test-drb September 2001

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

256 participants
661 discussions

by KenzieM＠sympatico.ca

I finally found a cable and monitor for my VAXstation II/GPX! I haul it home then notice the label on the cable is BC23J not the BC18Z I was expecting. Is the BC23J just a newer version of the BC18Z? Or did my 3100 just get a colour monitor? I also picked up a DEC Multia today with Schematics! Collector of Vintage Computers (www.ncf.ca/~ba600)

23 years, 1 month

Central Point Option Board vs Deluxe Option Board

by mark_k＠totalise.co.uk

Hi, I recently acquired a couple of Central Point Deluxe Option Boards with v5.4 of the software, plus manuals. (I haven't tested either card yet though.) This card allows protected and wierd-format disks to be read and written using a standard PC floppy drive. The supplied software supports Mac and Amiga disks as well as Apple II and Commodore. I guess the hardware is functionally similar to the Catweasel ISA card. Anyway, relating to that a few points: - If anyone needs disk images of the software (3?" 720K or 5?" 360K), I can upload them. My disks have not been written to since new. - What was the last version of the software? I read a newsgroup posting from 1997 that mentioned versions 5.5 and 6.0. - What differences are there between the Option Board and Deluxe Option Board? Looking at a picture in an eBay auction listing, the Option Board card appears to use quite a few discrete (TTL?) ICs, whereas the Deluxe card (or at least, the cards I have), uses an ASIC made by Toshiba. Does the ASIC simply replicate the discrete ICs, or contain extra functionality? - Has anyone reverse-engineered the hardware? Only the discrete-IC version would be feasible, I guess. In combination with disassembling the software, that should provide sufficient info to allow new software that accesses the Option Board to be written. - Has anyone reverse-engineered the disk image file format used by the software? I know someone has written a program to convert image files created from Apple II disks to plain disk images for use with Apple emulators; see http://www.ece.nwu.edu/~cbachmann/apple.html There is a description of some of the file format on that page. - Ideally, I'd like to contact someone who was involved with the development of either the hardware or software; maybe they could provide info on how it works. - On a similar note, what was the last version of Central Point's Copy II PC software? That program could be used to copy some protected PC disks without needing extra hardware. -- Mark

23 years, 1 month

Archiving floppies?

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

On September 22, Gordon Zaft wrote: > Does anyone have any recommendations on software (preferably free) for > archiving old DOS floppies? What I'd like to do is to be able to make disk > images of all (okay, maybe just 'many') of the old DOS floppies I have so > that if they disks get trashed or the bits fall off I can remake 'em. I'm > assuming I'd probably be making these archives from a Windoze box although > DOS or even FreeBSD or Linux is a possibility. I'd just dd(1) them from to a file, gzip them, and save the disk images. -Dave -- Dave McGuire Laurel, MD

23 years, 1 month

Announcing Aftermath Technologies

by vcf＠vintage.org

As a favor to the Alameda County Computer Resource Center in Oakland, California, who is hosting the VCF Archives as well as the upcoming VCF 5.0 (still to be rescheduled) I'm announcing their relatively new retail venture, Aftermath Technologies. Basically, anything they have in their warehouse is up for sale. They've taken pictures of a whole lot of stuff and have thrown them up on their website. Some of it is priced, most of it is "make an offer". They've got everything under the sun: all kinds of computers, peripherals, hard drives, disk drives, monitors, keyboards, mice, routers, hubs, chassis, printers, modems, scanners, cables, connectors, phones, VCRs, video equipment, books, manuals, software, random crap... Most of it is modern or semi-modern. Some of it is classic (lots of Apple ][s, TRS-80s, older Macs, etc). There's also lots of eclectic stuff in there too. These folks get in truckloads of gear every week. What doesn't get placed in schools and charities or sold gets shipped off to China for recycling. Your patronage contributes to a very good cause! Anything you buy will help them carry on their mission to refurbish old computers that get donated to schools and charities. Help educate the next generation! The URL is http://www.aftermathtechnologies.com. Make sure to check out the "Featured Items" catalog, as there are some gems in there. Don't be scared by the high pricing of some stuff. They just don't know what to ask for most of it. I tried to help them price some of the classic stuff but the changes have apparently not made it to the website yet. So go and DIG!!! There is lots and lots of stuff. If you are looking for just past modern PC or Mac bits then this is the place to go buy it from. http://www.aftermathtechnologies.com/ Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org

