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

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

On Dec 19, 2007, at 6:07 PM, Roy J. Tellason wrote: > And in reading about the various IBM boxes, only one word comes to > mind: "Baroque"! I wouldn't say that- although I admit that on first looking at even the RS/6000 (and later hearing about the AS/400 and S/3XX) was "weird". IBMs are just a different mindset than DECs. A way of looking at it is that IBM moved "downmarket" and DEC moved "upmarket" (similar thing with most of the computers we see: they started out at the lower end, and then later on the manufacturers decided to put together a big machine for certain customers (PDP-10, SGI PowerSeries, Sun E10k, VAX 9000 ...) IBM also had a paradigm early, and those tend to stick.

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer]

by cclist＠sydex.com

> From: Robert Nansel <bnansel at bigpond.net.au> > 1) To build a complete functional computer, including memory, using > no more than 256 2N2222-ish transistors (plus scads of diodes, resistors, > etc.). > > 2) Use no ICs or other parts that wouldn't have been available to > hobbyists ca. 1965. Well, if you put no limit on the number of diodes (just 3 terminal devices), you can go a heckuva long way using tunnel diodes or even diacs. Or you could use magnetic core logic, using transistors only as I/O terminals and clock drivers. Either of those would certainly satisfy the 1965 aspect. Or is the restriction on "negative resistance devices"? Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

4
3
0 0

Stride 460 restoration video posted to YouTube

by daviderhart＠oldzonian.com

>On 21/12/2007, Charles Fox <cfox1 at cogeco.ca> wrote: >> A beautiful job both on the computer and the video. The >> music fitted in with the action, and I liked the pans and zooms. A >> computer doesn't move around much, so what else can you do? It's not >> like shooting "dancing with the stars". > >:?) > >Well, that's certainly true! > >I'm improvising here, but I'd like to have seen some details of how it >was reassembled, for instance - what new or refurbished parts were put >in. A time-lapse of the strip-down and reassembly would have worked >well, showing it being torn apart then rebuilt in 30sec or so. Seeing >what sorts of connectors it has, if special cables were made up, >showing the button being pressed for the 1st power-on, things like >that? > >Just some ideas... > Great ideas. I think I have a much better plan for the next restoration project. I was working backwards in this project. Taking what I had available, pictures, video clips, etc. and making a video. Next time I think a plan would be helpful. ;-) I'm thinking about doing a take-apart/put-back-together series of videos for the Sage II (half-height/full-height), Sage IV and Stride 440 and 460. Might be worth capturing for future 'restorations'. david. >-- >Liam Proven ? Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/liamproven >Email: lproven at cix.co.uk ? GMail/GoogleTalk/Orkut: lproven at gmail.com >Tel: +44 20-8685-0498 ? Cell: +44 7939-087884 ? Fax: + 44 870-9151419 >AOL/AIM/iChat: liamproven at aol.com ? MSN/Messenger: lproven at hotmail.com >Yahoo: liamproven at yahoo.co.uk ? Skype: liamproven ? ICQ: 73187508 >

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer]

by bnansel＠bigpond.net.au

Thu Dec 20, 2007 at 14:50 Tony Duell said: > > ... > > > > 1) To build a complete functional computer, including memory, > > Are things like core-on-a-rope ROM allowrd? Yes. Encouraged, even. > > > using no more than 256 2N2222-ish transistors (plus scads of diodes, > > resistors, etc.). > > Do all transsitors have to be of the same flavour, or could I use TUNs > and TUPs? I'd never encountered the TUN & TUP TLAs before, so I looked them up: Transistor, Universal NPN/PNP. Neat! And any TUN or TUP will do, provided a device of comparable spec was reasonably available to hobbyists in the mid sixties. For my first efforts, at least, I'll be using the PN2222 in modern TO-92 plastic packages. I'm not sure when the TO-92 package was introduced, but there were definitely plastic package transistors available then. SOTs are right out, though :) > I think I'd start by reading the schematics of the HP9100. It contains > more transistors than that, but it's still amazingly simple. > > Anyway, the flip-flops in that machine were JKs, using 4 transistors > each. ... I'll check that out. Thanks. > > 2) Use no ICs or other parts that wouldn't have been available > > to hobbyists ca. 1965. > > So that preumably means a multi-layer-PCB acting as an > inductively-coupled ROM is out. Rats! I recall seeing a few two-layer boards in hobbyist electronics magazines from the '60s. Certainly you can make multilayer boards out of single-side boards, as long as you don't need to make many connections to the inner layers. > > 3) Must be transportable in the boot of a mid-size sedan (i.e. > > Totally OT, but I find 'boot of a sedan' a somewhat odd expession. > 'Trunk > of a sedan' or 'boot of a saloon car' would seem more natural. Maybe it's an Australian thing. Being an ex-pat Yank in Oz, saying "boot" instead of "trunk" still doesn't come naturally to me, even after more than a year here. Saloon car, though, sounds like a sure way to get a drunk driving ticket :) -Bobby

18 years, 8 months

4
3
0 0

Stride 460 restoration video posted to YouTube

by daviderhart＠oldzonian.com

I've been having some fun with a Stride 460 tower I'm restoring. Here is a link to the video I made of the Stride 460 restoration. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOx-ZadCGDg The Stride 460 is a 68000 based system from Stride Micro in the mid 1980's. Stride Micro was formerly Sage Computer Technology. Here are scans of old datasheets about the Stride 460: http://www.sageandstride.org/html/stride_460.html Regards, david. http://www.sageandstride.org

18 years, 8 months

3
3
0 0

The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer]

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer] > From: ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell) > Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:26:06 +0000 (GMT) > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > >> > Do all transsitors have to be of the same flavour, or could I use TUNs >> > and TUPs? >> >> I'd never encountered the TUN & TUP TLAs before, so I looked them up: >> Transistor, Universal NPN/PNP. Neat! > >I suspect the acronyms were invented by Elektor magazine over 30 eyars >ago. Although they're not still sued in said magazine, theu're handy :-) > >There's also DUG and DUS (Diode, Universal, Germanium/Silcon). > > >> >> And any TUN or TUP will do, provided a device of comparable spec was >> reasonably available to hobbyists in the mid sixties. For my first >> efforts, at least, I'll be using the PN2222 in modern TO-92 plastic Old TUNs and TUPs are in the 2n400 and 2n130x series of germainum computer transistors. Next generation was the silicon 2n70x series and their plastic cased counterparts. PN2222 is a fair devices to use for that. Far better than early 60s devices and being silicon far more stable too. Those should be easy to find for under 4cents at the 100 peice level. >Sure. I tened to use 2N3904/2N3906 to excess round here. I don't think >they're quite the same spec as a TUN.TUP, but they're pretty universal in >their own right :-). Good for both switching and RF too. Also the metal can TO18 parts the 2n2222A and 2n2905 when you need a higher Ic and of course the 2n2219 and 2n2907 in TO5 for the next power level up. All been around a long time and dirt cheap. > >> packages. I'm not sure when the TO-92 package was introduced, but >> there were definitely plastic package transistors available then. >> SOTs are right out, though :) The TI silicon TIS9x transistor series was popular. >Given that there's a limit on the number of transistors, I don't see what >advantage using SOT23s would give you. OK, you could make it smaller, >maybe clock it faster. But the change in package wouldn't allow a totally >different architecture. So I don't see any particular reason to ban them, >since the same design could be built with compoents in 1960's packages. The 2n3904/6 is about 10X or more faster than the 1960s germainium parts and still better than late 60s parts. Most of the 1960s wer the MADT germainium in it's odd metal (to39?) can or TO5 sized parts so most devices like TO18 or TO92 will be smaller. Allison >-tony

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

More bits for free [UK]

by classiccmp＠memory-alpha.org.uk

Also just turned up the following: Philips CDD-462 External CD-ROM drive - boxed with manuals, software, 2 interface cards but no cable. Odd stand alone NCR tape drive unit (appears to use ordinary compact cassettes) - from an NCR machine I got shot of LONG ago. At least one "Telexbox" (a "Telexbox III" according to the manual). I'm really not interested in posting any of these items, so pickup from Birmingham please. TTFN - Pete.

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

Stride 460 restoration video posted to YouTube

by daviderhart＠oldzonian.com

>On 21/12/2007, David W. Erhart <daviderhart at oldzonian.com> wrote: >> I've been having some fun with a Stride 460 tower I'm restoring. Here is a >link to the video I made of the Stride 460 restoration. >> >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOx-ZadCGDg >> >> The Stride 460 is a 68000 based system from Stride Micro in the mid 1980's. >Stride Micro was formerly Sage Computer Technology. >> >> Here are scans of old datasheets about the Stride 460: >> http://www.sageandstride.org/html/stride_460.html > >Nifty little film. Thanks for that! I particularly enjoyed the music, too. > >I'd have liked perhaps a little more actual video in the video, rather >than the endless pans and zooms, and perhaps a voiceover explaining a >little something about the machine - but I'm not saying it wasn't >good! > This was my first attempt at a YouTube video of a vintage system. I agree it could be much more informative. Good feedback for my next attempt. Glad you enjoyed it. I wish the quality of the YouTube video was as good as what I uploaded. david. >-- >Liam Proven ? Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/liamproven >Email: lproven at cix.co.uk ? GMail/GoogleTalk/Orkut: lproven at gmail.com >Tel: +44 20-8685-0498 ? Cell: +44 7939-087884 ? Fax: + 44 870-9151419 >AOL/AIM/iChat: liamproven at aol.com ? MSN/Messenger: lproven at hotmail.com >Yahoo: liamproven at yahoo.co.uk ? Skype: liamproven ? ICQ: 73187508 >

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Booting Sage Computer talk at VCF 10.0 posted to YouTube

by daviderhart＠oldzonian.com

I finally got the video of Rod Coleman's (Sage Computer co-founder) talk at the Vintage Computer Festival edited and posted to YouTube. It's about 55+ minutes long so I had to brake it into six parts. They are at: http://www.youtube.com/user/daviderhart I learned a lot about making/editing a video for YouTube along the way. The next should be much better. :) Regards, david. http://www.sageandstride.org

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

CDC 9425's on govliquidation.com

by tiggerlasv＠aim.com

I was perusing govliquidation.com, and noticed that they have Quantity 3 Control Data 9425 drives coming up for bids. Go to govliquidation.com, and do a search for 9425 As info. . . ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AIM(R) Mail ! - http://webmail.aim.com

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer]

by cclist＠sydex.com

From: dkelvey at hotmail.com > Another negative resistance device is the DIAC. These are > really cheap but these are knee type curves instead of > S type, like the TD and Lambda. > One would have to rearrange these in a parallel configuration > for a latch or flop, similar to the neon circuits. > The TD has the advantage that the stable state is lower > current, not higher current. > The disadvantage is that that tends to increate the impedance > of the storage net making it less stable and more susceptible > to noise. That is why I recommend the shunt resistor to > decrease the impedance. I did suggest DIACs along with the tunnel diodes as being a period device, but I think of them more akin to neon bulbs (i.e. great for relaxation oscillators and ring counters perhaps) than TDs. At the time of their debut, I believe that TDs offered the fastest performance of any semiconductor active logic. DIACs (I'm thinking of UJT speeds) would not nearly be as promising, it seems to me. There are patents employing Gunn diodes in logic, but a pair seems to be required. On the other hand, its relative, the IMPATT diode seems not have seen use as the active element in logic circuits. IMPATTs date from about 1965, so they're *barely* OT for the rules of the project. Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

FT: HP Omnibook 600C

by joachim.thiemann＠gmail.com

Hello everyone, doing a little cleanout myself, and this falls into "not really getting to play with this properly" category. I've got an HP Omnibook 600C, it's got a 486 CPU, 8megs ram, and a 340M pcmica hard drive, and a 640x480 screen. Works ok, except it'll reset after coming out of sleep mode - very annoying. Also, the left button of the pop-out mouse does not work, but is probably fixable. Original battery (Li-Ion?) still holds a charge, will give you tens of minutes of operation! Runs Dave's PC100 emulator quite well (80col only of course) you could use it as a nice small terminal! The hard drive has all the HP drivers (AFAICT) but no windows. I've only used it with DOS. I did use to run linux on this - years ago - but due to some proprietary hw (in particular the PCMICA stuff) I could only boot through DOS using "loadlin". Since linux can't access the PCMICA slots, it's of very limited use. I have no idea what it would cost to ship but would guess in the $20-$30 range for most of North America. I'm located in Montreal, Canada. It comes with the power adapter and the snazzy carrying bag! What I'm looking for in exchange: in particular, I'm looking for a HP48, especially if it has been opened already (and still works). I'm planning a little HW hack and would prefer not to do significant damage cosmetically to my 48S that is still in use and has sentimental value to boot - it got me through engineering school! But frankly, most hackable handheld/portable computing stuff (vintage or not) would be of interest to me :-) (anyone got a N770 lying around?) Joe.

