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

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

Hi It seems like I remember doing something like "copy COM1: FileName" or something. It seems like I remember there being an issue with the file name extention. I recall using something other than .EXE and then changing it to .EXE with RENAME. It has been some time but it was something like that. Dwight >From: "Joe R." <rigdonj(a)cfl.rr.com> > >At 01:08 PM 1/3/05 -0500, you wrote: >>Hi, >> Anybody have a stupid DOS trick for importing binary files >> over a com: port? > > Import from what kind of system? If it's another MS-DOS/Windows system >then LapLink or FastLynx is the easiest. FastLynx has a way to install >itself to disk-less machines over the cable. LL probably does too. If one >is a non-MS-DOS system then Kermit is probably best. it's available for a >LOT of didfferent systems. I haven't used if but Dave Mabry uses it >successfully to transfer files to and from a PC and the Intel MDSs and >they're very different machines. > > Joe > > I have a floppy-less laptop that I want to >> get Kermit.exe into. If it isn't simple then I'll just write a Hex/Bin >> program for each side and send the file ASCII. It would have >> to be .BAS on the laptop side. >> >> I realize that taking the drive out and mounting it in the host >> machine is a good solution, but I wanted to try this first while >> keeping the machine together. >> >>TIA, >>John A. >> > >

21 years, 3 months

3
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Another TRS-80 Model 4 sighting

by vcf＠siconic.com

This time it was in the movie Napolean Dynamite. Appropriately enough, it was when he's in the thrift store looking at crap just before finding the D-Kwon dance tape. It's in the lower right-hand part of the screen (when he finds the sai), with half of it being off-screen in the TV edited version (if you have a cinema TV I'm sure you can see the whole thing) but you can still tell it's a TRS-80 M4 if you know what you're looking at. This movie is a must see for anyone that loves off-the-wall comedies and either was or had a friend growing up that was a complete dork. Ebert gave it a thumbs down. Either he took the movie personally or he just didn't get it. The movie is hilarious. -- 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, 3 months

1
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HP 5036A Microprocessor Lab

by mokuba＠gmail.com

I recently acquired one of these units and am in the process of searching for manuals or any info AT ALL on this unit! So far I've figured out how to call up addresses, store data and program it (havn't really done much since I can't figure out more then how to play with the registers, the output hardware is alien to me :/) I'd love to get a copy of the rom as it was written in the manual, comments and all. Also, if anyone has a manual and wants it scanned, I'll be more then happy to do that for you! And I'm especially keen to know how to manipulate the speaker and output LEDs

21 years, 3 months

3
4
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Reviving old hard drives

by Watzman＠neo.rr.com

Yes, there is something that can sometimes be done in cases like this (hard drive won't spin up). SOMETIMES, the problem is that the lubricant used on the platter surface has, over time, effectively "glued" the heads to the platter, a problem called "stiction". SOMETIMES, when this has happened, you can "break the platters free" and get the drive to work again. Two things to note, not all instances of "not spinning up" are caused by this, and sometimes the adhesion is so strong that the heads will rip off of their positioning arms before they will let go of the platters. But, in any case, there is nothing to be lost by trying. The procedure is to hold the drive in your hand and give your hand (wrist) a sharp, impulsive "snap spin" centered around the axis of the platter. Sometimes, if this doesn't work with the drive powered off, it will work if the drive is powered up while doing this. The point here is to use rotational inertia to break the "bond" of the head to the platter. One other note, some early Seagate drives (esp. ST-225, 238 and 251 series) are VERY sensitive to the voltage on the 12 volt rail, and the drive won't work (either the spindle or the servo system won't work) if the +12 volt supply is even one-quarter volt low.

21 years, 3 months

2
1
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Trying to get running an LSI 11/23

by vcf＠siconic.com

I've been tinkering with this mutt LSI 11/23 system I've got and am trying to get it running. It's a custom-built system that has a mix of DEC and third-party boards. It's configured as follows--my apologies if I'm not conforming to standard DEC notation here [notes in brackets]: Cage 1 Slot 1: DEC M8186 | CAMINTONN 504 [1] Slot 2: Dataram Diceon [2] Slot 3: Data Systems Design A4432-4 | Grant Continuity [3] Slot 4: Emulex TU0110401 [4] Cage 2 Slot 1: Emulex Tu1110406 [5] Slot 2: Grant Continuity | Digital Pathways TCU-50DYR [6] Slot 3: MDB DLV-11J | DEC M9400 [7] Slot 4: Empty [8] Notes: 1. I believe the Camintonn card is memory 2. This has "RK:" written on the handle...an RK05 disk controller? 3. The Data Systems Design card has "DY:" written on the handle. 4. Tape controller; is connected by 25-conductor ribbon cable to adjoining Emulex card. 5. See note 4. 6. A real-time clock 7. The M9400 has "HB BOOT" written on the board. Is this the boot ROM card? 8. Does there need to be a bus terminator here? The DLV-11J is a 4-port serial card. Thanks to those who provided the documentation to get it wired. I think I have it correct. I've jumpered pin 3 to the RxD line and Pin 8 to the TxD line on my RS232 port. I've also jumpered pin 4 to ground as directed. The system powers up. There are +5V and +12V LEDs on the front of the panel that come on, and I've checked these lines at the power supply and they are good. One oddity: the terminal marked -12V is a perfect -0.00 on my volt meter. WTF? Anyway, how can I tell if anything is happening inside this thing? I can hit the BOOT switch and the RUN light goes on. There's a RUN switch with a momentary HALT position and an ENABLE position. I can hit the HALT switch and the RUN light goes off. I put the switch back in the ENABLE position and then hit the BOOT switch and the RUN light goes back on. I see nothing on my terminal (a PC running Procomm Plus in DOS so I have real serial ports instead of the bullshit that Win98 tries to pawn off as serial ports). I eventually want to boot RT-11 off floppies on this system. I guess I'll need a disk controller at some point. I'm completely lame. This is the first DEC system I've seriously tried to get running so I'm starting from -1 here. Any ideas? -- 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, 3 months

8
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FTGH: PCS Munix 2.06 Tutorial Manual IIa (German UNIX?) - UK

by listmailgoeshere＠gmail.com

I have Manual IIa for MUNIX 2.06 by Periphere Computer Systeme GmbH to give away. This is a large (4 hole) white ring binder containing several hundred pages of tutorial documentation. Suit German collector maybe? Jochen/Gerold? Free to whoever wants it, you pay shipping. Speak up (by private mail to me) within 21 days or it gets recycled. Ed.

