test-drb

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

101090 discussions

by dwightk.elvey＠amd.com

Hi Joe You might let these folks know about these. They have a need for one of these: http://www.qsl.net/bb62/wishlist.html Later Dwight >From: Joe <rigdonj(a)cfl.rr.com> > > Does anyone have any info on this computer? I've found one at a scrap place and they're supposed to be getting a several more of them in. I pulled some of the cards from this one and they're marked Sperry-Rand. I checked the date codes on some of the ICs and they were all dated 1977. I pulled eight large core memory boards out of this one. Any body know what the memory capacity is on these? > > Joe > > >

23 years, 5 months

SCCS Interface vs. Interface age

by ekklein＠pacbell.net

I was just going through some of my old magazines (and filing some new acquisitions) in preparation for VCF5 and I noticed that I've got issues of SCCS Interface and Interface Age that overlap. I know that Interface Age broke from the Southern California Computer Society to publish "independently" but I had thought that they simply continued the volume/issue numbering from SCCS Interface. From the issues I've got that doesn't seem to be the case. Does anyone know the story of this split? Were the two magazines published in parallel for long? Thanks, Erik S. Klein www.vintage-computer.com <http://www.vintage-computer.com/> (In need of an update!)

23 years, 5 months

Les Solomon passed away this weekend

by geoff＠pkworks.com

>I noticed on the page he also wrote under the psuedonym of Lester Del Rey. >For some reason that tweaks my old sci-fi memory, but can't identify it. >As well as his impressive contribution to electronics did he also write sci-fi ? Not the same fellow. The science fiction author and editor and SFFWA Grand Master Lester Del Rey died in 1993: http://www.rosettabooks.com/pages/author_35.html

23 years, 5 months

SCCS Interface vs. Interface age

by ekklein＠pacbell.net

23 years, 5 months

IBM 5100

by sorcipit＠csportneuf.qc.ca

Skipped content of type multipart/alternative

23 years, 5 months

A Momentous Decision

by SecretaryBird＠SoftHome.net

After much pondering and debate, I have finally decided on a name for my Cromemco System Two. Once she is operational, she shall be christened as Mintaka. Okay, so that isn't really an earthshaking event or anything like that, but system naming is one of those little geeky activities that I get some strange enjoyment out of. Ironically, the first name that came to mind was Altair; then I instantly remembered that that name was already used as a brand name for an old S-100 girl, so I decided on Mintaka, to keep with the stellar theme. So, uhm, anyway...I guess there wasn't much point ot this post afterall. :p Later! -- Scarletdown

23 years, 5 months

cp/m favorite?

by gil＠vauxelectronics.com

Hi folks: I am curious what your favorite cp/m system might be. I am getting an itch for some late-70/early-80/pre-msdos kind of box. Of the transportables, I recall working with a kaypro years ago that seemed decent, but I've also been thinking about an osborne. I'm not sure whether there is anything in an s-100 design that I should look at. I'd like to get something that is reasonably priced, yet still collectible. With enough decent apps around, and a modest user base (nothing too obscure, that is). Any thoughts appreciated -- thanks, gil smith ;----------------------------------------------------------- ; vaux electronics, inc. 480-354-5556 ; http://www.vauxelectronics.com (fax: 480-354-5558) ;-----------------------------------------------------------

