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Archive for the ‘Retro Computers and other stuff…’ Category

Atari 1040 STe

September 29th, 2012 1 comment
Atari 1040 STe

Autopsy:

from Wikipedia:

The Atari ST is a home computer released by Atari Corporation in June 1985. It was commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The “ST” officially stands for “Sixteen/Thirty-two”,[2] which referred to the Motorola 68000′s 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals. Due to its graphical user inferface, it was known as the “Jackintosh”, a reference to Jack Tramiel.

The Atari ST was part of the 16/32 bit generation of home computers, based on the Motorola 68000 CPU noted for 128 kB of RAM or more, a graphical user interface, and 3½” microfloppy disks as storage. It was similar to the Apple Macintosh and its simple design allowed the ST to precede the Commodore Amiga’s commercial release by almost two months. The Atari ST was also the first personal computer to come with a bit-mapped color GUI, using a version of Digital Research’s GEM released that February.

The ST was primarily a competitor to the Apple Macintosh and the Commodore Amiga systems. Where the Amiga had a graphics accelerator and wavetable synthesis, the ST had a simple frame buffer and a 3 voice synthesizer chip but with a CPU faster clocked, and had a high-resolution monochrome display mode, ideal for business and CAD. In some markets, particularly Germany, the machine gained a strong foothold as a small business machine for CAD and Desktop publishing work. The Atari ST also enjoyed some market popularity in Canada.

The ST was also the first home computer with integrated MIDI support. Thanks to its built-in MIDI, it enjoyed success for running music-sequencer software and as a controller of musical instruments among amateurs and professionals alike, being used in concert by bands and performers such as Jean Michel Jarre, Madonna, Eurythmics, Tangerine Dream, Fatboy Slim, and 1990s UK dance act 808 State, as well as naming German digital hardcore band Atari Teenage Riot.

The ST was later superseded by the Atari STE, Atari TT, Atari MEGA STE and Falcon computers.

In late 1989, Atari released the 520STE and 1040STE (also written STE), enhanced version of the ST with improvements to the multimedia hardware and operating system. It featured an increased color palette of 4096 colors from the ST’s 512 (though the maximum displayable palette of these without programming tricks was still limited to 16 in the lowest 320×200 resolution, and even fewer in higher resolutions), Genlock support, and a graphics co-processor chip called Blitter, which could quickly move large blocks of data (most particularly, graphics sprites) around in RAM. It also included a new 2-channels digital sound chip that could play 8-bit stereo samples in hardware at up to 50 kHz.

Two enhanced joystick ports (EJP) were added (two normal joysticks could be plugged into each port with an adaptor), with the new connectors placed in more easily-accessed locations on the side of the case. The enhanced joystick ports were re-used in Atari’s Jaguar console, and are compatible. RAM was now much more simply upgradable via SIMMs. Despite all of this, it still ran at 8 MHz.

Atari STe: More Or Less Zero by Dead Hackers Society on real Hardware.

source: wikipedia

Unboxing & Assembly BitFixer PETdisk in Kit

September 28th, 2012 No comments
BitFixer PETdisk interface

Gallery:

The PETdisk is a new storage device, made by bitfixer, for the Commodore CBM / PET with an IEEE-488 port.

The system is in two parts. A datassette module that makes it possible to play “data” from a PC soundcard to the CBM / PET and play “data” from the CBM / PET to the PC. The IEEE-488 module has an SD card and a micro processor.

You can use the commands LOAD, SAVE and LOAD “$” to load or store data on the SD card. The device number can be changed with a help of a jumper. The USB cable is used to provide 5VDC from the datassette module to the IEEE-488 module.

For more informations,schematics,documentations and price of the kit please visit the site of the author.

Video demostration:

source: bitfixer.com

Commodore PET 2001-32N

September 20th, 2012 No comments
Commodore PET 2001-32N

Autopsy:

The Commodore PET 2001-N (the N was short for “New”) is a successor to the Commodore PET 2001, it has a bigger keyboard and 32KB dynamic RAM memory. The larger keyboard means that the first cassette drive now has to be an external unit.

from Wikipedia:

The Commodore PET (Personal Electronic Transactor) was a home/personal computer produced from 1977 by Commodore International. A top-seller in the Canadian and United States educational markets, it was Commodore’s first full-featured computer, and formed the basis for their entire 8-bit product line.

The PET 2001 was announced at the Winter CES in January 1977 and the first 100 units were shipped later that year in October. However, the PET was back-ordered for months and to ease deliveries, early in 1978 Commodore decided to cancel the 4 kB version (also because the user would be left with barely 3 kB of RAM).

