Vendex HeadStart Explorer

In 1980s most computer companies started to sell small PC-compatible systems as "starting points" for new PC users and as PC-compatible home computers. In 1989, Vendex company from Nederlands who already made electronic products and DIY kits released a HeadStart line computer called HeadStart Explorer. The trademark "HeadStart Explorer" has been registered in 1989 and the computer has been released shortly after. It was probably designed by "CADAC" as this name is present on mainboard's copper while "Explorer" is in silkscreen. The computer was designed as a small home computer with limited expandability by the cost of making the system smaller and all-in-one. The central processing unit contains a keyboard on hinges, 3.5" floppy disk drive and in some versions a 40MB hard disk named "AutoMagic". Display chip can show graphics in CGA or Hercules-compatible modes. Full versions included a proprietary mouse, monitor and a special monitor stand to easily put the computer inside forming a comfortable workstation. But the most characteristic part was the operating environment - 384kB of ROM contained MS-DOS version 3.31 and Explorer GUI which allows to work in PIM programs, database and text editor using mouse. The GUI is shown using CGA mode and allows to launch DOS programs too.
The computer was produced in Korea while sold in USA and Nederlands. I have information that some units have been bought in Poland too. Some other units of the same "EX-938CP" model had no hard disk. In USA some units have been sold under Magnavox brand.


Manufacturer Vendex

Origin Nederlands
Year of unit 1990?
Year of introduction 1989
Class XT
CPU 8088
Speed 4.77MHz , 9.54MHz
RAM 512kB
ROM Award BIOS
MS-DOS 3.31 in ROM
Graphics CGA/Hercules
Sound PC Speaker
System expansion bus 8-bit ISA (1 slot)
Floppy/removable media drives built-in 3.5" 720kB floppy disk drive
 
 

Hard disk: 40MB XTA Miniscribe 8450XT with proprietary edge connector.
C/H/S: 805/4/26

Peripherals in collection:
 - None

Other boards:

 

None
Non-standard expansions: Unknown expansion slot near ISA bus (?Memory?)
Operating system(s): MS-DOS 3.31 in ROM with Explorer GUI

I bought my unit from someone who found it in e-waste. In the hard disk, which is damaged and cannot be recovered because it has lots of bad sectors, I found few text files in Dutch, mostly with rock song lyrics, and some own creations from computer's owner, so I think the original owner was Dutch. Last files come from January 1994, first ones from 1990. What happened between computer left Nederlands and came to Polish e-waste is unknown.


Contents: Starting, usage Configuration Pinouts Links

Starting

The machine can start in two modes:
1. When no keys are pressed during boot-up, the unit starts to on-ROM GUI which allows to work with calculator, text editor, database, organizer and phone book as well as launching DOS applications from disk. Hard disk appears as icon on desktop and clicking on it shows menu with programs. The system may be configured to start right to the DOS command prompt using control panel - the icon with computer. If you want to go to DOS session, use the icon and press F3.

If you don't have mouse, use Alt+numpad arrow keys to move cursor and Alt+Enter to click.

2. If the ALT key is held at boot (right after keyboard is initialized) it will try to boot from floppy disk again and again (if hard disk is installed) or go to on-ROM DOS (if  no hard disk is present).

The Miniscribe hard disk has on-firmware parking routine. Before turning the computer off just wait 10-20 seconds, the disk drive will emit a short high-pitched sound while the heads are transported into safe zone. Then the computer can be turned off. When testing, make sure that the fan built in hard disk casing works.

 

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Configuration

The machine has configuration in battery-backed ROM. Configuration can be made using on-ROM GUI tool (Computer icon). The only configuration on mainboard is the switch on the rear to switch between colour CGA and monochrome HGC display.

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Important Pinouts:

Mouse according to this forum post:


1 - X1
2 - SW1
3 - SW2
4 - GND
5 - X2
6 - Vcc
7 - Y1
8 - SW3
9 - Y2

Not tested, test at least Vcc/GND before using. Probably mouse is phase-driven so my universal mouse may work.
 

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Links:

http://www.obsoletecomputermuseum.org/explode/ - In collection



 

 

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