VOGONS


First post, by retro games 100

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I keep meaning to buy an AT form factor case. Although I have a pile of 386 and 486 mobos, I still haven't got an suitable cases. I was thinking of making some cases out of wood, but what wood* I do about the PC's MHz speed display?

For example, if the mobo + CPU is a 486 DX2 66, how can I display that speed information? I will need 2 wires attached to some kind of LED display panel. I wonder if I can visit an online electronics shop, and buy an "off the shelf" PC speed display kit? Any ideas please people? Thanks a lot for any advice.

* 😉

Reply 2 of 13, by retro games 100

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Thanks a lot. Yep, that kit is what I am looking for. Unfortunately in this instance, that seller doesn't ship to Europe, but hopefully I can find something similar. I wonder, do LED speed displays go up to 200? I have a 200 MHz 486 (AMD 5x86 @ 4x multi & 50 bus) which would look great.

The shipping cost for those AT form factor cases to Europe is understandably high, but Robin4 (Vogons user) had a problem with this seller - the case didn't arrive. Also, I sent that seller a couple of simple questions a month ago, and they were both ignored.

Reply 4 of 13, by TheLazy1

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Make an ISA interface card for driving those LCD panels, then you could display anything you want!
😁

Reply 5 of 13, by MaxWar

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If someone could convert some sort of analog meter gauge for use as speed display that would be very cool.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/300mA-Analog-Ampere-Pa … =item3355b2305f

Especialy on a case made of wood, perfect orchish-punk look.
Probably more trouble than its worth but i like the idea.

One of those old-school steam type round gauges would be even more cool.

Reply 6 of 13, by MaxWar

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Something like that:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Quality-Round-An … =item2562f24885

You could change the scale for whatever you want, a 20v meter could be used with computer voltage, probably a simple circuit could make it a two position display that works with the turbo lead header. mod a LED in there. A green one, then leave some bark on that wooden case 🤣

Reply 7 of 13, by MaxWar

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Actually, the Turbo led header plobably simply send 5v when turbo is on. If you could simply mod that gauge to be more sensitive, it would work out of the box.

When turbo is on, gauge lights up and needle goes to the top 🤣

You replace the paper in there for a MHZ scale and thats it.

Reply 9 of 13, by DonutKing

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Actually, the Turbo led header plobably simply send 5v when turbo is on.

Yep that's pretty much how they work. There's jumpers on the back of the LED display, you set the jumpers to turn a segment on or off. There are usually 2 or 3 sets of jumpers for each segment, one to set the segment ON in turbo mode, one to set it on when turbo is off. If there's a 3rd set its to set the segment ON regardless of turbo mode.
There's no actual logic in the display. The signal from the motherboard is simply on or off.

Also, in the top right corner above your post, that small round circle icon lets you edit a post rather than making new posts repeatedly 😀

Reply 10 of 13, by MaxWar

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Yes, i know about the edit button. I simply did not feel like using it, for some reason 😜

I thought making new posts would highlight the evolution of my idea through time. From the moment i read about a wooden case and imagine it with analog displays, up to the moment i know which parts to use and how it would work.

Edit : If you guys actually find multiple successive posting to be offensive, i will try to avoid it 😉

Reply 11 of 13, by DonutKing

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It doesn't bother me personally, but some people don't like it 😀

If you are squeamish, don't prod the beach rubble.

Reply 12 of 13, by retro games 100

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Some interesting ideas there. Thanks. I like the idea of flicking a big switch on some wooden facia and seeing a needle move, to indicate either power or turbo on or both..

Reply 13 of 13, by Tetrium

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When you receive a LED display, you'll still need to mount it in a nice fashion. I still got 1 or 2 LED displays I salvaged from AT cases years n years ago (shoulda kept the cases 🤣).

retro games 100 wrote:

Some interesting ideas there. Thanks. I like the idea of flicking a big switch on some wooden facia and seeing a needle move, to indicate either power or turbo on or both..

Make it something like this, and you'll be my hero 😁
http://email-junk.com/pictures/music-box-laptop.html

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