--- Paul Thompson <thompson(a)new.rr.com> wrote:
> From: Paul Thompson <thompson(a)new.rr.com>
> To: cctech(a)classiccmp.org
> Subject: [CCTECH] QBUS backplanes, potentially free for shipping
> Reply-to: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
> Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 09:18:58 -0500 (CDT)
>
>
> I will probably have some empty BA213 QBUS housings available free for
> shipping. I will know if I want to grab these if I find anyone interested
> in them and if I can find a box big enough to hold them as I have little
> use for them myself.
I'm interested. I have no Qbus boxes newer than BA23/BA123.
> Either of these units might help give your QBUS Microvax some Q22
> breathing room.
Yay!
> On a related note, I recall that there was some ability to convert the
> KDJ11 module for this DECserver into a working PDP 11/xx (83+?) with a
> PROM swap? Does anyone know more about this and its feasibility?
I traded some BA23 handles to Jon Engdahl for a DECserver CPU board
with BA213 handles. I haven't pulled its handle yet. He did the work
of putting "normal" KDJ11 boot ROMs in it (and moving a jumper or to,
ISTR). It's an 11/53, effectively, based on speed and local RAM (there's
a couple of flavors of it). I don't know much about the board other
than the obvious CPU flavor and RAM, etc. I am not a guru when it comes
to stuff that new. I'm fine with Qbus, but I really know the KDF11 stuff
best.
My goal is a 2.11BSD system, especially since I have more than one
KDA50 (and a couple of RA70s). KA630s just aren't special enough
for me to spend lots of time on; I'd rather fire up the 8200.
-ethan
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience
http://launch.yahoo.com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rod Young [mailto:rodyoung@shaw.ca]
> So, I made the correct console (shorted pins 8-9) and presto,
Sounds good.
> I have a DELNI that was going to attach to the thickwire
> port, but then
> there's that cable issue. I think it's odd for the VS2000 to
> have the posts
> on the thickwire port... cuz it just doen't fit with the
Actually, yes, it is -- I don't think that my 2000s are like
that :) You could possibly open the case up and just remove the
posts.
> cables and DELNI
> stuff I have. Must be a different cable out there for the
> VS2000 thick wire
> port. Oh well, I'll make it work!
Or your port is just strange.
Chris
Christopher Smith, Perl Developer
Amdocs - Champaign, IL
/usr/bin/perl -e '
print((~"\x95\xc4\xe3"^"Just Another Perl Hacker.")."\x08!\n");
'
There were a lot of changes to the proposed hardware after the fact that
caused the price to change. These were all due to the 1U case that we got.
Once the case was in, it turned out that the case only supported a slimline
(laptop style) cdrom, not a regular size one. Also, the heatsink/fan for the
proposed 1.2ghz cpu was too tall, so we had to use a smaller fan/heatsink
which also meant changing to a slower processor. The 256mb DRAM that was
donated was too tall, so I had to trade it in for two 128mb simms that fit.
Then the supplier ran out of the motherboard that I was quoted, so we had to
use a different one there.
Loosely translated, 1U cases are a royal pain (I also had to take a dremel
tool to the eject button on the floppy drive that someone donated to get it
to stick through the hole on the front of the case). In any event, here is a
complete accounting of who donated what, and what the exact costs were.
Donations (Hardware):
Pat 1.44mb floppy drive
James Rice 256mb DRAM
Jay West 4gb IDE hard drive
Jay West 20gb IDE hard drive
Note - Chad Fernandez was kind enough to donate a 32X cdrom, however, I had
to return it because of the 1U case issue above
Donations (Cash):
Stan Sieler $25.00
Paul Williams $30.00 (-1.47 paypal fee)
Bill Richman $50.00
David Mcguire $10.00 (-0.59 paypal fee)
Nick Oliviero $10.00 (-0.59 paypal fee)
Jon Engdahl $10.00 (-0.59 paypal fee)
Peter Turnbull $10.00 (-0.69 paypal fee)
Henk Gooijen $8.40 (-0.63 paypal fee)
Rich Beaudry $50.00 (-1.75 paypal fee)
Totals gross donations $203.40 less paypal fees (-$6.31) = net donations of
$197.09 cash
Hardware costs:
1U rackmount case w/slide rails $172.00
Mitsumi 24x slimline CDROM $50.00
Asus TUSI-M motherboard $66.00
(2) 128mb PC133 DIMM $72.00
Intel P3/667 cpu $110.00
Tradein for one 256mb DIMM $-72.00
Total hardware cost $398.00 less donations above (-$197.09) = balance
covered by Jay West $200.91cash
First, I want to GREATLY thank all those who donated hardware and cash. As
you can see, every little bit truely helped. I am at a loss to explain why
paypal charged different fees for some of the $10.00 donations. I do know
that the first few donations came in when my paypal account was a regular
account, and part way through receiving donations I upgraded it to a
"premier" account (at no cost). I did this so people could donate via credit
card as opposed to bank draws; perhaps that explains the differing amounts
due to some difference in account type charges.
