Pulled off alt.foklore.computers:
Interdata History - From: Will Jennings <XDS_Sigma7(a)hotmail.com>
Fri Jun 9 14:42:19 2000
<quote on>
Subject: Interdata, Perkin-Elmer, et al.
OK, a brief history of Interdata, etc.;
Interdata was founded in about 1967 in Oceanport, NJ, and the majority
of the funding was put up by the local jockey club because they wanted
to grow Oceanport into a more high-tech area. This would later cause
them some problems, i.e. I heard a story about how AT&T was going to
buy a large quantity of Interdata machines, then looked into the
background of the company, saw that the Oceanport Jockey Club was the
main stockholder, and cancelled the deal. Afterwards, they
redistributed the stock so that say John Doe was a stockholder, and he
just *happened* to belong to the jockey club (told to me by a former
Interdata employee). Anyway, the Interdata machines use the IBM S/360
instruction set, and most programs written in S/360 assembler will run
unmodified on an Interdata, provided that they don't use floating point
(S/360 floating point is ODD!), and are not dependent on a certain IBM
device being present, i.e. a program that had routines specifically for
use with a 7320 in it would not work. The assembler is even called CAL
(Common Assembly Language) whereas the S/360 assembler is called BAL
(Basic Assembly Language). Interdata also used the weird IBm terms,
i.e. SELCH, MUX, IPL, MTM, etc. In fact, on the later machines, the
racks are even IBM blue. I could talk about all the Interdata models
but I don't want to flood the list, so I'll keep it to their most
significant model, the 7/32. The 7/32 was the world's first 32-bit
minicomputer, introduced in 1973. The 7/32 is also significant in that
it has a cycle of either 750 or 1000ns, depending on the core, and it
can have up to one megabyte of memory. Not to mention the fact that it
has a full display panel, which is even more impressive with the
hexidecimal option. Anyway, Perkin-Elmer bought Interdata in about
1975, and continued to market and develop the products but with the P-E
name on them. The first machine that P-E sold without it being a
rebadged Interdata was the 3220 (1978), which looks a lot like the 30xx
series of machines from IBM. The 3200 series machines are backward
compatible with the two Interdata 32 bit machines, the 7/32 and 8/32.
In 1979, P-E released the 3210, which is twice as fast as a VAX 11/780,
and it fits in a normal size rack instead of a massive unwieldy thing.
In 1985, P-E spun off the computer division as Concurrent Computer
Corporation, who is still in business (http://www.ccur.com). Concurrent
also bought Masscomp in about 1989 or so, and still makes machines
based around Masscomp's RTU operating system. All of the Interdata/P-
E/Concurrent hardware is specifically designed for real-time
applications, and as such, is less well-known then companies like DEC
who made general-purpose machines. If anyone is interested, I'll make
an Interdate/P-E/Concurrent web page. I personally own 2 Interdata
7/32's, 2 P-E 3203's, a P-E 3205, and 3 P-E 3210's. I wouldn't mind
more either... or a Masscomp.. heh
Will J (From: Will Jennings <XDS_Sigma7(a)hotmail.com>)
<quote off>
http://www.elektor-electronics.co.uk/
-----Original Message-----
From: Sipke de Wal [mailto:sipke@wxs.nl]
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 4:14 PM
To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: SC/MP Elektor Emulator
<snip>
By the way .......
I know the url of the dutch Elektor site: http://www.elektuur.nl
(but don't know if they have versions of their site for other languages )
<snip>
It's in the RSU catalog.
It's on the wall in nashua as part of a chassis box.
I don't claim any genius but, it still amazes me that I can find something so trivial with zero effort. IF ALL ELSE FAILS TRY THE DIGIKEY OR NEWARK CATALOGS. Sure they are pricy but they do have it. Keypads are still used widely for many applications,
where is the difficulty?
Allison
------Original Message------
From: "Richard Erlacher" <edick(a)idcomm.com>
To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
Sent: April 17, 2001 3:37:49 AM GMT
Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads
Well, talking to the folks at Radio Shack, visiting a store, and searching
through their catalog (with the aid of the fellow at the store) didn't yield any
keypad kits. The part number you posted doesn't fit a Radio Shack part number
format according to the guy at RS. That's why I asked for the part number,
because, though they have thousands of stores with many employees, they have,
collectively, only two grey cells to rub together when it comes to finding
something. That's as much as I'm going to do, since (a) I dislike going to
Radio Shack (b) I don't have a KIM-1, nor am I likely to get one, and (3) I
doubt that Radio Shack will EVER have a keypad that will even with extensive
modification be suitable for this application, or, for that matter, anything
else of any value, except by the wildest stroke of luck.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "ajp166" <ajp166(a)bellatlantic.net>
To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2001 5:13 PM
Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads
> From: Richard Erlacher <edick(a)idcomm.com>
>
> >
> >This RS pad must have a catalog number, though, Allison. Since you've
> seen it,
> >perhaps you could provide the catalog number, as the RS meatheads
> wouldn't know
> >what a keypad kit was if you asked them.
