test-drb November 2016

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

165 participants
224 discussions

by vintagecomputer＠bettercomputing.net

Apart from my Rainbow I don't really have any DEC stuff. ?So I was thinking about trying to acquire something early 70s... like a PDP8/E or similar. ?I don't see them for sale often and I notice that DEC stuff is hotly contested on ebay. ?Wondering what a complete 8/E would run in working or non working condition, or if it is feasible to buy in pieces (I did this with some other equipment I have.. allowed me to spread out the cost.. but is dependent on parts availability). Advice/thoughts most welcome. Sent from my Samsung device

7 years, 5 months

DEC kit on offer in Sussex, England

by shadoooo＠gmail.com

Hello, I'm interested in Rainbow and DecMate, specially if there are monitor and keyboard. Eventually also vax2000 parts, for possible repairs. Thanks Andrea

7 years, 5 months

DEC M9312 Configs for a 11/40

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: William Degnan > hit LOAD ADDR > address light 16 comes on, RUN/PROC/BUS/CONSOLE lights stay on. According to the KD11-A manual (pg. 3-2) the address lights on the console are driven directly from the CPU's Bus Address Register. So you've got an issue there. > If I hit START light 16 turns off. So it's not wedged on in the CPU. Maybe a console switch issue, then? > From: Josh Dersch > Try depositing a known word into a specific memory address, like 1000 > using the console PROM, then try reading it back with the front panel. The console emulator doesn't directly support access to memory about 56KB (as would be, with address bit 16 on). To look at that memory, one has to set up the MMU and turn on mapping - there's a section in the M9312 manual which shows how to do it. Noel

7 years, 5 months

VAX 4000-100 QBUS cables

by glen.slick＠gmail.com

On Nov 29, 2016 9:22 AM, "Noel Chiappa" <jnc at mercury.lcs.mit.edu> wrote: > > > I have an M9405-PA. It has one male and one female 3-row 50-pin > > D-shell connector. > > That's on the metal plate, right? The board itself should have a 2x25 > Berg header. Same deal as a few other S-box handle boards. It's a standard dual wide M9405 board riveted to the S-box handle frame and a dual wide blank spacer for the CD half of the slot. The two 50-pin D-shell connectors on the metal frame are connected to the two standard connectors on the base M9405 board by two short ribbon cable jumpers.

7 years, 5 months

WTB: PDP-8/e handbook

by w2hx＠w2hx.com

Hi all, I am in the market to obtain the PDP-8/e small computer handbook in the form of a real book. There is one on ABE books available which is softcover. I always worry about a 500 page book in softcover in terms of the binding and general sturdiness. Was there a hardcover version of this book and does anyone have one for sale? Thanks Eugene W2HX

7 years, 5 months

for sale/trade: big list of both old and (relatively) new, deadline: end of November (ideally)

