Somewhere, I have a kit that someone made for connecting a Speak & Spell
to a computer to act as a voice synthesizer. I can't remember if it was
for the TRS-80 or S-100 bus systems.
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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I've successfully connected a 20MB Bernoulli Box to a PC using drivers
found off the web.
The configuration is an active part of my main data conversion system, so
I'd be happy to pass along the configuration to anyone who e-mails me
directly.
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
[ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage Computers ]
[ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at http://marketplace.vintage.org ]
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:00:04 -0700
From: "Scanning" <steven.alan.canning at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: Speak and Swear
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic Posts Only" <cctech at classiccmp.org>
Message-ID: <001101c90036$e0942910$0301a8c0 at hal9000>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Little known ( I think... ) Speak & Spell trivia fact; The very first
original S & Ss ( circa 1978 ?? ) with the hard molded buttons had swear
words that the programmers had sneaked into the voice code ROMs. On mine you
could access these by selecting the module ( with no ROM module plugged in )
and select level D. It would then say " Spell .... a bunch of garbage words,
and then swear words" at the end . I have a .wav and an MP3 example of this
little S & S Easter Egg... TI found out ( of course ) and recalled as many
units as they could. If you can find one now they are quite rare and very
entertaining. A special ed teacher I know used S & Ss to help her kids and
was wondering why they kept laughing uncontrollably. They had figured out
how to access the "special" words ....
Best regards, Steven
I have a 1978 (raised button) speak & spell here, and I tried what you
said. While it does glitch out randomly (the speech rom is apparently
accessing open bus instead of the module, and is saying gibberish which
occasionally points to the valid internal rom), I'm not hearing anything
that could be considered swear words. yet.
Also, afaik the US speak&spell only had two rom revisions:
CD2300/TMC0351 plus CD2301/TMC0352 in the 1978 one with the raised
buttons (32KiB of total rom, 16KiB per chip)
and CD2350 in the 1980 one with the membrane/flat keypad (16KiB total
rom, probably a cost-cutting measure, only has half as many words I think)
Which version was supposedly recalled? the earlier one?
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Lord_Nightmare (scroll down) to
see all the CDxxxx chips I know of, and which ones have had their
contents read out. (if you have any I'm missing, such as the UK
speak&spell 78, or the italian grillo parlante, or the german 'buddy',
email me off list)
--
Jonathan Gevaryahu
jgevaryahu(@t)hotmail(d0t)com
jzg22(@t)drexel(d0t)edu
With a heavy heart and ever-diminishing storage space, I'm going to part
with my HP64000 development system. This is a soup-to-nuts setup including:
- HP64000 desktop unit (all-in-one w/ keyboard and floppy drives)
- External HPIB hard disk (from an HP9000, i.e. physically small)
- CPU Pods for 68000, 68010, Z80, 8085, 8088 and 8051. I do not have the
interface boards for everything and have never used them. Some look to
be brand new.
- More interface and emulation boards (for internal card frame) than I
know what to do with. Spares for just about everything.
- Several EPROM programmer adapters (mount in main system unit).
- Tape drive mechanism (internal mount, was replaced by diskette drives)
- Two 4ft. shelves full of manuals - hardware and software
- Complete cross-assembler and cross-compiler software for every 1978-1982
CPU you have ever heard of and perhaps some you haven't. Probably 2-3
linear feet of 5-1/4" diskettes, most the original distribution media.
The last time I fired it up, the main unit worked fine. It boots from the
attached HPIB drive and was able to access the floppy drives without
error.
I won't even consider shipping it, you will need to pick it up in
Burlington, VT and must take everything with you.
Note that I haven't mentioned price. That's because there isn't any.
Terms are simple: Free to the first person who makes arrangements with me
for pickup and appears at my door.
Steve
--
Anyone know what an IBM 4702 is? I found one in the trash at my local
dump. It's a cube shaped box with a couple of 5.25" floppy drives on
the front. Would this be of interest to anyone? If so, I'll pick it up
(free) but you'll have to come by and get it at my home in Bedford, NH.
I have 3 Digital Select Info Sys 5 1/4 floppies and two working copies.
