Got a Magic Sac and Spectre GCR

[Tempest]

I just got my hands on a Magic Sac+ and a Spectre GCR (for a VERY good price). Both of them are complete with boxes/binders, disks, and all the documentation (Magic Sac actually came with a brown paper sack!). It even came with a Spectre GCR pin and several newsletters. From what I can tell Magic Sac+ came first and Spectre GCR was the later version. I know that they're Macintosh emulators, but what do I need to make them work? I have a monochrome monitor (SM124), but I do I need a a separate disk drive and if so will a single sided one work? Anything else I should know about them? How compatible is it with Macintosh games?

 

Tempest

[atarian63]

I just got my hands on a Magic Sac+ and a Spectre GCR (for a VERY good price). Both of them are complete with boxes/binders, disks, and all the documentation (Magic Sac actually came with a brown paper sack!). It even came with a Spectre GCR pin and several newsletters. From what I can tell Magic Sac+ came first and Spectre GCR was the later version. I know that they're Macintosh emulators, but what do I need to make them work? I have a monochrome monitor (SM124), but I do I need a a separate disk drive and if so will a single sided one work? Anything else I should know about them? How compatible is it with Macintohs games?

 

Tempest

Hi Tempest, you will need an sf-314 dbl sided drive for sure,or compatible 3rd party. Did either of them include the mac roms? I would assume they would unless they were new. I do remeber running games on it when we demoed it in the store.

[Tempest]

I just got my hands on a Magic Sac+ and a Spectre GCR (for a VERY good price). Both of them are complete with boxes/binders, disks, and all the documentation (Magic Sac actually came with a brown paper sack!). It even came with a Spectre GCR pin and several newsletters. From what I can tell Magic Sac+ came first and Spectre GCR was the later version. I know that they're Macintosh emulators, but what do I need to make them work? I have a monochrome monitor (SM124), but I do I need a a separate disk drive and if so will a single sided one work? Anything else I should know about them? How compatible is it with Macintohs games?

 

Tempest

Hi Tempest, you will need an sf-314 dbl sided drive for sure,or compatible 3rd party. Did either of them include the mac roms? I would assume they would unless they were new. I do remeber running games on it when we demoed it in the store.

Yep they have Mac roms in them (not sure what version though). You can't use the internal drive? Bah. Anyone got a spare SF-314?

 

Tempest

[+remowilliams]

Yep they have Mac roms in them (not sure what version though). You can't use the internal drive? Bah. Anyone got a spare SF-314?

Yes, you can use your internal drive (connect the GCR to your floppy port) as long as it is 314 compatible (i.e. not a PC floppy replacement or something). You can also hook your ST to a modern VGA monitor as well for 'Mac mode' which is nice.

 

As for games, the simple old stuff will work - no sound though.

Edited February 11, 2009 by remowilliams

[Tempest]

Yes, you can use your internal drive (connect the GCR to your floppy port) as long as it is 314 compatible (i.e. not a PC floppy replacement or something). You can also hook your ST to a modern VGA monitor as well for 'Mac mode' which is nice.

 

As for games, the simple old stuff will work - no sound though.

Well it's the internal drive in my Mega STE, I assume it will work.

 

How would you connect an ST to a VGA monitor? I assume you need some kind of special cable for that. Could I use a PTC-1426 for that?

 

No sound? Seriously? Damn...

 

Tempest

[+remowilliams]

You need an ST/VGA adapter. They are very simple (just wiring), you can build one or have someone make you one.

 

Spectre can make sound but at a high cost to overall speed, so not a great thing for games.

 

I also recall issues when trying to use a GCR with my MSTE, but I can't recall exactly what it was. I think it was serious enough to stop trying to use it, and fell back to a 1040STf.

[atarian63]

Yes, you can use your internal drive (connect the GCR to your floppy port) as long as it is 314 compatible (i.e. not a PC floppy replacement or something). You can also hook your ST to a modern VGA monitor as well for 'Mac mode' which is nice.

 

As for games, the simple old stuff will work - no sound though.

Well it's the internal drive in my Mega STE, I assume it will work.

 

How would you connect an ST to a VGA monitor? I assume you need some kind of special cable for that. Could I use a PTC-1426 for that?

 

No sound? Seriously? Damn...

 

Tempest

If you do the ST to VGA adapter the monitor must support 15khz sync, most modern multisyncs do not. I have an NEC 29" multimedia monitor that does it.

Also Nec 2a 14" will work, I think best or one of the Atari parts suppliers has a list, cant remember, I did have them add my NEC to the list. Of course the PTC Atari monitor should work fine.

