test-drb November 2006

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

220 participants
452 discussions

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

> My first thought is the EOT sensor (the optical sensor that detects the >hole in the tape). Maybe it's just clogged up with dirt, maybe it's >electrically malfunctioning. There's normally an IR LED and >phototransistor, one mounted in a block alongside the head, the other at >the bottom of the drive (there's a 45 degree mirror in the cartridge). > >-tony Hadn't thought of the tape "coming off" that way- checked with the owner and confirmed that it was what I thought originally: the tape is not rolling onto the spools evenly and is coming off the spools in the vertical direction (i.e. wrapping higher and higher until it misses the top of the spool). Quite odd- and he says it only happens on this drive. His hypothesis is an irregularity in the capstain, but I don't see how that would be an issue (DC2000 type tapes use the QIC driveband arrangement, right?).

17 years, 10 months

Help needed: DEC Micorvax II printing

by ying6926＠ureach.com

We have one DEC micovax II that does not have printer so we bought one Okidata 320 with SUB9 connector. Once we try to make connection, the computer is slowed significantly. It does not print. Some one was recommending using another computer to capture using windows. I don't know the exact procedure. free to download from web? I was able to log in from management interface (RS232) but don't know how to get the files now because the application software is very complicated. thanks Henry

17 years, 10 months

identify this memory board (configuration)?

by jwest＠ezwind.net

I have a unibus memory board with the following markings. Anyone have any docs for it as to jumper and switch settings? Ditronics - 1A Standard Memories MM-144 Assy 102485 There's 2 sets of dip switches, 8 switches each. There's also a jumper DIP plug, 14 pin. There's 4 LED's labled +5v, run, u.err, and c.err. Any help is most appreciated! Jay West

17 years, 10 months

Pascal in production environments (was Re: lisadraw)

by ethan.dicks＠gmail.com

On 11/7/06, Fred Cisin <cisin at xenosoft.com> wrote: > On Sun, 5 Nov 2006, Chris M wrote: > > what were these routines writtenw in originally? (C > > presumably I suppose, though one could only wonder why > > they werent written in assembly TBW) > > MOST of the Lisa software seems to have been written in Pascal. > Part of Job's "we want the next (sic) generation, NOT a repeat of what we > already have!" philosophy that caused him to hire some CS graduates with > NO experience in order to get a fresh approach. Some of them didn't even > know that current Pascal compilers were designed for TEACHING programming, > and did not produce output suitable for real world. I had the "enjoyable experience" to be the first seasoned programmer to join a small company that was doing work on the PDP-11 and the PC-AT. Most of _my_ work was in PDP-11 and 80286 assembler, but the main guy was in his first programming job of his career and did everything in Pascal. :-P The company was mapping out a switch to C for a variety of good reasons, but unfortunately, due to external causes (not the choice of Pascal), they went out of business before we started the transition. At that company, I learned several times over why Pascal is not my favorite language. -ethan

17 years, 10 months

Cobol and such was Re: Pascal in production environments

by ken＠seefried.com

From: Dave McGuire <mcguire at neurotica.com> >On Nov 6, 2006, at 6:35 PM, Chris M wrote: >> Wasn't Smalltalk the first OO language? Nope...Simula circa 1962. Smalltalk was '72 as I recall. > I don't recall Modula-2 being OO...? Depends on how much you torture the definition, but really it's just got a few OO features.

17 years, 11 months

Correction to a looooooong ago post!

