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

Customs Tricks (was: Re: Whoohoo! Fortune Telling...

by dylanb＠sympatico.ca

-----Original Message----- From: Roger Merchberger <zmerch(a)30below.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Saturday, November 13, 1999 6:25 PM Subject: Customs Tricks (was: Re: Whoohoo! Fortune Telling... >Rumor has it that John B may have mentioned these words: > >>I was at the border once with a load of minis (early 80s).. when these >>things were still considered worth money... Worse off I got lost and had >>hives everywhere and was throwing up (from one of *your* donut shops).. I >>had a receipt for $25.. he guy did not believe I paid that for them. He >>wanted me to unload the truck and he was going to *value* the equipment. > >Which *your* do you mean? On which side of the creek do you reside? ;-) I reside in Canada.... > >Also, it's a good idea to know when your local border crossing has slow >times -- stop in and ask a few questions about duty & tax laws *when the >border guards are not busy*. I can't stress that enough, because if they're >booked full and you start asking what can be perceived (to them) as really >stupid questions, they *will* remember you and give you a hard time. >[[Hint: Despite the fact that both in the US and Canada you are considered >innocent until proven guilty, that does *not* count with Customs. You are >guilty until proven innocent. Period.]] It pays to get on the good side of >Customs officers, and if you ask questions when they're not busy, they're >usually happy to help and maybe even stand around and shoot the bull for a >while. > You got it! Yes sir, no sir, can I wipe your.... >Do this a few times, and if you do stop by with a trailer full of mini's, >when you say that these are for you hobby the Customs agents will first >think "yea, that's the looney guy that collects old computers for fun." and >you have a lot more of a chance they'll believe this actually is a *hobby*. > In Canada they move the agents A LOT! They make sure you won't get someone you know everytime... plus a lot of summer students. >Another tip, if you have small items: If possible, always have *something* >to declare. I used this trick all the time: I'd go to the RatShack in >Canada (prices were better for computer stuff in Canada back in '86-'87) >and purchase a piece of Tandy software and whatever else CoCo stuff I >wanted. Keep in mind that all Tandy software was manufactured in the USA, >but most CoCo hardware was manufactured in Korea or Japan. Back then (not >sure about now with NAFTA) anything made in the US could come "back" to the >US duty free, but anything from Korea/Japan you had to pay duty. I'd >(usually) hide the items of Asian manufacture, and when I got to the border >and they'd ask me if I had anything to declare, I'd say "Sure!!" I'd show >them the software, and then point to the line and say "See this line here? >It says 'Custom Made in the USA for Tandy Corporation.'" They'd look, say >"O.K." and wave me thru. > I see you have been there too.... >[[ Of course, YMMV and I will *not* be held responsible if this trick >doesn't work for you. ;-) ]] > >>(went to another border bridge) > >That's fine & dandy if you live in a city of a few million... Me? I have >one bridge to/from Canada in, oh, at least 250 miles either direction. If >you're in a small border town, get to know your border guards. :-) > OOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I go through 4 possible entry points in Niagara Falls. You never see the same guard twice..... I only ever got lucky once and got a girl I use to go to school with... wish I had a Picasso in the car that day :-( >Take care, >Roger "Merch" Merchberger >-- >Roger "Merch" Merchberger --- sysadmin, Iceberg Computers >Recycling is good, right??? Ok, so I'll recycle an old .sig. > >If at first you don't succeed, nuclear warhead >disarmament should *not* be your first career choice. >

26 years, 8 months

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CoCo hacking

by sring＠uslink.net

From: "Stephanie Ring" sring(a)uslink.net I would like to get into CoCo hacking. Can anyone suggest sources of information: web sites, email lists, books, etc.?

26 years, 8 months

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Whoohoo! Fortune Telling...

by dylanb＠sympatico.ca

-----Original Message----- From: Eric Smith <eric(a)brouhaha.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Saturday, November 13, 1999 5:10 PM Subject: Re: Whoohoo! Fortune Telling... >"John B" <dylanb(a)sympatico.ca> wrote: >> No Duty. I move machines from the US to Canada and Canada to the US.. You >> pay DEPENDING on how honest you are. >> >> You may have to pay State tax on the purchase price when bringing it across >> the border. Be sure to say it is for your PERSONAL hobby. Get a receipt from >> the place you are purchasing the mini from. > >Is there a problem if I am getting the machine for free? Should I pay >$1 for it instead, and get a receipt for that amount? > NO WAY. At 5-7% tax put a REALISTIC "junk" value on it.. If they think you are BSing them they will pull out a book and find out what the REPLACEMENT value is.. I was at the border once with a load of minis (early 80s).. when these things were still considered worth money... Worse off I got lost and had hives everywhere and was throwing up (from one of *your* donut shops).. I had a receipt for $25.. he guy did not believe I paid that for them. He wanted me to unload the truck and he was going to *value* the equipment. While throwing up beside him I invoked my right to be "refused" entry to the country and be turned back with my load. I called for some help (as I was getting sicker).. Drove to a friends place and got a new receipt for $300. (went to another border bridge) (the tax difference would have been $21... hardly worth it.) Put a value of a couple hundred bucks and pay $12 in taxes.... john http://www.pdp8.com/

26 years, 8 months

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The most Famous ASR33!

by dylanb＠sympatico.ca

-----Original Message----- From: Dennis N. Aruta <denic(a)liii.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Saturday, November 13, 1999 1:21 PM Subject: The most Famous ASR33! >FYI, > scroll down to the bottom of this page and you will see a very >famous ASR 33 Teletype machine at work in a Harvard Dorm! >One recently sold on e-bay for $375.00, values must be increasing? The $$ value of old mini computer equipment is climbing quickly. The going rate for an ASR-33 with reader relay running, mint *was* $300US.. As more people want the stuff the prices are going right up. There are more and more people realizing collecting computers can be as fun as[or more] than collecting antique cars. If anyone here is looking for an ASR-33 please e-mail me to get on my list. I am picking up 10-15 units in mint condition from a factory in early January. John B http://www.pdp8.com/ > ><A >HREF="http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/museum/exhibits/onceupontime/revoluti on. >asp">Click here: Microsoft Museum Pre-Computer Timeline Exhibit: You Say >You >Want A Revolution?</A> > >Dennis Aruta, Owner ShipFix (c) & International Commerce List (c), > ><a href="http://members.aol.com./denicny/trade.html"> >INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE + SHIPS </a> > ><a href="http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/mbs.cgi/mb522111"> >Visit my Message Board ></a> > FireTalk 34260 denic > ICQ #174727 > >Mailing address: >Denar Chartering Inc.(since 1971) Phone: 516-326-2300 >P.O. Box 1147, Denar House Fax: 516-326-2519 >New Hyde Park N.Y. 11040 Tlx: 4971419 >U.S.A. email: Denic(a)liii.com > DenicNY(a)aol.com > > > > > >

