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101090 discussions

VAXStation/MicroVAX 2000 stuff

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<OK, the MicroVAX has the main board which is mounted solder side up. It <also has the extended memory card, a Network(?) card that connects via two Yes the LANCE chip (NI) is on a smaller paddle board. <40 conductor ribbon cables. What is missing is the large - almost main <board size - board that is situated component side up beneath the main <board, and connects to it via two 40 pin headers (that run parallel to <the 50-pin and 60-pin connectors for tape SCSI and hard and floppy drives <respectively) on the main board. Is that the Video Extension board? Yes. Without it you have mono video or you can run using a serial terminal via the printer port as console. The connector if pin 8 or 9 is grounded tells it to use serial port instead of the video console. I've hard jumpered mine so I can boot and run headless or use a more common cable if I want a serial terminal on the system. the 50 pin is the SCSI the 60 pins is HDC and floppy and the other larger board is the video extension. Without the video board they are the same beast. <Does the position of the Berg jumper about two inches from the rear of the <BNC connector affect the functioning of the storage devices? No. The storage devices are always available if the system probe finds them. It's possible to have a RX33 floppy(TEAC FD55GFV), MFM hard disk, A second RD5X MFM and TAPE(TK50) via a SCSI bridge. NOTE: the scsi is real SCSI hardware wise but the roms(and VMS drivers) do not implement compatable SCSI protocal so the only standard device is the oddball TK50. The SCSI oddity is from the mid 80s when SASI/SCSI was not a clear standard. For hard disks RD54 is the most desireable but v5.x can be trimmed to fit on a 71mb RD53 (DECwindows has to go,as I've got one here that way). Terminal support is via the DB9 printer port. If you can find one there is an adaptor P/N70-23766 that converts the video connector and the printer connector to three RS423 MMJ serial ports. I run all my VAXen to serial ports and a VT1200 DECterm, can't spare the space for the usual VR260/290/320 or larger tubes. Since DECnet does the equivelent telnet (and then some) one or two tubes are enough for support and talk to all of them. Hope this helps. I happen to have three of them, two running VMS and one with Ultrix4.2 on it. To that two MicrovaxIIs, 3 MV3100/M10Es, 1 MV3100/M76 sharing the eithernet with two MS PCs and a Linux PC box. Allison

26 years

FS: Review copies of books about microprocessors and microcomputers.

by kstumpf＠unusual.on.ca

OK, the names are: >19. - David Heiserman >Programming in BASIC for the IBM Personal Computer, >1984, Prentice-Hall, hardcover >$4 > >20. - George Markowsky >A Comprehensive Guide to the IBM PC, 1984, Prentice-Hall, softcover >really comprehensive >$5 > >21. - Louis Nashelsky & Rober Boylestad >IBM PC/XT BASIC Programming, 1984, Prentice-Hall, softcover >cute book with nice photographs >$2 > >22. - David Bradley >Assembly Language Programming for the IBM PC, 1984, Prentice-Hall, hardcover >an exceptional intro to assembly language programming for beginners >$5 > >23. - Seamus Dunn & Valerie Morgan >The Apple PC for Beginners, 1982, Prentice-Hall, hardcover >a basic book with an outstanding cover - a must for Apple collectors >$4 > >24. - Vincent Kassab >Apple IIe BASIC programming with Technical Applications, >1985, Prentice-Hall, softcover >$2 > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Kevin Stumpf * Unusual systems * www.unusual.on.ca +1.519.744.2900 * EST/EDT GMT - 5 Collector - Commercial Mainframes & Minicomputers from the 50s, 60s, & 70s and control panels and consoles. Author & Publisher - A Guide to Collecting Computers & Computer Collectibles * ISBN 0-9684244-0-6 .

26 years

Amiga A1020 5.25" floppy drive (was Re: Atari modem)

by JRichardson＠softwright.co.uk

>> You should be able to find instructions somewhere on the net for >> making the conversion cable necessary to convert a standard PC >> 5 1/4 drive for use on an Amiga. I remember articles to this >> effect ten years ago or so, as the Amiga Transformer PC emulator >> was popular. Well I seem to remember building an external 3.5" drive for my old A500 which was just a couple of buffer chips and nothing more - I'd assume that a 5.25" drive would be similar, no? cheers Jules