>
>
> Well while picking up a barrel connector I noticed the Nashua store had
> it on
> the wall. I think 270-015 is the catalog number. Sheesh, if I do that
> might
> as well sent it to me for installation and labeling. Is it possible to
> read a catalog
> these days or has the "go ask the web, thin I don't have to work"
> mentality
> taken over?
>
> Allison
>
>
I didn't miss the point. Rather I choose to ignore the whining
and moaning about something that is not rocket science. Given that basic box ( the key pad is removeable!) and a pair of shears I'd be running. Then again I'd be able to find a better match because I'd look rather than grousing about it.
Sheesh!
Allison
------Original Message------
From: "Richard Erlacher" <edick(a)idcomm.com>
To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
Sent: April 17, 2001 2:54:34 PM GMT
Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads
You've missed the point, Allison ... There are dimensional requirements that
have to be met if the keypad is to fit as a replacement for the KIM-1 keypad.
It must physically fit, and it must have the same scanning matrix. Now, I
haven't seen the chassis box to which you refer, but I'd bet that RS doesn't
sell the keypad by itself, nor do I believe that the keypad is dimensionally
suitable.
If one is interested in an external keypad, there are LOTS of options, and
there's certainly no need to consider the sort of rubbish sold at RS.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "ajp me" <ajp166(a)bellatlantic.net>
To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 6:48 AM
Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads
> It's in the RSU catalog.
> It's on the wall in nashua as part of a chassis box.
>
> I don't claim any genius but, it still amazes me that I can find something so
trivial with zero effort. IF ALL ELSE FAILS TRY THE DIGIKEY OR NEWARK CATALOGS.
Sure they are pricy but they do have it. Keypads are still used widely for many
applications,
> where is the difficulty?
>
> Allison
>
>
> ------Original Message------
> From: "Richard Erlacher" <edick(a)idcomm.com>
> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
> Sent: April 17, 2001 3:37:49 AM GMT
> Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads
>
>
> Well, talking to the folks at Radio Shack, visiting a store, and searching
> through their catalog (with the aid of the fellow at the store) didn't yield
any
> keypad kits. The part number you posted doesn't fit a Radio Shack part number
> format according to the guy at RS. That's why I asked for the part number,
> because, though they have thousands of stores with many employees, they have,
> collectively, only two grey cells to rub together when it comes to finding
> something. That's as much as I'm going to do, since (a) I dislike going to
> Radio Shack (b) I don't have a KIM-1, nor am I likely to get one, and (3) I
> doubt that Radio Shack will EVER have a keypad that will even with extensive
> modification be suitable for this application, or, for that matter, anything
> else of any value, except by the wildest stroke of luck.
>
> Dick
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "ajp166" <ajp166(a)bellatlantic.net>
> To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
> Sent: Monday, April 16, 2001 5:13 PM
> Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads
>
>
> > From: Richard Erlacher <edick(a)idcomm.com>
> >
> > >
> > >This RS pad must have a catalog number, though, Allison. Since you've
> > seen it,
> > >perhaps you could provide the catalog number, as the RS meatheads
> > wouldn't know
> > >what a keypad kit was if you asked them.
> >
> >
> > Well while picking up a barrel connector I noticed the Nashua store had
> > it on
> > the wall. I think 270-015 is the catalog number. Sheesh, if I do that
> > might
> > as well sent it to me for installation and labeling. Is it possible to
> > read a catalog
> > these days or has the "go ask the web, thin I don't have to work"
> > mentality
> > taken over?
> >
> > Allison
> >
> >
>
>
>
Thanks for the replies. First one in got 'em. I have some other old
stuff to clear out as I make room for the audio studio here in the
basement....if it doesn't sell, I'll throw it up here. Have a bunch of
Byte's going way back, plus several Kilobauds and some other
stuff.
Paul Braun WD9GCO
Cygnus Productions
nerdware_nospam(a)laidbak.com
"A computer without a Microsoft operating system is like a dog without a bunch of bricks tied to its head."
