Chris Halarewich wrote:
> Howdy
>
> Just wondering if someone out there would have a extra kickstart
> disc for an amiga 1000 that they could spare to loose or copy for the
> cost of
> shipping + a few bucks?
>
> thanx in advance
>
> Chris
> Castlegar BC CANADA
-----Original Message-----
From: Sellam Ismail <dastar(a)ncal.verio.com>
>I gather from many conversations I've had that many people buying the
>Altairs see them as historic becaiuse of their connection to Microsoft.
>Some think that it marked the beginning of the microcomputer revolution
>because it launched the career of Gates. What these foolish speculators
>fail to realize is that the game is not yet won, and they are leaving the
>arena at halftime thinking their investment is secure. History will place
>a very different value on their Altair because of what Linux will do to
>Microsoft, far less than the tens of thousands that I imagine some people
>think they may be worth some day.
This may be halftime in a game that turns around but you still can't
disparage some of the plays during the first half. I don't know how bg's
career if factored into an altair's value nor do I really care. It dosen't
seem much of a reason to me to go for a MITS.
- Mike: dogas(a)leading.net
Since it's the GUI that attracts the idiots, I'd get behind an os that has
features which would defeat any attempt at GUI operation. The real problem
is that the people who buy the desktop systems don't use them. They
specify them and then collect a bonus, quit, and go to work for the vendor
of those systems.
Back about 15 years ago we started seeing some really decent engineering
software for DOS. You could buy a VERY good schematic capture package for
$500 (I still use mine and have yet to see anything better, even at prices
> $500k) and a serviceable PCB router for $1200. Today you can easily
spend $2e6 and end up with something which does NOTHING useful at all under
UNIX and does little more under NT. It's the GUI, stupid . . . that's the
excuse. Today you routinely pop into the GUI, run the help and find there
isn't any. Many of the software vendors of the mid-80's have taken their
fairly decent products, reduced their capabilities, introduced countless
bugs and octupled the price, relative to inflation.
We need some really stiff legislation making it an unconditional,
immediate, and irrevocally hanging offense for ALL employees of any
corporation any employees of which endeavor to sell software which is not
fully documented. That means that documentation must predict the behavior
of their software precisely to a depth of all of 2^32 inputs. That will
certainly eliminate the use of a generalized GUI!
How many times have you been told " well . . . that's interesting . . . we
didn't know that it does THAT!"
Dick
----------
> From: Derek Peschel <dpeschel(a)u.washington.edu>
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
> Subject: Re: Interesting to note about Altairs...
> Date: Monday, March 08, 1999 3:58 PM
>
> Arfon wrote:
> > Micro$oft and Windblows. Now that I put that disclaimer out, Linux
doesn't
> > have a chance against Micro$oft. The vast majority of computer users
(now
> > and in the future) are idiots who don't care to learn anything other
that
> > 'click on this little picture to make it go'. Linux will do some
damage in
> > the server market and other places where you have to have someone with
some
> > computer smarts but, most corporate purse strings are again controlled
by
> > those same 'click-idiots'.
> >
> > I really wish GNU would take a good command line OS (like CP/M), make
it
> > 32/64 bit, and multi-tasking/user and add a GUI and try and compete
with
> > Winblows.
>
> This is barely on topic, but it was too tempting to reply and not just
hit
> 'd'. You have a good point, but it only leads to two objections in my
mind:
>
> 1) The 'idiotification' process is already happening with Linux; there
are
> various projects out there (like KDE and GNOME and various other window
> managers and package managers) that are attempting to make Linux look
better
> and present a "point-and-click" appearance. I mention package managers
> because click-idiots certainly don't want to deal with the compiler.
>
> 2) Your second paragraph describes a process which is already happening
with
> Linux. What did you have in mind that is different? A different
starting
> OS? (CP/M, some free version of MS-DOS) An OS that's more intelligent
> about hardware? I'm not being rude -- your ideas are probably good but
you
> need to spell them out.
>
> Then there's the matter of software. If your new OS is going to have
> commercially-written software, that provides an arena for the evil forces
> you described. (We might be able to avoid them, but the potential for
them
> is certainly there.) If you're going to stick to free software, well,
> that's mainly written by idealistic geeky people who like to mess around
in
> the source. :) So that conflicts with the design decision of writing for
> idiots.
>
> To keep this on topic -- What do you think will happen to the values of
> classic computers?
>
> -- Derek
-----Original Message-----
From: Megan <mbg(a)world.std.com>
> ...<ETA-3400 snips>...
