It's finally been done... after many weeks of talking about it and
not having it happen, Allison and I drove up to New Hampshire this
morning and drove back with a couple of tall (H960, 6') racks with
the following:
pdp-8/a
pdp-8/e
pdp-8/f
lab-8/e
pdp-11/34a
vr14
lps
DECwriterII
3 RL01s
1 RX01
3 Diablo RK05-work-similar
TU56 DECtape dual drive
Funny thing... the pdp-8/e was originally Allison's... she had given
it several years ago to the guy from whom I got all of the above...
In return for her help, she took the pdp-8/f (smaller unit than the
pdp-8/e), a core stack from the -8/e, and a second serial line card.
I believe she is pleased... I know I am...
I took pictures and hope to document the procedure at some point
in the future...
Now to get them all wired back up and tested out...
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 |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
p.s. YIPPEE!!
Just passing on a message from Jon Titus, the inventor of the Mark-8
Microcomputer (1974)...
"I don't remember whether or not I gave you a formal acceptance for the
Vintage
Computer Festival. Put me down as a Yes. Would you have the organizers
keep in
touch with me about actual dates, etc? I'll need to do some advanced
planning,
and maybe I can include the trip as part of a business trip.
Cheers,
Jon"
A
There were several manufacturers of cards shaped more or less like the
S-100. One of the more common ones was the MOTOROLA EXORCISOR series, which
were MOT's development system for their 8-bit devices. The way to start
figuring out what you've got is to count the contact positions at the edge
connector and determine the pin spacing. The S-100 used 100 contacts at
0.125" spacing. It also had on-board voltage regulator(s).
Dick
-----Original Message-----
From: Marvin <marvin(a)rain.org>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Sunday, March 28, 1999 1:05 PM
Subject: Re: Just another Rinky-Dink Florida hamfest
>
>
>Joe wrote:
>>
>> RATS! I think you're right! I just brought it in and checked. The
slots
>> are wider than S-100 and the card sockets are offset to one side so S-100
>> cards hit one edge and won't go in. It also has a switcher power supply
so
>> it is regulated off the cards. Too bad, it is really a nice box. I may
>> modify it back to S-100. Anyway what can you expect for $3?
>
>I am just curious what the size of the slots are. I have a couple of cards
>that I thought were S-100 when I got them, but they are a bit narrower than
>an S-100 card, and the fingers are wider. The dimensions of these cards are
>8 3/4 " wide, 4 1/2 " high (excluding fingers), 7 5/8" finger width with
>5/8" to the edge of the card on left side (component side up) and 1/2" to
>the edge of the board on the right. The one I just grabbed says "638493
>Digital Timer" on the solder side of the board.
There are very few computer collectors in Canada, especially those
collecting minis.
Almost all of March I've been trying to seed the small collector-base in
southern Ontario
by selling a bunch of DG NOVAs. NOT ONE TAKER nor interested party. Remarkable.
Perhaps my prices were too high, but if someone wants something bad enough you
would think he or she would at least contact me. Not one phone call or
email. Weird.
So it is because of this experience I recommend shipping any precious
minicomputers
to Kitchener. They are safe here. They won't be sold, tinkered with, or
cannabalized. They
won't even be LOOKED AT.
This isn't a last resort pitch because I plan to hold onto the NOVAs. I
originally needed the
space for twin PDP 11/70s, but the corporate management of the present
owners have put a
hold on the transaction. Double yikes, eh.
Thanks for listening and happy collecting.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Kevin Stumpf * Unusual systems * www.unusual.on.ca
+1.519.744.2900 * EST/EDT GMT - 5
Collector - Commercial Mainframes & Minicomputers from
the 50s, 60s, & 70s and control panels and consoles.
Author & Publisher - A Guide to Collecting Computers &
Computer Collectibles * ISBN 0-9684244-0-6
.
Please contact him...
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 1999 23:31:37 -0500
From: don merz <71333.144(a)compuserve.com>
To: Old Tube Radios <boatanchors(a)theporch.com>
Subject: BA Stuff FS
Boatanchor Goodies For Sale
CONTACT: Don Merz, N3RHT, 47 Hazel Drive, Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228
71333.144(a)compuserve.com
[tube stuff snipped]
DEC PDP-8F power supply. Big supply with 2 8" fans. DEC part number
70-13323-00. With AC-cord and output connector panel. This thing
supplies +5, -5, -15 and +20, volts DC all at substantial ratings.
Seems to be in nice shape. Worked when pulled from service. $30
WANTED
Manual copy for Heath IG-1272 Audio Generator
Manual copy for B&W Model 400 Distortion Meter
CONTACT: Don Merz, N3RHT, 47 Hazel Drive, Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228
71333.144(a)compuserve.com
>So it is because of this experience I recommend shipping any precious
>minicomputers
>to Kitchener. They are safe here. They won't be sold, tinkered with, or
>cannabalized. They
>won't even be LOOKED AT.
dosen't p1 ensure that?
-Mike: dogas(a)leading.net
>There are games for classic computers as well ;-)... There probably
What's the benefit of a person playing PacMan on a classic computer? How
would it be different from a modern one?
I know I have some of M7762's and the cab kits to go with them but I won't
be able to dig them out until next weekend at the earliest. I am open to
swaps $ whatever.
Dan
>
>
> I am still looking for a good working RL11 [M7762] card and the
>flat cable/adapter set for RL02s. (or two..)
>
> I will buy it, trade for it, cajole fo it.. whatever.
