5 Jan
2007
5 Jan
'07
6:28 p.m.
I've got a working 2117F, runs weekly, more or less. Great machine.
Ok, yes, it will power up without the FP box attached, but it will fail the
FPU self-test when the special op-code is run via 'instruction step'.
All F-series machines were ~supposed~ to use fault control memory, I think
this machine is setup that way. Don't pull the small boards until this is
understood.
Memory misconfigurations and missing backup battery bypass plugs are 99%
of the problems people have with these machines. It will fail to pass power
on self
test with misconfigured memory.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jay West" <jwest at classiccmp.org>
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts"
<cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 5:36 PM
Subject: Re: HP HP-2117F on ebay
J Blaser wrote....
> >I don't know anything about HP
minis,...
> > The main unit: item # 320060663740
> > The FP unit: item # 320060663048
> > No bids yet.
To which I replied....
> And hopefully there won't be... unless
you want parts - cause it's got
> issues.
And Glen wrote...
And the winner is... Warren. # 320067174880 #
320067174671
Hey, not the same machine I was referencing ;) The one Glen mentions
looked pretty complete.
Looks like it was fairly well loaded with a
complete set of memory
cards and I/O cards.
I'd yank all those 64K cards and just run with one 256kw
board, keeping
the 2nd 256kw board for spare. All those "little" 64k boards just suck up
power and don't give you much extra memory. I generally don't run things
that would require more than a pittance of ram anyways.... so others here
will certainly disagree with me on this point.
I just recognized the "unknown" board at the top in slot 25, it's a PSI
(Programmable Serial Interface) board (built on a 5180-1953). I think
that's a 3rd party board. I would like more info on these boards if anyone
has it. Sketchy info follows that may only be half-accurate: There are
four Z80's? on board as I recall, and 3 proms to dump your z80 code in to.
Thus, you can program this board to do all kinds of fun interesting
things - IF you have the specifications as to what your code needs to do
in Z80 to talk to the backplane or other chips on board. In the given
configuration, it was used to control 4 serial ports I think, but may have
been just 2 terminals (the ones I got were hooked up to a very odd very
large graphics terminal that required 2 serial ports each). I still have a
couple of these boards, the correct cables, and the back panel db25
mounting bracket. I have a manual for them, but it is the manual for the
PSI implementation of the board and thus no details on coding your own Z80
stuff on it. If anyone has THOSE specs I'd love a copy.
The other "unknown" board in slot 12, I have no clue, but I'd love to see
a picture of it, from the ebay picture of it what I can see is intriguing.
Warren... I'll gladly trade some of my HP boards in exchange for one or
two of the microcircuit boards in there ;)
I'm not sure if the FPP box will power up
completely without the power
in/out cable between the two boxes. I have never found a currently
available connector shell part that will exactly mate with those 9-pin
power supply connectors on the back. Maybe it doesn't matter if you
power the boxes up in the right order. It's been a while since I
bothered connecting the FPP box to my 2117F.
You know, that's a good question.
Can anyone answer that? Bob S. perhaps?
My hunch given past experience is that the power in/out cable isn't
required. I don't know though. I have looked for those 9 pin power supply
connectors too, to no avail :( I'd love to find some of the new crimp pins
at least!! AMP doesn't seem to remember making them. I would hazard a
guess that the FPP box would need to be powered up before the cpu ;)
Jay West