21 years, 3 months

1
0
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DEC 3000 PMAG-E dead and gone?

by pete＠tholian.demon.co.uk

I'm in the process of sorting out a DEC 3000/600 i acquired last year. However, the PMAG-E turbochannel framebuffer is sick, for example, if I run tests from the >>> prompt I get this (some detail removed for brevity): t 1/vdacsig ?TFL: 1/vdacsig [PMAG-DA] (+2+ Pxl[#0]=555555, R[668bd3]=978bd3, ? G[603023]=3a3023, B[2f0af5]=880af5, vsimm=1?) ERR-MIPS - ROM OBJECT 'cnsltest' REPORTED A SEVERE ERROR and t 1/shade ?TFL: 1/shade [PMAG-DA] (+3+ tri smth shd err, indx= 0, stamp= 0) ERR-MIPS - ROM OBJECT 'pst-q' REPORTED A SEVERE ERROR Alas what I don't have right now is a DEC 3w3 cable so I can't see what the card is doing (if anything). Is there any hope here or has the magic smoke long since departed? Cheers, Pete -- Pete Edwards "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future" - Niels Bohr

21 years, 3 months

1
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Cleaning motherboards...

by KParker＠workcover.com

I'm interested in the same issue too - I've got a TRS80 Model 16B that was living in an unused bakehouse for a few years - I think it's a box of dust with some circuit boards in there somewhere :-) I heard a substance you can use that is non conductive and leaves a protective film on the board after - I think its CRC 626 or CRC 262 or similar - someone on the list might know a bit more. ++++++++++ Kevin Parker Web Services Manager WorkCover Corporation p: 08 8233 2548 m: 0418 806 166 e: kparker(a)workcover.com w: www.workcover.com ++++++++++ -----Original Message----- From: cctech-bounces(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-bounces@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Gavin Thomas Nicol Sent: Saturday, 1 January 2005 3:37 AM To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts Subject: Cleaning motherboards... Apart from dusting with compressed air and camel hair brushes, which removes the dust from circuit boards, are there any recommendations for cleaning the general grimy file from motherboards? ************************************************************************ This e-mail is intended for the use of the addressee only. It may contain information that is protected by legislated confidentiality and/or is legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient you are prohibited from disseminating, distributing or copying this e-mail. Any opinion expressed in this e-mail may not necessarily be that of the WorkCover Corporation of South Australia. Although precautions have been taken, the sender cannot warrant that this e-mail or any files transmitted with it are free of viruses or any other defect. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and destroy the original e-mail and any copies. ************************************************************************

21 years, 3 months

1
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Anyone have a Seagate ST01 or 2 ?

by aek＠spies.com

>from Fred van Kempen Al, Can you ask the list, or anyone, if anyone has an old Seagate ST01 and/or ST02 controller available? I cant post to the list from my biz address.. -- I think these were PC scsi cards.

21 years, 3 months

6
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TKermitFTP

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Jan 3 2005, 13:01, John Foust wrote: > At 12:41 PM 1/3/2005, you wrote: > > It seems like I remember doing something > >like "copy COM1: FileName" or something. > > It seems like I remember there being an issue > >with the file name extention. > > And perhaps something else about setting the mode of the COM1: > port for bits and binary? You can't, in MS-DOS. COPY uses ASCII transfers for COM ports and complains if you try to force binary, because it needs to see a ctrl-Z to know where the end-of-file is. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

21 years, 3 months

1
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TKermitFTP

by cb＠mythtech.net

>intrsvr, and intrlnk, or some similar looking name. Yup, that was it. -chris <http://www.mythtech.net>

21 years, 3 months

1
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TKermitFTP

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Jan 3 2005, 13:08, John Allain wrote: > Hi, > Anybody have a stupid DOS trick for importing binary files > over a com: port? I have a floppy-less laptop that I want to > get Kermit.exe into. You've obviously discovered (or knew) that MS-DOS COPY won't accept the /B switch when one of the "files" is a device. You're not the first to have this chicken-and-egg situation with Kermit; the Kermit distributions have C and FORTRAN programs to turn an EXE file into a BOO file, which can go over an ASCII link and be decoded by a smallish BASIC program called MSBPCB.BAS (there are C and Pascal version of this, too). There's a description of how it's done at http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/academic/computer-science/history/pdp-11/rsts/de… which might save you some time. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

21 years, 3 months

1
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FS / FT: SGI, RS/6000, Sun, DEC Alpha

by jkunz＠unixag-kl.fh-kl.de

Hi. I have some machines I don't need so I wan't to sell / trade them for somthing different. I have no urgent need to get rid of this machines. I will keep them warm and dry. So nobody has to be worried, this stuff will _not_ go to the dumpster. ;-) I am located in Kaiserslautern / Germany. SGI Personal Iris 4D30 (IIRC 16 MB RAM, base 8 bit GFX, no HDD) Sun Ultra 1-170 (SBus only, no RAM, no HDD) RS/6000 C10 (64 or 128 MB RAM, 2 or 3 2 GB disks) RS/6000 3BT (512 MB RAM, 4 GB disk, GXT150 GFX) RS/6000 39H (256 MB RAM, 4 GB disk, some big dual slot GFX) RS/6000 40P (??? MB RAM, 2 or 4 GB disk, P9100 GFX) AlphaServer 1000A 5/400 (192 MB RAM, 6 x 4 GB disk in internal SBB) All RS/6000 are MCA, they have a CDROM and at least one Ethernet interface. The 39H has a minor defect in the PSU. It powers up and runns perfectely. But if you switch it off for a short time it doesn't come up. You have to disconnect mains power for some hours. Then it will come up well again. The 40P doesn't run stable. Maybe it needs to be "Kreidlered". The 3BT has some additional SCSI cards, one is HVD. I need / want: UniBus Pertec tape, RL02 and SMD disk controllers for my PDP-11/34. VAX 4000-705A AlphaServer [48]x00 SGI Onyx 2 (Yes, I have dreams. ;-) If I get a VAX 4000-705A there will be a VAX 4000-400 available.) -- tsch??, Jochen Homepage: http://www.unixag-kl.fh-kl.de/~jkunz/

