Beast
Posted by
Arne Chr. Jorgensen
on 1999-10-22 10:52:42 UTC
Hi,
I will just say a few words to Andrew:
Tape and IO:
Well, they usually keep some of the old stuff possible to hook up.
That is just normal, even if they never have used it.
RS232/ current loop:
[And if I reverse my RS232 plug I get one or the other?]
Yes, in an old PC-com-adapter, see what I have written about it. But
you have RS232, so you don't have to.
There could be a dip switch in your "Beast" to select either. I
would guess that both goes to the same serial adapter chip on your
main board.
[I didn't see anything like that in the manual, unfortunately- it
seems
dedicated to the use of the machine as is.]
There should be, it my be a dip switch setting, and it may be in
software. Sometimes it can be "hidden" in some menu. Say
"Download" or "Aux" or something on a menu ( or a key ), could open
up a sub level of menus, where you would be able to do the setup.
[I think so. There aren't any labels on it, but the initialization
tape did
work last time it was tried.]
Good !
[I'm coming around to your way of thinking, Arne (and Ray). If it
ain't
broke, why fix it?
Well, I would not mind at all if you installed EMC, but I just
think that if you give yourself some time with it, you will know
much more how to do it. There is just too much IO you would like to
keep. Any "brain " job must first be planned on paper, before you
reach for your "snipers".
[Actually, I've got a spare that came with the machine. How exactly
do
these things go in and out? Is there a plug, or do I have to
unsolder and
resolder a bunch of stuff? The one that's in there can be read, but
it's
got some nasty "wrinkles" in the picture that don't inspire
confidence.]
All the cables is labeled nice on your drawing, and you already have
one hooked up. Just pay attentions, it is not that difficult.
It sounds as if you don't have much practice in the electrical
field, and would like some help. If I were you, I would contact
the nearest College, and ask if some of the students could make a
retrofit plan, or some of them would like to tinker a bit. Give them
a lollipop, and they would be happy to assist you. ( I would :)
Talk with one of the teachers, - I am sure you could have some good
help. They might even build you new panels, and other stuff.
How much memory is installed in this machine ?
[How would I find out? My guess is- not much.]
You may find and array of ram chips, probably in sockets. And with
small capacitors close to each one of them. They all would have the
same id. number. Pass it to the list, and we could figure it out.
But my answer above would be much better for you. "Go back to school
" :)
"Beauty, - I think you will have a good time with the beast." :)
//ARNE
I will just say a few words to Andrew:
Tape and IO:
Well, they usually keep some of the old stuff possible to hook up.
That is just normal, even if they never have used it.
RS232/ current loop:
[And if I reverse my RS232 plug I get one or the other?]
Yes, in an old PC-com-adapter, see what I have written about it. But
you have RS232, so you don't have to.
There could be a dip switch in your "Beast" to select either. I
would guess that both goes to the same serial adapter chip on your
main board.
[I didn't see anything like that in the manual, unfortunately- it
seems
dedicated to the use of the machine as is.]
There should be, it my be a dip switch setting, and it may be in
software. Sometimes it can be "hidden" in some menu. Say
"Download" or "Aux" or something on a menu ( or a key ), could open
up a sub level of menus, where you would be able to do the setup.
[I think so. There aren't any labels on it, but the initialization
tape did
work last time it was tried.]
Good !
[I'm coming around to your way of thinking, Arne (and Ray). If it
ain't
broke, why fix it?
Well, I would not mind at all if you installed EMC, but I just
think that if you give yourself some time with it, you will know
much more how to do it. There is just too much IO you would like to
keep. Any "brain " job must first be planned on paper, before you
reach for your "snipers".
[Actually, I've got a spare that came with the machine. How exactly
do
these things go in and out? Is there a plug, or do I have to
unsolder and
resolder a bunch of stuff? The one that's in there can be read, but
it's
got some nasty "wrinkles" in the picture that don't inspire
confidence.]
All the cables is labeled nice on your drawing, and you already have
one hooked up. Just pay attentions, it is not that difficult.
It sounds as if you don't have much practice in the electrical
field, and would like some help. If I were you, I would contact
the nearest College, and ask if some of the students could make a
retrofit plan, or some of them would like to tinker a bit. Give them
a lollipop, and they would be happy to assist you. ( I would :)
Talk with one of the teachers, - I am sure you could have some good
help. They might even build you new panels, and other stuff.
How much memory is installed in this machine ?
[How would I find out? My guess is- not much.]
You may find and array of ram chips, probably in sockets. And with
small capacitors close to each one of them. They all would have the
same id. number. Pass it to the list, and we could figure it out.
But my answer above would be much better for you. "Go back to school
" :)
"Beauty, - I think you will have a good time with the beast." :)
//ARNE