hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
'The Print Shop' Emulator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 21, 2021, 05:38:48 am
content: https://theprintshop.club/For those who were fans of the old Apple II program, this is pretty damn cool. You can even "print" to PDF.

author: granzeier
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2021, 11:28:39 am
content: Interesting, I really enjoyed The Print Shop when it first came out. This emulation has some quirks: my keyboard has a numeric keypad, and the enter key on the numeric keypad won't work, but the main enter key does. Also, when I tried to enlarge the screen (trying to clear up some of the screen fonts) it crashed the emulation. Overall, a pretty nice setup, though.You can download images of the older The Print Shop from here:https://winworldpc.com/product/the-print-shop/for-ibm-pc-dosLater on, the authors of The Print Shop created Print Artist (which I liked more.) It was actually published by Autodesk, the AutoCAD people. You can get that here:https://winworldpc.com/product/instant-artist-print/10-dosThanks Halcyon.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2021, 11:40:52 am
content: Pretty cool site; although an occasional user of Apple ][ systems (only when visiting friends and family that owned one), I used Print Shop extensively on the PC.I love how they mimic the crappy color seeping through the pixels. It reminded me of ascreensaver for *nixthat emulated an Apple ][ screen. Unfortunately the link to download it is dead.
How can I get info on vintage push button switches? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: colejohnson66
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 23, 2021, 04:40:06 pm
content: In EEVblog #1258, at 13:23 (https://youtu.be/AkMF_v_vNoE?list=TLPQMjMxMDIwMjE9WADSlfhGbA&t=803), there are some blue push button switches. I've seen these things in a lot of his vintage teardowns, and I can't find anything about them. Is there a name for them?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2021, 05:20:29 pm
content: I'm not sure who made those in the western world, but the Soviet version was called П2К (P2K) and those are some of the most versatile switches I've seen in my life.I think they are generically called modular push button switches. Searching for that finds a very limited number of modern suppliers of not exactly the same thing, but a more modern versions:http://www.intechswitch.com/products/UniDirectionpushbuttonswitchseries/https://www.globalsources.com/si/AS/Yueqing-Anhe/6008852430878/pdtl/Push-Button-Switch/1172158874.htmhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/Interlock-Push-Button-Switch-Piano-Type-4PDT-12-Pin-4-Row-/233167882483I can't find the original version anywhere. It is even hard to find replacements for the Soviet ones, which is rare.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2021, 07:07:18 pm
content: They were originally made by ITT/Schadow, which was then bought by C&K.Still available, you basically put your own kit together (LEGO-style): switches, buttons, U-profile for mounting, release springs etc.Product name is C&K F-Series pushbutton switches. I attach a data sheet:https://www.ckswitches.com/media/1402/fpush.pdfCheers.
Big circuit boards… - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: joelgraff
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2021, 01:20:25 am
content: Can anyone tell me what on God’s green earth this is?

author: granzeier
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2021, 02:04:10 am
content: With those big transistors, with their heat sinks, it may be a control system of some kind. But, no, I cannot say with any certainty at all.Can you get higher resolution pics of that, along with the other side? Do you have any info about it (I.E. where you got it, when it was made, what system/equipment it was a part of, etc.)?

author: joelgraff
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2021, 02:16:22 am
content: That’s as good an image as I can get. It’s a FB marketplace post in my town. I’m temptedto go get it, though I don’t have much room…

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2021, 06:08:25 am
content: Possibly an old audio mixer?- Central boards with lots of repetitive vertical features: lots of analog faders.- Top-left board: built-in audio amps (aka a "powered mixer")- Top-right board: big memory chips for reverb effects.- Lots of reptitive DIP chips: tone controls and opamps?- In the gap between the top-left and mid-left boards: is that a 1/4" TRS socket? Weird spot.

author: Selectech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2021, 02:03:32 pm
content: Possibly out of some brand of electronic organ, all analogue.
Fujitsu LIFEBOOK C1020 - Compatibility with Sound Blaster Pro - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Xses
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 02:22:13 pm
content: Hi,I've got weird laptop - Fujitsu LIFEBOOK C1020. It's not that old - mine is actually from 2008 or '09, however it was released in 2001 or '02 and interesting thing is that it has old stuff like a parallel port, serial port, PS2, infra red, svideo and floppy drive, but it also has USBs, firewire, builtin modem, PC Card (It even has WiFi card in slot) and even SPDIF through optical fiber, so I started wondering wheather I could use it for both early Windows XP / 98 games and DOS games.I do not care about black frames due to the higher resolution, because it has fairly big screeen however I do care about sound and what's interesting, that page:https://www.cnet.com/products/fujitsu-lifebook-c1020-15-1-c-win-xp-pro-256-mb-ram-40-gb-hdd-series/states that it has sound card compliant with Sound Blaster Pro and AC'97, so does it mean that it will have sound with DOS games?P.S. Yea, I know, just test it. The problem is that it can only boot from HDD, DVD and floppy and it boots correctly to XP from HDD, however both DVD and floppy drives are broken and I don't want to start working on it when it eventually will not have a sound.

