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My research about graphics of the Pro

AndrewZ said:
Thanks, it is RGB-DVI 300
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That's the same unit I use. It's very simple:

  • Pin 4 on system to pins 6,7,8 on the VGA connector (video gnd)
  • Pin 12 on system to pins 1,2,3 on the VGA (monochrome to RG&B)
The converter picks up sync from the video signal automatically. Here are the input settings I use along with a photo of the chess demo. These were taken when I had mono video connected only to green.
pro_350_extron.jpgpro_350_extron.jpgpro_chess2.jpgpro_chess2.jpg
I have no idea why photos always appear 2x when I attach them...
 
AndrewZ said:
No luck on this yet. I typed it in, checked the code, ran it. It creates something in a second but the graphics is not displayed correctly. After quitting, characters are not displayed correctly. Don't know how to reset to correct text mode, have to reboot.
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Thanks for your efforts. But if I understand you correctly, you had to type the code manually? IMHO it is very difficult to do such a task without mistakes. Have you tried other ways? A serial connection? A floppy disk? You mentioned a network device earlier in this thread...
However let's assume that there is no any typing mistake. My code works perfectly on xhomer which emulates the Pro 350. The first idea I got about the situation was an idea about the EBO card. Did you use it? I have some doubts about register 010 (8.) - it is absent on systems without the EBO but the code uses this register. If you don't use the EBO try commenting out the lines where this register is used. All of its uses are in the sreg and rreg subroutines. Just comment out 3 lines there that contain 8.(r1).
It would be good if we could get some help from other Pro owners.
 
vol.litwr said:
Thanks for your efforts. But if I understand you correctly, you had to type the code manually? IMHO it is very difficult to do such a task without mistakes. Have you tried other ways? A serial connection? A floppy disk? You mentioned a network device earlier in this thread...
However let's assume that there is no any typing mistake. My code works perfectly on xhomer which emulates the Pro 350. The first idea I got about the situation was an idea about the EBO card. Did you use it? I have some doubts about register 010 (8.) - it is absent on systems without the EBO but the code uses this register. If you don't use the EBO try commenting out the lines where this register is used. All of its uses are in the sreg and rreg subroutines. Just comment out 3 lines there that contain 8.(r1).
It would be good if we could get some help from other Pro owners.
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Yes, I am typing the code in, yes it introduces bugs. But I check and double check the code. I will check again after Christmas. I have plans to transfer code using floppy disks. I am awaiting parts to bring up a 386PC with both 3.5 and 5.25 floppies. This will help.

I am not using the color card yet. I am still using just the B/W/grayscale card. I only had a little time today but I changed 1 occurrence in sreg and 1 occurrence in rreg. No change in execution.
 
AndrewZ said:
I am not using the color card yet. I am still using just the B/W/grayscale card. I only had a little time today but I changed 1 occurrence in sreg and 1 occurrence in rreg. No change in execution.
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Sorry for asking you to run my code. Typing code is too hard a job and too error-prone. Let's wait until you have normal means to transfer files.
However there are 2 uses of register 8 in sreg and 1 in rreg. If your system doesn't use the EBO this can be a problem.
 
OK, I corrected a typo and have partial success. I get the upper half of the mandelbrot, T prints 1 2.15, 2 2.32, 3 2.50, 4 2.78, 5 3.07. Maybe not accurate yet but this is very cool. I'll be back in 2 weeks to finish the corrections.

I am working on restoring a 386 PC which has both 3.5" and 5.25" floppies. I hope to use this to copy code to and from the Pro 350. Maybe even to provide floppies to guys with Pro 350s.
 
AndrewZ said:
OK, I corrected a typo and have partial success. I get the upper half of the mandelbrot, T prints 1 2.15, 2 2.32, 3 2.50, 4 2.78, 5 3.07. Maybe not accurate yet but this is very cool. I'll be back in 2 weeks to finish the corrections.

I am working on restoring a 386 PC which has both 3.5" and 5.25" floppies. I hope to use this to copy code to and from the Pro 350. Maybe even to provide floppies to guys with Pro 350s.
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Happy 2024 year!
 
I am trying this again. I did manage to format a floppy on the Rainbow using "format b: /i". It has Kermit, but my Mac does not. I tried the Serial program to send a file but it fails. I made sure the port settings matched. I can't really tell if it's really connected. I will keep at it. The Pro-350 runs RT-11M, so I have no idea if PIP or something can receive files. I know very little about the Pro and RT-11M.
 
Looks like it's time for me to archive this RD32 using Dave Gesswein's MFM emulator. The drive is making squeeling noises to the bearings are likely dry and may be ready to fail. I'd like to get the data that's on the drive to something else (thus the MFM emulator). Now I just have to find the directions on how to use it. I only tried it on one other drive (on my Pro-350) and it read it just fine. But that drive seems Ok. Then I can get back to trying to figure out how to put files on the Rainbow to then copy to floppy and bring to the 350.
 
tradde said:
Looks like it's time for me to archive this RD32 using Dave Gesswein's MFM emulator. The drive is making squeeling noises to the bearings are likely dry and may be ready to fail.
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Check if there is a static spring on the drive spindle. When they wear they make squealing noises. Repositioning the brush will usually fix it.
 
It's not an RD32. I must have been confusing it with the drive in the Decmate. It's an RD51 if that makes any difference. It's hard to see as the spindle motor is buried under the controller board. I can see this "arm" that comes over to the spindle tip. So I am guess this is the spring you mention? To reposition it I will have to remove the board.
 
tradde said:
What kind of oil? I doubt I have any here.
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I like to use Singer sewing machine oil. Also, I use Rem Oil which is (was) a product of Remington Arms which you may find at Walmart in the sporting good section. Also, and I don't have a name for the brand, but pneumatic tool lube oil is also light and easy to find at any hardware store.
 
I use Liberty synthetic clock motor oil for this sort of thing. Avaialble from Amazon. A little dab'll do ya - whatever you use, don't go crazy with it.
 
I will check into that. Hopefully it comes in small quantities. Would like to find out this is not the drive ready to explode.
 
I have a number of RD50's, 51's, a 52, and a couple of 53's and 54's. Moebius watch oil with a set of bergeon oilers works well, I think the oil gets into the dry grease and re-greases it.

Not much that can be done with an RD50, but it's fun to watch the seek counterbalance move :)
 
tradde said:
I am trying this again. I did manage to format a floppy on the Rainbow using "format b: /i". It has Kermit, but my Mac does not. I tried the Serial program to send a file but it fails. I made sure the port settings matched. I can't really tell if it's really connected. I will keep at it. The Pro-350 runs RT-11M, so I have no idea if PIP or something can receive files. I know very little about the Pro and RT-11M.
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Unfortunately, I have little experience with serial connections. I have only connected two IBM PC's a few times. Maybe it would be worth starting a separate thread about connecting a Pro to a Mac.
 
I'm going to buy a bunch of 5.25" MD1 floppies and try to format those. Maybe we can swap software with floppies the old fashioned way.
 
AndrewZ said:
I'm going to buy a bunch of 5.25" MD1 floppies and try to format those. Maybe we can swap software with floppies the old fashioned way.
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IMHO a proper serial cable (the null modem type) may be a better solution, but this is just a theoretical note.
 
vol.litwr said:
IMHO a proper serial cable (the null modem type) may be a better solution, but this is just a theoretical note.
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Yes, probably better for me. But I hope to share some software with other Pro 350 owners. It is an experiment.
 
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