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

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

Does anyone know of a good internet search engine? I've been using Google but they have gotten LOUSY in the last couple of months since they've decided to sell the "right" to companies to be first in their search results. It's gotten so bad that I can no longer find anything with their searchs except ads for totally unrelated items. Joe

22 years

16
35
0 0

Space Shuttle Main Engine Computer?

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

Does anyone here have any info or pictures of the >>>>>Block 1<<<<<< SSMEC? I think I have parts of it but I need to verify that that's what they are. Joe

22 years

1
0
0 0

X-Tree Gold 2.5

by Lee.Davison＠merlincommunications.com

As above, boxed with the manual and, I think, both sets of disks (3.5" and 5.25"). Available for postage but hurry 'cos the binman comes in the morning. Cheers, Lee. ________________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Star Internet. The service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit: http://www.star.net.uk ________________________________________________________________________

22 years

3
2
0 0

running 3 phase motors from single phase...

by julesrichardsonuk＠yahoo.co.uk

Rats, I just found out the museum's dead Sperry drum store uses a 3 phase motor - is there any way I can run this from a single phase supply (UK mains, ~240V, 50Hz) without things blowing up? Or am I resigned to replacing the motor with a single phase equivalent? I just want to get the thing spinning so that people can hear it running - it's way beyond actually being able to restore it to working condition again :-( cheers Jules

22 years

9
10
0 0

electronics workbench

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Mar 30, 5:15, Tony Duell wrote: > > > Well, I guess if your machines are modern enough to have RJ45 connectors > for ethernet, etc.... Many do, but a lot have AUI connectors. However, 10baseT transceivers and microtransceivers are cheap and easy to come by. Well, for me anyway :-) Structured wiring is also useful for serial connections, a phone line, ISDN, and all sorts of other things. > If possible, have a good isolating transformer. Almost essential if you > work on SMPSUs. Also think about having both 110 and 220V outlets -- the > ability to plug in just anything from either side of the Pond, at least > for testing is very useful. I have an isolating transformer, which lives under the bench. I've almost never needed 110V, but one day I'll find a cheap transformer. > My iron is normally on my bench, but I do move it around for work on > minicomputers, etc As an aside here, if you're in the UK and work on DEC > machines, make up adapter cables for 13A mains plug to US 234V socket and > US 234V plug to 13A mains socket so you can (a) plug a DEC unit in on > your bench for testing and (b) can run your soldering iron, 'scope, etc > off the power distribution unit at the back of your DEC rack. I've got an adaptor but since there's a DEC rack right behind me as I sit at the bench, and the room is small, I rarely need to plug anything in at the back of a DEC rack. Anyway, the adjacent rack has a 13A rackmount power on it, and there are several 13A sockets on the wall behind the other racks (three racks in total). > Although I don't do much heavy metalwork on my electronics bench, I agree > a small vice is very useful. For pressing on iDC connectors, holding > things when soldering, etc. Chasing a DIN plug around the benchtop with a > hot soldering iron is not my idea of fun! The vice in question is too small and light for crimping connectors. I just use it for holding D-connectors, or holding multicore cables when I tin the ends. But the adjacent bench has a proper engineer's vice (a Record No.3), and there's a 3" vice on a Workmate at the other end of the room (all of 4 metres away). -- Peter Turnbull <postmaster(a)dunnington.u-net.com>

22 years

2
1
0 0

IBM RS/6000 59H

by dholland＠woh.rr.com

Not entirely certain its on topic.. if it is, its just barely.. Anyone know much about'm? In particularly, sources of electronic hardware documentation? (Service Guide?) I just got handed one, along w/ a AIX 5.1 media set.. Now I get to go have fun.. Course, it would be nice to know exactly what bits I'm pulling out of it, as I poke at its innards. . Speaking of Google, googling for the above subject turns up a few billion memory dealers, and a few SpecInt pages. :-( David

22 years

7
8
0 0

SNMP management

by lists＠microvax.org

Hey guys Did DEC ever produce SNMP management software for Windows? I'm drawing a blank on 'managing' my DEChub90 as [the GPL software i've got for Linux doesn't have the right MIBs loaded/I don't understand SNMP very much at all] - and I was thinking that DEC's own software would make it easier. Any links, or recommendations for a Windows/Linux/Java SNMP browser? alex/melt

22 years

4
6
0 0

Mel the programmer

by aek＠spies.com

here we go again.. > > > And please don't forget our LGP-30 here. > > Never heard of this thing. What and where is it? > Hmmm... then you haven't heard of Mel either? Mel? As "Mel The Programmer"? Yes I remember Mel, but I didn't remember the name of the machine. -- http://www.wps.com/projects/LGP-21/mel-the-programmer.html

22 years

1
0
0 0

Matrix 3U CPU card?

