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

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Paul Anderson > OK, I have 10+ of the M3106 and M3107 boards The M3106 is the DZQ11; the M3107 is the DHQ11, a completely different beast (a sister to the DHV11, the quad version of the DHQ11, the dual version). We already have complete documents online for the DHQ11 (UG, TM and FMPS), so no great need for them. Just to recap, what is missing online from the complete set of 4 (DZV11, DZQ11, DHZ11, and DHQ11) is: - DZV11 Tech Man (EK-DZV11-TM) - you have this - DZQ11 FMPS (MP-01795) - still missing, and the thing I'm looking for - A DHV11 User Guide, _if such a thing exists_ (I have no definite proof that it does) > if the print sets are filed under M3106 and M3107 instead of the option > name they might take while to get to. > ... > I'm slowly getting everything, prints, manuals,boards,etc. in order but > it will take time. Understood. Don't push your recovery! :-) > Noel, you are more than welcome to use any documentation. Talk to Al > figure out who needs it first then ship it to the other and back to me. For the DZV11 Tech Manual, that might be best going to Al? I don't have a page-feed scanner, just the manual one (albeit it is large format, and can swallow prints at a gulp), and since TM's are usually lengthy, probably best if someone with a page-feed scanner tackles that one. (I assume Al has access to a page-feed scanner.. :-) Noel

11 years

1
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PDP-8/e Panel Differences

by rodsmallwood52＠btinternet.com

Hi Guy's The current debate has produced a growing list of differences between the front panels of just one model viz and towit the PDP-8/e Here's my list so far 1. Angle of selector switch positions 1 and 6 can change (change of switch detent angle) 2. The line around the switch position area can be present or missing 3. The lines splitting the lamps into groups of three may or may not be present. 4. Diffences in colour from machine to machine (not verified yet) These could be related to 1. Date of manufacture 2. Place of manufacture 3. Serial No 4. Option fitted ie programmers console change of switch type It would be nice to be able to correlate the one list with the other Suggestions plese gentlemen The current shipping panel has the line around the switch area and the lines in switch positions 1 and 6 are vertical Regards Rod

11 years

1
0
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SVR4 tape "mount xx"?

by cclist＠sydex.com

I'm fooling with some AT&T tapes for System V, Rel. 4.0 and I see, along with the various "proprietary" and "copyright" stuff on the tape (paper) label and the description of the contents, the notation "mount xx"; e.g. "mount D5" or "mount E2". Exactly what does this mean? --Chuck

11 years

1
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Need DZQ11 (M3106) Print Set

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Paul Anderson > DZV11 FIELD MAINT PRINT SET MP00462 > USERS GUIDE DZV11-UG-002 > TECH MANUAL DZV11-TM-001 Err, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's a _DZQ11_ FMPS I needed (MP01795), not a _DZV11_ - the two are programming and interface identical, but other than that, totally different boards (the DZV11 is a quad, the DZQ11 is a dual). Sorry! However, the DZV11 TM is not yet available online, so it's definitely a Big Win, finding that; so your effort was not in vain! Noel

11 years

2
2
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9T TU80-family in Wichita, Ks

by microfilm＠microfilm.kscoxmail.com

I've done some more research on the LMSI tape drive I have here, and it appears to be a TU80 family drive. It has touch pad controls, 2-digit LED display, vertical mount, pertec interface (I don't know if it's buffered or not), runs well and passes diagnostics. Layout and diagnostic controls match up to information from the TU80 manual on bitsavers. The drive has a dual-voltage power supply, presently set up for 110V operation, and is mounted in a cage which could be easily bolted to a pallet for shipping. I can throw in an ISA interface card, though I don't know what brand/models I have on hand, or whether I have software and drivers for them. If anyone is interested, photos are here: http://microfilmks.com/LMSI/ and I can get an operational video if necessary. It's available now, in Wichita, Ks. Asking $150, but I'm flexible. You pay freight. --Shaun Halstead Microfilm Services, Inc. Wichita, Ks 316.269.2203

11 years

2
1
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Need DZQ11 (M3106) Print Set

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

So I'm working with a group of 'busted' DZQ11's (the symptom is that Master Clear - 020 - bit in the CSR stays set, even if I write a 0 to the CSR), and so I need access to a set of prints for this card; they are MP-01795. They don't seem to be online anywhere, though. (They may not be fixable, because a lot of the circuitry is in a large custom chip, which is of course now unobtainium, but I'm hoping it's something simple.) This is a relatively recent card, so I'm hoping someone out there has a set. If not, I can probably dope out how it works from the Maintainence Manual (which _is_ available), but it would be _much_ easier if I have some prints to look at too... I would gladly scan them in for general distribution/use, if someone has a set they can loan me. I do have an A3 professional level scanner on a SCSI, so it's a snap for me to scan prints. (Or if someone wants to scan them themselves, that's of course fine too!) Thanks in advance, and I'm crossing my fingers! :-) Noel

11 years

3
3
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NY Times Video Feature : The Apple Collector

by christian_liendo＠yahoo.com

I thought this was rather nice. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/06/08/video-feature-the-apple-collector/…

