test-drb October 2001

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

259 participants
770 discussions

by acme_ent＠bellsouth.net

Ran across this on Ebay tonight: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1649083427 This transformer has a 115V primary, and several taps on the secondary ranging from 5 to 850 volts. What kind of device might require such a wide range of voltages? BTW (for those without 'net access) the device sold for USD103.50 and there were no details as to what this thing was used in. This leads me to believe that it's a high failure-rate component in a relatively expensive (and not uncommon) piece of gear. Any clues? Glen 0/0

23 years, 6 months

OT: Question for American Subscribers...

by DAW＠yalepress3.unipress.yale.edu

Why would a large computer retailer (CompUSA) stop selling gift certificates at this time of year? Might CompUSA be going titsup.com? --- David A Woyciesjes --- C & IS Support Specialist --- Yale University Press --- mailto:david.woyciesjes@yale.edu --- (203) 432-0953 --- ICQ # - 905818

23 years, 6 months

Redactron WP

by mhstein＠usa.net

Redactron dual mag card WP (with one card), schematic, no printer. Can I assume there's no interest and I can finally toss something without feeling guilty? mike

23 years, 6 months

An Organization (was: Do we have a VAX organization?)

by vcf＠vintage.org

On Mon, 29 Oct 2001, Jeffrey Sharp wrote: > I think that what is needed most is an international organization that > covers *all* vintage computers, software, and docs. We need something > that's implemented well enough that most of us would be convinced to join. > The best starting point I can think of is Sellam's VCF organization: > > * He already has one of the largest inventories of us all. That's a good > start towards a "Noah's ark" collection, which I think should be one > function of the organization. This is in fact one of my missions. I know I won't be able to get every single model of every single computer, but I can get close. And this has applications of both practicality and posterity. > * He's got www.vintage.org, which would be a primo domain name for the > organization. > > * He's got www.vintagetech.com, which would be the fundraising part of the > organization. Dues could be another. Um, for now, the funds that VintageTech generates are intended for the Sellam Ismail organization of getting by ;) > * He's got experience running VCFs. True dat. > Of course, Sellam would have to be interested in being the organization's > fearless leader! I appreciate being nominated for this lofty organization. In fact, what you've described is what I've been working towards for the past 4-5 years. It's just gone much slower and taken much longer than anticipated due to distractions and detours in my life. And this is hard work, especially for one guy. > Other things the organiztion could do: > > * A central, Yahoo-like web site that would become the world's foremost > resource for vintage computer information. It would try to replicate > all available information for preservation. Individual members would > also be given a mechanism to have their collection hosted on the site > under a uniform interface. Those who resist assimilation could still > have their sites linked to. You could get to info either by > collector name or a category/manufacturer/series/model tree. It would > be wonderful... One day the VCF website will be this portal. > * SIGs would, of course, solidify according to demand. I imagine the VAX > SIG (VSIG?) would be quite well represented. Each SIG could have its > own mailing list. The whole thing would be not unlike the FreeBSD > mailing list system. One of the next things on the agenda (after finishing the VCF Marketplace) is a messaging system. Of course, I don't know how useful this will be in the face of this list and other very active and strong lists. I'll put the tools out there, it'll be up to folks to put them to good use. > * Rename itself from VCF to IVCA. "International Vintage Computing > Association" to outsiders, "International Vintage Computing Asylum" > for insiders. :-) The VCF will eventually become an international "society" dedicated to the preservation of old computers and computer history. The VCF events are to be yearly gatherings that cap off activities that occur throughout the year. My desire for the past couple years has been to sponsor local computer collector clubs throughout the world, to create local interest that then grows into a connected network of clubs. > > * I don't know... other stuff. > > As you can see, I'm all about grandiose ideas. Now won't someone rise up > and implement them? :-) Me too. If I could get organized enough to create an actual organization then things would move faster. Of course it would require the sacrifices of other people interested in seeing this vision implemented. Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org

23 years, 6 months

VLB SCSI?

by dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com

> The AHA2842 is a narrow-SCSI card, though it's possibly the best ADAPTEC ever > produced. I've been using them for years without a hitch, while their newer > cards, (2940, 3940, 3985, etc) seem to bring with them both a short life and > lots of compatibility issues. > > Unfortunately, the VLB is alread a "classic" feature, having been "dead" now for > over a decade. While I'm sure they exist (i.e. EISA ones), I don't have any 486 motherboards that aren't VLB boards, the most recent of which was bought new in 1994. Still, while not-quite-classic, VLB sure isn't leading the industry... -dq

23 years, 6 months

Ken Slusser

by acme_ent＠bellsouth.net

> I talked to Ken this afternoon. > He needs 3-4K to cover the back rent on the storage > and is looking for someone to take all this stuff and > sell it on eBay for him. He thinks it's worth $100000 Well, hey, if a CoCo is worth $2500 . . . Glen 0/0

23 years, 6 months

Looking for DECNA

by dittman＠dittman.net

I'm still looking for a DECNA for a Pro350/Pro380. I thought I'd ask again to see if anyone has an extra. -- Eric Dittman dittman(a)dittman.net Check out the DEC Enthusiasts Club at http://www.dittman.net/

23 years, 6 months

CPU design at the gate level

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

The fake for that using discretes is one transistor per emitter used with the bases and collectors as common. The other is diodes. The real problem is level shifting and the use of excess redundant transistors. Allison -----Original Message----- From: Greg Ewing <greg(a)cosc.canterbury.ac.nz> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Date: Wednesday, October 31, 2001 8:04 PM Subject: Re: CPU design at the gate level >"Peter C. Wallace" <pcw(a)mesanet.com>: > >> There was non-integrated RTL and DTL logic before ICs not sure about non >> integrated TTL... > >I don't think non-integrated TTL is even possible using >standard parts. It relies on multiple-emitter transistors, >and I've never heard of anyone making those available >discretely. > >Greg Ewing, Computer Science Dept, +--------------------------------------+ >University of Canterbury, | A citizen of NewZealandCorp, a | >Christchurch, New Zealand | wholly-owned subsidiary of USA Inc. | >greg(a)cosc.canterbury.ac.nz +--------------------------------------+

23 years, 6 months

hard-sector 5 1/4 disk

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Oct 30, 10:32, Fred Cisin (XenoSoft) wrote: > 3.5" 1.4M (I have NEVER seen a 1.44M format!) are also at 300RPM However, many original 3.5" (SSDD not HD) ran at 600rpm, but with 2x the normal data rate (so the disks could also be used in 300rpm drives at normal data rates). -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

23 years, 6 months

And the winner is...

by millerbj＠umich.edu

Chad Fernandez As promised, I waited until Wednesday. Chad was among the first to email me, and he happens to live right on my way home to good ol' Nashville (or Vermontville, take your pick) - thank all things holy I grew up in Chicago. Thanks for playing everyone. Blair

23 years, 6 months

DELUA/DELQA needed, trade....

by oliv555＠arrl.net

I am in need of the aforementioned ethernet cards; possible trade items I have are KFQSA (skunk), KLESI-(Q), M9312's, RXV21, RA70, RA73 or .... -nick oliviero

23 years, 6 months

Emulex Qbus Disk controller? (Wiring diagram for connectors?)

