- test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org - classiccmp.org

by cfandt＠netsync.net

Will, I've tried a couple of times to contact you by email regarding whether you intend on obtaining the remaining DEC gear I still have. Didn't bounce back but I figure maybe Hotmail doesn't notify senders of non-delivery. Anyway, could you get back to me ASAP with your intentions on this stuff? I must move on this soon as I need the space very much. Apologies to the list for using the bandwidth. -Chris -- -- Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net Member of Antique Wireless Association URL: http://www.antiquewireless.org/

24 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

IBM ROM BASIC or lack thereof

by Robert_Feldman＠jdedwards.com

Yes, providing a default ROM monitor program would be useful and simple to implement. The Otrona Attache would go into terminal mode if it couldn't boot the OS. It also provided a set of diagnostic routines that could be run from terminal mode. I agree with you that error messages should be more informative. One problem is that they often just tell you the last of a series of errors. "No ROM Basic" accurately describes the last "error," but it might be more useful to the user to also know that the system got to that point because it couldn't boot from disk. - Bob -----Original Message----- From: ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk [mailto:ard@p850ug1.demon.co.uk] Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2001 5:43 PM To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org Subject: Re: IBM ROM BASIC or lack thereof <snip> I wish more manufacturers would put a program in the boot ROM that allows reading and writing to memory, running (machine code) programs and preferably also reading/writing I/O ports (if they're not memory mapped). It makes debugging the machine a lot easier if it can't boot a disk (or if you don't have a bootable disk for the machine, at least you can do something with it. Tiny (or otherwise) BASIC allows one to do this. So does Forth. Or just a little machine code monitor. With ROM space being so cheap these days you'd have thought they could find room for something like this... -tony

24 years, 9 months

3
2
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6502 BASIC or Assembler and Intel 8271/WDC 1770 info req'd

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

The 8271 is a poor choice as it does not do MFM (double density). Either use 8272 or the 1770 you have. The 1770 does not overclock reliably. Allison -----Original Message----- From: Philip Pemberton <philpem(a)bigfoot.com> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Date: Friday, October 05, 2001 12:20 PM Subject: 6502 BASIC or Assembler and Intel 8271/WDC 1770 info req'd >Hi, > I'm building myself a 6502-based single-board computer, with the aim of >running it off a 4.8V NiMH or NiCad battery pack. But I've got a problem. I >need a programming language for it. Aparrently there were many BASIC >interpreters sold for the Synertek SYM-1 (aka SY-VIM-1), MOS KIM-1 and >Rockwell AIM-65. Anyone know what happened to the companies that produced >these? Ideally I'd like the source code for a 6502 BASIC interpreter, but >binary code would be OK too. The SBC will communicate via a small LCD panel, >RS232 (so I can hook it up to a "dumb terminal") and will have a hexadecimal >keypad and an optional hard drive, too. Anyone care to make any suggestions >(or submit some code)? > >BTW, I also need some info on the Intel 8271 disk controller - I've got two >of these little devils and Intel's datasheet makes absolutely no sense at >all. I've also got a Western Digital WD1770-PH 00-02 that I might be able to >use instead. First of all, which is the better controller? The 8271 or the >1770? Also, is it possible to overclock a 1770 or an 8271 like you can a >1772? >I'd love some schematics and/or some source code. I really don't fancy >disassembling Acorn's 8271 DFS and Watford Electronics' 1770 DFS... > >Thanks. >-- >Phil. >philpem(a)bigfoot.com >http://www.philpem.f9.co.uk/ >

24 years, 9 months

1
0
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Restoring classic kits we built way-back-when

by mtapley＠swri.edu

Ethan Dicks wrote: >one aspect of classic kit building I have a question for the group >about is, what about stuff that we built ourselves 10+ years ago that >still works, but might need some touch-up. If the solder joint in question meets the following criteria: a) bad enough that fail-open is a credible risk b) in a pathway such that fail-open could cause damage to other components (particularly hard-to-replace ones) I'd say it should be retouched. In any other case, I'd say that the risk of damage, plus the loss of historical value, are convincing arguments to leave it alone. Bottom line, though, is that they are your kits, and whatever you want to do with them is Ok. Good question, though. - Mark

24 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

Book on Silicon Valley

by vcf＠vintage.org

A book that the VCF and many computer collectors prominently figure in is coming out on November 1. It's called _Artifacts: An Archaeologist's Year in Silicon Valley_ by Christine Finn. Those of you who have been to a VCF in the past year and a half will recognize her as a recurring speaker. A website has been established for the book at: http://www.artifactsthebook.com/ Tonight is Christine's first book reading at a bookstore in Menlo Park, California. If you are a local and would like to attend, the information is posted to the website above. Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org

24 years, 9 months

3
3
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need some advice on some VAX boards ...

