RandomStranger wrote on 2022-08-22, 18:11:

That harmony card seems to be very interesting. YMF724F-V with an SB-LINK connector and cable is not a bad thing. I don't know anything about the Xwave (edit, it looks like it's also a decent one), but the other two can't get me hyped. As far as I know they are mediocre. I have a bucketful of those CMI8738 cards.

Here a better image of the card. It has a sticker behind with a generic 3DS724A and built late 1998. The SB-LINK connector what was used for?

About the other cards yes, I imagined they might be a good add-in solution for a simple low end still supported (in linux) sound card. I like they have few capacitors so if they need to be replaced it's easier. 😉

debs3759 wrote on 2022-08-22, 07:27:

luckybob wrote on 2022-08-21, 04:47:

Well, not to be *THAT* guy... its a 16-bit memory expansion card on a system with a 32-bit buss. It probably worked, and it was better than using hard disk as virtual-ram... but its at minimum 100% slower than the on-motherboard stuff.

50% slower. 100% slower would be inactive 😀

boy howdy i have egg on my face. 16 bit is 50% slower - 32 bit is 100% faster. (relatively and in a perfect world, bla bla bla)

386SX wrote on 2022-08-22, 20:05:

The SB-LINK connector what was used for?

For emulation of ISA sound card via PCI card (it passes DMA and IRQ sygnals)

Got hold of a Packard Bell 8-bit ISA FM tuner card, with software for Dos and Windows. Files dated 2003 , Copyright (c) 1994 AZI Labs. Tuning Software attached...

Contents of readme.txt:-

This is Packard Bell FM Radio readme file.

The software should contain the following

1. DOSRadio.azt
2. FMRadio.azt
3. Install.exe
4. Install.inf
5. Setup.exe
6. Setup.inf
7. Setup.bmp
8. Readme.com
9. Readme.txt
10. Azcom.dll
11. Azhw.dll

For DOS Installation, type "INSTALL" at the DOS prompt.
For Windows Installation, type "SETUP" at the DOS prompt.

386SX wrote on 2022-08-22, 20:05:

RandomStranger wrote on 2022-08-22, 18:11:

That harmony card seems to be very interesting. YMF724F-V with an SB-LINK connector and cable is not a bad thing. I don't know anything about the Xwave (edit, it looks like it's also a decent one), but the other two can't get me hyped. As far as I know they are mediocre. I have a bucketful of those CMI8738 cards.

Here a better image of the card. It has a sticker behind with a generic 3DS724A and built late 1998. The SB-LINK connector what was used for?

About the other cards yes, I imagined they might be a good add-in solution for a simple low end still supported (in linux) sound card. I like they have few capacitors so if they need to be replaced it's easier. 😉

Yes, as rkurbatov said, it improves compatibility with older DOS software which otherwise would require an ISA sound card. Keep in mind though, you need a motherboard which also has that connector. But even aside of SB-LINK, YMF7x4 cards are well known for being one of the most DOS compatible PCI sound card with genuine OPL.

RandomStranger wrote on 2022-08-23, 04:03:

386SX wrote on 2022-08-22, 20:05:

RandomStranger wrote on 2022-08-22, 18:11:

That harmony card seems to be very interesting. YMF724F-V with an SB-LINK connector and cable is not a bad thing. I don't know anything about the Xwave (edit, it looks like it's also a decent one), but the other two can't get me hyped. As far as I know they are mediocre. I have a bucketful of those CMI8738 cards.

Here a better image of the card. It has a sticker behind with a generic 3DS724A and built late 1998. The SB-LINK connector what was used for?

About the other cards yes, I imagined they might be a good add-in solution for a simple low end still supported (in linux) sound card. I like they have few capacitors so if they need to be replaced it's easier. 😉

Yes, as rkurbatov said, it improves compatibility with older DOS software which otherwise would require an ISA sound card. Keep in mind though, you need a motherboard which also has that connector. But even aside of SB-LINK, YMF7x4 cards are well known for being one of the most DOS compatible PCI sound card with genuine OPL.

Thanks. 😉

386SX wrote on 2022-08-22, 20:05:

RandomStranger wrote on 2022-08-22, 18:11:

That harmony card seems to be very interesting. YMF724F-V with an SB-LINK connector and cable is not a bad thing. I don't know anything about the Xwave (edit, it looks like it's also a decent one), but the other two can't get me hyped. As far as I know they are mediocre. I have a bucketful of those CMI8738 cards.

Here a better image of the card. It has a sticker behind with a generic 3DS724A and built late 1998. The SB-LINK connector what was used for?

About the other cards yes, I imagined they might be a good add-in solution for a simple low end still supported (in linux) sound card. I like they have few capacitors so if they need to be replaced it's easier. 😉

I have a boxed version of this card will all the paperwork - in fact it's the very card I bought in the 90s (I had to get it cleaned though ;D ). I had like 3 of them at one point, they are lovely with excellent XG-compatible wavetable (pretty much the same as DB50XG). They also have decent EAX 1 & 2 and Aureal 3D 1 support.

