Hi,
This is a belated response to a post you made here:
http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctech/2003-February/010641.html I
happened upon it while doing a 'for fun' search on the net for anything
doing with good ol' Century Data, my employer when I was young. Couldn't
resist responding to the post, even if it was half a year late!
The exerciser that you have is/was for the Trident series of hard disk
drives (predecessor to the Marksman). I was the main (in fact, pretty much
the ONLY) technician at Century Data/Calcomp, for these exercisers back from
the late 1970's to the mid 1980's, when they were phased out. I retired in
1985.
Have fun! (BTW, where'd you find one of these dinosaurs??)
Take care,
Nasim
Every so often, a discussion of Tiny BASIC appears around here. I was curious about one of the very first versions of Tiny BASIC, the 8080 implementation done by Whipple and Arnold, as documented in the Vol. 1 No. 1 (Jan 1976) issue of Dr. Dobb's Journal (of Tiny BASIC Calisthenics and Orthodontia)
This issue contains an octal listing of a Tiny BASIC interpreter for the 8080, and I couldn't find this version available for download anywhere. So... I typed it in, and it works!
I documented my work, which is available at
http://oss.readytalk.com/tb/tinybasic.tar.gz
(Note - this location is temporary - I need a home for this if anyone is interested)
Included are the text file for the octal listing, a binary which can be loaded into memory, an attempt to extract the IL from the binary, and some instructions on bringing up Tiny BASIC. I was able to run some simple programs with a Z80 simulator that I've been running, and it appears to work correctly.
I found the PDF of the listing in the ACM digital library:
http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/987491.987494
Typing in octal listings is error-prone enough, and typing them in from bad PDF scans of bad photocopies is even trickier. I have corrected many errors, but I'm sure there are more. If any kind soul would be willing to proofread / correct the listing, it would be **GREATLY** appreciated.
I hope this is of interest to people. I'm very interested in other versions of Tiny BASIC out there, if someone has ever typed this listing before, etc. I'm familiar with Tom Pittman's work, but other resources would be greatly appreciated.
-Eric
____________________________________________________________________________________
Don't pick lemons.
See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.
http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html
I thought I had posted this, perhaps not.
Anyhow,
I have what's purported to be the "First" computer on the internet,
the one that joined the pieces together and I guess you could say "made" the internet,
or conversely, the "last" node, as it were (depending how you count).
It's also the system where E-Mail was first created.
It's a Sun SLC workstation, owned by Einar Steffard.
I have the original box (very slightly torn),
and the workstation itself is in very good shape except one cosmetic crack, which I believe can be fixed very easily.
I tried the smithsonian, and other computer museums, but basically was told they already had too many of this model,
never mind the significance of this particular unit.
it still runs, last I checked, and has all the original data still intact on it, such as it is.
now, I find myself with a severe lack of space, and need to part with it.
I would like a little bit of money for it, it wasn't a donation to me, and shipping maybe expensive.
or I would be willing to trade it for a vaxstation 4000, or perhaps a 3100 or two.
(I have a need for 2 working vaxen you see)
so anyhow, that's how it is, this piece of history sitting in the corner of my office, collecting dust,
and not doing much else.
I'd like to see it get to a good home, and never scrapped, I think it's too important for that.
so anyhow, anyone who wants this piece of history, drop me a note.
and yes, I have pics (including the shipping labels from Einar to me) for what it's worth...
Dan.
_________________________________________________________________
If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines four overlapping crossword puzzles into one!
http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208
>Here's something I was thinking about the other day. I *know* for a fact that SCSI interface hard drives existed with 8" platters. I've never seen one, however. Does anyone know of any specific model numbers, or have any product information or pictures of such devices?
I just looked in my collection of 8" drives. I have two 8"
Imprimis/CDC 97201-12G PA8P1A ST81236N Sabre drives with the original
style SCSI connectors on the back. There are manuals for the drive on
Bitsavers at: http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/cdc/discs/sabre/83325700N_PA8xx_736-1230mb_Par…,
and http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/cdc/discs/sabre/83325720F_PA8xx_736-1230mb_Mai….
The manuals say that the drives are 1.2G, 512 byte/sector drives with
an HP SCSI differential interface. I can post pictures if you are
interested.
