Hi,

After visiting msx.org and the forum (I was looking for someone) a few times I got the urge to try out my MSX again. Here's my experience:

Specs:

NMS8250
7Mhz
1Mb Main Memory (I think)
192kb VRAM (Why? I don't know )
42MB Hard disk
MegaSCSI interface
GFX9000 (first production run, large one without a casing)
Double Speed CD ROM player

I don't think I've really touched my MSX since somewhere in 1998, when I got my first Bondi Blue iMac. I think I may have started it up once to backup the files that were still on my hard drive. My MSX is a NMS8250 that was built into a tower model (thanks Stephan ) and is about 75% complete. Which actually means it has wires all over the place and is probably about to explode.

So I hooked it up to my TV through the scart connection and I only got a black picture. So I tried the composite connection and that worked, kind of.. Now I can see the MSX screen but the colors are royally fucked up and there's 'color bleeding' all over the place. But at least I know the thing still works.

When I bought the MegaSCSI sometime in the late 90's I was told that the battery for the SRam needed to be recharged every couple of years, otherwise the contents would be lost. So when I booted the MSX I went straight to MSX Basic instead of my lovely DOS2 startup script. The second time it suddenly booted in DOS2, it even executed my startup script, what a nice surprise. It seems like those weird Japanese folks at ESE Factory know how to build solid hardware

Now I want to see what's still on my hard drive, but the return-key on the keyboard won't work at all. So I decided to play my original Fray game (the discs still work after 14 years!!) but that's no fun at all with a broken keyboard and a fucked up display (the music is still great though!)

I'm thinking of buying a used MSX somewhere.. Maybe even a Turbo-R, if they are still available somewhere. How much do NMS8250 and Turbo-R machines cost these days?

Thanks,

Collin

NMS8250 about 30 euros, turboR about 300 euros

Collin: why don't you come to Tilburg this saturday to have a chat and, perhaps, to get yourself a new MSX computer?

Sjeesj, do you live on these boards?

But.. where can I find a Turbo-R?

Snout: I don't think I want to ruin my memories of the glorious Tilburg fairs by going there now Seriously though, I cannot make it this saturday. Is there a chance that a Turbo-R will be for sale there?

turboR's are rarely sold on MSX fairs. I think the best thing you can do is check ebay auctions and/or post in our trading forums with a clear 'Wanted: turboR" topic name or something

and yes. I do live here. It's quite comfy you know ^_^.

Haha.. good to know

About the NMS8250, can I still get it expanded to like 512kb or 1mb?

Hey Collin, welcome back

Quote:

About the NMS8250, can I still get it expanded to like 512kb or 1mb?

Yep

Where and for how much?

Bas Kornalijnslijper is still alive

Collo,

Nice to see you here! Actually, there was a Turbo-R on ebay (nl) for quite a while. I think it was 150 euros. It's not there right now, but I don't *think* it was sold. Check again in a week or so. There was also a really nice MSX2+ (The Sony with 256kB), I don't *think* was sold either. Not sure about both, but on the day the auction ended neither had a bid on 'em. Furthermore you can find the occasion NMS8250 for around 50 euro's. I guess you could thrash it for spares for your current 8250. This way you wouldn't have to lug your expansions from one board to another.

If you're really a hobbyist I've still got a fully working mainboard of my old ST lying arount. It's got 512/192kb and should be working fine. If it's for *you* and you're going to use it, you can have it. The power supply of your old 8250 will prolly work on it, I don't know how you could handle the keyboard issue tho. Since you said your old MSX was in a PC case I assume you made some kind of solution for the slots tho.

But, then again... That's a lot of work and you prolly have enough money, so for a quick fix just wait and see if the Turbo-R on ebay goes back on auction again... Anyways, I'm wasting precious bandwith with my bullshit here, so I'll just cut the crap and say nice to see you here... Btw, Stefan was on the forums too.... (You prolly know this) Tell him to pop by once in a while too...

I emailed Bas..

Anyone cares to sell his Turbo-R to me?

Of course. In fact, I think I'm going to give you my GT for free, ok? And shall I add a slotexpander and a Moonsound to it as well? Just let me know, ok!

Thanks Tobias!

I believe you can also search for previous auctions at ebay. Maybe I'll try that out to see if I can contact the person selling it.

I actually don't want to continue using a tower MSX.. I like the look of the Philips or Turbo-R machines, and if they have more than 128kb memory they will be just perfect. But thanks for the ST offer though!

Do you still use your MSX actively?