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

Some said they have CDOS and Cromemco disks

by dave04a＠dunfield.com

I played with the serial <> RDOS transfer a little bit more this evening. I was able to transfer an image of CDOS + INIT into the machine and start it up directly from memory - however in order to make sure that this is doable on a Cromemco bank switched memory card, I have to keep it within 32k ... I discovered that CDOS won't INIT a DS/DD disk when it's gen'd for 32k (I get a weird error about a non-existant drive 'h') ... It works fine if gen'd for 48k or 64k. It will however INIT a SS/SD disk when it's gen'd for 32k ... so it's going to be a bit of a multi-step process. First, you download CDOS+INIT to memory and INIT a SS/SD disk - then you transfer a SS/SD disk image with 48k gen'd CDOS and INIT - this will let you INIT any type of disk. Once you INIT a DS/DD disk, then you can transfer the full CDOS and Cromix images. I'm doing this with 5.25" drives - I assume most people will be able to dig up a 5.25" drive to bootstrap, even if their machine as 8" drives - I'm genning the CDOS to have Drives A=Small B=Large C=Small and D=Large - that way you should be able to INIT the right type of drive on a system with either two small or two large drives. Regards, Dave -- dave04a (at) Dave Dunfield dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools: www.dunfield.com com Collector of vintage computing equipment: http://www.parse.com/~ddunfield/museum/index.html

21 years, 2 months

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Commodore Adding Machine plus FREE stuff to get rid of

by fernande＠internet1.net

Okay here's the deal. I bought this Commodore 202 adding machine from Goodwill a few years ago, I think for $2.00. I promised it to someone for 7.00 plus shipping, but I never got around to making it happen. I can't recall who I promised it to, Though. If I promised to you, please let me know if you still want it, or not. I want to get it out of my way .... I box it up and ship it this time! It does have a piece broken out of the case by the plug. I don't know if it works as I've never tried plugging it in. Free: 2 72-pin 4 meg simms, marked "ASSY IN USA POWMEM" 1 IBM 7024-113 wide scsi case, that I think is only good for 3.5" single ended drives. The board that has the external connectors on it says "Single Ended EPOW". It's dis-assembled. The inside bottom part of the chassis has some corrosion on it.... not rust, it's whitish and is from when I tried soaking off some sticky stuff off of it, it should clean up. I never did get all the sticky stuff off. The rest of it is very nice. I'd use it myself, but I need a case for 5.25" FH drives, not a 3.5" drive. Please respond privately. Chad Fernandez Michigan, USA

21 years, 2 months

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Final reminder: 30th Trenton Computer Festival is this weekend

by news＠computercollector.com

http://www.tcf-nj.org (returns this year to Trenton State College, now called "The College of New Jersey") Special exhibit: MARCH (Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists) and the New Jersey Antique Radio Club ----------------------------------------- Evan Koblentz's personal homepage: www.snarc.net *** Tell your friends about the (free!) Computer Collector Newsletter - 700 readers and no spam / Publishes every Monday / Write for us! - Mainframes to videogames, hardware and software, we cover it all - W: http://news.computercollector.com E: news at computercollector.com

21 years, 2 months

1
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Some said they have CDOS and Cromemco disks

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

>Subject: Re: Some said they have CDOS and Cromemco disks > From: "Randy McLaughlin" <cctalk at randy482.com> >Adding a "single-density" drive to a PC does not give you the ability to >read single density. There is for all intents no such animal as a "single density drive". >The PC itself is what needs to be able to handle FM. Some can, some can't. The 765 FDC core knows both and and *should* but with the bare 765 chip that requires a bit of external logic around clocks and data seperators. For the later integrated 765 cores like the 37C65 it's more a programming issue. One caveat on that is the slowest rate (125kb/s 5.25 SD) is often not available however if you have a standalone XT or AT class clard the typical 16mhz clock on the board can be replaced with a 8mhz (move all the data rates down by 50%). I have such a hacked board as it was an older one using a 765A and came with a rare thing, a schematic. However bios support for such a thing is NOT there and you have to do all the work and even for an unhacked board the bios may be less than helpful. Allison

