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

by tshoppa＠wmata.com

At first I thought this was an April Fools prank pulled a day early, then I went and checked and found out that because 2015 is a leap year, March only had 29 days instead of the usual 31. Tim.

11 years, 3 months

3
3
0 0

Wanted: PDP-11 Unibus Ethernet interface from Xerox, c. 1981

by RichA＠LivingComputerMuseum.org

Long story short: It turns out that SAIL, the DEC-1080 running WAITS at the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, did not use the MEIS (Massbus-Ethernet Interface Subsystem) for Ethernet connectivity, but rather a Unibus card from Xerox (apparently used to hook -11s to D-machines) which went into the front end 11/40 on the KL-10. So: Does anyone on the list have such a device, and are you willing to part with it? Or to loan it for reverse engineering? Or do you know someone who has one who does not read ClassicCmp? Please contact me off-list. I've directed Outlook to set the Reply-to: field, but who knows if it listens, or if the list software will leave it in place. Thanks, Rich Rich Alderson Sr. Systems Engineer Living Computer Museum 2245 1st Ave S Seattle, WA 98134 http://www.LivingComputerMuseum.org/

11 years, 3 months

5
6
0 0

OT: 32-bit OS called MMYRTL

by rich.cini＠verizon.net

All ? After a long time, I?m playing with this 1995-vintage DIY 32-bit OS called MMYRTL by Rich Burgess. Does anyone have any experience with running and building it? If so, could you ping me off-list. I have a quick question on it. Thanks! Rich -- Rich Cini Collector of Classic Computers Build Master and lead engineer, Altair32 Emulator http://www.classiccmp.org/cini http://www.classiccmp.org/altair32

11 years, 3 months

2
1
0 0

HP-85A tape drive conversion

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

So the roller on my -85A tape drive is marginally ok, but finding the tapes for that which work reliably is not really an option. So I was going to attempt the conversion to make the drive use DC2000 tapes. Marc - thanks for the great video of this process at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IQKCiS0w2s The process basically involves making the capstan roller "taller". Marc's approach is to use a lathe and fabricate a taller capstan roller and he suggests using heat shrink tubing to make the capstan roller taller as an alternative. I do not have a lathe, so the first option is out. While the second option would work, according to the video it "just barely makes the capstan roller contact the bottom portion of the tape capstan wheel". That concerns me, as if it's "barely making contact" I'm concerned that over time this would wear the capstan roller motor shaft and perhaps wear down the wheel, not to mention potential vibration. So. two questions: What SHOULD the outer diameter of a good capstan roller be on that drive, and does anyone have other suggestions for how to make the capstan roller "taller"? J

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Data Communications Pac for the HP 83/85 (Marc Verdiell)

by marc.verdiell＠gmail.com

Never mind, I asked for help in the series80 Yahoo group, and this is actually the right package. My problem came from elsewhere (issues in making an error-free 5.25 HP-formatted floppy, its fixed now). The disc image below has both the HP86/87 and the HP83/85 versions on it. Works great, now my HP85 can be a cute serial terminal. Thanks Jay W. for the pointer to the software package, I had been trying to do this for a while. Marc >From: "Marc Verdiell" <marc.verdiell at gmail.com> >Does anyone have a copy of the Data Communications Pac for the HP 83/85? >It's a rather well done combo BASIC/Assembly package that turns your HP 85 >into a terminal emulator (Jay alerted me to it). This HP Computer Museum >link claims this is it: >http://www.hpmuseum.net/display_item.php?sw=9 >But when you download and extract the linked image it is actually the HP >86/87 version. I haven't been able to locate the HP 83/85 version of that >PAC. >Marc

11 years, 3 months

2
1
0 0

RL02K Pack Reliability/Characteristics

by christopher.parish＠parishcomputers.com

> From: Mike Ross > That's a very interesting project. Do you have plans to make this > thing available in some form once the bugs are out? > [...] You bet. I've kept component availability, manufacturability, and cost in mind from the beginning, which is why I've gone with a custom board instead of a mess of expensive development kits. Plus, I love designing new hardware, so I'm always looking for excuses to do it. The controller will need to mature a little before I let it loose on the world though. Right now I have (mostly) working: Block level access to the packs via USB Mass Storage (i.e. dd if=/dev/sdX of=/home/user/rl02.img) SIMH image compatibility (attach rl0 /home/user/rl02.img) SIMH real-time drive access (attach rl0 /dev/sdX). Yes, you can attach a real RL02 to SIMH transparently on linux (since everything is a file, even devices). I'm not sure what it would take on Windows. Still to do: Add more drive status probing (so you don't have to restart the controller board (powered over USB) if turning off the drive or changing packs) Testing of write, allowing restoration of disk images or disk reformatting (FAT16 anyone?) (implemented, but untested until read problems are fixed) Design the final board to plug into the external berg connector (that one might be tricky) Integration of XXDP style RL02 diagnostics into the controller (but more friendly). Bug fixes and loads more pack/drive combination compatibility testing. Christopher

