- cctalk - classiccmp.org

Drum memory on pdp11's? Wikipedia thinks so....

by Christopher Zach

Was reading the Wikipedia article on Drum memories: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_memory#External_links And came across this tidbit. As late as 1980, PDP-11/45 machines using magnetic core main memory and drums for swapping were still in use at many of the original UNIX sites. Any thoughts on what they are talking about? I could see running the RS03/RS04 on a 11/45 with the dual Unibus configured so the RS03's talk to memory directly instead of the Unibus, but that's not quite the same as true drum memory. Closest thing I remember was the DF32 on a pdp8 which could be addressed by word as opposed to track/sector. Thoughts? C

1 year, 3 months

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Re: Wang Laboratories calculators (Was Bowmar handheld calculator)

by Rick Bensene

Fred Cisin wrote > In 1970 or 1971, Wang had a tiny desktop calculator that had a card > reader! The card reader was an external peripheral, that clam-shell > closed on individual port-a-punch cards (perforated normal sized > > cards using every other column) It was actually available before 1970. It was Wang Laboratories' 300-Series of electronic calculators. The "tiny" part was the visible part, which was just the keyboard and Nixie tube display. It connected to an electronics package which was usually put under a desk or sometimes even quite a distance from the keyboard/display unit. The punched card programming peripheral sat between the keyboard/display and the calculator electronics package, and effectively "pressed keys" on the keyboard designated by the punches on the card, at high speed. On all but the 370 and 380 keyboard devices, the programs punched into the cards were simple linear programs without test & branch capability, or looping. Looping could be manually done by just restarting the program at the beginning, and continuing to do so until the answer converged on the final result. There were also the somewhat larger 360KT and 360KR keyboards that had built-in diode ROM programs that calculated trig functions by sending the keycodes to the electronics package to carry out the operations necessary to perform the trig functions. There were a number of different electronics packages that were available, with the low-end model (the 300E) having access to only the basic four math functions. The 310E added square root and x^2, the 320E added natural logarithm and e^x functions to the 310. The 360E added four store/recall memory registers along with the functions of the 320E. The last of the 300-series was the 362E electronics package that provided access to ten memory registers, each of which could be split in half to store two five-digit numbers, along with the math functions of the 360E. Then there were the SE type electronics packages. To my knowledge, there were the 310SE, 320SE, and 360SE. The SE electronics packages took the core calculating logic of the 310E/320E/360E and stuffed some multiplexing logic around it, allowing up to four keyboard/display units to be connected up to it that operated in a round-robin timesharing mode. The 370 Programmer Keyboard Unit included a similar punched card reader, but there was extra logic inside the keyboard that allowed conditional testing and branching capability. Up to four of these card readers could be daisy-chained to the 370 keyboard to allow programs up 320 steps. The program codes consumed 6 bits, so each column of the 40 column card (a standard IBM punched card, but with pre-scored holes every other column) could contain two instructions, allowing 80 instruction steps per card. The 380 Programmer Keyboard Unit was similar to the 370 in terms of capability, but instead of using punched cards for "storing" the program, the program steps were recorded on what was essentially an 8-Track tape cartridge that was inserted into a slot on the back panel of the 380. The tape in the cartridge was in a loop, and was positioned by a rather noisy ratcheting system akin to a stepping relay that moved the tape forward. Branching was accomplished by moving the tape forward until the target location was found. Depending on where the branch was targeted, the tape could have to move to the end of the program, then continue moving until the beginning of the program is found, then searching for the loop target. This operation could consume quite a bit of time. The tape cartridge allowed for considerably larger programs, but was quite slow in terms of tape positioning for branching and looping. The initial announcement of the 300-series calculator occurred in 1965, with the 300E/310E/320E electronics units, and 300K, 310K, 320K keyboard units, along with the CP-1 punched card reader, of which up to four could be connected daisy-chain style between the keyboard unit and the electronics unit. Later the 360E electronics package was added, and the 360K keyboard unit for the 360E added keys to access the four memory registers. A bit later, the 360KT and 360KR trig keyboards were introduced, with the 360KT accepting arguments and results in Degrees, and the 360KR in Radians. The 310SE and 320SE four-user electronics packages came out sometime in 1967. The 360SE four-user electronics package came out in 1968, and also the 370 Programmer and 371 card reader as well as the 380 Programmer. Lastly, sometime in late '68 or early '69, the 362E electronics package came out, and a 362K keyboard (which was identical to a 360K keyboard but with different keycap legends for the memory keys) was introduced with the 362E. The 362E marked the end of the 300-Series. There were a lot of peripheral devices that were available for the 370 and 380 programmers, including a Teletype interface that connected a Model 33ASR Teletype to the calculator, with ability to accept input from the Teletype and print output to the Teletype, as well as being able to read program steps from the Teletype's punched paper tape reader, add-on memory units for more register storage. There was also an Item Counter that connected between any of the keyboard units and the electronics package that would count depressions of various keys on an electromechanical counter to aid in calculations such as averages, etc. There was also a simple column printer that would provide printed output of the number in the calculator's display that was also connected between any keyboard unit and the electronics package. A specially modified IBM Selectric typewriter that had Wang-made solenoids and linkages to actuate the keys and functions of the typewriter was also available that could print output from calculations. There are also some peripherals that could be used to interface the calculators to external digital devices such as test and measurement equipment made by other manufacturers of such equipment. Wang also would OEM the electronics package guts to other manufacturers. One company even made a general purpose computer system that used one of the 300-series electronics packages as its arithmetic unit. Wang also offered a modular computer system called the 4000 (originally named the 390, but was changed before introduction) that used a standardized bus structure to connect the logic of an electronics package as the arithmetic unit, along with other modules that would contain storage, programming capability, and I/O interfaces. For quite some time, Wang Labs were the only calculator manufacturer that provided built-in calculation of logarithmic functions that were /not/ pre-coded sequences of keypresses that were executed like a program, but were actually hard-coded algorithms in the calculator's logic that provided almost instantaneous results. Dr. Wang invented the logic to do this, and got a patent for it. It was quite ingenious, and was able to calculate logarithms to twelve digit accuracy using only addition/subtraction and shift operations, and do so in an average of about 300 milliseconds. The weird part about the calculators in the 300-series is that they used logarithms to perform multiplication and division (which simplified the operations into addition of logarithms of the operands, then an anti-logarithm to get the result of a multiplication, and subtraction of the logarithm of the second operand from the logarithm of the first operand, followed by an anti-logarithm to derive the result. The issue with this is that most logarithms are not able to be 100% accurately represented in the 14 digit (10 digits displayed) capacity of the logic, and as a result, some multiplication and division operations that would normally result in an integer answer providing an answer that was not quite accurate. For example, 3 X 3 would equal 8.999999998, but a bit of additional logic for multiply and divide would round the result up to 9.000000000 . In some cases, the error was enough that the rounding wouldn't give the integer answer expected, though. All of the answers provided, even with slight errors due to imperfect representation of the logarithms were within most tolerances for engineering and scientific calculations. The logic of the machines was completely transistorized, using diode-transistor gates. No integrated circuits anywhere. The working memory of the calculators was stored in a magnetic core array in the electronics package. The electronics packages consisted of a backplane (hand-wired in earlier machines, later on a circuit board) with a bunch of small (roughly 3x5-inch) circuit boards packed with components. The power supply was a conventional linear power supply with Zener/transistor regulation. The basic keyboard units just contained a board with transistor drivers for the Nixie tube displays, and diode encoding for the keys on the keyboard. The key switches were standard micro-switch units with a ring pressed onto the key-stalk that would press down on the actuator for the micro-switch. Key travel was very short, but had a positive "click" as the micro-switch closed when the key was depressed. The 300-Series electronic calculators put Wang Laboratories on the map as a leader in higher-end electronic calculators, and made a fortune for the company and its shareholders. In 1968, when HP introduced the 9100A, Dr. An Wang, the founder and CEO of Wang Labs was secretly shown a production version of the 9100A before it was introduced. The presentation of the machine was provided to Dr. Wang by Dave Hewlett, one of the founders of HP. When Dr. Wang saw what the HP 9100A could do, he was visibly shaken. When the presentation was over, he left the room saying "We've got to get to work", meaning that it was clear that the 300-Series was now completely obsoleted by the 9100A, and that Wang Labs had better get busy with a new generation of calculators to counter HP's amazing calculator that was much smaller, much more capable, had computer-like programming capability, and was still made only with transistors and magnetic core memory. Wang did not have their counter to the HP 9100A/B calculators ready until mid-1970, the Wang 700-Series. The 700-Series calculators were serious machines, very computer-like, with large amounts of core memory, very high speed using DTL and TTL small-scale integrated circuit logic, and large I/O expansion capabilities. They were a solid match for the HP 9100A/B, but by the time they got them to market, HP had already introduced it's 9800-series machines, which had the essence of a computer as their main logic, with a "program" that made the machines run. The computer at the heart of the 9800 series was a somewhat slimmed down, bit-serial version of HP's first minicomputer, the HP 2116A. The 9800-series were larger machines than the 9100A/B, but offered extensive expandability and I/O capabilities. The pinnacle of the 9800 series was the 9830A, which was programmable by the user in the BASIC computer language, and was more a computer than a calculator, but HP still considered it a calculator to make it more marketable because the term "computer" had connotations of being a very expensive piece of capital equipment, while a calculator was basically an expense item. You can learn more about the Wang 300-Series calculators by going to https://oldcalculatormuseum.com/calcman.html#MFG-WANG . There is also information on HP's 9100B, as well as most of the 9800-series that can be found by scrolling up on that same page, as well as many other electronic calculators exhibited in the Old Calculator Museum website, as well as physically in the Old Calculator Museum. Rick Bensene The Old Calculator Museum https://oldcalculatormuseum.com Beavercreek, Oregon USA P.S. Some of the dates above may not be exactly correct, and there may be some other minor errors or missing information because I typed this strictly straight out of my head without access to any reference material. The website has the correct information to the greatest extent possible given the amount of time that has elapsed since these machines were new.