If anyone wishes, I would be happy to provide scanned copies of my paypal
account history and the invoice from my vendor to substantiate the above
numbers.
I took some nice pictures of the fully assembled system, they are still in
my digital camera awaiting download. I need to go down to the datacenter and
take some pictures of the unit with it installed in a rack. Once I get those
too, I will post all the pictures on the web for those curious.
System specifics: Asus motherboard, 256mb ram, 4gb ide drive for the FreeBSD
v4.5 release operating system, 20gb drive for archives and webspace, 10/100
ethernet and video built into the motherboard, Pentium III cpu @ 667mhz,
1.44mb floppy & 24x cdrom. Packages installed - analog/reportmagic
webstatistics reporting, apache 2.0 webserver, bison1.3 parser generator,
cygnus gnats 3.113 bug reporting system (with wwwgnats for web based bug
submission), mailman 2.0.10 mailing list server, and python 2.2 language.
There's also a bunch of dependency packages (gd, gettext, jpeg, a bunch of
p5 stuff, etc.). I'm quite impressed with the case - it has a huge fan that
isn't a muffin style, it's more like a heater blower (enclosed turbo
housing) and it really pushes some serious airflow. The drive bays are easy
snap out the front (but not hot swappable). The top of the case slides off
by just pressing two buttons on top, no screws. Other than the installation
clearance problems, the case is a dream to work on. And yes, the front panel
has "cool factor" (read: blinkenlights).
Environment: The system sits inside one of the racks in our datacenter. The
datacenter building sits on two separate city power grids, so we're covered
if one grid goes down. The building is fed by five diesel generators
providing 7.5 megawatts (typically enough fuel for 3 days of continuous
power) and there is an external hookup to bring another generator in on a
tractor trailer flatbed if need be. Our room has it's own 30 minute online
UPS, mainly to carry through the 2 minute specification for the time it
takes the outside generators to come up to speed with clean power. All of
our gear (including the classiccmp server) is powered via APC
masterswitch's, so we can power on and off any device via any webbrowser
>from anywhere. The room is fully protected with FM-200 fire supression,
biometric access controls, remote video survellience, etc. The classiccmp
server ethernet port runs 100mb ethernet to our managed switch, and from
there hits the outside world via a Cisco 7206VXR router. Our bandwidth
provider is in the next room to us, so that connection is a direct gigabit
cable. In addition, all the major backbone providers are in the same
building, so in the event of a serious connectivity issue, we can
immediately run a cable to anyone we choose (sprint, MCI, ATT, XO, Quest,
SWB, etc.). Needless to say, the classiccmp server is in a great environment
and well connected. And again I'll reiterate for those new to the list - I
would be happy to host any classic computer related website, ftp site,
mailinglist, etc. at no charge.
My sincere thanks again to those who donated!!!!
Regards,
Jay West
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cctech(a)classiccmp.org
http://www.classiccmp.org/mailman/listinfo/cctech
> On Wed, 22 May 2002, Gary Hildebrand wrote:
>
> > Slowly drying up, but there are still a couple. Computer Garage has a
> > very small variety, off of I-35 at Johnson Drive, on Merriam Drive.
>
> You mean there's a competing Computer Garage in Kansas, now that Jim
> Willing has moved there? I'll bet they never saw that coming.
>
> Speaking of which, why not go visit Jim Willing?
>
> I'm sure he'll pipe up about whether he wants random visitors to his farm
> or if he'll take shots at you with salt to drive you off his
> propatee. .
Rock salt tends to scatter when used by itself... for best results,
pack it in with some country bacon... better chance of striking
the target.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob Lafleur [mailto:bob_lafleur@technologist.com]
> I will shortly be receiving a MicroVax 3100/90 and a TK50Z-GA
> tape drive.
> Both have SCSI, and I assumed they would work together.
> However, I just read
> something that seems to imply the TK50Z-GA is "incompatible"
> SCSI, and will
Well, I've never heard of anyone getting it to work with anything
else. :) You could try it. It's the one without the ID selector,
right?