by mgariboldi＠gmail.com

The following is for sale, or trade possibly. (I've tried to send this earlier, but it didn't appear in the list, so this is my second try to post htis...) Most of the listed items I've used together with SGI IRIX and HP/Compaq/DEC OpenVMS and Digital/Tru64 UNIX systems and served me very well. I need to sell this by the end of the month (Nov-2016), else I'll have to potentially scrap a considerable bunch of it. I probably forgot to mention a number of things and perhaps I made a few mistakes here and there. I'll try to update (and if needed, correct) this list with follow-up posts. For now, this is the list of items: - SGI systems, e.g. MIPS R5000 and R5200 processor equipped O2s notably, perhaps also a teal Indigo? with 250-MHz R4400, at least 256 Mbytes (also up to 1 Gbyte available) of RAM, various types of CPUs available, along with various other options in terms of disks, video I/O, etc. (ask me) --> suggestion: if you don't care for IRIX, an O2 would still make an excellent X terminal to any e.g. other system, too, as they don't consume a lot of power and they're wonderfully small; - SGI parts, like an SGI Tezro dual-processor 700-MHz R16000 system board and an SGI DMediaPro DM10 IEEE-1394a FireWire PCI card plus cable and manual; - DEC Multia/UDB VX40B, maximized, with 166-MHz LCA4/21066 processor, the maximum amount of RAM (256 Mbytes), large 73.4-Gbyte 2?" SCSI HDD (with Tru64 UNIX V5.1B[-5?] optionally pre-installed, OpenVMS V7.2 also works on it, the original vertical stand and documents are present, too), Ensoniq AudioPCI (16-bit 48-KHz) audio card, replacement NVRAM/TOY back-up battery, experimental SRM console, PCI audio card and custom-shoehorned, etc.; - various older/non-x86 or compatible computer (besides earlier mentioned SGI, e.g. DEC, Compaq and HP) bits & parts, think of FireWire (e.g. IEEE-1394a), audio, etc. cards, cables and such ... included are things like an AlphaServer DS15-compatible PCI audio card, HP IEEE-1394a FireWire PCI card (rare, should work in some HP Integrity systems) and more (ask me for details); - Exar/Neterion/S2io 10-Gbit fiber-optical (10GBASE-SR) PCI-X Ethernet NICs including transceivers, besides x86/-64 also OpenVMS and IRIX compatible (and tried/used in various systems, including HP rx2600s, rx2620s and a DS15 and also an SGI Tezro), LC FC cables optionally available, too; - Mellanox 40-Gbit InfiniBand PCI-E adapters (3 total), optional copper and fiber-optical cables, in various lengths, are also available; - various (e.g. HP) HBAs, notably SCSI (e.g. Ultra160 and Ultra320) and FC (e.g. 2-Gbit and 4-Gbit), for PCI/-X or PCI-E, many PCI/-X cards also compatible with IRIX and even OpenVMS, some include the HP-branded "combo" types, providing both dual-channel FC (HBA) and Ethernet (NIC); - various optical/tape drives and media (e.g. DVD-RAM, various data & cleaning tapes, of which many brand new), DDS/DAT of many types (e.g. DDS-2/DAT12, DDS-3/DAT24, DDS-4/DAT40 and DDS-5/DAT72) Ultrium (mostly LTO-1 and LTO-3), mostly of brands like HP (notably), Quantum and Sony... to summarize several: -- HP Ultrium LTO-3 SCSI half-height tape drives -- Quantum Ultrium LTO-1 SCSI full-height tape drive -- various Ultrium LTO-3, -2 and -1 cleaning and data cartridge tapes (mostly HP-branded) -- various (HP and Sony-branded) DDS-4/DAT40 tape drives, also one DDS-5/DAT72 drive, all with -- various DDS-5/DAT72, DDS-4/DAT40, DDS-3/DAT24, DDS-2/DAT12 and DDS-1/DAT8 tapes; - various DVD-RAM discs, both with and without the plastic caddies; - various HP, AXUS and Ciprico brand Ultra320 SCSI/S-ATA-bridged & 2-Gbit or 4-Gbit FC external enclosures, for HDDs (optionally including large capacity HDDs, also hardware RAID functionality depending per enclosure), 5?" devices and more (these can be tricky to ship, but not impossible), to summarize some of it: -- AXUS Demon SA-16U4P Ultra320 SCSI<=>S-ATA RAID storage enclosure, including 16 * 1-Tbyte S-ATA HDDs and spares --> advantages: relative low power consumption and triple-redundant power -- Ciprico/Huge Systems MediaVault 4-Gbit FC/FC-AL RAID disk array, including transceivers, 10 * 250-Gbyte P-ATA HDDs plus one or more spare HDDs --> advantages: low power consumption and rather silent -- HP StorageWorks M5313A FC/FC-AL 2-Gbit (JBOD) disk array, including transceivers and 14 * 146.8-Gbyte FC HDDs and one or two spare HDDs, too --> note: perhaps not useful for OpenVMS users as-is, as JBOD and FC-AL are a no-go, but it can be used in a larger SAN setup; - various types of printed documents/documentation (various manuals and reference guides, from e.g. SGI and Intel); - APC Smart-UPS 3000 XLM (heavy-duty, 3000VA capacity) UPS back-up battery aggregate power system, plus special APC RJ-45 USB cable (the whole unit is perhaps hard to ship, but not impossible I guess), this UPS can sustain e.g. several 2U and even some 4U HP Integrity servers for up to 30~40 minutes (depending on the loads, of course); - HP OpenVMS Alpha V8.4 SPL (Software Product Library) July 2010, including the original box and 'documents'; - lots of relatively recent 300-Gbyte and 146.8-Gbyte 80-pin (SCA/-2) and 68-pin 10K and some 15K RPM, hot-swap, SCSI HDDs (most are HP-branded); - older <=9-Gbyte SCSI disks, from various vendors, some with (e.g. DEC) firmware, with 50-, 68- and 80-pin (SCA/-2) connectors (many DEC and Compaq/HP-branded ones, relevant for OpenVMS and Digital/Tru64 UNIX, too); - HP StorageWorks 3U external 5?" SCSI expansion enclosure, room for 4 (68-pin) SCSI devices (including optical drives, tape drives and including full-height models); - PCMCIA and PC card items: SanDisk CompactFlash card reader, SIIG IEEE-1394a adapter, USB 2.0 adapter and an Adaptec Fast SCSI adapter plus cable; - Apple ADB and serial items: Griffin iMate adapters (2 total, 1 in original packaging) and Keyspan adapter; - Chieftec SNT-3141 S-ATA HDD backplane plus sleds and I can provide 3 * free 250-Gbyte S-ATA HDDs --> suggestion: perhaps useful for in a system like the HP zx2000 (if it fits, of course; I never tried it); - IBM System x central fan tray (P/N: 90P4618, FRU P/N: 26K4761) and also (e.g.) x346 rack rails (might fit on other devices/systems, too), SCSI HDD caddies, fans and more (ask me); - HP KVMIP console (PN 262589-821) 8-port extender hub, no power supply required for this; - Gefen 1080p HDMI scaler, professional grade (original box present), useful for some computers and monitors to correct aspect ratios; - non-computer items, or indirectly: professional SDI equipment, like JVC-branded CRT and LCD monitors, Miranda bridges (including for IEEE-1394a FireWire to SDI) and more, also many cables of various lengths available and also photo & video equipment (e.g. Nikon D70 plus Nikon Nikkor AF-S 18-70mm f/1:3.5-4.5G zoom lens, a barely used Sony HDR-FX1000/E plus accessories and various bits & parts and a Tamron TV Zoom Lens 12.5-75mm f/1.8 with C mount with constant aperture over the zoom range). All the items are located in the Netherlands. I'll provide more information and pictures on demand. As far as possible trades go. I'm mostly interested in lenses (mostly in Nikon F/G, Pentax K, Leica M, Leica M39, M42 and Sony E-Mount mounts), in particular fast longer telephoto lenses (135mm and above), also enlarger lenses. - MG

