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

DEC 11/45 build - advice sought, parts requested possibly.

by aek＠bitsavers.org

> 1) How unobtanium are the parts necessary to bolt the two H960 racks > together? IIRC, it's just 8 nuts and bolts. Or at least that's what I used to fix the 2 racks of my 11/45 system together. -- There are supposed to be two black filler strips, orig metal and later of plastic, roughly .5" x 2 " x 6 ft between each rack. The one that goes on the front has a slot to allow space for the magenta/wild rose top panels.

21 years, 1 month

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Replace roller rubber on HP 9825 tape drive

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk > >> >> On Thu, 7 Jul 2005, Dwight K. Elvey wrote: >> >> > I'm not sure how it works. The 10% number is not even >> > close. It is more like 0.5% or so. It does take up slack >> > over time. I think it has to do with the stretch of the >> > belt. There is more tention on one spool than the other, >> > making one side move a little faster than the other. >> > The one spool getting the more stretched belt would tend >> > to move a little faster than the side without stretch on >> > it since it would see more effective belt movement. >> >> I would think that the faster spindle has a smaller diameter than the >> slower one. > >Yes, but remember the belt drives the outide of the tape on the 2 spools. >Yes, the smaller spindle will turn quicker (more revs per second), but >to tension the tape you need to move the tape faster (more inches per >second) on the takeup side. And I still don't see why this happens. > >-tony > Hi Tony I'm proposing an experiment for you since I know that you are the type that would actually try it. Get two pulley or spools ( like from thread ) that are the same diameter. Place these on shafts that give you a few inches between outer edges. Get a rubber band that is large enough to go around the two spools, with some tension. Mark the spools with an arrow so that you can see how fast each rotates. For convenience, spools should be left and right. Now place a little drag on the left spool while pulling the rubber band from the lower span of the rubber band, towards the left. This would correspond to how the tapes are in the cassette. Although, the spools are the same size, I've only done this so that the surface speeds of the spools would match if a rigid belt were used, similar to the tape surfaces. As you pull the rubber band, you'll notice that the right spool rotates noticeably faster than the left spool, even though the rubber band is not slipping on the left spool. This demonstrates the principle of the way the cassette works ( or at least should ). I do hope you try it. Dwight

21 years, 1 month

2
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cctech Digest, Vol 23, Issue 16

by mross666＠hotmail.com

Subject: Re: Take My Warehouse, Please! >At 12:01 PM 7/8/2005, Vintage Computer Festival wrote: > >And here are photos so you can see what you're up against: > > > >http://www.siconic.com/crap/Warehouse/ > >Ah, thank you. I will rub these pictures like cool smooth stones >against my temples when I need to reassure myself that >"I may think I have a lot of junk, but at least I'm not as crazy as Xxxx." I have to say, I thought that was a piss-poor collection. Seriously unimpressed. A warehouse full of 'stuff', but there wasn't a single machine that I couldn't *pick up*... :-) Mike http://www.corestore.org

21 years, 1 month

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DEC VR319 anyone ?

by birs23＠zeelandnet.nl

Is anyone here interested in a DEC VR319 for free to pickup or postage ? Otherwise it'll go into the dumpster. Stefan. ------------------------------------------------------- http://www.oldcomputercollection.com

21 years, 1 month

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DEC 11/45 build - advice sought, parts requested possibly.

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

Ok, so I have a working processor, and a basement full of peripherals. I'm not sure which way to go with the rest of the build. I'm not really up on DEC stuff I admit, so maybe others here can offer me some advice as to what is the best way to proceed. Background: My 11/45 (11/45-CA actually) has the KB11-A processor, no FP. It's the older style with the power distribution board on the back wall of the cpu cabinet rather than on top. However, it's also got the newer 861A power control in the bottom rather than the dual 860's in the top. There is the two H742A's as well. I have one system unit installed - MF-11L in which is installed 8K of core. In the cpu backplane there are three unibus slots which I believe will take three quad? (C-F) boards. A&B in two of those slots are used for the unibus A to unibus B jumper, and A&B of the last slot is the connector to A&B of the MF-11L. The MF-11L has a 9312 in the last A&B slot. The SPC? boards currently installed are two DL11's and a M7228. The ONLY board in slot one is a 930C terminator in A&B. I have no MMU, so slot 13 is empty and slot 14 has the M8116. Separately, I have a lot of peripherals to choose from. Scads of RL02's, DSD440, LincTape II, RX01's, RX02's, RA81's, etc. I also have a BA11-KU with a DD11-DK backplane in it. Problem: The unibus space on the cpu backplane is quite limited. At the VERY least I have to keep one of the DL11's there, so that leaves me with two more unibus slots for peripherals. I *THINK* that that standard controller for an RX02 or RL02 takes all 6 rows (Hex cards?). However, the DSD440 controller only takes slots C-F (quad?). The linctape II controller also only takes C-F. So, I think I could have a reasonable system by putting the DSD440 controller, LincTape controller, and a DL11 and be done with it. However, I then am limited to using core memory in the MF11. At the very best, I can get... what... 32K in a MF11? I think I can get the additional core boards. But correct me if I'm wrong but isn't sticking with core (max 32K) going to make my operating system choices extremely limited? I'm guessing I can't run RSTS or Unix on it with that kinda memory. vtserver I think requires a full load of 128KW. On top of it all, the DSD440 takes most of the rack depth, as does an RL02, so I've been advised against mounting anything above the /45 except maybe the linctape. Possible solutions: 1) I just got a M7891 (64KW) off Ebay. I could yank out the MF-11L system unit, yank out the DD11-DK from the spare BA11, and install the DD11 in the cpu cabinet. I'd use the unibus memory M7891, ditch the core, and have a fair number of slots left over in the DD11. However, there's problems with this approach. I'd still be mounting stuff above the /45 (DSD440 & Linctape at the least), and maybe an RL02. In other words, this would fix the memory and unibus slot availability, but I believe I'd still be restricting the airflow/cooling too much :\ Plus I'd need to find some of those rare Mate & Lock connectors to get the DD11 into the /45 cabinet and do some power harness building. I guess I might need one or more regulators for this approach as well. Then I'd have to find/buy a KT11-C to USE the M7891 I think.... I'm probably talking about unobtanium stuff aren't I :| 2) Take another H960 rack, bolt it to the 11/45 rack, and install the entire extra BA11 in there. Now it's a dual bay system, but I could use core still if I wanted, and I think also use the M7891 in the BA11. Then I'd have room in the 2nd rack for the peripherals. However, I'd really like to keep this in a single bay rack :\ I'm sure there's other solutions. Can someone advise me on what is likely to be the best route to go? I don't want this to be a really huge /45 setup. I'd like to run RT11 v5 with TSX+ on it. Temporarily, I'd also like to try loading up RSTS and some form of Unix. Thoughts anyone? Jay West

21 years, 1 month

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Programming Language Inventor or Serial Killer?

by dieymir＠yahoo.es

> > Message: 9 > Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2005 09:03:05 -0700 (PDT) > From: Vintage Computer Festival <vcf at siconic.com> > Subject: Programming Language Inventor or Serial Killer? > To: Classic Computers Mailing List <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.33.0507070902470.26539-100000 at siconic.com> > Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII > > > http://www.malevole.com/mv/misc/killerquiz/ > > -- > > Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer > Festival > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 10 > Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2005 09:15:02 -0700 (PDT) > From: Cameron Kaiser <spectre at floodgap.com> > Subject: Re: Programming Language Inventor or Serial Killer? > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > Message-ID: <200507071615.JAA16098 at floodgap.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII > > > http://www.malevole.com/mv/misc/killerquiz/ > > w00t, I got 7/10! Ha ha! I will slaughter you all, I mean, I did > well. > > LOL I got 9/10. I though that John W. Mauchly was a serial killer... ______________________________________________ Renovamos el Correo Yahoo! Nuevos servicios, m?s seguridad http://correo.yahoo.es

21 years, 1 month

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Wildly OT

by vcf＠siconic.com

Just off-hand, does anyone in London know what's at 75 Tottenham Court Road? I'm playing with one of those silly little cashier's check scammers and that's the address he gave me. He's sending his "check" to the White House. Heheh :) -- Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org [ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage Computers ] [ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at http://marketplace.vintage.org ]

21 years, 1 month

2
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DEC RDxx drives (compatability)?

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

I came across a large pile of Micropolis 1558 ESDI drives today. No clue what the owner wants for them. I was wondering if these might be compatible with an 11/23's RQDX3 controller? Jay

21 years, 1 month

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Latindata computers?

by florit＠gmail.com

This is a shot in the dark, but I figure here is a good place to start. In the 1983-1985 time frame, my father had an accounting firm in Argentina, Buenos Aires. He had bought an Osborne 1 and got it hooked up to an old black and white tv that had been converted to monitor usage, and used it for processing invoices. I learned how to play with CP/M and some Basic programming in the evenings when I was 10-12 years old with that Osborne. After a while, he acquired a second computer to offload some of the printing tasks (no printer buffer back then, which would cause the computer to wait a long time while printing hundreds of invoices- he did get a printer buffer at some point to speed things up). I played with this other computer for a bit; 12" green screen, and I recall it being called a Latindata. I am sure the Osborne 1 programs did not run on it, but *I believe* it ran some version of CP/M. I remember modifying a config file for a game called 'Viborita' [little snake in spanish] and changing the sprite characters for the items in the game. Viborita is your typical snake eating asterisk objects while steering the snake around without eating itself or hitting a wall. Has anyone heard of the Latindata brand and have any history on it/them? I'm curious to find out a bit more of them. Old-computers.com doesn't seem to have any entries on it. Kind regards, Louis -- Louis Florit AIM: lflorit MSN:louis_florit at hotmail.com Y!: indygolunaria

21 years, 1 month

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HP 7980SR option question?

by aek＠bitsavers.org

the 800bpi option is option "-800"

21 years, 1 month

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New addition to the family.

by pat＠computer-refuge.org

I realize that it's a couple years shy of the 10-year rule, but I figure that the "coolness" factor of the machine makes up for it. So, I moved my new Gen 5 S/390 into my garage (and my non-working Gen3 out...long story) last night. Pics and details of the find: http://www.computer-refuge.org/compcollect/ibm/s390/ All I can say it "w00t"! :) Pat -- Purdue University Research Computing --- http://www.rcac.purdue.edu/ The Computer Refuge --- http://computer-refuge.org

21 years, 1 month

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50 Hz Shugart SA-851s...

by wh.sudbrink＠verizon.net

In the process of getting Dave Dunfield a door button for his Seimens 8 incher, I went through my whole stack of 8 inch drives and parts. I "found" a couple of SA-851s that, while the serial number plate says they are 115 volt, 60 Hz, are in fact built with the 50Hz drive pulley. You can put them next to a "normal" SA-851 and see that the pulley is a different size and I just confirmed it by putting a diskette in one, powering it up, putting a scope on the index signal and seeing that (on 60 Hz power) it is turning at 432 RPM a 20 percent increase over the 360 rpm it should be turning at. Other than that little problem, the drives seem to mostly function, that is, they seek, report track zero, etc. They appear to have seen very little use (probably because they don't fully work). Anyway, they weigh a ton (like most 8 inch drives) but is there anyone within reasonable shipping charges of Washington, DC that could use them and would want to work out a trade? Alternatively, it just occurred to me that maybe I could just exchange pulley wheels with someone? Bill S.

