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

Sovier/Russian 132-pin PGA Ceramic IC Packaging

by pbirkel＠gmail.com

In item https://www.ebay.com/itm/265045229011 I am curious as to whether the gold islands on the top-side are functional test-points giving electrical access to the underside pins? Was there a clip designed to attach to the top-side of these chips for use in circuit analysis? Was this design unique to Russian manufacture (I don't recall ever seeing this design previously)? paul

4 years, 9 months

5
5
0 0

VT340 Emulation

by mark＠matlockfamily.com

One VT340 emulator that works quite well is the VT Lan 40. This was one of the last terminals made by DEC. It ran Windows 3.1 from ROM and used the LK411-AA keyboard (with the round PC keyboard connector) displaying on a Super VGA LCD display (1024 x 768 x 16 colors) It could connect to several (unto 8) systems simultaneously using a DB25 serial, a MMJ serial, then over its ethernet connector: multiple LAT, CTERM (DECnet) and Telnet (TCP/IP) sessions. The session windows allow cut and paste between Windows. The VT340 emulation seems to be perfect displaying Regis and pixels correctly and handling mouse movements correctly in the VT340 mode. Output from Saturn Graph for VMS works great! It also displays APL overstrike characters correctly with VAX APL using the ^D prefix described in the APL documentation. It also handles some escape sequence quirks that RSX KED does that mess up other VT100 emulators. Being able to use a Super VGA display allows a small footprint compared to a real VT340 (for VCF events) and the fact that it uses a real LK411 keyboard is great. The only minor issue is that they are not cheap, but you can buy new-in-thebox old inventory at: http://keyways.com/vtlan40.html You?ll also need a VT411-AA keyboard sold separately and find a Super VGA LCD display. Fortunately the last item can be cheap. I got a good NEC one at a second hand store for $20. One final comment, the two VT Lan 40s I got eventually had a connector between the front power switch and the actual switch break due to a bad choice of plastic by DEC. However, this can easily be repaired with a 1? piece of 1/8? I.D. PVC tubing from the hardware store. Mark Matlock

4 years, 9 months

6
12
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On compiling. (Was a way off topic subject)

by cclist＠sydex.com

On 6/23/21 1:14 PM, Paul Koning wrote: > I don't remember the details at this point, but I assume the "execute TECO macro" operation in the Stevens PDP-10 TECO compiler is done in that way. And of course these could keep the compiled code around to reuse if the source string hasn't changed. A modern example of this technique is the regex library in Python, which lets you compile a regex string into a compiled regex object for later use, or lets you perform operations using the regex string directly. The latter form caches a string -> compiled regex cache so doing this in a loop still performs reasonably well. Could be the case of "what does "compile" mean?" If the meaning is "reduce to machine language" maybe not. Otherwise, if the meaning is "interpret", then maybe so. Consider this paragraph of the tutorial at http://www.snobol4.org/docs/burks/tutorial/ch7.htm" -------------------------------------------------------- 7.7 RUN-TIME COMPILATION The two functions described below are among the most esoteric features, not just of SNOBOL4, but of all programming languages in existence. While your program is executing, the entire SNOBOL4 compiler is just a function call away. ----------------------------------------------------------- So maybe not rendering into machine code, but something else. --Chuck

4 years, 9 months

4
6
0 0

Rockwell 65001EAB3

by brain＠jbrain.com

I know it's a long shot, but wondering if anyone might have a Rockwell 65001 EAB3 type IC lying around in a discard pile or otherwise willing to go to a new home.? Here's a pic of one in the Commodore C900 keyboard: https://i.ibb.co/tZ2m68x/IMG-1538.jpg I see one online for sale, but the both the pricing is untenable for a device I don't need to use but just wanted to research and I also don't want to prohibit a known good device from being available if needed. Jim -- Jim Brain brain at jbrain.com www.jbrain.com

4 years, 9 months

1
0
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ISO: Docs for Mostek MK8009-CA omnibus memory

by derschjo＠gmail.com

Hey all -- Picked up a memory board for my PDP-8/A, it's a Mostek MK8009-CA, currently outfitted with 32KW of memory but with empty pads for another 32KW. Not a ton of documentation on this -- anyone have anything? At minimum, configuration information would be nice, I'd also like to know what it takes to upgrade it to 64KW (apart from 24 more 4116's), so schematics would be excellent. I have this weird idea about extending TSS/8 to use more memory and the advanced features of the KT8-A... - Josh

4 years, 9 months

1
0
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Early Programming Books

by pbirkel＠gmail.com

I know of two early computer (in the stored program sense) programming books. 1951: Preparation of Programs for an Electronic Digital Computer (Wilkes, Wheeler, & Gill) 1957: Digital Computer Programming (McCracken) What others were published prior to the McCracken text? Excluded are lecture compendia and symposia proceedings, such as: 1946: Moore School Lectures 1947: Proceedings of a Symposium on Large-Scale Digital Calculating Machinery 1951: Proceedings of a Second Symposium on Large-Scale Digital Calculating Machinery 1953: Faster Than Thought, A Symposium On Digital Computing Machines These were principally about designs for, and experience with, new hardware. I'm curious about texts specifically focused on the act of programming. Were there others prior to McCracken? paul

