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rea 6-7 nor rea 9 nor rea 12 nor rea 15 nor rea 17 nor rea 19 nor rea 21-22 nor ************ Topic 6 Sun Feb 13, 1994 K.DOWHOWER at 06:51 EST Sub: Upgrading the C-128 MPU Discuss the feasability of improving the processing speeds of the C-128/C-64 by using 65C02 processers. 6 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 4, Topic 6 Message 1 Sun Feb 13, 1994 K.DOWHOWER at 06:56 EST First off, there has got to be a wa to accelerate this thing! I do have RamLink, FD-2000, and a HD-100(170) but I want the MPU to process data at a faster or more effecient rate for graphics work. The most likely thing would be to speed up the clock but that can get rather sticky with timing problems and such. Another route which I am looking into is to replace the 8510 with a 6C02 which can run at a faster clock speed and has a streamlined architecture. It is also pin- compatable too :). Any one got any ideas? Sources for chips? ------------ Category 4, Topic 6 Message 2 Wed Mar 30, 1994 D.TUOMI [Doctor] at 01:25 EST I'm not sure why one couldn't use clock doubling technology for the 128. There is currently an upgrade for the PC 286 and 386 class machines which allow you to upgrade those machines to a 486 class machine. They do it by having a small daughter board or custom microprocessor which is pin compatible with the 286 or 386 chip. The chip itself communicates with the outside world at the speed of the bus. 12-16mhz for a 286, and 16-25mhz for a 386sx, and 20-33mhz for a 386dx. Inside the chip all calculations and processes happen at exactly double the bus rate. Meaning that if you were running at 20mhz on a 386dx, the 486 would be internally processing at 40mhz. They also have the technology on the higher end machine to triple or even quadruple the speed. This might be a useful alternative for the 128 computer, since the main system is stuck at 1mhz in slow mode and 2mhz in fast mode, go ahead and allow the bus to remain at those speed, but have a daughter board which is busy processing the instructions at say 4mhz, or 8mhz. With the appropriate buffering circuitry, the system could run stable and without serious hitches. Of course, the computer would be no faster at I/O, but when it had to number crunch or process a basic source line, you would notice an increase in speed. Doc. ------------ Category 4, Topic 6 Message 3 Sat Apr 02, 1994 CMD-DOUG at 00:30 EST No reason why a clock-doubled processor wouldn't work if made right. But I doubt you'll find anyone willing to invest a quarter to a half million dollors for the chip development and production. ------------ Category 4, Topic 6 Message 4 Tue Apr 05, 1994 D.TUOMI [Doctor] at 07:52 EDT I would think that in the case of the Commodore a specific chip probably couldn't be manufactured. But, I don't see why a daughter board couldn't be constructed at a much cheaper rate that would place off the shelf chips on the system to do the dirty work of converting and buffering a faster processor onto the 8510 bus. Doc. ------------ Category 4, Topic 6 Message 5 Tue Apr 05, 1994 C128.JBEE at 09:05 EDT It is called timing and not having any to play with on the Commodore 128, unlike the Apple versions. It would require at least a custom ASIC and $20,000 worth of programming. The study I had done (and later confirmed by a C= engineer) was that any high speed processor (8 MHZ+) would freeze or corrupt the bus and data and the C-128 itself would interfer with the added chip. It is possible but requires much more than simply slapping a CPu inside the machine. It is possible to add a 4MHZ chip cheaply as an external processor like the TurboMaster, but I did not consider it to be worth it for the end user since it would mean not using RamLinks or anything else that plugs into the expansion port. You CAN have 6502 chips custom programmed like an ASIC up to 8Mhz and that was the most feasible option, IF, the plans for the C-128 were available as CAD files, which they are not. Since there are no national newstand magazines left and the project requires such a heavy investment, I would not expect anyone to bother trying it. ------------ Category 4, Topic 6 Message 6 Thu Apr 07, 1994 D.TUOMI [Doctor] at 06:38 EDT I must conceed as to not being a hardware design expert. However, I can not help but think that with a clever design a daughter board approach could work. In my earlier example I