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

by arfonrg＠texas.net

Doug, I just revived my GRiD 1530 (and it was a pain)... Tandy still sells parts for these (not many and pricey too!) I bought a new mother board (only to later find out that my old one just lacked memory) and a technical reference manual (what a waste of money). What are you trying to find out? Arfon At 07:59 PM 5/18/1999 -0400, you wrote: > >You guys and gals are probably getting tired of my little GRiD updates, >but here goes anyway... > >I am typing this message on the GRiDCase. So the modem works. 2400bps. > >I found Rob's GRiDBoard website, and from there found out that AST keeps >the configuration files for a lot of old GRiDs on its website. > >I downloaded conf1520.exe from there. > >Now I have my doubts about this machine even being a GRiDCase 1520. Most >of the configuration options don't work or are meaningless to this >particular machine. Like the thing to set the backlighting on the display >- my machine has a gas plasma display. And it seems to be telling me that >my machine doesn't have a modem... so what the heck am I using right now? > >It did let me configure my expansion RAM from EMS to XMS... or was that >the other way around? And it let me change my processor speed. But it >wouldn't let me do anything with the hard disk and a whole bunch of other >weird things. > >It's a '286 machine, magnesium alloy case, 1.44MB floppy, had a 20MB HD in >it, has a 2400bps internal modem, standard PC ports, gas plasma display, >two ROM sockets under a trapdoor above the keyboard... could this thing >be anything other than a 1520? > >Note that is says "GRiDCASE 1500 Series" above the display. > >Now I suppose it's time to see if I can have the machine work *without* a >hard drive installed. I just got a _very_ scary message about JVC drives >seizing and taking HD controllers with them. (Thanks for the warning, >Jason!) > >Of course, as the drive that was in the machine when I got it was seized >up, the damage may already be done. And maybe that's why I'm still unable >to access the HD. :( > >-- >Doug Spence >ds_spenc(a)alcor.concordia.ca >http://alcor.concordia.ca/~ds_spenc/ > > > ---------------------------------------- Tired of Micro$oft??? Move up to a REAL OS... ######__ __ ____ __ __ _ __ # #####/ / / / / __ | / / / / | |/ /## ####/ / / / / / / / / / / / | /### ###/ /__ / / / / / / / /_/ / / |#### ##/____/ /_/ /_/ /_/ /_____/ /_/|_|#### # ###### ("LINUX" for those of you without fixed-width fonts) ---------------------------------------- Be a Slacker! http://www.slackware.com Slackware Mailing List: http://www.digitalslackers.net/linux/list.html

27 years

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**RARE** "Altair-like" HP1000 minicomputer K00L K00L Vintage! <grin>

by jlwest＠tseinc.com

*I* don't think it is at all. Apparently the SELLER thinks it's like an altair. I was complaining (read: making fun of) the seller's silly choice of words. Probably because it has switches and lights. Geez... I didn't know all machines with switches and lights had the same architecture <grin>. Jay West -----Original Message----- From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Monday, June 07, 1999 4:00 PM Subject: Re: **RARE** "Altair-like" HP1000 minicomputer K00L K00L Vintage! <grin> >> >> Now that's the SECOND time I've seen someone list an HP1000 on Ebay calling >> it an "Altair-like HP1000". > >Can you please enlighten me as to how an HP1000 is like an Altair? > >-tony > >

27 years

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DECmicroserver

by yoda＠isr.ist.utl.pt

Hi. In my last visit to a very nice junkyard (near Lisbon, Portugal) I came across a box, a bit larger than a DECserver 300, named DECmicroserver, having about 4 very large D connectors (3 rows of pins) named "line 1" in the back. Anyone knows what it is? (I'm really tempted to buy it). Regards, -- *** Rodrigo Martins de Matos Ventura <yoda(a)isr.ist.utl.pt> *** Teaching Assistant and MSc. Student at ISR: *** Instituto de Sistemas e Robotica, Polo de Lisboa *** Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisboa, Portugal *** PGP Public Key available on my homepage: *** http://www.isr.ist.utl.pt/~yoda *** Key fingerprint = 0C 0A 25 58 46 CF 14 99 CF 9C AF 9E 10 02 BB 2A

27 years

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Disk Drive Documents

by edick＠idcomm.com

Let's try to keep this in perspective, Sam. When there's a text file format which will display the exploded view drawings in these service documents on your (Apple ][, Commodore 64, Atari x00, TI 99/4a, TRS-80 Model x, Heathkit Hx, OSI Challenger x, IMSAI 8080, Altair >8800, etc) then you may have a valid point. For that matter, aside from the last three on the list, there's not one likely to need this documentation, nor is it likely that anyone unable to afford disk space enough to hold a complete PDF file of one of these relatively short documents when a 10GB disk drive costs less than $200, will be able to afford one of the "antique" devices to which they apply. Aside from all that, I'd speculate that there are more Windows users who die every day than there are users of computer systems desiring but inherently unable to view PDF files in the world. Having said that, however, I submit that the majority should not dictate to the extent that the needs of the minority are ignored. If you can come up with a format common to both illustrations and text for the implementation of which a single and easy-to-use tool set is in the hands of someone(s) willing to process this set of documents within a reasonable time frame into an appropriately formatted archive suitable to the yet-to-be-determined provider of web-site space, it will receive appropriate consideration. Take solace in the fact that I will not likely be among those making these choices. Since I have the documents, my preference, at least with respect to them is not particularly relevant. Take a look at the "unofficial CP/M web site," whatever the URL is, and you'll see the document files offered in several formats, though I'd speculate that none of the systems you listed in your comments, "(Apple ][, Commodore 64, Atari x00, TI 99/4a, TRS-80 Model x, Heathkit Hx, OSI Challenger x, IMSAI 8080, Altair 8800, etc)" can view any of those files. Perhaps you can offer a positive construct rather than simply wringing your hands and being a naysayer. Dick -----Original Message----- From: Sellam Ismail <dastar(a)ncal.verio.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Sunday, June 06, 1999 10:40 PM Subject: Re: Disk Drive Documents >On Sun, 6 Jun 1999, Richard Erlacher wrote: > >> >Well, I definitely agree with Tony on this. >> >> On which point, Sam? > >On the point that the archive should be made accessible to as many people >as possible, and that means using formats and data that just about anyone >can read. > >> Well, I don't, and for the reason that lowest common denominator means the >> lowest efficiency for the most people. I want to make it easy and >> accessible to as many people as possible. Based on statistics, that means >> that the only OS that really matters is . . . now say it along with me . . > >Bullshit. There are more tools for viewing ASCII data than any other >format under every OS. This includes tools that allow you to search and >edit them. Just because most of the planet is stuck with a Microsoft OS >doesn't mean that all those people can also use a PDF viewer. I'm on a >Pentium 133 system and viewing PDF files is a pain in the ass. > >It is also the most efficient format in terms of taking up the least >amount of storage space. I can download a textfile in a few seconds. I >can even view it with my web browser, and search it. I can cut parts out >and paste them elsewhere. > >Making a >"public" archive in the sense that everyone should be able to view it >means catering to the lowest common denominator. > > >> I don't anticipate getting complete agreement from everyone. What has to be >> considered is (1) What do the owners of the data have to say? (2) What are >> the people willing to do the work willing to do? (3) Where are these >> documents to be stored and presented to the public and how much space will >> they allow for this purpose? (4) What will satisfy the needs and preferences >> of MOST of the people having access to the documents? The weight assigned >> to the answers will probably be in about this order as well. > >What good is putting in all the effort when not many people will be able >to benefit from that effort? Contrary to what you think, the PDF format >is not that widespread. Sure there are viewers, and the format is >documented, but how many people have that plug-in or the stand-alone on >their computer? Now ask yourself, how many people have a text editor on >their computer? > >> As far as I'm concerned, what's most important is that the documents be >> stored as complete, separate, and single files. They should not be broken >> up into pages or chapters or text in one part and graphics in another in the >> stupid, Stupid, STUPID way much of the LINUX documentation is published. > >Not everyone with a Linux box has a SVGA monitor with gigabytes of hard >drive space and oodles of RAM. The developers of the Linux documentation >were smart enough to realize that. It allows you to get only what you >need, and not end up with a bunch of dead data taking up precious space on >your hard drive. > >> Further, while GIF format is probably OK for your vacation pictures or the >> latest centerfold, I don't find it particularly advantageous for presenting >> line-art drawings because common viewers don't have a standard presentation >> format for them. They come in a size matched to some raster image and if >> your display matches it, great, else too bad. Again I prefer the PDF, not >> only because it is what most people can get and use for free, but because it >> is a single format useable in common for both text and graphics. > >I can't view a PDF file with my (Apple ][, Commodore 64, Atari x00, TI >99/4a, TRS-80 Model x, Heathkit Hx, OSI Challenger x, IMSAI 8080, Altair >8800, etc). > >Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- >Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out. > > Coming this October 2-3: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0! > See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details! > [Last web site update: 05/25/99] >

27 years

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DECmicroserver

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

> Hi. In my last visit to a very nice junkyard (near Lisbon, >Portugal) I came across a box, a bit larger than a DECserver 300, >named DECmicroserver, having about 4 very large D connectors (3 rows >of pins) named "line 1" in the back. Anyone knows what it is? (I'm >really tempted to buy it). Those D connectors carry synchronous data to and from IBM SNA boxes. I've seen these set up in medium-sized businesses that had both IBM networked mainframes/minis and DEC minis that need to talk to each other. There's a beefier version called the "DEC Channelserver" which, I've always inferred from the name, hooks to the IBM Channel architecture. -- 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

27 years

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i'm confused..

by edick＠idcomm.com

The "D" refers to the shape and the "B" refers to the shell-size. Hence, your typical RS-232 cable has a DB-25, indicating a D-connector with a size B shell with 25 contacts in it. They are further designated 'S' for socket (female) and 'P' for plug (male), which is not too hard to figure out. Likewise, the floppy disk cable connector formerly seen on PC FDC's used a DC37S connector, and what's most often seen on SCSI equipment attached to SUN systems is a DD50, though I can't remember which sex goes on what. The smaller serial connector now common on PC's is a DE-9, and the 15-pin connector used for joystics and MIDI is the DA15. On the other hand, the VGA connector would be a DE15, though I can't say I've ever seen it called out that way. Dick -----Original Message----- From: Jack Truman <jack_truman(a)hotmail.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Sunday, June 06, 1999 8:22 PM Subject: i'm confused.. >Hello, > This is probably a dumb questions, but i'm unsure of what a "D-type >b-miniature connector" is. I'm trying to connect my PC's serial port to my >VAXstation 3100, and the H8571-J adapter converts the 6-pin MMJ port to a >"D-type sub-miniature connector." Is that simply a fancy word for a female >serial port? >Thanks in advance. :) > >-Jack > > >_______________________________________________________________ >Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

27 years

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i'm confused..

by jack_truman＠hotmail.com

Hello, This is probably a dumb questions, but i'm unsure of what a "D-type b-miniature connector" is. I'm trying to connect my PC's serial port to my VAXstation 3100, and the H8571-J adapter converts the 6-pin MMJ port to a "D-type sub-miniature connector." Is that simply a fancy word for a female serial port? Thanks in advance. :) -Jack _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

27 years

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Disk Drive Documents

by steverob＠hotoffice.com

>>I'm advocating that any public archive should be accessible to as many people as possible. It's fruitless arguments like this disuade other list members from making their DOCS available. No matter what format is chosen, *someone* will always be dissatisfied. I say, use whatever methodology is most convenient for the "publisher". If another user wants the info bad enough, they'll figure out how to read it! Just my $.02 Steve Robertson <steverob(a)hotoffice.com>

27 years

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A chuckle

by ckaiser＠oa.ptloma.edu

A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text Size: 1245 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/attachments/19990607/d691e76f/at…

27 years

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Disney Sound Source

by roblwill＠usaor.net

Hi! I just picked up a Disney Sound Source (?1983) from a flea market. From what I know, it's a external sound card that'll play Wav files. Does anyone have drivers for it?? ThAnX, ///--->>> -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1>