4 years, 9 months

26
98
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VT340 Emulation

by cctalk＠gtaylor.tnetconsulting.net

On 6/18/21 5:50 PM, Wayne S via cctech wrote: > We didn't really need Regis graphics so we never tested that out. I'm not sure what the OP's use case is, but if they / you are wanting ReGIS (or Sixel) graphics, XTerm supports (both of) them. Incidentally, I have my XTerm configured to set it's decTerminalID to vt340. -- Grant. . . . unix || die

4 years, 9 months

3
5
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VT100 colors

by lars＠nocrew.org

Hello, Does anyone know what colors a VT100 is? Most photos online has it looking yellowish, but I expect that's from aging. Some people I have asked claim it was a light cream color. This bitsavers picture has it looking neutral grey: http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/terminal/vt100/vt100_wps-8.jpg And the black parts are claimed to be dark brown. I haven't found any color codes in the manuals.

4 years, 9 months

12
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Water Cooling and Hot Climates was RE: IBM 1620; was: Early Programming Books

by dave.g4ugm＠gmail.com

> -----Original Message----- > From: cctalk <cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Van Snyder via > cctalk > Sent: 22 June 2021 00:00 > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > Subject: Re: IBM 1620; was: Early Programming Books > > On Mon, 2021-06-21 at 17:26 -0400, William Donzelli via cctalk wrote: > > > Of course, nowadays, the old R22 systems are being refilled with > > > purified propane, called R290. Cheap, with better thermal > > > properties than R22, but probably not legal when LCM picked up the > 6500. > > > > When cleaning out a 3rd party CDC dealer quite a few years back, he > > remarked that the CDC machines going way back all the way to the 800s > > were fantastically unpicky about how they were cooled. He just used a > > garden hose connected to the building potable water, and if the > > machine under test needed more coolant because it was running warm, it > > just pumped more supply. Heated waste water went down the drain. > > > > This unlike the IBM water machines. > > I was once told that the most valuable guy in a Honeywell 6080 Multics shop > was the plumber. > I don't ever remember the 6080 being water cooled? I Thought Honeywell/GEC was all air cooled. All the L66s (which were from what the Multics machine was developed) were air cooled. I was told the following tale by one of my Honeywell contacts.... ... Apparently the last Shah of Iran owned a Level 66 for the use of his secret police. Apart from the fact that the OS had been modified by Honeywell Italy, and the documentation for this was in Italian which no one on the job understood, and when the OS crashed it was usually in a section of the code with Italian comments, there was also a problem with the power. As the temperature rose the power invariable failed. This was because it was run from a diesel generator that was out in the sun, it over heated and cut out..... ... any way after many complaints the military man in charge came to the Honeywell staff and told them the problem was solved. They of course asked how and were taken to the generator and shown the latest modification. They had fitted a new cap to the radiator with a thermometer in it, as often found on vintage cars. They had painted a read line on the gauge and assigned a soldier to watch it. When the needle got to the line, he blew his whistle and several other soldiers appeared and threw buckets of water over the engine until it cooled down.... I just wonder what they did while waiting for it to overheat...... > > > > -- > > Will Dave G4UGM

4 years, 9 months

1
0
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VT100 colors

by lars＠nocrew.org

Many replies. Thank you all! I have 3D printed Michael Gardi's VT100 model, and I'll try to find some pleasing colors for painting it. https://hackaday.io/project/177596-23-scale-vt100-terminal-reproduction

4 years, 9 months

1
0
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Early Programming Books

by paul＠mcjones.org

1955: An Introduction to Automatic Computers (Ned Chapin <https://www.csueastbay.edu/oaa/files/docs/memorial/memorialchapin.pdf>) I have the second edition ? copyright 1963. Chapter 8 is ?Elements of Programming? with a fully-worked out assembly language example for a hypothetical machine. > Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2021 04:43:58 -0400 > From: "Paul Birkel" <pbirkel at gmail.com <mailto:pbirkel at gmail.com>> > > I know of two early computer (in the stored program sense) programming > books. > > 1951: Preparation of Programs for an Electronic Digital Computer > (Wilkes, Wheeler, & Gill) > > 1957: Digital Computer Programming (McCracken) > > What others were published prior to the McCracken text?