23 years, 5 months

Index hole on 5.25" disks

by dwightk.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Fred Cisin (XenoSoft)" <cisin(a)xenosoft.com> > >> >Another minor gotcha: machines that used WDC179x disk controller chips >> >were capable of starting their first sector sooner after the index pulse >> >than those using NEC 765 series. Reading those with a 765 required >> >disabling ther index pulse. > >On Mon, 21 Oct 2002, Dwight K. Elvey wrote: >> Hi >> I always wondered why some PC's didn't care if the drive had a >> index hole or not to read the disk. It would care for formatting >> but not for read/write. >> Dwight > >Well, it's only part of the answer. > >Apple and Commodore (and Atari?) didn't use the index hole at all, so they >really don't care. They also didn't CARE when a track started. Since they >were single sided, an additional write-enable notch was all that was >needed to make them into "flippies". > > >PC, TRS-80, and most systems that used an FDC chip needed the index hole >to declare when to start a track when formatting. [slightly >over-simplified] >To make "flippies" for them required ALSO punching a hole in the jacket >for access to the index hole. ><ADVERTISEMENT> >The RARE/VALUABLE Berkeley Microcomputer Flip-Jig (available once more at >VCF!) was the best way to mark the position for punching that hole. ></ADVERTISEMENT> > > >Once the disk was formatted, most systems no longer needed the index hole. >EXCEPT,... >The NEC 765 chips did a RESET [over-simplified again] whenever they saw >the index pulse, and couldn't read or write for a short period of time >after that. But surely nobody would write sectors so close to the index >that they would fall into that reset period - yep. Some did. >and, >Some drives, such as the Teac 55 series used the index pulse to tell when >the drive was up to speed. No index pulse = no ready. > >When using a 765 to read disks that had a substandard index gap, with many >drives (Tandon TM100, etc.), you could cover the index hole on the >disk. A write protect tab would work, IF you could get the user to put it >on solidly, and not let it fall off in the drive. No index = no RESET, >and data could be read immediately after index, or even straddling it. > >With the Teac drives, that wouldn't work, but you could interrupt that >signal on the cable. Mike Gingel (TRS-cross) sold a floppy cable with a >SPST switch in it. I used a 34PST inline switch. >That way, the drive could see the index (READY), without the FDC seeing it >(no RESET). > >With the index signal interrupted, if a read was successful, fine. But if >anything went wrong, the BIOS would return the wrong error code. 128 (not >ready), instead of 4 (sector not found) > > > Hi Fred You should write a book on "The Realities of the Floppy Disk". I am always enlightened by the interesting tidbit you come up with. I've only fiddle with them enough to know that all isn't what it might seem. It seems that all the rules were broken at one time or the other. Take Care, See you at VCF Dwight

23 years, 5 months

cp/m favorite?

by dwightk.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "gil smith" <gil(a)vauxelectronics.com> > >Hi folks: > >I am curious what your favorite cp/m system might be. I am getting an itch >for some late-70/early-80/pre-msdos kind of box. Of the transportables, I >recall working with a kaypro years ago that seemed decent, but I've also >been thinking about an osborne. I'm not sure whether there is anything in >an s-100 design that I should look at. > >I'd like to get something that is reasonably priced, yet still collectible. > With enough decent apps around, and a modest user base (nothing too >obscure, that is). > >Any thoughts appreciated -- thanks, > >gil smith > Hi I of course like my Olivetti M20 running CP/M-8000 but for CP/M-80, I like the simplicity of my IMSAI. I have a couple of Kaypro's but they tend to sit unused most of the time. For anyone else that has a Z8000 processor in a machine without an OS, I can now assemble ( or compile C ) a BIOS and link it with a working BDOS/CCP. This is quite a step >from where I was a few weeks ago. I haven't fiddle with the Kaypro's enough to get to liking them. I don't even know where the serial ports are in it. I move a lot of data around through serial. It seems to be the easiest way to move things when the disk systems them selves are not compatible. Kaypro II's often go for less than $50 on eBay. They just don't seem to command the same kind of price that others do. I don't know why. They really are nice machines. I guess they just don't have the same appeal as those with front panel lights. Dwight

23 years, 5 months

Another LA request

by jwest＠imail.kwcorp.com

I'm looking for a floppy drive for my 1631D LA... I thought I had one already but just realized I never got it. Soooo Anyone have a spare 9122S or 9122D available? Someday I hope to find a HP-IB interface for a PeeCee cheap, but from what I've seen those are still commanding (relatively) high dollars. Jay West --- [This E-mail scanned for viruses by Declude Virus]

