T-Squared
Veteran Member
Yes, it has happened! My system is as complete as it will ever be, so I might as well show it off here.
I got a dual-lot of Sanyo MBC-775s in 2019 as a present for myself, because it was such an interesting computer that I heard about through Reddit. (Sorry, @Trixter! I know you wanted this back then! I'm happy to know you finally got one, though! I'm always available for parts if you need them!) I can't find the post that got me interested, but I was impressed with how it looked. The system uses a dual-board configuration, with CGA, ISA, and Floppy Controllers on one, and the CPU, memory, and parallel port at a 90-degree-angle on the other. Unfortunately, one of the CGA/ISA/Floppy boards was not working (which I saved), and the CRT board on one was cracked, so I could not use it. However, the other CPU/Mem/Parallel board DOES work.
The cover is not attached because it allows me easy access to the internals of the machine. Besides, the plastic has become brittle and several pieces have broken off of the covers, not to worry, though, I have stored all the intact and non-working parts safely away. (The CRT board I decided not to repair, but I have kept several large parts from it that have come in handy.)
Some may question my reasons for modifying this system (including wasting a boatload of the original 120ns memory chips), but part of it was for future-proofing. At the very least, sockets will allow for future expansion, should we develop parity-centric memory boards (barring the MicroRAM board). The other was because I wanted to see how far I could take the capabilities.
Anyways, It's been a long 6 years, and I have become more knowledgable about not only this computer, but the IBM 5150/5160 series computers in-general.
What is new:
I am so surprised at how much this system can run now. As you can see in images 1, 2 and 3, I was able to run not only "Super Solvers: Treasure Cove!", but also Commander Keen episodes 1 and 4 (AND 5, I would later find!)
I want to try running the original Duke Nukem (the pink-tank-top one) on this thing, but I'm sure that it would be too slow to do anything with.
The only problem I've run into, and might be part of the system, is that the colors are not correct. (as you can probably see in the 2nd and 3rd image) Reds and Blues are barely contrasted, Dark Gray (Color 09) barely shows up, and most of the light colors, including Light Gray/Dark White (Color 08) don't contrast at all. Even the contrast dial, when turned up all the way, doesn't do much. I'll see if replacing the CRT neckboard drive transistors does anything, though.
Despite that, the system does amazingly well for its age, and I love the contrast between games and user interfaces that we consider for more advanced systems, versus the bulky "control-room" styling of the MBC-775. (I think that's called "Cassette-Futurism".) I'm almost expecting to see someone sending a distress text message to it as if it were a technological relay station!
I got a dual-lot of Sanyo MBC-775s in 2019 as a present for myself, because it was such an interesting computer that I heard about through Reddit. (Sorry, @Trixter! I know you wanted this back then! I'm happy to know you finally got one, though! I'm always available for parts if you need them!) I can't find the post that got me interested, but I was impressed with how it looked. The system uses a dual-board configuration, with CGA, ISA, and Floppy Controllers on one, and the CPU, memory, and parallel port at a 90-degree-angle on the other. Unfortunately, one of the CGA/ISA/Floppy boards was not working (which I saved), and the CRT board on one was cracked, so I could not use it. However, the other CPU/Mem/Parallel board DOES work.
The cover is not attached because it allows me easy access to the internals of the machine. Besides, the plastic has become brittle and several pieces have broken off of the covers, not to worry, though, I have stored all the intact and non-working parts safely away. (The CRT board I decided not to repair, but I have kept several large parts from it that have come in handy.)
Some may question my reasons for modifying this system (including wasting a boatload of the original 120ns memory chips), but part of it was for future-proofing. At the very least, sockets will allow for future expansion, should we develop parity-centric memory boards (barring the MicroRAM board). The other was because I wanted to see how far I could take the capabilities.
Anyways, It's been a long 6 years, and I have become more knowledgable about not only this computer, but the IBM 5150/5160 series computers in-general.
What is new:
- A better CPU - V20 instead of 8088
- A mouse, larger memory, and a real-time clock - An AST SixPak card
- Better and faster memory - 640kb of 100 nanosecond memory instead of 256kb of 120 nanosecond
- Better graphics - a 16-color EGA card instead of 4-color integrated CGA graphics
- and An extra ISA slot - thanks to a motherboard connector modification and a card slot board that I designed, permanently home to an XT-IDE-CF Mini. (5th image)
I am so surprised at how much this system can run now. As you can see in images 1, 2 and 3, I was able to run not only "Super Solvers: Treasure Cove!", but also Commander Keen episodes 1 and 4 (AND 5, I would later find!)
I want to try running the original Duke Nukem (the pink-tank-top one) on this thing, but I'm sure that it would be too slow to do anything with.
The only problem I've run into, and might be part of the system, is that the colors are not correct. (as you can probably see in the 2nd and 3rd image) Reds and Blues are barely contrasted, Dark Gray (Color 09) barely shows up, and most of the light colors, including Light Gray/Dark White (Color 08) don't contrast at all. Even the contrast dial, when turned up all the way, doesn't do much. I'll see if replacing the CRT neckboard drive transistors does anything, though.
Despite that, the system does amazingly well for its age, and I love the contrast between games and user interfaces that we consider for more advanced systems, versus the bulky "control-room" styling of the MBC-775. (I think that's called "Cassette-Futurism".) I'm almost expecting to see someone sending a distress text message to it as if it were a technological relay station!