27 years

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Disk Drive Documents

by edick＠idcomm.com

These aren't S-100 card documents, Sam, they're Disk drive documents, and they're service documents at that. A positive construct would be a novel thing to see from you, Sam. You're against everything, and favor nothing, apparently. Can you name even one computer from among the ones you listed that has the capability real, not putative, in both hardware and software, of getting anything from the web? Those people who choose to use computers unable to handle graphic displays always have the option of choosing to use a computer capable of doing so. If they choose not to, it's no different from you choosing your position. It's their choice which prevents them from having the benefit of an archive not compatible with the dozen or two others in their group, while readily accessible to the tens of millions who don't make that choice. They can always go to the local library if they need. It's like the folks who won't drive a car, though not as environmentally conscious. They could ride a bus. They really don't have to walk, and you, Sam, you don't have to sit and curse the darkness. I invite you to light one candle. Make a suggestion that would work. Dick -----Original Message----- From: Sellam Ismail <dastar(a)ncal.verio.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Monday, June 07, 1999 12:45 AM Subject: Re: Disk Drive Documents >On Sun, 6 Jun 1999, Richard Erlacher wrote: > >> Let's try to keep this in perspective, Sam. When there's a text file >> format which will display the exploded view drawings in these service >> documents on your (Apple ][, Commodore 64, Atari x00, TI 99/4a, TRS-80 >> Model x, Heathkit Hx, OSI Challenger x, IMSAI 8080, Altair >8800, etc) > >You're still missing the point. Some people choose to use computers that >aren't even PC-based. All they may have availabe is a text-based display >and a couple disk drives. > >You're the one who should keep this in prespective. Since when does all >documentation reuire an exploded diagram? Why does an S-100 bus card need >an exploded diagram?? > >> then you may have a valid point. For that matter, aside from the last >> three on the list, there's not one likely to need this documentation, >> nor is it likely that anyone unable to afford disk space enough to >> hold a complete PDF file of one of these relatively short documents >> when a 10GB disk drive costs less than $200, will be able to afford >> one of the "antique" devices to which they apply. > >This is a silly argument, but coming from you I'm not surprised. > >> Take a look at the "unofficial CP/M web site," whatever the URL is, and >> you'll see the document files offered in several formats, though I'd >> speculate that none of the systems you listed in your comments, "(Apple ][, >> Commodore 64, Atari x00, TI 99/4a, TRS-80 Model x, Heathkit Hx, OSI >> Challenger x, IMSAI 8080, Altair 8800, etc)" can view any of those files. >> >> Perhaps you can offer a positive construct rather than simply wringing your >> hands and being a naysayer. > >I'm hardly being a naysayer. I'm advocating that any public archive >should be accessible to as many people as possible. I'm not forcing you >to follow my suggestions. I realize that not everyone has a firm grasp on >common sense. > >Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- >Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out. > > Coming this October 2-3: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0! > See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details! > [Last web site update: 05/25/99] >

27 years

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Amiga A1020 5.25" floppy drive (was Re: Atari modem)

by mark_k＠iname.com

Hi, On Thu, 13 May 1999 Doug Spence wrote: > >> As for disk transfers, I can do that with my handy-dandy A1020 drive > >> on my Amiga. It reads and writes several Atari 8-bit formats just > >> fine, including 810 (SS/SD) and XF551 (DS/DD?). > > > > Hmm have to check that out. > > Yes, if your Amiga's 5.25" floppy drive is connected to the Amiga's > floppy controller, you should be able to do the same thing. > > The program for doing this is on aminet:misc/emu/551conv.lha Talking of the Amiga 1020 drive... I would like to get hold of one of these. Am I correct in thinking that they were not sold in the UK (where I live)? If I can't find an A1020 (or compatible replacement, if any were made), I may try and rig up my own drive. To this end, can some kind person who owns an A1020 open it up, and tell me what type/model the drive mechanism is, and also describe any interface PCB that's inside? -- Mark

27 years

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Disney Sound Source

by roblwill＠usaor.net

I don't have any Disney games, but I downloaded Sputter and tried it out on my Zenith SupersPORT (8088). All I could get it to do was make the internal speaker crackle. I seem to be doing what it says to in the docs (for Sputter), but can't get it to work. I wouldn't mind having the Windows drivers, though, since I hope to use the Sound Source on an old 386 laptop that I have (maybe...) ///--->>> -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1> -----Original Message----- From: John Ruschmeyer <jruschme(a)exit109.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Sonntag, 6. Juni 1999 17:31 Subject: Re: Disney Sound Source >> >I just picked up a Disney Sound Source (?1983) from a flea market. From >> >what I know, it's a external sound card that'll play Wav files. Does anyone >> >have drivers for it?? >> >> Jason, >> >> I think there are drivers for it in Windows 3.1 . > >There are Windows 3.1 drivers (I have a copy around here somewhere... just >hope it's on something readable). Beyond that, I know that some Disney >games supported it as did the sound utility 'sputter'. > ><<<john>>> >

27 years

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Disney Sound Source

by roblwill＠usaor.net

Yeah. Whit a little silver box with a Mickey Mouse Silhouette on it. It looked similar to the Covox Speech Thing, and connected to the amplifier / speaker with a RJ-11 jack. ///--->>> -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1> BTW>> I need drivers for the Covox Speech Thing, too. -----Original Message----- From: Paul Passmore <fpp(a)concentric.net> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Sonntag, 6. Juni 1999 13:15 Subject: Re: Disney Sound Source >Is this the sound card that attached to the parallel port? > >>I just picked up a Disney Sound Source (?1983) from a flea market. From >>what I know, it's a external sound card that'll play Wav files. Does >anyone >>have drivers for it?? > > >

27 years

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Emulex Thanx

by jpl15＠netcom.com

Gracias too Tim and Bruce for the answer to my board question. I have the 16-channel RS232 port assembly that goes on the other end of this... I just didn't know what it hooked up to.. till now. What started this was taking an inventory of the 1/44 to see about fitting an RL11 into it, thus to begin using RL02s. Of course this rash activity is bound to generate a small flurry of further perplexities... at least I've got full docs on everything. Cheerz John

27 years

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Emulex Thanx

by danburrows＠mindspring.com

Also I have Docs on the CS11 if you need to know something Dan -----Original Message----- From: John Lawson <jpl15(a)netcom.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Sunday, June 06, 1999 9:31 PM Subject: Emulex Thanx > > Gracias too Tim and Bruce for the answer to my board question. > > I have the 16-channel RS232 port assembly that goes on the other >end of this... I just didn't know what it hooked up to.. till now. > > What started this was taking an inventory of the 1/44 to see about >fitting an RL11 into it, thus to begin using RL02s. > > Of course this rash activity is bound to generate a small flurry >of further perplexities... at least I've got full docs on everything. > > Cheerz > >John > >

27 years

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Disk Drive Documents

by edick＠idcomm.com

First of all, let me say that I'm in complete agreement with your notion that the doc's don't have to be put out in only one format. It's just that I've been so extremely satisfied (ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you that's not easy!) with the PDF for document publication that any other way simply hadn't arrived here yet. With the Acrord32 program under Win95, you can print the pages you want and skip the rest, you can search for specific words and phrases, and you can print double-sided whether you have a duplex printer or not. You can generate extremely good-looking documents with almost no effort. You just can't edit them or such, and that's fine with me. I've seen some truly terrible PDF documents, obviously scanned from bad source documents or with a really dirty scanner, and not cleaned up as I'd probably be inclined to do if any of these documents turned out to be "bad" or difficult to read. The ones I've seen which were bad were posted PDF's of CP/M documents which I probably ought to be glad I could get in any form. What I would like to avoid, here, is getting in a position where we evaluate the product on the basis of the tools used to generate it. I use WIndows95 because it's a convenient tool for doing what I do with it. I use DOS where it's convenient and when I see a version of, say, LINUX that's got current documentation I'll look at it again too, since there are supposed to be some things that it does very handily as well. I agree about the documentation angle, but I don't agree that being free makes a product better. It just improves the price-performance comparison factors and helps with motivation to try it. I do believe that publishing the scanned documents as completely as possible is desirable, so that when you run into that "see figure 8a on page ..." you'll have that as well. If you only need to print sheet 14 of 39, that's what you should be able to print, not the entire document when all you wanted was the PLL's lowpass filter. PDF allows all that. If we can get a consensus on other formats, I'm willing. For now, we still need a "home" for such documents as these. The provider of this site space may have something to say about format or about how many formats he sees fit to house. If this set of doc's can be scanned and put together into a useable form of PDF document, then I see that as one relatively straightforward solution. If there were a good PCL or PostScript viewer, widely distributed enough that a substantial number of potential users would have it at their disposal, that would also be useful distribution format. If it could be hammered into a Word97 document, that might be a candidate. What's important is that a large number of potential users have access to the format that's chosen. Comments and suggestions are welcome! Dick -----Original Message----- From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Sunday, June 06, 1999 2:30 PM Subject: Re: Disk Drive Documents >> If, ultimately, the decision is made to serve these documents up in linked >> form rather than monolithic form, I'd submit that it is still desirable to >> be able to download the entire document as a single object. Some provision >> for that must be made, and I don't think it's simple. >> >> Comments? > >Well, of course, nobody is saying that you have to distribute these >documents in only one format. And in many ways, the original scans (as >.gif or whatever) are closer to the original documents that something >that's been modified (OCRed, cleaned up, etc, so IMHO they should be >available somewhere. > >I still think that a .pdf is not the best way to group a number of >scanned pages together. There are plenty of simpler, better documented, >solutions for this. Two obvious ones are .zip and .tar.gz . I've used >many ftp sites that will create one or other of those 'on the fly' - if >you want to download an entire directory, you can get ><directory_name>.zip (or .tar.gz) and it transfers one file to your >machine for you to unpack later. > >But the ability to get only some pages from a manual I would think would >be very useful. Most times service manuals contain information that is >not that useful for a particular repair (things like the original parts >lists when parts haven't been stocked under those part numbers for at >least 10 years, things like the exploded diagrams when you have an >electronic fault, or the schematics when you have a mechanical fault, >etc). I don't like wasting network bandwidth if I can avoid it. > > > >> >> Dick > >-tony >

27 years

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Emulex ID please

by jpl15＠netcom.com

I have an Emulex CS1110201-U2D card in my 11/44 system, that despite my best efforts at due diligence, I cannot find a reference or any other data regearding it. The other numbers on the label associated with the part number are 3997H and 4372A, and along the top it has a number of PROMS marked 300J thru 311J. It is hex-height and has a single Berg header with a ribbon cable and 34-pin connector. The connector is marked with the number CU1111201-02 B. If anyone recognizes this I would like to know 'whuzzit'? Cheers John

27 years

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GRiD Compass 1101 now online!

by ds_spenc＠alcor.concordia.ca

COWABUNGA!! My beautiful new GRiD Compass is now online! The keyboard seems to need a little bit of cleaning or working-in, sometimes keypresses don't register. This thing automatically loads up a VT100 emulator when I turn it on. Does anyone know anything about GRiD-OS? I think it was version 3.something. I'll verify that later. I'm just SOOO happy that the Compass works! I'v been wanting to at least _see_ one in operation since I first read the review in... I'm not sure... January 1984 Creative Computing? (No, I think that was the Gavilan.) I'm going to have to poke around some more. I just wanted to dial in with the thing and make this announcement. :) (It's hard to find a provider that will accept a 1200bps conection these days, huh?) So... GPIB is the same as IEEE-488? Anyone got an adapter cable for GRiD-to-CBM? :) YES!! Plasma display AND bubble memory in ONE machine! -- Doug Spence ds_spenc(a)alcor.concordia.ca http://alcor.concordia.ca/~ds_spenc/

27 years

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Emulex ID please

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

> I have an Emulex CS1110201-U2D card in my 11/44 system, that >despite my best efforts at due diligence, I cannot find a reference >or any other data regearding it. > If anyone recognizes this I would like to know 'whuzzit'? This is (surprise) an Emulex CS11. It emulates a DH11 async multiplexer, with some bells and whistles like modem control if you use the right cab kit. The magic for this series of Emulex cards is in the cab kit, as there's a fair amount of logic that lives there. Do you have the cab kit? -- 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

27 years

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CP/M boot disk

by donm＠cts.com

On Sun, 6 Jun 1999, James Szajda wrote: > If you are still the person to contact, I am looking for a boot disk for > a Victor 9000 system. Any help you can give me will be appreciated. For many machines I am, James. Unfortunately, the Victor 9000 is not one of them. The problem is that the 9000, or Sirius, uses a very unusual format on its disks. They are both Group Code Recording formatted and also done on a variable speed drive. Essentially, the only person who can provide you with a boot disk is someone who owns one that is in working condition. I will post this to the Classic Computer mailing list and see if it generates any response to you. In the meantime, it might serve you well to post a query on comp.os.cpm and see if that gets a response. Wish I could do more. - don donm(a)cts.com *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Don Maslin - Keeper of the Dina-SIG CP/M System Disk Archives Chairman, Dina-SIG of the San Diego Computer Society Clinging tenaciously to the trailing edge of technology. Sysop - Elephant's Graveyard (CP/M) Z-Node 9 - 619-454-8412 *--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--* see old system support at http://www.psyber.com/~tcj/ visit the "Unofficial" CP/M Web site at http://www.devili.iki.fi/cpm/ with Mirror at http://www.mathcs.emory.edu/~cfs/cpm/

27 years

1
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Disney Sound Source

by fpp＠concentric.net

Is this the sound card that attached to the parallel port? >I just picked up a Disney Sound Source (?1983) from a flea market. From >what I know, it's a external sound card that'll play Wav files. Does anyone >have drivers for it??

