test-drb December 2017

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

127 participants
147 discussions

by dm561＠torfree.net

An interesting 3 hours on PBS last night: - 'Steve Jobs - One Last Thing': No description necessary. - 'Long Distance Warrior': McGowan/MCI's David & Goliath battle with AT&T and disastrous merger with Worldcom. - 'Digital Man/Digital World': Ken Olsen/DEC's growth and ultimate decline. (No doubt everyone here except myself had already seen this one ;-) Interesting comparison of the different styles and personalities of three men who profoundly influenced the tech world of today and their companies. Thoroughly enjoyed it. m

6 years, 8 months

Dec-10 Day announcement from Living Computers: Museum + Labs

by RichA＠livingcomputers.org

Happy DEC-10 Day! It is my honor to announce that we at Living Computers: Museum + Labs are releasing to the computing community our Massbus Disk Emulator and all the associated software. This device connects via Massbus cables to the RH10 and RH20 interfaces on KI-10 and KL-10 systems, to the RH11 interface on KS-10 and small PDP-11 systems (including the front end 11/40 on the KL-10), and to the RH70 on the PDP-11/70. The MDE provides up to 8 emulated RP06 or RP07 disks (represented by disk files in the format used by the SimH emulation of these systems). We expect that it will also work with the RH780 on the VAX-11/780 and VAX-11/785 although we have not yet tested it in this configuration. The original MDE was designed by Keith Perez in 2005, and emulated up to four RP06 drives connected to a KL-10. The current generation was a redesign by Bruce Sherry in conjunction with the restoration of our DECsystem-1070 in 2012, and initially provided eight RP06 drives on the RH10. It has undergone continual development, with associated software created for us by Bob Armstrong, and is now being opened up for the use of the relevant communities. To this end, we have placed the design files for the hardware and the source files for the software to interface with it, along with our library of Universal Peripheral Emulator routines, on public access repositories at Github. The URLs for these repositories are https://github.com/livingcomputermuseum/MDE2 https://github.com/livingcomputermuseum/MBS https://github.com/livingcomputermuseum/UPELIB These are released under a very liberal license which will allow for free use of the MDE by any interested party. Happy Dec-10 Day! Rich Richard Alderson, Sr. Systems Engineer Living Computers: Museum + Labs 2245 1st Avenue S Seattle, WA 98134 Cell: (206) 465-2916 Desk: (206) 342-2239 http://www.livingcomputerss.org/

6 years, 9 months

Vaxstation 3100 of odd sort on epay

by jwsmail＠jwsss.com

This might be a tempest or shielded vaxstation? Anyone speculate or know for sure. The vendor may have these mixed in as equivalent to their other vaxstations. If you search for "DEC vax VS42A-BN" you end up back at the vendors listing for the ones with plastic covers. I didn't turn up any info yet, not hoping to. but the thing has what appears to be optical, and a huge connector which may be shielded SCSI on the back. I can't tell from the front, but there may be a hatch to allow it to be opened and a floppy inserted, not sure from the photos. VINTAGE-RARE-DEC-DIGITAL-VAXSTATION-3100-PF-VS42A-AA-RF-VS42A-BN-COMPUTER-SYSTEM/ http://www.ebay.com/itm/370930391341 Kind of an interesting device. I looped back into the vendors listings to this auction for the plastic topped version, by the way VINTAGE-DEC-DIGITAL-VT1300-VAXSTATION-VS42A-BB-COMPUTER-SYSTEM-VT-1300-TERMINAL/ http://www.ebay.com/itm/370912245260 It is badged VT-1300 so may not be a vaxstation. And the other box may be one of the VT-1300's that is tempest or shielded. thanks Jim

6 years, 10 months

EPROM baking

by Mark＠Misty.com

Hi, I am working on several projects requiring 2708 and 2716 EPROMs, and am finding some of my chips will not erase, and some will not take a program. I've also learned more in the past week than I wanted to know about repairing Data-I/O 29a/b programmers. I vaguely remember in the 1990s baking such EPROMs in the oven, but I do not remember temperature or time. I was surprised that Google didn't turn up anything useful with this info. I'm sure someone here will have some notes on EPROM baking. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (Mark at Misty.com), KC3DRE