I think the ID is fixed, since the other alternative is to pass
it through the cable, and that would be, well, interesting, to
say the least...
> only work on the MicroVax 2000. Can anyone confirm this
> either way? If it
> will work, what type of SCSI cable will I need - a standard
> one, or some
Should be a standard cable.
> proprietary one? If it won't work, is there any way to "fix"
> the TK50Z-GA so
> that it will? Thanks.
Um, yes, but it will require the internals from a tk50 drive that
will work ;) (Seriously, the drives are all the same, but some of
the logic that's packed in the case with them is different... so
I've heard.)
Chris
Christopher Smith, Perl Developer
Amdocs - Champaign, IL
/usr/bin/perl -e '
print((~"\x95\xc4\xe3"^"Just Another Perl Hacker.")."\x08!\n");
'
From: Ben Franchuk <bfranchuk(a)jetnet.ab.ca>
>Ken Seefried wrote:
>> Does anyone know of a free or cheap, usable meta-assembler for AMD 2901
>> microcode? Or anyone have one they want to get rid of?
>I don't there was such a beast (FREE or CHEAP) as most micro code
>designs could not use a standard assembler because of hardware
>variations.Any that were developed would be custom software.
There are, at least, AMDASM, MetaStep, Hale & MacASM. All of these are of
dubious free-ness and current status.
Ken
From: Pat Finnegan <pat(a)purdueriots.com>
> Is VENIX worth trying on this thing?
It's been a decade or more, but I recall Venix being a completely
serviceable Unix. More along the lines of V7 that anything you might run on
a PeeCee, but if you've got the inclination, I'd say give it a try.
Ken
> From: Christopher Smith
>
> <<File: ATT44037.txt>>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Rod Young [mailto:rodyoung@shaw.ca]
>
> > So, I made the correct console (shorted pins 8-9) and presto,
>
> Sounds good.
>
> > I have a DELNI that was going to attach to the thickwire
> > port, but then
> > there's that cable issue. I think it's odd for the VS2000 to
> > have the posts
> > on the thickwire port... cuz it just doen't fit with the
>
> Actually, yes, it is -- I don't think that my 2000s are like
> that :) You could possibly open the case up and just remove the
> posts.
>
> > cables and DELNI
> > stuff I have. Must be a different cable out there for the
> > VS2000 thick wire
> > port. Oh well, I'll make it work!
>
> Or your port is just strange.
>
> Chris
>
Hey! I seem to recall having to add a clip to the AUI port on my
VAXStation 3100m38, so I could hooked up a transceiver. IIRC all computers'
with AUI ports, have the clip side, not the stud... Well, they're supposed
to, at least...
--
--- David A Woyciesjes
--- C & IS Support Specialist
--- Yale University Press
--- (203) 432-0953
--- ICQ # - 905818
Mac OS X 10.1 - Darwin Kernel Version 5
Running since 01/22/2002 without a crash
HEAVY as LEAD, and build for a nuclear war, IMHO. Pain to store too, as
they're huge.
Hi, Cameron.
Jim
Jim Brain, jbrain(a)aegonusa.com
"Researching tomorrow's decisions today."
(319) 369-2070 (work)
SYSTEMS ARCHITECT, ITS, AEGON FINANCIAL PARTNERS
-----Original Message-----
From: Cameron Kaiser [mailto:spectre@stockholm.ptloma.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 11:59 PM
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Recent score: CBM 8032
> Wow wouldn't mind having one, as they are the grandaddy to the VIC-20
> and C=64 machines. Some VIC/64 software is directly useable, other
> software takes minor tweaks. Now you'll need the matching floppy
> drives, and they use that (typical commodore offbeat) IEEE interface. I
> guess use the common steps troubleshooting the p/s.
I've got a PET 2001-16B myself, and a C2N datasette. Works great.
To the original poster, yes, the power supply and/or fuse are likely
suspects. PETs are pretty tough systems.
--
----------------------------- personal page: http://www.armory.com/~spectre/
--
Cameron Kaiser, Point Loma Nazarene University *
ckaiser(a)stockholm.ptloma.edu
-- The world is coming to an end. Log off now.
--------------------------------
In a message dated 5/22/02 10:34:02 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
lemay(a)cs.umn.edu writes:
> Inside the box of floppies for the Intel MDS 800, was a single tape
> cartridge.
> Its a HP200, certified data cartridge, series 9800. Is this something that
> can be used with a MDS 800, or is it something that someone else needs?
>
Interesting. No, it is not usable with the MDS 800.
