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WTB: Crimson AB1 adapter - Printable Version

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WTB: Crimson AB1 adapter - CB_HK - 12-30-2020

Hello everyone!

I’m trying to track down an elusive AB1 adapter for my Crimson. It allows an upgrade from Elan graphics to Extreme graphics and is the one piece that allows a later Indigo2 style board set to work in the Crimson.

Willing to pay $150 (or a bit more, depending). Located in Las Vegas, NV.

Thanks!

RE: WTB: Crimson AB1 adapter - CB_HK - 01-27-2021

Still looking!

RE: WTB: Crimson AB1 adapter - CB_HK - 06-04-2023

Bump! Been a while but I'm still on the hunt.

RE: WTB: Crimson AB1 adapter - AstridRedfern - 06-05-2023

(06-04-2023, 01:15 AM)CB_HK Wrote:  Bump! Been a while but I'm still on the hunt.

I might have found one for sale, though I'm not sure, and the website doesn't list the price - you have to use a form to request a quote.

Anyway, at

http://www.bbsolutions.com/sgi/crimson.html (sorry, there's no https version.)

we find:

013-0675-001 PCA SET GU1 RU1.1 VB2 MG1 AB1

So far, the "AB1" is the only thing that matches. But let's now look at an old post from comp.sys.sgi.hardware: https://groups.google.com/g/comp.sys.sgi.hardware/c/B_3Rc93doeg/m/tf7lOUnaMR0J

Quote:Gary Stratton
Oct 7, 1994, 12:41:17 AM

* Crimson systems (configured in deskside chassis) can be configured with an Extreme graphics subsystem, which is the same Extreme used in Indigo2 (desktop chassis) systems.

* Extreme graphics consist of boards: GU1, RU1, VB2.

* To adapt the above boards for a Crimson, one needs an MG1 adapter and an AB1 adapter. Some how the Extreme boards plug into the AB1 adapter and the AB1 adapter plugs into the MG1 adapter, which plugs into the Crimson chassis.

So it LOOKS like they're offering a set of Extreme boards for sale, bundled with the AB1 adapter you were looking for and a second adapter (MG1) you might need.

Sounds like it's worth contacting B&B Solutions. Let me know if it's what you were looking for, if the price is reasonable - and if not, whether you think you can get them to sell the adapters separately at a lower price.

(Cross-posted from forums.sgi.sh, since I originally replied to your cross-posting of the WTB there.)

RE: WTB: Crimson AB1 adapter - CB_HK - 06-06-2023

Thanks for the pointer, AstridRedfern, I appreciate it! I shot them an email to see if they get back to me. We'll see if I get lucky on this one.

As for Gary's old Usenet post, I will be more than happy to photograph and share whatever I find if I manage to get one. Even though I doubt Gary will ever see it. Just makes me slightly happy to think that a thread from almost 30 years ago could still be answered, in a manner of speaking.

RE: WTB: Crimson AB1 adapter - robespierre - 06-06-2023

I don't have any experience with these configurations, but I'd observe that the Elan boardset for Crimson is the GR2 Elan: i.e., the GIO32 graphics option from the IRIS Indigo. The Extreme is GR3: a GIO64 option from the Indigo2. So the AB1 adapter must be from GIO64 to GIO32, and the MG1 adapter must be from GIO32 to POWERpath.

RE: WTB: Crimson AB1 adapter - AstridRedfern - 06-06-2023

(06-06-2023, 09:21 AM)robespierre Wrote:  the MG1 adapter must be from GIO32 to POWERpath.

There's evidence of such an adapter existing for SGI hardware. Take a look at the first (top) post in

https://archive.irixnet.org/apocrypha/nekonomicon/forum/4/16729498/2.html

and the last (bottom) posts in

https://archive.irixnet.org/apocrypha/nekonomicon/forum/4/16729498/1.html
There may also be an MG1 for sale at

http://www.encore-uk.com/sgi.html

though no sign of an AB1.

RE: WTB: Crimson AB1 adapter - CB_HK - 06-15-2023

Unfortunately B&B Solutions did not have one. Continuing my search!

RE: WTB: Crimson AB1 adapter - CB_HK - 06-06-2024

Bump! Still on the hunt!

RE: WTB: Crimson AB1 adapter - legodude - 06-06-2024

Dedication
It took me years to find a dual monitor board for my HP 712, so I get it