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Vintage Computers Any vintage computer systems, calculators, video games etc., but with an emphasis on 1980s and earlier equipment. |
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3rd May 2021, 5:42 pm | #1 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Buntingford, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 362
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Early EPROM programmer. (Softy 2)
Hi All,
As per the heading. Is this just an early programmer? Vy bst Chris
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3rd May 2021, 5:56 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK.
Posts: 5,188
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Re: Early Eprom programmer.
Isn't that a Softy-2?
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3rd May 2021, 6:26 pm | #3 |
Octode
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Northampton, Northamptonshire, UK.
Posts: 1,392
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Re: Early Eprom programmer.
Yes, It does look very-much like the Softy-2, here:
http://www.computermuseum.org.uk/mac...n_softy_2.html https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...mmer-307527523 Although the Keypad looks to be slightly-different and Dataman seemed to usually use White vacuum-formed plastic covers / casing. So maybe an early prototype / was a rebadge sold under a different name? |
3rd May 2021, 7:31 pm | #4 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, UK.
Posts: 1,362
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Re: Early Eprom programmer.
Fascinating - it does look like the Softy-2 - I assume the clips will need to be removed really carefully to look inside but, I would hope to find an SC/MP and some lost firmware....
Is this a machine you currently have? |
3rd May 2021, 7:58 pm | #5 | |
Octode
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Northampton, Northamptonshire, UK.
Posts: 1,392
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Re: Early Eprom programmer.
Quote:
There was some (quite-rare) pictures 'under the hood' of the Softy-2, on another Softy (1) thread, about reading-out its firmware (+ the building of a Replica by ChrisOddy) in this Zip file: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...4&d=1610220783 (from: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...=167741&page=5 ) The Softy-2 does appear to be very-much based on the original Softy-1 (mostly a different form-factor layout, twice the RAM, and supporting larger - single-rail only EPROM's). And uses the same SC/MP CPU with it's 4K memory page limitations - Before they finally ditched that on the S3, for a full 64K-addressing low-power Z80 uC with custom-ROM So circuitry is quite similar, but I don't think there's a copy of the circuit or the firmware on the 'net, as very little published info on it (There was / plus is now a lot more on the Softy-1) |
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3rd May 2021, 9:55 pm | #6 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Buntingford, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 362
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Re: Early Eprom programmer.
Hi All,
Thank you for the rapid response. Yes, I picked it up with a few other eprom & eeprom surplus gear, so really interesting links and info. I will see if I can remove the top and take another pic to confirm the insides. Thanks again, much appreciated. Vy Bst Chris
__________________
BVWS, VMARS, RSGB, DEHS, RAOTA Nothings too big or too heavy, otherwise it wouldn't be where it is! |
3rd May 2021, 10:04 pm | #7 |
Octode
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,287
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Re: Early Eprom programmer.
The PCB even has the "S4.1" marking of the one in the first of ORTEK's links, so I'd guess a prototype or revised version.
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4th May 2021, 12:01 am | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Posts: 11,482
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Re: Early Eprom programmer.
Onewatt, I don't know if you can hear that sound.... it's the sound of everyone here barely containing their excitement at someone having turned up here with one of these units. Expect to be asked lots of questions later...
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4th May 2021, 9:15 am | #9 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Buntingford, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 362
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Re: Early Eprom programmer.
Hi SiriusHardware
It’s an integral part of this super forum to find interesting things and share them, but my knowledge is limited, so Let’s hope I can answer the questions. I’ll forward an internal pic later today, and may get another visit to where it came from and just might if I’m lucky find some paperwork (at least I’ll give it a go) Vy Bst Chris
__________________
BVWS, VMARS, RSGB, DEHS, RAOTA Nothings too big or too heavy, otherwise it wouldn't be where it is! |
4th May 2021, 11:20 am | #10 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, UK.
Posts: 1,362
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Re: Early EPROM programmer.
Thanks onewatt for following up - the other integral part is how everyone chips in to answer the questions when presented with scraps of information so we can all learn - photos like you will take are devoured to create knowledge. It is that aspect of archeology here I love, as information is readily available on the wider net for so much but, here you realise what is missing and could be lost if we do not preserve it.
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4th May 2021, 3:22 pm | #11 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Buntingford, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 362
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Re: Early EPROM programmer.
And a picture of the insides!
__________________
BVWS, VMARS, RSGB, DEHS, RAOTA Nothings too big or too heavy, otherwise it wouldn't be where it is! |
4th May 2021, 3:38 pm | #12 |
Octode
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,287
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Re: Early EPROM programmer.
That's in excellent condition.
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4th May 2021, 4:23 pm | #13 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, UK.
Posts: 1,362
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Re: Early EPROM programmer.
Yes it is in good condition, although would it be possible to get a hi-res copy as the reduction on the forum is difficult to see the chips.
By the way the Black case may not have been a one off - the Ad from PCW Oct 1981 shows it in Black... |
4th May 2021, 4:44 pm | #14 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,264
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Re: Early EPROM programmer.
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4th May 2021, 5:02 pm | #15 | |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, UK.
Posts: 1,362
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Re: Early EPROM programmer.
Quote:
I knew that would start a conversation and indeed the Menta seems to be in a solid Black case as well... I would stake a bet we don't find many of those unless some of the schools up north testing them kept one! |
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4th May 2021, 5:35 pm | #16 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Posts: 11,482
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Re: Early EPROM programmer.
Quote:
It certainly looks in beautiful condition. Of particular interest are the EPROM and the labelled smaller IC up in the upper left quadrant - that is likely to be a programmed bipolar PROM which looks as though it is soldered to the PCB. |
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4th May 2021, 9:05 pm | #17 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Buntingford, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 362
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Re: Early EPROM programmer.
Did that work?
Regards Chris ....your making my brain work.....!
__________________
BVWS, VMARS, RSGB, DEHS, RAOTA Nothings too big or too heavy, otherwise it wouldn't be where it is! |
4th May 2021, 10:01 pm | #18 |
Octode
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,287
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Re: Early EPROM programmer.
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4th May 2021, 10:03 pm | #19 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,264
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Re: Early EPROM programmer.
Looks really good quality picture
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4th May 2021, 10:28 pm | #20 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, UK.
Posts: 1,362
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Re: Early EPROM programmer.
Wow - I had to open it in GIMP - that really is Hires!
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