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

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: FPGA VAX update > From: Scott Stevens <chenmel at earthlink.net> > Date: Wed, 02 Nov 2005 18:16:11 -0500 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >> However the most interesting is the Block 1 AGC (apollo guidence computer). >> > >Depending on how much 'from scratch' people feel is necessary, it's also interesting to roll your own computer using an off-the-shelf processor (or multiples). I have a simple 8088-based SBC design wired up and waiting for motivation to put together some test firmware. The main thing that has kept me from bringing it up is the difficulty in getting x86-based machine language development tools going. I'm used to little 4 and 8-bit assemblers where you can plop down a few ORG statements and have it all resident in a ROM, and almost all the x86 asm tools start from the assumption you are running on DOS and have no direct control of the memory map. > >Z80 designs are also fun and easy. And I still have those tubes of 6100 processors. . . I have z80s, 8085s, 6100s and 6120s, 1802s, T11s(PDP-11), 9900s, 6800s, 6809s, 804x, 805x to name a few to play with. I tend to zero in on Z80, 1802, 6100 and 8039(8048) as being interesting. Each of those has some aspect of computing that it handles elegantly and other parts that are plain dirty. >Certainly using a micro is by no means as cool as making your own machine >from small and medium-scale logic, though. I think it would be neat to >build one using discrete transistors. Not as difficult as a valve-based >design, but just as deep into the circuitry. It is. Often it's really just trying to understand the genie with 40 pins. For me it was started by my contact with the PDP-8I. It just seemed so buildable. While I've not built one of TTL other have. So I've done 4bitters and 8 bitter in TTL and one day I'd like to try something bigger. Valves are harder due to power, heat and most importantly size. A few hundred miniature duo-triodes will fill several racks. Allison

20 years, 9 months

12
35
0 0

QIC-02 on IRIS questions

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

Still working with the IRIS- the power supply seems to be working now (replaced 4 paper capacitors with polyester film), low ripple so I think I'm going to risk firing up the computer. On to the Cipher tape drive with a damaged drive roller (the goo problem). I'd like to get the original drive working eventually, but for now I want to make sure I can back up the disks (if the stickers are to be believed, it has GL2-W 2.2 on one). The tape controller is the standard Multibus Data Systems Design integrated ST-506/floppy/QIC-02 controller, and I don't have much experience with QIC-02. I have Wangtek 1/2 ht QIC-24 and QIC- 150 drives, and the manual for the -24. Is it likely that one or the other will work with the DSD controller? What jumpers would I need to look at? Is there a better way to backup this machine (don't have any other ST-506 interfaces). I want to be able to do a backup first thing.

20 years, 9 months

2
3
0 0

9 track tape drives available

by ingrammp＠earthlink.net

All I have three SCSI 9-track tape drives that I'd like to make available for free. They're 6250/1600/800 capable, rackmountable ( but I don't have the slides ), and all three I believe are working. I last used one of them about 3 years ago. They are "front loaders" about 1 foot high, about 36 inches deep... the tapes autothread and mount up, but it's handy to be able to get to the top of the entire unit just in case the autothreading feature doesn't quite work. SCSI interface uses 50pin Centronics connectors. These drives worked well on SGI and SUN machines, I've never tried one on anything else. In any event they're located in Tucson, AZ, and are yours for the taking... I have no idea how much it would cost to ship these fellows, they're pretty heavy. Mike

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

QIC-02 on IRIS questions

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: QIC-02 on IRIS questions > From: compoobah at valleyimplants.com > Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2005 15:48:36 -0600 > To: <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Still working with the IRIS- the power supply seems to be working now (replaced 4 paper capacitors with polyester film), low ripple so I think I'm going to risk firing up the computer. On to the Cipher tape drive with a damaged drive roller (the goo problem).=0D=0A I'd like to get the original drive working eventually, but for now I want to make sure I can back up the disks (if the stickers are to be believed, it has GL2-W 2.2 on one). The tape controller is the standard Multibus Data Systems Design integrated ST-506/floppy/QIC-02 controller, and I don't have much experience with QIC-02. I have Wangtek 1/2 ht QIC-24 and QIC- 150 drives, and the manual for the -24.. Is it likely that one or the other will work with the DSD controller? What jumpers would I need to look at? Is there a better way to backup this machine (don't have any other ST-506 interfaces). I want to be able to do a backup first thing.=0D=0A=0D=0A Why not srape off the goo and slide (force) some thick wall vinyl tubing over the new clean hub? I've done this with TU58s and PC QIC drives. FYI: the real trick is after you get it on the hub it needs to be trimmed to the right width. Allison

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

Commodore stuff for goodbye... (and one OT item...)

by signal30＠sympatico.ca

Do you still have the stuff? I'm interested

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

Ultrix for DECstations

by waisun.chia＠gmail.com

On 11/11/05, Zane H. Healy <healyzh at aracnet.com> wrote: > My point would be that you're more likely to have that DECstation on > a network than someone is likely to have their PDP-11 running V6 Unix. Nah. I won't put it on the net. I just want to feel/experience the native OS which this machine came with. That's all. > > Besides, I have no desire to run old versions of Unix, I'd just as > soon run a supported version (almost said new version, but I still > use Solaris 8). Also, I don't run Unix on my PDP-11's, as there are > plenty of interesting OS's that won't run on anything else. Absolutely. I agree with you 100%. Running Unix on PDPs would be so..anti-climax..

20 years, 9 months

4
4
0 0

570+ Old Home Computers for Sale

by info＠fki.be

Hi everyone on this list! My name is Dimitri Kokken and I live in Brussels, Belgium. I am the owner of an indoor go-kart centre and I am (was?) a passionate collector of home computers. But...I decided to sell them all. Of course, I was looking for a way to "promote" the sale of my entire old home-computer collection, over 570 different ones, and one of the largest HOME-COMPUTER collections in the world (there are indeed larger COMPUTER collections, but not like this one I think). Anyway...while searching the net I found out about this mailing list and decided to "enlist" :) About the sale of my collection...I thought it all over very carefully if I was going to do it or not, but there are more reasons I can think of to do it, than not. Some of the most important ones are : * The passion I had collecting old home computers has kind of "faded away"...and when the passion's gone... * I am now the proud father (since 15 months) of a daughter and our second saw the light of day a week ago and almost all of my spare time is spent playing with her (and once nr. 2 is old enough : them)...those with kids will understand what I mean. * We (my wife and I) started building a house and that always costs a lot of money...so, if I can earn some extra with this sale that's nice, it's a bonus so to speak (sale or no sale, we have the funds to build the house, it's just nice to have "more than you need" for unforeseen circumstances, which occur quite often apparently when building) * I also am the owner of an indoor go-kart centre and that also takes a lot of time...business is going very well, thus : more work (no, I'm not complaining). If you're a buyer and want to pick up the computers here in Brussels a free kart-ride is (of course) included. How am I selling this lot? Well...of course I thought about Ebay, but I just don't like to pay that many fees (who does?) Then I got the (very kind) offer from the webmaster of MO5.COM to make an auction site "? la" Ebay...he did this in a record time (3 days or so). So now I have all 530+ comps (40+ were sold in one lot to a bidder) on sale at www.mo5.com/dimitrisales/ and some 140 people are already placing bids on the comps. The auctions will all end on Sunday the 4th of december, giving everyone plenty of time to bid and think about how much they're willing to spend on their "fave" computer. There are some real "gems" in the collection, the one which received the highest bid untill now (and probably till the end) is the ORIGINAL GOLDEN C64 WITH COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE!!! But that's just one of the many nice comps. up for grabs I'd say...it all depends on what you fancy, are you a CBM freak, an Atari lover or....??? If you want to see some pics of the collection you can go here : http://users.pandora.be/F-242/Computers/NewPics-25-10-05/ http://users.pandora.be/F-242/Computers/Computer-List-Dimitri-with-picture-… or http://users.pandora.be/F-242/Computers/Computer-List-Dimitri-with-picture-… contain the entire list of my collection, direct links to many of the comps can be found there as well. Well, that's about it...I have made a FAQ on how to bid/pay/get the comps and also lots of other questions are answered in there as well. This FAQ can be found at the www.mo5.com/dimitrisales/ site. So, if you're curious about all this, or (even better for me) are looking for something in particular, go and check it out, you won't regret it. Kind regards, Dimitri Kokken

20 years, 9 months

3
7
0 0

Sony guy at VCF?

by news＠computercollector.com

At the show last meet, I met a Sony employee who stopped at my exhibit, and I really need to contact him -- but I can't find his business card. Does anyone remember such a person? ----------------------------------------- Evan Koblentz's personal homepage: http://www.snarc.net Computer Collector Newsletter: >> http://news.computercollector.com Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists & Museum: >> http://www.marchclub.org >> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/midatlanticretro/

20 years, 9 months

1
1
0 0

Early Epson laptop available...

by wh.sudbrink＠verizon.net

in Columbia, Maryland. Running Windows 3.1. Like new with original box, etc. If interested, email me and I'll give you the guy's phone number. Bill Sudbrink

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

VCF 8.0 Pictures

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

Allison wrote: > RT-11 is an ideal OS for this. Just what I thought! :-) > >> I'd like to see PSK31 software for the -11. > > > >I have not looked into the details of all new digital transmission > >modes that HAMs use (for example with MixW), but without any > >knowledge, I wonder if a PDP-11 would be fast enough ... > >any idea about that, Allison ? > > > this is off topic and maybe outof band for this forum: > The real problem is doing the base band audio processing > currently it's done with PCs and sound cards. The modulation > is narrow (200hz or less) band QPSK at around 31 baud or so. > The usual reciever is SSB so the challenge is that the audio > stream is 500-2500hz bandwidth and multiple converstaions can > take place so digital filtering is done to seperate and > detect the signals. Seems to require a P200 or faster. But I > haven't dug deep enough. I have asked one question around > but no one has answered and that is what if the reciever > (radio) was narrow selectivity (say 300hz) so that only one > data stream could be heard, would that simplify the > filter/detect/decode process enough for a much slower processor? > > Allison Yes, indeed going off topic, but it was sort-of relevant as it dealt with the possibility in combination with a PDP-11 ... but thanks Allison. Your last question calls for some investigation. I hope nobody jumps on this bandwagon, but I guess one brief reply will not hurt the list. Anyway, it is more on topic than some recent threads I've seen here ... [pse no flames]. "Close all hailing frequencies, Uhura". - Henk, PA8PDP. This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

VCF 8.0 Pictures

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: RE: VCF 8.0 Pictures > From: "Gooijen, Henk" <henk.gooijen at oce.com> > Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2005 13:11:24 +0100 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Allison wrote: > >> >> On display I can have: >> >> >> >> 2) Homebrew pdp8/e running (slow) OS/8 or DMS >> >> Howbout a 6120 homebrew running OS8? The trick was real DEC >> style IO rather than PIEs and cruft that leads up to os78 and os278. > >I don't have a 6120. The heart of my homebrew pdp8/e is a 6809! Ah, the 6120 is the PDP-8 on cmos core of the DECmate-III. Thats different from an emulation. >> >> 3) PDP-11/03, a real one for a change :-) decoding HAM radio RTTY >> >> I've used the -11 for RTTY display. You only need a modem to >> decode the tones though having spilt screen, upper for >> incomming and lower for outgoing text. > >That is exactly what I intend to write. Not too difficult, I will >document this project on my website. I am combining the actual >*use* of a PDP-11 for something, learn to write PDP-11 assembler, >and program ESC sequences for a VT220. Not just simple "hello", >but a project with a goal. Should be fun. It's fairly straightforward. Think ring buffer for incomming and long buffer for outgoing as the system tends to be half duplex mostly recieve. RT-11 is an ideal OS for this. >> I'd like to see PSK31 software for the -11. > >I have not looked into the details of all new digital transmission >modes that HAMs use (for example with MixW), but without any >knowledge, I wonder if a PDP-11 would be fast enough ... >any idea about that, Allison ? this is off topic and maybe outof band for this forum: The real problem is doing the base band audio processing currently it's done with PCs and sound cards. The modulation is narrow (200hz or less) band QPSK at around 31 baud or so. The usual reciever is SSB so the challenge is that the audio stream is 500-2500hz bandwidth and multiple converstaions can take place so digital filtering is done to seperate and detect the signals. Seems to require a P200 or faster. But I haven't dug deep enough. I have asked one question around but no one has answered and that is what if the reciever (radio) was narrow selectivity (say 300hz) so that only one data stream could be heard, would that simplify the filter/detect/decode process enough for a much slower processor? Allison

