Those are the highlights of it but the more interesting thing require more explanation. The overall dimensions are 18" Wide * 15" Long * 7.5 High. And the thing is the motherboard is the full length of the case 18"*15". The motherboard in my XT is about half that and this is not due to the screen because all of its circuitry is mounted right-side up behind the screen. To gain access to the machine is more work than on an XT too. First the plastic top must be removed to get at the access panels. The access panels are sheets of metal used to cover access to the expansion slots, drives and screen. The case is divided into 2 sections: one for the drives, memory, expansion slots, computer related stuff. The other is for access to the CRT tube for the display and more supporting chips are sitting right below the picture tube. There are included Printer and Modem sockets in the back, a change from a standard XT.
Continuing on, 4 8-bit expansion slots are available to be used and provide full use of them right up to a full-length card. It looks much like a standard XT computer except for the different memory layout and the sideways orientation of the drives. The IBM Portable PC comes to mind as the closest look-alike. Although the Olivetti is most likely a clone of the IBM Portable with a few different items than the portable had. It does not win the light award either. It must weight close to 30lbs with everything in it. The 2 5.25" drives are quite heavy themselves along with the screen to go with it.
Other notable features include: - Telephone cable type 83-key keyboard (Not original keyboard that attached to case) - Contrast Adjust knob (the only adjustment available) - 6 setting switch block (XT had 8 setting switch block) - Built in support for floppy drives on motherboard (No card needed) - Small power-supply (Unlike the XT, where it was HUGE!) - Metal Carrying handle on back. - Serial & Parallel connectors built in - Fuse for the screen
Well, that about covers it. What I am doing with it now is installing a HDD, modem and add-on card to turn this computer into a luggable e-mail machine and text-based internet browser. It is really a mess of wire in there but I got them all hooked up. I used one of the power-cords from one of the floppy drives, took one of the drives out and added the hard drive. It is working great so far and think I will keep this setup for a little while yet.
Since the time that I wrote this page, alot has changed with this machine. I got the Hard Drive working and had a DOS based internet browser, Bobcat, installed on it until the controller card failed and I put back the original floppy drive and have left it since then. I added a combo card that gave it 640k of RAM but I still have yet to find another 8-bit MFM/RLL ST-506 controller card to put in it to get it working again. It is my #1 priority for parts, so if I find an 8-bit ST-506 card this machine will be the first to get one.
I may be using a Epson Equity I+ with it's controller and drive as a donor if I can arrange a trade for my PS/2 Model 30 which I don't card for because of all it's proprietary parts. I will keep this page updated as changes are made to the machine.
 Inside View |
 Back View |