russ (03/24/83)
#R:cwruecmp:-54600:hp-cvd:7100002:000:1219 hp-cvd!russ Mar 22 08:56:00 1983 You probably could use an old IMSAI or ALTAIR, but don't expect much. The motherboard is certainly not shielded or terminated, and they're generally not reliable for business use. Of course, they're probably just fine for hobbyist (sp?) use. This caution does not apply to the Ithaca Intersystems computer. This computer is obviously an IMSAI, redone correctly. The power supply uses cables, not a pc board, the power switch is mounted on the chassis, not the front panel, etc. etc. IMSAI/Altair front panel compatible implies that the CPU has a sixteen pin header plug for a cable running from the front panel. Only eight signals are used; the other eight are ground (except on the Intersystems) These signals come straight from the cpu's data pins. On the IMSAI, the LEDs are driven straight from the signals, no buffering! And the same goes for the address bus LEDs! The front panel also requires some other funny signals, such as XMEM*, to be on the bus. I don't know if IEEE-696 supports those signals. I don't know exactly what is reasonable for a power supply. If you try to dissipate more than ten watts per S-100 card, you're just asking for trouble. Russ Nelson ...hp-pcd!hp-cvd!russ