Electronic hobbies and discussion

Octanejunkie

Just another jagoff with a 4x4
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
612
Windows millennium edition is so far outside of support, you can probably get away with just fuzzing your way in
 
Joined
Nov 15, 2018
Messages
2,038
Windows millennium edition is so far outside of support, you can probably get away with just fuzzing your way in
I wasn't looking for support with the OS as I know that. I was praying I didn't lock myself out because of it being a special configuration type setup.

The computer is really nothing more than a visual interface and less of it being used like a regular Windows operating system.

No different than some of the really high end O'scopes with a "Windows type interface".

I have a Logic Port device so I can probe pins being clocked and/or changing states. A device like that is helpful when working with PLD, Xilinx, etc type of chips. If you are familiar with VHDL or similar code, you would know where I'm going with that statement. I don't know if you are familiar with FPGA or similar types of chips?

I have other custom setups for this very computer. Mostly, older types of compilers, but after the dust settles, you wouldn't know it was all done with an old computer and/or an old computer was used to help troubleshoot.

Anyways, I'm just glad when I put the computer together and loaded all of the stuff and setups, I'm just glad I didn't password the "Admin login". I made a label and put it on the computer "Click Cancel". :rofl::rofl::rofl: After this ordeal, "I" know what the label is referring to!!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Btw, I have another old computer that has Win95 so I can play my old computer games I still like to play. I still have my original "Wing Commander", for example. :playball:

For shits and giggles, back around 1990 or so, I pieced together an old 8086 w/ an 8087 math co-processor with an ST-11R HDD controller and 2x 25MB HDD. I forget what else I put in it? It's running DOS v3.3 if I remember right? I still have it. It was and still is sort of a hobby of mine.

But yeah, I just need to finish connecting my cables and then move on to my next setup. I have some projects in mind that I want to build, but can't do it until I get my electronics desk back up and running and my 3D Printer as well.
 
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Joined
Nov 15, 2018
Messages
2,038
Windows millennium edition is so far outside of support, you can probably get away with just fuzzing your way in
Showing you an example of my Logic Analyzer... I bought this quite a few years ago, but they still sell them and this is still considered one of the better logic analyzers out there.

Anyways, one of many pieces of equipment I have connected and use the computer to record or help with "visuals".

Very helpful tools to have if/when needed either for troubleshooting or verifying and not just talking about the logic analyzer you see here.

Here, I'm just quickly testing my setup.
IMG_20220824_232008557.jpg
IMG_20220824_232022955.jpg

Below, if you see, I have the analyzer on "recurring" or constantly "sampling", if you will.
IMG_20220824_232050545.jpg
IMG_20220824_232053352.jpg
IMG_20220824_232051742.jpg

I'm almost done with setting up, but still have a ways to go for my overall setup.

Anyways, just to show you the setup I use.
 
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Octanejunkie

Just another jagoff with a 4x4
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
612
Showing you an example of my Logic Analyzer... I bought this quite a few years ago, but they still sell them and this is still considered one of the better logic analyzers out there.

Anyways, one of many pieces of equipment I have connected and use the computer to record or help with "visuals".

Very helpful tools to have if/when needed either for troubleshooting or verifying and not just talking about the logic analyzer you see here.
Pretty trick, thanks for sharing
What are you analyzing there, or planning to analyze?
 
Joined
Nov 15, 2018
Messages
2,038
Pretty trick, thanks for sharing
What are you analyzing there, or planning to analyze?
Thanks. ;)

There in the picture I'm just checking that everything is good. The Logic Analyzer is monitoring a 150Hz signal from my function generator.

I used the analyzer, for example, to check the logic states of each pin coming out of a GAL16V8 PLD chip that I wrote some VHDL code for. The code is a counter that drives 2x 7-segment LED modules. 0-99 with a 1Hz clock signal to the PLD chip(s) to simulate "1sec". The 1Hz CLK signal is coming from a 555 IC timer.

Anyways, it was for a project that I was working on and now I want to finally finish it for a model rocket experiment I'm doing. I have to rebuild the circuit though because I took it all apart after getting it to work. :deadbanana: This was a while back when I did that, but I just never finished for one reason or another. Let's just say that I was an extremely busy individual back then. @4runner DOA knows as well as a few others.

Anyways, there are other projects I want to work on as well.
 
Joined
Nov 15, 2018
Messages
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Dismantling some old circuit boards that I grabbed from my old job... I have a "hobby" salvaging parts, plus it benefits at the same time.

Anyways, here are some UV erasable microControllers. I'm keeping them just because they look pretty cool.

These types of chips are actually still used. Just the more "modern version" and are typically OTP (i.e. One Time Programmable) type chips.
IMG_20221003_134725642.jpg

I have a few "flash chips" that I use for projects.

Anyways, just thought I would post.
 
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Arcticelf

Head BFH Operator at Gray Man Fab
Joined
Apr 23, 2019
Messages
1,167
Location
DelCo PA
Dismantling some old circuit boards that I grabbed from my old job... I have a "hobby" salvaging parts, plus it benefits at the same time.

Anyways, here are some UV erasable microControllers. I'm keeping them just because they look pretty cool.

These types of chips are actually still used. Just the more "modern version" and are typically OTP (i.e. One Time Programmable) type chips.
View attachment 81034

I have a few "flash chips" that I use for projects.