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

WTB: small QBus backplane, PSU for HP Apollo 735/125

by toby＠telegraphics.com.au

Hi, Just a random couple of requests -- for a while I've been looking for a replacement HP Apollo 735/125 PSU (pic attached). Or alternatively, a schematic for this one so I can get an expert to repair it :) Also - for testing QBus cards - I'm interested in a small standalone backplane that I can power independently. Anyone have something they want to get rid of? (Pref North America for shipping reasons :) Thanks --Toby

11 years, 3 months

3
2
0 0

DEC PDP-11: 330 XXDP listings scanned from micro fiches

by j_hoppe＠t-online.de

Hi all, Over the last months I scanned micro fiches with XXDP diagnostic program listings. These listings are essential for repairing PDP-11's (or enhancing SimH). I digitized 330 listings from 452 fiches, with a total of 53545 document pages. Almost all of them should be new stuff. The PDFs are ready for download now. Until they appear at bitsavers.org, you can use my link: ftp://u58104846-pub:open4you at ftp.j-hoppe.de (Note the embedded user/password strings) The scans come in two versions: "high quality" and "black&white": The HQ version is gray level and contains a true image of the micro fiches, after non-destructive contrast enhancement. It is the base for further image processing. Download path is ./fichescanner/hq/gh The BW version is compressed to black & white and aggressively optimized for size and letter quality. File sizes are 20x smaller than the HQ version. Its intended for daily use and OCR, but for some very problematic fiches textual information is lost. Download path is ./fichescanner/bw/gh And there is a background article on http://retrocmp.com/projects/scanning-micro-fiches describing the self-build automatic micro fiche scanner (video!) Enjoy! Joerg

11 years, 3 months

12
15
0 0

Equipment Available

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

This one is in the UK. I am not sure exactly where - waiting on further response from the owner. Description I initially received: ----- PDP11/23, Microvax with a number of boards and a Uni-bus adapter, Q U back plane plus some documentation. The RX01 drives passed away many years ago but the main board I think I still have. Unfortunately the power supply is dead, and should take swimming lessons in Maynard Mill pond. ----- I then received a followup email with the following info: ----- I {used to work at} a little company then called DEC. This was a single system used for silicon testing as there is an IEEE bus interface card. ----- So this is interesting in that it has a unibus adapter, and an IEEE bus interface card. And... may have actually been used within DEC (from what he says above)? Anyways, further information will not be available until after Easter (it's being dug out and verified for parts and descriptions). If you're in the UK and interested, please email me off-list. Best, J

11 years, 3 months

5
11
0 0

USB --> SCSI

by bbrown＠harpercollege.edu

I was exploring the idea of doing it without requiring an old PC w/SCSI card. -Bob -----Original Message----- From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of John Foust Sent: Monday, March 30, 2015 12:23 PM To: cctalk at classiccmp.org Subject: Re: USB --> SCSI At 11:47 AM 3/27/2015, Liam Proven wrote: >On 27 March 2015 at 17:36, Bob Brown <bbrown at harpercollege.edu> wrote: >> Does anyone know if a usb --> scsi adapter might allow me to connect an hp 9-track tape drive (7980s) to a computer running windows-7? Hasn't someone somewhere created an iSCSI stack that would let an old PC run Linux and use an old SCSI card (of appropriate interface) to talk to old hardware, but speak to the new PC and new software over the network? Is the end-goal running 'mt' and 'tar' within Cygwin under Windows? If the goal requires talking to the Windows machine's filesystem, aren't there lots of ways to solve that from an old Linux machine? This topic was covered in July 2014 and December 2012 if you check the archives. - John

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

USB --> SCSI

by jfoust＠threedee.com

At 11:47 AM 3/27/2015, Liam Proven wrote: >On 27 March 2015 at 17:36, Bob Brown <bbrown at harpercollege.edu> wrote: >> Does anyone know if a usb --> scsi adapter might allow me to connect an hp 9-track tape drive (7980s) to a computer running windows-7? Hasn't someone somewhere created an iSCSI stack that would let an old PC run Linux and use an old SCSI card (of appropriate interface) to talk to old hardware, but speak to the new PC and new software over the network? Is the end-goal running 'mt' and 'tar' within Cygwin under Windows? If the goal requires talking to the Windows machine's filesystem, aren't there lots of ways to solve that from an old Linux machine? This topic was covered in July 2014 and December 2012 if you check the archives. - John

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Data Communications Pac for the HP 83/85

by marc.verdiell＠gmail.com

Does anyone have a copy of the Data Communications Pac for the HP 83/85? It's a rather well done combo BASIC/Assembly package that turns your HP 85 into a terminal emulator (Jay alerted me to it). This HP Computer Museum link claims this is it: http://www.hpmuseum.net/display_item.php?sw=9 But when you download and extract the linked image it is actually the HP 86/87 version. I haven't been able to locate the HP 83/85 version of that PAC. Marc

