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

by healyzh＠aracnet.com

NO!!!! I just tried to run a SYSGEN on my RT-11 system, and I seem to have lost the filesystem when it started to rebuild the system. I'm able to boot to another partition (gotta love that WQESD controller), and I get the following results: .dir du2: <-DU2: is my main RT-11 disk ?DIR-F-Invalid directory . Please tell me there is a way to recover (unfortuanlty I doubt there is). I wasn't smart enough to make backups and everything I've been working on was on that partition. I'm seriously bummed. However, I finally got smart and made a bootable TK-50 so if need be I can load RT-11 without to much difficulty (other than having to type in the bootstrap by hand). First I can't get TCP/IP to work, and now this.... :^( Looks like once I get everything back together I'll be starting on that from scratch, which might be good. Zane | Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator | | healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast | | healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector | +----------------------------------+----------------------------+ | Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, | | and Zane's Computer Museum. | | http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ |

27 years, 5 months

2
1
0 0

S100 boards, including Electric Mouth, 2650 processor card, RAM

by dogas＠leading.net

-----Original Message----- From: Andrew Davie <adavie(a)mad.scientist.com> Boo... Hiss... How much? ;) - Mike: dogas(a)leading.net

27 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

Xerox 800 ?

by dogas＠leading.net

Two Xerox 800 system units with dual tape drives and associated typewriter/terminals are now at a local thrift. They appear to be large (each of the them I guess would top 100lbs) word processing systems with many(?) logged years. Do these have any redeeming value to anyone (expect *serious* dents in your 1)wallet/purse for shipping, and 2)living/storage space for size) ? Or am I missing something I should nab? ;) Regards, all - Mike: dogas(a)leading.net

27 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

Daily Laugh!

by Philip.Belben＠pgen.com

> You could subscribe from that address, and then tell the list processor > to postpone sending you anything there, and never cancel the postpone > order. I *think* you could still post from that address. Of course, > the list processor may eventually explode, holding back all that postponed > mail... (Would it actually hold copies of all that, or just drop it?) I have used Postpone in the past when I have been away from work and not on such a good phone line as this. It doesn't keep messages waiting for me - I just start again wherever the list has got to when I SET CLASSICCMP MAIL ACK. Philip.

27 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

KL power question

by DSEAGRAV＠toad.xkl.com

Whilst I sat cursing the PeeCee I was setting up [Win95: Holy Fsck! That's an AGP slot! How the hell do I talk to that? Oh well. 16 colors it is!] Toad says to me: [*** Warning: AC power has failed ***] [*** AC power has been restored ***] Hmm. Toad has an UPS. This provokes a question: Did KLs (Or any -10) have UPSes? Did TOPS know how to talk to an UPS, or is this an XKL hack? I bet it would be one hell of an UPS to run all that ECL... -------

27 years, 5 months

7
7
0 0

IBM 9075 - the PC-RADIO (OT?)

by roblwill＠usaor.net

This may be OT, but the computer is a bit unique in its own way (in the fact that there's only two that I've ever heard of/know exist - the one that I have and the one that the person I got it off of still has) It's an IBM 9075 Laptop PC radio. One of the neat things about it is its display. Looking at it, it's reflective (silver), but when it's turned on, it's backlit, and after it boots, the backlight can be turned off under bright light. Anyone have any info on this thing? I just picked on up, and got it to "boot" by connecting a Mac power supply to the battery terminals (7.5v). It came up with the backlight, then did the 640k memory test gave a CMOS battery date error, then booted to drive D, which is a ROM drive. I took it apart, and it has no HD or floppy, an 80186 processor, a modem, and a "Motorola Cellular Packet Radio". First thing: where could I find a power supply for it? The connector is an odd round 4-pin plug. Next: Where can I find IC cards? It has what looks like a PCMCIA slot, but a PC card won't fit, and it is apparently for IC RAM (ROM?) cards. Last: How does the Packet Radio thing work? Where could I find drivers, or an antenna or something for it? Or should I contact Motorola? The computer was apparently used by a Sears Service tech, but that's all I can figure out so far. ThAnX, -- -Jason Willgruber (roblwill(a)usaor.net) ICQ#: 1730318 <http://members.tripod.com/general_1>

27 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

PDP paper tape - PC04/PC05 (offer to trade)!

by jlwest＠tseinc.com

Sorry bout that last post, hit the wrong button ;) J

27 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

Need some O.T. help

by foxvideo＠wincom.net

I realize this is way OT, but hope someone can give me some advice. I am trying to install an ATX MB in an ATX case. All jumpers have been set by the book. There is a switch on the power supply, and another on the front of the case. This latter is a momentary contact type. With the MB outside the case on a wooden surface and nothing connected except the power supply plug and the front push button, all that I get is a twitch from the cpu cooling fan, on only the first push, after that nothing until it sets for a while. Since this is the first time I have tangled with an ATX I have no spare parts to substitute, so any help on how this power supply is supposed to operate would be much appreciated. Regards Charlie Fox Charles E. Fox Chas E. Fox Video Productions 793 Argyle Rd. Windsor N8Y 3J8 Ont. Canada email foxvideo(a)wincom.net Homepage http://www.wincom.net/foxvideo

27 years, 5 months

5
4
0 0

new toy!

