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

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

Need any suggestions on repair of a PC monitor (SVGA). It's a Dell and was working though it had a long warmup to full intensity. Anyhow I turned it off and now it just chirps when I turn it on. Before I bin it I'd like to see if its fixable... Ideas? I generally dont do monitors and TVs because of the HV, dust and abundance of sharp edges. Allison

25 years, 6 months

3
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Testing 72-pin SIMMs

by dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com

> I've never found a bullet-proof program for testing SIMMs under DOS or > windows, so I keep a hard drive loaded up with Win95. If the system boots > and I can run defrag (it being memory-intensive) then I ssume the SIMM is > okay barring any heat-related problems which may only show up after the SIMM > gets hot. > > Anybody know of one? I have a one, designed by Charles (?) Cook, and first implemented by John Molnar, which I've reimplemented for the Sol, some Z-80-based machines, and the 8051 embedded systems I've developed. But I never got around to porting it to DOS... Our Dell servers shipped with a program called "Dell Diagnostics" which includes a comprehensive memory test that can check for stuck bits, shorts between address bits, short between address and data bits, etc. It complains when I run it on non-Dell equipment, but usually works, and it's so far caught problems nothing else would catch. hth, -dq

25 years, 6 months

2
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Testing 72-pin SIMMs

by Glenatacme＠aol.com

Mike Ford wrote: > Now for a good question, any suggestions on what would make a good set of > machines to use for SIMM testing? > > Now I use > > 30 pin, either a IIsi or a Q950 mac depending on speed of chips. > 64 pin goes in a IIfx Okay, you've got those covered. > 72 pin I am wondering about, maybe a late 486 or early Pentium > 72 pin Parity no idea > 72 pin ECC maybe a PS/2 model 9595 > > My thought is that some motherboards are very good at detecting the type of > memory etc. For testing 72-pin non-parity SIMMs I use a Soyo board which was one of the last mass-produced 486 mobos. It will take up to a 486-133 CPU, and it will run on one piece of FPM or EDO memory, so, unlike Pentium boards, you can test a single piece. Additionally the boot box indicates whether the memory is fast page or EDO. I've never found a bullet-proof program for testing SIMMs under DOS or windows, so I keep a hard drive loaded up with Win95. If the system boots and I can run defrag (it being memory-intensive) then I assume the SIMM is okay barring any heat-related problems which may only show up after the SIMM gets hot. Anybody know of one? For 72-pin parity memory get an old Pentium board which requires the ninth bit. I got mine from hitechcafe.com. The board cost $10 and a P-60 CPU was $5. (Sorry, no onboard i/o or PCI bus). ECC? Good luck ;>) Glen Goodwin 0/0

25 years, 6 months

3
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PDP-11/23 Cpu

by SPEDRAJA＠mail.ono.es

Hello to all. I'd like to know what kind of expansion or options could be attached to this machines: PDP-11/23 ---------- * KDF11-B 5014313C M8189/DIGITAL * Q-BusMosMemory 5014500C M8067/DIGITAL * DQ614S153040 Rev F/DILOG * System Interface 11/03/ESI * 808836-05 Rev K/Datasystems Design There are 4 free slots. The system was fully functional in an ESI lasertrimmer system for hybrid circuits that was taken out of service 1 year ago. By the moment I have no disk for it (maybe in a future). I'd like to know if could be possible to put some class of disk or diskette unit, even tape, eventually different of DEC stuff. I suppose than this could be possible by some SCSI card, but my experience with this is limited to the use of emulators like Bob Supnik's or E-11. Thanks for all. Best Regards. Sergio

25 years, 6 months

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Does anyone have any PCM-12 (pdp-8 clone) hardware?

by xds_sigma7＠hotmail.com

It was an Intercept jr., according to the auction.. Had 3 or 4 plug in cards with it too.. Still not as cool as the PPS-4 development system that was on Ebay a few weeks ago... _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

25 years, 6 months

1
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TQK70 Jumpers

by kyrrin＠bluefeathertech.com

I already asked this on port-VAX, figured I'll try here, too. Can anyone provide one of the following: 1). Confirmation or denial that the address jumpers on the TQK50 (M7546) and the TQK70 (M7559) are laid out in the same pattern, bit-wise? In other words, does each board share the same pattern for setting its address? 2). A jumper chart for the TQK70, or jumper setting info to set it to the primary tape device address. Thanks much. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies http://www.bluefeathertech.com // E-mail: kyrrin(a)bluefeathertech.com Amateur Radio: WD6EOS since Dec. '77 (Extra class as of June-2K) "I'll get a life when someone demonstrates to me that it would be superior to what I have now..." (Gym Z. Quirk, aka Taki Kogoma).

25 years, 6 months

2
2
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Testing 72-pin SIMMs

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Dec 28, 10:12, Douglas Quebbeman wrote: > > I've never found a bullet-proof program for testing SIMMs under DOS or > > windows, [...] > > Anybody know of one? > > I have a one, designed by Charles (?) Cook, and first > implemented by John Molnar, which I've reimplemented > for the Sol, some Z-80-based machines, and the 8051 > embedded systems I've developed. But I never got around > to porting it to DOS... > > Our Dell servers shipped with a program called "Dell > Diagnostics" which includes a comprehensive memory > test that can check for stuck bits, shorts between > address bits, short between address and data bits, > etc. > > It complains when I run it on non-Dell equipment, > but usually works, and it's so far caught problems > nothing else would catch. I don't know about Charles Cook, but the name John Molnar sounds vaguely familiar. However, the best test I've ever found was one that runs in linear time (ie twice as much memory takes twice as long to test; most tests run in time dependant on some power of the size -- eg double the size, triple the time, like a Galpat which depends on the square of the size). The test was devised and implemented by Suk and Reddy, and is described in "A march test for functional faults in semiconductor random access memories", published in IEEE Transactions on Computing Vol.C-30 No.12,December 1981. There were a whole lot of articles about memory testing in the journals around that time, and there's a follow-up article by Abadir and Reghbati, in Computing Surveys Vol.15 No.3, September 1983, published by the ACM, which presents a kind of survey of methods. This test will find stuck-at-zero, stuck-at-one, data coupling faults, address coupling faults, data-address-coupling faults, and decoder faults. It's pretty easy to implement, and *provided* each data bit is in a separate IC, you can do all the bits in parallel. If not (eg if the RAMs are 4-bit wide devices) then you need to do some manipulation to ensure you're not affecting bits you don't want to -- a fact conveniently forgotten by most RAM test implementors. Anyway, Suk & Reddy's test is quite fast, and very easy to implement. I did a Z80 version that tested the entire RAM in a bytewide array (so lots of shifts and loops) without using any stack (what's the point in storing data in the memory you think needs testing?), and it runs in just under six seconds at 3.5MHz. If you had one bit per chip, obviously it would be much more than 8 times faster (8 times because of parallelism and a further factor of two or more by eliminating the shifts, some loops, and logical ORs/ANDs used for masking individual bits). The one thing most memory tests *won't* do is test for correct refresh tolerance. You may also have trouble testing the parity fully unless you can read/write the parity bits directly. Very few tests, by the way, will detect pattern-sensitive faults. Luckily, these are very rare, and I've only ever seen one true pattern-sensitive fault that wasn't a simple coupling fault. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager Dept. of Computer Science University of York