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

VCF 8.0 Pictures

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

Allison wrote: > >> On display I can have: > >> > >> 2) Homebrew pdp8/e running (slow) OS/8 or DMS > > Howbout a 6120 homebrew running OS8? The trick was real DEC > style IO rather than PIEs and cruft that leads up to os78 and os278. I don't have a 6120. The heart of my homebrew pdp8/e is a 6809! > >> 3) PDP-11/03, a real one for a change :-) decoding HAM radio RTTY > > I've used the -11 for RTTY display. You only need a modem to > decode the tones though having spilt screen, upper for > incomming and lower for outgoing text. That is exactly what I intend to write. Not too difficult, I will document this project on my website. I am combining the actual *use* of a PDP-11 for something, learn to write PDP-11 assembler, and program ESC sequences for a VT220. Not just simple "hello", but a project with a goal. > I'd like to see PSK31 software for the -11. I have not looked into the details of all new digital transmission modes that HAMs use (for example with MixW), but without any knowledge, I wonder if a PDP-11 would be fast enough ... any idea about that, Allison ? - Henk, PA8PDP. This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

VCF 8.0 Pictures

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: VCF 8.0 Pictures > From: Ladyelec at aol.com > Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2005 06:58:37 -0500 (EST) > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > >In a message dated 11/10/05 4:59:59 PM Central Standard Time, >cctalk-request at classiccmp.org writes: > >> Ahem. Aging, bald, bespectacled, spreading geek men aren't beefcake >> >enough for ya? >> > >> > >> > Doc >> >> Well, you old farts look at the girls. What's ya think us girls are doin? >> >> >> Allison > >Looking at the sons of Aging, bald, bespectacled, spreading geek men ! >Isa Ah, it's been a while since I've heard that one. Allison

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

Tony wrote: > > Ok, so the CNTRL key behaviour analysis is a good point > > to start with. > > Well, it's a definite fault. I would guess the firmware is > doing the wrong thing (I can't see how a hardware fault in > the keyboard or display could do this). > > > But I will first inspect the two RAM chips! > > What are the RAMs? From the description, they sound like the > little TTL RAMs that DEC also used for register storage on > some of the '11 CPUs > > -tony If my eyes read it correct, the RAMs are DEC 85S68. A Google search shows that it was made by National Semiconductor and that it is a 64-bit static RAM. My eyes are still good :-) I did not find a datasheet, unless you order and pay for it! The schematic is clear enough to figure things out ... - Henk, PA8PDP. This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

VCF 8.0 Pictures

by Ladyelec＠aol.com

In a message dated 11/10/05 4:59:59 PM Central Standard Time, cctalk-request at classiccmp.org writes: > Ahem. Aging, bald, bespectacled, spreading geek men aren't beefcake > >enough for ya? > > > > > > Doc > > Well, you old farts look at the girls. What's ya think us girls are doin? > > > Allison Looking at the sons of Aging, bald, bespectacled, spreading geek men ! Isa

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

SGI....

by pete＠dunnington.plus.com

On Nov 9 2005, 19:45, mike ingram wrote: > It might just be weak power supplies. There was a recall issued by > SGI about the Challenge XL power supply, I remember our SGI tech > dropping by to replace the PS on our Challenge XL . The machine ran > 24/7 on a UPS for years and we were always very worried about turning > the darn thing off. Interesting. I've just been offered a Challenge L, disfunctional due to faulty PSU. AFAIK that's just a half-size version of the XL, effectively. If I get it, where should I start? -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

20 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

Batteries and UPS's

by Useddec＠aol.com

Hi, I have a large quantity of un-used 2 volt cells, used (but still working well!) 12 volt batteries, and a selection of 12V, 24, and 48V battery back ups. Some of this can be delivered in IL and IN, and WI. I use some of these items with my work in solar and wind energy. Thanks, Paul

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

how do I change e-mail address ???

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

Hello Gene, that is exactly what I did a few days ago. Note that the *new* address must be approved by admin, and that takes time ... In my case half a day, so pretty fast. I did it via the classiccmp website's links. If you don't want to miss any posts, it is perhaps clever to subscribe with the new address before you unsub the old one! BTW, you are notified that your new e-mail address is pending after you register the new address. IMHO it would have been more clever to notify this pending approval some place else than *after* you actually register for the new e-mail address. - Henk, PA8PDP. > -----Original Message----- > From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org > [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Gene Ehrich > Sent: vrijdag 11 november 2005 10:06 > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > Subject: how do I change e-mail address ??? > > I would like to change my e-mail address for this Classic > Computers list. I looked up the old faq. > > Are these the commands to use > > UNSUBSCRIBE CLASSICCMP OLD.Address > > SUBSCRIBE CLASSICCMP NEW.Address > > and do I send them to: > cctalk at classiccmp.org This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

how do I change e-mail address ???

by gehrich＠tampabay.rr.com

I would like to change my e-mail address for this Classic Computers list. I looked up the old faq. Are these the commands to use UNSUBSCRIBE CLASSICCMP OLD.Address SUBSCRIBE CLASSICCMP NEW.Address and do I send them to: cctalk at classiccmp.org

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

Computer Link Corporation gizmo?

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

Does anyone have any idea what this is? <http://www.classiccmp.org/hp/laser/computer%20link.jpg>. The "sticks" sticking out to the left are long skinny mirrors. Each one can rotate +/- 45 degrees by means of the knobs on the right side. One side of the rotating mirror shows a number such as "1", when you rotate it it shows "2", etc etc. This is the second one of these that I've found but the first was all busted up. Joe

20 years, 9 months

3
4
0 0

Challenge XL power supplies

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

Looked at the manuals: systems with one or two cardcages ship with 2-phase 220v power supplies, 3 card-cage models ship with 3-phase 208v power supplies

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

DEC Microfiche alert in eBay

by waisun.chia＠gmail.com

Al? Looks like something up your alley... One Large Box with THOUSANDS of DEC Microfiche! PDP VAX Item number: 8721884019

20 years, 9 months

1
1
0 0

ZX80 - was: SN76477N

by pete＠dunnington.plus.com

On Nov 10 2005, 20:13, Tony Duell wrote: > > So I guess it works. This thing seems to be made in the same way that the > > Sinclair LED wristwatch I once had was--CHEAP is the biggest consideration. > > Exactly. And don't care if it works properly, or if it's convenient to > use. Remember Sinclair once sold a scientific calculator that gave you 3 > accureate significant figures if you were lucky! That would be the one that took longer to calculate the sine of an angle than it took to open Chambers 6-figure tables and look it up, as I was reminded at our recent Open Day (we had a few such things on display along with real computers, micros, and calculators). Having said that, I was quite upset when my Sinclair Cambridge Memory calculator began to misbehave a couple of years ago, and eventually died altogether. It was a nicer shape and size than any other simple calculator I've owned, great for one-handed operation. I have an "ordinary" Sinclair Cambridge, and a Scientific as well, but they're not as nice to use. The memory version seems to be relatively rare, and the last two I saw on eBay went for moe than I'd consider sensible. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

20 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

SYM-1 was Collecting, was: ZX80

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Scott Stevens" <chenmel at earthlink.net> > ---snip--- > >Who's going to win the SYM-1 up for bid on eBay right now, BTW? > > >> Cheers, >> Chuck >> >> > Hi A lot of SYM-1's seem to be showing up lately. Most with only the 2 2114's so I'd suspect that these are mostly unused or little used( most anyone would want the full complement of RAM ). There are a number of nice software things available for these on the web, including the ROM based BASIC. I'm off and on trying to restore an even rarer item connected with the SYM-1. I have a board called the FDC-1. This was a floppy controller card for the SYM-1 ( not made by Synertek ). I still don't know if the software I got for the original OS is correct or not. On Dallas' web page, he has a updated OS that is nice but I'd like the klunky original OS. The other item that is a little rare for the SYM-1's is the KTM-2 keyboards/monitor driver. These were a nice addition to the SYM-1. The KTM-2 came in a 40 and 80 column version. If you have the newer 40, it can be upgraded to the 80 column. Both of these items are rarer than the SYM-1 itself and I've not seen either show up on ebay ( but I may have miss them ). Last but not least is the SYM-2. This is an newer but reduced SYM-1 with an onboard regulator for +5. Dwight

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

Discharging a VT100 CRT

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: Discharging a VT100 CRT > From: ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell) > Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 19:55:37 +0000 (GMT) > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > >> CR408 is a 1A 400V diode (1n4006 should do) > >Is there any reaosn not to use a 1N4007 here as well? I generally don't >buy the other IN400x's as I've yet to find an application where too high >a PIV is a problem. > >-tony That is true but I gave him the spec for the diode that was there. As is the 4006 is a 600V device. Hey around here anytime I need a 1A diode it's a 1N4007 as I buy them 100 at a time cheap. They make good varactors an passable HF low VHF PIN diodes. Allison

20 years, 9 months

3
2
0 0

Discharging a VT100 CRT

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: RE: Discharging a VT100 CRT > From: "Julian Wolfe" <fireflyst at earthlink.net> > Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 15:39:26 -0600 > To: "'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Are these two parts something I can buy at RS? I don't want to have to >drive 20 miles to the nearest real component store if possible. > Well a 1n4007 at RS may still be possible, likely 2 for 1.99. I buy them 500 for $15 from JDRmicrodevices. Can never have enough spares. The cap I'd likely hunt around for a junk radio or computer monitor chassis and pull it from there. Allison >>> CR408 is a 1A 400V diode (1n4006 should do) >> >>Is there any reaosn not to use a 1N4007 here as well? I generally don't >>buy the other IN400x's as I've yet to find an application where too high >>a PIV is a problem. >> >>-tony > >That is true but I gave him the spec for the diode that was there. >As is the 4006 is a 600V device. > >Hey around here anytime I need a 1A diode it's a 1N4007 as I buy >them 100 at a time cheap. They make good varactors an passable >HF low VHF PIN diodes. > >Allison >

20 years, 9 months

3
4
0 0

need Atari 520 STFM's in any condition

by chrism3667＠yahoo.com

found one in the trash. Am sure it isn't working, though I haven't quite gotten it to the power-on stage. Looking for *reasonably priced* ST (and this could mean anything in that series) stuff in general, working or not. Come to think of it, ain't even got the mouse (I believe this one had an internal p/s and floppy drive). __________________________________ Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click. http://farechase.yahoo.com

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

Connecting a BC80M cable to a RLV12 controller

by dbetz＠xlisper.mv.com

I finally got a drive select plug for my RL01 drive and would like to try connecting it to my 11/73 but I find that the cable that is supposed to plug into the RLV12 controller isn't keyed so it can go in either way. How do I tell what the correct orientation is for this cable? I'm assuming that if I plug it in backwards I'll fry the controller and/or drive. The only markings on the end of the cable that connects to the controller are the manufacturers name "Berg" and the letters A and B near one end and VV and UU near the other end. How should this cable be inserted into the RLV12? Also, assuming I get this straightened out, what should expect to happen on power up? Should the 11/73 automatically boot from the RL01? I have an MXV11A boot board installed. Or do I get a console prompt and have to select the boot device on the console? Thanks, David

20 years, 9 months

4
7
0 0

More old stuff

by cclist＠sydex.com

Does anyone have any use for some Fujitsu MB8107 DRAM chips? From what I can determine, these are the same as the TI TMS4060 4Kx1 "midi size" 22-pin DIPs. I've also got some Intel 2111-4 SRAM. Cheers, Chuck

20 years, 9 months

3
3
0 0

Connecting a BC80M cable to a RLV12 controller

by Useddec＠aol.com

Hi David, I don't type very well, but I can talk you through this on the phone. Is there a good time to call you or would you prefer to call me? It won't matter to my phone bill. Thanks, Paul

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

Switch-Mode PSU Failure Modes, Repairs, & Parts Substitutions

by slasor＠jfs.go-plus.net

Hi, I have 3 Patriot book pc psu's which I want to get repaired. regards J.F.Slasor

