test-drb

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

101090 discussions

by yakowenk＠cs.unc.edu

Has anybody out there had recent contact with William Donzelli? I've got two e-mail addresses for him, and both bounce. And it looks like he hasn't posted anything to classiccmp for nearly a month... Bill.

26 years

Which backup program is this?

by mark_k＠iname.com

Hi, Some time ago I posted about an old Sony 650MB 5.25" MO drive that I acquired. I have now cleaned all the disks, and it seems to be working fine. Anyway, most of the disks that came with the drive contain old backups. I'm not sure which backup program was used to create the backups. I would like to find out, because hopefully then I can snoop through them more easily than having to use a disk editor. There seems to be various source code and other things on there. In the hope that someone here can point me in the right direction, here is some brief info about the backups. The backup program probably ran under OS/2. Sectors 0 to 3 inclusive contain: "MDIELS4" in ASCII 25 zero bytes a date in ASCII, e.g. "Tue Jan 12 08:48:26 1993" 0x0a, 0x00 "mondayb" in ASCII (this may be some backup ID assigned by the operator) the remainder of sectors 0-3 are all zero bytes Sector 4 begins with "MDIVOLID" in ASCII. The next significant thing is at start of sector 256: 0xEB, 0x3C, 0x90 "MDI 4.0" in ASCII. Any ideas? -- Mark

26 years

Tossing

by Philip.Belben＠pgen.com

>> Anyway, Macs are prety neat to stack (especialy the classic ones), >> and should form a neat wall (maybe for seperation between dining >> room and kitchen ?) or can be used as base for a desk etc. >> >> (I just havn't enough to proove it) > > I've tested this hypothesis in the lab and have concluded that they do not > stack well. They are angled slightly at the top. With enough Macs you > could build a suspension bridge, but I wouldn't drive a car over it. Suspension bridge? I take it you mean an arch bridge... The way to build a wall is to stack them not all the same way round. The most stable method is probably LRRLLRRLL..., but LRLRLR would probably work (L and R meaning Macs facing Left and Right respectively) Philip.

26 years

core... more

by allisonp＠world.std.com

Well thanks to John D. I have a bunch of cores from the early 60s. They are roughly 50mils x 11 mils x 15mils. Cross section of the doughnut is rectangular at 15x11 mils. The reason for such rough measurements is my vernier is only good to .001" and I'd need somthing fancier to be more accurate. By eyeball the 8e cores are smaller! Based on several articles I've read theses will need about 400->600ma to switch and will do so in under 4uS. I will have to test this in a jig. Since the hole is ~20mils several #40 wires should pass through it easily. A simple core frame would be 8x8 (64 bits) and use a 4 wire system as that simplifies the select, inhibit and sense hardware. I'd likely go with late 70s level TTL and transistors to drive these and to sense the outputs I don't know if I'll use transistors (1968 or earlier designs) or comparator chips (aka 1540, 710, 711) will be used. They would also be consistant with 1970s technology. The goal if I can get the time is a 64x8 or 64x12 memory. Not large but enough. Why 64? becuase 1 of 8 decoders were common even in 1970, and the larger the array the more noise from switching. So 8x8 is manageable. Allison

26 years

core... more

by wrm＠ccii.co.za

Hi Chuck and all >Could somebody *please* scan this article in and post a URL to it? (I'll >host it if it doesn't have web space (and I can scan it too if someone has >the issue to loan or can make a good copy of it)) This just so happens to be one of the three BYTEs of that era that I own. They're water damaged but readable. http://ccii.dockside.co.za/~wrm/byte And that goes over a 33K analog leased line shared by 20 people, so be patient... :-) Wouter

26 years

Honeywell Bull

by Philip.Belben＠pgen.com

>> >Of course Honeywell Bull also sold some odd-ball systems to go with their >> >Mainframes. My favorite being a "HoneyMac". I believe these all had the >> >original manufacturers name on them still though. [...] > Before those they had some really funky IBM PC's, the only reason they were > preferable to the big read boxes they called terminals was because the > keyboards were better, and the screen was easier to read. I remember a system called "Micro System Executive", which was based on a design >from Future Technology Systems, a company that Honeywell bought. I have an FTS-86 somewhere (probably mostly Honeywell with the amount of board swapping that went on) which I must get working... FTS sold this machine as "The non-compatible compatible". It was not IBM compatible. You could have 896K bytes of main memory, rather than 640. It ran Concurrent CPM, not (MS) DOS. And yet Lotus 123 would load straight of an IBM disk and draw graphs and things with no hassle... Philip.

