Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!mcsun!ukc!strath-cs!cs.glasgow.ac.uk!kcl-cs!bointon
From: bointon@kcl-cs.UUCP (Marcus Barnaby Bointon)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Any hardware hacks anyone ?
Keywords: hardware hacks?
Message-ID: <1192@xenon.kcl-cs.UUCP>
Date: 9 Oct 90 14:29:16 GMT
References: <1425@abekrd.UUCP>
Reply-To: bointon@kcl-cs.UUCP (Marcus Barnaby Bointon)
Distribution: comp
Organization: Dept. of Computing, Kings College London
Lines: 34

Hardware hacks??? There are loads!!
You are a little behind- Doubling the processor speed was done ages ago (2yrs?)
The leading exponent of the hardware hack is Dave Small (of GCR etc). There are
many producers of 16MHz boards of varying complexity. The best option seems to 
be 16Mhz 68000 with 68882 (16MHz), fast ROMs and 16K cache. Gadgets by small
reportedly have a 16MHz 68030 board (Hypercache '030??) on the way...

A favourite hack for the end user is the overscan mod. This involves the
addition of 4 wires, a switch, and the cutting of 2 circuit board tracks, the
end result of which is an increase in resolution up to about 800*500 in mono!
This would require a multisync, but an SM124 can be pushed to about 750*600!
Thankfully, most well behaved applications adjust themselves to fit the big
screen (though the switch allows the circuit to be returned to normal, should
it be required)

Other hacks: There are numerous Hacked versions of TOS available from Germany
that have bugs removed and new features added. I have seen a multisync board
for the SM124 which allows all resolutions to run on it (with grey scales),
and it's only 50 pounds! (buy it now while the exchange rate is good!)

If there is demand, I could be persuaded to post overscan details to comp.
binaries.atari.st...

Your suggestion of refitting the ST into a bigger box is already well 
established (see last issues of ST World and ST Club newsletter).

Nuff said...

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