26 years, 8 months

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PR1ME 2550 Additional

by jpl15＠netcom.com

I forgot one of the Prime peripherals.. comes from trying to type when falling asleep.. check out all those transposition typos.. This rig had at one time a Printronix P300, and has the cable set up for the Dataproducts interface. I have a P300, tho it is not the one originally with the computer. I had intended the P300 to be used as a line printer with the PDP stuff, but a suitable bribe and/or trade could possibly sway my thinking. Cheers John

26 years, 8 months

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Whoohoo! Fortune Telling...

by dylanb＠sympatico.ca

-----Original Message----- From: Roger Merchberger <zmerch(a)30below.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Saturday, November 13, 1999 3:03 PM Subject: Whoohoo! Fortune Telling... >As I gaze into my crystal ball... I can look into the future.... It is >getting clearer now... clearer... I can see the possiblity of maybe a Vax >in my basement sometime soon... :-) :-) > >There's a guy from Canada (right across the river - I live in a border >town) that is a repair rep for (now) Compaq that does the service on a >number of Vaxen in northern Ontario, with whom I've opened a dialogue! We >started talking about the lunacy of Win2k, the inability of WinNT and >defined the "good" in "good old days..."; how Wintel just doesn't cut it >compared to the older stuff and ooey-gooeys just give you sticky fingers. >;-) > >Anyway, from what I understand, he mostly works on Alpha-based machines >now, but did Vax work in the past and knows a lot of the installations >around the area. While we were recounting the good old days, I casually >mentioned "well, ya know, if you know of anyone wanting to get rid of a >Vax..." and he said that he may know of a few being replaced!!! :-) > >He was also telling me how he thought the OLC (Ontario Lottery Corporation >(IIRC) - they have a rather large office building [for this area] in Sault, >Ontario) and he thought they were throwing out some stuff but didn't know >if they already did, and what problems I might have with Customs on the >return trip (but I know a lot of Customs agents, so I should be able to >swing anything provided it's not illegal... :-) but he'll check it out and >let me know next week if anything's available. (he's out of town in Toronto >for a week). The Ontario Lottery Corporation uses a lot of Vaxes. (6000s +++). I met a bunch of guys from their systems department in "DEC unlimited traning" back when Digital was popular. If you want anything specific, I use to work with (and know quite well) one of the Board of Directors at the Ontario Lottery Corp... (He use to work in the Legislative Assembly in systems). John > >So... maybe I'll get to ask a lot of Vax questions here soon!!! :-) > >Take care & happy hunting, >Roger "Merch" Merchberger >-- >Roger "Merch" Merchberger --- sysadmin, Iceberg Computers >Recycling is good, right??? Ok, so I'll recycle an old .sig. > >If at first you don't succeed, nuclear warhead >disarmament should *not* be your first career choice. >

26 years, 8 months

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The most Famous ASR33!

by denic＠liii.com

FYI, scroll down to the bottom of this page and you will see a very famous ASR 33 Teletype machine at work in a Harvard Dorm! One recently sold on e-bay for $375.00, values must be increasing? <A HREF="http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/museum/exhibits/onceupontime/revolution. asp">Click here: Microsoft Museum Pre-Computer Timeline Exhibit: You Say You Want A Revolution?</A> Dennis Aruta, Owner ShipFix (c) & International Commerce List (c), <a href="http://members.aol.com./denicny/trade.html"> INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE + SHIPS </a> <a href="http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/mbs.cgi/mb522111"> Visit my Message Board </a> FireTalk 34260 denic ICQ #174727 Mailing address: Denar Chartering Inc.(since 1971) Phone: 516-326-2300 P.O. Box 1147, Denar House Fax: 516-326-2519 New Hyde Park N.Y. 11040 Tlx: 4971419 U.S.A. email: Denic(a)liii.com DenicNY(a)aol.com

26 years, 8 months

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Need a RS232 interface transputer tram

by edick＠idcomm.com

I wonder what happened to the "app-note" type designs that were floating around about 15 years ago. It was hard to get them to stop sending them to me when I was working at the "Rocket Ranch." They were purported to be small and simple, intended for ganging up on a task, and not my cup of tea, so I never bothered to save them. They must have had a serial (RS-232) version, because I considered them for a hugely parallel test fixture for proving that yet another Honeywell-Bull system proposed to the Pentagon didn't work as advertised. We built a single board system which filled a 6' rack, with 68701's on both sides to perform the test. It proved the system didn't work, but the Pentagon bought it anyway. <sigh> It's nice to know that your work matters. Dick -----Original Message----- From: Ram Meenakshisundaram <rmeenaks(a)olf.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Saturday, November 13, 1999 4:47 AM Subject: RE: Need a RS232 interface transputer tram >> > I really dont have any preference to a serial chip other than >> that it should be >> > reliable and easy to source. I have no spare T2s either. All >> the spares I have >> > are the T400 (2-link) transputers. >> >> I've never used one of those. I may have the odd spare T414 (or maybe >> even a T8 of some kind) that I can use for this project, though. I >> wouldn't be hard to convert the design to use other transputers, of >> course. >> >Sure that seems fine. I also realized the T400s would be a mess as it would >break the pipeline on a B008. Some extrnal ram would be nice. How about >64K of SRAM. That should be plenty for most work I would think. > >> I don't know who owns the copyright on the transputer card I designed (T4 >> or T8 + 256K DRAM + interfaces to some custom hardware), but if it's me, >> or I can get permission to hand it round, I'd be happy to release it for >> non-commerical use. I will look into this sometime. >> > >That would be nice. I dont have any freely releasable transputer card >designs. People always ask me where they can get transputer cards, with a >design spec, they can build one themselves. Thanks Tony. I really >appreciate it. > > >Ram >

26 years, 8 months

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going soon, machines in Woodbridge, VA, USA

by wheagy＠erols.com

I'm interested...please put me on the list. I live in NOVA. Thanks, Win wheagy(a)erols.com

26 years, 8 months

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FW: Free RRD40 cdrom drives

by kyrrin＠bluefeathertech.com

Anyone want some freebie RRD-40 drives, get hold of the fellow in the attached message. He's got three. -=-=- <snip> -=-=- On Thu, 11 Nov 1999 20:18:46 -0700, in comp.os.vms you wrote: >>From: Phillip Williams <phdevax(a)sleepy.lobo.net> >>Newsgroups: comp.os.vms >>Subject: rrd40 cdroms >>Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 20:18:46 -0700 >>Organization: Southwest Cyberport >>Lines: 7 >>Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.20.9911112012120.990-100000(a)sleepy.lobo.net> >>NNTP-Posting-Host: lobo.net >>Mime-Version: 1.0 >>Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII >>Path: news1.jps.net!news-west.eli.net!sdd.hp.com!enews.sgi.com!news-feed.fnsi.net!WCG!feeder.nmix.net!198.59.136.4.MISMATCH!feeder.swcp.com!sloth.swcp.com!sleepy.lobo.net!phdevax >>Xref: news1.jps.net comp.os.vms:5102 >> >>hello >>I replaced the rrd40s from 3 infoservers with sony cdroms, so >>the rrd40s are free to anybody that can use them. Sorry only have >>2 caddies. also if you want the caddies the 40s come along as a >>neat package. >>phillip -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies -- kyrrin (at) bluefeathertech [dot] com Web: http://www.bluefeathertech.com "...No matter how we may wish otherwise, our science can only describe an object, event, or living thing in our own human terms. It cannot possibly define any of them..."

