Sonnet 68030 PDS accelerator driver ?

KnobsNSwitches · Jul 28, 2018

I have acquired a Sonnet accelerator with an 030, I've found a couple pages that refer to this as an Allegro, which is a name the also used on some USB cards later on, but I haven't found software to enable it yet. Does any one have a link? All I have found are presto plus drivers.

Thanks!

ArmorAlley · Jul 28, 2018

I may have it somewhere. Archive.org do have old copies of the Sonnet Technologies website. It is worth a look.

Trash80toHP_Mini · Jul 28, 2018

I wonder if we contacted Sonnet they might provide/release their ancient driver collection to the retro-computing community? Probably too much to ask, but maybe the source code too?

ArmorAlley · Jul 28, 2018

Well, a technician at Sonnet was most helpful when I contacted them in regards to the cable for the Encore/ZIF. He sent me the wiring diagram in PDF format.

I suppose that there is no harm in tying.

ArmorAlley · Jul 28, 2018

Try this. It is the Sonnet site from Feb. 02, 1999.

There are some Allegro extensions for System 7 (and maybe System 6 too!) there.

https://web.archive.org/web/19990202181803/http://www.sonnettech.com:80/tech/software/default.html

Trash80toHP_Mini · Jul 28, 2018

Great find! Nothing else I tried had the downloads available, but I got the Cache Reset utility for my Crescendo L2. Didn't even know there was a problem, hoping it might help with my seemingly dead accelerators.

Bolle · Jul 29, 2018

Not sure you even not a driver for those.

The 030 at least should just work and in case there is cache on there that should also just work (at least it does on most LC accelerators)

KnobsNSwitches · Jul 30, 2018

ArmorAlley said:
Try this. It is the Sonnet site from Feb. 02, 1999.

There are some Allegro extensions for System 7 (and maybe System 6 too!) there.

https://web.archive.org/web/19990202181803/http://www.sonnettech.com:80/tech/software/default.html

This looks like just what I'm looking for! Great find!

Alex · Aug 9, 2018

I know it has been a while.

I did a quick search, this is what I have online, I searched for Sonnet.

I also checked my massive optical collection and attached a txt file with the results. Sorry I did not go through the results but maybe something is there for you.

If you know the precise name of the file I might have it but I need a file name to be more effective.

hypercard_sonnets

hypercard_sonnets_meta.sqlite

hypercard_sonnets_meta.xml

pr071609_sonnettakescaiou.html

Sassys Sonne.ttf

Sonne.ttf

Sonnet Technologies, Inc.

Sonnet Technologies, Inc..webarchive

sonnet_bkgnd-jp.pdf

sonnet_bkgnd.pdf

sonnet_blk.eps.hqx

sonnet_blk.eps.zip

sonnet_clr_rvrs.eps.hqx

sonnet_clr.eps.hqx

sonnet_clr.gif.hqx

Sonnet_Crescendo_7200_1.0.hqx

Sonnet_Crescendo_7200_1.0.hqx

Sonnet_Crescendo_7200_1.0.hqx

Sonnet_Crescendo_7200_1.0.hqx

sonnet_firmware_updater_v31.pkg.zip

sonnet_firmware_updater_v32.dmg.zip

sonnet_ipodbattery.eps.zip

sonnet_logo.sit

sonnet_logos_and_products

sonnet_pci_x_update_v126.hqx

sonnet_sata10.pkg.sit

sonnet_sata12.pkg.zip

sonnet_sata202.pkg.zip

sonnet_sata203.pkg.zip

sonnet_sata204b1.pkg.zip

sonnet_ships_2nd_gen_g3_pr.pdf

sonnet_warranty0608.pdf

sonnet_wht.eps.hqx

sonnet_wht.eps.zip

sonnet_x_tuneup_v127.hqx

sonnet_y2k.pdf

sonnetcache_pnthr_btn.gif

sonnetcache_v13.pkg.sit

sonnetcache_v131.pkg.sit

sonnetcache_v131.pkg.zip

SonnetCache1.4b1RM.pdf

sonnetcache14.pkg.zip

sonnetcache14.pkg.zip

sonnetcache14b1.pkg.zip

sonnetlogo

sonnetlogo.eps.hqx

sonnetlogo.gif.hqx

sonnetraid_linux318.zip

sonnetraid_linux321.zip

sonnetraid_mac321.zip

sonnetraid_win318.zip

sonnetraid_win321.zip

Sonnets.hqx

wayback sonnet

www.sonnettech.com

View attachment Sonnet Search Results.txt

Alex · Aug 9, 2018

Trash80toHP_Mini · Aug 9, 2018

Nice work! Unfortunately, neither "Allegro" nor "Presto" is mentioned in the readme I found and posted in a new topic in Peripherals:

The Sonnet Card Drivers Thread

I've had problems getting a couple of L2 cards up and running. I found the update history very informative. Is there a unified driver (supports several cards/accelerators) for their 030 era offerings?