by Lee.Davison＠merlincommunications.com

Got any pictures ? > They're 3U type cards with 68000-10 CPUs and are marked > MATRIX MS-CPU-02C. Cheers, Lee. ________________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Star Internet. The service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit: http://www.star.net.uk ________________________________________________________________________

22 years

1
0
0 0

Apollo

by dan_williams＠ntlworld.com

I have just got an apollo 735 (couldn't resist it for 9 pound on ebay). It has 96mb ram, 2 1gb hard drives, a framebuffer with a stereo +rgb ports and what I think is a 99mhz processor. All is looking good except it has no power supply. Anyone know where I can get such a beast. It looks quite big if it fills up the mising hole, the machine already weighs a ton it must be pretty heavy with it in. Thanks Dan

22 years

5
5
0 0

otrona advanced systems

by swoodward＠sandhillecon.com

Dear Mr. Feldman, I ran across the classic computer dialog searching for what became of Otrona Advanced Systems. Tony, who wrote the message, appears sure that Otrona had gone out of business. Can we ask him when Otrona went out of business? I study private companies and their histories and this is an important early one. I would be most grateful for even an approximate shut down date. Susan Woodward Sand Hill Econometrics www.sandhillecon.com <http://www.sandhillecon.com/>

22 years

2
1
0 0

WD1793 read-track weirdness

by yakowenk＠yahoo.com

Hey all, Has anybody out there written drivers for the WD1793 floppy disk controller chip? I've been doing that for fun, and have hit on a very strange problem with the 'read track' command. It seems to work just fine, returning a stream of bytes that includes the data for each sector, until it finds a byte with a value of $29 (or 29H, if you prefer). From that point up to the next address mark, it gets garbled data. No other data value seems to have any odd effect. 'Read sector' returns the right data with no weirdness. It is extremely consistent; using read-sector and write-sector, I can add/move/remove bytes with that value, and get the same result every time: read-track returns garbled from the $29 up to the next address mark. At first I thought it was just losing synchronization, because the address mark (at which it synchronizes) puts it back on track. But the garbling seems weirder than just out-of-sync. After the $29 byte, it seems to be OR-ing the byte with itself shifted right one bit, and then inverting that. More precisely, it seems to be doing something like this (in 'C' notation): found_29 = 0; while ( /* whatever */ ) { input = get_input(); // input from disk if ( got_address_mark() ) found_29 = 0; if (found_29) { carry = (prev_input & 1) << 7; output( ~ ( input | carry | (input>>1) ) ); } else if (input == 0x29) { found_29 = 1; output( 0x14 ); continue; } else { output( input ); } prev_input = input; } In case it's relevant, it is a Radio Shack Color Computer 2, with a standard controller cartridge. (The label has wandered off, so I'm not sure whether it is the older or newer model of controller.) I don't suppose anyone would care to venture an explanation? Anyone? Anyone? .... Cheers, Bill. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time. http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html

22 years

6
5
0 0

93448 IC?

by rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com

I found a board with several of these yesterday. Can anyone id them? I've searched the net and all I can find are sellers with no names or descriptions of what the ICs are. Chip directory comes up empty. They're 24 pin ICs with white ceramic bodies and gold lids and legs. They're marked "93448-DC" and "F 7633". Joe

22 years

3
2
0 0

Rescued Heathkit OM-3 Oscilloscope

by classiccmp＠vintage-computer.com

I was out driving today and noticed a pile of stuff sitting under a "Free" sign. One of the items caught my eye because of the dials, knobs and round screen on the front. It turned out to be a Heathkit OM-3 Oscilloscope (1958 vintage according to my limited Googling - which DID turn up relevant results.) It's missing a couple of the plastic caps to the banana jacks on the front, but is otherwise complete. I powered it up and it seems to work (An adjustable horizontal line appears on the CRT, anyway.) Not bad for a street corner find. So, does anyone have any info; docs or otherwise? Erik Klein www.vintage-computer.com www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum The Vintage Computer Forum

22 years

5
5
0 0

Great Finds at AuctionToday

by jdbryan＠acm.org

On 26 Mar 2004 at 23:50, Bill McDermith wrote: > Keys wrote: > > Went to a school auction and picked up the following: > > HP 3000 model 922LX > > Never heard of a 3000 with this model number -- sure it > wasn't a hp 300? That was one of the low-end PA-RISC 3000s (as opposed to the "classic" TTL/ECL 3000s). I have an HP datasheet for it (5952-0976, Dec-1989). > That would be about the size of a breadbox (or a terminal) -- the 3000 > is _much_ larger (several racks)... 29.5 x 14.8 x 27.9 inches and 244 pounds, according to the 922LX sheet. -- Dave

22 years

1
0
0 0

Need Alpha Microsystems Videotrax hardware

by vcf＠siconic.com

I'm in need of an Alpha Microsystems Videotrax tape backup unit (made backups to VHS tape). I can use any hardware including controllers, etc. but the Videotrax unit itself (a modified VCR) would be ideal. Cash or trade. Need soon. Please contact me directly. Thanks! -- 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 ]

22 years

2
2
0 0

running 3 phase motors from single phase...

