- test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org - classiccmp.org

by ggs＠shiresoft.com

I know some folks have been trying to get in touch with me for a while and I want to apologize for not getting back in touch with folks before now. The short and long of it has been the fact that first my wife had health issues, then I had health issues and finally in the middle of all of this my ISP decided to move me to a new static IP block which caused my email to be on various black-lists that took a while to get off of (so I could *see* the emails, I just couldn't respond). So, that's why folks haven't heard from me. Up until the above, I had been making steady progress on the MEM11 code. Right now I have most of the forth code written along with a J1 simulator (written in forth). I was in the process of debugging the simulator when all of the above occurred and I haven't been able to get back to it yet. I hope to start on it again in the next few weeks. TTFN - Guy

11 years, 2 months

2
2
0 0

Front Panel Tech Note 2

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Pontus Pihlgren >> Seeing the one with the one with the missing toggle switches reminds >> me that I have an enquiry out re getting some made. > I believe many would appreciate that. We probably ought to standardize our terminology to be slightly less confusing. As we've determined, the actual switch is a slide switch, not a toggle. I'm not sure what the official DEC name is for the plastic lever which actuates the slide switch - anyone know? Noel PS: If a way is developed to make the plastic levers, the 11/20 uses the exact same part, just in PDP-11 colours.

11 years, 2 months

4
3
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Front Panel Tech Note 2

by rodsmallwood52＠btinternet.com

Asof now I know of two variations 1, Selector switch positions 1 and 6 lines can be vertical or at an angle to the vertical 2, Vertical divider between groups of three lamps Anybody seen an 8/e panel with anything else? Rod

11 years, 2 months

2
6
0 0

Intel MDS-740 hard disk documentation wanted

by spacewar＠gmail.com

Does anyone have documentation for the Intel MDS-740 hard disk system for use with the MDS and Series II, Series III development systems? The drive had one fixed and one removable platter, the removable being a 12-sector 5440-style cartridge. The drive may have been a CDC 9427H, or something similar. The controller was two Multibus boards, a 3000 bit-slice based channel board, and a drive interface board. (Similar organization to the two-board floppy controllers.) I am mostly looking for the schematics and programming information, though if anyone has an actual controller board (or even just the channel board), a dump of the microcode would be useful. The documentation I'm looking for might or might not be contained in the "Model 740 Hard Disk Subsystem Operation and Checkout" manual, order number 9800943A. Note that this is *entirely* different than the iMDX 750 winchester disk subsystem. The 740 was supported by plain ISIS-II 4.x, while the iMDS 750 used a variant of the iSBC 215 controller, and required a special ISIS-II(W). Thanks! Eric

11 years, 2 months

1
0
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Any DOS Gamers out there??

by slandon110＠gmail.com

Hey guys? Is there anyone that uses DOS and early Win9x Machines?? Ive got about 4 of them that could use a home.. Ive wiped them all and put FreeDOS on them. Ive got a number of early PCI and ISA VGA Cards and network cards as well Are these worth saving?? Steve

11 years, 2 months

3
2
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Opening up a TeleVideo TPC-1

by isking＠uw.edu

Hi folks, I was in an antique store today, mostly to humor my wife, and much to her dismay spotted a fairly early luggable: it said TeleVideo on the face and, looking closer, it was a TPC-1 with the keyboard, the carrying bag, the documentation AND a metric butt-ton of floppies. Once I get everything sorted I'll let the list know what software I have, so if you need something maybe I can help.... ...and maybe you can help me. I want to open up the TPC and check power supplies, etc. - OK, I'll come clean. I plugged it in, watched carefully for magic smoke and, seeing none, put a 'working disk' in the drive. I got an endless string of '.' but no boot. I tried a couple of other disks labeled <boot> and, after a couple, I no longer had a display. So no surprise, I really need to open it up and probably replace a bunch of PS capacitors. I have no idea how to get this box open! There's nothing in the documentation, and I found one online reference that suggested TeleVideo kept this information close to the chest because they didn't want any Tom, Dick or Ian opening up their machines. Now if I poke and prod long enough I'll probably get there, but with the collective knowledge on this list I figure there has to be SOME one who worked on these back In The Day, who just knows this off the top of his/her head. So... anyone? Thanks -- Ian -- Ian S. King, MSIS, MSCS, Ph.D. Candidate The Information School <http://ischool.uw.edu> 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."

11 years, 2 months

2
1
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SS10 console settings

by tmfdmike＠gmail.com

Folks, I'm trying to resurrect a couple of Sparcstation 10 systems. Is there anything 'funny' about the serial console settings on SS10 hardware? I thought they always defaulted to 9600-n-8-1, but I get voluminous gobbledygook at that, and at every other baud rate I've tried. Both systems behave identically, so I can't assume SS10 settings are wrong. And I *am* getting data, so I don't see how it can be the cabling. Something strange about the terminal emulation mode required maybe? Thanks Mike http://www.corestore.org 'No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother. Not for millions, not for glory, not for fame. For one person, in the dark, where no one will ever know or see.'

11 years, 2 months

6
13
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Need help: Reading 800 bpi NRZI 9 track tapes

by jlw＠jlw.com

I have an HP 88780 with the 800 option (confirmed empirically...) I'm in the silicon valley neighborhood. -- Jeff Woolsey jlw at jlw.com

11 years, 2 months

1
0
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DEC VT180 on Grand Rapids Michigan Craigslist

by slandon110＠gmail.com

Just thought id share this with you guys.. I dont know if the price is fair or not, But if someone wants it and needs pick up arranged I can do it, Im about an hour from there. Just cover my gas.. I can bring it out to VCFMW http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/sys/5074135858.html Thanks Steve

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Kaypro II

by BHuntsman＠mail2.cu-portland.edu

Anyone interested in a Kaypro II in decent shape, complete with a couple of keyboard overlays? for trade or for sale... thanks! -Ben

11 years, 2 months

2
1
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First VAX-11/730 VMS Boot! (was: Re: VAX-11/730 %BOOT-F-Unexpected Machine Check)

by cctalk＠beyondthepale.ie

> > Thanks! I'll look up all of those commands to understand them better. > > ^Y looks familiar. I think this is the second time I have learned about it. :) > > > > On Jun 13, 2015, at 18:40, Jerry Weiss <jsw at ieee.org> wrote: > > > > If you are running backup and it is asking for additional tapes, then I believe you can do the following > > > > ^Y > > $spawn > > $ > > $reply/enable=all > > > Another way is to log on a second time using a terminal other than the console, issue reply/enable and then reply to the messages you receive there. Yet another way is to use BACKUP /NOASSIST - this should avoid issueing OPCOM messages and prompt the issuer of the BACKUP command directly when tapes are to be changed and so on. The standard way of doing backups on VMS is to submit a BACKUP command in a batch job. The operator would normally be logged in interactively and would respond to the OPCOM messages from the batch job and deal with tape mounts. This requires a suitable batch queue to be set up and started. Regards, Peter Coghlan.

11 years, 2 months

5
10
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ultra sonic washing

by tdk.knight＠gmail.com

has anyone experimented with this on parts? when dealing with dirty equipment? if so what works best for liquid sulutions? ive got a shelf of 15in bass drivers.... and some amps thinking of building something to clean some audio boards i aquired on the cheap though maybe some folks here would have some ideas?

11 years, 2 months

2
3
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Front Panel Tech Note No3

by rodsmallwood52＠btinternet.com

PDP-8/e Panel Variants I now have a list of _possible_ (not actual) variations. Its not quite the same as what I had before. In addition I have heard there may be colour variations in some cases. A is the current shipping version A No dividing lines between lamp groups Position 1 and 6 on select switch vertical B Dividing lines between lamp groups Position 1 and 6 on select switch vertical C No dividing lines between lamp groups Position 1 and 6 on select switch angled D Dividing lines between lamp groups Position 1 and 6 on select switch angled As these only involve artwork and silk screen frame changes I can use the same plexiglas blanks for them Whats the next most popular PDP-8 after the /e? Any ideas ? Rod

11 years, 2 months

2
2
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SIO2SD for Atari 8-bits - Just got one.

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

that is neat where can we get one!? In a message dated 6/13/2015 4:28:28 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, terry at webweavers.co.nz writes: I'm in awe of people who can build and design these devices http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blog/2015-06-13-sio2sd-for-atari.htm Terry (Tez)

11 years, 2 months

3
2
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PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

John - Ref your 8S below - Happy to add this to the list. any other good background info as to prior users etc? yes if you can get the S/N will add that. I need to get the S/N of the SMECC one too I will have to take 3 helpers over to warehouse to exhume it. I will also get the S/N on the classic 8 in blue cabinet (alas missing its front desk) heck I may just try to fit that in the Mini Room at the museum too with the glassed in cards table top that is there. There is also a spare front panel assembly for a straight 8 there that I remember putting there 20 years ago may have crack in corner way towards edge though and has switches cables etc... No promises but it should be there ( an no promises how log it will be to get it out!).. Is there anyone out there that needs this assembly? something totally off topic from the 8S machines there are some trs80 radio shack things that are huge like the MODEL 2 was but these were later and had a 3 number designator ? there are many as I remember one will be kept another kept for offsite displays but the others will goooooooo........ sorry to do so many messages in the 8S topic thread tonight but I was asleep for a day with massive migraine and am trying to catch up. Ed# In a message dated 6/12/2015 3:47:07 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, wilson at dbit.com writes: Didn't see mine on there. PDP-8/S, serial # unknown (it's in storage), needs restoration. I got it in Michigan about 20 years ago. John Wilson D Bit

11 years, 2 months

6
9
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PDP-8/S

by seefriek＠gmail.com

From: Sean Caron <scaron at umich.edu> > >I dunno, guys, that might be a little paranoid ... a lot of this >stuff is big and heavy ... I just can't imagine a thief coming >in and carting away PDP-11s, VAX-11s, RP/RL/TU drives, >IBM mainframes, whole racks and the like > Nope. My wife used to work in commercial real estate. The building supers that she was managing money for *routinely* had multi-hundred-pound to multi-ton thefts of copper and other resalable material, often ripped out of walls over the course of hours or days. Size/weight are *not* a deterrent to a guy who is willing to steal an industrial air conditioning unit with a meth-head buddy, a couple of strap wenches and a beat up pickup truck cart it away in. Now imagine I tell that same meth-head that I'd pay him 5 times as much as scrap rates to steal something like what he's used to stealing, probably better packaged, but in a residence (no security guards). A touch of paranoia is apropos. KJ ?

