Xref: utzoo sci.electronics:5528 comp.periphs:1611
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ncar!noao!arizona!naucse!rrw
From: rrw@naucse.UUCP (Robert Wier)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics,comp.periphs
Subject: Re: Proprietary hardware  (was Re: DataProducts LZR-1230 Laser info wanted)
Keywords: schematics, repair information
Message-ID: <1204@naucse.UUCP>
Date: 13 Mar 89 20:25:09 GMT
References: <2140@cpoint.UUCP> <3743@stiatl.UUCP>
Organization: Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Lines: 46



> In article <2140@cpoint.UUCP> die@cpoint.UUCP (David I. Emery) writes:
>>
>>	I have been personally bequethed a broken Data Products LZR-1230 laser
> .......>
>>	I have called Data Products up in an attempt to obtain
>>a schematic and was told "we don't release schematics to our distributors
>>or field service people any more and won't even consider selling them to you...
>>a mere customer. If you want the printer fixed you'd better pay us to
>>fix it ..."  ( They do offer a board-changers-troubleshooting guide for $125 
>>with no schematics or detailed technical information)

 About 13 years ago, I was a graduate student and would occasionally
 write articles for BYTE and some of the other computer mags.  Since
 this was when personal computers (then called "home computers") were
 JUST getting started, there was a lack of I/O devices, particulary
 graphics devices.

 At that time, Fairchild introduced their "Channel F" video game which
 unlike previously available games had a cartridge which looked like 
 an 8-track tape cartridge, but contained some type of electronics,
 which I assumed to be ROM, plus maybe some type of peripheral chip.
 ( I can't remember if the Atari system was out at that point or not).
 It occurred to me that if some type of plug-in interface could be
 made up using the cartridge slot, then any of the small computers
 of the day (I was using a SWTPCO 6800 system) could have a graphics
 output facility.  If I could get something going, then I could write
 an article for one of the magainzes.

 Well, I called Fairchild, and it was obvious that they were not 
 prepared for this type of request for technical information.  After
 being shuffled from one department to the next, I was finally refered
 to a company, who had actually developed the system, which Fairchild
 was marketing.  I contacted the original company, and was informed
 that since they were the "market leader" and had the "foremost
 position" in the video game industry that they were not prepared to
 release any technical information (especially to a mere graduate
 student, I inferred).  

 I was gratified a short time later to see the "Channel F" system 
 being sold for scrap parts by mail order surplus electronics places.

   - Bob Wier                                College of Engineering
  Flagstaff, Arizona                      Northern Arizona University
  ...arizona!naucse!rrw |  BITNET: WIER@NAUVAX | *usual disclaimers*