test-drb November 1999

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

211 participants
749 discussions

by mrdos＠swbell.net

I live around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. How far I am willing to travel depends on the system. Probably a few hours, say 3 or 4. -----Original Message----- From: Mike Ford <mikeford(a)socal.rr.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Thursday, November 04, 1999 5:16 AM Subject: Re: New Collector in Need of Help! >> I am kind of new to the collecting game. I am in need of some >>help. I need someone to tell me where I can find older and larger >>computers. I have a lot of micros, but now I am looking for bigger game. >>I have decided to focus my collection on older mainframes and >>minicomputers. Can anyone point me to sources? I found a local business >>that has older and larger computers, but the > >To be of any use we would need to know what area you are willing to travel >to to pick up stuff. > >

24 years, 6 months

Finally got a "straight" DF32 yesterday

by dylanb＠sympatico.ca

-----Original Message----- From: Ethan Dicks <ethan_dicks(a)yahoo.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Thursday, November 04, 1999 2:42 PM Subject: Fwd: Finally got a "straight" DF32 yesterday >--- John B <dylanb(a)sympatico.ca> wrote: >> Looks like the PDP 8/S will be running a lot more than FOCAL in the near >> future. > >Cool. > >> Yesterday in our snow storm I picked up: >> >> DF32 with docs and "Disk Monitor" paper tapes. This is the first series >> DF32s with the "R" series modules and no "8I switch". > >What's the -8/I switch? I have several DF-32's. All well used and not >necessarily working (I have played with them but never really tried to use >them for storage - the rotation sensor has been verified on at least one >drive, but that's about it). One set came with the straight -8s, another >set came with the -8/I. Depending on the DF32, I have found two transistor versions. One with a rotary switch on the right side of the front and one without. The switch allowed you to select "PDP 8, 8/S, 8/I". I went through the logic today and all looks good. (I am NOT spinning the drive up.....yet). > >If you get this working, I'd love to get a copy of the tapes - I have an -8/I >that may someday have 8K on it (if I sacrifice an -8/L by stealing its core; >I have N machines that use them and (including the second field on the -8/I), >N-2 core stacks) I'm thinking of wiring up some CMOS static RAM on the pins >of an -8/L for its 4K and migrating the core to the -8/I). I could use the >slot between the planes on the core stack for workspace It's unpopulated. > You don't need 8K for DM. It happily works in 4K of space (with FOCAL 1968 [I have two versions of focal - any idea why????]). I am just getting together a list of tapes and boards now to help folks out. I played the dice game today (craps - 5/8-14 ). Pretty cool! >> This unit was wrapped in plastic >> and was used as a spare - it looks like it was used very little. I also got >> a new spare disk for it if I need it. > >You know that the heads crash everytime you power it off, yes? They are the >kind of disks you power up and leave on forever. In the real world, when the >osmium coating wore too thin to record data, DEC FS flipped the disk once >and reformatted. > Yes I do. People have been warning me.... and I have *one* thing to say. I didn't get this far with this transistor computer to let some silly design flaw stop this system from running a disc. I will modify the hardware anyway I can to stop it from crashing (even add some solenoids to pull the heads back if I have to!). I want to keep this system "chip" free... I almost fell over when I saw the "disc file" had no chips too! I will have this system done when it is running only/all transistor peripherals it now has plus the DF32 with DM software and the 32B Oscilloscope interface. >> But... the DF32 needs 13 I/O cables to >> connect to the 8/s. Anyone still selling these kinds of things? > >I do not know *who* would have that sort of thing. I have one set per master >drive. No spares. Sorry. > >> H901 Flip Chip Patch Panels - These are really sweet. You basically plug the >> flip chips in the back and use banana plugs in the front. Also, (I didn't >> know this at the time) hundreds of those "plastic" cards for the front of >> the H901 to make it easy to wire circuits. > >Is this the original DEC logic experimenter's board? There were two produced: >one for DTL, one for TTL. I got a classroom book for the TTL version when I >was in grade school. I did many of the exercises on paper since I didn't have >the hardware to try stuff out on. Yes they are. You can find them in the DEC handbooks. These only support A,B,R,K,W flip chips... sorry no Ms :-) . Only for the transistor stuff! > >> I am building a quick testing station with the H901s with the 8/s so I can >> quickly fix these Flip Chips so I can provide a list on my website for >> anyone who needs one. > >I'd love to see pictures. > I am putting pictures online this weekend and will update everyone here. I installed the H901 panels on the 8/s so I can start some "testing" fun. I have to go out this weekend to buy some banana plug test leads for interconnection. These make it a lot easier to work with flip chips. I think I am going to have our graphic designer make a "No Chips Allowed" gif for the page. >> I will update the webpage over the next few weeks to catalog the parts and >> software I have to help others with their old transistor computers. > >Perhaps in a couple of months, I'll dig down through the pile far enough to >begin to recondition the cleaner of my Straight-8s. The dirty one was >apparently from a newspaper and coated in ink. It has a PA-60 which is, I >think, some kind of typesetter's interface. > Good stuff. I really enjoy restoring transistor systems.... it's made PDP 11s/newer 8s really boring. I am sure you will have as much fun as I have. >> Updates to members here (trying to save bandwidth) >> >> Chuck: I am going to storage this weekend. I will look for the RK8E cables >> for you. I don't need them as I don't like any "IC" PDP-8.. well, maybe an >> 8I. > >You have maybe an extra RK8E that you aren't going to use? All I have for >hard disk on ONMIBUS is RL01/RL8A sets. I've never had any RK stuff for >the -8. I do have this 16-sector RK05F pack (and no 16-sector RK05J packs, >only 12 sectors) that I'd love to read, but we've been over this on the >list before. At this point, I'd probably have to hack one of my RK05J drives >and replace the heads, realign it to match the pack, back it up, etc., etc. >I've always wondered what's on it. I've had it since 1984 and never owned the >gear to read it. > I have 8 RK05 drives. They all run well. I use to add as many of them as I could. I am looking for newer PDP-8 parts for folks here as I use to scrap them up to a couple of months ago. I even found bits of an 8I I butchered 15 years ago... I could never understand how someone could get excited about a 12 bit computer in 1972 when all the big boys were 16 bit or more. If I still have the cables he can have them. Besides, even if I tried to patch an RK05 to the 8/s (with about 400 flip chips) I would be doing it's "chip free" atmosphere a real disservice. john >-ethan > > >===== >Infinet has been sold. The domain is going away in February. >Please send all replies to > > erd(a)iname.com >__________________________________________________ >Do You Yahoo!? >Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com >