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Coating on older DEC slides

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

So I have a bunch of older DEC slides (for BA11 boxes, RK05's, etc) which are rusty. No problem, I have a sand-blaster, but.... what's the grey coating on them, and how do I reproduce it once I have them clean? I saw Corey Cohen's really wonderful presentation at VCFE about restoring old computers, and afterwards I asked him if he knew anything, and he said that (from my description - alas, I didn't think to show him one in the display area) it sounded like a powder coat thing, and that people who do brake calipers can do power coating. However, when I went to my car guy for pointers to local people who do brake calipers, he looked at the coating, scraped at it a bit with a knife, and said it didn't look like powder coat to him. (Although maybe this is a very old powder coat, and he's only used to the newer stuff.) He reckoned it was just grey paint {visualize dubious-looking Noel - it sure doesn't look like paint to me}. So, what _is_ that grey coating - and, more important, how (if at all) can it be reproduced these days? Noel

11 years, 2 months

7
7
0 0

SIO2SD for Atari 8-bits - Just got one.

by terry＠webweavers.co.nz

I'm in awe of people who can build and design these devices http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blog/2015-06-13-sio2sd-for-atari.htm Terry (Tez)

11 years, 2 months

2
1
0 0

Coating on older DEC slides

by couryhouse＠aol.com

Yes that is what was used... and yes too much is bad.. beryllium is way worse . William Hansen at varian died from itEd# ? Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: Rod Smallwood <rodsmallwood52 at btinternet.com> Date: 06/13/2015 2:23 PM (GMT-07:00) To: General at classiccmp.org, "Discussion at classiccmp.org:On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Subject: Re: Coating on older DEC slides Ever looked at an old radio chassis? They had what I was led to believe was a grey cadium plating over the steel The boxes BA11-ES and the like had I think a coat ing was some kind of Nickel My 11/34A has a greyish coating on the tiltable runners. On 13/06/2015 21:35, COURYHOUSE at aol.com wrote: > cadmium not? good? for? you... beryllium is? even? worse! >?? > Ed# >?? >?? > In a message dated 6/13/2015 12:51:52 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, > rodsmallwood52 at btinternet.com writes: > > It might? be cadmium > > > On 13/06/2015 16:45, John Wilson wrote: >> On Sat,? Jun 13, 2015 at 11:20:19AM -0400, Noel Chiappa wrote: >>> So, what? _is_ that grey coating - and, more important, how (if at all) > can? it >>> be reproduced these days? >> Wild guess:? some kind? of oxide?? I agree that it doesn't look like paint >> or powder? coat. >> >> John Wilson >> D? Bit >

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Coating on older DEC slides

by couryhouse＠aol.com

Yes I use it in Leica cameras in artic weather...... but is that what gives the slides that anodized look Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: William Donzelli <wdonzelli at gmail.com> Date: 06/13/2015 2:29 PM (GMT-07:00) To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Subject: Re: Coating on older DEC slides Specifically molybdenum disulphide, sometimes called Molycoat. It is for lubrication on high load surfaces. -- Will On Sat, Jun 13, 2015 at 4:37 PM, Al? Kossow <aek at bitsavers.org> wrote: > On 6/13/15 8:20 AM, Noel Chiappa wrote: >> >> what's the grey coating on >> them > > > molybdenum > >

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Coating on older DEC slides

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

cadmium not good for you... beryllium is even worse! Ed# In a message dated 6/13/2015 12:51:52 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, rodsmallwood52 at btinternet.com writes: It might be cadmium On 13/06/2015 16:45, John Wilson wrote: > On Sat, Jun 13, 2015 at 11:20:19AM -0400, Noel Chiappa wrote: >> So, what _is_ that grey coating - and, more important, how (if at all) can it >> be reproduced these days? > Wild guess: some kind of oxide? I agree that it doesn't look like paint > or powder coat. > > John Wilson > D Bit

11 years, 2 months

3
2
0 0

First VAX-11/730 VMS Boot! (was: Re: VAX-11/730 %BOOT-F-Unexpected Machine Check)

by cctalk＠beyondthepale.ie

> > Using a version 58 console tape image provided to me by one list member, and > massaged into a usable state by another list member, I just booted > OpenVMS 7.3 off the R80 drive on my VAX-11/730 for the first time since > buying the machine. Woohoo! > Excellent! > > For some reason, I was unable to do that with the version 57 images that I > downloaded off the net. Maybe there's something wrong with the VMB.EXE on > those images? It always complained of not being able to find the boot file > when I tried using it. > Once you get logged in to VMS, I think it should be possible to use EXCHANGE to poke around the console tape images on the file level. It might be possible to find the reason for the problem that way? > > I never got a login prompt, but perhaps that's because I booted with the > write protect switch on? > VMS would try to write to the pagefile at some point but I think it would write a message (likely many messages!) on the console if that failed rather than sit there doing nothing. It probably hasn't hit the pagefile yet. > > It appeared to be trying to create or join a > VAXcluster for a while, then said something about loading MSCP disk server. > Before you do anything, make sure the ethernet network is properly connected or terminated appropriately. If configured to form a cluster, VMS will normally wait for a short period for the other cluster member(s) to appear on the cluster interconnect (usually the ethernet network) before continuing to boot. Try leaving it for a few minutes and you may then get something like: "VAXCluster state transition completed. Initialization continuing". Or you might not. In a cluster, each node contributes a number of votes to the cluster. None if the nodes will do anything until a cluster quorum is present (more than half the number of votes usually present in the cluster). If the machine just sits there indefinately after loading the MSCP disk server, you probably don't have enough cluster votes to proceed and the best thing to do is perform a conversational boot which usually involves setting the least significant bit of register R5 to 1 before booting. How exactly to do this varies from processor to processor and I don't know how to do it for an 11/730. When you manage to do this and try booting again, you should get a "SYSBOOT>" prompt and you could: SHOW VAXCLUSTER SHOW VOTES SHOW EXPECTED_VOTES SET VAXCLUSTER 0 SET WRITESYSPARAMS 0 CONTINUE to confirm that the issue is with cluster votes, turn off clustering and proceed with the boot process. > I have plenty more experimentation ahead, including seeing what's on that > RL02 pack labeled something like "VMS53SYS" (if I recall correctly). > > My attempts to boot up the v5.3 standalone backup tape images I downloaded > still haven't succeeded. As suggested, I'll see if standalone backup might > be on another partition next time I work on the machine. I'd like to try > backing up both the R80 and the RL02 to tape if I can. > Not exactly a partition, more of use one of a number of different root directories in the same partition to start searching for files from. > > Eventually, I'd like to run an older version of VMS than 7.3 on it. > Preferably, something contemporary to when the 11/730 was still sold, or > at least from before any sane 730 users upgraded to newer and faster VAXen. > Of course, that assumes I can procure suitable installation media, or usable > images with which to create it. > I would suggest V5.5-2. This is likely newer than when the 11/730 was sold but I suspect that many an 11/730 would have been upgraded to this version while in service and ended their days on that version. It was regarded as a good stable place to be with few unaddressed issues and it would be increasingly difficult to get useful items such as a stable TCP/IP stack running on versions earlier than V5.5-2. Regards, Peter Coghlan.

11 years, 2 months

3
5
0 0

Collectors pay big money for old tech

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Sean Caron > it's a shame if the financial barrier to entry to the hobby is keeping > potentially interested & enthusiastic people away... I understand and agree (very much!) with your concern, but I don't think it's going to be an issue: for every $1M Apple I, there are a zillion other old computers you can't even give away. (I know, I have recently tried! :-) So unless people are deterred by being unable to afford the very coolest and in-demand items, I think we're safe. Noel

11 years, 2 months

2
1
0 0

Looking for the Tek 465 of Logic Analysers

by seefriek＠gmail.com

Thanks for the input everyone. In summary, I got recommendations for: - HP 16500C (lesser a 16500B, but not a 16500A) (mainframe) - HP 16700/16900/17500 (mainframe, bigger-faster-stronger, still pretty expensive, can use 16500 cards) - HP 166x or 167x (portable, modern, look for hard drive) - HP 165x (portable, older, only buy cheap, look for hard drive) - HP 1630D, 1630G or 1631 (old, HPIB and HPIL interfaces, no special software needed, but you apparently need be able to control it with an external HPIB controller to get the most out of it) - Tek 1240 - Gould Biomation K100D (software in rom, HPIB interface, assuming you need HPIB literacy to use effectively) - Tek DAS9200 (be careful to get the right pods (several variations), etc) - Tek TLA710/TLA720 (PC attached, Linux capable) General advice offered: - Look for hard drives or no special software required for longest life. Floppies required == bad. - Make really sure you get probes, and the right probes, for your kit. They're often not available separately for non-st00pid money. - There's a crazy array of ancillary features to consider: o-scope functions, processor assemblers/disassemblers, pattern generators, specialized inputs/outputs, timebases, embedded Unix machines, etc. Know what you might need. So I've got a lot of manuals to read, but the 16500C sure looks like a ton of bang per US$. You can even get an expansion chassis (10 additional slots) if you need to go to ludicrous speed on the number of probes/features. KJ

11 years, 2 months

6
8
0 0

TRS80, other than model 1

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Fred and others - I stand corrected these are probably model 12 or maybe model 16... did they network the Xenix ones? maybe that is why there are many of them. I recall one large RS printer was with the group? Guess I should have looked closer last time I was in that area. on another topic we need trs 80 model 100 to give the college to go in the tools of the journalist display need not work just look nice.. reporters used these for field reporting . If you think about it many things are 'a tool of the journalist" gosh! we endowed them with candle stick phones, some various other old phones, old pens, old typewritters, studio and portable video cameras, video recorders in many sizes and formats ... the list goes on! Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/13/2015 9:06:14 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, cisin at xenosoft.com writes: >> something totally off topic from the 8S machines there are some >> trs80 radio shack things that are huge like the MODEL 2 was but these were >> later and had a 3 number designator ? there are many as I remember one >> will be kept another kept for offsite displays but the others will >> goooooooo........ > I don't remember anything beyond the II/12/16 series, but no one tells > me anything. In addition to the model 1, . . . The model 1 line was converted from a "component" system to a single box. For those not familiar, it resembled a Northstar Dimension. Keyboard, screen, two 5.25" floppies in a terminal like case. That was the model 3. Default disk format was double density. Since the WD 179x controller could not write a truly exact model 1 format single density disk (did not support certain data address marks), there were some kludges and changes in TRS-DOS, so there were minor glitches in the "upgrade path". Radio Shack eventually cut a deal to market L-DOS as TRS-DOS 6. ("And Randy Cook is now finally collecting royalties!") Soon, the model 4 was made available - same basic machine with 80x24 video (V 51x16), green screen, a few missing keys provided, and ability to remap the ROM from the memory map. Finally, CP/M was available without memory remapping hardware, nor software kludge of having TPA not in low RAM. The college got a whole lab full of model 3's converted into model 4's, at a price per each that was only slightly more than buying new model 4's. Model 4P was luggable version, vaguely resembling early Compaq. Model 2 wasn't what I would call "huge", but such is relative. It was completely unrelated to model 1, other than name, and naming it's OS (mutually incompatible with model 1/3) "TRS-DOS". But, CP/M was also available. It had an 8" drive, and "huge" external case if you wanted more than one. Radio Shack came out with a 68000 CPU board! and Xenix It could be used instead of the Z80 CPU, or have BOTH! (12 and 16) In terms of "huge", there were a few other machines that rarely, if ever, actually made it to market, such as the "Tandy 10", built into a desk, and sold exclusively through "Radio Shack Computer Center"s. -- Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin at xenosoft.com

11 years, 2 months

4
3
0 0

VK 170 CA card M7142

by jwsmail＠jwsss.com

I have a friend with some of these who would like to get a full set of data on this card. He has the handbook writeup with the jumper settings and some other info. Would like full disclosure, schematics, engineering info, etc. This board is a Q bus card which has keyboard interface, and display RS-170 video out. Generates an 80 x 25 display with refresh memory supplying the information. Also includes an EIA RS-423 serial interface. These are in systems which integrate small PDP 11 type systems to form terminals, etc. Thanks Jim

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

well it is amazing what people that want meth will do... they remind me of the creatures mutated in I AM LEGEND but that is why Will needs to add a good alarm system on his building and get 2 friends... the pitbulls named byteemintheass and snapoffurballs if they in case the alarm system fails. In a message dated 6/13/2015 9:25:27 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, cisin at xenosoft.com writes: On Sat, 13 Jun 2015, John Wilson wrote: > Re theft: yeah there's no way a random house burglar would bother Are the middle of the night, in the rain, in the gutter, catalytic converter thefts actually worth it? Besides theft issues, there can be additional reasons for anonymity. consider the possibilities of unwanted contact. Does Homeland Insecurity care what you are doing with it? Zoning board? Ex-wife? electric rates of domestic V industrial "Do you have permits for the rewiring?" "Can I bring my friends over to see it?" "Are your licenses paid up for all of OUR software?" spammers harvesting the list? "Will you make me a copy of the software? I'll pay for the media" "Sell me the handle from the switch. I'll even pay for the postage!" "Buy mine!" "Buy my uncle's Dell computers, they're just as old" "Loan it to us to shoot a movie. We'll even pay its fair value for any damage in the car crashes and explosions" If I had one, I'd brag about it.