Although the machine was fairly successful, there were frequent complaints about the tiny calculator-like keyboard, often referred to as a “chiclet keyboard” because the keys resembled the gum candy. The key tops also tended to rub off easily. Reliability was fairly poor, although that was not atypical of many early microcomputers. Because of the poor keyboard on the PET, external replacement ones quickly appeared.

In 1979, Commodore replaced the original PET 2001 with an improved model known as the 2001-N (the N was short for “New”). The new machine used a standard green-phosphor monitor in place of the light blue in the original 2001. It now had a conventional, full-sized keyboard and no longer sported the built-in cassette recorder. The kernel ROM was upgraded to add support for Commodore’s newly-introduced disk drive line. It was offered in 8kB, 16kB, or 32kB models as the 2001-N8, 2001-N16, and 2001-N32 (the 8kB models were dropped soon after introduction). Finally, Commodore added a machine-language monitor to the kernel ROM that could be accessed by jumping to any memory location with a BRK instruction. It did not include a built-in assembler and required the user to enter hexadecimal numbers for coding.

Sales of the newer machines were strong, and Commodore then introduced the models to Europe. The result was the CBM 3000 series (‘CBM’ standing for Commodore Business Machines), which included the 3008, 3016 and 3032 models. Like the 2001-N-8, the 3008 was quickly dropped. The change to CBM occurred because of a trademark dispute with Philips over the PET name.

source: wikipedia

Donation: Apple Power Mac G4 (MDD / M8570)

September 9th, 2012 No comments
Apple Power Mac G4 (MDD / M8570)

Autopsy:

from Wikipedia:

The Power Mac G4 was a series of personal computers that was designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple between 1999 and 2004.

They used the PowerPC G4 (PPC74xx) series of microprocessors. They were heralded by Apple to be the first personal supercomputers, reaching speeds of 4 to 20 Gigaflops. They were both the last Macintoshes to boot natively into Classic Mac OS and the first to boot exclusively into Mac OS X.

The original Apple Power Mac G4, code name “Yikes!”, was introduced at the Seybold conference in San Francisco on August 31, 1999, with 400 MHz, 450 MHz and 500 MHz configurations available. In October 1999, Apple was forced to postpone the 500 MHz because of poor yield of the 500 MHz chips. In response, Apple “speed dumped” the processor speed in each configuration by 50 MHz but caused some controversy by not decreasing the price of the machines.

Another generation of Apple Power Mac G4s were introduced on August 13, 2002, featuring both a new Xserve-derived DDR motherboard architecture and a new case design, known as “Mirrored Drive Doors” (MDD). All models were available in dual processor configurations running at 867 MHz, 1 GHz or 1.25 GHz. As with the Xserves, the PowerPC 7455 CPU used does not have a DDR frontside bus, meaning the CPU could only use at most 50% of the new system’s theoretical memory bandwidth, providing no improvement over previous models. The rest was available to the graphics card and I/O systems. A dual processor 1.25 GHz model would be the last Power Mac G4 the company offered to the public after the announcement of the new Power Mac G5, introduced in June 2003.

source: wikipedia

Commodore CBM (PET) 3032 – Repair and Restoration

September 5th, 2012 No comments

This is the story of a Commodore CBM (PET) 3032 recovered in a pitiful state.

The motherboard was covered of rust and many IC are in short circuit. I had to replace some IC (broken or full of rust), rebuild some paths of the pcb and clean very well.

I have also restored the inside of the case, using an anti-rust gel painting.

Photos and Description of the work made:

Read more…

Commodore CBM (PET) 3032

September 5th, 2012 No comments
Commodore CBM (PET) 3032

Autopsy:

The Commodore CBM (PET) 3032 is a successor to the Commodore PET 2001, it has a bigger keyboard and 32KB dynamic RAM memory. The larger keyboard means that the first cassette drive now has to be an external unit.

from Wikipedia:

The Commodore PET (Personal Electronic Transactor) was a home/personal computer produced from 1977 by Commodore International. A top-seller in the Canadian and United States educational markets, it was Commodore’s first full-featured computer, and formed the basis for their entire 8-bit product line.

The PET 2001 was announced at the Winter CES in January 1977 and the first 100 units were shipped later that year in October. However, the PET was back-ordered for months and to ease deliveries, early in 1978 Commodore decided to cancel the 4 kB version (also because the user would be left with barely 3 kB of RAM).

Although the machine was fairly successful, there were frequent complaints about the tiny calculator-like keyboard, often referred to as a “chiclet keyboard” because the keys resembled the gum candy. The key tops also tended to rub off easily. Reliability was fairly poor, although that was not atypical of many early microcomputers. Because of the poor keyboard on the PET, external replacement ones quickly appeared.

