Hi all!
I have just bought an enhanced Acorn Archimedes A310 machine (enhanced a.o. with ARM3 and 4MB), so I have finally also become an Archimedes owner.
Some background on myself:
I am Xander Mol, 52, living in Utrecht, the Netherlands. This is my (alas not updated for two years) site: https://www.idreamtin8bits.com/
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@idreamtin8bits
As you can see I until now collected mainly 8 bit machines, recollecting the machines from my youth at first. My father sold those machines when I was a kid, so tried a lot of them, mostly TI-99/4a, Oric Atmos, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Commodore 128.
My present collection of retro computers:
Commodore: C64 breadbin, Ultimate 64, Plus/4, C128, C128D, C128DCR
Sinclair: ZX Spectrum 128 ‘Toastrack’ (2x, both need repair unfortunately)
Oric: Oric Atmos (2x)
Texas Instruments: TI-99/4a (2x)
Atari: 2600, 800XL, 130XE (broken)
So never had an Acorn, but was fascinated always by the Archimedes since introduction and always wanted one, but could not afford one.
So very glad I now finally have the machine, also given its huge historic significance given the rise of ARM architecture.
Specs of the machine I bought compared to standard A310:
Getting started
Is there a good FAQ / 101 page on the Acorn Archimedes and specifically the A310 to cover all basics to get started? That would help a lot compared to try to read all the threads here.
Display options
As you can see in the photo I have working display on a VGA monitor I still had. But as I find out, a VGA monitor not capable of frequencies below 31KHz as this as the disadvantage to only show mode 27/28 correctly from my A310. Modes 1-15 work but only in letterbox.
I also tried my Commodore 1084S-D1 monitor, but that does not work. If I read this forum correctly probably because of the Synch on Green?
So what are my best options to get something supporting fully all screen modes, or at least more screen modes, the A310 can output?
Would something like this work on an A310?
https://www.ebay.nl/itm/172681510970?mk ... media=COPY
Ask as I also read about the need to have powered scart leads on an A310.
And would by any chance my Framemeister xRGB mini be able to get a picture out of that?
Or any other suggestions, preferably to HDMI? Something like an RGBtoHDMI I use on digital RGB for my Commodore 128s and Oric Atmos maybe?
I did actually get a VIDC enhancer with my A310, what exactly does it do and why would I want it? Reluctant to tinker on the main board as hardware skills are not really my strength.
Getting files from PC to the A310
The machine came with an internal fitted SD card reader to IDE harddisk, but obviously getting the case open to place files on the SD card is not very attractive as solution.
So what are the best options for modern mass storage and/or FTP over Ethernet for the A310?
Saw the Gotek drives, that is probably the easiest solution? Or other good suggestions?
Mouse and keyboard
The machine came with working keyboard, but not a mouse. A PS/2 converter came with it, but that only works with Ps/2 keyboards, not the original one. And do not have USB keyboards that work via PS/2 adapter I found out. So now have either a working keyboard, or a working mouse, not both.
So ordered this, have to wait for it now.
https://www.ebay.nl/itm/134358612780?mk ... media=COPY
Other
Any other tips and must have given my configuration?
Thanks for any advice!
Looking forward to explore this machine.
I have just bought an enhanced Acorn Archimedes A310 machine (enhanced a.o. with ARM3 and 4MB), so I have finally also become an Archimedes owner.
Some background on myself:
I am Xander Mol, 52, living in Utrecht, the Netherlands. This is my (alas not updated for two years) site: https://www.idreamtin8bits.com/
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@idreamtin8bits
As you can see I until now collected mainly 8 bit machines, recollecting the machines from my youth at first. My father sold those machines when I was a kid, so tried a lot of them, mostly TI-99/4a, Oric Atmos, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Commodore 128.
My present collection of retro computers:
Commodore: C64 breadbin, Ultimate 64, Plus/4, C128, C128D, C128DCR
Sinclair: ZX Spectrum 128 ‘Toastrack’ (2x, both need repair unfortunately)
Oric: Oric Atmos (2x)
Texas Instruments: TI-99/4a (2x)
Atari: 2600, 800XL, 130XE (broken)
So never had an Acorn, but was fascinated always by the Archimedes since introduction and always wanted one, but could not afford one.
So very glad I now finally have the machine, also given its huge historic significance given the rise of ARM architecture.
Specs of the machine I bought compared to standard A310:
- 4 MB memory
- ARM3 processor
- MEMC1a
- RiscOS 3
- Podule backplane
- Ventilator
- Watford Electronics IDE interface
- Solid state IDE drive / SD-IDE
- Connector for external disk drive
Getting started
Is there a good FAQ / 101 page on the Acorn Archimedes and specifically the A310 to cover all basics to get started? That would help a lot compared to try to read all the threads here.
Display options
As you can see in the photo I have working display on a VGA monitor I still had. But as I find out, a VGA monitor not capable of frequencies below 31KHz as this as the disadvantage to only show mode 27/28 correctly from my A310. Modes 1-15 work but only in letterbox.
I also tried my Commodore 1084S-D1 monitor, but that does not work. If I read this forum correctly probably because of the Synch on Green?
So what are my best options to get something supporting fully all screen modes, or at least more screen modes, the A310 can output?
Would something like this work on an A310?
https://www.ebay.nl/itm/172681510970?mk ... media=COPY
Ask as I also read about the need to have powered scart leads on an A310.
And would by any chance my Framemeister xRGB mini be able to get a picture out of that?
Or any other suggestions, preferably to HDMI? Something like an RGBtoHDMI I use on digital RGB for my Commodore 128s and Oric Atmos maybe?
I did actually get a VIDC enhancer with my A310, what exactly does it do and why would I want it? Reluctant to tinker on the main board as hardware skills are not really my strength.
Getting files from PC to the A310
The machine came with an internal fitted SD card reader to IDE harddisk, but obviously getting the case open to place files on the SD card is not very attractive as solution.
So what are the best options for modern mass storage and/or FTP over Ethernet for the A310?
Saw the Gotek drives, that is probably the easiest solution? Or other good suggestions?
Mouse and keyboard
The machine came with working keyboard, but not a mouse. A PS/2 converter came with it, but that only works with Ps/2 keyboards, not the original one. And do not have USB keyboards that work via PS/2 adapter I found out. So now have either a working keyboard, or a working mouse, not both.
So ordered this, have to wait for it now.
https://www.ebay.nl/itm/134358612780?mk ... media=COPY
Other
Any other tips and must have given my configuration?
Thanks for any advice!
Looking forward to explore this machine.
Statistics: Posted by xahmol — Sun Mar 09, 2025 10:33 am