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

TRS80, other than model 1

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

yea osborne was 50 or 51... In a message dated 6/13/2015 9:33:00 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, cisin at xenosoft.com writes: > Soon, the model 4 was made available - same basic machine with 80x24 video (V > 51x16), ooops. 64 characters per line on the 1. Maybe it was Osborne 1 with 51?

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

TVGA8900C disks

by sales＠elecplus.com

Sorry, I deleted the posts from earlier from someone looking for TVGA software. I have at least the TVGA 8900C Disk 2 Utilities disk, on 5.25" floppy. Disk 1 will probably turn up soon. Is this what was wanted? Cindy Croxton Electronics Plus 1613 Water Street Kerrville, TX 78028 830-370-3239 cell sales at elecplus.com AOL IM elcpls

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Al if you can run him down and find s/n's that would be great... what are the s/n's at CHM on their units? Ed# In a message dated 6/12/2015 2:25:30 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, aek at bitsavers.org writes: On 6/10/15 12:11 PM, Michael Thompson wrote: >> I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. > Last I heard, John Bordynuik still had one or two of them, but I haven't spoken to him in years.

11 years, 2 months

2
1
0 0

PDP-8/S

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Fred Cisin > If somebody were to try to make a "complete" list, it would make sense > to provide variable levels of anonymity > ... > Prob'ly some people would be more willing to discuss what they have IFF > they aren't opening themselves to theft risk, and/or a deluge of "I'd > like to buy". Let me second that. Particularly as the value of these things goes up, security will be a real issue for people. As I like to say, the _good_ thing about the Internet is that it brings the world to your doorstep; and the _bad_ thing about the Internet is that it brings the world to your doorstep... Noel

11 years, 2 months

6
6
0 0

PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Well... we will accept anonymous entries for the list that will be public but the submitter will have to send us a nice photo of the unit with s/n tag etc and their smiling face next to it for the non published files! <<grin!>> I think the only people this month that have to worry about theft are those with Apple I systems after this months news story on values.. Ed# In a message dated 6/13/2015 12:24:11 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, scaron at umich.edu writes: I dunno, guys, that might be a little paranoid ... a lot of this stuff is big and heavy ... I just can't imagine a thief coming in and carting away PDP-11s, VAX-11s, RP/RL/TU drives, IBM mainframes, whole racks and the like ... I can hardly move some of this stuff I have as one guy and it is certainly a loud, time-consuming, sweaty process ... not to mention, how would anyone go about fencing something like that? I don't think the local pawn shop will want it ... imagine a giant illicit market for stolen computers, like for stolen artwork? LOL. I'm not so sure. If someone wants to keep their QTH anonymous that's cool and totally your business but I suspect most intruders really couldn't care less about old computers... but who knows. Maybe all this stuff will turn out to be the Old Masters of the digital age and we'll all be rich! :O Best, Sean On Fri, Jun 12, 2015 at 9:43 AM, Noel Chiappa <jnc at mercury.lcs.mit.edu> wrote: > > From: Fred Cisin > > > If somebody were to try to make a "complete" list, it would make > sense > > to provide variable levels of anonymity > > ... > > Prob'ly some people would be more willing to discuss what they have > IFF > > they aren't opening themselves to theft risk, and/or a deluge of "I'd > > like to buy". > > Let me second that. Particularly as the value of these things goes up, > security will be a real issue for people. > > As I like to say, the _good_ thing about the Internet is that it brings the > world to your doorstep; and the _bad_ thing about the Internet is that it > brings the world to your doorstep... > > Noel >

11 years, 2 months

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PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

good point Simon! Ed# In a message dated 6/13/2015 2:57:09 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, simski at dds.nl writes: Well, its the same with enigma's. all remaining machines are registered with their serialnumbers, So selling after stealing becomes very difficult. that is why a database with serialnumbers connected to people is crucial. On 13-06-15 09:55, COURYHOUSE at aol.com wrote: > I think the only people this month that have to worry about theft are > those with Apple I systems after this months news story on values.. > > Ed# -- Met vriendelijke Groet, Simon Claessen drukknop.nl

11 years, 2 months

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PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

That is a beauty! You moved all that gear from UK to USA? In a message dated 6/12/2015 2:26:10 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, tmfdmike at gmail.com writes: I have one, restored, was running when stored but not powered up in some considerable time. Serial number unknown; IIRC correctly the tag with the serial number was missing so may remain unknown. Obtained from a collector called Erik in... Netherlands I think, circa 2004... who got it from John Bradatanu... IIRC I traded a TU56, a pdp-8/L, and some other bits, for the 8/S and a working VT05.. see pic on this page: http://www.corestore.org/coremove.htm Pics on that page are interesting, as it's the only time around 90% of the DEC portion of the Corestore collection has all been lined up and visible in the same place at the same time! Oh 8/m has been discussed in front panel talk... here's a nice pic of mine: http://www.corestore.org/pdp8m-1.jpg Mike On Thu, Jun 11, 2015 at 7:56 AM, Fred Cisin <cisin at xenosoft.com> wrote: >>> I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. >> >> Not everyone wants their collections to be public information but: > > > If somebody were to try to make a "complete" list, it would make sense to > provide variable levels of anonymity, such as name but not contact info, > state but no name, email but no other contact, etc. If designed well, that > could be managed by a full information form in which it is easy, and > acknowledged to be acceptable, to fill in only items that are intended to be > public. > > Prob'ly some people would be more willing to discuss what they have IFF they > aren't opening themselves to theft risk, and/or a deluge of "I'd like to > buy". > > NOTE: I do not currently have ANY PDP stuff, so I am only speculating about > what others would like. > > > -- > Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin at xenosoft.com -- http://www.corestore.org 'No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother. Not for millions, not for glory, not for fame. For one person, in the dark, where no one will ever know or see.'

11 years, 2 months

1
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PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Rich. did you want physical address listed too? also need both s/n's corrected url at _www.smecc.org/pdp-8.htm_ (http://www.smecc.org/pdp-8.htm) That address has not been current since 2010 or so. Please use http://www.LivingComputerMuseum.org instead. Thanks! Rich Rich Alderson Vintage Computing Sr. Systems Engineer Living Computer Museum 2245 1st Avenue S Seattle, WA 98134 mailto:RichA at LivingComputerMuseum.org http://www.LivingComputerMuseum.org/

11 years, 2 months

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HP 3082A ("Industrial Touch") Terminal service manual or other info?

by derschjo＠gmail.com

Hi all -- The lovely HP 3082A terminal I've been using with my PDP-11/73 has started exhibiting odd/annoying behavior today. The 3082A is also known as the "Industrial Touch" terminal, it's a compact unit in a rugged housing with an EL display, built in keyboard, and a touchscreen. At powerup, it normally gives a few short beeps and starts normal operation. As of today, it gives one continuous beep for 31 seconds (I timed it), after which it works fine -- until the next time it needs to emit a beep (a ^G, for example) and then it beeps for 31 seconds again. This is, to be quite honest, intolerable :). The manuals on hpmuseum.net are limited to configuration/user manuals and the brief troubleshooting it recommends actually *does* mention the continuous beeping symptom, but gives no suggestions for causes, and suggests as a fix to (a) try turning it off and on again (I've done that...) and (b) replace the terminal (can't do that). I've also tried resetting the terminal config (hold down Help + . at powerup) and this has no effect. The terminal passes all built-in self tests. Anyone happen to have any experience with these, or know where a service manual might be found? If I at least knew what the 31-second beep signified I could start looking... Thanks, Josh

11 years, 2 months

1
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PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

PDP-S ( and Classic 8 too) in the intake form . . yes we are working up an entry for with different fields in it. Be aware though as soon as you say you HAVE ONE OF THOSE on this list or any other you have tagged yourself as having one. if someone wants your details it does not take too much research.... Ed# In a message dated 6/12/2015 6:43:44 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, jnc at mercury.lcs.mit.edu writes: > From: Fred Cisin > If somebody were to try to make a "complete" list, it would make sense > to provide variable levels of anonymity > ... > Prob'ly some people would be more willing to discuss what they have IFF > they aren't opening themselves to theft risk, and/or a deluge of "I'd > like to buy". Let me second that. Particularly as the value of these things goes up, security will be a real issue for people. As I like to say, the _good_ thing about the Internet is that it brings the world to your doorstep; and the _bad_ thing about the Internet is that it brings the world to your doorstep... Noel

11 years, 2 months

1
0
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PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

That is NEAT! what application are they using it for and who is doing the maint. on it? Probably an interesting story there! Ed# In a message dated 6/12/2015 5:48:28 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, tdk.knight at gmail.com writes: been told of one in winnipeg. havent seen it to confirm though (winnipeg canada) thats still in use

11 years, 2 months

1
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PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Heh! The will have to pry my PDP 8 from my cold dead hands to get it <<grin!>> In a message dated 6/13/2015 1:14:19 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, tmfdmike at gmail.com writes: I have an old computer collection in the workshop. I also have a gun collection in the house :-) If anyone can *still* successfully make off with my pdps, they can bloody have them! :D Mike On Sat, Jun 13, 2015 at 2:52 AM, Sean Caron <scaron at umich.edu> wrote: > I dunno, guys, that might be a little paranoid ... a lot of this stuff is > big and heavy ... I just can't imagine a thief coming in and carting away > PDP-11s, VAX-11s, RP/RL/TU drives, IBM mainframes, whole racks and the like > ... I can hardly move some of this stuff I have as one guy and it is > certainly a loud, time-consuming, sweaty process ... not to mention, how > would anyone go about fencing something like that? I don't think the local > pawn shop will want it ... imagine a giant illicit market for stolen > computers, like for stolen artwork? LOL. I'm not so sure. If someone wants > to keep their QTH anonymous that's cool and totally your business but I > suspect most intruders really couldn't care less about old computers... but > who knows. Maybe all this stuff will turn out to be the Old Masters of the > digital age and we'll all be rich! :O > > Best, > > Sean > > > On Fri, Jun 12, 2015 at 9:43 AM, Noel Chiappa <jnc at mercury.lcs.mit.edu> > wrote: > >> > From: Fred Cisin >> >> > If somebody were to try to make a "complete" list, it would make >> sense >> > to provide variable levels of anonymity >> > ... >> > Prob'ly some people would be more willing to discuss what they have >> IFF >> > they aren't opening themselves to theft risk, and/or a deluge of "I'd >> > like to buy". >> >> Let me second that. Particularly as the value of these things goes up, >> security will be a real issue for people. >> >> As I like to say, the _good_ thing about the Internet is that it brings the >> world to your doorstep; and the _bad_ thing about the Internet is that it >> brings the world to your doorstep... >> >> Noel >> -- http://www.corestore.org 'No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother. Not for millions, not for glory, not for fame. For one person, in the dark, where no one will ever know or see.'