21 years, 1 month

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DEC 11/45 build - advice sought, parts requested possibly.

by aek＠bitsavers.org

You will need a KT11-C if you don't have one to adr anything over 60kb.

21 years, 1 month

2
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HP 7980SR option question?

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

I've located a 7980SR in excellent condition. I do recall my days of selling HP that the S meant SCSI and the R meant refurbished. However, this one has a tag stating it includes options -100 and -200. I do not have sufficient memory to know what those options were, and I don't believe I have my HP config/sales guides from that era :\ Does anyone know what options -100 and -200 are for the 7980S drives? If one of them is 800bpi option, I'm gonna snag the thing! (otherwise I'll pass). Jay

21 years, 1 month

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cctech Digest, Vol 23, Issue 14

by hatfield＠bellsouth.net

> Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2005 12:11:20 -0500 > From: Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks at gmail.com> > Subject: Re: Time to change the Subject Line! Re: E-bay complaints > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <f4eb766f050707101117645204 at mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > On 7/7/05, Vintage Computer Festival <vcf at siconic.com> wrote: >> On Thu, 7 Jul 2005, Ethan Dicks wrote: >> > Isn't there a list member who... passed up an Apple I... >> >> That was me. > > Ow! > > -ethan Still have mine!! Even got my name in the index to the Apple I Replica book... Fred. hatfield at bellsouth.net

21 years, 1 month

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50 Hz Shugart SA-851s...

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

Hi Bill When I was helping a friend bring up a MDS800 system, years ago, the only cheap drives we could find were the ones for the 50Hz ( surplus ). We just took a file to the motor spindle and ground it down until is was the right speed. Do note that you need to keep a little crown on the pulley to keep the belt centered. I do think that the belts are slightly different. As I recall we also had to elongate the mounting holes for the motor to keep the belt tight. It may be that the flywheel pulley is slightly different to use the same belt size but I'd think a different belt makes more sense. We didn't have a 60Hz drive to compare to at the time. Dwight >From: "Bill Sudbrink" <wh.sudbrink at verizon.net> > >In the process of getting Dave Dunfield a door button for >his Seimens 8 incher, I went through my whole stack of 8 >inch drives and parts. I "found" a couple of SA-851s that, >while the serial number plate says they are 115 volt, 60 Hz, >are in fact built with the 50Hz drive pulley. You can put >them next to a "normal" SA-851 and see that the pulley is a >different size and I just confirmed it by putting a diskette >in one, powering it up, putting a scope on the index signal >and seeing that (on 60 Hz power) it is turning at 432 RPM a >20 percent increase over the 360 rpm it should be turning at. >Other than that little problem, the drives seem to mostly >function, that is, they seek, report track zero, etc. They >appear to have seen very little use (probably because they >don't fully work). Anyway, they weigh a ton (like most 8 >inch drives) but is there anyone within reasonable shipping >charges of Washington, DC that could use them and would want >to work out a trade? Alternatively, it just occurred to me >that maybe I could just exchange pulley wheels with someone? > >Bill S. > >

21 years, 1 month

2
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Xebec S1410 bridge board

by julesrichardsonuk＠yahoo.co.uk

Anyone have a later manual than mine, which only covers up to revision E of the firmware? All the actual boards I have are revision F or G, and it'd be nice to know if anything drastic changed in terms of programming... ta Jules

21 years, 1 month

1
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Replace roller rubber on HP 9825 tape drive

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Vintage Computer Festival" <vcf at siconic.com> > >On Thu, 7 Jul 2005, Dwight K. Elvey wrote: > >> I'm not sure how it works. The 10% number is not even >> close. It is more like 0.5% or so. It does take up slack >> over time. I think it has to do with the stretch of the >> belt. There is more tention on one spool than the other, >> making one side move a little faster than the other. >> The one spool getting the more stretched belt would tend >> to move a little faster than the side without stretch on >> it since it would see more effective belt movement. > >I would think that the faster spindle has a smaller diameter than the >slower one. > Hi The belt drives over the surface of the tape so the tape speed is independent of the spindle speed ( as Tony mentioned ). The smaller spindle would revolve faster but that doesn't explain how it maintains tension. As Tony said, the belt runs over the surface of the tape at both spools. If every thing was equal, the tape would never have any tension on it and any slack would never be taken up. As one knows that has taken one apart, the belt is a little elastic and is stretched on. The place that the belt is stretched the most when moving would need to have a higher surface speed ( kind of like the Bernoulli principle ). This would cause that spool to turn a little faster than it would if the belt were non-elastic. Of course, the end of the belt that is close to the drive would have the most tension and that spool should have a tape speed slightly greater than the other spool until the tension of the tape brought the other spool to the same amount of stretch on the belt. It seems like I remember something about holding some tension on the tape when I was taking up the slack. As I recall, it seemed counter intuitive at the time but thinking about how the belt speed up the take-up spool, it makes sense. Joe, the next time you have to take up slack, maintain a little tension on the feeding spool and you should notice an increase in the rate that the take-up spool pulls the slack in. Dwight

21 years, 1 month

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[hercules-390] Vintage IBM Mainframe Stuff

by jwstephens＠msm.umr.edu

Roy Carlson is the seller. I recently purchased a service device for DASD, and Storage Directors, which reads 8" floppies, which was much more in line with collector prices. The prices he is asking for the drek is in line with curio and display junk listings, not for vintage computer groups. That market will pay a lot just for punch cards, and such, just to frame and hang on the wall. He has a nice set of Telex manuals at the end of the listing which I hope maybe Al Kossow gets for Bitsavers, as an example of how the vintage and old computer stuff he sells is. He is just trying to clear out the end result of a repair and refurb business, he is as far as I know, not one of the gold scrap assassins, but is actually very knowlegable about the systems, etc. I rated my transaction for the tester, and then before that for a 3420 test stunt box to be excellent. BTW, he has a lot of 3420 parts he hasn't listed and may be forced to dump if there are 3420 owners out there. Light bulbs and plastic tubing, and cables and belts don't sell well for curios, they look just about like the ones on fans and cars... Jim Gary Green wrote: > At least if the items are overpriced, and the shipping is actual, or > real > close, you know what you're getting into before you bid. > > I've been looking for an older 1U rack-mount machine. I've found a > number > of units for a reasonable price, considering most of it is 6-8 years > old. > However, the shipping charges are about 2-3 times what they should > be. So, > I wait. :( > > > > > http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZredwooddr > > > > > > The usual yada, yada, yada; no interest, no affiliation, etc... > > I bought my 9348 tape drive from him a few years ago. No big problem, > though > the picture in the listing was of another, less banged-up drive. It > arrived, > it works, and the shipping charge was only the actual Fedex cost - no > "packaging and handling" markup that so many eBay sellers like to > apply. > However many of his current items do look severely overpriced to me. > > Tony H.

21 years, 1 month

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Intercept (6100) PDP-8 compatibility?

by tomj＠wps.com

I know the base instruction set is right but I'm fairly sure the IO structure is radically different, but -- What peripgherals and OS software is available for, or runs on, the Intercept? (Not the Jr board, the rack-mount job). I'm thinking it might make a comfortably modern old machine...

21 years, 1 month

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Cables, part II

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

bit rushed on the first post, it seems. 1 ERGO (Tektronix X-terminal cable) 1 DECstation/VAXstation 3100/x SCSI -> Centronics 50 Of course, trades will be considered, but if not they are available for shipping+a bit for bother. Seattle area. Scott Quinn

21 years, 1 month

1
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Replace roller rubber on HP 9825 tape drive

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk > >> >> The really ingenous part is that the belt attempts to rotate the take up >> spool about 10% faster then the other spool. That's what tightens up the >> tape if it ever gets slack. > >How does that work? All points on the belt move with the same speed, the >belt drives the outside of the 2 spools, so the surface speed of the >spools must be the same. That's the tape speed. I don't see how it can >move the tape faster on the takeup side. > >-tony > Hi I'm not sure how it works. The 10% number is not even close. It is more like 0.5% or so. It does take up slack over time. I think it has to do with the stretch of the belt. There is more tention on one spool than the other, making one side move a little faster than the other. The one spool getting the more stretched belt would tend to move a little faster than the side without stretch on it since it would see more effective belt movement. Dwight

21 years, 1 month

3
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B20, was Re: B1000

by marvin＠rain.org

Yes, I still have Docs and software (BTOS?) for the B20 machine. I also have the CPU and HD modules along with the monitor with at least one power supply. The HD module died (it uses a Seagate ST-225 HD) when I accidentally shorted something out. If the schematics are available (preferably online), I would love to get a copy! Al, I have a friend of mine coming down from Pleasanton on Saturday, July 16, and I could give the stuff to him to bring up your way. IIRC, there is probably between one and two bankers box full of docs and software. >> Alan Perry Wrote: > Al Kossow Wrote: > > I have a bunch of Burroughs B20 workstations > > Aren't these rebadged Convergent NGENs ? > > Marvin Johnson has a bunch of docs on these. I didn't realize how sophisticated the > OS was on these, probably should see about getting the docs scanned, if he still has > the stuff.

21 years, 1 month

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Replace roller rubber on HP 9825 tape drive

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Joe R." <rigdonj at cfl.rr.com> > >At 11:59 AM 7/7/05 -0700, Dwight wrote: >>>From: "Joe R." <rigdonj at cfl.rr.com> >>> >>>At 12:10 AM 7/7/05 +0100, you wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Well, I finally got around to attempting to re-spool this stupidly >>>>> designed tape. >>>> >>>>It's actually avery ingenious design (it's the same design, basically, as >>>>QIC tape cartridges). Remember you want a constant tape speed past the >>>>head. By driving the outside of the tape spools at a constant speed >>>>(that's what the belt and drive puck do), rather than turning the spools >>>>themselves by their axles, that's exactly what you get. It avoids the >>>>capstan, pinch roller, slipping clutches, etc, used in audio tape and >>>>cassette recorders. >>> >>> The really ingenous part is that the belt attempts to rotate the take up >>>spool about 10% faster then the other spool. That's what tightens up the >>>tape if it ever gets slack. >>> >>> >>>> >>>>> >>>>> Your description sounds like a different tape than what I was dealing >>>>> with. The tape did not come off of either spool but was instead attached >>>>> onto both spools. > > That really wouldn't make any difference as long as the drive stops when >it sees the BOT/EOT hole and doesn't run the tape off the spool. > >>>> >>>>THere were several designs, sure... >>>> >>>>> >>>>> At any rate, the stupid tensioning belt (whatever its called) broke on >me. >>>>> Oh well, fuck that tape. I'll try to read it anyway (is the tensioning >>>>> belt necessary?) I also noticed numerous spots on the the tape where the >>>> >>>>Of course the belt is necessary. It's how the tape is driven. You can >>>>borrow one from another tape cartridge. >>> >>> Good luck! I could never replace a belt and make it work :=/ >> >>Hi Joe >> I have but I'll admit it was not easy. It is real easy to get >>the tape mangled. I've also repaired the roller at the corners >>on one. >> I don't know how it is done at the factory but they must have >>a special jig to get it all done right. > > Oh, I've gotten them back together (but you need about six hands to do >it)! But even though they're back together exactly like an original they >would never tighten up the slack. They'd run (till the slack got caught and >wrapped under the tape on the take-up spool) but simply never take the >slack out of the tape. Perhaps if I could run them at a slow speed the >slack would eventually work it self out without getting caught and they'd >be ok. But to tell the truth I've never had much luck with tape drives and >I dispise the things! > > Joe Hi Joe I had a trick to get the slack out but it was a long time ago and I've forgotten. I think I just ran is slowly by hand and it took the slack up but I just don't recall. Getting all the pins lined up at the same time was more of an issue. Like you said, it takes six or so hands. I was wondering if one completely unwound it onto a single spool that one could get it to take up the slack by threading it through on its own? It seems like they must have done something like this when they assembled them the first time. The design is such that it always pulls slightly more on the takeup reel. It isn't much but enough to take up the slack if it is only a little. Dwight

