Recently the hard disk of my SGI O2 has failed, and I have been trying to recover the data from it. A long history of trying to recover the data, but finally I have been able to recover it. In the next days I have to explain how to use reanimatot to do a fresh install of IRIX.

Today I’m triying to recompile Vim 8.1 as I had before. While the system is working, I’m using telnet to connect to the O2 and run the commands. I want to enable SSH so I have been exploring the system services.

SGI reanimator is a tool for restoring and managing SGI IRIX systems. It provides all necessary tools to install IRIX. (bootp, tftd end the CD images, yeras ago I did it tio install linux on a sun sparcstation ultra and it was a pain to get it working, so this is a great tool)

SGI Reanimator

# hinv
Autoload=Yes
console=g
diskless=0
dbaud=9600
volume=80
sgilogo=y
autopower=n
monitor=h
netaddr=192.168.1.105
eaddr=08:00:69:0b:83:e1 
boottune=1
ConsoleOut=video
ConsoleIn=keyboard
SystemPartition=xio(0)pci(15)scsi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(8)
OSLoadPartition=xio(0)pci(15)scsi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(0)
OSLoadFilename=/unix 
OSLoader=sash
gfx=alive
Kernname=ide 

I’ve modified my reanimator config to use the following settings to use it from my home network:

I recentrly bought a broken BBC Diskdrive and a Watford DFS disk controller card, to try to repair it. The disk drive is a dual 5.25" disk drive, and the controller card is a Watford Electronics DFS (Dual Disk Filing System) card version 1.54T.

The unit comes with two different disk drives, a Mitsubishi MF503A and a Mitsubishi M4853-342MG. Each drive has a switch on the front panel to select between single-density (40 tracks) and double-density (80 tracks) operation.

Replacing the 5.25" Disk Drive

I have a 5.25" disk drive that is not working properly. I have tried to clean the heads, but it is still not working. I have decided to replace it with a new one. I have found a new 5.25" disk drive on Wallapop (like ebay here in Spain), and I have bought it. Most of units are used, and untested, so I have been careful selecting the one I want to buy. Seller says that the disk drive is untested but was retired working. It’s no the first time I buy untested hardware, so the seller seems quite honest, and I trusted her.

Installing an SD Card Interface on the Apple IIc

Finally I got the SP ][ SD interface for the Apple IIc. This interface allows you to connect an SD card to the Apple IIc and use it as a mass storage device. The installation is quite simple, and the results are amazing.

It use an arduino nano to manage the SD card and the communication with the Apple IIc. The interface is connected to the disk II port of the Apple IIc, and it is powered by the Apple IIc itself. Great design!

C128 VIC video replacement

After spent a lot of hours trying to fix the video signal on my C128, checking signals, replacing capacitors, replacing the RF modulator with the TSH7316 module etc.. and with the cues that each try gave me, I’ve decided to replace the VIC-II chip. The VIC-II chip is the video controller chip used in the C128.

Documentation

Documentation

The main problem was that the video signal was faded, dull, it was dificult to see the letters on the screen and in C64 mode the screen was almost impossible to read.

Z80 v2

I’m not sure but still soon to say that this year will be the year of the Z80. I’ve been working on a new version of the Z80 computer that I’ve built last year. The new version that I have in mind will have a lot of improvements over the previous one, and possibly a printed circuit board (PCB) to make it more professional.

Improvements that I have in mind:

Some pictures about second attempt to install T2/Sde 24.12 on my Sun SparcStation 5.

And the final result, the system crashed during the installation, with the whatchdog timer error.

A Technical Overview of the Sun SPARCstation 5

The Sun SPARCstation 5 (commonly referred to as the SS5) is a workstation computer introduced by Sun Microsystems in 1994. It was part of Sun’s highly successful SPARCstation family, which became renowned for their use in engineering, scientific computing, and other technical fields. The SS5 was built around Sun’s proprietary SPARC architecture and remains a notable example of 1990s workstation technology.

Installing Windows 1.0 on an Already Installed MS-DOS 3.3 System

Introduction

Microsoft Windows 1.0, first released in 1985, was a significant step in personal computing, heralding the shift from command-line interfaces to graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Even though it was rudimentary by today’s standards, it laid the groundwork for the Windows operating environment that countless systems rely on today. For enthusiasts and tech aficionados, installing Windows 1.0 over an already installed MS-DOS 3.3 system presents a time capsule that exemplifies the early days of modern computing. This guide explores the history, features, and steps needed to embark on this nostalgic installation journey.

Revamping the Commodore 128 Video Output: Removing the RF Modulator for Enhanced RGBI Output

Today I’ve decided try to fix the video signal on my C128. The video signal was not as bright as it should be.

The Commodore 128 (C128) is a vintage computer that has carved its niche in the hearts of retro computing enthusiasts. When it comes to video output, many users have wrestled with the limitations and quality of the original RF (radio frequency) modulator. This article delves into the process of removing the RF modulator and replacing it with a high-quality RGBI output using the TSH7316 IC, a specialized HDTV video amplifier. Leveraging RGBI not only enhances the video quality significantly but also makes connectivity with modern displays much easier.