test-drb August 2009

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

148 participants
169 discussions

by hachti＠hachti.de

Hi folks, what do you think about a Unibus to PCI bridge? I think such a device - if well done - could be real fun. There has been a commercial approach somewhere - but it doesn't seem to be available anymore. Hardware needed: A PCI board with an FPGA and full Unibus connection. Possible features: * Unibus mapping into PC address space. Makes Unibus devices and memory directly visible to the PC. Porting of old Unix drivers for RK, RP, TC, and friends could become possible. * Unibus bus arbitration (if no CPU with arbiter on the bus) * Unibus memory implementation * Unibus->PCI interrupt forwarding With those features (arbiter and memory only if not already present on the bus) it should be possible to use ALL Unibus peripherals from the PC. Make memory dumps of a running system (Unibus is multi master capable). It would even become possible to integrate real peripherals with SIMH :-) Possible addons: * QBus interface * Unibus mass storage device implementations (using a storage card on the FPGA board or the PC) I'm thinking of this because I got a whole bunch of Unibus stuff (CPUs and peripherals) in unknown condition. Comments welcome! Best wishes, Philipp :-) -- http://www.hachti.de

15 years, 4 months

HP Integral I/O cards

by c-f＠bigpond.net.au

Hi Tony, A few years back you we looking for an IPC HP-82919A Serial interface I believe? I have an HP82919A RS232 used and 2x 82927A 512k memory modules new if you're interested? Not sure of a price yet but may eBay them. Kind Regards, Ashley

15 years, 4 months

Slidewire lubricant

by ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk

Sort-of a tangent to the 'contact lubricant' thread... I've just bought an HP9125 plotter for my 9100 :-). For those who don't know this device (built entirely from discrete transistors from what I can see), it's basically a calcualtor interface (4 boards of logic) driving a pair of DACs, driving an analogue X-Y plotter. Anyway, the last part has slidewires (essentially long sliding potentiometers) to detect the pen position and provide a feedback signal to the servo circuits. The HP service manual (OK, it's a boardswapper guide, but I read all the information I can find...) says you have to clean said slidewires with special cleaner and then coat them with special slidewire lubricant. Of course I want to make my slidewires last as long as possible, getting replacements is non-trivial :-) Does anyone know what modern product I should use? -tony

15 years, 4 months

Slidewire lubricant

by tshoppa＠wmata.com

> I've just bought an HP9125 plotter for my 9100 :-). For those who don't > know this device (built entirely from discrete transistors from what I > can see), it's basically a calcualtor interface (4 boards of logic) > driving a pair of DACs, driving an analogue X-Y plotter. Anyway, the last > part has slidewires (essentially long sliding potentiometers) to detect > the pen position and provide a feedback signal to the servo circuits. I have a HP9125 hooked up to my 9100 too. It's way cool. For a while I used noncompatible HP plotter pens kinda tape/wedged on but the last couple times it was just felt tip pens, definitely not quite as good as real plotter pens. > The HP service manual (OK, it's a boardswapper guide, but I read all the > information I can find...) says you have to clean said slidewires with > special cleaner and then coat them with special slidewire lubricant. Of > course I want to make my slidewires last as long as possible, getting > replacements is non-trivial :-) > Does anyone know what modern product I should use? I would guess a good cleaner/lube for slide audio faders would be the right thing. When I did some techie work in the recording industry, in fact, the old-timers called the faders "slidewires". Tim.