used the 486 upgrade board for 286 and 386 class computers, this is a good example. The 286 computers have a similar problem to being upgraded as the 128 does. The main bus in many cases is niether designed for the an upgraded chip or for its speedup. One thing that helps in stability is cache RAM for both incoming and ougoing information. This RAM stores operations temporarily from main memory while the processor works on it. Judging by Commodore's implimintation of the REU, a simular direct memory access is possible using Commodore hardware. If so, then perhaps the solution is to use the main bus for only processing I/O, and using a daughter board with its own memory as the actual processing center. In this way, the main bus of the computer would only be called upon during an I/O work cycle and not during a process cycle. This, controlled by interrupts within the computer, could be used to switch between the default processor 8510, and the accelerated processor (operating on commands within its memory). This is all kind of jury rig, but does represent a simular operation to what Commodore did to impliment CP/M on the 128, and many of the flat 128's can run CP/M in 4mhz mode. Doc. ------------ ************ Topic 7 Mon Jun 06, 1994 R.HARRIS1 [Randy Harris] (Forwarded) Sub: OkiData Microline 182 DIPs sets NEEDED 1 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 4, Topic 7 Message 1 Mon Jun 06, 1994 R.HARRIS1 [Randy Harris] (Forwarded) A friend recently picked up an OKIDATA Microline 182 printer and needs to know how to set the DIP switches. If you could help me out with this it will be GREATLY appreciated as this friend has been a GREAT help to me! Or better yet, if you have a manual you could send me, that would be even better!! R.HARRIS1 Randy Harris 312-375-9017 :-) ------------ 4 ************ Topic 9 Sat May 14, 1994 T.FARRELL5 [12Paws] (Forwarded) Sub: 1526 print darkness My 1526 printer prints darker on the right side of each line than the left.Anyone know of adjustment? 1 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 4, Topic 9 Message 1 Sun May 15, 1994 C128.JBEE (Forwarded) It might be caused by the print head moving slower as it gets to the right hand side. The platen or the rail that the print head rides on might be dirty from ink and paper dust that has collected over the years. I suggest cleaning both and then greasing, not oiling, the rail itself. Do not move the print head by hand, use the FF/LL button or software. ------------ 4 ************ Topic 12 Wed May 11, 1994 F.WILSON4 (Forwarded) Sub: Commodore 286 Was or is there such a thing as a Commodore 286? 3 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 4, Topic 12 Message 1 Thu Jun 23, 1994 CBM-DENNIS (Forwarded) This was an MS-DOS compatable 286 called the COLT PC 20 or PC 40 depending on if it had a 20meg or 40meg SCSI hard disk drive. Mine has 2 meg built on board and if you want to expand the ram you have to use one of your 8 bit expansion ports. This was a COST reduced version with most of the standard I/O device connectors built onto the mother board. ------------ Category 4, Topic 12 Message 2 Tue Jun 28, 1994 CBM-DENNIS at 00:04 EDT Some more info *** From what I can tell, you have to use a COMMODORE #910 3.5" and a #920 5.25" floppy drives. There is no way to disable the onboard floppy drive controller, there for you can not plug in a standard floppy disk controller into the expansion bus and use a "standard" ibm drive! ------------ Category 4, Topic 12 Message 3 Wed Jul 13, 1994 F.WILSON4 at 19:43 EDT I am finished with this topic :) thank you ------------ 4 ************ Topic 15 Sat May 07, 1994 S.SIMPSON7 [Scotty] (Forwarded) Sub: Xetec Super Graphix Jr. 5v source. Could someone help me eliminate the cassette hookup for this interface. 