In a package can be shipped Media Mail
"Select /V2.30 Master Bin RX18"
"Select /V2.30 Install/Tch Bin RX18"
"Select /V2.30 Superspl Bin RX18"
Make Me an Offer
Bob in Wisconsin
Hi guys,
My LPFK reverse engineering attempts have drawn a blank -- does anyone
happen to have a copy of the PC drivers for this thing? IBM part numbers were
39F8224 and 39F8225, for 3.5" and 5.25" format respectively.
These discs contained diagnostic software and drivers used to connect the
LPFK to a PS/2, PC-XT or PC-AT.
Rumour has it there was also a connection pack, #4025, which consisted of
the diagnostic disc, serial cable and power supply.
There's also a document referenced in the RS/6000 Graphics Handbook -- "IBM
6094-020 LPFK Options Instructions, GA23-2403". Does anyone have a copy of
this, and is there any useful information in it?
At this point, I don't think there's anything else I can really do without
either some software that can talk to the LPFK (and maybe a disassembler...),
or some actual protocol documentation.
Thanks,
--
Phil.
classiccmp at philpem.me.uk
http://www.philpem.me.uk/
Back in the early 80's, I remember that something I wanted very badly
was a product someone was selling that you could mod a Speak and Spell
with, and use it as a voice synthesiser for a computer.
I know it was out for the TRS-80. But, I don't remember if it worked on
other platforms. It must, I would think.
Anyone else remember this?
Al
Phila, PA
More junk coming to light in the barn.
Another lot of data books from the 80's and early 90's. See
picture. $6 plus actual (Media Mail) shipping from 65775.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2cqcz7s&s=4
The Franklin Ace 1000 (Apple II clone, but you probably already
know that if you're interested :) has a "Microtek" parallel
printer card and a single floppy drive, but no disk drive card or
monitor so I can't test it. The power supply voltages are all
good, it's clean inside, and the "ON" and keyboard "LOCK" LEDs are
lit, but that's all I can tell. I did take the missing parts from
my IIe over 20 years ago and booted it up (there's a DOS disk copy
I made in the drive), but no guarantees after sitting in storage
for that length of time! Manual included. No reasonable offer
refused. (You pay shipping or can pick up in St. Louis).
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=4ruw7p&s=4http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2uducsn&s=4
Also a Seagate ST-277R drive (a whopping 65 MB), complete
ST21R/22R controller card with instructions and cables. Again,
this worked a very long time ago with a 386SX-40 system, IIRC.
Probably has Win 3.1 on it, but I don't remember. Make an offer,
it's just taking up space here and I hate to throw it out!
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2ypdn45&s=4
Please email me off-list if interested.
thanks
Charles
A belated thanks to all who responded with their ideas about whether or
not it is safe to power up these old machines. Since I just don't have
the time to do it properly and make sure the machine is preserved as
well as it could be, I'll entertain offers on it. I have a few
photographs I can forward to anyone interested. If I don't get a
reasonable offer (I'm selling for a friend) I'll just list it on the
infernal ebay. I'd rather do something with someone here. I can ship
(it's in the 2 original boxes) or pickup can be made here (Topsfield,
MA). Please contact me offlist.
Best,
John Kuenzig
(and nope, no Corvus interface or drive, sorry!)
Hi all -
I received this message from one of our customers. Nancy has original
manuals for the IBM Displaywriter (see her message below). If you are
interested please contact Nancy directly at NKParadise at aol.com. If you
do succeed in obtaining them, please let the list know its gone so she
isn't bombarded.
Best,
John Kuenzig
Bookseller
That would be wonderful, John. Please do forward the info. Thanx, Nancy
===
Nancy -
If you're ok with it, I'll forward your message to a classic computer
list I belong to, and it is likely that someone there might need them.
They would contact you directly in that case.
Best,
John
NKParadise at aol.com wrote:
>
> *I have a complete/original set of manuals (10-12 of them) for the IBM
> Displaywriter sold in the early 1980's -- before the Personal
> Computer. I also have all the program disks (Textpack IV and
> Reportpack) and some 8" floppies. Everything is in excellent
> condition. Do you have a need for any of this? ... or an idea of
> anyone who may?*
>
> *Nancy Paradise*
> *561-744-8133*
> *561-746-4848 X307*
> *NKParadise at aol.com* <mailto:NKParadise at aol.com>
Hi all -
We've been accumulating various manufacturer catalogues for components,
etc as we've bought large lots of engineering books out of houses. I've
compiled a list of about 50 various items (DEC, TI, Sams, GE, RCA,
Allied Radio, etc etc) with prices, etc. - if interested please send me
a note offlist. Most are nominal (under $20, many less). Just want to
move them to a good home and clear up some space without taking the time
to list them online.
