cardboardboxer
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Acorn RISC PC 600 video output.
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For best compatibility with Archimedes/A-series computers you're best to stick with the Arm 610 and Risc OS 3.5 or 3.6.
However, for the rest of the tasty software out there you want to get a StrongARM cpu, for which you'll need at least Risc OS 3.7.
However, for the rest of the tasty software out there you want to get a StrongARM cpu, for which you'll need at least Risc OS 3.7.
Hello,
Congratulations on getting a RiscPC - really a genuinely great old computer.
As previously stated for best compatibility with older software (games) life is simpler with an ARM610 or ARM7 and RO3.5 - 3.7...
...having said that once you gotten familiar with the machine a StrongARM card will really make it fly (RO3.7 minimum) and later versions of the OS are worth getting. (Yes it's a ROM based OS but soft loading later versions can be done with minor restrictions)
On the monitor front there should be no trouble connecting it to pretty much any modern device you want, a 15Khz one is absolutely not required I hope you will be glad to hear. (Some effort may be required to get the best out a brand new TFT - ultra-high resolution wide screen monitors didn't exist when these machines were on sale)
Can you post a little more info about your machine when you know, and I'll do my best to talk you through. (feel free to PM me)
Questions:
What kind of monitor are you using? (Anything that will do in the region of 800x600 - 1280x1024 should work without much effort)
How much V-RAM do you have? (I can tell you how to check if you need, it effects bit depth/resolutions available)
What OS version have you got? (Subtle differences in how you set stuff up - I'm guessing 3.5/3.6)
I guess you have an ARM610 - is it? (Not really important for now)
How much RAM really isn't a factor with these machines.
Thoughts:
I strongly suspect the reason why your machine didn't just work straight off is the previous owner had set up the video output to something unusual - for instance if it came from a school the cheapskates may have had it connected to an ancient 15Khz monitor. (The VIDC, video chip, in these things is very flexible and can be programed to output just about any frequency range you want - within reason)
A quick Google of 'RISC OS and Monitor definition file' will very likely turn up your answer.
If you power-on holding down <Shift> the machine will boot with it's default settings, having not run the !Boot application on your HDD. (640x480 if memory serves) If that gets you a working output then your problem is almost certainly a funny monitor set up.
All the best, you really have bought a great machine with a wealth of possibilities and software.
PS
You really, REALLY, need to check the battery if you haven't already - old / leaking cells kill off more old computers than pretty well anything else.
Congratulations on getting a RiscPC - really a genuinely great old computer.
As previously stated for best compatibility with older software (games) life is simpler with an ARM610 or ARM7 and RO3.5 - 3.7...
...having said that once you gotten familiar with the machine a StrongARM card will really make it fly (RO3.7 minimum) and later versions of the OS are worth getting. (Yes it's a ROM based OS but soft loading later versions can be done with minor restrictions)
On the monitor front there should be no trouble connecting it to pretty much any modern device you want, a 15Khz one is absolutely not required I hope you will be glad to hear. (Some effort may be required to get the best out a brand new TFT - ultra-high resolution wide screen monitors didn't exist when these machines were on sale)
Can you post a little more info about your machine when you know, and I'll do my best to talk you through. (feel free to PM me)
Questions:
What kind of monitor are you using? (Anything that will do in the region of 800x600 - 1280x1024 should work without much effort)
How much V-RAM do you have? (I can tell you how to check if you need, it effects bit depth/resolutions available)
What OS version have you got? (Subtle differences in how you set stuff up - I'm guessing 3.5/3.6)
I guess you have an ARM610 - is it? (Not really important for now)
How much RAM really isn't a factor with these machines.
Thoughts:
I strongly suspect the reason why your machine didn't just work straight off is the previous owner had set up the video output to something unusual - for instance if it came from a school the cheapskates may have had it connected to an ancient 15Khz monitor. (The VIDC, video chip, in these things is very flexible and can be programed to output just about any frequency range you want - within reason)
A quick Google of 'RISC OS and Monitor definition file' will very likely turn up your answer.