1 year, 3 months

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Bomar 901b My wife found in my stuff. Is this as scarce at it seems?s,?

by ED SHARPE

Bomar 901b My wife found in my stuff. Is this as scarce at it seems?s,? Sent from AOL on Android

1 year, 3 months

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PDP-11 thingy. What is it?

by W2HX

Hi all, I picked up this PDP-11 thing. Can anyone help me understand what it is? Pictures are here: https://w2hx.com/?prefix=x/What-Is-It/PDP-11-Thing/ I could not find any designation on the backplane. It is a wire-wrappable backplane. I don't know if it is Qbus, unibus or whether it is 18 or 22 bit addressing (this is because I am a newbie in this area). There is only one board with a number on it, the M8189 board. I know that is a fonz-11 board. https://w2hx.com/?prefix=x/What-Is-It/PDP-11-Thing/M8189/ There are two other boards with no designation on them. Does anyone recognize them? This first one seems to have no "big chips" on it. But it has two connectors that seem to allow another dual-height card to be plugged into it. What is it? https://w2hx.com/?prefix=x/What-Is-It/PDP-11-Thing/Board1/ The second one has this 50 pin IDC connector on it. Anyone recognize it? https://w2hx.com/?prefix=x/What-Is-It/PDP-11-Thing/Board2/ Any info appreciated! 73 Eugene W2HX My Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx/videos

1 year, 3 months

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Re: Odd IBM mass storage systems

by Len Shustek

At 10:00 AM 4/13/2024, Paul Berger <phb.hfx(a)gmail.com> wrote: >The problem with a lot of these old machines was they relied on a lot of >electro-mechanical devices that would today be replaced by electronics >and a few simple actuators. These mechanical devices need to be >adjusted and maintained and have lots of parts to wear out. For a great example of 1950s electro-mechanical devices, check out this: https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102740072 https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102740069 "The First Magnetic Random Access Mass Memory with Interchangeable Media"

1 year, 3 months

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Borland Turbo C++ and Turbo Basic - Books and Manuals

by Mike Norris

Hello, Before I consign the following books to be recycled I thought I would ask if they are any use to anyone. I do not want anything for them except postage, but they are heavy so might be expensive to post from the UK. (These are the manuals only no software) Manuals Borland C++ V4 for Windows - Programmers Guide, User Guide, Library Ref, Debugger, DOS Ref, Library Ref Borland C++V2 Object Windows - Reference Guide, Programmers Guide Turbo C++ V3 Object Windows - User Guide, Reference Guide Turbo C++ V3 User Guide Turbo C++ - Library Ref, Getting Started, Programmers Guide, User Guide Resource Workshop Turbo Assembler V2 (5 books in set) Turbo Basic Books The Waite Group Turbo C Bible Developing C++ Software Additional I would like £5 beer money for this one please! Writing Open VMS Alpha Device Drivers in C - Margie Sherlock/Leonard Szubowicz Regards Mike Norris

1 year, 3 months

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HP 9825A version of HPL / Roms

by Andre Lewis

Howdy all! I'm the new owner if one of the coolest "Calculators" HP ever made. Everything generally works but I would need a new capstan (rubber is now sticky) to use with the tape cartridge. I am running into a hard time tracking down information on using it though, so if anyone can help fill in some gaps, that would be great! I'm looking for: - A manual for HPL, the language used to calculate. Things like for loops don't seem to work, but 'dsp' 'gto' and variable assignment do. - Manuals for any and all of the cartridges, and how to use them - Ideas on replacing the capstan - Ideas on refurbing the tapes (there's a rubber band equivalent to drive the tape on both sides, these have lost their stretch) - Specs for the I/O, as I would love to make custom I/O for it. I would also love to be able to create new cartridges, but I'm not willing to sacrifice any of my existing cartridges to Reverse Engineer them. I have the Plotter / GPIO Cartridge, the Mateix cartridge and the Strings Advanced Programming. Trying to track down an Assembly cartridge or any others. Thanks! Any info is appreciated! ~ Andre

1 year, 3 months

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looking for HP 9836U color monitor

by Just Kant

Northeast US roughly.

1 year, 3 months

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oddity or just early 5160 mobo?

by Just Kant

I sort of doubt any of these boards were factory supplied this way, but the date codes on the ram in question are consistent with most other ics . the other banks contain chips that are months older, or newer. 64-256KB SYSTEM BOARD 18 TI gold capped 4164-20 chips in banks 0 and 1. Mix of Fujitsu, TI, NEC chips in banks 2 and 3. There are a half dozen numeric codes present on the board. I don't know what any signify.

1 year, 3 months

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Cleanup time again

by Bill Gunshannon

Time to dispose of some more of my stuff so it doesn't end up in the trash when my widow has to clear the house. Any interest in BA356-SBs? All with disks in them. And I have a decent stack of used RZs in caddies. I even still have 11 RZ28's still in the static bags. Would have to be someone close enough to pick them up here in the Poconos but I have seen a lot of postings from people in Eastern PA and north and middle NJ. Is it worth my taking the time to count up exactly what I have or would no one be interested in making an offer. They will not be going on eBay. Just for information, I have used these with PDP-11's with 3rd party SCSI modules, PC's with SCSI Cards and Ersatz-11 and even a Tandy Color Computer with a TC^3 SCSI card and NitrOS9. bill

1 year, 3 months

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Turbo Pascal Kermit for CP/M

by Martin.Hepperle＠dlr.de

Did you compile in memory or to disk? If you have little RAM, it might be advantageous to compile to disk, creating a .COM file. Martin

1 year, 3 months

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Turbo Pascal Kermit for CP/M

by Bill Gunshannon

I'm having bit of fun with my various CP/M systems but I ran into what I see as an interesting problem. I got Turbo Pascal on two systems. A TRS-80 model 4P running Montezuma Micro CP/M and a TRS-80 Model II running Pickles & Trout CP/M. I tried to compile the version of Kermit written for CP/M using Turbo Pascal. On both systems it runs out of memory and crashes in the same place. Surely the developers would have noticed this. Anybody here have any experience with this? bill

1 year, 3 months

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This weekend: VCF East 2024 - April 12-14 (Wall, NJ)

by Jeffrey Brace

This year will be bigger than ever with lots of great exhibits, speakers, consignment, Atari Programming Classroom and Glitch Works workshop. VCF East takes place in Wall, NJ at InfoAge Science and History Museums (formerly Camp Evans). For more information: https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-east/ Tickets for VCF East (Eventbrite) <https://vcfeast.eventbrite.com/> – Non- VCF Members should use this link. Discounted tickets for VCF Members Only (VCF’s website) <https://vcfed.org/membership/event/info/?reset=1&id=18> – VCF members should use this link. To get the 20% discount you need to become a VCF member by Clicking Here <https://vcfed.org/membership/> Don't miss the show! Take care! Jeff Brace Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner

1 year, 3 months

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Seeking out Joe Rigdon / John Lawson

by Sellam Abraham

Has anyone communicated with or know a way to communicate with Joe Rigdon out of Florida? Most here should know him as an old-school ClassicCmp veteran. If anyone has any information at all on the whereabouts of Joe Rigdon, and for that matter John Lawson, please either reply here or to me privately as appropriate. Thank you. Sellam

1 year, 3 months

5
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Problem with Dell Vostro 1700

by Van Snyder

I have a Dell Vostro. When I boot, the screen briefly flashes and then remains dark. I have another one on which the screen would stay lit for a minute or two, then go black. If I closed the lid and opened it, it would stay lit for a few more minutes, then go black again. I corrected that by replacing the backlight power supply. In this one, is the problem more likely a defective power supply for the backlight, or a defective backlight, or something else? Thanks, Van Snyder

1 year, 3 months

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DEC VT340/330 ROM Cartridge

by Douglas Taylor

The DEC VT340 has a slot in the back of the terminal to insert a ROM cartridge. I can't find any description of what this DEC labeled ROM cartridge would do for you. I've seen them with V1.1 and V2.1 markings, does anyone remember what additional capabilities these ROM cartridge provide? Doug

1 year, 3 months

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Re: oscilloscopes

by Guy Fedorkow

Vintage computer enthusiasts might want to keep track of where to find CRT-based analog oscilloscopes, for use as output devices. The early MIT and Lincoln Labs computers used D/A converters to steer and activate the beam on analog scopes to draw vector images. Working on Whirlwind simulation, we've been able to get this technique to work with "real" oscilloscopes, e.g., Tek 475, but we have not yet found a single DSO that has X/Y _and_ Z inputs (let alone the required phosphor fade). Myself, I have a couple scopes with backups, so I'm not in the market for another one. But others might consider the option... /guy fedorkow Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2024 22:33:38 +0000 From: Just Kant<kantexplain(a)protonmail.com> Subject: [cctalk] oscilloscopes To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> Message-ID: <xVKPUUPAeHv0_Gdsaq0al3Lji6a5VLAX2wRSUo5YhZwiADr5zn171nRBM NxX-XE1ru7jPj1GFbu0aE3uBwUsVKxlU_XAYKX9B0x42zJZADc=(a)protonmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 I have more then I need. All the working ones are HP w/color crts, and as far as older, verifiably vintage tools (right down to the 680x0 processor in either) I have to admit I favor them as a brand. Call we an oddball, weird egg, badges I wear with pride. But who could resist the allure of the newer ultra portable, even handheld units (some with bandwidth or sampling rates to 50mhz). I'm a big cheapo. But there's no real reason to agonize over a 65 - 200$ or thereabouts acquisition. It's a bit tiring to wade through the piles of availability. I favor a desktop unit, larger screen (but not always, careful). But most of those need wall current I think? The convenience of a handheld battery powered unit obviously has it's benefits. I will always love and dote upon my color crt based HPs. But the damned things are so heavy, so unwieldy. Judy-Jude knocked my 54111d over, hit the paved floor, shook the house. And still works! Built to withstand an atomic bombardment.

1 year, 3 months

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cheap boards for 16/32 bit apps

by Just Kant

Ifo you absolutely must run something old, yet don't want to deal with the complexities of modern emulation: https://www.ebay.com/itm/191322319264 - drivers, whatever is needed, likely to be included on floppy. Ask seller. Not sure what tbe form factor it is. Who cares, nail it to a board or the wall. https://www.ebay.com/itm/283869740055 - obviously a lot faster. 2nd cpu isn't necessary or necessarily beneficial, but it is mandatory (says me, don't be a plebe). Unlike the Intel S5000 series serverboards, this bad boy has a FLOPPY connector. Should boot dos. But I haven't owned 1 yet. Can't remember if I even tried to boot my s5000vsadimmr4 or whatever I had from a dos loaded boot cd. Just can't. But my board did boot Windows 2000. Not too shabby. No drivers or i/o plate with this though. Drivers for Win2k are on tne net. I even foumd a manual I think. Check with me if you have need. The Intel boards have support for Win2008. NOT this board afaik. If that matters to you. Serverboards of this gen/chipset have steemy hot ram. You can nail this to the wall also. But have a desk fan to keep it all cool.