Along those same lines, we were able to purchase some DEC manuals (about
10 boxes worth), most original DEC stuff, most of it Ultrix and VAX/VMS
stuff, which I can also send to interested parties offlist.
Best,
John Kuenzig
Bookseller
jfk at kuenzigbooks.com
Topsfield MA
You'd probably have better luck locating an 88k AViiON.
Many more were produced, with similar (VME) architecture.
Documentation is scarce, but if you get the right model,
there's some good info available.
-- Steven M Jones <classiccmp at crash.com> wrote:
Just to pile-on, a reminder that I'm interested in providing a home for
an 88k-based Powerstack. With or without manuals. ;^)
Thanks,
--Steve.
Berkeley, CA, USA
____________________________________________________________
Click here for great computer networking solutions!
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3oHgMTIypdPVr76Uh5kJh7zjG…
Hi at all,
i write to evidence my website about the computer board in object.
The evidence is ONLY for to have more contacts and to exchange info to
rebuild all possible especially around the italian version of the board.
http://elazzerini.interfree.it/index.htm
Regards
Enrico Lazzerini - Pisa (Italy)
Does anyone know of a source for a [relatively] cheap paper tape
reader suitable for reading standard DEC paper tapes? I have several
paper tapes from a PDP-11/20 that I would like to read, and of course,
share :-). Something like the OP-80 from Oliver Engineering would be
suitable.
Thanks.
--barrym
I picked up a very old Iomega Bernoulli Box (labeled on the rear as "The
Bernoulli Box," on the front as "Iomega Cartridge Disk Subsystem"),
model CDS-PC/20. The chassis basically looks like a knockoff of the
original IBM PC, even down to the red on/off switch on the rear right.
Got a few 10mb cartridges with it, but no controller.
Anyone have a PC controller for this thing they don't need? Any advice
for cleaning it out before I try to load any cartridges?
Thanks,
Josh
I've got a Dauphin DTR-1 PDA type device. It includes all original stuff
(as far as I can tell). Original boxes all in excellent shape. It even has
the original display box the other 3 boxes sit in. Even has install
floppies for windows 3.x and Dos. Must go soon, email if interested.
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:28:19 -0500
From: Jim Leonard <trixter at oldskool.org>
Subject: Re: Where to find memory ICs?
To: General at mail.mobygames.com,
"Discussion at mail.mobygames.com":On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
<cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Message-ID: <489B7703.7050009 at oldskool.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Glen Slick wrote:
>> I just want a few tubes of these to populate the board, I'm not looking
>> for a box of 'em :-) Any pointers?
>
> www.unicornelectronics.com
> 511000-100 $1.89 quanity 25-99
I want to use these to populate an Above Board from 2MB to 8MB, and that
would require 6*9*1.89 = $102.06 for just 6MB of RAM.
Does anyone know of a cheaper way to get DRAM? $100 just so I can add
6MB of RAM to a card doesn't seem right...
I came to this discussion late, so apologies if I missed the point.
However, in answer to your last question, I have found desoldering
memory chips from old SIMMs to be a workable method.
I wanted a bunch of 16M X 4 FPM DRAM and the cheapest way to get it
was off of 128 MB 72 pin SIMMs which were selling for about $10 each
when carefully shopped for on Ebay. Each SIMM holds 16 chips so the
price was well under $1 per chip. Plus there were a handful on 16M
X 1 chips on boards as well for parity.
Anyway, your target memory chips might be cheaply available on old 30
pin or 72 pin SIMMs. The biggest obstacle would be a requirement for
DIPs. Most SIMMs have SOJ chips on board, rather than DIPs.
Jeff Walther
In this discussion I kept waiting for someone to talk about the "Micro
Firmware ATA Pro Flash" Did someone mention it and I missed it?
They were http://www.firmware.com but they seem to be gone, sadly.
It's a little ISA bus card which has code on it; The code seems to run
as part of the bios bring up and it has allowed me to run newer, modern
drives in old machines, "fixing" the bios problem.
Or at least I thought it did. Maybe I'm on the wrong track.
Every time I've used one I've been happy. I've bought 3-4 of them now.