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: "Jules Richardson" <julesrichardsonuk(a)yahoo.co.uk> > > >Rats, I just found out the museum's dead Sperry drum store uses a 3 >phase motor - is there any way I can run this from a single phase supply >(UK mains, ~240V, 50Hz) without things blowing up? Or am I resigned to >replacing the motor with a single phase equivalent? > >I just want to get the thing spinning so that people can hear it running >- it's way beyond actually being able to restore it to working condition >again :-( > >cheers > >Jules > Hi A common shop trick is to get another 3 phase motor and start that one spinning with a rope. Then connect the single phase wires as one of the phases and cross connect the other phases. This uses the free spinning motor as a generator for the motor with the load. The motor would need to be an induction type. Of course, one could have another motor to spin up the generator and a simple control to switch over the power once it is spun up. Dwight

22 years

1
0
0 0

> Looking for data on the MAN2815 display and Nat'l Semi DS8867

by glickman＠decny.com

I got one also, and the LED displays are interesting. Did you ever get a response to your inquiry last year? I found this old Monsanto document that doesn't give much info and would appreciate if you had anything else. > Looking for data on the MAN2815 display and Nat'l Semi DS8867 > Ethan Dicks cctalk(a)classiccmp.org > Wed Mar 5 09:32:00 2003 > > ? Previous message: Help Locating H8 Parts > ? Next message: fair price for apple articles > ? Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ] > Over in the Yahoo Group for the Cosmac Elf, a few of us have picked up > these MSI/88 barcode "terminals" for a couple of bucks surplus. Mine > arrived yesterday. They are interesting because they are hand-held > 1802 devices with a serial port and either an LED or LCD text display > (all of mine are the LED model). I'm trying to assist in the reverse > engineering and can *not* find any data on the LED display itself, a > MAN2815, nor one of the chips that seems to be driving it, a National > DS8867. > > I have googled for an hour looking for them. No results. > > Anybody heard of these parts? > > -ethan >

22 years

3
4
0 0

running 3 phase motors from single phase...

by trash3＠splab.cas.neu.edu

there are more than a couple of ways to do the conversion. 1) use a solid state 3 phase "inverter". Not my best choice, as they are usually expensive and a little fragile. 2) get a 3 phase alternator, connect to single phase motor, making an MG set (motor-generator). straight forward, but 3 phase alternators are a little expensive also. 3) Use a 3 phase motor with a special starting circuit to create the third phase. This is what I normally use. the third phase is a little weak, but it works well. What happens is that you take a 3 phase motor bigger than what you want to power (for instance, if you have a 1 hp disk drive, then a 2+ hp motor is required for the "convertor"), and use a starting capacitor and relay to feed the third leg until the motor comes up to speed. ( the "mains" go across two of the three input leads, and the capacitor/relay third wire goes to the last input lead). Then, once the motor is spinning, you can connect your "load" up to the three leads of the "convertor" and you get a reasonable 3 phase supply. joe heck

22 years

1
0
0 0

removal from mailing list

by hirschopd＠msn.com

lou, use the following http://www.classiccmp.org/cctalk.html >From: lou medina <lou_medina_57(a)yahoo.com> >Reply-To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic >Posts"<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> >To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org >Subject: removal from mailing list >Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 10:45:13 -0800 (PST) > >I lost the information on how I can be removed from the mailing list. Can >you send it to me please? >Lou > > _________________________________________________________________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar – get it now! http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/

22 years

1
0
0 0

Apollo

by dan_williams＠ntlworld.com

meltie wrote: >On Tuesday 30 March 2004 13:11, Dan Williams wrote: > > >>quite a bit of dechub gear repeaters, fddi, decservers etc. >> >> >What dechub gear *have* you got? > >alex/melt > > > > a couple of people have asked me this. here goes: decswitch 900ef dec bridge 900mx x2 dec repeater 900tm vnswitch 900ef decserver 900gm dec switch 900ef decserver 90l+ decrepeater 900gm x 2 decrepeater 900tm x2 dec concentrator 900mx portswitch 900pt12 some more dead psu's one working hub and one non working Dan

22 years

1
0
0 0

Computer Replica's

by aek＠spies.com

> www.citem.org/Vmachines is the CCC back on line?

