> Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 20:15:51 -0400
> From: "Andrew Lynch"
> Do you still have the manual for the MCT-EPROM / Sunshine programmer?
> If so, would you mind scanning a copy and maybe I'll ask Al to post it
> at Bitsavers.org. JDR is part of the history of microcomputers and
> practically everyone got something of theirs from JDR at some time or
> another. JDR is practically an institution in electronics/vintage
> computers. I remember ordering parts from them when I was in high
> school to fix my Dad's lab computers -- IBM PCs running AutoCAD. Thanks
> in advance!
I've still got it, but it's pretty worthless. Basically it's a
"stick the card in an empty slot, connect the cable, run the software
and do what it says". No circuit diagrams, specifications, nothing,
just a regurgitation of the program messages.
Very typical of the "Taiwanese Awful" documentation of the time. At
least the English is pretty good. JDR was no different--I've got two
manuals for floppy disk controllers (PC/XT type, not AT). But for
the "MCT" labeling on the title page, there's no difference between
the JDR one and the vanilla brand-less Taiwanese one.
Wasn't the early XT-cloning effort in Taiwan sponsored by the Taiwan
government? Almost none of the clone boards had any sort of branding
and the BIOSes all seemed to be the same. The manuals all look the
same--bad printing in a simple paper cover.
Cheers,
Chuck
MCT-EPROM
Chuck Guzis cclist
<mailto:cctalk%40classiccmp.org?Subject=MCT-EPROM&In-Reply-To=200805281421.m
4SEKpPX022701%40dewey.classiccmp.org> at sydex.com
Wed May 28 12:01:20 CDT 2008
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_____
> Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 21:20:10 -0400
> From: "Andrew Lynch"
> I have an old EPROM programmer for the PC. It uses an 8 bit ISA card
> labeled "MCT-EPROM". JDR used to sell these in the 1980's for 24 & 28
> pin
> Whenever I start the MOD-EPROM software it says it cannot find the
> controller board. It is looking for a device a 0x2A0 but apparently
> can't find it. The software does NOT allow the IO address to be
> changed and there are no configuration jumpers on the controller board.
> The ISA controller board installed in 486sx (25 MHz) but the software
> could not find it. I tried with a P3 (450 MHz) and got the same
> result.
I've got one of these--actually a no-name, but the same Taiwanese
unit. At one time, I think these were also sold under the "Sunshine"
name. You could get them with different "heads"--anywhere from a
single ZIF socket to 8 or so; maybe even 16. I have the 4-socket
version.
You've answered your own query. This board is strictly 5150/5160/XT
clone territory. IIRC, even a PC AT doesn't work--at least with the
software that I have (I haven't tried JDR's). I believe that this is
due to many CPU-based timing loops. I remember patching the code to
detect the board so it would run in a 386/20, only to have it fail to
program EPROMs, whereupon I gave up and stuck it back in the XT,
there to stay until the present.
This forms the basis of my suspicion that CPU loops are used
exclusively for timing--not a really bad idea back when the world was
filled with 8088 systems. Certainly, it wasn't alone in this
respect.
Get that 5160 going and you should be fine. I suspect though, that
you're faced with a chicken-and-egg situtation--you need to get the
EPROM burner going so you can get the 5160 running.
Source code for the programming software should make things easier to
modify for faster machines, but I suspect that it's unobtainium.
Disassembling is another option, but not one that I'm interested in,
as I have a parallel-port driven programmer that can still handle the
older EPROMs just fine.
Cheers,
Chuck
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-----REPLY-----
Hi Chuck,
It is sort of a "chicken and egg" scenario. I have a MCT-EPROM burner I'd
like to use but I agree it needs an XT clone. My XT clone is broken but
fortunately I have a different EPROM burner so if I can fix the XT I should
be good for the MCT-EPROM as well.
Do you still have the manual for the MCT-EPROM / Sunshine programmer? If
so, would you mind scanning a copy and maybe I'll ask Al to post it at
Bitsavers.org. JDR is part of the history of microcomputers and practically
everyone got something of theirs from JDR at some time or another. JDR is
practically an institution in electronics/vintage computers. I remember
ordering parts from them when I was in high school to fix my Dad's lab
computers -- IBM PCs running AutoCAD.
Thanks in advance!