11 years

10
12
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PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Michael - Many thanks for the great start! Lyle ok added yours.. neat you have it working! what is the status of his other unit that was sold? ok here starts the registry ! Have started on for classic 8 and one for 8S It would be good to have some assistance in figuring out want fields we want for data. Do we want the list to be ordered by S/N or owner? ( I vote for S/N) Of course if we also have things an excel work sheet we can sort in any way we wish. http://www.smecc.org/pdp-8.htm is page of what we have so far. In a message dated 6/10/2015 12:44:00 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, lbickley at bickleywest.com writes: On Wed, 10 Jun 2015 15:11:21 -0400 Michael Thompson <michael.99.thompson at gmail.com> wrote: > > I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. > > The RICM has an OMD8S data-break and memory expansion chassis for > > an 8/S. > > > > Not everyone wants their collections to be public information but: > > S/N 127, Table Top, running, Sold on eBay 07/2003 for more than > $3,000. > > Rhode Island Computer Museum > S/N 149, partially running > https://sites.google.com/a/ricomputermuseum.org/home/Home/equipment/dec-pdp… > > David Larsen <floydlcfgroup at gmail.com> > S/N 303, Rack Mount, needs restoration. > Has a second one. > I think that one or both of these may have new homes. Both do have new homes. I have one of them: Lyle Bickley S/N 203, Desktop, Restored, Runs, Passes all DEC PDP-8/S Diagnostics, runs Focal, etc. > Vincent Slyngstad <v.slyngstad at frontier.com> > S/N 381, Table top, needs restoration > PT08 #450. > > S/N 566, Table Top, running, used to belong to Kevin Stumpf > > Rhode Island Computer Museum > S/N 517, Rack Mount, running, PT08B, PC01, PC02, PC03 > https://sites.google.com/site/ricmwarehouse/Home/equipment/pdp-8s > > Rhode Island Computer Museum > S/N 537, needs restoration > Came with 4k core in an OMD8S. Data Break is in the OMD8S. > https://sites.google.com/site/ricmwarehouse/Home/equipment/pdp-8s > > Rhode Island Computer Museum > S/N 857, Table top, needs restoration > Mice ate some of the wires on the core memory stack. > https://sites.google.com/site/ricmwarehouse/Home/equipment/pdp-8s > > Goodwill Computer Museum > S/N 752, Rack Mount, Nicely restored and running on display > http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyohm/5334436698/ > Don't know where this one is now. > > Ethan Dicks > Needs restoration > > Tekniska museet in stockholm > Table top version > http://www.tekniskamuseet.se/download/18.689e694f125720d4ec480001504/Datore… > > Computermuseum der Fakult?t Informatik > S/N 862, Table Top, running > Designing a Teletype interface > http://computermuseum.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/dev_en/pdp8s/index.html > Previously owned by: > Ulrich N Fierz > Telecommunication Engineering Services > Zurichbergstrasse 203 > CH-8044 Zurich > Switzerland > > Living Computer Museum > Two, unrestored > http://www.pdpplanet.com > > Computer History Museum > One, static display > http://www.computerhistory.org > > Max Burnet > Hon Sec - Melbourne University Alumni - Sydney branch > Archivist - Hornby Railway Collectors Assoc of Aust Inc > Managing Director - BACK Pty Ltd > Burnet Antique Computer Knowhow Pty Ltd > PO Box 847 Pennant Hills NSW 1715 > 138 Boundary Road Pennant Hills NSW 2120 > Phone 02 9484 6772 Mobile 0412 124 006 > Email mburnet at bigpond.net.au > > Table top 8/S 759 on static display in my home office, > pic enclosed. > Table top 8/S 588 in storage > Rack mounted 8/S ? in storage, might be restorable > because it still has its power supply and cabinet. > > One in Ottawa > > Michael Thompson -- 73 AF6WS Bickley Consulting West Inc. http://bickleywest.com "Black holes are where God is dividing by zero"

11 years

4
3
0 0

PDP-8/S

by michael.99.thompson＠gmail.com

> I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. > The RICM has an OMD8S data-break and memory expansion chassis for an 8/S. > Not everyone wants their collections to be public information but: S/N 127, Table Top, running, Sold on eBay 07/2003 for more than $3,000. Rhode Island Computer Museum S/N 149, partially running https://sites.google.com/a/ricomputermuseum.org/home/Home/equipment/dec-pdp… David Larsen <floydlcfgroup at gmail.com> S/N 303, Rack Mount, needs restoration. Has a second one. I think that one or both of these may have new homes. Vincent Slyngstad <v.slyngstad at frontier.com> S/N 381, Table top, needs restoration PT08 #450. S/N 566, Table Top, running, used to belong to Kevin Stumpf Rhode Island Computer Museum S/N 517, Rack Mount, running, PT08B, PC01, PC02, PC03 https://sites.google.com/site/ricmwarehouse/Home/equipment/pdp-8s Rhode Island Computer Museum S/N 537, needs restoration Came with 4k core in an OMD8S. Data Break is in the OMD8S. https://sites.google.com/site/ricmwarehouse/Home/equipment/pdp-8s Rhode Island Computer Museum S/N 857, Table top, needs restoration Mice ate some of the wires on the core memory stack. https://sites.google.com/site/ricmwarehouse/Home/equipment/pdp-8s Goodwill Computer Museum S/N 752, Rack Mount, Nicely restored and running on display http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyohm/5334436698/ Don't know where this one is now. Ethan Dicks Needs restoration Tekniska museet in stockholm Table top version http://www.tekniskamuseet.se/download/18.689e694f125720d4ec480001504/Datore… Computermuseum der Fakult?t Informatik S/N 862, Table Top, running Designing a Teletype interface http://computermuseum.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/dev_en/pdp8s/index.html Previously owned by: Ulrich N Fierz Telecommunication Engineering Services Zurichbergstrasse 203 CH-8044 Zurich Switzerland Living Computer Museum Two, unrestored http://www.pdpplanet.com Computer History Museum One, static display http://www.computerhistory.org Max Burnet Hon Sec - Melbourne University Alumni - Sydney branch Archivist - Hornby Railway Collectors Assoc of Aust Inc Managing Director - BACK Pty Ltd Burnet Antique Computer Knowhow Pty Ltd PO Box 847 Pennant Hills NSW 1715 138 Boundary Road Pennant Hills NSW 2120 Phone 02 9484 6772 Mobile 0412 124 006 Email mburnet at bigpond.net.au Table top 8/S 759 on static display in my home office, pic enclosed. Table top 8/S 588 in storage Rack mounted 8/S ? in storage, might be restorable because it still has its power supply and cabinet. One in Ottawa Michael Thompson