24 years, 6 months

Finally got a "straight" DF32 yesterday - bandwidth saver - many messages inside

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- Mike Ford <mikeford(a)socal.rr.com> wrote: > >More Paper tape software - A lot of old DECUS stuff for the 8/s (old dice > >game, 5,5/8,8), etc.. Two trays of Disk Monitor and PAL III-D. I STILL NEED > >MANY MORE PAPER TAPE TRAYS! > > I have two trays, blue things with a clear top and 8 sections about 1x1 > inch, 4 or 5 of said sections complete with papertape still in them. $1 & > postage to the first who wants them. Ooh... ooh... I'm interested (if you don't want to ship them to Canada). What's on the paper tape? I'm about to have a serial papertape reader hooked up to my Linux box (DEC PR/S01) as soon as I can borrow my friend's 20mA<->RS-232 adapter. -ethan ===== Infinet has been sold. The domain is going away in February. Please send all replies to erd(a)iname.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com

24 years, 6 months

Some articles on VCF 3.0

by siconic＠jasmine.psyber.com

Here are some articles on VCF 3.0 in case anyone is interested. http://www.mercurycenter.com/svtech/columns/dispatches/docs/mc093099b.htm http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,31638,00.html http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/technology/archive/1999/10/… I apologize for the lack of activity on the VCF website. I'm hoping to have it updated with pictures from the event (including the exhibits) before the end of the year :) Sellam International Man of Intrigue and Danger ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking for a six in a pile of nines... VCF East? VCF Europe!? YOU BETCHA!! Stay tuned for more information or contact me to find out how you can participate http://www.vintage.org

24 years, 6 months

Shipping old heavy stuff

by wsmith＠gj.com

FedEx 3-days service or FedEx freight is more expensive than UPS, but they take much better care of your stuff. I recently shipped my IBM 5100 cross-country by UPS and had bad results. I heavily wrapped the unit in bubble wrap, put it in a 275 lb test large box full of styrofoam popcorn, and then put that box in a larger 275 lb test box full of styrofoam popcorn. It arrived badly banged up, and half the cards had fallen out of the backplane. >>> "George Currie" <g(a)kurico.com> 11/04 12:39 PM >>> What shipping methods do people prefer for shipping larger (say > 100lbs, large deskside, small mini type) systems. If you send it through ups are you just guaranteeing it'll get banged up? What alternative, relatively inexpensive methods are available? George

