Micro-Time ST

[walter_J64bit]

OK Ive just got my Micro-Time ST, I don't seem to have the manual for it, can anyone help?

I do have the disk but I haven't looked at it yet.

Edited February 13, 2015 by walter_J64bit

[walter_J64bit]

OK, I've just looked at the readme file on the disk it doesn't tell how to install the clock.

[walter_J64bit]

Anyone?

[galax]

From http://morethangames.a8maestro.com/prodst/st-sh1.htm "MicroTime: real time clock that piggybacks under keyboard cpu. Uses 2 AA nicad batteries that will run out in a couple of days of ST being off."

 

So you unplug the keyboard's CPU, plug the MicroTime in (hopefully there is a notch or something to indicate which way up it goes), and plug the CPU into the MicroTime?

 

From: https://archive.org/stream/Atari_ST_User_Vol._1_No._11_1987-01_Europress_GB/Atari_ST_User_Vol._1_No._11_1987-01_Europress_GB_djvu.txt "Runs on NI-Cad batteries that re-charge whenever you switch the computer on. Does not need special software, just needs the control panel on boot disk. Easy to fit inside — plugs in under Keyboard, you don't have to remove the shield."

Edited February 15, 2015 by galax

[walter_J64bit]

OK, Ive took good look at the card I see what looks an arrow on the socket I'm thinking this must be pin 1 for the CPU, and which end is up that's is the easy part, now I need to get my hands on case for the batteries, plus two AA rechargeable batteries.

[walter_J64bit]

Thanks Galax! Ive just tracked down the missing batter pack on eBay.

[Zogging Hell]

Bear in mind that if you have lots of upgrades in the STs case there won't be much room for this. I have one which I never fitted as I already have a Marpet memory upgrade and a TOS upgrade in there and I couldn't figure out a way of fitting all of them in the case. Also the batteries will run down pretty quick if you don't use the ST much as this upgrade iirc literally keeps the IKBD chip powered all the time.

[walter_J64bit]

Bear in mind that if you have lots of upgrades in the STs case there won't be much room for this. I have one which I never fitted as I already have a Marpet memory upgrade and a TOS upgrade in there and I couldn't figure out a way of fitting all of them in the case. Also the batteries will run down pretty quick if you don't use the ST much as this upgrade iirc literally keeps the IKBD chip powered all the time.

Other than the 4160STe badge this is the first upgrade Ive installed, So I should be ok.

[Zogging Hell]

Ah you have an STe, there should be plenty of room for it then . There was one other issue I remembered, you may find that games reset the clock in the IKBD chip, which is something that doesn't happen with the cartridge port solutions. So if your time goes wonky after a gaming session that is what is happening.

[walter_J64bit]

Ah you have an STe, there should be plenty of room for it then . There was one other issue I remembered, you may find that games reset the clock in the IKBD chip, which is something that doesn't happen with the cartridge port solutions. So if your time goes wonky after a gaming session that is what is happening.

That's good to know, it's funny how games can do odd things to the ST.

Edited February 15, 2015 by walter_J64bit

[galax]

You can leave out the shielding if you are ever getting pushed for space, it's just there to keep the FCC happy, doesn't really do anything useful.

Edited February 19, 2015 by galax

[Zogging Hell]

You can leave out the shielding if you are ever getting pushed for space, it's just there to keep the FCC happy, doesn't really do anything useful.

 

Quite handy for resting the battery part on though

[walter_J64bit]

My battery packs are in, now I have a life time supply of them, anyone want one? Ok, now I'm waiting on the two AA batteries to charge.

Edited February 25, 2015 by walter_J64bit

[walter_J64bit]

Ok, I've had time on my hands so I've installed the MicroTime. My STE booted up just fine. I have found that the SW for the MicroTime has the Y2K bug, it's needs to be fixed. The SW does work on ST's with out the Micro Time card. I've attach the SW maybe someone that has the know how can fix it.

st_time.zip

Edited February 28, 2015 by walter_J64bit

[Zogging Hell]

Do you need to use the Microtime software? The one I've got just supplies power to the keyboard cpu so it doesn't loose time, so the control panel should also be showing and can be used to set the right time (if you apply the usual year 2k auto folder patch).

[walter_J64bit]

Do you need to use the Microtime software? The one I've got just supplies power to the keyboard cpu so it doesn't loose time, so the control panel should also be showing and can be used to set the right time (if you apply the usual year 2k auto folder patch).

Where can I get this year 2k auto folder patch, I would like to check this out. OK thanks, control panel, the drive disk does come with a patched control panel that doesn't lose time.

[walter_J64bit]

I've found, year 2k auto folder patch.

[Zogging Hell]

Beat me to it

[walter_J64bit]

My Microtime isn't keeping time. Zogging Hell do you have copy of the Microtime manual?

Edited March 1, 2015 by walter_J64bit

[Zogging Hell]

Don't think so, sorry will try and have a look tomorrow. How is it not keeping time? Is it loosing seconds or minutes or days? It may be your batteries aren't 'hard-core' enough to provide enough power if the time loss occurs after power off. If it occurs while the power is on I'm not sure I know as the Microtime shouldn't really have any effect, unless the battery charging process is sucking to much juice out of the keyboard chip, but I'm not really an expert in electronics so that is purely speculation..

[walter_J64bit]

I think Ive found the problem batter pack wasn't making a good connection to Microtime.

Edited March 1, 2015 by walter_J64bit

[Zogging Hell]

Ah yes those hanging wires aren't the best, all too easy for them to get pulled with the weight of the battery on them.

[walter_J64bit]

Update: I'm just using the control panel for the Micro-Time driver. My STE keeps the time and the month and date but when it comes to the year it suck on 1983.

Edited March 4, 2015 by walter_J64bit

[Zogging Hell]

Sounds like something isn't working right with the 2k fix, I think it sets the date on the xbios or keyboard clock back to a certain date then adds a set amount to the value. Try some of the fixes here:

 

http://www.bygjohn.fsnet.co.uk/atari/y2k.html#xbiospatch

 

Also there is a fix here:

 

http://atari.8bitchip.info/astopensw.php

[walter_J64bit]

Sounds like something isn't working right with the 2k fix, I think it sets the date on the xbios or keyboard clock back to a certain date then adds a set amount to the value. Try some of the fixes here:

 

http://www.bygjohn.fsnet.co.uk/atari/y2k.html#xbiospatch

 

Also there is a fix here:

 

http://atari.8bitchip.info/astopensw.php

WOW, there's a lot to this y2k bug for the St.