Techstep

macEfan · Nov 21, 2009, 01:53 PM

Hello all,

I managed to come across an apple Techstep similar to this:

http://www.forcedperfect.net/hardware/other/techstep/

It's pretty cool and all, but I I seem to be missing the installation disks. Is there anywhere they are available? Would love to test this device out!

gkarris · Nov 21, 2009, 11:26 PM

I've heard of this - haven't seen pics until now...

They're pretty cool and ultra rare - nice find for you!

DZ/015 · Nov 22, 2009, 07:52 PM

I've got both original 800k images. If you still need them, let me know.

Hrududu · Nov 22, 2009, 10:59 PM

Where did you find the Techstep?

macEfan · Nov 23, 2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZ/015

I've got both original 800k images. If you still need them, let me know.

PM Sent, thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hrududu

Where did you find the Techstep?

I've actually had it for about 3 years and ran into it a few days ago. Originally purchased on ebay from a seller that marketed surplus medical equipment. I'm not sure how they ended up with a Techstep!

smartin807 · Mar 3, 2011, 06:29 PM

I googled Techstep primarily for vanity's sake to see if anyone out there even remembered it.

I earned 3 patents for Apple with the design and project and am somewhat amused that it's become a minor collectors item.

OBT, there is no such thing as "installation" software for Techstep. You simply put in the correct ROM Pack, attach the cables to the output ports of the appropriate Mac(s) and go.

Software (aside from the ROM packs) was created to provide testing examples and probably to feedback to an Apple repair center (I can't remember exactly).

Note that the serial port built into the side of the Techstep was for "Remote Diagnostics". That was where you could hook up a modem from where you were and we could take over the diagnosis or download tests that weren't in the ROM packs. The ONLY reason it was never implemented was because we had no internal infrastructure (people) to support it. Other than that it worked very well.

toolbox · Mar 4, 2011, 06:37 AM

Really Really Neet, Now where using USB Bootable diags and netboot images. Shows how much technology has changed over the years

mkjj · Mar 8, 2011, 08:12 AM

Never used mine... one day

full pics here http://www.flickr.com/photos/mac-col...7621977549853/

TheSprout · Feb 11, 2013, 06:47 PM

Bit of a thread necro, but relevant to the original post...

I've got two of these that I've had laying around for ~15 years or so that were piled in a drawer with some other older stuff. Looking for floppy images as I'd like to putter around with them a bit, and verify they are both working properly before deciding what to do with them.

The original manual (covering Classic through IIcx & SCSI drives) is right at 100 pages; if I'm feeling particularly adventurous I may create a PDF version since that also appears to be sought after.

DZ/015 - I'd PM you but since I'm a long time lurker, and never had the need to post, the forums won't allow me to do so; if you still have access to these images I'd appreciate a copy!

TheSprout · Feb 12, 2013, 10:04 PM

Update-

Adding some pictures; forgot that one of these was a prototype; figured somebody would enjoy seeing these.

Bottom:

Rear:

Carts:

TechStep ROM version. NOTE - notice that at this point it's called "TechTool" in the firmware, vs. "TechStep" in the final product.

CPU Test Vol. 1 ROM version:

SCSI Test ROM version:

DZ/015 · Feb 15, 2013, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSprout

DZ/015 - I'd PM you but since I'm a long time lurker, and never had the need to post, the forums won't allow me to do so; if you still have access to these images I'd appreciate a copy!

Message has been sent.

Anyone else need the images? There are two 800k disks that came with the techstep. They enable generating reports based on the diagnostic tests that are run.

TheSprout · Feb 15, 2013, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZ/015

Message has been sent.

Anyone else need the images? There are two 800k disks that came with the techstep. They enable generating reports based on the diagnostic tests that are run.

Awesome; appreciated. "sprout.the" at that commonly used google email domain.

I'm assuming one of these two is the diagnostic I've seen mentioned - kinda doubt it's going to be any good for the prototype version, but will be good for checking the production one at least!