21 years, 3 months

1
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Reviving old hard drives

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Barry Watzman" <Watzman(a)neo.rr.com> ---snip--- > >SOMETIMES, the problem is that the lubricant used on the platter surface >has, over time, effectively "glued" the heads to the platter, a problem >called "stiction". > Hi Actually the surfaces have no lubrication at all. I had a couple of friends that worked at Seagate during the stiction problems. It was caused by the surfaces being too smooth. When the platter stopped rotating, the air would be squeezed out from between the two and they would become stuck together. They solved the problem on later drives by making the platters surface have a specific amount of roughness. Machinist that work with gauge blocks understand the stiction issue. When stacking the blocks they become stuck together and they have to be forced apart. Dwight

21 years, 3 months

2
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Votrax PSS Auction almost over!

by aek＠spies.com

>>I hope to see the whole thing scanned (and I want to see the scans too). >And this information is worth how much to you? I was hoping to get scans of the *ENTIRE* Votrax PSS manual -- Perhaps you are not a native English speaker. I just spent over $200 for something I was not particularly interstested in because you were whining on this mailing list about wanting the documentation. I am not going to put this information up on bitsavers for free. If you feel this is worth something to you, put up or shut up.

21 years, 3 months

1
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More on PDP 11/24 (hints & Maintenance Card infos needed)

by cheri-post＠web.de

Hello Ed, thanks alot for your quick answer ! What do you propose ? It would be very nice, if you could copy it. I would transfer some money and you could send it to me. Would that be ok ? If you don't have time for such things at the moment: It doesn't hurry, I'm studying and the exams are approaching.... Pierre > I have a xerox copy of the 11/24 maintenace card (well, err.. it's > more a booklet). I can give you a copy, contact me off list for > further discussion. > > Ed ________________________________________________________________ Verschicken Sie romantische, coole und witzige Bilder per SMS! Jetzt neu bei WEB.DE FreeMail: http://freemail.web.de/?mc=021193

21 years, 3 months

1
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Looking for Larscom CupreDSU

by msokolov＠ivan.Harhan.ORG

Hi everyone and Happy New Year, This is probably OT because the piece I'm looking for is not 10 y old, however, it is an item of interest primarily to those with a passion for classic computing and seems to be absolute unobtainium, much harder to find than many older items. The CupreDSU is a unit that allows one to connect a classic router of the kind used with [F]T1 lines (in my case a MicroVAX with a DSV11 card running 4.3BSD-Quasijarus) to a Copper Mountain SDSL line. Apparently it was manufactured and sold only very briefly because it is of no use to ordinary sane people who just want to use their DSL lines like normal people do, with an Ethernet interface. It is, however, useful to crazy people like me who for non-objectively-justifiable emotional reasons refuse to use a modern DSL router with an Ethernet interface and insist on using a Quasijarus router instead, i.e., connecting the MicroVAX (via DSV11) to the SDSL line *directly*, without an intervening Ethernet. The CupreDSU is a V.35 DSU for the SDSL electrical signal and does for SDSL what typical CSUs/DSUs do for T1 and DDS lines. Copper Mountain has a page on their website listing all CPE compatible with their DSLAMs, and according to that page Larscom is the only manufacturer that ever made a simple DSU, which they called CupreDSU. All other CPE listed there are Ethernet routers or bridges. The only other unit that comes even close is the ADC Kentrox CopperSMART, which appears to be a plain DSU at first glance, but it is also too smart for me. It knows about Frame Relay frame format and has functions for tampering with the data passing through it, while I want a raw DSU that passes bits through without interpreting them in any way. So I'm running around with my tongue out looking for a Larscom CupreDSU, which apparently due to being totally useless to 99.9999% of DSL users is absolute unobtainium. So if anyone here has one they can part with, I offer $$$. If I cannot find one, the only other alternative would be to build such a DSU myself. Does anyone know anything about Copper Mountain SDSL Layer 1 electrical signal format? Has anyone ever tried to reverse-engineer a CopperEdge DSLAM or one of the routers or bridges compatible with it? Reading the manuals for various products (bridges, routers and the Larscom unit in question) I see consistent references to something called SDSL firmware, separate from the main unit firmware, which is often upgradeable. This makes me strongly suspect that all those products incorporate an SDSL Layer 1 circuit licensed from Copper Mountain, and that the SDSL firmware they are talking about is probably for a DSP used in it. The question is, how is this circuit interfaced to the rest of an a typical router/bridge product? Is this circuit implemented in separate chips and there is a TTL/CMOS-level bit-serial interface lurking in between this circuit and the rest of the router/bridge, or did they cram the entire SDSL circuit, including the DSP and flash firmware, into an ASIC together with other unrelated things? Has anyone poked inside one of those routers/bridges? TIA for any help, MS

21 years, 3 months

4
3
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Votrax PSS Auction almost over!