--
Michael Thompson
Received from a former DEC service rep.:
If anyone wants scans of a specific piece, I will probably arrange it.
This accounts for only the miniscule portion I've managed
to sort and catalog in the past 3 hours (about 1/8 of the total
number of documentation pieces I received):
Communications Options Minireference Manual, vols. 1-7
LSI-11 Systems Service Manual, Vols. 1-3
VAX 8600/8650 System Diagnostics User's Guide
Communications Options Minireference Manual
VAX/VMS Internals and Data Structures
Cartridge Tape Service Documentation
TK50 Tape Drive Subsystem Owner's Manual
TK50 Tape Drive Subsystem User's Guide
TK70 Streaming Tape Drive Owner's Manual
TK70 Streaming Tape Drive Subsystem Service Manual (MicroVAX II sys.)
ThinWire Ethernet COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR INSTALLATION CARD
H4000 DIGITAL Ethernet Transceiver Installation Manual
Fiber Optic Attenuator Installation/Configuration Reference Card
LA120 Series Pocket Service Guide
LA10X-EJ/EL Tractor Option Installation Guide
DECWRITER III LA120 Operator Reference Card
LCG01 Color Printer System Pocket Service Guide
MicroVAX 3600/VAXserver 3600/3602 Operation
KA650 CPU System Maintenance
MicroVAX 3600/VAXserver 3600/3602 Technical Information
ULTRIX-32 Guide to the Error Logger System
LJ250/LJ252 Companion Color Printer Pocket Service Guide
LN03 Pocket Service Guide
RF-LN03 Pocket Service Guide
VAX 6200 Options and Maintenance
VAX 6200/6300, VAXserver 6200/6230 Owner's Manual
VAXstation 2000 Workstations and MicroVAX 2000 Network Guide
ULTRIX-32 Basic Installation Guide for the VAXserver 2000
DECstation 2100/3100 Maintenance Guide
MicroVAX 2000 Installation
MicroVAX 2000 Operation Addendum: VAXserver 2000
MicroVAX 2000 Operation
MicroVAX 2000 Troubleshooting
MicroVAX 2000 Technical Information
MicroVAX 2000 Customer Services
VAXstation 2000 and MicroVAX 2000 Maintenance Guide
VAXstation 3100 Maintenance Information
VAXstation 3100 Illustrated Parts Breakdown
VAXstation 2000 Hardware Information
VAXstation 2000 System Guide
VAXstation 2000 Network Guide
VAX 6000-400 Options and Maintenance
VT100 Series Pocket Service Guide
VT180 Series Pocket Service Guide
VT320 Pocket Service Guide
VT330 Pocket Service Guide
VT340 Pocket Service Guide
VAXcluster Service Reference Manual
VAXcluster Service Reference Set
VAX 8530/8550/8700/8800/8820/8830/8840 System Maint. Guide
8800 8700 8550 8500 Console User's Guide
B213F Expander Installation
R215F Expander Maintenance
KA655 CPU System Maintenance
VAX Architecture Reference Manual
CI750 User's Guide
BA11-A Mounting Box and Power System Tech. Manual
VAX-11/750 Diag. System Overview Manual
VAX-11/750 Level 1 Student Workbook (Digital Internal Use Only)
VAX-11/750 UNIBUS Interface Technical Description
VAX-11/751 User's Guide
DELUA User's Guide
MicroVAX 2000 Hardware Information
MicroVAX
VAX 8200/50, 8500/50
The Digital Dictionary, Second Edition
VAX Maintenance Handbook (VAX Systems)
VAX Maintenance Handbook (VAX-11/780)
VAX Maintenance Handbook (VAX-11/750)
VAX-11/750 Mini Diag. Ref. Guide
RM05 Disk Subsystem Service Manual
RM05 Disk Subsystem Student Guide (Digital Internal Use Only)
RM03 Disk Drive Maint. Print Set
RP04/05/06 Field Maint. Print Set
Symptom Directed Diagnosis Tool Kit Installation Guide
VAXsimPLUS Field Service Manual
Getting Started with VAXsimPLUS
VAXsimPLUS User Guide
Model 733 DEC Disk Storage Drive Parts Catalog, Jan. 1976
RP04-TC Part II
RP04, RP05, RP06 Field Svc. Handbook
HSC50 Service Manual
HSC Installation Manual
VAX 86XX System Maint. Guide
RP05/RP06 Field Handbook -Company Confidential-
RP05/06 677-01/51 Disc Drive Illustrated Parts Catalog
Model 677-01/51 RP05/06 DEC DISC MAINTENANCE Guide (Educ. Svcs.)