1 year, 3 months

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WTB: PSU for DEC PDP8F

by robinson＠tuberadio.com

Hi there, I need a power supply for my PDP8F computer. It is missing. The PDP8F 19" chassis box came in 3 different depths, 600 mm (PSU front to back) 370 mm (PSU across the back) 300 mm (PSU front to back) I need the shallow one, the 300 mm PSU front to back. Do you have one available, or know where I can get one please. Even if it is dead! regards ray

1 year, 3 months

4
4
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Looking for an HP 9000/778 workstation B160/180

by Keith M

I'm looking for an HP 9000 Visualize workstation, like a B160L or B180L+. I'll be attending VCF East in a few weeks so might find one there. Has anyone used Cypress technology out of Clearwater, FL? It seems they provide a nice, fully configured to spec turnkey solution, but there's no doubt they charge for it. http://www.cypress-tech.com/ Any better HP-specific forums or references would be appreciated! Thanks

1 year, 3 months

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oscilloscopes

by Just Kant

I have more then I need. All the working ones are HP w/color crts, and as far as older, verifiably vintage tools (right down to the 680x0 processor in either) I have to admit I favor them as a brand. Call we an oddball, weird egg, badges I wear with pride. But who could resist the allure of the newer ultra portable, even handheld units (some with bandwidth or sampling rates to 50mhz). I'm a big cheapo. But there's no real reason to agonize over a 65 - 200$ or thereabouts acquisition. It's a bit tiring to wade through the piles of availability. I favor a desktop unit, larger screen (but not always, careful). But most of those need wall current I think? The convenience of a handheld battery powered unit obviously has it's benefits. I will always love and dote upon my color crt based HPs. But the damned things are so heavy, so unwieldy. Judy-Jude knocked my 54111d over, hit the paved floor, shook the house. And still works! Built to withstand an atomic bombardment.

1 year, 4 months

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The 8008

by Murray McCullough

I’ve read with great interest, over the past short while, a few interesting articles on the history of the Intel 8008(officially released in April 1972) as it was the forerunner of what was to become the personal computer industry. And done with less than 4000 transistors. I saw one at a computer shop/store in Toronto in the latter 1970s’ but had no idea the seminal role it was to play in microcomputer history. Happy computing! Murray 🙂

1 year, 4 months

2
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Amoeba OS

by Bill Gunshannon

I know this is a real long shot but is there any chance someone has a copy of the original distribution of the Amoeba OS from the University in the Netherlands? Searching the web finds only the current version which runs on X86. I am looking for the original which also ran on Sparc and (of the most interest to me) the VAX. Remember when they said now that we had the web nothing would ever be lost again? :-( bill

1 year, 4 months

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typical IC kits on Amazon and elsewhere

by Just Kant

Clearly all or virtually all chineseum, correct? That being the case, um, what type.of.quality can be expected? Some are fairly cheap. I guess thenworld isn't to be expected.

1 year, 4 months

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Re: need a 5150 motherboard

by Gregory Beat

MTM Scientific (Clinton, MI) offered modern redrawn IBM PC 5150 base board and a Full Kit, at one time. https://www.mtmscientific.com/pc-retro.html While he is no longer selling separate blank 5150 boards, you could inquire about Gerbers. greg w9gb

1 year, 4 months

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Re: need a 5150 motherboard

by Marvin Johnston

Just out of curiosity, what are you using this board for? The IBM 5150 uses at least three different mother boards, 16K, 256k, and I *think* 512K soldered in RAM. Each is expandable to 640K with 3rd sourced RAM boards. I should have (somewhere) at least one of each. I also have several 5150 complete units including keyboard (not so sure about the monitors.) Marvin > Message: 3 > Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2024 20:04:52 +0000 > From: Just Kant <kantexplain(a)protonmail.com> > Subject: [cctalk] Re: need a 5150 motherboard > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" > <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <qnfmO_296S6f9hb_wDChuncqBLx2N4gVhPm4tDG62TohL7PxE3kyLLi-K > GF90Qn4F1qIjDg9zX6isIYVyVHgohkRHHQfwzcnS3zKK8LHe0s=(a)protonmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > If you're willing to ship, I'll offer 30$ total. But it has to be IBM. > > Sent with Proton Mail secure email. > > I have one at Kennett Classic for sale, I think it's $20. I believe it's > an original IBM, but it may be a close clone. Untested. > b >

1 year, 4 months

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stack of Tab books for sale

by Just Kant

Electronics, robotics, lasers. 10 in all. Overall comdition 6 or so out of 10. 50$ + shipping. NJ.

1 year, 4 months

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need a 5150 motherboard

by Just Kant

The board itself, including the traces, has to be in good shape. Don' t care about it's functionality, or even if chips are missing. An actual IBM product, regardless of revision. Might consider an entire 5150 box. NJ. Sent with [Proton Mail](https://proton.me/) secure email.

1 year, 4 months

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Re: Amoeba OS

by Bill Gunshannon

On 3/28/2024 7:29 PM, Alexander Schreiber via cctalk wrote: > On Thu, Mar 28, 2024 at 05:02:10PM +0000, Alessandro Mazzini via cctalk wrote: >> Sorry if I intrude... now is no more possible to obtain hobbyist licenses for vms ?? > > Not for OpenVMS/VAX, that stopped more than a year ago. IIRC you _can_ > get something like[1] it for OpenVMS/amd64 from VMS Software. > > The only legal[0] workaround for VMS on VAX is to go back all the way > before LMF was introduced which IIRC means running VMS 4.4 and nothing > newer. > > Sad and mildly irritating, but nothing we can do about it. > > Kind regards, > Alex. > > [0] Personal opinion. Worth every cent you paid for it. I'm not a lawyer > and I never played one on TV. Void were prohibited. Caveat emptor. > [1] Last time I checked, there was a time limited "educational purposes" > virtual machine image one could download and run with the appropriate > hypervisor software. ^^^^^^ That is going away, too. bill

1 year, 4 months

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Re: Amoeba OS

by Bill Gunshannon

On 3/28/2024 1:25 PM, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote: > > >> On Mar 28, 2024, at 1:02 PM, Alessandro Mazzini via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote: >> >> Sorry if I intrude... now is no more possible to obtain hobbyist licenses for vms ?? > > You can still get one for OpenVMS/x86. > As of the past few days, that may not be the case anymore. bill

1 year, 4 months

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WTB: Cromemco System Zero

by Jonathan Chapman

All, I'm looking for a Cromemco System Zero, doesn't matter if it's empty or not. Please contact me off-list if you have one to sell/trade or know of one! Thanks, Jonathan

1 year, 4 months

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Cleanup time again

by Bill Gunshannon

On 3/26/2024 9:15 AM, Paul Koning wrote: > > >> On Mar 26, 2024, at 8:57 AM, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote: >> >> >> >> On 3/25/2024 9:51 PM, Henry Bent wrote: >>> On Mon, 25 Mar 2024 at 20:14, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org <mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote: >>> Oops. I guess the fingers work as good as the memory. Sorry >>> about that. I've got about 20 of them. I know they haven't >>> been used since they were taken out of the VAX Cluster I ran >>> at the University. Nothing I have used the SB boxes with since >>> then would know what to do with 9GB of disk space. :-) >>> But, if needed I could probably test them on a PC I have with >>> an Adaptec SCSI in it. It's intended for Ersatz-11 but I expect >>> does could use a disk that big. Too bad there's no way to read >>> them. Might be some interesting stuff left behind by the VAX. >>> Why is there no way to read them? If you have a PC with a SCSI card you can easily boot into the Linux or BSD distro of your choice and make a dd (or ddrescue) image of the entire drive, which could then be accessed by whatever means. >> >> >> These disks were part of a really large RAID array in a SAN connected to >> the VAX cluster. There is no way of reconstructing it and so no way to >> extract usable information. >> >> bill > > Do you have just part of the RAID set, or enough disks to make a complete one? Don't know, but doubt it. Some of the disks have probably been used for other purposes since the VAXen went away more than 20 years ago. > If the latter then it's a matter of reverse engineering the RAID layout, > which is likely to be doable. While possible, I think hardly likely. I don't even remember what the appliance was. Something DECish. bill

1 year, 4 months

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DEC Processor Books

by Bill Gunshannon

I have often wondered about the people we find in the various DEC Processor (and other) books. Were they models in staged photo-sessions or were these candid shots from DEC facilities and if so, can anyone identify who they might be. Looking thru some of the books again I came across an interesting photo on page 42 of the 1981 pdp11 processor handbook / pdp11 04 24 34a 44 70. If you take a magnifier to the picture you will find the system presented in that photo is not a pdp11 but a VAX. :-) I wonder what other DEC systems are contained in these photos? bill

1 year, 4 months

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How to shutdown RT11?

by W2HX

I just got a pdp-11 to boot and it seems to have rt-11 installed. How do I do an orderly shutdown? Google has info on simh but this ain't that. Thanks! 73 Eugene w2hx

1 year, 4 months

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Someone with ExpressPCB: can you convert these to Gerbers?

by Cameron Kaiser

I'm trying to build some prototype Tomy Tutor cartridges of my own but I'm all thumbs in KiCad, and while prefab ones exist that I can just add an EPROM to, they're in ExpressPCB and PCBWay wants Gerbers. This Mac won't run ExpressPCB, or at least not in a way that wouldn't involve a significant expenditure. Is someone out there with a copy of ExpressPCB willing to convert these to Gerbers I can upload? They're quite small so it should be a simple task. If so, please contact me off-list with many thanks! -- ------------------------------------ personal: http://www.cameronkaiser.com/ -- Cameron Kaiser * Floodgap Systems * www.floodgap.com * ckaiser(a)floodgap.com -- E pluribus Unix ------------------------------------------------------------