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

USB --> SCSI

by bbrown＠harpercollege.edu

Does anyone know if a usb --> scsi adapter might allow me to connect an hp 9-track tape drive (7980s) to a computer running windows-7? Has anyone done it? Any pointers (drivers etc)? Thanks. -Bob

11 years, 3 months

8
8
0 0

HP 9100B upgrade and case mod

by dfnr2＠yahoo.com

I thought my latest little retrocomputing project might beof interest.?A few weeks ago, our accounting department trashed some oldequipment that had been in a closet sine the 70?s.? Because it was all fully depreciated long ago, the stuff wasup for grabs.? Most of it was junk,but they did have 5 HP 9100B calculators that seemed to be in pretty goodphysical shape.? These are from the1960?s, and are pretty huge for a calculator, by today?s standards.? I tried them all, and they all seemedto have some pretty weird behavior.?When you hit the ?+? key, it doesn?t wait for another number, butinstead adds the last row directly to the second row.? I suppose that?s why these have been out of commission allthese years.? View image: Strange calculator behavior | ? | | ? | | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | | View image: Strange calculator behaviorhttp://postimg.org/image/rnyl9uexz/ Link copy to clipboard http://s23.postimg.org/otvfwecrv/Strange_calculator_behavior.jpg Direct Link copy to clipboard ? | | | | View on postimg.org | Preview by Yahoo | | | | ? | I figured since they are free, I?d pick one up and find aproject for it.? They do have somepretty cool cases.? They had someprinters as well, off in a corner, but I was more interested in using thecalculator as the basis for some kind of retrocomputing project, and theprinters were not compatible with anything else, so I passed.?This weekend, while cleaning up the lab, I came across anold Jumptec PC104 form-factor board with a 486 processor and an add-on LCDcontroller.? I figured this couldbe the perfect ?upgrade? for the 9100B.?Luckily, the HP machine was very well designed, and easy todisassemble.? I was very easilyable to fit the PCM-104 stack, a power supply, screen, SD card, and HappyHacking keyboard.? Almost a perfectfit!!?View image: Out with the old, in with the new!! | ? | | ? | | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | | View image: Out with the old, in with the new!!http://postimg.org/image/6051lnp5z/ Link copy to clipboard http://s23.postimg.org/5am99aomj/Out_with_the_old_in_with_the_new.jpg Direct Link copy to clipb... | | | | View on postimg.org | Preview by Yahoo | | | | ? | Of course, no retro-computer is complete without a properretro-operating system.? Here youcan see the project in near final shape, running windows 95Perhaps some time inthe future, I?ll upgrade this to a more modern processor, but for now, justpure retrocomputing goodness! View image: Up and running, retro style! | ? | | ? | | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | | View image: Up and running, retro style!http://postimg.org/image/xm7t6c8iv/ Link copy to clipboard http://s23.postimg.org/ki28tngh7/Up_and_running_retro_style.jpg Direct Link copy to clipboard ? | | | | View on postimg.org | Preview by Yahoo | | | | ? | ?Future upgrades include:??????Laser-cutting or 3d-printing a proper faceplatefor the keyboard, and transplanting the keyboard PCB directly to the case.??????Adding some LED strip-lighting for a morestriking presentation.?Let me know what you think!?Dave

11 years, 3 months

3
2
0 0

Installing a TF85 into a BA440 Enclosure

by robert.jarratt＠ntlworld.com

I have a TF85 I want to install into a BA440 enclosure. I took the mounting rails from a TK70 and combined it with the small board from an RF drive which has the DSSI cable and a power cable. I plugged the power cable into a socket on a board attached to the drive. The drive itself has another power socket. I assumed it was getting power from the socket on the board attached to the drive, but when I power on the machine, the tape drive itself appears not to get any power. Is there supposed to be a special board that goes into the mounting that has *two* power cables? I have tried to find documentation on this but have not been able to find anything. Thanks Rob

11 years, 3 months

2
2
0 0

cctalk Digest, Vol 5, Issue 28

by mark＠markesystems.com

Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2015 23:02:59 +0200 From: Johannes Thelen <johannesthelen at hotmail.com> To: "General Discussion: On-Topic Posts" <cctech at classiccmp.org> Subject: RE: Huge IBM 1800 find (and need some help) Oh, the pictures: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B_DR111cK6W-SFJpMm16MVgyVFk&usp=sha… Wow! That's fantastic!!! 20150327_121311.jpg ~~ Mark Moulding

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

PDP-8I front panel clone project

by dave＠661.org

I figured a goodly number of folks here would appreciate this: http://hackaday.com/2015/03/26/hackaday-retro-edition-remaking-the-pdp-8i-w… It's a clone of a PDP-8I front using modern parts and driven by Raspberry Pi running SIMH. -- 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?

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

FFS: 2x Vishay Siliconix DG506AR Single 16Ch/Differential 8Ch CMOS Analog Multiplexer

by dave＠661.org

I have two Vishay Siliconix DG506AR Single 16Ch/Differential 8Ch CMOS Analog Multiplexers free for shipping. I tried selling them on Ebay and got no nibbles at all. These are white-ceramic with white lids. I found them in a small box labeled as though they were free samples from Vishay. The foam appears to have consumed a bit of the gold, but they should work okay. See them in https://www.flickr.com/photos/32548582 at N02/sets/72157647852420954/. Note: I'm keeping that curious-looking paper tape punch. -- 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?

