April 2022 - vcf-midatlantic

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Replacing keyswitches on a Macintosh Plus keyboard
by Dan FitzGerald 21 Apr '22

21 Apr '22

Jameel, Its fine, I can make due with the one I've got (I don't anticipate too many people playing with the '/' and '*' over the numpad). I just want to learn how to repair it properly. -----Original Message----- From: Jameel akari <jakari(a)bithose.com> To: Dan FitzGerald <danjfitzgerald(a)comcast.net> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Replacing keyswitches on a Macintosh Plus keyboard Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2022 15:23:52 -0400 What model keyboard is it? I can loan a Mac Plus KB (M0110A) that’s in reasonable condition, just needs a quick clean. Regards, Dan FitzGerald They/Them/Theirs http://www.vm.ibm.com/devpages/dfitzger

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Anyone have an Apple Imagewriter I serial cable I can borrow?
by Dan FitzGerald 21 Apr '22

21 Apr '22

Bill, On second thought, why not bring one of your ImageWriters. Who knows if I'll need it for the display, and if there is a potential electrical problem with the one I own, then I can use your (known good) one at home instead of the one that smells like burnt electronics. Question: What is the best way to connect an Apple II Plus and a Macintosh 512Ke to the same ImageWriter II? I know that LocalTalk is out of the question because of the II Plus, so I had tried using a Mini-DIN8 data switch. I couldn't get it to work (and then it broke the ImageWriter II) -----Original Message-----From: Bill Degnan <billdegnan(a)gmail.com>To: Dan FitzGerald <danjfitzgerald(a)comcast.net>Subject: Re: [vcf- midatlantic] Anyone have an Apple Imagewriter I serial cable I can borrow?Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2022 14:07:18 -0400 Sorry Dan, I don't know what chip that would be, but it may just be acoincidence. They're not going to go boom so easily unless somethingelse is already wrong electrically. On Thu, Apr 21, 2022 at 1:52 PM Dan FitzGerald< danjfitzgerald(a)comcast.net> wrote: > Bill, > Dang, I wish I had known before I bought my first ImageWriter II a > few months back :-P > I'm going to say no right now, because I have limited storage space > until I get my basement waterproofed next month. Then I can really > plan a proper computer equipment and tooling storage solution >:-) > You wouldn't happen to know what chip is the one that goes boom when > you plug the wrong type of cable into the Mini-DIN8 on the back of > the ImageWriter II, do you? As best as I could make out from a visual > inspection it was an AMD-branded IC of some sort (I didn't think it > was a processor, just an IC). > Regards,Dan FitzGeraldThey/Them/Theirs > http://www.vm.ibm.com/devpages/dfitzger > > -----Original Message-----From: Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org>Reply-To: vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org>To: vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org>Cc: Bill Degnan <billdegnan(a)gmail.com > >Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Anyone have an Apple Imagewriter I > serial cable I can borrow?Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2022 10:43:11 -0400 > For free at Kennett Classic - I have a number of Image Writer II's > in > good shape if you want one. > > On Wed, Apr 20, 2022 at 10:25 PM Dan FitzGerald via vcf-midatlantic > < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org > > > wrote: > > I did a dumb and blew out a chip on the Imagewriter II that I was > going > to use as part of my exhibit at VCF East this weekend. Luckily, > somebody at work gave me her old Imagewriter I and Macintosh > accessory > kit yesterday! The problem is that while I need to be able to > connect > my Mac to the printer, I *also* still need to connect my Apple II to > the printer. > > > Does anybody here have an Apple II (DB25) to Imagewriter I (DB25) > cable > that I can borrow for the weekend? > > Bonus question: Does anybody have a DB25 switchbox that I can use to > connect _two_ computers to a single printer? Otherwise I am going to > go along with my original plan of swapping the cables whenever > somebody > needs to print. > > Regards, > Dan FitzGerald > They/Them/Theirs > http://www.vm.ibm.com/devpages/dfitzger > > Regards, Dan FitzGerald They/Them/Theirs http://www.vm.ibm.com/devpages/dfitzger

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Replacing keyswitches on a Macintosh Plus keyboard
by Dan FitzGerald 21 Apr '22

