Hooked Up To An IIyama LCD

The non backlit LCD display on the 5140 is poor to say the least, low contrast and dim.  Fortunately I have the expansion ‘slice’ that offers CGA and composite outputs, unfortunately it smoked alarmingly the first time I powered it up.  However after taking it apart and not being able to find any obvious damage I decided to risk it and  plug it in again.  I don’t think I’ve got any monitors capable of hooking up to the CGA output so I decided to try the composite out.  I wasn’t expecting it to work but was pleasantly surprised when my trusty IIyama flat panel picked up a signal.

Application Selector

Initially it looked pretty awful, all sorts of convergence issues and generally pretty fuzzy.  The IIyama however offers a lot of adjustment options and after fiddling with the brightness and contrast, reducing the colour to zero and altering the sharpness I had a pretty useable image.  I then remembered you can alter the output via the Application Selector supplied with PC-DOS.  Sure enough once I’d changed it from colour to mono I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the composite output.  After a bit more fiddling I was even able to achieve a cool retro amber look by altering the colour temperature.

I’ve been trying out the expansion units that came with the 5140 and clip on to the back of the main machine.  One provides parallel and serial ports and the other is for connecting a monitor.  Unfortunately I had a ‘magic smoke’ incident with the later unit after powering up the machine.  It was a bit of an ‘oh shit’ moment as initially I didn’t notice it but caught a whiff of the tell tale stench before spotting the smoke rising from the unit and shutting it down.  I haven’t opened it up yet to see what the damage is but hopefully it’s repairable.

Expansion Bus Connector

The expansion bus on the 5140 uses 8-bit ISA architecture.  At the rear of the unit is a single 72 pin edge connector which is repeated on the back of each expansion unit.  Once attached the expansion units give the machine a very odd look, especially if you also attach the printer unit which results in the 5140 almost doubling in length.

Theoretically you could create some kind of hack with an old unit and hook up an HDD but that’s well beyond my level of tinkering.

Serial/Parallel Expansion Unit

The serial port on the interface expansion unit is working.  I downloaded the ever dependable Kermit and after stripping it somewhat to fit onto a 720k floppy loaded it up and dialled out to my BBS and sent off a couple of emails.  It’s been interesting running a machine with no fixed disk.  The second drive by the way has started working, maybe whatever was preventing it from reading disks before has been dislodged.  I made a quick video of the 5140 below:-

I also found the following advert for the 5140 on Youtube, in it you can see the machine hooked up to a monitor, I lust after that monitor, I want one, a lot:-

I’ve taken a break from playing with the Samsung PenMaster and thought I’d take another crack at getting my IBM 5140 up and running.  When I originally plugged it in, the power supply fizzled for a while and then went pop and as I have been unable to source a suitable replacement the machine has languished in storage since.

IBM 5140 Closed

It occurred to me a few days ago as I was wiring the PenMaster up to the new bench top power supply I’d purchased that I could of course use it to power the 5140.  The power connector for the IBM has a 5.5mm diameter plug with a 2.5mm centre.  I checked online and confirmed that the centre pin is positive so I cut off the cable from the fried power supply, checked which wire was which with a meter and hooked it up to the bench top PS.

The 5140 requires 15v DC at 2.7 amps to both run and charge the battery at the same time.  The battery looks as though it’s had a leak in the past so I’d already removed it but wasn’t sure if the 5140 would run with it disconnected.  Fortunately it turns out that it does as on power up it POSTed and after querying both drives which were empty dropped into the default BASIC.

IBM Startup Diskettes

The unit came with a wallet containing PC DOS 3.30 on both 3.5 and 5.25″ disks so I restarted with the relevant disk in drive A and the machine booted successfully to DOS.  Drive B is not currently working although I suspect it’s just a cleaning job.

Both drives are 720k units and pop up for access as you open the lid.  Incidentally this was the first IBM machine to use 3.5″ drives, the first to run on batteries and the first to use surface mount technology.  The 80×25 LCD screen on my example is unfortunately not backlit as found on later models and is almost identical to the one found on the Epson PX-16 and similarly lacking in contrast.