>
> If you have just the card itself, I could probably make the
>adpaters, but I'd rather just plug the stuff in.
>
> Also I would like to get the schematics for this card. I have
>printsets for the RL02s.
>
>
> Cheers
>
>John
>
>
>
Yes, that's probably a chassis for a 9900 system. I once marveled at the
similarity to S-100 when it was shown to me in a TI sales office when I was
considering using TI's 9940 single-chip microcontroller in a product.
I've never seen one of these boxes that wasn't for sale, and the last time
was ~20 years ago. They're quite an oddity. I wouldn't hold my breath
until I see cards for one, though. This card set was not the same as the
990 card set.
You can tell these cards, even with the connectors cut off, from S-100 by
virtue of the S-100's on-board voltage regulators, so I wouldn't let that
worry me.
As little as I do remember about the system, it was quite unremarkable, not
"better" than S-100 because of the lack of software, and not more attractive
than it was because TI was the only vendor of boards, hence tye owned the
market for both software and hardware. I'm not even sure it was appreciably
faster than the typically 8-bit processors found on the S-100. It did claim
to be a 16-bit architecture.
They did claim to have SOME software, though I don't remember much about it.
Unfortunately, I recall having tossed out what documents I had about five
years ago.
Dick
-----Original Message-----
From: Sellam Ismail <dastar(a)ncal.verio.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Sunday, March 28, 1999 9:01 AM
Subject: Re: Just another Rinky-Dink Florida hamfest
>On Sun, 28 Mar 1999, Joe wrote:
>
>> Whatta you mean I didn't pick it up? It's sitting in the middle of
the
>> kitchen floor :-/ Turns out that it's not exactly S-100. The sockets are
>> right but they're off set to one side of the card slot so S-100 cards
won't
>> fit in. Someone else said it was for some kind of TI computer. Too bad.
>> It's a super nice box. I'm thinking of trying to modify it to fit S-100.
>
>Might this be a chassis for a TI9900 system, Allison?
>
>If so, I'd leave it in tact as bait for the cards that go with it.
>Otherwise, if you modify it you'll attract S-100 cards with the edge
>connectors cut off. :(
>
>Sellam Alternate e-mail:
dastar(a)siconic.com
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
>Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out.
>
> Coming in 1999: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0
> See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details!
> [Last web site update: 02/15/99]
>
I am still looking for a good working RL11 [M7762] card and the
flat cable/adapter set for RL02s. (or two..)
I will buy it, trade for it, cajole fo it.. whatever.
If you have just the card itself, I could probably make the
adpaters, but I'd rather just plug the stuff in.
Also I would like to get the schematics for this card. I have
printsets for the RL02s.
Cheers
John
Hey Joe, what ham fest was that? ;)
- Mike: dogas(a)leading.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe <rigdonj(a)intellistar.net>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Saturday, March 27, 1999 2:46 PM
Subject: Just another Rinky-Dink Florida hamfest
> Went to another one this morning. Didn't find much except three Lisas
>(two Lisa 2s and one Lisa 2/10), two HP 715/50s, two Zorbas and a *NICE*
>S-100 chassis made by TI. I managed to get the L 2/10 and the Zorbas.
>Pictures and questions to follow.
>
> Joe
>
> PS the HPs are still available if anyone wants them.
>
>
At 06:45 PM 3/27/99 -0800, Sam wrote:
>On Sat, 27 Mar 1999, Joe wrote:
>
>> Went to another one this morning. Didn't find much except three Lisas
>> (two Lisa 2s and one Lisa 2/10), two HP 715/50s, two Zorbas and a *NICE*
>> S-100 chassis made by TI. I managed to get the L 2/10 and the Zorbas.
>
>You should have gotten the Lisa 2's. They are closer to the original Lisa
>than the 2/10. The Lisa 2 is really just a Lisa 1 with the 400K 3.5"
>drive and an adaptor board.
I didn't have any choice. Someone else grabbed the other two. I was lucky
to get this one. Here's the story: I was walking around with another guy
and someone we both knew drove in so we stopped to talk to him. He
mentioned that he had three Lisas and we nearly had fits. We "persauded"
him to go back home and get them. The other guy stood right at the seller's
spot for over an hour till he returned. As soon as the seller returned he
grabbed the two best looking machines. But I did OK, the machine I got had
an internal hard drive, the other two didn't. I also found a complete
Zorba system while I was waiting for him to return.
>
>You saw an S-100 chassis made by TI (Texas Instruments I presume?) and
>didn't pick it up?
Whatta you mean I didn't pick it up? It's sitting in the middle of the
kitchen floor :-/ Turns out that it's not exactly S-100. The sockets are
right but they're off set to one side of the card slot so S-100 cards won't
fit in. Someone else said it was for some kind of TI computer. Too bad.
It's a super nice box. I'm thinking of trying to modify it to fit S-100.
Joe
>
>Sellam Alternate e-mail:
dastar(a)siconic.com
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
>Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out.
>
> Coming in 1999: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0
> See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details!
> [Last web site update: 02/15/99]
>
>
I have found an old Compaq Deskpro that turned out to be an XT. I had
thought that the first desktops they made were 286's. Was this just an
attempt to tap the cheaper end of the market?
It is a very large box for an XT, the same size as the other early
Deskpro's.
Hans
>Surprisingly good market for $100-200 computers, of the 386/486 variety.
>People on Unemployment, Supporting Parent and Invalid Pensions can't
>afford to buy $1500 new computers, and typically just want to play a few
>games and do a little word processing......