Andrew Lynch
IBM XT diagnostic ROM
Jim Leonard trixter at oldskool.org
<mailto:cctalk%40classiccmp.org?Subject=IBM%20XT%20diagnostic%20ROM&In-Reply
-To=20080528131358.V82915%40shell.lmi.net>
Wed May 28 15:49:36 CDT 2008
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________________________________
Fred Cisin wrote:
> What you have found is called a Power On Self Test card, or "POST card".
>
> During the cold start process, the computer sends numbers at various
> stages to a port. By putting in a card that decodes the port and displays
> those numbers, you can see which stages of the start up process succeeded.
>
> It will only work if the computer is making it at least partway through
> the cold start boot process, and will certainly not tell you anything if
> the CPU is dead, no matter what some brain-dead moron might say. (Well,
> OK, some also have a few LEDs to tell you if the power supply is live,
> etc.)
It was my understanding that only AT-class machines (by age, not
necessarily by architecture type) wrote to that port. I've never seen a
PC or XT (or clone thereof) motherboard/BIOS write to that port.
--
Jim Leonard (trixter at oldskool.org
<http://www.classiccmp.org/mailman/listinfo/cctalk> )
http://www.oldskool.org/
Help our electronic games project: http://www.mobygames.com/
Or check out some trippy MindCandy at http://www.mindcandydvd.com/
A child borne of the home computer wars: http://trixter.wordpress.com/
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------REPLY------
Hi,
The IBM XT does send POST codes to port $60 during start up. The AT and
later send more detailed codes to port $80 which almost all POST card
devices support.
http://bioscentral.com/postcodes/ibmbios.htm
You can make your own POST card type device. I have two already but one is
a dedicated AT style and the other is an AWARD SOFTWARE POSTcard Rev 1.3.
Unfortunately, I do not have the manuals necessary to change the onboard
configuration switches to convert it from AT only to support XT style POST
codes.
http://members.tripod.com/~BBright/information/postcard.htm
Thanks to all who replied and for any help in repairing this classic IBM XT
motherboard.
Andrew Lynch
________________________________
Anyone have experience with these? I have a defective unit (purchased on
eBay - sad story) that tries to bash the drive head to death against the
Track 0 stop when turned on. I picked up the service manual and
schematics and was able to verify that the Track 0 sensor was working and
that that NTRACK00 (pin 34) on the 2793 FDC chip is pulled high at that
point.
It looks like the head-step pulses are generated in software by the
onboard 6507 CPU. The four phases appear on PB2-5 of a 6532 IO interface
and are presumably getting cycled in the correct sequence since the head
moves quite smoothly until it hits the physical stop.
I've already verified supply voltages and inspected the board closely for
burn marks, broken traces, etc. and reseated all the socketed ICs.
The unit is fitted with the 'US Doubler' enhancement, about which I know
very little.
Would appreciate any tips on troubleshooting.
Steve
--
I was just told there's a TI-990 mini available in the Lansing, MI area.
It's going to the scrapper if not claimed in the next day or two.
Included are a CPU in a tall single rack, two floor-standing
removable-pack disk drives (probably 80MB), a stack of disk packs, and
"fairly complete" documentation. I have only seen photos, and never
worked with these systems, so don't know much more.
http://www.somethingthatdoesntsuck.com/misccrapo/Images/ti990/
I'm trying to buy the machine a few more days before the scrapper, but I
wouldn't count on that.
I may be able to store the machine in a rental cube for a limited
period.
I will try to save the disk packs and doco regardless of whether the
machine gets saved.
I don't believe they want money for the system, though I didn't have a
specific discussion.
If you're interested, get in touch with me off-list at the above e-mail
address.
De
Hi,
Has anyone have or know where to get an IBM XT (5160) diagnostic ROM? I am
trying to revive an original IBM XT motherboard which is nonresponsive and
gives no error codes (beep or POST).
I am not even sure such a ROM exists but it would be a 27C256 style EPROM
that plugs into an IBM XT motherboard to help fault isolate an almost
completely dead unit.
The motherboard CPU seems to be working based on a quick exam with the
oscilloscope. However, the motherboard's initialization / boot process is
not making it to start up the video display before it hangs or crashes.
Obviously, something is broken but I haven't isolated exactly what yet.
