VOGONS


First post, by Jackhead

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

I started to import me a PC-9801 from japan. First at all i need it for some scsi based hardware that need the real hardware.
There serval models, at the time i found this working one.
It runs a 486 DX2 66 with 18MB RAM, has two IDE ports, a 34pin Floppy header as well. So perfect to run some games old/new.
The MB itself has no caps, but i recapped the PSU and add a new fan.

I added two HxC Slim board as floppy emulator. Got it working. Also primary IDE a CF adapter as boot HDD running Dos 6.20
For sound i choose a pc9801-86 and a Roland MPU-PC98II
Next step will be adding a front bay cf adapter for data transfer on second IDE port. System runs really great and its really impressive how easy c-bus works.
Also need to change the battery.

Here some shots *work in progress*:

The attachment IMG_2825.JPG is no longer available
The attachment IMG_2789.JPG is no longer available
The attachment IMG_2811.jpg is no longer available
The attachment IMG_2812.jpg is no longer available
The attachment IMG_2824.jpg is no longer available

Dos 6.22: Asus VL/I-486SV2GX4 Rev 2.0 1Mb L2 - A5x86 X5 P75 - 64MB RAM - Promise EIDE2300+ - ET4000W32P VLB - CT2230 - GUS ACE - MPU-401AT
Win98SE: Asus P5K-WS - E8600 @ 4,5GHz - Strange God Voodoo 5 6000 PCI @ 66MHz PCI-X - 2GB DDR2 1066 - Audigy 2 ZS

Reply 1 of 7, by MrSmiley381

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

Oh man! I love seeing Japanese PC's on here. We don't get enough of 'em. Please keep us posted on any updates/troubleshooting/experiments you do with this. What games are you planning to run on this beast?

I spend my days fighting with clunky software so I can afford to spend my evenings fighting with clunky hardware.

Reply 2 of 7, by lolo799

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

That looks cool, sometimes I'm thinking about getting one of those...
I'm curious, what kind of scsi hardware do you have requires a PC-98?

PCMCIA Sound, Storage & Graphics

Reply 3 of 7, by Jackhead

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

I changed the battery (ML2340) and installed the CF frontbay. Was also very easy, set to master, second IDE Port and it shows up. I had trouble formating cf cards on the system. So i used also the yahdi image and delete all the files, works fine for me.
The only thing im missing is a adapter for the joystick port. It use direct input like the MSX. So if you want to use a mega drive controller for example you need an active adapter.
I really need one, the arrow keys are horrible when you used to western ones.
To the Games i want to play Night Slave, Rusty and some shmups. Will see, so many games i dont know..
SCSI i need for a devkit in this timeline, where software only work on pc98.
Afterall pretty happy with the pc

The attachment FZaMfRWXwAgbuz9.jpg is no longer available

Dos 6.22: Asus VL/I-486SV2GX4 Rev 2.0 1Mb L2 - A5x86 X5 P75 - 64MB RAM - Promise EIDE2300+ - ET4000W32P VLB - CT2230 - GUS ACE - MPU-401AT
Win98SE: Asus P5K-WS - E8600 @ 4,5GHz - Strange God Voodoo 5 6000 PCI @ 66MHz PCI-X - 2GB DDR2 1066 - Audigy 2 ZS

Reply 4 of 7, by lolo799

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

You're right about the arrow keys, they look uncomfortable to use, give Doom a try please!
I should have asked directly what kind of devkit do you need a PC-98 for, I imagine something 8 or maybe 16bits but no later, right?

PCMCIA Sound, Storage & Graphics

Reply 5 of 7, by Bendejo

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

Been looking to get into the PC98 scene but i'm doing the research first. I am leaning towards an A series 9821 which will give me a good range of compatibility, but also looking at 9801 DO which will let me play PC88.

Reply 6 of 7, by madalex

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
Jackhead wrote on 2022-08-04, 16:52:
I started to import me a PC-9801 from japan. First at all i need it for some scsi based hardware that need the real hardware. Th […]
Show full quote

I started to import me a PC-9801 from japan. First at all i need it for some scsi based hardware that need the real hardware.
There serval models, at the time i found this working one.
It runs a 486 DX2 66 with 18MB RAM, has two IDE ports, a 34pin Floppy header as well. So perfect to run some games old/new.
The MB itself has no caps, but i recapped the PSU and add a new fan.

Question: Did you sell this built to germany? I´ve just bought an 9801 BA2 of german ebay and basically its the same build (contains the CF card reader + Card). The drives are missing and anything else, probably ripped from it.

BR
Alex

Reply 7 of 7, by Jackhead

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

Yes, i switched to a PC9821.

Dos 6.22: Asus VL/I-486SV2GX4 Rev 2.0 1Mb L2 - A5x86 X5 P75 - 64MB RAM - Promise EIDE2300+ - ET4000W32P VLB - CT2230 - GUS ACE - MPU-401AT
Win98SE: Asus P5K-WS - E8600 @ 4,5GHz - Strange God Voodoo 5 6000 PCI @ 66MHz PCI-X - 2GB DDR2 1066 - Audigy 2 ZS