hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
Value of early electronic calculators - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: woodchips
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2024, 09:20:32 am
content: Having to downsize, so lots of stuff has to go. The mechanical calculators are safe at the moment, but no longer have any advanced test gear so the electronic ones are just a nuisance now.There are:- Singer Friden 1162- Busicom 162- Burroughs C3660 programmable- Canon Canola SX-320 ProgrammableBought must be 15-20 years ago. Powered up the Burroughs and Canon, nothing, no power lead for the other two.Did advertise them for between £300-500 each, no interest. Can't remember what I paid but they weren't £0.99 on ebay!What are they now valued at?

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2024, 02:59:26 pm
content: No idea of the values of any of these models but IMO a lot of old calculators have come down in value in the last 10 to 20 years since the few collectors out there have all obtained all of the more or less common ones. Also the price is dropping as the collector/owners die off and their heirs don't want their collections. My children certainly don't want my collection and they're already said that they plan in bringing in a dumpster and dumping most of the old stuff that I have.I used to work for Burroughs and I've repaired the C3660s in the past and I won't mind having one just for show and tell but it's not worth the amount that you're asking to me (and I'm in the US so shipping would also be a killer).YMMV,

author: cfbsoftware
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2024, 09:23:14 pm
content: Do an advanced search on eBay to include Sold / Completed items to show you what people are paying - not what they are asking for.e.g. the Burroughs doesn't show any results but a Singer Friden 1162 went for £600+ (inc. postage) 3 months ago and had 3 bidders ...
Microvitec computer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2024, 08:08:09 pm
content: I wonder if anyone knows anything more about these than I do? All I know is these are the computers on the desks of an old printing press, controls supplied by Harland Simon in the 1980s, which was a part of Rockwell Automation. I wonder if any of these could have any purpose today? If not, I'll pull the EPROMS like I'm doing to the rest of the control system!

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2024, 09:37:44 am
content: I don't know if this means anything to anyone, but I'm told these terminals replaced the VT100s many years ago and is the terminal which would run X windows.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2024, 11:36:43 am
content: The only context in which I know the Microvitec name is that they made very well respected CRT monitors back in the day. The "cub" was the gold standard display if you had a BBC micro.Didn't know they made anything else, sorry.

author: Squarewave
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2024, 05:41:50 pm
content: Yes I remember those from school, the CUB monitors and the BBC computer.
6522 vs W65C22 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Wawavoun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2024, 04:23:49 pm
content: Hello there,On a vintage computer the ascii keyboard is connected to a parallel port.Usually I have a real 6522 via for this port and this works very well.I try to change the 6522 by a W65C22 and then start to see some strange things.Some characters (as far I can see "g", "O", "o", "w", "?" and "7") sometime come in twice.I double check the strobe signal and I am sure that there is only one down pulse per keystroke as expected...If I read the datasheets (6522 and W65C22) I understand that the data on port is read one time when strobe go down and then is latched until the central processor read it. Only at this moment new data on port can be taken in account.I must say that I am a little lost and cant understand how this is possible and why only some chars show the problemAny help will be appreciated.Thanks.Philippe

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2024, 05:37:36 pm
content: You need to read the caveats section of the WDC datasheet."There is a major design difference between the W65C22S and all previous versions of the 6522 and 65C22.The IRQB pin on the W65C22S is a standard totem pole output. It is no longer open drain and cannot be wireOR'ed. "Which computer is this?

author: Wawavoun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2024, 05:49:50 pm
content: Of course I read it.IRQ is not involved in the problem.Ascii data come in to port A bits 0-6 and strobe is connected to CA1.Data are read by polling.The computer is a rebuild from the Elektor EC-6809.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2024, 06:57:44 pm
content: I understand that but I can't find a schematic. How are you displaying this data? Terminal?It doesn't matter if the 6522 is polled, if it's pulling the IRQ line high, other things connected to the IRQ line may have problems signalling correctly, like a UART...Also there's more than one W65C22 ...https://www.westerndesigncenter.com/wdc/w65c22-chip.phpW65C22S/W65C22NDifferencesThe W65C22S is lower power, faster and direct drive outputs with no current limiting resistors on outputs ports.The W65C22N is plug replacement of NMOS 6522 devices with current limiting resistors on output ports.The W65C22N does not have bus holding devices on the input, IO pins.The W65C22N IRQB is an open drain output that CAN be Wire-ORd, unlike the totem-pole output of the W65C22S(some customers have had to use a diode in series with the IRQB output when using the W65C22S in their systems that had Wire-ORd interrupts).

