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

Marquette "MUSE"--DEC mini/file server circa 1986-88

by ip500＠roanoke.infi.net

Anyone know anything about the above captioned computer??? It's a beast! Big HEAVY! upright tower system 27" tall X 27" deep with a HUGE power transformer in the bottom of the case. Model D171. Main components are DEC Backplane marked "H9275A", processor card "M8192" bunch of other non-DEC cards in there as well--SIGMA, EMULEX, couple of unmarked ones. Powers up, HD blinks, has a built in tape drive. Did a search for Marquette and they are now GE/Marquette--medical/EKG,EEG monitoring stuff. Is this some sort of rebadged DEC system or a totally custom ie: worthless medical gadget....looks promising. Thanks, Craig

26 years, 2 months

6
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XXDP+ LL Formatter on RX50/RX33

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Apr 17, 12:15, Jeffrey l Kaneko wrote: > On Mon, 17 Apr 2000 12:35:56 -0400 (EDT) allisonp(a)world.std.com writes: > > > Has anybody ever ripped the Low Level formatter > > > from the XXDP+ diskpack and put the needed components > > > onto a floppy (of some sort)? [...] > > It's doable. You need to create a bootable XXDP disk and copy the > > required formatter to it. not much more than that required. > > I figured as much; I was just probing to see if anyone had already > done it. Yes, DEC did: ZY003P3 Field Service Tests disks for the microPDP-11 series, contains 4 Field Service Test RX50's (CZXDnB0 where n = 1...4) and a CZUFB1 disk which has the monitor, menu, help text, UPD2 and assorted tests including ZRQA?? and ZRQC?? I've also got a pair of rather later XXDP 2 disks from 11/53 systems, which have XXDPXM, XXDPSM, DRSXM, DRSSM, DIR, assorted drivers, UPDAT, XTECO, DXCL, SETUP, HELP. One disk also has ZRQA??..ZRQF?? and the other has VDHA??..VDHE??, VMSA??, ZTKA?? and ZTKB?? -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

26 years, 2 months

1
0
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8-bit IDE

by allisonp＠world.std.com

>Frankly, the reason I'm exploring this is because with the 8-bit mode, I >don't have to buffer the data at all beyond the on-board data-in and data >out buffers at the bus interface. The board I'm using to host the thing is handy but that feature is not there. >From what I read in the standard, this is a normally selectable operating >mode for the interface. What's more, only the smallest of drives would be >appropriate for CP/M on the S-100, since CP/M supports, at most, 120 MB, Actually it supports 16 drives of 8mb each for CP/M 2.2 and 32Mb for CP/M3. P2dos, Novados, SuprBDOS all support files to 32mb and drives to 1gb. BUT, the logical drive to physical drive map does not have to be static. For example you could only have drives C/D/E/F as mapped to 8mb logical drives. Drive C: could be partition 1 and a fixed mapping. Drives D/E/F could be mapped to floating partitions anywhere on a very large drive. I supported two 71mb MFM drives this way back in 87 under CP/M2.2. >handle that much. Back when I used CP/M every day, I owned the largest hard >disk system on CP/M that I'd ever seen, at 44MB. Obviously you've never seen many of the systems I ran or have aquired. Likely the 44mb limit was based on inavailability of really large drives. Even my AmproLB has a 45mb SCSI on it and I plan to bump that up to a 160mb. The current system I'm building I'm planning will have IDE 250mb drive. Space is handy as I can have a 8mb partition for pascal and another for C or whatever. >notebook drives should cost about $5-10, which is acceptable. Clearly, There are plenty for under 25$. Though you have to decide on 9.5mm, 12mm or 17mm thick models. Allison

26 years, 2 months

3
5
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RRD40 terminator?

by cmcmanis＠freegate.com

Hello all, I've got an interface to an RRD40 in my VAX called a KRQ50 and it has two "ports". One connects to the RRD40 with a 15 pin or so cable, the other, I don't know. Then in the box of stuff that went with this is a terminator (green LED on the back) with the same D-shell connector as the RRD40. So I'm trying to figure out whether or not they went together. I've never seen such a terminator before. --Chuck

26 years, 2 months

3
2
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XXDP+ LL Formatter on RX50/RX33

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>> > I'm contemplating attempting to do this myself, >> > but in case it's been done already, I'd just as >> > soon as not re-invent the wheel. >> >> It's doable. You need to create a bootable XXDP disk and copy the >> required formatter to it. not much more than that required. >I figured as much; I was just probing to see if anyone had already >done it. Sure. Do you just want the RQDX3 utilities on it? Up until a year or two ago, DEC would sell you a subset of XXDP on RX50's that included the things commonly used on Micro-PDP's. They don't have any RX50's left in inventory, though. >BTW-- Are RL02's a maintainance nightmare? Do the advantages >of these drives outweigh the problems (not to mention their *size*, >or are they simply not worth it? RL02's are, IMHO, the most reliable of all the 14" removable cartridge drives. The embedded servo design means that absolute positioning alignment does't have to be done. (Though the relative alignment of the two heads does matter somewhat.) The head flies pretty high over the platter, so crashes are rare. I know one site that ran a bunch of RL01's (mechanically very similar) continuously for twenty years before upgrading to RL02's, and the only problems they had were the spindle bearings wearing out. And they aren't very big or heavy either. They're less than 70 lbs each, so they're easy to move around. The big Massbus drives, those are a different story. -- Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/ 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917 Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927

26 years, 2 months

1
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XXDP+ LL Formatter on RX50/RX33

by jeff.kaneko＠juno.com

Guys: Has anybody ever ripped the Low Level formatter >from the XXDP+ diskpack and put the needed components onto a floppy (of some sort)? I'm contemplating attempting to do this myself, but in case it's been done already, I'd just as soon as not re-invent the wheel. I'll need the formatter used with the RQDX3. BTW-- Anybody have the docs for the DSD-880? Info on this would be most appreciated. Jeff ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

26 years, 2 months

2
1
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test post

by stuart＠zen.co.uk

test Stuart Birchall ----------------------------------------- Network Consultant Zen Internet http://home.zen.co.uk Tel: 01706 713714 x 217

26 years, 2 months

1
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PS/2 memory

by PeksaDO＠Cardiff.ac.uk

Speaking of PS/2 memory, can anyone shed any light on the following MCA memory card: Made by Quadram. There are various stickers: [908503] [02790487][REV 1B] [K.B.] [9080R1] [9081R1] [9079R2] The [908503] sticker obscures an etch number 17-9085-[908503]R1 There are four 30pin SIMM slots furthest from the back plate, each containing a 1Mbyte SIMM. I've searched the web but can't find any info. There are three 3pin jumpers (marked J1, J2, J3) and one toggle switch on the back plate. I've assumed that the jumpers set the starting address/size and that the toggle switches it off and on but can't see any extra memory (even after trying various combinations) in my PS/2 model 80. Doug.

26 years, 2 months

1
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8-bit IDE

by allisonp＠world.std.com

>As it happens, the committee did standardize on the one mode bit that makes >the interface an 8-bitter. How extensively that was adhered to remains to >be seen, I guess. Well wishful thinking had me check it out using several 85-130mb drives (quantum, Seagate, maxtor, WD) and none seem to do that. After all having that would make the interface a no brainer and save a simple silo for splitting read and writes. However, it was wishful thinking. As to doing it on S100, been there done that. the interface logic needed to do the bus does 3/4s of the work and it only needs a bit more the close the loop. CPLD/FPGA/PAL could cover most of that but for S100 I like real TTL (244/241/373) like parts and NO cmos where the bis interface occurs. Allison

26 years, 2 months

2
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8-bit IDE

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>> I personally like the CMOS much better since it drives harder, and since it >> pulls and pushes with the same impedance, unlike TTL which sinks 16 and >> sources 1.6 mA. I've tried replacing all the bus interface buffers on my >> old S-100 cards with AC logic. In some cases I used HC or AHCT (SAMSUNG) >I've seen latchup on busses that ring negative using HC and HCT parts. >I'd like the better drive but they would randomly flame on me due to the >bus ringing. Obviously loading the bus with terminators would solve this >but it's still something that worried me and made for a less robust card >for handling and ESD. Is the cheapness of IDE drives worth all the heartache of the cable length and funny line driver limitations? The cable length limitations are so short that you've almost got to put the hard drive in the same box as the CPU - this isn't good if you want expandable or flexible systems! But if "cheap" is the main requirement, I suppose it's OK. Maybe I'm too used to dealing with systems where the hard drive might be 60 or 100 feet away from the CPU... (differential SCSI and SMD.) Tim.

26 years, 2 months

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Marquette "MUSE"--DEC mini/file server circa 1986-88

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

> Is this some sort of rebadged DEC system or a totally custom >ie: worthless medical gadget....looks promising. It's a system, with DEC CPU, non-DEC controllers/peripherals and a non-DEC backplane/chassis/power supply. Not too unusual - IMHO it's *more* unusual to find an entirely-DEC system. Note that it is possible to assemble a brand-new PDP-11 "compatible" using no DEC parts at all. For instance, I know of one desktop system using a Mentec M11 CPU (totally custom implementation, not even a J11), Andromeda SCDC SCSI host adapter, Logical Company async multiplexer, and a Seagate SCSI hard drive in an Andromeda desktop Q-bus enclosure. Tim.

26 years, 2 months

1
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Flea Market Fun

by broth＠heathers.stdio.com

My favorite words from a flea market vendor is "I don't know anything about this stuff... " Just picked up two Timex Sinclairs, Timex 2068 CPU, printer, cassette interface all brand new in the original box's. $10 for the whole shabang. I wonder if I should send in the warranties... Brian.

