VOGONS


Suntac 80286 Mainboards

Topic actions

First post, by Predator99

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

This week I received the 80286 board I ordered here
Bought these (retro) hardware today

Paid much too much money but I liked to have it.

Its my 4th Suntac 80286 Board. Reason I am collecting them is that my 1st Computer from around 1988 I learned everything with had such a Mainbaord. Unfortunately I have "lost" the whole Computer within the last 5 years. I spend days to search everywhere but I didnt find it 😢 A GUS PnP Pro was also installed. Still have not found exactly the same board again.

So I will use this thread to post pictures, manuals and BIOS images of these boards. Hope its interesting and maybe useful for somebody else trying to get these running...otherwise delete 😒 Contributions are welcome 🤣

So 1st the unboxing of this "brand new" Magitronic A-B236 board.

Unfortunately the box and the manual is in bad condition and rather moldy....as said, paid too much for it 😵

IMG_2986-600.jpg
Filename
IMG_2986-600.jpg
File size
1.96 MiB
Views
6880 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_2991-600.jpg
Filename
IMG_2991-600.jpg
File size
1.65 MiB
Views
6880 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Will add a Scan of the manual and the contents of the driver disk in the next days...

IMG_2996-600.jpg
Filename
IMG_2996-600.jpg
File size
2.14 MiB
Views
6880 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_3000-600.jpg
Filename
IMG_3000-600.jpg
File size
2.58 MiB
Views
6880 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

The board itself is in very good condition. The battery already started leaking and I removed it in good time. Not too much damage. Yes, its unused and new!

IMG_3011-600.jpg
Filename
IMG_3011-600.jpg
File size
3.34 MiB
Views
6880 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Reply 1 of 187, by Predator99

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t
IMG_3008-600.jpg
Filename
IMG_3008-600.jpg
File size
3.07 MiB
Views
6879 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_3022-600.jpg
Filename
IMG_3022-600.jpg
File size
2.52 MiB
Views
6879 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_3023-600.jpg
Filename
IMG_3023-600.jpg
File size
2.58 MiB
Views
6879 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Reply 2 of 187, by Predator99

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

I installed RAM, CPU and BIOS from this still damaged board
SUNTAC 80286 Mainboard help

and it works perfectly 😎 😎 😎

IMG_3035r.jpg
Filename
IMG_3035r.jpg
File size
3.3 MiB
Views
6878 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_3028-600.jpg
Filename
IMG_3028-600.jpg
File size
2.47 MiB
Views
6878 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_3039r.jpg
Filename
IMG_3039r.jpg
File size
1.65 MiB
Views
6814 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

____
After taking a second look the driver disk seems to be only a copy, the label does not match the content. However, the correct Suntac EMS driver is included, together with drivers for NEAT Mainboards and a BIOS Setup utility. All included in the ZIP.

1989-09-13 11:39           462           104  ATSETUP.BAT
1989-09-13 11:53 38 36 EMS.BAT
1989-09-13 11:51 235 110 NEAT.BAT
1988-06-03 16:12 12720 7647 ATSETUP\SET286.EXE
1986-06-30 10:28 24096 11776 ATSETUP\SETUP.COM
1988-02-06 16:07 11067 5296 ATSETUP\SETUPAT.COM
1989-09-13 12:00 377 253 EMS\EMS.DOC
1988-11-14 10:49 12754 4777 EMS\SEMS4.SYS
1988-12-22 16:29 12757 4758 EMS\SEMS5.SYS
1989-05-02 17:56 38 38 NEAT\CONFIG.SYS
1988-11-07 20:10 22000 5868 NEAT\EMM.SYS
1987-12-10 11:15 3330 1361 NEAT\EMM400.DOC
1989-05-02 09:56 5439 1656 NEAT\MGTNIT.EXE
1987-11-07 09:42 177816 16081 NEAT\NEATCNET.DAT
1987-11-07 09:42 4079 555 NEAT\NEATPGND.DAT
1988-10-04 10:51 27680 9547 NEAT\SETNEAT.COM
SUNTAC-62 Chip Set EMS Driver Version 4.0 Release 1.0 (C) LIUSKI-MAGITRONIC
Filename
Suntac ST 62 80286 EMS Driver.zip
File size
70.13 KiB
Downloads
450 downloads
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

The manual also does not really match to this exact kind of baord layout. The board in the manual does not seem to have SIP sockets.

Filename
Magitronic B236 80286 Suntac Manual.pdf
File size
4.78 MiB
Downloads
459 downloads
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

So..not a good deal, but nice to have. If somebody interested anyway, the dealer has more of these boards available...

Last edited by Predator99 on 2017-04-14, 10:29. Edited 4 times in total.

Reply 3 of 187, by gdjacobs

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Maybe a candidate for a SIMM slot mod/adapter?
http://sbfmdrv.blogspot.ca/2016/01/using-simms-as-sipps.html

All hail the Great Capacitor Brand Finder

Reply 4 of 187, by Predator99

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

Yes, this looks interesting and these adapters are new to me!

