Identifying cards in a II+

[Skate323k137]

I couldn't help but spring for a nice looking II+ online.

I should get it soon, but, I'm wondering if anyone can identify the cards. I'm presuming the Microsoft labelled card is a language card, the other slotted card I have no idea. Also there is a blue PCB which appears hooked into the keyboard assembly, I'm wondering if anyone recognizes it.

 

[rieSha.]

What if you pull the unknown front card, lay it on the desk and do a birds-eye-picture of it. That would allow being able to read chip labels …

 

[Skate323k137]

What if you pull the unknown front card, lay it on the desk and do a birds-eye-picture of it. That would allow being able to read chip labels …

When it gets here, I'll be happy to do that; meanwhile I'm hoping someone recognizes them off hand by chance.

 

[volvo242gt]

Card in slot 3 might be an 80 column card, but usually the ones for the ][ and ][ Plus have RCA cables on them. The Microsoft card is probably a language card. Might also be the SoftCard (the basic version). Daughtercard on the keyboard encoder board might be for either a shift key mod, or might be to allow for an additional keyboard layout.

 

[waynestewart]

16k language card in slot 0
unknown 80 column card missing cables in slot 3
under keyboard card is probably part of a shift key mod and may have auto repeat

 

[Skate323k137]

16k language card in slot 0
unknown 80 column card missing cables in slot 3
under keyboard card is probably part of a shift key mod and may have auto repeat

Awesome, thank you!

 

[Skate323k137]

I should be getting this system tomorrow, I am quite excited.

For context I already have a IIe platinum, and IIgs, both loaded out with various cards but neither accelerated.

So far I think my plan for this II+ is:

Leave language and 80 col card (and look into what cable(s) might be missing for it)
Hope the extra PCB is indeed a shift key mod
Upgrade PSU (most likely)
install:
RomX
Microdrive Turbo
UltraWarp 13Mhz Accelerator
5.25 Disk controller
Super Serial Card

If anyone has any advice for me, this is my first II that isn't a IIe or IIgs. Any thoughts or comments about the above card combo or anything else are welcomed.

 

[Skate323k137]

Well y'all, it seems I got lucky... ish. The mystery card is a sound card! not an 80 column card. It has an SP-01-A speech synth chip on it, used in games like q-bert or early mockingboard PCBs.

https://imgur.com/a/JaDamZ5

I am able to get what I assume is an init tone out of it if I tell BASIC to boot the slot that it is in. I haven't found any software for the II+ yet that can make use of it, but, half of my vintage computer collections is for making music and stuff, so if I can make this thing talk that would just be something really special.

 

[CC_333]

Wow, those traces look neat! Like they were hand drawn and etched, or something?

c

 

[Skate323k137]

Wow, those traces look neat! Like they were hand drawn and etched, or something?

c

Yeah, that was a pretty common manufacturing process for circuit boards in the 70s, I always think it's neat too!

 

[Skate323k137]

It talks! I have some work to do still on the system, and this isn't fully compatible I don't think, but I got the card to say a few words!

 

[LaPorta]

That is really cool that you got it to work!

 

[Skate323k137]

I'm pretty stoked.

Taking a week mostly off from digital stuffs but someone notified me of another version of the Hulk that isn't beta which might have more speech.

Either way though, getting this far means theoretically I can disassemble the code, and although I'm just starting to learn 6502 machine code this is incredible motivation.

 

[bibilit]

Voice synthetizer on Apple II

Among the cards in my collection, i have a french card known as « Porte Parole » Never had a try before, yesterday while having a complete setup, plugged the card and speaker. The software is able to translate any keyboard input to a spoken output. The result is pretty good for the era.

68kmla.org

mine is speaking too

 

[Skate323k137]

Voice synthetizer on Apple II

Among the cards in my collection, i have a french card known as « Porte Parole » Never had a try before, yesterday while having a complete setup, plugged the card and speaker. The software is able to translate any keyboard input to a spoken output. The result is pretty good for the era.

68kmla.org

mine is speaking too

That is really neat! I looked that one over when trying to find any info on my own card.