- test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org - classiccmp.org

A selection of VCFW 2019 pictures

by spectre＠floodgap.com

I've put up some of my pics in two parts since the blogs I maintain have somewhat different audiences. This isn't everything I shot but it's the ones I found most meaningful to me. http://tenfourfox.blogspot.com/2019/08/and-now-for-something-completely.html https://www.talospace.com/2019/08/power-stuff-and-other-stuff-at-vintage.ht… -- ------------------------------------ personal: http://www.cameronkaiser.com/ -- Cameron Kaiser * Floodgap Systems * www.floodgap.com * ckaiser at floodgap.com -- Everything you think you know is wrong. -- Jack Chalker --------------------

6 years, 10 months

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ADM-3A question

by charlesmorris800＠centurytel.net

After replacing the RAM, the display is now back to normal (there's also a test switch on the motherboard (S6) that switches the display from blank spaces to all zeroes. The one that failed was a National Semi 2102, whereas the others are all >from another manufacturer. No sign of previous replacement. Interesting. (I once fixed up a PDP-8/L, chased down several bad chips. Nearly all were Signetics 7440's). I may have made a tactical error though - turns out that wet/damp PVA is electrically conductive! Enough to overcome the 5k pullup resistors. An unpleasant surprise. So now the keyboard thinks multiple keys are being pressed and won't work at all. Removing the keyboard to clean underneath it would be very tedious since every key has two soldered pins... There was a significant buildup of goop underneath the key scan mux and demux chips where the pins are close together (0.1"). I gave the bottom half of the board another good rinse and will let it dry overnight, maybe a hair dryer too. Or get some more 91% alcohol to it and a longer low-temp bake. It all worked before my "cleanup" so I expect it will resume normal operation once the moisture is out of any remaining goop. I hope ;) --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 10 months

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DEC VT20 boot device

by pbirkel＠gmail.com

The DEC VT20 terminal apparently included a PDP-11/05 with a direct mapped character display and was intended for text editing and typesetting. It seems to have been followed by the VT21, and then VT71/VT72, all three based on an LSI-11 (KD11-F). There's a real lack of documentation about these online, although the VT72 does have a print set. Apparently the VT20 used the M792-YK as its bootstrap; the Field Guide is silent regarding the boot device and M792 documentation stops earlier in the series of variants. According to the VT72 print set, it used the MRV11-VC (M9942-YC; described in the Field Guide as a "bootstrap/diagnostic module") for its bootstrap but is also silent regarding the boot device. In interestingly, the Field Guide also describes a MRV11-AA (M7942-TB) as a "M7942 with VT52 emulator, VT71 bootstrap". For async. communications the VT20 used a DL11-B (M7800 (EIA)). the VT72 a DLV11-F (M8028). Looking in a DEC "Options and Modules" listing I see VT20 bundles including Typeset-11 and DECset-11, and it appears that the VT20 could be configured with two displays & serial lines in a single 11/05. So . is the boot device in these systems the remote host via the serial line? What protocol would that have been? Something native to Typeset-11 and DECset-11? paul

6 years, 10 months

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ADM-3A question

by charlesmorris800＠centurytel.net

Thanks Bill, I hadn?t seen that particular page. As I mentioned already, the formerly clear ?stuff? was so deteriorated I could just pull the glass plate off with gentle fingertip pressure. I ran a bead of clear silicone around the outside of the clean plate and CRT face and bonded them back together. Display looks great! However, I can now see that every other line, starting with line 2, is showing a full line of double quotes (0x22) instead of spaces (0x20). I read the circuit description and schematic, and it appears that bit ?2? is stuck high on the even-line RAM ? for some reason the designer decided to call the LSB bit 1 instead of bit 0. Typing (for example) ?abcdef123? shows the correct text on the blank odd lines, but on the even lines it echoes as ?cbcfef323?. Confirming that stuck bit. Looks like the RAM at location H15 should be the bad one... we?re having a heat wave and it?s too hot upstairs to work on it until tomorrow morning at the earliest. ETA: Now it's tomorrow morning and just cool enough (although 100% humidity, at least outside) but my replies aren't showing up in the archive - filtered somehow. Anyway. I did a bit more Googling and discovered that plain water dissolves the PVA goop just fine. No need to use a lot of expensive alcohol which seems to be a less effective solvent anyway! So I took the board out and scrubbed it in the kitchen sink with running warm water and an old toothbrush. Rinse with distilled water, now gently baking in the oven at around 140F to get the water out of the keyboard. Then onto the RAM replacement. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 10 months

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Alphaservers for free in Athabasca, Alberta

by rlloken＠telus.net

I have access to 3 ES45s, a DS15, and an RA8000 in a tall blue Compaq rack in Athabasca, Alberta. All the in-service disks were removed but all the spares are available. The box also has the fibre switches used the connect the RA8000 to the servers and the cables, much of the paper documentation, and assorted doodads. It would probably work if plugged in but it has been a year since it was turned off. Athabasca, Alberta is about 1.000km North of the US Montana border and 10,000km from nowhere but it is summer and the weather is nice so we might be able to load this great heavy beast on a trailer and haul it up to a day's drive away if anybody want this stuff. This is rural Alberta so a day's drive is a l-o-n-g way (like 1,000km?). I tried to give this away in early 2019 but the deal fell through. If I don't get a place to send it then I will keep the DS15 and convert the rest of it into scrap metal. -- Richard Loken VE6BSV : "...underneath those tuques we wear, Athabasca, Alberta Canada : our heads are naked!" ** rlloken at telus.net ** : - Arthur Black

6 years, 10 months

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Test

by charlesmorris800＠centurytel.net

Testing 1,2,3... my last couple of posts don't seem to be showing up? -Charles --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 10 months

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DEC VT20 boot device

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Paul Birkel > Apparently the VT20 used the M792-YK as its bootstrap; the Field Guide > is silent regarding the boot device and M792 documentation stops > earlier in the series of variants. An M792-YK recently sold on eBait; I didn't get it, but I did manage to get the seller to put up good photos of the board, so was able to dump the contents. I didn't fully disassamble the program, but it was clearly something serial line related. With the VT20 info, it's now clear what it was for. It should be pretty easy to fully disassamble, and work out the protocol. I have the dump of the contents if anyone has a use for them. Noel

6 years, 10 months

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List fault analysis (Was: Test)

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Charles Morris > my last couple of posts don't seem to be showing up? I see several posts from you. To check suspected failures, look in the archive: http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/ because just because you're not getting a personal email copy, doesn't mean it didn't go out to the list. E.g. you may have the 'Receive your own posts to the list?' option in your CCTalk subscription disabled. Noel

6 years, 10 months

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ADM-3A question

by charlesmorris800＠centurytel.net

>On 8/10/19 8:33 AM, Charles via cctalk wrote: >> I also scrubbed off the black anti-reflective coating since it was >> significantly scratched and peeled anyway. > >um.. you didn't remove the aquadag from the outside of the crt, did you? No worries Al, I got my EE in '81 back when CRTs were still in use and I know how they work ;) I was referring to the translucent stuff on the (removable) glass implosion plate itself, designed to reduce light reflection, not the 'dag. Some say that black sheer pantyhose can be used to recreate the same effect, or a 3M Privacy Screen. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 10 months

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ADM-3A question

by charlesmorris800＠centurytel.net

I decided just to fire it up and see if anything blew... it issued the expected beep as it came up. Set the switch to half-duplex and it does actually echo bell (Ctrl-G) and I can see the screen moving as I type! But there is some kind of garbage every other row, although the cursor moves and the screen will "clear" (except for the 12 rows of garbage). Power supply is 5.11 volts. So far so good. Unfortunately the screen rot is even worse than I thought - the PVA layer is so opaque and bubbled it looked like cottage cheese once removed, and I can't make out what characters are on the CRT... I took the monitor out (very easy disassembly). I didn't even have to use a heat gun or a hot wire, just started at one corner, applied a steady and gentle pull, and it came off in one sheet with a giant sucking sound. That oily mess took a while to clean up. I also scrubbed off the black anti-reflective coating since it was significantly scratched and peeled anyway. Now waiting for the bead of clear silicone (around the outside of the plate only) to cure. I'll make sure it's air tight so no black dust will get in there by electrostatic attraction. I can fix the RAM problem once I can see what is actually on the screen! ;) Also the wire bracket with threaded ends that holds the flyback to the monitor chassis is missing one end entirely, so I need to fix that (keep the core halves firmly together). Looks like I didn't get TOO bad a deal for $200 shipped, especially with upper-case installed. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 10 months

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AIX 5L/ia64 media?

by plamenspam＠afterpeople.com

I know it was a short lived, but anyone has the installation cd or iso image?

6 years, 10 months

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Help ID'ing a PDP-8/A Omnibus board

by derschjo＠gmail.com

Hey all -- Got a PDP-8/A at VCFW this past weekend. It's an OEM model sans programmer panel and was apparently used in a CNC application. It contains a board I'm trying to ID. It says "PDP-8/A CONSOLE ROM" on it and has no other identifying marks other than a logo on the back. See the pictures here: http://yahozna.dyndns.org/scratch/pdp-8/8aconsole1.jpg http://yahozna.dyndns.org/scratch/pdp-8/8aconsole2.jpg <http://yahozna.dyndns.org/scratch/pdp-8/8aconsole1.jpg> None of the braintrust at VCF were able to identify this mark. I'd guess that the board provides a simple ODT interface or something similar. The three ICs in the upper-left with the handwritten labels are 82S129 256x4 bipolar PROMs. They're not socketed so I haven't read them in yet. The 8/A's gonna need some TLC before I dare power it on... I'm mostly curious if anyone can ID the logo -- it would be interesting to know who made this thing. Thanks! Josh

6 years, 10 months

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ADM-3A question

by charlesmorris800＠centurytel.net

I bought an ADM-3A on ebay. The monitor and the circuit board/keyboard are >from two different terminals - confirmed by hand-engraved serial numbers on the halves that don't match. Not to mention the two different case colors (pale blue top, blue bottom)! But it does have the lower-case option already installed :) Anyhow, there appears to be some breakdown of the CRT implosion plate silicone (screen rot). I've read about this problem before, so no real surprise It seems to be turning into brown "goop" which has run down onto the circuit board. Do I need to remove the goop before powering it up? Or is it nonconductive and hopefully noncorrosive, so it can wait until I remove the implosion plate and fix it? thanks Charles --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 10 months

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I'm sharing a toy

by athornton＠gmail.com

https://mvsevm.fsf.net Currently, the TOPS-10 guest account (42,42) and the Unix v7 account dmr have no passwords. Please treat the dmr account respectfully. I will get to account requests?eventually, probably. TImeliness is not guaranteed. All systems are hosted on Raspberry Pis (the 36-bit ones on a Pi 3B+ and the 16-bit and 32-bit ones on a Pi 2B+) on Debian Buster. Absolutely no guarantee of availability or usability is made. Adam

6 years, 10 months

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Sealed Sun memory modules

by sales＠elecplus.com

I am being offered some sealed Sun memory modules, PN 501-3050. These are 512MB compatible with: * Compatible with Sun Blade 1000 with 600MHz CPU, 1000 with 750MHz CPU, 1000 with 900MHz CPU, Blade 1000 Workstation, 2000 Blade 2000 with 900MHz CPU, Blade 2000 with 1.015GHz CPU, Blade 2000 with 1.05GHz CPU, Blade 2000 with 1.2GHz CPU, Blade 2000 Workstation, Fire 12K with CPU 900MHz, Fire 12K with CPU 1.05GHz, Fire 12K with CPU 1.2GHz, Fire 15K with CPU 900MHz, Fire 15K with CPU 1.05GHz, Fire 15K with CPU 1.2GHz, Sun Fire E20K, Fire E25K, 280R (A35), 3800, 4800 (750MHz), 4810, 6800, Netra 20 (N28). Apparently they must be installed in sets of 4. Is anyone interested in these? Cindy Croxton Electronics Plus 1613 Water Street Kerrville, TX 78028 830-370-3239 cell sales at elecplus.com --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 10 months

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I'm sharing a toy

by athornton＠gmail.com

> On Aug 8, 2019, at 11:52 PM, Boris Gimbarzevsky <boris at summitclinic.com> wrote: > > Thanks for putting it up. First time I've logged onto old Unix in decades (should try getting my copy of V6 up on simh). > Have a couple of RasberryPi's kicking around that just fired up once to play with. Only part that simulation doesn't let you do is to connect up all sorts of lab hardware to A/D's and D/A's. Have lots of PDP-11 code that wrote in 1980's that can't use as no-one has written additions to PDP-11 emulators which will make one think one is dealing with 80's era data acquisition hardware and digital I/O boards which are far faster on modern microprocessors than there were then. Well, you say that, but?.. I just ordered https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/pidp-11 <https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/pidp-11> , and it contains a prototyping area now so you can do stuff like https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/pidp-11-temp-barometer-hack <https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/pidp-11-temp-barometer-hack> . But, I mean?that?s a modern micro that looks to the PiDP-11 as if it were a Unibus peripheral, so it?s a decent model for what you want to do. And then there?s the Unibone?.http://retrocmp.com/projects/unibone <http://retrocmp.com/projects/unibone> if you want to drop some modern stuff into a real Unibus backplane. Adam

6 years, 10 months

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looking for a 7-track reel tape controller

by michael.99.thompson＠gmail.com

> > The same is true for the HP 7970B tape drives, I even have a 9-track 7970B > that can be switched between 200, 556 and 800 bpi. I only need a 7-track > head... > > Christian > The DEC TU20 tape drive is an HP 7975A 200, 556, and 800 BPI transport with additional electronics to to connect it to the DEC tape drive bus. -- Michael Thompson

6 years, 10 months

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VCF West 2019 Visitor Survey

by mbbrutman＠brutman.com

Before VCF West 2019 becomes too much of a pleasant memory ... We'd like to hear from you! This should take less than two minutes: http://vcfed.org/vcf-survey Tell us what we did well and where we need improvement. Or contact me directly. We're not fussy, and we want to do better at our future events. Mike

6 years, 10 months

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New face of the Bank of England's £50 note is revealed as Alan Turing

by trash80＠internode.on.net

May be of interest to some list members https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48962557 Kevin Parker 0418 815 527

6 years, 10 months

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eBay: PDP-8/A KL8A serial line card

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Paul Anderson > $325?? Well, they did list it with a 'Best Offer'. I figure the third time they get an offer of US$100 (or whatever the thing is actually worth, I don't track PDP-8 board values), it might become clear to them that they are way optimistic on the value. I once had to wait a year for an eBay seller to come down to a semi-reasonable price on some RK05 drives... Eventually they gave in. Noel

6 years, 10 months

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looking for a 7-track reel tape controller

by michael.99.thompson＠gmail.com

> > thanks a lot for your hint to the DEC controller. I wasn't aware that the > TM11, TMA11 and TMB11 controllers can handle 9-track as well as 7-track > NRZI-encoded tape drives. However, all these controllers seem to be very > rare in the public out there. Not too surprising considering that DEC TU > and TS tape drives themselves are rare and that 7-track tape drives were > soon replaced by 9-track tape technology in the early days. > > With best regards, > Pierre > The TC58 Magnetic Tape Controller for the PDP-8 and the TC59 for the PDP-9 can be connected to both 7-track and 9-track drives. The TU20 drive on the PDP-9 at the RICM is a 7-track drive. The only difference between the 7-track and 9-track versions of the TU20 is the tape head. All of the tape drive electronics is the same for both versions. -- Michael Thompson

6 years, 10 months

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I need a keypunch (briefly)

by chip＠aresti.com

I was referred to this group by dave.g4ugm at gmail.com who thought you might be able to help me. I need to punch a half-dozen datacards for an award for a retired IBMer. Anyone know where I can find a working 026/029/129 within 300 miles of Raleigh, NC? Many thanks for any pointers. Chip Davis chip at aresti.com +1.919.271.2582

6 years, 10 months

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eBay: PDP-8/A KL8A serial line card

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

This item: https://www.ebay.com/itm/133136230586 is poorly titled, so people's searches might not find it; the M8319 is a KL8A 4 channel EIA RS232 or 20mA current loop serial hex I/O card for the PDP-8/A. Noel

6 years, 10 months

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Sun Sparcstation 20 with accessories in Dallas

by sales＠elecplus.com

https://dallas-tx.americanlisted.com/75228/computers-parts/sun-sparcstation- sun-drives_23232767.html $50 OBO for take all Cindy Croxton Electronics Plus 1613 Water Street Kerrville, TX 78028 830-370-3239 cell sales at elecplus.com --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 10 months

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VCF Midwest 14 Talks and Talkers

by silent700＠gmail.com

We can at last announce our speaker roster for this year's Vintage Computer Festival Midwest. I think we've got some strong topics and great variety this year, and even a little space to give Trixter a break from the A/V console. Check it out - and don't miss the cool new speaker bios page - click a speaker's name to read a bit about them: http://vcfmw.org/talks.html 39 days to go! -j

6 years, 10 months

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TI99/4A computers, in original boxes

by sales＠elecplus.com

https://www.elecshopper.com/texas-instruments-ti-994a-computer-in-box-black- and-silver.html Only 4 of these on hand. Cindy Croxton Electronics Plus 1613 Water Street Kerrville, TX 78028 830-370-3239 cell sales at elecplus.com --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 10 months

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RSTS/RSX manuals available in the UK

by binarydinosaurs＠gmail.com

Hi folks, I?ve held onto this collection of manuals for the last 3 years and now they really need to go because I?m having to move house in the next 2-3 months, my landlady is selling up. I thought it was too good to be true being in this house for 7.5 years! The RSTS manuals are V10 (1990) and there's 3 RSX-11M V4 as well as RSX DECNET. I don?t have the time to scan them myself otherwise I would?ve done ages ago. I?m heading past Jim Austin?s place in a couple of weeks? time so if nobody else is interested I can drop them off there if he?s up for it. Cheers, -- adrian/witchy Owner of Binary Dinosaurs, the UK's biggest private home computer collection? t: @binarydinosaurs f: facebook.com/binarydinosaurs w: www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk

6 years, 10 months

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IBM Series/1

by sieler＠allegro.com

> > > The hardware is excellent. They have fairly fast processors, and the > > I/O capacity is great. Reliability is typical IBM. > > > > The OS sucks balls. All the balls. > > > > Commercially, they were not a success, despite being IBM's first > > "open" system, in that they invited third party developers. It seems When I joined HP in mid-1979, the first week I spotted an IBM Series/1 in a small conference room ... with an IBM repairman. The HP engineers had apparently blown out a memory board somehow while "looking" at it :) >From the HP 3000 viewpoint, we weren't worried about the Series/1. Stan

6 years, 10 months

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MULTIPROCESSING FOR THE IMPOVERISHED Part 1: a 6809 Uniprocessor

by lproven＠gmail.com

1993 article on building a multiprocessor 6809 box. http://www.bradrodriguez.com/papers/6809cpu.htm -- Liam Proven - Profile: https://about.me/liamproven Email: lproven at cix.co.uk - Google Mail/Hangouts/Plus: lproven at gmail.com Twitter/Facebook/Flickr: lproven - Skype/LinkedIn: liamproven UK: +44 7939-087884 - ?R (+ WhatsApp/Telegram/Signal): +420 702 829 053

6 years, 10 months

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looking for a 7-track reel tape controller

by p.gebhardt＠ymail.com

Hello Paul, thanks a lot for your hint to the DEC controller. I wasn't aware that the TM11, TMA11 and TMB11 controllers can handle 9-track as well as 7-track NRZI-encoded tape drives. However, all these controllers seem to be very rare in the public out there. Not too surprising considering that DEC TU and TS tape drives themselves are rare and that 7-track tape drives were soon replaced by 9-track tape technology in the early days. With best regards, Pierre ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.digitalheritage.de Am Dienstag, 6. August 2019, 19:49:14 MESZ hat P Gebhardt <p.gebhardt at ymail.com> Folgendes geschrieben: Hello Paul, thanks a lot for your hint to the DEC controller. I wasn't aware that the TM11, TMA11 and TMB11 controllers can handle 9-track as well as 7-track NRZI-encoded tape drives. However, all these controllers seem to be very rare in the public out there. Not too surprising considering that DEC TU and TS tape drives themselves are rare and that 7-track tape drives were soon replaced by 9-track tape technology in the early days. With best regards, Pierre ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.digitalheritage.de Am Freitag, 2. August 2019, 07:04:02 MESZ hat Paul Koning via cctech <cctech at classiccmp.org> Folgendes geschrieben: It may depend more on what kind of tape drive you have. The DEC TU10 controller handles both? 7 and 9 track tapes. ??? paul

6 years, 10 months

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PDP-11 Emulation on VAX Was Re: Alphaservers for free in Athabasca, Alberta

by raywjewhurst＠gmail.com

If I am not mistaken the 8600/50 were the last VAXen to feature PDP-11 emulation. After VMS 3.x the functionality was dropped so it was very short lived on the 8600. Ray

6 years, 10 months

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Alphaservers for free in Athabasca, Alberta

by rlloken＠telus.net

On Mon, 5 Aug 2019, Boris Gimbarzevsky wrote: > A mere 579 miles from Kamloops. Unfortunately have to talk to my wife who > thinks I have too many computers even though I've given away bulk of my DEC > stuff. Never got a chance to play around on Alpha as it came out during my > Mac days. A mere 1,000km, South I assume since you gave the distance in miles but I don't think you want a 7 foot rack of ES45s in your living room - the power bill, the heat, and the fan noise would wear on you after a while. Without looking it up, I imagine I am about 1,000km the other way from Kamloops. We could meet in the middle, have a beer together, and trade trailers. :) -- Richard Loken VE6BSV : "...underneath those tuques we wear, Athabasca, Alberta Canada : our heads are naked!" ** rlloken at telus.net ** : - Arthur Black