1 year, 4 months

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vic-20 basic on cartridge

by Jacob Dahl Pind

I got a vic-20 in a painted case, with a biacom label, and a modified VIC-1110 8kb memory, where there have been added a 8kb eprom have been to the left side where the additional 8kb could be installed. https://telefisk.org/biacom_8kb_a000+8kbmem.rom https://telefisk.org/biacom_basic.txt The autostart rom code, that disables runstop, moves and starts basic , does seem to initialize everthing like a normal start does. Adding the rom to vice without reset and do a poke 44,161, to move the basic start to 41216, one can look at the code. The software seems to be made to print signs, but I havent had much luck getting vice to print, I only get a blank page. Looking at the code line 60 # Line Spacing of n/216 inch chr$(27) "3" chr$(n) line 61 # chr$(14) One-line Expanded Print # chr$(20) cancel expanded print line 68 # single density 60dpi line lenght 135 + (256*1) does look like it match up to the commodore/epson codes, printing the basic list with open1,4,7:print#1:cmd1:list works in text and graphics for the mps80x, but not from the basic code there. Wonder if I am running into a bug with the print emulation or it was made to use a different printer ? Regards -- Jacob Dahl Pind | telefisk.org | fidonet 2:230/38.8

1 year, 4 months

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Plessey 703185-100C

by Bill Gunshannon

So, sorting thru stuff I came across this white elephant again. I never found anything to positively identify it but I always assumed it was some kind of buss extender. One board is fully populated with chips and the other connected together with a ribbon cable is totally passive. But this time I found the funniest thing about it. The passive end has a sticker on it with an expiration date. I have to admit I have never found an expiration date on any of my PDP or VAX hardware before. :-) bill

1 year, 4 months

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VCF East Hotel Block #3 (Wall, NJ)

by Jeffrey Brace

VCF East Hotel Block #3 I have opened up another hotel block: Red Roof Inn 11 Centre Plaza Eatontown, NJ 20% discount. Call 732-389-4646 before the cut off date 03/31/2024 and book your room under the Vintage Computer Festival East group name. <jeffrey(a)vcfed.org> For tickets: vcfeast.eventbrite.com April 12-14, 2024 Wall, NJ https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-east/

1 year, 4 months

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Re: VAX 4000 console SLU in need of some TLC

by Antonio Carlini

On 21/03/2024 22:03, Jonathan Stone wrote: > What kind of VAX 4000? One with DSSI connectors on the "S:U", or the > /VAX 4000-200/KA660, which has serial and Ethernet? IIRC you can > klludge up the latter using a KA630 SLU, and either re-using the > AUI/10base-2 part of the SLU, > or kludging one from a DEQNA/DELQA to act like the AUI-select switch > setting and AUI of the original > Those come off the KA660 in a single IDC connector, 50 pin if memory > serves. > > I have no idea about substituting for DSSI. It's a VAX 4000-300 (KA670) in a BA440, so it has two DSSI, ethernet, the usual switches and LED display. I can switch ethernet between AUI and BNC (the green LEDs change) and I have known working DETPM AUI<->RJ45 interfaces, so ethernet may be OK. I have found one panel for a KA650 (uV 3500/3600) that has an OK connector but is otherwise a bit toasty, so I'll try carefully removing that tomorrow. If that goes OK, then I'll remove the MMJ socket from the VAX 4000 console SLU: it's dead so there's not really much risk here as long as I'm careful with the PCB. At least I could then tack on 6 wires and find a way of interfacing. I do have at least one H8584-AC, which is an MMJ socket and an RJ45 plug. So with a bit of measuring I could probably find an RJ45 socket and rig up some temporary franken-console. Or, if the KA650 donor is really too far gone, and its socket survives half a dozen cable insertion-removals with no harm, then I could just fit that in place. If the console ethernet doesn't work, I think I can drop in the DELQA with appropriate handles from the KA650 system ... I think that the BA440 Q-bus metalwork and the BA213 metalwork are compatible. If not I have one Q-bus DELQA panel and I'm sure that neither the VAX nor anything else in there with it care too much about RF interference these days! I can find new MMJ plugs all over the place (admittedly I'm assuming that Mouser and Farnell could actually supply them!!) but the corresponding sockets seem to be lost to time. Or at least they remain beyond my goolge-fu. Antonio -- Antonio Carlini antonio(a)acarlini.com

1 year, 4 months

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Two IBM 360's available in the UK

by Adam Bradley

Hi all, Some of you may remember that I (Adam) and another chap (Chris) rescued two IBM 360/20 systems out of an abandoned building in Nuremberg back in 2019 and brought them to the UK (our blog is here: https://www.ibm360.co.uk/). We have since basically found ourselves unable to effectively progress the project due to personal & professional commitments. For various reasons (explained in our latest blog post) we are testing the waters for making the machines available to the right sort of people. We are therefore inviting proposals or offers focused around one of the following core ideas: 1. A museum or preservation organisation takes the machines on permanent loan or possibly as a donation depending upon exactly what the terms look like 2. A private entity takes the machines on loan for display for a fix period 3. A foreign museum takes the machines, with negotiation around coverage of our costs 4. A private collector purchases the machines from us for a sum to be negotiated at the time If you have an alternate proposal we would also be open to hearing it. We have three main systems in the collection, as detailed below: *Red IBM 360 Model 20 System* 1 x IBM 360 Model 20 CPU in Red 1x 2203 System Printer 2x 2311 Disk Drives 1x 2152 System Console (possibly the last remaining example of this in the world, though in poor condition) 1x 2560 Punched Card Reader/Punch/Sorter 1x 2501 Punched Card Reader 2x 2415 II Tape Drives (One master, one slave) (Possibly only remaining examples of this model globally) 25x IBM Disc Packs *Blue IBM 360 Model 20 System* 1 x IBM 360 Model 20 CPU in Blue 1x 2501 Punched Card Reader 1x 1403 Printer *System 370/125* 1x 370/125 CPU – Unknown condition 1x 3504 Punched card reader (incomplete) *Miscellaneous* 1x 029 Card Punch 1x 5471 System Console Assorted other spares and unknown/incomplete components Around 12 full boxes of brand new IBM punched cards ----------- In an ideal world we would like to see everything go together, but we understand that this is an enormous amount of kit and that might not be possible. We are not willing to split up individual systems, but we are willing to split things by the groupings above. For instance if there was interest in only the red system due to its complete set of peripherals, we would be willing to negotiate on that basis. It is extremely rare that systems such as this become available, and these are two of only a handful of privately held IBM 360’s in the world. If you have an idea or a proposal, please email me directly at this address. Please do NOT email me to suggest I contact X museum unless you are a representative of that museum or hold a direct relationship with them and know they are interested. We are genuinely sad that we’ve been unable to work on this project and take it where we wanted it to go. We set out with strong intentions, but alas, as is often the case life took over and we were unable to push forward in the way we wanted to. We hope that someone comes along who will be able to keep the systems safe for future generations. Kind Regards, Adam Bradley

1 year, 4 months

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Bitsavers Zuse scans

by Christian Corti

With great interest, I have seen that there are now scans for the Z23 (perhaps more coming soon :-) ). But I have to admit that I am so much disappointed of the quality. I mean, whoever scanned this all, did he have a single look at the output? I do this, for each of the many scans, may they be only a single or many hundred pages. Example: .../zuse/Z23/Zuse_Z23_Beschreibung_einschlie%c3%9flich_der_Zusazgeräte_Februar_1962.pdf PDF pages 16/17: this is a no-go. This must not happen in a document uploaded to bitsavers. Pages 32-35 (and many others, too): what the heck happened here?? And there appears to have been some "intelligent" post-processing of the images that renders them very artificially. Sorry for the rant, but that is not what I would accept as archiving material. I'd offer to rescan them (guessing that the origin is from Germany) reasonably. Christian

1 year, 4 months

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Semi-OT: MAX180 Evaluation Kit ROM/Diskette Image

by Jonathan Chapman

All, I'm looking for an image of the ROM or companion diskette for the Maxim MAX180 Evaluation Kit (MAX180EVKIT). I've got one that has a custom application ROM in it. Thanks, Jonathan

1 year, 4 months

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NRAO Data tapes

by Dani Werts

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

1 year, 4 months

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Re: Voyager spacecraft computer

by rich.cini＠verizon.net

There is a printed version of this printed by Alpha Books, ISBN 1-56761-463-9. I bought it years ago (1998) . Not sure if it’s 100% the same text, but it has a lot of nice pictures and was issued around the 25th anniversary of Apollo 11. It’s on Amazon right now for $7.12. Rich On 3/15/24, 8:14 PM, "Ethan Dicks via cctalk" <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote: On Fri, Mar 15, 2024 at 6:49 PM Charles Dickman via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote: > Voyager 1 is in the news recently because of communications problems and > possible solutions. Is there an online source for documentation on the > Voyager systems, especially the computers and navigation systems? > > I have enjoyed reviewing the Apollo systems documentation on the Virtual > AGS Home Page and wondered if there were similar documents available for > Voyager. "NASA Contractor Report 182505 Computers in Spaceflight: The NASA Experience" More of a top-level tour of a number of platforms, it covers, in quite some detail, systems from Gemini to the Space Shuttle and mentions the RCA 1802 numerous times. Samples of some NASA DSLs (HAL/S and GOAL). Extensive citations and bibilography. Voyager and Galileo are covered in Chapter 6. Public domain. PDF link at: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19880069935 Excellent stuff in there. -ethan

1 year, 4 months

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Voyager spacecraft computer

by Charles Dickman

Voyager 1 is in the news recently because of communications problems and possible solutions. Is there an online source for documentation on the Voyager systems, especially the computers and navigation systems? I have enjoyed reviewing the Apollo systems documentation on the Virtual AGS Home Page and wondered if there were similar documents available for Voyager. -chuck