by jgevaryahu＠hotmail.com

Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2004 17:11:38 -0800 (PST) From: aek(a)spies.com (Al Kossow) Subject: Re: Votrax PSS Auction almost over! To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org Message-ID: <20050101011138.738694D2F(a)spies.com> >>I hope to see the whole thing scanned (and I want to see the scans too). >And this information is worth how much to you? I'm working on an independent research project about the Votrax Synthesizers and their workings. For experimentation and also vintage value I purchased a Votrax PSS about a month ago from eBay, which did not include a Manual or power supply. Since then I've managed to acquire a manual, but it was the older, shorter version (the one with the 'cursive' Votrax logo on the cover). Robert Stek sent me a scan of his manual right before I got mine in the mail, and it is exactly the same as mine. I was hoping to get scans of the *ENTIRE* Votrax PSS manual (to post on one of the manuals-archive sites, since they don't seem to be available anywhere), but I realized that the shorter version of the PSS Manual doesn't include the "Operation -- Advanced Procedures" section, it only has an order form for it. (My PSS also has the older cursive logo, but it also had some sort of sticker on the front which is torn and illegible now. There was a NASA auction a few months ago where a similar PSS with an intact sticker was sold, but the sticker isn't readable from the picture.) I know the manual with that auction (and the PSS too, though its hard to see in the picture) have the newer Votrax 'V' logo on them. I contacted the seller, who sent me several scans from the manual shown with the auction, and it DOES include the "Operation -- Advanced Procedures" section! It has different page numbering throughout the manual too. So I'd like to see that version of the manual completely scanned also, as a lot of very useful information is completely left out of the shorter manual. What I'm *PERSONALLY* interested in would be to get scans from the appendix of the manual, since thats the only part which I don't already have in some form. (The seller was *very* nice, and sent me over 15 pages of scans!) But in the long run, I'd be happiest seeing the whole thing scanned and posted somewhere for future PSS owners to read. Jonathan Gevaryahu jgevaryahu_(a)t_hotmail.com lord_nightmare_(a)t_users.sf.net (replace _@t_ with @) P.S. Does anyone around here have or know where I could get a Votrax VSK or a VS6(any type) synth? I'm looking for one of those too, for experimentation.

21 years, 3 months

1
0
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Intel MDS Series II poll

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

Hi Joe Do you or anyone on the list have a programmer with the right adapter for the 8741? It almost always requires an adapter. Dwight >From: "Joe R." <rigdonj(a)cfl.rr.com> > >Hi Dave, > > I have a crap load of 8741s (I think!) that are just waiting for a >project like this! I already have this installed in my MDS-235. I'm sure I >have plenty of 2716s too but those are common. Hmmm, this might be a good >opportunity to try out that Stag programmer that I've never used. > > I got your other message and will call you some other time. My OL fell >and messed up her ankle and I'm having to tote and fetch for her and I'm >worn out. Also just spent three days cleaning %$^%&% HSA hijacker off my >computer! > > Joe > > >At 09:06 PM 12/30/04 -0500, you wrote: >>Ok, I've been on a kick lately to get my Intel MDS Series II systems >>working as much as I can. So my interest in them is peaking. >> >>I'd like to know who has Series II's on this list, if you don't mind >>admitting it. I know that Tony, Joe, Steve, Dwight, and a few others >>do. And Joe can probably supply anyone who wants one with a system. >>;) Just kidding Joe. You are hanging onto yours as an investment, >>right? I know I am!!! >> >>These last couple of days I copied images of the ROM code that makes up >>an upgrade for the Series II called iMDX-511. It was all new firmware >>for the IOC board (4 2716's) and a new firmware in the keyboard (8741A) >>to implement the upgrade. It turned the RPT (repeat) key into a >>"function" (FCTN) key. And along with the latest version of ISIS (4.3) >>you had the capability to hit FCTN-D for "DIR " or FCTN-T for " TO " and >>many other "soft" keys for ISIS command line shortcuts. It also added >>cursor addressability to the integral CRT and some attributes, like >>reverse video, blinking, underline, etc. All stuff that we take for >>granted today, but in those days it was a big thing!!! >> >>Anyway, if anyone is interested I can make the binaries available and >>help those of you who have these beasts get it implemented. >> >>Any takers? >>Dave Mabry >> >> >> > >

21 years, 3 months

2
1
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S-100 Polymorphic Systems card questions

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

Hi The zener is only needed if the keyboard you intend to use needs a negative rail. Normally most would need a 12 volt zener but some need a -15 volt level. You need to check the current of the keyboard to determine the right value for the resistor. As Randy states, the manual is available now. The keyboard is intended to be connected through this board and this board has a connection to one of the interrupt lines. The keyboard is to be a parallel out, 8 bits, w/ + or - strobe. It has memory mapped video with either characters ( including Greek ) or block graphics. The output is standard composite video. If you ever want to get it working, you can contact me and I can most likely help you some. Dwight >From: "Randy McLaughlin" <randy(a)s100-manuals.com> > >----- Original Message ----- >From: <Saquinn624(a)aol.com> >To: <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> >Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 12:38 PM >Subject: S-100 Polymorphic Systems card questions > > >> I have a S-100 based system that seems to mostly run, but I have some >> questions on the video card. >> It is a Polymorphic Systems card, but looks different from all the >> examples I >> could find on the internet >> >> Markings are: Polymorphic Systems (c) 1976 I.P.C VIDEO rev 0.0, with most >> chips aligned vertically >> >> The keyboard? port is a 14 pin DIP socket in the upper R.H. corner, next >> to a >> 8212 I/O chip. >> Between this and the VIDEO marking, there are some pads with heat damage >> that >> have the symbol for Zener diode across one of them. I have no idea what >> the >> component specs are for these pads. >> >> Also, 2 questions: does anyone have the DIP switch settings table for this >> card? 7 switches, currently set at 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 >> >> and (2) the 8212 interface makes me think that the keyboard is some sort >> of >> parallel interface, but the computer came with a DIP header connected to 3 >> wires >> >> (bonus question: this card has some jumper wires and a resistor soldered >> on >> the trace side of the PCB, is this official, or is this a hack? the joints >> look >> sort of "hacky" the resistor goes between +Vcc and pin 20 of the 6571AL, >> the >> jumpers are between some of the 74XXX gates on the L.H. side of the card >> [where the 7805 V.R. is]) >> >> found it at my church garage sale several years ago, so I can't "ask the >> owner" >> >> Scott Quinn > > >You can find the manual for it on my website: > >http://www.s100-manuals.net/Harte-manuals/PolyMorphic/index.html > > >Randy >www.s100-manuals.com > > >

21 years, 3 months

1
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Classic Computers 2005 Wall Calendar

by leigh＠digicraft.com.au

Hi, I know this has been mentioned before on the list, but I thought people here would be interested. I have printed and produced some classic computer wall calendars for 2005. I've just reduced the price to US$5.99. You can see them and purchase one online here: http://www.digicraft.com.au/calendars I'm sorry if this is seen as spam. Andy

