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

by dburrows＠netpath.net

I have had a few in the past but I only have a 9610 right now. Just got it a couple weeks ago and have not tested it yet. Dan >I'm taking a quick survey of who among us uses (or >at least owns) Kennedy 9x00 series tape drives. > >I do and I know that some others do (e.g. John > <jpl15(a)netcom.com>). > >Anyone else fit this description? > > >Jon >

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

TRW swapmeet

by A_Finney＠wfi-inc.com

Well, my first TRW was a bit of a wash (literally). It rained, and apparently was a pathetic showing. That aside, I managed to pick up an Atari 1027 LQ printer for $8, *brand new* (stickers, still covering the paper slot) in box with manuals, and a Sparc 1 with 24megs of RAM (no HD) for $15 in great shape (even has the sbus covers!). Nice brunch at Coco's after with John and Marvin... Aaron

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Who owns Kennedy 9-track Drives?

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>I'm taking a quick survey of who among us uses (or >at least owns) Kennedy 9x00 series tape drives. > >I do and I know that some others do (e.g. John > <jpl15(a)netcom.com>). > >Anyone else fit this description? In the past, I had numerous Kennedy 9100's, a few 9300's, and some other 9000-series models (generally the "others" were swing-arms, not vacuum column.) I still have an assortment of common spare cards (not too surprising, considering I lived a few miles from Kennedy's homes in Altadena and Monrovia) and numerous manuals. -- Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/ 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917 Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Getting rid of background programs in System 7.1.1

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

or you can hold down the shift key as soon as you get the happy mac icon. that will disable all extensions. > > When ever I boot, before the Finder comes up, there's about 5 icons In the > > lower left-hand corner. I know that one is MS Mail, and the other is for > a > > network. I'm not sure what the other icons are for. I'd like to get rid > of > > these programs (extensions?) that are running in the background, since all > > they do is eat up memory. I can't access them after Finder opens, and > > nothing happens when I click on them before it opens. > > > > Any suggestions? >

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

ID these DEC floppy disks?

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Nov 28, 11:40, Christian Fandt wrote: > >> > BL-T540B-M1 CZUFDB1 USER TESTS > >> > BL-T541B-M1 CZXD1B1 FIELD SERVICE TESTS 1 > >> > BL-T542B-MC CZXD2B0 FIELD SERVICE TESTS 2 > >> > BL-T565B-MC CZXD3B0 FIELD SERVICE TESTS 3 > >> > BL-T583B-MC CZXD4B0 FIELD SERVICE TESTS 4 To which Pete replied: > >They are indeed XXDP disks. They're the field service set for a > >microPDP-11/23+. They contain XXDP Ver.2 plus relevant disgnostics, the > >User Tests disks has the XXDP utilities and confidence test, Tests 1 has > >object files and some utilities, Tests 2 has KDF11/BDV11/DLV11J/etc tests, > >Tests 3 has less-frequently-used interface tests, Tests 4 has other tape > >and disk tests. > I have no documentation on these disks, therefore, a few questions for you > and the others: > > ** Will the disks still work with the 11/73 and the third-party disk > controller? They'll work with the processor; they'll work with the the 3rd-party disk so long as it emulates an RX50 with MSCP protocol. > ** Is there an online index or something where you looked up those 'CZ' > part numbers or do you have the user's manual or same software in your > library to find the info above? (i.e., How did you know what they were and > how can I find the same?) I have the same set (and a lot of other XXDP/XXDP+ files), and I have listings and notes from DEC maintenance courses. > ** Any online manuals for these diagnostics? Or, anybody willing to sell a > xerographic copy of them to me? There were some manuals on microfiche; I have course notes on paper for XXDP/XXDP+ and my own notes for XXDP Version 2 (I think that's what it was called; some people referred to it as XXDP++ but that wasn't what DEC called it) as on those disks. There's a key to the names. For the older versions: Hxmnrp.SYS is a system file: H means SYSTEM, x=M,D,U,S,Q for Monitor, Decice Driver, Utility, Supervisor, or miscellaneous ; mn is the device mnemonic for the medium supported; rp is the revision and patch level. tmnirp.BI? is a diagnostic program; t processor type, eg V or Z mn device mnemonic, eg RQ i program identifier, eg C rp revision and patch level, eg B2 ? is N or C (BIN=binary, BIC=relocatable binary) Thus ZRQCH0.BIC is for any processor, using an RQDX controller, third diagnostic of the set (this one happens to be a disk formatter, but you would only know that if you knew what was in the set), eight version, never patched. There are some special mnemonics: DI directory utility SU setup utility AA XXDP supervisor file AB PT/AMS supervisor file SA User manual Apart from that, most of the mnemonics are simliar to the letters of the device name (eg RQ for RQDX, MR for MR11/MRV11, DL for DL11/DLV11, etc) but usually not the standard DEC device driver mnemonics. Dtirp.BIN is a Unibus test; t is the test type, rest as above, except 0 instruction test 1 adressing test 6 AA11/VT06/LAB11 test 8 Unibus test The common processor type letters for QBus are J 11/23, 11/24 V 11/03 Z any processor If I can find the source files, I'll put machine-readable notes on my web pages (probablyt as PostScript). That is mostly XXDP V2 stuff. I *might* have some machine-readble XXDP+ notes; if I can find any I put them up too. I'll post a note to the list if and when... -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Recent Finds & Thoughts

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< Actually, if you set the azimuth of the replay head to be the same as th < recording head, you do improve the signal and the HF response. It doesn' Not much at all. We are talking halftrack heads or wider and you get phase cancelation if the gap is not perpendicular to the tape travel on record. if the play back head is narrower say using a stereo playback or one of the quad decks then you can tweek some but it still only buys you a little. Keep in mind that impats the upper limit of the HF response and most tape systems were designed to stay way clear of that. The best upper freqency response you could count on was 9-10khz from your 35-50USD portable that was sold for or commonly used. Most modulations schemes were either modem high pair (~2200hz) or phase encoded data (FM) if you FM data using a data rate of TARBEL (187char/SEC) you were using tones that were around 3000hz and 1500hz. TRS80 was in the same range. So the actual bandwidth needed was far less than 5khz. Kansas CITY format was exactly 8cycles of 2400 or 4cyles of 1200 for one or zero. FYI I droped using audio cassette save for when I needed to get some neat software from one format to mine. I went direct saturation where the NS or SN polar flux change carried the information. The same heads at audio that might work at 9khz audio did respectable 9600 baud using FM encoding. LAter I would find some low impedence heads that would allow me to hit a solid 1600frpi (800 bits/inch). This fixed some of the ills that plague audio schemes. < become perfect, but it does get better. VCRs (certainly UK VHS ones) use < this trick to reduce crosstalk between adjacent video tracks (which are < read by different heads on the head drum) and to allow a stereo audio < signal to be recorded under the video track and then replayed by a < separate head at a different azimuth setting. Different world and heads. Heical scan systems the path across the tape is different from linear travel and since the tape effectively moves in two directions operation is different than a portable audio cassette. Allison

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Windoze, anyone?

by fauradon＠pclink.com

No I believe OBM was correct: Obsolete Business Machine (of couse this is spacific to the jr;) Francois ------------------------------------------------------------- Visit the desperately in need of update Sanctuary at: http://www.pclink.com/fauradon/ >Max, > OBM is supposed to be IBM. I forgot to check my spelling before sending. > John > >John Amirault wrote: >

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

ID these DEC floppy disks?

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Nov 22, 14:34, Kevin McQuiggin wrote: > Christian Fandt wrote: > Subject: Re: ID these DEC floppy disks? > Looks like some XXDP diagnostics, but let's see what Tim and others have > to say, to be sure. > > In that heap of goodies I'm keeping from that DEC Haul back in the summer I > > found a DEC 5.25" floppy disk package containing five floppies of the > > following: > > > > BL-T540B-M1 CZUFDB1 USER TESTS > > BL-T541B-M1 CZXD1B1 FIELD SERVICE TESTS 1 > > BL-T542B-MC CZXD2B0 FIELD SERVICE TESTS 2 > > BL-T565B-MC CZXD3B0 FIELD SERVICE TESTS 3 > > BL-T583B-MC CZXD4B0 FIELD SERVICE TESTS 4 > > > > All evidently are diagnostic tests for some sort of DEC machine which uses > > a 5.25" floppy drive. Could anyone identify which machine given the above > > info? They are indeed XXDP disks. They're the field service set for a microPDP-11/23+. They contain XXDP Ver.2 plus relevant disgnostics, the User Tests disks has the XXDP utilities and confidence test, Tests 1 has object files and some utilities, Tests 2 has KDF11/BDV11/DLV11J/etc tests, Tests 3 has less-frequently-used interface tests, Tests 4 has other tape and disk tests. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Uknown Cartridge found..

by charlesii＠nwonline.net

classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote: > > Forgot to mention in my find was a cartridge titled > "Mach 128" its by Access software inc.. > Obviously for the C-128, but don't know what it does.. > Has a switch on top and a reset button? on it.. > Anyone ever seen this Cart before ? > Phil... Probably sonthing simimluar to mach speed for the C=64. I helps load disks faster. Verry useful application. It doesn't work however with copy software. Charles

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

World Power Systems scam

by eric＠brouhaha.com

A while back someone asked about the famous World Power Systems scam. While I don't have the whole story, I've put a little bit of information and scans of some of the advertisments from the April 1979 issue of Byte on a web page: http://www.brouhaha.com/~eric/retrocomputing/wps/

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

HP3000 help needed

by fmc＠reanimators.org

Aaron Christopher Finney <A_Finney(a)wfi-inc.com> wrote: > I've read the HP3000-L FAQ and searched most of the day for info, but > there isn't much geared toward the Classic HP3000 home-hobbyist. Yeah, and some of us 3000 fans view this as a problem. > 9144 tape drive - I've already deduced that it's a low-density, 16-track > capable of 67/134 megs and the tapes have to be purchased pre-formatted. The HP part numbers for the tapes are 88140SC (150m) and 88140LC (600m). It may be that you can get tapes from 3M with an "HC" suffix and those can be made to work too. I thought the 134MB version was the 9145 (32-track) drive. > 2563A Printer - with a modular connector. Modular? Hmm, haven't seen that before. > 9123 3 1/2" dual floppy - picked up after-the-fact at a yard sale. It's > HP-IB, but has a weird DIN power connector cord. No P/S. This is for the HP Touchscreen II (aka 150C) -- the flavor of the 150 with the 12" display. It's got the DIN socket for that power cord. I don't think the 3000 will play nice with it in any event. > (2)HP3000 series 37's - these are piggy-backed, is this the usual > configuration? . Here's where I need some info: I'm thinking that what you have there is one 37 where the second box provides I/O expansion. It's an option, my 37s don't have that. > The "top" unit has a DB-25F in slot one, and an HP-IB in slot 4, as > well as those DE-3F (correct terminology?) connectors in ports 0-5. When I had a bunch of them on a 3000/64-68-70 (it got upgraded) I just called them ATP connectors. Unfortunately I don't remember the pinout, but it's three-wire RS-232 so not real hard to figure out -- harder to find connectors for! > The "bottom" unit has the DB-25F in slot one, the HP-IB in slot 4, > and an AUI (ethernet? Is this a Lanic board?) in slot 5, as well as > the 3-pin deals in ports 0-5. Above the ports is a female > Centronics-50 which connected to what I believe is a terminal > splitter, p/n 40290-60003. Above that is a *very* high-density 99-pin > male connector, this is attached to the board with the HP-IB > connector. I'm wondering if the DB-25Fs are INPs -- basically synchronous serial interfaces for computer-to-computer or computer-to-remote-terminal-mux stuff. If it says AUI, it's a LANIC. For that matter, if it's got the slide-lock it's probably a LANIC. The "Centronics"-50 doesn't have wire ears, it has threaded holes for screws, right? If so, it probably is for the terminal port splitter. That's the only sort of terminal interface I have in my /37s -- I didn't know it could have "real" ATP connectors until a conversation with Stan Sieler a couple of weeks ago. I've *no* idea what the 99-pin connector is! Unless it's the interconnect that's supposed to go between the backplanes in the two boxes. > The two units are connected vi an HP-IB cable on port 4 of each. Also, > the top has the keyed power switch for both. This bit about the HP-IB cable going between the units is something I really don't get. I'd expect there to be an interconnect of some sort between the two boxes and that the HP-IB interfaces are independent I/O channels. If the bottom unit doesn't have the keyed power switch, then I don't think it's an independent 3000. > What I need is *really* basic info on the system and some pointers to > information sources. Some quick ones: > 1) How in the heck do the two 3000/37 units come apart? Are you sure you want to do this? > 2) How do I wire a terminal to this? At a guess, the console port will be one of those port 0s. > 3) Is the AUI connector an ethernet card? A lanic card? Likely so. > 4) Could someone please ID all the rest of the ports? Tried that. > 5) Is there a graphical display capability on this machine? As an add-on? Not directly. You could connect a terminal with graphics capability (HP 2648A, 2623A, 2627A; 2625A and 2628A with the graphics options; the 150s; probably some others that I'm forgetting) and there were additional software products (HPDRAW, EASYCHART, DSG/3000) that knew how to use them to produce drawings and charts. > 6) What kind of Pertec tape interface is available for this machine? Well, unless that's what's inside a 7970E tape drive cabinet, I'd say none. By this point (mid-1980s) HP was using HP-IB for discs and tapes. > 7) If my 2nd drive is damaged, how might I go about getting an OS for it? Tricky. I don't know whether MPE for the classic 3000s is available at all now. > I apologize for such a long post and my absolute lack of knowledge here. I > had a buddy who was supposed to help me out (3000 guru) but he's just gone > overseas for work indefinitely. It's such a cool system, the way it's put > together, and there's a bunch of neat freeware that I'd love to use too. > Any help at all would really be appreciated. Time for another glum part of the picture. Roughly speaking, there's two kinds of 3000: the kind with series <= 70 and the kind with series >= 900. The former are the "classic" 16-bit stack architecture. The latter are PA-RISC architecture. The freeware is very probably for the latter. -Frank McConnell

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Color QuickDraw

by roblwill＠usaor.net

My Mac Portable doesn't have Color QuickDraw in ROM, but It will run on it, providing I boost it up to the full 9 mess RAM. It begins to load, but then gives a "not enough RAM" error. -- -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1> -----Original Message----- From: Eric Smith <eric(a)brouhaha.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)U.WASHINGTON.EDU> Date: Friday, November 27, 1998 5:19 PM Subject: Re: Color QuickDraw > >Actually the SE/30 does have Color Quickdraw in ROM. All Macs that Apple >shipped with 68020, 68030, and 68040 processors (and their variants) have >Color Quickdraw in ROM. The later ones even have 32-bit Quickdraw. > >This is true irrespective of whether the Mac has a B&W display built in. >For instance, on the SE/30 it is possible to install a color display adapter >in the PDS, and it works fine and in full color without needing any >special software installed. >

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Copying files from disks to hard drive in System 7.1 Pro

by roblwill＠usaor.net

As you can see by my previous messages, I don't know much about Macs. Yet another question: How do I copy a file from a floppy disk to the hard drive? I tried the drag-and-drop like Windows, and the icon goes to the HD (desktop, or a folder on the HD). I eject the disk, then double-click the icon to run the program. It tells me to insert disk "Untitled" (that's what the disk volume is named). I insert the disk, and it runs the program off of the disk. This gets a bit annoying after a while. I'm sure there's some way to copy the files over to the HD, but how?? ThAnX, -- -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1>

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

TI99: Ring network for TI's?

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< be able to send/receive. This also means both computers must be in < perfect sync so they catch the rising/falling edges of the signal. < IHMO, it's not a very good idea! Simple encode a one as one ful cycle of 4800hz and a zero as a half cycle of 2400hz (FM encoding). Recieving that is simple wait for the bit to change and then wait to see if there is a change at one half (or window >from 1/3 to 2/3) and then decide if that was a one or zero. since there is a once per bit change (minimum) you can sync the machines by sending a header of say 16 zeros. The casette tape soctware does exactly that but at a slower rate as the recorders are not so good as direct wires. Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Recent Finds & Thoughts

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< copying them onto a correctly aligned machine would be the first thing t < do to remove such hassles in the future :-). I still don't see how < incorrect azimuth can be used as a copy protection system. It can't. People were likely adjusting them to try and get reliability in loading and assumeing that was the copy protection. Audio tape is as difficult to copy protect as a vinyl recording, you can't effectively. Commercial casettes tend to have lower levels as the dup machines try not to saturate the tape as that would introduce distortion to music, also most were design for stereo (narower head). Most cassette recorders use a mono head (wider) so they pack up less and also when the record they write a wider path meaning they recover more on play back. Stereo tapes tend to play at lower levels and have poorer response on mono decks because of the head with differences. The only way to copy protect and audio tape is not try or make it so it only works on a given machine. Audio cassettes and computers stopped being company around or before '85 and I was there and never saw "copy" protection. I did see a lot of off speed, poorly recorded, tape with horrid print through, dropouts from poor tape (some you could see through!) and other recording errors that would never be noticed if it were music. Actually the best protections was each vendor had a different tape standard for format, data rate and encoding method. None of that was deliberate, most was simply implementation artifacts. The best being L1 trs80 used a slower rate than LIIs on the same exact hardware. Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

HP3000 help needed

by A_Finney＠wfi-inc.com

/* note: sorry if this is coming through twice - I had a power outage right as it was sending so I don't know if it made it the first time. */ Well, I finally got around to ripping apart the HP3000 rack I got from John Lawson a couple of months ago. And desperately need some pointers... I've read the HP3000-L FAQ and searched most of the day for info, but there isn't much geared toward the Classic HP3000 home-hobbyist. What I've got is this: 9144 tape drive - I've already deduced that it's a low-density, 16-track capable of 67/134 megs and the tapes have to be purchased pre-formatted. 2563A Printer - with a modular connector. 9123 3 1/2" dual floppy - picked up after-the-fact at a yard sale. It's HP-IB, but has a weird DIN power connector cord. No P/S. (2) 7914 drives - one of these may be a non-op, having suffered some damage during transit. (2)HP3000 series 37's - these are piggy-backed, is this the usual configuration? . Here's where I need some info: The "top" unit has a DB-25F in slot one, and an HP-IB in slot 4, as well as those DE-3F (correct terminology?) connectors in ports 0-5. The "bottom" unit has the DB-25F in slot one, the HP-IB in slot 4, and an AUI (ethernet? Is this a Lanic board?) in slot 5, as well as the 3-pin deals in ports 0-5. Above the ports is a female Centronics-50 which connected to what I believe is a terminal splitter, p/n 40290-60003. Above that is a *very* high-density 99-pin male connector, this is attached to the board with the HP-IB connector. The two units are connected vi an HP-IB cable on port 4 of each. Also, the top has the keyed power switch for both. What I need is *really* basic info on the system and some pointers to information sources. Some quick ones: 1) How in the heck do the two 3000/37 units come apart? 2) How do I wire a terminal to this? 3) Is the AUI connector an ethernet card? A lanic card? 4) Could someone please ID all the rest of the ports? 5) Is there a graphical display capability on this machine? As an add-on? 6) What kind of Pertec tape interface is available for this machine? 7) If my 2nd drive is damaged, how might I go about getting an OS for it? I apologize for such a long post and my absolute lack of knowledge here. I had a buddy who was supposed to help me out (3000 guru) but he's just gone overseas for work indefinitely. It's such a cool system, the way it's put together, and there's a bunch of neat freeware that I'd love to use too. Any help at all would really be appreciated. Thanks, Aaron

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Triumph of the Nerds 2.0.1

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< As it was, it bored me to tears with it's dicussion of Venture Capital. < spent half an hour discussing Cisco's experience. But, I see your point Most of the industry was venture capital and managing same. The one we talk about in a historical sense were often the least successful doing exactly that! < >One thing Max, BBS systems were never really an Internet thing. They we < >stand-alone computers that could be dialed-up and info uploaded or they were the internet before there was one. many of the BBSs were linked so email from one to another was possible (FIDO come to mind). Allison

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Recent Finds & Thoughts

by Philip.Belben＠pgen.com

> I have many old computer cassettes, and have been thinking of recording them > onto a computer in order to preserve their contents. The signal from computer > tapes oscillates between two levels, right? This being the case, it should be > possible to record them using 1-bit sampling. Perhaps record with 8- or 16-bit > sampling and then convert down to single bit. This is one of those things that depends on the hardware. The PET and its descendants did indeed use one bit in that manner. There are quite full descriptions of the waveforms it generates in several manuals. One-bit sampling is not necessarily a good idea. What you then have is: PET writes to tape nice square signal of well defined timing. Signal comes off tape with rounded corners, noise etc. You sample it at 1 bit and write to a file. Later you read the file on a modern machine and reconstruct the audio. This is a nice square signal, with timing dependent on (a) the distortion of the original recording/playback process, (b) the noise added by tape ageing etc., (c) your sampling at 22 kHz. It goes through some audio system with not necessarily a good bandwidth and arrives at the PET cassette port. The PET then has to interpret it... Worse still if you're using an audio CD. The CD player will be filtering according to what's best for the human ear, not what's best for the computer. My advice: If you're going to do 1-bit sampling, process _immediately_ to try and reconstruct the original signal. That is what the machines do (often in hardware), after all. Then remember that some machines _don't_ use 1-bit encoding. The BBC micro, for example, uses a standard modem chip of the time, and the outputs look (I think) fairly sinusoidal... > Are there any programs to do this conversion? I imagine the equivalent of a > Schmitt trigger (in software) would work. What about playing back a 1-bit > audio signal? Are there any standard audio file formats that can be used to > store 1-bit data? > > The final 1-bit audio files should be highly compressible, so they could be > archived with zip etc. to reduce size. Agreed. 1-bit sampled audio - or multiple bit sampled audio processed to reconstruct the 1-bit waveform - should be many times more compressible than ordinary sampled sound. In theory, the compressed file need be only a few times the size of the original program, but I doubt this will be achievable. > Actually recording tapes to audio CDs is quite wasteful since you can only get > 70 minutes or so on a CD (an issue if you have hundreds of cassettes). My > approach would be to archive tapes as described above; of course burning an > audio CD is useful for transferring the data back to the source computer. I agree with whoever pointed out that you can use the two tracks of the stereo audio for different programs. Cross talk is negligible. That's 140 min. After all, those of us with reel-to-reel tape have been doing this for years... Audio CD is necessary in my opinion. The point of this exercise is to plug your computer into your sound system and load programs _without_ the need for a modern machine to retrieve archives and things. If it wasn't for copy protection, turbo loaders and the like I'd favour sampling the output of the computer's cassette port... Philip. PS PET and many later C= machines have one more problem: they didn't use standard audio cassette machine, but one with a special Commie board in it and a custom interface.

