68kMLA Classic Interface

This is a version of the 68kMLA forums for viewing on your favorite old mac. Visitors on modern platforms may prefer the main site.

Click here to select a new forum.
Alaska's Collection
Posted by: CC_333 on 2016-02-28 12:22:06
Yes, the fans spin like crazy, and it had thermal compound, which I replaced several times just to see if it'd help. It didn't :-/

I'm thinking there's something going on with the CPU, like maybe a bad solder joint or something.

c

Posted by: 360alaska on 2016-07-18 23:03:19
I think I found something neat for my IIsi:

s-l1600.jpg

Video + Network FTW. I just ordered this and hopefully it works!

Posted by: tanaquil on 2016-07-19 04:16:27
Whoa, is that a user hack, or something that was marketed commercially? I'm trying to figure out how the cards meld together to feed out the same port access plate.

Posted by: Macdrone on 2016-07-19 10:36:36
The angle card came with the high res card for the IIsi, and then you just remove the video card and put a network card in.  That way you get the FPU on the riser and get a network card.

Posted by: tanaquil on 2016-07-19 11:50:28
But how do you end up with both video and Ethernet?

Posted by: 360alaska on 2016-07-19 12:02:12
I found this pic online:

pdsiisi.jpg

As near as I can tell the top slot on this adapter is Nubus and the middle is PDS. I only say that because the spectrum 8/24 video card is Nubus and that ethernet card looks to be PDS.

Posted by: mrpippy on 2016-07-19 17:41:27
I think they're both PDS, the label on the video card EEPROM says "8•24 PDQ si". Surprised to see an AAUI connector for Ethernet, although I guess it's the only thing that would fit

Posted by: tanaquil on 2016-07-19 18:49:19
Anyhow, that is way cool. I'd love to be able to up the video capacity of my IIsi and still keep the Ethernet connection, but oh well. The 12 inch monitor works just fine. And I never stop getting a kick out of seeing System 6 in color, though I boot to System 7 most of the time.

Posted by: 360alaska on 2016-07-22 10:13:56
All,

Looks like the seller has one more of these fantastic contraptions: http://www.ebay.com/itm/262536521604

Posted by: 360alaska on 2016-07-22 13:06:10
Here's some more pics and by the way, the resolution is configured by holding down "option" upon start-up. The resolution can not be configured via control panel or via VGA adapter.

IMG_0892.JPGIMG_0893.JPGIMG_0899.JPG

"

Q: When I connect my display to my Spectrum card, instead of getting a usable picture, I get a distorted, scrambled image. I know the monitor is supposed to be compatible with this card -- what else do I have to do?

A: SuperMac cards must be configured for the specific display to which they are connected. If you move the card to a different slot in your Mac, connect a different monitor to it, or zap your Mac's PRAM, you will need to reconfigure the card to output the proper signals and timings required by your display. To reconfigure your SuperMac card, hold down your keyboard's Option key at startup. Continue to hold down the Option key until the "Round Robin" configuration cycle begins. When you see an image of a keyboard that is clear, centered, and at the resolution you want to use, press the Space bar. The computer will then restart, and the card and display should now be properly configured.

"

-http://www.vintagemacworld.com/radius/spectrum.html

Posted by: 360alaska on 2016-07-27 00:26:13
I was lucky enough to snatch a Umax S900 off ebay for 45 dollars shipped. Right now it has a 200 mhz 604 and 40mb ram. Something I'm curious about is the case, did Umax and Dell share a common case?

Here's just a quick mashup of pics I made:

Umax vs Dell.png

Kinda interesting 🙂

Posted by: CC_333 on 2016-07-27 19:23:46
Huh, it does look like they used the same chassis, and dressed them up in different plastics or something.

Kinda makes sense, since Umax was a clone maker at the time, and thus didn't necessarily want to spend the extra money for a fancy, custom designed case such as those made by Apple, instead opting for a generic ATX case that was probably cheaper to manufacture.

c

Posted by: Compgeke on 2016-07-27 20:48:22
The case is actually a shared design between Dell, Umax and Micron. Possibly others as well. While I haven't verified faceplate compatibility, they all use the exact same mountings for everything (even the 3 faceplate clips and swing out).

Edit: Yes, the fronts are compatible, almost. The Micron would fit if the S900 didn't have audio jacks up front. http://i.imgur.com/7c8q52U.jpg

Posted by: 360alaska on 2016-07-27 21:06:29
Interesting, I never knew that even micron and dell shared a case let alone umax:

7c8q52U.jpg

Posted by: joethezombie on 2016-12-30 13:04:33
Alaska, I too have one of those IIsi video/Ethernet combo cards. Have you tried the Ethernet portion? I got mine working, but had to use an Asante FriendlyNet transceiver. Farallon and Apple branded ones would not work for me.

Posted by: 360alaska on 2016-12-30 13:15:51
I never have, but it is an Asante card so I guess that would make sense...

Posted by: 360alaska on 2017-01-10 22:32:33
And now for a few updates, 

First,

I was able to meet up with a fellow mac enthusiast in my area and do a couple of trades,

To start, I traded one of my 2 IIfxs for a Quadra 950 and a 512, probably a lateral move but I had two FXs and no Q950 so I'm happy:

IMG_1272.JPG

Next, I traded a very nice Classic II (I had 3 of them) for a Mac SE FDHD because I needed one for my recently purchased Mac86 dos card. (My other SE has a radius accelerator in it)

and third I traded a SE/30 and a SE/30 Socketed CPU board for a IIcx and a LC 580.

All in all I think I came out ahead.

By the way,

In case someone has never seen the difference in the screens on a 580 vs 575/550/520 here is a comparison:

IMG_1274.JPGIMG_1275.JPGIMG_1276.JPGIMG_1277.JPG

Lastly, just in case anyone is wondering the Bbraun/BMOW Rominator for the 512 does not work in conjunction with a dove scsi card. I tried the jumpers on 512 and plus but it just chimes continuously. I was able to make it fit in the case by soldering the roms to the rominator board but unfortunately it's just not compatible, maybe someone can figure out why? Oh well, I just moved the macsnap scsi and ram to the my new 512k. I bet it will work flawlessly with a ram card so I'm waiting for a spare the popup on ebay.

IMG_1262.JPGIMG_1263.JPG

Posted by: EvieSigma on 2017-01-10 22:36:47
Beautiful 950! The one I'm acquiring has the oh so elusive CD bezel but it's far yellower.

< 2