18 Feb
2004
18 Feb
'04
11:24 a.m.
Any recommendations out there for good Nascom resources?
I know nothing about these creatures; I went round to pick up a Torch
floppy drive unit from someone a few days ago and they happened to ask
if I wanted a Nascom before they threw it out...
It's housed in the biggest, ugliest wooden case ever so that's going to
have to go! The system board is a Nascom 2, whilst the PSU says Nascom
3a - maybe there was a crossover point when that practice was common?
Inside there's just a system board and memory board, and no bus slots
for anything more - is the bus anything standard and were other 3rd
party boards typically added to these machines?
It's complete apart from a broken reset key on the keyboard (luckily
said key is seperate from the rest of the keys, so fitting any similar
sized switch would not look out of place). The clock circuitry looks to
be bodged to hell and back; there's even a bit of breadboard glued to
the inside of the case with an IC plugged into it :-)
Several stray wires are evident amongst the nest of ones which are still
attached to things, so it'll be a while before I can see if I can get it
running!
Still, a curious one, and my first wooden cased computer. I'll have to
keep an eye out for a better shell for it though... (actually I know
where there's some antique furniture rotting in an abandoned manor
house... I'll have to go looking for a suitable cabinet, maybe there's
something there I can use :-)
cheers
Jules
18 Feb
18 Feb
11:50 a.m.
On 18 Feb 2004, Jules Richardson wrote:
Any recommendations out there for good Nascom
resources?
Go to the VCF Link Library:
http://www.vintage.org/links.php
Type "nascom" in the search box and hit Search. Voila!
:)
I know nothing about these creatures; I went round to
pick up a Torch
floppy drive unit from someone a few days ago and they happened to ask
if I wanted a Nascom before they threw it out...
Nice!
It's housed in the biggest, ugliest wooden case
ever so that's going to
have to go! The system board is a Nascom 2, whilst the PSU says Nascom
Whatm and ruin its character? I would leave it intact, if only to serve
as an example of how hobbyists sometimes made the ugliest enclosures for
their computers.
3a - maybe there was a crossover point when that
practice was common?
Or maybe this was a kludge made up by the previous owner.
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
[ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage Computers ]
[ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at http://marketplace.vintage.org ]
12:19 p.m.
On Wed, 2004-02-18 at 17:50, Vintage Computer Festival wrote:
hehe - if I had the space I would; but it's bigger than two modern PC
tower cases bolted together, all for the sake of two boards and a PSU
though! :)
It's also built out of plywood and every screw seems to be different
(and most of them are rusty). It doesn't have much character to ruin ;-)
cheers
Jules
On 18 Feb 2004, Jules Richardson wrote:
ta :)
Any recommendations out there for good Nascom
resources?
Go to the VCF Link Library: It's
housed in the biggest, ugliest wooden case ever so that's going to
have to go! The system board is a Nascom 2, whilst the PSU says Nascom
Whatm and ruin its character? I would leave it intact, if only to serve
as an example of how hobbyists sometimes made the ugliest enclosures for
their computers.
12:31 p.m.
On 18 Feb 2004, Jules Richardson wrote:
hehe - if I had the space I would; but it's bigger
than two modern PC
tower cases bolted together, all for the sake of two boards and a PSU
though! :)
It's also built out of plywood and every screw seems to be different
(and most of them are rusty). It doesn't have much character to ruin ;-)
Are you kidding? That has character GALORE!
I'm being serious!
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
[ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage Computers ]
[ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at http://marketplace.vintage.org ]
19 Feb
19 Feb
4:44 p.m.
It's
housed in the biggest, ugliest wooden case ever so that's going to
have to go! The system board is a Nascom 2, whilst the PSU says Nascom
Whatm and ruin its character? I would leave it intact, if only to serve
as an example of how hobbyists sometimes made the ugliest enclosures for
their computers.
> 3a - maybe there was a crossover point when that practice was common? 
5:57 p.m.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-bounces(a)classiccmp.org
[mailto:cctalk-bounces@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Tony Duell
Sent: 19 February 2004 22:44
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: New find: Nascom.. umm 2.5.. a.. ish
I htink you've both misinterpretted the markings. The CPU
board is a Nascom 2 board (to distinguish it from the Nascom
1). The PSU is a 3A (3
amps) unit... It was quite a normal PSU to use with the Nascom 2
Hahahaha! *takes self outside to administer a good slapping* :oD
Cheers
w
6:18 p.m.