There is always the ST mono monitor,I have one for sale if you need one.

 

Just added:

Try this

http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/

about 3/4 down the page. they even have a way to hook up to modern LCD monitors. Didn't know that one.Doh!

Edited February 11, 2009 by atarian63

[+remowilliams]

If you do the ST to VGA adapter the monitor must support 15khz sync, most modern multisyncs do not.

ST high res is 31.5Khz, and will work on most standard VGA CRTs/LCDs, etc - that was what I was getting at. For the low/med color modes you are correct.

[Albert]

The Magic Sac and Spectre GCR are damn cool. It's awesome that you got them complete with the Mac ROMs, documentation, newsletters, and so forth. I got to play with these when they were new and it was damned impressive considering how expensive Macintoshes were back then. Really goes to show how simple the Macs were back then hardware-wise if they could be "emulated" via a cartridge (running the stock Mac ROMs).

 

..Al

[atarian63]

If you do the ST to VGA adapter the monitor must support 15khz sync, most modern multisyncs do not.

ST high res is 31.5Khz, and will work on most standard VGA CRTs/LCDs, etc - that was what I was getting at. For the low/med color modes you are correct.

I stand corrected! Yes that is right. I was thinking of my own project from awhile back where I needed color. 31.5khz is right for mono only.

Check out the BEst stuff, it's pretty cool, a scaler converter and the vga adapter and off you go to a new world of LCD monitors!

[+remowilliams]

Check out the BEst stuff, it's pretty cool, a scaler converter and the vga adapter and off you go to a new world of LCD monitors!

You can also use SCART/component (YPbPr) video converters to hook many of the good old 15Khz RGB capable consoles/computers to lots of modern displays. That's how I have my ST/MSTE hooked to a modern 24" display. Finally a use for those funny looking SCART cables.

 

As for Spectre GCR - the manual is a great collectible in it's own right. Very amusingly written.

 

WARNING: This manual is easy to read and actually entertaining. This may ruin your enjoyment of other computer manuals.

 

Furthermore, some of the diagrams were drawn by someone with the artistic ability of Genghis Khan.

 

[Tempest]

Well I have an Atari monochrome monitor, so unless there's a reason to use a different monitor, I'll stick with that. The Spectre GCR doesn't do color anyway. I do have a NEC multisync xp21, but I don't think that's an ST compatible one.

 

BTW this is the lot I won (lots of nice pictures): Ebay Linky Thankfully it didn't cost me this much.

 

Tempest

[atarian63]

Well I have an Atari monochrome monitor, so unless there's a reason to use a different monitor, I'll stick with that. The Spectre GCR doesn't do color anyway. I do have a NEC multisync xp21, but I don't think that's an ST compatible one.

 

BTW this is the lot I won (lots of nice pictures): Ebay Linky Thankfully it didn't cost me this much.

 

Tempest

I was watching that one!

[+remowilliams]

I do have a NEC multisync xp21, but I don't think that's an ST compatible one.

It doesn't matter if it is or not. With a simple adapter you can display the ST high res mode on it. Just depends on whether you want a bigger picture than your SM124.

[TwiliteZoner]

I just got my hands on a Magic Sac+ and a Spectre GCR (for a VERY good price). Both of them are complete with boxes/binders, disks, and all the documentation (Magic Sac actually came with a brown paper sack!). It even came with a Spectre GCR pin and several newsletters. From what I can tell Magic Sac+ came first and Spectre GCR was the later version. I know that they're Macintosh emulators, but what do I need to make them work? I have a monochrome monitor (SM124), but I do I need a a separate disk drive and if so will a single sided one work? Anything else I should know about them? How compatible is it with Macintohs games?

 

Tempest

Hi Tempest, you will need an sf-314 dbl sided drive for sure,or compatible 3rd party. Did either of them include the mac roms? I would assume they would unless they were new. I do remeber running games on it when we demoed it in the store.

 

You really do need an external disk drive, but irregardless of that you also need to get a copy of RamDisk+ that will load the system files onto the ram disk and free up the 2 floppy drives. Has anyone here setup an Atari hard drive for using Spectre?

[Tempest]

You really do need an external disk drive

Is that a recommendation or a fact? I have two drives on my system, one is the internal MSTE drive and the over is the SS drive in my PS3000 monitor (why they put a single sided drive in there I'll never know, but I'd love to crack it open and put a double in).

 

Does that Best Electronics device do all the ST resolutions on an LCD monitor? I wonder how well that works? I have a scanline doubler for my Amiga (for using a VGA monitor) that looks just like that, I wonder if I could just use it or are they different things? I'd still need that special cable though (damn non-standard Atari ports).

