eBay

🖥️ HP 9836A Desktop Computer + Mono Monitor – Refurbished – 1MB RAM – Dual Floppy – BASIC 2.0

Hewlett-Packard HP 9836A desktop computer system in near-pristine cosmetic condition and fully working, supplied with the matching monochrome monitor and a floppy disk containing BASIC 2.0. This is a serious, collectible HP workstation from the early 1980s, and this example has been fully refurbished inside and out.

Many expansion options are available for this machine if you can find them. This is a really nice solid machine. Yes there are some units that come up in a very bad condition usually from the USA, none restored to the degree of this one. Also this is a European model and not a US model (not that it makes any difference - it can operate at a selectable 120V or 220V).

The shipping is costly as it requires two shipping packages and it's heavy so the cost of postage reflects this. The postal cost is generic as well so please message me in advance because shipping to Austraila is literally twice the cost of shipping to Germany or Italy. Shipping charged will be adjusted based on destination (including refunding the difference).

You won't find another HP in this good a condition - buy it while you can!

Highlights

Cosmetically near-perfect for a ~44-year-old system (very clean casework and presentation)
Fully refurbished: stripped, cleaned, electronics tested, and carefully reassembled
Dual floppy drives – both working 100% (controller board also verified)
1MB RAM installed (4 × 256KB memory cards) – no memory errors; RAM tested
Expansion installed: RS-232 serial interface (and HP-IB present as shown at boot)
BASIC 2.0 included on floppy (system boots and runs as expected)

Specifications (as configured / observed)

Model: HP 9836A
Display: HP monochrome CRT monitor (refurbished and cleaned; glass panel removed and cleaned – no smudges/marks)
Storage: 2 × internal floppy disk drives (both tested working)
Memory: 1MB total via 4 × 256KB memory cards
Interfaces / I/O:
- RS-232 serial card installed (parallel RS-232 interface)
- HP-IB present (reported at boot as HP98626 at address 9, see photos)
ROM/Software: boots correctly; BASIC 2.0 provided on floppy (see photos showing BASIC ready)

(If you want, I can tailor this section to match your exact installed card part numbers as printed on the cards/labels.)

Refurbishment details (what was done)

Complete teardown: all components removed from the chassis
Outer shell cleaned inside and out
Electronics tested individually, then reassembled with care
Floppy subsystem fully verified: both drives + controller board confirmed working
Memory tested: no memory errors observed
Monitor teardown: cleaned, tested, reassembled; front glass removed and cleaned for a crisp presentation

Keyboard (UK QWERTY conversion included)

Original keyboard is European layout.
I have sourced replacement keys to present this as UK-spec QWERTY.
Original Euro keys are included in the sale.
Note: some of the replacement keycaps are slightly darker/yellowed compared with the case; they can be easily removed and retro-brightened if the buyer wants a perfect match. The remaining keys are a clean cream/grey matching the system.

What’s included

HP 9836A computer (fully working, refurbished)
HP monochrome monitor (refurbished)
1 floppy disk with BASIC 2.0
Installed expansion cards as described (RAM + RS-232; HP-IB present as shown)
Euro keycaps set (included)

Shipping / sales area

1. Payment must be received within five (5) days of auction closing. PayPal and Bank Transfer is the only method of payment at this time. If you are unable to pay, please do not bid.

3. Shipping and handling is specified by cost listed in the auction, or will be determined at the end of the auction, as it is subject to value, weight and destination. Projections are available throughout the duration of the auction with the use of postal zip code. If the auction does not specify a shipping price, an email will be sent to the highest successful bidder with information necessary to complete the transaction.

4. Item will be prepared for departure as soon as possible after payment arrives, departures are unavailable on weekends or holidays. Items are packed sufficiently and professionally using standard and fresh packaging materials.

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7. Items featured in description pictures are described as fairly and accurately as possible. Do not assume something works in a certain imagined way, or if a part is included even if it is not there. Do research the items should technical specifications exist on the manufacturer?s website.

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