author: Wawavoun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2024, 07:16:22 pm
content: I have a S version.Its look to me that the N version is better in case of replacement of original 6522.In fact the A port and the strobe signal of the via are directly drive by a Arduino Nano acting as a ps2 keyboard to parallel ascii converter.
Nintendo Virtual Boy - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 11:58:24 pm
content: Has anyone heard of the Nintendo Virtual Boy, or even tested it?It was a complete commercial failure, but interesting device technically nonetheless, based on a NEC V810 (32-bit RISC CPU) and pretty fancy (for the time) LED-based stereoscopic display.More info:https://nintendo.fandom.com/wiki/Virtual_Boy
Your own message transmitter for POCSAG pager - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Postal2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2024, 01:22:12 pm
content: I added a function to my program to send messages to a pager. For this you will need a module on SX1278 or SI4463 costing $1. You can use LPT or USB, Windows 98 is supported. To use USB, you can use a simple FTDI based converter.
REQ: Manual and Software for vintage Microtek EA-486 ICE - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: RomDump
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2021, 12:19:35 am
content: Wondering if anyone has the Manual and software for vintage Microtek EA-486 ICE?Thanks.

author: RomDump
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2024, 05:16:53 pm
content: Just an Update.Al Kossow (Thank You) posted the Manuals and Software on his Bitsavers website.Microtek EA-486 Hardware ManualMicrotek SLD PowerPack Users ManualPowerPack_SLD_2.6b_EA-486_1996.zipIf anyone has an updated version of the software (one that supports Windows NT) please share it.
Anyone used a HP Kittyhawk drive? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2024, 03:27:02 am
content: I'm wondering how well these drives work these days? Since there is a warning about not plugging them in backwards but there are no clear markings about which way is forwards on the drives.Anyone use these recently?

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2024, 03:36:31 pm
content: This drive was used on the Dauphin DTR-1 handheld computer, and uses the PCMCIA Type III connector format. PC Cards usually have an offset notch to prevent upside-down insertion, but the committee designers rather unhelpfully made the power and ground pins symmetric. The consequence is that if the drive is inserted upside down, ground will still be connected to ground, but the Vcc and Vpp1 (+5 and +12 V) will be reversed, which will destroy any TTL logic on the drive.In case the drive has no connection to Vpp1 at all, you could identify its orientation by using diode test between putative pins 17 and 1, for some arbitrary orientation, and if it tests as low impedance, you have found Vcc and Gnd (the correct way); if it tests open circuit, you have found Vpp1 and Gnd (pins 52 and 68 in reversed orientation).
Pocket 386 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2024, 08:30:54 pm
content: Is there a better alternative to the Pocket 386 out there that uses an industrial 486 based SOC system? The Pocket 386 seems OKbut has its limitations. Here is a thread on the Vogons forumhttps://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=99751I'm tempted, but I'm waiting for further developments and improvements to be made. I'm thinking one of these would be useful for learning basic x86 assembly language and parallel port programming as well as ISA and GPIO interfacing.What are your thoughts?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2024, 10:25:26 pm
content: For learning 86Box is way better. File transfer between old hardware is not well suited for fast iterations.The only 486-based somewhat complete project I'm aware of is a weeCee. But I don't know if they are still available.There are 486-based industrial PCs on Aliexpress, but the prices are not even close to reasonable.

author: Postal2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2024, 10:57:07 pm
content: Quote from: djsb on July 27, 2024, 08:30:54 pmI recommend an Atom-based netbook (very cheap). You need to open it, remove the Wi-Fi and insert an adapter for the PCI bus. The ISA bus is useless, because there are software-compatible adapters for PCI. LPT is also available in a standard way, but in the PCI address space. If you need a standard 378 port, then you can take a mini-itx on Atom 230.If you absolutely need ISA, then you need to get any cheap (or free) motherboard with such a connector.Mini-itx links:https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-GC230D-rev-10https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/42490/intel-desktop-board-d945gclf/specifications.htmlFor Intel GCLF, you will need to select a BIOS for correct operation of Windows 98, and the BIOS is not the latest or the first, but somewhere in the middle.

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2024, 06:25:09 am
content: Just bought a Pocket 386 with Windows 95 from the Tindie store. This review of it using the PicoGUS soundcard is what convinced meI may post a review later on. Thanks.

author: Postal2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2024, 09:46:12 am
content: Quote from: djsb on July 28, 2024, 06:25:09 amWin 95 is hard for 386. You can use Audigi at PCI-slot, you probably haven't seen or heard how it works.
Was ED media a lie? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2024, 04:36:30 am
content: Floppy disks came in various densities like SD, DD, HD, then ED. Extended density apparently used perpendicular recording which requires a magnetic "return" layer in the media to work, unlike previous densities which were longitudinal recording.You'd think that's not interchangeable, and writing in ED mode to HD media shouldn't work.But there are people claiming they just punch a hole in a HD disk to fool a ED drive into recognizing an ED disk, and it works.How is this possible?