27 years, 6 months

6
10
0 0

Color QuickDraw

by roblwill＠usaor.net

Will Color QuickDraw run on a non-color Mac (Portable)? If it will, where do I find it? I need it to run a program. ThAnX, -- -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1>

27 years, 6 months

4
4
0 0

"Backup tool" wanted

by CharlesII＠nwonline.net

I'm making backup disk images for my Atari 800. I was wondering if anyone has the equivlent of Fast Hack Em for the Atari? Also dose anyone know of a drive emulator for the Apple II? Charles

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Recent Finds & Thoughts

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< ::How did that work? Made the S/N ratio horrible on copies? AFAIK no < ::cassette recorder, at least not of the cheap consumer type, ever had < ::automatic level control on _playback_. < < That was the idea, yes. All that would do is make a high precentage of poorly readable tapes. Likely they load their own loader that used a modified format that was not the same. Lowering the level on audio casette where you only have at best 34db (non dolby) of headroom on a portable would make a very crummy recording. Dubbing through a level controlled amp would beat that in a heart beat. The trick is imposing low freq noise like hum or other tones below 40hz that are unheard at normal play speeds as they are under the ability of the head to resolve. When you dupe tape at high speed 5x-10x the then say 20hz tone is now a resolvable 100-200hz and gets embedded (summed with data) as interfering noise (like a bad AC hum). < ::> days before automatic level control), or required odd azimuth settin < ::> would be toasted by dubbing. This probably shouldn't interfere with < :: < ::All that having the wrong azimuth would do is reduce the HF response. < ::There's no way to tell an original played back on a machine with the < ::heads at a different azimuth setting to the recording machine and a co < ::of that recorded and played back on the same tape deck AFAIK. No casse < ::recorder had software-controllable azimuth. This is all bogus. Recording with the azimuth off kills the HF response and no amount of tweeking with recover that on playback. It's not on the tape so there is nothing you can recover. The wider the head gap or track width the worse it will be. Casette recorders were full track mono (half the width of the tape) so they were wide! If it's wrong on playback same thing save for it's correctable. Back in the audio cassette days I've seen more attributed and fixes created based on presumed behavour. Every thing from amps to filters and other funky curcuits that often weren't fixing the tape or recorders problems but some illness in the system cassette interface. The best example of that was they TRS80. For example my fix for there interface believe it or not was remove ALL the analog on the input side and drive the gate z24 pin9 through a 10uf cap with a 270ohm pull down on the pin. There were at least two articles with filter/amps and other circuits all unneeded for that! Most all didn't usnderstand the interface or the behavour of audio tape. Allison

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Latest acquisition.

by hhacker＠gte.net

For Thanksgiving, I acquired a Silicon Graphics IRIS 3130, which is a 680x0 based application specific system. Don't know a whole lot about it, yet, but I will post as I learn. What I do know is that it runs Unix and is intended as a tool for the production of animation. It has a GenLock feature, so if some of you have such experience, I would like to know what you know. William R. Buckley

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Intergraph on ebay

by A_Finney＠wfi-inc.com

I'm probably really slow; did everyone else already see this? http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=43755633 Aaron

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Xerox MemoryWriter, $10.00

by kyrrin＠bluefeathertech.com

A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/enriched Size: 834 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/attachments/19981127/d0aa9a09/at…

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Triumph of the Nerds 2.0.1

by kurtkilgor＠geocities.com

Did anyone else see this? I thought it was much worse than 2.0, but can someone comment on its accuracy, whatever? I thought he left out a lot of stuff, about bulletin board systems, and such.

27 years, 6 months

6
8
0 0

2.9BSD/DZ-11 clone screw

by DSEAGRAV＠toad.xkl.com

I got my hands on a Aviv DZ-11 clone. 16-line MUX. So, I go about shoving it in the 83. It boots 2.9BSD off a RL02. Shove device in, set CSR and interrupt vector, and fire up BSD. I screwed with the dtab line - With it using dzdma in place of dzou, I can't make the MUX go. The kernel attaches it, but I can't seem to be able to talk to it. So, I switched to dzou. Now, upon boot, I get the message: dz 0 csr 160100 vector 320 no address found for dzou SERIOUS CONFIGURATION ERROR^G^G^G I've tried other vectors and other bus slots, and get no improvements with either method (dzdma or dzou). Any ideas? (Oh, and if you've got another SDZV11, the DIP switches are BACKWARDS of their labels! 1=0 and 0=1. Cute, eh?) I also have a DHV11, but no idea how to tell BSD it's there. All I ever get from it is dh ? csr 160020 vector 370 didn't interrupt I think I need to set the DM address, but have no idea what to set it to. -------

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Noisy RD53: Cure?

by kyrrin＠bluefeathertech.com

A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/enriched Size: 677 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/attachments/19981126/4494b76b/at…

27 years, 6 months

4
3
0 0

HP-71B

by danjo＠xnet.com

> On Fri, 27 Nov 1998, Peter Wilton-Jones wrote: > > I have just come into ownership of an HP 71B with bar code > > reader but am unable to scan with the reader or get a > > program saved on it. Could you possibly put me in touch > > with somone who may know. Cheers. Please contact him directly.... p.g.g.wilton-jones(a)braford.ac.uk BC

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Stuffit.

by roblwill＠usaor.net

I downloaded Mosaic for the Mac, but I can't use it. I need a newer version a Stuffit. The version I have is 1.5, and it just doesn't cut it anymore (it was on the computer when I got it). I tried to download it, but you need the new version to open the archive to install the new version (basically useless). Does anyone have a copy that they could email to me or something (TeleDisk?)? ThAnX, -- -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1> PS>> If you have a copy, but don't have TeleDisk, let me know, and I'll send you a copy.

27 years, 6 months

5
5
0 0

networking newbie

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

In a message dated 11/27/98 1:04:56 AM US Eastern Standard Time, jpero(a)pop.cgocable.net writes: > Back to topic about oldie machine (8573 P75 will be 10 years real > soon!) cannot answer networking question, but ps2 models are now coming under the 10 year rule. my favourite machine!

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Copy Protection

by charlesii＠nwonline.net

I'm making backup disk images for my Atari 800. I was wondering if anyone has the equivlent of Fast Hack Em for the Atari? Also dose anyone know of a drive emulator for the Apple II? Charles

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Audio Cassette formats

by mark_k＠iname.com

On Wed, 25 Nov 1998 Sam Ismail wrote: >In my experience, sound files do not compress well at all with PKZIP. I >don't know about WAV files in particular, but I'm lucky if I can squeeze >10% off the ADPCM files that I work with. Are you talking about digitised computer tapes or music? I have some digitised (VOC format) files of ZX Spectrum game tapes. For example, Altered Beast. Not sure at what rate this was sampled, but: uncompressed file size = 12,725,061 bytes compressed file size = 504,546 bytes Which is a pretty good compression ratio. That is using the lharc archiver; I imagine zip would give similar or better compression. There are lossless compression systems designed for audio, but I bet they weren't designed with computer tapes in mind. On Wed, 25 Nov 1998 Allison J Parent wrote: >FYI, protable casette recorders 3db point is 11-14KHz for the better ones >and they typical ones used 9.5-12.5KHz is more realistic. > >Sampling above 20Khz is wasting bandwidth and recording time. > >Even the fastest audio formats (sudding and TARBEL187bytes/sec) had >bandwidths below 5KHz. Many game tapes for e.g. ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 used turbo loaders. Not sure what the highest data rate was, though at least some C64 programs loaded at 3000 baud. 3db point may not be completely relevant; at least for the old ZX Spectrum, you had to hook up the tape player with volume set at or near the maximum. For systems which (notionally) record a bilevel signal -- this may include almost all of them -- it may be that sampling at a very high rate and then doing some kind of post-processing of the sample to reduce it to 1-bit resolution would be beneficial; the result could be closer to the original signal output from the computer when the master tape was created. On Wed, 25 Nov 1998 Marvin wrote: >Someone mentioned that there are copy protection schemes for cassette tape, >and I was curious what these might be and how they might interfere with >recording the tape onto my HD. Sure. Tape copy-protection was used by almost all commerical (game) software. This involved some devious tricks, as well as turbo-loading routines. It was designed to prevent people from copying games by reading into the computer and saving out again. It shouldn't have any bearing on sampling the tapes at all. Some techniques used were auto-run loaders, fast loaders and custom formats in general, greater-than-RAM-size blocks of data. -- Mark

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Old 386 and 486 pc's

by jeff.kaneko＠juno.com

It was the ST-1150R. It is an RLL rated version of the ST-1100. These drives are both scarce because they were high-capacity ST-506 3.5" drives. Maxtor made plenty of 5.25 full height MFM 80+ MB drives, but the Seagate ST-1100/1150R was the biggest ST-506 3.5" drive available (if anyone knows of a bigger 3.5", ST-506 interface drive, I'd like to hear from you). There are some applications where only such a small drive will fit; and the use of an IDE or SCSI drive is not possible, becuase the interfaces aren't supported. Jeff On Wed, 25 Nov 1998 16:57:12 -0500 "PG Manney" <manney(a)lrbcg.com> writes: >>One was an Everex with a mondo-scarce RLL drive. . . > > >Which one? RLL's aren't _all_ that scarce. > >manney > > ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Collector

by CypressCEO＠aol.com

I am a 8008 and 8080 computer collector. I would like a subscription to your newsletter. Please send it to: SCHUROD(a)aol.com

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Recent Finds & Thoughts

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< All that having the wrong azimuth would do is reduce the HF response. Correction: Having the wrong azimuth would do is reduce the already terrible HF response. Also if the motor speed is off that will add to the grief (don't assume it is!). used to work on portable casettes and 2% error was common and some were 5%+ wow and flutter from bad casette cases/ < There's no way to tell an original played back on a machine with the < heads at a different azimuth setting to the recording machine and a copy < of that recorded and played back on the same tape deck AFAIK. No cassett < recorder had software-controllable azimuth. Most all have a trap door for a screw driver. the adjustment compensates for head wear, mecanical error in the guides, sloppy transport. one set if the transport is any good it need not be touched. Most portables of the era were terrible. Allison

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Audio Cassette formats

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< Many game tapes for e.g. ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 used turbo loaders. N < what the highest data rate was, though at least some C64 programs loaded < 3000 baud. 300 cps, maybe. Sill the bandwidth had to be under 7-9khs as the group delays in portable cassettes are terrible as you near their upper 3db point. Still that is only twice the Tarbel data rate. < 3db point may not be completely relevant; at least for the old ZX Spectr < had to hook up the tape player with volume set at or near the maximum. It is relevant as that is the result of the head gap and media limitations. Most portables a tone at 15khz was usually at least 20db down if not worse. The HF falloff for casette is poor and portables of the era terrible!! Most the amplifier chain was easily good for more than that! A fair number the bias osc for recording was only 35khz so anything over 17khz would alias till the cows came home but the head never saw it nor the media as it couldn't do it. The bulk of audio casettes were on the 30 cps range using 300baud systems or the later ones used 150-190cps using phase encoding like tarbel, trs80 or cosmac(lots of others too). Most all were most sensitive to: *Dropouts. short periods of far lower level (or none!). *Speed variations due to transport not being able to hold or not being on speed. *Group delays (phase shifts) from trying to put HF (above 5-6khz) through the electronics, heads and media. Compared to CDrom the bandwidth, speed and noise are TERRIBLE and barely approximate 1/4 the cdrom capability. Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Front Panel Theory

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< I don't suppose anyone has any schematics for a "I-can-build-this-front < panel-computer-out < of-nothing-but-Radio < Shack-and-Jameco-parts-sit-it-on-a-shelf-and-say-look-at-that-wow" < project, now do you? Just something to play around with, that's all. Like I said last night, Bursky's book _The S100 bus Handbook_ has the IMSAI and altair front pannels. There's not a lot of majik but lots of connections and a good handful of basic TTL. Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

M7454: Unibus only?

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>Next: Does anyone know if the M7454 module (Unibus TU80 controller) >is Unibus only, or can it also be used on QBus systems? Plug it into a Q-bus backplane, and you'll let the magic smoke out! If you want a Q-bus tape controller, look for a Emulex TC02/03, QT13, Dilog DQ132/152, or the like. Tim.

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Digital LA210 Letterprinter

by geoffrob＠stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au

Hi guys, Anyone have specs/instructions for these? I have rescued one I would like to use on my VMS 6.0 box. It appears to be intact, powers up and prints a self test, (seems very fast by dot matrix standards) but it's filthy as hell, I'm trying to clean it up at the moment. It came from a lead smelter - and looks like it. But I have no specs, don't even know if it needs a straight cable, handshaking or null modem, default baud rate etc. A list of the dip switch settings or a pointer to some online docs would be terrific. Cheers Geoff Roberts Computer Systems Manager Saint Marks College Port Pirie South Australia. My ICQ# is 1970476 Ph. 61-411-623-978 (Mobile) 61-8-8633-0619 (Home) 61-8-8633-8834 (Work-Direct) 61-8-8633-0104 (Fax)

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

Front Panel Theory

by lfb107＠psu.edu

I don't suppose anyone has any schematics for a "I-can-build-this-front panel-computer-out of-nothing-but-Radio Shack-and-Jameco-parts-sit-it-on-a-shelf-and-say-look-at-that-wow" project, now do you? Just something to play around with, that's all. I'd appreciate any info, Thanks! Les

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

M7454: Unibus only?

by kyrrin＠bluefeathertech.com

A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/enriched Size: 648 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/attachments/19981126/0dd98040/at…

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Into the modern age

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< One thing I'm a bit surprised by is the speed of the video being much < faster than I'd imagined it would be. Now to get some software to run Why? DEC would and did do things to keep it from being a turkey. The Video is not a simple bit map and there is a drawing engine in there. Also VAX instruction set is fairly efficient doing bit manipulations. < on it; I've found some stuff already, but can someone point me at some < share/freeware software to run under DecWindows (besides the DECUS < archives)? In particular, I remember using an ephemeris program in schoo < that I could swear was freely distributed. Check, there was a fairly good flight sim and other stuff as well. < Does the DECUS hobbyist license cover all versions of VMS/DECWindows? V5.4 through 6.1. It may work with earlier. < I'm running 5.2 on this machine; would upgrading to 6.1 noticeably degra < performance? Would additional features balance out any slowdowns? Beside < new features, my entire manual set is for 6.1... Having manuals is a good reason to be at that level. being at 6.1 may slow it a tiny bit but it's worth it. The other end is for 6.1 I'd call a 200mb scsi the minimum acceptable where 5.1 you can get by with 121mb. However a 400mb-1gb small scsi should not be hard to find cheap. Allison

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

Need DTC brand Qbus SCSI board info

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Nov 26, 12:49, CLASSICCMP(a)trailing-edge.com wrote: > Subject: RE: Need DTC brand Qbus SCSI board info > >No LSI chips on board; only two ROM chips (82S123N's with paper labels "LSH > >1" and LSD0" typed on them) plus others are typical 74xxx-series chips (LS, > >S and 7400-series) except bus I/F chips are the typical DS8641N's. > >It is suspected to be SCSI as there is a 50-pin pin connector on the > >ejector end and a tag on the antistatic bag has "Probably SCSI" written on > >it by what is apparently a DEC dealer/reseller in Pittsburgh. > > 50-pin connectors might hint that it could be SCSI, but it could be > a lot of other things too. 8-inch SA800-type floppy is the most obvious. > > DTC also sourced some boards which were controllers for SA1000-type > and SA4000-type hard drives. It could also be a QIC tape controller; I've seen dual-height versions of those from about that era. I doubt it would be SCSI in discrete logic (no LSI) in that small a space. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

My adolescent fantasies FINALLY fulfilled!

by Arlen.Michaels.amichael＠nt.com

Aaron Christopher Finney <A_Finney(a)wfi-inc.com> wrote: >This is an ATR8000 with a CO-POWER upgrade board. Like you said, it was >an 8088 upgrade with 256k RAM and let you run MS-DOS and CP/M-86. In >CP/M mode, you could use the extra memory as a RAMdisk. Maybe what I have is just a partial system. There's nothing on my board that can run native CP/M (ie, no 8080 or Z80 processor). It's just one board carrying the 8088, RAM, (boot?) eprom, and logic. It's not even clear how it connects to anything else--apart from an empty dip socket in the corner and a couple of lugs to connect +5 vdc, there's no obvious electrical interface. Of course, I have no documents to help me :) Clearly I don't know what I'm missing: is there another base board that's supposed to go with this "Co-Power" card? >It wasn't just for the >ATR8000; they also made them for Kaypro, Osborne, Xerox, Zorba, and >Bigboard. Did they make a different model for each host computer, or did they use a single pcb design with different interconnects and/or eproms to suit each target system? <snip> >I got a bunch of price-lists/product brochures with this one, and will >scan it all and make it available in the next few days for anyone >interested. BTW, does someone have the actual owner's manual for it? >Funny enough, with all these books and papers, the only thing I am really >missing is the honest-to-god owners manual. A scan or copy of one would >be much appreciated. I'd love to find out more. Arlen Michaels amichael(a)nortel.ca

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

LA210 switches - here you are

by ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk

A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text Size: 1637 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/attachments/19981126/8645397d/at…

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Front Panel Theory

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Nov 26, 9:42, Allison J Parent wrote: > Subject: Re: Front Panel Theory > < Do you mean if you execute a HALT instruction? > No. Halt is a instruction. WAIT/ is a device pin. > the WAIT/ state on z80 does not generate refresh as it's a extended T2 > state and refresh is not output until the cpu proceds to the T3 state. Yes, I know - but you wrote "halt" not "wait" so I was surprised (and it was late at night, so I didn't think about what you probably meant). -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Need DTC brand Qbus SCSI board info

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>No LSI chips on board; only two ROM chips (82S123N's with paper labels "LSH >1" and LSD0" typed on them) plus others are typical 74xxx-series chips (LS, >S and 7400-series) except bus I/F chips are the typical DS8641N's. >It is suspected to be SCSI as there is a 50-pin pin connector on the >ejector end and a tag on the antistatic bag has "Probably SCSI" written on >it by what is apparently a DEC dealer/reseller in Pittsburgh. 50-pin connectors might hint that it could be SCSI, but it could be a lot of other things too. 8-inch SA800-type floppy is the most obvious. DTC also sourced some boards which were controllers for SA1000-type and SA4000-type hard drives. >It could be an earlier SASI type board too as the date codes on the chips >run from mid-1982 to a few from the first weeks of 1983. IIRC, that's >around the tail end of the SASI protocol days and beginning of the SCSI >protocol. >Anyway, I need to get info on this to see if it could be used on either my >MicroVAX II or MicroPDP-11/73. If it is a SCSI/SASI controller, it certainly isn't MSCP-emulating, which would make it not particularly useful for a stock OS. You can always plug it into a machine and scan the I/O page to see what address it turns up at. This will give you a big hint as to what it emulates (if anything!) -- Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/ 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917 Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Arrgh!

by kyrrin＠bluefeathertech.com

A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/enriched Size: 1385 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/attachments/19981126/5f584a13/at…

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

more interesting finds!

by JRichardson＠softwright.co.uk

missed the start of this thread, but: >NOTE: X-Window terminals were often crammed full of memory (2 to 16meg >generally), usually SIMS. This often gets stripped first, even before the >surplus shop gets it. they generally (always? think it's actually part of the system design on some boxes) need a boot ROM to boot from a host system (maybe some sort of binaries for the terminal held on the host server too?). I gather that these ROMs were often purchased seperately from the terminal itself (presumably several giving different configurations for a particular terminal were on offer) and so you may have a terminal without the ROM, in which case getting hold of one might be interesting... cheers Jules >

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

rescued and available

by allisonp＠world.std.com

Hey S100/CPM fans... I managed to collect the following: 5 Compupro 85/88 cpu cards 8085/8088 5 Compupro System support cards (extended interrupts, RTC and more) 3 Compupro Disk-1 DMA floppy controllers (does both 8 and 5") 2 Compupro DISK-3 DMA Hard disk controller (MFM) 1 CCI Printerfacer printer buffer card MANY Compupro Interfacer I/2/3/4 cards Some compupro RAM16, RAM20, RAM21 All expected to be good as they were removed from regular service in 93/94 time frame and clean. I also have DOCs for the boards maybe more. Also several Intergrand dual disk mounting boxes for hard disks or floppies. These can mount full height floppies or hard disks and have nice power supplies. Suitable for MFM or SCSI drives. They have MFM drives likely quantum D540 (31mb RD52) or fugitsu. I have several dual 8" disk boxes with drives(2sided). Expectations they are good. Also several loose full and half height two sided drives. I also have several S100 crates (compupro, TEI and Intergrand) all heaver than a small train. Two are BIG as they mount a pair of FULL height 8" drives. Power supply is a moose! And terminals... All Telvideo 9xx series and all work. I've already taken out what I want so this is the EXCESS. Offers to me off line. Shipping for the boards can be done. The boxes are local pickup only as they are big and heavy! terminals may be shipable. This will not be on Ebay or others. I'd like to get a nominal amount plus shipping for my effort and the 100 mile trips it took to get them. Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Dismantling an AT keyboard entirely

by Philip.Belben＠pgen.com

>> A lot of people don't like key clicks. I do. When I worked at IBM I >> received a lot of dirty looks for typing on a 3279 terminal, in an open > > Not half as bad as the looks _I_ got for using a Flexowriter to punch a > tape in a public terminal room at Cambridge University about 10 years ago > (everybody else was using _silent_ video terminals, mostly BBC micros). Was I there? I don't recall the incident. >> plan office, without turning off the key clicker. Now that really was >> loud! > > I have a keyboard somewhere with a little solenoid in it that hits the > metal baseplate for a keyclick. Now that is loud! 3278 and 3279 were similar, except that it wasn't the metal base plate. I never dismantled one, but it sounded like one of those plastic resonators you get in some toy guns. Philip.