22 years

2
1
0 0

Problem with ESDI drive

by fire＠dls.net

Dear Classic Computing Community, I goofed when I was transferring data from a Compaq Deskpro 286 to my modern machine via 1.2MB 5.25" floppy. Machine was difficult to boot due to problems with config.sys and autoexec.bat. This time instead of booting from DOS 4.0.1 floppy, I boot from startup program floppy which helpfully offered to fix problems accessing hard drive. I was tired enough that I did not realize that this meant it was offering to repartition and format hard drive. OK. Data is all still there because I have not done anything else to it. I tried to run some of my utilities on the Compaq, but they did not like the fact that the machine has only 8MB of memory. I would like to take card and drive and install them in a more modern 75MHz Pentium system which has an ISA slot. When I put card and drive in Pentium it will not boot. It counts memory and freezes. I have tried a number of ways to configure the dip switches and play with the setup program on this machine. Machine is a Packard Bell 401CD Here are the specs: Core CNT-HCR controller, I have the manual. Here is a web page with most of the information : http://www.embeddedlogic.com/TH99/c/C-D/20256.htm Core HC150HD, here are specs I found for this drive: http://members.tripod.com/~oldboard/assembly/hard_disks_drives.html http://www.powernet.co.za/info/tables/disk/hdd/Other.Htm I also have Core Tape drive which has backups of all files if I could get drive to work - I do not have software/drivers for any of this hardware, but somehow I have the manuals, so I know the names of all the commands. I found some settings in the Setup in the Packard Bell for shared memory for the ISA card, and address and interrupt settings. I set them appropriately. I suspect that it might be something like the ROM on the card interfering with the ROM on the machine. This drive did something like overwriting BIOS in memory while machine is booting. Or maybe I completely misunderstand what is happening. Anyhow I would like to at least figure out how to get card in newer machine even if I cannot figure out how to get data off. I might eventually end up sending it to DriveSavers. Very good people, and I don't mind paying them, but I would like to see if I can get the partition table right and unformat to run. That should be all this drive needs. Bradley Slavik

22 years

3
2
0 0

IBM and SIEMENS - Gear. Please Help to identify...

by Wolfgang.Eichberger＠bps.at

Dear Classic Computing Community, I'm on this list for quite a while an enjoy reading very much. As long I have room for I'm collecting a bit myself. Some time ago I came in touch with our local museum. They collected some stuff an put it in their storage years ago. They eventually put the machines on display in future. The storage had moved to another building and most of the information about the systems in storage has been lost. In the last weeks i tried to identify most of the bigger stuff, but now I'm stuck. It seems that there are a couple IBM-Systems, but I'm not familiar with IBM. As long I found out: There is an 1131 CPU and a 1403 Printer - I think this machine (CPU and Printer) is rather complete. I contacted the guys at ibm1130.org last week, they are very nice and helpful! Does anybody know what power connection would be needed to fire this one up? With _lots_ of cleaning and some repair work it should be in working order... Then we have a Pile of various IBM-Stuff, which I cannot determine which belongs together. I hope you can help out a bit - I'll list the stuff below: 2319-Disk Storage 2821-Control Unit 3047-Power Unit - I couln't find anything on this box... 3145-Processing Unit - This should be a Sys/370 Model 145, as far I found out... 3215-Console - Maybe for the 3145? 3330-Disk, 3 Cabinets. 3741-Data Station. Like the one seen on http://fwtunesco.org/musi/wolz/ but with only one drive. 3830-Storage Control - Disk? I have no details on this. Suggestions? 5415-Processing Unit - System 3 Model 15 is all I know... 5445-??? It should be some sort of Mass Storage Controller... One Dual Drive for - I think - Disk Stacks/Packs, It is a top loading device, like 2 washing machines side by side... - I couldn't read the number as it's near the wall and I could not move it. There is another Diskdrive too, wich seems to be like the 3330, but some different... All I could do is to list the devices. As I have 2 CPU's I think there are 2 Systems. Any suggestions? There is some Siemens Stuff too... One System 300/320 Processor Cabinet with 2 additional Racks. A System 300-R10 Processor Rack. The machines look like 16-Bit, with nice blinkenlights and flipswitches. A papertape-reader/punch and a dual 9(?)-track drive (on this drive there are still 2 tapes loaded - One is labeled System) are the only peripherals i have. I really want to get the tape off the drive to a) read it or b) store it in adequate environment. Is there some information present about siemens stuff? I googled for a while, but there was nothing really statisfying info out there... In Addition to all above we have a "Data 100 Batch Terminal" wich seems to be a card reader/punch. Does somebody know them? Some Documentation should be here, but as with all the docs I couldn't dig through all the binders and boxes ... Please excuse my horrible english, but I hope you could imagine what has been meant :) My best Regards, Wolfgang Eichberger PS.: For my private Interests I am looking for a PDP 11/23 maybe with one or two RL02 drives, if somebody knows some sources. It could be a different processor or a nice microvax as well :) ======================================================================= Wolfgang Eichberger?????????????????? phone: +43-732-7720-12655 ????????????????????????????????????? cell.: +43-664-240-65-92 Qualit?tsmanager, EDV - Koordinator?? fax? : +43-732-7720-12918 ????????????????????????????????????? email: wolfgang.eichberger(a)bps.at ----------------------------------------------------------------------- O?. Boden- und Baustoffpr?fstelle GmbH K?rntnerstra?e 12, 4020 Linz - AUSTRIA ======================================================================= ?