author: Phil1977
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2024, 07:16:33 am
content: It works just as most other forms of tuning or overclocking.OEMs engineer their products with lots of safety margins so that the product should live for a specified time in a wide range of possible environments.Tuners/Tweakers take these margins to make the product work once under a certain set of conditions.Probably it´s the same with these floppy disks. Probably the required magnetic resolution of the ED-drive is somewhere near theaverage-resolution of HD-media. And the average magnetic resolution of specified ED-media is that much higher that always exceeds the requirement.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2024, 10:07:32 am
content: Sure but how is the flux getting back to the head? Is it just tunneling its way in the HD layer without disturbing the domains too much?And if so, why bother making a new formulation and media?https://extrapages.de/archives/20190102-Floppy-notes.htmlPeople have been formatting, or trying, across various densities and it never holds long-term, but this ED stuff looks like it shouldn't even format at all.Like when trying to format a HD disk on a DD drive, at least in the 5.25" world, it fails pretty quick.I'd guess the ED trick wouldn't hold data that long. Who knows.
80s, Sega AI Computer, built-in Prolog? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2024, 04:35:15 pm
content: Fromthisvideo it appears that the computer has a built-in Prolog engine.I've never seen anything like it and can't find any more information.The author of the video has no more information than what is shown in the video.So ...edit:youtube link, fixed

author: cfbsoftware
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2024, 07:38:08 pm
content: There's more information on the Sega AI computer here:https://www.smspower.org/SegaAI/Index

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2024, 12:49:38 am
content: Yes, heard of it too.Prolog got traction in the 80's. Back then, that's what people called "AI". Pure logic inference, with human-defined rules. Now, "AI" is just a pile of blackboxes. Is this progress, you tell me.Note that Prolog has a standard (ISO 13211) which is still current, and a number of compilers, still available. GNU Prolog is still maintained.http://www.gprolog.org/

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2024, 12:50:33 pm
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on July 07, 2024, 12:49:38 amThey are not two disjointed and separate things, they are just two different approaches that can be very well combined with each otherAnd it is not at all bad to use neural tensor calculation, for the "may be" of the inference engine.Considering it was a 80s computer, I have never seen a prolog interpreter implemented in the firmware, and among other things with so few RAM and CPU resourcesToday's tensor calculation is possible because we have NPUs and multicore machines, however we still don't have enough shared and dedicated RAM, per NPU, to allow the calculation of second derivatives (Taylor), and we have to be satisfied only with the first derivatives of tensors ... which means very approximate results.2027-2030, we'll have that too!
Is this a legit vendor/site? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2024, 06:57:01 pm
content: https://www.biocomp.net/It says "Recycling technology since 1988, The WYSIWYG Place", website looks about the same era ...The contact link doesn't bring much clarity...

author: jrmymllr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2024, 09:24:25 pm
content: Quote from: Alex Eisenhut on April 02, 2024, 06:57:01 pmWow maybe at one time it was legit. $19 for a Pentium overdrive for 486! Considering one recently sold on eBay for around USD$150 I think I'd say no. It's not in stock anyway, but so many items are out of stock.You could just contact the guy and see what he says. He may not respond and then you'd have your answer.
Looking for a Driver for S**Di** e270 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: simon christo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2024, 01:25:00 pm
content: Does anybody have the Windows Driver for this 6GB USB Stick -with screen ??It's the one, with a up to 2GB SD card slot.Tah, Simon.

author: oPossum
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2024, 01:43:43 pm
content: There are no drivers.It supports MSC and MTP.

author: simon christo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2024, 02:33:55 pm
content: I honestly, am not aware, of what MTP or MCS does in USB.I distictly remember, a program for Windows, that compressed the Photo's and the Video's tosuit the 1.5" screen size.I'll have to search, if I have a copy of the Sa**Di** for Windows software-there's nothing I can find, so far, on the Net.Thanks, Simon.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 07, 2024, 03:06:26 pm
content: What is with your aversion to spelling out the brand name? It makes is a lot harder for people to help.