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Front Panel Theory

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< know about is the Ithaca Intersystems DPS-1. It's pretty! And it's th < only one I've seen that had breakpoint capability. It was a "soft" front pannel where the switches interacted with a limited amount of rom like the altair 8800B. The Heath H8 and several others did nearly the same thing but used an octal keypad. Allison

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

Into the modern age

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>One thing I'm a bit surprised by is the speed of the video being much >faster than I'd imagined it would be. Now to get some software to run >on it; I've found some stuff already, but can someone point me at some >share/freeware software to run under DecWindows (besides the DECUS >archives)? In particular, I remember using an ephemeris program in school >that I could swear was freely distributed. A lot of precompiled binaries are available by anonymous ftp >from ftp.cenaath.cena.dgac.fr - but many (most?) of these are available more conveniently from one of the DECUS collections. Just about anything that runs under X-windows on a Unix platform will run under DECWindows on VMS. Generally the difficulties in porting are comparable to porting between two different Unix platforms. (That's what that endless maze of "#ifdef"'s is in there for in the first place!) >Does the DECUS hobbyist license cover all versions of VMS/DECWindows? That's a good question, and I thought the license terms itself would say. But the copy I have from http://www.montagar.com/hobbyist/license_terms.html is silent on the subject! Comments on comp.os.vms tend to indicate that 6.1 is covered, but that 6.2 isn't (because 6.2 is still "currently supported" commercially.) >I'm running 5.2 on this machine; would upgrading to 6.1 noticeably degrade >performance? Would additional features balance out any slowdowns? Besides >new features, my entire manual set is for 6.1... I forget how much RAM you have, but if you have more than 16 Mbytes you won't have any problems. If you have 16 Mbytes or less, you might be a bit tight on memory and would incur some paging/swapping, depending on what you're doing. Tim. (shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com)

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Into the modern age

by A_Finney＠wfi-inc.com

I finally got a monitor for my VS3100 m38 and was playing with DecWindows all night. Really cool. One thing I'm a bit surprised by is the speed of the video being much faster than I'd imagined it would be. Now to get some software to run on it; I've found some stuff already, but can someone point me at some share/freeware software to run under DecWindows (besides the DECUS archives)? In particular, I remember using an ephemeris program in school that I could swear was freely distributed. And a couple more questions for the experts: Does the DECUS hobbyist license cover all versions of VMS/DECWindows? I'm running 5.2 on this machine; would upgrading to 6.1 noticeably degrade performance? Would additional features balance out any slowdowns? Besides new features, my entire manual set is for 6.1... Aaron

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

FW: H-11 (LSI-11) for trade or sale (SF Bay Area)

by kyrrin＠my-dejanews.com

Heads up folks! This fellow's got an H11 for sale/trade in the Bay Area. You want, get in touch with him directly. -=-=- <snip> -=-=- On 25 Nov 1998 22:27:15 -0800, in alt.sys.pdp11 you wrote: >>From: John Mock <kd6pag(a)qsl.net> >>Newsgroups: alt.sys.pdp11 >>Subject: H-11 (LSI-11) for trade or sale (SF Bay Area) >>Date: 25 Nov 1998 22:27:15 -0800 >>Organization: Spam Haters >>Lines: 15 >>Message-ID: <87ogpvt1do.fsf(a)mongrel.kd6pag.ampr.org> >>NNTP-Posting-Host: op204.value.net >>X-Newsreader: Gnus v5.5/Emacs 20.2 >>Path: blushng.jps.net!news.pbi.net!205.252.116.205!howland.erols.net!news.maxwell.syr.edu!news1.best.com!vnetnews.value.net!not-for-mail >> >>Would like to trade for amateur radio gear (non-HF) or test equipment (non- >>boat-anchor due to space considerations). I think it includes manuals, >>drawings, and various paper-tape crud; 'was always too busy to do anything >>with it. I'm now in much too small of a place to keep it, and it's just >>occupying space in the van waiting for a new home. Too much stuff to ship >>but will happily deliver to most parts of the Bay Area (especially Sonoma >>Co., where someone [whose e-mail address was lost] had expressed interest >>before). Or perhaps the Sacramento region, as i'd like finally to make it >>to the snow country this year and the stuff's in the way of that. >> >>Please make an offer, including destination, as this time, i need to deal >>with this quickly. >> >> -- KD6PAG (or in UUCP notation, 'qsl.net!kd6pag' >> to evade the spammers) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies -- kyrrin (at) bluefeathertech [dot] com Web: http://www.bluefeathertech.com "...No matter how we may wish otherwise, our science can only describe an object, event, or living thing in our own human terms. It cannot possibly define any of them..."

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Need DTC brand Qbus SCSI board info

by cfandt＠netsync.net

I have what is believed to be a SCSI board from DTC. It is a dual-wide Qbus module. "DTC" is silk-screened on the component side plus a FAB number, ASSY number, REV number and S/N. Nothing on the ejector tab. Those numbers likely do not mean anything to a search of DTC SCSI board info files but here they are anyway: FAB 007-00003, ASSY 007-00002, REV 02, S/N 3028C2. No LSI chips on board; only two ROM chips (82S123N's with paper labels "LSH 1" and LSD0" typed on them) plus others are typical 74xxx-series chips (LS, S and 7400-series) except bus I/F chips are the typical DS8641N's. It is suspected to be SCSI as there is a 50-pin pin connector on the ejector end and a tag on the antistatic bag has "Probably SCSI" written on it by what is apparently a DEC dealer/reseller in Pittsburgh. Absolutely no part or type number on the component side and nothing on the solder side. Searching the DTC website was useless as the only thing they talked about in the Support area was all their PC-type SCSI boards. Nothing on any web search turned up anything either (figures, it's such a relatively old thing) unless there's actually a website the search engines could not see . . . It could be an earlier SASI type board too as the date codes on the chips run from mid-1982 to a few from the first weeks of 1983. IIRC, that's around the tail end of the SASI protocol days and beginning of the SCSI protocol. Anyway, I need to get info on this to see if it could be used on either my MicroVAX II or MicroPDP-11/73. Anybody have any ideas on this? Any old DTC or independant DEC reseller catalogs from the early 80's have any info on this? Thanks in advance. Happy Thanksgiving to the Stateside gang!! In addition to the good things we are given in life such as family, friends and the life we have, give thanks for our ability to keep and study the old computer and electronic technology: hobbies we are fortunate to enjoy. Regards, Chris -- -- Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net Member of Antique Wireless Association URL: http://www.ggw.org/freenet/a/awa/

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Tektronix 4051

by rigdonj＠intellistar.net

Hi all, More progress on the 4051. I finally tracked down the original manuals and was able to get them. Man, are they in sorry shape. Not just mold and mildew but even termites in them! I spent all day cleaning them page by page. I was able to save most of them. The worst damage is confined to the outer pages and the edges so most of the real info is intact. Here's what I ended up with, besides the two books that I mentioned early. (Book 1) 4051 Service ROM Pack 067-0962-00, 4051R05 Binary Program Loader, 4051E01 ROM Expander Instruction Manual, 4051 Option 1 Data Communications Interface 021-0188-00, Data Communications Inteface Unit Instruction Manual 021-0065-00, 4051 Option 10 RS-232 Printer Interface 021-0189-00. (Book 2) Graphic System Reference Manual 070-2056-00 (Book 3) 4051 Graphic System Service Manual Vol I 070-2065-00, 4051 Graphic System Service Manual Vol II 070-2086-00, RS 232 Printer Interface for 4051 (data sheet) 021-0189-00, 4051R01/4051R05/4051R06 data sheet 062-3106-00. (Book 4) 4907 File Manager Operator's Manual 070-2360-00. (Book 5) Plot 50 ????? (title page missing), Plot 50 Introduction to Graphic Programming in BASIC 070-2059-00. (Book 6) 4051 Editor 4051R06 070-2170-00. BTW Paxton and Phillip were right, the model of the disk drives is 4907 not 4097. Happy weekend everybody and happy Thanksgiving to the ones of us here in the US. Joe

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Front Panel Theory

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< If you're suggesting that the breakpoint capability of the DPS-1 < front-panel was merely something that tickled a ROM monitor and told it < drop a software breakpoint, then BZZZT! That would be cheating. It was a mix of rom and some hardware but, yes! < >From the hardware description, it looks like it was a real ICE-like < hardware breakpoint, and you could break on address, data, or status < conditions. If I could recognize the part numbers in the schematic, I < might even be able to pretend I know how it works. :-) That was the part hardware part. Compared to ICE is was far more crude. Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Vaxstation 3100 basics

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< The box is a model VS42A and has a 3.5" floppy and 2 X 100Mb internal SC < hard drives. It has what looks like 8Mb of RAM to me, whatever is on th < main board plus a 4Mb extension. Ok you have a 3100, with 12mb ram (VMS runs in 4 or more). This is plenty. The two RZ23l drives are plenty of space for VMS. < < On powering up it says KA 42-A v1.3, does a hex countdown and finishes w < a ">>>" prompt. < < Command "b" causes it to display ESA0 and stop. < Command "?" gives an error message. < Command "c" causes a drive to start. It then displays an error message " < ERR PC=00000000" and then lists a table I can't decipher that seems t < list drives and includes "VMS/VMB" and "Ultrix" along the top. It then h < prompt " [ESA0:] >>> ". < At that point command "b" results in a series of errors: < 83 BOOT SYS < ?41 DEVASSIGN,B < 84 FAIL ESA0 is the eithernet. So it was trying to NETBOOT! The boot device is likely DKA300. DKA is disk, scsi bus A X00 is the device number. < How can I find out if it has an operating system? or have I already prov < it hasn't? Try booting! >>> B DKA000 through 700 see if they all fail. < It looks like it is at least NEARLY 10 years old. 9 max. depending on model maybe less than 5. Though KA42A is likely a 3100 M30 nice little box actually. Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Front Panel Theory

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< Do you mean if you execute a HALT instruction? If you do that, the Z80 < behaves as if it's continuously executing HALT instructions, performing < repeated bus cycles, including the RFSH signal part. No. Halt is a instruction. WAIT/ is a device pin. WAIT/ will hold cpu operation at the point where a read write or IO( read or write) operation takes place an freezes it until released. Most hardware front pannels used wait/ (or ready/) to stop the cpu. the WAIT/ state on z80 does not generate refresh as it's a extended T2 state and refresh is not output until the cpu proceds to the T3 state. so for those front pannels operatios were done this way: read an address; waiting that that address with data and address leds as the would be for bus contents. CPU is waiting in M1 state for z80 case (instruction read). Write data: Same as read case but the contents of the data switches are written to the current ram address. the write pulse is from the front pannel (cpu still waiting). RUN: remove wait/, operation procedes from where you are. STOP: Assert wait/ LOAD ADDRESS: JAM jump to address into cpu. the jump instuction is a buffer with it's imputs hard wired to C3h (JP in z80) and the address bytes that follow gated off the 16 front pannel switchs. Wait is re asserted to stop after the jump. LEDs will now contain the new address and data from the address in the switches. hardware front pannels are generally a lot of chips but no smarts. Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Call for final Elf99 design input

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< Not everyone has a Quest Elf. I, too, want to go beyond it, but for < aesthetic reasons, I want to stay close to the original. My vision is < a compromise between what we had in 1977 and what we would have wanted < if we could have gotten it for the same price. When I built my Elf, I < followed a friend's advice and installed a wire-wrap socket for the CPU < He rolled his own I/O ports, with relay drivers and built a robot. I < never did add anthing to mine, and quickly ran out of things to do with Doing all that with a bas elf wasn't hard but very awkward. It didn't latch the high address so 256bytes were it. IO was what it was(switches and the Q led) There was no easy expansion without corrupting the base design so that some of the simplest programs did not run. < I always wanted an Elf II, but couldn't afford the board. I wish now I Same here but at teh time I was into S100 and just wanted to play with the 1802 a tiny bit and that was cheap. < had saved for it. I got a 32k PET instead. Ah, well; choices. In any < case, I liked the slots idea on the Elf II, but I don't recall too much < materializing for it. The Elf II at the Computer Museum of America in < San Diego has a plexiglass box over the boards and all the slots full. < One was memory. I don't know about the other two. For that matter, the Memory, Parrlel ports, serial ports, 1861 video board(may have been a base level board option). The most highly developed elf was the one from Netronics (ELF-II) The VIP had a ram card, rom card, IO card and a sound effects card. Never saw any of them. They were real easy to make. My idea of a 1802 system was more like the 1802 Eval board rom RCA that was unlike the elf series. My 1802 wish list for the record. Up to 32kram, 32k rom using standard pinouts so the 32k rom can be EEpro, Eprom or flash. The 28 pin site can also accept 24 pin devices (6116, 2716, 2732...). Minimum of one parallel out and one parallel in. Elf style front pannel for programs with 6 hex leds (address and data). data input would be toggle switches as they while not cheap are easy to get and mount. serial port, bit bashing serial IO gets tiresome and is limited in speed. VIP style cassette IO (tape storage) proto area with holes enough to build a few IO things. Bus brought to one connector (VIP compatable) The reason for that is there are Tbasic, Pilot and other languages and tools that all want more than 256 byts and Q-led. If some one were to do it a "advanced 1861" in FPGA. the 1861 was a primitive device that did video DMA, With a little design effort a similar device and be put in FPGA that would provide 256 horizontal by 128 vertical using 4k of ram as a bit map. This enough to better graphics and even display 32x16 characters using a 8x8 cell. Going much further with 1802 is self limiting as it was slow and actually a crude CPU. It was also like the PDP-8 in that it was blessedly simple. Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

more interesting finds!

by Innfogra＠aol.com

Joe, I wish I were there. You should hang the DG core plane on the wall. They are great art. I think all core you get should be kept. Usually there is so much good (old) gold in them they go to scrap first. While later core planes, including the DG, didn't use much some of the early examples are spectacular. And, who knows, someone might want to get an old Nova 800 running again. The small pizza boxes are Sun compatible X-Window Terminals. Plug in a multisync SVGA monitor (preferably one good to 1280X1024), PS/2 mouse and keyboard and you should be able to get it to come up and run digs somewhere in the windowing system. I say Sun compatible because of the keyboard port. It would be interesting to know if Sun chips or the 68020/68881 chips were in it. Usually generic X-Window terminals used Motorola chips. If it had Sun chips it would be a Sparkstation of some kind. Probably not a Spark though, no SCSI port. HDS (Human Designed Systems) made terminals to be hooked up to mainframes. Almost all terminal makers brought out a X-Window terminals for Ethernet networks. HDS was well respected, I'm not surprised that some of their machines got out there. Most X-Window machines had this many ports, Sun keyboard excluded. They were platform independent, relying on TCP/IP and X- Windows which usually booted from ROM. This one looks like it would hook up to any kind of Ethernet you had, keyboard, mouse, parallel printer, modem, serial tablet, are there any leftover ports, oh yes the Sun Keyboard (or the PC keyboard if you hooked up a Sun one). My guess is that this is a later Motorola based X-Window terminal that is nearly plug and play on a Sun Solaris Ethernet system. NOTE: X-Window terminals were often crammed full of memory (2 to 16meg generally), usually SIMS. This often gets stripped first, even before the surplus shop gets it. Look for signs the case has been opened. If you can, check the machine yourself. Spark clones have 32 to 64 Megs of Ram, have good trading value. the earliest of these are about 10 yrs old so they can be on topic. Let us know what else you find! Paxton PS I see more current info out there after reading the mail. If it is an intel/TI system those are fairly rare and, I think, worth collecting.

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Front Panel Theory

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Nov 25, 23:44, Allison J Parent wrote: > Front pannels don't work with Z80s if... DRAM depends on the z80 for > refresh. Reason is the stopped state is a very long wait state. Do you mean if you execute a HALT instruction? If you do that, the Z80 behaves as if it's continuously executing HALT instructions, performing repeated bus cycles, including the RFSH signal part. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Call for final Elf99 design input

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Nov 26, 0:31, Ethan Dicks wrote: > I don't think you answered the same question I did. The "essential" thing > and the thing that there was only one vote in favor of was having the 2101 > sockets IN ADDITION TO the 62256 socket. So far, only one person, Hans, > has asserted that the 2101 sockets are a good thing. Add my name to Hans'. I don't mind if I can only have one or the other at any given time, but I happen to have a few 2101s and it would be nice to use them. > Not everyone has a Quest Elf. I, too, want to go beyond it, but for > aesthetic reasons, I want to stay close to the original. That sounds just like my ideal :-) -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Vaxstation 3100 basics

by jolminkh＠nsw.bigpond.net.au

I have managed to find and cobble together enough bits of hardware to have an operational vaxstation .... I think. I've never played with one before or even seen one. What now? The box is a model VS42A and has a 3.5" floppy and 2 X 100Mb internal SCSI hard drives. It has what looks like 8Mb of RAM to me, whatever is on the main board plus a 4Mb extension. On powering up it says KA 42-A v1.3, does a hex countdown and finishes with a ">>>" prompt. Command "b" causes it to display ESA0 and stop. Command "?" gives an error message. Command "c" causes a drive to start. It then displays an error message "ISP ERR PC=00000000" and then lists a table I can't decipher that seems to list drives and includes "VMS/VMB" and "Ultrix" along the top. It then has a prompt " [ESA0:] >>> ". At that point command "b" results in a series of errors: 83 BOOT SYS ?41 DEVASSIGN,B 84 FAIL How can I find out if it has an operating system? or have I already proved it hasn't? None of the stuff I have found on the web so far goes this basic. It looks like it is at least NEARLY 10 years old. Thanks Hans Olminkhof

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Call for final Elf99 design input

by allisonp＠world.std.com

The basic elf was an 8bit address only design. The high order bites were not latched. It's memory was 256bytes (2101s) and an optional 32byte fuse prom. When the prom was enabled it overlayed the first 32 bytes. The upper address bytes were meaningless as no logic saw them. Very limiting design. < > > o Circuit to ghost EPROM at $0000 until first address access at $80 < > < > I still would go for a better decoding - just the high bit is to short < > Maybe there are some spare gates to use ? < < Wait a minute. We have been having an extensive offline conversation < and you said that 32K of RAM and 32K of ROM is enough. It can be more o < of either, at a cost of gates and complexity. The VIP had 512bytes at 8000 and up to 4k at 0-0fffh/ < > Esential to be as close as possible to the original design. < < One vote for, several against or abstaining. if you stay close to the quest design you cannot have much (and none of the options) all of the options are desirable as most people added them somehow or another. < I'm not inclined to do dual 1852's. We you and I have discussed, the 18 < uses three ports, the switch/display is another port, leaving three lef < over. While ports are scarce, they are no so scarce as to overshadow th < benefits of a bit-programmable I/O port. Use port one to select banks of ports (RCA app note). Then ports are cheap and it only takes another latch. ARE 1852 available and what do they offer over a simple cheap port. < > Data transfer via Q is way more fun (Hi Alison :). < > And since we don't need high speed transfer (2400 is ridicoulous i < > we can do 110 :) a complete software solution is a great thing to do. < < I have no problems in principle with a software UART, but I do have < something to say about the speed. 2400 baud is *not* a ridiculous < speed, especially if you want to talk to an external device that has < a fixed clock, say, a serial-to-LCD board. The other issue with a < software UART is timing. If you use a hardware UART, it needs a < crystal of a particular frequency, but the CPU does not. You can then < "clock chip" the 1802 up (to use a Mac term) and not recode your serial < routines. Use the q led and EF1 for casette port. Uart for TTY/term. < I still have yet to hear why the 1855 Multiply/Divide Unit is worth < the real estate. Sure, it's a neat chip, but unless it has a purpose, < I can't see including it. Never mind finding it. < but if I maximize the appeal of the standard I/O ports, I'm likely to se < a few dozen. If I can't sell 60, I can't afford to invest in 100 PCBs. And if its only the quest design I have one already. It's appeal wears off real fast and it's was not designed with expansion in mind. Allison

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Front Panel Theory

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< Not trying to be a snob here, but true "Front Panel Theory" can only be < practiced on a computer where the 'innards' are exposed. Most < microprocessors are too integrated to support a "real" front panel. This < one of the reason they died out fairly quickly in the micro world but li < for quite a while in the mini-world. Wrong, wrong wrong. They died because of a multitude of things one being ROM monitor is cheaper to implement than 16-22 switches and more flexible. That and after you've baned the loader in 5 times and basic still isn't up and your finder hurt... Plus it made the machine intimidating and complex looking compared to say a KIM-1 The 8080 altair had one and it was quite useful but there were more switches and TTL on the board than the CPU, RAM and IO combined! Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Front Panel Theory

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< This might be a bit of an odd question, but can anyone point me in the < right direction to find info on theory of operation of a front panel? < have a z80 based computer which I built a few years ago (wire-wrapped) < which uses an eprom for program storage. I would like to add a front < panel (switches and lights) to it to get better aquainted with the old w Find a copy of bursky's book The S100 Bus Handbook. Front pannels don't work with Z80s if... DRAM depends on the z80 for refresh. Reason is the stopped state is a very long wait state. theory wise it's farly simple but there are a lot of repeated circuits as you have to buffer everything and do some work centered around the CPU timing. Allison

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Santa Ana ACP Store

by DaveyGF＠aol.com

Does the ower have an email address? I would love to ask him about his Altair computers.. David

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Audio Cassette formats; what about ADAM?

by adavie＠mad.scientist.com

It's replies like the one below that make my education seem woeful to me. A -----Original Message----- From: Allison J Parent <allisonp(a)world.std.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Thursday, November 26, 1998 3:54 PM Subject: Re: Audio Cassette formats; what about ADAM? >< What about the ADAM computer from Coleco??? It uses a digital tape that >< holds (around) 256K or so... (Never set mine up yet). >< >< Is there any way you could run that thang thru an audio player and have >< PC routine re-digitalize it, or are you stuck with read a thing and >< serial-send it over to another PC? > >No! It's digital saturation like a floppy and the encoding is to the >flux reversal timing. > >Adam is digital stauration recording like a floppy only slower, audio >tape is audio frequency/phase change and the medium is the linear portion >of the BH curve. They are very different from each other. > >Allison > >

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Audio Cassette formats, was: RE: Recent Finds & Thoughts