26 years, 8 months

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Prime 2550 possibly available

by jpl15＠netcom.com

I have been thinkin' lately that perhaps I oughta stick strictly to DEC Stuff... and I am trying to reduce the tonnage around here. So I gets to lookin' at the bee-yoo-tee-full PR1ME mainframe that I actually paid to rescue. And it ain't got no DEC logos on it nowhere. Is anyone withing the purview of The List and within trucking distance of LA CA interested in this machine? It is in working condition, has a lot of software loaded on it (exactly how mnay app I don't know) and has extensive and complete software doc. It laso has several 1/2" tapes, tow with the OS and one 7"-er marked 'games'. Peripherals are 1.2G SCSI Seagate Sabre w/front panel, 350M CDC SMD (spare SMD avail) 32 user ports and Kennedy 9100 1/2" drive. Power runs on 110 single phase... not in original cabinet, so some cooling fans will need to be added. Unit is in 6' rack with casters, Kennedy is seperate and loose, tho I have the rack slides for it. 35 serial cables are included, and one spare CPU and two spare 1M memory cards. The original control panel is also present and functioning. IDEALLY... I'd like to sell it, but the price is variable according to the situation of the prospective adopter. I *did* pay good money to keep this old girl out of the scrapper's. Any van or small pickup truck can handle the whole thing in one go. I want it to be loved and *run* and played with. Now's your chance to do a little Pick hacking... from what I read in the Doco, that's included in there somewhere. OS rev is 20.2.8 for the PR1ME literate among you. Any takers in or near SoCal? Cheers John

26 years, 8 months

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OT: patenting an old year/date concept, to make millions

by mbg＠world.std.com

>Check outghis article, it appears that somone recently patented the >idea of using a pivot date, such as 30, and having the computer >consider numbers below that pivot point as being in the year 20??, ie >as being from 2000 - 2029. and he's trying to force companies that >used that programming technique to fix their Y2K problems, to pay him >millions. 70% of companies supposedly use that concept. Just another argument for me to believe that no individual programming techniques should be patentable, only total products... How many of us have used that technique for years for things even before Y2K was an issue?! Megan Gentry Former RT-11 Developer +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+ | Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com | | Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com | | Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' | | 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ | | Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler | | (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg | +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

26 years, 8 months

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OT: patenting an old year/date concept, to make millions

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>OK, that just how the date was entered, not how it was stored internally, >but it's not that different. I would claim this is certainly 'prior art'. >And I doubt if this is the first time it was done either. Just because it was done before doesn't mean that a patent won't be granted, especially when it comes to patenting algorithms. Witness the discussions in comp.arch earlier this year about IBM patenting a well-known (has been in textbooks since the 1960's) algorithm for converting multi-digit decimal numbers to binary. Tim.

26 years, 8 months

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Convergent Technologies

by mmcfadden＠cmh.edu

I just acquired 3 convergent technologies computers. They are a series of modules that plug together, each module is the size of a very thick book. They have external power supplies with a 2 foot long cable with snap connectors to connect power supply to module. The modules plus together along the side and a latch locks the connection. No tools needed to add/remove memory. The computers power up and LED's come on. The information I got from the web doesn't say what kind of CPU chip was used, what the computers were designed for and if they are still supported. From several web searches I think these machines ran CTOS which was dropped by Unisys. The date on the inside of the cases is 1983 and 1984. Module 1 CPU with 3 extra memory modules, one labeled datapoint, one convergent tech, one burroughs Module 2 Hard disk 10MB ST225 Module 3 5 1/4 floppy drive Module 1 CPU Module 2 hard disk 90MB Module 3 5 1/4 floppy Module 4 40-60 MB tape drive I picked up 8 power supplies, and 10-20 cables, no manuals. One cable has two right angle db9 connectors that seem to be made to connect "cluster controller" connector in the side of the CPU. Other looks like terminal cable. Does anyone know what kind of terminal would work? Any other information would be appreciated. Thanks Mike McFadden

26 years, 8 months

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DECUS Paper Tapes

by daniel＠internet.look.ca

Thank you for being so helpful. I will run the tapes and see what happens. I trust the SA is usually 200 (except for Tic Tac Toe which I know is 400). BTW: Does DECUS still sell this stuff? john -----Original Message----- From: Lawrence LeMay <lemay(a)cs.umn.edu> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Thursday, October 21, 1999 6:55 PM Subject: Re: DECUS Paper Tapes >> I am just starting to go through the software I got with the 8/s and I don't >> know what some of these older tapes did: >> >> 5/8-9 [(PDP 5/8) - Tape #9] - Analysis of Variance >> 5/8-15 - A.T.E.P.O. Program > Auto Test in Elementary Programming and Operation of a PDP-5 computer > > The program will type questions or instructions to be performed by > the operator of a 4K PDP-5/8. The program will check to see if > the operator has answered the questions correctly. If this is the > case, it wil type the next questionor instruction. > >> 5/8-45 - Remote Time Shared III System > A time-shared programming system which allows remote stations > immediate access to the computer and a wide selection of programs. > >> 5/8-54 - Tic Tac Toe Learning Program (figured this one out) > Needs FORTRAN Object Time System > >> 8/8s -77 - Dual Process Sys. > The purpose of this system is to expedite the programming of > multiprocessing problems on the PDP-8 and PDP-8/S. It maximizes > both the input speed and the portionm of real time actualy used > for calculations by allowing the program to run during the > intervals between issuing I/O commands and the raising of the device > flag to signal completion of the command. The technique also allows > queueing of input data or commands so that the user need not wait > while his last line is being processed, and so that each line of input > may be processed as fast as possible regardless of its length. The > system uses the interrupt facilities and has less than 3% overhead > on the PDP-8/S (about 0.1% on the PDP-8). > > This method is especially useful for a slower machine where the > problem may easily be calculation limited but would, without > such a system, become I/o bound. > > The program may also be easily extended to handle input from an > A/D converter. Here, the input would be buffered by groups of > readings terminated either arbitrarily in groups of N or by > zero crossings. > > This program can increase the I/O to computation efficiency of > some programs by 100%. It can do this even for single Teletype. > Each user will probably want to tailor the program to his individual > needs. > > Storage Requirement: 600(base 8) registers for two TTY's plus > buffer space. (Several device configurations > are possible). > >> >> >> Some of these I can tell what they did by the name but does anyone have any >> information about any of them? (I haven't had time to go through all the >> documentation yet). >> >> Thanks >> >> john >> >> > >-Lawrence (just got a 1975 DECUS catalog 2 days ago) LeMay >