author: oPossum
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2024, 03:14:56 pm
content: Drivers are not the same as application software.Sansa e270 MP3 playerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sansa_e200_serieshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_mass_storage_device_classhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_Transfer_Protocol

author: simon christo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2024, 02:56:38 am
content: Windows 10, does find it in MSC mode, but it changes from Connected to Disconnected, every Couple of Seconds or so.I just plugged it in, and sometimes I can access everything normally, other times, it gets into a Non Responsive Cycle.Why???Tah, Simon.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2024, 04:03:04 am
content: S**Di** e270 = "SexDick e270" right?I'd be pretty frustrated if I bought a Sex Dick e270 and I didn't have the drivers!
MC6850 trouble - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Wawavoun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2024, 06:34:26 am
content: Hi All,I have a serial interface for a home build Flex computer made with a MC68B50.This chip need a bus timing sync clock named E and a separate rx-tx clock.The rx-tx clock can be provided by an output of a 6522 via (CB1). In this case I use a clock at 153600 Hz and a 16 divider in the the acia giving a 9600 baud transmission.In this case everything works well.I can also use the E (bus timing sync) signal as rx-tx clock. This signal run at 1843,2 KHz. Using the same divider this should give a 115200 baud transmission. This did not work.I have already use this specific MC68B50 at this transmission speed (1843.2 KHz rx-tx clock and 16 divider) but with a higher E frequency (2 MHz).I cant see where is the problem except that using the same clock for both functions is problematic but I dont find anything on this point into the datasheet.Any opinions and may be solutions ?Thanks and regards.Philippe

author: iMo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2024, 06:37:53 am
content: Is the E signal aprox 50% duty cycle?

author: Wawavoun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2024, 07:10:30 am
content: Yes.This signal is made by a 6809 processor clocked at 3686.4 KHZ and go to the bus through a 74LS244 (in fact from cpu to bus Q become E and E become Q because the LS244).

author: Wawavoun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2024, 04:38:06 pm
content: Well.... Crystal frequency is 4xE so E is not 1843.2 KHz but 921.6 KHz --> 57600 baud.Problem solved !Thanks to those that try to help.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2024, 11:18:16 am
content: Quote from: Wawavoun on April 17, 2024, 04:38:06 pmI also made this mistake, think that I had not only read but also highlighted with a yellow underliner the note in the datasheet where it clearly says 4xE, but then, resuming the project between one weekend and the next, I forgot about it(in this... I can say that compared to paper notes, taking notes on Remarkable2 helps a lot)so ... to fix the problem without re-desiging the whole PCB, I had to decouple the UART from the CPU and built a "baud-generator" circuit dedicated to its UART.It uses a counter coupled with a digital oscillator. I have jumpers to select the desired bps.- - -Another note: I have developed several asynchronous serial lines in VHDL, and I must tell you that the RX part is much more incline to decode a bit incorrectly than the TX part, and to make it a little more robust I use 2x clock in order to sample the signal more stable.This way I avoid more bits incorrectly detected, and I can measure it in terms of error rate on long continuous transmissions, where I evaluate the CRC, which is good, but.... it costs 2X clock oversampling.If this trick is used in ASCI chips, it means that the TX part can be overclocked much more stably than the RX part
DIY, lightpen to HID, for PAL CRTs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2024, 06:41:14 pm
content: C64 trick, the full article ishere, have fun

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2024, 06:42:52 pm
content: ( composite video CRTs )
Retro computer giveaway (uk) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: billtodd
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2024, 09:09:09 am
content: I'm trying to clear some of thecraptreasure from my loft/life...I was/will put these in buy/sell/want but since these are so retro computer specific and free, i thought a simple list here easier.Applemac PowerBook 540c - considerably crustier than it looks in the photo . probably parts onlyMac G5 - see label picture - no hdds nice box for a pcCompaq portable 2 - missing one foot panelUnique BBC B luggable - i built this a few decades ago and used it to write thousands of lines of 6502 assembler. It has a (forgot the name) 4mhz board, that never worked for more than five mins and a whole set of interthingy roms - interibase, interword etc.I also have an epson lx800 dotmatrix printer and neat 9 inch vga monitorCollection only , from Colchester Essex uk.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2024, 02:28:19 pm
content: I wish that you were closer. I loved using those Compaq Portable IIs. They were great for HP-IB controllers and EPROM burners and similar uses that required using an interface card and when you wanted it to all be portable. I tried to hold onto several of those P IIs but they all disappeared over the years.
Help finding ram - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: BoredFish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 15, 2024, 03:10:51 pm
content: I'm putting out a bit of a cry of help, I've got this Toshiba Satellite 335 CDS, runs great, but 32mb of ram on windows 98 isn't going to cut it. I've looked it up, and it can go up to 160mb, with a 128mb stick. Though, finding this stick for a resonable price is difficult. What I know so far is that A. It exists, and B. isn't common. I've found 2 official part numbers for ram and it seems to be made by kingston. the series are KTT650 and KTT305. I can find 16mb sticks for good prices easy, anything above that isn't easy. From what I've found too is the ram is shared across the entire lineup of the 300 series, just longer and shorter. Also, the 300 series seems to have a weird japan only thinkpad brother called the 235, which seems to take the same ram. If anyone could help me in trying to get a source for some *reasonably* priced stuff that would be great!

