Sparrow inspection

[thothy]

As promised, here's TOS 2.07 dump, for the first time in Atari history.

Thanks a lot for that dump! I've now committed some hacks to Hatari, so we can now load this TOS version there, too:

https://hg.tuxfamily.org/mercurialroot/ ... 5da396494b

[Greenious]

How do you get to bit 3 here???

Code: Select all

8007   RW   dvim bs_c
            7654 3210

I'd still say the "bus error" bit i is number 5.

Sorry, brain lapse...

[Jeff_HxC2001]

. my HxC started to behave...

How ?

[mikro]

. my HxC started to behave...

How ?

No worries Jeff, you helped me to fix it on your forum. I guess you will find the information that your Atari ST Manager runs on the Sparrow flawlessly as interesting. :)

[Jeff_HxC2001]

. my HxC started to behave...

How ?

No worries Jeff, you helped me to fix it on your forum. I guess you will find the information that your Atari ST Manager runs on the Sparrow flawlessly as interesting.

ok, just got it .
Great news for the HxC+HxC Manager + Sparrow compatibility !
Can you send me a picture of the Sparrow running the manager with the HxC ? (And/or post it on the HxC Facebook group ? :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hxc2001

[mikro]

Apologies for the delayed post. As promised, here is a few photos and information I have gathered so far. I'm going to split it into several posts as AF bullies me about the post size, number of attachments etc.

Let's start with the motheboard:

IMG_20180531_222520.jpg

IMG_20180531_223324.jpg

As you can see, it's a typical Sparrow rev.2 board. Custom ICs are nicely presented here: http://www.old-computers.com/museum/pho ... c=635&st=1$

IMG_20180531_223522.jpg

IMG_20180531_223608.jpg

IMG_20180531_223634.jpg

The case is, except its unusual colour, rather standard ST/Falcon one (with connectors matching Falcon 1:1 but the floppy side still has the narrow rounded button form)

[mikro]

Misc motherboard components:

IMG_20180531_222917.jpg

It looks like a younger brother to the (in)famous SR98. Not sure whether this was really the original PSU as the original owner had claimed to be it a 110V machine, what is clearly not. Anyways, as you can see, it's a truly ST/E compatible PSU judging from the connector.

IMG_20180601_121442.jpg

MVIMG_20180601_121513.jpg

Typical oldschool Epson floppy with the rounded button for which people love so much to butcher their Atari cases. Fortunately, Falcon has received "already cut" case.

IMG_20180531_224355.jpg

There hadn't been much of evolution for the 2.5" bracket. :-)

[mikro]

RAM card looks a bit dated, I think even more than the original one found in Falcon. This is a 14 MB model:

IMG_20180531_223415.jpg

MVIMG_20180531_223400.jpg

While I was at it, I tested a Falcon RAM card and thankfully, it works without an issue:

MVIMG_20180531_231634.jpg

[mikro]

The last post for now... Sparrow's imperfections. :)

IMG_20180531_225722.jpg

As there are no holes on the case, the bracket has to be mounted purely by screws. And since the screws are too tall, how do you install them? :)

IMG_20180531_230201.jpg

Not sure how much it's visible but the "teeth" of the PSU had to be cut out because the holes are too far away to fit.

IMG_20180601_110834.jpg

Not only the second hole doesn't match...

MVIMG_20180601_111434.jpg

... there is even a separate metal for that part! :)

Wiring on the back side:

IMG_20180531_224703.jpg

MVIMG_20180531_224902.jpg

[mikro]

Did I say the last post? All right, two bonus pictures. The Sparrow running the HxC file manager and (thankfully!!!) Parcp-USB:

IMG_20180601_122006.jpg

IMG_20180601_125720.jpg

This has allowed me to do further (software) testing as until now I had it connected to TV a couple of meters away from my laptop, therefore only the HxC was usable, making loading new software incredibly annoying.

There seems to be an issue with the monitor port / circuitry as I not only can't hear the key clicks but also nothing except RGB works. I could test both mono and VGA, I can hear it boot to desktop but there is no image. What is really strange at least as far as VGA is concerned because the seller clearly tested it on VGA. maybe the wiring around the monitor port has broke somehow. I guess I'll leave it as is for now, I can explore the machine as it is now and focus on fixing stuff later.

