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

KFC (was: Mark your calendars for VCF 4.0

by dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com

> On Wed, 21 Jun 2000, Hans Franke wrote: > > KFC ? > > Kentucky Festival of ol' Computers ? > > :)) (I know it's a lamer, I just cundn't relist ... low willpower) > > TRIVIA QUESTION: What name did "Kentucky Fried Computers" > change its name to? > (hint: I'm asking $100 with local pickup for one of their > post-namechange computers with the wood in good condition) Processor Technology? Are you selling a SOL for $100? Hell, I was intending on selling an unfinished moitherboard for that price... and a complete set of docs for more... -dq

26 years

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HTML in mail

by dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com

> Chuck: > > HTML is rude in mail messages sent to this list, just as it s rude to walk > > around nude on a beach that has not embraced nudity. So that is the bottom > > line. We may be HTML prudes, but we're open about it. > > While I agree with your ideas about HTML, this example is just ill > constructed. This may be rude in your culture, but over here, nobody > even recognizes such a behavior as 'rude' (Well, maybe if you select > some RV Park beach ...). In munich you will even find naked people > cheering the sun within public parks or along the Isar River, in the > very middle of the City ... > > Examples, especialy when comparing to human behaviour are extrem > vulnerable to cultural differences :) However, one can grow up in a particular culture, only to find out after-the-fact what is considered by *other people* to be rude... case in point: I haven't flown much, but ever since deregulation of the airlines over hear, I've had numberous people tell me that flying didn't have the prestige it once did; instead, it is like riding the bus. So on one particular flight out of San Juan where most people (apparantly) were complaining it was too cold, it was, for me, far too hot, and I removed my shirt. Only my shirt. Boy, I'm still hearing about that one from my co-workers... 8D -dq

26 years

4
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POST code for IBM P-70

by mgregory＠vantageresearch.com

-----Original Message----- From: Joe <rigdonj(a)intellistar.net> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2000 1:35 PM Subject: POST code for IBM P-70 > Can anyone tell me what the POST codes 165 and 221 mean on an IBM PS2 >P-70? The CMOS backup battery is good and I've tried to boot from the >reference disk but it won't load anything from the disk even though it does >read it briefly. > > Joe > > According to my references: 221 is a ROM to RAM parity error on the System board. Has someone perhaps put non-parity SIMMs in that P70? 165 is a Configuration error. Try setting the date and time and running the System autoconfiguration. I would try putting known good parity SIMMs in the P70 and then try to run the Reference and Diagnostics disks again. Cheers, Mark.

26 years

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(Fwd) VAX 11/750

by dlw＠trailingedge.com

Well I'd LOVE to have this but can't arrange it right now so if anyone is interested please contact the person below. Damn, and I so want to play with VMS. ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Send reply to: "Lopez-Stickney" <estickne(a)columbus.rr.com> From: "Lopez-Stickney" <estickne(a)columbus.rr.com> Subject: VAX 11/750 Date sent: Wed, 21 Jun 2000 14:33:56 -0400 We have a VAX 11/750 system for sale (or trade) in Central Ohio. It includes the disk drive, printer, a DECwriter, manuals (boxes!!), and a variety of software. This lot fills a full-size Chevy van. If possible, the preference is to sell the whole thing. estickney ------- End of forwarded message ------- ----- David Williams - Computer Packrat dlw(a)trailingedge.com http://www.trailingedge.com

26 years

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How do you finance/afford your computer collection?

by netsurfer_x1＠hotmail.com

>I'm interested in hearing how others on this list afford >to maintain and >expand their collections. Especially >people like John R. Keys. 8-D >Basically I take money out >of my budgest and buy something when it strikes >me. >Lately, Ive actually turned down some of the more >popular computer >models because I either have one or >more, or space is at a premium. I also >pay monthly for >small off-site storage to hold some machines as I'm > >reaching over 150 computers+accessories now. Is it >feasible to start a >non-profit org to help pay for some >of the costs one incurs while enjoying >this hobby or how >would one solicit donations? I am reluctant to become > >too commercial or plaster my domain with ads. Most of my finds about, and buy, for that matter, either through contacts on the internet or through a local thrift store (pickings have been pretty slim lately :( ). ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

26 years

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POST code for IBM P-70

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

In my situations, incompatible memory usually posts a 225 or 221, but hard to say what's happening here. The 165 comes up usually because the .adf file for an installed adaptor card is missing. That will need to be cleared before the computer will boot from the hard drive. The P70/75 had issues with the floppy drive since it's mounted vertically but hopefully wont be a problem here. try using a cleaning disk on it. goto http://members.aol.com/mcapage0 choosing the PS2 area and download peter's adaptor card ID disk. any ps2 should boot that disk. Another thing i've noticed is dont access newly created reference disks on win9x machines. Ive discovered that sometimes doing a DIR on them renders them unbootable for some reason. have fun with that P70. it's a neat machine. www.nothingtodo.org In a message dated Wed, 21 Jun 2000 4:34:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time, "Mark Gregory" <mgregory(a)vantageresearch.com> writes: << -----Original Message----- From: Joe <rigdonj(a)intellistar.net> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2000 1:35 PM Subject: POST code for IBM P-70 > Can anyone tell me what the POST codes 165 and 221 mean on an IBM PS2 >P-70? The CMOS backup battery is good and I've tried to boot from the >reference disk but it won't load anything from the disk even though it does >read it briefly. > > Joe > > According to my references: 221 is a ROM to RAM parity error on the System board. Has someone perhaps put non-parity SIMMs in that P70? 165 is a Configuration error. Try setting the date and time and running the System autoconfiguration. I would try putting known good parity SIMMs in the P70 and then try to run the Reference and Diagnostics disks again. Cheers, Mark. >>

