test-drb June 2001

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

273 participants
682 discussions

by jhellige＠earthlink.net

>There are some folks who think dead computers are of value for something other >than parts, but I don't know very many. Give the sensible ones a break, will >you? I'm not saying that the PCjr falls into this category, but there are any number of systems that even if they're not working should be kept intact and not junked or canibalized for whatever useful parts you can get. This mainly applies to those machines that a collector is happy to find in any condition due to their rarity. Jeff

23 years, 1 month

Ebay horror ...

by dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com

> My own inclination is to view computers that don't run as projects or as > parts-supply, and computers without reusable parts as dumpster-bound. I'd never > want a machine that requires power I can't supply. I'd never want a machine > that I can't see how to fix, either. Once it's relegated to the parts bins, it > gets dismantled and put in the parts stock, right down to the screws and > washers, and the sheet metal goes to the scrapper or to the dumpster. At first, I was dittoing along with this, until I got to the PSU-I-cant-repair part. I understand the thinking, of course, but I can think of quite a few machines that would fit that bill that I'd take as long as I could find an *indoors* location for them (having noted the rust remark below). Eventually, someone might have the desire to acquire it and the means to power it, and I'd be tickled to have enabled that to happen. Do you *really* know people who keep mainframes rusting in the yard? CDC Cybers, by any chance? ;-) -dq

23 years, 1 month

M9202 Unibus connector inverted

by lemay＠cs.umn.edu

I came across some M9202 "Unibus connector inverted", and I'm wondering if anyone knows what they are used for? -Larry LeMay

23 years, 1 month

OT: Swordfish

by Demon02554＠aol.com

In the movie Swordfish there is PDP-10 cameo the "only PDP-10 still online, just as a museum...perfect place to hide my worm"

23 years, 1 month

Huge PDP-11 rescue opportunity

by jss＠ou.edu

Well, I guess it's time to let the cat out of the bag with this one... I've been planning a very nice equipment rescue in Seattle for some time now, but as circumstances are, I will not be able to afford the trip. I'd rather not see anything scrapped, so I am hoping someone on the list will be able to pick up where I'm leaving off. What we have is a *bunch* of OEM and third-party PDP-11 equipment. Here's an overview. There are two types of systems: old and new. Both were made by ATEX using a combination of DEC and custom hardware. The old systems consisted of, originally, PDP-11/34s and 04s. These were upgraded later on by replacing the CPU cards with with a single card with a J11 processor and a SIMM on board. The old systems are in black 6ft racks which have a blue ATEX legend at the top instead of the traditional DEC legend. Each rack contains one PDP-11/34 or /04 box up top and an additional backplane down below with gobs of custom ATEX cards. Each of the new systems looks a bit like two PDP-11/44s in a white 4ft cabinet, but as I understand it, they use the same boards as the updated old systems. The systems are "networked" using some special hardware that connects all of the Unibuses. They share a system of disks and a tape drive. Some of the systems have a built-in small SCSI drive and JAZ drive; these particular machines may not be available at the moment. Here's an inventory. Old systems (13 total): 9 currently in operation, 5 available next month 4 out of operation, 2 available now They're going to keep 4 of these for another year. New systems (8 total): 4 currently in operation, 4 available next month (?) 4 out of operation, 4 available now Approximately 20 hard drive systems. These were some sort of CDC 8" drive, but were converted to 300MB-1GB SCSI drives. The cases were reused. At least one Kennedy 9100 tape drive. Boxes of old boards and spare boards. As you might have guessed, they are still in the process of decommisioning the systems. As far as I can tell, each cabinet is being removed from the computer room as it decommisioned and prepared for shipping. The prepped cabinets are brought to a warehouse where they await pickup. The owners want $100 for the entire lot. If you are interested in rescuing this lot, please reply to me. The owners wish not to be barraged with e-mail, so I will manage the selection and briefing of the new picker-upper. I have a contact in Seattle that went to the location, took pictures, and wrote most of what you just read. I can send those pictures to anyone who's interested. >From what I can see, the equipment looks to be in pristine condition, having been well cared for in their computer room. I hope that it makes a nice find for someone. -- Jeffrey S. Sharp jss(a)ou.edu