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Dilog SU723A

by shadoooo＠gmail.com

Hello, if you have a place where I can upload, no problem for a couple of images. Andrea

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

TRU64 UNIX

by jim＠g1jbg.co.uk

Hi, I'm looking for someone in the UK with commercial experience of TRU64 UNIX, preferably with ORACLE, if anyone can help, please let me know. Regards Jim.

11 years, 3 months

2
1
0 0

Looking for an RX2620 Bezel

by robert.jarratt＠ntlworld.com

I would like to find the front bezel for a HP RX2620. The one I have has the tabs that hold it in place broken off. There is one on Ebay, but with postage from the US it adds up. Does anyone have one in the UK that they are willing to part with? I also wouldn't mind finding an optical drive for this machine, they seem pretty hard to find, so again, anyone have one to spare? Thanks Rob

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

cable for KV8-I video display (PDP-8/I)

by j＠ckrubin.us

I'm looking for a "Dual I/O cable assembly", DEC part number D-IA-7006289-0-0. This cable links a PDP-8/I with the KV8-I graphics display option to a VT01 display and an H306 joystick. All I know at this point is that the cable connects to the 8/I via a G778 interface card and terminates at the other end in a 25-pin Cannon connector for the display (actually a Tek 611 display monitor) and a 9-pin Amphenol connector for the joystick. Does anyone have one of these display systems? I would be happy to find the cable but short of that, it would be a big help to have more info on the G778 interface card so I can build a cable. Thanks, Jack

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Dilog SU723A

by shadoooo＠gmail.com

Hello, I just received from a friend a Dilog SU723A, but I don't find any documentation about it. The board is rev.D and has two 50 pin connectors on top... which one should be used? From a quick look at the ICs on the PCB, I suspect one connector is for single ended, the other for differential SCSI, but I'm not sure about it... Anybody has some info / manual / other ROM dumps? My ROM image is available if somebody is interested on it. As I suspect that the same board could support also SU726A, if would be nice if somebody has ROMs and/or PLA dumps, could be interesting in being able to switch between features. Thanks Andrea

11 years, 3 months

2
1
0 0

Upgrading BDV11's to Q22

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

So I've just upgraded several BDV11's to Q22 (new EPROMs to handle more than 256KB of memory, adding termination for BDAL18-21, etc). If anyone has a BDV11 they want to update, let me know, and I can lend a hand, e.g. sending you new EPROMs, lists of jumpers to change, etc. Noel

11 years, 3 months

3
2
0 0

Tektronix 4014-1 troubleshooting advice

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: Josh Dersch > I've been reading through the service manual on Bitsavers > From: Paul Koning > A schematic or manual might give a clue, if one can be found. > From: Jon Elson > Have you checked bitsavers for a manual? !! :-) Noel

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Manual sought - Northern Telecom Spectron D101

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

TSIA. I'm in need of an owner's manual (and ideally, a service manual as well would be nice) for a Northern Telecom Spectron D101. This is an RS232 serial datascope, basically a line monitor with some programmability (displays in binary, hex, ascii, or octal; start tracking on certain characters; substitute X string for Y string; etc.). I've googled excessively with no results, and also reached out to AEK. Any chance someone has one in their pile? Best, J

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Mac SE/30 making zipping and buzzing noises

by dave＠661.org

I'm gradually restoring a Mac SE/30. Today I got a new PRAM battery and installed it. There was no battery leakage, so I'm good there. The machine seems to run just fine. The big problem now is that even though nothing should be emitted from the speaker, I'm getting zips, buzzes, and burbles from it depending on what the computer is doing at the time. I'm quite sure the the sound circuitry is somehow picking up RF noise from the system bus. What does this symptom indicate? Should I recap the whole machine? -- 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?

11 years, 3 months

6
9
0 0

Punchcard drawers

by wilson＠dbit.com

By any chance does anyone have a line on the sets of metal drawers that were used to store decks of punchcards? I know someone who's looking for a bunch of them (ideally in/near New England, USA, but, whatever!). Thanks, John Wilson

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

More Dilog and Emulex

by useddec＠gmail.com

The UC171 was a quantity one and is gone. Others are gone, but I still have one or so left, plus a few goodies I'm just adding. Please contact me off list. Any qty $10 shipping within US. Paul DILOG DQ130 DQ686 Emulex CS09 SC01 SC03 TU11 TU121 QD01 QD21 QD241 QT131

11 years, 3 months

2
2
0 0

More DEC compatables

by useddec＠gmail.com

GTSC 304B DLV11-J? SIGMA 400310 MATROX ELECTRONICS SYS QRGB-G/64 MATROX 80 QRGB-256 SPECTRA LOGIC 15/25 ABLE (ACT) 10067 LOOKS LIKE QUINEVERTOR ABLE 10412 SAME Please contact me off list if you are interested. Thanks, Paul