27 years

1
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Disk Drive Documents

by edick＠idcomm.com

I've observed that many text documents are formatted in HTML rather than PDF, and have links to seaparate files for the graphic segments. The manuals do have considerable text in them, which might benefit from OCR and re-creation and re-editing of the manuals with only the scanned graphics as original files. Even some of the schematic segments might be better re-created due to the fine line pitch, which tends to become really ugly in scanned documents. I use Typemaster Pro, which is quite old, but very effective at isolating graphics from text and perhaps well suited for segregating the text sections >from the illustrations. It's been around since about 10 years ago when nothing else would touch it. My scanner is a 300 DPI monochrome (but legal size) scanner with a sheetfeeder (which I wish would work properly). In conjuction with this old scanner, the software has done multipage scans to text of large documents in almost as little time as it takes to read them. It manages to learn the fonts and handles two typefaces with serifs at the same time as two without. If your document has more than that, you're on your own, of course, but it does a nice job, particularly with handling text which is flowed around some graphics, which it recognizes and leaves undisturbed. If, ultimately, the decision is made to serve these documents up in linked form rather than monolithic form, I'd submit that it is still desirable to be able to download the entire document as a single object. Some provision for that must be made, and I don't think it's simple. Comments? Dick -----Original Message----- From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Sunday, June 06, 1999 10:36 AM Subject: Re: Disk Drive Documents >[Wonderful list of docs snipped] > >> If this stuff is worth preserving, perhaps there's a way to save scanned >> images for eventual conversion to PDF. Does anyone know about this? > >In my opinion, PDF files are not really appropriate for scanned documents >(they _may_ be more use for documents that are initially created and >distributed in this format). For one (selfish) thing, I've yet to find a >useable way to print these out on any of my machines. > >The best way I've seen so far for this is simply to put a directory of >suitable graphics files on an ftp site (.gif seems to compress quite well >- 17"*11" circuit diagrams scanned at 300dpi are around 300K) and provide >a text file describing each page (not just as 'page 7 of the ST506 service >manual' but something like 'page 7 -- Page 1 of 3 of the schematic'). > >That way, people can download just what they want (if you need a >schematic, you don't waste time downloading parts lists as well). And the >result is portable to a lot more systems. > >If there are substantial text areas in the manual it may be worth trying >to OCR it to a plain ASCII file. > >-tony >

27 years

2
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Are you sitting down?

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> wrote: > Interesting. This is the first time I've heard of a 16 sector RK05f pack > (not too suprised that one existed...) > > I am told that you couldn't reliably move RK05f packs between drives. > Heck, you were supposed to reformat the pack (according to one of the > manuals) if you took it out and put it back in again. Bummer. I've always wondered what's on this thing. I may never know. :-( -ethan _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

27 years

3
3
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Formatting disk on rt11

by mbg＠world.std.com

>Tim Shoppa just noted that V5.7 of RT-11 allows an RX50 floppy drive >to FORMAT under RT-11, but I am not aware if that is for EVERY >RX50 floppy drive, OR ONLY the special ones that have been noted >as being able to do a FORMAT on a Rainbow. Either you (Allison) >or Megan Gentry or someone else mentioned that recently. And I >don't know if all RQDX1,2,3 are included. I've not yet tried formatting an RX50 with V5.7, but I suspect that it requires 1) an RX33 drive and 2) an RQDX3 (though maybe even the RQZX1 will work - I'll have to defer to Tim on this). When I was working on V5.6, the best we could do was format RX33s on an RX33 drive... if you attemped to format an RX50 on an RX33 drive, you got an RX33-formatted RX50 which was neither 1) usable or 2) reformattable to RX50. Megan Gentry Former RT-11 Developer +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+ | Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com | | Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com | | Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' | | 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ | | Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler | | (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg | +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

27 years

2
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Disk Drive Documents

by edick＠idcomm.com

By the way . . . it might be desirable to find an appropriate site on which to post this stuff for general use. Where's the most appropriate site? Dick -----Original Message----- From: Richard Erlacher <edick(a)idcomm.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Sunday, June 06, 1999 7:59 AM Subject: Re: Disk Drive Documents >Perhaps that will be the way to make these items available to those who need >them. I've had several requests for one or another of these documents in >recent weeks. This may turn out to be somewhat of a headache, as some, e.g. >the SIEMENS documents, are still in the form of a booklet, and, having been >wet at one point or another, it may be desirable to scan them and reduce >them to text as opposed, simply, to preserving the graphic images. This >will mean the graphics need to be repaired in some way as well. > >Apparently, as people try to resurrect their ancient computing hardware, >they find some of it is in need of maintenance. Mine certainly has turned >out that way. > >Dick >-----Original Message----- >From: emanuel stiebler <emu(a)ecubics.com> >To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers ><classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> >Date: Sunday, June 06, 1999 7:09 AM >Subject: Re: Disk Drive Documents > > >>Hi Dick, >> >>-----Original Message----- >>From: Richard Erlacher <edick(a)idcomm.com> >>To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers >><classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> >>Date: Saturday, June 05, 1999 11:55 PM >>Subject: Disk Drive Documents >> >> >>>If this stuff is worth preserving, perhaps there's a way to save scanned >>>images for eventual conversion to PDF. Does anyone know about this? >> >> >>Send it to me, if you like. We should have all the tools needed in house. >> >>cheers, >>emanuel >> >> >

27 years

1
0
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Disk Drive Documents

by edick＠idcomm.com

Several of these documents have very detailed graphics (line-art, mostly) which may or may not scan well. I would not like to have to re-create the exploded view assembly drawings. Though I have a scanner and some really quite excellent OCR software, I've never been able to deal well with highly detailed line art. The typical FAX scanner at 100x100 pixels per inch would not render these drawings in any useable form. Even at 200x100, which is the best I've ever gotten from a FAX. Emanuel Stiebler has offered to handle this with tools he has in house. I'll see what he and I can work up, as he and I live in the same geographic area. Dick -----Original Message----- From: Innfogra(a)aol.com <Innfogra(a)aol.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Sunday, June 06, 1999 1:48 AM Subject: Re: Disk Drive Documents > >> If this stuff is worth preserving, perhaps there's a way to save scanned >> images for eventual conversion to PDF. Does anyone know about this? > >They are definitely worth saving. Many people don't have access to these. > >Fax the pages to your computer with a regular fax machine. The full version >of Acrobat will convert many fax images to PDF. I know there are several >other programs that will convert too, but I am not sure of their names. I >have an old DOS program called Hijaak Pro that converted between many vector, >raster and fax file formats. I looked and it is a pre-PDF program. >Paxton

27 years

1
0
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Disk Drive Documents

by edick＠idcomm.com

Perhaps that will be the way to make these items available to those who need them. I've had several requests for one or another of these documents in recent weeks. This may turn out to be somewhat of a headache, as some, e.g. the SIEMENS documents, are still in the form of a booklet, and, having been wet at one point or another, it may be desirable to scan them and reduce them to text as opposed, simply, to preserving the graphic images. This will mean the graphics need to be repaired in some way as well. Apparently, as people try to resurrect their ancient computing hardware, they find some of it is in need of maintenance. Mine certainly has turned out that way. Dick -----Original Message----- From: emanuel stiebler <emu(a)ecubics.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Sunday, June 06, 1999 7:09 AM Subject: Re: Disk Drive Documents >Hi Dick, > >-----Original Message----- >From: Richard Erlacher <edick(a)idcomm.com> >To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers ><classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> >Date: Saturday, June 05, 1999 11:55 PM >Subject: Disk Drive Documents > > >>If this stuff is worth preserving, perhaps there's a way to save scanned >>images for eventual conversion to PDF. Does anyone know about this? > > >Send it to me, if you like. We should have all the tools needed in house. > >cheers, >emanuel > >

27 years

1
0
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Formatting disk on rt11

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>>RX50 formatting under RT-11 V5.7 (i.e. FORMAT/SINGLE DUn:) only is >>supported on certain 3rd-party controllers like the Andromeda ESDC and >>SCDC. It doesn't work with RQDX1/2/3's. >Regarding my prior message, I stand corrected... Well, in *this* particular case, Mentec arranged for Andromeda to give me a SCDC controller with some SCSI drives and 5.25" and 3.5" floppies, and that's the reason why the Andromeda is supported for this operation under RT-11 5.7 :-). >But even though an RQDX3 is not required (or useful) for this, I'll >suspect an RX33-type drive still is. Is that correct, Tim? Not necessarily. I just hooked a true DEC RX50 to my SCDC, configured it, and it still lets me do a RX50 format: SCDC User Service Port V3.06 B Configure controller HARDWARE JUMPERS D Display/define physical DRIVE PARAMETERS A Assign logical DU/MU UNITS C Configure controller SOFTWARE OPTIONS E Exercise a SCSI DISK drive F FORMAT a DISK drive P RESET controller and EXIT ? d SCSI or Floppy (S or F)? f Floppy drive number (0 or 1)? 0 Floppy drive 0: 800 blocks Floppy drive types: 76 3.5" 80 track DS 134 5.25" 80 track DS 420 DEC RX50 dual drive Floppy drive type (76, 134, or 420) [134]? 420 SCSI or Floppy (S or F)? SAVE CHANGES- Are you sure (Y or N) [N]? y SCDC User Service Port V3.06 B Configure controller HARDWARE JUMPERS D Display/define physical DRIVE PARAMETERS A Assign logical DU/MU UNITS C Configure controller SOFTWARE OPTIONS E Exercise a SCSI DISK drive F FORMAT a DISK drive P RESET controller and EXIT ? f SCSI or Floppy (S or F)? f Floppy drive number (0 or 1)? 0 Floppy drive 0: (offline) Available floppy formats: DD 800 blocks Which format (# of blocks)? Now whether you want to actually do the format on a DEC RX50 drive is another question. According to Charles Lasner's voluminous posts on RX50 technical details, RX50 drives lack the required physical head-positioning accuracy to make a RX50 floppy that's guaranteed to be interchangable with other drives. Look at Charles's posts to alt.sys.pdp8 on the topic >from 4-5 years ago for more details about his tests. -- 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

27 years

1
0
0 0

Disk Drive Documents

by emu＠ecubics.com

Hi Dick, -----Original Message----- From: Richard Erlacher <edick(a)idcomm.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Saturday, June 05, 1999 11:55 PM Subject: Disk Drive Documents >If this stuff is worth preserving, perhaps there's a way to save scanned >images for eventual conversion to PDF. Does anyone know about this? Send it to me, if you like. We should have all the tools needed in house. cheers, emanuel

27 years

1
0
0 0

Disk Drive Documents

by Innfogra＠aol.com

> If this stuff is worth preserving, perhaps there's a way to save scanned > images for eventual conversion to PDF. Does anyone know about this? They are definitely worth saving. Many people don't have access to these. Fax the pages to your computer with a regular fax machine. The full version of Acrobat will convert many fax images to PDF. I know there are several other programs that will convert too, but I am not sure of their names. I have an old DOS program called Hijaak Pro that converted between many vector, raster and fax file formats. I looked and it is a pre-PDF program. Paxton

27 years

1
0
0 0

Nicolet 824 Plotter specs/info pls?

by pubnetix＠yahoo.com

Hi! I just started an auction on Ebay for Nicolet Model 824 plotter. Item # 113397200, closes 6/14/99. I'd like to add some specs to the description. Can anyone fill me in on this oldie? It accepts 24 inch paper and emulates HP7475; that's about the extent of my knowledge. Direct e-mail replies appreciated. Thanks. Dan S., Laurel, MD. _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

27 years

2
1
0 0

Formatting disk on rt11

by mbg＠world.std.com

>RX50 formatting under RT-11 V5.7 (i.e. FORMAT/SINGLE DUn:) only is >supported on certain 3rd-party controllers like the Andromeda ESDC and >SCDC. It doesn't work with RQDX1/2/3's. Regarding my prior message, I stand corrected... But even though an RQDX3 is not required (or useful) for this, I'll suspect an RX33-type drive still is. Is that correct, Tim? Megan Gentry Former RT-11 Developer +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+ | Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com | | Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com | | Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' | | 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ | | Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler | | (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg | +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

