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Comstar Computer Systems System 4 Intel 4004 based Industrial Computer

by Christian Liendo

Back in Nov of 2023 Ed Sharpe asked the following: “Was there ever a COMPUTER using a 4004 that you could really do something or did that finally arrive with the 8008” https://classiccmp.org/mailman3/hyperkitty/list/cctalk@classiccmp.org/messa… I hope to answer that question, or at least spark a discussion. For a number of years now I have been researching this computer called a Comstar System 4 which is based on the Intel 4004. The Comstar Corporation of Minneapolis was a developer of microcomputer control and automation systems and in 1972 released the System 4 microcomputer. Comstar built a general purpose capable computer that could be programmed to do a multitude of tasks but their market focus was industrial automation. Comstar was eventually bought by Warner & Swasey in 1974 to integrate their computers into the Warner & Swasey product line. Warner & Swasey was a huge manufacturer of industrial machines. So they bought Comstar to be their Computer division. In fact it was called " Warner & Swasey Comstar Microcomputer Electronic Products" Warner and Swasey also licensed the Micral N to do the same and we call the Micral N a computer. The Micral N was designed for process control, but we know of it as a computer. Now before anyone argues about if this is a computer or not, I will state the following. It was called a Microcomputer in the ACM titled "Development of a portable compiler for industrial microcomputer systems " It was called a Microcomputer in Electronics Magazine July 11th 1974 It was listed as a Microcomputer in "Auerbach Guide to Minicomputers" April 1976 & Winter 1976 - 1977 It was listed as a Microcomputer in Datamation Magazine Dec 1974 It was called a Microcomputer in "A MICROCOMPUTER BASED SUBSTATION CONTROL SYSTEM" The University of Oklahoma, Ph.D., 1975 Engineering, electronics and electrical Page 90 It was listed as a Microcomputer in the Intel MCS 4 User Manual Feb 1973 page 171 It was listed as a Microcomputer in Electronics Magazine Jan 1973, they promote the 4004 and 8008 and use the System 4 as an example. The reality is this existed, was 4004 based and there were discussions about it in the media at the time. Anyway I wanted to see if there was more interest in researching this computer. I listed a number of articles and references below that either discuss Comstar, The Warner Swasey Computer Division, the “System 4” or “Star 4” Computer. All the Manuals and schematics I was able to upload to archive.org https://archive.org/search?query=subject%3A%22Comstar+Computer+Systems%22 Computer History Museum's Archive of the Manual https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102686568 Pictures of the items I have collected so far https://imgur.com/a/Oyts3A9 The website "Internet Scripophily Museum of Computing" has a page on the history of The Warner & Swasey Company. It's a decent timeline of the company http://ismoc.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-warner-swasey-company.html "Development of a portable compiler for industrial microcomputer systems" by LEROY H. ANDERSON The Warner & Swasey Company, it discusses the system and has images on the unit. https://www.computer.org/csdl/pds/api/csdl/proceedings/download-article/12O… In the ACM's archives "Development of a portable compiler for industrial microcomputer systems" by LEROY H. ANDERSON The Warner & Swasey Company, it discusses the system and has images on the unit. https://www.computer.org/csdl/pds/api/csdl/proceedings/download-article/12O… Electronics Magazine July 11th 1974 Article: Industrial Automatic control proliferates, they are mentioned on page 84 & 85 https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Electronics/70s/74/Electronics-19… There is a mention about the compiler in the IEEE on Page 25 under Compiler Programmer https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=6368812 Computer Design Magazine Nov 1975 Page 129 they talk about the compiler. https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_ComputerDe_90611286/page/128/mode/2up The Intel MCS 4 User Manual Feb 1973 page 171 and in Electronics Magazine Jan 1973, they promote the 4004 and 8008 and use the System 4 as an example. http://www.bitsavers.org/components/intel/MCS4/MCS-4_UsersManual_Feb73.pdf https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Electronics/70s/73/Electronics-19… There are a number of sources that list the computer as a "microcomputer" and provide specs showing it being 4004 based. Datamation Magazine Page 97 & 101 http://www.bitsavers.org/magazines/Datamation/197412.pdf In "Auerbach Guide to Minicomputers" April 1976, the computer is mentioned on page 54 and page 70. http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/auerbach/Auerbach_Guide_to_Minicomputers_Apr76… In "Auerbach Guide to Minicomputers" Winter 1976 - 1977, the computer is mentioned on page 32 http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/auerbach/Auerbach_Guide_to_Minicomputers_1976-…

1 year, 1 month

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Re: IBM 5155

by Ali

>Is it likely there is one of those little batteries on it that would>now be dead and need replacing before I try to use it?>Congrats and no. This is your std XT (5160) MB just shoved in a case with a handle and monitor.>And, also, would this have a floppy controller on it that was capable>of reading and writing disks from systems like the TRS-80 with an SD boot track?>If it works on an XT it will work on a 5155. If not then no.

