> "Most of these guys don't want to sell their stuff on eBay,"
> said Mark Bohrer, an engineer who's worked at several area tech companies.
> "They think eBay's a rip-off."
sure.. majority of stuff there wouldn't move on eBay. The stuff that will
is over there. 1/3 of the stalls are generic flea-market stuff. This
flea, like all the others, has been castrated by eBay. It's mostly just a
social event now.
> But for most who have been coming to Cupertino for years,
> it's unimaginable that the flea market could disappear.
The REAL old-timers still call it Foothill,
which is in Los Altos Hills, not Cupertino.
It has only been on the DeAnza campus for a
couple of years.
A few days ago somebody here was asking about a QIC-like drive that
didn't have optioncal BOT/EOT sensors, and wondered what tapes it used.
Yesterday I obtained a car-load of HP150-related stuff. And amongst it
was a pair of HP tape drive,s the 9144 and 9145, which use special HP
pre-formatted tapes.
Those had come to mind when I read the first posting, but I thought the
tape was an HP 'special' so not relevant to the OP's machine But while
looking at theAustralian museum (http://www.hpmuseum.net/), I found a
link to a site that impliex these tapes were standard 3M products of the
time ,the format was not custom HP, etc.
The OP might want to look at that site and follow the links for
'storage', 'magnetic tape' and 'HP9144' (or 'HP9145'). I think that will
turn up a like or twon that will be helpful
-tony
> Well, DOS 6.x had the /f switch on the FORMAT command--which told DOS
> to forget about trying to read the disk, just format it. I believe
> that DOS 7.x ignores /f. And for DOS, there are always third-party
> formatters.
>
> Cheers,
> Chuck
I think you meant the /u switch. The /f switch normally requires some other
parameters telling how to format the disk.
BTW, some interesting comments. I've always been curious why I could bulk erase
a disk and it would sometimes show up with a track 0 bad error (win98se.) Now
I'm going to have to try formatting on an earlier version of DOS.
This is somewhat off-topic as it's not a totally classic-computer event,
but there should be at least one old-ish (1970's) piece of computing
machinery there.
There is an HPCC (Handheld and Portable Computer Club) Conference in
London (Imperial College) on 13th/14th October this year. Details are on
the HPCC website (http://www.hpcc.org), there's an obvious link from the
homepage.
Attendance is free, and you don't have to be a member of HPCC. But you do
have to register befroehand, we need to know how many are coming, and
indeed who. Detials of how to do that are on the website too, don't
e-mail me, OK :-)
-tony
Am I right in thinking that code 010 on the LED display is "hung at disk
boot"? If so, is there any way of getting a bit more detail as to the actual
error at this stage?
This machine has a 5.25" ST-506/412 drive in it. I don't think it's the one
with the dreaded sticking rubber problem; at any rate I've had it spinning up
on the bench - there seems to be a healthy clunk as heads unpark, and it
doesn't spin down, suggesting that side of things is healthy.
Other question: at the point when it's doing whatever checks yield the 010
code, should the display have initialised and be displaying anything? I'm
getting nothing out of this system - but it's entirely possible that the
display init is further down the boot process, and so it's never getting that
far... (Anyone know which manual contains the pinouts for the video output and
landscape display?)
ta
Jules
William Donzelli wrote:
A double-header hamfest weekend yielded a couple of vintage digital
logic trainer items. The first is one of those little wood boxes DEC
Logic labs, but who cares about that. The more interesting thing is a
book for the CDC logic trainer. From the pictures and writeups in the
manual, this box has no logic of its own, but is made to accept a
small number (20) of logic cards from a 1604. It mentions that it can
be lightly modified to take 3000 series cards as well.
Can Billy or Chuck add any comments? I have never seen or even heard
of this box before.
--
Will
---------------------------------
The logic trainer was developed by Control Data Institute. They also did a
workbook with a series of simple experiments. It was a part of their
program to take high school graduates to computer technicians in 12 months.
Lots of government funding for the 12 month program, so the classes were
usually full. I believe there a couple of list members who took that class.
The 1604 and 3000 cards both use +/- 20 volts, though on different pins.
1604 has power on pins 13,14 15; 3000 has power on pins 6, 7 and 8. So the
mod was moving power pins. The signal levels could be mixed without level
converters, though you stressed the 3000 inputs doing it. I only know of
piece of equipment that actually mixed the logic families on the same
chassis: The Digigraphics system. The power wires are always solid red,
blue with black for ground.