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

What ever happened to Hal Hardenbergh?

by aapstar99＠cox.net

My grandfather was col hal hardenbergh if you did info on him you can email he died last year and I have a lot of his letters. Amy Paez

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

FREE: CDC CMD948

by drb＠msu.edu

Forwarding this note about the CDC 9448 for Billy Pettit. De ------- Forwarded Message I did tech support onthese drives for many years, working out of OK City.In fact, I'm still in touch with the original designer - had nunch with him about a month ago.It's a minor point, but one surface on the cartridge and one on the fixed pack is used for a servo reference. So it has two servo surfaces, the only drive I know with that piece of wierdness.Don't know if I still have a manual in the garage or not. Definately do still have the training aides,since I had to teach it to several OEM's support people. (There were more than 1000 configurations of the Phoenix sold to various OEMs at the time. I was on the road 50% of my time for a couple of years.)Can you forward this to the cctalk list? I can read it but not post messages. I'm pretty certain it is a problem with my ISP and not the list.Thanks,Billy ------- End of Forwarded Message

18 years, 8 months

3
2
0 0

Troubleshooting a TRS-80 disk drive

by chaosotter76＠gmail.com

I've just had one of the disk drives in my TRS-80 Model III start to go south on me, and before I crack the case and get down to serious diagnostic work, I thought I'd check with the list to see if the symptoms ring a bell with anybody. I believe that the drive in question is a stock factory install; it's the secondary drive in a fairly low serial-numbered Model III (in the 50,000s). The first sign of trouble was that the drive began returning spurious "Disk is Write-Protected" errors, which would go away upon reinserting the disk. Now it's begun episodes of returning TRS-DOS Error 08 ("Drive Not Ready") messages for all operations. The activity light functions normally, and the drive hasn't made any alarming sounds. It does not spin up the disk when it's in this state. After a while, it'll begin working again on its own. I realize there are any number of replacement drive solutions out there, but this is a system where I'd really like to keep the original equipment up and running until it just can't be patched together any longer. (I can't really explain why I'm so fond of this thing; I just am.) Thanks in advance for any suggestions, or just things to look at first. I've got a scope and logic analyzer I can use for diagnostics, but my knowledge of disk systems beyond the tracks-and-sectors level is marginal.

18 years, 8 months

7
10
0 0

Probably OT - eBay object - what the devil is it?

by tshoppa＠wmata.com

--- JP Hindin <jplist2007 at kiwigeek.com> wrote: > What on Earth is this? > > 110206772756 > > I'm guessing its OT because of the SMD devices in > the centre ring, but it > is weird enough I'm willing to risk Jay's wrath to > find out what it is. It looks a lot like the readout electronics that might go on the end of a high energy physics cylindrical wire chamber. Go to google images and look for "wire chamber". For even more science-fictiony particle physics detectors, google for "Gammasphere". I understand it made an appearance in the Hulk movie! Tim.

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Marginally On Topic Humor

by feldman.r＠comcast.net

>From the BOFH column in The Register (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/12/21/bofh_trivia_quiz_200712/): Are you an old bastard? 7. >Clunka Clunka Clunka< is the sound you would most associate with: A. The clothes dryer B. A washing machine with an imbalanced load C. A flat tyre on your car D. A tape safe door shutting repeatedly on an annoying user's foot E. An imbalanced DEC RM05 Disk assembly moving around the computer room by itself during a head crash

18 years, 8 months

4
3
0 0

The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer]

by mike＠brickfieldspark.org

> From: Brent Hilpert <hilpert at cs.ubc.ca> > Subject: Re: The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer] > > Another approach to discrete flip-flops can be seen at: > > http://www.cs.ubc.ca/~hilpert/eec/misc/CasioAL1000Tech/electronics.html > > The stacking of multiple inputs into the basic FF structure was another > technique from the discrete days. Helps reduce the amount of gating (and > hence > transistors) required, for instance when making a parallel loaded shift > register or counter, although they were lots of other novel uses. (Some > aspects of logic design were narrowed with the introduction of ICs for the > sake > of standardizing on elements that would fit in packages with limited > connections.) > Very similar to an East German calculator that I am partway through reverse engineering, a Soemtron 220. www.soemtron.org/downloads/board10.pdf http://www.cs.ubc.ca/~hilpert/eec/misc/CasioAL1000Tech/electronics.html Looks like thees pages might help in that task thanks for the link Mike.

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer]

by dkelvey＠hotmail.com

> From: dkelvey at hotmail.com > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2007 08:21:53 -0800 > Subject: RE: The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer] > > > > > >> From: mcguire at neurotica.com >> Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2007 08:52:06 -0500 >> To: cctech at classiccmp.org >> CC: >> Subject: Re: The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer] >> >> On Dec 21, 2007, at 2:07 AM, dwight elvey wrote: >>> As a cheaper alternative to a tunnel diode, do a search for >>> a Lambda Diode. I used one of these circuits once to make an >>> oscillator that ran at over 100MHz. >> >> Oh my, there IS an almost-equivalent-to-a-tunnel-diode circuit! >> That looks really, really neat...I will have to play with that! >> > > > Hi > To better approximate a tunnel diode, you'd have > to put a resistor in parallel. I don't recommend doing > this as it only degrades the negative resistance. > Still, if one was to use a pair of these for a flop, it > might be more stable since at the higher voltages, > unlike a real TD, it completely shuts off. Without the > shunt resistors to bypass some current the circuit > might oscillate. > Dwight > Hi Another negative resistance device is the DIAC. These are really cheap but these are knee type curves instead of S type, like the TD and Lambda. One would have to rearrange these in a parallel configuration for a latch or flop, similar to the neon circuits. The TD has the advantage that the stable state is lower current, not higher current. The disadvantage is that that tends to increate the impedance of the storage net making it less stable and more susceptible to noise. That is why I recommend the shunt resistor to decrease the impedance. Dwight _________________________________________________________________ Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_122007

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

ebay 110206772756 (what the devil is it?)

by aek＠bitsavers.org

DUT (Device Under Test) board for an automatic board tester. The pins around the edge are called pogo pins and mate with the base of the tester. You see these a lot on eBay, sellers never have a clue what they are.

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

(REPOST) Stuff for trade, some possibly/likely free

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

Repost since the mail server doesn't seem to like to work outside of business hours I've been looking at the garage, and here's a list (for those who are waiting (you know who you are), I have the SIMMS and the Xyplex ready to go, the post office is a bit of a nightmare now though). (1) the definitely on-topic stuff Sun-3 and Sun-4 VME stuff. (note-Pat gets first call, since he's sending me some E3k stuff) 4x 501-1333 32M Sun 4/400 (/470, /490) ECC RAM (128MB total) 3x 501-1102 8MB Sun-3/200 ECC RAM (also works on 4/260 & 4/280 per FEH) 501-1167 Sun-2 SCSI and 9U->6U adaptor (external DD-50 conn.) 501-1276 FDDI adaptor 501-1539 IPI-2 adaptor 501-1206 Sun 3200 CPU, no PROM onboard. 501-1316 Sun 4300 CPU for parts 501-1203 Asynch serial multiplexor Sun 50-pin drive lunchbox. Assorted stuff (well, the Xylogics can go in a Sun) Xylogics 450 Multibus SMD controller, with or without a Sun VTM adaptor. DIGITAL Alpha Multia VX42 (233MHz, cache) with new battery. SGI IRIS Indigo Express (GR2 XS/XS-24/XZ/Elan) boards: ZB4 Z-Buffer 3x VM2 bitplanes Personal IRIS PSU and TFLU skins (no cracks, door in place) Xyplex Maxserver 4000-series terminal server, telco style outputs, fully populated. still many 4MB 30-pin (9-bit) parity SIMMS (80nS) (free) one Sun USIIi 333MHz/2MB Ecache module (U5/U10) Apple M0130 400K Macintosh floppy DD-50 interface drive box w/ PSU. The "pushing it" section: Unholtz-Dickie OSC-1S sweep sine generator Graphtec WR3200 thermal arraycorder (8-channel chart recorder) HP 3746A selective level measuring set HP 5061A Cesium beam frequency standard (CS beam likely needs work) HP scope frame that I've not tested yet - no plugins, email if interested as I'll test it later. Part of a satellite tracking system. Figure no interest, but I should ask before scrapping. Scientific Atlanta. On a more practical note, these have 3U rack cabinets, aluminum, pretty nice. Not set up for computer stuff specifically, but hackable. Renton, WA. If anyone wants to trade, I'm looking for a decent soldering setup, PROM/PLD programmer (need not be fancy), interesting computer stuff (perhaps some SGI Origin 200 dual processor modules, largish 72-pin parity SIMMS, even very off-topic but a couple of years old stuff that could run W*****s (but won't). Don't think any of this runs up anywhere near the value of a smallish PDP-11 or HP 2100, but figured I'd put it out as a pipe dream), or other electronic/computer stuff. Cash always accepted, too. Otherwise make offer, some I might just give away.

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Fw: Epson PC286UX ....anyone?

by brettdurham＠mybluelight.com

---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Does anyone have a source for the keyboard for this PC? This keyboard connects to an eight pin mini-DIN socket. Also if anyone has pin-out information for this keyboard or this PC's monitor outputs, (B/W-5 pin DIN connector, analog RGB-DB15 connector, or digital RGB), it would be greatly appreciated. I am also looking for pin out information for my Zenith ZVM-131 monitor purchased new in 1985 but did not have a manual with it when we received it. Regards, Brett _____________________________________________________________ Need cash? Click here for low rate home equity options. http://thirdpartyoffers.mybluelight.com/TGL2321/fc/Ioyw6i50uhFS2ETSxvvPdN8f…

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

next out the door (parts available)

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

Tall Corporate cab, plus five (all bad hda) RA81 drives. The corporate cab includes an 861A power supply. This 861 has a power cable half the size of my arm coming out of it. The cab was sold with four RA81's in it, so it has all the correct DEC rack hardware & cable management pieces for all the SDI cables (several of the bolt on SDI in/out modules), the power sequencing connectors for in/out of the rack at the bottom, etc. It also has a metric buttload of SDI cables and power sequencing cables. All headed for the skip unless someone is willing to pay shipping for any of it. It will be gone within 24 hours. I don't want to ship dead drives or anything, but I'm willing to unbolt any small rackmount hardware or brackets people may want. Jay

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer]

by bnansel＠bigpond.net.au

On Thu Dec 20, 2007 at 17:01 Dave McGuire wrote: > > Well, if you put no limit on the number of diodes (just 3 terminal > > devices), you can go a heckuva long way using tunnel diodes or even > > diacs. > > I'd love to find a huge stash of a few thousand new-old-stock > tunnel > diodes. :-( > > -Dave Me, too! I've never seen tunnel diodes going for less than $50 each, so if I had a few thousand I'd sell most of 'em for $40 : ) -Bobby

