SGI: Discussion

So there was a Fuel listed on Ebay yesterday, kinda around the price mark i could grab it at, so i did.

Pretty basic spec, but has

MIPS R14000 600Mhz cpu
4GB ram
SGI VPro V10 display adapter
SCSI 15K rpm 146GB SCA 80pin hdd + 36GB 68pin 10K hdd
Yamaha SCSI cd writer
SGI RAD digital audio controller
SGI/3Com 3C996 gigabit network adapter

I also yesterday grabbed the SW1600 with an LVDS to DVI signal convertor card. Very much hoping that the Fuel can run the SW1600?

The main reason for me grabbing the Fuel is that since moving to Dubai, my Octane has been in pieces and i don't currently have a monitor that can run sync on green. So i guess this is an easy way for me to get a Irix system up and running.

Guess i should sell my Octane parts after the Fuel arrives.

Any idea how this fuel will compare performance wise with my Octane? Dual 600's V8 1.5gb

And its been a while since booting any flavour of Irix, what are the go to apps these days? any good browsers?

The fuel will have faster graphics performance but less texture memory. The SCSI bus is faster, which improves I/O performance. CPU-wise your performance will be about the same single thread, somewhat worse multi-threaded.

Nice little system, very similar to mine! How much did you pay (if you don't mind me asking)?

Browser wise, the best one available is Firefox 3.0.19. Make sure you grab either the beta one, or one from diegel's share as the later compiled versions are faster and less buggy than the one in Nekoware "current". Don't expect miracles from it though, old SGIs aren't great at web browsing.

Oh yeah, on browsers:

Firefox 3.0.19 is the most featureful
Dillo is faster

Congratulations on your newly acquired Fuel.

Vanne wrote: I also yesterday grabbed the SW1600 with an LVDS to DVI signal convertor card. Very much hoping that the Fuel can run the SW1600?

Depending on your particular IRIX release, you likely find 1600x1024_60.vfo amongst the IRIX supplied graphics timing files (look in /usr/gfx/ucode/ODSY/vof). Querying that file with vfoinfo in quick mode reveals it was created specifically for using an SW1600 with Odyssey graphics (like the V10 in your new Fuel).
If your IRIX install doesn't include SGI's 1600x1024_60.vfo, there's also a homebrew alternative attached to this post .

I'm not sure how IRIX will will respond to the DVI signal converter on your 1600SW, but others have had issues when connecting Odyssey graphics through SGI's Multi Link Adapter (MLA). If you have issues with your 1600SW it might be worthwhile to read 3dchris' comments in that post. Alternatively Jack Luminous's solution was to pull the pins in the DVI cable that supply DDC info (again, this involves the MLA rather than your signal converter).

BTW, I bought a Dr Bott "SGI saver" some times ago and it works better than the MLA. No need for pin removal anymore as the thing supplies the right DDC info directly. Also, it displays the boot log better.

Wow, that all sounds rather positive. Thanks guys.
I payed 500 for the fuel, and organising my own shipping. Speaking if which, are there any must do's and don'ts in regards to shipping this box? My octane suffered a bend connector when I shipped that 6 years ago..

Any info and help will be very much appreciated..

Actually very surprised that Firefox is being maintained for Irix. With FireWire on the fuel, can I use an old school iSight cam from an old FireWire Mac?

And can u guys confirm that the keyboard and mouse are still PS2 compatible?

Thanks for the info on the sw1600, Soo hoping that that is going to work.

V.

Vanne wrote: With FireWire on the fuel, can I use an old school iSight cam from an old FireWire Mac?

Sure, see this tread for details . If you intend to add Firewire, F/W memory card readers are another possibility .

Vanne wrote: And can u guys confirm that the keyboard and mouse are still PS2 compatible?

They are; and USB kb&m are another.

If you haven't already seen it, you might find the IP35 (Fuel, Tezro, O300, O350) Hardware Aggregator another useful resource.

Thanks, just heard today she has been prepped and packed, ready for shipping. 25kgs.. bloody hell thats heavy.. includes irix library. Yay.. can't wait..

Soo.. all pieces arrived in one piece.. Fuel from Hungary, SW1600 from USA.

Pics..



And

Now to connect the whole thing together and fingers crossed it boots...