6 years, 10 months

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Control Data Cyber 960 available

by wdonzelli＠gmail.com

I just received a pile of goodies from BT Federal, the last remaining bit of Control Data. Part of the goodies included a complete set of spare CPU boards for a Cyber 960. This means my extra Cy960 is surplus to my needs - I bought it strictly as a source of spare parts. So it needs to go. The world is not all DEC and IBM. Play around with machine that has Seymour's fingerprints all over it. This is an ex-Florida Light and Power box. Mind you, this is a serious machine. It sucks a lot of power, and weighs a lot. 5000 pounds total in three cabinets. Completely over engineered. See the cray-cyber guys website for more specs. This is the CPU only - no disks or tapes, but I could include a DI with it (sort of a channel attached comms box for connecting terminals, printers, and networks). I think the cray-cyber guys are working on getting an emulator working for disk and tape. Software and docs are very available. No goofy license needed. Anyway, available pretty much immediately. Located in the Hudson Valley of NY. Serious machine, so serious inquiries only, please (off list). -- Will

6 years, 10 months

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mid-range IBM systems [was RE: IBM Series/1]

by RichA＠livingcomputers.org

From: Jay West Sent: Monday, August 05, 2019 10:38 AM > I used to run a system at Anheuser-Busch in the late 80's, ISTR it was a > 4331, 4341, or 4381. The 4331, 4361 and 4341 are slightly more than waist high. The 4381 is a high-boy cabinet. Rich Rich Alderson Sr. Systems Engineer Living Computers: Museum + Labs 2245 1st Ave S Seattle, WA 98134 http://www.LivingComputers.org/

6 years, 10 months

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Needed: instruction manual for AVA 103C

by wh.sudbrink＠verizon.net

I just picked up an AVA Model 103C Floppy Exerciser. While it has a few quick tips silkscreened on the bottom of it, I think it would be helpful to have the full manual. I've done a fair bit of googling, but all I've turned up is several repair manuals for other equipment, suggesting the 103C as the ideal tool for testing and repairing their gear. Thanks, Bill Sudbrink --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 10 months

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Various Mac PowerPC, Dec and Sun equipment available in Houston TX

by nospam212-cctalk＠yahoo.com

The clearing continues... I have several system that are free to anyone who wants them before they get tossed. Local pick up gets preference but I'll ship if you are willing to pay for UPS packing and shipping. None of the systems have been powered on in several years and the DEC and Sun equipment is incomplete, see notes below. All systems are as is and include base system only, no monitors, keyboards, etc. All of the Macs came from a company that did audio/video production work. I believe these were mostly used to record and edit audio in a recording studio though some may have been used in their art department for graphics work. Systems include: Mac PowerPC 9600/300 Five Mac PowerPC G4s (Couple of the systems have cases modded for rack mounting) The DEC equipment is as follows: MicroVAX 3100 - No idea what is inside or condition. Case has an opening where it appears a tape or removable drive once was installed but is no longer there. DEC Storage Expansion - Believe this went with the MicroVAX above but not sure, no idea what all is inside or condition. And finally the Sun: Sun SparcStation 5 - No idea condition of what is inside, probably incomplete or missing components but no idea. All the above are offered free for local pickup or you pay to have them packed and shipped. Located in Houston, TX. Contact me off list if you have any questions or want to arrange pickup. Best, David Williams www.trailingedge.com

6 years, 10 months

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Selling my Data I/O 29B programmer

by woolfson＠telswitch.com

Just a heads? up to the group that I am not using this any more; ever since I restored the PLATO terminals for LCM and CHM, I have not touched the 29B. I don?t think that I am going to be having much use for it since I have not been dabbling in vintage hardware. If anyone is interested, it is listed right now; but I am more or less interested in giving it a good home and if someone wants it, just contact me directly and I?ll be happy to try to make that happen (and I can remove the auction if nobody has bid). https://www.ebay.com/itm/233305501413 <https://www.ebay.com/itm/233305501413>

6 years, 10 months

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IBM Series/1 (Kevin Bowling)

by michael.99.thompson＠gmail.com

> > Date: Fri, 2 Aug 2019 12:40:58 -0700 > From: Kevin Bowling <kevin.bowling at kev009.com> > Subject: IBM Series/1 > > Anyone have one of these? I'd like to find a system, but images of > the OS media would be interesting. > > Regards, > Kevin > The RICM has lots of Series/1 systems. They haven't been powered on for decades. You are welcome to explore what we have. http://www.ricomputermuseum.org/Home/equipment/ibm-series1 -- Michael Thompson

6 years, 10 months

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IBM Series/1

by kevin.bowling＠kev009.com

Anyone have one of these? I'd like to find a system, but images of the OS media would be interesting. Regards, Kevin

6 years, 10 months

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Avoid shipping with pre-sale deals on stuff from Sellam's collection--today only!

by sellam.ismail＠gmail.com

Howdy Folks. I wish I had thought of this a few days ago, but I wasn't sure if I was going to be making it to the VCF event this weekend. Being that I am, I'd like to offer to bring any item that you want to purchase to the VCF if you're going to be there yourself. That way you can save on the shipping. Also note that I have "show prices", which are higher than my normal prices to offset the consignment commission. However, if you confirm a purchase beforehand, you will pay the regular asking price. The listings on my Virtual Warehouse of Computing Wonders are presently up to date: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I53wxarLHlNmlPVf_HJ5oMKuab4zrApI_hi… Please be reminded that this is not my complete inventory, but merely what I have presently processed and listed from my warehouse mine. If there's something you are looking for that I don't have listed, please send a request by e-mail. Thanks! Sellam

6 years, 10 months

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VCF Midwest 14 Overflow Hotel Block Open

by silent700＠gmail.com

Hello vintage fans! This is exactly the kind of problem a growing show wants to have, but it's a problem nonetheless. The Clarion Inn hotel attached to our show venue is FULL for Saturday night 9/14. There may be a few rooms left for Friday 9/13, but that doesn't do you a whole lot of good if you're staying the weekend. We have arranged a small room block at the Comfort Suites in Oak Brook Terrace, a short drive away from our hotel (sadly there was nothing nearby that was walkable). Room rates are the same ($109/night) and we have King and Double rooms reserved from Thursday through Sunday nights. More information and a booking link can be found here: http://vcfmw.org/hotel.html We recommend checking with the host hotel (Clarion Inn, info at the link) first in case a cancellation freed up a room before booking with Comfort Suites. And remember - the deadline to book a room is August 24th. They're not going to let us slide! Looking forward to seeing everyone there in September! -jt

6 years, 10 months

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What's a half meg on the Atari800 good for under

by technoid6502＠gmail.com

Good question. There are upgrades up to 4mb, but ones for the 800 most common range from 64k to 1088k. A pair of really common and several less common standards have existed for many years. This one conforms to the Axlon standard, which is among the oldest for the Atari's. It switches the banks in 32k increments. The other standard was set by Atari on the introduction of the 130xe; that switches in 16k increments. Aside from a ramdisk, what can you do with it? My primary reason for building the thing is to gain memory for the Spartados X operating system, which benefits greatly from more memory (256k is the sweet spot). SDX barely runs on 48k ram and the SIDE driver does not load. SIDE2 is a cartridge for the machine that grafts a CF slot on and allows it to act as a hard disk under SDX. This is of course very useful. Here's a link to the Spartados X cooperative: http://sdx.atari8.info/index.php The Side2 cart, in addition to hosting Spartados X and the CF hard disk controller and firmware, also hosts a real-time clock, and can carry several other programs which must be hosted by hardware because of thier bank-selecting rom design, such as Basic XL, Basic XE... Spartados is a 256k bank-selected cartridge itself. Released in 1988 by ICD, Spartados X is a surprisingly rich disk operating system which adds a host of features not available on other 8-bit machines. IO redirection and batch processing, memory management, paths of various sorts... Here's a link to the Side2 cart, which comes with the SDX firmware pre- loaded: https://lotharek.pl/productdetail.php?id=55 Being able to load the SIDE driver and access the CF slot as a hard disk is my primary purpose. The machine will have ample memory to run real programs while running SDX, which is also very important. Best, Jeff On Fri, 2019-08-02 at 13:06 -0500, Eric Christopherson wrote: > On Fri, Aug 2, 2019 at 12:39 PM Jeffrey S. Worley via cctalk < > cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote: > > I'm building as many as ten of a 512k Axlon compatible memory board > > for > > > > the Atari 800 (not xl) computer. If you'd like to have one, please > > > > message me and let me know so I can reserve one for you. > > > > > > > > I'm not sure of my cost at the moment, but it is something on the > > order > > > > of $30.00 per board. I'll tot things up when I get around to it, > > but > > > > it will probably come out to less. So for parts and shipping, you > > can > > > > have one. Here's a photo of the completed board: > > > > > > > > https://atariage.com/forums/topic/256464-designing-an-axlon-compatible-boar… > > > > > > > > https://atariage.com/forums/topic/256464-designing-an-axlon-compatible-boar… > > > > > > > > I've got all the parts on order but the boards, for which I'm > > waiting > > > > for a quote. I gather the boards are about $10.00 each but am not > > > > counting my chickens quite yet. > > > > > > > > Best, > > > > > > > > Technoid Mutant > > Hi, Technoid! > > I'm certainly interested. I didn't know 512KB was possible in the > original 800. Other than RAM disks, do you know what sorts of things > it would let me do? > >

6 years, 10 months

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512k SRAM for Atari 800 computer

by technoid6502＠gmail.com

I'm building as many as ten of a 512k Axlon compatible memory board for the Atari 800 (not xl) computer. If you'd like to have one, please message me and let me know so I can reserve one for you. I'm not sure of my cost at the moment, but it is something on the order of $30.00 per board. I'll tot things up when I get around to it, but it will probably come out to less. So for parts and shipping, you can have one. Here's a photo of the completed board: https://atariage.com/forums/topic/256464-designing-an-axlon-compatible-boar… https://atariage.com/forums/topic/256464-designing-an-axlon-compatible-boar… I've got all the parts on order but the boards, for which I'm waiting for a quote. I gather the boards are about $10.00 each but am not counting my chickens quite yet. Best, Technoid Mutant

6 years, 10 months

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Announcing Cadetwriter

by dave＠babcock-family.org

To all, After several more months of delays - personal and project issues - Cadetwriter is being released.? [Cadetwriter is the official name of our general-purpose, Wheelwriter-based Computer Terminal.]? The public unveiling will be at this weekend's VCF West at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. Attached is a flyer on the device. At the show we'll be demonstrating the Cadetwriter connected to: ??? ??? *? IBM 1620 Jr. via USB & proprietary protocol ??? ??? *? ALTAIR 8800 replica (Chris Davis) via RS-232 running OS/8 ??? ??? *? PiDP-8/I replica (Oscar Vermeulen) via USB running MITS Extended 16K BASIC (Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Monte Davidoff) ??? ??? *? Windows laptop via USB and a USB->RS-232 adapter Our plan for the show is to invite anyone with a computer having an RS-232 or USB port to try out Cadetwriter with their computer. We're hoping for a lot of takers We're finishing getting the documentation written or updated and everything uploaded to GitHub.? It should all be available next week. We appreciate your patience. Thanks, IBM 1620 Jr. Team

6 years, 10 months

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looking for a 7-track reel tape controller

by p.gebhardt＠ymail.com

Hello list, I have been looking for years for a q-bus or unibus-based disk controller that is able to handle 7-track drives (NRZI encoding). So far, I only located one controller type which handles that: Dilog DQ120 or DU120 and I never came across any. Any other suggestions regarding controller types?Contact me off-list if you are happy to part any 7-track tape controller with me. That would be very much appreciated :) Best regards,Pierre -----------------------------------------------------------------------------http://www.digitalheritage.de

6 years, 10 months

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A few VT-320 and keyboard questions

by athornton＠gmail.com

I just picked up a VT-320, with no keyboard. I have some questions: 1) the price on DEC keyboards, at least on eBay, is insane. Does anyone have a VT-320 keyboard they?d be willing to let go cheaply? 2) ?or, failing that, I found a posting of someone who?d done an Arduino-based key code mapper that let him use a PS/2 (or maybe it was an AT) keyboard as a replacement. The link to the actual project was dead, though. Anyone have schematic and source code for such a project? 3) If anyone's got a DB-9-or-25-to-MMP cable you?d sell cheap, I?d be happy to buy it instead or making my own. OK, that?s not really a question. There?s a blank insert where the 25-pin connector usually is; was that a ?feature? of the B2 model? (that?s a question but not much of one) ?aaaaand while I?m here, another question. 4) I have a number of Apple IIs and one III that have sustained some keyboard damage. Where can I get/what is the name of the little plus-shaped keyboard stems for those? If I had a couple dozen that would be most helpful. Adam

6 years, 10 months

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Your Heatkkit EC-1 analog computer

by rdawson16＠hotmail.com

Hi Jeff, I have hundreds of crystals here for you, and built a crystal tester (Jim Williams app note) https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/application-notes/a… AN12 - Circuit Techniques for Clock Sources<https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/application-notes/a…> Application Note 12 AN12-3 an12fa Figures 4a and 4b use another comparator based approach. In Figure 4a, the LT1016 comparator is set up with DC www.analog.com Brian and I are keen on making a new analog computer, possibly a kit. All new things, like the Analog Devices multipliers, better op amps etc, and possibly a USB, MIDI interface. Let us know how you come along on your bringup of the EC-1. The Heath manuals are the best in analog computing, on actual hardware. Randy

6 years, 10 months

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Ill NLS MS-230

by brain＠jbrain.com

I have an ill NLS MS-230 Miniscope.? Is there anyone on list that might be interested in getting it running for me?? I'm willing pay for the privilege.? I'd like to see the unit working, but I have no experience with analog scopes, and I'd rather just entrust it to someone who can see it to success.? I did replace the batteries and let it charge for quite a while.? The red LED lights up on the front when on, but no sign of a trace, even when fed a known good 1kHz wave.? The CRT does not appear to be on. Anyone a fan of these units and might be interested in taking a look? Jim -- Jim Brain brain at jbrain.com www.jbrain.com

6 years, 10 months

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Final reminder, VCF West

by cctalk＠snarc.net

VCF West is this weekend at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. All of the details (and online ticket sales) are at http://vcfed.org/vcfwest. -Evan K.

6 years, 10 months

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Resurrecting integrated circuits by cooking them.

by technoid6502＠gmail.com

Yesterday evening, in the process of refurbishing five very badly treated Atari 800 computers I had a hunch and subjected a failed Pokey chip (Atari Part CO12294 Wikki link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/POKEY ) to high heat by way of the barrel of my soldering iron until saliva evaporated from it in about 1 second. The chip, which did not work before in any of the machines now works perfectly. Pokey (see wikki link) is common to all Atari 8-bit computers and common in many Atari coinop video game systems. These chips are becoming scarce, so much so there is a sort of replacement being manufactured https://hotrodarcade.com/products/pokeyone-atari-pokey-chip-replacement-for… . The replacement Pokey only emulates the audio portion of the original chip, leaving the PotKEY part unimplemented. Pokey gets its name from Potentiometer Keyboard. It also handles the Atari SIO peripheral signals, so without those an Atari computer cannot use standard peripherals like serial disk drives, and other common interfaces. Thus, for Atari computers a true Pokey is a must. I stumbled upon a fix for this one and wonder if I reinvented the wheel or if this information may be of use to the group in treating other sorts of chips. Reflowing is a treatment for a lot of hardware these days and generally regarded as a hack which won't last. As modern hardware, CPU's and video chips in particular run very hot, I can see how this might be, but Pokey and most of the stuff we work with don't have this environmental restriction. Most of our gear runs at 40 degrees centigrade or lower. So I'm guessing the problem with my disused chip was oxidation within the package and that cooking the chip a bit cleaned things up? Any advise or observations would be appreciated. I tried this on another chip the same evening, an Antic. The Antic DID work for a second or two, whereas it had before given no signs of life, but then returned to its failed state. Best, Jeff (Technoid Mutant)

6 years, 10 months

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Searching digital copy of KD11-K (PDP-11/60) Processor Technical Manual

by henk.gooijen＠hotmail.com

Hi Guys, I am trying to get my PDP-11/60 up and running, and I very much like to read the Processor Technical Manual. It?s ?name? is EK-KD11K-TM and I am looking for a PDF of it. I do have this manual on a microfiche, but reading a manual >from the fiche reader screen is not much fun. Maybe I need to find a municipal service that allows you to copy fiche images one by one on A4 paper. The city of Venlo had that in the 1990ies, and I used it to copy the cache manual of the 11/34 from fiche to paper back then. Thanks, Henk

6 years, 10 months

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1
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IBM PC-RT 6150 looking for help

by peter＠turczak.de

In preparation of moving, I dug out a IBM 6150 PC-RT from my basement. This was my first proper computer as a child, which was donated to me by a local company that upgraded their CAD system. So it would be interesting to bring it back to life. The machine is equipped with an 320 MB ESDI, 10 MBit Baseband Ethernet adapter and an IBM Megapel graphics adapter. This baby was quite a sight in 1993 when I got it, with its elegant console font designed by Knuth. Now I'm trying to revive the old machine, but there are some hassles: The hard disk seems to be stuck or the drives electronics are broken, it does not spin up. As these drives are quite rare, I'm looking for the SCSI card (Model 6lX700l). Is it right, the PC-RT can boot off SCSI? While I made images of the install floppies, it seems the AIX base system 2.0.0. disk #1 is missing. The AIXWindows floppies where not imaged and seem to be unreadable. Otherwise all VRM/extendes svcs, etc floppy images are at hand. So there is a big pile of problems with this box, maybe someone can help me out with parts and floppy images? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Peter

6 years, 10 months

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Intergraph 751 system free to good home, but act quickly

by echristopherson＠gmail.com

There's an Intergraph 751 system (VAX architecture apparently, including hard disk, printer, and two rebadged DEC racks full of who knows what) free to a good home in southern Wisconsin. Appears to be in not-great shape. Unfortunately, it's been on Craigslist for a while and it sounds like the owner's really fed up with it and wants it gone ASAP or a realty company will take possession of it (and who knows what they'll do with it). He originally said last Saturday, but in an email to me yesterday afternoon he said it would have to be gone by today (7/29). Also unfortunately, there have been several people besides myself emailing the owner trying to arrange a pickup, and he hasn't responded to them. I personally have no way to move or store it, so I've been trying to relay what I hear from him to the one person I thought was in the best position to take it. The owner gave me his personal email address and phone number, and told me the name of the realty company in case anyone wants to get it after it's out of his hands; but I don't think it would be cool to post those details here. So please let me know personally if you'd like those details. https://janesville.craigslist.org/sys/d/evansville-intergraph-751/693621784… -- Eric Christopherson

6 years, 10 months

1
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IBM 5160 with oddball MDA input/output card

by jules.richardson99＠gmail.com

Hi all, Someone on one of the Facebook vintage groups found an IBM 5160 with an MDA display for sale in Australia, except that it's a bit odd in that the machine had what appears to be an MDA card, the output of which is then connected via a short external cable to the input on another card, and then an output that card is what's actually hooked up to the monitor. The only internal photo of the machine is very poor, unfortunately. I'm reasonably confident that the "first" card in the "mystery" chain is MDA, it's full-length and alongside the DE-shell video output has the usual DB-25 for parallel. The "mystery" card is also full-length, and there's another full-length card immediately adjacent to it with no external connectors - that one could easily be RAM, or the hard disk controller etc. but I suppose it's possible that the mystery item is actually a two-card set. Anyway, any guesses as to what it might be? The implication is that the mystery card adds functionality to the MDA card (reminiscent of 3DFX boards years later), but of course is operating within the confines of what the MDA display's capable of. cheers Jules

6 years, 10 months

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keycaps / switches for Tek 4006

by fritzm＠fritzm.org

Hi folks, I recently obtained a Tek 4006 from eBay as a repair/restoration project. It is missing a few keycaps (both SHIFT keycaps, COPY, LINE FEED, and :/*). In addition, one of the key mechanisms has a broken plunger. Last, the little green paddle line power toggle power switch at the back appears to be broken. Pinging here to see if anybody has spares of these in their collection which they'd be willing to part with? Alternatively, recommendations on compatible key mechanisms/caps, or even 3D models to print some temporary replacements would be appreciated! cheers, --FritzM.