20 years, 9 months

3
2
0 0

VCF 8.0 Pictures

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: VCF 8.0 Pictures > From: Doc Shipley <doc at mdrconsult.com> > Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 16:33:21 -0500 > To: General at mdrconsult.com, "Discussion at mdrconsult.com":On-Topic and Off-Topic > Posts <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Allison wrote: > >> Well for one, I insist that you also have a supply of beefcake >> for us geeky girls. Fair is fair! ;) > > Ahem. Aging, bald, bespectacled, spreading geek men aren't beefcake >enough for ya? > > > Doc Well, you old farts look at the girls. What's ya think us girls are doin? Allison

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

Discharging a VT100 CRT

by dwight＠ca2h0430.amd.com

>From: ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk > >> CR408 is a 1A 400V diode (1n4006 should do) > >Is there any reaosn not to use a 1N4007 here as well? I generally don't >buy the other IN400x's as I've yet to find an application where too high >a PIV is a problem. > >-tony > Hi The only issue I know of is slightly slower commutation time. Not even noticeable for 50Hz or 60Hz. Dwight

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

VCF 8.0 Pictures

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: RE: VCF 8.0 Pictures > From: "Hans Franke" <Hans.Franke at siemens.com> > Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 16:10:46 +0100 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Am 10 Nov 2005 15:52 meinte Gooijen, Henk: >> > Am 10 Nov 2005 9:09 meinte Gooijen, Henk: >> > > There is a second picture of the "hot geeky blond girl" >> > > which promotes her to "hot geeky blond 'nice legs' girl" :-) >> > > If I ever go to a VCF (in Germany), I must hire one of those >> > > girls you see on the bonnet at car shows. It will not matter >> > > what old stuff I exhibit, *my* stand will be visited most! :-) > >> > I have to see that ... your booth at VCFe 6.0 is reserved :) > >> Yes, I am giving it serious thoughts! >> Do you provide the girlz, Hans? Would be an BIG incentive! :-) > >Well, we usualy employ one official hootie for VCFe, although >I'm not shure for next year. Well for one, I insist that you also have a supply of beefcake for us geeky girls. Fair is fair! ;) >> On display I can have: >> 2) Homebrew pdp8/e running (slow) OS/8 or DMS Howbout a 6120 homebrew running OS8? The trick was real DEC style IO rather than PIEs and cruft that leads up to os78 and os278. >> 3) PDP-11/03, a real one for a change :-) decoding HAM radio RTTY I've used the -11 for RTTY display. You only need a modem to decode the tones though having spilt screen, upper for incomming and lower for outgoing text. I'd like to see PSK31 software for the -11. Allison

20 years, 9 months

4
3
0 0

Discharging a VT100 CRT

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: RE: Discharging a VT100 CRT > From: "Julian Wolfe" <fireflyst at earthlink.net> > Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 00:13:50 -0600 > To: "'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Well Well Well. > >On closer inspection, it is very clear that the cap is what blew (it's >exploded and blackened on one end) is at C439, and the diode is CR408. The >diode description in the maintenance print is aggravatingly overwritten by >the entry above it as it ran over. > >The cap is a 75MFD, 6V, +75-10% Electrolytic cap > >Where should I go from here? Well thats a horse of a differnt color. CR408 is a 1A 400V diode (1n4006 should do) the cap is what it is. and should be replaced. The easy test is replace the diode and cap and see if it works. if cr408 or R478 get hot (not warm) then other problems exist. Allison

20 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

Tony wrote: > > just a short question, I have seen so much that I start doubting > > everything :-( After you pressed the CLR key on the 11/34 > > console (to get a clear start point), if you *only* press the > > CNTRL key, nothing should happen, right? > > Right. The CNTRL key is a bit like a shift key, and should do > nothing on its own. > > > To answere one of your other posts, I would expect data to be > written ot the display latch quite frequently (of the order of ms) > _but_ the write pulse will be narrow (a few us at most), and if > you've got the analyser set up to sample for long enough to display > several display scans, you might well miss some of the write pulses > because they occur between analyser samples. I think the K100D has > 'gltich capture' for just this sort of problem, try selecting it for > the input you use for the write pulse. > > -tony Ok, so the CNTRL key behaviour analysis is a good point to start with. Yesterday evening I checked the latch that gives the NUM 1-2-3 signals, and the buffer that is behind it. The in- and output signals are OK, although it is *constantly* '110', which matches the display value "666666". On the LA (set to sample at 1 msec) I did see *one* pulse on the CLK pin of the latch. My guess yesterday evening was, that is not correct as just *one* pulse in 1000 msec is way to low for a good refresh rate, just as you say Tony. It did not occur to me that the single pulse was "by luck" detected by the LA. If the LA sees *one*, I should see more, I'd guess. I do remember that I had to turn up the brightness control of the scope to see the thin CLK pulses ... I will put a picture on the webpage tomorrow. The battery of the camera is recharging. Your initial remark about a failing RAM chip is still in the picture, as the value to display is taken from the first 3 locations of the RAM. BTW, the operator/maintenance manual has an error in the memory allocation. It shows that the first byte is for the display, but it is actually the first 3 bytes. So the rest of the picture can not be correct either ... The assembler source listing proves this. Every time a digit must be set on the output port, the 3 memory locations are shifted 3 bits. That means with 6 digits, that at the end the total shifted bit count is 18. The code corrects the value in the 3 memory locations by shifting 6 bit positions when the complete 6 digit number is sent to the output port. I am getting tempted to install the totally dead M7859, and have a look at it, with the new knowledge build up from this module. May be its is just a defective 8008, but I am afraid that if I get the dead M7859 working, this weird defective one will end up on the pile of things "I must do, when I get the time" ... But I will first inspect the two RAM chips! 4-bit data in, 4-bit data out, 4 address bits, one select pin and one clock pin (the WE* pin is tied to GND). Should be possible to see it all with the 16 channels and make a conclusion of the RAM's condition. You might have been correct from the beginning, Tony! thanks, - Henk, PA8PDP. This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

Ultrix for DECstations

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: Ultrix for DECstations > From: Adrian Graham <witchy at binarydinosaurs.co.uk> > Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 19:02:27 +0000 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >(The only load media on this big-iron VAX is a TZ887 tape library so I'm >going to install VMS onto the boot disk by plugging it into a VAX 3100-90 >with a BA350 storage shelf then all I have to do is put that disk into the >6660's HSJ50-powered storage array and boot it......try doing THAT on any >other OS :oD VMS is VMS is VMS.....) > >A I've done that for years using RD54s and then SCSI disks, easiest way to do a VMS install for 20 systems. Do it once then clone the drive, doent matter what the system varient was so long as it can interface to the drive. Beat the tar or hackup out of using TK50. Allison

20 years, 9 months

3
2
0 0

Software find

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: Software find > From: Adrian Graham <witchy at binarydinosaurs.co.uk> > Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 19:14:10 +0000 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >On 9/11/05 23:04, "Dan Williams" <williams.dan at gmail.com> wrote: > >> For the 380z Sbas, bcpl (4 disks), txed, zasm, cp/m 2.2 and 1.4 and Wordstar. >> For the Nimbus Windows 1.01 (Which I've never seen), write 2.0, >> various version of RM basic and Msdos 3.05. >> I'd like to see windows booted up the earliest version I've seen is >> 2.x (can't remember). > >I've got 2 Nimbus' but no monitor for either of them, though there's another >machine plus a monitor waiting for me in north wales if I can ever get over >there to pick it up (or Lee D. can if I can get the address :o)) > >Wouldn't mind seeing windows 101 myself, though it's just a glorified >DOSSHELL running on top of DOS 5. 'ugly' doesn't do it justice! > >A Then again so was V3.11. It was dos. Allison

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

VCF 8.0 Pictures

by classiccmp＠vintage-computer.com

I've just finished putting up a quick page for my VCF 8.0 pictures. There are no descriptions yet (any help would be appreciated - let me know if you recognize folks, items or whatnot) but I'll hopefully get to them soon. Enjoy! http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcf8.shtml -- Erik Klein www.vintage-computer.com www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum The Vintage Computer Forum

20 years, 9 months

7
8
0 0

Ampex Megastore ISA card?

by cclist＠sydex.com

I've found an Ampex Megastore ISA card that interfaces via a 50-pin header. I've got the software for it, but no manuals, so I don't know what it's supposed to connect to--it doesn't seem to be SCSI. Any ideas? Cheers, Chuck

20 years, 9 months

2
2
0 0

help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour > From: woodelf <bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca> > Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 10:22:23 -0700 > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >> >> >Well if you are going to hack the 8008 you need the right tools. >Check here for a 8008 link I just found yesterday. > >> http://www.jkearney.com/8008/ > Haveing done two commercial designs with the part I have most of that including a copy of the MARK-8 article. Never like the part it was just on the cusp of 60 ICs for s system using it or 150 ICs or so to do it >from the ground up. Much prefered the 8080 and better yet 8085 and Z80s. Allison

20 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

VCF 8.0 Pictures

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: RE: VCF 8.0 Pictures > From: "Hans Franke" <Hans.Franke at siemens.com> > Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 17:54:15 +0100 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >> >Well, we usualy employ one official hootie for VCFe, although >> >I'm not shure for next year. > >> Well for one, I insist that you also have a supply of beefcake >> for us geeky girls. Fair is fair! ;) > >Beefkake? well, Leberk?s-sandwitches are available all >day at the VCFe food court, and of course we can add >some meatloaf for the traditional dinner if you want :) > >Gruss >H. Beefcake: young men with fine bodies. ;) The sandwitches are for eating while watching. ;-) Allison

20 years, 9 months

3
2
0 0

Ultrix for DECstations

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: Ultrix for DECstations > From: Paul Koning <pkoning at equallogic.com> > Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 13:17:36 -0500 > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > >>>>>> "Patrick" == Patrick Finnegan <pat at computer-refuge.org> writes: > > Patrick> No, those were "DEC 3000"s. DECstations (3000/5000/etc) > Patrick> were all MIPS. > > Patrick> And, from what I've heard, at least one reason that DEC made > Patrick> Alpha, and didn't port VMS to the MIPS architecture, is > Patrick> because they'd have to make a lot of changes to VMS, because > Patrick> of its security model, in order to make it work with MIPS. > Patrick> Aparently, MIPS just didn't work enough like a VAX CPU to > Patrick> easily port VMS to it. > >Maybe. But I wonder what could be missing that Alpha has and MIPS >doesn't that is so critical. An advantage over VAX. At that point in time it was considered but the forward planning people already had strong feeings that the VAX killer machine was to be next generation and generally that meant larger address (more than 32bits). >Supposedly, the only reason MIPS has supervisor mode is that DEC >insisted on having it added. I'd heard that. Never able to verify it. Allison

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

VCF 8.0 Pictures

by john_boffemmyer_iv＠boff-net.dhs.org

And why is the brunette girl in the background making 'steering wheel - driving motions' that seems to make the much taller older gentleman next to her seem very concerned? Hehe. Please let it not be one of those 'hey, listen to this story about how I first came across classic computers... so after the car went over the curb into the store front...' Grin. -John Boffemmyer IV At 03:09 AM 11/10/2005, you wrote: >There is a second picture of the "hot geeky blond girl" which >promotes her to "hot geeky blond 'nice legs' girl" :-) >If I ever go to a VCF (in Germany), I must hire one of those >girls you see on the bonnet at car shows. It will not matter >what old stuff I exhibit, *my* stand will be visited most! :-) > >- Henk, PA8PDP. > >BTW. Thanks for sharing the pictures! Nice to see. > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org > > [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of John Boffemmyer IV > > Sent: donderdag 10 november 2005 2:16 > > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > > Subject: Re: VCF 8.0 Pictures > > > > Simply just biased because of the following: > > 1- hot geeky blonde girl (most would stop here) > > 2- Ghirardelli chocolates (in picture) > > 3- did I mention #1? > > 4- a very, very nice Apple Lisa =) > > -John Boffemmyer IV > > > > At 06:58 PM 11/9/2005, you wrote: > > > > >On 9/11/05 23:35, "Erik Klein" > > <classiccmp at vintage-computer.com> wrote: > > > > > > > I've just finished putting up a quick page for my VCF 8.0 > > > > pictures. > > > > There are no descriptions yet (any help would be > > > > appreciated - let > > > > me know if you recognize folks, items or whatnot) but > > > > I'll hopefully get to them soon. > > > > > >I know this is subjective and opinion based, but....wow..... > > > > > >http://www.vintage-computer.com/images/vcf8/elisabeth.jpg > > > > > >Not that it's my favourite machine or anything :) > > > > > >A > >This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of >the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, >confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. >If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible >for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are >hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of >this communication is strictly prohibited. >If you have received this communication in error, please notify the >sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. >Thank you for your cooperation. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.12.8/165 - Release Date: 11/9/2005

20 years, 9 months

3
2
0 0

Strange request.

by Mark.Brennan＠ie.fujitsu.com

Hi, My name is Mark Brennan, I am a systems engineer with Fujitsu in Ireland and I have a request I am looking for some help with. My request is some what strange to say the least. Since I joined Wang Computer in 1988 I have been collecting Product Brochures on various computer systems it started of with Wang Vs server systems. For the last few years I have been trying to collect old product/info/fact/marketing brochures on various computer systems with very little luck, as in the future I hope to set-up a web site with details and overviews of them. I have managed to collect some information on, DG/HP/Wang/Netframe/NCR/Tandem/DEC/Sequent/SGI/Siemens-Fujitsu/Pyramid/Apoll o/Cray/KSR/Ncube/ICL/Compaq etc, I was wondering whether or not you may have or know where I maybe able to get my hands on any old product brochures/fact sheets etc on any of the HP systems/servers, I know that my request is at best strange but any help would be great. Anything that is sent to me I will copy and return the originals it people still need them that is. Regard and thanks again markb. Mark Brennan System Engineer System Services FUJITSU Fujitsu House, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland Tel: +353 (0) 1 2076900 Mobile: +353 (0) 87 2222326 Fax: +353 (0) 1 2161863 E-mail mark.brennan at ie.fujitsu.com Web: <http://ie.fujitsu.com/> http://ie.fujitsu.com/ Fujitsu Services Limited, Registered in England no 96056, Registered Office 26, Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1SL This e-mail is only for the use of its intended recipient. Its contents are subject to a duty of confidence and may be privileged. Fujitsu Services does not guarantee that this e-mail has not been intercepted and amended or that it is virus-free.