by CordaAJ＠nswc.navy.mil

Thanks! I believe I have a couple of ESDI drives hanging around from one of my SGI 4D/70 behemoths.... I've done another quick deja search and, while it's confirmed the ESDIness of the controller, There doesn't seem to be any info out there as far as the DIP switch, and pinouts for the connectors. (I also checked a few other sites I know of that have scanned DEC manuals, but no luck... anyone know of a site with a scanned manual for this critter?) If I remember correctly, ESDI has a MFM-like interconnect with separate control and data cables. The control cable daisy-chains across the drives, while the data cables star out from the controller to each drive. Since my controller has 3 connectors, I would guess that it probably supports 2 drives (one connector driving the control cable, and one data connector for each of two drives) What I don't know is the pinouts for the connectors on the controller (since all 3 connectors appear to be identical in size and SCSI-2 form factor) does anyone have a clue as to the connector assignments and wiring pattern? I can possibly hack a couple of SCSI2 cables to make a viable adaptor... -thanks- -al- -acorda(a)1bigred.com > -----Original Message----- > From: Chuck McManis [mailto:cmcmanis@mcmanis.com] > Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2001 4:00 PM > To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org > Subject: Re: Emulex Qbus Disk controller? (Need help identifying this > one) > > > Search on Emulex QD24 and you'll be rewarded with the > information that it > is an Emulex MSCP ESDI disk controller. Which can be just as > useful as a > SCSI card since finding a couple of 300MB ESDI drives > shouldn't be too > hard. I think I've got a 170MB one laying about somewhere. > Kirk Davis (kdb(a)ndx.net) mentioned he had some SCSI > controllers he was > thinking about trading for PDP-11 gear. Also I just missed a > lot that had > about 10 Dilog SCSI controllers on it at a local scrap/bid > place (had I > known I would have bid more than the $75 it went for :-() my > interest was > in the more mundane things like a couple of DSSI ID plugs and > an external > DSSI disk expansion box. > > --Chuck > > At 11:32 AM 10/31/01, you wrote: > > >I'm trying to bring up NetBSD on a Vax 4000/300, and so I'm > >looking for a MSCP SCSI disk controller. After going through > >my stack of Qbus boards (collected from hamfests, etc.) I came across > >one that looks like it might be a SCSI controller... unfortunately, > >I haven't been able to confirm it, since a google search turns up > >very little on it (a bad sign...sigh) The board is labeled: > > > >"Emulex Corp QD2410401-02 rev F" > > > >It has 3 connectors and a DIP switch on the front plate. The > >connectors appear to be of the SCSI-2 form factor. Has anyone > >run across this critter before, or tried it with NetBSD? Come > >to think of it, Is this even SCSI, or something else > >entirely? Also, does anyone know where their might be some > >on-line docs for it, or at least a description of the DIP > switch settings... > > > >-thanks- > >-al- > >-acorda(a)1bigred.com >

23 years, 6 months

TRS-80 Model 4P needs new home

by vcf＠vintage.org

Sue Beck of Concord, Massachusetts, has a TRS-80 Model 4P that needs to find a new home. Please contact her directly. Reply-to: <sbeck(a)world.std.com> Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org

23 years, 6 months

VAX 6400's futile attempts to booting Ultrix 4.1, still some progress ...

