On 12/19/18 5:38 PM, Ali via cctalk wrote: >> Micro Solutions initially shipped the CompatiCard IV with the Intel >> chip--and it worked well. Intel then revised the chip as the 82077AA-1 >> to add tape support and broke the FM capability. When I inquired about >> this to Intel, I got the response "Who uses FM anymore?". Micro >> Solutions sent a bunch of retrofit kits with NSC chips in them to a >> small bunch of CC IV purchasers after they discovered the problem. >> Fortunately, the 8477 is pin-compatible with the 82077. > > Chuck, > > Are you saying that CCIV initially had an NSC 8477 or an 8473? Or that it had > an Intel chip and when Intel came out with a new revision they went to an NSC > chip? Also are all CCIVs retrofitable? i.e. can I order an NSC chip and plop > it into my CCIV to get FM back? Finally can you drop in an NSC 8473 in a CCIV > to get 128-byte MFM or the best you can do is switch to a NSC 8477? TIA!
No, the CCIV initially had a plain-jane Intel rev 0 82077AA in a 68 pin PLCC. After Intel "improved" the chip to the 82077AA-1, FM ceased to work. Fortunately, as I mentioned NSC 8477 is a plug-in replacement, with the exception of not needing an extra external cap (the pin is NC on the National chip). --Chuck
