Another ask, help ID this chunky piece of retrotech - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2023, 10:04:36 pm
content: Here's another dead-end thing, anyone have any ideas what this connected to? Can't find much on the webz.https://www.ebay.ca/itm/334473452923I haven't bought anything useless in two months, now I have the hoarding monkey on my back real bad!I'd guess from the connector that it's simply ground, power, and TX and RX somehow and there's a protocol like on the C64?

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2023, 10:10:06 pm
content: I don't know, but the company was a lab equipment vendor, so I'd guess to lab equipment of some kind? Not to general-purpose computers.https://www.radiomuseum.org/dsp_hersteller_detail.cfm?company_id=13010

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2023, 11:15:34 pm
content: Perhaps a wild guess, but...The 5-pin DIN connector suggests audio to me, and program/data storage on audio cassettes were a standard thing back then.This might be a floppy drive emulating the cassette storage system.In that case it could be really useful for retro computers.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2023, 11:52:16 pm
content: Only way to find out is to buy it...What's intriguing is the metal clip in the back, looks like it holds the DIN connector.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2023, 12:08:23 am
content: The clip doesn't look original, more like a kludge from a lab guy irritated about the cable dangling around.

author: c64
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2023, 04:47:52 am
content: This item has been fully tested by our tech department and is in good working conditionAsk the seller? If it was tested, they must know what is it

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2023, 05:57:25 am
content: Quote from: c64 on August 10, 2023, 04:47:52 amYep, I'm pretty curious about how they have tested it.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2023, 05:52:01 pm
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on August 10, 2023, 05:57:25 amThey probably "tested it" the same way that sellers "recondition" their reconditioned equipment that they sell on E-Sucker. You know, the stuff that has broken broken knobs, bad displays, missing feet, cut off power cords and dirt, scrapes and scratches all over it.Q: "Found in a dumpster in an industrial area?" Check >TESTED!

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 15, 2023, 03:29:54 am
content: Quote from: Stray Electron on August 10, 2023, 05:52:01 pmJust more eBay nonsense words."Tested" = We plugged it in/switched it on, something lit up and it didn't go bang. Nothing further is known."Stored in a climate controlled environment" = It was stored indoors at home, occasionally we might have had the air conditioner/heater/fan running."Working pull" = It was once working sometime in its history, so we just assume it still works now. Haven't tested/won't test it."New old stock" / "New in box" = We haven't tested it. Might work, might not. You take the gamble."Rare" = We found no or few other listings in the few seconds we spent searching ebay at the time of listing, so itmustbe rare."Sold as-is" = There's something not quite right about this item, but it's up to you to piece it together from the photos/description.

author: Nusa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2023, 07:23:23 am
content: The 3.5" drive in it is likely nothing special, so the parallel to rs-232 (probably) interface board and protocol is what's special. And that's worthless except to someone who needs it for it's original purpose.If you still want it, offer $20 and see what happens. That's about what a 3.5" floppy to USB solution would cost you today.