by wayne.smith＠charter.net

If you search Google groups you will see that the first appearance of the term in a post ("lap-top") was in July 6, 1983 in a post by Dan Chernikoff, referring to the TRS-80 model 100. http://groups.google.com/group/net.micro/browse_frm/thread/301dac92a10aa 2f6/814b0c6dd096e119?lnk=st&q=&rnum=1&hl=en#814b0c6dd096e119 I think the precursor term was probably "lap computer." If you search that on LEXIS/NEXIS the earliest hit is a July 4, 1983 InfoWorld article that begins: Copyright 1983 InfoWorld Media Group InfoWorld July 4, 1983 SECTION: IN FOCUS; Pg. 23 LENGTH: 2638 words HEADLINE: Is there a lap computer in your future?; The dream is a desirable one, but there's still a lot of technology to develop. BYLINE: By Paul Freiberger, and John Markoff, IW Staff BODY: On the Pope's recent visit to Poland, American photojournalists covering his tour had something extra in their camera bags. Several of the photographers were carrying Radio Shack Model 100 portable computers to stay in touch with editors back home. In the past year, the personal computer has gone through another transformation in size. Now the microcomputer has left the office behind and become mobile. First it was the desktop microcomputer, then the suitcase-size portable and now the true portable, known variously as the briefcase-, lap- or notebook-size computer. A good part of the notebook-size computer explosion is attributable to Radio Shack's Model 100. Introduced several months ago, it is already a big hit for the Fort Worth, Texas, electronics giant, and it has served notice to other companies that a huge demand exists for reasonably priced lightweight computers. The Model 100 wasn't the first lapsize computer, however. Hewlett-Packard introduced the HP-75 last year, and Epson has been selling the HX-20 with a 4-line by 2-column display for almost two years. **** To search Lexis while avoiding the tags, limit the search to the body of the article by searching "Date<1985 and body(Laptop or lap-top)". Doing this will get you to a late 1983 ComputerWorld article that begins: Computerworld November 30, 1983 SECTION: Pg. 59 LENGTH: 2498 words HEADLINE: PORTABLE PRODUCTIVITY BYLINE: By William Murto; Murto is vice-president of marketing, Compaq Computer Corp., Houston. BODY: Today's portables can be divided into several descriptive catagories: the handheld units, the lap-top computers, the transportable units and the integrated portables. These machines range in weight from several ounces (the handheld units) to more than 30 pounds (the transportables). The handheld units, just as their name implies, are typically not much larger than a hand calculator and generally run on batteries. They are limited in function and are normally little more than a combination of a hand calculator and data entry terminal. The lap-top computers fit smartly into most briefcases and are considerably more powerful and capable than the handheld types. However, these versions have limited display screens and limited memory. They are also limited by the applications programs they can run. > Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 02:31:27 -0500 > From: "Evan Koblentz" <evan at snarc.net> > Subject: Correction to a looooooong ago post! > To: "'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'" > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <000101c70307$e713d700$6401a8c0 at DESKTOP> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Way back in July 1999, someone wrote thus: > > >>> Byte Magazine first used the term "laptop" in reference to a > >>> production > computer, after viewing the Epson HX-20 at a trade show in > November 1981. <<< > > The original post is here: > http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/1999-July/130419.html > .... but it's not true! Recently I looked through all the > Byte issues from that time period and found the reference in > question, which was in the Feb. 1982 issue. In the issue's > main editorial, on page 14, Chris Morgan referred to "...an > intriguing prototype of the Epson HX-20 personal computer... > The beginning of a new trend to what I call 'briefcase' > computers: battery-operated machines that combine portability > with powerful computer features. It's the sort of design > that will appeal to people on the move." > > Byte's earliest use of "laptop" that I could find wasn't > until the Jan. 1984 issue, in an article called > "Portables--1984 and Beyond" by Dave Winer. I contacted Dave > and he said he heard the term from Ester Dyson, but Ester > said she doesn't recall saying it. She did say that > "luggable" was her term, referring to the suitcase-sized > computers. Byte did write about "lap" computers a couple of > times in 1983, but not "laptops" per se. > > I'm bringing this up now because I have seen a few recent web > references which cite the 1999 post as fact. > > Can anyone show me (not just say they remember) a pre-Jan. > 1984 reference to the word "laptop" in the context of > portable computers? > > I searched on Lexis-Nexus but the results were flawed. > Apparently someone tagged all the pre-1984 references to > "mobile" and "portable" computers with the word "laptop" > which may be logical for most searchers but doesn't help me at all. > > - Evan

