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

by Philip.Belben＠powertech.co.uk

> Sorry, folks. I've been asking around about what a System/74 is. I looked, > and it's really a System/34. Could someone tell me what they were for, how > much they were sold for, what year they are, what they're worth now, etc,etc. > Thanks. I used a System'34 when I worked for IBM in 1985-86. It was old then - late '70s?. I seem to remember about 224K of RAM, possibly 256MB of hard disk. There were a number of posts on this subject on this list in late September - start with the thread on IBM 5120 on 18th. I would be very sad to see such a system vanish - I have a certain affection for it after discovering that I - the newest student - knew more about system/34s than anyone else in the building (this wasn't much - the building housed two marketing units). If you - or someone - do manage to acquire this sys/34, I may have some spare copies of one or two pocket quick reference guides I could send you. I'm pretty sure I've got OCL pocket reference (about 1/2 inch thick) and I may have the Assembler pocket reference. Finally, where is this machine? If it is in England or Wales I might consider acquiring it myself... Philip.

28 years, 5 months

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Qume

by yakowenk＠cs.unc.edu

Thanks for the tips! I had found something that I suspected was an optical sensor, but wasn't too sure. And cleaning it out as best I could didn't change anything. Of course, I couldn't get at the thing very well. And, as Tony pointed out, common-sense wiring of the thing would mean the problem couldn't have been just a dirty lens. The good news is that I have a working drive to compare against, so tracing the problem shouldn't be that hard. Maybe this weekend... ] Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 10:28:14 +0000 (GMT) ] From: Tony Duell <ard(a)odin.phy.bris.ac.uk> ] Subject: Re: Qume? ] ] On Mon, 10 Nov 1997, Bill Yakowenko wrote: blah, blah, blah... ] Lots of useful bits deleted... ] ] ... It shouldn't be too hard to trace the signal from the ] phototransistor to the Trk00 pin through the logic chips, though. You'd think so. The last time I tried fixing these drives (a couple years ago) I was trying to work backwards from the select LED. Had big problems tracing the circuit because the traces go under chips, and often turn corners under there, so you can't see which ones go where. And I was paranoid about using a continuity-checker for fear of putting voltage someplace where it could do damage. (Was that being excessive?) On the other hand, it should be trivial to measure voltage of the Trk00 signal at the connector, and see if it was getting that far. Divide and conquer - the first secret of debugging. ] ] -tony ] Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 09:05:15 -0800 (PST) ] From: Tim Shoppa <shoppa(a)alph02.triumf.ca> ] Subject: Re: Qume? ] ] > ...got service manuals?... ] ] I wish I did. What model do you have? I'm looking for manuals ] for the Qume Datatrack 8 (DSDD, full-height.) They are DT/8's, full height, I think DSDD (a megabyte per floppy). ] But lacking a manual, you still can trace the circuitry by hand; ] it's all SSI TTL, discrete components, and a couple of simple ] analog chips. Yup. Sounds easy. If I wasn't so @#!% paranoid with the meter. ] ] Tim. (shoppa(a)triumf.ca) ] Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 17:33:51 +0000 (GMT) ] From: Tony Duell <ard(a)odin.phy.bris.ac.uk> ] Subject: Re: Qume? ] ... ] Still blowing dust out of the sensor can't do any harm, and it's something ] that I'd do first anyway, as it can't help the problem. ] Will try it again, disassembling the thing if necessary to get access. ] ] -tony Thanks guys! Bill.

28 years, 5 months

2
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FWD: FREE to good home: IBM RT 6150s

by jrkeys＠concentric.net

I'm open for it, anyone else ? At 11:14 PM 11/11/97 -0500, you wrote: >I'd like to snag one of those as well. Any chance of doing some sort of coordinated roadtrip with folks meeting in a central place for distribution? > >-- Tony Eros > Digital Equipment Corporation > >---------- >From: John R. Keys Jr.[SMTP:jrkeys@concentric.net] >Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 1997 7:44 PM >To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers >Subject: Re: FWD: FREE to good home: IBM RT 6150s > >If no one close want them I could drive from Minnesota to your home a >meeting place close to the IL border one of these weekends before snow hits. >John >At 09:16 PM 11/10/97 -0500, you wrote: >>Found the following on comp.sys.ibm.pc.rt >>Anybody near him wanna rescue these machines. >> >>I acquired one about a month ago here in Indiana, along >>with a fairly complete set of books and disks. Mine has >>two ESDI drives (300mb & 110mb) and loaded with >>AIX 2.2. It's a tower case about 24" x 24" x 9". >>If I remember the front panel says System 135. >> >>Mike Thompson >> >>================================================== >>Subject: FREE to good home: IBM RT 6150s >>From: Bill Bradford <mrbill(a)texas.net> >>Date: Sun, Nov 9, 1997 20:52 EST >>Message-id: <645pd8$cbc$1(a)news3.texas.net> >> >>I recently acquired this whole bunch, with the intention of getting >>at least a couple of them reloaded and working; however, I've now >>got plans to move soon, and cant afford to move these machines. I'd >>like to see them go to a good home; so they're free to the first >>person to come pick them up. >> >>System Configurations: (6 systems) >> EAP processors (16mb RAM each) >> dual ESDI hard drives (unknown size) >> SIIG ISA-bus I/O cards >> Graphic cards with 6153 mono monitors >> Ethernet (AUI / 10base2) cards >> ESDI controller cards >> >>The other system only has the HDs and ESDI controller card (no CPU card >> or other cards). Also, one of the above systems is lacking the 1.2mb >>floppy drive; it may be the same system that is lacking a CPU card. >> >>I beleive 3 or 4 of the machines also have tape drive controller >>cards; and I have three external IBM QIC tape drives to go with them. >>I've also got a 15" monochrome IBM monitor that has a DB9 data cable >>connector. >> >>I've got some manuals (User's manual, problem determination guide, and >>2-3 others) in the IBM binders. >> >>Systems are located in Austin, Texas. You'll need a good-sized pickup >>truck or van to haul all of them away. If you're interested, let me know. >>It sucks to let these go, but I cant afford to move them along with my >>other computer equipment. >> >>I can be reached at mrbill(a)texas.net. >> >>-- >>Bill Bradford Sr. Systems Engineer ICQ: 1864511 >>mrbill(a)texas.net Texas Networking, Inc. http://www.texas.net >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > >

28 years, 5 months

1
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Encore Computer Infinity 90 System

by yakowenk＠cs.unc.edu

Anybody know what it is? There's one up for grabs in OK, by US govt. auction. Here's a URL; dork around with it to find related info: http://www.drms.dla.mil/drmo/sales/misc/SY3AFB20377002A157-1.html Looks pretty cool, but it's a thousand or two miles from here... Bill.

28 years, 5 months

2
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866 lbs

by yakowenk＠cs.unc.edu

28 years, 5 months

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Need Info: Sick PDP-8/f (Diode)

by mcquiggi＠sfu.ca

Hi Allison: > <> Your best bet is the 1N914 silicon diode. The one your replacing is likel > <> not germainium. 1n914s are available from many sources (even radio crap > <> for a few cents a peice. > > Trust me they are not caps, the part someone described would come into > common use about 5-8 years later! To tell if they are diodes an > ohmeter(VOM) and check for resistance one way and open circuit the other. > No resistance in either direction is a cap! I spoke with a fellow who has a print set for the board, he indicated that there are no diodes on the board at all. There are, however, quite a few bypass caps shown on the schematic. My glass devices are all in parallel, each associated to a particular, IC, and are grounded on the other lead. I will have to remove an intact one to check resistance and determine what they are. Thanks for the reply, Kevin -- Kevin McQuiggin VE7ZD mcquiggi(a)sfu.ca

28 years, 5 months

2
1
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HD Floppies in DD Drives

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

At 05:45 PM 11/10/97 +0000, you wrote: >> (i.e., not looked for) the software to do it. Can someone recommend a PC >> program to read 5.25" (and 3.5"?) diskettes and make images of them? >There is... look into the simtel site and d/l several of them to try >out. Some are DOS, win3.x and win95. >I prefer to archive all of my disks to that dos based imager. I like DOS best too. I'll check it out. Thanks! --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad sinasohn(a)ricochet.net that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/

28 years, 5 months

2
1
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System/34

by Zeus334＠aol.com

Sorry, folks. I've been asking around about what a System/74 is. I looked, and it's really a System/34. Could someone tell me what they were for, how much they were sold for, what year they are, what they're worth now, etc,etc. Thanks. By the way, I may be able to get my hands on those unidentified IBM network cards, maybe I can get a couple or two. I'll also look if I can find a hub for them. There are also some PS/2s (not for sale), which used to be attached to the network, which is now ethernet. The PS/2s, however, have a weird cable that looks like the monitor power cable. It has a box on the end, about 1" X 1", that has a ton of electrodes. What is that?

28 years, 5 months

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Info On PIMs wanted.

by photze＠batelco.com.bh

OK, so they weren't called that early on. But still, that's what they're called now. What I really want is something small, but powerful. (This classic is going to get USED) I have two schedule programs; MS Schedule+ and a program called Sidekick 2.0, for DOS, made in the early 90's. Compatibility would help. I also want something that's not to hard to find, and I can get for less than a Palm Pilot. (A lot less, if possible.) Thanks for all of your assistance, Tim D. Hotze

28 years, 5 months

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Classic "Laptops"

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

At 08:47 PM 11/10/97 -0500, you wrote: >Now the $64 question. there was a tandy with a 80x4 or 80x8 I do remember >it as it was one of the few with a decent line length. Could that have been the WP-2? (m100-like word processor). I sure hope so, 'cause I could really use the $64... 8^) (Not including later PC laptops of course) --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad sinasohn(a)ricochet.net that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/

28 years, 5 months

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Correction (Classic "Laptops")

by Philip.Belben＠powertech.co.uk

Earlier this week I wrote: > I wonder. A few weeks ago I bought for L1 at a car boot sale a device > called a Microscribe 320. (Made by a Welsh company, Microscribe Ltd., > but sold with a British Telecom badge.) This is a sub-notebook (7 in > square) terminal with built in text editor, 32K battery backed RAM and > 40 x 8 character display. Before you all jump on me, yes, I know it was > built circa 1983. It is a very nice machine, the only thing wrong with Further investigation shows that my estimate of 1983 was incorrect. The design of the model 320 dates from around 1985, and mine appears to have been built early in 1988. Just to keep the record straight. Philip.