25 years, 6 months

1
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IDE Clone: Win95

by jpl15＠panix.com

Duh! You'd think that I'd mention a few little details The system is Windoze 95 v400.0950 IIRC. And thanks to KS for the URL, that's my next stop. Also, thanks Doug for the Norton Ghost reference... I'll look into that too. Cheers John

25 years, 6 months

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Somewhat OT: A milestone

by kyrrin＠bluefeathertech.com

Fellow CLASSICCMP'ers, I have reached a milestone. This message originates >from my first qmail server ever based on a SPARCstation LX. I must say I would have been completely lost, configuration-wise, had it not been for the qmail setup how-to at the flounder site. Thanks are also due to Chuck McManis for providing some sanity checks, and especially for taking a few minutes out of Christmas day to field a somewhat frantic phone call from my end. I would also add that I was almost hopelessly lost with Sendmail, even after reading parts of the O'Reilly book on it. qmail was much easier to deal with, and I would not hesitate to suggest it to anyone putting up a Unix mailserver. Keep the peace(es). -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies http://www.bluefeathertech.com // E-mail: kyrrin(a)bluefeathertech.com Amateur Radio: WD6EOS since Dec. '77 (Extra class as of June-2K) "I'll get a life when someone demonstrates to me that it would be superior to what I have now..." (Gym Z. Quirk, aka Taki Kogoma).

25 years, 6 months

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Cloning IDE drives

by dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com

> The subject (I think) is on topic, the hardware to which I'm refering is > a little too new for us, but I'm gonna ask anyway. > > I have a Pentium I wintel box which I've had for nearly five years. > It's 1.9 GB HD has been slowly developing bearing whine for the last > several months. It is getting noticibly louder now and I'm sure this > faithful old HD is nearing the end of it's earthly sojourn. > > My fantasy is that I can buy another IDE drive (of somewhat larger > capacity) and just somehow copy the whole thing on the original down to > the new one, without having to go thru the backup/restore/re-auth all the > programs I've got on it. I have 8mm streaming tape backups of the system, > but that's a pain. Symantec's Ghost can do this. You didn't mention much else about the system, i.e. running DOS or Windows, FAT16 or FAT32... If you're running Windows and you've formetted the older drive as FAT32, then you're in the ideal shape- you can clone your partition to a new partition on the new drive and in its new form, it can be as large as the disk. However, if you're running DOS, and/or have the drive partition(s) formatted as FAT16, you'll be limited to cloning the old drive's paritions to partitions on the new drive that must top out at 2GB (2047MB, actually). Additionally, the BIOS of the motherboard in this PC may or may not be up-to-date enough to handle the large sizes of newer IDE drives. A BIOS upgrade might help that. Also, if you've got multiple FAT16 partitions, I'm not sure how things will work on the second FAT16 partition if, in cloning, you grow the first to the 2047MB limit. I do this all the time, mostly to get around the problem of NT4 not installing on drives larger than just under 8GB. hth, -doug q

25 years, 6 months

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Software for Northstar Advantage 8/16?

by r.stek＠snet.net

You can still get new 10 hole hard-sectored disks at www.cadigital.com (or at least you could about a year ago). Bob Stek Saver of Lost Sols

25 years, 6 months

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Kaypro 4/software for sale (fwd)

by vcf＠siconic.com

Please contact the original sender. Reply-to: mtnaire(a)easilink.com ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2000 18:07:46 -0700 From: Robert Specht <mtnaire(a)easilink.com> Subject: Kaypro 4/software for sale I have heard about you from computer museums who were kind enough to respond to my message: I purchased a new Kaypro 4 system around 1983/84 while getting my 2nd college degree; I am ready to sell it with original software and some manuals. The computer has a modem port and includes a power cable. There is also a Kaypro printer and connection cord; the printer is usable (I'm using it now to print off files before selling the computer) but not in as good shape as the computer. The printer takes ribbons that fit the old IBM Selectric typewriters. There is an unopened box of floppy disks and a few other blank disks. Please let me know if you are interested in this historic computer system, and at what price. If you are not interested, I would welcome suggested other buyers to contact. The software consists of several floppy disks in hard cases and includes: CP/M version 2.2, S-Basic Perfect Calc - Program/lessons Microsoft Basic-80 (plus selected games) Perfect Filer Working Diskette- Individual Member Data Base MicroPlan Perfect Writer/Perfect Speller Working Diskete - Edit Disk Perfect Writer - Installation Disk \ Perfect Writer - Lessons Disk A public domain utilites disk with a program called "TYPWRYT" which allows use of the keyboard like a typewriter and the following MASTER disks: Wordstar, The Word Plus Perfect Filer - Individual Member Data Base Perfect Calc - Program/Lessons CP/M v. 2.2, S-Basic MicroPlan, C-Basic Microsoft Basic-80 Perfect Writer - Lessons Disk Perfect Speller Perfect Writer - Installation Disk The manuals include: Perfect Calc Perfect Filer Wordstar CP/M and small handbooks: Kapro The Word Plus Letter Quality Printer User's Manual Introduction to Software Kaypro User's Guide (Read Me First) The above manuals are all the Kaypro publications. In addition, I have the following: Understanding and Using dBase II by Rob Krumm, Brady Communications Company, Inc., copyright 1984 (ISBN 0-89303-916-0). Thank you. Ronnee-Sue Helzner, Utah Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org

25 years, 6 months

1
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Software for Northstar Advantage 8/16?

