test-drb

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

101090 discussions

by evan＠snarc.net

..Sellam really outdid himself this year. VCF X rocked. I'm looking forward to seeing all the pictures, because there sure were a bazillion people taking 'em.

18 years, 6 months

BASF ST412 drive error codes...

by julesrichardsonuk＠yahoo.co.uk

I've got a BASF 6185 ST412-interface drive which is spinning up, zeroing the heads, and then giving three short pulses on the LED followed by one long one. Anyone have a reference handy to tell me what that particular error code means? I suspect it's the same on various BASF ST412 drives, so a manual from one of their other models might give the answer too. I'm kicking myself as I found these once a few years ago online and now they seem to have vanished. I had the drive working - briefly - this morning, although it was throwing up too many data errors to actually boot the OS [1] that was on it. Now it's just giving the LED fault code above and not returning anything though, so I suspect something terminal has happened. (And the exact meaning of the fault is probably academic) [1] It's the only copy of Torch UNIX for BBC micros (using a Torch 68000 co-processor) that I'm aware of, and a viable set of install media doesn't seem to exist, unfortunately. cheers Jules

18 years, 6 months

CD player repair

by evan＠snarc.net

Actually you sang, "God save Hewlett-Packard," but were too drunk to know the difference.

18 years, 6 months

CD player repair

by evan＠snarc.net

But, Jay, rumor has it that your reply was only crafted after getting sloshed tonight at an Irish bar post-VCF.

18 years, 6 months

raised flooring?

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

Hey folks. Does anyone know of any used raised flooring available, either free or really cheap, preferably in the southeastern US? I'm only looking for about 800 sq. ft. or so. -Dave -- Dave McGuire Port Charlotte, FL Farewell Ophelia, 9/22/1991 - 7/25/2007

18 years, 6 months

IBM 5251 keyboard

by lynchaj＠yahoo.com

> Anyone? Please speak up now if you are interested. Real 5251s and their keyboards are just annoying uncommon enough that a number of IBM collectors on this list will probably kill you for every modification you make. Use another keyboard, please. -- Will -----REPLY----- Well, I suspected as much when I did some quick google searches and only found them in either computer museums or at parts resellers charging some fairly steep prices. I had a hunch this part deserved a better fate than what I had in store for it. I can do without the death threats though, I did at least *ask* before gutting it. :-) I have nothing against IBM mainframes or their collectors and I can sympathize with their plight as to finding those rare parts. However, I still need a rather mundane parallel ASCII keyboard and am going to either build or buy one. If any of the IBM collectors out there want this keyboard, I will gladly trade it for a like valued item. No, that does not mean those ridiculus prices the IBM parts resellers are asking, just something I need or want like a parallel ASCII keyboard, a 100tpi 5.25" floppy disk drive, or some other S-100 related doodad. Me keeping this keyboard in my basement is not much better than throwing it away. I have zero interest in IBM system 34's or 5251 terminals or whatever these things are really used for. Someone please make a reasonable offer. Thank you. Andrew Lynch

18 years, 6 months

modern serial terminal (thin clients)

by aek＠bitsavers.org

>>I can get one of those for $0-10. It's called a DSL modem and even >>comes with wireless networking in addition to USB, serial, and >>10/100BaseT interfaces. > >But no VGA interface for the monitor. : ( Watch for NS Geode thin clients (like Neoware EON). I picked up five of them yesterday for $10 ea mostly to use as firewalls. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320157041439 for example.

18 years, 6 months

IBM 5251 keyboard

by lynchaj＠yahoo.com

Hi, I recently purchased an old keyboard looking to reuse the parts for another project. I did a little research into exactly what I bought since no one seemed to know. It turns out it is a keyboard for an old IBM 5251 terminal from approximately 1977. Here are some photos: http://www.eldocountry.com/Computer/5251.jpg http://content.techrepublic.com.com/2346-10878_11-3370-4.html Now, I don't really care too much about IBM mainframe terminals or whatever this thing is but as I *do* care about vintage computers. I know how hard it can be to get parts sometimes so before I tear this keyboard up and recycle it into something else, is anyone looking for one of these keyboards? Are they common? Are they rare? It is IBM part 7361073. All I want it for is the case, the mechanical switch keyboard, and the cabling. I was planning on tossing the small controller inside into the trash but I thought I would ask the CCTALK list to see if anyone cares before I rip this keyboard up for my latest project. Anyone? Please speak up now if you are interested. Thanks! Andrew Lynch

18 years, 6 months

Datanumerics DL-8A

by andrew＠taswegian.com

Some images of my Datanumerics DL-8A front-panel machine from the mid/late '70s are available at http://www.taswegian.com/datanumerics.zip Cheers A