21 years, 3 months

1
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Looking for Larscom CupreDSU

by msokolov＠ivan.Harhan.ORG

Brad Parker <brad(a)heeltoe.com> wrote: > I think the sdsl firmware is really bits put in an fpga. Hmm, if this is so, the circuit should be pretty simple, as all the digital stuff would be in the FPGA, so I would just need the FPGA firmware file. But what's between the FPGA and the copper line? MS

21 years, 3 months

1
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Looking for Larscom CupreDSU

by msokolov＠ivan.Harhan.ORG

Vintage Computer Festival <vcf(a)siconic.com> wrote: > I've got a bunch of AT&T Paradyne modems in case anyone's interested. Do you have one with a synchronous serial hand-off (NO Ethernet, no bridge or router functionality) that's compatible with Copper Mountain DSLAMs? MS

21 years, 3 months

2
1
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Horses comma dead comma beating, re: drives hard Noisy old profile Reviving

by tomj＠wps.com

Rules of thumb are just that. They aren't meant to be Science but Craft; analysis beyond some point(*) is generally worthless. Hard drives last longer than food, but not much. Reviving for data recovery is great, but all of the commodity winchester types are of limited lifespan. If you get 25K hours, consider yourself skating on thin ice. PS: If a drive is dead due to stiction, then rotating it sharply parallel to the platter (I can't believe rotational direction matters nor that you can know which way they turn w/o opening), or rapping during power up, or taking the cover off all work "a lot". On the latter, the once or twice I've done it I just wiped everything off with a clean rag first, hit reset, rotate the platter (finger on enter hub, I forget) then xcopy (it was some DOS box) the data off. On those old ST225 type drives, sometimes the little brush (tab) finger thing that grounds the rotating spindle, on the bottom outside of the drive (under? the PCB?) squeals. Bend it. (*) I suppose you could use real methodology to determine exactly what the failure modes really are, and possibly disk manu's do that. But there's not much value in it outside disk-drive {manufacture,repair} worlds. Drive construction techniques come and go, by the time the likes of us (non-disk-drive-manu-engineers) figure one thing out, it's changed again.

21 years, 3 months

1
0
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HP 5036a microprocessor lab

by mokuba＠gmail.com

I recently acquired one of these units and am in the process of searching for manuals or any info AT ALL on this unit! So far I've figured out how to call up addresses, store data and program it (havn't really done much since I can't figure out more then how to play with the registers, the output hardware is alien to me :/) I'd love to get a copy of the rom as it was written in the manual, comments and all. Also, if anyone has a manual and wants it scanned, I'll be more then happy to do that for you! And I'm especially keen to know how to manipulate the speaker and output LEDs

21 years, 3 months

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Waterloo MicroWAT ?

by dave04a＠dunfield.com

Hi Heinz, Thanks for the very useful information. >Not, it's not a SuperPet. Not even close. Noting shared >with Commodore's schematics. No memory mapped video, >no VIAS. >From what I can tell, it is/was intended to run the same Waterloo software as the SuperPET (in 6809 mode) - the document that I have describes the microWAT and SuperPET as separate hardware (which they obviously are!), but makes very little distinction once it gets into the software. >It used a bank switched eprom board (2532's ?) to run boot/ >the monitor and Waterloo Structured interpreted languages >(Which were themselves written in a weird C-like compiled > language called WSL= Waterloo Systems Language) This is probably how the microWAT and SuperPET are "the same" when the hardware is different ... It appears that WSL is used to make the same software run on both platforms. From the document I have: "SOFTWARE PORTABILITY When the 6809 was chosed as the microprocessor for the microWAT and SuperPET, we realized that microcomputers which incorporated other microprocessors such as the 68000, 8086, 8088 and Z8000 were about to be announced, and some were even available. It would, therefore, be unwise to prepare extensive software systems specifically for the 6809. The systems language WSL is ment to produce code which is portable. By using WSL to write the language interpreters, the editor, the library the assembler development system, and in fact the WSL compiler itself, it should be a relatively easy job to move or "port" the system to other machines and interface it with their operating systems." >The most interesting thing in that whole system was that >Wes Graham (of Watfor fortran compiler fame) had >written a copyrighted poem (Haiku) that was an unencrypted >key required to run the software. The designers chose the rarest, >hardest to program most obscure Harris 3 supply fuse proms to use, >so it could not be easily copied. Can you provide more information - at some point I, if I can gather enough material together, I would like to try and get the thing to run - do I need to provide this "key"? Also, can you shed any light on the 1/2 height completely potted (ie: sealed from tampering) card that I found wrapped up inside the system? (See previous posting for complete description). Any other information/resources you can point me at would be greatly appreciated. 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, 3 months

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Sweet.. New toy..

by dholland＠woh.rr.com

/me just got a early Xmas present. I got what should be a relatively complete Vax 4000-300, console, cables, and w/ some form of MO jukebox. Might even have a line on a small pile of tapes for the thing.. I don't know very little about the spec's on the box, as I literally just got ahold of it.. Looks like its got a fair bit of SCSI, and Ethernet in it. I'd guess its only got 32Mb of memory as I only saw one obvious MS670 memory board. (It took that many chips to make 32MB!?) The only concern I've got is, while its been stored in doors most of its life, its been outdoors since Monday, and its gotten _COLD_. I think it'll need a day or two just to warm up. I see what appears to be at least some documentation up on bitsavers, at least the phrase KA670 seems to match up what's on the little tag at the bottom of the unit. Does anyone have any other suggested hardware documentation site's they think would be worthwhile to point me at? Thanks, /me goes back to poking at the innards. :-) David

21 years, 3 months

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IBM 51XX parts available

by anheier＠owt.com

I have the following ISA cards available from a IBM5160: 1 each 1501435 Color graphics 2 each 1503236 async 1 each 256KB memory 6449021XM $10 for all. and an unusual find from in a 5150: Twin CD ROM drives (Hitachi CDR-36006) with ISA interface card (CD-IP35A) and cables $20 for all These are as is, untested, price plus shipping from 99352 thanks Norm

