Search results

I wonder what will happen to WINE... In Debian it's not only 64-bit, it needs some significant i386 environment to run 32-bit Windows binaries. The transition was quite obvious for requirements reasons - today most so-called programmers do not know how their computers work and they write CLI...

Last Sunday I went again to the flea market and I got something interesting: A 256kB XT mainboard in original package. The problem has been quickly found and bad chip has been replaced, so now I have a 4.77MHz mainboard in a good condition. Two weeks ago: Two Compaq Aero notebooks, 33MHz 486...

It's totally OK if it's well documented. What is a difference between passwordless access and universal password which is quite standard in embedded distributions? If it is clearly in documentation or installer, users will be able to secure it when configuring system as they want - with...

Wow, I missed that, really nice machine. It's Zenith, they were quite solid and many of them work well today. The only question is is it 8088/6 or 286? If it's pre-SlimsPort they are drive bays. They should rotate, showing its sides and floppy disk can be inserted. As far as I remember, left...

Well, about the role of batteries, partially right. I also used Gamba's schematic. Yes, one keeps RTC going. No, not only the second brings the computer up, but both of them. Something must power the 5V flipflop and that's why there are two batteries. By using a NuBus connector, some latches and...

There are reasons wy PSU needs external power to start up, but this is simply no explanation for Macs. Generally: - The machine's chassis could be primarily designed as an expansion chassis for e.g. "all in one" Macs. Thus it would be needed to ensure that the box full of expansion boards will...

Finally my Mac IIfx arrived. I collect these Macs to have one from each "chassis". Does not turn on at all, does not draw current. Batteries exhausted, so I'll have to add an adapter and clip it into battery sockets. This Mac starts its PSU from batteries. What's more interesting: In the first...

Recent event: Stored plaintext passwords in a machine they exposed to all employees by misconfiguration [1]. Generally exposing some internal testing server to the rest of company is not so big problem, but what the hell were passwords in plaintext doing there? This should not leave a "NSA Only"...

I think "WARNING: LIVE BEES" may work :). Especially that yes, there were people who sent them by mail. There are some methods to minimize probability of shipping defects in Macs. "Glossy" Power Macs usually survive better if their "ears" are removed for shipping. This way, the only damage they...

I bought Mac Quadra 700. Now it's in shipping. So I bought a bottle of acetone and solvent "type 3", I use these to make plastic welding mixture. I also made some white plastic scraps to be used as filler. Based on experience with shipping Macs, I just don't expect it will come in one piece.

So here is the final version of my Galaksija replica: (complete build log with photos) Some time ago I assembled it completely and made casing of wood, made a few programs and tested existing ones. And here's the most important thing I learned from building: Adding blue dye to white paint...

I don't do a 3D printing much, but I do FE modelling at work with quite complex, multistage processes. I have no idea who should I make a "pleasure" there to get a SolidWorks license which activates, so I learned BRL and FreeCAD. BRL has quite problematic learning curve: you need to know exactly...

For a solid device, what I recommend is to look for (even slightly used) microswitch-based joystick. I recently got one and I will show it in my site, it's quite solid thing. It uses true microswitches (modern parts sold as microswitches are rather "tact switches") like these used in domestic...

While finishing my Galaksjia clone (I had to buy a wooden strip and a piece of board, although I painted it to too light blue and it doesn't look as I wanted), I finally traced and bought a few Macs for my collection. Paid much, but I think it was worth it: - Quadra 950. Working. With 2GB IBM...

I'm not talking about rubber one. They used a J key as TrackPoint, the key had a small depression in which finger was placed. Then, while operating, other keys could be used to click different buttons.

The only thing Packard-Bell did nicely was their TrackPoint integrated with keyboard. Required some practice not to type "J" all time, but when used extensively it was possible to get used to it. The worst thing I have seen was in some Samsung notebook: 1. Top case holds hard drive by pushing...

More from Galaksija "replica" log: (first part: Here). 2018-11-11 Initial assembly started. Lots and lots of jumper wires, I haven't soldered them all. Going from right to left, jumper wires first, then IC sockets. After I soldered copper wire as jumpers in ZX97Lite clone and it darkened, I...

I finally found cheap A4-sized sheet of copper-covered laminate. Unfortunately it's not glass-based, but it probably will be OK. In the top of bookcase I have an old coffee can filled with electronics I sealed about 5-8 years ago. There are all components to build Galaksija computer (this one...

I still can hear a CRT TV operating in another room, and I constantly listen to power supply units and hard drives for diagnostic purposes. Especially TV is a nice test, as it operates around 15.6kHz.

Haven't bought, but got an old mainboard and decided to fix it. This probably will be a long post, full of things which are not interesting for an average Internet user, but this masochism is my hobby and I like poking such hardware. I will probably take some photos, scan my notes and put a blog...