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

On October 5, Brian Knittel wrote: > > I believe the first voice-coil drvie in that family was the ST-4096, > > but I'm not positive of that. That was one nice drive. > > A nice drive? You must have gotten the one that worked. I ran > into 5 or 6 of them, and after a couple of months, every one of > them failed, as did their warranty replacements. I only found > one that ended up being useful for several years (as a door stop). > > They sounded like chain saws. Hmm, interesting. I installed about two dozen of them in customer machines with no problems. They were all relatively close together time-wise; I suppose I got lucky and scored a batch from a good production run. -Dave -- Dave McGuire Laurel, MD

24 years, 9 months

1
0
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need some advice on some VAX boards ...

by brian＠quarterbyte.com

> I believe the first voice-coil drvie in that family was the ST-4096, > but I'm not positive of that. That was one nice drive. A nice drive? You must have gotten the one that worked. I ran into 5 or 6 of them, and after a couple of months, every one of them failed, as did their warranty replacements. I only found one that ended up being useful for several years (as a door stop). They sounded like chain saws. brian =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- _| _| _| Brian Knittel / Quarterbyte Systems, Inc. _| _| _| Tel: 1-510-559-7930 Fax: 1-510-525-6889 _| _| _| Email: brian(a)quarterbyte.com _| _| _| http://www.quarterbyte.com

24 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

6502 BASIC or Assembler and Intel 8271/WDC 1770 info req'd

by Lee.Davison＠merlincommunications.com

Ideally I'd like the source code for a 6502 BASIC interpreter, but binary code would be OK too. Phil, go see http://www.geocities.com/leeedavison/ . You'll find what you want there. Lee. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- This email is intended only for the above named addressee(s). The information contained in this email may contain information which is confidential. The views expressed in this email are personal to the sender and do not in any way reflect the views of the company. If you have received this email and you are not a named addressee please delete it from your system and contact Merlin Communications International IT Department on +44 20 7344 5888. _____________________________________________________________________ This message has been checked for all known viruses by Star Internet delivered through the MessageLabs Virus Scanning Service. For further information visit http://www.star.net.uk/stats.asp or alternatively call Star Internet for details on the Virus Scanning Service.

24 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

AIX

by vance＠ikickass.org

Hi. Anyone have AIX 1.x disks for PS/2 around anywhere? Peace... Sridhar

24 years, 9 months

2
1
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TECO manuals

by IVIE＠cc.usu.edu

>> Anybody know of any online TECO manuals? I've got a set of >> DECsystem-10 TECO manuals that I'll scan if they dont already >> exist online.... > >I'm not aware of any TECO manuals online, and I'm almost positive that there >aren't any DECsystem-10 TECO manuals online. These would be a great >addition. There's a bunch of TECO stuff over at http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/academic/computer-science/history/pdp-11/teco/ but I don't think there's a TECO-10 manual. There is, however, a TECO-6 manual at http://www.enteract.com/~enf/lore/teco/teco-64.html What I'm looking for is a piece of software called "Video TECO". It's a fairly nice (from my limited perspective) full-screen TECO in C that I used for some time under Ultrix. I still have a printout of the manual somewhere, but I seem to have lost my copy of the sources and haven't been able to find a site online containing it. Roger Ivie ivie(a)cc.usu.edu

24 years, 9 months

4
3
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Z80 or 68K Xinu source?

by ncherry＠home.com

Does any one have the source code to Xinu for the Z80 (prefered) or the 68K? I'm working on Circuit Cellar's HCS II (10 in Jan a now Open Sorce :-) and I'd like to take advantage of Xinu and Zilog's newer Z80 derivatives. Thanks -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry(a)home.net http://members.home.net/ncherry (Text only) http://linuxha.sourceforge.net/ (SourceForge) http://hcs.sourceforge.net/ (HCS II)

24 years, 9 months

3
3
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Semi OT: Radio Shack Armatron & May '85 issue of Radio-Electronics

by knightstalkerbob＠netscape.net

Greets, arm6.tif.1 worked this time, but 2 & 3 still show "Not a valid TIFF" in Paint Shop Pro. Bob Mason "Sean 'Captain Napalm' Conner" <spc(a)conman.org> wrote: >It was thus said that the Great Mike once stated: >> >> From: Chris <mythtech(a)Mac.com> >> > Can you get pic 2,3 or 6 to open? I can't get them to work (your >> >> OK, I reuploaded 2,3, and 6 to the same spot. Try them again at: >> >> http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/lig/d/o/dogas/arm2.tif >> http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/lig/d/o/dogas/arm3.tif >> http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/lig/d/o/dogas/arm6.tif > > I just resnagged them and you can view them at > > http://www.flummux.org/radio/ > > The original ones I snagged earlier are still there under the original >name, while the new ones have a `.1' extention. If someone can test them >and get back to me, I would appreciate it. > > -spc (They are different, even if they are the same file size ... ) > > -- Bob Mason 2x Amiga 500's, GVP A530 (40mhz 68030/68882, 8meg Fast, SCSI), 1.3/3.1, 2meg Chip, full ECS chipset, EZ135, 1084S, big harddrives, 2.2xCD Gateway Performance 500 Piece 'o Crap, 'ME, 128meg, 20Gig, flatbed. Heathkit H-89A, 64K RAM, hard and soft-sectored floppies, SigmaSoft and Systems 256K RAM Drive/Print Spooler/Graphics board HDOS 2 & CP/M 2.2.03/2.2.04 __________________________________________________________________ Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop@Netscape! http://shopnow.netscape.com/ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/