"Fred Cisin (XenoSoft)" <cisin(a)xenosoft.com> wrote:
> The early Micropoli that I'm familiar with do not look anything like a
> Tandon. They are designed to operate horizontally, but will work on their
> sides. The disk goes in through a slot, and then the entire mechanical
> carriage is pushed down by pressing down on a small panel in/below the
> middle of the slot. Pressing the same panel again permits the carriage
> assembly to pop back up and partialy eject the diskette. The "Type I" was
> 48tpi SS?, and the "Type II" was 100TPI.
This drive is definitely different: it's more like the entire
mechanical carriage is pushed down when the door is opened, and
rises when the door is closed. Given the date I wonder whether
it's a redesign to look like the drives on the IBM PC.
Oh, and I was wrong about one thing: there is an optical
emittor/sensor and a bit that interrupts it, but it's not directly
attached to the door, and it interrupts when the door is open.
> How about connecting it in place of a 720K (even on a PC configured for
> 720K 3.5") and seeing whether the disks that it formats will interchange
> with a Tandon TM100-4, Teac 55F, or Shugart/Matsushita/etc 465?
There's a thought. I think I have a Morrow Micro Decision that's been
fitted with a 96TPI 5.25" drive (along with a 720K 3.5" and two 48TPI
5.25" drives), I should try to dig that (and its software) out and
see if I can exchange media between them.
-Frank McConnell
It has a whole mess of EPROMs on the backside of the monitor part.
I didn't look close enough to see what type of CPU it has.
Anyone know anything about it?
Eric
OK... so I got this H-27 that locks up the Qbus when it is in the grant chain
and works ok (except for interrupts) when it is past the end of the granted
devices (one or more blank Qbus slots in-between). I've pulled and tested
each and every TTL chip, but can't use the auto chip tester on the Nat'l
Semi parts. My questions are this:
What are the three jumpers for? (E-1 through E-3, between U11 and U12, and
U7 and U8)
What bus drivers/receivers directly interact with the interrupt grant chain?
If I'm lucky, it's U11 and U7 - I have plenty of 8136 chips.
What can I substitute for DS8837 and DS8839 chips, if one of them is at fault?
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices
http://auctions.yahoo.com/
I was browsing through a local used book store and found some stuff
other may want. These are the listed prices, shipping additional. I have
not purchased them but can and ship them off if interest. In general if
you have the equipment you get priority or wanting multiple, offering
PDP-8 stuff, or offering more than list. Email me not list if interested.
Heathkit Hero Jr Robot Model RT-1 1984
Technical Manual $2.95
Assembly Manual $2.95
Digital Technical Journal Aug 1985 VAX 8600 $3.50
Update notice TOPS-10 operating system commands manual Feb 84 (only
update not entire manual) $5.50
IBM replaced maintenance parts returnable 1952 (parts list with prices
for various equipment). Somewhat worn $7.50
And the following Control Data (CDC) manuals. All are in reasonable
physical shape but heavily marked up. I'll be impressed if you have one
of these.
3300 Traning Manual second edition 1968
Vol I $3.50
Vol II $5.50
Disk storage equipment traning manual 1969 (853 and 854 drive) $4.50
Visual displays traning manual 1967 (210,211,212,250,280) $3.50
915 page reader a programmed text 1967
Vol I $3.50
Vol II $5.50
3300 Data processor machine language coding form $2.50
Logic circuits experiments 1969 $3.50
Active networks experiments revised 1968 $3.50
Passive networks experiments revised $3.50
David Gesswein
http://www.pdp8.net/ -- Run an old computer with blinkenlights
Fred Cisin <cisin(a)xenosoft.com> wrote:
> > BTW, there IS a documented fatality from the frustrations of serial
> > interfacing.
"Lanny Cox" <chronic(a)nf.sympatico.ca> wrote:
> I hope you're joking, but if not, how did this occur? Electrocution? High
> blood pressure due to frustration?
I'm envisioning the frustrated party applying the frustrating device
as a blunt instrument upon its designer, but somehow I expect the
truth is not so satisfying.
-Frank McConnell
Don't forget OS/16... I could get OS/16...
Will J
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
"Fred Cisin (XenoSoft)" <cisin(a)xenosoft.com> wrote:
> On 16 Apr 2001, Frank McConnell wrote:
> > Hmm, here I sit looking at one of a pair of Micropolis model 1115-VI.
> > It's a 5.25" full-height drive, serial 0372. Someone (not me) helpfully
> > wrote on it with a marker:
> They might be right. I had heard that Micropolis came out later with a
> 96TPI, but I've never seen it. The date code and the double sided is
> consistent with that. Is it really 2 sided? What kind of door assembly
> does it have?