21 years, 1 month

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Programming Language Inventor or Serial Killer?

by vcf＠siconic.com

http://www.malevole.com/mv/misc/killerquiz/ -- Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org [ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage Computers ] [ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at http://marketplace.vintage.org ]

21 years, 1 month

5
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FAQ?

by julesrichardsonuk＠yahoo.co.uk

Where's the online FAQ that contains useful contributions by individuals? I've gone and lost the address and it doesn't seem to be reachable via www.classiccmp.org :-( ta J.

21 years, 1 month

4
4
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Commodore 64, Commodore 64sx enthusiasts?

by computer＠officereach.net

I'm in possession of a mighty fine collection of commodore equipment that I will be finishing the restoration stuff on (you know, replacing some broken keys, etc.) and one mighty fine Commodore64sx "Portable"; is there anyone on here who has a particular fondness for commodore equipment?

21 years, 1 month

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PDP-11/23+ and rx-02 drives, need help!!!

by g-wright＠att.net

Hi, I'm trying to get one of my 11-23's going and finally got around to setting up a TU58 emulator. got it to boot RT-11 and now trying to get a RX-02 working. I have 3 controllers and 3 sets of RX-02's. All do the same thing. The just seems to not be able to find track 1 or Home or ??? The heads just keep going from home to maybe the first tack and back. The heads do load and the system tries quit a few times then pauses and tries again. It then errors on drive failure or read error directory not found, size function failed depends what I ask it to do. I have tried all of the boards and drives. all or them seem to do the same thing. I do not know how good the drives are but can't believe there all bad. I have recheck the switches in the RX-02 and the Jumpers on the cards. Cleaned the drives. tried different disks. Is there some kind of compatibility issue that i do not know about. Or do I have 6 dead drives. The system is a Micro PDP 11, 8 slot Rack mount, with 1 M8189 1123+ 1 M8067 KB 256k Memory 1 M8639 YA MFM rx50 controller 1 M8029 RX-02 controller in this order. Everything else seems to work. I added the floppy card but the rest original. Thanks, Jerry Jerry Wright JLC inc.

21 years, 1 month

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WOW!!!! $15k DEC PDP-8 CLASSIC MINICOMPUTER SYSTEM DIGITAL PDP8

by bqt＠Update.UU.SE

On Wed, 6 Jul 2005 William Donzelli <aw288 at osfn.org> wrote: > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" > <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.4.20.0507062219110.19631-100000 at osfn.org> > Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII > > > Even where IBM cards of that era used 'commodity' components, they were > > usually completely house-marked and impossible for a mere mortal to > > figure out. This goes all the way down to resistor networks and > > resistors/capacitors (except those few that have color-code bands.) > > Unless you get the cross reference... > > For the pre-1978 (or so) machines, you can pretty much debug down to the > chip level. With the right Blue Binders, pretty much every last part is > detailed to a silly extent. WAY more detailed than DEC docs. I don't see how anything could be more documented than having the complete engineering drawings of the whole machine. And that's what you normally got on old DEC machines. That's what I have of the PDP-11/70. Full drawings of every curcuit in the machine. And then I have all the technical manuals for all subsystems that document things in a more text-like manner as well. But as usual: when in doubt, the drawings are the definitive authority. Johnny Johnny Billquist || "I'm on a bus || on a psychedelic trip email: bqt at update.uu.se || Reading murder books pdp is alive! || tryin' to stay hip" - B. Idol

21 years, 1 month

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Replace roller rubber on HP 9825 tape drive

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Joe R." <rigdonj at cfl.rr.com> > >At 12:10 AM 7/7/05 +0100, you wrote: >>> >>> Well, I finally got around to attempting to re-spool this stupidly >>> designed tape. >> >>It's actually avery ingenious design (it's the same design, basically, as >>QIC tape cartridges). Remember you want a constant tape speed past the >>head. By driving the outside of the tape spools at a constant speed >>(that's what the belt and drive puck do), rather than turning the spools >>themselves by their axles, that's exactly what you get. It avoids the >>capstan, pinch roller, slipping clutches, etc, used in audio tape and >>cassette recorders. > > The really ingenous part is that the belt attempts to rotate the take up >spool about 10% faster then the other spool. That's what tightens up the >tape if it ever gets slack. > > >> >>> >>> Your description sounds like a different tape than what I was dealing >>> with. The tape did not come off of either spool but was instead attached >>> onto both spools. >> >>THere were several designs, sure... >> >>> >>> At any rate, the stupid tensioning belt (whatever its called) broke on me. >>> Oh well, fuck that tape. I'll try to read it anyway (is the tensioning >>> belt necessary?) I also noticed numerous spots on the the tape where the >> >>Of course the belt is necessary. It's how the tape is driven. You can >>borrow one from another tape cartridge. > > Good luck! I could never replace a belt and make it work :=/ Hi Joe I have but I'll admit it was not easy. It is real easy to get the tape mangled. I've also repaired the roller at the corners on one. I don't know how it is done at the factory but they must have a special jig to get it all done right. Dwight ---snip---

21 years, 1 month

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source of blank 82S123s?

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

Hi I doubt that the SuperElf requires high speed as needed by the HP. For the SuperElf, I'd suspect that EPROMs would be fine. Dwight >From: "Joe R." <rigdonj at cfl.rr.com> > >At 08:44 PM 7/6/05 -0700, you wrote: >> Very hard to find in anything less than large (and very expensive) >quantities. >> >> It may not be original equipment, but you could probably cobble up an >adapter to let a UV-EPROM replace the OTP PROM device. > > Er, no. EPROMs won't work. These are the same Bi-Polar PROMs used in the >HP 1000s and I thought of trying to use EPROMS too but EPROMS are too large >and much too slow and have an entirely different pinout. I'm also finding >that the PDP-8s use the same (or VERY similar) BiPolar PROMs. > > Perhaps we should consider a group purchase of a batch of blank BiPolar >PROMS? > > Joe > > > >> >> Happy hunting. >> >>*********** REPLY SEPARATOR *********** >> >>On 06-Jul-05 at 14:58 Ethan Dicks wrote: >> >>>I'm in search of a couple of blank 82S123s for my recently-aquired >>>SuperElf boards. Who still carries such things? >>> >>>Googling on 'blank 82s123' did not turn up anything promising. >>> >>>Thanks, >>> >>>-ethan >> >> >>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- >>Bruce Lane, Owner & Head Hardware Heavy, >>Blue Feather Technologies -- http://www.bluefeathertech.com >>kyrrin (at) bluefeathertech do/t c=o=m >>"If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped with >surreal ports?" >> >> >> > >

21 years, 1 month

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B1000

by aek＠bitsavers.org

Alan Perry Wrote: > I have been looking for a Burroughs B1000 machine for maybe seven years. Have you ever posted this fact to the list? Two years ago, I made a cross-country trip, and one of the stops was to one of the last people who was doing third party service on 19xx's in Louisville. I took all of the maint docs, some of the packs and all of the boards from a 19xx because they were cleaning out a storage unit. I had several more stops to make, and had no room for the complete 1900 that he had. The 1900 CHM has came from a hospital in Kentucky and was picked up by someone who was interested in the machine and drove there and back to pick it up. > I have a bunch of Burroughs B20 workstations Aren't these rebadged Convergent NGENs ? Marvin Johnson has a bunch of docs on these. I didn't realize how sophisticated the OS was on these, probably should see about getting the docs scanned, if he still has the stuff.

21 years, 1 month

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E-bay complaints

by marvin＠rain.org

What I don't understand is why most people don't take a look at the Vintage Computer Marketplace on a regular basis. I just sold an MPF-1 on VCM (http://www.vintagecomputermarketplace.com/) for $20.00. Sure, I could have probably gotten more for it on Ebay, but why not list stuff *FIRST* on VCM with a reasonable price that sellers can live with????? And once the ad copy and photo(s) are taken, it is trivial to move the listing over to Ebay if it doesn't sell on VCM. And FWIW Ebay does not always bring the best pricing. An example would be an Altair 8800 that I needed to sell for expenses that sold for $1500 a year or so ago. Considering that I had gone through it and made sure everything worked, and the unit was in excellent condition cosmetically and had the original manual, it probably was worth closer to $2000. Ebay is the lazy way of retail selling without doing research on what something is worth. And taking advantage (in some cases) of people with more money than brains. And I couldn't agree more with Joe's comments; there is a LOT of stuff out there for anyone who takes the time to develop a network and sources. As one example, I would have never gotten the worlds largest supply of existing Polymorphic software, documentations, equipment, etc. without the network I have in place. Nor would I (in years past) have aquired some 50 coinop arcade games at no charge (most are now gone.) > I don't understand why some of ypeople on this list are always > complaining about E-bay. Where else do you think you're going to find a > complete Microprofessor MPF-1 for ?16 and never leave your desk? If you > want bargains you have to go hunt for them or take the occasional one, like > this one, that show up on E-bay. If you don't like E-bay's high prices > then get off the computer and go start looking in the surplus stores, scrap > yards, flea markets, etc etc etc. There are still PLENTY of bargains to be > had. I have a LOT of great computers (3x SB-180s, 2x Rubicons, 2x Altairs, > 10x Intels, 13x AIM-65s, HP-9100, 4x HP-35 Red Dots, 5x HP-1000s, PDP-8, > etc etc etc etc) and NONE of them came from E-bay. I got ALL of them the > hard way, by LOOKING! > > my 2 cents worth, > Joe >

21 years, 1 month

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seeking the California gentleman with the ex-FAA Apollos

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

I know I've talked with you about DOMAIN/OS, but I've misplaced your e-mail. Scott Quinn

21 years, 1 month

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cables

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

I have some cables that might be interesting to CCers: Tek ERGO cable (X-term cable with keyboard/mouse plugs on it and 3BNC) DECstation/VAXstation/[?VAX3100?] SCSI -> Cent50 cable IBM PS/2 (narrow) SCSI terminator (micro-ribbon?) Looking for DSSI ((?)VAX 4000 series -> HSD50) cable and HSD50 (microribbon) terminator smallish DG AViiON (Moto 88k) (one of the desktops or smaller tower models) No, I don't expect to trade a cable for an AViiON, but I will do partial trades or just take the free advertising (same goes for the DSSI stuff) Scott Quinn

21 years, 1 month

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New Finds Thanks to Networking

by marvin＠rain.org

I got a call tonight and picked up an Eagle IIe computer, Lisa 2 (3 1/2" drive), Vic 20, Bunker Ramo micro/mini with the possibility of picking up a couple of Polymorphic Toasters (the orange S-100 machine.) I will be picking up two more Bunker Ramo computers on Monday. These Bunker Ramo computers were apparently used in a brokerage house and the possibility exists that he has the docs for them. I don't have a model number right now, but is anyone familiar with Bunker-Ramo and the computers they made?