I may still have some of the documentation for it, but very uncertain. It's
been a few years. However, Al has posted some of the CDI training manuals
used with it. One is at CDC/modules/60238500_3000pcbs_Dec68.pdf.
Billy
Hi, Teri.
I've taken the liberty of cc'ing a list of computer collectors on your
offer. I'm sure somebody will be interesting in the machine.
Cheers,
Doug
On Mon, 20 Aug 2007, Teri wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have a Vector CP/M-86, complete with all manuals...the User's Manuals, Vector 4, Programmer's Guide, Programmer's Manuals, Memorite Manual, Basic and ExecuPlan 2, I also have the compatable dot matrix printer, an Anadex, and the manual, as well as floppy disks. The User's Manual is copywrited 1983. Please email me either way as I will take it to computer recycling if no one wants it. Thank you.
>
> Teri Roberts
> 707-292-8180
All:
I just received an Ampro LittleBoard/186. The manual I received with it
makes note of the importance of the LittleBoard/186 PC-DOS Support Software
Diskette (#A74012), which I do not have. It seems that there are some
important programs on that disk which enhance compatibility with PC software
and DOS 2.1x and 3.x.
Does anyone have a copy of this disk that they can image for me? I will
create a resources page for the LB, too.
Thanks!
Rich
--
Rich Cini
Collector of Classic Computers
Build Master and lead engineer, Altair32 Emulator
http://www.altair32.comhttp://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp
>
>
>
Don and Steven,
sorry I missed the original on this.
At 22:29 -0500 8/19/07, Steven wrote (in reply to Don):
>Don,
>
>The manual doesn't lend itself as being easy to copy and shipping would be
>high. There is a kit WITH the manual on Ebay right now;
>
>http://cgi.ebay.com/RADIO-SHACK-130-IN-ONE-ELETRONIC-PROJECT-LAB-w-BOX-N-R_…
>
>...
>
>
> > ... was wondering if you found a manual
>for the 130 in one kit yet? I just took mine out of the closet to show my
>son and the manual is missing.
>>
>> Any help would be appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
> > Don
>
I note also that new kits that look *very* similar are available from:
http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=PL1…
It's possible you could order a manual from them (with a new
kit if no other way).
No connection, and no experience with the company(ies) involved.
--
- Mark, 210-379-4635
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Large Asteroids headed toward planets
inhabited by beings that don't have
technology adequate to stop them:
Think of it as Evolution in Fast-Forward.
A double-header hamfest weekend yielded a couple of vintage digital
logic trainer items. The first is one of those little wood boxes DEC
Logic labs, but who cares about that. The more interesting thing is a
book for the CDC logic trainer. From the pictures and writeups in the
manual, this box has no logic of its own, but is made to accept a
small number (20) of logic cards from a 1604. It mentions that it can
be lightly modified to take 3000 series cards as well.
Can Billy or Chuck add any comments? I have never seen or even heard
of this box before.
--
Will
Article about the DigiBarn,
"BOULDER CREEK, Calif.--Can you imagine a computer history museum that has
to be packed up and put away each winter and then unpacked each summer, and
which has three potbellied pigs as its mascot?
I can, because I've just visited the DigiBarn, a wonderful trip down
silicon memory lane that's nestled in a 90-year-old barn, close to a
19th-century farmhouse deep in the Santa Cruz mountains, about 90 minutes
south of San Francisco.
The DigiBarn, which is the pride and joy of NASA contractor Bruce Damer and
his partner in curation, Alan Lundell, ..."
http://news.com.com/A+trip+down+computer+memory+lane/2100-1042_3-6203311.ht…
It goes on to describe some of the old mechanical calculators (the Curta!)
and Apple stuff in the collection, the Altair, the PET, etc. One photo
looks like an RK05 pack, although the schmuck is holding it backwards.
Click the photo to see the photo gallery. The photos are very arty but not
identified worth a darn.
-T
-----
861. When I get a little money, I buy books. When I get a little more, I buy
food. --Erasmus
--... ...-- -.. . -. ----. --.- --.- -...
tpeters at nospam.mixcom.com (remove "nospam") N9QQB (amateur radio)
"HEY YOU" (loud shouting) WEB: http://www.mixweb.com/tpeters
43? 7' 17.2" N by 88? 6' 28.9" W, Elevation 815', Grid Square EN53wc
WAN/LAN/Telcom Analyst, Tech Writer, MCP, CCNA, Registered Linux User 385531
Ian Primus wrote:
>> The Indy looks fine but the O2 only comes
>> up now and then.
