Hi folks,
I recently got a Data General Nova 2 CPU. It is a very late built OEM
machine (Boards say ?1973 Data General but IC timestamps tell a
different story from the time around 1977/1978).
The machine came with 80kw (!!!!!) of core memory which is two an a half
time of 32kw wich is the Nova's address space. The memory is banked by
very simple MMU which bank-switches the lower 16k. If I power the unit
up I can simply use 32kw of core. That seems to work. Have not yet
worked out how the mmu is switched. Will worry about that later...
After replacing the front panel lights I can manually read and write
memory locations. And I *think* that the CPU works. At least basically.
The machine is full of made in Germany boards made by some strange
unknown OEM company.
There is a Diablo disk drive with a diablo controller. The only function
I can see at the moment is a red led on the controller which says
"ready" in sync with the ready light on the disk drive. Drive looks
good. If I try to boot the system via the built-in dma loading routine
it simply hangs in an endless loop and nothing happens.
At the moment I would be glad to hook up some kind of "standard tty" to
the machine.
Does the Nova 2 have a standard tty port built directly into the one-PCB
cpu? That would be wonderful!
If anybody can help me with tips, tricks, software, hardware, experience
or any other interesting stuff and information - please let me know!
I don't know what to do with the machine at the moment.
I think I also could need some "standard peripherals" for the machine.
Thanks a lot!
Best wishes from Bavaria (!),
Philipp :-)