That sounds like part of what I was thinking of as well... a place where
people could bring all sorts of random PC parts and help put systems
together for people who might not otherwise be able to afford a computer
system... We'd be able to do a service for people...
>Seriously, I think your concept is good, biggest headache is floor space,
>my bet is that you need to set up in a smaller place, a country town, not
>too far from a big city, but where the rents for warehouse space don't
>look like the NASA budget. I suspect this is why most museums I've
>seen/heard of concentrate on desktop stuff, they don't need a huge area
>to house it.
That is a problem... cost for space. I decided to call around today
and see if I could get a ballpark idea of what space might cost. So
far I've only gotten through to one place -- an old mill complex in
Saxonville, Mass. When I called, I was told that all they had left was
a 2500 sq-ft area... at *$8* per sq-ft. That's US$20000 (I believe for
a year), $1667/month. If this could be a club formed as a non-profit
organization, and if I could get $10/month out of people, we'd need
167 members just to pay for the space... Then we have electric, which
I would suspect will be a major part of the cost for such a power-oriented
hobby.
I know of one group who has space at $3/sq-ft, and a person who posted
recently saying that they had space for free...
I've got a call into Whittier Partners about space at the Maynard, Mass.
mill complex (birthplace of DEC) but have not gotten a call back yet.
Does anyone know if there might happen to be any grants or something
equivalent that such an organization might be able to apply for?
Doing a little more thinking about memberships, I was thinking of
a tiered approach (typical) which ranks members on their level of
usage of the facilities. And maybe there could be breaks for those
who provide help to others... (just some more rambling)
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 |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
I am very interested in haveing a complete PET System, and I don't mind
paying shipping.
-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Spence <ds_spenc(a)alcor.concordia.ca>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Sunday, March 28, 1999 4:57 AM
Subject: Re: Big Commodore PET Haul - trades? for sale?
>
>Hi!
>
>I only seem to only have time to catch up with me mail once a week or so.
>I just found your post to the ClassicCmp list about the PETs. Are they
>all gone yet?
>
>Where are you located? Toronto area? Shipping PET stuff would be very
>expensive, I think. If I had a friend in Toronto I'd send him over to
>grab whatever you've got. :)
>
>The SuperPET is especially nice. A friend of mine has one, with an 8050
>or 8250 (don't remember which) and all the language software and manuals.
>
>I've been looking for a BASIC 4 system and DOS 2 or higher disk drive for
>a while. All of my PET stuff is more antiquated then the stuff you've got
>on the list.
>
>A 4032 and an 8250 would be ideal. I like the small 40-column screens.
>
>
>On Sun, 21 Mar 1999, Chandra Bajpai wrote:
>
>> This weekend I bought someones entire Commodore Collection. The reason I
>> bought the collection was they were unwilling to break it up, so I've got
to
>> find homes for most of these machines.
>> (I only am keeping one)
>>
>> - 1 Commodore SuperPET
>> - 10 CPUs: Commodore 8032, 4032, 4016
>> - 1 Spare part machine, 2 extra motherboards, ROMs etc.
>> - 8 Disk Drives: 4040, 8050 and quite a few 8250s (I didn't know these
>> existed)
>> - Commodore printers + one daisy wheel
>> - Commodore Test diskettes, repair schematics + procedures
>> (including some stuff that never made it to the market)
>> - Lots of manuals...even an original 1976 MOS Technology 6502 programming
>> manual in as new condition!
>> - Lots of software (even some SuperPet stuff)
>> - Compute magazine from 1980-1983 in as new condition
>> - Commodore PET Literature
>>
>> This stuff came out of school computer labs and some stuff when Commodore
>> Canada shut down.
>> All the machines seem to work OK...pretty good shape for being close to
20
>> years old.
>> Need some TLC...they have various school names in marker on the side.
>>
>> So I need to find homes for these PCs....they are taking up a lot of room
in
>> my basement.
>> I'm need to sell them...This list gets first crack at them...I'll
consider
>> interesting
>> trades too...
>>
>> My overall want list:
>> NeXT, KIM-1, A working S-100 and/or CP/M System, Lisa, Tesla coil,
>> telescopes, night vision gear, GPS, Oscilloscope, Lotus Esprit SE,
Robotics
>> items, or anything other interesting items.
>
>--
>Doug Spence
>ds_spenc(a)alcor.concordia.ca
>http://alcor.concordia.ca/~ds_spenc/
>
OK I've done some checking and found out that there is supposed to be a
parallel port availble inside the Lisa 2/10 (aka Mac XL). Does anyone know
where it is? What's it used for?
There are two serial ports on the back of the 2/10. Are they the same and
what are they used for or are they standard RS-232 ports?
This one came with an anti-glare filter in front of the CRT but the other
two didn't. Is this standard or was it an add-on?
Thanks for all the replys,
Joe
I picked up a Lisa today but it's missing the "V" key from the keyboard.
Is the keytop the same as that used on any of the other Apples or any other
computer?
I also got a ProFile external disk drive but no connecting cable. Is
this just a straight through cable? If not can someone post the pinouts?
Finally, I'm getting a memory error when it boots. It shows a picture
with MEM 2 folder crossed out and either "70" or "71" shown below it. Does
anyone know exactly what this means or how I can fix it?
Joe
Went to another one this morning. Didn't find much except three Lisas
(two Lisa 2s and one Lisa 2/10), two HP 715/50s, two Zorbas and a *NICE*
S-100 chassis made by TI. I managed to get the L 2/10 and the Zorbas.
Pictures and questions to follow.