27 years

1
0
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Kaypro II

by obrien＠southwestern.edu

Hello I have 2 Kaypro II machines (were working when retired to attic about 10 yrs ago) and a Kaypro LQ Printer; do you know of any market for these or of any people anywhere in the world (missionaries, 3rd world schools, etc) that could use these reliable if outdated by internet standards machines? It seems a shame that these could be not be used by someone who can't afford or need to get into the current technology mode. Please send me any leads you may have. Dr. Bill O'Brien obrien(a)southwestern.edu FAX 512 863 1696 11403 Randy Drive Austin, Texas 78726

27 years

2
1
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Formatting disk on rt11

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>Tim Shoppa just noted that V5.7 of RT-11 allows an RX50 floppy drive >to FORMAT under RT-11, but I am not aware if that is for EVERY >RX50 floppy drive. RX50 formatting under RT-11 V5.7 (i.e. FORMAT/SINGLE DUn:) only is supported on certain 3rd-party controllers like the Andromeda ESDC and SCDC. It doesn't work with RQDX1/2/3's. -- 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

27 years

1
0
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Formatting disk on rt11

by jhfine＠idirect.com

>Allison J Parent wrote: > <Believe it or not, it is possible to FORMAT an RX33 floppy under RT-11! > <Just a little side note which has nothing to do with the original question > <Also, you can't FORMAT an RX50 under RT-11 and it is much easier to > <FORMAT the RX50 floppy on a PC. Shout if you want instructions how! > > Both would handy to know as doing it under xxdp is terminally slow. Jerome Fine replies:

27 years

1
0
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Formatting disk on rt11

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<> <How can I format a rd54 disk on a rt11 5.3 ? <> You cannot unless you write your own utility. < <Jerome Fine replies: < <For novice PDP-11 folk, this part is incorrect, as Allison <surely knows, but probably just answered too quickly. <Technically, I suppose Allison is correct, but I have <never heard of anyone writing their own version of ZRQC?? No, I am correct. there is no formatter for RDxx drives under RT-11. XXDP does it really well but that is NOT RT-ll. There is a lot of work but writing a utility to format a RD under RT-11 is possible, though if you have the tools and info to do that you also know XXDP is available. <Just a note of clarification (again, Allison this is not a flame that you u <but just correcting your "spelling" - anyone who knows realizes and anyone <who doesn't understand - it doesn't matter). Allison was referring to the <SET DUn: UNIT=u, PART=p Actually I've never used a RD larger than 31mb on an RT11 system so the SET DUn would not have come to mind. Why no big disks? I have MANY MANY RD52s and an RD53/54 would be VAX fodder. Also while RQDX3s are RD54 aware, some of the RQDX1 and 2s are very much unaware of the RD54 and will produce errors. Allison

27 years

2
1
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Is anyone interested in military Compupro s-100 computers?

by rigdonj＠intellistar.net

I picked up a couple of Compupros that were used in a Titan missile test station. Each one has a Compupro 286 CPU, 64^H^H 128 K S-RAM card, EPROM card, system support card and Interfacer 4 card along with a number of custom cards. The operating system for them is in EPROM. These were used to operate a ultrasonic test machine by remote control. Each test stand had a turntable and gantry that would rotate the missile and run the test head up and down until it inspected the entire missile body. Each test head had four large ultrasonic transducers for detecting flaws in the missile. These computers generated the master timing for the ultra sonic pulses and converted the return signals from analog to digital then fed the data back to another computer for further processing. They could be operated at up to 200 MHz PRF. They also took care of things like controlling the programmable attenuators in the RF receiver. Most of the connectors on them were replaced with "Canon plugs" and an extra power supply added for use by one of the special cards. An extra fan was also added inside. All of the custom cards use gold SMA connectors to connect to each other and to carry the RF signals. The custom cards have some really neat devices on them such as flash A/D converters, very fast S-RAM for buffers, switchable attenuators, a crystal with 10-7 accuaracy, etc. I was going to convert these back to standard Compupro configuration but if anyone is seriously interested in them I will consider interesting trades or $$. PS I have lots of manuals for them too including schematics and theory of operation for the custom cards.

27 years

5
9
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Epson Equity LT-286 setup

by ds_spenc＠alcor.concordia.ca

I dropped by my old place of work yesterday, lugging my GRiDs and Toshiba laptop (and I'm still in pain). The accountant has a laptop that he wanted me to look at. It looks to me like there's nothing wrong with it except a dead CMOS battery. How do I get into the setup of an Epson Equity LT-286? And what kind of battery does it need? I tried most of the usual setup suspects. Does it require a setup progam on floppy? It was a 2nd hand machine and the owner doesn't have any disks for it or manuals (just the machine, power supply, and nice carrying case). -- Doug Spence ds_spenc(a)alcor.concordia.ca http://alcor.concordia.ca/~ds_spenc/

27 years

7
15
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Northstar Horizon

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Jun 4, 23:31, Tony Duell wrote: > I've had many tantalum capacitors catch fire over the years. They're > pretty spectacular (and smell horrible :-(), but they rarely do any more > damage. > > They seem to go low resistance both ways round (rather than becoming a > diode), and pass enough current to overheat. Then the burst and spray > burning bits out... > > I have never found a cause of this. I've had several boards that have > been working fine when put away, but when I pull the out of storage and > try them, the capacitors go up. They had a sufficiently high voltage > rating for the position, etc. > I don't think it happens to protect anything. The capacitor fails _at the > normal operating voltage_. Yes, I've seen several fail that way too. The most recent: A few months ago, we had a "fire" in our machine room over the weekend, which caused the systems to be automatically shut down. It turned out that one tantalum cap in one of the PSUs on our 32-processor Origin2000 server had burned up, the smoke detectors had been tripped, and the rest was obvious. When the power was restored, everything came back up as normal. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

27 years

1
0
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DEC treasure trove available

by manney＠hmcltd.net

Oh, you mean my father? P Manney "Y1K caused the Dark Ages." Thousands of discounted photo items at http://www.hmcltd.net/pgphoto >Are you trading (or trying to) your identity for Henry Manney who >wrote of exotic motorcars and sportscar racing in Europe more years ago >than I like to acknowledge?

27 years

2
1
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Seen at an NC establishment closing down later this year

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<Sorry, no external cases and I don't know what they are. These are specifi <to 220v 50hz. <I thought S100 style machines had drives with 12v connectors. These are older drives like the sugart sa800/850 series with line powered ac motors for the spindles. the rest of the hardware uses typically +24v, +5 and -5v. The later drives were DC motor spindles and very different. The ones you've found might fit a Heath H8/H11 early 8"disk system or an older altair/imsai 8" system. that of course is not an exclusive list. Allison

27 years

1
0
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Formatting disk on rt11

by edick＠idcomm.com

Oops! I forgot to change the subject . . . My apologies, gents. Dick <snip>

27 years

1
0
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Are you sitting down?

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> wrote: Originally, I wrote: > > The only use I would have for an RK05F is to read this _one_ 16-sector pack > Isn't the RK05F the fixed-pack version (i.e. the pack was designed to be > changed during repair operations, and not in normal use). Yes. > In which case it's not the best choice for reading a normal pack. The RK05j > (the other drive he mentioned) could read the pack, but not with a PDP11 > controller (which expects 12 sector packs). I did not mistype. I have a 16-sector RK05F pack. It was in the drive when my former employer bought it c. 1982 from Ohio State University surplus before I worked there. The tech guys removed the F pack and used the RK05J and RJ05F in the rack with an RK-11C (which I have somewhere). I got the pack off the shelf in 1984. I have never owned an RK8E, nor a working RK05F, but I do have at least one working RK05J (one's in the basement, almost certainly working, attached to an RKV11D, the other is in the shed and is of dubious value). > Was there ever a 16 sector version of the RK05f? All the ones I've seen > were 12 sector. The drive doesn't care except for number of tracks and magnetic gap (the F heads and J heads are different). The boards are the same (there are jumpers to select modes of operation). The controllers are the parts that care how many sectors of how many bytes there are. So... can *anyone* out there read a 16-sector RK05F pack? I have no use for it since. as I said, I have no RK8E nor working drive. -ethan _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

27 years

2
1
0 0

Are you sitting down?

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- Jay West <jlwest(a)tseinc.com> wrote: > I would be very interested in the 11/34 rack with the two RK05's, and the > ASR33. The only use I would have for an RK05F is to read this _one_ 16-sector pack that I've had for 15 years and never owned the equipment to read it on (The drive died with a different pack in it before I got it). I already have an ASR33 (two, in fact, one with 20mA and one with a data set), so that's not a part I want. > I have no interest in the 11/84, and while I am somewhat interested in the > 8i, I already have an 8E so I should take a back seat to anyone who doesn't > have an 8. As I said before, I have 8's, but not any pre-OMNIBUS mass-storage devices. Presently, my -8/i has 4Kw, but I have all the parts to take it up to 8Kw. > I'm in Missouri, so Iowa wouldn't be that big of a deal for me. Indeed. > I would be willing to tandem up with others and take a hand in getting the > equipment and splitting it up with other collectors. If anyone wants to get > together on this, just let me know. Perhaps we could build an across-the-country rescue tour? If several people chip in together on the transport (based on a combination of distance and percentage of material benefit), it might be possible to move that kind of mass for less than megabucks. -ethan _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

27 years

3
3
0 0

Pricing a PDP-8/L

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

A friend of mine locally has happened across a PDP-8L in unknown shape. He wants to sell it on eOverpay. I wish to prevent this. To do so, I need to present to him a reasonable price that he can sell it at. The last -8/L I got was a rescue. The one before that was $200 in a 6' rack with high-speed paper tape and 12Kw of core (plays papertape Star Trek beautifully ;-) I have no idea what to tell him. He is a geek, but has no interest in preserving history. He just wants the money. Can anyone here cough up a reasonable estimate of what a PDP-8/L is worth? I realize that it's a tough question, but if I don't have an answer, some core-collecting weenie is probably going to have a trophy to nail to the wall. If it's worth more than I'm willing to pay, I'll gladly help anyone on this list with aquiring it. The machine is located in north-central Ohio, but the owner drives to work in Columbus every day. -ethan _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

27 years

1
0
0 0

VAXstation for sell or trade!

by MTPro＠aol.com

Hello, I have a VAXstation 4000 VLC with 24mb RAM, no HD and by itself for sell or trade. I found some basic specs on it and it maxs out at 24mb and all six RAM slots are filled. It is very clean and powers up OK - that's all I can check. Please respond directly to mtpro(a)aol.com and thanks! Best, David Greelish Classic Computing Press www.classiccomputing.com

27 years

1
0
0 0

Formatting disk on rt11

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>>Alternatively, if you have a VS2000, it has a RQDX3-compabitle >> formatter built into it. >I just formatted the disk in a MVII with the diagnostic tape. Or - maybe you didn't :-(. The MVII diagnostics are worse than useless. >>What error message do you get when you try DIR DU0: ? If it's a >>"?DIR-F-Error reading directory", >I still get this one ... Then you didn't format the RD54 successfully. The best you can hope for with the MVII diagnostics is to turn an already formatted RD54 into a formatted RD54. The worst that can happen is that you lose an already existing format. Let me know what media it'd be useful to you on, and I'll get you a bootable XXDP disk/pack/cart/tape with ZRQC?? on it. >.INIT Du0: >DU0: Initialize are you sure ?Y >?DUP-F-Size function failed Yep - you need to really reformat the disk, as opposed to what the MVII diagnosics do. And congratulations on actually posting the command you used and the error message that resulted!! If only everyone else on the list could do the same, it'd be a much nicer world!! -- 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

27 years

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Formatting disk on rt11

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>Also, you can't FORMAT an RX50 under RT-11 and it is much easier to >FORMAT the RX50 floppy on a PC. So you might believe, until you read the minutae about RX50 formatting support in the RT-11 5.7 release notes :-). I most certainly have formatted RX50's under RT-11 5.7... -- 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

27 years

1
0
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A Qbus looking for item...

by allisonp＠world.std.com

I have a SCSI card I was given and I'd like to find data or info to use them. There is no question they are SCSI from the chips and connectors. The boards appear to be MTI QTS25 (viking marked on one Eprom). Standard dual height dual width. I'm hoping they are MSCP as I play to try them. Allison

27 years

2
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Formatting disk on rt11

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<How can I format a rd54 disk on a rt11 5.3 ? You cannot unless you write your own utility. <(disk & floppy are on RQDX3 controller) You need the XXDP diag for that. <.FORMAT DU0: < <i get "device not supported, ...)