11 years, 2 months

1
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Collectors pay big money for old tech

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Well ... some things really are not more expensive... the money is just worth less back when I used to buy pdp-8 computers for 100-200 dollars ... like 24+ years ago cars were a bunch cheaper too by far.... There are some things that went crazy like the Apple I but there is still a lot of interesting things around especially if you are willing to go out to sales and scrap yards etc. Then remember there is the 'art' of anticipating what will be considered a classic or totally cool and grab some on the time line point of near obsolescence and when others finally figure out it is cool... Two computers come to mind on that for us was Cobalt cube ( got a cobalt rack unit to keep it company too) and a Next cube system Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/13/2015 12:24:00 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, scaron at umich.edu writes: It's too bad that I catch myself thinking this so frequently these days, but "thank goodness I got mine" ... before the scene blew up... I guess the good times of just pulling carloads of cool stuff out of the dumpster for nothing couldn't go on forever... I do tend to agree; at least it's getting preserved; but it's a shame if the financial barrier to entry to the hobby is keeping potentially interested & enthusiastic people away... Like you, I'd rather see someone playing with the machine; taking it apart; fooling around; not having it just sit there in a glass case or being just another addition to some guy's hoard who just has to have it all... Best, Sean On Fri, Jun 12, 2015 at 2:48 AM, Ian S. King <isking at uw.edu> wrote: > The down side is that some historically significant artifacts will be > purchased by rich twits who will stick them in a closet or a display case. > The up side is that those same artifacts didn't go to the skip, as they did > all too often, all too recently. And history demonstrates that they will > come back out of those closets (or garages, in the case of vintage > automobiles and motorcycles) and end up in the hands of preservationists. > > We're seeing a tipping point where at least some people are beginning to > see the urgency of preserving our digital *hardware* legacy, even if profit > is the driver. As I said, it's not going into a dumpster.... -- Ian > > On Thu, Jun 11, 2015 at 3:24 AM, Kevin Parker <trash80 at internode.on.net> > wrote: > > > May be of interest to some list members - appeared in the Sydney Morning > > Herald Digital Life section yesterday. > > > > > > > > Unfortunately I'm not one of the big spenders. > > > > > > > > I know the story about the $200,000 Apple has got a fair airing but some > of > > the other numbers being quoted here frighten me. > > > > > > > > > > > http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/discarded-apple-i-worth > > -us200000-collectors-pay-big-money-for-old-tech-20150610-ghfmlu.html > > > > > > > > > > > > ++++++++++ > > > > Kevin Parker > > > > > > > > ++++++++++ > > > > > > > > > > > -- > Ian S. King, MSIS, MSCS, Ph.D. Candidate > The Information School <http://ischool.uw.edu> > > 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." >

11 years, 2 months

1
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Amiga Fans

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

We have an Amiga with the Newtek video goodies inside but alas are missing the keyboard was given to us by one of our cable station folks here in AZ Does anyone have extra keyboards!? Thanks Ed Sharpe archivist for SMECC In a message dated 6/13/2015 12:24:21 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, scaron at umich.edu writes: Aha, West Michigan! I know WOOD TV 8... I've got an Amiga 500 myself that came from Cable Access TV in Kalamazoo. A friend of mine still in town has a few more. Whodathunkit ... there's still some neat vintage gear out there in the wild up here in MI after all :O Funny. There's a legacy system for ya. Best, Sean On Fri, Jun 12, 2015 at 3:50 PM, Peter Cetinski <pete at pski.net> wrote: > +1 to you Amiga fans > > http://woodtv.com/2015/06/11/1980s-computer-controls-grps-heat-and-ac/ < > http://woodtv.com/2015/06/11/1980s-computer-controls-grps-heat-and-ac/> > > I love the part about the high school student who originally programmed it > and still maintains it to this day! > >

11 years, 2 months

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Ebay GT-40 in the Netherlands

by jws＠jwsss.com

DEC-Digital-1972-GT40-vector-graphics-system-PDP11-PDP-11 http://www.ebay.com/itm/231477915161 If I could afford it I wouldn't sweat the shipping cost. I think someone had posted what board did the graphics. Has that ever been given consideration for being added to SIMH for the 11? I'd love to run Lander, which I think is running on the system as shown. To Al: There was also a system like this at USL, which I wish had been conveyed to you. I suspect it was not. There was a new in the box replacement CRT because someone had had the system halt and burned the phosphor. You had to watch the system and never let the dot stop. If it stopped at a spot on the phosphor in the on position, you'd etch the phosphor. Ours (USL) never ran anything but Lander, so until someone with a project came along, we were saving the tube. The burn didn't affect lander much at all. thanks Jim

11 years, 2 months

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Need help: Reading 800 bpi NRZI 9 track tapes

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Might check with Al over at CHM - I have been told he has every format known to man covered. Ed# SMECC.org In a message dated 6/12/2015 4:02:26 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, cclist at sydex.com writes: On 06/12/2015 03:23 PM, Mark J. Blair wrote: > >> On Jun 12, 2015, at 14:54 , Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> wrote: >> >> My Qualstar 3418 has gone kaput and I need to find someone to read single (Unix) tape written on a TU16 at 800 BPI. I can handle 1600, 3200 and 6250 just fine, but not 800. >> >> Would anyone in the US be willing to help out? I can ship some money your way if that matters. The tape has been baked and cleaned, so no sticky problems. > > Another list member who lives in my area has offered to loan me his SCSI magtape drive so I can try to dump some tapes created on my VAX-11/730. If that all comes together (and assuming it will handle 800 BPI), I'd be happy to help. My plan is to hook it up to my Sun Ultra 60 running Solaris 8. I'm in southern California. > Much appreciated, Mark--800 bpi NRZI is uncommon; my Qualstar could handle it only as read-only. Keep me posted! Thanks, Chuck

11 years, 2 months

1
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ISO: Sun lunchbox vertical stand

by dave＠661.org

Last year or so someone offered up one or two vertical stands for Sun lunchbox chassis. I put my hand up for one and never heard more about it. Might that original person still have the stands? Does anyone else have some stands available? -- David Griffith dave at 661.org A: Because it fouls the order in which people normally read text. Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing? A: Top-posting. Q: What is the most annoying thing in e-mail?

11 years, 2 months

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VAX-11/730 %BOOT-F-Unexpected Machine Check

by cctalk＠beyondthepale.ie

> > The issue that I'm having at the moment is that when I try to boot from either > that RL02 pack or the R80, VMB.EXE reports "%BOOT-F-Unable to locate BOOT > file". I don't know yet whether there's something not-right about the > contents of the hard drives, or I need to configure something (?) so VMB.EXE > knows what to look for. There can be more than one system root on a VMS system disk, typically one each for different nodes in a cluster, maybe under [SYS0], [SYS10], [SYS11] etc and standalone backup can sometimes be found under [SYSE], if installed. "Unable to locate BOOT file" may indicate that you are not reading the correct system root or it may indicate that the disk is not bootable or maybe something entirely different. I am not well up on the 11/730 and I hope someone more familiar with their system specific details will chime in. On some other VAX machines but probably not an 11/730, the [SYSE] root would be booted by entering something like: boot /R5:E0000000 <device> or maybe: boot /R5:E000000 <device> or maybe even: boot <device>/E0000000 or boot <device>/E000000 > The boot scripts on the console boot tape appear to set up VMB.EXE by shoving > numbers into some registers prior to loading it, and I have not yet located > any documentation about what the numbers mean. If it is like other VAX variants that I am familar with, the top eight bits (or maybe four bits - I forget which?) of the 32 bit number that ends up in register R5 is what selects the system root you end up attempting to boot. > > I wonder if I might be able to back up the hard drives to an absurd number > of emulated TU58 images, so that I could then examine those on my modern > machine? > That sounds plausable. If you backup to a saveset on the emulated TU58, BACKUP should prompt you to change emulated tapes each time they fill up. > > I could probably back up onto magtape, but I don't have another means to > read the tapes yet. I have another tape drive (which needs repair) that > I'll eventually include in my PDP-11/44 restoration, but that's a big > project, far in the future. > Good luck with that one! > > I wonder if the VMS5.3 standalone backup might know how to back up to some > network device? I have an ethernet card in the VAX, so that might be a way > to get data off the machine for examination. > Standalone backup is not network aware. You need to get VMS booted before you get to use the network. > > Any suggestions or clues would be greatly appreciated! I'm still learning how > to tell the chickens from the eggs. > Looks like you're doing well so far! Regards, Peter Coghlan.

11 years, 2 months

8
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Amiga Fans

by pete＠pski.net

+1 to you Amiga fans http://woodtv.com/2015/06/11/1980s-computer-controls-grps-heat-and-ac/ <http://woodtv.com/2015/06/11/1980s-computer-controls-grps-heat-and-ac/> I love the part about the high school student who originally programmed it and still maintains it to this day!

11 years, 2 months

3
2
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Wierd reply addresses

by fozztexx＠fozztexx.com

On Jun 12, 2015, at 5:04 AM, Vincent Slyngstad <v.slyngstad at frontier.com> wrote: > There seem to be a number of messages from various folks > where the reply address has been rewritten to General at classiccmp.org<General at classiccmp.org>;Discussion at classiccmp.org:On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts<cctalk at classiccmp.org>; > instead of > General Discussion at classiccmp.org:On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts<cctalk at classiccmp.org>; > > What is that about? Could it be related to me getting delayed second copies of stuff? It happens because there?s some older mail clients being used which incorrectly parse the email address and create the general at classiccmp.org address when replying. The problem with the duplicate messages is because messages from the cctalk list are also relayed to the moderated cctech mailing list, and vice-versa. What happens is the messages from cctalk go over to cctech, get approved, and then get sent back to the cctalk list. From my understanding of the mailing list software being used, it doesn?t have any built-in facility to prevent duplicates by checking for messages with the same Message-ID, and would require someone to spend a little time to cobble a helper script together, but no-one has yet, so the message duplication has continued for a year or so now. -- Follow me on twitter: @FozzTexx Check out my blog: http://insentricity.com

11 years, 2 months

3
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First VAX-11/730 VMS Boot! (was: Re: VAX-11/730 %BOOT-F-Unexpected Machine Check)

by cctalk＠beyondthepale.ie

> > Thanks, that works! I also turned off write lock, which makes it happier. > Great :-) > > Wow, that boot sure takes forever. What the heck is it *doing* for all of > that time? :) > If you want speed, you need an Alpha, not a VAX :-) There could be all sorts of stuff in the startup file (SYS$STARTUP:SYSTARTUP_VMS.COM) that you don't need. Going back to an earlier version of VMS should help too - V7.3 probably has all sorts of stuff that is more appropriate on a later, faster VAX. > > And at the moment, it's still booting, as I sip my morning coffee. Just > started printing like heck and beeping... Ah, it's printing all of the > licenses that have terminated. Maybe I should have lied about the date? Looks > like the hostname is PIKE. Sure glad my iPhone boots more quietly. > You can get a free hobbyist license if you join whatever DECUS is called now. > > VMS use not authorized on this node. I sure hope it won't enforce that > before I can try a backup! > It will allow SYSTEM to login on the console without a license. > > Finally! A login prompt! And no clue about the passwords. Uh, how can I shut > this beast down without a valid login? !? > You can't. Just halt it or turn it off. VMS won't mind. None of that sync / fsck stuff required. The filing system is already consistent (that's one of the reasons it's boots so slow...) If you look for a copy of the VMS FAQ on the net, there should be a section on how to reset passwords. Here's a quick summary of one method: Go back to your conversational boot but this time enter: SET VAXCLUSTER 0 SET /STARTUP OPA0: SET WRITESYSPARAMS 0 CONTINUE When you get a $ prompt, enter (carefully, without any typos or you get to start all over again): SET NOON SPAWN /NOWAIT SYS$SYSTEM:STARTUP.COM When the startup finishes, press enter again and you should get back to your $ prompt. SET DEFAULT SYS$SYSTEM RUN AUTHORIZE MODIFY SYSTEM /PASSWORD=<new password> /NOPWDEXP /NOPWDLIFE EXIT LOGOUT Then login in. When you want to shut down gracefully: @SYS$SYSTEM:SHUTDOWN Regards, Peter Coghlan.