11 years

7
6
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Looking for docs / schematics for MITS 88-HDSK and its associated Pertec drive

by derschjo＠gmail.com

Hey all -- I'm assisting in the restoration of an Altair 8800 system which includes the MITS 88-HDSK ("Altair Hard Drive Controller") and Pertec D-3422 removable pack/fixed platter drive and after cleaning everything up, rebuilding supplies, etc, the drive spins up and goes Ready but all attempts to boot end in "LOAD ERROR: 1" which I have been told indicates that the Altair doesn't think the drive is ready. I can't find any substantial documentation on the controller (the D-3400 series is covered on bitsavers); I've checked with the Altair Computer Club and they don't have any docs posted (and the one guy who might have a copy of the docs is on vacation until the 12th, which wouldn't normally be a big deal but we're trying (perhaps in vain) to get this thing ready for an event on Saturday...). Anyone have any docs or any other information for the 88-HDISK controller? Thanks! Josh

11 years

1
0
0 0

PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Fred yes all valid. if we are to put them in the registry though we have to be sure that have one if they go nameless. like if we get a response like: my name is rick I have s/n 2 Ok we need a entry template for info that can be spread sheeted.. of course any misc info people want to add could go in a comments section... open to any and all suggestions! Ed Sharpe _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/10/2015 12:56:28 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, cisin at xenosoft.com writes: >> I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. > Not everyone wants their collections to be public information but: If somebody were to try to make a "complete" list, it would make sense to provide variable levels of anonymity, such as name but not contact info, state but no name, email but no other contact, etc. If designed well, that could be managed by a full information form in which it is easy, and acknowledged to be acceptable, to fill in only items that are intended to be public. Prob'ly some people would be more willing to discuss what they have IFF they aren't opening themselves to theft risk, and/or a deluge of "I'd like to buy". NOTE: I do not currently have ANY PDP stuff, so I am only speculating about what others would like. -- Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin at xenosoft.com

11 years

2
1
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PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

ok added! thanks Mike! In a message dated 6/10/2015 2:24:01 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, tmfdmike at gmail.com writes: I have one, restored, was running when stored but not powered up in some considerable time. Serial number unknown; IIRC correctly the tag with the serial number was missing so may remain unknown. Obtained from a collector called Erik in... Netherlands I think, circa 2004... who got it from John Bradatanu... IIRC I traded a TU56, a pdp-8/L, and some other bits, for the 8/S and a working VT05.. see pic on this page: http://www.corestore.org/coremove.htm Pics on that page are interesting, as it's the only time around 90% of the DEC portion of the Corestore collection has all been lined up and visible in the same place at the same time! Oh 8/m has been discussed in front panel talk... here's a nice pic of mine: http://www.corestore.org/pdp8m-1.jpg Mike On Thu, Jun 11, 2015 at 7:56 AM, Fred Cisin <cisin at xenosoft.com> wrote: >>> I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. >> >> Not everyone wants their collections to be public information but: > > > If somebody were to try to make a "complete" list, it would make sense to > provide variable levels of anonymity, such as name but not contact info, > state but no name, email but no other contact, etc. If designed well, that > could be managed by a full information form in which it is easy, and > acknowledged to be acceptable, to fill in only items that are intended to be > public. > > Prob'ly some people would be more willing to discuss what they have IFF they > aren't opening themselves to theft risk, and/or a deluge of "I'd like to > buy". > > NOTE: I do not currently have ANY PDP stuff, so I am only speculating about > what others would like. > > > -- > Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin at xenosoft.com -- http://www.corestore.org 'No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother. Not for millions, not for glory, not for fame. For one person, in the dark, where no one will ever know or see.'

11 years

1
0
0 0

Alpha 4100 CPU fan

by binarydinosaurs＠gmail.com

Folks, Trying to source a non-DEC fan for a 4100 CPU since getting them in the UK is more and more tricky as time goes on. The originals are 12V 0.17A 60mm 3-wire and I've found some almost-identical-but-not-quite 0.18A variants. Needed to rewire the plugs to match (12V, sense, gnd) but the machine reports 'CPU0 Fan Fail' despite the fact the fan is running at speed. Is +0.01A enough to make the monitor board think the fan's failed? Board itself is fine as it works with its existing fan. Cheers, -- adrian/witchy Owner of Binary Dinosaurs, the UK's biggest home computer collection? www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk

11 years

4
3
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Front Panels - Shipping commences

by rodsmallwood52＠btinternet.com

Hi Guys I have started to ship 8/e front panels as of to-day. I took some to the shippers to-day and more will go to-morrow Everybody who placed an order will get at least one from the first batch. The next batch will be twenty panels. Type B will be available and both round holes will be cut by the plastics company Rod Smallwood