11 years, 3 months

2
2
0 0

DEC LCG MG boards available

by useddec＠gmail.com

If you are interested, please feel free to contact me off list. Thanks, Paul

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Implementing the Mandelbrot set on an IBM 1401

by marc.verdiell＠gmail.com

That is a highly impressive autocoder implementation, and the article is an entertaining, yet deep and accurate technical overview of what makes the 1401 so special from a computer engineering point of view. One of the best short technical piece I've ever seen on the 1401. If the two machines work at the same time, I will certainly try to run it on one while making shorter demos on the second! Marc Sent from my iPad > On Mar 24, 2015, at 10:00 AM, cctalk-request at classiccmp.org wrote: > > Re: Implementing the Mandelbrot set on an IBM 1401

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Recovering data from 4mm and 8mm tapes

by dj.taylor4＠verizon.net

I've been recovering old data from computers that I used many years ago, the last effort was trying to recover the data from a hard disk that ran a WFW 3.11 system. The problem was the disk could not be read on a modern computer, so I recreated an old system and (very lucky for me) ftp'd the data off the system after I found an ISA network card. I have a couple of 4mm and 8mm tapes that contain data I want to recover. The 4mm is DDS-1 and was written using tar on a SGI system in 1998. My questions are; 'What modern DAT tape drive will read this tape? How backward compatible is this technology?' This seems like an easy problem and intend to use a linux system to read the tape. The 8mm tapes were also written on an SGI system, however it was in 1994 and the IRIX Backup utility was used. IRIX 5 was probably used. Any ideas?

11 years, 3 months

7
9
0 0

Implementing the Mandelbrot set on an IBM 1401

by lproven＠gmail.com

http://www.righto.com/2015/03/12-minute-mandelbrot-fractals-on-50.html?m=1 -- Sent from my phone - please pardon brevity & typos.

11 years, 3 months

4
3
0 0

Happy Birthday, PDP-8

by blstuart＠bellsouth.net

>From what I've been able to find, it was 50 years ago today that the PDP-8 was officially launched. So Happy Birthday to a machine that had such significant influence on so many of us. And a big Thank You to all those who helped to create it. In recognition of this anniversary, the PDP-8/M restoration I'm doing (on S/N 07082) reached the stage today where I connected a terminal and was able to push characters in and out of it. Even as I type this, it's running the print test program >from the maintenance manual printing ASCII characters on a terminal. Happy PDP-8 Day, everyone! BLS

11 years, 3 months

6
5
0 0

Re. Happy Birthday, PDP-8

by c.murray.mccullough＠gmail.com

It had a significant impact onsome of us. I remember in my high school electronics class in '67 seeing/watching the teacher use/ demonstrate it. I was hooked om computing ever since. Happy birthday indeed if it's appropriate to wish an non-entity such! Happy computing, Murray :)

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Two New Alternate-Version Scans

by silent700＠gmail.com

I've scanned and uploaded different versions of two manuals that already exist on Bitsavers. They are the HP RTE-6/VM Quick Reference Guide and the Intel MCS-48 User's Manual. Those interested in completeness or tracking historical changes may be interested. You can find them here: http://chiclassiccomp.org/docs/index.php?dir=%2Fcomputing/HP http://chiclassiccomp.org/docs/index.php?dir=%2Fcomputing/Intel Enjoy... -j

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Fix for sticky buttons on Tek 1240/41 logic analyzers

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

So one of my Tek 1240s had incredibly sticky buttons on the front panel (basically, _all_ of them would stick, and have to be pried out manually). I had _very_ good results with the following very simple procedure (which is _not_ in the service manual :-) to totally cure the problem. Your results may differ, since the problem may have different causes in other cases; in mine, there was lot of fine dust in the keyboard area, and it apparently had gotten into the button mechanism, which has a lot of sliding parts with tight tolerances. i) Remove the keyboard PCB: the Service Manual, Volume I (available online) explains how to get the keyboard out - roll up the logic cage, and then you can undo 4 small bolts, after which the keyboard just comes off. You will also need to remove two flat cables. Next, remove the scroll button (usual hex set screw holds it on the shaft), and then separate the cover from the actual keyboard PCB by removing the four hex stand-off posts. ii) Take the button assembly out of the PCB; it's just a press-fit, not glued - just push on it from the solder side of the PCB (may need a fair amount of force). The buttons consist of precisely 5 parts: the keytop, which comes off/on easily (I usually remove them, but you could probably leave them on), the housing, the shaft/actuator, a spring, and a gold-plated copper contact bar (which connects two gold-plated contacts on the PCB, to form the switch). iii) Immerse the button assembly in water, and _while immersed_, push the shaft/actuator back and forth a number of times. If it's totally binding, and won't come out at all, use a small object of some kind down the cylindrical shaft to get it to go back and forth. If there is an air bubble trapped in the cylindrical shaft, make sure to clear it - that shaft is one of the places dirt can get and bind things up. Pretty soon it should operate completely freely. iv) Needless to say, dry thoroughly before replacing... :-) In theory one could take the button assembly apart to clean it, but I'd be _really_ worried I'd damage the contact, or something. I just left it all together and dunked it in water, and that worked wonderfully. For the 5 LED buttons, it's basically the same. The LEDs are _not_ glued into the button assemblies, just inserted into the cylindrical shaft. _Carefully_ remove the LED from the shaft, and bend it back out of the way. Then proceed as above. Hope someone finds this useful! It's tedious, doing all 30 or so keys, but it works well. Noel

