PowerBook Duo Wifi Modem

[Challenger 1983]

Sorry to sounds like a broken record on this and the battery, but no. Been slammed with too many other priorities. Hoping to spend some time on it this weekend. It's a long-shot, but based on that hint from the dev note, I'm still hoping there might be a way to signal to the Duo that a serial modem is installed and bypass the software Hayes emulation layer. The guts of my poor 280c are strewn about my office, taunting me, judging me for my indifference and inaction. It's time to wrap it up I suppose...

I understand that, school is often keeping me from many of my electronics and car projects,  glad to hear you might be able to get it working, I am still trying to round up cells for my Duos

 

[sutekh]

I managed to find a few moments this weekend for 68K projects, this one included. I'm even more optimistic that a provision exists for a hardware modem in the Duo via some as-yet-to-be-discovered signaling method to bypass the Apple Express Modem's SCC-controlled soft-modem layer. In addition to the "1 - Modem is a serial modem" return code from the GetIntModemInfo function clue in the 280c Dev Note, Here are a few more leads:

From the 2300c's Deverloper's Note (seriously, why can't all this info can't be in one place Apple!!!)

• Note In some PowerBook computers, there is a hardware switch to connect either port A of the SCC or the internal modem to the modem port. The two are physically separated, but software emulates the serial port interface for those applications that don’t use the Communications Toolbox. You can check the hasSharedModemPort bit returned by PMFeatures to determine which way the computer is set up.
  

A hardware switch you say!? Tell me more! (but of course they don't)

Perhaps the confirmation I've been seeking that there was a 3rd party serial modem option? Here's an old press release announcing the release of a Global Village PowerPort Mercury alternative to the Apple Express Modem:

• http://www.nzdl.org/gsdlmod?e=d-00000-00---off-0tidbits--00-0----0-10-0---0---0direct-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-50---20-about---00-0-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-10-0utfZz-8-00&cl=CL2.1&d=HASH4f2fda22c0258a76ca37af.3
  

No indication of whether it's a traditional serial modem, or Global Village's take on the split serial datapump approach, but the same PowerPorts for the 500 series appear to be hardware serial modems. I would dearly love to get my hands on one of these, but alas, as an expensive accessory for an expensive computer, I doubt many exist. I can't even find a picture of one, much less an indication that one has been available for sale in recent memory.

 

[flyingforstatus]

A hardware switch you say!? Tell me more! (but of course they don't)

Perhaps the confirmation I've been seeking that there was a 3rd party serial modem option? Here's an old press release announcing the release of a Global Village PowerPort Mercury alternative to the Apple Express Modem:

• http://www.nzdl.org/gsdlmod?e=d-00000-00---off-0tidbits--00-0----0-10-0---0---0direct-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-50---20-about---00-0-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-10-0utfZz-8-00&cl=CL2.1&d=HASH4f2fda22c0258a76ca37af.3
  

No indication of whether it's a traditional serial modem, or Global Village's take on the split serial datapump approach, but the same PowerPorts for the 500 series appear to be hardware serial modems. I would dearly love to get my hands on one of these, but alas, as an expensive accessory for an expensive computer, I doubt many exist. I can't even find a picture of one, much less an indication that one has been available for sale in recent memory.

I've been following your project closely with much anticipation!

I am selling my stockpile of PowerBook Duos (keeping just two 2300c models) and in the process of readying my others for sale, I stumbled across something that may interest you. Specifically, the PowerPort/Mercury for the PowerBook Duo by Global Village. See attached photos. I have not yet Googled the chips to see if there's any clue to the architecture. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help...

The one interesting note - the RJ-11 port is black - unlike the more common Apple modems' gray. Might be an easy way to determine if anyone else has one of these "rare" Global Village modems either in their collection or for sale elsewhere.

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

My 540 appears to have the PowerPort Mercury installed, if there’s any testing I could do to help LMK!