17 years, 11 months

cctalk Digest, Vol 39, Issue 19

by wayne.smith＠charter.net

If you search Google groups you will see that the first appearance of the term in a post ("lap-top") was in July 1983 in a post by Dan Chernikoff, referring to the TRS-80 model 100. http://groups.google.com/group/net.micro/browse_frm/thread/301dac92a10aa 2f6/814b0c6dd096e119?lnk=st&q=&rnum=1&hl=en#814b0c6dd096e119 To search Lexis while avoiding the tags, limit the search to the body of the article by searching "Date<1985 and body(Laptop or lap-top)". Doing this will get you to a late 1983 ComputerWorld article that begins: Computerworld November 30, 1983 SECTION: Pg. 59 LENGTH: 2498 words HEADLINE: PORTABLE PRODUCTIVITY BYLINE: By William Murto; Murto is vice-president of marketing, Compaq Computer Corp., Houston. BODY: Today's portables can be divided into several descriptive catagories: the handheld units, the lap-top computers, the transportable units and the integrated portables. These machines range in weight from several ounces (the handheld units) to more than 30 pounds (the transportables). The handheld units, just as their name implies, are typically not much larger than a hand calculator and generally run on batteries. They are limited in function and are normally little more than a combination of a hand calculator and data entry terminal. The lap-top computers fit smartly into most briefcases and are considerably more powerful and capable than the handheld types. However, these versions have limited display screens and limited memory. They are also limited by the applications programs they can run. > Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 02:31:27 -0500 > From: "Evan Koblentz" <evan at snarc.net> > Subject: Correction to a looooooong ago post! > To: "'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'" > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <000101c70307$e713d700$6401a8c0 at DESKTOP> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Way back in July 1999, someone wrote thus: > > >>> Byte Magazine first used the term "laptop" in reference to a > >>> production > computer, after viewing the Epson HX-20 at a trade show in > November 1981. <<< > > The original post is here: > http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/1999-July/130419.html > .... but it's not true! Recently I looked through all the > Byte issues from that time period and found the reference in > question, which was in the Feb. 1982 issue. In the issue's > main editorial, on page 14, Chris Morgan referred to "...an > intriguing prototype of the Epson HX-20 personal computer... > The beginning of a new trend to what I call 'briefcase' > computers: battery-operated machines that combine portability > with powerful computer features. It's the sort of design > that will appeal to people on the move." > > Byte's earliest use of "laptop" that I could find wasn't > until the Jan. 1984 issue, in an article called > "Portables--1984 and Beyond" by Dave Winer. I contacted Dave > and he said he heard the term from Ester Dyson, but Ester > said she doesn't recall saying it. She did say that > "luggable" was her term, referring to the suitcase-sized > computers. Byte did write about "lap" computers a couple of > times in 1983, but not "laptops" per se. > > I'm bringing this up now because I have seen a few recent web > references which cite the 1999 post as fact. > > Can anyone show me (not just say they remember) a pre-Jan. > 1984 reference to the word "laptop" in the context of > portable computers? > > I searched on Lexis-Nexus but the results were flawed. > Apparently someone tagged all the pre-1984 references to > "mobile" and "portable" computers with the word "laptop" > which may be logical for most searchers but doesn't help me at all. > > - Evan > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 20 > Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2006 02:47:42 -0500 > From: Warren Wolfe <wizard at voyager.net> > Subject: Re: lisadraw > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <1162972062.2911.69.camel at linux.site> > Content-Type: text/plain > > On Tue, 2006-11-07 at 22:18 -0700, woodelf wrote: > > > > Richard wrote: > > > > > You're not a user. You're a geek. You don't count! ;-) > > > > Umm... Just in HEX do they count! Nerds are binary! > > > Speaking of which... People used to be amazed that I > could count in hex on my fingers. Remember that? 0... 1... > 2 (pardon me, no offense intended)... 3... 4... 