21 years, 2 months

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ICL 1902 manuals

by bpettit＠ix.netcom.com

Below is a thread (from Newsgroups: alt.folklore.computers) on some ICL manuals. It would be great if one of our UK friends could get these (and/or a copy) to some of the archivists for everyone's benefits. Can anyone follow up on this? Billy Pettit ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alan J. Wylie Apr 13, 1:49 pm show options Newsgroups: alt.folklore.computers From: a... at wylie.me.uk (Alan J. Wylie) - Find messages by this author Date: 13 Apr 2005 21:49:09 +0100 Local: Wed,Apr 13 2005 1:49 pm Subject: Re: IBM's last tabulator (last unit-record punch card machine)? Reply | Reply to Author | Forward | Print | Individual Message | Show original | Report Abuse On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 09:46:25 +0100, Brian W Spoor <b... at fcs.eu.com> said: > I already have cross-links with Rod between his 1300 site and my > 1900 site On the subject of 1900's: A long, long time ago (late 1975/early 1976), Computer Weekly[1] ran a "Win-A-Computer" competition for schools. My school (the then Keswick Grammar) entered a project analysing Cumbrian Stone Circles using a HP 9830A[2]. We came second. The first prize was a DEC Classic minicomputer. The day of the prize-giving clashed with one of my "A"-level exams, so I missed out on getting my photo in print and meeting Patrick Moore. Soon afterwards, a firm that was retiring its old 1900 donated it as a "second prize" to our school, just as I was leaving. My brother played with the bits and pieces (what on earth were a bunch of school children supposed to do with them?) and preserved some of them. A couple of weeks ago I helped him to clear out his loft, and rescued a box of manuals. I note your posting here of 2005-02-26[3], so if you are interested in any of the below, let me know. I'll look after them, and make sure they aren't lost to posterity. Inventory: ICT E.S.O. Machine Manual for Central Processors Type 1941/3 6us 16K sotre serial no 405 ICL 1902-3 Training Manual ICT Program Specification Standard Executive 1902/3 ICL System Manual - Volume I Central Processors - Volume II Basic Peripherals ICT Engineering Services Manual Type 1902, volumes 1,3,4 and 5, plus two binders of circuit diagrams, etc. ICL 1902-3 System Programmes Logic Diagrams - Type 1915 and 1916 paper tape readers 1925 paper tape punch Type 1902 Central Processor [1] http://www.computerweekly.com/ [2] http://www.hpmuseum.org/hp9830?.htm [3] http://groups.google.co.uk/gro?ups?selm=M7qdnSuy-ZUuf73fRVnyv?g%40eclip... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Billy Apr 14, 8:30 pm show options Newsgroups: alt.folklore.computers From: "Billy" <bpett... at comcast.net> - Find messages by this author Date: 14 Apr 2005 20:30:25 -0700 Local: Thurs,Apr 14 2005 8:30 pm Subject: Re: IBM's last tabulator (last unit-record punch card machine)? Reply | Reply to Author | Forward | Print | Individual Message | Show original | Remove | Report Abuse They are several sites that will scan old manuals available and make them available on archivist sites. Most noteable is bitsavers: http://computer-refuge.org/bit?savers/ If you will allow me to forward your message to some of these archivists, we can find a way to preserve these manuals for the benefit of all. I've been getting all my old CDC manuals ready to put up on the net. Other oldtimers have done the same. Your treasure trove would make a wonderful addition to the online library. The manuals could be returned to you after scanning. Billy Pettit Reply ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alan J. Wylie Apr 14, 11:55 pm show options Newsgroups: alt.folklore.computers From: a... at wylie.me.uk (Alan J. Wylie) - Find messages by this author Date: 15 Apr 2005 07:55:42 +0100 Local: Thurs,Apr 14 2005 11:55 pm Subject: Re: IBM's last tabulator (last unit-record punch card machine)? Reply | Reply to Author | Forward | Print | Individual Message | Show original | Report Abuse On 14 Apr 2005 20:30:25 -0700, "Billy" <bpett... at comcast.net> said: > If you will allow me to forward your message to some of these > archivists, we can find a way to preserve these manuals for the > benefit of all. Of course - that's my primary motivation for rescuing the box - to make sure that the information is preserved for posterity. I'm in Yorkshire, UK. -- - Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Alan J. Wylie http://www.wylie.me.uk/ "Perfection [in design] is achieved not when there is nothing left to add, but rather when there is nothing left to take away." -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery Reply ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brian W Spoor Apr 15, 1:51 am show options Newsgroups: alt.folklore.computers From: Brian W Spoor <b... at fcs.eu.com> - Find messages by this author Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 09:51:45 +0100 Local: Fri,Apr 15 2005 1:51 am Subject: Re: IBM's last tabulator (last unit-record punch card machine)? Reply | Reply to Author | Forward | Print | Individual Message | Show original | Report Abuse - Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Alan J. Wylie wrote: > I note your posting here of 2005-02-26[3], so if you are interested in > any of the below, let me know. I'll look after them, and make sure > they aren't lost to posterity. > Inventory: > ICT E.S.O. Machine Manual for Central Processors > Type 1941/3 6us 16K sotre serial no 405 > ICL 1902-3 Training Manual > ICT Program Specification Standard Executive 1902/3 > ICL System Manual - Volume I Central Processors > - Volume II Basic Peripherals > ICT Engineering Services Manual Type 1902, volumes 1,3,4 and 5, > plus two binders of circuit diagrams, etc. > ICL 1902-3 System Programmes > Logic Diagrams - Type 1915 and 1916 paper tape readers > 1925 paper tape punch > Type 1902 Central Processor I'm interested in any IC1900 related manuals to either borrow or add to my collection, with the intention of making them available online as PDF files. See: http://www.fcs.eu.com/techlib/?index.html and http://www.fcs.eu.com/icl1900/?library.html Did you get my email?

21 years, 2 months

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OT but useful if you use PINE to filter CC mail into folders; if not, ignore and move along

by vcf＠siconic.com

So for a couple years I'd been suffering from a rather tiresome problem. I used to have a separate e-mail address for receiving CC mail but it got annoying having to log in to a separate account to read it, plus people would send me e-mail at that address and I'd have to forward them to my primary address because I like to have all communications in one place. So I ditched that account and figured out how to use PINE to filter messages into their own folders. But then something funny started to happen, and I didn't associate it with this new configuration. Groups of messages from the CC mailing list would show up in my mailbox over and over (and over and over and sometimes over and over and over again). It was rather obnoxious. Messages I'd already read and deleted hours or days ago would suddenly re-appear as new again. I'd have to go through and delete all these messages to get to the actual new ones. Sometimes there'd be repeats, then new messages, then the same repeats plus the new messages repeated and then newer messages, etc. I dealt with it for a while. I blamed Jay. A couple times. Even though he denied it was a problem with the CC server, I had my suspicions :) I decided to leave Jay alone finally and focus on my server. I figured it was screwy. It's old and running low on HD space anyway. But I still didn't know why it was doing this and didn't have the foggiest idea where to begin looking. So recently I subscribed to several of the local FreeCycle mailing lists and set PINE filters to route those messages into their own folder. And I began to receive a flood of messages. And repeats. It was then that I finally realized that PINE was the culprit. I deleted the PINE filters for FreeCycle and instead added some rules to my .procmailrc. Sure enough, the duplicates stopped. I then deleted my filters for the CC list and added rules to .procmailrc for the CC list and the duplicates FINALLY stopped there as well. It's been a few days like this and I feel confident saying the problem is solved. I still don't know why this was happening, but the moral of the story is that PINE's filtering sucks and should not be used. If you're having a problem such as I describe, turn off PINE filters and use procmail instead. It might be the version I'm using, which is somewhat old (4.33) though I'm not sure if this has been fixed in later versions. I hope this helps someone else return to sanity. -- Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org [ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage Computers ] [ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at http://marketplace.vintage.org ]

21 years, 2 months

2
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Z8530 (was Re: Navtel 9460 Protocol Analyzer info?)