26 years, 2 months

2
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8-bit IDE

by allisonp＠world.std.com

>Those "special" drives are not what I meant to ask about. I want to know >more about the 8-bit mode described in the ATA Interface Specification as >published in 1994 and 1996. This is apparently a "standard" feature. It was a proposed feature. Not used that I know of and later deleted from the spec. I've never found a drive that it works on, wish it did though. Allison

26 years, 2 months

2
1
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Mac/gs<==> PC?

by rcini＠msn.com

On Sat, 15 Apr 2000 21:02:01 -0600, Jim Strickland <jim(a)calico.litterbox.com > wrote: <<I'm not sure how you're going to write to the superdisk in a fashion that the GS can read. You *might* be able to format the superdisk on your PC as an ISO9660 or a MAC CD, and then put the disk in the superdrive on the GS before you power it up, so it thinks it has a CDROM mounted. Might. CDROM support is a little dicy on GSOS, and whether the file system driver will deal with a non-standard disk size I have no idea. That's what I'd try first though.>> My thought was to use TransMac98 on my PC, format the disk to 1.4mb and con nect the SuperDrive to my SE30. That way, I can move compressed disk archive s to the network for archival. The underlying activity here is to make archi val copies of my existing 15-yr old diskettes and put images on my network. If I can only get a Superdrive for the gs, I can move the programs over by 8 00k disks and then copy them to 1.4m. <<If you have a CDROM burner, I'd be far more inclined to try burning a CD>> I do have one of these, and I'll probably burn a CD with the disk images on it. Right now, I need to get the programs off of the diskettes onto a safe m edia. Rich [ Rich Cini [ ClubWin!/CW1 [ MCP Windows 95/Windows Networking [ Collector of "classic" computers [ <http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp/> <================ reply separator =================>

26 years, 2 months

1
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8-bit IDE

by allisonp＠world.std.com

>No, I haven't heard of any 8-bit IDE models since the very ancient Seagate >ST___X drives. But I gotta ask, why even bother looking for them, when I happen to have a few WD and ST series ones but they are native ide-8 and no bit change for 16bit. 8bit IDE is true oddball and I really doubt there was much in the way of adpotion. doing 8bit conversion takes a bit of logic and the direct 8bit IDE looks appealing until you try to use them... They didn't standardize! I gave up on them. Allison

26 years, 2 months

2
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More freebie classic documentation

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

The following are available for shipping cost from Bethesda MD 20817: 1. "New Word" paperback, describing the CP/M screen-oriented editor. 2. "Spellguard" CP/M Spellchecker docs in original ISA 3-Ring binder. 3. VT55 Users' Manual (xerox copy) 4. IDS 440 Paper Tiger Owners' Manual (xerox copy) 5. Teletype 40 Owner's Manual (original booklet) 6. Tandon TM252 (10-Meg MFM hard drive) OEM operating and service manual, original in Tandon binder. 7. Tandon TM501, TM502, TM503 (5.25" FH MFM hard drives) OEM operating and service manual, original in Tandon binder. 8. PRIAM OEM Service manuals: 3450, 7050 8" Winchester Disk drives 9. PRIAM OEM Servie manuals: 14" Winchester Drives 10. PRIAM SMART and SMART-E interface product specification. 11. Seagate ST506 MicroWinchester OEM Manual, Preliminary, 1-Apr-1981. First come, first served. Be sure to supply your mailing address and which items you want, and I'll let you know the shipping costs. Generally any two or three items above can be sent to the lower 48 via USPS priority mail for $3.20. Tim. (shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com)

26 years, 2 months

1
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Computerworld Article

by lemay＠cs.umn.edu

Computerworld's front page article is on computer junk, ie, the problems companies are having with disposing of 'old' computers. Just thought i would mention it in case someone wanted to read the on-line version: http://www.computerworld.com/home/print.nsf/all/000410D386 -Lawrence LeMay

26 years, 2 months

12
17
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Research Machines Link 480Z

by flo＠rdel.co.uk

I've just obtained an RML 480Z. This machine was commonly in use in schools in the UK during the 80s, as an alternative to BBCs or Spectrums under a government initiative to keep our computer industry alive. Unfortunately, there are no cables or documentation with it. It has a large array of DIN sockets at the back for cassette, two monitor connections, and two serial ports. Does anyone have the pinouts for these sockets? I'll email Research Machines as well to see if I can obtain any documentation, but the only reference to 480Z on their web site is on the Y2K page, where it says that they don't have a real-time clock.

26 years, 2 months

12
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New stuff and lots of Digital help

by dogas＠leading.net

>> 4. I'm need a mouse and monitor cable for a VaxStation 3100. > >Well, I run mine with a VT420 for a head. Shoot, most of my Alpha's don't >even have Monitors attached to them, and NONE of the VAXen do. > > Zane Zane, thanks for the info and suggestions. You talked me into leaving the uVax2 alone with its Ultrix... And I'm not sure about the HSC-70, but it came in as part of the 11/44 when it was scrapped. So, does anyone have any extra Dec Modified Modular Jacks (MMJ's) for the console port or the odd SCSI cables for the VaxStation 3100 or know where they can be found? Regards - Mike: dogas(a)leading.net

26 years, 2 months

1
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Nov 1976 Interface Age magazine

by paulrsm＠ameritech.net

Does anyone have the November 1976 issue of Interface Age magazine? There is an article by Steve Wozniak publishing 6502 floating point routines. I have the August 1976 Dr. Dobb's Journal with the same or similar information. I want a copy of the Interface Age article so I can compare the two.

26 years, 2 months

1
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CPU upgrades, pt. II

by allisonp＠world.std.com

>>> As my internal network progresses this box has value as I have a SMC 10bt >>> NIC for it. I figure OS/2 warp V3 or Win3.1 would be a good os for it. >>> Being 286 there are few unix based OSs with a networking that run well >>>>> on it. >>the only version of OS2 that will work on the mod50 is 1.3. any OS2 version >>with built in windows support requires 386 or higher. you can put in various I checked, V3 wants 386 or higher.... ok, I have a box for that. I do have win 3.0 and 3.1 with 286 support in hand those I have lanman and windows networking support. FYI: the NT4 Server disks have client drivers and networking support for DOS, WIN3.x, OS/2 and w9x. Lanman and TCP/ip. >>memory cards to goto max supported mem of 16meg. plus, the hard drive has >>bus attachment with only 160meg size being the biggest i've seen. Disk is not problem as I have a 120 mb drive, enough for this use. >I'm not sure, but I suspect that getting any kind of networking for >OS/2 V1.3 is going to be difficult. IIRC, it doesn't come with networking No plan to run OS/2-v1.3 don't have it either. >Warp 3 was the last version I ran, and I don't remember it having any >networking software either. It does if you have the bonus pak. I also have the NT4 clients kit for OS/2 V3. I'd still like to bump it up to 2MB if possible. Allison

26 years, 2 months

1
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disposing of computer junk was Re: Computerworld Article

by xds_sigma7＠hotmail.com

There's no problem... just give it to me.. Will J ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

26 years, 2 months

8
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CPU upgrades, pt. II

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

In a message dated 4/14/00 8:09:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time, peter.pachla(a)wintermute.org.uk writes: > Hi, > > > I'm going to guess that it probably doesn't want just simple > >72-pin SIMMs. I believe you need True Parity 72-pin SIMMs for > >this beasty. > > Actually, I forgot about the SIMMs in my PS/2 9595....I wonder if those > would work (I've not had much success trying them in non-PS/2 machines)? > > BTW I wasn't aware that there were 72-pin SIMMs that didn't provide true > parity. I'd always assumed this was a cost cutting phenomenon limited to > 30-pin SIMMs? :-( 9595 uses either parity or ECC simms. ps2 memory has presence detect features as well so the PS2 can query the type of memory installed. DB Young ICQ: 29427634 view the computers of yesteryear at http://members.aol.com/suprdave/classiccmp/museum.htm --You can lead a whore to Vassar, but you can't make her think--

26 years, 2 months

1
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Freebie docs

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

Time to clear the shelves. All available for the cost of shipping - pick and choose what you can use, but hurry, because it's first-come first-served! 1. VT55 Users' Manual (xerox copy) + IDS 440 Paper Tiger Owners' Manual (copy) 2. Teletype Model 40 User's Guide (original) 3. Kennedy Model 9100 Digital Tape Transport Operation and Maintenance Manual (original) 4. ITT XTRA Personal Computer repair manual (xerox copy) -- Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/ 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917 Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927

26 years, 2 months

1
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CPU upgrades, pt. II

by mgregory＠vantageresearch.com

Hi Pete, I can't help with your question, but you may want to post it on comp.sys.ibm.ps2.hardware. There are a lot of extremely knowledgeable (if not fanatical) MCA enthusiasts there (notably Peter Wendt, Louis Ohland, and Bruce Lane) and the signal to noise ratio is high. The group helped me a lot in reviving a PS/2 Model 8595 server last year. Regards, Mark "Now if only I could find some 1 by 4 static column ZIP DRAMs" Gregory -----Original Message----- From: Peter Pachla <peter.pachla(a)wintermute.org.uk> To: Classic Computer <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Date: Thursday, April 13, 2000 1:36 PM Subject: CPU upgrades, pt. II >Anyone come across an "XTEND MICROPRODUCTS" processor upgrade card for MCA >machines? > >I've found one inside my PS/2 Model 50, which I was previously unable to >identify as the markings on the PCBs are hidden inside the "sandwich" >IYKWIM. > >Anyway, it appears to replace the onboard '286(?) with a '486SLC (no real >clues as to clock speed, but could be 25MHz) and has a socket next to the >processor which I'm assuming is for a math co-processor? > >Would I be correct in assuming that the system will not start up if the >72-pin SIMM sockets on the upgrade board are empty....I've never gotten very >far with this machine as I don't have any 72-pin SIMMs to try in it? > > > TTFN - Pete. > >-- >Hardware & Software Engineer. Sound Engineer. >Collector of Arcade Machines, Games Consoles & Obsolete Computers (esp DEC) > >peter.pachla(a)wintermute.org.uk | www.wintermute.org.uk >-- > > >

26 years, 2 months

2
1
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CPU upgrades, pt. II

by peter.pachla＠wintermute.org.uk

Anyone come across an "XTEND MICROPRODUCTS" processor upgrade card for MCA machines? I've found one inside my PS/2 Model 50, which I was previously unable to identify as the markings on the PCBs are hidden inside the "sandwich" IYKWIM. Anyway, it appears to replace the onboard '286(?) with a '486SLC (no real clues as to clock speed, but could be 25MHz) and has a socket next to the processor which I'm assuming is for a math co-processor? Would I be correct in assuming that the system will not start up if the 72-pin SIMM sockets on the upgrade board are empty....I've never gotten very far with this machine as I don't have any 72-pin SIMMs to try in it? TTFN - Pete. -- Hardware & Software Engineer. Sound Engineer. Collector of Arcade Machines, Games Consoles & Obsolete Computers (esp DEC) peter.pachla(a)wintermute.org.uk | www.wintermute.org.uk --

26 years, 2 months

3
3
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New stuff and lots of Digital help

by dogas＠leading.net

Hi all, I knew that hanging aound you nuts wouldn't be good for my computer collecting dementia. ( reference http://users.leading.net/~dogas/COMPOSITE.jpg ) Until recently, I've kinda resisted adding Dec equipment due to storage concerns. Until recently... So, here's my digital stuff... http://users.leading.net/~dogas/classiccmp/digital/digital.htm ...that I can use some help with... 1. I've got an 11/05 missing a KD-11B processor board #1 (M7260) 2. I have no space currently for the 11/44 and MicroVax 3600 and will entertain any 'hosting' options 3. My MicroVax II is booting into Ultrix 4.5 and I'd rather learn VMS 4. I'm need a mouse and monitor cable for a VaxStation 3100. 5. One of my Heathkit H-27 floppies is broken and I also need an os for it. Any suggentions for any of the above problems would be appreciated. In the meantime, back to the classiccmp archives. Hey, I also found two Honeywell 316 minicomputers too, check out... http://users.leading.net/~dogas/classiccmp/h316/h316.htm Cheers. - Mike: dogas(a)leading.net