author: granzeier
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 10:38:09 pm
content: Do you have an external USB floppy, or optical, drive? If so, you could boot to an earlier OS and try.

author: Xses
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2021, 11:16:42 pm
content: I have USB DVD, however that laptop deas not have option to boot from USB neither in BIOS nor Boot Menu. I'll try anyway.

author: granzeier
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2021, 11:36:03 am
content: Quote from: Xses on June 09, 2021, 11:16:42 pmToo bad that you can't boot from USB.If I remember correctly, some Linux LiveCD/LiveDVDs allow you to boot the image from within Windows. You might try that, and see if you can get the sound to work under a DOS emulator.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2021, 02:27:54 pm
content: in windows folder, you're supposed to have at least some wav files for the windows sound'(s) win95 and up, just click on them and try to play themAt least you should be able to open the device manager to see if there any sound related hardware installed ??But for any dos related sound, or device you need to have a config.sys and an autoexec.bat file to tell dos the hardware parameter(s) like adress and irq allocated to it ?? dos wont see the audio card unless you help it, some dos game opened in a dos windows box can work fine if windows xx does a good bridge between dos and windows
Yet another "Poor man UV EPROM eraser" - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Canis Dirus Leidy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2021, 02:41:21 pm
content: Well, more correctlythe descriptionof an attempt (not my) to use cheap (about $2 without delivery) "UV Bulb Ultraviolet Ozone Germicidal Sterilization Quartz Light Clean Lamp" from Aliexpress for erasing EPROMs. The original description is in Russian, so here is the TL&DR:Yes, it's really a mercury vapor lamp (so, be careful with customs).And it's emitting hard enough UV: it took a minute and a half to erase M27C512, with direct contact of the IC window with the lamp bulb.For a secure ignition, 15V DC is required (then, in the steady mode, it drops to 12V). The current consumption is 300 mA, it can be more (up to 700 mA), but the filament begins to overheat.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2021, 04:33:18 pm
content: Yeah, I first saw those clever little low voltage UV lamps on Big Clive's channel. They're really neat as long as you're using them for sensible purposes.

author: granzeier
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2021, 08:01:16 pm
content: Aliexpress says right off, that the item (UV light) cannot be shipped to the US.

author: GigaJoe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2021, 08:13:24 pm
content: what about UV 3W LED, i did use it for signetic, works well .....

author: Canis Dirus Leidy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2021, 08:41:28 pm
content: Quote from: granzeier on July 06, 2021, 08:01:16 pmThere are USAnian sellers on Ebay and Amazon who sell these lamps (search for keywords like "GTL3 UV bulb" or "E17 germicidal lamp"), but they also have USAnian prices ($10-15).

author: granzeier
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2021, 10:59:46 pm
content: Quote from: Canis Dirus Leidy on July 07, 2021, 08:41:28 pmThanks, I have one on order right now (and only $8.49.)

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2021, 03:11:39 am
content: The same bulbs are used in equipment on the US consumer market, so there is no issue with the bulbs being importable.

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2021, 04:07:27 am
content: Quote from: Canis Dirus Leidy on July 07, 2021, 08:41:28 pm2 for $10, US warehouse.https://www.ebay.com/itm/174646112679You can also get small 120V linear fixtures with bulb for similar money, that's what I did.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2021, 04:03:33 pm
content: Was there debate about germicidal lamps being able to erase uvEPROMs?

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2021, 04:35:25 pm
content: Quote from: David Hess on July 08, 2021, 04:03:33 pmNot a credible one. The devices are designed to be erased using 253.7 nm light, the predominant wavelength of mercury gas discharge, which is what a germicidal lamp produces. There may be some differences in output characteristics between the traditional T8G style tubes and the miniature GTL3 bulbs, but they both emit the correct wavelength.
People's Computer Company Newsletters - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: granzeier
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2021, 02:24:32 am
content: I recently found this collection of People's Computer Company Newsletters. You can download them, or just view them online.https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102661095Enjoy!

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2021, 02:48:50 am
content: The first article in the first issue after the name change is an angry rant letter. LOL.And I like how they straight up dox people with full addresses.

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2021, 02:54:29 am
content: Interesting - thanks for posting. If you back off the url, they have some interesting stuff including restorations...a 1959 PDP-1!https://www.computerhistory.org/pdp-1/I'd love to visit that place sometime.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2021, 06:00:31 pm
content: Quote from: granzeier on June 30, 2021, 02:24:32 amThank you! I only started into computers in 1980, so the early issues are "before my time". They have such a cool sub-culture vibe -- I guess I'm envious, born a bit too late. Well, and on the wrong continent maybe.

author: granzeier
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2021, 11:30:06 am
content: You're welcome.I hope you enjoy them.