27 years

2
1
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A Qbus looking for item...

by danburrows＠mindspring.com

I sounds like the Viking series. Zane was kind enough to post a few things I scanned which includes an OCR of the Viking manuals along with a few gif scans of pages that the OCR did not keep lined up. Feel free to contact me off list for more info. ftp://zane.brouhaha.com/pub/dan/viking_scsi >I have a SCSI card I was given and I'd like to find data or info >to use them. There is no question they are SCSI from the chips and >connectors. > >The boards appear to be MTI QTS25 (viking marked on one Eprom). Standard >dual height dual width. > >I'm hoping they are MSCP as I play to try them. Depends on the PAL that is installed. The markings are as follows: QTO= Tape only (TMSCP) QDO= Disk only (MSCP) QDT= Disk and Tape. Dan

27 years

1
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Formatting disk on rt11

by emu＠ecubics.com

---Original Message----- From: CLASSICCMP(a)trailing-edge.com <CLASSICCMP(a)trailing-edge.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Friday, June 04, 1999 4:01 PM Subject: RE: Formatting disk on rt11 >Alternatively, if you have a VS2000, it has a RQDX3-compabitle > formatter built into it. I just formatted the disk in a MVII with the diagnostic tape. >What error message do you get when you try DIR DU0: ? If it's a >"?DIR-F-Error reading directory", I still get this one ... >then you probably only need to INIT DU0: >to make it usable. .INIT Du0: DU0: Initialize are you sure ?Y ?DUP-F-Size function failed thanks, emanuel

27 years

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Formatting disk on rt11

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>Hi all, > >How can I format a rd54 disk on a rt11 5.3 ? > >(disk & floppy are on RQDX3 controller) > >Doing something like > >.FORMAT DU0: > >i get "device not supported, ...) You need the ZRQC?? formatter on bootable XXDP+ media for your machine. Do you have a RX50 floppy? RX33 floppy? TK50? RL02? RX02? I can get you the formatter on just about any media... (it *should* have shipped with your machine in the first place, but someone may have misplaced the disks at least once in the past decade or so.) Alternatively, if you have a VS2000, it has a RQDX3-compabitle formatter built into it. >P.S. Booting from DU1: works, so the controller & driver should be OK. >Trying accesses to DU0: I see the LED of the disk drive on. What error message do you get when you try DIR DU0: ? If it's a "?DIR-F-Error reading directory", or a "?DIR-F-Input error", then you probably do need to low-level-format the drive. If you get a "?DIR-F-Invalid directory", then you probably only need to INIT DU0: to make it usable. -- 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

27 years

2
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Nortstar 64kDRAM, looking for info

by allisonp＠world.std.com

I have a NS* HRAM 64k (with parity). It works but I have nothing for configuration. A schematic and jumper/switch settings would do well. Allison

27 years

1
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Seen at an NC establishment closing down later this year

by jolminkh＠nsw.bigpond.net.au

Lawrence LeMay wrote: >> What should I do? Am I ever likely to find a use for them if I take them? >> > >Hmm, If they are DSDD and in an external case, i would like to have one >of those. Woudl you be willing to get one and ship it? I assume it >would be relatively easy to ship since you say the original packaging >is available. > Sorry, no external cases and I don't know what they are. These are specific to 220v 50hz. I thought S100 style machines had drives with 12v connectors.

27 years

1
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Formatting disk on rt11

by mbg＠world.std.com

>How can I format a rd54 disk on a rt11 5.3 ? You can't. >(disk & floppy are on RQDX3 controller) > >Doing something like > >.FORMAT DU0: > >i get "device not supported, ...) Yep, because the FORMAT code doesn't truly know how to format an RD series disk. The disks are formattable, but you must use the XXDP diagnostic ZRQC?? >P.S. Booting from DU1: works, so the controller & driver should be OK. >Trying accesses to DU0: I see the LED of the disk drive on. The drive can obviously be referenced, but won't be usable until you have it formatted. Megan Gentry Former RT-11 Developer +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+ | Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com | | Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com | | Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' | | 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ | | Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler | | (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg | +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

27 years

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Misusing the list - sorry (again).

by kstumpf＠unusual.on.ca

>...This could get confusing eh - two Kevins. > I guess I have fully demonstrated just how confused I was/am. I have just, once again, broadcast a private reply. Here I sit day after day saying "that was a silly message to broadcast, why did so-n-so waste my time by posting it? it should have been a private message, blah, blah, blah,..." and so I go and do the same thing. My apologies, but, oh what the heck...would so-n-so please use better judgement deciding what should be broadcast and what should be private messages. Thank you ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Kevin Stumpf * Unusual systems * www.unusual.on.ca +1.519.744.2900 * EST/EDT GMT - 5 Collector - Commercial Mainframes & Minicomputers from the 50s, 60s, & 70s and control panels and consoles. Author & Publisher - A Guide to Collecting Computers & Computer Collectibles * ISBN 0-9684244-0-6 .

27 years

1
0
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Formatting disk on rt11

by emu＠ecubics.com

Hi all, How can I format a rd54 disk on a rt11 5.3 ? (disk & floppy are on RQDX3 controller) Doing something like .FORMAT DU0: i get "device not supported, ...) Any help ? thanks, emanuel P.S. Booting from DU1: works, so the controller & driver should be OK. Trying accesses to DU0: I see the LED of the disk drive on.

27 years

2
1
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Northstar Horizon

by fmc＠reanimators.org

"Fred Cisin (XenoSoft)" <cisin(a)xenosoft.com> wrote: > Any good sources for routine and/or user information about the Horizon? > f'rinstance: what's the pinout on those 15 pin D "parallel" connectors? > Any chance the signals are close enough to be cabled into a centronics > style port? I haven't applied power to it yet; anything exceptional to > watch out for? Yeah. Fire. I'm only half joking: Stan Sieler and I have had about the same experience, which is that one of the tantalum caps near a voltage regulator (connected between +mumble and ground on the input leg of the regulator) turns into a noise, fire, and magic soot emitting diode on first application of power to the card(s). As near as I can tell, the cap shorts to protect the regulator from voltage, but I'm a software weenie with a soldering iron so what do I know? So leave the cover off after you re-insert the cards (you're going to pull them to check the power supply voltages, right?), for that matter make sure you leave some space between the cards when you put them back in, and be ready to hit the switch. ObTony: this problem is amenable to component-level repair. Clean the soot off and replace the capacitor. -Frank McConnell

27 years

2
1
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DEC 11/45 FS.

by kstumpf＠unusual.on.ca

This could get confusing eh - two Kevins. How long have you been on the CCL? I'm delighted to know another collector in Kitchener. That's wonderful. That makes 3 who will admit it. Why don't you come to my "ware"house and see it. How about tomorrow at either 10am or 1:30pm. It is easy to get to being near the corner of King and Victoria. Yours in good faith. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Kevin Stumpf * Unusual systems * www.unusual.on.ca +1.519.744.2900 * EST/EDT GMT - 5 Collector - Commercial Mainframes & Minicomputers from the 50s, 60s, & 70s and control panels and consoles. Author & Publisher - A Guide to Collecting Computers & Computer Collectibles * ISBN 0-9684244-0-6 .

27 years

1
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Bubble memory markings

by ds_spenc＠alcor.concordia.ca

Hi, Does anyone know what all the numbers on the backs of Intel Magnetics bubble memory modules mean? One of the three modules that I have has a penciled-in line separating every 4th digit, so it looks like maybe some kind of address, but I think the modules each store 128KB and 16 bits wouldn't be enough. Besides that, I can't think of any use for address listings on the modules. e.g.: 09FHJ 8333 (<-- probably a date code) FFF7BAFBFFFBFEBF 7BB3FFFBFEFBFBFE FBFF7BF3DDBFDFBF BFFFFFFDFDFFFFFF DFFDFFFFFFBFFDFF -- Doug Spence ds_spenc(a)alcor.concordia.ca http://alcor.concordia.ca/~ds_spenc/

27 years

3
3
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at style keyboards and mc68000

by edick＠idcomm.com

With the aid of a dedicated processor, this job is easy. Since the work is already done, I can send you a zip file of the details and the required code. Dick -----Original Message----- From: John Ott <jott(a)mastif.ee.nd.edu> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Friday, June 04, 1999 11:23 AM Subject: Re: at style keyboards and mc68000 >Hello - > >I would be interested in seeing this. > >john > >> >> Hi, >> >> ---------- >> > From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> >> > To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers >> <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> >> > Subject: Re: homemade computer for fun and experience... >> > Date: Sunday, April 04, 1999 10:49 AM >> >> > True. But AFAIK the AT keyboard host interface was never implemented in >> > TTL (it always used a programmed 8042 microcontroller), so it's a little >> > harder to build from scratch. >> >> We used on our mc68000 boards a 68681 DUART & and some inverters as a >> keyboard interface for xt/at. Was very simple. If anybody needs it, i could >> dig it out again. >> >> cheers, >> emanuel >> > > >-- > >*********************************************************************** >* John Ott * Email: jott(a)saturn.ee.nd.edu * >* Dept. Electrical Engineering * * >* 275 Fitzpatrick Hall * * >* University of Notre Dame * Phone: (219) 631-7752 * >* Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA * * >*********************************************************************** >

27 years

1
0
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homemade computer for fun and experience...

by emu＠ecubics.com

Hi, ---------- > From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> > To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> > Subject: Re: homemade computer for fun and experience... > Date: Sunday, April 04, 1999 10:49 AM > True. But AFAIK the AT keyboard host interface was never implemented in > TTL (it always used a programmed 8042 microcontroller), so it's a little > harder to build from scratch. We used on our mc68000 boards a 68681 DUART & and some inverters as a keyboard interface for xt/at. Was very simple. If anybody needs it, i could dig it out again. cheers, emanuel

27 years

2
1
0 0

Space, the next frontier

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<I used 5/8" plywood and 2x4 all around mounted vertically for extra <support for the shelves. I would not use anything less. Try sticking a <couple S-100 chassis on a shelf of 1/2" plywood or supported with less Err... I've done it and 1x2 and 1/2" play do it real well and I do have a few s100 crates. <than a 2x4 and unless you have additional support in the way of diagonal <cross-members or extra support underneath the shelf it'll bow or break. <Maybe not right away, but with time it'll start to sag. the trick is you box the underside of the shelf in 1x2 and put one down the middle for support. then that assembley is screwed to a 2x4 at the corner and a pair of diagonal braces on the back of 1x2 and side if needed. Use wallboard screws to assemble rather than nails, they hold better. <It saves much time to use steel brackets instead of cutting slots into the <wood. I did my first shelf with the latter design and it took a long What slots? It can be sone that way but it's not a required thing. <If I had to do it over I'd buy pre-fab shelves like the Gorilla racks. They are nice and all but the wood can be cheaper especially if you can scrounge. Also wood can be configured for odd sizes like a 27" wide space between the h960 and the window. ;) Allison

27 years

2
1
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Seen at an NC establishment closing down later this year

by jolminkh＠nsw.bigpond.net.au

Today I visited an NC machining establishment that is to close down soon. There is an operating PDP11/23 there that I have my eye on. Amongst the other accumulated stuff were 8 X Memorex 8" floppy drives, never used and still in their original packaging. There were 2 models, 550 and 651. They are about 4" high and powered by 220v, 50Hz. The model 550's have an edge connector while the 651's have a rectangular multi-pin connector. The delivery documentation is dated in May 1977 and also listed documentation and software that wasn't in the box I opened and is probably missing. They were never used because they were bought in error. What should I do? Am I ever likely to find a use for them if I take them? Hans Olminkhof

27 years

2
1
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How your collection storage space is used?

by kstumpf＠unusual.on.ca

Please ponder this question. We either collect mainframes, minicomputers, or microcomputers. In the mix there is hardware, software, documentation, spares, and related material such as magazines, books, novelties. There might also be the original boxes. What percentage of your space is taken up by the hardware and how much by everything else? What is the ratio of actual computers to all the other stuff that goes along with them? Please tell me the catagory(s) of computer(s) you collect (mainframe, etc.), and what your percentages are. I am working on an article and also on the 2nd edition of A Guide, so your estimates would be very helpful. Thank you very much. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Kevin Stumpf * Unusual systems * www.unusual.on.ca +1.519.744.2900 * EST/EDT GMT - 5 Collector - Commercial Mainframes & Minicomputers from the 50s, 60s, & 70s and control panels and consoles. Author & Publisher - A Guide to Collecting Computers & Computer Collectibles * ISBN 0-9684244-0-6 .

