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Hello from Vancouver, BC

Getafix

Experienced Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2022
Messages
63
Location
Vancouver, BC
Hi, I am Stefan.

I found this forum searching for information on a digital group Z80 I am trying to get to work. It's a bit older than the computers I am really into - these are also mostly Z80 or 6502 type machines such as the C64 (first computer I owned), Apple II series, MSX, Amstrad, ZX Spectrum, Oric, BBC, etc, from the 80s. There were a lot of really great British computers in the 80s. I also have some 16-bit machines such as the Amiga, Atari ST and 68000 Mac's. Almost all of the machines I have work great, which is nice.

I am really not a hardware guy, more of a software guy. My goal is to make a game for each of the machines I own. It's a slow process but I am making (slow) progress.

Apart from the dg Z80 I am trying to bring to life, I also have some parts of am IMSAI 8080 but it's likely never going to work again. Perhaps if I get the digital group machine working I'll have the courage to see if I can get something to happen with the IMSAI.

I only discovered this forum today but it seems very active. I hope to learn a thing or two here. Learning new things about old computers is what I really like :)

Thank you - Stefan
 
Welcome to the Forum!

You mentioned you have a machine from The Digital Group. Now I know Falter has one system, but did you by chance purchase yours in the last year?
I helped a friend test out and work on a Digital Group machine in a slightly hackish box before he sent it onwards so I'm curious if its the same machine, or there's three separate machines now floating around the Greater Vancovuer area, which is unusual.

For IMSAI help there's actually a few people in the area who can help you out.
 
Hi Stefan,

Welcome to the forum. We're mostly a friendly group here!

A nice collection of machines and 'bits' you have there.

Create a new thread for the machines you would like to fix and we'll give you some pointers.

Be aware that you will be moderated for your first 10 posts - so be prepared for a bit of a delay between posting and the post appearing (depending upon the overworked - and underpaid - moderators)!

Dave
 
Welcome to the Forum!

You mentioned you have a machine from The Digital Group. Now I know Falter has one system, but did you by chance purchase yours in the last year?
I helped a friend test out and work on a Digital Group machine in a slightly hackish box before he sent it onwards so I'm curious if its the same machine, or there's three separate machines now floating around the Greater Vancovuer area, which is unusual.

For IMSAI help there's actually a few people in the area who can help you out.
Hi,

Quite likely the same machine. Big, heavy blue box, Panasonic tape recorder, Sanyo monitor, 13 (I think if I remember correctly now?) tapes, open keyboard and some original documents. Sounds like the one you know?

I know it has been around a bit. I think this one can be salvaged. I sure hope I can get it working fully.

Stefan
 
Heh, small damn world.
I knew the previous owner and helped do he initial sort-out to get it up to prompting for the tape and then ran into the same issues you began running into. I almost bought it myself but it was a bit too primitive for me. :p
 
I can't back up if it was working or not. We did some basic audio and tape tests and when we saw it was recognizing something on the cassette interface we assumed the interface was working. I had no extra tools to verify the data going into memory was valid.
 
Did he mention when he was selling it that the tape interface didn't work I ask myself?

Dave

I wasn't sold "a bill of goods". I went in knowing what I was getting myself into. Imagine how awesome it's going to be when I get it working! If I don't, well, then I had some fun and learnt a few things along the way. Also discovered this forum. Worth it already. :) Always look on the bright side of life - Monty Python.
 
Welcome @Getafix. I grew in Seattle and visited Vancouver a lot. Now on the east coast. I started with a CP/M system and now mostly play with DOS/Windows and Linux. I hope you get that old kit working.

Laughed at the Monty Python reference. Love it.

Seaken
 
Hi Seaken

I did manage to get the system to work! Super happy about that. Another user here gave me some great tips for checking RAM and pointed at something to look at which got tape loading working. I am really happy with the system now, and just as happy to have found this forum.

All the best - Stefan
 
Stefan, I watched your video again today. Very cool machine. And I am very unhappy with myself for having sold my Horizon those many years ago. I did not know that I would end up being enthused with old computers and that so many other folks would share this enthusiasm. The things you don't know, right?

Now I have to get out my NorthStar Advantage and get it working again. I haven't used it in over twenty years. I hope it doesn't blow up!

Seaken
 
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