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2021, 11:44:01 pm
content: Quote from: ebastler on June 30, 2021, 06:00:31 pmI think it was, indeed, a subculture at the time, but through a combination of characters. What I think that they had in common was that they liked creative "fun"...maybe there was a lot of vision there as well, but they liked fun.One of the founders of PCC was Bob Albrecht who also was involved in the Dr. Dobbs Journal publication, which was eccentric to say the least and also had some very sophisticated information in it at the time (IMO) - all software but stuff that went beyond textbooks, or maybe it was just more available - dunno, but I liked getting my hands on those issues.I learned today (fromhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Dobb%27s_Journal) that "Dobbs" was constructed from the names Dennis and Bob; Bob Albrect and Dennis Alison. It was published for 38 years!https://www.i-programmer.info/news/152-epub/8096-dr-dobbs-bites-the-dust-after-38-years.htmlThis is the cover of the first issue - like I said, eccentric..and very cool IMO.

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2021, 04:37:46 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on June 30, 2021, 02:48:50 amNothing ever changes.QuoteIt was a smaller world back then.
Cramolin - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2021, 05:21:44 pm
content: Anyone remember this?Came across this 40-year old Cramolin. I'm sure Cramolin, in general, is known to many of you. This particular product which included a CR-20 label, was sold as a way to clean the silver contacts on a TRS-80 (M1 here). Regular cleaning was required as the machine would reboot whenever it felt like it (tarnished contacts were one reason) and one was always guarding against such reboots.Web page on Cramolin here:https://siber-sonic.com/electronics/caig.htmlAdvertising flier mentioning the Red+Blue variety here (pdf):https://collections.lib.utah.edu/dl_files/84/12/84129c66b91e8068e4d4abdccdf815cef9c759c4.pdfEventually, many of us invested in the gold-plated edge connectors which were soldered right over the silver ones.

author: fordem
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 07:01:05 pm
content: I remember using DeoxIT, but not as a spray, from a little "eye drop" style bottle.

author: MLXXXp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2021, 12:27:38 am
content: Another similar contact cleaner/lubricant/enhancer that's been around "forever" is Stabilant 22. It was marketed in the retail sector as "Tweek".https://stabilant.com/

author: paul@yahrprobert.com
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2021, 01:33:03 am
content: Jerry Pournelle, the former Byte columnist and computer pundit used to praise Stabilant 22 on a regular basis for fixing computer problems.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2021, 02:28:44 am
content: The first line "For the Audiophile" says it all !

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2021, 03:10:56 am
content: For applying specialty lubricants such as Stabilant, Cramolin, or clock oils, it can be useful to have a set of clockmakers' "oilers" (microfine spatulas). This way you can place a drop of the appropriate size exactly on the face that needs to be lubricated/protected.
Sun Thumper(X4500)/Thor(X4540) backplane project, anyone have schematics/info? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rthorntn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2021, 03:32:28 am
content: Hi,I just picked up two X4540's.Basically as a project I want to try and hookup the SATA backplane to modern motherboard and LSI HBAs, the 1068E in Thumper can only use 2.2TB of any SATA drive, its a 32-bit LBA limitation, I want to spend some dollars giving the beautiful Sun hardware engineering a new lease of life with 48 big disks.Anyone know of, or have, any info on the backplane design, plans, pinouts, anything like that, my idea is to have a PCB made that connects to the backplane and has power molex and SFF8087 connectors (like 12 of each).Any pointers would be much appreciated.CheersRichard
Part 1 Of My Acorn Electron Portable - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TheEPROM9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 09:28:33 pm
content: I had to build a custon keyboard pretty much from scratch, well I had the pannel & keyswitches.

author: TheEPROM9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2021, 10:27:11 pm
content: The major parts of the case are now done.

author: granzeier
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2021, 11:00:46 am
content: Congrats on getting it sorted out.Yep, stupid little mistakes are too easy to make, and I have sure made enough of my own. Thanks for the reminder to check the simple things.
Looking for the MOTOROLA MVME101 User's Manual and schematic - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: marcopolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2021, 08:18:20 am
content: Hello,Does anyone have the MOTOROLA MVME101 board User's Manual (not the MVME101BUG User's manual)?Ref: MVME101/D1If you have a clean version of the schematic, I'm interested too.Thanks,Marc
PV-DT51-5193 LCD Touch Screen Serial Terminal Demo & Teardown - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TheEPROM9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2021, 10:23:33 pm
content: I found this in the uni WEEE bin years ago. I have recently got it operation & to a state where it can be used. If anyone has any info on this machine please post it as there is sweet FA on the internet. Bearly even a picture. I have also attached a EPROM dump. 27C256 chip. Also added my PowerShell script that I used to test the terminal for you to download.
Hewlett Packard 9816 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Teichhermelin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2021, 04:21:02 pm
content: I can play PacMan...

