Amiga.org
The "Not Quite Amiga but still computer related category" => Alternative Operating Systems => Topic started by: redrumloa on May 23, 2009, 10:19:28 PM
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The 128 Tower project is finally going back under the knife!
http://redsretro.com/128t-may09/
Those pictures were taken today and shows the system fully operational with SuperCPU 128, but partially disassembled. First on the agenda for tonight is to install a 2nd 1571 drive internally. This is harder than you might expect for many reasons, it will take me a couple hours. I have deleted the idea of putting a 1581 internally for the time being. No need to go overkill with internal drives and the 1581 would very rarely get used consider the uIEC will be back in place tonight.
I hope to upload addition pictures tonight. Please post a note in this thread if you are interested in this project, to confirm there is still interest here. I'd appreciate it! I enjoy working on this project and enjoy talking about it, but I'd rather not be talking to myself ;-)
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Nice looking build! Looks like you have lots of room for expansion in that big tower:D Can't wait to see more pictures! BTW your web store looks pretty fine too.
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@Jeff
Thank you on both comments, very much appreciated! I expect to have more pics tonight and tomorrow as I am taking some leisure time to work on the project. In case you missed the older pictures before, this folder has some unsorted pics from different stages of the project.
http://redsretro.com/128t/
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Ok, a small snag. I just installed a 1571D JiffyDOS chip, but it appears to be bad. Anyone have a confirmed working 1571D chip for sale they can post quickly next week?
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MMU128 card is installed, so SuperCPU 128 is working on the 128 side now.
http://redsretro.com/128t-may09/128Tmay09c.JPG
Here is a pic booted to 80 colum mode.
http://redsretro.com/128t-may09/128Tmay09d.JPG
It is so darn difficult to take a picture of a monitor display!
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Ok, a small snag. I just installed a 1571D JiffyDOS chip, but it appears to be bad. Anyone have a confirmed working 1571D chip for sale they can post quickly next week?
I found my stash of JiffyDOS chips I forgot I had, there was a 1571D in there. I no longer need one :-D
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Very cool. (Would be cooler hooked up to a Commodore monitor.)
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@orb85750
Thanks!
One of the major parts of this project was to convert both the 40 column (composite) and 80 column (RGBi) outputs to SVGA. At least here in the USA, I don't think I can find any Commodore branded new SVGA CRT monitors. That would be a nice touch!
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First on the agenda for tonight is to install a 2nd 1571 drive internally.
Am I to assume that you remove it from the case for this? I've been looking for an inexpensive (preferably dead) 1571 to be a donor. I want to hack a scsi slot load dvd rom drive into a 1571 case. How much of 1571 case would be left over and would you be willing to part with it? I'd need the case, plastic from the front, LEDs, the drive door lever, and probably the power supply.
brian
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Am I to assume that you remove it from the case for this? I've been looking for an inexpensive (preferably dead) 1571 to be a donor. I want to hack a scsi slot load dvd rom drive into a 1571 case. How much of 1571 case would be left over and would you be willing to part with it? I'd need the case, plastic from the front, LEDs, the drive door lever, and probably the power supply.
brian
The 1571 was working, but the case was in bad shape so I threw it.
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Last picture for the night! :-/
http://redsretro.com/128t-may09/128Tmay09e.JPG
The 2nd 1571 drive board is mounted. Tommorow morning I finish up, getting the 2nd 1571 functional :-)
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Very Nice work Red. your giving me ideas!!!! :D
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Nice work :-)
I look forward to more pics and updates on your projekt :-)
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Very Nice work Red. your giving me ideas!!!! :D
That's part of my master plan! ;-)
Gotta stay in love with the 8bit!
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Nice work :-)
I look forward to more pics and updates on your projekt :-)
Thanks :-)
These things ALWAYS take longer than expected and I am partially just slacking today :-p
I am still working on the 2nd internal 1571, with all the cables and connectors needing to be extended.
http://redsretro.com/128t-may09/128Tmay09f.JPG
The 1571 board is mounted and has power, I already have the new faceplate ready. As soon as I am done with this wiring extension she will be installed operational! Stay tuned!
