Novag Primo manual

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BillT
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Novag Primo manual

Post by BillT »

Good morning gents and... ladies?
I have just acquired a nice condition Novag Primo with original piece set , sadly there's no box or manual.
I can live without the box but really could use a manual. There is a German version available to download from Alains site but unfortunately I don't read German.
Can anybody help with an English version?
Regards
Bill
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pr1uk
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Post by pr1uk »

May be long winded but you could cut and paste the German version page by page into Google Translate.
King Performance Chess Computer M830
BillT
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Post by BillT »

Hi
Thanks for the thought.
I had thought of that, but copying /cutting/pasting etc of Pdf files
isnt available. ..I stand to be corrected but I thought non alteration
was the main reason for the PDF file format.
Wishing I was a typist. ..
Regards
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pr1uk
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Post by pr1uk »

BillT wrote:Hi
Thanks for the thought.
I had thought of that, but copying /cutting/pasting etc of Pdf files
isnt available. ..I stand to be corrected but I thought non alteration
was the main reason for the PDF file format.
Wishing I was a typist. ..
Regards
I am sorry you are correct you do indeed need a PDF editor so what i was thinking for most people would not work.
Chess Computers makers often used the same program and controls in one or more models so i wonder if anyone knows if the Primo was the same as another model where a manual could be found.
Sorry i could not help and i hope someone can
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Cubeman
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Post by Cubeman »

I know that the Novag VIP has the same playing program as the Primo so imagine the levels etc would be the same. But I can't find an english version of VIP online either. You might hope that some one has an english copy on this site and they could PM you to later email some digital photos of the pages. I have done this using just a cellphone camera and they turn out surprisingly well.
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pr1uk
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Post by pr1uk »

Cubeman wrote:I know that the Novag VIP has the same playing program as the Primo so imagine the levels etc would be the same. But I can't find an english version of VIP online either. You might hope that some one has an english copy on this site and they could PM you to later email some digital photos of the pages. I have done this using just a cellphone camera and they turn out surprisingly well.
If thats true i did find this but no manual sadly

The NOVAG Super VIP has 48 different level of skill divided into 6 sections and they are listed below.
1. Section TR: For tournament time controls (Level 8 is the strongest)
Level, Moves, Time
1 = 60, 5 mins
2 = 60, 30 mins
3 = 60, 60 mins
4 = 45, 90 mins
5 = 40, 90 mins
6 = 40, 100 mins
7 = 40, 120 mins
8 = 40, 150 mins
2. Section FT: For fixed computing time. The Super VIP will only use the time selected.
Level, Time
1 = every 2 secs.
2 = every 5 secs.
3 = every 10 secs.
4 = every 15 secs.
5 = every 30 secs.
6 = every 1 min.
7 = every 2 mins.
8 = every 3 mins.
3. Section SD: Sudden death levels for play to the finish. The computer has to finish his
game within a given time. If you or the computer exceed the specified time control,
the game will be declared lost.
Level, Time
1 = all 3 mins.
2 = all 5 mins
3 = all 10 mins.
4 = all 15 mins.
5 = all 30 mins.
6 = all 60 mine.
7 = all 90 mins.
8 = all 120 mins.
4. Section FD: Fixed depth levels. The Super VIP will only compute up to the depth
selected.
Level, Half Moves
1 = h/move 1
2 = h/move 2
3 = h/move 3
4 = h/move 4
5 = h/move 5
6 = h/move 6
7 = h/move 7
8 = h/move 8
5. Section AN: The analysis mode for more difficult problems provides deeper searches.
Level, Half Moves
1 = h/move 9
2 = h/move 10
3 = h/move 11
4 = h/move 12
5 = h/move 13
6 = h/move 14
7 = h/move 15
8 = h/move 16
6. Section EA: In the easy mode the Super VIP will not compute on opponent's time,
therefore its play is weaker.
Level, Moves Time
1 = 60 5 mins
2 = 60 30 mins
3 = 60 60 mins
4 = 45 90 mins
5 = 40 90 mins
6 = 40 100 mins.
7 = 40 120 mins
8 = 40 150 mins
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BillT
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Post by BillT »

Thanks again for your efforts, yes I think the VIP is similar as I believe the beluga is too. ??

I have been able to use the German version of the manual for playing levels as it's mostly numbers and a bit of logic.

I'd still like to be able to print out an English version in full.
Anybody out there got one? Or prepared to photo the pages ?
Regards
Bill
BillT
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Post by BillT »

A thought occurred. ...
Is the Primo a rarity??
Still hunting an English version manual so if anyone can help
I'd be very grateful.
Regards
Bill
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Alain
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Post by Alain »

I have looked at my "unpublished" manuals but unfortunately, no sign of other than German for the Primo :(
BillT
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Post by BillT »

Alain, many thanks for checking this out for me. It's a pity you don't have it.
It makes me wonder if the Primo was actually sold in the UK?
Surely it would have. ..?

I guess I'll just have to learn German!

Ich gebe auf ! ( I learned this from my wonderful German version of Mephisto Academy)
Yet another good reason to collect dedicateds. ...!

Linguistics
Regards
Bill
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Post by Mike Watters »

Bill

The Primo was sold in the UK. £109 in Autumn 1987.
Like you I only have the German manual.
I think Novag distribution was much stronger in Germany, France and other mainland European countries than in the UK, at that time.
It took me ages to find a VIP, so probably not many of those sold here either.

Mike
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spacious_mind
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Post by spacious_mind »

You have everything you need to play the Primo here:

http://www.spacious-mind.com/html/primo.html

When I get access again to the Primo which stored away in boxes, then I will scan and send it to Alain.

Thanks
Nick
Nick
BillT
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Post by BillT »

Thanks Nick
Very useful article. ...not sure how i missed this as I usually scan your site if there's anything I need.
I would still really like a copy of the manual though so if you could send a scan to Alain when you have time I'd be really grateful and it sounds like Mike and probably others would be too.
Thanks

Bill
BillT
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Location: Norfolk UK

Post by BillT »

When I get access again to the Primo which stored away in boxes, then I will scan and send it to Alain.

Nick.
Just in case this has slipped your mind a polite reminder. ..
And to reassure you that I still need a copy. :)
Would be really grateful if you could find the time to dig this out.
Many thanks
Regards
Bill
basri.hassan
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Post by basri.hassan »

Hello. I have an English pdf version of this manual. However I don't see an attachment option when I post a reply. Where can I upload it to?
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