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2021, 05:04:53 pm
content: I'm confused, your topic says HP9816, yet the picture shows an HP9122C. What did I miss?

author: Teichhermelin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2021, 05:20:30 pm
content: HP9122C... is the dual 3.5 inch floppy drive

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2021, 05:38:25 pm
content: Quote from: Teichhermelin on May 07, 2021, 05:20:30 pmAh, sorry. I know all the HP calculators pretty well, along with most of their old scopes, but I don't know a whole lot about their old computers... so that didn't ring any bell.Should have looked it up, this is shown here:https://www.hpmuseum.net/display_item.php?hw=4
ISA card power analyser - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: HwAoRrDk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2021, 06:02:30 pm
content: Had an odd thought the other day. Has there ever been, or currently exists, a device which allows the power consumption of an ISA card to be analysed?I know there are some POST diagnostic cards that also display voltage levels on the ISA bus, but this is not what I'm thinking of. I'm thinking of something that shows current consumption - that is, how many milliamps/amps are being drawn by a card from the +5/-5/+12/-12 volt supplies.I was envisaging something like an interposer/riser card that measures the current draw of whatever actual ISA expansion card is plugged into it, and shows a figure for each voltage rail on something like a 7-segment display. Maybe even something that has also spits the measured values out over a serial connection (UART, or maybe even RS232 for connection to the host PC itself) for logging, etc.Useless idea or not? Could make a fun little project regardless of utility...Also, anybody got any idea of the current limits for each voltage rail on an ISA slot? Best I could find with a brief search was the electrical specifications in the EISA standard, which gave the following:+5 Volts - 4.5 amps-5 Volts - 2 amps+12 Volts - 1.5 amps-12 Volts - 3 amps

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2021, 03:16:13 am
content: I remember seeing ISA interposers which included jumpers for adding current shunts for current measurement of the various supplies. That would make it an optional and little used feature.
HP 2648 running at 50 hz - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Cocorito Pap
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 21, 2021, 06:34:40 am
content: Hello,I got an HP2648 terminal from the US.I read in the manual that if you run the machine with 230V 50Hz power ( like we have in Europe ) beside changing a couple of fuses , you should also replace the display timing card crystal.The one required is 17.5 Mhz but I am not able to find this anywhere.What if use a crystal with a frequency close to the required one , say 17.1 Mhz ?Would this work ?ThanksSte

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2021, 07:20:52 am
content: I suspect this is just to prevent interference between the video refresh rate and the mains frequency. Personally I would try it as-is and see if it causes any problems.

author: Cocorito Pap
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 22, 2021, 07:02:37 am
content: This makes sense, thanks.What about using a crystal with frequency close to the one required ( 17.1 Mhz for example ? ) .Ste

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2021, 08:26:14 am
content: What crystal is fitted for 60Hz? Frequency? Size? Cut?17.28MHz is a fairly available in the UK, however is might not be as simple as just changing the crystal - the drive circuit is likely to be tailored to the cut of the crystal, might work, might not.

author: Phil_G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2021, 09:28:31 am
content: If its only for project work you could buy a cheap Chinese 60hz pure-sine inverter and run it from your bench PSU.

author: Cocorito Pap
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 22, 2021, 02:47:55 pm
content: Quote from: fcb on April 22, 2021, 08:26:14 amFor 60Hz is 21.06 MHz

author: Cocorito Pap
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 22, 2021, 02:51:44 pm
content: Quote from: Phil_G on April 22, 2021, 09:28:31 amThat is an option , but my OCD is strong with this one .
Mini Z80 boards running CP/M, any followers here? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Phil_G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2021, 04:39:00 pm
content: Back in the day (™) at British Telecom, the bulk of my programming was under CP/M, at work we had Casu Mini-C's, & DMS Hinet MP/M systems and at home I had a homebrew system based on a second-hand Ferguson 'Big Board'. These were rewarding times as BT had few computerised systems and being in a position to save others many hours of boring manual labour made us quite popular :-)The Big Board machine at home was huge. Monster huge. The case was like a two-week-holiday suitcase and the massive twin 8" drives held IIRC 70k each. Or was it 140k? It was long, long ago.Of late I've been revisiting these times, I've built a Z80-MBC2 and three Z80 Playgrounds, there's also the RC2014 and others but they're all fascinating projects as they have all the ability of my old Big Board and more - but in a 4" square package. No more drives the size of breeze-blocks, the Z80MBC2 uses a micro-SD and the Playground an ordinary USB flashdrive. So convenient and so more-ish I cant stop fiddling with them!I've rediscovered the CP/M User Group archives and I've been editing source with WordStar 3 and assembling it with Z80ASMUK, and rediscovering PL/I. Its true timewarp computing.Is anyone else here enjoying this particular 80's -fest?CheersPhil

author: tpowell1830
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2021, 10:38:46 pm
content: Wordstar, that rings my bell. I acquired an Osborne in the late '80s and wrote some software with Turbo Pascal. Many hours working that out.EDIT: I still have my Osborne.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2021, 11:32:37 pm
content: I have CP/M running on a small FPGA dev board using Grant Searle's Multicomp design. I laid out a daughterboard that has RAM and IO.