11 years, 2 months

2
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Collectors pay big money for old tech

by trash80＠internode.on.net

May be of interest to some list members - appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald Digital Life section yesterday. Unfortunately I'm not one of the big spenders. I know the story about the $200,000 Apple has got a fair airing but some of the other numbers being quoted here frighten me. http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/discarded-apple-i-worth -us200000-collectors-pay-big-money-for-old-tech-20150610-ghfmlu.html ++++++++++ Kevin Parker ++++++++++

11 years, 2 months

3
2
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IBM 9335 doc needed.

by h.j.stegeman＠hccnet.nl

Hi, I am currently restoring an IBM 9370. The IPL drive needs to be re-initted. (The diag track fails.) How to do this I need the IBM 9335-A01 SERVICE GUIDE (probably SY33-0113, but not sure) Who can help me with a copy of this manual ? Regards Henk

11 years, 2 months

1
0
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Need DZQ11 (M3106) Print Set

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Paul Anderson > OK, I have 10+ of the M3106 and M3107 boards The M3106 is the DZQ11; the M3107 is the DHQ11, a completely different beast (a sister to the DHV11, the quad version of the DHQ11, the dual version). We already have complete documents online for the DHQ11 (UG, TM and FMPS), so no great need for them. Just to recap, what is missing online from the complete set of 4 (DZV11, DZQ11, DHZ11, and DHQ11) is: - DZV11 Tech Man (EK-DZV11-TM) - you have this - DZQ11 FMPS (MP-01795) - still missing, and the thing I'm looking for - A DHV11 User Guide, _if such a thing exists_ (I have no definite proof that it does) > if the print sets are filed under M3106 and M3107 instead of the option > name they might take while to get to. > ... > I'm slowly getting everything, prints, manuals,boards,etc. in order but > it will take time. Understood. Don't push your recovery! :-) > Noel, you are more than welcome to use any documentation. Talk to Al > figure out who needs it first then ship it to the other and back to me. For the DZV11 Tech Manual, that might be best going to Al? I don't have a page-feed scanner, just the manual one (albeit it is large format, and can swallow prints at a gulp), and since TM's are usually lengthy, probably best if someone with a page-feed scanner tackles that one. (I assume Al has access to a page-feed scanner.. :-) Noel

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

PDP-8/e Panel Differences

by rodsmallwood52＠btinternet.com

Hi Guy's The current debate has produced a growing list of differences between the front panels of just one model viz and towit the PDP-8/e Here's my list so far 1. Angle of selector switch positions 1 and 6 can change (change of switch detent angle) 2. The line around the switch position area can be present or missing 3. The lines splitting the lamps into groups of three may or may not be present. 4. Diffences in colour from machine to machine (not verified yet) These could be related to 1. Date of manufacture 2. Place of manufacture 3. Serial No 4. Option fitted ie programmers console change of switch type It would be nice to be able to correlate the one list with the other Suggestions plese gentlemen The current shipping panel has the line around the switch area and the lines in switch positions 1 and 6 are vertical Regards Rod

11 years, 2 months

1
0
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SVR4 tape "mount xx"?

by cclist＠sydex.com

I'm fooling with some AT&T tapes for System V, Rel. 4.0 and I see, along with the various "proprietary" and "copyright" stuff on the tape (paper) label and the description of the contents, the notation "mount xx"; e.g. "mount D5" or "mount E2". Exactly what does this mean? --Chuck

11 years, 2 months

1
0
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Need DZQ11 (M3106) Print Set

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Paul Anderson > DZV11 FIELD MAINT PRINT SET MP00462 > USERS GUIDE DZV11-UG-002 > TECH MANUAL DZV11-TM-001 Err, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's a _DZQ11_ FMPS I needed (MP01795), not a _DZV11_ - the two are programming and interface identical, but other than that, totally different boards (the DZV11 is a quad, the DZQ11 is a dual). Sorry! However, the DZV11 TM is not yet available online, so it's definitely a Big Win, finding that; so your effort was not in vain! Noel

11 years, 2 months

2
2
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9T TU80-family in Wichita, Ks

by microfilm＠microfilm.kscoxmail.com

I've done some more research on the LMSI tape drive I have here, and it appears to be a TU80 family drive. It has touch pad controls, 2-digit LED display, vertical mount, pertec interface (I don't know if it's buffered or not), runs well and passes diagnostics. Layout and diagnostic controls match up to information from the TU80 manual on bitsavers. The drive has a dual-voltage power supply, presently set up for 110V operation, and is mounted in a cage which could be easily bolted to a pallet for shipping. I can throw in an ISA interface card, though I don't know what brand/models I have on hand, or whether I have software and drivers for them. If anyone is interested, photos are here: http://microfilmks.com/LMSI/ and I can get an operational video if necessary. It's available now, in Wichita, Ks. Asking $150, but I'm flexible. You pay freight. --Shaun Halstead Microfilm Services, Inc. Wichita, Ks 316.269.2203

11 years, 2 months

2
1
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Need DZQ11 (M3106) Print Set

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

So I'm working with a group of 'busted' DZQ11's (the symptom is that Master Clear - 020 - bit in the CSR stays set, even if I write a 0 to the CSR), and so I need access to a set of prints for this card; they are MP-01795. They don't seem to be online anywhere, though. (They may not be fixable, because a lot of the circuitry is in a large custom chip, which is of course now unobtainium, but I'm hoping it's something simple.) This is a relatively recent card, so I'm hoping someone out there has a set. If not, I can probably dope out how it works from the Maintainence Manual (which _is_ available), but it would be _much_ easier if I have some prints to look at too... I would gladly scan them in for general distribution/use, if someone has a set they can loan me. I do have an A3 professional level scanner on a SCSI, so it's a snap for me to scan prints. (Or if someone wants to scan them themselves, that's of course fine too!) Thanks in advance, and I'm crossing my fingers! :-) Noel

11 years, 2 months

3
3
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NY Times Video Feature : The Apple Collector

by christian_liendo＠yahoo.com

I thought this was rather nice. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/06/08/video-feature-the-apple-collector/…

11 years, 2 months

10
12
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PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Michael - Many thanks for the great start! Lyle ok added yours.. neat you have it working! what is the status of his other unit that was sold? ok here starts the registry ! Have started on for classic 8 and one for 8S It would be good to have some assistance in figuring out want fields we want for data. Do we want the list to be ordered by S/N or owner? ( I vote for S/N) Of course if we also have things an excel work sheet we can sort in any way we wish. http://www.smecc.org/pdp-8.htm is page of what we have so far. In a message dated 6/10/2015 12:44:00 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, lbickley at bickleywest.com writes: On Wed, 10 Jun 2015 15:11:21 -0400 Michael Thompson <michael.99.thompson at gmail.com> wrote: > > I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. > > The RICM has an OMD8S data-break and memory expansion chassis for > > an 8/S. > > > > Not everyone wants their collections to be public information but: > > S/N 127, Table Top, running, Sold on eBay 07/2003 for more than > $3,000. > > Rhode Island Computer Museum > S/N 149, partially running > https://sites.google.com/a/ricomputermuseum.org/home/Home/equipment/dec-pdp… > > David Larsen <floydlcfgroup at gmail.com> > S/N 303, Rack Mount, needs restoration. > Has a second one. > I think that one or both of these may have new homes. Both do have new homes. I have one of them: Lyle Bickley S/N 203, Desktop, Restored, Runs, Passes all DEC PDP-8/S Diagnostics, runs Focal, etc. > Vincent Slyngstad <v.slyngstad at frontier.com> > S/N 381, Table top, needs restoration > PT08 #450. > > S/N 566, Table Top, running, used to belong to Kevin Stumpf > > Rhode Island Computer Museum > S/N 517, Rack Mount, running, PT08B, PC01, PC02, PC03 > https://sites.google.com/site/ricmwarehouse/Home/equipment/pdp-8s > > Rhode Island Computer Museum > S/N 537, needs restoration > Came with 4k core in an OMD8S. Data Break is in the OMD8S. > https://sites.google.com/site/ricmwarehouse/Home/equipment/pdp-8s > > Rhode Island Computer Museum > S/N 857, Table top, needs restoration > Mice ate some of the wires on the core memory stack. > https://sites.google.com/site/ricmwarehouse/Home/equipment/pdp-8s > > Goodwill Computer Museum > S/N 752, Rack Mount, Nicely restored and running on display > http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyohm/5334436698/ > Don't know where this one is now. > > Ethan Dicks > Needs restoration > > Tekniska museet in stockholm > Table top version > http://www.tekniskamuseet.se/download/18.689e694f125720d4ec480001504/Datore… > > Computermuseum der Fakult?t Informatik > S/N 862, Table Top, running > Designing a Teletype interface > http://computermuseum.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/dev_en/pdp8s/index.html > Previously owned by: > Ulrich N Fierz > Telecommunication Engineering Services > Zurichbergstrasse 203 > CH-8044 Zurich > Switzerland > > Living Computer Museum > Two, unrestored > http://www.pdpplanet.com > > Computer History Museum > One, static display > http://www.computerhistory.org > > Max Burnet > Hon Sec - Melbourne University Alumni - Sydney branch > Archivist - Hornby Railway Collectors Assoc of Aust Inc > Managing Director - BACK Pty Ltd > Burnet Antique Computer Knowhow Pty Ltd > PO Box 847 Pennant Hills NSW 1715 > 138 Boundary Road Pennant Hills NSW 2120 > Phone 02 9484 6772 Mobile 0412 124 006 > Email mburnet at bigpond.net.au > > Table top 8/S 759 on static display in my home office, > pic enclosed. > Table top 8/S 588 in storage > Rack mounted 8/S ? in storage, might be restorable > because it still has its power supply and cabinet. > > One in Ottawa > > Michael Thompson -- 73 AF6WS Bickley Consulting West Inc. http://bickleywest.com "Black holes are where God is dividing by zero"