Sonnet acquired products from other companies in the early days, might this be one of those and the drivers for it available under the original brand/product name?

Alex · Aug 9, 2018

KnobsNSwitches said:
I have acquired a Sonnet accelerator with an 030, I've found a couple pages that refer to this as an Allegro, which is a name the also used on some USB cards later on, but I haven't found software to enable it yet. Does any one have a link? All I have found are presto plus drivers.

Thanks!

I did a "contents" search for "030" and I am attaching what came up. Maybe this helps you narrow down the search to something more concrete. As I understand it, the card (called an Allegro by Sonnet) is installed in a Mac (please mention which Mac it is and the OS installed) but the card is not operating and/or visible by the system and therefore not working as expected so you've come to the conclusion that you might need a driver. Is this correct?

Also, if possible, please attach photos of the card itself. It might help gather more details.

As mentioned, include the Mac you inserted the card into and what OS version it is running as this too can shed some light on why the card is not operational but I am going to attach what I find here:

I included a PDF that mentions an Allegro card.

I also attached what I believe is the related software.

I am searching some MacWorld and other Magazines from '94 to see if the name Allegro comes up. Whatever else I find I will let you know.

View attachment chart.pdf

View attachment allegro_v11_se30.hqx

View attachment allegro_v11_se30.sit.hqx

View attachment allegro_v12_macii.hqx

View attachment allegro_v12_macii.sit.hqx

View attachment allegro_v28_se_lc.sit.hqx

View attachment Allegro.hqx

Alex · Aug 9, 2018

I found a Sonnet full page ad in MacAddict 010_199706

Screen Shot 2018-08-10 at 12.17.23 AM.png

Screen Shot 2018-08-10 at 12.18.32 AM.png

KnobsNSwitches · Aug 10, 2018

Here's a couple pics of the card:

KnobsNSwitches · Aug 10, 2018

Alex, thank you for your detective work. The ads from MacAddict are fantastic.

I have some results to share! The short version: the card seems to work, NO extensions needed.

I've tried the 2 different allegro extensions I've found (with handy '030!' icons and all), and both system 7.1. and 7.5.3 hang on startup when reaching that extension.

I had trouble tracking down a copy of Metronome to verify speeds but thanks to the posters here I got a copy.

I had installed the sonnet card originally in my Color Classic, and without metronome to verify, it didn't seem to be working. I also have a performa 550 board for the CC, and installing that is a night and day difference; you can feel the speed. Installing the alegro in the color classic didn't seem any different. Also, in the CC the card got very hot.

But I did some further experimenting with an LC II.

Here's the stock LC II

Here's with the card installed and all extensions off:

And finally another test with extensions on (not the Allegro one, just my 7.1.1 set), I just thought this was a funny result. I think my copy of metronome might be a bit too optimistic here:

Trash80toHP_Mini · Aug 10, 2018

Makes perfect sense: p.304 of DCaDftMF3e (Designing Cards and Drivers for the Macintosh Family third edition)

• Table 14-1 PDS expansion connector signal descriptions for the Macintosh LC
/HALT - Signal indicating that 68020 processor should suspend all bus activity.

Haven't looked at the LC PDS interface and its signals in a very long time. Yank on that brake line and the train stops, switches engines and is off and running Simply fast.

KnobsNSwitches · Aug 10, 2018

Ah, the DCaDftMF3e, a volume we all have on the shelf ;-)

This reminds me, what would be a good way to benchmark compare the 550 logic board vs this card in a Color Classic? I mean, my standard benchmark would basically be launch Marathon, but I'm not sure that even runs at 512x384. I can't recall any ancient history version of geekbench but I'm sure there was...

Bolle · Aug 10, 2018

Speedometer usually works very well.

Alex · Aug 10, 2018

A very healthy section on benchmarking. Very detailed. Find it over on archive.org

mac_MacWEEK_Upgrading_and_Repairing_Your_Mac_1995

Sonnet 68030 PDS accelerator driver ?

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