author: woofy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2021, 03:50:11 pm
content: I cut my teeth on the Z80 starting with a Nascom1, then an SC84 (Z180) and finally a Tatung Z80 based CP/M machine.All are now gone, I mostly regret giving away the Nascom and SC84.I may build the Z80 MBC2 some time and get a Z80 system running again.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2021, 04:23:44 pm
content: Enjoying, yes, somewhat. Practicing, nope.Like probably many others, I also cut my teeth on Z80 systems back in the days, so that always brings up fond memories. But that also reminds me how annoying the limits of those systems could be, even back then!

author: syau
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2021, 11:57:58 pm
content: Did some BBS software development with CP/M running on the Microsoft Z80 card in Apple ][, mainly using Turbo Pascal. Managed to handshake with FidoNet software running on IBM PC and getting the BBS message exchanged through.Everything can fit on 2 Apple floppy disk with 2 floppy drive
Do you have US$2,500.00 to spare? HP9830A - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2021, 07:48:28 pm
content: No relation to the seller, but this showed up in the local sales website.If the photograph is true, it looks quite well maintained.https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/sys/d/keller-historic-antique-1st-desk-top/7297667141.htmlI would love to have it, but unfortunately I still didn't win the lottery (nor a Keysight giveaway prize)

author: rfclown
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 02:38:09 am
content: There's a bunch of post recently dredging up old "computer" memories. This one made me Google to find the first thing I ever programmed on, which was, I think, an HP calculator similar to the attached picture. My high school in Illinois had it in 1977. It had a pen plotter attached, and you could write programs to draw pictures. You saved programs on magnetic cards. I still remember the commands to move the pen up and down: FORMAT 1 UP and FORMAT 1 DOWN. 44 years ago, but I think that's correct.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 03:12:09 am
content: I used these when they were new, and while I have fond memories of the times I have no interest in owning one today. The successor models with a full CRT graphics occasionally make my spending finger twitch, but I usually wake up pretty quickly when I compare the capability of that system with the fairly vanilla laptop I am typing this on.The only thing the laptop doesn't do is generate the cool whirring sound of the tape as it searched back and forth for the record block it needed and then settled down to getting the data. And I am sure that if I really wanted that I could find an mp3 somewhere.
TRS-80 Data Dubber (cassette fixer) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2021, 07:53:11 pm
content: In the olden days, we suffered with TRS-80 cassette tapes. These were the mass storage device that we used before floppies and HDs. They wereextremelysensitive to volume settings and pretty much everything else it seemed. You would load in a long program watching the asterisk blink...hoping it would complete.It was such a big deal that several circuits appeared to "condition" the audio before it went into the TRS-80. The one below was probably the best - it was given to me (I think in exchange for fixing something or programming something - it was so long ago, I can't remember). It was suitable for make copies of cassettes as well as just using it in between the cassette player and the TRS-80.For reasons that are not clear to me, I decided today to investigate it further.The schematic for the Data Dubber was published in a hobbyist magazine called 80-Microcomputing.and you can read the complete article from that issue here:https://archive.org/details/80-microcomputing-magazine-1980-02/page/n52/mode/1upSo after some reading and cleaning and so forth, I figured I would test it out. I am not yet ready to reincarnate my TRS-80, but if I could find a tape and a cassette player and figure out to see the waveforms on my little digital scope (which is not at all easy for me...at least not yet).I did find my copy of Sargon II - a terrific chess program at the time (at the highest levels, it would take hours).So, I futzed with my scope and got a pic of the waveform as it comes from the cassette player (top) and when it is ready to enter the TRS-80 (bottom).Looks to me like this thing still works!

author: rfclown
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 01:56:42 am
content: I had the same thing... but it wasn't in a nice box. I think I bought it as a kit (PCB and parts) and never put it in a housing. It did help.I never had or used Sargon, but I read about it. It was programmed in assembler. Can you imagine anyone writing a chess program in assembler? At the time, it was a good chess program.
Why Windows Bluescreen Of Death is blue - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2021, 03:26:50 am
content: A cute story from a former MS engineer on the history of Windows Bluescreenhttps://youtu.be/KgqJJECQQH0

author: optoisolated
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 28, 2021, 11:23:17 am
content: Thanks for introducing me to this channel. I've gone down the rabbit hole now and watched most of his videos. Awesome content!

author: joseph nicholas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2021, 12:29:38 pm
content: All this guy's videos are why we hate Microsoft.