In 1979, Commodore replaced the original PET 2001 with an improved model known as the 2001-N (the N was short for “New”). The new machine used a standard green-phosphor monitor in place of the light blue in the original 2001. It now had a conventional, full-sized keyboard and no longer sported the built-in cassette recorder. The kernel ROM was upgraded to add support for Commodore’s newly-introduced disk drive line. It was offered in 8kB, 16kB, or 32kB models as the 2001-N8, 2001-N16, and 2001-N32 (the 8kB models were dropped soon after introduction). Finally, Commodore added a machine-language monitor to the kernel ROM that could be accessed by jumping to any memory location with a BRK instruction. It did not include a built-in assembler and required the user to enter hexadecimal numbers for coding.

Sales of the newer machines were strong, and Commodore then introduced the models to Europe. The result was the CBM 3000 series (‘CBM’ standing for Commodore Business Machines), which included the 3008, 3016 and 3032 models. Like the 2001-N-8, the 3008 was quickly dropped. The change to CBM occurred because of a trademark dispute with Philips over the PET name.

source: wikipedia

RGB + Synch Amplifier Circuit for Sega SG-1000 II (Mark 2)

September 2nd, 2012 4 comments

This is a Video RGB Hack for the console Sega SG-1000 II (Mark 2).

The Sega 315-5066 Video Chip inside the Sega SG-1000 II (Mark 2) used in the latest version of the console uses two video output formats: NTSC Composite video (converted to RF), and RGB (not connected).

The RGB Video is the stuff from which all other formats are born. Once your RGB is tapped it can be easily converted to Component or S-video, giving stunning output far superior to what the Sega SG-1000 II natively offers (only RF).

There are several caveats, of course. The biggest is the quality of the RGB output – it’s not very bright, and will result in an image without much contrast, so you will probably need to add an amplifier. Even on monitors that display a very good image without the amp you’ll sometimes find the sync signal needs an amp to generate a stable image.

I have used the same RGB/Sync Amplifier used on the PC-Engine, components and the Original schematic are shown below.

Schematic:

Components:

  • 4 x 2SC1815 (Transistor)
  • 4 x 220 μF 16v (Electrolytic capacitor)
  • 4 x 10 μF 16v (Electrolytic capacitor)
  • 4 x 75 Ω (Resistor)
  • 8 x 10 KΩ (Resistor)
  • 1 x 300 Ω (Resistor)

 

 

The three photos below show the connection between the RGB Amplifier and the PCB of the Sega SG-1000 II.

RGB + Synch Amplifier Circuit (Connections Descriptions) RGB + Synch Amplifier Circuit (Connections Descriptions) RGB + Synch Amplifier Circuit (Connections Descriptions)

Sega SG-1000 II – Mark 2 (Boxed)

August 31st, 2012 No comments
Sega SG-1000 II (close-up)

Autopsy:

TODO: Modify the console to support RGB output. When is ready i’m going to post the project.

from Wikipedia:

The SG-1000 (エスジー・セン Esujī Sen?), which stands for Sega Game 1000, was a cartridge-based video game console manufactured by Sega. This system marked Sega’s first entry into the home video game hardware business, and while the system was not popular, it provided the basis for the more successful Sega Master System.

The SG-1000 was first released to the Japanese market on July 15, 1983. Coincidentally, this is exactly the day that Nintendo’s Family Computer was released in Japan. The console reached minor success in that market and sold moderately well within Asia until 1985. The system was launched in New Zealand as released by Grandstand Leisure Limited, Australia by John Sands and in other countries, such as France, Italy, Spain, and South Africa. The console in its original form was never launched in North America.

In July 1984, Sega released an updated version of the console called the SG-1000 II. It is functionally identical to the SG-1000, but has a re-styled shell and the connector for the optional plug-in SK-1100 keyboard has been moved from the rear to the front. It was initially priced at ¥15,000. A computer version of this console, with a built-in keyboard, was called the SC-3000, which would go on to outsell the SG-1000.

The SG-1000 runs all SC-3000 games and applications, with the exception of Music and Basic Cartridges. The machine could be used just like the SC-3000, provided one had the keyboard attachment ready. In Japan the console also had an optional game card reader add-on called the Card Catcher that allowed for the use of Sega game card software. Card based software was exclusive to Japan, only cartridge based games were released in Europe and Oceania.

The Card Catcher would become built into the Sega Mark III, as well as the first version of the Master System.

source: wikipedia

GiG – Techno Source Intellivision 25 in 1 (Boxed)

August 31st, 2012 No comments
GIG - Techno Source Intellivision 25 in 1

Autopsy:

from Wikipedia:

Techno Source was one of the pioneers of the ‘retro gaming’ market, creating TV Game systems that plug directly into your TV. Their products were one of the reasons for the increased “popularity of these devices from a 30 million dollar industry 4–5 years ago to over 500 million dollars” today.

