Strangely high serial number for Fidelity SC9

This forum is for general discussions and questions, including Collectors Corner and anything to do with Computer chess.

Moderators: Harvey Williamson, Steve B, Watchman

Forum rules
This textbox is used to restore diagrams posted with the fen tag before the upgrade.
Larry
Senior Member
Posts: 2269
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:42 am
Location: Gosford, NSW Australia

Strangely high serial number for Fidelity SC9

Post by Larry »

Note in this German ebay listing:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131672840335 ... EBIDX%3AIT

it's an SC9B, in quite good condition. I can tell it's a 'B' firstly because
it's a 'B' box, secondly because of the serial number.
The SC9A's will have a serial number starting with a '2', and
the 'B's came later so their serial number starts with a '3'.
In this case
the serial number is actually starting with a '4'. It's 40693586.
There were thousands of Fidelity products made between this and the
earlier batch of SC9's.
Now I know this information has made you a nervous wreck for the
day but it had to be told. Try to calm down and relax.
:lol: L
User avatar
Fernando
Admiral of the Fleet
Posts: 3059
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:35 pm
Location: Santiago de Chile

Re: Strangely high serial number for Fidelity SC9

Post by Fernando »

Larry wrote:Note in this German ebay listing:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131672840335 ... EBIDX%3AIT

it's an SC9B, in quite good condition. I can tell it's a 'B' firstly because
it's a 'B' box, secondly because of the serial number.
The SC9A's will have a serial number starting with a '2', and
the 'B's came later so their serial number starts with a '3'.
In this case
the serial number is actually starting with a '4'. It's 40693586.
There were thousands of Fidelity products made between this and the
earlier batch of SC9's.
Now I know this information has made you a nervous wreck for the
day but it had to be told. Try to calm down and relax.
:lol: L


Your post remind me of something very unpleasant. I had TWO of those which I delivered to a technician to repairs and then I never more Knew a thing about him
Perhaps he died so that's why he does not answer my mails.
Perhaps he was not capable of repairing them and keep silence because of his shame.
Fact is: i lost both the machines and the technician.

bad remembrances regards
Fern
Festina Lente
User avatar
larryadler
Member
Posts: 186
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 6:12 pm
Location: Poland

Post by larryadler »

indeed, my SC9 is "A" type, s. nr: 23306264.
Image
BillT
Member
Posts: 132
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:31 pm
Location: Norfolk UK

Post by BillT »

Hi Larry
yes,interesting ....I always assumed that the serial nos reflected the region the board was produced for or something like that.

Anyway....I have 3 of these for my sins...just out of interest, here the details.

1 A type.......22605960.....(perfect) Uk manual
2 A type.......22956936.... (still needs replacement sensory playing surface)
3 B type.......40693216.... (Budapest program stickers on box) German manual (perfect)

I still haven't been able to get to get my hands on any of the modules,and Santa didn't find any either.
Maybe the missing serial numbers were used on the modules? Is that feasible.
Maybe somebody who has modules can see what sort of s/nos they are.

Chilled and relaxed SC9 regards

Bill
Larry
Senior Member
Posts: 2269
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:42 am
Location: Gosford, NSW Australia

Post by Larry »

BillT wrote:
1 A type.......22605960.....(perfect) Uk manual
2 A type.......22956936.... (still needs replacement sensory playing surface)
3 B type.......40693216.... (Budapest program stickers on box) German manual (perfect)


Maybe somebody who has modules can see what sort of s/nos they are.
Hi Bill, I've got a CB16 module here, it's serial number is 22391083.
That's a number suggesting they were made along with the SC9A's.
Makes sense, because the modules were actually being advertised right
there on the SC9 boxes. If Fidelity had not got greedy with the price
the modules would be available for $20 on ebay by now.
So you've also got an SC9B with a '4' number. Cool. The 'B' seems to
be maybe 80elo or more stronger than the 'A'.
L
BillT
Member
Posts: 132
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:31 pm
Location: Norfolk UK

Post by BillT »

Hi Larry

I think that blows my theory out of the water!
I still think these SC9s are great fun machines and are my first real memories of chess computers.
If you ever need a good home for your CB16 module, perhaps you'd be good enough to let me know.
The mystery continues.
Bill
User avatar
Steve B
Site Admin
Posts: 10140
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:02 am
Location: New York City USofA
Contact:

Post by Steve B »

BillT wrote:
If you ever need a good home for your CB16 module, perhaps you'd be good enough to let me know.
a bit pricey Bill but here you go...

