Path: utzoo!dptcdc!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cornell!rochester!rit!ritcsh!derrick From: derrick@ritcsh.UUCP (Derrick Williams) Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st Subject: CLock chip Message-ID: <2807@ritcsh.UUCP> Date: 15 Apr 89 15:36:22 GMT Reply-To: derrick@ritcsh.UUCP (Derrick Williams) Organization: Computer Science House @ RIT - Rochester, NY Lines: 65 SOme people have asked me to post the details of a clock chip I mentioned a while ago. While there are many clock chips available, some in hard drives and some easier to use, I believe this is the cheapest method anywhere. The chip upgrade is detailed in ST X-Press magazine, April 1988. It is relatively simple. The chip itself is a Dallas Semiconductor DS1216E Smartwatch. It is important to get the one with the E postfix for it is the only one that will fit the ST. Once you have obtailed this chip (DS address at bottom), you open the case of your 520 or 1040, remove the rf shield, pull out the chip marked U2, put in the DS chip, and put in the U2 chip back on top of the DS chip. That's it for the hardware. However, it's a little tricky on a 1040, since it is directly below the power supply. You will have to cut a hole on the mounting bracket, but it is a simple operation. Make sure you put eletrical tape on the top of the chip so it won't come into contact with the shield or the power supply. You need to have software in order to boot up the chip and set the time. It is public domain (I got it off the disk that came with the magazine). This has to be in the auto folder on the disk you boot up with. This is no problem if you have a hard drive, but can be a pain if you're operating on floppies. I just put the program on the program disks where time/date stamping is important. Please remember that opening your computer will void your warranty, and while this chip installation is very simple, I can't take any responsibility for any mishaps that anyone might experience. As for the chip, possible resources might be your local electronics store or even (heven forbid) Radio Shack. If you're stuck, call Dallas Semiconductor (214) 450-0400 (Sorry, no address available). Prices range wildly from $15 to $40, so look carefully for the cheapest source. Dallas Semiconductor provides software for the IBM (Use it with PC Ditto). For the Atari software, contact: St Xpress P.O. Box 2383 La Habra, CA 90632 (213) 691-8000 Or reply to this posting and I will see if I can send it to you (I'm sure that the software can be distributed legally). Happy Hacking! Derrick ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An artsie and an Engineer once sat, 'twix them a gallon can; Said the artsie, "Match me drink for drink, let's see who's the better man." They drank three quaffs, the artsie collapsed with a face turning green, But the Engineer drank on and with a sneer said, "It's only gasoline!" Derrick Williams Rochester Institute of Technology --------------------------------------------------------------------------------