23 years, 5 months

8272 FDC commands, release of dmklib (was Re: Reading old disks on Linux)

by dwightk.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Fred Cisin (XenoSoft)" <cisin(a)xenosoft.com> > > >Another minor gotcha: machines that used WDC179x disk controller chips >were capable of starting their first sector sooner after the index pulse >than those using NEC 765 series. Reading those with a 765 required >disabling ther index pulse. Hi I always wondered why some PC's didn't care if the drive had a index hole or not to read the disk. It would care for formatting but not for read/write. Dwight

23 years, 5 months

cp/m favorite?

by healyzh＠aracnet.com

> I am curious what your favorite cp/m system might be. I am getting an itch > for some late-70/early-80/pre-msdos kind of box. Of the transportables, I > recall working with a kaypro years ago that seemed decent, but I've also > been thinking about an osborne. I'm not sure whether there is anything in > an s-100 design that I should look at. My favorite would be the Kaypro 2, as it's the one CP/M system that I definitly remember seeing while I was in High School. I got lucky a few years ago, and bought a really nice Kaypro 2 in a carrying case from Paxton. My second most favorite would be the IMSAI-8080 due to it's killer front panel. However, I don't have my IMSAI anywhere near able to run CP/M (I don't even have disks for it). Zane

23 years, 5 months

Another LA request

by dwightk.elvey＠amd.com

>From: Tothwolf <tothwolf(a)concentric.net> >On Sun, 20 Oct 2002, Keven Miller wrote: >> Jay West wrote: >> >> > Anyone have a spare 9122S or 9122D available? Someday I hope to find a >> > HP-IB interface for a PeeCee cheap, but from what I've seen those are >> > still commanding (relatively) high dollars. >> >> A couple years ago I picked up an ISA-HPIB card from eBay for $101.00. >> It came with the manual and software "HP-IB Command Library for MS-DOS." > >Gosh, do these cards always command such a high price? I think I still >have one of those cards around here somewhere that I don't ever see myself >putting to use. If I can find it, I may go ahead and make it available as >a trade. What exactly are these things good for anyhow? I also have a >couple of HP systems, but I've never done much with them, since I didn't >have software for them when they were still working. > >-Toth > > Hi I don't know if I should say anything but there is a pile of 488 cards at HSC that come with manuals and software, new in the box. I paid $35 for it. I haven't looked to see if it is a ISA or what but it is for either PC's or AT's, I just wasn't paying attention. I need to get some cables before I can connect to my meter or power supplies. Dwight

23 years, 5 months

ASR33 linefeed solved! So here is the next ASR problem.......

by ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk

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23 years, 5 months

ASR33 linefeed solved! So here is the next ASR problem.......

by ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk

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23 years, 5 months

help! rate classic basic games

by ajw＠best.com

Howdy! I while back I uploaded my collection of classic BASIC games and Win32 BASIC interpreter to download.com (over 50,000 downloads!). Unfortunately, some of the folks downloading the package were expecting a modern twitch game. So I have a mix of reviews. Generally good ones from those who were expecting classic games, and negative from those expecting Doom. Anyway, If you've got a moment, it would be great if you could try it and rate it with your honest option. The link is: http://download.com.com/3000-2115-10109180.html?tag=lst-0-1 Thanks! Anthony

23 years, 5 months

X marks the deck (was Re: [OT] paper on Retro ?)

by smj＠crash.com

> Who remembers drawing a cross or a diagonal line on the top of the card > deck, so you had some chance of re-ordering the deck if someone dropped the > box? Not quite the same order of tragedy, but many may recall drawing X's across the top end of the labels of (boxes of) 3.5" floppies full of, say, Retrospect Remote backups of Mac Pluses. And in this case you _could_ use it for sorting the inevitable shuffled deck... Sigh. You can tell I never worked with cards - I sortof wish I could dig up a reader and punch... It seems like it might be fun (so long as I can go back to my nice X11 desktop the instant I get tired of it ;^) --Steve.