by gunther＠aurora.regenstrief.org

Hi, O.K. the good news is that I managed to boot VMS, read all 40 files from the Ultrix 4.1 boot tape without error (and with the right block size :-) and write those files back to a TK70 tape without major problems. I know that the tape is good and the drive is good. (At least good enough.) And still we won't boot. But that means that something is wrong with that Ultrix version 4.1. It doesn't work on the VAX 6400. Fortunately I am in the position of access to sources that would allow me to build an Ultrix 4.2 based loader. However, I'm even convinced that it isn't the loader's fault. The 4.2 sources of the loader show that it always prints an error before halting. And I never see an error. In fact the only way for the loader to exit without a message appears to be its non-returning call to the vmb.exe gizmo. And -- oh bummer -- I don't seem to have source code for that one. The interesting light pattern at the TBK70 board and the console fault light seems not to indicate a read error >from tape, but more likely a futile attempt of some boot stage of getting to talk to the TBK70 and carrying on the next boot stage. Too bad I can't find out when and where this happens. Anyway, quite likely its in the vmb.exe gizmo which is a black box. So, I might need some boot tape of a newer version (one that properly supports the VAX 6400 series) or I have to find an alternative booting strategy. I guess the MOP booting of ultrix might becoming a more feasible option. So, here is a call upon all of you who know something about MOP booting Ultrix. Please give me any info you might have. I have mopd and am on FreeBSD as the boot host. ... ... ... Another alternative is to set up an "InfoServer" VAX station with a CD ROM and an Ultrix CD of a post 4.1 version. Is this something someone has available? May be in the area or something one could set up accessible through the Internet (a 36 kbps modem line, ahem...) Once I have Ultrix up on one machine I can help others to do the same. If not by writing a boot tape by ... ... here is another option how a good soul could help me get going: If you have an Ultrix 4.2 or higher running on an RA disk, I would appreciate a disk image. That I should be able to raw write to another RA90 (or RA82) using VMS and then boot from that disk. Just make sure there is a GENERIC kernel on the disk image. I still don't have a KFMSA, so RF disk images would not help me. Except, perhaps, if someone has Ultrix 4.2 or higher running and some spare disks to tinker with, I might be able to fiddle a generic disk image that could be installed on any disk. BTW: after having fixed my TU81 unit number problem, I still can't boot from TU81. Seems like the VAX 6400 with my EEPROM revision doesn't know how to boot from TU81. If someone (Geoff?) knows he can boot that way, may be I could use an EEPROM update. Would appreciate your EEPROM dump then. Thanks much, -Gunther -- Gunther Schadow, M.D., Ph.D. gschadow(a)regenstrief.org Medical Information Scientist Regenstrief Institute for Health Care Adjunct Assistant Professor Indiana University School of Medicine tel:1(317)630-7960 http://aurora.regenstrief.org

23 years, 6 months

SGI challenge L

by CordaAJ＠nswc.navy.mil

I could definitely use the following: 1. CPU board. 2. IO board. 3. Power Bricks. 4. Memory. -thanks- -al- -acorda(a)1bigred.com > -----Original Message----- > From: Lawrence LeMay [mailto:lemay@cs.umn.edu] > Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2001 2:57 PM > To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org > Subject: SGI challenge L > > > Does anyone here have a SGI Challenge L? They're tossing a > few that dont > work, so I might be able to get a small part or so if it is > needed. There > are some hard drives, i'm told they are differential, but > they probably > wont last long once the students start grabbing them (students dont > know what differential is anyways). > > -Lawrence LeMay > lemay(a)cs.umn.edu >

23 years, 6 months

Price guide for vintage computers

by mhstein＠usa.net

Since I haven't seen it mentioned here and in order to continue this fascinating thread with erudite arguments over their validity, I notice that UC Davis has suggested values for the items in their collection: http://wwwcsif.cs.ucdavis.edu/~csclub/museum/contents.html

23 years, 6 months

Emulex Qbus Disk controller? (Need help identifying this one)

by cmcmanis＠mcmanis.com

Search on Emulex QD24 and you'll be rewarded with the information that it is an Emulex MSCP ESDI disk controller. Which can be just as useful as a SCSI card since finding a couple of 300MB ESDI drives shouldn't be too hard. I think I've got a 170MB one laying about somewhere. Kirk Davis (kdb(a)ndx.net) mentioned he had some SCSI controllers he was thinking about trading for PDP-11 gear. Also I just missed a lot that had about 10 Dilog SCSI controllers on it at a local scrap/bid place (had I known I would have bid more than the $75 it went for :-() my interest was in the more mundane things like a couple of DSSI ID plugs and an external DSSI disk expansion box. --Chuck At 11:32 AM 10/31/01, you wrote: >I'm trying to bring up NetBSD on a Vax 4000/300, and so I'm >looking for a MSCP SCSI disk controller. After going through >my stack of Qbus boards (collected from hamfests, etc.) I came across >one that looks like it might be a SCSI controller... unfortunately, >I haven't been able to confirm it, since a google search turns up >very little on it (a bad sign...sigh) The board is labeled: > >"Emulex Corp QD2410401-02 rev F" > >It has 3 connectors and a DIP switch on the front plate. The >connectors appear to be of the SCSI-2 form factor. Has anyone >run across this critter before, or tried it with NetBSD? Come >to think of it, Is this even SCSI, or something else >entirely? Also, does anyone know where their might be some >on-line docs for it, or at least a description of the DIP switch settings... > >-thanks- >-al- >-acorda(a)1bigred.com

