hallath: CGL M5
hallath is an M5, a small computer just slightly larger and heavier
than a Spectrum. It has a nasty rubber keyboard and Spectrum-style
one-key-one-BASIC-keyword shortcuts (although unlike Spectrum BASIC,
the builtin BASIC allows you to type the keywords in full if you prefer).
The keyboard's biggest failing is the fact that the 'spacebar' is in
fact a space key just under the return key.
hallath came with a BASIC cartridge and a game cartridge (Guttang Guttong,
a sort of arcade puzzle game involving a train on a sliding blocks puzzle).
The cartridges are essentially just ROMs that plug into an edge connector.
It uses a separate power supply brick to provide regulated +5, +12 and -12V
supplies.
Acquisition
- Date: August 1997
- Cost: Nothing
hallath used to be owned by a friend. Like tegath
and serith it is essentially a home computer that
got left behind by the remorseless advance of technology.
Images
Outside View
Note the cartridge slot at the top right. There used to be a
flap that covered the grey top section (not a lot of use since it was
always up when a cartridge was inserted, and you need a cartridge to do
anything...) but it has been lost at some time in the past...
Interior View
The video modulator is the box at top left. The RAM is bottom right,
and there is a TMS9929 to the left of that. On the right hand side is
an EPROM, a blank space and two ROMs. To the left of that is a custom IC,
the Z80 CPU and a Z80 CTC chip.
NB: to take this shot I had to remove a metal shielding plate that
had been soldered into place. I do dislike designs that aren't intended
to be easily repaired...
View of Space Key
This is the really nasty space key...
This page written by Peter Maydell
(pmaydell@chiark.greenend.org.uk).