11 years

1
0
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Front Panel Update

by rodsmallwood52＠btinternet.com

Hi All Since I released the picture of the first 8/e panel on Friday there has been a big response. Its 12:45 local on Monday in the UK and I'm of to the silk screeners to collect the rest of the first batch and to arrange for more to be printed as soon as I get the blanks from the plastics supplier. I'll send out what I have to fullfill as many of the orders I have so far as I can. I have learned an awful lot just based on the inquires I have so far. I see the following as requirements 1. Full size reproductions of the original panels useing the same methods. 2. High quality 3. Custom one off service for important restorations. 4. There's more demand than I thought. 5. So far its all been for DEC systems And yes they would look good just hung on the wall Next up an accurate reproduction of the bezel. And after that a lamps and switches board when and if I solve the Stackpole switch levers issue. Please send in your orders so I can allocate production/shipping slots. Regards Rod Smallwood

11 years

18
42
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WTB /WTT DEC TZ30 and/or 1/2" open reel SCSI magtape drives

by nf6x＠nf6x.net

In order to be able to move data between my vintage and modern computers more effectively, I am looking for one or both of these items: 1) DEC TZ30 tape drive. This is a TK50-compatible drive in a 1/2 height form factor with a SCSI interface. 2) 1/2" open reel magtape drive with SCSI interface. Preferably with 6250 BPI capability. Doesn't need to be fast or fancy; just needs to be working-ish. I'm located in Riverside, California, USA. For an open reel magtape drive, a local source would be preferable to avoid the need to ship the beast. Or possibly in Las Vegas, where my folks might sneak it into the moving van later this month... :) eBay and I are now seeing other people, so I'm cut off from that source. Ditto for PayPal, so I'd pay by some other means (or maybe even trade). -- Mark J. Blair, NF6X <nf6x at nf6x.net> http://www.nf6x.net/

11 years

7
14
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equipment available

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

Lowboy rack, two RL0X drives and one 11/23. From the pictures it looks a bit dirty, but we know RL0X and 11/23's are pretty solid even after age. Location is Newbury, UK Email me off-list if interested. Best, J

11 years

1
0
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Wanted: stand for NeXT monitor

by tosteve＠yahoo.com

Just acquired a NeXT 68040 cube computer. It's way cool, but the responsiveness is unimpressive - I'd call it pokey. All 16 RAM slots are full for 16MB, but sixteen 4MB RAM sticks may help the speed. It has an internal HD, as well as the magneto-optical drive. One things it's missing is the monitor stand - does anyone have a spare stand for a NeXT N4000A monochrome monitor? Thanks- Steve.

11 years

8
12
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What is best place to buy new 1/2 tape ? (recent datecodes)

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

What is best place to buy new 1/2 tape ? (recent datecodes) thanks for advice Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org)

11 years

1
0
0 0

Blue tape retainers

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

They breathe better if you do not have them sealed when you are baking them..ed _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) (resent due to error message) -------- Original message -------- From: Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> Date: 06/09/2015 9:46 PM (GMT-07:00) To: General at classiccmp.org, "Discussion at classiccmp.org:On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Subject: Re: Blue tape retainers On 06/09/2015 08:21 PM, ben wrote: > Also would not a fall like that damage the tape reel? When baking tapes with the Wright Line seals, I've learned to remove the seals. If you leave them on, the tapes at 58C, will often just fall right out the seal--the coefficient of expansion is much larger for the seals than for the tape reels. After the seal has had a chance to cool off, it fits fine. This is particularly a problem with the smaller size reels. --Chuck

11 years

1
0
0 0

PDP-12 Restoration at the RICM

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Michael, David's product is outstanding! He also makes new foams for the inside also for the model 33 and 32 - Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/7/2015 6:58:55 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, michael.99.thompson at gmail.com writes: W contacted David Tumey about Teletype hammers. He will send us some as a donation. We put some heat-shrink tubing on to stop further damage. Warren repaired and tested the M706 Teletype receiver. We put it back in the PDP-12 and put the borrowed M706 back in the PDP-8/I. The donor brought another M706/M707 pair, so we tested them and then installed them. We have two working serial ports in the PDP-12. Warren is making an Arduino based programmable baud rate generator for this system. We ran more diags. The 8/I Instruction Test #1 & #2, and the random JMP, JMP-JMS, ISZ tests work OK. The LINC Tape-Quickie test and the Memory Address test fail after running OK for a few minutes. We tested all of the G221 Memory Selectors, and they are OK, so the memory address decoding is probably working OK. This may be a case where the processor is sometimes doing the wrong thing when comparing numbers, and the rest of the hardware is actually OK. Debugging this will be the project for next week. The donor dropped off more documentation, spare parts, LINC tapes containing the DIAL operating system, and an RK05 disk pack that likely contains OS/8. We will make image copies of the LINC tapes and the disk pack. -- Michael Thompson