20 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: RE: help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour > From: "Gooijen, Henk" <henk.gooijen at oce.com> > Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 09:03:40 +0100 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Tony wrote: > >> > just a short question, I have seen so much that I start doubting >> > everything :-( After you pressed the CLR key on the 11/34 >> > console (to get a clear start point), if you *only* press the >> > CNTRL key, nothing should happen, right? >> >> Right. The CNTRL key is a bit like a shift key, and should do >> nothing on its own. >> >> >> To answere one of your other posts, I would expect data to be >> written ot the display latch quite frequently (of the order of ms) >> _but_ the write pulse will be narrow (a few us at most), and if >> you've got the analyser set up to sample for long enough to display >> several display scans, you might well miss some of the write pulses >> because they occur between analyser samples. I think the K100D has >> 'gltich capture' for just this sort of problem, try selecting it for >> the input you use for the write pulse. >> >> -tony > >Ok, so the CNTRL key behaviour analysis is a good point to start with. > >Yesterday evening I checked the latch that gives the NUM 1-2-3 >signals, and the buffer that is behind it. The in- and output signals >are OK, although it is *constantly* '110', which matches the display >value "666666". On the LA (set to sample at 1 msec) I did see *one* >pulse on the CLK pin of the latch. My guess yesterday evening was, >that is not correct as just *one* pulse in 1000 msec is way to low >for a good refresh rate, just as you say Tony. It did not occur to me >that the single pulse was "by luck" detected by the LA. If the LA sees >*one*, I should see more, I'd guess. I do remember that I had to turn >up the brightness control of the scope to see the thin CLK pulses ... >I will put a picture on the webpage tomorrow. >The battery of the camera is recharging. > >Your initial remark about a failing RAM chip is still in the picture, >as the value to display is taken from the first 3 locations of the >RAM. BTW, the operator/maintenance manual has an error in the memory >allocation. It shows that the first byte is for the display, but it >is actually the first 3 bytes. So the rest of the picture can not be >correct either ... The assembler source listing proves this. Every >time a digit must be set on the output port, the 3 memory locations >are shifted 3 bits. That means with 6 digits, that at the end the >total shifted bit count is 18. The code corrects the value in the >3 memory locations by shifting 6 bit positions when the complete >6 digit number is sent to the output port. > >I am getting tempted to install the totally dead M7859, and have a >look at it, with the new knowledge build up from this module. May be >its is just a defective 8008, but I am afraid that if I get the dead >M7859 working, this weird defective one will end up on the pile of >things "I must do, when I get the time" ... >But I will first inspect the two RAM chips! 4-bit data in, 4-bit data >out, 4 address bits, one select pin and one clock pin (the WE* pin >is tied to GND). Should be possible to see it all with the 16 channels >and make a conclusion of the RAM's condition. You might have been >correct from the beginning, Tony! Never seen a dead 8008. I thought I'd killed one (at $180 then!) by installing it backward and then tossed it on the floor in the engineering lab. some days later after pulling from the bottom of my shoe I tried it again and it was still alive. The ram however is definately suspect. But I've seen IO messups with 8008 and with scanned displays and keyboards are harder to look at. It would be goof if you could run a different program and see it's results. We used a set of ROMs all different to test. They were short programs that would either loop or do something and halt. For example we had one that would write (this was a time display) 00:00:00 then increment all the displays without doing anything else. Another would write a 8 tot he last display and halt. the most useful ones were those that would repeatedly loop input or output to a port. Very handy as back (1973) then logic analysers were not to be had and a 15mhz dual trace scope was the usual tool. Allison

20 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

MSCP SCSI controller speed

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: MSCP SCSI controller speed > From: 9000 VAX <vax9000 at gmail.com> > Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 00:23:01 -0500 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >You are right. Those two are not the bottleneck. I measured the actual >execution time when run "dd if=syssrc.tar of=/dev/null" (photo >attached). NetBSD 1.5.2 moves 16kB a time. The measured time is: > >4.75ms MSCP-pre-DMA overhead >0.4ms SCSI overhead >7ms DMA of 16kB >4.2ms MSCP-post-DMA overhead >31ms idle time > >What kills the speed is the 31ms idle time. I blame NetBSD for that. You need a real time or single user os to get better results. Plain old dos might do far better or maybe a custom kernal tuned for this use. >> nor wished to program PCs. That and someone gave me a CMD SCSI adaptor. ;) >> > >You are lucky. Nobody gives me CMD card. But from now on I probably >will not need one any more. It was a lot of years ago, pre epay inflation. That and I got a broken BA123 microvax with it. Allison

20 years, 9 months

4
7
0 0

VCF 8.0 Pictures

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

> Am 10 Nov 2005 9:09 meinte Gooijen, Henk: > > > There is a second picture of the "hot geeky blond girl" > > which promotes her to "hot geeky blond 'nice legs' girl" :-) > > If I ever go to a VCF (in Germany), I must hire one of those > > girls you see on the bonnet at car shows. It will not matter > > what old stuff I exhibit, *my* stand will be visited most! :-) > > I have to see that ... your booth at VCFe 6.0 is reserved :) > > Gruss > H. > -- > VCF Europa 7.0 am 29/30.April und 01.Mai 2006 in Muenchen > http://www.vcfe.org/ Yes, I am giving it serious thoughts! Do you provide the girlz, Hans? Would be an BIG incentive! :-) On display I can have: 1) SIMH connected to homebrew PDP-11/40 console running RT11 2) Homebrew pdp8/e running (slow) OS/8 or DMS 3) PDP-11/03, a real one for a change :-) decoding HAM radio RTTY 4) SIMH connected to a *real* PDP-11/70 console but items 3 and 4 are "under development" ... - Henk, PA8PDP. This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

VCF 8.0 Pictures

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

There is a second picture of the "hot geeky blond girl" which promotes her to "hot geeky blond 'nice legs' girl" :-) If I ever go to a VCF (in Germany), I must hire one of those girls you see on the bonnet at car shows. It will not matter what old stuff I exhibit, *my* stand will be visited most! :-) - Henk, PA8PDP. BTW. Thanks for sharing the pictures! Nice to see. > -----Original Message----- > From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org > [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of John Boffemmyer IV > Sent: donderdag 10 november 2005 2:16 > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > Subject: Re: VCF 8.0 Pictures > > Simply just biased because of the following: > 1- hot geeky blonde girl (most would stop here) > 2- Ghirardelli chocolates (in picture) > 3- did I mention #1? > 4- a very, very nice Apple Lisa =) > -John Boffemmyer IV > > At 06:58 PM 11/9/2005, you wrote: > > >On 9/11/05 23:35, "Erik Klein" > <classiccmp at vintage-computer.com> wrote: > > > > > I've just finished putting up a quick page for my VCF 8.0 > > > pictures. > > > There are no descriptions yet (any help would be > > > appreciated - let > > > me know if you recognize folks, items or whatnot) but > > > I'll hopefully get to them soon. > > > >I know this is subjective and opinion based, but....wow..... > > > >http://www.vintage-computer.com/images/vcf8/elisabeth.jpg > > > >Not that it's my favourite machine or anything :) > > > >A This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

SGI....

by dholland＠woh.rr.com

Damn... :-( http://www.sgi.com/company_info/newsroom/press_releases/2005/november/nyse.… David

20 years, 9 months

11
21
0 0

help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: RE: help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour > From: "Gooijen, Henk" <henk.gooijen at oce.com> > Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 14:44:52 +0100 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Allison wrote: > >> Well it does not have to be a clock. It happend the product >> I was working on was a time code display for video tape where >> the display could be time or number of frames. >> >> Besides the display system for PDP-11 is likely OCTAL. ;) > >True, but the latch that outputs the 3 bits for the 7447 has >a fourth output which could be used! Take that 4th output to >the 7447 'D' input (which is now connected to GND) and you >can display an "8" or a "9". But I am drifting off-topic -- >the console must work for starters :-) > >- Henk, PA8PDP. The whole point of the clock thing is simple code to make a repeated operation that traces esily with scope or logic analyser. Allison

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

Allison wrote: > Well it does not have to be a clock. It happend the product > I was working on was a time code display for video tape where > the display could be time or number of frames. > > Besides the display system for PDP-11 is likely OCTAL. ;) True, but the latch that outputs the 3 bits for the 7447 has a fourth output which could be used! Take that 4th output to the 7447 'D' input (which is now connected to GND) and you can display an "8" or a "9". But I am drifting off-topic -- the console must work for starters :-) - Henk, PA8PDP. This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: RE: help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour > From: "Gooijen, Henk" <henk.gooijen at oce.com> > Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 13:25:03 +0100 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Allison wrote: > >I checked the contents of the ROMs (from the listing). They are >quite filled, there is no room to show a clock on the display. >Would be fun, because once the 11/34 runs, the display is not >very exciting any more ... >Pity that the ROMs are soldered on the board. It would be quite >a hack (but certainly possible!) to enable an other set of ROMs >to run e.g. the clock software. But then there is also the >difficulty to get the proper (blank) ROMs. >But it is a fun idea to keep in mind ... Well it does not have to be a clock. It happend the product I was working on was a time code display for video tape where the display could be time or number of frames. Besides the display system for PDP-11 is likely OCTAL. ;) >The RAM timing traces will be up on Monday! Actually a common 2716 or later device is fine for that. Disable the on board and use an adaptor. A fast 8008 was 10us instrcution time so rom speed will not be an issue. If I were doing it now I'd make an adaptor and use a 2816 (EEPROM) with a simple bit of logic to load stuff. Not a lot of space is needed Small loops to write to ram and display it are maybe 20-50 bytes. Allison

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

VCF questions

by James＠jdfogg.com

Sorry for my ignorance - Who runs the VCF events? Do they have guest speakers? I ask because I attended a presentation by Doug McIlroy, an early computer pioneer with Bell Labs, and Thompson/Ritchie's manager. He's made significant contributions to both Unix and Multics, among other things and he has some great stories to tell about the early days and the development of Unix. His presentation was focused on personal experiences and the people he's known, but I believe he can also get very technical (he is currently an adjunct professor at Dartmouth). After the presentation I spoke for a time with Doug. He was amazed that there exists a community interested in the preservation and restoration of old computers and their software. I explained a few things about the community and some of their projects and he was interested in the idea of the VCF. He said he'd consider an opportunity to speak at the VCF or similar venues in the North East and Mid Atlantic regions. Would there be an interest in having Doug present, does the VCF have space in their program for speakers? Some info on Doug - http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~doug/biography http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_McIlroy http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~doug/ -James