26 years

Stuff I found at Dayton

by cfandt＠netsync.net

Here's a bit of a report of what I found at the Hamvention. I was there on Friday from about 09:15 to 17:30 except lunch for which we went off the grounds and on Saturday from about 08:00 to 13:30. Therefore with my method of checking every promising box and poking around under tables I saw about 3/4 of the whole fleamarket. I was looking for quite a variety of things -not just old computers. Stuff I dragged home were two DG Ones (model 2208A), two DG printers which go with them (model 2230), one AC power supply and one printer cable all for $15; VMEbus boards including one unopened Force Computers SYS68Y DRAM-2 memory board ($5) and four Motorola CODEX boards, $15; an IOMEGA Ditto Easy 3200 external tape drive (Travan 3) with cable and power supply, $25. And my best find of all: a virtually mint, seemingly unused HP9000/300 computer with 7958B hard drive (150 Mb IIRC) and 9144A 16-track tape drive. A label on the 98574 CPU module indicated it's been upgraded to a 375 which is just about the ultimate of the 300-series. A 68030 processor running at 50MHz and 16 Mb of RAM. Nice! I've been casually looking for one of the 300's for a couple of years. My ex-colleague who's an engineering manager from my ex-company's German parent company told me last week when he visited the house that an HP 9000/332 system was promised to me and will be shipped to me from their Chicago facility late this year. My new 9000/375 system was built into a 19" rack enclosure which was in turn bolted into a fiberglas transit case about 3' tall, 2' wide by about 2.5' deep. It was part of a military surplus system. I did not get a chance to find the AN system designation on the rack or case, just that it weighed 97 pounds and required two persons to carry. Apparently it had been built and not used *ever*. Just stuck in a military warehouse probably as a result of a military contract which didn't go anywhere or as a result of the Cold War ceasing or something. I absolutely cannot see *any* dust on the leading edges of the fan blades so this system has maybe only an hour or two at most of operation :) SNs are from mid-89. There's a Federal Stock Number or system part number rubber stamped onto the right side of the computer box. A probably earlier FSN or contractor's PN has been blacked out with paint (about 3/8" x 1.5" strip) and the present number rubber stamped onto the case after the upgrade to the 375 model was done. A little ugly, but what the hey! It shows a bit about the original purpose of the machine. That's the only indication of any special use of it. The update was done in December '91 according to a date handwritten on the CPU board tag inside. I was passing by the previous owner's space when I overheard one of the guys asking "What is it?" as they were taking the cover off the 7958B box to try and figure out just what *it* was. I looked and saw the main box was a 300 system (Whoa!! Let's stop and look!), became interested and checked it out. I offered an explanation as to what it was, what it was usually used for, typical processors used in the 300's, etc. Apparently the then-new owner who'd just dragged it to his space from a nearby surplus dealer didn't see a use for it for himself and offered the HP 9000 items to me and I paid him nearly all the remaining money I had to spend: $40 for all three boxes. He kept the transit case and 19" rack which bolted inside as he had a use for it back at home in Houston. He didn't recognize at first when he bought the whole transit case (for $50) that those 3 HP boxes which were clamped onto rack slide plates were actually a computer. He was happy somebody got it who knew what it was and could use it and he was happy to have the transit case. I love happiness :-) Only thing I had to promise him was to email him with what I found on the disk. He's a UNI* system admin and had enough UNI* machines of his own. I'm surprised he hadn't seen an HP 9000 machine before but these 300's were obsolete some time ago and he indicated he was always an Intel-based UNI* user. I've got a copy of HP-UX 7.0 on tape with the license, both still shrinkwrapped, and manual set that I've had for some time. Now I've got a machine to hang it upon! :) BTW, ver. 7.0 is near or at the end of HP-UX support for the 300's. Have BASIC-UX ver. 5.0 w/license and docs too! The keyboard and monitor were some sort of rugged, militarized things built into an operator's station. The fellow who had it never got from the surplus dealer as it obviously didn't quite interest him and maybe he didn't realize what it was. If it's what I *think* I saw an hour or so earlier at a surplus dealer's space not far away it definitelly wasn't the normal HP keyboard as it was part of some other section of the system used as the operations console and was connected via AN/MS connectors and cables. Have absolutely no idea as to the function of the whole system. If there's something on the hard disk when it comes up it may give me a good clue. But I gotta get it lit up first. So, does anybody have a very decent looking keyboard and HP-HIL k'bd cable they're willing to sell to me? Keyboard model *I think* should be a 46020 or 46021 or a 98203C. I don't know the exact differences as I have no pictures or specs. but they are mentioned in the "Peripheral Installation Guide for the HP 9000 Series 200/300", which I have had for some time, as being used with the 300-series. I'll post a separate request for a k'brd and other info in a separate msg. later today or tomorrow. Need feet for bottom of the boxes too but probably large stick-on rubber feet should be okay. I've got two old non-HP fixed frequency monitors I'll drag out of the garage and try after I get a k'bd. The video interface card is a 98547A which is not mentioned in the Periph. Inst. Guide. I saw a few DEC items: A rather lonely RL02 standing amongst a bunch of fairly new amateur gear; a VT320 and VT 420 with a few of DEC's serial cables; a couple of AUI-to-BNC translator modules for $10 each (Too much? Just right?) and little else that I could see. Bought a couple more Ethernet NICs for $10 new (Intel 8/16); 3.5-to-5.25" floppy adaptors for $1 each; 25' CAT5 cables for $3 each; "The Hard Disk Technical Guide", "The Modem Tech. Guide", and "The Network Tech. Guide" all w/CDROMs, published by Micro House, for $5 each; misc. cables and bits. Hard disks were even cheaper than I'd ever seen but had no extra bucks to spend, dang it. Also saw a pallet full (4' x 4' x 5' high) of Sun SPARC LX boxen; a Grid computer, don't know exact model as I don't know Grids, but I'd wager it was early. No model # on bottom or back. It weighed a ton it seemed, painted black. Guy wanted $30 but by then I was flat broke by then :( ; lots of C64 and C128 machines and accessories; tons of PeeCee stuff of all ages and condx; pallets full of printers and monitors; lots of IBM MicroChannel machines and boards; several HP Vectras; boxes of network stuff of varying conditions and types; boxes of shrinkwrapped software; bunches of other stuff I can't recall at the moment. Lots and lots of amateur radio gear of course. I wish I had more money to spend there dang it! Importantly, I did score a few really hard to find parts for the WWII BC-191F transmitter I'm trying to restore plus a few military connectors for some gear in the collection; also got a couple of test equipment manuals for units I have in the collection. Still wish I had more $$$ so I could get more old gear and parts! Dang. Saw a couple of antique radio collector friends from other distant parts of the country; made contacts with a couple of folks who may have parts for the BC-191 and the virtually identical BC-375 transmitters. Understand from another email list (Greenkeys) that a couple of fellow teletype collectors were there too. Not much TTY gear to be found though :( May have bumped into one of you ClassicCmp folks but we wouldn't have known each other visually. All-in-all a very good time. Free shuttle buses running frequently all day every day between the several distant parking areas (we parked free at the Salem Mall) and that made it very convenient to haul a heavy object or several bag loads back to the car :) Something for everybody there. Rain held off on Fri and Sat was really beautiful. I may go again someday as my uncle lives in nearby Xenia, OH and I have basically free room and board :) Only 360 miles from home so I don't have too much of an excuse not to go especially if after I find a decent paying job and could have extra $$ to spend. Wonder what the attendance was this year? No motel rooms available within a 75 mile or more radius. Columbus area was reported to be closest rooms. Incidentally, you locals may have noticed there's quite a different scene at Mendelson's Surplus in the past year or so. We went there to pickup a Hamvention ticket for myself and I was pleasantly surprised. New minor league baseball stadium being built across the street, an audio store just opened inside the main building, new parking lot in back of the church, a new Mendelson's outlet store next door across the new parking lot. But it apparently still has the good ol' 3rd floor full of all kinds of parts, equipment and untold amounts of obscure goodies! :-) Yes indeed, next year :) Regards, 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

