The Sinclair QL Forum

Hi,

The features of the Q60 are:

• Q60/60: (60Mhz), Q60/66 (66Mhz): 68060 CPU, 60/66 MHz, Math. Coprocessor, MMU
• Q60/80: (80Mhz): 68LC060 CPU, 80Mhz, MMU (no FPU)
• 68060 superscalar architecture, dual execution units
• Up to 160 BogoMIPS performance for QDOS+SMSQ/E
• 128 MB RAM, PS/2 module sockets
• 256 to 1024 kB ROM
• Highspeed 32 bit graphics, with original QL modes
• 65536 colours at 1024 x 512 pixel resolution
• Multisync monitor output
• PC Keyboard interface (DIN)
• 20 kHz Stereo sound
• Battery buffered clock, 2 KB nonvolatile RAM
• Controller for 2 IDE harddisks or CD-ROM
• 2 Serial ports with 115200 Baud, Parallel port, Joystick port (on IO card supplied with mainboard)
• Hardware extension slot supports ISA cards
• Fits directly into Minitower or other standard case
• +5V / +12V power supply
• No tinkering, no parts from original QL needed
• Mainboard size 8.2 x 6.3 inch

• SMSQ/E - The QDOS compatible, but faster and more modern operating system.

The first choice for most Q60 users. Allows you to run the majority of QL programs, has a much improved BASIC. SMSQ/E supports a lot of the advanced Q60 hardware capabilities including full highcolor graphic drivers and sampled sound!

• QDOS Classic - A multitasking operating system with good compatibility for older QL programs.
Includes harddisk and sound support. It was the first operating system for the Q40. Full 68060 support.

There is a Linux option available, but no support is available


In the bad old days when D&D Systems, fought for survival against Qbranch/QL Today, with a friend we produced 3 variation of Q60 - 60/66Mhz with MMU, FPU and 80Mhz with MMU and no FPU.

The system was supplied as a board option with I/O card, 64Mb Ram, or built into a PC AT Tower Case, with 20Gb hard drive, 56x CDROM drive, 3.5" Floppy Drive, AT Keyboard, Serial 3 button Mouse, options on speakers.

I would be looking to reduce the specification to:

80Mhz Q60
68LC060 CPU, MMU, no FPU
128Mb ram (note, SMSQ/E only supports 64Mb)
I/O Card: 4 IDE, FLP, 4 SER, 2 PAR
Storage: CF Card or SD Card
Floppy Disk Drive or Gotek Drive
Ethernet Card: 10baseT (10Mb/s) ISA Card
Stereo Sound, with speakers as a option
PC Tower case: Black or Beige
Operating System: SMSQ/E, QDOS Classic.
Software Package now free ( in 2002 this was licensed)


*** Please not I am not looking for sales of the Q60, at present, there would a dedicated sales message thread for this.

I have finalise a parts list and cost the project.

I am just trying to stimulate interest.

It seems it is this machine originally developed by Peter :-) I'm absolutely sure I will buy one if a new batch will be produced.

I'm sure I would too. My original Q40 is lonely.

As I do not use modern monitors, multisync CRT is no problem.
I would like to see the Q60 definitely next to my Q68 (which I purchased mainly because Q60 turned to a unobtainium).

Derek_Stewart wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 3:55 pm I may already have a LCD Chip.

Last years I did some small changes which probably support a wider range of monitors. You might prefer that variant if you actually build more boards.

Hi Derek,

Derek_Stewart wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 7:09 pm • Fits directly into Minitower or other standard case

Important note: This was valid at the time of the AT case standard for PCs. Todays MiniATX requires extra electronics for the power button and a custom backpanel, unless one accpets an open hole there.

Derek_Stewart wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 7:09 pm I would be looking to reduce the specification to:
80Mhz Q60
68LC060 CPU, MMU, no FPU

I would consider changing this to the 68EC060 CPU, i.e. no MMU, unless there is actual demand for the historic Q60 Linux.
That one is more more affordable and sufficient for SMSQ/E and QDOS Classic.

I'm sure you know that I'm thinking about a new 68060 mainboard design. Take that into account when defining the quantity of parts you order. I think most of the interested persons would still want the historic machine, even if I finish the new project. But there might be a small overlap.

All the best
Peter

Peter wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 10:03 pm
I would consider changing this to the 68EC060 CPU, i.e. no MMU, unless there is actual demand for the historic Q60 Linux.
That one is more more affordable and sufficient for SMSQ/E and QDOS Classic.

Today, you can run Linux basically anywhere, and will (ideally) look and feel the same whether it runs on a cheap ARM box or expensive 68060. I really don't think that Linux on a 68060 is essential today.

Hi Peter,

I will look into the 68EC060 CPU availiabilty, on the assumption the MMU is not required on SMSQ/E or QDOS Classic.

Shoestring Linux was the last version of Linux for the Q60. I never had any source code to Shoestring Linux, only the compiled binary files.

I made Linux for the Q60 available on all Q60 sales, which most Q60 users took up the option, mainly because Shoestring Linux had Internet conductivity, by modem or Ethernet Network connection. Linux can access all the 128Mb ram, more flexible Linux applications, Browser, Email clients. I spent more time teaching Linux installation and usage than any issues with QL based software.

I would rather have more development on SMSQ/E or QDOS Classic.

I am always interested in all your developments, which has kept me in the QL community.

Peter wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 10:03 pm I would consider changing this to the 68EC060 CPU, i.e. no MMU, unless there is actual demand for the historic Q60 Linux.
That one is more more affordable and sufficient for SMSQ/E and QDOS Classic.

Is the price nowadays really a problem! I want a Q60 and the MMU could help to do special tricks (e.g. make the upper 64 MByte of the 128 Mbyte as a super fast RAM-Disk (perhaps with a new driver supporting more than 36 characters path name length – this unfortunately would most probably require new programs) – as I have heard SMSQ/E (and so I assume Minerva/QDOS) only supports 64 MBytes of RAM.

I'm sure you know that I'm thinking about a new 68060 mainboard design. Take that into account when defining the quantity of parts you order. I think most of the interested persons would still want the historic machine, even if I finish the new project. But there might be a small overlap.

I would buy the old and the new version – except the new version is as expensive (for me[!] at this time, as it was presented) as Q60 was, as I was young ;-)

All the best
Peter

Thanks for your excellent hardware!

Yours namesake

Derek_Stewart wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 11:04 pm Shoestring Linux was the last version of Linux for the Q60. I never had any source code to Shoestring Linux, only the compiled binary files.

If I remember correctly, the application sources were RedHat 7.3, and the kernel sources were on linux-q40.sourceforge.net
I didn't have diffulties recompiling something from source.

But as Tobias wrote, Linux on a 68060 will be of minor interest for most. At design time, that was different - the 68060 was not so far behind the x86 CPUs. And with Linux, the Q60 could replace a PC to some degree, with decent Webbrowsers like Firefox, graphics programs like GIMP, etc.