1 Nov
2024
1 Nov
'24
11:01 a.m.
Nope. Read the documentation for the chip. Turns out that the HCF instruction basically
sent the chip into an internal loop which would render parts of it unusable after about
30-45 seconds.
Tried it once and the chip got hot. Very very hot and then just stopped working.
David
On Nov 1, 2024, at 9:55 AM, Peter Coghlan via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
David Barto wrote:
There is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success,
nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things.
For the reformer has enemies in all those who profit by the old order,
and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new...
--Niccolo Macchiavelli, The Prince
David Barto
barto(a)kdbarto.org
The 6502 had a HCF (halt and catch fire) undocumented instruction.
I forget the opcode and if you knew what you were doing you could get the instruction
executed on the chip using any assembler.
Security through obscurity back in the 70s.
The chip was advanced enough that the DOD wanted to avoid it falling into the “wrong”
hands.
David
Sent from iPhone Hotblack Desiato
Did someone tell you this on April 1st?
Regards,
Peter Coghlan
Sent from my DEC Alphaserver 800