20 years, 9 months

7
16
0 0

help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

Allison wrote: > Never seen a dead 8008. I thought I'd killed one (at $180 then!) > by installing it backward and then tossed it on the floor in the > engineering lab. some days later after pulling from the bottom > of my shoe I tried it again and it was still alive. Amazing, but I will not try to repeat it to test your story :-) > The ram however is definately suspect. But I've seen IO > messups with 8008 and with scanned displays and keyboards are > harder to look at. This weekend I will check the RAMs! > It would be goof if you could run a different program and see > it's results. > We used a set of ROMs all different to test. They were short > programs that would either loop or do something and halt. For > example we had one that would write (this was a time display) > 00:00:00 then increment all the displays without doing > anything else. Another would write a 8 tot he last display > and halt. the most useful ones were those that would > repeatedly loop input or output to a port. Very handy as > back (1973) then logic analysers were not to be had and a > 15mhz dual trace scope was the usual tool. I checked the contents of the ROMs (from the listing). They are quite filled, there is no room to show a clock on the display. Would be fun, because once the 11/34 runs, the display is not very exciting any more ... Pity that the ROMs are soldered on the board. It would be quite a hack (but certainly possible!) to enable an other set of ROMs to run e.g. the clock software. But then there is also the difficulty to get the proper (blank) ROMs. But it is a fun idea to keep in mind ... The RAM timing traces will be up on Monday! thanks, - Henk, PA8PDP. This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

DAQsuite for Quatech ISA cards needed

by r.mueller＠fz-juelich.de

I have arranged to buy a Quatech DAQ1602 card for the ISA bus. However, the company no longer supports the card and as too often happens, the resellers do not bother to deliver the software or handbooks. Is there anyone out there who has DaqSuite, the normal CD supplied with the card? I would be glad to cover your costs if you can help me to get this card running. Incidentally, if you have ANY card which was delivered with DaqSuite, the CD probably includes what I need. Quatech seems to have included their whole product line on the same CD and the CD was supplied on request to owners of the company's products. Unfortunately for me, the product line has been sold to another company and that company does not supply the card I have. Indeed, one other company continues to sell some products from the Quatech product lineup, but not the 1602. I would greatly appreciate help in obtaining a copy of the CD (even over the Internet, if that is easier!) Sincerely, Bob Mueller

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

Discharging a VT100 CRT

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: RE: Discharging a VT100 CRT > From: "Julian Wolfe" <fireflyst at earthlink.net> > Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 13:17:26 -0600 > To: "'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >How much are you asking for the monitor board? > >-----Original Message----- >From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] >On Behalf Of Useddec at aol.com >Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 1:14 PM >To: cctalk at classiccmp.org >Subject: Re: Discharging a VT100 CRT > >Hi, > >I have the logic board, power supply, and what we used to call the "monitor >board" in stock. I worked on a lot of these when I worked for Digital. I >now >deal in DEC parts. > >Thanks, Paul > Make sure it's the correct one. There are three versions for the differing monitors. The monitor portion were made for DEC to spec and could be Ball brothers, Moto or I forgot. Allison

20 years, 9 months

3
3
0 0

valid classiccmp email addresss?

by julesrichardsonuk＠yahoo.co.uk

I just noticed that Al (and occasionally a few others) send email to 'classiccmp at classiccmp.org' rather than the usual cctalk / cctech addresses. Is that a valid address? It's obviously working, I just don't filter on it in my mail client and was wondering whether I should be or not! :-) (IIRC that was the list address prior to the cctalk/cctech split a while back, but I assume Jay might be ditching it one day if so) cheers Jules

20 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

help - 11/34 console problem -- first LA output

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

Tony wrote: > > > > Making your own pod...! Again, points earned Tony! Chapeau! :-) > > Well, back when I got that instrument, _any_ LA was > expensive. The only way I could afford one was to get one > missing the pods. And I'd done a fair amount of ECL work for > my Ph.D, so when I found the inputs were actually > differential ECL signals, it didn;t worry me too much. > > -tony Ah. Ok then. I never worked with ECL, so that is totally unknown territory for me. You had a jump start then :-) I continued working on the 11/34 console board. Made a few new measurements (display and keypad). I am still figuring out what I have seen. I am a bit reluctant to remove an IC from the board, put in a socket and a new IC, just to find out that I overlooked something and the replaced IC was not bad. I have the impression that the strobe pulse to latch the 74175 that outputs the 3-bit code to the 7447 display driver is issued at a way to low rate. I seldom see this pulse, but expect it to see quite often as it must for multiplexing the display ... To support this repair I will write up a webpage with the LA pictures. I will mention the URL here. Very soon ... thanks for all input so far, - Henk, PA8PDP. This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 9 months

5
5
0 0

Discharging a VT100 CRT

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: RE: Discharging a VT100 CRT > From: "Julian Wolfe" <fireflyst at earthlink.net> > Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 12:43:29 -0600 > To: "'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Well, you were right. Something did blow on the VT100 video board, and in a >bad way. It looks very much like it was that diode you speak of, cause >there's a huge burnmark on the board at the contact points of the diode. If >that's not an "I died" indicator, I don't know what is. > >Can anyone tell me what diode to buy to replace it? I'm thinking of getting >a replacement video board, and then replacing the diode on that, just in >case it took something else with it. The whole "y" trace has a brownmark >around it that the diode was connected to, and that has a big cap next to >it. Check the diode first as often they survive. If it didn't it may be the 1A 1000V device (1n4007 will work) at CR102. The cap is correct value (22uf) but about half the required working voltage so it shorts after a long time. I forget if it was C102 or c103 and the working voltage should be at least 100V but not more than 160V. or so memory says. Allison

20 years, 9 months

3
2
0 0

help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

Hi all, just a short question, I have seen so much that I start doubting everything :-( After you pressed the CLR key on the 11/34 console (to get a clear start point), if you *only* press the CNTRL key, nothing should happen, right? [ on my 11/34, when I press CLR (release it), the press the CNTRL key (only that one), the 7-segment displays go all OFF, and when the are on again, they show the value that was in them before I pressed CNTRL. Also, BUS ERR goes on. ] I checked the signals. That the displays go blank is logical, because the DRIVE1 thru DRIVE6 signals remain '1' for 400 ms. But that is the result ... what is the cause ...? - Henk, PA8PDP. This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

Discharging a VT100 CRT

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: RE: Discharging a VT100 CRT > From: "Julian Wolfe" <fireflyst at earthlink.net> > Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 18:12:10 -0600 > To: "'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >The whole situation makes a lot of sense now too. I wonder if the cause of >this wasn't a weak cap. They do "dry out" after sitting for a long time >like that anyway, which I believe this one had. Like I said DEC made a truckload of these with a 50V cap where a 75V or higher cap should have been used. Most died in the first two years. Those that werent used much lasted decades, but failure was enevitable due to an undervoltage part. >Usually with old monitors, I try to leave them on if possible, and just turn >the brightness and/or contrast down so they don't burn in. That's what I've >done with the VT220 I have and it seems to be much happier as a result...and >bonus with the VT220, because it has its own built in screen saver. There were s a few issues with those too, but they were overall good. >I wish everything I owned was built like this. DEC tried, often succeeded. Allison > >-----Original Message----- >From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] >On Behalf Of Allison >Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 5:23 PM >To: cctalk at classiccmp.org >Subject: RE: Discharging a VT100 CRT > >> >>Subject: RE: Discharging a VT100 CRT >> From: "Julian Wolfe" <fireflyst at earthlink.net> >> Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 16:51:13 -0600 >> To: "'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'" ><cctalk at classiccmp.org> >> >>Yep, you know your stuff Allison. C102 and 103 are both 50v caps according >>to the schematic. Should I replace them with equivalent electrolytic 100v >>caps? I'm not an electrician, but I've built working stuff with a >soldering >>iron when given the right parts. > >Perfectly reasonable thing to do. Look for other stressed parts while >there. > >>If I can build this into a better VT100 and not have to open it again for a >>good long time, it'll be worth my time and trouble now. > >I've done a few of them and never seen them fail. Considering that the >original lasted typically 2 years at 100% power on you can see it should >last. >FYI: the original problem was a 50V part in a circuit that had 70+ Volt >spikes. >Part was simply mis spec'ed. I remember seeing 5 refrigerator (large ones) >boxes full of failed boards due to that error. > > >Allison > > > >>-----Original Message----- >>From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] >>On Behalf Of Allison >>Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 1:21 PM >>To: cctalk at classiccmp.org >>Subject: RE: Discharging a VT100 CRT >> >>> >>>Subject: RE: Discharging a VT100 CRT >>> From: "Julian Wolfe" <fireflyst at earthlink.net> >>> Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 12:43:29 -0600 >>> To: "'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'" >><cctalk at classiccmp.org> >>> >>>Well, you were right. Something did blow on the VT100 video board, and in >>a >>>bad way. It looks very much like it was that diode you speak of, cause >>>there's a huge burnmark on the board at the contact points of the diode. >>If >>>that's not an "I died" indicator, I don't know what is. >>> >>>Can anyone tell me what diode to buy to replace it? I'm thinking of >>getting >>>a replacement video board, and then replacing the diode on that, just in >>>case it took something else with it. The whole "y" trace has a brownmark >>>around it that the diode was connected to, and that has a big cap next to >>>it. >> >>Check the diode first as often they survive. If it didn't it may be >>the 1A 1000V device (1n4007 will work) at CR102. The cap is correct value >>(22uf) but about half the required working voltage so it shorts after a >>long time. I forget if it was C102 or c103 and the working voltage should >>be at least 100V but not more than 160V. or so memory says. >> >>Allison >> >> >> >> > >

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

SGI....

by dwight＠ca2h0430.amd.com

>From: "Sebastian Br?ckner" <sb at thebackend.de> > >Sridhar Ayengar schrieb: >> Sebastian Br?ckner wrote: >>> I know that those machines are supposed to run continuously but it >>> can't be quite normal that every other time I power it up one of the >>> supplies dies. Any hints? Is there a way to fix those things or to >>> prevent them from blowing up altogether? >> >> Are you sure that you've wired your premises electrics correctly? That >> could cause power supplies to keep blowing. > >Well... that could be the cause. I'm running the machine off a 16A fuse >although it is designed for 25A IIRC. >Of course the fuse could blow on power up but I didn't expect that to do >any damage to the power supplies... maybe that was a very bad idea(tm)? > >> Do you have enough power supplies for the boards and other options you >> have installed in the system? That could be doing it too. Or if you >> had a boardset with an unfused short in it or something, although I >> would think there's probably fuses in the backplane or something. > >After losing supplies with the original configuration (24 CPUs, ~18 SCSI >channels, 1.5GB RAM) I stripped the machine to a fairly minimal >configuration (something like 4 cpus, 512mb ram, no extra scsi). The >problem didn't go away. > >Once it boots (and doesn't blow as soon as I turn it on) it runs without >problems. And since it worked in that exact configuration for years for >the previous owner (continuously powered on though) I expect it to be >fully working. He also said that he often had to replace the power >supplies after power cuts, so it might just be normal... > >Sebastian > Hi One thought. If it uses transformers anywhere, connected to the AC ( even switchers often do this for initial voltages ), you need to put a MOV on the input leads. The problem is ( and I've actually seen this ) that when you cut the AC, the core holds some energy. Since it can't pass this to the input leads ( you know, that 90 degree phase thing ), it causes the voltage to spike on the secondaries. Many negative regulators could not handle the spike. Second thought. If it is using switchers, make sure you are providing the right AC voltage. Many of the older switchers would actually run on 120V when setup for 220V, for a short time. They would eventually blow in a minute or so. The problem is that with the lower voltage, the switcher would be running too long a duty cycle. This would smoke the transistor because there would either be some overlap or the cores would saturate. In either case, it would blow the supply. Dwight

20 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

Reliable 3.5" DSHD diskettes

by cclist＠sydex.com

I've noticed that what passes for 3.5" blank media nowadays is downright awful. I've got a "work diskette" that's a Verbatim Datalife with a date code of sometime in 1997. Like the Energizer bunny, it just keeps going and going. Newly-purchased media seems to last about 3 months of use, tops. Are there any sources for good reliable NEW media? Cheers, Chuck