The tape cart is for the 98XX series of computer/calculators. It is also used
in the HP85s and with the tape drive for the HP41 calculators. IIRC it is
similar to the DC100 series of tape carts.
Paxton
Astoria, OR
> From: Louis Schulman <louiss(a)gate.net>
> Does anyone have a source for the above-mentioned (or equivalent) chip?
>
> Second question. Am I correct that a 74367 or 8T97 will substitute
> directly for a DM8097 hex tri-state buffer?
Don't know about the DM8835, but the '367 or 8T97 should work in place of
the DM8097.
Glen
0/0
The Surplus Exchange at 1107 Hickory KCMO has several floors of computer and
office surplus. They are normally open on Saturday but not on Sunday. I
just called and they will be closed for Memorial Day from 5 PM Friday
evening until 9 AM on Tuesday morning.
They receive all of the old computers from many of the Kansas City companies
and their branches throughout the Midwest. Lots of Mac stuff from Hallmark.
PS/2 stuff from IRS, DEC stuff from engineering firms.
If you are looking for specific stuff I may have some in my garage, which
needs cleaning. I live on a lake outside of town and the boat needs to hit
the water.
Mike
contact me off-list at mmcfadden at cmh dot edu
>
> I'll be in Kansas City this weekend. Can anyone syuggest any good classic
computer places to visit?
>
> Joe
! From: Doc [mailto:doc@mdrconsult.com]
!
! On Thu, 23 May 2002, Bob Lafleur wrote:
!
! > > It has a SCSI-I style (50pin amphelon) if that's what you mean by
! > non-mangled.
! >
! > 50-pin "amphenol" you mean... Is that like a 50-pin centronics? I've
! > basically seen either the 50-pin centronics, or the DB25 type.
!
! Oh, gods, here we go....
!
! Doc, limbering up his Delete Key
Methinks somebody needs to search the archives, to see what kind of
havoc the "amphenol and/or centronics usage" thread caused...
--- David A Woyciesjes
--- C & IS Support Specialist
--- Yale University Press
--- (203) 432-0953
--- ICQ # - 905818
Mac OS X 10.1.2 - Darwin Kernel Version 5.2:
Running since 01/22/2002 without a crash
Kind of like what Gillette did in giving away razors so you will buy their
blades, only now it's giving away printers so you will buy the ink.
-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Cisin (XenoSoft) [mailto:cisin@xenosoft.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 2:08 PM
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: HP DJ540 out of paper???
On Thu, 23 May 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
> I was given a an HP Deskjet 540. I bought a rebuilt ink cartidge for
> it, which is over 20 dollars, so I'd like to get it working if I can.
I was considering repairing a deskjet, but the price of ink cartridges was
kinda steep. The best price that I've seen for reliable cartridges (after
trying several "rebuilt" ones that were NFG), was $40 for both a new color
one and a new B&W one. But the $40 deal also included a new printer.
That kinda took away some of the incentive to repair the old printer.
If I'm not mistaken, the 540 takes the green top cartridges, like the
original Deskjet minus and Deskjet plus, although the case of the 540 is
like the case of the 600 series that use the blue top cartridges.
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com
> On Thu, 23 May 2002, Douglas H. Quebbeman wrote:
>
> > Rock salt tends to scatter when used by itself... for best results,
> > pack it in with some country bacon... better chance of striking
> > the target.
>
> As the not-terribly-proud owner of some rock-salt scars, I can verify
> that it gets out to 50-60 feet just fine, in a fairly tight group. At
> that range, you get about .125" penetration.
Cuttin' through on the way to the creek, he got the
back of my calf and that tender spot behind the
knee from a shot 150 feet away... years later, I
asked the fellow what his secret was, bacon was the
reply...
> FWIW, the treatment for embedded salt particles is a long soak in a
> warm bath. Hurts a _hell_ of a lot worse than getting shot.
Heh, I went for the cold of the creek, and an infection
a few days later...
-dq
On May 22, 23:17, Louis Schulman wrote:
> It works!
>
> After a few consultations, I have my vintage 1975 SWTPc 6800 up and
> running!
Another success! :-)
> Well, I learned several things.
> And finally, a cheap Radio Shack logic probe can "see" a lot of what
> you
> can see on an oscilloscope, if you listen to the tones carefully. The
> data train on reset makes a nice little set of beeps.
Seems like that was a good investment!
--
Pete Peter Turnbull
Network Manager
University of York
> From: Chad Fernandez
>
> David Woyciesjes wrote:
> > - I assume you've looked for any reed/pin switches, or anything of
> > that sort. Is there a mechanism on it that is supposed to lift the paper
> > tray?
