Sources for old computer cables?

[Ze_ro]

Just curious... does anyone know of a place online (aside from eBay) where I could find some of the more unusual cables that are needed for many obsolete computers? Specifically, I'd like to get a video cable for an Atari ST, but there are plenty of other cables that you don't see very often, such as C64 serial cables or SIO cables for an Atari 800, and it would be nice to know of a place just in case I need them in the future.

I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron, so even a source for just the connectors would generally be sufficient.

--Zero

[CartCollector]

By C64 serial do you mean the RS232 port on the back? Because then you could just use a standard RS232 cable/connector. Same goes for Atari-style joysticks.

Oh, and I believe the video connector on a C64 is a 180-degree 5-position DIN.

[idrougge]

By C64 serial do you mean the RS232 port on the back? Because then you could just use a standard RS232 cable/connector.

What the hell are you talking about? There is no standard RS232 connector whatsoever on the C64, neither mechanically nor electrically. The C64 uses a 6-pin DIN connector for serial communications with disk drives and printers.


Oh, and I believe the video connector on a C64 is a 180-degree 5-position DIN.

Or 8-position if it's a newer model, but you can use the same cables as long as you don't require S-video.

[idrougge]

Just curious... does anyone know of a place online (aside from eBay) where I could find some of the more unusual cables that are needed for many obsolete computers? Specifically, I'd like to get a video cable for an Atari ST, but there are plenty of other cables that you don't see very often, such as C64 serial cables or SIO cables for an Atari 800, and it would be nice to know of a place just in case I need them in the future.

I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron, so even a source for just the connectors would generally be sufficient.

Knowing how to use a soldering iron is good, since it saves both time and money. For a C64 serial cable, you need six-pin male DIN connectors and at least five wires.

Atari SIO cables are scarce, and the connector is absolutely custom. One good source is to buy old Atari cassette drives, just make sure they come with the cable.

Atari ST video is a DIN-13, which is both scarce and hellist to solder unless you get a high-quality connector. Before you throw away a dead ST monitor, always cut off the cable for future use.

[CartCollector]

Sorry, I don't have a C64 myself, so I guess I was mistaken.

As for other connectors, the Amiga has a DB23 for video that is hard-to-find like the ST's.

[Ze_ro]

I could also use a 19-pin D connector to hook my Atari ST to an SH204 hard drive I found a while back (I have no idea if it works, since I've never had a cable for it). I've considered just taking a 25-pin cable and filing off the side of it to make it fit anyways, but since I don't have a video cable for the ST, it hasn't been much of a priority.

I also have an Apple IIGS which has a 15-pin D connector for RGB video... I hope that when the time comes that I find an appropriate monitor for it, I'll find the cord at the same time.

--Zero

[idrougge]

Unlike the D19, the D15 connector is one of the standard D-sub sizes.

[Ze_ro]

Incidentally, a web search turned up this site (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=947&TabID=1&C=SEO&U=Strat18&doy=search&MenuName=13-Pin%20DIN%20Plug) which has the 13-pin DIN plug necessary for the ST.. it even says in the description that it fits the ST. I've also seem similar parts on eBay.

--Zero

[Wookie]

For atari cables, try Best Electronics, http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/

A quick look at their site shows both SIO and ST monitor cables as in stock.