Looking for Indy, Indigo2, or Newer SGI System – Bay Area Local

[Old-school-cool]

I’m trying to relive a small but unforgettable part of the late 1990s while I’m still relatively young. I spent two years working at Alias|Wavefront during the development of Maya 1.0, and I’d like to find a machine capable of running that era of software again.

Since that time, I’ve spent my career and personal time working with Linux systems, but I’ve always loved the unique look, feel, and history of the old Silicon Graphics machines. Nothing quite matched the experience of working with those systems back when Maya was brand-new.

I’m looking to buy or trade for SGI hardware, ideally an Indy, Indigo2, or something slightly newer. I’m based in the San Francisco Bay Area, so local pickup is preferred, but I’m happy to travel within California or arrange shipping if needed.

The system doesn’t need to be complete — missing RAM, drives, or other parts are no problem — as long as its condition and limitations are clearly described. My goal is to restore one of these machines to a working state so I can run Maya 1.0 or 1.5 and keep a small piece of computer graphics history alive.

If you have an SGI system collecting dust or know someone who does, please reach out. I’ll make sure it goes to a good home where it will be appreciated and preserved.

 

[mousehouse]

I’m biased but yes, they are a load of fun. Especially if you have personal memories of working with them!

An Indy should not be super hard to come by, but if you actually want to put in some real usage you could also look at an Indigo2 or an O2.

If searching locally does not turn up any machines in the US there is “mashek”, who can spec you out a system I’m sure.

I can spare an Indy but pretty sure that shipping and importing will be expensive, and the cases are very brittle to ship such a distance.

 

[Old-school-cool]

Hi! I don't plan to use it seriously, but even in 1999 using Maya 1, or 1.5beta I remember the Indy was really slow. By comparison, the O2 was useable without frustration and using Maya 1.5 or 2.5 on an Octane was downright zippy.

But like I say, I just want to relive a little nostalgia. I also don't want to spend a fortune, so what ever machines are easiest to come by are my goal.

Thank you to offering shipping, but I remember that even in the 90s these machines were so brittle that a careless cable caught in the wrong place would break the plastic. After almost 30 years I assume they are so delicate that just moving them around the house could destroy their funny cartoon colored cases.

If I can find a local Indy I will probably only run Maya 1, which is fine. That was what I learned on. I will probably buy as much ram as I can on eBay and figure out a fast SCSI drive or SCSI to flash adapter.

If I can find a local O2 then as long as it isn’t damaged or missing too many parts I can figure it out from there. A couple of decades in IT and then scientific computing gives me all the skills I need.

I probably don't want to buy an Octane unless someone feels kind. My quick search shows that they can get pretty pricy. I think I can afford a few hundred dollars on this little project. Much more and my wiser half will need to give prior written approval.

I feel silly that I didn't try to pick up a Tezro when SGI went under. I know that once support ended from SGI, a lot of universities had to trashcan those things just because they had no security updates.

 

[atakioki]

I have an Indy (booting, hopelessly shattered top-case and broken power button) and an 02 (booting, A few brittle skin failures) that I could pass on to you for the money I have in them currently. I also have a panacea of keyboards and a 17 and 21" Granite CRT you could talk me out of if that's part of the nostalgia.

 

[mousehouse]

If all else fails there’s always SGIdepot or Mashek

 

[Old-school-cool]

If all else fails there’s always SGIdepot or Mashek

Or eBay. I see some Tezro desktop systems for *only* $14,000… and Indy for *only* $1,000.

 

[tinyman1959]

I'm Really new to this forum, TODAY as a matter of fact. I have an Indigo 2 impact sitting here in pieces, literally ! I pulled it from a storage place that was not kind to it. It will not power up and I was hoping to get that far but the power supply seems dead. It is dead.... not sure why, but I really don't have the work area or knowledge to repair it. The Ram bay is full and it WAS running . I bought 2 of them for $100. each while in Seattle about 20 years ago. I sold one on Ebay for about $150. I think and spent that on getting this one to run. My health and income took a hit and It was forgotten until a few days ago. Both machines came from a salvage store run by Boeing in Seattle. No Harddrives and little Ram. I knew about windows machines and had trouble wrapping my head around the operating system. I bought parts from Ian I think was his name, in the UK somewhere. I would like to repair the O2 I have but it has problems as well including the power supply and Ram. I would love to help you if you think you can help me as well. Don't like to type much but decided it was worth it for your cause. If there is a PM on here , let me know if you are interested or reply to this and we can figure out something............ P.S. I live south of San Antonio, Texas.
Tinyman

 

[tinyman1959]

I have an Indy (booting, hopelessly shattered top-case and broken power button) and an 02 (booting, A few brittle skin failures) that I could pass on to you for the money I have in them currently. I also have a panacea of keyboards and a 17 and 21" Granite CRT you could talk me out of if that's part of the nostalgia.

I'm Curious, What part of the world are you in ? I'm looking for parts for an O2 or a working O2, BUT.... I'm a retired trucker living in Texas, close to the Alamo. I said living, I meant surviving on my social security. I do wood working sometimes to make a little computer money. I can't call it beer money anymore, had to quit for health reasons. Tiny

 

[atakioki]

Welcome to the forum: )

I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area. Apologies, I don't have an O2 or any parts I would be willing to part with at the moment. If you would just like a running SGI, I do still have an operational Indy. I don't mind shipping, shoot me a DM if interested and maybe we can work something out.

 

[tinyman1959]

I am getting parts together to get my O2 running, I was asking to see if Old School Cool was interested in the Indigo 2 Impact that I have. He said he could go a couple hundred and I would take it if he could find out how bad the shipping would be, I know it weighs between 40 and 47 Lbs. and there would be packing to consider. The Indigo 2 is a beast of a machine, but I know how to pack it so it would arrive safely. The other one I had arrived at the guys door and he said it could have fallen off the truck and not been disturbed. This one and the other one were probably twins as both came from Boeing in Seattle. I just ordered the unit to replace my cd rom drive today and I'll be able to put the software images I have on it for install. Not sure how it will go but I have a couple of guides to go by. I wish there were people in my area to ask questions and diagnose some issues I have with the O2.

Tiny

 

[Old-school-cool]

I found an O2 with some plastic damage. I’m tinkering with this for now. Let’s see if it brings me joy, if not then I will pass it along to another willing SGI geek. Here is hoping.

 

[a6502]

There are 2 listings going on for SGI Hardware in the Bay Area right now:

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/sys/d/sunnyvale-silicon-graphics-o2-mint-sgi/7890808141.html

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/sys/d/mountain-view-new-silicon-graphics-sgi/7846318911.html

 

[tinyman1959]

Thanks for the interest but they are too far from Texas and too far above My income level.....