11 years

1
0
0 0

PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

ok lets start a list of them by s/n and for those that have surviving sales docs let us place sales dates with them to give an snapshot sales volume and time. I am going to try to get ours out of the tombs to spiff up and will pull the s/n at that time Ed Sharpe archivist for SMECC _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/9/2015 12:05:11 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, michael.99.thompson at gmail.com writes: I made a list from scanning classiccmp and Usenet groups. Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 9, 2015, at 2:56 PM, Lyle Bickley <lbickley at bickleywest.com> wrote: > > On Tue, 9 Jun 2015 14:27:57 -0400 > Michael Thompson <michael.99.thompson at gmail.com> wrote: > >>> >>> Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:26:07 -0700 >>> From: couryhouse <couryhouse at aol.com> >>> Subject: Re: Front Panel Update >>> >>> 8s is rare?? ? We have one. ?Is there a an registry? ? >>> Ed# ?smecc.org >>> >>> Ben. >> I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. >> The RICM has an OMD8S data-break and memory expansion chassis for an >> 8/S. > > Is there a registry somewhere for PDP-8/S systems? Where is the list > available and maintained? > > Cheers, > Lyle > > -- > 73 AF6WS > Bickley Consulting West Inc. > http://bickleywest.com > > "Black holes are where God is dividing by zero"

11 years

2
1
0 0

Blue tape retainers

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

foam blocks ... hated the things we just tucked one end of the tape under the tape ring and snapped it shut seems things stayed in place nicely and no foam outgassing under the seal of the tape ring. Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/9/2015 2:38:08 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, nf6x at nf6x.net writes: > On Jun 9, 2015, at 14:32 , Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> wrote: > > I'm getting a little tired of replacing old dried-out foam blocks to hold down the ends of 1/2" tapes. Worse, some of the ones I've fished out have utterly crumbled over the years, leaving bits of themselves inside the reel. I am curious: NOS tapes that I bought in the last year or so came with the foam blocks, but I don't recall ever encountering either a foam block or the magic plastic tape "back in the day" on tapes from the rack that I handled as a backup operator. I presume that if they came with blocks, they were discarded when the tapes were unpacked. Is it really necessary to secure the tape end in normal use, or is it just needed during shipping to keep the tape from getting loose on the reel during transport? -- Mark J. Blair, NF6X <nf6x at nf6x.net> http://www.nf6x.net/

11 years

8
18
0 0

Blue tape retainers

by couryhouse＠aol.com

They breathe better ?if you do not have thenm sealed..ed www.smecc.org Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> Date: 06/09/2015 9:46 PM (GMT-07:00) To: General at classiccmp.org, "Discussion at classiccmp.org:On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Subject: Re: Blue tape retainers On 06/09/2015 08:21 PM, ben wrote: > Also would not a fall like that damage the tape reel? When baking tapes with the Wright Line seals, I've learned to remove the seals.? If you leave them on, the tapes at 58C, will often just fall right out the seal--the coefficient of expansion is much larger for the seals than for the tape reels.? After the seal has had a chance to cool off, it fits fine. This is particularly a problem with the smaller size reels. --Chuck

11 years

1
0
0 0

TRW Cinch connectors-found a few boxes or nos.

by useddec＠gmail.com

please contact me of list if interested.

11 years

1
0
0 0

Blue tape retainers

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

wonders how long it takes the seal to decay? when in the biz had tapes on the rack for 13 years and no falling . Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/9/2015 7:42:06 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca writes: On 6/9/2015 8:15 PM, Brent Hilpert wrote: > On 2015-Jun-09, at 3:01 PM, jwsmobile wrote: > >> I find that the Writghtline seals work the best if the tapes were >> not and are not hung with them. Eventually the white material will >> fail, or the black lock will break, but they are by far the longest >> lasting other than just a clear box container. > > Every couple of years for awhile now I'll be surprised in hearing a > snap, clunk and strange scuffling sound in the house. > > It's one of those tape collar-seals breaking spontaneously, at which > point the hung reel falls to the floor and takes off across the room, > generally unwinding the tape as it goes. > > After a few years, they start looking for food. :)

11 years

1
0
0 0

DEC H7842-A, -D power supplies for PC100, PC278 etc

by useddec＠gmail.com

My crew found some of these today that are extremely clean. Getting closer to the mother lode. If interested, please contact me off list. Paul

11 years

1
0
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PDP-8/S

by michael.99.thompson＠gmail.com

> > Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:26:07 -0700 > From: couryhouse <couryhouse at aol.com> > Subject: Re: Front Panel Update > > 8s is rare?? ? We have one. ?Is there a an registry? ? Ed# ?smecc.org > > Ben. > > I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. The RICM has an OMD8S data-break and memory expansion chassis for an 8/S. -- Michael Thompson

11 years

4
4
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Front Panel Update

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Unisys absorbed Varian mini computers ie the V 77 nice chart in this pdf of the family tree http://rmarsh.cs.und.edu/CLASS/CS451/HANDOUTS/os-unisys.pdf by the way the purchase agreement was dated 1977 between Uni and Var we have lots of manuals in the catacombs.... unisys/varian/burroughs Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/9/2015 3:45:11 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, paulkoning at comcast.net writes: > On Jun 9, 2015, at 5:58 PM, tony duell <ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk> wrote: > > >> WTF? Varian was a competitor of DEC. They made minis themselves. Sounds >> extremely strange that one would take a DEC mini, and put a Varian badge >> on it. Did someone try to make a joke? > > I will always think of Varian as a maker of (very high quality) vacuum equipment. > > I am sure this was not a joke. It wasn't just the name, the switch handles were all green, the silkscreening > was different, etc. It was a normal PDP8/e inside, though. It was part of a piece of lab equipment (I forget > what) and I had to do a minor repair on the PDP8/e side (this was over 20 years ago...). I was pleased to > see that apart from a custom interface board, the rest of it was standard DEC boards, so the printsets I > had applied. Interesting. Varian is a microwave equipment company; I have one of their TWTs sitting on my H960 at home. Vacuum equipment, I could believe that. But yes, Varian made a 16 bit minicomputer; I had a handbook for it at one time (now lost, I suspect). And if memory serves, the reason is that there was one in the Computer Science department at the University of Illinois where I studied. I remember nothing about the architecture, other than the fact it supported user microprogramming. Possibly the OEM PDP8 predates that device. Or possibly it wasn?t enough of a competitor for DEC to stop doing OEM business with Varian. paul

