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

by mokuba＠gmail.com

Got a hard down situation and need to re-install/recreate the BBS system I had running. HDD makes swishy noises when shaken, haven't tried stirring yet. I /guess/ a bootable MCA SCSI card would work too... ;) I had the 160MB drive, but anything above 30 would work - i guess i'll just have to use a SCSI Drive for the file storage area once i get an MCA SCSI card .... -- Gary G. Sparkes Jr. KB3HAG

10 years, 6 months

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WTB: PDP-11/03 front bezel

by pontus＠Update.UU.SE

Hi It's a longshot. But recently I aquired two BA11-N. One is just the cage and power supply. Looks just like this: http://www.ricomputermuseum.org/_/rsrc/1300059803599/Home/equipment/dec-pdp… The other came with mounting box but no front panel. I would like to make it complete with the white front bezel seen here: http://hampage.hu/pdp11/kepek/11-03.jpg Does anyone have one for sale? The greyish plastic arround the front panel would be a bonus since mine got a small crack in it. Regards, Pontus.

10 years, 6 months

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Another apple II+ repair

by terry＠webweavers.co.nz

For anyone interested, here's another repair writeup. I didn't keep as good a notes as I should have on this one and the memory (my memory!) is of little help. If I'm going write these things up I really should do it straight afterwards! Anyway, the board lives now. It's something I could never have diagnosed just from chip swapping. http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/blog/2015-12-05-repairing-an-appleII+-b… I did learn that it's possible for the machine to boot to BASIC even with faulty RAM in the first row, something that I didn't think was possible. Depends on the nature of the fault I guess. Terry (Tez)

10 years, 6 months

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The Structure of SYSTEM/360 (Blaauw & Brooks, et al.)

by pbirkel＠gmail.com

This was the five-part seminal description of the S/360, published in the IBM Systems Journal, Volume 3, Number 2. I've very much like to read all five parts. Does anyone have a copy that might be shared? Thank you, paul

10 years, 6 months

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Decisions you regret Was: Mystery IC: Allen Bradley

by mark＠markesystems.com

From: jnc at mercury.lcs.mit.edu (Noel Chiappa) Subject: Re: Decisions you regret Was: Mystery IC: Allen Bradley > > From: Brent Hilpert > > > I threw out a print-only selectric a few years ago ... Regret it now, > > just because it would have been fun to figure it out. C'est la vie. > > I can top that. <...> > Every time I think about it I kick myself... Sigh! > > Although I suspect a lot of people here have stories like that... Yep. Among the things that I have given away (to Goodwill, or possibly Salvation Army) - all in running condition: - A complete HP-1000 system: A600 processor with internal hard drive, serial card + 8-port serial mux, all floppies, all documentation, a 2631G printer, 7912 13 MB disk drive, and two 2624B terminals - My CP/M "network", with Cromemco Z2-H with two 5 MB hard drives and two 8" floppies, 8-port serial card, connected to three H-19 terminals (the BIOS allowed you to become the console by typing ^C anywhere), HP2648 graphics terminal with tape cartridges, HP 2762 terminal (a re-badged GE Terminet-300), and an H-89 with three external floppies - Ancient SCM TypeTronic system, with the main typewriter console, two 30 CPS optical paper-tape readers, two really nice (re-branded CDC) 30 CPS punches, 2816 main control unit, and 7816 arithmetic unit (with internal fixed-head disk - 9 words plus a buffer, 30 digits/sec transfer rate!) - Abandoned to rust away in a garage: a Teletype KSR-33 with punch and reader, of course, and a built-in modem with acoustic coupler, in perfect condition - Turned down - a complete HP-3000 system, with two Eagle 76936 512 MB drives, 32 serial ports, 2617A 600 LPM printer, and a few 2640 and 2622 terminals Did I mention that *everything* was in perfect working condition? I'm going to go shoot myself now. ~~ Mark Moulding

10 years, 6 months

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Decisions you regret Was: Mystery IC: Allen Bradley 314B102

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Brent Hilpert > I threw out a print-only selectric a few years ago ... Regret it now, > just because it would have been fun to figure it out. C'est la vie. I can top that. MIT offered me (as a gift) the PDP-11/45 that I used to run; it included a pair of CalComp 50MB drives, a pair of RK05s, an ABLE ENABLE, 3 H960's, lots of other goodies. I blew it off, I was too busy dealing with other things at the time (I was on the IESG at that point) to deal with arranging to get it shipped down to me. They gave it to someone else, and near as I can work out, eventually it got scrapped. Every time I think about it I kick myself... Sigh! Although I suspect a lot of people here have stories like that... Noel