11 years, 2 months

4
3
0 0

PDP-8/S

by michael.99.thompson＠gmail.com

> I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. > The RICM has an OMD8S data-break and memory expansion chassis for an 8/S. > Not everyone wants their collections to be public information but: S/N 127, Table Top, running, Sold on eBay 07/2003 for more than $3,000. Rhode Island Computer Museum S/N 149, partially running https://sites.google.com/a/ricomputermuseum.org/home/Home/equipment/dec-pdp… David Larsen <floydlcfgroup at gmail.com> S/N 303, Rack Mount, needs restoration. Has a second one. I think that one or both of these may have new homes. Vincent Slyngstad <v.slyngstad at frontier.com> S/N 381, Table top, needs restoration PT08 #450. S/N 566, Table Top, running, used to belong to Kevin Stumpf Rhode Island Computer Museum S/N 517, Rack Mount, running, PT08B, PC01, PC02, PC03 https://sites.google.com/site/ricmwarehouse/Home/equipment/pdp-8s Rhode Island Computer Museum S/N 537, needs restoration Came with 4k core in an OMD8S. Data Break is in the OMD8S. https://sites.google.com/site/ricmwarehouse/Home/equipment/pdp-8s Rhode Island Computer Museum S/N 857, Table top, needs restoration Mice ate some of the wires on the core memory stack. https://sites.google.com/site/ricmwarehouse/Home/equipment/pdp-8s Goodwill Computer Museum S/N 752, Rack Mount, Nicely restored and running on display http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyohm/5334436698/ Don't know where this one is now. Ethan Dicks Needs restoration Tekniska museet in stockholm Table top version http://www.tekniskamuseet.se/download/18.689e694f125720d4ec480001504/Datore… Computermuseum der Fakult?t Informatik S/N 862, Table Top, running Designing a Teletype interface http://computermuseum.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/dev_en/pdp8s/index.html Previously owned by: Ulrich N Fierz Telecommunication Engineering Services Zurichbergstrasse 203 CH-8044 Zurich Switzerland Living Computer Museum Two, unrestored http://www.pdpplanet.com Computer History Museum One, static display http://www.computerhistory.org Max Burnet Hon Sec - Melbourne University Alumni - Sydney branch Archivist - Hornby Railway Collectors Assoc of Aust Inc Managing Director - BACK Pty Ltd Burnet Antique Computer Knowhow Pty Ltd PO Box 847 Pennant Hills NSW 1715 138 Boundary Road Pennant Hills NSW 2120 Phone 02 9484 6772 Mobile 0412 124 006 Email mburnet at bigpond.net.au Table top 8/S 759 on static display in my home office, pic enclosed. Table top 8/S 588 in storage Rack mounted 8/S ? in storage, might be restorable because it still has its power supply and cabinet. One in Ottawa Michael Thompson

11 years, 2 months

7
6
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Looking for docs / schematics for MITS 88-HDSK and its associated Pertec drive

by derschjo＠gmail.com

Hey all -- I'm assisting in the restoration of an Altair 8800 system which includes the MITS 88-HDSK ("Altair Hard Drive Controller") and Pertec D-3422 removable pack/fixed platter drive and after cleaning everything up, rebuilding supplies, etc, the drive spins up and goes Ready but all attempts to boot end in "LOAD ERROR: 1" which I have been told indicates that the Altair doesn't think the drive is ready. I can't find any substantial documentation on the controller (the D-3400 series is covered on bitsavers); I've checked with the Altair Computer Club and they don't have any docs posted (and the one guy who might have a copy of the docs is on vacation until the 12th, which wouldn't normally be a big deal but we're trying (perhaps in vain) to get this thing ready for an event on Saturday...). Anyone have any docs or any other information for the 88-HDISK controller? Thanks! Josh

11 years, 2 months

1
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PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Fred yes all valid. if we are to put them in the registry though we have to be sure that have one if they go nameless. like if we get a response like: my name is rick I have s/n 2 Ok we need a entry template for info that can be spread sheeted.. of course any misc info people want to add could go in a comments section... open to any and all suggestions! Ed Sharpe _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/10/2015 12:56:28 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, cisin at xenosoft.com writes: >> I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. > Not everyone wants their collections to be public information but: If somebody were to try to make a "complete" list, it would make sense to provide variable levels of anonymity, such as name but not contact info, state but no name, email but no other contact, etc. If designed well, that could be managed by a full information form in which it is easy, and acknowledged to be acceptable, to fill in only items that are intended to be public. Prob'ly some people would be more willing to discuss what they have IFF they aren't opening themselves to theft risk, and/or a deluge of "I'd like to buy". NOTE: I do not currently have ANY PDP stuff, so I am only speculating about what others would like. -- Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin at xenosoft.com

11 years, 2 months

2
1
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PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

ok added! thanks Mike! In a message dated 6/10/2015 2:24:01 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, tmfdmike at gmail.com writes: I have one, restored, was running when stored but not powered up in some considerable time. Serial number unknown; IIRC correctly the tag with the serial number was missing so may remain unknown. Obtained from a collector called Erik in... Netherlands I think, circa 2004... who got it from John Bradatanu... IIRC I traded a TU56, a pdp-8/L, and some other bits, for the 8/S and a working VT05.. see pic on this page: http://www.corestore.org/coremove.htm Pics on that page are interesting, as it's the only time around 90% of the DEC portion of the Corestore collection has all been lined up and visible in the same place at the same time! Oh 8/m has been discussed in front panel talk... here's a nice pic of mine: http://www.corestore.org/pdp8m-1.jpg Mike On Thu, Jun 11, 2015 at 7:56 AM, Fred Cisin <cisin at xenosoft.com> wrote: >>> I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. >> >> Not everyone wants their collections to be public information but: > > > If somebody were to try to make a "complete" list, it would make sense to > provide variable levels of anonymity, such as name but not contact info, > state but no name, email but no other contact, etc. If designed well, that > could be managed by a full information form in which it is easy, and > acknowledged to be acceptable, to fill in only items that are intended to be > public. > > Prob'ly some people would be more willing to discuss what they have IFF they > aren't opening themselves to theft risk, and/or a deluge of "I'd like to > buy". > > NOTE: I do not currently have ANY PDP stuff, so I am only speculating about > what others would like. > > > -- > Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin at xenosoft.com -- http://www.corestore.org 'No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother. Not for millions, not for glory, not for fame. For one person, in the dark, where no one will ever know or see.'

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Alpha 4100 CPU fan

by binarydinosaurs＠gmail.com

Folks, Trying to source a non-DEC fan for a 4100 CPU since getting them in the UK is more and more tricky as time goes on. The originals are 12V 0.17A 60mm 3-wire and I've found some almost-identical-but-not-quite 0.18A variants. Needed to rewire the plugs to match (12V, sense, gnd) but the machine reports 'CPU0 Fan Fail' despite the fact the fan is running at speed. Is +0.01A enough to make the monitor board think the fan's failed? Board itself is fine as it works with its existing fan. Cheers, -- adrian/witchy Owner of Binary Dinosaurs, the UK's biggest home computer collection? www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk

11 years, 2 months

4
3
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Front Panels - Shipping commences

by rodsmallwood52＠btinternet.com

Hi Guys I have started to ship 8/e front panels as of to-day. I took some to the shippers to-day and more will go to-morrow Everybody who placed an order will get at least one from the first batch. The next batch will be twenty panels. Type B will be available and both round holes will be cut by the plastics company Rod Smallwood

11 years, 2 months

1
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Front Panel Update

by rodsmallwood52＠btinternet.com

Hi All Since I released the picture of the first 8/e panel on Friday there has been a big response. Its 12:45 local on Monday in the UK and I'm of to the silk screeners to collect the rest of the first batch and to arrange for more to be printed as soon as I get the blanks from the plastics supplier. I'll send out what I have to fullfill as many of the orders I have so far as I can. I have learned an awful lot just based on the inquires I have so far. I see the following as requirements 1. Full size reproductions of the original panels useing the same methods. 2. High quality 3. Custom one off service for important restorations. 4. There's more demand than I thought. 5. So far its all been for DEC systems And yes they would look good just hung on the wall Next up an accurate reproduction of the bezel. And after that a lamps and switches board when and if I solve the Stackpole switch levers issue. Please send in your orders so I can allocate production/shipping slots. Regards Rod Smallwood

11 years, 2 months

18
42
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WTB /WTT DEC TZ30 and/or 1/2" open reel SCSI magtape drives

by nf6x＠nf6x.net

In order to be able to move data between my vintage and modern computers more effectively, I am looking for one or both of these items: 1) DEC TZ30 tape drive. This is a TK50-compatible drive in a 1/2 height form factor with a SCSI interface. 2) 1/2" open reel magtape drive with SCSI interface. Preferably with 6250 BPI capability. Doesn't need to be fast or fancy; just needs to be working-ish. I'm located in Riverside, California, USA. For an open reel magtape drive, a local source would be preferable to avoid the need to ship the beast. Or possibly in Las Vegas, where my folks might sneak it into the moving van later this month... :) eBay and I are now seeing other people, so I'm cut off from that source. Ditto for PayPal, so I'd pay by some other means (or maybe even trade). -- Mark J. Blair, NF6X <nf6x at nf6x.net> http://www.nf6x.net/

11 years, 2 months

7
14
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equipment available

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

Lowboy rack, two RL0X drives and one 11/23. From the pictures it looks a bit dirty, but we know RL0X and 11/23's are pretty solid even after age. Location is Newbury, UK Email me off-list if interested. Best, J

11 years, 2 months

1
0
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Wanted: stand for NeXT monitor

by tosteve＠yahoo.com

Just acquired a NeXT 68040 cube computer. It's way cool, but the responsiveness is unimpressive - I'd call it pokey. All 16 RAM slots are full for 16MB, but sixteen 4MB RAM sticks may help the speed. It has an internal HD, as well as the magneto-optical drive. One things it's missing is the monitor stand - does anyone have a spare stand for a NeXT N4000A monochrome monitor? Thanks- Steve.