27 years

6
5
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Are you sitting down?

by jlwest＠tseinc.com

I would be very interested in the 11/34 rack with the two RK05's, and the ASR33. I have no interest in the 11/84, and while I am somewhat interested in the 8i, I already have an 8E so I should take a back seat to anyone who doesn't have an 8. I'm in Missouri, so Iowa wouldn't be that big of a deal for me. I would be willing to tandem up with others and take a hand in getting the equipment and splitting it up with other collectors. If anyone wants to get together on this, just let me know. I certainly meet criteria 1 through 3, and 4 as well if someone will partner up with me for the drive and dissemination. Jay West -----Original Message----- From: Ethan Dicks <ethan_dicks(a)yahoo.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Friday, June 04, 1999 7:09 AM Subject: Re: Are you sitting down? >--- Anthony Clifton - Wirehead <wirehead(a)retrocomputing.com> wrote: >> >> >> I have in my garage: >> >> (1) PDP-11/34 with RK05j and RK05f >> (1) PDP-11/84 with RA80 and TU80 >> (3) PDP-8/I, one with high speed paper tape punch reader and >> one with DECTape >> (1) ASR-33 which goes with the 8/Is > >Nice set. > >> I would like these machines to leave my garage, preferably all >> at the same time, and travel to someone else's place who has: >> >> 1. Enough space to give them a permanent home >> 2. Enough time to restore and preserve them as they SHOULD BE >> 3. Enough love for them to not turn them into some kind of weird >> investment scheme for EBay >> 4. ...and Enough money to bring an appropriately sized vehicle >> with a lift gate to Des Moines, Iowa to retrieve them > >I suspect that many people on the list have number one, quite a few have number >two, a good many of us have number three, but number four is the kicker. > >I'm in Ohio and I'm not prepared to haul 4+ racks from Iowa (plus I already >have an 8/i and some of the other stuff) > >> At any rate, I intend to only sell these to someone on ClassicCmp. >> They will NOT appear on Ebay, Usenet or any other forum frequented >> by people who are not necessarily collectors. > >Good for you. > >> The 8/Is are 3 out of a set of just under 4000 ever produced. > >Wow. I haven't looked up the numbers in Doug Jones' FAQ lately; I thought >there were more of them made than that. > >> I'd like ideas, suggestions, etc. If anyone REALLY, REALLY wants these >> and just know you have to have them, and you have the above characteristics >> and you have money, trades, etc. I'm willing to consider that too. > >Of all the systems you've mentioned, the -8/i with the DECtape is the only >part that I would really want, partially because my only DECtape is a >TU56/TD8E combo, and because I have always wanted to run OS/8 on my own >-8/i, but I have no mass storage device for it (only high-speed paper tape) > >You are over 10 hours drive from my house, and I'm a lot closer than most of >the people on the list. It's a worthy goal, but to make a road trip from, >say, California, would be an epic journey. If anyone from the East Coast >is willing to make the trip, I could be interested in participating in the >western leg of it. > >-ethan > >_________________________________________________________ >Do You Yahoo!? >Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com > >

27 years

1
0
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Are you sitting down?

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- Anthony Clifton - Wirehead <wirehead(a)retrocomputing.com> wrote: > > > I have in my garage: > > (1) PDP-11/34 with RK05j and RK05f > (1) PDP-11/84 with RA80 and TU80 > (3) PDP-8/I, one with high speed paper tape punch reader and > one with DECTape > (1) ASR-33 which goes with the 8/Is Nice set. > I would like these machines to leave my garage, preferably all > at the same time, and travel to someone else's place who has: > > 1. Enough space to give them a permanent home > 2. Enough time to restore and preserve them as they SHOULD BE > 3. Enough love for them to not turn them into some kind of weird > investment scheme for EBay > 4. ...and Enough money to bring an appropriately sized vehicle > with a lift gate to Des Moines, Iowa to retrieve them I suspect that many people on the list have number one, quite a few have number two, a good many of us have number three, but number four is the kicker. I'm in Ohio and I'm not prepared to haul 4+ racks from Iowa (plus I already have an 8/i and some of the other stuff) > At any rate, I intend to only sell these to someone on ClassicCmp. > They will NOT appear on Ebay, Usenet or any other forum frequented > by people who are not necessarily collectors. Good for you. > The 8/Is are 3 out of a set of just under 4000 ever produced. Wow. I haven't looked up the numbers in Doug Jones' FAQ lately; I thought there were more of them made than that. > I'd like ideas, suggestions, etc. If anyone REALLY, REALLY wants these > and just know you have to have them, and you have the above characteristics > and you have money, trades, etc. I'm willing to consider that too. Of all the systems you've mentioned, the -8/i with the DECtape is the only part that I would really want, partially because my only DECtape is a TU56/TD8E combo, and because I have always wanted to run OS/8 on my own -8/i, but I have no mass storage device for it (only high-speed paper tape) You are over 10 hours drive from my house, and I'm a lot closer than most of the people on the list. It's a worthy goal, but to make a road trip from, say, California, would be an epic journey. If anyone from the East Coast is willing to make the trip, I could be interested in participating in the western leg of it. -ethan _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

27 years

1
0
0 0

How your collection storage space is used?

by lwalker＠mail.interlog.com

At 07:41 AM 6/3/99 -0400, you wrote: >Please ponder this question. > >We either collect mainframes, minicomputers, or microcomputers. In the mix >there is hardware, software, documentation, spares, and related material >such as magazines, books, novelties. There might also be the original >boxes. > >What percentage of your space is taken up by the hardware and how much >by everything else? What is the ratio of actual computers to all the other >stuff that goes along with them? Please tell me the catagory(s) of >computer(s) >you collect (mainframe, etc.), and what your percentages are. > >I am working on an article and also on the 2nd edition of A Guide, so your >estimates would be very helpful. > >Thank you very much. >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- >------------------------------- >Kevin Stumpf * Unusual systems * www.unusual.on.ca >+1.519.744.2900 * EST/EDT GMT - 5 > >Collector - Commercial Mainframes & Minicomputers from > the 50s, 60s, & 70s and control panels and consoles. > >Author & Publisher - A Guide to Collecting Computers & >Computer Collectibles * ISBN 0-9684244-0-6 >. > I collect home Micros and live in a 1BR apartment. Most of my computer apparatus is in my BR but there is some overflow into the LR like my TRS-80 M2, 3 of the huge HDDs, and peripherals and disks, and where I also have other non-comp. electronic equipment. Fortunately I have 12' ceilings. Docs and disks take up around 50 sq.ft.x 10" on shelves and in a filing cabinet. Monitors and terminals take up about 42 sq.ft.x 1' on top of my full-length former dresser. A row of creatively stacked desktops and printers is around 48 sq ft in front of that. Racks and cabinets with computers, peripherals, parts and test equipment take up another 50 sq.ft.x18" Workbench and primary computers and equipment occupy about 30 sq.ft.x3' under the shelving. Wasting no storage potential, the space under my bed is also occupied, mainly by periperals. Another 24 sq.ft. You do the mathematics. xxx cu. ft. Do I wish I had a garage ? Hell yes !! But a museum-workspace would be much better, even if it meant grubby budding JDs got to mistreat them. ciao larry lwalker(a)interlog.com Let us know of your upcoming computer events for our Events Page. t3c(a)xoommail.com Collectors List and info http://members.xoom.com/T3C

27 years

1
0
0 0

Lobotomizing HyperTerminal

by zmerch＠30below.com

On or about 09:21 PM 6/3/99 -0700, Sellam Ismail was caught in a dark alley speaking these words: [snip] >This is still insane. Visit www.tucows.com and download the programs that >Windows should have come with in the first place, instead of the >brain-dead schlock you get with a stock install. I've only used the "schlock" when absolutely necessary; i.e. at a friend's house w/o an Internet connection to download something better and that's all he has. Nonetheless, IIRC the original question was "how do I get this shit to work," not "what works better than this shit." With that in mind, I hope my original suggestions were helpful. >Or, if you want, I can send you a copy of ProcommPlus for DOS that works >under Windows. Its my old trusty friend. Easy to use, easy to configure, >solid. I've not worked with ProcommPlus for DOS, but IMHO the Windows-based version was less than ideal. [that's diplomatic speak for "it really sucks."] For a windows based solution, I've had excellent luck with NetTerm. *Everything* is configurable, it's very small, extremely fast, has a built-in FTP Daemon (tho that's a bit tricky to set up -- it takes some playing to get it right & secure) and works not only with direct comm lines, modems & the like, but also works with the Internet for telnetting as well. For me, it's an all-around solution. Or, like you failed to quote in my original message, -------- Or, do as I do: grab your trusty Tandy 200 with the attitude of "Screw WinBlows - this works better!" -------- As always, YMMV, but my mileage is great!!! ;-) Roger "Merch" Merchberger ===== Roger "Merch" Merchberger -- zmerch(a)30below.com SysAdmin - Iceberg Computers ===== Merch's Wild Wisdom of the Moment: ===== Sometimes you know, you just don't know sometimes, you know?

27 years

1
0
0 0

Privacy questions reviewed by actual attorney!

by dastar＠ncal.verio.com

Ok, I asked my resident family lawyer a few questions concerning the recent computer privacy debate and here's what he had to say: I asked: Say you buy someone's old computer from them and it contains their personal data that they forgot to delete. Say its really personal stuff (love letters, sexual fantasies, journals, etc). A) do you "own" that data? B) are you free to do with it as you please? C) can the original owner sue you for anything if you publish that data (like sell it to the National Enquirer?) And his replies: A) do you "own" that data? It goes to the intention of the parties. I don't think that the seller intends to sell private information only the computer. B) Are you free to do with it as you please? No, you would be liable for any invasion of privacy. C) can the original owner sue you for anything if you publish that data (like sell it to the National Enquirer?) Yes. -- Sorry if these questions were rather simplistic. If anyone has some better questions to ask then send them to me and I'll forward them along. Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out. Coming this October 2-3: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0! See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details! [Last web site update: 05/25/99]

27 years

1
0
0 0

Western Digital Hardisks

by redneck＠saudionline.com.sa

hello, if i use scanrite to scan a hardisk with bad sectors, will the bad sectors remain or get repaired? With some other programs, everytime i scan the number of bad sectors get doubled... please reply to me shoeb

27 years

1
0
0 0

Northstar Horizon

by edick＠idcomm.com

I don't think there's much risk of that. Besides, they have to email me to know where to send the $$$. I doubt this occurred to you, eh, Sam? -----Original Message----- From: Sellam Ismail <dastar(a)ncal.verio.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Thursday, June 03, 1999 9:44 PM Subject: Re: Northstar Horizon >On Wed, 2 Jun 1999, Richard Erlacher wrote: > >> This isn't exactly what you're discussing, but . . . I've got, in my hand an >> S-100 board, not fully populated, silkscreened >> >> "North Star Computers, Inc. >> Z-80A Processor Board Z80-A2" >> >> I'll send this jewel via USPS Priority mail, as is, to the first person >> whose $3.20 I get in the mail to cover mailing. > >That doesn't make sense. What if 20 people take the time to send in >$3.20? Sure, I know how you always gripe about people who say they want >something and then don't follow through, but this solution is not good. > >Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- >Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out. > > Coming this October 2-3: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0! > See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details! > [Last web site update: 05/25/99] >

27 years

1
0
0 0

Lobotomizing HyperTerminal

by zmerch＠30below.com

Rumor has it that Fred Cisin (XenoSoft) may have mentioned these words: >But how do I lobotomize that silly "HYPER-TERMINAL" app in Windoze95 to >convince it that I do NOT want it to dial, wait for carriertone, etc.? I've found the best way to force HyperTerminal to do this is tell it to dial a stupid number like "876" and when it starts out to dial, just click cancel. it knocks you back to the terminal screen, but leaves the connection to the com port open. Or, do as I do: grab your trusty Tandy 200 with the attitude of "Screw WinBlows - this works better!" Hope this helps, Roger "Merch" Merchberger -- Roger "Merch" Merchberger --- sysadmin, Iceberg Computers Recycling is good, right??? Ok, so I'll recycle an old .sig. If at first you don't succeed, nuclear warhead disarmament should *not* be your first career choice.

27 years

8
7
0 0

DEC 11/45 FS.

by kstumpf＠unusual.on.ca

I am selling an 11/45 out of the rack for US$150. Please contact me for details if you are interested. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Kevin Stumpf * Unusual systems * www.unusual.on.ca +1.519.744.2900 * EST/EDT GMT - 5 Collector - Commercial Mainframes & Minicomputers from the 50s, 60s, & 70s and control panels and consoles. Author & Publisher - A Guide to Collecting Computers & Computer Collectibles * ISBN 0-9684244-0-6 .