10 years, 6 months

7
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Diablo 3000 schematics wanted

by ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk

I suspect the answer is no, but before I spend a few afternoons tracing out the diagrams, does anyone have a schematic or (real) service manual for the Diablo/Xerox 3000 computer, in particular the MRPRO CPU board. This is a 1980s all-in-one business desktop computer with 2 internal 8" drives. Based on an 8085 CPU. I have one that was mangled in the house-move (the movers decided to cut the keyboard cable for me). I have now repaired that (and the signals do make sense) but I have other faults (these were probably there before the move, I had not run it for many years). Power lines are fine, CPU chip is getting a clock, but the ready pin is held low. So not a lot happening.... The CPU board is not complicated, really (about 50 ICs, all of them standard) so it is going to be possible for me to trace the schematic if that's what is needed... -tony

10 years, 6 months

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Precision Instruments PI1200 7 track tape drive, interest anyone?

by mattislind＠gmail.com

We have this Precision Instruments PI1200 7 track tape drive. It can do 200 bpi, 556 bpi and 800 bpi. It should be an incremental type tape drive. Once upon a time (read seventies) it was used for experiments storing PCM audio on tape. But has since then not been used. The manual is somewhere nearby, but I didn't find it immediately. http://i.imgur.com/kYVLN9O.jpg http://i.imgur.com/LsWcLL0.jpg http://i.imgur.com/1LJLKAZ.jpg I guess that someone that need to recover old 7 track tapes might think it can be useful. It is located in Sweden. /Mattis

10 years, 6 months

1
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DEC CPUs, Memory for sale

by useddec＠gmail.com

I have the following for sale from zip 61853. The "L" boards are up to 2 for $10 shipping within USA, 3 for $10 shipping for the "M" boards. For larger quantity, overseas shipments, or other question, please contact me off list. Quantities are limited, and I may have some third party memory i'll look for this weekend. L4000-AA ,KA670 I think, $100 L4001-Bx MS670 32MB $125 L4001-Cx MS670 64MB $200 L4004-Cx MS690 64MB $125 L4004-Dx MS670 128MB $225 M7606 KA630 $75 M7620 KA650 $100 M8637 MSV11 starting at $75 I still have a few RX8-E boards left... Thanks, Paul

10 years, 6 months

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Anyone want a copy of DIGITAL ServerWORKS Manager ?

by glen.slick＠gmail.com

Before I chuck these in the recycle bin, does anyone want a copies of DIGITAL ServerWORKS Manager? I have two boxes, QB-4QYAA-SA 3.2 sealed in shrink wrap, and QB-4QYAA-SA 3.3 open box that is slightly crushed. The boxes (at least the still sealed one) look like this eBay item (not mine) listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/321413114710 The DIGITAL ServerWORKS? Manager Installation and User Guide in the QB-4QYAA-SA 3.3 open box is the ER-4QXAA-UA. G01 version of the ER-4QXAA-UA. H01 manual here: http://manx.classiccmp.org/collections/mds-199909/cd2/network/4qxaauah.pdf It doesn't look like there is a market for these worth the bother of listing them on eBay. Free for the cost of covering postage from Seattle, WA if anyone wants them. -Glen

10 years, 6 months

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IBM CMS dumpfile idiocy

by cclist＠sydex.com

Just finished reading a 9 track tape made with IBM CMS in its dumpfile format. Why on earth--or might I say, what idiot--designed this format? First the file data in a series of records, *then* the file name and other metadata. Anyone know of a DOS/Windows/Unix utility to unravel one of these things? I don't feel too much like coding for a single tape. --Chuck

10 years, 6 months

7
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M7859 KY11-LB PROM contents?

by mattislind＠gmail.com

Has anyone dumped the contents of the bipolar PROMs of the M7859, KY11-LB, programmer's console form the 11/34 and 11/04? Dump for both the program PROMS (512x4 4 pieces) and the decoding PROM (32x8 one piece) are sought after. It has a 8008 chip onboard but my logic analyzer trace is not matching very well with the listing in the manual. Maybe the revisions have changed from the manual. And I cannot find the PROM contents in the engineering drawing. /Mattis

