Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

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jwg1962's picture
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Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)
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Well I have been looking for a Bell and Howell for my collection for a while now, but I couldn't bring myself to spend 400-900 dollars on fleabay to get one. Well I lucked out and somebody gave me one and it works. I posted pictures below. I haven't done too much research on it, but I think it is an older Apple II model because it has the raised power light. It doesn't have the backpack unit or disk ii drives. He had two Franklin drives attached to it with a Franklin disk controller in the machine.

The RAM Card in it was a Legend Industries 64KC card that allowed you to use 16K for the Apple II and then the other 48K could be used as a RAM drive. The manual is available online. Interesting piece.

The other card is a Centronics Printer Interface with the word Centronics scratched out. Not sure why.

Also it looks like the power supply is a replacement as it has the address of a local computer show back in the day. D&A Electronics. I think I actually remember them as being a huge Apple II shop, but when the Apple II died, so did they.

Now to try to find a pair of Disk II drives for a reasonable price and then I will have a set.

I cleaned this one up and ran diagnostics and it works. The power supply switch is backwards, you click it down to turn it on. This also makes me think it is a replacement.

Just wanted to share and any and all comments welcome. I am going to do a little research and familiarize myself with these now that I own one.

Thanks,
Jay

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Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Holy Cow Jay!

This unit is SWEET!

Fantastic!

Steven Smile

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Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

pity the power supply isn't original.

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Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Good! Goooooooodd! Welcome to the dark side...

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Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

It's a mixed bag. The case and keyboard go together - congratulations on getting one of the initial B&H developer machines (serial-wise). The motherboard however is a swap (the original probably died). Everything else is aftermarket.

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Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Also, some B&H trivia - you won't find an AV backpack on an early B&H (3K serial #) machine unless someone recently added it. It wasn't an option on the developer machines -- It didn't exist yet.

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Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

dupe post

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Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Sean,

Thanks for the info. After doing some research on the B&H yesterday, I didn't think the MOBO was original either. It didn't look right. Oh well, the price was right. Smile

It came with two Franklin Ace 100 Disk II "knock offs" too. I did see where the Backpacks were added as an option in the later models.

He also gave me a NextStation Turbo with Monitor. However, it used non-ADB keyboard and mouse that I don't have.

Like I said, the price was right and I rescued it from the dumpster. Smile

Jay

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Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Like I said, the price was right and I rescued it from the dumpster. Smile

You done good!

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Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Is there a bunch of info on the Bell & Howell's available? Watching Ebay it seems that at > 4000 on the serial number the keyboards went to the non-raised power light and the newer motherboard. When were the backpacks added? Jay, great machine - I have one (It was my Fathers) that is Serial A2S3-1212 - I believe the motherboard is a REV 3. and it also has the raised power light. I'm not sure what power supply should be in your unit. Silver - Gold - ?? Any pointers on how to search? Thanks in advance..

Rodney

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Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Rodney,

Start Here:

http://apple2history.org/

Steve has good info there.

You could also do a Google or Wiki Search.

Steven Smile

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Re: Bell and Howell Apple II (Darth Vader)

Is there a bunch of info on the Bell & Howell's available? Watching Ebay it seems that at > 4000 on the serial number the keyboards went to the non-raised power light and the newer motherboard. When were the backpacks added? Jay, great machine - I have one (It was my Fathers) that is Serial A2S3-1212 - I believe the motherboard is a REV 3. and it also has the raised power light. I'm not sure what power supply should be in your unit. Silver - Gold - ?? Any pointers on how to search? Thanks in advance..

I would love to see pics of your B&H.

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