test-drb September 1998

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

154 participants
649 discussions

Kaypro & Osborne Floppy Drive compatability

by fmc＠reanimators.org

Phil Clayton <handyman(a)sprintmail.com> writes: > I have several old 360K floppy drives removed from old XT's > is it possible to use these in my CP/M machines..? > Are they compatable, and has anyone used these drives in the old > CP/M's.? Kaypro: yes Osborne: I dunno I'm thinking that the O1 has funny disk drives that need power somewhere on the ribbon cable. But it's been a while since I had one open to check, and am posting in the spirit of getting someone else to jump in and correct me. -Frank McConnell

25 years, 10 months

Small Systems (was: Single-card video/I/O solution)

by IVIE＠cc.usu.edu

Uncle Roger said: >I came across a couple of small systems ... > that are the size of a small shoebox ... > Unfortunately, the ones I got are 286 and 386sx machines ... > I would > love to find such a box with something more current ... http://www.mod.com/html/desktop_products.html The only thing that might possibly link this to being on-topic is that this is Ken Olsen's new company. Roger Ivie ivie(a)cc.usu.edu

25 years, 10 months

Classic Computer Essentials (was C128D)

by maxeskin＠hotmail.com

Most flat screen displays use analog SVGA signals. They're trying to elminiate SVGA, and have pure digital signals, which is how it should be for a TFT screen. When this happens, you'll have a harder time using it with old machines. Eventually, CRTs may be relegated to second place (kinda like dot matrix printers). >> for those who don't want to get involved with repair. I'd start with the >> following... Feel free to add things >> >> A transformer to convert your local mains into the 'other' standard. I.e. >> a 110V step-down transformer for the UK, a 220V step-up transformer for >> the states. >> >> A composite monochrome monitor, capable of working with UK and US TV >> standards (almost all will do that). >> >> An analogue RGB colour monitor, TV scan rates > >The analogue RGB monitor is an essential but getting one that runs at >TV scan rates is getting difficult. I was lucky enough to find a >Microvitec badged NEC Multisync (digital and analog inputs) that >seems to display almost anything. However it's now more than ten >years old and starting to display its age. These types of display are >snapped up by the Amiga enthusiasts so what are the alternatives? >Does anyone know the signal requirements for the "new" desktop flat >screen displays? > >Phil > > > >************************************************************** >Phil Beesley -- Computer Officer -- Distributed Systems Suppport >University of Leicester > >Tel (0)116 252-2231 >E-Mail pb14(a)le.ac.uk > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

25 years, 10 months

C128D

by maxeskin＠hotmail.com

No, this is an internal PSU. > >>Hans Franke just gave me a Commodore 128 D, the 220 volt version. >>Could someone please tell me a) how to convert the PSU (no switch) >>or b) how to hook up a normal PC PSU. > >Is this by any chance the same power supply used by the C-128, A-500, >A-600, A-1200? I know that for these systems the best powersupply is the >one that came with the A500 as it has the highest wattage. > > Zane >| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator | >| healyzh(a)ix.netcom.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast | >| healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector | >+----------------------------------+----------------------------+ >| Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, | >| and Zane's Computer Museum. | >| http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ | > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

25 years, 10 months

Classic Computer Essentials (was C128D)

by roblwill＠usaor.net

One RGB monitor that I have is a Magnavox Professional. It has composite input, RGB input, and another input that I don't have the cable for. I like it because it also is capable of displaying Monochrome (green) display in either CGA/RGB, Composite, or Monochrome mode. I think the third connector is to connect it to a Hercules card, but I don't have the cable (not the same as RGB cable. -- -Jason (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#-1730318 ---------- > From: Phil Beesley <PB14(a)leicester.ac.uk> > To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> > Subject: Classic Computer Essentials (was C128D) > Date: Wednesday, September 16, 1998 8:10 AM > > On 16 Sep 98 at 1:42, Tony Duell wrote: > > > How about a list of useful things for classic computer collectors, even > > for those who don't want to get involved with repair. I'd start with the > > following... Feel free to add things > > > > A transformer to convert your local mains into the 'other' standard. I.e. > > a 110V step-down transformer for the UK, a 220V step-up transformer for > > the states. > > > > A composite monochrome monitor, capable of working with UK and US TV > > standards (almost all will do that). > > > > An analogue RGB colour monitor, TV scan rates > > The analogue RGB monitor is an essential but getting one that runs at > TV scan rates is getting difficult. I was lucky enough to find a > Microvitec badged NEC Multisync (digital and analog inputs) that > seems to display almost anything. However it's now more than ten > years old and starting to display its age. These types of display are > snapped up by the Amiga enthusiasts so what are the alternatives? > Does anyone know the signal requirements for the "new" desktop flat > screen displays? > > Phil > > > > ************************************************************** > Phil Beesley -- Computer Officer -- Distributed Systems Suppport > University of Leicester > > Tel (0)116 252-2231 > E-Mail pb14(a)le.ac.uk