10 years, 6 months

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IBM Selectric-based Terminals

by pbirkel＠gmail.com

> - intention was to rip all this out and convert it to a full I/O serial terminal, using an Arduino-based setup > that Lawrence Wilkinson has already built and tested: > https://www.flickr.com/photos/ljw/sets/72157632841492802/with/9201494189/ Looks very nice! Is there documentation for it somewhere? I also have a Selectric (unfortunately it's located distant from me at the moment so I can't provide particulars) that I worked on interfacing to a micro in the mid-70's. I was using a MC6800 in my recollection, but I don't believe that I ever achieved operational status. Presumably I was working from an article in one of the hobbyist magazines of the era. I would have guessed Byte, but that doesn't seem to be the case based on recent search. Any hints from folks on what magazine/article that might have been? The Selectric wasn't one of the curvy(ier) office models; I recall it being a rather boxy affair with plenty of right-angles on the housing and a medium shade of blue -- presumably "IBM Blue". Rather utilitarian in design. Even *more* utilitarian than this one: http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/selectric/100112-Selectric-in-situ.jpg It included a full keyboard. I'm not sure anymore whether it operated in local-mode or was set up as two separate devices and therefore needed to be connected up to a remote controller to get local copy. It might have been a rehoused Selectric mechanism in a third-party enclosure and the IBM-like color a red herring. My recollection is that it was longer front-to-back; presumably the rearward extension housed the additional electronics. I have absolutely no idea how I acquired it. No luck finding a matching photo online as yet. I believe that the Selectric came configured for remote operation, but presumably using an EBCDIC-based data stream. I vaguely recall a DB-50 connector, but it's been an awfully long time ... Does this description sound familiar to anyone? ----- paul

10 years, 6 months

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Interest level for new PDP-11 indicator panels

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> I'm trying to get a sense of how much demand there would be for the > indicator panel option (for parts ordering; I have a chance to buy some > discontinued stuff, and I want to know how much to stock up on). If you > would be interested in one or more indicator panels, could you let me > know? (Please don't reply to the list, just to me personally.) I should have mentioned that we'll likely do a UNIBUS version of the card (ENABLE+, and it should be easy to guess why that name :-) as soon as we're done with the QBUS one; the same indicator panels would be supported by both (so they count to the parts pool). So if you have a UNIBUS machine, and would be interested in adding an ENABLE+ _with indicator panels_, I would be interested to hear about those too. Thanks! Noel

10 years, 6 months

2
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Advice and Suggestions for a Debug Feature

by jhfinedp3k＠compsys.to

Sorry for that BAD stuff in the Subject line - my e-mail provider stuffs that in much of the time and I forget to remove it when I reply. If anyone needs a clean copy, I can send it again! Jerome Fine

10 years, 6 months

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[SPAM key] - Re: Advice and Suggestions for a Debug Feature

by jhfinedp3k＠compsys.to

>Tapley, Mark wrote: >>On Dec 16, 2015, at 9:22 AM, Jerome H. Fine <jhfinedp3k at compsys.to> wrote: > >>Note that for many CPUs, adding values (a push) results in the >>stack pointer becoming numerically smaller (unsigned of course). >>Internally, the code would handle the actual arithmetic. >> >(Warning: assembly language noob talking, please disregard if I see to be making no sense.) > >1) Does the debugger enhancement trigger a stop on overall size of stack pointer or on cumulative changes? Or could it be selectable (maybe via a negative argument?) > >Here?s what I?m thinking: suppose a routine is expected to remove things from the stack sequentially, then branch at some point to a subroutine. I want the debugger to halt execution when it branches. So I want the stop to occur when the stack pointer first increases, even if it has already decreased several times and its new value (on branching) is lower than where it was when the debug command was issued. > >2) Some machines (6809, which is the only one I?m familiar with) have a rapid-response branching mechanism for real-time control applications (on the 6809 it?s a Fast Interrupt input). Fewer registers are pushed onto the stack so the service routine can execute sooner. Is there a way to handle this situation? Say I expect two levels of subroutine calls, each stacking a full set of registers, but instead I get for the second subroutine a Fast Interrupt and don?t stack enough registers to trigger the debug counter to halt execution. > > Hope this is useful. > > - Mark > Yes, it is useful since it helps to be aware of what other systems do. So thank you. For those of you who might not have known, this is the Y01.16 Symbolic Debugger from RT-11 and in particular the SDHX.SYS variant. From the point of view of interrupts, when stopped at a breakpoint, the complete system is FROZEN - including RT-11 itself which is the operating system that is being used on the PDP-11. As for the user's stack, that is not even a factor since the Symbolic Debugger has its own stack and executes in Kernel mode. In fact, one of the other enhancements was to ass code to monitor the size of the stack for the Symbolic Debugger - which also allowed that stack to decrease. That was especially helpful since the stack must be in Low Memory in order to handle interrupts and subroutine calls. And as for the user's program stack, there is no effect at all. What the Symbolic Debugger does is save all of the user's registers, including the stack pointer of course. The enhanced code would then compare the original value of the Stack Pointer (actually as noted after the current instruction had been executed) with any subsequent value to determine if the conditions had been met to stop the execution of additional instructions, assuming that the value of the Stack Pointer was included (via value2 and / or value3) in the command to execute more instructions. Jerome Fine