author: HwAoRrDk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2024, 10:58:35 pm
content: Seems to take just generic 144-pin EDO SODIMM RAM, 60ns or faster. Nothing special. I think you'll find it very difficult to max it out to 160MB of RAM given it only has one slot, because that was a very unusual size. You'd probably be best looking for a 128MB stick.Try looking on eBay.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 15, 2024, 11:37:40 pm
content: In my experience back when I was using Windows 98, unless you're running a lot of applications or something that specifically hogs memory, 64 MB was ample. Anything more started to become overkill and there was little to no benefit.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2024, 11:48:57 pm
content: As others have mentioned, 60ns 144-pin EDO RAM non parity can be found on ebay for quite a reasonable price - especially 64MB, which is quite a lot for '98 and even NT4 or Win2k.Reference:https://support.dynabook.com/support/staticContentDetail?contentId=638204&isFromTOCLink=false

author: HwAoRrDk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2024, 02:29:34 am
content: Oh, hang on, does it have the base 32MB fixed on-board? That would explain the maximum capacity of 160MB - 32 on-board + 128 module.

author: BoredFish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2024, 01:42:53 pm
content: I can try just plain old 144 pin, for some reason I read that it was a proprietary form factor, but the more I look at it the more I feel it isn't true. Thanks!
TRS-80 Pocket Computer 1 Aviation Program - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 13, 2024, 02:45:22 am
content: I just replaced my LCD screen in my PC-1 and went looking for my Aviation program cassette, but no go.I would really like to get this program running again as I used it when flying in the 80s and the computer still has the overlay on the keyboard.I have searched the internet and even tried to find something using Veronica to search Gopher, but no luck.Does anyone here have a copy?Thanks

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2024, 02:56:58 am
content: Lightages, perhaps you can try your luck at:https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/trs-80-pocket-computer-pc-1-sharp-pc-1211-pc-3-pc-1250-1251-software-library-request-for-more-software-full-pdf-scans-and-digital-wavs.1246087/

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 13, 2024, 11:13:00 am
content: rsjsousa:Thanks for the pointer. I had already visited there and the program I have is not listed as available. I have asked the OP of that thread by way of a PM but I have received no response.

author: CaptDon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2024, 02:25:22 am
content: You have me curious now. I bought a book at Radio Shack years ago called Computers for Sea and Sky. It had listings in basic for many functions. I will see if I can find the book and possibly send you the ISBN. Perhaps it has the source code you are looking for?

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2024, 02:26:57 am
content: Hi CaptDonThanks for looking, I appreciate it.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2024, 02:57:35 am
content: Google found a reference to it:https://www.trs-80.com/wordpress/models/pocket/Maybe you could ask them to provide you with the audio file.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2024, 11:14:31 am
content: Archive.org has a similarly named book that could be borrowed from their digital library - is this one?https://archive.org/details/computersforseas0000rogo

author: CaptDon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2024, 02:12:53 pm
content: Indeed, that is the book I have. I bought it at a Radio Shack store about 30 years ago. I've been P.P.S.E.L. certified with rotor time since 1984 and that is probably about the time I bought the book.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2024, 04:13:54 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on March 16, 2024, 02:57:35 amThanks for the pointer, but I have already been there.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2024, 04:15:02 pm
content: The program I am looking for did not come in a book as far as I remember. It came only on cassette.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2024, 01:43:44 am
content: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134347662425

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 18, 2024, 02:38:31 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on March 18, 2024, 01:43:44 amThat is very cool. I should grab it!
MC6809 board and shields - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: saipan59
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2024, 01:46:56 am
content: I just made 4 more PCB designs in the series described a few weeks ago for the MC6800:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/vintage-computing/pcbs-for-6800-6801-6802-6808/The new boards are:- MC6809 CPU, with (EE)PROM, RAM, and MC6821 GPIO.- A 'shield' for up to eight DLG7137 alpha-numeric displays. Includes a 555 timer that can optionally interrupt the CPU periodically to cause a display update.- A 'shield' for up to ten 7-segment LED displays. Has the same 555 feature as above.- A 'shield' for playing with audio sound effects and such. Includes an AY-3-8912 sound chip (used in some vintage arcade games), and a pair of ISD2560 recorder/player chips. Also an LM386 amp for audio output. Also an MC6850 UART that can run at 31.25 Kbaud to act as a MIDI interface.Today I tested the first two boards, and all is working so far. Pictures and schematics attached.The extra 2KB memory chip position on the 6809 board is set up to support either RAM or EEPROM (so that the 6809 can have non-volatile memory).Pete

author: saipan59
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2024, 01:49:51 am
content: I messed up on posting one of the pix - here it is:

author: saipan59
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 02:41:23 am
content: Today I finished "board bring-up" on another shield, driven by the new 6809 board.It is an "audio sound effects" board, based on an AY-3-8912 sound chip, plus a pair of ISD2560 audio sampling chips.I had to make several changes to make everything work right. The attached schematic includes those changes.The ISD datasheet is missing a couple of details - most importantly, when a playback is triggered, there is ~25mS delay before it actually outputs the sound. The datasheet has a timing diagram that indicates there is NO delay.Questions welcome!Pete

author: saipan59
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 02:43:09 am
content: I seem to have trouble doing multiple attachments correctly.Here's the schematic.