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< > Yeah 44100Hz/16/stereo eats up space perdy quick, which is why < > I'd like to try or hear from someone whose tried the various FYI, protable casette recorders 3db point is 11-14KHz for the better ones and they typical ones used 9.5-12.5KHz is more realistic. Sampling above 20Khz is wasting bandwidth and recording time. Even the fastest audio formats (sudding and TARBEL187bytes/sec) had bandwidths below 5KHz. Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Front Panel Theory

by cmcmanis＠freegate.com

Not trying to be a snob here, but true "Front Panel Theory" can only be practiced on a computer where the 'innards' are exposed. Most microprocessors are too integrated to support a "real" front panel. This is one of the reason they died out fairly quickly in the micro world but lived for quite a while in the mini-world. Basically an ideal front panel contains enough switches to set any memory address, load any register, and start, stop, and single step the CPU, and enough lights to monitor both system state and the current address. Many older panels let you look at several things simultaneously but later ones like the PDP-11 and PDP-8 panels used selector switches to multiplex the lights and reduce cost. --Chuck At 06:03 PM 11/25/98 -0600, you wrote: >This might be a bit of an odd question, but can anyone point me in the >right direction to find info on theory of operation of a front panel? I >have a z80 based computer which I built a few years ago (wire-wrapped) >which uses an eprom for program storage. I would like to add a front >panel (switches and lights) to it to get better aquainted with the old way >of doing things. Unfortunatly, my knowledge of microprocessor-based >systems post-dates the era of front panels. The eventual goal is to build >a hands-on display to show how systems were bootstrapped. (without >letting people abuse a 'priceless' altair or imsai) > >Thanks, >srw > >

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Audio Cassette formats, was: RE: Recent Finds & Thoughts

by cswiger＠wilma.widomaker.com

Mark[SMTP:mark_k@iname.com] sez: >I have many old computer cassettes, and have been thinking of >recording them onto a computer in order to preserve their >contents. The signal from computer tapes oscillates between >two levels, right? This being the case, it should be possible >to record them using 1-bit sampling. Perhaps record with 8- or >16-bitsampling and then convert down to single bit. > >Are there any programs to do this conversion? I imagine the >equivalent of a Schmitt trigger (in software) would work. What >about playing back a 1-bit audio signal? Are there any standard >audio file formats that can be used to store 1-bit data? Well, there were/are many formats to put data onto tape, the only one I'm famalier with is as you said a FSK or frequency shift keying, using one tone for a mark or '1' and another for a space or '0'. See http://www.threedee.com/jcm/audio/index.html for some work in this area. >Actually recording tapes to audio CDs is quite wasteful since >you can only get 70 minutes or so on a CD (an issue if you have Yeah 44100Hz/16/stereo eats up space perdy quick, which is why I'd like to try or hear from someone whose tried the various levels of RealAudio or open std. MP3 compression - using those one can get hundreds of hours of 'not bad' audio on a single CD. (e.g., one 30 minute radio program = about 5Mb of MP3). Chuck cswiger(a)widomaker.com P.S. Nerds 2.0.1 on PBS tonight

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Dismantling an AT keyboard entirely

by Philip.Belben＠pgen.com

>> The only time that I would think the clicking would give someone a headache >> would be if they were locked in a sound-proof round all-white room with no >> windows, and dome ceiling, but then again, that's just my opinion. > > Try teaching an operation or programming class in a room full of > thosed damned clicky keyboards. You'll fire up the chainsaw before > an hour is out to drown out the racket. A lot of people don't like key clicks. I do. When I worked at IBM I received a lot of dirty looks for typing on a 3279 terminal, in an open plan office, without turning off the key clicker. Now that really was loud! Philip.

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

Front Panel Theory

by scott＠saskatoon.com

This might be a bit of an odd question, but can anyone point me in the right direction to find info on theory of operation of a front panel? I have a z80 based computer which I built a few years ago (wire-wrapped) which uses an eprom for program storage. I would like to add a front panel (switches and lights) to it to get better aquainted with the old way of doing things. Unfortunatly, my knowledge of microprocessor-based systems post-dates the era of front panels. The eventual goal is to build a hands-on display to show how systems were bootstrapped. (without letting people abuse a 'priceless' altair or imsai) Thanks, srw

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Old 386 and 486 pc's

by manney＠lrbcg.com

>One was an Everex with a mondo-scarce RLL drive. . . Which one? RLL's aren't _all_ that scarce. manney

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Call for final Elf99 design input

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< This means no CHIP-8. :-( No it means CHIP-8 graphics are out. Chip-8 can be hacked for other devices like terminal io. Also the resolution of the VIP was slow low that a matrix of leds might be doable as a display. as a possibel subtitute. Allison

27 years, 6 months

3
3
0 0

more interesting finds!

by rigdonj＠intellistar.net

I went to a scrap place yesterday and found a couple of interesting items. One is a 16K core memory board for a Data General Nova. Huge sucker! It's marked "DATA GENERAL CORP DGC NOVA 800 16K MEMORY STACK copyright 1973". Anyone need this or should I just hang it on the wall to admire? I also found several odd looking boxs that are labled as HDS ViewStation. they're made by a company called Human Designed Systems. They're about 2" tall and 12" square. They have connectors for all the following; thick and thin ethernet, twisted pair, sun keyboard, standard PC keyboard, RJ serial port, DB-25 serial, DB-25 parallel, PS-2 mouse and standard VGA video. Does anyone know what these are or why they have so many ports? Joe

27 years, 6 months

7
9
0 0

Call for final Elf99 design input

by yakowenk＠cs.unc.edu

On Tue, 24 Nov 1998, Ethan Dicks <erd(a)infinet.com> wrote: ] I am cranking along with the capture of the Elf99 design (on OrCAD for DOS, ] a 10-year-old program, no less). I wanted to throw out what I have ] descided on and ask for suggestions on what is not set in stone. ] ... I didn't speak up before, but I'm sitting on the "interested" side of the fence. As for my personal preferences, modern chips are fine, if they are cheap, easy to use, readily available, and relatively standard (so they are likely to remain available for a while yet). I never had an Elf of any sort, so I don't have any attachment to any particular aspect of that. So to me, being 1802-based and being cheap/easy would be the big attractions. If I could populate the entire board for under $20, that would probably be enough to pull me off the fence entirely. Cheers, Bill.

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Dismantling an AT keyboard entirely

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< The keyboard should now work. Mine does -- I typed this on it. You forgot one step in the disassembly... NOTE where each key is removed from. Otherwise I typed this on it. becomes Y riowd kida no wq, ;) Allison

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

MacDraw (?) and other software wanted

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

www.eden.com/~arena/jagshouse/ previously, he had over 50 meg worth of old mac apps online, but had to remove them due to obvious copyright reasons. thankfully i was able to pull copies down in time. he still has info on internetting an old mac. In a message dated 11/25/98 6:19:17 AM Pacific Standard Time, jruschme(a)exit109.com writes: << > Does anyone have any drawing software that"ll run on it that they'd be > willing to send me? Me, no, but I think someone else mentioned MacCrypt. Also, lok for a site run by a guy named Jag. >>

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Cray Y-MP & Convex for auction in UK

by mark_k＠iname.com

Hi, In case anyone is interested (and has loads of space and a large truck), apparently Cray Y-MP-EL and Convex mainframe computers are part of an auction to be held on 8th December near Honiton, Devon, England. The URL of the auctioneers is http://www.saqnet.co.uk/users/mstcommercial If anyone decides to go to this, please let me know (I may want to scrounge a lift off you...). -- Mark

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Recent Finds & Thoughts

by mark_k＠iname.com

On Sun, 22 Nov 1998 Gareth Knight wrote: >Marvin wrote: >>Having *finally* gotten a CD-R unit hooked up, it occurred to me that >>perhaps recording all the cassette data tapes to CD would be a worthwhile >>thing to do. Has anyone else tried this? I would think it would be >trivial >>to hook up a stereo to computers, and thus load both data and programs. > >You mean record the audio on to a different track? Yes, it certainly is >possible. There was a commercial device out for the Sinclair Spectrum in >1990 that included 30 games on one CD. I think it was made by Codemasters. >I've only seen it once at a car boot sale but it appeared to be a basic to >be a basic CD player with some leads to plug into the tape port. That's what I understand it consists of. A very high speed turbo-loading routine is used; tapes would have trouble coping with this. The first track is probably a normal-speed file containing the loader code, and the other tracks would be the games recorded at high speed. (Can anyone confirm this?) I have many old computer cassettes, and have been thinking of recording them onto a computer in order to preserve their contents. The signal from computer tapes oscillates between two levels, right? This being the case, it should be possible to record them using 1-bit sampling. Perhaps record with 8- or 16-bit sampling and then convert down to single bit. Are there any programs to do this conversion? I imagine the equivalent of a Schmitt trigger (in software) would work. What about playing back a 1-bit audio signal? Are there any standard audio file formats that can be used to store 1-bit data? The final 1-bit audio files should be highly compressible, so they could be archived with zip etc. to reduce size. If sampling at 44.1kHz, the uncompressed 1-bit sample would use about 5.4K per second. For a five-minute tape, that comes to under 1.7MB. Sampling is of course the best way to preserve software, rather than converting the files themselves; with a sample an exact duplicate of the original cassette can be created, and things like copy-protection and turbo loaders are no problem. Actually recording tapes to audio CDs is quite wasteful since you can only get 70 minutes or so on a CD (an issue if you have hundreds of cassettes). My approach would be to archive tapes as described above; of course burning an audio CD is useful for transferring the data back to the source computer. -- Mark

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

more interesting finds!

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>I went to a scrap place yesterday and found a couple of interesting items. >One is a 16K core memory board for a Data General Nova. Huge sucker! It's >marked "DATA GENERAL CORP DGC NOVA 800 16K MEMORY STACK copyright 1973". >Anyone need this or should I just hang it on the wall to admire? Someone with a Nova could want it :-) > I also found several odd looking boxs that are labled as HDS ViewStation. >they're made by a company called Human Designed Systems. They're about 2" >tall and 12" square. They have connectors for all the following; thick and >thin ethernet, twisted pair, sun keyboard, standard PC keyboard, RJ serial >port, DB-25 serial, DB-25 parallel, PS-2 mouse and standard VGA video. >Does anyone know what these are Very versatile terminals. Plug in a monitor, plug in a keyboard, you have a terminal over the DB25 or RJ serial connector. Plug in the Ethernet, you have TCP/IP and LAT connectivity. I believe that certain models were also X-terminals (though I never used any as such.) > or why they have so many ports? So you can hook up whichever keyboard, printer, and computer however you find most convenient. :-) Tim.

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

No subject

by bgreen＠northwoodgeo.com

UNSUBSCRIBE CLASSICCMP Barry Green Web Manager Northwood Geoscience www.northwoodgeo.com

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Apple Mac External Hard Drives For Sale

by fauradon＠pclink.com

Hi, Funny you had to post this today, I just bought two MAC SE without hard drives. May be we could work out a deal here. Francois ------------------------------------------------------------- Visit the desperately in need of update Sanctuary at: http://www.pclink.com/fauradon/ -----Original Message----- From: Phil Clayton <handyman(a)sprintmail.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Monday, November 23, 1998 12:58 PM Subject: Apple Mac External Hard Drives For Sale >I have two External Apple Mac SCSI Hard Drives that I no longer need.. >They were used on my Mac SE computer.. >They plug into the back of your Mac, and I suppose could be used in an >Apple II series computer if it had a SCSI interface card installed.. >Those interested please make me an offer on one or both of them.. > >1. MacDirect 120MB SCSI Hard Drive with SCSI Cable & Power Cord.. >2. CMS 60MB SCSI Hard Drive with SCSI Cable & Power Cord.. > >Both of these units work fine no errors.. >Both are formatted for Mac SE and boot to system ver 7.1 >Both have several Misl programs on them.. >Both are very clean units, well taken care of.. >Designed to sit under the Mac, and cosmetically match.. > >Those interested contact me privately at handyman(a)sprintmail.com >Thanks... >Phil... >

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

MacDraw (?) and other software wanted

by roblwill＠usaor.net

Hi! I have a Mac Portable with 4 MB RAM, 2400 modem, 40MB HDD, running System 7.01 Pro. Does anyone have any drawing software that"ll run on it that they'd be willing to send me? I'm also looking for a small web browser and TCP/IP dialer program for it. Are there any MIDI players for the Mac (like a Windows MediaPlayer)? What format are the sounds on a Mac, where do I get them (the Portable has no input, so I can't record anything), and how do I play them ? If there is an audio player for MacOS, where do I find one? I also have a few questions: - Just how rare are the models with the factory-installed backlight? I've heard that they're fairly rare, and the non-backlit versions are much more common. -Is there any possible way to fit a bigger HD into it? I've been told that the HD is a special type, and other ones won't work. ThAnX, -- -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1> PS>> Please ignore the fact that some of these questions may be pretty basic, but the Portable is the first Apple I've had since a //c.

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

Call for final Elf99 design input

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< Options under consideration: < < o Sockets for two 1822/2101 256x4 SRAMs, the same style used by < the original Elf. < one 2116 outweighs that. <o A 1851 programmable input/output port -or- a pair of 4508 latches Use the one that is available. < wired as one input and one output port (as in the COSMAC VIP) Handy and useful, do the ports. < o A 1854 UART Desirable. < o A protoyping area of .1" spaced plated-through holes, nominally < a few inches long by one or two inches wide. < < o Either a dual 4042 address latch or a single 4508 latch. One or < the other is needed to implement more than 256 bytes of memory. < This would be optional in a machine built with dual-256x4 SRAMs. Consider 74hct373. < o A pre-programmed 27256 with a "library" of simple programs < (Accessible by enabling the ROM switch, setting the program < number in the switch register, then setting the control switches < to "run"). Good idea! I have sources for minimonitor and UT4(RCA) plus a buch of others in hex from articles. < Did I miss anything? Any other suggestions? I will not be including sp < for an 1861 because I have been entirely unable to locate a source. Long gone. < Do we still have any interested parties? I have saved the addresses of < all who have initially expressed interest, so I only really need to know < these features are attracting people or putting them off. Yes! Allison

27 years, 6 months

3
3
0 0

My adolescent fantasies FINALLY fulfilled!

by Arlen.Michaels.amichael＠nt.com

> Aaron Christopher Finney <A_Finney(a)wfi-inc.com> wrote: > > I finally got an ATR8000. Man, I dreamed of having one of these every > night, reading the SWP brochure until it literally fell apart. Every time > I went to buy one on ePay, someone would come along and push the price > *way* beyond what I wanted to pay. Anyway, I just got one for $60 (I know > many of you think that's still ridiculously high, but I've been waiting > ~12 years for one of these things) that came with a giant stack of disks, > manuals, and cables. The usual CP/M stuff; Wordstar, Supercalc, etc. > Unfortunately, I'm at work and have to wait a few hours before I can try > it out. > > Well, at least now I will stop harrassing everyone who posts to the list > about picking one of these things up for $5... > How about the ATR Co-Power II? The one I found recently has an 8088 and 256K RAM, so I presume it was intended let an Atari run MSDOS. It looks like it dates from around 1984. Can you comment a bit more on the history of these ATR second processor cards and do you happen to know how many different types they eventually made? Arlen Michaels amichael(a)nortel.ca

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

Fw: Some DEC stuff still available

by geoffrob＠stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au

Saw this in comp.sys.dec, so I thought I'd post it in the list for interested parties. I'd LOVE to get the 11/750, but I'm a little too far away...... -----Original Message----- From: kshuff <kshuff(a)fast.net> Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec Date: Wednesday, 25 November 1998 13:45 Subject: Some DEC stuff still available > I still have the following stuff I'd like to see go to good homes, prices are >negotiable and do not include shipping... > > VT1200 Mono X-term base, 3 meg ram, no keyboard or mouse $25 OBO. Can throw > in a DEC VR260 mono monitor for an extra $25 > > VAXstation 3100 M38, 24 meg ram, RZ23, RZ24, SCSI floppy, keyboard, mouse, > VR262 mono monitor, external TK50, Ultrix 4.4 installed $200 OBO > > VAX 11/750, 8 meg ram, DMF32, TU-80, TU58, (2) boxes of spare Unibus cards, > all original console TU58 tapes and diagnostics, original Ultrix 3.1 on > 9-track magtape, older VMS on magtape, manuals, printset BEST OFFER, > MUST PICKUP in Eastern Pa. It does work :) > > Spare TU-80 9-track tape drive, bare unit, no cabinet BEST OFFER > > HP7475A Plotter, brand new color pens $45 OBO > >All items located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in good and working condition. > > > > > Keith S. Huff > > kshuff(a)fast.net > --------------- > > "One World, One Web, One Program"- Microsoft Promotional Ad > "Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer"- Adolf Hitler Cheers Geoff Roberts Computer Systems Manager Saint Marks College Port Pirie South Australia. My ICQ# is 1970476 Ph. 61-411-623-978 (Mobile) 61-8-8633-0619 (Home) 61-8-8633-8834 (Work-Direct) 61-8-8633-0104 (Fax)

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Dismantling an AT keyboard entirely

by roblwill＠usaor.net

>Is that the same as the PC and the PS/2 keyboards? Those things are >terribly noisy, they give me a headache. I like the click, but it has a >high-pitched overtone. It does? I have an old PS/2 keyboard connected to my P200, and never noticed anything high-pitched. The space bar is a bit louder then the rest of the keys, and there's an occasional *sproing* from a stuck spring in a few of the keys. Other than that, it's a great keyboard. The PC keyboard is another good one. They both give the sure feel that a letter is going to come onto the screen (usually), unlike the new membrane (squishy-key) keyboards that almost have the feel of the Coco 2 keyboard. The only time that I would think the clicking would give someone a headache would be if they were locked in a sound-proof round all-white room with no windows, and dome ceiling, but then again, that's just my opinion. -- -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1>

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

Call for final Elf99 design input

by dogas＠leading.net

Ethan. I hopfully have already been *counted*, but if I'm not.... Thanks - Mike: dogas(a)leading.net

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

what is a 'stringy floppy'?

by dcoward＠pressstart.com

I know that this is an old question, but I've been on vacation. And I'm just catching up on the last two weeks. SUPRDAVE(a)aol.com said: >i was talking to my manager who is just about ready to give me a complete and >working trs80 model 1 with ALL accessories. he also said he used something >called a stringy floppy with it which used a loop of string/wire to save data >with not quite the speed of floppies but certainly faster than cassette. has >anyone seen these or can explain how they work? he said there were carts that >were put into the drive so it seems to be a removeable media device? can >anyone explain further? I have one and some information in my Lobby display case. http://www.best.com/~dcoward/museum/display.htm ========================================= Doug Coward Press Start Inc. Sunnyvale,CA =========================================

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Call for final Elf99 design input

by amc358＠interserv.com

> On Tuesday, November 24, 1998 2:48 PM, Ethan Dicks wrote: > The Elf99 will consist of the following: Count me in for one! > Did I miss anything? Don't forget the 'Q' LED. ;-) > Any other suggestions? I will not be including space > for an 1861 because I have been entirely unable to locate a source. This means no CHIP-8. :-( Al McCann amc358(a)interserv.com

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

11/34A/RK07 not booting. Help wanted

by mbg＠world.std.com

>>Yes. On every DEC drive I own (and I guess most others), track 0 is at >>the outside edge of the disk and the highest track is closest to the >>spindle. Allison/Tim will now post a list of exceptions :-) > >Only exception I know of is CD-ROM, which doesn't exactly have tracks, >but at least block 0 is on the inside and the higher-number blocks >are on the outside. I seem to remember something about the RD series disks (or at least the RD52 or RD53) installed in a PRO-series machine having the outermost track *not* track zero... Megan Gentry Former RT-11 Developer +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+ | Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com | | Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com | | Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' | | 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ | | Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler | | (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg | +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

27 years, 6 months

4
5
0 0

Call for final Elf99 design input

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

At 02:47 PM 11/24/98 -0500, ethan wrote: > I am cranking along with the capture of the Elf99 design (on OrCAD > for DOS, a 10-year-old program, no less). I wanted to throw out what > I have descided on and ask for suggestions on what is not set in > stone. All the basic stuff sounds fine to me. > Options under consideration: > > o Sockets for two 1822/2101 256x4 SRAMs, the same style used by > the original Elf. I'd like that. PIO and UART would be extremely useful, probably more so than the prototyping area -- at least, to me. > o A pre-programmed 27256 with a "library" of simple programs That's a good idea. > Do we still have any interested parties? Yes :-) -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

salvage hardware (fwd)

by danjo＠xnet.com

Relatively NEWER stuff - but you never know...... > Sure post it but please include a note that the items will have to be > picked up the week of Nov 30th - December 4th. Thanks > Amy >>---------- Forwarded message ---------- >>Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 10:05:15 -0600 >>From: Amy Bryant <abryant(a)hamiltongrp.com> >>To: danjo(a)xnet.com >>Subject: salvage hardware >> >> I saw your name on the Internet as someone who is interested in older >> computer parts for free. I have 4 AST docking stations (no laptops) >> going in the trash unless I can find someone to come take them away. >> Also included box of parts with older hubs, bernoulli box, 5.5 " disk >> drives, keyboards, and lots of other stuff. >> We are located in the near north area just north of the loop. >> Please reply if you are interested. >> Thank you. >> Going soon.... >>****************************************** >>Amy Bryant 312.642.1825 >>Hamilton Communications Group >>ABRYANT(a)HAMILTONGRP.COM >>****************************************** BC

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Info on Motorola Educational Board

by rcini＠msn.com

Hello, all: I'd like to start playing with the Motorola Educational Board that I got a few months back. I downloaded Xinu, a multitasking OS designed for it (and the dubject of several books). But, I'm having a devil of a time finding info on the hardware itself. Amazon has a book on it, but it's out of print. The book is "68000 Microcomputer Experiments: Using the Motorola Educationa Computer Board" Maybe someone has a pointer to schematics? Anything would be helpful. Thanks. [ Rich Cini/WUGNET [ ClubWin!/CW7 [ MCP Windows 95/Windows Networking [ Collector of "classic" computers [ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp/ [ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/pdp11/ <================ reply separator =================>

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Posted tonight

by rcini＠msn.com

Hello, all: Here's what was posted to the secure area of my Web site: - Altair article scans: parts 1-3 and 10 What remains is parts 4 through 9. [ Rich Cini/WUGNET [ ClubWin!/CW7 [ MCP Windows 95/Windows Networking [ Collector of "classic" computers [ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp/ [ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/pdp11/ <================ reply separator =================>

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Call for final Elf99 design input

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< < o A protoyping area of .1" spaced plated-through holes, nominally < < a few inches long by one or two inches wide. A thought, Since holes cost... Reduce that to several lines of holes on .1 ctenters with .3 spacing between lines. That will accept dips in the .3(std parts) and .6 for the wide parts. Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Tek 4051 was Re: Weekend finds!

by Philip.Belben＠pgen.com

>> ROM and FFT ROM (I don't have that one). There are two connectors on the >> top back of the 4051. I don't know what they're for except that one has a >> note not to connect the joy stick unless the machine is off, so I assume >> that's what it's for. I think the other is for a printer. > > Guessing... > > One is for an analogue _potentiometer_ joyustick. This is like a CoCo > joystick, not the variable resistor one on a PC. I have the pinout. Interestingly, although the joystick is mentioned in the Tek manuals, Tek hadn't heard of it when I spoke to them (this was an engineer who had actually worked on 4050 series machines, btw). Similarly, the manuals don't admit the existence of the joystick fire button but you can connect it and it does work. The potentiometers on my PC joystick (to which I added a new connector, and which I rewired so that you actually get at both ends of the pot) are too high resistance at about 200k ohms each. 1k to 10k is a more suitable value. I keep meaning to add a buffer amplifier... Philip.