28 years, 5 months

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Classic "Laptops"

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

At 07:07 PM 11/10/97 -0500, you wrote: >>Actually, the 102 has the same size screen as the 100. Perhaps you're >>thinking of the 200? The 200 is a clamshell design (iirc) with 24x80 >>screen. The 102 was simply a lighter, cheaper-to-make version of the 100. > >Wha? Whoa! Mmmmmm, noper. The 200's screen had only twice the real estate >of the M100 -- it has a 40x16 screen. Yes it was a flip-top which was nice Whups! Sorry. Us po' kids from the big city couldn't never afford none o' dem fancy machineries. 8^) Don't know that I've ever seen a 200 (let alone a 600) in the flesh. One of these days... >(Get this -- the two halves are kept together during transit by *magnets*) Hmmm...doesn't sound like such a great idea, but i guess since it doesn't have a floppy drive... P.S., has there been any messages on the m100 list? I've not gotten any since you signed me up. Thanks! --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad sinasohn(a)ricochet.net that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/

28 years, 5 months

3
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Anyone have a used copy of this book?

by rcini＠email.msn.com

I'm looking for the following book. Does anyone have it? Amazon wants $80+ for it (I think that it's more of a text book than anything else). Thanks! Title: "An Introduction to the Intel Family of Microprocessors: A Hands-on Approach to Utilizing the 8088 Microprocessor" by James L. Antonakos. There are two publishing dates: 1992 and 1996. Rich Cini/WUGNET Charter ClubWin! Member MCP Windows 95/Windows Networking

28 years, 5 months

3
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FWD: FREE to good home: IBM RT 6150s

by Anthony.Eros＠digital.com

I'd like to snag one of those as well. Any chance of doing some sort of coordinated roadtrip with folks meeting in a central place for distribution? -- Tony Eros Digital Equipment Corporation ---------- From: John R. Keys Jr.[SMTP:jrkeys@concentric.net] Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 1997 7:44 PM To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers Subject: Re: FWD: FREE to good home: IBM RT 6150s If no one close want them I could drive from Minnesota to your home a meeting place close to the IL border one of these weekends before snow hits. John At 09:16 PM 11/10/97 -0500, you wrote: >Found the following on comp.sys.ibm.pc.rt >Anybody near him wanna rescue these machines. > >I acquired one about a month ago here in Indiana, along >with a fairly complete set of books and disks. Mine has >two ESDI drives (300mb & 110mb) and loaded with >AIX 2.2. It's a tower case about 24" x 24" x 9". >If I remember the front panel says System 135. > >Mike Thompson > >================================================== >Subject: FREE to good home: IBM RT 6150s >From: Bill Bradford <mrbill(a)texas.net> >Date: Sun, Nov 9, 1997 20:52 EST >Message-id: <645pd8$cbc$1(a)news3.texas.net> > >I recently acquired this whole bunch, with the intention of getting >at least a couple of them reloaded and working; however, I've now >got plans to move soon, and cant afford to move these machines. I'd >like to see them go to a good home; so they're free to the first >person to come pick them up. > >System Configurations: (6 systems) > EAP processors (16mb RAM each) > dual ESDI hard drives (unknown size) > SIIG ISA-bus I/O cards > Graphic cards with 6153 mono monitors > Ethernet (AUI / 10base2) cards > ESDI controller cards > >The other system only has the HDs and ESDI controller card (no CPU card > or other cards). Also, one of the above systems is lacking the 1.2mb >floppy drive; it may be the same system that is lacking a CPU card. > >I beleive 3 or 4 of the machines also have tape drive controller >cards; and I have three external IBM QIC tape drives to go with them. >I've also got a 15" monochrome IBM monitor that has a DB9 data cable >connector. > >I've got some manuals (User's manual, problem determination guide, and >2-3 others) in the IBM binders. > >Systems are located in Austin, Texas. You'll need a good-sized pickup >truck or van to haul all of them away. If you're interested, let me know. >It sucks to let these go, but I cant afford to move them along with my >other computer equipment. > >I can be reached at mrbill(a)texas.net. > >-- >Bill Bradford Sr. Systems Engineer ICQ: 1864511 >mrbill(a)texas.net Texas Networking, Inc. http://www.texas.net > > > > > > > > > >

28 years, 5 months

3
2
0 0

Ohio Scientific Challenger series

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

Actually, i have a C1P model that is untested at the moment. I also have plenty of documentation which I have loaned out for copying purposes. My particular model is tan with brown sides. david In a message dated 97-11-07 12:32:24 EST, you write: > Whoops.... Try Challenger > > ========================================================= > George L. Rachor george(a)racsys.rt.rain.com > Beaverton, Oregon > > On Fri, 7 Nov 1997, George Rachor wrote: > > > Forgive me as I have just joined the list but it seems that most of the > > computer collections noted online have missed my favorite machine. > > > > My first machine was an Ohio Scientific C2-4p. I do think my most > > efficient programming was done in that 4K of RAM. > > > > I no longer have the original but do have a couple of it's brothers. The > > last of the series was painted white and had introduced color. To > > complete my collection I'd love to find either a C4 or C8 machine complete > > with Disk subsystem and software. I refuse to believe that I've got the > > only ones left. > > > > George Rachor > >

28 years, 5 months

3
2
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Classic "Laptops"

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<programs) and bank-switched RAM (up to 72K?). I thought the M102 had a <40*8 display, and was simply a slimline M100 with a revised logic board <(used surface mount chips?), etc. < <If that's incorrect, what is the size of the M102 display? It was may memory that the 102 had 80x8. Allison

28 years, 5 months

4
3
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Need Info: Sick PDP-8/f (Diode)

by mcquiggi＠sfu.ca

Hi All: I am working on a sick M8310 board from a PDP-8/f. I've found and removed a broken diode. It has a glass housing and resembles a germanium variety that I used to see often in my early days. The board has over a dozen diodes, all are the same. The diodes are not numbered but have three coloured bands: Orange, Black, Brown. Not having a suitable reference, any '8 owners out there that can tell me what kind of diode I should replace the broken one with? Thanks, Kevin -- Kevin McQuiggin VE7ZD mcquiggi(a)sfu.ca

28 years, 5 months

1
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OLD hard drives and enclosure need RESCUE!

by kyrrin2＠wizards.net

FW to: ClassicCmp(a)u.washington.edu CC: cyber(a)prismnet.com Can anyone give the hard drives and enclosures this fellow has a good home? The price is certainly right ($10 + shipping). What they are is two enclosures, each with a pair of Miniscribe 4022's (16 MB each, formatted) in them, and I've also been led to understand that the enclosures contain a SCSI-to-MFM bridge board. Please reply directly to the offerer. Thanks! Attachment follows. -=-=- <snip> -=-=- >X-Sender: cyber(a)prismnet.com >X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0 (32) >Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 15:28:02 -0600 >To: Bruce Lane <kyrrin2(a)wizards.net> >From: Tom Ray <cyber(a)prismnet.com> >Subject: Re: weird SCSI drives > >I'll take you up on that offer. I hate to throw things out. Anybody wants >them, they can have both of them for the cost of shipping via USmail plus >$10. if that's too much, let me know. Only thing is, I don't even know if >the drives work. > >tom > > > >[snip] >> In short, even if their box does contain a SCSI-to-MFM bridge board, >>they're pretty useless for much of anything current. HOWEVER -- do NOT just >>throw them out! Sell them (at no more than $20 for the whole thing) to >>someone who can give them a good home, or donate them to whatever computer >>charity is in your area. >> >> One other alternative is that I'm a member of a mailing list of folks that >>collect "classic" (read: more than 10 years old) hardware/software. Those >>drives might be just what some collector needs to get that old Osborne or >>Altair of theirs going with a good hard drive. I can, if you'd like, >>forward a 'for sale/trade' note to the list for you. If anyone's >>interested, they'd contact you directly. >> >> Best of luck, no matter what happens. >> >> >>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- >>Bruce Lane, Sysop, The Dragon's Cave BBS (Fidonet 1:343/272) > > -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bruce Lane, Sysop, The Dragon's Cave BBS (Fidonet 1:343/272) (Hamateur: WD6EOS) (E-mail: kyrrin2(a)wizards.net) http://www.wizards.net/technoid "Our science can only describe an object, event, or living thing in our own human terms. It cannot, in any way, define any of them..."

28 years, 5 months

1
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FWD: FREE to good home: IBM RT 6150s

by jrkeys＠concentric.net

If no one close want them I could drive from Minnesota to your home a meeting place close to the IL border one of these weekends before snow hits. John At 09:16 PM 11/10/97 -0500, you wrote: >Found the following on comp.sys.ibm.pc.rt >Anybody near him wanna rescue these machines. > >I acquired one about a month ago here in Indiana, along >with a fairly complete set of books and disks. Mine has >two ESDI drives (300mb & 110mb) and loaded with >AIX 2.2. It's a tower case about 24" x 24" x 9". >If I remember the front panel says System 135. > >Mike Thompson > >================================================== >Subject: FREE to good home: IBM RT 6150s >From: Bill Bradford <mrbill(a)texas.net> >Date: Sun, Nov 9, 1997 20:52 EST >Message-id: <645pd8$cbc$1(a)news3.texas.net> > >I recently acquired this whole bunch, with the intention of getting >at least a couple of them reloaded and working; however, I've now >got plans to move soon, and cant afford to move these machines. I'd >like to see them go to a good home; so they're free to the first >person to come pick them up. > >System Configurations: (6 systems) > EAP processors (16mb RAM each) > dual ESDI hard drives (unknown size) > SIIG ISA-bus I/O cards > Graphic cards with 6153 mono monitors > Ethernet (AUI / 10base2) cards > ESDI controller cards > >The other system only has the HDs and ESDI controller card (no CPU card > or other cards). Also, one of the above systems is lacking the 1.2mb >floppy drive; it may be the same system that is lacking a CPU card. > >I beleive 3 or 4 of the machines also have tape drive controller >cards; and I have three external IBM QIC tape drives to go with them. >I've also got a 15" monochrome IBM monitor that has a DB9 data cable >connector. > >I've got some manuals (User's manual, problem determination guide, and >2-3 others) in the IBM binders. > >Systems are located in Austin, Texas. You'll need a good-sized pickup >truck or van to haul all of them away. If you're interested, let me know. >It sucks to let these go, but I cant afford to move them along with my >other computer equipment. > >I can be reached at mrbill(a)texas.net. > >-- >Bill Bradford Sr. Systems Engineer ICQ: 1864511 >mrbill(a)texas.net Texas Networking, Inc. http://www.texas.net > > > > > > > > > >

28 years, 5 months

1
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0 0

Varian 620/i information and software wanted

by hansp＠columbia.digiweb.com

I spent a most enjoyable day today writing an emulator for the varian 620/i processor. I have a few questions about the handling of the overflow flag if anyone can help. Also does anyone have any software for the beastie? What happend to the Varian computer division? Regards, -- Hans B. Pufal : <mailto:hansp@digiweb.com> Comprehensive Computer Catalogue : <http://www.digiweb.com/~hansp/ccc/> _-_-__-___--_-____-_--_-_-____--_---_-_---_--__--_--_--____---_--_--__--_

28 years, 5 months

2
1
0 0

HD Floppies in DD Drives

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

At 08:43 AM 11/9/97 -0600, you wrote: >Here's a silly question, but one I've never understood: Not that silly; but I'm afraid I don't recall the answer. 8^) >Since some of the software for my "old" (first generation PC) computers >is on 5 1/4" disks of dubious condition, I would like to make copies I think the best way to do this is to make disk images. I know the Mac can do this with Mac disks, and I'm sure the PC can too, but I've not found (i.e., not looked for) the software to do it. Can someone recommend a PC program to read 5.25" (and 3.5"?) diskettes and make images of them? This, I think, is where syquest drives (and similar) come in *very* handy. You can store the images on a removeable disk and not bother taking up fixed disk space for them. --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad sinasohn(a)ricochet.net that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/

28 years, 5 months

5
4
0 0

11/34A PSU: Here we go again...

by dseagrav＠bsdserver.tek-star.net

Replaced the 1.5A breaker with a 20 (One of the origionals) Now I have a 15, and a 20. The other origional one is toast, the insides were banged up. I reglued the handle to the 20. About to try this drill again... Got it! It works! Halts with BUS ERR 'cause I removed the RX controller! Now to take it in the next room and attach devices...

