diff --git a/retro/acsi2stm/acsi2stm.jpg b/retro/acsi2stm/acsi2stm.jpg old mode 100755 new mode 100644 index 760a8cc..cb55d0b Binary files a/retro/acsi2stm/acsi2stm.jpg and b/retro/acsi2stm/acsi2stm.jpg differ diff --git a/retro/acsi2stm/index.njk b/retro/acsi2stm/index.njk index 1916eba..128ad57 100644 --- a/retro/acsi2stm/index.njk +++ b/retro/acsi2stm/index.njk @@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ parent: "/retro/"
I bought an ACSI2STM adapter, but it isn't in use anywhere yet, so it sits among my other uninstalled extensions. The UltraSatan currently provides the ACSI hard-disk storage on the "Low" machine, so the ACSI2STM would be an alternative or a spare for another machine.
+
The ACSI2STM adapter, not yet installed.
Passive RGB-to-VGA adapters output the Atari's native timings, so color modes (ST Low and ST Medium) need a monitor that can lock to a 15 kHz horizontal sync signal. See my monitor compatibility page for which modern panels actually work. Mono mode (ST High) works on any standard VGA display.
+
The MCSWITCH adapter on the Mega ST 4 "Low" machine.
In my Mega ST 4 "High" machine the Eiffel connects the PS/2 keyboard and mouse, keeping the workstation fully usable alongside the MonSTerBoard, ET4000 and NetUSBee. The original Atari keyboard is now used with the "Low" machine, which pairs it with a mouSTer and a USB mouse.
+
The Eiffel PS/2 adapter, shown here without its case.
FPGA cores on MiSTer and MiST still only emulate the native ST Shifter, with no ET4000 emulation on the horizon given the FPGA resources it would require. So the real hardware approach remains the only way to get those higher resolutions, and now it works in the Mega ST 4 "High" machine with its dedicated monitor.
+
The ET4000 graphics card ready for installation.
-
+
The ET4000 installed in the Mega ST.
-
+
Close-up of the card and its wiring.
-
+
The ET4000 driving a higher resolution desktop.
-
+
The finished ET4000 setup in the workstation.
For the internal mount I printed a Gotek case from Thingiverse that fits in the floppy bay. I used this to relocate the Storm/Cloudy TOS switcher: the 2-way switch is mounted in a slot at the front of the printed case, right where the floppy opening is. So the TOS switcher now sits at the front of the floppy bay, which meant no drilling into the case at all, and there was already space there for it.
+
The relocated TOS switcher at the front of the printed Gotek case, a clear view of how it sits in the floppy bay.
-
+
The Gotek in the 3D-printed case, with the relocated TOS switcher visible at the front.
-
+
The Gotek rear view.
The original STM-1 mouse is a classic, but the original sensors are getting tired after decades, and the feel isn't great compared to modern pointing devices. The laser board keeps the authentic Atari mouse shell while making it genuinely usable again, which is a nice middle ground between the original mouse and something like the mouSTer with a modern USB mouse.
+
The original Atari STM-1 mouse converted to a laser sensor.
Workstation machine with multitasking (Geneva), AltRAM, IDE/CF boot, USB and network connectivity, and high-resolution display. My primary system for programming and productive work.
+
The Mega ST 4 "High" workstation.
-
+
Inside the "High" machine.
-
+
A detail of the "High" setup.
-
+
Expansion boards in the "High" machine.
-
+
Close-up of the "High" machine.
-
+
The "High" machine in operation.
-
+
The "High" workstation setup.
-
+
Board detail of the "High" machine.
-
+
The finished "High" machine.
\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/retro/monsterboard/index.njk b/retro/monsterboard/index.njk index a63bca6..227f543 100644 --- a/retro/monsterboard/index.njk +++ b/retro/monsterboard/index.njk @@ -53,11 +53,11 @@ parent: "/retro/"In my Mega ST 4 "High" machine the MonSTerBoard provides the 8 MB of TT-RAM that TOS 2.06 and Geneva use for real multitasking. For storage I use the dual IDE interface, booting the system directly from a CompactFlash card. I started with a 4 GB card, but that didn't work reliably, so I switched to a 1 GB card, which works fine. There's no ACSI hard drive connected in this machine; the IDE boot is noticeably faster than an ACSI drive would be. Combined with the ET4000 graphics card and its dedicated monitor, it's the most capable machine in the fleet.
+
The MonSTerBoard IDE adapter with a CompactFlash card attached.
-
+
After the 4 GB card didn't work, I switched to a 1 GB CompactFlash card.
-
+
The MonSTerBoard pins and jumper block.
With the Storm ST and Cloudy ST combo in place, the machine boots into EmuTOS 1.0.1 with all 8 MB of Alt-RAM available, or switches over to PP's improved iTOS 1.04 for maximum software compatibility with games and demos from the era. iTOS 1.04 adds real FAT16 filesystem support, so it works much better with hard disks and mass storage, plus a few welcome extras on top of the classic TOS 1.04 behaviour. It's the best of both worlds: the modern conveniences of EmuTOS combined with the improved, authentic-feeling iTOS.
+
The Storm ST and Cloudy ST combo installed in the Mega ST.
-
+
Close-up of the Storm ST and Cloudy ST boards.
-
+
The Storm ST and Cloudy ST with their wiring in place.
-
+
The finished installation in the Mega ST.
In the Mega ST 4 "High" machine the STPSU provides clean, stable power to the MonSTerBoard, IDE storage, the ET4000 and the rest of the workstation, keeping everything running reliably.
+
The STPSU installed in my Mega ST 4 "High" machine.
-
+
A closer look at the installed STPSU.