test-drb December 2004

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

243 participants
530 discussions

by msokolov＠ivan.Harhan.ORG

Scott Stevens <chenmel(a)earthlink.net> wrote: > 1. I notice on the Web that there is quite a bit of info about > MicroVAX 3100 systems. I also see that there are a variety of models. > Is there an easy way to figure out which one I have? Power it up with a terminal connected to the console port, write down what it scribbles on the console on power-up, and post it to the list. One of the lines (the one starting with KA) identifies the system board. > 2. Would it be possible and/or work to replace the tape drive with a > SCSI CD-ROM reader? I don't have a source for tapes. Look for one that can be set to 512 byte block mode. > 3. Is it worth putting VMS on this box? That's only for you to decide for yourself. What OS do you want to run? Do you want VMS or UNIX? > Is there a flavor of vintage UNIX that I could put on the system? I'm pretty close to getting 4.3BSD-Quasijarus to run on it. Just need to write the SCSI code. > 4. What is the console on this hardware? It has the three serial > ports on RJ-type connectors, and from what I gather this is a TTY-only > machine, no framebuffer, etc. You are correct, except that the connectors are not RJ but DEC423 MMJ. In normal operation port 1 is the console. There is also an "alternative diagnostic console" mode enabled by a switch on the back that moves the console to port 3 and makes the CPU halt on line break. > 5. Is there a thorough hardware reference for this machine out there > on the net that I should get? I looked on the HP/Compaq site, and it > appears that they pay a small amount of homage to the system, but > without much substancial info. A hardware reference manual in PDF > would be great. Unfortunately it's a completely undocumented machine. DEC never published a real technical manual for it, only screwing/unscrewing guides for failed servoids. MS

20 years, 7 months

Signetics 8x300 instruction set

by tomj＠wps.com

I've been trying to recall, with no success, how subroutine calls were implemented in the 8x300. I used to write code for this weird thing (realtime video processing) and the assembler I used (some horror that ran under TSO) hid it from me so I don't have a clear recollection of the method. It's a really weird CPU, "subroutines" were essentially jumps, as in a lot of machines, but the "return" was through some strange jump table or something. Once upon a time there was a website with CPU instruction cards (man I had a huge pile of these things, pitched loooong ago...) but I can't find it. Nothing on bitsavers I can find. (There's also some really bad info out there on the origins of "Harvard" architecture, attributed to some stupid hardvard vs. princeton microprocessor design thing. Please -- about 40 years earlier: that asshole Aiken. No one liked him anyways.)

20 years, 7 months

trailing-edge.com down?

by sethm＠loomcom.com

Hi folks, I've just re-joined the lists after a... uh, something like a four year absense, I guess! It's good to be back, even if it is a little more verbose than I remember. I looked through the recent archives and didn't see this covered already, forgive me if I missed it -- I've been unable to contact www.trailing-edge.com or simh.trailing-edge.com for the last week or so. Is anyone else able to get through? Does anyone know if something is wrong? Or, alternately, does anyone know how else to get in touch with Tim Shoppa to ask, other than his trailing-edge.com email? Maybe I'll resort to snail mail. -Seth -- "It looks just like a Telefunken U47! Seth Morabito You'll love it." - Frank Zappa sethm(a)loomcom.com

20 years, 7 months

HP 64000

by aek＠spies.com

It's a drag that it is in NZ. There are still docs I'm missing in the hp/64000 section of bitsavers, and copies of the software would be good to archive.

20 years, 7 months

Ken Iverson, creator of APL dies.

by dave04a＠dunfield.com

http://www.itbusiness.ca/index.asp?theaction=61&sid=57357 Using IBM APL on the University of New Brunswicks System 370 was what got me "hooked" on interactive computing, and it has been a favorite of mine ever since. Dave -- dave04a (at) Dave Dunfield dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools: www.dunfield.com com Vintage computing equipment collector. http://www.parse.com/~ddunfield/museum/index.html

20 years, 7 months

bitsavers is down

by aek＠spies.com

> Who is next? http://www.mcjones.org/dustydecks/

20 years, 7 months

M9312 boot roms (again)