26 years

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POST code for IBM P-70

by jolminkh＠nsw.bigpond.net.au

165 Systems options not set - (Run Setup) - Card ID mismatch 221 ROM to RAM copy error Run the reference disk and see if that fixes it. Hans -----Original Message----- From: Joe <rigdonj(a)intellistar.net> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Date: Thursday, 22 June 2000 5:38 Subject: POST code for IBM P-70 > Can anyone tell me what the POST codes 165 and 221 mean on an IBM PS2 >P-70? The CMOS backup battery is good and I've tried to boot from the >reference disk but it won't load anything from the disk even though it does >read it briefly. > > Joe > >

26 years

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Wanted: Dranetz 626 Manual

by jimw＠agora.rdrop.com

...Header pretty much says it all. Just nabbed a Dranetz 626 recording power disturbance monitor and got no docs with it... -jim --- jimw(a)computergarage.org || jimw(a)agora.rdrop.com The Computer Garage - http://www.computergarage.org Computer Garage Fax - (503) 646-0174

26 years

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Wanted: N* HD controller / drive

by r.stek＠snet.net

Ia there anyone out there who has a NorthStar HD controller and/or compatible drive they are willing to part with? I have been looking to add one to my Horizon but haven't found anything. I have a fair number of S-100 boards and other goodies I'm illing to trade. I would even (shudder!) pay cash if I had to. Bob Stek Saver of Lost SOLs

26 years

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Mark your calendars for VCF 4.0: September 30 - October 1

by dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com

> > Louisville, Kentucky, is an ideal site for any convention. We are > > located in the heart of United States, we have ample convention > > facilities (but don't choose the weekend where we have the > > Future Farmers, NHRA Nationals, etc). We have great entertainment > > facilities (food, music, horse racing), a riverboat casino within > > a 20-minute drive, a Deja Vu (and plenty of similar facilties), > > scenic riverboat cruises (these without gambling), a bridge that > > goes nowhere but stimulates endless debate. > > KFC ? > Kentucky Festival of ol' Computers ? > > :)) (I know it's a lamer, I just cundn't relist ... low willpower) Better than Kentucky Fried Computers... but we have those, too. 8D > Is there no snow in January ? > If yes, please go ahead and start organizeing. <WHOOSH> Doug, having previously thought he was standing in a row of assembled veterans of olf hardware, suddenly finds everyone has taken a strategic step backwards, leaving him the leader! I could help with some logisitic details, but organizing something like this is currently beyond my 43-year old competence. To answer the other question, we had snow in January 2000, the first in quite some time. Usually it just rains all winter. It also snowed on Christmas Day, again, the first since perhaps 1977/78. I will make inquiries to the convention & tourism bureau as to the schedule of other conventions. Horse Racing is on vacation in January, however, in case anyone had their heart set on it. -doug q

26 years

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HP 715/33 available - Austin, TX

by mrbill＠mrbill.net

(I apologize if this breaks the 10-year rule; I *think* this box is about as old as a SS1, or darn close to it - couldnt find a date of mfg..) I've got a barebones (no HD, no RAM, no kb/mouse) HP/Apollo 715/33 available in Austin, Texas. You can find specifics on it at http://parisc.workstations.org/systems.html and http://parisc.workstations.org/systems/715_scorpio.html Nice little PA-RISC box; however, I just have no use at all for any HP stuff. Will trade for anything DEC/VAX related (literally, anything - make a halfway serious offer, you might be surprised) or will even possibly give it away if someone has a good enough need/reason why I should. I just need it out of the way. I'm looking for VAXstation (3100, 4000-VLC, etc) machines and hardware, BTW. Bill -- +--------------------+-------------------+ | Bill Bradford | Austin, Texas | +--------------------+-------------------+ | mrbill(a)sunhelp.org | mrbill(a)mrbill.net | +--------------------+-------------------+

26 years

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A little more Am2900 learning/evaluation kit info

by ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk

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26 years

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Stag PP28 documentation query

by elvey＠hal.com

Sorry, ment to send to John only. My finger is faster than my brain. Dwight

26 years

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Using DECmate III from terminal

by rdd＠smart.net

Is it possible to use a DECmate III from a terminal if one has no monitor or keyboard for it? Since it's in the PDP-8 family, can it run OS/8? BTW, Does anyone have any stories of favorite PDP-8 or Decmate hacks, and, has anyone here used a DECmate for any music or sound synthesis applications? -- R. D. Davis rdd(a)perqlogic.com http://www.perqlogic.com/rdd 410-744-4900

26 years

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How do you finance/afford your computer collection?

by jeff.kaneko＠juno.com

I get an allowance. All of my computer-related purchases come out of that, except if it's something for my wife's machine, in which case it comes out of our general budget (which doesn't really exist, but we pretend). I'm not aquiring many systems these days; I'm trying to concentrate on getting the systems I have now in some decent shape-- so mostly parts and docs, and junk. Since most of the systems I have are not considered 'investment grade', I can still get most of what I need pretty cheaply (MFM drives-- $1, for example). It gets expensive when I have to buy a part that's still used alot in the 'mainstream' (SCSI CD-ROM's, for example). Almost all of my machines occupy my basement-- the rest occupy a small corner of my otherwise full garage. ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