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

VCF Southeast 3.0 - Call for exhibitors!

by kylevowen＠gmail.com

The Atlanta Historical Computing Society and the Computer Museum of America has been planning a great celebration of the 50th birthday of the PDP-8, 40th of the Altair 8800, and 30th of the Amiga 1000 in Roswel, GA, for the Vintage Computer Festival Southeast 3.0. However, we need your help in exhibiting! Last year, we had about 400 people through the doors between two days. We'd love for you to sign up and bring your hardware to show off to the Atlanta community. I'll be there with dueling PDP-8s (/E and /M) playing chess, as well as taking turns playing Spacewar! on age-appropriate hardware. I'll also show off my emulated version based around SimH. And that's just at my table! Steve Lafferty has summed up (quite nicely) the signup process for those who have not done it before. Check it out! http://tronola.com/html/vcfse3_exhibitor_info.html Here's the link on vintage.org as well: http://www.vintage.org/2015/southeast/ If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. Kyle Owen Member, AHCS

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Huge IBM 1800 find (and need some help)

by johannesthelen＠hotmail.com

I hope this is not too long story, but I'd like to start from beginning... I was selling and donating my 80's computer collection away, because I really couldn't get anymore kicks of home computers (gateaway theory is right, Commodores are step to mainframes ...) Anyways, I asked every buyer have they seen any thing big, old computers anywhere here in Finland. One guy gave hint of some truck sized IBM, which he had seen at his old job. He told it is probably going to scrap yard and he sent photo of it. I was stunned, FULL 1800 SYSTEM. Next step was find boss who decide what is going to happen that IBM. I called him and asked how's IBM. Firstly he thought I'm gold digger. After some talk, he became convinced I'm real deal. Sadly, he told me that IBM is in their private museum, and not for sale or not planned to donate anywhere. But he invited me to see that IBM. I was little dissapointed, but better than nothing I thought. After couple months, I went to there to see IBM. Boss had changed at that time, there was new guy. He also understand historical value of that big iron, no doubt it. We drove plant where that IBM was. When I see it, I was stunned. It was absolute spectacular! It was stood 30 years after service in dry and warm warehouse, same place where it installed early 70's. It have stood still almost long as I have wander this world! Time was stopped that room, it looks like we have got back to 80's on time machine. 2311 disk packs was left probably just where they are 30 years ago. Here's pic: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_DR111cK6W-NnRINlhESk5aNUk&authuser=0 System contains 1801 CPU, 1803 additional core storage unit, 2841 drive adapter, couple 2311 hard drives, 1826 data adapter, 1443 printer, terminals, card readers/punches, etc... It is giant system! Now comes twist to plot, this new boss suddenly asked: "When you could make pickup for this IBM?". I'm not that type guy, who can get be quiet that easy, but I could just stutter something like "I can pickup every you want". :D So, I was so excited, own IBM 1800, that is just what I have always wanted, own mainframe :D (...360 would be even better but this would do the trick as well ;) We have not that much computers back 60's or 70's. like below 200 at 1970. So you can imagine how rare big iron is here and it is totally unlikely you could find anything this good at Finland these days. ************** But now comes the problem. This IBM is in second floor. There is only (wide) staircase down to street level. So cabinets have to partly disassemble to light those "little" bit. I would need some kind of document of wireharness and schematics, so I get it back together. Also good pictures inside of cabinets would help, so I know what is waiting me there. And by the way, what weights so much these units? CPU weights 907kg, why? Is power supplies so heavy or is there lead poured to structure ;) ? I'm picking this up next week, at least small items, so I would need some good advices also. Rolling cabinets via stair case is not option ;) Also any help to bring this back to life is welcome! Thaaaaaanks! - Johannes ThelenFinland Before microcomputers blog (Finnish) http://ennenmikrotietokoneita.blogspot.fi/