27 years

2
1
0 0

Northstar Horizon

by edick＠idcomm.com

This isn't exactly what you're discussing, but . . . I've got, in my hand an S-100 board, not fully populated, silkscreened "North Star Computers, Inc. Z-80A Processor Board Z80-A2" I'll send this jewel via USPS Priority mail, as is, to the first person whose $3.20 I get in the mail to cover mailing. Dick -----Original Message----- From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Wednesday, June 02, 1999 2:53 PM Subject: Re: Northstar Horizon >> > > And I need to bring up a terminal, or configure >> > > something to function as a terminal. >> > A PC with comms software is nice as you can use the logging feature to >> > save scribbling notes as you bring it up. >> >> Except that it adds a few minor additional interfacing variables. If I >> get NOTHING, would I assume that it's a problem with the N*, or could it >> be configuring of HYPERTERMINAL? I think that the FIRST step, that of >> getting a character or two through, would best be accomplished with the >> simplest terminal available. I have a lunchbox machine; I should see if >> it has a working serial port, and try something like PROCOMM. > >Having recomended a complex piece of test gear in another message, here >I'll recomend something simple that I wouldn't like to be without - a >'Christmas tree' type RS232 tester. One of those little in-line adapters >with red/green LEDs on the major lines (TxD, RxD, RTS, CTS, DSR, DTR, >CD). > >If I am ever bringing up an unknown machine which uses a serial terminal, >I stick that on the port in line to whatever terminal I am using. Then I >can tell if the machine is trying to send something as the TxD (or RxD, >as appropriate) LED will flicker. Of course it'll also tell me if an >unknown port is a DTE or DCE, and will help sort out handshaking problems. > >Although I have a lot of other RS232 test gear (several breakout boxes, a >comms monitor, etc), I use this more than all the others put together. > >If you want to make one, all it consists of are those 2-colour LEDs (red >and green diode in antiparallel) with 2 wires in series with a 3k >resistor (3k3 would also work) between the above mentioned signals and >Signal Ground. But they're pretty cheap to buy ready-made. > >-tony >

27 years

3
2
0 0

SD Sales/Systems EXPANDORAM

by edick＠idcomm.com

Wouldn't you know it, I've got a non-functional pair of Expandorams as well. the first is an Expandoram, the second is an Expandoram II. Both were fully functional when I packed them in their wrappings some fifteen years ago, and boxed them but I think the switches may have gotten fiddled-with in the course of cleaning them. The memory IC's check out. Does anyone have doc's on the required settings? thanx Dick

27 years

2
1
0 0

How your collection storage space is used?

by mbg＠world.std.com

>Please ponder this question. >We either collect mainframes, minicomputers, or microcomputers. In the >mix there is hardware, software, documentation, spares, and related >material such as magazines, books, novelties. There might also be the >original boxes. >What percentage of your space is taken up by the hardware and how much >by everything else? What is the ratio of actual computers to all the >other stuff that goes along with them? Please tell me the catagory(s) of >computer(s) you collect (mainframe, etc.), and what your percentages >are. I mostly collect DEC hardware -- easy since I worked at DEC for 20 years and was able to partake of DEC salvage when it was open. In recent months I've started collecting in different directions, mostly just things which strike my fancy. I can't say that I am trying to collect any specific type of machines (other than the DEC ones), just random examples of computers. As for how much room it takes up... let me put it this way, my S.O. and I live in one condo, my computers live in another (and I visit to feed and water and work on them). The largest of the machines are the pdp-11/10, pdp-11/34a and the pdp-8s. They may only take up 24sqft of floor space, but they are 6' high, so they take up a fair amount of volume. I must say, however, that most of the stuff which takes up room are all the boxes of manuals, handbooks, disks, spare boards, cables, etc. that I have to keep them working. So, I would say in my collection, about 30% to 40% of the space is taken up by the actual machine collection, the rest is taken up by the support stuff. Megan Gentry Former RT-11 Developer +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+ | Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com | | Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com | | Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' | | 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ | | Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler | | (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg | +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

27 years

1
0
0 0

AT&T 3B2 300

by lemay＠cs.umn.edu

Does anyone here have experience with AT&T 3B2 300 hardware/software? I apparently have a pile of doc and software which is in complete disarray. The software is all on 5.25" DSDD diskettes, and i'm not even sure if i have what i need to format and reinstall an operating system. Does anyone know what type of hard drives these computers support, or know if the floppy drive can be upgraded to high density? I have two base systems, one has either been cannibalized, or merely every screw has been removed, since everything from the power supply to the floppy drive is floating free in the case ;) The other unit appears to be in much better shape. The student chapter of ACM at the university here had these, so you can imagine what sacrelige may have been comitted... -Lawrence LeMay lemay(a)cs.umn.edu

27 years

1
0
0 0

MV3100s

by Innfogra＠aol.com

One of my dealers sent the following to his mail list. I thought this group might be interested. Please contact him directly. Paxton We have an enduser client that is selling the following MV3100 systems. They need an offer as soon as possible. (FOB Michigan) QTY Part# Description 9 dv-470m-b9 MicroVax 3100/80 4 dv-31eta-a MicroVax 3100 3 dv-31btb-a MicroVax 3100 2 dv-31ct1-a MicroVax 3100 2 dv-31rta-a9 MicroVax 3100/95 10 vs48k-aa VaxStation 4000 VLC *systems are complete, but we have no description of memory configurations, hard drive sizes, etc., (licenses may become available, but if you are interested, bid if no licenses are included) ** part numbers and descriptions provided by enduser - you may want to verify Contact: Bob Frischkorn Network Management Corp. 440-285-8400 or email netman(a)netman2000.com

27 years

2
1
0 0

HP-125 System FS.

by kstumpf＠unusual.on.ca

If you are interested please contact Jim: clmoving(a)jetnet.ab.ca or phone 780.594.7566 Jim told me it is working, has printer and disk drive, and THE ORIGINAL BOXES. Yours in good faith. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Kevin Stumpf * Unusual systems * www.unusual.on.ca +1.519.744.2900 * EST/EDT GMT - 5 Collector - Commercial Mainframes & Minicomputers from the 50s, 60s, & 70s and control panels and consoles. Author & Publisher - A Guide to Collecting Computers & Computer Collectibles * ISBN 0-9684244-0-6 .

27 years

1
0
0 0

DEC pdp11/70 console docs

by ebrens＠dds.nl

Hello, recently I acquired a pdp11/70 in semi-working condition, but alas, documentation for the console board was not included :/ Anybody here who is in the lucky position to make me some scans/copies, or maybe someone knows where I can find 'em in digital (scanned) form ? Thanks in advance, Erikb.

27 years

1
1
0 0

IMSAI IMP-48

by allisonp＠world.std.com

Peroidically I do this in hopes of... I have an IMSAI IMP48 SBC. It was given to me 20 years ago but not the docs. I'd be interested in finding docs for it even if only a copy. Allison

27 years

1
0
0 0

How your collection storage space is used?

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<> Please ponder this question. <> <> We either collect mainframes, minicomputers, or microcomputers. In the mi <> there is hardware, software, documentation, spares, and related material <> such as magazines, books, novelties. There might also be the original <> boxes. <> <> What percentage of your space is taken up by the hardware and how much <> by everything else? What is the ratio of actual computers to all the othe <> stuff that goes along with them? Please tell me the catagory(s) of comput <> you collect (mainframe, etc.), and what your percentages are. < <This is not an easy question to answer... I collect SBCs, S100 and small dec systems (Robin, Pro, DECmate, pdp-8, PDP-11, VAX) and the occasional odd (unusual) PC. How much space, 150sqft room is cubed out. Also three steel racks plus floor space(roughly 500cuft) in the garage. By actual count some 50 (may have missed a few) systems total. All but a small few are operable or in use. The key is that I collect a mix and if they have anyhting in common they were the systems I drooled over when to were far to expensive to have bought them all new. Allison

27 years

1
0
0 0

VECTOR GRAPHICS 64K DRAM Card - switch settings?

by edick＠idcomm.com

Well . . . it seems to work, now that I've fiddled with the broken jumper wire. The wire was broken but the insulation wasn't, and it was done so neatly, I couldn't initially believe it was a user-installed jumper wire. Now that that's done, I can put it in the "works" box . . . Thanks for the help. Dick -----Original Message----- From: Marvin <marvin(a)rain.org> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Thursday, June 03, 1999 7:04 PM Subject: Re: VECTOR GRAPHICS 64K DRAM Card - switch settings? > Richard Erlacher wrote: > > Would anyone be able to help me with this VECTOR GRAPHICS 64K DRAM BOARD's > switch settings? The signals seem to be OK, but no data propagates from > the thing. I'm not anxious to count through the combinations of > settings. According to the schematics for the Rev-3 board, S1 is the Bank Select with positions 0 - 7 (or probably labeled 1 - 8) corresponding to D0 - D7. D0 - D7 go through 74175 Quad D latches and come out on the Not Q outputs. These are then all anded together (U41 - 74ls30) to output the Bank Select signal. Hmmm, interesting, it looks like the inputs are left floating when the switch is open, and I have a hard time believing that with LS type circuitry. There is a note indicating: Jumper Memory Enabled 1 to 3 0000h - FFFFh 5 to 3 0000h - DFFFh 4 to 3 0000h - BFFFh, E000h - FFFFh 2 to 3 0000h - BFFFh

27 years

1
0
0 0

VECTOR GRAPHICS 64K DRAM Card - switch settings?

by edick＠idcomm.com

Would anyone be able to help me with this VECTOR GRAPHICS 64K DRAM BOARD's switch settings? The signals seem to be OK, but no data propagates from the thing. I'm not anxious to count through the combinations of settings. thanx Dick

27 years

2
1
0 0

and here's another one . . .a JADE Memory Bank!

by edick＠idcomm.com

Well . . . I'm going through all these piles of S-100 boards, see, and I put the working ones in that box over there, see, and then I put the ones that don't over in this box. I've got this Jade Memory Bank and don't seem to have the doc's for it any more either. . . and it has THREE switch blocks along with over a dozen jumpers . . . it even seems to have an IC missing. . . . Does anyone of you guys have any detailed doc's on this one? Dick -----Original Message----- From: Erik Brens <ebrens(a)dds.nl> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Thursday, June 03, 1999 6:26 PM Subject: Re: DEC pdp11/70 console docs > >> documentation for the console board was not included :/ > > ^^ >Hello again, > >by "console board", I actually meant the front console panel (the thing >with the switches on it). > >> Thanks in advance, >> Erikb. >> >

27 years

1
0
0 0

DEC treasure trove available

by manney＠hmcltd.net

I have a friend (Yes, Virginia, I have two friends) who's been a DEC repairman for many years. He now wants to get rid of the accumulated a lot of stuff in his barn, and has asked me to help get rid of it. I'm not sure I have the time to make a complete catalogue of all his stuff. Anyway, I know squat about big iron, and therefore don't know what's valuable to people. Please, therefore, email me with your wants -- anything from, "I'll take anything" to "keep an eye out for this widget". I have no idea what he wants for all of this, bit I doubt he's out to gouge. manney(a)hmcltd.net pgphoto(a)ragemail.com P Manney "Y1K caused the Dark Ages." Thousands of discounted photo items at http://www.hmcltd.net/pgphoto -----Original Message----- From: Colan Mitchell <cdrmool(a)interlog.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Wednesday, May 26, 1999 4:37 PM Subject: confidential info on old harddrives. > >If this is a ? thats been dealt with before I joined the list my >apologies. > I repeatedly come across personal and confidential information on >discarded computers. I sit and shake my head in shock. Lawyers seem to >be the worst. I have considered contacting the original owners and >educating them about practicing safe hex but, especially in the case of >lawyers and women, don't want to have them freak out and think I'm being >weird and calling the police. On the other hand I feel that I should do >something. In the end I just format the drives and forget about it. > Has anyone experienced contacting an original owner? What was the >response. This is something that I've not read about in the media as Y2K >and Hackers get all the press but I suspect this is a bigger potential >problem. > > >Colan > > > > >

27 years

3
2
0 0

Mattel handheld Football 2 (1978)

by I8ABoogar＠aol.com

I have Two in great condition Steve

27 years

2
1
0 0

More Bringing up a CPM

by stephen.j.gabaly＠lmco.com

> > Hi > > Let me see, that is 384 machine pin sockets in 2102's alone. > > Do you have a special discount that you might share? > Sorry to butt in, but I have a suggestion. I use collet pin carries, these are metal carriers with machined pins attached to them. You solder them on the board, remove the carrier, then you have 16 nicely placed machined pins free standing. This allows much easier inspection of the final solder joint since you don't have a plastic dip case in the way, I buy them by the 1000 at about 5 cents each (14 pin carriers, but you can get them any size) and that satifies all my socket needs. If I need 16 pin,20 pin or 40 pin (rare) sockets I simply remove the pins from a couple carriers and manually solder them. Also works well for transistors, caps, resistors or what have you. steve

27 years

1
0
0 0

How your collection storage space is used?