26 years

2
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Tek 4014/5 emulation

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

On June 16, William Donzelli wrote: > > Don't care about the 99% anyway, and what you're saying is, that I need > > a 2 GHz Strontium, running Winblows to talk to this group tomorrow ? > > No, not at all. The question I posed is if anyone is writing mailers for > the older systems so they can handle HTML properly. Again, is this a blanket statement that anything that isn't an Intel box running Windows is an "older system"? As to the question...yes, many modern mailers for non-Windows systems (old systems and new systems alike) deal with HTML just fine. I think the animosity toward HTMLized email (at least for me) comes from these points: 1) It's just not necessary for effective communications. 2) It's a waste of bandwidth and system resources. 3) Technical people generally want genuine functionality to prevail over "flash"...which is why many (most) technical people in the industry (Visual Basic programmers don't count) don't have Windows boxes on their desks if they have anything to say about it. 4) It's a clear outgrowth of the overcommercialization of the Internet, in which uneducated users think the World Wide Web *IS* the Internet, thus they try to cram the World Wide Web into everything they do, and conversely, cram everything they do into the World Wide Web. -Dave McGuire

26 years

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Did you see...

by bill＠chipware.com

I don't really want to start another "ebay good/ebay bad" argument, but did everybody see that an ADM-3A just sold on ebay for $355 US!?!? I have two in good working and cosmetic condition that I got from a bank some years ago, including the little panels and screws that cover the option dip switches. I alos have docs. How many more are out there, just on this list?

26 years

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Blinking lights hidden

by rdd＠smart.net

Something's been puzzling me: when I look at my CDC SMD drive, the NCR applications processor, some smaller SMD drives, LEDs in my 11/44, etc., there's something I just don't understand. Why did companies begin hiding blinking lights, status displays, etc. behind covers, in places behind the front panel that aren't obvious at first glance, hidden in boards in a card cage, etc.? -- R. D. Davis rdd(a)perqlogic.com http://www.perqlogic.com/rdd 410-744-4900

26 years

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NCR model 3401 class 5451

by rdd＠smart.net

Greetings, is anyone here familiar with an NCR model 3401, class 5451 "application processor"? On a hand-written label on the front of the machine there's a description of the memory in it: 8MB, 145ns. This box has the following switches on the front panel, in addition to the power switch: Station ID (two thumbwheels) Load options: local/aux disk/tape primary OS/alt OS BCD restart/system reset diag port: on/off mode: normal/diagnostic ps margin: +5%/normal/-5% On the back of the machine are the following connectors: LS link (low speed link?): pos 0, pos1, pos2 (9-pin) Diagostic port (25-pin - RS232 port?) System bus: channel A, channel B (9-pin) HS link (high speed linl?): pos 4, pos 5, pos6, pos7 (9-pin) One interesting thing about this system is a board labeled "writeable control store" - does anyone know it this is user microprogrammable? On this board are about 45 AMD (I think) 8648 ICs and about 27 8651 ICs, in addition to what I think may be EEPROMs (Fairchild MB7142H), as well as morotola 8644A, 8644B, 8648 and 8649 chips and a few other ICs. Attached to this board is a other board that is apparently the main part of the CPU with about 6 (from what I recall) square ICs, about 1" square, with heat-sinks that I haven't figured out how to remove yet to see the part numbers. Did anyone here purchase the machine like this that was listed on e-bay? Another apparently related NCR box that appeas to connect to the SMD drive only has the following indentification on it: "class H6830-STD1-01-46." Coming out the back are three cables: one that looks like it's got about 50 conductors in it, and two that appear to have about 20 to 25 conductors (these are just my guesses, haven't counted them). There are also two 50-pin connectors. I think this connects to the hard disk, but I can't figure out how, or if, it connects to the model 3401. Is anyone here familiar with the above equipment? -- R. D. Davis rdd(a)perqlogic.com http://www.perqlogic.com/rdd 410-744-4900 -- R. D. Davis rdd(a)perqlogic.com http://www.perqlogic.com/rdd 410-744-4900

26 years

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Mark your calendars for VCF 4.0: September 30 - October 1

by vcf＠siconic.com

VCF 4.0 is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, September 30 - Sunday, October 1. The venue this year in the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, California. More details to come! Sellam International Man of Intrigue and Danger ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking for a six in a pile of nines... Coming soon: VCF 4.0! VCF East: Planning in Progress See http://www.vintage.org for details!

26 years

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POST code for IBM P-70

by rigdonj＠intellistar.net

Can anyone tell me what the POST codes 165 and 221 mean on an IBM PS2 P-70? The CMOS backup battery is good and I've tried to boot from the reference disk but it won't load anything from the disk even though it does read it briefly. Joe

