test-drb April 1997

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

60 participants
150 discussions

by kaikal＠MICROSOFT.com

I can't believe you have Nova 1200's. I used a 1220 in the late 70's in high school and it was old then. Ours actually had a hard drive which was about 36" on a side, covered with woodgrain vinyl, with a capacity of a MEGABYTE!! I might still have the source to my Nova multiuser Star Trek around someplace. It was so popular it got banned from the system since it slowed everything down too much. Kai > ---------- > From: carl.friend@stoneweb.com[SMTP:carl.friend@stoneweb.com] > Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 1997 6:02 AM > To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers > Subject: Wanted Systems > > I've seen a certain amount of conversation as to the > appropriateness > of "For Sale" messages on the list. So long as it doesn't get out of > hand, some of the posts can be quite useful (like the one on IMSAI > switches, for instance). How about "Wanted Systems" posts? > > I'm looking to flesh out my collection of 16-bit Data General > hardware, and am looking for leads to systems, or systems themselves. > Anything in the Nova/Eclipse line is fair game, with the exception > of the 32-bit MV series (although I hope somebody is preserving > them!). > Any documentation is, of course, more than welcome. > > Thanks! > > -- > > > ______________________________________________________________________ > | | > | > | Carl Richard Friend (UNIX Sysadmin) | West Boylston > | > | Minicomputer Collector / Enthusiast | Massachusetts, USA > | > | mailto:carl.friend@stoneweb.com | > | > | http://www.ultranet.com/~engelbrt/carl/museum/ | ICBM: N42:21 W71:46 > | > |________________________________________________|____________________ > _| >

27 years, 8 months

Classic Computer Available

by dcobley＠island.net

At 11:11 PM 4/7/97 -0500, you wrote: > >Maybe <snif> we <snif> should<snif>n't <snif> allow <snif> posts like >this!!!! BAWWWWWWWWWW BAWWWWWWWW BAAWWWBAWWWWBAWWWWWW > >I could NEVER afford the shipping. I could probably DRIVE there and >PICK IT UP but not until summer BAWWWBAWWWWW Tell you what, if I ever get another one, I'll save it until Summer and you can drive from wherever you are and pick it up. Deal? Cheers, David Cobley. Fidonet on the ADAM, CP/M Tech and Hewlett-Packard Echoes. Internet-dcobley(a)island.net, or, davidc(a)macn.bc.ca

27 years, 8 months

Wanted Systems

by carl.friend＠stoneweb.com

I've seen a certain amount of conversation as to the appropriateness of "For Sale" messages on the list. So long as it doesn't get out of hand, some of the posts can be quite useful (like the one on IMSAI switches, for instance). How about "Wanted Systems" posts? I'm looking to flesh out my collection of 16-bit Data General hardware, and am looking for leads to systems, or systems themselves. Anything in the Nova/Eclipse line is fair game, with the exception of the 32-bit MV series (although I hope somebody is preserving them!). Any documentation is, of course, more than welcome. Thanks! -- ______________________________________________________________________ | | | | Carl Richard Friend (UNIX Sysadmin) | West Boylston | | Minicomputer Collector / Enthusiast | Massachusetts, USA | | mailto:carl.friend@stoneweb.com | | | http://www.ultranet.com/~engelbrt/carl/museum/ | ICBM: N42:21 W71:46 | |________________________________________________|_____________________|

