Help for a nubus Radius PrecisionColor Pro 24X ROM/firmware upgrade

[Phipli]

Ok, I've updated my website to collect ROMs and some info together. I was rushing the update, so forgive any mess or lack of detail. I'll make updates if people nudge me in the right direction. I'd like to keep it to primary sources if possible though folks, there is a bit too much misinformation out there already regarding these cards. I'm sure I've missed some of the ROMs and specs that are floating around, but it is a start.

I've decided that the weird green 24X cards that aren't on the normal short PCB are 8" cards, the normal short ones are 7", and the big ones of various types are 10".

Radius PrecisionColor NuBus Cards

Radius PrecisionColor NuBus Cards NOTE! This information is post is currently an in progress draft. The aim here is to ensure that all data is only entered first hand by the author, and not repurpo…

elephantandchicken.co.uk

 

[Callan]

Not sure if you have this image or not, but I got a PrecisionColor XP card not too long ago with a NEC rom on it (27c256). It boots with an NEC splash screen. Not sure if it's's common or not, so I thought I'd ask. I can send you a copy if you need it.

 

[Phipli]

Not sure if you have this image or not, but I got a PrecisionColor XP card not too long ago with a NEC rom on it (27c256). It boots with an NEC splash screen. Not sure if it's's common or not, so I thought I'd ask. I can send you a copy if you need it.

If you're able to image the ROM it would be good to add to the collection.

 

[slomacuser]

Some tests from Macworld 1994

 

[Callan]

Sorry... It took a bit. I was quite surprised to see eetools website was gone. Maybe I should have checked for the software download before moving my burner to a different machine. If anyone needs a copy of eetools Maxloader (topmax, chipmax, etc) let me know.

Here is the copy of the NEC rom on my 24xp @Phipli . Label reads NEC.Mac.FB..24xp v1.3 256K u1200 -0061-01-A

 

[Phipli]

Sorry... It took a bit. I was quite surprised to see eetools website was gone. Maybe I should have checked for the software download before moving my burner to a different machine. If anyone needs a copy of eetools Maxloader (topmax, chipmax, etc) let me know.

Here is the copy of the NEC rom on my 24xp @Phipli . Label reads NEC.Mac.FB..24xp v1.3 256K u1200 -0061-01-A

Excellent, thank you!

 

[Xero]

Not sure if this was posted, but here's the Radius PC24X 1.4.2 rom that came from what I believe is an earlier version of the 7" card, which can be identified by the two RAM chips on the 2nd row w/110mhz DAC. I think the later versions all have just a single ram chip on that row, and a slightly different PCB layout. I was originally hoping to try the AC24 firmware on this, but, after flashing, no go, nothing, no display. It did show up in tattletech as an AC24, but, it just wouldn't output video or do much of anything. Bummer. However, I next tried the PC24X 2.0 rom, and...results!

My reason for wanting to upgrade at all - on the 1.4.2 rom, no control strip switching was available, but you could use the their plugin that gives a key shortcut to switch resolutions from the desktop. There, it showed a few options, including 1024x768 options with a few different monitor types, with 1x 60hz option and 2x 75hz options, but it's like as if they'd made the mode lines specific for given monitors (similar to my thunder II 1360, which is even pickier about OS version for it's integrations, <=7.5.1). I'm now speculating that this is why control strip didn't work with the older PC24X rom, maybe it didn't like how they handled multiple different HZ being available for the same resolution...?

After upgrading to 2.0, control strip switching is working under OS8.1!!! However, it was only showing 60hz, and likewise, the desktop-shortcut plugin from before just showed 640x480, 800x600, and 1024x768, all at 60hz as well, but also, 1152x870 was missin. I was like...huh? 60hz only? Missing 1152? Not ideal. I was using one of the standard VGA->DB15 adapters with no dip switches. I swapped that out for one with dip switches....and...SUCCESS! Control-strip switchable @ 67-75hz from 640x480 all the way to 1152x870! I'm still playing around some more, but so far so good! This is what i was hoping to achieve! My thunder II 1360 can't do this (though it can do higher resolutions.)