23 years, 1 month

Call for Resources for CDC 6000/Cyber 70 Series Emulator

by dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com

> Hmm, what are the odds... I just came across a small magnetic > tape from CDC, from 1975, containing CDC 8090 Assembler, whatever > that is... If the label is to be trusted, it is a 7 track tape, > contains one file, and the density is 556? We had an 8090 in Bloomington, front-ending a 3600; later its was replaced by a 3400. The 3400/3600 system was in turn replaced by the 6600 in 1970. I'd say it's worth preserving. May I implore you to seek out one of the people who frequent this list who offer conversion services? Let's get it on disk, somebody may find one of these systems someday. Or might want to write an emulator... Regards, -doug quebbeman

23 years, 1 month

PDP 8/e Help - File Transfer

by djg＠drs-esg.com

> From: Lawrence LeMay <lemay(a)cs.umn.edu> > See: http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/pdp8/ > > The Software section contains wehat you need. The dump and restore utilities > contain programs for downloading files from PC to PDP 8/E, and you can > also use the send.c and rim.c programs if you want. > I have an updated version at ftp://ftp.pdp8.net/software/dumprest.zip It fixes some minor bugs and has better documentation. It also breaks TD8E DECtape, yet another thing on the TODO list. If anybody uses this to copy their media to a PC I would like to get a copy of the images to put on my FTP site to increase the available PDP-8 software. > From: "Rick Bensene" <rickb(a)bensene.com> > > > > It was working perfectly for the longest time, then, very suddenly when > > accessing either RK05 drive, I get errors that are kind of strage. I had an interesting one with mine, it started giving read errors on existing packs but worked fine if you formatted a pack in the drive. A counter failed so the the header words were written to the wrong location. > > I need to somehow get the MAINDEC RK8E diagnostic loaded onto the machine > > to try to see what is going on with the disk controller. > > If you need more help email me. I have run them by boot/pt and sending paper tape images through the serial port. David Gesswein http://www.pdp8.net/ -- Run an old computer with blinkenlights.

23 years, 1 month

decus lives!

by agraham＠ccat.co.uk

At least in the UK anyway. The recent flurry of DECUS complaints on here made me wonder what had happened to my own membership - sure enough it expired last month so they're wanting another 25 english pounds off me. Thing is, is it still worth it to be a member? I haven't been to the seminars etc for *years* and don't have a requirement for hobbyist kits or anything like that...... thoughts? -- Adrian Graham MCSE/ASE/MCP C CAT Limited Gubbins: http://www.ccat.co.uk (work) <http://www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk> (home) <http://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk> (The Online Computer Museum) 0/0

23 years, 1 month

Data General Eclipse in Tumwater, WA

by dpeschel＠eskimo.com

Any DG collectors in the Northwest? This looks like a good find. The owner's original ad said: "Data General Eclipse mainframe with peripherals. Will consider donation to non-profit organization." Bobby Johnson, Miller Brewing Company Phone: (360)754-5072 Fax: (360)754-5166 E-Mail: johnson.bobby.m(a)mbco.com and I know he wants to get rid of the system, because he asked me to post a notice to the list. No information from him yet about size, weight, or running condition, but I imagine the system is in good condition. Please contact the owner, not me! -- Derek

23 years, 1 month

OT But...

by broth＠heathers.stdio.com

I know this is off topic but I just replaced my LRP router with a software package called smoothwall. Its still Linux with complete control through a java enabled browser with status, network, and firewall logging. Lots of features and free. Awsome. Check it out. http://www.smoothwall.org Brian. -- Brian Roth - System Administrator www.webwirz.com - Old Computer Repository Preoccupation is my main occupation.....

23 years, 1 month

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test-drb June 2001