I have a Vector MZ that I spent a couple months getting up and running again that scratches the vintage itch a bit (I also learned a lot about S-100 stuff working on it). If Grant S. ever did another run of the Altair replica kits I would be interested in doing an original style kit (mainly because original 8800s are so expensive now I can't really justify the expense vs putting the money into things I get to have the satisfaction of building myself to the original kit plans. I've wanted one since I was a kid.)
But when I build my "new" S-100 system I want it to be a good combination of new stuff and old-style stuff. As the progenitor of S-100 systems, some elements of the Altair don't lend themselves well to doing things like running the upcoming 386 board. For example I want a front panel with hex displays and 24-bit address and 16-bit data support, not 16/8 bits of blinkenlights. I don't need switches to load in programs when we have modern monitor ROMs. Heck most of my PCs don't even have serial ports these days so I might choose to build an FTDI adapter right into the system and have a - GASP - USB-B port to plug into on one of the serial I/Os, leaving the rest for talking to other vintage systems. Andrew On Tuesday, March 4, 2014 4:25:05 PM UTC-8, Crustyomo wrote: > > Why not go for an ALAIR replica Kit? > > ------------------------------ > Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2014 08:21:29 -0800 > From: [email protected] <javascript:> > To: [email protected] <javascript:> > Subject: Re: [N8VEM-S100:2643] Show and Tell - New user S100 system up & > running (well sorta !) > > I'd really like to do an Optima/Elma enclosure when I get around to my new > S-100 build. Mainly because they did the Altair enclosures. > > On Tuesday, March 4, 2014 6:09:10 AM UTC-8, Crustyomo wrote: > > Alex, > > Have you tried looking a Middle Atlantic? www.middleatlantic.com > They have lots of rack mount options, small and big. > I use a lot of their stuff at work, but mostly racks and field mounted > switch racks (low profile that mounts a single switch vertically against > the wall). > > I don't know if they have this same stuff, but they have a big catalog. > > Cheers, > Josh > > > ------------------------------ > Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2014 10:56:17 -0500 > Subject: Re: [N8VEM-S100:2618] Show and Tell - New user S100 system up & > running (well sorta !) > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > > David, > > Many thanks! I agree that extra fuses never hurt, and it looks like a > really professional installation. > > I might well place an order, their prices are quite reasonable. I do > wonder what they would charge to ship to the USA, though. > > - Alex > > > On Mon, Mar 3, 2014 at 10:50 AM, David Fry <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi Alex, > > I have uploaded another picture showing the power supply area, I have also > uploaded the copper foil patterns I put together in Paint Shop Pro for the > linear regulator section to give you some idea of the layout. Circuit wise > it's just a collection of 20mm fuses and basic fixed voltage regulators > taken straight from datasheets, fuse overkill ?? maybe but I prefer that > to melted/burned PCB's :-) > > The case parts I used are not one of the complete cases that Modushop sell > but ordered from the case spare parts section of the website, I didn't want > to pay for parts I am not going to use as I will eventually have a custom > front and back panel made. The Dissipante range you mention has heavy > heatsinks for power amplifiers and so is not suitable. > > The extruded case sides are from the 'Slimline and Galaxy' range 4U in > height and 350mm long, shame they dont make longer sections as standard > http://www.modushop.biz/ecommerce/cat168_l2.php?n=1#16 > > and the case bottom is from the 'Cover Slim Line' range 350mm in depth > http://www.modushop.biz/ecommerce/cat099_l2.php?n=1 > > I also have a fully vented top cover but have not shown this (again 350mm > in depth) > http://www.modushop.biz/ecommerce/cat098_l2.php?n=1 > > 4U is a bit tight height wise but with careful planning it looks like the > top lid will go on ok. > > Modushop.biz are based in Italy, I am in the UK so shipping outside of > Italy isn't an issue to them > > hope this helps > > regards > > David Fry > > On Monday, March 3, 2014 3:12:13 PM UTC, Alexander wrote: > > Your fitment sure does look good. Which of their cases did you use? I > see the Dissipate 5U, which looks similar. Too bad they're on the other > side of the pond, from me, or I might consider doing the same. If you can, > I'd like to see some pictures of your PSU installation. > > Thanks! > - Alex > > > On Mon, Mar 3, 2014 at 8:57 AM, David Fry <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi all, > > 8 months after my first contact/enquiry to John Monahan regarding building > a S100 computer I now have the hardware up and running as far as the Z80 > monitor. > > The boards currently build and fitted are:- > S100 V2 Z80 CPU card (running at 6mhz at the moment) > S100 V1 RAM&ROM card > S100 V2 IDE Interface card > S100 V1 Console I/O card > S100 V2 Bus extender card (just for the reset button) > > The main power supply rails are switch mode (+8v, +16v, -16v) with > secondary linear regulators (+5v, +12v) to power the onboard hard > disk/floppy drive. > The outer case metalwork (extruded sides & aluminium base) was purchased > from http://www.modushop.biz/ecommerce/index_l2.php > it's essentially case metalwork for audio/hifi projects but I liked the > idea of sliding the power supply modules & disk drives into the 'T' slotted > sides and it allows me to change my mind on drives etc... over time. > > The 10 slot active terminated backplane came from Herb Johnson > (Retrotechnology.com) > > I have uploaded a couple of pictures to the N8VEM workspace to > encourage others who are still working on their first S100 system > > http://n8vem-sbc.pbworks.com/w/browse/#view=ViewFolder¶m=David%20Fry > > I'd like to thank both John and Andrew for the hours of fun so far in > putting this system together, i'm sure it's not all going to be plain > sailing though which brings me to my first question. > > I have noticed in the Z80 monitor (v5.02) that once the screen is filled > with characters and starts to scroll the cursor prompt disappears !!, the > monitor still responds to commands though and all functionality otherwise > seems fine. Can anyone else replicate/confirm this, it's not a biggie but > thought I would mention it. > > Now I'm off to try and burn the IDE diagnostic test utility onto an EEPROM > to check out the IDE board before working out how to get CP/M 3 up and > running. > > regards and happy soldering > > David Fry > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "N8VEM-S100" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "N8VEM-S100" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "N8VEM-S100" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "N8VEM-S100" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected] <javascript:>. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "N8VEM-S100" group. 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