Help required - Quadram Quad386XT

[Mike1978]

I’ve gone down the rabbit hole again and I’ve bought 2 cards as above both untested. Missing cables, no CPU / no FPU no software or manuals.

I believe these are from 1987 and were a rival to the Intel Inboard 386/pc that allow an 8088 XT to be upgraded to a 16mhz 386.

Would anyone in the community happen to have any more details or even links to the software for these cards?

I can share some pics but not much else at present as I’ve yet to receive them.

Also I found a few pics of a boxed card out in the wild (Preterhuman & DosDays) so someone in the community may have what I’m seeking.

Mine are unboxed - the pictures of mine are the two cards together with no cables. The other pic was a previous one from Worthpoint that I assume was on eBay (that also sold without software - but did have the cable)

I’ve checked all the obvious places and now needing anyone out there with one of these to come forward please, it would be also great to archive any software / manuals for posterity should anyone else come looking. Maybe fire them across to Minuszero and the Web archive, Vogons Driver library too.

Finally any ideas about replacing the cable, I’m assuming I can copy the pin out from the likes of my Intel Inboard 386/pc and check a few other cards of the period like the Orchid Tiny Turbo and I have another non working Mountain Racecard. I’m hopeful if all share the same pinpoint I can buy an IDC cable and a 40pin dip connector and make one but any leads or suggestions are always helpful. I’ve scoured eBay.

Obviously I’m keen to get this working so all help appreciated

Thanks

Mike

 

[Mike1978]

Small update I’ve now received the cards and found someone who can make me a few cables (on their way). Still seeking the software. Anyone have any leads?

Yet to test but all being well they will work.

Mike

 

[Mike1978]

I’ve seen the software on an eBay listing it’s out of my price range atm but if anyone buys it and comes here and sees this then do upload that software

RARE Quadram Quad386XT 1MB WITH CABLE AND SOFTWARE FREE SHIPPING | eBay UK

Good cosmetic condition with normal signs of use and aging. Includes cable, software and manual. Outer box is damaged Please see photos and send any questions. Untested Selling AS-IS is. Estate sale item so no history is available. Please see photos and send any questions.

ebay.us

 

[Plasma]

I’ve seen the software on an eBay listing it’s out of my price range atm but if anyone buys it and comes here and sees this then do upload that software

I would lowball the seller. He got it from an estate sale, probably for less than $10.

 

[Mike1978]

I would lowball the seller. He got it from an estate sale, probably for less than $10.

I did point out at the time I had listed my own cards for less than half the price and still no reply I also asked without reply if they would copy the software my guess is they have no means to be able to do so.

 

[Mike1978]

I finally got hold of the software and a manual now I just need to validate that the cable I made is correct.

I uploaded the disk here:

Quad RAM 386 XT Utility Disk. 7z : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Quadram 386XT Software

archive.org

Any advice how I do this?

Mike

 

[ronnyroy]

I finally got hold of the software and a manual now I just need to validate that the cable I made is correct.

I uploaded the disk here:

Quad RAM 386 XT Utility Disk. 7z : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Quadram 386XT Software

archive.org

Any advice how I do this?

Mike

For the cable you can check that the two ground pins and one 5V pin going to the 8088 socket wire correctly to the header on the quadram.
If those match up it should be correct unless they had a very weird cable.