11 years, 2 months

8
12
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What is best place to buy new 1/2 tape ? (recent datecodes)

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

What is best place to buy new 1/2 tape ? (recent datecodes) thanks for advice Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org)

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Blue tape retainers

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

They breathe better if you do not have them sealed when you are baking them..ed _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) (resent due to error message) -------- Original message -------- From: Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> Date: 06/09/2015 9:46 PM (GMT-07:00) To: General at classiccmp.org, "Discussion at classiccmp.org:On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Subject: Re: Blue tape retainers On 06/09/2015 08:21 PM, ben wrote: > Also would not a fall like that damage the tape reel? When baking tapes with the Wright Line seals, I've learned to remove the seals. If you leave them on, the tapes at 58C, will often just fall right out the seal--the coefficient of expansion is much larger for the seals than for the tape reels. After the seal has had a chance to cool off, it fits fine. This is particularly a problem with the smaller size reels. --Chuck

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

PDP-12 Restoration at the RICM

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Michael, David's product is outstanding! He also makes new foams for the inside also for the model 33 and 32 - Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/7/2015 6:58:55 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, michael.99.thompson at gmail.com writes: W contacted David Tumey about Teletype hammers. He will send us some as a donation. We put some heat-shrink tubing on to stop further damage. Warren repaired and tested the M706 Teletype receiver. We put it back in the PDP-12 and put the borrowed M706 back in the PDP-8/I. The donor brought another M706/M707 pair, so we tested them and then installed them. We have two working serial ports in the PDP-12. Warren is making an Arduino based programmable baud rate generator for this system. We ran more diags. The 8/I Instruction Test #1 & #2, and the random JMP, JMP-JMS, ISZ tests work OK. The LINC Tape-Quickie test and the Memory Address test fail after running OK for a few minutes. We tested all of the G221 Memory Selectors, and they are OK, so the memory address decoding is probably working OK. This may be a case where the processor is sometimes doing the wrong thing when comparing numbers, and the rest of the hardware is actually OK. Debugging this will be the project for next week. The donor dropped off more documentation, spare parts, LINC tapes containing the DIAL operating system, and an RK05 disk pack that likely contains OS/8. We will make image copies of the LINC tapes and the disk pack. -- Michael Thompson

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

ok lets start a list of them by s/n and for those that have surviving sales docs let us place sales dates with them to give an snapshot sales volume and time. I am going to try to get ours out of the tombs to spiff up and will pull the s/n at that time Ed Sharpe archivist for SMECC _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/9/2015 12:05:11 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, michael.99.thompson at gmail.com writes: I made a list from scanning classiccmp and Usenet groups. Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 9, 2015, at 2:56 PM, Lyle Bickley <lbickley at bickleywest.com> wrote: > > On Tue, 9 Jun 2015 14:27:57 -0400 > Michael Thompson <michael.99.thompson at gmail.com> wrote: > >>> >>> Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:26:07 -0700 >>> From: couryhouse <couryhouse at aol.com> >>> Subject: Re: Front Panel Update >>> >>> 8s is rare?? ? We have one. ?Is there a an registry? ? >>> Ed# ?smecc.org >>> >>> Ben. >> I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. >> The RICM has an OMD8S data-break and memory expansion chassis for an >> 8/S. > > Is there a registry somewhere for PDP-8/S systems? Where is the list > available and maintained? > > Cheers, > Lyle > > -- > 73 AF6WS > Bickley Consulting West Inc. > http://bickleywest.com > > "Black holes are where God is dividing by zero"

11 years, 2 months

2
1
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Blue tape retainers

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

foam blocks ... hated the things we just tucked one end of the tape under the tape ring and snapped it shut seems things stayed in place nicely and no foam outgassing under the seal of the tape ring. Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/9/2015 2:38:08 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, nf6x at nf6x.net writes: > On Jun 9, 2015, at 14:32 , Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> wrote: > > I'm getting a little tired of replacing old dried-out foam blocks to hold down the ends of 1/2" tapes. Worse, some of the ones I've fished out have utterly crumbled over the years, leaving bits of themselves inside the reel. I am curious: NOS tapes that I bought in the last year or so came with the foam blocks, but I don't recall ever encountering either a foam block or the magic plastic tape "back in the day" on tapes from the rack that I handled as a backup operator. I presume that if they came with blocks, they were discarded when the tapes were unpacked. Is it really necessary to secure the tape end in normal use, or is it just needed during shipping to keep the tape from getting loose on the reel during transport? -- Mark J. Blair, NF6X <nf6x at nf6x.net> http://www.nf6x.net/

11 years, 2 months

8
18
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Blue tape retainers

by couryhouse＠aol.com

They breathe better ?if you do not have thenm sealed..ed www.smecc.org Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> Date: 06/09/2015 9:46 PM (GMT-07:00) To: General at classiccmp.org, "Discussion at classiccmp.org:On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Subject: Re: Blue tape retainers On 06/09/2015 08:21 PM, ben wrote: > Also would not a fall like that damage the tape reel? When baking tapes with the Wright Line seals, I've learned to remove the seals.? If you leave them on, the tapes at 58C, will often just fall right out the seal--the coefficient of expansion is much larger for the seals than for the tape reels.? After the seal has had a chance to cool off, it fits fine. This is particularly a problem with the smaller size reels. --Chuck

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

TRW Cinch connectors-found a few boxes or nos.

by useddec＠gmail.com

please contact me of list if interested.

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Blue tape retainers

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

wonders how long it takes the seal to decay? when in the biz had tapes on the rack for 13 years and no falling . Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/9/2015 7:42:06 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca writes: On 6/9/2015 8:15 PM, Brent Hilpert wrote: > On 2015-Jun-09, at 3:01 PM, jwsmobile wrote: > >> I find that the Writghtline seals work the best if the tapes were >> not and are not hung with them. Eventually the white material will >> fail, or the black lock will break, but they are by far the longest >> lasting other than just a clear box container. > > Every couple of years for awhile now I'll be surprised in hearing a > snap, clunk and strange scuffling sound in the house. > > It's one of those tape collar-seals breaking spontaneously, at which > point the hung reel falls to the floor and takes off across the room, > generally unwinding the tape as it goes. > > After a few years, they start looking for food. :)

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

DEC H7842-A, -D power supplies for PC100, PC278 etc

by useddec＠gmail.com

My crew found some of these today that are extremely clean. Getting closer to the mother lode. If interested, please contact me off list. Paul

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

PDP-8/S

by michael.99.thompson＠gmail.com

> > Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:26:07 -0700 > From: couryhouse <couryhouse at aol.com> > Subject: Re: Front Panel Update > > 8s is rare?? ? We have one. ?Is there a an registry? ? Ed# ?smecc.org > > Ben. > > I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. The RICM has an OMD8S data-break and memory expansion chassis for an 8/S. -- Michael Thompson

11 years, 2 months

4
4
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Front Panel Update

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Unisys absorbed Varian mini computers ie the V 77 nice chart in this pdf of the family tree http://rmarsh.cs.und.edu/CLASS/CS451/HANDOUTS/os-unisys.pdf by the way the purchase agreement was dated 1977 between Uni and Var we have lots of manuals in the catacombs.... unisys/varian/burroughs Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/9/2015 3:45:11 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, paulkoning at comcast.net writes: > On Jun 9, 2015, at 5:58 PM, tony duell <ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk> wrote: > > >> WTF? Varian was a competitor of DEC. They made minis themselves. Sounds >> extremely strange that one would take a DEC mini, and put a Varian badge >> on it. Did someone try to make a joke? > > I will always think of Varian as a maker of (very high quality) vacuum equipment. > > I am sure this was not a joke. It wasn't just the name, the switch handles were all green, the silkscreening > was different, etc. It was a normal PDP8/e inside, though. It was part of a piece of lab equipment (I forget > what) and I had to do a minor repair on the PDP8/e side (this was over 20 years ago...). I was pleased to > see that apart from a custom interface board, the rest of it was standard DEC boards, so the printsets I > had applied. Interesting. Varian is a microwave equipment company; I have one of their TWTs sitting on my H960 at home. Vacuum equipment, I could believe that. But yes, Varian made a 16 bit minicomputer; I had a handbook for it at one time (now lost, I suspect). And if memory serves, the reason is that there was one in the Computer Science department at the University of Illinois where I studied. I remember nothing about the architecture, other than the fact it supported user microprogramming. Possibly the OEM PDP8 predates that device. Or possibly it wasn?t enough of a competitor for DEC to stop doing OEM business with Varian. paul

11 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Blue tape retainers

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

I have had them come in them for video tape too and they were seem to be white vinyl in this case Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/9/2015 5:04:47 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca writes: On 6/9/2015 5:38 PM, Pete Turnbull wrote: > On 09/06/2015 22:32, Chuck Guzis wrote: >> One thing that I recall is that many tape manufacturers used a blue, >> sort of "sticky silicon" tape to hold ends in place. This stuff never >> seems to degrade. > > Since I used to buy them, I can say with some authority that (1) they're > vinyl tape, as others have surmised, and yes it's the same stuff that > adhesive-free window "stickers" are made from, and (2) they came in lots > of colours - I have almost every one except purple, and, oddly enough, > blue. So the item on Amazon might be a very good option. > Have you checked the places that sell professional audio reel 2 reel tape?

11 years, 2 months

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Blue tape retainers

by cclist＠sydex.com

I'm getting a little tired of replacing old dried-out foam blocks to hold down the ends of 1/2" tapes. Worse, some of the ones I've fished out have utterly crumbled over the years, leaving bits of themselves inside the reel. One thing that I recall is that many tape manufacturers used a blue, sort of "sticky silicon" tape to hold ends in place. This stuff never seems to degrade. Does anyone know what the stuff is and where one might get a roll of it? --Chuck

11 years, 2 months

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Front Panel Tech Note No1

by rodsmallwood52＠btinternet.com

To act as a diffuser we use two strips of semi translucent tape across the clear areas where the lamps/LED's shine through. However DEC lamps / LEDs are not noted for their brilliance. So unless requested we will leave them off. Rod Smallwood

11 years, 2 months

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VAX-11/730 %BOOT-F-Unexpected Machine Check

by nf6x＠nf6x.net

I finally got the excellent AK6DN tu58em emulator working as my VAX-11/730's console drive, as discussed on VCF. The trouble appears to have been a simple timing issue: tu58em includes some time delays which run afoul of the 730 console's very aggressive timeout checking. After patching in a command line flag to disable them, my 730 console seems to be happy with tu58em running on my MacBook Air over an FTDI USB/RS-232 converter. I've also tweaked the FTDI's driver settings to make sure that latency is minimized, but I'm not sure if I changed it significantly from the default. But the console appears to time out if the tape drive takes 20ms or more to respond to the initialization sequence, so every millisecond might impact reliability. With the console working and loading up a version 57 11/730 console tape image that I found online, I've been trying to boot the machine up. When I try to boot from either the R80 or RL02, I get error message "%BOOT-F-Unexpected Machine Check". Does that error message mean anything to the VAX experts out there? This machine was believe to be working before time + transport, and I'm trying to bring it up for the first time since I got it. I still have a lot of learning curve to climb, but I'm excited to have made more progress. -- Mark J. Blair, NF6X <nf6x at nf6x.net> http://www.nf6x.net/

11 years, 2 months

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Blue tape retainers

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

never owned an auto load drive.... nor do I want to! always afraid of anything autoload....things getting eaten! Ed# In a message dated 6/9/2015 2:54:36 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, drb at msu.edu writes: > foam blocks ... hated the things we just tucked one end of the tape > under the tape ring and snapped it shut seems things stayed in place > nicely and no foam outgassing under the seal of the tape ring. Those of us with autoload drives despised you. :) Well, ok, the 3420 drives probably did ok regardless; you do get something for the money (and mass) of a blue drive. The Cipher streamers often choked on these, though. De

11 years, 2 months

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Front Panel Update

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

ONLY SOMETIMES... remember Varian also made scientific instruments that had computers lasted to them and probably used dec when they were not making their own mini Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/9/2015 2:46:50 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, bqt at update.uu.se writes: On 2015-06-09 23:15, tony duell wrote: >>> DEC was very keen on its OEM business and if the order was big enough would allow some variation in >>> colours but would not allow the dec logo to be removed or changed. > >> I?m not sure if that?s completely true. I remember a PDP11 (11/45 probably) at the University of Illinois, around > > I am pretty sure I once saw a PDP8/e which was absolutely normal internally, but where the front panel was > green (as were the switch handles) and it was badged 'Varian'. I don't remember a Digital logo on the > front anywhere. WTF? Varian was a competitor of DEC. They made minis themselves. Sounds extremely strange that one would take a DEC mini, and put a Varian badge on it. Did someone try to make a joke? 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