5, and so on. > > > > Peace, > > Warren E. Wolfe > wizard at voyager.net > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 21 > Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2006 02:54:26 -0500 > From: Warren Wolfe <wizard at voyager.net> > Subject: Re: OT: Where have electronics hobby stores gone? > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <1162972466.2911.73.camel at linux.site> > Content-Type: text/plain > > On Sat, 2006-11-04 at 14:40 -0500, jwhitton wrote: > > > > I agree.., I'm appalled that RS has abandoned the hobbyist. It > > seems to be the trend..., retailers so driven by profit numbers and > > markets that they abandon those who put them in business in > the first > > place. I've started haunting hamfests and buying almost any dip > > package logic I run across. If I needed ANY ordinary 74xx > piece, there > > is no longer any place that it could be purchased where I live. > > *Maybe* as an outrageously priced ECG part from the one or two > > remaining repair shops..., but that's it. Sad...., and it bodes ill > > for the sort of Science Fair / Boy Scout level projects that kids > > might want to do..., oh, wait, I forgot, they've got video > games and > > the Internet.. > > > Hey, it's worse than that. I recall seeing, about a year > ago, an ad for an electronics project SIMULATOR in Windows > software. You build the project, and it pretends to run it, > and does what real components would do, producing a signal on > screen, and as sound, if appropriate. *SIGH* > > > > Peace, > > Warren E. Wolfe > wizard at voyager.net > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 22 > Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2006 08:54:11 +0000 > From: Adrian Graham <witchy at binarydinosaurs.co.uk> > Subject: Re: lisadraw > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <C1774BB3.55EB%witchy at binarydinosaurs.co.uk> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" > > On 8/11/06 01:37, "Chris M" <chrism3667 at yahoo.com> wrote: > > > Ok, but let's be specific. Who has spent >$200 for a > > piece of equipment, software, hardware, paraphenalia, > whatever, that > > was at least 15 years old? I want to say 20+, but let's > make it easy. > > And not for work/profit...for umm, pleasure (?). I for one > > qualify. oi > > *raises hand* > > I paid a bit more than I was comfortable with for an Acorn > BBC Master Turbo, but it WAS a machine owned by the BBC and > used for the creation of titles and suchlike for the famed > BBC Domesday Project in 1985 and therefore one of less than > 20 produced in that format. Sadly I haven't found anyone yet > who can remember what software it used to run its genlock.... > > -- > Adrian/Witchy > Binary Dinosaurs creator/curator > Www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the UK's biggest private home > computer collection? > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 23 > Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 10:19:05 +0100 > From: "Gooijen, Henk" <henk.gooijen at oce.com> > Subject: PDP-11/44 problem - RUN stays on > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: > > <447524F844B59D48B8F7AE7F560935EE084880D3 at OVL-EXBE01.ocevenlo.oce.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Yesterday evening I had a look at my sick 11/44. > The notes I had kept said that the VT100 displays > "?CP didn't start". I already knew that this is the > typical bus hang condition, so I opened the BA11 box. > I was surprised to see the FP11 board (I did not know > I had that one), but I also saw that the last slot of > the CPU backplane has a G727 ... I remember that in > that quad slot had been the TU80 controller, sure an > NPR device. So, I pulled the G727 and inserted a G7273, > and pushed all other boards firmly into place. > A few boards actually moved a little (say, 1 mm). > > Powering up ... > the 11/44 shows the ">>>" prompt and is responsive, > but I was too lazy to unlock the heads of the RA81 > and tension the motor/spindle belt. The RA81 is the > boot device for the 11/44. The system has an RL02 so I > tried >>>B DL0: but then the 11/44 shows on the VT100 > "no such PROM" (IIRC, or something close like this). > > OK, I was glad not to see "?CP didn't start" anymore, > and I turned off the machine. > Half an hour later I had thought of entering the > boot code for the RL02, so I turned the 11/44 back on. > > However, ... besides the DC ON light, the RUN light > stays ON too. I am sure the RUN light should go OFF. > It does not matter if the switch is in the HALT or > CONT position at power up. > The VT100 only displays: > > (Console V3.40C) > > (Program) > > and nothing more, no ">>>" prompt anymore! > > Also, the FAULT lamp on the RL02 drive stays ON. > In the normal behaviour, the FAULT lamp is OFF, and if > you toggle the switch to the "BOOT" position, the FAULT > lamp will flash ON briefly. > The TK50 (also connected to the 11/44) flashes the red > push button lamp and after a few seconds the red lamp > goes OFF and the green LED goes ON. > Now, in its faulty state the TK50 still behaves the same > when I push the switch to the BOOT position, but the RL02 > drive keeps the FAULT light ON. > > As the FAULT lamp stays ON of the RL02, I am *guessing* > that the 11/44 does not issue a "reset", keeping the CPU > hung, and the RL11 controller ...? > Where do I start? > What are the obvious things in this machine? > Don't read this line Tony. I have 2 spare set 11/44 CPUs. > > thanks for any hints! > > - Henk, PA8PDP. > > > > This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the > use of the addressee and may contain information that is > privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure > under applicable law. > If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof > responsible for delivering this message to the intended > recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, > distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly > prohibited. > If you have received this communication in error, please > notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" > message. > Thank you for your cooperation. > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 24 > Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 10:34:12 +0100 > From: "Gooijen, Henk" <henk.gooijen at oce.com> > Subject: RE: PDP-11/44 problem - RUN stays on > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: > > <447524F844B59D48B8F7AE7F560935EE084880D4 at OVL-EXBE01.ocevenlo.oce.