7 years, 5 months

DEC kit on offer in Sussex, England

by lproven＠gmail.com

A friend of a member from another mailing list has some DEC kit to dispose of. Here is what I know at present: ? Rudiments of 2 microvax 2000s, a SCSI disc, a TK50 drive and a Vaxstation 3100 An X-terminal. A couple of VT220s An LQP02 - the drive belts have rotted :( A Vaxmate A Rainbow Full inventory to follow, will have to wait for a sunny day. ? Would anyone care to suggest if any of this is worth money? -- Liam Proven ? Profile: https://about.me/liamproven Email: lproven at cix.co.uk ? Google Mail/Talk/Plus: lproven at gmail.com Twitter/Facebook/Flickr: lproven ? Skype/LinkedIn/AIM/Yahoo: liamproven Cell/Mobiles: +44 7939-087884 (UK) ? +420 702 829 053 (?R)

7 years, 5 months

WTB: PDP-8/e handbook

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Eugene - I never saw a hardcopy... ed# In a message dated 11/28/2016 7:24:05 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, w2hx at w2hx.com writes: Hi all, I am in the market to obtain the PDP-8/e small computer handbook in the form of a real book. There is one on ABE books available which is softcover. I always worry about a 500 page book in softcover in terms of the binding and general sturdiness. Was there a hardcover version of this book and does anyone have one for sale? Thanks Eugene W2HX