Joe
PS the HPs are still available if anyone wants them.
Re: memory error. According to the table of memory errors, 70 means read/write error and 71 means parity error. Don't know if that helps at all...the whole error table is here:
http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~woz/lisatech/page16_17.html
The same board failed in my Lisa 2 last summer. I guess try jiggling it, cleaning the contacts, looking for cracked solder points, etc.
Sun Remarketing sells the whole board (unless they've run out), but it's not exactly cheap -- around fifty bucks. And you have to get hold of the right guy on the phone, some of the younger sales reps have no clue that the company sells Lisa parts.
-- MB
--- You wrote:
I picked up a Lisa today but it's missing the "V" key from the keyboard.
Is the keytop the same as that used on any of the other Apples or any other
computer?
I also got a ProFile external disk drive but no connecting cable. Is
this just a straight through cable? If not can someone post the pinouts?
Finally, I'm getting a memory error when it boots. It shows a picture
with MEM 2 folder crossed out and either "70" or "71" shown below it. Does
anyone know exactly what this means or how I can fix it?
Joe
--- end of quote ---
At 02:32 PM 3/27/99 -0800, you wrote:
>My profile/lisa combonation operates with a straight 25 pin ribbon cable.
>
>George Rachor
Great! Thanks George.
Joe
While browsing at one of my local thrifts, I found a large number (20+) of
disk sets for Microsoft Windows/286. Each set seemed to be 3-4 disks
(Setup, Build, Options, PC Paintbrush ... can't remember what else). There
were no manuals, but the 5.25 disks seemed to be in good shape. Is anybody
interested in these? If so, I can pick them up tomorrow and make them
available to anybody who has a use for them. Let me know.
Mark "Would have bought them on principle but didn't have the cash on me"
Gregory
I'm not the guy to ask about the TI line, as I only had contact with it
once, in a TI sales office, but, . . . this IS a forum for people with
interests in ancient computing hardware . . .
Dick
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe <rigdonj(a)intellistar.net>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Saturday, March 27, 1999 2:50 PM
Subject: Re: Just another Rinky-Dink Florida hamfest
>Dick,
>
> RATS! I think you're right! I just brought it in and checked. The slots
>are wider than S-100 and the card sockets are offset to one side so S-100
>cards hit one edge and won't go in. It also has a switcher power supply so
>it is regulated off the cards. Too bad, it is really a nice box. I may
>modify it back to S-100. Anyway what can you expect for $3?
>
> Do you know anything the TI computer? Is this worth leaving as is in
>hopes someone can use it or should I use it for a project box?
>
> Joe
>
>At 01:00 PM 3/27/99 -0700, you wrote:
>>I bet you're going to be disappointed in the TI chassis, Joe. TI made
(back
>>in the '70's) a line of their microcomputers which used a connector and a
>>card form-factor like the S-100, sort-of, but which wasn't S-100. One
easy
>>way to tell the difference, I believe is that the TI system, which I never
>>inspected, hence can't say for certain, used a global power supply rather
>>than the s-100's on-card local regulation. Their power and other supply
>>leads were in different places, too.
>>
>>Let me know if I'm wrong, Joe, as I hope you're getting something you can
>>use, but something tells me . . .
>>
>>Dick
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Joe <rigdonj(a)intellistar.net>
>>To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
>><classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
>>Date: Saturday, March 27, 1999 12:51 PM
>>Subject: Just another Rinky-Dink Florida hamfest
>>
>>
>>> Went to another one this morning. Didn't find much except three Lisas
>>>(two Lisa 2s and one Lisa 2/10), two HP 715/50s, two Zorbas and a *NICE*
>>>S-100 chassis made by TI. I managed to get the L 2/10 and the Zorbas.
>>>Pictures and questions to follow.
>>>
>>> Joe
>>>
>>> PS the HPs are still available if anyone wants them.
>>>
>>
>>
>
In a message dated 3/27/99 3:20:11 PM Central Standard Time,
bluoval(a)mindspring.com writes:
> Complete Sun Sparc10 with lots of memory, big color display, tape drive.
> email your offer and questions. System currently running UNIX 4.1.2
>
Making an assumption he means SunOS 4.1.2,
ask lots of questions. Sparc 10's do not run SunOS 4.1.2.
Thought some might be interested.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Sparc10
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 1999 11:46:26 -0500
From: "James H. McCann" <jhmcc(a)earthlink.net>
Organization: EarthLink Network, Inc.
Newsgroups: alt.forsale
Complete Sun Sparc10 with lots of memory, big color display, tape drive.
email your offer and questions. System currently running UNIX 4.1.2
<Allison J Parent wrote:
<> I don't believe OSI ever did a 6100 based design (por any other PDP-8
<> compatable chip).
<
<Well, they tried to market the idea anyway. I have the document
<right here.
That may be possible. I never say any Byte/Interface Age/Kilobaud or
others advertizing much other than the 6502 pr the z80 based versions.
It was a sufficient depature from all the other systems as it's 12 bit
and the others were all 8bit data and 16bit address which is a tough fit
for a 6100 (12bit data/address) unless the MEDIC was added and then it
was 12data 15 address. the 1802, 2650 and a few otehr were a possible
fit.
The GI part someone was been thinking of is the 1600 series. I do have a
copy of Osborne's book _some real microprocessors_.
