Exploring the Compaq's first desktop computer from 1984: The Compaq Deskpro

Part 1. This is Compaq's first desktop computer released in June 1984, two years after their highly successful and 100% IBM PC compatible Compaq Portable. It borrowed the trick dual mode monitor and graphics card from the Portable and offer a lot more expandability. In this video, we'll start the process of diagnosing and testing the computer. Let's install a XT-IDE card in the machine and see what it can do. I also figure out how to control the CPU speed and key-click function from DOS.

Toggle CPU speed: CTRL-ALT-\ (power LED changes color)
Control key click: CTRL-ALT-+ and CTRL-ALT-MINUS (use the numeric keypad)
Change between high and low red video mode: CTRL-ALT-'LESS-THAN' and CTRL-ALT-'GREATER-THAN'

Links:
Commodore Computer Club

Free VI For DOS:

Compaq Speed Control Scripts and tools:

CGA Compatibility Tester:

Speed Test v0.99:

Checkit v3:

IMD:

Free VI For DOS:

[Maxxarcade]

Pretty crazy to think that if it weren't for Compaq, we probably wouldn't have the PC's we have today. They basically paved the way for all the "IBM Compatible" stuff we all use daily. And their older stuff looks really well built!

[trainingtheworld]

Thank you for doing a Compaq video! I used to work there before the disastrous merger with HP. They really made some great computers and I still get upset thinking about how a bunch of greedy ***holes ruined this company that gave me my big start. Looking forward to part 2.

[Cherijo]

We had this as a kid in the late 80s/early 90s. We were poor and got hand me downs. That monitor was pure gold.

[tomaszkoellner]

I've got one of these! Along with original amber display and keyboard. I put Nec V30 inside, XT-IDE, high density floppy controller and Pro Audio Spectrum 8 bit. Sweet machine!

[millenniumtree]

Dang, this brings back memories. My very first computer was a Xerox XT I got from the office downstairs from our apartment.
I remember staying up late writing stuff on that clunky old amber compy.
I actually put the computer next to my bed, and lugged the CRT and enormous mechanical keyboard onto my bed.
Good times.

[neilorourke]

If you can find an old-school TV technician - and you're literally looking for someone 60yo+ here - you might be able to get that CRT regunned to eliminate the burn. I'm really hazy on the details as it's been 30+ years since I was doing TV / VCR repairs, but there is a technique to overdrive the electron gun to redeposit electrons on the screen. I can't find any contemporary reference for this; I read about it in an electronics magazine in the late 80's - and the guy writing about it was 50+ then!

[erinwiebe]

A //c under the tree! One of my favourite computers from my childhood. The Alps switches are fantastic too! I still use an adapted Apple Extended Keyboard (also from '87) with orange Alps switches with my Windows 10 PC daily. I wouldn't have it any other way. :)
Looking forward to the //c video!

[whosonedphone]

Of all the vintage computers of my youth, I always thought this was the coolest. I vividly remember the light remained Green and turned red whenever the disc was writing or reading on the machine I used to. It's funny how you could be so sure of something but could be completely wrong.

[JimLeonard]

Thumbs up for using the CGA Compatibility Tester ;-)
Very nice overview. I did not know the monitor was driven at 50Hz, nice to see that confirmed.

[frustro]

I was born in 76, i felt this pain growing up. drive cable twist, multiple at supplies and drives, thanks for helping me remember some of my childhood.

[AndrewTubbiolo]

A really cool project I did years ago was a 386 DX 40 running linux. I took two ISA RS-232 cards each with two ports. On one card I cut and traced the interrupt lines so I could extend them to the upper ISA interrupts. This allowed me to run getty's on 4 rs-232 ports and ran 4 text consoles with a graphical console. X windows done in hercules monochrome. We used it as a small 'mission' control for satellite tracking and ham radio communications.

[msthalamus]

I had this *exact* system when I was in high school. It was old even then. Good to you for finding one!

[Hutschnur]

Hello Adrian!
I want to thank you for the content and for keeping up this channel and even improving its quality. I love old computers, started myself with a C64 in 1985 at the age of 10. There are so many machines from the beginning of the micro computer revolution and it's always good to see people that care about them - and share their experiences and knowledge with the community. So again: Thank you very very much!

[osgrov]

This was in fact my dream PC back in the 80s. I used to spend hours reading BYTE magazine, and I always loved seeing the ads from Compaq. The Deskpro is a beautiful system, I only wish I get to own one some day. :)
Really looking forwards to seeing you restore this one to its full glory!
Video and sound much improved by the way, kudos for that. Especially the sound is a lot more pleasant now.

[winstonsmith]

Using an AMD 8086. Your actions really bring back command line memories.

[markfernandes]

Used one of these in my first job in '84. It had a green monitor and a 10Mb hard disk! I used it for image analysis down a a microscope (It had a frame grabber card). Had to write in C and assembler to get speed I needed (It also controlled an automated microscope stage. I swapped out the 8086 for an NEC compatible chip (V20 or V30?) which was slightly faster. Video has brought back fond memories :-)

[resrussia]

I enjoy your channel especially the repairs of vintage computers. Thanks for a awesome video on the repair of the Compaq DeskPro.

[jagardina]

We had the first 80386 based desktop from Compaq, a Deskpro, at my job back in the late 80s. Used it to run AutoCAD for engineering and floor planning type stuff. Really snappy system. We went for some pretty high res graphics for the day and an NEC mutlisync which were for a while the best monitors you could get. Crazy expensive. Was awesome at the time to use such a fast computer.

[joshpayne]

Compaq Computer. Started by the founders at "The House of Pies" in Houston, TX. The establishment is still there today.

[camthehedgehog]

30:05- that screen never gets old! I’m sure it was quite the sight to see after all those hours!