Can anyone give Seth a good push in the right direction? If so, give
him a buzz.
SPECIAL NOTE: John, if you're looking to clear out space in the form
of your PDP-11/34, this could be a great opportunity.
Attachment follows.
-=-=- <snip> -=-=-
On 24 Jul 1998 02:51:10 EDT, in comp.sys.dec you wrote:
>>From: "Seth J. Morabito" <sethjm(a)ricochet.net>
>>Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec,comp.sys.dec.micro
>>Subject: WANTED: PDP-11 or PDP-8
>>Date: 24 Jul 1998 02:51:10 EDT
>>Organization: Loom Communications
>>Lines: 18
>>Message-ID: <35B82E1E.E7E6755C(a)ricochet.net>
>>Reply-To: sethm(a)loomcom.com
>>NNTP-Posting-Host: motherbrain.squeep.com
>>Mime-Version: 1.0
>>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>>X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.05 [en] (X11; U; Linux 2.0.35 i586)
>>Path: blushng.jps.net!news.eli.net!news.inconnect.com!xmission!news.uoregon.edu!hammer.uoregon.edu!newshub.northeast.verio.net!newspeer.monmouth.com!newsfeed.concentric.net!global-news-master
>>Xref: blushng.jps.net comp.sys.dec:2231 comp.sys.dec.micro:262
>>
>>Hello folks,
>>
>>I would dearly love to find a pdp-11 (preferably with some sort of
>>secondary storage, including RX01,RX02,RK05,RL02, or RD53) or, much more
>>preferably, a pdp-8 (original 8, 8i, or 8e), somewhere convenient to
>>the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Software and manuals are,
>>of course, always welcome!
>>
>>Surely, someone must be getting ready to de-commission a system which
>>has served its purpose and is no longer needed? I would love to take
>>it off your hands! I preserve and restore old systems, both for the
>>memories and for the enjoyment of it. DEC has always been my favorite,
>>for sentimental reasons. And I can't bear the thought of any of that
>>classic equipment going to scrap.
>>
>>Thank you,
>>
>>-Seth Morabito
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bruce Lane, Sysop, The Dragon's Cave (Fido 1:343/272)
http://table.jps.net/~kyrrin -- also kyrrin [A-t] Jps {D=o=t} Net
Spam is bad. Spam is theft of service. Spam wastes resources. Don't spam, period.
I am a WASHINGTON STATE resident. Spam charged $500.00 per incident per Chapter 19 RCW.
Well, I figured since my glomming on to one of these systems is pretty
much guaranteed, I'd let the rest of you know about them.
My father is one of the managers of the FAA Data Center in Seattle, WA.
He is excessing 12 Data General MV/15000 systems.
As far as I can tell, the systems include:
3 Disk Units
1 RtR 9 Track Tape Unit
1 MPU Unit
1 Console Unit
Mind you, this is a lot of steel to move (I'm prolly going to have a
moving company bring me mine) not to mention store (I'm going to be
moving my entire collection to some cheap office space here in Lawrence,
MA).
For those of you who dont know what the excess process is, this is the
way I understand it.
1. Government agency decides they dont need something anymore
(done)
2. Agency begins porting any applications on system (a month to
go)
3. Agency offers system to all other government agencies
4. If all other agencies refuse system, system goes to public
sale.
According to my father, these systems will be going for a ridiculous
price (like $200-$300, I'm getting mine fer free :) but the buyer needs
to arrange shipping.
Mind you, the data centers are all over the US, not just in Seattle so
it is possible that one will be closer geographically to you.
I'll post another message to the list when the systems are closer to
public sale.
Tony Dellett
< >>From: Bill Kent <billakent(a)hotmail.com>
< >>My name is Bill Kent and I am working on a story for a major online
< >>publication. The focus is on users who use what others might conside
< >>"obsolete" technology. I would like to speak to a few users who use
< >>oder PCs (386 and below) for productivity apps. I'm talking about i
What about non-PC technology? There are whole families of machines that
are not based on Intel cpus and Microsoft software.
Like the Kaypro 4/84 (ca 1984) that I use to run my billings on.
