Beltron

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Beltron

I recently acquired a Beltron system, and I noticed that it has markings on the keys for BASIC shortcuts. I habe yet to power it up, or to do an diagnostics on it. I am unsure at this time if it is PAL or NTSC. 

 

Do any of you have a Beltron manual, or any docs for it? 

Do any of you have ROM dumps--I plan to make some at some point.

 

Do you lnow the purpose of the 'option' ROM connection?

 

I am likely going to (one day) give it an overall charcoal cololur scheme. 

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Those typically integrates

Those typically integrates Videx Enhancer/II into the keyboard.

This is specific to the keyboard. not the clone.

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dorkbert wrote:Those
dorkbert wrote:

Those typically integrates Videx Enhancer/II into the keyboard.

This is specific to the keyboard. not the clone.

 

This I take it, also means that the keyboard would work on a stanard ][+ RFI board, with these BASIC hotkeys. Note that the kotkeys are absolutely marked for BASIC, such as POKE, GOTO, not for VideoTerm commands. One of the keys is even a shortcut for '-151'.The prior owner claimed that it was non-funcional, but I do not yet know why, or even if they had the PSU setting toggled properly.  The PSU is 120/240 select, so it was clearly made for multiple markets, and if it works, then it gives me a spare 240/50 PSU. 

 

I'm not sure if it it a PAL or an NTSC mainboard yet, but I do appreciate that it is very much akin to early //e prototypes, and uses a bank of 4164s, but retains the ][+ 'SLOT 0' edge connector. I have always had a soft spot for clone systems with expanded base capabilities. 

 

If I can get it working, I will keep it original, except that I will likely SEM coat it to a charcoal colour instead of beige, as I feel that would look cleaner with the black and grey keys, and it is heavily suntanned. If not, then I may try an RFI mainboard in its place, while I try to diagnose any actual issues. A ROM dump is in order, wither way, as AFAIK, the ERPOM set for the Beltom hasn't been dumped; and if the KB ROM works, then I need to dump that, too. 

 

It's certainly handsome, and I admire that they put thougt into the logic design, instead of just copying an existing Apple design 1:1.

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Yes. I have a couple of

Yes. I have a couple of keyboards like this hung off II+ RFI before.

3rd gen II clones from Asia were pretty nice.

I have seen boards with Videoterm, softcard, and Disk II controller integrated onto the board.

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dorkbert wrote:Yes. I have a
dorkbert wrote:

Yes. I have a couple of keyboards like this hung off II+ RFI before.

3rd gen II clones from Asia were pretty nice.

I have seen boards with Videoterm, softcard, and Disk II controller integrated onto the board.

 

Do you happen to know what the voltage signals are for the Beltron PSU connector? It isn't marked, and the connector differs from any Apple board. Right now, the PSU has no voltage on any pin, but it could be the fuse, which is of course soldered into place. I need to put a spot lamp on it and a lens to see if I can spot the filament. 

 

If not, then I will need to pull the logic board and follow the traces.

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Sorry, but I don't. Should be

Sorry, but I don't. Should be pretty easy to figure out with a multimeter thoguh. Just tap the connector and the slot contacts. No need to remove th board (although it's probably a good idea to recap the board and PSU anyways.)

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dorkbert wrote:Sorry, but I
dorkbert wrote:

Sorry, but I don't. Should be pretty easy to figure out with a multimeter thoguh. Just tap the connector and the slot contacts. No need to remove th board (although it's probably a good idea to recap the board and PSU anyways.)

 

O, heh, I was going to do that from solder joint to solder joint, hence removing the board. You're right, I could just as easily do it without that step. This is how falling into a routine with testing protocols, gets burnt into your brain after 45 years. 

 

I need to order a thinner probe for my gauges anyway, as I can't tell if I am making contact with the PSU mole connector pins, and I do not wnt to use a probe into the wire casing. I should ust do a continuity test on the fuse, too. I usually do visual inspeciton on glass fuses, before a continuity test, as I have seen false positive continuity on a damaged glass fuse more that once, where the fuse starts acting as a resistor, from a burnt, but not blown, filament. 

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