Wow, most of the boards I'm on consider it rude to post replies explaining why someones item isn't worth what's being asked, or otherwise "thread crapping"... does that not apply around here?
That's not what I'm saying.
Look, there are at least two categories of "collectors" here. There are the ones who collect things for their collectible value--unopened software, completely authentic systems, working or not. They're not so much interested in
using the equipment and items they collect as in collecting and displaying it.
I know of someone who collects cornets (the musical instrument). His collection is encyclopedic and displayed in glass-fronted cases. Many of the instruments are unplayable, but that doesn't bother him--his interest is in the collecting.
On the other hand, I also know of people who own great old 19th century cornets and have had them extensively reworked to be playable. In the same way that many people on this list are more interested in what can be
done with the equipment, rather than its authenticity. They're the folks who install XTIDE controllers with multi-gig hard drives into IBM 5150s.
There are oenophiles who are teetotalers and have magnificent collections.
Neither is wrong or less valuable than the other.
I was pointing out that if the idea was to get a 5.25" drive onto a parallel port, there are other less-expensive ways to do it. Leave the authentic thing for someone who will pay for its uniqueness as a collectible, not necessarily for its pure utility.
No "crapping" intended.