Finally I got the SP ][ SD interface for the Apple IIc. This interface allows you to connect an SD card to the Apple IIc and use it as a mass storage device. The installation is quite simple, and the results are amazing.
It use an arduino nano to manage the SD card and the communication with the Apple IIc. The interface is connected to the disk II port of the Apple IIc, and it is powered by the Apple IIc itself. Great design!
After spent a lot of hours trying to fix the video signal on my C128, checking signals, replacing capacitors, replacing the RF modulator with the TSH7316 module etc.. and with the cues that each try gave me, I’ve decided to replace the VIC-II chip. The VIC-II chip is the video controller chip used in the C128.
The main problem was that the video signal was faded, dull, it was dificult to see the letters on the screen and in C64 mode the screen was almost impossible to read.
I’m not sure but still soon to say that this year will be the year of the Z80. I’ve been working on a new version of the Z80 computer that I’ve built last year. The new version that I have in mind will have a lot of improvements over the previous one, and possibly a printed circuit board (PCB) to make it more professional.
Some pictures about second attempt to install T2/Sde 24.12 on my Sun SparcStation 5.
And the final result, the system crashed during the installation, with the whatchdog timer error.
A Technical Overview of the Sun SPARCstation 5
The Sun SPARCstation 5 (commonly referred to as the SS5) is a workstation computer introduced by Sun Microsystems in 1994. It was part of Sun’s highly successful SPARCstation family, which became renowned for their use in engineering, scientific computing, and other technical fields. The SS5 was built around Sun’s proprietary SPARC architecture and remains a notable example of 1990s workstation technology.
Installing Windows 1.0 on an Already Installed MS-DOS 3.3 System
Introduction
Microsoft Windows 1.0, first released in 1985, was a significant step in personal computing, heralding the shift from command-line interfaces to graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Even though it was rudimentary by today’s standards, it laid the groundwork for the Windows operating environment that countless systems rely on today. For enthusiasts and tech aficionados, installing Windows 1.0 over an already installed MS-DOS 3.3 system presents a time capsule that exemplifies the early days of modern computing. This guide explores the history, features, and steps needed to embark on this nostalgic installation journey.
Revamping the Commodore 128 Video Output: Removing the RF Modulator for Enhanced RGBI Output
Today I’ve decided try to fix the video signal on my C128. The video signal was not as bright as it should be.
The Commodore 128 (C128) is a vintage computer that has carved its niche in the hearts of retro computing enthusiasts. When it comes to video output, many users have wrestled with the limitations and quality of the original RF (radio frequency) modulator. This article delves into the process of removing the RF modulator and replacing it with a high-quality RGBI output using the TSH7316 IC, a specialized HDTV video amplifier. Leveraging RGBI not only enhances the video quality significantly but also makes connectivity with modern displays much easier.
After replacing the RF modulator with the TSH7316, the video signal is the same, so the problem is not the RF modulator :-). I will continue investigating the issue. Maybe the problem is in the MOS8701 chip or the VIC-II chip.
I recently acquired a couple of Avid Ultra 320/LVD SCSI drives. These drives are used in the Avid DS Nitris system, which is a high-end video editing system. The drives are:
2 x 146GB Seagate Cheetah 15K.5 drives.
2 x 300GB IBM Ultrastar 10K300 drives.
The drives are in good condition, but they have been sitting in storage for a while. I decided to clean them before using them.
I have a Sun Sparcstation 5, it has installed NetBSD 9, that was the nearest OS that I could install on it. I wanted to try Linux on it, years ago I was able to install linux on a Ultra 1, from the network using a TFTP server and the process was fun. I learned a lot.
Recently I had read about T2sde, a distribution that supports a lot of architectures, including SPARC. I decided to give it a try. There a lot of packages available, and the process sounds easy, and the best the have one of the most recent versions of the Linux kernel. Amazing!
