- cctalk - classiccmp.org

by Steve Lewis

Is anyone familiar with WICAT Systems? I came across their ad in BYTE Nov 1981 (page 84), with a claim of "first family of microcomputers with mainframe capability" It is a 68000 based system (like the Lisa?), one configuration offers 400x300 monochrome graphics. Ad also claims 1.5MB main memory and a multi-user operating system ("UNIX/V7 and a CP/M Emulation also available") called MCS. Address mentions Orem, Utah. Haven't come across a price sheet, but I imagine they were quite expensive ($6000+ would be my guess). From the images, looks to me the main problem is a lack of an expansion bus (and overall not a very appealing-looking system). Was just curious if anyone had witnessed one ever running. -Steve

2 years, 3 months

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Earliest version of 3b2/400 sim

by KenUnix

Hi, Does anyone know the oldest version of the SIM 3b2/400 is and where I can get it? Thanks, Ken -- WWL 📚

2 years, 3 months

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Re: cctalk Digest, Vol 233, Issue 1

by badbob

Message: 1 Date: Sun, 2 Apr 2023 11:26:58 -0400 From: KenUnix <ken.unix.guy(a)gmail.com> Subject: [cctalk] Earliest version of 3b2/400 sim To: CCTALK <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> Message-ID: <CAJXSPs_duQJNrpdf=gy1iZyPta5-wpoDJ-CUdJyhqdqL281gKw(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Hi, Does anyone know the oldest version of the SIM 3b2/400 is and where I can get it? Thanks, Ken -- Found this toohttps://loomcom.com/3b2/emulator/ - 2017-12-27: HD135 and HD161 are now both recognized names forthe Maxtor XT-2190 disk drive. - 2017-12-27: Fix for CPU traps. The UNIX debugger sdb should nowwork correctly under System V Release 3. - 2017-12-17: Minor compiler warning fix. - 2017-12-16: Fixed a FIFO overflow bug in the CONTTY device. - 2017-12-15: Critical MMU bugfix. - 2017-12-13: Improved support for multiple hard disk drives, aswell as adding support for additional hard disk geometries. - 2017-12-09: Added support for the secondary on-board serialterminal (CONTTY). RMS

2 years, 3 months

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Re: cctalk Digest, Vol 233, Issue 1

by badbob

1. Earliest version of 3b2/400 sim (KenUnix) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sun, 2 Apr 2023 11:26:58 -0400 From: KenUnix <ken.unix.guy(a)gmail.com> Subject: [cctalk] Earliest version of 3b2/400 sim To: CCTALK <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> Message-ID: <CAJXSPs_duQJNrpdf=gy1iZyPta5-wpoDJ-CUdJyhqdqL281gKw(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Hi, Does anyone know the oldest version of the SIM 3b2/400 is and where I can get it? Thanks, Ken This is what I have found after searching, which implies around or before Nov 2017, AT&T 3B2 400 emulated Posted on November 24, 2017 https://virtuallyfun.com/2017/11/24/att-3b2-400-emulated/ WWL 📚 End of cctalk Digest, Vol 233, Issue 1 **************************************

2 years, 3 months

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DEC RSX BACKUP.SYS (bup?) files

by Chuck Guzis

I've got a few RX50 floppies that are *part* of a couple of backup sets. I don't have the complete sets, so the backup utility (BUP?) won't process the set in bits and pieces. Is the BACKUP.SYS file format documented anywhere? This is the file that starts out "JOURNAL", a few nulls, then "MICRORSX" Any help would be appreciated! TIA, Chuck

2 years, 3 months

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TREK7 is back! - TREK7 FORTRAN Multi-User Game (PDP-10/VAX) Revived

by Hans-Ulrich Hölscher

The Star Trek simulation game TREK7 was written in FORTRAN by Donald M. Ecclestone in the early 70ties for the PDP-10. The game was ported to VAX computers running VMS in 1978 by the author with the help of Dan Gahlinger. For some years TREK7 fell into a deep slumber until in 1993 Dan Gahlinger decided to revive it, but some severe bugs remained, hindering any successful round of game. Last year I began to work on the problems still present in TREK7. After detecting and fixing more than 60 bugs (mostly caused by transcription errors) step by step, the game is playable again now. Dan Gahlinger backed out of the project and I am the maintainer of TREK7 now. For details see: https://gunkies.org/wiki/TREK7 Former TREK7 players please give me a shout! Ulli The VAXorcist

