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Micro Color Computer Dead (?)

Okay, so are there potentially issues with there being additional channel selectors on both the RF modulator and then (I guess via software/firmware) in the cable box?
 
Hm, didn't you just mention the TV has analog RF input? I would plug in the cable from the MC-10 into the antenna input directly, without going through any other boxes you might have. Actually if the frequency is a bit on the weak side or slightly off, you might find that a TV made in the 1990's is too new to catch the signal. I prefer to use even older TV's, like mid-late 1980's for older computers and consoles. You might think it is bull, but I have several times experienced that one system that barely even registers on a newer TV, displays crystal clear on a much older TV. I can't say if the MC-10 is one of those, but the older TV you've got, the better in this case.

@griffk: The power adapters I spoke about plug into the wall outlet (230V), and then the 8VAC that is output somehow is wired to the phone system. One such power adapter per room.
 
Analog RF input meaning an RCA video input? I have tried that. I though about buying an old $5 Zenith B&W TV at a thrift store, but I know I'll throw it out almost immediately, and I don't see why the TV wouldn't work. I had also thought about just showing up with the MC-10 and testing it in the thrift store.

What's the easiest way to test the AC adapter? I have a multimeter, but I've really only used it to measure voltage on old compact Macs, where the grounding is more obvious. If that checks out, then I'll consider dining and dashing that Zenith TV. It's not clear when the RCA to F adapter will get here since it's shipping through China Post.
 
raoulduke said:
Analog RF input meaning an RCA video input? I have tried that.
Click to expand...

No. Just stop and rethink this, please.

This is what we mean by "analog RF input": the antenna input jack you can find on almost any TV set made in the last 30+ years:

o55dev.jpg


DO NOT use any of the RCA video inputs. Those WILL NOT WORK because you'd be feeding RF (at about 70 MHz) into a baseband video input (0 to 4 MHz). The frequency range is completely different and you'll see nothing on your TV.

And DO NOT use an external RF modulator, cable box, or anything else between the MC-10 and your TV! All you need is a plain RCA cable (it doesn't matter what color the connectors are; they're all the same electrically) and the RCA-to-RF adapter that was mentioned earlier in this thread.

The connection is very simple:

step-4.jpg


41nMFinFTjL._SX355_.jpg


Screw the RF adapter onto your TV's antenna input jack, and then connect the RCA cable (connected DIRECTLY to the MC-10) to the RF adapter.

Then turn on the TV and tune it to the same channel that the channel switch on the bottom of the MC-10 is set to (either channel 3 or 4). Turn on the MC-10, and you should be greeted with its BASIC screen with a green background and black text.
 
Okay. So then I still need to wait for the direct cable adapter...

The RF adapter I have is an externally-powered box that doesn't screw into anything. Also mentioned previously in the thread. [Preemptively... I switched it back to Channel 3 after taking the picture. It was not set to Channel 4 during this test.]






I can haz BASIC?

[I guess this RF was a pretty stupid waste of $20 then... yep RF modulators have increased drastically in price over time lol. Is there anything realistically I can use it for?]
 
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You were attempting to RF modulate a signal that is already RF modulated when it comes out of the MC-10. That's why it didn't work. :)
 
Okay. So end result = same? Wait for the direct adapter? (I was concerned the multiple channel selectors indicated I was groping at something unseemly in my ignorance...).
 
raoulduke said:
Okay. So end result = same? Wait for the direct adapter? (I was concerned the multiple channel selectors indicated I was groping at something unseemly in my ignorance...).
Click to expand...

Don't do anything else until you get the direct adapter and connect it exactly as shown and explained above.

Trying any other setup will only serve to further confuse you, at least until you begin to grasp the concept that composite video and RF-modulated signals are two completely different things, even though they can both use the same plugs and wires!
 
Are you sure you had the TV tuned to the correct channel? :) That's usually the kind of picture you get when the computer is set to channel 3 and you have the TV tuned to channel 4, or vice versa.

Even if the TV is tuned correctly and that's the best picture you can get from it, turn up the volume and hear if any sound is coming through from the MC-10. Type SOUND 39, 10 and hit Return and you should hear a beep through the TV speaker.
 
Well... I'm not at all familiar with the machine's interface as I've noted. SOUND 39, 10 doesn't yield any output; there's also a button that has SOUND superscripted over a key (i.e. (I assume) CONTROL+whatever that key was); also no effect.

It's also possible that the guy was selling it at that yardsale because he knew it was fried.
 
I've found that a simple adjustable AC to DV converter set to 9 Volts will get the MC-10 to work if you have the tip set correctly. The timing is off for various functions but the screen will come up.
31bzs3YRwiL.jpg
If you get your MC-10 up-and-running. I've made lot's of BASIC software for it:
http://faculty.cbu.ca/jgerrie/Home/jgames.html
There are also links there for the PC version of the VMC10 emulator, which is helpful for getting other software for the machine. It includes tools for translating program files for the emulator into sound files that can be transfered to tape or directly to your MC-10

Jim G.
 
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