30 Jul
2022
30 Jul
'22
9:15 a.m.
Hi,
I just saw an unknown to me connector listed on an eBay auction and was
wondering if anyone knows more about an "FS/2" connector.
Link - FS/2 to IBM PC-AT P-1940-0042 CABLE 6 FOOT FREE SHIPPING
- https://www.ebay.com/itm/304580270070
I assumed it was a typo / poor original copy that should have been a
"PS/2". But hovering over the label on the first three pictures clearly
shows "FS/2". Whats more is the kerning on the "F" is easily
differentiated from the "P" elsewhere on the same label. So it seems
that it's not the typo / faded label / etc. that I assumed it was before
clicking on the link.
So ... does anyone know what an "FS/2" connector is?
--
Grant. . . .
unix || die
30 Jul
30 Jul
10:24 a.m.
On 7/30/22 09:15, Grant Taylor via cctalk wrote:
Hi,
I just saw an unknown to me connector listed on an eBay auction and was
wondering if anyone knows more about an "FS/2" connector.
Link - FS/2 to IBM PC-AT P-1940-0042 CABLE 6 FOOT FREE SHIPPING
- https://www.ebay.com/itm/304580270070
I assumed it was a typo / poor original copy that should have been a
"PS/2". But hovering over the label on the first three pictures clearly
shows "FS/2". Whats more is the kerning on the "F" is easily
differentiated from the "P" elsewhere on the same label. So it seems
that it's not the typo / faded label / etc. that I assumed it was before
clicking on the link.
So ... does anyone know what an "FS/2" connector is?
From the fuzzy photos, looks like a DE0 (EGA? CGA?) connector to
S-video. But I'm not at all certain about that.
--Chuck
11:15 a.m.
On 7/30/22 10:24, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:
Looking more closely at the photos, I note the DE9 is a *female*
connector, which implies that this is a RS232 serial cable of some sort.
FS = FlashSystem?
--Chuck
From the fuzzy photos, looks like a DE0 (EGA?
CGA?) connector to
S-video. But I'm not at all certain about that. 
1:52 p.m.
> I just saw an unknown to me connector listed on an
eBay auction and was
> wondering if anyone knows more about an "FS/2" connector.
> Link - FS/2 to IBM PC-AT P-1940-0042 CABLE 6 FOOT FREE SHIPPING
> - https://www.ebay.com/itm/304580270070
>. . .
> So ... does anyone know what an "FS/2" connector is?
On Sat, 30 Jul 2022, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:
From the fuzzy
photos, looks like a DE0 (EGA? CGA?) connector to
S-video. But I'm not at all certain about that.
2:21 p.m.
https://www.handheldsystems.com/handhelds/ms-dos/fs3/fs3_access.htm
has one of those cables (or at least "P-1940-0042" part number) $125
For connecting an "Itron FS/3 to PC".
and a manual ("Developer's Guide") for an "Itronix Husky FS/2".
$75
So, look for "Itronix/Itron Husky FS/2"
https://cybarcode.com/itronix/data_collection_terminals/portable/batch/husk…
https://www.9jatools.com/products/sokkia-itronix-husky-fs2-handheld-compute…
has a picture of the end of the FS/2, which has 2 male DE-9 ports.
So, could that cable be used for connecting an FS/2 to a PC keyboard or
mouse port, as a way to transfer field barcode? data to the PC?
Note: that cable has a large heavy DE-9 connector; tighten the screws!
otherwise, movement of that cable relative to your FS/2 could do serious
daamage to the connectors. For handheld use, without screwing it in, that
connector should be replaced with a very flexible small molded connector.
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com
2:52 p.m.
Itron/Itronix Husky FS/2 handheld computer
Handheld, using 3 AA batteries
8 x 40 display 240 x 64 pixel
(if you think that text on your phone is too easy to read, or got hooked
on Gavilan 8 line display)
FS/2 had an "4M RAM, 8086, and MS-DOS 3.30" according to first link
(considering the non-IBM display format, probably 3.31, contrary to the "3.30"
mentioned on the first page, and the second link also says 8MHz NEC V25+
and 1-2M RAM)
MS-DOS 2.11 and 3.31 could be configured for 8x40 display, 2.10 and 3.30
would require modifications, not just configuration.
Chuck could elaborate on the 2.11 and 3.31 "OEM versions" of MS-DOS that
were intended for non-PC configurations.