26 years

2
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HP-1000E PSU

by fmc＠reanimators.org

"R. D. Davis" <rdd(a)smart.net> wrote: > One slight problem: I'm told that the PSU is bad. Upon removing the > cover from the PSU, I noticed that there are three plug-in boards in > the PSU, and one empty PCB connector, the second one back from the > front. Is this circuit board supposed to be missing? I've not teted > the PSU yet, as I didn't know if doing so with this (optional? a > regulator for a voltage this system doesn't need?) board removed will > damage it. Is it safe to power it up with this board missing? Very likely. I pulled the 1000E Installation and Service Manual (HP p/n 02109-90015, dated Nov 1979) and it would appear that the board your power supply is missing is p/n 5061-1349, the battery backup board, which is only present in 1000Es with the battery backup option. To confirm this, there should be another board, 5061-1351, in another slot in the power supply -- this is a jumper board that is used in place of 5061-1348, the battery charger board, when the battery backup option is not present. I think you'll find this latter board in the slot closer to the front. Looks like the installer is expected to adjust the power supply with it installed in the computer. Test points are on the crossover assembly (A6) that is visible when you remove the top cover, and the main adjustment is the +5V ADJ potentiometer that is visible on the power supply board that is partially exposed when you lower the front cover: it's the one that is under the LOCK/OPERATE switch. Supply voltages are: supply v max cur upper lim lower lim test point +5V I/O 50A 5.25Vdc 5.00Vdc A6 +5V +5V M 4.5A 5.25Vdc 5.00Vdc A6 +5M +12V I/O 2.5A 12.6Vdc 11.4Vdc A6 +12V +12V M 2.0A 12.6Vdc 11.4Vdc A6 +12 M -2V I/O 4.0A -2.2Vdc -1.8Vdc A6 -2V -12V I/O 2.0A -12.6Vdc -11.4Vdc n/a -12V M 250mA -16Vdc -9Vdc A6 -12M (unregulated) +30V I/O 250mA 42Vdc 22Vdc A6 J2 pin 4 (unregulated) The general thing to do at initial checkout is to adjust the +5V ADJ pot 'til the first of these is at +5.15 +/-0.05 volts, then check the other voltages to make sure they're within range. OK, so what about troubleshooting? There's a flowchart, which I'm not going to try to turn into ASCII, but here's the first question after you turn the machine on: are fans running? Beyond that...well, this flowchart looks like it's intended to help you troubleshoot to board level and in some cases transistor level. So supposing the fans are running, the next questions are whether +5V is present at the crossover board test point, and whether it is adjustable as described above. Feel free to ask questions, I'll keep the manual out for the next few days. -Frank McConnell

26 years

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How do you finance/afford your computer collection?

by dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com

> I'm interested in hearing how others on this list afford to > maintain and expand their collections. Especially people like > John R. Keys. 8-D Basically I take money out of my budgest > and buy something when it strikes me. Lately, Ive actually > turned down some of the more popular computer models because > I either have one or more, or space is at a premium. I also > pay monthly for small off-site storage to hold some machines > as I'm reaching over 150 computers+accessories now. Is it > feasible to start a non-profit org to help pay for some of > the costs one incurs while enjoying this hobby or how would > one solicit donations? I am reluctant to become too > commercial or plaster my domain with ads. Ok... what you said... (in other words, ditto...) plus: I rob Peter to buy Paul... I sell family heirlooms (not yet, but it could happen) I sell items from the collection that mean less now than when I acquired them. I look for one-off consulting jobs that involve little or no work and put a small stipend in my pocket. I know when the yearly bonus is coming, and make certain I make the grade. I eat TV dinners instead of grazing at China Buffet; I avoid the temptation to order a pizza to be delivered; I stop buying grocieries onesy-twosy at the Dreary Mart and haul my ass down to Sam's and get a reasonable price. When I'm really desparate to acquire something, I even go back to making iced tea instead buying soft drinks; I can get a fifth of V.O.B. for the price of a pint of Maker's Mark, so I do that. I skip repairs to the Audi; on this one, the law of diminishing returns will kick in soon. Probably other ways I can't think of right now... -dq

26 years

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DEC MUX cables free

by thompson＠mail.athenet.net

Recently I came across a variety of DEC QBUS MUX cables, and they are available at the cost of shipping. I have several BC19B-12 cables which go from the CXY-08 MUX to 4 DB25 RS-232 ports. I seem to recall someone from the list wanted one of these a while back. I also have large number of BC16D cables which connect a CXA-16 MUX board (the one without the full modem control lines) to the H3104 8 port banjo MMJ patch panels (also available). Let me know if any of these interests you. paul

26 years

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"IBM's 360 and Early 370 Computers"

by mrbill＠mrbill.net

I've got a in-good-shape copy of this book, which I enjoyed very much- anybody out there an IBM fan, want this book, and have something interesting to trade for it in turn? Bill -- +-------------------\ /-----------------+ | Bill Bradford | www.sunhelp.org | | mrbill(a)mrbill.net | www.decvax.org | | Austin, Texas USA | www.pdp11.org | +-------------------/ \-----------------+

26 years

2
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Any AS/400 experts around?

by eric＠brouhaha.com

I'm now the proud (?) owner of an old AS/400, Type 9406 Model B45. Assuming that when we managed to let the rack fall on its side that we didn't destroy it; this is yet to be determined. Anyhow, I have very little (bordering on no) clue about AS/400s, so if anyone else knows about them, tips, advice, help, or the like would be greatly appreciated. The system came with about twelve Type 9332-600 disk drives (600M each), a Type 9348-001 nine-track drive (which is an HP 88780 with a custom front panel), and two terminals (but only one keyboard). It appears that the disks and tape drive are differential SCSI devices with Sun-style 50-pin D-sub connectors. I vaugely recall reading in the past that AS/400s use a weird sector size that is not a power of two; most high-end SCSI drives can be reformatted for alternate sector sizes. The CPU box contains: part feature upper lower slot number number connector connector function ---- ------- ------- --------- --------- ---------- 1 66X4709 3060 16M memory 2 66X4709 3060 16M memory 3 66X4490 3055 8M memory 4 21F5132 2513 processor? tamper seals! 5 93X2120 2514 ??? 6 93X2701 2601 50 female tape interface 7 93X2709 6110 50 female disk interface 8 46F4141 6130 ??? 9 26F5028 6031 50 male 50 male ??? 10 59X4270 6040 25 female ??? 11 93X2737 6110 50 female second disk interface? 12 blank panel 13 blank panel I guess that one of the cards in slot 9 or 10 must be an interface to terminals or to a 3174 terminal controller or the like. The IBM AS/400 web site doesn't seem to have any info on hardware this old. I'd really like to get an ethernet interface. I got factory-sealed 9-track tape distributions of two different releases of OS/400, four tapes each. I gather that there's some sort of license key needed for the software, so I have no idea whether I'll be able to install it. Naturally when I got the machine the seller didn't make any arrangements for a license transfer. For the price I paid I suppose it would be unreasonable to ask them to jump through hoops to do such a thing.

