Why are engineering sample CPUs illegal to sell?

When the ZX80 came out it was available as an unassembled kit for $99. I don't remember the exact problem but I had to tweak it ti get it to run.

Osborne came out with a 100 column conversion for the Osborne 1. CMOS was a new technology and while it normally saved power, dissipation increased with frequency. The circuit would work until the chip got hot. I replace it with the equivalent LS part and all was good.

Back in those days I could see the components without a microscope so component level troubleshooting was feasible.

The BBC computer had a similar problem - the early versions had to have an heatsink on a certain chip to keep it cool, I half remember. I also had a timing issue with an S100 computer I built and partially designed. I finally spotted the issue, when I could afford to buy a 'scope, but by then it was too late - my homebuilt was due for replacement with something better.

I think now that designer have simply become more skilled and obviously the range of components have improved massively.

They use logic analysers in simulations now before the design gets anywhere near a product.

I once broke a Pentium 2 or 3 (or that sort of era) by pushing hard with a screwdriver on the heatsink mount. It slipped and scratched the top of it (the tracks from the actual processor across to the pins). The technician where I worked had such a steady hand he resoldered it under a microscope.

You could buy an SX and reenable the coprocessor.

The ones I encountered were very heavy, so I assume not switching. I don't remember excessive heat. It's not like we used to run the CPUs flat out back then.

Try reading the text above more slowly this time. It is explicitly loaned.

Your poor knowledge of basic UK law is concerning.

Knowingly handling stolen goods is illegal.

Not knowing they're stolen doesn't mean you get to keep them. They will rightfully be confiscated from you.

They absolutely would if, based on the knowledge you gave, Fred stole it and you did nothing to stop him.

In fact, for serious crimes you could be prosecuted for simply suggesting a criminal act even if that act never occurred.

Given your other post the police would laugh at how crap a criminal you are. "Nah, mate you can't arrest me. See this gold bar? Bob stole it and gave it to me. I also told bob the security van door was unlocked. So it's mine and you can't do anything about it." "You're nicked, sunshine!" :D

Chris wrote: ===========

..... Phil

If they never take them back, it's not a loan. Can you loan me your mower forever? No, that's called a gift.

It's not rightfull. The person who stole them should be made to reimburse me.

Sounds like many of the components comming out of China on ebay. Others they must relable junk parts to company logos.

Incorrect.

Lol. You can always try to sue them. Good luck with that...

Total F****IT Commander Kinsey wrote: ================================= >

** LOL - more narcissistic CRAP from a total f*****ad.

Responsibility works it's way up the tree. Each party owes the one they supplied, unless the *purchaser* was knowing OR reckless at to legal ownership. Then they are liable for handling stolen property.

FYI:

In my business ( electronics repairs) I sometimes get offered stolen items to fix. The giveaway is the "owner" has no clue about the fault or how the thing is even operated. Refusing to say how or where he got it is a cincher as are missing serial numbers.

If I know or reasonably suspect an item in my workshop was stolen, I cannot legally give it back. Funny how the culprits do not see it that way....

..... Phil

Do you not understand what loan means? It means you temporarily are allowed possession of my thing.

You can actually. If you tell the police to ask the judge/magistrate, they can award money to those who lost out, taking it from the thief.

Some is good, some is s*it, but you can get money back for the s*it.

I bought some Li Ion batteries claiming 2.5 times more capacity than the best Panasonic ones. They actually had a third of the Panasonic's capacity when I tested them. As soon as I suggested they weren't up to spec, I got a 100% refund and could keep them. They know they're fiddling.

But I bought a battery charger for 99p including postage from China, and it works perfectly.

What, you didn't have a Turbo button?

A loan term can be indefinite.

Only the original victim of the theft. Not subsequent buyers of the stolen goods.

I had one on a 386, which didn't even have a heatsink. That changed it from 8MHz to 16MHz. I'd so love to travel back in time with some recent kit and laugh at their technology.