28 years, 5 months

1
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34A Power Trouble. I calmed down, here's the facts...

by dseagrav＠bsdserver.tek-star.net

Alright. It wasn't powering on because I left J3 unplugged. When I plug in J5 (4-wire plug on the line power module) everything goes. I can plug in everything else, and all I get is a relay click. I found the easy way to play with these plugs is to set the BA11 upside-down on the table, and unmount the PSU so I can get access. What is J5 for and what voltages are supposed to be there? I have an oscope here, and I may be able to dig out a VOM... It's obvious I switched wires or something in the line power module. Visual inspection shows nothing obviously wrong...

28 years, 5 months

3
10
0 0

apple rgb monitor problems

by pb14＠leicester.ac.uk

On 10 Nov 97 at 18:15, Zane H. Healy wrote: > >This really sounds like the monitor for an Apple IIgs. I have three > >such monitors. (One isn't in very good shape and the other two are > >in use.) I think there are some Macs that can use this monitor, but I'm > >not positive. Make sure you are using analog RGB, not digital. No standard Macintosh can use the Apple IIgs RGB monitor. The video port on the Mac provides a signal with a horizontal scan rate of about 35kHz -- this figure is for the Mac II; newer Macs may be higher. The Apple IIgs monitor and system video port use a scan rate of about 15.75kHz. Both IIgs and Mac systems provide analog signals. > In my opinion the LC would have been the most likely to be able to use the > monitor. The LC and IIsi were the first (non compact) Macs to have video on the main board and folks were pleased to note that, using the right cable, it was possible to hook up to a standard grotty PC VGA display. The pinouts are available in Apple's Tech Info library. > I'd heard rumors that it would, but when you think about the fact > that they'll all work with a Multisync monitor, doesn't really make sense. Lots of older computers will work with the early Multisync monitors. I've used the same Multisync on my IIgs and on a PC. I've run out of D-connectors temporarily; when I've been shopping I'll sort out the cables to attach the monitor to my (digital output) Apple III and to an LC-series Mac. Phil ************************************************************** Phil Beesley -- Computer Officer -- Distributed Systems Suppport University of Leicester Tel (0)116 252-2231 E-Mail pb14(a)le.ac.uk

28 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

34A power problems

by dseagrav＠bsdserver.tek-star.net

Okay, I narrowed it down some: I unplugged everything except J3, the power switch. I plugged in that edge connector to the line module, OK. Power on: loud click, but the breakers held. Next, I plugged in J5. Power on: *CRACK!* Both breakers go. The breaker on the powerstrip is holding though. What is P5 for?

28 years, 5 months

2
1
0 0

Commie & Apple stuff..

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

Just an FYI... www.classifieds2000.com/cgi-cls/ad.exe?P1+C220+A0+R12409+Q101422074 Old Computer Various Dell,IBM, $15/OBO, Used Description Lots of Samsung Amber monitors.Compaq 286 Deskpro, Dell and IBM 286 Plus all the Commodore and Apple stuff you could want Make Me An Offer!! Seller Info For sale by private party (713) 631-1545 [Day] billbutl(a)swbell.net Houston, Texas - Houston 77078 Post Date 09-NOV-97 Copyright ? 1996-97, Classifieds2000 Inc. All rights reserved. Send any comments, questions, or suggestions to comments(a)classifieds2000.com Employment Opportunities Disclaimer. --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad sinasohn(a)crl.com that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/

28 years, 5 months

1
0
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Computer collecting humor.

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<> I believe that there are some CPU chips now with 64-bit internal buses. <> Any advance on 64? <Well I believe the HP 85 had a HP propietary CPU with 64 bits internal <running at 613 KHz That was 64bits of internal storage and that is different from a 64bit parallel CPU. Also 613khz is slow. There are otehr 64bit cpus, some are in games and other embedded systems. However the number of systems for general purpose computing using 64 bit cpus are however few. Allison

28 years, 5 months

4
4
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FWD: FREE to good home: IBM RT 6150s

by Mzthompson＠aol.com

Found the following on comp.sys.ibm.pc.rt Anybody near him wanna rescue these machines. I acquired one about a month ago here in Indiana, along with a fairly complete set of books and disks. Mine has two ESDI drives (300mb & 110mb) and loaded with AIX 2.2. It's a tower case about 24" x 24" x 9". If I remember the front panel says System 135. Mike Thompson ================================================== Subject: FREE to good home: IBM RT 6150s From: Bill Bradford <mrbill(a)texas.net> Date: Sun, Nov 9, 1997 20:52 EST Message-id: <645pd8$cbc$1(a)news3.texas.net> I recently acquired this whole bunch, with the intention of getting at least a couple of them reloaded and working; however, I've now got plans to move soon, and cant afford to move these machines. I'd like to see them go to a good home; so they're free to the first person to come pick them up. System Configurations: (6 systems) EAP processors (16mb RAM each) dual ESDI hard drives (unknown size) SIIG ISA-bus I/O cards Graphic cards with 6153 mono monitors Ethernet (AUI / 10base2) cards ESDI controller cards The other system only has the HDs and ESDI controller card (no CPU card or other cards). Also, one of the above systems is lacking the 1.2mb floppy drive; it may be the same system that is lacking a CPU card. I beleive 3 or 4 of the machines also have tape drive controller cards; and I have three external IBM QIC tape drives to go with them. I've also got a 15" monochrome IBM monitor that has a DB9 data cable connector. I've got some manuals (User's manual, problem determination guide, and 2-3 others) in the IBM binders. Systems are located in Austin, Texas. You'll need a good-sized pickup truck or van to haul all of them away. If you're interested, let me know. It sucks to let these go, but I cant afford to move them along with my other computer equipment. I can be reached at mrbill(a)texas.net. -- Bill Bradford Sr. Systems Engineer ICQ: 1864511 mrbill(a)texas.net Texas Networking, Inc. http://www.texas.net

28 years, 5 months

1
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Classic "Laptops"

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<and is very easy to read for a non-backlit screen, but 80x24's were still <few years away... Tandy got close on the Tandy 600 with 80x16, but the Yes 80x24 were a few year later but, 80x8 was PX8 (and others) and that was like a year away(1984 the latest). Now the $64 question. there was a tandy with a 80x4 or 80x8 I do remember it as it was one of the few with a decent line length. Allison

28 years, 5 months

1
0
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Classic Computer Rescue Squad

by photze＠batelco.com.bh

Oh yes, Tim (This could be a Tim-Tim conversation type thing!!!), that would be very nice. Well let's see, I'd have to trade in the Honda for a truck, ship it back to the US from Bahrain, drive down, and then come back. Not my idea of fun. (Sorry, I didn't mean to sound hostile) I've found 30 IBM 400 terminals for $1 a piece, in Western Massachusetts, but no mainframe. Anyway, I need systems, not parts (I need systems for the parts :-) .) But if I get the systems, I'll get the parts. I can even use the most "common" classics, I have a US postal address. Ciao, Tim D. Hotze ---------- From: Tim Shoppa <shoppa(a)alph02.triumf.ca> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: Classic Computer Rescue Squad Date: Thursday, November 06, 1997 9:44 PM > Does anyone have any systems that they could sell me? Anything... all I've > got is an XT that dosn't work. Sure. Come up here with a lift-gate truck and I'll sell you all the Data General Novas, 14" disk drives, and 1/2" 9-track tape drives that you could want. Tim. (shoppa(a)triumf.ca)

28 years, 5 months

7
9
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HD Floppies in DD Drives

by gzozman＠escape.ca

Here's a silly question, but one I've never understood: Why can't a high density 5 1/4" disk be formatted in a double density drive? When I try, DOS returns a "Track 0 Bad" error message. I thought that a HD disk would simply have a denser coating of magnetic material applied evenly over the entire surface of the disk. I don't see why this should cause problems for a DD drive. However, a few questions come to mind. Is the magnetic coating of a different sensitivity, resulting in a weaker signal for the heads to pick up? Is the magnetic coating applied to the media in "tracks", causing problems when a different TPI spec is attempted on the disk? Since some of the software for my "old" (first generation PC) computers is on 5 1/4" disks of dubious condition, I would like to make copies onto new disks. Since HD disks are still readily available and cheap, I thought this would be an ideal way to do so. I also seem to have fried the 5 1/4" HD drive in my PC while sorting through some old software. It seems a couple of disks had some dirt on them which caused horrible screeching sounds when the disk was spinning, and also deposited a very hard black coating on the heads. The only way I could remove the deposits was to scratch it off with my fingernails (alcohol would not touch it). However, I must have bumped the heads out of alignment, because the drive won't read disks any longer. My question is: can I plug a Double Density drive into the same connector in my modern PC and use it for my old disks? I know I will have to change my BIOS setting, but is there anything else I need to consider? Any input on the above would be much appreciated... thanks in advance! Hope this isn't too far off topic. Grant Zozman gzozman(a)escape.ca

28 years, 5 months

2
1
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CIE 680/20 Unix-like workstation

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

Spotted this, thought it might be of interest to someone... >http://www.classifieds2000.com/cgi-cls/ad.exe?P1+C220+A0+R11595+Q8671010 > > Old Computer CIE Systems 6680/20, $50/OBO, Used >> >> Description CIE 680/20 Unix-like workstation. 15 years >> old. Regulus (Unix-like) OS. 2@ 8MB hard >> drives. 0.5 MB RAM. 4-8 MHz clock speed. >> Antique? Many manuals (several hundred >> pages). 3 serial ports. Very large desktop >> unit. Works OK. $50 >> >> Seller Info For sale by private party >> >> (626) 796-5184 [Day] >> (626) 796-5184 [Eve] >> Pasadena, California - L.A. Area 91106 >> >> >> Post Date 30-OCT-97 > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad sinasohn(a)ricochet.net that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/

28 years, 5 months

3
2
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Classic "Laptops"

by jrkeys＠concentric.net

The 100 is used and in demand overseas, it is used by reporters in the jungles. They have a web site with address if anyone wants donate one. At 04:49 PM 11/10/97 +0000, you wrote: > > >On Mon, 10 Nov 1997 Philip.Belben(a)powertech.co.uk wrote: >> On the subject of early laptops in general, I have heard much in praise >> of the Tandy model 100, but I like the Epson HX20 which has everything >> you could possibly want in a laptop except a decent sized screen! > >Hmmm... Having got both (and an Olivetti M10, Thorn Liberator, etc - no I >don't collect portables), IMHO the keyboard on the HX20 has a much worse >feel than that on the M100. I'd not want to type up anything long on the >HX20, whereas I took my student lecture notes on the M100 (back when the >M100 was almost current...) > >There is a video output option for the HX20. It plugs into the 'serial' >connector (a 38400 baud RS232 link), which is also used for the TF20 disk >drive. I beleive said video interface gave you CGA-like text and graphics. >I've not seen one, however, but it would solve the small-screen problem, >at least when using it at home/on your desk. > >Talking of the HX20, does anyone have a systems disk for the TF20 floppy >drive? I've got the drive and the laptop, but no boot disk, which is a >pity. > > >> >> Philip. >> >> > >-tony > > > >

28 years, 5 months

1
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Classic "Laptops"

by jrkeys＠concentric.net

Yes they made them (1984)and sold for $249.95. Powered by batteries and 6k of ram. I have one in storage picked it up for $10 about 4 years ago. At 03:09 AM 11/11/97 +1030, you wrote: >A simple question - was the Texas Instruments Compact Computer - the CC-40 >- ever produced? I have some photos in a book here, and it looks neat, but >I have never heard of them and have no idea if they are available >second-hand. > >Adam. > > > >

28 years, 5 months

1
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Old stuff

by Philip.Belben＠powertech.co.uk

> >> >....in my experience > >> >with IBM network cards, if they're a round (i.e. BNC) connector, > >> >they're probably the old "baseband" stuff that uses lots of coax > >>cable >and a hub/amplifier, and work only with IBM PC-LAN Program > >>and >NetBEUI....the number 2Mb/sec comes > >> >to mind.... > >> Are we talking about Arcnet here? When I think 2Mb/sec, BNC > >>connector, and 8-bit bus, I think Arcnet, but there may have been > >others.... If the cards are _branded_ IBM, chances are well over > >ten to one that they are > >Token Ring. IBM never touched Arcnet, and was hesitant about > >Ethernet. -- > >Ward Griffiths > > If any of those network cards ARE token-ring and have BNC connectors, I > would love to buy a couple. I got an old Token ring MAU several years ago > that has BNC ports and would like to try it out. Can't tell you how many > people have flat out denied that Token Ring was ever carried over coax! > But the existence of the MAU is proof enough that at one time it was done. Wow. I must admit, I thought that token ring required too many wires for co-ax. Or was the 4-wire connection replaced by coax in, coax out? Seriously, if it's IBM and co-ax I'd guess at SNA (Systems Network Architecture - the famous 3270 series terminals and related devices). This was not a PC network architecture at all - it was a loads-of- terminals-into-the-mainframe architecture - and the card would have come with terminal emulator software. BTW, did anyone discover what the IBM System/74 was? The description sounded more like a system/34 to me, and I certainly never heard of the 74 when I worked at IBM. Philip.