21 Apr '22

Folks, While doing a dry run for my exhibit this weekend, I (stupidly) forgot that the keyboard was still plugged into my Mac 512Ke, and it fell of the desk and the top rightmost keyswitches ('/' and '*') snapped. The keycaps came off, with the top part of the keyswitches still stuck inside. I tried to remove them with a pair of pliers, but I couldn't get a good enough grip to do so. So I used two-part epoxy to reconnect the keycaps with the broken keyswitch stems back onto the keyswitches themselves. Electrically, they work, but I don't have high hopes of this repair job holding (even through the weekend) Has anybody here had any experience with a repair of this kind? Do the Mac Plus keyboards use a standard type of keyswitch that I can just re- solder onto the board? And how the heck can I get the broken stems out of the two keycaps? Regards, Dan FitzGerald They/Them/Theirs http://www.vm.ibm.com/devpages/dfitzger

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Anyone have an Apple Imagewriter I serial cable I can borrow?
by Dan FitzGerald 21 Apr '22

21 Apr '22

I did a dumb and blew out a chip on the Imagewriter II that I was going to use as part of my exhibit at VCF East this weekend. Luckily, somebody at work gave me her old Imagewriter I and Macintosh accessory kit yesterday! The problem is that while I need to be able to connect my Mac to the printer, I *also* still need to connect my Apple II to the printer. Does anybody here have an Apple II (DB25) to Imagewriter I (DB25) cable that I can borrow for the weekend? Bonus question: Does anybody have a DB25 switchbox that I can use to connect _two_ computers to a single printer? Otherwise I am going to go along with my original plan of swapping the cables whenever somebody needs to print. Regards, Dan FitzGerald They/Them/Theirs http://www.vm.ibm.com/devpages/dfitzger

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Anyone have an Apple Imagewriter I serial cable I can borrow?
by Dan FitzGerald 20 Apr '22

20 Apr '22

David and Jameel, If I understood this webpage ( http://mirrors.apple2.org.za/ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/MiscInfo/Cables/Pinouts… ) correctly, I need a straight DB25 to DB25 cable. Two if I am using a switchbox. I have a DB-25 switchbox, which I had forgotten about when I wrote my initial email. I'm not sure if it will work or not so having other options would be useful. It looks like the ImageWriter I needs the following pins connected: -----Original Message-----From: David Gesswein <djg(a)pdp8online.com>To: danjfitzgerald(a)comcast.netSubject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Anyone have an Apple Imagewriter I serial cable I can borrow?Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2022 22:31:01 -0400 I have some swithboxes around and can see if I can find what you needtomorrow. Do you need particular sex on the connector and do you know if you only need the normal serial pins connected or all 25? I have generic DB25 cables but if Apple needs special pinouts I wouldn'tahve that. On Wed, Apr 20, 2022 at 10:24:10PM -0400, Dan FitzGerald via vcf- midatlantic wrote: > I did a dumb and blew out a chip on the Imagewriter II that I was > goingto use as part of my exhibit at VCF East this > weekend. Luckily,somebody at work gave me her old Imagewriter I and > Macintosh accessorykit yesterday! The problem is that while I need > to be able to connectmy Mac to the printer, I *also* still need to > connect my Apple II tothe printer. > > Does anybody here have an Apple II (DB25) to Imagewriter I (DB25) > cablethat I can borrow for the weekend? > Bonus question: Does anybody have a DB25 switchbox that I can use > toconnect _two_ computers to a single printer? Otherwise I am going > togo along with my original plan of swapping the cables whenever > somebodyneeds to print. > Regards,Dan FitzGeraldThey/Them/Theirs > http://www.vm.ibm.com/devpages/dfitzger IMAGEWRITER I -- DB25 1 Frame Ground 2 Transmit Data (TXD) 3 Receive Data (RXD) 4 Request to Send (RTS) 7 Signal Ground (GND) 14 Fault 20 Data Terminal Ready (DTR) Regards, Dan FitzGerald They/Them/Theirs http://www.vm.ibm.com/devpages/dfitzger

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Travel plans
by RETRO Innovations 20 Apr '22

20 Apr '22

Since travel from Iowa to New Jersey will take about 16 hours, it seems prudent to split the trip over two days, stopping somewhere around Toledo to Cleveland. Anyone privy to options for a layover in those parts? Jim -- RETRO Innovations, Contemporary Gear for Classic Systems www.go4retro.com store.go4retro.com

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: time to downsize
by Bob Shuster 19 Apr '22