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

Exatron Stringy Floppies

by billdeg＠degnanco.com

> > >Well, I have the Exatron Stingy Floppy adverts on the back of (and >inside?) several issues of 80 Microcomputing which I could attempt to >photograph with my (cheap) webcam, if anyone is interested? > >No newsletters though :( > I have some of these materials if anyone is interested in PDF scans. Contact me directly and specify which issue of 80 Microcomputing and/or Newsletter (I have only the first @LOAD, the newsletter's name). I am presently working on a new drive belt replacement. I have found a vendor to make the belts and hope to get them in early January. It seems that every stringy floppy that I have come upon has a dried-up drive belt, making the drives useless. Before my last belt died, I was able to take a few pictures of a successful load: http://www.vintagecomputer.net/tandy/trs80_1/exatron_stringy_floppy/ Bill

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Wanted: WATBOL for the PDP-11

by tiggerlasv＠aim.com

Has anyone seen sources floating around for WATBOL for the PDP ? Thanks in advance! Tim ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AIM(R) Mail ! - http://webmail.aim.com

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Wanted: System Industries QS1000 documentation / manual

by tiggerlasv＠aim.com

Greetings. . . I'm looking for documentation on a System Industries QS1000 SCSI controller for the Q-bus. I've tried the usual web searches, and checked out bitsavers and manx, to no avail. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Tim ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AIM(R) Mail ! - http://webmail.aim.com

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

E: Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV

by RodSmallwood＠mail.ediconsulting.co.uk

Now that sounds familiar. Two for an 80 character line (8bits) 7 bits for the ASCII code and one for the extending under line cursor. 48 for 24 lines = six rows of eight on the board. Add address counters etc. Yup that could have been it. Rod -----Original Message----- From: cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Steve Thatcher Sent: 20 December 2007 20:18 To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts Subject: Re: E: Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV actually Texas Instruments had a quad 80 bit MOS shift register package available in the early to mid seventies. I had used two of them for a frame buffer on a CRT controller design I did. The part number was TMS3409 I believe and it was something I got from the surplus market. -----Original Message----- >From: Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> >Sent: Dec 20, 2007 10:40 AM >To: cctalk at classiccmp.org >Subject: E: Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV > > From: "Rod Smallwood" <RodSmallwood at mail.ediconsulting.co.uk> > >> I actually worked on VDU's that used shift registers as the display >> memory around 1973.

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV sets)

by RodSmallwood＠mail.ediconsulting.co.uk

The next VDU design after that was a sort of state mahine. Rod -----Original Message----- From: cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Tony Duell Sent: 20 December 2007 21:58 To: cctalk at classiccmp.org Subject: Re: Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV sets) > > I actually worked on VDU's that used shift registers as the display > memory around 1973. > If I remember correctly one lines worth (80 characters) got > transferred to a buffer in the interline gap (Fly back time). The > buffer was scanned out in such a way as to address the character > generator one row at a time. Characters were 7x5 dots so the top five > dots of the first character was serialized followed by the top row of > the second one and so on. Then all of the second character row dots on > a line would be displayed until the end of the store (and therefore > frame was reached) The HP9866A thermal printer used MOS shift registers for character storage. I am tryign to recall the details, because it's not as obvious as you might think. From memory : The printhead is the full width of the paper, with 400 eleemnts (80 charas * 5 dots/char). Physically it's made up of 4 modules. IIRC each printhead module is divided up into 4 sectiosn, each of 5 characters, and I think they're interleaved (so characters 0, 4, 8,... are one section, 1, 5, 9,... are the next and so on. I might have got that wrong, though) Incoming characters (7 bit ASCII) are re-encoded to 6 bits (it's an upper-case only printer, so 6 bits is enoguh) and stored in 6 80-bit Shift registers (physcially 3 TO99 cans). When the printer dtects a LF character, the more comlicated parts starts up. This reads ou the shift retgisters, every fourth character is sent to the character geenrator ROM, and the bit pattern for the top row is shfited into a set of 5 (one for each column of the chracters) 20 bit shift registers (I think the chips used are 8203s) which drive the printehad. That pattern or dots is printed The shift registers are run rount again, now the next set of chars taken throgh the character gernearotr ROM. to the printhead shift registers, and printed After the top row of all 80 characters has been printed, the paper is moved up one dot-line, and the process is repeated, only this time the character generatoter ROM outputs the patterns for the second row of the characters. And so on until the complete characters have been printed. This is controlled by a state machine that looks simple as a schematic (a handful of chips), but is not easy to understnad! -tony

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer]

by bnansel＠bigpond.net.au

Thu Dec 20 2007 at 06:55 Dave McGuire wrote: > Well then you'd have the problem of defining "most powerful". By > many metrics, any VAX is an incredibly powerful system, but the > average > not-so-powerful modern PeeCee will blow its doors off in integer > performance. So how will you define "power"? > > -Dave Good question. Wish I'd asked it myself :) It could be any number of things. Myself, I'm going to eventually use it for a "simple" robot rover (more "museum piece" engineering ... it's a long story; ask me by private e-mail if you really want to know). Most people would probably do something different, though. Here's an idea: a machine powerful enough to serve a simple webpage with minimal graphics, a page views counter, and, oh, maybe a few links elsewhere. After all, these days Real Computers are all on the web, right :) I am not a web head, but it seems this ought to be doable. Shucks, if a Commodore 64 can browse web pages, this ought to be relatively straightforward. Sort reminds me of a guy I knew in the early '80s who recorded modem tones and about a page of 1200 baud bulletin board data on his answering machine outgoing message tape. He said it was to drive the then new phenomenon of computer hackers crazy.... -Bobby

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

More stuff to get rid of (terminals) [UK]

by classiccmp＠memory-alpha.org.uk

The clearout continues.... I've turned up a couple of Televideo 950s and a couple of Wyse 30s if anyone wants them? AFAIK The Wyse 30s are fully functional (though bear in mind I haven't used them for some 7 years), but I think the TV950s may need some TLC - I vaguely remember them having problems communicating with their respective keybaords the last time I used them (they'd make a good source of spares though). There's also a Zenith Z89 available, which definitely needs some work doing on it. Again, probably best used for spares for a working unit. All of these are available free for pickup from Birmingham before the end of January (whereupon any computer crap left in my house *WILL* be unceremoniously junked). BTW I've also turned up a number of old "Micro Decision" magazines from 1989/90 if anyone wants them (they were heading for the recycling bin, but with the amount of stuff I've chucked in there tonight they simply won't fit). They'll be heading for the recycler next fortnight, so speak up now if you want them! As usual, contact me off-list if interested. TTFN - Pete.

18 years, 8 months

1
1
0 0

KayPro II keyboard schematic

by cclist＠sydex.com

> From: "Andrew Lynch" <lynchaj at yahoo.com> > Does anyone have a schematic for *simple* hardware only circuit using a > commonly available UART, like an 8251 or 8250, to do the serial to > parallel conversion? I am looking for a schematic which I can easily > modify to strap the UART to 300bps operation. If you don't want programmable logic, an 8251 or 8250 isn't going to be what you want. Try a TR1602 or TR1865 or any of the other "hardwire" UARTS--set parity, data bits, etc. by connecting appropriate pins to Vcc or GND; put the serial data in on one pin and take the parallel data out on 8 pins. No programming needed. Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

5
6
0 0

Homebrew Drum Computer (magnetic heads)

by cclist＠sydex.com

Fred wrote: > That was less than 30 years ago. > Intro'd at 3rd West Coast Computer Faire? > (the one time that it was in southern CA) I used to get the newsletters from Exatron. I seem to recall (probably a sign of an impending ischemic event) that someone wrote a ditty in praise of their product and published it in one of those. Did anyone hang on to the newsletters? It started with "I love my Stringy Floppy..." or some such. > Actually, I think that he was referring to uses of empty 8 track cases for > ROM cartridges. Ah, so not magnetic at all and not germane to the topic. Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

3
2
0 0

The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer]

by bnansel＠bigpond.net.au

That's BSCP as in "Bit-Serial Computer Project." The 2N2/256 part of the name is a nod to ham homebrewer Jim Kortge (K8IQY) who designed a QRP rig called the 2N2/40 for a design contest about ten years ago. The contest objective was to design and build a functional amateur radio transceiver, using a maximum of twenty-two 2N2222 type transistors. Whether it uses drums, disks, or ultrasonic delay lines, my challenge is: 1) To build a complete functional computer, including memory, using no more than 256 2N2222-ish transistors (plus scads of diodes, resistors, etc.). 2) Use no ICs or other parts that wouldn't have been available to hobbyists ca. 1965. 3) Must be transportable in the boot of a mid-size sedan (i.e. a few roughly 350mm cubical modules). Anybody up for a contest to see who can design the most powerful general-purpose digital computer given these constraints? I guess we'd have to figure out what "powerful" means in this context, given that it's likely never to exceed a few KIPS. I'm prototyping DTL NAND gates and flip-flops today... -Bobby

18 years, 8 months

8
9
0 0

Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV sets)

by RodSmallwood＠mail.ediconsulting.co.uk

I actually worked on VDU's that used shift registers as the display memory around 1973. If I remember correctly one lines worth (80 characters) got transferred to a buffer in the interline gap (Fly back time). The buffer was scanned out in such a way as to address the character generator one row at a time. Characters were 7x5 dots so the top five dots of the first character was serialized followed by the top row of the second one and so on. Then all of the second character row dots on a line would be displayed until the end of the store (and therefore frame was reached) New characters would join the tail end (first unused position) of the store as it went past. Rod Smallwood Sitting in my DEC chair in the SUN shine. -----Original Message----- From: cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of M H Stein Sent: 18 December 2007 19:28 To: 'cctalk at classiccmp.org' Subject: Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV sets) Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:03:34 +0000 From: Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks at usap.gov> Subject: Re: Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV sets) On Mon, Dec 17, 2007 at 06:52:59PM -0500, Allison wrote: >> MOS shift registers of lengths greater than a few bits are very late >> 60s (after 67 or so). By early 70s parts 1024 long ere not uncommon. >I think I have a couple of old SAD1024 MOS shift registers from when I >was collecting deeply discounted items from the local Radio Shack >"Manager's Table" as a kid. >I had thought one day to make the audio echo/delay circuit I think I >saw in an old Forrest Mims circuit book, but a solid-state acoustic >delay line emulator sounds like a much cooler place to put them. >-ethan ___________ Sounds like our shopping habits were the same in those golden days at the 'shack ;-); I've still got a couple waiting for me to get a round tuit (the data sheet also has the bucket brigade audio delay schematic). As a digital delay line I guess you could even use it word-wise since it's analog; you'd need some pretty fast DAC/ADCs though. mike

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

Anyone have a Compaq SystemPro?

by steve＠radiorobots.com

Looking for an early Compaq SystemPro for public display. Steve

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Homebrew Drum Computer (magnetic heads)

by cclist＠sydex.com

From: Jules Richardson <jules.richardson99 at gmail.com> > Gordon JC Pearce wrote: > > Did any company ever actually produce a storage product that used > > 8-track carts (or indeed broadcast carts)? > > I presume somebody's mentioned Exidy already? (hey, you didn't specify > that the cartridges had to have the correct guts...) Did you perhaps mean Exatron as in "stringy floppy"? Or am I showing my age again? Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

5
4
0 0

E: Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV

by melamy＠earthlink.net

actually Texas Instruments had a quad 80 bit MOS shift register package available in the early to mid seventies. I had used two of them for a frame buffer on a CRT controller design I did. The part number was TMS3409 I believe and it was something I got from the surplus market. -----Original Message----- >From: Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> >Sent: Dec 20, 2007 10:40 AM >To: cctalk at classiccmp.org >Subject: E: Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV > > From: "Rod Smallwood" <RodSmallwood at mail.ediconsulting.co.uk> > >> I actually worked on VDU's that used shift registers as the display >> memory around 1973.