10 years, 6 months

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Advice and Suggestions for a Debug Feature

by jhfinedp3k＠compsys.to

I have been investigating the possibility of adding an enhanced feature to a debug program. There does not seem to be anything specific about the concept, so it should be applicable to every current CPU in addition to most old CPUs. The current syntax for many debuggers uses the letter "S" along with an optional value to specify a Single Step (or ONE instruction to be executed when the value is omitted) or a number of Single Steps (a number of instructions) equal to the optional value. Of the two different debuggers for the CPU, operating system and code which I use most of the time, both debuggers display the same information for each of the Single Steps, specifically the actual instruction that will executed and the values of the registers immediately before the instruction is executed. So if a total of 5 instructions are executed, the display is updated 5 times. For the debugger that I wish to enhance, the actual syntax is: value1,value2,value3;S and at present, value2 and value3 are ignored. My question concerns using value2 and value3 to specify the limits by which the stack pointer may change, specifically by adding data (also called a push) and subtracting data (also called a pop) to the stack in whatever manner the program uses to alter the value of the stack pointer register, respectively. Note that for many CPUs, adding values (a push) results in the stack pointer becoming numerically smaller (unsigned of course). Internally, the code would handle the actual arithmetic. For example, if the user specifies: 45,4,2;S then: (a) Up to 45 instructions are executed (b) If the stack has 4 or more pushes, instructions stop (c) If the stack has 2 or more pops, instructions stop Additional information: (a) Scroll / NoScroll is enabled, so the user can pause / resume at any time (b) Any single character by the user stops instructions (c) All pushes and pops are noted AFTER the current instruction is executed - which allows subroutine calls to be automatically handled as per the examples Defaults: (a) If no values are supplied (ONLY ";S"), then "1;S" is assumed and ONE instruction is executed (b) The debugger supports <ESC> in place of ";S" which supports Single Stepping with a single key (c) If any value is omitted, that limitation does not apply More Examples: ,,1;S instructions are executed until the code returns from the subroutine - IF the current instruction calls a subroutine ,,1;S instructions are executed until the code returns to the previous subroutine - IF the current instruction does NOT call a subroutine ,,1;S instructions are executed until the code restores the stack pointer - IF the current instruction does a push or creates space on the stack ,1,2;S instructions are executed until the code calls a second subroutine OR the code returns to the previous subroutine - IF the current code calls a subroutine 55,1,1;S 55 instructions are executed OR until the code calls a second subroutine OR the code returns to the current subroutine - IF the current instruction calls a subroutine 55,1,1;S 55 instructions are executed OR until the code calls a subroutine OR the code returns the the previous subroutine - IF the current instruction does NOT call a subroutine Many more examples could be considered, but that seems to be about the concept that I have. Please advise and comment. Please make any suggestions that would be any improvement and, most important, point out any problems that I have not considered. Jerome Fine

10 years, 6 months

2
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Interest level for new PDP-11 indicator panels

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

So I've mention that Dave Bridgham and I are working on a new QBUS board (the 'QSIC', for lack of a more imaginative name) that will emulate a variety of older DEC disk controllers/drives using a micro-controller/FPGA and SD cards. (We currently have one prototype [for Dave] mostly constructed, and another [for me] half-way done.) Since Dave and I are both blinkenlitz addicts, we're doing an indicator panel option, emulating exactly the look of the old DEC indictor panels (4x36 lights, with 'inlays' to customize a panel to particular controller, mounted in a 5-1/4 panel for a 19" rack). (These panels are specific to the QSIC, and don't work with the original controllers.) A QSIC will be able to drive up to 4 (or so) indicator panels - I plan to have 3 on my machine: RK11, RP11, and a fixed-head disk. So I'm trying to get a sense of how much demand there would be for the indicator panel option (for parts ordering; I have a chance to buy some discontinued stuff, and I want to know how much to stock up on). If you would be interested in one or more indicator panels, could you let me know? (Please don't reply to the list, just to me personally.) Thanks. Noel