19 Apr '22

I assume those are initial release dates? (And where did you find this information?) Do we know when each of these was discontinued? Is there a serial number lookup anywhere to tell the actual date for my items? There just seems to be a dearth of online information for these systems, vs. what’s available for Apple for example. - Bob Shuster > Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2022 16:10:28 -0400 > From: Dean Notarnicola <dnotarnicola(a)gmail.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: time to downsize > Message-ID: > <CAJeDMDgoQH9+J32S-GLJ0ur6ezpx3BBOqf-748yVce3sQy=3sg(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > Atari Mega ST4: 1987 > Atari 520ST: 1985 > Atari SM124: 1985 > Atari SC1224: 1985 > Atari SF354: 1985 > Atari SF314: 1985 > > On Mon, Apr 18, 2022 at 3:34 PM Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> Just an update on this process and some questions! I?ve gone through most >> of my Apple stuff and gone through my 8-bit Atari stuff - and now going >> through the 16-bit Atari stuff. Unlike the Apple and 8-bit Atari, I?m >> having a hard time finding much info on the 16-bit Atari systems online. >> Specifically I?m looking to date the pieces. Can anyone point me in the >> right direction? I have: Atari Mega ST4, Atari 520ST, Atari SM124, Atari >> SC1224, Atari SF354, Atari SF314. I?m having trouble even finding specific >> date ranges. Any Atari experts out there? >> >> Thanks. - Bob Shuster

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Panasonic CT-1030M for sale
by Mike Loewen 18 Apr '22

18 Apr '22

For sale: Panasonic CT-1030M color monitor. 10" Diagonal with Audio 300 lines resolution Solid-state IC chassis Automatic 75 ohm termination Comb filter Front panel push controls BNC video/8-pin VCR connectors (selectable) RCA audio connector Mfg. Date: April 1987 This monitor is in good working order, with the usual scuffs from use in a university environment. Pictures, here: http://q7.neurotica.com/Panasonic/ Best offer over $25, to be delivered at VCF East (April 22-24). Please contact me off-list with your offer. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: time to downsize
by Bob Shuster 18 Apr '22

18 Apr '22

Just an update on this process and some questions! I’ve gone through most of my Apple stuff and gone through my 8-bit Atari stuff - and now going through the 16-bit Atari stuff. Unlike the Apple and 8-bit Atari, I’m having a hard time finding much info on the 16-bit Atari systems online. Specifically I’m looking to date the pieces. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I have: Atari Mega ST4, Atari 520ST, Atari SM124, Atari SC1224, Atari SF354, Atari SF314. I’m having trouble even finding specific date ranges. Any Atari experts out there? Thanks. - Bob Shuster > Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2022 16:33:17 -0500 > From: Bob Shuster <bob(a)theshusters.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: time to downsize > Message-ID: <C5D0CE20-2D73-45DD-84E4-5AC290FEEDD4(a)theshusters.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Well, folks, I?ve gotten to the age where I need to seriously downsize my hobbies and collections, not wanting to leave it to my children to have to deal with in later years. (I had to do that recently for a relative.) On the electronics side, I?ve decided to concentrate on my vintage video game systems - and therefore sell off most of my vintage computer stuff. My collection includes mostly 8-bit stuff: TRS-80 Models I, IV, M100, etc. - Atari 400, 800, Stacy, Portfolio, ST, etc. - C64/VIC20 - T/S1000 (including an unbuilt kit), Apple II, II+, IIe, IIe Platinum, IIgs - Wang WLTC - Mattel Aquarius - TI-99/4A - many others that I still have to dig out - plus lots of peripherals, disks, manuals, etc. Also have some newer Macs starting with a Mac Plus in an Apple carrying bag. > > I?m starting with you guys before trying to list elsewhere, although I may hit some of the dedicated FaceBorg pages (such as for Aquarius and Apple II.) I may be willing to ship some of the software, but in general anything else will need to be picked up here (near the Fort Washington exit of the PA Turnpike) or nearby, and cash or PayPal for payment. I may also consider trades for some of the video game stuff I?m looking for. > > So - I?m not sure how to start with this. Does the group have a For Sale page where I can post photos, etc.? I?ll need to dig out each of the systems (carefully stored in my heated/cooled workshop) and test and figure out prices, but I will definitely entertain offers. For specific inquiries please email me, but for discussion of how to go about reducing my collection [and assuming the admins agree that it?s on-topic] that can be on-list. > > It pains me to do this, but the clutter is getting out of hand, and I haven?t touched most of these in years. It?s time for someone else to enjoy. > > Bob Shuster > > ------------------------------

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I won't be there on Saturday but I owe someone money for a scope
by Neil Cherry 18 Apr '22

18 Apr '22

Sorry I need to look this up but I wanted to buy another scope for the CDL. I need to figure out how to pay the person and have them leave the scope in the makerspace lab where Jonathan with be. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies

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