21 years, 1 month

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WOW!!!! $15k DEC PDP-8 CLASSIC MINICOMPUTER SYSTEM DIGITAL PDP8

by alanp＠snowmoose.com

Tom Jennings <tomj at wps.com> wrote: >On Tue, 5 Jul 2005, William Maddox wrote: > >> It's frustrating how little >>of the older non-DEC minicomputer material seems to be >>available. >> >> > >I always figured it was you conspiratorial DEC people, buying up >other-make stuff and destroying it to make a one-DEC-world. > > I knew it was something like that! I have been looking for a Burroughs B1000 machine for maybe seven years. I missed a local one that went into surplus about a year after started collecting. I heard of another one in Ohio that I think a museum got. (The museum queried me to see if I had found one.) Other than that, I haven't heard of any. I have a bunch of Burroughs B20 workstations that I bought a couple of years ago, mostly to save from the scrap heap. Haven't been able to find any more or any software for them. (Someone is Colorado offered to send me some software, then disappeared, so, obviously, it is a conspiracy.) I also collect Sun shoebox systems (IPCs, IPXs, Classics). Since I work for Sun, I will make sure that I have software and documentation on those systems. alan

21 years, 1 month

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DEC documentation

by bqt＠Update.UU.SE

On Thu, 7 Jul 2005 William Donzelli <aw288 at osfn.org> wrote: > > I don't see how anything could be more documented than having the complete > > engineering drawings of the whole machine. And that's what you normally > > got on old DEC machines. > > That's what I have of the PDP-11/70. Full drawings of every curcuit in the > > machine. And then I have all the technical manuals for all subsystems that > > document things in a more text-like manner as well. > > With IBM stuff, you get multiple drawings of every circuit of the machine. > The basics are the ALDs (Automated Logic Drawings) - these are the printer > generated, hard to read things that are the most detailed (all gates, all > connections, all pins labelled). Then, to make thing easy, IBM had more > traditional drawings, using nice art - still IBM specific, but much easier > to read. Then there are (many) flow charts, timing diagrams, sometimes > scope shots, and of course, warnings on where not to stick your tie. Hmm. I don't have any printer generated drawings, true. Not sure I'd want to. The normal drawings are pretty big, and lots of paper. They contain every wrire, every pin, and every connection. Also photographic layouts of PCBs. There are also flow charts and timing diagrams in there. In the service and maintenance manuals you have more descriptions, including scope shots and other kind of service information. Lots of trobule shooting information as well. So I still can't see what more documentation there could exist. But I admit that I don't have any experience of IBM hardware. I just can't imagine what more information there could be than what I have. And that was what was delivered with the machine. Johnny Johnny Billquist || "I'm on a bus || on a psychedelic trip email: bqt at update.uu.se || Reading murder books pdp is alive! || tryin' to stay hip" - B. Idol

21 years, 1 month

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source of blank 82S123s?

by ethan.dicks＠gmail.com

I'm in search of a couple of blank 82S123s for my recently-aquired SuperElf boards. Who still carries such things? Googling on 'blank 82s123' did not turn up anything promising. Thanks, -ethan

21 years, 1 month

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Altair 8800 Layout

by thalunil＠kallisti.de

Hi! I am searching for the layout of an old Altair 8800 home computer. A friend of mine is reading Steven Levys "Hackers" and is fascinated about the Altair 880 homebrew computer. I searched the net with google about this computer but i cannot find sth. useful. Anyone here with infos about the Altair 8800? grtx from germany, thalunil

21 years, 1 month

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Almost on-topic: "legacy" computing

by news＠computercollector.com

Feature article in Computerworld magazine. http://www.computerworld.com/hardwaretopics/hardware/mainframes/story/0,1080 1,102863,00.html ----------------------------------------- Evan Koblentz's personal homepage: http://www.snarc.net Also see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/midatlanticretro/ *** Tell your friends about the (free!) Computer Collector Newsletter - 750 readers and no spam / Publishes every Monday / Write for us! - Mainframes to videogames, hardware and software, we cover it all - W: http://news.computercollector.com E: news at computercollector.com

21 years, 1 month

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Altair 680 switch style?

by bill＠timeguy.com

I recently bought an Altair 680 case on eBay, and am planning on trying to build some kind of 6800-based board to go in it. I'd like the front panel to be authentic-looking, and have been digging through my old Byte magazines and some web sites to try to figure out the switches they used. I've seen mostly bat-handled mini-toggles, but a few pictures have shown flattened bat-handles. I would also need to know the switch configuration (i.e. double-throw, single-throw, momentary, etc.) for the various switches. It seems like there's a lot less info around on the 680 than there is on the 8800, although I did find a pretty good article about the "new" Altair 680 in one of my "Best of Byte" volumes. Can anybody supply some switch info? Dimensions would be good; manufacturer and part number might be better. I wasn't really planning on building a 680, but I did my usual semi-annual search of eBay for the keyword "Altair" and there was this pretty (but empty) 680 case, and in a classic illustration of Pavlovian response, I clicked "bid"...

21 years, 1 month

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WOW!!!! $15k DEC PDP-8 CLASSIC MINICOMPUTER SYSTEM DIGITAL PDP8

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

Wow! Somebody really wanted that one! <http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5213265141&rd=1&sspagena me=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1? Joe

21 years, 1 month

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LGP30 pictures

by aek＠spies.com

I just put the pics from the auction at www.bitsavers.org/pdf/generalPrecision/LGP30pics

21 years, 1 month

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"DECnet isn't dead" in Datamation and on Slashdot

by jfoust＠threedee.com

http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/07/06/1823205&tid=230&tid=218 - John

21 years, 1 month

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Trying to identify a Motorola part from a grab bag

by ethan.dicks＠gmail.com

I have a small handful of these parts with a Motorola 'M' on them. They are 3-legged, seeming to be a transistor or similar device (I don't think they are voltage regulators). The case is plastic, smaller than a 78M05 (T220?), especially since the metal thermal transfer patch is integral to the body (not sticking up above the epoxy like on a 78M05). The markings are... R927 S AC823 I can't seem to find anything reasonable by googling Motorola and either R927 or AC823. Does this sound familiar to anyone here? Thanks, -ethan

21 years, 1 month

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Stock IBM XT low level format program wanted

by websupport＠degnanco.com

I have an IBM XT with all original parts. This is the middle era version with a Xebec/IBM harddrive controller (no dip switches), newer diskette drive, and an IBM 20 MB hard drive. The computer boots with no errors. It looks like the computer was never used, it's pristine. Might anyone have a link to a program that I can use to run a low level format specific to this controller card and hard drive? I have had trouble locating the low level format program via DEBUG. I have found a number of Debug commands on the Internet for other drives and controllers, but none for this. I have searched the segement offsets between C000:0000 and EC00:0000 in 0400 increments. .Maybe I am blind! Is there an IBM official low level format diskette image out there? That would be preferred. Thanks...Bill -- E N D --

21 years, 1 month

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Commodore 64, Commodore 64sx enthusiasts?

by computer＠officereach.net

wow, that's super cool! I always thought the SX64 was one of the coolest things that I have ever seen, and it was way ahead of its' time. I gotta laugh on the box where it says "business or office"... beacuse, um, that 40 columns sure makes spreadsheets a pain. if someone would like it, I am going to be dis-engaging myself from it - $100.00 plus shipping and it's yours. -----Original Message----- From: "Jim Isbell, W5JAI" <jim.isbell at gmail.com> To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2005 16:25:03 -0500 Subject: Re: Commodore 64, Commodore 64sx enthusiasts? > I have one SX64 and love it. I have it rigged with a ham interface so > that I can send digital and receive digital on my HT 2meter rig. > > On 7/6/05, plato computer <computer at officereach.net> wrote: > > I'm in possession of a mighty fine collection of commodore equipment > that > > I will be finishing the restoration stuff on (you know, replacing > some > > broken keys, etc.) and one mighty fine Commodore64sx "Portable"; is > there > > anyone on here who has a particular fondness for commodore equipment? > > > > > > > > > -- > Jim Isbell > "If you are not living on the edge, well then, > you are just taking up too much space." > W5JAI > 1967 UltraVan #257 > 1936 SS-100 (replica) > 1970 E-Type > 1982 XJ6 > 1985 XJS > 1988 XJ40 >

21 years, 1 month

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Apple _1_ on ebay???

by richard.beaudry＠gmail.com

>I have not have to time to look at ebay recently. I just did and >saw this: > >http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=80286&item=5213140640 >&rd=1 > >Somebody has put an Apple 1 up, it has been there for five days and >nobody has mentioned it here??? There's no guarantee it's an Apple 1. The seller says only he can see "wires and cards" inside. Perhaps it is an Apple ][ in a wooden case? Nobody knows, and without pictures, nobody will know. My take is that the seller knows full well what it is, and is hoping people will think it is an Apple 1 (and judging by the questions at the bottom, they do). People will then drive up the price to some outrageous level. When they get it and realize it's just a //e that someone threw in a wooden case (or maybe not even anything in the Apple line), they'll get mad, but there's nothing they can do because he described it accurately ..... Cynical, yes, but most likely true :-) Rich B.

21 years, 1 month

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LGP-30

by aek＠bitsavers.org

John Bohner got it.. I know he's a big fan of the G-15 and friends. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5784697941 I'll have to put the pics up for it, it was REALLY nice, full docs, and software. Hopefully I can get copies from John at some point.

21 years, 1 month

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source of blank 82S123s?

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Ethan Dicks" <ethan.dicks at gmail.com> > >I'm in search of a couple of blank 82S123s for my recently-aquired >SuperElf boards. Who still carries such things? > >Googling on 'blank 82s123' did not turn up anything promising. > >Thanks, > >-ethan Hi Ethan Jameco list them, using the AMD number AM27S19. The are suppose to be the same but most likely program a little different. Most data i/o 19's can handle them with the unipack. I've had good luck with Jameco on PROMs but I've had bad luck on RAMs. They gladly replace them with some more U-TEST-UMs ( 2114's ). Later Dwight Oh!, http://www.jameco.com

21 years, 1 month

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IMSB300 Ethernet Box or IMSB431 Ethernet TRAM

by RMeenaks＠OLF.COM

Hi, Does anyone know the voltage requirements are for the ethernet transiever on these parts? Is it 12V or is it 5V? The specs do not mention this. I know that the Coral HPT02 uses 5V and the IMSB407 also uses 5V, but what about the IMSB300 and/or IMSB431? Note that the IMSB300 actually contains an IMSB431 Ethernet TRAM underneath the hood.. I have an idle IMSB300 which I want to start using... Thanks, Ram

21 years, 1 month

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Emulex DM01 cables

by gordon＠gjcp.net

Currently looking at buying one of these from eBay to replace my fried RQD11B. Does anyone have a manual, including the cable pinouts? Gordon.