>Now I really want to find one... <sigh>
After I get it built and have a chance to grok and run a few laps in it,
I'll let you *BORROW* it if you wish...
- Mike: dogas(a)leading.net
> On 8 Mar 1999, Eric Smith wrote:
>>Why wouldn't you count CD32? If they do a new set-top, and it fails, and
>
> OK, let's say we made up a chronological list of every set-top box ever
> made. Now, we scratch off the CD-32. What other famous ones are left and
> what number from first was the CD-32? I think this may be more impervious
> to your semantic games :)
>
> Anyway, I guess it depends on how you define set-top (two can play
> this...). Isn't a C-64 or Apple ][ a set-top box? Is a Sega Genesis a
> set-top? What exactly must a set-top be able to do that these three can't?
>
> --Max Eskin (max82(a)surfree.com)
A CD32 IS a set-top box, I think, by today's current definition. Said term
wasn't around when the CD32 was. But this WAS there era, was it not, of the
CD-Interactive? That also might qualify. Also Apple's abortive "Pippen"
would qualify as a proto-set-top device (and something I wouldn't mind
having.)
I always thought of a "set-top" box as having several qualities: It was
coming out of the stereo-system/VCR/video game consumer orientation. Which
means, among other things, that the remote control comes first and the
keyboard is an option. You as user are some distance from the device, not
seated in front stabbing at buttons. (Commodores and Apples get disqualified
for this reason.)
Second, there's some sense of not "turning it on and watching it boot" which
has come to pervade computers.
I installed an ESDI disk in my uVax. It didn't work. I took it apart and
discovered that the cable had been caught in the door and had ripped (flat
cable). Disconnected it and the drive and the system doesn't come up to a
prompt anymore. Sometimes the display on the back goes to 'F' and sometimes
to 'C'. I've also noticed that my DC-OK light isn't lighting up.
Is is possible I've toasted some aspect of the pwr supply? (perhaps just
switching it on and off has done this)
--Chuck
>I've got several PDP-11's, all unibus - that use the RQDX2 controller.
If you have Unibus, you can't possibly be using an RQDX2 controller.
RQDXn series was Qbus only... (the only Unibus machine it might
work in is the 11/84, but only in the qbus portion of the machine).
>A friend of mine just came up with a 380mb Maxtor ESDI drive. Will the
>RQDX2 support it?
No. You need an ESDI controller. Like the DEC KFQSA, or the Andromeda
ESDC, or an Emulex QD-22 (?)
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 |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
>How embarassing... my 11's are Qbus - NOT unibus....
Just trying to keep you honest... :-)
Seriously, the comment still stands. The RQDXn controllers won't
handle ESDI. When you go looking for a controller, make sure it
is fast enough to handle the disks. About a year ago, I got an
ESDI controller for some disks, but it wasn't fast enough (at
10 Mbit/s) to handle the disk I had... But the Andromeda ESDC
(at 15 Mbit/s) worked just fine.
Oh yeah, I just realized I screwed up too... the KFQSA is DSSI,
not ESDI (so many TLAs, so little time)...
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 |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
How embarassing... my 11's are Qbus - NOT unibus....
-----Original Message-----
From: Jay West <jlwest(a)tseinc.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Monday, March 08, 1999 3:59 PM
Subject: PDP-11 (Qbus) disk question
>I've got several PDP-11's, all unibus - that use the RQDX2 controller.
>
>A friend of mine just came up with a 380mb Maxtor ESDI drive. Will the
RQDX2
>support it?
>
>Jay West
>
>
And with a uVax in mind, where does the 9047 bus grant go? The last C/D
slot (4) underneat the ethernet or in the first non C/D slot ? (I'm
guessing the former...)
--Chuck
>IIRC, the ETA has Tiny Basic in ROM. I recall having fun lashing it up to
>my new, freshly-built H-19 terminal and later, my freshly-built H-8
>computer via a terminal program (which I've long forgotten which) from
>the HUG. Those were the days! :-) :-) :-)
That's it... just rub it in...
Now I really want to find one... <sigh>
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 |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
>This is the point isn't it? Finding an Altair at a garage sale or swap
>meeting in Bloomington Indiana would be like finding the Holy Grail in a
>pawn shop, not friggin likely.