5 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 4, Topic 15 Message 1 Sat May 07, 1994 S.SIMPSON7 [Scotty] (Forwarded) I have a Super Graphic Jr. printer interface that I'm trying to eliminate the hookup in the cassette port on. I thought I read somewhere that you could take the 5v output of your printer and use it. However, when I tried, nothing happened. My printer, and Epson AP 5000, has 5v output on pins 13 & 35. One says "Output +5v thru 3.3 k ohms", the outher says the same but without the + in front of the 5v. Do I have to use pin 13 as the hot wire, and then hook pin 35 as a ground or what? Any help would be appreciated. ------------ Category 4, Topic 15 Message 2 Sun May 08, 1994 B.MASSE [BIG BOB] (Forwarded) Category 4, Topic 43 S.SIMPSON7 [Scotty] at 22:12 EDT I have a Super Graphic Jr. printer interface that I'm trying to eliminate the hookup in the cassette port on. I thought I read somewhere that you could take the 5v output of your printer and use it. Scotty.. I read this in Loadstar #118. All modern printers have the five volts needed on pin #18 of the 36 pin connector. I guess that is worth 2 cents? Bob ... WindowsError:005 Multitasking attempted. System confused. ------------ Category 4, Topic 15 Message 3 Sun May 08, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) Why are you trying to eliminate the 5V connection? Do you have an SX64? ------------ Category 4, Topic 15 Message 4 Sat May 21, 1994 S.EYRSE [steve] (Forwarded) There is a easy way to get rid of the wire that feeds the 5VDC to the Jr. printer driver. As mentioned in the prior posts Loadstar had a artical on how to do it with the Super Graphic but it didn't apply to the jr. However it got me thinking on how to do it and it is so simple it is funny first open the plug to the computer it is opened by pushing down thru the hole in the black casing to release the tab. Then cut the red feed wire as close to the end as you can. We don't want any shorts..Put it back together. Then the case opens by prying apart. Use a butter knife. You will see where the red feed comes into the board. Unsolder it and clip the lead where it comes in from the cable. Then you will see that there is a trace coming from where the red wire went to the board that runs close to the IC.. and one that if you hold it up to the light comes out from under the chip. This is the "HOT" feed from the printer. Tie these to together a solder jumper and now....your printer feeds the interface not the puter.. But as the original Loadstar notes if your going thru a switch box to use multi printers this won't work because the box won't pass the voltage so you need to keep the doopy red wire... Steve * ------------ Category 4, Topic 15 Message 5 Sat May 21, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) Geez. I like the red wire. Gives my system that trendy "hacker" look!!! :D ------------ 4 ************ Topic 17 Mon Apr 25, 1994 J.BARBER9 [Dan Barber] (Forwarded) Sub: Electronic project useing air sensors I am trying to build a air testor that would test for pollens and other things that bother my allegeries And useing my 64 as the "Brain". Does anyone have any idea how I would go about this? Any books or any other info 11 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 4, Topic 17 Message 1 Mon Apr 25, 1994 J.BARBER9 [Dan Barber] (Forwarded) would be greatly apprecaited. Thanks in advance. :) Dan ------------ Category 4, Topic 17 Message 2 Sun May 01, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) You're looking at a rather expensive proposition. Detecting minute items is not simple stuff. One way would be to try to do it optically. Your sensor would have to be VERY sensitive, and the amplifier handling the signal would need some critical design, due to a probable need for a high signal-to-noise ratio. Another way would be chemical detection. Messy. Expensive, not worth thinking about. Another way would be to force the air through fixed orifices, each of which could detect passing particles. Once again, expensive stuff. Try the local news radio. They report pollen counts, don't they? ------------ Category 4, Topic 17 Message 3 Sun May 01, 1994 C128.JBEE (Forwarded) Of course, how do you tell the difference between pollen and paper dust? One thing people do not realize that at this time of year, mites can be responsible for as many reactions as pollen. I imagine it could be done, but at what cost? I tried finding a system for that looking through my Metrabyte magazines and such and for any system capable of measuring minute air particles the cost is a minimum of $20k+ The systems work by blowing a precise amount of air through a series of charged filters that measure the change in the charges to determine how many particles (parts per million) are in the air. ------------ Category 4, Topic 17 Message 4 Mon May 02, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) $20,000? Geez, I would have guessed more like $21 or $22 thousand!!! ;) ------------ Category 4, Topic 17 Message 5 Tue May 03, 1994 C128.JBEE (Forwarded) ;D