22 years

1
0
0 0

electronics workbench

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Mar 29, 20:43, ben franchuk wrote: > Pete Turnbull wrote: > < stuff for bench > > > Lets not forget a fire extinguisher! In fact there is one, a CO2 extiguisher about 2 feet from the bench. -- Peter Turnbull <postmaster(a)dunnington.u-net.com>

22 years

1
0
0 0

Diagnostic Box?

by marvin＠rain.org

At the TRW swap meet yesterday, I ran across this box: http://www.rain.org/~marvin/box.jpg. The reason I bought it was that the overlays had some words that rang of old mainframe computers. There are three double sided overlays to define what the LEDs mean with designations such as "Print Scan Counter", "Print Character Generator", etc. Another overlay has the heading "2314/2841 TROS SAL BITS". There are two rectangular connectors with cables to connect to whatever this thing is doing something with:). The only label on the box says "Infinite Computer". Anyone have any idea what this thing is and is used for?

22 years

3
3
0 0

electronics workbench

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Mar 29, 23:45, Tony Duell wrote: > The next thing is that you need to consider how much your test gear is > used at the workbench rather than elsewhere. If you work on minicomputers > and your main item of test gear is a LogicDart, then you take the > instrument to the machine. If you work on ZX81s using a Tektronix 555 > 'scope, then you bring the machien to the instrument. This will determine > if you need to make a permanent home for it at the bench or not. > > Think what instruments you need. One that many people forget, but which > I'd include if I was setting up a workbench for microcomputer repairs is > a video monitor (to cover all the standards you're likely to need). > Possibly on one of those pivoting arms. A serial terminal on the bench > can be very useful too (or you can use an HP95LX or something if you're > pressed for space). > > > You can never have too many power points. Interesting. That sounds not unlike my bench. It's a sensible height for sitting (decide whether you want a chair, a stool, or whatever). It has steel support legs angled in such a way as to support the front of the bench (I can stand on it without qualms) yet not to get in the way of my knees, and still be mostly vertical. Apart from that, it's wooden, and has a mat in the centre so that things don't get scratched. There's a row of 13A power sockets along the back wall in an almost unbroken line (and half a dozen network/structured wiring RJ45 sockets). A couple of them are European Schuko sockets. Some of the sockets are on one breaker, some on another (one set has an RCD, one doesn't). There are a few more mounted under the front edge of the bench. There's a scope on a wall-mount swivel base, a monitor, DVM, and Avo 8 on the bench at one side and an SGI Indy on the other side. The other things like PSUs, signal generator, etc are at the back or on a shelf. There's a striplight-type desklamp to one side, in front of a wall of components drawers, and next to that are a load of hooks for test leads, video cables, etc. Amongst the things that live permanently on the bench top are my soldering iron, and a small vice. Some of the things used for testing live on a trolley nearby, along with a BBC Micro, and the scope can be moved to the trolley if necesary. There's another trolley with a toolbox also nearby. It isn't actually very big (as Jules and one or two other listmembers can testify), in fact it's quite small. Crowded, even. I'll reiterate the last line I preserved from Tony's post. You can never have too many power points. Or RJ45s. -- Peter Turnbull <postmaster(a)dunnington.u-net.com>

22 years

3
2
0 0

DEC LPS-11 Laboratory Peripheral System

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Mar 29, 16:06, John Allain wrote: > I recently found a DEC LPS11 Laboratory Peripheral System, > A peripheral for Unibus-11's. If anybody else has one, could > they get in touch? I'm wlling to settle for compromises, that > is, something less than a full manual. I used to have one, and I think I may still have the manual, if you don't find something downloadable or over your own side of the pond. If I gave the manual away with the LPS11, I can easily borrow it back, as it went to a colleague at work and it's in his office along with the 11/34 it's attached to :-) (an hour later) I still have the Maintenance Manual. It's about 120-130 pages. What do you need to know? > As a smaller problem, I haven't been able to find out > what these modules are: > > from the LPS-11 (Laboratory Peripheral System) > the M996 and M7023 modules M996 is the hex-height Connector And Shield Board which lives in slot 6 of the LPS11. It has the connectors for the display, ADCs, etc on it. M7023 doesn't appear in my manual, but I have the DEC-O-LOG fiche. It's an LPSDR-A, which is a 16-bit digital latch. > from a PDP11: the G110 module That's part of a core memory subsystem -- "Control And Data Loops" for an MM11-K, MM11-L, or MF11. Pretty old -- about 1971 or 1972. -- Peter Turnbull <postmaster(a)dunnington.u-net.com>