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Rescue Needed!!

by dlw＠trailingedge.com

I've been talking with a guy who says he has 2 or 3 DECmates and a 3B2 600 with manuals, terminals and some printers. Their company is moving and they need to get the stuff out of their storage area. They won't "neither move the equipment nor incur any financial penalty like packing, shipping" and someone has to come by and pick it up. It is located in Pacoima, Calif. Depending on the size of the system, I'd sorta like to have the 3B2, but it is a DECmate that I'm really interested in. If anyone is in that area and can arrange to pick up this hardware and would ship me at least one of the DECmates I'd be happy to cover shipping and part of your expenses in picking up the systems. Drop me a line if you can help out. Oh, these have to be out by Dec. 4th or it's off to the land fill. ----- David Williams - Computer Packrat dlw(a)trailingedge.com http://www.trailingedge.com

27 years, 6 months

2
2
0 0

Decals disappearing?

by dcoward＠pressstart.com

Sometimes decals don't last as long as we would like. How can you replace them? I picked this up from the Heathkit list: >From: "Ed Santavicca" <santavic(a)ct.picker.com> >Subject: [HeathKit] dry-transfers >I finally found it!! It wasnt posted on the list at all. A co-worker >found it in the Digi-Key catalog, and told me about it several months ago. >(the mind goes 1st) Its a product made by DynaArt Designs and is called >the toner transfer system For $27.95 they supply 10 transfer sheets. It >can make full color decals too. This is their info. > >DynaArt Designs >3535 Stillmeadow Lane >Lancaster, California 93536-6624 >Phone: (805) 943-4746 >FAX: (805) 943-3776 > >Digi-Key has a web site with an online catalog. >http://www.digikey.com/ Digi-Key's part numbers are: TTS-5-ND (5 sheets per pack) $14.95 TTS-10-ND (10 sheets per pack) $27.95 These are intented to transfer pc layouts to copper clad boards and the tranfers are etch resistant, but the ad says: "Also (detailed instructions) show how to make full color decals for any application". Just use any laser printer or photocopier. (Sheet are 8 1/2" x 11") Iron on to the surface, and soak in water to remove the paper. ========================================= Doug Coward Press Start Inc. Sunnyvale,CA =========================================

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Dismantling an AT keyboard entirely

by hhacker＠gte.net

I have to agree with this sentiment. I have used the IBM keyboard since the days of the 2741 (an APL terminal) and the selectric typewriters of the day. Never has another keyboard manufacturer produced so nice a feel (action, for the musical crowd) to the touch of my hand. I really like the Microsoft natural keyboard, with but one reservation - the action of the key switches (I like the elite much less than the full sized model). William R. Buckley -----Original Message----- From: jpero(a)pop.cgocable.net <jpero(a)pop.cgocable.net> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Monday, November 23, 1998 4:07 PM Subject: Re: Dismantling an AT keyboard entirely > Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 23:48:54 +0000 (GMT) > Reply-to: classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu > From: ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell) > To: "Discussion re-collecting of classic computers" <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> > Subject: Dismantling an AT keyboard entirely Don't tell me to swap for new $10 keyboard either! I touchtype all the time and I have not found one that does similar job as this bowing spring technologies in IBM keyboards.

27 years, 6 months

4
4
0 0

New Q-bus toy, needs IDd...

by emu＠ecubics.com

Hi all, ---------- > From: CLASSICCMP(a)trailing-edge.com > To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> > Subject: RE: New Q-bus toy, needs IDd... > Date: Tuesday, November 24, 1998 1:16 PM > > Webster was an Australian company that made many Q-bus and a few Unibus > DEC-compatible options. Here in North America, they were frequently > relabeled with the "Aviv", "DSD", "Sigma", "Qualogy", and a few > other trademarks. Strangely enough, "Wombat", the Webster MSCP > config utility, was never renamed :-). Even if they tried, Webster's > chief software designer left some Easter Eggs behind that'll pop > up his name from the Wombat menu! Speaking of aviv, i have an unibus scsi controller from aviv here, but no docu. Anybody can help ? Board is a: AW-20-1326-2A thanks, emanuel

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

New Q-bus toy, needs IDd...

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>Ohhh, so if I shove this in, boot 2.9BSD, it should find this as >a DZ-11? (I'm pretty sure it thinks I'm supposed to have a DZ...) Absolutely, if the vector and CSR's match. (I *think* you can change these in /etc/dtab under 2.9, if you need too.) Tim.

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Call for final Elf99 design input

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>> > o Dual TIL 311 hex latching displays accessible as output port 4 >> > when in run mode. >> >> Have you considered, say, a small GAL-type device driving standard >> 7-segment or 5x7 displays instead? > >Not a GAL. I want to avoid any non-popcorn parts beyond RAM, CPU and >big I/O chips. I would _consider_ using the same BCD-to-7-segment >decoder that was in the Elf-II; it properly displays A-F if fed $A through $F. How would you feel about a GAL that was programmed to replace the original part - with the same pinout? Tim. (shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com)

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

New Q-bus toy, needs IDd...

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>[It's a DZV11 clone] >OK. What's a DZV11? A 4-port async MUX. (This is getting circular, isn't it? I suspect I misunderstand your real question!) The Webster (and other) clones give you 8 lines, but all the DEC software deals with this well because a DZ11 (the Unibus version) has 8 lines. Tim. (shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com)

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Call for final Elf99 design input

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

> o Dual TIL 311 hex latching displays accessible as output port 4 > when in run mode. Have you considered, say, a small GAL-type device driving standard 7-segment or 5x7 displays instead? I just checked Jameco's web site and it appears that the TIL 311's they sell (at $12 each) may indeed be "production-line" parts still being made new by Ligitek. If so, this is a Good Thing! Tim.

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

New Q-bus toy, needs IDd...

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

> Got a new Q-bus toy - It's a MUX. > I need to know what it is, and what it's compatible with. > The label on the A-S baggie says "AVIV 8-port MUX, Q-BUS". > It appears to have the model # "SDZV11/03", this is written on the PCB. > The distribution panel has "Webster Electronics" written on it. > Any ideas? This is - surprise! - a clone of the DEC DZV11. Sometimes part numbers are your friends! Webster was an Australian company that made many Q-bus and a few Unibus DEC-compatible options. Here in North America, they were frequently relabeled with the "Aviv", "DSD", "Sigma", "Qualogy", and a few other trademarks. Strangely enough, "Wombat", the Webster MSCP config utility, was never renamed :-). Even if they tried, Webster's chief software designer left some Easter Eggs behind that'll pop up his name from the Wombat menu! -- Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/ 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917 Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

New Q-bus toy, needs IDd...

by DSEAGRAV＠toad.xkl.com

Got a new Q-bus toy - It's a MUX. I need to know what it is, and what it's compatible with. The label on the A-S baggie says "AVIV 8-port MUX, Q-BUS". It appears to have the model # "SDZV11/03", this is written on the PCB. The distribution panel has "Webster Electronics" written on it. Any ideas? -------

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

In search of: CCI Power 6/32 Tahoe

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

A subject of much discussion on the PUPS (see http://minnie.cs.adfa.edu.au/PUPS/ - the home page of the PDP-11 Unix Preservation Society ) mailing list has been the CCI Power 6/32, aka the "Tahoe", which lent its name to a 4.3BSD release in the late 80's. Does anyone know if any such systems are still in existence? On the net? -- Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/ 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917 Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

T1K's & TRS80 Model 1's in need of rescue

by gary.katz＠csun.edu

You know you've reached adulthood when your parents decide they're going to move and they no longer want to be the free long-term storage area for their children. Since the move is happening in NJ and I'm in CA in a small CA-style house with no basement, the TRS80's have to go. If there is someone in the NJ area interested in the following, let me know via EMAIL & we'll arrange for a pickup date/time. To a good home: 3 TRS80 Model 1 CPU's one has a RS lower case mod, Level II ROM, numeric keypad one has an "other" lower case mod. Level II ROM, no keypad one has no lower case mod but has keypad 2 or 3 E/I with 32K, one has RS doubler, another has percom (I think) 4 R/S 5.25" drives R/S Vox Box (pretty sure it still works) R/S Voice Synthesizer (pretty sure it doesn't work well) TRS80 Line Printer 7 Tons of software Tandy 1000 (TL, I think -- 80286 in an 8bit M/Board; 768K RAM; 40MB IDE) Tandy CGA Monitor Needs to be gone ASAP! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Gary S. Katz, Ph.D. 326 Sierra Tower Assistant Professor (818) 677-2964 office Dept. of Psychology (818) 677-2827 dept California State University - Northridge (818) 677-2829 fax 18111 Nordhoff Street Northridge, CA 91330 http://www.csun.edu/~gk45683 ----------------------------------------------------------------

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Friden Flexowriter

by cfandt＠netsync.net

At 22:53 11/23/98 -0600, Doug Yowza wrote: >And you thought your VT100 was cool? Through an elaborate move involving >a network of collectors across the country, I finally ended up with a >Flexowriter in my office! > > http://www.yowza.com/classiccmp/friden/ > >What's a Flexowriter, you ask? Before the KSR33 TTY was invented around >1962, this was the way you got data into and out of your PDP-1, PB-250, >etc. > >I really don't know much about it (it's just PDP-1 bait), but I'm >interested in any docs, software (see below), or emotional outbursts >from veteran users. > >My vague understanding of how this was used comes from a few scraps of web >info. I believe it was used as a letter quality printer and paper tape >punch with computers. It also has a paper tape reader. I think the >reader could be interfaced to a computer, but I think it could also be >used standalone! (Some?) flexowriters could accept programs to generate >form letters and the like -- the first word processor! I have a Flexowriter setting in the basement of our old house. Let me tell you a bit about another common use for Flexowriters. At my past place of employment, the one I have once was used as a numerical control programming terminal. It stood alone, no electrical communications connection to the machine tool for which a program was being written. An ASCII paper tape was punched containing the programmed moves and machining functions (standard "M" and "G" functions plus others) which was carried over to the numerically controlled machine tool, loaded and started. A couple of the NC controllers we had were the old General Electric Century Mark II models which controlled large Burgmaster NC drilling machines. They were a mid-50's design using stepper switches and bunches of hermetically-sealed relays and a two-axis thyratron servo table positioning system. A Fiden tape reader was used to read the tape several characters at a time according to the next move or function the machine was required to make while the program was run. AGHHH! Those Mark II's were ornery and hard to troubleshoot with all their relay logic and the tight timings thereof. A rather small two pound PLC would handle the programming and controlling on those Burgmasters today in conjunction with a new, solid state servo drive system. I still have the Mark II printsets which are by now, I would guess, *really* rare. Back in the 50's, 60's and to the mid-70's paper tape was a very typical way a machine tool program would be generated and run. A 'real' computer was far too expensive especially for small shops back in the old days to run a typical machine tool. Huge companies may have had some sort of single computer to act as a program generating and storage device which was somehow linked to a large group of NC machines but I personally know of no real examples. But I would wager IBM, DEC, General Electric and others had some involvement with this either in their own large factories or as a contractor to others. Microprocessor-based CNC (CNC = Computer Numerical Control) controls began to replace the old NC controls around the mid-70's. Removeable media, semiconductor memory and especially the revolutionary microprocessor helped drive this change from paper tape NC systems. The Fridens and Teletype ASR33s (which were another popular paper tape generating device) slowly began to be scrapped. Back in the early 80's, ACU-RITE Inc. took the NC machines and this Flexowriter out of service. Most of the machines were sold to others and the Flexowriter tossed into warehouse storage. For a couple of machines we kept I designed the mechanical and electrical interfaces for installation of a couple of those new-fangled CNC boxes which one could buy separately (Bendix Dynapaths were used) and built a couple of simple CNC Bridgeport mills for the company's machine shop. During that time, I rescued the Flexowriter out of a dumpster after I discovered that warehouse storage area was being cleaned out. I also grabbed my DG Nova 1200 and other DG items before it was supposed hit the dumpster later that week! :-) > >Corrections and pointers to Friden stuff welcomed. Well, this Flexowriter is not something that was in my collecting interest but I kept it all these years. Therefore, I never actively kept an eye open for Friden docs, parts or such stuff. It is on topic for our group so I will pay better attention for Flexowriter items, docs and pointers. Now I must get rid of the Flexowriter as I do not have enough room to keep it (just ask Hans F. and his wife who have seen only a small part of my collection :-)). FREE to a good home. It's heavy! It should be restorable or at least good for parts. Otherwise, and I'm not joking, it will have to end up at the scrap yard to continue its original destination from 15 years ago :( Regards, Chris -- -- Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net Member of Antique Wireless Association URL: http://www.ggw.org/freenet/a/awa/

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Audio CD Software/data was: Re: Recent Finds & Thoughts

by cswiger＠wilma.widomaker.com

Marvin wrote: >Having *finally* gotten a CD-R unit hooked up, it occurred to >me that perhaps recording all the cassette data tapes to CD >would be a worthwhile thing to do. Has anyone else tried this? >I would think it would be trivial to hook up a stereo to >computers, and thus load both data and programs. Yes - been there. It is highly recommended, especially if you can read the program/data from a cassette, and then make a fresh new 'write' from the computer, as if you were going to make another cassette, but to the CD-R audio input - as opposed to simply copying the audio from the cassette directy to CD with all the tape hiss, drop outs & speed fluctuations. I've found fresh new 'tapeless' audio recordings to be very useable and reliable. Chuck cswiger(a)widomaker.com

27 years, 6 months

4
3
0 0

Tek 4051 was Re: Weekend finds!

by Philip.Belben＠pgen.com

> OK Thanks. Are the BASIC commands on the 4052 the same as the 4051? > FWIW the 4052s use similar plug in ROMs. One of the manuals that I have > shows the same function ROM for the 4052. It uses the same case but a > different board with more ROM ICs on it. Yes. My BASIC manuals cover 4051, 4052 and 4054. Some commands have a note in the manual that they're not available on the 4051 without an appropriate ROM cartridge. >>The 4097 is very rare AFAIK. I've never before heard of one surviving. >>All I have for it is some Tek marketing bumf printed out from microfilm.. > > I'm like to see the marketing info. Where did you find it? > > I've been cleaning the 4051 up today. Man, is it filthy! There are dirt > dobber nests all through it. I cleaned up one of the 4097s and checked the > power supply. It spun up but one voltage is slightly high. I have to fix > that. When I was researching the talk I gave at the VCF (in fact the previous version that I gave to the Cambridge University Computer Preservation Society) I wrote to Tek UK asking for information. They sent me an envelope full of microfiches: marketing stuff tracking practically the whole history of the 4050 series, an almost complete set of "Tekniques", the 4050 series newsletter, and a couple of technical things. Give me a snail mail address (privately) and I'll post you a copy (technically I have permission to copy if "promoting Tektronix") > Here's a rough list of what I have: Tek 4051 mod 1,22 (what is a mod No idea, I'm afraid. > 1,22?). A 4097 8" disk drive with a single drive. It has option 031. I > don't know what that is unless it's the connector for the second drive. It > has an HP-IB port for the controller and a 40 conductor ribbon cable that > connects to the other 4097. The second 4097 has two 8" disk drives and no > controller port just a connector for the 40 conductor cable. There is a The 4097 could control up to 3 drives. You seem to have the full configuration, controller + 1 drive in one box, 2 drives in a second box. Disks are SSDD I think (must look that up). Links to 4051 by GPIB of course. My 4052 now loads and saves on my Commie 8050 disk drive... > Data Communications Interface on the back of the 4051, it has two ROM > sockets in it and a RS-232 port on the bottom. There is also a ROM > Expansion box (4051E01). It has 8 ROM sockets and a cable with a dummy ROM > that plugs into one of the ROM sockets on the 4051. I have five ROMs in > it; File Manager, Editor, Signal Processing, Service Pack and Binary > Program Loader. I'm supposed to get some manuals from the seller. I took a I think file manager may be needed for the 4097. (Are you sure it's a 4097? I have a vague memory of it having been 4907). Binary program loader is one of the things that's included on the 4052 motherboard ROMs. I don't understand the editor but I may have a manual if I dig. Screen editing of BASIC (on a storage display) is better than many non-storage user interfaces of the day even without the Editor ROM. > quick look at them and there was a 4097 manual. I didn't look at the > others. I did pick up manuals from someone else for the Signal Processing > ROM and FFT ROM (I don't have that one). There are two connectors on the I have the FFT ROM for the 4052 but it doesn't work (bit rot?) :-( > top back of the 4051. I don't know what they're for except that one has a > note not to connect the joy stick unless the machine is off, so I assume > that's what it's for. I think the other is for a printer. Tony beat me to it again. See his post and my reply thereto. Philip.

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Lisa 2/10

by rvclark＠pacbell.net

Just ran accross this address in some notes about the Lisa. I have a Lisa 2/10 which I bought new in about 1983. The board inside says 1983 also. I have the original disks and manuals also. I used it up until about six months ago. At that time it developed a Vertical hold problem. It has a narrow light line accross the tube. Their is no control for vertical hold externaly on the computer. Other than that, which is probably fixable by a pro, it has always worked fine. It has Mac Works XL Emulation Software and Write and Draw software. I was very happy with it all these years. I now use a Mac IIsi with all the modern stuff added to it. Anyone interested in it for a price?

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

unsubscribe

by bgreen＠northwoodgeo.com

UNSUBSCRIBE CLASSICCMP Barry Green Web Manager Northwood Geoscience www.northwoodgeo.com

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

No subject

by dogas＠leading.net

SUBSCRIBE CLASSICCMP

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Blue Thunder CP/M card for PC

by bobstek＠ix.netcom.com

Does anyone have any info on a Z-80 card for the PC called Blue Thunder? In particular docs and software would be most appreciated, but at this pont ANY info would be great! Bob Stek bobstek(a)ix.netcom.com Saver of Lost SOLs

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Friden Flexowriter

by Innfogra＠aol.com

Those Fridens are heavy. The logistics of getting it across country must have been difficult. They were electo-mechanical monsters. I'm sure it will be fun. When I was in High School I was the photographer for the local weekly newspaper, the Columbia Press. While they had a Linotype (hot lead) the owners were experimenting with using the Fridens to set justified type, i.e., newspaper columns. First you would punch the type into the paper tape with no carriage returns. This would generate a long strip of tape full of holes. This could be edited with a razor blade, cut and tape, yes they make transparent tape with holes in it. You would then mount the tape in the reader. Set the line width and spacing by adjusting the machine. Switch it over to "Justify" and run the tape. With luck the Friden would generate a column of text, flush right and left. Usually it took a fair amount of setup and several trials before you were ready to print out the final text on a special coated paper. Of course the biggest disadvantage was these machines only came with one font. If you wanted type one point larger (say 9 Pt. instead of 8 Pt.) you had to get another expensive machine in the larger point face. They worked for justified boilerplate. The old machines the Columbia Press had were always breaking down. This was 1963. Cold type was in it's infancy. Most shops in Astoria were setting type on a Linograph or Intertype with hot lead. You then took a galley proof and pasted that up. Then the copy went to the process camera to have a negative made, so you could burn a printing plate. Now it is computer direct to printing plate. Process cameras are Dodos. As a printer I love it; as a photographer I am sad to see the passing. Fridens didn't last long, too expensive and too much down time. By the time I laws in collage they had gotten an AM CompSet Typesetter that was much easier to run, in large part because the CompSets were computerized. Thanks for all your help. Paxton PS I am interested in all process cameras that are being surpluses out, the larger the more interesting. Please email me at whoagiii(a)aol.com if you know of any surplus Process Cameras.