IBM 5140 Convertible

The CPU is an Intel 80C88 running at 4.77 MHz, there’s 512 KB of RAM and no HDD nor room for one.  There is space inside for an optional modem although mine doesn’t have one and other expansion comes courtesy of units which have to be clipped on at the back.

I have two expansion units, one provides a serial and parallel port and the other is I believe for connecting a CRT.  The existing LCD is removed by simply pushing the bottom of the square panel below it which tips forward and allows the screen to be lifted off, the idea being that the unit quickly converts from a portable to desktop.

Serial & Parallel Expansion Unit

Targets are to try to get the second drive working hopefully with a simple head clean and then to try out the expansion units by connecting a modem to the serial port, possibly a printer to the parallel port and then see if I can get a video signal from the other expansion unit.

Screen Removed

Samsung PenMaster

I’ve managed to free up 7-8 MB of space on the PenMaster’s internal HDD without breaking anything.  This has allowed me to successfully install Internet Explorer 3.02.  Well I say successfully, although the package has installed, I was under the impression that it contained a TCP/IP stack and dialer software but this doesn’t appear to be the case.  I had a look around and found Trumpet Winsock which I remember using with the Amiga 1200 when I first connected to the Internet back in I believe 1991.  Funnily enough, the ISP I was using then, Demon Internet, are still hosting the file on their FTP server here.

I shall attempt to install this and see where it leads.  If I’m honest I’m not feeling the retro lurve for the Samsung, whether it’s because it’s not quite old enough or possibly because it hasn’t actually provided much of a challenge in terms of getting it working I’m not sure, most likely a combination of both.

I may therefore change direction and look at something else from my growing pile of gear.  I have a non-working IBM 5140 convertible which I may try to resurrect, it’s quite a unique machine on a number of levels so it would certainly be interesting to have it working.

Also it’s looking as though I’m going to have less free time this month than I’d hoped so fingers crossed I can get something else done.

Backing Up The PenMaster

I used the ‘Copy Machine’ software that was installed as part of the Zip Tools suite and copied the entire contents of the HDD onto a single Zip Disk.  The process took about 45 minutes and I then copied the copy via USB Zip onto my Mac Pro in roughly 20 seconds where I also burnt the files on to a CD.  Now I’ve got the entire contents copied on to the Mac I can browse them quickly and easily find out what the installation consists of.  I’m tempted to open up the Samsung and look at the possibility of swapping the HDD out for a CompactFlash card although if I meet too much resistance in the process I shall probably back off for fear of damaging the unit.

PenMaster FDD, Serial & Keyboard Ports

I’ve decided to take advantage of the few days of holiday I have left to get well and truly stuck into this year’s Winter Warmup as once back at work progress will no doubt slow considerably.  My first task has been to find a way to transfer software onto the PenMaster, there are a number of ports on the device but nothing I can easily use.  The FDD port is of a design I’ve not encountered before.  Initially I thought an old Fujitsu FDD I had might fit, however although the connector looks the same it is on a much smaller scale.  It then occurred to me I could use the parallel port Zip Drive that I’d recently connected to my Atari Portfolio.  I’d still need drivers of course but if I could find them I thought I would at least be able to add them to my BBS (Nostromo) and then dial in and download them onto the Samsung.

Modem & Keyboard Attached

I searched for a while before finding some drivers for Windows 3.1 on Epson’s site here.   I have to say I really like Epson as a company and the way it continues to support its old products.  I downloaded them onto the Windows XP box that hosts Nostromo and added them to the file section.  When I got home I dialled in with the PenMaster using Terminal and the built in modem and managed to connect.  However the internal modem refused to connect at anything greater than 1200 baud which may be its limit but seems a bit poor.  I made several attempts to download the Zip software but it kept failing.

