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Keep in mind the different capacities of the diskettes. A 5.25" diskette will either hold 360KB (Double Density) or 1.2MB (High Density), a 3.5" diskette will hold either 720KB-DD, 1.44MB-HD, or 2.88MB-ED (the last one is rare.)
What you could do is mount the 5.25" drive in a 'modern' system, format and sys a floppy, then remount it in the 8088 and sys the hard drive. After that, use Interlink/Intersvr to use a null-modem cable to transfer the remaining DOS files.
Check this site out... don't know if it will be helpful.
http://www.obsoletecomputermuseum.org/
The 3.5 will not be recognised so it is a waste of effort trying to put that size floppy on the machine. In fact I would think the only floppy that could be used would be a 360k one.
Zedy,
That's why I suggested putting the 5.25" drive in a 'modern' system, not to put the 3.5" drive in the old system.
AlaricD
I take it from your last post that I can take 5.25 from a older machine, then put it into a newer one. That is from a 286 [AT Jet]and put it into a 486 [Cynergy] for a dos game machine.
Right-- the BIOS on newer systems should be backwards compatible-- I have an Socket 370 board and it still provides support for 5.25" drives... Back when the 486 was still popular, the 5.25" drive was still a common sight.
Thank you.
Now to get a Battery for that 486. $20 though. So, think I'll make one. 4.5V alkalide, as I have old one so, I have the leads :)
Hi All,
Vernon, did not know such a controller was available. It would appear there are a number of ways to get this unit operational.
This is what I will invest in in addition to the $10 I paid for the PB 500. The controller card and the Teac FD-505 and a few floppies. Will send for the controller card and will do what Markp62 suggested - check out the Goodwill stores and other such places for the rest. The cheapest I found on the Teac was $59 for a refurbished one.
All of you put alot of info into this thread in short order and I appreciate it very much. Alot of knowledge to get started with.
Ok, now for somes facts on this machine.
Hard drive - ST238R, MF 501C-318U, Mitsubishi
Has a 20 pin and 34pin flat cable and standard
power connector. The other ends of the two ribbon
cables connect to an interface card that plugs into
the Mobo.
The processor is a MBL8088-1 with Intel 78 stamped on it with the other lettering.
Looking at the rear of the case at the bottom left and going to the right is a four position DIP switch, a serial port, and then a parrallel port.
The ATI video card has a 9ine pin output connector as well as a 4 position DIP switch.
The printed circuit boards are of the etched variety with physical resistors, capacitors, and inductances. These are soldered in. This type of board is and was repairable. The schematic nomenclature for the parts are shown. Such as R-11, C-201, L-11 etc on the boards.
The power supply is a PS-901 switching power supply that can be used on 120/240V. I was surprised at the amperage rating on the voltages supplied. The 5V was rated at 8.0A and the 12V at 3.5A. The printed circuit boards of this era were but one of the stepping stones to miniaturation that we see today.
At the library yesterday, I found and checked out a book entitled DOS, WordPerfect & Lotus by Robert W. Harris. Seems a good book to start at the beginning with. Will help fill in the gaps I have on using DOS. :)
i set up this pentium 2 computer im on now to have A drive as a 5 1/4 drive..
i have a windows 98 startup disc in a 5 1/4 size
ive seen 5 1/4 floppys at office max a year ago but for an 88 cpu computer i guess youll have to get the 360 kb discs used at goodwill, ebay etc
Hi All,
Thanks for the info steppenwolf. Started exploring and looking but haven't found anything yet. Found two big flea markets to go to. One is once a month on the first Monday weekend. That's coming up this weekend. Got to find out on the other one. Found a couple of Goodwills too.
Now one question I overlooked. Has to do with pin connections on the 34 pin floppy ribbon connectors. Current day has pin connectors whereas on the PB 500 they are what I call a double spade connection. Any one ever try rigging a cable with one of each or can they be bought still from Belkin or whomever? I am unsure on the impedance versus data flow here. Any ideas?
i think you can use a high density disc and format it as a 360 kb , at least you can with a 3 1/4 disc if you put tape on the one side without slide you can format it as a 720 kb
"Double spade" connection? I remember those connectors for the card edge on 5.15" drives, they resembled a small segment of ISA slot, in a way, but this "double spade" thing sounds quite old.Quote:
Originally posted by greengoose1
Now one question I overlooked. Has to do with pin connections on the 34 pin floppy ribbon connectors. Current day has pin connectors whereas on the PB 500 they are what I call a double spade connection. Any one ever try rigging a cable with one of each or can they be bought still from Belkin or whomever? I am unsure on the impedance versus data flow here. Any ideas?
Any chance of getting a picture?