The Rise and Fall of AST Computer - Tales from Tech Support
I just wanted to share this presentation I did a few weeks ago at the Portland Retro Gaming Convetion for those who haven't seen it yet. For those who have seen it, this version has had the audio fixed from the first version they uploaded.
I would like to turn this into an actual video for my channel some day, but I'm still struggling to figure out how to do it because I have so little footage and pictures from the era. It works well as a live presentation but not so great as a youtube video. Regardless, I hope you guys enjoy this!
8 Bit GuyPRGE 2018 - David Murray: The 8-Bit Guy - Portland Retro Gaming Expo 1080p (YouTube)
Comments (15)
A colleague of mine from years ago was called out to a tech support call at someone's house, he arrived to find the entire house decked out in tin foil, including the office and inside of the computer he was there to fix. :)
I liked the early AST Premium 286 computers. I always wanted one, but never got one.
Thank you so much for sharing this video. As a kid, my dad actually had an AST Premium Exec (386) laptop (for work). It was one of the first real business laptops that one could actually carry around. I have so many fond memories of playing games on this, and hope that I one day will come across a working condition example that doesn't cost a fortune.
Yeah. My friend Rob (The Obsolete Geek) has one with an active matrix color screen, which is pretty rare.
Thanks for uploading this. I was at PRGE with my kids and we really enjoyed your talk. I'm the guy who loaned you my laptop for your presentation!
ahh! You’re the one that saved the day!
Thanks for sharing, an enjoyable insight. It may not have been required for this particular venue, but it can be useful for you to repeat the questions asked during a Q&A sessions. To help those in the live audience potentially, but more so fornthose viewing the videos. Unfortunately I wasn't able to make out all the questions.
I had the same thought when I watched this the other day. It never occurred to me at the time because essentially, if I could hear the question (being the furthest person away) then surely everyone else could hear. In most of the places I speak, they will hand a wireless microphone to the people asking questions. They didn't do that here.
Reminds me of my early career working in computer shops. My first 4 years were spent repairing and occasionally selling white-box machines built down to a price. Our major failing point was the case and power supply. They found the cheapest and most failure prone cases and PSU's known to man.
Thank you so much for sharing this talk with us, David, I had a lot of fun while hearing your stories!!
That was great, please share more of your conference talks, they are very informative.
Unfortunately, most of the conventions I go to do not record the presentation or panels. Portland is one of the few that does. I suppose I could record them myself, but I usually have enough to worry about as it is when I go to these things.
Thank you for sharing that with us. I remember so many issues from back then and nowadays I am more than happy that I am a server technician, that does not any Level 1 or Phone stuff and only fixes Hard- and Software (with bizarre stuff itself but way less taxing on the social part) Would love to see such videos on your YT as well.
Thanks, you filled my evening with laughter :-)
Cool panel! Interesting behind the scenes look :)