author: davep238
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2024, 12:23:50 pm
content: Hi Pete.Where did you buy the 6809 and 6850 chips?Thanks.-Dave

author: pqass
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2024, 02:02:41 pm
content: Quote from: davep238 on July 03, 2024, 12:23:50 pmI bought several (working) 68B09E ("E" is important here) from thisebay seller.The "E" means it doesn't have the clock generator on board; you must provide one. Typically, this means 4x oscillator feeding adual DorJK flip-flopto create the E and Q clocks. Of course this chip will only work if you're designing your own board vs. needing a drop-in replacement.Searching ebay for MC68B50 returns quite a few; most from China.

author: saipan59
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2024, 01:11:21 am
content: Quote from: davep238 on July 03, 2024, 12:23:50 pmI've had them for years. They came from a bunch of modems that I got "for nothing". Socketed MPU's, EEPROM, RAM, etc.Pete
New Colossus photos released by GCHQ - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2024, 09:59:33 am
content: According to the BBC, GCHQ in the UK has just released a previously unseen photos of Colossus, the (WWII codebreaking machine), and apparently some Blueprints too....https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67997406From the photos in the article, it looks (although there were 10) rather more modern than previous photos I've seen. Cabinetry rather than bare skeletal frames, even if some of them do have a 'kitchen cabinet' of the era look.
Any software archive or DL sites / links for old software ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: J911
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2024, 05:55:25 pm
content: I have some time to kill in the -13C and I have a couple of vintage computers to ressurect. One is a Tandy with 12"monitor and the other is a IBM with a keyboard and a tiny ~8" monitor built in, in a suitcase format. I'm clueless where to begin and how to try to eventually get sofware on them. They both have 5 1/4 floppies. Thanks ahead if you know something.

author: berke
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2024, 07:33:58 pm
content: https://winworldpc.com/library/operating-systems
retro video game using DEC T-11 and Tek 606B - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: saipan59
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2021, 08:15:33 pm
content: My daughter works in the hand-held gaming industry, so that inspired me to make a simple "video game" using only 1980's technology.Key features:- The MPU is a DEC T-11, running at 4 MHz. It has 8K of EEPROM, 8K of RAM, an MC68B50 UART, and a few GPIOs. I made the PCB a few years ago, for experimenting with T-11's.- The display is a Tektronix 606B X-Y display (like a fancy oscilloscope, but without any sweep circuits).- The T-11 board mates with an I/O board that includes a pair of DAC1230 DAC's, which drive the X and Y inputs on the display. The I/O board also has an MC68B21 PIA, and an AY-3-8912 sound chip (used in some 1980's console video games).- Most of the code space in the EEPROM is used by my hacked version of figFORTH. The game code is in assembly, and can be run via a FORTH command.- In the game, you launch a spaceship from "earth" and land it on an orbital platform. I'm calling it "MajorTom" :-) . Keystrokes (thru the serial port) control 'increase thrust', 'decrease thrust', 'move right', and 'move left'. If you hit earth or the platform at more than a slow speed, you blow up (Game Over).The sound chip works, but I haven't implemented anything in the code to use it yet.Question/Comments are welcome!Attached: a couple of pictures, and the source code.Pete