27 years, 8 months

It's true! (Also, Acetronic/Radofin Video Games)

by alexios＠vennea.demon.co.uk

Ok, I admit it. You really *can* find more stuff these few weeks. I went to car boot sale today and got three machines (five, were I willing to shell out for two C64Cs with a floppy drive and a PSU between them). I'm not the proud owner of a Spectrum 48k (at last!) in mint condition and a Spectrum +2A in even better shape. I actually got the +2A at half the price of the 48k -- 5 pounds for the +2A (around $7? Not sure) as opposed to 10 pounds for the 48k. There was another +2A for sale at the outrageous price of 15 pounds (at least I *hope* I heard 15 -- at that noise level, it could have been -gasp- 50). Anyway, enough about the Spectra (sic). :-) There's another find I might need a little help with. It's not strictly a computer, it's a video game (Video Entertainment System, as it says on the front panel). Specifically, an Acetronic MPU-1000. The PCB has a Radofin label on it. There are two analog joysticks with two red fire buttons and a 12 button keypad each. They're connected to the unit with spiral cable (no plugs). The controllers are designed to take overlays to give meaning to the 12 unmarked keys. I don't have any overlays, but there are four carts: Invaders, cart #1 (Olympics -- actually a more or less standard set of Pong-like games), cart #11 (Super Maze -- remember A-Maze-ing on the TI? It's very similar. Analogue control of the players is quite tricky), and cart #13 (Circus -- I haven't figured this one out yet due to the erratic behaviour of one of the controllers [read: vertical axis doesn't work properly, fire button won't]). The cartridges claim to be "suitable for Acetronic, Radofin 1292 & Prinztronic microprocessor systems". Does anyone have any ideas about this? Is it common or uncommon? The name Radofin was familiar, after a bit of research it turns out it's the company that bought the rights to the Aquarius. Any technical information would be welcome, since I can't identify either of the LSI ICs on the PCB (yes, two of them). Oh, by the way, in the highly unlikely case this is amazingly rare and the only one left on the planet (unlikely because at least another person on the WWW has one, albeit an MPU-2000), I obtained this at the silly price of 2 UK pounds. The previous owners seemed a bit amazed at the fact that someone might actually be *INTERESTED* in that piece of junk. Can't complain, really. :-) Thanks, Alexios --------------------------- ,o88,o888o,,o888o. ------------------------------- Alexios Chouchoulas '88 ,88' ,88' alexios(a)vennea.demon.co.uk The Unpronouncable One ,o88oooo88ooooo88oo, axc(a)dcs.ed.ac.uk

27 years, 8 months

FS: Misc Computers on AuctionWeb

by gmast＠polymail.cpunix.calpoly.edu

I just listed a few different systems on auctionweb. This is a great place to look for stuff. Included is an Apple III, hard to find. I also have some old video game systems listed. Check them out at the links below: Channel F Game Console Bidding starts at: $2.00 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 19:12:53 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=wwm1252 Lot of 4 Channel F Game Cartridges Current bid: $2.00 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 19:23:06 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=omg7762 Commodore Plus 4 Computer Bidding starts at: $2.00 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 19:30:29 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=myy11036 Lot - Texas Instr. TI-99/4A Computers & More! Bidding starts at: $2.00 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 19:58:46 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=ggv55391 RS TRS-80 Color Computer 2, Carts, Joy, More! Bidding starts at: $2.00 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 20:48:46 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=tdu0192 Atari 7800 ProSystem w/Game Cartridges! Current bid: $10.50 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 21:31:20 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=fcf174 Apple III Computer System! (photo) Bidding starts at: $20.00 Auction ends on: 04/12/97, 22:55:24 PDT http://www.ebay.com/aw/item.cgi?item=ely44807

27 years, 8 months

How long will they last?