 

Tempest

[TwiliteZoner]

You really do need an external disk drive

Is that a recommendation or a fact? I have two drives on my system, one is the internal MSTE drive and the over is the SS drive in my PS3000 monitor (why they put a single sided drive in there I'll never know, but I'd love to crack it open and put a double in).

 

Does that Best Electronics device do all the ST resolutions on an LCD monitor? I wonder how well that works? I have a scanline doubler for my Amiga (for using a VGA monitor) that looks just like that, I wonder if I could just use it or are they different things? I'd still need that special cable though (damn non-standard Atari ports).

 

Tempest

 

A strong recommendation.

[+remowilliams]

Has anyone here setup an Atari hard drive for using Spectre?

Yes, I used a real HD a long time ago and recently setup an SD card on my Satandisk as a Mac HD (one TOS partition, one Mac).

 

A strong recommendation.

If you aren't going to use a HD, then yes definitely a strong recommendation.

[Tempest]

Has anyone here setup an Atari hard drive for using Spectre?

Yes, I used a real HD a long time ago and recently setup an SD card on my Satandisk as a Mac HD (one TOS partition, one Mac).

 

A strong recommendation.

If you aren't going to use a HD, then yes definitely a strong recommendation.

I have a HD. A pretty big one IIRC. I just hope that there's some kind of partitioning software on those disks...

 

Tempest

[carmel_andrews]

I think i had a version of Happy's Discovery cartridge that allowed you to hack spectra gcr or other mac emu. into the cartridge, my version (which i once had) also could copy mac and amiga disks (as it came with appropriate connectors, unfortunately i never used it and eventually sold it

[Fletch]

You have a wild memory sometimes

 

 

I think i had a version of Happy's Discovery cartridge that allowed you to hack spectra gcr or other mac emu. into the cartridge, my version (which i once had) also could copy mac and amiga disks (as it came with appropriate connectors, unfortunately i never used it and eventually sold it

[carmel_andrews]

You have a wild memory sometimes

 

 

I think i had a version of Happy's Discovery cartridge that allowed you to hack spectra gcr or other mac emu. into the cartridge, my version (which i once had) also could copy mac and amiga disks (as it came with appropriate connectors, unfortunately i never used it and eventually sold it

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Computers

 

 

Alternatively

 

 

DOPTIONS.DOC - DOCUMENTATION REVISION 2.7

© 1988 HAPPY COMPUTERS, Inc.

 

The following is a list of the factory installed option configurations.

The option number is marked in the space provided on the bottom of the

unit. Refer to the rest of the documentation for a description of what

the options do, if more information is needed.

 

----------

 

OPTION 0

No extra factory installed options, nothing below is included.

 

This unit backs up software and converts disks to and from MACINTOSH

format.

 

----------

 

OPTION 1

battery backed up time and date clock

3rd and 4th drive circuitry and connector

3rd drive option switch

ROM/EPROM sockets

 

The ROM/EPROM sockets can be used with a 64K byte program in ROMS or

EPROMS. The MACINTOSH 64K ROMS could be used, allowing the MAGIC SAC

software to operate. A jumper must be added by the user to select the

state of pin 1 on the ROMS or EPROMS. No ROMS or EPROMS are provided.

The MAGIC SAC software is not included.

 

A 3rd and 4th floppy drive can be connected, allowing a total of 4

floppy drives to be accessed from the desk top and most other software.

 

----------

 

OPTION 2

battery backed up time and date clock

3rd and 4th drive circuitry and connector

3rd drive option switch

ROM/EPROM sockets

ROM/EPROM bank select switch

 

The ROM/EPROM sockets can be used with a 64K byte program in ROMS or

EPROMS. The MACINTOSH 64K ROMS could be used, allowing the MAGIC SAC

software to operate. No jumper is required. 128K byte ROMS could be

used. The switch selects a bank of 64K which will be enabled at one time.

No ROMS or EPROMS are provided. The MAGIC SAC software is not included.

 

A 3rd and 4th floppy drive can be connected, allowing a total of 4

floppy drives to be accessed from the desk top and most other software.

 

----------

 

OPTION 3

jack for plugging in a second cartridge

 

HAPPY COMPUTERS has tested and found that the MAGIC SAC and DESKCART

will operate as a second cartridge with OPTION 3. Other cartridges

may also work. The SPECTRE 128 does not work. Also, see options 5 or 6.

We do not guarantee that any cartridge will work as a second cartridge.

