jmph

Thanks for the input guys! I salvaged a 7406N (from a Commodore 64!) and decided to build it "properly". Repurposed a DB15-RJ45 network transceiver that I found in the trash. Worked perfectly! Might try to add MIDI IN in the future but there isn't a whole lot of room in there... Some pics of my handywork: Note the "incorrect" DIN-7 jack, from the same C-64 motherboard. Accepts a DIN-5 fine though. Total cost was $0 because everything was either salvaged or in my parts bin already. My MB-6582 PCBs arrived last week, I should really start on that next...

Sorry if this is kind of basic, but I can't figure this out: (Schematic from here.) Why are there two inverters in immediate succession on the MIDI out line? Doesn't that just reset the signal to its original value? Would there be any consequences (aside from being 'not in spec') if I left them out and just connected the pin directly to R3? I only want to make a quick & dirty MIDI OUT cable, I'm not concerned with the IN side of the circuit. Jay

Yeah, I could part it out, but I was hoping I could use it as an interface box for an old soundcard in its original form... By swapping out the data cable for a DB15 one or whatever. I have so many assorted components around that I'd hate to break up something complete.

Ask and ye shall receive! Heh, I already had those. I just figured no one other than me would want to see them. :wink:

While I wait for my PCBs from SmashTV to arrive, I've got a few other backburner projects that I'm tackling. Here's an odd little box I picked up from a pawn shop for $3... Figured it had to be useful for something: This is a breakout interface for an original Roland S-MPU/AT ISA MIDI card. Unfortunately I don't have the card so at the moment it is not doing me much good. It connects to the card via this 8-pin mini-DIN: Does anyone have a pinout for that DIN plug or know where I might find one? There doesn't seem to be much info online. I figure, seeing as most PC soundcards of the ISA era had a MIDI implementation based on Roland's reference design, I should be able to adapt this to a DB15 connector easily and then I could use it as an interface for my classic Gravis Ultrasound PnP. The only hitch is, I don't know how much extra logic control this thing has in it, seeing as it has 2xIn and 2xOut and the old style soundcard cables generally were just 1x1->DB15. Any ideas on this?

Well, my order from SmashTV is in progress so I figured I'd start a build thread. This will probably be dormant for periods of time while I'm waiting on parts or moving myself overseas (WTF?), but updates will go here as I make 'em. Expect lots of pics, lots of snark, and some genuine grade 'A' hack-jobbery. Here is genesis. A dismantled, dilapidated early 64 that a friend of mine left in my parents' barn kicked the whole thing off. In its yellowed glory: Opened it up, and... Crap! The SID is soldered in. The case isn't in that great shape either, but I pressure washed it and it will do nicely. (My boards from Smash TV haven't arrived yet, so I'm still not 100% sure how to make them fit in a breadbox case. There will be a lot of modification involved so I'm not overly worried about the original standoffs and mounting holes being intact.) The 6581 had to be removed... didn't like my practice results with solder wick, so out came the blowtorch. Thanks Sparx for the tip! YES. I did some practice chips with the blowtorch too before I went at the precious SID. The first ones came out too hot to even handle but by the time I got to the business I was a PRO! Also, my handy homemade chip puller (bent & cut out of the metal cover shield of the video module) acted nicely as a heatsink too. I think this motherboard has seen its sunset days. I harvested some other easy hardware but it'll be off to the recycler soon. So I posted an advert on a local site, "Buying dead C64s & C128s!", not really expecting much of it. A guy got back to me and sent me this pic: A 64-c? Yes please! I made him an offer (cheap!), which he accepted, and I drove half an hour or so to collect. When I got there, well, he had a little more stuff than he'd sent the pic of... Actually, a lot more. I was only expecting to get the computers but instead I got them, joystics, monitors, a ton of software, and some rather interesting accessories too. The 64-c is complete and in perfect working order. Crap! I can't part it out now! (^^ This game is really messed up! How did I not clue in to that as a kid?) Oh well, I guess I'll be keeping that intact for the time being. As for the other one, though: Socketed SID! No blowtorch required. :D The breadbox case is in better condition than my first one, but I like the authentic yellowed plastic. We'll see. LEVEL COMPLETE! SIDS HARVESTED: 2 BONUS ITEMS: MANY PLAYER RANK: WHELP

I think it's a pretty early revision. Khaki breadbox, boards say 1982 or 1983.

Great Tim, thanks for that. I'll probably put the order in soon then!

Hi all, I've got a couple roadside-special C64s that I'd like to turn into a 6582. Problem is the SIDs (6581s) are soldered in. The computers themselves are pretty busted up looking but I haven't tried to power them on (one of them came from a friend and I know it doesn't work.) Is there an easy way to test the SIDs in situ before I go to all the trouble to desolder them? Also, has anyone built an MB-6582 in a breadbox C64 case? I measured it against a PT-10 and the dimensions are almost identical (except width, C64 is wider) but the board positioning might be an issue... I do like the tidy look of the PT-10 build though. Thinking of ordering everything I can from Smash TV, have any Canadians done this and gotten dinged by customs? I don't mind having to pay HST/duty but if they tack on a whole bunch of brokerage fees that would be really irritating. Thanks, Jay