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

UTek V for 88K CPU?

by JRichardson＠softwright.co.uk

Hi all, Clutching at straws here I know, but following the recent postings regarding Tektronix hardware and UTek I thought I'd give it a shot again... Does anyone happen to have a copy of UTek V for an 88k CPU? (specifically, for an XD88/10 Unix workstation?). I tried Tek a few years back but they said they wouldn't support it any more, and the total running number of XD88's in the world seems to reach the grand total of 0! I didn't think that anything else other than the XD88 ran UTek, but as it does I may be able to get hold of enough data to get a basic system running - maybe any 88k distribution of UTek was generic enough to get my system to boot with console only (my guess is that the graphics hardware's sufficiently complex to need it's own tape for install). The disk in my XD88 was pretty dead as far as the machine was concerned when I got it, in that there's a lot of filesystem errors, but if I could get another disk running in parallel to boot off I *might* be able to reconstruct a full system (failing being able to find the 'proper' install tapes!). Some kind soul put a basic root system from the original UTek install media onto an ftp site for me a few years ago (several MB on a 1200baud modem was a pain!) - I just got the file from the remote site before it - and the person who put it there for me - disappeared off the face of the earth, at which point I found there was an error in my local copy and it wouldn't extract - arghghgh! cheers for any help or info, Jules

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by mbg＠world.std.com

>In DEC systems there are three things I can say, Supported, Unsupported >and unimplementable. Of the three the last one is least common. An >example of the last one is connecting a DHV11 to a pdt11/150. It's >doable but, near unimplementable do to the lack of Qbus. The more common >situation is unsupported, IE: DEC didn't consider it marketable or test >it exactly that way. Two RDxx disks in a ba123 is an example. The yabut >is that a TK50 eats as much power as a RDxx. The assumption then was >one disk and floppy or tape for backup/installs. Later on external TK50s That also worked for software... if we had the hardware to test a specific configuration, it was supported. If we didn't have the hardware to test, it was unsupported. If it happened to work, it was 'latent support'. If it didn't work, *it was unsupported*... :-) Of course, we did our best at making things work even if they weren't supported (and made use of 'latent support' a number of times)... Megan Gentry Former RT-11 Developer +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+ | Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com | | Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com | | Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' | | 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ | | Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler | | (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg | +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by mbg＠world.std.com

>I have not tried using 2 RD5x drives in a BA23 because the power supply >can't handle it according to the manuals. I have a BA23-based home system with an RD54, and RD33 and an RX33. I don't know if it stresses the power supply the way two RD5x series drives would, but I know it also works solidly... Megan Gentry Former RT-11 Developer +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+ | Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com | | Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com | | Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' | | 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ | | Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler | | (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg | +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

your secret area

by gpine＠pfx.net

Richard, I'm not sure if you intended to include the username/password information on how to get into your "secret" area on the classic computers web site or not, but the information was not included in your message. I tried a couple of ideas but didn't find one that worked. Gerald

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Weekend finds!

by Philip.Belben＠pgen.com

Tony Duell wrote: >> I don't know much about the Tektronix, except that it's a very old 4051 >> Graphics computer. I got two Tek 4097 8" disk drive cabinets with it. One > > Now, I'm digging into the depths of my brain, so much of this is going to > be wrong... > > The 4051 was supposed to be Tektronix's answer to the DEC GT40 - in other > words an intellegent vector graphics terminal. It's sort-of like a > standard Tektronix storage display terminal (you know, the 4000-series) > with a 6800 board in it. The later 4052 used a set of 2901s to make a > fast 6800-a-like with extra instructions (I kid you not). > > There's a reasonable BASIC in ROM - and somewhere I have the quickref > card. I think, though that Tektronix can still supply copies of some of > the manuals for these machines. Be warned they're expensive, though. > > Anyway, it's quite a find. Tekky 405x machines are not at all common. Tony, you zog. It was my job to say all that. I have a Tek 4052 with plenty of manuals. If you need help with anything on the software side, I'm happy to look things up. The 4097 is very rare AFAIK. I've never before heard of one surviving. All I have for it is some Tek marketing bumf printed out from microfilm.. Anyway, I like the 4050 series and want to keep it alive, so I will help all I can... Philip.

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

Dismantling an AT keyboard entirely

by ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk

A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text Size: 3834 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/attachments/19981123/2084f38f/at…

27 years, 6 months

3
4
0 0

Hidden link on my site

by rcini＠msn.com

FYI: For those who want to access the ClassicCmp "private" area on my ClassicCmp web site, it is now accessible through a hidden link; you know, to keep the general riff raff out :-) In the Contents bar on the left side, in my copyright notice, you'll find the link. BTY, I also posted the table of contents for the Altair article. [ Rich Cini/WUGNET [ ClubWin!/CW7 [ MCP Windows 95/Windows Networking [ Collector of "classic" computers [ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp/ [ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/pdp11/ <================ reply separator =================>

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Dismantling an AT keyboard entirely

by dburrows＠netpath.net

>< The keyboard should now work. Mine does -- I typed this on it. > >You forgot one step in the disassembly... > > NOTE where each key is removed from. > > Otherwise > > I typed this on it. > > becomes > > Y riowd kida no wq, > > ;) > >Allison > Allison you must type like I do - semi hunt and peck. I know some people that it would not bother for the "normal" typewriter keys. They would not even notice. Dan

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

DEC VT102

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< (I was thinking of VMS -- which I thought was pretty strict. You mentio < that it was tolerant. That must mean that my emulators are even worse t < I thought. Or perhaps the editors are stricter than the os itself.) Ah, yes and editors other than EDT. Some apps are real hard on compatability. Also under VMS run "help set term/device" as VMS supports a large load of devices. < If I were writing a spec, I would try to cover all the cases. Actually the pathological case is something you don't document, your not supposed to do that or expect an particular behavour or it would be documented. Convoluted, yep. < One of the admins here mentioned that we have a big secret binder of VT1 < stuff. I haven't seen it yet. Was the firmware source code ever availa < That would be neat to look at. Firmware may have been available but meaningless. The tech manual and the then user manual (5/8" thick!) were more than enough to write apps for it. < If the two sets of circuitry ran in parallel, that explains how a rather < CPU could provide characters and graphics at the same time. :) has nothing to do with cpu speed. It was a artifact of the VT100 having the ability to mix RS170 video and data along with needing a bit map for the graphics stuff that a character teminal would not have. < Unfortunately, I have two specific programs I want to see. One of them < DECRITE from DECUS (a ReGIS text editor -- runs on VMS). The other is E < (The Wargame of the Century), version 5.0 (?) which is on magica.update. Eewww DECRITE, gag. Never checked out the games. < Even DEC's terminal emulator for DECWindows (which I would *hope* would < very good, and actually does seem to be very complete) barfs at DECRITE < I think I need a VT125 for that. decwin doe work for regis if set up right. some apps will squawk as if they interrogate terminal type they get the wrong thing back if set worng. Under DECwin you have to create a DECTERM session as a vt125. Allison

27 years, 6 months

3
4
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by dburrows＠netpath.net

Thanks for the info. I thought it was because of the power requirements on spin-up of the disks since they are not sequenced. It is nice to know that it does work reliably however for the rare times I might want to. Thanks Dan >< Two full-height hard drives in a single BA23 was never officially suppor >< (at least for the various microPDP-11 configurations), because >< they refused to support a base box sold without removable media. > >Correct. The group in DEC that balked at that was Field Service as a >microvax1/II was "...not adaquately diagnosable without removable media". >Marketing VIA CSSE was forced to consider that an unsupportable >configuration though electronically solid and desireable if used for >LAVC member or with external removable media. > >Allison >

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

loop back test...

by dogas＠leading.net

please disregard...

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

My adolescent fantasies FINALLY fulfilled!

by A_Finney＠wfi-inc.com

No, not some strange thing with my 8th grade English teacher and a bucket of whipped cream... I finally got an ATR8000. Man, I dreamed of having one of these every night, reading the SWP brochure until it literally fell apart. Every time I went to buy one on ePay, someone would come along and push the price *way* beyond what I wanted to pay. Anyway, I just got one for $60 (I know many of you think that's still ridiculously high, but I've been waiting ~12 years for one of these things) that came with a giant stack of disks, manuals, and cables. The usual CP/M stuff; Wordstar, Supercalc, etc. Unfortunately, I'm at work and have to wait a few hours before I can try it out. Well, at least now I will stop harrassing everyone who posts to the list about picking one of these things up for $5... Aaron

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

Heathkit H11

by museum＠techniche.com

Marvin, Great lead! I just got ahold of John and purchase this equipment >from him. Thanks for the heads up. Jon ============================================ >I received this message a while ago, and when I contacted him, he was not >interested in shipping this stuff so it would need to be picked up. Perhaps >someone back there can see if he is still interested in selling the stuff. >I am just quoting the original message along with his first response. > > >Subject: Old Heath Kit Computer that used paper tapes >Date: Mon, Oct 19, 1998 16:21 EDT >From: <A HREF="aol://3548:W1uki">W1uki</A> >Message-id: <19981019162105.26749.00000032(a)ng150.aol.com> > >best offer over $50 > ( w1uki(a)aol.com ) > > >Hello Marvin, >] Nice hearing from another Ham . > Just checked to what i have on the Heath Kit. > H9 Video Terminal > H10 Paper System > H11 Digital Computer > Some Heath users Group Books > Could not find any of the paper tapes at this time > w1uki(a)aol.com >

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

DEC VT102

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< - The manual is usually ambiguous, or doesn't tell you < what happens in all cases under all conditions. I have Ever read the Vt100 technical manual? < a copy of the VT220 programmer's pocket guide, and I've seen < the VT100 and VT220 user's manuals, and this is true of them By time vt220 started manuals were being trimmed but there was a tech manual for that one too. < - The manual doesn't tell you about undocumented behavior. < If you were writing a complete emulator, you would want all < the undocumented behavior. (e.g., the VT100 "turn on the bell < and never turn it off" sequence) Otherwise, you might want some < of it. Generally UDOCO is outside spec. forexample a line of 123 chars and what happens when you switch to Dwide Dheight. Then again why get mad if the pathological cases are handled wrong when the basic stuff is poor at best? To me while in EDT hitting Gold Command and getting the wrong action on a PC terminal emulator is broken! or hitting ctrlZ to send an exit to an app gets the procomm help screen. Or worse mapping those keys to something unresonable for a vt220 (LK201/401 is similar to PC keyboard) is bizzare. < - The manual doesn't tell you how the terminal is implemented. < How many pixels on the screen? How are video attributes stored? < This isn't usually applicable to behavior, but it could be < (in some rare circumstance which I don't know about). And it is < important if you want to write a complete emulator. Considering the prints for Vt100, technical specs and all were available NONE of those were secret! If all else fails you could crank up the Vheight and Hwidth and count them! < It's easy to claim that your emulator emulates a particular terminal. T < vtWeb plug-in supposedly emulates VT125. Well, sheesh, they simply see < VT125 as a slight variation on the VT100, while my reason for getting a < emulator is to see ReGIS graphics. (No, the plug-in doesn't do ReGIS. < still looking for a VT125 or Gigi emulator!) But only a description wil < me find out for certain. Vt125 is a big variation. The board to do it was a seperate 8085 and ran it's video in parallel with VT100 base logic (yes chars and graphics). The GIGI was obscure and uncommon enough to not be a viable reference. most of the later terminals (Vt330/340) did however do regis. Allison

27 years, 6 months

3
2
0 0

11/34A/RK07 not booting. Help wanted

by cfandt＠netsync.net

Greetings again folks, Well, I've been working at checking out the bunch of DEC machines for some brief times that I can take from working on the two houses. This time it's the PDP-11/34A system. I was able to get it checked out and lit up okay. It has the Programmers Console (KY11-LB) and an M9312 Bootstrap/Terminator module plus RK611 and UDA50 drive interfaces. Switch 2 is OFF on the 9312 therefore, registers printout onscreen and the system prompt (@ in this case) appears after CNTL/BOOT keys are simultaneously pressed. Seems okay so far. However, the 11/34-11/34A user's manual says the prompt should be a '$' (?). The system was said to have two RK07's which of course aree controlled by the RK611. There was no mention of what hung on the UDA50. I surmised the RA60 that was in the pile of equipment was the device as there's an old handwritten note taped to the front giving instructions as to what channel (A or B) to attach to an 11/34A. Both drive types figure okay as the appropriate boot ROMs are in positions 1 and 2, respectively, on the 9312. Seems okay again so far except the RA60 doesn't spinup. I cabled everything up except for just one RK07 is hooked up. I took the terminator off the #1 RK and put it on the #0 device. The 'A' switch is depressed, 'B' is not as this is not a dual-access drive system. Upon trying to boot the thing I am instructed to simply type DM onto the terminal and the 11/34A will boot off the RK07 #0. Well, nothing happens. The RK 'Ready' light is on but the 'A' light stays off and no other action occurs except for a new register printout is displayed onscreen and the '@' prompt is back. Simply stated: Now what? The non-running RA60 should not cause this I feel. The documents I have are an old version of the PDP-11/34 system user's manual (does have early 11/34A stuff in there but several things don't match to what should be expected), an M9312 tech manual, RK611 controller tech manual, UDA50 User Guide, RK07 operators manual, an RA60 disk drive user guide, an 11/34 *non-A* central processor maint. manual (no 11/34*A* manual of this type in my collection, just the 11/34A Users Manual), printsets for most of this hardware *except* for the RK07s and RA60, plus other related docs. So, I have a little bit to go from but no direction to aim. Any thoughts? Regards, Chris -- -- Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net Member of Antique Wireless Association URL: http://www.ggw.org/freenet/a/awa/

27 years, 6 months

2
15
0 0

DEC VT102

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< differences, etc), and incomplete specs. No spec is ever complete. Th It must have been complete enough for dec to make the vt100. ;) Specs are usually complete, my expereince it understanding them is incomplete. It pays to read then spec once or twice completely. < hardest part of emulating another machine is testing all of the possibl < cases (sometimes unbounded) and emulating the incorrect behavior as wel < as the correct. True, but then testing if done at two levels bounded basic functional and then edge of the envelope tends to make it far more manageable. After all if broken at the basic level then its far to broke. < Having said that, I don't recall having many problems using VT100 < emulators with VMS as long as you SET TERM/NOWRAP and maybe another < setting which now eludes me. VMS is a) tolerent, b) uses a minimal subset. Some apps can be badly broken by poor emulations. Allison

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

DEC VT102

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>Unfortunately, I have two specific programs I want to see. One of them is >DECRITE from DECUS (a ReGIS text editor -- runs on VMS). The other is Empire >(The Wargame of the Century), version 5.0 (?) which is on magica.update.uu.se. >As for Empire, the source (and binaries?) were actually commercial, I think. I've been playing Empire under VMS for over a decade now (now on an Alpha), and I see no indication that it's commercial at the comments at the top of the source: C PROGRAM EMPIRE C C This program is a war game simulation for video terminals. C The game was originally written outside of Digital, probably a university. C This version of the game was made runnable on Digital Equipment VAX/VMS C FORTRAN by conversion from the TOPS-10/20 sources available around fall 1979. C After debugging it, numerous changes have been made. C C Now that you are the proud owner of the source and you are all gung ho C to do things right, there are a few things you should be aware of. C There are many magic numbers controlling how many different kinds of C units can exist and how many of each, so it is unfortunately not easy C to add another unit type. Also, "slight changes" to the way the units C work will typically have a fairly devastating affect on the computers C strategy. If you are interested in really hacking this, there is a plenty C of room for enhanced computer strategy. As you'll see, there are some C very good debugging tools tucked inside, and you will soon discover weak C points and bugs, that up until you, have remained problems (all the previous C programmers got lazy or lost interest). Finally, please be careful with C the version number and identification at start up to avoid confusion of C ongoing versions with private copies. If you make a change don't remove C the major version id, but rather add something like (V4.0 site.1 20-JUL-80). > And the source I've seen is for the previous version. The new version has > two modes (VT125 and Gigi) neither of which works very well. I think the code > uses nonstandard ReGIS, since (as a magica person told me) even a real VT340 > won't work with the program. Yep, you need a real Gigi. But the source is reasonably commented and I'm sure that you could produce V5.1 which'll work on a VT340 :-) What is a little confusing is that my sources identify themselves as 4.7, 18-Oct-1981, while the documents are for V5.0. They seem to be completely consistent with each other, though. Very likely, like Super Star Trek, there were hundreds of localized versions at various DEC sites and colleges/universities. -- Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/ 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917 Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

Southern California TRW Swapmeet

by jpl15＠netcom.com

For any interested collectors and/or gear-heads in the SoCal area this upcoming weekend: the TRW swapmeet will be on Saturday, the 28th November, from 7:30 to 11:30 AM. It is held at the TRW El Segundo plant, corner of Aviation and Marine avenues.... Take 405 (San Diego) FWY to Rosecrans Ave, exit and go West about 1 mile to Aviation (Under the railroad bridge), turn left (South) on Aviation about 1/4 mile.. the parking lots will be on your right, the Meet itself is in the southern-most lots along Marine Ave.. you can't possibly miss it. NOTICE: I will be happy to coordinate/host an apre-swap lunch-type get together of anyone who wants to meet me there this Saturday.. e-mail me privately and we'll hook up. Marvin will be there, possibly Aaron C. Finney... anyone else...? Might be fun! Otherwise, I'll get all the Good Stuff and then brag about it. ;} Cheers John

27 years, 6 months

2
1
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< In a BA23, you use the same cables (a 2nd set obviously) for the < second DUA1: drive as the first drive. DON'T FORGET TO < SET THE DUA1: DRIVE AS DS4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The cables Correct. < The I/O distribution panel in a BA23 allows for 2 hard drives < and is intended for a dual RX50. I have never tried a dual RX33 < in a BA23 on an RQDX3, but I presume it would work. I don't it does if the RQDX3 is the correct rev. < know if the 2nd hard drive must be connected into the READY < and WRITE PROTECT buttons. I have heard that the 2nd < drive can float and that the default is READY and NOT < WRITE PROTECTED. Also correct. I happen to prefer to writelock the disk and make it not ready before power off to avoid the risk of accidental writes(during power up or down). Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< OK, I've heard all the stories about this cable. I suspect I have < a "bad" one in a BA23. How do I get a "good" one? Is there still < a DEC part I can order? Or, do I have to go the the local wrecking < yard and find one? Dave the incorrect (BAD!) cable is one where all the wires are of unequal length. Find one via scrounge or get molex pins and wire and make one. the Correct cable all the leads will be of the same length. Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< From: CLASSICCMP(a)trailing-edge.com < >doable but, near unimplementable do to the lack of Qbus. The more comm < >situation is unsupported, IE: DEC didn't consider it marketable or test < >it exactly that way. Two RDxx disks in a ba123 is an example. < < Two RD5x's in a BA123 was definitely a supported configuration, and is < listed in the late-80's DEC catalogs. I meant ba23 not 123. < Two RD3x (half-height) disks in a BA23 is also supported, and indeed is < the reason behind the 6-button BA23 front panel. Many 11/53 < configurations were shipped from the factory this way. It was never a validated MicroVAX configuration though I've built three over the years. < Two full-height hard drives in a single BA23 was never officially suppor < (at least for the various microPDP-11 configurations), because < they refused to support a base box sold without removable media. Correct. The group in DEC that balked at that was Field Service as a microvax1/II was "...not adaquately diagnosable without removable media". Marketing VIA CSSE was forced to consider that an unsupportable configuration though electronically solid and desireable if used for LAVC member or with external removable media. Allison

27 years, 6 months

1
0
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by dburrows＠netpath.net

>< I have not tried using 2 RD5x drives in a BA23 because the power supply >< can't handle it according to the manuals. > >Ran one for years with two RD54s, DEQNA, 13mb, DHV11, TK50 controller, >LPV11, RQDX3. The description is so you know it was a full box. Insure >the internal power cable is good and the ECOd one. > >Allison I agree on the cable. It is amazing how it will smoke. I just have never been willing to try putting 2 drives in. ( I have several BA123's for test beds and operating systems) I find them to be much easier on the hands. Dan

27 years, 7 months

3
2
0 0

Old 386 and 486 pc's

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< The LE I have has a built in hard drive (20 Mb), which I had to deep < format once (involves going to DEBUG, and typing in an address or < something like that). I haven't really used it in about 2 years or so, b < as far as I know it still works. Model E I believe, I added a WD1002/st251 it runs and runs. Format from Debug is C800:5. I have a utility called HDinit for that too. < My interest in collecting these particular computers (PC Clones) has les < to do with their collectability (unlike collecting old 8-bit machines), < and more to do with getting a few folks started in computing, but withou < spending a lot of cash . .. Did a bit of that. < That was in reference to Infoworld, which got a lot of angry letters fo < gushing over the LE clones while being much more critical of "innovative < machines such as the Amiga. This was in late 1985 to mid 1986, when the < Amiga first came out. Clonism i'm sure. If it wasn't PC it was a abomination. Allison

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< I agree on the cable. It is amazing how it will smoke. I just have nev < been willing to try putting 2 drives in. ( I have several BA123's for te < beds and operating systems) I find them to be much easier on the hands < Dan In DEC systems there are three things I can say, Supported, Unsupported and unimplementable. Of the three the last one is least common. An example of the last one is connecting a DHV11 to a pdt11/150. It's doable but, near unimplementable do to the lack of Qbus. The more common situation is unsupported, IE: DEC didn't consider it marketable or test it exactly that way. Two RDxx disks in a ba123 is an example. The yabut is that a TK50 eats as much power as a RDxx. The assumption then was one disk and floppy or tape for backup/installs. Later on external TK50s or network backups made that need lower. Disk space however, was always premium as network files systems (VIA eithernet or LAVC) are slow compared to local disk. So if you observe configuration rules (power, bus fanout and dma/interrupt grants) then two disk are very doable and the PS is plenty heafty to do it. It's pretty hard to maxout a BA23 without running out of slots in the box! Allison

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

Weekend finds!

by rigdonj＠intellistar.net

I went to the Tampa hamfest this weekend and ran into Phil Clayton. I also came home with two new toys. A HP 9835A and a LOADED Tektronix 4051! Unfortunately both of these need some serious restoration! The CRT in the HP is really messed up. It has all kinds of small spots inside the glass of the CRT except for a spot about 3" across in the center. I haven't tried it yet but I doubt that I'll be able to read anything except directly in the center of the screen. I also got a HP 13272 5 1/4" disk drive with it. I don't know much about the Tektronix, except that it's a very old 4051 Graphics computer. I got two Tek 4097 8" disk drive cabinets with it. One cabinet contains a single drive and the other contains two drives. The 4051 has two sockets in the back for plug in ROMs but also I got a separate box that plugs into the 4051 and holds 10 plug in ROMs. I think it's got 6 ROMs in it including the service ROM. While I was at the hamfest I was lucky enough to find brand new manuals for two of the ROMs. One is the Signal Processing ROM I and the other is the Signal Processing ROM II (FFT). I'm SUPPOSED to get a stack of manuals for the system too. I left behind the plotter that went with the system. It was a monsterous Tektronix flat bed job that must have measured 5 x 6 FEET!!! Joe

27 years, 7 months

8
13
0 0

FW: Rainbow 100 manuals, some sfw, free to good home

by kyrrin＠my-dejanews.com

Found on Usenet: You want Rainbow stuff, get hold of the guy directly. -=-=- <snip> -=-=- On Mon, 23 Nov 1998 08:43:59 -0600, in comp.sys.dec.micro you wrote: >>From: dxyzzywillcox(a)prairienet.org (David Willcox) >>Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec.micro >>Subject: Rainbow 100 manuals, some sfw, free to good home >>Message-ID: <dxyzzywillcox-2311980844000001(a)slip-53.prairienet.org> >>X-Newsreader: MT-NewsWatcher 2.4 >>Lines: 18 >>Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 08:43:59 -0600 >>NNTP-Posting-Host: 192.17.3.185 >>X-Complaints-To: newsmgr(a)prairienet.org >>X-Trace: firefly 911832176 192.17.3.185 (Mon, 23 Nov 1998 08:42:56 CDT) >>NNTP-Posting-Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 08:42:56 CDT >>Organization: Prairienet -- Your Community Network for East Central Illinois >>Path: blushng.jps.net!news.eli.net!spamkiller1.cwix.com!newsfeed.cwix.com!128.174.5.49!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!firefly!dxyzzywillcox >> >>I have a number of DEC Rainbow 100 manuals and a few disks. The lot is >>free to anyone who will pay for shipping. I have no idea how usable any of >>the disks are. >> >>I've got: >> - FinalWord manual and disks (This is a semi-decent word processor) >> - Rainbow 100 System Kit and Installation Instructions. >> - Multiplan 86 (includes disk) >> - CP/M 86/80 Operating System 2.0 (manual only) 2 copies >> - MS-DOS Operating System 2.05 (manual only) >> - MBasic-86 (includes disk) >> - AutoSort-86 (includes disk) >> - CP/M 86/80 1.0 Technical Documentation >> >>If you're interested, please reply via email. I don't normally read this group. >>-- >>David Willcox >>Remove the "xyzzy" to get my real email address. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies -- kyrrin (at) bluefeathertech [dot] com Web: http://www.bluefeathertech.com "...No matter how we may wish otherwise, our science can only describe an object, event, or living thing in our own human terms. It cannot possibly define any of them..."

