In addition to retro computers, I'm also into 3D modeling/animation.
I had gotten myself a "new" 3DConnexion SpacePilot Pro 3D controller some months back, and really liked the way it worked.
So I got a used, plain Spacepilot (fewer buttons, simpler design) for my Linux box, and liked it even more.
These things ain't cheap, new, even on ebay.

Recently I saw auctions for an old Spaceball 5000 (serial port version) and an even older Spaceball 3003 (also serial).
I hope someday to connect them to my Win98 machine(s); who knows, I might even get them working with DOS (doubtful).

I was surprised to discover that the 5000 was in such good shape, and complete with box and all accessories/manuals.

The 3003 was yellowed, which I knew before I got it. I considered retrobriting it, but I don't think I want to risk erasing the logo.
Who knows; I may eventually get myself the entire 3DConnexion line of controllers. (I have thought about building my own with parts from Adafruit...)

bjwil1991 wrote on 2021-12-19, 08:55:

That's alright. I have a similar one in my 386 system. Got it for a few bucks at a thrift store a couple of years ago. Sealed.

I have a 486 and a 286 motherboard that I someday want to build into systems. AT cases are expensive and hard to find anymore, especially desktop versions (I don't want to tower them), so they sit in my closet, waiting...
The 486/66 has onboard IDE and I/O, and must be a later board because it has PCI slots, as well.
Awhile back I got a controller card with serial, parallel and an IDE controller, which I hope to stick in the 286.
I got this as a kind-of backup in case the IDE controller didn't work and I had to go with an Xide.

Turbo -> wrote on 2021-12-19, 08:05:

Will the card work without the chip?

As plain VGA, maybe...

TrashPanda wrote on 2021-12-19, 08:13:

finding drivers for that card is likely to take more time than the card is actually worth, but it would be fun seeing it run.

http://edv-janssen.synology.me/ct_treiber_service/html/n.htm
Also, such a card - if complete - would be precious.
TIGA cards were the high-end once.

Grzyb wrote on 2021-12-19, 10:38:

http://edv-janssen.synology.me/ct_treiber_service/html/n.htm Also, such a card - if complete - would be precious. TIGA cards wer […]
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TrashPanda wrote on 2021-12-19, 08:13:

fin ding drivers for that card is likely to take more time than the card is actually worth, but it would be fun seeing it run.

http://edv-janssen.synology.me/ct_treiber_service/html/n.htm
Also, such a card - if complete - would be precious.
TIGA cards were the high-end once.

I'm willing to bet you just made someone's job much easier, now if you can find them that missing chip we can get that beast up and running to see what its capable of 😁

Would this chip work? https://www.ebay.com/itm/152158171527?_trkpar … 897cc%7Ciid%3A1

Turbo -> wrote on 2021-12-19, 11:46:

Would this chip work? https://www.ebay.com/itm/152158171527?_trkpar … 897cc%7Ciid%3A1

Doubtful...
It's 32 MHz, while the crystal on your card is 40 MHz.
It would be nice to find a better photo of the complete card...

This Number Nine video card (Savage4 Xtreme) with an unusual DVI to VGA implementation...

The card works!

OMORES wrote on 2021-12-19, 13:15:

... an unusual DVI to VGA implementation...

The card works!

Now, this is a first for me! But hey, if it works... 😀

OMORES wrote on 2021-12-19, 13:15:

This Number Nine video card (Savage4 Xtreme) with an unusual DVI to VGA implementation...

The card works!

That wasn't me... this time...

OMORES wrote on 2021-12-19, 13:15:

This Number Nine video card (Savage4 Xtreme) with an unusual DVI to VGA implementation...

The card works!

That's real ghetto 😜

Begs the question "Why??" though, as the unique selling point of this card was that it one of the first to offer DVI. It certainly wasn't the cheapest S3 Savage out there...

Hamby wrote on 2021-12-19, 08:53:

One thing I'm curious about... it has a gameport/MIDI port. My sound card also has a game/midi port...is there a way to adjust the IRQs and other settings to use both without conflict?

In general, it is possible, but one or the other has to have the setting. No IRQ for game, just port address. However, you might get same issues as soundblaster config, where you can use any IRQ as long as it's 5 or 7 if you want the majority of games to support it. Meaning you might need to use primary gameport address on a lot of games because they won't even look at secondary.

Brought a ESS solo-1 with A-Trend label in the back. It's too old and I wonder if it still works.
It looks like a full height card in the picture,but only 8cm, I think it will fit good as a half height card with a proper bracket.

Yah, full full height is over the bracket a ways.... though only ever had one card that took liberty with "a ways" an old i/o card, stupid thing was full PCB height and had it's headers mounted at rightangles parallel with the edge, so had to find low profile ribbon connectors, the ones with a strain clip on fouled the case.

Ordered today a batch of five MB, I think they are all in need of repair, although it is possible that some will work, they will arrive towards the end of the month, hopefully before January.
I bought them as an alternative to a motherboard, the seller has disappeared and did not leave the numbers to track the package, since it went like this, I asked for and got a refund.
I managed to identify three boards, a biostar M7NBA skt462 is for barebones pc, among others there are, a LS K7MKLE skt462, an MSI MS-6309 ver2, another skt462 with chipset via and pc-133 ram, and a slot1 intel chipset with probably a PII.

NCR 5130 and 2 serial optical laser mice from the 1980's.

Pics coming soon.

Thought the NCR had a defect in the display when I first saw pictures of it and the display is in fantastic shape (thanks to the seller for close-ups of the display).

Hamby wrote on 2021-12-19, 08:43:

Well, there are getting to be more and more under the $250 mark. I got myself an Anet E16 (Don't think you can find that model a […]
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Well, there are getting to be more and more under the $250 mark.
I got myself an Anet E16 (Don't think you can find that model anymore, they have newer and better ones, though), and I've been happy with it.
If you look on YouTube, Ben Heck just did a review of yet another 3D printer... and I'm sure he's done some in the past.
I got the Anet E16 because it had a large work volume... 300mm x 300mm x 400mm. Printing a decent sized object can take several hours. Say, a box the size of a cell phone case might take 3 or 4 hours for the whole thing. That's the nature of 3d printing. I expect my joystick cover to take about an hour or so.

You should take a look at the 4k LCD 3D printers. I did a bunch of research for a family member who was wanting to print high quality miniatures and the resin type printers are going to give you a much better print and it will also be a whole lot sturdier than the PLA type printers.

I got myself two PCI graphic cards or a good price: Geforce FX5500 (256MB/128bit) and Matrox G450 (32/64bit). 😊

Two Laptops $10 AUD each one is a D800 Pentium M the other is a D630, the D800 posts but has a wiped HDD the D630 Doesn't appear to have a HDD, figure for a tenner each they might be worth fixing or for parts. the D800 might be worth fixing as it has a FX5200 GPu in it.

I won an auction for a scrap lot for 30€.
Most interesting piece: A Voodoo 1 from Diamond. Gotta have to earn my name!
Lets hope it works or can be restored.