1 year, 4 months

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SMD/ESDI emulator progress report

by Guy Sotomayor

Hi, I just wanted to provide a bit of a progress report on the SMD/ESDI emulator project. Now that I'm retired I have a bit more time to actually work on it. Previously I was just doing a bunch of research and writing notes on the design. I now have a solid design and I'm starting with the implementation. I'm going to list some of the design goals and then sketch out a few of the major issues and how they're being addressed. Goals: * Emulate any drive geometry * Emulate a drive's performance characteristics * Work across different interface types * Fully built emulator cost below $500 Major Issues: * SMD/ESDI have head switch times < 10 microseconds (basically the time it takes for the read amplifiers to settle on a "real" drive). Solving this issue drives the majority of the design * Address marks on a "real" drive are implemented by writing a DC signal on the track and the read circuitry detects that and generates the address mark signal When looking at the specifications for SMD and ESDI disks there aren't really a lot of difference in how the drive behaves. The interfaces differ in detail but in reality the differences are pretty minor. So the current design should allow for 95+% code sharing between SMD and ESDI emulators. To solve the head switch performance, it is necessary to have an entire cylinder in some sort of RAM. This allows for very fast head switch times (e.g. the selected head just addresses a particular portion of the RAM). However, this means that loading a cylinder (which in some cases could be as much as 1MB) could take considerable time. It will take even longer if some of the tracks in the cylinder are "dirty" due to them having being written to prior to the seek. Since I want the emulator to be able to faithfully emulate drives in all respects, the limiting factor is the cylinder-to-cylinder seek time (e.g. moving from one cylinder to another cylinder that is adjacent). This is typically in the 4-8ms range. So doing the math, one must move 1MB in 4ms (that turns out to be ~250MB/sec of bandwidth...using 32-bit transfers, this means over 60M transfers/sec). The above implies that the cylinder RAM and where the storage holding the cylinders of the image must be capable of at least 60M transfers/sec between them. This is going to involve a complex FPGA that is able to have large internal RAMs and a direct connection to some sort of DRAM to hold the full image. I've chosen to use a SOM (System-On-Module) version of the Xilinx Zynq 7020. This has dual 32-bit ARM cores (plus a whole bunch of peripherals), 32-bit DDR3 memory interface, plus a fairly large FPGA with enough block RAM to contain the maximum cylinder. The calculations I've done should allow a new cylinder to be loaded from DRAM into the cylinder RAM in 4-8ms (I think with a few tricks I can keep it in the lower range). I've looked a quite a few Zynq SOMs (and have acquired quite a few for evaluation purposes). I finally found one that's ~$200 (most of the others are in the $400-$1000+ range). This SOM brings out most of the Zynq's I/Os (94 I/Os) in addition to having ethernet, USB, serial, SD card, etc. as well as 1GB of 32-bit DDR3 DRAM. It also runs Linux which means that developing the SW is fairly straight forward. The next issue was how to emulate address marks. The emulated drive will have a bit clock which is necessary for clocking out the data when reading (or out when writing). The bit clock is always running (just like a "real" drive when spinning). That will drive a counter (which represents which bit is under the emulated "head"), that counter (along with the head number) will be used to address the block RAM. The counter is always running, so as to emulate the spinning disk. The address marks are emulated by having a series of comparators (one for each possible sector). They compare the bit counter with the value associated with the comparator, if there's a match then that signals an address mark. It's bit more complicated because writing address marks (in the case of soft-sectors) has to be dealt with. The emulator is composed of 4 major components: 1. Emulator application plus some utilities I'm currently writing all of this code...since I'd been a SW engineer for 50+ years, this is all "production" quality code and is extremely well documented...still a ways to go. 2. Linux device driver which provides the interface between the emulator application and the emulator HW I haven't started on the driver yet but it should be fairly straight forward as it really only provides an interface to the emulator HW to the emulator application 3. Emulator HW RTL I haven't started on this other than to do some basic blocks of what's here. It mainly is the cylinder RAM, serdes (I *may* be able to finesse this by having 32-bits on the AXI bus and 1 bit on the interface side...a nice feature of the block RAM), address mark logic, bit counter and some command decode/handling (it'll handle the seek command all in the RTL...everything else will be handled by the application. 4. Interface board This should be a fairly simple board. It's a carrier for the SOM, 3.3v-to-5v level shifters, interface circuits for SMD or ESDI (they use different interface ICs) and the interface to the cable. I'm starting with SMD just to make the board layout easier (I can just use 0.1" headers for interface cabling). I also have an SMD disk exerciser that will make it easier to make sure it's working properly. The idea is that once I have an SMD working reasonably well, I'll start on ESDI. Interacting with the emulator application can be any of the following: * config file: indicates various emulator startup options including which image (if any) to "mount" initially * command line: same as the config file * emulator utilities: these are mainly allow for changing which image is mounted, changing write protect status, querying state of emulator, etc. The utilities can be used locally by logging into to Linux running on the Zynq 7020 or by using "host" versions if the emulator is connected to a network via ethernet. One of the key utilities is creating an "empty" (that is all tracks contain all 0's) image. The image format has been finalized. It allows for almost any geometry of disk (up to 32 heads and up to 65536 cylinders). The main restriction is the 1GB of DRAM on the Zynq 7020 SOM. I expect in reality that the largest drive that can be emulated will be ~600-700MB due to DRAM. I plan on providing some standardized "templates" (e.g. they'll describe actual drive geometries and seek performance tables) so creating new images won't be too onerous. I'll be putting all of the source, RTL and board files on github under a BSD license once I get further along. -- TTFN - Guy

1 year, 4 months

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Keyboard Blockers?

by Douglas Taylor

I picked up a keyboard for a Wyse terminal at a flea market the other day. When I tried some of the keys, they couldn't be depressed. I thought, at first, some dirt or debris had gotten stuck there, but on closer look I saw something black below the keys that seemed to be stuck. I pulled a key cap off and found a U shaped piece of black plastic that was put there on purpose to prevent you from depressing the key. The question came to mind; "What sort of application would be so crude that you would have to prevent the user from depressing certain keys?" One of the keys was a Break key, which sort of made sense to me, because it would halt a PDP-11 if that was the host machine. This was the first time I had ever seen this kind of thing, was this common long ago?

1 year, 4 months

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Surplus Vintage Computer Sale @ Kennett Classic Starting

by Bill Degnan

LINK: https://www.kennettclassic.com/surplus-sale-starts-3-19/ If you can make it to Kennett Square, PA USA between now and April 19th 2024, stop in and browse our inventory of surplus vintage computing items. The link above contains answers to questions. If you want to be added to the mailing list, visit kennettclassic.com and submit a contact form. Thanks Bill Degnan

1 year, 4 months

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Did something happen to comp.os.vms ?

by Zane Healy

Did something happen to comp.os.vms and/or usenet? All the DEC newsgroups appear to be missing from Eternal September. Zane

1 year, 4 months

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Dumping an UV PROM for a Sun 386i

by Christopher Zach

Hi all! I'm working on a little side project to see why one can't put a better CPU chip into a Sun 386i. Basically with a real 386 in the socket the system will at least start to flash the LEDs on the back, but with a Cyrix chip the LEDs are frozen on. I can remove the frame buffer, memory cards, even the Timekeeper chip and I still see this behavior. Running with no CPU or no PROM chip makes the system flash no lights, pointing to the problem being code in the PROM. Now, 386 CPUs don't have the CPUID register, but they do have a little feature where upon reset EDX contains a "3" to show the CPU "type". On a Cyrix chip it contains a "4". My guess is the ROM code has at the beginning a check of EDX and if <>3 go to a halt. I'd like to dump the code, find that check, and either replace the 3 with a 4, or replace the first HALT with a NOOP. The PROM is an Intel D27010 which is an Intel 128k*8 chip. Unfortunately I'm not finding much in terms of either datasheets or PROM programmers. Does anyone know how to/have the tools to dump and reprogram this? I'll bet the old archives that talk about the "Blue Lightning 386" working for boot were due to the chip being made under license of Intel thus being allowed to have that "3" in there. But since I also have a TI 386/486 chip with 8k of L1 cache, a 486 core instruction set, faster multiplier, and clock doubling by default I think it might wind up being.... faster. C

1 year, 4 months

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5 1/4" and 3.5" disk duplication machines

by Bill Degnan

Does anyone have interest in vintage diskette duplication / duplication machines? Would this make for an interesting VCF exhibit? Does/did anyone use these commercially? Bill

1 year, 4 months

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CommonPoint for AIX

by Cameron Kaiser

Just a ping out there to see if anyone's sitting on installation media for CommonPoint (the last gasp of Taligent). Seems appropriate to try to coerce it to run on an Apple Network Server. Let me know on or off list as appropriate. -- ------------------------------------ personal: http://www.cameronkaiser.com/ -- Cameron Kaiser * Floodgap Systems * www.floodgap.com * ckaiser(a)floodgap.com -- "I'd love to go out with you, but I need to clean my toilet brush." --------

1 year, 4 months

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FS: PDP-11/23+ system

by Charles

Over the years, I have gradually built up a functional PDP-11/23+ system, which of course I now have no need for ;) So I'd be interested in selling it as I slowly downsize. You'd need to pick it up in south central Missouri as shipping would be impractical and expensive. Specifics: 11/23+ with 4MB RAM, selectable boot ROMs, two RL02 drives, floppy interface (set to 3.5" TEAC drive), 16-line serial ports, corporate cabinet with DEC power controller. Software including RT-11SJ, XM, TSX-Plus. Also have a VT-220 for the console which I may sell separately or with the system. Please email me *off-list* with offers, request for pics, etc. thanks Charles

1 year, 4 months

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IBM PC-XT

by Murray McCullough

I look back fondly on the IBM PC-XT of 41 years ago. It was very pricy here in the Great North but it allowed for a much more advanced computing environment. What one could do with a 10MB hard disk! Granted it was far more popular in the business world than the consumer one. However, it made possible much greater developments that hobbyists and experimenters latched onto. Happy computing! Murray 😊

1 year, 4 months

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VCF Midwest Hotel Booking Opens 3/8

by Jason T

Hello classic computing fans! The new website for VCF Midwest is up at https://vcfmw.org. Who knows the design inspiration without asking a (Commodore) friend?? Apologies if it doesn't render well on your device. I don't have your device! Room booking for the show will open this afternoon (Friday 3/8). It will be announced via the mailing list and a refresh of this web page (at the "HOTEL" link.) Lots more rooms this time, and we're starting with an empty block. But it's still best to book early if you want to stay at the show hotel! See you in September... -jt

1 year, 4 months

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Requesting Lisp Machine photos

by John Floren

I'm gathering photos of Lisp machines (of all makes and models). If you've got them scanned already, that's great, otherwise I have a scanner if you're willing to entrust your photos to me temporarily. Let's take replies off-list unless you think it'll be of general interest to subscribers. Thanks, John

1 year, 4 months

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Looking for TMS0106NC chip

by Charles

I hope a 1974 desk calculator (Radio Shack EC-2000, a re-badged TI-3500) is considered sufficiently both classic and computer for this list. :) The one IC, a TI TMS0106NC, has failed and I'm searching everywhere for a replacement. There's an -0103 on ebay from the same family which would substitute, but it's only 8 digits and this is a 10 digit machine. Plus it's $31 with postage, more than the calculator itself is worth! If anyone has one, or knows where I can get this IC, new or a pull, please let me know. Thanks!