22 years

2
1
0 0

Got a IBM 5362 Today (Keys)

by ceby2＠csc.com

Keys -- Sorry I didn't pick this up over the weekend.... Here's what you have: _S/36 Midrange Server_ o Arch: 16bit o CPUs: 1 IO proc x 1 CP prc o Mem: 128k - 2MB o Disk: 20MB - 120MB ( 1 or 2 14" HDD), 1.2MB 8" FDD This was IBM's main midrange offering through the 80s and into the 90s. It was replaced by the AS/400 (which usually has an S/36 compatibility mode available). If you've ever worked with AS/400s, you'll find the system a less feature rich version of much the same thing. What I must emphasize is this is not a PC. Nor is there a BSD / Linux variant for it. This machine has much more in common with s/360 hardware architecture than i386. The data storage is a flat address space. It's organized into libraries, members and files. A typical application relies on a fixed field length data file format, separate sort and query facilities. IBM has invented relational databases, but the were only available on the more exotic S/38. Here were looking at flat datastructures. Generally speaking one programmed this in RPG II language, although there were editions of COBOL , FORTRAN and BASIC available. It's target audience was the same as Novell's. IBM saw the S/36 as the hub of many PCs with 5250 adapter cards. The nodes could share data through the server, use shared printing and data storage, even use an e-mail like messaging system -- and yet they would still have their standalone facilities if required. Once on your System/36, you could explore centrally managed access to mainframes, peer, or hub and spoke arranged hosts of varying kinds. You could could even call in via modem pool from home. Most people don't view IBM offerings as sexy, but this was very straightforward server platform that provided reliability, shared resources and connectivity. A lot of small to medium sized companies powered them up and kept them in service for a decade before moving to a more PC oriented client server platform in the 90s. These critters are still humming away in dusty corners of 3rd world in suprising numbers. So what are you gonna do with it now? The dual processors and their dispatching system haven't peaked the interest of the hobbyist. And the system architecture isn't well documented, at least not in the public domain.That rules out a Linux or BSD variant. You will have to run S/36 on it unless your an assembler god with top notch contacts in an IBM retirement home. That's where this whole thing becomes sticky. Your post indicated you didn't have media or manuals. The first part of the manual conundrum may be easy. Your model -- the middle tier in the range -- had it's hardware manual strapped to the inside of the cover panel. You may already have worked that out in the midst of cleaning the dust out. There are no manuals available in the public realm that I know of. That's where I come in. I have most of the available media and manuals. I have a few things scanned -- although the scans are huge. Media's tricky. There's no IBM hobbyist policy. In theory you still have to buy licenses. So I would suggest you do what I did. Call around the AS/400 houses and watch eBay for any listings of used 8" diskettes with IBM labels. But before you do any of that, see if you can get it running as is. You may not need media. These beasts are tough. The drives don't generally go bad. The first thing you need is a cleaning, some kind of 5250 compatible device plugged into the first workstation port... and lots of luck. I recommend a real green screen. PC emulators have so many possible settings, it's more predictable to plug up a real terminal. If you get to an IPL settings screen we can talk about how to get past security, and what kinds of snags you're likely to find. Regards, Colin Eby

22 years

1
0
0 0

IBM 5140 up for grabs in Sillycon Valley

by vcf＠siconic.com

Please contact James directly. Reply-to: <jhl007(a)comcast.net> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2004 14:33:54 -0800 From: James Ludos <jhl007(a)comcast.net> To: donate(a)vintage.org Subject: IBM 5140 Hi, I don't know if you need it or not but I have an IBM 5140 I want to get rid of. As far as I know it works fine. I am in Los Gatos just off of Hwy17 near Lark Ave. Thanks James Ludos -- 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 ]

22 years

1
0
0 0

Rescued Heathkit OM-3 Oscilloscope

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

Hi Erik Does your wife know you were out wondering the streets? Dwight >From: "Erik S. Klein" <classiccmp(a)vintage-computer.com> > >I was out driving today and noticed a pile of stuff sitting under a >"Free" sign. One of the items caught my eye because of the dials, knobs >and round screen on the front. > >It turned out to be a Heathkit OM-3 Oscilloscope (1958 vintage according >to my limited Googling - which DID turn up relevant results.) > >It's missing a couple of the plastic caps to the banana jacks on the >front, but is otherwise complete. I powered it up and it seems to work >(An adjustable horizontal line appears on the CRT, anyway.) > >Not bad for a street corner find. > >So, does anyone have any info; docs or otherwise? > > Erik Klein > www.vintage-computer.com > www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum > The Vintage Computer Forum > > >