18 years, 6 months

modern serial terminal

by dm561＠torfree.net

Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2007 17:40:25 -0500 From: Dave McGuire <mcguire at neurotica.com> Subject: Re: modern serial terminal On Nov 4, 2007, at 4:59 PM, Tony Duell wrote: >>> I don't understand why someone would want to spend 10x more >>> tima and money on a one-purpose device, when they can get >>> everything they want and more off a cheap PC. > >> Probably for the saem reason that some of us run classic computers in >> preference to PCs... > For me, the reason is simple. Terminal emulators are too damn >much trouble...emulation problems, key mapping, etc. I've used >pretty much all of them over the years, I think...the best one I've >used was SmarTerm 240, and even that is far from perfect. Sometimes >what one really needs is an APPLIANCE...not an emulation of said >appliance built upon an unstable and problematic platform. ---- Well, since this thread is (was) about building your own terminal box, that's not really relevant; if the emulation isn't true that'd be your responsibility. If you're going to program that box correctly you could program the emulator just as well, probably much more easily, and then you could share it with the rest of us who wouldn't have your custom box but do have a "computer." I've certainly written emulators, and it looks like I'm about to write another, for an obscure terminal. What's the difference between programming an EEPROM for your box and a Flash card or USB stick for a box that says IBM or Dell on it? In case you hadn't noticed, computers have been APPLIANCEs for a few years now; to keep thinking of them as 'computers' tends to restrict your vision. To me, the laptop that connects my Cromemco to the Internet, the one that logs phone calls and voice-announces the Caller-Id and the one that monitors the furnace and sends RS-232 data to my desktop are just protocol converters; fun of building aside, none of those applications justified my building dedicated hardware - I just wanted something to do the job quickly and reliably without getting sidetracked with yet another "project." === > Further...A VT320 terminal pulls less than half an ampere at 120V, >and is available for use within about fifteen seconds of >powerup...can anyone say either of those things for a PC running >terminal emulation software? ----- Yes. But to each his (or her) own... m

18 years, 6 months

modern serial terminal

by dm561＠torfree.net

Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2007 21:59:11 +0000 (GMT) From: ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell) Subject: Re: modern serial terminal > >> Dave McGuire wrote: >> > >> > I really cannot fathom why people keep suggesting a computer when >> > the OP wanted a *terminal*. >> 4. Ease of Repair. If the hardware dies, worst case you just need >> another run to the local thrift store. With a specialized solution, >> you need to spend several hours repairing it, wait for several >> days for repair parts to be shipped to you, ... >However, if you built it yourself, you presumably know how it works, and >you managed to get all the bits once, so you have a good chance of >gettign them again. >I know which _I'd_ rather repair.. ----------- So do we all ;-) Thanks, Tony; I knew that was coming and I wouldn't have been able to sleep tonight without it. And to return the favour with some grist for _your_ mill, I'd just *replace* it! <ducks> ;-) m

18 years, 6 months

eBay - Adelaide Australis - Zenith Z-100/120/?

by chrism3667＠yahoo.com

not very expensive at the moment, and has a few problems, but at least well worth it at the current bid (sorry, forgot to copy the item #): http://cgi.ebay.com/ZENITH-data-systems-computor_ W0QQitemZ110186173215QQihZ001QQcategoryZ1247QQss PageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

18 years, 6 months

modern serial terminal

by dm561＠torfree.net

Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2007 12:55:10 -0500 From: Dave McGuire <mcguire at neurotica.com> Subject: Re: modern serial terminal On Nov 4, 2007, at 12:39 PM, woodelf wrote: >>> I really cannot fathom why people keep suggesting a computer when >>> the OP wanted a *terminal*. >> A 6809 terminal sounds easy. :) > And fun! ----------------- A moot distinction; what's the difference? If you must have a terminal box instead of just running your vintage hardware from the computer on your desk, just take an old laptop, remove the (perhaps broken) display, stick a USB or Flash disk in it to boot and run emulation S/W from, plug in your keyboard, display and RS-232 cable and how's that different in any real sense from a fancy terminal? CPU, EEPROM, RAM and I/O; sounds the same to me, and probably free... Except of course for the added features of programmability, extra memory, up/download and text capture capability, network access, RS-232<>Internet bridge capability, printer & USB ports, alternate keyboard, modem, etc. I've got a dozen terminals here gathering dust; my small 486 Compaq laptop is portable and way more convenient. The only terminal I have kept on my desk is a Cromemco C-5 to run one particular HD diagnostic program because AFAIK there isn't an emulator for Cromemco 3101-style terminals, but a couple of us are working on it so I hope to be able to retire that one as well soon. I have to admit that using an XT doesn't make much sense to me either though; why would anyone... (oh, oh, starting to sound like Tony...) If you insist, I have a couple of 6502-based Linger 65/9028VT terminal boards (abt 6"x4", Heath/Televideo/Hazeltine/ANSI etc.) and also a bunch of 8631/8563-based Crestline CT-128 colour terminals in enclosures (abt 8"x5"x2", Intecolor, VGA/composite); the only catch is that there's no source available for the EPROMs AFAIK (although there _might_ be). mike