25 years, 10 months

C128D

by maxeskin＠hotmail.com

You don't have the schematics for this anywhere? The PSU is separate and it looks like I could plug in a PC power supply if I knew pinout. As for useful things, I would also suggest an older model printer, a 5.25" drive, and, if possible, an 8" drive. Then, I would say a VOM is obligatory either way. > >This is rapidly becoming a FAQ here - how to convert between 110V and >220V mains. > >By far the easiest and safest way is to use a step-up transformer. It >doesn't need to be an isolating transformer - an autotransformer is fine. >You feed 110V in and get 220V out. Since 240V -> 110V transformers are >fairly common in the UK, I would guess you can get the reverse in the States. > >If you can't find a suitable transformer, then there's a sort-of kludge >that works, but you need to take a little care when wiring it up. > >Get a mains transformer with _2_ 115V (or thereabouts) primary windings. >Such transformers are fairly common, since by connecting the primaries in >parallel you can use them in the States, and by connecting them is series >(230V) you can use them in Europe. It doesn't matter what the secondaries >are, as you're not going to use them. > >Connect the windings in series, like you would for 230V mains. Connect >the output across the 2 windings. Connect the 115V mains across one of >them. In effect you're using the primaries as an autotransformer. > >The power rating of the transformer that you use should be about twice >that of the computer you want to run. That gives a reasonable safety margin. > >Another way, which should be safe, but which for some odd reason is >against the US electrical code is to connect the 220V unit to a 220V US >outlet - the sort of thing you plug an air conditioner or whatever into. > >It may be possible to modify the PSU. If it uses an iron-core 50Hz/60Hz >transformer, then look to see if there are 2 primaries wired in series >for 220V mains. Connect them in parallel for 110V mains - taking care to >get the relative polarity correct. I'll not give any more details, >because it really depends on the PSU design what you should do. > >For a switcher, the input circuit is often a bridge rectifier for 230V >mains. If you can convert this to a voltage doubler, and if there's no >line-frequency transformer for a start-up supply, then it should work. > >A lot of switchers have 2 smoothing capacitors in series - look for 2 >large capacitors of about 470uF at 200V. Connecting the centre-tap of >these to one side of the mains (after the switch/fuse/filter) will do it. >Often there's a link on the PCB (marked 'link for 115V' or something like >that) for this purpose. Again, knowing how PSUs work is a great help here. > >But I'd recomend the step-up transformer in your case. It avoids >modification, and it's safe. > >How about a list of useful things for classic computer collectors, even >for those who don't want to get involved with repair. I'd start with the >following... Feel free to add things > >A transformer to convert your local mains into the 'other' standard. I.e. >a 110V step-down transformer for the UK, a 220V step-up transformer for >the states. > >A composite monochrome monitor, capable of working with UK and US TV >standards (almost all will do that). > >An analogue RGB colour monitor, TV scan rates > >A dumb terminal (or a PC + terminal emulator program) > >One of those RS232 quicktesters with red/green LEDs. (I use mine more >than my Tektronix datacomms analyser) > >An assortment of cables. In particular IEC mains leads (like PC mains >leads), RS232 cables (straight and null-modem), video cables (RCA - RCA, >BNC, PL259, etc) > >-tony > > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

25 years, 10 months

Rainbows and S/W for sale.

by mtapley＠swri.edu

All, spotted this on the comp.sys.dec.micro newsgroup. Please reply to him, not me. I love my Rainbow but don't know anything about his :-) Also, you probably should check out ftp.update.uu.se in the /pub/rainbow directory to see whether there's anything there that might suit your Rainbow software needs better. Or check it out to see what a wonderful variety of reasons there is to get a Rainbow! - Mark vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv Path: Supernews70!SupernewsNP!Supernews73!supernews.com!howland.erols.net!feed1.news.r cn.net!rcn!news-xfer.netaxs.com!feed.centuryinter.net!not-for-mail From: aljohnson(a)centuryinter.net Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec,comp.sys.dec.micro Subject: FS: Misc DEC Software for DEC rainbow and Hardware Date: Wed, 16 Sep 98 04:52:05 GMT Organization: CENTURYinter.net Lines: 9 Message-ID: <N.091598.235205.05(a)ppp093.av.centuryinter.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: ppp093.av.centuryinter.net X-Newsreader: Quarterdeck Message Center [2.00] Xref: Supernews70 comp.sys.dec:67074 comp.sys.dec.micro:9067 I have misc software including wordprocessing, multiplan, operating stuff for dec rainbows and similar machines. Have several rainbow machines and some cables. Parting out all of it CHEAP. Software a buck a box, Hardware a buck a part. Most but not all software is still in plastic. Got to get rid of it. Please email with any question. Allen ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

