vutt wrote on 2022-12-13, 20:28:

First shipment for my "Let's replace broken SB32 SIMM socket" project arrived - Blingy low profile Purple RAM.
In order to test them I had to implement temporary fix. Even managed find matching tan colored nylon thread. 🤣

Nice! That is definitely some blingy ram.

I have a couple cards that have damaged SIMM slot clips as well. How are you going about replacing yours?

Oh, and my retro activity for the day has been to dig through my entire sound card collection looking for a card I was almost positive that I owned. It's kind of ridiculous how the mind can trick us into being able to picture something in your hands, or on your desk, or in a box, or installed in a PC... and yet it has all just been fabricated from seeing tons of pictures of them online over the years. Unless it's in a completely incorrect location (with video cards for example), then I don't think I have it. Probably just got it confused with something else.

I did find some neat stuff though. Like, I realized I had both an original Sound Blaster CT-1320C and a CT-1320U, both with original paper-labeled Creative CMS chips. I honestly had gotten them mixed up the last time I was looking at this stuff because they were in different locations (found one by chance when I was not spending a lot of time with this stuff and never got around to testing it). Almost thought I was going crazy when I saw both in different locations. I have barely dabbled in this retro stuff for a full year, so a lot of it has gotten foggy.

... this is all a sign that I need to keep a better record of what I have. -_-

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2022-12-15, 14:09:

Oh, and my retro activity for the day has been to dig through my entire sound card collection looking for a card I was almost positive that I owned. It's kind of ridiculous how the mind can trick us into being able to picture something in your hands, or on your desk, or in a box, or installed in a PC... and yet it has all just been fabricated from seeing tons of pictures of them online over the years. Unless it's in a completely incorrect location (with video cards for example), then I don't think I have it. Probably just got it confused with something else.

I did find some neat stuff though. Like, I realized I had both an original Sound Blaster CT-1320C and a CT-1320U, both with original paper-labeled Creative CMS chips. I honestly had gotten them mixed up the last time I was looking at this stuff because they were in different locations (found one by chance when I was not spending a lot of time with this stuff and never got around to testing it). Almost thought I was going crazy when I saw both in different locations. I have barely dabbled in this retro stuff for a full year, so a lot of it has gotten foggy.

... this is all a sign that I need to keep a better record of what I have. -_-

Most people have the opposite problem. It's common to buy something, then realize you already have one.

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2022-12-15, 14:09:

Oh, and my retro activity for the day has been to dig through my entire sound card collection looking for a card I was almost positive that I owned. It's kind of ridiculous how the mind can trick us into being able to picture something in your hands, or on your desk, or in a box, or installed in a PC... and yet it has all just been fabricated from seeing tons of pictures of them online over the years. Unless it's in a completely incorrect location (with video cards for example), then I don't think I have it. Probably just got it confused with something else.

I had a similar experience recently! Except, I was searching high and low for a PowerPC version of GTA SA that (a) I could've sworn I owned a copy of, because (b) I enjoyed the heck out of it at a mate's house on his G5 iMac. Turns out that both of my memories were gobsmackingly inaccurate, because the bloody thing was never actually a thing! Rockstar didn't release a PowerPC port of San Andreas, nor any other GTA game.

🎵 Daisy, daisy...

Standard Def Steve wrote on 2022-12-15, 18:51:

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2022-12-15, 14:09:

Oh, and my retro activity for the day has been to dig through my entire sound card collection looking for a card I was almost positive that I owned. It's kind of ridiculous how the mind can trick us into being able to picture something in your hands, or on your desk, or in a box, or installed in a PC... and yet it has all just been fabricated from seeing tons of pictures of them online over the years. Unless it's in a completely incorrect location (with video cards for example), then I don't think I have it. Probably just got it confused with something else.

I had a similar experience recently! Except, I was searching high and low for a PowerPC version of GTA SA that (a) I could've sworn I owned a copy of, because (b) I enjoyed the heck out of it at a mate's house on his G5 iMac. Turns out that both of my memories were gobsmackingly inaccurate, because the bloody thing was never actually a thing! Rockstar didn't release a PowerPC port of San Andreas, nor any other GTA game.

🎵 Daisy, daisy...