26 years

Collecting PCs

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> wrote: > {\gloating I have a set of extender boards, which means that I can > trivially probe points in the 8/e CPU...} I have a couple of extender boards; not enough to do more than one or two OMNIBUS modules at a time. At least I have a couple of dual-height boards for the FLIP-CHIP boxes, too. > Anyway, even without extenders it's not too bad. Remember that you can > start without the EAE cards. But I _always_ start without the EAE. Never had one to play with. :-( > That means the CPU is one single card (M8330 timing) and a pair of cards >(M8300 and M8310) strapped together. They can go _anywhere_ in the omnibus, I hadn't really thought of that. My box is not so crowded that I can't make the extra room. It's a CPU, two 4K stacks, a SLU and a TD8E (and sometimes an RX8E). This is with two backplanes! I can only imagine that somewhere, someone got some goodies. > RIght. The RL8A won't go in an 8/e box, although electrically it should > work. It should (never tried), but for short-term use, a quad extender should do the trick. > The RK8E does, of course.... Never had one of those either. I have a 16-sector F pack that I got in 1984 and have not had the equipment to read. I'd love to know what's on it. -ethan _____________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Free instant messaging and more at http://messenger.yahoo.com

26 years

VAXStation/MicroVAX 2000 stuff

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<After powerup testing, the uVAX displays: < <83 SYSTEM BOOT < <-ESA0 < <54 SYSTEM ERROR (The number is right, but text may be wrong.) < <It then repeats -- endlessly. That means it tries to boot via the net, and no one is home. <Yes, VMS v5.5. Tried that and nothing on VAXstation screen. < <At this point, I guess I need to double check on what VMS options are <installed and go accordingly, ala Tim and Zane. For remote boot the client must be know to the host so that the right files are delivered. There will be configuration files on the host for that. Try HELP if memory serves there is mention. Vax docs are a must for this. Allison

26 years

New Finds

by jrkeys＠concentric.net

Today I found the manuals for the PX-8 I got over the weekend at another thrift, talk about strange luck.

26 years

Honeywell Bull

by chemif＠mbox.queen.it

At 16:26 18/05/99 -0700, you wrote: >Well, my Honeywell experience/knowledge is old and dated. I believe >Honeywell sold thier computer arm to Group Bull in the late 80's. However, >because of numerous contracts with the US Govenrnment "Honeywell Bull >Information Systems" or whatever it was/is called was formed. Something to >do with those contracts couldn't go to a non-US company. Hmm, probably things went this way...also they probably agreed with Honeywell a slower hand-over to allow the clients to better understand the passage between the two brands (marketing operation). >For example, >support for the DPS-8 was dropped sometime between 1991 and 1993, EXCEPT for >US Government systems. And many other governments systems around the world, since the system was widely sold to military organizations, being one of the few (at those time) with MIL standards design. >I suspect that systems that have DPS in the name are primarily the old >Honeywell systems (based in turn on the old GE Systems) Yes, the story was: Olivetti sold to G.E., that sold to Honeywell, that sold to Bull Riccardo Romagnoli <chemif(a)mbox.queen.it> I-47100 Forl?

26 years

Honeywell Bull

by chemif＠mbox.queen.it

At 15:28 18/05/99 -0700, you wrote: > >HUH? To the best of my knowledge no RS/6000 has ever used a M68020. See my previous msg. >I believe current RS/6000's use a Power3 processor, which is related to the >PPC. Estrella are now out of production Escala line has an entry level that is 32 bit architecture with a PPC 604 (32 bit)