26 years, 8 months

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Series 42 stuff available

by wlb＠jps.net

Stan Sieler gave me this email address - We have a "new" 917 up & running and have some ADCCs, memory, processor boards (series 42) if anyone wants them...Also a couple of ET terminals I am in Sacramento, CA Bill Brandt

26 years, 8 months

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Tektronix 560 and AX08

by dylanb＠sympatico.ca

I am locating a Tektronix 560 for my 8/s. Does anyone here know what changes were made to the Tektronix 560 Oscilloscope to connect it to the 34B or AX08? I have a feeling it was the "brightness" control but I am not sure. The AX08 nor the 34B documents mention any changes to the scope. john

26 years, 8 months

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1.44M floppy on Color Computer (was Re: Ebay reaches new low)

by zmerch＠30below.com

Rumor has it that Fred Cisin (XenoSoft) may have mentioned these words: >BTW2, the very first ever RS disk interface for the Coco had all chips >socketed, as well as a few other differences that make it the best one to >work from for a 500Kbps mod. Yes... that's what started this thread... I just got one of those controllers thru a seller on Ebay, and wondered where the 500Kbps hack information might be found. Again, I have nothing against Vaxen (and would love one if I could get one... ;-) but this thread has been *very* fun and educational for me! Thanks, Roger "Merch" Merchberger -- Roger "Merch" Merchberger --- sysadmin, Iceberg Computers Recycling is good, right??? Ok, so I'll recycle an old .sig. If at first you don't succeed, nuclear warhead disarmament should *not* be your first career choice.

26 years, 8 months

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going soon...

by yakowenk＠cs.unc.edu

Hey all, it turns out that "soon" isn't quite as soon as the usual definition. This time we may have several weeks, maybe even months(!), to respond. About a dozen people have expressed an interest (and all are getting this message BCC'd directly). Until I hear otherwise, I'm assuming this guy wants a single contact point, and not a barrage of individual requests. But I will ask him about that; if it is okay by him, then I'll just pass on his contact info and get the #@(& out of the way. Still no more info on what machines are there, and no precise time limit. Will keep you posted. Cheers, Bill.

26 years, 8 months

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apple II DOS diskettes - can they be made on a PC?

by jlwest＠tseinc.com

I just got an apple ][+ and two disk ][ units. I have no diskettes for it though. Specifically, I'd like to get a copy of the disks that come with a disk ][ unit. This would be the DOS disks (16 sector version I seem to recall???) and any example disks and/or utilities that normally came with it. So - two questions - 1) Can the disks be made on a PC clone system 5.25 drive with something like rawrite or teledisk? and 2) Can someone point me to where these images can be obtained on the net or would a kind sole email me the images? I don't remember much about the apple ][+, it's been almost 20 years since I played with one so I hope the above questions are somewhat clear :) Thanks in advance for any tips and/or advice! (please reply to west(a)tseinc.com) Jay West

26 years, 8 months

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going soon, machines in Woodbridge, VA, USA

by CordaAJ＠NSWC.NAVY.MIL

Hi! I'd be interested... I'm looking for PDP-10, 11 and 8 stuff (and much more... too much to list :-), also, I'm relatively nearby (Fredericksburg, VA) -acorda(a)geocities.com > -----Original Message----- > From: Bill Yakowenko [mailto:yakowenk@cs.unc.edu] > Sent: Thursday, November 11, 1999 3:41 PM > To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers > Subject: going soon, machines in Woodbridge, VA, USA > > > I've got a line on a closing construction company warehouse that has > a bunch of older computers (maybe 30?) in various states of disrepair, > of which the oldest is a "Digital DEC PDP11xx something". I've asked > for more info, and will post it here as it comes in. In the meantime, > I want to get interested parties geared up and ready to go, because as > usual, we don't have much time. > > Cheers, > Bill. > > PS. For those that didn't notice the subject line, the machines are > in Woodbridge, VA, USA. >

26 years, 8 months

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(no subject)

by apple＠cmc.net

You've got the wrong guy. I offered some Ohio Scientific systems. -----Original Message----- From: theo stevens <stcs(a)tap.de> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Wednesday, November 10, 1999 8:56 AM Hi There, If you still have that old HP 9000/300 computer, let me know. I know it?s kind of late asking after 6 months. Maybe you still have it. Thanks Theo Stevens

26 years, 8 months

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going soon, machines in Woodbridge, VA, USA

by yakowenk＠cs.unc.edu

I've got a line on a closing construction company warehouse that has a bunch of older computers (maybe 30?) in various states of disrepair, of which the oldest is a "Digital DEC PDP11xx something". I've asked for more info, and will post it here as it comes in. In the meantime, I want to get interested parties geared up and ready to go, because as usual, we don't have much time. Cheers, Bill. PS. For those that didn't notice the subject line, the machines are in Woodbridge, VA, USA.

26 years, 8 months

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Pictures of the PDP-8I, PDP-15

by dylanb＠sympatico.ca

First, every morning I have checked networksolutions for pdp8.com and this morning it was DEREGISTERED! I just got it!!! So, I am moving my pages and other info to pdp8.com soon.. I did not take pictures of the extra spares and docs I picked up... *picture* Kevin and I loading Nova core /fp bds, PDP 8 bds, PDP 11 boards as high as we could on a skid.. .. when it got too high, we loaded the rest on some carts. Here is a link to new stuff I just picked up: http://www.bordynuik.com/8su.htm the older 8/s is on: http://www.bordynuik.com/8s.htm Enjoy...

26 years, 8 months

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going soon, machines in Woodbridge, VA, USA

by jfedorko＠virtualadmin.com

I'm game, and convieniently located. -----Original Message----- From: CLASSICCMP-owner(a)u.washington.edu [mailto:CLASSICCMP-owner@u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Bill Yakowenko Sent: Thursday, November 11, 1999 3:41 PM To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers Subject: going soon, machines in Woodbridge, VA, USA I've got a line on a closing construction company warehouse that has a bunch of older computers (maybe 30?) in various states of disrepair, of which the oldest is a "Digital DEC PDP11xx something". I've asked for more info, and will post it here as it comes in. In the meantime, I want to get interested parties geared up and ready to go, because as usual, we don't have much time. Cheers, Bill. PS. For those that didn't notice the subject line, the machines are in Woodbridge, VA, USA.