by steverob＠hotoffice.com

> > What percentage of your space is taken up by the hardware and how much > by everything else? What is the ratio of actual computers to all the other > stuff that goes along with them? Please tell me the catagory(s) of computer(s) > you collect (mainframe, etc.), and what your percentages are. > > Thank you very much. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- . Kevin, I collect both micros and minis. I'd estimate that a microcomputer constitutes about 40% of the bulk. The documentation, software, and other pieces would account for the remaining 60%. For a mini, the computer with necessary peripherals (drives, etc...) probably account for about 80% of the bulk. Documentation, backup media, and other stuff taking the remaining 20%. Often times, the "other stuff" can be kept on top of the mini without impairing it's function. That generally doesn't work with a micro. Of course, I don't have the original shipping containers, pallets or packing material for a mini. That would skew the numbers a LOT! :-) Steve Robertson - <steverob(a)hotoffice.com>

27 years

1
0
0 0

confidential info on old harddrives.

by cdrmool＠interlog.com

If this is a ? thats been dealt with before I joined the list my apologies. I repeatedly come across personal and confidential information on discarded computers. I sit and shake my head in shock. Lawyers seem to be the worst. I have considered contacting the original owners and educating them about practicing safe hex but, especially in the case of lawyers and women, don't want to have them freak out and think I'm being weird and calling the police. On the other hand I feel that I should do something. In the end I just format the drives and forget about it. Has anyone experienced contacting an original owner? What was the response. This is something that I've not read about in the media as Y2K and Hackers get all the press but I suspect this is a bigger potential problem. Colan

27 years

15
40
0 0

Lobotomizing HyperTerminal >> Alternative

by roblwill＠usaor.net

Has anyone ever tried ProComm? It's a DOS terminal emulator that I use on an old Zenith SupersPORT 8088. Here's the different terminal that it can emulate: VT-100 TVI 920 TVI 950 VT-52 LS ADM5 HEATH 19 ANSI-BBS ADDS VP WYSE 100 IBM 3101 It's a pretty useful program, and doesn't take up too much space. I have it on all of my old laptops. ///--->>> -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1>

27 years

1
0
0 0

OMTI Series-10 bridge controller to SA-1000 series HD

by edick＠idcomm.com

I find myself without the necessary doc's to rewrite the BIOS for a system using a small in capacity but 8" in size HDD. Would any of you kind and resourceful souls have the necessary data on hand to help me out with this task? Thanx Dick

27 years

1
0
0 0

More Bringing up a CPM

by edick＠idcomm.com

The point about the "best piece of equipment" is perhaps the thing I like best about using a logic analyzer for a difficult problem. It's such a pain to set up, it forces you to think through the analysis before making any measurements . . . or assumptions. Another nice feature is that you can rearrange the displayed waveforms without rearranging the probes. If you choose to see a signal set differently than you previously did, you don't necessarily have to redefine your trigger equations or any such fun. Dick -----Original Message----- From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Wednesday, June 02, 1999 5:29 PM Subject: Re: Re[6]: More Bringing up a CPM >> On the subject of LA/scope/logic probe/voltmeter. I personally >> consider a LA as the shot gun approach. It will often find >> problems when one has no idea where to look. The only problem > >I can't agree with that. OK, so a logic analyser will monitor a lot of >points at once, so you can test unrelated sections in the hope of finding >the fault. But when you've got 64 or 128 or whatever traces, you still >have to think about the fault. > >> is that someone with an oscilloscope can often have the >> machine repaired by the time one gets the leads connected > >I've found that a small logic analyser (say about 3-4 channels), >intellegently used, is very useful. It doesn't take long to connect it >up. And it will tell you a lot about the circuit you're investigating. > >> I rarely use a logic probe because I don't have one. I >> can use an oscilloscope just as well with the additional >> features that an oscilloscope can provide when needed. >> It is like a logic probe with more added. > >You _need_ a LogicDart :-) > >> Still the best overall trouble shooting tool I have is >> an analog voltmeter. I can move quicker with one of these > >I agree. I use my old analogue meter a lot more than a digital one. It's >a lot quicker to read an analogue meter for one thing. > >> than many can with other tools. As far as I'm concerned, >> DVM's are only good for setting power supply voltages. > >Oh, they are also useful for setting voltage references on analogue >subsystems. And checking the exact setting of a variable resistor (when >you want to change it to (say) 3 time the value as an inital point in a >modification). > >> I have one ( an accurate 5 digit unit ) but the analog meter >> is still the first thing I reach for. > >There are 4 instruments that get most of the use on my bench. In order : > >An analogue VOM. >The LogicDart >A good bench PSU (30V, 10A). Useful for powering up subsystems independantly >A cheap handheld 'scope, audio band only. Useful for checking for PSU >ripple, looking at motor drive waveforms, SMPSU waveforms, etc. > > >> I find that most don't know how to trouble shoot. The >> sequence is simple but many still don't get it: >> >> 1. Observe symptoms >> 2. Make predictions >> 3. validate predictions >> 4. If predictions do not pan out add this >> to the observed symptoms and go back to step 2 or 1. >> 5. Repair bad part. >> >> I find that most don't understand the importance of steps >> 2 and 3. They try to go from 1 to 5 and usually it doesn't >> work. Step 2 does require that you understand what to >> expect from each kind of failure. > >My method is related to that... > >1) Look for silly faults (cables fallen out, etc). Check fuses, etc >2) Unless there's a very good reason, power up and observe the fault >3) Do some standard checks. Check PSU rails, master clock, etc >4) Think of possible causes for the observed symptoms >5) Do tests (either execute commands or make measurements) to check out >each possible cause. >6) If no possible cause is the cause of the fault, you've missed one of >the possible causes. >7) You now know the bad part. > >The best piece of 'test equipment' you can have is a brain. _Always_ >think about the fault before trying to cure it. Often I make some intial >measurements and then sit and think for maybe an hour before doing >anything else. > >-tony >

27 years

1
0
0 0

More Bringing up a CPM

by edick＠idcomm.com

please see embedded comments below: Dick -----Original Message----- From: Dwight Elvey <elvey(a)hal.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Wednesday, June 02, 1999 5:18 PM Subject: Re[2]: More Bringing up a CPM >"Richard Erlacher" <edick(a)idcomm.com> wrote: >--snip-- >> The logic analyzer won't hide significant information about the logic and >> timing. If you sample at twice the frequency of the fastest harmonic you >> want to observe, you won't miss a thing. > > It is not just frequency issues. Levels can be a problem as >well. I've seen circuits with mixed HC, LS, 4000 and other. >You set the input for one and the other is wrong. Also, >your 2X has to be twice the frequency of the response >of the IC circuit and not just twice the clock speed. >Also, the 2X sampling rule is only true for repetitive >signals. This is a basic sampling law thing. >100 Mhz isn't really fast enough to truly see what is >going on in even an old 8080 processor board. Glitch >catching helps but can still hide correct operation. > Where I currently work, we are completely out of the >ball park were current day LA's are of much use but >that is another problem. We still have them and can, >under limited conditions, use them. > I can assure you that you won't run into much CMOS circuitry in the old IMSAI and Altair stuff. You're right, of course, if your instrument can't be programmed to handle different thresholds then you could be persuaded you see something you really don't, or perhaps be swindled out of seeing what's really there. I remember looking at some new CMOS circuitry about 15 years ago when the high-speed CMOS stuff was still new. It appeared, for all the world, as though the outputs preceded the inputs of a series of gates by quite a difference. I had set my 2467 display to the lower threshold of a cmos schmidt trigger and displayed a couple of other signals with respect to that, including the clock which triggered a sequence. It appeared that the 'Q' of a flipflop preceded the clock by quite a margin, perhaps 3-4 ns. We quickly concluded that a sufficiently long chain would easily allow us to read tomorrow's stock quotations today, thereby making us all rich. - - - it didn't work that way! The way I get around the random sampling error in observing a crystal driven microprocessor circuit is that I use a little PLL to multiply the clock on the board by some constant, say 4, 10, 16 or some such, and sample at that rate as opposed to what the LA wants to use. That makes similarly long pulses look similarly long as opposed to suffering from the temporal distortion introduced by the asynchronism between the LA sampling clock and the circuit on the board under observation. Of course, like a 'scope or signal generator, you have to know how to drive them, just as you must know how to interpret the results. The LA often points up where to hook the 'scope. If it cuts my search through 60-70 signals down to half a dozen, it's made itself worthwhile. I find the LA really handy for MCU-driven cirtuitry, since I can use the LA to take a picture and then spiff it up and print it in the O&M manual. What's more, with easily simulated FPLD's, it's really handy to compare the simulation with what the LA sees. It's often quite heartening to see what you thought you ought to see after working on one of those babies for a couple of weeks. In any case, I've troubleshot dozens of DRAM circuits with either the little front-end sampling mux or a real LA, and have found them to be invaluable in finding component failures, incorrenct jumpering, wrong delay lines, etc. What's more, if I didn't make the mistake, I can prove it. If I did, I can prove I fixed it. That's worth quite a bit of setup. As far as frequency is concerned, the only problem I've encountered which doesn't quickly show up on a LA display is metastability. As fast as things run these days, and with the widespread use of fully synchronous circuitry, almost everything goes into a device through a two-bit shift register stage to mitigate metastability. I find that if I sample at twice or quadruple the clock which drives the pipeline registers, I can catch everything I need. Those old circuits like the IMSAI and ALTAIR CPU circuits relied quite a bit on circuits' propagation delays to build events. Races were common, and that's why folks used to tack 20-400 pf caps all over those boards in hopes of making them work better. Like I wrote before, setup and interpretation is slow, painstaking, and laborious. It's often wrong the first time. Unless you have half-a-dozen similar boards to work on, it's hardly worth the trouble.

27 years

1
0
0 0

Mattel handheld Football 2 (1978)

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- I8ABoogar(a)aol.com wrote: > I have Two in great condition What's the microprocessor? I used to have one of those when I was a kid. My father might still have it in the attic (I know he has a box of those sorts of things, but I don't know the exact contents, and he's several states away). I recently saw a Mattel Baseball game at a Hamfest, but I've never seen the Football for sale. -ethan _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

27 years

2
1
0 0

More Bringing up a CPM

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<I can't agree with that. OK, so a logic analyser will monitor a lot of <points at once, so you can test unrelated sections in the hope of finding <the fault. But when you've got 64 or 128 or whatever traces, you still <have to think about the fault. I'd also point out that if the LA in not connected into the system correctly it can by virtue of ground loops and other things like the leads actually induce problems. Seen that occur to people. same for scopes too! I'm not saying they are bad but for some stuff you can end up looking for the forest between the trees. the best example was a multibus design bring up another engineer was doing and the board didn't do what was predicted and of course it was surrounded with scopes LAs and even probes... the problem... 8086 asm MOV AH,Ah ( was supposed to move the immediate value x0A to register A high byte!) Them trees can hurt when the land of you. Allison

27 years

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More Bringing up a CPM

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<A Z80 will give useful patterns executing continual 00 (NOP, so the <address bus cycles through all of memory) or FF (RST 38, so the stack <builds down to fill all off memory). Both should provide useful patterns <on DRAM control lines. Indeed they do. If you want to force a pattern, the inbound bus buffer can have pins lifted (if socketed). There are pleny of tricks before getting out the "big guns". For the cannons for ants set I do have a S100 Bus debugger that was use use the phrase purpose built. It's a Logic analyser that has 4 leads floating and 32 (address and datain plus data out) and a riot of controls so that it's possible to do a bus level logic analysis and it has 16kx40bits of 2167 55ns ram to take a extended picture of things. I built it to deal with the quad processor system as there were a lot of signals running. <Like Allison I used to work almost entirely with a logic probe and a VOM <(and a brain, which is the most important 'instrument' of all :-)). I had <a good logic analyser, which saved me a lot of time on occasions, but it <wasn't that convenient to use. I have a 16 channel LA and two good scopes but often as not if I poke and think as Dwight sugggested I rarely need to drag them out and set them up. The most common use for the LA is craking "black box" devices and chips. <I rarely use a 'scope for computer (digital) repairs. It's essential for <analogue work, fixing SMPSUs, etc. But I don't find it _that_ useful on <typical non-repetitive digital signals. Depends, very handy for looking at some timing problems and general bus havoc. <Don't bet on it. I've lost count of the number of misdesigned (often <subtly - like marginal timing or ground bounce problems) DRAM cards that <I've had to sort out. Those cards never worked, as in they often were unreliable or at best a question. S100 cards generally were either solid or sick to my expereince. It may have required running them for a day or two to see that they were not good 24x7 designs. <Also, a logic probe won't detect _some_ chip failures. You've got a 2 <input NAND gate. The logic probe shows nice pulse trains on all 3 <connections. You think it's OK and move on. What it hasn't told you is <that one input does nothing, and the gate is a simple inverter on the <other input. Yes, I've seen exactly that fault. Same here, bad inputs are tough to shoot, though a chip clip (16pins 16 leds) does help here. Allison

27 years

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