26 years

2
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OT: 911 (was Re: A Great Find & A Defense of E-Bay)

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

On June 16, Chris Kennedy wrote: > > Well, since you mentioned it, the '95 car I mentioned above is a > > Porsche 911...a car that has changed very little over the years since > > its introduction. > > I suppose it depends on what you define as "changed very little". '71, '73, > '74, '76, '78, '82 and '85 all introduce significant chassis changes. > The liquid-cooled current production engine has only passing resemblance > to the air-cooled precursors and the transaxle has seen radical changes. > About the only thing that is really constant about the car is the shape, > the transmission-in-front-of-differential-in-front-of-engine-layout > and the organization of the engine as a boxer-six. Oh, and the location > of the ignition on the left-hand side of the wheel :-) > > Look hard enough and almost every bit has been radically revisited, which > coupled with the amazing ability to graft in stuff from the 930/34/35 and > even a few 928 bits, makes for *all sorts* of fun for those of us who get > geeky over 911s... :-) When I say "changed very little" I meant compared to certain other models of car we see on the roads these days. Certainly there are dozens to hundreds of changes every year or couple of years...I have an '83 and a '95, and they're very different cars. But, to the non-911-geek, to see them sitting next to each other in a parking lot, they're damn near identical. -Dave McGuire

26 years

6
5
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ID'ing VAX Boards

by jbmcb＠hotmail.com

I pulled a bunch of VAX boards out of an, I think, 8200 that was destined for the scap heap. How do ID these things? They are VAXBI and VAXBI-A, or whatever the CPU bus is. I've got a BUNCH (Around 15) I've ID'd one as a TK-50 Controller (It says it is) and an ethernet controller (DEBNT) Any help would be appreciated.

26 years

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Yo

by jrkeys＠concentric.net

As stated long ago and as printed in the newspaper article done on me, my goal is to open a museum sometime in the very near future. I'm trying to get corporate funding and grants to get it off the ground. Right now I have stuff stored everywhere, such as 1800 sq ft warehouse in Houston (full), a 10x15 storage unit in Houston, two bedrooms in a house in Houston, 4- 10x15 and 1-10x20 storage units here in St. Paul, a one car garage full here, one bedroom full here in the apartment, and 5- 3x4x16 storage units in my complex here. I have over 3000 hardware items, over 1500 books, tons of old test equipment, and several hundred other types of items such cups, mousepads, mice, giveaways from trade shows (such as the items you send me each year from the VCF), I have computer art work (paint and photo), computer puzzles, computer toys, robots, and the list goes on. My wife says if I die before the museum is built than this all goes to the trashman. I started this back in 1985 and my dream of a museum started back 1992. But rising a family and working everyday was tops on my list at the time and now the kids are all grown and can go after my dream. I have gotten help from many on this list and hope that I can be of help to some of the new members. Well that enough history for today. John Keys ----- Original Message ----- From: Vintage Computer Festival <vcf(a)siconic.com> To: <jrkeys(a)concentric.net> Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2000 12:42 AM Subject: Yo > > John, let me ask you: what the hell are you going to do with all the crap > you are collecting? I mean, I collect a lot of stuff, but you seem to be > taking in about 4 times what I have in total every few months. > > How much stuff do you have, where do you keep it all, and what are you > going to eventually do with it? > > More curious than anything... > > Sellam International Man of Intrigue and Danger > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- > Looking for a six in a pile of nines... > > Coming soon: VCF 4.0! > VCF East: Planning in Progress > See http://www.vintage.org for details! > > >

26 years

3
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DEC Vaxstation II GPX needs a home

by vcf＠siconic.com

This person has a DEC VAXstation II GPX that needs a new home. Please contact the original sender directly. They are located in Bellingham, WA. Phone: 360 733 8111 Reply-to: mbennett(a)aerotechsports.com ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 25 May 2000 14:41:04 -0700 From: Mike Bennett <mbennett(a)aerotechsports.com> To: vcf(a)vintage.org We have a DEC Vaxstation II GPX with a 19 inch VR290 DA monitor. It have Keyboard and mouse. We have since abondoned the unit for smaller faster systems. We are looking to sell or donate the the equipment to any intersested party. We would appreciate ant assistance you might be able to provide. Best regards, Mike Bennett Preident Sellam International Man of Intrigue and Danger ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking for a six in a pile of nines... Coming soon: VCF 4.0! VCF East: Planning in Progress See http://www.vintage.org for details!

26 years

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Apple III (was: Apple III motherboard)

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

In a message dated 6/16/00 9:36:08 PM Central Daylight Time, mgregory(a)vantageresearch.com writes: << Any other examples of semi-official fixes like this one? The only other one that comes to mind is the infamous "Atari ST twist", where you grasped both sides of the case firmly, and twisted the ends in opposite directions. The flexing of the motherboard supposedly reseated a chip that frequently came loose, without, of course, requiring you to open the case, and thereby void your warranty. >> wasnt there a similar issue with the TRS80 model 1's expansion interface? I remember hearing that it had a dodgy connection and many people devised methods of maintaining good contact. D.B. Young Team OS/2 hurry, hurry, step right up! see the computers of yesteryear! come one, come all! http://members.aol.com/suprdave/classiccmp/museum.htm