The NS* Horzion Z80 machine I built in 1978 to support z80 family
development and continuation support. That system is my primary for
documenting work done as well.
I have a PDP-11/73 for development and continuation support use. Also
very handy for getting from Digital Equipment Corp designed and
propritary media to other more common use media.
DEC VAX hardware is also widely sought as they despite age and relative
speed are still workhorses for multiuser/multitasking applications. Most
of the more popular VAX systems that are over 10 years old are PC sized
but can support a lot of users.
I do use an old 386sx/25 as a headless server using MSdos6.22 intersvr
and interlnk software and a parallel port data cable(LapLink).
< >>else, that's super, I'd like to hear about it. I'm not interested in
< >>hobbyists who just enjoying hacking the machines. If it requires a
< >>soldering iron, it's too complex for this article.
All people that modify "hack" machines are not all hobbiests. As a
professional I need for various reasons to read disks created years
ago sometimes really old like the 8" media from the late 70s early 80s.
I have old machines to do this but a handy one is an XT clone using a
modified floppy controller with and old 8" drive. You cannot buy that
capability now but, companies have archives that are sometimes very old
that may need to be accessed.
Even your common P-II box is hard pressed to read older 5.25" format
floppies! At a minimum you would have to find an apporiate drive and
then by trial and error figure the jumpers out as new machines a scantily
documented at best.
< >>I'd like to hear stories about how this technology can be applied to
< >>job and does it well. The general slant of the article is to be
In computers old technology and new are often only different in speed or
size. There are many PDP-8s (1970s tech), PDP-11s (late 70s into the
80s tech) and Data General Novas still in service as control systems
where they do the same thing everyday as the have for the last 20+ years.
This doesn't include the tens of thousands of Z80, 6502, 6800
microprocessors in control boxes and other service since the parts were
introduced in the late 70s!
I'll introduce you to an idea new to some. I prefer to use older
systems that are well documented and I can fully utilize. It's saves
me time to not debug some new box or software. Simply said:
Mature stable systems we know how to use.
Allison
In a message dated 98-07-24 07:59:41 EDT, you write:
I guess the 3274 could be called a computer here. it will process information
and if it can do something, it will take care of simple local tasks itself
rather than bothering the mainframe with things the 3274 could do itself.
<<
The 3274 is called a "terminal controller". It is not per se a
computer, although I think it may have had microprocessors and things in
it. The floppy drives were for saving and loading configuration data
(along the lines of Port 1 a 3278, port 2 is a 3299 with 8 3278s hung
off it, port 3 is a printer etc...) It multiplexes terminals and things
to an IBM mainframe channel. While the 3278 and its relatives use the
IBM SNA protocol over 93 ohm co-ax, the 3274 can AFAIK connect over an
ordinary serial line. In which case all you need to do is write drivers
for whatever machine you choose as the host...
>>
> Those $#%&$*^% 800 k disks. There are ways, but I have yet to successfully
>download and transfer anything to my Mac+ . The earlier Mac FAQ straight out
>said it couldn't be done. Likely the easiest way is to find some one to do
>it
>on his Superdrive to a formatted 800 disk.
Or you could just buy a Mac IIsi or similiar for around $50 and do it
yourself.
>The easiest way to do it would be to find someone with a Mac that's in your
>area. BTW I'm not sure you can create the floppies on a PPC Mac, it might
>take a 68k Mac. I had problems with this about a year ago, but I can't
>remember if I was creating Mac, Apple IIgs, or Lisa floppies. The PPC
>Mac's do not seem to handle the floppy drive as well as the 68k based ones,
>I've noticed this with standard Macintosh and PC 1.44Mb floppies.
I haven't had any trouble making 800k disks on my PM 6100. I did have
trouble making a System 0.9 disk on 400k, though (not sure if that's the
PM or the Mac Plus I was trying to run it on, though).
Sincerely,
Tom Owad
--
Sysop of Caesarville Online
Client software at: <http://home.earthlink.net/~tomowad/>
Joe wrote:
> I bought one with a pile of stuff. What is it?
