Tuning Igor Excalibur

[Queegmeister]

Hi,

I would like to know which brand (spec) processor to buy to raise the Excalibur Igor from 10 mhz to 20 mhz * I realize there is a 24 mhz but I think this should suffice and be safer for the machine.

Does anyone here have an extra 20 mhz laying around ? I'm sure it must be on ebay anyways.

I would like some instructions on how to tune because I don't know exactly how to do it. I know to watch out for esd and I will have to remove the old and solder in the new processor. But maybe there are more specifics I need to know.

Can you help ? And I am not that worried if I fry the computer because I have multiples of this model obtained cheaply. It is an experiment.

I also will hold all who help me BLAMELESS should I screw it up. I have built desktops from scratch but this is another bird so the query stands.

Thanks
Mike

[Queegmeister]

I opened the Igor - looks like a 12 Mhz so i will be needing a 24 mhz to double it.


Mike

[Queegmeister]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10pcs-49s-24-00 ... 43ad1d617d

HC-49S 24Mhz Crystal Oscillator Crystal Resonator

will these do the job ?

there is also a HC49U ??

Thanks

[Larry]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10pcs-49s-24-00 ... 43ad1d617d

HC-49S 24Mhz Crystal Oscillator Crystal Resonator

will these do the job ?

there is also a HC49U ??

Thanks

I can only tell you that I've heard you can safely overclock this machine
by 100%, ie, from 12mhz to 24mhz. I don't know if that messes up the
timer settings, the most annoying biproduct of overclocking.
The "processor" you refer to is not a processor, but just an oscillator.
They are dirt cheap. Just a bit of solder and a soldering iron, plus a bit
of time and common sense and you are in business. Let us know about
any performance improvement after the operation, will you?
all the best,
Larry

[Queegmeister]

Thanks

Yes I misspoke , I did list a couple oscillators but did not know if it matters which one I use.

I will report all results

I think someone ( maybe you ) mentioned there is a way to keep the chess clock from going bananas.

Mike

[Bryan Whitby]

Mike

I think you might be best joining the Schachcomputer.info Community forum that regularly talk about this type of modification.

http://www.schachcomputer.info/forum/index.php

Bryan

[Queegmeister]

I am already a member of that site and have posted the query -

Also, I have found a German fellow that is likely to coach me (from ebay)- I hope he follows through.

However I had not posted that query until today - Hopefully someone will come forward. I will likely tune a few more , if I can get good advice and make it work correctly.

Mike

[Bryan Whitby]

Mike

You might also join this excellent this excellent Spanish forum.
Their members like to also like to modify their chess computers.
http://foro.meca-web.es/

Bryan

[Queegmeister]

I just applied to the site -

I saw where someone has created a connector to make the Novag Citrine work as a DGT. He has demonstrated that it works - of course , I have no idea how to build it.

But you can see the whole unit on the site.

Check it out - very interesting to play fritz on that Citrine.

http://foro.meca-web.es/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=198

Mike

[Queegmeister]

After burning myself (twice) and nearly losing an eye ...

I have converted the Excalibur Igor to 24 MHZ and let me tell you how our match went today..... Annihilation Jim.. Total absolute annihilation !! I know I can play better but SHEESH !!! Igor has a voice like Alvin Chipmunk and the clock goes twice normal but Igor ..... I can't take him lightly now - he plays much better - still might be hard to take him seriously with that voice LOL !!

well for some folks annihilation would be getting beaten fast but for me it's just that I did not convert any position into a draw or win (but usually would ) while down a gambit pawn and then losing another pawn sealed it.

Found out that to correct for the clock etc.. I'd at least have to build a "divide by two" circuit to tame the frequency.

I am pleased that I have a better opponent to play ! Igor goes BUCK WILD on 24 mhz !!

forgot to mention the slew of obscenities uttered while soldering..that thing gets really hot, DUH ! I was just informed that my Girlfriend told her Mom that I now have Tourette Syndrome !! hahahahaha

The experiments will continue. As long as I don't lose my eyesight or...

(I will sit down and play it some more serious matches and post the game scores for you ) Igor vs Igor perhaps ?


Mike

[Steve B]

I have converted the Excalibur Igor to 24 MHZ and let me tell you how our match went today..... Annihilation Jim.. Total absolute annihilation !! I know I can play better but SHEESH !!! Igor has a voice like Alvin Chipmunk

there ought to be a law against this sort of thing

Anyway ..its seems after this modification a better name for this butchered and altered computer would be

Frankenstein Regards
Steve

[Queegmeister]

That's Fronkensteen !! (phonetically)
It's alive !! IT"S ALIVE !!

Gene Wilder does it best -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPmVhyHBRAM

Hilarious

[Monsieur Plastique]

Igor has a voice like Alvin Chipmunk and the clock goes twice normal but Igor ..... I can't take him lightly now - he plays much better - still might be hard to take him seriously with that voice LOL !!

I find this to be extremely amusing. If you have some way of making a video with sound I would be very interested to hear what it sounds like.

This (almost but not quite) makes me want to sacrifice one of my Excalibur Alexandra the Great machines so I can hear the effect of the doubling of the clock speed on the female voice.