Allison
You're right on the money with this assessment! I'm convinced of this
because when I look at the items you've listed I think, "goodness! Why
would anyone want that stuff?" while when I look at the pile of equally
esoteric S-100 stuff I have in the corner, I think of it as "good stuff"
which of course is a purely arbitrary judgment. I am not a collector and
have held onto my "stuff" for two reasons, which I think may be pretty
common in the world of computer "junk" ownership. (a) I bought the "stuff"
when it was current hardware and I needed or wanted it for some specific
purpose and still hope to squeeze the remaining value/utility out of it, and
(b) it's a daunting task sifting throught the "archive" to determine what
has to "go." This combines itself, quite naturally, I believe, into "Well,
one of these days . . ."
Auction prices would yield useful informaton IF . . . and only if. . . there
were a completed sale to go along with a set of finishing prices published
on the web. What's damaging to the usefulness of what we have now, e.g.
eBay, is that they allow an auction to run to completion, record the final
(winning) bid, and make no assertion whatever about whether the sale
actually happened. As a consequence, putting your goods up for auction on
eBay or Haggle is pretty chancy, as the only thing you're guaranteed of
getting is a bill. That leaves the observer with a big question mark where
an answer to the question of "What would someon give for this?" comes up.
In the meantime, I, a potential seller, sit here saying to myself, "All I
really want is for this stuff to GO AWAY!" When I advertise it as
available, I get all kinds of offers to "take it off my hands," which means
people will let me gather it up, package it, and ship it to them, on the
off-chance that they'll use it for something, provided, of course, that I
don't mind bankrolling the whole project, and what's always in the back of
my mind is "I wonder what (how much ) this stuff would bring at auction?"
If there were just a realistic way to find that out . . .
Dick
-----Original Message-----
From: John Ruschmeyer <jruschme(a)hiway1.exit109.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Friday, March 26, 1999 7:48 AM
Subject: Re: Seller's market
>> The point that seems to stick with me is that while some people complain
>> vigorously about the high prices on eBay, the prices don't seem to be
quite
>> high enough to get them to part with similar items they have. ie the
prices
>> are more than they wish to pay, but not what they would be willing to
sell
>> for.
>
>My vague feeling is that there is another, nebulous factor involved-
something
>akin to being purely mercenary versus wanting to see an item go to the
>"right" home (with "rightness" being defined by the owner). I think that
there
>is also a little of the dilemma that any speculator has- What is the best
>time to cash in.
>
>I know I'm guilty of the latter. For a while, I've been considering getting
>rid of a couple of my classics that I *never* get around to touching and,
>so, every once in a while, I find myself checking the prices on similar
>items, trying to decide if now is the time to go ahead and list them.
>
>For those who are wondering: the two I'm thinking of parting with are:
>
>1) Osborne 1, blue case, with DD controller and 80-column upgrade.
>
>2) Lisa 2/10, working, with original manuals (but disk copies). Also has
> a Sun Remarketing SCSI board and MacWorks Plus.
><<<John>>>
The information I got from eBay's site suggests that only 70% of the
auctions which are completed result in actual sales. What I get from this
is that nearly one in three auctions which result in a fee to eBay don't
result in a sale for the seller.
I would say that the items with "ridiculous" initial prices are not included
in this figure. That situation seems quite plausible to me, as there is no
means availailable for "forcing" a sale. The fact that someone bids doesn't
obligate them in any real way, nor does the fact that someone lists an item
for sale obligate them to sell it if the price isn't sufficient.
It seems quite plausible to me that an individual might overbid on an item
in order to "queer" the auction, running the price up to where no one would
pay that amount, irrespective of the value of the item being sold. This is
no different than publishins software with a virus, or spraying graffitti on
someone else's building. There's really no penalty.
Dick
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Ford <mikeford(a)netwiz.net>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Saturday, March 27, 1999 2:03 AM
Subject: Re: Seller's market
>>Auction prices would yield useful informaton IF . . . and only if. . .
there
>>were a completed sale to go along with a set of finishing prices published
>>on the web. What's damaging to the usefulness of what we have now, e.g.
>>eBay, is that they allow an auction to run to completion, record the final
>>(winning) bid, and make no assertion whatever about whether the sale
>>actually happened. As a consequence, putting your goods up for auction on
>
>The completion rate figure I have seen for eBay is 70%. Out of that 30%
>that don't go through, a lot are from people who choose to list with high
>first bids, ala the guy who keeps about 100 auctions going all the time,
>each one for a single item like a hard drive sled, or a front bezel with a
>first bid amount of $9.95. Only about 20% of those items get any bids, and
>many sell with just a single bid. There are other equally harmless reasons
>items don't complete, but if you see half a dozen auctions for similar
>items, and each auction had a half a dozen different bidders, they final
>prices are about as good an indicator of fair market price as I expect you
>can find.
>
>If I am serious about an item, or the price seems odd on some of the
>auctions, I follow up and read the ads, or email the people. Many times
>prices differences are fully explained by condition or shipping costs
>revealed within the ad.
>
>
That "old" version of Windows had the infamous problems with SMARTDRV. I'd
suggest you proceed with caution.
Dick
-----Original Message-----
From: Lawrence Walker <lwalker(a)mail.interlog.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Saturday, March 27, 1999 4:58 AM
Subject: Re: Any interest in Windows/286?
On 26 Mar 99 at 20:42, Mark Gregory wrote:
> While browsing at one of my local thrifts, I found a large number (20+) of
> disk sets for Microsoft Windows/286. Each set seemed to be 3-4 disks
> (Setup, Build, Options, PC Paintbrush ... can't remember what else). There
> were no manuals, but the 5.25 disks seemed to be in good shape. Is anybody
> interested in these? If so, I can pick them up tomorrow and make them
> available to anybody who has a use for them. Let me know.