26 years

Honeywell Bull + [OT] insert

by chemif＠mbox.queen.it

At 17:09 18/05/99 -0500, you wrote: >On 18 May 99, at 16:58, Jay West wrote: > >> I am by no means well acquainted with the Honeywell line. But I was under >> the impression that a Honeywell DPS was never called a BULL, it was called >> a DPS. This is true:I also know that Bull put the label "Honeywell/Bull" on many machines that were projected under Honeywell and still in the market when they step in (e.g. I've personally seen many CQ36 and CQ38 printers with both labels, according to theyr manufacturing period). >> The only system with the Honeywell brand that was called a BULL was >> actually an OEM'ed RS6000 that Honeywell put the BULL label on. >> Can someone confirm or deny? This is not true. After the DPS and before the RS6000 line, BULL presented a line of machines that should be a connecting ring between the DPS architecture and the UNIX. >Don't know about that but I have a box which I picked up from a >company I worked for a long time ago which was always called a >Honeywell Bull. It wasn't an RS6000 but used an M68020. The family name was DPX/2 and models no's went from 210 to 380 In the company where I work we are still running a DPX/2 380 under B.O.S.IX The machine was the last one that used the Motorola 68000 family. If I remember correctly, 2xx family was monoprocessors while 3xx where multi; DPX320 and DPX360 used 68020 and 68030. Ours (380) has one 68040 at 25 Mhz but could accept up to 4 CPU. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Begin [OT] corner about price policy and machines sizing The funny (or sad) about that is that the expandibility offered by those machines are always not a good policy: After 3 years (1995) from the installation date, I decided to check the opportunity to upgrade the machine with another cpu. The official price was 21 million lira! (Abt 12 thousand USD) that was nearly the current price for a new system with a Pentium class processor: instead of adapting the price to the current market value price, they keep (or increase) the pricelist, probably to better convince them to change earlier the machine. I believe this policy is widely spread between constructors of propietary architectures machines. Now since the old DPX wouldn't see the lights of the new year in a sane condition, I'm quite indecided between the purchase of an entry level machine (you keep it 3-4 years then change without upgrades) or just a step further, with 2way processor capability. Do you have any personal experience on that?. End of [OT] corner ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Coming back to DPX family...well before the IBM collaborations (and shares exchange) on the PowerPc architecture, Bull released a contemporary line machine based on a RISC processor that still used BOSIX. Again the name was DPX/2 (cannot remember models name). After this model Bull came out with Estrella and Escala PPC machines. Some machines where developed by Bull and manufactured by IBM for both labels, some were developed and made by Bull. Ciao Riccardo Romagnoli <chemif(a)mbox.queen.it> I-47100 Forl?

26 years

Apple Monitors ??

by owad＠caesarville.net

>One other question: What was the RGB port on the //c used for? Was this >for a high-resolution color monitor or what (other than the LCD panel)? Actually, I don't believe its an RGB port. According to the manual, the little icon above the port represents "Color TV". The port is used to connect an RF modulator. I recall reading that the only way to get RGB monitors to work with a IIc is via a composite-to-RGB adapter, which had not yet shipped by the time the book was published. While we're on the subject of video for the Apple IIc, does anybody know of any inexpensive composite LCDs that'll work the IIc? (Note that "inexpensive" rules out Apple's display.) Tom Owad

26 years

Scientific Micro Systems

by jeff.kaneko＠juno.com

On Wed, 19 May 1999 11:05:56 -0400 (EDT) allisonp(a)world.std.com writes: > > On Tue, 18 May 1999 jeff.kaneko(a)juno.com wrote: > > > I would. I collect rotating memories, > > and obscure interfaces thereto. > > It is a small sub-speciality of mine. :^) > > Jeff, > > Also an interest but I tend to be more focused. I'm looking for > DRUM > memories of small physical size. I'm interested in getting one > going > and I'm limited in space and power I'm willing to commit as I want > to have > it run. > > If you run across anything that may be on the Northeast I'd be > interested. > > Allison > Sad thing is, I wouldn't know a drum memory if it fell on me. :^) I imagine they were made by the 'heavies': CDC, GE, IBM, Burroughs, etc. I recall seeing some made by *Hughes* for sale in a Meshna catalog, several eons ago. Jeff ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

26 years

Dang-Nabbit!!! ;-(

by zmerch＠30below.com

Geez... I can sympathize with you, Sir Wirehead! Seems you aren't the only person here with the "wish I could remember not to post personal crap to the list" blues... I did this right after I read your post about it! Dummy me even copied the correct email address into the clipboard... just forgot to past it into the To: field! Sorry, for I are dumb. Roger "Merch" Merchberger -- Roger "Merch" Merchberger --- sysadmin, Iceberg Computers Recycling is good, right??? Ok, so I'll recycle an old .sig. If at first you don't succeed, nuclear warhead disarmament should *not* be your first career choice.

26 years

VAXStation/MicroVAX 2000 stuff

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>This seems to leave using the MicroVAX as a satellite unit to the >VAXStation as the only alternative. Tried this, and MicroVAX tried to >boot from ESA0 while cabled to the VAXStation, but no-joy. Is the >problem that of not having things set up for cluster operation? Right. There are databases that have to be built on the node the satellites boot from, and the right software needs to be installed there in the first place. > If so, >how do I do that? If the VAXcluster software is installed, you log in as SYSTEM, type @CLUSTER_CONFIG, and answer a few simple questions. >Keep it rather basic, please. I am pretty ignorant about all this. It's pretty easy. CLUSTER_CONFIG is a very friendly program, prompting you along the way. You'll need to know the Ethernet address of each satellite and establish some DECNET numbering scheme for your satellites. The hardest part is thinking up six-character node names for each node :-). Running a VMSCluster is very easy - it's only slightly more difficult to administrate a cluster of several hundred nodes than one node. Compare this with running a few hundred Linux or Windows boxes, a task that takes an army of administrators. -- Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/ 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917 Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927