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Sorry, one follow-up on my own message. > I forgot to mention that I searched the classiccmp archive, > but was not successful. I remember a thread about a voltage > comparator issue on the CIM (M7090), but could not find it. > Perhaps that was on usenet ... I must take a look at the > M7090 electrical diagram! > > - Henk. > > > > This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the > use of the addressee and may contain information that is > privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure > under applicable law. > If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof > responsible for delivering this message to the intended > recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, > distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly > prohibited. > If you have received this communication in error, please > notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" > message. > Thank you for your cooperation. > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 25 > Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2006 09:54:16 +0000 > From: Pete Turnbull <pete at dunnington.plus.com> > Subject: Re: New monitors on old machines > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <4551A948.3040103 at dunnington.plus.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Roger Merchberger wrote: > > Rumor has it that Allison may have mentioned these words: > > >> 7) Three way switch at the other enough of the hall. > > > > It's already on a three-way switch with the bottom of the > stairs... do > > they make 4-way switches? > > You mean a two-way switch (single pole, double throw), and > yes there is > a way to have three or more, if you use DPDT switches or a crossover > switch in the middle. Over here, the major manufacturers make > "crossover" or "changeover" light switches for exactly this purpose: > > Conventional use of two two-way (SPDT) switches: > > o-------------o > LIVE --------o--- ---o----------- BULB ------ NEUTRAL > o-------------o > > If one switch is "up" and the other is "down", the light is off > If both switches are "up", the light is on > If both switches are "down", the light is on > > > Actually it's usually wired with one switch the other way up, so the > light is on if one is "up" and the other "down": > > o---. .------o > LIVE --------o--- \/ ---o----------- BULB ------ NEUTRAL > o____/\o______o > > > > Using three (or more) switches: > > o----------o|o----------o > LIVE --------o--- --- ---o----- BULB ---- NEUTRAL > o----------o|o----------o > > ^^^^^^ > crossover switch > connects upper left to upper right (and LL to LR) > or lower left to upper right (and UL to LR) > > If one end switch is "up", and the other is "down", the crossover > switch in the middle can switch current from the upper leg to the > lower, and turn the light on. > > Another layout with a DPDT: > > o--------------.------ > o----------o--- | > LIVE --------o--- : o--------.------------ > o------+ : | | > | : o--------+ | > +---o--- | > o--------------+ > > ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ > a DPDT switch with wiring arranged to switch > current from upper leg to lower leg > ('o's are contacts, '.'s are connections, > ':'s represent the mechanical > linkage between > the poles) > > > You can extend this ad infinitum with additional crossover or > DPDT switches. > > -- > Pete Peter Turnbull > Network Manager > University of York > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 26 > Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 06:55:30 -0500 > From: "Dave Dunfield" <dave06a at dunfield.com> > Subject: Re: imaging XENIX disks > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <200611081100.kA8B0GEH005230 at hosting.monisys.ca> > > > > I made images of the Xenix disks I have for my Altos > > > with ImageDisk and it worked for me. > > > Oohhh.. which Altos would this be ? I'm looking for Xenix for my > > Altos 886. > > It's a 586 - and unfortunately I don't have a full set of > install media - just a couple of "homemade" disks that I got > with the machine, one of which boots (IIRC). > > > > As I understand it Altos Xenix (for the 886) at least was > quad density > > disks. 