Looking at it from the front, it looks like a typical full-height
Tandon as seen in an IBM PC or Shugart drive. Flat door, closes down
over center of slot. A printed-circuit board covers the top of the
drive. I think there are two sets of head leads that disappear into
the interior. The door, when closed, has a flange that pokes through
a slot in the board to interrupt an optical emitter/sensor pair.
What's funny is that the top hub appears to be fixed. The bottom hub is
mounted to a sort of sub-frame that pretty much covers the bottom of
the drive, and it pivots (drive shaft, drive motor and all) about the
middle of the outer frame as you close the door.
Of course, this makes looking into the interior of the drive more fun
than usual, because it's completely surrounded by stuff.
> But they might be mistaken, and have ASSUMED 96TPI due to it not being
> 48TPI, and/or having about 80 tracks. I've even seen people label 720K
> 5.25" drives as being 1/2M, "because it's NOT a 360K".
Yep, that is what you got me thinking.
-Frank McConnell
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Date: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 12:25 AM
Subject: Re: SC/MP Elektor Emulator
>>
>> Sipke de Wal wrote:
>>
>> > The Dutch Elektuur magazine (Elektor) devoted a lot of space 24 years
ago
>> > to a build-it-yourself SC/MP system. The firstversion came with
dip-switches to
>> > toggle in binary data into 256bytes of RAM.
>>
>> Was in the german version of elektor too.
>> scampi ;-)
>
>And in the UK version IIRC. The version I remember had a PCB with the
>SC/MP (the origial PMOS version) and IIRC the crystal on it, linked by
>ribbon cables (with individual socket contacts on each wire -- no IDC
>connectors :-() to another board with the memory and DIP switches, etc on
it.
>
But does anyone remembers the computer Elektuur published before that, in
1974 ?
It was a TTL based computer with a choice of memory : extremly expensive
2102's or
moderate priced CCD's (bit bucket's) that offered serial access only ( i.e.
a solidstate "magnetic drum")
I really would like to see the articles again, but am unable to get my hands
on such old issues of Elektuur.
Jos Dreesen
Hi Folks
I'ts been a productive Easter ........ Hope you had a nice couple of days also
25 years ago National Semiconductor introduced the SC/MP microprocessor
Today I finished the alpha release of an Emulator for the SC/MP. It is written
in Visual Basic 6.0 and the sources are included also. Docs and background
are also info aviable.
The Dutch Elektuur magazine (Elektor) devoted a lot of space 24 years ago
to a build-it-yourself SC/MP system. The firstversion came with dip-switches to
toggle in binary data into 256bytes of RAM.
Fiddeling with a few other switches would lead to running programs and
getting output via 8 LEDs.
This system is what the emulator emulates. Kinda Altair but with a very
simple CPU.
I've also dedicated part of my website to this program and will eventually
add more SCMP-stuff.
You can read about and fetch the proggy at:
http://xgistor.ath.cx
Go => Vintage Computers => SC/MP Elektor Emulator
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sipke de Wal
"Fred Cisin (XenoSoft)" <cisin(a)xenosoft.com> wrote:
> Micropolis had 2 major models of their 5.25" drive. One was 48TPI, with
> 35 tracks (maybe 40), and was essentially interchangeable with the Shugart
> SA400. It was fairly slow stepping, since it used a helical lead screw.
> But it was a nice drive for TRS-80.
>
> The other was 100 TPI, with 77 tracks, not to be confused with the far
> more common 96TPi 80 track drives. There is a somewhat rare Tandon
> TM100-4M drive that can be used as a substitute for the Micropolis.
> (Some think that the 'M' stands for Micropolis as replacing the Micropolis
> 100TPI is its only use.)
Hmm, here I sit looking at one of a pair of Micropolis model 1115-VI.
It's a 5.25" full-height drive, serial 0372. Someone (not me) helpfully
wrote on it with a marker:
96 TPI
2 SIDED
5 1/4
Date codes on the ICs would seem to place its manufacture sometime
in early-mid 1983.
Was the someone with the marker perhaps mistaken?
Hard to tell from http://www.mfarris.com/know/floppy/floppy2.html --
that doesn't seem to get any more specific than "SD"/"DD"/"QD"/"HD".
-Frank McConnell
Anybody live in Dongleville? (the place where all missing PCMCIA dongles
disappear to)
Sitting on my desk I have 3 PCMCIA cards I recently purchased that are
missing dongles/orphans;
Noteworthy SCSI II adapter, NWSCSI01
3Com EtherLink 10bt, 3C589D
Xircom Netwave Adapter, CNW
The Xircom doesn't need a dongle, it needs a friend, ie another card or a
base station thing. Xircom sold to Baytech, which passed it on to Nortel,
but some old drivers are out there on ftp. I am looking to buy/trade for
another card/base, or sell the little devil to somebody that has them. Not
fast, 40k Bps, but anything wireless seems like kind of a fun toy.
