ID Hercules Graphics Card? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: fjk61011
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 31, 2017, 12:11:54 pm
content: Trying to ID a Hercules Graphics Card. It's from 1988 and has a socketed "Hercules V 112 - B" chip and a 16 MHz crystal. Want to see if it is suitable to run a 5151 Monochrome monitor.Can't seem to upload a photo.

author: picandmix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2017, 07:27:19 pm
content: This link /article seems to say it should.https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=MK_-L8Mr1u4C&pg=PA150&lpg=PA150&dq=hercules+v112+-b+graphics+card&source=bl&ots=W72QzEFSMN&sig=jZIeMZb9rJl4koU1xBxEtVb-oYM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiGiObfu4HTAhUpCcAKHc-kCFAQ6AEIJTAA#v=onepage&q=hercules%20v112%20-b%20graphics%20card&f=false

author: drussell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2017, 08:07:23 pm
content: Yeah, any Hercules or compatible monochrome display adapter from that era with the DB-9 output will work with any standard 5151 style monochrome monitor. That particular card would be one of the laterPlusmodels that hadRAMFONTcapability built in.I probably have one of those around here in a pile of ISA cards somewhere...

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 31, 2017, 08:21:29 pm
content: Quote from: drussell on March 31, 2017, 08:07:23 pmThere is no such connector as a DB-9. It's a DE-9.The 9 is the number of pinsthe B is the shell size, and a B shell size the size that a 25 pin connector goes inDA-15DB-25DC-37DD-50DE-9

author: rmacintosh
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2017, 11:17:24 pm
content: You just blew my mind. I've been calling them db9 since i first learned what to call it.Can't say I didn't learn something new today.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2017, 12:22:42 am
content: Blame the computer manufacturers for that. Many of them in the early days actually labeled them DB9 including IBM themselves. It stuck. Apart from a very nice Aston Martin, it is a made up title.

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2017, 11:57:11 am
content: Quote from: rmacintosh on March 31, 2017, 11:17:24 pmsame here, oh well

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2017, 11:00:03 pm
content: Everybody calls them DB9. It's technically incorrect but if you ask for a DB9 connector anyone will know what you're talking about. If you ask for a DE9 you will likely get a blank stare from most people.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2017, 12:42:09 am
content: Something similar happened with RJ-45: It does not refer to the Ethernet connector.The Registered Jack system was developed by AT&T for systems of modular wiring: each RJ number specified the plugand its pinout. RJ-45 was for serial data connections, as with dumb terminal pools. The modular connector used for TP Ethernet is properly called 8P8C.

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2017, 02:14:45 am
content: Quoteno citations, references or bibiliography, no grade ( I heard that in a classroom somewhere )

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2017, 08:02:43 am
content: Quote from: DimitriP on April 04, 2017, 02:14:45 amDoes wikipedia count?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-subminiatureIf you have any databooks from the 1960s-early 70s you can probably find references to the DE9 connector.But as I mentioned, everyone calls them DB9 even if that's technically incorrect.

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 04, 2017, 08:12:01 am
content: Quote from: DimitriP on April 04, 2017, 02:14:45 amIf you care to peruse the whole catalogue....http://www.ittcannon.com/Core/medialibrary/ITTCannon/website/Literature/Catalogs-Brochures/D-Sub_Full_Line_Catalog.pdfof if you just want a selected image therefrom...

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2017, 07:48:02 am
content: QuoteNope. I'm not sure what application the RJ45 was originally aimed at (various sorts of leased lines/T1/etc, maybe fancy multi-line business phones/PBX links, I think), but when the various "terminal server" companies started using them for Async Serial Data, they had to invent their own (frequently mutually incompatible) mapping of rs232 signals to RJ45 pinouts. (I'mREALLY SUREabout that. I "invented" one of them (Hmm. Perhaps even the "winning" version!)...)What WAS relatively standardized was the mapping of RJ45 connectors to telco "house" wiring. So you could wire an 8-wire "thing" into your building punchdown blocks, and count on having the same 8 wires come out to the 8-pin jack in a particular room...And as far as I know, "hercules graphics card" nearly ALWAYS implies compatibility with the IBM "High Res Monochrome monitor" (and subsequent clones... That waswhat it DID!(Possible exception: The actual Hercules company might have attempted to do some other graphics cards (color, perhaps?) - but they never caught on.)

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2017, 08:01:44 am
content: *WORSE* is Microchip calling their ICD 2/3 ICSP connector "RJ11"Its a 6P6C modular jack and plug. All 6 contacts used. RJ11 only has 4 contacts. RJ12 is the same size but with 6 contacts.However, why not use the correct name in your documentation?You can always bracket the 'friendly' unofficial RJ name after it in scare quotes!

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2017, 07:27:40 pm
content: Quote from: westfw on April 07, 2017, 07:48:02 amI'll defer to your experience. I've seen T1 CSU/DSU devices but never understood exactly how they were used. From what I do remember, I thought T1 used RJ48?

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2017, 11:39:26 pm
content: QuoteSounds right. RJ48 is just a particular 4-wire scheme used with the 8P8C connector.I guess that the CONNECTOR is properly called a "modular 8P8C" connector, with the various RJ- designations identifying particular applications/etc.http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/difference-between-rj45-and-rj48/In that sense, it's undergone exactly the same sort of terminology mutation as "D subminiature" connectors.Certainly the use of such connectors for TP Ethernet and Serial communications has far exceeded prior historical uses...(and I'm really happy to see the demise of V.35 and 2-inch diameter mil-spec circular connectors...)