author: Adenyassko
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 16, 2024, 11:39:00 am
content: The technical specifications of your setup, including the DEC T-11 MPU and Tektronix display, bring back memories of early computing and gaming. It's impressive that you've incorporated components like DACs and sound chips reminiscent of 1980s console video games.The choice to use figFORTH for most of the code space in the EEPROM adds a unique twist to your project. The gameplay, where you control a spaceship named "MajorTom," sounds like a fun challenge with the keystrokes controlling thrust and movement.By the way, I'd also recommend checking outwhat is cash giraffe. It's always intriguing to explore new topics.
Sony SMO-E301F 128MB magneto-optical drive - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2023, 04:01:50 am
content: Gambled on an as-is eBay item with no specifics, it looked like a 21MB floptical drive in an external enclosure. But no model# or inside photos.It revealed itself to be a higher end Sony SMO-E301F drive.Anyone ever play with this stuff? For sure out of my reach back then! 1000$ US in '93 would be about 2600$ CDN now.I'm kinda itching to get it working with my Commodore 64 and my SCSI controller. It's clean, it powers up.There's just not a lot of hits on google.Were these things reliable? Known failures? Click of death kinda stuff?What did you use them for? These seem high-end for sure.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 25, 2023, 04:47:49 am
content: Yep, I have a few magneto-optical drives at home. MO was pretty reliable as a storage medium. I don't really know anything about the specific unit you have, but all the ones I have still work just fine.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2023, 05:14:34 am
content: The build quality of the drive is quite high. The powered enclosure also: very thick plastic case, solidly put together, heavy.The drive uses roller bearings for all the sliding metal bits, the gears all look thick (none of those paper-thin gears like in Walkmans), just solid stuff.There is something enjoyable in seeing state of the art high end stuff even if decades obsolete.Sure you can get 1000 times the storage on a 10$ USB thumb drive but does that come with a picture of ajaguarcougar on it? Didn't think so.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2023, 09:30:00 pm
content: This is the first 3.5" magneto-optical format. It was developed further into 230MB, 540MB, 640MB, 1.3GB and 2.3GB, mostly backwards-compatible if I recall correctly. Some MO formats were "direct-overwrite" (DOW), meaning writing could be accomplished in fewer passes. I never quite understood how they did that.5.25" magneto-optical drives were produced first and were almost all double-sided (eject the cartridge, flip it over, reinsert it). The 3.5" cartridges couldn't be flipped.Because the data is stored in frozen magnetic domains that can only be changed by heating to thousands of degrees, the media has potential as archival storage.
HP-48GX infrared to serial gadget - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: iMo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2024, 04:53:07 pm
content: Hi, I've been looking for "an MCU receiving/sending IR from/to hp-48GX and converting it into serial" project. I've made a quick search but have not found something to try (interesting.. considering the hp48 is 34y old).The hp-48 sends out via the Red Eye protocol and receives via the SIR or the Red Eye protocol (2400baud only).I've got the TSOP4133 IR receiver works, the transmitter - a 950nm (perhaps 850nm) led will do the job, imho.So - TSOP4133+LED on one side of an cheapo MCU and serial TX/RX at its output.Perhaps somebody have heard about such a project in past?Thanks.

author: Le_Bassiste
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2024, 10:40:57 am
content: you may want to ask that question onhttps://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/index.php
Looking for MOTOROLA versaDOS > 4.5 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: marcopolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2023, 03:15:40 pm
content: Hello,I'm looking for the Motorola Operating System versaDOS version 4.6 or 4.61 with sources.If you have this, I am interested and I am not the only one 😄ThanksMarc

author: fourtytwo42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2023, 04:31:02 pm
content: Unfortunately I suspect I am not alone in dumping it all to make space decades ago after a decade of disuse!About all I have left of that era are some VME/VSB extenders that will go the same way on the next clearout.Companies change, get taken over, archives are skipped, products become obsolete..........

author: LittleFrog
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2024, 02:16:02 pm
content: Hi Marc,Just stumbled across your question. Have you seen this;http://www.gaby.de/edownl.htmScroll down to the "Others" section.Dave

author: marcopolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2024, 03:11:30 pm
content: Hi Dave,Yes, I know these files wellThese are from Wiley, a former versaDOS instructor who developed the Motorola VME/10 emulator.These are him, me and a few friends looking for a versaDOS 4.6x with sources.Thanks anyway.Marc
When Greaseweazle fails... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2023, 12:45:24 am
content: You can always read the magnetic signal using an oscilloscope,and analyze the analog signal using more advanced software means, even redrawing the peaks by hand if necessary.It's a good post, although I think the bit about the signal strength increasing linearly with rotation speed is wrong. It increases with thesquareof rotation speed, doesn't it?

author: Shonky
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2023, 08:15:03 am
content: Fixed linkhttps://scarybeastsecurity.blogspot.com/2021/05/recovering-lost-treasure-filled-floppy.html?m=1

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2023, 12:29:16 pm
content: Quote from: helius on November 04, 2023, 12:45:24 amI don't think so. If B is a changing magnetic field and U the voltage induced in the read head's coil, U ~ dB/dt. And dB/dt should be proportional to the linear velocity of the disk track, and hence to the rotation speed?