Perhaps they are not available anymore.
-brad
Hi
I have two (2x) 9-track tape units I no longer need. These are rack
mounted units, not currently in racks. One is brand new. I'm pretty
sure both have pertec interfaces and could be driven from most any
pertec interface.
I believe both will read 800 bpi & 1600 tapes. Not sure if they will go
beyond that. The are physically clean and in good shape.
Anyone want them?
If you do, these need to be picked up. They are way too heavy for
shipping.
ps: if someone take them *both* I will offer to throw in a 19" rack on
wheels. it's clean and in good shape with a dec power module on the
bottom.
-brad
Brad Parker
Heeltoe Consulting
+1-781-483-3101
http://www.heeltoe.com
Does anyone in the northeast have a working Xerox 820-II system they'd
like to part with? I have a line on one out West, but the shipping is
going to be murderous.
Steve
--
Hi,
I've just got my two LPFKs -- one of which is now sitting out on the bench.
The stuff on the codeninja page about the LPFK protocol seems to be
inaccurate; my LPFK is completely mute.
I can set the switch on the back to Loopback, which makes the light for
whatever keys I press light up, but in "live" mode nothing happens at all.
I've got a scope probe on the TX output of the MAX232 (pin 14), which connects
straight to the serial connector, but all I've got is a steady -10V (negative
ten volts) level.
The crystal is oscillating and the 8051 appears to be running code.
If I ground the RXD line (serial break?) and then release it, the LPFK resets
and does its startup dance. Still no output after this, though.
I suspect it's expecting some form of init sequence. Does anyone have an LPFK,
the PC connection kit and the relevant software to hand? A serial trace would
be tremendously useful.
Has anyone managed to get one of these things working?
I did spot a thread in the archive started by Michael Brutman --
<http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctech/2007-July/082612.html>. Nothing
after that until Paxton Hoag's LPFK bulk-order earlier this year though.
Thanks,
--
Phil.
classiccmp at philpem.me.uk
http://www.philpem.me.uk/
> Just in case anyone's interested, a new and significantly improved
> PERQemu v0.2 is available
Would you be willing to make the sources available at some point to help
document the hardware, and make it possible to put it on something other
than Windows?
Just in case anyone's interested, a new and significantly improved
PERQemu v0.2 is available at:
http://yahozna.dyndns.org/computers/perq/emulator/v0.2/
I would consider this a fairly usable release (v0.1 was very buggy).
Improvements include:
- A 25% or so speed increase (yay!)
- A more or less complete and accurate Z80 simulation, which makes many,
many more things work correctly.
- Kriz Tablet support - now you can actually USE those graphical
applications!
- RS232 support (yes, now YOU can use a VT100 emulator running inside of
a PERQ emulator to talk to your VAX!)
- (Nearly) complete Floppy and Hard Disk support. Enough works to allow
bringing up a completely fresh installation
of POS on a new hard disk, from floppy.
Next up on the list of things to do: Real RasterOp emulation, followed
by 16K CPU support. Can't wait to run Accent on this thing...
If any of you get a chance to try this out, I'd love to hear some feedback.
If anyone out there has any PERQ1/1A compatible software that hasn't
already been archived on Bitsavers (I know, it's unlikely...), please
drop me a line. Much of the software that's been archived is for the
PERQ2, which is incompatible in tiny (but annoying) ways. In
particular, versions of POS G.x or any release of Accent that can run on
the PERQ1A would be wonderful to have.
(As an aside: Al Kossow - thank you so much for Bitsavers...)
Additionally, if any of you have working PERQ1's and are willing to run
it for a few hours to dump an image of your hard disk, let me know. It
would be nice to have some other "real" hard disk images to work with.
Thanks,
Josh
Yep. price > $1,000 == investment grade
AT this point I would usually remark about how
rare machines didn't used to be about big bucks,
but that horse died long, long ago.
I'll return to my coffin now . . . .
-- Richard <legalize at xmission.com> wrote:
Got it! Actually I got it for less than I expected -- $1275. Still,
its the single most expensive item I've bought to date. However, I'd
say this is going to be one of the most important items in my
collection of graphics gear.
--
"The Direct3D Graphics Pipeline" -- DirectX 9 draft available for download
<http://www.xmission.com/~legalize/book/download/index.html>
Legalize Adulthood! <http://blogs.xmission.com/legalize/>
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