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

From: r. 'bear' stricklin <red(a)bears.org> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Date: Wednesday, December 27, 2000 4:45 PM Subject: Re: Software for Northstar Advantage 8/16? >On Wed, 27 Dec 2000, Rich Beaudry wrote: > >> Would anyone happen to have either Graphics/DOS or Graphics/BASIC for this >> machine? I have complete manuals for them, but no disks :-( > >I have some software for the Advantage, but I'll have to check the >inventory after I get home this evening before I can say for sure whether >I have this particular software. > >> Also, I heard that the Northstars use hard-sectored 5.25" disks. Is this >> true? > >Yes, it is true. I'm nearly certain they were 10-sectored. Based on the Advantage I have standard DD NS* 10 sector hard sector and I think it will do DD/DS 80tr (DDQD) for 780k. Allison

25 years, 6 months

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Altos 580 needs a good home

by r_beaudry＠hotmail.com

Hello all, I have an Altos 580, but no docs or software for it. Someone sent me floppy boot disk images, but I could not get them to work (likely some mistake on my end). Upon power up, the floppy light goes on, and never goes off. It's hard to tell if the floppy motor is spinning. The hard drive definitely spins up, and sounds fine. A terminal connected to any port on the back never shows any output. I have no idea if the thing is broken, and without docs, I don't have the time or inclination to find out... The unit is the "squashed hexagon" shape, with one internal 5.25" floppy, and an internal 5.25" hard drive. Five serial ports on the back, labeled JA through JE. Also other ports for what looks like an external hard drive.... I took the covers off, and aside from quite a bit of dust, there is no damage. No apparent heat spots, missing chips, etc. It's possible the floppy is just dust-clogged, but I haven't had time recently to clean it all out. If you want it, it's yours for what I have into it: US $20 plus shipping costs. The unit is fairly heavy, so it might get expensive, depending on where you are (I am located in north central Massachusetts, USA)... I am willing to ship worldwide, and will quote shipping to anyone who is interested. I am also willing to part it out, but will give first preference to someone who wants the whole thing. Thanks! Rich B. (I subscribe to the digest, so I can't reply immediately).

25 years, 6 months

1
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Identifying 72-pin SIMMs

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Dec 26, 22:45, Zane H. Healy wrote: > Pile #1 (12 chips, 8 big & 4 smaller): > SEC KMM53616000AK-6 I don't know -- if you give me the IC numbers I might be able to tell. > Pile #2 (12 chips, 8 big & 4 smaller): > NEC > MC- 428000A36BH-70 MC-428000A36BH-70 is NEC 8M x 36 (32MB with parity) fast page mode, 70ns. Sure this isn't 16 x uPD4217400 and 8 x 424100? -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager Dept. of Computer Science University of York

25 years, 6 months

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Does anyone have any PCM-12 (pdp-8 clone) hardware?

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

From: Richard Erlacher <edick(a)idcomm.com> >I stumbled across an intersil board with their PDP-8 clone chip on eBay >recently (yesterday, I think). If you search for Intersil you may find it. > >Dick Which one? 6960 sampler with the basic 6100 chipset? Intercept the 6100 SBC with expansion as embeeded or trainer? PCM-12 system (development system aand boards)? Allison

25 years, 6 months

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Identifying 72-pin SIMMs

by healyzh＠aracnet.com

I'm guessing this is Off-Topic, since I think 72-pin SIMMs are newer than 10 years (not really sure). However, I've no idea where else to ask about this. A friend of mine just sent me a pile of RAM that he'd been given and couldn't use. He was thinking the stuff was Parity, I'm not so sure. I was hoping to be able to use the stuff to bump up the RAM in some of my VMS boxes (Alpha's that require 72-pin True Parity RAM). Pile #1 (12 chips, 8 big & 4 smaller): SEC KMM53616000AK-6 KOREA 9632 Barcode 006-3301427 Pile #2 (12 chips, 8 big & 4 smaller): NEC MC- 428000A36BH-70 9350XE Piles 3 & 4 defininitly aren't. Zane -- | Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Administrator | | healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | OpenVMS Enthusiast | | healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector | +----------------------------------+----------------------------+ | Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, | | and Zane's Computer Museum. | | http://www.aracnet.com/~healyzh/ |

25 years, 6 months

6
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PK-64 Posted

by kyrrin＠bluefeathertech.com

I think there were at least a couple of people who wanted to know when I would post the AEA PK-64 'PakRatt' on E-pay. I have done so. It may be viewed through the following link. Bidding starts at $5.00 + shipping, no reserve. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1204126528 Thanks much. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies http://www.bluefeathertech.com // E-mail: kyrrin(a)bluefeathertech.com Amateur Radio: WD6EOS since Dec. '77 (Extra class as of June-2K) "I'll get a life when someone demonstrates to me that it would be superior to what I have now..." (Gym Z. Quirk, aka Taki Kogoma).

25 years, 6 months

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Identifying 72-pin SIMMs

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

In a message dated 12/27/00 8:23:54 AM Central Standard Time, jfoust(a)threedee.com writes: > At 11:57 PM 12/26/00 -0800, Chuck McManis wrote: > >This site > ><http://www.sei-elbatex.ch/dynamic/html/spain/selco/inf13_4.htm> > >Identifies the above SIMM as 64M (16M x 36) so it looks like it is > >true parity but too many bits :-) > > I've always wished for a quick and easy way to type in > a memory SIMM/DIMM number, and learn its specs. (Individual > chip numbers on a PCB don't necessarily give the right > answer, right?) Is there a web site like that somewhere? > no web site that I know of, but if you can get a copy of IBM's pc pocket reference manual, that has some general guidelines on IDing memory. come to think of it, i think the pocket ref guide is online somewhere, like IBM germany but not sure...