4 years, 9 months

1
0
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Who has a working Terak?

by jfoust＠threedee.com

One of the original UCSD Pascal team contacted me, asking if any of my Teraks are still working. Sadly, they don't. I seem to remember hearing on the list that someone had re-capped and re-socketed their Terak, and that it's working. He wants to get video of an original, working Terak to demonstrate the UCSD Pascal menu system. He wants to show how the UCSD Pascal menu system could've influenced Apple's menus on the Lisa. Yes, I pointed out that you can run it under emulation. - John

4 years, 9 months

5
5
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Wanted: IBM 2671 docs and IBM stuff

by alsilisk＠icloud.com

Dear All, Recently I received an IBM 2671 paper tape reader and have been slowly restoring it. However I've hit a bit of a brick wall because no service docs are known. If you are sitting on some please do let me know. I am also looking for other bits of IBM mainframe/midrange stuff to restore so if anybody is looking to sell some, please PM me as well. I am in south England. Thanks, Al

4 years, 9 months

1
0
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Wanted: Hp Display Tube 5083-1551

by holm＠freibergnet.de

hi all, a friend of mine (Hartmut) is restoring desktop- and pocketcaluculators as a hobby. Lately he got an HP9100B on his desk with a bad display tube (the getters are white) but is otherwise in a good shape. Is here possibly someone that has such an display Tube to sell? Kind Regards from Germany, Holm -- Technik Service u. Handel Tiffe, www.tsht.de, Holm Tiffe, Goethestrasse 15, 09569 Oederan, USt-Id: DE253710583 info at tsht.de Fax +49 37292 709779 Tel +49 37292 709778 Mobil: 0172 8790 741

4 years, 9 months

2
1
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MITS 300/55 Business System

by jfoust＠threedee.com

Fellow wants to unload it, located in Lansing, MI USA. 80 meg HD. https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/o2qggk/altair_8800a_with… - John

4 years, 9 months

1
0
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VT340 Emulation

by dave.g4ugm＠gmail.com

Its been a while but Attachate software generally only needed special hardware for stuff like 5250 twinax, 3270 co-ax, and various SDLC connections. This page might help check which versions support regis but they perhaps don't go back to the really old versions... https://support.microfocus.com/kb/doc.php?id=7021488 Dave G4UGM > -----Original Message----- > From: cctech <cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Wayne S via > cctech > Sent: 19 June 2021 00:50 > To: Douglas Taylor <dj.taylor4 at comcast.net>; General Discussion: On-Topic > Posts <cctech at classiccmp.org> > Subject: Re: VT340 Emulation > > We tried to use Reflection 240 on IBM PS/2 machines circa 1990. IIRC, it > installed easily w/o needing special drivers. > For the most part it worked as advertised. We didn't really need Regis > graphics so we never tested that out. It's problem was that it was really slow > on PCs, much slower than a real VT240 terminal. We were trying to use Dec's > "all in one" office automation to do word processing and spreadsheets. It's > slowness caused us to abandon it and just use word perfect and lotus 123 > instead. FYI, There are reflection manuals on the wayback machine for > reference. > > > Wayne > > > > On Jun 18, 2021, at 12:51 PM, Douglas Taylor via cctech > <cctech at classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > > Right, according to the few notes I've seen on the packages currently for > sale on ebay. > > > > I hesitate to buy because I picked up a similar piece of software, Smarterm > 240, which seemed to do the desired emulation. It was old software for DOS, > but I have an old DOS machine I use for PUTR I thought I could install it on and > be up and running. It didn't turn out that way because Smarterm wanted a > particular video card and driver (which I didn't have, of course). I didn't find > that out until I got the package open and tried installing it. > > > > I don't know if the Reflection software has any restrictions like that. The > versions I see for sale are for Win3.1 and such, not exactly the heyday of plug > and play. I was hoping to get some guidance from someone who has used > the Reflection software on what the actual hardware/software requirements > are. > > > > On a side note, emulating a Tektronix 4010 is apparently free and high > quality (see github). It is the DEC graphics terminals that no one has > produced an open source emulation software for, so that's why I am asking > this question. > > Doug > > > >> On 6/18/2021 1:16 PM, Bill Degnan wrote: > >> Reflection 4 should do that, right? > >> Bill > >> > >> On Fri, Jun 18, 2021 at 1:15 PM Douglas Taylor via cctech > <cctech at classiccmp.org <mailto:cctech at classiccmp.org>> wrote: > >> > >> Does anyone have experience with the Reflection software that will > >> emulate a DEC VT340 color graphics terminal? > >

4 years, 9 months

1
0
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Vintage Computer Museum eBay Sales

by organlists1＠sonic.net

It seems at least on the first page of their listings, $899.99 is a favorite asking price? https://www.ebay.com/str/vintagecomputermuseumservices?_trksid=p2047675.l256 3 Don Resor

4 years, 9 months

13
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IBM Logic IC equivalency information needed

by santo.nucifora＠gmail.com

I am currently working on an IBM 5100 that has some issues. I know for certain that the 5100 has a bad graphics controller card so I need to dig into component level replacements for those ICs I can replace. I have a list of logic chip equivalents to the IBM part numbers that are written on the chips but I don't think it's 100% accurate because IBM part number 1582601 comes back as 74151 "DATA SEL/MUX" but when I use one of those cheap logic chip testers (that is surprisingly accurate), it comes back as a 74157. For the record, if I test a 74151, it comes back as a 74151 so the tester is correct. I just want to make sure the table I have is accurate and that the tester is not 100% accurate or if that chip has failed and tests like a 74157 in it's state. This is the current list I am using that I got from somewhere but I don't recall where: https://vintagecomputer.ca/ibm-vintage-logic-chip-equivalency-list/ Does anyone have an IBM logic chip equivalency table for 74 series logic chips? Any help is much appreciated. Santo

4 years, 9 months

9
14
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PDP-11/05 (was: PDP-11/05 microcode dump?)