thermal paper supplier?

by go＠ao.com

At 09:37 PM 5/17/99 -0700, you wrote: >On Tue, 18 May 1999, bluoval wrote: > >> I don't know, in the user manual TI says to use only "approved" thermal >> paper and that the warranty would be void if the approved paper wasn't used. >> >> "The warranty and/or service contract on the thermal printhead is subject to >> nullification if the thermal printing paper used in the terminal does not >> meet TI Specification 972603-0001." > >Translated from marketing that means "Only buy TI paper so we can make >more money." > >> Whatever spec that is. Could be just fax paper, but I was hesitant to use >> any other type paper cause I don't know where to buy a spare printhead if it >> ever broke... > >FAX paper. > >Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com For the most part, "generic" (e.g. Costco "brand") fax paper works just fine in both of my 700s. However, the "real" paper that came with one of the units (I have one almost unused roll left) prints a much darker tone in both machines, suggesting it is more sensitive to heat than "garden variety" (presuming Costco sells garden variety) fax paper. I have yet to try more than one other brand (a roll of "panasonic" paper - lord knows who really made it) and it also prints "light." But it is entirely readable in any case. And the print heads are pretty rugged on these beasts, I wouldn't worry about hurting the printer with "unapproved" paper. Gary

26 years

Honeywell Bull

by owad＠caesarville.net

>Of course Honeywell Bull also sold some odd-ball systems to go with their >Mainframes. My favorite being a "HoneyMac". I believe these all had the >original manufacturers name on them still though. What is the "HoneyMac"? Surely not a Macintosh...? Tom Owad

26 years

Honeywell Bull

by owad＠caesarville.net

I have an opportunity to acquire a Honeywell Bull mainframe, free of charge. I don't have many details on it, but I'm told the computer is about 4x3x2 feet and supported 30 terminals. Any opinions on whether or not this is a computer worth saving, and if it is worth the space it will take up? Thanks. Tom Owad

