20 Jan
1998
20 Jan
'98
12:34 p.m.
Many of you may remember a small haul of Digital PDP-8/e minicomputers
that Jim Willing had sniffed out. Well, things have changed a bit...
It turns out there are _five_ systems in six racks (one processor may have
missing parts), with all sorts of extra stuff (EAE, RX02s, expansion
boxes, boatloads of core, etc.). Jim is getting one system, and I am
getting another, still another is probably spoken for, but rest are up for
grabs.
The price?
$200 gets you as much of a system as you want - CPU only, or an entire
rack. In addition, Jim and I will need some help moving the stuff (located
in Charleston, West Virginia), mostly in the money department. I may need
to drive down to get the stuff in a rental truck (we take it all, or we
take none, thus we will need a truck) next week, or, as a back up plan,
Jim will look into shipping the stuff with a freight company. To be fair,
I must warn anyone that their share of initial shipping (getting them to
one of my storage locations) may be over $50.
I can store the stuff, either in Easton, PA (#2 storage locker),
Providence, RI (RCS/RI), or perhaps the new house just above New York
City. I will be packing and shipping Jim's stuff (he does not need a rack,
he says), and could probably do the same for any other parties. PDP-8/e
CPUs weigh about 90 pounds. I have lots of experience packing 90 pound
boxes for cross country trips (90 pound HFDF receivers, not one even
scratched). I would need shipping money and perhaps something for my
efforts, but not much. In other words, I can make deracked PDP-8/es
available to just about anyone in the U.S..
Anyway, do we have any interested parties? Remember, PDP-8s are not that
common anymore, especially ones with EAE (extended arithmetic element)!
Also, would anyone want to put in some time actually helping me unload
(they will help load)? A full system might weigh 500 pounds, and I really
do not look forward to unloading them by myself!
Please let me know as soon as possible, as the clock is ticking.
William Donzelli
william(a)ans.net
20 Jan
20 Jan
3:22 p.m.
Do these have front panels with lights and switches? We've been interested in
getting one to play with, but a collector's web page I saw seemed to indicate
there were versions of the PDP-8/e without operators panels as well. What all
would be required to make a "complete" system? (And what are the power
requirements? So far, my biggest machine is the IMSAI 8080 I built years
ago...)
On Tue, 20 Jan 1998 21:34:36 -0500 (EST), you wrote:
Many of you may remember a small haul of Digital
PDP-8/e minicomputers
that Jim Willing had sniffed out. Well, things have changed a bit...
It turns out there are _five_ systems in six racks (one processor may have
missing parts), with all sorts of extra stuff (EAE, RX02s, expansion
boxes, boatloads of core, etc.). Jim is getting one system, and I am
getting another, still another is probably spoken for, but rest are up for
grabs.
The price?
$200 gets you as much of a system as you want - CPU only, or an entire
rack. In addition, Jim and I will need some help moving the stuff (located
in Charleston, West Virginia), mostly in the money department. I may need
to drive down to get the stuff in a rental truck (we take it all, or we
take none, thus we will need a truck) next week, or, as a back up plan,
Jim will look into shipping the stuff with a freight company. To be fair,
I must warn anyone that their share of initial shipping (getting them to
one of my storage locations) may be over $50.
-Bill Richman
bill_r(a)inetnebr.com
http://incolor.inetnebr.com/bill_r
(Home of the COSMAC Elf Simulator!)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"When they took the fourth amendment, I was quiet because I didn't deal drugs.
When they took the sixth amendment, I was quiet because I was innocent.
When they took the second amendment, I was quiet because I didn't own a gun.
Now they've taken the first amendment, and I can say nothing about it."
-www.paranoia.com
11:54 p.m.
Ahh, that sucks! My parents have control of my money again, so I'd never get away
with spending
$50 on old computers... (They're trying to discourage me from playing with
computers, and being about as subtle as a jackhammer...)
I may be able to get someone to spring for one, and let me pay them back later...
Can you let me know what the final cost to get one shipped to Illinois would be?
I'm interested, if it's not too high...
(Personally, I'd blow maybe $75 on it, but once my parents figured it out
it'd be meeting the trashcan in a hurry. But if I tell them I got it free,
they may not care. My parents (Esp. my stepdad) have a thing for tossing
whatever I have that they don't like [Like my copy of Sailor Moon manga #13])
I'm too far away to help with unloading and such, sorry...