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Tom Uban > it has the early version M7261E Control Logic & Microprogram board and > the later version M7260 Data Paths board Ah, I'm glad someone found all that stuff I wrote up there useful. As always, I _think_ I got it all transcribed correctly, but do be on the lookout for errors! > it seems like an older/newer combination, but maybe that was common. I > would not have guessed that the four possible combinations would all > work together, but maybe they do? I honestly don't know. As far as I can tell, the DEC documentation doesn't even _mention_ the two different board generations; perhaps a sign that they are functionally interchangeable? (Although even the section on baud rate, in both DEC-11-HKDBB-A-D and EK-KD11B-MM-001, 4.11, doesn't even mention the early board. So maybe the manual just ignores the earlier version completely?) I don't have an /05 up and running at the moment, or I'd check all 4 and see if they all work. > Presently, the machine sometimes runs relatively well and other times > it does not. What are the failure symptoms? (It's almost certainly going to take a 'scope to fix it; I expect you have one?) I'd start by monitoring the CPU clock, and make sure it's running when the failure happens. (Note that the front console is handled by the microcode, so if the microcode isn't running, the machine will be totally dead. EK-KD11B-MM-001 has a good description of how that works.) > my initial messing with KM11 boards, reveals that I can step the > microcode with a KM11 in either the #1 or #2 position, but when two > KM11s are installed at the same time, they do not function properly > together. Is this expected or do I have an issue there too? Not sure. EK-KD11B-MM-001 (available at: http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/pdp11/1105/EK-KD11B-MM-001_Jan75.pdf and definitely something you need) says, at pg. 5-6 "KM11 switches have the same function in slots KM-1 and KM-2", and on 5-7 "permits the user who has only one KM11 to plug into either KM-1 or KM-2". So that _sounds_ like you should be able to plug two in together. The first indicates that the switches, the only input to the KD11-B from the KM11, are wired in parallel, and the only other thing on the KM11 are the lights, outputs. And why mention "user who has only one KM11", if having two is no use because one can't use two at once? Noel

4 years, 9 months

7
11
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Sun 3/60 Up for Grabs

by john＠ziaspace.com

> I'm moving and I need to clean out a few things. > > I have a Sun 3/60 with no keyboard/mount/monitor/hard drive - just the > pizza box. It net booted NetBSD, but that was many years ago so YRMV. > > Free for pick-up only in Queen Creek, AZ. Is this still available? This is the kind of hardware I'd like to help preserve. Thanks, John Klos

4 years, 9 months

1
0
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Sun 3/60 Up for Grabs

by david＠thecoolbears.org

I'm moving and I need to clean out a few things. I have a Sun 3/60 with no keyboard/mount/monitor/hard drive - just the pizza box. It net booted NetBSD, but that was many years ago so YRMV. Free for pick-up only in Queen Creek, AZ.

4 years, 9 months

1
0
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Large Scale Systems Museum

by mloewen＠cpumagic.scol.pa.us

https://www.mact.io/ Hi folks! We've been away from Facebook for awhile, but we've been staying busy here. Now that things are starting to get back to normal from the disruption of Covid19, we're doing tours again, and we're getting our volunteer work days rolling again, restoring more and more vintage systems for you to enjoy. However, we're in a bit of a pickle, and we need your help. Our main floor air conditioning system has died, and is beyond repair. It's a 40-year-old power hungry system anyway, so it really just needs to be replaced. We have a quote in-hand from a local, reputable A/C contractor for a brand new, ultra-efficient system, and we're trying to raise funds for it, about $8500. We're already about halfway there from recent private donations. If we're unable to get the rest of the way there, we'll have no choice but to close for the summer. As an all-volunteer, donation-funded nonprofit educational organization, we depend on your support to keep doing what we do. Please help us if you can. We accept donations via PayPal to donations at mact.io, or via check/money order made out to Museum of Applied Computer Technology, mailed to the museum at 924 4th Avenue, New Kensington, PA 15068. Any overage will be put toward our utility bills and other operating expenses. LSSM/MACT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Thank you, -Dave McGuire President/Curator, LSSM/MACT

4 years, 9 months

2
3
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Memorex Telex IDE 711186669587 ISA controller

by w9gb＠icloud.com

The recently acquired a Memorex Telex IDE ISA controller (early 1990s), number 711186669587 , that has an unpopulated floppy / tape controller area on the board. The board has 34-pin internal header and DC-37 for external drive. I would like to populate those missing components on the PC board. I could reverse engineer the design, and ?fill in blanks? of the likely floppy/tape controller. The PLCC package (44-pin) is likely a late model chipset (tape/floppy). A schematic, parts list, or manual would shorten the effort for this board. Greg chicago