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<Gee, you are discouraging me, Allison! Out here, ST-351A/Xs have been <common as armpits. Everyone seems to have a couple! Seemed like a <neat/cheap idea. Guess not, though, as you point out below. Arond here they are scarce, I have one but it's model that has been reputed to be unreliable at best. 8bit IDE is an easy interface though. But the interface is less than half the work no matter what. <But again, if you have the TurboRom - and it is readily available - you <have all that. Turborom doesn't know about IDE or hard disk. <Of course, it's still CP/M. We haven't changed that. I have an ST-125N <on my Ampro and it makes a LOT of partitions. Many more than I use, in <fact, but I think I paid $5 for it, so who cares. Or you can use P2dos/novados/suprbdos replacements and run a half gig. I've been the route. I have three s100 crates with hard disk, an Ampro, SB180 and two other in the works so I've been there. FYI my kaypro does have a 2mb ramdisk... much faster than hard drive. Just a same that the kaypro is so slow compared to my other 4mhz systems. Allison

27 years, 5 months

3
2
0 0

TI99: WP and PC

by geoffrob＠stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au

-----Original Message----- From: Hans Franke <Hans.Franke(a)mch20.sbs.de> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Wednesday, 3 February 1999 4:54 Subject: Re: TI99: WP and PC >> I've got some bits of a Nixdorf something or other. Basically it's the >> backplane, minus the rack and mountings, plus the power supply, some drives, >> and cables and a couple of boxes full of modules. >> Chip dates are around 74. Anyone know anything about Nixdorfs of this era? > >Can you support any part numbers or model numbers ? >I have access to some Nixdorf information bases that >may give a hint. I think the modules have id numbers on them. Will compile and post to the list. Thanks! Cheers Geoff Roberts Computer Systems Manager Saint Marks College Port Pirie South Australia. My ICQ# is 1970476 Ph. 61-411-623-978 (Mobile) 61-8-8633-0619 (Home) 61-8-8633-8834 (Work-Direct) 61-8-8633-0104 (Fax)

27 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

8-bit IDE (was Re: new toy!)

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<Is there any specific information out there about W.D.'s implementation <of XT-IDE? It is documented some in the QUE book Upgrading and repairing PCs 3rd edition I have. Allison

27 years, 5 months

2
1
0 0

Indiana Jones and the...

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<The original design for the Altair as presented in those fateful issues of <"Popular Electronics" had no bus or backplane, but was just four circuit <boards wired together with ribbon cable. (as shown in a picture in part on <of the article) < <It would seem, that true seekers of the 'Holy Grail' would be trying to <determine if any machines in that original configuration were ever actuall <shipped! And then the task would be to find one of those! There were only a few and they were the prototypes. <Now, THAT would be on a par with the Apple I ! Eh? No that would exceed the Apple I as they are like flies (it was a production machine) compared to prototypes. Allison

27 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

tube CD player (was Re: sizes (was Re: vacuum tube computer))

by jeff.kaneko＠juno.com

On Tue, 2 Feb 1999 18:44:35 +0000 (GMT) ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell) writes: >> >> Tony Duell wrote: >> > A photomultiplier isn't that bad to use. OK, it needs a kilovolt >or so of >> > EHT. But apart from that it's a fairly easy device to connect up >and get >> > a useable signal from. There should be a lot of them still about, >and >> > small ones aren't that expensive second-hand. >> >> The tricky part is how to mate this with the mechanical assembly. >Even >> the laserdisc players that used a HeNe laser still used a >semiconductor >> photodetector that was directly mounted on the sled. > >I assume the HeNe tube didn't move with the sled, right (far to much >mass, the servo would never lock). Couldn't you do something similar >with >the photomultiplier - mount it on the chassis and somehow direct the >light beam onto it? Actually, I saw a prototype laserdisk player in a museum somewhere (I think it was in the LA Museum of Science , but it was a long time ago) that had the following arrangement: The HeNe laser tube was bolted down, along with some optics, and a spinning platter/servo motor mounted on a carriage. The *PLATTER* moved during seeks! It was really quite bizarre to watch. They used a *BIG* servo motor to move the carriage, if memory serves. Jeff ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

27 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

Gorilla manual

by rigdonj＠intellistar.net

A couple of weeks ago someone was asking about a Gorilla Banana printer. Today I found the onwer's manual for my old Gorilla monochrome monitor. Does anyone need it? Joe

27 years, 5 months

3
2
0 0

PDP paper tape - PC04/PC05 (offer to trade)!

by jlwest＠tseinc.com

Don't know if anyone can help on this, but wanted to post this query to the kind folks here... I have a PDP-8E system, but it appears that the previous owner got many of the parts from different sources. The system has a paper tape reader/punch, but it's for a PDP-11 (PC05) not for a PDP-8 (PC04). I have some information that shows how to convert a PC05 into a PC04 so I can use it with the 8E, but I would prefer to not have to do the conversion unless absolutely necessary (I don't like to mess with historical accuracy if at all possible). So - does anyone have a working PC04 paper tape reader/punch that they would want to trade for a working PC05 paper tape reader/punch? Thanks mucho! Jay West

27 years, 5 months

2
1
0 0

Indiana Jones and the...

by rigdonj＠intellistar.net

At 11:31 PM 2/1/99 -0800, Sam wrote: >On Tue, 2 Feb 1999, Doug wrote: > > >You dumb-ass! Geez, Sam, it's too early for April fool's day! Joe