3Com dongle I KNOW will turn up, so I am less wild about getting one from a
distant place, but all deals considered.
Noteworthy, it isn't real clear to me just what I would do with this one,
but I suspect the dongle is pretty obvious given the SCSI2 connector it
must have. If I could use it with one of my old laptops to field test hard
drives it would be worth some cost for a cable, but I haven't found
anyspecs for it.
BTW I bought the 3Com and Noteworthy from a scrapper with a box full at $5
each.
Anyone have a ops & service manual for a Tektronix 545B (old tube type,
circe 1965) oscilloscope? A friend of mine in Wyoming has been given one
and she wants to learn how to use it. A photcopy is even good. I have some
commercial sources but if anyone has ever tried to find a manual you know
what vultures the manual vendors can be.
Any responses are greatly appreciated.
On April 16, Russ Blakeman wrote:
> Anyone have a ops & service manual for a Tektronix 545B (old tube type,
> circe 1965) oscilloscope? A friend of mine in Wyoming has been given one
> and she wants to learn how to use it. A photcopy is even good. I have some
> commercial sources but if anyone has ever tried to find a manual you know
> what vultures the manual vendors can be.
>
> Any responses are greatly appreciated.
Can't help you with the manual, but tell your friend that she's gonna
love it. I've got a 545A that I just adore. It's a wonderful scope.
My everyday scopes are Tek 2465A and HP 54111D, but I'll keep my
trusty 545A forever. It's a really rock-solid scope.
-Dave McGuire
Hi All,
Many thanks to Joe for supplying me with a keyboard and mouse for my HP
Apollo. Works great. It did allow me to boot up and provided me with some
functionality but the OS is corrupt. Now I'm in the market for an external
chassis or external SCSI CD-ROM that would allow me to reload an operating
system. I wish there was a DRMO or disposal site close to me, but I happen
to live in one of those places where used computer parts are scarce and if
you can find them you have to pay $$$$$$$. I thought ebay was bad. Any
help would be appreciated.
Arnie
-----Original Message-----
From: Jerome Fine <jhfine(a)idirect.com>
To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Date: Friday, April 13, 2001 5:18 PM
Subject: Re: My Collection
>>Marian Capel wrote:
>
>> PDP8/F with TU56 and DSD440
>> PDP8/A with TU56 and RL01
>> VT100, hacked about to contain an 11/23, with external ST412, runs RX11.
>> Anybody has some RT11 manuals available.
>> Jos Dreesen
>
>Jerome Fine replies:
>
>Interesting collection. I had not realized that DSD made a controller for
the
>PDP8, just for the PDP-11. Also I am really surprised that DEC made
>an RL01 controller for the PDP8.
As someone else mentioned: the RL01 only fits to the 8/A. The DSD440
controller for omnibus will have to be made from the schematics in the
manuals..... Luckily i have an omnibus experimental board. But currently the
DSD fails it's selftest...
>
>AS for your VT100, it sounds like you might have a VT103 which was a
standard
>DEC product. Does it use a dual 11/23 but have added a 3rd party MFM
controller
>with its own boot ROM or are you using a quad 11/23 and an RQDX1?
>
The system is definitly a hacked VT100 : it contains an M8186 ( dual 11/23?)
a RQXD1, (with a possible custom boot prom), a M8044 32 KMOS memory board ,
itself hacked to contain 256K,a M8043, a third party NC550 programmable
clock and a DSD440 controller card. The system boots of the ST412 into RT11.
The system is in a very hobbyist state...
Of course the VT100 also contains a second powersupply.
>Also, I am not surprised, but no one seems to consider software as part
>of their collection
It certainly is, but how often does a system you've pulled from the dumpster
contains a matching suite of software ?
Jos Dreesen
>
Hello,
Back in '82, I used a micro-Expander with a floppy drive. It run CP/M an we used it for CIS-COBOL programming. If I remeber, the disk-drive was an Micropolis(???) Does anybody know the details of the disk format, so that I can read the disks I have?
Regards
George Parapadakis
Hi, gang.
I have 8 issues of Dr. Dobb's from 82 & 83. I tried 'em on ebay, but
the response was underwhelming both times I listed them.
So, I'm offering them to the first person who wants them and is
willing to pay postage.
Let me know. Thanks!
Paul Braun
Cygnus Productions
nerdware(a)laidbak.com