24 years, 6 months

11/34 & Cool stuff, but what is it? (Q-bus gear)

by cmcmanis＠freegate.com

So I'm trying to collect the stuff I won at a recent auction, the most unexpected deal was the PDP 11/34 for $10 with the DEC Cassette tape transport. Its dirty and grimy but it seems complete. I could satisfy my desire for a Unibus -11 for now (and at a cost I appreciate :-) Anyone have any info on the DEC Cassettes? TU-?? they are standard audio format cassettes and one of the cassetes that came with it claims to have PAL, EDIT, and LINK on it. This will be fun to explore. Then I bid on a rack of "junk" which was topped off by a Kennedy 9610 tape drive. I bid on it because the tape drive had what appearred to be a 50 pin cable going to a Q-bus card marked Emulex. In fact it was _two_ 50 pin cables and the Emulex card is labelled QT1310401-00-REV E. On the firmware the label reads QT1310201-02 REV K. What is it? A search of the web turned up zilch. I was hoping it was a SCSI controller but two connectors? (one is terminated with resistor packs) On board is the obligatory processor and some switches. Anyone know how to configure this? (If nothing else it gives me 9-track capability. Another "jewel" on the rack was a Dilog Q696-20 dual ESDI controller. I'm going to try swapping the RQllD for this one and see if I can get NetBSD to run stably. The MSCP implementation in the RQ has a bug that NetBSD tickles so it makes it hard to debug things. Then what clearly _was_ a SCSI controller was a board from Alphatronix. This thing was connected to a dual cartridge disk unit. It looks from the front like CD-ROM drives with CDs in carriers but until I choose to risk power to it I can't get the media out to inspect it. The box is called an "inspire"? Anyway, the model number is Q/9142 or Q1.50, _any_ help here would be greatly appreciated. Then the other interesting card was a national instruments 179055-01 which has an Intel 8291? on board (date code of either '84 or '91). Sort of a weird 40 pin connector that goes to what looks like the old GPIB connectors. Final question, how do you "de-rack" the 11/34? I can get it to rotate but I can't get it to let go and come out of the rack. I don't want to transport it in the rack so... Its like christmas, --Chuck

24 years, 6 months

HP 9144A, other stuff

by jeff.kaneko＠juno.com

I think the caveat is that it needs to be INITIALIZE'd before use. Jeff On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 09:49:48 -0500 (EST) John Ruschmeyer <jruschme(a)hiway1.exit109.com> writes: > > > > John: > > > > Have you actually tried this? > > Back when we were using 9144's, we used to do it all the time. > > > The reason I'm asking is that on the Imation web site, they have a > > > compatibility chart, and the HP 9144 is listed as having 'NONE': > > > > HEWLETT-PACKARD, HP9134A NONE > > HEWLETT-PACKARD, HP9142A, HP9144A/M NONE > > HEWLETT-PACKARD, HP9145A NONE > > > > Although IOTAMAT format tapes are listed elsewhere on the table > at: > > > > http://www2.imation.com/dsp/cmptblty/dc_drv.html > > > > Could it be that Imation is hiding HP's 'dirty little secret'? > > Odd. > > <<<John>>> ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

24 years, 6 months

DECStation 5000/240 how to open?

by cmcmanis＠mcmanis.com

Ok, so its not classic but it was sitting under the Sun Shoebox I bid on so they made me take it. (And a DECStation 3100 which I thought at first was a VAX but alas, it was a mipper-doodle.) Two questions: 1) How do you open the 5000? I unscrewed the big knurled screw in the back/middle of the case but it is still stuck together like ants on honey. 2) The 3100 is stuffed with RAM, but I'm not sure what kind of RAM. Are the 3100 (and 5000) simms "standard?" (ie could I put them in a PC to get a size number, or better yet is there a number->size translation somewhere?) --Chuck

24 years, 6 months

Update: Schottky diode

by jpero＠cgocable.net

I just threw together that condcuivity tester and diode checker: All are in series: Pair of quick clips (those push-release to hook on something) I saved 2 dollars by cutting pair of clip jumpers and use the halves. 60mA 6V lamp and 6V battery and all that bits. The schottky diode DUT worked one way that lamp lights not else. The resistance ranges on my DMM is lying especially on those schottky diodes. Sheesh! I half-expected to blame bad diodes. What is your comments now that I have new results turned out this time? I have to borrow another DMM to scope out my DMM's resistance ranges, so keep everybody updated. Wizard

24 years, 6 months

Mitsubishi MP286L

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

In a message dated 11/4/99 5:53:02 PM Eastern Standard Time, rberryman(a)lucent.com writes: > I saw your question about getting into the set up of the MP286L and have a > similar problem, did you ever get an answer as to how to get into the setup? > I picked up one for $5 at a garage sell and the internal battery is dead so > the setting didn't save. It boots from the floppy and I want to check the > hard drive before I spend any money replacing the CPU battery, any help > would appreciated. > never got an answer, but i did find a generic setup program called gsetup31.exe that let me set the cmos parameters. unfortunately, i think the hard drive is dead in mine. if you cannot locate the program LMK and i will send it to you. DB Young Team OS/2 --> this message printed on recycled disk space view the computers of yesteryear at http://members.aol.com/suprdave/classiccmp/museum.htm (now accepting donations!)

24 years, 6 months

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test-drb November 1999