28 years, 5 months

2
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Fudge! I fudged it up! 34A PSU problems.

by dseagrav＠bsdserver.tek-star.net

Okay, I found a plug I forgot to attach. I plugged it in, switched it on, and the breakers went POP! Nothing burned, no hot smell... Time to start rechecking things!

28 years, 5 months

1
0
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Classic "Laptops"

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

At 12:04 PM 11/10/97 -0500, you wrote: >Tandy improved the 100 with the 102 which has a lager screen. Actually, the 102 has the same size screen as the 100. Perhaps you're thinking of the 200? The 200 is a clamshell design (iirc) with 24x80 screen. The 102 was simply a lighter, cheaper-to-make version of the 100. --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad sinasohn(a)ricochet.net that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/

28 years, 5 months

2
1
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Old Magazines, was (Building A Computer from Scratch Squad)

by rcini＠email.msn.com

Hotze asked: >PS-Does anyone know where I can get old PC Mag issues? Or any other major >magazine? It's funny that you ask this. My wife's uncle just gave me issue #1 of PC World and issues 2 and 3 of PC Magazine. I'd really like to get my hands on PCMag issue #1! He also gave me a late-model original PC *with* theexpansion box (which I understand is a relatively rare item). Anyway, he was a sales rep for IBM for the PC product, and he kept all sorts of stuff in his attic. I guess that every summer, his wife makes him clean up a little more. I'd say go to garage sales, or put an add in the local newspaper. There's a juy who advertises every month in Nuts & Volts, that he collects pre-1980 equipment, mags, etc. Maybe try the same. Anyway, who knows what else he has up there. I've asked him to save a copy of the IBM songbook for me <g>. Rich Cini/WUGNET <rcini(a)msn.com> - ClubWin! Charter Member (6) - MCP Windows 95/Networking

28 years, 5 months

1
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I finally replaced the switches in the 34A, and Guess What! It's , dead!

by dseagrav＠bsdserver.tek-star.net

No reaction to the power whatsoever. Yes, it is plugged in! What did I do wrong? I got all the connections to the switches back in order, it doesn't pop either breaker, just no reaction. Anything in particular I could have missed? WHat's the result of getting that edge connector on upside-down?

28 years, 5 months

1
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Classic Computer Rescue Squad

by adam＠merlin.net.au

><Now for what Allison was waiting for - a mention of Honeywell :-) When ><FTS went bust, they sold the design of the series-86 to Honeywell-Bull, ><who marketed it as the Microsystem Executive. Needless to say it died Can you describe the Microsystem Executive? I have a Honeywell Microsystem 6, but no details about it. It is about 2 feet high, by 1.5 feet deep and 1 foot wide, finished in black and white. (The plastic front and back is black, while the metal case is white). It's a very big beast for a micro, and runs but a single terminal. Adam.

28 years, 5 months

1
0
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Classic "Laptops"

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

At 03:09 AM 11/11/97 +1030, you wrote: >A simple question - was the Texas Instruments Compact Computer - the CC-40 >- ever produced? I have some photos in a book here, and it looks neat, but Yep. I've got one. --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad sinasohn(a)ricochet.net that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/

28 years, 5 months

1
0
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DEC Rainbow

by manney＠nwohio.com

DOS or CP/M? manney(a)nwohio.com > I just bought a DEC Rainbow, does anyone have any idea where I can get a >boot disk for it? > > Thanks > Charlie Fox > > >

28 years, 5 months

1
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Finds & Questions

by manney＠nwohio.com

>HP 75D with 9114 disk drive -- $25 > >My questions concern this last one. The computer itself is about 5" deep by >10" wide by about an inch thick. It has room for three expansion modules >(has two: "Barcode Reader" and "HP 75 I/O") and four connectors on the rear. >Two are in and out to the 9114, one is power (I'm pretty sure) but I'm not >sure about the last. Perhaps input for the barcode wand? What does the mystery connector look like? manney(a)nwohio.com

28 years, 5 months

1
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STuff

by manney＠nwohio.com

I'm interested in the 386's...are they boards, or complete systems? manney(a)nwohio.com -----Original Message----- From: classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> To: Manney <Manney> Date: Friday, November 07, 1997 3:48 PM Subject: STuff >I have a bunch of wyse 60 terminals, a couple of 386's, an old printer >and various boards etc. Anyone interested. >"Janet Paganelli" <info(a)msnyc.org> > >

28 years, 5 months

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Classic Computer Rescue Squad

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<Now for what Allison was waiting for - a mention of Honeywell :-) When <FTS went bust, they sold the design of the series-86 to Honeywell-Bull, <who marketed it as the Microsystem Executive. Needless to say it died Actually I'm far less interested with what Honeywell-Bull did with x86 chips and moreso with the predecessor computers. They made some big machines at one time. Allison

28 years, 5 months

1
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Classic Computer Rescue Squad

by mark＠cyberlightstudios.com

---------- + From: Sam Ismail <dastar(a)wco.com> + To: "Discussion re-collecting of classic computers" <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> + Subject: Re: Classic Computer Rescue Squad + Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 06:21:38 -0800 (PST) + +On Sun, 9 Nov 1997, William Donzelli wrote: + +> > > On Sat, 8 Nov 1997, William Donzelli wrote: +> > +> > > 500 years from now, if what I am trying to accomplish with the Vintage +> > > Computer Festival succeeds, the machines which were truly significant from +> > > a social context, meaning the ones which ran the banking system, the +> > > airline system, government, etc. (in other words, the computers which were +> > > the foundation of modern society), will be the ones which we remember, and +> > > the Altair and others of its ilk will be merely novelties. +> > +> > I'd reign in your desire to pidgeonhole computers into "novelties" vs +> > "socially significant" if I were you. Not only is EVERY piece of hardware +> +> Next time you want to turn your flamethrower on, please aim at the right +> person. You quoted me for something I did not say. +> +> William Donzelli +> william(a)ans.net + +Mark, + +I take credit for the original posting. And you make some valid +arguments. What I wrote wasn't meant to be taken as an abridgement of my +total philosophy. + +There's been a problem around here lately of people taking single +sentences from a message and blowing it out of proportion. I wish it +would stop. + +Sam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com +--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- +Computer Historian, Programmer, Musician, Philosopher, Athlete, Writer, Jackass + + Coming Soon...Vintage Computer Festival 2.0 + See http://www.siconic.com/vcf for details! + + Hi, Yes, I agree, and I must confess that I sounded a bit more irritated than I actually was! My point, as you note, was that we should consider all of computing's heratige special...but of course, we do, or we wouldn't be reading this list. Sorry if I sounded a bit arrogant.....and thanks for the reply Mark

28 years, 5 months

1
0
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Classic "Laptops"

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

At 04:36 PM 11/9/97 +0000, you wrote: >OK. By the way, speaking of "sub-laptops", does anyone know what kind of models >might be good for me? I just pretty much want to be able to take notes; etc. >Windows CE is cheap enough for me, but they're keyboards aren't for REAL people. >Possibly an Apple Newton? Or are there any classics that have a keyboard large >enough to type on(not two-finger typing.) ? Where can I get one of these Radio >Shack 100's? Good keyboards for taking notes: Radio Shack Model 100/102 NEC PC8201A (M100, but some differences (or vice-versa?)) Epson HX-20 (Not as good, but adequate) Cambridge Z88 (Never used one, but looks good.) Radio Shack WP-2 (Word processor, similar to m100) There are a couple of newer m100-type machines that can act as a keyboard for a Mac or PC as well. And, of course, Apple's E-mate (or whatever it's called.) Or pick up a used '286-ish PC laptop. Generally decent machines, run DOS (lots of available word processors), and cheap. --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad sinasohn(a)ricochet.net that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/

28 years, 5 months

1
0
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Trash

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

At 02:38 PM 11/8/97 -0500, you wrote: >So, what do you people think I should do when I just can't keep a computer >much longer? I don't want to trash them, but things like XTs, 286s, etc? What >can I do but throw them away when I have no room? Where are you located? There are groups that will recondition them and place them in schools. Groups like the Detwiler Foundation (huge) or the Computer Recycling Project (tiny). I do the same for my girlfriend's school with Mac's. There are also programs that teach kids about fixing them. Lemme know if you need more info and I can dig it up. (I don't do much with most of the groups because I'm able to scrounge the computers and fix them myself.) P.S., if anyone has older mac stuff (Mac II or newer) we can always use it. --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad sinasohn(a)ricochet.net that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/

28 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

Classic "Laptops"

by adam＠merlin.net.au

A simple question - was the Texas Instruments Compact Computer - the CC-40 - ever produced? I have some photos in a book here, and it looks neat, but I have never heard of them and have no idea if they are available second-hand. Adam.

28 years, 5 months

2
1
0 0

Qume?

by yakowenk＠cs.unc.edu

Today, for the first time in years, I got my old SwTPC S/09 to boot. (pause for applause to die down) But success was not total; floppy drive 0 works fine, but drive 1 just retracts to track 0 and makes a buzzing/grinding noise. I'm guessing that it wants to hit track 0 at the beginning of a seek, can't tell that it has made it there, and is struggling to retract past the legal limit. So, is anybody out there familiar with the mechanics of Qume 8" floppy drives? Is there a switch or optical sensor or something that tells it when it is at track 0? Or, from the description, is it possible/likely that this is an electrical failure, like a dead chip? Anybody got a service manual for one of these critters? Cheers, Bill.