26 years, 2 months

4
3
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HP Apollo/9000s

by peter.pachla＠wintermute.org.uk

Hi Sean, > You might want to take a look at http://parisc.workstations.org.... Thanks for that, someone else over in the Apollo newsgroup suggested that site too - and very interesting it is too. TTFN - Pete. -- Hardware & Software Engineer. Sound Engineer. Collector of Arcade Machines, Games Consoles & Obsolete Computers (esp DEC) peter.pachla(a)wintermute.org.uk | www.wintermute.org.uk --

26 years, 2 months

1
0
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Lubing Shugart 800,801's?

by allisonp＠world.std.com

First item,, I've seen lots of 800/810s with lube on the leadscrew from the factory. Two, carb cleaner is toxic and usually bad for most plastics. My cut is pull the lead screw/stepper and properly clean it and lube very lightly with good molly grease. >that is available to you, then lubing it with a LIGHT coat of (one drop for >every three drives) of WD40, then adding about 1/4 tsp of moly-disulfide, WD40 is penetrant and evaporates very quicly leaving mostly nothing. After your done cleaning any know good disk will suffice for alignment. I've even eyeballed them in. the tracks are really quite wide! Allison

26 years, 2 months

3
3
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Complete List Archives Available!

by af-list＠wfi-inc.com

Hi, I know Kevan indicated recently that he was in the process of rebuilding his archives, and I'm not sure of the current status of that, but in the meantime I've put up all archives since March of 1997 (start of the list) at http://www.retrobytes.org. I can't express how many times his archives saved me and I just wanted to get that information back up for the public as soon as possible. I was a little shocked when I sent the U Washington Listproc server an "index" command and found that they still had all of the list archives available! Another thing that amazed me was how *prolific* this list has been in the past. One month (April 1999) was just shy of *3000* messages! I haven't totaled everything, but I would easily guess that there's upwards of 50,000 messages for the last three years. What an unbelievable technical resource! I think there was a comment about the volume of messages that Tony Duell posts; if you have any doubt, look through any of the months by Author to see just *how much* he contributes here. One of the things I'm considering is making a CD-rom distribution of the list archives available to list members; any interest? It would allow for faster searching and accessability to the archives for someone working on a classic system not in the immediate vicinity of an internettable computer. I could make it available as an ISO image download by individual request, or burn CD's here for the cost of media/shipping. I still need to add the search capability, so I'm seriously looking for someone with experience setting up Glimpse or something similar. Also, any ideas for setting this up for a CD version would be appreciated. Cheers, Aaron Special thanks to Hans Franke for supplying me with his saved archives, before I knew about UWash's listproc archive...

26 years, 2 months

5
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A New Find

by jrkeys＠concentric.net

The other day I was given a Sym model 1 in a custom case of black metal with wooden sides and a built in keyboard sold by Synertek. There small wooden door on top that lifts off to view the on board LED and KB. This system has been upgraded with extra memory and other features. He also gave all the documentation for it and some newsletters from an old Sym computer club that used to be at Honeywell. The board is dated 1978 with SN 3433. It will be a great addition to my collection and I hope to fire it up soon.

26 years, 2 months

4
7
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Looking for: Ai Cybernetic Systems Model 1000 Speech Synthesizer.

by ss＠allegro.com

Hi, I'm looking to find a particular S-100 bus speech synthesizer: Ai Cybernetic Systems Model 1000 Speech Synthesizer. (Photo, info at: http://web.inter.nl.net/hcc/davies/mvaicyb.html) I'm just sort of interested in seeing one, because a friend designed/built them. thanks, Stan Sieler sieler(a)allegro.com www.allegro.com/sieler/wanted/index.html www.allegro.com/sieler

26 years, 2 months

1
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IP11 test manual wanted

by hofmanwb＠worldonline.nl

I have IP11 test programs on RX01 floppy, but where and how do I get the manual for these tests? I live in Arnhem, The Netherlands Thanks in advance, Wim

26 years, 2 months

1
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ATTN: Will Jennings

by jpl15＠netcom.com

My private e-mail seems not to be reaching you either... you might be getting what you're paying for from your ISP. :) Obclassiccmp: this concerns a computer rescue... it's OT. Cheers John

26 years, 2 months

1
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The best docs I've ever seen

by xds_sigma7＠hotmail.com

Hi, FWIW, the best docs I've ever run across are the old Interdata/Perkin-Elmer manuals for my 7/32's, 3203's, 3205, and 3210's... the 7/32 manuals even include a complete listing of the microcode! All of the test program source code is included in the test docs, and I have the source code for the OS also. Will J ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

26 years, 2 months

3
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Lubing Shugart 800,801's?

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>When they say "do not lubricate ..." they're not lying! If only the previous owners/techs had understood this! > The grit and grime >that finds its way into the leadscrew will act as lapping compound and >abrade the lead screw, which in most of the newer lead-screw-driven >mechanisms is plastic, and soon, you'll have a drive with too much backlash >on the lead screw, which will result in positioning error, depending on the >direction in which the lead screw was last moved. I've got 14 Shugart 800's and 801's from this latest pile now undergoing the DSD Hyperdiagnostics simultaneously (lots of head kerklunking!) and I see no evidence of alignment problems on any of them. I'm strongly of the opinion that 95% of alignment problems are created when folks go in and fool with the alignment when there's nothing wrong in the first place. > I would probably feel >comfortable cleaning out the gunk with a penetrating oil wuch as what you >mentioned, but I would vigorously pursue the problem of getting the rest of >the sticky residue out with a volatile solvent. I think "Liquid Wrench" is both a penetrating oil and a mix of volatile solvents. And in spraying it in I added my own oil to the lubricating mess that shouldn't be there, but now at least I can turn the leadscrew and run the drives through their paces. >That, in turn, threatens to soften the plastic head-assembly, part of which >is the "nut" for the lead screw, so don't get any of the benzene or methyl >alcohol, or acetone, on the plastic parts, lest they soften and change their >shape. I appreciate that, I learned long ago to test chemicals against plastics when a can of TV tuner I had dissolved the plastic shaft in an old TV... >I'd suggest that you look at the service manual and consider whether this >bothers you enough to warrant going through the painstaking process of >disassembling and cleaning the head transports in order to get rid of the >grease. If you're careful, you might find a way to brush out the threads, >but they'll continue to accumulate dirt and grit so long as you have grease >on the "nut" which is part of the head assembly. Yes, I can do a halfway decent job with skewers and Q-tips to get the goo out of the threads, but there certainly is some still left in the threads on the head assembly/pre-load nut and that I can't get at without removing the whole assembly and destroying the (currently fine) alignment. Tim.

26 years, 2 months

2
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Shugart 800-2

by allisonp＠world.std.com

From: Lawrence LeMay <lemay(a)cs.umn.edu> >Does anyone know if a Shugart 800-2 8" floppy drive is DSDD or not? I have >been getting different hints on various web pages. Definatley single sided, though it can run single or double density. I'm very certain as I have a few 800s and 801s. The twosided versions are the 851 and 855. Allison

26 years, 2 months

4
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Home network routing setup

by Anthony.Eros＠compaq.com

Sorry for the partially off-topic question, but I'm stumped. I'd like to set up more of my systems in a home network environment, but I don't really properly understand routing and am looking for some help. My internet access is through a cable modem that acts as a DHCP server, allocating up to three IP addresses to specifically-named systems. For instance systems "foo1", "foo2" and "foo3" will get IP addresses from the modem, while "foo4", "foo5" and "foo6" will not. I thought about snagging a small PC with a couple of NICs and running ShareTheNet or WinGate, but I recently picked up a used Alpha running NT with a pair of NICs that I'd like to try out as a router. Right now, the Alpha has one of the magic system names (foo1), so one of the network adapters gets a DHCP-served IP address. I have the other adapter's IP address defined as 192.168.0.101, with the mask as 255.255.255.0 and no gateway defined. I want to set the following systems up with static IP addresses: 192.168.0.105 SGI Indy 192.168.0.106 Symbolics Lisp Machine 192.168.0.107 NeXT Cube 192.168.0.108 Pentium II Laptop 192.168.0.109 Pentium Desktop 192.168.0.110 DEC Shark 192.168.0.111 iOpener I'd like to set up these machines to use 192.168.0.102 as their gateway. Seems to me that if I have the Alpha set up properly, I shouldn't need to do any special route definitions on the other systems, right? So, any suggestions on how I should set up the two NICs on the Alpha under NT 4.0? -- Tony

26 years, 2 months

9
9
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Question on disc drive encoder

by west＠tseinc.com

I'm having a problem with my 7900 I'm trying to get up and running that I wanted to bounce off the folks here. When you hit the load switch, after spinup the heads seek cylinder 0 and rest there (and an interrupt is sent to the cpu). However, any command sent to the drive via diagnostics causes the heads to slowly step out one cylinder at a time to the innermost track. Then the cpu gets a "no command flag" message which basically means the cpu never got acknowledgement back >from the drive that the previous operation completed. This makes me suspect the encoder mechanism. The drive uses an IR emitter/detector through a glass reticule with sector markings on it. But if the encoder was shot, wouldn't that make it hard for the drive to initially seek cylinder 0 upon loading as it does correctly? Just curious... more of a philosophical question than a need for direction... Thanks in advance! Jay West

26 years, 2 months

3
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A disturbing conversation about documentation

by steverob＠hotoffice.com

> > Documentation is the first component tossed by the wayside > when deadlines are approaching too quickly. > > - John Actually, the first thing that gets tossed is the development "process". As a Quality Assurance Engineer, this is an issue that I have to deal with *every* single day. Frankly, I don't expect it to get any better. :-( If anyone cares to continue the discussion, I'll be glad to elaborate... Steve Robertson <steverob(a)hotoffice.com>

26 years, 2 months

2
1
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Shugart 800-2

by lemay＠cs.umn.edu

Does anyone know if a Shugart 800-2 8" floppy drive is DSDD or not? I have been getting different hints on various web pages. Also, does anyone recall the URL to the web site with the Terak and Shugart manuals that have been scanned in? -Lawrence LeMay

