test-drb June 2015

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

165 participants
285 discussions

by lists＠y42.org

Hello Folks, I have an Ultra 10 "Creator 3D" with everything but the CPU. I have: - case - motherboard - DIMMs - IDE CDROM - CPU daughtercard (without CPU or CPU positioner) - CPU heatsink and backing plate I need to get this system working again. Please don't ask why only the CPU (and the positioner) are missing. What is the simplest way to get this Ultra 10 running again? What CPUs are compatible, and how can I get a positioner? Or if someone has a Ultra 10 s/he'd like to sell to me, please make me an offer. cheers, Rob P.S. by "positioner" I mean the springy little plastic thing that drops into the 4 holes at each corner of the socket and causes the CPU contacts to be correctly positioned over the daughtercard contacts.

8 years, 10 months

Difference between MBASIC51 and 52 for CP/M?

by thrashbarg＠kaput.homeunix.org

Hi list, I'm implementing my own CP/M-80 work-alike using the FAT16 file system. So far it's working nicely but there's a curious problem with Microsoft BASIC. MBASIC51.COM will load files fine, but MBASIC52.COM won't, behaving like the files are 0 bytes long. It calls the open-file routine and that's it. I'm just curious about the differences between version 5.1 and 5.2. I'm assuming I'm not returning correct information in the FCB, but I'm unable to figure out what that might be. Here's a video of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT4dBda2CKw Cheers, Alexis K.

8 years, 10 months

PDP-12 at the RICM

by michael.99.thompson＠gmail.com

> > The processor and core memory in the PDP-12 are working very well now, so > we spend some time with the TC12 LINCtape controller. The TC12 is very > intelligent compared to the more modern TC01/TC02/TC08, and the lobotomized > TD8E DECtape controllers. The TC12 designers included lots of back-doors to > make diagnostics more effective. You can even emulate the data coming from > the TU56 to see if the TC12 processes it correctly. > > The MAINDEC-12-D0GA-A Tape Quickie ran OK and just tests that the TC12 > registers can be written and read back. > > The MAINDEC-12-D3AD-D-D Tape Control Test Part 1 of 2 ran for a long time > and then displayed "LGP GP=GPC PRESET". It pointed to an M216 module that > uses the SN7474 ICs that have caused lots of trouble on other modules. It > tested OK, so we put it back in. We will consider replacing it anyway if we > see further problems. > > The MAINDEC-12-D3GA-D-D Tape Control Test Part 2 of 2 ran OK as long as > you held the MARK switch on the console down. The MARK switch on the > console allows a program to turn on the MARK Track flip-flop in the TC12. > This is not documented in the manual, but was a hand written note in the > margin. > > The MAINDEC-12-D3FB-PB Tape Data Test ran for a long time writing patterns > to tape and verifying that they were written correctly. This means that > lots of the TC12 LINCtape controller is working, as well as the TU56 tape > drive. It eventually failed when it tried to verify the block numbers. We > are not sure that the scratch LINK tape that we used is good, so that may > be a contributing factor. Maybe we can get the MARK-12 program working and > we can reformat the scratch tape. We have just a few LINC tapes and need to > image all of them before we write on them. > > Two more lights on the front panel stopped working. We tested the SN7400 > ICs that send the signal from the registers to the front panel, and they > are OK. The bulbs are OK, so the transistor that turns on the bulb probably > failed. We already replaced one for the LINC light, so we know the > procedure. > > We are getting close to the point where we will need the VR14 display > working to continue our work. Getting the display working will be quite a > project. The PVA between the CRT and the shield has degraded and is nearly > opaque. We will need to remove the outer CRT glass shield and remove the > degraded PVA. Most restorers just put double-sided tape between the shield > and the CRT so that it will have the right dimensions in the clamp. We are > considering replacing the PVA to make is safer. That will be quite a > project. > > Warren modified the current-loop to RS-232 adapter that he made so it will > run at higher speeds. We needed to remove "C1" from the W076 console module > so we could run baud rates faster than 110. After testing, it looks like > 1200 baud is the best compromise between reliability and performance. Now > we can load diags 10x faster. Very nice! > We scanned some of the PDP-12 diags, and Al put them on Bitsavers. We will scan more this week and send them to Al. -- Michael Thompson

