mail your vintage computer items to:
Attn: ComputerHobbyShop
C/O Richard A. McFarland
P.O.Box 383
Saint Anthony, Idaho 83445
ComputerHobbyShop Makes Saving Vintage Tech Fun and Affordable.
Follow To Win
Care to follow ComputerHobbyShop and be listed in new sponsored giveaways?Each donation, no matter how small or large, is like one raffle ticket for tech.
Donate as little or as much as you want via Secure PayPal by clicking on Spock!
When you become a follower here or a supporting member at Patreon, you're
1st to know about Giveaways, Patreon Members get other Special Bonuses!
See this on Facebook too, so click anywhere below to subscribe. 
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