by GOOI＠oce.nl

Sorry, I never bothered making or downloading those ROM images. I must admit that it would be a nice addition to the M9312 page that I have put in the PDP-11/34 folder ... if Pete gets his hard disk data recovered (or read the PROMs again), I will gladly add that to my site (if Pete does not object). As proven last week: some copies of the stuff at several sites may not be such a luxury as first thought of ... - Henk, PA8PDP. -----Original Message----- From: cctalk-bounces(a)classiccmp.org To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts Sent: 4-12-2004 13:29 Subject: Re: M9312 boot roms (again) On Nov 27 2004, 23:01, Wai-Sun Chia wrote: > Hello, > Sorry to beat this old horse again, but did anybody set up a > repository for M9312 boot images since the last discussion? > (I actually went to look for them in www.classiccmp.org/M9312, and > Pete's DECROM repository doesn't seem to have the 23-xxxA9 M9312 > roms) > > I need some of them, specifically the DU, DX, and DY. Henk may have (http://www.pdp-11.nl/index.html), but maybe not online. I have a few on a local disk. Ah, spit, that's the one that crashed a few months ago, and I've not wired up the programmer again yet, so I have some ROMs but not the images. The ones you want are: 23-753A9 RX01 DX Boot ROM 23-757A9 UDA50 DU Boot ROM } I'm not sure if both are 23-767A9 UDA50/RAxx DU Boot ROM } correct -- see below 23-811A9 RX02 DY Boot ROM I have at least one of each of these, except the 23-767A9. I probably have that number in the list because it's been listed somewhere with that description, but since I have two 23-757A9 and no 23-767A9, I wonder if the 767 is a typo? Or is the "DU" against 757 meant to be "TU"? I'll host the images if no-one already has. > Question: > Is the DY (supposed for RX02) able to boot RX01s too? If you mean boot from RX01 drives, no, the bootstraps are different. If you mean boot from an RX01 diskette in an RX02 drive, yes, it should work, though depending on the OS, the diskette may need a DY boot block. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

20 years, 7 months

Free (UK): PCB developing tanks

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

Anybody want three developing tanks for making printed circuit boards? They're intended for developing/etching/tinning and each holds almost 9 litres (about 1.9 gallons/2.3 US gallons) of liquid when working. Each is 490mm x 140mm x 370mm high (400mm including the lid, with its handle), and they're designed to be fitted into cutouts in a bench top, though you could stand them on a low bench or in a (large) sink. One is a plain tank, one is fitted with a thermostatically-controlled heater, and one has both heater and air-bubble tubes, and I have two controller boxes for them (which have been kept indoors, in the attic). I'm never realistically going to use these, as I have small fit-in-a-cupboard dishes and a heater I use for small boards. I got these from the University about 10 years ago, intending to put them in my new workshop. Unfortunately by the time the workshop was built I had a lot more computers, electronics, and mechanical things, there wasn't room, and The Boss refused to give up space in her utility room. They've been stored where she keeps garden stuff, ever since, but I've been given an ultimatum. If you can collect them, let me know by Monday that they're wanted otherwise they'll go to the local tip. If I know someone will take them, I might persuade The Boss that they can remain in her utility room (now they've been cleaned up a bit) until Christmas, but suggesting any longer would probably have fatal consequences (for the tanks, not me; I'd probably get away with crippling injury). -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

20 years, 7 months

for sale

by celebdirectent＠earthlink.net

If any of you happen to be in SW Florida today (Sat) or Sunday, December 5, we're having a garage sale and a lot of classics and their software are available. Mainly 8-bits, such as TRS-80s, Apples, Commodores, Atari, etc., etc., etc. Its at 2587 Lakeshore Circle in Port Charlotte, Florida. Directly off of Hwy 41 at West Tarpon Blvd. Sincerely, CORD G. COSLOR Celebrity Direct Entertainment ----- | Celebrity Direct Entertainment | PO Box 494314 - Port Charlotte, FL - 33949 | phone: 941.624.2254 fax: 309.218.1426 | www.CelebrityDirect.net * CDE(a)CelebrityDirect.net | AOL IM: CelebDirectEnt: : :

20 years, 7 months

bitsavers is down

by aek＠spies.com

It crashed about 20:00 PST. I don't have access to the cage, so it may be down 'til tomorrow afternoon.

20 years, 7 months

M9312 boot roms (again)

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Nov 27 2004, 23:01, Wai-Sun Chia wrote: > Hello, > Sorry to beat this old horse again, but did anybody set up a > repository for M9312 boot images since the last discussion? > (I actually went to look for them in www.classiccmp.org/M9312, and > Pete's DECROM repository doesn't seem to have the 23-xxxA9 M9312 > roms) > > I need some of them, specifically the DU, DX, and DY. Henk may have (http://www.pdp-11.nl/index.html), but maybe not online. I have a few on a local disk. Ah, spit, that's the one that crashed a few months ago, and I've not wired up the programmer again yet, so I have some ROMs but not the images. The ones you want are: 23-753A9 RX01 DX Boot ROM 23-757A9 UDA50 DU Boot ROM } I'm not sure if both are 23-767A9 UDA50/RAxx DU Boot ROM } correct -- see below 23-811A9 RX02 DY Boot ROM I have at least one of each of these, except the 23-767A9. I probably have that number in the list because it's been listed somewhere with that description, but since I have two 23-757A9 and no 23-767A9, I wonder if the 767 is a typo? Or is the "DU" against 757 meant to be "TU"? I'll host the images if no-one already has. > Question: > Is the DY (supposed for RX02) able to boot RX01s too? If you mean boot from RX01 drives, no, the bootstraps are different. If you mean boot from an RX01 diskette in an RX02 drive, yes, it should work, though depending on the OS, the diskette may need a DY boot block. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