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

E: Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV

by cclist＠sydex.com

From: "Rod Smallwood" <RodSmallwood at mail.ediconsulting.co.uk> > I actually worked on VDU's that used shift registers as the display > memory around 1973. The Beehive terminal I used around 1975 used an 8008 and a bunch of MOS shift registers for memory. No conventional SRAM/DRAM at all. I recall the parts were small 8-pin DIPs. My 1969 Moto Microelectronics databook shows only a handful of MOS devices: MC1124L - Quad T flip-flop MC1141G - Triple 66-bit dynamic shift register MC1150L - 8 channel MUX switch MC1151L - 2-of-8 channel MUX switch So it's doubtful that MOS shift registers would meet the 1965 criterion at all. Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

have you seen www.fortran.com?

by cclist＠sydex.com

> From: Chris M <chrism3667 at yahoo.com> > I get the basic jist of what you're saying I guess. > Can you a counter example for clarity? Nope--I'm not going to get nudged for off-topic conversation. Clearly, FORTRAN has nothing to do with vintage computers. > This is going to sound like a stupid question, but > given it's typical applications - scientific and > engineering - why the need for such speed? Oh, atomic bomb explosion simulations, predicting tomorrow's weather, etc. I recall working on a proposal back in the 1970s to supply systems to ECMWF (look it up). One of the fellows I spoke with said something to the effect of: "Golly that's great; now if you could provide us with something about 1000 times faster, we might be able to figure out if it'll rain tomorrow..." > stupid question. Would a modernish pc port lend itself > well to writing some kind of modernish game? > Who else besides the world's worst nerds use it? And > along those lines was COBOL used for anything other > then business apps? I don't know what current implementations of Fortran 2003 are out there for the PC currently, so I can't comment. My last serious involvement with FORTRAN was as an alternate on the F90 (we foolishly called it "FORTRAN 8x" back then. That's optimism for you) vector extensions working group. Talk about some donnybrooks between vendors... I haven't really done anything major with FORTRAN since then and I doubt that I can even understand some of the more exotic aspects of the most modern dialect (F2008 is due out next year). But then, ANSI isn't ANSI anymore--it's INCITS and X3J3 is now just J3. Times change. > Relate to disk archiving? Ok dumb question. Just the basic sector I/O stuff was assembly; all of the logical decipherment was FORTRAN. It made the project go much faster without the verbosity of PL/M. > Oh you don't say. What other languages have reliable, > presumably floating-point capability today? What's gcc > like? Are there cheap Windoze implements? I'm talking about the real hard-bitten mathematicians who run a bunch of data through a vendor's math library and say "Feh--garbage. Let's write our own." I remember commenting about the routines (in FORTRAN, of course) in my just-purchased copy of Cody and Waite to a friend of that persuasion. His face looked about like it would have if I'dve said "You know, the Yugo is really a very fine luxury car." It used to be that the FORTRAN mathlibs at places like Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore were second to none. Sadly, I don't know if that's true anymore. Sigh...back to assembly for now and cursing idiots who still can't write a decent macro assembler... Back on topic before I'm castigated. Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

5
6
0 0

Homebrew Drum Computer architecture

by bnansel＠bigpond.net.au

Thanks for all the great ideas so far! In no particular order: * Delay lines: I have a junk magnetostrictive DL on the way. I don't know if it works. * The idea behind using cassette heads is just to test out my logic and R/W amplifiers at s-l-o-w speed. A baby step. The high-speed stuff would come later. I do have a small lathe (a Taig), so I can handle some of the machining, provided the drum is small (around 4" dia x 9" long). If I can rig a tool-post grinder I might be able to do all of it. * As for the drum coating, it would either be plated with nickel or coated with a mixture of ferric oxide and epoxy. Now for some more questions: I haven't settled on the machine architecture yet. I was thinking a smaller word size would be better because the recirculating registers would have lower latency; that is, a 16-bit word would halve the word time vs. a 32-bit word. Does this make sense? One of the big problems with drum machines is the need to ensure instructions are optimally placed on the drum. To lighten the load a bit I'm considering making it a zero-address stack machine. Then I only have to worry about the occasional random access reads/writes. I was thinking I would implement a data stack and a return stack, each being made of short recirculating buffers to hold the top two or three stack entries, with the older entries swapped to longer buffers with corresponding longer access times. Allowing for the overall insanity level of this project, is this seem a sane strategy? -Bobby

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

VT-100 emulator

by dave06a＠dunfield.com

I've posted the latest VT-100 emulator to my site: www.classiccmp.org/dunfield It's in the "Download simulators and emulators" section near the end of the main page. There's also a link under the VT-100 entry in "Assorted terminals". I've renamed it to "PC100", which seems more descriptive of it's current functionality. I'm interested in hearing about any VT-100 incompatibilities that you might discover in it, as I'd like to make it as close to 100% as is possible on the PC. Regards, Dave -- dave06a (at) Dave Dunfield dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools: www.dunfield.com com Collector of vintage computing equipment: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/index.html

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Homebrew Drum Computer (magnetic heads)

by drb＠msu.edu

> Did any company ever actually produce a storage product that used > 8-track carts (or indeed broadcast carts)? Did it work? There were commercial systems based on VHS decks, good for a couple of GB per tape. Prime actually sold them briefly, iirc. The company I worked for at the time sold a few such systems to our customers, and made them work. I recall video tape quality being critical. De

18 years, 8 months

5
4
0 0

IBM Bookmanager reader

by mbbrutman-cctalk＠brutman.com

This was a pleasant surprise .. a Java version of the reader for IBM BookManager files: http://www-306.ibm.com/software/applications/office/bkmgr/softcopyread.html It makes some of my old documentation much more accessible. Sadly, it is a 66MB download. (It is also Java code, but requires Windows.) Mike

18 years, 8 months

6
9
0 0

The 2N2/256-BSCP [was: Homebrew Drum Computer]

by bnansel＠bigpond.net.au

On Thu Dec 20, 2007 at 02:11 Jim Battle said: > Rather than a magnetic drum, I think a much more achievable > contraption > is a drum that uses capacitance for storage. ... Ha! Just like the Atanasoff-Berry machine. Someone else mentioned using a toner drum, but as a smooth surface on which to put an oxide coating to make it into a magnetic drum. I wonder how fast one could optically write charge to a toner drum? Readout could be through capacitive coupling, no contact at all. I 'spose the antecedent to a disc version of the above would be, what, a Wimshurst machine? :) > ... > It sure isn't going to do 3000 RPM, but perhaps 1/10 of that speed, > and > it will make a nice clatter I suppose. But since you are setting a > limit of 256 transistors, you shouldn't really be aiming for high > performance anyway. No, no! The drum is the limiting factor on speed. Fast drum == slow computer; slow drum == intolerably slow computer. -B

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Looking for ThinkPads

by g-wright＠att.net

-------------- Original message from "Steven Canning" <cannings at earthlink.net>: -------------- > Sridhar, > > I have a bunch of the 760s ...? They weigh a ton ! But at least they are > working. Currently running Windoze 3.1 and DOS mostly to control test > equipment. > > Best regards, Steven > > 760's make very good Dumb Terminals. I have 3 here with Procomm on them. Use them everyday for testing systems. and recording the sessions. Very nice screens. The 860 is a Power PC ThinkPad, which is getting hard to find. They where very expensive in there day. - Jerry Jerry Wright JLC inc

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Good finds this weekend

by Commtekman＠aol.com

Hi, I am trying to locate the TT manual for the 15E paper winder, any idea on where to get one ? Thanks Bob K6OSM McCall, Idaho commtekman at aol.com **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

KayPro II keyboard schematic

by lynchaj＠yahoo.com

Got a UART? It will make the Kaypro keyboard output into parallel without changing a thing. The signal's 300 baud RS-232 at TTL levels. Bob Maxwell ------REPLY------ Hi Bob! Thanks to everyone who replied to my question. They have been very helpful. The goal of this project is to interface the Kaypro II serial keyboard to a Vector Graphic Flashwriter II video board. It requires 8 bits of parallel input (TTL levels) and a strobe. It provides +5v and ground connections. The interface is 8 bits of data, 1 strobe line, +5v, and ground connected to an intel 8212 parallel interface chip. Does anyone have a schematic for *simple* hardware only circuit using a commonly available UART, like an 8251 or 8250, to do the serial to parallel conversion? I am looking for a schematic which I can easily modify to strap the UART to 300bps operation. Really, I'd like to stress a *simple* circuit using a small number of chips and discrete components on a small protoboard. Preferably with +5v only operation. Even a hand drawn example or one in a datasheet would be great. I have searched on the internet for a simple circuit but have not found anything I could use. Please no MCU's or programmable devices, I realize how appealing they are but they require learning time consuming programming environments and I am pressed for time at the moment. Thanks in advance for any help! Andrew Lynch

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

GRID computer available in So Cal

by cclist＠sydex.com

> Three point twenty was the first version that directly supported 720K from > MICROS~1, although there were a LOT of two point elevens, such as Gavilan > that were set up by OEMS to do it. That reminds me--I located a nice black vinyl binder and slipcase with Grid MS-DOS 3.20 docs and disks in it. Grid did have its own version of the MODE command as well as a few other utilities. Since I no longer own a Grid, if anyone wants it (and is willing to pay shipping), it's up for grabs. Email me off-list if you're interested. Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

have you seen www.fortran.com?

by cclist＠sydex.com

> From: Tom Watson <tsw-cc at johana.com> > > Ob Keypunch: Back in the day they had a Control Data Institute ad on TV > that boasted "Do you like working with your hands and not getting your > fingernails dirty?", I then remarked that this guy has NEVER replaced a > keypunch ribbon. (*SIGH*) those days were much more fun!! I used to tease the CDC CE's with that line when they were digging bits and pieces of shredded printer ribbon out of a 512 printer type train (a not infrequent occurrence). If looks could kill... Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Looking for ThinkPads

by ploopster＠gmail.com

I'm looking for an IBM Thinkpad 701C or 701CS (the one with the butterfly keyboard), as well as a Thinkpad 860. Anyone have any available? They have to be working. Peace... Sridhar

18 years, 8 months

3
3
0 0

Homebrew Drum Computer (magnetic heads)

by bnansel＠bigpond.net.au

Tue Dec 18, 2007 at 17:32 Gordon JC Pearce said: > Did any company ever actually produce a storage product that used > 8-track carts (or indeed broadcast carts)? Did it work? > > Gordon I had a surplus dual 8-track data drive back in the early '80s that came from a Compucolor machine, ca. 1975. It was fun to play with. As I recall, it had a 4-track head and two head positions. I managed to write & read data from it at 2400 baud. I don't know if it would have worked at a higher data rate, though the manufacturer claimed it would work at up to 600 cps. -Bobby

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Membranes in Keyboards

by dmc_67301＠yahoo.com

I have an old Xerox memorywriter electronic typewriter that needs to have the membranes inside the keyboard replaced. Does anyone out there know how to replace the membranes? I have two keys that no longer work because of this problem. Thanks. --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

18 years, 8 months

3
2
0 0

Burroughs C3660 Electronic Calculator

by broche＠tcn.net

Hi, all: I'm a newbie to the list, so hello. I'm trying to fnd out the fair market value of a Burroughs C3660 Electronic Calculator, c/w manuals, magnetic memory cards, etc. Can anyone give me their opinion, or point me to a web site which gives market values? Best Wishes, Bernie Roche Toronto, ON, Canada