8 years, 10 months

Austin Goodwill computer works

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Well, hopefully things will end well and things will find the highest and best use. Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/28/2015 12:04:35 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, scaron at umich.edu writes: Yeah, I figured something like this would have happened eventually; running a computer museum is pretty far out of Goodwill's charter. That is what happens when you give your old stuff to Goodwill; they sell it. Hopefully some of the cooler stuff gets back to the original owner, and there's always the proverbial "guy with deep pockets" but I would be disappointed had I been a donor or volunteer. It's sort of disappointing to see how the whole thing was handled. Best, Sean On Sat, Jun 27, 2015 at 3:01 AM, <COURYHOUSE at aol.com> wrote: > maybe someone has a copy on disc > if so lets get it > > thrift shop = computer museum? > >>???? > > > In a message dated 6/26/2015 11:58:28 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, > jws at jwsss.com writes: > > > On 6/26/2015 11:46 PM, Pontus Pihlgren wrote: > > I had a private conversation with Stephen(who started the > > nekochan thread) and he said that some things have gone back to > > donors and that they will keep some select items. The 8/s is one > > of the machines that they are keeping. > > > > I get the imprwssion that it's a rather controlled an > > responsible shutdown. > > > > /P > If they are retaining the PDP 8/S they just dumped the original history > of the restoration in the auction I posted. not so good. > > I would be open to suggestions that his is not a unique artifact, given > the appearance of the cover. But that speculation is contradicted by > the fact that the pages are all in individual slip covers. Again if the > 8/s went somewhere this should have gone with it. > > http://www.ebay.com/itm/221805321988 > > > thanks > Jim > > > >

8 years, 10 months

Austin Goodwill computer works

by michael.99.thompson＠gmail.com

> > Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2015 03:01:58 -0400 > From: COURYHOUSE at aol.com > Subject: Re: Austin Goodwill computer works > > maybe someone has a copy on disc > if so lets get it > > thrift shop = computer museum? > >>???? > > When the RICM started working on their first PDP-8/S I was sent a copy of the a Word document of the Goodwill PDP-8/S Restoration Log to use as a starting point. -- Michael Thompson

8 years, 10 months

Austin Goodwill computer works

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

maybe someone has a copy on disc if so lets get it thrift shop = computer museum? >>???? In a message dated 6/26/2015 11:58:28 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, jws at jwsss.com writes: On 6/26/2015 11:46 PM, Pontus Pihlgren wrote: > I had a private conversation with Stephen(who started the > nekochan thread) and he said that some things have gone back to > donors and that they will keep some select items. The 8/s is one > of the machines that they are keeping. > > I get the imprwssion that it's a rather controlled an > responsible shutdown. > > /P If they are retaining the PDP 8/S they just dumped the original history of the restoration in the auction I posted. not so good. I would be open to suggestions that his is not a unique artifact, given the appearance of the cover. But that speculation is contradicted by the fact that the pages are all in individual slip covers. Again if the 8/s went somewhere this should have gone with it. http://www.ebay.com/itm/221805321988 thanks Jim

8 years, 10 months

Austin Goodwill computer works

by jws＠jwsss.com

Does anyone have access to the museum that was at Austin Goodwill? It seems to be going out on ebay as we speak. Also there is a bidder for the good stuff that has vacuumed up 90% of the stuff, so I'm smelling some sort of thing going one. They have a PDP8/S and they just sold off a significant artifact related to that, which is what has me wondering. I'm going to call and see if anyone has a story that way, but wondered if anyone here has any info too. There are a lot of nice things going out which could have explanations as being recent donations, but not the 8/s artifact. It seems to be custom related to the 8/s. thanks Jim

8 years, 10 months

VCF Midwest registration is open!

