---
title: OPEN UNIVERSITY, UK Hektor 3
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- United Kingdom
years:
- '1983'
cpus:
- 8085A
params:
  name: Hektor 3
  image: /media/museum/photos/openuniv_hektor3_system_s1.jpg
  company: /companies/open-university-uk
  company_name: OPEN UNIVERSITY, UK
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: Hektor 3
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Open University, UK
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: United Kingdom
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1983'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: 8K ROM Monitor
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke 60 keys
  - label: CPU
    value: 8085A
  - label: SPEED
    value: 3.024 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 8 KB up to 64 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80x24, 40x24 and 73x35.
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 640 x 240 dots
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome
  - label: SOUND
    value: Built-in speaker
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 27,5 (W) x31 (D) x5 (H) cm / 1.5 kg
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: TV/RF output, composite video, cassette port, 40-pin interface for an external peripheral board, 24-pin I/O controller, configurable for use as a parallel printer port. light pen connector
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: None
  - label: OS
    value: Unknown
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: External PSU. Could be powered from a 12V car battery.
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: Expansion board, 1200/75-baud modem, Mouse
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown, available only on loan to Open University students
  tabs:
  - photos
  photos:
  - title: HEKTOR III
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/openuniv_hektor3_system_s2.jpg
  - title: LEFT SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: One can see the Serial and tape recorder DIN sockets, and the expansion connector.
    image: /media/museum/photos/openuniv_hektor3_leftside_s1.jpg
  - title: REAR SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: The Hektor III could be connected to a composite monochrome monitor or to a TV set through a built-in RF modulator.
    image: /media/museum/photos/openuniv_hektor3_rearside_s1.jpg
  - title: OPENED
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/openuniv_hektor3_opened_s1.jpg
  - title: MAIN BOARD
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/openuniv_hektor3_mainboard_s1.jpg
  comments:
  - author: Ed (UK )
    date: Saturday 23rd May 2020
    text: |-
      Have a Hector III in its box with manuals and cables etc.\
      Based in the UK\
      Any offers?
  - author: Colin (UK)
    date: Wednesday 10th October 2012
    text: |-
      I have just obtained an old Hektor III open university computer from 1983. Does anyone have a manual for this. Also it did not come with a power supply, so if you have the schematic then this would be usefull

      Thanks
  - author: schaap (The Netherlands)
    date: Monday 31st October 2011
    text: |-
      Here is one with some pictures on Ebay: http://www.ebay.nl/itm/Vintage-Hektor-III-Micro-Home-Computer-single-board-with-8085-CPU-1983-/220884935792?pt$LH_DefaultDomain_146$hash$item336dc4a470

      Regards,
  - author: Dave Shawyer
    date: Sunday 2nd May 2010
    text: |-
      I have a Hektor III but it has a different ROM O/S from the one I used on my OU course. This ROM doesn''t give access to BASIC. Has anyone experienced this and indeed does anyone have a copy of the original ROM?

      Regards,

      Dave
  - author: Ruth Cammies (UK)
    date: Monday 26th March 2007
    text: 'For information, an example of the HEKTOR III, with a manual, is available to view at the Open University Archive, at the Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, UK. For further information or to make an appointment to come and look at the computer, contact: 01908 653378'
  oc_id: 1023
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230129162547/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1023
    date: '2023-01-29'
---

Also very little information about the Hektor III. The case and keyboard were the same as the Hektor II but the electronic board was completely redrawn to support up to 64 KB of RAM and ROM.

Several I/O connectors allowed to connect an extension card, a light pen, a 1200/75 baud modem, a parallel printer and even a mouse.

The Hektor III was also loaned to the students for the duration of the Open University course, hence its rarity.

Thanks to **Ian Hall** for all the pictures.

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>