23 years, 1 month

Moving VMS

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

From: Iggy Drougge <optimus(a)canit.se> >Now, I've got three functioning VMS 5.5 disks. And we've got a MicroVAX 3100 >without system disks. Would it be possible to just connect one of my spare >disks to the SCSI bus on the ?VAX or would the system crash and burn when it >couldn't find any graphics hardware and perhaps not the exact same peripheral >systems (these are disks from a VAXstation 3100, so they're close relatives)? Should not be a problem as I've dont it here. The better way is to start from a working system with a drive that is blank (for use in the target vax) and invoking VMSbuild to create a copy of VMS on the target disk. Then that target disk can be booted and proceed as if it was a regular VMSinstall. We used this trick years ago to put VMS on RD54s to install on new microvaxen (MV-II) faster than using TK50 ot MOP. Allison

23 years, 1 month

microcoding a PC into a PDP-11 (was: RE: Classic Computers vs.

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

From: Bob Shannon <bshannon(a)tiac.net> > >I understand your confusion here, but in this case there already is something >defined as microcode. Simply adding another layer of complexity does not change >the underlaying microcode that runs directly on the hardware, its still the microcode >of the engine. This underlaying microcode still implements the instruction set of >the physical CPU hardware. Because what your calling a microcoded engine is really running as your microcode something that used to be called macrocoding. IE: your "microcode" engine a Pentium understands yet another lower level code (internal pentium microcode). In the end what you have been decribing is emulation. If your pentium drove hardware that was <registers and ALU> say 36 bits wide and ran code to drive it as say a KL-10A then the pentium would be a fully macrocoded microengine. It's does not say a Pentium running dedicated code to emulate any machine in such a way as to hide the pentium completely is not a useful device. The terminology of microcomputers was laid down a long time ago and if you change meanings or the application of said meanings you invoke confusion. Allison

23 years, 1 month

CPU design at the gate level

by uban＠ubanproductions.com

The book: "Computer Organization & Design, The Hardware/Software Interface", by David A. Patterson and John L. Hennessy is a pretty thorough modern book. I don't know where to find a bit-slice design book these days. --tom At 09:18 AM 9/21/01 +0100, you wrote: >Tony Duell wrote: > >> I've not come across it, but if it stops with registers and >> the ALU, I don't think I'd call it a 'good book'. >> >> A CPU can be divided into 2 parts. The Data Path (registers, ALU, the >> multiplexers between them, etc) and the Control (instruction decoder, >> microcode + sequencer, condition logic, etc) > >True, I don't recall covering much in the way of control logic - only >very basic stuff like telling the ALU whether to add or subtract, plus >implementing a few flags like zero and carry. Once we got to that stage >they threw us at the 29xx series to look at microcoding, which was all >the rage at the time. > >Unfortunately I've lost most of my college notes now, I guess I've moved >too many times :-/ I've been looking for a replacement for the Thewlis >book - can you recommend any which cover CPU logic from the basics of >how to build registers out of gates up to instruction fetching & decoding? >I'm also very keen to get hold of a book covering the bitslice processors >(29xx), any ideas? I can't imagine there's anything left in print now, but >with an author/title or ISBN I might be able to track down a second-hand >copy. > >-al > >