by jimw＠agora.rdrop.com

At 06:01 PM 3/31/97 -0800, you wrote: > >I was talking to a friend this weekend who brought >up this idea that before long EPROMs in our old >computers are going to start to go bad. This is >something I've heard before but, to be honest, I >don't know enough to make a judgement on it. If >this is the case, I suppose I should be burning >backups. > >While I'm at it... What are some other concerns >along these lines. What should we be planning >for as these machines grow 5, 10, 15 years older? Good questions all, so some comments and some thoughts. EPROMS: yes, they will forget. Being stored charge devices they will eventually start to lose the stored information. As I recall the original estimated life for stored data was 10-15 years. Punched tape (mylar preferably or paper if stored properly) may be the closest thing we have to a true "archival" medium. Electrolytic Capacitors: They dry out, or will start to ooze the electrolyte. (I address this to some extent on the 'Repair Tips & Tricks' section on my web pages) Average lifetime (of large caps such as found in power supplies) is probably 5-10 years. On machines that I restore they are (almost) always replaced before I do anything else. The very small caps found on logic boards for timing and similar circuits do not seem to be a prone to failure. Disks: depends highly on how they are stored. Should be treated similar to records. (remember those?) Store upright, loosely packed, dry but cool. Watch for oxide flaking on very old disks. Tapes: similar to disks for storage. Should be retensioned (repacked?) >from time to time. (fast forward to end, then rewind) As with disks, watch for oxide flaking. Dampness will cause some tapes to adhere to itself, and strip off the oxide when run. Had this happen to my "Standard Pack" tape for an HP-85 I obtained recently. Went to load the tape and got a read error. Manual inspection of the tape showed a 3/4 inch strip where there was no oxide at all. it was stripped away by the tape adhesion when I rewound the tape for probably the first time in 4-5 years! Card edge connectors: corrosion is common, expecially is stored in damp places or contaminated by skin oils. Can be cleaned with the classic "Pink Pearl" eraser. (Don't use the grey erasers - too abrasive!) Hmmm... probably more, but it's late and I forget... (often it seems - bad EPROM?) More later... -jim --- jimw(a)agora.rdrop.com The Computer Garage - http://www.rdrop.com/~jimw Computer Garage Fax - (503) 646-0174

27 years, 8 months

New ATARI 1040ST user needs help...

by jeffh＠eleventh.com

On 07-Apr-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote: >I picked up an Atari 1040ST today for $25 -- as is. No cables, no manuals, >no floppy disks, nothing. I figured I'd be able to build up a little >working system (if the thing still works), but need some help. >If anyone here knows of any resources for floppy disks, manuals (i.e. how >do I plug this thing in?), etc. please let me know -- I'd like to put this >computer to use in my studio -- it has MIDI In/Out, and there's some cool >software for it and one of my synthesizers that I've been meaning to check >out. The 1040ST is a nice system, but you'll need to find one of the Atari monitors for it, such as the SM-124 (very nice mono) or the SC-1224 (color). You don't need an OS disks for it, as the OS is built into ROM, and it uses standard PC 720k disks. For software and such, Toad Computers in Severna, MD is a good resource..and they even sell TOS upgrades and refurb monitors. Atari's have been their specialty for years. Hope this helps. Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- // Amiga: Today's Technology Ten Years Ago // ------------------------------------------------------- \// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware, \/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Collector of classic home computers: Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X, Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A, Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4. Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.

27 years, 8 months

Digital Microsystems DMS-3F, DEC Rainbow, TS 1000

by Bill_Opalka.INTDATA＠notes.intdata.com

>> Btw, is it true that you can't format disks on the Rainbow and need DEC >> preformatted ones instead? Actually, if you have CPM-86, you can format regular 5 1/4 floppies into RX50 floppies. The MSDOS version of the software was hindered so that it couldn't be done. /Bill

27 years, 8 months

FS: Misc Computers on AuctionWeb

by gmast＠polymail.cpunix.calpoly.edu

bm_pete(a)ix.netcom.com (Barry Peterson) wrote: > <snip> > > >Ahem... If you were really interested in offering these systems to = > someone.....<snip...Snip> > > I had assumed that for sale ads were forbidden/discouraged here. I was under the impression that it was ok as long as it's not excessive. I even mentioned it in my introduction message and have seen it discussed a couple times. I believe this was my first post of this type. I don't want to make any enemies here. Sorry for any inconvenience. Greg

27 years, 8 months

New ATARI 1040ST user needs help...

by lists＠phx6.phxmedia.com

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27 years, 8 months

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test-drb April 1997