28 years, 5 months

3
3
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Classic "Laptops"

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<> Sounds bogus. The small laptops using 8080 (actually 8085) were the tand <> M-100s and there were also the Epson and NEC but none were before 1979. Most of the early laptops were either 8085 or z80 as both required less support chips than the 8080 (8080+8224+8228) as the 8080 chip set required three voltages and lots of board space. the 8085 or z80 were single 5v at lower power needs. the 6502 was also popular for the application. <On the subject of early laptops in general, I have heard much in praise <of the Tandy model 100, but I like the Epson HX20 which has everything <you could possibly want in a laptop except a decent sized screen! Tandy improved the 100 with the 102 which has a lager screen. Allison

28 years, 5 months

3
2
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Classic Computer Rescue Squad

by Philip.Belben＠powertech.co.uk

> < Another "cute" blurb, "CP/M-86 is the 16 bit version of the de facto > <industry standard microcomputer operating system, CPM. Once a user > <slips the 8-inch floppy containing CPM-86 into a (IBM) Displaywriter, > <an entirely new world of data processing will open up on the typist's > <desk." Sounds almost pornographic. ; ^ )) > > Call that a snapshot in time before the PC explosion. I like it! I used a Displaywriter occasionally at IBM, but I never knew it had an 8088/86 in it! I didn't even know you could get a general purpose operating system for it. It was a very nice machine, and ran a version of Displaywrite nicer than _any_ of the PC implementations. I'd love to get one for my collection... Well, there you are. A non-IBM-compatible with an 8088/86, and made by IBM too! I would add the FTS series-88 - a very strange British box with an 8088 in it, also running CP/M-86. An 8086 CPU card exists, but the machine was soon replaced by the FTS Series-86. This machine was sold as the "Non-compatible Compatible" - it ran a multi-tasking version of CP/M-86 called Concurrent DOS, sold by a company whose name escapes me, but begins with P (Pegasus?). It ran Lotus-123 from an IBM disk with no complaints, even drawing graphs on the (monochrome) screen. I must get mine working sometime... Now for what Allison was waiting for - a mention of Honeywell :-) When FTS went bust, they sold the design of the series-86 to Honeywell-Bull, who marketed it as the Microsystem Executive. Needless to say it died :-( Philip.

28 years, 5 months

1
0
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Classic "Laptops"

by Philip.Belben＠powertech.co.uk

> <I've recently heard of someone who told me about an 8080 laptop from > <someone who has been into computers longer than I have. He said that > <there was a laptop... in the 1970's, that was smaller than the origional > <Compaq. It was soupossed to only have a little RAM, and it was used by > <journalists, who would connect with a modem an upload the files. Is > <this true? If so, what on earth ever happened to these? (Does this > <sound like something else... H/PC come to mind? > > Sounds bogus. The small laptops using 8080 (actually 8085) were the tandy > M-100s and there were also the Epson and NEC but none were before 1979. > I did a quick flip through my Kbaud and Byte for 76-80 and there were no > adverts for anything laptop other than a hand terminal that used a 4bit > part. I wonder. A few weeks ago I bought for L1 at a car boot sale a device called a Microscribe 320. (Made by a Welsh company, Microscribe Ltd., but sold with a British Telecom badge.) This is a sub-notebook (7 in square) terminal with built in text editor, 32K battery backed RAM and 40 x 8 character display. Before you all jump on me, yes, I know it was built circa 1983. It is a very nice machine, the only thing wrong with it being the small keyboard. Fortunately I don't touch type - FWIW I use the index and middle fingers of each hand and am as fast as most of the touch typers I know who aren't professional typists. The reason I am replying is that shortly after I posted about it here (and had a brief conversation with Tony Duell about how to power it up) I received an e-mail from one Adrian Godwin, who had seen my posting, and who also had a microscribe, and wanted to compare notes. In the end we concluded that his was an earlier model than mine (less RAM, smaller screen). So when did these start being made? Was there an even earlier model right back in the seventies? I would also like to thank Adrian (if he is reading this) who, when he obtained a Microscribe manual, and discovered it was for mine and not his, sent me a copy for free. The world needs more people like this! On the subject of early laptops in general, I have heard much in praise of the Tandy model 100, but I like the Epson HX20 which has everything you could possibly want in a laptop except a decent sized screen! Philip.

28 years, 5 months

2
1
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apple rgb monitor problems

by pb14＠leicester.ac.uk

On 9 Nov 97 at 22:54, SUPRDAVE(a)aol.com wrote: > i need some help with an applecolor rgb monitor if anyone can. > does anyone know any way of testing this monitor? Apple have mastered the art of confusing names for monitors. The "original" colour monitor you need for a Mac II series is called the "AppleColor Hi-Resolution RGB Display"; for early Mac II series particular adaptor cards are required for particular monitors, so your adaptor card will not work with an A4 portrait display for example. From about 1990 it was replaced by the "Macintosh 12" RGB Display" which was smaller and lighter, There is a similarly named rgb monitor designed for the Apple IIgs; this is a 12" analog display very similar to the Macintosh display. It works with a horizontal refresh rate of 15.75kHz -- half that supplied by the IIcx video port. > i have one in the > silver-gray colour that matches my mac IIcx yet, i cannot seem to get any > video on it. i have tried using both a laser128 and a //c's rgb output into > the monitor, but the only thing i can get is a deep blue screen with stable > vertical lines with the //c, and a moving blue bar with the laser128 although > they both can do rgb output and i was using the same cable. Isn't the output from the //c and the laser *digital* rgb, not *analog* rgb? You can also be certain that Apple didn't use the same pinouts for the //c and the Mac II series so your cable will be wrong. > when i tested the > monitor with my mac cx which has a 1 bit mono card, i did get video, but was > difficult to read, and i got double images of the desktop. i've already tried > every control accessable on the monitor too. This sounds like the IIgs display to me. I'd hang on to it -- they are very highly regarded -- until a IIgs system turns up... Phil ************************************************************** Phil Beesley -- Computer Officer -- Distributed Systems Suppport University of Leicester Tel (0)116 252-2231 E-Mail pb14(a)le.ac.uk

28 years, 5 months

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Classic Computer Rescue Squad

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<> Does anybody but me remember the Byte cover (1976, I think) of a 4-bit <> computer built from transistors, diodes, etc. and wire? (No boards or <> anything). There was a followup picture in the magazine some months <> later after the cat had knocked it off the desk. the first BYTE cover was sept 1976 and there was never such article around then. There are two I remember the first was a terminally simple machine of extreme limitations that illustrated microprogramming (simple TTL) and was very low parts count. The other in the Aug and Sept 1985 Bytes called EGO and was a 16bit general purpose machine using mostly TTL SSI/MSI (74181 was the most complex part). <SSI small scale integration 7400, 7474 are examples and MSI medium scale integration such as 74181 or complex counters.> Allison

28 years, 5 months

4
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Classic Computer Rescue Squad

by mark＠cyberlightstudios.com

If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first--Invent the Universe. ---Dr. Carl E. Sagan ---------- From: "Lawrence Walker" <lwalker(a)mail.interlog.com> To: "Discussion re-collecting of classic computers" <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: Classic Computer Rescue Squad Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 10:26:08 +0000 > On Sat, 8 Nov 1997, William Donzelli wrote: > 500 years from now, if what I am trying to accomplish with the Vintage > Computer Festival succeeds, the machines which were truly significant from > a social context, meaning the ones which ran the banking system, the > airline system, government, etc. (in other words, the computers which were > the foundation of modern society), will be the ones which we remember, and > the Altair and others of its ilk will be merely novelties. I'd reign in your desire to pidgeonhole computers into "novelties" vs "socially significant" if I were you. Not only is EVERY piece of hardware and software a legacy of the history of computing, but those "novelty" computers (the Commodores, the Altairs, the Apples) were more than just 8 bit precursors to the current wave of desktop technology...they were inextricably linked to the social mileux for whom, and in whose time, they were developed...a sign of the times as it were. Part of the mystique of the "novelty" computers of which you speak is the very fact that the design and function of the computer reflected a historic mindset, the widespread dissemiation and embracing of the IDEA of computing within the masses of society. It would be foolish and shortsighted to try to relegate certian aspects of computing history as "novelty" vs "foundation of modern society". I would remind you that some of the founders of the modern age of computing, architects of those computers you would no doubt find "socially significant", started out peeking and pokeing their way along an 8 bit piece of silicon that shaped far more influential commodities than the banking system or the stock market...it shaped their MINDS. A little respect for the grass roots of the computing age is in order. Mark Tosiello ("Soapbox mode off, Mr. Spock")

28 years, 5 months

3
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New finds and a question

by adam＠merlin.net.au

After a very poor start, my weekend ended up great - I picked up three Apple IIc's (which I didn't want as I already have two) for $10, but they came with some thirty manuals for most of the Apple II range (along with the Osborne Executive) and a number of books on the Apple IIs. Thinking this made for a good day, I was later given a Microbee with the Computer-in-a-Book drive,and a Dick Smith System 80. The Microbee was an Australian Z80 CP/M system, highly sucessful both as kits (as they originally were) and complete systems, especially in schools. I had been searching for one for a while, but had very little luck - everyone I knew who had one was too attached to it to let it go. The System 80 was a TRS-80 Model 1 clone, with some interesting modifications - most notably an inbuilt tape deck. Another computer I had been specifically looking for. :) Anyway, as to my question. The System 80 works fine, but it seems it needs a cable to connect to the monitor. The monitor uses a standard TV aerial connector, but the computer has a DIN. Fortunately I found a technical manual for the computer in one of my piles of manuals at home, and it lists the pin outs - one +5 volt, one ground, and one video output. It also has a diagram of the cable, and it seems it is just a plain cable with different plugs at each end. Knowing nothing about electronics, it seems to me that the TV plug has only two contacts, not three - anyone know how I make the cable? Or know where I might find a replacment? I'm sure this is a really stupid question but I am a mere programmer - technical stuff is way out of my league. Thanks heaps, Adam.

28 years, 5 months

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Classic Computer Rescue Squad

by mark＠cyberlightstudios.com

If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first--Invent the Universe. ---Dr. Carl E. Sagan ---------- From: William Donzelli <william(a)ans.net> To: "Discussion re-collecting of classic computers" <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: Classic Computer Rescue Squad Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 23:21:21 -0500 (EST) > > On Sat, 8 Nov 1997, William Donzelli wrote: > I'd reign in your desire to pidgeonhole computers into "novelties" vs > "socially significant" if I were you. Not only is EVERY piece of hardware Next time you want to turn your flamethrower on, please aim at the right person. You quoted me for something I did not say. Damn software anyway.......would be nice if I learned to read, wouldn't it? Public apology hereby humbly expressed to William Donzelli, for inexplicably confusing him with the author of the quote to which I responded. Again, my mistake! Mark Tosiello William Donzelli william(a)ans.net

28 years, 5 months

2
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Classic "Laptops"

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<I've recently heard of someone who told me about an 8080 laptop from <someone who has been into computers longer than I have. He said that <there was a laptop... in the 1970's, that was smaller than the origional <Compaq. It was soupossed to only have a little RAM, and it was used by <journalists, who would connect with a modem an upload the files. Is <this true? If so, what on earth ever happened to these? (Does this <sound like something else... H/PC come to mind? Sounds bogus. The small laptops using 8080 (actually 8085) were the tandy M-100s and there were also the Epson and NEC but none were before 1979. I did a quick flip through my Kbaud and Byte for 76-80 and there were no adverts for anything laptop other than a hand terminal that used a 4bit part. I happen to have a Epson geneva (PX8) but that was years later(1984). Allison

28 years, 5 months

2
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Old stuff

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<If any of those network cards ARE token-ring and have BNC connectors, I highly likely as IBM was a strong proponent for token ring. <would love to buy a couple. I got an old Token ring MAU several years ago <that has BNC ports and would like to try it out. Can't tell you how many <people have flat out denied that Token Ring was ever carried over coax! <But the existence of the MAU is proof enough that at one time it was done. Obviously they never saw any of the WANG system that used it as the default interconnect to EVERYTHING even POS terminals! Allison

