Captain Napalm sez:
> At an auction this past Saturday, I picked up a Zenith Z386-20 (okay, it
>might, just might, be 10 years old). It looks to be a decent system, and
>today is the first day I've been able to play around with it, as I had to
>scrape up some 72-pin SIMMS for memory.
Wow. 72 pin? Are you certain? In any case, ISTR older Zeniths taking proprietary
memory.
> Upon turning the unit on, I get (if I recall - it doesn't stay very long
>on the screen):
> Bad CMOS configuration blah blah yada yada
> Then the screen goes blank and the system just sits there, fans spinning.
How long? I mean, how long have you let it wait? If it's mis-configured on the
hard disk, it could take simply ages to time out.
> I have some questions about the unit I figure I'd through out here before
>going to alt.folklore.computers.
> 1. It doesn't seem to even look at the keyboard. Do Zeniths use
> a proprietary keyboard, or is the POST routine not getting past
> the bad CMOS?
Zeniths were, ISTR, slightly touchy about keyboards, but they didn't have to be
proprietary. Odds are something else is hanging it.
> 2. The computer itself has a daughter board that contains the
> ROMs, a SmartBattery (DALLAS - DS1260-100 / 9816 / 3V
> Lithium battery), an Intel 8742 (Universal Peripheral Interface
> 8-bit Slave uController) and other neat features (the 8 LEDs
> are a nice touch). The Smart battery can be removed, but I'm
> wondering if it's a common item and is easily replaced.
Depends on how you define "common" and "easily," but yeah, you should be able to
find it and replace it. They last a long time, though; I'd resolve the config
issue before replacing it.
--
Christopher D. Heer ORACLE Corporation
Network Engineer III 203 N. La Salle Avenue #2000
Work: (312) 704-1676 Chicago, IL 60601
Fax: (312) 726-4635
Email: cheer(a)us.oracle.com Visualize Whirled Peas
Does anyone know anything about a somewhat strange UK home computer called
an HH Tiger? I believe the specification was :
6 MHz Z80B, 64K RAM, boot ROMs (was there a ROM basic?)
2MHz 68B09, 8K RAM, I/O ROM, RS232 port, parallel port, network interface
(used the 6854), cassette interface
NEC7220 graphics chip = 3 off 32K bitplanes. RGB TTL outputs to a monitor
Built-in 1200/75 (Prestel) modem
I believe it was designed by Tangerine, and would have been the Oric. It
was sold to HH Electronics (who, AFAIK no longer exist), who never sold it
(or who only sold it in small quantities). It appears to have been a nice
machine - has anyone got any more info?
--
-tony
ard12(a)eng.cam.ac.uk
The gates in my computer are AND,OR and NOT, not Bill
In a message dated 97-03-19 20:49:20 EST, you write:
>
>This is for all of you that are familiar with the TI-99/4 and 4A and it's
>Speech Synthesizer. Does anyone know if there were any of the Plug-In
Speech
>Modules ever released? Granted, the reported 373 words (from the
Synthesizer
>booklet) is pretty good, it'd be nice if it were larger. Also, I'm looking
>for any cartridges that used the Synthesizer, as the only two I have that do
>is 'Parsec' and 'Terminal Emulator II'. I am especially in need of the
>'Speech Editor' cartridge.
There were many "Speech Synthesizer" modules released. Most of them had to
do with entertainment packages, but there also many for education as well.
Education packages included the Scott, Foresman series were the computer
would say the numbers and letters to children, and for entertainment, there
was Alpiner, Parsec, M*A*S*H, Star Trek, Microsurgeon, and many, many others.
There are more than 373 words to choose from. In fact, with the Terminal
Emulator II cartridge, you have unlimited "text-to-speech" capability.
Literally anything you type in can be spoken. Sometimes you would have to
make the the pronunciation spellings different in order for this to work, but
mostly, it was fine. Extended BASIC was the only cartridge that limited
"text-to-speech", but even then TI later released a "text-to-speech" diskette
which would allow the user to type in anything (much like the Terminal
Emulator II, and Speech Editor).
I just picked up a Speech Editor cartridge for $20 from someone who was
selling it along with other old TI stuff. Expect to pay this, or more for it
- as it is rare. I just got it, and I can't even use it because I don't have
the manual.
Anyone have the manual for the TI Speech Editor cartridge?
Bryan Nicalek
bnicalek(a)aol.com
On 25-Mar-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote:
>The UK PAL versions model number is: 4110 you can a picture of one here:
> http://staff.motiv.co.uk/~kevan/old_collection/manufacturer-mattel.html
>Kevan
Yes, your machine was the one I was referring to! I found the Mattel
version for $1 the other day after we were talking about the differences in
the model's.
Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
// Amiga: The computer for the creative mind...since 1985!
// -------------------------------------------------------
\// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware,
\/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Collector of classic home computers:
Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore
C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X,
Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A,
Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4.
Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.
In a message dated 97-03-16 14:02:04 EST, you write:
<< This CPU was thought to be very powerfull for its time. Was it 16bit,
while most of the others were 8bit? >>
Yes, the TI was the FIRST 16-Bit Computer ever manufactured. TI invented the
integrated circuit, the microprocessor, and the microcomputer, altogether.