6 years, 10 months

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Resurrecting integrated circuits by cooking them.

by technoid6502＠gmail.com

Does this mean that, like me scratching a bit at the package to expose enough nub of broken-off pin to get a blob of solder on to hold a new leg made of wire can theoretically be extended to shaving off the top of the package to expose the IC and then tack soldering the severed wire back onto it? This would probably require some serious equipment I don't have, but sounds possible in extremity. RSVP YHOSvt. ** TNM ** Dwight said: "Message: 6 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2019 05:52:31 +0000 From: dwight <dkelvey at hotmail.com> To: Pete Rittwage <peter at rittwage.com>, "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Subject: Re: Resurrecting integrated circuits by cooking them. Message-ID: < BYAPR01MB5608F4C8A3860C2A7D2BC172A3C10 at BYAPR01MB5608.prod.exchangelabs.com > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" "Failure of the POKEY chip were likely bonding wire failures. Voltage stress failures are not likely to self repair. I would agree, the fix is likely temporary. Many early chips used gold wire for bonding but later chips used aluminum. Which is better is always a question. The pads on the die were usually aluminum, while the package was often gold. These are acoustically bonded. One wonders if one put a capacitor on the lead with a non-lethal voltage and used such a heating method, it might be able to arc weld the wire back on. Using the method of heating might enhance the success as well. Dwight"

6 years, 10 months

3
2
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MicroPDP-11/23+ cabinet kit cables

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Douglas Taylor > I'm putting together a MicroPDP-11/23 in a BA23 box. Have the M8189 CPU > quad width board and the bulkhead cabinet kit .. how the cabling goes > from the M8189 CPU board to the bulkhead cabinet kit? I _think_ this might be the cable you need: https://www.ebay.com/itm/CK-KDF11-CABLE-ONLY-P-N-70-20451-1C/151622708242 but I'm not familiar with the cab kit, so I'm not sure. > The 10 pin connectors on the CPU board don't seem to be keyed ... > Is there something that gives the orientation away? These 10 pin EIA connectors (same in the DLV11-J, KDJ11-B, etc) are keyed, with a missing pin. DEC cables for these connectors have a plug in the matching hole. > From: Glen Slick > In the photos that I have found of the M8189 console panel there is a > '1' just above the top right of the 20-pin connector indicating Pin 1. > A trace can be seen leading from that pin to the baud rate circuitry. > So that pin would go to Pin 1 of one of the 10-pin connectors on the M8189. Y'all love to re-invent the wheel, I see: http://gunkies.org/wiki/DEC_asynchronous_serial_line_pinout#10_pin_header I should check to see if the KDJ11-B has the same external baud rate selection support, and if so, update the page to add it. Oh, that's the other way to tell the orientation, with non-flat-cable cables; with the loopback jumper on pins 7&9. Noel

6 years, 10 months

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DEC Pro380 problems

by dittman＠dittman.net

I pulled my Pro380 out of storage after getting a replacement VR201 monitor. I connected it all together and on powerup I get the following display: http://www.dittman.net/pro380/screen.jpg The tech manual says this is an error from slot 1 (the hard drive controller) and the error is "Non-existent memory trap occurred for longer than 20 seconds". I reseated all the cards. I noticed three ICs are missing on the hard drive controller but I don't know if they are empty or someone removed the ICs (I can't remember where I got this system). I can't find a picture of the controller to compare. The missing ICs can be seen here: http://www.dittman.net/pro380/missingics.jpg These are the installed option cards: http://www.dittman.net/pro380/cards.jpg Any ideas? -- Eric Dittman

6 years, 10 months

3
3
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MicroPDP-11/23+ cabinet kit cables

by dj.taylor4＠comcast.net

I'm putting together a MicroPDP-11/23 in a BA23 box.? Have the M8189 CPU quad width board and the bulkhead cabinet kit, with two DB25 connectors and switches to set the baud rate.? On bitsavers the 'MicroPDP11 system technical manual' shows how to set jumpers on the M8189 to allow this cabkit set the baud rate, but only briefly mentions the cables needed. Does anyone here have a anatomically correct MicroPDP-11/23+ in a BA23 box and can tell me how the cabling goes from the M8189 CPU board to the bulkhead cabinet kit? Doug

6 years, 10 months

2
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Scanning question (Is destruction of old tech docs a moral crime?)

by guykd＠optusnet.com.au

I'm posting a private email (anonymized) and my reply because it's a significant issue. >{Note private reply} > > > When the scanning process involves destruction of the original work > > ... But if it's a rare document, or even maybe so rare that it's the > > last one, then destroying it now just to produce a digital copy > > inadequate to the aims of cultural preservation - that's a crime. > > One right up there with genocide > >While I agree that making a non-optimal digital copy in such cases, is, >well, non-optimal (because for _many uses_, the basic information is still >available, wheras for many important documents, not even that remains), >there's no way it's "right up there with genocide" - and if you really >think so, you definitely need to examine your sense of scale, because it's >seriously defective. > > [name removed] I agree that when historical documents are lost without even any kind of digital copy made, that's the worst. However I was pretty careful to preceded that quoted paragraph with conditionals. Specifically referring to a case where someone has a rare work, that isn't in danger of falling apart, and there's no good reason why they couldn't wait till better scanning methods became available, and they destroy it to produce a crappy quality digital image. Thus ensuring there can never be a high quality digital copy and the rare physical original is forever gone. That's criminal. A high level crime against humankind. Where it's done in bulk to entire collections, it _is_ the cultural equivalent of genocide. I don't care if you disagree. Could it be that you are upset because you do this (destroy docs), and don't like to be accused of being a criminal? I am sure that the future WON'T take your position on this. They are going to be sooo pissed, that so many old works were destroyed and all they have left is crappy quality horrible-looking two-tone scans. This is _already_ the case with many electronics instrument manuals. There are so many people who think that the physical manuscript is unimportant, and nothing matters other than posting a minimally readable smallest-possible-file online, with the least effort and so it's OK to destroy the original for convenience. Private reply noted. Still going to repost on the list, as from anon. Guy

6 years, 10 months

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Scanning question (Is destruction of old tech docs a moral crime?)

by guykd＠optusnet.com.au

At 07:07 PM 23/07/2019 -0700, you wrote: >Nonetheless, comparing some small amount of lost information It's not a 'small amount of lost information', because destroying rare technical works in order to scan them, or afterwards because "now they are scanned there's no need to keep the paper copy" is a widespread practice. Very many works in original form are being lost because of this. >to genocide, which is a real thing that has happened and is still happening in the world today, > and which has affected people on the list and those they are close to, is more than a bit offensive. Let me tell you about my wife. She's Cambodian, and very barely lived through the Pol Pot genocide in Cambodia. Many of her family and relatives didn't make it. The Khmer Rouge were mostly insane, as a result of the secret US bombing campaign, in which they napalmed every Cambodian country village they could spot. So virtually all country folk in Cambodia had lost people close to them to poisonous fire from the sky. (Napalm contains phosphorus, can't be extinguished, and even if you only get a few spots on you and survive the burning, you die slowly of phosphorus poisoning.) The countryside people were virtually all uneducated and knew nothing of the outside world, and had no idea why this was happening. In this context the Khmer Rouge arose, with the central creed being that Cambodia had to be purged, since all 'foreign influences' equated to the burning from the sky. By 'purged' they meant _everything_ and _everyone_ with any trace of foreign influence. That included all the people in the major cities, since they spoke with foreign (French, Chinese) accents among other things. It also meant all machines and books. Did you know sewing machines are evil? No? Well they were to the Khmer Rouge, so they destroyed them all. As a result my future wife (from Phnom Phen) spent several years on sub-starvation diet, only kept alive in a camp because she could hand-sew uniforms for the Khmer Rouge. As in needle and thread only. I guess needles and scissors were not considered 'machines'. Ditto rifles. They weren't big on logical consistency. The camps were intended as temporary people storage, while they sorted out who to kill. Almost everyone, though there was a lot of mission drift. They didn't have enough bullets, so the daily killings were done via simpler, zero cost means. A common method was for three people to kill one. Two held the victim's arms back, pulling them against a tree trunk. The third sawed through the victim's throat with the edge of a palm frond. This happened very often, daily. We met and married here in Australia, had a family etc. Wonderful person. But her past haunted her and she slowly developed PTSD. Is far from who she once was. This is why I dislike the practice of destroying things (information and still useful tech-tools) for reasons that seem sensible to some, but are fundamentally superficial consequences of social fads and groupthink. It's a mindset - destroying old things, and destroying people, go hand in hand. If you can justify one, the other maybe too. >Please be more considerate of this and, as was suggested by the person whose correspondence you posted, >examine your sense of scale. My sense of scale is OK I think. There was a major global human genetic bottleneck around 12,000 years ago, probably caused by the metorite impact that left the Hiawatha crater in Greenland. That one nearly wiped us out. About 30,000 years ago 'something' caused a mega-tsunami that washed right across the north end of the southern island of New Zealand, creating the 'buried kauri forests' effect. There was a relatively high-tech civilization in the Mediteranean area sometime around 300BC, that made the Antikythera Mechanism - that one required mathematics, accurate astronomy, metalurgy and precision machine tools, plus all the necessary cultural support. Completely lost. The Umm al Binni lake (in Al Amarah marshes of southern Iraq, approximately 45 km northwest of the Tigris-Euphrates confluence) is believed to be a Holocene (8,000 BC to present) impact crater. There are traces in ancient texts of a prior civilization in that area that was apparently completely wiped out. Just a few of a long list of dramatic natural events in quite recent times, very little known by the public. Currently humans have achieved a pretty nice level of technological capability. But few understand how fragile that is, and what kinds of events could crash it back to primitive levels. Very very few are aware of factors like tech being not easily restartable, since we've used up all the easily mined resources, now running on ores and energy sources that require existing high tech. Almost no one is aware of the long-life isotope stocks issue, that could make a technological collapse permanent for many millions of years, by raising background environmental radiation worldwide to levels untenable for higher life forms, if our radioactives containment facilities were degraded during even a hundred years of no-tech. And ALL our existing digital storage media are very ephemeral. Factors like these, make detailed, robust and widely distributed _paper_ documentation of technological artifacts *much* more important than most realise. They are 'safety margin.' Always maintain a good safety margin, in anything life-critical. Guy

6 years, 10 months

1
0
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Sgi crimson for sale

by lyokoboy0＠gmail.com

Hello, Havent posted here for a while. I usually post about pdp11 and vax stuff. I am big into sgi equipment, I have many deskside coputers and a full onyx 1000 rack. I have just about every machine in the sgi linup and I need to clear out most of my big sgi stuff. I was big into the nekochan forums, but sadly since that shut down, supoprt has been limited, and i want to get this stuff to someone that can use it. I have a sgi crimson for sale. Possible intermittent power supply issue. Problem with the IO3 board prevents it from booting I have an onyx2 for sale in full working order. Its my main machine, im migrating work to a Octane2. I also have a loaded origin / onyx2 loaded with hardware, but i havent been able to get it to post or get to the serial console. Good machine for parts or to try and fix. Many octane 2 machines, a couple are fully loaded with 8gb of memory, dual processors, pci expansion box, etc. Enough indys to make a jenga tower. Indigo with keyboard indigo 2 with matching keyboard. Might be persuaded to sell the onyx 1000 rack, im not going to part it out, and needs a forklift to be moved. 2 Sgi tezro's in working order. I picked them both up a year or two ago, i used them in a headless serial console fassion, i was not able to get my monitor to sysc with either of them. They both work aside from Battery/RTC warnings. I am open to offers, Im not looking to just give them away. Im hoping to recoup some of my money to move and pay for college. Open to answer any questions about them --Devin D.

6 years, 10 months

2
2
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Old test equip for sale

by sales＠elecplus.com

https://www.elecshopper.com/tools/b-k-1077b-television-analyst.html https://www.elecshopper.com/tools/heathkit-it-18-transistor-checker.html https://www.elecshopper.com/tools/home-brew-dc-milliamp-box.html https://www.elecshopper.com/tools/micronta-digital-multimeter.html Cindy Croxton Electronics Plus 1613 Water Street Kerrville, TX 78028 830-370-3239 cell sales at elecplus.com --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 10 months

1
0
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PDP stuff in MA--attn collectors

by sales＠elecplus.com

Charlie at Qei Inc in MA is an old-time DEC dealer from back in the day. I asked him if he has any PDP stuff left, and he said yes. He much prefers emails. He works from pictures and lists of PN or model numbers. Send your requests to qeiinc at verizon.net. Large items will need to be picked up. Items under 25 pounds that are not too fragile can usually be sent UPS. Be patient; he has a huge warehouse and finding things can be a challenge. It may take more than a week to get an answer, but he will look into all requests. Cindy Croxton --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 10 months

1
0
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wanted: scan of Rockwell R6500 Programming Manual, Rev 2, January 1983

by spacewar＠gmail.com

I'm looking for a scan (or hard copy) of the later revision of the Rockwell R6500 Programmming Manual which includes coverage of the additional R65C02 instructions. I believe this is Rev 2 dated January 1983. There are several different scans of the original revision that did not cover the R65C02, so I don't need those. I'm not sure whether they also issued a new revision of the Hardware Manual, but if so, I'd like to get a copy of that as well. As with the Programming Manual, I already have scans of the original revision. Best regards, Eric

6 years, 10 months

1
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Scanning question (Is destruction of old tech docs a moral crime?)

by flash688＠flying-disk.com

Guy Dunphy <guykd at optusnet.com.au> wrote: > Ditto for a service/schematics manual for the Documation > TM200 punch card reader. No copy can be found. I don't know about the TM200, but I have the technical manual for the Documation M-200 card reader. If that will help you, I would be happy to scan it for you. It is already on my list of manuals to scan for Bitsavers. This is the August 1974 update containing the recommended spares list for DEC. Amazingly, I knew exactly which moving box it was in, and it took less than five minutes to find that box! Alan "Pack Rat" Frisbie

6 years, 10 months

1
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Scanning question (Is destruction of old tech docs a moral crime?)

by guykd＠optusnet.com.au

At 07:16 PM 22/07/2019 +0200, Mattis Lind wrote: >> BTW. I have three IBM 026 card punch machines as a future restoration project. But can I find >> a service manual? No. None online, only one for the later 028. And even if there was a PDF >Have you seen these: >http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/ibm/punchedCard/Keypunch/A24-0520-2_24-26_Keyp… >http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/ibm/punchedCard/Keypunch/225-6535-5_24-Base_Ma… >http://ibm-1401.info/IBM-026-Wiring-228005P.html Last time I looked, in Sept 2018 I had previously found: http://www.righto.com/2017/12/repairing-1960s-era-ibm-keypunch.html https://www.flickr.com/photos/pfsullivan_1056/16296856470 http://bitsavers.org/pdf/ibm/punchedCard/Keypunch/029/225-3357-3_29_FE_Main… Bitsavers has a user manual: http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/ibm/punchedCard/Keypunch/A24-0520-2_24-26_Keyp… And a field manual: http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/ibm/punchedCard/Keypunch/225-6535-5_24-Base_Ma… But no schematics still. Your first URL is 404'd, though I already had that doc. Seems there's been a tree structure re-org. Now there's these: http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/ibm/punchedCard/Keypunch/024-026/ 123-7091-3_24_25_Parts_Catalog_Apr1963.pdf 225-6535-5_24-Base_Machines_FEMM_Dec65.pdf 22-8319-0_24_26_Customer_Engineering_Preliminary_Manual_of_Instruction_1950.pdf 229-3125_24-26_Operators_Guide.pdf A24-0520-3_24_26_Card_Punch_Reference_Manual_Oct1965.pdf Downloaded. Looks like a good complete set, for mechanicals. Still no overall schematic. Maybe it didn't exist? Gosh it's a scary-complicated machine. I'm not looking forward to finding the gotchas, like obscure parts buried deep in the guts that have perished rubber bits, complex precision surface-hardened things that are just plain worn out and unobtainium, etc. >> I expect it would be the usual terrible quality. Pleasant surprise! The image quality of all those PDFs is pretty good. But all still a mix of 2-tone and JPG encoding, with all their various artifacts. Fortunately at high enough res to preserve all information. High enough even to (mostly) preserve the ink screening dots in images. I'd still like to find original paper copies, both as a historical set with the machines, and to scan-encode-wrap 'my way' for better looking digital versions. >> Ditto for a service/schematics manual for the Documation TM200 punch card reader. No copy can be found. >Do you expect the TM200 to be substantially different from the M200? My guess is that they are quite similar. > Gone down the route of reverese engineering the differences? The TM200 has extra circuitry (more cards, wiring) than the M200, since it also reads optical mark-sense cards. Which means if ultimately I'm forced to reverse engineer the diferences, it's going to be a lot of work. There's no rush and plenty of other projects. I'd rather just wait more to see if a correct manual turns up. Not to mention that I'd like to find that manual in order to scan it. Guy

6 years, 10 months

2
1
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Scanning Results

by guykd＠optusnet.com.au

At 11:41 PM 19/07/2019 -0600, you wrote: >OK. I've done the first of the manuals I have. Thanks for all the helpful >hints. > >I took apart the Rainbow User's Manual's metal spiral spine. I scanned it >with scansnap and ran it through the indexing function. I think I tweaked >the settings in a reasonable way. > >The results look good to my eye, but I'm not 100% sure, so I thought I'd >post it here for feedback: > >https://people.freebsd.org/~imp/EK-P100E-OM-001_Rainbow_100_Owner's_Manual-Nov-1982.pdf Congratulations, that is nicely done. I like the way you took the trouble to keep the purple ink on some page's LED diagrams, and the cover images. I'm not fond of that two-tone encoding of B&W text, but that is an artifact of PDF. (Unless you go to ridiculous bits/pixel formats, ie large file sizes.) Since PDF does not allow inclusion of images encoded as PNG. And PNG does the best B&W text image compression, in run-length encoded 4 bits/pixel grayscale. Which preserves character and line edges very nicely, while still achieving better file compression. I wish I knew why ISO and Adobe never updated PDF to include PNG images. It's one of the worst failings in PDF. Just that one alone makes PDF unacceptable. :) Maybe because trying to type the right one (PDF vs PNG) is really error prone? When you scanned the pages, what was the raw save format? (If any.) If it was any format like RGB/24, or indexed 256 color, did you keep the raw files? >Second, how do I submit this to bitkeepers? I've looked around and don't >see how. maybe I'm just being blind... http://www.bitsavers.org/ bitkeepers is something else. The site's contact email is right down the bottom of the front page. Visual, to stop spambots. Also Al posts here in cctalk. Guy

6 years, 10 months

10
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Scanning question (Is destruction of old tech docs a moral crime?)

by guykd＠optusnet.com.au

At 10:41 AM 21/07/2019 -0600, you wrote: On Sun, Jul 21, 2019, 4:16 AM Joseph S. Barrera III via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote: >I'd suggest that in 2019 when bits are cheap and high-quality scanners >nearly as cheap, "crappy quality digital image" is a bit of a straw man. >Yes, I've seen plenty of barely-readable or practically unreadable scans, >but they were made years or decades ago. There are still plenty of bad scans being done today, for various reasons. The technology of producing a final digital copy continues to improve and has a way to go yet. *This* is why I strongly oppose destroying rare docs to scan them, now. Better to wait till non-destructive scanning methods become available. >What dpi qualifies as not "crappy"? 300dpi? 400? 600? Points: 1. Both the DPI and bits/pixel affect the visual result. Having shaded pixels on curved edges makes the eye see a smooth curve, where the same resolution in two-tone (B&W) would look jagged. Achieving an optimal balance of resolution and shading levels for various types of content and fineness of detail, vs file size, is a bit of an art. But ultimately it's a simple test: look at the paper original, and your final result on screen (at 1:1 final scale.) Does the quality look the same? Is your copy how the original publisher would have wanted the doc to appear? People only auto-producing PDFs rarely catch on to this, because PDF ONLY encodes as one of: two-tone B&W (fax mode), or JPG (or JPEG2000 rarely) or the excreable JBIG2 (Never use this!) Experiment with PNG encoding, via a tool like Irfanview, which allows flexibly setting PNG bits/pixel, raw, indexed color or gray scale. PNG is a lossless encoding, and so the only resolution loss is by your choice while rescaling in post-processing. 2. The resolution you scan at, and the final presentation resolution, won't be the same. Especially when the pages include elements like screened color or B&W images. To deal with these properly you MUST scan at a resolution several times higher than the screen dot pitch. Otherwise there will be moire patterns (beats) between the scan sampling and the screening dots. Then you post-process to eliminate the screening, and end up with a truly tonal image at the resolution the eye would perceive when viewing the original screened image. This avoids any moire patterning, realizes the original publisher's visual intent, and enables minimizing the final file data size. B&W text should be encoded with at least 16 gray levels available to edge shading. ie 4 bits/pixel. B&W tonal images need at least 256 level gray scale, or the eye sees quantization of shades (aka posterization.) Colour images need either 24 bit/px, ie 8 bits each for RGB, or if there are a limited number of flat colours an indexed color scheme may work. 256 colors or less, ie an 8 bit index per pixel. Typical utilities will generate the color table automatically (which can sometimes ba a pain.) PDF does not allow any of these kind of user choices. 3. The final page images, don't have a 'dots per inch' dimension. They have only total number of pixels in H & V. When doing final page image down-scaling and choice of encoding, you have to make an aesthetic decision on final pixel dimensions. If your original page was A4 (8.5" wide) and you scanned at 600 DPI, that's 5100 pixels wide. But you'll likely find that the final copy can be scaled to around 1000 to 1200 pixels wide, with 4 bits/px (if B&W text), for an on-screen page image indistinguishable from the original. 4. All post processing should be done in 24 bit RGB, at the full scan resolution. Keep staged backups. NEVER use any indexed color scheme when scaling, rotating, etc. The result is unavoidably bad. The final two steps should be: rescale to desided X-Y pixel size, THEN down-code to final color system and file encoding. There's a discussion of this in http://everist.org/temp/On_scanning.htm In general, 'acceptable' resolution VERY MUCH depends on the content. >I just scanned my Rainbow 100 User's Manual at 300, 600 and 1200dpi using the scansnap default settings. You see a jump between 300 and 600, but little difference going on up to 1200 for this material. I posted the 300dpi results and even they are acceptable. Some of the diagrams look heavier than the 600dpi version and at high zoom you see pixelated letters, where the 600 doesn't. The 1200 is hard to see any big difference and takes 4x as long to scan. I think I'll be scanning the remaining rainbow docs at 600dpi. The file is 22MB vs 12MB, so that's worth it. The 1200dpi version was almost 70MB which is starting to get a bit large for a 60 sheet document. The sweet spot seems to be 600dpu, at least for this material. Just wondering if you're aware of the freeware util Irfanview? https://www.irfanview.com/ It's very capable for batch processing large sets of images. Rescaling, changing coding, cropping, etc. Guy