Really? I managed to scavenge up a half-dozen IMSAI'S and almost as
many Altairs in a couple of years in Southern California in the early
90's. Then again, I didn't just scout around at garage sales - I
hooked up with the owners through local clubs, business associates,
etc. Or I frequented places that do industrial-type surplus. I
wasn't particularly targetting IMSAI's and Altair's, these acquisitions
came about mainly in the course of looking for other stuff.
There's a few lessons here, I think:
1. Never define what you're looking for too narrowly. There's lots
of interesting stuff to play with out there - you don't need any
particular brand/model/serial number of computer to enjoy them.
2. Be willing to call or visit anywhere in a 50-mile radius at a
moment's notice.
3. Be dedicated, don't give up, and get lucky :-)
I honestly don't think anyone can complain that there aren't interesting
things out there to collect. In the past decade, I probably averaged
8000-10000 pounds of stuff a year (then again, I'm mainly interested in
minis and industrial controllers.)
Tim.
Greetings to all:
Since I've been absent for about a week, 800 messages have piled-up
>from the list; reviewing them will take awhile so I'm posting this
to report on the HP-85 belt/capstan issues status globally.
The belts have arrived and are being mailed-out early this week. I
installed a set in our HP-85 and they work well.
I tried a new approach to capstan repair which I find works very well.
Clean the capstan of old rubber down to a minimal amount of residue
with isopropyl. Obtain a can of dipping vinyl (for coating tool
handles, etc.); most hardware stores should have it. Remove the
capstan/encoder wheel ass'y from the motor shaft. Prepare the
vinyl properly according to directions with the product. Dip the
capstan (inverted) at the rate of about 5 seconds for its length,
being careful to just dip just above the bottom rim of the capstan
wheel so that the vinyl creates an overlap of 90 degrees. Withdraw
the part at the same rate as insertion. Immediately invert the
part and place on a level surface in a warm place to dry for four
hours. During the drying time you will note that any vertical
asymmetry evens out. Repeat with another dip and 4 hour dry.
The results were very good and tests with an old tape containing
an 84 record program produced no errors (reading or writing).
Attached is a small jpg which gives an idea of the appearance of the
results (max mag. avail with the camera lens).
Michael Grigoni
Cybertheque Museum
Re:
> Thanks Sellam. That's precisely what I'm trying to do. I want the stuff
> to go to people who'll actually collect or use it. The auction lists and
What if he posted the item on eBay, but with a non-descript
title/meaningless like "old computer", with no explanatory text, and
then posted a brief message here, with a pointer to the eBay item?
The idea behind that is only a single message would ever appear for
any given item ... he wouldn't need to tell the losers who won (they
could check on eBay), and the mechanics are handled by eBay.
> >I don't think he's been excessive with his auctions either. So far it
> >seems to be one every week or so.
I agree, and have no problems with it. I'd prefer a classicmp
collector competing with me to having Alex Z competing :)
Stan Sieler
sieler(a)allegro.com
This boot disks seem to be all the rave :) I need one for a KayPro II. I
assume this is CP/M, but I am not sure, since I never actually used this
computer. But if someone can provide the disk, I will have a perfect KII.
Thanks.
Todd Osborne
Senior Software Engineer
FMStrategies, Inc.
http://www.fmstrategies.com/
--------------------------------------------------------
FMStrategies, Inc: tosborne(a)fmstrategies.com
Internet E-Mail: todd.osborne(a)barnstormer-software.com
--------------------------------------------------------
Founder of the Virtual Windows Class Library (C++)
http://www.barnstormer-software.com/vwcl/
--------------------------------------------------------
Anagrams? (http://www.wordsmith.org/anagram/)
Can you figure out this one? Want the answer? E-Mail me.
COCO VERDI MOM (Hint: Think Late 1970's Computer)
--------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
2 Wrongs Don't Make a Right, But 3 Rights Make a Left!
--------------------------------------------------------
At 04:28 PM 3/7/99 -0800, Sellam Ismail wrote:
>On Sun, 7 Mar 1999, Chuck McManis wrote:
>>Couldn't these auctions also be run on the ccauction list that Doug
>> hosts on nut.net ?
>
>Chuck, I have to object to your objection. I think what Anthony is doing
>is quite admirable.
Yes, according to the recent ruling, gloating over ownership of cool
gizmos is only appropriate *after* the acquisition - not before!
- John
>Rebadging was more prevalent earlier when everything had to appear to come
>from the same company, but these days it is accepted that pieces come from
>here and there.
Since the advent of the PC-clone industry, it is accepted that lots of
hardware items are "no-name", with no indication of who manufactured it,
where it was manufactured, and usually minimal or zero documentation
about the product.
