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Re: [: cpu modules, and Re: Timeline $99 machine]

From: Mark Willis <>
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 14:22:47 -0700

Tom, if you're in the Seattle area, want to borrow an adapter?  Sell
ya one for $2 if you want to just buy it (I won't be needing this one,
you get to re-solder the +5V and ground leads if they break off, or ask
me to do it while you're here if you want.)  That'd get you unstuck...

  Also if you're in this area, I have a couple parallel port floppy
drives (MicroSystems & Pacific Rim units) - think about getting the HD
up & getting the drivers onto it, that's a good workaround (or
InterSvr/InterLnk in Dos.)

  I received my machine yesterday, will be working on it Saturday with a
few helpful local folks.  I've found that the screws are ANNOYING, all
my good screwdrivers have too long a pointed tip (got a car tool set
stubby #2 screwdriver out, it works [barely!] but I can remove the
screws at least.)  Also, if anyone on the list's interested, I will have
access to a digital camera in a couple days, if anyone wants to see the
box!  Other than the Epson web pages, of course.  I'll image the innards
<G>)

  Tom, one thing I see in mine that isn't ON the CPU card, is the system
speaker - that's on the Power PC board; I'm concerned that some other
parts are over on the system Power PC Board, with all those wires
connecting it to the passive backplane. (For those interested, it's in a
1-3/4" wide well the length of the unit, the PC Board is IIRC 1-1/2"
wide by 9" long.  The Ni-Cad battery fits under that board, in a metal
well.)

  The CPU card fits into the passive backplane on a sort of EISA-like
(but not EISA) connector, the PCMCIA slot is a similar connector with
far fewer pins, and the ISA slot is a 16-bit slot.

  Also fyi the Com3/Com4/LPT1 (or OCIA) ports are easily removed,
they're in a little card atop the passive backplane.

  The external power lump is 24V 4A, there's a fan on the metal case
aside the power PCB, I think we can cut down on power needed to run this
machine, in fact I think we'll have to!

  I received my 1 Gb Fuji laptop HD today, it's SICK, so I'm sending it
in on an RMA to get another drive.  Arrgh.  It times out at cylinder
1224 or so, during a format, ARRGH.  I do, fortunately, have 3.5"
adapters here.  And spare laptop drives.  (Note: you'll get to either
use a 1/2" tall MAX HD on this box, or, plan to either not permanently
mount the floppy drive, or custom mount it;  The standard mount for the
floppy is just over 1/2" above the top of the HD's tray, which is
(politely!) included.)  I'll probably check that the machine can cope
with a 1200 cylinder drive, before I ship the Fuji drive out (just to
make sure there's no 1024 cylinder BIOS limitation.)  Unless Tom gets an
adapter?  So I'll mainly work with my Toshi Mk1722 (130 Mb) from my
laptop, I guess, for now.

  "Hack party" here, 2 PM Sat, for those in the Seattle area (E-mail me
& I'll get directions to you.)  Or if you just want to look at the
machine firsthand.

  Mark Willis
  

Tom Neville wrote:
> 
> On Fri, Apr 17, 1998 at 09:18:36AM -0700, Cameron J. Mallory wrote:
> > On Thu, 16 Apr 1998, Tom Neville wrote:
> >
> > > I've mounted an IBM 2.5" 1.2Gb drive in it.. The system did recognize it
> > > as 2358x16x63 and appears as though it will support it as a full 1.2gb
> > > drive.  It will accept upto 32Megs of ram (1 72pin sim.)  It has quite a
> > > few power savings options.. It's very iritating to have all the toys
> > > and nothing to boot them on... (no floppy, no 2.5" to 3.5" converter..)
> >
> > So you are saying that it takes a special epson floppy?
> 
> It's a special Epson floppy.. I've called the local company and they're
> getting pricing and avilablilty..
> 
> > Why can't you boot off of the IBM again?  Because you can't install stuff
> > on it via disk /CD??
> >
> > (Couldn't you bop the IBM in another computer and install or do the 2.5in.
> > Hard drives have a different ide pinout?
> 
> They are a different form factor.. the connectors are physically different..
> I have a converter on the way here.. so once it get's here I can do the
> install and they floppy does not matter..
> 
> > What am i missing here?   ;-)
> >
> >
> > Also, how long did it take you to g et the unit?
> 
> I am not a very patient person.. so I ordered it UPS Blue label.. they
> shipped it the same day.. they are in Torrance, CA.. normally would have
> taken about a week to get here..
> 
> Tom
> 
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Cameron Mallory
> >

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