24 years, 9 months

2
1
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OT: Archaeological restorations (was RE: Restoring classic kits w e built way-back-when)

by Robert_Feldman＠jdedwards.com

On topic: Leave your old hardware the way it is, for historical reference. Off topic: Coins are so boring ;) (though they last and are dated; I admit I have used them myself, though). When I backfilled my excavations of a 3000 BC temple mound on the Peruvian coast, I put a basket-full of old shoes in first (the site was being used as the modern town's garbage dump). In another case, I dumped a load of washed and sorted shells in a pit at a village site, and put in a dated newspaper page. A few years later, another group re-excavated at the village, found the shells, but thought the newspaper was intrusive (there is a lot of site looting in Peru) until they happened to mention to me the "cache" of shells they found, whereupon I told them what had happened. -----Original Message----- From: Ethan Dicks [mailto:erd_6502@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 10:17 PM To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org Subject: Restoring classic kits we built way-back-when <snip> Specifically, I have several things <snip> that I made when I was a teenager. <snip> I'm debating re-soldering these items <snip> I took history and archaeology in school; <snip> When my advisor restored the bed of a large monochrome mosaic near Isthmia, he threw several modern coins into the concrete bed so that future excavators would know that it wasn't ancient concrete. <snip> -ethan

24 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

HP 9000/847S

by lance＠costanzo.net

>That's true :). I'm sort of doubting that about the H50 because it's just so >fast (well, 96MHz) but the memory helps out a lot. The CPU is a pain in the >back to carry though. Nearly broke my back when carrying it up the stairs. Pull the power supplies and disk cages next time.

24 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

Scrapping LA100 & Diablo printers

by mhstein＠usa.net

Am scrapping several DEC LA100 DM and Diablo/Wang HyType DW printers; anybody need any parts before they go? Also have manuals including Service manual for the LA100. mike mhstein(a)usa.net

24 years, 9 months

10
11
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HP 9000/847S

by steven_j_robertson＠hotmail.com

I have HP/847S and found it to be a very effective space heater. Since I wasn't particularily impressed with it's performance, I have opted to run a smaller and more energy friendly HP/832. I use my HPUX box(s) primarily as a database server (running APACHE, PERL, and INFORMIX), application develpment using a Z80 cross assembler, and a backup system for all my other "stuff". I have more trust in 9-track tapes than other backup media. As part of their Y2K support program, HP offered HPUX-10.2 as a free upgrade. The upgrade package included everything you would need to get your box up and running. As far as I know, the upgrade program has been discontinued. You can find release notes and installation instructions at: http://docs.hp.com As I recall, the basic install will give you licenses for two concurrent users. Additional licenses can be activated by installing the license upgrade. This requires a key to activate. The keys were provided by HP with the upgrade based on the number of licenses the user had previously bought. As with the software, those "Free" license upgrades are probably no longer available. Some of the CDs included applications but, you need keys to install them. An alternative is to download and install apps from the HPUX freeware site (http://hpux.cs.utah.edu ). Send me your address off list and I'll get a copy of the OS to you. NOTE: You'll need a bootable CD player to install the software. ALSO --- If any your disks already have an OS installed, there is a simple way to circumvent the ROOT password. SteveRob >From: jarkko.teppo(a)er-grp.com >Reply-To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org >To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org >Subject: HP 9000/847S >Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2001 09:16:35 +0300 > >Hello, >I just picked up a 9K 847S, upgraded to H50 with two SCSI-buses, one mux >panel, a few disks and 384MB of memory (hmmmmm...). I'm not sure on the >ten year rule as I'm relatively clueless regarding this machine. This is >my second PA-RISC machine and it seems refreshingly better than the 840. > >A few questions: >a) Introduction date ? >b) Where can I get HP-UX 10.x cheaply :)? (ie. for free) > >-- >jht _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

24 years, 9 months

4
4
0 0

IBM 4965

by Diff＠Mac.com

Hello, I have been offered a rather large collection of machines, including an IBM PC with the original monitor, and an IBM 4965 with an 8" floppy drive. The 4965 is mounted in a large white rack, with a power supply mounted at the bottom, and the cover has been removed from the power supply, Anyone know anything about these machines? It looks as though all the original disks and documentation is there, but I am wondering whether its worth my time to clean this up. Zach

24 years, 9 months

12
14
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Cold/Hot storage of computers -- OK?

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Oct 4, 17:22, John Foust wrote: > At 05:36 PM 10/4/01 +0000, Pete Turnbull wrote: > >The easiest way to deal with it is to ensure that the loft > >is ventilated, but a better way would be to use a dehumidifier. They're > >not too expensive to run (at least, not compared to heating or air > >conditioning) > > They're like little refrigerators, and most of them > aren't very smart about the set-point you've selected > in consideration of the actual temperature and humidity, > so they'll happily run when they can't do their job. > They work by condensation on the cooled coils. That's a good description, and it's true they're not very smart, but they do work. If the air gets too cold, just run a PDP-11 to warm it up :-) -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

24 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

TECO manuals

by mrbill＠mrbill.net

Anybody know of any online TECO manuals? I've got a set of DECsystem-10 TECO manuals that I'll scan if they dont already exist online.... Bill -- Bill Bradford mrbill(a)mrbill.net Austin, TX

24 years, 9 months

5
6
0 0

need some advice on some VAX boards ...

by technos＠nerdland.org

On Friday, October 05, 2001 12:58 AM, Absurdly Obtuse [SMTP:vance@ikickass.org] wrote: > On Thu, 4 Oct 2001, Dave McGuire wrote: > > > The ST225 was indeed 65ms...scary slow. It made a great distinctive > > "peep-peep" sound, though...which I liked even more than the [still > > rather cool] "chirp-chirp" sound of the ST251 and ST251-1. :-) > > I *love* that sound. Another good one is the IBM WDA-105. That was a > nice-sounding drive. Another melodic one. Only 5 megs though. > > Peace... Sridhar I used to have a pair of full height Micropolis that sounded just wonderful.. Jet-engine noises on startup, and a thick twang-beeeeep sound when it seeked. Dun remember what model, and I'm too lazy to dig em out and see, but I'm sure they were 170M units. Jim

