Acorn StrongARM Risc PC

[Risc PC Computers[Computers] 

Introduction

In September 1996 Acorn launched the StrongARM RiscPC. The StrongARM RiscPC is similar to the RiscPC 700, but has a 202MHz StrongARM CPU and RISC OS 3.70. The main differences between the models were increasing memory, larger hard discs and, optionally, CD_ROM drives. The models include:

Later Acorn produced StrongARM Risc PCs with 233MHz StrongARM CPU . Once again models differed in memory and hard disc sizes and, optionally, CD-ROM drives. The models include:

I have a StrongARM Risc PC (SRP26)  with a CPU Card with a 160MHz CPU overclocked to 202MHz. I think I have seen another example in the past. I don't know if it was a shortage of 202/233MHz StrongARM CPUs or Acorn saving money which resulted in use of overclocked CPUs but I don't think I have seen this in any Acorn Catalogue or Price List.

Documents and manuals

See Risc PC Computers  for general Risc PC documents.

StrongARM RiscPC

SRP26 (no 1)

Here is an SRP26 233MHz StrongARM RiscPC. It has an Acorn 233MHz StrongARM CPU, CJE Micros AMD5x86 PC Card and an i-cubed EtherLan 600 combo network card installed. It has a single case slice and an Acorn 2 way backplane. It runs RISC OS 3.70. I bought this computer on ebay in August 2009.
 
Here are some pictures:

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC

 Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC 

The StrongARM Risc PC is shown with an Acorn AKF60 monitor, running RISC OS 3.70.

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC front

 Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC (front) 

The front of the StrongARM Risc PC shows the CD-ROM drive on the left and the floppy disc drive on the right. Like many Risc PC's the spring holding the front flap up has broken.

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC right

 Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC (right)

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC back

 Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC (back) 

The back of the StrongARM Risc PC showing, from left to right:

The serial number (80-SRP26-1170062) is above the printer port.

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC top

 Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC (top)

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC open

 Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC with top cover removed 

Removing the top of the StrongARM Risc PC showing, from left to right:

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC with CPUs removed

 Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC with CPUs and backplane removed 

Removing the CPU cards exposes the RISC OS 3.70 ROM in the top left and the RAM modules in the middle right.

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC without CDROM and Floppy drive

 Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC with CDROM and Floppy drive removed 

Removing the case slice and the CD-ROM and floppy disc drive exposes:

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC motherboard

 Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM RiscPC motherboard

The StrongARM Risc PC motherboard is an issue 3 board (part number 1208,000) with 16 bit sound. It shows:

Here is a HiRes picture of the Acorn SRP26 StrongARM RiscPC motherboard .

SRP26 (No 2)

This SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC is unusual because the CPU is a 160 MHz StrongARM  clocked at 200MHz. It also has an IFEL 16/32MB RAM Upgrade  and an i3 combo EtherLan 600 Network card . It has a single case slice and an Acorn 2 way backplane.
 
Here are some pictures:

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC

Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC 

This StrongARM Risc PC has been upgraded and is running RISC OS 4.02.

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC front

Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC (front) 

Unlike many Risc PCs, the spring is still there and keeps the front flap up. Note the flap says Risc PC and not Risc PC 600 or Risc PC 700.

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC back

 Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC (back)

The back of the StrongARM Risc PC showing, from left to right:

The serial number (80-SRP26-1170775) is above the printer port.

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC open

Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC with top removed 

Theis picture shows the StrongARM CPU card above the CD-ROM drive, part of the i3 network card in the middle of the back, the back plane above the floppy disc drive and the 103W power supply on the right.

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC without drives

 Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM RiscPC with CDROM and floppy drive removed

With the case slice, CD-ROM, floppy disc, backplane and CPU card removed, you can see the ribbon cables that connect the CD-ROM and hard disc drive to the IDE socket and the floppy disc drive to the floppy disc socket on the motherboard. You can also see the power cables.

The most notable point in the picture is that the battery has been removed from its location on the right of the motherboard next to the power supply, in it place is a socketted rechargeable AAA battery has been wired to the motherboard. The battery is at the front of the case below the power cables.

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC without cables

Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC with cables removed 

With the ribbon cables removed you can see:

Acorn SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC motherboard

Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC motherboard 

The motherbard is an issue 3 board (part number 1208,000) with 16 bit sound. It shows:

Here is a HiRes picture of the Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC motherboard .

 

Specifications:

 

Serial No.80-SRP26-1170062 80-SRP26-1170577
Unique identity0050A401D8B30050A401C953
Motherboard part no.1208,0001208,000
Motherboard serial no.SMB0000060SMB0002454
CPU Card part no.1111,150 Issue 31111,150 issue 3
CPU card serial no.n/a80-ART10-0007537
CPU TypeStrongARMStrongARM
CPU ModelSA-110SSA-110K
CPU Clock236MHz202MHz
Memory ControllerIOMD21 rev AIOMD21 rev A
Memory24MB64MB
Memory Clock16MHz16MHz
Video ControllerVIDC20VIDC20
PCcard part no.Gemini II
111,070 Issue 1
n/a
PCcard serial no.80-CJE59-1001060n/a
PCcard CPUAMD 5x86n/a
Floppy Disc DriveSony MPF920-HSony MPF920-H
Hard Disc Controlleron board IDEOn board IDE
Hard Disc Drive1.2GB
Seagate ST31276A
1.2GB
Seagate ST31276A
CDROMSony CDU311Sony CDU311
Backplane ModelAcorn 2 way backplane
MBT1018208
Acorn 2 way backplane
MBT-104492
Backplane part no0197,1010197,101
Podule 0n/an/a
Podule 1n/an/a
Podule 2n/an/a
Podule 3n/an/a
NICi3 EtherLan 600
600,004
i3 EtherLan 600
600,004
OSRISC OS 3.70RISC OS 4.02
OS Date30 Jul 199610 Aug 1999
SICK v1.28
Dhrystone/sec
kWhetstones/sec
 
422277.0
2613.3
 
361940.0
2440.6
ARMSi v4.0
MIPS
156.20141.84