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

HD 5.25" floppy disk drives emulating legacy DSQD floppy disk drives

by lynchaj＠yahoo.com

Hi, Sorry for the long post. I have done a lot of things to make this work but am still stuck on this problem. As some of you know, I and some others have been busily working on restoring some Vector Graphic machines. One goal is to replace the Tandon TM100-4M 100tpi drives with more commonly available High Density 96tpi floppy drives. I realize the disks between the two types of drives are incompatible and I plan to retain both types of drives for compatibility with other Vector Graphic machines. However, the 100tpi drives are difficult to obtain and I would like to limit their use to preserve their remaining lifespans. I would like to transition my regular usage disks to the HD 96tpi drives to utilitize commonly available and inexpensive HD floppy drive mechanisms. I believe it is possible to make an HD drive emulate a legacy DSQD drive -- at least I am sure it can be done on the PC. The late Don Maslin was apparently able to use 720K (DSQD) 5.25" floppy drives on his Vector Graphic system (see link below). I would like to do a similar thing but using the HD drives in DSQD emulation mode. http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/1998-January/093114.html I have a couple of HD floppy disk drives such as the Panasonic JU-475 and TEAC FD-55GFR. I have jumpered and modified both drives so that the spindle motor turns at 300 RPM which I have verified using a fluorescent lamp and tach wheel. I have set the jumpers or directly wired to ground Pin 2 to force Double Density mode. I have covered Pin 2 on the interface with tape so that it does not interfere with the FDC on my Vector Graphic machine and vice versa. According to the schematic of my Vector Graphic integrated FD/HD controller (FDC) neither pin 2 (density select) nor pin 34 (/ready) are used. After many tests and inspections, I have verified both HD drives do work in 720K DSQD emulation mode on my floppy test bench PC. They are configured as 3.5" 80 track drives. The motor spins at 300 RPM and they are both able to format and verify with scandisk under MS-DOS using good quality 5.25" disks. The problem comes in when I attach either HD drive to the Vector Graphic FDC. Whenever it tries to format under CP/M, the VG is able to write out all 154 tracks (I have verified it is writing the tracks by inspecting the disks using my Catweasel) but the VG cannot verify the tracks correctly and fails the format. Everytime it tries to format a disk, it ends with "PERMANENT DISK ERROR" messages. Using different CP/M utilities to write to the HD drives results in similar errors such as VG BACKUP, a disk copy utility, and CPYFSTU, another CP/M disk copy utility. I do not know for certain whether the disks are have errors when written or the drive is having problems reading the track. I know the disks are good as I can format them on the VG using the TM100-4M drive without issue. When I verified the tracks are written using the Catweasel and the same disk and drive I noticed several read errors and bad sectors which implies the tracks were written with errors. Does anyone know why these HD floppy drives are incompatible with the Vector Graphic FDC? Is there something I am missing or some setting which would make them compatible? The HD drives work just fine at DSQD drives on the floppy test bench PC so I am fairly sure the drives themselves are OK. The VG FDC works fine with the TM100-4M drives so I think they work OK. The problem is only when I attach the HD drives to the VG FDC. Would anyone please give me some insight on this problem? Thank you in advance for any help. Andrew Lynch

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Yet another VT-100 emulator

by dave06a＠dunfield.com

>> Does anyone know if any of the more modern (ie: VGA) cards support >> enhanced >> 132 column text modes? > >I think this is a "maybe". At [ >http://www.columbia.edu/~em36/wpdos/textmode.html ], there's a link to a >program that scans for a series of 132-column VESA text modes. It couldn't >find any on the laptop I tried it on (no surprise), but apparently there are >a number of NVIDIA cards that support these modes. I don't know what how >the layout compares to the character/attribute pairs for 80-column modes, >but here's the Pascal code they use to try entering the modes: Thanks! - that was useful. Turns out many of the cards I have support a 132x25 column video mode which is laid out exactly the same as the 80 column modes except for being 264 bytes per line instead of 160 (character and attribute pairs). For my ATI cards mode 35 (23h) seems to work on most of them. I've just posted a new version of LAPTALK, which supports 132 column mode. In order to enable it, you must configure the 132 column video mode under "General Parameters". 0-255 are standard BIOS modes, and 256-511 are VESA modes (sorry, but you have to set the mode in decimal). It also supports set/reset "column" (132 column) mode now (if the mode is configured). I've also added a small FIND132.COM utility to the package which helps find that elusive 132 column video mode. I've also added a 132 column test to the VTEST.COM utility, Other improvements in this version: - Improved the keyboard mapping function, including a visual layout showing where the 103 keycodes I support occur on a generic keyboard. - "auto-repeat" is now configurable, and set/reset mode works. - Configurable Device Attributes value sent back to host. Dave -- dave06a (at) Dave Dunfield dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools: www.dunfield.com com Collector of vintage computing equipment: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/index.html

18 years, 8 months

4
3
0 0

digital camera capabilities

by cclist＠sydex.com

On 19 Dec 2007 at 8:41, cctalk-request at classiccmp.org wrote: > From: "Roy J. Tellason" <rtellason at verizon.net> > Unfortunate as in it wasn't directly accessible then? I thought that the > point of such a setup was to keep a file accessible in digital form. Or > is that some sort of offline storage, like punched cards? It depended on your idea of "accessible". It was "accessible" on the scale of, oh, say, a book requested through inter-library loan is "accessible". Make a request, find a good Russian novel to read and hope your file hasn't been lost. There was a very-much-frowned-upon program that was popular among users to open and close every single file cataloged under your account just to avoid the dreaded Photostore. The 1360 was very typical of the wonderful Rube Goldberg-style of mechanical engineering that IBM was capable of. Second perhaps only to the 3850 MSS or the 2321 DCD. Certainly in a different league >from the competition (e.g., NCR CRAM), although the ill-fated CDC SCROLL comes close... Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

have you seen www.fortran.com?

by tsw-cc＠johana.com

On Tue, 18 Dec 2007 , Fred Cisin <cisin at xenosoft.com> wrote: > > > A REAL programmer can write a FORTRAN program in any > > > language. > > On Tue, 18 Dec 2007, Chris M wrote: > > O man don't tell me that means a *real* pwogwammer > > knows how to use the <TAB> key. Or spends half his > > coding time running the spacebar. > > of course not > you punch a drum card No, you have the "standard" drum card already punched up. You keep them right below the chad box in the keypunch so that the students who muck up the "standard" one in their crazy attempts to make their own can be put out of their misery. Always keep a few "extras" floating around. Of course, the "standard" drum card has Fortran as the #1 program, and the assembler of the machine in the #2 program. This usually indicated you had the statement number LEFT justified in columns 1-5, not any of that coding form right justified junk. As for Greenbar/bluebar (I always thought bluebar was better), weren't those the coding forms we all used. Having nice wide paper was where you made the "edits" to your code and took it to the keypunch. Ob Keypunch: Back in the day they had a Control Data Institute ad on TV that boasted "Do you like working with your hands and not getting your fingernails dirty?", I then remarked that this guy has NEVER replaced a keypunch ribbon. (*SIGH*) those days were much more fun!! ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

RQDXn to RX33 / RX50 cable construction

by tiggerlasv＠aim.com

While perusing the 'net the other day, I stumbled across details for a cable to go directly from an RQDXn controller to a hard drive. I didn't find any mention of a cable to go from an RQDXn to a floppy. Since I have a BA123, and ONLY use the RQDX3 for floppy support, I thought it might be a handy cable to have, rather than going through the tangle of cables involved with the RQDX "Paddle card". It might also come in handy for testing. If anyone is interested, here are the pinouts, and instructions for constructing such a cable.? The instructions were created with the lay-person in mind.? Copying this text into Windows Notepad should restore proper formatting. This cable was constructed using a BA23 distribution panel as a guide, and has been tested with both RX50's and RX33's, attached to an RQDX3. Cable diagram: Floppy? RQDX??? Description --------------------------------- 1?????? 21????? Gnd 2?????? 22????? Density Select --------------------------------- 3?????? NC????? (Cut) 4?????? NC????? (Cut) 5?????? NC????? (Cut) --------------------------------- 6?????? 24????? Drive Select 4? 7?????? 25????? Gnd 8?????? 26????? Index 9?????? NC 10????? 28????? Drive Select 1 --------------------------------- 11????? NC????? (Cut) 12????? 29????? Drive Select 2 13????? NC????? (Cut) --------------------------------- 14????? 30????? Drive Select 3 15????? NC 16????? 32????? Floppy Motor 17????? 33????? Gnd 18????? 34????? Direction 19????? 35????? Gnd 20????? 36????? Step 21????? 37????? Gnd 22????? 38????? Floppy Write Data 23????? 39????? Gnd 24????? 40????? Write Gate 25????? 41????? Gnd 26????? 42????? Track 0 --------------------------------- 27????? NC????? (Cut) 28????? 8?????? Write Fault --------------------------------- 29????? 45????? Gnd 30????? 46????? Floppy Read Data 31????? 47????? Gnd 32????? 48????? Head Select 0 33????? 49????? Gnd 34????? 50????? Ready Stuff you'll need: 1.)???? A suitable length of 34-conductor ribbon cable. ??????? Make sure you have enough wire to reach the controller, ??????? and enough slack on the other end to allow the drives ??????? to slide out of the bay.? Add 6" onto this measurement. 2.)???? A 50-pin IDC-style "Berg" connector for the RQDXn. 3.)???? A 34-pin IDC-style "Berg" connector for an RX50. 4.)???? One or two 34-pin IDC-style card-edge connectors for RX33's. What to do: 1.)???? Split one end of the ribbon cable as follows. ??????? DON'T separate ALL of the wires individually; keep them paired! ??????? Peel each grouping of conductors back about 4 or 5 inches. ??????? 1,2 ??????? ------------- ??????? 3,4,5 ??????? ------------- ??????? 6 through 10 ??????? ------------- ??????? 11,12,13 ??????? ------------- ??????? 14 through 26 ??????? ------------- ??????? 27,28 ??????? ------------- ??????? 29 through 34 2.)???? Cut conductors 3, 4, 5, 11, 13, and 27. ??????? They won't be used, and there won't be a convenient place ??????? to terminate them on the connector. ? ??????? These wires will need to be insulated at some point. ??????? If you have wide plastic sleeving, then put a section of it ??????? onto the cable.? Heat shrink will NOT work well. ??????? A simple loop of electrical tape should suffice. 3.)???? Conductor 28 needs to be fairly long, since it ??????? lands on the opposite side of the 50-pin connector. ?????? ?Trim about 3 inches off ALL of the OTHER wires. 4.)???? Using a pair of needle-nose pliers, ??????? REMOVE the following contacts from the 50-pin IDC connector: ??????? 7, 9, 19, 20, 23, 27, 31, 43, and 44. ??????? This will prevent certain RQDXn signal lines from ??????? being inadvertently grounded, and will help properly ??????? identify your landing positions for some of the connections. 5.)???? Line up the ribbon cable with the connector, ??????? and check to make sure that conductor 28 is long enough ??????? to reach across the cable, without placing it under any strain. 6.)???? Press the ribbon cable onto the 50-pin IDC connector. ??????? Refer to the chart at the top of this text; You'll see ??????? that they are grouped exactly as they should sit on ??????? the actual connector, with the exception of conductor 28. ??????? Note that SOME groupings start on ODD connector numbers, ??????? and some start on EVEN numbers. 7.)???? If you haven't done so already, refer back to step 2, ??????? and insulate the wires that were cut, to prevent them ??????? from shorting-out against the chassis. 8.)???? Determine where you need your floppy connectors, ??????? and press the connectors onto the 34-pin cable. ??????? Make sure that you observe the position of Pin 1. ??????? I made a "Universal cable" for my BA123. ??????? It has a 34-pin berg, and TWO card-edge connectors ??????? near the end (spaced about 4" apart), and then a THIRD ??????? card-edge connector about 10" down. ??????? This will allow double-stacked RX33's in a single bay, ??????? individual RX33's in separate bays, or a single RX50. 9.)??? ?Test, and enjoy ! ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AIM(R) Mail ! - http://webmail.aim.com

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Subject: IBM photostore (was: Re: digital camera capabilities)

by cclist＠sydex.com

> From: Chris Kennedy <chris at mainecoon.com> > CDC and IBM FEs would periodically get into pissing contests over who > was responsible for various faults; recurring ones would end up with a > piece of paper taped to the channel controller that would say something > to the effect of "TP XYZ +X volts -> IBM problem, -Y volts -> CDC > problem". Heh, I was with the CDC STAR-100 installation at LLL/LRL. It was ALWAYS our problem. ;( Sigh, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

digital camera capabilities

by cclist＠sydex.com

From: "Roy J. Tellason" <rtellason at verizon.net> > Speaking of which this brings to mind another old project idea I had that > never went anywhere. That was using a 3" scope tube to "write" to film, > and then after developing, to read it back again. I vaguely recall > "flying spot scanner" being somewhat related to this, I think there was > some equipment out there that'd actually take a 35mm slide. Though I'd > envisioned a roll of film, driven by a stepper motor. Ever hear of the IBM 1360 photostore? http://www.computerhistory.org/virtualvisiblestorage/artifact_frame.ph p?tax_id=02.07.01.00 It was used a verb at Lawrence Livermore--as in "Your file has been photostored." A very unfortunate happening... Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