Being first was their tradition. Who knows if it still is?
The TI-99/4A beat IBM just before IBM's PC got popular. TI had a lot of
marketing troubles throughout the 4+ years they tried to market their
machine. This is why we're not running everything on a 64-bit TI machine!
Bryan Nicalek
bnicalek(a)aol.com
At an auction this past Saturday, I picked up a Zenith Z386-20 (okay, it
might, just might, be 10 years old). It looks to be a decent system, and
today is the first day I've been able to play around with it, as I had to
scrape up some 72-pin SIMMS for memory.
Upon turning the unit on, I get (if I recall - it doesn't stay very long
on the screen):
Bad CMOS configuration blah blah yada yada
Then the screen goes blank and the system just sits there, fans spinning.
I have some questions about the unit I figure I'd through out here before
going to alt.folklore.computers.
1. It doesn't seem to even look at the keyboard. Do Zeniths use
a proprietary keyboard, or is the POST routine not getting past
the bad CMOS?
2. The computer itself has a daughter board that contains the
ROMs, a SmartBattery (DALLAS - DS1260-100 / 9816 / 3V
Lithium battery), an Intel 8742 (Universal Peripheral Interface
8-bit Slave uController) and other neat features (the 8 LEDs
are a nice touch). The Smart battery can be removed, but I'm
wondering if it's a common item and is easily replaced.
3. The daughter board also contains the ROMs, and the one that's
in there looks to be an EPROM. The markings are
TMS / 27C512JL / LPD8809.
I'm mostly a software guy, so some of this hardware is puzzling
to say the least.
I'd like to get this system up and running.
-spc (Oh, so it's www.zds.com and NOT www.zenith.com 8-)
Does anyone have any schematics or info on this machine? I have one that
refuses to boot and seems to have a bad 74LS259 in what I'm pretty sure is
the disk circuitry. Any help or info is appreciated.
Thanks,
Lou
On Wed, 19 Mar 1997 10:55:54 -0700, Jim Strickland spake thusly
unto us:
> [...] sounds like an interesting collection... but an expensive one
> to power up.
All in all, the minis aren't that bad on power. The Novas only draw
a couple hundred watts and usually aren't powered on at the same time.
The pdp11/34a is a hog, though; the month I started working on that one
the power bill went to $75.
I believe the largest amount of computer power running in the
house at once was the time when my wife had both PCs up and I had my
DECstation, VAXstation, and InterAct fired up at the same time. The
LAN took a beating that day.
> I assume you've read Soul of the New Machine about the Data General
> push to a 32 bit response to the VAX?
What DG "head" hasn't?
Cheers.
--
______________________________________________________________________
| | |
| Carl Richard Friend (UNIX Sysadmin) | West Boylston |
| Minicomputer Collector / Enthusiast | Massachusetts, USA |
| mailto:carl.friend@stoneweb.com | |
| http://www.ultranet.com/~engelbrt/carl/museum/ | ICBM: N42:21 W71:46 |
|________________________________________________|_____________________|
At 10:58 AM 3/19/97 -0600, Ron Kneusel wrote:
>Now, the trouble is.. neither computer works. When powered up they both
>give a clear green screen and that is it. The carts and joysticks work
>just fine as my Atari 400 was able to tell us.
>
>I popped the top on the 800 and pushed on all the chips and still
>nothing. I'm a bit perplexed as to why both machines are acting the same
>way. They use different power supplies and the 800 power supply works
>with the 400.
>
>I'm new to Ataris, so it this a sign of something that commonly went
>wrong with these machines?
>
>All help appreciated!
>
>- Ron Kneusel
> rkneusel(a)post.its.mcw.edu
>
Ron,
The only one that I might be of help is the 800. I pulled the OS
board out of my atari and got the green screen. I can only deduce from this
that maybe with both machines, there is something wrong with the OS board,
but there might be more to it than that. I have had my 800 since 1983, and
have not had any real problems with it. Knock on wood. I know I shouldn't
say things like that, but oh well, I said it anyway. Hope this helps.
There is a guy here in Austin that would have a spare OS board for the 800,
if you want his name and email, let me know and I will pull it out for you.
Isaac Davis
idavis(a)comland.com
indavis(a)juno.com
Hello all,
I'm new to the list, and have been "lurking" for a few days. Things
look pretty good, but as most of the discussion relates to micro-
computer systems, I wonder if anyone here shares my passion for mini-
computer gear.
I maintain a collection of functional minicomputers and am rather
heavily involved in several restoration projects currently underway.
My collection's primary focus is Data General machines in the 16-bit
class, although I have several DEC systems as well. Does anyone else
here collect minis?
Of course, it goes without saying that any information on the
whereabouts of "available" DG 16-bitters would be vastly appreciated!
Cheers!
______________________________________________________________________
| | |
| Carl Richard Friend (UNIX Sysadmin) | West Boylston |
| Minicomputer Collector / Enthusiast | Massachusetts, USA |
| mailto:carl.friend@stoneweb.com | |
| http://www.ultranet.com/~engelbrt/carl/museum/ | ICBM: N42:21 W71:46 |
|________________________________________________|_____________________|