26 years, 8 months

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Looking for old equipment -- please help!

by truthanl＠oclc.org

Hello list. I have a mixed bag of classic gear. I have a Plessy 6600/6700 ( LSI 11/24) Circa Jan 84. 80 Meg Fujitsu HD, Cipher F800 ? Tape. I have a D116 mini computer with which is what I think is a Nova 3 Clone- similar Front Panel - paper tape. and a slew of Serial ports. I have a DG3 (Kennedy? tape transport) TI 990/10 CPU w/ Front Panel , CPU Expansion Chassis Unit, Two 10 Meg removable hard drives and scores of serial ports - This was part of a Paradyne modem analysis system Each modem had a primary data channel and an analysis port where the TI 990 tracked modem maladies like lost carrier, receive level in db etc. - Parameters One TI 990 watched 256 2400 Baud modems, Second Hd Came from a second system I could not get. In Its heyday we had over 300 dedicated lines. Other systems I have: MicroVax with VMS 4.2? Another Cipher F880 tape drive. TRS-80 Coco with 32 MB ram ET3400 Microprocessor trainer I havent been able to figure out which system I should start on, Although I have always interested in fnding Linux for the MicroVax. I think the MicroVax also has an 80 Meg HD, 4 Serial ports, I MB RAM I have never been able to get the MicroVax floppy drive (800KB?) to respond. I just discovered this list last week, And now I have HOPE that I can get user help in assessing what I have, imagine the possibilities!!! Sincerely, Full Garage too.. Larry Truthan > - > Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net > Member of Antique Wireless Association > URL: http://www.antiquewireless.org/

26 years, 8 months

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going soon, machines in Woodbridge, VA, USA

by mbg＠world.std.com

>How many other East Coast PDP11 types are interested in this stuff... >I'm in. I'm interested as well... I wish it were closer so I could help in the move... Megan Gentry Former RT-11 Developer +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+ | Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com | | Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com | | Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' | | 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ | | Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler | | (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg | --------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

26 years, 8 months

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Looking for old equipment -- please help!

by Mzthompson＠aol.com

At 03:15 AM 11/10/99 +0000, Mr. Diablo wrote: > >"Does anybody know of anywhere in southwest Michigan where one can find > >older surplus minicomputer and workstation equipment?" West central Indiana is not the far away. On Tue, 09 Nov 1999 @ 21:43:46, Chuck McManis <cmcmanis(a)mcmanis.com> wrote: < words of advice snipped > > After a short while, rent a warehouse because if you start seriously asking > for stuff it _will_ start arriving and you will be inundated! Never were truer words spoken by a wiser man ;-) My first mess of DEC equipment came from someone who called me. The next thing I know I am wondering where to store it all while I sort it out. The latest call was to see if I was interested in a mess of Intel boxes. Hard to say no, when who knows what goodies might be lurking inside the next machine you pull the cover off of. One thing early on is to convince your significant other that there is nothing abnormal about having multiple computers in multiple rooms of the house. Mike

26 years, 8 months

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VP12 - 8I Plotter Interface.

by dylanb＠sympatico.ca

I am just starting to go through the backplanes on the 8I and found I have a plotter interface with the M704 module. What plotter can I hook this up to? I have a lot of plotter paper tape software.... but what can I use it on?

26 years, 8 months

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OT: IBM Scanner model 9066

by max82＠surfree.com

Hi, I bought an IBM 9066 scanner at the MIT flea, and can't find any mention of it on the IBM website. As you might imagine, I need drivers. The scanner is by and large labelled in Japanese. Web searches turn up nothing but other people asking the same question in bulletin boards (with no answer). Does anyone here have drivers? Thanks

26 years, 8 months

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Freebie alert: CDC 9766 SMD drive

by jallain＠databaseamerica.com

Dumpster-Dive alert from a Newbie. Two Control Data Corp 9766 Storage Module Drive units to go ** FREE ** to a good home in the tri state (New York, New Jersey, Conecticut this time) area. These are the Classic drives from the late 70's that everybody at the time is probably familliar with ( Open the top like a clotheswasher, lock in a removable 300MB platter array, push the start button & go ) I don't remember the DEC designator for this but I'm positive that Many companies re-marketed this as their own component to their MiniComputer offerings, they were everywhere, I used one in in 1982, but I don't need three now. These two were taken from a system deactivated just recently. One of the diskpacks was marked something like "Backup Nov-1997" so it's a pretty good guess that everything was working. They are sitting safe in an office right now, but Pls. act fast if you're interested. FYI JEA (John Allain)

26 years, 8 months

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Ah, the computer age.....

by philclayton＠mindspring.com

>>Remember When... > > > > A computer was something on t.v. > > from a science fiction show of note > > A window was something you hated to clean > > and ram was the cousin of a goat > > > > Meg was the name of my girlfriend > > and gig was a job for the nights > > now they all mean different things > > and that really mega bytes > > > > An application was for employment > > A program was a t.v. show > > A cursor used profanity > > A keyboard was a piano > > > > Memory was something that you lost with age > > A CD was a bank account > > And if you had a 3" floppy > > you hoped nobody found out > > > > Compress was something you did to the garbage > > Not something you did to a file > > And if you unzipped anything in public > > you'd be in jail for awhile > > Log on was adding wood to the fire > > Hard drive was a long trip on the road > > A mouse pad was where a mouse lived > > And a backup happened in your commode > > > > Cut you did with a pocket knife > > Paste you did with glue > > A web site was a spider's home > > and a virus was the flu > > > > I guess I'll stick to my pad and paper > > And the memory in my head > > I hear nobody's been killed in a computer crash > > But when it happens they wish they were dead >>

26 years, 8 months

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Looking for a couple of Apple IIE modems

by SzewczykM＠hcgi.com

I'm looking to get a Micromodem IIE and an Applecat modem. I'd prefer a trade, but I might be willing to shell out some cash for the stuff. I have some C64 equipment, VIC-20, TI99 equipment, Apple II stuff also.