20 years, 9 months

9
22
0 0

Discharging a VT100 CRT

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: RE: Discharging a VT100 CRT > From: "Julian Wolfe" <fireflyst at earthlink.net> > Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 16:51:13 -0600 > To: "'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Yep, you know your stuff Allison. C102 and 103 are both 50v caps according >to the schematic. Should I replace them with equivalent electrolytic 100v >caps? I'm not an electrician, but I've built working stuff with a soldering >iron when given the right parts. Perfectly reasonable thing to do. Look for other stressed parts while there. >If I can build this into a better VT100 and not have to open it again for a >good long time, it'll be worth my time and trouble now. I've done a few of them and never seen them fail. Considering that the original lasted typically 2 years at 100% power on you can see it should last. FYI: the original problem was a 50V part in a circuit that had 70+ Volt spikes. Part was simply mis spec'ed. I remember seeing 5 refrigerator (large ones) boxes full of failed boards due to that error. Allison >-----Original Message----- >From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] >On Behalf Of Allison >Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 1:21 PM >To: cctalk at classiccmp.org >Subject: RE: Discharging a VT100 CRT > >> >>Subject: RE: Discharging a VT100 CRT >> From: "Julian Wolfe" <fireflyst at earthlink.net> >> Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 12:43:29 -0600 >> To: "'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'" ><cctalk at classiccmp.org> >> >>Well, you were right. Something did blow on the VT100 video board, and in >a >>bad way. It looks very much like it was that diode you speak of, cause >>there's a huge burnmark on the board at the contact points of the diode. >If >>that's not an "I died" indicator, I don't know what is. >> >>Can anyone tell me what diode to buy to replace it? I'm thinking of >getting >>a replacement video board, and then replacing the diode on that, just in >>case it took something else with it. The whole "y" trace has a brownmark >>around it that the diode was connected to, and that has a big cap next to >>it. > >Check the diode first as often they survive. If it didn't it may be >the 1A 1000V device (1n4007 will work) at CR102. The cap is correct value >(22uf) but about half the required working voltage so it shorts after a >long time. I forget if it was C102 or c103 and the working voltage should >be at least 100V but not more than 160V. or so memory says. > >Allison > > > >

20 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

WTB: DEC VR201 monitor and LK201-AA keyboard

by Useddec＠aol.com

Hi David, I don't have a store, just a LOT of DEC parts. Send me a list of what you need and I'll check on it. I have one of the largest PDP8 selections around. Where are you located? Feel free to call me at 217-586-5361 between 10 AM and 8:30 PM Chicago time. Thanks, Paul

20 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

WTB: DEC VR201 monitor and LK201-AA keyboard

by Useddec＠aol.com

Hi David, I Should have them both in stock, but will have to pull them out and test them. I have two VT or Wt78's in stock, and possible a few Decmates. Maybe even some software. Thanks, Paul

20 years, 10 months

2
1
0 0

SGI....

by pete＠dunnington.plus.com

On Nov 9 2005, 14:22, Sridhar Ayengar wrote: > Zane H. Healy wrote: > > I'd love to get a nice SGI Octane2 or Tezro, but I sure can't justify > > the expense! > Why not get an Onyx2? They've come down in price a lot. I was thinking > of picking one up myself. I suspect it's not the purchase price, but the electrickery costs. Just one module out of my O2K -- which is essentially the same machine as an Onyx2 but without the graphics pipelines -- eats more than a typical PDP in my collection. They make excellent hair driers and space heaters though. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

SGI....

by pete＠dunnington.plus.com

On Nov 9 2005, 17:38, Jules Richardson wrote: > Wow, that's pretty awesome. They did some very cool stuff - I was in the > game too late to see the earlier stuff and only worked with the Origin > 200 / 2000 hardware. At the museum we've gained a 4D/25, pair of > Indigos, various Indys and an Indigo2 - but I'd love to get hold of some > of the larger / older systems. It's not much to show for a company who's > name lots of people have heard of. Hmm... my Origin2000 *might* be looking for a home, and so might one other at York. That would make a 32-CPU 2-rack machine (both have the necessary router boards and I have the Craylink cables) plus some peripherals. Interested? Do you want an O2 or two? There might be some moderately large Challenge machines available too. > Lyle Bickley wrote: > > The largest repository of SGI documentation outside of SGI itself is: > > http://futuretech.blinkenlights.nl/sgi.html > > Initial glance and that looks like a useful resource! It's well known, and I can confirm that Ian is very helpful. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

CP/M Archive

by mokuba＠gmail.com

I've *finally* gotten to putting the stuff online, I just gave up on my ideals of having a pretty design and actually started doing work :) I've got disk images from two systems online now, and more to follow as I find/receive them. http://www.classiccmp.org/cpm/ should work for that

20 years, 10 months

2
1
0 0

Discharging a VT100 CRT

by Useddec＠aol.com

In a message dated 11/9/2005 1:20:38 PM Central Standard Time, fireflyst at earthlink.net writes: Hi, $50, but I think there are two different vendors who made this part for DEC. Thanks, Paul

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

Discharging a VT100 CRT

by Useddec＠aol.com

Hi, I have the logic board, power supply, and what we used to call the "monitor board" in stock. I worked on a lot of these when I worked for Digital. I now deal in DEC parts. Thanks, Paul

20 years, 10 months

2
1
0 0

Discharging a VT100 CRT

by Useddec＠aol.com

Hi Julian, I have a huge inventory of DEC parts, including VT100 parts if you need any. Are you in Illinois? I'm in the Champaign area, and can give you some tech info. Thanks, Paul

20 years, 10 months

4
4
0 0

FPGA VAX update, now DIY TTL computers

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: FPGA VAX update, now DIY TTL computers > From: Paul Koning <pkoning at equallogic.com> > Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 09:58:19 -0500 > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > >>>>>> "Chuck" == Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> writes: > > Chuck> ... the other was a low-voltage tube > Chuck> used in automobile receivers that were specified for 12.6 > Chuck> volts on the plate (e.g. 12AE7 dual triode). These would be > Chuck> coupled with a solid-state driver and power amplifier for a > Chuck> auto radio with no vibrator supply. > > Chuck> ... the second would seem to substantially reduce > Chuck> the power requirements. To anyone's knowledge were either of > Chuck> these two components ever used in digital applications? > >I doubt it for the 12 volt tube case. For car radios they make sense, >for the reasons you gave. (I built a radio for our camper using >those, as a boy scout project. Tubes for the RF/IF stages, a very >early (1971 or so) op amp as AF preamp, and totem pole transistor AF >final amp.) This is somewhat off topic. To directly answer it however... The additional components of the power supply (vibrator or transistor driven) are overhead and high drain even for auto use as efficientcy is at best 80%. 12V plate voltage car radio tubes were a considerable savings in drain by deleting the HV supply. The heater power required for the 12V vs the more usual high voltage cousins is the same or only slightly higher, some cases it was lower depends on the specific tube. the real difference was generating the HV had a standing 10W load that the tubes maybe used less than 70% of. > >But I don't think the electrical parameters were all that good, given >the unusually low anode voltage. And I don't see any reason for the >power consumption to be less. Lower voltage, sure, but the current >may go up in proportion. And the filaments were still the usual, >which accounts for a fair chunk of the power. Correct. The transconductance is lower and the lower max plate current means lower power and overload thresholds. For computers that also translates to slower switching speeds. For AM car radio use it's acceptable but for higher performing radios it really is problematic. The serious limitation for tubes has always been the heat and power >from the filament rather than the heat and power used for functional circuits. Computers suffered using them as heat removal and protecting other components from that heat were the issues. Never minding even with 135A 6.3V filiments used in the subminis say two hundred of them is a mere 27.A @ 6.3V or 162W of power and no small issue with bussing around that kind of power. when you consider they may run at 100V on the plate and maybe 2ma (.2W) and that same 200 (assuming all conducting the same) is only 40W power dissapated. It's the heaters that are at issue. Transistor systems removed the heater power and lowered the per device dissapated power by a typical factor of 5 so 200 transistors were running in the 8-10W range. The latter is important as now heat is less an issue and power distribution simplified. With heat being less an issue more compact and modular systems are easier to design and assemble. After transistors the second evolution in computers was packaging. Allison

20 years, 10 months

5
7
0 0

WTB: DEC VR201 monitor and LK201-AA keyboard

by dbetz＠xlisper.mv.com

Does anyone have a DEC VR201 monitor and/or LK201-AA keyboard they'd like to sell? It would be great if I could find one in the NH/MA area so that I can pick it up. The monitor could be kind of expensive to ship. I need these for a DECmate III+. I don't need the word processing keyboard as I expect to use this machine to run OS/278. Thanks, David Betz

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

FPGA VAX update, now DIY TTL computers

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: FPGA VAX update, now DIY TTL computers > From: "Chuck Guzis" <cclist at sydex.com> > Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 09:46:07 -0800 > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > >On 11/9/2005 at 10:46 AM Allison wrote: > >>The serious limitation for tubes has always been the heat and power >>from the filament rather than the heat and power used for functional >>circuits. > >So whatever happened to tunnel cathodes? It was a very hot topic in the >60's. Not much after that. An idea that came too late in the game. If anything there were more unique designs in the gated beam, sheet beam and segmented cathode (power tubes) that evolved. Allison

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

FPGA VAX update, now DIY TTL computers

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: FPGA VAX update, now DIY TTL computers > From: "Chuck Guzis" <cclist at sydex.com> > Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 09:37:02 -0800 > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > >On 11/9/2005 at 11:49 AM Allison wrote: > >>True for later generations. However CDC6000 was more specialized >>packaging where the PDP6 was a whole lot of flipchips and limited >>specialized packaging. > >Automated wire-wrapping is less expensive than other methods, but doesn't >give one the leve of control that other methods afford. depends on what your trying to control. Costs would be one dimension. ;) >It now seems incredible on what amounts to a 10 MHz mainframe, but wire >length was a big part of the CDC 6600 design puzzle. I recall a friend >telling me that his first assignment on his job at CDC was to take Cray's >6600 prototype and measure each coil of twisted pair to which had been >attached a tag that said "tune" in preparation for actually manufacturing >the thing. Not to confuse propagation delay with with clock rate. It's important as any of those delays could be critical path. However areas like ALU and memory were often the bottleneck. > The old 6000-series taper-pin backplanes were a deep maze of wiring >hanging here and there and the nanosecond-per-foot rule was an important >part of the 6600 design. CDC continued to use taper-pin style backplanes >long after other firms were using machine-wrapped backplanes, mostly, I >suspect because of the ability to optimize propogation delays--and still >retain the use of standardized "cordwood" logic modules. > >Cheers, >Chuck Every manufacturer seems to have their own favorite technology for packaging and interconnecting. Even for packaging there are more generations that appeared. Another example was DCC D112 a TTL PDP-8 but with a very differnt form factor and packaging. It however was not the first. I think it was CDC160(I should check) that helped to start that many years before. Allison

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

MSCP SCSI controller speed

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: MSCP SCSI controller speed > From: Paul Koning <pkoning at equallogic.com> > Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 11:22:02 -0500 > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > > Allison> You need a real time or single user os to get better > Allison> results. Plain old dos might do far better or maybe a > Allison> custom kernal tuned for this use. > >All you need is an application, or OS, that can queue up multiple >transfers. I thought the buffered I/O in Unix would take care of >that. > >Certainly if you do single I/Os and wait for the answer each time, >things will be slow, but the OS isn't really at fault then. > > paul True. However a RT OS has better known and predictable latency. There is also the issue of OS overhead for process control. Another way this could be improved even in the Netbsd case is to implement LRU caching so that when the IO request appears the need to hit the device for a transfer is defered. If the buffer is large the likelyhood of a cache hit is high and the idel time process can be writeback and read ahead. Allison

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

FPGA VAX update, now DIY TTL computers

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: FPGA VAX update, now DIY TTL computers > From: woodelf <bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca> > Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 09:12:28 -0700 > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Allison wrote: > >>After transistors the second evolution in computers was packaging. >> >> >> >No, I think Automatic wire wrapping was the big difference untill the 70's. >Then it was the dip packaging of the transistors in the form of SSI and >MSI. They were later and significant however, Go back and study TX2 (Lincoln labs Clark, Olsen, Best and Mitchell ca1956). Their inovation was packaging into modules of standardized circuit (chips would shrink this) modules and then integrating them into modular subsystems (ALU, memory and IO). There were also logical enhancements on the archetecture level as well. The lessons of the TX2 were applied directly to DEC logic modules that would evolve to FlipChips. Automatic wire wraping and IC were the next and nearly concurrent waves and served to greatly lower cost. By then we were well into the 60s. Allison

