Attempting to modernize my X68. Could use some pointers please.

Started by bleepbloop, October 14, 2020, 04:18:55 PM

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bleepbloop

Hello everyone,

I recently acquired an X68000 XVI tower with 12MB of RAM and midi board.

I'm looking to make several adjustments to it. I have an idea for the parts to use but I wanted to ask on here if anybody had better suggestions for components to use than the ones I have found so far.

Video output adapter to my OSSC VGA inut:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sharp-X68000-VGA-Cable-Converter-Adapter-RGB-Use-any-VGA-monitor-31Khz-Video/352911752831?hash=item522b2dfe7f:g:keQAAOSwCJRdiS2Q

Controller adapter to use Mega Drive controller:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sharp-X68000-Controller-Pad-Converter-Adapter-Sega-Genesis-Megadrive-2-Button/353168507295?hash=item523a7bc19f:g:Nv4AAOSwZP9dVbPd

USB keyboard adapter. I think I can use a normal USA keyboard with this?
https://zenmarket.jp/en/auction.aspx?itemCode=l618894523

USB mouse adapter:
https://zenmarket.jp/en/auction.aspx?itemCode=n441526131

Hard drive to solid state device:
https://zenmarket.jp/en/auction.aspx?itemCode=p780686813

Adapter to connect solid state drive:
https://zenmarket.jp/en/auction.aspx?itemCode=u371114488

I'm not sure if my setup will need any other audio components for optimal audio output?

Am I missing anything else that should be on this list to get myself going? Should I use some other parts you think are better?

If anyone happens to know of a good tutorial for hard drive replacement and setup that would be great too.

It's a bit of a daunting task getting this thing up and going but I'm super excited and hopeful!

Thank you in advance for any help that can be offered.

Take care everyone!

stas2k

Yes, looks good. You can easily save up some money with DIY on the video cable and genesis adapter.

Genesis adapter schematics can be found online, it is just 2 transistors. You can get creative and reduce the size significantly:

IMG_20191019_105020.jpg

Video cable is even simpler. Just take a VGA cable and snip off one and attach the connector according to schematics online and you are good to go:

IMG_20190915_141856.jpg


Your selection looks good otherwise and should get you going.

Fularu

Don't purchase an adapter if you can dedicate a PAD to the X68000 (or FM Towns and MSX if you have them too)

Follow this tutorial and simply mod your existing 6 buttons MD pad to be a 6 buttons X68000 one

https://forum.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?138766-HOWTO-Modding-a-Genesis-Mega-Drive-6-button-pad-for-use-with-an-X68000

bleepbloop

Hello Stas2k and Fularu,

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. I'm glad to hear that my list seems to be going in the right direction.

As for the controller mods, that's good to know and now I will consider these options. I'm very excited to get this going!

Thanks again for the help!