1 year, 4 months

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RD54 Maxtor XT-2190 w/one long meep

by Jacob Ritorto

Hi! Remember the blearrnnnnt-meeeeeelrp sounding seek oscillation noise that the RD54 makes when you turn it on -- after it spins up, unlatches and loads the heads? Well, I took a chance on an el-(c)heapo ePay special RD54 that does all these things perfectly up until the seek oscillation thing and then only makes one steady meeee- sound that seems to last indefinitely (or at least until I get tired of listening to it after a few minutes). Would anyone here know enough about these disks to venture a guess at where to begin troubleshooting this? thx jake P.S. If I'm being too vague, let me restate: I can hear it spin up, bearings sound normal, hear it unlock its head lock latch, then a perfectly *slight* noise of head actuation and the normal accompanying barely audible riding-on-air head noise. Then I expect to hear the two seek tones, but only get one steady seek tone that lasts (I assume) forever.

1 year, 5 months

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Visual 50 terminal troubleshooting

by William Sudbrink

I have a Visual 50 terminal that I am now troubleshooting. I got it in the late 1980s and it worked fine until 1995. I can't find a good schematic for it or ROM images. Its symptom is that it powers up to continual beep (solid tone, not repeated beeps) with a cursor on the screen. This is not in the troubleshooting table of the manual that I have. I know the keyboard is capacitive foam pads. I was hoping that was the trouble, but it is not. I disassembled the keyboard and removed the old pads, replacing a few with some spares I had from SOL20 repairs. Has anyone corrected this problem before? I suspect that the EPROMs are going. Thanks, Bill Sudbrink -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com

1 year, 5 months

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Re: mod.sources archive?

by Dennis Boone

> Googling for "mirror uxc.cso.uiuc.edu" found me one hopeful hit: > https://www.funet.fi > pub > misc > Notes.README Ron, Another good search approach that I hadn't thought of. Many thanks! De

1 year, 5 months

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mod.sources archive?

by Dennis Boone

Does anyone have or know of an archive of old mod.sources (predecessor of comp.sources.unix) posts? I know googlegroups has it, but that only means nothing since it's effectively inaccessible there. De

1 year, 5 months

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Decwriter III self test issue?

by W2HX

Hi all, I recently acquired a very nice decwriter III and it seems in good nick. However, the self test "hangs" on the return direction of the second line. Here is a video on it: https://youtu.be/pj6rk5Dlnbk Anyone have any ideas where to look? In local mode, it appears to work properly. I haven't tried any external serial connection yet. 73 Eugene W2HX My Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx/videos

1 year, 5 months

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QProbe2023 - QBUS Blinkenlights

by Joerg Hoppe

Fellow nerds, not sure who knows about this project, so here an announcement ... again? As QBUS PDP-11s (03,23,73,83,93, also uVAX) don't have lots of lamps&switches like the old UNIBUS machines, their owners suffer on "Blinkenlight envy". So I was pushed to pimp up the QBUS diagnostic adapter "QProbe" https://www.retrocmp.com/tools/qprobe Model "QProbe2023" has now focus on entertainment. There's a QBUS signal display in style of old PDP-10/12/15 rack header panels. It can be build into a 5.25" drive case ... or into the BA23 case itself. https://www.retrocmp.com/tools/qprobe/327-qprobe2023-overview By lucky incident you can even see the idle loop pattern of RSX11M+ on some J11 systems. See a full boot of RSX11M+ at time index 5:56 of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajAcxGwK-vQ As it also has RESTART/HALT/AUX switches, it's also helpful for PDP-11s mounted case-less in a standalone backplane (like the one at https://retrocmp.com/projects/lsibox and on the "Frankenstein" video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoW7Szkppww&t=403s ) Btw for unknown reasons, I cannot register to classiccmp itself ... CC me direct in your replies. kind regards, Joerg

1 year, 5 months

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Re: Paper tape in casettes...

by erik＠baigar.de

Hi Jon! > think the Bendix G-15 had cassettes for the 5-level tape > they used. Aha, interesting! Did a short search, but have not been able to find a picture of a casette. Just a pile of paper tape instead ;-) https://images.app.goo.gl/HYqkpYHJUxZeGfiA8 > of mylar tape instead of paper. OS boot tapes might be punched > on that. Yes, for heavy use (and e.g. humid environments), the mil guys obviously used Mylar or heavily oiled tape. Although not experrienced myself, I was told that the Mylar tape cuts through the guiding pins of the readers over time. And yes, it also may easily cut one's fingers ;-) > much like plain paper tape, and simple mylar alone. The latter often > comes metallized on one side, and is glossy. Yes, that is the one within the casette and the aluminum as you expect is for optical reading (Most plastics including Mylar are quite transparent for IR light and in the old days, when thungsten bulbs where used, the IR part of the light was the major part contributing to the response of the photodiodes! > input medium for the university mainframe computer (Electrologica X8), > they used optical readers rated at 2000 characters per second. Wow - that is indeed pretty fast!!! My FACIT is 1200cps maximum and stopping "on character" as it is called is VERY hard at that speed. But buffering helps here and in case of the 920M, the casette is used for, there was no buffering. So software needs to be read in one run. Best wishes, Erik. ''~`` ( o o ) +--------------------------.oooO--(_)--Oooo.-------------------------+ | Dr. Erik Baigar Inertial Navigation & | | Salzstrasse 1 .oooO Vintage Computer | | D87616 Marktoberdorf ( ) Oooo. Hobbyist / Physicist | | erik(a)baigar.de +------\ (----( )---------------------------+ | www.baigar.de | \_) ) / +----------------------+ (_/

1 year, 5 months

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Re: Paper tape in casettes...

by Erik Baigar

Hi Paul, thanks for your answer and the interesting links... > > Aha, interesting! Did a short search, but have not been able to > > find a picture of a casette. Just a pile of paper tape instead ;-) > > > > https://images.app.goo.gl/HYqkpYHJUxZeGfiA8 > > Bitsavers has a collection of G-15 manuals. For a picture of an > open cassette, see PDF page 27 in http://bitsavers.org/pdf/bendix/g-15/60061400_G15D_Parts_Manual.pdf. Ahh OK, I see. But that is not a hermetically sealed casette suitable for outdoor use in windy, rainy weather like the one on my desk. As the thread deviated meanwhile, I guess the Elliott Mylar tape casette is a unique leftover from the old days ;-) Best wishes, Erik. ''~`` ( o o ) +--------------------------.oooO--(_)--Oooo.-------------------------+ | Dr. Erik Baigar Inertial Navigation & | | Salzstrasse 1 .oooO Vintage Computer | | D87616 Marktoberdorf ( ) Oooo. Hobbyist / Physicist | | erik(a)baigar.de +------\ (----( )---------------------------+ | www.baigar.de | \_) ) / +----------------------+ (_/

1 year, 5 months

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Paper tape in casettes...

by Dr. Erik Baigar

Hi there - recently I posted a small video on a rugged paper tape casette... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2jnThYsPKc I wonder whether anyone kows if someone else had the idea of putting paper/mylar tape into a casette for repeated use e.g. to load an OS or similar. Best wishes, Erik. ''~`` ( o o ) +------------------------.oooO--(_)--Oooo.---------------------------+ | Dr. Erik Baigar Inertial Navigation & | | Salzstrasse 1 .oooO Vintage Computer | | D87616 Marktoberdorf ( ) Oooo. Hobbyist / Physicist | | erik(a)baigar.de +----\ (----( )-----------------------------+ | www.baigar.de | \_) ) / +----------------------+ (_/

1 year, 5 months

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"HB A8" ISA SCSI controller BIOS image?

by Ken Seefried

I have some 8-bit ISA 53c90a based SCSI controllers labeled "SCSI HB A8". Mine are made by "Advanced Information Concepts", but apparently they were also made by "Control Concepts". Unfortunately, mine don't have the BIOS chips installed. I have a picture of the card with a chip installed labeled "Ver-3.02 CCI 0991", so I know an 8k or 16k boot prom existed. Does anyone have such a card that they'd be willing to dump a prom image from (or let me borrow it to dump). KJ

1 year, 5 months

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Mexico’s SNIPE system?

by Jonathan Katz

A bit of an odd one…. I’m trying to figure out what type of computers ran Mexico’s infamous SNIPE electoral vote system in 1988. I have an LA Times article from 1994 talking about how the NEW system was RS/6000-based. But this was a system built in 1987-1988. Narcos Mexico had a pretty re-creation but I didn’t spy any brand names. Any ideas? I figure there may be photos or press releases from that time but my Google-fu (and español) is weak. -Jon +44 7792 149029

1 year, 5 months

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Seeking Z180 Assembly Programmer

by Sellam Abraham

When I was at the VCF SoCal last weekend I met a gentleman who was looking for someone with Zilog Z180 assembly language experience. He says he needs someone to rewrite code in what sounds like some kind of terminal server product he sells(?) to convert the protocol it uses from Televideo format to ANSI (because Televideo is getting harder to support). This gentleman said he has a modest budget for the project. Let me know if you might be particularly qualified and interested and I'll put you in touch with him and you can go from there. Sellam

1 year, 5 months

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Turbo Prolog

by Just Kant

Has anyone used it or something contemporaneous? Is it at all applicable to any degree to today's approach to AI/machine learning tasks? I would like to perhaps eventually create a game, probably not chess, lilely something simpler. The old expert system modeling paradigm seems to have largely if not entirely fallen out of favor. From what I'm reading though TP seems to be geared for that.