23 years, 6 months

Sharp PC-5000 for sale (early 1983 "laptop") update

by spedraja＠ono.com

I'm actually centered in other adquisitions. If this wouldn't be so you can have no doubt about I should make a bid for it for some more money. Is a really pretty system. Greetings Sergio -----Mensaje original----- De: Vintage Computer Festival <vcf(a)vintage.org> Para: Classic Computers Mailing List <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Fecha: mi?rcoles, 31 de octubre de 2001 21:21 Asunto: Re: Sharp PC-5000 for sale (early 1983 "laptop") update > >This is your last chance to submit an offer, otherwise this thing goes for >$77. > >I'm surprised there's not more interest in this. > >Oh well. > >---------- Forwarded message ---------- >Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 15:58:28 -0700 (PDT) >From: Vintage Computer Festival <vcf(a)vintage.org> >To: Classic Computers Mailing List <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> >Subject: Re: Sharp PC-5000 for sale (early 1983 "laptop") update > > >Someone's going to get a hell of a deal. Top offer so far is $77. > >I'm also throwing in the printer module with this: > >http://www.siconic.com/crap/sharp_t_printer.jpg > >This fits into the compartment on the top of the computer. > >> I have a new-in-box Sharp PC-5000 for sale at $350 or best offer by 6:00PM >> PST October 31st. That is, $350 takes it now (going by first received >> e-mail response); otherwise, it goes to the best offer under $350 that I >> receive by 6PM-10/31. Buyer pays shipping from zip code 94588. I am >> willing to ship internationally >> >> The Sharp PC-5000 is one of the very first clamshell style portables >> (later known as laptops) circa 1983. According to our own Uncle Roger, it >> even beat out the Gavilan. >> >> http://sinasohn.com/cgi-bin/clascomp/bldhtm.pl?computer=shp5000 >> >> This unit comes in the original box, with the original packing foam, is >> basically new, has the manuals and battery and power supply (everything >> that originally came with it), as well as a bubble memory carthridge. >> >> Photos: >> >> The Computer >> http://www.siconic.com/crap/sharp5000.jpg >> >> The Box >> http://www.siconic.com/crap/sharp_box.jpg >> >> The Manual >> http://www.siconic.com/crap/Sharp_us_g.jpg >> >> The Bubble Memory Module >> http://www.siconic.com/crap/Sharp_Bm_box.jpg >> >> Please reply directly to me at <sellam(a)vintage.org>. If you have any >> questions, ask away! > >Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- >International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org > >

23 years, 6 months

SGI challenge L

by lemay＠cs.umn.edu

Does anyone here have a SGI Challenge L? They're tossing a few that dont work, so I might be able to get a small part or so if it is needed. There are some hard drives, i'm told they are differential, but they probably wont last long once the students start grabbing them (students dont know what differential is anyways). -Lawrence LeMay lemay(a)cs.umn.edu

23 years, 6 months

Emulex Qbus Disk controller? (Need help identifying this one)

by uban＠ubanproductions.com

>From the Field Guide to Qbus and Unibus Modules: http://world.std.com/~mbg/pdp11-field-guide.txt It would appear that you have the following: QD24 Q Emulex ESDI disk controller. Emulates MSCP. For VAX 3500/3600 I'm not sure which one you really want, but it is probably in the Field Guide, possibly one of the UC controllers. --tom At 02:32 PM 10/31/01 -0500, you wrote: > >I'm trying to bring up NetBSD on a Vax 4000/300, and so I'm >looking for a MSCP SCSI disk controller. After going through >my stack of Qbus boards (collected from hamfests, etc.) I came across >one that looks like it might be a SCSI controller... unfortunately, >I haven't been able to confirm it, since a google search turns up >very little on it (a bad sign...sigh) The board is labeled: > >"Emulex Corp QD2410401-02 rev F" > >It has 3 connectors and a DIP switch on the front plate. The >connectors appear to be of the SCSI-2 form factor. Has anyone >run across this critter before, or tried it with NetBSD? Come >to think of it, Is this even SCSI, or something else >entirely? Also, does anyone know where their might be some >on-line docs for it, or at least a description of the DIP switch settings... > >-thanks- >-al- >-acorda(a)1bigred.com > > > >