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

>Subject: Re: Z8530 (was Re: Navtel 9460 Protocol Analyzer info?) > From: Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks at gmail.com> > Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 22:00:43 -0400 >> Oh, along the way the 85C30 was a far better part. > >Do tell. I have a number of machines that use the Z8530 (Sun, Mac, >Amiga A-Max board, COMBOARD...) and quite a few loose chips, but do >not know any differences with the 85C30. First off subbing in an 85C30 isn't going to improve those systems. The bigger differces is first the 85C30 is cmos and far lower in power. The DMA support is better with a 10x19 fifo for status and a 14 bit counter. The Softwaare interrupt ack feature is there (not in the NMOS part). It's about twice faster and easily support T1 trunk. There are subtle small changes that impact SDLC management. It's esscentally a pin compatable improved part. Thsi is why I have miles of shelf space, so if the brain fails I can look it up. Allison

21 years, 2 months

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Dead AIM 65??

by andyda＠earthlink.net

My AIM 65 has been sitting in the original box since about 1985. I think it was working when I packed it up, the only reason I packed it up was I got my first Mac and didn't have room on my desk for both, so the AIM got packed. Anyway, I got out my power supply, checked it out, sure enough +5v was still +5v and +24 v was still +24v. I then unpacked the AIM, trying to be as "static sensitive" as possible, then visually inspected it for obvious problems (anti-static material stuck on pins) and then did a little re-seat of all the socketed ICs. plugged in the keybaord, connected the +5v only and applied power... Nothing, no display, nothing I checked the +5 at a TP on the board and it appeared OK.. I then checked the ICs again and appllied power again... nothing. Well, it then thought I would see what happens if I apply the +24v and +5v. Connected it up turned it on, nothing... upon turining it off the printer cycled ( think it was just an electro-mechanical thing, not control). Well, remove power, inspect the board again, blow off any dust, gently, partly remove all the socketed ICs (not out of the sockets) in hopes that maybe if there was some oxidation it would wipe it off. Connected the +5v only and turned it on again... nothing, nada, zilch (bummer) I don't have a scope or anything, I only have a VOM, so my testing is rather limited, I don't even know anyone who still has an o'scope. Any ideas of what I could try? Any ideas of a way I can get it repaired in So. CA? Thanks for any and all help or ideas, Andy

21 years, 2 months

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Z8530 (was Re: Navtel 9460 Protocol Analyzer info?)

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: Z8530 (was Re: Navtel 9460 Protocol Analyzer info?) > From: "Eric Smith" <eric at brouhaha.com> > Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 10:13:26 -0700 (PDT) >I think Allison meant that the 8530 had the DRQ/DACK signals needed to >make it easily work with a DMA controller. Most simpler UART chips >didn't have those. No Eric, when I said it had DMA I ment the bus master and the data counters. Sheesh, I have disks near as old as me then drop more bits but munging info like that is a major brain fart. Oh well least I have the data books and the parts to correct myself. Oh, along the way the 85C30 was a far better part. Allison

21 years, 2 months

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OS Challenger video?

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

Can the Challenger drive a compostite video monitor directly or is it only designed to drive an RF modulator? Joe

21 years, 2 months

5
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new HP-2100 collector

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Tim Riker" <Tim at rikers.org> ---snip--- > >Does anyone know what the "Sandia Laboratories" desk + racks is for? >There is only one thing left in the rack and it's in real bad shape. > >http://rikers.org/gallery/hardware/20050415_092748 >http://rikers.org/gallery/hardware/20050415_092802 >http://rikers.org/gallery/hardware/20050415_104726 > ---snip--- Hi Tim Sandia Labs do all kinds of things. They even build one of a kind super computers to all kinds of things. That rack could have been just about anything. Unless it was someone that worked there, that worked on that specific machine, I doubt anyone would know what it was for. Even then, it may be that because of their security clearance, they couldn't tell you what it was. Dwight

21 years, 2 months

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Dead AIM 65??

by dm561＠torfree.net

-------------------Original Message: Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 20:24:56 -0400 From: Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks at gmail.com> Subject: Re: Dead AIM 65?? <snip> >The downside is that there's only room on the mainboard for 4K, >so memory expansions are external, and used to cost a lot >(and are rare now because there didn't use to be a wide variety of them). Later versions had provision for up to 40K on board; I've got one sitting beside me. >It's pretty useful out of the box for a machine that doesn't >come with a disk interface. You certainly get more than the few >digits and a calculator keypad of the KIM/SYM line. Don't forget about the built-in current-loop & almost-RS232 interface; with the built-in monitor & text editor it was almost a "real" computer when connected to a terminal/TTY, even using the built-in (very reliable) cassette interface instead of the optional disk drive. Other factory options included EPROM programmer, Centronics printer interface, CRTC video interface etc.; languages included BASIC, FORTH, PL/1, Pascal and assembler; the AIM65 was also the core of a fairly extensive professional 65xx development system with the AIM65 SPS & DOS ROMs and various optional RM65 expansion modules. mike

21 years, 2 months

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Dead AIM 65??

by dm561＠torfree.net

--------------------Original Message: Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 10:44:26 -0700 From: Andy Dannelley <andyda at earthlink.net> Subject: Dead AIM 65?? <snip> Connected the +5v only and turned it on again... nothing, nada, zilch (bummer) I don't have a scope or anything, I only have a VOM, so my testing is rather limited, I don't even know anyone who still has an o'scope. Any ideas of what I could try? Any ideas of a way I can get it repaired in So. CA? Thanks for any and all help or ideas, Andy ------------------Reply: Make sure both the STEP & TTY switches are forward (toward the keyboard) and press RESET a few times; they were reluctant to start at times. If there's a remote RESET button, disconnect it. Next, I would try removing all unnecessary chips & swapping where possible, in case one of them is locking up the bus (the most common problem). There were several models/revisions of the AIM 65; assuming you have one of the original 4K 20 column versions with 2114 RAMS and not the 40K version with 32K & 8K RAMs (or the 40 column version): Remove Z7, Z12, Z18, Z6, Z11 and Z17, as well as Z1 (6522). (If it's a 40K model: remove Z1 and Z2) Also remove Z24, Z25 & Z26 if there are any (Option ROMs). Confirm that Z22 & Z23 contain R3222 & R3223 ROMs respectively. If it still doesn't start, replace the Z32 6522 (underneath the display) with the one you removed; also, if it's a 4K model, try replacing the two remaining 2114s (Z2 & Z3) as Ethan suggested. If it's still dead, by all means try measuring the address & data lines as Tony suggested (one of those times when an analog VOM is useful). Good luck! BTW, the 24V is indeed only required for the printer, so you can leave it disconnected; it will start with a "PRINTER DOWN" message if the printer is not powered or connected. And FYI: BASIC was an option (Z25 & Z26) as was the assembler, PL/1, and a host of other goodies. And the 40 column model did indeed have a fluorescent display; the 20 col. versions used DL1416 LED displays. Jules: I may still have some display covers; I'll have a look & let you know. BTW, AIM65s were indeed just bare boards & keyboards initially, with various 3rd parties making cases for them, but then Rockwell (and later Dynatem, who took over the AIM65) started to supply them with the metal-bottom/brown-plastic-cover case & power supply. mike

21 years, 2 months

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Dead AIM 65??