>
> Ah hah - I found the "proper" instructions for
> cleaning those connectors.
O2 != Octane, O2 doesn't use the compression connectors (or XIO), but
the more common pin and card-edge types.
RE: IRIX:
Indigo R3000 will use anything from IRIX 4 up through IRIX 5.3, but SGI
dropped the 32-bit R3k and R2k at that time. The O2 will require IRIX
6.3 or 6.5 (6.5 is much easier to find software for, but there are
rumors that 6.3 handles some video stuff better). The Indy will run
IRIX 6.2 or 6.5 (it will also run 5.3, but there's a chance you can get
into the Hardware Specific Version Hell there, with specific versions
of IRIX that will run on only one or two machine/processor/graphics
combinations. 4.0.5 also has HWSH bits).
NB- NB - NB READ THIS:::
The Indigo (1), the purple cube, Hollywood, whatever you want to call
it) DOES NOT USE PS/2 KEYBOARDS like the other machines you list. It
has a mini-DIN 6, but uses the same keyboard as the Onyx and PI 4D/3x
series (electrically similar to the keyboard used in the PI 4D/2x,
Professional IRIS, POWER series, and Crimson but with a different
connector.) A PS/2 keyboard will damage the Indigo, keyboard or both.
The mouse daisy-chains onto the keyboard. There are instructions for a
PS/2 KBM to Old SGI machine converter, look up megarat and technolust
on Google to find a linking page.
I'm hoping that this is on-topic for the list...
Enigma Simulator - 1.1
simulator of the Enigma cipher machine with Steckerbrett
Enigma Simulator is a program that simulates the use of Enigma ciphering
machines that were commonly used by Nazi Germany during World War II. It
enciphers text exactly the same as would a real Enigma machine. Now
Enigma Simulator also includes the much anticipated Steckerbrett
(plugboard).
What's new in this version:
-Steckerbrett (plugboard)
-Universal Binary
-Minor Visual Enhancements
-'Reset' option added under 'Edit' menu (or use Command-R)
-File Size Decrease (0.25MB off download and 1.2MB off Application file)
-Minor spelling corrections
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/32862
This software is for the Mac only. I suppose there must be a PC version
out there as well...
Enjoy!
Al
Phila, PA
Well, Sridhar and I spent yesterday doing some
tinkering - I brought over my MicroVax II and we
attempted to load VMS onto it. Easier said than done.
By shuffleing parts around (and some considerable work
getting ribbon cables through the bulkhead of a BA23),
I was able to get a Microvax II configured with:
Ethernet, ESDI w/ 70mb hard disk, and a TK50.
I brought this Vax to Sridhar's house. The general
consensus both here and on the netbsd list seems to be
that the only way to boot/install a Vax is through
MOP, over Ethernet. Well, now that I found Ethernet,
it should have been simple. Sridhar has a Dec
InfoServer 1000. This is a really cool little device
the size of a CDROM player that can connect to a SCSI
CD drive, and Ethernet, and be bootable by networked
Vaxen.
So, we cabled everything up, and immediately hit a
snag. The InfoServer won't see the CDROM. In fact, it
won't even boot right if there's a CD drive connected.
We tried other CD drives, other cables, played with
termination, everything. I discovered that the machine
wouldn't boot if you just had a terminated cable
plugged into it. The connectors are clearly labeled
and keyed - no chance of mixing that up. A last ditch
effort was to take a non-keyed cable, and purposely
insert it backwards on one end. And it worked. So, if
anyone is trying to connect a drive to an InfoServer
1000 using the 50 pin SCSI header on the InfoServer's
board - that connector is BACKWARD! You must use a
non-keyed cable and plug it in BACKWARD in order to
make it work.
After getting that going, and getting all the commands
correct to boot the Vax off the InfoServer - all
seemed well. Do the base restore set from the
InfoServer, boot from the hard disk, follow the
prompts and install the rest of the distribution. This
is a 70mb ESDI disk, so after the base load, I had
about 65000 blocks free. According to the installer,
the Library, Help and DecNet phase IV will fit, just
barely, with 300 blocks to spare. It won't. The
installer runs out of space and crashes horribly.
Reboot, reinstall base, back into installer, select
only Library and DecNet IV. This leaves nearly 11000
free blocks according to the installer. This does not
fit either, running out of disk during installation.