10 years, 6 months

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Accessible Computing (Was "Re: Display-less computing")

by captainkirk359＠gmail.com

On 13 December 2015 at 13:46, Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> wrote: > At CDC Sunnyvale ops back in the 1970s, we had a blind programmer working. > His job output came as punched cards and he had no problem reading them by > feel. I remember him and his beautiful guide dog. > Hmm, that kinda makes sense. It would be kinda/sorta like braille. (I guess that would also work for punched tape as well.) I couldn't tell you how good it would be though, I might be vision impaired, but not enough that I've learnt braille. I wonder if any minis or mainframes (or micros) could actually produce output as braille... > In the same sort of spirit, I recall that one of the secretaries used a > monitor-cum-camera affair to enlarge her work documents so that she could > read them. > CCTV readers. They're still a thing. The tests and exams centre at my university has a bunch of them (one each per exam room, and a bunch of old analogue ones still sitting about). I find the older analogue ones are better than the newer digital ones. If only because the text zoom is more "fluid" (my preferred size of "embiggened" (what, it's a perfectly cromulent word) text is right between two of the settings on the machines we have which is mildly annoying); they also have less artefacts when using non-standard video modes (reverse video, or high contrast modes). > It's sad that early corporate efforts to accommodate all people, no matter > the impairment, aren't better documented. > I'd buy a book on that in a heartbeat; necause that is very much of interest to myself. I know DEC had their DECtalk speech synthesizers (isn't the eminent Dr. Hawking's voice an old DECtalk?) and they could be connected to serial lines. Regards, Christian -- Christian M. Gauger-Cosgrove STCKON08DS0 Contact information available upon request.

10 years, 6 months

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Rectangular holes punched from cards [was RE: Display-less computing]

by RichA＠LivingComputerMuseum.org

From: Fred Cisin Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 9:12 AM > My father claimed that the use of round holes on divergent cards was due > to an attempt by IBM to patent the shape of the hole in the cards. http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/ibm100/us/en/icons/punchcard/ Prior to 1928, the holes in IBM's cards were round, too. The use of round holes by Univac was an avoidance of paying royalties to IBM, which held a patent on 80-column rectangularly punched cards. Rich Rich Alderson Vintage Computing Sr. Systems Engineer Living Computer Museum 2245 1st Avenue S Seattle, WA 98134 mailto:RichA at LivingComputerMuseum.org http://www.LivingComputerMuseum.org/

10 years, 6 months

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Mystery IC: Allen Bradley 314B102

by gerardcjat＠free.fr

HI, I would take the bet that this IC is simply a R network, 1 KOhm, 1 resistor "across" ie from pin 1 to opposite pin, from pin 2 to opposite pin, etc .... What about simple and quick Ohmmeter check ?? --- L'absence de virus dans ce courrier ?lectronique a ?t? v?rifi?e par le logiciel antivirus Avast. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

10 years, 6 months

2
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Making a serial board for Briel Altair Micro

by dave＠661.org

After fiddling around with my Briel Altair Micro, I've come to desire more than just the console serial port. To that end, I read up on the 16550A UART, line drivers, line receivers, and schematics for other implementations of serial ports. I came up with this: http://661.org/tmp/altairmicro-serial.pdf How close am I to this design making sense and working? -- David Griffith dave at 661.org A: Because it fouls the order in which people normally read text. Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing? A: Top-posting. Q: What is the most annoying thing in e-mail?

10 years, 6 months

2
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PDP 11/05 S vs 11/05 NC

by billdegnan＠gmail.com

Just to change the subject.. There were "S" and an "NC" version of 11/05 high profile system. Why? I am curious if any DEC historians here know the reason for two versions of the same DEC PDP 11/05 *high profile* computer (not talking about the low profile). There are separate manuals for each type. The S seems to be more OEM-ish because it comes in an BA11-K chassis. I am guessing you'd see an 11/05 S as part of a larger system (PDP 10), whereas the NC model would be for a stand alone system. ??? This S's BA11-K chassis was used by other hardware by simply changing the backplane. The "NC" model chassis seems to be specifically for the 11/05 I don't think it appears anywhere else. If anyone is interested to see the different models I have a thread on my site for each type: 11/05 S http://vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread.cfm?id=622 11/05 NC http://vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread.cfm?id=249 ... and then there are the 11/10's.... -- Bill

10 years, 6 months

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What did computers without screens do?