23 years, 6 months

Price guide for vintage computers

by mhstein＠usa.net

----------------Original Message--------------- Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001 22:52:35 -0800 From: "Wayne M. Smith" <wmsmith(a)earthlink.net> Subject: Re: Price guide for vintage computers Odd values. $500 for a DG-1, but only $250 for an IMSAI 8080? Don't think so. ------------- Didn't think so either, but thought it'd be interesting to show just how useful(-less?) a price guide might be. ----------------Original Message2--------------- Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001 23:22:01 -0800 From: "Ernest" <ernestls(a)home.com> Subject: RE: Price guide for vintage computers Well there you go. No need for further discussion. The definitive price guide has already been written. E. ------------- LOL

23 years, 6 months

Sharp PC-5000 for sale (early 1983 "laptop") update

by vcf＠vintage.org

This is your last chance to submit an offer, otherwise this thing goes for $77. I'm surprised there's not more interest in this. Oh well. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 15:58:28 -0700 (PDT) From: Vintage Computer Festival <vcf(a)vintage.org> To: Classic Computers Mailing List <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Subject: Re: Sharp PC-5000 for sale (early 1983 "laptop") update Someone's going to get a hell of a deal. Top offer so far is $77. I'm also throwing in the printer module with this: http://www.siconic.com/crap/sharp_t_printer.jpg This fits into the compartment on the top of the computer. > I have a new-in-box Sharp PC-5000 for sale at $350 or best offer by 6:00PM > PST October 31st. That is, $350 takes it now (going by first received > e-mail response); otherwise, it goes to the best offer under $350 that I > receive by 6PM-10/31. Buyer pays shipping from zip code 94588. I am > willing to ship internationally > > The Sharp PC-5000 is one of the very first clamshell style portables > (later known as laptops) circa 1983. According to our own Uncle Roger, it > even beat out the Gavilan. > > http://sinasohn.com/cgi-bin/clascomp/bldhtm.pl?computer=shp5000 > > This unit comes in the original box, with the original packing foam, is > basically new, has the manuals and battery and power supply (everything > that originally came with it), as well as a bubble memory carthridge. > > Photos: > > The Computer > http://www.siconic.com/crap/sharp5000.jpg > > The Box > http://www.siconic.com/crap/sharp_box.jpg > > The Manual > http://www.siconic.com/crap/Sharp_us_g.jpg > > The Bubble Memory Module > http://www.siconic.com/crap/Sharp_Bm_box.jpg > > Please reply directly to me at <sellam(a)vintage.org>. If you have any > questions, ask away! Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org

23 years, 6 months

Emulex Qbus Disk controller? (Need help identifying this one)

by CordaAJ＠nswc.navy.mil

I'm trying to bring up NetBSD on a Vax 4000/300, and so I'm looking for a MSCP SCSI disk controller. After going through my stack of Qbus boards (collected from hamfests, etc.) I came across one that looks like it might be a SCSI controller... unfortunately, I haven't been able to confirm it, since a google search turns up very little on it (a bad sign...sigh) The board is labeled: "Emulex Corp QD2410401-02 rev F" It has 3 connectors and a DIP switch on the front plate. The connectors appear to be of the SCSI-2 form factor. Has anyone run across this critter before, or tried it with NetBSD? Come to think of it, Is this even SCSI, or something else entirely? Also, does anyone know where their might be some on-line docs for it, or at least a description of the DIP switch settings... -thanks- -al- -acorda(a)1bigred.com