At this point, it was 3:30 AM. We decided to call it a
day (night?). Maybe I'll try NetBSD again. There has
to be a way to get an OS onto a Vax in 70 megabytes.
-Ian
> Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 06:14:49 -0700> > There were also a> > few undocumented > > switches in the older versions of FORMAT, such as> > the one for "don't > > ask for a console go-ahead, just format the darned> > floppy." (Used by > > the BACKUP utility)--was it /h?> > /autotest will format without asking or waiting. But> always add the /u with it as well, otherwise it'll try> to determine the existing format.> Hi Ian
I've never tried /autotest but I have used the /u
with the /f:320 command. It still won't reformat
a disk that was formatted as a 360K to a 320K,
unless track zero is not there.
Dwight
_________________________________________________________________
See what you?re getting into?before you go there
http://newlivehotmail.com/?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM_viral_preview_0507
> Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 20:45:52 -0700 > > > Well, DOS 6.x had the /f switch on the FORMAT command--which told DOS > > to forget about trying to read the disk, just format it. I believe > > that DOS 7.x ignores /f. And for DOS, there are always third-party > > formatters.> > > > Cheers,> > Chuck> > I think you meant the /u switch. The /f switch normally requires some other> parameters telling how to format the disk.> > BTW, some interesting comments. I've always been curious why I could bulk erase> a disk and it would sometimes show up with a track 0 bad error (win98se.) Now> I'm going to have to try formatting on an earlier version of DOS.
I've had problems with the /f switch as well. For work with my Olivetti
M20, I need a couple disk formatted as 320K disk. I've found that none
of my formatting tools will reformat a 360K disk as a 320K disk. That
is, unless I destroy the 360K format some how. Luckily, I've found that
formatting on the M20 ( that puts FM on the first track ), is enough
that the format tools think it has random data and will reformat to
320K if I ask for /f:320.
I have used a magnet as well but I prefer to not use that method.
Dwight
_________________________________________________________________
Messenger Caf? ? open for fun 24/7. Hot games, cool activities served daily. Visit now.
http://cafemessenger.com?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_AugWLtagline
On 8/16/07, Mark Tapley <mtapley at swri.edu> wrote:
> ...lots of good stuff...
> >Any advice is appreciated!
>
> Heh. Sure hope you meant that literally; apologies if not.
Indeed! And thanks to everyone for piping in on this. It's great to
hear from so many on the subject. So far, I've distilled this:
- The consensus does seem to be "no tapes or disks," which won't be a
big problem for me as they don't take up much space and can be kept at
home. I do have some boxed original software (CBM, Apple, etc) I'd
like to store because of its bulk. I suppose I can extract the disks
in most cases and take my chances with the shrink-wrapped stuff.
- Paper will be a problem, as I had hoped to move a magazine
collection there at least through the winter. It was suggested that
allowing it to "breathe" is better than keeping it (and an amount of
moisture) trapped inside plastic would be the better choice. Perhaps
leaving them boxed but without plastic, plus a desiccant of some kind
(a bag of silica gel in each box?) might do the job.
- Concrete floors = dust and moisture. The storage facility itself is
basically a garage - 10x15ft, about 9-10ft high with a large sliding
door. The floor is heavily painted concrete (apparently thanks to the
previous tenant as no others were like this.) I'm thinking a false
floor constructed of bricks and plywood plus a plastic tarp might help
keep the bottom items dry.
- Things are going to rust. See moisture problems above. I guess it
isn't unreasonable to wrap a uVax II in plastic with a bag of silica
inside.
- I'm going to abuse the newfound space and just get more crap until I
can't move around my house. Quite likely. That will be a matter of
willpower on my part. Thanks to Mark Tapley for a great rundown of
his method of self-control. :) Despite the storage, I'm still going
to have a packed basement, garage, closets and office. But the stuff
has started to occupy permanent positions in the kitchen, dining room,
living room, etc. No comps, classic or otherwise, in the bathrooms as
of yet. I'm hoping I can develop a "one (or two) projects at a time"
mentality this way, keeping a lot of excess gear down the road a bit
might help me focus and see things through to completion. Yeah, I
know, good luck on that too :)
This has also made me rethink my plans for moving to a new house
(perhaps in a year or so.) Part of my criteria was enough outdoor
space that I could build a large garage or barn to hold all my gear,
but even if I managed that it would be unheated/cooled, much like a
storage facility, and thus only fit for certain storage. Perhaps I
should just settle for a large (dry) basement.