If anyone can help, I would much appreciate it. Thank you in advance.
Andrew Lynch
> Message: 28
> Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 08:24:28 -0400
> From: Dan Roganti
> How about this, it's already been done, Internet Tabletop Radio
> There others like this but not all of them support RA
> http://linuxdevices.com/articles/AT7588734311.html
> Acoustic Energy says its WiFi radio will support stations broadcasting
> *Real Audio*, *WMV*, and *MP3* streams,
I saw that one, but it would take a bit of hacking to get it to what
I need (i.e., I don't need speakers and prefer a 10/100 baseT
connection rather than WiFi--and I want to be able to change my
selections via local network (e.g. telnet) as the unit would be
located a considerable distance from my listening location. And the
$300 price tag is a bit of a stopper also.
Still, I really like a lot of the boxes on the linuxdevices site--too
bad that the really good ones never made it past the prototype stage.
Cheers,
Chuck
I was messing around with my SX-64 (which is on ePay as a working unit)
yesterday, having located some software & a joystick for it. I was going to
take a few photos of the new bits, etc.; for adding to the listing.
Then: *sharp snap/crack noise*, lights go out.
Aaaargh!
OK, first things first: There was no burning smell, and no (visible) magic
smoke released. The fuse wire in the glass fuse has been vapourised; the
mains fuse survived. I replaced the fuse, which has not since blown, but the
PSU is deader than a dead thing that's been dead for a week.
Some careful poking around with the multimeter (before the multimeter went
bang - ffs, I must have an anti-midas touch this week), then the
oscilliscope, reveals that a secondary transformer on the PSU has failed. I
presume it went dead short, then burnt itself + the fuse out simultaneously;
hence the reason the replacement fuse hasn't blown.
So, what I need to do now is replace the transformer, or get it repaired
somehow (ideally before Sunday, when the ePay auction runs out - or, to
definitely know it is unfixable in that timescale & thus cancel the
auction).
What I DO have, which might make a repair feasible, is a second SX-64; the
only difference is, this one has a US (117v) PSU. Obviously, the primary
transformer windings are going to be different, but is it possible/likely
that the secondary transformer will be the same? Going by the part nos. I'm
not terribly hopeful:
UK Part no: TDK 68-0409 B8326A
US Part No: TDK 68-0407 B8309A
A quick google on any of those numbers reveals nothing...
I don't have the means to create 117v 60hz power, so I can't test that way -
and even if I could, it turns out that the US PSU has taken a wallop at some
point, breaking the circuit board. :(
Hey ho... any help gratefully received.
TIA!
Best Regards,
Ade.
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG.
Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.24.1/1469 - Release Date: 27/05/2008
13:25
> Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 09:10:58 +0200
> From: "Rik"
> I have one, it's not IBM but third-party. We used it to test XT's, I'll
> make you a image. It is 64k but I'll check if it's readable. And I
> should have the manual some where, but it's a very simple user
> interface. And it's does test the hardware.
I don't know if mine is the same as Rik's, but I do have the Landmark
"Professional PC Diagnostics" kit that comes with ROMs for both the
XT and AT. I'll be happy to send an image along if you think it
would help.
Cheers,
Chuck
> Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 21:20:10 -0400
> From: "Andrew Lynch"
> I have an old EPROM programmer for the PC. It uses an 8 bit ISA card
> labeled "MCT-EPROM". JDR used to sell these in the 1980's for 24 & 28
> pin
> Whenever I start the MOD-EPROM software it says it cannot find the
> controller board. It is looking for a device a 0x2A0 but apparently
> can't find it. The software does NOT allow the IO address to be
> changed and there are no configuration jumpers on the controller board.
> The ISA controller board installed in 486sx (25 MHz) but the software
> could not find it. I tried with a P3 (450 MHz) and got the same
> result.
I've got one of these--actually a no-name, but the same Taiwanese
unit. At one time, I think these were also sold under the "Sunshine"
name. You could get them with different "heads"--anywhere from a
single ZIF socket to 8 or so; maybe even 16. I have the 4-socket
version.
You've answered your own query. This board is strictly 5150/5160/XT
clone territory. IIRC, even a PC AT doesn't work--at least with the
software that I have (I haven't tried JDR's). I believe that this is
due to many CPU-based timing loops. I remember patching the code to
detect the board so it would run in a 386/20, only to have it fail to
program EPROMs, whereupon I gave up and stuck it back in the XT,
there to stay until the present.
