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Q40 (motherboard)

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Q40
DeveloperPeter Graf
ManufacturerD&D Systems
Product familyQx0
TypePersonal computer
Operating systemQDOS Classic, SMSQ/E, Linux
CPUMotorola 68040 @ 40 MHz
Memory1 MiB of video RAM + up to 32 MiB of RAM
StorageHard Disk
Removable storageFloppy Disk
DisplayPAL TV or Monitor
256×256 (8 colours)
512×256 (4 colours)
512×256 (16-bit colour)
1024×512 (16-bit colour)
GraphicsPLDs
SoundStereo 20 kHz audio DACs
ConnectivityRS-232, Centronics printer port
Backward
compatibility		Sinclair QL

The Q40 and Q60 (sometimes known generically as the Qx0 series) are computer motherboards designed in the late 1990s, based on the Motorola 68040 and 68060 microprocessors respectively and intended to be partially compatible with the Sinclair QL microcomputer.[1] Later these were sold as a fully assembled computer in an AT desktop case.[2][3]

Hardware

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The Q40 and Q60 motherboards were designed by Peter Graf of Germany[1] and manufactured by D&D Systems of the United Kingdom. Peter Graf designed it to fit any standard AT form factor computer case, although D&D later sold it as complete, fully assembled computer.[2]

The Q40 consists of a sub-AT form factor board comprising a 40 MHz 68040 processor, 1 MiB of video RAM, and several PLDs implementing a QL-compatible video display generator, an ISA bus, stereo 20 kHz audio DACs and an AT keyboard interface. Floppy disk, ATA hard disk, RS-232 and Centronics printer port interfaces are provided by an ISA "multi-I/O" card in one of the two ISA slots provided. Up to 32 MiB of FPM or EDO RAM can be installed in two 72-pin SIMM slots. Also included are sockets for two ROM devices, 2 kiB of non-volatile RAM and a real-time clock. Both of the QL's standard video modes are supported, plus two extended modes: 512×256 or 1024×512 pixels with 16-bit colour. The Q40 board was produced in limited quantities before being superseded by the Q40i; essentially a Q60 board with a 40 MHz 68040.[4]

The Q60 became available in 1999.[5] It is a revised board with a 66 MHz 68060 (Q60/66)[6] or 80 MHz 68LC060 (Q60/80)[7] processor and support for up to 128 MiB of RAM.

In 2013 Peter Graf announced that he was working on the Q68, a FPGA based QL compatible single board computer. The Q68 was first presented to the public in April 2014 and became available in autumn 2017. It is produced and marketed by Derek Stewart (of former D&D Systems).[8]

Software

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Three operating systems are available for the Q40/Q60; these comprise QDOS Classic (an enhanced version of Qdos 1.10), SMSQ/E and a custom Linux distribution.[9][10][11][12][13]

References

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  1. ^ a b "q40.de: The Home of Q40 and Q60 users". q40.de The Home of Q40 and Q60 users. Archived from the original on 1 May 2014. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  2. ^ a b QUANTA (2012). "Q40/Q60 | QUANTA". QUANTA - QL Users and Tinkerers Association. Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  3. ^ "q40.de: Sales". q40.de - The home of Q40 and Q60 users. 2014-02-20. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  4. ^ "q40.de: Overview: Q40i". www.q40.de. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  5. ^ Preinsack, Anton; Mulder, Richard (January 2010). "History Special – SINCLAIR QL – AN OLD RELATIVE" (PDF). Amiga Future (82): 35. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016.
  6. ^ "q40.de: Overview: Q60/66". www.q40.de. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  7. ^ "q40.de: Overview: Q60/80". www.q40.de. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  8. ^ Stewart, Derek. "Q68 Order Process". Retrieved 2020-01-16.
  9. ^ Godefroy, Thierry (1996). "Sinclair QL and compatible computers". qdos.free.fr. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  10. ^ Mellor, Rich. "Items for the Sinclair QL Home Computer - bring your black box up to date!". www.rwapsoftware.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  11. ^ Jones, Dilwyn. "About The QL". www.dilwyn.me.uk. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  12. ^ Godefroy, Thierry. "Linux-Q40". linux-q40.sourceforge.net. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  13. ^ Godefroy, Thierry (2016). "Linux on Q60/Q40". q60linux.free.fr. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
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