25 years, 6 months

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Identifying 72-pin SIMMs

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Dec 26, 23:57, Chuck McManis wrote: > >Pile #2 (12 chips, 8 big & 4 smaller): > >NEC > >MC- 428000A36BH-70 > >9350XE > > This site: > <http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Hills/1960/memorias.htm> > Seems to indicate that these Simms are 16M (4MB x 36) Except that Zane gave the type number off the SIMM, and this site gives the IC types. Not the same thing! > Whereas this site: > <http://www.dsm-computer.de/eng/produkte/zubehoer.html> > Has a similar number that is an 8M parity simm for a PS2. Actually, it says 8M x 36, which is 32MB with parity :-) Since Zane wrote that it's an NEC SIM with a date code of 1993, I looked it up in the 1993 NEC databook :-) -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager Dept. of Computer Science University of York

25 years, 6 months

1
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What can I do with one HP 9000-380 ?

by SPEDRAJA＠mail.ono.es

Hello. I'm adquired recently one HP-9000 380 workstation. I'm pending to receive it. I'd like to know some details about this machine, or even an URL where I could get some info. The workstation appears to be not used in anytime. Thanks. Regards. ---------- Sergio Pedraja Administracion de Sistemas Division de Tecnologia Caja Cantabria Spain ---------- mailto: spedraja(a)casyc.es, spedraja(a)mail.ono.es ----------

25 years, 6 months

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cross-country shopping

by pbboy＠mindspring.com

I'll be driving cross country in a few days and would like to stop by some thrift stores where i can find classic computers. Because of the weather I'll be taking I-10 most of the way, from the east to the west coast. Could anyone suggest some good spots? hopefully I can find something of interest. Thanks! robert

25 years, 6 months

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Old SGI's?!

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Dec 26, 7:23, LFessen106(a)aol.com wrote: > In a message dated 12/26/00 2:15:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, > mikeford(a)socal.rr.com writes: > > > I looked in my keyboard bin and I have two SGI model 9500801 keyboards in > > pretty good condition, but no cables (that I noticed). > > > > Do you think Sun KB cables would work? I thought Sun cables were 8-pin miniDIN, not 6-pin? > Actually, I could probably just make > them as they use standard PS2 connectors... What do you think? Yes, you could -- but don't use ordinary PS/2 ready-made cables as they only have 4 or 5 pins connected, and the SGI systems use all six. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager Dept. of Computer Science University of York

25 years, 6 months

4
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Old SGI's?!

by LFessen106＠aol.com

In a message dated 12/26/00 2:15:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, mikeford(a)socal.rr.com writes: > I looked in my keyboard bin and I have two SGI model 9500801 keyboards in > pretty good condition, but no cables (that I noticed). > Do you think Sun KB cables would work? Actually, I could probably just make them as they use standard PS2 connectors... What do you think? -Linc Fessenden

25 years, 6 months

1
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Neat presents

by mikeford＠socal.rr.com

Top of my list is a copy of the PC Pocket Ref, neat pocket sized book with tons of data on PC parts etc. This book has nice lists including most if not all floppy drives, so I can make a mini-list with just the 3.5" 2.88MB drives to hunt for.

25 years, 6 months

1
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VT78 - lots of questions

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Dec 25, 18:23, Tony Duell wrote: > > TT is DRV AC L and VV is RX DMA INTR L. These are the extra connections > > used by RX211 and RXV21 controllers, and I expect RX28 also uses RX DMA > > INTR L. > > I don't think it doea. > > I believe that The RX8e card and the RX28 card are the same module -- an > M8357. They are the same -- I misread a diagram in the RX02 manual, which made me think the M8357 working as an RX28 could do DMA transfers. It can't. Only the RX211 and RXV21 use RX DMA INTR L. I'v just pulled the printset of that card (which, alas, says > nothing about the DB25 adapter), and the only pins shown on the schematic > are > > D : RX RUN L > H : RX INIT L > J : RX ERROR L > T : RX TRANSFER REQEUST L > X : RX DONE L > BB : RX DATA L > FF : RX 12 BIT L > RR : RX OUT L > LL : RX SHIFT L Interesting. I think where you wrote "H : RX INIT L", you mean "N". H is a ground, and the RX02 printset clearly shows N as RX INIT L. That agrees with the tracks I can see on the M7744. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager Dept. of Computer Science University of York

25 years, 6 months

2
1
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Lifetime of VAX NiCd packs?

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

From: Chuck McManis <cmcmanis(a)mcmanis.com> >At 12:12 AM 12/24/00 -0500, Allison wrote: >>The battery will be dead in about 3-4 weeks of non power. > >Sigh, I guessed as much. As long as your up late, do you happen to know the With 8 uVAXen around the batteries are a known item. Also the PRO and a few others used same battery. If you blast them run them through a few charge/dischage cycles and they hold up fine. Not if there is much fuzz on the outside then they have leaked and may have dried out, that is a replace case. >pinout of the audio-out connector on an RRD43 drive? Its also a Toshiba >model xm4101b Never had one of data on it. Allison

25 years, 6 months

7
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VT78 - lots of questions

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Dec 24, 23:41, David Gesswein wrote: > >From: pete(a)dunnington.u-net.com (Pete Turnbull) > > I tried booting the VT78 > from a RX02 in RX28 mode and it worked with a RX02 version of OS/8. Useful to know - thanks! > >Well, before I go that far, I might try to get 8" drives running on an old > >PC that has an XT controler which *should* do SD, I think. Can I use > >something like PUTR to create a disk that way? > > > I think so if the floppy chip supports SD. I have not tried. It might take a while to find a working permutation of PC/controller, but that might be a viable solution for me. > This is the pinout I got by buzzing out the adapter cable I made to go > from the DB25 on my RX02 to the 40 pin cable from the RX8E. > If the pinout was in a document I can't find it, I may of > gotten the pinout by buzzing out the cable in the drive. > Pins 10,11,23, and 24 are not connected in the cable from my VT78 but > pin 25 is present. I don't remember why my adapter cable has > extra pins connected. > > DB25 40 pin header > 1 3 C > 14 4 D > 2 7 E > 15 8 F Um, by your numbering scheme, 7 and 8 are H and J, not E and F. > 10 37 SS > 23 38 TT > 11 39 UU > 24 40 VV > > 12,13,25 Not connected. TT is DRV AC L and VV is RX DMA INTR L. These are the extra connections used by RX211 and RXV21 controllers, and I expect RX28 also uses RX DMA INTR L. > 40 pin connector is numbered > > 1 (A) 39 (UU) > 2 (B) 40 (VV) ObNitpick: That's the reverse of the conventional numbering; Berg connectors with letters have the red stripe at the A end, which is on the left of the pin header (looking into the pins) while all other headers which are numbered have pin 1 on the right. Merry Christmas! -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager Dept. of Computer Science University of York