by kspt.tor＠gmail.com

On 15 December 2015 at 01:31, Mike <tulsamike3434 at gmail.com> wrote: > > On 12/14/2015 08:21 PM, Chuck Guzis wrote: >> Personally, I think the world is GUI-addicted. >> >> --Chuck >> > Chuck If I may ask... > > > What would you do with a home no screen computer? I mean what could be > done with one that would benefit your work / hobby. I mean NO DISREPECT > by asking this question. I'll jump in here - take the current microcontroller hobby segment. You have PIC, or AVR, or Propeller based setups which is used for all kind of things like programmed robots, model cars, drones and RC planes, home control, model trains, temperature- and humidity controlled garden greenhouses, chicken shed day/night door control, and numerous other uses. These things are computers, a Propeller, for example, is an 8-core 32-bit small computer all in one chip. Usually these things have no screen and no keyboard connected. So you program them by various other means, e.g. through a serial interface. For the programming part of it (or the preparation of what you load via the serial interface, or jtag or e.g. a flash or eeprom chip) you'll need something else, today that's usually a PC, but that's conceptually the same thing as in times past where you used a terminal or some device with a keyboard to prepare punched cards or paper tape.

10 years, 6 months

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PDP 11/05 S vs 11/05 NC

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: William Degnan > *why* did they make these two versions of the high-profile 11/05? > What was one used for vs. the other? *Why did DEC do this*? Check the dates on the machines. I'm pretty sure the -NC is the earlier version, with the bespoke H750 power supply (mounted alongside the boards, not at the end of the box as with the BA11-K, the basis for the -S). My guess as to why they upgraded from the -NC to the -S is that the latter used the H765 (plus 'bricks') power supply system, in common with the BA11-K and also the later PDP-11's (40's, 45's, etc). That probably provided a raft of advantages, including i) greater flexibility in the current and voltages being supplied, and ii) commonality with DEC's other machines (i.e. lower unit cost -> great per machine profit margin). The BA11-K based -S also (by being a couple of inches longer, and mounting the power supply off the back) had a couple of inches more width for boards, enough to hold an extra quad system unit. And the H765 may have been technically superior to the H750, too. Noel

10 years, 6 months

1
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Identifying Data General (or DG-related) console/terminal/whatsit?

by grif615＠mindspring.com

"Data General Alumni" ?lots of knowledge there. -------- Original message -------- From: Bruce Ray <Bruce at Wild-Hare.com> Date: 12/13/2015 7:09 PM (GMT-08:00) To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Subject: Re: Identifying Data General (or DG-related) console/terminal/whatsit? Not identifiable as DG product - 3rd-party custom (graphics?) console for client?? (I can't read logo on bottom of console.) NOAA/NWS AFOS system had similar-looking system with interesting trackball/keyboard combination.? Then there was GE Medical... Bruce Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. bkr at WildHareComputers.com On 12/13/2015 5:22 PM, Josh Dersch wrote: > Hi all -- > > A friend of mine is investigating picking up some DG hardware, and this > item: > > http://yahozna.dyndns.org/scratch/dg/dg%20console.jpg > > Is included along with the rest of it.? I *know* I've seen something > like this somewhere but I can't find anything now that I need it :). Can > anyone identify this? > > Thanks, > - Josh

10 years, 6 months

1
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CBM 1541 drive faults

by jules.richardson99＠gmail.com

I have four 1541's now, two of which seem to init OK, and two of which sit there with the drive spindle constantly spinning and the access LEDs lit, the latter behavior which I believe indicates a multitude of possible microcontroller-related faults... I've done the obvious, reseating socketed ICs, checking the +12V and +5 rails, and checking the on-board CPU reset line. Does anyone have any tips for what's best to try next? I read somewhere that ROM faults aren't unheard of, ditto with 6522 VIA failures. Also the 74ls14 at UA1 (particularly if someone's unplugged the drive from the host with power on), but I think that affects CPU reset, which appears to be working in my units. (is the firmware interchangeable between different board revisions? i.e. can I swap in firmware from one of the drives that appear to init OK to rule that out as a fault, or do I have to worry about matching PCB revisions?) Also, has there been a worse external drive in the history of floppy storage? Slow, complicated, expensive and unreliable seems to have most bases covered ;-) cheers Jules

10 years, 6 months

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What did computers without screens do?