-------
21 Jan
21 Jan
2:45 a.m.
Ahh, that sucks! My parents have control of my money
again, so I'd never get away with spending
$50 on old computers... (They're trying to discourage me from playing with
computers, and being about as subtle as a jackhammer...)
I'll leave this public since it might be useful to someone...I'm 29 now
but when I was 16 or 17 my parents expended GREAT energy trying to get me
to stop playing with computers because my dad thought they were a FAD
(hahahahahahahahahahaa) and my mom thought it was unhealthy for me to
hide in the basement all the time like some brain-damaged monster.
Tell your parents that today I have a college degree, have been out on my
own working productively since I was 20 (with VERY little external
support), earn twice the median income in my state, started a successful
business, own my own home, am married and honoring my parents by living
an upstanding and productive life. Playing with computers all those
years created that for me. And playing with OLD computers made me
self-reliant enough that in the last 9 years I've been unemployed a total
of about a week.
My parents realize their mistake now...my father tearfully gave me his
gold retirement watch, which I accepted reluctantly, to show how proud
he is of me. My parents are happy with me and I'm happy with myself all
thanks to my tinkering all those years in the basement.
it'd be meeting the trashcan in a hurry. But if I
tell them I got it free,
they may not care. My parents (Esp. my stepdad) have a thing for tossing
whatever I have that they don't like [Like my copy of Sailor Moon manga #13])
My brother tossed out a perfectly good 11/34a, some RL02s, a DecWriter
and a Franklin Ace 1200 from my parents' basement because he wanted a
weight room and my stuff was in the way. Pretty self-righteous of him
considering *I'M* not the one who's 42 and still living WITH mom and dad!
BUT I'M NOT BITTER!!! =-D
(Isn't it odd that if you get it free, they'll let you keep but if you
spent money on it they want to throw it away?)
When I was 18 I waited until my folks were gone to move an 11/23 and two
RL02s downstairs to my bedroom. I made sure it was all racked up before
they got home...so it'd look too big and heavy for them to carry outside.
=-) I LOVED that machine! I put it behind the door sort of...so that
you could only open the door about 18"...kept my mom out of my room. =)
Anthony Clifton - Wirehead
4:42 a.m.
Umm, that wasn't supposed to go to the list... You all can ignore it...
(Ahh, haven't I pulled this one before?)
-------
5:07 p.m.
I'll leave this public since it might be useful to
someone...I'm 29 now
but when I was 16 or 17 my parents expended GREAT energy trying to get me
to stop playing with computers because my dad thought they were a FAD
(hahahahahahahahahahaa) and my mom thought it was unhealthy for me to
hide in the basement all the time like some brain-damaged monster.
Well, I AM 17,
and I'm up to 30 computers or so... Let me see if I can
remember them all, my web site is a partial listing.
Apple IIe(free)
Apple IIgs(free)
Epson PX-8(free)
Mac 512K($15)
Mac 512K(made from parts I got for free)
Mac 128K(under repair, free from same person as PX-8)
Mac PowerBook Duo 270c($1000, actually my moms computer but I use it)
Mac IIvx(fun machine, 12/80/CD config, Radius Pivot monitor, got it on
clearance when Apple stopped making the IIvx)
PowerMac 6500/250(got it in July 97, MacOS 8 and 15AV monitor bundled
for $8 for MacOS 8 debut, 48/3.7GB config)
Mac SE($1, 4/80 config, originally 4/20 but 20meg MiniScribe died loudly)
IBM 5150(free640k/20MB)
IBM 5160(free, 640k/30MB)
Leading Edge DC-2010E(free, 8088 clone, 640k/30MB)
Zenith SupersPort 286 laptop($20, 640k/20MB)
IBM Series/1 minicomputer(free, HUGE, I'm guessing a half ton, some
people say it was probably more)
4956-K00 CPU
4959 I/O expansion
4964 8" floppy drive
4967 200MB HD
4968 70MB tape drive
4978 Display Station(got two of them)
BIG pile of manuals
TI-99/4A(It's been around here forever, before I even knew what a
computer was)
Apollo DN3500(free, traded in my Cambridge Computing Z88 for 3500 &
spare for parts)
IBM PS/2 Model 30-286(free, ISA, 1/20)
IBM PS/2 Model 50Z(free, 80286, MCA, 2/60, I think. I also have two
spare CPU's with no RAM/HD/FD)
IBM PS/2 Model 55sx(free, 80386, MCA also 2/60)
IBM PS/2 Model 80($50, 80386/FPU, MCA, 2/70
Apple DuoDock(goes with Duo 270c)
Intel Microcomputer 386(free, has problems, Y2K bug in BIOS, Intel
should stick to chips and let others make the computers)
Compaq Deskpro 386s(free, 5/40)
And printers, too!