28 years, 5 months

2
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Finds & Questions

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

Added a couple of things to my collection today: Compaq 386 Lunchbox (comes up with a 1790 (iirc) Disk 0 error) -- $35 Data General One -- $20 2 SE/30 logic boards, new in Apple service boxes -- $10 (probably put these on ebay.) HP DDS Dat drive -- $25 HP 75D with 9114 disk drive -- $25 My questions concern this last one. The computer itself is about 5" deep by 10" wide by about an inch thick. It has room for three expansion modules (has two: "Barcode Reader" and "HP 75 I/O") and four connectors on the rear. Two are in and out to the 9114, one is power (I'm pretty sure) but I'm not sure about the last. Perhaps input for the barcode wand? Anyway, if anyone has *any* info about it, I'd love to hear from you. I tried HP's site and all I got was that it's discontinued, not supported, and replaced by a newer handheld or something. It was described as a "notebook BASIC Computer", btw. Thanks in advance! --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad sinasohn(a)ricochet.net that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/

28 years, 5 months

3
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Hard Drive Bible

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

At 09:11 AM 11/7/97 -0500, you wrote: >I 'd like to commend and thank Matt Pritchard for shipping the Hard Drive I'll second that! Thanks! (P.S., mine came in on Friday.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad sinasohn(a)ricochet.net that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/

28 years, 5 months

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HD Floppies in DD Drives

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<I thought that a HD disk would simply have a denser coating of magnetic <material applied evenly over the entire surface of the disk. I don't <see why this should cause problems for a DD drive. However, a few <questions come to mind. Is the magnetic coating of a different Corcivity, the amount of field needed to chage the magnetic state. the HD media requires different field strength and it affects the ability to record on the other media. Simply put the head, media and rotation rate are specific and altering the parameters of one munge the other. <Since some of the software for my "old" (first generation PC) computers <is on 5 1/4" disks of dubious condition, I would like to make copies <onto new disks. Since HD disks are still readily available and cheap, I <thought this would be an ideal way to do so. Reading from one and writing to another is ok bt the drive used should match the media. <My question is: can I plug a Double Density drive into the same <connector in my modern PC and use it for my old disks? I know I will <have to change my BIOS setting, but is there anything else I need to <consider? Maybe, depends on the controller installed and the version of dos. Acopy of upgrading and repairing PCs <QUE publications> would be helpful to you on this and other PC related problems. Allison

28 years, 5 months

1
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apple rgb monitor problems

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

i need some help with an applecolor rgb monitor if anyone can. does anyone know any way of testing this monitor? i have one in the silver-gray colour that matches my mac IIcx yet, i cannot seem to get any video on it. i have tried using both a laser128 and a //c's rgb output into the monitor, but the only thing i can get is a deep blue screen with stable vertical lines with the //c, and a moving blue bar with the laser128 although they both can do rgb output and i was using the same cable. when i tested the monitor with my mac cx which has a 1 bit mono card, i did get video, but was difficult to read, and i got double images of the desktop. i've already tried every control accessable on the monitor too. unlike my vga monitors, this one does not produce a raster screen when no video cable is connected. is there anything else i can try short of round-filing the monitor? david

28 years, 5 months

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More on VAXstation problem

by healyzh＠ix.netcom.com

Hi, Well, I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on this, but thanks to extensive use of DejaNews I've a bad feeling I know what the problem is. Here is the boot sequence. {Asks to select Language} {Asks US or UK} Performin normal system tests. 7..6..5..4..3.. Tests completed Loading system software. 2.. ?54 RETRY 2.. When it's coming up it sounds like the HD spins up, and then as soon as it hits the "Loading system software" it sounds like it spins down.

28 years, 5 months

2
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Laser Computers

by veslec＠interalpha.co.uk

Hi there While searching for information on the Laser Computer(Video Technology Computer Ltd) I came across your letters I have a laser laptop LT321 which is in desprate nead of memory If you have any information regarding the computer or the memory it would be most helpful Ian (uk)

28 years, 5 months

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Space problems and Laser 128ex

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

In a message dated 97-11-08 09:01:35 EST, Alan Richards put forth: > > Does anyone have any ideas about this machine, specificaly I would like to > know how to break into the BASIC. On the Apple, I press CRTL and reset, but > this doesn't work on the Laser. I have just the regular 128 and it basically should work and act the same as a //c. The machine was supposedly 99% apple compatible, but I needed the 1% compatibility when aol supported the apple ][ and it wouldnt work with my laser! <control>-<reset> should work, but i've noticed you cannot do it too quick. let go of the control key first, then reset. to get into the builtin "control panel" to setup your ports, press <control>+"open apple"+<p> i think that's what it is. david

28 years, 5 months

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What is this MV Board?

by healyzh＠ix.netcom.com

Hi All, Despite the fact I haven't been able to get my VAXstation to boot, I decided to take an inventory of what is in it. I've come up with one board I'm not 100% sure as to what it is, it's a memory board, but what size? The board in question is a "M7608-AP". I know what an -AA (2Mb) or -BA (4Mb) are, but what is a -AP board? Oh, and yes I'm sure it said -AP not -AA :^) Thanks, Zane | Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator | | healyzh(a)ix.netcom.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast | | healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector | +----------------------------------+----------------------------+ | For Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, | | see http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ | | For the collecting of Classic Computers with info on them. | | see http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/museum.html |

28 years, 5 months

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[Fwd: Apollo books to give away]

by hansp＠columbia.digiweb.com

Found this on the web, thought someone would be interested Regards, -- Hans B. Pufal : <mailto:hansp@digiweb.com> Comprehensive Computer Catalogue : <http://www.digiweb.com/~hansp/ccc/> _-_-__-___--_-____-_--_-_-____--_---_-_---_--__--_--_--____---_--_--__--_

28 years, 5 months

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Classic Computer Rescue Squad

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<It had no RAM, clock, or anything, it was simply an ALU wired to 2 banks o <4 switches, and a rotary switch configured to select one of the 8 or 16 <operations supported by the ALU. If I'd built it I'm sure I would've tired <of 4 bit boolean operations pretty quickly. < <Kevin But the step from that to a rudimentary computer was fairly short. What was missing was the sequential(or microprogrammed) logic to get from switches to Fetch an instruction from memory and Execute it. The simple machine in Byte had the microprogrammed part of the system to do that albeit crudely. What was significant was how few parts it took to do that. To make a point. The DEC RX01 and RX02 disk systems use a crude microprogrammed computer to do all the disk formatting and control work. The RX01 more specifically is easier to understand as the biggest chips used are bipolar proms, 7489 (16x4 rams) and a 74181 alu chip. Its logic contained on one board of 16"x6" and if the RX01 specific logic were left out it would be 2/3rds that. It could be programmed to behave differently and I have used the basic logic design to create other similar high speed specialized controllers. the later rx02 is similar but they use the 2901 bit slice with is really a 16x4 ram, ALU and gating logic in one chip. Oh, the alu is identical to the 74181. FYI: the RX01 controller has 5 basic microinstructions as it's all that were needed to implement the needed programming. General purpose no, it didn't need to be It had to be fast enough to run bits at 500khz. Needless to say that Byte article I refer to would be of interest as it's simple enough to explain and build with current components. I plan to dig for it but I am not sure I still have it. the latter 1985 article is more ambitious and most would have trouble fabricating it as it's a fairly large number of chips (60-100 ttl). The design would have to be revamped to use more common chips and then simulated/breadboarded and tested for logic/timing errors. A PCboard for it would be several cards and likely several hundred dollars for the set in small quantity. Then there is programming as it's a unique machine with no existant programming available. That means cross assembler would be required to get initial code going for a basic monitor program. the article is a worthwhile read as it does explain how a computer is devloped and composed. It's in Byte September (VOL 10, number9) and October (vol 10, number 10) and they are available from BYTE at $3.00 each. I have no connection to byte other than having those on the shelf and handy. I've used them to present on computer design. Allison

28 years, 5 months

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Classic "Laptops"

by engine＠chac.org

At 00:21 11/10/97 +1030, you wrote: >>OK. By the way, speaking of "sub-laptops", does anyone know what kind of models >>might be good for me? I just pretty much want to be able to take notes.... >>are there any classics that have a keyboard large >>enough to type on(not two-finger typing.) ? Where can I get one of these Radio >>Shack 100's? There is a great machine called the AlphaSmart Pro, which is an RS 100 with a faster processor, PC and Mac data ports, etc. They're almost unheard of because they're sold only through the educational channel, but you can buy >from the manufacturer. I think it's $295. If you have more money, want a real screen, and go for really gorgeous looks, Apple has finally started selling the eMate to individuals -- basically it's a Newton with a screen and keyboard in one piece. It's $800 and only comes in jade-green. If I had any real money I'd buy either of these tomorrow. __________________________________________ Kip Crosby engine(a)chac.org http://www.chac.org/index.html Computer History Association of California

28 years, 5 months

2
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VAXstation II, now different problem

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<From: "Zane H. Healy" <healyzh(a)ix.netcom.com> <OK, now I've got the HD plugged in and am hoping things will go better. <Foolish me. Now it just sits there on "2". Doesn't even give me the "?54 <RETRY" message, it simply sounds like it starts to spin down the HD, and <then immediatly spins it back up. It's been sitting like this for a while <now. Nothing. Even the LED on the back says "2". < <Oh, at least I found out I've got an RD53-A HD. Is there any difference <between a RD53 HD and a RD53-A HD, or are they the same thing? Zane, You have a bad RD53 like I said yesterday. The controller cannot/does not command the drive to spin up/down as its an MFM drive. The cause for spin down on RD53s is the head is not finding the servo track so it spins down and retrys spinning up and finding the servo track. There is a fix for some of them... The problem on the Micropolus 1325s is the head meck when powered down sits against a rubber bumper and gets stuck there as the rubber decays. The result is the head can't move. Possible fix, open the HDA (yes take the cover off) while running and move then head manually till it aquires the servo, put the cover and backup to tape if there is an OS on it. I have one drive where I put some sticky lable on the bumper to salvage the drive and it's held up for six months so far. The bumper in located in the voice coil positioner and is visible to the eye. The head arm sits agaisnt it when powered down. FYI: if you open it in a generally clean place ther is little risk of contamination and even these "sealed" drives contain a internal air filter to remove contaiminents. Generally RD53s with spin down not reliable and should be replaced. An RD53 is a microplus 1325 71mb MFM drive. For microvax use a RD54, 159mb MFM drive is more reliable an provides enough space. VMS will fit on a RD53 if DECwindows and system libraries are not installed leaving about 10mb free and makes for a cramped system. An RD54 will permit a full VMS install and show have at least 20mb free making a very useable system. A two drive system using a RD54 and an RD52(31mb), 53(71) or RD54(159mb) for the second drive is a very good ssytem and can support useful work. FYII: A VS2000 (a tiny microvax) is handy as it contains rom code that can format and/or verify MFM drives. They also make pretty good VMS or Ultrix systems in their own right of they have at least 4mb of ram installed. Allison

