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Got myself a Microbee - Highground - 10-08-2023
After a short brake of 40 years i decided to get back into Microbee as i have found memories from the days.
My new machine is an 128k dynamic with diskstation and monitor (see pictures) and i have no clue where to start. My old machine was a tape fed 32k and i forgot even how to load things lol.
The Microbee 128k seems to be working as i can access Disk Monitor and reset works, other than that it starts with a solid cursor and nothing else. Is this Normal? I remembered that these things booted to CP/M?
I would also like to know how i can bring my Microbee up to date with modern upgrades? Thanks!
Pictures here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/tHbahBuZjcb5hXnd8
RE: Got myself a Microbee - ChickenMan - 10-08-2023
Hi Highground and welcome to the forum
Thats a nice clean Swedish 128k Microbee. Yes it would boot to CP/M, the block cursor top left of the screen says its waiting for a floppy disk in A: drive. Do you have any boot disks ? If not, then I would suggest you contact our member Crud3, hes in Sweden and has a full set of original floppy disks for a Swedish 128k Microbee and could write you out a set. We have the set in our Repository if your able to write them out yourself. We also have a few Swedish Manuals also. You need to request Repository access it grab these, see https://microbeetechnology.com.au/MTFR_Access/MTFR_Access.htm
RE: Got myself a Microbee - CheshireNoir - 10-08-2023
Hi Highground,
Another solution to real media, and a great update to those disk units is to swap one of the floppy drives for a Gotek Floppy drive emulator with Flashfloppy firmware.
There's a nice 3d printed frame for them online that you can use to mount a gotek in a 5 1/4" bay. You can then set up the gotek as drive 0 and the real disk as drive 1. Best of both worlds.
(I've recently done just that)
I've been using Microbees with various Gotek solutions for a while and I'm happy to help if you need more advice.
One thing to note with the drive unit is that some of them have a random number of RIFA branded mica capacitors in them which have a nasty habit of exploding after 30+ years with a bad smell. Not all of them use them, but it may be worth checking.
You could potentially replace the entire power supply with a modern MeanWell (or equivelent) power supply without too much work.
If the keyboard gives you grief, Microbee Technology do a lovely replacement keyboard kit that lets you keep your vintage keycaps, but replaces the dodgy keys with something a lot more modern. It even replaces the heat generating 7805 regulators with modern micro switchmode power at the same time.
That's most of the "modern" upgrades I can think of that are available right now. Your unit is already upgraded to 128k which should run most things you're likely to encounter.
Cheers!
John
RE: Got myself a Microbee - Highground - 10-08-2023
(10-08-2023, 01:53 PM)ChickenMan Wrote: Hi Highground and welcome to the forum
Thats a nice clean Swedish 128k Microbee. Yes it would boot to CP/M, the block cursor top left of the screen says its waiting for a floppy disk in A: drive. Do you have any boot disks ? If not, then I would suggest you contact our member Crud3, hes in Sweden and has a full set of original floppy disks for a Swedish 128k Microbee and could write you out a set. We have the set in our Repository if your able to write them out yourself. We also have a few Swedish Manuals also. You need to request Repository access it grab these, see https://microbeetechnology.com.au/MTFR_Access/MTFR_Access.htm
Thank you! :-) It feels good to be back!
I have an assortment of MB disks, but none seems to be a boot disk. Atleast the disk is spinning but there is no actuation of the head, maybe i need to service the drives...
Will check with Crud3 for boot floppys for sure, maybe he has some other ideas how to enhance the machine.
I applied for access to the repository, waiting to be approved.
Best H
(10-08-2023, 03:20 PM)CheshireNoir Wrote: Hi Highground,
Another solution to real media, and a great update to those disk units is to swap one of the floppy drives for a Gotek Floppy drive emulator with Flashfloppy firmware.
There's a nice 3d printed frame for them online that you can use to mount a gotek in a 5 1/4" bay. You can then set up the gotek as drive 0 and the real disk as drive 1. Best of both worlds.
(I've recently done just that)
I've been using Microbees with various Gotek solutions for a while and I'm happy to help if you need more advice.
One thing to note with the drive unit is that some of them have a random number of RIFA branded mica capacitors in them which have a nasty habit of exploding after 30+ years with a bad smell. Not all of them use them, but it may be worth checking.
You could potentially replace the entire power supply with a modern MeanWell (or equivelent) power supply without too much work.
If the keyboard gives you grief, Microbee Technology do a lovely replacement keyboard kit that lets you keep your vintage keycaps, but replaces the dodgy keys with something a lot more modern. It even replaces the heat generating 7805 regulators with modern micro switchmode power at the same time.
That's most of the "modern" upgrades I can think of that are available right now. Your unit is already upgraded to 128k which should run most things you're likely to encounter.
Cheers!
John
Hi John!
Yes, I've heard that a Gotek would work but unsure where to get them. I would also like to keep the machine stock afap so maybe you can help pointing out a modern solution that is "stock looking"?
Did a full teardown and check of the circuit boards and all seems fine after testing, the fuse holder was the only thing that i needed to replace as it was falling apart. Machine has been on for 5 hours, so fingers crossed!
The keyboard is, to my amazement, in perfect working order right now.
Many thanks
H
RE: Got myself a Microbee - CheshireNoir - 11-08-2023
For Gotek, I've been buying them from AliExpress.
(This is what I purchased last time: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32951693684.html )
I just update the firmware and add the rotary encoder, the OLED and a buzzer. It's not too hard and I use them across a bunch of systems.
The Flashfloppy Wiki is very handy
https://github.com/keirf/FlashFloppy/wiki
Cheers!
John
RE: Got myself a Microbee - Highground - 12-08-2023
OK, do you have any pictures from the mounting for inspiration?
RE: Got myself a Microbee - ChickenMan - 12-08-2023
You can replace A: drive with a Gotek mounted in one of these https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/145205352468 You will also need to update the power connector and new plug on the data cable, but both easily done.
RE: Got myself a Microbee - CheshireNoir - 15-08-2023
This is the one I used: https://www.printables.com/model/60552-525-half-height-bay-gotek-floppy-emulator-bracket-/files
Worked great!
(Sorry, been off sick)
John
RE: Got myself a Microbee - Highground - 16-08-2023
(11-08-2023, 12:21 PM)CheshireNoir Wrote: For Gotek, I've been buying them from AliExpress.
(This is what I purchased last time: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32951693684.html )
I just update the firmware and add the rotary encoder, the OLED and a buzzer. It's not too hard and I use them across a bunch of systems.
The Flashfloppy Wiki is very handy
https://github.com/keirf/FlashFloppy/wiki
Cheers!
John
(15-08-2023, 12:24 PM)CheshireNoir Wrote: This is the one I used: https://www.printables.com/model/60552-525-half-height-bay-gotek-floppy-emulator-bracket-/files
Worked great!
(Sorry, been off sick)
John
Very Nice, thanks! :-)