I also never really had to use SB-Link for anything (although my K7M motherboard had this connector I think) - I never stumbled upon a game that wouldn't work without it, although it's likely they do exist.

HanJammer wrote on 2022-08-23, 09:32:

386SX wrote on 2022-08-22, 20:05:

RandomStranger wrote on 2022-08-22, 18:11:

That harmony card seems to be very interesting. YMF724F-V with an SB-LINK connector and cable is not a bad thing. I don't know anything about the Xwave (edit, it looks like it's also a decent one), but the other two can't get me hyped. As far as I know they are mediocre. I have a bucketful of those CMI8738 cards.

Here a better image of the card. It has a sticker behind with a generic 3DS724A and built late 1998. The SB-LINK connector what was used for?

About the other cards yes, I imagined they might be a good add-in solution for a simple low end still supported (in linux) sound card. I like they have few capacitors so if they need to be replaced it's easier. 😉

I have a boxed version of this card will all the paperwork - in fact it's the very card I bought in the 90s (I had to get it cleaned though ;D ). I had like 3 of them at one point, they are lovely with excellent XG-compatible wavetable (pretty much the same as DB50XG).

I also never really had to use SB-Link for anything (although my K7M motherboard had this connector I think) - I never stumbled upon a game that wouldn't work without it, although it's likely they do exist.

Great, thank you. It's nice to see those old style boxes and indeed is the same card even on the PCB back side and sticker. 😉

MarkP wrote on 2022-08-22, 23:35:

Got hold of a Packard Bell 8-bit ISA FM tuner card, with software for Dos and Windows. Files dated 2003 , Copyright (c) 1994 AZ […]
Show full quote

Got hold of a Packard Bell 8-bit ISA FM tuner card, with software for Dos and Windows. Files dated 2003 , Copyright (c) 1994 AZI Labs. Tuning Software attached...

Contents of readme.txt:-

This is Packard Bell FM Radio readme file.

The software should contain the following

1. DOSRadio.azt
2. FMRadio.azt
3. Install.exe
4. Install.inf
5. Setup.exe
6. Setup.inf
7. Setup.bmp
8. Readme.com
9. Readme.txt
10. Azcom.dll
11. Azhw.dll

For DOS Installation, type "INSTALL" at the DOS prompt.
For Windows Installation, type "SETUP" at the DOS prompt.

Funnily enough I have an original AIMS-Lab floppy disk whose media is bad. I'll use a heat gun to remove the original label and transfer it to a good disk.😉

A bunch o' Hercs and some other miscellaneous stuff. 😁

When it rains it pours! 😁

How about a ESS 1869F with its wavetable chip ?

I think the seller might actually be a member here as the sellers name I have seen here but it may be a coincidence, this card is headed to live with its brothers till I find a nice build to throw it into. Got so many ESS variants now not sure how many are left to collect.

So much wasted PCB space. 😁

Robert B wrote on 2022-08-23, 13:50:

So much wasted PCB space. 😁

Its a Compaq thing !!

A lot of their cards seem to have a ton of wasted PCB.

Robert B wrote on 2022-08-23, 13:50:

So much wasted PCB space. 😁

these late 1-chip solution soundcards do not really much space due to high integration
what they need is a properly designed pcb
the compaq card is nice - integrated E-WAVE so it will also sound good playing midi , a rarity in the "business wavetable" world 😀

I made an offer on this Austin MR1C laptop and it got accepted.

Uses the AMI WinBIOS and it needs a hard drive (I'll dig deeper to see which HDD it accepts and if I need an adapter for it).

Nice looking laptop. Is it by anu chance a rebagged ThinkPad?

New-in-bag IBM Etherjet network card. To be used in a forthcoming 486 VLB build 😁

Some Imation DVDs from this mornings local thrift store crawl.

Just received a nice Abit ST-6 for a good price.
I'll have to change at least one capacitor. Maybe the two ones on the left on the second picture are also slightly swollen.
It will be my first time ever. I have basic soldering skills, any advice ?

JustJulião wrote on 2022-08-24, 08:15:

Just received a nice Abit ST-6 for a good price. I'll have to change at least one capacitor. Maybe the two ones on the left on t […]
Show full quote

Just received a nice Abit ST-6 for a good price.
I'll have to change at least one capacitor. Maybe the two ones on the left on the second picture are also slightly swollen.
It will be my first time ever. I have basic soldering skills, any advice ?
IMG_20220824_100646.jpg
IMG_20220824_100642.jpg

Double .. no triple check polarity before desoldering and then before resoldering ..wrong polarity is bad.

It also might be helpful to practice soldering on a scrap PCB a bit before doing it on something you want to keep.