Low profile DualTOS

[RayBarker]

I wanted to fit a DualTOS board, however I own a C0070789 STFM board which presents clearance issues regarding the shielding/keyboard. I'm not a fan of unnecessarily non-reversible mods, so removing sockets and hardwiring the board or cutting traces were very unattractive prospects .

So I ditched the header strips and made a low profile version:

IMG_20221013_112033563.jpg

I thought I'd share the experience in case anyone else wants to do this.

The problem is caused by the relatively high profile of turned-pin headers, so I considered test-fitting with lower-profile square pin strips, however these are far too large for DIP sockets so even if they worked they would cause irreversible damage to the sprung sockets.

So instead, I decided to switch to some other form of stiff conductive wire. I considered using something sensible like fine brass rod, but I settled for zinc-plated staples. Steel isn't the best conductor and it's prone to oxidation, but the zinc coating should help with both of those. I'll just have to remember not to store it in an area subject to rapid fluctuations in humidity and temperature. (Good job I have an unmodified STF for use in the bathroom!)

One great feature of staples is that they come pre-bent at right angles. With the assistance of spare DIP-28 sockets, alignment was trivial. I did use two pieces of Kapton tape to insulate the nearest row of pins as well as the underside of the jumper pins, just in case of a short, but realistically the clearance should already be more than enough.

IMG_20221013_112432033.jpg

[exxos]

Cool, some good old harware hacking :lol: :D

[RayBarker]

Thanks! - although quite entry-level as far as hardware hacking goes.

I must admit I'm a little ashamed of the raggedy-looking solder and pin trimming job I did. I was very reluctant to reflow or clean up anything with a good mechanical connection. If I wasn't being such a cheapskate I should have sourced some long wire-wrap style turned pin sockets (edit:as a source of better pins) as I expect this would have a lot less fiddly.

But oh well, show me someone who hasn't done an ugly-but-functional soldering job and I'll show you someone who has never soldered!

[Badwolf]

Staples!

Hack of the week, I reckon. :goodpost:

BW

[exxos]

I think @Steve relocated the board then used 3 diodes to reroute the CE lines. Maybe @Steve knows where the post is..

[Matej]

This is beautiful. Any chance to have standard TOS + EmuTOS on such upgrade?

[exxos]

This is beautiful. Any chance to have standard TOS + EmuTOS on such upgrade?

You can have whatever you want on a ROM if you do it yourself.

I am always trying to do a custom service for things like this, but it is not easy since my "odd job payment processor" basically forced me to leave. It is difficult to add custom items into my store because I do not run my store, and it's all automated. What isn't, my girlfriend runs ( I don't live with her). So doing custom stuff is very problematical for me. Aside from lack of time. Similar problem with pre-orders, things always go to sh*t very quickly. :roll:

There are people on the forum who could likely do you custom ROMs if you can't do it yourself. Just post a WANTED in the forsale / wanted forum.

[Steve]

@exxos would be this perhaps? viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1411

[exxos]

@exxos would be this perhaps? viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1411

Ah yep.. Though not a DUALTOS relocation by the looks of it.