- cctalk - classiccmp.org

by W2HX

Hello all, I am looking for a device that sits transparently in an RS-232 serial line and upon seeing a particular code go over the serial line ((or sequence of codes) will actual a relay (or a transistor). Something with two DB25s or DE9s and is configurable to what code will trigger the output? Some kind of box? Does anyone know of such a thing? I guess it could be cobbled up with a microcontroller, but hoping to just get something "off the shelf." Thank you 73 Eugene W2HX Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx

3 years, 11 months

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NEC APC I / III available USA Massachusetts

by Rich Bramante

I am downsizing. These have been in storage for quite some time. I am about 25 miles N of Boston, MA and S of Nashua NH. These are both extremely heavy so no interest in shipping. Unfortunately I do not have any software for either system. The I is fairly clean and the kb is effectively new-old-stock with the box. Possibly unused. Powers on, green mono, single drive. The III powers on but I can't get a cursor on video (there is a flash at power cycle). It has seen more use than the I (yellowing, case screws missing). Photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6vbMnVZsZEkrpFGc8 e-mail if interested rich.bramante+cctech(a)gmail.com. Thank you.

3 years, 11 months

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Seeking a Sun monitor with 13W3 interface

by hi＠senzilla.io

Hi everyone, I'm seeking to buy a Sun Microsystems monitor with a 13W3 interface. Ideally somewhere around central Europe for pickup in person. But I'm happy to consider shipping options as well. Background: I'm looking to complete a Sun Ultra 1 build that I've been collecting parts for 🙂 Best regards, D.O.

3 years, 11 months

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HP Computer Museum update

by davidkcollins2＠gmail.com

Those who have an interest in vintage HP computing will most likely know of the HP Computer Museum (www.hpmuseum.net). The HP Computer Museum is the result of over 30 years of work by Jon Johnston who collected HP equipment and documentation and systematically catalogued, photographed and commented on almost all of the over 7,000 items in the collection. After Jon's death in 2016, I kept the museum website going and worked on restoring many of the more notable items in the collection to working order, but the museum has largely been static for the last six years. Jon's wish was that the collection would eventually find its way either to HP or to one of the major computer museums, and I'm pleased to advise that the Hewlett Packard Company Archives (HPCA) has agreed to take over the entire collection and website. With only a few exceptions, the museum's entire collection of HP hardware, software and manuals has now been shipped from Melbourne, Australia, to HPCA's archival company - Heritage Werks Inc, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The equipment will be catalogued and preserved as a record of HP's early years in computing, with the ability for HP offices to borrow equipment for display purposes. The HP Computer Museum website (www.hpmuseum.net <http://www.hpmuseum.net> ), which has long been a popular reference resource for enthusiasts and industry on HP's computing history, will continue and be maintained by the HPCA, through Heritage Werks, with the intent of ensuring ongoing access to the wealth of information collected by Jon and many other HP enthusiasts over the last 30 years. Over the coming weeks and months, the website will be relocated to new hosting platforms and the curatorship will transfer to Heritage Werks. This will bring to a close my role in maintaining Jon's legacy in HP computing. It's been a privilege to be responsible for the collection and the website and to see the value they bring to the vintage computing community. David Collins

3 years, 11 months

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Exabyte recovery

by Warner Losh

I have a few old exabyte tapes of possible historic value. Who can I pay to get them recovered that has the best chance of success? Warner

3 years, 11 months

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GLACIER-01 in the DataRover 840

by Cameron Kaiser

Cracked open my General Magic DataRover 840 to find out what specific MIPS R3000 variant is in it. However, the only chips that are large enough to be CPUs are *two* with Bowser logos marked (C)GMI JAPAN GLACIER-01 F840276. The other chips of notable size are easily identified as RAM, a sound/modem codec and the inverter for the LCD backlight. I've seen systems with two CPUs that handle two halves of an LCD (the Tandy PC-1 and Laser 50 come to mind), but none with a CPU this large. Any General Magic alums on the list who can explain more about these? -- ------------------------------------ personal: http://www.cameronkaiser.com/ -- Cameron Kaiser * Floodgap Systems * www.floodgap.com * ckaiser(a)floodgap.com -- "Endian Little Hate We" -- credits from Connectix Virtual PC 6 for Mac -----