1 year, 1 month

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DEC MAD-11

by hupfadekroua

Hi All, In my collection I do have a blinkenlight front panel with a label MAD-11. Based on the adress and data switches the system should be of 18 Bits wide. I don‘t see any kind of references or links to docs while querying the internet. Does some of you have any information or hints available? A.

1 year, 1 month

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Philips P3800 key lock swtch

by Tony Duell

Does anyone know anything about the key lock on the mains on/off switch of the P3800? I have one without a key. I can't identify the lock manufacturer (no markings on it at all) so I've not been able to get a blank to cut a replacement key. A friend who is a locksmith said she'd never seen anything like it. Any ideas who made the lock itself? Were all P3800 machines normally 'keyed alike' If so, a copy of an existing key (anyone have one?) would be a great help. Yes, I can trvially bypass the lock/switch mechanically or electrically. But I want to try to get this thing as original as possible. -tony

1 year, 1 month

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Wanted: DEC ba23 or ba123 chassis

by lbmgmusic＠gmail.com

I am building up a micro vax and need an empty chassis. Given the number of dec boards on ebay, I assume (hopefully) that there are some empty chassis out there. Please PM if you know of an option. tnx jc

1 year, 1 month

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Re: Finding a Honeywell 316?

by Adrian Stoness

digging through emails and just found this again strangely i have the h316 manuals from lynn lake found them in my house i bought in 2017 did some digging around to find the system but it got tossed out in 2016 apparently argg On Sat, Jul 21, 2012 at 10:39 PM Paul Anderson <wackyvorlon(a)me.com> wrote: > My father worked in a mine in the '70s that was using a Honeywell 316 for > process control. I was thinking it might be neat to see if I could track > one down. What are they worth the days? How common are they? > > Sent from my iPad >

1 year, 1 month

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Wanted: DEC ba23 or ba123 chassis

by lbmgmusic＠gmail.com

I am building up a micro vax and need an empty chassis. Given the number of dec boards on ebay, I assume (hopefully) that there are some empty chassis out there. Please PM if you know of an option. tnx jc

1 year, 1 month

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Wanted: 64Mb 72-pin, single sided, non-ecc, non-parity SIMMs. 3.3V and 5V tolerant or 5V

by Anders Gustafsson

Asking for a friend �� Reason is this... I built an expansion board for the HP1000 A-series. I found some modules on eBay that work fine for me, but a friend that built the board have had probems finding and yes, most of the vendors on eBay do not know what they are selling and the picture might not match what you get. So I am asking here if anyone has a module they might want to part with. The board design is here: https://www.dalton.ax/hp1000/memory/ -- Med vänlig hälsning Anders Gustafsson, ingenjör anders.gustafsson(a)pedago.fi | Support +358 18 12060 | Direkt +358 9 315 45 121 | Mobil +358 40506 7099 Pedago interaktiv ab, Nygatan 7 B , AX-22100 MARIEHAMN, ÅLAND, FINLAND

1 year, 1 month

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Skype

by Murray McCullough

It is with some sadness to here of Skype's demise even though MS owned it. It's not necessarily on topic of 'ancient' personal computing but then again maybe it is! Happy computing, Murray 🙂

1 year, 1 month

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Summer house keeping.

by Jerry Wright

I have some more thing to move out of my shop. These are in Kent Washington. most are too big to ship. Hp 1000f 2117f computer. Lots of boards. Unknown condition. looks good. 400.00Hp 2753a Paper Tape 100.00Hp 7906 drive 200.00 HP 7970e Tape HPIB interface in cabinet 100.00HP 7970B tape 50.00 HP 9000/380 in Desk side Cabinet with drives and Hi-Res graphics 250.00 Intel 310 development system 200.00 General Automation computer 100.00 HP K-210 server works with drives in a Rack Free Sun 4-260 desk side computer. No drives. missing top cover. did boot 200.00 Dec 11/44 loaded with boards in Rack, comes with 2) RA-80's, 1) TU80 in 42" rackHas 2 RA81 and 2 RA 91 drives.( loose), + a second 42" cabinet, with a 11/44 chassis, (no Boards) with a Power supply. (mint) Computer has booted in the past, but now has 12v power supply issues 600.00 Dec 11/34 Chassis and Boards 300.00 Nova 3 Chassis, Front panel and Boards 450.00 Nova 4 Chassis and boards 200.00 3 DG Desk Top computers. made out of modular units connected together like model 10/20 Style 50.00 each Altos 486, 586, 5-15AD desk tops computers 50.00 each Private Mail please with questions and or requests. most have not been turned on. Some have but years ago. All stored in a heated shop. - Jerryg-wright(a)att.net

1 year, 1 month

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