Re: The LlamaBlaster

Posted on 2024-03-12, 14:05

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ Sound

in Marvin \ Sound

Well, since this is happening before the OS loads, it can be done in the lower 640k area no problems. Just be sure to write zeros over the used memory afterward! One thing to maybe consider though: For somebody building (or having the card made) the card themselves, a DOS flasher program to …

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Re: Wugo PCII - XT class beep codes and HDD question

Posted on 2024-03-09, 10:23

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

IBM Beep code says that this is "Motherboard issue" Are you sure you have built this unit correctly? Double check your solder joins.

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Re: Do discrete sound cards have any gaming utility in modern computers?

Posted on 2024-03-09, 09:48

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ Sound

in Marvin \ Sound

On anything modern(tm), which has digital audio outputs, the need for a discrete card is basically zero. As long as you have something with a digital input ;) OR, Fork out for a converter... https://www.amazon.com/AUTOUTLET-Optical-Converter-Digital-Consoles/dp/B09YQZR7T8/ref=asc_df_B09YQZR7T8/?tag …

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Re: HDD boot a 386 Tulip Computer is possible ? and COMPACT FLASH ?

Posted on 2024-03-09, 09:33

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Yes, those are the links in question. Here is what I would suggest: KEEP the Wisecom E200; pull its config utility and drivers. Buy TWO blank EEPROMs. Pull the most recent XT-IDE XUB and configuration program for it, from the XT-IDE org website. Configure the XT-IDE XUB for use in an AT style system …

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Re: Do discrete sound cards have any gaming utility in modern computers?

Posted on 2024-03-09, 06:08

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ Sound

in Marvin \ Sound

The issue with "Noise" is basically eliminated on modern HDMI based audio solutions, since it is all digital. Discrete cards that have SPDIF/Optical output should likewise have no issues. Some motherboards have this port as well. https://www.thetechedvocate.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/11-660x400@ …

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Re: HDD boot a 386 Tulip Computer is possible ? and COMPACT FLASH ?

Posted on 2024-03-09, 05:14

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

In regard to your WSE200 NIC, this is a Wisecom / CIS Technology NIC. WIth some digging, I found this package on driverguide. (Self extracting archive) E200_202.exe ISA 16-Bit Ethernet Card Release Note -------------------------------------- This document describes the procedure of performing the …

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Re: HDD boot a 386 Tulip Computer is possible ? and COMPACT FLASH ?

Posted on 2024-03-08, 10:10

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Adding an xt-ide rom to the system should get you >8gb / >504mb size support, without the need for ezdrive/ontrack. See the current in-development 'llama blaster' thread (8bit soundblaster pro compatible, ide interface, xt-ide bios, all in one package!), or grab an NE2000 compatible NIC with a 32k …

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Re: Standard Computer Corporation 386/486, attempt to refurbish

Posted on 2024-03-08, 04:57

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

'Shipping wuth cache disabled' was surprisingly common on vintage systems with phoenix bios, iirc. Usually with packard bell systems, (almost always, with some prod runs!), but with others also. just turning it on was a huge step an making them useable. Glad you were able to here. Congrats.

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Re: I/O Back Plate shields AT and ATX cases

Posted on 2024-03-05, 11:16

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

The 3D printed ones work just fine. Just sayin'.

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Re: Old laser printers : what to check?

Posted on 2024-03-05, 11:09

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Putting the printer into HPGL mode with the correct PCL sequence instruction, lets you control the printer (very inefficiently) directly from within something like QBASIC, just by writing some simple human-readable words to the LPT port. You can make polygons, lines, fills, fancy text, and all that …

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Re: Alternatives to file transfer in retro

Posted on 2024-03-05, 10:23

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Serial mode is, and has always been, 'very painful'. LPT mode, with ECP and the FX cable, is VASTLY superior, often with greater than 1mbyte/sec xfers.

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Re: I/O Back Plate shields AT and ATX cases

Posted on 2024-03-05, 09:46

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

ATX I/O shield models for 3D printing These are already made, at least for AT motherboards in ATX cases.

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Re: Old laser printers : what to check?

Posted on 2024-03-05, 09:40

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

"vintage" HP laserjets (Laserjet III and Laserjet IV, but nothing newer!!) are built like tanks, and are very likely to still function quite well, with the caveat of needing a maintenance kit for new pickup rollers, or fuser assemblies. (but the good news, is that these workhorse printers CAN get …

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Re: Alternatives to file transfer in retro

Posted on 2024-03-05, 09:00

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

FastLynx 2 supports IPX. https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ftchbN_3NIk/UW8dnOmPEZI/AAAAAAAAHmI/vP-VZsW1ARA/s1600/IMG_6228.JPG Fastlynx 3 supports USB based LPT ports , IIRC, but costs money. [Fastlynx 2 does not know how to handle them, and tries to talk directly to the LPT port's IO range, which, does not …

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Re: Does anyone know if there is a ATI Rage XL driver that will run Final Fantasy 7 correctly?

Posted on 2024-02-25, 13:17

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ Video

in Marvin \ Video

There are also unofficial patches for this game to completely replace the rendering engine with opengl, and the actually official tnt/tnt2 patch (official patch 1.02), which changes how the game handles palleted textures. Since the original community forums where these were held (and the eidos …

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Re: The LlamaBlaster

Posted on 2024-02-23, 21:02

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ Sound

in Marvin \ Sound

If all you want to do is an early boot-stage initialisation of the CS4237, you might be better off implementing it as an option ROM. That would have it run on the host CPU during boot, eliminating unnecessary complexities like isolating the chip from the bus, and worrying about potential effects on …

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Re: Intel 440BX motherboards 40-pin vs 80-pin IDE cables

Posted on 2024-02-23, 20:36

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

The pin being present is known to cause issues on some CF adapters. However... what I tended to do (but which is very naughty and bad, and you probably shouldnt do it!), was to take a sewing needle or sewing pin, hold it in a pair of needlenose pliers, heat it up with a butane lighter, then press it …

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Re: SOYO SY-025L2 VLB CMOS Battery

Posted on 2024-02-23, 20:11

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Exbat has fully populated header. Put a shrinkwrapped coincell, or 3 or 4 AA batteries in a pack (that's basically what's in a cordless phone battery pack, btw) on it, and call it a day. (XTs want 6v, and 4 batteries give that. 3 batteries gives 4.5v, which is closer to a very very new lithium …

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Re: IDE2CF adapter won’t work when connected via cable

Posted on 2024-02-23, 15:28

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

It will be inverted, no? Pin 40 would be pin 2, etc.. Besides, those kind of adapters usually dont respect master/slave operation ANYWAY. There are MUCH BETTER adapters, that ARE made for life on a (shared) cable. Like this Syba one. https://www.amazon.com/Syba-Compact-Adapter-Enclosure-SD-ADA45006/ …

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Re: Coincell Barrel in old Dell 433/L

Posted on 2024-02-22, 02:11

by

by wierd_w

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Looks like a diy implementation to me. Common aftermarket solution to dead cmos battery was 3 AA batteries in a holder. basically this, on the IDC/DuPont 4 pin connector. https://www.walmart.com/ip/3-x-AA-Battery-Holder-with-Leads-4-5V/774203257 Yours looks like what a bench monkey might cook up …

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