Installing Zip Tools

So out came the trusty US Robotics Sportster which once connected to the solitary COM port on the PenMaster successfully connected at 19200 Baud and downloaded the Zip software in relatively quick fashion.  I had to modify the config.sys slightly, changing the ‘Lastdrive=’ entry to free up a drive letter for the Zip drive.  After digging through my Zip Disks I was able to find the original Zip Tools disk which allowed me to complete a full install of the Zip drivers and software.

Combined with my USB Zip drive I now have a pretty quick and painless way of downloading software on to one of my Mac’s, putting it onto Zip Disk and then loading it via the parallel port Zip onto the Samsung, first major hurdle hurdled.

I’ve also been trying to get acquainted with the pen input of the PenMaster, learning the gestures for space, return, delete etc.  It’s not bad, I can imagine with some practice you could probably get proficient at entering stuff fairly quickly.  Just to show how lacking in proficiency I currently am I thought I’d challenge myself to log on again to Nostromo and send a Tweet using just the stylus.  I recorded the process and include the video below for those who are very patient.  I have however also attached a keyboard and even managed to dig out serial mouse which still works which should offer more rapid progress.  I rather like the fact that the Tweet was not perfect, speaks volumes for handwriting recognition.

Tweeted with the Samsung PenMaster

I recently acquired a Samsung PenMaster in really good condition and have decided as part of my Retrochallenge Winter Warmup to get it up and running and see what I can do with it.  Now the best part of 20 years old, this 386 based tablet is rarely found in the wild as according to some sources it never made it to commercial distribution as a Samsung product.  The design itself would however go on to be rebadged and sold as the GRiDPAD 2050SL.  An earlier GRiDPad, the 1910 was the first of these new tablet computers and was also manufactured by Samsung for GRiD having been developed by IDE Inc.  Against the backdrop of the current legal battles between Apple and Samsung I thought it might be amusing to photograph the PenMaster and iPad side by side.

PenMaster Post Screen

Back in the early 90′s pen and tablet computing was going to be the next big thing.  With GRiD and the Go Corporation leading the charge, Microsoft, characteristically behind the curve, scrabbled to bring out suitable software for Windows, having been beaten to the market by the likes of PenPoint OS. Windows for Pen Computing was subsequently released in 1991.  Many well known brands jumped on board and began to develop and release pen based computers but by 1993 it was becoming increasingly apparent that demand for this new approach to mobile computing was simply not strong enough.  Early independent vendors either failed or were bought out by larger companies whilst the likes of HP, Compaq, IBM etc withdrew products or halted development. Incidentally it was around this time that Apple brought to market the ill-fated Newton.

Launching Windows for Pen Computing

The Samsung PenMaster I’ve been playing with has a 60 MB HDD, 4 MB of RAM and a 386/20 processor. There is a built in modem, a parallel port, one serial port, an FDD port, VGA out, a PS/2 keyboard input and a PC Card slot.  The unit has a Phoenix BIOS and runs MS-DOS 5 and Windows for Pen Computing version 1.  The first problem with getting the unit running was a lack of power supply.  The DC in required is 17.5V and 1.5A.

For some time now I’ve been after a bench top power supply and I finally relented and ordered this model which came labelled as an Eagle EP-613.  The power connector on the PenMaster is a four pin mini-DIN variety.  Fortunately I had one of these on an old non-working power supply from a mini-ITX system that I’d built several years ago so I cut it off and wired it up to the new power supply.  I took the battery out turned the PenMaster on, much to my relief the Samsung promptly sprung into life and ran a successful POST, however my heart briefly sank when the dreaded ‘No boot device available’ message appeared.  Also displayed was ‘Invalid configuration Information – run SETUP program’ but I could see no obvious way of doing that.

PC Card Slot

I turned the machine off and on again and this time noticed it briefly displays another message, ‘To run SETUP, press F2 or tap the pen inside the box’.  The message appears briefly and subsequently disappears.  I grabbed the stylus and tapped in the box and was into the BIOS where I simply loaded the defaults and saved and exited.

This time the HDD whirred up and the screen was soon displaying the Windows for Pen Computing splash screen.  A few moments later I was into what is essentially Windows 3.1 adapted for control by stylus.  It appears to be a clean install with nothing else on the HDD and seems to be working well.

