>From: "David V. Corbin" <dvcorbin(a)optonline.net>
>
>>>>
>>>> If pressing a key doesn't cause the distributor to spin,
>>>> then there's a mechanical problem. You want to investigate
>>>> the linkage that starts at the ekyboard (the metal strip
>>>> that the H-plate slots into should turn counterclockwise
>>>> seen from the left side when you press a key, and is
>>>> returned to the clcokwise position by the H-plate). Then
>>>> trace the linkage via the H-plate to the clutch at the
>>>> back. This should engage when the key is pressed.
>>>>
>
>I always get turned around with spacial relationships in the written
>word.....
>
>Comparing the linkage position to the one on my working unit. It is indeed
>in the "deactivated" position and does NOT move when a key is pressed [as a
>clarication, the "far" ent of the linkage extends through a slot on the
>front of the keyboard assembly. On the working unit, qhen no key is pressed,
>the end is down, it travels up when the key is pressed and returns down
>when the typing unit finishes its cycle. On the new unit this end is always
>in the down position].
>
>Attempting to move the linkage (but not overly forcing it] is futile.
>
>Visual inspection of the path [at least what I can see without moving the
>typing unit out of the chassis bay], does not reveal anything. Are there any
>typical binding points? Should I be thinking about a seized clutch?
>
>David.
>
>
Hi David
This could have been the cause of the fuse blowing. A jammed
keyboard reset linkage might have frozen up the clutch causing
the motor to stall. You should remove the print assembly and
find the cause of the linkage to jam. The clutch may already
be toast. If it is not in the locked up state when you turn
the motor on, it would have to be slipping ( not good ).
Find the linkage problem. You may have to remove the print
assembly because the linkage goes under this part.
Dwight
>From: "Antonio Carlini" <a.carlini(a)ntlworld.com>
>
>>Bizarre. Ebay does not allow me to see that item. It says "due to
>>restrictions in your home country" which is utter nonsense. It's
>>possible that the UK has export restrictions, but that's not what it
>>said...
>
>Don't you think it's more likely that the Dept. Of Homeland
>Security is responsible ... after all, they can't be sure
>that you're not a terrorist :-)
>
>As for UK export restrictions, who knows? The seller
>seems to be willing to ship world-wide!
>
>Antonio
>
>
Hi
I'm in the US and have no problem looking at it??
Dwight
At 07:52 AM 8/20/04 -0700, you wrote:
>> Thanks, but I don't have the required long torx screwdriver and case
>> cracker
>
>That reminds me - where can I find such a tool? I've got a pair of dead
>Macs I'd like to open up and try to repair.
>
>tnx.
The long torx screwdriver should be available from any good tool shop,
though for the longest time I used one made from the tip of a too short
torx screwdriver welded to shaft of another screwdriver. I've never seen a
case cracker, but I'm not sure why you'd need one. Every compact mac I've
opened has came apart easily once the screws were removed.
On my ASR-33 Looks like it may be a bad transistor in the receive
circuit....
Basis for conclusion:
1) switching keyboard units has no effect.
2) disconnecting reader unit has no effect
3) R7 on receive control bord is HOT (to the touch)
4) Selector magnet appears always engaged.
5) Unit does NOT space-out when put in line mode.
Now to just find a source for the proper replacement transistors.......
David
>From: "Vintage Computer Festival" <vcf(a)siconic.com>
>
>They have a *very* well done restoration page. Cool project! However, I
>don't believe their claim to have the only original Alto left in existence
>is accurate.
Hi
I was just wondering. What people on this list consider their
rarest computers in their collections. Here is my list
1. Nicolet 80 ( 20 bit mini with core. working condition. Only know
of 2 others. I doubt there are more than 10 left
anywhere. )
2. SIM-4 4004 development system ( most likely fewer than 30 left. Running.
I only know of 2 others. )
3. Olivetti M-20 ( Few in the US but maybe a couple hundred in Europe.
Z8000 processor. Runs )
4. Jupiter Ace ( Several hundred most likely exist but unusual in that
it had Forth in ROM. Runs )
5. NC4000 Delta Board ( Most likely only 100 around but most have no
idea as to the collectable nature. These might be
found in embedded system. These are unique in that they
have the Forth processor on them that was designed by
NOVIX and Chuck Moore. A 4 Mhz processor could run rings
around a 33MHz 80386 of its time. Things like sorting
1000 integers in 19.2ms )
Dwight
Some time back our project (the Edinburgh Computer History
project) organised a trip to Grenoble to meet Hans Pufal and
read a box of DECtapes on his PDP9. Since then we've had
a few more tapes turn up and I have a couple of them over
here in the states. Is there anyone over here who would
be willing to read them for us please?
We have code to decode the contents; we just need a raw dump
of the blocks. I have one which I can mail any time as a
test (some old Fortran code, not very historically
significant) and if all goes well I will be getting a
second one soon from one of our group members which
does have some significant code on it that we'd very
much like to recover.
Drop me a line - gtoal(a)gtoal.com - if you can help.
(If you reply here, I'm not being rude by not replying
immediately - I read this group in digest format so I
get it a day late)
Thanks
Graham
***needed: Auerbach books, reports and journals especially. the early ones. Also any early data processing journals and information. reply off list to me directly please.
Thanks Ed Sharpe, Archivist for SMECC - - See the Museum's Web Site at www.smecc.org
Coury House / SMECC
5802 W. Palmaire Ave. Phone 623-435-1522
Glendale Az 85301 USA
I don't know of a place in LA, but for anyone who's interested, I keep an "On
the road: Where to see old computers" directory at the web site for the
Computer Collector E-mail Newsletter. The site is
http://news.computercollector.com.
- Evan