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| MonsterROMinator... a ROMinator for Levco Monster Macs |
Posted by: bdurbrow on 2016-08-26 16:48:29
OK, so as I've mentioned before, I've got a 128K Mac that's been upgraded with a Levco Monster Mac card... which means that the standard ROMinator won't physically fit; as the ROM sockets are under the Monster Mac card.
So, what I've done is cook up a new board layout that moves the flash chips up a ways to a spot where there is clearance. I'm hoping to get these off to manufacturing in time to start production on them on Monday (8/29/2016); and I'm posting the Gerber/Excellon files here so you folks can have a look it at it (and give any feedback you desire), if you are so inclined.
Note that I don't think this board layout will work on a Mac Plus; as I was under the impression that the ROM sockets were spaced slightly differently (as I only have a 128K + Monster Mac and an SE; that's all I can test with... and the SE, of course, is totally different).
🙂
MonsterROMinator.zip
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Posted by: bdurbrow on 2016-08-28 15:08:04
OK, I'm going to send it off today to have the PCBs made.
🙂
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Posted by: olePigeon on 2016-08-29 08:39:43
Oooo.  I'm interested in this!  I have a HyperDrive that I want to install, but it won't fit inside a Mac with a memory upgrade.  I wanted to have a 128K upgraded to 1MB with a HyperDrive. 🙂  So far this wasn't possible, but with your adapter, it just might be.
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Posted by: bdurbrow on 2016-08-29 13:29:14
By memory upgrade, you do mean a ROMinator, right? This does not upgrade the RAM, just the ROM (and adds a ROM boot disk). It's basically just a physical re-work of this:Â http://www.bigmessowires.com/mac-rom-inator/
Do you have any photos of the Logic Board + expansion card stack-up? My PCB layout puts the flash chips up next to the connector that goes to the Analog Board; as long as that space is clear, I think it would work.
If you have an OS X machine handy, you can grab a copy of Cuprum from the App Store (there is a free "community edition" version)Â to have a look at the Gerber files for the PCB; otherwise any standard Gerber viewer for Windows (like ViewMate) or Linux (Umm... I think gEDA does that? Or perhaps KiCad?) should be able to open them.
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Posted by: omgmonsters on 2022-07-21 13:46:42
Hi there, sorry for bumping such an old thread - did this work? Thanks for making this board! |
Posted by: Angelgreat on 2022-07-25 10:17:24
Hi there, sorry for bumping such an old thread - did this work? Thanks for making this board! Sean, no one has responded. I'll just assume it worked for then, but I would take precaution, just in case it may not work. |
Posted by: Cory5412 on 2022-07-25 12:20:08
There's any number of reasons someone may not have responded six years ago, so I'd say it's safer not to presume. I don't see it yet so tagging @bdurbrow - when you have a moment to take a look. |
Posted by: AeSix on 2023-08-08 14:37:43
I just watched Action Retro's "Turbo Mac" episode...
I dislike cliffhangers. Especially on 2 cliffs!
Though, he did say if it didn't work, we'd pretend nothing ever happened... 😎 |
Posted by: Joopmac on 2023-12-20 14:56:46
Anybody tried this?
I run in exactly the same issue with dove macsnap 524 in a 512k with rominator from Kero
It just doesn't fit together
Maybe someone knows if Stephans' Betterbit version fits? |
Posted by: Joopmac on 2023-12-22 00:07:03
ordered a few PCBs from JLCPCB so keep you guys posted if this will work 😉
I see that this design uses single gate SN74AHCT1G04 instead of quad SNx4HCT02 like in the current BMOW/Kero version, don't know exactly but with my limited electronics knowledge i'd say because this design only has the pins for connecting to a 128k ROM-connector and not also Plus |
Posted by: Joopmac on 2024-03-26 04:28:00
PCB's are on their way. I am very curious if this works. I attached the gerber i modified (drill hole file was incorrect) |
Posted by: Joopmac on 2024-04-20 06:12:59
Well hello all
So this has come to some conclusion
My friend socketed the IC's the snap clicks on to for extra height
The ROMinmator is directly on the board with pins, no ROM socket
Now it fits with Kero's rominator
But, i cannot start from a 6.0.8 system anymore😉
Not from ROMinator, also not Tash20 or floppyEMU (any 6.0.8 image)
There must be an incompatibility between rominator and the MacSnap 524....
So i have to flash System 4.1 to my rominator, or remove the Snap |
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