26 years, 2 months

5
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DEC Logic Trainers (was Re: A New Find)

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- Doug Salot <doug(a)blinkenlights.com> wrote: > On Thu, 13 Apr 2000, John Honniball wrote: > > > > But wait, there's more! I don't have pics yet, but for your salivating > > > pleasure.... a 1966 DEC logic trainer... > > Hmm, could you be bribed to scan or copy the thing before it crumbles into > oblivion? BTW, friend Eric has a later (1969) manual for a different DEC > trainer: > http://www.brouhaha.com/~eric/retrocomputing/dec/computer_lab/ I have an 8"x11" workbook for a TTL-version of the DEC Logic trainer. I got it as a kid, so many of the pages are scribbled up with my attempts to solve the problems. I regret that now, but at the time, the book was free to me and photocopies cost money. Maybe I'll scan it (in my copious spare time) and edit out the additions with Photoshop. I would leave them in, but they are very poorly hand-drawn. I was between 9 and 13 when I got the book. I did not use a drawing template. I never have seen any of DEC's logic trainers close up. 20 years ago, I wanted one lots. I still want one, but realistically, what would I do with it? -ethan ===== Even though my old e-mail address is no longer going to vanish, please note my new public address: erd(a)iname.com The original webpage address is still going away. The permanent home is: http://penguincentral.com/ See http://ohio.voyager.net/ for details. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send online invitations with Yahoo! Invites. http://invites.yahoo.com

26 years, 2 months

1
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uVAX II Questions

by sipke＠wxs.nl

I've just made my uVAX II accessable and opened it up to check what's inside and would like some comments on what it contains. I want to connect it by network or serial cable to my network or a PC. It Should have bootable software installed. These are the things I know but if any of you would like to elaborate feel welcome BA123 Box containing: CPU M7606 with propably 1 MB RAM (Onboard RAM=disconnected if other RAM is present ?) RAM M7609 2x (Do they have standard amount) they are fully stucked with chips M7516 DEQLA or DEQNA ? (Has cable going to the AUI connector at the back) M7555 Diskcontroller ? dunno type of controller but it connects to 2 * RD54a (via an intermediate board and cables) M7546 Tapecontroller for TK50 Unkown ID. Board from Distributed Logic Corp with the following numbers: SQ703A , 706AQ0748 and on the rom: 45u / 92782 Rev j. It is connected to an EXABYTE 8200SX 8mm Tapedrive so it shoul be a SCSI-controller. The guy i got the uVAX from told me that I could change it to a SCSI-controller the could access SCSI-HD's rather than a EXABYTE tapedrive. But I should change some prom's on the card. TK50 1x EXABYTE 8200SX 1x RD54A 2x Furthermore I would like to know how to connect a PC-terminal-emulator to the terminal connector at the back. It is a 9 pin D-type connector and a Baudrate switch next to it. Does it have a standard PC-like pinout? Do I connect with null-modem configuration ? Sipke de Wal

26 years, 2 months

33
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WTB: 5 1/4" Magneto Optical Cartridges

by jhfine＠idirect.com

I am looking for a source for the 600 Mbyte magneto optical 5 1/4" cartridges with 512 byte per sector. These will be used in a SONY SMO S-501 5 1/4" magneto optical disk drive. I have also found a SONY SMO S-501 drive, but I would like to acquire a second one (or a compatible) as a backup. Sincerely yours, Jerome Fine

26 years, 2 months

2
1
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Tektronix 4107

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

On April 13, Charles P. Hobbs (SoCalTip) wrote: > This was a rather neat little graphics terminal (CRT). You could draw all > sorts of shapes on the screen by issuing commands such as "Square > 0,0,10,10" or "Line 4,4,20,20", etc. Cool! > They were pretty exciting back in 1984 or so (when I first saw one), but > probably long since outdone by VGA/SVGA graphics ... ...but since VGA/SVGA graphics are usually attached to PeeCees, I'd take the 4107 any day. ;) -Dave McGuire Happy with 960 MFLOPS on an SGI Max Impact Unhappy with PCs ...and finally getting over this damned cold.

26 years, 2 months

1
0
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Home network routing setup

by sms＠antinode.org

From: "Shawn T. Rutledge" <rutledge(a)cx47646-a.phnx1.az.home.com> > On Wed, Apr 12, 2000 at 10:38:12PM -0500, Eros, Anthony wrote: > > I'd like to set up more of my systems in a home network environment, but I > > don't really properly understand routing and am looking for some help. > > [...] > > So, any suggestions on how I should set up the two NICs on the Alpha under > > NT 4.0? > > May be possible with NT but this is screaming for Linux... what you need > is IP masquerading, which will let all the machines hide behind one IP > address, that of the gateway machine. [...] Or a suitable cable modem/router. I have DSL service using a Cisco 675, routing, with a single IP address. It can do DHCP, but I don't use it. I set static NAT entries for the popular ports to pass through to my AlphaStation (running VMS), which acts as the (only) server. Everyone else on the home network has a static (internal-only) IP address (10.0.0.*) and gets client access to the network using the Cisco box's dynamic NAT, so I can do Web browsing from my Mac Plus, if I wish. What's your box, and what can it do? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Steven M. Schweda (+1) 651-699-9818 (voice, home) 382 South Warwick Street (+1) 763-781-0308 (voice, work) Saint Paul MN 55105-2547 (+1) 763-781-0309 (facsimile, work) sms(a)antinode.org sms(a)provis.com (work)

26 years, 2 months

1
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FW: SMD drives available.

by kyrrin＠bluefeathertech.com

Any list members near Kent, UK? The fellow who wrote the attached message has some nice Fujitsus available. Please reply directly to him if interested. Attachment follows. -=-=- <snip> -=-=- On Wed, 12 Apr 2000 22:22:35 +0000, in comp.sys.dec you wrote: >>Hello. >>I have three pairs of SMD drives available. they are Fujitsu >>M2344K (690MB) and each pair is fitted into a 19" rackmount >>tray 3U high. I have all of the slidemounts and frontplates >>and also some cables too. all of the drives spin-up O.K. and >>become ready, and until a few days ago they were fitted into >>a Sequent Minicomputer. The system was last used a month ago, >>and has now been removed from service. the system dates from >>1990 and has had minimal use for the past five years. so the >>drives should be good for a few years yet. I'm open to offers >>on these drives, as I haven't got a clue what they're worth. >>Be warned though, they are big and heavy, and I'm in North >>Kent U.K. and they'll need to be collected, although, if >>you're local (within a couple of hundred miles) I may be able >>to deliver. >> >>please e-mail or fax if you're interested. All The Best. >>-- >>Tim Bluck. TB565 http://www.planet-tharg.demon.co.uk >>'Phone.01322-409955 Fax. 01322-410111 Dartford. Kent. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies -- kyrrin (at) bluefeathertech [dot] com Web: http://www.bluefeathertech.com "...No matter how we may wish otherwise, our science can only describe an object, event, or living thing in our own human terms. It cannot possibly define any of them..."

26 years, 2 months

1
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Fw: Sony microcomputer

by jrkeys＠concentric.net

Here's another computer up for sell. Good Luck John ----- Original Message ----- From: Peter Johnsen <pjj(a)sgi.com> To: <jrkeys(a)concentric.net> Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2000 11:11 AM Subject: Sony microcomputer > Hello, > > Saw the write-up in the Pioneer Press about > your collection. I have a circa 1982 Sony > SMC-70 CP/M machine I'd like to part with and > I was wondering if you might be interested in > buying it. > > No manuals but it does boot from ROM and runs > Basic just fine. > > Peter > > > -- > Peter Johnsen Tel 651-683-5462 > Applications Engineer FAX 651-683-7482 > SGI pjj(a)sgi.com > 655F Lone Oak Drive > Eagan, MN 55121 USA > -------------------------------------------------------- >

26 years, 2 months

1
0
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Scanning out-of-print books and documentation

by rmeenaks＠olf.com

Hi, I want to start scanning some of the transputer books and manuals that I have. A lot if not all are out-of-print. If I scan them and put them on the net, do I have to worry about copyright laws, etc. Would I get into any trouble?? What is the current policy on this?? I know several of you guys scanned several books/documentation/manuals etc for various machines. Any help in this would be appreciated. Oh, what about old software too. Thanks. Ram

26 years, 2 months

10
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A disturbing conversation about documentation

by spc＠armigeron.com

While not exactly on topic for this list, it does have some relavance I think. I just got done talking with a friend about the lack of documentation in this industry. I mentioned the arguments I thought for it: the ``our competition will steal our ideas'' or ``our hardware/software is so bad we don't want anyone to know about it.'' My friend had another reason: companies are afraid to release documentation because most of it is inaccurate, incomplete, confusing, or just doesn't exist within the company. Or their products use third party vendor parts that themselves, are not documented or require thick layers of NDAs to even see (``I work here and I was told to get a copy of our business procedures.'' ``Are you a manager?'' ``No. I'm an engineer.'' ``Then I'm sorry, but you are not allowed to see our business procedures.'' ``But I work here!'' ``I'm sorry, but they're proprietary, and with proper management approval, you can't have them.'' ``But I was told I have to follow them!'' ``Yes, you do.'' ``But what are they?'' ``I'm sorry, but that's proprietary information.'') My friend even went on to relate a story that happened within his company: FRIEND: Yes, I'd like to use our XYZ chip. COW-ORKER: I'm sorry, but the engineer responsible for the XYZ chip died last year and no one knows how it works or even how to make it anymore. FRIEND: There was no documentation? COW-ORKER: Hahahahahahaha! You haven't worked here that long, have you? -spc (We're doomed! We're doomed I say!)