4 years, 9 months

1
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Disk drives, keypunch offered in SF bay area:

by cclist＠sydex.com

This fellow-s been posting on VCF; thus far, he's offered a pair of Perkin-Elmer disk drives and a USB-modified 029 keypunch. Stuff is pickup-ony by July 8. The drives: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/sop/d/los-altos-perkin-elmer-interdata-vt2… --Chuck

4 years, 9 months

3
2
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Anyone need a 10 tape Compaq DLT drive with changer cart?

by cz＠alembic.crystel.com

Hi! Dragged out my old Compaq DAT tape drive and although it powers up some of the rubber wheels have turned to goo. Since I don't have any reason to fix it I thought I'd offer it here for shipping. Compaq 3000 series, this is a 199527-003, rebadged HP tape changer. It got a 10 tape capacity changer cartridge, powers up, moves the tape cart, however throws an error 40 because the rubber is gone. One of the wheels is liquid but intact so you can probably measure the OD to install a spare. Anyone want it? Or it goes in the recycling. CZ

4 years, 9 months

1
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Lecture: The Oldenburg Computer Museum – Rearing and Care, 2021-06-12, 19:00

by stueberahoo＠yahoo.de

Hi all, you're invited to the Update computer club[0] public lecture series "Updateringar"[1]! Update is a Swedish computer club founded in 1983 whose members tinker with all kinds of computers, from Raspberry Pi to PDP-12. The club has a big collection of historic computers. In this lecture series we'll talk about everything related to computers: Historic and modern computers, operating systems, programming, hardware projects, creating art with computers, building a computer museum, and more. When: 2021-06-12, 19:00 CEST Where: https://bbb.cryptoparty.se/b/upd-0mo-m2u-aq8 The Oldenburg Computer Museum ? Rearing and Care The Oldenburg Computer Museum (OCM) is a German computer museum founded in 2008 and run by volunteers. This talk presents a historical outline of the founding of the OCM. From building up the collection to opening the first exhibition to founding the supporting association and moving to the current premises ? and the professionalisation that goes with it. Thiemo Eddiks presents the didactic concept, explains the museum work in the team and gives insights into and outlooks on current projects. In addition, he talks about problems associated with running a museum as a hobby. Thiemo Eddiks (Oldenburg Computer Museum) The lecture is free and open to everyone. Upcoming: 2021-07-10, 19:00: How I ported Space Invaders to a video game console from 1978. Bjarni Juliusson (Update) Hope to see you there, Anke [0] http://www.update.uu.se/index_eng.html [1] https://www.update.uu.se/wiki/doku.php/projekt:updateringar

4 years, 10 months

1
0
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DEC Computer Lab for sale

by wdonzelli＠gmail.com

Over on the Discord, I have posted a DEC Computer Lab H-500 for sale. Needs cosmetic help, but will be priced accordingly. Offers? Off list... -- Will

4 years, 10 months

16
29
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Epson QX-10 Q10CMS board

by jules.richardson99＠gmail.com

Hi all, There was a post in one of the Facebook vintage groups from someone who has Epson QX-10 Q10CMS and Q10GMS boards. The GMS is what I have in my own QX-10, but does anyone know what the CMS board is? Both boards have a NEC 7220 graphics controller, but the CMS appears to have more on-board memory (384KB vs. 256KB). On the other hand, I'm not seeing any on-board ROM in the photo of the CMS, unlike on my GMS. cheers, Jules

4 years, 10 months

1
0
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Compaq C V6.5-303 for Tru64?

by me＠larbob.org

Does anyone have a copy of Compaq C V6.5-303 for Tru64? It used to be available from https://h20392.www2.hp.com/portal/swdepot/try.do?productNumber=T64_DTK, but this link has been dead for a while and hasn't been archived.

4 years, 10 months

2
1
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ISO: DW8E parts

by derschjo＠gmail.com

Hi all -- I picked up a DW8E backplane from a friendly listmember this week and now I just need to find parts to populate it (a simple task, right?); I'm hoping to use it with my negibus PDP-8/I for my ongoing TSS/8 project(*) (in order to provide numerous serial lines and if I get really ambitious/lucky, an RK05). It looks like I need an M7101 and four M7103's. I intend to build the cabling myself unless anyone has a set of single-to-Y (BC08D) I/O cabling. Also on the hunt for a chassis to put these in; this is identical to the one used for the PDP-8f/m (but sans blinkenlights). Thanks! - Josh (*) RF08 restoration is underway and emulation of multiple RS08s is in progress...