(OK, some of this no-name stuff predates the PC-clone industry. Apple
][ clones in the Lasnerian mid-80's are also examples that comes to mind.)
Tim.
Greetings,
-Membership is at a healthy 42 members to the Altair Computer collector's club. My goal is reach 100 members by the end of '99. Spread the word! http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/altaircomputerclub
-If you haven't already seen the parent website to this club please check it out- http://altaircomputers.org It's chalk full of useful info for Altair computer enthusiasts.
-One of the most important initiatives of the website is to complete the owner registry of MITS computers including 8800, 680 and Attache http://www.geocities.com/~daveygf/registry/registryserial.html If your model is not on the registry, let me know so I can update the list. Of course your privacy will be respected if you don't want your name published.
davidfreibrun(a)home.com
Got a bad cap in a TU56 drive. Markings are as follows:
7330L, SPRAGUE, 100MFD, 55V-60CY, A5030.
Can anyone tell me where I can order a replacement that's both electrically
and mechanically (size) the same?
More importantly, I've been scrounging the net for this info. Is there a
good online resource I'm missing for xrefing caps?
Thanks!
Jay West
Since Sellam just made mention of an ebay item,
I hope it's OK to mention another. Did anyone
else notice that, in the pictures of one of the
other Altairs for sale, there are _TWO_MORE_
visible in the background? God, you would think
the people bidding on these things would get a
clue... THEY AREN'T THAT RARE!
Bill Sudbrink
Hello all,
After being buried under an avalanche of work, I've tried to catch up
and resurface. 2672 messages in my classiccmp box this morning...
Sorry to have disappeared on the couple of pending transactions, so if I
was going to send you money or free garba^H^H^H^H^H^H collectables,
please email me at my regular email address (A_Finney(a)wfi-inc.com).
Some great messages in the whole pile, I just wish I'd gotten to them
sooner to join in. And damn it, I missed bidding on that 21 year old
computer (does 6' tall and 175lbs count as big iron?). I would have had
him paint my house and then sold him by the pound for dog food...
Good to be back,
Aaron
Last year you sent out a request for info about HP7475A Plotter pens. Like you, I am now trying to get one working. DId you find a source for pens? Also, do you have any idea where I can get a plotter manual? Even xerox copies of the important pages would help. ALso, any idea what cable is required. Thanks.
Allen Rose / West Palm Beach FL
Pls reply to p025558b(a)pb.seflin.org
Sallam wrote...
>How "rare" can something be when an instance of it goes up for auction
>every damn week!? Doug Yowza noted that there is one Altair or another on
>sale at ebay every day!
>
>This is insanity!!
I, for one, am glad when people mention an item of interest on Ebay. I don't
check ebay regularly. As a result, I *LIKE* being told if an item I'm
looking for goes up there.
That being said, I really like it when someone offers the item here first
before it goes to Escr*w... :)
However, I really wish an HP 2748 paper tape reader would go up on ebay :]
Jay West
>> If you have the DSD-440 hooked to your PDP-11, you
>> can just boot the utility floppy that came with the
>> DSD-440...
>You presume much. I got this box from Ohio State in
>two racks of PDP-11 hardware about ten years ago. I
>did get a lot of software, but I don't recall a DSD
>disk.
Seeing as how all DSD units shipped with a DSD diagnostics
disk in the first place, I don't think anyone would complain if I
offered "replacement" floppies for the cost of postage. The
diagnostics disk that came with my DSD440 actually works with many
other DSD floppy models, too.
>> Never, ever, lose the hyperdiagnostics section of
>> your DSD440 manual!
>I can't lose what I never had. Want to help me not
>lose it by sending me a copy? I will, of course, pay
>shipping and copying charges.
Sounds like a fair deal! Anyone else interested, let me
(shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com) know and I'll run off some copies and get
the total costs estimated.
--
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
I just got a //c over the Week End,
It came with what looks like a sound system: the item is in a separate
enclosure with what looks like a speaker and a volume knob. It's labelled
"cricket". Does anyone on the list have any infor on this item? Power
requirement, software that uses it etc...
Thanks
Francois
I wrote:
> >IIRC, the DSD drives _can_ format floppies.
>
Tim Shoppa replied:
> Absolutely, in both RX01 and RX02 modes.
> If you have the DSD-440 hooked to your PDP-11, you
> can just boot the utility floppy that came with the
> DSD-440...