21 years, 1 month

1
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SASI vs. SCSI

by mbbrutman＠brutman.com

I almost hate to ask the obvious, but does something have specifications for the SASI protocol? That would go a long way to answering some of the questions. There was a SASI adapter for a PCjr that went in the modem slot from a company called RIM. It had a bridge board that connected it to a Seagate MFM drive. The chipset name escapes me at the moment, but I thought it was either NCR or Zilog doing second source for NCR. It smells awfully like SCSI. (I don't have the beast - I've just seen pictures of it. But I'd love to know what makes it tick.) Mike

21 years, 1 month

3
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Wang paper tape format?

by vcf＠siconic.com

I have some paper tapes that I'm trying to read and I have good reason to believe they are from a Wang machine of some type. They seem to hold some sort of document. The writing on the tape indicates a section number and "pages". The tape is 8-level. The 8th bit seems to be used as some sort of end-of-line or end-of-record marker. The 7th bit seems to be parity. So the actual symbol codes are likely 6-bit. I've read in the tapes and done some cryptanalysis but so far I haven't been able to see any patterns that would suggest groupings of letters at certain codes. At this point I'm confused. Does anyone know how Wang paper tapes were encoded, or does anyone know where there is technical documentation about this? So for my searches online have turned up empty. -- Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org [ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage Computers ] [ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at http://marketplace.vintage.org ]

21 years, 1 month

7
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Altair 8800 Layout

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

Hi You might send directly to this fellow. I suspect that he is not a regular classiccmp( although he should be ). Dwight >From: "Allison" <ajp166 at bellatlantic.net> > >> >>Subject: Altair 8800 Layout >> From: Alex Bihlmaier <thalunil at kallisti.de> >> Date: Wed, 06 Jul 2005 00:43:00 +0200 >> To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts Only <cctech at classiccmp.org> >> >>Hi! >> >> >> >>I am searching for the layout of an old Altair 8800 home computer. >>A friend of mine is reading Steven Levys "Hackers" and is fascinated >>about the Altair 880 homebrew computer. >> >>I searched the net with google about this computer but i cannot find >>sth. useful. >> >> >>Anyone here with infos about the Altair 8800? > >I have two. A very early 8800 and a later 8800b-t. >There is a huge amount of info on the internet at many sites that >would be a good start. Several also include simulators of the machine. >Then if you have specific questions it will be easier. > > > >Allison >

21 years, 1 month

1
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Altair 8800 Layout

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Altair 8800 Layout > From: Alex Bihlmaier <thalunil at kallisti.de> > Date: Wed, 06 Jul 2005 00:43:00 +0200 > To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts Only <cctech at classiccmp.org> > >Hi! > > > >I am searching for the layout of an old Altair 8800 home computer. >A friend of mine is reading Steven Levys "Hackers" and is fascinated >about the Altair 880 homebrew computer. > >I searched the net with google about this computer but i cannot find >sth. useful. > > >Anyone here with infos about the Altair 8800? I have two. A very early 8800 and a later 8800b-t. There is a huge amount of info on the internet at many sites that would be a good start. Several also include simulators of the machine. Then if you have specific questions it will be easier. Allison

21 years, 1 month

1
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KVM

by cb＠mythtech.net

>Everyone wants a truck load of $ for KVM switches and I figure for the >price it might be more fun to build one but I've been struggling to >locate a circuit diagram. I figure they're just a fancy switch of some >type. I found an 8 port KVM on ebay with a BIN price of $70 and something like $15 shipping. It was some generic brand, but it was rack mountable and came will all neccessary cables. I know at the time (a few months ago now), the guy had a bunch of them available. They were all listed as new (and mine certainly showed no signs of ever having been opened before). It has worked perfectly for me since I installed it. The only complaint I had about it was the size was a hair too wide for proper rack mounting. It fit inside standard 19" rack rails, but needed to be jammed into place, and then the holes to mount it to the rack didn't line up with the holes in the rails. Less then a milimeter off, but it was enough to keep the screws from going in. (I got around it by first mounting the ears, and then forcing the KVM into place between the ears, and then screwing the ears to the KVM... its in, and works fine, it just took a little effort) The unit only supports PS/2 devices, however I am successfully using it with PS/2 -> AT keyboard adaptors on a few machines. I have no idea if using an auto sensing PS/2/Serial mouse and adaptors at the computer would work thru it or not (I've not tried to do that). If I need another 8, I'd probably buy another one of them without question (it is also daisy chainable, so if I need another 8, I can tie them together and still use just one Key/Mouse/CRT for all 16 devices). Alas, I don't recall the brand name, but if you can't turn it up on ebay just by looking at descriptions, let me know and I'll check the name on Tuesday when I am back in the office. -chris <http://www.mythtech.net>

21 years, 1 month

3
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Fs/ft. Motorola Powerstack, the good-looking version (+ 8" floppydrive)

by roosmcd＠dds.nl

Hello, No idea if it will really fit into the old category, but I'd consider this a classic computer. I've always wanted to have one for the case, but now I simply have too many :). The machine I'm talking about is a Motorola E-series, which looks like this machine (I found the picture via Google, it's not from mine): http://www.hudat.com/~florit/20030624-MotorolaPowerstack/Powerstack-ThreeQu… what I want to sell/trade, are two of the bottom units, with some memory (I think 32Mb, 72-pin) and a sled with cd-rom drive. No Hd's, but I have the OS (AIX 4.1.4 motorola verison, but it also runs NT, linux and solaris). Looking to trade for SGI stuff, Philips CD-i, laserdisc, 100V speakers or ??!?!. greetings, Michiel ps. I also have a nice 8" floppydrive in black external as/400 housing I'd be willing to trade for stuff.

21 years, 1 month

2
1
0 0

11/45, sick or not?

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Jay West" <jwest at classiccmp.org> > >Joe wrote... >> Are you sure that the lights aren't blinking too fast to see? Perhaps you >> can hang a logic probe (with a pulse extender) on one of the lights to be >> sure. > >I'll try that tomorrow... but I wouldn't think that is what is happening. >Also, pardon my lack of knowledge, but... shouldn't I be seeing the .2v >ripple as an AC component (ie. a sine wave)? It's a very clear perfect >sawtooth. And it's exactly the same on all the 5V regulators, which strikes >me as odd. > >Jay > > Hi Jay No, the ripple on a rectified filter will look like a saw tooth. If you look carefully, you'll see that the leading edge follows the AC while the trailing has a slight dip. This is normal. Dwight

21 years, 1 month

1
0
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Apple _1_ on ebay???

by wh.sudbrink＠verizon.net

I have not have to time to look at ebay recently. I just did and saw this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=80286&item=5213140640 &rd=1 Somebody has put an Apple 1 up, it has been there for five days and nobody has mentioned it here??? Is everybody on vacation??? Bill

21 years, 1 month

9
15
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second call, storage cleanup in boston

by akb+lists.cctech＠imap1.mirror.to

Hi All-- an update on my storage cleanup. I have a lot of CRTs set for recycling pickup come friday; speak now or never... items on the pile: # 3 DEC 21" mono monitor fixed frequency, for a decstation 5000/120 (PMAG-A, I think). # 1 RasterOps 21" Monitor fixed frequency, 1024x768. connector: 5 bnc. sony made trinitron tube. slightly fuzzy focus, sometimes loses horizontal hold; probably loose connection/solder joint. good to fix up or for gaming. # 1 Hitachi 19" fixed freq color monitor, BNC's on the back, this model was commonly used on Sun-3 systems. # 1 IBM 15" color vga monitor # 1 15" mono vga monitor # 1 Canon Canofile 250 document management station # 1 Sun SparcStation ELC I also may dump most of the remaining DEC VR-262 monitors, and the remaining pair of big fixed freq trinitrons, since I don't know how much longer my town will take crt's, and I could really use the space. I'd love a few more takers for decstation 2100's, vaxstation 3100's, and sparcstation 1's. Full list at http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/~bressen/2005-05-too-much-stuff/stuff.html Der Mouse, your MTA doesn't like my identd. It looks 1413 compliant to me... Keith Boston, waiting to hear back from you. John Allain, haven't heard back in a while, I'm assuming you are no longer interested. Other folks, don't worry, I haven't forgotton you. --cheers --akb

21 years, 1 month

2
1
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upp 103 on ebay

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

Hi Wow! there is a UPP103 on ebay that is already over $400. It doesn't even have any personality cards in it. I hope that the people bidding on it realize that it won't program anything, listed by the seller, without the right personality card! Being that these have 4001's on them, not many could make such a card. Dwight

21 years, 1 month

3
3
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Need help with a 11-23+ and a RX-02 , Repost

by g-wright＠worldnet.att.net

Hi, I'm trying to get one of my 11-23's going and finally got around to setting up a TU58 emulator. got it to boot RT-11 and now trying to get a RX-02 working. I have 3 controllers and 3 sets of RX-02's. All do the same thing. The just seems to not be able to find track 1 or Home or ??? The heads just keep going from home to maybe the first tack and back. The heads do load and the system tries quit a few times then pauses and tries again. It then errors on drive failure or read error directory not found, size function failed depends what I ask it to do. I have tried all of the boards and drives. all or them seem to do the same thing. I do not know how good the drives are but can't believe there all bad. I have recheck the switches in the RX-02 and the Jumpers on the cards. Cleaned the drives. tried different disks. Is there some kind of compatibility issue that i do not know about. Or do I have 6 dead drives. The system is a Micro PDP 11, 8 slot Rack mount, with 1 M8189 11-23+ 1 M8067 KB 256k Memory 1 M8639 YA MFM rx50 controller 1 M8029 RX-02 controller - in this order. Everything else seems to work. I added the floppy card but the rest is original. Thanks, Jerry Jerry Wright JLC inc

21 years, 2 months

5
6
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VCF Midwest 1.0 and VCF 8.0 exhibitors - sign up now!

by vcf＠siconic.com

We've got the first two registered exhibitors for VCF 8.0: http://www.vintage.org/2005/main/exhibit.php But in the meantime, we still need plenty more exhibitors for VCF Midwest 1.0. You midwesterners are letting Pat down in a serious way! Pat has poured his heart and soul into this event and so far you folks aren't responding in kind. Let's see at least half a dozen people sign up as exhibitors this week! Time is running out... http://www.vintage.org/2005/midwest/exhibit.php Do it for the children! ;) -- Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org [ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage Computers ] [ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at http://marketplace.vintage.org ]

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Free 8" floppy drives, Washington DC area

by shoppa_classiccmp＠trailing-edge.com

I've still got many 8" floppy drives available for free right outside Washington DC. Will not ship, you must pick up. Some full-height, some half-height, some in desktop enclosures with power supplies and some in rack mount enclosures with power supplies. If interested, drop me an e-mail at my non-list address, shoppa at trailing-edge.com. Also some misc ST506-type (MFM) hard drives, and an 8" hard drive with 50pin+20 pin interface (ST??? can't remember) in an enclosure with power supply. I think that 8" hard drive worked with a Compupro Disk2 controller when I last tried it (like a decade ago) but I no longer have the Disk2. Tim.

