17 May
2012
17 May
'12
2:27 a.m.
On 17/05/2012, at 6:17 AM, Tony Duell wrote:
Yes it's a bummer I didn't get the cards, I could see them in the pit but had no
way of getting to them. At least I managed to save the 3 machines..
Both are programmable, but have only a few built-in functions. Are there
any ROM modules in yours (look on top behind the display)? The maths ROM,
for example, adds logs, SIN/COS/TAN, etc. The machines can work without
any extra ROMs, so not having them is not a disaster.
Yes all three machines have math pacs, and the 9810 has a printer alpha pac.
The 9820 will have a built-in thermal printer (I think
it's standard on
that model), it's an option on the 9810 (Opt 004 IIRC). It is the same
unit, so if you have no pritner in the 9810 you could move one from one
of the 9820s into it.
The 9810 has the printer option.
I (obviously) don't know much about these machines at all, but I'm
particularly mystified about how the built in card reader worked (is it
magnetic?).. Could it be written to as well?
YEs, it's magnetic, yes it writes too. It puts 3 data tracks nad oen
timing track on the card, you put one end fo the card in, then turn it
round and put the other end in to get twcie the capacity (in other words
it only uised half the width of the card at a time. It's a pity you
didn't get any cards, those are not easy to find.
You can get user manauls, the HP service manaul and some unofficial
scheamtics from http://www.hpmuseum.net/
Thanks, got that stuff now.. With that and your info I should hopefully be on my way.
OI know a little abotu the insides of the machines.
I think that's an understatement, and thanks for all your great (and in depth)
information, I'm sure it's going to be a lot of help. Initially I think I will
probably just clean up the 9810 and one 9820 and board swap (if necessary). I'll sort
out the rest at a later date. I forgot to mention that I also salvaged a spare card cage
with 4 boards in it, it's labeled "yellow card faulty", so it may be of some
use.
I had not planned on owning or using a machine like this, but now I have them I'm
discovering how interesting they are and I'm keen to learn more and actually use one.
I think it's the oldest gear I have, the next being some old CDC terminals that
I've had since I was about 15..
Please feel free to ask for any information on these great machines
I'm sure I will need more help at some stage.
Chris