>
> I can hear one. I assume that switch is working since the paper light
> goes out if I have paper in it, and press the paper button. The
> computer still claims that the printer is out of paper, so I'm thinking
> it maybe deeper in the printer.
>
> I was hoping that this is a common problem and would have an easy
> solution.
>
> The paper loading mechanism still doesn't move however.
>
- I would crack her open, then, and see what's going on with the paper
lift...
--
--- David A Woyciesjes
--- C & IS Support Specialist
--- Yale University Press
--- (203) 432-0953
--- ICQ # - 905818
Mac OS X 10.1 - Darwin Kernel Version 5
Running since 01/22/2002 without a crash
> From: Chad Fernandez
>
> ..
> The thing tells me it's out of paper even when it has paper. It just
> doesn't want to grab it.... it doesn't even try. Is this something that
> is easily fixed, or do I need to toss the printer?
>
> The head seems to move back an forth just fine, but after it "discovers"
> that it has no paper it just sits.
>
> Chad Fernandez
> Michigan, USA
>
- I assume you've looked for any reed/pin switches, or anything of
that sort. Is there a mechanism on it that is supposed to lift the paper
tray?
--
--- David A Woyciesjes
--- C & IS Support Specialist
--- Yale University Press
--- (203) 432-0953
--- ICQ # - 905818
Mac OS X 10.1 - Darwin Kernel Version 5
Running since 01/22/2002 without a crash
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rod Young [mailto:rodyoung@shaw.ca]
> Thought I read somewhere, that a VS/MV2000 will not complete the POST
> without happy ethernet termination. Could be wrong, but best
> bet is to
> resolve the cable issue first, so I can see what's going on...
You may have read that, but it's incorrect ;) It will complete the
tests, and then complain because the network test failed, for obvious
reasons. It may also complain about your console not being "known"
to it (IE not either the built in graphics, or a VT-whatever plugged
in as it would be on a MicroVAX), but again, this is non-fatal. The
console problem doesn't even stop it from auto-booting.
You can still use the system, but it won't autoboot after that -- you'll
need to type 'boot' at the console.
> I might have odd thichwire cables, but then I have 3 of them
> ! hummmmm!
Um -- you do know that AUI ports really aren't designed to talk
directly to one another, right? You need an AUI multiplexer or
a transceiver on each port. (You can make a crossover cable, but
that's a different story and doesn't always work well -- so I
hear.)
The transceivers will have (male) plugs with the small metal knobs
on them, and the port will have (female) plugs with the clips that
hook into those knobs. The AUI cables usually (AFAIK) have one
of each end. At any rate, it's ok to ignore, better if you terminate
it eventually, or better yet if you just plug it into a working
network ;)
Chris
Christopher Smith, Perl Developer
Amdocs - Champaign, IL
/usr/bin/perl -e '
print((~"\x95\xc4\xe3"^"Just Another Perl Hacker.")."\x08!\n");
'
I will shortly be receiving a MicroVax 3100/90 and a TK50Z-GA tape drive.
Both have SCSI, and I assumed they would work together. However, I just read
something that seems to imply the TK50Z-GA is "incompatible" SCSI, and will
only work on the MicroVax 2000. Can anyone confirm this either way? If it
will work, what type of SCSI cable will I need - a standard one, or some
proprietary one? If it won't work, is there any way to "fix" the TK50Z-GA so
that it will? Thanks.
- Bob
I will probably have some empty BA213 QBUS housings available free for
shipping. I will know if I want to grab these if I find anyone interested
in them and if I can find a box big enough to hold them as I have little
use for them myself.
One is a pedestal enclosure which orignally housed a DECserver 500 and
features 12 slots of Q-CD goodness and a single H7868 power supply.
I mention this because it appears that DEC shipped some sort variation of
the 213 for the DECserver 500 which did not support a second power supply.
The spot for the card edge backplane connector is there where the second
H7868 would plug in but no connector is present. Obviously it would not
be a big trick to rig some sort of separate power supply for drives or
tapes.
The other unit is from a rackmount DECserver 550 and appears to have a
more normally configured BA213 with space for two working power supplies,
although none are included.
Either of these units might help give your QBUS Microvax some Q22
breathing room.
On a related note, I recall that there was some ability to convert the
KDJ11 module for this DECserver into a working PDP 11/xx (83+?) with a
PROM swap? Does anyone know more about this and its feasibility?
Paul
--
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