21 years, 2 months

2
1
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Need help with a 11-23+ and a RX-02 , Repost

by GOOI＠oce.nl

Hi Jerry, swap the M8639-YA and the M8029 for starters! The M8639-YA is the RQDX1 and is the famous board that does NOT pass NPR/grant. It is even stated in the Field Guide that the RQDX1 must be the last board in the chain... gd luck, - Henk, PA8PDP. -----Original Message----- From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org]On Behalf Of g-wright Sent: dinsdag 5 juli 2005 19:29 To: cctalk at classiccmp.org Subject: Need help with a 11-23+ and a RX-02 , Repost Hi, I'm trying to get one of my 11-23's going and finally got around to setting up a TU58 emulator. got it to boot RT-11 and now trying to get a RX-02 working. I have 3 controllers and 3 sets of RX-02's. All do the same thing. The just seems to not be able to find track 1 or Home or ??? The heads just keep going from home to maybe the first tack and back. The heads do load and the system tries quit a few times then pauses and tries again. It then errors on drive failure or read error directory not found, size function failed depends what I ask it to do. I have tried all of the boards and drives. all or them seem to do the same thing. I do not know how good the drives are but can't believe there all bad. I have recheck the switches in the RX-02 and the Jumpers on the cards. Cleaned the drives. tried different disks. Is there some kind of compatibility issue that i do not know about. Or do I have 6 dead drives. The system is a Micro PDP 11, 8 slot Rack mount, with 1 M8189 11-23+ 1 M8067 KB 256k Memory 1 M8639 YA MFM rx50 controller 1 M8029 RX-02 controller - in this order. Everything else seems to work. I added the floppy card but the rest is original. Thanks, Jerry Jerry Wright JLC inc

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

any NeWS software still around?

by compoobah＠valleyimplants.com

I've been doing some poking around to find software that runs on the NeWS window system, without much luck (most of what I found was confined to Sun demo binaries) Does anyone know of any archives of NeWS sources? I heard reference to something called GreatNeWS/HyperNeWS but wasn't able to find it either. I know NeWS is somewhat out of favor, but it would be nice to have my IRIS do something other than text-mode apps on 4Sight. Scott Quinn

21 years, 2 months

2
1
0 0

"Response" from seller with the "Apple-1"

by James＠jdfogg.com

> -----Original Message----- > Another fine example of why I can't stand eBay. It's not Ebay, it's humans. Ebay is just an excellent vehicle for the worst human traits. I can't stand humans. ---- There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.

21 years, 2 months

7
6
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Stock IBM XT low level format program wanted [solution]

by billdeg＠degnanco.com

>I am currently in the process of doing the low level format on an IBM XT with all original parts. This is the middle era >version with a Xebec/IBM harddrive controller (no dip switches), newer diskette drive, and an IBM 20 MB hard drive. . This worked: A:>Debug c/r - -I 322 c/r -I 321 c/r -O 322 0 c/r -I 321 c/r -O 320 04 c/r -O 320 00 c/r Note: This is the value for Drive C. Substitute 20 if formatting Drive D. -O 320 00 c/r -O 320 00 c/r -O 320 05 c/r -O 320 07 c/r Note: Before you hit this carriage return, be sure you have typed the correct value shown in the previous note for drive C or D. Drive light should come on at this point and the controller will begin doing a low-level format on the drive. [It takes quite a while, a good time to re-watch Lord of the Rings...] When the drive has been formatted, the drive select light will go out and you will be returned to the - prompt. -I 321 c/r -I 320 c/r -Q And you should now be back at the DOS prompt. At this point you should enter FDISK, set the partition, and perform your high level format. [thanks Marvin Johnson and http://www.uncreativelabs.net/textfiles/drives/XEBEC.DOC

21 years, 2 months

1
0
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Swapping Hi density drives for low density drives

by mbbrutman＠brutman.com

The format bug is new to me, but I'm on DOS 3.3 anyway and DOS 3.3 does not have any problems if I used a genuine 720K drive on the Jr. It does have problems if I use a 1.44MB drive instead. Here it is in table format. DOS 3.3 with no device drivers is always used and double density diskettes are always used. Real 720K drive on Jr: Boots DOS 3.3 from original IBM DOS 3.3 diskette Formats other diskettes with no problems Boots DOS 3.3 from a double density copy of the original. Passes diagnostics 1.44MB drive on Jr: Boots DOS 3.3 from original IBM DOS 3.3 diskette Will not format other diskettes: gets invalid media error Diags runs but reports error. (Probably related to above error) Diskette is readable - just track 0 has errors A double density diskette prepared on a 'bigger' machine, whether it be by disk copy or diskette imaging program fails on the Jr when using the 1.44MB drive. These other machines all have 1.44MB drives. Even though it fails on the Jr, it boots the other machines, so the diskette is fine. I suspect some sort of timing error when the 1.44MB drives talk to the Jr controller. I know I've used an ancient 1.44MB drive before .. all of the drives I tried this time around are newer. I'm wondering if something has changed in the manufacturing/design of the more modern drives that make them less tolerant or more error prone when using double density media. It's not like people test double density media often anymore. :-) I'm not bulk erasing .. I'd better go find a bulk eraser to be sure. 720K drives are tough to find. I'm going to try the strange Teac model and dumb it down to a 720. Explain the drives on the JX - I thought those were 720 3.5 inch drives. Are the SA465 and Teac 55F 5.25 or 3.5" drives? Yes, the Qume 142s suck. Besides being slow mechanically they are not much better than the old full height Tandons - just different glitches. The drive rails always seem to get sticky, and they are noisy little A#@$@.. :-) Mike

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

LF: Epson HX-20 service info

by dave04a＠dunfield.com

Hi Tony, >> There's a little motor/gearbox to move the head, and I think a position >> detelction swtich. I will check the manual for you. The technical manual >> I have gives schematics for the cassette option, exploded views, >> dismantling instructions, etc. > >HEre's a little information on how this works. > > ... lots of useful info ... Thanks! - that was very helpful. When you said "quite a fiddle" you weren't kidding ... but on the + side, it gets easier after about the third time... Problem turned out to be mechanical, a combination of dirt/aging lubricants in the mechanics which slide the head/capstan in and out, and dirty contacts in the position detector leaf switch. After cleaning and lubricating the mechanical parts, and cleaning and adjusting the switch (which is quite finicy - hence the "several times" - it's more fun to take apart with a tape stuck in it) ... the drive is working fine now, and the HX-20 is saving and loading programs like it was new! Thanks again & regards, Dave -- dave04a (at) Dave Dunfield dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools: www.dunfield.com com Collector of vintage computing equipment: http://www.parse.com/~ddunfield/museum/index.html

21 years, 2 months

2
1
0 0

"Response" from seller with the "Apple-1"

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Philip Pemberton" <philpem at dsl.pipex.com> > >In message <m1DpanR-000IyPC at p850ug1> > ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell) wrote: > >> YEs, but you don't know how high the winning bidder was prepared to go >> either. He might have gone way higher than you were prepared to pay. > >Point taken. >I have had fairly good luck in physical auctions - snagged a near-complete# >Jupiter Ace for ?2. Then I went and knocked the PSU cable and blew up nearly >every chip on the mainboard (Lesson #1: Buy a PSU with interchangeable >connectors, instead of those "spiderplug" things)... Better still, get one with the right connector or just buy the one plug and attach it to another PS. Dwight

21 years, 2 months

1
0
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E-bay complaints: was Re: "Response" from seller with the "Apple-1"

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Jim Isbell, W5JAI" <jim.isbell at gmail.com> > >No, it doent keep them from finding them at the last minute, they are >just not there to find. With 7 days to look, I dont think I miss very >many because they are late to the party. If you are a dollar short >and 6 hours late, tough luck. Do you think a real auction house would >hold the bidding while someone ran from the parking lot to try to get >in a bid at the last minute? > Hi You seem to assume that we all have time to watch earlier items. I find that I can just keep up with one or two days ahead. Even so, I have to skip maybe 1 or 2 days a week. Some how, you seem to think that people are just watching for 7 days. Most are only looking one or two days ahead. If it is an item that has already gone past my max, I don't waste time on it. If it is still in my price range, I'll bid on it. Usually the first bid is just a place holder below what I expect to make as my final bid. Dwight

21 years, 2 months

1
0
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E-bay complaints: was Re: "Response" from seller with the "Apple-1"

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

Hi I rarely bid on an item before the last day. This is mostly because there are so many items that one doesn't have time to stay more than a day or so ahead. Also, some people seem to like to have shorter time auctions. If I look to far ahead, I might miss one of these quickies. I usually do last minute bidding if I'm around a computer but I also like to put in what I call a place holder bid. People can then look at my previous bidding and deside if they want to waste time bidding against me. I get pissed when someone pulls an item early. It has only happened a couple of times. One the really ticked me was that someone had a mod-8 board populated with 1702A's. I'd just placed my place holder bid and they pulled the auction. What is worse is that I suspect that they later pulled the EPROMs from the board to sell separately. Now the program data that was in the EPROMs are surely lost :( Dwight

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Need help with a 11-23+ and a RX-02 , Repost

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Need help with a 11-23+ and a RX-02 , Repost > From: g-wright <g-wright at worldnet.att.net> > Date: Tue, 05 Jul 2005 13:28:44 -0400 > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > >Hi, > >I'm trying to get one of my 11-23's going and finally >got around to setting up a TU58 emulator. got it >to boot RT-11 and now trying to get a RX-02 working. > >I have 3 controllers and 3 sets of RX-02's. All do the same >thing. The just seems to not be able to find track 1 or Home >or ??? The heads just keep going from home to maybe the >first tack and back. The heads do load and the system tries >quit a few times then pauses and tries again. It then errors >on drive failure or read error directory not found, size >function failed depends what I ask it to do. I have tried all >of the boards and drives. all or them seem to do the same > thing. I do not know how good the drives are but can't > believe there all bad. > >I have recheck the switches in the RX-02 and the Jumpers on >the cards. Cleaned the drives. tried different disks. > >Is there some kind of compatibility issue that i do not know >about. Or do I have 6 dead drives. > >The system is a Micro PDP 11, 8 slot Rack mount, with >1 M8189 11-23+ >1 M8067 KB 256k Memory >1 M8639 YA MFM rx50 controller >1 M8029 RX-02 controller >- in this order. > >Everything else seems to work. I added the floppy card >but the rest is original. > > >Thanks, Jerry > >Jerry Wright >JLC inc > Either you blew the interrupt grant chain (the 8639 should be last!) or you didn't put a bootable system on the disks. The boot behavour suggests that the boot track is bare or worse. You should have done a copy/boot to get the system bootable off floppy. since you can boot RT via TU58 you should make sure you have the DY device loaded and do a DUP /bad DY0:. A tu58 system (or emulator) is big enough to carry all the needed devices and drivers. As far as compatability, I've used RX02 with every Qbus I have successfully. Allison