27 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

Honeywell DPS 6 Hard drives

by enigma＠intop.net

I have a Honeywell DPS 6, nice computer, really, but I've got a problem. There is one of these weird fixed disk/removable cartridge drives (yes that is a fixed disk and removable cartridge in one) that has a broken belt that runs between the drive spindle and the motor. It is this weird small v-belt. There is also this large hard drive in another cabinet that connects to the thing using DB37 connectors, IIRC. I'm not sure of how to connect it to the computer, nor do I have the cables. I do know the box runs GCOS6, which from what I hear is a cross between GCOS and Unix. Hooray for me, if I can get it working. Although it is supposedly not y2k compliant, but I think that is just a ploy so Bull can get you to spend money on an upgrade. :-) Any hints or tips or free belts for that thing, or places to get belts for that thing, would be appreciated. Any help on running GCOS6 would be nice, as in how do I get the super user account on it? How do I add users, etc. On a different note, I may start a list for buying and selling old computer stuff, everything but PCs, pretty soon, if interest is good enough. Please email me personally at "enigma(a)intop.net" if you would like to see something like that. Regards, J.S. Havard

27 years, 5 months

3
2
0 0

Euro on old computers

by fmc＠reanimators.org

"Hans Franke" <Hans.Franke(a)mch20.sbs.de> wrote: > BTW: this E symbol is one of the 4 most stupid ideas around > the euro - a typical pice of shit like most ideas developed > by politicians. Don't get me wrong, the Euro is a good idea, > but they tried to make it as stupid as possible. The cynic in me wonders whether the funny-looking E isn't something pushed either before or after the political accomplishment by computer companies wanting to churn the installed base. I mean, Y2K has a definite sell-by date. So does this but I think it's another couple years out, right? ObCC: so what did you UKans do to get your funny-looking L on computers, terminals, and printers imported from ASCII-speaking countries? -Frank McConnell

27 years, 5 months

5
5
0 0

tube CD player (was Re: sizes (was Re: vacuum tube computer))

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Feb 1, 23:30, Eric Smith wrote: > Of course. It would use a HeNe laser, just like the early laser video > disc players. > > The part I haven't figured out is the photodetector. Even those early LD > players used a phototransistor for the detector. Would a selenium cell be fast enough? A CdS photresistor probably wouldn't be, I think. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

27 years, 5 months

4
4
0 0

vacuum tube computer

by Jgzabol＠aol.com

In einer eMail vom 31.01.1999 23:58:22, schreiben Sie: << I wonder if bit-serial would be simpler (less data path, more control logic, basically). A lot of the valved machines were bit-serial for this reason. [...] I simply find bit-serial AWFUL - so much time wasted !!! Anything should be designed to get the max. performance out of given technology/budget, in my opinion; bit-serial certainly then would be a good solution for a LONG word, like 30-60 bit, doing floating point, if and only if budget limits do not allow paralell, but not for smaller things. THAT is the reason for the historic machines - they wanted floating point, therefore long words, therefore serial because of budget/size/etc constraints. > Am amazed you couls build a computer like this with ~400 cards ~800 tubes. > That is similar to building a complete computer with 200 SSI TTL chips like > a 7400. Especially since a 24 bit latch could use 24 of the cards. I tried This doesn't sound out of line. The CPU of the PDP8/e on my desk is 3 quad cards of TTL, mostly simple gates. Perhapes 250chips total. OK, some of them are more complex (like full adder circuits), but there's nothing that big in there. > a design once (on paper) with MSI ic's like 74193 counters, and it quickly > got out of hand, 100's of ic's. If you're going to allow anything in the TTL data book, then you can trivially make a CPU in 200 chips. You have to cheat slightly (74181 ALUs, small PROMs, etc), but it can be done. It has been done - many times. -tony >> The big difference is in the basic AND-OR-INVERT tube gate used: only one half tube (the INVERT, one triode section out of a dual triode tube) is used, but a lot of diodes doing the ANDs and ORs, so that one tube section is equivalent to MORE than a standard SSI 74xx IC. Typically, I would say one AND-OR-INVERT, i.e. one tube section plus associated diodes and resistors is equivalent to about one entire 74xx package, so one tube is equivalent to about two packages, on the average. John G. Zabolitzky

27 years, 5 months

6
17
0 0

CD-RW Drive

by musicman38＠mindspring.com

->One detail that you might need to check: does the CD-RW share the IDE >channel with the CD-ROM? A lot of recorders will spit out bad CD's >because of this. I've had two drives that either wouldn't record at the >right speed or would bomb when writing the table of contents to the disc. > >Brett I think you may have something here Brett, Yes they do share the same IDE cable, one is Master , one is slave.. Problem is I also have a master & slave ide hard drive on the other cable.. I will try changing the cableing, did not know this was a problem, the book does not tell of this potential problem of sharing two cdrom drives on the same ide cable.. Phil...

