[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: Mark Twain / ROM4
On Sep 4, 6:29 am, Drew <goggled...@gmail.com> wrote:
> It is a real shame that the ROM04 never came out :(. It was very
> interesting to read that people are working on a ROM05 via the kfest
> updates, but when it gets completed does anyone know if its planned to
> be available to buy in a kind of kit/prebuilt kit form ? and If you
> will need an existing motherboard? Would be kool if the case lid can
> be molded out of plastic and same colour as the existing GS lid so it
> looks all official :-)
>
> Drew
Ah yes, The ROM05 project is actually a pretty neat little project
(not little...actually lots of things to do to make it happen). As
Tony stated, the ROM chip is the same as the 03, but my ROM05 is
actually going to have a upgraded ROM. At this point, a small hack
only edits the ROM number displayed, but, we will be looking to adding
system tools to it as well.
The project was unveiled during Kfest for input from the community as
I wanted to get the feel of what it should have inside.
My original plans which were present and were displayed at Kfest:
1. new cover to hold (superdrive, CD-Rom, and CF mass media slot
2. SCSI internal cable to run the CF slot, CD-ROM, and end at a BACK
port for further expansion
3. memory card upgrade (this is the 8meg card) which would be
included in the kit
4. the superdrive card included in the kit (yes, we have them for
sale on a limited number as chips are no longer avail --still working
on a fix once chips run out---and very close to the fix)
5. Little power adapter and 200watt power supply in order to REMOVE
the old brick long power supply to make room for all of the new
goodies
6. Updated ROM chip to include tool set and updated ROM number
display
7. oh yes, forgot to mention that we demoed a SATA card running on
the SCSI chain through our adapter setup. The SATA connection could
virtually run anything from todays available mass media storage
devices.
So, thats what he had working AT kfest2009
Now, after the display and the great input from the BEST in the
business (special thanks to Tony D and Sean F) I am deciding to get
away from the old technology of SCSI. It was proved that SCSI is just
not as fast as the IDE options out there. This sparked the start of a
new project which we hope can be done after we have the VGA cards
finished. We basically are working on a TURBO DMA IDE card which will
run anything IDE with the ability to run a IDE CD-ROM as well in the
GS.
For those SCSI buffs out there, dont worry too much, SCSI cards are
still available to be bought.
As for the case cover, yes, it would be cool to have it in plastic,
but then we would need to have LOTS of money (like 10K to setup a
plastic thermo-filling blah blah blah). The next BEST option for the
project was to try it out in a metal aluminum. We have access to a
very special metal fabrication company who has been helping in the
prototyping stages. Some ADVANTAGES of using aluminum instead of
plastic is: COST, RF SHIELDING, AND STRENGTH!
OK, well back to work for now..