24 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

IBM ROM BASIC or lack thereof

by acme_ent＠bellsouth.net

Tony Duell wrote: > However, I've seen too many computers with incorrect labelling. I've seen > PCs with a DE9 COM port with a mouse icon over it. OK, so the > pre-installed version of Windows presumably expected a serial mouse on > COM1: . That does not make that port a mouse port, though, at least not > to a hardware hacker like me. You are absolutely right that the port is not a "mouse" port, but if it has a picture of a mouse next to it then Suzy will know where to plug her mouse in. Glen 0/0

24 years, 9 months

2
1
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Anyone looking for an MSM Terminal Server for their museum???

by montkw＠sbcglobal.net

This was just passed on to me: -----Original Message----- From: Francis Girard [mailto:fgirard@cisco.com] Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 11:23 AM To: canada(a)cisco.com; sales-eng(a)cisco.com Subject: Anyone looking for an MSM Terminal Server for their museum??? A customer just called me to inform me that they're about to throw away about 10 very special terminal servers. They bought these back in 1990, and have serial numbers 000001 through 0000010! Hydro-Quebec may have very well been the first customer to purchase our MSM Terminal Server. I have no idea what these look like, but their still functional. Is anyone interested in these??? Let me know ASAP as he's about to junk them. Note that, although he didn't suggest any form of compensation, I'm sure this customer would be very pleased of getting some sort of promo item (please, not a stress ball).... Let me know. Francis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Francis Girard Ing?nieur de r?seau Les Syst?mes Cisco Canada Cie 1501, avenue McGill College, Bureau 600 Montr?al (Qu?bec) H3A 3M8 Tel : (514) 847-6853 Fax : (514) 847-6802 Pager : 1-800-68CISCO fgirard(a)cisco.com www.cisco.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

24 years, 9 months

1
0
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houston (mostly DEC) garage sale/giveaway

by oliv555＠arrl.net

My acquisition rate has exceeded my storage capacity so am making the following available to list members pre-eBay. Bigger items to Houston area only, (no shipping at this time). All items in working condition unless otherwise noted. IBM RS/6000 7012-370;aix3.x, kb, mouse, no key, FREE no pwd,1gb hd, fdd, xtra boards, vid cable DEC PDP 11/73; ba23, m8190ab, m8637dh, rx33, rqdx3 $100 rlv21,dhq11, rd52(doa), rt11 v5.4d kit RA81 logic bd; cond ? FREE ACT-10340 qniverter $10 mvII cpu+mem; m7606af, m7608bp $5 mvII cpu+2mem; m7606et, m7609ah, m7609ap $10 dssi m7769;s-handle $10 MAC 6100/66; w/DOS board, kbrd, mouse FREE MAC 6100/66, not working FREE MAC IIci FREE DEC ba23 cabinet, unpopulated FREE DEC ba213 cab, unpopulated FREE DEC sz-12 storage expansion; rz55 FREE DEC Ext Strage box, rz56 FREE Vaxstation 4000/model 60;no hd $25 Vaxstation 3100/m76 SPX; vms6.x $25 Vaxstation 3100/m76 SPX $20 Microvax 3100/20e; vms $20 Infoserver 100; rz23(2)rrd.. $10 VT420 / LK401 $10 -nick o 281-553-6507

24 years, 9 months

3
4
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HSD05 Results

by dittman＠dittman.net

I found one DSSI cable to connect one of my two HSD05 controllers to my VAX 4000/500 (I'm still looking for another). I've read that the HSD05 controller is not very fast, so I used the disk speed benchmark mybenchmark and tested an RZ28B vs. an RF72 and find the HSD05-connected RZ28B is slightly faster than the RF72. I'm going to test my RF73 tomorrow. I'm curious as to whether the smaller RF3x drives are faster than the RF7x drives. Does anyone have any benchmarks? -- Eric Dittman dittman(a)dittman.net Check out the DEC Enthusiasts Club at http://www.dittman.net/

24 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

Osborne OCC1

by acme_ent＠bellsouth.net

Louis Schulman wrote: > #I have come across an Osborne model OCC1 Serial # 134033. This unit has the > #300 baud modem. It also has 5 1/4 disk with it. (SuperCalc, WordStar, > #Qbasic) The unit boots up and runs the software but after about 15 to 20 > #minutes it starts to overheat.(smoke) > #My question is - What is the selling price for a unit like this and where > #would be the best place to sell it? > > Well, I have a related question. I have an '86 Dodge that runs fine for 10 or 15 minutes, but then the > passenger compartment fills with smoke and flames shoot out of the grill. > > What is the blue book on an "86 Dodge with flames and smoke? (Louis, that's *funny*!) Uh, the blue book value is -$10,000 -- you'd have to pay me to take possession of it. I hate to tell this guy but I think the last thing most of us wants is another insane computer . . . Glen 0/0

24 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

Restoring classic kits we built way-back-when

by healyzh＠aracnet.com

> them) or leaving them the way they are a) because if it works, don't > screw with it, and b) it's a snapshot of my own context in the greater > historical framework. Personally I think the real issue here is that if it works don't mess with it. So your soldering might be sloppy. Big deal. Yes, I'm a big fan of if it works don't mess with it. Zane