27 years, 5 months

2
1
0 0

Euro on old computers

by fauradon＠pclink.com

>For ASCII text we tend to use 'L', 'UKP', 'GBP', or \pounds to mean a >pound sign. Or do what at least one catalogue I have (a current >catalogue, BTW), and give all prices in pence. This catalogue includes >things like 3600p (meaning \pounds 36.00), I guess because they couldn't >print a pound sign. Which brings up the question: What is the symbol or abbreviation for one hundredth of a Euro? Francois > > >-tony >

27 years, 5 months

2
1
0 0

TI99: WP and PC

by netcafe＠pirie.mtx.net.au

-----Original Message----- From: Hans Franke <Hans.Franke(a)mch20.sbs.de> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Tuesday, 2 February 1999 3:49 Subject: Re: TI99: WP and PC >P.S.: I've been told there was a Nixdorf computer where they > build a (TTL) CPU based on the 9900 design. I've got some bits of a Nixdorf something or other. Basically it's the backplane, minus the rack and mountings, plus the power supply, some drives, and cables and a couple of boxes full of modules. Chip dates are around 74. Anyone know anything about Nixdorfs of this era? Cheers Geoff Roberts Computer Room Internet Cafe Port Pirie South Australia. netcafe(a)pirie.mtx.net.au

27 years, 5 months

2
1
0 0

RT-11 and TCP/IP

by healyzh＠aracnet.com

OK, I'm back to trying to get Alan Baldwin's TCP/IP package running on RT-11. I've gone over the install procedure and am sure I'm doing it right. Tonite I was trying for both TSX+ and the RT-11 XM monitor using the EQ driver, and also the NQ driver that came with RT-11 for the XM monitor. I know the ethernet board is good as I'm able to use it under RSX-11M for DECnet. Howver, I'm getting the following error when I try to use FTP to connect to one of my other systems on my network. .ftpsb 192.168.1.41 FTPSB-11 V02.24 1-Nov-1998 Board initialization failed!. Error code=11 netinit() failed . Can anyone translate this and tell me what I'm doing? Has anyone here managed to successfully install the software? The other problem is that while the instructions say that the EQ drivers included will work on a system running the SJ or FB monitors, I can't get the driver to load. Yes, I realize it's not normal for the SJ/FB monitors to be able to use a EQ driver. Zane | Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator | | healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast | | healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector | +----------------------------------+----------------------------+ | Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, | | and Zane's Computer Museum. | | http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ |

27 years, 5 months

2
3
0 0

Indiana Jones and the... (was list (was: Daily Laugh!))

by mbg＠world.std.com

I hope you're kidding about the Altair serial number 1... I would rather hope that he would be investigated for 1) stealing it in the first place, or 2) accepting stolen property... Megan

27 years, 5 months

6
9
0 0

Indiana Jones and the...

by dogas＠leading.net

-----Original Message----- From: Doug <doug(a)blinkenlights.com> >No it doesn't. Here's the Real Story (TM): Ed Roberts had a publication >deadline... damn... I was envisioning BIllG and PaulA on horseback jumping onto the roof of a speeding train with guns (and whips) in hand... I'll have to cancel that memo to Steve Spielburg.... Heh... Mike: dogas(a)leading.net

27 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

Z3 builders

by brett＠xnet.com

I was wandering around the net and found - 4PDT relays with sockets. Price - $2.00 - 24DC coils. Email me to get some while thier hot - er - available 8-) Wasn't it you Derek? BC

27 years, 5 months

5
6
0 0

1130 has been claimed

by Anthony.Eros＠digital.com

This looks like a great candidate for a well-documented restoration -- I'll be taking a ton of photographs and will welcome any and all suggestions and pointers to parts, etc. Thanks! -- Tony ---------- From: Christian Fandt[SMTP:cfandt@netsync.net] Reply To: classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu Sent: Monday, February 01, 1999 5:50 PM To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers Subject: Re: 1130 has been claimed Very good! Now Tony, you have the responsibility to completely photograph this machine and try to find a correct keyboard and PSU. Some of us will appreciate seeing the photos and comments to learn (or relive!) this interesting machine. I know I'll keep an eye cocked for the parts to help get this machine restored. And to think this machine was only about 3 or 4 hours drive from here! Good luck with it :) Regards, Chris Upon the date 05:35 PM 2/1/99 -0500, Brad Ackerman said something like: >Tony Eros was the first to respond (by 90 minutes), and so claims the >computer. Thanks for all the offers -- I really didn't want to see this >computer junked. > >Christian: [re your query] The machine has been sitting in an office as >is for a while. I imagine the missing parts got Dumpstered(tm) long ago, >unfortunately. > >Brad Ackerman N1MNB "...faced with the men and women who bring home >bsa3(a)cornell.edu the pork, voters almost always re-elect them." >http://skaro.pair.com/ -- _The Economist_, 31 Oct 1998 Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net Member of Antique Wireless Association URL: http://www.ggw.org/freenet/a/awa/

27 years, 5 months

2
1
0 0

Plato terminal

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

In a message dated 1/30/99 3:33:03 AM US Eastern Standard Time, geoffrob(a)netcafe.pirie.mtx.net.au writes: > I vaguely seem to remember that the Plato Courseware also ran, or they had a > version for, the TI99/4A. > They were pushing it at schools and the like IIRC. > My first real computer was a TI....Still got it here somewhere, complete > with the expansion box and 24k of additional ram, and a 5.25" FDD. yes, you are correct. I bought a complete unused CDC version of the ti computer at a radio rally and got about 50 plato courseware titles. it was indeed made for schools.

