About the Novag Obsidian and its 2 models...

NOVAG INDUSTRIES LTD. is a designer and manufacturer of dedicated chess computers founded on September 3 1976 by Peter Auge and Eric Winkler, located in Hong Kong. In 1978, Novag and SciSys started common operations to produce chess computers and notably the MK I. The program was a clone of the ROM of the Data Cash Systems Inc. CompuChess. This results in a lawsuit that JS&S won for a copyright not well documented... A lot of difficulties were emerging between Auge and Winkler and resulted in their separation. In 2009, Novag was sold to a company called Solar Wide Industrial Ltd, . This company continued continued to manufacture chess computers under the Novag brand name..
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CHVL
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About the Novag Obsidian and its 2 models...

Unread post by CHVL » Mon Nov 23, 2020 11:08 pm

I have the 2 versions and their serial numbers are superior to 200000 and still they represent the 2 models:
- Obsidian, S/N 216762, Model 1016 (128Levels, H8-3214, 16MHz, 32 kbytes ROM, 1 kbyte RAM)
- Obsidian, S/N 226992, Model SW-661 (112 levels, H8-3614, 20MHz). The H8/3614 Series of single-chip microcomputers has an H8/300L CPU core.Within the H8/300L Series, the H8/3614 Series of microcomputers are equipped with five timers, a 14-bit pulse width modulator (PWM), two serial communication interface channels, an A/D converter, and other on-chip peripheral functions. The H8/3614 series includes three chips: the H8/3612, which has a 16-kbyte ROM and 512-byte RAM; the H8/3613, which has a 24-kbyte ROM and 1024-byte RAM; and the H8/3614, which has a 32-kbyte ROM and 1024-byte RAM.

Another information is interesting to use here: Solar Wide Industries bought Novag and changed the Serial Numbers of the computers: SW-661 in place of 1016 (the SW prefix means Solar Wide).
The Solar Wide units are the latest units and have the highest serial numbers and a SHORTER Library.

Conclusion, we have 2 models of the Obsidian: a true Novag model and a Solar Wide model.
It is probable that Solar Wide Industries changed the H8 chip and got problems with the library.

The Serial Number Pivot is in between 216762 and 226992. IMO, if you buy an Obsidian with a S/N less than 216762, you will get the Novag model.
This is only an hypothesis as I have only these 2 Obsidians. I would like to know from people having Obsidians what are their S/N.
At this point, I need to re-open my 2 Obsidian to analyze more precisely the microprocessor and the memory of these 2 computers.
Maybe the story is more complicated than what I found :(

Obsessive compulsive regards,

Maurice

CHVL
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Re: About the Novag Obsidian and its 2 models...

Unread post by CHVL » Sat Nov 28, 2020 8:51 am

Another Obsidian on eBay Germany:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Novag-Obsidian- ... Sw7MZfuR8d

This Obsidian is the version Solar Wide (SW) as indicated by the Model SW-661:
ObsidianSW-661(eBay).png
You may see that the serial number is 228696: this number is higher than the pivot 226992 and it is definitely a Solar Wide model. It will be a SW-661.

Conclusion: if you want an Obsidian done by Novag and working perfectly, your Obsidian must have a serial number smaller than 216762. It will be a Model 1016.

Good luck,

Maurice

CHVL
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Re: About the Novag Obsidian and its 2 models...

Unread post by CHVL » Sat Nov 28, 2020 8:14 pm

Still I remain puzzled by the Serial Numbers of the Obsidian.
I think that it is possible that the change of Hardware could have been done before the end of the Novag period.
As a consequence, the Serial Number Pivot identifies (maybe) only the change of model from 1016 to SW-661 and not the change of hardware.
More pressure to open my 2 Obsidians :(
Kind regards,

Maurice

CHVL
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Re: About the Novag Obsidian and its 2 models...

Unread post by CHVL » Sat May 15, 2021 7:38 pm

On ebay, I found this obsidian confirming my theory:
Obsidian SW version.jpg
The serial number (223920) predicts the model: it is a SW-661 :D
kr,
Maurice

CHVL
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Re: About the Novag Obsidian and its 2 models...

Unread post by CHVL » Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:13 pm

Another Obsidian:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164881962320?s ... 2749.l2648

The serial Number predicts a model 1016 and it is a model 1016 :)
Obsidian model 1016.jpeg
The serial number is low: 202253... made by Novag before their sale to SW.

kr,

Maurice

CHVL
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Re: About the Novag Obsidian and its 2 models...

Unread post by CHVL » Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:47 am

Another Obsidian on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184889902024?h ... SwOJ5gyOYz

Interestingly the serial number and its correlation with the Novag model 1016.
Obsidian eBay.jpeg
I was testing the 2 models: indubitably, the model of SW has problems: the model 1016 is older, but stronger.

So, clearly the serial number predicts the model.
Kind regards,

Maurice

CHVL
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Joined: Tue Jun 13, 2017 9:02 pm
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Re: About the Novag Obsidian and its 2 models...

Unread post by CHVL » Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:52 am

Conclusively, depending on which model you want, apply the following rule:
a serial number smaller than 216762 will be a Model 1016.

kr,
Maurice

CHVL
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Re: About the Novag Obsidian and its 2 models...

Unread post by CHVL » Wed Feb 09, 2022 9:19 pm

This one was on eBay France:
https://www.ebay.fr/itm/304350877070?ha ... Sww3BiA4FY

A first model...

kr,
Maurice

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