26 years

Soviet/Russian classic computers?

by dcoward＠pressstart.com

Hi everyone, I have a friend that is leaving Wednesday for Russia and eastern Europe. She said that she could look around over there for old computers, if I could supply her with some names of computers to look for. Does anyone know the make and model of some classic soviet computers? They don't have to be just "personal" computers. Big Iron is also acceptable. So far, after a web search, the only names I have are the "TESLA" pc that someone brought to VCF 2 and "BESM-6" a mainframe from about 1965. If you can come up with other soviet/russian computers, please copy me as well as the list (so I don't have to wait for the digest) and also give some indication of size (just to help identify them). Thanks in advance, --Doug ========================================= Doug Coward Press Start Inc. Sunnyvale,CA =========================================

26 years

FS: Review copies of books about microprocessors and microcomputers.

by kstumpf＠unusual.on.ca

As I rummage through things I keep coming up with books about very small computers. These would be put to better use by a micro collector and they will help fund more large system rescues. Unless otherwise noted, these books are in excellent condition and many are hardcover. Shipping charges are extra and depend on your address. 1. The BugBook IV, 1979, Howard Sams & Co., softcover Microcomputer Interfacing using the 8255 PPI chip with experiments $2 2. How to Troubleshoot and Repair Microcomputers, 1980, Reston, softcover with step-by-step procedures $2 (inside blank page removed from book) 3. Microcomputer Hardware, Operation, and Troubleshooting with IBM PC 1988, Prentice-Hall, hardcover $4 4. RS-232 Made Easy, 1984, Prentice-Hall, softcover $3 5. Complete Guide to RS-232 and Parallel Connections, 1988, Prentice-Hall large format, softcover, corners on cover curling, 600 pages $8 6. Your First Microprocessor, 1984, Prentice-Hall, softcover organizing, construction, debugging $3 7. Microcomputer Hardware Design, 1988, Prentice-Hall, hardcover complete in every aspect. $8 8. 16-bit microcomputers - 8086 and 68000, 1988, Prentice-Hall, softcover $2 9. MC68000 Programmer's Reference Manual, 1984, Prentice-Hall, softcover $2 10. MC68000 User's Manual, 1982, Prentice-Hall, softcover $2 11. MC68881/MC68882 Floating-point Co-processor User's Manual (2 copies) 1987, Prentice-Hall, softcover $2 12. Assembly and Assemblers - the Motorola MC68000 Family 1988, Prentice-Hall, hardcover $5 13. Programming and Designing with the 68000 Family, 1991, Prentice-Hall, hardcover $5 13. The Motorola MC68000 Family, 1985, Prentice-Hall, hardcover Assembly Language, Interface Design, and System Design $7 14. 6502 Assembly Language Programming, 1979, Osborne, softcover the classic $4 15. Z80 Assembly Language Programming, 1979, Osborne, softcover the other classic $4 16. Microcomputer Systems: The 8086/8088 Family, 1984, Prentice-Hall, hardcover a beautiful book $8 17. 16-Bit Modern Microcomputers: The Intel I8086 Family, 1985, Prentice-Hall, hardcover an even more beautiful book $9 18. File Formats and More File Formats: the Programmer's Reference, 1986 and 1987, Wiley, plastic coil remember Multimate, etc. learn how to decode native files $8 (together) 19. Programming in BASIC for the IBM Personal Computer, 1984, Prentice-Hall, hardcover $4 20. A Comprehensive Guide to the IBM PC, 1984, Prentice-Hall, softcover really comprehensive $5 21. IBM PC/XT BASIC Programming, 1984, Prentice-Hall, softcover cute book with nice photographs $2 22. Assembly Language Programming for the IBM PC, 1984, Prentice-Hall, hardcover an exceptional intro to assembly language programming for beginners $5 23. The Apple PC for Beginners, 1982, Prentice-Hall, hardcover a basic book with an outstanding cover - a must for Apple collectors $4 24. Apple IIe BASIC programming with Technical Applications, 1985, Prentice-Hall, softcover $2 Enjoy these wonderful books. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- 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

Who are you?

by Paul_King＠ml.com

Kind Sirs, I came across a reference to "Classic Computer Collector's Mailing List" on the following web page: http://world.std.com/~mbg/moi_ks10.html I have a small PC (as in IBM PC compatible) collection and would like to maintain contact with others interested in preserving (in operating condition) historically significant examples of these machines. Does your activity cover these little machines? Thank you for your attention. I am, Paul King at Paul_King(a)ml.com

26 years

So CA rescue

by ddameron＠earthlink.net

For anyone in So., Calif. with a truck, Barry's (Artesia blvd in Gardena) has a Tek 40xx graphics unit. outside in the front of his salvage yard. Cost =??, I guess cheap as he is moving. -Dave