26 years, 8 months

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1.44M floppy on Color Computer (was Re: Ebay reaches new low)

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<> Is this a problem? Firstly, who says you'd use an MS-DOS format -- the <> CoCo uses 256 byte sectors for virtually everything, and I'd suggest <> keeping to that on the HD disks, just having more of them. As to being <> more wasteful, well, MS-DOS 360K (and 720K) disks fit 9 512byte sectors <> on a track, the CoCo fits 18 256byte sectors. Looks the same to me. My ampro and Kaypro run a 10x512 and 5x1024 format that yeilds 781k. If those sector sizes are awkward then bufer them for host deblocking. Doing that will also get you a mini-cache with a small perfomance increase.. Allison

26 years, 8 months

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Computers and other hardware containing the 8008 microprocessor

by edick＠idcomm.com

What you've said here is probably the case. THIS environment is the only one in which I've ever encountered the claim that the 4004 was in any way related to the 8008, eexcept for the label. Nevertheless, since I didn't know much about it then, I probably know even less now. Dick -----Original Message----- From: Dwight Elvey <elvey(a)hal.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Thursday, November 11, 1999 10:28 AM Subject: Re: Computers and other hardware containing the 8008 microprocessor >"Richard Erlacher" <edick(a)idcomm.com> wrote: >> Well . . . one version of the story, according to Adam Osborne, in his book >> (3-volume set) on microcomputers, was that Datapoint paid for the >> development of the 8008 for use in this jewel, then concluded that it wasn't >> fast enough, so now Intel had a paid-for 8-bit version of their 4004, which >> Osborned didn't say was what this was, but one might see a connection, >> nonetheless. > >Hi > From what I remember, the 8008 and the 4004 were two separate >projects, developed some in parallel by two separate teams >that didn't communicate much. The way the 8008 and the 4004 >treat memory is quite different. The ALU is quite different. >I would say that the 8008 was not just a simple expansion >of the 4004. Because of the overlap in time, I don't even >think that any of the concepts, good or bad, of the 4004 >were carried over to the 8008. The 4040 was definitely >an enhancement of the basic 4004. >Dwight >

26 years, 8 months

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New additions

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

After a dry spell, I picked up some items:

26 years, 8 months

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Just picked up a HUGE PDP-8I and PDP-15 and .....

by dylanb＠sympatico.ca

Well Chris... not too hard of a find. I bought everything from one member here! (I usually buy most of my systems from factories. Kevin Stumpf of (www.unusual.on.ca) sold me: PDP-8/S PDP-15 PDP-8I (and this baby is mint...... I plugged it in and every bulb worked and it's real happy!) About a 1000 flip chips All the manuals and docs, software.. even 5 trays of PDP 5,5/8 decus programs... Nova-2 Nova-3 A skid full of PDP 8, PDP 11, and Nova spares and parts and docs... None of them were running or had been plugged in. All of them came from McMaster University LAST YEAR! I have to hand it to Kevin. He did not miss a SINGLE piece of documentation or software. I don't think he ever really expected to sell all of it. I bought the 8/S first. (How we got in contact is really funny. I just finished scrapping an 8/E and emailed him about his Keronix mini.. for some reason I liked the way the 8/S looked in the picture on his website). I then picked up a Nova 2, then the Nova 3, then finally he agreed to sell me EVERYTHING he had left in Dec/Data General (PDP-15, PDP-8I).. (A good 14' UHAUL truck full.) The 8/S is fully restored. I am adding the DF32 and AX08 next week to it (finally, oscilloscope video games!). The 8I was well cared for by a DEC employee. It came from McMaster Hospital (section of the university). I was amazed when I got home how many goodies were inside. DF32, Sykes 8", 24K core, and many processor peripherals, flip chip extenders, racks of spare cards plugged into new backplanes - original flip chip single sided stuff). It was modified to run TSS/8, though it did run OS/8, disk monitor, and a bunch of other stuff. I powered up the 8I and it worked perfectly..BUT HAHAHAH... Common DEC guys!! a PC0 is NOT aligned the same way as a PC04.. This PC01 was set up wrong and did not work... ... It does now :-) I hope to have the 8I running OS/8 by next week. PDP-15, serial #49 - looks like it is plug and play... filled with toys... Kevin Stumpf did an amazing job of moving this equipment safely and ensuring it was not subjected to any bad weather. Me: I am still hurt from the move (Off work).. My Internet was down for 5 days as my new toys damaged some of my Internet stuff. I got most of the equipment and docs out of our living room. I took a bunch of pictures I will have online tonight.... I still have to go in and clean out a couple of plants filled with PDP-8s/IBM before the New Year.... ugh,.... I met William Donzelli at Kevin's the last time I was there. He bought the IBM System 3... he was moving the HDs in his mini van (yikes!). It looks like McMaster bought minis and peripherals from DEC as soon as they came out (judging by the serial numbers). -----Original Message----- From: Chris Kennedy <chris(a)mainecoon.com> To: dylanb(a)sympatico.ca <dylanb(a)sympatico.ca> Date: Sunday, November 07, 1999 2:50 PM Subject: Re: Just picked up a HUGE PDP-8I and PDP-15 and ..... >Hi John, > >John B wrote: > >[details of an incredible haul, deleted] > >> Bought a large box of Nova core memory/FPU >> >> I picked up around 10 core memory planes and tons of Nova 2/3 spares. > >On behalf of the other DG collectors on the list, I can only >offer congratulations tinted with the slightest trace of envy :-) >A Nova FPU is a rare beast indeed. > >An incredible find, and a job well done. > >Best regards, >Chris > >-- >Chris Kennedy >chris(a)mainecoon.com >http://www.mainecoon.com >

26 years, 8 months

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FS or Trade in Socal: Vector Graphic / COMPAL System

by elmo＠hotpop.com

I have a Vector Graphic "COMPAL" system (I guess they merged?) built into a Soroc-looking terminal. It has a Z80, Flashwriter, disk controller, PIO/SIO, and 64K Ram cards, but no floppy. Boots to ROM monitor. Keyboard and is in excellent condition, case cosmetics good. I acquired in my quest for a Soroc or LSI terminal, not knowing it was S-100. Now that I have my new (beige, ugh) ADM-3a, there is no more room at the counter for Compal. $100 OBO, or trade, will deliver in greater LA county area. Eliot