26 years, 2 months

3
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DEC blanket permission was: Re: Scanning out-of-print books and documentation

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Apr 12, 12:45, Pat Barron wrote: > On Wed, 12 Apr 2000, Roger Ivie wrote: > > > > One document that I'm fairly certain is not covered by the blanket permission > > is a copy of the MSCP specification (!) that I have tucked away in a drawer > > somewhere. Is DEC still making MSCP hardware? Everything I've used > > recently has been SCSI. > > > > This is from John Wilson's FTP site, at > ftp://ftp.dbit.com/pub/pdp8/doc/README: > > --------------------------------------------------------- > > >From the January 1985 Software Documentation Products Directory (EJ-26361-78), > first page: > > 3. RIGHT TO COPY > > Beginning January 1, 1985, Digital customers are given a right to copy, at > no charge, any Digital Archival Software Documentation Publication > (excluding restricted or third party owned) that we no longer offer for > sale. However, the copyright is retained as the exclusive property of > Digital Equipment Corporation. > > -------------------------------------------------------- > > I'm pretty sure the MSCP spec would have fallen under "restricted" ... I'm not at all sure it is. My copy is "MSCP Basic Disk Functions Manual AA-L619A-TK Version 1.2 A part of UDA50 Programmer's Doc. Kit QP-905-GZ", and it has no restrictions indicated, apart from the usual copyright notice (1982). On the other hand, Sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.6, and 6.10 are listed in the table of contents as "This section deliberately omitted" :-) I think the Doc Kit was just two parts. Anyone know for sure? The other part I have is "Storage Systems Diadnostics and Utility Protocol AA-L620A-TK Version 1.2 A part of UDA50 Programmer's Doc. Kit QP-905-GZ". -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

26 years, 2 months

1
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stibitz.adder

by hallsf＠alfredtech.edu

For the heck of it, I've tried to design an electro-mechanical binary adder that can automatically do the carry of the one that arises in 1 + 1 = 10. Of course, you reply, "George Stibitz's already did that in 1937 as you see here..." http://www.toronto-montessori.on.ca/bsutherland/electricity/stibitz.html But hey: this is retrocomputing, after all, and I'm not trying to duplicate Stibitz--my aim is to come up with an electro-mechanical binary adder architecture that's even simpler than his 2 switches, 2 bulbs, 2 batteries, and 2 relays version. I think I've done it using 3 switches, 4 bulbs, and 1 battery. Yes, still eight components but because it lacks the relays, I think it's definitely simpler and therefore a kind of retro-breakthrough. And yes, mine does carry the one for 1 + 1 = 10. Feel free to try building this (or better it if you can with even fewer components). But I do have a stupid question for everyone that exposes the holes in my education: if my adder can successfully do all of the below calculations but no more 0 + 0 = 0 0 + 1 = 1 0 + 10 = 10 0 + 11 = 11 1 + 0 = 1 1 + 1 = 10 1 + 10 = 11 10 + 0 = 10 10 + 1 = 11 11 + 0 = 11 have I constructed a 1-bit binary adder or a 2-bit binary adder? Thanks, S.F. Hall

26 years, 2 months

6
6
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Dallas battery replacement -- what is it?

by kla＠helios.augustana.edu

Forgive me for asking, but would someone please reply OFFLINE to me with an answer to this question -- what is this Dallas battery replacement that a bunch of notes were about? I somehow missed (did not read) the start of it, and just to educate my mind (put it at rest), I would like to know what you are in fact talking about. Why should I know about this? Thank you. Cheers. Kevin * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Kevin L. Anderson Ph.D., Geography Department, Augustana College Rock Island, Illinois 61201-2296, USA phone: (309) 794-7325 e-mail: kla(a)helios.augustana.edu -or- gganderson(a)augustana.edu * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Opinions expressed here are my own and do not represent the administration of Augustana College.

26 years, 2 months

3
2
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OT Comments -- Unix documentation / speed question

by kla＠helios.augustana.edu

This is clearly off-topic compared to 10-year+ old computers, so reply off-line if so inclined. (An observation -- since this list moved to its new site, the topics of discussion, plus the volume, has clearly taken a turn -- much for off-topic notes, such as my own, plus much more opinionated notes. A trend I've observed on other lists that moved their location. I wonder why that is so....) My few opinions include: While I was never a VMS or other DEC programmer, and hence never saw the "orange" or "gray" walls of documentation, I was for a time a Sun/Unix programmer. So I did see Sun's "green and white" wall of SunOS documentation -- about 3-4 four feet long of four- inch binders. It was a very good resource that was quickly augmented by a selected few Unix administration third-party books. With later version of SunOS, as well as the early Solaris releases, this same material was on a CD as postscript files -- another useful source (their so-called AnswerBook, which I never did actually install per se, but just read it directly using pageview PS viewing software). They mucked it up however with the release of Solaris 2.6, changing the AnswerBook format and making it much less useful. At the same time they significantly modified the Unix install procedure, using instead of a quick-loading mini-root from CD a very slow loading graphic shell -- yuck. Moves by Sun that I was thrilled about, despite their making Solaris cheaper for so- called developers. I have RedHat Linux 6 and I am not happy. I was very dismayed to see how big the loaded version was, which very quickly filled 400+ MB of material onto my 540MB hard drive with just basic stuff, and it seems to run slow to boot (including very slow to boot-up). In contrast, when I earlier played with FreeBSD (2.2.5), that seemed to be a lean and mean, fast running system on a comparable 486-33 that I have the Linux on. Software bloat is most definitely an issue -- and unless you REALLY KNOW Unix, it is tough (like for Win9x) to know which files can be trimmed away. And reliance on package installs/removes doesn't help, as they don't tell you of Unix dependencies in their documentation, hence a growing problem like for WinDoze. Not good I think. Now to my question -- Has anyone actually done an speed comparison between Linux, FreeBSD, and NetBSD? My impression (from limited exposure) is that BSD-based kernel versions run much faster (and are generally smaller in size) than comparable SYS-V or Linux systems. That comment stems from comparisons of SunOS and Solaris on comparable Sun systems, followed by FreeBSD and Linux on comparable 486 systems. In particular, I would like to know how FreeBSD compares to the more open (cross-platform) implementation in NetBSD. This is clearly off-topic, so reply offline. Thanks. Cheers. Kevin * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Kevin L. Anderson Ph.D., Geography Department, Augustana College Rock Island, Illinois 61201-2296, USA phone: (309) 794-7325 e-mail: kla(a)helios.augustana.edu -or- gganderson(a)augustana.edu * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Opinions expressed here are my own and do not represent the administration of Augustana College.

26 years, 2 months

3
2
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Apple Mac (was: !Re: Nuke Redmond!)

by netsurfer_x1＠hotmail.com

>(I'm answering to Tonys mail, since I never recived Charles') > >I got a somewhat different momory on this topic. Back when >the Mac was new, it was like a 180 Degree shift in Apples >information policy. In my view Apple did anything to hinder >developers. And that'S not only my opinion - back then I was >part of a 'gang' of A][ freaks, and of course we where interested >in the Mac, but beside the deadly high price for the Mac, >the even higher costs of documentations and the lack of a >real choice in programming language was prohibitive. With >the Apple ][ you recived a full machine and OS description >free of additional charge - for the Mac with a price, at least >double to tripple the price of an A][ you go _nothing_, you >rather had to spend again almost again the money for an A][, >just for documentation and very minimalistic tools. And if >this isn't enough, you had to sign a contract with Apple to >get all the stuff - you know, they didn't want to sell just >to geeks anymore. Only two of us did jump onto the Mac - all >other stayed with the A][, and eventualy became IBM-PC guys. >IBM did exactly the same as Apple with the A][ - give information >to the people - yes, they charged, but way less than Apple, >and you don't need to sell your soul - if your able to tell >the Name of the document you got it. Well, yes, if we walked >into the IBM store (Aeh, not store... royal dependance:) at >this time, we didn't get the same 'audience' as 'real' customers, >but we told what we want (i.e. an order number) and we get >it fast and as we want it. > >And don't tell me about the complex informations etc. At this >Time I was already doing some (truly small) jobs with Xerox >systems - IMHO a way better integrated system as the Mac ever >did become. It should have been the responsibility of Apple >to give the developers info out the easy way. > >Gruss >H. > >-- >VCF Europa am 29./30. April 2000 in Muenchen >http://www.vintage.org/vcfe >http://www.homecomputer.de/vcfe Well, since everyone on the list has thrown in their two (or more) cents, I finally feel it is my turn. Anyway, Hans has a good point going here, Apple did with the Macintosh what TI tried to do when the TI-99/4A was out: try to block out third party developers. What can we learn from this? Very simple, never try to tell people they can't develop hardware & software for a machine, because that will only give people the extra push they need to develop stuff for a computer. But this is something I have noticed: We all know how many PC manufacturers are abound (maybe too many), by there are how many Macintosh clone manufacturers? (I can't think of any off the top of my head) And the Government is jumping in Microsoft's back for being monopolistic? They might want to look on the other end of the spectrum. (Now I can understand why IBM & Motorola are pissed off at Apple for not letting clone manufacturers use G3/G4's in their Maclones.) If you ask me, (and so begins my conspiracy theory) I think the Microsoft Antitrust Trial was a sham, because why would CEO's of major software houses go against Microsoft when, in most cases, their software is flying off the shelves? You do not bite the hand that feeds you, unless the hand being bitten is not feeding you! If you ask me, I think only one man had something to gain from this, his name is Steve Jobs. ____________________________________________________________ David Vohs, Digital Archaeologist & Computer Historian. Computer Collection: "Triumph": Commodore 64C, 1802, 1541, FSD-1, GeoRAM 512, Okimate 20. "Leela": Macintosh 128 (Plus upgrade), Nova SCSI HDD, Imagewriter II. "Delorean": TI-99/4A. "Monolith": Apple Macintosh Portable. "Spectrum": Tandy Color Computer 3. "Boombox": Sharp PC-7000. ____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

26 years, 2 months

12
20
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Poll: Best *monochrome* laptop display

by netsurfer_x1＠hotmail.com

What is, in your opinion, the best laptop with the best monochrome screen. If I was asked I'd definitely say the Macintosh Portable. I'd say this because this computer was one of the first to use active matrix screen technology. Do remember, in 1989 that was more or less new technology! I hate to do this, but I'm going to have to limit this to laptops with monochrome screens. The last time I did a poll on this list (Top 10: Best laptop keyboard) it went totally off. ____________________________________________________________ David Vohs, Digital Archaeologist & Computer Historian. Computer Collection: "Triumph": Commodore 64C, 1802, 1541, FSD-1, GeoRAM 512, Okimate 20. "Leela": Macintosh 128 (Plus upgrade), Nova SCSI HDD, Imagewriter II. "Delorean": TI-99/4A. "Monolith": Apple Macintosh Portable. "Spectrum": Tandy Color Computer 3. "Boombox": Sharp PC-7000. ____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

