Black box computer

[LEStudent]

Hello gentlemen,

A bit of background: When I was at Ft. Bragg in 11/05 demonstrating the VBS1 program for SWC, one of the 18-echo instructors in the Code Room was tinkering with a black box computer. I don't recall all of the specifics, but I do recall that it had a flat screen (possibly LCD) monitor integrated, as well as a keyboard, etc. As I recall, the instructor had liberated this particular machine from those big pallets of surplus that get scrapped and was turning it into a LAN gaming machine.

What I'm after, is whether or not those black boxes might be available as surplus, once they're scrubbed and sanitized.

EDIT -- As far as I know, I was not exposed to any restricted or otherwise sensitive areas or materials during my visit to the SWC. I apologize in advance however, if my post in any way violates any OPSEC.

[SF_BHT]

Why would you look for a piece of ADP equipment that is that old and was being disposed of in 2005. It would be outdated and proprietary and not serve any real purpose. For $500 you can have a new computer/laptop.

[glebo]

how big ws this "black box"?? It may have been an AN/CYZ-10, Data transfer Device. At least that's what your description sounds like.

The comp apps instructor is getting life cycled computers now for his training, he hasn't had to go to DRMO to pick at beat up old ones.

He did however, build a computer using an old plastic milk crate for a container to put all the computer parts in, and it does function.

Other than that, sorry not much help.

[Slantwire]

He did however, build a computer using an old plastic milk crate for a container to put all the computer parts in, and it does function.

Last I saw, he has one of those mounted on the wall as a training aid, and another in use running the Powerpoint!

LEStudent: Are you talking about Black Box, the company? I've used their ethernet switches on a DARPA project in the past, and I know they make rack-mount pieces. Your description sounds like it could be a KVM switch, something like this:

http://www.blackbox.com/Catalog/Detail.aspx?cid=537,1393,1394&mid=4660

If that is what you saw, remember that it's only a display and keyboard, the computer itself is a separate unit that the KVM connects to. Any computer (desktop, laptop, rack-mount or milkcrate) can drive a KVM as long as it has the standard monitor / keyboard / mouse ports.

As SF BHT says, any salvaged computer unit is going to be very antiquated. If he was building a "LAN gaming machine," I'd suspect that he put together a nice server, using a salvaged KVM to interface for admin tasks. Maybe a salvaged switch for the LAN clients to connect, as well.

[LEStudent]

I did some more digging this morning, and came up with ACME portable computers. (http://www.acmeportable.com.tw/emp.htm) I guess I answered my own question. The product linked is pretty much what I saw up there in the Code Room. If I'd spent another hour searching, I would have found the answer and not looked like an asshat for asking. But I thank you gentlemen for taking the time to read and reply. God bless.

[C0B2A]

The black box you are referring to that you saw was made by an instructor there at SWTG.. if I'm not mistaken. I worked on it myself while I was in his class. Basically he just took a normal ATX case and created a slot for a flat screen monitor to fold out as well as a keyboard. This instructor made it himself so what you said would not be available surplus. Though I may be mistaken but the story adds up, he was going to use it as a mobile gaming rig but really the hardware he had in it was to outdated to do much with. I was installing some new hardware on this black box January 06 when a news crew from the Observer came in and snapped a few pics for an article about the course. Here is a pic of the box from that news article.

[LEStudent]

That sounds like the same one, yeah. He was a very, very cool guy, and treated myself and my colleague with the utmost of respect (as did everyone else we met there at the SWC). I don't want to drop any names, but he's bald and teaches in the Code Room. If anyone happens to see him, tell him the guys from BIA/VBS1 said hey. :)