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

IBM AT Drive Types

by RMeenaks＠OLF.COM

See Mike's link for an explanation... http://www.msclub.ce.cctpu.edu.ru/bibl/PCB/ch23.htm#Heading18 Cheers, Ram > -----Original Message----- > From: Jules Richardson [mailto:julesrichardsonuk at yahoo.co.uk] > Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2005 4:58 PM > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > Subject: Re: IBM AT Drive Types > > Home come entry 15 was reserved? (and why pick 15?) > > cheers > > J. >

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Amiga 2000 Floppy Drive problem

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

Hi Has anyone mentioned measuring the voltages on the control pins. It would be good to know if it was the controls or the drive. Dwight >From: "Ethan Dicks" <ethan.dicks at gmail.com> > >On 7/1/05, Teo Zenios <teoz at neo.rr.com> wrote: >> Jumper 301 is still in the open position (for a single drive). > >Perfect. > >> The two 8520's looked ok (nothing shorting pins together or stuff like that, >> no signs of overheating). I swapped the 2 chips around and still have the >> same result (external Df2: works while the internal DF0: is dead). > >OK... swapping the 8520s and watching the symptoms was a pretty >standard method back in the day - it's easy and it works, so that >_probably_ shows your 8520s are OK. > >> I checked the floppy cable and didn't see anything out of the ordinary >> (except a pin in what looks like position 2 of the cable but I think that is >> a key, since the motherboard does not look like it has a broken pin on it). > >That _is_ a key (and needs to be in any Amiga hardware FAQ - I can't >remember how many times we had to tell people that in our Amiga club - >every novice who added an internal floppy use to call us up and ask >how to "replace a broken pin"... they thought that the >pin had become stuck, and they must have pulled it out when they >messed with the cable. > >> At this point I think it either the floppy cable has a bad line, or the >> drive is just dead. Since the amiga cable does not look like a standard >> floppy cable I think I will try setting the drive for Df1: and shorting >> Jumper 301 to see if its recognized at all. > > >> I did some research and quite a few older DD 3.5" PC drives can be jumpered >> to Amiga mode (ofcourse I don't have any on the list). > >And they support the /DISK-EXCHANGE signal (p 34?) That was what >always hosed frugal early-adopters of the Amiga - they'd try to use a >cheap floppy, and the OS wouldn't be able to step the drive in and out >one track to get the drive to assert the /DISK-EXCHAGE (or whichever >one it was) so that the drive could 'tell' the OS that the diskette >that used to be there isn't there any more. > >You _can_ hook up a floppy drive that won't assert that signal, but >that places a burden on the user's head to have to type an AmigaDOS >command to flush the previous diskette's particulars and to cache the >new diskette. > >-ethan > >

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Help setting up a SBS/Bit3 PCI-to-VMEBus cards

by RMeenaks＠OLF.COM

Hi Chris, I was able to get the drivers from SBS. They have the manuals, etc online and anyone can download them. Better than other companies where it is a pain to get them. Since I am quite a newbie when it comes to VME, I am not sure if I installed everything correctly. I got the chassis hooked up and everything and the showrevs utility does seem to pick up both the PCI and VMEBus cards. I really want to get this working under Linux, but I want the windows version up and running first. Here is what I have so far: 1) A VME Chassis with the SBS board connected to slot #0 (System controller) 2) Several transputer VME slave boards on the other slots. I want just the 1st transputer board to be recognized by the VME bus while the others are there just for power and J2 connections. 3) The drivers I have for the transputer boards are UNIX source files which I need to convert over to Windows XP/SBS style. I could surely use some help here (any software that illustrates how to communicate when be helpful). 4) There seems to be terminators? on both the J1 and J2 on slot #0. What are they used for? Should I remove them? They are on the back of the VME Chassis. 5) This is a VERO chassis (if that has any relevance). Thanks a lot, Ram

21 years, 2 months

2
1
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Help setting up a SBS/Bit3 PCI-to-VMEBus cards

by RMeenaks＠OLF.COM

This chassis once held a FORCE SPARC VME controller. It has long since been removed by the previous owner. Hence, those terminators are probably from that board.... Thanks, Ram > -----Original Message----- > From: Ram Meenakshisundaram [mailto:RMeenaks at OLF.COM] > Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2005 1:28 PM > To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts Only > Cc: cfandt at netsync.net > Subject: RE: Help setting up a SBS/Bit3 PCI-to-VMEBus cards > > > Hi Chris, > > I was able to get the drivers from SBS. They have the > manuals, etc online and anyone can download them. Better > than other companies where it is a pain to get them. Since I > am quite a newbie when it comes to VME, I am not sure if I > installed everything correctly. I got the chassis hooked up > and everything and the showrevs utility does seem to pick up > both the PCI and VMEBus cards. I really want to get this > working under Linux, but I want the windows version up and > running first. Here is what I have so far: > > 1) A VME Chassis with the SBS board connected to slot #0 > (System controller) > > 2) Several transputer VME slave boards on the other slots. I > want just the 1st transputer board to be recognized by the > VME bus while the others are there just for power and J2 > connections. > > 3) The drivers I have for the transputer boards are UNIX > source files which I need to convert over to Windows XP/SBS > style. I could surely use some help here (any software that > illustrates how to communicate when be helpful). > > 4) There seems to be terminators? on both the J1 and J2 on > slot #0. What are they used for? Should I remove them? > They are on the back of the VME Chassis. > > 5) This is a VERO chassis (if that has any relevance). > > Thanks a lot, > > > Ram >

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Help setting up a SBS/Bit3 PCI-to-VMEBus cards

by rmeenaks＠olf.com

Hi, Does anyone know how to set these boards up? I have a SBS 616 PCI adapter and its corresponding VMEBus adapter. I also have a VME Chassis and I want to install some transputer boards on the chassis and access it via Windows. Anyone have experience in using these??? Thanks, Ram

21 years, 2 months

2
1
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WOW!!!! $15k DEC PDP-8 CLASSIC MINICOMPUTER SYSTEM DIGITAL PDP8

by aek＠spies.com

> $50k for an S/360 does seem too high, though Time to start looking.. I know a couple of people who would pay that for a 360/50 system, if one could be found. Most were chopped up when the price of gold was high in the '70s.

21 years, 2 months

1
0
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PDP-11/34 Programmer's Panel, Bubble Memory, DEC Rack Panel on E-bay

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

<http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZrigdonj> Joe

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Restoration of the HP garage

by news＠computercollector.com

http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/12034644.htm ----------------------------------------- Evan Koblentz's personal homepage: http://www.snarc.net Also see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/midatlanticretro/ *** Tell your friends about the (free!) Computer Collector Newsletter - 750 readers and no spam / Publishes every Monday / Write for us! - Mainframes to videogames, hardware and software, we cover it all - W: http://news.computercollector.com E: news at computercollector.com

21 years, 2 months

1
0
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Old Bond Movie with Apple IIc

by cb＠mythtech.net

>Just watching A View to Kill (Roger Moore as Bond) on SPIKE Cable TV and in >the bedroom scene were they talk about the earthquakes the female actress >goes to her dresser to check the computer. It's a Apple IIc with a green >IIc monitor and shows graphics of the oil field were the quakes are happing. Wow, what a sad bunch we are when we stare at the computers and not Tanya Roberts. (yes, I noticed it was an Apple as well) -chris <http://www.mythtech.net>

21 years, 2 months

3
2
0 0

Old Bond Movie with Apple IIc

by jrkeys＠concentric.net

Just watching A View to Kill (Roger Moore as Bond) on SPIKE Cable TV and in the bedroom scene were they talk about the earthquakes the female actress goes to her dresser to check the computer. It's a Apple IIc with a green IIc monitor and shows graphics of the oil field were the quakes are happing.

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Reading 9-track tapes in Linux

by vcf＠siconic.com

Ok, it seems everytime I try to do something, there has to be about 96 unproductive hours filled with failed attempts to do even the simplest things, like installing Linux for example. I'll spare everyone the lame details, suffice it to say that, now that everything is hooked up, I have been unable to successfully read a 9-track tape. I can certainly get the tape to do stuff like forward through files, rewind, get the status, etc. using mt. That much works. However, if I try to READ a file, and I've tried this with dd and Eric Smith's tapedump utility and whatnot, it always returns with 0 files read. It apparently sees the file marks as it will say its reading file 1, file 2, etc., but it never actually dumps anything. I've tried the multiple tapes at multiple densities and they are tapes I've read before on another system. WTF??? -- Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org [ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage Computers ] [ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at http://marketplace.vintage.org ]

21 years, 2 months

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LF: Epson HX-20 service info

by dave04a＠dunfield.com

Fred, Sellam : Thanks for the info on "Uncle Roger", I'll keep it on file as a reference. Tony sez: > 1000pF VL > 820k C31 --- > R78 || | > +--\/\/\---+--||----+ |\ +----------------+ > | | || | +--| >o-----+ | | > | / | | |/ 2C/c | | C12 === > | \ R74 | | | | 47uF --- > | / 390k | | |\ | V D6 | > | \ | +-=| >o-----+ --- 1S2075 --- > | | | | |/ 2C/b | 10u | /// > | |\ | |\ | | | C2 | > +--| >o----+-| >o---+------+ |\ | | [] | +---VLD > |/ |/ +--| >o-----+--| []---+--->|----+--------+ > 2C/d 2C/e | |/ 2C/a | | [] D7 | | > | | 1S2075 | | > | |\ | | | > +--| >o-----+ C1 === C6 === > |/ 2C/f | 10uF --- 10uF --- > | | | > D5 --- --- --- > 1S2705 ^ /// /// > | > --- > /// > >That's an ASCII-art version of the appropriate bit of the schematic. Section >d )Input on 10, output on 10) and e (input on 11, output on 12) of IC 2C form >the oscillator, the other 4 inverters are paralleled up as the driver. > >Hope that helps. Thanks - it did. I followed the "AC" through, and could see a nice waveform coming out of the 2C driver, however from there it degraded to what I described before at the C1 cap - on a hunch I replaced C1, and the voltage rose to about 7v, and the display was readable, however it was also flickering, and I could see the voltage rising and falling by a couple of volts - I replaced C6 and now it's rock solid, and the display is perfect. C1 and C6 were identical 10uf 16v caps, and that fact that both appeared to have failed gives me concern for the other electrolitics in the machine, which I will check out shortly... but notwithstanding that the machine is functioning perfectly. Next problem is that the microcassette drive appears to be "stuck" with the heads and capstan forward - not really stuck, as you can push them back on their spring, however they are not retained back as they should be - prevents inserting and removing tapes - I haven't opened it yet, but will shortly ... is there any useful info about the drive machanics in the service manual? I assume there must be some kind of solinoid and latch to hold them back and release them? Once again: THANKS! for taking the time to "ascii art" the LCD power supply schematic ... VERY much appreciated! Regards, Dave -- dave04a (at) Dave Dunfield dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools: www.dunfield.com com Collector of vintage computing equipment: http://www.parse.com/~ddunfield/museum/index.html

