Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Ever since the IBM PC line of computers and their compatibles started to dominate the market, others started to pay attention. It wasn't long before first and third parties started releasing software and hardware solutions to make other platforms DOS compatible. Sometimes this was just software to let you read DOS disks, sometimes it was PC emulation software, and sometimes it was by putting an entire PC (more or less) on an expansion card.
I know many of you have seen the various software and hardware compatibility products, released by Apple and third-party companies, for the Macintosh. Others of you may be more familiar with products released for other platforms that also used the Motorola 68000 processor, such as the Atari ST and the Commodore Amiga. But how familiar are you with the Sun solutions?
Apparently Sun Microsystems had a line of DOS compatibility cards, too, and I happened upon one on eBay (the place where I buy the things I later regret™). Considering I have yet to get Solaris installed on a Sun Workstation, this could be a tall order for a #DOScember investigation. Looks like I'm going to have to get busy Solaris-ing so that I can get busy DOS-ing...
Will I manage to get Solaris installed? Will I get the SunPCi working? Will we get Windows 95 installed for it? You'll have to watch to find out!
Links for following along:
NVRAM repair model from The Glitch Works: tindie.com/products/glitchwrks/gw-48t59-1-module-repair-board
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☕️ Tips or Support via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/jdmcs
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... or simply do the YouTube things: Like/Dislike, Comment, Subscribe, Enable Notifications, and participate in the Chat. These things help the channel, too!
**
Read Computerized Start™, my Official Blog: jdmcs.net/myblog
Follow me on Instagram: jdmcs.net/myinstagram
Follow me on Twitter: jdmcs.net/mytwitter
Ever since the IBM PC line of computers and their compatibles started to dominate the market, others started to pay attention. It wasn't long before first and third parties started releasing software and hardware solutions to make other platforms DOS compatible. Sometimes this was just software to let you read DOS disks, sometimes it was PC emulation software, and sometimes it was by putting an entire PC (more or less) on an expansion card.
I know many of you have seen the various software and hardware compatibility products, released by Apple and third-party companies, for the Macintosh. Others of you may be more familiar with products released for other platforms that also used the Motorola 68000 processor, such as the Atari ST and the Commodore Amiga. But how familiar are you with the Sun solutions?
Apparently Sun Microsystems had a line of DOS compatibility cards, too, and I happened upon one on eBay (the place where I buy the things I later regret™). Considering I have yet to get Solaris installed on a Sun Workstation, this could be a tall order for a #DOScember investigation. Looks like I'm going to have to get busy Solaris-ing so that I can get busy DOS-ing...
Will I manage to get Solaris installed? Will I get the SunPCi working? Will we get Windows 95 installed for it? You'll have to watch to find out!
Links for following along:
NVRAM repair model from The Glitch Works: tindie.com/products/glitchwrks/gw-48t59-1-module-repair-board
*
Ways to Support the Channel:
☕️ Tips or Support via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/jdmcs
🈷️ Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/jdmcs
📦 Amazon Wishlist: jdmcs.net/wishlist
... or simply do the YouTube things: Like/Dislike, Comment, Subscribe, Enable Notifications, and participate in the Chat. These things help the channel, too!
**
Read Computerized Start™, my Official Blog: jdmcs.net/myblog
Follow me on Instagram: jdmcs.net/myinstagram
Follow me on Twitter: jdmcs.net/mytwitter
![This Apple ][ Plus Clone Seems SUS... #vintagecomputing](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FYu2PFcMUts/mqdefault.jpg "This Apple ][ Plus Clone Seems SUS... #vintagecomputing
I have @adriansdigitalbasements Dead Test and a Character ROM installed, and something still seems SUS with the Apple ][ Plus clone motherboard I bought on eBay.")
![Its COMPUTER Week: Replacing All the Sockets in My MCA Apple ][+ Clone (Computerized Start™ Live)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FhiYmRam4-I/mqdefault.jpg "Its COMPUTER Week: Replacing All the Sockets in My MCA Apple ][+ Clone (Computerized Start™ Live)
Last time I had COMPUTER on the bench, I had trouble with the IC sockets that I had bought for the job. Specifically, those sockets have a tendency to let solder wick up into the contacts (especially when using extra flux), rendering the socket useless. I believe that is because some of those sockets dont have sealed bottoms.
COMPUTER has been waiting patiently for another day in the spotlight. That time is this week, as I now have a supply of name-brand sockets for COMPUTER. And the data sheets for all the sockets I bought specifically mention sealed bottom construction. Hopefully this means I can use extra flux when needed.
Will the name-brand sockets work as described, or will I get solder in the contacts? Will I cause even more trace damage? Will Clarus the Desoldering Station hold out? Youll have to watch to find out!
*
Use discount code JUSTINTIME for for 5% off all Computerized Start™ merchandise at https://shop.jdmcs.com.
*
Ways to Support the Channel:
☕️ Tips or Support via Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/jdmcs
🈷️ Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jdmcs
📦 Amazon Wishlist: https://jdmcs.net/wishlist
... or simply do the YouTube things: Like/Dislike, Comment, Subscribe, Enable Notifications, and participate in the Chat. These things help the channel, too!
**
Read Computerized Start™, my Official Blog: https://jdmcs.net/myblog
Follow me on Instagram: https://jdmcs.net/myinstagram
Follow me on Twitter: https://jdmcs.net/mytwitter")
![COMPUTER Mission: Possible... My MCA Apple ][+ Clone is Close to Working! (Computerized Start™ Live)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GS9Z20oby5Q/mqdefault.jpg "COMPUTER Mission: Possible... My MCA Apple ][+ Clone is Close to Working! (Computerized Start™ Live)
Last week, I finished installing new sockets into COMPUTER, my MCA Apple ][+ Clone, and then put all the logic chips back into place. I thought it would just power up, and it did, but it looked like the processor was not running code.
I put a modified Applesoft ROM Card into the system, which is hard-wired to boot Adrian Blacks memory test ROM, and the memory test did start to run. However, it would always crash soon thereafter. Seems like theres a problem in the memory section of the motherboard...
Thanks to having a second clone motherboard which is in working condition, I have a motherboard to test the RAM chips in to make sure they are all good. I can also check the chips responsible for addressing and accessing memory - one or more may be bad. But most importantly, this feels like Mission: Possible at this point!
Will COMPUTER boot? How many more bad chips will I add to the collection of bad chips from COMPUTER? Will I get to play a game? Youll have to watch to find out!
*
Use discount code JUSTINTIME for for 5% off all Computerized Start™ merchandise at https://shop.jdmcs.com.
*
Ways to Support the Channel:
☕️ Tips or Support via Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/jdmcs
🈷️ Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jdmcs
📦 Amazon Wishlist: https://jdmcs.net/wishlist
... or simply do the YouTube things: Like/Dislike, Comment, Subscribe, Enable Notifications, and participate in the Chat. These things help the channel, too!
**
Read Computerized Start™, my Official Blog: https://jdmcs.net/myblog
Follow me on Instagram: https://jdmcs.net/myinstagram
Follow me on Twitter: https://jdmcs.net/mytwitter")