26 years, 2 months

19
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Lunch, the HP Way

by jpl15＠netcom.com

Found elsewhere and forwarded for your possible amusement; a damn sight more OT than why not to ever get in a TraumaHawk or a Lance... (No, I wouldn't either....) ;} ---------- Forwarded message ---------- This is the story of a different kind. No melting CPU's, no screaming disc drives, just the kind of psychological torture that scars a man for life. I had a 9:00 meeting with my sales rep. I needed to buy an entire new series 70, the works. He said it'd take about an hour. Three hours later, we'd barely got the datacomm hardware down on paper, so he invited me downstairs for lunch. This was my first experience in an HP cafeteria. Above the service counter was a menu which began... MMU's (Main Menu Units) 0001A Burger. Includes sesame-seed bun. Must order comdiments 00110A seperatly 001 Deletes seeds. 002 Expands burger to two patties. 00020A Double cheeseburger, preconfigured. Includes cheese, bun and condiments. 001 Add-on bacon. 002 Delete second patty. 003 Replaces second patty with extra cheese. 00021A Burger Upgrade to Double Cheeseburger 001 From Single Burger. 002 From Double Burger. 003 Return credit for bun. 00220A Burger Bundle. Includes 00010A, 00210A and 00310A 001 Substitute root beer 00311A for cola 00310A. My eyes glazed over. I asked for a burger and a root beer. The waitress looked at me like I was an alien. "How would you like to order that, sir ?" "Quickly, if possible. Can't I just order a sandwich and a drink ?" "No sir. All our service is menu driven. Now what would you like ?" I scanned the menu. "How big is the 00010 burger ?" "The patty is rated at eight bites." "Well, how about the rest of it ?" "I dont have the specs on that, sir, but I think it's a bit more." "Eight bites is too small. Give me the Double Burger Upgrade." My sales rep interrupted. "No, you want the Single Burger option 002 'expands burger to two patties'. The double burger upgrade would give you two burgers. "But you could get return credit on the extra bun," the waitress chimed in, trying to be helpful, "although it isn't documented." I looked around to see if anybody was staring at me. There was a couple in line behind us. I recognized one of them, a guy who merely mowed me down in the parking lot with his cherry-red '62 Vette. He was talking to some woman who was waving her arms around and looking very excited. "What if... we marketed the bacon cheeseburger with the vegetable option and without the burger and cheese ? It'd be a BLT!" The woman charged off in the direction of the telephone, running steeplechases over tables and chairs. My waitress tried to get my attention again. "Have you decided, sir ?" "Yeah, give me the double burger- excuse me, I mean the 00020A with the option 001. I want everything on it." She put me down for the Condiment Expansion Kit, which included mayonnaise, mustard and pickles with a option to substitute relish. "Ketchup." I hated to ask. "I want ketchup on that, too." "Thats not a condiment, sir, it's a Tomato Product." My sales rep butted in again. "Thats not a supported configuration." "What now ?" I kept my voice steady. "Too juicy. The bun can't handle it." "Look. Forget the ketchup, just put some lettuce and tomatoes on it." The waitress backed away from the counter. "I'm sorry, sir, but thats not supported either, the bun can take it but the burger won't fit in the box. The sales rep defended himself. "Just not at first release." "It is being beta-tested, sir." I checked the overhead scree. Fries, number 000210A, option 110. French followed by option 120, English. "What the hell are English Fries ?" I turned to the sales rep. "Chips they call them. We sell a lot of them." I gave up. "OK, OK just give me a plain vanilla Burger Bundle." The confused the waitress profoundly. "Sir, Vanilla as an option is configured only for series 00450 Milkshakes." My sales rep chuckles. "No ma'am, he just wants a standard 00220A off the shelf. I wondered how long it had been on the shelf. I didn't ask. "Very good, sir." The waitress breathed a sigh off belief. "Your meal is now on order. Now how would you like it supported ?" "Support ?" She directed me to the green shaded area at the bottom of the menu, and I began a litany with my Sales Rep that I'll never forget. "Implementation assistance ?" "You get a waiter." "Implementation analysis ?" You tell him how hungry you are and he tells you what to eat." "Response Center Support ?" "He brings it to your table." "Extended materials ?" "You get refills." I stuffed some money at the waitress and told her to take it. She gave me my check on three sheets of green-bar paper. I studied it on my way to the table, and decided it'd pass as an emergency napkin. Table ? My Sales Rep had been bright enough to order us a table. He hadn't been bright enough to check on a delivery date. The table waiter slouching in his corner surveyed the crowded room, looked at me and said "Two weeks. But I can get you a standalone chair by the window right away." I handed him the tray. A woman rushed up to me with two small cups of chile and sauerkraut for the hot dog somebody else had ordered. The room began to grom dim, my eyesight faded... I woke up clutching the water-glass at my bedside table. It was five AM, four hours till my meeting with HP. I had had a vision, I did what it told me to do. I dialed my office, and I called in sick. by Stephen Harrison and Noel Magee -- end of forwarded message --

26 years, 2 months

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Varian 620 series

by aek＠spies.com

>Hi, >Does anyone have any docs and/or software for Varian machines, >particularly the 620/L-100 since I just got one, but any Varian stuff >would be cool. http://www.spies.com/aek/orphan.html

26 years, 2 months

1
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!Re: Nuke Redmond!

by allisonp＠world.std.com

>I don't remember slew, but a slip is when you turn the plane slightly >sideways to the path of motion, often to slow it down or account for >crosswinds in a landing. Don't forget to point it straight before touchdown >though, or it gets "interesting". Slip is applied yaw. I've done a few lanings in high wind demonstrating the application of yaw. Allison

26 years, 2 months

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!Re: Nuke Redmond!

by allisonp＠world.std.com

>Since that seems to be the almost the only aspect that matters these >days, then maybe that one of the reasons why DEC did not succeed. Their lack of direct marketing via radio and TV was a handicap. However, KO felt the product being marketed was a technical one for professionals and not directed at hobbiests. >As you, and many others have stated, DEC had a better mouse >trap. It almost always worked. The cheese was delicious and >rarely ran out. But the other reason for the failure of DEC was that >the DEC mouse trap was so much more expensive to buy that few >households could afford to buy one. Never mind that in the long Mostly prose but not completely true. The cost for a Robin, Rainbow or PRO was consistant with the time for a competeing system with similar hardware, software and quality. Of course that was the early 80s. Reality was much more complex than the story of mice and traps. DEC suffered from a complex product, limited marketing and a vision that was right for the industry as it was (60s, 70s and early 80s) and not was it is (for 1987 on). As a result DEC was holding facilities like PNO, WFO and others complete with trained personell and nothing for them to do quite literally. At the same time engineering and marketing groups were sending things overseas for cost reasons. It didn't take a brain surgeon to see that overhead was way out of line as there were no layoffs until Palmer appeared. Also over the years there were what I called "stupid product decisions". My favorite is the LA75, $700 printer that TEC sold for $350 at local stores. Sure DEC improved it, but it was costly. Other were monsters like the VAX9000, fast, powerful and expensive. It was quickly replaced by the cheaper 6000 series. Older projects like the PRO, sold maybe 40,000 units against a plan that was only scaled for 30,000! If that sounds bad it was declared a failure. Exceeded plan and failed! An example of short sightedness as to the size of the market. Other examples are infamous. I got the dubious honor of participating in just a few. DEC was a engineering, a technology and service company. They did not do a good job at marketing. It was mismanagemant of costs would end a good run. I used to remind people and they thought me nuts. If you want to annoy the customer ship junk. If you really want to become unforgetable in the customers eyes, go out of business. The former they can forgive if you fix it, the latter is unforgiveable as your product is part of their business. DEC came close to unforgiveable, save for Compaq being there. Allison

26 years, 2 months

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HP A400 CPU box 2436E

by ip500＠roanoke.infi.net

A local scrapper has a couple of HP 2436E versions of the HP A400 mini's. Anyone know anything about these? I'm sure they meet the 10 year rule, but probably not by much. I believe HP still referred to these as the HP 1000 systems---probably the next generation after the MX series. These are part of a medical/cardiology monitoring system but I would think he might separate them if anyone is interested. In Virginia, BTW----near Roanoke. Craig

26 years, 2 months

1
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14" disc media problem?

by west＠tseinc.com

I'm hoping someone can tell me something I'm missing here, cause I just can't believe what I'm seeing.... HP7900A disc drive, using the standard media for it. The media for this drive is virtually identical to an RK05 cartridge. I have 4 pieces of media. I pulled a cartridge from the stack and tried to spin up the drive. Blowers come on, but when you hit the load switch the spindle just sits there. After three days of checking all the sensors, tracing the wires, pouring over the schematics, still no go. So finally on a whim (yeah, it's the first thing I should have tried) I pulled out the cartridge, popped the cover on the drive and defeated all the sensors. The drive spindle motor started like a champ. Put the cartridge back in - no spindle motor. However, I noticed that when the cartridge is in, the relay that gives AC to the spindle motor does engage correctly, but no spindle movement. So to make a long story short, I tried the other three pieces of media I have. I put in each piece of media at least 20 times - every time the spindle starts up fine. But, put in that first piece of media, the relay engages, but the spindle sits still. What gives here? What on earth could be wrong with a media cartridge that would cause the spindle not to move? I tried lifting up the platter slightly and turning it, it seems to turn just as freely in the "bad" cartridge as in the other three. I'm just really confused - is there something I'm missing here??? Dazed and confused.... Jay West

26 years, 2 months

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Sun monitor to Mac cable available?

by nerdware＠laidbak.com

I think this might be skirting the 10 year rule, but if anyone would know or know where to look, it'd be youse guys. I was just given a 3/80, an IPC, and a 20" Sun GDM (which I assume to mean Trinitron) monitor. Is there an adapter cable that will allow me to use the monitor on one of my Macs? The IPC has a pair of NIC's in it, so I'd like to set it up as an IP router/firewall later this year when I get DSL. Always wanted a piece of Sun equipment in my network..... :o) Any help and/or pointers would be appreciated. Thanks. Paul Braun NerdWare -- The History of the PC and the Nerds who brought it to you. nerdware(a)laidbak.com www.laidbak.com/nerdware

26 years, 2 months

4
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Varian Data Machines

by xds_sigma7＠hotmail.com

Hi, Does anyone have any docs and/or software for Varian machines, particularly the 620/L-100 since I just got one, but any Varian stuff would be cool. Will J ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

26 years, 2 months

2
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List archives on web (well, gopher)

by mark_k＠iname.com

Hi, In case it isn't common knowledge, the classiccmp list archives at the u.washington can be accessed using a gopher client or web browser at gopher://lists.u.washington.edu:70/11/public/classiccmp Presumably if someone were to submit that URL to a search engine that can handle gopher: URLs, they would be indexed... -- Mark

26 years, 2 months

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Apple Mac (was: !Re: Nuke Redmond!)

