I like quirky input devices... so I had to get this one ^^

and this chonky boi :3
it's fascinating how robust joysticks where built back then, well CH ones especially even though they're still mostly just plastic.
but compared to my modern joysticks that are already falling apart after a few years this is just quality.

Stiletto wrote on 2020-08-23, 03:07:

FWIW furan is reverse engineering Creative CGL drivers and learning about the 3D Blaster VLB in another thread here at VOGONS. I am fairly confident any firmware has been dumped and the included discs imaged and the PCBs scanned/photographed in high resolution, but in case they haven't... not that I think you'd break the seal in that situation, but... FYI. 😉

I do have a second, New-Open-Box card with all the fixings so let me know if there is anything still needed!

badmojo wrote on 2020-08-23, 09:27:

Epic as always Artex! I love the 3D blaster story, this is the stuff dreams are made of 🐱‍🏍

Thank you sir! Agreed - I love the backstories on these items and I think that adds to the 'story' of each piece!

Back from vacations in France where I found a small shop and bought these lovely stuff 😀

Sealed Windows 98SE

Geforce Fx5500

FastTrak S150 TX4

PCI soundCard CT4810 ( took from computer in next post )

Slot1 P3 500 ( took from computer in next post )

Got myself a 3D Blaster Anihilator 2 32MB - Geforce 2 GTS for $1.21.

Had to bend the I/O bracket back and replace the long ago dead HSF.

- Following previous post -

Matsonic MS7112C (P3 Hybrid Motherboard with both Slot1 and Socket 370)

Geforce 2 GTS 64MB

Elsa erazor III TNT2

Aztec ISA Sound Card ( AZT2320 )

Labway LWHA151A00 Soundcard (Yamaha YMF719E-S OPL3-SAx) - Took from a warranty-sealed computer, seems it's been plugged back in day and never unplugged until today 😀

yawetaG wrote on 2020-08-21, 05:35:

NautilusComputer wrote on 2020-08-20, 20:14:

This was given to me after old computers came up in conversation - so it's not exactly 'found' but not 'bought' either.

I love that sliding motherboard tray that comes out with all of the cards still in place! Looks like something from a SF movie... 😁

I'll try and get more pics when I get it more cleaned up. I'm probably going to merge it with the PIII 500 I have - take the better motherboard, the PIII CPU and its Voodoo3 2000, this case, etc.

Artex wrote on 2020-08-22, 22:14:

A Creative CT6200 (3D Blaster VLB) 2MB (*****SEALED*****) (1995)

Oh wow! I remember drooling over the adverts for this card back in 1995 for a few months before realizing that even if my parents would agree to buy me one (they wouldn't) I wouldn't be able to do anything with it since my PC had no VLB slots.

imi wrote on 2020-08-20, 19:19:

I didn't even know there was a Tseng ET2000 x3 ... I mean it only makes sense, but still.

Yeah, there was.

ET1000 was Tseng's UltraPAK integrated into single chip,
ET2000 was EGA (with additional 640x480 mode),
ET3000 was VGA with some SVGA modes

devius wrote on 2020-08-24, 08:37:

Artex wrote on 2020-08-22, 22:14:

A Creative CT6200 (3D Blaster VLB) 2MB (*****SEALED*****) (1995)

Oh wow! I remember drooling over the adverts for this card back in 1995 for a few months before realizing that even if my parents would agree to buy me one (they wouldn't) I wouldn't be able to do anything with it since my PC had no VLB slots.

YES! And then as motherboards changed over from VLB to PCI, the expenditure for this card and really sub-optimal performance across the board (fill rate, audio/midi capabilities) really didn't sit too well with those buyers that DID take the plunge on such an expensive item.

Just because it was there: bought a working Samsung 914V monitor today for $5 at my local cheap store. Only has VGA input but has all the old IBM/Mac modes built-in as well as the VESA modes, and is a 1280x1024@75Hz model....have not fully tested it yet but as long as it works on a 486 will be happy 😀
Once cleaned and tested might post a picture....

Ok cleaned up and generally in OK condition except a few minor scratches on the screen in one upper left area, is a .29 pixel so not the sharpest. Tested thru a GTX960 using DVI-VGA adapter. Good enough and no dead pixels. Think I got my $4.99 worth considering it will be used on 486 for DOS and Win at no more than 800x600, 🤣

Voodoo3 3500tv was delivered this weekend. Put it through the paces and appears to work. Need to figure out a better cooling solution before it gets any long term use. Will post pics later.

@Artex:

Got 4x BEETLE /M-II plus, at least they won't take up too much space!
Also got this 775 board to replace my current board that has no PCI , only supports 8 GB RAM and only has 2 SATA ports, I neglected to check the power connector though so it needs some conversion.

I bought an audio switch from Ebay in order to connect all my midi devices. My audio mixer has 3 channels. One channel is for the sound blaster, one is for the Macintosh computer system sound and the Roland Sound Canvas SC88 (it is connected through the Macman Midi interface at the sound in port of the Mac) and one is for the audio switch. The switch has 4 positions and i have connected the Roland MT32, Roland CM64, Roland Sound Canvas SC55 and Yamaha MU50.

Woot

Finally a 2 meg 64-bit VLB accelerator card for my 486 😀

Now just have to wait 2 months for postage!

And you need to short two pins on each connector USB and audio, front panel connectors, for HP motherboard as these boards detects this as disconnected will give you a error on each boot up and press F1 to proceed, yes including the power and LEDs front panel.

I can explain if you wanted to know more.

Cheers,

Looted these out of a box of old leftovers a friend had laying around:

• Trident TVGA9000A ISA
• Matrox G450 (I think?) PCI
• Via-based SATA/PATA IDE controller PCI
• Some other PATA IDE controller PCI
• S3 ViRGE DX PCI
• GeForce 8400GS PCI
• All-In-Wonder Rage 128 Pro AGP
• S3 Trio64V2/DX PCI

Have you ever had unusual sales / purchases with disproportionately expensive shipping, when the shipping cost was much higher than the item's value?

Sent a $20 Dell LCD monitor 14" to a buyer in Peru on Saturday, he paid about $86 for shipping.

MAZter wrote on 2020-08-25, 17:17:

Have you ever had unusual sales / purchases with disproportionately expensive shipping, when the shipping cost was much higher than the item's value?

uh... yeah... about 2/3 of my purchases probably 😦
most of the stuff I buy goes through a postal forwarder, so I have to pay shipping twice... still cheaper 99% of the time than what people would ask for shipping directly though, at least on ebay... people in forums are usually much more reasonable with shipping rates and look around for actual cheap options.

I once paid around... 30 times the item price for shipping for a big tower... cause I won the auction for €1 ^^