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Hector (microcomputer)

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Hector (or Victor Lambda) are a series of a microcomputers produced in France in the early 1980s.

In January 1980, Michel Henric-Coll founded a company named "Lambda Systems" in Toulouse, that would import a computer (produced by "Interact Electronics Inc" of Ann Arbor, Michigan.[1]) to France. The computer was sold under the name of "Victor Lambda".[2][3]

"Lambda Systems" went bankrupt in July 1981, along with "Interact". In December 1981, "Micronique", an electronic components company based in southern Paris, acquires the rights to the "Victor Lambda".

In 1982, "Victor Lambda Diffusion", a subsidiary, distributes the "Victor Lambda". The first machines built in the United States were not a success, and the following models were designed and produced in France at the headquarters of the "Micronique" company. The company uses the slogan: "The French Personal Computer".

In 1983, the "Victor" is renamed "Hector",[4] to avoid confusion with the machines from the Californian company "Victor Technologies" (formerly "Sirius Systems Technology").

Models

Victor Lambda

The Victor Lambda was a rebranded Interact Home Computer[5][6](also called The Interact Family Computer 2[7]) microcomputer. Introduced in 1980, it had a chiclet keyboard and built-in cassette recorder for data storage.

Specifications:[5][3]

Hector 1 (Victor Lambda 2)

The Hector 1[8][9][4] was a 1983 computer, based on the Victor Lambda. Initially sold as Victor Lambda 2[10][4] it was renamed to avoid trademark confusion. Also known as Hector 16K.

Specifications:[8]

  • CPU: Zilog Z80 @ 1.7 MHz
  • Memory: 16K RAM
  • OS: Basic Level III
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 17 x 12 text; eight colors, 112 x 78 graphics, four colors
  • Sound: SN 76477N
  • Ports: Television (RGB), two joysticks, RS232 (optional)
  • Built-in cassette recorder (1200 Bps)
  • PSU: Built-in

Hector 2HR

The Hector 2HR[11][12] is a 1983[13] computer with a Zilog Z80 processor, 16KB of ROM and 48KB of RAM. Graphics were improved, with a resolution of 243x231 in 4 colors, and 40x23 character text. It has an built-in cassette recorder and an option disk drive (DISK II).

Specifications:[13][14]

  • CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
  • Memory: 48K RAM; 4KB ROM
  • OS: none (BASIC loaded from tape)
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 40 x 23 text; 243x234 in four colors
  • Built-in cassette recorder

DISK II device

The "Disk II" is a dual external 5 1/4 inch floppy disk drive with a dedicated processor. The Hector processor would handle the screen, keyboard and printer, while the floppy drive processor would run CP/M and manage floppy disks. Communication took place via the bi-directional parallel port.

Programming languages

The programming language is not available in ROM but loaded at startup. This makes it possible to distribute several languages, with BASIC 80, Pascal MT+, Cobol 80, Fortran 77, Forth and Assembly being available.

Hector 2HR+

The Hector 2HR+,[15][16] also released in 1983, is similar to the previous model, but including the BASIC language in ROM[13] (thus freeing up more RAM memory for user programs)

Specifications:[14]

  • CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
  • Memory: 48K RAM; 4KB ROM
  • OS: Basic Level III
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 40 x 23 text; 243x234 in four colors
  • Sound: One voice, four octaves
  • Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
  • Built-in cassette recorder
  • PSU: Built-in

Hector HRX

The Hector HRX,[17][18][19] also released in 1983, is similar to the previous model, but changes BASIC for a Forth language interpreter in ROM and features a 64KB RAM.[20]

Specifications:[21]

  • CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
  • Memory: 64K RAM; 16K ROM
  • OS: Forth
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 40 x 23 text; 243x234 in four colors
  • Sound: One voice, four octaves
  • Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
  • Built-in cassette recorder
  • PSU: Built-in

Hector MX

The Hector MX,[22][23] released in 1985, is similar to the HRX but offers BASIC, Forth, Logo and Assembly as languages available in ROM.[24]

Specifications:[24]

  • CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 5 MHz
  • Memory: 48K RAM; 64K ROM
  • OS: BASIC 3X, HRX Forth, Logo, Assembly
  • Keyboard: mechanical
  • Display: 40 x 23 text; 243x234 in four colors
  • Sound: One voice, four octaves
  • Ports: Television (RGB, SECAM), two joysticks, Centronics, Disc Drive
  • Built-in cassette recorder
  • PSU: Built-in

Software

Some software like Wordstar or Multiplan exists for this series of machines, along with many small games.

References

  1. ^ "Interact Home Computer System". Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  2. ^ "MICRONIQUE". archive.wikiwix.com.
  3. ^ a b "Micronique Victor Lambda". www.system-cfg.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  4. ^ a b c "Micronique Hector 1". www.system-cfg.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  5. ^ a b "MICRONIQUE > Victor Lambda". www.old-computers.com.
  6. ^ "INTERACT > Home Computer System". archive.wikiwix.com.
  7. ^ "The Interact Family Computer". archive.wikiwix.com.
  8. ^ a b "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum". www.old-computers.com.
  9. ^ "Micronique Hector I". archive.wikiwix.com.
  10. ^ "1000 BiT - Computer's description". www.1000bit.it.
  11. ^ "Micronique Hector 2HR". archive.wikiwix.com.
  12. ^ "Micronique Hector 2HR". www.system-cfg.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  13. ^ a b c "Micronique Hector 2HR". obsolete-tears.com.
  14. ^ a b "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum". www.old-computers.com.
  15. ^ "Micronique - Hector 2HR+". archive.wikiwix.com.
  16. ^ "Micronique Hector 2HR+". www.system-cfg.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  17. ^ "Micronique Hector HRX". archive.wikiwix.com.
  18. ^ "TILT (1982-1994)". archive.wikiwix.com.
  19. ^ "Micronique Hector HRX". www.system-cfg.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  20. ^ "Micronique Hector HRX". obsolete-tears.com.
  21. ^ "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum". www.old-computers.com.
  22. ^ "Hector, l'ordinateur personnel francais". archive.wikiwix.com.
  23. ^ "Micronique Hector MX". www.system-cfg.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  24. ^ a b "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum". www.old-computers.com.
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