27 years, 5 months

2
1
0 0

Need help on old Tandy stuff -- Allison? Anyone else?

by nerdware＠laidbak.com

Hi, group. I'm going to be putting up my annual exhibit at the local library and I need some help with my facts so I don't screw anything up. I have two display cases to work with. One will be tracing the development of the portable pc, and will include the usual Compaq Sewing Machine, a Compaq III, and a Compaq LTE286; a Kaypro II, an Osborne, a Mac Portable (non- backlit), IBM Convertible, and a Tandy M200 and Pocket Computer. (I'm really trying to get an M100, but all the reporters I know who still use them would rather have their fingers removed first before they'd give 'em up.......) Can anyone give me the original release dates and some tech specs on the 200 and the Pocket? The 200 has the parallel printer card, the external floppy drive, all the books, and several floppies with stuff on them. The Pocket is the original model, and has software, all the docs, the original boxes, the original carrying case, RS-232 interface and the neat little color plotter/printer. Any info, anecdotes, whatever would be greatly appreciated and acknowledged in the display. Thanks. Paul Braun NerdWare -- The History of the PC and the Nerds who brought it to you. nerdware(a)laidbak.com www.laidbak.com/nerdware

27 years, 5 months

4
5
0 0

Bernoulli cartridges

by dburrows＠netpath.net

>In a message dated 1/30/99 8:58:55 PM Central Standard Time, >dburrows(a)netpath.net writes: > >> I recently picked up about 30 150meg Bernoulli cartridges that have never >> been opened. According to the chart on the back they should work on the >> 90meg. >> Dan >> >hmm, i don't have any new ones, so the chart you are talking about makes >no sense to me. Can you write to the 150's with the 90M drive? perhaps, >format the cartridges as 90's? Is that what it means? > >just curious. >kelly I have no clue other than the vague chart on the back. It looks like a 150 drive will read write format with a * for reduced performance a 90 meg cart. It does not say anything about using 150m media in a 90m drive. This makes me think the media will fit but will have to be formatted. To be sure I would contact IOmega. The only Bernoulli drive I have ever used was a just released 20m (I think) back on a then new 286. If you are still interested contact me off list. With the arrangements I have with the scrapper I got them from to list members I am only looking for $5.00 ea. plus shipping. If they are to be going into commercial use that price WILL be higher. Dan

27 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

tube CD player (was Re: sizes (was Re: vacuum tube computer))

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<> The part I haven't figured out is the photodetector. Even those early L <> players used a phototransistor for the detector. < <Would a selenium cell be fast enough? A CdS photresistor probably wouldn' <be, I think. Silicon photodiode predated the transistor. You would need that or a photo tube to be remotely fastenough as the selenium or CdS is far to slow. In the early 50s when the tube was king germanium and silicon diodes were reality and very common in computer and other uses. The problem is the LASER postdates transistors! The optical light source would have to be a collminated point source. Memory is easy, delay lines really big ones! BACK OT... A vacuum tube computer using germanium diodes and tubes in under 400 of them would eb hard even with a 12bit word. It takes a minimum of 1/2 a duo triode to make an inverter and a FF needs at least one dual triode tube and a few diodes for steering. AND and OR gates using diodes are trivial but a 1 bit full adder would eat several tubes and lots of diodes. a full function ALU like '181 using tubes would easily eat about 50-100 of them for 4bits though some logic economies could gotten by using pulse coupled logic. Register and ALU are the primary consumers of transistors/ICs/Tubes with gating of signals being a next level user. Allison

27 years, 5 months

2
1
0 0

Euro on old computers

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Feb 1, 15:49, Frank McConnell wrote: > ObCC: so what did you UKans do to get your funny-looking L on > computers, terminals, and printers imported from ASCII-speaking > countries? It's character 0xA3 (decimal 163, octal 243) in ISO Latin 1, and most systems that don't have a special key for it map it to the "#" key. On older systems, quite often the drivers replace the "#" character with the pound symbol, but some replace the "$". -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

27 years, 5 months

1
0
0 0

TI99: WP and PC

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<Except for a significant penalty in register access time, maybe. Could <be worth it if you expected lots of context switches. Access penalty is high as ram in '77 was slow. <Sounds to me like the 1802. Is there any shared history between them? <Were the 1802 designers consciously influenced by the TI design, or was <it derived again from scratch? Not even close. There is no shared history either as noth evolved from the larger systems each made. The registers in the 9900 were very general in use and symetrical in adressing modes. The 1802 the registers were not general. They were mostly for pointers, stacks, and maybe storage. The 1802 had the ability to use any register as the program counter (via sep and interrupts). The TI9900 the PC is one of the few hardware registers. The 1802 is a primary accumulator machine and the 9900 is anything but as all registers are the target for the result. <Hmm, 1802's were used in satellites, right? Do satellite apps need lots <of context switching? They would like that but the 1802 was used as it was available as RAD hard and CMOS (low power!). The latter is more important as 10mW is nothing compared the the ~600mW of the 9900 cpu never minding clock generation (ttl 4 phase clock generator) support. Allison

27 years, 5 months

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vacuum tube computer

by Jgzabol＠aol.com

Hi all, I have recently joined the list, not yet contributed too much, but enjoyed reading quite a bit. My personal preference is older stuff - if it contains integrated circuits, I am not too much interested (with the possible exception of a Cray-1). I did not succeed in finding any serious equipment in vacuum-tube technology. Therefore, I decided to design and build a complete computer with vacuum-tube technology from scratch. A short description of the project is enclosed, for those of you who might be interested. The attachment is best viewed with some straight ASCII editor, like the MS-Editor. Thanks to Hans Franke for a reading of a draft version and constructive comments. BTW, I am located in Munich, Germany. John G. Zabolitzky