26 years

Kaypro manuals available

by donm＠cts.com

I am surprised and pleased. There was rather more demand than I anticipated. What's left is mostly for application software and is listed below in a revision of the list. I plan to post it - revised as necessary - to comp.os.cpm on Thursday. - don ========================== The KAYPRO manuals listed below are available free for the asking, first come first served, however, you must pay shipping costs. Unless otherwise requested, they will be sent via USPS at Book Rate. E-mail your requests, please. Qty Title 5 CALCSTAR USERS MANUAL 5 DATASTAR REFERENCE MANUAL 3 DATASTAR TRAINING GUIDE 5 REPORTSTAR USER REFERENCE MANUAL 3 REPORTSTAR TRAINING GUIDE 1 WORDSTAR TRAINING GUIDE 1 WORDSTAR PROFESSIONAL (Users Manual) 1 MAILMERGE REFERENCE GUIDE GONE SUPERTERM (Communications) GONE KAYPRO CP/M GONE KAYPRO II USERS GUIDE GONE KAYPRO USERS GUIDE GONE KAYPRO 10 USERS GUIDE 2 INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE 4 MICROPLAN GONE CBASIC REFERENCE MANUAL 3 MICROSOFT BASIC USERS GUIDE 2 MICROSOFT BASIC QUICK REFERENCE 3 SBASIC 3 MSDOS OPERATING SYSTEM USERS GUIDE 2 PROFITPLAN 4 THE WORD Plus (Spell Checker) 1 PERFECT CALC USERS GUIDE 1 WRITING WITH A WORD PROCESSOR by William Zinsser 1 WORD PROCESSING ON THE KAYPRO by Peter McWilliams 1 KAYPRO WORD PROCESSING PLAIN & SIMPLE by David Lenfest & William Houze ======================

26 years

FS: Review copies of books about microprocessors and microcomputers.

by kstumpf＠unusual.on.ca

> >>2. >>How to Troubleshoot and Repair Microcomputers, 1980, Reston, softcover >>with step-by-step procedures >>$2 (inside blank page removed from book) >> > >>14. >>6502 Assembly Language Programming, 1979, Osborne, softcover >>the classic >>$4 >> >>15. >>Z80 Assembly Language Programming, 1979, Osborne, softcover >>the other classic >>$4 > You got 15. Better something than nothing. Please send your address so I can calculate the shipping fee. Yours in good faith. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- 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

Stuff I found at Dayton

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- Christian Fandt <cfandt(a)netsync.net> wrote: > Here's a bit of a report of what I found at the Hamvention... > a couple of AUI-to-BNC translator modules for $10 each (Too much? > Just right?) I wouldn't pay more. They are $10-$19 new, when you can find vendors that still carry them. > Also saw a pallet full (4' x 4' x 5' high) of Sun SPARC LX boxen I saw that pile, over by the white tent in the corner. I didn't get an LX (they were stripped and dirty), but I did buy an SMC segmented hub from those guys (the AUI seems to be non-functional, but the RJ45's all work) > a Grid computer, don't know exact model as I don't know Grids, but I'd > wager it was early. No model # on bottom or back. It weighed a ton it seemed, > painted black. Guy wanted $30 but by then I was flat broke by then :( ; I saw one of those near the corner of the building, probably the same one. > lots of C64 and C128 machines and accessories... One guy near the Grid had a box of C-64 and C-128 parts. I didn't make an offer because I didn't want to haul them back to the car. The only interesting device there was what looked like a 64C (wedge-shaped case) with no C= logos on it and a sticker on the bottom that indicated that the case was made in South Australia. A Dick Smith special perhaps? > Wonder what the attendance was this year? No motel rooms available within a > 75 mile or more radius. Columbus area was reported to be closest rooms. I'm glad to live close enough to day-trip. Motel rooms in that part of the state book up well in advance. Attendance in years past was many thousands of people. I'm sure it's still thousands, but my impression is not as many thousands as it used to be before the spring and summer Dayton Computerfests at the same venue. *Those* are nice because all the tables are indoors and people like us bring things to sell to other people like us. (And this August, from what I hear, the Dayton Amiga club and Columbus Amiga club (AmiCON) are planning on putting on something jointly). -ethan _____________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Free instant messaging and more at http://messenger.yahoo.com

26 years

Apple ProFILE Help Needed

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<> 5) There is no inherent 'format' command in the ProFile controller logic <> To enable formatting capability you have to install a special chip <> (according to rumour: a Z-80 with a piggyback EPROM) into a vacant socke < <Much more likely to be a single-chip microcontroller. Some of those had <'development' versions which took a piggyback EPROM. The Z8 (not Z80) was <one such, I think. One of two parts it can be. Z8 (NOT z80 compatable) or a NEC 78PG11 (looks like a z80 registerwise but it's not). <It probably won't help much, because you'd need the code in the EPROM, <though. I have data for the 78pg11 bit it would be hard to scan half of it (brain locked). Allison

