Thread

HP DIP Switches

68kMLA Hardware 18 posts Sep 14, 2008 to Sep 16, 2008

#1 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 - 22:02 68kMLA

On my new HP Vectra from 1985 I can't get any video on the monitor (also HP branded), there are DIP switches on the video card, but I have no documentation.

#2 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 - 22:16 68kMLA

It's an EGA display adapter, and so is the monitor.

The video card has the EGA (DB-9) connector, two plugs (RF?) and a little knob that flips back and forth.

:EDIT:I know why Macs were so popular back then compared to the PC equivalents.

#3 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 - 22:25 68kMLA

Can you confirm the monitor works, does the brightness increase the brightness of an otherwise blank screen? You may also see flyback scans.

#4 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 - 22:30 68kMLA

I found on one site that for an EGA monitor the dips need to be off on on off off off. Of course in order from 1 to 6. All the monitor was doing beforehand was making a high frequency noise that made my headache even worse. I will try the new DIP settings ASAP. And I couldn't see the monitors brightness cause the sun was shining directly on the screen.

#5 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 - 01:19 68kMLA

It works now, time to clean install the OS.

#6 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 - 01:28 68kMLA

MS-DOS 6 and Windows 2.0?

What CPU does the box have?

#7 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 - 03:32 68kMLA

It has MS-DOS 6 and Windows 3.1 at the moment. Windows is quite unusable because it has a 286 @ 8mhz. I need to find Windows 2.0 before continuing.

#8 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 - 03:47 68kMLA

Or you could go for OS2, 1.3

#9 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 - 23:41 68kMLA

OS/2 does maintain compatability with DOS programs, right?

Might be time to learn another OS. Windows, DOS, UNIX, Mac OS, Mac OS X, and now OS/2!

:EDIT: Shame on me for not even giving the full specs of this machine!

80286 8mhz, 1664kb RAM, 5.25" DS floppy, 3.5" 1.44MB floppy, and one very loud 5.25" HD (20 or 40 MB).

#10 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 - 23:49 68kMLA

OS/2 does maintain compatability with DOS programs, right?

Yes, but you need OS2 1.3 for a 286.

OS2 2.0 is for 386 upwards.

#11 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 - 01:13 68kMLA

I'm going to try OS/2 1.0, cause that's what I was able to find. Should I be worried about the hard drive and it's loudness?

#12 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 - 01:43 68kMLA

I'm going to try OS/2 1.0, cause that's what I was able to find.

No Presentation Manager then, I presume.

Should I be worried about the hard drive and it's loudness?

Only when the disks physically leave their casing.

#13 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 - 02:00 68kMLA

As long as OS/2 will work, I'm happy

Mainly DOS compatibility is what I need, I will also need Excel, Word, etc. BTW, any tips on how to open this old HP mouse, as it gets gummed up when you move it (i.e. it stops moving periodically).

#14 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 - 02:10 68kMLA

Oh my, the disks aren't recognized... :'(

#15 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 - 02:12 68kMLA

I will also need Excel, Word, etc.

Was there a DOS version of Excel?

#16 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 - 02:35 68kMLA

Yes, I'm pretty sure. You actually made me think twice...

#17 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 - 02:58 68kMLA

Yes, I'm pretty sure. You actually made me think twice...

I'm a doubting Thomas....

Microsoft originally marketed a spreadsheet program called Multiplan in 1982, which was very popular on CP/M systems, but on MS-DOS systems it lost popularity to Lotus 1-2-3. The first version of Excel was released for the Mac in 1985 and the first Windows version (numbered 2.05 to line-up with the Mac and bundled with a run-time Windows environment) was released in November 1987.

#18 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 - 15:33 68kMLA

Okay, I could use Multiplan, I use SYLK files for spreadsheets anyway.