26 years, 8 months

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Computers and other hardware containing the 8008 microprocessor

by edick＠idcomm.com

Well . . . one version of the story, according to Adam Osborne, in his book (3-volume set) on microcomputers, was that Datapoint paid for the development of the 8008 for use in this jewel, then concluded that it wasn't fast enough, so now Intel had a paid-for 8-bit version of their 4004, which Osborned didn't say was what this was, but one might see a connection, nonetheless. Dick -----Original Message----- From: John Lewczyk <jlewczyk(a)his.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Thursday, November 11, 1999 8:34 AM Subject: Re: Computers and other hardware containing the 8008 microprocessor >< <! Datapoint 2200 (architecture was the model for the 8008, was built >< < using LSI, not an 8008) > >< This sounds bogus. the 8008 model was the 4004 (stretched data paths). >< The 8008 model was clearly unlike most minis of the time with the internal >< (to the CPU) return address stack or limited depth. >< >< Allison > >My information concerning the Datapoint 2200 is from a posting in >CPSR-HISTORY (the link I have to the archive is now dead, anybody have a >good link to that archive?) by the Chief Tech Officer at Datapoint from 1969 >to 1984, Vic Poor, who was directly involved in the Intel 8008 project. I >also have a copy of the excellent book "The Microprocessor: A Biography" by >Michael S. Malone, which describes the development of the 4004 and 8008 >Intel. > >There is lots of misinformation on the web, where you possibly got the >impression that that 8008 was a 4004 with a streched data path. The 8008 >was a very different design, actually an implementation of a Datapoint >architecture designed by Vic and Harry Pyle of Datapoint (then CTC, or >Computer Terminal Corporation), which was a bit-serial computer design. >Both Intel and TI were contracted to design the chip, but Intel couldn't >deliver on time (also maybe too slow?) and TI's product was doa ("its noise >margin was so poor it could not be used commercially"), so Datapoint used >the design it had already implemented using MSI chips and put out their >"Datapoint 2200". Anybody got one of those? All the Intel micoprocessors >up through the Pentium III have their roots in this design. That is were >the real data path stretching has occurred! :-) > >Interestingly, the notion that "Intel only got into the microprocessor >business to sell its memory chips" was at least in part based on the 8008 >project. According the Vic Poor, they only took on the cpu chip project in >order to keep the memory business with Datapoint! Some in Intel thought >that the market for microprocessors was too small and that the real money >was in volume production of memory chips! > >John > >jlewczyk(a)his.com >

26 years, 8 months

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Computers and other hardware containing the 8008 microprocessor

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<So far this is the list of 8008 based computers that have been made aware <of: < <1973 "Micral" by R2E (later merged with Bull) Made in France <1973 "Intellec-8" by Intel (development system) Intel also had the MCS-8, more of an SBC and not connector compatable with MCS-8. <1974 "Scelbi-8H" by Scelbi Consulting (kit and assembled) <1974 "Mark-8" by Jon Titus in Radio Electronics 7/74. Plans and PC boards <only. <1974 "008A Microcomputer Kit" RGS Electonics. Plans and all parts, <? PopTronics (Popular Electronics?) <-- Does anyone know anything about Poptronics (Popular Electronics!) didn't do any 8008 designs. The first micro in their pages was the altair (8080). You also forgot the control-8 (may be wrong on the name) that DEC produced. It was a small 8008 based 1 or two board set for controller apps. Also there was Control Data Systems of Natick (MA) that produced the L-Series modules which were 8008 ram, rom, IO, CPU for industrial control use. <! Datapoint 2200 (architecture was the model for the 8008, was built < using LSI, not an 8008) This sounds bogus. the 8008 model was the 4004 (stretched data paths). The 8008 model was clearly unlike most minis of the time with the internal (to the CPU) return address stack or limited depth. Allison

26 years, 8 months

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Computers and other hardware containing the 8008 microprocessor

by jlewczyk＠his.com

< <! Datapoint 2200 (architecture was the model for the 8008, was built < < using LSI, not an 8008) < This sounds bogus. the 8008 model was the 4004 (stretched data paths). < The 8008 model was clearly unlike most minis of the time with the internal < (to the CPU) return address stack or limited depth. < < Allison My information concerning the Datapoint 2200 is from a posting in CPSR-HISTORY (the link I have to the archive is now dead, anybody have a good link to that archive?) by the Chief Tech Officer at Datapoint from 1969 to 1984, Vic Poor, who was directly involved in the Intel 8008 project. I also have a copy of the excellent book "The Microprocessor: A Biography" by Michael S. Malone, which describes the development of the 4004 and 8008 Intel. There is lots of misinformation on the web, where you possibly got the impression that that 8008 was a 4004 with a streched data path. The 8008 was a very different design, actually an implementation of a Datapoint architecture designed by Vic and Harry Pyle of Datapoint (then CTC, or Computer Terminal Corporation), which was a bit-serial computer design. Both Intel and TI were contracted to design the chip, but Intel couldn't deliver on time (also maybe too slow?) and TI's product was doa ("its noise margin was so poor it could not be used commercially"), so Datapoint used the design it had already implemented using MSI chips and put out their "Datapoint 2200". Anybody got one of those? All the Intel micoprocessors up through the Pentium III have their roots in this design. That is were the real data path stretching has occurred! :-) Interestingly, the notion that "Intel only got into the microprocessor business to sell its memory chips" was at least in part based on the 8008 project. According the Vic Poor, they only took on the cpu chip project in order to keep the memory business with Datapoint! Some in Intel thought that the market for microprocessors was too small and that the real money was in volume production of memory chips! John jlewczyk(a)his.com

26 years, 8 months

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RT11 V5.7 + RA92 = ?

by truthanl＠oclc.org

-----Original Message----- From: Megan [mailto:mbg@world.std.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 1999 10:24 PM To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers Subject: Re: RT11 V5.7 + RA92 = ? >for a nice writeup of how the rules work). Unfortunately the RT-11 >developers chose to ignore these rules in picking their "default" second >CSR for RT-11, but of course you could choose to follow these rules >by ignoring the SYSGEN-suggested secondary (and tertiary and whatever >comes after) DU CSR's. Okay, as one of the developers involved with RT-11 at the time the DU handler was first developed after we actually got some prototype MSCP controllers, I have to respond... At the time we got the controllers, the primary address had already been defined, but the secondary and subsequent addresses were assumed to be allocated out of the floating CSR and floating vector areas. It wasn't until some later time that it was decided that the secondary and subsequent addresses were to be fixed and had a certain algorithm for determining. By that time, SYSGEN had already been modified. It was decided that 1) for backwards compatibility and 2) since the addresses can be changed with SET CSRn and VECn, SYSGEN wouldn't be changed. We didn't ignore the defaults, there were none at the time to ignore. Finally, there is the problem of the SBC-11/21[+], where the 'standard' MSCP address is actually in a pre-allocated area, so it has to be located elsewhere (176150)... Megan Gentry Former RT-11 Developer +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+ | Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com | | Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com | | Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' | | 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ | | Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler | | (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg | +--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

26 years, 8 months

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RX02 switch settings and RX8E bootstrap needed

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

Thanks Kevin and Tony. Just what I was looking for. -ethan ===== Infinet has been sold. The domain is going away in February. Please send all replies to erd(a)iname.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com