26 years

Yet another GRiDposting

by ds_spenc＠alcor.concordia.ca

You guys and gals are probably getting tired of my little GRiD updates, but here goes anyway... I am typing this message on the GRiDCase. So the modem works. 2400bps. I found Rob's GRiDBoard website, and from there found out that AST keeps the configuration files for a lot of old GRiDs on its website. I downloaded conf1520.exe from there. Now I have my doubts about this machine even being a GRiDCase 1520. Most of the configuration options don't work or are meaningless to this particular machine. Like the thing to set the backlighting on the display - my machine has a gas plasma display. And it seems to be telling me that my machine doesn't have a modem... so what the heck am I using right now? It did let me configure my expansion RAM from EMS to XMS... or was that the other way around? And it let me change my processor speed. But it wouldn't let me do anything with the hard disk and a whole bunch of other weird things. It's a '286 machine, magnesium alloy case, 1.44MB floppy, had a 20MB HD in it, has a 2400bps internal modem, standard PC ports, gas plasma display, two ROM sockets under a trapdoor above the keyboard... could this thing be anything other than a 1520? Note that is says "GRiDCASE 1500 Series" above the display. Now I suppose it's time to see if I can have the machine work *without* a hard drive installed. I just got a _very_ scary message about JVC drives seizing and taking HD controllers with them. (Thanks for the warning, Jason!) Of course, as the drive that was in the machine when I got it was seized up, the damage may already be done. And maybe that's why I'm still unable to access the HD. :( -- Doug Spence ds_spenc(a)alcor.concordia.ca http://alcor.concordia.ca/~ds_spenc/

26 years

Are IBM PCs classic?