6 years, 10 months

3
2
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Scanning question

by imp＠bsdimp.com

So, I have a bunch of old DEC Rainbow docs that aren't online. I also have a snapscan scanner that I use for bills and such. There's four kinds of docs, and I'm looking for advice: (1) wire-ring bounded. What's the best way to scan these? The easiest is to just clip the wire binding and drop it in the scanner. But then what? (2) Folded with staples. These are booklet format, with stables in the middle. I could easily remove the staple and scan. but how do I replace the staple? (3) Gum bound. These books are bound with some kind of gum / goo on the spine. Some of these are so old I could just remove it and have no real degradation of the state. Others have spines that are still in good shape. (4) Three ring binder. This is easy: remove, scan, replace. Right? Finally, how do I get the resulting scans into bigkeeper? Any fancy options I should enable to make the pdfs maximally useful? Warner

6 years, 10 months

9
10
0 0

UNIVAC IBM AND APOLLO - -History --Background

by couryhouse＠aol.com

Great info!https://www.zdnet.com/article/to-the-moon-ibm-and-univac-appollo-11s-i…

6 years, 10 months

5
4
0 0

WordPerfect 5.1+ for VMS

by cctalk＠gtaylor.tnetconsulting.net

Hi, This crossed my radar earlier today. I figured that someone on the CCTalk mailing list might be interested in it. Link - Vintage 1995 Novell WordPerfect 5.1+ for VMS TK50 Tape Digital DEC VAX - https://www.ebay.com/itm/133114102939 Buy It Now for $49.95 ($14.95 S&H) or Make an Offer. -- Grant. . . . unix || die

6 years, 10 months

12
21
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Simulators for NCR Century series computers

by bob＠jfcl.com

Is anyone aware of a simulator for the NCR Century series computers? And no, simh doesn't do them. Thanks, Bob Armstrong

6 years, 10 months

15
32
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Scanning question

by guykd＠optusnet.com.au

At 08:51 PM 18/07/2019 -0600, you wrote: >On 7/18/19 3:50 PM, Warner Losh via cctalk wrote: >> So, I have a bunch of old DEC Rainbow docs that aren't online. I also >> have a snapscan scanner that I use for bills and such. >> >> There's four kinds of docs, and I'm looking for advice: > >I always wanted to apply (fiber) optics to this. I wanted something >that was akin to a (glass) block that I could set on the bed of a >scanner that would be tall enough that I could open books 90???110?? with >the to be scanned side sitting on top of the raised / extended scanner >bed with the book pages laying off to one side. Much like you would see >if someone was reading the book while laying on their back. > >I don't know if anything like this exists or is even possible. Same thing, much simpler. Called an Edge Scanner. (google) It's just a normal travelling sensor scanner, but without all the wasted space along one side. They usually can scan to within a small few mm of the edge of the glass plate, and there's no side structure beyond the glass plate edge. You just raise the scanner up on blocks to give sufficient vertical clearance at the side for your book width. There's still the issue of compressing the book to ensure the pages lay properly flat on the glass. For this 'small edge' you pay a lot extra, even though many existing scanners can be hacked to be edge scanners just by cutting away excess garbage at one side. The usual corporate calculated feature-limitation bullsh*t. I have a few related UNFINISHED articles online: http://everist.org/temp/edge/20150214_hacking_edge.htm http://everist.org/temp/On_scanning.htm http://everist.org/temp/20140812_disconnecting_the_dots.htm And threads like this make me hate myself for not having finished those. Too busy, and they are all halted by dependencies on _other_ unfinished/ unsolved problems. I have a lot more to say about the wisdom of destroying original publications to scan them, especially when you are not already an expert at scanning and the many tradeoffs. But have to go afk just now. Guy

6 years, 10 months

8
9
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Scanning Results

by imp＠bsdimp.com

OK. I've done the first of the manuals I have. Thanks for all the helpful hints. I took apart the Rainbow User's Manual's metal spiral spine. I scanned it with scansnap and ran it through the indexing function. I think I tweaked the settings in a reasonable way. The results look good to my eye, but I'm not 100% sure, so I thought I'd post it here for feedback: https://people.freebsd.org/~imp/EK-P100E-OM-001_Rainbow_100_Owner's_Manual-Nov-1982.pdf I have the manual still apart and can do additional scanning runs easily enough. The paper is in great shape. Second, how do I submit this to bitkeepers? I've looked around and don't see how. maybe I'm just being blind... Warner

6 years, 11 months

1
0
0 0

Decision Data Keyboard for sale

by sales＠elecplus.com

https://www.elecshopper.com/decision-data-keyboard.html For parts or repair. I am going to be adding quite a few keyboards in the coming week, so if you want them before the "keyboard kids" get them, please turn on your rss feeds. https://www.elecshopper.com/rss/ Cindy Croxton Electronics Plus 1613 Water Street Kerrville, TX 78028 830-370-3239 cell sales at elecplus.com --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 11 months

3
2
0 0

Scanning question

by jfoust＠threedee.com

At 04:50 PM 7/18/2019, Warner Losh via cctalk wrote: >(1) wire-ring bounded. What's the best way to scan these? The easiest is to >just clip the wire binding and drop it in the scanner. But then what? Those are going to snag on each other, no? I'd trim the edges off. >(2) Folded with staples. These are booklet format, with stables in the >middle. I could easily remove the staple and scan. but how do I replace the >staple? Cut along the middle using a paper cutter. >(3) Gum bound. These books are bound with some kind of gum / goo on the >spine. Some of these are so old I could just remove it and have no real >degradation of the state. Others have spines that are still in good shape. Probably needs a pro paper cutter. - John

6 years, 11 months

3
2
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Another warehouse closing

by sales＠elecplus.com

https://www.facebook.com/KemnerEnterprises/ Located in Pottstown, PA. Still open Fri afternoons and Saturdays. Cindy Croxton --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 11 months

2
1
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Setting up RSS feeds

by sales＠elecplus.com

If you have Thunderbird, go to Blogs and News Feeds. Click on the RSS icon, and enter the info for each site you want to follow. If you have Outlook, the process is very similar. If you have Chrome, you can use an add-on, such as https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/rss-feed-reader/pnjaodmkngahhkoih… If you have Firefox, see this areticle https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/collections/4757633/feed-readers/ Cindy

6 years, 11 months

1
0
0 0

Looking for Pangolin QuadMod cards (Amiga)

by ethan＠757.org

Just a random one... I'm looking for old Zorro II boards made by a company called Pangolin. It's the QuadMod16 and QuadMod8 which are used with the Amiga. If a QuadMod2000 or QuadMod32 showed up I might have slight interest in that as well. These are laser projector controllers for light show use. I have a QM16 now but it might be a "slave" card and the software can't see it. -- : Ethan O'Toole

6 years, 11 months

1
0
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VCFMW drop offs and visits

by useddec＠gmail.com

If anyone going to VCFMW needs any (mosyly) DEC items dropped off there please let me know so I can plan ahead. Trades are sometimes workable for other DEC equipment, even more so for US and foreign coins and currency. I plan on arriving Friday afternoon and returning Saturday night. If anyone wants to stop by and look around, please let me know of tentative plans so I can plan accordingly and not have too many people tripping over each other. Please contact me off list. Thanks, Paul

6 years, 11 months

1
0
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VCFMW

by useddec＠gmail.com

If anyone from the UK is coming over to VCFMW and would be willing to bring me some nice crisp uncirculated currency I will be happy to trade you for US currency or DEC computer items. I can make up a list over the next few days. I don't know when the new 50 is coming out, and I'm also interested in the Steven Hawkins coin, coins from the isles, pre-decimal and other foreign coins. Please feel free to contact me off list. Thanks, Paul

6 years, 11 months

1
0
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AGC software bloat 'what if' musing

by steven＠malikoff.com

It's well documented that in 1967 or so the AGC code was bloated (amongst other problems) and looked like it was not going to be ready in time for the landings, so much so that NASA sent in Bill Tindall to MIT to kick heads. Could they perhaps have given the under-pressure programmers some breathing space - a contingency - by carrying another set of ropes with the excess (return mission) code on them, whilst still working on the all-in-one set? That is, fly to the moon with everything required up to P65 etc then once on the surface, exchange the rope modules for the return software and throw the first rope set out onto the surface to save weight. Power cycling the AGC in flight was possible and even done later on Apollo 13 and surely they would have done this in simulations. And they could presumably have left the IMU running and aligned, as sufficient power was available? Steve

6 years, 11 months

1
0
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DEC Purchase Specifications, particularly 23-000A9-01

by nf6x＠nf6x.net

I've been studying scanned documents for the M9312 UNIBUS bootstrap/terminator card because of reasons. They refer to Digital Equipment Corporation Purchase Specifications 23-000A9-01 and 23-000F1-01 for the PROMs, and I'm wondering whether those documents have been preserved anywhere? I'd love to see them. Ok, about the reasons: My PDP-11/34A has an M9301-YF bootstrap/terminator card, which doesn't have bootstrap code for a couple of the newer devices I'd like to use in the system such as RL02 and emulated TU58. The newer M9312 card looks more flexible for changing out bootstraps than the M9301 series. I'm working on getting my hands on an M9312, but I don't know yet whether I'll be able to get original PROMs for the specific bootstraps that I want. I haven't identified a trustworthy source for blank old-timey bipolar PROMs yet (and I'm not sure if I have a suitable device programmer for them), and I was thinking about making some sort of PROM emulations that I can swap around like they're going out of style. It would probably be helpful (and definitely interesting) if I could learn details about the original part specifications, such as what speed ratings DEC used. I don't have an M9312 in my hands yet, and I'm not yet sure about how rapidly the card performs its little 4-to-16 bit deserialization stunt. If 70ns access time parts are sufficient for the M9312's PROMs, then I may design an emulation with a 5V compatible 28 series EEPROM. If they need to be faster, then I may need to do something fancier. Or maybe I'll find the original PROMs that I need and then get distracted and wander off. It may well be easier to design a replacement for the entire M9312 card than trying to emulate the individual 512x4 bipolar PROMs, but since when do I do anything the easy way? I sure wouldn't be playing with 40 year old computers if I was concerned with practicality and ease of use! -- Mark J. Blair, NF6X <nf6x at nf6x.net> http://www.nf6x.net/

6 years, 11 months

5
9
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Computer Reset shop, liquidation. (USA)

by jfoust＠threedee.com

At 10:29 AM 7/17/2019, Patrick Finnegan via cctalk wrote: >On Wed, Jul 17, 2019 at 10:17 AM Ethan O'Toole via cctalk < > There are likely to be similar places around flyover America. You been poking around my warehouse? >I'd agree in prinicpal, but if even 0.1% of LGR's 1M youtube followers try >to show up one day, it'd be a Problem. More people going will create a >bigger headache for the volunteers helping to deal with the situation and >might end up in no one getting anything. YouTube subscriber numbers versus reality; you'd have a hard time getting 0.00001% of those subscribers to do anything in the real world. >I've been overwhelmed trying to >deal with my own collection sometimes; I can't imagine having 10-20x the >space filled up would be like. I'm overwhelmed and it's time to purge. The problem isn't a desire for old computers, the problem is having too much space. You might like motorcycles or tractors or Beanie Babies, but if you have the space and the inclination, you can eventually fill your available space. > There's some threshold where >instead of "more people getting retrocomputers", it's "This is too much >stress, so it's all going to a landfill". Yes, assuming you expended the effort to organize and document, then organization makes dispersal slightly more easy... but most of the problem is still there. You want to advertise what you have? Effort. Put a value on it? More effort. Want to give it away? Sell it? All that takes time and effort. Lots of time. Packing, shipping, even just dealing with schedules and communication and meet-ups and those who don't show up. And yes, if you're in "flyover America" you have far fewer enthusiasts to attract for local pickup. Even sending it all to recycling takes a tremendous amount of effort. I put some stuff on eBay the other day, some server stuff less than ten years old plus some other items, like 18 VoIP phones with a starting bid of 99 cents... the only thing seeing a bid so far is a NIB toner cartridge for an HP laser printer. So, to deal with my own hoarding / collecting, I'll strive to make a list of stuff I haven't touched in 10, 20, 30 years, and I'll post here to see if anyone is interested. Too much lingering obligation and future debt, even if it only has to go to recycling. I've considered taking a truckful to VCF Midwest, but apparently I'd need to make a big scary sign that says "If you don't take it now, it's going to recycling" because I can't imagine that I'd be able to give away half the load. - John

6 years, 11 months

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IBM documentation is San Antonio

by sales＠elecplus.com

A friend of mine is an old IBM dealer. His mother started the business, and they have documentation going back to the beamspring days. He has agreed that he will pack all the stuff into boxes and pack the boxes on a pallet. These are not free; he wants an offer, since he has to pay a guy to pack, cost of boxes, etc. There are several hundred pounds of stuff. Think of a 5 foot wide 6 foot tall cabinet stuffed to the gills, and then multiply that by at least 4. If interested, let me know. Cindy Croxton Electronics Plus 1613 Water Street Kerrville, TX 78028 830-370-3239 cell sales at elecplus.com --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 11 months

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Computer Reset shop, liquidation. (USA)

by cctalk＠ibm51xx.net

>So, to deal with my own hoarding / >collecting, I'll strive to make?>a list of stuff I haven't touched in 10, 20, >30 years, and I'll >post here to see if anyone is interested.? >Too much lingering >obligation and future debt, even if it only >has to go to recycling.This is always a good first step. If people don't know what you have people can't reach out.Just saying ;)-Ali

6 years, 11 months

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Computer Reset shop, liquidation. (USA)

by cctalk＠ibm51xx.net

>It's unfortuante that this wasn't a well >known business/resource before it>was an overflowing burden for the family >to deal with.??Actually it was. They used to sell on eBay all the time. Guy was an old timer, nice enough once you got to know him but he wasn't very friendly or easy to deal with initially specially through eBay (listing with ridiculous S&H, no response to messages, etc).The place was on my list of if "I ever have the time and money" but life caught up to them before I hit the lottery :D.-Ali

6 years, 11 months

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Mystery DEC backplane on eBay

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

For those who saw this item: https://www.ebay.com/itm/183639487495 but didn't know what it went to (Web searches for "5409818" and "5009817" didn't turn up anything useful for me), it turns out to be a "Configuration 2" backplane for a PDP-11/05-/10: http://gunkies.org/wiki/PDP-11/05#Backplane_versions with slots for one MM11-L memory unit, and 4 SPC slots. Noel

6 years, 11 months

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RF08 light panel

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Ethan Dicks > Did anyone here get it? Yeah, me - although I didn't expect to! Because of my work on DEC indicator panels (this one's a 10-1/2" panel, unusual): http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/DECIndicatorPanels.html I put in what seemed to me a lowish bid, expecting not to get it (I figured I'd make do with the image from the sale), and was rather surprised that I got it. I don't have an RF08, of course, so if anyone actually has an RF08, I'll happily do a deal to get it to you. > I did not bid because I have zero parts of an RF08 (and if I ever > make a modern RF08 emulator, I might as well make one of these to > match). Yeah, for the QSIC indicator panels, we built totally new ones, too. We took advantage of that to change the interface; the DEC originals have a wire per light, which is kind of klunky. Ours time-multiplexes a single data line (there are 'clock' and 'latch' lines too); visually, it seems to look identical to the DEC originals in operation. Noel

6 years, 11 months

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Artsearch software for MicroVax?

by ethan＠757.org

Anyone happen to have the Artsearch software for Microvax? It's my understanding the the software drove a laserdisc player. A friend has the laserdiscs but not the software. -- : Ethan O'Toole

6 years, 11 months

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5 1/4 diskettes available

by guykd＠optusnet.com.au

At 03:47 PM 11/07/2019 -0500, you wrote: >> On 7/10/19 11:32 AM, Will Cooke via cctalk wrote: >> >> > https://www.bgmicro.com/4-pack-of-5-25-floppy-diskettes-with-sleeves.aspx >> >> They have hub rings, so they are probably 360K > >Weren't these 89 cents when this was first posted? Well they're $1.89 now. >You're altering the market! So they are! Oops. Sorry! Maybe they had a rush of orders, and it's not entirely my fault? Or maybe the 89c price was a typo, and my order alerted them? They confirmed my order. Fingers crossed they actually ship them, and it doesn't turn into an argument about honoring transactions. Though probably, a higher postage cost would be fair. 88 floppies and covers will weigh a bit. (Should have bought 100.) 4 Pack of 5.25" Floppy Diskettes with Sleeves COM1147 22 $0.89 $19.58 Subtotal: $19.58 Shipping & Handling: $6.95 Tax: $0.00 Order Total: $26.53 That's an easily altered market. I am a lovely butterfly, fear my flapping wings! Guy

6 years, 11 months

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We are looking to buy RCA VP3501 keyboard or any of the 3000 data term items please drop us a line off list ( and art material photos posters etc too to add to display as well as hardware)

by couryhouse＠aol.com

We are looking? to buy RCA? VP3501 keyboard or any of the 3000? data term items please? drop us a line off list (and art material? photos posters etc too to add to display as well as? hardware) Thanks Ed Sharpe archivist for SMECC

6 years, 11 months

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Margaret Hamilton Guardian interview.

by lyndon＠orthanc.ca

Another of the un-acknowledged people in the upcoming July 29 'celebrations'. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jul/13/margaret-hamilton-comput… --lyndon

6 years, 11 months

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RF08 light panel

by aek＠bitsavers.org

bet this won't go cheap https://www.ebay.com/itm/372706567865

6 years, 11 months

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visit to Bletchley Park / comp museum - Elliot 803

by billdegnan＠gmail.com

Hi all - Gatwick Airport was closed for many hours. Without getting into all of the details it became impossible to make it to the museum during my layover. As it was everything had to be perfect. I went to London for a few hours instead. My goal was to see the Elliot 803 at the computer museum in Bletchley so I could learn more about how it worked, I found some code written for the 802, which would work on the 803, and I thought it might be worth the experience to see or maybe even operate the actual machine. There is no simH that I know of for the 802/803 but I have read some attempts at it. I realize I could not see the whole museum and would be rushed, but given I was only in London for an extended 17-hour layover, why not try? Peter Onion Elliott 803 Team leader was going to meet me. Thanks everyone for their feedback. I am going to try to visit next spring for a longer period so I can take my time. I also would like by then to try the same technique I used for the LGP-30 to get that running on simH, applied to the Elliot 803. I'd have to get my head back into that project. Complicated. Bill

6 years, 11 months

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SGI Personal Iris information

by pmackinlay＠hotmail.com

I'm currently working on emulating the 4D/20 in MAME, and looking for anyone who might have actual hardware, software or documents that might help. Right now, most useful would be some high resolution images of the system boards, especially the GR1 graphics boards, or even schematics if they're out there. Appreciate any information or input at all. -- Pat.

6 years, 11 months

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Box of HP 1000 series MUX cards - 12040

by gerardcjat＠free.fr

The right question is : Does theses worth $ 600 as gold scrap ?? Certainly NOT, so ..... This is "If you want that scrap, you pay a premium ". A premium for what ? ( or for who ) ??

6 years, 11 months

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Box of HP 1000 series MUX cards - 12040

by jesse＠cypress-tech.com

If anyone wants 87 HP 1000 series mux cards for gold or to play around with, I'm starting to clean house. The ebay link is below. https://www.ebay.com/itm/383039137321

6 years, 11 months

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Margaret Hamilton Guardian interview.