by dm561＠torfree.net

--------------------Original Message: Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 10:44:26 -0700 From: Andy Dannelley <andyda at earthlink.net> Subject: Dead AIM 65?? <snip> Connected the +5v only and turned it on again... nothing, nada, zilch (bummer) I don't have a scope or anything, I only have a VOM, so my testing is rather limited, I don't even know anyone who still has an o'scope. Any ideas of what I could try? Any ideas of a way I can get it repaired in So. CA? Thanks for any and all help or ideas, Andy ------------------Reply: Make sure both the STEP & TTY switches are forward (toward the keyboard) and press RESET a few times; they were reluctant to start at times. If there's a remote RESET button, disconnect it. Next, I would try removing all unnecessary chips & swapping where possible, in case one of them is locking up the bus (the most common problem). There were several models/revisions of the AIM 65; assuming you have one of the original 4K 20 column versions with 2114 RAMS and not the 40K version with 32K & 8K RAMs (or the 40 column version): Remove Z7, Z12, Z18, Z6, Z11 and Z17, as well as Z1 (6522). (If it's a 40K model: remove Z1 and Z2) Also remove Z24, Z25 & Z26 if there are any (Option ROMs). Confirm that Z22 & Z23 contain R3222 & R3223 ROMs respectively. If it still doesn't start, replace the Z32 6522 (underneath the display) with the one you removed; also, if it's a 4K model, try replacing the two remaining 2114s (Z2 & Z3) as Ethan suggested. If it's still dead, by all means try measuring the address & data lines as Tony suggested (one of those times when an analog VOM is useful). Good luck! BTW, the 24V is indeed only required for the printer, so you can leave it disconnected; it will start with a "PRINTER DOWN" message if the printer is not powered or connected. And FYI: BASIC was an option (Z25 & Z26) as was the assembler, PL/1, and a host of other goodies. And the 40 column model did indeed have a fluorescent display; the 20 col. versions used DL1416 LED displays. Jules: I may still have some display covers; I'll have a look & let you know. BTW, AIM65s were indeed just bare boards & keyboards initially, with various 3rd parties making cases for them, but then Rockwell (and later Dynatem, who took over the AIM65) started to supply them with the metal-bottom/brown-plastic-cover case & power supply. mike

21 years, 2 months

1
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Dead AIM 65??

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

Anyway, back to the original subject. There is no magic bullet to bring these older machines back to life. Some of the things that can help are, not in any particular order: 1. Volt meter 2. Logic Probe 3. Set of schematics 4. Oscilloscope 5. Soldering iron w/ solder 6. Parts to swap 7. assembler/disassembler 8. EPROM programmer 9. Source listing 10. Needle nose pliers 11. solder sucker and/or solder wick Also, one needs clear logical thinking ( not all that common in the world today ). The debugging procedure is in specific order: 1. gather symptoms and observations. 2. Form hypothesis of possible cause. 3. Test to see if hypothesis is correct. 4. If problem not found, include results into observations of step one and repeat. Dwight

21 years, 2 months

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Some said they have CDOS and Cromemco disks

by dave04a＠dunfield.com

>I am basically in the same boat. I have a Z2, no diskette (well, it had >one, but it was seriously warped). > >A 5.25" disk image, along with a way to send it via a serial port would be >just the ticket. > >Any developments since 3/25? I have software working which will both backup and restore Cromemco disks by reading/writing tracks to/from memory via the RDOS RD/WD commands, and transferring the data to/from the PC with D and SM commands ... it's slow, but it works, and I have successfully backed up and recreated both CDOS and Cromix boot disks in both 5.25" and 8" formats. The only problem is that in order to WD the disk, it has to be formatted. Currently I have to boot CDOS to format the disk - but once I have a blank disk (all it needs is the physical formatting since the file system will be overwritten), I can create either a CDOS or Cromix boot disk via a serial connection. The next step will be to see if we can transfer the CDOS and INIT images code directly to memory and activate it via the serial port - if I can get this working, then you should be able to create a boot disk without having to boot the system into CDOS first. I've just gotten busy with other things.... Regards, Dave -- dave04a (at) Dave Dunfield dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools: www.dunfield.com com Collector of vintage computing equipment: http://www.parse.com/~ddunfield/museum/index.html

21 years, 2 months

1
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FA: SGI drives & sleds, VME bus analyzer, TRS-80 OS-9 & BASIC09

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

Cleaning out more stuff that I don't need. <http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZrigdonj>.

21 years, 2 months

2
2
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IBM Nixie tube voltmeter?

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

Last week I found a box marked "IBM" "01480" "DC Volts" that has three Nixie tubes in it. I tested it and sure enough it's DC voltmeter. It's black and measures roughly 4"w x 2 1/2" x 8". It has a single neon light on the LH side that acts as a "1" so that it can read up to 1.999. On the side of the box is a sticker that says API Instruments Model 430 and has the pinout of the rear connector and some other data. Anybody know what this is out of or anything else about it? Joe

21 years, 2 months

3
3
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Oscilloscope question

by Watzman＠neo.rr.com

My current scope ... for the past 25 years ... is a Heathkit IO-4235, the last scope that Heathkit really designed themselves and offered in kit form (there were some later scopes, made by other firms and private labeled). The 4235 is dual trace, delayed sweep, 35MHz. It's in new condition, but it has sat in storage, in a box, for years at a time, at least 3 times. And on two occasions I've really had to tear into it to make some major repairs (shorted tantalum caps blow the power supply .... and they blow it violently, with smoke, fire and loud acoustics), but it's in new condition right now. About 4 months ago, the pilot light (an incandescent 24 volt bulb) blew out. While I was in there to replace the light bulb, I noticed a 3500 uF 35 volt capacitor in the power supply totally blown apart. Mind you, the scope was working, and I am quite sure that the capacitor had been that way for years. The trace does seem "smoother" since I replaced that. If anyone is looking for a good scope on E-Bay, the Heathkit IO-4510 was a very good basic, triggered sweep dual trace scope (although only 15MHz), and can be found cheaply on E-Bay (it will probably cost you more to ship than you will pay for it). It's actual construction is in some ways better than that of the 4235.

21 years, 2 months

1
0
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Dead AIM 65??

by dave04a＠dunfield.com

>PS. while on the topic of 6502's , does anybody know where I can get >a pdf online data sheet 68B50 ? Datasheets for the 8 bit stuff is getting >harder to find all the time for the original products. It's on my website: http://www.parse.com/~ddunfield/museum/index.html Go to the "Dunfield 6809 Portable" section under "Homebuilts", and then on to "Documentation" and "Reference material" - I have a scanned 68[AB]50 datasheet there. Regards, -- dave04a (at) Dave Dunfield dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools: www.dunfield.com com Collector of vintage computing equipment: http://www.parse.com/~ddunfield/museum/index.html

21 years, 2 months

2
1
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Identify this IBM box?