26 years, 8 months

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Convergent Technologies

by xds_sigma7＠hotmail.com

Mike, The Convergent machines did indeed run an OS called CTOS, though usually they weren't seen as Convergent machines. After Sperry-Univac and Burroughs merged into Unisys in 1986, they bought Convergent and continued selling the machines. The ones labeled Convergent ran CTOS, while others were labeled Burroughs and ran BTOS, which was really the same darn thing. However, these machines were OEMed very frequently, which is why I say it's unusual to see them labeled as Convergent. Those early machines were termed "Miniframes" , i.e. small mainframes. Later on, Convergent became one of the billions of clone PC makers, which didn't last long, and then Unisys discontinued use of the brand name. I have no clue what kind of CPU the things have, but if you want to get rid of them... ;p Anyways, I hope my little rant was at least somewhat informative. Will J ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

26 years, 8 months

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RX02 switch settings and RX8E bootstrap needed

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

*Somewhere* I have the docs for this, but can someone please post the settings in an RX02 drive for the various modes? Plus, I'm *this close* to getting my PDP-8/e back on its feet (with the MS8 hex memory board for now - core later). I only have an MR8-E for the TD8E bootstrap, not for RX8-E. Can someone please post the floppy boot code to toggle in? Thanks, -ethan ===== Infinet has been sold. The domain is going away in February. Please send all replies to erd(a)iname.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com

26 years, 8 months

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RA81 questions.

by DSEAGRAV＠toad.xkl.com

Well, since the RA92 is OOC until I figure out how to kludge a fix, I guess i get to either go back to the RA81 or give up. (I have no other disks.) Anyway, when I last left it, the RA81 was complaining of seek errors, the panel lights had all burned out, and it was making scary noises. If I reformat the drive (Will RT11 do this?) will it rewrite the positioner information, or is that permanently written from the factory? The RA81 is really really heavy, and sucks a lot of amps, and I really don't know if it'll fit in the cabinet, so I really don't want to try playing with it unless it's saveable. So, questions are, is there any way to fix the disk short of a new HDA, can I replace the panel lights with LEDs, and can RT-11 format it? -------

26 years, 8 months

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Looking for old equipment -- please help!

by ndiablo＠diablonet.net

Hi! I've been collecting older equipment for a few years now, but i've only recently found out about this list. It looks like a great resource, and I was thinking it'd probably be a good place to ask the question: "Does anybody know of anywhere in southwest Michigan where one can find older surplus minicomputer and workstation equipment?" I've been able to aquire a fair amount of interesting stuff from the local university, but it's been slow going and parts are hard to get. I've seen postings to lists numerous times about people giving machines away in places like Texas and the East Coast, but never anything in this general area.. i'm guessing there isnt quite as much of a glut of equipment in the area, but maybe i'm just not looking in the right places! I'd really appreciate any bones anybody could throw me :) Thanks, -Netdiablo (root(a)diablonet.net)

26 years, 8 months

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Ebay reaches new low

by helicopterman＠webtv.net

gentlemen, the featureless panels are definitely from a Univac file 0 computer and even though they were commercially available in large numbers i doubt you have a piece of one. if you do not have a piece i will be glad to have your bid on my ebay offerings. how can you blame ebay for my ads? do you think the "pieces" would keep selling if the bidders were not satisfied? i am not the person who was selling the system 360 pieces, but sounds like he had a good deal too:)) a side note to mrbill. i took a look at your pages and they are complex and beautiful BUT you have a large number of links on the sun page all highlighted together. i know you will want to fix that. i do not intend to start a war with this letter, just to let you know my position and that you have hurt my feelings:(( "pathetic" ed =====Ed

26 years, 8 months

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more junk

by lemay＠cs.umn.edu

Well, my local campus computer repair shop called, asking if i wanted some junk they had. I picked up a trs80 model 1 (looks like I need to find a cassette player), a apple ][ plus with various mods installed and a analog/digital board, and a compaq portable III. Not bad for walking 2.5 blocks from my office. The NCR i mentioned earlier was too heavy, 80 pounds or so, so i left it. The apple ][ plus has, among other mods, a modification near the keyboard and speaker. A raised board with 2 IC's and a socket, its connected to one of the IC sockets on the main board, plus it has a 4 wire cable with connector. For some reason this is not plugged in. Am I correct it guessing this might be a lowercase modification, and that its unplugged to restore normal operation? any idea what the correct way to plug the connector in is? It looks like i could plug it in backwards as well as the normal way, so I have a 50/50 chance of making a major mistake... -Lawrence LeMay

26 years, 8 months

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Ed's response [WAS: Ebay reaches new low]

by mgregory＠vantageresearch.com

Ed, since I started this thread, maybe I can respond to some of your points. I don't blame e-bay or you for running the ads (it's a free continent), but I think you've crossed a line of common sense or fair business practice. In short, my objections to your ads are as follows: 1) You're selling such tiny pieces that they'd be easy to fake 2) Even as collectibles, they're not very interesting, and 3) I'd prefer to preserve old computers, not cut them up for scrap. Sorry for hurting your feelings, but consider: There are a lot of scammers out there - in the art and antiques world, fakes and reproductions abound. Old and historic computers are starting to attract serious money, so the incentive to create computer fakes is growing. To be blunt, you carve your scrap into such small pieces that I could saw up an old file cabinet or raid my spares box and I could make pieces indistinguishable from what you're selling. You don't even have any pictures of the parts in place before you carved up the machine to act as a "provenance" - the bills of sale just prove that you had a Univac at one time. Please note, I'm not accusing you of lying or faking anything - I'm just saying that it would be easy to produce such fakes, so "buyer beware". And, even as collectibles, I don't feel that what you're selling is not very interesting. Old vacuum tubes, circuit boards, and hard drive platters/innards at least have some visual interest. If you can sell 6" x 10" pieces of painted metal as historic computer collectibles, you're a heck of a salesman. Most importantly, the members of this list are generally people who want to preserve/restore old computers in working condition. We are always on the prowl for rare or unusual computers and spare parts. Increasingly, some older computers are being carved up to produce collectibles like the ones you sell. A concrete example is core memory planes from PDP-8 computers; some people rip these out of old 8s and hang them on the wall as art - most of us would prefer to preserve the working machine. Just my thoughts. Mark. -----Original Message----- From: helicopterman(a)webtv.net <helicopterman(a)webtv.net> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Wednesday, November 10, 1999 3:58 PM Subject: Re: Ebay reaches new low >gentlemen, >the featureless panels are definitely from a Univac file 0 computer and >even though they were commercially available in large numbers i doubt >you have a piece of one. >if you do not have a piece i will be glad to have your bid on my ebay >offerings. >how can you blame ebay for my ads? do you think the "pieces" would keep >selling if the bidders were not satisfied? >i am not the person who was selling the system 360 pieces, but sounds >like he had a good deal too:)) >i do not intend to start a war with this letter, just to let you know my >position and that you have hurt my lings:(( >"pathetic" ed >=====Ed

26 years, 8 months

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