If you power-on holding down <Shift> the machine will boot with it's default settings, having not run the !Boot application on your HDD. (640x480 if memory serves) If that gets you a working output then your problem is almost certainly a funny monitor set up.
All the best, you really have bought a great machine with a wealth of possibilities and software.
PS
You really, REALLY, need to check the battery if you haven't already - old / leaking cells kill off more old computers than pretty well anything else.
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cardboardboxer
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Later versions of Risc OS have support for serial mouse. Press F12 and *configure mousetype 1 I think is serial. Not sure whether this existed for RO 3.6.
cardboardboxer
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cardboardboxer
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Hold down delete whilst powering up until the prompt appears.
Beware: Risc PCs have goblins inside that if awakened will do untold damage to your retro collection. The one escaped from mine and there was fire on my desk... You have been warned!
One of my RPC's took to killing HDDs... regular escapes of magic smoke - don't worry, not a normal thing with these machines.
It stopped when I swapped the last dead HDD for a compact flash card & adapter.
Hmm, then there's the time I lost a RPC HDD for a 'suicide woodlouse'. :roll:
@KieranD212:
Is your RiscPC up 'n running now?
As TC mentions holding down <Delete> when you power-on will reset the CMOS to the factory defaults - needed when you (very sensibly) change the battery. Holding down <Shift> just prevents the !Boot app in the root of our HDD running...
...after a power-on + <Delete> all should be good but if for any reason your RPC won't auto run !Boot do the following:
Once the desktop is up (possibly after an error message) press <F12>
Then type: conf.filesystem ADFS <Return> <-Default filesystem
Then type: conf.drive 4 <Return> <-Default primary HDD
Then type: conf.boot <Return> <-Tell the computer to look @ this drive on boot
Then type: opt 4,2 <Return> <-Tells the computer to run !Boot on, er, boot
Then type <Return> again <-Back to the desktop
On your next reboot your machine should run properly, assuming your !Boot app a correctly set up...
...double click on !Boot (or sometimes the Apps icon depending on OS version) to run the !Configure app and set the remainder of things up as you'd like: Default screen mode / monitor type, drives, etc.
It's a happy sight to see the photo of your RPC running. I see the picture isn't centered so well... If you haven't already check out the provided monitor definition files (!Configure) and if none of those are good a google of "monitor definition file RISCOS" or "MDF RISCOS" should help...
...!MakeModes can be used to roll your own if you know the specs of your monitor. If that monitor of yours is an old-fashioned CRT multi-sync getting hold of a MDF with a selection of 50/100mhz modes will be great for playing old games - I have one for Acorn's AFK85 (17" multi-sync).
PS
Although mostly aimed at Classic Arcs the links in my sig may be of interest.
PPS
Broken flaps are a common problem with these machines. The little plastic post snaps off.
As long as you have the spring fixing it is dead easy - just drill two holes and a paperclip:
https://www.amibay.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=45731&stc=1&d=1369071561
https://www.amibay.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=45732&stc=1&d=1369071807
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cardboardboxer
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Holy Thread Revival Batman!
Holy Thread Revival Batman!
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Holy Thread Revival Batman!
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cardboardboxer
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You could try these:
stardot - http://www.stardot.org.uk - which caters for acorns from the atom up to 32 bit machines. It's Great! It may take a few days to sign up as you have to email the admins to get an account.
Iconbar - http://www.iconbar.com/ - caters for riscos machines, I've browsed occaisionally but I'm nota member there so can't comment more than that.
stardot - http://www.stardot.org.uk - which caters for acorns from the atom up to 32 bit machines. It's Great! It may take a few days to sign up as you have to email the admins to get an account.
Iconbar - http://www.iconbar.com/ - caters for riscos machines, I've browsed occaisionally but I'm nota member there so can't comment more than that.
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cardboardboxer
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