1 year, 5 months

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Re: Turbo Prolog

by Win Heagy

I bought a copy at a mall in Nashville TN some 30+ years ago. I was working at an airline at the time and was interested in the crew scheduling problem, as well as all things AI related. I never got too far using Prolog on that particular problem. I found the disks and manual like 13 years ago and made a short video and put it on youtube. Turbo Prolog was pretty speedy even on old hardware. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svcxu0xiH34 Win

1 year, 5 months

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Another blast from the past...

by Bill Gunshannon

So, here I was binge watching a scifi series called "Night Sky", which sadly was not renewed, but I digress... In one of the episodes two of the characters go to see a man who apparently is a monitor for something having to do with the devices that teleport people all over not only earth but other planets as well. He has this workbench covered with computers that look like mostly PC's but some could be Suns or other real computers. And many displays with really cool graphics. And sitting in the middle of all of this is ------- An IMSAI-8080. :-) Front panel is clearly visible in a number of scenes. Of course, with the program being canceled one has to wonder, did it go back into a prop warehouse somewhere or just the nearest dumpster? :-( bill

1 year, 5 months

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VCF SoCal

by Sellam Abraham

I'll be attending VCF SoCal on February 17-18 in Orange (California) in the capacity of a presenter (on a panel and a solo presentation). Is anyone else planning to attend the event? Sellam

1 year, 5 months

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@r.stricklin about VMS TK50 images

by Hans-Ulrich Hölscher

Hi, I tried several times to contact you directly via bear(a)typewriiten.org, but no success, so I'm trying it this way now: Could you please provide the images for the following software from your collection: - AQ-KZ18B-BE VAX/VMS V4.7A BIN TK50 - AQ-JG62A-BN MicroVMS V4.5 BIN TK50 - AQ-JT80A-BN MicroVMS V4.5B BIN TK50 I'm a collector of DEC hardware and software and I like to complete my "OldVMS collection". You know it's like stamp collecting - you always want the complete set ... Let me know if there is anything I can do for you! Regards Ulli The VAXorcist

1 year, 5 months

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FTGH: (3) Qualstar 1260 9 track tape drives pertec interface

by js＠cimmeri.com

2 units working when properly stored a few years ago. 1 unit, parts unit. Must take all 3. Tested successfully only with a PC and a VAX. Located in Frederick, Maryland, USA

1 year, 5 months

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Re: SOCAL VCF

by Smith, Wayne

> Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2024 20:12:15 -0800 > From: "Ali" <cctalk(a)ibm51xx.net> > Subject: [cctalk] SOCAL VCF > To: "'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'" > <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <059c01da62e9$d2b6ac60$78240520$@net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > So did anyone go? How was it? I never heard back from the organizers regarding the ticketing situation despite my, and Sellam's, best efforts so I skipped it. Hopefully, the event went better then the organization and the next one will have the bugs ironed out. > > -Ali I have been to around 10 VCFs, but not since VCF West XI in 2016. I drove down on Sunday morning and enjoyed it. There were some very interesting exhibits, many of which were video game/console or adjacent (e.g., Commodore SX-64) oriented. There was some great emulation work on display as well. Of note was what was not there. No IBM, no HP, no S-100, almost no big iron (a static Data General machine was the exception), and almost nothing pre-1980. The facility was quite nice, including the presentation room. The consignment table looked pretty picked over by the time I got to it. There was a guy in the consignment area with a small table selling comic books and he also had some Funkos. I wish I had actually known about the show prior to two weeks before so I could have at least thought about putting together an exhibit. Hopefully the show will continue! ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2024 23:03:43 -0800 From: "ShowRunner(a)VCFSoCal.com" <ShowRunner(a)VCFSoCal.com> Subject: [cctalk] Re: VCF SoCal To: Sellam Abraham <sellam.ismail(a)gmail.com> Cc: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org Message-ID: <7D28E49F-BB8E-4049-9056-5265721253FE(a)VCFSoCal.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Thanks Sellam. Tickets can be purchased at the door. I’m sorry they’re having trouble. We’ve got a constant stream of ticket purchases coming through. Perhaps try another browser or on their mobile? Micki > On Feb 16, 2024, at 2:26 PM, Sellam Abraham <sellam.ismail(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Hi Micki. > > I'm passing along this message from Ali. Can you please help him? > > I checked the website and verified that there is no obvious way to contact anyone in the organization for regular communication. Forgive me if I overlooked something. > > Thank you. > > Sellam > > > On Fri, Feb 16, 2024, 1:25 PM Ali via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org <mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote: >> > > One last question: >> > > >> > > Do kids get in free? If so what is the age cutoff? It looks like >> > > tickets are needed for everyone but figure I would check just in >> > case. >> > > >> > >> > Never mind... Important to read all the WAY to the END. LOL. Kids >> > 12 and under are free! >> >> >> Anybody successfully buy tickets? I tried and I get an error that check out isn't working and to contact them. Of course like all good sites they provide absolutely no way to contact them. If anyone has contact info that would be great or if anyone knows that tickets can be purchased at the door? Otherwise hard pass here. No way I am driving to the OC, in possible SoCal rain traffic, without something a bit more solid.... >> >> -Ali >> ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2024 01:26:07 -0600 From: Steve Lewis <lewissa78(a)gmail.com> Subject: [cctalk] Re: SOCAL VCF To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> Message-ID: <CACG-qZxqciMv2=SZFEqnYxbSS4KfntQHym+eKzGrvT3tYLgZ2w(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" I was able to make it, and the weather turned out very fair. Here is my summary review of the two days. Sorry about the ticket issue - I was able to get an online ticket the day before the event without issue. VCF SoCal 2024 — voidstar <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://voidstar.blog/vcf-socal-2024/__;!!AQdq3… > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://voidstar.blog/vcf-socal-2024/__;!!AQdq3… -SteveL On Sun, Feb 18, 2024 at 10:11 PM Ali via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote: > So did anyone go? How was it? I never heard back from the organizers > regarding the ticketing situation despite my, and Sellam's, best > efforts so I skipped it. Hopefully, the event went better then the > organization and the next one will have the bugs ironed out. > > -Ali > > > > > ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:20:02 -0800 From: "Ali" <cctalk(a)ibm51xx.net> Subject: [cctalk] Re: SOCAL VCF To: "'Steve Lewis'" <lewissa78(a)gmail.com>, "'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'" <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> Message-ID: <000301da630c$70d69780$5283c680$@net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" >I was able to make it, and the weather turned out very fair. > >Here is my summary review of the two days. Sorry about the ticket issue - I was able to get an online ticket the day >before the event without issue. Steve, Thanks for the excellent write up and the great pictures. It looks like it was a fun, and packed, event. Sorry I missed it. Hopefully I can make it next year. Yeah, I am not sure what the problem was with the tickets and I didn't know if there was going to be tickets available at the door so I opted to skip out on the 55 mile drive. I did finally hear back from Micki. Unfortunately, she didn't reply back to me directly and instead sent a reply to the list which I did not receive until tonight (Sunday) at 2300. It just wasn't meant to be this time around. LOL! -Ali End of cctalk Digest, Vol 504, Issue 1 **************************************

1 year, 5 months

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VCF East 2024 Tickets on sale now! (Wall, NJ April 12-14)

by Jeffrey Brace

VCF East takes place in Wall, NJ at InfoAge Science and History Museums (formerly Camp Evans). For more information: https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-east/ Lots of great exhibits, speakers, consignment, Atari Classroom and Glitch Works workshop. Tickets for VCF East (Eventbrite) <https://vcfeast.eventbrite.com/> – Non-VCF Members should use this link. Discounted tickets for VCF Members Only (VCF’s website) <https://vcfed.org/membership/event/info/?reset=1&id=18> – VCF members should use this link. To get the 20% discount you need to become a VCF member by Clicking Here <https://vcfed.org/membership/> Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner

1 year, 5 months

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SOCAL VCF

by Ali

So did anyone go? How was it? I never heard back from the organizers regarding the ticketing situation despite my, and Sellam's, best efforts so I skipped it. Hopefully, the event went better then the organization and the next one will have the bugs ironed out. -Ali

1 year, 5 months

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PDP/11 Available in Denver Area

by Jason T

Hello - I was contacted recently by a non-collector who is cleaning out their parents estate. They have what they describe as a PDP-11/23 system with various accessories (maybe terminal, printer, docs, etc?) which they would like to see go to a collector, rather than a scrapper. As I am not near Denver, Colorado, I am posting here in the hope that someone out there who is may want to take on the '11 and whatever comes with it. If you are interested, please reply to me directly and I can put you in touch with the owner. -jt -- s700.net

1 year, 5 months

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Re: VCF SoCal

by Smith, Wayne

I am certainly with you on that, Marvin. I have exhibited at 8 or 9 VCFs (my first was VCF 3) and was on the mailing list as recently as August 2023 (but apparently no more) and only happened to see the event being discussed in this forum. Thanks to Wayne Sudol for posting the information. Odd that a VCF finally comes to my home turf and this is the one I only find out about two weeks in advance! -----Original Message----- Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2024 11:54:03 -0800 From: Marvin Johnston <marvin(a)west.net> Subject: [cctalk] Re: VCF SoCal To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org Message-ID: <3d8c71e2-1730-51ca-88ef-6e87187f14a7(a)west.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed Note to those people too lazy to update their subject line... it is REALLY getting tiresome looking for information about the SoCal VCF and finding not one post giving any information about it let alone the multitude of posts seemingly with the subject line "VCF SoCal"!!! Sheesh!!! Kind of makes search totally (almost) useless. I'm still not sure of the date(s) or location except that it is in February somewhere in southern Orange County, CA USA.

1 year, 5 months

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Kennett Classic Workshop Tomorrow

by Bill Degnan

Just a reminder that out vintage computing workshop is tomorrow, all day and into the evening. Kennett Square, PA 9AM - 8PM For more details: https://www.kennettclassic.com/hack-a-thon-workshop-february-17th/ Bill

1 year, 5 months

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Repair Workshop/Hack-a-thon in Kennett Square, PA Sat., Feb. 17, 2024

by Jeffrey Brace

The Vintage Computer Federation and Kennett Classic will be doing a joint repair workshop/hack-a-thon Sat. Feb. 17, 2024. Hours: 9AM to 8PM. Signup here if you are interested: https://www.kennettclassic.com/hack-a-thon-workshop-february-17th/ <https://www.kennettclassic.com/hack-a-thon-workshop-february-17th/> Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

1 year, 5 months

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Re: NRAO Data tapes

by Mark Kahrs

The LSSM is getting into the Modcomp world, so we are very interested in the disposition of this media. The OS tapes would be particularly valuable.