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Richard Loken > I have never heard of her before and had no idea. There are two books from participants in the development of the AGC software (both of which I highly recommend) which mention her: Hugh Blair-Smith, "Left Brains for the Right Stuff: Computers, Space, and History", Sdp Publishing, East Bridgewater, 2015 Don Eyles, "Sunburst and Luminary: An Apollo Memoir", Fort Point Press, Boston, 2017 The latter has somewhat grumpy note (pg. 342) which points out that she was only appointed to a management role in early 1970, after the first landing. It also points out that Hal Laning originated the concepts of "asynchronous software" and "priority scheduling". Eldon C. Hall's excellent project history, "Journey to the Moon: The History of the Apollo Guidance Computer" (which covers both h/w and s/w) doesn't mention her. Noel

6 years, 11 months

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5 1/4 diskettes available

by guykd＠optusnet.com.au

>They confirmed my order. Fingers crossed they actually ship them, and it doesn't >turn into an argument about honoring transactions. Though probably, a higher postage >cost would be fair. 88 floppies and covers will weigh a bit. (Should have bought 100.) >4 Pack of 5.25" Floppy Diskettes with Sleeves >COM1147 22 $0.89 $19.58 >Subtotal: $19.58 >Shipping & Handling: $6.95 >Tax: $0.00 >Order Total: $26.53 They DID ship them. Just received notice of shipment. You know, the postage from Garland, Texas to LA, CA for a box of 88 floppies would have been more than $6.95. How much more, I don't know. Could they have made a loss on that transaction, hence the price bump? > That's not the same BG Micro we bought stuff from in the > early 80's, is it? > bill >The one with the yellow photocopied catalog? That's the same one. >The owner/founder passed away a year or two ago and I believe his daughter is running it now. >Will Can anyone estimate the likely US postage for that package? Please let me know. If BG Micro are badly out on that transaction, I'll contact them and make it up to them. Would not if it was some big corp, but BG Micro are clearly honest. Such a rarity. Funny, I was thinking of Diogenes and his lantern just the other day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diogenes Guy

6 years, 11 months

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Seeking documentation for Tallgrass Technologies "Shortcut"

by ethan.dicks＠gmail.com

Hi, All, Another recent find, a Tallgrass Technologies "Shortcut", 80286 upgrade for 8-bit PCs. I've found several reviews online but no docs and no software (to enable the onboard 16K cache). One thing that concerns me is that on this unit, the 24-pin socket at U18 is empty. It might be nothing. This one does not have the memory daughtercard on J1, so perhaps they are related. If anyone has docs or has one and could tell me if their U18 is empty (and if not, what goes there), that would be great. Thanks! -ethan

6 years, 11 months

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Posting of set of boards from a data General nova 3 triple option

by jeffreybirkin＠hotmail.com

I have a set of boards from a data General nova 3 triple option Location: Vancouver Island Canada If interested please email Jeffreybirkin at hotmail.com Sent from my iPhone

6 years, 11 months

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What connector is this?

by mattislind＠gmail.com

I am looking for the mating male connector. Anyone that has an idea what connector this is? There is nothing indicated on the connector itself about what the manufacturer it is. https://i.imgur.com/YzAfB2g.png /Mattis

6 years, 11 months

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Anyone have any docs on Termiflex handheld terminals?

by ethan.dicks＠gmail.com

Hi, All, I recently picked up an item I've been looking for for quite some time, a handheld configuration "terminal" for a LeCroy 1440 HV chassis, called a "Model 1447 Local Diagnostic Controller". It's superficially like the DEC hand-held used in the field for internal RA81 diagnostics but it's not the same model. The 1447 is described in the 1440 docs, so I have the pinout (DA-15 with TxD and RxD on pins 2 and 3, plus ground and +5V on certain pins). A sticker on my 1447 indicates it's a "Termiflex" product but all I can find online are pictures and docs from the later LCD display units. This one has a 1x16 LED alpha display. Does anyone have any docs on older LED Termiflex units? Again, I have the pinout but I'm curious about the innards. Unfortunately, the 4 case latches are difficult to unlock without some magic shim tool or I'd just open mine and reverse-engineer the PCB (there are four 2mm x 8mm slots with some sort of metal barbs at the bottom that seem to need a specific tool to open - a small blade has been unhelpful so far). Pinouts (cf J3) https://prep.fnal.gov/catalog/hardware_info/lecroy/high_voltage/images/fig2… >From the LANL docs for the 1440 I've found so far, it's unclear at the moment if TxD and RxD are +/-12V or +5V and GND but that's easy to check on the TxD line before I put anything on the RxD line. Thanks for any info. -ethan

6 years, 11 months

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KL10-A/KL10-B differences

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Eric Smith > two separate backplanes that are combined for the RH20s (if > present), one backplane for the A through D positions (upper 2/3 of > each module slot), and one for E and F. How odd. DEC was quite happy to do hex backplanes elsewhere, and it looks >from the photo (EK-108OU-PD-002, pg. 3-8) like the MASSBUS connector are wired to both backplanes, so they had to stay together. >> On the -PA to -PV upgrade, could the backplane really be done with >> some wraps? I ask because I saw in one manual, talking about a >> KL10-C to -PV upgrade, it calls for a backplane swap-out. EK-0KL20-IN-001 ("KL10-Based DECSystem-20 Installation Manual"), in Section 10.2 "KL10-PV Upgrade Procedure for KL10-C", if anyone wants to look. > I'm not entirely sure, so I easily could have been mistaken. I know > -PV to -PW just needs some wraps. -PA to -PV may have required more > significant backplane changes. Definitely they have different part > numbers for the -PA and -PV backplane assemblies. Yeah, DEC was quite happy to have the FS guys do wirewrap on install (e.g. for the NIA20). So my guess is that if the default upgrade for at least one -PA to -PV (above) was to replace the backplane, that would have been the standard way, because of some issue. Whether it was just too many wires to do manually, or if there were also trace issues, it would be interesting to know. Oh, it's also possible that since the -PA to -PV involved a faster clock, I wonder if some backplane lines turned into twisted pair, or coax? Noel

6 years, 11 months

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16-bit ISA tape controllers

by sales＠elecplus.com

These do not come available very often. Not affiliated with seller, etc. WTS EVEREX SYSTEMS PCT04, REF, qty 5, CALL, TAPE CONTROLLER 16 BIT ISA Sajjad Mukhi Sales/purchasing FML Computers Inc Phone: 407-637-2922 Toll: 407-637-2922 Fax: 407-362-7826 Cell: 407-718-8778 Mukhi at fml-computers.com Cindy Croxton Electronics Plus 1613 Water Street Kerrville, TX 78028 830-370-3239 cell sales at elecplus.com --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 11 months

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RALGOL - A PDP8 ALGOL 60

by boris＠summitclinic.com

Thanks for that link Charles and also thanks to Mark Kahrs for obituary on Roger Abbott. I started out on PDP-8 in 1968 which was the first time I had hands on access to a computer at UofCalgary. Would have loved to have had access to one when I did my MSc in neurophysiology in 1975 but obviously Oxford in 1972 had much better funding than Uof0 (University of Ottawa). Roger Abbott had a PDP-8 to acquire data from his insect muscle preparations and noticed that 1972 Journal of Physiology papers no longer behind a paywall when was looking what type of research he was doing. Uof0 was still using rotating smoked drum cylinders to record muscle twitches in some labs and the lab I was in had a high speed oscilloscope camera which one could use to shoot long strips of neuron spike activigy >from a mouse cerebellar culture. A technician was available to measure the time intervals between spikes and that's how I was supposed to do my project to look for connections between simultaneously recorded cells in the cultures. My request for a computer was denied and I was given $200 to build an electronic device to time the spikes and send them to the Uof0 360 mainframe where my FORTRAN code generated cross-correlograms and other neat graphs on a line printer http://drgimbarzevsky.com/Computers/UofOTerminal/TerminalCircuitBoards1.html Despite comments that I seemed to be working on a graduate degree in electrical engineering rather than neurophysiology, what I learned doing large scale TTL state-machine devices was invaluable when I moved to Vancouver and worked at UBC Pharmacology where lab computers were the norm and did my last bit of PDP-8 programming on a PDP-12 to speed up gathering data from a mouse diaphragm preparation which was easily done by rewriting the whole thing in PDP-8 and Link-8 assembler. The researcher whose machine it was used FOCAL for everything which made for horrendously slow data analysis. That done, I finally got to play on what I still view as one of the best computers ever made, the PDP-11. Fortunately at UBC there were a lot of researchers who mixed writing code and building their own hardware with doing their electrophysiologic experiments. That was a neat time when dicussions we'd have were whether a particular bit of data acquisition was to be done with optimized assembler code vs building our own dedicated board which would plug into Unibus on 11/34. I liked the latter approach but it was easier to debug PDP-11 ASM than chasing down bugs on a custom interface board having to spend time writing custom diagnostics to see if things were really working as designed. Have an old Algol book around from early 1970's and remember reading it then but liked FORTRAN more but most of my code was FORTRAN calling PDP-11 ASM functions on a PDP-11. All my PDP-8 programs from early 1970's are on paper tape and have never been transferred to other media. Algol 60 looks interesting enough to use given compact code and neat architecture that will try running it on PDP-8 simulator someday. Problem with simulators is that almost all of PDP-8 and PDP-11 code I wrote was to interface to A/D's and D/A's or parallel ports to run experiments. Once got a C64, wrote graphing code in C64 Basic and photographed my TV which was way faster than writing code in PDP-11 ASM to display graphs and data on oscilloscope screen from D/A's. Got into VB once PC's were cheaper than Macs and notice there's a lot of VB5 and VB6 code on Roger Abbott's final code. VB6 is something I still use and once I get my VB6 code running under Wine, windoze will be a distant memory. Was neat to see where other physiologists had been in early 1970's where it seemed I spend more time building the tools I needed to get the data I wanted than to do the experiments. Boris Gimbarzevsky >I played around with this algol 60 compiler for the PDP8 and succeeded in >getting it to run. I have not found any other notes, so I thought that I >would give a leg up to the next one that wants to work on it. > >-chuck > >-------- > >This ALGOL 60 implementation for the PDP8 was written by Roger H. Abbott >while he was at Oxford. > >The bits are here: >http://www.bitsavers.org/bits/DEC/pdp8/papertapeImages/russ.ucs.indiana.edu… > >A copy of the manual here: >https://archive.org/details/hack42_ROG_ALGOL_Compiler > >A paper here: >http://pdp8.de/download/RogAlgol.pdf > >Mr. Abbotts business is here: >http://www.angelfire.com/biz/rhaminisys/index.html > >The website or the host is a bit sketchy. The business is probably defunct. >I found a link that said Mr. Abbott died in the early 2000. > >The system is two parts: the compiler and the runtime. > >This is all assuming the use of OS/8. > >To create the SV file for the compiler: >.R ABSLDR >*INTRUN.BN,ALGCOM.BN,COMOS8.BN$ >.SAVE SYS:ALGCOM.SV >.R ALGCOM.SV > >To create the SV file for the runtime system/loader: >.R ABSLDR >*FPP.BN,ALGRUN.BN,RUNOS8.BN >.SAVE SYS:RALGOL.SV >.R RALGOL.SV > >There are other options for the FPP.BN for other hardware possibilities. >FPEAE8.BN for the classic pdp8 EAE and FPPEAE.BN for the PDP8/e EAE. This >needs some testings. > >Running an ALGOL program: > >.TYPE FLOAT.AL >'BEGIN' > 'REAL' A,B; > TEXT(1,"HELLO WORLD!"); > SKIP(1); > A := 3.141592; > B := COS(A); > TEXT(1,"A = "); > RWRITE(1,A); > SKIP(1); > TEXT(1,"B = COS(A) = "); > RWRITE(1,B); >'END' >$$$$$ > >.R ALGCOM > >ROGALGOL MK40 >OUT<IN*FLOAT<FLOAT > >SIZE 39 > >.R RALGOL > >ROGALGOLOADER >INPUT FILENAME ?*FLOAT.AC > >ENDS 0251 >^^PHELLO WORLD! >A = +0.314159E+001 >B = COS(A) = -0.999999E+000 >^^PHELLO WORLD! >A = +0.314159E+001 >B = COS(A) = -0.999999E+000 >^^C >. > >The source AL file must end with a few $$$$ or an odd fault code will >result. The fault codes are embedded in the source files as addresses. > >The compiler output file has the AC suffix. > >After the loader runs it will pause with a ^ prompt and the user will have >to enter a ^P to proceed or ^C to quit. > >The manual is the best description for the user.

6 years, 11 months

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5 1/4 diskettes available

by wrcooke＠wrcooke.net

BG Micro, a surplus electronics dealer I buy from sometimes, has diskettes for sale. I don't know anything about them, but thought it may be of interest. I have no affiliation other than being a customer on their mailing list. Here is a link to the site: https://www.bgmicro.com/4-pack-of-5-25-floppy-diskettes-with-sleeves.aspx Will

6 years, 11 months

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M7819 DZ11 boards and others for parts

by useddec＠gmail.com

I have a ton of DEC boards that I will probably never use. I sell off what I can, when I can, but have large quantities of some and no need for them. I have to do something and I like recycling cans and plastic, but not computer parts. If anyone can use these or any other DEC board, feel free to contact me off list. I would prefer to sell in qty, but will consider all requests. If you are parting them out and don't want them, I will reduce the price and keep the fingers. Thanks, Paul

6 years, 11 months

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DEC MS630/M7609 Question

by w2hx＠w2hx.com

Hi there. I just acquired a board with the number M7609. It was advertised as an M630-CA which my research tells me is supposed to be 16MB. How do I tell on the board if this is 8MB or 16MB? There does not seem to be a suffix on the board that I can see. What to look for? 73 Eugene W2HX

6 years, 11 months

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cctalk Digest, Vol 58, Issue 9

by athornton＠gmail.com

> On Jul 9, 2019, at 10:00 AM,Tomasz Rola wrote: > > BTW, you would like a ride to the past? I would like a ride to the > future. Although from what I have seen so far, maybe not... Spider Robinson did a story about this, entitled ?The Time-Traveler.? The method, while as easily-implemented now as it was then, is not pleasant. Adam

6 years, 11 months

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Email delivery protocols / methods.

by cctalk＠gtaylor.tnetconsulting.net

Here's pot stirrer for a holiday Friday afternoon: How many different protocols / methods can we collectively come up with for how email can be transferred? I'm primarily thinking about between servers (MTA-to-MTA). But I'm also willing to accept servers and clients (MTA-to-MUA). Where you can / could run at least one server yourself. ? SMTP(S) ? UUCP (rmail) ? MMDF ? X.400 ? Microsoft Exchange proprietary protocol ? Novell GroupWise proprietary protocol ? Lotus (IBM) Domino proprietary protocol ? FidoNet (FTN) ? BITNET ? Direct file access - group Post Office ? Direct file access - mail spool -- Grant. . . . unix || die

6 years, 11 months

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KL10-A/KL10-B differences

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> Erom: Eric Smith Hey, thanks for taking the time to provide all those details. As you no doubt saw, our emails crossed; I had managed to work out my own what the difference was. I'd been looking at this page: http://corestore.org/DEC2065.htm and saw the two backplanes, and assumed one was the EBox, and one the MBox - wrong! But eventually I got it straight... One some other points you covered: > The 1080 was intended to replace a KA10 or KI10 ... It only needed a > single DTE20 for the internal console PDP-11, and it didn't need an > RH20 because the disk would be attached via an RH10 Got it; makes sense. Could an -A be upgraded to a -B by swapping the I/O backplane? (Yes, the wiring to the I/O connectors would have to be changed too, and that might have been too difficult.) But could the APR handle it (perhaps with one or more board changes)? > The -PA and -PV designations .. are for the "arithmetic processor" > (APR), which is the main CPU portion of the KL10. Useful terminology to know. Do you happen to know what 'PV' stands for - or is it just a random letter code? >> my new theory is that it's the MBox ... that is the >> difference between the KL10-A and the KL10-B. > It's not just the MBOX; there are significant EBOX differences as > well. Various modules from the entire CPU are different, and the > backplane wiring is slightly different. It was possible to upgrade a > -PA to -PV by swapping modules and adding some wraps to the > backplane Do note I said "KL10-A and the KL10-B", not 'Model A and Model B'... I assume the APR's in the -A and -B were identical, it was just the I/O backplane, etc which were different. On the -PA to -PV upgrade, could the backplane really be done with some wraps? I ask because I saw in one manual, talking about a KL10-C to -PV upgrade, it calls for a backplane swap-out. I've also got some open questions on the later things like the KL10-R, -PW, and MCA25, which are not covered well in the documentation avilable in bitsavers; do you know about the later variations? Noel

6 years, 11 months

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Lots of Apple 1 computers @ VCF West

by cctalk＠snarc.net

Today I can announce that 10 original Apple 1 computers will be displayed at VCF West, and we're working on getting more. Several of these will be up-and-running. Original and current owners will join early Apple employees in a panel to discuss the computers, why they were purchased, how they were used, and what the owners plan to do in the future. So, buy your tickets online now. :) http://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-west/ -Evan

6 years, 11 months

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0 0

QEMU sparc with networking that works

by dave＠661.org

Does anyone here have any sort of guide on how to get QEMU working emulating a sparc or sparc64 machine WITH networking that actually works? I've been banging my head against zillions of guides that are dreadfully outdated or just don't work. -- David Griffith dave at 661.org A: Because it fouls the order in which people normally read text. Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing? A: Top-posting. Q: What is the most annoying thing in e-mail?

6 years, 11 months

1
0
0 0

sun microsystem manuals

by fedorkow＠mit.edu

I have a small stack of Sun 3 Administrator, Networking and Diagnostic manuals, from about 1990.? Contact me if you think anyone would want them? ? Thanks /guy fedorkow

6 years, 11 months

2
1
0 0

ALGOL-60 obit

by mark.kahrs＠gmail.com

For those who like that sort of thing, here's more on the author of the PDP-8 ALGOL: https://ouscr.org.uk/index.php/obituaries?id=54

6 years, 11 months

1
0
0 0

KL10-A/KL10-B differences

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> So my new theory is that it's the MBox (either the backplane, the > boards, or the wiring from it to connectors, etc) that is the difference > between the KL10-A and the KL10-B. So I wuz confused; the second backplane is not the MBox (which is apparently on the main CPU backplane), but an 'I/O backplane'. The one in the KL10-B is different+larger and holds the RH20s, etc. Noel

6 years, 11 months

1
0
0 0

KL10-A/KL10-B differences

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

So I'm a little puzzled by something, and I was wondering if anyone here knows the answer. So early KL10's (KL10-A's, to be precise) only support a single DTE20, and no RH20's. Later ones supported up to 4 of the former, and up to 8 of the latter. I always supposed this to be part and parcel of the 'Model A/Model B' CPU difference, but no... EK-0KL10-02 Part 1 (no title, seems to be notes for F/S) pg. 9, says both KL10-A and KL10-B's are PA (DEC jargon for the Model A CPU - below), but the former has no RH20's, the latter does. (A note at the bottom of the page says that a PA is a 'Model A', and describes it as having "internal channels". The PV is a 'Model B' - extended addressing, larger ucode, faster clock.) So my new theory is that it's the MBox (either the backplane, the boards, or the wiring from it to connectors, etc) that is the difference between the KL10-A and the KL10-B. Can anyone confirm this and/or provide details of the differences? Pictures of the MBox in a KL10-A would be good, too. Noel

6 years, 11 months

2
1
0 0

RS232 Communications HP9000 Series 320

by roger.addy＠charter.net

Hi All, First post here.? I have a HP9000 Series 320 computer with a HP Drive system.? It uses the HPL 2.1 (I think) operating system. I'm trying to get some ASCII files out of the system using the RS232 port.? The port is female DB9, so I'm assuming it's DCE.? I got an HP cable DB9 to DB25 which reorients the pins to PC standard RS232 DTE.? I can get a connection with the HP. but when I try to send a file it just shows the word "PROMPT" on the PC. I'm not sure what to do at this point.? I'm currently using Tera Term.? Any advice is appreciated. Roger Addy --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 11 months

3
3
0 0

vax stuff

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

2 PrintServer 17 2 PrintServer 17 high-capacity (1500 sheet) paper trays 3 PS17 Maintenance kits (220 V) 2-4 PS17 Toner cartridges 2 LS17 Toner cartridges 1 MicroVax 3100 1 InfoServer 1000 1 vertical SCSI storage rack Apparently in Johannesburg.. If interest contact me off-list. J

6 years, 11 months

1
0
0 0

Wtd: advice upcoming visit to Bletchley Park / comp museum

by billdegnan＠gmail.com

Hi...I am arriving at Gatwick Airport this weds evening1045pm and I have a 17 hour layover. I'd like to visit the national computer museum at bletchley park about an hour north. I see I can rent a car from the airport and drive to a hotel near the museum. There are a few hotels with 24/7 desks. Concerns? Total time in England is 17 hours, 8 of which needed for sleep, plus travel to and from the airport and museum. Not sure how efficient the car rental return process is, etc. Need some buffer for unknowns Thanks in advance Bill

6 years, 11 months

13
21
0 0

RALGOL - A PDP8 ALGOL 60

by chd＠chdickman.com

I played around with this algol 60 compiler for the PDP8 and succeeded in getting it to run. I have not found any other notes, so I thought that I would give a leg up to the next one that wants to work on it. -chuck -------- This ALGOL 60 implementation for the PDP8 was written by Roger H. Abbott while he was at Oxford. The bits are here: http://www.bitsavers.org/bits/DEC/pdp8/papertapeImages/russ.ucs.indiana.edu… A copy of the manual here: https://archive.org/details/hack42_ROG_ALGOL_Compiler A paper here: http://pdp8.de/download/RogAlgol.pdf Mr. Abbotts business is here: http://www.angelfire.com/biz/rhaminisys/index.html The website or the host is a bit sketchy. The business is probably defunct. I found a link that said Mr. Abbott died in the early 2000. The system is two parts: the compiler and the runtime. This is all assuming the use of OS/8. To create the SV file for the compiler: .R ABSLDR *INTRUN.BN,ALGCOM.BN,COMOS8.BN$ .SAVE SYS:ALGCOM.SV .R ALGCOM.SV To create the SV file for the runtime system/loader: .R ABSLDR *FPP.BN,ALGRUN.BN,RUNOS8.BN .SAVE SYS:RALGOL.SV .R RALGOL.SV There are other options for the FPP.BN for other hardware possibilities. FPEAE8.BN for the classic pdp8 EAE and FPPEAE.BN for the PDP8/e EAE. This needs some testings. Running an ALGOL program: .TYPE FLOAT.AL 'BEGIN' 'REAL' A,B; TEXT(1,"HELLO WORLD!"); SKIP(1); A := 3.141592; B := COS(A); TEXT(1,"A = "); RWRITE(1,A); SKIP(1); TEXT(1,"B = COS(A) = "); RWRITE(1,B); 'END' $$$$$ .R ALGCOM ROGALGOL MK40 OUT<IN*FLOAT<FLOAT SIZE 39 .R RALGOL ROGALGOLOADER INPUT FILENAME ?*FLOAT.AC ENDS 0251 ^^PHELLO WORLD! A = +0.314159E+001 B = COS(A) = -0.999999E+000 ^^PHELLO WORLD! A = +0.314159E+001 B = COS(A) = -0.999999E+000 ^^C . The source AL file must end with a few $$$$ or an odd fault code will result. The fault codes are embedded in the source files as addresses. The compiler output file has the AC suffix. After the loader runs it will pause with a ^ prompt and the user will have to enter a ^P to proceed or ^C to quit. The manual is the best description for the user.