25 years, 6 months

2
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VT78 - lots of questions

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Dec 24, 9:30, Mike wrote: > I'm glad this thread came up. I have a WT/78. Is it the same machine as > the VT/78? And also having a RX-02 and no interconnecting cable or > software, I eagerly await the pinout specs too and have an outstanding wish > for software. As far as I know, they're the same thing, just sold with different operating software. I'm now sure I don't have the floppies that "belonged" to mine. They may be at a friend's place, but I won't be able to tell until after the holidays. So, I guess I'll have to download some from David's site, but before I do that, I'll have to figure out which PC with which floppy controller can read/write my 8" drives, and before *that* there are several other logistical problems to sort out. So it may be a while. However, I did check the RX02 printset and the RX8E Maintenance Manual, and I see that the RX8E (and RX28, RX11, and RXV11) only passes 9 signals to the M7744 (which is the microprogrammed controller in the RX02). The RXV21 and RX211 use two more: the RX DMA and RX AC signals. These 9 signals (with corresponding grounds) happen to be every second pair (pins A/B up to PP/RR) along the Berg connector so it would be logical to assume that they match the pairs, in order, connected to my D-connectors, which have exactly 18 pins fitted. I'll give it a try when I've cleared some more space. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager Dept. of Computer Science University of York

25 years, 6 months

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Old online service file areas

by gehrich＠tampabay.rr.com

At 09:59 AM 12/25/00 -0500, you wrote: >I do still have an original floppy containing a DOS client for AOL, and >something a little earlier- AOL either used to call their server PC-LINK >or PC-LINK was a seperate service offered by AOL to users of Tandy's >DeskMate software. AOL started out as Quantum Link or Q-Link and was for Commodore computers. I still have the original BETA software on 5-1/4 for my VIC-20. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- gene(a)ehrich.com gehrich(a)tampabay.rr.com P.O. Box 3365 Spring Hill Florida 34611-3365 http://www.voicenet.com/~generic Computer & Video Game Garage Sale

25 years, 6 months

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Old online service file areas

by dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com

I do still have an original floppy containing a DOS client for AOL, and something a little earlier- AOL either used to call their server PC-LINK or PC-LINK was a seperate service offered by AOL to users of Tandy's DeskMate software. But a friend who was the early AOL adopter from whom I got these disks told me that the reason he had to upgrade to a PC that was Windows- capable was that AOl was discontinuing the DOS-mode service. Whether DOS-mode meant text mode or not, I'm not sure. As to the file collections, I was a CompuServe and BIX user >from '85 to '87, and most of the CP/M stuff was the same, most of the Mac stuff was the same, etc. I can think of one notable exception that I preserved- source code for a threaded BIXMail reader, written in DigiTalk's version of Smalltalk. It was the forums that set the various services apart. I saved tons of message traffic, but I lost most of it through platform switches, crashes, early viruses, etc. I do still have some of the BIX Smalltalk forum traffic saved. What I wish I had were either printed or electronic sessions >from my days as a user of Ward & Randy's BBS... Regards, -dq > ---------- > From: Mark > Reply To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org > Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2000 8:04 AM > To: classiccmp > Subject: Old online service file areas > > Hi, > > Are the file areas or forums of any of the old online services still > accessible? I'm thinking of Compuserve, BIX, AOL and any others. > > They probably (used to) contain many files which would be useful for older > computers, but which are not available on the internet. > > A brief visit to the Compuserve web site didn't turn up anything > interesting. > Have all the old file areas/forums been deleted? Is it still possible to > access any of the online services using a text-based interface? > > > This question arose from reading the document at > http://www.dateq.net/ftp/CD-DRIVE/HITACHI/HIHELP.TXT > > That contains info on old Hitachi CD-ROM drives, including ones which use > a > proprietary interface. [Related to this, the most recent MS-DOS drivers > for > old Hitachi CD-ROM drives are available from Hitachi's USA BBS but not > their > web site. I uploaded the file to > http://home.clara.net/markk/Hitachi/8bit.zip] > > Anyway, part of the HIHELP.TXT file reads: > Filename: HIHELP.TXT > Written Feb 93 REVISED 01Jan94 10Aug94 > > For CIS distribution only - Permission required for publication > elsewhere. > > > So this file was originally available on Compuserve. Is it still there? > > > -- Mark >

25 years, 6 months

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Old online service file areas

by jhellige＠earthlink.net

At 09:59 AM 12/25/00 -0500, you wrote: >I do still have an original floppy containing a DOS client for AOL, and >something a little earlier- AOL either used to call their server PC-LINK >or PC-LINK was a seperate service offered by AOL to users of Tandy's >DeskMate software. And before it was AOL, it was QuantumLink for the C-64. I believe I still have one of the QuantumLink diskettes around somewhere. Jeff ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Power Computing PowerCurve, 288mhz G3, Mac OS 9 http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lakes/6757 Home Of The TRS-80 Model 2000 FAQ

25 years, 6 months

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OT Pen-Based collectables

by Innfogra＠aol.com

Just got in several pen based computers. They all seem to date from about 1995 so they are Off Topic but this is the best collectors group out there for information One is a Kalidor K2000, a very nice small ruggedized computer. I love it. This one doesn't have its power supply so I have yet to get it to power up. Does anyone know if the power connector is center positive or negative? It says it needs DC 15V, 1.3A. Any Websites? Software out there? I guess the company is out of business. Does anyone know what happened to it. Who might have bought it. There is also a Norand Pen*Key 6600 Windows that seems to be related to Intermec, the bar code people. This one had it's charging base and powers up as a DOS device. I couldn't find anything out about it but that there are new versions 6642 still avaliable..This was in Intermec's site. Any others? Software? It dates to 96 and I think has a i80486 for the processor. There is also a Dauphin with a broken glass, maybe display. I haven't looked at it yet. I found the Dauphin parts site. The fourth was a Grid 2260 that I also have powered up. It is a little rough but works. Boots to the password. Does anyone know how to get past it without a boot diskette. I haven't looked yet for websites but I think Grid stuff will be easier to find. My Surplus dealer actually got in about 4 Grids, I just brought one of them home to look at. I don't know what the others are but I suspect the same. Since this is OT please contact me off line unless it is info that all would be interested in. Thanks for the help. Paxton Portland, OR