On Thu, 2004-02-19 at 23:57, Witchy wrote:
hehehe, slap this way too...
cheers
J.
I htink
you've both misinterpretted the markings. The CPU
board is a Nascom 2 board (to distinguish it from the Nascom
1). The PSU is a 3A (3
amps) unit... It was quite a normal PSU to use with the Nascom 2
Hahahaha! *takes self outside to administer a good slapping* :oD
18 Feb
18 Feb
12:21 p.m.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-bounces(a)classiccmp.org
[mailto:cctalk-bounces@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Jules Richardson
Sent: 18 February 2004 17:11
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: New find: Nascom.. umm 2.5.. a.. ish
Any recommendations out there for good Nascom resources?
How about the Nascom homepage? www.nascom.info.
It's housed in the biggest, ugliest wooden case
ever so
that's going to have to go! The system board is a Nascom 2,
What?! You can't chuck the case out, it's part of the machine and a great
example of how people used to build their own stuff back in those days. Does
it look anything like this one? (the wooden one, not the plastic one)
http://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/Museum/Nascom/nascom2/nascom2.php
whilst the PSU says Nascom 3a - maybe there was a
crossover
point when that practice was common?
The 3a was part of the Lucas Nascom 3 but they're all the same anyway.
Inside there's just a system board and memory
board, and no
bus slots for anything more - is the bus anything standard
and were other 3rd party boards typically added to these machines?
Sorta, but not to the extent of say the Microtan 65. I've got full nascom 2
documentation if you want detailed answers to owt.
place). The clock circuitry looks to be bodged to hell
and
back; there's even a bit of breadboard glued to the inside of
the case with an IC plugged into it :-) Several stray wires
are evident amongst the nest of ones which are still attached
to things, so it'll be a while before I can see if I can get
it running!
Sounds like a grand old machine :) Also it sounds like another reason why
you can't get rid of the case! Can you do pictures for us? The machine
itself should run on +5V with nothing more than the main board connected to
a telly, 'course it depends on where the maze of wiring ends up doesn't
it.....
furniture rotting in an abandoned manor house...
I'll have to
go looking for a suitable cabinet, maybe there's something
there I can use :-)
Nah, ugly can be good :)
Cya
--
Adrian/Witchy
Owner & Webmaster, Binary Dinosaurs
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - possibly the UK's biggest online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - ex-monthly gothic shenanigans :o(
12:34 p.m.
On Wed, 18 Feb 2004, Witchy wrote:
What?! You can't chuck the case out, it's part
of the machine and a great
example of how people used to build their own stuff back in those days. Does
it look anything like this one? (the wooden one, not the plastic one)
http://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/Museum/Nascom/nascom2/nascom2.php
Now that is one gorgeous box! How deliciously quaint :)
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
[ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage Computers ]
[ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at http://marketplace.vintage.org ]
1:03 p.m.
> What?! You can't chuck the case out, it's
part of the machine and a
great
> example of how people used to build their own
stuff back in those days.
Does
it look
anything like this one? (the wooden one, not the plastic one)
http://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/Museum/Nascom/nascom2/nascom2.php
Now that is one gorgeous box! How deliciously quaint :) 
1:37 p.m.
On Wed, 2004-02-18 at 18:21, Witchy wrote:
Just curious as to whether they ever sold the ns 2 boards with a 3a PSU,
or whether that was a bodge by the person who built it (or even a later
change)
Yep, just bought a new camera the other day so I should be able to sort
some pics out of stuff. I'm gonna have to find somewhere to host them
too!
Well I'm the first one to never throw anything out, particularly if it's
anything classic (whether a computer or not). I'm wondering if the
current case will come to bits so I can flat-store it. I think it's all
screwed rather than nailed so unless it's been glued it should.
That way I can build something smaller and of better quality to house
the boards, but someone can always take it back to how it was originally
built if they wanted.
cheers
Jules
What?! You can't chuck the case out, it's part
of the machine and a great
example of how people used to build their own stuff back in those days. Does
it look anything like this one? (the wooden one, not the plastic one)
http://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/Museum/Nascom/nascom2/nascom2.php
heh, it's around twice that size. You could almost live in the damn
thing :o)
whilst the PSU
says Nascom 3a - maybe there was a crossover
point when that practice was common?
The 3a was part of the Lucas Nascom 3 but they're all the same anyway. Sorta, but not to the extent of say the Microtan 65.