6 years, 11 months

1
0
0 0

Lots of Apple 1 computers @ VCF West

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Evan Koblentz > what the owners plan to do in the future. Sell the Apple I and retire to a tropical island on the proceeds, if they have any sense! :-) Noel

6 years, 11 months

1
0
0 0

RL01 Platter Removal?

by w2hx＠w2hx.com

?Hi all, I have a crashed RL01 disk (very crashed). I'd like to remove it from the plastic cover to display it. I opened up the case but cannot figure out how to remove the platter? I took 4 philips screws out which only served to remove a metal ring. It seems that the handle is somehow attached to the platter and seems it is preventing me from removing the platter. Whats the trick? Thanks Eugene

6 years, 11 months

1
0
0 0

KDJ11-E issue/info

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Nigel Johnson > Anybody have any docs on the DEC LSI 11/93 (KDJ11-E)? Info on the -E is thin on the ground. The User's Manual (EK-KDJ1E-UG-001) is available online, though, which is a start - it gives info on how to configure it, etc. > I am trying to run it in a BA23 backplane and seemingly geting bus > hangs as is there is something that it is looking for that is not > there! QBUS 11's are pretty resistant to hangs, unless you have an interrupted grant chain. A simple missing device should give a NXM fault. I"d try getting the whole system working with another CPU, and then plug in the -E; reduce the number of unknown variables. Although with memory and console line on-board on the -E, it shouldn't need too much else for at least basic functioning. Noel

6 years, 11 months

2
1
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Wtd: advice upcoming visit to Bletchley Park / comp museum

by harper＠secureoutcomes-hq.com

Bill, If I were on such a tight schedule, I would as you say rent a car, but one-way, from Gatwick - drive that night late to a hotel in Milton Keynes about five miles north of Bletchley. About 90 miles Gatwick to Milton Keyes - two hours or so late at night. Avis has a return site at Milton Keynes. Leave the car there at Avis. Thursday morning, I would take a taxi to Bletchley Park - the place opens 0930. Spend 1.5 hours or some such max at Bletchley - Train back to Gatwick. I know that you can easily get to London Euston from Bletchley - trains run about every twenty minutes I recall, but I do not know how to get to Gatwick from Euston - figure that out. It would all be very tight, but Bletchley Park is an amazing place to see and only 1.5 hours there would be better than nothing. Here is a snap I took of the "Mansion" when there 15 years ago: http://frobenius.com/bletchley/bl012.jpg If I could see only a couple of things: Hut 8 where Turing used to do his thing and, of course, the Colossus rebuild. It is easy to spend two days there, which I did 2004. Best, Jack Harper Evergreen, Colorado USA At 03:54 AM 7/6/2019, Bill Degnan via cctech wrote: >Hi...I am arriving at Gatwick Airport this weds evening1045pm and I have a >17 hour layover. I'd like to visit the national computer museum at >bletchley park about an hour north. I see I can rent a car from the >airport and drive to a hotel near the museum. There are a few hotels with >24/7 desks. Concerns? Total time in England is 17 hours, 8 of which >needed for sleep, plus travel to and from the airport and museum. Not sure >how efficient the car rental return process is, etc. Need some buffer for >unknowns >Thanks in advance > >Bill ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Harper, President Secure Outcomes Inc 2942 Evergreen Parkway, Suite 300 Evergreen, Colorado 80439 USA 303.670.8375 303.670.3750 (fax) http://www.secureoutcomes.net for Product Info.

6 years, 11 months

2
1
0 0

Question about Apple ///

by athornton＠gmail.com

I have an Apple /// that I've had for many years; it's never worked. When you power it up, you get a checkerboard screen, where half the squares are solid white, and the other half have a little mosaic pattern in them. Looks like this: https://share.icloud.com/photos/0NHNkEG9ssPsi65ojivBteKaQ Does this failure mode ring any bells? Obviously the video signal is being generated well enough to sync a composite output. Any idea whether I should start by replacing the CPU or the ROMs? Adam

6 years, 11 months

6
6
0 0

cctalk Digest, Vol 58, Issue 6

by nw.johnson＠ieee.org

Anybody have any docs on the DEC LSI 11/93 (KDJ11-E)? I have a suspect one and am looking for schematics, configuration data etc. I am trying to run it in a BA23 backplane and seemingly geting bus hangs as is there is something that it is looking for that is not there! cheers, Nigel On 06/07/2019 13:00, cctalk-request at classiccmp.org wrote: > Send cctalk mailing list submissions to > cctalk at classiccmp.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://www.classiccmp.org/mailman/listinfo/cctalk > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > cctalk-request at classiccmp.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > cctalk-owner at classiccmp.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of cctalk digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: gunkies.org is down or?... (Noel Chiappa) > 2. Re: gunkies.org is down or?... (ben) > 3. Email delivery protocols / methods. (Grant Taylor) > 4. Re: Email delivery protocols / methods. (Dennis Boone) > 5. Re: Email delivery protocols / methods. (Diane Bruce) > 6. Re: Email delivery protocols / methods. (Diane Bruce) > 7. Question about Apple /// (Adam Thornton) > 8. Lots of Apple 1 computers @ VCF West (Evan Koblentz) > 9. Re: Question about Apple /// (Jecel Assumpcao Jr.) > 10. Re: Email delivery protocols / methods. (Dennis Boone) > 11. RE: Email delivery protocols / methods. > (newsgroups at micromuseum.co.uk) > 12. RE: Email delivery protocols / methods. (Dave Wade) > 13. Re: Email delivery protocols / methods. (Bill Gunshannon) > 14. Re: Lots of Apple 1 computers @ VCF West (John Herron) > 15. Re: Email delivery protocols / methods. (Peter Coghlan) > 16. Re: Email delivery protocols / methods. (Peter Corlett) > 17. Re: Email delivery protocols / methods. (Jason T) > 18. Re: Lots of Apple 1 computers @ VCF West (ED SHARPE) > 19. Re: Lots of Apple 1 computers @ VCF West (ED SHARPE) > 20. Re: Lots of Apple 1 computers @ VCF West (Evan Koblentz) > 21. Re: Question about Apple /// (Jim Manley) > 22. Re: Lots of Apple 1 computers @ VCF West (Evan Koblentz) > 23. Re: Question about Apple /// (ED SHARPE) > 24. Re: Lots of Apple 1 computers @ VCF West (Evan Koblentz) > 25. Re: Lots of Apple 1 computers @ VCF West (Guy Dunphy) > 26. Re: Question about Apple /// (Bill Degnan) > 27. Re: Email delivery protocols / methods. (Noel Chiappa) > 28. Re: Wtd: advice upcoming visit to Bletchley Park / comp > museum (Mattis Lind) > 29. Re: Question about Apple /// (ED SHARPE) > 30. Re: Wtd: advice upcoming visit to Bletchley Park / comp > museum (Peter Corlett) > 31. Wtd: advice upcoming visit to Bletchley Park / comp museum > (Bill Degnan) > 32. Re: Email delivery protocols / methods. (David Bridgham) > 33. Re: Email delivery protocols / methods. (David Bridgham) > 34. QSIC, was: Re: Email delivery protocols / methods. > (emanuel stiebler) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2019 13:33:38 -0400 (EDT) > From: jnc at mercury.lcs.mit.edu (Noel Chiappa) > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > Cc: jnc at mercury.lcs.mit.edu > Subject: Re: gunkies.org is down or?... > Message-ID: <20190705173338.C9ACB18C0B6 at mercury.lcs.mit.edu> > > > From: Tomasz Rola > > > Is it really down? > > I suppose this is actually good news, in a way - someone must have been > trying to use it, to notice that it was down! :-) > > So let me take this opportunity to appeal once again for people to contribute > content; I've added a lot of PDP-11 stuff, and Lars and I sporadically add > PDP-10 stuff (not that very many actually have a hardware -10 :-), but > _everything else_ could use more content. So if you have a particular focus - > please consider contributing your knowledge in that area! > > Noel > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2019 11:46:30 -0600 > From: ben <bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca> > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > Subject: Re: gunkies.org is down or?... > Message-ID: <fef4a9ac-4bee-acee-5bdd-e7fbfbdc5647 at jetnet.ab.ca> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > On 7/5/2019 11:33 AM, Noel Chiappa via cctalk wrote: >> > From: Tomasz Rola >> >> > Is it really down? >> >> I suppose this is actually good news, in a way - someone must have been >> trying to use it, to notice that it was down! :-) >> >> So let me take this opportunity to appeal once again for people to contribute >> content; I've added a lot of PDP-11 stuff, and Lars and I sporadically add >> PDP-10 stuff (not that very many actually have a hardware -10 :-), but >> _everything else_ could use more content. So if you have a particular focus - >> please consider contributing your knowledge in that area! >> >> Noel > It looks up from here. Wow all those banks of EVIL computers behind that > man in the photo. Ben. > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2019 15:05:32 -0600 > From: Grant Taylor <cctalk at gtaylor.tnetconsulting.net> > To: cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Subject: Email delivery protocols / methods. > Message-ID: > <ff892b2d-b7f1-01e8-a59c-f60f890f4f77 at spamtrap.tnetconsulting.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > Here's pot stirrer for a holiday Friday afternoon: > > How many different protocols / methods can we collectively come up with > for how email can be transferred? > > I'm primarily thinking about between servers (MTA-to-MTA). But I'm also > willing to accept servers and clients (MTA-to-MUA). Where you can / > could run at least one server yourself. > > ? SMTP(S) > ? UUCP (rmail) > ? MMDF > ? X.400 > ? Microsoft Exchange proprietary protocol > ? Novell GroupWise proprietary protocol > ? Lotus (IBM) Domino proprietary protocol > ? FidoNet (FTN) > ? BITNET > ? Direct file access - group Post Office > ? Direct file access - mail spool > > > -- Nigel Johnson MSc., MIEEE VE3ID/G4AJQ/VA3MCU Amateur Radio, the origin of the open-source concept! You can reach me by voice on Skype: TILBURY2591 If time travel ever will be possible, it already is. Ask me again yesterday This e-mail is not and cannot, by its nature, be confidential. En route from me to you, it will pass across the public Internet, easily readable by any number of system administrators along the way. Nigel Johnson <nw.johnson at ieee.org> Please consider the environment when deciding if you really need to print this message

6 years, 11 months

1
0
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Email delivery protocols / methods.

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Grant Taylor > How many different protocols / methods can we collectively come up with > for how email can be transferred?' Hey, this is the classic computers list, so you should only list early stuff, (say pre-1990), and leave out all the modern crap (but I repeat myself). So here's one I'm not sure anyone else will catch: TFTP has an email mode! Why? Well, FTP is gargantuan (compared to TFTP) and needs a working TCP to boot, so if all you have is a working TFTP, and no email... Noel

6 years, 11 months

3
3
0 0

gunkies.org is down or?...

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Tomasz Rola > Is it really down? I suppose this is actually good news, in a way - someone must have been trying to use it, to notice that it was down! :-) So let me take this opportunity to appeal once again for people to contribute content; I've added a lot of PDP-11 stuff, and Lars and I sporadically add PDP-10 stuff (not that very many actually have a hardware -10 :-), but _everything else_ could use more content. So if you have a particular focus - please consider contributing your knowledge in that area! Noel

6 years, 11 months

2
1
0 0

gunkies.org is down or?...

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Diane Bruce > Works fine. Probably a left-over cached entry; neither my ISP's DNS, nor MIT's ("Host gunkies.org not found: 3(NXDOMAIN)") can resolve it at the moment. One year Tore was off hiking or something, and it took a few days, but past experience is that he will get to it. (But I'd like to not have to depend on him.) Noel

6 years, 11 months

3
4
0 0

gunkies.org is down or?...

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> Tomasz Rola > However, I have added this line to my /etc/hosts: L-rd, I must be getting old - it never dawned on me to do that. Anyway, that shows the server was fine, it was just the missing DNS entry. Back now. Noel

6 years, 11 months

2
1
0 0

gunkies.org is down or?...

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Tomasz Rola > Is it really down? Could it come back? Tore forgot to pay the bill for his DNS entry; this is the third year in a row the exact same thing has happened, on the exact same date! :-) :-( I've already sent him an email about it, this morning; hopefully he'll get with the program shortly. If I knew the IP address for gunkies (it used to be 92.242.140.2, not sure if it's still at that hosting service - the hosting and DNS entry are separate) I'd be really tempted to pay it myself - and switch the registration to myself in the process, so I can pay it in the future! Not sure how long a bill has to be unpaid before you can hijack an entry, though. Noel

6 years, 11 months

2
1
0 0

gunkies.org is down or?...

by rtomek＠ceti.pl

I have just noticed that. => (885 3): host gunkies.org Host gunkies.org not found: 3(NXDOMAIN) Looks like it fell off the edge of the world. Gog still has pages in cache, time of caching for one particular page I am reading is May 30th, 09:38:55 GMT. Is it really down? Could it come back? -- Regards, Tomasz Rola -- ** A C programmer asked whether computer had Buddha's nature. ** ** As the answer, master did "rm -rif" on the programmer's home ** ** directory. And then the C programmer became enlightened... ** ** ** ** Tomasz Rola mailto:tomasz_rola at bigfoot.com **

6 years, 11 months

1
0
0 0

Classic / NOP machines becoming available in Berlin (inc. DECs, Commodores, Apples, HPs, SGIs and more)

by shadoooo＠gmail.com

Hello Peter, you have a nice list of interesting things. I'm very interested in DEC machines, which I collect and repair for preservation purposes. Among others, I could be interested in those: DECmate assorted QBUS boards (do you have a list?) VAX 4000/90A VAX 4000/96 VAX 4000/100A VAX 4000/105 DEC RFxx disks, TK50 and TU58 tapes if available Commodore dual FFDs 4040 or 3040 Possibly Amiga 1000/1200/2000 for a friend of mine. I would have an idea about prices, however... If you prefer, please contact me privately. I see you here a long list of burnable ISOs. I already have several of those, but it would be very nice to merge with yours... could you share them somewhere over the net? Thanks Andrea

6 years, 11 months

1
0
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Classic / NOP machines becoming available in Berlin (inc. DECs, Commodores, Apples, HPs, SGIs and more)

by prd＠decarchive.org

Dear all, Apologies for this semi-spam message from a long-time appreciator of classic computers and nostalgic obsolete products, but I hope this will be of interest to at least a few people here. So, yes, by way of context, I?ve been acquiring what I consider to be characterful and/or historically interesting computers for coming up to, maybe, 15 years now, with the intention of being able to curate multiple, interactive temporary exhibits on the history of computing, but since moving continents (amongst other things), my paths and passions have changed, so I am currently in the process of re-testing (and repairing) my machines, and will be trying to sell them off in the coming weeks and months. Under different circumstances, finding people (or groups) with similar interests and plans would have been an equal-first priority, but given my more recent ?life changes', sale price ? and the ability to better pursue my new focuses ? is now more of a factor. But before I list them on eBay (and/or by way of a heads up), I wanted to let people here know, just in case I have something that someone here particularly wants / needs / could use. The current list of systems I will be parting with is accessible at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QqUrO11gnn4fwAPDxqO_phKDt1M0O15G7wJ… but some (hopefully) highlights include (*big breath*): DEC: MicroPDP-11/53+; MicroVAX 2000; VAXstation 4000 VLC/60/90A/96; VAX 4000 100A, 105; DECstation 5000/240, 260 (MIPS-based); DEC 3000/300X; Personal Workstation 600au; AlphaServer 4100; AlphaServer DS20, DS25 systems; Letterwriter 100; VT 101, 220, 520 terminals HP: HP rx2800 Integrity2; 9000 715/100 and Visualize C110 PA-RISC systems SGI: Indy and O2 systems SUN: ELC, SPARCstation Voyager (the portable one), 5 and 20; Ultra 1; Ultra 5; Netra T1-105; Enterprise T5240 Apple: IIc, IIe Platinums, IIgs; Mac 512ke, Mac Pluses; SE/30 and Quadra 700s (also for running A/UX); iMac G3s and a G4 Commodore: PET 3000 systems, PET 8032-SK; various C64 / C64C and 128D systems; SX-64; Music Maker keyboards (the big one, inc. SFX modules); Amiga 1000 Apologies again, please feel free to contact me with any queries or reasonable offers, or even if you?d just like to be kept in the loop as more machines become available, and all the best. Thanks in advance, Peter

6 years, 11 months

1
1
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Recovering the ROM of an IBM 5100 using OCR (among other things)

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Liam Proven > This is *epic*. Indeed. I was blown away by the complexity of his technique for reading the digits. I can't believe there wasn't a much easier technique, though, e.g. using a logic analyzer and a small program to read through the ROS! Perhaps the challenge of doing it his way entertained him, though, like George Mallory's famous line about climbing Everest. Noel

6 years, 11 months

34
73
0 0

NASA Ames (Moffet Field) Computation Division?

by cclist＠sydex.com

Anyone know what hardware was at NASA Ames in the late 70s? I've got some tapes from there and would like to avoid guessing. --Chuck

6 years, 11 months

5
5
0 0

Need Fileware twiggy diskette picture for Wikipedia

by dave＠661.org

Someone informed me that the Fileware diskette image I uploaded to Wikipedia has unclear copyright status. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fileware-floppy.jpg. Would someone with a good specimen please scan it and upload to Wikipedia or send it to me? -- David Griffith dave at 661.org A: Because it fouls the order in which people normally read text. Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing? A: Top-posting. Q: What is the most annoying thing in e-mail?

6 years, 11 months

3
3
0 0

Latest Additions to the Virtual Warehouse of Computing Wonders Sale Inventory

by sellam.ismail＠gmail.com

Greetings Folks! I have finalized the latest batch of items added to the inventory of my Virtual Warehouse of Computing Wonders, and here it is: Commodore 64 Exatron MM800 Internal Memory IBM PCjr Power Expansion Attachment IBM 74F3465 The 3270 Connection Polaroid PerfectData DS/DD 8" floppy disk (10-pack) Xidex Precision DSDD 8" Floppy Disks (10-pack) Diablo Printwheel - APL 10 Diablo Printwheel - Courier 10 Diablo Printwheel - European Elite 12 Diablo Printwheel - OCR A Diablo Printwheel - Pica 10 Diablo Print Ribbon (Carton of 12) SmartPrint Printer Sharing Network Add-on Computer Module Symantec Think C for Macintosh 6.0 (Upgrade) Hayes Personal Modem 1200 Gravis Mac MouseStick II Apple Power Mac Processor Upgrade (APMPU) Orange Micro OrangePC MS-DOS Coprocessor Radius Full Page Display SE Corvus Systems Macintosh OmniDrive User Guide Corvus Systems Qbus Interface RT-11 System Reference Card RT-11 System Reference Card Convergent Technologies WK-100 WorkSlate Convergent Technologies WorkSlate Travel Task Ware Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100 Portable Computer Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100 Cassette Interface Cable TRS-80 Model 100 Calculator TRS-80 Model 100 Bar Code Drivers TRS-80 Model 100 Bar Code Writer TRS-80 Model 100 Executive Calendar TRS-80 Model 100 Function Plotter TRS-80 Model 100 Personal Finance TRS-80 Model 100 Portable Computing with the Model 100 TRS-80 Model 100 SCRIPSIT 100 TRS-80 Model 100 StarBlaze 100 TRS-80 Model 100 Tandy Code Tandy 102 Owner's Manual/Applications and BASIC Reference Guide IBM Personal Computer PCjr BASIC Reference IBM Personal Computer PCjr Guide to Operations Hands-On BASIC for the IBM PCjr AST VGA Plus Tall Tree Systems AT3-P w/JLaser-3 daughterboard Western Digital WD7000-ASC FASST2 SCSI Controller Ziatech IEEE 488 Interface for PS/2 Computers Everex 24E+ External Modem Epson FX-86e/286e Printer User's Manual Citizen Color Ribbon Okidata Okimate 20 Plug 'N Print for IBM PC and Compatibles Okidata Tractor Feed Option Kit (boxed) Memorex Epson MX-80 Printer Ribbon 3M DS,HD 5.25" Diskettes (10-pack) Dysan 100 MD2HD floppy diskette 10-pack Ohio Scientific 5.25" Mini Floppy Diskette (10-pack) Verbatim Datalife SS/DD 5.25" Minidisks (7-pack) Epson E95D0U External 5.25" Disk Drive Compaq MS-DOS Version 3 Reference Guide DEC PDP-8/L Instruction List reference card Osborne dBase II Version 2.3b (manual only) Altera MAX+plus II Programmable Logic Development System FHR Industries 1200 Intelligent Modem Commodore 64 HP 92220R HPIB Right Angle Cable (1ft) HP10833B HPIB Cable (2m) SunRize Industries Perfect Sound Timex-Sinclair 1000 Sinclair ZX81 case Apple Macintosh Plus (Platinum) Apple Macintosh SE w/Targus Carrying Case (Those are two different Commodore 64 units, one has a case "variation".) Links to the newly arrived items are here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I53wxarLHlNmlPVf_HJ5oMKuab4zrApI_hi… I have discovered the myriad of Facebook vintage computing groups, so I have begun posting my sale lists there as well. However, I will always post notifications of new lists here and on the VCFed forums 24 hours before I unleash them on the FB groups, which results in a deluge of activity. In this way, I give you guys first stab at the action on the new stuff before the hordes descend upon it. You are welcome. As always, please contact me directly by e-mail to inquire about an item. Thanks! Sellam

6 years, 11 months

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Latest Additions to the Virtual Warehouse of Computing Wonders Sale Inventory

by commodorejohn＠gmail.com

I'll also vouch for Sellam. His prices are a bit higher than I might prefer, but he's a straight dealer as far as I've ever seen; I bought an Apple IIc from him and he gave me no trouble at all about exchanging it when the board turned out to be cracked.

