LrngTheHardWay
02-02-2003, 02:52 AM
Okay, this is a situation I hate being in, but that's just the way it is.
I'm saddled with a piece of industrial control equipment, built back in 1988. At its heart, it's based on a DTK 8088 motherboard, and is currently malfunctioning...big time!
The creator of this...uh...technological marvel has stated that it needs the following:
8-slot 8088-based motherboard, 8-bit ISA
CGA adapter
Multi I/O, FDD controller card, with 1 parallel port, 1 serial port, 1 game port, and battery-backed Real Time Clock (MC146818AC RTC chip).
His statement to me is that, due to the way the programs were originally written, it's not possible to upgrade the motherboard to something like a 386 or 486, because this will throw off the real time control of the process.
Most likely the timing routines were improperly coded, and I'd be willing to bet that the programs were hard-coded to CGA base-mamory addresses as well.
I really am not in the mood to try to mess around with re-writing all the assembly routines to account for possible hardware changes; and I'm going to end up losing money on the job without even bothering with that.
I can get an Imbedded uP replacement board, with passive backplane, to replace the motherboard, and--very possibly--a replacement 5" diagonal monitor, if the need arises.
However, after almost a month of searching, I can't lay hands on the CGA card or Multi I/O card.
If anyone out there has either or both of these items, I'd certainly appreciate the opportunity to purchase them.
If you have knowledge of a reputable United States supplier of same, I'd be most grateful if you'd point me to them.
I'm saddled with a piece of industrial control equipment, built back in 1988. At its heart, it's based on a DTK 8088 motherboard, and is currently malfunctioning...big time!
The creator of this...uh...technological marvel has stated that it needs the following:
8-slot 8088-based motherboard, 8-bit ISA
CGA adapter
Multi I/O, FDD controller card, with 1 parallel port, 1 serial port, 1 game port, and battery-backed Real Time Clock (MC146818AC RTC chip).
His statement to me is that, due to the way the programs were originally written, it's not possible to upgrade the motherboard to something like a 386 or 486, because this will throw off the real time control of the process.
Most likely the timing routines were improperly coded, and I'd be willing to bet that the programs were hard-coded to CGA base-mamory addresses as well.
I really am not in the mood to try to mess around with re-writing all the assembly routines to account for possible hardware changes; and I'm going to end up losing money on the job without even bothering with that.
I can get an Imbedded uP replacement board, with passive backplane, to replace the motherboard, and--very possibly--a replacement 5" diagonal monitor, if the need arises.
However, after almost a month of searching, I can't lay hands on the CGA card or Multi I/O card.
If anyone out there has either or both of these items, I'd certainly appreciate the opportunity to purchase them.
If you have knowledge of a reputable United States supplier of same, I'd be most grateful if you'd point me to them.