27 years, 5 months

6
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Daily Laugh!

by yakowenk＠cs.unc.edu

On Fri, 29 Jan 1999, Sam Ismail <dastar(a)ncal.verio.com> wrote: ] On Fri, 29 Jan 1999, Derek Peschel wrote: ] > I wonder if I can change the configuration so that only subscribed people ] > can send things to the list? Is that really a good idea? ] ] Yes and no. ] Yes because it would eliminate the riff raff postings we get every now and ] then (pet peeve). ] No because its really convenient for me to forward messages I get on a ] different e-mail account (which is not subscribed) from people wanting to ] give away or sell vintage computers. It would be a big pain in the ass if ] I had to first forward the message to my dastar account and then forward ] it from there to ClassicCmp. You could subscribe from that address, and then tell the list processor to postpone sending you anything there, and never cancel the postpone order. I *think* you could still post from that address. Of course, the list processor may eventually explode, holding back all that postponed mail... (Would it actually hold copies of all that, or just drop it?) ] Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ] Always being hassled by the man. ] ] Coming in 1999: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0 ] See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details! ] [Last web site update: 01/15/99] Cheers, Bill.

27 years, 5 months

5
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CDC 9766 Drive and packs

by jpl15＠netcom.com

Is anyone on the List, in the Southern California area, interested in a CDC 9766 350MP top loader, with three disk packs? This unit was attached to the Prime system I got recently, but is *not* going to be used with the way I have the Prime configured. I have gotten an offer of $100, but I have to deliver the damn thing, and it's 600lbs. I would like to sell this unit for a little more than $100, or I would consider donating it to a worthy situation, ie. needed for a systems restoration, or to supply parts made of Unobtanium. Replies by e-mail.... Cheerz John

27 years, 5 months

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1130 has been claimed

by cfandt＠netsync.net

Very good! Now Tony, you have the responsibility to completely photograph this machine and try to find a correct keyboard and PSU. Some of us will appreciate seeing the photos and comments to learn (or relive!) this interesting machine. I know I'll keep an eye cocked for the parts to help get this machine restored. And to think this machine was only about 3 or 4 hours drive from here! Good luck with it :) Regards, Chris Upon the date 05:35 PM 2/1/99 -0500, Brad Ackerman said something like: >Tony Eros was the first to respond (by 90 minutes), and so claims the >computer. Thanks for all the offers -- I really didn't want to see this >computer junked. > >Christian: [re your query] The machine has been sitting in an office as >is for a while. I imagine the missing parts got Dumpstered(tm) long ago, >unfortunately. > >Brad Ackerman N1MNB "...faced with the men and women who bring home >bsa3(a)cornell.edu the pork, voters almost always re-elect them." >http://skaro.pair.com/ -- _The Economist_, 31 Oct 1998 Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net Member of Antique Wireless Association URL: http://www.ggw.org/freenet/a/awa/

27 years, 5 months

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1130 has been claimed

by bsa3＠cornell.edu

Tony Eros was the first to respond (by 90 minutes), and so claims the computer. Thanks for all the offers -- I really didn't want to see this computer junked. Christian: [re your query] The machine has been sitting in an office as is for a while. I imagine the missing parts got Dumpstered(tm) long ago, unfortunately. Brad Ackerman N1MNB "...faced with the men and women who bring home bsa3(a)cornell.edu the pork, voters almost always re-elect them." http://skaro.pair.com/ -- _The Economist_, 31 Oct 1998

27 years, 5 months

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Apple 1

by allisonp＠world.std.com

were executed. We had 32K of 2114 1Kx4 SRAMs. Our board performed oddly, <but it still worked. AFAIK, all MC68000 chips work to spec. There were many mask revisions early on to correct microcode bugs. Apparently the microcode was either difficult or very complex contributing to many errors. <Anyone want to buy a vintage 1982, gold and ceramic Motorola MC68000? Mak <offer. Not available in stores. Not found on eBay. I have two. ;)

27 years, 5 months

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Collecting computers - the book and the web site.