11 years

1
0
0 0

Blue tape retainers

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

I have had them come in them for video tape too and they were seem to be white vinyl in this case Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/9/2015 5:04:47 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca writes: On 6/9/2015 5:38 PM, Pete Turnbull wrote: > On 09/06/2015 22:32, Chuck Guzis wrote: >> One thing that I recall is that many tape manufacturers used a blue, >> sort of "sticky silicon" tape to hold ends in place. This stuff never >> seems to degrade. > > Since I used to buy them, I can say with some authority that (1) they're > vinyl tape, as others have surmised, and yes it's the same stuff that > adhesive-free window "stickers" are made from, and (2) they came in lots > of colours - I have almost every one except purple, and, oddly enough, > blue. So the item on Amazon might be a very good option. > Have you checked the places that sell professional audio reel 2 reel tape?

11 years

1
0
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Blue tape retainers

by cclist＠sydex.com

I'm getting a little tired of replacing old dried-out foam blocks to hold down the ends of 1/2" tapes. Worse, some of the ones I've fished out have utterly crumbled over the years, leaving bits of themselves inside the reel. One thing that I recall is that many tape manufacturers used a blue, sort of "sticky silicon" tape to hold ends in place. This stuff never seems to degrade. Does anyone know what the stuff is and where one might get a roll of it? --Chuck

11 years

8
10
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Front Panel Tech Note No1

by rodsmallwood52＠btinternet.com

To act as a diffuser we use two strips of semi translucent tape across the clear areas where the lamps/LED's shine through. However DEC lamps / LEDs are not noted for their brilliance. So unless requested we will leave them off. Rod Smallwood

11 years

1
0
0 0

VAX-11/730 %BOOT-F-Unexpected Machine Check

by nf6x＠nf6x.net

I finally got the excellent AK6DN tu58em emulator working as my VAX-11/730's console drive, as discussed on VCF. The trouble appears to have been a simple timing issue: tu58em includes some time delays which run afoul of the 730 console's very aggressive timeout checking. After patching in a command line flag to disable them, my 730 console seems to be happy with tu58em running on my MacBook Air over an FTDI USB/RS-232 converter. I've also tweaked the FTDI's driver settings to make sure that latency is minimized, but I'm not sure if I changed it significantly from the default. But the console appears to time out if the tape drive takes 20ms or more to respond to the initialization sequence, so every millisecond might impact reliability. With the console working and loading up a version 57 11/730 console tape image that I found online, I've been trying to boot the machine up. When I try to boot from either the R80 or RL02, I get error message "%BOOT-F-Unexpected Machine Check". Does that error message mean anything to the VAX experts out there? This machine was believe to be working before time + transport, and I'm trying to bring it up for the first time since I got it. I still have a lot of learning curve to climb, but I'm excited to have made more progress. -- Mark J. Blair, NF6X <nf6x at nf6x.net> http://www.nf6x.net/

11 years

6
11
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Blue tape retainers

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

never owned an auto load drive.... nor do I want to! always afraid of anything autoload....things getting eaten! Ed# In a message dated 6/9/2015 2:54:36 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, drb at msu.edu writes: > foam blocks ... hated the things we just tucked one end of the tape > under the tape ring and snapped it shut seems things stayed in place > nicely and no foam outgassing under the seal of the tape ring. Those of us with autoload drives despised you. :) Well, ok, the 3420 drives probably did ok regardless; you do get something for the money (and mass) of a blue drive. The Cipher streamers often choked on these, though. De

11 years

1
0
0 0

Front Panel Update

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

ONLY SOMETIMES... remember Varian also made scientific instruments that had computers lasted to them and probably used dec when they were not making their own mini Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/9/2015 2:46:50 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, bqt at update.uu.se writes: On 2015-06-09 23:15, tony duell wrote: >>> DEC was very keen on its OEM business and if the order was big enough would allow some variation in >>> colours but would not allow the dec logo to be removed or changed. > >> I?m not sure if that?s completely true. I remember a PDP11 (11/45 probably) at the University of Illinois, around > > I am pretty sure I once saw a PDP8/e which was absolutely normal internally, but where the front panel was > green (as were the switch handles) and it was badged 'Varian'. I don't remember a Digital logo on the > front anywhere. WTF? Varian was a competitor of DEC. They made minis themselves. Sounds extremely strange that one would take a DEC mini, and put a Varian badge on it. Did someone try to make a joke? Johnny -- Johnny Billquist || "I'm on a bus || on a psychedelic trip email: bqt at softjar.se || Reading murder books pdp is alive! || tryin' to stay hip" - B. Idol

11 years

1
0
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ANTS (Was Re: Front Panel Update)

by silent700＠gmail.com

On Tue, Jun 9, 2015 at 9:30 AM, Paul Koning <paulkoning at comcast.net> wrote: > I?m not sure if that?s completely true. I remember a PDP11 (11/45 probably) at the University of Illinois, around 1975. It was used as a terminal controller for ARPAnet. The system was called ANTS (not sure what that stands for), and it had a custom logo panel for the top of the H960 racks, in red and yellow, showing large ants crawling all along the cabinets. ARPA Network Terminal System. I've got an ANTS logo panel on the wall at home. I know I have some photos of it online but I'm not finding them in the destruction wrought by Google on their old Picasa site. I remember the orange/red color combo made it really hard to photograph. I'll dig them up later and post a follow-up. There is some info on that system, as well as a lot of other PDP and minicomputing goodness, here: https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/32601/semiannualtechn… j

