Re: Dead Synth (Was:Mains voltage step-down converters)

Posted on 2024-03-19, 23:28

by

by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ Sound

in Marvin \ Sound

I suspect for your purposes you don't need anything as big as the first and last. but the middle one - is there transformer inside or not (how much it weights?), i.e. it provides proper SineWave or it's cheap, you can say even fake, SquareWave device. the first and the last one are proper SineWave …

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Re: Dead Synth (Was:Mains voltage step-down converters)

Posted on 2024-03-19, 22:58

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by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ Sound

in Marvin \ Sound

Getting back to the original question; Stepdown converters in the UK... I use these three: IMG_20240319_225308_(1200_x_900_pixel).jpg This one powers a Sharp X68000 Super. IMG_20240319_225251_(1200_x_900_pixel).jpg This one runs a Sony MSx2+, HB-FX1DJ. IMG_20240319_225240_(1200_x_900_pixel).jpg And …

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Re: BTC 5100C AT/XT Keyboard? How to enable XT function?

Posted on 2024-03-19, 21:37

by

by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Why don't you take the cover off and check? It might be as simple as a couple of dip switches, in which case you could set them. On the other hand, it may not be serviceable that way and might have different internals depending on if it was built as AT or XT, but nothing is lost by checking.

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Re: Tiny 486 build - SBC with ISA backplane

Posted on 2024-03-19, 21:30

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by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ System Specs

in Marvin \ System Specs

Front panel is cut (but no cut-outs, yet), and I had a play with another of my new toys; a mini router... IMG_20240319_212535_(1200_x_900_pixel).jpg IMG_20240319_212605_(1200_x_900_pixel).jpg I'm fairly pleased with the outcome. It took a couple of tests on some scrap wood first (my first attempt …

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Re: What TV shows are you watching now?

Posted on 2024-03-19, 20:10

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by megatron-uk

in Milliways

in Milliways

We finished True Detective s4, we liked it. I was hoping for it to go more "xfiles-ey", but they kinda copped out, which is a shame as it definitely had the legs to go the way of other arctic sci-fi mysteries. Still good though. S1 clearly the best by far. We have just started watching Shogun, and …

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Re: Tiny 486 build - SBC with ISA backplane

Posted on 2024-03-18, 22:02

by

by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ System Specs

in Marvin \ System Specs

Backplane now mounted to the case: backplane1.jpg ... and with ISA cards installed: backplane2.jpg The mounting holes on the backplane will need cleaning back a little so that there's no chance of anything conductive shorting to the bolts around the two additional holes I had to drill. Nothing a …

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Re: CPU & GPU for first retro build

Posted on 2024-03-18, 18:30

by

by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Are you wanting to do DOS gaming with that same system, it are you sticking exclusively to Win98 and above? If you want to do DOS gaming outside of Windows, then it's far too fast and you will likely struggle with sound support. There are exceptions, but essentially DOS gaming == ISA sound cards.

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Re: Tiny 486 build - SBC with ISA backplane

Posted on 2024-03-17, 17:17

by

by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ System Specs

in Marvin \ System Specs

Have the basic structure of the enclosure now made: frame.jpg Top, bottom and (one fixed, and one removeable) side panels now in place: open_side1.jpg open_side2.jpg front.jpg With the side panel fitted: panel_on.jpg Next up is making some slight modifications to the ISA backplane/riser. I need to …

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Re: VLB SCSI Woes (potentially damaged?)- Dell 486 w/ AHA-2840VL

Posted on 2024-03-17, 08:50

by

by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Could it be the extra vlb slot(s) on the riser and the use of the SCSI card in that extra slot is driving the vl bus too hard? The vesa bus is connected directly to the processor and it was always a little bit flaky. It was incredibly rare to see a motherboard with more than 3 slots, and even then …

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Re: How to repair metal case screw holes

Posted on 2024-03-16, 23:33

by

by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Epoxy either nuts or speedclips behind the holes. Then, you can either swap out the existing screws for matching machine screws for the nuts, or tapered screws for the speed fasteners. I'm guessing something like M3 machine screws and nuts would be about the right size.

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Re: Tiny 486 build - SBC with ISA backplane

Posted on 2024-03-16, 11:12

by

by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ System Specs

in Marvin \ System Specs

Got the McCake board this week. Thanks to those involved for that. I think that completes the necessary set of major components. I'm on building the inner frame of the case now - top and bottom are 215 x 150mm Maple panels, corners and sides reinforced with glued on 15x15mm hardware batons. One ' …

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Re: Any info on this Kalex 486 motherboard?

Posted on 2024-03-15, 20:23

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by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Looks like an OEM version of this Intel 420ex board: https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/intel-classic-pci-ed-ninja All the major component placements look the same. It's the same chipset configuration. Cache and etc/Dallas chip are in the same place. All your cache sockets are empty, the …

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Re: Things I learned about fans

Posted on 2024-03-15, 12:45

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by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

At this point, I think my cable management is as good as it gets with a configuration like this. But then, I'll let you be the judge: Cable management looks good, but you may want to replace those ancient PSUs. I have a similar one from Mercury (not actively used) and it's a noise/dust blaster, not …

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Minimig systems - original 68k + fpga boards

Posted on 2024-03-15, 09:35

by

by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

I've packed all of my big-box systems away, including large format keyboard systems like my Amiga 500 and 1200. However, in the back of one of my storage boxes is an original Minimig (v1.1 board?) that I bought probably 15+ years ago - these were the boards that originally came with an actual 68000 …

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Re: Logitech Trackman CC2 - how to crack open?

Posted on 2024-03-14, 08:21

by

by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Here's new (friction fit) and old (locking bezel) mounting methods for Logitech trackballs: Filename IMG_20240314_081851_(1200_x_900_pixel).jpg File size 158.62 KiB Views 78 views The bezel removes like this - you can see the locking tabs on it: Filename IMG_20240314_081907_(1200_x_900_pixel).jpg …

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Re: Logitech Trackman CC2 - how to crack open?

Posted on 2024-03-13, 21:24

by

by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Put a paperclip in and rotate the bezel. The ball pops out. I have a slightly later Trackman Marble PS2 (as well as a PS2/usb combo trackman and a couple of wireless usb trackman) and it uses the same locking ring. From the late PS2 models onwards they use friction fit sized balls which just push …

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Re: Joystick recommendations

Posted on 2024-03-11, 18:01

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by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Is this for flightsim use? I use a CH Flightstick Pro. Very happy with it!

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Re: new laptop hard drive

Posted on 2024-03-11, 17:58

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by megatron-uk

in Milliways

in Milliways

I regularly use a pimped out T440p (fastest 4th gen i7 I could fit, maxed out ram, several SSDs) when I need to do onsite work. As long as you don't need speedy graphics, it does absolutely everything I want it to. Mechanical hard drives are for capacity / cost. Try speccing a workstation with 100TB …

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Re: Windows XP fails to install on Gigabyte GA 7DPXDW-P

Posted on 2024-03-10, 23:01

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by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

I had (have) this board and ran it with Barton core MP 2800+ processors for many years. I think it was pretty much a dead end though - I bought it with them and had no further upgrade path; just more ram. Can't remember what bios mine ran. It was definitely the none "+", original board though.

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Re: MIDI-IN merge/switch box, for 5 or more inputs

Posted on 2024-03-10, 22:48

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by megatron-uk

in Marvin \ Sound

in Marvin \ Sound

Thanks for the tips. I think I agree that one or two 2-1 merge boxes in front of the Kenton Merge-4 is likely going to be the most cost effective route forward.

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