25 years, 6 months

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VT78 - lots of questions

by djg＠drs-esg.com

>From: pete(a)dunnington.u-net.com (Pete Turnbull) >I assume that the difference between RX8E (= RXV11/RX11) mode, and RX28 >mode, is the denisty supported? ie, RX28 mode makes the drives behave as >RX02 rather than RX01? Did'nt I read somewhere that some VT78s (or was it > only DECmates?) can use RX02 mode? > For the PDP-8 it is mostly a software issue. I tried booting the VT78 >from a RX02 in RX28 mode and it worked with a RX02 version of OS/8. >Well, before I go that far, I might try to get 8" drives running on an old >PC that has an XT controler which *should* do SD, I think. Can I use >something like PUTR to create a disk that way? > I think so if the floppy chip supports SD. I have not tried. From: "Mike" <dogas(a)bellsouth.net> > >I'm glad this thread came up. I have a WT/78. Is it the same machine as >the VT/78? And also having a RX-02 and no interconnecting cable or >software, I eagerly await the pinout specs too and have an outstanding wish >for software. > >From what I understand they were basically the same thing except the ROM module that plugs on the back may support different things but I am not really familiar with the models. WD was listed as a WS with COS support. WS may only work with WPS. I didn't see a WT. Do you have anything else to write to the RX02 from? If so you can write my images, if not I can make you a copy, email me if needed. I will buzz out the VT78 floppy cable. This is the pinout I got by buzzing out the adapter cable I made to go >from the DB25 on my RX02 to the 40 pin cable from the RX8E. If the pinout was in a document I can't find it, I may of gotten the pinout by buzzing out the cable in the drive. Pins 10,11,23, and 24 are not connected in the cable from my VT78 but pin 25 is present. I don't remember why my adapter cable has extra pins connected. DB25 40 pin header 1 3 C 14 4 D 2 7 E 15 8 F 3 11 M 16 12 N 4 15 S 17 16 T 5 19 W 18 20 X 6 25 CC 19 24 BB 7 27 EE 20 28 FF 8 31 KK 21 32 LL 9 35 PP 22 36 RR 10 37 SS 23 38 TT 11 39 UU 24 40 VV 12,13,25 Not connected. 40 pin connector is numbered 1 (A) 39 (UU) 2 (B) 40 (VV)

25 years, 6 months

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OT : Merry Christmas/Newtonsday

by ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk

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25 years, 6 months

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Finite State Fantasies Book - now On-line!

by bill_r＠inetnebr.com

So long ago I had forgotten about doing it, I posted a message to this group looking for information about Richard Didday and/or Matrix Publishers/Dilithium Press. Just a few days ago, Richard e-mailed me out of the blue, responding to that message. Either he's really been stuck in the "Symbiosis Through Transmutation" device all this time, or he suddenly started reading archives of this group and saw his name. In any case, he has kindly given me permission to scan and post a sort of funky computer-cartoon book of his that was published in 1976. I reduced the size of the scans substantially to make for quicker web viewing, but if anyone wants a full-sized (300 dpi) scanned copy, let me know. To view it on-line, go to my "Historic Computer Publications" page at: http://incolor.inetnebr.com/bill_r/historic_pubs.htm and scroll all the way to the bottom. Let me know what you think! -Bill Richman (bill_r(a)inetnebr.com) Web Page: http://incolor.inetnebr.com/bill_r Home of the COSMAC Elf Microcomputer Simulator, Fun with Molten Metal, Orphaned Robots, and Technological Oddities.

25 years, 6 months

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PDP-11 SMD drive cabling

by dburrows＠netpath.net

>When I get the intermittent CPU problem on the 11/44 fixed, and find a >UNIBUS SMD controller, can I just attach the CDC drive to the 11/44 and >have it boot and go, or will I need to reconfigure something? That all depends on the controller in both systems. I have Emulex and Xylogics SMD controllers here and they are not interchangeable. Data is written differently. I have used Emulex in both Unibus and Qbus systems and they are compatible for data. System disks are another matter. Dan

25 years, 6 months

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Switch settings

by dburrows＠netpath.net

If you look at: ftp://zane.brouhaha.com/pub/dan/emulex_uc07_08/ you will find just about everything you need. The UC07/08 is the Qbus version but the switch settings and firmware is the same for both. I have several here and use them in my test beds. If you need anything else from the manuals let me know and I will post them as well. If you upgrade your firmware to M or P it will support CD's as well. The HEX files are there as well. BTW: Thanks go to Zane for hosting this stuff for me. Dan >Another question to ask, I got an Unibus SCSI card, and I know that >it can be configured as either a tape controller or a disk controller. >Currently it is configured as a disk controller, but I would like >to know which switch settings change it into a tape controller. > >There is are 2 switch banks on the card, one with 10 switches, and >one with 4 switches, which is placed at the top. Furthermore, there >are 4 jumpers which can be set/removed. > >BTW, the card is an Emulex UC17. > >It works perfectly, yesterday I did build RSX 4.6 onto an Iomega >jazz drive. It only uses 600Mb out of the 1Gb though. > >Thanks, > >Ed > >-- >The Wanderer | Politici zijn gore oplichters. >quapla(a)xs4all.nl | Europarlementariers: >zakkenvullers >http://www.xs4all.nl/~quapla | en neuspeuteraars. >Unix Lives! windows95/98 is rommel! | >'97 TL1000S | WEG MET DE TOLPOORTEN!!