Digital Education and Training: UNIX Utils & Cmds. Student Guide
--------------Original Message------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 16:27:36 -0500 (EST)
From: liste(a)artware.qc.ca
Subject: Looking for : Sharp PC-1405
Or equiv (Tandy had them as PC-2 or something, iirc).
The goal of my classic collection is to get one of every computer I've
programmed over the years. One of the first computers I programmed was a
PC-1405 (actually, I can't remember the exact model).
I found one of these in a pawn shop. By brother "stole" it. I found
another. This was my one classic computer that was helluva useful. So
useful I took it with my places. And, well, I've just lost it. I've
checked eBay and there are a few Sharp Pocket Computers, but W@W L@@K @
T3H PR1C3Z! Buy it now for "only" 300 USD!
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3000156764&category=15030
So, does anyone here have one they don't need and/or would be willing to
let go for a reasonable price?
-Philip
--------------------------------------
I've got a PC-1421 Financial Computer if you (or anybody) are interested:
76 character keyboard
16 character display
40K ROM Basic
4.2 Kb RAM
Interface for optional CE-126 Printer/Cassette (don't have)
6 modes:
Normal calculator
Financial calculator
Statistical calculator
Basic program mode
Basic run mode
Almost new, in box with cover & 280P manual. Make me an offer (less than
US$ 300, or even CDN$ 300 :).
mike
I'm working with an old data sample (ca. 1979) to a piece of
equipment that I do not have access to. I've identified some bits
and pieces of code and am trying to identify the processor.
Here's what I know. The processor is big-endian and appears to be
byte-addressable. The opcode for CALL appears to be D3 xx xx, where
xxxx is the address of the destination. 2C appears to be load
immediate instruction and is also 3 bytes long.
The code doesn't look tight enough to be a p-code implementation of
any sort.
Does this ring any bells to anyone?
--Chuck
The 8/L, ASR33, DF32 disk emulator project has been sold. Thanks
for all your interest (and offers). Anyone who wants the DF32
emulator schematic and artwork, I can email you a copy. I hope
someone can take my "first draft" and make a useful unit for those
who are interested.
I have a working ADM-3A that I may want to sell also. It has a
homebrewed lower-case 2716 ROM (thanks Steve Loboyko for the font
files). I installed the "optional" parts for current loop on the
main PCB, and used it with the 8/L. The only thing that's missing
is the little aluminum panel covering the dip switches.
Any interest? Same deal as before, please email offers, "sealed
bids".
thanks
Charles
My Altair 680 has achieved the position of primary attention on
my workbench. All of the ICs are socketed. Not having seen
power in over 20 years, I did not trust the power supply as far
as I could throw a bus. I pulled all of the ICs, attached dummy
loads (automobile bulbs) and powered up. Sure enough, there was
AC all over the place (where there should have been DC). I
replaced all of the electrolytic caps and that got rid of the AC
but some of the voltage levels are very wrong, at least as compared
to what is written on the schematics. The worst offender is just
off the "plus" side of the full wave bridge (BR-1). It should be
nine volts but is actually at 11.5. This makes what should be the
main five volt rail a little more than 9 volts... the far side of
VR-1 (a 7805). The wave form coming off the transformer is really
ugly not a smooth sine wave. I hate power supplies. I don't really
understand, looking at the schematics, what this transformer should
be doing. My guess is that it should be making a nice nine volt,
60 cycle AC sine wave with each of the two outputs 90 degrees out
of sync? What could be wrong with a transformer that it would
produce something like:
__
/ \
| \
/ \_
/ \
| /
| /
\_/
bent and very squared off at spots? My scope shows nice clean 120
coming into the transformer. How do I figure out a part number for
a replacement transformer?
Thanks!