21 years, 3 months

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Intel iPDS in general

by dmabry＠mich.com

All this talk about the Intel iPDS has peaked my interest, at least for now. So I have been doing a little investigation on what exactly I have and here are some of the details. The iPDS is an 8085-based portable development system. PDS was said to stand for Personal Development System or Portable Development System. Intel's manual called it Personal Development System, so that must be it. The main processor board (and it was one monolithic system board with cables to the keyboard, crt, and floppy drive. Besides the main cpu with 64KB of ram, there was a second 8085 that implemented the keyboard and crt terminal. So the main cpu only talked through an I/O port to get "console in" and "console out". The main board also had an 8272 (I think that was the chip) to control the floppy drive. It had one internal 96-tpi double-sided floppy drive that held about 650K bytes. It used MFM encoding, I guess required by the 8272. There were three connectors on the back panel for I/O. One was a serial port. It was a 25-pin D female. It could be jumpered to appear as a DCE or a DTE. From the factory it was strapped to be a DCE. That was probably to be consistent with the MDS-800 and port 1 of the Series II. The 800 required, and the Series II accomodated an external crt terminal as the "console". Since the iPDS had an integral console (built-in crt and keyboard) I strapped my serial port to be a DTE so that I could connect it directly to a modem. In those days, of course, the BBS was dominate for communications to the world, and a modem was highly desirable for that. There was also a 25-pin D female connector to drive a Centronix-compatible printer. It used the same pinout as the 800 and the Series II. Finally there was a 37-pin D female that could connect up an external floppy drive. Remember, the standard iPDS from Intel had only one floppy drive built in. One very cool option was a second cpu board. It has its own 8085 and 64K of ram. It cabled to the main processor board and would use the integral keyboard, crt, and floppy with the use of a software semaphore to prevent both processors from accessing a device at the same time. Another option was a daughter board that accomodated up to four iSBX boards. When that was installed you could install one or two iSBX-251 bubble memory cards. Those cards were 128K bytes in size and the operating systems from Intel would support them as logical disk drives. You could even boot from the internal bubble device. Very advanced for its time, I'd say. Intel, of course, wanted users to take advantage of their ISIS-PDS operating system. It would boot from the bubble or from the floppy drive. And with ISIS, the file and device locking routines would allow both cpu's, if you had the optional second processor installed, to boot, access files, etc, and you could switch between the processors with a function key. It was truly a multi-processor system, actually two very logically distinct computers in one. Often I would be editing one file while compiling, linking, locating, etc, another file, using both cpu's that way. Remember, of course, the only operating systems for small computers like that were single-user, single-tasking. Intel also sold a version of CP/M-80 V2.2 for the iPDS. But due to licensing issues, and possibly technical issues, CP/M would only boot >from one of the two processors. It was simply software in the BIOS to disable the "B" processor. However, a clever workaround was to have ISIS loaded in a bubble device, boot one processor from that device, and let the other boot from CP/M on the floppy drive. There were times that I would document a project that I was working on using Wordstar on a CP/M-booted processor while developing code on the ISIS-booted processor. I have a good collection of software for the iPDS, so if anyone who has a working machine, I would be willing to send out copies of what I have. I have made Teledisk images of boot floppies that can be recreated on an IBM-AT compatible on the HD drive. I also have decent comm software that will transfer files through the serial port to and >from a PC. Oh well, I guess you can see how bored I am to spend Christmas Eve typing this up, but I wanted to get it written down while it was all fresh in my mind. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!!! Dave Mabry

21 years, 3 months

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Nosrk Data CAD stylus/pen

by quapla＠xs4all.nl

Anybody interested in a stylus for the CAD tabled Norsk Data used? The stylus is unused and in it's packaging. Free, but postage applies. Ed

21 years, 3 months

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Defective IBM core memory UPDATE.

by h.j.stegeman＠hccnet.nl

Hi, UPDATE: I decided to open the core stack of my spare storage module to check if the open X wires where repairable. After opening the stack carefully at a plane with two open X wires I found out that the open spot in the X wires where located at the black 'foam' which IBM had put in between planes for airflow reasons. See white arrows in http://home.hccnet.nl/h.j.stegeman/CoreProb3.JPG The X wires where broken by a chemical reaction between the copper wires and the black 'foam'. This 'foam' becomes over the years very sticky black tar. I now also understand why only X wires where open and none of the Y wires. I also checked the tension/slack in the X/Y wires to see if shrinking (by frost) could break them. This is not the case. Conclusion: It was not the unheated storage of the system (my resposibility) but the chemical timebomb between the aging 'foam' and the X wires that caused the defect in all my core modules. I am now planning for a chip replacement of these core modules. Henk

21 years, 3 months

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Intel iPDS in general

by melamy＠earthlink.net

that was the seeyuzz river... At 09:48 PM 12/31/2004, Dave Mabry wrote: >Who was it who wanted to know more about the multimodule addon board for >the iPDS? I have a photo that I can send to him. Let me know. > >Dave

21 years, 3 months

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Waterloo MicroWAT ?

by dave04a＠dunfield.com

At 15:33 30/12/2004 -0800, you wrote: >> Anyone here know anything about the "MicroWAT" computer, which was >> developed at the University of Waterloo in Ontario Canada around 1980. >> >> I just acquired one - this is a small 6809 based computer, which I am >> told is very similar/somewhat compatible with the Waterloo 6809 coprocessor >> in the Commodore SuperPET. > >Actually, according to my information, it *is* a SuperPET. See > > http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/pet.html Thanks - I too found this reference, however it is in error - the MicroWAT I have is actually a stand-alone computer in a small box with a power supply, small card cage, three serial ports and an IEEE connector (I have one here in front of me). I also did uncover a Waterloo document entitled: "Waterloo Microcomputer Systems for the 1980's" by D.D. Cowan and J.W. Graham at the University of Waterloo in which they describe the MicroWAT and the SuperPET as separate systems: "It was noted that on campus there were more than 1000 'dumb' ASCII terminals, mostly with CRTs and keyboards, and a study was initiated to consider the problems in their conversion to personal workstations meeting our specifications. The study led to the design of the microWAT a prototype of which became operational in December 1980 ..." "The microWAT is a computer system of one or more circuit boards mounted on a rather simple bus. A typical system consists of 4 cards, namely the CPU card, 48K RAM card, 64k bank-switched ROM card and the IEEE-488 bus interface card. The system can be mounted inside most of our ASCII terminals ... If desired or necessary, the microWAT can be mounted in its own chassis with it's own power supply." "At the same time as the development of the microWAT, we investigated the possibility of expanding existing microcomputers by providing them with a large memory so that they could incorporate our planned software. We modified a PET microcomputer by adding 64k of bank-switched RAM, a 6809 microprocessor and an RS232 interface. This design eventually let to the Commodore SuperPET which is a personal workstation similar to the microWAT". >From there it goes on to describe the waterloo software and languages, with no real distinction between the microWAT the the SuperPET - so the above is really all I know for certain about the microWAT, however it does appear to be distinct from, but related to the SuperPET. Once the holidays are over, I will contact the curator of the York museum in Toronto, as I am certain that he has mentioned to me in past conversation a stand-alone 6809 based system that was developed at Waterloo - perhaps he will be able to fill in some details, however if anyone else has information to offer, please do step forward. 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, 3 months