by mgregory＠vantageresearch.com

-----Original Message----- From: David Vohs <netsurfer_x1(a)hotmail.com> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Date: Monday, April 10, 2000 5:19 PM Subject: Re: Apple Mac (was: !Re: Nuke Redmond!) >Well, since everyone on the list has thrown in their two (or more) cents, I >finally feel it is my turn. > >Anyway, Hans has a good point going here, Apple did with the Macintosh what >TI tried to do when the TI-99/4A was out: try to block out third party >developers. What can we learn from this? Very simple, never try to tell >people they can't develop hardware & software for a machine, because that >will only give people the extra push they need to develop stuff for a >computer. > >But this is something I have noticed: We all know how many PC manufacturers >are abound (maybe too many), by there are how many Macintosh clone >manufacturers? (I can't think of any off the top of my head) My understanding is that many people (including Bill Gates!) encouraged Apple to allow licensing of the Macintosh OS and the building of Mac clones in the 80s and early 90s. But the management team headed by John Sculley felt that this would amount to giving away the company, because Apple was making most of its profits on hardware sales. If cheap Mac clones were everywhere, who would pay Apples prices for a true Mac? This belief was not totally unreasonable - look at what happened to IBM's sales of PCs once clones with 100% compatible third-party BIOSes were widely available. Apple failed to understand that their window to exploit the Mac's innovations was short. Once someone else produced a windowing OS that ran on cheaper PC hardware (as Microsoft eventually did), Apple's hardware sales would die, and the Mac OS would have lost it's chance to dominate. And that's what happened. There were several Power PC Mac clone manufacturers, after Apple belatedly changed it's mind in the mid-to-late 90s. Among them StarMax, Umax, and Motorola (I think). > >And the Government is jumping in Microsoft's back for being monopolistic? >They might want to look on the other end of the spectrum. (Now I can >understand why IBM & Motorola are pissed off at Apple for not letting clone >manufacturers use G3/G4's in their Maclones.) If you ask me, (and so begins >my conspiracy theory) I think the Microsoft Antitrust Trial was a sham, >because why would CEO's of major software houses go against Microsoft when, >in most cases, their software is flying off the shelves? You do not bite the >hand that feeds you, unless the hand being bitten is not feeding you! If you >ask me, I think only one man had something to gain from this, his name is >Steve Jobs. Aren't Oracle, Corel, Sun and Netscape major software houses? Larry Ellison, Michael Cowpland, Scott McNeely, and Marc Andreesen have been vocal opponents of Microsofts at one time or another. And Steve Jobs can't afford to come out against Microsoft, because the viability of the iMac depends to some extent on the availability of Microsoft Office for that platform. Apple doesn't effectively control segments of the marketplace the way Microsoft does. There's nothing monopolistic about restricting access to processors or components - lots of products are proprietary to one company and not released for sale to other companies. It's just a bad idea, something that Apple seems determined never to learn. Regards, Mark. >____________________________________________________________ >David Vohs, Digital Archaeologist & Computer Historian. > >Computer Collection: > >"Triumph": Commodore 64C, 1802, 1541, FSD-1, GeoRAM 512, Okimate 20. >"Leela": Macintosh 128 (Plus upgrade), Nova SCSI HDD, Imagewriter II. >"Delorean": TI-99/4A. >"Monolith": Apple Macintosh Portable. >"Spectrum": Tandy Color Computer 3. >"Boombox": Sharp PC-7000. >____________________________________________________________ >______________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com > >

26 years, 2 months

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Slips [OT]

by allisonp＠world.std.com

-----Original Message----- From: Geoff Roberts <geoffrob(a)stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au> >There is certainly a fairly wide variation between supposedly identical >aircraft. Training birds tend to be more out of rig. Use and abuse. Mine was never a primary trainer and has better habits. >Very. One of the guys I spoke too was literally chalk white when he got >out of the aircraft. >After years of flying a docile little Cherokee 140 he'd never >experienced either a stall related >snap or seen the effect of aileron on a dropped wing in a Cessna. My first experience with a reall snap was a C152, it was flipped at 55hrs TT. It was a really nice bird but even clean approach stalls it would violently snap to the right every time. There more about that one but I prefer to not talk about it. Suffice to say it never got to 150hrs. Most 152s do not fly like that. >About sums it up. I did a Cherokee endorsement when I moved to Broken >Hill in the 70's, and all >they had was Cherokees, I used to fly a Cherokee Arrow >(PA28-180-Retractable) home on some weekends, it was a nice ride. But >the short field performance sucked and you can't taxi them through >gates up to a house. (Both very important in a bush aircraft in this >country.) it was like landing a brick. >I did an endorsement on a Victa Airtourer (looks a bit like a 2 seat >AA5) locally (then - we sold the factory to New Zealand, then the Air I've seen one. >engine. Unusual control setup, instead of dual's it had a single stick >with a spade grip in the middle of the cockpit and a central throttle. >Easy once you get used to it. Was a lot of fun to fly, I first learnt >how to spin in that, since spins are classed as an aerobatic manouevre >in this country - and a stock C150 isn't cleared for them - they teach >you how to recover from an INCIPIENT spin instead. Not sure I'm >comfortable with that, spins are very disconcerting the first couple of >times you encounter them, it should be a requirement. >I have more hours in C150's than anything else, I liked them a lot. I feel spins are important training. That and basic acro so there are no unusual attitudes after that. Of my hours, 600 or so are in '528 my C150 and two others I trained in. It a bird I know very well right to the screws. I've flown it for 21 years and done a lot of the lighter maintenance even part of the ovehaul. >(First plane, first car, first computer, first love - they all seem to >be special) ah, yes. >One day when I am rich and famous (yeah, right) I'm going to buy me one. >I'd like the one I >learnt in if I can, last time I looked in a register VH-KQY was still >doing mustering on a station in Western Australia. Been there since 85. >At least it's still flying..... That or one of those odd aussi ag birds. Allison

26 years, 2 months

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HP 3000/925LX available in Hillsboro, Oregon

by ss＠allegro.com

Re: > I stopped in to the Hillsboro Wacky Willies about an hour ago. They had a Where's Hillsboro? (city, state?) > HP 3000/925LX in a rack with I believe a 9-Track tape drive, a pallet of > terminals with I believe a small rack, and several boxes of MPE manuals. An HP 3000/925LX is a PA-RISC system (probably 1.0 architecture), with a clock of about 10 MHz. It's a CIO-based I/O architecture, so the PuffinGroup Linux port will *not* run on it, nor will MPE/iX 6.5 (the last release that will run on it is MPE/iX 6.0). It's one of the three or four slowest PA-RISC systems ever built. Stan Stan Sieler sieler(a)allegro.com www.allegro.com/sieler/wanted/index.html www.allegro.com/sieler

26 years, 2 months

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Optical Mouse Pad

by mark_k＠iname.com

On Mon, 10 Apr 2000 Bill Pechter wrote: > > Uh, Duh. Ok, I wondered if it was an IR led but now I know it is and that > > it is working because I can get the mouse to move a teeny bit by running > > it over dense text. > > > > I think I have to make a mousepad. Any ideas on the distance between > > lines etc? -- > > Is this a Sun4 mouse or Sun3. I recently bought three padless type 4 Sun mice, with the aim of hacking one to work on my Amiga, and also as a PC bus mouse. Does type 4 mean the type that came with Sun4 workstations? How do Sun3 and Sun4 mouse pads differ? Are replacements still available? Are Mouse Systems still alive? -- Mark

26 years, 2 months

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Classiccmp FAQ

by af-list＠wfi-inc.com

Hi, Digging through the archives, I came across what appears to be the last revision of Bill Whitson's FAQ for classiccmp. It has some great info, but is seriously outdated. I've posted it here: http://www.retrobytes.org/classiccmp/faq_p1.txt http://www.retrobytes.org/classiccmp/faq_p2.txt http://www.retrobytes.org/classiccmp/faq_p3.txt Derek, have you thought about maintaining a current FAQ for the current list? Cheers, Aaron

26 years, 2 months

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Nuke Redmond!

by allisonp＠world.std.com

>being produced by M$ since Win'9x came along. Moreover, the level of >documentation available for M$ operating systems is, quite simply, a JOKE! Actually the documentation is good but also there is tons of it worse than the vax grey wall if you try to get it all in one place. Its also a hell of a task to find things you need among all of that. >If, for example, IBM hadn't given in so easily with OS/2 we'd have had a >much leaner, faster, RELIABLE OS running on our desktop systems years ago - >not necessarily OS/2, but then it wouldn't be the crap we're stuck with now >either. I wonder... Linux is getting bigger by the day and the desktops for it do add weight. Allison

26 years, 2 months

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!Re: Nuke Redmond!

by allisonp＠world.std.com

>> I have to agree with Pete on this one. I am an American and his >> definitions are correct. Slew also used as a term of flight orientation >> in Aircraft is all I can add. > >Interesting! Will you provide a sample for illustration? I'd be interested. I know pitch, roll and yaw. Though the slew rate for C150 ailerons is a slow 6 degrees/sec. ;) Allison

26 years, 2 months

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Paging Mr. Williams

by jpl15＠netcom.com

If David Williams is still subscribed, please drop me a line privately. TIA for the egregious theft of bandwidth.... it *is* on-topic related, however.... :) Cheers John

26 years, 2 months

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HPIB to HPIL adapter

by allisonp＠world.std.com

From: Richard Erlacher <edick(a)idcomm.com> >I'd be interested in knowing what support there is for GPIB on the ISA bus >in a PC. I've got a National Instruments GPIB interface card, yet have >never seen fit to lay out the dough for their GUI-based software. Is there >anything out there other than LabView? I have some equipment that might >like the GPIB, but have not had need to use it since Windows became the >de-facto standard. Labview doesn't have drivers for the 'scope and logic >analyzer that I'd be wanting to use. I must have at least three or four of them in use. We connect them to Keithley 706A scanners and Keithley 2000DMMs to measure production units under test. Others are used for lab use and various test setups. Nothing exciting or gui, just down in the trenches test and data logging. Text mode output and write logging to floppy. It's not a process that can be done fast so theres no rush. We don't however use labview. the usual rig is a dosbox (ISA 286/386/486) running homegrown QuickBasic4.5 code and the supplied dos/qb45 driver. They are pretty easy to talk to. I've used the dos drivers under w95 for testing and it's a workable arrangement. One thing I'm trying under W95 is the Pascal drivers with Delphi as the GUI, this has potential as the database is handy for post logging analysis. Allison

26 years, 2 months

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FT: VAX GPX cable

by cmcmanis＠mcmanis.com

I have a VAX GPX cable (db-15 to three BNCs, Mouse, and Keyboard) that I would like to trade for a VAX SCSI cable that works on the VS3100/M76. (68 pin to 50 pin). If you've got one and would like to trade please contact me off list, thanks. --Chuck

26 years, 2 months

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Innovation ?(was: !Re: Nuke Redmond!)