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

Ok. I might check ... But is it possible that 2 years of non-use, and never any mechanical change/adjustment can cause this misalignment? Further, I never removed the PCB from the metal front, always removed the whole panel from the chassis (1 screw at each side). And the buttons all worked a week ago, I could enter any number and every number button stroke showed in the display ... so, removing the PCB now is perhaps not the first thing I would do right now. But I will keep it in mind! tnx, - Henk, PA8PDP. > -----Original Message----- > From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org > [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of John Allain > Sent: woensdag 9 november 2005 17:00 > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > Subject: Re: help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour > > > Any input is welcome! > > Don't ignore the possibility that the panel is mechanically > misaligned. > That is, that the keypad isn't causing the keyswitches to be > depressed properly. It just takes ~8 phillips head screws to > find out IIRC. I had two of these panels, one with this > problem that was realignable. > > John A. This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

help - 11/34 console problem -- CNTRL key behaviour

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

I have made a webpage that shows the progress till now (little). It has pictures of the signals seen on the logic analyser. The first part describes the first developments, the last part is sort-of where I am now ... see www.pdp-11.nl/pdp11-34a/cpu/options/m7859/troubleshoot.html Any input is welcome! - Henk, PA8PDP. This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 10 months

2
1
0 0

Bell & Howell (De Grafe Video Presentation)

by leeedavison＠yahoo.co.uk

> with 768 points per line horizontal resolution (no idea of > vertical, but as it's for TV type use I expect in the > region of 500 - 600) 576 for a full frame, 288 per field. Lee. .. ___________________________________________________________ How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos http://uk.photos.yahoo.com

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

Bell & Howell (De Grafe Video Presentation)

by julesrichardsonuk＠yahoo.co.uk

A bit more info's arrived on the De Grafe system resold by Bell and Howell which I mentioned on the list a few weeks back... The machine's circa 1986 and is a large desktop system, comprising main unit, small screen, tablet and keyboard. Cost 21,000 pounds when new. Capable of 4096 colours at 16 transparency levels simultaneously from a palette of 16M (in 1986!), with 768 points per line horizontal resolution (no idea of vertical, but as it's for TV type use I expect in the region of 500 - 600) Capable of real time digitising from four mixable inputs. Genlock capability with RGB input and PAL + NTSC output. It sounds rather awesome - can't wait to get hold of the hardware and see how it's constructed (I wonder if it's totally custom, or based around something like an S100 chassis. Whatever, it must have some serious silicon in there to be able to shunt that much data around at TV quality) cheers Jules

20 years, 10 months

2
1
0 0

VCF questions

by Richard.Cini＠wachovia.com

Not to speak for Sellam or Evan, but the East Coast offshoot of the Vintage Computer Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 13. Unless something has changed since the original announcement email, it is supposed to be held at the InfoAge Learning Center in Wall, N.J. Take a look at http://www.vintage.org. VCF does indeed have a speaker program. I would say that the location of the event in NJ and the "vintageness" of the speaker might make for a nice presentation...but that's just me. Rich -----Original Message----- From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of James Fogg Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 8:59 AM To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts Subject: VCF questions Sorry for my ignorance - Who runs the VCF events? Do they have guest speakers? I ask because I attended a presentation by Doug McIlroy, an early computer pioneer with Bell Labs, and Thompson/Ritchie's manager. He's made significant contributions to both Unix and Multics, among other things and he has some great stories to tell about the early days and the development of Unix. His presentation was focused on personal experiences and the people he's known, but I believe he can also get very technical (he is currently an adjunct professor at Dartmouth). After the presentation I spoke for a time with Doug. He was amazed that there exists a community interested in the preservation and restoration of old computers and their software. I explained a few things about the community and some of their projects and he was interested in the idea of the VCF. He said he'd consider an opportunity to speak at the VCF or similar venues in the North East and Mid Atlantic regions. Would there be an interest in having Doug present, does the VCF have space in their program for speakers? Some info on Doug - http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~doug/biography http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_McIlroy http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~doug/ -James

20 years, 10 months

2
1
0 0

Vax 4000 on VCM needs rescue in Philly

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: Vax 4000 on VCM needs rescue in Philly > From: Sridhar Ayengar <ploopster at gmail.com> > Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 08:29:59 -0500 > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >Curt @ Atari Museum wrote: >> If anyone wants to chip in, I'd be willing to hire NA Vanlines to pickup >> and transport the equipment here to my in Putnam, NY. I would love a >> spare 4K and if anyone would be interested in some of the RA80's we >> could definitely work something out. Let me know. > >I didn't know you were in Putnam. Whereabouts? > >I'm in Poughkeepsie. > Good grief! I'd been in the Putum and Patterson area a couple of times this year to visit friends. It's only 3 hours from here. Allison

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

Nicolet 4094 Digtial Storage Scope?

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: Nicolet 4094 Digtial Storage Scope? > From: "Joe R." <rigdonj at cfl.rr.com> > Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 08:31:14 +0000 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >At 10:29 AM 11/8/05 -0800, Dwight wrote: >>>From: "Joe R." <rigdonj at cfl.rr.com> > FWIW I also found message on the net that indicatd that the probes for >these need more capacitance compensation than most probes provide so a >"standard" set of probes may not work perfectly on it. Some brands of >probes and some older Tektronix probes do have adaquete adjustment and do >work fine. Right now I'm using a set of probes from one of my other scopes >and I don't want to mess with their adjustment so I'm just putting up with >the distortion. I'll find an extra set of probes and try to adjust them and >dedicate them to this scope. > > Joe Probe compensation is a trivial thing and it's nominally done whenever a probe is used with a scope when it's use was unknown. The range of adjustment is usually enough that any proble works with any scope. I've only had rare problems with this and usually with elcheapo probes. Some probes have higher capacitance for example 1x and long cable 10x probes. It's not a bad thing only something to be aware of as SOME circuits and measurements are sensitive to the capacitance and results may vary. Usually it's very high impedence or fast HF designs that are most likely to show this. Allison

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

FPGA VAX update, now DIY TTL computers

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: FPGA VAX update, now DIY TTL computers > From: 9000 VAX <vax9000 at gmail.com> > Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 00:35:00 -0500 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >On 11/8/05, Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> wrote: >> On 11/8/2005 at 5:36 PM woodelf wrote: >> >> > Well everybody likes 12 bits... >> > http://www.cray-cyber.org/hardware/Hardware.php >> > Forget TTL, go tubes! >> >> Wow, now that's ambitious! >> >> Makes me wonder, though. Around the time the transistor was in its >> ascendancy, the vacuum-tube business came up with a couple of innovations. >> One was the nuvistor--an almost transistor-sized tube; and the other was a >> low-voltage tube used in automobile receivers that were specified for 12.6 >> volts on the plate (e.g. 12AE7 dual triode). These would be coupled with a >> solid-state driver and power amplifier for a auto radio with no vibrator >> supply. >> >> The first would seem to make the scale of a digital computer more >> attractive; the second would seem to substantially reduce the power >> requirements. To anyone's knowledge were either of these two components >> ever used in digital applications? > >It is funny that I am a tube fan too. > >The 12.6 volt tubes won't save you any power; On the contrary, they >sucks much more power than normal tubes. Because they need a lot of >current to heat the cathode to emit more electrons; and they have a >positive first grill to 'pull' electrons out from cathode. Space charge tubes llike 12AD6, 12ek6 for automobile radio service. I've run common tubes like 6u8 and 12at7 at 12V on the pate with good results. >Nuvistors are not good to use for homebrew computers either, because >they are expensive. Months ago I saw a board with 10+ nuvistors. I >didn't buy it ($9.99) because I was not small-tube fan. I checked the >second hand price at that time and it was significantly higher than >those sub $1 tubes. Nuvisters were ceramic metal tubes developed for VHF and UHF recieving. They are mostly triode designs though there were tetrodes. I have a reciever I built that uses one for the RF amp and another in an osc. Small, lower noise but there are glass tubes that are similar. Allison

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

Don S. == Don Senzig

by aek＠bitsavers.org

"Don S." is Don Senzig, one of the founding members of the Wisconsin Computer Society, which had its first meeting on a cold Saturday afternoon in January, 1976. AFAIK, there are still monthly meetings, though it is down to a dozen or so folks that have known each other now for over thirty years. I try to make it to them when I'm out there. Don was a close friend, and is missed. He and Dorothy hosted the meetings at their house for many, many years.

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

Nicolet 4094 Digtial Storage Scope?

by dwight＠ca2h0430.amd.com

>From: "Joe R." <rigdonj at cfl.rr.com> > > I went scrounging again last weekend and came home with this. It looks >like this one from an old Ebay auction. ><http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7530644273>. >It has two HH floppy drives and it is DIGITAL storage so it's somewhat on >topic. Does anyone know anything about these? I've figured out some >controls but I don't have a clue what others do. I'm also trying to figure >out how to use the disk storage and recall function. I inserted a 360k >MS-DOS disk and it displays E7 and it also says ERR if I try to store or >recall anything so I don't think it likes that format and it doesn't seem >to be capable of formatting it's own disks. Does anyone have any idea what >format it's looking for? > > Joe > > Hi Joe I've thought about getting one of those. They usually go cheap on ebay. One possible guess is that they use hard sectored disk. I doubt they use any specific OS. If you have a program that has access to the controller chip on your PC, you might try formatting different sector sizes. Of course, it might actually use FM or MFM. It might even be 1.2M. Have you looked at the drives to see what they are intented for? Dwight

20 years, 10 months

2
1
0 0

11/34a issues

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

Hi Julian, Ethan gave a very good description of the BR (4-5-6-7) and the NPR wires. As he mentioned, try getting G7273's, and not just 2. I have 10 of them, and currently (in the 11/34 with problems), I removed all not needed boards in the CPU backplane. Then you need 6 of those G7273 *if* you are not sure in which slot the NPR wire is cut on the backplane. If you are sure that the NPR wire is intact, you can put in a simple G727, but you will find out soon why they are called knockle-busters. So I prefer G7273's. BTW, the NPR wire runs from pin CA1 to pin CB1, so that is position C. The G7273 goes into positions C-D, the small G727 goes into position D. If you need more info, ask. But there are a lot of people on this list that sure know more than I do! I have no experience with a core-based 11/34, but if the core is Ok, that does not matter if it is core-based or DRAM-based memory. One thing though, the core-11/34 has a different power supply brick installed. +20V is my guess, but then again, no experience with core-11/34's. I see from you board description that youi have an M7800 installed in the third slot. I assume that it is the console. You must check (at least) 2 things. 1) the jumpers/DIPswitches. Is it configured for console? 2) check the components near the BERG connector. Do you see 1448/1449? AFAIK, depending short loops on the BERG plug you make an RS-232 or a 20 mA current loop connection ... needless to say that a standard RS-232 connection on a term inal will not work with a 20 mA loop fromn the M7800 ... I have (at home) a note that uses the keypad to get a character on the screen (via the console configured board) and read a character on the 11/34 display when you hit a key on the keyboard of the terminal. It is simple, you should be able to figure it out yourself :-) - Henk, PA8PDP. > -----Original Message----- > From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org > [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Julian Wolfe > Sent: dinsdag 8 november 2005 23:19 > To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts' > Subject: RE: 11/34a issues > > Is there any good way to test the unit piece by piece? > > Also, I noted in the manual, it says BUS ERR only denotes a > bus error on the console, not on the processor, whatever that means. > > I have now confirmed that my grant cards are in correctly > (facing the correct direction). > > When is it exactly that I need a grant card? Do I need them > whenever position D isn't occupied? Or is there a > stipulation to that? > > I'm thoroughly confused. > > Mind you, I have not yet connected a console to it. Maybe > I'll do that tonight. > > Henk (or anyone else) if you can offer further assistance > with this, I'd really appreciate it. > > TIA > Julian > > -----Original Message----- > From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org > [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] > On Behalf Of Gooijen, Henk > Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2005 5:22 AM > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > Subject: RE: 11/34a issues > > Hi Julian, > > you have at least response from the console ... never mind > :-) When you press EXAM (or DEP) the M7859 must do a UNIBUS access. > Grant problems will turn on BUS ERR, so there lies you first > point of interest to check out. > > You say "I get that BUS ERR no matter what I do". > Please tell exactly what "no matter ..." actions are. > > I have no experience with core based 11/34's, so I can not > tell anything more about your board placement. The manual will tell! > However, (not sure), if you have some G7273's, replace the > G727's and put the G7273 in position C-D. > > BTW, I am not sure of "All grant cards are installed where > you could read FLIP CHIP from the processor side". I am not > near my 11/34. If "FLIP CHIP" is in the etch on the side > where the 4 BR contacts are, then they might be installed > wrong in the slot! > AFAIR, it should be like this (seen from above towards the > backplane, I can check that this evening): > > slot X slot 2 slot 1 <[most right] > __ M8265 M8266 > | | position | | | | > | | D | | | | > | | ........... | | | | > | | | | | | > ----> | | | | | | > |_| G727 | | | | > this side | | | | > has the | | | | > contact | | | | > fingers > > - Henk, PA8PDP. > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org > > [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Julian Wolfe > > Sent: donderdag 3 november 2005 10:44 > > To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts' > > Subject: 11/34a issues > > > > Okay, so I FINALLY worked out my BA11-K power supply issues and got > > everything sorted out and installed again. > > > > However, I'm back to where I started when I got this thing (which I > > never got past) - I turn it on, the display comes up at 173536. > > However, whenever I try to EXAM anything, it displays > 000000 and the > > BUS ERR light comes on. > > I can clear, but I get that BUS ERR no matter what I do. I haven't > > got a serial console connected to it yet - I got this info by going > > through the > > 11/34 diagnostics in the manual. > > > > Here's my setup: > > > > BA11-K box > > DD11-PK backplane > > > > UNIBUS layout: > > A B C D E F > > > > M8266 M8266 M8266 M8266 M8266 M8266 1 > > M8265 M8265 M8265 M8265 M8265 M8265 2 > > M9301 M9301 M7800 M7800 M7800 M7800 3 > > H222A H222A H222A H222A H222A H222A 4 > > blank blank blank GRANT blank blank 5 > > H222A H222A H222A H222A H222A H222A 6 > > blank blank blank GRANT blank blank 7 > > M7850 M7850 M7859 M7859 M7859 M7859 8 > > M9302 blank blank GRANT blank blank 9 > > > > I've tried switching some boards around, no help. > > > > All grant cards are installed where you could read FLIP > CHIP from the > > processor side. > > > > I have NO idea what's wrong. Is the memory possibly bad? > > That's the only thing I could think of. > > > > Any help, as always, would be much appreciated. > > > > TIA > > Julian This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