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "JP Hindin" <jplist at kiwigeek.com> > > >On Fri, 15 Apr 2005, Ashley Carder wrote: >> north of Orangeburg, where the stuff is located. I >> can't remember... how heavy is that S/34? I remember >> that it was about 4+ feet tall and maybe 6 or 8 feet >> deep. I can remember one night when I was playing > >Having moved one from Arkansas to Iowa, I can tell you that it isn't a >task to be taken on lightly. Particularly without a lift-deck. > >I'm guessing the unit weighs around 900lbs, is approximately 7' long, 3' >deep and 4' high. >The machine is on good quality casters, so it'll roll like a dream, but >it's extreme weight makes it a royal pain in the butt to move. > >If you'd like a chuckle, you can view my attempts to move it using a Ford >F150, a winch and a pair of lawnmower ramps: > http://www.kiwigeek.com/hjp/comps/IBM_s34/PickUp/ > >JP Hi Of course, there is always the option of renting a forklift. Most any rental place has them. Dwight

21 years, 2 months

2
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K&N Electronics LSL20

by jim＠g1jbg.co.uk

Hi, has anyone got any details on the above device? It is a 20mA loop to V24 interface box, labelled s a "Digital converter line driver". I thought I'd ask before I trace the circuit. Thanks Jim. Please see our website the " Vintage Communication Pages" at WWW.G1JBG.CO.UK

21 years, 2 months

1
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Dead AIM 65??

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "woodelf" <bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca> > >Dwight K. Elvey wrote: > >>Hi >> They also had ROMs for Forth, that I find more useful than >>BASIC. >> >> >Well if Forth had floating point math is could see it competing with BASIC. >Other than GAMES I found very little other calculator style programs could >be written in BASIC. In hindsight word processing and acounting and games >that really made the mass market for computers. Hi It should be noted that the first version of Word Star ( I think that is the one ) was written in Forth. I'm not saying the fellow that did it was using Forth correctly, just that he was able to get it working in a time frame that would have been unrealistic using BASIC or assembly( by his words ). Floating point has been a common extension to Forth for a number of years. It is just that most uP implementations were done from FIG source listing that didn't have floating point. The lack of floating point has surely caused many to avoid Forth. It is a shame that most all applications that the person believes that floating point is needed can often be better implemented in integer of fixed point. It is a shame that most uP's don't properly support fixed point multiplies and divides. Dwight >Ben alias woodelf >PS. while on the topic of 6502's , does anybody know where I can get >a pdf online data sheet 68B50 ? Datasheets for the 8 bit stuff is getting >harder to find all the time for the original products. All 6800 stuff is getting hard to find. Recently I was writing a disassembler for the 6800 to look at code on a pinball machine. I had to dig real deep into my pile of books before finding something with the code described in it. Dwight

21 years, 2 months

1
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Oscilloscope question

by technobug＠comcast.net

Ethan bemoaned: > I have an old 465 that seems to have died from loneliness... it has a > dead short somewhere in the PSU such that one of the internal fuses > blows violently. I keep meaning to get around to fixing it (it's my > newest scope (of 4)), but just never mange to do much more than prod > at it. > > -ethan If you wander over to <https://www.logsa.army.mil/pubs.htm> and click on "Electronic Technical Manuals (ETMs) Online" (acceptance of the loss of your first-born is required) you will find a wealth of manuals for older test gear. The 465 service and calibration manuals are there in PDF (with hyperlinks!). CRC

21 years, 2 months

5
4
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Z8530 (was Re: Navtel 9460 Protocol Analyzer info?)

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: Z8530 (was Re: Navtel 9460 Protocol Analyzer info?) > From: Brad Parker <brad at heeltoe.com> > Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 10:15:01 -0400 >pretty veratile chip. not bad once you got used to it. difficult to >use w/dma hardware, however. I find that odd as the 8530 had on board DMA. I have a tube of them in the PLCC package and fine them not only fast but fairly similar to the Z80 SIO. Now thats not to say the Z80sio wasn't pita to program either. The only other beast out there like the SIO was the NEC MPSC or 7201 (SS as I8274), that was a sio for 808x busses and also a pain to program for. Allison

21 years, 2 months

3
3
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Dead AIM 65??

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Jules Richardson" <julesrichardsonuk at yahoo.co.uk> ---snip--- > >> The AIM-65 had BASIC as a rather common option >> (don't remember if it was always present), and routinely came with a >> full-sized ASCII keyboard > >Oh, yep, ours has a proper keyboard too. Can't recall whether it has >BASIC fitted or not. > >cheers > >Jules > > Hi They also had ROMs for Forth, that I find more useful than BASIC. Dwight

21 years, 2 months

2
1
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ASCII art spam

by cb＠mythtech.net

>There's three curious things about this. One, it of course gets >through text-matching filters. Two, it retroactively ruinates >real ASCII art (if this catches on, seems most unlikely). Three, >is there a drawing program for this? The next generation of spam filters needs to start doing spell checking. If more then a certain number of words don't match the dictionary file, then it is rejected. This does double duty, helps filter out spam using letter substitution, and also helps filter out people who can't be bothered with spell check (including all those teens that type like they are chatting via text messaging). :-) -chris <http://www.mythtech.net>

21 years, 2 months

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Z8530 (was Re: Navtel 9460 Protocol Analyzer info?)

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: Z8530 (was Re: Navtel 9460 Protocol Analyzer info?) > From: Brad Parker <brad at heeltoe.com> >last time I checked the Zilog 8530 didn't have any dma. it's not >capable of being a bus master but itself. > >perhaps we're talking about different things? Yep I munged it with another. The parts I have are the 85C30 and that part is also different >from the base 8030. It has a few improvements. It was pretty easy to mix it all up as I was using it in a Z280 enviroment. Allison

21 years, 2 months

1
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Osborne 1

by trixter＠oldskool.org

Would anyone like a free Osborne? I don't want it, so I'll pass the offer onto you... -- Jim Leonard (trixter at oldskool.org) http://www.oldskool.org/ Want to help an ambitious games project? http://www.mobygames.com/ Or check out some trippy MindCandy at http://www.mindcandydvd.com/

21 years, 2 months

3
3
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Looking for ROM code printout for SDK-86

by Nanoman＠stny.rr.com

Hi, I am looking to get a ROM code "dump" for the SDK-86. I have a SDK-86 without the ROMs. Thanks,

21 years, 2 months

1
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Appraisals, value, the 'Market' was Re: And $500 gets you...

by eric＠brouhaha.com

Vince wrote: > I think it's like confusing Silicon Valley (or Portland, Oregon) with the > world :-). Maybe if I lived and worked where you do, I would see hundreds > of different venues doing a brisk business in this stuff. If only!!! In my experience it's easier to find interesting old stuff just about anywhere *other* than in Silicon Valley. I find more in Colorado, which I visit a few times a year, than I do in SV. But don't everybody rush to Colorado to grab all the good stuff before I get there! Eric

21 years, 2 months

3
3
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Navtel 9460 Protocol Analyzer info?