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

Old 386 and 486 pc's

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< Those and maybe some of the PS/2's as well. (On a related note, anyone < remember Leading Edge computers and how the media (Infoworld particularl < was falling all over these clones?) I happen to have a LE model D. It was a well done XT (not even turbo) that I still sometimes use for several reasons. Video(mono/herc), printer, 360kfloppy and one serial port hardware were all on the board with 640k of ram. Adding a HDC and a half height drive and a modem made it my first PC for the net. It's upsides; complete and compact (about 2/3 the width of the standard xt case) systems as XTs go. It isn't SMT construction for filled with PALs so its repairable. The PS and cooling is good. It's also one of the few XT class machine my Intel Inboard386 works properly in. Downside; it's a 4.77mhz XT so if speed is important... The model D was standard with 640k, Amber or white monitor and two floppies. The system has a switch on the back for CGA/herc color. I can't comment on the media WRT to PCs as it was the first PC I owned (got it in '92 when its owner retired it) so up to that point Z80, PDP11, VAX were only in my field of view. Allison

27 years, 7 months

2
1
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by dburrows＠netpath.net

Correction -It is R7 that needs the jumper. Dan >Hi: > >There's a quick mod that needs to be done to a non-DEC RD53, ie a >Micropolis 1325. There's a place on the large circuit board for "R6" that >has nothing in that place. Solder a wire between the two R6 terminals and >you have a "real" RD53. > >Kevin > > >-- >Kevin McQuiggin VE7ZD >mcquiggi(a)sfu.ca >

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< >I have not tried using 2 RD5x drives in a BA23 because the power suppl < >can't handle it according to the manuals. Not true. it wasn't a supported configuration though. < Now that's something I didn't think of. Thank you, that could have bee < very embarrassing. < This particular MVII has a single RD54 and a TK50. < I don't have any docs, so can one of the decsperts confirm this please? For those with specs the TK50/RDxx config was a support config and the TK50 is a power hog and is equivelent to a RDxx power wise. Allison

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

Tek Computer

by JRichardson＠softwright.co.uk

John, what does this thing look like, what ports does it have etc? Is it an actual workstation, or just an X Terminal? cheers Jules >

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

Zenith Z-100s rescued & CP/M-85

by dlw＠trailingedge.com

Rescued a pair of Zenith Z-100s this weekend. Both an All-In-One model and a Low-Profile model along with boxes of doc, parts and software. They were sitting out in the garage of an old friend whom I hadn't seen for years. When I told him I collected computers he told me that he wouldn't pay me any more than $10 to haul them off. :-) They're pretty dirty but otherwise seem to be in great shape. These are cool little dual processor (8088/8085) S-100 systems. Also picked up boxes of old software manuals and lots of old 5.25" disks. Many are originals, others are just blanks. The moral? Be sure and tell everyone you know about your strange hobby, never know what might turn up. Now, in the User Manual, they talk about CP/M-85. I've heard of CP/M-80, CP/M-86 and CP/M-68K but not 85. I'd guess it is a version specific to the 8085? Didn't know they made it. Anyone know anything about it? ----- David Williams - Computer Packrat dlw(a)trailingedge.com http://www.trailingedge.com

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by geoffrob＠stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au

-----Original Message----- From: Daniel T. Burrows <dburrows(a)netpath.net> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Monday, 23 November 1998 13:53 Subject: Re: 85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II? >I have not tried using 2 RD5x drives in a BA23 because the power supply >can't handle it according to the manuals. Now that's something I didn't think of. Thank you, that could have been very embarrassing. This particular MVII has a single RD54 and a TK50. I don't have any docs, so can one of the decsperts confirm this please? Cheers Geoff Roberts Computer Systems Manager Saint Marks College Port Pirie South Australia. My ICQ# is 1970476 Ph. 61-411-623-978 (Mobile) 61-8-8633-0619 (Home) 61-8-8633-8834 (Work-Direct) 61-8-8633-0104 (Fax)

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

Exidy Site update

by dlw＠trailingedge.com

Work is continuing on my Exidy site. So far I've placed the _Guided_Tour_ booklet which came with the Sorcerer as well as the first 3 chapters of the _Standard_BASIC_ manual. The other chapters will be following as I complete them. I've also placed some PROM dumps sent to me by Pete Turnbull. He has also sent some postscript and asm listings which I'll have up there shortly. Lots more to go. ----- David Williams - Computer Packrat dlw(a)trailingedge.com http://www.trailingedge.com

27 years, 7 months

2
1
0 0

DEC VT102

by netcafe＠pirie.mtx.net.au

-----Original Message----- From: Allison J Parent <allisonp(a)world.std.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Monday, 23 November 1998 9:17 Subject: RE: DEC VT102 >Big time right on. Being an exDEC terminals and printers widget I have >yet to find a terminal emulation on the PC that does a correct >VT100(series) or remotely passable Vt2xx/3xx even the the latter have >very similar key layouts. They are universally broken. Have to agree, I have tried most everything from crappy freeware/shareware to ridiculously overpriced NFS/X/whatever suites. All suck somewhat, in different ways. If it's a windoze 3 or 95 attempt, the suction increases by orders of magnitude. Nothing beats a real DEC VT. Cheers Geoff Computer Room Internet Cafe Port Pirie South Australia. netcafe(a)pirie.mtx.net.au

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

FIRST MACINTOSH HARD DRIVE?

by van＠wired.com

Hi there. Can anybody tell me what the first external hard drive for a Macintosh was? I am trying desperately to remember who made it and how much memory it had and how much it cost. I remember that it was very big and very expensive. Any insight would be tremendously appreciated... xoxo van ........................................................................ @ / / Shift Lever (D)/ \===================================== @ ================ Floor Plan === BNL |- - - - Phase Shifter - - - -|--/ Get Wired! - ------------]=[]@----------------------@ 415.276.8424 Trans- ] ]]] (A) futura lounge 415.647.4523 (B) ? (C) SELECT GAME mission ]]]]]]]]]]]]Driveshaft]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] ] ]] 71 ------------] web superstation of the stars... van burnham http://www.futuraworld.com designer wired digital 660 third street fourth floor san francisco ca 94107 usa ........................................................................ van(a)wired.com van(a)futuraworld.com pingpong(a)spy.net vanburnham(a)aol.com

27 years, 7 months

8
9
0 0

DEC VT102

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< The best emulation for a vt I've found is decterm. Stands to reason, I < After that is Procomm, after that is the emulator that came with pathwor Procomm is pretty good. It's advantage is the parts I consider the most broken are the keyboard and that configurable. I still use V1.0! I consider the scripting language it's greatest asset. Allison

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< I have not tried using 2 RD5x drives in a BA23 because the power supply < can't handle it according to the manuals. Ran one for years with two RD54s, DEQNA, 13mb, DHV11, TK50 controller, LPV11, RQDX3. The description is so you know it was a full box. Insure the internal power cable is good and the ECOd one. Allison

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

DEC VT102

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< >control codes. As your VT102 doesn't do Tek 4014, this isn't < >applicable. < < Understood. Vt100s do have line drawing character set, so if you had the right translator... graphics. Vt125 however does have sixel mode (bit graphics). Then again a vt340 does color and most of the DEC graphics modes including Tek. Allison

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

DEC VT102

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< I have found some real terminals that are very close clones of the VT100 < I picked up a rather nice Trend terminal with an LCD display that clones < the VT100 almost perfectly, even the setup modes are similar. True to a point. Long story follows. A friend of mine was the manager of the Terminal and printers QA group. They tested product to DEC STDs and also previous products. IE: if a vt100 did it right or wrong they knew it and the next generation would do that too in vt100 mode. VERY FEW VT100 closed were better than 95% exact. None of the bugs they had were subtle, others glaring. Vt100 was the most widely emulated, cloned and flat out copied terminal made. It's easy to say that as there were copies of vt100s, the vt220 also emulated vt100, the vt320, 330, 340 and 420 and a bunch of other along the way. then there were the clones of each one those. All one ever needed to do a good clone/emulation of vt100 is the user manual and a vt100 or even better the technical manual. Worse yet the ANSI terminal spec. Oh, the vt100 was one of the first ANSI terminals that also did private escapes (dec private) correctly. < Time to drive up there and use a VT100 keyboard as a LART until they < finally learn how to count function keys. It's a very durable keyboard but it would still ruin it to no effect. < Knowing VT100s, they'd probably work when they arrived ;-) I've seen boxes that test that theory. Allison

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

DEC VT102

by kurtkilgor＠geocities.com

Why do you think that is? It shouldn't be too difficult to duplicate a VT100; after all, the specs are available. I do agree with you, though. Every communications program I've used always messes up on _something_. While one might work with BBS A but give weird characters with B, the other one is the other way around, even if they both use VT100, or ANSI, or whatever the case might be. I think it may partially be the fault of the BBS program, but when connecting to a DEC system, this is of course not an issue. >Big time right on. Being an exDEC terminals and printers widget I have >yet to find a terminal emulation on the PC that does a correct >VT100(series) or remotely passable Vt2xx/3xx even the the latter have >very similar key layouts. They are universally broken. >Allison >

27 years, 7 months

6
5
0 0

DEC VT102

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>Why do you think that is? It shouldn't be too difficult to duplicate a >VT100; after all, the specs are available. Yeah - that's what all the emulator writers think, too :-). > I do agree with you, though. >Every communications program I've used always messes up on _something_. >While one might work with BBS A but give weird characters with B, the other >one is the other way around, even if they both use VT100, or ANSI, or >whatever the case might be. This is sort-of a "creeping freaturitis". Some emulator supports some non-standard command/control string, the BBS writers use it and include this string in their display. Another emulator - or the real terminal - makes garbage on the screen when presented with this code. Call up the folks who wrote the BBS, it'll turn out they never saw the real terminal. > I think it may partially be the fault of the BBS >program, but when connecting to a DEC system, this is of course not an >issue. And other times the emulator doesn't do everything that it's supposed to! Tim. (shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com)

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

looking for data...

by allisonp＠world.std.com

I have a mfm 3.5" drive I just got and would like data on it. it is a WD10i, also marked Fuji Electric FK301 (also 508100625). Looks to be '84-85 vintage from date codes. Size, geometry info is desired. Allison

27 years, 7 months

3
2
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by dburrows＠netpath.net

I have not tried using 2 RD5x drives in a BA23 because the power supply can't handle it according to the manuals. Dan -----Original Message----- From: Jerome Fine <jhfine(a)idirect.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Sunday, November 22, 1998 4:42 PM Subject: Re: 85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II? >Daniel T. Burrows wrote: > The RD53's were Micropolis 1325's. If you can find a 1325 you need to > install a jumper in R7 location on the main board to make it look like an > RD53. Also install jumper blocks on W1, W2, and DS3. > Dan Jerome Fine replies: Almost correct, as far as I know, but if you do so, you will likely lose DUA0: if it is not WRITE PROTECTED when you boot. IF YOU ARE USING TWO HARD DRIVES IN A BA23 BOX, YOU MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SET THE SECOND DRIVE AS DS4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The last time (and only) I set both drives on DS3, I lost the format on both and could not recover DU0: - it was on a PDP-11, but I doubt that the DS3 / DS4 setting requirements are different on a uVAX II. Note that the settings on a BA123 with the special I/O distribution board in slot 13 are very different in that 4 hard drives are allowed of you don't have any floppies AND all hard drives are set for DS3! > -----Original Message----- > From: Computer Room Internet Cafe <netcafe(a)pirie.mtx.net.au> > To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers > <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> > Date: Sunday, November 22, 1998 5:36 AM > Subject: 85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II? > > >Hi all, > > > >Just pulled a Micropolis 85Mb MFM Hdd out of a genuine, but dead, IBM 286. > >Model is 1335, and is also marked as being an ST506. > >Am I correct in assuming it would work in a Microvax II that presently has > >a single RD53, as a second drive? > >If so, is there deep magic involved in the install? > >I seem to recall seeing something about needing special > >software that is not supplied with the Microvax to put in a > >non DEC drive. > >The Microvax is currently running VMS 5.4 > > > >TIA > > > >Geoff Roberts > >Computer Room Internet Cafe > >Port Pirie > >South Australia. > >netcafe(a)pirie.mtx.net.au > > On a PDP-11, there are DEC formatting programs, but I don't know what you use on a VAX/VMS? I suggest that you take great care. I also suggest that you either backup DUA0: Also, the format for an RD53 on an RQDX2 is incompatible with the format on an RQDX3. Sincerely yours, Jerome Fine RT-11/TSX-PLUS User/Addict (Almost no one wants Y2K Patches for any version of RT-11)

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

DEC VT102

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>I have a VT 102. The only info I can find thru searches is that it is very >similar to the VT 100 and has some sort of paging capability like a >Tektroniks 4014 terminal. Not exactly - the VT102 features were usually called "local editing". The 102 also came, by default, with 132-column capability and a few other bells and whistles that were options on the VT100. I'm not sure what you mean by "paging capability"... The VT132 added block-mode capability, ala IBM mainframe terminals. > Also, there were a lot of pointers to terminal >emulators that have VT 102 compatibility. No help from them either. You didn't find Rick Shuford's archive of terminal info, then :-). The DEC-Specific page starts at http://www.cs.utk.edu/~shuford/terminal/dec.html and the more generic terminal-cell page starts at http://www.cs.utk.edu/~shuford/terminal_index.html Rick's pages are a truly wonderful model of what web pages should be. Many good indices to useful information, remarkably little self- congratulatory graphics! >Could anybody point me to info on this terminal or at least describe what I >have got and if it would be useable with VMS (the paging feature)? VMS will work quite happily with the VT102. What exactly do you want to make it do? -- Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/ 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917 Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927

27 years, 7 months

3
2
0 0

DEC VT102

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

> <begin quote> > The xterm program is a terminal emulator for the X Window System. It > The VT102 and Tektronix 4014 terminals each have their own window so that > you can edit text in one > and look at graphics in the other at the same time. > <end quote> This means that xterm has two distinct windows: VT102 and Tek 4014. It'll switch between them when receiving the right control codes. >>You didn't find Rick Shuford's archive of terminal info, then :-). >No, dang it! Here we go again, like you were questioning a few days ago >Tim: why don't some things get indexed? Life isn't fair. Many search engines tend to be heavily oriented towards flashy, glitzy sites that overload on META tags, have little in the way of actual information, but lots of useless pictures. (Sorry if I just insulted 97% of the web sites in existence, but it's true.) Some search sites pride themselves at removing web pages from their index if the information is more than a few weeks old. (Hotbot, in particular, though others are now adopting this strategy in response to hotbot's heavy TV advertising.) >>>Could anybody point me to info on this terminal or at least describe what I >>>have got and if it would be useable with VMS (the paging feature)? >>VMS will work quite happily with the VT102. What exactly do you want >>to make it do? >Obviously, I would need some sort of way to use the windowing feature of >the 102. I think that you're talking about the xterm auto-switching between Tek 4014 window and VT102 window when receiving the appropriate control codes. As your VT102 doesn't do Tek 4014, this isn't applicable. (For those who haven't been using X-windows for the past decade, "xterm" is a commonly used terminal emulator for X-windows.) One gripe about terminal emulators: *never ever* assume that because an emulator supports an escape code, feature, or function key, that the item being emulated supports it. An example from an article of mine that Rick thought was relevant enough to include in his archive (http://www.cs.utk.edu/~shuford/terminal/emulation_how_to_news.txt): The worst offender I've found is a commercial editor that requires VT100 users to hit F5 through F10 to access certain abilities that are rather necessary - such as exiting the editor. Despite repeated phone calls to the company, I've yet to convince them that a VT100 does NOT have F5 through F10 function keys. They claim that because some popular Windows-based emulators implement these function keys in VT100 mode, a real VT100 must as well. Arrggghhh!!!! I'm tempted to deliver a half-dozen true VT100's to their corporate offices via catapult. > From the Neosoft site mentioned in the last msg to Zane, xterm >would have to be used but it won't work on VMS as it doesn't run the X >windowing system. Gees, that's news to me. I've been running X-windows, and all the big X-windows applications, under VMS for most of a decade now. > However, am I correct in assuming >DECwindows under VMS is the ticket here? Yep. DECWindows = X-windows+Motif. Don't get too wrapped up in names :-) When you do manage to get it up and going, head straight for one of the big OpenVMS freeware sites (for example, http://www.decus.org/libcatalog/description_html/vs0185.html ) and have some fun! -- Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/ 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917 Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927

27 years, 7 months

3
2
0 0

ID these DEC floppy disks?

by cfandt＠netsync.net

In that heap of goodies I'm keeping from that DEC Haul back in the summer I found a DEC 5.25" floppy disk package containing five floppies of the following: BL-T540B-M1 CZUFDB1 USER TESTS BL-T541B-M1 CZXD1B1 FIELD SERVICE TESTS 1 BL-T542B-MC CZXD2B0 FIELD SERVICE TESTS 2 BL-T565B-MC CZXD3B0 FIELD SERVICE TESTS 3 BL-T583B-MC CZXD4B0 FIELD SERVICE TESTS 4 All evidently are diagnostic tests for some sort of DEC machine which uses a 5.25" floppy drive. Could anyone identify which machine given the above info? Thanks, Chris -- -- Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net Member of Antique Wireless Association URL: http://www.ggw.org/freenet/a/awa/

27 years, 7 months

2
1
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< Just pulled a Micropolis 85Mb MFM Hdd out of a genuine, but dead, IBM 28 < Model is 1335, and is also marked as being an ST506. It's mfm so it can be connected if the jumpers are set right. No I don't have that info for 1335, only 1325s. < Am I correct in assuming it would work in a Microvax II that presently h < a single RD53, as a second drive? likely. < If so, is there deep magic involved in the install? two things, it will have to be LLformatted (you need standalone utility) and the drives jumpers ahve to be set right. < I seem to recall seeing something about needing special < software that is not supplied with the Microvax to put in a < non DEC drive. The Microvax is currently running VMS 5.4 Yes a standalone formatter. Allison

27 years, 7 months

2
1
0 0

DEC VT102

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< VT100 users to hit F5 through F10 to access certain abilities < that are rather necessary - such as exiting the editor. Despite < repeated phone calls to the company, I've yet to convince them that < a VT100 does NOT have F5 through F10 function keys. They claim that < because some popular Windows-based emulators implement these function < keys in VT100 mode, a real VT100 must as well. Arrggghhh!!!! I'm My answer to them is, if I jump off a bridge will you too? They may have confused Vt100 with Vt220(and later) as they do have the function keys. What PCs do/did should never count as valid. < tempted to deliver a half-dozen true VT100's to their corporate < offices via catapult. Tim, Big time right on. Being an exDEC terminals and printers widget I have yet to find a terminal emulation on the PC that does a correct VT100(series) or remotely passable Vt2xx/3xx even the the latter have very similar key layouts. They are universally broken. My local solution is the use of RealTerminal (TM) IE: a in the flesh vt100/102, H19, Vt320, VT340 or vt1200. I know they are honest. Allison

27 years, 7 months

3
2
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

> Jerome Fine > RT-11/TSX-PLUS User/Addict > (Almost no one wants Y2K Patches for any version of RT-11) I don't know about "patches", but Compaq and Mentec already have orders for several hundred copies of RT-11 5.7, the Y2K compliant version, which began shipping late last week. -- Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/ 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917 Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

DEC VT102

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

> Big time right on. Being an exDEC terminals and printers widget I have > yet to find a terminal emulation on the PC that does a correct > VT100(series) or remotely passable Vt2xx/3xx even the the latter have > very similar key layouts. They are universally broken. The vast majority of emulators out there (both freeware and commercial) are badly broken. The closest I've found is: 1. MS-DOS Kermit from http://www.columbia.edu/~kermit/ (unfortunately, this page seems to be broken this weekend; but you can always ftp from ftp://kermit.columbia.edu/ 2. DEC LK250 keyboard (VT-220-type key layout, plugs into a PC-clone.) 3. The LK250 config file that comes with MS-DOS Kermit. There are some failings of the above combination, but it works fine with me for 99.99% of the stuff I have to do. A very excellent emulator test is Dickey's "vttest"; see ftp://kermit.columbia.edu/kermit/vttest/ for details. -- Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/ 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917 Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by dburrows＠netpath.net

The RD53's were Micropolis 1325's. If you can find a 1325 you need to install a jumper in R7 location on the main board to make it look like an RD53. Also install jumper blocks on W1, W2, and DS3. Dan -----Original Message----- From: Computer Room Internet Cafe <netcafe(a)pirie.mtx.net.au> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Sunday, November 22, 1998 5:36 AM Subject: 85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II? >Hi all, > >Just pulled a Micropolis 85Mb MFM Hdd out of a genuine, but dead, IBM 286. >Model is 1335, and is also marked as being an ST506. >Am I correct in assuming it would work in a Microvax II that presently has >a single RD53, as a second drive? >If so, is there deep magic involved in the install? >I seem to recall seeing something about needing special >software that is not supplied with the Microvax to put in a >non DEC drive. >The Microvax is currently running VMS 5.4 > >TIA > >Geoff Roberts >Computer Room Internet Cafe >Port Pirie >South Australia. >netcafe(a)pirie.mtx.net.au >

27 years, 7 months

2
1
0 0

fetching files from classiccmp list server

by DaveyGF＠aol.com

I am having no success getting the files from the list server. Here are the commands I am issuing. I address these commands to listproc(a)u.washington.edu with no subject heading. First I did: index classiccmp This gives me a list of all the files available.. This works. Then I did: get classiccmp classiccmp.log9706 For some reason i never get the file sent to me.. this has worked for me in the past.