But I have some SIPs available and this board going to be stored in the shelf 😉

I have added driver disk and manaul above.

Reply 5 of 187, by Predator99

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

So next example is the board from this thread
SUNTAC 80286 Mainboard help

IMG_3048r.jpg
Filename
IMG_3048r.jpg
File size
2.27 MiB
Views
6800 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_3058r.jpg
Filename
IMG_3058r.jpg
File size
2.61 MiB
Views
6800 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

It looks like it is in very good condition, but it is still not working. BIOS, RAM etc are OK as I tested them in the Magitronic board above

Jumper settings are here, thanks again to creepingnet for the link:
http://www.uncreativelabs.de/th99/m/U-Z/33180.htm

Screenshots from the Magitronic above are with the BIOS shipped with this board, its Award V3.03HLS

286 Modular BIOS Version 3.03HLS Copyright Award Software Inc.     

BIOS images here...

Filename
SUNTAC 80286 Award V3.03HLS BIOS.zip
File size
43.44 KiB
Downloads
259 downloads
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Reply 6 of 187, by Predator99

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

3rd one is this here

IMG_2883s.jpg
Filename
IMG_2883s.jpg
File size
3.01 MiB
Views
6775 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_2898r.jpg
Filename
IMG_2898r.jpg
File size
2.66 MiB
Views
6775 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

AUVA COMPUTER, INC. BAM/12-S2
Jumper configuration is here
http://stason.org/TULARC/pc/motherboards/A/AU … -BAM-12-S2.html
http://th99.classic-computing.de/src/m/A-B/32297.htm

As I got this board I was confused because of the weird setting of the DRAMs - has somebody forgot the 4 chips while scrapping the board? But its the correct configuration: "When there are 2 chips in Bank 0 or Bank 1, they are placed in BS1 and BS2 respectively."

Fortunately this board works without problems now. The leaking battery destroyed all traces connecting to the keyboard, but I replaced them with wires.

BIOS is the Phoenix 3.10 10.

IMG_3062r.jpg
Filename
IMG_3062r.jpg
File size
1.79 MiB
Views
6775 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_3067r.jpg
Filename
IMG_3067r.jpg
File size
1.63 MiB
Views
6775 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
Filename
Suntac Phoenix BIOS 3.10 10.zip
File size
47.67 KiB
Downloads
201 downloads
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

I assume all those BIOS are exchangable between the different boards even if there are minor differences in memory configuration...

Last edited by Predator99 on 2018-12-23, 22:46. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 7 of 187, by Predator99

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

My currently last board is this here. Powered up one time and never again 🙁
"SER 286S"

IMG_2668r.jpg
Filename
IMG_2668r.jpg
File size
2.48 MiB
Views
6744 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_3080r.jpg
Filename
IMG_3080r.jpg
File size
3.23 MiB
Views
6744 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Award BIOS Version 3.03GS

DSC_0309r.jpg
Filename
DSC_0309r.jpg
File size
1.36 MiB
Views
6744 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
Filename
Suntac-ROM2.zip
File size
23.17 KiB
Downloads
220 downloads
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Reply 8 of 187, by Predator99

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

And this is the manual of the board that was installed in my 1st computer which is lost and I am searching for - HT-286.

Filename
HT-286r.pdf
File size
2.25 MiB
Downloads
315 downloads
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

The manual is quite interesting as a wiring diagram is included.

Mainbaord-0014.jpg
Filename
Mainbaord-0014.jpg
File size
3.29 MiB
Views
6744 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
Mainbaord-0015.jpg
Filename
Mainbaord-0015.jpg
File size
4.04 MiB
Views
6744 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
Mainbaord-0016.jpg
Filename
Mainbaord-0016.jpg
File size
4.04 MiB
Views
6744 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
Mainbaord-0017.jpg
Filename
Mainbaord-0017.jpg
File size
4.08 MiB
Views
6744 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Thats it for the moment - hope it will also be for some use for you 😉

Reply 9 of 187, by Robin4

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

Thanks for sharing all of this information.. I really hope it would be usefull to get my suntac 286 boards running again also.

~ At least it can do black and white~

Reply 11 of 187, by Predator99

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

So this is my newest acquisition from this lot 😀

Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today

It looks as it was never installed, battery was removed and slight green corrosion in one ISA slot...but overall conditions is excellent!

IMG_0059r.jpg
Filename
IMG_0059r.jpg
File size
4.27 MiB
Views
6613 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_0061r.jpg
Filename
IMG_0061r.jpg
File size
4.05 MiB
Views
6613 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_0042r.jpg
Filename
IMG_0042r.jpg
File size
2.46 MiB
Views
6613 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Bios message (AWARD) is "HLB-286 SYSTEM"

On the board "MBA-009" is printed, dont know the manufacturer.

Will add BIOS images later when I have time to install a disk drive...

Filename
HLB-286.rar
File size
65.68 KiB
Downloads
211 downloads
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Reply 12 of 187, by skyline486

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

I bought the same suntac motherboard of the OP.

