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Quorten Blog 1

First blog for all Quorten's blog-like writings

The secret to Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth on Windows 9x

quorten

2020-10-06

Categories: vintage-computing   windows  
Tags: vintage-computing   windows  

So you’re bummed that you can’t get Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth working on Windows 9x? Never fear, the solution is a rather simple one.

Just look here, the answer is plain and simple: It only works with WDM drivers, with VxD drivers it is totally unavailable.

20201005/DuckDuckGo windows 98 install microsoft wavetable synthesizer
20201005/https://officialblackmidi.fandom.com/wiki/Microsoft_GS_Wavetable_Synth

Because AC97 drivers are generally newer, this is why it is recommended to use them to get MIDI since they are also more likely to be WDM for that reason. Besides, also if you are trying to emulate a later Windows 98 PC, you should probably pick AC97 sound as many of the later models were AC97 compatible. ES1371 does apparently have WDM drivers available, though many web search results will bring you to the older VxD drivers. However, upon my examination of the driver files, I see no signs that the WDM audio framework is used.

So, rememvber that, you don’t need AC97 to get the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth working on Windows 98, you just need WDM drivers of any sort.

Read on →

Wi-Fi roaming improvements, Nintendo Switch's lack thereof

quorten

2020-10-01

Categories: home-network  
Tags: home-network  

Observing my home network, I noticed something unusual with Nintendo Switch. It wasn’t roaming properly between the different access points! Instead, it would stick to only the same BSSID that it was originally associated with? But, there is a cheap workaround for this. Simply disable and re-enable Wi-Fi, and the Nintendo Switch will pair with the nearest access point.

20201001/DuckDuckGo nintendo switch wi-fi roaming
20201001/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/social/questions/detail/qid/66337/~/nintendo-switch-wifi-does-not-roam-to-different%2Fstronger-wireless-extender

Now, this is an interesting tip I’m getting. Fast roaming? Oh, it’s possible, but it requires special features. 802.11r is the name of the game, an extended feature to speed up roaming with the otherwise lengthy WPA2 security process in place.

20201001/https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/basics/wireless-basics/33180-how-to-fix-wi-fi-roaming
20201001/https://revolutionwifi.blogspot.com/2011/12/wi-fi-roaming-analysis-part-1.html
20201001/DuckDuckGo openwrt seamless wi-fi roaming
20201001/https://forum.openwrt.org/t/802-11r-fast-roaming-in-luci/11730

Vintage GPUs, PCI, and AGP

quorten

2020-10-01

Categories: misc  
Tags: misc  

Vintage graphics card upgrades, GPUs, a precarious area of discussion. Most graphics cards ever manufactured are PCIe, but if you want a GPU that plugs into an older computer, late 1990s or earlier 2000s, you have to use one of the two older standards: AGP or PCI. Some low-end 2000s computers omit the AGP slot, so that means that PCI is the only universal standard for old GPUs. However, when AGP is available, it provides for higher performance.

So, what are your options for best performing PCI GPUs? NVIDIA GeForce 6200 512 MB is the most powerful, but it is also power hungry at 300 Watts. Second most powerful is NVIDIA GeForce 5700 LE, probably consumes less power, but I’ve found it extremely hard to find, the AGP version is much more plentiful. Plus, it’s the version I currently have on hand (128 MB) but cannot use precisely because I do not have an AGP slot available in the Dell Dimension 2300 low-end PC. Failing the availability of that card, you can downgrade to the 5500 and find a plentiful supply of the PCI version on EBay.

Read on →

Commercial 3D printing nickel-plated

quorten

2020-09-30

Categories: 3d-printing   raspberry-pi  
Tags: 3d-printing   raspberry-pi  

Can Shapeways electroform your plastic 3D printouts? No, they cannot. However, there are companies that specialize in doing this for 3D prints, such as this one called RePliForm. First they electroform with copper, then they electroplate with nickel, that is their standard process. And I agree, it is a quite versatile one at that!

20200930/DuckDuckGo shapeways electroplating
20200930/https://www.shapeways.com/forum/t/can-shapeways-offer-us-electroplating.917/
20200930/https://www.shapeways.com/forum/t/metal-coating-wsf-models.5445/
20200930/http://www.repliforminc.com/

WSF (White Strong + Flexible) is the name of the preferred Shapeways material. But what is it really? It is Polyamide 12, so yes, Nylon.

20200930/DuckDuckGo shapeways wsf material
20200930/https://www.shapeways.com/forum/t/wsf-material-maximum-size.96204/
20200930/DuckDuckGo shapeways white strong flexible
20200930/https://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/97-glueing-white-strong-flexiblesls.html

Conductive ink revisited, again

quorten

2020-09-30

Categories: raspberry-pi  
Tags: raspberry-pi  

Okay, fine. I finally have to clear up a bad idea that I thought of as an alternative to buying conductive ink. How about hot gluing bits of aluminum foil to your silicone in the chiclet keyboard?

Don’t do it, aluminum foil is indeed too conductive, as I have suspected. Also, because the surface is too smooth and slick, hot glue simply won’t make a good bond with it.

20200930/DuckDuckGo hot glue aluminum foil
20200930/https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111201073032AAzWsYc

If the conductive ink is water-soluble, yes, it is certainly carbon-based. Other conductive inks that are based off of silver, copper, nickel, or other metals require the use of often toxic solvents in order to get their inking properties, and they may require curing rather than simple air drying. So I am told. And then, if that is the case, simple water won’t be able to wash them away like what happened to my mistreated keyboard. So, all that being said, carbon-based conductive ink is your go-to for simple, easy, and cheap keyboard repair.