4
3
0 0

Yet another VT-100 emulator

by dave06a＠dunfield.com

>>Not likely - as far as I know there are no standard PC text >>video modes that give 132 columns. > >Long ago I had a 132char driver for the Hercules/TTL mono video card. >I was based on the 720x348 mono graphics mode. > >I also remember the several of the SuperEGA bios that supported the >extended MDA modes: >46h Text 132x25 (8/9x14) >47h Text 132x29 (8/9x12) >48h Text 132x32 (8/9x11) >49h Text 132x44 (8/9x8) As far as I know there are no **STANDARD** PC text video modes that give 132 columns. Yes, at 720 dots, you can do a 5 point wide font for 132 columns on a Herc., but I don't have Hercules (or any MDA) cards in any of the system that I actually use on a regular basis (POLL: How many here are using Herc cards in systems they would want to use as a VT100) - I'm also not sure I could achieve all of the attributes (Can you blink graphics on a Herc? - I suppose you could do it in software, but the only MDA machines I have here are XT class which would make for "interesting effects" :-) I think I also mentioned that I wasn't quite ready to do a bitmapped version of the terminal yet. I agree that it would be nice to do eventually, as I could support double-width/height characters as well... Does anyone know if any of the more modern (ie: VGA) cards support enhanced 132 column text modes? - And is the video addressing basically the same except for 132 words of memory per line instead of 80? And where to find more information? If it could be reliably determined that support was there, and it is compatible with my text windowing code, it would not be difficult to add support for it. Dave Still unsubscribed - Oh Jay ... where are you? -- dave06a (at) Dave Dunfield dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools: www.dunfield.com com Collector of vintage computing equipment: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/index.html

18 years, 8 months

6
5
0 0

FW: [HeathKit] HERO Robots for sale

by bbooth＠pausd.org

Hello, I have two Hero 1 Robots that would be good for parts. They suffered at the hands of middle school children. Brad

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

Washing Machine Drives [was: Homebrew Drum Computer (magnetic heads)]

by bnansel＠bigpond.net.au

Thank you very kindly for the offer. I'd be glad to study whatever materials you have, and I'd pay for the postage; if I can't use them I would send them back. Maybe ought to wait until I get some of the logic up and running first, though. So far, however, I'm having zero luck finding washing machine platters or spindles. There are a couple Data General drives on ebay, but I sure can't afford to ship those to Australia! What I need is something like the drive unit from a Data Disc F- series hard drive. IIRC, they had 12" platters, which would be perfect for my machine (plus bitsavers has got the schematics!). I wouldn't turn down 14-inchers, mind you; the smaller size would fit in my car easier. Twenty-five years ago I remember being annoyed that I had to trip over gear like that to get to the *good* stuff at United Products in Seattle. Ah, well, I was a poor university student at the time, and even if I had bought one and hung on to it, my wife would surely have had me committed if I had even proposed dragging such a thing to Australia... -Bobby On Fri Dec 14 2007 Chuck Guzis wrote: > ... > About the only item of the correct size and tolerances that's readily > available today, it seems to me, would be the drum unit out of a > laser printer or copier. I don't know if the OPC layer could be > easily stripped off and replaced with oxide, but it might be worth a > try. > > If you're really serious abou this, I'd be willing to donate a head > from a CDC 808 disk unit--4 bit parallel recording. > > Cheers, > Chuck >

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

Govliquidation: Rolm 1602 Console

by erik＠baigar.de

There is again one of the unique Consoles, alias Operator Panel for the 1602 vintage computer on govliquidation: http://cgi.govliquidation.com/auction/view?auctionId=1483422&convertTo=USD Maybe there is someone willing to save this from the scrapyard... Best regards and merry x-mas, Erik.

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Yet another VT-100 emulator

by classiccmp＠memory-alpha.org.uk

Hi, >>> Not likely - as far as I know there are no standard PC text >>>video modes that give 132 columns. >> >> Long ago I had a 132char driver for the Hercules/TTL mono video >>card. I was based on the 720x348 mono graphics mode. > > As far as I know there are no **STANDARD** PC text video modes >that give 132 columns. Precisely, just what is so difficult about that statement for people on this list to understand!!?? The bottom line is that the **ONLY** ***STANDARD*** text modes supported by EGA and VGA adapters are 40 and 80 column. END OF ARGUMENT. PERIOD. Whilst it is perfectly true that most/all "SuperVGA" cards support one or more 132 column text modes, these modes - along with their mode numbers - are unique to each manufacturer and indeed often differ between chipsets >from the same manufacturer! Great if you want to tie your software to working with only a single brand of chipset/graphics card (which I doubt is what the OP wants), but otherwise utterly useless.... TTFN - Pete.

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

Yet Another VT-100 Emulator

by dave06a＠dunfield.com

> Any possibility that your VT-100 emulator can be extended > to support 132 character text lines? Most of the programs > that I write are in MACRO-11 and they require 132 character > text lines for the list files which are generated. The > alternative is to use 80 character text lines with wrap > around and that is so messy that it becomes almost useless > by comparison. Not likely - as far as I know there are no standard PC text video modes that give 132 columns. Even in graphical mode, the highest standard resolution supported by VGA is 640x480, which isn't enough for 132 columns. I might be able to do SVGA 800x600 on *most* cards, which could work, but so far I've not done a bit-mapped version (that would be a lot of changes to my emulator). > The other reason is that I use the KEYPAD characters under > RT-11 for both KED and SL:(Single Line Editor). Are you > confident that the <NumLock> keypad key acts as the <GOLD> > key which translates to the 3 character sequence: "<ESC>[P"? > Also, the keypad comma, ".", key on the VT-100 is just above > the <ENTER> keypad key, but does not exist on the PC keypad. > I finally settled on the <Pause> key as a substitute since > there never seemed to be any use other for <Pause>. What > does your VT-100 emulator substitute for the keypad comma, > ",", key? The original terminal I announced was "close" on the keypad, but did not support use of the NumLock, '/' or ENTER keys. I've just posted an updated version which is "really close", and is limited only by the physical keypad difference. In this version I map (on the keypad in application mode): NumLock = PF1, '/' = PF2, '*'=PF3, '-' = PF4 0-9 = 0-9 '.' = '.' ENTER = ENTER '+' = ',' PgDn = '-' I chose this layout because '+' takes up both '-' and ',' slots, and PgDn is the closest additional key I could get to either one of those - It's at the same latitude as '-', but to the left of '7' instead of to the right of '9'. The good news is that I've added a "Keyboard mapping" configuration function which will allow you to assign the individual Normal, SHIFT and CTRL functions of *ANY* key on the keyboard, so you aren't stuck with my choices. You can also assign multiple PC keys to the same VT-100 function if you like. I've also got 30 programmable function keys using PC F1-10 ShiftF1-10 and CtrlF1-10 which you can define to any strings you like. These too can be remapped to appear on other keys. > And finally, On the VT-100 keyboard, the SCROLL/NOSCROLL key > is at the bottom left hand corner of the keyboard. While the > standard 105 keyboard from a PC can't exactly correspond to > the VT-100, the <Left Ctrl> key can act in that manner and the > <Caps Lock> key then becomes the <Ctrl> key on the VT-100. Is > your VT-100 emulator able to manage this aspect as well? I hadn't implemented NoScroll (never use it, I'm so used to entering CTRL-S and CTRL-Q directly on various systems)... I really didn't want to mess with the CTRL keys since I'm very used to where they are located on the PC, so I've added NoScroll to the PC "Scroll Lock" key. As noted above, you can now assign the behaviour of all keys, so you can easily create exactly the layout you requested. My keyboard handler differentiates between Left and Right Ctrl, Alt, Shift and "windows" keys, so you can map these individually any way you like. I default "Caps Lock" to "Caps Lock", but you can move that to another key and make it the CTRL key if you wish (my keyboard remapper supports assigning SHIFT and CTRL keys as well - just be sure to assign them in ALL modes - otherwise they move around as you move between Normal, SHIFT and CTRL modes, which can be a bit confusing... Another thing I've added in this most recent version is that I came up with technique when using a VGA card to not only load a custom font which gives you all the VT-100 graphic characters, but also to enable all of the VT-100 attributes (Bold, Underline, Blink and Reverse) in any and all combinations. I forgot to mention last time - I'm interested in improving the emulator, so I'm happy to make corrections and additions (within reason) - just let me know what you you would like to see. Dave NOTE: I am currently unscribed from the list - I've been trying for the past week to get resubscribed, however so far no joy ... The only way I have to read it is via the web site which is rather painfull, and somewhat delayed - so reponses will be slow in coming. I'm hoping this will go through since I've seen other messages which appear to be from non-subscribers. -- dave06a (at) Dave Dunfield dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools: www.dunfield.com com Collector of vintage computing equipment: http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/index.html

18 years, 8 months

4
3
0 0

Yet another VT-100 emulator

by cclist＠sydex.com

From: "Ensor" <classiccmp at memory-alpha.org.uk> > The OP needs modes which work on ALL adapters, not non-standard modes > which work on a small number of Mickey Mouse cards which noone uses.... With all due respect, I think the observations on the part of the other posters including myself were valid. What the OP probably meant to say was: "Does anyone know of a video text mode supported by a standard IBM VGA/PGC/XGA/EGA card real-mode 16-bit BIOS that supports 132 colums?" That "BIOS" keyword is very important, given that few operating systems actually use it to do anything useful nowadays. In point of fact, there has been little "standard" since third-party vendors began sourcing their versions of the VGA card. And IBM by that time was far from the majority presence in the marketplace. Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

cctalk Digest, Vol 52, Issue 38

by cclist＠sydex.com

On 18 Dec 2007 at 20:29, cctalk-request at classiccmp.org wrote: > Seocndly, if you fiddle with the video heads themselves, be warned they > are delicate. They are brittle ferrite cors, the windings are thin and > brought out to little BCPs stuck in postiion. If you break the wires > you'll not be able to fix them.If the PCB comes uncluged, it'll break the > wires. And if the head tip bangs into anything it will shatter. That is > the bitter voice of experience from the time I rebuilt the head assembly > in a portable rell-to-reel VTR (sorry it's off-topic, so I'll stop there). I was going to suggest a head from a Telcan video recorder as being more suitable, but I doubt that there are many of those around. Maybe a head from one of the cheap floppytape QIC drives might also do the trick. Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV sets)

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV sets) > From: Dave McGuire <mcguire at neurotica.com> > Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:18:57 -0500 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic Posts Only" <cctech at classiccmp.org> > >On Dec 18, 2007, at 5:03 AM, Ethan Dicks wrote: >>> MOS shift registers of lengths greater than a few bits are very late >>> 60s (after 67 or so). By early 70s parts 1024 long ere not uncommon. >> >> I think I have a couple of old SAD1024 MOS shift registers from when I >> was collecting deeply discounted items from the local Radio Shack >> "Manager's Table" as a kid. >> >> I had thought one day to make the audio echo/delay circuit I think I >> saw in an old Forrest Mims circuit book, but a solid-state acoustic >> delay line emulator sounds like a much cooler place to put them. Consider that there are only 1024 buket in that brigade and if your storing bits thats about it or less. Maybe even Nyquist less. Allison > > I remember that project, in the "Engineer's Notebook" book. I >wanted to build it too, but I never quite managed to amass all the >parts. (back then, of course) > > -Dave > >-- >Dave McGuire >Port Charlotte, FL >Farewell Ophelia, 9/22/1991 - 7/25/2007 > >

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Docs/Software/Info for Virtual Microsystems 8086 Dec Pro board?

by derschjo＠msu.edu

Inherited a Dec Professional 350 with a card labeled as a "Virtual Microsystems Inc. Pro Bd." installed in it. It has an 8086 chip on it, and from the (very) limited information I've found on it I'm guessing it's a card that affords the Dec Pro some amount of IBM PC compatibility. Anyone know anything about this thing? Anyone have any software for it? :) Thanks, Josh

