Hello ALUG,
We've been having a bit of a clear-out and my boss was about to throw out a pair of NeXT computers. Luckily, one of the post grads and I managed to get to them in time. We've had a look over them and this is the inventory:
NeXTcube N1000 [1] ================== CPU: MC68040 25 MHz RAM 16MB (4 x 4MB SIMMs)
notes: * This machine would not boot properly. It sounds the like HDD may be corrupt. * The back panel is split at the top
NeXTstation N1100 [2] ===================== CPU: MC68040 25 MHz ? RAM: ??MB (8 x ??MB SIMMs)
notes: * The power supply [3] from this machine apparently broke some time ago and is missing. * Therefore, this machine is untested.
NeXT MegaPixelDisplay monitor N4000 ===================================
NeXT MegaPixelDisplay monitor N4000A ====================================
2 x NeXT keyboard ABQ ===================== Part No. 2230
2 x NeXT mouse AFF ==================
So, in summary, its a complete NeXTcube and a complete NeXTstation neither of which we've been able to boot.
The cube was willing to boot from its network card but we decided not to try to install Debian or NetBSD[4] or anything as doing that may be part of the attraction of owning the machine for someone. Also, someone interested in NeXT hardware may be able to recover the NeXTstep OS. Possibly.
The machines were given to the studio director at the UEA Music School some time ago because, apparently, they have a collection of IRCAM[5] software on.
If anyone is interested in these machines then let me know within a week or so and you can come a take them away for nothing. We decided that we'd rather they were given away to a good home that just dumped. If there's no interest then we'll try selling them on eBay but we'd like to avoid the hassle if possible (the cube is extremely heavy; built from some magnesium alloy[6]!).
Let me know!
Cheers, Richard
PS. Tim Berners-Lee developed Web and HTTP on a NeXTcube!
[1] http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/reach/435/nextcube.htm [2] http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=555 [3] http://www.lrz-muenchen.de/~heller/NeXT/power_supply_repair.html [4] http://www.netbsd.org/Documentation/network/netboot/intro.next68k.html [5] http://www.ircam.fr/?L=1 [6] http://photo.simson.net/hacks/cubefire.html