20200930/DuckDuckGo what kind of conductive coating is used in chiclet keyboards
20200930/https://www.bareconductive.com/make/fix-a-tv-remote-with-electric-paint/
20200930/https://www.bareconductive.com/news/what-is-electric-paint-the-composition-and-application-of-conductive-paints/

Read on →

3D on Windows XP VMs, CUE/BIN disk images for Windows 98 games, VOGONS, the Windows vintage community

quorten

2020-09-29

Categories: vintage-computing   windows  
Tags: vintage-computing   windows  

3D graphics on Windows 98 virtual machines? Well, apparently it is possible for Windows XP, but you have to use a very specific version of VirtualBox, 5.2.40.

20200929/DuckDuckGo virtualbox windows 10 3d graphics
20200929/https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?t=98113

But Windows 98, well that’s up in the air. Nevertheless, I’ve found this PCem emulator that is touted to maybe emulated accelerated 3D graphics.

20200929/DuckDuckGo virtualbox windows 98 direct3d
20200929/https://socket3.wordpress.com/2018/10/28/install-configure-windows-98-using-oracle-virtualbox/
20200929/DuckDuckGo PCem
20200929/https://pcem-emulator.co.uk/

Oh, and mention of a VOGONS archive? Well, that must be where there’s a big vintage computing community similar to the case of 68kMLA. Indeed, it is. And, well, yeah, there is always still the MSFN community too.

20200929/DuckDuckGo VOGONS
20200929/https://www.vogons.org/
20200929/https://www.vogons.org/viewforum.php?f=9

Read on →

COVID-19 spreading more in rural areas

quorten

2020-09-28

Categories: covid19  
Tags: covid19  

Interesting data here showing a spike in COVID-19 infections and spreads among rural areas.

20200928/https://dailyyonder.com/red-zone-report-new-rural-infections-jump-30-in-last-week/2020/09/23/

So, an interesting comment here, and I guess it looks like it is confirmed if you look at the state boundaries. If a state health department doesn’t have the means to test for COVID-19 to verify a death was truly related to it, then they are instructed by the federal government to just count all deaths as COVID-19 related. So, that inflates the numbers in some predominantly rural states in that regard.

OSP PCB finish, classic Macintosh SCSIProbe

quorten

2020-09-28

Categories: raspberry-pi   mac-classic  
Tags: raspberry-pi   mac-classic  

Good note here, you see OSP (organic solderability preservatives) finish options in PCB manufacture? Keep in mind, that finish only protects from corrosion for a few weeks, so you must promptly assemble after receiving finished boards. But, it is the premier choice for cheap mass market boards like PC motherboards and game controllers. In any case, that’s one of the reasons why ENIG is better for hobbyist projects.

20200927/https://68kmla.org/forums/index.php?app=forums&module=forums&controller=topic&id=60030&page=2&app=forums&module=forums&id=60030

Also, another note, you know that cool Macintosh SCSI identification utility that you’ve seen screenshots of on textfiles.com? Well, this tool may be it: SCSIProbe.

20200927/DuckDuckGo macintosh scsiprobe
20200927/https://macgui.com/downloads/?file_id=23269

Custom paperboard box makers

quorten

2020-09-28

Categories: inven-sys  
Tags: inven-sys  

Okay, so I know how to make custom corrugated cardboard boxes. Well, that is, I know what companies to go to if I want someone else to do the job for me. But what about pressed cardboard, i.e. heat-pressed fusion of multiple sheets of paper into one thick piece of cardboard? Well, go searching around, the name proper is paperboard. So, here are some companies I’ve found that can do it. Doesn’t look as convenient as the case for corrugated, but yeah, it’s still doable.

20200927/DuckDuckGo pressed cardboard box printing
20200927/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardboard
20200927/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paperboard
20200927/DuckDuckGo custom paperboard printing
20200927/https://www.sublimepackaging.com/paperboard-boxes.html
20200927/https://www.westrock.com/products/paperboard/customkote-paperboard
20200927/https://www.westrock.com/products/paperboard/printkote-paperboard
20200927/https://www.thepaperworker.com/custom-boxes/paperboard-boxes
20200927/DuckDuckGo custom acid-free cardboard boxes
20200927/https://www.universityproducts.com/conservation-materials/paper-film-and-board/acid-free-boxboard
20200927/https://www.universityproducts.com/perma-dur-black-white-barrier-board.html

UPDATE: Wow, I found this box-making company from a Digi-Key box certificate that looks like it’s one-size-fits-all… in terms of manufacturing capabilities. WestRock.

20200929/DuckDuckGo westrock corrugated fridley
20200929/https://www.westrock.com/
20200929/https://www.westrock.com/products/folding-cartons
20200929/https://www.westrock.com/products/paperboard/guardian-angle-corner-posts

Convert MacPaint to PICT on a classic Macintosh

quorten

2020-09-27

Categories: mac-classic  
Tags: mac-classic  

GraphicConverter is a popular option used by many for converting from MacPaint to PICT. But the ne ultra? PICTure This, it runs well on classic Macintoshes with only 1 MB of memory, is very memory efficient, and can run on System 6.

https://68kmla.org/forums/index.php?app=forums&module=forums&controller=topic&id=60485

https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/picture-20