6 years, 10 months

offering: computer, A/V and optical equipment, plus books and more, to be cleared out around mid-December

by mgariboldi＠gmail.com

Is anyone perhaps interested in any of the following? It's essentially the remainder of some of my earlier offerings. I took the time to provide some details (that previously may have been missing) I intend to clear out the majority of it by mid-December (around the 15th), after that it will likely be hauled off to the recycler. ---- tape drives and media (pictures: <http://bit.ly/2AjxQYu> <http://bit.ly/2AjxQYu>, <http://bit.ly/2jxDPkB> <http://bit.ly/2jxDPkB>, <http://bit.ly/2AjFkeh> <http://bit.ly/2AjFkeh>, <http://bit.ly/2zBrv9S> <http://bit.ly/2zBrv9S>, <http://bit.ly/2AGR9Ot> <http://bit.ly/2AGR9Ot>, <http://bit.ly/2AI3Dp6> <http://bit.ly/2AI3Dp6>) -- Ultrium (Linear Tape Open) - Hewlett-Packard StorageWorks Ultrium 920 (LTO-3) external half-height tape drive SCSI U320 LVD/SE with auto-termination - Quantum LTO-3 internal half-height tape drive SCSI U320 LVD/SE with auto-termination - Seagate Viper 200 LTO-1 external full-height tape drive SCSI U320 LVD/SE with auto-termination - Hewlett-Packard, Quantum, Maxell, Fujifilm, Sony, etc. LTO-{1,2,3} data and cleaning tape catridges, many new and unused, many available (see pictures) -- Digital Data Storage - Hewlett-Packard StorageWorks DAT72 (DDS-5) internal tape drive SCSI U320 LVD/SE (possibly with auto-termination; not fully sure, need to check) - Sony SDT-D11000 DAT40 (DDS-4) external tape drive, SCSI (LVD?/)SE - Hewlett-Packard StorageWorks DAT160 (DDS-6) data and cleaning tapes, several tapes, nearly all new and unused - Hewlett-Packard StorageWorks DAT72 (DDS-5) data and cleaning tapes, several boxes, 2~3, largely new and unused - Hewlett-Packard, Compaq, Maxell, Fujifilm, Sony, etc. DDS-{1,2,3,4} data and cleaning tape cartridges, various types, many available (see pictures) ---- computer components (multi-platform, cross-architecture) - Hewlett-Packard-branded S2io/Exar/Neterion 10Gbit (10GBASE- SR) PCI-X NICs, including 850nm transceivers, supported on many platforms (including Windows, IRIX and OpenVMS), around 5 available - Hewlett-Packard, LSI, etc. PCI/-X adapters, e.g.: SCSI, FC, FC/SCSI duo (hybrid), etc. HBAs, NICs, IEEE-1394a (FireWire/ i.Link) adapters and more, various types and (re)brandings ---- software -- operating system - Hewlett-Packard OpenVMS (I64) Open Source Tools (2010) CD-ROM, in original sleeve - Hewlett-Packard Tru64 UNIX V5.1B Documentation (2010) CD-ROM, in original sleeve - Hewlett-Packard Tru64 UNIX NHD-7 (New Hardware Delivery) kit (2010), in original packaging (unopened), primarily intended for e.g. HP AlphaStation/AlphaServer DS15/A - Compaq OpenVMS Alpha V7.2 (1999) CD-ROM, disc 1 of 2, in sleeve - Compaq OpenVMS Alpha V7.2 & V7.2-1 System Crash Mandatory Update (1999) CD-ROM, in sleeve - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, NL (Dutch), licenses included, 2 available - Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b, NL (Dutch), OEM, only media (no license) -- applications - Frame (later Adobe) FrameMaker for SunOS/Solaris, advanced typesetting software, boxed with documentation and installation media - Sybase Database for OpenVMS (Alpha), in original jewel case - Syntax TotalNET Advanced Server for SunOS/Solaris(?), boxed - VITec RasterFLEX (v4.0) for