Author Topic: WTF is this...a TG3 custom G80-1800HEU with a modem in it? (Read 3888 times)

BiNiaRiS · « **on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 15:20:01 »

So I just got this little gem in the mail today. I was expecting it to be just a standard 1800 with a serial cable attached instead of a DIN. What I got was a total surprise.

This board has been modified by TG3. The entire PCB is a completely different design and they even had to cut some of the plastic in the bottom of the case to get the PCB to fit in since it is so large.

What really is crazy is the the cutout on the back for a bunch of dip switches. That is something I have never seen on an 1800.

The sticker next to the dip switches makes me think that this keyboard has a built in modem, or it was designed to interact with a modem. Am I crazy? Pics are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60794121@N07/sets/72157627279431867/

alaricljs · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 15:32:49 »

Serial terminal board?

BiNiaRiS · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 15:42:30 »

Quote from: alaricljs;396606

Serial terminal board?

That is actually probably it. I didn't realize baud rates had to do with that. I just immediately thought of modems

SmallFry · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 16:55:07 »

WOOT! Kenosha, WI!

TexasFlood · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 17:05:40 »

Never seen anything like that, perhaps it was custom to replace a serial keyboard. You COULD use it AS a terminal, only problem is you have no screen to echo your keystrokes or see the response so you'd have to be mind melded with the device to use, hah.

BiNiaRiS · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 17:09:06 »

Quote from: TexasFlood;396640

Never seen anything like that, perhaps it was custom to replace a serial keyboard. You COULD use it AS a terminal, only problem is you have no screen to echo your keystrokes or see the response so you'd have to be mind melded with the device to use, hah.

I'm gonna have to do some testing to see if I can get this to work with a PC. Judging by the colors of the wires from the serial cable where it's soldered to the board, it looks like they reused the original cable and just cut off the DIN adapter and added the serial plug.

pokey9000 · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 22:52:30 »

It's RS232. TSC232 chip and the associated boost caps are a dead giveaway.

Also put some black tape on that EPROM. It's old, and you don't want it to get erased.

BiNiaRiS · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 22:57:59 »

Quote from: pokey9000;396800

It's RS232. TSC232 chip and the associated boost caps are a dead giveaway.

Also put some black tape on that EPROM. It's old, and you don't want it to get erased.

It may be a dead giveaway for you but I still don't even know what that means, haha. Does it mean it won't work on a PC at all?

And which one is the EPROM, the one in the middle?

TexasFlood · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 23:13:42 »

Quote from: BiNiaRiS;396803

And which one is the EPROM, the one in the middle?

The dude with the little round window (circled in red), suggesting to cover it with electrical tape which seems like sound advice.
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 23843[/ATTACH]

pokey9000 · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 23:22:18 »

It means that if you find the right pinout and a place to provide external power you could hook this to your PC's serial port. Not much chance of getting it to work with PS/2 or USB without some custom converter.

And what TexasFlood said.

didjamatic · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 23:31:32 »

That is the origin of the term "flashing" bios or firmware, you literally used light to do it. IIRC EPROMS used light EEPROMS were done electronically only. I never had to flash one, just learned about it in school.

TexasFlood · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 23:36:57 »

Quote from: didjamatic;396821

That is the origin of the term "flashing" bios or firmware, you literally used light to do it.

Bringing back memories. Back in the day I had this eprom burner for my Commodore 64, think it was called "prom queen" and a little standalone UV eprom eraser. You should hyperlink your GHSS to the 5k177 site.

didjamatic · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 10 August 2011, 23:51:42 »

Done, thx!

The Solutor · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 11 August 2011, 03:11:17 »

Quote from: BiNiaRiS;396803

It may be a dead giveaway for you but I still don't even know what that means, haha. Does it mean it won't work on a PC at all?

Serial mice and keyboards were used to work with a passive serial2PS/2 adapter. Just like the green / purple one.

News:

Author Topic: WTF is this...a TG3 custom G80-1800HEU with a modem in it? (Read 3888 times)