23 years, 5 months

HP 2647A / F Terminal

by glenslick＠hotmail.com

Thanks for the info, but that's a bummer since I have no software media with the 2647F that I have, and it might not be too likely that I will ever find any. My guess is that the difference between the 2647A and 2647F is that the A model uses tapes while the F model uses floppies. I have two 5.25" drives for my F model and it does not have tape drives, and apparently tapes were not options on the F model. I have an HP '84 catalog which lists the 2647F (at around $9000) but not the 2647A. Does anyone have a service manual for 264x terminals? If they have full schematics and firmware info at least I could try writing 8085 code to run on my 2647F if I find a copy of one. From looking inside it looks like it has 128KB of DRAM (must be paged somehow) and 12 ROM chips of unknown size. Also it looks like the floppy controller has it's own Z80 and ROM and a WD 1791 controller. This might make a interesting project (aka timesink) trying to figure out how it works and how to do someting with it other than use it as a terminal. I have a 264x loader rom in my HP 2117F so maybe I can get it load code from a floppy on the 2647F (it appears that you can set a file on a floppy to respond to tape commands). That would be another project in itself since I don't have any documentation on the 264x loader rom nor do I know if I even have a serial interface card that it supports. -Glen >From: kevenm(a)reeltapetransfer.com (Keven Miller) >Reply-To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org >To: cctech(a)classiccmp.org >Subject: Re: HP 2647A / F Terminal >Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2002 00:46:28 -0600 > >I just happen to have a 2647A User's manual >and a 2647A Reference Manual [no terminal]. > >User manual, CH. 6, starts: >This section describes briefly how to load >the BASIC interpreter from your BASIC >Multiplot cartridge tape (part no. 02647-13301). > >Sounds like you need a tape. > >Keven Miller >kevenm(a)reeltapetransfer.com _________________________________________________________________ Get a speedy connection with MSN Broadband. Join now! http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/freeactivation.asp

23 years, 5 months

HP 2647A / F Terminal

by glenslick＠hotmail.com

The 'os' is in ROM on the 2647F and I can get to the command line to format floppies and create and copy files and such. It is just that BASIC is not in ROM so doing more interesting things other than using it as a terminal will take more work. I did find a little bit of information on the web and you can send it a sequence like this to enter and execute 8085 code: ESC & b (at this point the display says "LOADER") <address in octal> a <data in octal> d ... and so on <data in octal> d <address in octal> a E I wrote a loop to cycle reading every byte in the address space and I attached a logic analyzer to verify that the code was executing. Since I can do that I should be able to capture the ROM code and then unassemble it and then maybe figure out how to read the keyboard and write to the display and then do some more interesting things with it. Anyone on the list happen to have an HP 10304B 8085 processor probe? -Glen >From: "John Allain" <allain(a)panix.com> >Reply-To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org >To: <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> >Subject: Re: HP 2647A / F Terminal >Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 16:29:38 -0400 > >+AD4- ...since I have no software media >+ADw- with the 2647F that I have... > >Since the tape based terminals of that era did >not rely on the tape for an os (it was ROMmed), >perhaps the +ACo-F series also has control of the >drives using only ROMware. > >The way I remember it working is that a combination >of Top Key presses would result in commandlines like so: > COPY DISPLAY to PRINTER > COPY LTAPE to RTAPE > COPY DISPLAY to RTAPE >That sort of thing. >To try before you give up. > >John A. _________________________________________________________________ Choose an Internet access plan right for you -- try MSN! http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/default.asp

23 years, 5 months

Troll on imsai.net?