SunOS/Solaris, boxed (pictures: <http://bit.ly/2AoHk4P> <http://bit.ly/2AoHk4P>, <http://bit.ly/2j4QsE8> <http://bit.ly/2j4QsE8>, <http://bit.ly/2Auth07> <http://bit.ly/2Auth07>) - Sega DreamKey, internet web browser software(?) for Sega Dreamcast, in original jewel case ---- books (mostly English and some Dutch) - various (see picture: <http://bit.ly/2BlLtWu> <http://bit.ly/2BlLtWu>), on computing/ computers, computer architectures (e.g. MC68000), the history of IBM, also computer graphics, covering software like Maya (v2.5), Houdini (v6~8) and LightWave 3D (v5.5~5.6), etc. ---- computer input devices and other peripherals - Wacom serial (perhaps also ADB and USB, need to check) digitizer tablets, in various sizes - Logitech PS/2 trackball, barely used ---- Cardbus adapters - Sitecom USB 2.0, providing 2 ports - SIIG IEEE-1394a FireWire ---- Apple Macintosh serial & ADB adapters - Keyspan Mac Serial Adapter (to USB) - Griffin iMate ADB to USB adapters, 2 available, one includes the original packaging ---- serial cables and converters - DeLock, generic, etc. DB9, DB25 and conversion cables, including straight-through and 'null-modem' varieties, fairly large amount available ---- SCSI, SAS/S-ATA and FC cabling - multi-vendor internal SAS to S-ATA cables, several, including in unopened packages - multi-vendor internal and external SCSI cables, several available - multi-vendor internal and external SCSI terminators, mainly LVD/SE (incl. UW and U320) but also HVD, both active and passive, several available - multi-vendor LC (LC to LC) fiber-optical cables (contact me about OM type), several available and in various lengths ---- PCs and components - IBM-branded DDR2 RAM R-DIMMs (as kits), I believe 8GB in total (I need to check), removed from a working IBM x346 server at the time - ASUS M8N-E, with AMD Athlon64 X2 CPU, 8GB DDR2 RAM and documents - ASUS M2N-E SLI, with AMD Athlon64 X2 CPU, 4GB DDR2 RAM and documents - Cooler Master 600W (AT) PSU - Cooler Master(?) 460W (AT) PSU ---- SGI (MIPS-powered) IRIX systems and components - SGI Tezro & O3x0 HDD sled/tray (Intel type), with optional blanking/airflow plastic included, at least 1 (maybe 2, need to check) - SGI DMediaPro DM10-compatible IEEE-1394a FireWire (3.3V) PCI card with cables, SGI DMediaPro DM10 manual, etc., boxed - SGI IMPACT (MGRAS) 4MB TRAM module, possibly defective -- not really interested in selling, but in theory for sale (depending on the offer, I might be persuaded) - SGI Indigo? IMPACT/10000, with 195MHz MIPS R10000 CPU, 1GB RAM, High IMPACT plus 4MB TRAM, IMPACT Video plus VBOB, Plextor CD-ROM drive, intact bezel, lockbar included, etc. - SGI O2, with 400MHz MIPS R12000 CPU, 1GB RAM, digital A/V (AV2) module, Toshiba DVD-ROM drive, intact bezel, etc. ---- general 19" rack equipment - general 1U fan (low-noise ventilator) unit, with temperature monitoring & control - general rack trays (vented), at least one (possibly more) - general rack mounting bars, cable managers and other accessories - general mounting fasteners (RM mounting blocks and screws) ---- video games and peripherals - Nintendo Super Scope for Super NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), PAL/EUR region, including cartridge and documentation ---- graphics monitors, cables and accessories - Dell UltraSharp U2412M, 24" IPS LCD monitors, 1~2 available - ATEN USB & VGA (HD15) KVMs, with documentation, about 2~3 available - SGI 13W3 (HD13W3 to HD13W3) cable, about 2?