This forms the basis of my suspicion that CPU loops are used
exclusively for timing--not a really bad idea back when the world was
filled with 8088 systems. Certainly, it wasn't alone in this
respect.
Get that 5160 going and you should be fine. I suspect though, that
you're faced with a chicken-and-egg situtation--you need to get the
EPROM burner going so you can get the 5160 running.
Source code for the programming software should make things easier to
modify for faster machines, but I suspect that it's unobtainium.
Disassembling is another option, but not one that I'm interested in,
as I have a parallel-port driven programmer that can still handle the
older EPROMs just fine.
Cheers,
Chuck
Does anyone have a datasheet for a Texas SN7523N?
I have a datasheet for a Signetics SN7523 (dual core sense amp), and was
expecting that the TI part would be equivalent, but it seems to behave
differently. I'm trying to figure out if I have a bad part or my
assumption that they're equivalent parts is mistaken.
Adrian
Hi,
I have an old EPROM programmer for the PC. It uses an 8 bit ISA card
labeled "MCT-EPROM". JDR used to sell these in the 1980's for 24 & 28 pin
EPROM programming. It is a fairly simple device but it doesn't appear to be
working.
JDR still has the software on their FTP site for the programmer, I think. I
believe it uses the "MOD-EPROM" software from the "MOD_EPRO.ZIP" file. It
appears there are several pieces of software on the JDR site which support
this programmer
Whenever I start the MOD-EPROM software it says it cannot find the
controller board. It is looking for a device a 0x2A0 but apparently can't
find it. The software does NOT allow the IO address to be changed and there
are no configuration jumpers on the controller board.
The ISA controller board installed in 486sx (25 MHz) but the software could
not find it. I tried with a P3 (450 MHz) and got the same result.
Does anyone have one of these EPROM programmers and can lend me a hand? I
need to confirm some things in order to determine if this part is working or
not. It may be I am using the wrong software or too fast of a computer.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Andrew Lynch
Not as high tech as others, but I still love the Commodore's. C64's, PET's
SX-64's (drool!) and their associated hardware, books and software.
If anyone is looking for a good home, please let me know.
I'm in Colorado, just south of Denver.
Thank you.
All:
I?m looking for the two following Dr. Dobb?s articles on the Mac:
::Jan 1985 "Fatten Your Mac" by Thomas Lafleur and Susan Raab
::Sep 1985 ?SCSI Your Mac, in MAC Toolbox? by John Bass relating to
adding a home-brewed SCSI interface to the Mac 128/512.
I have one of the DDJ article compilation CDs (Volume 11) but it only
starts at 1988. I would be grateful if someone with access to these issues
could make scans of them or point me to an on-line copy. Googling this
morning didn?t produce much other than TeX indices.
Thanks!
Rich
--
Rich Cini
Collector of Classic Computers
Build Master and lead engineer, Altair32 Emulator
http://www.altair32.comhttp://www.classiccmp.org/cini
> Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 14:22:28 -0500
> From: Jim Leonard
> You only need about 133MHz for what you're doing. Some ideas:
>
> - Use a 133Mhz PC
> - Use a laptop (better power management than a 1999-era desktop PC)
Thanks.
I thought of both, but still too power-hungry. How about something
that runs off of a wall wart? My DSL modem with ARM7 CPU runs Linux
and supports ethernet--it just don't have a sound chip. I don't need
video a CD-ROM, hard disk or floppy; just network access with the
ability to flash from the network. Even one of the VIA C3 boards is
more than I need.
Any other ideas?
Cheers,
Chuck
The cctalk server seems to have swallowed up postings after 22 May,
so I'll post this one again:
There are some very cool videos at:
http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2008/05/a-brief-history.html
The first film looks to be late 60's and is from Barclay's Bank. I
can identify S/360 and CDC 6000 gear easily; but not some of the
other stuff (ICL?).
The last film clip from a Britcom features an "intelligent" luggable
named Bourenmouth, What machine was it before it received its paint
job?
Cheers,
Chuck
Hello. I should like to obtain one copy of the NIC 7104 (Arpanet Protocol
Handbook). It was published many years ago by SRI but actually is completely
dissapeared. Could someones help, please ?