Some L shaped cartridges may not even fit as a second cartridge.

 

----------

 

OPTION 4

jack for plugging in a second cartridge

3rd drive option switch

3rd and 4th drive circuitry and connector

 

HAPPY COMPUTERS has tested and found that the MAGIC SAC and DESKCART

will operate as a second cartridge with OPTION 4. Other cartridges

may also work. The SPECTRE 128 does not work. Also, see options 5 or 6.

We do not guarantee that any cartridge will work as a second cartridge.

Some L shaped cartridges may not even fit as a second cartridge.

 

A 3rd and 4th floppy drive can be connected, allowing a total of 4

floppy drives to be accessed from the desk top and most other software.

 

----------

 

OPTION 5

jack for plugging in a second cartridge

2nd cartridge enable switch

3rd drive option switch

3rd and 4th drive circuitry and connector

 

HAPPY COMPUTERS has tested and found that the MAGIC SAC and DESKCART

and SPECTRE 128 will operate as a second cartridge with OPTION 5.

Many other cartridges may work with option 5 that do not work with

options 3 or 4. We do not guarantee that any cartridge will work as

a second cartridge. Some L shaped cartridges may not even fit as a

second cartridge. The 2nd cartridge switch allows the user to select

whether the 2nd cartridge or the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE is enabled.

 

A 3rd and 4th floppy drive can be connected, allowing a total of 4

floppy drives to be accessed from the desk top and most other software.

 

----------

 

OPTION 6

jack for plugging in a second cartridge

2nd cartridge enable switch

 

HAPPY COMPUTERS has tested and found that the MAGIC SAC and DESKCART

and SPECTRE 128 will operate as a second cartridge with OPTION 6.

Many other cartridges may work with option 6 that do not work with

options 3 or 4. We do not guarantee that any cartridge will work as

a second cartridge. Some L shaped cartridges may not even fit as a

second cartridge. The 2nd cartridge switch allows the user to select

whether the 2nd cartridge or the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE is enabled.

 

----------

 

OPTION 7

battery backed up time and date clock

3rd and 4th drive circuitry and connector

3rd drive option switch

ROM/EPROM sockets

128K ROM/EPROM enable switch

 

The ROM/EPROM sockets can be used with a 128K byte contiguous program

contained in ROMS or EPROMS. The MACINTOSH 128K ROMS could be used,

but the SPECTRE 128 software still will not operate without some

additional changes, which are listed in the documentation. HAPPY

COMPUTERS cannot currently provide a DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE which

allows running the SPECTRE 128 software by simply plugging in the

MACINTOSH 128K ROMS. No ROMS or EPROMS are included. No SPECTRE 128

SOFTWARE is included.

 

A 3rd and 4th floppy drive can be connected, allowing a total of 4

floppy drives to be accessed from the desk top and most other software.

 

 

alternatively...

 

 

http://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=13944

 

 

Where's the wild memory now.....

Edited February 12, 2009 by carmel_andrews

[Fletch]

I wasn't referring to the Discovery Cartridge. I think you as an individual have some unusual memories.

 

 

 

You have a wild memory sometimes

 

 

I think i had a version of Happy's Discovery cartridge that allowed you to hack spectra gcr or other mac emu. into the cartridge, my version (which i once had) also could copy mac and amiga disks (as it came with appropriate connectors, unfortunately i never used it and eventually sold it

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Computers

 

 

Alternatively

 

 

DOPTIONS.DOC - DOCUMENTATION REVISION 2.7

© 1988 HAPPY COMPUTERS, Inc.

 

The following is a list of the factory installed option configurations.

The option number is marked in the space provided on the bottom of the

unit. Refer to the rest of the documentation for a description of what

the options do, if more information is needed.

 

----------

 

OPTION 0

No extra factory installed options, nothing below is included.

 

This unit backs up software and converts disks to and from MACINTOSH

format.

 

----------

 

OPTION 1

battery backed up time and date clock

3rd and 4th drive circuitry and connector

3rd drive option switch

ROM/EPROM sockets

 

The ROM/EPROM sockets can be used with a 64K byte program in ROMS or

EPROMS. The MACINTOSH 64K ROMS could be used, allowing the MAGIC SAC

software to operate. A jumper must be added by the user to select the

state of pin 1 on the ROMS or EPROMS. No ROMS or EPROMS are provided.

The MAGIC SAC software is not included.

 

A 3rd and 4th floppy drive can be connected, allowing a total of 4

floppy drives to be accessed from the desk top and most other software.

