Alaska's Collection

[CC_333]

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

 

[360alaska]

I think I found something neat for my IIsi:



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

 

[tanaquil]

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.

 

[Macdrone]

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.

 

[tanaquil]

But how do you end up with both video and Ethernet?

 

[360alaska]

I found this pic online:



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.

 

[mrpippy]

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

 

[tanaquil]

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.

 

[360alaska]

All,

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

 

[360alaska]

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.



"

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

 

[360alaska]

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:



Kinda interesting

 

[CC_333]

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

 

[Compgeke]

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

 

[360alaska]

Interesting, I never knew that even micron and dell shared a case let alone umax:

 

[joethezombie]

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.

 

[360alaska]

I never have, but it is an Asante card so I guess that would make sense...

 

[360alaska]

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:



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:



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.

 

[EvieSigma]

Beautiful 950! The one I'm acquiring has the oh so elusive CD bezel but it's far yellower.