> On 8 Mar 1999, Eric Smith wrote:
>>Why wouldn't you count CD32? If they do a new set-top, and it fails, and
>
> OK, let's say we made up a chronological list of every set-top box ever
> made. Now, we scratch off the CD-32. What other famous ones are left and
> what number from first was the CD-32? I think this may be more impervious
> to your semantic games :)
>
> Anyway, I guess it depends on how you define set-top (two can play
> this...). Isn't a C-64 or Apple ][ a set-top box? Is a Sega Genesis a
> set-top? What exactly must a set-top be able to do that these three can't?
>
> --Max Eskin (max82(a)surfree.com)
A CD32 IS a set-top box, I think, by today's current definition. Said term
wasn't around when the CD32 was. But this WAS there era, was it not, of the
CD-Interactive? That also might qualify. Also Apple's abortive "Pippen"
would qualify as a proto-set-top device (and something I wouldn't mind
having.)
I always thought of a "set-top" box as having several qualities: It was
coming out of the stereo-system/VCR/video game consumer orientation. Which
means, among other things, that the remote control comes first and the
keyboard is an option. You as user are some distance from the device, not
seated in front stabbing at buttons. (Commodores and Apples get disqualified
for this reason.)
Second, there's some sense of not "turning it on and watching it boot" which
has come to pervade computers.
I installed an ESDI disk in my uVax. It didn't work. I took it apart and
discovered that the cable had been caught in the door and had ripped (flat
cable). Disconnected it and the drive and the system doesn't come up to a
prompt anymore. Sometimes the display on the back goes to 'F' and sometimes
to 'C'. I've also noticed that my DC-OK light isn't lighting up.
Is is possible I've toasted some aspect of the pwr supply? (perhaps just
switching it on and off has done this)
--Chuck
>I've got several PDP-11's, all unibus - that use the RQDX2 controller.
If you have Unibus, you can't possibly be using an RQDX2 controller.
RQDXn series was Qbus only... (the only Unibus machine it might
work in is the 11/84, but only in the qbus portion of the machine).
>A friend of mine just came up with a 380mb Maxtor ESDI drive. Will the
>RQDX2 support it?
No. You need an ESDI controller. Like the DEC KFQSA, or the Andromeda
ESDC, or an Emulex QD-22 (?)
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 |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
>How embarassing... my 11's are Qbus - NOT unibus....
Just trying to keep you honest... :-)
Seriously, the comment still stands. The RQDXn controllers won't
handle ESDI. When you go looking for a controller, make sure it
is fast enough to handle the disks. About a year ago, I got an
ESDI controller for some disks, but it wasn't fast enough (at
10 Mbit/s) to handle the disk I had... But the Andromeda ESDC
(at 15 Mbit/s) worked just fine.
Oh yeah, I just realized I screwed up too... the KFQSA is DSSI,
not ESDI (so many TLAs, so little time)...
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 |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
How embarassing... my 11's are Qbus - NOT unibus....
-----Original Message-----
From: Jay West <jlwest(a)tseinc.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Monday, March 08, 1999 3:59 PM
Subject: PDP-11 (Qbus) disk question
>I've got several PDP-11's, all unibus - that use the RQDX2 controller.
>
>A friend of mine just came up with a 380mb Maxtor ESDI drive. Will the
RQDX2
>support it?
>
>Jay West
>
>
And with a uVax in mind, where does the 9047 bus grant go? The last C/D
slot (4) underneat the ethernet or in the first non C/D slot ? (I'm
guessing the former...)
--Chuck
>IIRC, the ETA has Tiny Basic in ROM. I recall having fun lashing it up to
>my new, freshly-built H-19 terminal and later, my freshly-built H-8
>computer via a terminal program (which I've long forgotten which) from
>the HUG. Those were the days! :-) :-) :-)
That's it... just rub it in...
Now I really want to find one... <sigh>
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 |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
>This is the point isn't it? Finding an Altair at a garage sale or swap
>meeting in Bloomington Indiana would be like finding the Holy Grail in a
>pawn shop, not friggin likely.
Really? I managed to scavenge up a half-dozen IMSAI'S and almost as
many Altairs in a couple of years in Southern California in the early
90's. Then again, I didn't just scout around at garage sales - I
hooked up with the owners through local clubs, business associates,
etc. Or I frequented places that do industrial-type surplus. I
wasn't particularly targetting IMSAI's and Altair's, these acquisitions
came about mainly in the course of looking for other stuff.
There's a few lessons here, I think:
1. Never define what you're looking for too narrowly. There's lots
of interesting stuff to play with out there - you don't need any
particular brand/model/serial number of computer to enjoy them.
2. Be willing to call or visit anywhere in a 50-mile radius at a
moment's notice.
3. Be dedicated, don't give up, and get lucky :-)
I honestly don't think anyone can complain that there aren't interesting
things out there to collect. In the past decade, I probably averaged
8000-10000 pounds of stuff a year (then again, I'm mainly interested in
minis and industrial controllers.)
Tim.
Greetings to all:
Since I've been absent for about a week, 800 messages have piled-up
>from the list; reviewing them will take awhile so I'm posting this
to report on the HP-85 belt/capstan issues status globally.
The belts have arrived and are being mailed-out early this week. I
installed a set in our HP-85 and they work well.
I tried a new approach to capstan repair which I find works very well.
Clean the capstan of old rubber down to a minimal amount of residue
with isopropyl. Obtain a can of dipping vinyl (for coating tool
handles, etc.); most hardware stores should have it. Remove the
capstan/encoder wheel ass'y from the motor shaft. Prepare the
vinyl properly according to directions with the product. Dip the
capstan (inverted) at the rate of about 5 seconds for its length,
being careful to just dip just above the bottom rim of the capstan
wheel so that the vinyl creates an overlap of 90 degrees. Withdraw
the part at the same rate as insertion. Immediately invert the
part and place on a level surface in a warm place to dry for four
hours. During the drying time you will note that any vertical
asymmetry evens out. Repeat with another dip and 4 hour dry.
The results were very good and tests with an old tape containing
an 84 record program produced no errors (reading or writing).
Attached is a small jpg which gives an idea of the appearance of the
results (max mag. avail with the camera lens).
Michael Grigoni
Cybertheque Museum
