WTB Dolch PCI video card, single-ribbon version

[kishy]

That thing (pic above), Chips & Tech 65548 PCI graphics card with 20-pin connector for LCD ribbon cable.

Please let me know if you have one.

Edit: A forum member was able to provide one; this request has been fulfilled. Please PM if you have another or something you may suspect to be newer but still compatible.

[wanabe]

Kishy - would this one work?  I'm about to ewaste a Dolch Pac63C, but remembered seeing this post a while back

[kishy]

For the benefit of other thread viewers, I did reply via PM:

As far as I know, this card will only be useful if the LCD is also included (if not the LCD, then the little adapter board that is mounted in the LCD frame...but safer to take the whole thing), so I'd be interested in the combination of those both and possibly some other parts. Will post (or edit) to update exactly what happens here.

Edit: I did end up passing on wanabe's vid card and LCD - the LCD would have had to be the 12" variety for it to work for me. So, I am still seeking the version of the card seen in the OP.

[Noelio]

Hi Kishy...

I'm not sure if you've already figured out the VESA/Feature-like header connector standard yet or not but it appears to be a header for DFP.
http://pinouts.ru/Video/dvi_matrox_pinout.shtml
Dolch are known for their use of this connector on military grade displays etc, according to this article. http://www.vision-systems.com/articles/print/volume-7/issue-2/features/product-focus/flat-panel-monitors-tolerate-tough-use.html

Edit to add: These guys seem to be referencing a Dolch "PitViper" card based on Chips & Technologies 655xx.
http://www.mp3car.com/classified-archive/19916-fs-6-5-lcd-tft-4.html

The good news is that it seems loosely compatible with DVI (or at least convertable from and to as seen here. http://www.networktechinc.com/cable-usb.html)

Your posts on the Dolch systems have been invaluable on my google research before buying two units today A "PAC 64" 233MMX and an obscure "PAC BMU" which appears to have been upgraded with a 160G hdd and an AMD "3d now" K6-2/500 and so this will also be my introduction. My plans are to use the PAC 64 to replace 3 or 4 AT & ATX boxes and trim their work areas. I was using up a lot of space just to be able to use old ISA wavetable/midi cards on old OS's!!!
The PAC BMU will be employed for soundcards as well but also for old TV tuners, various OS's & emulation. My general interest is retrocomputing (mostly atari 8 bit & 6502 based machines), emulation & music production.

The PAC BMU seems to be more like the PAC-65(?). It is missing the sweet cherry switches but has an IBM style pointer.

On another note, if we can verify this is indeed a DFP header that opens the floodgates on what cards and displays we could use to future proof (all things considered) these extremely neat machines.

PS: Your forum screams in just about all "Dolch" searches! Glad I found this place... I thought I was the only one with a retro fetish!

[kishy]

Hi Noelio

Thanks for the info, and definitely for speaking up! I am familiar with what a VESA Feature Connector is, and unfortunately everything I found suggested it is not that - but it could be related. VESA feature connectors are normally a 26 pin header, but the Dolch video cards in single-ribbon form only have a 20 pin header.

DFP however is a bit of a different story. I don't know anything about it, your post is the first lead I've had in that direction. Interesting, for sure...that looks kind of like something some now middle-aged Macs might have used (after the DA15 VGA-based connector went away, but before DVI made it onto all models - I think - Might be thinking of another sort of proprietary mess). It is worth noting that the use of this specific 20pin connector in the luggable computers dates to 1996 if not earlier - which may predate DFP...

(also, I recently obtained a 286 luggable whose monochrome LCD uses a 20 pin ribbon. However there is a separate power cable, plus it is substantially older, so the pinout is assuredly different and kind of irrelevant here. Just saying that "20 pins" is not a reliable indicator of anything, much to my frustration)

Part of the reason why I post (and take tons of pictures - but note my website is currently down due to a spectacular hard drive failure; my Dolch pics are mirrored somewhere else though and Google should find em for you if you want them) is to hit high on Google results, particularly with kind of obscure items. The Dolch computers are actually in an 'off the shelf' generic chassis, but Dolch is by far the most common brand of computers in these chassis so it's the easiest way to refer to them.

In any event you've definitely picked interesting boxes to play with. It would be somewhat off topic for this website, but I'm sure I wouldn't be the only 'geek' interested in following any 'hacking' you do to them in the off topic area...and I'll try to do some research once I have some free time (a valuable and rare asset recently). I do know the easiest solution to my problem is to simply get the PCI single-ribbon 20pin video card, and I think I have one lined up.

Cheers

[Wildcard]

I "believe" I have a matching card, will pm you when I get home later tonight to confirm.

[Wildcard]

After just 2 years of waiting, voilą

[rootwyrm]

Ha, I just noticed this thread and went "wait, a C&T lunchbox PCI? I think I still have some of those!" Might need to bring your DIP puller for the UVEPROM. I know I have the blanks if needed.

[jeroplane]

After just 2 years of waiting, voilą

Don't put it on the bag!