 

----------

 

OPTION 2

battery backed up time and date clock

3rd and 4th drive circuitry and connector

3rd drive option switch

ROM/EPROM sockets

ROM/EPROM bank select switch

 

The ROM/EPROM sockets can be used with a 64K byte program in ROMS or

EPROMS. The MACINTOSH 64K ROMS could be used, allowing the MAGIC SAC

software to operate. No jumper is required. 128K byte ROMS could be

used. The switch selects a bank of 64K which will be enabled at one time.

No ROMS or EPROMS are provided. The MAGIC SAC software is not included.

 

A 3rd and 4th floppy drive can be connected, allowing a total of 4

floppy drives to be accessed from the desk top and most other software.

 

----------

 

OPTION 3

jack for plugging in a second cartridge

 

HAPPY COMPUTERS has tested and found that the MAGIC SAC and DESKCART

will operate as a second cartridge with OPTION 3. Other cartridges

may also work. The SPECTRE 128 does not work. Also, see options 5 or 6.

We do not guarantee that any cartridge will work as a second cartridge.

Some L shaped cartridges may not even fit as a second cartridge.

 

----------

 

OPTION 4

jack for plugging in a second cartridge

3rd drive option switch

3rd and 4th drive circuitry and connector

 

HAPPY COMPUTERS has tested and found that the MAGIC SAC and DESKCART

will operate as a second cartridge with OPTION 4. Other cartridges

may also work. The SPECTRE 128 does not work. Also, see options 5 or 6.

We do not guarantee that any cartridge will work as a second cartridge.

Some L shaped cartridges may not even fit as a second cartridge.

 

A 3rd and 4th floppy drive can be connected, allowing a total of 4

floppy drives to be accessed from the desk top and most other software.

 

----------

 

OPTION 5

jack for plugging in a second cartridge

2nd cartridge enable switch

3rd drive option switch

3rd and 4th drive circuitry and connector

 

HAPPY COMPUTERS has tested and found that the MAGIC SAC and DESKCART

and SPECTRE 128 will operate as a second cartridge with OPTION 5.

Many other cartridges may work with option 5 that do not work with

options 3 or 4. We do not guarantee that any cartridge will work as

a second cartridge. Some L shaped cartridges may not even fit as a

second cartridge. The 2nd cartridge switch allows the user to select

whether the 2nd cartridge or the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE is enabled.

 

A 3rd and 4th floppy drive can be connected, allowing a total of 4

floppy drives to be accessed from the desk top and most other software.

 

----------

 

OPTION 6

jack for plugging in a second cartridge

2nd cartridge enable switch

 

HAPPY COMPUTERS has tested and found that the MAGIC SAC and DESKCART

and SPECTRE 128 will operate as a second cartridge with OPTION 6.

Many other cartridges may work with option 6 that do not work with

options 3 or 4. We do not guarantee that any cartridge will work as

a second cartridge. Some L shaped cartridges may not even fit as a

second cartridge. The 2nd cartridge switch allows the user to select

whether the 2nd cartridge or the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE is enabled.

 

----------

 

OPTION 7

battery backed up time and date clock

3rd and 4th drive circuitry and connector

3rd drive option switch

ROM/EPROM sockets

128K ROM/EPROM enable switch

 

The ROM/EPROM sockets can be used with a 128K byte contiguous program

contained in ROMS or EPROMS. The MACINTOSH 128K ROMS could be used,

but the SPECTRE 128 software still will not operate without some

additional changes, which are listed in the documentation. HAPPY

COMPUTERS cannot currently provide a DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE which

allows running the SPECTRE 128 software by simply plugging in the

MACINTOSH 128K ROMS. No ROMS or EPROMS are included. No SPECTRE 128

SOFTWARE is included.

 

A 3rd and 4th floppy drive can be connected, allowing a total of 4

floppy drives to be accessed from the desk top and most other software.

 

 

alternatively...

 

 

http://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=13944

 

 

Where's the wild memory now.....

[TwiliteZoner]

I think i had a version of Happy's Discovery cartridge that allowed you to hack spectra gcr or other mac emu. into the cartridge, my version (which i once had) also could copy mac and amiga disks (as it came with appropriate connectors, unfortunately i never used it and eventually sold it

 

 

I have a Discovery Cart with the Mac roms installed. It works.

[Forrest]

That's a great price for the Spectre GCR. Yes, you can run it with a stock SM124 monitor.

 

Or for a really big picture, install a Moniterm video controller card in your computer and connect a Moniterm Viking 2/91 monitor with 1280 x 960 resolution - this is supported by the Spectre GCR!