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2005

by geoffreythomas＠onetel.com

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda - Happy new year To all on the list. I'm a republican - but not in the way you're thinking ! ( :^) Geoff. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.298 / Virus Database: 265.6.7 - Release Date: 30/12/04

21 years, 3 months

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Votrax PSS Auction almost over!

by aek＠spies.com

> I hope to see the whole thing scanned (and I want to see the scans too). And this information is worth how much to you?

21 years, 3 months

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Votrax PSS Auction almost over!

by jgevaryahu＠hotmail.com

The auction for the nearly complete Votrax PSS is almost over! Come on, I'm hoping someone on the list manages to get it in the end, because it has the complete manual, including the advanced procedures section and the section about updating the internal list of substitution words! (the seller sent me that info) Here's the auction link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=162&item=5151487740&… I hope to see the whole thing scanned (and I want to see the scans too). Jonathan Gevaryahu lord_nightmare_(a)t_users.sf.net jgevaryahu_(a)t_hotmail.com

21 years, 3 months

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Looking for RM05/CDC-9766 Owners

by cvendel＠att.net

I am looking to exchange notes and information with anyone else who owns RM05's and/or CDC-9766 300MB SMD drives. You can contact me off-list: curt(a)atarimuseum.com Thanks, Curt

21 years, 3 months

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New bounties for the new year ($$$)

by vcf＠siconic.com

I'm seeking the following software for a client: Title Publisher Context MBA Context Management Systems Open Access Software Products International Intuit Noumenon Corp. Aura Softrend, Inc. Jack2 Business Solutions The Incredible Jack Business Solutions Jack Report Business Solutions Has ya gots any? E-mail me directly and let's talk! Looking to buy and will pay generously. Only one more day but I'll beat everyone to it: Happy New Year! -- 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, 3 months

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Intel MDS Series II poll

by Innfogra＠aol.com

I have an MDS 800, not running, and several iPDS intel development systems. I also have an Intel 330, a 380 and several 310s for Multibus I systems. A recent addition is an 80/10 rack mount system (4 slot Multibus I with a SBC 80/10). I have had all of the development systems go through my hands in the early 90s when we were buying truckloads from intel. I have tinkered with most. About 1993 we sold all of our Multibus cards to Inbus. Did anyone on the list get the intel IPSC that sold on ebay last month. Paxton Astoria, OR

21 years, 3 months

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Waterloo MicroWAT ?

by dave04a＠dunfield.com

>> From there it goes on to describe the waterloo software and languages, with >> no real distinction between the microWAT the the SuperPET - so the above isx >> really all I know for certain about the microWAT, however it does appear to >> be distinct from, but related to the SuperPET. > >Based on that document, yes, it does sound like they are indeed separate >units. Is there a 6502 in yours, or is it 6809 only? > >I'll update my page. It has only a 6809 in it, which doesn't suprise me, since I don't believe the 6502 is actually used by the Waterloo software once the SuperPET is switched to 6809 mode. I am planning an update to my site within the next couple of weeks, and I will include photos of the microWAT (inside and out), as well as the document that I have, and whatever other information I can turn up between now and then. 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, 3 months

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Intel MDS Series II poll

by dmabry＠mich.com

Ok, I've been on a kick lately to get my Intel MDS Series II systems working as much as I can. So my interest in them is peaking. I'd like to know who has Series II's on this list, if you don't mind admitting it. I know that Tony, Joe, Steve, Dwight, and a few others do. And Joe can probably supply anyone who wants one with a system. ;) Just kidding Joe. You are hanging onto yours as an investment, right? I know I am!!! These last couple of days I copied images of the ROM code that makes up an upgrade for the Series II called iMDX-511. It was all new firmware for the IOC board (4 2716's) and a new firmware in the keyboard (8741A) to implement the upgrade. It turned the RPT (repeat) key into a "function" (FCTN) key. And along with the latest version of ISIS (4.3) you had the capability to hit FCTN-D for "DIR " or FCTN-T for " TO " and many other "soft" keys for ISIS command line shortcuts. It also added cursor addressability to the integral CRT and some attributes, like reverse video, blinking, underline, etc. All stuff that we take for granted today, but in those days it was a big thing!!! Anyway, if anyone is interested I can make the binaries available and help those of you who have these beasts get it implemented. Any takers? Dave Mabry

21 years, 3 months

6
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LF: Tektronix Model 31 Info AVL: Olivetti Programma 101 parts/docs

by dave04a＠dunfield.com

Hi Guys, Just picked up an Tektronix Model 31 desktop calculator. This is a fairly old (early 70s) desktop programmable with built in tape storage and printer. Looking for information/documenation on it - all I got was the bare unit (which looks to be in good shape). Also got a stack of circuit boards from an Olivetti Programma 101 (early 60s) as well as the general reference manual and some programming sheets - unfortunately the machine itself was "taken apart" many years ago and this is all that remains - the boards are very interesting and worth keeping on their own, as they utilize discrete resistor/transistor logic modules. However, if someone on this list has a Programma 101 in need of parts, I would rather see them used to heal a whole machine instead of sitting on my shelf as curiosities. Regards, Dave PS: Also picked up a "MicroWat" - 6809 based computer built by the University of Waterloo in Canada - if anyone has info please contact me. -- 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, 3 months

5
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Powermac 8100/80 RAM question

by richard.beaudry＠gmail.com

>From: Tom Peters <tpeters(a)mixcom.com> >Subject: Re: Powermac 8100/80 RAM question >To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> > >I have lots of old 72-pin SIMMs laying around. What are you looking for? Actually, I have a metric crapload of PC 72-pin SIMMs lying around, and the Mac that needs more RAM. Just wondering if I could make a match. It seems like it will, from all the replies, so maybe some of that RAM can find a home.... Thanks to all for the replies! Rich B.