by kstumpf＠unusual.on.ca

>Where can someone purchase a copy of your book? Its not listed on amazon.com. > > Thanks > > Noel > Thank you for inquiring. The book is self-published. Ordering details are at the bottom of this message. I also had an arrangement with the Vintage Computer Festival for copies to be sold at the VCF 3.0 and given away as prizes. Some copies are still available; see the VCF web site. ---------------------------------------------------------- A Guide to Collecting Computers and Computer Collectibles: History, Practice, and Technique 1st Edition ---------------------------------------------------------- This book is about the hobby of collecting computers and things related to computers. It's about the hobby in general for novices who are interested starting, building and maintaining a collection. It's also for veteran collectors as an attempt to bring us and a few of our stories, experience, and advice together. This book wouldn't be complete without also paying tribute to the pioneers in the field and so it includes coverage of many wonderful private collections and related "how I got started" stories. This book is simply the best resource you'll find to help you get started and flourish as a computer collector. This book has nine chapters, plus a section on resources. By reading this book you'll discover what to collect, how to collect, and how to manage your collection, including how to clean and store computers. Each chapter opens with an Anecdote and ends with an Profile. A Profile tells you about another collector - why or how they started collecting and a description of their collection. I am humbled by their acceptance to participate in this endeavour. You'll know what I mean after you read about them. Anecdotes are mostly from my own experiences. They no doubt pale in light of your own. Each Anecdote is a brief story about the trials, tribulations and thrills of collecting. I have not tried to make this a pricing guide, although the topic of Appraising is covered, and there isn't any photographs. I have tried to make this book: * a practical reference; * an entertaining piece of popular history; * an encouragement. TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------------------------------------------------- 1. Collecting Computers ANECDOTE.........How A PDP-9 Fixed A Leaky Garage Roof Why do people collect computers? Who collects computers? History of the hobby. Future of the hobby. How to collect computers. PROFILE.............Kevin Stumpf 2. What's collectible? ANECDOTE.........The Last Sigma 9 Collecting terminology. Collect computers. Don't collect computers. What will you collect? PROFILE.............Doug Jones 3. Sourcing ANECDOTE.........Stupid Internet Thread Yields 360/75 Sources. Techniques. Where will you go? PROFILE.............Jay Jaeger 4. Appraising ANECDOTE.........B220 Control Panel Not Lost In Space Techniques. What is value? How much would you pay? PROFILE.............Thierry Schembri 5. Acquiring ANECDOTE.........The Case of the Shrinking 705 Establishing terms of ownership. Getting your acquisition home. PROFILE.............Bob Roswell 6. Cataloging ANECDOTE.........Old GUI Computer Helps Resolve Sticky Situation What should you catalog? Tell it's story. How to catalog. PROFILE.............Bill von Hagen 7. Storing ANECDOTE.........An Old Car For An Old Computer: Fair Trade? Where are good places to store computers? Storage conditions Preparing for storage. PROFILE.............Bob Manners 8. Restoring/Repairing ANECDOTE.........Here's A Couple of Computers Beyond Repair Cleaning. Authenticity. Before you turn it on... PROFILE.............Carl Friend 9. Interesting Things to do with old computers ANECDOTE.........What Does A Crane and A 360/22 Have In Common? Educational. Crafty. Practical. PROFILE.............Tom Carlson ORDERING INFO ---------------------------------------------------------------- Copies are available for $18 + $4 (S&H) prepaid each, direct >from the publisher. Please send your order to: Unusual systems 220 Samuel Street Kitchener, Ontario N2H 1R6 For more information send a message to kstumpf(a)unusual.on.ca. Please allow 4 weeks for shipping. WE'RE READY TO TAKE YOUR ORDER. THANK YOU. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- 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 .

27 years, 5 months

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Collecting computers - the book and the web site.

by kstumpf＠unusual.on.ca

Greetings. There was a two month gap in my participation on the List until recently. Somehow, and no one has yet explained it, my subscription was removed (this happened again two weeks ago). Unfortunately, I missed a brief discussion of the book I wrote - it was reviewed in Dr. Dobb's Journal. Had I known, I would have contributed. To make matters even worse, the Classiccmp archive maintained by Kevan Heydon (many thanks man), also suffered from a technical glitch and needed to be restored. Now I've finally read the thread and please accept two observations and two invitations. Observation #1 - the books' identity crisis The book is a guide about the hobby of collecting computers and not a traditional collector's price guide. In a perfect world one would first read the guide to collecting and then want to read a collector's guide - the first guide stokes and refines the interest while the second guide assists in ensuring a collection is complete and in determining how much to buy and sell for. Observation #2 - the book's other identity crisis The book is for both seasoned collectors and beginners. It is not JUST a book for anyone who thinks collecting computers could be neat. Sure the guide will, by design help the novice, but it's equal strength is in helping the existing collector by affirming our practices and techniques and, by all means, sharing some of the practice and techniques the veteran collector might not know about. We should all be open to accepting our knowledge-gaps. In fact, a computer collector might not consider their collection complete without a copy of the first-ever book about collecting computers. Invitation #1 - answering questions about profilees I've been asked why some collectors were omitted and even why some were included. I expected such questions. As an author with a deadline and goal in mind I invited collectors who exemplified the experienced collector, the new collector, the big collector, the small collector, the international collector, etc trying to show how collecting is the same all over the world - same passions and problems. These collectors would/could also be role-models. The book might have included more profiles if the collectors had responded on a timely basis and with answers to the questions I asked. One collector didn't remember the dates and circumstances surrounding his most important acquisitions so I rejected the story because it was incomplete (even after several attempts to help improve its accuracy). Please send your questions about the book to me directly. Invitation #2 - my first attempt at building a web site Please take a moment to visit my site. See the orphan 360/22 mainframe (orphan because it was announced the same year the 370 series was!) and a few other systems that aren't that popular. Thank you. 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 .

27 years, 5 months

2
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interesting book

by lemay＠cs.umn.edu

Well well, people throw out the darndest things.. I found a copy of a book by someone named Peter Norton. Looks to me like it may have been his first book. Called 'inside the IBM PC'. His 2 test systems for developing the book were: IBM/PC with 64K standard memory and 512K on a jumbo memory board that he bought as a lark. The jumbo board is populated with 64K chips. he mentions tha this board does provide astonishing improvement in his Pascal programs.. (Duh!). Monochrome monitor. Second system has a Amdek color II monitor, 128K of true blue IBM memory, twin Tandon TM 100-2 diskette drives, and the standard color graphics adapter. Oh yeah, he mentions that he uses teh Jumbo card to simulate a 360K virtual diskette drive ;) He disassembles roms, disusses bios calls, and explains how the cassette tape interface works, among other things. Personally, I think this guy could go far... -Lawrence LeMay

27 years, 5 months

8
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CD-RW Drive

by musicman38＠mindspring.com

-> I had a couple of disks that crashed on my HP CD writer when the energy >saving program put the computer to sleep. Make sure this is turned off!! >However was able to re-install the disks and make them recognizable using >the Adaptec software. > > Regards > > Charlie Fox Thanks Charlie, I will also check this out to, as the computer is also in energy save mode.. Phil...