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Simply EXCELLENT !!!
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That's part of my master plan! ;-)
Gotta stay in love with the 8bit!
Yeah i love my 8bit but i have been neglecting them in regards to upgrades, altough now after this GVP 4060 I am done with buying upgrade for the miggy's (except for the Invision OCS/ECS) and now can start saving for the 8 bits only problem is finding Accelators and other things for them... :(
But as long as the wife doesn't find out it all good.. :D
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The project keeps more than the 128 alive I bet :-)
Just wanted to say, I like your Webpages. (all in US dollars?)
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The project keeps more than the 128 alive I bet :-)
Just wanted to say, I like your Webpages. (all in US dollars?)
Thanks!
Yes the default is all US Dollars. I do have a drop down selection for GB pound, Euro, Australian and Canadian Dollar too.
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Simply EXCELLENT !!!
Thank you sir!
I am pleased with the progress so far, but think I can make it even better!
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I've said it before and I'll say it again, nice job Red, glad to see this project is still alive and well :)
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Cool work...
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That's just amazing, Red! :)
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Hey Red, what's a MMU128 card?
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Hey Red, what's a MMU128 card?
It is a small MMU board that is required with the SuperCPU 128, in order to use the accelerator in 128 mode.
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The 2nd 1571 is installed and operational! The uIEC is also installed and operational!
http://redsretro.com/128t-may09/128Tmay09g.JPG
http://redsretro.com/128t-may09/128Tmay09h.JPG
http://redsretro.com/128t-may09/128Tmay09i.JPG
http://redsretro.com/128t-may09/128Tmay09j.JPG
I am going to button her up, enough work on the inside for now. Once buttoned up I will take a few more pics and maybe even a video for Youtube.
I am not completely finsihed with this project, I have more plans :-) At the very least, the blank faceplate is going to become a major switch panel. Fun fun fun :-D
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Well, I think I am going to wait until I finish staining the computer bench before making a Youtube video. The nasty, dirty Kraft paper covering it right now doesn't look too nice. I did button her up and took a few pics, here is the one that came out best.
http://redsretro.com/128t-may09/128Tmay09k.JPG
If you have a pic request, let me know! Otherwise, that may be it for a little bit until I either get the bench finished or find some time to put a little more work into it.
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the best project I have ever seen, really excellent!
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@ red
What tower are you using?
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the best project I have ever seen, really excellent!
Thanks!! That's a hell of a compliment :-D
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@ red
What tower are you using?
I am almost certain this is it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ATX-AT-9-BAY-FULL-TOWER-ATX-SERVER-PC-CASE-NEW-COMPUTER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ80166QQihZ022QQitemZ350105353314QQsalenotsupported
This is a standard ATX case that I obviously have to do crazy heavy modifications to.
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All that just to play Bruce Lee?! :D I kid you of course. Turned out really nice Red.
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All that just to play Bruce Lee?! :D I kid you of course. Turned out really nice Red.
Yup! That and some Tower Toppler and Potty Pidgeon ;-)
But seriously, thanks. Have you seen this system (before towering) playing Metal Dust on youtube, a SuperCPU specific game?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie79hicxteg
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Now I rember the good old times :-D
Must... dig... out... A500!!!
I have a C128, but no super cpu and no such games.. I mostly used it for a little programing
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Now I rember the good old times :-D
Must... dig... out... A500!!!
I have a C128, but no super cpu and no such games.. I mostly used it for a little programing
I am still an Amiga classic fan myself (obviously), but I have found I far enjoy using Commodore 8 bit computers. I guess it really comes down to nostalgia to a point. That said, the Commodore 8bit platform is probably healthier than the Amiga (classic) platform. If you have the room, you may want to set up that 128 to play with some of the goodies out there.