22 years

2
1
0 0

electronics workbench

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

My amount of test equipment has outgrown my workbench setup, so I need to look at setting up or building a bench. I've got the current bench so crowded with gear it's hard to work already, plus I've got a lot of test gear that isn't on the bench and should be. i'd love to get the laptop a spot on the bench too (lots of room it would take up) So.... I went googling in search of pictures of good bench setups. I'm looking for ideas on the best way to stuff as much gear as possible onto it, while keeping it usable and neat. Does anyone have any links to different ideas for workbench setup? I have a sneaky suspicion that if I just build one myself I'll find that later "oh WHY did I put the outlet strip THERE?". I didn't find much of anything googling, but was hoping to draw on experience of others for some ideas in building a bench from scratch. So far I've used those "set on top of a desk premade lettershelfs". They let you put rows of test equipment close with the faces all well accessible. But haven't found the best place to put the power strips. If anyone has links to pictures of bench setups, or advice of things to watch out for when putting one together, I'd like to hear them! Jay West

22 years

3
2
0 0

IBM System/36 and Nixdorf 600/45 available

by norm-classiccmp＠docnorm.com

Free to good home: * a full-height Nixdorf rack, labeled 600/45, containing a 9-track capstan-type tape drive and another device that might be a terminal concentrator, or maybe something more interesting -- it does appear to have a floppy disk drive in it, but the cabinet's front door is locked and we didn't try very hard to get inside and look. * an IBM 5362 System/36 CPU, cosmetically OK (well, mostly), but with no software, cabling, terminals, or documentation. Would be a good source of spares for someone who has a 5362. We need this stuff out of our Oakland, CA warehouse space by Wednesday. Interested? E-mail me or call Brian Knittel at 510-559-7930. Thanks! Norm Aleks

22 years

1
0
0 0

cctech Digest article order inversion

by dave＠mitton.com

On behalf of other digest readers, and for those whom get the live feed, not understanding occasional confusion on our parts, I wish to whine at the moderator. I understand backlogs, but could something be done with time-based message ordering? It makes threads really hard to follow! e.g.: >Message: 8 >Date: Thu, 25 Mar 04 17:55:49 PST >From: msokolov(a)ivan.Harhan.ORG (Michael Sokolov) >Subject: UFO over DEC >To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org >Message-ID: <0403260155.AA22846(a)ivan.Harhan.ORG> appeared in >Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2004 07:23:18 -0600 (CST) >Message-Id: <200403281323.i2SDMDJ7076710(a)huey.classiccmp.org> >From: cctech-request(a)classiccmp.org >Subject: cctech Digest, Vol 7, Issue 34 Whereas replies to that message >Message: 6 >Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2004 11:46:15 -0500 >From: "John Allain" <allain(a)panix.com> >Subject: Re: UFO over DEC appeared three digests earlier and continued on through several others: >Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2004 01:53:09 -0600 (CST) >Message-Id: <200403280753.i2S7pHJ7072610(a)huey.classiccmp.org> >From: cctech-request(a)classiccmp.org >Subject: cctech Digest, Vol 7, Issue 31 Thank you. Dave.

22 years

1
0
0 0

removal from mailing list

by lou_medina_57＠yahoo.com

I lost the information on how I can be removed from the mailing list. Can you send it to me please? Lou

22 years

1
0
0 0

anybody know of GOOD serach engine?

by cb＠mythtech.net

> I hear you but I don't believe it! I get used-line.com ads in the top >three positions about 75% of the time that I use Google. IF they're not >placing certain companies first intentionly then they have a serious >probelm with their search engine! Are you per chance using a browser that may not display the paid links on the right or top as different from the rest of the links? Ordinarily, I would think that would be a stretch, but on this list, I know its common to find people using Lynx or some other browser that may not display things they way google planned. its also possible that they company is seeding certain terms in an effort to get pushed higher on google. IIRC, google prioritizes based on who is linked the most... so if the company spams public archived mail lists, or has a banner ad that is being picked up by google, they may be artifically getting moved to the top. -chris <http://www.mythtech.net>

22 years

1
0
0 0

256k x 4 Re: finding old RAM

by dwight.elvey＠amd.com

>From: ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk > >> > Desoldering ram chips is more effort then its worth. > >That depends on the RAM chips, how rare they are, and how much you need >them. > Sounds like a process for an electric frying pan and peanut oil. Wear gloves and a face shield ( unless your really stupid ). Use a chip puller tool or make something up with stiff wire ( like coat hanger, a little bending and filing ). After they cool, wash then with dish soap. Dwight

22 years

3
3
0 0

QIC-100 SCSI tape drive?

by brad＠heeltoe.com

Anyone have a QIC-100 SCSI tape drive drive? Or know where to get one? Seems like there was a brief window when such a thing existed, but I can't seem to find any evidence on the web. I must be searching for the wrong thing. I probably need a specific product. I've got a qic-150 drive (the large 4x6x.5" carts). I need a qic-100 drive. (I suspect it's the same size cart as a TU-58. I don't plan to use it to read TU-58's, but who knows, maybe it will read them) -brad