>
> Mark "Would have bought them on principle but didn't have the cash on me"
> Gregory
>
Mark, could you pick up a set for me. I've been looking to acquire a set
for some time.
Regarding Don's comment, He must have a different distribution since I
have a single disk labeled Windows 286 v 2.10 Setup, Build, and Displays 1
Disk and below diskette: 1 of 4 . It's a Microsoft A(merican) R(esearch)
C(oporation (sic)) disk .
I also have a 7 disk set of win 3.1. They're 1.2 megs. Possibly his is 360.
Both come up "unformatted" dialogue box in File Manager. I didn't try them
at
start-up lest I screw up my win set-up and I didn't have my win-less dos box
operating. Possibly also his set is built for install
ciao larry
lwalker(a)interlog.com
Hello, all:
I posted some more Altair schematics: the 8800 power supply, the 8800
Display/Control board, and the 8800 (display) Interface Card.
I have also scanned the remaining AIM65 manual (the User's Guide) and
will begin posting that shortly.
Enjoy.
[ Rich Cini/WUGNET
[ ClubWin!/CW7
[ MCP Windows 95/Windows Networking
[ Collector of "classic" computers
[ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp/
[ http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/pdp11/
<---------------------------- reply separator
On Mar 26, 16:41, Richard Erlacher wrote:
> Subject: Re: Ohio Scientific Model 560Z CPU (PDP-8!)
> Yes, I believe you're right. It was a CMOS technology product at a time
> when such were less than common. There was a chaper devoted to it in the
> old Osborne book(s) about Microprocessors.
>
> I never saw one in a system, though.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pete Turnbull <pete(a)dunnington.u-net.com>
> >You're probably thinking of the Intersil 6100, which DEC actually used
> >themselves in at least one product.
I have one in a WPS78, which is a DECmate-type system, looks like a VT52
with a desktop RX01 unit, sold for office automation.
--
Pete Peter Turnbull
Dept. of Computer Science
University of York
Does anyone recognize these items:
HP 9145: appears to be a cake-box size unit, with a cartridge tape drive
of some sort.
HP 98571X: probably a computer or some sort. has a expansion slot in back,
whatever was in teh slot has been removed. rs-232, HP-IB, HP-HIL,
thinnet connectors on back. Seagate sticker applied on side of
unit claims it is TEST EQUIPMENT, and is called HP 340 CPU serial
number 334.
PS: I may have a line on a pair of 3B2's (somethingorother/300), and the
base unit for an Amiga 2000.
-Lawrence LeMay
lemay(a)cs.umn.edu
Allison J Parent wrote:
> I don't believe OSI ever did a 6100 based design (por any other PDP-8
> compatable chip).
Well, they tried to market the idea anyway. I have the document
right here.
<Yes, I believe you're right. It was a CMOS technology product at a time
<when such were less than common. There was a chaper devoted to it in the
<old Osborne book(s) about Microprocessors.
It was one of the two CMOS cpus available early on, the 6100 (12bit PDP-8)
and the 180x (18xx pair or 1802 8bitters). it would be a while before eithe
would be edged out of the market.
<I never saw one in a system, though.
Intersil and Harris sold a single board, a tiny system and full development
systems for the 6100 series. I happen to have the intersil 6960 sampler
and would love to find a Intercept JR or an Intercept.
Allison
<> Subject: Re: Ohio Scientific Model 560Z CPU (PDP-8!)
<> Back in the old days, somebody or other, I'll look it up later (General
<> Instruments, I believe), made an LSI which was essentially compatible
<with
<> the PDP8-E.
GI never did the PDP-8 chip. Intersil and Harris (both 6100 and 6120)
I don't believe OSI ever did a 6100 based design (por any other PDP-8
compatable chip).
<You're probably thinking of the Intersil 6100, which DEC actually used
<themselves in at least one product.
Wps78 and DECmate series.
Allison
Yes, I believe you're right. It was a CMOS technology product at a time
when such were less than common. There was a chaper devoted to it in the
old Osborne book(s) about Microprocessors.
I never saw one in a system, though.
Dick
-----Original Message-----
From: Pete Turnbull <pete(a)dunnington.u-net.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Friday, March 26, 1999 2:22 PM
Subject: Re: Ohio Scientific Model 560Z CPU (PDP-8!)
>On Mar 26, 13:14, Richard Erlacher wrote:
>> Subject: Re: Ohio Scientific Model 560Z CPU (PDP-8!)
>> Back in the old days, somebody or other, I'll look it up later (General
>> Instruments, I believe), made an LSI which was essentially compatible
>with
>> the PDP8-E.
>
>You're probably thinking of the Intersil 6100, which DEC actually used
>themselves in at least one product.
>
>--
>
>Pete Peter Turnbull
> Dept. of Computer Science
> University of York
Over the weekend I acquired some interesting PS/2 machines: a PS/2 P70 386
portable, and a PS/2 Model 95 XP 486 server. This was my first experience
with the PS/2 family, and I was pleasantly surprised. From what I remember
when PS/2s were new, the media savaged them, mainly due to high price and
the incompatibility with all existing ISA cards, RAM, etc.
I was impressed with the build quality and design of the machines (the
power supply in the M95 XP486 for example: undo one butterfly screw and the
whole thing swivels out, allowing easy access to the drive bays) and with
the ease of configuration of Microchannel cards - better Plug and Play than
with many peripherals on Win 9x machines.