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.a ... SwHPlWg7zf


Seller Will Ship To USA Regards
Steve
BillT
Member
Posts: 132
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:31 pm
Location: Norfolk UK

Post by BillT »

Thank for the heads up on this Steve. I had spotted it and its in my watched list but it seems very expensive to me. Any thoughts on a fair price for these modules these days?

Want it for less regards

Bill
User avatar
Steve B
Site Admin
Posts: 10140
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:02 am
Location: New York City USofA
Contact:

Post by Steve B »

BillT wrote:Thank for the heads up on this Steve. I had spotted it and its in my watched list but it seems very expensive to me. Any thoughts on a fair price for these modules these days?

Want it for less regards

Bill
Well the thing is 150 Euro is high.. but the modules just dont appear all that often
fair...maybe $50-$75 US .. but at this stage in my life.. i dont deprive myself of anything for $50 bucks if you know what i mean

Just My Outlook Regards
Steve
Larry
Senior Member
Posts: 2269
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:42 am
Location: Gosford, NSW Australia

Post by Larry »

Check out this cb16 auction from 5 years ago and you might
consider buying it. Lot of money for something so small, I know, but
it's the rarity factor.
Read the thread, it's fairly short.
http://www.hiarcs.net/forums/viewtopic. ... fda8a080ae
L
Peter63
Member
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:52 pm
Location: Sweden

Post by Peter63 »

Hi!

My name is Peter and I´m a new registred member here.
I have read many posts here before and I thought it is about time to join in, although I dont have as much knowledge as many of you.

I am the lucky winner on this SC9 with the high seriel number.
I saw it has been relisted some times so I hope its no problem with the seller.
It has been sent to me and is for the moment in customs.
I hope it will arrive soon so I can test it.
I read about a "SC9 speed" with 3 Mhz in the German forum.
With that high number, could it be possible that I got a 3 Mhz SC9 B?

:roll:

I will do the Colditz test mentioned there and find out if it´s a ordinary SC9 B or a faster version.

Best regards /Peter
User avatar
Steve B
Site Admin
Posts: 10140
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:02 am
Location: New York City USofA
Contact:

Post by Steve B »

Peter63 wrote: I am the lucky winner on this SC9 with the high seriel number.
I saw it has been relisted some times so I hope its no problem with the seller.
Welcome to the forum Peter
that auction was first listed almost three months ago and not sold until now?? the problem could be with the computer ...

Not Good Regards
Steve
Peter63
Member
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:52 pm
Location: Sweden

Post by Peter63 »

Well I have to wait and see but I hope you are wrong Steve.
It looks as it was relisted 3 times before to a much higher amount
than I gave so maybe it was problems with payment?

I will let you know.

waiting regards /Peter
User avatar
Sargon1972
Member
Posts: 348
Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2013 9:30 am
Location: Dussen

Post by Sargon1972 »

Peter63 wrote:Hi!

My name is Peter and I´m a new registred member here.
I have read many posts here before and I thought it is about time to join in, although I dont have as much knowledge as many of you.

I am the lucky winner on this SC9 with the high seriel number.
I saw it has been relisted some times so I hope its no problem with the seller.
It has been sent to me and is for the moment in customs.
I hope it will arrive soon so I can test it.
I read about a "SC9 speed" with 3 Mhz in the German forum.
With that high number, could it be possible that I got a 3 Mhz SC9 B?

:roll:

I will do the Colditz test mentioned there and find out if it´s a ordinary SC9 B or a faster version.

Best regards /Peter
Hello Peter ,

Welcome i would say
For the SC9

The device externally not visible was expelled from October ' 83 as a sensory 9B 2 MHz (SER No. 32xxx) and contained an enhanced Budapest program. Some devices came later as a sensory 9 speed 3 MHz on the market, also barely recognisable

So 4xxxxx could be almost sure the 3mhz version

Good luck with testing when u receive the SC9

Kr,Hans
Hello
I am from Netherlands and many years involved with computerchess
It,s a way of life i suppose :p

Kr,Hans
Larry
Senior Member
Posts: 2269
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:42 am
Location: Gosford, NSW Australia

Post by Larry »

We discussed these high speed SC9's some years back. I remember
someone saying they were 3.2mhz, and they were normal SC9's
overclocked by a French company. This would suggest they were originally
standard 1.6mhz units with their speed doubled. Not many of them around.
I can't think why there is a huge serial# difference between yours and
the bulk of the production run. Fidelity made other stuff besides chess
computers, eg, prosthetic limbs, and the serial numbers would not have
been kept separate for unrelated products. Perhaps yours was part of
a small extra production run to satisfy some late orders by shops.
It would be indeed interesting if yours was unique in some way. It
couldn't have the next generation program because they had a different
control panel. Let us know...
L
Post Reply