11 years

1
0
0 0

History of portable computers book -- pre-orders

by evan＠snarc.net

Hi all, I'm going to release "version 1.0" of my book in a PDF edition this Friday night. Then in a couple of weeks from now I'll release a Kindle e-book version and a print edition. The PDF version is only $8 and can be ordered right now at the very primitive web site: http://www.abacustosmartphone.com. There's nothing to stop people from sharing or posting the PDF, other than me asking nicely: please do not do that. I am releasing the book early because I need the money. So what's in the book? It is the story of the evolution of mobile/portable computers -- how we got from the abacus to the smartphone. I wrote it in plain English for general and mildly technical readers. There aren't a lot of tech speeds-and-feeds; it doesn't explain how the computers worked or how to program them. It is almost entirely about who made them, why, and how they all improved on each other to incrementally move the ball forward. I think it's interesting. Some parts are very funny. Most of all, it's a story that until never was never told. - Evan

11 years

1
0
0 0

PDP8

by useddec＠gmail.com

With all the traffic on 8 front panels, which sounds great, I was asked about letting a few of mine go a while ago. The plan was to test and configure to order. A few list members inquired about selling a few as is making it cheaper for them, and more educational. I thought about it, looked at some of my projects, my piles of junk, thought about it some more and said yes. I"m not sure who dropped the ball. Contact me off list if you are interested. I'll think about overseas. Thanks, Paul

11 years

1
0
0 0

PDP-8/S

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

17 is still pretty scarce! In a message dated 6/9/2015 11:57:04 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, lbickley at bickleywest.com writes: > I know of 17 PDP-8/S systems, including four at the RICM. > The RICM has an OMD8S data-break and memory expansion chassis for an > 8/S.

11 years

1
0
0 0

HP 700/92 terminal for sale

by shawn-gordon＠cox.net

Perfect working condition, both monitor and keyboard. This is not the actual unit but it is the same model http://www.retrocomputing.net/parts/hp/HP70092/P0007274.jpg $80 obo plus shipping.

11 years

1
0
0 0

PDP-8/e front panels.

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Paul Koning >> I think the 11/20 might have used the slide switches (its switch >> register looks just like the one on the -8M). > .. PDP11 switches are mini toggle switches as far as I remember .. > Yes, the 11/40 and 11/45, for one; the 11/20 also. I don't have an 11/20 (yet!), but I had a look at the KY11-A manual (no print set online, alas), and it does seem to show (pg. 19) a slide switch. Like I said, the 11/20 switch array looks exactly the the 8/E and 8/M ones (except for colour, of course), which seems to support that the actual switch is a slide. Anyone out there have an 11/20, and can give us definitive info? Noel

11 years

1
0
0 0

Front Panel Update

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Paul Koning > I remember a PDP11 (11/45 probably) at the University of Illinois, > ... The system was called ANTS (not sure what that stands for) "ARPA Network Terminal System". According to RFC-597, Illinois had both an 11/20 and an 11/50 (11/45 variant) running ANTS; other sites also ran it on an 11/40. > it had a custom logo panel for the top of the H960 racks, in red and > yellow, showing large ants crawling all along the cabinets. That could have been a local thing. At MIT, the first MIT-built LISP Machines, also housed in H960 racks, had custom logo panels reading "LISP Machine", with an illustration of a LISP two-part cell, with pointers (to other, un-shown, cells). I still have one... (the panel, not the CADR). Noel PS: In a previous message, I wrote "KA-11"; I meant, of course, 'KA-10'. Got -11's on the brain.. ;-)

11 years

1
0
0 0

PDP-8/e front panels.

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Rod Smallwood > The switches were made by a company in the US called Stackpole > ... > They are a normal slide type modified with a U bracket to allow the > attachment of a lever arm to operate the switch when toggled up and > down. Ah; the 11/05's (which is what I need switches for) use toggle switches (like I said, pretty much standard micro toggle switches, excepts for the front plate). I'm pretty sure the later 11's with complete front panels (40's, 45's, etc) used the same kind of switch. I was assuming all the PDP-x's of that era used the same front panel switch design, but apparently not. Or perhaps I'm mixing my eras a bit, and the slightly earlier ones all used the slide switch stuff (I just checked my KA-11 panel, and it uses slide switches). I think the 11/20 might have used the slide switches (its switch register looks just like the one on the -8M). Anyway, it seems like we all need both kinds! :-) Noel

11 years

2
1
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PDP 8/e Front panel Shipping Forecast

by rodsmallwood52＠btinternet.com

Hi Guys 1. I have nine 8/e finished panels waiting for me to drill the two round holes Keylock will be drilled 5/8* (May need countersinking from rear) Shaft hole will be drilled 1/4" 2, They are my Type A. (As photo) No vertical octal byte divider lines First and last switch positions vertical. Box around switch area. No diffuser over lamp clear areas (use semi translucent tape on back) 3. The price is $95.00 + $15.00 Shipping (Customs and State Taxes not included tape) 4. One per customer until this batch runs out 5. Next batch (20) due in 5-7 Working days + finished item shipping time to US. 6. Send $110 to my PayPal Account (rodsmallwood52 at btinternet.com) and email me your address, 7. One has already gone so seven slots left Regards Rod