Did you know you can buy vacuum cleaners with micron filters? They are a tad expensive but if you vacuum all your furniture once a day and use an ionizer(?) you can cut back on the pollen, dust, and mites inhaled. Which might make your breathing a lot easier. Sure Lou would know more about this than me :) ------------ Category 4, Topic 17 Message 6 Wed May 04, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) You're right, JBEE, I would. Keep your nasal linings moist. I do. I would guess that you'd need to vacuum BEFORE you use the vacuum you are discussing, JBEE! Another thought: Arizona has good air. ------------ Category 4, Topic 17 Message 7 Tue May 10, 1994 J.BARBER9 [Dan Barber] (Forwarded) How much would it cost to hook up a system and get it running with one sensor? Probably useing the optical sensor. Thanks for all the info! :) Dan ------------ Category 4, Topic 17 Message 8 Wed May 11, 1994 C128.JBEE (Forwarded) I will defer to Lou on this one, I am no engineer :) ------------ Category 4, Topic 17 Message 9 Sun May 15, 1994 J.BARBER9 [Dan Barber] (Forwarded) Thanks. :) ------------ Category 4, Topic 17 Message 10 Sun May 15, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) Dan, you can't afford it. The cost is excessive. If you are affluent, consider purchasing one. I am sorry if I mislead you with previous posts. :) ------------ Category 4, Topic 17 Message 11 Sun May 22, 1994 J.BARBER9 [Dan Barber] (Forwarded) Thanks anyway. :) I was just wondering anyway. I did not think that I could afford it after your previous posts. I was just courous anway. :) Dan ------------ 4 ************ Topic 19 Mon Apr 25, 1994 R.DAY (Forwarded) Sub: A even faster Swiftlink? Brian Bell the one that made Omni BBS for the 128 said CMD said they could put a even faster cristol in Swiftlink to make it 2 x as fast then now. It would cost more to figger out when the baud is over to switch faster. Would'nt the Chip 4 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 4, Topic 19 Message 1 Mon Apr 25, 1994 R.DAY (Forwarded) Would'nt the chip, the RS232 chip bern up going this fast? I don't even think any Commodore could go this fast any way. Any 128 or 64. I know they got 28.800 modems out no so Swiftlink can't go that fast. ------------ Category 4, Topic 19 Message 2 Mon Apr 25, 1994 CMD-DOUG (Forwarded) The v.fast modems can be used with a SwiftLink. 28.8K baud is under the top rate of 38,400 - but you wouldn't be able to take advantage of the data compression modes for even higher rates. While I've looked into making a higher speed version of SwiftLink, it isn't likely to happen. It CAN be done, but if it were to remain backwards-compatible with the current version, the cost would be higher; and the benefits would be slim, since we're getting pretty close to maximum throughput with the current version. ------------ Category 4, Topic 19 Message 3 Sun May 01, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) I have a 14.4K modem, and SwiftLink does a GREAT job. Flawless. Signed, Happy Customer ------------ Category 4, Topic 19 Message 4 Sun May 01, 1994 B.GANN1 (Forwarded) From Brian (showed him the above) Correct, though as stated in the hardware message base, the 19200 and 28800 carriers will have their own benefit - virtually all data on a BBS in the file transfer area are already compressed with some type of archiving program, and as such CAN NOT take advantage of anything higher than the current carrier rate! Given this irrefutable fact, the 19200 and 28800 carrier rates will benefit this system as much as any other. Omni has produced up to 32500 bps streams in optimum conditions, and 20000 bps streams in direct carrier conditions. As you can see, 20000 is very close to 19200 and this is where the advantage is. At this very moment, you can transfer files to the BBS using a null modem connection and acheive up to 1980 cps (19800+ bps). All of this ignores the fact that the chip in SL-232 can also support iup to 125,000 bps via an external clock line. Though no one has done this, it is perfectly possible and would be cheap to do. re: "burning" the chip up No, it will not happen. The chip is rated for up to 125,000 baud. *sn ------------ 4 ************ Topic 21 Thu Apr 14, 1994 W.MYERS1 (Forwarded) Sub: g wiz g wiz interface for star nx 10 printer 8 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 4, Topic 21 Message 1 Thu Apr 14, 1994 W.MYERS1 (Forwarded) this