6 years, 11 months

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IBM PS/2 Model 70 or compatible floppy drive wanted (Or help with current one?)

by mokuba＠gmail.com

Hey all, i'm having a fair amount of trouble with my PS/2's floppy drive... wanted to back up my BBS and none of the disks i put in would read or format! Oddly though, it WILL boot a disk that's inserted on power-on. I hear it try and hit the disk a few times while in dos repeatedly before failing with the R/A/F options ... and format tries to read it, then goes attempts to format it, and can't find sector 0 ..... I'm really confused about those symptoms since it boots the only bootable disk I had on hand - ironically spinrite 6 (I'm aware of how useful it is...) - so i'm looking at replacing it ... or figuring out what's wrong with it that it can boot a disk just fine, but not use one while in DOS ? .... and by wiggling the floppy a bit I just got it to format a disk while in the ... drive, and now it's making the noise it did before and stalling occasionally. Perhaps the disk just isn't catching fully? -- Gary G. Sparkes Jr. KB3HAG

6 years, 11 months

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Latest Additions to the Virtual Warehouse of Computing, > Wonders Sale Inventory

by marvin＠west.net

FYI, it is unlikely there would have been a VCF without Sellam. He basically started it (with his own money) and continued through the first 10 years or so. Many others help support VCF (and continue to do so even though Sellam backed out some number of years ago.) I, for one, fully support Sellam in his effots to move out his inventory, and have never seen him sell anything at 10x prices. Marvin > From: Randy Dawson <rdawson16 at hotmail.com> > > Anybody try business with this guy? > His prices are 10X off the chart

6 years, 11 months

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DNS and Registrar

by cctalk＠gtaylor.tnetconsulting.net

On 6/27/19 12:53 PM, jim stephens wrote: > They don't have to be combined. Agreed. I've been running DNS servers for about 20 years. I /always/ prefer to run my own DNS servers if I can. I have never run across a situation where I was unable to do so for /technical/ reasons. I have had clients that /chose/ to /not/ host their own DNS for a /business/ reason. > I have a friend running his and my DNS on a server at his house with two > DSL feeds for good measure, one is primary DNS for our domains, second > one is published as the secondary. *nod* I'd worry about DSL circuits and stability for DNS. But it will probably work > 98% of the time. If you're comfortable with it, more power to you. I would likely do something more like I'm doing now, run the master name server (MNAME field in the SOA record) on the DSL and have somebody else with a more robust connection (DSL had issues where I'm from) do a slave zone transfer and be the listed Name Servers (NS records) that the world talks to. I actually do that now with my VPS being the MNAME server and my VPS provider doing slave zone transfers off of me. Note how the registrar is not part of that mix. ;-) > The biggest thing to watch for is the lax rules for transfering > domains.? There was a problem with that, but most registrars allow locks > now that impede the movement of domains w/o a bit of work. That sounds like you're talking about moving domains between registrars, which is decidedly different than and independent of where DNS is hosted. Admittedly the registrar has to point (delegate) to the DNS hosting provider. But it's fairly easy to move domains between registrars without even logging into a portal at the DNS host. > Used to take a couple of emails to highjack a domain, as there wasn't > even a notification to verify that the transfer process email was > requested by the owner. Ya. Registrars have had some deficiencies over the years. I think they are getting better. > You are strongly encouraged to use a third party "professional" DNS > service, but it only really need to be up reliably. ~whistling~ ? ~quiet~ ? I'm sorry, did you say something? No. Never mind. I'll go back to what I was doing. ? ~whistling~ I mean that as a joke. I let a LOT of what companies that are trying to sell to me go in one ear, sanity check it, and then go out the other ear. I'm of the opinion that a static IP is the biggest requirement for /most/ DNS service. I.e. somewhere to have the registrar delegate the DNS to. Beyond that, I'm happy to delegate sub-domains to people on dynamic IPs if they want them. It's possible to put DNS a LOT of places that don't qualify as "Best Practice". Most of them will work most of the time. > We have the dual providers for the node my friend runs, as we know from > the phone companies and providers that though the DNS is over the same > 12 pair wire into his house (another trick), the CO actually has the > DNS switches on different racks and UPS's. Which isn't a bad precaution. That's probably okay for most things. But it's still subject to Backhoe Bob and the fade that he can induce. That's why I have my master that I can do anything and everything I want to, and outsource to slave secondaries. Linode, my VPS provider, has five different DNS servers that (I belie) are geographically diverse. It will be quite a bit harder to take out all five of their DNS servers. Plus, I don't have to pay for connectivity in five different locations. ;-) I'm curious, you said DSL. But that could be anything from 1.5 Mbps ADSL to SDSL to VDSL. Each of which have different capabilities and SLAs. Other than the backhoe fade taking out both connections at the same time, higher quality DSL with SLAs is probably okay to do. I think the official recommendation for big (think root level) DNS servers is to have each server in a different network, where network is defined as /24 (or larger), preferably under different ASNs. But that's not a /requirement/, especially for smaller DNS operators. > thanks You're welcome. -- Grant. . . . unix || die

6 years, 11 months

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Anyone have an Ethernet interface card for an AT&T 730 terminal?

by aek＠bitsavers.org

I just finished taking pictures and dumping the firmware from a 730X terminal but it turns out it has a Starlan and not an Ethernet interface. It would be nice to get a firmware dump from an Ethernet card. A start of a 630 driver is in MAME. http://bitsavers.org/pdf/att/730/730X It also appears the keyboards for the 630 and 730 aren't backwards compatible with the other 6xx products and the 5620. 5620 keyboards need -12v which the 630 or 730 don't supply, and the 610 keyboard doesn't appear to work either. Josh took a couple of pictures of his 630 keyboard and even though they look similar, the earlier keyboards were made by Teletype and the 630 is made by Keytronic.

6 years, 11 months

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Identifying some boards

by kylevowen＠gmail.com

I picked up these boards many weeks ago, but haven't photographed them until recently. Some of them are pretty disgusting, but some of the others look alright. Anyone have any idea what these came out of? Some are labeled Gould, others are labeled Encore. http://imgur.com/a/d9iK9qb Thanks! Kyle

6 years, 11 months

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OT: the end of Dyn DNS

by chd＠chdickman.com

Now that Dyn has been absorbed by Oracle I need a new DNS service for my vanity domain. I welcome suggestions for a replacement provider. -chuck

6 years, 11 months

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Recovering the ROM of an IBM 5100 using OCR (among other things)

by boris＠summitclinic.com

That was a very interesting read! The type of thing I could see myself doing over 40 years ago when once I'd come up with a neat idea and either did preliminary coding or hardware design suggesting it would work I'd jump right into it and find optimistic 1 month project timelines stretching to 6+ months. My approach now would be to just use a logic analyzer or a number of Propeller boards to sample all of the lines from ROS as very sedate clock speed that the 5100 uses. Still, this has applications beyond original goal and could use it to acquire patient lab data from hospital EMR's which are increasingly locked down. Used to be I could export a patients lab results to a text file easily to graph them out vs time or look at correlations between various lab values. Now that's forbidden as one is only allowed to look at them on the screen or use the abysmal graphing functionality which is very poorly coded and makes a PDP-8 doing the same functionality seem like a supercomputer. Thus, one could simply point a cell phone camera at the screen, record the lab results scrolling by and then do OCR on the series of images to create a data file of all of the lab results one is interested in. I've just photographed results on a screen as takes less room than another sheet of paper. >This is *epic*. > >https://github.com/stepleton/5100NonExecutableROSDecode/blob/master/WRITEUP… > >-- >Liam Proven - Profile: https://about.me/liamproven >Email: lproven at cix.co.uk - Google Mail/Hangouts/Plus: lproven at gmail.com >Twitter/Facebook/Flickr: lproven - Skype/LinkedIn: liamproven >UK: +44 7939-087884 - ??R (+ WhatsApp/Telegram/Signal): +420 702 829 053

6 years, 11 months

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CDC Cyber 180-960 available

by ggs＠shiresoft.com

Hi, It has come to my attention that a CDC Cyber 180-960 is available. Apparently this is from a supplier that was supporting Vandenburg AFB (California) with spares. Since Vendenburg is decommissioning it?s Cyber systems, the supplier wants to get rid of the spare machine that they have. I think the supplier just want the machine ?to go away? so the price is likely to be negligible. Please contact me off-list if interested and I?ll get you in touch with the relevant folks. TTFN - Guy

6 years, 11 months

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Datapoint 8600 system in Little Rock

by aek＠bitsavers.org

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Datapoint-8600-and-Peripherals/192961883648 anyone nearby? I'd like to get it, but I have no way to pick it up

6 years, 11 months

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Emulex SC11 Documentation Wanted

by nf6x＠nf6x.net

I'm looking for documentation covering a board set which came with my new PDP-11/34A. It looks like an Emulex SC11 disk controller, but it appears to be a newer version than what is covered in the 1979 manual scan which I found on Bitsavers. I have pictures of the board set on my blog: http://www.nf6x.net/2019/06/emulex-sc11-disk-controller-documentation-wante… -- Mark J. Blair, NF6X <nf6x at nf6x.net> http://www.nf6x.net/

6 years, 11 months

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Recovering the ROM of an IBM 5100 using OCR (among other things)

by jfoust＠threedee.com

At 04:15 AM 6/28/2019, Liam Proven via cctalk wrote: > I don't even know if a half a dollar is a note or a coin, and >that's without getting extra-pedantic and pointing out that about a >dozen countries call their currencies the "dollar". If you were a real pedant, you would've provided a list of dimensions of their half-dollar coins (or bills) in several common systems of measurement. - John

6 years, 11 months

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Recovering the ROM of an IBM 5100 using OCR (among other things)

by lproven＠gmail.com

This is *epic*. https://github.com/stepleton/5100NonExecutableROSDecode/blob/master/WRITEUP… -- Liam Proven - Profile: https://about.me/liamproven Email: lproven at cix.co.uk - Google Mail/Hangouts/Plus: lproven at gmail.com Twitter/Facebook/Flickr: lproven - Skype/LinkedIn: liamproven UK: +44 7939-087884 - ?R (+ WhatsApp/Telegram/Signal): +420 702 829 053

6 years, 11 months

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Big news, re: mobile computing history

by cctalk＠snarc.net

Hello! I have a major announcement. :) It's time for version 2.0 of my book, "Abacus to smartphone: The evolution of mobile and portable computers," which I published on dead trees four years ago. This time, it's going to be a (free!) interactive website: the era of printed books is behind us. Please help me raise funds to make this happen. Funders will get exclusive access for the first month that the website is live (approximately the whole of August 2019). All of the details (such what's new/different) are here: https://fundrazr.com/b1WZ91?ref=ab_74VRia ... please check it out. Thanks!! -Evan

6 years, 11 months

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RSTS collection in the UK

by aek＠bitsavers.org

We received this offer, it probably makes more sense for someone in the UK to get the lot. Is there someone at a collecting institution that would like to take this on? Email me and I can forward your contact information to them. "I have a few disk packs available if you need them. (Please note I am in the UK). I also have a range of PDP-11 interface boards, a mix of dual, quad and Unibus. Is there anything in particular that you need? Finally I have a mass of RSTS related documentation, such as one copy of every edition of the US publication RSTS Porfessional magazine. Plus copies of RSTS and RT-11 operating system manuals, from RSTS Version 4a (1974) through to Version 10.1 (mid 1990s)."

6 years, 11 months

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One of the deeper dives into RISC vs CISC I've seen

by guykd＠optusnet.com.au

At 12:56 PM 25/06/2019 +0200, Liam Proven wrote: >On Mon, 24 Jun 2019 at 12:31, Tony Aiuto via cctalk ><cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote: >> >> On a related note, a fun talk about ARM >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2045&v=_6sh097Dk5k > >Remarkable. Thanks for the link. Astounding. Very thought-provoking. Yes, it is. Fascinating! And right now jdownloader is fetching me a local copy, as opposed to previously not working with that one video for some inexplicable reason. So thanks for reminding me to try again. Guy

6 years, 11 months

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Origins of nameless semaphores and Apple's non-support thereof

by dave＠661.org

I recently tripped over the fact that MacOS does not support nameless POSIX semaphores. When attempting to use them, I get a complaint that they're deprecated. I can't fathom why Apple would do that. I found this post explaining it, albeit not very well: https://lists.apple.com/archives/darwin-kernel/2009/Apr/msg00010.html. It seems that Apple yanked out support, but elsewhere (https://intfiction.org/t/macos-frotz-users/41553/5) I'm told that Apple did it because BSD 4.4 didn't implement them. I was fairly sure that it did. Does anyone have a more satisfying answer? -- David Griffith dave at 661.org A: Because it fouls the order in which people normally read text. Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing? A: Top-posting. Q: What is the most annoying thing in e-mail?

6 years, 11 months

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PIC programmer

by brian＠quarterbyte.com

Hi all, I have, surprisingly, a non IBM 1130 related issue to ask about. I have a PIC16C55A-04/P 28 pin plastic MPU that I would like to reproduce --- but don't have a PIC debugger on hand and in fact don't know whether or not the existing device is code protected. (If it's code protected, then the path forward is going to be very different). Does anyone have the ability to check one of the chips that I have here is code protected so I can see if I should pursue this any further? Located in the San Francisco Bay Area but can mail a sample chip. Thanks! Brian

6 years, 11 months

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One of the deeper dives into RISC vs CISC I've seen

by lproven＠gmail.com

Goes a bit over my head but may be of interest: https://userpages.umbc.edu/~vijay/mashey.on.risc.html -- Liam Proven - Profile: https://about.me/liamproven Email: lproven at cix.co.uk - Google Mail/Hangouts/Plus: lproven at gmail.com Twitter/Facebook/Flickr: lproven - Skype/LinkedIn: liamproven UK: +44 7939-087884 - ?R (+ WhatsApp/Telegram/Signal): +420 702 829 053

6 years, 11 months

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Anyone have any info on the obscure MX11 PDP-11 option?

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Al Kossow > Does anyone know where Steve Rothman is? And also Bill Weiske, who's listed as the go-to for the KS11. Noel

6 years, 11 months

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Anyone have any info on the obscure MX11 PDP-11 option?

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Al Kossow > It is in the Dick Best Options and Modules List 197503 Ah, thanks for the pointer; I see it's listed as a "Memory Extension Control" - not sure that tells me much, alas! Interestingly, it's not in the earlier Options and Modules lists, e.g. June '74, but the KS11 is in that earlier list, so the MX11's a later addition. Noel

6 years, 11 months

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Anyone have any info on the obscure MX11 PDP-11 option?

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

While I asking on the TUHS list about the KS11, someone mentioned the MX11 Memory Extension Option, described as "enabl[ing] the usage of 128 KW memory (18-bit addressing range) ... developed by the Digital CSS (Computer Special Systems)". I'm not familiar with this, and I couldn't find anything about it. (It's not even in the Spare Modules Handbook, but then again, neither is the KS11 - although the KT11-B is). Some early UNIBUS device address lists (e.g. the '72 "peripherals and interfacing handbook") list up to six, from #1 at 777600-06 to #6 at 777650-56. I can _guess_ what it did, from the description above (e.g. maps an 8KB block, since there can be up to 6), but I was wondering if anyone had any hard data; e.g. memories based on using one BITD, etc, etc. Even a high level description (e.g. 'sat on the UNIBUS between the CPU and extra memory, and mapped a fixed block of low UNIBUS address space to a block controlled by a register') would be an improvement on what we have now, which is basically nothing. Noel

6 years, 11 months

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Help with a qic data tape

by danr234＠gmail.com

Someone gave me your info. I have a very important tape I need help with. The tape spooled off the end and I need the belt put back on. Maybe getting the data off the tape too. It?s a 3m dc2120 120Megabyte tape. I?ve tried to do some practice tapes with junk tapes but I?m not confident enough to do it.

6 years, 11 months

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unix developed on 11/20 with 20 on panel or machine that just said pdp/11?

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Steve Malikoff >> According to this page that Dennis Ritchie wrote ... >> https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/picture.html > It states that their 11/20 had a KS-11 memory management unit, was > that mandatory for running v1 Unix on an 11/20? Well, the page does say they had two -11/20's, apparently one with and one without the KS11. Also, ISTR that the source for the -11/20 system has been recovered from a listing and run, and IIRC that didn't have the KS11 stuff in it (but it might be worth checking). Next to nothing is known of the KS11. Dennis' page "Odd Comments and Strange Doings in Unix": https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/odd.html has a story involving it (at the end), and that is all I've ever been able to find out about it (if anyone has anything more, please let me know). My original guess as to its functionality, from that, was that it's not part of the CPU, but a UNIBUS device, which perhaps maps addresses around (and definitely limits user access to I/O page addresses). It might also have mapped part of the UNIBUS space which the -11/20 CPU _can_ see (i.e. in the 0-56KB range) up to higher addresses, where 'extra' memory is configured. However, on re-reading that page, I see it apparently supported some sort of user/kernel mode distinction, which might have require a tie-in to the CPU. (But not necessarily; if there was a flop in the KS11 which stored the 'CPU mode' bit, it might be automatically cleared on all interrupts. Not sure how it would have handled traps, though. I'll have to enquire on the TUHS list. Noel

6 years, 11 months

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RK05 indicator lenses?

by mosst＠SDF.ORG

Hi All, I've recently acquired an RK05 that's missing the lenses for its indicator lights. Does anyone know a part number or where I could find replacements? I was hoping there would be a clue in the engineering drawings, but unfortuanetly not. Regards, -Tom mosst at sdf.lonestar.org SDF Public Access UNIX System - http://sdf.lonestar.org

6 years, 11 months

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RSS Feeds

by trash80＠internode.on.net

I'm looking for some reliable RSS feeds (I appreciate they seem to be coming rare these days) to do with classic computers, preferably with a TRS-80 flavour but I'm not going to be precious about it. Google didn't seem to produce too many and those it did were either not there anymore or broken or monumentally out of date. If anyone can point me any where I'd be most grateful. Thank you Kevin Parker 0418 815 527

6 years, 11 months

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June 22

by sales＠elecplus.com

My warehouse will be open on Sat, Jun 22, from 10-3 for anyone that wants to come scrounge. I am 1 hour from San Antonio, or 2.5 hours from Austin, or 4-5 hours from Houston or Dallas (in decent traffic and weather). Cindy Croxton Electronics Plus 1613 Water Street Kerrville, TX 78028 830-370-3239 cell sales at elecplus.com --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

6 years, 11 months

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unix developed on 11/20 with 20 on panel or machine that just said pdp/11?

by wkt＠tuhs.org

Paul Koning wrote: >> The 1971 Unix Programmer's Manual mentions their 11/20 had 24 KB >> (surely KW?) memory rather than 28KW. > I would assume kW. In the PDP11 world we didn't normally speak of > bytes or kbytes, certainly not for memory and often not elsewhere either. The PDP-11 Unix source: https://github.com/DoctorWkt/unix-jun72/blob/master/pages/e00-01 says: orig = 0 core = orig+40000 / specifies beginning of user's core ecore = core+20000 / specifies end of user's core (4096 words) So: 40000= 16KB for the kernel, 20000= 8KB for the user program. Cheers, Warren

6 years, 11 months

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unix developed on 11/20 with 20 on panel or machine that just said pdp/11?

by wkt＠tuhs.org

According to this page that Dennis Ritchie wrote, the original PDP-11 they used was indeed an 11/20 but it was before there were PDP-11 model numbers: https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/picture.html And, of course, the PDP-7 Unix development came before the PDP-11 version :) Cheers, Warren

6 years, 11 months

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unix developed on 11/20 with 20 on panel or machine that just said pdp/11?

by wkt＠tuhs.org

Steve Malikoff wrote: > It states that their 11/20 had a KS-11 memory management unit, was that > mandatory for running v1 Unix on an 11/20? I case-insensitively grepped for 'ks.*11' in the Github repository here: https://github.com/DoctorWkt/unix-jun72 and I didn't see a mention. > The 1971 Unix Programmer's Manual mentions their > 11/20 had 24 KB (surely KW?) memory rather than 28KW. 28KB is right. The simh.cfg from the repo says: set cpu 11/20 set cpu 32K Cheers, Warren

6 years, 11 months

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Teac FD55-GF drives wanted for experiments in reading Twiggy floppies

by spacewar＠gmail.com

Is anyone willing to sell me a few Teac FD55-GF or -GFR floppy drives (PC 5.25-in high density) for less than eBay prices? I want to experiment with modifying them to read Apple Twiggy diskettes, primarily by adding a microstepping driver for the head positioning. I specifically want Teac drives because there are reasonably good service manuals on them, and I don't want to deal with multiple brands of drives. The handwritten labels on the Twiggy diskettes I recently acquired make it appear that they were used for prerelease Lisa development. I will be getting more of them in a few weeks, from the same source.

