Prototype Commodore 8250 Mini Drive Board

[jajan547]

Hey everyone not a big commodore person (no offense) but I have this prototype board from 8250 development looks like they were slimming it down for other computers in their lineup. I don’t know much about it or its history but if someone is interested in preserving it or buying it I’d love to give it a new home. But more than anything trying to see what information you all may know or could provide about it. Pictures below.

 

[ClassicHasClass]

What makes you conclude it's a prototype? It looks like it has a daughtercard in, but that could just be a repair.

 

[jajan547]

What makes you conclude it's a prototype? It looks like it has a daughtercard in, but that could just be a repair.

Both looking at the ROM image and the fact that it was discovered internally at Commodore Labs. There were prototype IEEE drives being developed for use in the 720D. Some of the early examples of the boards did in fact have this "8250 Mini" riser board but mine is an earlier variation before some changes were made. It's also worth noting that this would've allowed for dual drives had these have actually come to market and none ever did hence why this is a prototype board. It started and ended in Commodore Labs and never came to fruition.