26 years

4
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Blinking lights hidden

by dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com

> Something's been puzzling me: when I look at my CDC SMD drive, the NCR > applications processor, some smaller SMD drives, LEDs in my 11/44, > etc., there's something I just don't understand. Why did companies > begin hiding blinking lights, status displays, etc. behind covers, in > places behind the front panel that aren't obvious at first glance, > hidden in boards in a card cage, etc.? So they wouldn't have to document their meaning for end-users. "hello, Prime Technical Support, how may I help you?" "My P400 front panel is blinking wildly, like I've never seen before; what should I do?" "We can sell you a VCP-based P650 that won't blink wildly and generate extraneous service calls to us, for $125k and your existing P400 system. How soon would you like delivery?" -dq

26 years

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ADM's on list.

by dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com

> I've got an ADM-5. What a neat little terminal! I like it a lot. > > I think I want to get an iMac and set them side-by-side. :) Could the reason for the iMac's popularity be racial memory of the ADM-3 and 5 days? :-)

26 years

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IBM PC Convertible Power Supply

by mrdos＠swbell.net

I just picked up an IBM PC Convertible at a thrift shop. It has a battery (dead), but no power supply. Does anyone know the power specifications for it? Thanks, Owen

26 years

2
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New Finds

by mgregory＠vantageresearch.com

-----Original Message----- From: John R. Keys Jr. <jrkeys(a)concentric.net> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Date: Monday, June 19, 2000 11:36 PM Subject: New Finds >Well the week back from vacation has been pretty good I hit 3 auction >and came away with a few good deals. >5. TI99 color monitor the size of a TV and looks just like an old 19" >model. John, do you mean a 9" monitor? AFAIK the only monitor produced by TI for the 99/4(A) was a neat little silver composite monitor, with a vertical dimension of 9" or 10". I believe they were bundled with the original 99/4 for the bargain price of $1,200 or thereabouts. They were later available separately, but still way too expensive. I'd be interested in more details (especially the TI part number, usually PHP ####) if it is a TI badged 19" for the 99/4(A). Regards, Mark

26 years

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Thrift Store find: Apple IIgs

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

In a message dated Tue, 20 Jun 2000 11:03:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Ethan Dicks <ethan_dicks(a)yahoo.com> writes: << I have a variety of Apple II machines (I used to make my living on them long, long ago) and my little brother, an avid thrifter, found a IIgs for me this week. ISTR there are multiple varieties; this one appears to be fairly old. It has a memory card inside with 256K of RAM soldered down, and spaces for another .75Mb. The ROM is version 1.0. Just playing around, I figured out how to get into the config menu and set background colors, 80 column, etc. I happened to have an external 5.25" Laser drive I got with my $15 IIc+ and was able to boot up the only DOS 3.3 disk I could find - Zork I. So... now that I have two machines that want to have 3.5" drives and no copies of DOS 3.3 on that medium, is it possible to aquire it anywhere? I have Macs, etc., so I can make a 3.5" disk from an Apple disk image if that's what it takes. Also, are there any ways I can expand this puppy? I happen to have a couple of old Apple double disk drives (the kind that came with the IIe); does anyone know of a diagram to make an adapter for the 19-pin connector that the newer computers take? >> sounds like you have the original model GS with 256k. later ones such as mine have ROM 03 and 1 meg. My GS also had a memory expansion card that I filled up to the max by using an XT's memory dip chips so most likely you can do the same. Nibble magazine used to have a program called dos plus which gave you two 400k dos 3.3 volumes on a 800k floppy. you can expand that GS like you would any //e or + except you dont need an 80 column card of course. the disk ][ drives you speak of can be used with a standard //e controller card if you like, or the apple // newsgroup members should be able to provide a pinout to cable those 20pin connectors to the unidisk port on the back of the computer.

26 years

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ADM's on list.

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

On June 20, Bill Sudbrink wrote: > I don't really want to start another "ebay good/ebay bad" argument, but > did everybody see that an ADM-3A just sold on ebay for $355 US!?!? Cool! > I have two in good working and cosmetic condition that I got from a > bank some years ago, including the little panels and screws that cover > the option dip switches. I alos have docs. How many more are out there, > just on this list? I've got an ADM-5. What a neat little terminal! I like it a lot. I think I want to get an iMac and set them side-by-side. :) -Dave McGuire

26 years

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Infocom on pdp-11

by djg＠drs-esg.com

From: Eric Smith <eric(a)brouhaha.com> >In the early-to-mid 1980s, Infocom used to offer a bunch of their games >for the PDP-11. Naturally I didn't get my first -11 until after that. >If anyone has a copy of Zork (or the other games) for the -11, I'd >certainly love to get a copy. > Amazon.com has witness for pdp-11 (64k) for only $69.95. I had remembered running across this a while ago but though it was Zork. Either they found a different one or (more likely) my memory is bad. Hardcover Disk edition (April 1984) Looks like it's their 828,139th best seller... David Gesswein

26 years

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Please confirm *old* Mac Rumors...

by mgregory＠vantageresearch.com

-----Original Message----- From: r. 'bear' stricklin <red(a)bears.org> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2000 10:55 AM Subject: Re: Please confirm *old* Mac Rumors... > >It is true. The keyboard which shipped with the Mac 128k did not have >cursor keys, and I'm fairly certain that there wasn't an option for same >until the Plus (when it may have become standard issue). > >ok >r. > Was this another "Steveism", like the lack of a fan, and the sealed, appliance-style case? I admire Jobs' vision (even if I don't necessarily agree with it), but his reality distortion field has produced some notably un-user-friendly decisions. Mark.

