[Coco] Different versions of the RS-232 Pak?

[Robert Gault]

K. Pruitt wrote:
> We're there two different versions of the RS-232 Pak made?
>
> I have my original pak and none of the chips are socketed. I just picked up
> another pak which has never been opened, and when I look down in to it I can see
> what appears to be a socketed chip. Is this the ROM chip perhaps? If so, can I
> remove that chip completely and put a clock chip in to it? I currently have my
> clock chip in my Disto SC-II, but it's a real tight fit as it is stacked with
> the ROM.
>
> The difference in these two RS-232 Paks are slight. The printing is larger on
> the one with the suspected socketed chip and the label on the back is in the
> middle of the Pak rather than down near the cartridge connector as on the 100%
> non-socketed version.
>
> Any input is appreciated. Thanks.
>
>
>
>

I have the Deluxe RS-232 PAK # 26-2226 with all ICs in sockets. I have removed 
the ROM chip and replaced it with a SmartWatch (c) containing a Dalas DS-1216E 
clock. It works quite well with NitrOS-9 and my own Basic/ml program that adds 
the ability to read the clock from Basic.
Any software that needs to read the RTC when not in the disk controller needs to 
either know which MPI slot is being used or must search through them.

Keep in mind that the number of pins on this (28) and similar RTCs likely are 
greater than those on a ROM chip (24). That means may you need to use an adapter 
to get required connections. In my case, the RS-232 cover does not quite close 
completely but there is no problem fitting the case into an MPI.

Robert