22 years

1
0
0 0

VMEbus systems

by emu＠ecubics.com

Hi all, Anybody out here has a spare VMEbus system to give away or sell ? Did a lot of work on the VMEbus many years ago, and somehow would like to have at least one VME system in my collection. Nothing fancy, a 68000 is OK, with floppy if possible. cheers & thanks

22 years

2
2
0 0

Moved my collection

by ggs＠shiresoft.com

I ran out of space and ended up moving my collection. Here's a web page on it's new home: http://www.shiresoft.com/pdp-11/home/index.html Let me know what ya'll think. -- TTFN - Guy

22 years

11
11
0 0

Scope probes

by waltje＠pdp11.nl

Hi all, Really weird question. I just ungreased the Beckmann 9020 scope I recently got, and it looks like it still works fine. And now that it's all clean again, one can even see stuff on the crt :) However, I did'n't get any probes with it. Does anyone have a set of 20MHz-capable probes lying around? Cheers, Fred -- Fred N. van Kempen, DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) Collector/Archivist Visit the VAXlab Project at http://VAXlab.pdp11.nl/ Visit the Archives at http://www.pdp11.nl/ Email: waltje(a)pdp11.nl BUSSUM, THE NETHERLANDS / Mountain View, CA, USA

22 years

1
0
0 0

MonroeMatic help

by cswiger＠widomaker.com

Hi Gang - Is there an email support list for mechanical calculators? I just picked up a MonroeMatic, looks like a model CSA-10, for a cheap price in un-molested condition. Tag shows an M.G. date of 982663. Just needs de-gunking cleaning and lube (hopefully). I can get it to do simple add / subtract but things like the 'set up' button aren't obvious. It's one of those jobs with the shifting accumulator along the top, multiplication and division ;) --Chuck

22 years

2
1
0 0

256k x 4 Re: finding old RAM

by technobug＠comcast.net

I was going through the junk yesterday and found two boards with the following: HM4816AP-15/TMS4416-15NL -> 192 chips HM50256P-12 -> 144 chips (256kx1) The early bird gets the ... for the price of postage. Claude

22 years

1
0
0 0

Your picture

by jfoust＠threedee.com

Here is the file.

22 years

1
0
0 0

Old Test Equipment

by bmachacek＠pcisys.net

Just thought I'd make everyone aware that I have listed several old (50s and 60s) pieces of test equipment (vacuum tube) on the Vintage Computer Marketplace. They are a Tektronix scope, EICO TV-FM Sweep Signal Generator, EICO TV-FM Sweep Generator & Marker, HP Vacuum Tube Voltmeter, and a HP Audio Oscillator. I am listing them here first to give our members a chance to get them first. I will be putting those items that do not sell up on ebay at a later date and a higher price. Thanks for looking. Bill

22 years

1
0
0 0

Video Game Invasion on Game Show Network Sunday 9pm

by vcf＠siconic.com

A program that I contributed to, "Video Game Invasion: The History of a Global Obsession", is airing tomorrow night on the Game Show Network (cable/satellite TV) at 9pm. http://www.gsn.com/specific_page_elements.php?link_id=S26 Check local listings. -- 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 ]

22 years

1
0
0 0

Got a IBM 5362 Today

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

That's the S/36 PC right? Ive got the 5364 model complete with a 5150 that it presumably IPLs from and a twinax terminal. If you've got just the 5362, you'll need more parts to use it I think. In a message dated 3/27/2004 7:47:35 PM Eastern Standard Time, jrkeys(a)concentric.net writes: Went back to the auction site and got a IBM 5362 for $5. Looked this up on google and found out it's in the SYS/36 family? Could not find a manual for it, anyone got one they have scanned or will sale? Thanks

22 years

2
1
0 0

Got a IBM 5362 Today

by jrkeys＠concentric.net

Went back to the auction site and got a IBM 5362 for $5. Looked this up on google and found out it's in the SYS/36 family? Could not find a manual for it, anyone got one they have scanned or will sale? Thanks

22 years

1
0
0 0

FS: DEC boards

by anheier＠owt.com

I have two DEC boards that I hate to sell but need the cash. They both appear to be in fine work shape, but I haven't tested them. They are: H217C, PDP-11/10 16K Word core memory board M7270, PDP-11/03, KD11-HA processor board I would be interested in your best offers. Thanks Norm anheier @ owt.com (remove spaces!)

22 years

1
0
0 0

HP 200LX

by kittstr＠access-4-free.com

Does anyone have an extra working/possibly repairable 200LX laying around, that they would be willing to part with for $50 or less? They seem to be selling for far too much on e-bay. I don't really need any of the extra things that are included in all these auctions, memory cards, adapters for this and that, modems, or manuals. I would just like the unit. Thanks in advance for any leads anyone can provide. Andrew Strouse ( kittstr(a)access-4-free.com )

22 years

10
17
0 0

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

test-drb