23 years, 6 months

HP2000 notes

by sieler＠allegro.com

One more: Scans of an HP 2000 brochure are at: http://www.editcorp.com/Links/Gallery/index.html Stan Sieler sieler(a)allegro.com www.allegro.com/sieler/wanted/index.html www.allegro.com/sieler

23 years, 6 months

HP 2000 notes

by sieler＠allegro.com

Hi, Seen on another newsgroup, I thought this might be of interest to HP 2000 collectors ... particularly the note about "dozens of paper tapes" :) ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Date sent: Wed, 31 Oct 2001 11:11:28 -0500 Subject: Re: [HP3000-L] OT: HP2000? From: John Korb <johnkorb(a)LASER.NET> To: HP3000-L(a)RAVEN.UTC.EDU Send reply to: John Korb <johnkorb(a)LASER.NET> The HP 2000 is a very old machine, the last of which rolled off the assembly line in 1978. George Mason University (the State University in Northern Virginia) had (it is long gone) the next-to-last HP 2000 produced. It ran a version of the operating system with date code 1812. The operating system on this system was "HP 2000 ACCESS BASIC". The system GMU had (which was fairly typical of the HP 2000's of the day) consisted of the following hardware: -- one 21MX-E processor with 64K bytes RAM, used as the "System Processor" -- one 21MX-E processor with 64K bytes RAM, used as the "I/O Processor" -- one 7970E nine track 1600 CPI tape drive -- one 7920 disc drive with 50 MB capacity, of which the Access operating system could only address the first approximately 33 MB -- one 2617 line printer -- one 2392A card reader -- one 2640b terminal as the system console The operating system supported 32 users. As the "HP 2000 ACCESS BASIC" name implies, the system supported a single language, BASIC, but it was a good one, and the old BASIC/V on the HP 3000 appears to be an expansion of the HP 2000 ACCESS BASIC. There were interfaces RJE, and many HP 2000's supported users who created/edited batch jobs on the HP 2000 which were then submitted through the RJE interface to an IBM, CDC, Univac, or other mainframe (as GMU did). There was no print spooler or spooler for the card reader, so people wrote their own, in BASIC, some supporting GE Terminets or DECwriters as remote spooled printers. The accounting structure was based upon account names consisting of four characters - a letter followed by a three digit number. The "A000" account was the equivalent of the HP 3000's "PUB.SYS". It was the system library account, and had special privileges. It was here that you placed the "HELLO" program that every user ran when they logged in, whether they knew it or not. Group library accounts on the HP 2000 were those accounts where the three digits in the account name were "000". For example, all users in the accounts D301 through D399 would be allowed special access to programs/files in the D300 account. The Z999 account was used by HP for special purposes. It has been so long now that I don't remember what the unique capabilities of Z999 were. The HP 2000 also had the capability of running other operating systems in stand-alone, single-user mode. One of these was Fortran, but I never used it so I can't comment on it. In my basement I still have dozens of paper tapes of HP 2000 BASIC programs. In 1999 and 2000 I converted some of those to run on the Classic (16 bit) HP 3000 in BASIC/V. The most difficult part of converting HP 2000 BASIC programs to run on the HP 3000 is that the disc files on the HP 2000 were based on 512 byte "blocks", which means that any HP 2000 application "smart" enough to know the algorithm used to calculate how many free bytes there are remaining in a block (there are overhead bytes for each string, etc.) has to be painfully rewritten to run on the HP 3000. That's about all I have time for. I hope that gives you some feel for the HP 2000. There were many of us who loved that little system. As to whether there are any still running, I don't know, but I doubt it. John At 2001-10-31 10:21, David T Darnell wrote: >Dear List, > >I've seen references to the HP2000 a few times on this list. [...] >What's an HP2000? Where can I get more info on it. How about online docs? ------- End of forwarded message ------- Stan Sieler sieler(a)allegro.com www.allegro.com/sieler/wanted/index.html www.allegro.com/sieler

23 years, 6 months

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test-drb October 2001