You presume much. I got this box from Ohio State in
two racks of PDP-11 hardware about ten years ago. I
did get a lot of software, but I don't recall a DSD
disk.
> You don't even need a computer hooked to the drive
> to do it - you just set the hyperdiagnostic
> DIPswitch pack on the in-box controller to format the
> floppies, and let it rip.
Cool. I may need this in the future, but for now, I've
got several boxes of real RX02K's, new, that I got
>from a guy who used to have a whole pallet of various
disks from various vendors. Before anyone asks, he's
out of business, I got the disks in 1991, and there
were only two shipping boxes of RX02K's. With all the
eOverpay frenzy for nominally valueless classic stuff,
I wish I had asked for a box of the hard-sectored
floppies he had.
> Never, ever, lose the hyperdiagnostics section of
> your DSD440 manual!
I can't lose what I never had. Want to help me not
lose it by sending me a copy? I will, of course, pay
shipping and copying charges.
> Every DSD440 box I have (gees, there must be 9 or 10 > now) has a
Xerox of the DSD440 hyperdiagonstics
> pocket ref taped to the top cover :-).
That sounds like a doc worthy of scanning and/or
retyping for future generations of collectors. If
I had a copy, I'd do it myself (hint ;-).
> >> There were also bus adapters for the Unibus and
> >> Omnibus available.
>
> It's a quad-size card marked "DSD 2131". There's a
> complete schematic of the interface on page A-20 of
> your DSD 440 User Guide. Looks to be maybe $15 in
> TTL chips.
Most excellent. I happen to have a quad DEC prototype
wire-wrap board. This might make an good use of it
(if I don't stick something like a 32K SRAM and SCSI
or IDE port on that board first).
Thanks for all the good info.
-ethan
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
>IIRC, the DSD drives _can_ format floppies.
Absolutely, in both RX01 and RX02 modes. If you have the DSD-440
hooked to your PDP-11, you can just boot the utility floppy that came
with the DSD-440 and it gives a menu letting you select from several
different diagnostics and format utilities. You don't even need
a computer hooked to the drive to do it - you just set the hyperdiagnostic
DIPswitch pack on the in-box controller to format the floppies, and let
it rip. Never, ever, lose the hyperdiagnostics section of your DSD440
manual! Every DSD440 box I have (gees, there must be 9 or 10 now) has a
Xerox of the DSD440 hyperdiagonstics pocket ref taped to the top cover :-).
>> There were also bus adapters for the Unibus and
>> Omnibus available.
>I'd love to find an Omnibus module for it. Didn't
>know it existed.
It's a quad-size card marked "DSD 2131". There's a complete schematic
of the interface on page A-20 of your DSD 440 User Guide. Looks
to be maybe $15 in TTL chips.
--
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
> It's a bus adapter that's part of a system that
> *emulates* a RX01 or RX02 controller. It doesn't
> actually drive a RX01/02 (40-pin connector), nor does
> it directly drive a Shugart 801-style drive (50-pin
> connector). What you need is a DSD440 chassis,
> which has a rather smart Z80-based board in it that
> converts from the DSD 26-pin connector to the Shugart
> 50-pin bus.
Ooh... I think I have one of these with a Unibus
adapter. I'll have to dig it out and open it up.
IIRC, the DSD drives _can_ format floppies.
> There were also bus adapters for the Unibus and
> Omnibus available.
I'd love to find an Omnibus module for it. Didn't
know it existed.
-ethan
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Christian Fandt <cfandt(a)netsync.net>
>No problem Mike! ;)
Alright Christian, schwing!
>I've got my ETA-3400 packed away with the ET-3400 and a bunch of other
>docs. I built both from kits back in 1981/82. I'll have to dig around for
>the box (one of those *many* boxes we still need to go through after moving
>into this house a year ago.) Found two boxes I'd never opened from my last
>move into the old house 22 years ago! Contained good radio parts to keep
>though :)
>
>Anyway, I'll have to hunt for and pull out the ETA-3400 docs and find a way
>to make copies for you. May have to go to a commercial copy house and pay
>as I've not got a new job yet (which usually comes with a copier ;) Is
>that okay Mike?
Any convenient way for you is fine with me. (Hurry! ;) )
>BTW, this was a really fun accessory to the ET-3400. Learned my first uP
>and some basic computing from the ET. Hence, my lean toward Motorola's uP
>families and away from the Intel types.