28 years, 5 months

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VAXstation II tapes

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<How would one go about getting the OS off of the CD onto the Vax? Sounds <like my best bet is to try to get a SCSI controller for this puppy (at <least I gather from my research that SCSI controllers are available). Any <idea's on who sells such things, and for how much? Two ways, RRD40 or RRD50. Any scsi controller you use must emulate a MSCP device or the system will not know how to boot. The VMS cd is bootable. The SCSI I'm using is a CMD C-200TM and it seems to work ok. The problem is that an RRD40/50 CDrom will cost $100-200 and a SCSI controller will not be cheap either. method 2, get someone to cut a tape from the CD using their system. <BTW if you've seen the last post I had about the HD not being connected, <your couple of posts make me wonder if this wasn't done to get it to boot <off of a network. Possibly but, not likely. You can casue a net boot by setting the drive offline from the front pannel and the boot roms will try the nest device or you can do a >>>b QNA0: telling it to use the network adaptor if installed(an M7504 or 7516). My guess is that the Microvax was gutted for the disks as RD53s are generally small for them. <Don't worry, I've no intention of letting loose of the manuals. I never <let loose of manuals, unless it's something I've got multiples of. They'r <great manuals from what I've seen, the Hardware Information manual is <definitly well done. A little light in areas, but all in all very good. If you have the hardware manuals you may not have the orange or grey wall. What's that? The full VMS doc set is atleast 17 volumes of the 1.5-2" looseleaf binder size and they are chock full of everything about the OS and device programming info. Orange corrosponds to V4 and Grey is the V5. Allison

28 years, 5 months

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VAXstation II, now different problem

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<From CLASSICCMP-owner(a)u.washington.edu Sun Nov 9 18:18:51 1997 <Received: from lists3.u.washington.edu by world.std.com (5.65c/Spike-2.0) < id AA07454; Sun, 9 Nov 1997 13:23:39 -0500 <Received: from host (lists.u.washington.edu [140.142.56.13]) < by lists3.u.washington.edu (8.8.4+UW97.07/8.8.4+UW97.05) with SMT < id KAA06738; Sun, 9 Nov 1997 10:19:54 -0800 <Received: from mx4.u.washington.edu (mx4.u.washington.edu [140.142.33.5]) < by lists.u.washington.edu (8.8.4+UW97.07/8.8.4+UW97.05) with ESMT < id KAA20288 for <classiccmp(a)lists.u.washington.edu>; Sun, 9 Nov 1997 10: <Received: from rm-rstar.sfu.ca (root(a)rm-rstar.sfu.ca [142.58.120.21]) < by mx4.u.washington.edu (8.8.4+UW97.07/8.8.4+UW97.09) with ESMTP < id KAA07962 for <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>; Sun, 9 Nov 1997 10:19:07 <Received: from gumby.rfnet.sfu.ca (gumby.rfnet.sfu.ca [192.75.246.242]) by < id KAA08925 for <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> (from mcquiggi(a)sfu.ca); Sun <Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19971109101851.02ff238c(a)ferrari.sfu.ca> <Date: Sun, 09 Nov 1997 10:18:51 -0800 <Reply-To: classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu <Sender: CLASSICCMP-owner(a)u.washington.edu <Precedence: bulk <From: Kevin McQuiggin <mcquiggi(a)sfu.ca> <To: "Discussion re-collecting of classic computers" <classiccmp(a)u.washingto <Subject: Re: VAXstation II, now different problem <In-Reply-To: <199711091625.AA06623(a)world.std.com> <Mime-Version: 1.0 <Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" <X-Sender: mcquiggi(a)ferrari.sfu.ca <X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.1 beta -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN <Status: R <This RD53 spindown problem can also be caused by a spindle brake that does <not retract fully when the drive is powered up! It rubs against the spindl <and the drive shuts down. I fixed this by simply undoing the screw holding <the brake solenoid and moving it back a little bit. My drive has been <running for well over a year following this fix. Worth checking for but spindown due to stuck head positioner is THE most common problem with 1325 drives. Allison

28 years, 5 months

2
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Building A Computer from Scratch (was:Classic Computer Rescue Squad)

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<From: HOTZE <photze(a)batelco.com.bh> <That's what I said about 3 weeks ago. We should make a computer, possibly <our own design, from common components. Was anyone here into processor <engineering in the "early days", if so, I have a pretty good idea where (if <want) we can get a board-maker for about $200, which might also be able to <single-layer chips. Also, we could probably get our hands on some of Intel <old stuff... they had a page for that on their site, but I forget where. < We could use components that were marking points in history... a 5.25" <floppy, for example. Dear Hotze, Your out of touch with the world. There are people already doing this. It is doable though the price range for the boards varies alot depending on size and quantity. There is a chap in AUS that has the P112 a complete z180 system on a board with floppy and serial ports that runs CP/m-80 like the wind. You can build a system easy enough using available parts from mail order houses like JAMCO or JDR. Possible CPUs (looking at latest catalog) are 6800, 6809, 68000, Z80, 8080, 8085, 8088 all of which are still very much available along with the needed RAM, Eprom and TTL glue logic. The parts thing, small quantites (10-100 pieces) of most ttl and micros are not a problem but production quanities (1000s+) generally means going for surface mount and modern pars to ASSURE parts availability. There is not a lot of magic to taking a 6800 or z80 and making a system of it. The real work is board layout and all the little details to get it in production. I can say this as a designer of some 20+ years that still does exactly this kind of thing. Copying an older processor design like say PDP-8 runs the risk of copyrights and patents. Doing a scratch design means amassing support for a common design and then there would be no code available as a unique design. Cost to design vs return are problems as commitment for capital to make it and kit the parts are sufficient to dismay most. Allison

28 years, 5 months

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Old stuff

by scottk5＠ibm.net

On 1997-11-09 classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu said to scottk5(a)ibm.net >X-Sender: ward(a)news2.cnct.com >X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.1 beta -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN >Kip Crosby wrote: >> At 03:34 11/8/97 GMT, you wrote: >> >....in my experience >> >with IBM network cards, if they're a round (i.e. BNC) connector, >> >they're probably the old "baseband" stuff that uses lots of coax >>cable >and a hub/amplifier, and work only with IBM PC-LAN Program >>and >NetBEUI....the number 2Mb/sec comes >> >to mind.... >> Are we talking about Arcnet here? When I think 2Mb/sec, BNC >>connector, and 8-bit bus, I think Arcnet, but there may have been >others.... If the cards are _branded_ IBM, chances are well over >ten to one that they are >Token Ring. IBM never touched Arcnet, and was hesitant about >Ethernet. -- >Ward Griffiths If any of those network cards ARE token-ring and have BNC connectors, I would love to buy a couple. I got an old Token ring MAU several years ago that has BNC ports and would like to try it out. Can't tell you how many people have flat out denied that Token Ring was ever carried over coax! But the existence of the MAU is proof enough that at one time it was done. Kirk Scott scottk5(a)ibm.net Kirk Scott dynasoar(a)mindspring.com Net-Tamer V 1.09.2 - Test Drive

28 years, 5 months

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Sun keyboard/mouse

by rcini＠email.msn.com

I got my Sun 3/50 working the other day (bad flyback transformer in the monitor), but now I need a keyboard/mouse. I think that I need a "type 3" keyboard and a mouse. Does anyone have a spare to sell? Also, does anyone know the specs of the "shoebox" external hard drive? TIA! Rich Cini/WUGNET <rcini(a)msn.com> - ClubWin! Charter Member (6) - MCP Windows 95/Networking

28 years, 5 months

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Classic "Laptops"

by sinasohn＠ricochet.net

At 06:47 AM 11/9/97 +0000, you wrote: >I've recently heard of someone who told me about an 8080 laptop from >someone who has been into computers longer than I have. He said that >there was a laptop... in the 1970's, that was smaller than the origional >Compaq. It was soupossed to only have a little RAM, and it was used by >journalists, who would connect with a modem an upload the files. Is >this true? If so, what on earth ever happened to these? (Does this >sound like something else... H/PC come to mind? That would be the Radio Shack Model 100. 8085 processor, 8K-32K RAM, simple text editor, basic, and comm pgm built in. See: <http://www.m100.com/> Andy Diller's site <http://www.the-dock.com/club100.html> Club 100 <http://home.northernway.net/~zmerch/signupform.html> Model 100 Mailing List <http://acme.nug.net:80/~tmne/> Tri-Mike Network East I love 'em myself. I'm working on an alphapaging program so I can use one as a dedicated paging station. There are, btw, *still* a lot of journalists who use them, especially in areas where reliability is important. (They have no moving parts.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- O- Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad sinasohn(a)ricochet.net that none but madmen know." Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates San Francisco, California http://www.crl.com/~sinasohn/

28 years, 5 months

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Classic "Laptops"

by adam＠merlin.net.au

>OK. By the way, speaking of "sub-laptops", does anyone know what kind of models >might be good for me? I just pretty much want to be able to take notes; etc. >Windows CE is cheap enough for me, but they're keyboards aren't for REAL >people. >Possibly an Apple Newton? Or are there any classics that have a keyboard large >enough to type on(not two-finger typing.) ? Where can I get one of these Radio >Shack 100's? An alternative to the 100 is the Amstrad Notepad (NC-100), which I found to be pretty good for notes, and is somewhat more recent. Not that recent, though - it uses the Z80A. Adam.

28 years, 5 months

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Sorry, I need to get this to PG Manney, there

by manney＠nwohio.com

>>> I'm new at collecting classics. What is a VIC-20? >> >>The VIC-20 was Commodore's first computer...2K of RAM (I think), did sounds >>and color TV screen stuff. > >Actually it's far from thier first. There was several models of the PET, Whoops! of course...and didn't they make a calculator or two? >and another earlier one whose name escapes me (KIT?). Unexpanded it has a >whopping 3583 bytes. I know for a fact it could be expanded to 16k, and I >think there was eventually a larger one than that. The VIC-20 was my only >computer from '82-'86 unfortunatly I gave it away in '90, and I finally got >one to replace it today!

28 years, 5 months

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Classic Computer Rescue Squad

by carl.friend＠stoneweb.com

On Fri, 7 Nov 1997 18:23:51 -0800 (PST), Mr. Ismail remarked: > Ok, first of all I'm pretty amazed at the 3rd grade level of > mentality being demonstrated by the whiners complaining about my > "foul" language. You seem to hint that I was whining about the language, which is simply not the case. The way one uses language states a lot about who they are - and yes, sometimes this requires profanity. However, let's save the "heavy language" for times when we really need it (like when you drop a mini on your foot :-) ). > Perhaps I should have been more specific and stated that from a > mass-consumer marketing standpoint, the Nova is not significant. In this case, the man has a valid point - from one perspective. If one takes that perspective to an extreme, however, we find that ENIAC wasn't relevant (only one ever built), none of the Zuse machines amounted to anything, the ABC was meaningless, and the IBM 360 was unimportant. There's more to a machine that makes it historically important than how many were sold or produced. Was the STRETCH important (a half dozen or so)? How about the PDP-10 (under a thousand)? Mass marketing is not the gauge of importance, especially in a social context. Remember - the individuals who designed the machines that _were_ mass marketed were brought up knowing about computers, and those machines most certainly weren't mass-market devices. > At any rate, why is there concern that the Nova will never be wanted > until some newspaper runs an article on it? The argument is > pointless. Whether Novas are "wanted" is immaterial to the argument. Folks are now virtually unaware of a piece of history, and an important one at that. It's also a piece of history that's fast disappearing, which is a rotten shame. > So there's no market for it. Boo hoo. Do multi-thousand dollar speculative prices on Altairs make them more "historic" or "valuable" than a PDP-5 (predecessor of the -8)? There's more to be calculated into a "value" than the current market price, which all too frequently is out of line with reality. > Nobody required Tim to take on 5000 lbs worth of stuff [...] Nope. Nobody did. That's one of the reasons I have respect for the man. He knows machines worth saving, and is willing to take the time and (not incosiderable) effort to do so. > If Tim was realistic he'd realize the practical implications involved > in hauling a ton of equipment ANYWHERE on the continent, let alone > across national borders. He is realistic about it - I've chatted with him about it privately. He realises fully what moving that amount of gear means. So do I and another chap out East who are moving a good quarter-ton all the way across a continent. > If the majority of kids in America had a picture of a Nova tacked to > their wall, the newspapers might have run a story on one. Do you know who I'm speaking of? Hint: he designed one of the early mass-market computers that you prize so highly. > So Carl, why did you just mention the most popular of personal > computers? Put bluntly - shock value. I used that list as a calculated way of getting folks' attention, and perhaps, just perhaps, of getting them to "smell the coffee". To reiterate - it takes more to make a machine important than how many copies were sold. Cheers. ______________________________________________________________________ | | | | Carl Richard Friend (UNIX Sysadmin) | West Boylston | | Minicomputer Collector / Enthusiast | Massachusetts, USA | | mailto:carl.friend@stoneweb.com | | | http://www.ultranet.com/~engelbrt/carl/museum | ICBM: N42:22 W71:47 | |________________________________________________|_____________________|

28 years, 5 months

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Trash

by Zeus334＠aol.com

So, what do you people think I should do when I just can't keep a computer much longer? I don't want to trash them, but things like XTs, 286s, etc? What can I do but throw them away when I have no room? Another question: does anyone have a logic board for a Mac Color Classic? I know it's pretty new, but this is the only place I stand a chance of getting one under $50. I found a Color Classic, and some moron smashed the display and ripped out the logic board. I can use an external screen, but what about the logic board? A related matter: ROM for a Mac IIx?