21 years, 2 months

2
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WOW!!!! $15k DEC PDP-8 CLASSIC MINICOMPUTER SYSTEM DIGITAL PDP8

by aek＠bitsavers.org

> Wow! Somebody really wanted that one! Straight 8 CPUs go for over 5K, so a clean complete system with TC01/TU55's and DF32's in original mid 60's cabinets is about right at 10-15k. I assume Bill is going to prep/ship it himself (making sure to REMOVE the glass front panel and packing it separately) So... is he going to sell the OTHER Straight 8 CPU that he has now? :-)

21 years, 2 months

1
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Swapping Hi density drives for low density drives

by mbbrutman＠brutman.com

Hi Grumpy :-) On the Windows 2K machine I used /F:720 to get a 720K format. On the Linux machine I used /dev/fd0D720, which should be equivalent. It was definitely a 720K format, as other parts of the copied DOS 3.3 diskette were readable. Only parts of track zero were consistently bad across the multiple diskettes, and they were not flagged as bad on the other machines. Even when formatting on the Jr (booted with the original DOS diskette and trying to format double density) the format fails. I wasn't aware of DOS 3.2 and 3.3 falsely reporting media problems when straddling a 64K boundary. I wasn't running with TSRs, but the Jr has timing problems of it's own. I don't think this was the problem though - DOS 3.3 was fine. So it still looks like a double density diskette prepared in a 1.44MB drive works fine on modern machines, but isn't quite right when the 1.44MB drive is running on an old controller. Like a timing issue. Double density diskettes cut on genuine 720K drives work fine. I'm thinking of getting a special breed of Teac 1.44MB. It has a different model number, and it has jumpers and a modification procedure published by Teac to make it a substitute for an original 720K drive. That would be an interesting experiment.

21 years, 2 months

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TRS80 Model 1, monitor, expansion interface, 2 Percom drives, & system desk avail in N.J.

by redodd＠comcast.net

Hello, I have obtained a TRS80 Model 1 setup that needs some work. The computer has video problems and a broken 24pin cable that connects from the component side of the mobo to the little board that sits under the numeric keypad. I broke 2 pins off the connector when I reseated all the chips & connectors. This is a well used system with the plastic case showing lots of wear around the keyboard. I didn't do anything with the expansion interface. The 2 drives are single sided because I can see pressure pads. The Tandy system desk is in nice shape. It is located in Fairfield, N.J. Also included are some cassettes, original TRSDOS 2.1-2.3 manual (poor shape) & 2.3 disk, copy of NewDos80 manual, copies of Visicalc dics & disk, copies of terminal control program & electric pencil docs, original NewDos+ docs in good shape, original DosPlus 3.4D manual & disk, and many TRS80 Monthly Magazines. A lot of the documentation is wavy from moisture and the disks are similar. If anyone is interested in restoring this system, "Lets make a deal". Thanks a lot. Ralph

21 years, 2 months

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Another S100 manual request

by rcini＠optonline.net

All: As I slog through the S100 card collection I got with the IMSAI a few weeks ago, I keep finding RAM cards from different manufacturers. I now need a manual for a Solid State Music MB7 16k board. If anyone has it, please let me know. Of course, the offer stands for me to scan it for the group. Thanks. Rich Rich Cini Collector of classic computers Build Master for the Altair32 Emulation Project Web site: http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp/ /************************************************************/

21 years, 2 months

1
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Help setting up a SBS/Bit3 PCI-to-VMEBus cards

by aek＠bitsavers.org

Does anyone know how to set these boards up? I have a SBS 616 PCI adapter and its corresponding VMEBus adapter. -- pdfs of manuals for both boards were up on the bit3 web site. If you can't find them there any more i'll put them on bitsavers. does your VME card have the shared memory daughter card?

21 years, 2 months

1
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yellowed murky plastic

by chrism3667＠yahoo.com

I would imagine this question has been asked hundreds of times, but what to do about it? Im guessing soaking it in bleachy water (50/50?). What say you? __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

21 years, 2 months

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KVM

by cb＠mythtech.net

> Sounds similar to the Belkin Omniview (which I use---it was given to me by >someone that no longer needed it). I too am using a PS/2->AT adaptor for a >few of the units with no problem, but the PS/2->serial mouse adaptors won't >work through it---I've tried. Well rather, what didn't work was: > > PS/2 mouse -> KVM -> PS/2 cable -> serial adaptor -> computer > > The unit I have also supports serial ports, so I suppose the following >*may* work: > > PS/2 mouse -> serial adaptor -> KVM -> serial cable -> computer > > but I haven't tried that. I have a 4 port one of those as well (in fact, the 8 port no name brand one was replacing my 4 port Belkin). My Belkin supported PS/2 for Mouse/Keyboard and AT Keyboard and Serial Mouse. I could hook up any combination and it passed or adapted all the signals. Very nice unit. Worked pretty well, although I had some problems with it syncing to Windows NT 4 (I would have to wait about 30 seconds after switching to an NT machine before I could use the mouse, if I tried before waiting, it would just randomly bounce all over the screen clicking... I got myself into a couple of bad situations that way as it decided to click on the wrong thing). I originally was looking on ebay for another of the 4 Port Belkin OmniView units I have, but all the used ones were going for close to, or even over the price of the 8 port no name one I got. And none of the Belkin ones had cables or the rack mount frame, which meant the final price would be even higher. So I gave the no name brand a try, and I've been very happy with it. The other nice thing is the Belkin took up 2.5 rack spaces, which means if I got a 2nd one, I'd have lost a total of 5 spaces to run 8 items. The no name brand is a 1u device so I saved quite a bit of rack space. -chris <http://www.mythtech.net>

21 years, 2 months

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KVM

by KParker＠workcover.com

Apologies if this is OT I've been amassing bits and pieces to build my own little data centre at home (all rack mount stuff - some of which is probably approaching classic anyway). All I'm missing at the moment are two racks (an integral part of a rack mount system :-) but I think I've sourced a couple locally (they're to expensive to ship from interstate) and a KVM switch (8 port minimum). Everyone wants a truck load of $ for KVM switches and I figure for the price it might be more fun to build one but I've been struggling to locate a circuit diagram. I figure they're just a fancy switch of some type. Anyone have any pointers please? TIA!!! ++++++++++ Kevin Parker Web Services Consultant WorkCover Corporation p: 08 8233 2548 m: 0418 806 166 e: kparker at workcover.com w: www.workcover.com ++++++++++ ************************************************************************ This e-mail is intended for the use of the addressee only. It may contain information that is protected by legislated confidentiality and/or is legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient you are prohibited from disseminating, distributing or copying this e-mail. Any opinion expressed in this e-mail may not necessarily be that of the WorkCover Corporation of South Australia. Although precautions have been taken, the sender cannot warrant that this e-mail or any files transmitted with it are free of viruses or any other defect. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and destroy the original e-mail and any copies. ************************************************************************

21 years, 2 months

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Swapping Hi density drives for low density drives

by mbbrutman＠brutman.com

I thought I had this mastered but apparently I don't, and it's driving me nuts. Background: The PCjr, PC and XT use floppy controllers that support double density data rates. High density drives (1.2MB & 1.44MB) obviously support faster data rates, but also support the slower data rates for compatibility with double density media. A nice upgrade for an old machine is to add a 3.5" floppy drive. Genuine 720K double density drives are pretty hard to find now, but of course 1.44MB drives are all over the place. The 1.44 MB drives have nearly the same pinout as a classic 5.25 double density drive, and they usually have a media sensor switch which forces them to use a slower data rate when using double density media. So I swapped the 5.25 double density drive from a PCjr and replaced it with a 1.44MB drive. The Jr can't tell the difference electrically - it wil just use 40 of the 80 tracks. Everything else will be the same. It ran diagnosics and made all of the right noises, then failed. Hmm. So I took the double density media I was using and cut a copy of DOS 3.3 onto it and tried again. Disk boot failure. Hmm.. bad media. Tried again, different diskette. Hmm.. consistent. To make a long story short: - Original IBM DOS 3.3 diskette: boots and runs fine in any drive. - DOS 3.3 copied onto a diskette by Windows or Linux using a 1.44MB drive and booted in a Jr with a 1.44MB drive: boot failure, but disk is readable. Just parts of track 0 are unreadable. - DOS 3.3 copied onto a diskette by the PCjr using a 1.44MB drive. (Booted first with the genuine DOS 3.3, tried to format /s.) Formatting failed - bad media. (Media is good on other machines.) So I found a genuine 720K drive, put it in the Jr, booted DOS and copied DOS again. Then I put the 1.44MB drive back in and booted from the new diskette. It worked! Basically, it's behaving like the 1.44MB drives in both the bigger PCs and on the Jr can't format the 720K media correctly. And I tried several drives (Sony and Teac) and it failed consistently. A real 720 drive can create a diskette that the other drives can boot from. (The bigger PCs with the 1.44MB drives *dont* have a problem with the copied diskette.) Just whipped out the multimeter. The 1.44MB drive definitely sees double density media - pin 2 is being driven high for double density media where normally it would be low. The controller ignores it either way, has pin 2 was unused back then. Does anybody have experience with doing something like this? I thought that the 1.44MB drives had a media sensor that would slow down the recording rate when using double density media. There should have been no problem coping/formatting double density media. And yet, here I am ... Mike

21 years, 2 months

2
1
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My PDP-8 Cards

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

I spent a big part of yesterday sorting out the DEC cards that I've been picking up the last couple of weeks. This morning I photographed SOME of the PDP-8 cards. Take a look <http://www.classiccmp.org/hp/My%20PDP-8%20Cards/> there's definitely some odd stuff there! This is just a small part of the ones that I got. I'll add more photos and (hopefully) descriptions later. If anyone wants to take a stab at identifing some of the third party cards and/or writing a description I'll be glad to post it. Joe

21 years, 2 months

5
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LF: Epson HX-20 service info

by dave04a＠dunfield.com

Hi Fred, >Check with Uncle Roger, if he's still around. >I sold him two HC-20s (the Japanese model (different color, katakana >on the keyboard, and different ROMs)), and gave him a tote of docs >that included schematics. All the text is in Japanese, but a schematic >is a schematic. Um... who is "Uncle Roger"? Is he a participant in this list? How to contact him? Regards and thanks for responding. Dave -- dave04a (at) Dave Dunfield dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools: www.dunfield.com com Collector of vintage computing equipment: http://www.parse.com/~ddunfield/museum/index.html

21 years, 2 months

3
3
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8" Apple Disks?

by marvin＠rain.org

A friend of mine showed me some 8" disks labeled "Apple" written on the label but did not have an Apple logo on them. Did Apple ever issue software on 8" disks and/or support 8" drives?

21 years, 2 months

5
4
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