24 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

LK401 mystery circuit

by optimus＠canit.se

After Tony's suggestion that I test our faulty LK201s with a VT terminal, it turned out that both worked fine with a VT420. So I thought I'd give our LK401s a try as well. And it actually turned out that one worked! The other still didn't. I opened them up and connected them to the VT, and after a while, I noticed that a small (14 pins DIL?) Motrola IC called LC74750P was much hotter on the faulty board. I established that the fault was on the PCB by connecting the working one to the keyboard matrix of the faulty one. The 74750P was only pleasantly warm in the functioning keyboard, whereas it got as hot as a Pentium processor after a while on the faulty PCB. So I thought I just had to nip down to the shop and get some standard TTL (it does begin with a 74...) chip and solder back (in a socket =). No such luck. The clerk couldn't find the chip in store, in any catalogue or any databook. He suggested that it might have been made as a batch only for DEC. Does anyone know what kind of chip this might be, and if it's available anywhere? As for the LK401, the PCB contains three ICs: 1 ? 74750P (???) 1 ? i8051 (microcontroller, does this have some on-board ROM which prevents drop-in replacement?) 1 ? AMTEL something or other. Could it be a ROM? -- En ligne avec Thor 2.6a. Die Malerei ist stumme Poesie, die Poesie blinde Malerei. --- Leonardo da Vinci

24 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

need some advice on some VAX boards ...

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

On October 3, Ethan Dicks wrote: > RD50 - ST506 > RD51 - ST412 > RD52 - Quantum 540? Yes, Q540. > RD53 - Micropolis 1335 > RD54 - Maxtor XT2190 > RD31 - ST225 > RD32 - ST241-1 Just a nit...the RD32 is an ST251...not a -1 model. The ST251 had an average access time of 40ms (if memory serves) and the ST251-1 was 28.5ms. An easy performance upgrade for RD32-based systems is to replace the DEC-badged Seagate ST251 with an ST251-1...the controller won't know the difference...but the user will! :-) -Dave -- Dave McGuire Laurel, MD

24 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

Altair 8800a on EBAY

by gmphillips＠earthlink.net

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1280822959 I have been considering buying one of these machines as an investment. While I am a computer programmer by trade, I have no clue how to operate or program one of these things which really does not matter since I would be buying it as an investment. Any comments concerning what would be considered a "fair price" on this machine would be appreciated. I seem to recall seeing one sell on EBAY a few months ago for around 1800.00 but I don't think it had a monitor and drives. My guess (given the current economic situation) is that 1800.00 - 2200.00 might be sufficient to win the bid on this box. Comments?

24 years, 9 months

17
40
0 0

Superfile for DOS?

by vcf＠vintage.org

Might anyone have a copy of Superfile for DOS they can shoot over to me? Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org

24 years, 9 months

1
0
0 0

IBM ROM BASIC or lack thereof

by acme_ent＠bellsouth.net

Jeffrey S. Sharp wrote: > You forget: when this was state of the art, the vast majority of users > were just like Tony. Well, the thing is, the message was on mobos long after it was state of the art, which was my original point -- why was the message still there, when the BASIC wasn't. Also, *no one* is/was "just like Tony" :>) (Tony -- this is a compliment ;>) Glen 0/0

24 years, 9 months

2
1
0 0

Cold/Hot storage of computers -- OK?

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Oct 4, 11:48, SUPRDAVE(a)aol.com wrote: > Most halfway modern things have environmental criteria for when it's running > and when it's off. For humidity, I've seen the storage range be from 5%-95% > noncondensing and temp range from 0F-110F when not running. I'm running out > of space as well finally, but will not store things in the roof. The key word in there is "noncondensing", which isn't likely to be the case part of the time, unless you do something about it. Corrosion could be a real problem. The easiest way to deal with it is to ensure that the loft is ventilated, but a better way would be to use a dehumidifier. They're not too expensive to run (at least, not compared to heating or air conditioning) and you could run a short drain hose out of the dehumidifier and out of the loft to dispose of the water. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Rich Beaudry" <r_beaudry(a)hotmail.com> > > Since I am rapidly exhausting all space in my basement workshop, I need to > > move some of my computers to the loft above our garage. The problem is, > the > > garage is completely UNinsulated, and has only a metal roof (i.e., thin, > and > > NO resistance to temperature -- hot or cold). -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

24 years, 9 months

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back in the saddle again

by ghldbrd＠ccp.com

finally back online with a mailer here. Still getting used to Linux PC over my Amiga 3000. Just for some laughs out there, I want to pass this along . . . . I downloaded about 20k, yes 20,000 emails. Seems my former (and present) ISP maintaianed my email addy and there was an accumulation of emails from last February. took about 7 hrs to dowload, and another 6 to chip through them. Might this be a Guiness Book world's record?? gary Hildebrand

24 years, 9 months

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need some advice on some VAX boards ...

by dittman＠dittman.net

> >I suppose you *COULD* write a driver that lets you use the board > >for non-booting devices if you had enough information available. > > That depends on exactly why the firmware > will not play with VAX. My *guess* (based > on exactly no information ...) is that it has > intimate knowledge of some internal > OpenVMS Alpha data structure (page > tables or such like). That's what I meant by enough information. You'd need the source for OpenVMS Alpha, OpenVMS VAX, and the driver as the bare minimum along with hardware specs. > So it is quite possible that you would need > to re-write the firmware to be able to do > *anything* with the board at all. Or you could possibly do the setup in the driver initialization. It would be much simpler to use a CIXCD to an HSJxx controller. When you factor in the development costs the CI solution would be much less expensive as well. We use CIXCD boards in our VAX 7730 systems (actually two for redundancy to dual Star Couplers). -- Eric Dittman dittman(a)dittman.net Check out the DEC Enthusiasts Club at http://www.dittman.net/

