Single Board Computers

[patscc]

I don't see any software included.
patscc

 

[Old Computers]

I'll let that one go then. Would something like that one be good for me?

I looked into the specs of the Willem ones on Ebay, but they did not support the chip numbers I need.

 

[patscc]

If the specs support your chips. The big thing is available software. What chip(s) are you wanting to read ?
patscc

 

[Old Computers]

One is a 2532 and I believe the other one to be a 2732.

When I read the specs for the Willem I found that it did support a 27(C)32 (is that the same or equivalent?). I might resort to using one of my PCs to read the ROM if those chips are supported.

Here are the supported chips of the Willem burner from Ebay:
EPROMS:
27C64, 27C128, 27C256, 27C512, 27C010, 27C020, 27C040, 27C1001
M27C1001, M27C2001, M27C4001
27C080 (A19) , M27C801, M87C257
27(C)16, 27(C)32
2764, 27128, 27256, 27512, 27010

This one just popped up on Ebay, and the software is on the net (I downloaded it): http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Needha...907?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d5c9494b

 

[patscc]

The 5.0 reads the 2732's haven't tried it with the 2532's.
Some other Willem ones do, like:
http://www.mcumall.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewitem.asp?idproduct=4282
or (cheaper)
http://www.mcumall.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4225
For a supported device and adapter list,
http://www.mcumall.com/comersus/store/mcumall_TrueUSBWillemsupportICs.asp
These guys actually make them, so if you want any support, I'd buy from them.
I don't know how much you want to spend...
patscc

 

[Old Computers]

The mcumall ones are very nice. I am considering those, but they are a bit beyond what I feel like paying for one since I probably won't need to use it too often. I might decide to buy one in the future because they support a whole lot of chips including the ones I need.

My price range is $50-60 and lower.

 

[patscc]

You might be able to pick up a used one, but you might have a bit of a wait.
patscc

 

[Old Computers]

Okay. I'll keep my eyes out for one.

I try to get the schematics and or manual scanned soon.

 

[Old Computers]

I thought I would give a quick update for the SBC-2001. I changed some of the jumper settings to the default the assembly instructions mentioned. The auto baud rate detection now functions properly. I still have the problem with the D command at 9600 baud, but I have a theory that 9600 baud might be faster than the program runs. I also noticed that the board is missing a couple of ICs. I checked the manual, and most of them are spares, but one or two are not. I will try to source those and place them in the empty sockets.

 

[Iain McFetridge]

Hi I have full schematics and rom images. I also have images for boot disks for Nstar and CP/m

 

[z-ddt]

Well, @OC, here's the logo of the company that I recall:

They had the approach of using one Z80 as a supervisor with each user having his own Z80. Circa 1979-82 or so. You could have, IIRC, up to 16 Z80 user cards in a box.

acutaly Molecular had many versions biggest seller was the supermicro 8, but there was the supermicro 32 and even a supermicro 64. I have two supermicro 8,s and about 18 user cards. Ive got the first one running but have not even opened the second unit. I have the guts to two more units for spares. may sell some of the parts.

 

[z-ddt]

Here are some pictures of the Molecular Computers board.
View attachment 994705View attachment 994706

Some more news about the SBC-2001: I have been running the test for the D command which outputs the contents of the memory to the console. It seems that if I enter parameters greater than 0 the computer freezes up. Could the EPROM have lost some of its data? I do have the monitor listing if I need to re-assemble it.

that FPX board was a desperate lung of molecular trying to make there system a little faster. it had 128 megs of ram ver, 64K on the original FP board. My board can be made into a stand alone CP/M system with a rom change but dont know if the rom would work on the FPX. I cant remeber if its used as a single board if one could make it boot from the HD or not. the original systems came with a Priam 14 inch drive then a Priam 8 inch drive. after that they used a WD1000 MFM controler in place of the priam drives and used MFM drives. Mine has an Segate ST138 that works(for now) and I MAY be able to repplace it with a an MFM to CF card reader.
I have documentation and schematics for my systems but have nothing on the FPX board. like I said it was a last ditch effort for Molecular. one thing is I DO belive(if memory is correct) it will hook up to 5.25 floppy drives. I think the unit was in a machine called Durango F85. it was a word processing machine with a built in dasiy wheel printer,two floppys and two user boards. https://www.sydex.com/durango/durango.html or the Durango Poppy https://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/998/retro-scan-of-the-week-the-poppy-computer. Molecular bought Durango trying to make a PC style computer but failed. ALL durango and Molecular systems depended on serial terminals, wher the IBM used graphics cards. there was only a couple of terminals back then that used graphics. one was Infocolor.

 

[Chuck(G)]

....built in NLQ dot matrix. printer for the F-85. The Poppy could run Xenix on an 80286/80186 setup. MCBA applications in multi-user mode (still have the source code). With the serial terminals, the odd thing was that the F85 with a 3.5MHz 8085 could run 4 terminals about as fast as the Poppy did.

 

[z-ddt]

....built in NLQ dot matrix. printer for the F-85. The Poppy could run Xenix on an 80286/80186 setup. MCBA applications in multi-user mode (still have the source code). With the serial terminals, the odd thing was that the F85 with a 3.5MHz 8085 could run 4 terminals about as fast as the Poppy did.

lol. thanks for the correction. im going on 40 year old memorys. kinda rusty. I wasnt at Molecular when they went and bought Durang. I only have vage memorys of it. I alway thoght it was wierd the way they went.

 

[Chuck(G)]

I was one of the original hires at Durango (low 2-digit employee number). I moved on around 1981--I could see trouble on the horizon. Still have the stock certificates.

 

[z-ddt]

I was one of the original hires at Durango (low 2-digit employee number). I moved on around 1981--I could see trouble on the horizon. Still have the stock certificates.

I was emplyeee #6 at Molecular, I understand about trouble on the Horizon.

 

[z-ddt]

I just acquired two SBC's. One of them is called The Bigger Board SBC-2001 Z80A manufactured by Business Information Systems. I have the manual with it, and it implies that a CP/M customized for it came with it. Can I modify CP/M myself?

I also have another SBC that does not have a name from what I can tell, but it is manufactured by Molecular Computers, and the numbers on it are 1000082 REV A FPX 80. 90272002 REV HI. Doing a search for it turns up nothing relevant. Do any of you know anything about this computer?

Thanks,
Old Computers

I MAY be able to help you get that SBC from Molecular working. I have two complete and working molecular systems and spare parts for two more. I also have spare Userboards, WD1000 MFM controlers and drive squencers. would love to help you.