There have been a few versions of the utility imd2raw.c floating around
that will take Dave Dunfield's ImageDisk-created images (i.e. an .IMD file)
and make a linear binary image devoid of any metadata. This is similar to
the function of Dave's IMDU.COM program's /b switch.
I've corrected a problem with the assumption that all imd2raw.c descendants
to date have made: sectors that have a skew (i.e. not 1-1 interleaved)
weren't linearized correctly. The skewed sectors need to be written out in
"sorted" order, which is not necessarily captured/physical order. This is
easily verified by comparing output from "IMDU /b" to earlier imd2raw
outputs on any .IMD that has a sector skew that isn't 1, 2, 3 [...].
It's up on github here:
https://github.com/RetroFloppy/imd2raw
Hello,
I'm an employee with the National radio astronomy observatory here in Socorro New Mexico.
As part of our NGVLA upgrades, we are seeking to get rid of old data tapes from the tape reel days of Computing. These contain things such as the boot loaders, OS, specific collection programs and antenna movement programs.
I personally would hate to see these just wind up in the literal dumpster and would like to see them sent out to a museum or an archiving body that can preserve them and keep them safe as a dynamic part of history.
If anyone is interested or knows someone who would be interested in the VLAs data tape library please let me know.
V/R
Danielle Werts
Front end engineer
VLA Socorro New Mexico
I'm just starting to clean up a NeXT system that a friend has had in
storage for decades...
I assume the thing has a battery somewhere - I just hope it isn't Ni-Cad!
This is the original cube, monitor, keyboard (& mouse?), printer,
assorted cables, and a SCSI secondary hard drive box. So far the manuals
haven't shown up, but that is all online AFAICT.
My plan is to give them all a good cleaning, then open up and inspect
capacitors, look for batteries and any other perishable items, and then
do diode checks prior to considering powering up. The remembered
background story was a nearby lightning strike may have taken out the
(1200 baud?) external modem, so will be paying extra attention to the
serial ports! Sniff test may still be useful even after 20ish years.
Any suggestions on what else to watch for on this setup prior to first
power? I also will be using the Dim-Bulb setup once it seems safe to
turn on. Anyone seen a common problem in power supplies for these
components for example?
Planned destination is auction...
Thanks!
John :-#)#
A while back I started studying more about the Sharp PC-5000 (and had it up
and running at VCFSW in 2023). I'm now coming back to that project, and
one thing I was never able to find was a compatible 5.25 disk drive.
I've collected some information about this system at here:
https://voidstar.blog/sharp-pc-5000/
And I am hoping to put together a video about out. But one challenging
aspect is that its LCD screen is difficult to record (lots of
reflections). And despite having lots of schematic documentation now, I'm
still not savvy enough to try to export its screen content to an external
device that might have a backlight.
From my notes, as I recall.... The 37-pin connector at the back of the
PC-5000 is not the same as the 37-pin connector at the back of the IO card
with the original IBM PC 5150. I believe the Sharp product model number
I am looking for CE-510F (which might be the same as MZ-80B in certain
markets).
This isn't an urgent thing - the Bubble Memory modules of this PC-5000 are
still all working fine and make the system functional. But I do have a set
of disk with the system that might be interesting to try out. So just
broadcasting here, on the off-chance someone might be familiar with these
and know of a stash of accessories (most likely within a Japanese-speaking
community, where I think Sharp products were generally more popular).
Thanks!
Steve v*
I have two SPST time delay 12-volt relays packaged like vacuum tubes
with octal bases, Amperite models 12N010 (ten seconds) and 12C5 (five
seconds).
They're in their original boxes.
I have no idea what devices used them.
It seems a shame to throw them in a recycle bin.
Does anybody want them?
Van Snyder
>
> > was reading 16million was raised and going to charity or something?? and
> > that the rest got bought by another museum
> >
> >
> https://www.geekwire.com/2024/paul-allen-estate-sells-remaining-living-comp…
>
> Oh, it's the CMoA? That's actually really really good news.
The last time I was in Atlanta, before my parents moved out here
(so...2019?), I had a couple hours to kill on my way to visit a high school
friend. So I went there, wandered around, and left their Atari on the
Easter Egg screen in Adventure.
One of the staff noticed that, talked to me for a bit, and asked me to wait
while he phoned up Lonnie Mimms (the founder) and asked him to come in and
meet me. We talked for a good hour, and it was great. I would describe
what he's done there as what I would have liked to have done if I had come
from a family business of real-estate-developer money, rather than (not
that I'm complaining) IT consultant/sysadmin/software-developer money.
The CMoA was not as hands-on as LCM, but it did have some working machines
you could play with.
Whatever Lonnie got his hands on from the LCM is unlikely to be sold for
the metal value. Five years ago, anyway, he seemed serious and his
restoration work looked pretty legit.
Adam
Hi
Quite classic. You would not have believed it - they were not making
consoles when they started.
[
Nintendo at 135: Key moments in gaming history
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/c79n845rrj0o
]
--
Regards,
Tomasz Rola
--
** A C programmer asked whether computer had Buddha's nature. **
** As the answer, master did "rm -rif" on the programmer's home **
** directory. And then the C programmer became enlightened... **
** **
** Tomasz Rola mailto:tomasz_rola@bigfoot.com **
I feel a little silly asking this, I hope it is not an overly inappropriate
request for this mailing list.
But does anyone here in the States happen to have a stack of known-good
5.25 disks they don't want anymore? And more specifically, would it be
possible for anyone to image such a disk with a copy of PC-DOS 2.0 or
earlier? (and maybe on up to 3.3 or so)
The later part is the service that would be more helpful to me. I finally
have a drive for an old system that currently uses bubble memory cartridges
to boot to PC-DOS 2.0, and so we'd like to see if (using these external
drives) it could also boot to a (confirmed legit) image of IBM PC-DOS
(and/or very early Microsoft DOS). Or, do we still need some kind of
proprietary Sharp DOS image? (in which case, extra blank disk would be
good, as I think there are tools on these bubble memory cartridges to
initialize disks accordingly).
An actual 160KB formatted PC DOS 1.0 would be fantastic to have on hand -
but the 180KB slightly later image would be fine also (and then also to
experiment how far "past 2.0" that this system might support, if at all).
For shipping/delivery purposes, I'm in north Texas. When I got these
drives, I then realized I no longer have any 5.25 floppies anymore - and
even if I did, then I'm not quite sure how to get the images on there (did
anyone ever make a "USB-to-5.25" drive? I have a couple 3.5 versions of
those - maybe the power to motor the 5.25 is too much for USB? :D ).
Thanks,
SteveL