OK, this is becoming too much like a 12-step support group. Back to
our regularly scheduled collecting...
--
jht
I have some of the following parts, maybe you guys can help me ID this stuff?
-- Several tubes of what appear to be resistor packs, branded "Beckman" and
bearing the part number 1899-258-0, not found under Beckman anywhere
--3 tubes of white ceramic-cased w/gold chips marked 1449-1112, I *think*
this is some kind of DRAM?
Also probably _not_ Burroughs, a tube of 18-20 parts with the number 8041016A
on each of them and what I *think* is a Tandy logo (T on the top, C on the
bottom, sort of an hourglass shape?).
Can you guys help me figure out what these are?
--
Member of the toughest, meanest, deadliest, most unrelenting -- and
ablest -- form of life in this section of space, ?a critter that can
be killed but can't be tamed. ?--Robert A. Heinlein, "The Puppet Masters"
-
Information is more dangerous than cannon to a society ruled by lies. --James
M Dakin
I'm looking for a CBM 8032 keyboard, or possibly just a key/keycap.
I've got an 8032 with a damaged numeric keypad that I'd like to bring
back into full working order. A replacement keyboard would be a good
place to start, so I thought I'd ask here.
I'm in the US, 84106, so shipping from the EU is probably more
trouble/cost than its worth.
Thanks!
--
"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/>
Fellow techies,
Attached is a message that popped in from the Telephone Collectors mailing list. It appears that someone has a complete C64 and floppy drive available, both free, if anyone wants.
Contact the original poster (steve at telephonepioneer.net), not me.
Thanks.
*********** BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE ***********
On 19-Aug-07 at 17:17 Steve Cichorsky <steve at telephonepioneer.net> wrote:
>On the odd chance someone is nostalgic for the ?good ?ol days,? I?m
>offering ?free to a good home,? Commodore 64 computer and associated
>VIC-1541 floppy disk-drive. Both have their respective manuals included.
>In addition, I?m including a Supra Corporation serial interface.
>Otherwise it?s going to be chucked in dump-trailer along with other
>?treasures? that are victims of my ongoing cleanup.
>
>I used this set-up in my previous life as the Chief Engineer of a group of
>Broadcast stations, along with a Hallikainen And Friends
> (
>http://sujan.hallikainen.org/BroadcastHistory/index.php/HallikainenAndFrien… ) Tel171 software to interface a Moseley TRC-15A analog transmitter control system to automatically log broadcast transmitter parameters and make appropriate adjustments to keep it within FCC tolerances.
>
>By the way, Harold Hallikainen was our local broadcast engineering guru
>and manufacturer who was always available to impose on for help
>troubleshooting a down transmitter at 3AM.
>Even major manufacturers and organizations such as the National
>Association of Broadcasters, Gates/Harris, Continental, Elcom-Bauer,
>Moseley, etc. would consult with him regarding updating features, etc.
>---Aim a cannon at the Transmitter---
>As with the phone industry, broadcasting has undergone major changes that
>are generally not positive. In an article that Harold wrote for Radio
>World (http://www.hallikainen.org/rw/insite/insite96.html) in 1998, he
>quoted an FCC inspector commenting on the fail-safe transmitter shut down
>methods at attended locations;
>>>> An FCC staff member advised stations to have some alternate means of
>shutting down the transmitter should the PSTN circuit fail. He suggested
>use of an STL carrier sense relay, program silence sense, a dedicated part
>74 radio link, or the use of a well aimed cannon.<<<
>Thanks-
>Steve Cichorsky
>
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>Group web page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/singingwires
>The TCI web site is at http://www.telephonecollectors.org
>TCI Picture Place: http://www.telephonecollectors.org/pictures/
> (Picture posting password: tciphotos )
> No password is required to see the pictures.
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
><*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/singingwires/
>
><*> Your email settings:
> Individual Email | Traditional
>
><*> To change settings online go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/singingwires/join
> (Yahoo! ID required)
>
><*> To change settings via email:
> mailto:singingwires-digest at yahoogroups.com
> mailto:singingwires-fullfeatured at yahoogroups.com
>
><*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> singingwires-unsubscribe at yahoogroups.com
>
><*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
*********** END FORWARDED MESSAGE ***********
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bruce Lane, Owner & Head Hardware Heavy,
Blue Feather Technologies -- http://www.bluefeathertech.com
kyrrin (at) bluefeathertech do/t c=o=m
"If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped with surreal ports?"