Anyways, just thought I would post.

That brings back some PTSD from undergrad EE labs and fighting with those fuckers. Casual sunlight would erase code sometimes, and other times hours under the UV eraser would have little effect. Whatever was going to make homework the hardest.
 

Blender

Swiftie
Joined
Oct 4, 2018
Messages
2,772
Location
Chandler, AZ
Guys, I took a shortcut to finish that headless double din radio from years ago. Helix added an optional control knob that can also control Bluetooth devices track forward/back. Stripped out the Arduino and the Bluetooth remote and the illumination stuff. Most is built in, but I lose a few features.

Just gotta weld it up and build a few cables. Way easier.

chassis mockup 1.jpg
 

Chris In Milwaukee

Ain’t no mo’
Joined
Dec 16, 2019
Messages
3,101
Age
56
Location
North Woods, WI USA
I’ve been using a Mac for the last couple of my computing generations and it’s time for an upgrade. I’ve always had “good” computers, but never anything substantial. So I went to looking at new Macs with higher-spec hardware. While I’d love to have one, I’m at the point mentally where I just won’t pull the trigger on a high-end Mac given the cost associated with the upgrade steps. Not Mac bashing at all, but just can’t get myself to do it. So I decided to build a Windows PC instead.

The first and last time I built a PC was somewhere around 1997-1998 when overclocking Celeron 300s was en vogue. Since then I’ve either worked on computers that work has issued me or I’ve used a Mac. So I set out to build a banger PC since I’m exploring 3D CAD, 3D printing, CNC, and more advanced electronic projects. Windows PCs just have better options in those areas. Damn did this new rig turn out to be the shizzle.

I don’t game, so my GPU is last generation RTX-3060 because it was reasonably priced compared to the bank robbery that passes for graphic card pricing these days. But otherwise, top spec for half the price of a similarly outfitted Mac. And according to my son, RGB gives it another GHz or two. :afro:

13th gen i9, 64GB RAM, Asus mobo, and of course, a lighty-up case and components with a 420mm rad. And I just happened to have a curved-screen 4K TV not doing anything. This should keep me going for another 5-8 years at least, methinks. And has some room to grow. I don’t go through computers often. Who knows, maybe I’ll learn to play some games so the boy and I have something else to talk about.


A1169BAC-7836-4489-9E41-B33D81BED852.jpeg
BE559261-EB59-447E-B943-28CCCC0F1BCC.jpeg6AB3AF3B-217E-4799-AEF4-EC53C9FF5CF1.jpegCEA0A72A-3CCF-4540-B04C-6D89AD3DF167.jpeg0FF072EA-B523-49C7-9807-AD4BB3A8198C.jpeg
 
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4runner DOA

Hold my beer
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2018
Messages
15,882
Location
OC
I’ve been using a Mac for the last couple of my computing generations and it’s time for an upgrade. I’ve always had “good” computers, but never anything substantial. So I went to looking at new Macs with higher-spec hardware. While I’d love to have one, I’m at the point mentally where I just won’t pull the trigger on a high-end Mac given the cost associated with the upgrade steps. Not Mac bashing at all, but just can’t get myself to do it. So I decided to build a Windows PC instead.

The first and last time I built a PC was somewhere around 1997-1998 when overclocking Celeron 300s was en vogue. Since then I’ve either worked on computers that work has issued me or I’ve used a Mac. So I set out to build a banger PC since I’m exploring 3D CAD, 3D printing, CNC, and more advanced electronic projects. Windows PCs just have better options in those areas. Damn did this new rig turn out to be the shizzle.

I don’t game, so my GPU is last generation RTX-3060 because it was reasonably priced compared to the bank robbery that passes for graphic card pricing these days. But otherwise, top spec for half the price of a similarly outfitted Mac. And according to my son, RGB gives it another GHz or two. :afro:

13th gen i9, 64GB RAM, Asus mobo, and of course, a lighty-up case and components with a 420mm rad. And I just happened to have a curved-screen 4K TV not doing anything. This should keep me going for another 5-8 years at least, methinks. And has some room to grow. I don’t go through computers often. Who knows, maybe I’ll learn to play some games so the boy and I have something else to talk about.


View attachment 82778
View attachment 82774View attachment 82775View attachment 82776View attachment 82777

Just built a new gaming PC and then rebuilt it because the MB I had fried and took my CPU and GPU with it.

I've been an AMD fanboy for years. Ryzen 9 7950x 64gb of ram with a Radeon 7900xtx. Should handle everything I wanna throw at it for the next 5 or 10 years.

PXL_20230113_154037054.jpg
 

Chris In Milwaukee

Ain’t no mo’
Joined
Dec 16, 2019
Messages
3,101
Age
56
Location
North Woods, WI USA
Just built a new gaming PC and then rebuilt it because the MB I had fried and took my CPU and GPU with it.

I've been an AMD fanboy for years. Ryzen 9 7950x 64gb of ram with a Radeon 7900xtx. Should handle everything I wanna throw at it for the next 5 or 10 years.

View attachment 82779
Nice! I looked at Radeon cards, but they’re known to have performance problems with Autodesk products so I grabbed an NVidia. I was certainly on the fence between intel and AMD. So just kinda flipped a coin and went with it.
 
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