by silent700＠gmail.com

We're just about at the two-month point to the Vintage Computer Festival Midwest, so now we need to get people their tables and speaking slots. If you need one or both of those, there's a fancy(?) new form for you to fill out here: http://vcfmw.org/signup.html If you already talked to/emailed me about a table, please take a moment to fill out the form anyway. This will be a huge help in getting all of our info in one place. If you're normally on the ECCC/Commodore side, please use this form also. VCF is handling reservations for both sides of the show this year. If I don't hear from you via this form, it may be difficult or impossible to place you at the show. We have a new venue this year and (we hope) much greater attendance. This equals a less predictable room layout. Thank you and we'll see you in August! -j Some answers to recent FAQs: - Speaking topics are pretty flexible - we have generally had mostly product/software announcements and demos in the past and we'd like to diversify a bit (while still including those, of course.) Your restoration saga, tales from the computer revolution, something you're an expert on/at, personal experience in early industry or hobbyist clubs, how you're inspiring the next generation, your 'leet hardware hacks...whatever you have, let us know! - Speaking slots are generally 30 minutes long but if you have a particularly juicy topic, we can work to find extra time. - Talks will be videoed and put on YouTube, unless you ask us not to - Tables are a mix of 6' or 8' by ~30". If you have a precise amount on linear table inches in mind, let us know in the topic box and we'll get in touch and/or reserve a specific size. - Hotel rooms are still available at the block rate. Use the link on the main page. If the show rate is not shown, perhaps our block was filled. Contact me and I will get it extended, if possible (we've had to do it twice already.)

8 years, 10 months

Nopecraft - was Re: OT: learner kits

by mtapley＠swri.edu

On Jun 19, 2015, at 10:55 PM, Toby Thain <toby at telegraphics.com.au> wrote: > On 2015-06-19 11:21 PM, Christian Gauger-Cosgrove wrote: >> On 19 June 2015 at 22:38, William Donzelli <wdonzelli at gmail.com> wrote: >>> Let him play Minecraft. Start with simple redstone contraptions, then >>> move to command blocks. >>> >> I'm not ashamed to admit I (24 y/o) play Minecraft now and again (with >> friends on their own private servers). I'd suggest anyone serious >> about trying to get someone "into" logic and programming with >> Minecraft ... > > ... NOT do that. > > Sorry, had to be said. > > Minecraft has nothing to do with logic or electronics and would just be an unnecessarily obtuse way of approaching it. > > For an adult with too much time on their hands? Sure... > > ?Toby ?minecraft physics? is already a derogatory term around the house. And, whether I encourage it or not, he?s already into building complicated redstone sequencers. I?m hoping at least to expand his horizons into real-world projects. Minecraft computing has the asset that his ?logic? is easy to interface to the ?real? (ack, spit!) world, so that makes me realize that a stepper motor or something similar (suggested in the original thread) is a pretty good idea to add to the stack at some point. Generally speaking, I?m with you, Toby, but we are already there trying to get back?.

8 years, 10 months

AT&T terminal keyboards?

by seefriek＠gmail.com

From: Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks at gmail.com> >I just picked up a couple of AT&T terminals, a 730+ and a 5620 "Blit" >terminal. Some people have *all* the luck. >I read on one of the several FAQs that I can use an AT&T 4410 terminal >keyboard with the 730+. It's been a long time, but I'm pretty sure the keyboard is the same across the AT&T 600 & 700 series terminal lines. I'm pretty sure the 4410 is the same. >I've found the trove of old Blit apps, etc. and see how tortuous the >path is to get layers working, etc., Not sure if anyone has tried to build it in a decade or so, but it did at one time build on BSD 4.x. Obviously SVr3 and SVr4 are easier. No idea about Linux, but I suspect it would be painful. >but for now, I've got a couple >old terminals that are entirely unlike any of the DEC terminals >I have, so that by itself is cool. Rub it in :-) KJ

8 years, 10 months

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test-drb June 2015