Thanks and Greetings
Sergio
Hi,
I am trying to revive an original IBM XT motherboard using an AWARD
POSTcard.
Unfortunately, I do not have the manual for the POSTcard.
Does anyone have one or can help with the switch settings? The XT uses IO
port 60h for the POST code whereas the AT uses port 80h.
I know the POSTcard works since it gives proper codes on AT class machines
(486 and newer)
Thanks in advance for any help!
Andrew Lynch
> Doesn't this post indicate your success? (ducking)
So I would have thought. Apparently you can post after attempting to
join the list, but until approved by Jay, you don't receive any
messages from it. I'm reading this from the list archive.
:(
I have inventoried my collection of STD Bus boards, docs and enclosures.
There's a lot of stuff there, complete with documentation for almost 99%
of it. About 1/3 of the boards are still sealed in the original bags.
I really, really want to move this as an entire lot. If anyone is
interested, please e-mail privately and I'll send you a list.
Steve
--
[I originally sent this on the 23rd but it seems to have disappeared into
the void while the list was down. Hopefully there won't be a duplicate
show up later.]
I'm looking for 7 or so junk computer cases in or around the Houston area.
A little over 10 years ago I installed a number of high end (for the time)
machines for a local company. I went back in 2001 or 2002 and decommissioned
them after Tropical Storm Allison when the projects they were hosting were shut
down. The machines been sitting in a corner of the equipment room ever since.
I've been told I can now remove them if I want them, but there is a catch.
Asset management wants "something" to show them as removed from inventory. They
don't much care what they get because anything over 3-5 years old (according to
inventory sheets) gets sent to the metal scrapper.
So...I'm looking for 7 or so junk computer cases. The systems I had in place
there were large full-sized deskside chassis, but something like mini-tower PC
cases should do. It would be best if they were completely empty no-name junk
cases as I really don't like sending anything to the metal scrappers (I still
use a number of well made heavy duty AT cases for my personal machines).
I kinda wish I hadn't gotten rid of all my own junk PC cases 5-7 years ago but
I'm sure there has to be someone in or around the Houston area with some junker
cases still sitting around.
I could probably also use some anti-static bags too as I have a bunch of spare
parts in a cabinet there that are sitting in bins. I can't take the bins but
the spare boards and drives will go with the old systems.
Replies should probably be off-list. Even though the machines I'm attempting to
save from the scrapper would be on-topic by now, they aren't DEC, Sun, etc and
would probably be boring to many list members. Also, please maintain a subject
line I can easily spot as I'm often flooded with spam.
> Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 07:56:27 -0400 (EDT)
> From: Steven Hirsch <snhirsch at gmail.com>
> Subject: Atari 1050 diskette drive repair
> To: Classic Computers Mailing List <cctech at classiccmp.org>
> Message-ID: <alpine.DEB.1.00.0805220747180.6891 at duo>
> Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; format=flowed; charset=US-ASCII
>
> Anyone have experience with these? I have a defective unit (purchased on
> eBay - sad story) that tries to bash the drive head to death against the
> Track 0 stop when turned on. I picked up the service manual and
> schematics and was able to verify that the Track 0 sensor was working and
> that that NTRACK00 (pin 34) on the 2793 FDC chip is pulled high at that
> point.
> It looks like the head-step pulses are generated in software by the
> onboard 6507 CPU. The four phases appear on PB2-5 of a 6532 IO interface
> and are presumably getting cycled in the correct sequence since the head
> moves quite smoothly until it hits the physical stop.
> I've already verified supply voltages and inspected the board closely for
> burn marks, broken traces, etc. and reseated all the socketed ICs.
> The unit is fitted with the 'US Doubler' enhancement, about which I know
> very little.
> Would appreciate any tips on troubleshooting.
>
> Steve
Steve,
The only problem that I've had with 1050's is that the felt pressure pad
that replaces the top head will fall off. I don't remember the exact
symptoms because it's been a few years. Take a look, it couldn't hurt.
Ralph
I am in need of this thermal Paper,I woek for Labarge Inc. and have an
HP 85 used for a tests system. If you still have the paper E-Mail me at
cfisk at labarge.com.
_______________________________________________________
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