24 years, 9 months

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classiccmp-digest V1 #737

by andyh＠netcomuk.co.uk

Tony stated: > FWIW, I have never treated _anything_ as a black box where I don't have > to care about what goes on inside. I find it's easier to do good work if > you do understand the internals of the tools and equipment that you are > using. And therefore I have little time for people who aren't prepared to > learn about the insides of their computer/car/whatever... >>>> start of OT rant Although I like to be able to know about the "inside" of things, I am not convinced that it is possible to have anything more than a simplistic view (or even that much) for some things. GSM phones are, at best, borderline. DAB ("Digital Radio") seems to have gone to the level where only a very small proportion of the population (possibly less than a few thousand people worldwide) can really and accurately claim to fully understand how it works*. It worries me somewhat that such a technology is being deployed (as also does the potential for control by government and big business that is lacking in AM and FM radio), but possibly such complexity is inevitable. * sure, I can waffle on about using a spread spectrum technique in Band III to transmit a multiplexed bit stream than demultiplexes to several compressed sequences of digital samples - I might even, with a little research, be more convincing about how this bit stream is handled - but as for really understanding the transmission mechanism, "pass"! <<<< end of OT rant Andy

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need some advice on some VAX boards ...

by Antonio.Carlini＠riverstonenet.com

> Eric Dittman wrote: > >I suppose you *COULD* write a driver that lets you use the board >for non-booting devices if you had enough information available. That depends on exactly why the firmware will not play with VAX. My *guess* (based on exactly no information ...) is that it has intimate knowledge of some internal OpenVMS Alpha data structure (page tables or such like). For example, the DMB32 did exactly this - it could run in at least 4 different modes: given physical address (PA), given PA of a VAX page table, given SVA of buffer and given SVA of process page table. I assume the firmware engineers had time to kill :-) So it is quite possible that you would need to re-write the firmware to be able to do *anything* with the board at all. Antonio

24 years, 9 months

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need some advice on some VAX boards ...

by Antonio.Carlini＠riverstonenet.com

> > Does that apply to all revisions of the XMI SCSI? > > > > > > T2029-AB XMI-SCSI adapter > > > > > > The XMI-SCSI adapter is only supported on Alpha systems. > > That applies to all revisions. There are no VAX drivers for the > card in VMS. AFAIK, there is no VAX-compatible *firmware*, so you cannot even hope to write your own drivers ... Antonio

24 years, 9 months

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need some advice on some VAX boards ...

by dittman＠dittman.net

> T2029-AB XMI-SCSI adapter The XMI-SCSI adapter is only supported on Alpha systems. -- Eric Dittman dittman(a)dittman.net Check out the DEC Enthusiasts Club at http://www.dittman.net/

24 years, 9 months

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Scrapping Tektronix 4695 (was Re: Scrapping LA100 & Diablo printers)

by mythtech＠Mac.com

>Sometimes a network connection, even old slow LocalTalk is the most >convient thing to use. Up until the power supply blew on my Powerbook... I always carried this little pair of Farallon adaptors for localtalk. They were single RJ-11 connectors that plugged into the printer port (basically a standard teletalk connector, but the 2nd port was permanently terminated). They took almost no space (about an inch square for the pair), and almost no weight (maybe an ounce for the pair), and used my already carried modem's phone cord to connect between. I think hardly a meeting went by that I didn't use them to transfer files to someone else's computer. Localtalk was always pleanty fast for moving a few word files or a powerpoint presentation... and used WAY less battery power than the IR port (and was easier to use, as I had a Powerbook 1400 which used apple's crappy slow IR protocol, most other people had nicer, newer ones that used IRda, and although could "dumb down" to apple's, it just sucked). -chris <http://www.mythtech.net>

24 years, 9 months

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need some advice on some VAX boards ...

by dittman＠dittman.net

> > > Does that apply to all revisions of the XMI SCSI? > > > > > > > > T2029-AB XMI-SCSI adapter > > > > > > > > The XMI-SCSI adapter is only supported on Alpha systems. > > > > That applies to all revisions. There are no VAX drivers for the > > card in VMS. > > > AFAIK, there is no VAX-compatible *firmware*, > so you cannot even hope to write your own > drivers ... Yes, I forgot to mention the lack of firmware as well. I suppose you *COULD* write a driver that lets you use the board for non-booting devices if you had enough information available. -- Eric Dittman dittman(a)dittman.net Check out the DEC Enthusiasts Club at http://www.dittman.net/

24 years, 9 months

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Cold/Hot storage of computers -- OK?