by blstuart＠bellsouth.net

On Mon, 12/14/15, Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks at gmail.com> wrote: > On Mon, Dec 14, 2015 at 2:05 PM, Mike <tulsamike3434 at gmail.com> wrote: >> On Dec 14, 2015, at 12:34 PM, Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> wrote: >>> >>> The subject brought up the thought of how many display-less >>> computers we encounter every day without giving it a >>> thought.? I think that probably 100 would be a safe bet. >> >> .... if you think about it almost everything we touch has some kind of a >> computer cycle! ! ! GREAT POINT!!! > > Even lighting... I've pulled (and reused!) 8-pin PIC microcontrollers > out of discarded emergency lighting.? ... Along those lines, as I was preparing for a class I taught this quarter called Computing in the Small, I came across some interesting stats. Microchip crossed the 12 billion PICs shipped a few years ago and were running at nearly a billion a year then. ARM holdings quotes over 50 billion ARMs shipped. They estimate that about 60% of the Earth's population has daily contact with a device containing an ARM. That's not too far behind the 64% who have running water. And not all that long ago the 8051 was the most fabbed ISA in the world. The bottom line is that computers involving humans interacting through keyboards, mice, and screens are really just a niche in the computing world. Embedded systems are the predominant class of computing systems. Or to twist a line from Shakespeare, There's more in the universe of computing than is dreamt of in the PC philosophy. BLS

10 years, 6 months

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Webster WQSMD/04 Qbus SMD Controller

by robert.jarratt＠ntlworld.com

I picked up some Qbus cards yesterday. They seem to be board set for a MicroVAX II. However, one of the cards was, to me at least, a bit unusual. It was made by a company called Webster, and it appears to be a controller for SMD disks. I was not familiar with SMD disks and had to look them up. I suspect this might be a little out of the ordinary, and, possibly, an odd combination for a small Qbus system to access such a physically large type of disk. Were MicroVAX IIs used much with such disks? Is this a bit of an unusual find? Regards Rob

10 years, 6 months

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New Heathkit videos...

by geneb＠deltasoft.com

Part 2: Backplane Circuit Board: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdeHfcasBbM Part 3: RAM Board: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwbO4bBnpEg g.

10 years, 6 months

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Emergency Moderation Mode

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

Sorry, that last post ('Re: bye for now') was not intended to get through. The list was put into emergency moderation mode the past couple days so I have had to approve each post and apparently slipped on that one. Hopefully, people noticed the quick return to on-topicness the past day or two. Several last thoughts on the topic... Being the list owner, last I checked - I'm allowed to state my preference on things. I have a strong preference against top posting. I have never banned anyone for it. I see no problem with me stating that preference once in a (great) while, especially when new members first join the list. I also find it rather odd that people post ad-nauseum about how much they hate the off-topicness (or the specific off-topic post in question), when in fact the quickest/easiest way for a list member to end an off-topic thread (other than contacting me) is to simply not respond to the post. Venting your angst is a sure way to continue the flame-fest. In any case, I'll continue to moderate 100% of the inbound posts, until such time as I see things staying level-headed for a while. J

10 years, 6 months

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IDE knowledge anyone?

by marc.verdiell＠gmail.com

Danke sehr, Oliver! Is your implementation available online? Marc >>Marc Verdiell wrote: >> Do you mind providing links to any good implementations of IDE on >> ATMega you know of? >> Marc >Of course mine ;) >And http://www.opend.co.za/hardware/avride/avride.htm but I never verified

10 years, 6 months

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Bye for now... was: <insert a huge lot of bloat and offtopic here>

by simski＠dds.nl

Hi all. Another great day started with me deciding that thorwing away 70% of a list every day is not worthwhile any more. This list is acting like Whatsapp and Facebook more and more. It seems that a lot of people are unable to keep on topic. Its a shame. It would be so handy if people could refrain from "biting the troll". I am truly not interested in top, bottom posting, and other non classic computer blabla. Bye -- Met vriendelijke Groet, Simon Claessen drukknop.nl

10 years, 6 months

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Commodore 64?

by tulsamike3434＠gmail.com

If I would have known!!! WOW I would have just read more posts before I posted my first post look at this mess... There is no reason for people to be rude or disrespectful to new people like myself. I have never joined a place like this I know now that it has been said 1000000000000 times to scroll down and put my text there all I wanted to do was talk about my new Commodore 64's. Can we do that? I make a post about creepy pastas and all I got was made fun of? Do yall not want new people to join? I think I can learn a lot from here that's all I want to do! There are many Computer geniuses on here that I can learn a lot from that's what I'm interested in and I like Creepypasta's and I collect Honda ATC 3wheelers. But can we get back on track with the Commodore 64? Sent from my iPhone

10 years, 6 months

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Identifying Data General (or DG-related) console/terminal/whatsit?