>
>IIRC, the ETA has Tiny Basic in ROM. I recall having fun lashing it up to
>my new, freshly-built H-19 terminal and later, my freshly-built H-8
>computer via a terminal program (which I've long forgotten which) from the
>HUG. Those were the days! :-) :-) :-)
Cool, TB too... truely a magical little box. (My H8 and H19 is sitting on
the sidelines waiting to talk to their brother...) In the mean time, I'll
go back and dig in the old Remarks and see if I can find anything more on it
>Regards, Chris
Thanks!
- Mike: dogas(a)leading.net
>Yup, and there is a jumper buried over on the side that is labelled "RX01
>EN" (presumably to enable it as an RX01 controller).
>
>So I think we've got it nailed as an RX01/RX02 controller, which is cool
>since I've got an RX01 drive, but those are 8" drives and the connector is
>only 26 pins.
It's a bus adapter that's part of a system that *emulates* a RX01 or RX02
controller. It doesn't actually drive a RX01/02 (40-pin connector), nor does
it directly drive a Shugart 801-style drive (50-pin connector). What you need
is a DSD440 chassis, which has a rather smart Z80-based board in it that
converts from the DSD 26-pin connector to the Shugart 50-pin bus.
There were also bus adapters for the Unibus and Omnibus available.
--
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
OK, here's a challenge that I hope one (or more) of you will rise too. I
found something I didn't even know existed. It's the Heathkit Memory I/O
Accessory ETA-3400. Woo Hoo!!! Its the expansion box for the 6800 based
ET-3400 Microprocessor Learning System (one of my favorite toys.) Now for
the good news, and too my dilema. It's still it kit form with all the
parts! ;))) I get to build it. I guess I'll need the assembly/op docs for
it. An external examination reveals rca jacks for 'tape input' and 'tape
output' and also a rs-232 port. I gotta get this thing up.... help!
And, with Sydex and other hp150 wares on import from Joe, the aformentioned
printer is available to anyone who wants it.
Also, last call on the mechanical adder, else it will go to eBay and make
me millionz iz tellz ya.
;)
-Mike: dogas(a)leading.net
I have a listing (green bar) of the PDP 8/e and /l music compiler. Is
this something of value to someone, or has this already been archived
someplace?
As far as I know, this may have been written here at the U of Minnesota.
I assume the Pascal Compiler that was written here is already available
someplace (it was once distributed by Decus). I have the original
floppies that were submitted to decus and returned by decus.
-Lawrence LeMay
Somehow, I have doubts that I'd be able to sell this at the local swap
meets, and I'd rather it go to someone who may be able to use it anyway.
I've got an old EPROM/PROM programmer, built into a nice Zero/Haliburton
aluminum briefcase. It's a Kontron MPP-80, comes with a couple of adapters
and its manuals, and it also has a built-in UV unit to erase EPROMs with.
When I first got it, it would not fire up. After some intensive
troubleshooting, I found and fixed a couple of problems in the power
supply. It seems fine now, but I have absolutely no use for it.
If there's no interest here, I'll post the thing to Haggle. I wanted to
check with you lot first. If you're interested, drop me a note with an offer.
Thanks in advance.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies
http://www.bluefeathertech.com
Amateur Radio:(WD6EOS) E-mail: kyrrin(a)bluefeathertech.com
SysOp: The Dragon's Cave (Fido 1:343/272, 253-639-9905)
"Our science can only describe an object, event, or living thing in our own
human terms. It cannot, in any way, define any of them..."
Howdy
Just wondering if someone out there would have a extra kickstart
disc for an amiga 1000 that they could spare to loose for the cost of
shipping + a few bucks?
thanx in advance
Chris
Castlegar BC CANADA
>OK, here's a challenge that I hope one (or more) of you will rise too.
>I found something I didn't even know existed. It's the Heathkit Memory
>I/O Accessory ETA-3400. Woo Hoo!!! Its the expansion box for the 6800
>based ET-3400 Microprocessor Learning System (one of my favorite toys.)
>Now for the good news, and too my dilema. It's still it kit form with
>all the parts! ;))) I get to build it. I guess I'll need the
>assembly/op docs for it. An external examination reveals rca jacks for
>'tape input' and 'tape output' and also a rs-232 port. I gotta get this
>thing up.... help!
Hey, neat! I have my ET-3400 still, and I also didn't know one of
those existed. If you find a second one, I would be much appreciative
if you would send me a pointer...