20 years, 7 months

VAX 11/725

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Dec 4 2004, 0:56, Tony Duell wrote: > I really must dig out my 11/730 and get it going. I've got the R80 drive > and the TSU05 magtape system (this was a standard cofiguration in > half-height rack). Of course I've also got an RL02 on one of my 11s that > I could hook up. > > What are my choices for an OS, given that I have no official license, > live in the UK, and am not a member of DECUS (the UK chapter charges an > extortionate membership fee). Run BSD, or join the US chapter of Encompass (which, at the lowest level, is free). The latter is what I did when my UK subscription expired, because I have more than one microVAX and I wanted at least one running VMS. Which I will get round to doing something with "real soon now" ;-) -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

20 years, 7 months

Upcoming Trip...

by david＠dynamicconcepts.us

On Friday 12/3 I will be heading down I-95 from NY to Va. to pick up a great find...Returning Saturday (or possibly Sunday). I will have an SUV with Trailer. If this can be of use to anyone (especially those looking to get rid of DEC equipment to a good home <grin>) drop me a post. Seriouly, anyone on list into DEC (especially PDP-8) who is near this route, drop me a note.... David david(a)dynamicconcepts.us

20 years, 7 months

11/44 console pinout

by aek＠spies.com

3 - gnd 4 - tx 5 - rx the full bc44-a cable is: 1 - 3 2 - 4 3 - 5 4 - 6 8 - 10 11- 11 12- 12 15- 13 17- 14 20- 15 24- 16 25- 17 ^ +--- 20 pin connector

20 years, 7 months

PDP-11 gear available

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

I received the following email. If anyone is interested please contact me off-list. I want the chrome disk racks, so the rest is available. Jay West -------------- I have the following DEC equipment available at no charge: Computer RL-02, 2 drives (bottom one out of commission) 6 keyboards 3 LA50 printers 7 (maybe more) RL-02K disks 1 VT 100 Terminal 1 VT 102 Terminal Cables - many Several boards Instruction and related books 2 chrome disk racks Located in White Plains, NY ---------------

20 years, 7 months

value of PDP8e

by aek＠spies.com

It's got a blue bezel instead of the usual orange, but it on a 19 slide enclosure. Does this make it an 'industrial' ? -- Strictly speaking, the machine DEC sold as an "Industrial 8" has a red, white, and blue front panel.

20 years, 7 months

looking for hp 13210A set

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

TSIA, willing to trade for a working 13210A (two card) controller for the 7900A drive. Contact me off list if you can help! Jay West

20 years, 7 months

BBN and SMS pictures.

by m_thompson＠ids.net

At 02:02 PM 11/19/2004 -0500, Joe R. wrote: > Here are some pictures of SOME of the stuff that I got last weekend. Besides a huge box of manuals that I've sent to Al, I found five BBN computers and I'm attempting to rescue enough of one to make a workable system for Tom Uban. Plus all the cards out of the other ones for him for spares. The BBN chassis is just too big to deal with but I got ALL the cables, the complete PSU (on the back panel!), the multibus card cage (and all the MB cards) and the switch card that lets all the CPUs talk to all the other CPUs. The BBN CPUs are odd in that they don't plug into a socket so the card cage isn't absolutely necessary. All the power and signals go through connectors on the front of the card. Warning: this is a SCRAP place and some of it isn't pretty! > ><http://www.classiccmp.org/hp/bbn/> I designed the Multibus backplane in that BBN machine about 20 years ago. Michael Thompson E-Mail: M_Thompson(a)IDS.net

20 years, 7 months

docs for Omnibyte Corp OB68K1A

by aek＠spies.com

got it scanned, will put it up tonight on bitsavers. I did scan the material from Frank on the 64000

20 years, 7 months

VAX 11/725

by msokolov＠ivan.Harhan.ORG

ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell) wrote: > What are my choices for an OS, given that I have no official license, > live in the UK, and am not a member of DECUS (the UK chapter charges an > extortionate membership fee). <shameless plug> 4.3BSD-Quasijarus of course! It's completely and totally free, and unlike some competing OSes, it's also completely and totally Classic. You can download the distribution tape images from ifctfvax.Harhan.ORG and write the actual tape yourself (if you have some other machine capable of writing tapes, given all the stuff you have I'm sure you do :-), or if you want to give some support to the project that develops and maintains the said OS, you can order an official distribution tape from Harhan (probably still much cheaper than any membership fee or license). MS