Some questions:
1) Why did Microchannel fail so completely? From a user point of view it
seems quite nice.
2) Can MFM or IDE drives be used with an ESDI controller, or do the drives
have to be ESDI drives?
3) Anybody know if the 486DX33 on the processor board can be replaced with
an Overdrive chip to make it at least a 486/66; or, does IBM still run
their parts depot in Boulder for old machines?
3) I'm having some trouble with the P70. Originally, it wouldn't boot at
all. I ran the diagnostics from the Reference Disk, and all tests were
passed. I re-ran the Auto Configuration with no errors. I installed PC-DOS
6.3, and formatted the built-in HD at the same time. Everything seems fine,
but the system won't boot from the hard drive alone. If I boot with a
floppy in the drive, I can access the HD and run programs off of it. But
without a floppy, nothing works. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Mark.
Back in the old days, somebody or other, I'll look it up later (General
Instruments, I believe), made an LSI which was essentially compatible with
the PDP8-E. The idea was that it was much less of a maintenance headache to
have the CPU in microelectronic form as opposed to the ssi-msi
implementation commonly seen.
These didn't fare to well on the market because of the rapid evolution of
the commercial microcomputer industry.
Dick
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Sudbrink <bill(a)chipware.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Friday, March 26, 1999 12:43 PM
Subject: Ohio Scientific Model 560Z CPU (PDP-8!)
>I just got another box of OSI marketing lit.
>One of the items is a single sheet glossy
>with no date, but showing C1s C2s and C3s.
>Since there is no mention of anything else,
>I assume it's from 1977. Here's the kicker:
>It lists a Model 560Z CPU board with PDP-8
>code compatibility! Has anyone on the list
>ever seen or heard of one of these?
>
>Thanks,
>Bill Sudbrink
>
On Mar 26, 13:14, Richard Erlacher wrote:
> Subject: Re: Ohio Scientific Model 560Z CPU (PDP-8!)
> Back in the old days, somebody or other, I'll look it up later (General
> Instruments, I believe), made an LSI which was essentially compatible
with
> the PDP8-E.
You're probably thinking of the Intersil 6100, which DEC actually used
themselves in at least one product.
--
Pete Peter Turnbull
Dept. of Computer Science
University of York
I just got another box of OSI marketing lit.
One of the items is a single sheet glossy
with no date, but showing C1s C2s and C3s.
Since there is no mention of anything else,
I assume it's from 1977. Here's the kicker:
It lists a Model 560Z CPU board with PDP-8
code compatibility! Has anyone on the list
ever seen or heard of one of these?
Thanks,
Bill Sudbrink
On Friday, March 26, 1999 12:00 PM, Mark Gregory
[SMTP:gregorym@cadvision.com] wrote:
> Steve, one of the thrift stores that I haunt has had a Model 2 keyboard
> kicking around for months (since the system itself was nowhere to be
> found). If it's useful to you, I could pick it up and mail it to you.
Your
> cost: about $1 Canadian plus postage from Calgary, Alberta. Let me know
if
> you're interested.
>
> Mark.
>
Mark,
I appreciate the offer.
Before going to too much trouble, I need to make sure that they are
otherwise functional. First, I gotta get them cleaned up and reassembled
then try a power on test. If they look like they're work, I may take you up
on your offer.
I was hoping that a regular PC keyboard would work. That way I could do a
complete test with minimal effort.
When the teledisk order comes in, I'll have to beg a copy of the OS from
someone (hint, hint). ;-)
Thanks,
Steve Robertson - <steverob(a)hotoffice.com>
>> So... does anyone have a couple of PDP-8 bezels that they might part
>> with, or perhaps a decent hi-res scan of one that I could use try to make
>> a new decal to stick on a blank one?
>I think there is a VERY weathered one in the yard at Apex Electronics in
>the LA area.
There's a very weathered one of everything at Apex! (Often buried
under tons of other stuff, of course...)
Tim.
My ever-thoughtful brother-in-law found a couple of TRS-80s in the
dumpster and thinking of me, hauled them home (what a guy). So now I
have inherited a MODEL 2 and a MODEL 16... These things have obviously
been sitting in a dirty shed/garage/chicken-coop so, I'll have to spend
a few evenings just cleaning them up.
Unfortunately, the keyboards were nowhere to be found. QUESTION: Will a
regular PC type keyboard work with these systems?
Steve Robertson <steverob(a)hotoffice.com>
Ok... you know what I'm talking about here (or if not, well...)
I'm trying to get (one of) my PDP-8 systems looking nice, (this months
project) but the rack(s) are missing the ID bezels from the top of the
rack.
I've got enough of the PDP-11 bezels, but the two-tone purple color scheme
just clashes too badly with the two-tone orange of the 8's.
So... does anyone have a couple of PDP-8 bezels that they might part
with, or perhaps a decent hi-res scan of one that I could use try to make
a new decal to stick on a blank one?
Thanks;
-jim
---
jimw(a)agora.rdrop.com
The Computer Garage - http://www.rdrop.com/~jimw
Computer Garage Fax - (503) 646-0174
Steve, one of the thrift stores that I haunt has had a Model 2 keyboard
kicking around for months (since the system itself was nowhere to be
found). If it's useful to you, I could pick it up and mail it to you. Your
cost: about $1 Canadian plus postage from Calgary, Alberta. Let me know if
you're interested.
Mark.
