Hi,
no need for altium files at this moment.
Still waiting for some components to arrive, and PALCE programming to do,
but already I can tell, the proto PCB looks great (arrived today), and the 20 deg. SIMM connector fits well.

I guess the SIMM will still obstruct the adjacent card.
Only the 90 deg sockets would do - or merely placing the RAM chips onboard as suggested earlier in this thread, but most people want the SIMM for some reason.

hard1k wrote:

I guess the SIMM will still obstruct the adjacent card.
Only the 90 deg sockets would do - or merely placing the RAM chips onboard as suggested earlier in this thread, but most people want the SIMM for some reason.

Is that true? I'd vote for the max amount of RAM to be integrated directly on the card. But that is a very minor concern. End of the day I'll take what I can get.

betamax80 wrote:

Ah while I have you cyclone3d.... would you be able to email serdaco the Altium PCB layout? There has been issues in finding it. I think he has managed to access the original files, but it may help with troubleshooting.

At the bottom of the project to the right of the downloadable original files, there is a link that just shows some ...

If you click on that, you can download the Altium files. I guess the name I gave the zip file was too long and for some reason it truncated it down to just some ...

From what I gather from Serge guys it's down to parts cost and availability, as well as the amount of modification required. Remember that at this stage, without Xu's approval otherwise, it can only be a "community project" not a commercial product. I also know that Serge obtained the 90deg. connectors (that's the flat-to-pcb type right?) and they appear to match this pinout.

There has been trouble tracking down the PAL chips so everyone keep an eye out for those, it seems that later versions require substantial PCB reworks as well. There are a couple of missing puzzle-pieces already (apparently something is not compiling quite right in the GAL code by 1 bit) and just to make a modern-day (as in parts) replica is taking time.

I think Serdaco is being fab to take this project on and honestly I'd take the board in any format, over paying £xxx for an original or CT1950 on ebay. That just isn't funny.

BTW if anyone is looking for an AWE64 there's a USA supplier selling new old stock CT4520 OEM's (final revision values) for about £65 / $75 on *popular auction site* - you may need to make offer.

I'm so getting one of these 🤣, they look SEXY..

hey, first I will try to make a few prototypes work as is.
next steps, we'll see

Hey guys,

small update, board completely assembled,
PALCE programmed with the original VALUE jedec (gives a warning).

Not sure if it will work, will send this to a vogons friend for testing 😉

Currently using this SIMM connector. this is a 22 degrees version :
http://www.mouser.be/ProductDetail/TE-Connect … -AMP/5822134-3/
5.69 euro + VAT per piece (when buying 10 pieces)

These are the 2 'flat' alternatives I found at mouser :
http://www.mouser.be/ProductDetail/TE-Connect … AMP/7-5382486-2
11.34 Euro + VAT per piece (when buying 10 pieces)
http://www.mouser.be/ProductDetail/TE-Connect … MP/7-5382487-2/
23.65 Euro + VAT per piece (when buying 10 pieces)

I think by now, I can get to all parts needed.

if there's really a strong interest in the flat connector I can order flat ones too,
to try out, but let's first wait if the prototype works as it is.

At that price for a connector, you're likely better off populating it with 28MB of DRAM chips.

^ this!

I think one step at a time all! Amazing Serdaco has found all the chips, got the schematics to make sense etc etc.
Lets see if this works electronically as a basis for whatever is next.

Don't waste your money on the right-angle SIMM socket. They look neat but are still too tall (will conflict with card in the next slot). IMHO you shouldn't even spend money on any new SIMM slot. They should be quite cheap and abundant in the surplus market, something like $0.50 each.

SIMMConn wrote:

Don't waste your money on the right-angle SIMM socket. They look neat but are still too tall (will conflict with card in the next slot). IMHO you shouldn't even spend money on any new SIMM slot. They should be quite cheap and abundant in the surplus market, something like $0.50 each.

Oh so you're the dude who did the original? I bought a couple from you years ago and was very happy with the whole experience - great product, communication, and packaged well.

So thanks very much! I still use mine.

I have been following this thread for a while. I am no hand at fabricating these things but would be very interested in sourcing a couple of these if it gets to that point! I will now sit back down and observe. 🤣

badmojo wrote:

SIMMConn wrote:

Don't waste your money on the right-angle SIMM socket. They look neat but are still too tall (will conflict with card in the next slot). IMHO you shouldn't even spend money on any new SIMM slot. They should be quite cheap and abundant in the surplus market, something like $0.50 each.

Oh so you're the dude who did the original? I bought a couple from you years ago and was very happy with the whole experience - great product, communication, and packaged well.

So thanks very much! I still use mine.

Yes I am. Thanks so much for being a customer! I'm glad to see someone taking this further and make it available to retro PC fans.

SIMMConn wrote:

Don't waste your money on the right-angle SIMM socket. They look neat but are still too tall (will conflict with card in the next slot). IMHO you shouldn't even spend money on any new SIMM slot. They should be quite cheap and abundant in the surplus market, something like $0.50 each.

Hi !!!!
Glad to hear the legendary SIMMConn creator !! Thanks for such great project.
I prefer to buy from reliable sources (like farnell, digikey, mouser, rs), but the flat SIMM connector is really expensive or out of stock there.
I'll PM you.

@SIMMConn - I think you have more fans here that you think... I'm useing your SIMMConn for Gold (and looking for SIMMConn for Value for quite a few years with no result...)

Thanks for project!

Pawel

It works guys!!!! Took 3 different sticks to find a compatible SIMM but I have one.
Even though it's a "Value" I have 28mb available! Very cool, perhaps a code fix?

Actually I have a request guys - does anyone have AweVBank 98 or the "SFmaxx" that was supposed to follow? I found an old (1995) version on an AWE32 "The Musicians Guide" book companion CD but none of the download links work from archive.org (filename is supposed to be AweVBank98Install.exe)

I now intend to try previously recommended 28mb SF2 fonts:
GeneralUser GS v1.35: http://www.schristiancollins.com/generaluser.php
And possibly Chorium A (but people are saying the E-MU 8000 is not reading it properly).

Looking for a "smarter" utility to manage the soundfonts on board.

betamax80 wrote:

It works guys!!!!

Outstanding 😎