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I decided to take advantage of the gallery feature.
http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=2993
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WOW RED That IS ONE NICE 128T Love the MOD I am sooooooooo JEALOUS mate.. GRATS
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WOW RED That IS ONE NICE 128T Love the MOD I am sooooooooo JEALOUS mate.. GRATS
Thanks dude! I would suggest not to get jealous, join the club! Make your own! :-D
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This project is looking great! We still use a fairly standard C-128 (J-DOSed w.71 & 81 drives, a 1Mb REU with a CMD 2+1 cart.expander) a lot. Might have to roll up my sleeves too. Somwhere in this mess I have an old Schnedler (sp?) 4 MHz accelerator that might help.
Funny you mention Potty Pigeon - one of my favorites! with Coil Cop and Wiz Ball....
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hmmmm i would love to make one up. Any ideas where to get the Jif-dos also i wish someone would make an accelator for the C128 or c64, i have never seen one on Ebay...
Case would be easy i have heaps of Mid and Full tower cases at work.
RED what would you recommend as add ons i should look into from a clean- normal C128
Also which would you MOD the C128 or C128D?
Thanks
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@Retro_71
Brain Innovations will be selling legal JiffyDOS soon and possibly more. Individual Computers / Red's Retro will be selling the Cameleon (64 only) soon, one of the features is an accelerator.
I did my mod with a C128D motherboard as it is closer to the dimensions of an old school full AT motherboard and already has a built in 1571 controller. Even still it was too big and the case required modification. Get the biggest tower case you can find, especially in depth. Ton of work, the number of hours you will put in will be massive if you take this route. It was a must for me as I had to have 128 mode. If you go with just a C64 the task will be much easier, but no 128 mode.
Addons? Depends on what you want to accomplish. If doing a tower at minimum you will want a uIEC. The uIEC is astounding and dirt cheap. I will also be adding a 64nic+ (stand alone ethernet adapter) to the 128T, I have already pre-ordered one.
Any other questions, let me know. As you can probably tell, I love this project and love talking about it :-D
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Thanks Mate,
As soon as i can breath (and the wife is not looking over my shoulder) after my Software Hut purchases i will be talking you advice in the mean time i have 2 extra long case i will see if i can mod.
Thanks for all your help.
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Hi Jim,
Congratulations on your project - that's one really nice 8-bit system you've there! (Looks awesome in the tower too. :-) Looking forward to see it all running, especially with the NIC/uIEC goodies installed. Well done!
Cheers Valentin
PS: You had to modify a FULL TOWER CASE to make it fit, is this right..? D*mn that's a big mainboard :-D
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Hi Jim,
Congratulations on your project - that's one really nice 8-bit system you've there! (Looks awesome in the tower too. :-) Looking forward to see it all running, especially with the NIC/uIEC goodies installed. Well done!
Cheers Valentin
PS: You had to modify a FULL TOWER CASE to make it fit, is this right..? D*mn that's a big mainboard :-D
Thanks!
Yes, I had to seriously modify the case!
http://redsretro.com/128t-may09/128Tmay09l.JPG
Yikes!!! ;-)
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Jim,
Did I look right at this, and not see it? How did you handle RAM expansion - through the accelerator?
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Jim,
Did I look right at this, and not see it? How did you handle RAM expansion - through the accelerator?
You mean the 16MB?
http://redsretro.com/128t-may09/128Tmay09d.JPG
That is RAM on the SuperCPU 128. At the moment I do not have a traditional REU such as 1750. I am considering adding one just in case. I will have a cart slot expander plugged into the Super CPU 128 passthrough.
http://redsretro.com/128t/current2.JPG
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Looks like your site got jacked by a domain parker.
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Looks like your site got jacked by a domain parker.
Looks like a damn good reason to never to use "GoDaddy.com" to me.
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Looks like a damn good reason to never to use "GoDaddy.com" to me.
I'm sorry guys, I killed my last hosting when I started shutting down operations. I switched to Godaddy a registrar just to hold the domain name. When I finally get this stuff moved (I am lazier than I thought), I will make a new site with that domain name. It will be a simple, ugly site with basic info since I have just barely over zero web skills ;-)
I should mention the 128T is doing quite well. I have not done anything else to it yet, but I have put it into service for gaming. Last weekend you could find me playing Law of the West, of all things...