Wow! Definitely sounds like something that would happen to me. Isn't it such a relief when you're starting to come to terms with the fact that you're nuts... and THEN you ACTUALLY find the thing you were thinking of!?!? I have had that happen as well, which makes it very hard to accept the times when I'm just genuinely mistaken. 🤣

I wonder if there's any connection between these seemingly corrupted portions of my memory and the days I spent on extended soldering projects without the best ventilation. @_@

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2022-12-15, 19:10:

Standard Def Steve wrote on 2022-12-15, 18:51:

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2022-12-15, 14:09:

Oh, and my retro activity for the day has been to dig through my entire sound card collection looking for a card I was almost positive that I owned. It's kind of ridiculous how the mind can trick us into being able to picture something in your hands, or on your desk, or in a box, or installed in a PC... and yet it has all just been fabricated from seeing tons of pictures of them online over the years. Unless it's in a completely incorrect location (with video cards for example), then I don't think I have it. Probably just got it confused with something else.

I had a similar experience recently! Except, I was searching high and low for a PowerPC version of GTA SA that (a) I could've sworn I owned a copy of, because (b) I enjoyed the heck out of it at a mate's house on his G5 iMac. Turns out that both of my memories were gobsmackingly inaccurate, because the bloody thing was never actually a thing! Rockstar didn't release a PowerPC port of San Andreas, nor any other GTA game.

🎵 Daisy, daisy...

Wow! Definitely sounds like something that would happen to me. Isn't it such a relief when you're starting to come to terms with the fact that you're nuts... and THEN you ACTUALLY find the thing you were thinking of!?!? I have had that happen as well, which makes it very hard to accept the times when I'm just genuinely mistaken. 🤣

I wonder if there's any connection between these seemingly corrupted portions of my memory and the days I spent on extended soldering projects without the best ventilation. @_@

😜 Oh man. Yep, same here. Every Saturday, in fact.

Received an email from Cloanto yesterday. Amiga Forever 10 & C64 Forever 10 just released December 12th, 2022. I have a lifetime license for both and look forward to trying these new versions out.

Shponglefan wrote on 2022-12-10, 03:00:

Tested out my recently acquired I-O Data PK-X486S50-3 (286-to-486 upgrade).

I've been using a PK-X486S50 for a while, initially in a Tandy 1000 TL/2, and presently in a TL/3.

Switch 1 enables/disables the math co-processor. Switches 2 - 4 are unhelpfully described in the manual as "Not Used (always OFF)," but I recall either switch 3 or 4 providing a slight performance bump.

You'll need to leverage a software driver at boot-up to enable both the CPU cache and the additional 2x clock multiplier, which will bring your TL to 32 MHz. I'm using Evergreen's "REVTO486.SYS" driver for that, in conjunction with the "/CN /2" parameters.

Using my Compaq armada 1750 to write an adf of workbench via parallell port with Amiga explorer to floppy on my Amiga 600. Mostly because I'm an Amiga OS newb. And because I can.

Cloudschatze wrote on 2022-12-16, 18:59:

I've been using a PK-X486S50 for a while, initially in a Tandy 1000 TL/2, and presently in a TL/3. […]
Show full quote

Shponglefan wrote on 2022-12-10, 03:00:

Tested out my recently acquired I-O Data PK-X486S50-3 (286-to-486 upgrade).

I've been using a PK-X486S50 for a while, initially in a Tandy 1000 TL/2, and presently in a TL/3.

Switch 1 enables/disables the math co-processor. Switches 2 - 4 are unhelpfully described in the manual as "Not Used (always OFF)," but I recall either switch 3 or 4 providing a slight performance bump.

You'll need to leverage a software driver at boot-up to enable both the CPU cache and the additional 2x clock multiplier, which will bring your TL to 32 MHz. I'm using Evergreen's "REVTO486.SYS" driver for that, in conjunction with the "/CN /2" parameters.

Thanks for the info, that is very helpful! 😀

Just curious, but how did you manage to fit it in a TL/2? In my TL/2 the drive bay cage blocks the PK-X486S50 board based on the orientation of the socket on the motherboard.

Shponglefan wrote on 2022-12-16, 22:58:

Just curious, but how did you manage to fit it in a TL/2? In my TL/2 the drive bay cage blocks the PK-X486S50 board based on the orientation of the socket on the motherboard.

I took the chassis hackery route.

Cloudschatze wrote on 2022-12-17, 01:36:

I took the chassis hackery route. […]
Show full quote

Shponglefan wrote on 2022-12-16, 22:58:

Just curious, but how did you manage to fit it in a TL/2? In my TL/2 the drive bay cage blocks the PK-X486S50 board based on the orientation of the socket on the motherboard.

I took the chassis hackery route.

Ah. I was hoping maybe there was some non-destructive option I wasn't aware of.

At least it fits properly in the Tandy TL, so I'll probably just leave it in there.

