23 Mar
2001
23 Mar
'01
11:21 a.m.
From: Ethan Dicks <ethan_dicks(a)yahoo.com>
I have the delay line needed to add the second core stack to
the -8/i. That is another goal - upgrade the mem on the -8/i and try to
get some sort of mass storage device on it and install some kind of OS on it.
Got peripherals (RK05, RX01, DF32/DS32, TU56, PR04). Lacking in pre-omnibus
interfaces.
The DF32 is a external bus device so just hook up the 11 interface cables
and away you go. I am restoring one of my 8/I's with DF32 now, computer
is running and hope to have the drive finished this weekend. I should
finish the DF/DS32 manual scanning also this weekend, it will be up with
the rest soon and more pictures of the 8/I and DF32. The disk monitor
system runs on DF/DS32, the paper tape image (and DF32 diags etc) are
in ftp://ftp.pdp8.net/software/paper_tapes/ docs
http://www.pdp8.net/query_docs/query.shtml
OS/8 will run with a DF32 and DS32 and 8k but may not have enough space to
be too useful. I also may be able to help with 8/I parts.
The reader/punch can also be hooked up to an 8/I if it had the
interface cards in the 8/I.
Longer term the 8/I will join the 8/E runnable online although I
will have to replace the disk heads with an emulation since the drive
lands the heads on the disk when it spins down so has a limited number of
spin down cycles. The platter is nickel cobalt alloy so is more durable
than the iron oxide ones (ex RK05's) when the head does hit it.
I also have a Straight 8 maintenance manual on the too scan list, if
you need it (or any others, I may have them) before I get to it let me
know and I will do it sooner.
David Gesswein
http://www.pdp8.net/ -- Run an old computer with blinkenlights
26 Mar
26 Mar
4:10 a.m.
--- David Gesswein <djg(a)drs-esg.com> wrote:
Right. I've had them hooked up in the past. I got as far as writing a
simple program to check the rotational pulse and stick it in the AC so
I could watch the disk rotate. That tells me that the cables and the master
electronics are probably OK.
From: Ethan
Dicks <ethan_dicks(a)yahoo.com>
...add the second core stack to the -8/i.
Got peripherals (RK05, RX01, DF32/DS32, TU56, PR04). Lacking in
pre-omnibus interfaces.
The DF32 is a external bus device so just hook up the 11 interface cables
and away you go. I should finish the DF/DS32 manual scanning also this
weekend, it will be up
with the rest soon and more pictures of the 8/I and DF32.
Cool. I have some DF32 docs. I'll be happy to see if there's more stuff
floating around than what I have.
The disk monitor system runs on DF/DS32, the paper
tape image (and DF32 diags
etc) are in ftp://ftp.pdp8.net/software/paper_tapes/ docs
http://www.pdp8.net/query_docs/query.shtml
Excellent. _There's_ something I know I don't have.
OS/8 will run with a DF32 and DS32 and 8k but may not
have enough space to
be too useful.
Right. It will run, but lots of stuff wants more memory.
I also may be able to help with 8/I parts.
At the moment, I'm not short on parts. Thanks for the offer. What would me
of immesurable use - a digital picture or three of the area around the power
input card to the -8/i backplane. I disconnected mine for transport a while
back and I can't remember how the loose wires hook back on. Once I get that
replaced, I can fire up the beast again and start looking for bad logic and
dirty backplane connectors.
The reader/punch can also be hooked up to an 8/I if it
had the
interface cards in the 8/I.
Right. I only have one set of interface cards.
Longer term the 8/I will join the 8/E runnable online
although I
will have to replace the disk heads with an emulation since the drive
lands the heads on the disk when it spins down so has a limited number of
spin down cycles. The platter is nickel cobalt alloy so is more durable
than the iron oxide ones (ex RK05's) when the head does hit it.
Right. I've probably roached one of the platters on one of my master
units from experimentation in High School, before I knew of the destructive
nature of the drive. Once I get everything else in order, I'll probably
flip the platter over, if Field Circus hasn't beaten me to it.
I also have a Straight 8 maintenance manual on the too
scan list, if
you need it (or any others, I may have them) before I get to it let me
know and I will do it sooner.
It's not a priority for me, but I will eagerly soak it up when it gets scanned.
Somewhere, I do have some docs Doug Jones sent me years ago, but it's not
a complete set by any means.
My priority -8 items are - finish running the working -8/L through the
diagnostic tapes, get the -8/i up and in the same state, get/manufacture
some overhead connector blocks for the memory on my -8/e and get it
up and running, fix an -8/a and back up my RL01 to a disk image file, clean
and check out my BM-08 8kW expander for the PDP-8/L, test/repair the TU-56
with a TD8E, back up my DECTape collection to image files... Lots of stuff to
do; probably a year's worth of spare time for just that list alone.
-ethan
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