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

I found this today. Does anyone have a manual or any information on it? It looks very similar to this 9440 on E-bay <http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=97190&item=750632019 5&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW> Joe

21 years, 2 months

13
39
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And $500 gets you...

by marvin＠rain.org

I maintain that Ebay does reflect the state of the market subject to a couple of limitations. 1) Ebay is a *retail* venue although bargains can be had. 2) Looking at *only* the final bid price to determine value is stupid! My general rule of thumb is to go back to the third highest bidder as that eliminates the "game players" who bid with the "Oh yea, take this" mentality. For myself, unless something is offered at substantially less that what I think it is worth, I don't bid. Not regularly checking ebay now helps with this approach :). > A while ago I was discussing EBay-like prices with people (for old > computer stuff). Their argument was that EBay prices reflect the true > state of the market and the true worth of classic computer items. > > I can see their side of it I suppose; I was just amazed that - coming > from a buying point of view - they just didn't believe that a world > existed outside of EBay. Which is fine by me if they want to keep on > paying EBay prices for things (whether they believe they're being ripped > off or not) - I'll just carry on using my brain and getting hold of > things via other routes.

21 years, 2 months

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Popular Electronics magazine on eBay

by swtpc6800＠comcast.net

I have been collecting Popular Electronics and Radio Electronics for research on Southwest Technical Products for my web site. I used my library database to determine which issues I need and buy them on eBay. With shipping it cost $10 to $20 for a year of issues. In the last week I was looking for Popular Electronics issues September and October 1964 and a better cover for May 1965. An auction including these issues just when for $27 plus shipping. Another one is now going for $51 (Item 6955461806). I thinking what is going on, these prices are way out of line. It takes me a while to scan the pages I want and I still have a backlog to work through. I can wait. Then I realized that both auctions include the April 1965 issue of Popular Electronics. Hey folks, Intel is looking for the April 1965 "Electronics" not "Popular Electronics" "Intel Corp. has posted a $10,000 reward for an original copy, in mint condition, of the April 19, 1965, issue of Electronics, the technical publication in which Intel's founder, Gordon Moore, made his famous forecast.' Michael Holley http://www.swtpc.com/mholley/magazines.htm

21 years, 2 months

1
0
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Oscilloscope question

by wacarder＠usit.net

I'm rapidly approaching the point where I will need to learn how to use an oscilloscope as part of my quest to learn more about debugging the old DEC hardware. What kind of advice can folks offer to me about a decent scope and some info on how to use one? I think I used one 30 years ago in school, but it's been so long that I remember little-to-nothing about it. One of my first exercises might be to attempt a head alignment on an RK05 drive using an alignment pack. I have all the documentation for the drive maintenance, etc. What kind of scope would I need and how much does one cost? Are there any good web sites that would give some basic info on "scopes for dummies" or "scopes for beginners"? Thanks in advance for your advice. This is a never-ending learning experience. Ashley

21 years, 2 months

29
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SYM-1 vs KIM-1 (was Re: MOS Kim-1 Any idea of it's worth/value?)

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Apr 13 2005, 20:51, Ethan Dicks wrote: > On 4/13/05, Dwight K. Elvey <dwight.elvey at amd.com> wrote: > > >What's the part number? I might be able to help (I have tubes of > > >8641s, for example). > > > > I'm looking for a DP8303 but with some software > > changes I could most likely get a DP8304 to work. > > Oooh... you are right... that is an unusual one. I don't even > recognize the number. Do you have specs? Would it be possible to get > the right functionality (current drive, etc.) with more than one chip > on a daughter card and plug it into the socket for the DP8303? > > Wish I could help. > > Wonder why they picked something that was so far out of mainstream. They weren't unusual; I've seen quite a few on early 8-bit machines. The DP8304 is an octal tri-state non-inverting bidirectional transceiver, with PNP inputs and 48mA/300pF drive capability on the B outputs, 16mA on the A outputs (all of which are TTL and MOS compatible). ___ ___ A0 | 1 20 | Vcc A1 | 2 19 | B0 A2 | 3 18 | B1 A3 | 4 17 | B2 A4 | 5 16 | B3 A5 | 6 15 | B4 A6 | 7 14 | B5 A7 | 8 13 | B6 CD | 9 12 | B7 GND |10__11_| TRAN/notREC CD is Chip Disable; low enables the tri-state outputs TRAN/notREC low makes A output and B input TRAN/notREC high makes A input and B output DP8303 is the same but inverting; DP8307 and DP8308 are similar but with separate Transmit and Receive inputs. All were still current when my 1996 Nat Semi databook was printed, but the DP8304 was the most common, in my experience. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

21 years, 2 months

1
0
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DEC H734A?

by pat＠computer-refuge.org

(Resending to see if I can catch "the right" people this time.) In a haul of DEC (and other) stuff last week, I got a DEC H734A power supply, not attached to anything. Can anyone tell me what this goes to? Google doesn't have very many hits, and it's not on the the qbus/unibus field guide. Pat -- Purdue University ITAP/RCAC --- http://www.rcac.purdue.edu/ The Computer Refuge --- http://computer-refuge.org

21 years, 2 months

4
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SYM-1 vs KIM-1 (was Re: MOS Kim-1 Any idea of it's worth/value?)