4 years, 10 months

1
0
0 0

BA11 power filter

by steve＠cosam.org

After a few years in storage I'm finally getting to play with my PDP-11 stuff again. Figured I'd start small so rolled out the 11/23. PSU looks fine, pulled all the cards and checked voltages, no problem. Shortly after however, some magic smoke was released from the block in the back where AC comes in and the power switch is mounted. The only other thing in there is a big old line filter. Judging by the smell, I suspect a filter capacitor has given up the ghost. I'd check, but the whole thing is soldered shut so not exactly easily serviceable. Would I be correct in thinking such filters aren't entirely necessary and could just be bypassed? It looks like the manufacturer (JMK) is still going so a new replacement might not be out of the question. Whether I could find one with the same mounting holes etc. is another question I've not looked into yet. Cheers, Steve

4 years, 10 months

4
8
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VAXstation 4000/vlc mouse issue

by healyzh＠avanthar.com

I now have my VAXstation 4000/vlc up and running OpenVMS 7.3, DECnet Phase IV, and part of my cluster. It?s using a SCSI2SD v5.2 board for the hard drive. While have plenty of DEC Hard Drives, I like the lower noise, power, and heat of the SCSI2SD?s, plus I can really cram the disk space in there, this has a whopping 32GB. :-) I?m using a VSXXX-AA mouse (Hocky Puck), and when I use the middle-button on the mouse, it messes up DECwindows, and I?m no longer able to use the other buttons, which means I can?t change to another window, or access menus. It remains like this until I either logout, or reboot. Does this sound familiar to anyone? This is actually the first time I?ve used a VAXstation as a VAXstation, so I don?t know if this is normal (though I can?t imagine it is). Zane

4 years, 10 months

5
7
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H960 documentation

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

So, I have images of two different pieces of DEC documentation for the H960 series of racks/cabinets (the H950 is the bare rack; the H960 is the rack complete with various appurtenances such as side panel, stabilizer feet, etc). I had a request for them, so I've put them online. They are: http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/H960/DEC_cabinets1.jpg http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/H960/DEC_cabinets2.jpg The entry in the Direct Sales Catalog which covers them; includes illustrated breakdowns, and the DEC part numbers for everything. http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/H960/DECRackManual1.jpg http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/H960/DECRackManual2.jpg http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/H960/DECRackManual3.jpg http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/H960/DECRackManual4.jpg http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/H960/DECRackManual5.jpg The Assembly Guide; it shows in detail how all the bits go together (includes all the captive nuts, bolts, etc). Noel

4 years, 10 months

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MA8807A ic datasheet wanted

by ard.p850ug1＠gmail.com

OK, this is mildly off-topic... I am working on a piece of telecom-related test gear and there's one IC I can't find data on. It's a 40 pin DIL package made by GEC (the UK company), marked MA8807A. I thought at first it was a ULA, but I can find refeences to a 8bit * 8bit -> 16 bit multiplier with that number, so I guess that's it. But I can't find a datasheet or even a pinout. It may have appeared under the Plessey brand too, but I am not certain of that I've been along my bookshelves, looked in the obvious books on bitsavers etc and found nothing. Does anyone have any data on this chip? -tony

4 years, 10 months

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Cypher 68000/Z80 SBC, Motel Computers

by peter＠oneillassociates.com.au

While going through some boxes which have been unopened since my last move 15 years ago I found a Cypher 68000/Z80 single board computer by Motel Computers Ltd, Ontario Canada that I bought back in 1986. In another box I found some of the documentation. I'm hopeful of finding the manual and disks but they haven't turned up yet. Does anyone have the manual and disks for this board? Regards, Peter O'Neill

4 years, 10 months

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Fabritek logic trainers anyone have manuals for these? Anyone have one of these trainers besides us??

by couryhouse＠aol.com

Fabritek logic trainers? anyone have manuals for these? Anyone? have one of these trainers besides us??Ed at SMECC MUSEUM PROJECT? Sent from the all new AOL app for Android

4 years, 10 months

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how to make use of daisy wheel printer

by chris＠groessler.org

Hi all, what are the word processing options for a daisy wheel printer? I would like to be able to write "bold face" (double stroke) and underline some parts. I guess there aren't any other capabilities to exploit on a daisy wheel printer. Operating system is unixish (Linux/NetBSD/FreeBSD). MS-DOS would work, too. Maybe something like (g|t)roff? Is there something you'd recommend? regards, chris

4 years, 10 months

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COMPAQ ISA PC to ethernent

by rdawson16＠hotmail.com

If anyone has ideas about boards or software to connect this original Compaq to the net let me know! Browsing the ebay, I do not find a PC 8 bit ethernet board but still looking. Then, the rest, a net set of tools in source would be great.