28 years, 5 months

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STuff

by info＠msnyc.org

I have a bunch of wyse 60 terminals, a couple of 386's, an old printer and various boards etc. Anyone interested. "Janet Paganelli" <info(a)msnyc.org>

28 years, 5 months

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Classic Computer Rescue Squad

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<> The Nova will never be featured in the newspapers because it is not a <> socially significant computer. No more (or less) so than PDP-11s that it competed against. <Ever read, say, _Soul of a New Machine_? Good read, still have my copy! Once upon a time there were many computer companies in Massachusetts and during the life of the pdp-8, PDP-11 and the VAX there was Data General trying to also carve a niche in the minicomputer market. This is significant as most of action preceeds 1978. To put that in perspective by '78 the altair was two years old and MITS starting to crumble, IMSI was starting to peak, TRS-80 was new, AppleII was there as well, SS50 bus machines were strong with SWTP and the new Smoke Signal Broadcasting Company. The PC would be three years away. <"socially significant computer" is, I'm not willing to let anything <I consider to be significant go to the scrap metal dealers if I can <avoid it. Computers each and every have significance, some because of new concepts, new markets or in a few cases the scams and swindles behind them! There were many unremarkable computers made and many while noteable were really junk! Hey you forgot: SBCs <single board computers> are hardly ever noted here. Most often they are simple minimum systems featuring the makers CPU or chip sets. Some of note are the EVK68<ami-6800>, Motorola 6800D1, 6800D2, National SC/MP<isp8a-500>, Cosmac ELF<1802>, INTEL SDK80<8080>, SDK85<8085> and SDK88<8088>, IMSAI IMP48<8035>, Technico Super Starter<TI9900>, are samples of what I mean<some I have>. Most of these were not expandable to full systems and were really aimed at the hobbiest/engineer to show off the chips or provide a working example to build off of. Others like the IMP-48 were complete systems intended for control system use or for one up embedded applications or quick prototypes. If I could say one thing about all of the arguments... Been there, done that! I even have a few of the t-shirts that are still not rags yet. How many were at PCC'76 on the boardwalk? Allison

28 years, 5 months

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Old stuff

by photze＠batelco.com.bh

If it's possible, could I take a IBM dot-matrix (or any other dot-matrix)? By the way, I've tried all the computer retailers in my area, and they don't have any classics. Any other places I should look? Thanks, Tim D. Hotze ---------- From: Zeus334(a)aol.com To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Subject: Old stuff Date: Saturday, November 08, 1997 2:16 AM In a certain supply room, there are in storage some computers of interest to me. There used to be some XTs and PCs, but they were given to a school. The stuff that's still there: A ton of printers, generally IBM dot-matrix A ton of manuals and books, including manuals to Quattro-Pro, the manuals to some of the IBM printers, etc. Also, books on C and pascal A few cartons of floppies, with the original disks to DOS 3.3, and a bunch of programs I have never heard of. About 15 IBM network cards. I can't tell what they are, but they are brown full- length eight bit things with round connectors on the back. An IBM System/74, with three terminals. I believe that the administration will part with all of these without much difficulty. I could personally use the first 4 items. The System/74 is about the size of a closet, and I doubt I would find much use for it (If only I had room...) I know nothing about it, and I would appreciate if you people would tell me what the heck a System/74 is. It has a big floppy drive (14" or 8") built in to the front panel, mounted on its side.....

28 years, 5 months

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Trash

by COAKLEY＠AC.GRIN.EDU

> So, what do you people think I should do when I just can't keep a computer > much longer? I don't want to trash them, but things like XTs, 286s, etc? What > can I do but throw them away when I have no room? You can almost always find somebody who can use an extra computer. Schools, non-profit organizations, somebody will want your old machines, especially if you have a bit of software to go with them. If you don't want 'em, give 'em away. In fact, I seem to recall a group of Lisas (?) that some on the list were interested in being donated to a school for developmentally disabled children. -- Ben Coakley http://www.math.grin.edu/~coakley coakley(a)ac.grin.edu Station Manager, KDIC 88.5 FM CBEL: Xavier OH It is good to rock. It is very good to rock wearing a big ass pumpkin on your head. It is very, very good if that pumpkin is on fire. --Jessica Stern

28 years, 5 months

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Classic Computer Rescue Squad

by carl.friend＠stoneweb.com

On Sat, 8 Nov 1997 11:15:17 -0600 (CST), Mr. Seagraves was heard to remark: > We should build a computer from discrete components, just to operate > one. And connect it to the Internet. Of course, we'd never finish > in out lifetimes, and it would fill a room, but it would be awful > cool! I know, personally, of a chap in Germany who is, at this moment, putting the finishing touches on a modern-day vacuum-tube computer. I'm looking forward to seeing the designs and writing a simulator for it so we may all have fun. Computers aren't all _that_ hard to design and build! Just remember that you don't _need_ all the instruction-set bloat that's so common nowadays. Think RISC. Of course, before there was CISC/RISC there was... well "RISC". The first time I heard of RISC the though that popped into my mind was: "Finally! Back to basics!". ______________________________________________________________________ | | | | Carl Richard Friend (UNIX Sysadmin) | West Boylston | | Minicomputer Collector / Enthusiast | Massachusetts, USA | | mailto:carl.friend@stoneweb.com | | | http://www.ultranet.com/~engelbrt/carl/museum | ICBM: N42:22 W71:47 | |________________________________________________|_____________________|

28 years, 5 months

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PC/AT reference

by Aperiodic＠aol.com

Speaking of reference manuals, does anyone have any information / insights into a Visual Technologies Commuter? Manf in 1984, it uses two Intel chips (8086 and 8088) with a plethora of RAM chips not to mention at least four program subroutines. The manufacturer seems to have disowned this particular unit since two people in their tech department have not heard of it. Thanks in advance Sam

28 years, 5 months

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PC/AT reference

by rcini＠email.msn.com

Not yet a classic, but does anyone have a {spare} copy of the "Technical Reference Personal Computer AT"? This is the tech ref guide for the original IBM PC/AT, published by IBM (I'm guessing in a gray fabric binder). TIA! Rich Cini/WUGNET <rcini(a)msn.com> Charter ClubWin! Member MCP Windows 95/Windows Networking

28 years, 5 months

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Stuff Available

by mcquiggi＠sfu.ca

Hi All: Here are some odds and ends available for offers and cost of shipping: 1. DG color monitor, model 6423, 15" 2. Sun 2/50 with 17" mono monitor 3. Sun 17" mono monitor Please email me if you're interested. I'm in Vancouver, BC. Kevin --- Kevin McQuiggin VE7ZD mcquiggi(a)sfu.ca

28 years, 5 months

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Classic "Laptops"

by photze＠batelco.com.bh

I've recently heard of someone who told me about an 8080 laptop from someone who has been into computers longer than I have. He said that there was a laptop... in the 1970's, that was smaller than the origional Compaq. It was soupossed to only have a little RAM, and it was used by journalists, who would connect with a modem an upload the files. Is this true? If so, what on earth ever happened to these? (Does this sound like something else... H/PC come to mind?

28 years, 5 months

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VAXstation II, now different problem

by healyzh＠ix.netcom.com

Hi, I _THINK_ I found the problem that I was having. It appears that the HD cables weren't attached, only the power (weird that). Just prior to this I found out about the LED counter on the back of the unit and found that it was sitting on "1" despite the fact the counter on the screen was "2". According to the Hardware manual this means that the bootstrap device might not contain bootable system software. OK, now I've got the HD plugged in and am hoping things will go better. Foolish me. Now it just sits there on "2". Doesn't even give me the "?54 RETRY" message, it simply sounds like it starts to spin down the HD, and then immediatly spins it back up. It's been sitting like this for a while now. Nothing. Even the LED on the back says "2". Oh, at least I found out I've got an RD53-A HD. Is there any difference between a RD53 HD and a RD53-A HD, or are they the same thing? Anyone have any ideas on this? It's starting to look to me as if someone pulled out the original HD to put in a machine that needed a good one. Then they put the bad on in this machine, but for some reason took the time to plug in the power. Zane | Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator | | healyzh(a)ix.netcom.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast | | healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector | +----------------------------------+----------------------------+ | For Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, | | see http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ | | For the collecting of Classic Computers with info on them. | | see http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/museum.html |

28 years, 5 months

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Old stuff

by engine＠chac.org

At 03:34 11/8/97 GMT, you wrote: >....in my experience >with IBM network cards, if they're a round (i.e. BNC) connector, >they're probably the old "baseband" stuff that uses lots of coax cable >and a hub/amplifier, and work only with IBM PC-LAN Program and >NetBEUI....the number 2Mb/sec comes >to mind.... Are we talking about Arcnet here? When I think 2Mb/sec, BNC connector, and 8-bit bus, I think Arcnet, but there may have been others.... ____________________________________________________________ Kip Crosby, honcho, mechanic and sole proprietor, Kip's Garage http://www.kipsgarage.com: rumors, tech tips and philosophy for the trenches Coming Spring '98: The Windows 98 Bible by Kip Crosby and Fred Davis!

28 years, 5 months

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HP75D

by engine＠chac.org

At 01:45 11/8/97 -0600, you wrote: >HP 75D with 9114 disk drive -- $25 >....Anyway, if anyone has *any* info about it, I'd love to hear from you. I >tried HP's site and all I got was that it's discontinued, not supported, and >replaced by a newer handheld.... The 75D, demonstrating a logic rare in HP model numbers, is the immediate successor of the 75C, often described as "HP's first fully portable computer." They were, IIRC, made in Singapore and not anywhere near as common as the later HP handhelds; this was one of those cases where HP saw the light bulb before the customers did. The 75x is not pricey, as you discovered, but not easy to find, and undoubtedly significant. __________________________________________ Kip Crosby engine(a)chac.org http://www.chac.org/index.html Computer History Association of California

28 years, 5 months

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