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Ethan Dicks" <ethan.dicks at gmail.com> > >On 4/13/05, Dwight K. Elvey <dwight.elvey at amd.com> wrote: >> >What's the part number? I might be able to help (I have tubes of >> >8641s, for example). >> >> I'm looking for a DP8303 but with some software >> changes I could most likely get a DP8304 to work. > >Oooh... you are right... that is an unusual one. I don't even >recognize the number. Do you have specs? Would it be possible to get >the right functionality (current drive, etc.) with more than one chip >on a daughter card and plug it into the socket for the DP8303? > >Wish I could help. > >Wonder why they picked something that was so far out of mainstream. > >-ethan > Hi I don't need the fancy differences in the currents. One side drives a higher current than the other. The actual circuit would work fine with a little simple glue logic and a pair of '240 TTL's. It just has to drive the bus on the SYM and a little bit of circuit on the on board bus. I'm just a little lazy at getting around to actually doing it. The right chip would peak my interest. Dwight

21 years, 2 months

2
1
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new classiccmp.org service

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

As many of you have probably seen, the ClassicCmp KnowledgeBase has been announced in Evan's Computer Collector Newsletter. It is my sincere hope that this feature will be of use, not only for seasoned collectors but also for "newbies" just getting in to the hobby (or most wonderfully, maybe pushing a bystander to finally get into the hobby). The knowledgebase software that I chose has some great features, but it also has some bugs. Most notably the penchant for apostrophe's in articles to randomly be escaped as \'. The bugs will be worked out eventually. Note that I have been in contact with the author of the software, and an email interface IS on the schedule of todo's. It will likely be along the lines of sending an email to a special address with a body containing "show articles", and a list of articles with categories gets emailed back. Then you could email something like "show article xxxxx" and get that article is emailed back to you. You could also submit articles and comments via email in an automated fashion. There is no timetable for the email interface, but I wanted to let people know that it won't be forgotten. Of course, the web interface is already there :) This knowledgebase is NOT going to be a replacement for the ClassicCmp lists. Rather, it is meant to augment them as a repository of the somewhat frequent "golden nuggets of wisdom" that appear on the list in a form that is more usable than the archives. In addition, it is meant to keep certain subjects from being rehashed over and over again. When someone new brings up "how do I.....", we can point them to "see knowledge base article XXXX". I want to keep the knowledge base clean (and ensure it doesnt edge into competing with the list) by being quite rigorous about the editing/moderation of submitted articles. In the moderation process I want to make sure that the "comment" feature does not become "conversational". Think of it more as a reference guide, not a novel. It is my hope than when a wonderful tidbit of information appears on the list, that the person posting that will consider writing up a short article for the knowledge base as well. Bear in mind that articles do not need to be large multi-paragraph writeups (although it's great when they are). They can be as brief as a few sentences, or as long as many paragraphs. The topic can be extremely general, or very specific in focus. Feel free to comment (add-to) or submit new articles, even if a similar one is already there. Don't feel you have to be an electronics expert to submit an article. For example, we could use an article about storage of systems to keep mold/pests out. We could use an article on tips for building shelves for manuals, cable management, etc. And yes, we could use an article about basic switching mode power supply troubleshooting. There have been past posts to the list that I would be happy to write up for the knowledge base, however I'm slightly leary of doing that because I think the person who takes the time to write up the knowledge base article should get credit for it (their name as the poster). But of course I don't want to post an article of text that someone ELSE posted to the list and "take credit" for it. I'd just as soon see the person who posted the info to the list write up the knowledgebase article. But perhaps I will post things from the list with both names, the article writer and the information provider as an alternative. The knowledgebase feature grew out of my current task of rewriting the list FAQ. As I was going through it, it occured to me that the FAQ should really be about the list specifically, and not about classic computing in general- ie.. a list FAQ, not a computer FAQ. The old faq did have some good computer faq info, so instead of including that information in the list FAQ I created the knowledgebase and put that information there. Now that that is done, I can go back and revisit the written FAQ and make it specific to just the list which I feel is more appropriate. And yes, you can expect some other new features on the ClassicCmp.org website soon, there's quite a few more interesting things in the way of new services coming up there in the not to distant future. They are currently being worked on and will be announced when complete! They will also be simultaneously announced in the Computer Collector Newsletter. The ClassicCmp Knowledge base is currently available at http://www.classiccmp.org/kb but links will be added to it from the main page at some point soon. Kind regards... Jay West

21 years, 2 months

8
9
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GW-Basic

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Vintage Computer Festival" <vcf at siconic.com> > >On Wed, 13 Apr 2005, John Foust wrote: > >> >> The GW-BASIC name stands for Gee-Whiz BASIC. >> >So, which is it? >> >> As he said, we have to ask Bill Gates. > >I'll just stick with "Gee Whiz" since no one's ever heard of "Greg >Whitten" ;) > >> Dr. Whitten also added in a follow-up: >> >> "I also know something about Intecolor 8001 and Compucolor II machines >> because I was Director of Software for ISC from 1978-1979. I bought an >> ISC 8001 in Jan 77 and worked for them as a consultant in 77 and 78." > >Cool, I've got both. Maybe he can help me get them working when he's not >busy having lunch with Bill G. > >-- > >Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival The only think I thought, as I read his point of view, was that since he was so great at coding and projects at uSoft, why has the product been so shitty for the years he was there and finally looks like it has begin to stablize once he was gone? Dwight

21 years, 2 months

2
1
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plastic "push rivets"??

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Jay West" <jwest at classiccmp.org> > >I'm not sure what these things are called... but I need some. I'm calling >them plastic "push rivets", where a plastic plunger pushes through a collar >with 3 or 4 plastic legs. These legs break off. > >All the ones I've seen so far are a pretty common size. However, the ones I >need two of at the moment are slightly smaller than that. Specifically, >these are the two plastic push rivets from an HP 264X terminal that hold the >metal cover over the CRT. > >Anyone ever find a source for these? Both my local electronics places came >up empty. > >Regards, > >Jay West Hi Jay Look at the one in the online McMaster-Carr catalog on page 3054. I think these are the right ones. http://www.mcmaster.com I think they may have a minimum order but I'm sure that with a few minutes looking you'll find enough things to make an order. Later Dwight

21 years, 2 months

5
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DP8303 (was SYM-1 vs KIM-1)

by mhscc＠canada.com

------------------Original Message: Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 17:23:57 -0700 (PDT) From: "Dwight K. Elvey" <dwight.elvey at amd.com> Hi I'm looking for a DP8303 but with some software changes I could most likely get a DP8304 to work. Dwight ------------------Reply: Hi I should have a couple of DP8304BNs (apparently equivalent to INS8208BNs). If you're still looking, email off-list & I'll look for them. mike