2 years, 3 months

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MIT Lisp Machine and ucode recovered

by Eric Moore

Originating in 1960, Lisp is second only to Fortran as the oldest programming language still in use today. Historically used for research, artificial intelligence, and mathematics, Lisp remains relevant in these fields, as well as in quantum computing research and other cutting-edge applications. In the mid-1970s, researchers sought high-performance, single-user, interactive machines due to the constraints of running their code on large multi-user mainframes. Such machines would allow for more efficient and flexible research and development. Richard Greenblatt at the MIT AI Lab spearheaded the development of the first dedicated Lisp machines, including the successful CONS machine and later CADR machines. MACSYMA, a symbolic mathematics program written in Lisp which consumed significant resources on the PDP-10 running ITS, was a key motivator for the Lisp Machine's creation. LispM hackers in residence, including Daniel Weinreb (DLW), David Moon (MOON), Richard Stallman (RMS), John L. Kulp (JLK), Mike McMahon (MMcM), and others, were responsible for the overall system development. Kulp designed the legendary Space Cadet keyboard, known for its unique key arrangements and symbols, and Moon and Weinreb wrote the first and second Lisp Machine editors (EINE, ZWEI) respectively. Brad Parker developed the first working CADR simulator (usim), which emulates the MIT CADR, and with the Lisp Machine microcode running on top, allows users to explore the historic system and its unique features. Until recently, only up until system 78 of the LISP operating system and microcode from MIT could be emulated. Alfred M. Szmidt (AMS) received copies of backup tapes containing systems 98 and 99, dating from 1983 and 1984, respectively, and was able to get them running after a decade of effort. The bootstrap process was an impressive hack, due to the Lisp Machine's use of network booting and a mixture of compiled and uncompiled code. Szmidt has now iterated the distribution to system 100 with all of his fixes included. This marks the first time in 35 years that anyone can use this environment, designed to support AI and computational research at the cutting edge. The windowing and graphical feel of the environment stand out, and the Lisp machine and CADR processor allow users to dive deep into the operating system's inner workings. The line between compiled and source code is thin, and users can open and read almost everything. The CADR machine served as the foundation for commercial products sold by LISP Machines, Inc., founded by Richard Greenblatt, and Symbolics, founded by MIT AI Lab ex-administrator Russell Noftsker. The emulator provides a glimpse into the height of 80s MIT hacker culture by booting to MIT System 100. Find more information and try the system out yourself via AMS's announcement post: https://tumbleweed.nu/r/bug-lispm/forumpost/7475d8a3db Or visit https://tumbleweed.nu/lm-3 -Eric

2 years, 3 months

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3.5' 1.44 & 720K compatible Read/Write FDDs

by D. Resor

Is there a list of floppy disk drives which could read and write both 3.5" 1.44mb and 720k diskettes? A product line of musical instruments (General Music/Ahlborn-Galanti) I service use 3.5" 720K DD floppy disk drives. I've never had any problems formatting or backing up data files prior on other instruments. Tuesday, I attempted to format a floppy disk using the instrument's internal FDD prior to backing up the data files. After the format an error appears "corrupted data". Which could mean so several different things from a bad floppy drive, etc. I currently have one box of Sony MFD-2DD 3.5" 720K Double Density Floppy diskettes which were bought new a few years ago, kept in their box, and stored in a dust free place. I've used them prior for the same purpose with no problems. I'd like to be able to verify at home that the diskettes haven't all suddenly gone bad. Thanks Don Resor

2 years, 3 months

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Call for Speakers - VCF Southwest (VCFSW) coming to Dallas in June!

by Eric Moore

Hello Vintage Computer Enthusiasts! VCF SouthWest (VCFSW) is returning to Dallas after a long hiatus! We will be gathering June 23rd to 25th, details at https://www.vcfsw.org/ We are seeking speakers, exhibitors, vendors, sponsors, and volunteers! We already have some great speakers and panels lined up, and are looking for people with stories to tell about computing in Texas especially. Details and a sign up form are on the website for signing up as an exhibitor or vendor, and speakers can contact the organizers at vcfsouthwest(a)gmail.com Vendor and exhibitor tables are $50 each, and we have a limited number of tables available inside. After the inside tables are sold, we will consider selling outdoor vendor spaces if there is demand. Sponsor packages are available, starting at $250. This includes prime vendor space if desired, and placement of the sponsors logo and promotional materials proportionate to the amount of the sponsorship. Please contact us with any questions, ideas, or concerns. Thank you for being awesome and supporting the vintage computer community!

2 years, 3 months

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ATA-3 50-pin IDE

by Steve Lewis

Is anyone familiar with the 50-pin IDE interface, which I think is called ATA-3? It is from around 1997-2002. Normally IDE is 40-pin, or in laptops might be a 44-pin. But in a COMPAQ Presario 1220, I've come across its hard drive that is using this 50-pin interface (two rows of 25-pin that are quite small/tightly spaced - moreso than even PCMCIA). I believe it is different (electrically) than the 1.8" 50-pin interface. I ordered a CF-to-50-pin adapter that is intended for those 1.8" drives, and it won't work on this ATA-2 port (system won't boot with it inserted). However, all my CF cards are larger than 2GB - so I'm not sure if that was the issue (don't think so, I think even with 8GB or larger it would still at least try to boot). The 2GB drive in this Presario (with the "weird' 50-pin IDE) contains Windows ME and Office 2000. That's cute, but I'm not so interested in that - I was hoping to image that drive for archive, then install something else (OS2). But I can't find any "ATA-3 to normal 40-pin IDE" adapter. I think the "6 extra pins" on this 50-pin (relative to normal 44-pin laptop drives of those days) -- 2 of those pins (5-6) aren't used (maybe a kind of key) and the 4 others (1-4) are vendor specific. So I may just be out of luck here in upgrading or replacing this drive with a more modern solution. But wanted to run it by the crew here before giving up. Thanks, -Steve / v*

2 years, 3 months

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