> From: javickers at solutionengineers.com> > Hi guys...> > I have a truly huge number of old 3.5" HD floppy disks which no longer work.> Attempting to format them in DOS returns the largely unhelpful "Invalid> media or Track 0 bad - disk unusable" error message.> > I'm guessing it's because these disks are old (pushing on for 20 years in> some cases, and I'm fairly sure they're *all* over 10 years), and they've
Hi
I've seen case where if the disk has had an error on track
0, you can not even reformat using the format tool. The tool
is too smart.
In some case, I've taken a small maget and dragged it along
the surface of the disk to remove all of the original format.
It needs to make contact with the surface so you need a
method of rotating the disk inside the case.
Avoid scratching or denting the surface or it will be useless.
The other possible problem is that there is something on your
drives head that is scratching the magnetic material off.
If you've not cleaned the heads in some time, don't blame the
disk.
There are some disk that others have reported to have failed
but I've personally never seen one to fail without cause. The
most common on 3.5's is contamination of dirt from carrying
around in pockets. Next is dirty heads. I've even seen oily
fingers from small children.
If the surface is being removed, the heads will surely need
cleaning.
Dwight
_________________________________________________________________
Learn. Laugh. Share. Reallivemoms is right place!
http://www.reallivemoms.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM&loc=us
I found your post in the Internet and was wondering if you found a manual for the 130 in one kit yet? I just took mine out of the closet to show my son and the manual is missing.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Don
---------------------------------
Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us.
> Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 08:50:57 -0600> > Ade Vickers wrote:> > Hi guys...> > > > I have a truly huge number of old 3.5" HD floppy disks which no longer work.> > Attempting to format them in DOS returns the largely unhelpful "Invalid> > media or Track 0 bad - disk unusable" error message.> Same here. Pretty much all of the 3.5" don't work reliably anymore.> But 9-tracks from the 70's are fine, 8" and 5.25" floppies are fine.> Just plain weird.
Hi
Much of the probems I've see are also drive related.
For some reason the possitioning of the tracks seems
to fail often. Soem have had luck with adjusting the
track zero sensor but what I've seem is related to the
small plastic ball bearing used in the slides. For some
reason these tend to get flat spots and don't roll well.
Once this happens, all kinds of problems happen.
Dwight
_________________________________________________________________
Find a local pizza place, movie theater, and more?.then map the best route!
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&ss=yp.bars~yp.pizza~yp.movie%20theate…
>
>Subject: Re: Broken floppy disks
> From: "e.stiebler" <emu at e-bbes.com>
> Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 08:50:57 -0600
> To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
>
>Ade Vickers wrote:
>> Hi guys...
>>
>> I have a truly huge number of old 3.5" HD floppy disks which no longer work.
>> Attempting to format them in DOS returns the largely unhelpful "Invalid
>> media or Track 0 bad - disk unusable" error message.
>Same here. Pretty much all of the 3.5" don't work reliably anymore.
>But 9-tracks from the 70's are fine, 8" and 5.25" floppies are fine.
>Just plain weird.
Sounds like the drive is dead not media. Hwoever I've had media that
needed bulk erase before format. One check is that if the drive was dirty
(heads fouled) it will scratch good media and make it permanently bad media.
In every case like that slide the whutter open and check the media before
and after, scratches show!
Allison
>
>
>
>Subject: Re: MicroVax II/VMS - why 70mb isn't enough.
> From: "Zane H. Healy" <healyzh at aracnet.com>
> Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 09:45:16 -0700
> To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
>
>At 6:08 AM -0700 8/19/07, Mr Ian Primus wrote:
>>There has
>>to be a way to get an OS onto a Vax in 70 megabytes.
>
>You don't mention *what* version of VMS. If you go with VAX/VMS
>V5.5-2 (Hobbyist V1 CD-ROM) it is possible to fit it onto a 70MB
>disk, though you'll have to leave some stuff out as I recall. It is
>a pretty tight fit. If you could get ahold of MicroVMS V4.x it would
>definitely fit (I have no idea where to find a copy).
>
> Zane
VM5.5 will fit if you leave out DECwindows and some of the language support.
It will fit better is you can put in another (even if only 20MB) for files
as then you can move the page and swap files to there and buy some space.
Allison
