22 Jun
2000
22 Jun
'00
7:19 p.m.
Douglas Quebbeman wrote:
A MicroPDP 11/73 (that's how it's listed) is
available on
E-Bay, it's not selling, so I can probably get it for the
starting bid of five bucks, and it's local. I have no
backround with the PDP-11 (and thus my recent query
regarding those cards I have).
Jerome Fine replies:
Since you are local and will not have to pay shipping, you
have a huge advantage when it comes to anyone else.
BUT, you will need to have a van or a small truck. And
bring some tools so that you can separate the components.
You will find it much easier if you only need to lift one item
at a time rather than the whole cabinet. Note that the tape
drive alone can be about 100 lb. Two people can usually
handle that easily.
It comes with a TS05 tape drive, which from the photo
appears to be a Cipher F880 Microstreamer. I'm thinking
of getting it just to have a spare for the Prime's tape
drive.
If it is working or you can fix it yourself, that will be a great find
IF ou have an opportunity to actually use the drive, and especially
if you need it.
[Snip]
: This is one part of a larger system. I have powered the
: PDP11/73 up and it seems to boot up OK. When booted, this
: is what come up on the screen: Testing in progress - Please
: wait 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Starting ROM boot 173356 @ I think
: the '@' is a command prompt, but I don't know what to do
: from there. The CSS-800 unit has lights that come on in the
: front, and so does the tape drive, but I have no way to test
: them. I can't be sure if this equipment is working properly, so
: it is sold AS-IS.
This part is a bit confusing. Normally, after the "...7 8 9", the system
says if I remember it correctly: "Starting system", but that can be
modified using the boot options on the 11/73 CPU board - which
must be a quad M8190 based on the display. If the CPU board
works, it is worth $ US 5 just by itself.
Should I rescue this machine? What OS do I need to
acquire for it?
I think that Allison covered the ground. If you need help with RT-11,
there are a lot of us here.
Sincerely yours,
Jerome Fine