25 years, 6 months

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Paging Mike McFadden

by jeff.kaneko＠juno.com

Mike: Could you contact me via private e-mail at: jeff.kaneko(a)juno.com? Thanks! Jeff ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

25 years, 6 months

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[Fwd: a JPL Christmas]

by jrasite＠eoni.com

Seeing that a number of us have either worked with these folks or *are* these folks... Best of the Season! Jim Arnott Union, OR

25 years, 6 months

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Old online service file areas

by mark_k＠iname.com

Hi, Are the file areas or forums of any of the old online services still accessible? I'm thinking of Compuserve, BIX, AOL and any others. They probably (used to) contain many files which would be useful for older computers, but which are not available on the internet. A brief visit to the Compuserve web site didn't turn up anything interesting. Have all the old file areas/forums been deleted? Is it still possible to access any of the online services using a text-based interface? This question arose from reading the document at http://www.dateq.net/ftp/CD-DRIVE/HITACHI/HIHELP.TXT That contains info on old Hitachi CD-ROM drives, including ones which use a proprietary interface. [Related to this, the most recent MS-DOS drivers for old Hitachi CD-ROM drives are available from Hitachi's USA BBS but not their web site. I uploaded the file to http://home.clara.net/markk/Hitachi/8bit.zip] Anyway, part of the HIHELP.TXT file reads: Filename: HIHELP.TXT Written Feb 93 REVISED 01Jan94 10Aug94 For CIS distribution only - Permission required for publication elsewhere. So this file was originally available on Compuserve. Is it still there? -- Mark

25 years, 6 months

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Lifetime of VAX NiCd packs?

by cmcmanis＠mcmanis.com

Does anyone know the approximate lifetime of the NiCd battery on a VAX when it isn't turned on all the time? I've got several dead ones and it is irritating to set the language and boot device every time. I've tried "zapping" them, this brought one back but the other is quite dead. I've almost have enough to put together one get pack from cells in the bad ones :-) --Chuck

25 years, 6 months

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Old tandy 1000 keyboard 8 pin din pinout?

by claudew＠sprint.ca

Hi I am restoring a TRS80 model 2000 (1983), one of the rare machines to use an actual 80186 Intel CPU. I did not have the original keyboard. I have been told that an older 1000 keyboard (90 key type similar look to 4p keyboard) works fine as long as you make an adapter cable. I have the pin functions for the trs80 2000 5 pin din keyboard connector but not for the other end...the 8 pin male connector on the old 1000 keyboard... I looked and searched long and hard...all over...anybody got that? I am at the point of opening up the keyboard and looking at the circuit to figure out the pinout but I would like to avoid that... Thanks Claude

25 years, 6 months

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VT78 - lots of questions

by djg＠drs-esg.com

>Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2000 14:02:58 GMT >From: pete(a)dunnington.u-net.com (Pete Turnbull) >Subject: VT78 - lots of questions > >Is there anything in particular I should watch out for when I power it up? > This is an area of discussion. The full treatment is to inspect, reform big electrolytic capacitors (put a current limited voltage on them for a while), then separately test the power supply, then attempt to power up the cards. The other is to visually inspect, apply power for a short while, and if nothing bad happened apply power longer and try to run it. >I don't have the RX01 drives that originally came with it, but I do have >the connecting cable with a D-37 connector at the VT78 end and a DB-25 at >the other end (only 18 pins fitted). I also have a set of RX02s in the >adjacent rack, and I have the RX02 print set and manuals somewhere. I >assume I can set the RX02 (M7044) switches appropriately, and use that with >an appropriate adapter cable? Anyone know the relevant VT78 pinout? > My VT78 is running off of RX02's set to RX8E mode. They also have the DB25 plug on the back which will connect directly to the VT78 cable. If yours don't I should be able to dig up the pinout if you don't run across it in one of the manuals. >Documentation: all I can find that's even vaguely relevant is the DECscope >User's manual, RX8/RX11 Floppy Disk System User's Manual, RX8/RX11 Floppy >Disk System Maintenance Manual, the OS/8 Software Support Manual, and a >FOCAL-GT/RT User's Manual. I have borrowed copies of the Small Computer >Handbook (that's the one for 8/e, 8/f and 8/m) and the PDP8/a Minicomputer >Handbook. I should have the RX02 User Manual somewhere too. What else am >I going to need, that's downloadable from the net? > I have WPS, RX02 and OS/78, and COS manuals online. I have a complete VT78 printset but I have not scanned it yet. http://www.pdp8.net/query_docs/query.shtml What is FOCAL-GT/RT? >I should have some 8" floppies, though I'm not sure what's on them because >I've not actually found them yet :-) Is there anything I should try >downloading from the net? > I have OS/78, COS and WPS images online, poke around in ftp://pdp8.net/images/ If you have a OS/8 variant on the floppy that may be able to use my disk image dump and restore programs, dumprest.zip in ftp://pdp8.net/software/ I have never actually tried to use it on the VT78, I write the images >from the 8/E. If you find you don't have any bootable floppies I can make you one. My VT78 has gotten a little finicky, it sometimes needs a couple of power cycles before it runs right. Yet another thing for the todo list. David Gesswein http://www.pdp8.net/ -- Old computers with blinkenlights

25 years, 6 months

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Fujitsu M3191F2 scanner

by mark_k＠iname.com

Hi, Just within the 10-year rule, I have a Fujitsu M3191F2 flatbed scanner. Date code on the label is 1990-08. A label on the underside refers to it as an M3191C-IS. I guess this would have been pretty expensive when new. It has a SCSI interface, resolution is 300dpi greyscale. If anyone can assist with getting it to be recognised when connected to a PC via Adaptec SCSI card, please let me know. Fujitsu were of no help, though a German user manual is available on their web site. Using the Adaptec diagnostic program, the scanner is recognised. However it is not recognised under Win 95, even after rescanning the bus. On my Amiga it is not recognised initially, but is after I rescan the bus. I'd like to find a copy of the OEM manual for this scanner. BTW, I have dumped the data from all four EPROMs in the scanner (three of which were soldered directly to the board...). -- Mark

25 years, 6 months

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Atari questions from non-Atari person

by jhellige＠earthlink.net

At 08:07 PM 12/20/00 -0500, you wrote: >Toad Computers (www.toad.net) sold a card for the PC that ran ST software. >I think it was called the Gemulator. I believe Toad is out of the Atari business now...the last time I checked out their website, all of the Atari stuff had been removed. I've not been up to their store in a number of years though. The 'closet' that housed the 8-bit stuff was always pretty interesting to rummage through. I never used Gemulator, which does sound correct for the name, but I did use the 8-bit emulator they sold. Does Best Electronics still sell ST stuff? They were a bit pricey the last time I looked, but they carried quite a bit. At the time when I had only FIDO access they were the only place I could find a replacement ST/STE keyboard for my MEGA. Jeff ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Power Computing PowerCurve, 288mhz G3, Mac OS 9 http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lakes/6757 Home Of The TRS-80 Model 2000 FAQ

25 years, 6 months

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Lifetime of VAX NiCd packs?