1 year, 5 months

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VCF SoCal Saturday

by Bill Gunshannon

On 2/9/2024 5:08 AM, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote: > There's a good chance I'll make it to the upcoming VCF SoCal coming up on > Sat. the 17th. > > Some things I'm looking for: > - recently an associate of mine gifted me their original 1978 TRS-80 (Model > 1). But not much in accessories. I have a suitable tape deck, but other > accessories might be nice. His father used this particular unit while he > worked in the Tandy Towers in downtown FW (that's all I know about it so > far). > Checkout the MISE and MIRE from Bartlett Labs and the FreHD from Ian Mavric. bill

1 year, 5 months

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VCF SoCal Saturday

by Steve Lewis

There's a good chance I'll make it to the upcoming VCF SoCal coming up on Sat. the 17th. Some things I'm looking for: - recently an associate of mine gifted me their original 1978 TRS-80 (Model 1). But not much in accessories. I have a suitable tape deck, but other accessories might be nice. His father used this particular unit while he worked in the Tandy Towers in downtown FW (that's all I know about it so far). - any IBM 5100/5110 parts (including 8" disks); an associate here in Texas has gotten their IBM 5114 disk drive unit working, so we'd be interested in maybe copying disk files over to QIC tapes, and then somehow off-system to archive. And I'm still looking for a copy of "PC51" (a 5110 BASIC emulator that ran under MS-DOS 2.0), it was by CORE NET. Probably at most only a few hundred customers bought it (at its $3000 price tag) around 1983. - any parts for a Sharp PC-5000. Mine works, but I've been looking for a Sharp CE-510F floppy disk drive (that has a "special" 37-pin connector that makes it only work with some of the Sharp models - and I've verified it is not the same as the 37-pin connector used on the IBM PC 5150 controller card). - anyone who can replace the screen on an Atari Lynx. I have the parts, just don't have the talent :) - a ThinkPad 385CD. I have one and it's in really decent condition, but thinking I'd like to have a spare. Nice thing about the 385CD is it has both 3.5" floppy and CD-ROM. [ I'm specifically looking for 486DX or Pentium, so mid-1990s, not late 1990s - I have plenty of Pentium 3's and onward; going for a "period correct" OS/2 Warp setup, even though I do have ArcaOS on some 2001-era systems ] - I guess while I'm at it, I've also been seeking for a working Datapoint 2200 (or equivalent variant, any 1974 or earlier) or Wang 2200. Even just seeing either of those in working condition would be neat (working in terms of still booting to BASIC). I was surprised I didn't see one at VCF in Dallas last year (but they did have a HP9830 and Tek4051, those were neat to see and still working).. The Wang systems have some decent emulators, but I don't recall emulators for the early Datapoints.- so I've been curious about their font and if it was as good at the brochures show. I've read that the thing that really got Datapoint some money (initially) was they pulled off crisp 80-column early on (and from the IBM SCAMP journals, I read that even IBM struggled to do 80 cols - part of why the IBM 5100 was only 64-column). I just happen to be near LA that weekend, so hopefully it works out that I can get to this VCF event. Is it the first time being held in that area? Cheers, hope weather all works out for this event! -Steve

1 year, 5 months

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Oscar's PiDP 10 parts arrived in Panama today

by jim stephens

Just saw on Twitter that the parts (main ones being front panel castings) arrived, he's going to start kitting and sending to a fulfifllment center in Florida. I'm sure the audience here knows this, but this puts as marker in the record here, since it's been ongoing for 3 years (according to Oscar). Now to figure out how to get one. thanks jim

1 year, 5 months

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Re: Vmebus

by Wouter de Waal

> >Anyone have a VMEbus system they use at least occasionally? If so, what >make/model/config? I still use a couple of PPC VME boards (DY4 / Curtiss Wright 182/183/184, both Conduction-Cooled and Air-Cooled) to test the tail end of hardware that we are still shipping (by now EOL and basically NOS). But it's work, I don't find them interesting. If someone here has the warm fuzzies for PPC VME, we can talk :-) W

1 year, 5 months

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vt220 firmware source?

by Fritz Mueller

Hi folks, I’m working on a vt220 debug/repair and have gotten to the point where I need to trace firmware execution at boot. I’ve managed to dump the proms (close to but slightly different from the versions in Lars’ GitHub) and the 8051 internal rom, and can load and disassemble these with the s51 simulator. I also have an HP 1660 logic analyzer successfully configured and clipped up to capture instruction traces. I’m about to dive in to commenting the disassembly listings, but figured I’d ping here to see if anybody might have done this already in case I wouldn’t have to start from scratch? thanks much, —FritzM.

1 year, 5 months

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Re: VCF SoCal

by Marvin Johnston

Note to those people too lazy to update their subject line... it is REALLY getting tiresome looking for information about the SoCal VCF and finding not one post giving any information about it let alone the multitude of posts seemingly with the subject line "VCF SoCal"!!! Sheesh!!! Kind of makes search totally (almost) useless. I'm still not sure of the date(s) or location except that it is in February somewhere in southern Orange County, CA USA.

1 year, 5 months

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Northstar - odd abuse of 5.25" hard sector floppy disks

by r.stricklin

I recently acquired a stash of 5.25” Northstar-related floppy disks. About half are soft sector for the Northstar Dimension, the other half are 10 sector for the Advantage 8/16. There are, however, about a dozen 10 sector floppies all modified in the same curious way: they have had a write protect sticker stuck over the index hole. Some with the sticker on top, some on bottom; can’t think of any reason that would matter as blocked is blocked. But I’ll mention it. They seem to have something to do with the Dimension, maybe, as a couple of them are marked with NetWare 1.1.1 related labels (all handwritten). There is a set of what appears to be WordPerfect install floppies (though they don’t say WordPerfect specifically) . A couple also mention the odd term “smutched”. One is actually labeled “smutch.exe”. Tim Mann’s Catweasel tool (cw2dmk) was unable to find any valid sectors on them, using the option to ignore the index pulse. I am aware that some drives won’t enable data if the pulse is missing entirely but I used a drive that doesn’t care (Teac FD-55BR - I have used it to read unpunched “flippy” disks) and still got nothing. Does the Dimension really not need the index pulse, despite otherwise using an apparently standard WD-style format? Is something else going on? Does any of this ring any bells with the collected wisdom of the list? What am I likely dealing with here, if I want to recover the contents of these disks? Thanks. ok bear.

1 year, 6 months

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Re: Qume 842 8" Disk Drive Question

by Wouter de Waal

> >The drive works perfectly for double sided disks (using the >appropriate index hole). Yea, 8" drives are a bit funny like that. You know this, because context. Some future google-ologist might not. So. 8" drives have a different index position for SS and DS. In your case I suspect either the emitter LED or the receiver phototransistor ro maybe the wiring or what ever conditioning on the PCB is b0rken for the SS sensor. Assuming of course your drive has two sensors -- I have not yet owned an 8" drive like that, the ones I have had were dedicated SS or DS. W

1 year, 6 months

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WTB: x68000 keyboard and mouse

by Ethan O'Toole

USA here, anyone have a Sharp x68000 keyboard and mouse to sell? The one that I've repaired and am trying to complete is the desktop version, black, mini-din connector. -- : Ethan O'Toole

1 year, 6 months

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Re: VCF SoCal

by Wouter de Waal

>I have found that computers are much like motorcycles: many of the >most interesting were never available in the US. Computers are much like motorcycles: many of the most interesting ones were TERRIBLE! W

1 year, 6 months

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Re: VCF SoCal

by Bill Gunshannon

On 1/31/2024 8:30 PM, mark audacity romberg via cctalk wrote: > I suppose I should’ve specified “of the versions of BASIC I’ve ever heard anyone talk about still using this century.” :P Basic09 is probably still in use on OS9000. VAX BASIC is still in use on VMS ALPHA and Itanium and is about to be released for the recent port of VMS to x86-64. I personally know of a number of rather large production systems in VMS BASIC. RSTS/E is harder to say. There are still a large number of PDP-11 sites running using both real hardware and commercial emulator systems but which OSes they are using I can't say. Could be all RT-11 and RSX-11. But then, BASIC-PLUS and BASIC-PLUS2 both run on RSX-11 as well. I just don't have much experience with RSX-11 as I never really liked it. And none of this takes into account hobbyists like me who use all of them. bill

1 year, 6 months

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Vmebus

by Bill Degnan

Anyone have a VMEbus system they use at least occasionally? If so, what make/model/config? Bill

1 year, 6 months

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NEC APC external floppy drivers needed

by Just Kant

I don't even have an APC anymore. But since this thing is eyeing me menacingly I figured I'd put the request out. Butler Flats Associates dual external 5 1/4" accoutrement, has it's own controller card (based on wd1771/1772 iirc). Contact me off list if you have these. Much appreciated. Sent with [Proton Mail](https://proton.me/) secure email.

1 year, 6 months

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ADM3a screen rot.

by William Sudbrink

A quick note on ADM3a screen rot... my vintage collection resides in a cool (60-72 degrees F) dry basement. My "pride and joy" ADM3a (I have several) was just starting to show a few bubbles at the corners last September. I was pulling out some parts units on Friday and noticed that one had a much better screen than I remembered. Thinking that I might swap screens, I took a close look at "PnJ" and discovered to my horror that most of the lower half of the screen had "melted". "PnJ" was on a shelf, below eye level, nowhere near a vent or other source of heat. I was so annoyed that I immediately started cleaning/repair without taking any pictures (sorry). Fortunately, there does not appear to be any corrosion from the "goo". I completely desoldered and removed the keyboard assembly to get all of the crud out of (and out from under) it. The mainboard is a fully socketed example and the crud is down in several of the sockets. I'm still working on that. Anyway, the take away is don't assume (like I did) that the ruined ADM3as you see are the result of temperature extremes. It can happen anywhere. Keep a close eye on yours if you have one. Bill S. -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com

1 year, 6 months

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11/15, 11/20 systems and parts, more

by Paul Anderson

I am working on a deal which includes several PDP11/15 or 20s. I will be looking at them next week and hope to get more details. I will look for exact model numbers and configuration.At least 2 of them have non DEC silkscreens on the front panel. Also a selection of 11/05 and 11/10 including 5 1/4 box, BA11-D, and BA11-K units. If you are interested in a box or parts please email me off list. Thanks, Paul

1 year, 6 months

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The MAC at 40

by Murray McCullough

The Apple Mac, 40 years old, came from Xerox PARC’s GUI and Apple’s LISA. Not sure that it really changed computing though! Financially it didn't help Apple until after 1997 and Gate's investment. Happy computing! Murray 🙂

1 year, 6 months

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Looking for 1970s OAK keyboard switches...

by John Robertson

I've been hunting for a while now for OAK PCB mount keyboard switches that I can't find a part number for. I've attached a product listing for the switch that shows it pretty well. DPST-NO preferred. Only $0.40 in the early '70s! Any quantity considered... Thanks! John :-#)# -- John's Jukes Ltd. 7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3 Call (604)872-5757 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games) flippers.com "Old pinballers never die, they just flip out"

1 year, 6 months

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