by PaKing＠exchange.ml.com

Unaccustomed as I am to keeping my mouth shut, I will endeavor to weigh in on "Are IBM PCs classic?" - even though I just joined this classic computer list today. Since I just joined this "list" today I do not know what prompted "Are IBM PCs classic?". So forgive me in advance if my views have already been offered by others. "Are IBM PCs classic?" is something that I have wondered about and certainly needs to be addressed. If one is being precise, then when one says "IBM PCs" one is referring to the original IBM Personal Computer, introduced in 1981, with a 62.5 watt power supply, Type 1 or 2 motherboard, INTEL 8088 clocked at 4.77 MHz, four ROM sockets, five 8-bit expansion adapter slots, two full height diskette (floppy disk) drive bays and 16 or 64 KILO!-bytes of soldered main memory. If one is alluding, more generally, to all the, more or less, compatible machines that followed (including the IBM PC/XT), then you have thrown open the gates to such a broad spectrum of (sometimes very interesting and significant) machines that the discussion becomes cumbersome. In the interest of circumscribing the discussion, my comments are limited to just the original PC, plus any other "highly (BIOS) compatible" 8-bit bus, 4.77 MHZ PC compatible; like the original Compaq and other early examples. Now... When saying "classic", if you intend to be using standard, plain American English, then the question may be addressed as follows... The American Heritage dictionary has 6 definitions for classic adj. And they are (with my assessment): Definition #1. Of the highest rank or class. My collection has, among other things, five IBM PCs (Type 1 or Type 2) and, wonderful as they are, I would rather assign the "highest rank or class" distinction, as far as a classic digital computer goes, to the likes of machines like ENIAC, ILLIAC 4, System 360/95, Cray (1 and up), etc. My dad worked on ENIAC. Definition #2. Serving as an outstanding representative of its kind; model. If by PC it is agreed that we mean "IBM PC hardware compatible micro computer system" then I would say that the IBM PC is an "outstanding representative" of a IBM PC hardware compatible micro computer system" - having actually initially established and then continually defined this kind of computer. Definition #3. Having lasting significance or recognized worth. The demand for, and eventual numbers sold are a clear indication that the IBM PC had a "recognized worth" to a great many people. It wasn't cheap. Had it not had recognized worth, few would have sold and it would have suffered a fate like the PC Jr. Of course IBM PC is no longer made new so the recognized worth is not what it used to be. But many are still very much in use. To glimpse just one aspect of its "lasting significance" take a look at the IBM PC main memory allocation map. The fact that the PC compatible world is STILL contending with the fixed 640 KB boundary and display adapter memory map above that indicates that the significance is lasting. There are many more aspects of this. So the IBM PC has lasting significance, and still has recognized worth. Definition #4. Pertaining to ancient Greek or Roman literature or art. No, the IBM PC does not in any way pertain to these. Definition #5. Of or in accordance with established principals or methods in the arts and sciences. Yes, the IBM PC indeed uses well "established principals and methods" - in the sciences at least. Nothing very adventurous was attempted in its design. Its design was executed by the worlds mightiest computer company. That was where the "adventurous" aspect came in. IBM being IBM. It was a very adventurous thing for IBM to do. What eventually happened to the worlds mightiest computer company, as a result of their little, adventurous creation, makes a very compelling and ironic tale indeed. But as for the actual IBM PC hardware itself, It uses normal TTL and CMOS logic and has an: internal power supply, motherboard (with Intel CPU, dynamic ram memory, ROM, adapter bus), cassette I/O port! floppy disk drive(s), detached keyboard, I/O adapters (for display, serial, parallel ports), CP/M-86, P-System Pascal, DOS (CP/M inspired), Visicalc, etc. This was all very well established by others before IBM ventured in. I am not qualified to address "in accordance with established arts" part of this definition, but the case sure looks like a classic IBM design, at least to me. Definition #6. Of lasting historical or literary significance. Literary? Not. Historical? Absolutely. The IBM PC system hardware provided a very, very good (though, unfortunately, not a really, really great) foundation upon which an entire genera of useful, rapidly advancing, affordable, accessible, (and eventually quite powerful) personal computing and data processing machines have been built. And are continuing to be built, even to this day. Plus, the very existence of the IBM PC (as good or bad as you would rate the hardware for the time) directly fostered the rapid, stable development of the entire personal computer industry. This industry was not CREATED by the IBM PC. The industry was already there (Apple, S-100, TRS-80, Sinclair, etc, etc) trying to bootstrap itself into viability. But the "endorsement" of the whole concept, by IBM creating a tangible, workable platform, that would certainly not fold up due to lack of financial resources, created an environment "comfortable" enough for the wealthy to pour in their capital and for the young and adventurous to pour their very lives. So... The IBM PC is a classic? The IBM PC is a classic general purpose stored program digital computer system. The IBM PC is a classic micro computer system. The IBM PC is a classic IBM "PC compatible" computer, odd as that may sound, and in fact defines that genre. The IBM PC is a classic little computer that you can put your arms around. The IBM PC is not a classic outside of it's league. The IBM PC is not a classic big "glass house", "mainframe" computer. The IBM PC is not one kind of classic since it doesn't even have one blinking light on the front (and I really mean "blinking" as in flashing on and off). Everybody knows that you have to have lots of blinking lights to have a REAL computer. I cut my computer teeth on an IBM 360/44 (with the 200ns high speed! register option, and that little internal pancake disk drive). It took me quite awhile to get over the fascination of watching the light show dancing around on the front panel. Lights went out with the 370 mid-life kickers and things just weren't the same after that. The IBM PC is not a classic big computer - the kind that put ITS arms around YOU. And those of you who know what I mean, know what I mean. However... If by "classic" you are using some other definition (which you have every right to do) then one can not address the question without knowing the special definition that you have in mind. For example, if by "classic" it is meant that they will eventually be sought after by overly mature, as in aging, men and women looking for a way to bring back some very fond memories of a more vital, adventurous time. And willing to pay (possibly large) sums of money to get such an object of desire - so that they can brag sagely about it to their (also older) knowing friends. If that is what is meant by "classic" then... The IBM PC is not a classic - for everyone. I know of no "classic" anything that is. Will the IBM PC be a popular classic as time goes by? I don't know. But I can tell you that it has become popular with me. I'm way more overly mature than I would like to be and, ahem, I have a original IBM PC, with a Type 1 motherboard and a serial number of _235785. Top that! I am sure some of you can. I plan to de-expand it back to an earlier representative configuration - with one SINGLE SIDED diskette drive! And boot DOS 1.0 or 3.3. And if I find a Type 1 with a number __99999 or less, then I will investigate procuring that. And if I find a Type 1 with a number ___999 or less, then I will really investigate procuring that - and so forth. No I'm not a nut. But I am a collector on the look-out. I have a small (25) "PC" collection (with a cut off at the first Pentium) mostly because I can't stand to see fully functional digital computers, who did nothing but serve their masters, trashed and lost forever. I certainly don't need to find an earlier Type 1, I already have a pretty nice example. What I NEED to find is a fully functional IBM PC Expansion Chassis (with two 10 Meg disk drives) to connect to my Type 1. This could run everything from DOS 1.1 to Windows 3.0. Are IBM PCs classic? Yes, by and large they really are - though not for everyone. Now... If you know where I could get my hands on a working IBM PC Expansion Chassis, especially one headed for oblivion, please let me know. I am, Paul King at PaKing(a)exchange.ml.com