80 tracks, double density. Should be able to image > them using > > a 1.2M 5.25" PC floppy as long as software can understand > the format > > (I'd think it should do it anyway). > > ImageDisk has no problem reading/writing 80 track DD on > 1.2M drives. > > Dave > > -- > dave06a (at) Dave Dunfield > dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools: > www.dunfield.com > com Collector of vintage computing equipment: > http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/index.html > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 27 > Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2006 07:18:35 -0500 > From: Ray Arachelian <ray at arachelian.com> > Subject: Re: lisadraw > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <4551CB1B.5060405 at arachelian.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Warren Wolfe wrote: > > > > It's too bad, in a way. The effort put into the Lisa was > > gargantuan, and directed very well. On its own, it was a great > > product. It was just the user interface which was > appropriated without > > permission. > I'm not sure that the above is correct. All the historical > sources point to the exact opposite. Steve Jobs gave Xerox a > ton of Apple stock to "sort of open the kimono at Xerox > PARC." It was allowed and well known, and if you read the > stories on folklore.org and compare a Star or an Alto to a > Lisa you'll find there are vast differences in the UI. It > simply wasn't just copied, much less without permission. > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 28 > Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2006 08:06:13 -0600 > From: John Foust <jfoust at threedee.com> > Subject: Re: lisadraw > To: <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <6.2.3.4.2.20061108080409.05c93e50 at mail> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; > x-avg-checked=avg-ok-71884434 > > At 01:19 PM 11/7/2006, der Mouse wrote: > >There are at least two PC operating systems that cost $0 and work > >perfectly well on hardware that's available for $0 because > the latest > >bloatware no longer runs tolerably on it. > > I don't know what's with you retro kids these days. Back in > the old days, speed was cool. You wanted a faster machine. > Now that the most whizzy machines are 1/100th the price (in > inflation-adjusted > dollars) you're still playing with the stuff in the dumpster. > Programs still start more quickly on a faster CPU. > > - John > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 29 > Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2006 03:24:10 -0600 > From: Jules Richardson <julesrichardsonuk at yahoo.co.uk> > Subject: Re: Someone want to 'splain this one to me? > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <4551A23A.7030207 at yahoo.co.uk> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Chuck Guzis wrote: > > Re: Someone want to 'splain this one to me? > > hmm, I might if I could be bothered to wait the few minutes > it takes for a web > browser to load on this old beastie :-) > > From the mention of ebay in the URL I'm guessing that it's some > way-overpriced item that can be purchased *far* cheaper > elsewhere, quite > possibly in superior form (faster, more reliable, more flexible etc.). > > At least, that's the usual situation whenever ebay and > puzzlement occur in the > same message :-) > > "It doesn't have to make sense - people will still buy it" > should be ebay's > marketing slogan... > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 30 > Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2006 09:27:24 -0500 > From: Sridhar Ayengar <ploopster at gmail.com> > Subject: Re: Someone want to 'splain this one to me? > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <4551E94C.2070405 at gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Chuck Guzis wrote: > > Sorry for harping on an old topic, but this really has me mystified: > > > > http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320044031900 > > Prices on old new-in-box hardware always tends to get a little wonky. > > Peace... Sridhar > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 31 > Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2006 03:30:25 -0600 > From: Jules Richardson <julesrichardsonuk at yahoo.co.uk> > Subject: Re: lisadraw > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <4551A3B1.4050706 at yahoo.co.uk> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Richard wrote: > > In article <C17524C0.9D71%aek at bitsavers.org>, > > Al Kossow <aek at bitsavers.org> writes: > > > >> I'm not saying this is a GOOD thing (this is one of the > reasons I'm > >> at the Museum and not a start-up) it is just the way products are > >> built today. > > > > I'll say its a good thing, otherwise a PC with an operating system > > would still cost $10K, instead of $300. > > Of course if every PC cost 10k then buyers would make darn > sure they learned > how to use it properly, rather than the current situation of > buying one and > sticking it on the 'net with no kind of firewall or virus protection. > > Giving complex tools to the masses when they expect to be > able to just jump > right in and use them with no training whatsoever seems like > a pretty insane > plan. > > > End of cctalk Digest, Vol 39, Issue 19 > ************************************** >