11 years, 2 months

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ANTS (Was Re: Front Panel Update)

by silent700＠gmail.com

On Tue, Jun 9, 2015 at 9:30 AM, Paul Koning <paulkoning at comcast.net> wrote: > I?m not sure if that?s completely true. I remember a PDP11 (11/45 probably) at the University of Illinois, around 1975. It was used as a terminal controller for ARPAnet. The system was called ANTS (not sure what that stands for), and it had a custom logo panel for the top of the H960 racks, in red and yellow, showing large ants crawling all along the cabinets. ARPA Network Terminal System. I've got an ANTS logo panel on the wall at home. I know I have some photos of it online but I'm not finding them in the destruction wrought by Google on their old Picasa site. I remember the orange/red color combo made it really hard to photograph. I'll dig them up later and post a follow-up. There is some info on that system, as well as a lot of other PDP and minicomputing goodness, here: https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/32601/semiannualtechn… j

11 years, 2 months

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History of portable computers book -- pre-orders

by evan＠snarc.net

Hi all, I'm going to release "version 1.0" of my book in a PDF edition this Friday night. Then in a couple of weeks from now I'll release a Kindle e-book version and a print edition. The PDF version is only $8 and can be ordered right now at the very primitive web site: http://www.abacustosmartphone.com. There's nothing to stop people from sharing or posting the PDF, other than me asking nicely: please do not do that. I am releasing the book early because I need the money. So what's in the book? It is the story of the evolution of mobile/portable computers -- how we got from the abacus to the smartphone. I wrote it in plain English for general and mildly technical readers. There aren't a lot of tech speeds-and-feeds; it doesn't explain how the computers worked or how to program them. It is almost entirely about who made them, why, and how they all improved on each other to incrementally move the ball forward. I think it's interesting. Some parts are very funny. Most of all, it's a story that until never was never told. - Evan

11 years, 2 months

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PDP8

by useddec＠gmail.com

With all the traffic on 8 front panels, which sounds great, I was asked about letting a few of mine go a while ago. The plan was to test and configure to order. A few list members inquired about selling a few as is making it cheaper for them, and more educational. I thought about it, looked at some of my projects, my piles of junk, thought about it some more and said yes. I"m not sure who dropped the ball. Contact me off list if you are interested. I'll think about overseas. Thanks, Paul

11 years, 2 months

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PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

17 is still pretty scarce! In a message dated 6/9/2015 11:57:04 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, lbickley at bickleywest.com writes: > I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. > The RICM has an OMD8S data-break and memory expansion chassis for an > 8/S.

11 years, 2 months

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HP 700/92 terminal for sale

by shawn-gordon＠cox.net

Perfect working condition, both monitor and keyboard. This is not the actual unit but it is the same model http://www.retrocomputing.net/parts/hp/HP70092/P0007274.jpg $80 obo plus shipping.

11 years, 2 months

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PDP-8/e front panels.

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Paul Koning >> I think the 11/20 might have used the slide switches (its switch >> register looks just like the one on the -8M). > .. PDP11 switches are mini toggle switches as far as I remember .. > Yes, the 11/40 and 11/45, for one; the 11/20 also. I don't have an 11/20 (yet!), but I had a look at the KY11-A manual (no print set online, alas), and it does seem to show (pg. 19) a slide switch. Like I said, the 11/20 switch array looks exactly the the 8/E and 8/M ones (except for colour, of course), which seems to support that the actual switch is a slide. Anyone out there have an 11/20, and can give us definitive info? Noel

11 years, 2 months

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Front Panel Update

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Paul Koning > I remember a PDP11 (11/45 probably) at the University of Illinois, > ... The system was called ANTS (not sure what that stands for) "ARPA Network Terminal System". According to RFC-597, Illinois had both an 11/20 and an 11/50 (11/45 variant) running ANTS; other sites also ran it on an 11/40. > it had a custom logo panel for the top of the H960 racks, in red and > yellow, showing large ants crawling all along the cabinets. That could have been a local thing. At MIT, the first MIT-built LISP Machines, also housed in H960 racks, had custom logo panels reading "LISP Machine", with an illustration of a LISP two-part cell, with pointers (to other, un-shown, cells). I still have one... (the panel, not the CADR). Noel PS: In a previous message, I wrote "KA-11"; I meant, of course, 'KA-10'. Got -11's on the brain.. ;-)

11 years, 2 months

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PDP-8/e front panels.

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Rod Smallwood > The switches were made by a company in the US called Stackpole > ... > They are a normal slide type modified with a U bracket to allow the > attachment of a lever arm to operate the switch when toggled up and > down. Ah; the 11/05's (which is what I need switches for) use toggle switches (like I said, pretty much standard micro toggle switches, excepts for the front plate). I'm pretty sure the later 11's with complete front panels (40's, 45's, etc) used the same kind of switch. I was assuming all the PDP-x's of that era used the same front panel switch design, but apparently not. Or perhaps I'm mixing my eras a bit, and the slightly earlier ones all used the slide switch stuff (I just checked my KA-11 panel, and it uses slide switches). I think the 11/20 might have used the slide switches (its switch register looks just like the one on the -8M). Anyway, it seems like we all need both kinds! :-) Noel

11 years, 2 months

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PDP 8/e Front panel Shipping Forecast

by rodsmallwood52＠btinternet.com

Hi Guys 1. I have nine 8/e finished panels waiting for me to drill the two round holes Keylock will be drilled 5/8* (May need countersinking from rear) Shaft hole will be drilled 1/4" 2, They are my Type A. (As photo) No vertical octal byte divider lines First and last switch positions vertical. Box around switch area. No diffuser over lamp clear areas (use semi translucent tape on back) 3. The price is $95.00 + $15.00 Shipping (Customs and State Taxes not included tape) 4. One per customer until this batch runs out 5. Next batch (20) due in 5-7 Working days + finished item shipping time to US. 6. Send $110 to my PayPal Account (rodsmallwood52 at btinternet.com) and email me your address, 7. One has already gone so seven slots left Regards Rod

11 years, 2 months

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Memory options for an HP 1000 (HP 21MX / 2112A)

by marc.verdiell＠gmail.com

Jay, I have gotten a M.E.M memory expansion board (two of them actually!) for my 21 MX. And many memory cards. So now all I need is the DMS firmware board. I am interested in yours if you still have it... I tried to contact you off-list but no success, maybe I ended up in your junk mail pile. I have gotten quite a few other boards so maybe I can get you something in exchange. Just contact me off list. Thanks, Marc >On Wed May 20 14:32:25 CDT 2015 >Jay West said: >I believe I have a DMS firmware board for the M series that is not needed, >I've passed on most all of my M series machines and focused on the E. >J

11 years, 2 months

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HP 3082A ("Industrial Touch") Terminal service manual or

by marc.verdiell＠gmail.com

Whooo. Very nice terminal. I want one too :-). Can't help with your problem unfortunately. Marc >From: Josh Dersch <derschjo at gmail.com> >Subject: HP 3082A ("Industrial Touch") Terminal service manual or > other info? >Hi all -- >The lovely HP 3082A terminal I've been using with my PDP-11/73 has started exhibiting odd/annoying behavior today. The 3082A is also known as the "Industrial >Touch" terminal, it's a compact unit in a rugged housing with an EL display, built in keyboard, and a touchscreen. [.] >Josh

11 years, 2 months

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Front Panel Update

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Ah! the old 8S ....thinking back on it this 8S was from a site we were actually paid to haul stuff away from as the land lord had the building rented to a new tenant. Date? had to be in 1981 or 82.. we also got a bunch of CDC washing machine early disk drives that were 6 megs or 10 megs that had 6 platters? and truckloads of old tape readers junk power supplies.. I remember trying to use it but alas to no avail... I would toggle in the boot and go look at it and it was all nonsense when I would read the display back. probably bad core drivers!? All this talk has me curious about it again... I will have to pull it out! a! the old days! Ed# In a message dated 6/8/2015 4:02:48 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca writes: > PDP-8/S was my first computer, purchased for five bucks from a guy I > met at a hamfest. That was thirty years ago, and started me on this > whole computer history path. It is temperamental, but still works. > > -- > Will >

11 years, 2 months

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Front Panel Update

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

yea Will... things that fit under the workbench can languish for 40 years... if it has to sit on top it may a a shorter lifespan.... Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/8/2015 3:18:35 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, wdonzelli at gmail.com writes: > It's pretty rare. I have one too. > > I've seen and heard of more straight 8s than I have 8/S PDP-8/Ss used to be quite rare, but they have been popping out of the woodwork for some time now. I would venture to say they are now more extant that Straight-8s. Small is survivability. PDP-8/S was my first computer, purchased for five bucks from a guy I met at a hamfest. That was thirty years ago, and started me on this whole computer history path. It is temperamental, but still works. -- Will

11 years, 2 months

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Front Panel Update

by couryhouse＠aol.com

8s is rare?? ? We have one. ?Is there a an registry? ? Ed# ?smecc.org Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: ben <bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca> Date: 06/08/2015 12:05 PM (GMT-07:00) To: cctalk at classiccmp.org Subject: Re: Front Panel Update On 6/8/2015 12:28 PM, Rod Smallwood wrote: > Theres an 8/f which replaced the 8/e and has a similar front panel with > extra markings > The 8/m - OEM no front panel > The 8/I has different front panel > The 8/A is a totally different box altogether > > The 8/e was the big seller with thousands shipped > The 8/s was a small seller with 10's of computers shipped. I got to play with both. Ben.

11 years, 2 months

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Front Panel Update

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

yea I have only seen the one 8S we got whereas straight 8 back in the biz days 79 to 90 something had 2 plexi desktop straight 8 ( one we kept <ser # 18 got from stanford surplus stores w/ ato d rack too) and the other we sold to the guy that has museum near Yellowstone aprox 25? years ago? it had a s/n in the 200's ... it had come from an az state auction... I was bidding against some damb ass who thought it was a pdp8 A his brother could use for some cnc tape prep thingingie... heh heh ) one straight 8 in blue rack ( still have but the fright company 30 years ago lost the damn desk for it.) 3ea straight 8 used with BEVATRON that were rough and in hideous cabinets ( wish I still had...) In a message dated 6/8/2015 3:04:11 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, tmfdmike at gmail.com writes: It's pretty rare. I have one too. I've seen and heard of more straight 8s than I have 8/S Mike On Tue, Jun 9, 2015 at 7:26 AM, couryhouse <couryhouse at aol.com> wrote: > > > 8s is rare?? We have one. Is there a an registry? Ed# smecc.org > > > Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone > > -------- Original message -------- > From: ben <bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca> > Date: 06/08/2015 12:05 PM (GMT-07:00) > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > Subject: Re: Front Panel Update > > On 6/8/2015 12:28 PM, Rod Smallwood wrote: >> Theres an 8/f which replaced the 8/e and has a similar front panel with >> extra markings >> The 8/m - OEM no front panel >> The 8/I has different front panel >> The 8/A is a totally different box altogether >> >> The 8/e was the big seller with thousands shipped >> > The 8/s was a small seller with 10's of computers shipped. > I got to play with both. > Ben. > > -- http://www.corestore.org 'No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother. Not for millions, not for glory, not for fame. For one person, in the dark, where no one will ever know or see.'

11 years, 2 months

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