21 years, 2 months

1
0
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Old Tek Scopes, was Oscilloscope question

by jim＠g1jbg.co.uk

A few words about the older (500 series) scopes, which have had a few mentions in the main thread: they do suffer from switch failure, usually due to poor maintenance, and the switches are specials, the only source is another scope, and it usually has to be one of teh same model. The Paxolin wafers are also susceptable to insulation breakdown ( the insulation has to be good, some of the trigger switches have 500V potential difference between adjacent contacts), though this is often caused by the use of inapropiate switch cleaner, or excessive lubricant - NEVER spoary WD40, Duck Oil or the like on a switch! Use the proper cleaner, and contact lubricant, sparingly. Clock oil is useful for lubricating the bush part of the switch (where the spindle goes through the frame), and a light grease for the detent mechanism. I have had some luck at recovering these switches when contaminated, but it involves removing them, >from the scope, soaking in de-greaser, drying, and then lubricating properly - not for the faint hearted. The all valve (tube) scopes are usually fairly easy to get parts for (545, 545A, 535, 535A etc), and fairly easy to maintain and repair (I know 100 valves looks daunting, but they can be broken down into small sections for fault finding. The hybrid scopes like the 545B can have some strange transistors in them, which are very difficult to source, and expensive to buy. Some of the later models (including the 545B and 547) have an EHT transformer that is prone to failure - it can be re-wound, but it will cost you $50 (more if your outside the USA). A lot of the later, high speed units (547, 585, 453, 454 etc), as well as some of the faster plugins (1S1, 1S2, and some of the 3 series timebases) have tunnel diode trigger circuits. These are excellent, fast, stable trigger circuits, but the tunnel diodes are now very rare and expensive. Having said that, I have several of these beasts (535A, 545A & B, 547, 585, 561, 564 and 564A), in various states of repair. The 535A gets used regularly, and is currently at work, as I needed a scope with a stable low frequency trigger, and a differential input - our modern Philips scopes don't like triggering at 25Hz! The 564 is a useful analogue storage unit, though it only has a 10MHz bandwidth. The 547 is a good 50MHz scope (with the right plug-in), and the 585 should go to 100MHz (but only for the first 5 minutes after calibration, 85MHz is more like it - still not bad for an all valve scope!). They are all good scopes to use, but you do need to understand them and play with them before you try to do serious work, the have lots interesting little idiosynchrasies. Jim. Please see our website the " Vintage Communication Pages" at WWW.G1JBG.CO.UK

21 years, 2 months

1
0
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WTB: PDP-8/A programmer's panel

by charlesmorris＠direcway.com

Looking for the programmer's panel (the one with the octal keypad and display) for a PDP-8/A. thanks Charles

21 years, 2 months

1
0
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And $500 gets you...

by marvin＠rain.org

Scott Stevens said: > > Remember, eBay all started because of Pez dispenser collecting. Regular ISTR that this is not true; that story was created for marketing purposes with no basis in fact.

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

GW-Basic

by paul-pentecost7＠juno.com

I am looking for the origional GW-Basic Compiler what would you like in trade I do have a great deal in my research Archives here. Dr. Pentecost paul-pentecost7 at juno.com

21 years, 2 months

13
19
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IBM SYSTEM 34

by kenziem＠sympatico.ca

I have been contacted by someone who has " two working IBM System 34 1980 vintage mainframes. Complete with all documentation and operator console." There is no dock, but the units are on casters and will roll up the loading ramp of a uhaul truck or similar. He wants them to go to a good home otherwise I will have to send them to a metal recycler for crushing. They are located in Ottawa Canada. For anyone needing a reminder of what these look like you can look here http://www.chd.dyndns.org/IBM/ -- Collector of vintage computers http://www.ncf.ca/~ba600

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Navtel 9460 Protocol Analyzer info?

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Allison" <ajp166 at bellatlantic.net> > >>Subject: Re: Navtel 9460 Protocol Analyzer info? >> From: Scott Stevens <chenmel at earthlink.net> >> Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 22:50:15 -0500 >> >>> >>> How about one Z8530? :-) [it's a DUART, for the Zilog-impaired] >>> >> >>The 8530 is a useful part for dedicated purposes, but isn't it severely >>bandwidth cramped? I am thinking that it's the serial chip in the > >Nope, it's a 2mb/s part thats what the DMA is for. Even the Z80 dart >a earlier part was good for more than 800kb/s. > >>Sparcstations, correct me if I'm wrong. A few years ago I was pondering >>making a 'dialup connecting system with NAT server' out of a >>SparcStation Classic (the little lunchbox type Sparc). I discovered >>quickly that the serial ports on the Sparc are VERY speed constrained >>because of the 8530 chip. It would have been impossible to connect my >>USB Courier V-everything modem to it at, say 57,600 baud, because the >>8530 just plain won't go that fast. > >That was implmentation not the part. > >Allison Hi As I recall it was the selection of the crystal frequency. Dwight

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Not quite tubes... but still....

by jeff＠selectcomputer.net

I hope this is Davids address, i was reading some old information in a news group and i wanted to let you know that i run across all types of older computer equipment on a daily basis, and i deal with 20-30 different scrap dealers as well, so anything you need cplease contact me iit would help to even send a wish list and feel free to give out my contact info to anyone that may need my help. best regards, Jeff Silverman Select Computer Technology Inc. 774 Charcot Ave, San Jose, Ca 95131 Tel: 408-944-9475 Fax: 408-944-9476

21 years, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Navtel 9460 Protocol Analyzer info?

by mmcfadden＠cmh.edu

One use of a protocol analyzer. In one of my previous lives I worked for AT&T Western Electric. I arrived just as Ma Bell and the Babies were splitting, around 1983-1984. We used a protocol analyzer all the time when troubleshooting our Gerber photo plotter. The Gerber plotter used a series of collimated apertures to generate lines in the photoresist of master circuit masks. We were making masks for circuits and the plotter would have issues with some of the plots we generated. The Plotter ran in a dark room over a granite table to make the master mask. One problem was that occasionally on very long lines the plotter had timing issues. We found that plotting several shorter lines worked better. Also we had problems when drawing "circles" which were actually many sided polygons. We used a HP protocol analyzer and found that we could create and try different sets of test cases very rapidly. We would also store up the entire set of plot commands and replay them trying different permutations. We generated the production plot commands using a "C" program on an AT&T 3B2 or on one of our PDP-11/70's. All of our production systems were dual PDP-11/70's. Each unit had its own pair of disks and a connection to a shared dual ported drive that we used as a swap drive for backups. We could tweak commands using the protocol analyzer, change plot line widths, plotter speed, and select a different aperture, and modify acceleration and deceleration rates. Kind of like playing with HPGL commands. I can't remember if I went to the week long class to learn how to operate the unit. I know that Western Electric was big on training classes. Mike

21 years, 2 months

1
0
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