21 years, 3 months

1
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Reviving old hard drives

by sloboyko＠yahoo.com

1. Very early full height drives had a real "brake", like a brake shoe on a car, that locks when power is disengaged. Maybe this is sticking. 2. Very early drives son't have any kind of embedded servo/voice coil technology - they used a stepper only. I recall that those didn't like to operate outside of a narrow temperature range (50-100F), probably coefficient of expension problems. I remember that we were so excited when our first Shugart 5M full height came in we formatted it immediately after it had been in a UPS truck for days during the winter - and it produced numerous errors. Two hours later, we reformatted it and it was fine. So, I don't know how well the temperature trick will work. It might work for a few minutes between "too cold" and "too hot"... ===== -Steve Loboyko Website: http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl Nixie Watch (one-tube):http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/complwatch.htm __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? All your favorites on one personal page – Try My Yahoo! http://my.yahoo.com

21 years, 3 months

1
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OT: merry stuff

by julesrichardsonuk＠yahoo.co.uk

merry xmas (where x = ?) thought I'd get there first :-P enjoy yourselves this weekend, people!

21 years, 3 months

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Noisy profile hard drive

by cb＠mythtech.net

I've got someone asking me about a Profile hard drive in a Lisa 2/10. He says it makes a loud screaming noise when it is running. Maybe bad bearings? Anyone seen this with the Profile drives? Any idea if it is fatal? Any idea if it can be repaired? Any advise I can pass on would be great. -chris <http://www.mythtech.net>

21 years, 3 months

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8' floppy drive.

by c3636b＠hotmail.com

Hi Rich, Do you still have Shugart 801 8" floppy driver and can you ship it to = Hong Kong. How much it cost. Please be advise. Thanks Ben

21 years, 3 months

2
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Waterloo MicroWAT ?

by dave04a＠dunfield.com

Anyone here know anything about the "MicroWAT" computer, which was developed at the University of Waterloo in Ontario Canada around 1980. I just acquired one - this is a small 6809 based computer, which I am told is very similar/somewhat compatible with the Waterloo 6809 coprocessor in the Commodore SuperPET. Looking for any information on it, as well as software (it apparently uses an IEEEish drive like the PET - in fact, it is possible/likely that a CBM drive is what it was designed for) One burning question - when I opened the machine, I found five cards in the slots - an I/O card, a CPU card (with a bit of ROM), a ROM card, and two RAM cards - tucked into the gap left by the two remaining empty slots was a small sealed board wrapped up in a plastic bag. This board is only perhaps 2-1/2 inches high (1/2 height or less of the other boards), and is completely encased in a shell, perhaps 1" thick, and is filled with potting compound - the only part visible is the edge card connector. In other words, it looks like a 1" x 2-1/2" black box with an edge card connector protruding from it - it will fit the slots, although I'm not completely certain which way it goes in (it could face either way). Anyone know what this board is? Could it be related to the "Secret" little daughter board in the SuperPET (the one whose function was never documented)? [If it's like that board, then it would be required for the system to function, which would lead to the question - why was it unplugged and wrapped up?] any info or pointers for either the machine, card or both would be greatly appreciated. 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, 3 months

2
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Survived another one!

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

Well Hurricane Jeanne has come and gone. This is the fourth hurricane in 6 weeks and the third that's gone through my area. The DEC and intel stuff sitting outside STILL hasn't blown away! Not too much damage this time, for the most part everything that could be torn up was destroyed in the previous storms. However my roof shingles are finally starting to go. The power companies are getting GOOD at this. This time they had the power back on the same day! I think there's going to be lots of houses (or vacant lots!) for sale in Florida real soon. I went to Home Depot this morning and it was packed with people buying roofing materials and other repair items. A lot of them also had "Home for Sale" signs in their carts! I haven't heard from Glen. I know he was without power for five then seven days from the two previous storms and I think he's about ready to leave the state. Joe

21 years, 3 months

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Intel MDS Series II poll

by river＠zip.com.au

Hi, I'll gladly admit to having one. What a wonderful old beast. Got it a few weeks ago - covered in grime and dirt, but I cleaned up the main box and all the boards and connectors and it runs like a dream now. It's an MDS-225, and it came with the expansion chasis, double-density disk drive array, ICE-80, ICE-51 and ICE-41 emulators and software and ISIS-II disks. I ran the ROM-based diags and it all came out okay - including the integral disk drive. I need a cable (or pinouts so I can make one) to attach the disk array. I think I'll need the disk array 'cos most of the disks are double density and won't run on the integral drive. I haven't cleaned up or attached the expansion chasis yet. I'm currently on the hunt for manuals and have got most of them from the net and printed them out. Great stuff. I love this old equipment. I'm still getting used to it 'cos I've never used a diskette-only based MDS. My current pride and joy is an MDS-Series4 with ICE-85B emulator. I got another Series-4 also (when I got the MDS-225), but, as mentioned in a previous post, this baby's got a RAM error and I don't have enough spare 2118 chips to replace all the current chips, so I'm trying to isolate the chip, but it's kinds hard with no cct diagram. The CRO doesn't show anything wrong, but as the System Monitor comes up I think I'll write a short program to help isolate the fault. But, as both systems cost me only $88AUD, I can't really complain - even though their bulk is a challenge to the wife as they are in the family room. I don't think she's an "old big Intel box" sorta lady. :) Oh, thanks again to Dave for the TD images for the iPDS. I'm having a bit of fun with that thing also. Simply marvellous stuff. I got an ISIS-II users guide - thanks Fritz - so I'll be getting into this too. Ahh.. so many projects and things! I love it. seeyuzz river

21 years, 3 months

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