[stormy]

Very interesting. Looks like the DSP is larger than the final version, must be an older higher micron version I am assuming. Also is that a full speed 030 in ceramic packaging? I wonder Perhaps you need to run Bootconf to tell it to use VGA as default.

[mikro]

mzry: see my previous posts -- I can't use the standard NVRAM tools as they fail to accept the Sparrow as a NVRAM equipped machine. But yes, it's possible the NVRAM is the culprit here.

[calimero]

Nice posts

Does anyone know timeline of Falcon/Sparow development?

When and how planing starts? When they build prototypes...?

[Marakatti]

This has allowed me to do further (software) testing as until now I had it connected to TV a couple of meters away from my laptop, therefore only the HxC was usable, making loading new software incredibly annoying.

Hi, could you test these programs to see if they run?

http://www.atarimania.com/list_utilitie ... ._S_U.html

http://www.atarimania.com/utility-atari ... 37935.html

[mikro]

Hi, could you test these programs to see if they run?

http://www.atarimania.com/list_utilitie ... ._S_U.html

http://www.atarimania.com/utility-atari ... 37935.html

Not right now but in a few weeks' time I should be able to test it. Ping me if I forget. :)

[Marakatti]

Many thanks

[2tonBC]

Marakatti, do you have these programs pre conversion? both of the MSA launchers that I tried do not like tos 207.

[Marakatti]

Sure, here they are

[2tonBC]

Hi Marakatti,
Do you have any documentation on these programs? I am not getting too far with them. I have tried them on 2 different Sparrows with he same results. The issue is I am in the US and these machines are not working on US VGA’s. I am getting video but the screens are not readable.
This group do the same thing. They go to a screen the spins off the screen.
XGAN
XGANE
ZGANP
XGAN40
XGAN80
XGAVGA2
The following ask for input. Open application parameters.
XGA_NINH
X GAXI
XGAX
XGAVGA1
GAVGA
GATST1
XGANB
poo
Runs but did not do anything I could see, but they are dsp based so it may be looking for a loop back cable or a test fixture.
DSPMND
DSPNOOB
DSPMNDXY
These have different outcomes.
LDTEST2 just goes back to the desktop
Make16 just goes back to the desktop
MND256 goes to a green
SUBRTEST this asks for numbers to run test routine.

[Marakatti]

Thanks for checking. It's all I got. The XGA stuff has some C-sources where usage is explained. I think you need an example image file to get it to show something.

Code: Select all

/*** xga.c
 *
 *   XGA  -  display a picture (series of pictures) in XGA mode
 *           on Sparrow
 *
 *   xga {-s} {-i} {-n} file{.XGA}
 *
 *   uses either VGA or ST Color monitor (based on switches @8006)
 *   on ST Color monitor, defaults to 640x200, interlaced
 *                        use -n for 320x200
 *                        use -i to DISABLE interlace
 *
 *   after picture is displayed:
 *      5	shows basic 5 bits-per-gun picture
 *      4,3,2,1	shows a version of picture with specified number
 *		  of bits-per-gun
 *	ENTER	halts processor
 *
 *   91.11.05  atari!jtittsler
 *
 */

[calimero]

Just a short note that you can put data about yours Sparrows in Atari SN database: http://milan.kovac.cc/atari/chipmunk/

[mikro]

Or better, post some photos and information how did you get it working - so far I have been aware only of my two working Sparrows.

[2tonBC]

They are actually not mine. I am working on some Falcons and TT's for B&C, and he had some in case Sparrows, and few plain mother boards so I told him I would see what I could do with them. I think he also had an unpopulated board or two. I will see about taking some pictures and getting them posted.

[Rustynutt]

Bought a lot of stuff from B&C over the years. First thought that comes to mind thinking of B&C is family
Was a time when you could order hardware from two places, Best and B&C. Hope all is going well for them.

[2tonBC]

I took some pictures, but not sure how to post them.