bmarsh@noscvax.UUCP (William C. Marsh) (12/26/84)
[usually funny line at beginning of article]
Here is the summary of responces I received from my previous
article asking for opinions and experiences with the Megaboard
pc-clone motherboard.
In one sentence or less it looks as if the megaboard is a
"compatable" motherboard, and the MEGA-BIOS does work. As
with any "do-it-yourself" project, there is always the hard
to find part, but from the sound of my responces this amounts
to an LS TTL chip and two delay lines.
The responces I received follow. Thanks to all who responded.
===
From: sdcsvax!decvax!dartvax!stevel (Steve Ligett)
Dartmouth is considered to be an IBM dealer (by IBM) for
most purposes, and here in our shop, the price list says
that an XT motherboard goes for $450. If I wanted to build
an IBM PC, I'd probably cheat and start with a real
XT motherboard.
Steve
===
From: <sdcsvax!bmcg!fltrsck>
I am in the process of building one. It has been brought up
to the point of displaying the memory test, a disk controller has not
yet been used. I am waiting until after Christmas for that.
I have found that their BIOS must be used; or that of the XT.
I have the full documentation; main board and BIOS EPROM.
Want to split some costs ??
Would you send a summary directly to me ?
David Faultersack
===
From: bmw@aesat.UUCP (Bruce Walker)
My info has it that the Megaboard is a pricey but safe route to getting a
PC-Clone. The MegaBios is a good BIOS in any event, and can be used with
other people's boards. In the Toronto area, there must be more than 10
or 20 PC-Clone boards for sale (no joshing!), and a lot of them have some
inherent design flaws (memory timing, DMA chip clock duty cycle problems, etc.)
but the MegaBoard is OK on that score. The biggest problem with the MB
(shared with others as well) is availability of parts. Just *TRY* to get a
74LS322 8 bit, all singing and dancing shift register some day (needed for the
keyboard serial port). It also uses two different analog delay line chips
which are anywhere from $8.00 to $15.00 (when available).
Moral: get a documentation package *FIRST*. Go through the parts list and
make sure that you have sources for all the parts. Otherwise, you could be
sitting on a bargain board that won't run 'cause one lousy LS part is missing.
Moral #2: Buy a populated board (with no memory, you can get that cheaper
yourself).
BTW, my 'clone has an LS299 designed into where the LS322 used to be, and
clocked logic where the delay line was.
Bruce Walker {allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!aesat!bmw
===
From: sdcsvax!ihnp4!cbosgd!watmath!utcs!advisor (Leonard Harris)
I just got one up and running - it is a very good clone and runs
all ibm software i have tried. The xt roms also work in it. The
only thing i don't like about it is the ibm compatible case offered
by DTC. All-in-all - I'm very pleased with it!
--
Bill Marsh
Naval Ocean Systems Center
San Diego, CA
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