Don Maslin SW collection?

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

Does anyone know what's happened (or supposed to happen) with Don Maslin's SW collection? Joe

20 years, 10 months

6
12
0 0

New HP E2310A LogicDart Probes on eBay

by brother_cadfael＠sbcglobal.net

Someone on this list mentioned that used LogicDart's are often missing the probes. I just saw these on ebay. # 7561285645 HP LogicDart Handheld Logic Analyzer Probes New E2310A Brian

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

VCF 8.0 report (long!)

by news＠computercollector.com

Here's my report on VCF 8 along with updates from the Intel Museum, History San Jose collection, Computer History Museum, new DEC accessories, and more: http://www.snarc.net/c-events.htm#vc8 Sorry, I didn't take any photos. ----------------------------------------- Evan Koblentz's personal homepage: http://www.snarc.net Computer Collector Newsletter: http://news.computercollector.com Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists & Museum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/midatlanticretro/

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

MSCP SCSI controller speed

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: MSCP SCSI controller speed > From: 9000 VAX <vax9000 at gmail.com> > Date: Tue, 08 Nov 2005 10:14:14 -0500 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >On 11/8/05, Tim Shoppa <tshoppa at wmata.com> wrote: >> >From a post I made to the PDP-11 newsgroups in the previous >> millenium: >>... >> Here are the peak data rates measured for read and write 64 >> blocks-at-a-time: >> >> >> Read Write >> ---------- ---------- >> Andromeda SCDC 2.298 MB/s 1.131 MB/s >> CMD CQD440 2.397 MB/s 1.525 MB/s >> CMD CQD220 1.418 MB/s 0.882 MB/s >> CMD CQD220A 2.088 MB/s 1.409 MB/s >> DEC RQZX1 1.379 MB/s 1.097 MB/s >> Viking QDT 0.846 MB/s 0.704 MB/s >> DEC RQDX3 0.164 MB/s 0.161 MB/s >> > >Thank you. After analyzing the Qbus activity diagram I conclude that >my controller won't be fast. There are several reasons. >1. The overhead of 53C90A chip is significant. I may try 53C94/96 later. >2. The ISA DMA is slow for the getpkt(), putpkt(), getdesc() and >putdesc() functions. 80188XL won't be faster. >3. The 80386-16 is slow in executing the MSCP code written in C. >80188XL won't be faster. > >To improve 1, I need a faster SCSI chip, or need to integrate it into >the CPLD. To improve 2, I need a small cache to speed up the DMA, or >need a faster microprocessor. To improve 3, I need a faster >microprocessor, and I may need to rewrite the code in assembly >language. > >So the conclusion is, with the corrent design, the controller won't be >fast. I am reluctant to rewrite it in assembly language because I >don't want to divert too much away from the SIMH code. I may improve >the code to speed it up a little bit, maybe to 400kB/s. I am happy >that it can beat RQDX3. > >vax, 9000 Considering the major Qbus SCSI controllers do not have near the speed of a slow 386 cpu, speed is not the issue. I'd have to look but I think none used anything faster than maybe a 10mhz 68000. While the 53C90 does have large overhead it's also not quite the bottleneck. I would look first at the code. First place I'd peek at is to see what the code overhead is. Also Qbus transfers can be block mode DMA for best speed but watch the length as memory says 4words per block were a maximum to avoid bus timout errors. ISA does not have this problem but it's fairly slow for 8bit moves (1meg Byte/S). As to beating a RQDX thats easy consider that the MFM drives are 5mbits/S range(.625k bytes/S burst) rate and slow seeking combined with no local caching more than a sector or two. Also the CPU was a T-11 at a mere 7.5mhz. I've considered hacking a SCSI controller for Qbus once. The approach on paper was a PCI PC system board with a Adaptec2900 series controller with a parallel adaptor to Qbus. That was focused on building as little hardware as possible becuase the real task was software. The item worked out were software as in PC level code that didn't require a bootable OS (rom resident would be a winner). However the Qbus side was sorted down to a M7941 parallel line unit (PIO) or M7950 (DMA) with a driver based on one of the removable non-MSCP cartridge disks (RK, RL or RM). I quit after realizing that I didn't have a 290x SCSI board nor wished to program PCs. That and someone gave me a CMD SCSI adaptor. ;) Allison

20 years, 10 months

2
1
0 0

Keytronic KB5151jr for PCjr

by mbbrutman＠brutman.com

Does anybody have one of these keyboards? It's a full sized extended keyboard with separate cursor and numeric areas. (Dont' confuse it with the 5150jr, which looks more like a PC keyboard.) I'm interested because there apparently was a bug in the keyboard eprom that caused confusion between the numeric keypad and the cursor keypad. Keytronics shipped a fix, and I'd like to get a clone of the fixed eprom. Mike

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

HP-85B tapes

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

The first thing that you need to do is to check the tape drive wheel and see if it's gummy! If you put a tape in with a gummy wheel you'll ruin it because the gummy material will stick to the tape and then it will be wound up between layers of the tape. Then the next time that you use the tape the gummy material will rip the magnetic media off the tape! Usually they're so far gone that the "rubber" is melting and running. If it's not obviously bad then use your finger or the eraser end of a pencil and press it to see if it's soft. You should not be able to leave a permanent dent in it. If it's soft or runny then don't put a tape in it unless you're willing to ruin it. BTW the old 40Mb tapes for the early tape drives (like the Irwin drives) for PCs will work in those drives. You can find those around the trift stores, surplus stores and hamfests. You can format them on the HP-85 using the INITIALIZE command. Oh! And DEC CompacTapes will work in it too. Joe At 02:20 PM 11/8/05 -0700, you wrote: >Anyone have one or two tapes they'd be willing to part with, or let me >borrow briefly? I've got two of these machines and no tapes to go >with, so I don't have a way to test the drives. > >Contact me off-list if you can help out or suggest a source. > >Thanks. > >- Mike > >

20 years, 10 months

2
1
0 0

MSCP SCSI controller speed

by vax9000＠gmail.com

Hi list, After some non-sleeping nights the QBUS MSCP SCSI controller is now usable except that it is still controlled by the PC. I installed NetBSD 1.5.2 and ran "cp base.tgz /dev/null", and the speed tested was 840KB/s. I am wondering how fast those commercial controllers are. I would appreciate it if those of you who own those boards could let me know. The design goal is to approach the fastest. Thank you. http://www.mscpscsi.com vax, 9000

20 years, 10 months

4
3
0 0

11/34a issues

by henk.gooijen＠oce.com

Hi Julian, you have at least response from the console ... never mind :-) When you press EXAM (or DEP) the M7859 must do a UNIBUS access. Grant problems will turn on BUS ERR, so there lies you first point of interest to check out. You say "I get that BUS ERR no matter what I do". Please tell exactly what "no matter ..." actions are. I have no experience with core based 11/34's, so I can not tell anything more about your board placement. The manual will tell! However, (not sure), if you have some G7273's, replace the G727's and put the G7273 in position C-D. BTW, I am not sure of "All grant cards are installed where you could read FLIP CHIP from the processor side". I am not near my 11/34. If "FLIP CHIP" is in the etch on the side where the 4 BR contacts are, then they might be installed wrong in the slot! AFAIR, it should be like this (seen from above towards the backplane, I can check that this evening): slot X slot 2 slot 1 <[most right] __ M8265 M8266 | | position | | | | | | D | | | | | | ........... | | | | | | | | | | ----> | | | | | | |_| G727 | | | | this side | | | | has the | | | | contact | | | | fingers - Henk, PA8PDP. > -----Original Message----- > From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org > [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Julian Wolfe > Sent: donderdag 3 november 2005 10:44 > To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts' > Subject: 11/34a issues > > Okay, so I FINALLY worked out my BA11-K power supply issues > and got everything sorted out and installed again. > > However, I'm back to where I started when I got this thing > (which I never got past) - I turn it on, the display comes up > at 173536. However, whenever I try to EXAM anything, it > displays 000000 and the BUS ERR light comes on. > I can clear, but I get that BUS ERR no matter what I do. I > haven't got a serial console connected to it yet - I got this > info by going through the > 11/34 diagnostics in the manual. > > Here's my setup: > > BA11-K box > DD11-PK backplane > > UNIBUS layout: > A B C D E F > > M8266 M8266 M8266 M8266 M8266 M8266 1 > M8265 M8265 M8265 M8265 M8265 M8265 2 > M9301 M9301 M7800 M7800 M7800 M7800 3 > H222A H222A H222A H222A H222A H222A 4 > blank blank blank GRANT blank blank 5 > H222A H222A H222A H222A H222A H222A 6 > blank blank blank GRANT blank blank 7 > M7850 M7850 M7859 M7859 M7859 M7859 8 > M9302 blank blank GRANT blank blank 9 > > I've tried switching some boards around, no help. > > All grant cards are installed where you could read FLIP CHIP > from the processor side. > > I have NO idea what's wrong. Is the memory possibly bad? > That's the only thing I could think of. > > Any help, as always, would be much appreciated. > > TIA > Julian This message and attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or agent thereof responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and with a "reply" message. Thank you for your cooperation.

20 years, 10 months

3
2
0 0

PDP11/73 bootstrap ROMs

by gordonjcp＠gjcp.net

Well, I've run into an interesting problem with my PDP11/73. One of the boot ROMs (the low byte) has gone phut - just reads back 0377 at all addresses. I've proved it's the ROM that's at fault. Is there a particular "favourite" boot ROM for the PDP11? I'm not sure quite what mine was - it is used with a Baydel multifunction card (LTC, console SLU and boot) and displayed a "COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE" logo (the machine originally came from Aberdeen College of Agriculture), and had the option to boot a few different devices, including RL02, RX02 and MSCP. I can get it to boot by typing in a loader in octal, after hitting BREAK. Gordon.

20 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

HP-85B tapes

by mmaginnis＠gmail.com

Anyone have one or two tapes they'd be willing to part with, or let me borrow briefly? I've got two of these machines and no tapes to go with, so I don't have a way to test the drives. Contact me off-list if you can help out or suggest a source. Thanks. - Mike

20 years, 10 months

1
0
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