11 years, 3 months

11
13
0 0

Mac SE/30 making zipping and buzzing noises

by marc.verdiell＠gmail.com

A classic case of Mac SE leaking electrolytic caps. Soon your sound will disappear completely. Then your Mac SE/30 won't even boot. You can confirm looking for shiny leaks traces around the caps. Very easy to take care of. Replace all of them, as they will all go bad. But there aren't many of them, I think I counted just 11. Most of them are of the 10 uF variety if I remember. Surface mount with leads hidden underneath the caps, a bit annoying to remove, but you can pretty much break them off the board carefully. The leads should break off at the cap and stay attached on the board. Then desolder the lead remnants and clean off the old solder with copper wick until you get pristine pads. Clean any spilled electrolyte under the caps thoroughly. Replace them with regular 10 uF ones - or whatever value is needed. I used standard axial through holes ones, just soldered the bent leads on the traces. It's even written on the board where the + go! Thanks Steve Jobs. If I could attach pictures of the before and after, I would... I can send them to you off line if you want. Actually I see your email, I will. Marc On 20/03/2015 6:39 PM, <dave at 661.org> wrote: > I'm gradually restoring a Mac SE/30. Today I got a new PRAM battery > and installed it. There was no battery leakage, so I'm good there. > The machine seems to run just fine. The big problem now is that even > though nothing should be emitted from the speaker, I'm getting zips, > buzzes, and burbles from it depending on what the computer is doing at > the time. I'm quite sure the the sound circuitry is somehow picking > up RF noise from the system bus. What does this symptom indicate? > Should I recap the whole machine? > > David Griffith > dave at 661.org

11 years, 3 months

4
3
0 0

A challenge from the Spectrum BASIC manual is finally achieved

by lproven＠gmail.com

30 years after it was set by Dr Stephen Vickers. An orchestra of a dozen -- networked! -- original ZX Spectrum computers plays Mahler's 1st symphony. A rather lovely 10min film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxPXLIALJJI -- Liam Proven ? Profile: http://lproven.livejournal.com/profile Email: lproven at cix.co.uk ? GMail/G+/Twitter/Flickr/Facebook: lproven MSN: lproven at hotmail.com ? Skype/AIM/Yahoo/LinkedIn: liamproven Cell/Mobiles: +44 7939-087884 (UK) ? +420 702 829 053 (?R)

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

IBM 5100 Restoration in progress

by santo.nucifora＠gmail.com

Hi All, Long time reader, first time poster. I am in need of some assistance in trying to revive an IBM 5100. It is a Basic 32k version that was in rough shape. You can see pics here: http://vintagecomputer.ca/ibm-5100-before/ I've been able to clean it up but when I fire it up I see a single "A" on screen. I can't seem to get into any diagnostic modes. The single "A" indicates an issue with the F2 Base I/O card. Some of the ICs do have some rust on them but I'm wondering if it might be the "bridge connectors" between the Base I/O and Controller (CPU) card. Are they directional or can then be swapped or turned around? I may have not kept them in the correct orientation but I don't see any mention in the Maintenance manual. I, pretty much, need someone who has one to take a picture of the top of their Base I/O and Controller cards. Any help is much appreciated. If someone happens to know a common issue that would make the "Bring up Program" stop at A, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks in advance, Santo

11 years, 3 months

6
23
0 0

Tek 1200 series GPIB interface available

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

Hi, I acquited (with a Tek 1240 I recently got) a 1200C02 GPIB Comm Pack, which I have no use for. Dunno if it works or not. Looking for a good home for it - shipping plus whatever donation the receiver feels is appropriate. Noel

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Looking for PSS RAM65 S100 Manual

by philip＠neoncluster.com

Hi all, I have a Problem Solver Systems (PSS) RAM65 card that I would like to get working in my IMSAI 8080, but I can not find any manuals for it online. Does anyone on the list have a manual they could possibly scan for me. Much thanks in advance. Philip

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

DEC PDP-11: 330 XXDP listings scanned from micro fiches

by shadoooo＠gmail.com

Wonderful!!! :) Andrea

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

DEC PDP-11: 330 XXDP listings scanned from micro fiches

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

> From: J?rg Hoppe > Over the last months I scanned micro fiches with XXDP diagnostic > program listings ... I digitized 330 listings from 452 fiches, with a > total of 53545 document pages. Wow! That is a fantastic job, and I'm sure they will be incredibly useful to the community. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Noel

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

DEC PDP-11: 330 XXDP listings scanned from micro fiches

by lbickley＠bickleywest.com

Joerg, On Sat, 21 Mar 2015 07:46:09 +0100 J?rg Hoppe <j_hoppe at t-online.de> wrote: > Hi all, > > Over the last months I scanned micro fiches with XXDP diagnostic > program listings. > These listings are essential for repairing PDP-11's (or enhancing > SimH). I digitized 330 listings from 452 fiches, with a total of > 53545 document pages. > Almost all of them should be new stuff. --snip-- Great job. A serious "labor of love". Thanks a LOT! Cheers, Lyle -- Bickley Consulting West Inc. http://bickleywest.com "Black holes are where God is dividing by zero"

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Kaypro 4 + 88 boot disk (81-232 ROM)

by brain＠jbrain.com

There seems to be quite a few options for a boot disk for a K4+88 here: http://www.retroarchive.org/maslin/disks/kpro/ The unit has a 81-232 ROM. Gene (again, thanks), sent some disks, but the 81-232 one did not work. I created a disk from one of the images on the site, and the unit boots (yay!), but not sure if I am using the best image for the unit. Any particular image I should use? Also, any links to the '88 stuff for this unit? Jim -- Jim Brain brain at jbrain.com www.jbrain.com