I can do little more than repeat the message I sent on the subject a few
months ago:
John R. Keys Jr. Wrote:
> Well today made up for a slow week, got the following items:
[...]
> IBM 3274-31C with 8" diskettes sofeware
I'm sure you'll have fun with all your finds, but this is the one that
caught my eye.
Last week (?) someone was asking questions along the lines of what the
heck does one do with an IBM 3278?
The answer is, plug it into this. Neither is much use without the
other! I suggest the two of you get together over this...
The 3274 is called a "terminal controller". It is not per se a
computer, although I think it may have had microprocessors and things in
it. The floppy drives were for saving and loading configuration data
(along the lines of Port 1 a 3278, port 2 is a 3299 with 8 3278s hung
off it, port 3 is a printer etc...) It multiplexes terminals and things
to an IBM mainframe channel. While the 3278 and its relatives use the
IBM SNA protocol over 93 ohm co-ax, the 3274 can AFAIK connect over an
ordinary serial line. In which case all you need to do is write drivers
for whatever machine you choose as the host...
Happy hacking!
Philip.
More on my Mac Portable...
Well, I've found out that the Mac Portable doesn't like the System 6
installer disks that I have, so I downloaded the System 6.0.8 files from
Apple. They are in the ".sea.bin" format. What's the best way to get these
images to 800k Mac disks from the PC?
Also, I need a new 40mb drive, the Conner CP-3045 (aka, the HD40SC).
Anyone have one and is willing to part with it?
Thanks.
Rich Cini/WUGNET <nospam_rcini(a)msn.com>
- ClubWin/CW6
- MCP Windows 95/Windows Networking
- Preserver of "classic" computers
<<<< ========== reply separator ========== >>>>>
Well, dang it... I'd hoped to have the RA82 subsystem working before I
offered this beastie up, but... I have other projects. Lots of them.
Situation: MicroVAX II in a DEC four-foot rack cabinet, two BA23 boxes
interconnected with the usual bus expansion cards/cables. Has 8 megs RAM,
RQDX3, an RX50 floppy and a TK50 tape drive. Also has a KDA50 SDI
controller hitched to an RA82, and an RD53 70 meg HD hitched to the RQDX3.
And it has a DHV11 8-line serial MUX.
The RA82 passes all its internal tests. The SDI controller passes all its
internal tests. HOWEVER -- the RA82 drive cannot be seen by the SDI
controller. Not in diags, not through the OS. Zilch. I've replaced cables,
tried all three possible floating CSR addresses, changed both SDI boards,
and futzed with the drive until I'm blue in the face. Nada.
It is my belief that the RA82's interface circuitry is misbehaving,
internal tests notwithstanding. I lack another SDI drive to verify things
one way or another.
So, here's the way its coming down. This beastie is up for grabs as of
now. If nothing else, the rack cabinet and cards would probably be useful
to someone. I will continue to work with the RA82, and it will go with the
system, but I'm not going to put a whole ton of effort into it unless
someone on the list comes up with a bright idea.
I'm located in Kent, WA, southeast of Seattle. Please E-mail me if you're
interested and we'll arrange for pickup. NOTE: Unless the recipient is
willing to pay for crating and shipping -- and it will take a pallet and
lift-gate truck to transport safely -- this is going to be local pickup only.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bruce Lane, Sysop, The Dragon's Cave BBS (Fidonet 1:343/272)
(Hamateur: WD6EOS) (E-mail: kyrrin(a)jps.net)
"Our science can only describe an object, event, or living thing in our own
human terms. It cannot, in any way, define any of them..."
I found a strange looking computer today. It's a Grid 1535 EXP computer and
it has a extra pod that clamped on the computer. The pod contains a HP-IB
port. There an empty slot to the left of the HP-IB port, what's it for?
There's also an empty hole roughly 1 x 2 inches next to the power connector
on the laptop. Is that where the battery is supposed to go? I also got a
extra battery pack that also clamps to the outside fo the computer. Does
any know the specs on this computer? It has a co-axial power connector.
What voltage and polarity power does it require? What's the story with the
HP-IB port and how do you access it?
Joe