20 years, 7 months

wanted ; docs for Omnibyte Corp OB68K1A multibus SBC

by list_classiccomp-tech＠greencroft.co.uk

Anyone got any info on the above board? motorola 68000 CPU, DRAM, ROM & some IO (2*6821 PIAs, 2*6850 SIOs, 1* 6840), and a bunch of switches, all on a MultiBUS I card. Also has "master/slave D16 M24 I16 VOL 1982" legended. Nothing helpfull showing up on a Google so far. (received it amongst a pile of DEC manuals & TK50s rescued a month or so ago) ta. greg

20 years, 7 months

Last chance for container to Germany

by vcf＠siconic.com

If anyone has anything they want shipped from the Silicon Valley area to Munich then please pipe up soon. Last chance... -- Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org [ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage Computers ] [ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at http://marketplace.vintage.org ]

20 years, 7 months

Anyone got an HP Paintjet printer?

by ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk

This is going to seem like an odd question, but here goes... I've borrowed a Paintjet (colour inkjet) printer from HPCC (as you probably all know I am somewhat invovled with that club) with the idea of taking it apart, figuring out how it works, etc. Yes, the club do know I do that sort of thing :-) So far, so good. I've figured it out, made notes, and put it back together. Problem is, I can't get it right... Here's the problem. There's what I'd call a 'pressure bail' that holds the paper against the platten. It carries a transparent plastic window. And that window seems very loose. So loose, in fact that it rubs on the ink cartridges when you move the carriage. And when the carriage moves to the far right (parking position), the window drops so far that it jams the carriage, which then can't move back to the left. The problem is compounded by the fact that I don't know that it was correct before I took it apart. I do know I've got no bits left over. I also didn't dismantle that part of the printer (I did remove the logic board and mechanism from the case, I did dismantle the mechanism far enough to remove the carriage and motors). I can't see any obvious places where something (like a spring) should go, but equally the finish on the tabs of the window (I did remove that _after_ I discovered the problem in an attempt to find it) doesn't look as good as I'd expect from old HP. Maybe some tabs have broken off. So my questions are (if you have a Paintjet, original version) Look at the windw in front of the platten on top of the machine. Does it seem to sag at the front edge, or is it forced up against the inside of the case. If you can remove the cover (I can tell you how to do this, it's easy and doesn't need tools), I'd like to know just what supports the window. Are there any springs or spring wires/leaves on the front of the pressure bail? Are there any 'extensions' to the tabs on the window at the front of the bail? If I know thrre's something missing/broken I can have a go at making/kludging it. -tony

20 years, 7 months

NCR Tower PSU again

by julesrichardsonuk＠yahoo.co.uk

Hmm, getting somewhere; found a dead triac near the input which was supposed to bypass that 10 ohm resistor that was burning out once the PSU had started up. Presumably the intention was to allow the PSU to start a little more gracefully. Nice bodge story: I just found out why the system wasn't starting up at all. It had been semi-dismantled since it had died years ago; I'd reassembled it recently when trying to get it running again. After much wiring tracing I've just discovered although the cable between the control panel and the backplane is keyed at both ends, at one end the connector was on back to front. That hadn't stopped whoever assembled it at the factory from hammering the keyed connector backwards into its socket! I hadn't noticed how bent out of shape the socket was when I reassembled the machine; I'd simply lined up the key on the connector with the relevant slot on the socket, then spent ages trying to work out why the PSU wasn't even trying to start up when the switch was operated. Grrr! Now, I'm getting a good 5.1V output, but there's a nasty wheezing noise (not a whine!) from somewhere on the main PSU board. The +12V and -12V rails are seriously up the spout. With a light load (just a couple of fans), the fans spin up for a couple of seconds before everything shuts down for a couple more seconds, then the cycle repeats (the wheezing sounds like breathing at this point!). With no load the wheezing's constant and the PSU doesn't shut down, but -12V rail is at -4V and +12V rail is at +5.3V. I'm going to load the PSU up with an (unwanted) hard disk in a moment just in case it's not firing properly because of not enough load - not sure if I want to risk any boards in there at present though, but of course it's possible the PSU's not operating properly because there's some feedback from the absent CPU board not present... Any widsom appreciated. Sure don't like that wheezing noise - cap or wound component? Fault or just something not being driven at the right frequency? cheers Jules

20 years, 7 months

Signetics 8x300 instruction set

by aek＠spies.com

> I looked under signetics and didn't see _dataSheets. it wasn't there an hour ago :-)

20 years, 7 months

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test-drb December 2004