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

DEC VT102

by cfandt＠netsync.net

I have a VT 102. The only info I can find thru searches is that it is very similar to the VT 100 and has some sort of paging capability like a Tektroniks 4014 terminal. Also, there were a lot of pointers to terminal emulators that have VT 102 compatibility. No help from them either. Could anybody point me to info on this terminal or at least describe what I have got and if it would be useable with VMS (the paging feature)? Thanks for the help! Regards, Chris -- -- Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net Member of Antique Wireless Association URL: http://www.ggw.org/freenet/a/awa/

27 years, 7 months

2
2
0 0

Recent Finds & Thoughts

by gareth.knight2＠which.net

Marvin wrote: >Having *finally* gotten a CD-R unit hooked up, it occurred to me that >perhaps recording all the cassette data tapes to CD would be a worthwhile >thing to do. Has anyone else tried this? I would think it would be trivial >to hook up a stereo to computers, and thus load both data and programs. You mean record the audio on to a different track? Yes, it certainly is possible. There was a commercial device out for the Sinclair Spectrum in 1990 that included 30 games on one CD. I think it was made by Codemasters. I've only seen it once at a car boot sale but it appeared to be a basic to be a basic CD player with some leads to plug into the tape port.

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

looking for data...

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< >it is a WD10i, also marked Fuji Electric FK301 (also 508100625). Look < <Micro House doesn't give jumper settings for it, but it does list the f < < <4 heads, 306 cylinders, 17 sect/track, 10 MB formatted capacity. There are few jumpers and they are drive select and the like. I was more curious than anything else. It's a working drive! I pulled it from a YATUXT (Yet Another TUrbo XT). Since I have a few of these I pulled the drives, ISA boards and any loose components, the rest are junk. Allison

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

Token ring... (reprise)

by afritz＠delphid.ml.org

I seem to be once again in need of 16mb ISA token ring cards. I don't suppose someone out there has any they're selling real cheap/free? IBM-branded ISA preferable... must be capable of 16mb. Also, if anyone has any 486 EISA motherboards that are capable of fitting in modern mid-tower and desktop cases, I might be interested. (The only one's I've got (a couple of huge ALR's with the CPU and cache on daughtercards) are waaay to large to fit into anything but the larger tower cases...which I don't have any extra of either!) thanks, af --- Adam Fritzler { afritz(a)delphid.ml.org , afritz(a)iname.com} http://delphid.ml.org/~afritz/ "Animals who are not penguins can only wish they were." -- Chicago Reader, 15 Oct 1982

27 years, 7 months

2
1
0 0

85mb Micropolis in a Microvax II?

by netcafe＠pirie.mtx.net.au

Hi all, Just pulled a Micropolis 85Mb MFM Hdd out of a genuine, but dead, IBM 286. Model is 1335, and is also marked as being an ST506. Am I correct in assuming it would work in a Microvax II that presently has a single RD53, as a second drive? If so, is there deep magic involved in the install? I seem to recall seeing something about needing special software that is not supplied with the Microvax to put in a non DEC drive. The Microvax is currently running VMS 5.4 TIA Geoff Roberts Computer Room Internet Cafe Port Pirie South Australia. netcafe(a)pirie.mtx.net.au

27 years, 7 months

2
1
0 0

XT-2190 OEM manual wanted

by dburrows＠netpath.net

They have it on their Faxback service 800-262-9867 then 3 for the faxback service. Dan >Does anyone have a spare copy of the Maxtor XT-2190 manual, or is anyone >willing to make me a photocopy of it? A Maxtor XT-1140 manual would be >almost as good. > >Thanks! >Eric >

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

Elf99 - rebirth of a classic

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Nov 16, 5:39, Doug Spence wrote: > On Tue, 10 Nov 1998, Tony Duell wrote: > > The 2114 is getting hard to find now. A few companies still have them in > > stock, but AFAIK it's no longer in production. > > Ack! I need a bunch of these to get a PET 2001 going (all of the 6550s > are bad, and I was told that the 2114 is the same part?) and a VIC 3K RAM > Expander fixed. They're NOT the same. I can't find a pinout, but they're a different (physical) size and ISTR they use different voltages as well. MPS6550s will be very hard to find as they were never second-sourced by anyone, as far as I know. They're 22-pin (0.4" wide instead of 0.3") 4096-bit (1024 x 4) SRAMs. 2114's are 18-pin 4096-bit (1024 x 4) SRAMs. Even MOS Technology didn't make them for very long, which is why only the earliest PETs used them. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

27 years, 7 months

3
2
0 0

PDP 11/15 for adoption

by jpl15＠netcom.com

First, I would like to register my *profound* gratitude to all the folks who 'rescued' this list.. thank you for your dedication and time. My Old Computer hobby would be much the poorer were it not for classiccmp. Thanks again! :) Second: I have an 11/15 and two expansion boxes. The 11/15 itself is front-panel, backplane, and power supply only... it never had cards. One of the expansion units is *full* of old "G" series and a few "M" series flip-chip style small cards. The second expansion box is empty. The CPU front panel is cosmetically good, nothing is damaged.. it could use some soap and elbow grease, though. I have never had power on to them... electrically unknown therefore. These items are outside of my area of interest, and I need to free up some rack space. They are available without charge to the individual who is fool^H^H^H^H adventureous enough to come and get them.. all-up weight is about three hundred pounds and I'm not even going to *consider* shipping them... not that the excersise wouldn't be beneficial... ;}. I am in Los Angeles, CA. Will also trade for Kennedy 9300 or DEC TU16 magtape and formatter cards.... if in reasonable distance of LA, I can provide transport for this scenario. Cheers John

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

16-bit 8088/8086?

by roblwill＠usaor.net

I thought the PC/XT-286 was basically an AT motherboard in an XT case. At least that's what I remember from a previous discussion about the XT-286. -- -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1> -----Original Message----- From: David C. Jenner <djenner(a)halcyon.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Saturday, November 21, 1998 5:52 PM Subject: Re: 16-bit 8088/8086? >Sounds like you are describing almost exactly the IBM PC/XT286. >

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

16-bit 8088/8086?

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< My idea was either an 8088 or an 8086 with a 16-bit AT-style bus. (keep < mind that it's a theoretical idea, and not an actual project -- yet) The 8086 can be used onthe 16bit ISA bus, its a 16 bit cpu with a 16bit bus and 20 address lines. That will do. < -Would it be possible to have CPU cache with an 8088 or 8086? Not needed as the fastest 8086(V30) is 12mhz (there may be faster) and most moden Dram can keep up with that making cache unnecessary. Cache is a was to make a fast ram keep up with a really fast cpu. < - I'd use the 8 MHz 8086 or 8088. Why not the 12mhz parts. Also the 8086 has a small performance advantage. < If this would work at all, what performance would come out of it? Would < perform like an XT, a 286, a TRS-80, or what? It would be a turboXT. IT's been done, check on the design of the IBM PS2/25 or 30. PS2/m30 was a 8086/8mhz, used 30 pin simms, it was ISA8bit (the performance difference was small there). Two cpus require far more complex software and operating system to have any value and the improvement will not be 2x, more like 20%, though multitasking may bo slightly better. < My final question is another slight disagreement with my friend. He sa < that it would be possible to piggyback (like IBM did with the early AT R < chips) a second 8-MHz 8088 onto the existing 8088 in an XT to make it 1 < MHz. I told him that I didn't think it would work. Your right. It would likely not work at all as both cpus are not guarenteed to be in sync and if one gets out of sync they will crash each other. < What exactly would happen if this was done? Would it run at 8 MHz? Wou < it run at 16 MHz, or something in-between? Would it speed up, slow down < melt down, or just fry everything? Crash. Allison

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

XT-2190 OEM manual wanted

by eric＠brouhaha.com

Does anyone have a spare copy of the Maxtor XT-2190 manual, or is anyone willing to make me a photocopy of it? A Maxtor XT-1140 manual would be almost as good. Thanks! Eric

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

Old 386 and 486 pc's

by jeff.kaneko＠juno.com

On Sat, 21 Nov 1998 20:40:06 EST SUPRDAVE(a)aol.com writes: >harrumph; typical clueless non-computer type that thinks any old >computer is >worth plenty. there's a guy at an established flea market that tries >to get >the same price out of old machines. i bought a northgate 386/20 from a >guy at >work and even got the great northgate keyboard too for only $20! <SNIP> Hah! That's nothing! I snarfed a couple of 386's from work for *NOTHING*. I asked the sysadmin if these were left over from the company sale. "Yep! Nobody wants 'em. Take 'em!" One was an Everex with a mondo-scarce RLL drive. . . Jeff ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

16-bit 8088/8086?

by roblwill＠usaor.net

Could it be possible? I was talking with a friend of mine, and we somehow got on the topic of what would be a cool "custom computer" to have. My idea was either an 8088 or an 8086 with a 16-bit AT-style bus. (keep in mind that it's a theoretical idea, and not an actual project -- yet) -It would probably involve using dual processors, (and probably dual math processors) to make up for the 16-bits. -It would probably have 1 MB RAM, with 30-pin expansion slots. -Would it be possible to have CPU cache with an 8088 or 8086? -I would probably try to use the basic layout from a PC/AT motherboard, and hand wire everything (so I don't have to fool around with etching chemicals). - I'd use the 8 MHz 8086 or 8088. If this would work at all, what performance would come out of it? Would it perform like an XT, a 286, a TRS-80, or what? My final question is another slight disagreement with my friend. He says that it would be possible to piggyback (like IBM did with the early AT RAM chips) a second 8-MHz 8088 onto the existing 8088 in an XT to make it 16 MHz. I told him that I didn't think it would work. What exactly would happen if this was done? Would it run at 8 MHz? Would it run at 16 MHz, or something in-between? Would it speed up, slow down, melt down, or just fry everything? ThAnX, -- -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1>

27 years, 7 months

3
2
0 0

Digital Group software, docs?

by eric＠brouhaha.com

Does anyone have copies of software or manuals for equipment from The Digital Group? I'd be interested in most anything at all for it, but particularly in PHIMON software, and in manuals and schematics. Thanks! Eric

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

11/34A/RK07 not booting. Help wanted

by allisonp＠world.std.com

< > >We all make mistakes (or at least I do :-)). It is worth checking thi < > >Why DEC didn't use polarised connectors here is a mystery to me... < > < > This is indeed a bone-headed thing DEC did. I bet a lot of field engin < > were cussing about that. Must have been two different design departmen < > between RK's and RL's (Allison. . . comments?) DEC Field circus created CSSE (Customer Services Support Engineering) to keep an eye on the design, testing and manufacturing processes at the product level to engineer out things like that. That was back in the 70s, by 1991 they put themselves out of business as they had "trained" engineering and manufacturing well. < Yes. On every DEC drive I own (and I guess most others), track 0 is at < the outside edge of the disk and the highest track is closest to the < spindle. Allison/Tim will now post a list of exceptions :-) I'm sure there are exceptions but not many. The oddballs I know of are most fixed head disks and of course drums. Speaking of drums, has anyone seen any out there? Allison

27 years, 7 months

2
1
0 0

FW: Front panel schematics

by kyrrin＠my-dejanews.com

If someone can help this fellow with front-panel schematics, as noted in his message, please contact him directly. Thanks! -=-=- <snip> -=-=- From: mlaman(a)home.com Newsgroups: alt.sys.pdp11 Subject: Looking for schematics (or pointers to them) for PDP 11/70 and PDP 11/40 Front Panels Message-ID: <365681d0.44505453@news> X-Newsreader: Forte Agent 1.0/32.354 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Lines: 8 Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 09:05:44 GMT NNTP-Posting-Host: 24.0.163.129 NNTP-Posting-Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 01:05:44 PDT Organization: @Home Network Path: blushng.jps.net!news.pbi.net!131.119.28.147!su-news-hub1.bbnplanet.com!news.gtei.net!xfer.kren.ne.kr!newshub1.home.com!news.home.com!news.rdc1.sdca.home.com.POSTED!not-for-mail Hi, I looking for schematics for PDP 11/70 and PDP 11/40 Front Panels. Pointers to where I might find them are helpful too. Thanks in advance, Mike -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies -- kyrrin (at) bluefeathertech [dot] com Web: http://www.bluefeathertech.com "...No matter how we may wish otherwise, our science can only describe an object, event, or living thing in our own human terms. It cannot possibly define any of them..."

27 years, 7 months

2
1
0 0

Old 386 and 486 pc's

by kurtkilgor＠geocities.com

I agree that he is somewhat clueless, but I don't agree that it's for that reason. Many people feel bad that they got an expensive computer only recently, and are forced to sell it for next to nothing. They want some kind of return on it. I guess it's too bad. One simply has to explain to these people that it simply doesn't work this way with computers. PCs and XTs are usually under $20, though I've seen some selling over $50, for the same reason. Then again, if the computer is very clean and has the original manuals, it may be worth it to a collector. >harrumph; typical clueless non-computer type that thinks any old computer is >worth plenty. there's a guy at an established flea market that tries to get >> They had a no-name 386 clone, complete with color monitor, in working >> condition for $175, and a 486, no monitor, unknown condition (most likely >> working though) for $250. >> >> Seemed very high to me, as I've picked up working 8080 PC's and XT's for >> under $20. . . >> >> (They did also have an old Mac 128, but I didn't inquire about it, as >> those are not exactly rare either) >>

27 years, 7 months

2
1
0 0

NEC multisync 3D

by roblwill＠usaor.net

Isn't an XGA plug the same as a VGA plug? At least it is on the IBM XGA monitor that I have. -- -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1> -----Original Message----- From: SUPRDAVE(a)aol.com <SUPRDAVE(a)aol.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Friday, November 20, 1998 5:33 PM Subject: NEC multisync 3D >there was some previous discussion about nec multisync monitors. believe it or >not, i actually found one tossed in the partking lot of an auto parts store. ><!> unfortunately, it wont power on. made in 1990 and has XGA plug. anybody >want it for free or need parts from it? it has a lot of controls behind a flip >down door. no burn-in on the tube amazingly. > >david >

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

Secure e-mail

by rcini＠email.msn.com

Hello, all: In order to manage the user name + password aspect of the CCL private directory, I'd like to communicate using secure e-mail. To download my certificate, visit http://www.verisign.com/securemail/download.html and follow the directions. [ Rich Cini/WUGNET [ ClubWin!/CW7 [ MCP Windows 95/Windows Networking [ Collector of "classic" computers [ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp/ [ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/pdp11/ <================ reply separator =================>

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

Classic Magazine Articles/Other postings

by rcini＠email.msn.com

Hello, all: Tonight, I posted the following: - Altair ComputerNotes: 7/77 and 9/77, all four parts Also, my ISP was able to setup authentication for a "private" file area. This area will be one which houses documents intended for the CCL group only, i.e., files for whatever reason, are not to be shared with the whole Internet. My idea is to keep docs whose copyright is still active but for which we were not able to obtain explicit permission to use. I began posting the P-E Altair article tonight (first of 12 parts). Technical reference guides from IBM will also go in there. This information is too valuable to CCL members to languish unpublished. Anyway, those interested in the login, please e-mail me privately. [ Rich Cini/WUGNET [ ClubWin!/CW7 [ MCP Windows 95/Windows Networking [ Collector of "classic" computers [ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp/ [ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/pdp11/ <================ reply separator =================>

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

HV Testing (was:Re: Newbie's got a dead 386)

by dburrows＠netpath.net

> >Besides, if I can fly all the way from Birmingham UK to San Jose CA with a >Tektronix 4052 (80 lb) in my baggage... There is the difference I had to learn to travel light enough that I did not check any bags. My record was strating in the Midwest on monday morning and by Teusday evening I had been on both US coasts. > >> The most important thing I was trying to point out with the first item in >> that post is NEVER assume the meter is correct. It will bite you. >Agreed 100% (as Tony would say). In the electricity industry, safety >procedures require you to test an EHT meter on a known good source before >_and after_ the measurement. While that's impractical if you're flying >around with no more test equipment than you can fit in a briefcase, a >useful principle to follow. I try to and had used that meter with no problems on another call the day before. Dan

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

11/34A/RK07 not booting. Help wanted

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>Yes. On every DEC drive I own (and I guess most others), track 0 is at >the outside edge of the disk and the highest track is closest to the >spindle. Allison/Tim will now post a list of exceptions :-) Only exception I know of is CD-ROM, which doesn't exactly have tracks, but at least block 0 is on the inside and the higher-number blocks are on the outside. >Halt the processor after the failed boot attempt, key in the first >address of the RK611 (I can't remember it, but you have the RK07 user >manual, don't you?) 777440 through 777456. Tim. (shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com)

27 years, 7 months

2
1
0 0

Core planes was: [ebay: Antique]

by kip＠nanospace.com

At 09:35 11/20/98 -0500, Chuck wrote: >One of the myth's they always told us was they all had to be >made by hand - there wasn't a machine that could thread the >row/column and sense wires for mass production. Is there any >rumor to this truth? yeahright. In _IBM's Early Computers_ by Bashe et al., you will find elaborate description of machinery developed to automate the production of core planes, complete [IIRC] with pictures. __________________________________________ Kip Crosby engine(a)chac.org http://www.chac.org/index.html Computer History Association of California

27 years, 7 months

3
2
0 0

Core planes

by gene＠ehrich.com

I was one of the Industrial Engineers responsible for the production of core planes at the IBM Poughkeepsie plant. The cores were put into a machine that shook them down into a panel that lined them up for the row and column to be inserted by machine. The sense wires were however inserted manually. It was an almost impossible job if you looked at what had to be done but some people (almost all women) had an uncanny knack of doing the job in what seemed to be impossible times and accuracy. Using MTM (methods time measurement) it should have taken them much longer than it actually did. They just had special skills. Gene At 11:46 AM 11/20/98 -0500, you wrote: >>>made by hand - there wasn't a machine that could thread the gene@ehrich http://www.voicenet.com/~generic Computer & Video Game Garage Sale

27 years, 7 months

3
2
0 0

Hardcard for grabs

by william＠ans.net

I posted the following some time back: <snip> (1) HardCard EZ, and two Conner drives. The HardCard has a big "127" printed on the side (capacity?). No idea if it is good - same with the two "normal" disks (types 2 and 17, for you IDE fans out there). <snip> The person that was to purchase this has done nothing about it, even after several "prods", so I am offering this up again. Best offer over $5 plus shipping. William Donzelli william(a)ans.net

27 years, 7 months

2
2
0 0

FIRST MACINTOSH HARD DRIVE?

by Marty＠itgonline.com

I once saw an external Mac hard drive with the label 'Apple Crate.' Marty ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: FIRST MACINTOSH HARD DRIVE? Author: classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu at internet Date: 11/20/98 4:38 PM I vaguely remember something called a "MacBottom" (a hard drive above which one placed a Mac computer) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles P. Hobbs __ __ ____ ___ ___ ____ transit(a)primenet.com /__)/__) / / / / /_ /\ / /_ / / / \ / / / / /__ / \/ /___ / ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ Message Header Follows ------ Received: from lists3.u.washington.edu by smtp.itgonline.com (PostalUnion/SMTP(tm) v2.1.9i(b5) for Windows NT(tm)) id AA-1998Nov20.163820.1767.79361; Fri, 20 Nov 1998 16:38:22 -0500 Received: from host (lists.u.washington.edu [140.142.56.13]) by lists3.u.washington.edu (8.8.4+UW97.07/8.8.4+UW98.06) with SMTP id NAA23956; Fri, 20 Nov 1998 13:34:50 -0800 Received: from mxu1.u.washington.edu (mxu1.u.washington.edu [140.142.32.8]) by lists.u.washington.edu (8.8.4+UW97.07/8.8.4+UW98.06) with ESMTP id MAA61338 for <classiccmp(a)lists.u.washington.edu>; Fri, 20 Nov 1998 12:50:24 -0800 Received: from smtp01.primenet.com (daemon(a)smtp01.primenet.com [206.165.6.131]) by mxu1.u.washington.edu (8.9.1+UW98.09/8.9.1+UW98.09) with ESMTP id MAA21 652 for <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>; Fri, 20 Nov 1998 12:50:23 -0800 Received: (from daemon@localhost) by smtp01.primenet.com (8.8.8/8.8.8) id NAA26004 for <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>; Fri, 20 Nov 1998 13:50:22 -0700 (MST) Received: from usr01.primenet.com(206.165.6.201) via SMTP by smtp01.primenet.com, id smtpd025965; Fri Nov 20 13:50:18 1998 Message-Id: <Pine.BSI.3.96.981120124929.28136A-100000(a)usr01.primenet.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 12:50:17 -0800 (PST) Reply-To: classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu Sender: CLASSICCMP-owner(a)u.washington.edu Precedence: bulk From: "Charles P. Hobbs" <transit(a)primenet.com> To: "Discussion re-collecting of classic computers" <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: FIRST MACINTOSH HARD DRIVE? In-Reply-To: <199811201902.LAA04380(a)oa.ptloma.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII X-To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.1 beta -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

Today's haul

by rcini＠email.msn.com

Hello, all: I made another trip to Temple University today to get some more stuff. I picked up the following: - More Byte Magazines: 1983-1987 - Misc Unibus boards to repair my 11/34a, which for some reason will no longer boot. - RK05 disk packs - Roytron Model 528 paper tape something The Roytron thing is interesting. It's a paper tape punch (at least). I have no info on this. It has what appears to be a v.35 connector on the back. It says that it is a 120vac unit, but there is no power cord apparent. Any info appreciated. [ Rich Cini/WUGNET [ ClubWin!/CW7 [ MCP Windows 95/Windows Networking [ Collector of "classic" computers [ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp/ [ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/pdp11/ <================ reply separator =================>

27 years, 7 months

1
0
0 0

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

test-drb