~3 meters in length - generic short DVI-D cables (around ~0.5 meters / ~1.6 foot), ideal for SGI VBOB plus DM5 with DM2/DM3 - generic component monitor cables, one with RCA (tulip) and another with BNC cabling - generic DVI-D splitters (not sure if I still have them, I need to check) ---- video equipment - JVC DTV Component Multi DT-V20L1D, 22" LCD, full HD, 10-bit (Deep Color), professional multi-format broadcast monitor, with lots of built-in I/O (HD component, HD-SDI, HDCP-capable DVI, composite video, etc.), with a few dead pixels - JVC DTV Component Multi DT-V1710CG, 17" CRT, full HD, 10-bit (Deep Color), professional multi-format broadcast monitor, with various input modules (including SD-, HD-SDI and HD component, also available individually, in original boxes) - Gefen 1080p Scaler for HDMI, boxed, professional-grade digital video scaler (picture: <http://bit.ly/2AgQjqS> <http://bit.ly/2AgQjqS>) - Miranda ASD-271p, professional analog-to-digital A/V signal converter, including external PSU, ?as-is? (untested, or not recently tested) - generic HDMI to 3G/HD-SDI (also SD-SDI capable) bridge - generic ~20 meter / ~66 feet, HD/3G/+-SDI BNC cable - DeLock ~10 meter / ~33 feet, HD/3G/+-SDI BNC cables, two available and one in the original packaging - DeLock and generic ~0.5~1 meter / ~1.6 foot, HD/3G/+ -SDI BNC cables, around 3~5 available - generic and various other lengths of HD/3G/+-SDI BNC cables, several available, some in original packaging - generic 75? BNC terminators for SDI, many available ---- photo-/cinematographic equipment -- cameras - Sony HDR-FX1000E, HD video camera (3-CMOS), with optional accessories, like large Sony carrying bag (pictures: <http://bit.ly/2BBvxAw> <http://bit.ly/2BBvxAw>) - Blackmagic (Design) Pocket Cinema Camera (BMPCC), RAW & 10-bit ProRES, full HD video camera, in original box, plus optional accessories -- BMPCC accessories: - BMPCC batteries, multiple of Blackmagic Design and one of Nikon (original) - Kamerar QV-1 viewfinder magnifier (loupe) - ... and more (contact me) (pictures for all of the above and some of the below: <http://bit.ly/2j43Icr> <http://bit.ly/2j43Icr>) -- lenses and adapters - Panasonic Lumix G II 14mm ?/2.5 prime MFT (Micro Four Thirds) lens - Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 14-42mm ?/3.5-5.6 Power- O.I.S. pancake electronic zoom MFT lens - Panasonic Lumix 45-200mm ?/4-5.6 Mega-O.I.S. zoom MFT lens - Metabones Speed Booster Nikon F/G to MFT (focal reduction) lens mount adapter - other MFT lens mount adapters (including with focal reduction), see pictures - Samyang 16mm T/2.2 VDSLR Nikon F mount DX/APS-C lens - Sigma EX DG 17-50mm ?/2.8 Nikon F mount DX/APS-C lens - KMZ Jupiter-8 50mm ?/2 Leica M39 35mm full-frame lens - Sigma Art DN 013 60mm ?/2.8 E-mount APS-C lens - Manfrotto 700RC2 lightweight video monopod/tripod head - Manfrotto 585-1 ModoSteady 3-in-1, compact stabilizer rig ---- audio equipment - Music Group/Behringer Ultra-Match SRC-9624, 96KHz 24-bit audio interface, barely used There might be more, but this is it for now. Not all is directly related to computers, but most of it has been used together with them, or can be used together with them or to document/conserve retro systems. Everything is located in the Netherlands. - MG