4 years, 10 months

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MicroVAX 3300/3400

by healyzh＠avanthar.com

I?m still not 100% sure if this is a 3300 or a 3400. It?s in a BA400X chassis, and after looking at the manuals last night, it seems like it?s closer to the 3400. My familarity with Q-Bus MicroVAXen is limited to MicroVAX/VAXstation II?s, and a MicroVAX 3. After getting a power cable (the only one at PCH Cables was a 3? one, and I didn?t want to wait for more to come in), it powered right up, but is failing 4 tests. I quickly learned last night that ?TEST 9E? prints all the tests out to screen. This effort is making me wish I had a DEC LA50 plugged into the terminal. :-) It starts counting down diagnostics at ?41?. 27.. ?57 2 17 FF 00 0000 22.. ?C2 2 01 FF 00 0001 07.. ?5C 2 01 FF 00 0002 06.. ?5D 2 0B FF 00 0003 57 = SI_memory incr test_matter ***** C2 = SSC RAM ALL * 5C = SII_initiator ****** 5D = SII target ******* I think this is indicating issues with the DSSI interface. The system has two RF73 DSSI drives, which sound like they spin up. It also has a TK70 tape drive. It says it has 4MB and 16MB RAM, all good. One odd thing is that the KA640-A seems to plug into another board, before the DSSI drives. I?m getting ready to dig into that, and find out what that board is. Zane

4 years, 10 months

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How to read Osborne 1 Floppies?

by marvin＠west.net

Depending on when you need them, VCFMW is coming up in a few months. I have a number of Osborne 1's as well as a couple of 386 machines set up with Teledisk (I bought it *years* ago when it became available to listmembers), imagedisk, and *maybe* Dave Dunfields IMD(?). As VCFMW gets closer and you still need these floppies read, let me know and I'll put the machines in with the stash of "junque" to unload :). I *think* you are on the East coast, and it would surprise me if the RICM doesn't have working Osbornes. Marvin > Message: 3 > Date: Tue, 25 May 2021 10:37:03 -0700 > From: Zane Healy <healyzh at avanthar.com> > To: Fred Cisin <cisin at xenosoft.com>, "General Discussion: On-Topic and > Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Subject: Re: How to read Osborne 1 Floppies? > Message-ID: <13B8E14A-BCAD-4A5B-B81A-7E6E6F373B6B at avanthar.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Yes, we need to be able to access the files. > > I?m going to see if my old 486 will still boot up, I know I used to use it with imaging RX50 floppies. I?m not an x86 collector, so have a pretty limited selection of PC Hardware. I?m on my Sabbatical right now, so this request came in at a good time. Though first I have to finish up on some VAX and Alpha systems I?m working on, so as to free up space. That or finish a cleaning project in my office. :-) The cleaning project is needed to finish the VAX/Alpha projects? > > Is there any chances of reading these with Commodore 128 running CP/M, or a Kaypro 2? The Kaypro is definitely on my ?project list?, it worked last time I played with it. I *might* have a DEC Rainbow, or I might have given it away. If I do, I have no idea of its condition. An Apple //e would be another old system with 5.25? drives, but seems more unlikely. I might still have an old Kaypro PC, though it hasn?t been used since ?94 (and there is a good chance it went to LCM). > > My focus is DEC and Commodore, though I do have a lot of Apple // gear. > > Zane

4 years, 10 months

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cctalk Digest, Vol 80, Issue 24

by compoobah＠gmail.com

On Wed, 2021-05-26 at 12:00 -0500, cctalk-request at classiccmp.org wrote: > If you were to find an M7626 KA660 CPU you could do away with all of > the DSSI cabling between the CPU and the M9715 (in addition to having > a CPU that is around twice as fast). KA660/BA430 makes for a nice MicroVAX, had one for a while. You can even route the SCSI on the backplane as well, and the sleds pick up whichever you need. Too bad DSSI stuff either isn't more common or DEC found a way to route full cluster over SCSI, that was neat too (and faster than LAVAC for KA660). I seem to recall a highly opinionated VAX/BSD partisan also bestowed on it the rare (in his system) title of "real VAX" In the completely unrelated category my state has signs out asking us to "VAX up" which has me itching to get my VAXes out again. Sadly HP shut down the hobbyist license issuing before they got to my request :(.

4 years, 10 months

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How to read Osborne 1 Floppies?

by healyzh＠avanthar.com

A photographer I know contacted me last night asking about reading Osborne 1 floppies. What does it take to read these? The only Catweasel board I have is the old Zorro 2 board for the Amiga. I do have 5.25? floppy drives. Neither of us have an Osborne anymore (I think mine went to Jim Willing). Zane

4 years, 10 months

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IBM PC Network

by cctalk＠gtaylor.tnetconsulting.net

Q: Does anyone have any IBM PC Network hardware and / or software that they would be willing to part with? The recent "COMPAQ ISA PC to ethernet" thread got me thinking about IBM PC Network (and ARCnet) again. Sadly, Wikipedia's IBM PC Network article [1] is about the most concise / complete source of information that I've seen in the past. I'd like to learn more. I knew about the F connectors on coax cable, but was not aware of centralized device needed to do frequency translation. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_PC_Network -- Grant. . . . unix || die

4 years, 10 months

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VAXstation 4000 Mice?