27 years, 5 months

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*** Two 11/70s Available, Vancouver BC ***

by mcquiggi＠sfu.ca

Hi Gang: I learned this morning of two DEC 11/70s that are available for free in Vancouver, BC. Taker will have to pickup. These are large systems that will need a few strong people to get into the back of a truck. Both were operational when last fired up 3 years ago, and have been in dry storage and covered in plastic since. Included are disk drives, 2 tape drives, consoles, and all documentation including, it appears, print sets. Tons of software as well, including a few compilers. I haven't seen them yet but will try to do so if there's much interest. My basement is far too full already to take one myself, :-( There's also a Microvax II in a BA23 case (that's the bar-fridge size model on casters). I live in Vancouver and will be able to assist in the removal and loading. Please contact me via email or at the office (604) 215-4812 for more info. ========================================================== Sgt. Kevin McQuiggin, Vancouver Police Department E-Comm Project (604) 215-4812; Cell: (604) 868-0544 Email: mcquiggi(a)sfu.ca

27 years, 5 months

1
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Instant classic

by dastar＠ncal.verio.com

Have you all seen the latest G3 PowerMac on the TV ads? Instant classic! I want one in fact. Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Always being hassled by the man. Coming in 1999: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0 See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details! [Last web site update: 01/15/99]

27 years, 5 months

5
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Indiana Jones and the... (was list (was: Daily Laugh!))

by dogas＠leading.net

-----Original Message----- From: Hans Franke <Hans.Franke(a)mch20.sbs.de> >rather offer something to subscribers (like 'Get my old junky >Altair Serial number 0000001, I wil pay $$$ to have it removed'). Speaking of Altair Serial number 00000001.... rumor has it that the first one was lost in transit to that PE guy. Has this machine ever surfaced? Mike: dogas(a)leading.net

27 years, 5 months

3
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Some finds and a few questions

by dlw＠trailingedge.com

I finally had a chance to get out and hit a few thrifts again. I was chained in a studio working on an anime, but I'm free again. Anyway, I found a Xebec Sider harddrive. Was this for the Apple //? Something was loose inside so I checked and found a small rectangle filled with some ceramic like stuff and a wire sticking out of each end inside of the PSU. Can't seem to see anywhere in the power supply where this thing may have come from but also can't see how it could have gotten inside if it didn't belong. Not even sure what it is. Any ideas anyone? Also would like any info on the drive type, size interface, etc. It is a model 9710H. Looks like I can pull the drive from the case and hook up a different PSU. On another note, anyone tell me anything about a handheld unit, I think it was an LK-3000 or some such, I'll have to go back and check. The guy wants $50 for it and also has a Tandy Pocket Computer for $40 I'm thinking of picking up. Other things I grabbed: Odyssey2 in box Coleco Adam in box (damn big box for a home console system) Atari 1040STf (may sell/trade this as I have one and an STfm too) Couple of Apple 5.25" drives Misc software and books For those of you who were interested in the Mattel Aquarius Data Recorders, after two months of no replies to my query on where to drop off the money and pick up the recorders, I have finally given up on them. They said they accepted my offer but then they just fell silent. Guess they found someone else with a better offer. ----- David Williams - Computer Packrat dlw(a)trailingedge.com http://www.trailingedge.com

27 years, 5 months

3
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Massive paralell junk (was: Classic Computer Auctions List)

by Jgzabol＠aol.com

An ideal class of problems is Monte-Carlo simulation. You distribute identical programs to the machines, and different random-number seeds. Then each machine computes any desired amount of time (1 hour ? 1 day ? 1 week ? 1 year ?) without ANY communication. At the end each machine communicates just one or a few numbers to central, which takes the averages - that's the result. I had Cray machines working at theoretical max performance (all processors) that way. John G. Zabolitzky

27 years, 5 months

1
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Handicapping competitions

by dcoward＠pressstart.com

Philip said: >My usual method is to hold workpiece in left hand, iron in right hand and >solder dispenser in mouth. I have also been known, when using solder >straight from the reel, to make a fairly rigid structure from solder. >Assuming a fixed workpiece, I suppose I could then hold the iron in my >mouth... Owww.. Don't you get a face full of flumes from the solder? And because of the small parallax (eyes to mouth), don't you have a depth perception problem here? As well as a stiff neck? (Not to mention sucking on that piece of lead in your mouth.) Try this. Holding the iron in your right hand, take about 8" of solder and wrap it a couple of turns around the tip of your little finger (right hand) with about 6" extending toward the tip of iron. You can control the solder by moving your little finger back and forth. Sure, you will wind up with a few short pieces of solder, but you can use them on jobs that don't take so much gymnastics. -Doug ========================================= Doug Coward Press Start Inc. Sunnyvale,CA =========================================

27 years, 5 months

4
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