Mega ST project

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HigashiJun
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Mega ST project

Post by HigashiJun »

Ok, so while still slowly but surely expanding my 1040 STE I got my hands on a cheap Mega ST 2 I want to upgrade.

As stated in my previous post (https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... =23&t=4480), I had no luck with Exxos' 16 Mhz booster/TOS decoder board probably due to the IMP chips installed on the motherboard.

Not being able to get TOS 2.06 running on my Mega was quite bothering me, so I was looking for other solutions to overcome this issue.

Here is the solution I found and the remaining stuff to install:

Mobo.jpeg
Mobo.jpeg (588.54 KiB) Viewed 4474 times

As you can see, the motherboard has already an Exxos' 1.44 HD KIT, a STORM ST (8MB ALT RAM and TOS decoder), Exxos' Mega ST dualtos installed and also onboard memory upgraded to 4 MB.

Here are some close-ups:

HDkit.jpeg
HDkit.jpeg (587.16 KiB) Viewed 4474 times
AltRAMTOS.jpeg
AltRAMTOS.jpeg (600.48 KiB) Viewed 4474 times

Tested and works great. I have TOS 2.06 and the FDD is also working !

The next big step is to install the following add-ons:

Tweety.jpeg
Tweety.jpeg (392.74 KiB) Viewed 4474 times
HDD.jpeg
HDD.jpeg (369.94 KiB) Viewed 4474 times
VGA.jpeg
VGA.jpeg (486.78 KiB) Viewed 4474 times
PAK68.jpeg
PAK68.jpeg (432.94 KiB) Viewed 4474 times

I just hope to have time to close this project before Christmas.

Cheers.
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Badwolf
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Re: Mega ST project

Post by Badwolf »

MegaMega ST if you fit all that in! :-)

BW
DFB1 Open source 50MHz 030 and TT-RAM accelerator for the Falcon
DSTB1 Open source 16Mhz 68k and AltRAM accelerator for the ST
Smalliermouse ST-optimised USB mouse adapter based on SmallyMouse2
FrontBench The Frontier: Elite 2 intro as a benchmark
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JezC
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Re: Mega ST project

Post by JezC »

Looks like a really ambitious upgrade!
Have you included an upgraded PSU for all that extra circuitry?

I'll be following your progress with great interest
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HigashiJun
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Re: Mega ST project

Post by HigashiJun »

Hope I can make the PAK68 work and then it would be a MegaMega ST. :D

Yes, the PSU is also upgraded with a STPSU and just in case I also have a 200W PIco PSU.

The Tweety Board is already fitted and I will post a picture tomorrow. Is is really pleasant to have stereo sound on the Mega ST.

Cheers.
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HigashiJun
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Re: Mega ST project

Post by HigashiJun »

Ok, here is the Tweety Board fitted:

Tweetyboard.jpeg
Tweetyboard.jpeg (505.96 KiB) Viewed 4376 times

It is a tight fit with the PSU installed but it should be OK when closing everything back.

I will also have to think where to secure this board once the other add-ons installed.
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Darklord
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Re: Mega ST project

Post by Darklord »

If you plan on playing any games then make sure you install the switch for the
Tweety board that lets you revert back to the original.

It's because certain digital samples in games do not play well with the Tweety
board. They will sound "wrong".

So if you have the switch... :)
Welcome To DarkForce! www.darkforce.org "The Fuji Lives.!"
Atari SW/HW based BBS-Telnet:darkforce-bbs.dyndns.org 1040
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HigashiJun
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Re: Mega ST project

Post by HigashiJun »

I would like to use this Mega for more serious things and play games on my 1040 STE, but who knows... :D

Could you tell more about this famous switch ?
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Darklord
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Re: Mega ST project

Post by Darklord »

HigashiJun wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 11:14 am I would like to use this Mega for more serious things and play games on my 1040 STE, but who knows... :D

Could you tell more about this famous switch ?
I think it's actually in the Tweety board docs... Do you have them?"

Here is a message thread that might help...

https://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=31562
Welcome To DarkForce! www.darkforce.org "The Fuji Lives.!"
Atari SW/HW based BBS-Telnet:darkforce-bbs.dyndns.org 1040
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DoG
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Re: Mega ST project

Post by DoG »

The docs for Tweety Board is here.
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HigashiJun
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Re: Mega ST project

Post by HigashiJun »

Darklord wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 6:19 pm
HigashiJun wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 11:14 am I would like to use this Mega for more serious things and play games on my 1040 STE, but who knows... :D

Could you tell more about this famous switch ?
I think it's actually in the Tweety board docs... Do you have them?"

Here is a message thread that might help...

https://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=31562

Yes, I have a PDF version oh the document but I do not remember any statement concerning a switch.

I will check again.
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