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2021, 01:09:56 pm
content: Quote from: joseph nicholas on March 28, 2021, 12:29:38 pmMight be why you hate Microsoft but I don't hate them. His videos are pretty good. Some are both entertaining and educational. He hacks electronics as well in some videos. I've been subscribed for a while now. His videos on making fire effects with led strings is a highlight.Thanks YT recommendations. They're getting better.

author: PKTKS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2021, 07:11:57 pm
content: Som time ago.. when this folk published the Win x Lin video..I just got nausea listening how bad bad bad really bad knowledgeof these folks about the whole NIX thing...OK I understand he spent 99% of his time being MS lap dog...But publishing that kind of info is nauseate..Paul

author: cgroen
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 28, 2021, 08:19:18 pm
content: Great video, thanks for sharing!
HP 27201A Speech Output Module - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: saipan59
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 04:50:44 pm
content: By chance does anyone have technical info on it? I'm looking for the connector pinout, and the basics of the serial protocol.I want to make it "say something". I believe it has an internal memory of 200 words or so, and other words can be downloaded.Inside is a TMS5220, a Zilog Z8, and several 2KB memory chips.Thanks,Pete

author: webjoe
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 07, 2020, 01:03:44 am
content: Pete,I was researching the same thing and stumbled onto this forum, and then I realized I've been watching EEVBlog for years and never registered, until now!I just picked an HP 27201A Speech Output Module as well a local thrift shop. I found some information so far, but not the manual or the accompanied software yet.Here's an article on the HP 27201A and it's counterpart the HP 829674A that describe some of its applications. Also I uploaded its listing in a catalog, which summaries the unit and describes some of the other available options for it to see if you can track them down!(EDIT: Had to use this service because the PDF is 15MB, and I couldn't attach it here).https://gofile.io/d/DcZjh0JoeP.S. In case the link above doesn't work, this is the full PDF:https://www.hpl.hp.com/hpjournal/pdfs/IssuePDFs/1984-01.pdf

author: saipan59
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2020, 12:41:55 am
content: Hi Joe,Thanks for your reply!I have officially lost (most) interest, because I sold it last week.Pete

author: smbaker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2021, 03:44:46 am
content: Joining the search for anyone who has information on getting one of these to work. Joe, any luck in your search?I did manage to make up a probable pinout for the serial connector, and have enough information that I can probably power it up and transfer bytes to and from it. Unfortunately, I don't know the protocol the contraption speaks, other than the article that webjoe linked. I did find an archive at bitsavers that has the VX software, that runs on the HP1000.Scott

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2021, 01:58:25 pm
content: For vintage HP stuff, I'd try to get in touch with Curious Marc on YouTube.

author: smbaker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 03:22:53 pm
content: Managed to disassemble the ROM and reverse engineer the protocol. For anyone who is curious, or anyone else who might be trying to get a module to work, video is up at:
MC68EZ328 Dragonball bbug.exe debugging tool - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: iMo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2021, 12:38:05 pm
content: Hi, long time back there was a DOS program called "bbug.exe" (Bootstrap Mode Debugging Program) for serial debug access into the 68EZ328 CPU. Some links and Motorola/Freescale/NXP docs refer to NXP site for download but I cannot find it anymore.Also a site is mentioning the name of the download file where bbug.exe is included:MC68EZ328ADSTOOLS2_0.zipAny hint where to find it, plz?

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2021, 01:32:45 pm
content: QuoteI found it included with the demo-CDROM of the board.Which board do you have?Mine is EZ V2 original board. It's supported by CodeWarrior. I have a full license for their toolchain, IDE, ROMs, and misc. There is a special bootstrap in the ROM, with their MetroTRK protocol.The "bbug.exe" is actually just a bootloader that loads stuff into the ram and jumps to an address to start executing stuff, and it somehow manages "debugging" by uploading a small "utilities" (they are called "helpers") here and there to dump registers and to write break instructions into the ram in order to make wild breakpoints. But it's a rudimentary tool sold as "free demo" and it doesn't have a protocol, everything is manually managed, so I wouldn't recommend it for anything serious but rather CodeWarrior even for hobby projects because it makes everything more comfortable and saves a lot of time.Unfortunately I no more have "bbug.exe" on hands. I tried it years ago (2002?) when I was in business with Palm, then I switched to CodeWarrior to develop some app for their PalmOS/68k.