Nov 21, 2009, 01:53 PM	#1
macEfan macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Forbidden, you do not have access to that server	Techstep Hello all, I managed to come across an apple Techstep similar to this: http://www.forcedperfect.net/hardware/other/techstep/ It's pretty cool and all, but I I seem to be missing the installation disks. Is there anywhere they are available? Would love to test this device out! __________________ Looking for: Nikon f2.8lense.
	0

Nov 21, 2009, 11:26 PM	#2
gkarris macrumors 604 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: in a Mass-Production Zone...	I've heard of this - haven't seen pics until now... They're pretty cool and ultra rare - nice find for you! __________________ "This gate's plastic." Captain Carter, Stargate SG-1, "Touchstone"
	0

Nov 22, 2009, 07:52 PM	#3
DZ/015 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New England	I've got both original 800k images. If you still need them, let me know. __________________ Pay attention boy! I'm cuttin' but your not bleedin"
	0

Nov 22, 2009, 10:59 PM	#4
Hrududu macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wichita KS	Where did you find the Techstep? __________________ Quad 2.5 G5, MacBook Pro 2.16, Dual 2.0 G5 Powermac, 12" Powerbook G4 1.5, TiBooks 867 & 667, iMac G3 600, G4 Cube 500 & 450, B&W G3 450 & 350, iBook 300's & 366, Beige G3 350, Wallstreet 233
	0

Mar 4, 2011, 06:37 AM	#7
toolbox macrumors 68020 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Australia (WA)	Really Really Neet, Now where using USB Bootable diags and netboot images. Shows how much technology has changed over the years __________________ 2009 iMac 27 inch \| i7 2.8 \| 1 TB \| 16GB DDR3 iPhone 3gs \| iPhone 4 \| iPhone 4s \| iPad 1 \| iPad 2
	0

Mar 3, 2011, 06:29 PM	#6
smartin807 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2005	I googled Techstep primarily for vanity's sake to see if anyone out there even remembered it. I earned 3 patents for Apple with the design and project and am somewhat amused that it's become a minor collectors item. OBT, there is no such thing as "installation" software for Techstep. You simply put in the correct ROM Pack, attach the cables to the output ports of the appropriate Mac(s) and go. Software (aside from the ROM packs) was created to provide testing examples and probably to feedback to an Apple repair center (I can't remember exactly). Note that the serial port built into the side of the Techstep was for "Remote Diagnostics". That was where you could hook up a modem from where you were and we could take over the diagnosis or download tests that weren't in the ROM packs. The ONLY reason it was never implemented was because we had no internal infrastructure (people) to support it. Other than that it worked very well.
	0

Mar 8, 2011, 08:12 AM	#8
mkjj macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Liverpool	Never used mine... one day full pics here http://www.flickr.com/photos/mac-col...7621977549853/ Attached Thumbnails __________________ Here's to the crazy ones...
	0

Feb 11, 2013, 06:47 PM	#9
TheSprout macrumors newbie Join Date: Aug 2010	Source for TechStep software? Bit of a thread necro, but relevant to the original post... I've got two of these that I've had laying around for ~15 years or so that were piled in a drawer with some other older stuff. Looking for floppy images as I'd like to putter around with them a bit, and verify they are both working properly before deciding what to do with them. The original manual (covering Classic through IIcx & SCSI drives) is right at 100 pages; if I'm feeling particularly adventurous I may create a PDF version since that also appears to be sought after. DZ/015 - I'd PM you but since I'm a long time lurker, and never had the need to post, the forums won't allow me to do so; if you still have access to these images I'd appreciate a copy!
	0

Feb 12, 2013, 10:04 PM	#10
TheSprout macrumors newbie Join Date: Aug 2010	Update- Adding some pictures; forgot that one of these was a prototype; figured somebody would enjoy seeing these. Bottom: Rear: Carts: TechStep ROM version. NOTE - notice that at this point it's called "TechTool" in the firmware, vs. "TechStep" in the final product. CPU Test Vol. 1 ROM version: SCSI Test ROM version:
	0

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