Optional 12 pin RS232 "round connector"
(FS/3 had 386EX, and MS-DOS 6.22! and a "type 2" "PC Card" internal
slot)
https://www.handheldsystems.com/handhelds/ms-dos/fs2/fs2.htm
https://www.handheldsystems.com/handhelds/ms-dos/fs_brochure.pdf
3:12 p.m.
Found the cable on the handheldsystems web site, but it's not a keyboard
connector. Text reads:
Itron FS3 to PC Cable, 12M/9F
Itron FS3 Circular 12-pin Male to PC DB9F 9-pin Female cable
P-1940-0042 $125.00
On the brochure, an option for the FS/3 serial communications is
specified as "2 x RS232/V24 ports via 12 way circular connectors --COM1
& COM2.
What my takeaway from this is the cable is to connect a PC serial port
to the optional 12 pin circular serial port on the FS2/FS3.
Heck, I can barely read my 11 inch tablet screen...
--Chuck
2:56 p.m.
On 7/30/22 14:21, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote:
https://www.handheldsystems.com/handhelds/ms-dos/fs3/fs3_access.htm
has one of those cables (or at least "P-1940-0042" part number) $125
For connecting an "Itron FS/3 to PC".
and a manual ("Developer's Guide") for an "Itronix Husky FS/2".
$75
So, look for "Itronix/Itron Husky FS/2"
https://cybarcode.com/itronix/data_collection_terminals/portable/batch/husk…
https://www.9jatools.com/products/sokkia-itronix-husky-fs2-handheld-compute…
has a picture of the end of the FS/2, which has 2 male DE-9 ports.
So, could that cable be used for connecting an FS/2 to a PC keyboard or
mouse port, as a way to transfer field barcode? data to the PC?
Could be--again, blurry photos leave us guessing. But that's a good find!
--Chuck
3:16 p.m.
>
https://www.handheldsystems.com/handhelds/ms-dos/fs3/fs3_access.htm
> has one of those cables (or at least "P-1940-0042" part number) $125
> For connecting an "Itron FS/3 to PC".
> and a manual ("Developer's Guide") for an "Itronix Husky
FS/2". $75
> So, look for "Itronix/Itron Husky FS/2"
> https://cybarcode.com/itronix/data_collection_terminals/portable/batch/husk…
>
https://www.9jatools.com/products/sokkia-itronix-husky-fs2-handheld-compute…
> has a picture of the end of the FS/2, which has 2 male DE-9 ports.
On Sat, 30 Jul 2022, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:
Could be--again, blurry photos leave us guessing. But
that's a good find!
My subsequent email has URL for the spec sheet for the FS/2.
It mentions in the table, a "12 pin round connector RS232". In which
case, this cable is for connecting THAT connector to PC RS232.
But, I'm REALLY hoping that someday you will elaborate in length about the
MS-DOS 2.11 and 3.31 OEM configuration capabilities and limitations!
4:12 p.m.
On 7/30/22 15:16, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote:
But, I'm REALLY hoping that someday you will elaborate in length about
the MS-DOS 2.11 and 3.31 OEM configuration capabilities and limitations!
My recollection (very hazy after about 40 years) from DOS 2.x is that as
an OEM you supplied the IO.SYS and low-level utilities. If you look at
the MSDOS 2 or 6 source code (available on the web), there are scads of
adjustments in the code for the large OEMs like Compaq.
--Chuck
6:23 p.m.
On Sat, Jul 30, 2022, 5:21 PM Chuck Guzis via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
wrote:
On 7/30/22 15:16, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote:
That's certainly what DEC did with its Rainbow...
Warner
But, I'm REALLY hoping that someday you will elaborate in length about
the MS-DOS 2.11 and 3.31 OEM configuration capabilities and limitations!
My recollection (very hazy after about 40 years) from DOS 2.x is that as
an OEM you supplied the IO.SYS and low-level utilities. If you look at
the MSDOS 2 or 6 source code (available on the web), there are scads of
adjustments in the code for the large OEMs like Compaq.
6:32 p.m.
On 7/30/22 10:15 AM, Grant Taylor via cctalk wrote:
I just saw an unknown to me connector listed on an
eBay auction and was
wondering if anyone knows more about an "FS/2" connector.
Thank you all. It seems as "FS/2" is not a /type/ /of/ /connector/ so
much as it is a /device/ that.
TodayIlearned :-)
--
Grant. . . .
unix || die
879
days inactive
880
days old
11 comments
4 participants
participants (4)
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Chuck Guzis -
Fred Cisin -
Grant Taylor -
Warner Losh