author: iMo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2021, 02:00:22 pm
content: I have an old Palm with that chip and want to make some experiments with it (it is broken). I was using it some 20y backtoo. So I have basically been looking for the .zip file above..PS: also the bbug.exe should be included in "EZTOOLS"

author: DiTBho
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2021, 02:34:29 pm
content: Quote from: imo on March 07, 2021, 02:00:22 pmThat's indeed the label on one of the two CD ROMs found with the board

author: iMo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2021, 02:38:36 pm
content: Great! Now how to get it off the CD
Scanimate analog motion graphics machine - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2021, 06:37:47 am
content: Your a few years too late, I posted it here in 2017...https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/an-analog-motion-graphics-image-processor-for-tv/msg1309913/#msg1309913If you are going to thread-lock 'Homer J Simpson' before doing a search on EEVBlog yourself, and the video is some amazing technology, you'll get double busted...Especially video bomb/dumping and not even telling us it is a what the video is about, or why it is worth watching.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 04, 2021, 08:57:08 am
content: Quote from: BrianHG on March 04, 2021, 06:37:47 amThere you go! Refer to other existing thread.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/an-analog-motion-graphics-image-processor-for-tv/msg1309913/#msg1309913Quote from: BrianHG on March 04, 2021, 06:37:47 amI think the video title is fairly self-descriptive. But in any case,everythingI post is worth watching. ;-)*self-locked*
Laptop Siemens Nixdorf PCD-3NСsl (Panasonic CF-480C) looking for a circuit. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dmiA
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 01, 2021, 06:46:03 am
content: Hello!Im looking for service manual or circuit diagram for Siemens Nixdorf PCD-3NСsl (PCD-3Nsl)Also branded as Panasonic CF-480C
Imaging Technology Inc. PFG+ Frame Grabber Board - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2021, 08:48:28 am
content: I found this card in my collection while I was organising things. All I can tell is that it's some kind of frame grabber card. Any idea what application it might have been used for or if it's of any use in some kind of vintage computing application today?

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2021, 10:30:51 am
content: nice looking card, might have been used for many things... like grabbing images though microscopes, high speed cameras, or time lapse etc but could also have been used in broadcast TV, but tbh it looks more of a scientific thing to me.Only modern use would be for nostalgia reasons, also depends if you have the software for it!

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2021, 11:04:35 am
content: @dexters_lab: Do you have any use for it? Happy to donate. Haven't even looked for software. I can't even remember where I obtained it from. It's sat in a miscellaneous box of stuff for years.
HP Laserjet 4L Driver - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2021, 12:48:42 am
content: Does anyone have a good driver for the HP Laserjet 4L that works for Windows 7 easily?Wally

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2021, 01:20:52 am
content: Any special requirements? HP has a web site with all the drivers available, including Win 7?
"Real World Interfacing" PC 1987 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DrG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2021, 04:39:35 pm
content: I didn't spend a lot of time on the photos, but I thought some might be interested in seeing a quality interface board for the PC, circa 1987-88.A prototype/project box for use with the board.The manual, which was fairly thorough (except no complete schematic), explained the usage and programming for the Si8601A/D, AD558 DAC and 8255A.They even included a little insertion toolPrices at the time ($US):$239 for the board$55.00 for the prototype/project box.$29.00 and $19.00, respectively, for two cables.$19.00 Shipping.
Why 111-1111111 was a valid Windows 95 license key - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2021, 05:39:08 pm
content: No cryptography was used for the early Win95 product keyshttps://youtu.be/cwyH59nACzQ

author: dferyance
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2021, 06:05:59 pm
content: It is a great feature to have a weak copy-protection scheme. I've recently been tinkering with vintage computers. It is nice to be able to still install 25 year-old software and it works. Modern software depend on online software activation checks that won't be up in 25 years. Even recently, safedisc and securom won't work on Windows anymore.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 04, 2021, 06:36:07 pm
content: I'm not sure what key this uses but if you're feeling nostalgic,https://bellard.org/jslinux/vm.html?url=win2k.cfg&mem=192&graphic=1&w=1024&h=768

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2021, 06:39:46 pm
content: If you're interested in that sort of thing - Dave Plummer is an ex MS developer and talks about his time there.https://youtu.be/FpKNFCFABp0

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 04, 2021, 08:42:46 pm
content: If I recall correctly, the same thing worked for Windows NT and some versions of MS Office.

author: S. Petrukhin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2021, 02:23:54 pm
content: In ancient times, in Russia, no one paid attention to copyright and our activation keys were printed directly on the CD box.And remember C$ - Windows was, is and will be a solid hole with patches.
Looking for digitalker ROMs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: smbaker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2021, 03:49:15 am
content: Hi there, I've lately been working with the Digitalker vintage speech chipset, and together with a couple other enthusiasts, we're trying to locate as many Digitalker ROM images as we can. In contrast with phoneme-based synthensizers such as the Votrax or SP0256, the Digitalker uses digitized speech, and so the vocabulary is limited to the set of ROM images. Software to create new ROMS, written in CP/M, existed at one time, but is believed to now be lost.We'd especially like to locate the National Semiconductor SSR3, SSR4, SSR5, and SSR6 ROMs.My blog post athttps://www.smbaker.com/this-is-digitalker-and-jameco-je520-too-vintage-speech-synthesisdescribes the roms we've acquired so far, and there is a video that runs through the vocabulary as of approximately a week ago. A few more have since been acquired since the video, including two by RS components and an elevator annunciator.Thanks,Scott