26 years

Honeywell Bull

by jlwest＠tseinc.com

Again, I don't have Honeywell knowledge, but didn't they create a division called Honeywell Bull Information Systems, and rebadged multiple systems under that name? My only knowledge of this comes from my General Automation days. When their Motorola based line was loosing market share to the Unix crowd, they introduced a server called a Honeywell Bull (blue/green nameplate I think)? That system I know for sure was an RS6000. Perhaps HBIS rebadged more than just the RS6000. Sounds like it anywho... Jay -----Original Message----- From: Tom Owad <owad(a)caesarville.net> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Tuesday, May 18, 1999 5:55 PM Subject: Re: Honeywell Bull >>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. 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. > >Hmm... I haven't seen the unit, just talked to the fellow on the phone. >I asked him what kind of computer it was, he put the phone down to go >look at it, came back, and said it was a "Honeywell Bull", also giving me >the dimensions (4x3x2). The computer was used by a company that >assembles line and bucket trucks. I believe they had a good number of >remote terminals set up, and used the system to transfer specs and price >sheets. > >Tom Owad >

26 years

Honeywell Bull

by jlwest＠tseinc.com

You wrote... >> I have an opportunity to acquire a Honeywell Bull mainframe, free of >> charge 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. 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? Jay West

26 years

(fwd) WARNING! New Ebay SCAM! (fwd)

by edick＠idcomm.com

You won't find eBay wanting to "get in the middle" in that way. They get a fee based on the high bid. They don't really care whether the transaction is completed. Of course, the seller gets a credit for his fee in the case where the sale isn't completed, but eBay still gets the money. Why would they want to change this comfortable arrangement? Dick -----Original Message----- From: Philip.Belben(a)pgen.com <Philip.Belben(a)pgen.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Tuesday, May 18, 1999 7:52 AM Subject: Re: (fwd) WARNING! New Ebay SCAM! (fwd) > > >>>>It means that the "dealer" has an item X in their inventory, they see that >>>someone else on Ebay is selling an equivalent X. The dealer follows the >>>auction to completion, when complete, the dealer sends email to the second >>>highest bidder and asks if they would like to purchase the item from them >>>for the price they offered the seller. >>> >>>This is a scam? Give it a break guys. If I bid on something and am not the >>>high bidder I would like a chance to buy. If you don't then don't reply. >>>Sometimes you can get in a bidding war and end up pay many times the value >>>of an item, I.E. Imsai or Altec on Ebay, Is it really that different than >>>making an offer here to someone who has something you want? So who looses if >>>a seller contacts you and you agree on a fair price? Ebay? Time to face the >>>facts Ebay, Yahoo, etc., etc. auctions are going to stay a while. >> >> The above was an explanation of the legitimate practice. The abuse is where >> a third party pretends to be the seller, contacts the second etc. bidders >> and requests payment be sent to a blind PO Box, then skips with the funds >> never sending any goods. >> >> BTW I just sent an inquiry to eBay to see if this is rumor, hoax, or fact. > > >Oh. I got the impression that it was the highest bidder doing this, i.e. >outbidding the legitimate bidders; then selling his stuff to the failed bidders; >and only then backing down on the original sale. Very nasty, because the >original vendor can't sell to the failed bidders until he has definitely heard >that the winner is backing down... > >At a genuine auction in the UK, the auctioneer has the legal power to sign a >contract of purchase on behalf of either party. So backing down is very, very >difficult. But this sort of safeguard has yet to reach Ebay, I suppose. > >Philip. > > > > >

26 years

Collecting PCs

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- 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 PDP8 is a very elegant machine, so I can > understand wanting to own one (I have a couple...) but I can't see why > you'd pick that one model. It is the most common one, I guess... In my case the -8/e was the _last_ one I got. I'm personally fond of the pre-OMNIBUS machines (-8/L and -8/i) for the simple matter that they are made of wads of TTL and assembled in such a fashion that it's entirely possible to envision how this gate connects to that flop, etc, and trace the operation of the ALU, etc. The appeal of the OMNIBUS machines is that it's easier to hang modern devices off of them. Of course, it probably comes down to the question of "what did you encounter first". In my case, it was an -8/L followed by an -8/i followed by an -8/a. As for most common, around here, I ran across as many -8/a's as all other kinds put together (during the 1980's when such things were to be found in the wild at all). I wish I could have rescued the two -8/m's that were at OSU analyzing horse urine for the state racing commission. They had a rack of Diablo RK03's on a switch with one CPU attached to a mass spectrometer and the other CPU attached to a 9-track and a Tektronics printing terminal. It was four racks of CPUs, disks and such. The last time I saw them was 1987, give or take a year. It's where I cut my teeth on RTS-8 (during the maintenance time on the mass spec). -ethan _____________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Free instant messaging and more at http://messenger.yahoo.com

26 years

thermal paper supplier?

by bluoval＠mindspring.com

Does anyone know where I can find a few rolls of thermal paper for a TI Silent 700? I have only about half a roll left and don't want to waste what little I have if I can't find more. Is there any suitable replacements for this paper? Robert

26 years

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