26 years

VAXStation/MicroVAX 2000 stuff

by jonas＠coyote.org

> it, I did not know where to find the data required. I have since found > it on www.vaxarchive.com. I assume you mean www.vaxarchive.org :) > VAXStation as the only alternative. Tried this, and MicroVAX tried to > boot from ESA0 while cabled to the VAXStation, but no-joy. Is the I think we'd be able to answer your question better if we know more in detail HOW this fails. Any error messages on the consoles? You never say what OS you were trying to use, but I assume it's some version of VMS. You can login to the VAXstation as operator (or someone with equivelent bits) and run REPLY/ENABLE, that would, iirc, make the VAXstation log information to the console about clients requesting load images (and much more ofcourse).

26 years

Scientific Micro Systems

by jeff.kaneko＠juno.com

On Wed, 19 May 1999 20:53:23 -0400 Christian Fandt <cfandt(a)netsync.net> writes: >>Sad thing is, I wouldn't know a drum memory if it fell on me. :^) >>I imagine they were made by the 'heavies': CDC, GE, IBM, Burroughs, >>etc. >> >>I recall seeing some made by *Hughes* for sale in a Meshna catalog, >>several eons ago. > >I've still got a John Meshna catalog somewhere. '75 or '76 I think. It >got unearthed during our move and got turned under again somewhere. I can >even now visually recall the drum memory ad illustration. Allison might >recall that company as Meshna was in *I think* Lowell, MA. That's it! That's it! Wow, you mean there is actually a surviving copy? Whoa. That sure brings back memories . . . >I bought a computer linear power supply and an ARC-3 aircraft receiver >from him and still have them. I miss those old surplus companies. Fair >Radio Sales is one of the few remaining old time companies. You know, I never cared for these guys. All of their stuff struck me as being horribly over priced (for most things). Jeff ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

26 years

Apple Monitors ??

by roblwill＠usaor.net

Does anyone know a source for a fairly cheap monitor for an Apple //c and a color monitor for a Mac ][? One other question: What was the RGB port on the //c used for? Was this for a high-resolution color monitor or what (other than the LCD panel)? ThAnX, ///--->>> -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1>

26 years

SoCal TRW Swap 29th

by jpl15＠netcom.com

The monthly Southern California TRW Ham Radio and Electronics Swap Meet is being held this month (May) on Saturday the 29th, from 0730 hours to 1130 hours local time, at the TRW facility in El Segundo. Take the san Diego (405) freeway, exit Rosecrans, go West about 1 mile to Aviation (under the Metrolink bridge), turn left (south) on Aviation and proceed 1/2 mile south. The TRW facility will be on your right, and the Meet is held in the southernmost parking lots, bordering on Marine avenue to the south. Find a place to park and come join Marvin and myself, although I will certainly have gotten all the choice goodies first, (unless Marvin beats me to them). I am in spaces J21 and J23 and any classicmpers who will be in the area are cordially invited to join us. I have space available for anyone who might wish to unload some ju^H^H^H^H vintage items on the swapmeet attendees. There will be the usual after meet Brunch-n-Brag, at about 12:30 at a restaurant local to the swapmeet; all are invited. I am considering another collection Open House at my place, but that depends on feedback. E-mail me privately for further information/data/whatever. Cheers John

26 years

Apple Monitors ??

by roblwill＠usaor.net

That's how I have mine. 80-column is barely readable. The local thrift stores don't accept computer equipment unless it's a complete, working system, and they don't part them out :( ///--->>> -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1> -----Original Message----- From: Zane H. Healy <healyzh(a)aracnet.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Wednesday, May 19, 1999 8:29 AM Subject: Re: Apple Monitors ?? >> Does anyone know a source for a fairly cheap monitor for an Apple //c and a > >It's called an old TV (I've hooked mine up through my nice new TV and VCR). >I've not hit any Goodwill's lately, but last I checked it was still fairly >easy to get Apple ][ monitors there, although I seem to normally run >across Monitor ///'s (they will work). > > Zane > >

26 years

Mac Plus system & s/w available

by cfandt＠netsync.net

Upon the date 09:41 AM 5/19/99 -0700, Fred Cisin (XenoSoft) said something like: >> ** Kingston cooling fan/power switching module. Fits on top of the box to >> provide additional cooling and acts as AC power control center. > >Does that level the top enough for wall-making stacking? Nah, seems to be the same thickness across its length. Too narrow anyway. Sorry ;) --Chris -- -- Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net Member of Antique Wireless Association URL: http://www.ggw.org/awa

