• Hello MLAers! We've re-enabled auto-approval for accounts. If you are still waiting on account approval, please check this thread for more information.

LC slot card. What is it?

Token Ring Cards got Z-Package VRAM on 'em? :?:

What's up with that header/offset straight D-Sub Connector . . . on a stick? (OK, DaughterCard :p but it's STILL friggin' weird lookin!)

 
Now I find talking to myself...

Judging by the numbers on small quartz oscillator (4S1431A)

which, I think, is marking for 14.31 MHz and looking at this picture (note the similarities - same Texas Instruments chip, same rotary switch, vertical RAM chips)

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8723/quick16lcpdsvidcard.jpg

I think it is some sort of video card, except that the connector might not be original.

EDIT - connector might be original, after all. This Radius SE/30 card uses the same connector:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4427695621_baa1f8380b_z.jpg

 
8-o I just posted that scan a couple of days ago! :lol:

How about taking some pics of the "mods" on the backside of that card?

The connector looks to be in a much "higher" and farther "forward" position than it should be. How about taking a shot of it assembled and in the same orientation as the pic in my Quick16 AdScan?

If the connector position lines up with the AdScan pic, I'm guessing that you are in proud possession of an early Quick16 ProtoCard, one that was well on its way "to an LC engineering prototype near you" long before the ink was dry on the final engineering drawings for the LC Slot Spec or the "clear" engineering case fit tooling spec was complete.

Either that . . . or I could be full of . . . as usual! :o)

 
:lol: Figured! Now I'm losing it a little bit more . . .

I can't find my VideoCard AdScan Dump to figure out if that's somebody else's scan!

AH! Fuggedaboudit! ::)

 
Here's the back of the card.

I plugged it into my Q605/40 - "SlotInfo" doesn't see it. Checked with Asante Ethernet card - it shows up. That's probably because I installed Asante's drivers on that hard drive at some time in the past.

lc_what_back.jpg

 
It's not compatible with the Q605/LC475, they've got much better video built in!

Drivers don't count, only the identity info in the Declaration ROM shows up in SlotInfo.

Try taking a picture from the exact angle of the card in the ad for comparison.

 
This card is different from the one pictured in that ad, definitely, only chips are similar.

I did a bit of a research (am I wasting my time, I won't be using it anyway?) and found following info on the chips:

TPC1010AFN - CMOS FIELD-PROGRAMMABLE GATE ARRAYS - Texas Instruments

M5M4C264L - VRAM, FAST PAGE, 64KX4, 24 Pin, ZIP, - Mitsubishi

So, it is video card, but what make?

 
So, it is video card, but what make?
I think, I got this covered too. One chip on the board has 'custom' markings, namely:

MICRO CONV

ICD2042MPC

9132MAB D

Could that be some "Micro Conversions" video card? If so, does it need a driver and are there any around?

And what kind of monitor connects to that 9 pin connector?

micro_conv.jpg

 
What's up with that header/offset straight D-Sub Connector . . . on a stick?
My guess would be for easy replacement with a different monitor connector, and/or mounting on a ribbon cable for different Mac cases.

 
What's up with that header/offset straight D-Sub Connector . . . on a stick?
My guess would be for easy replacement with a different monitor connector, and/or mounting on a ribbon cable for different Mac cases.
All production versions of the LC Slotted Macs had the same connector position, AFAIK.

Check two components on the "riser" card, their twins show clearly on the longer/later a/o final (?) version in the AdScan.

I'm still thinking very early prototype card for an early LC prototype seed board of a Case/MoBo spec still coalescing, even at Apple.

What are the dates of every IC on that board? If they all pre-date the LC release by 6 months to a year, that'd support my theory.

Nine pins are far more than required for a "Standard, Fixed Resolution" interface/cable when the resolution settings are switched manually on the Card.

Three BNC cable + Mac Video Adapter would be the bare minimum, that switch makes a 4 BNC Cable w/twisted pair ground lines possible.

Examine/buz the connections! [;)] ]'>

Did the LC pre-date, or align with, the general acceptance/availability of reasonably priced Multi-Scan Monitors?

I wonder when the first switchable Mac Video Adapter appeared for consumer level Multi-Scans?

LowEndColorMacs with a PDS Expansion Setup were the dawn of a new and exciting era (Anti-Jobsian/AIO sealed box design model) in the world of the Macintosh. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if Apple were very generous in their seeding of early prototypes of the LC MoBo to the growing number of Macintosh Expansion Card developers.

In this scenario, the "Riser Card" seems perfectly suited for a kluged case for a bare seed board, with only general outlines for the final Card Spec.

That card just screams "prototype" to me!

funky riser

no makers mark in copper traces

no copyright/date on board traces or EPROM Cover (BTW, is it socketed?)

Gotta run . . . take all of the above with a large block of salt . . . just woke up & haven't finished second cup of coffee or eaten anything . . .

. . . this started out as a quick post while coffee brewed before breakfast, shower and Church! ::)

The }:) made me do it!

 
Have another coffee, Trash80toHP_Mini, and wake up [:D] ]'>

All ICs, that have dates stamped on them, are clearly visible in the pictures. All are from '91.

LC was introduced at the end of '90, if I'm not mistaken. This card is definitely not a prototype and didn't come from some secret Apple Developers Lab.

I've pulled it myself out of LC/LCII/LCIII(?) some years ago. I can't remember which one it was...

(I bought around 15 'pizza box' Macs from a local Mac dealer who specialized in servicing various publishing houses and these were his client's old machines).

 
I'm awake now! :lol:

But I haven't downloaded your pictures yet for a close examination! I'm still waiting for a shot that matches the angle in the AdScan! :p

I was going from flaky memory, posting before arriving at Church just in time for the sermon, shy coffee, sans breakfast and . . .

. . . whatever. :-/

Just because a Card is a prototype, #55 of a short PCB run of un-trademarked, non copyright noticed cards with a funky@$$ ConnectorKluge, doesn't mean it, like many of its brethren, hasn't escaped into the wild from Beta Testers and been used out here . . .

. . . or sat unused for almost fifteen years . . . in the case of my half-ROM'd PEx MoBo. [:(] ]'>

My PEx escaped the greedy clutches of Apple, that card came from no lab anywhere near the Infinite Loopiness! :approve:

 
Back
Top