NeXT Newbie with Color Slab -- what do I need?

NeXT Computer, Inc. -> NeXT Black Hardware

Title: NeXT Newbie with Color Slab -- what do I need?
Post by: tattar8 on July 06, 2020, 01:29:22 PM
I recently got my hands on a NeXTStation Color.  I can't seem to find any concise information on the actual bare minimum hardware needed to get the thing to boot.

Am I correct in that the following are the necessary items?  Am I missing anything?  Can any of them be eliminated or substituted?
1.  NeXTStation Color (obviously)
2.  non-ADB soundbox (or modern equivalent)
3.  13W3-13W3-DB19 Y cable
4.  non-ADB mouse and keyboard
5.  A monitor with a 13W3 connector or an adapter.

It's my understanding that the Soundbox has circuitry for handling video and audio as well as the keyboard, but that the video is unused on the Color slab since the video is passed through the 13W3 connector directly to the monitor.  If so, is the keyboard/mouse signal just being passed straight through to the slab, or is there some active processing going on for which the box is actually necessary?
Title: Re: NeXT Newbie with Color Slab -- what do I need?
Post by: barcher174 on July 07, 2020, 02:19:55 AM
The keyboard/mouse are actively controlled by the soundbox. You also need a monitor that supports Sync on green.
Title: Re: NeXT Newbie with Color Slab -- what do I need?
Post by: rbz on July 12, 2020, 02:28:47 PM
I also recently picked up a Turbo Color slab, but I don't have a soundbox or the Y cable.

When I got my Turbo slab I was able to do a power-on test to confirm the slab worked while I waited on the monitor and non-adb mouse/keyboard to arrive.

Is there a known method to do a quick power-on or serial console with the Color slabs like there is with the Mono slabs?
Title: Re: NeXT Newbie with Color Slab -- what do I need?
Post by: barcher174 on July 12, 2020, 04:36:48 PM
Yes, pinout here:
http://www.asterontech.com/Asterontech/NextStation_Color_Custom%20VGA_Y_Cable.html

Title: Re: NeXT Newbie with Color Slab -- what do I need?
Post by: rbz on July 12, 2020, 05:47:01 PM
Quote from: barcher174 on July 12, 2020, 04:36:48 PMYes, pinout here:
http://www.asterontech.com/Asterontech/NextStation_Color_Custom%20VGA_Y_Cable.html

Exactly what I was looking for, thank you!
Title: Re: NeXT Newbie with Color Slab -- what do I need?
Post by: Renster on August 16, 2020, 05:57:56 AM
Have a color slab lots of fun recommend SCS2ISD  v5.1 ,  Rob Blessin is the man with all the info and is really helpful will get you up and going

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