by jd＠sourcecode.co.za

Then why go at length to describe the W.O.P.R. lettering and the BASF disks. There is also mention to directly contact the authorities something a scammer would want to avoid at all costs. Even the handover of such a system if it's dontated to a boy would be caught out once there is no boy to receive it. Thieves are usually dumb, in South Africa we had thieves in the 80's that stole computers and tried to sell them as vcr's/type writers/all kinds of other creative names. They also might have thought the heavier the more worth.. While I'm writting I'd like to know this: Is there ANY chance that the ink from pens/markers can damage a CD over a long period of time? I'm marking my cds with a black marker that has Xylene in it. Aint these inks acidic? I dont want to recover all my paper tapes to CD only to find after 20 years that the ink markings ate away the surface.. -----Original Message----- From: Sellam Ismail [mailto:foo@siconic.com] Sent: 21 October 2002 04:02 To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org Subject: Troll on imsai.net? This is posted on the front page of imsai.net: "Mr. Fischer, Recently my home was burglarized. Surprisingly the thieves took my son's IMSAI computer. My son is 5 years old and is autistic. He refuses to use a regular computer. He is in love with his IMSAI though, switches and lights always fascinated him. This computer was his favorite possession and he asks about it all day long, even gets up at night and wakes me up asking for it. This computer means the world to him. On the side of the machine are the letters W.O.P.R. They look silk screened. Also taken with this unit was a very large disk drive and some extreme large computer disks. I think they were 12 inches across [8" floppy disk], and are marked BASF 8" Single Sided Double Density. Also stolen was a computer modem that you would set a phone on to [acoustic coupler]. Thank you in advance for any information you may have." It sounds plausible, but then I'm a cynic. I can imagine someone would make this up to try to get the sympathy of Todd Fischer thinking he might just send them an IMSAI. I mean, why would a cat burglar walk out of a house with 100 pounds of computer, unless they really knew what it was and could get $x000 for it on eBay? Wouldn't it have shown up on eBay? Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org * Old computing resources for business and academia at www.VintageTech.com *

23 years, 5 months

Naming Computers [was: A Momentous Decision]

by Robert_Feldman＠jdedwards.com

Don't you mean network them all using a Tolken Ring? -----Original Message----- From: Brian Chase [mailto:vaxzilla@jarai.org] Sent: Monday, October 21, 2002 1:20 PM To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org Subject: Re: Naming Computers [was: A Momentous Decision] On Mon, 21 Oct 2002, David A. Woyciesjes wrote: > Well, my firewall/router is Dragon, my Sun Ultra 1 with Solaris 9 > is Gandalf, my VaxStation 3100 will be Hobgoblin, the two Cabletron hubs > will be MiddleEarth and RiverStyx. I have a x86 box (Solaris 8) that will > be Halfling, and Frodo (probably) for my DEC 3000/400... > Any other suggestions on this theme? For starters, you could network them all using a token ring. ^^^^^ Bilbo, Aragorn, Legolas, Samwise, Pippin, Gimli, Galadriel, Arwen, Eowyn, Saruman, Sauron, Faramir, Theoden, etc... -brian.

23 years, 5 months

ASR33 linefeed problems...

by gil＠vauxelectronics.com

Hi Jos: I forwarded your message to some folks that may know more about your problem, and I'll let you know when I hear back. The 33 does not have the longevity of other machines like the 35, 28, 15... It was designed as a "light-duty" machine, and has "bend-this-part" kind of adjustments in places instead of eccentic screws, etc. When they hit enough hours, they seem to crap out. But yours may just need some TLC. One word of warning for any mechanical device, especially a teletype -- never use WD-40. It is shellac-based and will turn to gunk in a couple of years. (just like it does on everyones door hinges). I use 3-in-one oil for light linkages, 20W or 30W motor oil for heavier needs, and lithium grease for cams, etc. gil At 01:01 PM 10/19/02 +0100, you wrote: > > >After a whole day of finetuning my ASR linefeed pawl stops, I still cannot >get it to produce a reliable linefeed. Most of the time I get nothing ,or a >half line, sometimes it feeds at each character. > >Is there any secret to this mechanism ? The ASR manual is not a great help, >as it does not mention anything besides the pawls'and their stops. > > Jos Dreesen > > ;----------------------------------------------------------- ; vaux electronics, inc. 480-354-5556 ; http://www.vauxelectronics.com (fax: 480-354-5558) ;-----------------------------------------------------------