25 years, 10 months

Lisa floppy problems

by Marion.Bates＠Dartmouth.EDU

--- Eric Smith wrote: Marion.Bates(a)Dartmouth.EDU (Marion Bates) wrote: > As far as I know, it is the same in almost all respects, right down = > to the model number. But, the Lisa version supports the Lisa's = > auto-eject feature when shutting down from the front button, = > whereas the Mac version does not. No, they are in fact identical, and have auto-eject. The eject when the white "power" button on the Lisa is pressed is done by software; the button doesn't really have anything to do with the power supply. Eric --- end of quote --- I asked David Craig about this, and here's what he had to say: "Concerning your recent question about the differences between the Mac and Lisa 400k drives as pertaining to auto eject at machine shutdown, my understanding is the Lisa drive has extra circuitry to detect when its power is turned off and it then auto ejects the floppy. The Mac drive does not have this extra circuitry and therefore does not auto eject a floppy by itself. The Mac floppy ejection is controlled by the system software. See Sun's Lisa repair manual which talks about this feature. FWIW, the Lisa drive being smarter does not suprise me since the Lisa hardware philosophy was to have specific components handle specific tasks. That's why the Lisa twiggy drives were smart and did stuff like formatting whereas the Mac handles everything about the disk. The Lisa's keyboard was also smart and had its own chip to control it -- COPS, control oriented processing system." -- MB

25 years, 10 months

Commodore 64/64C? & X1541 Repost

by foxnhare＠goldrush.com

> From: Marion.Bates(a)Dartmouth.EDU (Marion Bates) > Subject: Commodore 64/64C? > > I was wondering, what is the difference between a regular Commodore 64 and a > 64C? I've got one of each, and everything seems identical other than that the > 64C looks like a 128. Generally they are exatly the same except the 64C went through a couple of later board revisions that noticibly cut down the chip count and the board size (and not to mention the production cost too). One 'bug' that resulted is that the 64C's SID chip was 'fixed' of a clicking sound when you change volume levels. Unfortunately that 'click' was employed by some game and sound programmers to play digitized sounds, and without the 'click' those digitized sounds in older 64 games came out either muted or non-existant. > (Well, one other difference is that the 64C overheats after about an hour or so...) I hooked in a fresh (used) 64C into my BBS couple weeks back and after about 336 hours of continual use, it doesn't seem too noticibly warm. It may be because the slimmer 64C case is closer to the motherboard. ------------ The X-1541 post and response were by: g.j.p.a.a.baltissen(a)kader.hobby.nl (Ruud Baltissen) and "Frank Kontros" <frank(a)kontr.uzhgorod.ua> If you want more info than what I posted, talk to them, as I am more of a general programmer than a hardware/OS person. Larry -- -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- Larry Anderson - Sysop of Silicon Realms BBS (300-2400bd) (209) 754-1363 Visit my Commodore 8-Bit web page at: http://www.goldrush.com/~foxnhare/commodore.html -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

25 years, 10 months

Small Systems (was: Single-card video/I/O solution)

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

At 11:18 AM 9/13/98 -0700, you wrote: >With such a card I can construct a minimal, full system on an old >386sx I have using only one expansion slot, which is a necessity. I came across a couple of small systems made by SIIG (who makes expansion cards now) that are the size of a small shoebox (not my shoes; Rachel's) and are complete systems with I/O, Video, FDC, HDC, etc. Room for a single 3.5" floppy and one 3.5"hd. One 16-bit expansion slot. Unfortunately, the ones I got are 286 and 386sx machines, but they work great for my voicemail system (which can run fine on an 8088). I would love to find such a box with something more current, but SIIG doesn't mention them on their web site. --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad roger(a)sinasohn.com that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.sinasohn.com/

25 years, 10 months

← Newer
1
...
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
...
65
Older →

Jump to page:

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

test-drb September 1998