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

Most halfway modern things have environmental criteria for when it's running and when it's off. For humidity, I've seen the storage range be from 5%-95% noncondensing and temp range from 0F-110F when not running. I'm running out of space as well finally, but will not store things in the roof. In a message dated 10/4/2001 10:18:11 AM Central Daylight Time, menadeau(a)mediaone.net writes: << Extreme cold will damage LCDs--I live in NH, and lost an IXO handheld terminal that way. At my previous home, my storage was similar to what you describe. Also, the heat of an attic will warp some plastics, and I suspect that it accelerates the yellowing process. I didn't have a problem with circuit boards, however. Hot and cold extremes will not be kind to software or to some types of paper. Temperatures aren't the only thing you have to worry about with the type of storage you describe. Vermin (insects, spiders, mice, bats) will also be a problem. I kept my stuff covered with old blankets and tarps to cut down on damage from dust and droppings. The coverings will also help with certain weather conditions common to New England. In springtime when the humidity is high and the temperature rises, moisture will form on metal and plastic surfaces. --Mike Michael Nadeau Editorial Services 603-893-2379 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rich Beaudry" <r_beaudry(a)hotmail.com> To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 10:06 AM Subject: Cold/Hot storage of computers -- OK? > Hello all, > > Since I am rapidly exhausting all space in my basement workshop, I need to > move some of my computers to the loft above our garage. The problem is, the > garage is completely UNinsulated, and has only a metal roof (i.e., thin, and > NO resistance to temperature -- hot or cold). > > My concern is that the cold of winter or the heat of summer might get to > them. I live in Massachusetts, so winter is not -40 degrees F, but we are > talking below freezing, and possibly below zero for short stretches. In the > summer, it must easily hit 100 degrees F in the loft, due to the hot metal > roof, and the trapped air (no windows!). > > I'm not so worried about the circuit boards, but I am worried about floppy > drives, hard drives, and CRTs. Does anyone know if such temperatures will > kill these things? Obviously I would let the computer acclimate for about > 24 hours after I move it back into my house, to avoid sudden temperature > swings, or condensation. I'm more worried about the storage affecting > them.... > > Thanks! > > Rich B. >>

24 years, 9 months

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Cold/Hot storage of computers -- OK?

by r_beaudry＠hotmail.com

Hello all, Since I am rapidly exhausting all space in my basement workshop, I need to move some of my computers to the loft above our garage. The problem is, the garage is completely UNinsulated, and has only a metal roof (i.e., thin, and NO resistance to temperature -- hot or cold). My concern is that the cold of winter or the heat of summer might get to them. I live in Massachusetts, so winter is not -40 degrees F, but we are talking below freezing, and possibly below zero for short stretches. In the summer, it must easily hit 100 degrees F in the loft, due to the hot metal roof, and the trapped air (no windows!). I'm not so worried about the circuit boards, but I am worried about floppy drives, hard drives, and CRTs. Does anyone know if such temperatures will kill these things? Obviously I would let the computer acclimate for about 24 hours after I move it back into my house, to avoid sudden temperature swings, or condensation. I'm more worried about the storage affecting them.... Thanks! Rich B.

24 years, 9 months

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Model 12 <-> Okidata 600e

by kc4fwz＠bellsouth.net

I'm trying to help a friend of a friend interface an Okidata 600e printer with a Radio Shack Model 12 computer. Any idea if this is possible? He claims to have created an interface cable, but it doesn't work. Robert Matthews

24 years, 9 months

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MAI Computer (uk) (fwd)

by kevan＠heydon.org

Please contact Matt directly if you are interested in this system. Kevan ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Mail <info(a)rothenberger.co.uk> Subject: MAI Computer Our company has in storage a MAI Basic 4 Information System,which I believe to be complete and functioning. We have no use for this and would be grateful if you could let me know whether this has any value and/or any people or companies you know of who might be interested in making me an offer. Matt Maguire Supply Chain Manager (Rothenberger UK Ltd.)

24 years, 9 months

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IBM S/36 5363 Question

by mldrew＠drewtech.com

My $10.00 (not including packing and shipping... Ouch!!!) System 36-5363 arrived today!! It is much bigger than I thought! The case is built like a tank How do I get it open??? I got the back cover off, no problem... There is no obvious way in. Any hints would be greatly appreciated. Mike -- =============================================================================== Michael L. Drew Drew Technologies, Inc. 41 Enterprise Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Phone: (734) 623-8080 Fax: (734) 623-8082 ===============================================================================

24 years, 9 months

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need some advice on some VAX boards ...