I found the system bios rom files from the other post by you. Where can you find the rom file to flash for the keyboard bios?

Sorry I'm new to this. Does all 27256 and 8742 works as system bios and keyboard bios?

Reply 14 of 187, by Predator99

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

Good question. I dont think there is a way to dump the keyboard bios? And also no way to reprogram such chip? I have read somewhere that Award and Phoenix are not interchangable. But currently my Phoenix Board is running fine with a Award Bios and the original keyboard bios installed. So a Award system BIOS accepts the Phoenix keyboard Bios.
I dont know about the compability of these chips. But I think you can try without the risk of damaging anything. Maybe also the one from a 386 will work? Havent tested this yet.

For system BIOS you can use many comptabible chips also with a larger capacity, doesnt need to be 27256.

Reply 15 of 187, by Jo22

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Dumping a keyboard conntroller is difficult, because only a few modern USB programmers can read something like a i8742/i8042.
Making a memory dump is also not possible, since the controller's memory is not visible to the PC.

Edit; Some of the oldschool programmers do support the MCS-48/MCS-41 line of archaic microcontrollers.
But to do so, they may need an optional adapter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/302517478660 and https://www.ebay.com/itm/291526949389

"Time, it seems, doesn't flow. For some it's fast, for some it's slow.
In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel

//My video channel//

Reply 16 of 187, by brostenen

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

A little tip... A year or so ago, I purchased a rechargeable coincell 3.6volt battery, and replaced a barrel battery with it. They are not super cheap, just affordable enough for a perfect alternative.... Pins ligned perfectly up with the holes on that 486 board I did the replacement on. And it fitted the edge of the motherboard beautifully. The new battery was recharging and did not get warm or hot at any time.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-LIR2032-Li-ion-3 … 4MAAOSwpDdVGVUE

Don't eat stuff off a 15 year old never cleaned cpu cooler.
Those cakes make you sick....

My blog: http://to9xct.blogspot.dk
My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/brostenen

001100 010010 011110 100001 101101 110011

Reply 17 of 187, by Predator99

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

Yeah got it 😀 😀 😀

Bought these (retro) hardware today

This is almost the exact board I was searching for a long time: ST62M02-B. The manual I posted above and belonging to my 1st Computer is a ST62M02-A. I remember the CPU was in standard PLCC socket and the DIPs were red.

Already desoldered the battery.

It came with an AMI Diagnostic BIOS I have not seen before:

(C)1987AMI,404-263-8181
01/03/88286-ROM DIAGNOSTICS.(C)1987, American Megatrends Inc.All rights reserved.
4025 pleasantdale road, Suite-320,GA.-30340, Phone-(404)-263-8181.

Will post the BIOS later...

IMG_9910r.jpg
Filename
IMG_9910r.jpg
File size
2.31 MiB
Views
6207 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_9889r.jpg
Filename
IMG_9889r.jpg
File size
1.65 MiB
Views
6207 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_9898r.jpg
Filename
IMG_9898r.jpg
File size
697.27 KiB
Views
6207 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
IMG_9899r.jpg
Filename
IMG_9899r.jpg
File size
1.3 MiB
Views
6207 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Reply 18 of 187, by Predator99

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

The seller of this one
Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today

send me today some additional documentation he found 😀 Its
- the complete manual of the PC with wiring diagram of the ST62 Mainboard and driver disk
- original invoice dated 1988: 286 Tower, 1 MB RAM, 1.2 MB Floppy, 20 MB ST-125, Monitor and Keyboard for 491 DM ... cannot compare how much money this was
- Hard Disk manual with bad tracks list

Will scan the manual and post it here together with a image of the driver disk when I have some time...

DSC_6502.JPG
Filename
DSC_6502.JPG
File size
2.87 MiB
Views
6132 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception
DSC_6503.JPG
Filename
DSC_6503.JPG
File size
2.84 MiB
Views
6132 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

EDIT: Whats that the driver disk includes the source of the EMS driver..!
SEMS SYS 5,508 10-20-87 1:36p
SEMS ASM 37,120 10-20-87 1:35p
CONFIG SYS 15 05-16-88 8:26a

;************************************************************************
;* *
;* *
;* EMM/EMS driver program for SUNTAC-62 chip set version B1 *
;* *
;* sample program - 10/20/1987 rev. 1.02 *
;* *
;************************************************************************

Attachments

  • Filename
    st62ems.zip
    File size
    10.96 KiB
    Downloads
    206 downloads
    File license
    Fair use/fair dealing exception

Reply 19 of 187, by Jo22

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++
Predator99 wrote:

- original invoice dated 1988: 286 Tower, 1 MB RAM, 1.2 MB Floppy, 20 MB ST-125,
Monitor and Keyboard for 491 DM ... cannot compare how much money this was

That roughly was ~250€ (or $295), based on the exchange rates from ~1999/2000. 😀
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsche_Mark

"Time, it seems, doesn't flow. For some it's fast, for some it's slow.
In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel

//My video channel//