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 promised to mail a Sharp CE100D bubble memory cartrige to someone and I've
lost the e-mail with the address, name, etc. Whoever you were, would you accept
my humble appologies and send me your addy again?
--
Jim Strickland
jim(a)DIESPAMMERSCUMcalico.litterbox.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Vote Meadocrat! Bill and Opus in 2000 - Who ELSE is there?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Megan <mbg(a)world.std.com>
>Hey, neat! I have my ET-3400 still, and I also didn't know one of
>those existed. If you find a second one, I would be much appreciative
>if you would send me a pointer...
Will do Megan! They (et3400s) are fun, arent they...
;)
- Mike:dogas@leading.net
>I've got a Q-bus board I can't identify, its labelled:
> Data Systems Design
> 44432-4
I know DSD made RX02/RL02 disk emulators... maybe it is a
controller for one of them?
See if there is a 'chip' which has bands of metal -- almost
like a set of fuses... this is used to configure it.
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 |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
>Yup, and there is a jumper buried over on the side that is labelled "RX01
>EN" (presumably to enable it as an RX01 controller).
>So I think we've got it nailed as an RX01/RX02 controller, which is cool
>since I've got an RX01 drive, but those are 8" drives and the connector
>is only 26 pins. What I'm looking for is an M7555 or equivalent to
>control a couple of RX33's on one of the uVaxen (and RX33s too). My plan
>being that if I can re-configure a loadable media type on my second uVax
>it would be something tradeable in the future.
Be careful... it wants to talk to the RX01/02 equivalent designed
by DSD... it most probably will NOT speak to a true DEC RX01/RX02
drive...
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 |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
Saturday evening I went to a friend's business who was subleasing
part of his shop to a gentleman doing 'surplus' here in Southern
California. The gentleman regretfully passed away suddenly around
New Years, leaving a lot of Stuff behind, which we are liquidating
for the man's estate and widow.
So: here are some DEC/classiccmp related items, a few of which
might be of some interest to list-members. I bought these items as a
lot, and will indicate which are available to the Community. (*)
Two Siemens System 300 desktop card readers, still set up for
230vac/50htz. *
Some kind of DEC test box, in a large blue alum. case, marked only
model 93-07402, containing an RX02 disk and a printset; the disk is
marked DGSBA.A11 (S/X REC.) and the printsets are marked SX
TRANSLATOR.*
Three nice leather shipping cases containing RL01/2 disks:
in one, three disks RLO1K
DX-T502K-MC CZZLDK0 DLDP V2 RL1 DIAG Pkg 1
Pkg 2
Pkg 3
in the second, 2 disks RL02K
BC-EH95I-MC CZZLOTTO DLDP V2 R2 DIAG
Scratch
In the third, 2 disks RL02K
BC-FI18S-DE 000MUB9526 VAX 8600/8650 CNSL W/DIAG
(Both disks marked the same) *
A PMK05 Unibus Exerciser w/doc and two paper tapes marked:
MAINDEC-11-DZKUA-C-PB 6/3/76 nr Unibus Systems Exerciser Diag.
MAINDEC-11-DZKUB-A-PB 3/24/76 nr Unibus Exerciser Module Diag.
A Wilson Laboratories SX-530 Disk Memory Exerciser, set and cabled
for SMD devices (wooo-hooo!) With doc and adpaters, and a supplement
for FUJI units.
A Pertech card-sized laminator with a hundred DIGITAL logo cards
and plastic carriers for them, waiting to be laminated.
A Digital portable fiche reader w/two lenses (24x and 42x)
[Visidyne]*
A Massbus T.D.R. adapter for the PDP-10... hooks up to a
Tektronix 1502 Time Domain Reflectometer to diagnose Massbus
continuity and signal integrity. With docs and adapters. (No Tek
1502, though... damn!) Manual says: "TDR testing of Massbus I/O
bus, Memory BUs, and Channel Bus. *
A VAX 8600/8650 Backplane Repair kit and manual marked "Backplane
Repair Seminar Manual" This kit is in a nice Halliburton case and
is full of all those wierd and wonderful tools, all made of
unobtanium. *
A TU58 dual external drive with cables and M8043 and Pocket
Service Guide.
A PRS01 portable paper tape reader with service docs, many cables,
and DLv11 card... geared for slow speed.
A Digital-badged Termiflex handheld data display/entry device...
looks brand new... two lines of about 24 Alpha LEDs.
A Fluke 8020 Dig Multimeter in a leather case w/Dec markings.