by derschjo＠gmail.com

Hi all -- A friend of mine is investigating picking up some DG hardware, and this item: http://yahozna.dyndns.org/scratch/dg/dg%20console.jpg Is included along with the rest of it. I *know* I've seen something like this somewhere but I can't find anything now that I need it :). Can anyone identify this? Thanks, - Josh

10 years, 6 months

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Accessible Computing (Was "Re: Display-less computing")

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

we have a portable braille terminal in the museum's accessibility collection . we also have a vast ( and always looking for more) of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing teletype machines and couplers. Ed@ _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org)

10 years, 6 months

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Display-less computing

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Does an example of the IBM/ TV/SET terminal exist out there? Manual? Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org)

10 years, 6 months

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IBM 2260 acoustic delay line

by echristopherson＠gmail.com

On Sat, Dec 12, 2015, Jon Elson wrote (in the big top posting thread): > On 12/12/2015 07:22 AM, Mike wrote: > >The one question I do have for the older gentlemen on here is what in the > >world did the computers without a screen to look at do? Now I know about > >the tape, cassette tape's and even the paper with the hole punches in them > >but what kind of applications were they use for? Mathematics or? ? ? [snip] > Later they got some > IBM 2260's, which were Zenith 9" TV sets and a keyboard connected to an > interface box in the machine room. Very primitive, but very interactive, > great for quick program editing and submission. I'm reading about those terminals and find it just fascinating how they used acoustic delay line memory to remember the pixels. But I have lots of questions: 1. Did the cables connecting the 2260s to the display controller actually contain the delay lines themselves, over the whole length; or were the delay lines just inside the controller and then some electronic signal was sent out to the terminals? 2. I would think that the wave travelling along the delay line would weaken over time. How was it refreshed? 3. What kind of speed could be acheived, and did this depend on the number of connected terminals? -- Eric Christopherson

10 years, 6 months

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Non-standard parallel port on Selectric I/O?

by tmfdmike＠gmail.com

I have what was once an IBM 2970 Reservation Terminal. Some time in the late 1970s. an outfit called 'Western I/O' got hold of a bunch of these, including mine, ripped out all the IBM electronic guts (but left their electromechanical bits - solenoids and contacts) and installed their own boards, and sold them to the home-brew computer folks of that day - presumably hung off contemporary Altair and Imsai machines etc. They made two versions. One was a fancy full-blown terminal with a 6800 microprocessor, adjustable baud rates, standard RS232 port etc. I'd really like to get hold of one of these if anyone has one gathering dust btw... The other one was a very dumb print-only versions. According to contemporary ads, it has: "? Printer-only model availability w/parallel ASCII interface." "The Printer Terminal IBM Selectrics are known for their well-defined, high-quality printed characters and easy-to- change elements. An ideal choice for text processing, highly-legible source listings and personal or business correspondence. And it's easy to connect to home or business computer. Just plug in 115 Vac, hook up the ASCII printer port and let 'ergo." That is ALL the documentation I have on this thing! The 'parallel ASCII interface' is implemented as a DB25 female on the rear of the Selectric. It *looks* exactly like a parallel port on a PC. So I hoped it would use standard parallel port pinouts and a straight-through ribbon cable would do it. No such luck. I don't have a parallel port analyzer, but I have lots of serial port analyzers, including ones with an LED per line, all 25 lines. So that is an improvised window into what's happening. For starters. when I operate the 'paper out' switch, I can see a line going high/low corresponding to switch position - but it's pin 19 on the DB25 connector, which should be ground on a standard parallel port! 'Paper out' should be on pin 12. So it's clearly not standard... Now I can start tracing pins on the interface back to lines on the PCBs, and try to figure what they do. At least I can relatively quickly eliminate those that aren't used, or are ground plane. But, question: back in the day, was there *another* 'standard' for parallel port pinouts? Used on S100 bus PIO etc. cards, the kind of thing this product was intended to be used with? I've found Googling on such data to be remarkably unproductive... any help out there? Mike

10 years, 6 months

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Display-less computing

by wdonzelli＠gmail.com

> Sometime later, maybe around 1971 they got some IBM 2741 terminals which > were Selectric typewriters connected to an interface. Later they got some > IBM 2260's, which were Zenith 9" TV sets and a keyboard connected to an > interface box in the machine room. Very primitive, but very interactive, > great for quick program editing and submission. Were 2260s really Zenith products inside? I certainly could believe it, judging from the tube lineup. Someday I would like to see one up close and personal. The 1800 actually did have a video option, and yes, you had to provide your own cheap black and white TV. -- Will

10 years, 6 months

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