15 years, 4 months

Vax 11/750 disks

by bqt＠softjar.se

Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks at gmail.com> wrote: > On Mon, Aug 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM, Pontus<pontus at update.uu.se> wrote: >> I now have the 11/750 in my house (yay!), it was "fun" to carry up the >> stairs. > > That must be a new use of the word "fun" of which I was previously unaware. ;-) Indeed. But I'm sure you actually know what kind of fun that is, Ethan. ;-) >> Now, I just mounted the RA70 disks I got into their rack and dusted them >> off. They are mounted four in box similar to the RA90 and has a small >> front panel. I have only found the Pocket Reference Guide. So I'm >> wondering: does anyone have a manual? >> >> Alternatively, can anyone give me an introduction how to operate the >> front panel. Can I run diagnostics like on the RA90 ? > > I, too, would appreciate any documentation pointers or especially > "lessons learned" with RA7X drives. My former SDI experience was all > with RA81 drives (starting back when they were $24,000!) but I have a > couple of RA70s that I'd love to use either in a BA123 with either a > MicroVAX II or a KDJ11, or with my 8300/KDB50 or an 11/750/UDA50. > ISTR there were "internal" SDI cables that weren't as sturdy for > in-cabinet use. I only have external, heavy, black, rubberized SDI > cables. A pointer to where to acquire light-weight SDI cables would > be good to have. RA70 drives have switches so that you can set the unit number directly on the without having a front panel (look at the PCB). "Internal" cables are just the cable from the controller, which is an unshielded cable, usually red. You normally connect that cable to a bulk head, but you can connect that one directly to a drive as well, if you want to. That's what you usually have in a BA223(?). Apart from that, RA7x drives are nice and easy. All except the RA70 must have a front panel to set the unit number, meaning they don't work as well directly in a BA cabinet. You can connect one without a front panel, and it will be unit #0, but don't try connecting several this way. There aren't any diagnostics you can run on the disks without a computer, as far as I know. There are some power-up diagnostics of course, but they are run without operator control. Johnny -- Johnny Billquist || "I'm on a bus || on a psychedelic trip email: bqt at softjar.se || Reading murder books pdp is alive! || tryin' to stay hip" - B. Idol

15 years, 4 months

100 Q-bus boards available

by trash3＠splab.cas.neu.edu

Getting ready to toss 100 boards. No idea of functionality. 11/03, 23, 73 processors, memory, third party boards, serial boards. pickup only in Wrentham, MA FREE Joe Heck

15 years, 4 months

Anyone in the Seattle area have the ability to write an RL02 pack for me?

by derschjo＠mail.msu.edu

I have my PDP-11/40 in a state where it should be able to actually boot an OS, but I have no OS media to boot. And VTServer won't work for me -- it requires 192K of RAM as well as EIS, neither of which I have (I have 128K and the basic CPU set.) Anyone nearby Seattle who can put some manner of OS on one of my RL02 packs? Alternately, anyone have RX02 images of a bootable system they can share? (I'm really looking forward to toggling in the RX02 bootstrap, you see...) Thanks as always... Josh

15 years, 4 months

RA70 stuck platters? [was: Vax 11/750 disks]

by pontus＠update.uu.se

Hi I'm breaking out from my own VAX11/750 thread to ask a question about RA70 disks. I just powered them up and got six out of eight disks (I have two enclosures) to spin up. Two disks took a few tries, but eventually started turning. Pretty good turnout given that these disks has been stored in a damp and cold place. I've read about older disks getting stuck if not used for longer periods. The fix range from gently twisting the disks in your hand to smacking the disks with two hammers to get the platters moving. Does any one have any experience and suggestions on how to get these oldies going? Kind regards, Pontus.

15 years, 4 months

Vax 11/750 disks

by pontus＠update.uu.se

Hi all. I have a Vax 11/750 coming my way. It currently has a three RA81 disks in a half-height rack. I feel that the RA81 takes up a little too much room. I would rather run on as small disks as possible (physical size of course). What options do I have? I believe that RA90 would work with existing controllers and I could fit one or two of those into a rack I already have. Kind regards, Pontus.

15 years, 4 months

VT420s, 80 meg packs (update)

by wdonzelli＠gmail.com

Demand has been impressive for the packs and stuff, so please bear with me while I ration these things out. Earlier responses get preference. Sorry, I am no longer accepting orders. Please be patient and I will get invoices out soon. -- Will

15 years, 4 months

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test-drb August 2009