18 years, 6 months

Atari SIO bus connectors found

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

Hey folks...I don't know if there are any Atari hackers around here; I may be alone...but I wanted to let any interested parties know that I've located a source for the proprietary connectors that Atari used for their "SIO" bus, which is used to connect nearly all of their peripherals in a daisy-chain configuration. http://www.connectworld.net/cgi-bin/iec/fullpic?AZndUfrS;AT13F;6 I've purchased a connector from the page referenced above, and it is indeed the right thing. -Dave -- Dave McGuire Port Charlotte, FL Farewell Ophelia, 9/22/1991 - 7/25/2007

18 years, 6 months

Info about a Mullard Core

by RodSmallwood＠mail.ediconsulting.co.uk

I used to work on similar Mullard core stores. They where part of the memory units in 4100 mainframes. The ones I knew where definatly 4K (4096). They were mounted in the centre of a card rack with read/ write boards on either. OC81 and OC71 transistors in great profusion. Some had to be gain matched. You started with a box of 500 OC81's, a pile of paper cups and a transistor tester set to measure hfe. Rod Smallwood -----Original Message----- From: cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Roger Holmes Sent: 01 November 2007 00:38 To: cctalk at classiccmp.org Subject: Re: Info about a Mullard Core Hi, > From: "Gavin Melville" <gavin.melville at acclipse.co.nz> > Subject: Info about a Mullard Core > Hi, > > I have had for many years a large core, and while I don't really want > to part with it, I also see what little pieces of core sell for on > ebay.... > > I was told when given this about 15 years ago that it was from a > Burroughs mainframe which was installed at the Cadburys head office in > New Zealand and that they had paid GBP 20,000 for it in 1960. 20,000 for the core or for the mainframe? How sure are you about it being Burroughs? Wouldn't they be using U.S. components rather than British? I know Cadburys bought an ICT 1300 series machine around 1963/4, and its now in a museum in NZ. It was a 48 bit machine, but I think it had a much smaller store of 1200 or 2000 words and would have cost around 100,000 GBP. I have read there was an option to replace all the 'barn door' core stores with a single store of 4,000 words of 48 bits, though I've never seen one, nor the logic diagrams. I have always wondered whether it used a full binary decode (using 16384 words to provide 4000 words of usable memory) of the 14 bits rather than a BCD decode. The 1300s use lots of Mullard components. Just a small piece of a jigsaw puzzle, maybe not even the right puzzle! Roger Holmes. Owner of the last working ICT 1301. > I have > been unable to find out if this was correct however. Does anyone on > the list know anything about it ? > > pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/8788341 at N05/?saved=1 > > There are 921600 cores in the array, which is made up of 48x48 cores, > 4 to a layer and 100 layers. > > _________________________________ > > Regards, > Gavin Melville > Senior Engineer > Acclipse Electronic Ltd >

18 years, 6 months

FTGH: EISA caching IDE controller

by listmailgoeshere＠gmail.com

Hi list, I have here a card bearing no ID except the stickers on the EPROMs, which say "(C) 1991 DataCare International Co.". It's EISA, and has two IDE connectors (marked "TO FIRST IDE DRIVE" and "TO SECOND IDE DRIVE", a floppy connector, and 4 30-pin SIMM sockets (all are populated). I don't know anything more than this about it. If anyone would like this, pay shipping from Yorkshire, UK for it and it's yours. Ed.

18 years, 6 months

Intergraph Clipper 2000

by roosmcd＠dds.nl

Hello, Since this has mostly been gathering dust lately, I have the following Clipper system for trade/sale/???: Intergraph 2000 system with 64MB RAM (maximum) extra 3x 16MB RAM (new) 20" monitor (with metal housing :) ) keyboard and mouse Clix installation media (floppies + cd's) and a set of documentation Last time I tried this system was working great, but it has been at least two years since I last tried it. There was a CAD package installed, IIRC microstation. All reasonable offers considered, located in The Netherlands. Shipping would be possible, but probably without the 20" monitor. greetings, Michiel

18 years, 6 months

British Computers.

by classiccmp＠memory-alpha.org.uk

Hi, >> Memotech >> >> Originally a maker of add-ons for the ZX-81, RAM packs etc. >>Great machines IMHO. > > I was given one recently. The mechancial design in beautiful.... One of the best designed home micros IMHO (mechanically). > Is the manaul for these machines on the web anywhere? Dunno about on the web, but I probably still have my copy lying around somewhere....I don't recall seeing any PAL equations in it though. TTFN - Pete.