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

From: Chuck McManis <cmcmanis(a)mcmanis.com> >Does anyone know the approximate lifetime of the NiCd battery on a VAX when >it isn't turned on all the time? I've got several dead ones and it is The battery will be dead in about 3-4 weeks of non power. The problem with the cells is they develop internal shorts when sitting discharged. the trick of blasting them using a 100,000uf cap charged to 20-30V sometimes open those shorts. Replacement is any 3nicad pack over 100mAH that can be fitted in the available space. Nicad lifetime in use or discharged varies all over the map. Allison

25 years, 6 months

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PDP-11 SMD drive cabling

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Dec 24, 1:58, Tony Duell wrote: > > Now then, I've got an RL02 pack labeled RSX-11M, which I'm hoping > > contains a complete RSX-11M distribution. If I can get an RL02 > > I would doubt it. From what I remmeber, RSX11M 4.x was about 3 RL02 packs or > 5 RL01 packs, or 1 RK07 pack. 3.x might be a bit smaller, but it would be > a squeeze to get it onto a single RL02, I think. You can get a working system on one RL02, you can get a minimal working system onto a pair of RX03s (double-sided RX02), you can just barely get a bootable system onto a pair of RX02s (I've done all of the above). However, the distribution comes on five RL02s, of which you need at least two (maybe three, it's a long time since I did a SYSGEN) to build a working system. 3.x is indeed smaller -- I've seen several systems with all the system required on an RL01 and user data on a second one. > > controller board for the 11/73, will there be any problem with just > > connecting one of the SMD cables to the CDC drive and copying RSX-11M The bootstrap will be different, and what you need to do will depend on what your controller emulates -- it could be multiple RL02s, a few RK06s or RK07s, or a couple of RM02s. Or possibly other things; it will depend on the controller. Even if the boot block were the same (some drive types shared the same boot block), you still need the driver and that probably isn't present on a working RL02 pack unless the original system had both types of drive. It might be on your 11/73's disks, if you have RSX on there. As for booting from "any PDP-11", no it will depend on how the system was built. It will depend on the machine having at least as much memory as the original, whether it was built "mapped" or "unmapped" (memory management), and whether it was built for separate I&D space. Other differences will probably generate error messages, but as far as I remember won't stop it booting. I'm sure someone else asked about this on the list a year or two ago; it might be worth looking through the archive. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager Dept. of Computer Science University of York

25 years, 6 months

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Almost forgot...

by kyrrin＠bluefeathertech.com

Oops! Almost forgot... Amongst the available machines for my project, add the following (sorry... one is about 1 year short of being a 'classic', and none of them are VAXen). --Mid-90's vintage Pentium system, dual-CPU, 64MB RAM. --Two NCR 3300 series MicroChannel/486 systems, at least 32MB RAM each. --One NCR 3450 series MCA Dual-CPU 486 system, 64MB RAM. --One IBM PS/2-90 series, 486/50, 32MB RAM. Thanks much. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies http://www.bluefeathertech.com // E-mail: kyrrin(a)bluefeathertech.com Amateur Radio: WD6EOS since Dec. '77 (Extra class as of June-2K) "I'll get a life when someone demonstrates to me that it would be superior to what I have now..." (Gym Z. Quirk, aka Taki Kogoma).

25 years, 6 months

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VT78 - lots of questions

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Dec 23, 14:18, David Gesswein wrote: > >From: pete(a)dunnington.u-net.com (Pete Turnbull) > >Is there anything in particular I should watch out for when I power it up? > This is an area of discussion. The full treatment [...]. Well, I would do most of that anyway, but I wondered if there were any particular gotchas. I assume not, so I'll just take normal care :-) > >I don't have the RX01 drives [...] I also have a set of RX02s > My VT78 is running off of RX02's set to RX8E mode. They also have the > DB25 plug on the back which will connect directly to the VT78 cable. If > yours don't I should be able to dig up the pinout if you don't run across > it in one of the manuals. I don't see a DB25, but Tony has said something similar, and I should be able to hack an adaptor. Thanks for the tip about RX8E mode -- that's one of the things I was wondering about. I assume that the difference between RX8E (= RXV11/RX11) mode, and RX28 mode, is the denisty supported? ie, RX28 mode makes the drives behave as RX02 rather than RX01? Did'nt I read somewhere that some VT78s (or was it only DECmates?) can use RX02 mode? > I have WPS, RX02 and OS/78, and COS manuals online. I have a complete VT78 > printset but I have not scanned it yet. > http://www.pdp8.net/query_docs/query.shtml That's extremely helpful -- thanks! I knew you had several manuals but I've not had time to browse yet. > What is FOCAL-GT/RT? All I know is what the front of the manual says: FOCAL-GT is a version of FOCAL-11 extended to use a GT40 with graphics as well as a teletype. So in fact, it's not relevant at all, as it's meant for an 11/05. It was a red herring, sorry. > >I should have some 8" floppies, though I'm not sure what's on them because > >I've not actually found them yet :-) Is there anything I should try > >downloading from the net? > > > I have OS/78, COS and WPS images online, poke around in ftp://pdp8.net/images/ Even better, since I've unpacked al the boxes and can't find any VT78 floppies. Lots of other things I forgot I had :-) but not those. > If you have a OS/8 variant on the floppy that may be able to use my disk > image dump and restore programs, dumprest.zip in > ftp://pdp8.net/software/ > I have never actually tried to use it on the VT78, I write the images > from the 8/E. > > If you find you don't have any bootable floppies I can make you one. Well, before I go that far, I might try to get 8" drives running on an old PC that has an XT controler which *should* do SD, I think. Can I use something like PUTR to create a disk that way? Thanks for the suggestions and help. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager Dept. of Computer Science University of York

25 years, 6 months

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