17 years, 11 months

ra81 troubleshooting

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

Humm I may be out of luck for any SDI drives on my 11/44. I've tested almost all my HDA's and they all do appear to be bad. None pass the spinup diagnostics internal to the drive except one. On the one drive that passes the internal drive diags (both pre and post spinup), it also passes the internal spinup diags in a 30 minute loop. Good... but... If I boot RT11 off an RL02 and do an INIT on DU0 it runs ok. If I do a Squeeze/out:du0: dl0: it does copy all the files. However, periodically during the copy process the ra81 ready light goes off and the fault light goes on. But it doesn't fail... after perhaps 30 seconds the fault light goes off and the ready light goes back on and the copy proceeds. It may do this 3 or 4 times, but it eventually gets through that copy with no errors on the terminal (no RT11 errors). I can then boot RT11 off DU0. But that frequent fault light coming on give me the whillies. So.. I went to the diags. The basic controller diags for UDA50 pass ok, all 3 tests. The disk excerciser runs ok with default values... but the moment I tell it to also write in the customer data area, I start getting errors immediately. The errors say something to the effect of "R/W Ready lost during write". I'm assuming that's bad. But how come it only shows up if I tell it to write in the customer area? Given all the above, I was thinking perhaps I should reformat the drive (not knowing what else to try). The format "diagnostic" has all kind of warnings saying "do NOT run this unless you are positive you need to....". Not being familiar with these drives, I thought I'd ask those "in the know" here if it's really no big deal to run the reformat (preserving factory badspots). I'm just wondering if the format is messed up in the normal data areas of the drive but not in the diagnostic portion. Just out of curiosity, one of the HDAs that doesn't pass diags points to the R/W board mounted on the drive. I was thinking of replacing it, but then is a reformat mandatory? If none of these drives pan out, my /44 will be driveless. I'll have to hunt for some other RAxx drives. Thanks for any advice! Jay West

17 years, 11 months

WinUAE - Amiga emulator

by chrism3667＠yahoo.com

I don't actually own an Amiga 2000, but I do have a 600. I didn't check to see if there was an emulator for the 600, but I doubt it's roms would be useful to a 2000's emulator. Regardless, assuming I had the right roms, or wanted to try my 600's...um what do I do? Never used an Amiga at all. And I would like to get my hands on a 1000 and 2000 (an any later models too, but they tend to be expensive). ____________________________________________________________________________________ Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-index

17 years, 11 months

Free SGI R8k POWER Challenge L (Deskside) (CO)

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

Found this on another list: > >Guys: > >I've got a POWER Challenge L deskside that was given to me a while back. I've got no use for it and will be moving soon. I'd like to get it to someone who will do something with it other than use it as >furniture. > >I have powered it up and did a hinv. It works, at least as far as working goes with no hard disks and no OSs. > >Seems to have six R8000 processors and 512 MB RAM. No drives. Otherwise complete. > >Weighs, I would guess, about 150 lbs. > >Come and get it and it's yours. in Trinidad, Colorado. I can forward messages. R8k fits timewise (1995) and oddness.

17 years, 11 months

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test-drb November 2006