After entering into a licensing partnership with Intellivision in 2003, Techno Source introduced the Intellivision 25, which features 25 original Intellivision games in one plug-and-play unit. With the success of the Intellivision 25 and its follow-up, the Intellivision 10, Techno Source sold over 1,000,000 units and received the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval in 2004.

This line now includes the 2-player Intellivision X2 and the Intellivision 10 2nd Edition. According to the Blue Sky Rangers, the original programmers of the Intellivision games, Techno Source has sold more Intellivision games today than Mattel Electronics originally sold in the 1980s.

source: wikipedia

Cabletronic ESP 329 – 2Mb Memory Expansion for A500/A1000

August 30th, 2012 1 comment
Cabletronic ESP 329 - 2Mb Fast Ram Expansion for A500/A1000

Autopsy:

Cabletronic ESP 329 is a 2 MB Fast RAM expansion for Amiga 500/1000 (no passthrough port).

source: amiga.resource.cx

Commodore CDTV / Floppy Drive / Remote Control & Mouse

August 25th, 2012 No comments
Commodore CDTV (front side)

Autopsy:

from Wikipedia:

The CDTV (an acronym for “Commodore Dynamic Total Vision”, a backronym of an acronym for “Compact Disk Television”, giving it a double meaning) was a multimedia platform developed by Commodore International and launched in 1991. On a technological level it was essentially a Commodore Amiga 500 home computer in a Hi-Fi style case with a single-speed CD-ROM drive. Commodore marketed the machine as an all-in-one home multimedia appliance rather than a computer. As such, it targeted the same market as the Philips CD-i. Unfortunately for both Commodore and Philips, the expected market for multimedia appliances did not materialise, and neither machine met with any real commercial success. Though the CDTV was based entirely on Amiga hardware it was marketed strictly as a CDTV, with the Amiga name omitted from product branding.

The CDTV debuted in North America in March 1991 (CES, Las Vegas) and in the UK (World of Commodore 1991 at Earls Court, London). It was advertised at £499 for the CDTV unit, remote control and two titles. Commodore chose Amiga enthusiast magazines as its chief advertising channel, but the Amiga community on the whole avoided the CDTV in the expectation of an add-on CD-ROM drive for the Amiga, which eventually came in the form of the A570. This further hurt sales of the CDTV, as both it and an A570-equipped A500 were the same electronically, and could both run CDTV software, so there was very little motivation to buy it. Commodore would rectify this with CDTV’s successor, the A1200-based Amiga CD32, by adding the Akiko chip. This would enable CD32 games to be playable only on the CD32.

The CDTV was supplied with AmigaOS 1.3, rather than the more advanced and user-friendly 2.0 release that was launched at around the same time. Notably, the CDXL motion video format was primarily developed for the CDTV making it one of the earliest consumer systems to allow video playback from CD-ROM.

Though Commodore later developed an improved and cost-reduced CDTV-II it was never released. Commodore eventually discontinued the CDTV in 1993 with the launch of the Amiga CD32, which used which again was substantially based on Amiga hardware (in this case the newer Amiga 1200) but explicitly targeted the games market.

source: wikipedia

Commodore SX-64 Keyboard for Spare Parts

August 23rd, 2012 1 comment

This is a Commodore SX-64 Keyboard which i will use as spare parts.

Commodore 64 IEEE-488 Cartridge

August 19th, 2012 1 comment
Commodore 64 IEEE-488 Cartridge

Autopsy:

from Richard Lagendijk Homepage:

This cartridge makes it possible to use hardware with a IEEE 488 interface with a Commodore C64. This could be a disk drive, printer or hard disk from the CBM / PET computer models.

source: richardlagendijk.nl

Thomson TO8D

August 7th, 2012 No comments
Thomson TO8D

Autopsy:

from Wikipedia:

The Thomson TO8D is a Home Computer created by the French company Thomson-SIMIV and released in 1986. It replaces the predecessor, the TO7/70, while remaining largely compatible. New features are: (more memory, better graphics modes) are common to the whole range of third generation (MO6, and TO8 TO9 +).

It has a tape drive and the BASIC 512 / BASIC 1.0 by Microsoft integrated in ROM and provides a connection for external floppy drive. An improved version, the TO8D has a additionally Floppy Drive 3 1/2″ integrated.

Overview of game loading:

source: wikipedia dcmoto.free.fr

TRS-80 Color Deluxe Joystick Boxed / Koala Touchpad / Mouse

August 5th, 2012 No comments
TRS-80 Color Deluxe Joystick / Koala Touchpad / Mouse

Autopsy:

Some accessories for the Home Computer TRS-80 Color from Radio Shack.