26 years

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Please confirm *old* Mac Rumors...

by netsurfer_x1＠hotmail.com

>The Mac Plus on my desk right now has cursor keys. I've >heard that the 128k Mac (the very first model) had >neither cursor keys nor >the numeric keypad. > >I have an Apple /// at home which has special keys for >cursor movement. They auto-repeat quite slowly when held >down, but if you press a bit harder, the auto-repeat >speeds up. Rather a >nice idea, I thought. > >-- >John Honniball >Email: John.Honniball(a)uwe.ac.uk >University of the West of England John is right. The keyboards on the Mac 128 & 512 have no arrow keys. I even have a "proper" keyboard (made by datadesk) that has arrow keys, but they don't work. So I suppose that the ROM has no support for the keys. ____________________________________________________________ David Vohs, Digital Archaeologist & Computer Historian. Home page: http://www.geocities.com/netsurfer_x1/ Computer Collection: "Triumph": Commodore 64C, 1802, 1541, FSD-1, GeoRAM 512, MPS-801. "Leela": Macintosh 128 (Plus upgrade), Nova SCSI HDD, Imagewriter II. "Delorean": TI-99/4A, TI Speech Synthesizer. "Monolith": Apple Macintosh Portable. "Spectrum": Tandy Color Computer 3. "Boombox": Sharp PC-7000. ____________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

26 years

1
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CDC 9" PA5N1F15 drive head locking. How?

by xds_sigma7＠hotmail.com

AFAIK, MPI was a joint venture between Honeywell and CDC, but I could be wrong... Also, FSD = Fixed Storage Disk, aka Winchester.. those drives are very nice units... as are the later Sabre's that are half the size of the FSDs.. Will J ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

26 years

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ADM's on list.

by aknight＠mindspring.com

Hi, I have one ADM-3A that is available for sale or trade. I don't have a price in mind but am certainly not looking for "eBay" amounts - I'd actually prefer a trade for some interesting old nixie-tube or HP calculator stuff or certain computer stuff that's on my "want" list (see my web page). The one I have is an off-white color, not light blue as some of them are. Please contact me ASAP if you're interested. Alex Knight Calculator History & Technology Museum Web Page http://aknight.home.mindspring.com/calc.htm - "want" list is at http://aknight.home.mindspring.com/wanted.htm At 04:37 PM 6/20/00 -0400, you wrote: >> Bill Sudbrink asks: >> How many {ADM-3A's} are out there, just on this list?

26 years

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Zork on Apple II, wanted for PDP-11 (was Re: Thrift Store find: Apple IIgs)

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- Eric Smith <eric(a)brouhaha.com> wrote: > > and was able to boot up the > > only DOS 3.3 disk I could find - Zork I. > > Minor nitpick: Zork I doesn't use DOS of any version. It was originally > shipped on a bootable 13-sector diskette, and later on 16-sector, which > is what you have. True. Mea Culpa. I should have said, "the only Apple II bootable disk I have is..." > The earliest Zork I release was buggy as all heck. Once I managed to have > in my inventory about 20-30 "rooms". On an early version of Zork I for the C-64, I managed to "give me to the thief". Later on, in the strange passage, I saw "a cretin" sitting in the hallway. > In the early-to-mid 1980s, Infocom used to offer a bunch of their games > for the PDP-11. Naturally I didn't get my first -11 until after that. > If anyone has a copy of Zork (or the other games) for the -11, I'd > certainly love to get a copy. I remember seeing "Planetfall" up on the wall of the Digital Store in downtown Columbus when I was a kid. I knew who Digital was, but I didn't get my first Dec machine until I was 16 (a PDP-8/L that took two years to restore owing to a lack of docs). > The -11 processor would do a good job of implementing the Z-machine. I agree. They aren't much different from each other, architecturally. I've completely disassembled the C-64 version 1 engine, partially commented it and gotten it running on VICE with a VIC-20 and a BASIC 3.0 PET! If I ever had _way_ too much free time, I could probably craft a working engine for RT-11. I used to program that for a living, too, in a former life. -ethan ===== Even though my old e-mail address is no longer going to vanish, please note my new public address: erd(a)iname.com The original webpage address is still going away. The permanent home is: http://penguincentral.com/ See http://ohio.voyager.net/ for details. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send instant messages with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com/

26 years

2
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Did you see...

by foo＠siconic.com

Bill Sudbrink said: > > If you're wondering if they're rare, the answer is no, they are not. > > They're about as rare as Altairs, which by the way used to show up on > > eBay at least once a week. > > I would think that they are significantly more common than Altairs. > You wouldn't normally find 20 Altairs in a bank. My point was that they are not very rare at all and the person who paid $355 for one was, well, let's not get into that :) Sellam International Man of Intrigue and Danger ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking for a six in a pile of nines... Coming soon: VCF 4.0! VCF East: Planning in Progress See http://www.vintage.org for details!

26 years

1
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More Stuff

by allisonp＠world.std.com

-----Original Message----- From: Sellam Ismail <foo(a)siconic.com> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Date: Monday, June 19, 2000 3:06 PM Subject: Re: More Stuff >On Sat, 17 Jun 2000, Tony Duell wrote: > >> I want one too!. I notice it didn't mention what CPU it used -- any >> ideas? Initially I guessed at the Z80, but I am now wondering if it's an >> 1802 or something odd... > >No menion in the ad. Maybe Allison knows. The kit was sold by Netronics, >the same people who sold the ELF II and Exlporer 85 kits. Netronics what? they only did the Explorer (8085) and the Elf (1802) anthing else were supporting boards for one or the other. Allison > >Sellam International Man of Intrigue and Danger >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- >Looking for a six in a pile of nines... > > Coming soon: VCF 4.0! > VCF East: Planning in Progress > See http://www.vintage.org for details! > >

26 years

1
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Got some DecMate 1s!