author: 50ShadesOfDirt
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2023, 04:18:42 pm
content: I did just order a greaseweazle, hoping to recover some floppies & such ... fascinating device from what little I've read.I hope these guys are in the box with it ...
Philips SAA9730: anyone? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2023, 10:00:26 pm
content: So, the Philips SAA9730 is a ~20 old bit combined multimedia and peripheral controller used in thin clients, Internet access terminals, and diskless workstations, that implements- the VGA interface and Video RAM- two USB interfaces- PS/2 Keyboard and PS2 Mouse interface- I2C interface to serial EEPROM- Serial Debug RS232 Interface- Ethernet interfaceI found it on a board, and as far as I can see from feedbacks in Linux, this chip was/is known to be weird, but I don't find details: has anyone ever worked on it?I'm tempted to support it, but it might not be worth it and so I might opt to bypass it altogether.Let me know

author: RES
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2023, 10:44:13 pm
content: https://html.alldatasheet.com/html-pdf/19095/PHILIPS/SAA9730/246/1/SAA9730.htmlhttps://html.alldatasheet.com/html-pdf/19095/PHILIPS/SAA9730/497/2/SAA9730.html

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2023, 12:04:05 pm
content: Quote from: RES on October 21, 2023, 10:44:13 pmthanks, I have the pdf, I am looking for feedbacks, specifically for Linux.This chip looks ... very complex.
MCF5407C3 (Coldfire): looking for dBUG - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2023, 08:57:43 pm
content: Back to 1999, the M5407C3 board was shipped with one Am29PL160C (2MByte) Flash ROM.The first 256K of the Flash contains ROM Monitor firmware, named "dBUG", which provides the user with debug interface, inline assembler and disassembly, program download, register and memory manipulation, and I/O control functions.The rest of the Flash was available for the user.My board was saved today from the hydraulic press, someone must have reprogrammed the whole Flash because the VxWorks bootloader is the only thing that appears on the serial and there is nothing else in itby chance does anyone have a copy of the have a copy of dBUG?

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2023, 09:27:30 pm
content: Why don't you ask the ColdFire community at NXP?https://www.nxp.com/products/no-longer-manufactured/mcf5407-evaluation-board:M5407C3

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2023, 09:50:06 pm
content: Quote from: Benta on July 24, 2023, 09:27:30 pmgood idea! I hadn't thought of that.I don't know if they are active, Let's try

author: marcopolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2023, 08:37:23 pm
content: How are you going to reprogram the flash? via the BDM interface?

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2023, 10:23:11 pm
content: Quote from: marcopolo on September 22, 2023, 08:37:23 pmyup, viia BDM, or manually

author: marcopolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2023, 07:07:45 am
content: Quote from: DiTBho on September 22, 2023, 10:23:11 pm??If I remember correctly, the flash memory is soldered onto the board.I have an MCF5407 evaluation board but I am in the process of moving.If you haven't found it, you can get back to me in 3 or 4 months, I should be settled.Marc

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2023, 01:40:21 pm
content: Quote from: marcopolo on September 23, 2023, 07:07:45 amunsoldering the two old flash chips, programming two new chips, soldering them.Quote from: marcopolo on September 23, 2023, 07:07:45 amso, will you be able to copy the contents of the flash?

author: marcopolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2023, 05:26:47 pm
content: I should be able to dump the flash with CodeWarrior through the BDM port.

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2023, 06:54:46 pm
content: Quote from: marcopolo on September 23, 2023, 05:26:47 pmwhat do you use as BDM-cable interface?

author: marcopolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2023, 07:01:53 pm
content: Something like this:
NEW Talking Electronics TEC-1B Computer Kit  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 13, 2023, 03:30:33 am
content: The Talking Electronics TEC-1B Computer Kit is back. Launch event next weekend in Sydney with the designer of the original:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tec-1g-official-launch-at-the-acms-tickets-734021446907?aff=oddtdtcreator

author: Phil_G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2023, 04:26:38 pm
content: Dont you mean the TEC-1G?The hype has been unbearable...

author: freda
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2023, 08:44:28 am
content: hmm..for nostalgic reasons....failing to win the raffle..do you think they may have boards/kit for sale?......could make the drive worth it? horrible Saturday Sydney traffic and 1.5hr drive

author: MikeK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2023, 01:38:35 pm
content: Cool. I hope this makes it into a video.
Oregon Trail : The story behind the creation of the classic computer game. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 01:59:13 am
content: It's long, but still a big piece of computer gaming history...

author: Andy Chee
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2024, 06:51:53 am
content: I was a bit late discovering this game, having seen it on the sci-fi TV series "Fringe" being played by young Olivia.
2.4M floppy - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2023, 05:39:07 am
content: ED on 5.25" disks? Why not! I didn't know about thishttps://www.ebay.ca/itm/334196427836I'm not coughing up ~400$ CDN for a showpiece, but it was tempting. But no media for it.Oh well.

author: gslick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2023, 08:43:30 pm
content: Those 2.4M floppy drives are used in IBM 3174 Establishment Controllers to load the system microcode. I don't know if there were any other devices that used those 2.4M floppy drives.Here's a teardown video of an IBM 3174-61R

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2023, 09:10:07 pm
content: Oh my. Chunky. Want.