26 years

Collecting PCs

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> wrote: > > > > --- Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> wrote: > > > >... wouldn't turn down a PDP8/e mind you. > > > > > > Why the 8/e in particular? > > The 8/e is all TTL as well (or at least mine is)... I wasn't entirely clear. The 8/L's and 8/i's have very accessible interconnects as compared to the cluster of five OMNIBUS cards in the 8/e CPU. > and the only 'custom' > parts are a couple of programmed ROMs on the EAE cards. But the > maintenance manual gives enough info to re-create those ROMs if you have to. Yes. It's not the replaceability issue (not that I can burn bipolar PROMs) It's the getting inside the CPU issue. > > The appeal of the OMNIBUS machines is that it's easier to > > hang modern devices off of them. > > I've never tried that. My 8/e has a PC04 (converted PC05, actually), TU56 > and RX01 on it. The RX01 is a little too late for the period of the rest > of the machine, but it's useful... I didn't mean modern like IDE disks, though that's an idea. I meant modern for the PDP-8 in general (RL8A/RL01, RK8E/RK05 vs DF32 and RF08). Sorry I wasn't clearer; I was in a hurry this afternoon. -ethan _____________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Free instant messaging and more at http://messenger.yahoo.com

26 years

Scientific Micro Systems

by edick＠idcomm.com

Regardless of the physical size, (maybe 13x15") if they are FT400 or FT300 models, then I may have useful information regarding their use. These models are FDC-only with a very easy programming interface. Back when I used a 1 MHz 6502 for much of the work, I used one of these and was probably the only one around with double-density capability as a result. The interface was dirt simple, yet could keep up with any processor of the time. Dick -----Original Message----- From: allisonp(a)world.std.com <allisonp(a)world.std.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Wednesday, May 19, 1999 9:20 AM Subject: Re: Scientific Micro Systems > >On Tue, 18 May 1999 jeff.kaneko(a)juno.com wrote: > >> I would. I collect rotating memories, >> and obscure interfaces thereto. >> It is a small sub-speciality of mine. :^) > >Jeff, > >Also an interest but I tend to be more focused. I'm looking for DRUM >memories of small physical size. I'm interested in getting one going >and I'm limited in space and power I'm willing to commit as I want to have >it run. > >If you run across anything that may be on the Northeast I'd be interested. > >Allison >

26 years

Tossing

by Philip.Belben＠pgen.com

> AFAIR did Philip suggest RLLRRLL (or more neat RLLRLRRL) ... RLLRLRRL? Nice! I like it. (Sam - if you think it's important, make some right angled trapezia from cardboard or even paper and arrange them on a flat surface with a line as the floor. You'll see what we mean.) Philip.

26 years

Amiga A1020 5.25" floppy drive (was Re: Atari modem)

by gregorym＠cadvision.com

It can be done, but I don't remember how. A lot of my friends transitted >from C-64s to Amigas, and at least one of them had hardware that let him connect the 1541 directly to his Amiga to do file transfers. I don't remember if it was just a cable and some software, or if there was a hardware interface involved. A quick post to comp.sys.amiga.hardware should find someone who remembers. Regards, Mark. At 10:41 AM 5/19/99 -0700, you wrote: >::If I can't find an A1020 (or compatible replacement, if any were made), I may >::try and rig up my own drive. > >What about hooking up the 1541/1571 drives to an Amiga? Has anyone done this? > >-- >-------------------------- personal page: http://calvin.ptloma.edu/~spectre/ -- >Cameron Kaiser Database Programmer/Administrative Computing >Point Loma Nazarene University Fax: +1 619 849 2581 >ckaiser(a)ptloma.edu Phone: +1 619 849 2539 >-- Ah, the insight of hindsight. -- Thurston N. Davis ------------------------- > >

26 years

plated-wire memory

by yakowenk＠cs.unc.edu

How similar is plated-wire memory to core? Does it have the same wire-matrix organization, but is dunked into some magnetic gorp rather than having little torii strung on? Bill.

26 years

Scientific Micro Systems

by jeff.kaneko＠juno.com

I would. I collect rotating memories, and obscure interfaces thereto. It is a small sub-speciality of mine. :^) Jeff On Tue, 18 May 1999 08:03:09 -0700 Mike Ford <mikeford(a)netwiz.net> writes: >>SMS was the maker of a number of 8X300-based FDC's. These were about >10x12" >>things with loads of TTL, normally bounted in a 17x18x15" (wxlxh) >cast > >Most of what you say really rings a bell in my aging core stack, >except >that several of the cards were absolutely much larger than 10x12". >Second >point is would anybody want these? > > ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

26 years

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test-drb