by healyzh＠avanthar.com

What sort of mice does a VAXstation 4000 (vlc/60/90) take? I?m pretty sure they don?t need a DEC ?hockey puck? mouse. I?m trying to get a VAXstation setup as? A VAXstation! I?ve always run them headless, usually with SBB?s in a BA353 or BA350. Zane

4 years, 10 months

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COMPAQ ISA PC to ethernent

by compoobah＠gmail.com

On Sun, 2021-05-23 at 12:00 -0500, cctalk-request at classiccmp.org wrote: > To: Grant Taylor <cctalk at gtaylor.tnetconsulting.net>, > ????????General at ezwind.net, Discussion at ezwind.net:On-Topic and Off- > Topic Posts > ????????<cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Subject: Re: COMPAQ ISA PC to ethernent > Message-ID: <60A9DFDE.9080300 at charter.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > Grant and et al, > ???? I have several hundred MB and expansion cards from 30 years ago > up > to about 5 years ago. I would like to sell all of my computer > equipment. > Boards, cards, cables, covers, printers, monitors, computers. The > whole > works. > ???? I probably have cancer and if I do I am dead. i have been > selling > off everything that I own and I have been using the funds to drive > all > around the country full filling my bucket list. Please help me by > taking > everything off my hands? I still have two Simpson 260 VOMs that I > want > to see go to a good home instead of hitting the trash. > ???? Grant, Randy has not responded to me. Yes, I have Arcnet and > Ethernet ISA cards. What info do you need? > GOD Bless and Thanks, > rich! Man, that bites. Seen too many people I know die of cancer. Simpson meters are nice, and having an analog around is good, hope someone snags them. Too rich for my blood. Reminds me have a old NRI VTVM I need to get working, think I'm gonna try to wire in a 50B5 instead of the dead 50C5. FETVOMs interest me but don't see many of those around.

4 years, 10 months

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cctalk Digest, Vol 80, Issue 22

by compoobah＠gmail.com

On Mon, 2021-05-24 at 12:00 -0500, cctalk-request at classiccmp.org wrote: > Message: 25 > Date: Mon, 24 May 2021 09:24:22 -0700 > From: Jason Howe <jason at smbfc.net> > To: Chris Zach <cz at alembic.crystel.com>, "General Discussion: On- > Topic > ????????and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > Subject: Re: Writings on AI from 17 years ago.... > Message-ID: > <e5a3d9aba75a6d0fbfb377372cf3f1a7d29fffde.camel at smbfc.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > On Sun, 2021-05-23 at 21:34 -0400, Chris Zach via cctalk wrote: > > Anyone know if the LCM will be open > > > Considering there is no staff as they were all laid off and have now > all found other jobs, I'd guess that's a hard no.? They'd basically > need to spin up from 0 again -- considering Vulcan shut down LCM, > Cinerama and the Flying Heritage Museum as soon as they could after > Paul's death -- I put my money on asset dispersal, rather than > reopening. > > I say with a pit in my stomach as a former member and regular > visitor. > > EMP (or whatever the hell they're called now) survived because they > had > been spun off as a separate legal entity from Paul's Vulcan empire. > > > --Jason I fear so as well, but one of the other MS teachers in my district has done some remote training recently through them, so there might still be hope.

4 years, 10 months

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COMPAQ ISA PC to ethernent

by cctalk＠gtaylor.tnetconsulting.net

On 5/24/21 11:47 PM, Richard Pope wrote: > Grant, Hi Rich, > Did you receive my last email? Yes, I did receive it. I've not had an opportunity to reply to it. -- Grant. . . . unix || die

4 years, 10 months

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LCM

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Lars Brinkhoff > Chris Zach wrote: >> I'll drop by and see which CHAOSNet card it has. > It may have been removed when we worked on getting ITS booted. For a long time AI used a UNIBUS CHAOSNet card, plugged into an -11 connected up to AI via the Rubin 10-11 interface. (I'm not sure which -11; maybe the TV-11, but I think I remember there was another one used for the CHAOSNet? I think the same -11 that the AI Lab's 3-mbit Ethernet interface was plugged into. If I wasn't so lazy I'd look at TV > and see.) I'm not sure what happened after the Rubin interface died. Maybe they built another KA I/O bus interface (like the one on ML)? Config > might answer that question. Noel

4 years, 10 months

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Link Rot

by cctalk＠ibm51xx.net

Interesting article on Link Rot and its prevalence. According to the article even sources being referenced as early as 2018 have about a 60% Rot.I think all of us in this hobby can relate nor only to loss of articles but from sites, drivers, file repositories, etc....https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/21/22447690/link-rot-research-new-yo…

4 years, 10 months

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Old Mac IICX to give away in Los Angeles/Orange County.

by tosteve＠yahoo.com

Free Macintosh IICX in Orange County CA area. Sometimes it boots, often it doesn?t (power supply issue?). Also HD has stiction issues. Also the tall profile monitor has a very smeary image. Other than that, it?s great! Everything is included - computer with cover, keyboard, mouse, monitor.

4 years, 10 months

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