A T.I. Silent 700/707 Very Tiny terminal... about the size of an
EPSON HX-10 or Radio Shack 100... in a well-worn heavy cloth
carrying case, complete with detached acoustic phone coupler, power
brick, and one unused roll of thermal paper.
There is more DEC-related stuff still at the place, including maybe
6 or 7 temp/humidity circular chart recorders... more of the
Termiflex units.. about ten more suitcase-type testers and exerciser
boxes, and about a ton of non-list-realted test equipment I'm going
to sort thru in the next few weeks.
Any interest.. please e-mail and I will forward further info.
Cheers
John
I have a beutiful example waiting for a less crowded environment.
I don't usually rate gear by appearance but this one's an 8 or 9. It
has a spare 20ma card and complete oper and tech docs.
This unit is 10/15/30 cps, 132 columns... classic DEC console.
Yours for the asking in Southern California.. will deliver within
a radius determined by your ability to bribe me.
Can not ship... I have way too many items to ship to folks
already.
Let me know.
Cheers
John
I've got a Q-bus board I can't identify, its labelled:
Data Systems Design
44432-4
Its a dual height card with a 26 pin idc connector on the top and two
82S100 chips. I'm guessing it is some sort of parallel interface...
--Chuck
For so long on this list, I have been reading about peoples "good days",
"lucky days" and so on. Now at last, I can talk about my "real beaut" day!
A local collector, not known previously to me, put a post on one of the
"aus.forsale" newsgroups saying he wanted to thin out his collection, and he
preferred a person take the "off-load" as one lot. Thanks to a "heads-up"
>from Andrew Davie, I got in first (as it turns out, no one else offered to
take the lot) and the previous owner even volunteered to bring it all around
in his van. The delivery consisted of:
EACA Genie III, an all-in-one 2x5.25" and monitor (TRS-80 compatible and
CP/M)
CPT 8525, an all-in-one 2x8" drive and page-view monitor
Spectravideo 328 with 605 Expander containing 2x5.25" drives and 80 column
card
Hitachi MB6890K ("Peach") with Hitachi MP-3550 dual floppy and Hitachi
monitor
Hitachi MB6890K (another) with 3rd party dual floppy unit and two other
expansion cards
IBM 5150, made in the Wangaratta plant in Australia that IBM ran for a few
years, with a 64K-256K board and cassette connector
IBM DisplayWriter (Model 6580) with 2 x 2 x 8" drive units (ie 2 lots of
double 8" drive modules)
Digital Professional 350 but without its hard drive (but a double floppy)
and 2 x VR201 monitors
TRS-80 MC-10 with 16K expansion
TRS-80 Model III 16K with no drives
TRS-80 Model III 48K with 2x5.25" drives
TRS-80 Model 4 64K with 2x5.25" drives
TRS-80 Color Computer 1
TRS-80 Color Computer 2 with NEC PC-8032B dual 5.25" disc unit and TRS-80
Line Printer VIII
VIC-20
Dick Smith System 80 cassette system
Microbee Series 2 Colour
Microbee Series 3 128K with Microbee Disc System (5.25" in large shoebox)
And all the previous owner wanted ... a swap for my Apple ][+ which he
needed for a project he was working on now. Thanks Chris, if you are reading
this, much appreciated and valued. Shouldn't be too hard to find
another ][+.
Of these computers, the CPT is the least known (to me). I can find only one
mention of it on the Web and that guy didn't even have a boot disk for it.
At least I have some 8" disks (don't know if it works yet, still got to do
the preliminary check-out before applying power). One of the floppies says
"Tandon CPT" on it (hand-written) and a sticker somewhere suggests it was
built in Ireland. I'd appreciate some more info on it.
Hardly anything on the net about this chunky IBM Display Writer either, its
not even on the Comprehensive Computer Catalog as far as I can see ...
Anyone got a spare monitor cable for the Hitachi Peach's? (Luckily, they
also have B&W monochrome output so I can see that this system works).
Now, I've got plenty to do for a while ...
Phil Guerney
in Brisbane, Australia
From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
>>However, the reason I've replied is that I have the tech manuals for the
>HP150 (schematics, programming info, etc), so if there's anything you
>need me to look up (or if you need help fixing it ever), feel free to ask.
Thanks Tony, you'll be the first to know if I get stuck once I start digging
in it. ;) I think it works. It comes up in some kind of terminal
configuration mode and eventually fails on an OS load... ;( What do you
expect for $18.
- Mike: dogas(a)leading.net