23 years, 1 month

FS: IBM style mini-centronics 68 SCSI cables

by rhblakeman＠kih.net

Contact me via DIRECT EMAIL on these... Here's some hard to find cables for IBM PS/2 and RS/6000 systems for SCSI external hookup. All are high quality black, like new, except for the first batch of 1 ft cables that are beige: 1 ft Centronics 50male to Centronics 50 male "jumpers" - great for case to case stringers. $3.99 each, have 24 of them. 3 ft mini-centronics 68 male to high-density 50 male (clip type) $6.99 each, have 4. 5 ft mini-centronics 68 male to high-density 50 male (clip type) $14.99 each, have 11 3 ft mini-centronics 68 male to standard Centronics 50 male - $6.99 each, have 7 5 ft mini-centronics 68 maile to standard Centronics 50 male - $14.99 each, have 10 10 ft mini-centronics 68 male to high density 68 male (screw type) $21.99 each, have 3. The above does NOT include shipping. I don't charge for slamming it in a box and taking it to the post office either, just the rounded postage (regular or priority) with delivery confirmation. Shipping is from zip 42726 in KY. I may also work out pickups for locals in the evenings/weekends if desired. Right now I *will* ship to USA, APO/FPO and Canada but will ship to others if I don't get stuck doing a ton of paperwork. US funds only, can take money orders or Paypal. Paypal ships out the same/next day as payment is made. Money orders when it's recieved. Now the kicker - I'm posting any not spoken for (serious buyer only) on ebay on 9/27 for the general PS2 and RS6000 crowd to have a shot at. Anyone that has me hold one/some for them MUST make payment in reasonable time, say a week to 1 days after they have me hold some for them. If they stand me up I'll just put those cables on ebay later on but they certainly will be remembered for future offerings and I'm just getting started with the opening of my stash of IBM stuff.

23 years, 1 month

SPDT Dip Switches (was: Solomon Splitting the list...

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Sep 15, 14:42, Roger Merchberger wrote: > My idea: A 2-4 decoder/demux. tied to A0 & A1, with the outputs going to > one side of a SPDT DIP switch, the other side of the switch pulled to +5, > then all four of the switch outputs going into a 4-input AND gate. That > way, you could switch any of the four addresses on or off, so that you'd > have access to more than one memory location for CE/ to implement UARTS & > stuff that require more than one address to function. (It can be done > easily without the switches -- I could use a jumper block without > heartburn, but the switches would look neater, and wouldn't have the chance > for floating inputs/outputs...) In other words, this: _____ ____ +5V - ---| \ _____ | - ---| & \_____ | |__ _ o - ---| / A0 ------| 2 |__ _ ----o----------------|____/ | to |__ _ o A1 ------| 4 |_________| |_____| Wouldn't this be easier and do the same thing? ____ +5V | \ 4 x 1k0 pullup / _____ _____ \ - ---| \ | |__ _ / - ---| & \_____ A0 ------| 2 |__ _ | - ---| / | to |__ _ ----o----------------|____/ A1 ------| 4 |_________o |_____| I've just seen Tony's reply, and his suggestion using a MUX would have been my next suggestion too. It's also easier to extend to more address bits (fewer switches required). -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

23 years, 1 month

Anybody have a rom image of a modern TI graphing calculator?

by strzecha＠kis.p.lodz.pl

Press: [2nd][Mode][Alpha][S]. Then press any key except [ENTER], if you dont want to erase calculator memory. Krzysztof "Blair J. Miller" wrote: > It's been so long since I've dealt with these things... how do I get the ROM > version again? > > Blair > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Krzysztof Strzecha" <strzecha(a)kis.p.lodz.pl> > To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> > Sent: Friday, September 21, 2001 11:21 AM > Subject: Re: Anybody have a rom image of a modern TI graphing calculator? > > > "Blair J. Miller" wrote: > > > > > I have an 86 if you want me to create a ROM image of it... but you'll > > have > > > to instruct me on how to do it... I have the serial link cable. > > > > > > Blair > > > > > > > Hi > > I am author of TI-81, TI-85 and TI-86 drivers for MESS > > (http://mess.emuverse.com) multiemulator. What version of rom do you > > have in > > your TI-86 ? I was able to found only version: 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6. If > > it is > > diffrent I am also interested in image of this rom. > > > > Krzysztof Strzecha > > > > > > > >

23 years, 1 month

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test-drb September 2001