At 07:04 AM 3/26/99 -0500, you wrote:
>My ever-thoughtful brother-in-law found a couple of TRS-80s in the
>dumpster and thinking of me, hauled them home (what a guy). So now I
>have inherited a MODEL 2 and a MODEL 16... These things have obviously
>been sitting in a dirty shed/garage/chicken-coop so, I'll have to spend
>a few evenings just cleaning them up.
>
>Unfortunately, the keyboards were nowhere to be found. QUESTION: Will a
>regular PC type keyboard work with these systems?
>
>Steve Robertson <steverob(a)hotoffice.com>
>
>
>If I sell to you for $50 when someone else offers $500, the blame is on me
>for taking less than the highest offer,
Keep in mind that money is not the only method of payment. That situation
could easily be $500 cash or $50 and a promise to care for it the way you
would want it to be cared for.
>You've undoubtedly read my comments about the low (70%) completion rate
[...]
>walk away, having ruined the auction by bidding out the more serious
>bidders, when there was no serious commitment to buy.
A couple of comments: sellers can (and often do) contact the second highest
bidder if the first "walks away". Also, I think there may be other reasons
for backing out than the malicious attacks on sellers suggested earlier.
Shipping might be one reason (I recently "walked away" from a couple of DEC
computers I bought on eBay because of the shipping. (I'm sending the guy
the full bid amount plus shipping on the items I *do* want; he was nice
enough to throw in a couple other computers to replace the ones I didn't
want!)) In any case, a 70% completion rate is not necessarily a sign of
people artificially raising bid prices with no intention of following through.
>EBay does charge the would-be seller a fee based on the final bid price and
>not on the actual selling price. It benefits them to have the prices as
>high as they will go.
Okay, so yes, the eBay people sit there, rubbing their hands and cackling
gleefully as they watch the selling prices for altairs soar through the
roof. But what is it that they do (other than provide the service) to
encourage the higher selling prices?
>My belief on this matter is that the very thing which drives the prices up
>is also the thing that causes the high transaction failure rate.
but eBay doesn't get paid if the trx falls through, so it would make sense
for eBay to prefer a lower commission on a smaller sale than no commission
on a sale that doesn't go through.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- O-
Uncle Roger "There is pleasure pure in being mad
roger(a)sinasohn.com that none but madmen know."
Roger Louis Sinasohn & Associates
San Francisco, California http://www.sinasohn.com/
Hi Joe,
----------
> From: Joe <rigdonj(a)intellistar.net>
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
> Subject: Re: Question regarding a VAXstation
> Date: Thursday, March 25, 1999 11:07 AM
> I didn't know you were into Vaxs. I just found a 4000/90 but I've
> already promised it to another list meember.
If you "find" another one, i would be happy to take it ;-))
(looking already for a while)
cheers,
emanuel
At 09:10 PM 3/25/99 -0800, you wrote:
>
>The guy whose website the picture of old, rotting video game cabinets
>resides on is haynesdl(a)nwfl.net.
>
>He lives in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Hey, that's close to me! I'm not interested in video games but I'll
offer to help anyone tht wants to try and save the stuff.
Joe
Carlos,
Good luck getting the VAX stuff. Perhaps you should volunteer to get it
out of their way. Grab everything you can, someone will want it.
BTW I got the tapes from Dan, lots of interesting looking stuff there.
I'll make you copies of some 85 tapes and send them as soon as I can.
Which disk drive did you say that you had, a 9121 or 9122?
Joe
At 09:09 PM 3/25/99 -0500, you wrote:
>
>Hi Joe;
>
>I guess I am just beginning to diversify into VAX/VMS :-) .
>I had been curious about it always. Here at the office
>we have a pile of equipment that we don't want to throw
>away, but we are not using. Lately, the space is getting
>crowded, and I sense that people a couple of steps higher
>in the chain of command are going to do something about it.
>Therefore, I decided to test some of this stuff to see if
>it works, so I can claim it early before they decide to
>throw it away.
>
>
>On Thu, 25 Mar 1999, Joe wrote:
>
>> At 04:49 PM 3/25/99 -0500, you wrote:
>> Ahh! Another lucker finally speaks up! Hi Carlos!
>> I didn't know you were into Vaxs. I just found a 4000/90 but I've
>> already promised it to another list meember.
>>
>> Joe
>
> I don't know if $500 is the right number either, but I figure that in a
>"new" IMSAI 8080 kit in low quantities, there'd be at least $75 in boards,
>$100++ for the case, $50 for the power supply, $25 for a silkscreened front
>panel and the rest, silicon, passives, switches, and the backplane
>connectors. And that doesn't iinclude any re-engineering costs to account
>for parts that have been discontinued or marked as "end-of-life."
You forgot one vital component: the switches. The 7101 and 7103 series
switches used in the IMSAI front panel are still available new from C&K,
at $5-$6 each. They start adding up fast! And cost of a full-length (22-
slot) backplane would come to around $150-$200 these days. (Though you
could easily argue that now that we have memory boards larger than 4kbytes
you don't need all those slots, all of my real IMSAI's have 22-slot
backplanes...!)
A year or so ago I looked at what it would cost to make my "TIMSAI" IMSAI
clone into a commercial product. Street price, I calculated, would be about
$2000, and most of that was in the metalworking. There was only about $30
in semiconductors in the whole unit (and that included 256K SRAM and an
IDE/floppy controller).
--
Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com
Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/
7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917
Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927
The guy whose website the picture of old, rotting video game cabinets
resides on is haynesdl(a)nwfl.net.
He lives in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out.
Coming in 1999: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0
See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details!
[Last web site update: 02/15/99]