What is it?

iBolit is a simple diagnostics cartridge. During the previous years we've seen numerous messages from MSX users, whose computers suddenly stopped working after being removed from the storage or after another power cycle. Many people complained about black screens or about total power failure. It's a known fact that RAM and other elements may go bad during storing or at power-on.

Why did you make it?

The cartridge that we named "iBolit" ( see Doctor Aybolit) was created using the GAL22V10 programmable logic chips, LED assemblies and volt/ammeters from the PC's USB socket tester dongles. There's a cartridge slot installed on the top of iBolit cartridge's board. There one can insert any cartridge including the one with MSX diagnostics ROM (there are a few, but it would be nice to create a universal one). The GAL firmware is very primitive - if there's a high level on input, the LED connected to the output will light up. The cartridge is fairly cheap to build - maximum 12-15 Euro - and is relatively easy to assemble. The daughterboard with voltmeters is detachable.

What makes it special?

Diagnosing those problems usually starts from checking the power rails, clock signals, reset signal's state and activity on dataand address bus. It has been decided to create a simple diagnostics cartridge that could help to perform the initial check of acomputer and rule out the most common problems.