test-drb August 2006

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

216 participants
517 discussions

by derschjo＠msu.edu

I've spent a few hours this evening transferring software from my PERQ over the serial port at 9600 baud, and I thought I'd share them, since there don't seem to be many games archived on the 'net (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on that count :). Thus far I've archived binaries & source for: - PERQMan (seems to be an early version, looks like a 100% clone of Pac-Man, vs. the changed sprites & "Perq Interactive Debugger" name I've seen in screenshots) - Chess - Puzzle These are available at: http://yahozna.dhs.org/computers/software/PERQ/ These all compile and run under POS (I have D.6 running on my machine). If I'm wasting my time (i.e. if these bits have already been archived somewhere, let me know so I don't spend more time painfully extracting these files one at a time over a serial link...) There are a handful of other games and utilities (a vt52 emulator, a Pente game, etc..) that I'll be getting to sometime later this week. Additionally, I'm working on archiving a raw image of the 14" Shugart in my PERQ (again, over the serial port). I've written a simple pascal program to do the dumping and I'm doing it 10 cylinders at a time since it takes so long :). My goal eventually is to write a PERQ emulator, but we'll see how that turns out... Josh

18 years, 4 months

One for classiccmp.org? (was: Re: Archived a few PERQ games...)

by aek＠bitsavers.org

> Hmm, random thought, but does it make sense to have a list on classiccmp.org > of what preservation work (in terms of utilities, procedures etc.) has been > done for various machines? This is part of my charter as Software Curator at CHM (documentation and tools) It will be going up as part of the SCC (hopefully, with a new name soon) web site. http://community.computerhistory.org/scc along with a blog of the projects that I'm working on at CHM. -- Connectivity for me is spotty, since I can't send or receive bitsavers mail at work right now.

18 years, 4 months

MULTICS manuals

by aek＠bitsavers.org

I've got a couple of cubic feet of MULTICS manuals, here. Should I put them in the "to be scanned" pile or the "to be shredded" pile? -- Check what's already been done on bitsavers.

18 years, 4 months

Microkernels (WAS RE: New to the list.)

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

> But, one key difference between the QNX approach and that of >most other current OS's is the microkernel architecture. >Instead of a BIG monolithic kernel with ALL the drivers >installed (or, extra glue for LKM support, etc.), a microkernel >based design treats all of these as components which can be >plugged together. And *talk* to each other (instead of being >invoked "from above"). Yes, you just have the IPC overhead, though. Not sure if it's IPC or cheaper hardware, but large network operations on my Macintosh (System 10) bring the machine much closer to it's knees than any monolithic UNIX or even VMS on a VAX 4000/200. NB - I haven't used the microkernel based Tru64 yet. Microkernels are neat in theory, but a well-trimmed monolithic kernel seems to do pretty well with not too much space.

18 years, 4 months

Genrad 2294 + PDP-11/44 In Atlanta

by jcwren＠jcwren.com

I went over and checked out that Genrad 2294 tester here in Atlanta. The auction includes equipment not shown in the picture, namely the whole Genrad test platform itself, and the PDP-11/44 shown in the picture. There are 4 DEC drives in the rack, plus one CDC drive (over the CPU), the CPU box itself, and two 8" floppies. Either I don't know the "trick" to getting the CPU box to slide out on it's rails, or it's jammed. In any case, I couldn't get a picture of it's guts. I do have some closeups of the exteriors of the CPU box, the CDC drive, and one of the DEC drives. Maybe by looking at them, sometime can determine what model they are. I'm going to pass on the unit, as it's just too damn big for me to put anywhere, and while they have a fork lift to load it, I have no way to get it off. The company bought the system while one of the Rockwell Missile System Division buildings either closed or moved. From what I gather, this Genrad was used in some phase of the Hellfire missile construction, although he wasn't clear if it was the manufacturing process group or the development group. There's also a bunch of good older test equipment, but nothing I have any use for or don't already have. The box hasn't been running in at least 3 years. I didn't get a look inside the chassis, but overall it looked pretty clean, no dents or major bashes. Seems like a damn good deal, for someone with the right equipment to transport it. --jc

18 years, 4 months

Test, ignore this

by evan＠snarc.net

Ignore please.

18 years, 4 months

Misc SCSI cards

by THX1138＠dakotacom.net

Hi, I'm digging through boxes in an effort to "lighten the load". Are any of these worth keeping? Future Domain TMC-840 TMC-850 STB Systems (no P/N... a pair of S3 *display* controllers onboard along with a DEC DC1040F -- which I assme to be a wide SCSI controller?) IBM (no P/N... three adaptec AIC7880's, a PowerPC 403GA, IBM "Viper" and "Rattler" chips. Lots of FRU numbers but no idea which applies to the *assembly*!) Thanks!

18 years, 4 months

DEC 3000/400

by THX1138＠dakotacom.net

Hi, This box has a little fold down door in the front (below the half height CD-ROM/tape drive). It is the size of a second half-height drive bay. But, I'll be damned if I can figure out why it's there! Behind the door there is no way that anything *could* be installed (even if the opening into the chassis was NOT blocked). Perhaps this cover assembly is used for some other product(s) which *could* make use of the space behind it? (obviously, this isn't a material question -- just something trivial.... why go to the expense of putting something there that *only* serves as a place to hide the model number, etc.?) Thanks, --don

18 years, 4 months

Nixdorf LK3000 (OT?)

by jim.isbell＠gmail.com

I hope this qualifies for a classic computer. If not then wipe it out. I have a Nixdorf LK 3000 and LK 3500 module that I was preparing to put on E Bay but discovered it didnt work. Examining it I discovered NO BATTERY, Inside there are a blue and a red wire that must have originaly gone to a battery clip. But I dont know what size or where it resided. I dont want to get rid of this without fixing it first. Does anyone have any info on what the battery (pack?) looked like on thei personal computer? I am glad I decided to try it out because I had remembered that it DID work. Shows what 70 years will do to your memory. I dont even remember removing the battery pack! -- Jim Isbell "If you are not living on the edge, well then, you are just taking up too much space."

18 years, 4 months

Original boxes...

by wh.sudbrink＠verizon.net

Just wondering whether other collectors try to acquire original boxes to go with their machines. I have several original Ohio Scientific boxes that I prize as part of my collection. Anyway, I just got a nice Koyo 9 inch monitor (built 1979, IMSAI blue) in an IBM PS/2 Color Display 8515 box. I know that there are a few PS/2 collectors on the list. The box is not in the best shape, but it isn't awful either. Anybody interested in it or should I pitch it? Located in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. Bill -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.3/423 - Release Date: 8/18/2006

18 years, 4 months

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test-drb August 2006