by dlw＠trailingedge.com

WooHoo! I received two DecMate I systems today along with a Dec LetterPrinter 100 and an RX02 Dual Drive unit. I have some doc and software to go with them. Have to sort through it all. Problem is I promised my wife I'd go with her to the ball game tonight. Dang, now I can't check it all out until tomorrow evening. Oh well, at least this way she won't complain about having them around the house... not much anyway. Now the quest to get them up and running begins. Oh and thanks for getting the systems to me John, if you're still on the list. They arrived nicely packed and safe and sound. ----- David Williams - Computer Packrat dlw(a)trailingedge.com http://www.trailingedge.com

26 years

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Zork on Apple II, wanted for PDP-11 (was Re: Thrift Store find: Apple IIgs)

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- Eric Smith <eric(a)brouhaha.com> wrote: > I forgot to answer the other question: > > > So... now that I have two machines that want to have 3.5" drives and > > no copies of DOS 3.3 on that medium, is it possible to aquire it anywhere? > > I have Macs, etc., so I can make a 3.5" disk from an Apple disk image > > if that's what it takes. > > Apple never supported DOS on 3.5". There were some third-party hacks, but > I've never obtained copies. So how did the Apple IIc+ work? It has an internal 3.5" floppy. Did you have to have an external 5.25" drive to play old games, etc? -ethan ===== Even though my old e-mail address is no longer going to vanish, please note my new public address: erd(a)iname.com The original webpage address is still going away. The permanent home is: http://penguincentral.com/ See http://ohio.voyager.net/ for details. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send instant messages with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com/

26 years

3
2
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Composing on paper, Green-bar, hardcopy output, card decks (L ong)

by mmcfadden＠cmh.edu

>From the Jargon file greenbar: n. A style of fanfolded continuous-feed paper with alternating green and white bars on it, especially used in old-style line printers. This slang almost certainly dates way back to mainframe days. This makes me feel ancient. The green bars were 1 inch wide which was 6 lines normal or 8 lines compressed. About 1979 I remember when I wrote a talk for a microbiology conference on my VT52 terminal. I then printed it out on greenbar which was used to prompt me during the talk. The greenbar proceeded to unfold down the front of the podium all the way to the floor. My boss was kind enough to indicate that the talk was really written by the computer. One problem with greenbar was that you had to turn it over if you wanted to print pictures or banners on the paper. Very long fiber paper, some of the cheap stuff was kind of like newspaper greenbar. I still have several cases of it, the fancy kind with printed line numbers. The nice thing about composing on paper was that once you wrote the same or similar thing several times by hand you decided to create a subroutine/procedure. Paper could be taken to the pool or outside, no electricity required. Composing on terminals was only practical when there were terminals available. Doesn't anyone remember coding sheets? If you are punching cards on an IBM 026 keypunch then any errors and the card was trash. The IBM 029 keypunch didn't actually punch the card until the end of the line, you could correct errors if you noticed them. Trash cards were useful for phone messages and notes. All of the JCL cards were usually a different color to allow the card decks to be split apart. I seem to remember pictures being drawn on the decks to allow the user to peer through the computer room window to see if your deck was due to be run soon. The best card run I ever saw was a 1976 run where the entire music list for the MU radio station was read in and then sorted by music type, performer, and title and then printouts produced. This happened on a Sunday when CPU time was free on the IBM 370 model 158 due to system testing. 12 boxes of data cards were read in and then stored on 9-track tape. Best input output/setup was in 1970 at CMU where the cards were read in and then output printed down a long series of sloped tables, each user got <10 minute response, they had a traffic light set up in the IO room. RED = system down, GREEN = system up, YELLOW = use at your own risk. They had a camera and speaker watching the printer to tell the users to change the paper on the printer. Worst setup was MU Computer Sciences where you turned in the cards and got back output in 24 hours. Many times with message CPU time exceeded and no output. Mike Coder from the dark ages

26 years

4
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Free stuff!

by Marion.Bates＠dartmouth.edu

Hey -- Been housecleaning recently. I have several machines and some parts available to anyone who can come pick them up -- I'm living in Jacksonville, FL for the summer. Apple IIc and power adapter (works) Zenith 286 laptop (works) Apple IIGS (powers up, but I seem to remember it having some weird intermittent error message) Magnavox monochrome Computer Monitor 80 (works, small and lightweight, good for a testing bench?) Mac Plus with power supply problem, rest of it works 2 internal SCSI hard drives (230 and 260 MB), both worked last I checked 800k internal Mac floppy drive (dunno if it works) 400k external Mac floppy drive (dunno if it works) ImageWriter II (works, good cosmetic condition) Dead Apple Newton 100 with some accessories, manuals, etc. -- I think I fried something when attempting to resolder the loose audio wire Mac SE/30 (works, but if you take this, you are required to take the rest, too. ;-) And OT: some other electronic thingies, like a dead Sony Bookman and a Sega "simon says" game, if your tastes are that eclectic. Please email off-list for details, directions, etc. Thanks, -- MB

26 years

2
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Programming on Paper

by dhquebbeman＠theestopinalgroup.com

> >Having a machine to interact with allows you to test your code on the spot > >and if you are writing in an interpreted language the error-checking the > >interpreter provides is a godsend for the coder. Why anyone would code > >without the interaction of the target machine is beyond me. > > I write perfect code, like Mozart it flows out in its final form to the > paper, and then to the system. I think the immediacy of interactive programming causes the programmer to tend to exit the design loop early, before the design has actually crystallized in the mind. Working with paper provides the slowdown needed to allow this crystallization to occur. And now that I think about it... ISTR a paper by someone at Purdue during the 60s, a paper exploring the value of interactive computing (timesharing), and it specifically referred to hypothetical systems so fast that the benefits of being able to immediately submit a design to test would be lost due to the programmer jumping out of the design loop too quickly. But, to each his own... as long as they're not working for me. -dq

26 years

3
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