23 years, 5 months

ASR33 linefeed solved! So here is the next ASR problem.......

by dwightk.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "jos.mar" <jos.mar(a)bluewin.ch> > > > >The problem with my ASR33's linefeed has been traced to a disintegrated piece >of plastic on the upstop bracket of the linefeed linkage. (item no. 18708) >Without this plastic piece the upstop vertical adjustment range is too small >for a reliable linefeed. A few windings of plastic tape did the trick. >My ASR now prints out a sourcecode papertape quite nicely. > >Thanks for all the tips. As to WD40 : I never use the stuff... > >The next, and hopefull last problem of my ASR : the keyboard. >It sometimes misses a bit ( B becomes A etc. ) This is more than likely >curable by adjusting or replacing the contact wires. >However the keyboard also quite often gives out 2 characters for each key >pressed. I am at a loss as to what could cause this behavior. Tips anyone ? Hi It is more likely that you just nees to clean the contact surfaces, rather than replacing the wires. They are plated and should last a lifetime. The double printing is most likely that the keyboard isn't getting reset after a key is hit. There is a bell crank that connects the printer to the keyboard that is to reset the keyboard and lock out a double key. It is most likely that the travel on this isn't enough. Check the manual, there is an adjustment someplace. Here is a trick that I used when I was in the service. Things happen so fast in a teletype ( I worked on the older Klienshmit type with the moving box ) that it is often hard to tell just what is causing problems. I has a switch on with some wire that I could use to shut the motor off, without turning off the rest of the power. The motor power is on a screw strip, someplace. I could then turn on the main power with the motor on and lock up all of the clutches. I could then turn the motor off and run things from the keyboard manually by turning the fan on the motor. One can't see everything this way because may things have an interial effect but it was a lot of help. Make sure that if a clutch is tripped that you get it fully locked again. When the motor is spinning fast this isn't a problem but manually, they won't lockup and will drag. It is hard to describe this in text but you squeeze the latch part that catches on the clutches. Some time the clutches don't latch up on a powerup. I always hit a key on each power up to make sure they are not dragging. If they are dragging, you'll burn up a clutch in just a few minutes. Manually, you should be able to stop things, while the keyboard wires are making contact. You can then check each one for voltage drop as the distributer selects each to the printer. You can find an open, quickly, this way. Dwight > >My ASR33 came with a reasonable number of original replacement parts. Should > anybody be in dire need of a part to get her/his ASR running again... > > > > > Jos Dreesen. > >

23 years, 5 months

ASR33 linefeed solved! So here is the next ASR problem.......

by jos.mar＠bluewin.ch

The problem with my ASR33's linefeed has been traced to a disintegrated piece of plastic on the upstop bracket of the linefeed linkage. (item no. 18708) Without this plastic piece the upstop vertical adjustment range is too small for a reliable linefeed. A few windings of plastic tape did the trick. My ASR now prints out a sourcecode papertape quite nicely. Thanks for all the tips. As to WD40 : I never use the stuff... The next, and hopefull last problem of my ASR : the keyboard. It sometimes misses a bit ( B becomes A etc. ) This is more than likely curable by adjusting or replacing the contact wires. However the keyboard also quite often gives out 2 characters for each key pressed. I am at a loss as to what could cause this behavior. Tips anyone ? My ASR33 came with a reasonable number of original replacement parts. Should anybody be in dire need of a part to get her/his ASR running again... Jos Dreesen.

23 years, 5 months

Toshiba 3100/20's with schematics and service manual

by curt＠curtgowan.com

I have two Toshiba 3100/20 plasma display 286 systems. Both working except that one has a dead hard drive. Excellent condition. Have the schematics and service manual, user docs, software. Anybody want them? --cg

23 years, 5 months

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