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

have you seen www.fortran.com?

by cclist＠sydex.com

> From: Chris M <chrism3667 at yahoo.com> > I realize that old doggies die hard, but who except > for the scientific/engineering crowd would want to > create new apps, and for what reason? I imagine there > could be some good reasons to port old (iron?) code to > peecees, but gcc can compile FORTRAN already (albeit > only F77). Dear me, where do I start? For me, FORTRAN is hugely efficient. It's one of the few languages where folks on the ANSI working group actually spend their careers writing automatic optimizers for the language and will raise a stink where a particular construct does not lend itself to efficient or safe optimization. Some of the optimizations performed by the top- end compilers are amazing to the point of one smacking one's forehead and saying, "Damn, that's clever!" At least at one time, it was true that FORTRAN was one of the most portable language, executing on the widest range of systems. I think one of the advertised attractions of the PDP 8/L that contributed to its success was that it could speak FORTRAN. Some of the earliest cross-assemblers that I ever saw were written in FORTRAN, that would pretty much run on any system that supported the language. This was back in the days when USASCII was a character set used on the minority of computer systems; not all were 2's complement (or even binary). Yet you could write a cross assembler (and probably a compiler) that would run on anything. I know of operating systems written in FORTRAN, as well as great hunks of several compilers. I even wrote my early data conversion routines on CP/M using FORTRAN for most of the code. FORTRAN used to have the only really reliable math routines. It's not a bad language to have under your belt. Does ACM CALGO still accept FORTRAN as a permissible source language? Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

4
6
0 0

Corvus drivers for Xerox 820/Bigboard

by snhirsch＠gmail.com

I'm looking for the drivers that will let my Bigboard speak to a Corvus flat-cable drive. I have a couple of the interface boxes that go between the parallel port and the drive unit, but have never been able to locate the required software nor any installation docs. If anyone in Classic Computer-land can help, I'd really appreciate it. Steve --

18 years, 8 months

2
2
0 0

Read and write film - was digital camera capabilities

by lee＠geekdot.com

> That was using a 3" scope tube to "write" to film, and then after > developing, to read it back again. I vaguely recall "flying spot > scanner" being somewhat related to this, I think there was some > equipment out there that'd actually take a 35mm slide. Though I'd > envisioned a roll of film, driven by a stepper motor. It sounds like you were trying to reinvent the telecine machine. Monochrome versions can indeed both read and write film using the same mechanism and it tends to be claw drive rather than a stepper motor. Lee.

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Listing paper FTGH (Yorks, UK)

by listmailgoeshere＠gmail.com

Hi list, I have 7 2000-sheet boxes of tractor-feed plain 11x14.5" listing paper which I'd like to give away as I need the space back. Located in West Yorkshire, UK. Sorry, it isn't greenbar ;) There are also 3 boxes of A4-ish size (11x9.5" I think they are). Free, but you'll have to collect. I'd ship if you're desperate, but it won't be cheap as they're heavy. Please drop me a mail if you're interested - thanks. Ed.

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

1000+ old computer in Canada, for sale

by tosteve＠yahoo.com

"Rawn's Buy & Sell Network" in Burnaby BC (Canada), says he has a warehouse fill of old computers to hopefully sell as a lot. Consists of mostly 80s and 90s systems, like Apple, Macs, IBMs, Next, Commodore, Atari, Tandy, Hyperion, etc. as well as tons of software. Here are some pics he sent me: http://members.cox.net/oldcomputerads/oldpics/old.html Do not contact me, please contact: rawnsbuysell at lightspeed.ca Enjoy! ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a PS3 game guru. Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Yahoo! Games. http://videogames.yahoo.com/platform?platform=120121

18 years, 8 months

36
84
0 0

Homebrew Drum Computer

by bnansel＠bigpond.net.au

I'm looking at what it would take to make a barebones "museum piece" bit-serial computer along the lines of an LGP-30 or maybe a Bendix G-15. I don't want to do the whole vacuum-tube-computing trip, so I'm limiting my madness to discrete bipolar transistors, specifically the 2n2222. To keep it interesting, I want to use only components available to mortals in 1963. And the keep the project within budget (i.e. none to speak of), I'm further limiting the number of transistors semi-arbitrarily to 256. Of course there will be a pile of si diodes, resistors and capacitors involved, but the idea is to keep the number of active components down -- if only so this beast will fit in the boot of my car! I've scavenged the web for information on bit-serial magnetic drum machines of the Elder Years, and I think I have a pretty good notion of how they worked (mostly very slowly). What I haven't been able to get a handle on is how to make a serviceable magnetic drum. I reckon I can do some simple prototyping with some CMOS 64-bit shift registers so I don't have to debug both the logic and the magnetic read/write electronics, but beyond that I have only a hazy idea how to proceed. Certainly I could trash a few old cassette decks, or even get some floppy R/W heads to experiment with audio recording tape super-glued to a soda can, but I really want to get at least the performance the old machines could produce, so that means a reasonably fast drum RPM, somewhere around 6000 RPM, say. Any ideas?

18 years, 8 months

19
34
0 0

need info on old eprom programmer

by dc.hunt＠worldnet.att.net

We have one that does not work as well as the original manuals. We cannot get ours to work as we do not have the breakout cards for troublreshooting thi unit.Contact us if we can possible help you.

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

Homebrew Drum Computer (magnetic heads)

by cclist＠sydex.com

> Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:31:49 +1030 > From: Robert Nansel <bnansel at bigpond.net.au> > I think I might have a whack at making R/W heads using small ferrite > cores/beads, the kind used in radio work. ...lots of detail... > So, aside from the mumbles, does this sound like a workable plan? I'd think that you'd want the head characteristics to be a very close match if you intend to employ more than one head per track--and I can't see how you'd get the head gaps remotely close in characteristics with one another. On the local Freecycle, I see VHS recorders hitting the landfill with incredible regularity. Why not simply scavenge the heads from a few of these? Certainly, the frequency response should be good enough. As far as the disk goes, that should work. It seems to me that some of the Shugard SA-4000 models even had a track or two of fixed heads as an option. Cheers, Chuck

18 years, 8 months

3
2
0 0

Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV sets)

by dm561＠torfree.net

Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:03:34 +0000 From: Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks at usap.gov> Subject: Re: Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV sets) On Mon, Dec 17, 2007 at 06:52:59PM -0500, Allison wrote: >> MOS shift registers of lengths greater than a few bits are very late >> 60s (after 67 or so). By early 70s parts 1024 long ere not uncommon. >I think I have a couple of old SAD1024 MOS shift registers from when I >was collecting deeply discounted items from the local Radio Shack >"Manager's Table" as a kid. >I had thought one day to make the audio echo/delay circuit I think I >saw in an old Forrest Mims circuit book, but a solid-state acoustic >delay line emulator sounds like a much cooler place to put them. >-ethan ___________ Sounds like our shopping habits were the same in those golden days at the 'shack ;-); I've still got a couple waiting for me to get a round tuit (the data sheet also has the bucket brigade audio delay schematic). As a digital delay line I guess you could even use it word-wise since it's analog; you'd need some pretty fast DAC/ADCs though. mike

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

green-bar paper

by shumaker＠att.net

Wasn't someone on the list looking for wide format green-bar paper a while back? PublicSurplus.com has several boxes listed. Items 228477, 228478, 228480 s shumaker

18 years, 8 months

8
11
0 0

PDP Collectors Group on LinkedIn

by root＠parse.com

If you're a linkedin user, there's a PDP Minicomputer Collectors Group that I created last week. You're all invited to join. Details can be found at: www.parse.com/~museum/linkedin.html (While the PDP-10 isn't a "minicomputer", we'll let PDP-10 people join anyway :-)) Cheers, -RK -- Robert Krten, PARSE Software Devices, http://www.parse.com/resume.html Wanted: DEC minis: http://www.parse.com/~museum/admin/wanted.html

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

CrayLink connections between Origin 2000s

by jvdg＠sparcpark.net

> Sounds like an ordinary (for SGI types of ordinary) Onyx2. That has the > framebuffer hardware in the upper module, and CPUs in the lower; one > framebuffer module per machine, but up to 7 (IIRC) CPU modules in > multi-rack configurations. Seven CPU modules is unpossible. The (hyper)cube topology nust be maintained, so you can only expand a machine by doubling the number of modules connected together. Powers of two. ,xtG tsooJ

18 years, 8 months

4
3
0 0

IBM 8-inch diskette

by c.heidelmeyer＠excite.com

I have three old 8-inch diskettes with graphic files on them from an old MRI machine, probably a Siemens Magnetom 1 using a VAX computer. I would like to compare the old pictures with modern MRI or CT scans or X-rays taken of the same person. Would someone in the UK be able to read them and store the files on a modern diskette or CD? I can read 5 1/4, 3 1/2 or CD. Kind regards Carl Heidelmeyer Consultant Anaesthetist Portishead UK

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

cctalk Digest, Vol 52, Issue 36

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

On Dec 17, 2007, at 10:42 PM, Dave wrote: > > Hmm, the only difference I was aware of was the I/O > module...keyboard/mouse interface or not. > > -Dave For Onyx2 Deskside, the midplane is indeed different (has an XIO connection to the graphics side, and a graphics side). Onyx2 rack uses standard Origin2000 compute modules with the Xtown external XIO interface linking the compute modules to the graphics module(s), which in the case of a rack support 2 pipelines. Deskside Onyx2 also comes with only null routers, so 4 procs is the max. Some people have tried putting in full routers, but I don't recall having heard any success. I don't think O2000 has this issue (except for one model of IP31 (one of the 250MHz boards, I think) that has a hard limit in the PROM about how many other nodes it will work with before becoming sulky. Marketing department at work.

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV sets)

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Shift Registers as Delay Lines (was Delay lines in TV sets) > From: "Rick Bensene" <rickb at bensene.com> > Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:06:38 -0800 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Tom Watson wrote: >> If you decide to make up a delay line to hold CPU data, try a >> prototype using shift registers. They are a bit easier to >> make up, and often the chips are available. The problem is >> that they come in weird (at times) sizes (132, 80, and the >> like). I'll leave it to the reader to determine the >> usability of odd sizes and their original use. >> Msot of those are later designs and tended to be for line printer, CRT and other displey and printing systems. Common sizes for that were line printer 132, CRT 80 and 72 (tty was 72!) and the true oddball lengths were the 1024, 224, 192 and 56. MOS shift registers of lengths greater than a few bits are very late 60s (after 67 or so). By early 70s parts 1024 long ere not uncommon. What makes them interesting is you can use them word or digit parallel and very deep by cascading them serially. For lesser registers older 4 and 8bit TTL devices in parallel can be very effecive in providing a digit wide by 8 digits deep register in a small space. This is truely getting into late 60s early 70s serial compurer design right on the cusp of the days of the last serial drums or disks for local store and the drums would then be for the larger program store. Allison >A lot of early MOS shift registers were developed specifically for use >in electronic calculators, as solid-state replacements for magnetic core >memory or magnetostrictive delay lines. Since most all electronic >calculators in the mid-'60's through the late 70's operated in BCD or >some alternate four (or sometimes five)-bit representation of decimal >digits, the shift registers were usually made with a number of stages >that was a multiple of four or five, with a few extra bits here and >there for timing and synchronization. That's why many of these devices >as an unusual number of stages. In some calculators from the late >'60's, as IC logic had pretty much replaced discrete transistor designs, >there were different versions of the same machine, earlier machines >which used a magnetostrictive delay line, and "updated" versions which >dispensed with the delay line, and replaced it with a number of MOS IC >shift register devices. Functionally, the machines were identical. As >far as the digital logic section of the machine went, also identical. >The only real changes were the removal of the read amplifier and write >driver for the delay line, and replacement with some simple >level-shifting and power supply circuitry to properly drive the shift >register chain. > >Rick Bensene >The Old Calculator Museum >http://oldcalculatormuseum.com

18 years, 8 months

3
2
0 0

cctalk Digest, Vol 52, Issue 34

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

On Dec 16, 2007, at 11:19 PM, Richard wrote: > OK, we talked earlier about how high this architecture could go and > there was some mention of 256 and 512 processor systems. However, I > just stumbled across a press release at LANL describing their > installation of a massive 6144 processor system consisting of 48 sets > of 128 nodes all arranged as a giant supercomputer: > Above 128 processors you need a special "Cray" router. Above either 512 or 1024 you'll probably need custom SGI setup, possibly a custom IRIX. At any rate, 32 or 64 processors are pretty fast (remember as you scale it's harder and harder to get parallel code to run across all processors), and don't forget to factor in electricity and cooling. Most hobbyists only run one or two racks.