11 years, 3 months

1
0
0 0

How to save two Mitsubishi M2896 drive (spindle motor smoked!)

by enrico.lazzerini＠email.it

Well, i desolder the LB1620... it has obvious signs of burning under the chips and also on the pcb. I saw the smoke coming from that place but I thought it came from one of cap of 2700pf instead came from the chip. The short circuit between +24vdc and the ground is gone out.   +24vdc go just at pin 4 of the LB1620. +24vdc to R112 and the D102 Zener that is saved so from here to pins: 19, 2 and 12 of the LB1620 then it continue to pin 16 of the TC9142P. The datasheet of this last one say that the power voltage would be between 5Vdc and 9,5Vdc. So would this say that the zenere has to be from 5 to 9 vdc? Have i to measure the exact voltage on pin 16 of the TC9142P without the  LB1620 and how have i to expect?   The LB1620 is smoked. What other components must be tested to ensure that the new LB1620 can not be broken just fitted?   Thanks a lot.   E.     --------- Original Message -------- Da: "General Discussion: On-Topic Posts" <cctech at classiccmp.org> To: "General Discussion: On-Topic Posts" <cctech at classiccmp.org> Oggetto: Re: How to save two Mitsubishi M2896 drive (spindle motor smoked!) Data: 02/03/15 04:20 Indeed, pin 4 (Vcc1) should be +24V, this is for the motor windings drive. You need to look at pin 19 (Vcc2) of the LB1620 or the voltage across zener D102. Follow the pcb trace from the junction of R112 and D102, goes to pin 19, looks like pins 9 & 2 as well, and on to supply the other ICs. On 2015-Mar-01, at 1:38 PM, Enrico Lazzerini wrote: > > Mhmhm... i checked the pcb. The LB1620 pin 4 is wired to the pin on which I > think comes +24vdc... so... let me check what could happens before. Could > happens that is it broken something and it goes to this little pcb +24vdc > instead of 12-15vdc??? > > I misured the voltage coming to this pcb and over there is +24VDC > This explain well the why this pcb smoke and it is hot. > > > Enrico > > -----Messaggio originale----- > Da: cctech [mailto:cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org] Per conto di Brent Hilpert > Inviato: domenica 1 marzo 2015 22:08 > A: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts > Oggetto: Re: How to save two Mitsubishi M2896 drive (spindle motor smoked!) > > > On 2015-Mar-01, at 9:56 AM, Enrico Lazzerini wrote: > >> Thanks Tony for your suggestions. What I means is: >> >> It happen in two distinct times every time when I used the drive to read >> through a PC with the software IMD to create images of floppy disks 8 ". > Not >> having the correct power connectors i power the drives in this way: + 5vdc >> and ground coming by a PC power supply and +24vdc and ground from a > Chinese >> power supply. I must have certainly reversed this last one even for a few >> seconds exchange +24vdc with the ground. Now both spindle motor supplied >> also with only +24vdc start smoking in the vicinity of the chip LB1620 and >> cause of cooling you can not touch it as hot it is. If I try to measure > the >> resistance between pins +24vdc and ground of each spindle motor drive i > get >> 1327ohm on FD0 while i measure 19ohm on the spindle motor drive FD1. There >> are no visible damage nor to the components nor the PCB wires. >> In both pcbs anyway the chips LB1620 sunburnt from not being able to keep > a >> finger on it. >> I searched on ebay and the only place that has LB1620 seems to be: >> > http://www.ebay.it/itm/LB1620-INTEGRATED-CIRCUIT-IC-BOX-74-/390955452872?pt= >> LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5b06c2c9c8 >> >> The input's pins of the pcb are : +24vdc, ground, and the rest could be a >> control. >> >> The point is that I have no experience on these components. >> Replace the chip could make it burn again for my inexperience. >> > > I notice in one of the photos you have written 15V for the zener D102, and > on both boards they look like they have been replaced. > > D102 and R112 are a simple regulator to reduce the +24V down for the chip > supplies (looking at the photos to trace the circuit). > +24 is otherwise used directly only for the motor windings, in part via Vcc1 > on the LB1620. > > The LB1620 datasheet specifies the Vcc2 range for the 1620 to be only 8.5 to > 14V, not 15V. > > Check the Vcc2/zener level to see whether the zeners are good and what > voltage they are. > I expect Vcc2 (and the zener V) is supposed to be 12V or 9V. > -- ZE-Light e ZE-Pro: servizi zimbra per caselle con dominio email.it, per tutti i dettagli Clicca qui http://posta.email.it/caselle-di-posta-z-email-it/?utm_campaign=email_Zimbr… Sponsor: Idee regalo classiche o alternative? Trova l'offerta migliore in un click Clicca qui: http://adv.email.it/cgi-bin/foclick.cgi?mid=13327&d=2-3

11 years, 3 months

3
20
0 0

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

test-drb