I've got full nascom 2
documentation if you want detailed answers to owt.
Ooh, ta. Will probs be useful when I come to try and get it into an
operational state.
place). The
clock circuitry looks to be bodged to hell and
back; there's even a bit of breadboard glued to the inside of
the case with an IC plugged into it :-) Several stray wires
are evident amongst the nest of ones which are still attached
to things, so it'll be a while before I can see if I can get
it running!
Sounds like a grand old machine :) Also it sounds like another reason why
you can't get rid of the case! Can you do pictures for us? The machine
itself should run on +5V with nothing more than the main board connected to
a telly, 'course it depends on where the maze of wiring ends up doesn't
it.....
aha, that's good to know though. At least I can eliminate the need to
have the extra memory board plugged in then. I'm currently drowning in
classic computer stuff that needs doing though (on top of everything
else!) so getting the Nascom running is way down the pile!
furniture
rotting in an abandoned manor house... I'll have to
go looking for a suitable cabinet, maybe there's something
there I can use :-)
Nah, ugly can be good :)
4:46 p.m.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-bounces(a)classiccmp.org
[mailto:cctalk-bounces@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Jules Richardson
Sent: 18 February 2004 19:24
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: RE: New find: Nascom.. umm 2.5.. a.. ish
heh, it's around twice that size. You could almost live in
the damn thing :o)
Kinnell, what lives in the extra space? Rats? :)
Just curious as to whether they ever sold the ns 2
boards
with a 3a PSU, or whether that was a bodge by the person who
built it (or even a later change)
No idea. Mick at the Nascom pages might have some thoughts though.
Ooh, ta. Will probs be useful when I come to try and
get it
into an operational state.
They're easily grabbable so just let me know. I just hope that I haven't
either moved or tidied before you get the chance to give the machine the
once-over. I had a photographer over from The Independent today who spent 90
mins or so taking pictures of some of my collection for an article in
saturday's edition, so this morning was a tidying frenzy to actually get
some floorspace back :)
Yep, just bought a new camera the other day so I
should be
able to sort some pics out of stuff. I'm gonna have to find
somewhere to host them too!
I've got space if you get stuck.
currently drowning in classic computer stuff that
needs doing
though (on top of everything
else!) so getting the Nascom running is way down the pile!
You'll be stuffed when you get another job :oD
That way I can build something smaller and of better
quality
to house the boards, but someone can always take it back to
how it was originally built if they wanted.
*looks over to glued Microtan box*
Good job I don't want to separate that one innit!
Cheers
--
Adrian/Witchy
Owner & Webmaster, Binary Dinosaurs
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - possibly the UK's biggest online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - ex-monthly gothic shenanigans :o(
19 Feb
19 Feb
4:42 p.m.
Any recommendations out there for good Nascom resources?
I know nothing about these creatures; I went round to pick up a Torch
floppy drive unit from someone a few days ago and they happened to ask
if I wanted a Nascom before they threw it out...
It's housed in the biggest, ugliest wooden case ever so that's going to
have to go! The system board is a Nascom 2, whilst the PSU says Nascom
3a - maybe there was a crossover point when that practice was common?
If you get no other help, I should have the schematics, etc, for all that
stuff....
Inside there's just a system board and memory
board, and no bus slots
for anything more - is the bus anything standard and were other 3rd
party boards typically added to these machines?
The bus was Nascom special, and was also used on the Gemini (with a few
modifications). Yes, there were 3rd party boards (I have one somewhere
with the Digitalker chipset on it IIRC). It was a fairly popular hobbyist
computer at one time...
However, the CPU board + memory board is a fairly common configuration.
IIRC, there is RAM space on the CPU board (using 4118 1K byte SRAMs). At
the time, there was a ahortage of said chips, so Nascom supplied the CPU
board without them, but offered the DRAM board at a very good price.
Needless to say that's what most purchasers bought.
Still, a curious one, and my first wooden cased
computer. I'll have to
The case is not original (altough, strangely, my Nascom is in a wooden
box..) Originally you just got a pile of PCBs...
-tony
7636
days inactive
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days old
13 comments
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participants (6)
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ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
julesrichardsonuk＠yahoo.co.uk -
lists＠microvax.org -
vcf＠siconic.com -
wh.sudbrink＠verizon.net -
witchy＠binarydinosaurs.co.uk