3 years, 11 months

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CoreNET PC-51 info (IBM 5110)

by Steve Lewis

Is anyone familiar with PC-51 and/or CoreNET? These are IBM 5110/5120 related tools developed by an individual in the early 1980s. My understanding is PC-51 was an emulator that ran BASIC programs from the IBM 5110. One keyword new in the IBM 5110 was the "FORMS" keyboard, and you could define input fields (including type-formatting constraints, like sequence of letters and numbers) -- and once defined, you could relatively-easily store all the contents of the fields to a file (on tape or disk). I'm not entirely sure what format PC-51 supported (e.g. could read in ASCII text files containing the BASIC programs?). But I always imagined those customer data entry forms in old Radio Shack or Sears stores -- large department stores -- being developed in something like this. And CoreNET, I think was some kind of "null modem cable" that let the IBM 5110 communicate with an IBM PC 5150. The IBM 5110 has 3x DB25 connectors at the backside (and 1x DB15 cable like what became the "standard" joystick port on some systems in mid-late 1980s). The external tape and disk system would use these connectors -- with software driven from the ROS. I've always imagined it would be possible to "bit bang" across these external IO pins with some PALM-assembly -- the machine should be fast enough to encode 7-bit ASCII at 300 baud across those pins, maybe 1200. I'm not sure if CoreNET used or required any async card or the parallel communication card (that did IEEE-488), i.e. not sure if it was more than just a cable. But what's more interesting - apparently Sony is now the owner of both these assets, PC51 and CoreNET. Maybe Hal Prewitt sold it to them? Why would Sony be interested in it? Anyone happen to know anyone who works at Sony, or ideas on where to start on even "asking them" about it? Might be a lost cause these days. Anyone happen to have a copy of the old manuals of either of these? -Steve

3 years, 11 months

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Alacron i860 boards

by Tony Jones

I recently bought an Alacron FT200-AT dual i860 card. Basically the earlier ISA version of this: http://www.alacron.org/clientuploads/FT-200-PCI.PDF It included two manuals but no software. Alacron seems still in business but they didn't reply to email. I've called twice and noone answers their phone, it just goes to an anonymous voicemail. Does anyone have any software? I couldn't find anything via Google or on bitsavers. Thanks Tony

3 years, 11 months

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Replacement tachometer sensor for DEC RA80/1/2 drives ...

by Robert Armstrong

I have three DEC RA8x drives that have failed (all of them fault with "spin error") because of bad photo-interrupter tachometer sensors. After talking to a few friends, it sounds like this is a pretty common fault. Photo sensors like this are fairly common, even today, but the specific parts DEC used are weird and unobtainable. I designed a little PC board that uses an ITR9606 photo interrupter, a 2N3904 and a resistor as a replacement. Works great - gives a beautiful 5V P-P clean waveform and with the PCB it's a mechanical drop in replacement. Just screws right onto the original mounting holes and plugs into the original connector. I put the PCB design up on OSH Park https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/z8DSkQsP If anybody needs one you're welcome to order some PCBs and build your own. The ITR9606 is as common as dirt, and you can buy bags of ten on Amazon for a few bucks. I've also put a few pictures on the Facebook DEC Computer Users group. I'd post the pictures here, but I don't think cctalk accepts attachments. It's not really worth making a web page for it. Bob

3 years, 11 months

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IBM 4863 monitor sync problem (PCjr display)

by Cameron Kaiser

Got the Peanuts out today for a shakedown. They work well, or at least they did until about 5 minutes into playing Kings Quest when the h-sync on the monitor suddenly went out. Colours show and match what should be on screen but the horizontal display is scrambled. It does it on both Peanuts, so I think something in the display blew. Anyone recognize this issue? Seems like it should be a straightforward fix; I can't imagine this monitor is particularly complex internally. -- ------------------------------------ personal: http://www.cameronkaiser.com/ -- Cameron Kaiser * Floodgap Systems * www.floodgap.com * ckaiser(a)floodgap.com -- Put down your guns, it's Weasel Stomping Day! ------------------------------

3 years, 11 months

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