11 years

2
1
0 0

Memory options for an HP 1000 (HP 21MX / 2112A)

by marc.verdiell＠gmail.com

Jay, I have gotten a M.E.M memory expansion board (two of them actually!) for my 21 MX. And many memory cards. So now all I need is the DMS firmware board. I am interested in yours if you still have it... I tried to contact you off-list but no success, maybe I ended up in your junk mail pile. I have gotten quite a few other boards so maybe I can get you something in exchange. Just contact me off list. Thanks, Marc >On Wed May 20 14:32:25 CDT 2015 >Jay West said: >I believe I have a DMS firmware board for the M series that is not needed, >I've passed on most all of my M series machines and focused on the E. >J

11 years

1
0
0 0

HP 3082A ("Industrial Touch") Terminal service manual or

by marc.verdiell＠gmail.com

Whooo. Very nice terminal. I want one too :-). Can't help with your problem unfortunately. Marc >From: Josh Dersch <derschjo at gmail.com> >Subject: HP 3082A ("Industrial Touch") Terminal service manual or > other info? >Hi all -- >The lovely HP 3082A terminal I've been using with my PDP-11/73 has started exhibiting odd/annoying behavior today. The 3082A is also known as the "Industrial >Touch" terminal, it's a compact unit in a rugged housing with an EL display, built in keyboard, and a touchscreen. [.] >Josh

11 years

1
0
0 0

Front Panel Update

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Ah! the old 8S ....thinking back on it this 8S was from a site we were actually paid to haul stuff away from as the land lord had the building rented to a new tenant. Date? had to be in 1981 or 82.. we also got a bunch of CDC washing machine early disk drives that were 6 megs or 10 megs that had 6 platters? and truckloads of old tape readers junk power supplies.. I remember trying to use it but alas to no avail... I would toggle in the boot and go look at it and it was all nonsense when I would read the display back. probably bad core drivers!? All this talk has me curious about it again... I will have to pull it out! a! the old days! Ed# In a message dated 6/8/2015 4:02:48 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca writes: > PDP-8/S was my first computer, purchased for five bucks from a guy I > met at a hamfest. That was thirty years ago, and started me on this > whole computer history path. It is temperamental, but still works. > > -- > Will >

11 years

1
0
0 0

Front Panel Update

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

yea Will... things that fit under the workbench can languish for 40 years... if it has to sit on top it may a a shorter lifespan.... Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 6/8/2015 3:18:35 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, wdonzelli at gmail.com writes: > It's pretty rare. I have one too. > > I've seen and heard of more straight 8s than I have 8/S PDP-8/Ss used to be quite rare, but they have been popping out of the woodwork for some time now. I would venture to say they are now more extant that Straight-8s. Small is survivability. PDP-8/S was my first computer, purchased for five bucks from a guy I met at a hamfest. That was thirty years ago, and started me on this whole computer history path. It is temperamental, but still works. -- Will

11 years

3
2
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Front Panel Update

by couryhouse＠aol.com

8s is rare?? ? We have one. ?Is there a an registry? ? Ed# ?smecc.org Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: ben <bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca> Date: 06/08/2015 12:05 PM (GMT-07:00) To: cctalk at classiccmp.org Subject: Re: Front Panel Update On 6/8/2015 12:28 PM, Rod Smallwood wrote: > Theres an 8/f which replaced the 8/e and has a similar front panel with > extra markings > The 8/m - OEM no front panel > The 8/I has different front panel > The 8/A is a totally different box altogether > > The 8/e was the big seller with thousands shipped > The 8/s was a small seller with 10's of computers shipped. I got to play with both. Ben.

11 years

6
6
0 0

Front Panel Update

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

yea I have only seen the one 8S we got whereas straight 8 back in the biz days 79 to 90 something had 2 plexi desktop straight 8 ( one we kept <ser # 18 got from stanford surplus stores w/ ato d rack too) and the other we sold to the guy that has museum near Yellowstone aprox 25? years ago? it had a s/n in the 200's ... it had come from an az state auction... I was bidding against some damb ass who thought it was a pdp8 A his brother could use for some cnc tape prep thingingie... heh heh ) one straight 8 in blue rack ( still have but the fright company 30 years ago lost the damn desk for it.) 3ea straight 8 used with BEVATRON that were rough and in hideous cabinets ( wish I still had...) In a message dated 6/8/2015 3:04:11 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, tmfdmike at gmail.com writes: It's pretty rare. I have one too. I've seen and heard of more straight 8s than I have 8/S Mike On Tue, Jun 9, 2015 at 7:26 AM, couryhouse <couryhouse at aol.com> wrote: > > > 8s is rare?? We have one. Is there a an registry? Ed# smecc.org > > > Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone > > -------- Original message -------- > From: ben <bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca> > Date: 06/08/2015 12:05 PM (GMT-07:00) > To: cctalk at classiccmp.org > Subject: Re: Front Panel Update > > On 6/8/2015 12:28 PM, Rod Smallwood wrote: >> Theres an 8/f which replaced the 8/e and has a similar front panel with >> extra markings >> The 8/m - OEM no front panel >> The 8/I has different front panel >> The 8/A is a totally different box altogether >> >> The 8/e was the big seller with thousands shipped >> > The 8/s was a small seller with 10's of computers shipped. > I got to play with both. > Ben. > > -- http://www.corestore.org 'No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother. Not for millions, not for glory, not for fame. For one person, in the dark, where no one will ever know or see.'

11 years

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