author: smbaker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2021, 07:49:14 am
content: We have acquired SSR5 and SSR6 -- no need for anyone to keep looking for those.We're still really interested in getting our hands on the mythical SSR3 and SSR4.Scott
SB X-FI Titanium Fatality Champion IO-Drive serial protocol - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Le_Bassiste
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2021, 09:55:43 am
content: to whom it may concern:while fighting with the "creative" software to get the I/O-drive working on windows 10 (which almost tricked me into a fresh install of windows) i also gave the control interface on the sound card a closer look. this is what i found. maybe it's of use to somebody who wants to roll his own IO-drive panel.
Anyone recognize this combo touchpad/analog joystick? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2020, 05:34:51 pm
content: I have such a joystick in my crap, it is so badly yellowed I didn't want to nauseate anyone with pictures of it. Here's my question, what computer was this for? The pad has a 9 pin male connector on it which suggests more a serial port, but there's no power connector for the thing. I don't think a lowly serial port could supply enough current for running an entire A/D-microcontroller combo in 1984?There's a simple slide switch under the thing for tablet/joystick mode. If it was meant for joystick ports it would be a 9 pin female connector.Yes I will take it apart but right now I can't find my long thin driver set.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2020, 05:51:58 pm
content: Did you read the big red label on the box?

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2020, 06:23:05 pm
content: Nope! Glasses off... Hmm. Did Apple use a reverse joystick connector? Looks like they did. Oh well, this goes to the e-cycling then...

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2020, 07:33:56 pm
content: Or convert it to a PC joystick:Yeah, I don't see the point either

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2020, 05:55:14 pm
content: It appears to be in a decent condition and in original box, even with software. Why not sell ?

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2020, 05:56:48 pm
content: That's not mine, it's just some random online picture. Mine is brown...

author: bobcat2000
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2020, 06:22:17 pm
content: This looks like a collectable item that you can sell for hundreds. You can bleach it back white and make some $$$ off of it.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2020, 07:55:43 pm
content: They're not worth much. I don't have the box or anything else. Just the joystick.

author: bobcat2000
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2020, 12:52:24 am
content: If you google it but nothing shows up, it is super rare. Super rare means big $$$$.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2020, 01:19:47 am
content: like beanie babies!!1
VGA question - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Wawavoun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2021, 11:01:36 am
content: Hello there !I am looking for a schematics showing how to get from a Motorola 6845 to a VGA socket and what are the components required to get this working.I have looking for old graphics card schematics but not found what I need....I have the Hsync and Vsync on pins 39 and 40 of the 6845 and a signal I can apply to one of the colors on the VGA socket... all in TTL level.In the actual design of the board this is mixed to get a video signal. I expect to made a direct vga outpout.I think I have to invert Hsync and Vsync and to reduce TTL to 0.7V peak for color signal. Is that right ?Thanks for the help. Regards.Philippe

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2021, 02:12:19 pm
content: well, Baader-Meinhof phenomenon is really strong today. I was just browsinghttps://hackaday.io/project/167089-isa-8-bit-video-experimentsexactly what you want

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2021, 04:49:42 pm
content: 'Classic' VGA modes use a 31.469 kHz line scan rate, which was chosen to be approximately double the US NTSC video format 15.750 kHz line scan rate. PAL and SECAM video formats have a 15.625 kHz line scan rate. If its on an existing board, odds are the software or firmware configures the MC6845 for NTSC or PAL/SECAM timings, which a VGA or SVGA monitor wont be able to lock to unless its actually a wide range multisync monitor that already supports component and composite video using analog era video formats. If its possible to reprogram the MC6845 for VGA timing, you'll loose up to half your horizontal resolution (depending on the ratio between the original line rate and 640 px/line VGA line rate).TLDR: Driving a real VGA or SVGA monitor from a MC6845 in an existing system without a frequency doubling scanline buffer in between usually doesn't work, and if it can be reconfigured to work, looses a lot of resolution so may be unusable anyway.

author: Wawavoun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2021, 06:10:16 pm
content: Thanks Ian for the explanation...The board I expect to modify is very similar (at least in the working principles) to the one show in the link indicated above by Rasz.There is also a ram memory and a characters rom and the 6845 manage the address of both and Hsync and Vsync.In this design 6845 clock look to be 27.175 Mhz divided by 16. I suppose 16 is the number of pixels of the step of one character to the next.On my board output shift register clock is 16 Mhz (so this is the pixel frequency) and 6845 clock is 16 MHz / 8 = 2 MHz.So it should be possibleI think...