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MegaScreen 2/Proxima Display for Plus

LaPorta

Well-known member
Hey Compact experts,

I have had a MegaScreen II in my possession for probably 20 or so years, having never used it. I am not 100% sure where it is that I originally got it (my high school or inside a US Air Force Plus, one of the two), but I have never used it and don't have the faintest idea what software/what other cables I might need to make it functional. Any help would be appreciated to see if I can get the thing working.

IMG_5511.JPGIMG_5512.JPGIMG_5513.JPG

Next up, the Proxima Display. This thing I have nothing for at all: no power supply, no video cable. It could possibly be used in conjunction with the MegaScreen, but I am not sure. Not a clue what to do with this at all, just not sure if anyone has any suggestions on where to start with it.

IMG_5508.JPGIMG_5509.JPGIMG_5510.JPG
 

bdurbrow

Well-known member
I’m mostly guessing based on how I would do that at that time in history… I suspect that it doesn’t require any software. Just attach the Killy clip to the 68000, hook the board up, and route the display cable out the case (thru the security lock hole perhaps?). I suspect that the board intercepts writes to the frame buffer address range (which is fixed on a 128k, 512k or ke, and plus) and generates a MDA, Hercules, CGA, or EGA compatible signal on that 9-pin d-sub connector.

Obviously, watch out that you have the Killy clip & header the right-way-around, lest something important release the magic blue smoke… I’d check with a multimeter to make sure that the ground pin on the 68000 and the ground pins on the video board have continuity before applying power; same with the +5v pins.
 

LaPorta

Well-known member
There were other threads that mentioned software here previously. Also, there is another port as can be seen in the photos, not sure if I am missing another cable.
 

bdurbrow

Well-known member
You might have already seen this, but google spat this back at me...


Perhaps if you dropped him a line, he might send you a copy of the software for the MegaScreen cards he has listed - if you're lucky, perhaps they used a unified driver for all their cards?

Mostly just curious; what is the chip part number under the green sticker (U8 it looks like?)
 
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