Hi to All,
Just bought a Europlus setup from Ebay, mostly for the accessories really but being the first Europlus I have had there are a few questions.
I read that all Europlus machines had an RF modulator but this one does not. Is this right?
The display is a bit quirky in that after entering a few comands, multiple promts and cursors appear, not seen that before!
And there is a missing RAM chip (top left of the bank). It seems to run without it though?
There is also no auxilliary slot so is this an earlier model? It did come with a Saturn 128k card installed in slot 0.
Any information appreciated.
Thanks, Richard.
Retro,
My two cents:
That empty RAM slot is where the Language Card/ Extra RAM is supposed to plug in.
The RF Modulator (which may have been removed) can also be had on eBay. They usually do not cost an arm, a leg, or your first born child.
Although some sellers may want your left testicle.
Steven
The Europlus outputs PAL vs. NTSC, so thats why your display has sync issues. Some of them had an RF Mod *card*, but it was an option, and it worked only with PAL TVs.
The missing RAM chip is missing because someone removed the 16K language card that was in slot 0, and replaced it with the Saturn 128K. I guess they lost the original DRAM, or didn't take one off the old card. The Saturn doesn't have a strap or require removal of that DRAM to operate.
Thanks Guys,
No one is having my left whatsit so I'll stick with composite video! I do have a Videx Videoterm 80 Column Display card which I have not tried yet so I'll see if that makes an improvement.
I have actually removed the Saturn card and the computer still starts ok, does this mean that I do not have to worry about replacing the missing DRAM?
I have been an big Atari fan for years and have quite a bit of kit but having got into the Apple it seems a much more interesting setup!
No, you're going to have to replace it, or 1 bit of a certain range of RAM will always be a bit "funny."
Thanks for that Dog Cow,
I'll try to source one then at least I know that part of the kit is good.
Hmmm....
Seems like the missing DRAM is stopping the computer booting from the Disk II (I have tried the drieve and controller card on a IIe and they work fine)
Anyone know where I can get a HD74LS283 or equivalent without ordering from China!
Thanks,
Richard.
Why not just get a 16K language card, so you have a 64K machine? They aren't expensive, and are easy to get. Since many games and apps want 48K-64K anyway, you'd be better off. If you want to boot ProDOS, you'll need 64K.
Thanks Mate,
That would be the best option.
I found whilst restoring my Europlus that you definately need that 16k card, it gets so much more working. If you want to stay with 48k, let me know and I can send you a chip (I have a few spares). The 16k cards don't seem to turn up in the UK too often (neither do the super serial cards), I had to import them from the US, in fact, I seem to have a steady traffic of bits coming over from the US....
Thanks Atomtan,
I have already bought a language card from ebay (from the US of course!) because I agree that I may as well get the most from the Europlus. It is frustrating that most of the kit we need has to come from over the pond but even with postage the prices seem reasonable. It's just the 4 week wait that does me! (although sometimes it can be quicker). I'm looking for a decent joystick at the moment but they seem to be expensive...
hello,
if you are able to get on a fleamarket an old outranged RC-Transmitter there are several good descriptions in User Magazins how to turn the controlstick into a good working joystick..... and the same option turn out if you get from the fleamarket an old analog joystick with potentiometers inside instead of the switch controlled modern joysticks...
if there is interest in that solution contact me and i´ll mail you the instructions after I´ve dragged them out of my archives....