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

On April 10, Hans Franke wrote: > Thanks to Killer Steve NOS is already classic :( VCFe will have a > Newton Display, although the no Newton fits the 10 year rule. I dunno, man...so they're not being *made* anymore...there's still a huge market for them; I use my MP2000 every day. A bunch of people at my office have PalmPilots...I *hate* those blased things...I don't want to have to learn a second alphabet just because the PalmOS idiots can't get character recognition right! -Dave McGuire

26 years, 2 months

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Apple Mac LC II

by paulrsm＠ameritech.net

My LC II is my main Macintosh even though I have a better Mac IIci because the LC II has the Apple IIe Card. I use a Apple 12" Monochrome Display (M1050), but my AppleColor High-Resolution RGB Monitor (M1297) works on it as well. Screen resolution is 640x480x256 (I think). There is 4MB on the board and two SIMM slots which can hold up to 4MB in each slot. That equals 12MB but the computer will only address 10MB (some weird Apple memory scheme I believe is related to 24-bit addressing). I have several cards for the single PDS slot: the Apple IIe Card, Ethernet network cards, and a video card for a large (17-19 inch I think) monochrome monitor. I think the last version of MacOS it can run is 7.5.5 because the ROMs are not 32-bit clean. I use MacOS 7.1 with Update 3.0. You can get an older version of ClarisWorks very cheap. You may wish to purchase an external SCSI CD-ROM drive. I can give you the web addresses of several vendors who sell used older Macintosh stuff. Paul R. Santa-Maria Ann Arbor, Michigan USA paulrsm(a)ameritech.net ---------- > From: Kevin L. Anderson <kla(a)helios.augustana.edu> > To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org > Subject: OT: Apple Mac LC II > Date: Monday, April 10, 2000 10:38 AM > > This is off-topic, so please reply directly. Thanks. > > My son was just given a Mac LC II without a monitor, but > including a keyboard and mouse. I am not a Mac user or > owner (until now), so I have no idea whatsoever to be looking > for in a replacement monitor. Is the LC II a B&W or Color > computer (I don't have the foggiest :-)? Help. > > The computer has a 160MB hard drive, a floppy drive, and what > appears to be one memory SIMM (with four big chips on it, so > I'm guessing 4MB at most). > > Cheers. Kevin > > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * > Kevin L. Anderson Ph.D., Geography Department, Augustana College > Rock Island, Illinois 61201-2296, USA phone: (309) 794-7325 > e-mail: kla(a)helios.augustana.edu -or- gganderson(a)augustana.edu > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * > Opinions expressed here are my own and do not represent > the administration of Augustana College.

26 years, 2 months

1
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Optical Mouse Pad

by jeff.kaneko＠juno.com

When I worked in a UNIX shop, somebody told me that wrinkled aluminum foil would work. I've never tried this, but it seems plausible. Jeff On Mon, 10 Apr 2000 21:10:26 +0200 "Sipke de Wal" <sipke(a)wxs.nl> writes: > On very white paper ! (Should be white to IR) > (There is a lot of chalk on premium Inkjet > paper that may do) > > On my Sun 3/80 mouspad the lines are 1 mm > apart > and 0.1 to 0.2 mm thick > > Sipke ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

26 years, 2 months

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!Re: Nuke Redmond!

by allisonp＠world.std.com

>> the same, with a few notable exceptions where the concept don't match >> (MS-DOS for example does not have an IOBYTE). > >What of those things internal would you have had them leave out in order to >be more different from CP/M, which was a VERY popular OS at the time, >without removing its functionality. Since the features to which you refer >are internal, I assume you have precice citations of common source code, >right? They're certainly not obvious to me in my role as a fairly frequent >user. The features he refers to are the calls to the BDOS to do things like File_OPEN, FILE_CLOSE, FILE DELETE..... and so on. >Since there is only one segment in CP/M, I guess you've got 'em there. Of >course it really doesn't matter what the location is, does it? I guess any >OS that load a register and then calls a specific location is a copy of >CP/M, right? Not really, CPM loaded to a specific segment but apps could use any and all to the then 8086 1mb limit. >> You can also terminate a program by calling location 0000h (again, in a >> COM program). In CP/M this causes a warm reset (similar functionality). >> >It's like saying a FORD is a copy of a Dusenberg because they both use >wheels. This was a feature unique to CPM and DOS as many others loc(0) was either reset (hard), ROM, unused or reserved. >The mapping of one register set into the other is not an accident. Ask >Intel about that! I'm told that CP/M-86 is considerably more than a >translation of CP/M-80. Now you suggest that the roots of MS-DOS are >entirely in CP/M? They may have common roots, as they reflect the then CPM-86 was not entirely 8080 code lofted, that would never ru without help. Also there was a loader change implemented, boot loads a file system aware loader that finds cpm.sys. This was not the 8080 way. As far as register usage, that is an artifact of PLM used to write the V1.3/1.4 and later versions of CPM80. With that convention established it was kept to keep applications that called the BDOS compatable. >I've heard that, too. Does that mean that anyone who writes a program to do >what he's seen another program do is making a copy? You're not even sure he >actually saw and read the source code. How many programmers do you know >who'd simply copy someone else's work in a case like this? Everybody wants >to leave his own mark. DOS 1.0 had COPYRIGHT Digital Research INC inside! There was a quiet copyright battle that forced DOS 2.0 (buggiest thing in the world!). This is not fiction and it was documented. >Buying something that shortens your burden is kind-of like buying an >integrated circuit rather than making the thing yourself starting with a >wheelbarrow of sand. The fact that Microsoft knew that IBM had gone to >Kildall probably told them what they wanted was sort-f like CP/M. They didn't care only that there would be apps for it to run like Visicalc! Allison

26 years, 2 months

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Innovation ?(was: !Re: Nuke Redmond!)

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

On April 10, Hans Franke wrote: > > I dunno, man...so they're not being *made* anymore...there's still a > > huge market for them; I use my MP2000 every day. A bunch of people > > at my office have PalmPilots...I *hate* those blased things...I don't > > want to have to learn a second alphabet just because the PalmOS idiots > > can't get character recognition right! > > :)) > > Like in "I don't want to learn shell commands, just because they > don't get their GUI working' ? :)) ;) > SCNR, but NOS compared to PalmOS is realy like Mac vs. Dos or > better - A Star compared to Win 3.0. Yup. -Dave McGuire

26 years, 2 months

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HP 9000/800 H20

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

On April 10, Stan Sieler wrote: > An HP 9000/H20 is a 48 MHz PA-RISC system, also known as an 827. > It's got a very small cache (64 KB data, 64 KB code). > > I'd guess it's valued in the $1000 to $2000 range. I picked up an E55 (twice > as fast) for $400 in 1999...but that was a really good price. > > OTOH, if you want to part it out, I'd be interested in some of > the memory for an HP 3000/927 I just got. While we're on the topic...I recently picked up an HP9000 model I70 (dual 96Mhz PA-RISC processors) and it's got some sort of funky multi-serial-port card (16 ports) in it that terminates in a huge D-shell connector. From what little info I've been able to find online, it seems that the console I/O goes to one of the serial lines on that board. Alas, I don't have any cables/breakout boxes/etc to connect to that board. Can someone here tell me what I need to find to talk to the console of this box? Even some pinouts of that big connector might help. Thanks! -Dave McGuire

26 years, 2 months

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386 upgrade cpus?

by bill_r＠inebraska.com

>There were daughterboards that fitted in place of the 80286 processor >chip. They normally contained an 80386SX (16 bit data bus) or sometimes a >486SLC-type thing (that could be convinced to use a 16 bit data bus >without too much work) and a couple of PLDs to combine bus control >signals, etc. Some of them even had a floating point chip on the board. > Ah - the "SX/Now!" from Kingston, for example. Installed a bunch of them. When we had problems with them, the tended to be referred to as the "Sucks Now!"... Before that, it was the "Excellerator" board, which used an ISA card with essentially a complete 286 CPU, RAM, etc. and a DIP jumper which plugged into the 8086 socket and made your PC into a screaming 16Mhz '286. Installed a bunch of those, too. Many years ago, we went through a whole upgrade cycle on all of the original PC machines our company had out in the field; brought them into the office, installed an Excellerator and a 20MB "Hard Card", and a <*gasp> 2400 baud modem!! Bill Richman http://incolor.inetnebr.com/bill_r (Home of the COSMAC Elf microcomputer simulator!)

26 years, 2 months

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HP 9000/800 H20

by mrbill＠mrbill.net

I have no idea how old this is (so I dont know about the 10-year rule), so if I'm mistaken, someone slap me. Anyway, I picked this up tonight.. Anyone with any clue about HP equipment know how much this is worth? Its big and hefty, currently has HP-UX 11.0 loaded (altho I have full media and licenses for 10.20, 10.10, and 10.0). Its just TOO BIG to use as a home machine or server, and I'm looking to either sell it, or swap it straight-out for a decently configured 9000/712 or 9000/715-series desktop box. If anybody's interested at all, let me know. Thanks. Bill HP 9000/800 Model H20 Serial # 3537A86223 Product # A2366A Internal SCSI Devices: C2477SZ serial # 3352E95739 A3087A serial # 5075A81767 A3087A serial # 5075A04158 Slot contents (in the back): 1: "8 CHAN SYNC MUX" (I dont have the cable or the "expander box" that goes with this) 7/8: 28696-60001 HP-PB 16 Bit Differential SCSI D13/B14: SCSI / CONSOLE / LAN The system also has 2 64mb memory cards and 4 32mb memory cards installed, for a grand total of 256mb RAM. It currently has HP-UX B.11.00 installed, and has full licenses (on paper even) and CD-ROM media for HP-UX 10.0, 10.10, and 10.20. -- +--------------------+-------------------+ | Bill Bradford | Austin, Texas | +--------------------+-------------------+ | mrbill(a)sunhelp.org | mrbill(a)mrbill.net | +--------------------+-------------------+

26 years, 2 months

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HP 3000/925LX available in Hillsboro, Oregon

by healyzh＠aracnet.com

I sent this to the list Saturday, but as far as I can tell it never arrived. Figured I should resend it in case anyone is interested. Zane I stopped in to the Hillsboro Wacky Willies about an hour ago. They had a HP 3000/925LX in a rack with I believe a 9-Track tape drive, a pallet of terminals with I believe a small rack, and several boxes of MPE manuals. I didn't have any time to ask about it, as I didn't even have time to stop in and look :^) Plus I don't know how complete it might be or how much they want for any of it. I also don't know if they had more to the system or not. These days there is a large part of the store that customers can't get into. Zane | Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator | | healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast | | healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector | +----------------------------------+----------------------------+ | Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, | | and Zane's Computer Museum. | | http://www.aracnet.com/~healyzh/ |

26 years, 2 months

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