PenMaster & Stylus

The screen itself is showing its age, it’s quite uneven and seems to require constant fiddling with the contrast to maintain legibility.  By default it turns itself off after 20 seconds of inactivity, it may be that if I amend this and allow the screen to warm up it will maintain a better image.  I have a number of avenues to explore with the PenMaster, not least how to get more software onto it given that I don’t have a suitable FDD.  I’ve already rather optimistically inserted a CompactFlash to PCMCIA adapter in the hope that I might be able to use CF cards with the unit but with no joy.  Presumably additional drivers are required, chickens and eggs spring to mind.

The rear ports have soft plastic covers which bend up to allow access.  They bend rather reluctantly and look as though they may perish and break after a few uses so I’ve removed them while I play with the unit.  I’m going to try and connect up to my BBS, if this works I will at least be able to download some other software to try and I may look at building a new battery.

Samsung PenMaster Ports With Covers Removed

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 7,000 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 6 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Head over to the cool new Retrochallenge site and register.  Even if you’re overtaken by events or mired in your own inaction and don’t finish your project, there’s no detention or visits to the headmaster’s/principal’s office.

SATA To IDE Adapter

I like quiet systems, whenever possible I like to avoid fans and it therefore occurred to me that the Cube would be an ideal candidate for an SSD (solid state drive) upgrade given that it would draw less power, be quiet in operation, generate less heat and leave more space for air to circulate within the cube.  This is something that I’ve wanted to try for a long time and whilst prices remain high in comparison to standard mechanical drives they are becoming a little more reasonable.  I initially looked at IDE drives given the Cube’s standard interface, however it worked out considerably cheaper to buy an SATA SSD with an SATA to IDE adapter.

I chose a Startech SATA adapter, purely because I’d had a good experience with the IDE to CF adapter that I’d used in my Wyse Terminal.  The choice of SSD took a little longer given the myriad of options and prices available.  In the end the best value drive I could find was a Kingston V+100 64 GB drive.  There are all sorts of issue with SSD drives and TRIM support which I won’t pretend to fully understand, but I do know that OS-X does not support TRIM and according to Anandtech that these V+ drives from Kingston sport the same interface as used by the SSD’s that Apple fits to the MacBook Air.  These incorporate built in, OS independent ‘garbage collection’ thus hopefully ensuring the drive speed does not degrade too quickly during use.

Existing IDE Drive & Cables

After backing up my existing drive to a Firewire unit I pulled out the IBM HDD and set about trying to fit the SSD and attached interface inside the Cube.  As anyone who has messed about inside a Cube knows the tolerances are pretty tight, with very little give in the cabling.  After much fiddling I was finally able to offer up the pins on the IDE side if the adapter to the IDE cable in the cube.  However no matter how many which ways I tried I couldn’t marry things up whilst the SSD was mounted in its 2.5″ to 3.5″ adapter bracket.  This is due to the offset caused by the SATA adapter.  In the end the bracket was removed and tape was instead employed to hold the unit in place.

Now the moment of truth, would the combination of drive and adapter work with the Cube?  I booted from the Firewire backup and launched Disk Utility and to my great delight the Kingston drive was listed.  I partitioned it into two partitions, one for OS X and one for OS 9 which progressed without problems and then cloned the old installation back across onto the SSD.  Fingers crossed I disconnected the Firewire drive and restarted and OS X duly booted without issue.  I then also installed OS 9 on to the second partition with no problems.

Xbench Results

Clearly the SATA drive is not operating at anywhere near its full speed capacity given the limitations of the IDE bus and no doubt some degradation from work being done by the adapter however boot times and application launches show a modest improvement and the system is completely quiet!  I ran the drive testing element of Xbench out of curiosity and the score of 93.18 seems pretty reasonable, however I do wish I had also run it before swapping drives to give a proper comparison.  However I’m thrilled with how easy the whole process was and will probably now look at adding an SSD to my MacPro.