by gunther＠aurora.regenstrief.org

Hi, I might purchase some VAX boards for a good price, which I need to negotiate first and I need some help with finding out if I can use those in a VAX 6000-400 and/or -600 (XMI, VAXBI) machine. Here goes the list and following are specific questions T1010 DWBUA VAXBI-UNIBUS adapter (BI side) T1022/1023 DRB32, VAXBI-DRB adapter and DR11-W adapter T1031 KFBTA (AIE) BI RD Drive Controller T1060 VAX 9000 PEM Module T2020 XMI/NI controller T2022/2023 KDM70 XMI-SI adapter pair T2027 DEMFA XMI-FDDI controller T2028-AA XMI-LSB adapter T2029-AB XMI-SCSI adapter T2036-AA KFSMA, XMI-DSSI adapter T2080-YA CIXCD-AC XMI-CI adapter (for AXP and VAX 7k/10k) The intriguing thing about this pile is that it's relatively unusual hardware. I don't have this stuff yet and I don't get it for free. If you want any of it, chime in and tell me what you'd spend. I could make a bundle order that can give yet a better basis for negotiation. Detail: T1010 DWBUA VAXBI-UNIBUS adapter (BI side) - what cab-kit assembly is needed, is this something extremely hard to find? Can you give a model number for the cab-kit so I might find it somewhere? - I might want that because I plan to have a UNIBUS cabinet besides a VAX 11/780 in the near future. I could kind of swap the Unibus between the two machines. And I could use the UNIBUS frame buffer set that I might also get sometime. T1022/1023 DRB32, VAXBI-DRB adapter and DR11-W adapter T1031 KFBTA (AIE) BI RD Drive Controller - what the heck are DRB bus and what are the accessories needed to do anything useful with it? - and what are RD drives? Old junk? Are those available? How are they connected to the KFBTA? T1060 VAX 9000 PEM Module - there is actually a bunch of other 9000 modules. Anything useful to do with this in a VAX 6000's BI bus? T2020 XMI/NI controller - is this an XMI ethernet controller? Can it be used in an 6400 XMI bus? 6600? or only a 7000 and 10000? T2022/2023 KDM70 XMI-SI adapter pair - SI bus? Is this yet another disk/tape storage bus? Availability of disks? Old or new? This isn't the same as SBI (11/780) or SDI (KDB50) right? T2027 DEMFA XMI-FDDI controller - This should work on a 6400 XMI bus, right? T2028-AA XMI-LSB adapter - Laser bus? That's the 10000's bus, right? I assume that would require a whole LSB backplane, power, etc. etc., not feasible with a VAX 6000. T2029-AB XMI-SCSI adapter - Just checking: are these -AA, -AB, etc. suffixes anything that can make or break 6400 XMI compatibility? T2036-AA KFSMA, XMI-DSSI adapter - dito -AA -AB, etc. any issues there? T2080-YA CIXCD-AC XMI-CI adapter (for AXP and VAX 7k/10k) - dito. This sounds like a cool alternative for a faster CI link than through the BI bus. Your comments on any or all of the above are appreciated. And let me know if your heart is longing for anything of it and how much you would pay. (I don't make a profit from this, I'm trying to get a good price on a bulk order.) thanks, -Gunther -- Gunther Schadow, M.D., Ph.D. gschadow(a)regenstrief.org Medical Information Scientist Regenstrief Institute for Health Care Adjunct Assistant Professor Indiana University School of Medicine tel:1(317)630-7960 http://aurora.regenstrief.org

24 years, 9 months

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IBM S/36 5363 Question

by pjschilling＠gcstech.net

Sridhar, I would be interested in those tech docs. Got a S/36 5363 sitting at my office. Phil -----Original Message----- From: owner-classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:owner-classiccmp@classiccmp.org]On Behalf Of Absurdly Obtuse Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2001 5:55 PM To: Michael L. Drew Cc: 'classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org' Subject: Re: IBM S/36 5363 Question Nice find! Want technical docs? Peace... Sridhar On Wed, 3 Oct 2001, Michael L. Drew wrote: > My $10.00 (not including packing and shipping... Ouch!!!) > System 36-5363 arrived today!! > > It is much bigger than I thought! > > The case is built like a tank > > How do I get it open??? > > I got the back cover off, no problem... > > There is no obvious way in. > > Any hints would be greatly appreciated. > > Mike > > > > > -- > > ============================================================================ === > > Michael L. Drew > Drew Technologies, Inc. > 41 Enterprise Drive > Ann Arbor, MI 48103 > Phone: (734) 623-8080 > Fax: (734) 623-8082 > ============================================================================ === > > >

24 years, 9 months

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FDDI Cards

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

The only ones i've seen are SK-net brand, of which I have two in my IBM server 95s. In a message dated 10/2/2001 10:17:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time, vance(a)ikickass.org writes: << The problem with eBay though, is that many of the cards going through there are SAS and unlabeled. That. and I've never seen an IBM FDDI/MC on there. Peace... Sridhar On Tue, 2 Oct 2001, Gunther Schadow wrote: > on ebay :-) > > yes, I've seen them scroll through recently. Several of them. > > -Gunther >>

24 years, 9 months

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IBM ROM BASIC or lack thereof

by acme_ent＠bellsouth.net

> Hmmm...are there EPROM's in it, or ROMs? I built a PC > compatible with a bare board and stuffed the chips and > soldered it when I was broke in college. The BIOS it > came with wasn't very PC compatible. So (and I'm not > making any excuses for this..) I wrote a program in > disk based GW-BASIC (I actually BOUGHT it) that looked > like it did something when in reality it was writing > 2048K ROM images of the BIOS and BASIC ROMS of a real > IBM PC to floppy. I took it to an IBM store (IBM had > "stores" then) and told the salesman that I wanted to > know if my program would really run on an IBM PC/XT. I > ran it, it "worked", I said, "thank you very much", > went to work, blew the EPROMS, stuffed 'em in my > motherboard, and then, my PC, although it had a wooden > case and a power supply shielded with Erector Set > parts, was really, really, definitely IBM PC > compatible!! Brilliant move! Glen 0/0

24 years, 9 months

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IBM ROM BASIC or lack thereof

by acme_ent＠bellsouth.net

> Hmmm...are there EPROM's in it, or ROMs? I built a PC > compatible with a bare board and stuffed the chips and > soldered it when I was broke in college. The BIOS it > came with wasn't very PC compatible. So (and I'm not > making any excuses for this..) I wrote a program in > disk based GW-BASIC (I actually BOUGHT it) that looked > like it did something when in reality it was writing > 2048K ROM images of the BIOS and BASIC ROMS of a real > IBM PC to floppy. I took it to an IBM store (IBM had > "stores" then) and told the salesman that I wanted to > know if my program would really run on an IBM PC/XT. I > ran it, it "worked", I said, "thank you very much", > went to work, blew the EPROMS, stuffed 'em in my > motherboard, and then, my PC, although it had a wooden > case and a power supply shielded with Erector Set > parts, was really, really, definitely IBM PC > compatible!! Brilliant move! Glen 0/0

24 years, 9 months

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