Watched some old episodes of fresh and fit

RandomStranger wrote on 2022-12-15, 17:13:

IMG_20221215_175433.jpg

I already had a V550 driver CD and kept my eyes open to find a matching graphics card. Recently I found one for an acceptable price. It'll probably replace the Millennium II in my Pentium II build.

Also picked up an EtherLink XL networking card. I think it'll go in my Pentium MMX build.

Did a quick check on teh AIW Rage128 Pro and the V550. Both of them seems to be working fine.

I added a K6-266 processor to this three-decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich.
The Pentium MMX sticker on the front is now indeed a bald-faced lie.

Actually, I will be taking this appalling dump heap of a PC to the thrift store today. Just thought I'd give the lucky DOS gamer who decides to purchase this nasty wasty skunk an extra bit of CPU oomph. Shyeah, like they'll notice.

Tried for 30 minutes how to wire a 3-wire turbo switch to a 2-pin header.
I lost, can't get it right. I suspect the switch to be faulty.

All my cases have 3 pins, I guess it was standard.

Well the XFX 7600GT 256MB arrived.

Unsurprisingly, despite being listed as tested and working, its dead. Artifacts on post.

On the plus side the seller is issuing a refund.

How hard is it to throw a card on a ****** test bench and turn on the power before you list it? 2nd eBay graphics card in a row I've gotten that has been dead and the 4th tech purchase in a row thats been dead or misrepresented. Like I don't get why it seems every eBay seller is the scum of the earth to whom ethics is a dirty word.

My last few purchases:

* XFX 8800GT - DOA, no post. Had to return the card and wait a week to get my $25 back
* Pioneer Elite CT-W51 Cassette Deck - Had undisclosed issues relating to lack of proper maintenance and hard issues. Seller wouldn't do a partial refund, and I needed it for a project so I ended up servicing it myself. Wouldn't have paid $100 if I knew it needed any work done to it.
* Commodore VIC-20 - Didn't work, produced a scrambled video signal. Seller fired back SUPER aggressive message that said "tested" only meant tested for power light. Had to threaten to get eBay involved before he accepted a return, took a week to get my $90 back.
* XFX 7600GT - Artifacted, seller at least issued prompt refund.

I don't remember things being this bad a few years ago. Parts are more expensive now AND more likely to be not working. Also so much shit listed as "AS IS" if you check the description (though, per eBay, if its listed in the used category if it doesn't work they are required to refund you. fun fact). I feel like this is due to a shift from most parts coming from scrappers and e-cyclers to more parts coming from burned out, lazy as shit Gen X'rs that don't want to work anymore so they decided to run an eBay scalping operation instead selling stuff they haven't touched in 20 years or found a thrift store as "tested and working"

Today I did two things. First was setting up my not-in-use processors for family photo of sorts.

I'm planning on doing it with my Macs as well sometime soon, but that has a lot more space needed.

I then proceeded to fail to figure out why my Powerbook G3 hard freezes whenever I try anything network related and or in the startup disk menu.

TheAbandonwareGuy wrote on 2022-12-19, 03:05:

I don't remember things being this bad a few years ago. Parts are more expensive now AND more likely to be not working. Also so much shit listed as "AS IS" if you check the description (though, per eBay, if its listed in the used category if it doesn't work they are required to refund you. fun fact). I feel like this is due to a shift from most parts coming from scrappers and e-cyclers to more parts coming from burned out, lazy as shit Gen X'rs that don't want to work anymore so they decided to run an eBay scalping operation instead selling stuff they haven't touched in 20 years or found a thrift store as "tested and working"

Jesus. I'm a Gen Xer but I make it a point to test almost everything I list, even if it's just a cursory power test. The only thing I don't usually bother testing is CPUs and most types of RAM made after ~1995 as both are almost always working and rarely end up being a point of failure.

Most of the stuff I get is still scrap/e-waste PCs, as I deal directly with two different recyclers and have an "in" with another that's closed to the public.

I have literally an entire 30 gallon tub filled with VIC-20s here that I've pondered getting rid of because I'm fairly sure they all have some problem or another and I don't deal in 8-bit commodore.

libby wrote on 2022-12-19, 08:16:

I have literally an entire 30 gallon tub filled with VIC-20s here that I've pondered getting rid of because I'm fairly sure they all have some problem or another and I don't deal in 8-bit commodore.

I am sure there are plenty of VIC-20 owners looking for parts machines. I restored a few myself and with a 32K memory expansion module they are a fun system to play around on.