Total Systems Gemini 020?

[Mac128]

Anybody ever heard of a Total Systems Gemini 020, a logic board upgrade with 128k ROMs, 68020 16 MHz processor, power supply and fan? It requires loading a GemStart driver to boot beyond the base logic board configuration.

I received an e-mail from someone inquiring about this unusual accelerator in his Mac. What's interesting about it, is that unlike other accelerators I'm familiar with, it comes with its own power supply, so adding it to a 128K won't tax the notoriously underpowered analogue board.

Pics are here:

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

The Gemini Accelerators were VERY cool. Are there SIMM slots on the board? IIRC, the later '030 Geminis could address 32 MB of additional RAM as Virtual Memory on the SE and had a slot for the VideoCard/Panasonic 19" B&W/Grayscale TPD combo.

That was my first Big@$$_CRT_Love_Affair! I ran it on the used IIx I bought specifically to become my Rocket_LaunchPad.

I'm almost positive that I've got old tear-sheets from MacUser with specs, etc.

 

[rjackal]

Hello folks, I am the owner of the "sleeper Mac 128k" that Mac128 is writing about. I just joined the forum; this is my first foray into vintage Mac ownership!

I haven't taken the insides apart beyond what you can see in the photo set at Flickr. The Total Systems Inc. upgrade looks pretty "permanent" and packed in there and I didn't want to start undoing stuff, especially after reading the warning label that says the logic board has be pried loose with a screwdriver, doubly so since I don't know my way around inside a vintage Mac yet.

A kind enthusiast is sending me some boot disks so I can get 'er going again. Hopefully I can learn more after she's booted next week.

It would be super great if someone had a manual for this Total Systems upgrade so I could learn more and be able to work with it.

Thanks,