7 years, 5 months

SWTPC 6800 issues again

by vintagecomputer＠bettercomputing.net

It tested good with my DVM when I first had it.. but the cap is original for sure... maybe I will invest in a new one even though it seemed ok. Sent from my Samsung device -------- Original message -------- From: "Ian S. King" <isking at uw.edu> Date: 2016-11-28 11:37 AM (GMT-08:00) To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Subject: Re: SWTPC 6800 issues again On Mon, Nov 28, 2016 at 8:22 AM, Brad H <vintagecomputer at bettercomputing.net > wrote: > Hey guys, > > > > You might recall a while back I was having issues where I'd have to power > up/power off multiple times before I'd get the 6800 to start up correctly > and give me the SWTBUG prompt.? What I did was remove an overwrought > modified RAM board and replaced it with a more basic 4K board set to the > $A000 range.? That worked great for a while, but not we're getting back to > the situation where I power up many times and get either ? marks, a string > of 4s, or some other random character.? I have to power off and on several > times before I get the $ prompt. > > > > I figured out how to run a proper RAM diagnostic and no errors came back. > I > wasn't sure how to properly test the $A000 board -? I assumed I couldn't > let > the test test the address space used by the test program itself, so I set > it > to run from A07F to AFFF (I think I did that right, I set the MSB in A002 > to > A0 and LSB in A003 to 7F, and for the upper limit MSB in A004 to AF and > A005 > to FF). > > > > I'm wondering now if this is really a RAM problem or maybe something else. > I don't think it's the serial card.. I've tried both the MP-C and MP-S and > no change. > > > > I have an NOS MP-B2 motherboard here.? The 'check pins' on the molex > connectors for the cards haven't even been cut.? I could set that up for > testing although, being totally unused I'm hesitant about altering it. > What > do you think on that? > > > > Brad > > My first question (and pardon me if this was addressed in your earlier thread) is, have you checked the power supply?? If possible, use a scope, but even a good DVM will tell you if you're maintaining voltage.? And if the filter cap is the original, just replace it - they have a limited lifespan.? I bought one from Digi-Key for $19.? Hope that helps -- Ian -- Ian S. King, MSIS, MSCS, Ph.D. Candidate The Information School <http://ischool.uw.edu> Dissertation: "Why the Conversation Mattered: Constructing a Sociotechnical Narrative Through a Design Lens Archivist, Voices From the Rwanda Tribunal <http://tribunalvoices.org> Value Sensitive Design Research Lab <http://vsdesign.org> University of Washington There is an old Vulcan saying: "Only Nixon could go to China."

7 years, 5 months

SWTPC 6800 issues again

by vintagecomputer＠bettercomputing.net

Hey guys, You might recall a while back I was having issues where I'd have to power up/power off multiple times before I'd get the 6800 to start up correctly and give me the SWTBUG prompt. What I did was remove an overwrought modified RAM board and replaced it with a more basic 4K board set to the $A000 range. That worked great for a while, but not we're getting back to the situation where I power up many times and get either ? marks, a string of 4s, or some other random character. I have to power off and on several times before I get the $ prompt. I figured out how to run a proper RAM diagnostic and no errors came back. I wasn't sure how to properly test the $A000 board - I assumed I couldn't let the test test the address space used by the test program itself, so I set it to run from A07F to AFFF (I think I did that right, I set the MSB in A002 to A0 and LSB in A003 to 7F, and for the upper limit MSB in A004 to AF and A005 to FF). I'm wondering now if this is really a RAM problem or maybe something else. I don't think it's the serial card.. I've tried both the MP-C and MP-S and no change. I have an NOS MP-B2 motherboard here. The 'check pins' on the molex connectors for the cards haven't even been cut. I could set that up for testing although, being totally unused I'm hesitant about altering it. What do you think on that? Brad

7 years, 5 months

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test-drb November 2016