6 years, 11 months

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Wanting to get my first classic computer

by raywjewhurst＠gmail.com

Hello all, I have been a student of computer history for years but have only learned how to use classic machines vicariously through emulation. I would really like to get my own classic computer but I don't know where to begin. For one, I am on a very limited income and two I don't have a lot of space and finally I don't have much knowledge on the finer points of the older hardware i.e. terminals networking, etc. I would really like a Vaxstation but I have also considered a '90s workstation such as an SGI Indy or a SparcStation. I am pretty fluent in both VMS and Unix so any of those would work. So where do I look besides e-Bay? I see some available here but none near me. I'm in the Detroit area. Any advice would be appreciated. I do know that I do now want a Mac or old PC. I would like something more exotic. (Although it might me neat to own a Rainbow.) Thanks Ray

6 years, 11 months

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unix developed on 11/20 with 20 on panel or machine that just said pdp/11?

by couryhouse＠aol.com

unix developed on 11/20 with 20 on panel or machine that just said pdp/11? Help - have a? nice? looking? 11/20? plus? a? weird analog? computer and? a? Nike guidance? gyro platform? for? AJAX (? 2? gyros loose? need? prints? to? rewire? correctly)? ? ? in? trade? for? and? extra? ribbon Mike? we? had. so anyway today's? questions -? bell labs? UNIX? machine? ?says? 11? or? 11/20 -anyone have schematics or wiring chart? for NIKE AJAX? Gyro Plantform? Drop offlist? as? not? to? clutter? things thanks? Ed#

6 years, 11 months

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Dumping MC6801 ROM contents.

by mattislind＠gmail.com

I have been asked to dump the ROM contents out of the MC6801 in the Ericsson PC keyboard to get the MAME emulation fully working. The guy that is doing the emulation says this is the only thing missing and would be nice if I could help him getting it finalized. It is supposed to be quite easy. Put the MC6801 in test mode 0 and provide RESET vectors for an external EPROM that has a program that dumps the contents. Maybe in Intel HEX over the serial port. Should be quite straight forward. But I have thousands of other things to deal with so if someone already made such a small program I gladly use it instead of making my own. Even though I done some 6800 and 6809 assembler once upon a time, it was 30 years ago, so I imagine it will take some time to get it working. Is there anyone that already done this? /Mattis

6 years, 12 months

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PDP 11/15

by useddec＠gmail.com

I bought a large package of DEC gear last year and it came with a PDP 11/15. I have no need for this classic, and put it on the list. A few people responded, but because of my problems, I never followed up with them. For those who responded, I apologize for dropping the ball. If anyone is interested in it, please contact me off list. BTW, I have started on pulling a few things out of the warehouse. Thanks, Paul

6 years, 12 months

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vaxstation ii machine check & diags efficacy

by joezatarski＠gmail.com

> It's a VAXstation II/GPX. I'm trying to install VMS 5.5 (from CD if it matters; there is a CMD CQD-200 or -220 as the only storage controller) and routinely getting machine check exceptions. > > Standalone backup always boots. Sometimes I get an exception the moment I hit <enter> on a restore; sometimes in the middle of the restore, sometimes it runs to successful completion. > > VMS never boots. Sometimes I get as far as the date prompt (I took out the battery), sometimes it gets a little farther, frequently it's before anything appears on the console at all. > > The exceptions booting VMS occur the same if I attach another disk with VMS 5.5 already installed; if I replace the KA630 and M7609 with a KA655 and M7622, it all seems to run fine. > > The KA630 power-on diagnostics all pass, but... it smells like a memory fault to me. What are the odds there could be a memory fault that isn't caught by the diags? > > ok > bear. > > -- > until further notice Well, if the KA630 diagnostics are anything like the KA650 diagnostics, the power on self test is not too thorough as I learned. I found 10 bad DRAMs on a KA650, the POST only found 2 of them. The rest I had to test by running tests from the monitor with tighter parameters. You should get into the console monitor on the KA630 and see if you can get a list of tests to be run with the TEST command. Sometimes they have parameters, and you can specify more thorough tests to be run. Keep in mind, they may take considerably longer to run than the POST does. I'm speaking from KA650 experience here, but I was able to run the MEM_Data test on all of memory with an address increment of 1. It took about 4 or 5 hours to complete I think, for 8MB of RAM.

6 years, 12 months

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Apollo Computer Article

by brain＠jbrain.com

Probably too light for folks in here, but maybe some will find some interest (apologies if https://www.fastcompany.com/90362562/this-computer-changed-world-youve-neve… -- Jim Brain brain at jbrain.com www.jbrain.com

6 years, 12 months

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Another disk pack inspection unit on ebay

by bobalan＠sbcglobal.net

See: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Computer-Link-665-Series-600-Disc-Pack-Ins… Bob -- Vintage computers and electronics www.dvq.com www.tekmuseum.com www.decmuseum.org

6 years, 12 months

1
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DEC QBUS power supply minimum load

by dkgrizzly＠thewaffleiron.net

I have a BA23 chassis that was used to hold 3 DSSI disks. There was a different backplane with the load resistors instead of QBUS slots. There was also a large capacitor bank installed along side the DSSI disk in the place of the QBUS slots. I can dig around next week when I go back home if you still need the resistor sizes DEC used. -David Kuder

6 years, 12 months

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Missing posts in archive and no Subject: line

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Joe Zatarski joezatarski at gmail.com > The posts you mentioned were sent to cctech. .. that list is > moderated .. You'll notice these posts are now in both archives. Ah, that could be it. I thought I'd found them in the Subject: thread archive at the same time they weren't in the other, but maybe my memory is faulty. > From: Eric Christopherson > the reply to the message headed "No subject" .. actually seems to > have a blank subject, as a result of which it doesn't seem to be > possible to even view it (since there's no link to click)! Which is how I discovered those messages which weren't (yet) in the archive; I took the URL for the previous message, edited it to point to the next message, and discovered the 'missing' ones. (Apparently the list software makes messages available via the Web interface before they've been approved and added to the archive.) > John H. Reinhardt > And now I know why your posts always break the threading in > Thunderbird... Hey,I don't want my emailbox clogged up with this stuff! :-) Noel

6 years, 12 months

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vaxstation ii machine check & diags efficacy

by bear＠typewritten.org

It's a VAXstation II/GPX. I'm trying to install VMS 5.5 (from CD if it matters; there is a CMD CQD-200 or -220 as the only storage controller) and routinely getting machine check exceptions. Standalone backup always boots. Sometimes I get an exception the moment I hit <enter> on a restore; sometimes in the middle of the restore, sometimes it runs to successful completion. VMS never boots. Sometimes I get as far as the date prompt (I took out the battery), sometimes it gets a little farther, frequently it's before anything appears on the console at all. The exceptions booting VMS occur the same if I attach another disk with VMS 5.5 already installed; if I replace the KA630 and M7609 with a KA655 and M7622, it all seems to run fine. The KA630 power-on diagnostics all pass, but... it smells like a memory fault to me. What are the odds there could be a memory fault that isn't caught by the diags? ok bear. -- until further notice

6 years, 12 months

2
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PDP 11/15

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Bob Smith > there have been refs to another more modern unit, based on LSI[-]11 > or later chip set I've never heard of that, and I wonder if DEC would really have released a new product with the same name as an old one (the two PDP-11/10's are different, as I'm not sure many of the first ones were sold, but a ton of -11/15's were). > I wonder if it is one of those or the orig. This one is one of the -11/20 type ones. > From: Paul Koning > I only ever heard of an 11/15 as the 11/20 relabeled for OEM > markets According to the "pdp11/15/20/r20 processor handbook", 1972 edition (i.e. the second edition of the -11/20 proc handbook), the /15 has (table on pg. 2) a "KC11" processor, which seems to be a KA11 with only a single interrupt request line. (Maybe it has a replacement card for the M824, with only a single interrupt line wired up?) There's a 'KF11-A' option which upgrades it to multi-line (pg. 4), for which there claims to be a manual (DEC-11-HKFA-D), but there are none online, but from other traces online it does seem that some people had to get and install it. So maybe the stuff in the proc manual isn't just marketing wibble. That same manual claims that power-fail restart was standard in the KA11; it was an option for the KC11, the KP11-A. Noel

6 years, 12 months

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Teletype 5620 schematics

by aek＠bitsavers.org

came across these this eve, probably only of interest to Seth, since he has one http://bitsavers.org/pdf/att/5620/schematic

6 years, 12 months

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Wanting to get my first classic computer

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Ray Jewhurst > I would really like to get my own classic computer but I don't know > where to begin. Two questions you need to sort out in your mind, to decide, are i) do you want something with a bit-mapped video screen, or are you happy with ASCII serial line only, and ii) what are you prepared to do for mass storage. E.g. if you really want video, you're probably looking at something like a VAXStation or so; if ASCII will do you, a QBUS PDP-11 might be a good start, as with patience eBay can yield a cheap chassis, CPU etc (although in the last year or so the really cheap stuff seems to have dried up, alas). Noel

6 years, 12 months

2
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CC users in Ireland

by ronan.scaife＠dcu.ie

Dear All, At 03:30 PM 17/06/2019 +0100, Ronan Scaife wrote: > Dear All, > > I am particularly interested to make contact with Ireland-based > classic computer collectors or users. on 18 June 2019, Guy Dunphy wrote: > Message: 8 Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2019 09:34:11 +1000 From: Guy Dunphy > <guykd at optusnet.com.au> To: ronan.scaife at dcu.ie, "General Discussion: > On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Subject: Re: > irish cctech subscribers Message-ID: > <3.0.6.32.20190618093411.011eaad8 at mail.optusnet.com.au> Content-Type: > text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hi Ronan, I know you meant 'in > Ireland.' But I can't resist: I'm of Irish ancestry, though born and > residing in Sydney Australia. Also "My particular interest is in DEC > pdp-8 and pdp11 machines." Never thought I'd actually have any, until > unexpected events of 2018 and ongoing. Now so far I have two PDP-8/S > to restore ( http://everist.org/NobLog/20181104_PDP-8S.htm ) and two > PDP-11: Rack 1: PDP 11/44 and one RLO2 diskpack drive. Rack 2: PDP > 11/34, two RLO2 diskpack drives, and one RK05 disk pack drive. Seems > to be a complete, intact system. I have the side panels, various > blanking panels, and assorted documentation. Still making arrangements > for a long-term space to set them up and work on them. Regards, Guy > Dunphy >> My particular interest is in DEC pdp-8 and pdp11 machines. Dear Guy, good to hear from you! My interest stems from the generosity of DEC Galway, Ireland, who helped start my (DSP, speech) research career in the early 1980s with a generous donation of 2x 11/34s with RL02 and RX02. I also have a MINC (laboratory instrumented 11/23) from Trinity College Dublin. Quite recently, we acquired a pdp8/e (made in Galway) with RK05 and PC04 >from Dundalk Institute of Technology. I haven't dared to power this up, but a few of my students have worked on a replica pdp8/e front panel patched into a simh emulation on a PC. I look forward to reading your blog. My medium term plan is to interest the National Museum or equivalent in a section on (especially Irish-made) technology, so the email was primarily addressed to people on the island of Ireland. However, most of what I have learned over the years has been from guys around the world like you who are so generous with their information. Best Wishes, Ronan Scaife -- -- * *S?anadh R?omhphoist/Email Disclaimer* *T? an r?omhphost seo agus aon chomhad a sheoltar leis faoi r?n agus is lena ?s?id ag an seola? agus sin amh?in ?. Is f?idir tuilleadh a l?amh anseo.? <https://sites.google.com/view/seanadh-riomhphoist>* *This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for use by the addressee. Read more here. <https://sites.google.com/view/dcu-email-disclaimer>* * -- <https://www.facebook.com/DCU/> <https://twitter.com/DublinCityUni> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/dublin-city-university> <https://www.instagram.com/dublincityuniversity/?hl=en> <https://www.youtube.com/user/DublinCityUniversity>

6 years, 12 months

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Whose site is 9track.net?

by cctalk＠snarc.net

Does anyone know who owns 9track.net? I couldn't find any contact information there.

6 years, 12 months

2
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Looking for a Intel multibus 88/45... (minor corrections...)

by lbickley＠bickleywest.com

I'm in the process of restoring an Intel 310 system. I had it working to the point where it was trying to boot - when the 88/45 processor began to fail intermittently and then solidly. My debugging seems to indicate that the problem is in a PLD - which is a serious bummer. I have preserved the ROMS (which have built-in diagnostics/debugging and boot capability for both floppy and Winchester hard disks) as files. I will make these ROM files available to Al for posting on bitsavers. If someone on this list has an Intel 88/45 (or Intel 310) who would be willing to part with it, please contact me off list. I can to either do a trade or cash purchase... Cheers, Lyle -- 73 NM6Y Bickley Consulting West Inc. https://bickleywest.com "Black holes are where God is dividing by zero"

6 years, 12 months

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Two AT&T Unix PC/3B1/7300 systems available

by nospam212-cctalk＠yahoo.com

I have two AT&T Unix PCs that I am offering up to interested parties as described below: 1) AT&T Unix PC with the standard 67 MB HDD, this is the base system and three button mouse. The right arrow key on the keyboard is broken but the key cap is still included. This unit is also missing the keyboard cable though I should have it around somewhere and so it might turn up at some point at which time I'd send it along. It has been several years since this was last powered on and I don't recall if there are any passwords or what they might be so you may have to hack your way into the system. Had UNIX System V installed but don't recall what other software may be installed as well. Sold as is. 2) AT&T Unix PC. This unit comes in the original box, with keyboard and mouse and the following documentation: a) AT&T Unix PC Owner's Manual b) AT&T Unix PC Getting Started Manual c) AT&T Unix System V Utilities Manual d) AT&T Unix PC Communications Management Manual e) AT&T Unit PC System Software As with the above system, it has been a while since it was last powered up and I don't recall if there were any passwords or what so may need to hack into the OS. Also not sure what software was installed besides the OS. Sold as is. I believe I may have some more documentation around but haven't located it yet, if I do discover it I will offer to send it along to anyone who picks up these systems. If you need any other info please let me know and I'll send it along. Will entertain any offers at all and prefer local pickup but I am fine with packing and shipping if you pay for it. I'm offering them up to the list first though if there isn't any interest here will possibly offer on eBay or if someone knows other good places to list systems please let me know. Would like to move them out. Will also have several other systems for sale/trade/haul away very soon as I am clearing out a lot of stuff. Best regards, David Williams

6 years, 12 months

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Missing posts in archive and no Subject: line

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

So, a couple of posts yesterday did not show up in the date archive: http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2019-June/date.html which is how I read the list. They are: Software for Fairy YL-23 IC tester wanted http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2019-June/048094.html http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2019-June/048096.html DEC KA650 VAX memory troubleshooting (video) http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2019-June/048095.html http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2019-June/048097.html I'm not sure what happened, but I note the next post had no Subject: line, and I'm wondering if that caused it. So best to make sure your posts have Subject: lines. Noel

6 years, 12 months

4
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Apollo Computer Article

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Jim Brain > Probably too light for folks in here, but maybe some will find some > interest Good high-level view of the importance of the AGC work. For those who want technical details, there's a Web-site (I can dig up the URL if anyone wants) about the recovery of the software, and running it under and emulator; and now there are people doing the hardware too (e.g. the guy Al pointed at). Noel

6 years, 12 months

3
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DEC KA650 VAX memory troubleshooting (video)

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Joe Zatarski > OK, so where should a thing like this go: ... Anybody got a decent > place to upload that? As always, the CHWiki is available for any vintage computer stuff. I can set up an account for anyone here who wants one. I have posted similar information for PDP-11 memory, e.g. here: http://gunkies.org/wiki/QBUS_memories#Diagnosing_DRAM_memory_failures http://gunkies.org/wiki/MSV11-J#Technical_information which seems to be a direct analogue of the stuff you have. Noel

6 years, 12 months

1
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irish cctech subscribers

by ronan.scaife＠dcu.ie

Dear All, I am particularly interested to make contact with Ireland-based classic computer collectors or users. My particular interest is in DEC pdp-8 and pdp11 machines. Best Wishes, -- -- ?This Email, and any files transmitted with it, are confidential, and are intended solely for use by the addressee. Any unauthorised dissemination, distribution or copying of this message and of any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender and delete the message. Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and cannot be relied upon as being those of Dublin City University. Email communications such as this cannot be guaranteed to be virus-free, timely, secure or error-free, and we do not accept liability for any such matters or their consequences. Please consider the environment before printing this Email.? ==== Dr. Ronan Scaife =============== ronan.scaife at dcu.ie ========== School of Elec Eng, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, IRELAND. http://www.eeng.dcu.ie/~scaifer/ phone (office): +353-1-700-5434 fax: +353-1-700-5508 ==================================================================== -- * *S?anadh R?omhphoist/Email Disclaimer* *T? an r?omhphost seo agus aon chomhad a sheoltar leis faoi r?n agus is lena ?s?id ag an seola? agus sin amh?in ?. Is f?idir tuilleadh a l?amh anseo.? <https://www4.dcu.ie/iss/seanadh-riomhphoist.shtml>* *This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for use by the addressee. Read more here. <https://www4.dcu.ie/iss/email-disclaimer.shtml>* * -- <https://www.facebook.com/DCU/> <https://twitter.com/DublinCityUni> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/dublin-city-university> <https://www.instagram.com/dublincityuniversity/?hl=en> <https://www.youtube.com/user/DublinCityUniversity>

6 years, 12 months

4
3
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Definicon DSI-020 software?

by cmhanson＠eschatologist.net

I?ve recently come into a Definicon DSI-020 coprocessor card, and would like the software that goes with it. Does anyone know where to find it? There?s a zip file that claims to be the DSI-020 software, but it?s actually the DSI-32 software: The DSI-32 is an NS32032 coprocessor card, while the DSI-020 is an MC68020 coprocessor card. They published an awful lot of information about their cards in BYTE so the DSI-020 shouldn?t be difficult to reverse-engineer but it?d be nice not to have to? -- Chris

6 years, 12 months

2
2
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looking for a Intel multibus 88/45...

by lbickley＠bickleywest.com

I'm in the process of restoring an Intel 310 system. I had it working to the point where it was trying to boot - when the 88/45 processor began to fail intermittently and then solidly. My debugging seems to indicate that the problem is in a PLA - which is a serious bummer. I have preserved the ROMS (which have built-in diagnostics/debugging and boot capability for both floppy and Winchester hard disks). I will make the ROM images available to Al for posting on bitsavers. If someone on this list has an Intel 88/45 that would be willing to part with it, please contact me off list. Either a trade or cash purchase work for me... Cheers, Lyle -- 73 NM6Y Bickley Consulting West Inc. https://bickleywest.com "Black holes are where God is dividing by zero"

6 years, 12 months

1
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Missing posts in archive and no Subject: line

by joezatarski＠gmail.com

> So, a couple of posts yesterday did not show up in the date archive: > > http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2019-June/date.html > > which is how I read the list. They are: > > Software for Fairy YL-23 IC tester wanted > http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2019-June/048094.html > http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2019-June/048096.html > > DEC KA650 VAX memory troubleshooting (video) > http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2019-June/048095.html > http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2019-June/048097.html > > I'm not sure what happened, but I note the next post had no Subject: line, > and I'm wondering if that caused it. So best to make sure your posts have > Subject: lines. > > Noel This is a function of the way the two lists work, I think. The posts you mentioned were sent to cctech. As I understand it, that list is moderated to ensure it stays on topic. After they've been approved, they will make it onto cctalk as well. This causes a delay, and sometimes posts don't make it into the archive list until they are hours old. You'll notice these posts are now in both archives. The post with no subject had nothing to do with it, that's just a red herring. This is the behavior of the mailing list for as long as I remember, though I've only been on here a few years.

6 years, 12 months

1
0
0 0

IBM PC-RT 6150 looking for help

by technoid6502＠gmail.com

On Sat, 2019-06-15 at 12:00 -0500, cctalk-request at classiccmp.org wrote: > > The hard disk seems to be stuck or the drives electronics are broken, > it > does not spin up. As these drives are quite rare, I'm looking for the > SCSI card (Model 6lX700l). Is it right, the PC-RT can boot off SCSI? > Hi. I have a suggestion. The generation of hard disks you are having trouble with frequently had a linear actuator and were auto-parking. If the parking function failed at power off, not an uncommon fault, the drive will fail to spin on power-on. An example of this sort of drive is the Seagate ST4096. The time-honored fix for this is to take the drive loose from all connections and, holding it in both hands with the face towards you, bring the face of the drive into your thigh as you raise your thigh to meet the face of the drive. The violence of this motion will serve to park the heads and the drive will spin right up when powered. I hope this solves your problem. Best of luck. Jeff

6 years, 12 months

1
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Modems and external dialers.

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Liam Proven > There was a certain simplicity and understandability about Win9x, > yes, but NT was far more reliable, even back in the NT 3 era. .. > So I moved to NT as soon as my kit could run it, and never looked > back. I was speaking from a user's perspective; I never did much coding under Windows (well, a fair amount under Cygwin, using only the portable I/O library, but that's not really _Windows_ programming). >From that perspective, 98SE was the sweet spot for me (I don't have any reliability issues, with the configs I run). I do have some XP machines, and the Windows 10 laptop, but most of mine run 98SE. Noel

6 years, 12 months

3
4
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360/20 retrieval in Nuremberg (Was: No subject)

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Lawrence Wilkinson > Nothing to report other than what's at https://ibms360.co.uk Any partial results in trying to figure out a way to get all the stuff back from Nuremberg? You all may wind up having to rent a large truck yourselves, alas... Noel

6 years, 12 months

1
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