18 years, 8 months

6
14
0 0

cctech Digest, Vol 52, Issue 29

by Bob.Adamson＠sli-institute.ac.uk

The first LSI tester I ever worked on (manufactured by, I think, LSI Testing Inc of Utah) used triple-66 bit MOS shift registers to store the digital stimuli and compare patterns (3x64-bit registers plus 2 bits used as control). Around 1970 or so at Hughes Microelectronics. Since we manufactured MOS ICs (PMOS at the time) and the shift registers became obsolete after a few years we designed our own as spares. The tester itself used a PDP-8/L as the controller and was soon after replaced by a bigger one which used a PDP8/I - my first contact with SEC PDP8 computers. regards Bob Adamson > From: "Rick Bensene" <rickb at bensene.com> > > A lot of early MOS shift registers were developed specifically for use > in electronic calculators, as solid-state replacements for magnetic core > memory or magnetostrictive delay lines. Since most all electronic > calculators in the mid-'60's through the late 70's operated in BCD or > some alternate four (or sometimes five)-bit representation of decimal > digits, the shift registers were usually made with a number of stages > that was a multiple of four or five, with a few extra bits here and > there for timing and synchronization. That's why many of these devices > as an unusual number of stages. In some calculators from the late > '60's, as IC logic had pretty much replaced discrete transistor designs, > there were different versions of the same machine, earlier machines > which used a magnetostrictive delay line, and "updated" versions which > dispensed with the delay line, and replaced it with a number of MOS IC > shift register devices. Functionally, the machines were identical. As > far as the digital logic section of the machine went, also identical. > The only real changes were the removal of the read amplifier and write > driver for the delay line, and replacement with some simple > level-shifting and power supply circuitry to properly drive the shift > register chain. > > Rick Bensene > The Old Calculator Museum > http://oldcalculatormuseum.com >

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Save Computer books from the years 1970-1990

by janprunk＠gmail.com

Hello ! Save some old computer books, before they go for paper recycling. I still have most of the collection available. The books vary from the years 1970-1990 The collection contains books about: LISP, Data management, Artificial Intelligence, Automatic data processing, Computer programming etc. >From publishers like: McGraw Hill, M&T Books, Wiley Press, Microsoft They are all in English language and in good condition. You can get them for FREE, only pay for post delivery. The books are shipped >from Slovenia, Europe. The link to the list is available at: http://yang.mtveurope.org/books.html If you are interested, contact me to my private email address. Kind regards, Jan Prunk -- Jan Prunk <janprunk at gmail.com> http://www.prunk.si GnuPG: 1024D/00E80E86 77C5 156E 29A4 EB6C 1C4A 5EBA 414A 29F5 00E8 0E86

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Couple of "classic" printers available for pickup (UK)

by classiccmp＠memory-alpha.org.uk

Second call.... Anyone interested in an HP "LaserJet+" for the cost of merely coming and picking it up from Birmingham? Also available, one IBM "ProPrinter XL24". Same deal. The HP works but the IBM is in unknown condition. These both need to be picked up by the end of January or they *WILL* get dumped....same goes for the rest of my computer collection (more "free for collection" postings to follow soon). Contact me off-list if interested. Thanks. TTFN - Pete.

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

have you seen www.fortran.com?

by rdawson16＠hotmail.com

There is a lot of really cool source code here; a DXF vector library, math and graphics libraries..... Randy _________________________________________________________________ Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live. http://www.windowslive.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_powerofwindows_122007

18 years, 8 months

3
2
0 0

Found thhe source to MS Basic

by rdawson16＠hotmail.com

This may be of interest to the group, on the Nascom web page, I found the Microsoft 8K basic source: http://www.nascomhomepage.com/lang/8kbasic.asm Randy _________________________________________________________________ i?m is proud to present Cause Effect, a series about real people making a difference. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_Cause_Effect

18 years, 8 months

5
4
0 0

Homebrew Drum Computer

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: Homebrew Drum Computer > From: ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell) > Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2007 22:20:38 +0000 (GMT) > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > >> >I didn't think the NTSC system used a delay line at the receiver, but I >> >must admit I've never repaired a US TV set. >> >> Yes they did/do but is was not ultrasonic. The common ones were basically >> the same as LONG (4.5us?) transmission lines. > >Is that a luminance deleay line, to compensate for the different >bandwidths of the luminance and chromanance channels? PAL sets have those >as well, > >The delay line I was sgggesting for use as a computer memory device is a >glass block wioth untrasonic transducers on it. It's got a delay period >of almost one complete line-time, and is used to store one of the >chromanace signals as part of the PAL decoding process. I don't know about PAL but one line for NTSC is only 63us and thats not enough delay. Computers that used delay lines were in the milliseconds range as they needed to store a lot of bits/digit/words. Allison > >-tony

18 years, 8 months

2
1
0 0

have you seen www.fortran.com?

by rdawson16＠hotmail.com

Performance. These are generally the best compilers around, with support for parallelism, distributed memory, loop unrolling, support for vector hardware.... Even using the GPU as a general purpose processor. High performance parallel computing with Fortran 90 and HPF. Real men code in FORTRAN ;) > Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:05:14 -0800 > From: chrism3667 at yahoo.com > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > Subject: Re: have you seen www.fortran.com? > > I realize that old doggies die hard, but who except > for the scientific/engineering crowd would want to > create new apps, and for what reason? I imagine there > could be some good reasons to port old (iron?) code to > peecees, but gcc can compile FORTRAN already (albeit > only F77). > > --- Randy Dawson <rdawson16 at hotmail.com> wrote: > > > > > There is a lot of really cool source code here; a > > DXF vector library, math and graphics libraries..... > > > > Randy > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows > > Live. > > > http://www.windowslive.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_powerofwindows_122007 > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. > http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs _________________________________________________________________ i?m is proud to present Cause Effect, a series about real people making a difference. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_Cause_Effect

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

SGI drive sleds and interfaces?

by legalize＠xmission.com

OK, with my new Origin 2000 machines, I was thinking that I could use these SGI drives+sleds that I had purchased previously, where the seller said they would work in Onyx2/Origin machines. However, while the sleds appear compatible, the drive interface is not. Is there any online guide that compares the different drive sled designs for SGI machines so that I can compare what's being offered on ebay to identify the machines that can use it? For instance, my drives have a high density connector that is only about 1" long, but the Origin 2000 has a high density connector that looks to be about 2-2.5" long. Is my only recourse to scrape through individual manuals to try and find diagrams? -- "The Direct3D Graphics Pipeline" -- DirectX 9 draft available for download <http://www.xmission.com/~legalize/book/download/index.html> Legalize Adulthood! <http://blogs.xmission.com/legalize/>

18 years, 8 months

6
9
0 0

Max configuration of SGI Origin 2000/Onyx2 architecture

by legalize＠xmission.com

OK, we talked earlier about how high this architecture could go and there was some mention of 256 and 512 processor systems. However, I just stumbled across a press release at LANL describing their installation of a massive 6144 processor system consisting of 48 sets of 128 nodes all arranged as a giant supercomputer: <http://www.lanl.gov/news/index.php/fuseaction/home.story/story_id/1846> This machine was decomissioned in 2004: <http://www.lanl.gov/news/index.php/fuseaction/home.story/story_id/5836> Something tells me that I won't be able to afford 6144 processors without a grant and a lot of scrounging :-) -- "The Direct3D Graphics Pipeline" -- DirectX 9 draft available for download <http://www.xmission.com/~legalize/book/download/index.html> Legalize Adulthood! <http://blogs.xmission.com/legalize/>

18 years, 8 months

3
4
0 0

cctalk Digest, Vol 52, Issue 34

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

On Dec 16, 2007, at 11:19 PM, Richard wrote: >> OK, with my new Origin 2000 machines, I was thinking that I could use >> these SGI drives+sleds that I had purchased previously, where the >> seller said they would work in Onyx2/Origin machines. However, while >> the sleds appear compatible, the drive interface is not. >> >> Is there any online guide that compares the different drive sled >> designs for SGI machines so that I can compare what's being offered on >> ebay to identify the machines that can use it? There is, sadly it is at the SGI Addict (www.sgiaddict.net) which is inconsistently up. This is most useful for the older sleds with integral connectors, modern SGI sleds are (I believe) one of three types: O2 (wouldn't come close to fitting), Octane/Origin200/000/Onyx2 (works), and Origin300/000 >> >> For instance, my drives have a high density connector that is only >> about 1" long, but the Origin 2000 has a high density connector that >> looks to be about 2-2.5" long. >> A drive with a 1" long connector very similar to a SCSI SCA connector is probably FC (Fiber Channel). If you have a newish Sun (Blade 1000/2000 era) you can check, as the main interface in these is FC. The FC drives I have (Seagates) have a model number ending in FC. Some of the SGI Vaults/InfiniteStorage arrays do use FC disks, so it's possible that these came out of one of those. Sadly, I'm not sure that the Qlogic FC interfaces are bootable, so you might not be able to use them as a system disk.

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Homebrew Drum Computer (magnetic heads)

by bnansel＠bigpond.net.au

With a sharp enough v-notch and very gradual abrasion from the outside, is should be possible to make the gap less than one thou. This is sort of the inverse of the way they made the point contacts for the first transistor at Bell Labs. -Bobby > >So, aside from the mumbles, does this sound like a workable plan? > > Ah no. the gaps have to be narrow less than .001". that hs been done > two peice ferrite heads (half beads) with oe side of the magnetic > circuit > filled with .001" thick brass shim stock. > > Or you could pull the heads from a number of old floppies. > > The 14" platter is a good source for media. > > > Allison >

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Homebrew Drum Computer (magnetic heads)

by bnansel＠bigpond.net.au

RIght. But it would be plenty big for registers, say. Those delay lines have 4.5MHz bandwidth (I think...), so they ought to be able to handle a short series of pulses; 16 bits should be easy, and 32 might work, too. An analog guru could probably squeeze more in 64us. -Bobby > > ... > >The delay line I was sgggesting for use as a computer memory > device is a > >glass block wioth untrasonic transducers on it. It's got a delay > period > >of almost one complete line-time, and is used to store one of the > >chromanace signals as part of the PAL decoding process. > > I don't know about PAL but one line for NTSC is only 63us and thats > not enough delay. > > Computers that used delay lines were in the milliseconds range as they > needed to store a lot of bits/digit/words. > > > Allison >

18 years, 8 months

1
0
0 0

Homebrew Drum Computer Delay Lines

by bnansel＠bigpond.net.au

I've come across a reference to a reverb unit made with a garden hose, speaker, and microphone. Would something as bone-headed as this work as a data delay line? I've read that mercury was used in delay lines because it was a better impedance match with quartz transducers, but wouldn't water work nearly as well? Everything would need to be kept at a constant temperature, and no doubt there would be some dispersion of the compression waves. It's my understanding that a lot of materials were tried for delay lines, but that mercury was the "best." Magnetostrictive delay lines are attractive, though I hear they are more than a little microphonic. I notice that most magnetostrictive delay line designs use the transducers to generate torsional waves, which apparently suffer less from dispersion and have a slower propagation speed to boot. The pictures I've seen show the transductive materials spot welded to the delay wire such that they twist the wire when a magnetic pulse is applied: http://www.science.uva.nl/faculteit/museum/delayline.html Does anybody know how well plain nickel wire would work OK, or would some more exotic like Terfenol-D be required? The delay wire itself need not be magnetostrictive; it's just the storage medium. -Bobby

18 years, 8 months

3
2
0 0

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

test-drb