works but only for straight type. it won't accept printer commands perhaps I need to reset dip switches can anyone tell me what the dip settings for c-64 and star nx 10 is? please cc my mailbox with replies so I don't miss any. thanks. ------------ Category 4, Topic 21 Message 2 Sat Apr 23, 1994 B.REEVES2 [Alter Ego] (Forwarded) Hi, I have a G-Wiz and a Cardco +G. I don't know anything about either one of them, and I was wondering which one is better? The Cardco says it is a printer interface with graphics. Do you need special software to get the graphics? Or do I just tell my program, (like Geos for instance) what kind of printer I am using and then I get graphics automaticlly? What do the dip switch setting do on the G-Wiz? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Alter Ego ------------ Category 4, Topic 21 Message 3 Sun Apr 24, 1994 GEOS-TIM (Forwarded) I don't have a Cardco, but essentially dip switch control how the interface operates: they indicate to the interface what kind of computer, select different printing modes, device number to use, etc.. You will need to set your interface's dip switches to the configuration of your printer. The manual that comes with the interface will tell you what you need to know. If you purchased the interface used, and there wasn't a manual you will more than likely get the settings off this board, Just ask, but indicate what printer you are using. If your interface is set properly, you will not have to set it for GEOS. :) -Tim ------------ Category 4, Topic 21 Message 4 Mon Apr 25, 1994 B.REEVES2 [Alter Ego] (Forwarded) GEOS-TIM Thanks. I of course purchased it used without documentation of any sort. I guess I'll have to experiment. -Alter Ego ------------ Category 4, Topic 21 Message 5 Tue Apr 26, 1994 GEOS-TIM (Forwarded) Alter Ego: Let us know what kind of hardware configuration you have, and we might be able to come up with what you need. :) -Tim ------------ Category 4, Topic 21 Message 6 Sun May 01, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) I know someone with a G-Wiz interface. It's driving a Mannesman Tally clone (1526 emulation) rather well. It has a built-in buffer, the size of which I am unaware. It seems to work well. Without DIP switches, I'd question it's versatility. ------------ Category 4, Topic 21 Message 7 Wed May 04, 1994 B.REEVES2 [Alter Ego] (Forwarded) I have a Panasonic KX-P1124 that I want to plug it into. I will probably use it with GEOS and Word Writer 4. ------------ Category 4, Topic 21 Message 8 Fri May 06, 1994 GEOS-TIM (Forwarded) Try these on the two interfaces you mentioned: Cardco +G Dip Switches:1-2 off, 3-4 on, 5 off 6-8 optional Cardco G-Whiz :1,2, & 5 off, 3 & 4 on,6-8 optional :) -Tim ------------ ************ Topic 22 Sat Mar 26, 1994 R.HAMMERSTED (Forwarded) Sub: DRIVE PROBLEM Trouble with two drives Two 1541 drives work OK separately but not when hooked up together. Had been OK. What can I do. 2 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 4, Topic 22 Message 1 Sat Mar 26, 1994 R.HAMMERSTED (Forwarded) Satd March 26, 1994 To: WHOEVER CAN HELP SUBJECT: Problem with two CBM 1541 drives. The two drives are used as #8 and #9. When only one or the other is connected it will operate properly as #8 or #9. When both are connected nether one will work. Nothing can be loaded from either drive. Only the red light will keep blinking. This is true whether being used as CBM or GEOS. Prior to this they worked OK when both were hooked up. Thanks for your help. ------------ Category 4, Topic 22 Message 2 Sat Apr 02, 1994 DO.RAE.MI (Forwarded) From you statement, I take it that NEITHER drive is hardwired to be drive #9. If that is so, when both are on thhe system, both are viewed as drive 8 & therefore Everything is confused & nothing will work. I think, but let someone with more hardware knowledge correct me if I'm wrong that you can connect them, turn on driive one, command it with software too be drive 9, then turn onthe other as drive 8 & both will work til you reset the computer. You can also scratch a connector, location varies with 1541 version drive you have to make one of the 2 always a #9 drive. & things will always work. I also believe there have been hardware switches, commercial & homebrewed that let you switch a drive with a toggle switchh between being #8 or #9. Bottom line, things are normal though not as you like them to be. Ted ------------ 4