6 years, 11 months

To the 2901 bit slicers out there

by rdawson16＠hotmail.com

Since I know there's tons of PDP/11 geniuses here, and other gurus with a NOVA 4, and a Tektronix 4052 guy (I have the 4051): What have you done, with microprogramming this part? In your architecture, have you changed the microcode, create an instruction to enhance your machine? I would be interested in any hardware projects, stories (or even in the FPGA, I hear its a popular thing to copy); I read all of Donnamaies pages, and planing to hook up, breadboard the eval kit, perhaps reproduce the PCB if you guys are interested. What about the coding tools? ADASM? Looks long gone, how do you do microcode today? If I forget the soldering iron, can anyone show me an example on a Xilinx board, ISE, Vivado that uses the original AMD 2900 architecture? http://www.donnamaie.com/AMD_Vintage/AMD_2900_ED2900A.html Donnamaie E. White - AMD 2900 Family, Bit-Slice; Am2900 ...<http://www.donnamaie.com/AMD_Vintage/AMD_2900_ED2900A.html> www.donnamaie.com Lecture Monograph updated. The AMD 2900 Family (Am2900) Bit-Slice and other devices were supported by a number of high-level application notes. (Generated by the AMD ...

6 years, 11 months

Vaxstation 4000 m60 and NetBSD

by marco＠familie-rauhut.eu

Hello List, i playing arround with my Vaxstation 4000 60.... This is a System with 40 MB Ram, 1GB Hdd, a VGA Monitor, LK201 Keyboard, VSXXXAA.B03 Mouse, and a external SCSI-CDROm dirve. With OpenVMS installed on it i have the grafical DecWindows System running. Now i have installed NetBSD 7.1 from CD via the RS232 Consoleport. My two problems now are: 1.) It is not posible to switch the console from RS232 to the VGA Monitor and Keyboard. If i switch the S3 switch in down position i can only see the NetBSD Kernel decompression. After that i see nothing on VGA and RS232 console. The System starts up anyway. After some time it is possible to connect via LAN. 2.) Is it posible to run the NetBSD X.Org on that sort of Vaxstation? If yes... Whats to do to get that running? I Think i have to fix my point 1 first. Marco Rauhut

6 years, 11 months

Tek 40xx computer users

by rdawson16＠hotmail.com

I bought the Tek 4051 on ebay today; Jason brought it to my house and it works perfectly, with about a half hour of programming instruction my 12 old daughter was plotting a cat face. https://www.facebook.com/Thelma.Franco/videos/10154277153852670/ I would like to get in touch with other users of this first personal computer, and find additional resources. Do you know where I can find an archive of BASIC programs for this? Has anybody built plug in cards in the back, mine came with a realtime clock and a "file manager", I do not know what that one does. I have some Tek scopes with IEE-488, and I will see if I can get the IEEE interface working. There was a DC300 tape in the machine: biorithm craps blackjack artillery tanks weatherwar The belt is broken in the tape, I have ordered some new DC300's and will transplant the tape. Any resources will be welcome! Randy

6 years, 11 months

ZX Spectrum Z80 Keeps Resetting

by robert.jarratt＠ntlworld.com

For some time now I have had a couple of ZX Spectrum machines. Neither works, each has a different problem. Today I got one of them out for another look. The problem with it is that it seems to constantly reset itself, you see the copyright screen briefly and then it disappears (the TV screen shows the usual "snow" when there is no signal). It just cycles round doing this. I put a logic analyser on it as well as a scope. The CPU Reset pin looks fine, it goes high and stays high. The logic analyser shows that it is happily reading code from the ROM during the boot sequence and it will suddenly start fetching instructions from address 0 again, this appears to be somewhat random. I don't have a lot of experience with logic analysers, and I have found that some pod/probe combinations cause the machine not to work at all, so the logic analyser is not, unfortunately, above suspicion. However the behaviour I see appears consistent with what the logic analyser is telling me. My thoughts are that this must either be a bad Z80 CPU or a bad ROM. Neither is socketed and I am reluctant to desolder ICs unless I really have to as there is always a risk of damage to the board. Has anyone seen a similar problem before? Could this indeed be the CPU or the ROM, or could there be a different cause? Regards Rob

6 years, 11 months

ID some core memory

by billdegnan＠gmail.com

Just curious...can anyone id the system that used these two types of core memory? I am thinking the first is a hand-made custom core, but the 2nd is definitely from a commercial system. Looks kind of IBM-ish but it's nothing I can ID. It's not an IBM 1401 I don't think. http://vintagecomputer.net/core-memory/ Thanks Bill

6 years, 11 months

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test-drb December 2017