VOGONS


First post, by zyga64

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So, looks like I have interesting graphics card. According to: https://www.thecomputerarchive.com/Displays/V … ics%20cards.PDF
it is MDA, CGA, HGC and Plantronics compatible, but unfortunately I don't have manual or jumper/dip switch settings. Anyone ?

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1) VLSI SCAMP /286@20 /4M /CL-GD5422 /CMI8330
2) i420EX /486DX33 /16M /TGUI9440 /GUS+ALS100+MT32PI
3) i430FX /K6-2@400 /64M /Rage Pro PCI /ES1370+YMF718
4) i440BX /P!!!750 /256M /MX440 /SBLive!
5) iB75 /3470s /4G /HD7750 /HDA

Reply 1 of 6, by BitWrangler

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I think it's gonna be a Genoa systems model, they had Spectrum models with 46xx model numbers, but I can't see a plain 4600 at the moment, it's possible switch settings with be close to those for this member of the family... https://stason.org/TULARC/pc/graphics-cards/E … -SUPERSPEC.html

Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.

Reply 2 of 6, by the3dfxdude

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I have a SuperSpectrum 4650. The card you show has additional functionality. My card does have the main chip, GN002100-A, and an 82C11, but no clock (must be using ISA clock), no Hitatchi HD46505SP-1, and no TI TMS 2764-20jl or equivalent functionality. I'd be careful with those stason instructions, as they imply only CGA/Hercules. It is interesting though, that plantronics got dropped in the SuperSpectrum, and they could basically run the whole CRT in one single integrated package. The date codes on my card are from '88, so that must mean they came out with SuperSpectrum after the Spectrum as a cost reduction, probably to get rid of the parts no one used, because it probably is the same main chip. (*Although, did the SuperSpectrum support some higher res on a multisync monitor? I may never know)

Reply 3 of 6, by zyga64

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It's really funny that SuperSpectrum may be worse than Spectrum 😀

I will play with dip switches certainly ! I hope the card is not damaged.
I can use Commodore 1084S for experiments. Also just finished scorp's mce-adapter, and will check how they cooperate.

Last edited by zyga64 on 2021-10-04, 20:52. Edited 1 time in total.

1) VLSI SCAMP /286@20 /4M /CL-GD5422 /CMI8330
2) i420EX /486DX33 /16M /TGUI9440 /GUS+ALS100+MT32PI
3) i430FX /K6-2@400 /64M /Rage Pro PCI /ES1370+YMF718
4) i440BX /P!!!750 /256M /MX440 /SBLive!
5) iB75 /3470s /4G /HD7750 /HDA

Reply 4 of 6, by the3dfxdude

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No, magazines say the superspectrum has plantronics too (?). I have no idea what the bios and the hitachi and clock would be for on your card, unless it has something incompatible EGA like?

It is possible the superspectrum supports a dual monitor configuration, and the spectrum does not.

Reply 5 of 6, by zyga64

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I found another one for sale on ebay.de with original box and diskette. For only EUR 200,00 😀
https://www.ebay.de/itm/144154830643
I think I will pass this time, however images are already on my hard disk 😀

BTW. My own card is working. I tested it with scorp's mce-adapter in CGA mode (works very well) and in Hercules mode (unfortunately white is blue, don't know why).

1) VLSI SCAMP /286@20 /4M /CL-GD5422 /CMI8330
2) i420EX /486DX33 /16M /TGUI9440 /GUS+ALS100+MT32PI
3) i430FX /K6-2@400 /64M /Rage Pro PCI /ES1370+YMF718
4) i440BX /P!!!750 /256M /MX440 /SBLive!
5) iB75 /3470s /4G /HD7750 /HDA

Reply 6 of 6, by the3dfxdude

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zyga64 wrote on 2021-10-04, 20:46:
I found another one for sale on ebay.de with original box and diskette. For only EUR 200,00 :) https://www.ebay.de/itm/144154830 […]
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I found another one for sale on ebay.de with original box and diskette. For only EUR 200,00 😀
https://www.ebay.de/itm/144154830643
I think I will pass this time, however images are already on my hard disk 😀

BTW. My own card is working. I tested it with scorp's mce-adapter in CGA mode (works very well) and in Hercules mode (unfortunately white is blue, don't know why).

Oh, now I see what the ROM is in that picture. Obviously a font ROM.

Here is the manual for the Genoa Spectrum, although I think your version is newer design that makes the card shorter.
https://archive.org/details/genoa-spectrum-gr … age/42/mode/2up

I think the SuperSpectrum adds support for two SuperSpectrums together in a machine? Still not totally clear what it does, I'm looking for the SuperSpectrum manual and related software. It seems like it would be nice to piece together this information, as these cards seem very much like the early ATI Graphics Solution, compatible with everything that mattered back then.