18 years, 6 months

modern serial terminal

by tsw-cc＠johana.com

This talk about an FPGS style terminal sounds neat, but... How about a set of EPROMS that will fit into an XT, or AT motherboard that in combination with standard I/O cards (serial port, CGA video) and will emulate a standard terminal on power on. Obviously this would require input from the keyboard and proper coding of the video display memory. I suspect that very little ram memory would be needed (alternate pages or scrolling memory). Given that smallish older XT motherboards exist with other "surplus" parts, this could be an interesting exercise. For extra credit, add a network interface to make a telnet terminal. While this may not exactly fit the bill, it could possibly fall into the "classic" category, expecially if one uses an old XT motherboard and say 256k bytes of memory (8/9 256k x 1 chips, it was before SIMMs). Just a thought.... __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

18 years, 6 months

WTB: LIM/EMS/XMS 16-bit ISA memory expansion board

by cclist＠sydex.com

Make isn't important, as long as it'll hold at least a couple of MB and will work with a "plane Jane" 286. Thanks, Chuck

18 years, 6 months

3.25-inch floppies

by jvdg＠sparcpark.net

Jason T wrote: > Not sure if any computer ever used them, but I remember having an old > Akai sampler that used a bizarre "Quickdisk" format. The sampler is > long gone, but somewhere I have one or two of the disks, which will be > handy should I ever try to create a magnetic media display of some > sort. I think they measured...2.75" (?) and held...not much at all. They were used on some MSX home computers, although I have only ever read about them (and seen pictures). I don't think they were commonplace outside of Japan and Korea. They were sort of a cross between tape and disk media; data was written sequentially in a spiral pattern on the disk. ,xtG tsooJ

18 years, 6 months

RCA WO-33A Manual available

by rw54＠charter.net

Sir: Do you still have this manual available? Rusty Walker

18 years, 6 months

IMI drives (was WTB/WTT S-100 Chassis (UK/Europe only))

by dm561＠torfree.net

---------Original Message(s): ---------- From: Jim Attfield[SMTP:james at attfield.co.uk] Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 5:11 AM To: M H Stein; cctalk at classiccmp.org Subject: RE: IMI drives (was WTB/WTT S-100 Chassis (UK/Europe only)) > From: M H Stein [mailto:dm561 at torfree.net] > Sent: 01 November 2007 07:33 > To: 'cctalk at classiccmp.org' > Cc: 'james at attfield.co.uk' > Subject: IMI drives (was WTB/WTT S-100 Chassis (UK/Europe only)) > > > Re: Looking for IMI drives for a Cromemco: > > Another solution would be to find an STDC HD controller; then you could > use most ST406/512 drives, and they'd also be quite a bit faster (and it > would be a lot cheaper to ship ;-). I'm running two 150MB Maxtors and > two 20MB IMIs on the same system BTW. > > I don't believe there are any CDOS drivers for it though, so you'd have > to run any CDOS or CP/M programs in Cromix. > > As an aside, there's also an ESDI/SCSI controller; they're pretty scarce > and your card set wouldn't support one AFAIK, but there is at least one > person out there putting a 1.2GB disk into his Cromemco (you know who > you are); not sure if it's working yet though, looks like the > drive may be bad. An STDC would be nice and I agree, in some ways perhaps more desirable than the WDI-II but I haven't seen one come available for a looooong time (YMMV). I also prefer not to lose CDOS or the possibility of CP/M (although I always preferred MP/M-II even for single user use). Jim --------------Reply: Well, yes, My M does V... ;-) But you wouldn't "lose" CDOS or CP/M, just direct HD access from CDOS; I haven't seen any CP/M drivers for a WDI-II and IMI HD - have you? If Cromix couldn't run your software for some reason or you want the CP/M "look and feel" you could always still run off a couple of 1MB floppies and then use Cromix to archive your files on the HD. Anyway, just thought I'd mention it in case you happen to run across an STDC before you find an IMI HD. mike

18 years, 6 months

Signetics N82S115 ROMs

by technobug＠comcast.net

Does anyone have experience with these programmable bipolar ROMs failing after a long period of time? I have an old piece of test equipment that has 8X300 running the display reading its program from the aforementioned ROMs and the text info is missing pixels - apparently in the same place in the same letters.

18 years, 6 months

HP/CHM 21xx/1000 software agreement signed!

by aek＠bitsavers.org

I am pleased to announce that Hewlett Packard and The Computer History Museum have as of today entered into an agreement allowing CHM to preserve and redistribute all of the software (objects and sources) along with documentation for the 21xx/1000 family of computers for non-commercial use. The software has been explicitly licensed for use both on simulators and real hardware. HP has also donated a large collection of manuals and software distributions, primarily >from the late 80s and forward, which complements what CHM already had from earlier software releases. CHM will continue to be actively involved in trying to find all of the earlier software releases which weren't in the HP archives.

18 years, 6 months

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