HP DeskWriter 680c(clearance at Computer City, I'd rather have a 560c)
Apple StyleWriter II(got it new with Mac IIvx)
Apple LaserWriter Plus(free, upgraded from original LW)
IBM 4019 LaserPrinter(free, broken power supply)
Panasonic KX-P1000(I think it was free, I don't remember)
Some wierd Seikosha printer with interface for TI-99/4A(I don't
remember anything about it)
I know there is something missing... I just can't remember what. Well, that
fills up the basement... And my parents aren't too happy about it.
Especially with the Series/1, that drives them crazy. It drives me crazy
too :-) It's going to take a while to get it running. Basically, I try to
grab any computer that is free(or cheap). That's what led me to the above
list...
As for getting a job, I'm hoping for something in the electronics/computer
industry... I might even try to start my own computer repair shop(mainly
dealing with old computers, of course). Right now I'm busy volunteering in
the computer lab at OMSI<www.omsi.edu>, and I'm going to start volunteering
on the USS Blueback, which is parked on the Willamette River right outside
OMSI...
-JR http://members.tripod.com/~jrollins/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Lair/1681/
22 Jan
22 Jan
12:09 p.m.
New subject: Need Keyboard for DEC VT-220
Got a couple interesting items tonight...a DecMate II in a tower
box...it's just the desktop case stuffed inside a retrofit tower
enclosure...still kinda nice.
Also got a VT220 without a keyboard. Does anyone have a working keyboard
they're willing to get rid of for the cost of shipping?
In addition, I got a big box 24 inches wide or so, a couple feet deep and
like 18 inches tall...called a DEC Communications Server. Not very heavy
and has some DB25 (presumably RS232) connectors on the front. What
precisely IS it? Terminal server? Mux?
Thanks...
Anthony Clifton - Wirehead
PS: Also got a bunch of dial and leased line modems...Paradynes,
etc...lots and LOTS of pretty lights...as Homer would say,
"aaaaggggghghhlllggghhhh". =-)
12:44 p.m.
New subject: Need Keyboard for DEC VT-220
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2:14 p.m.
New subject: Need Keyboard for DEC VT-220
Also got a
VT220 without a keyboard. Does anyone have a working keyboard
they're willing to get rid of for the cost of shipping?
I don't know if this helps, but the DECmate keyboard should work on the
VT220. It's a standard LK201 keyboard. In addition, I
got a big box 24 inches wide or so, a couple feet deep and
like 18 inches tall...called a DEC Communications Server. Not very heavy
Sounds like a DECSA (Digital Ethernet Communications Server Aparatus, I
think). Have you opened it up yet?
PDP11/24 CPU card (Yes, it's a PDP11....)
Memory (256kW seems to be somewhat standard)
Haven't looked inside yet but looking through the cooling slots it's
obvious there's a backplane and boards in there.
DEUNA (Unibus Ethernet
card) - 2 board set
Oh REALLY?????? So, it'd drop into my 11/84 would it? Hmmmmmmm.....
Round the back is the bulkhead for the DEUNA (the
DA-15S connector is an
ethernet AUI port) and 1 or 2 PSUs (again, you add the second one when
you have more than 8 line cards installed).
Yep it's got that. Noticed it when I pulled it out of the car and
realized that it IS a terminal server.
I believe it needs to download some software (using
DEC's MOP protocol)
before it will do anything much, alas. Still, it is a PDP11, and it is
quite interesting.
Frankly, if you guys tell me I can pull the DEUNA board and drop it into
the 11/84, that would be the most valuable aspect of the box for me! =)
Anthony Clifton - Wirehead
23 Jan
23 Jan
9:09 a.m.
New subject: Need Keyboard for DEC VT-220
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22 Jan
22 Jan
3 p.m.
New subject: Need Keyboard for DEC VT-220
On Thu, 22 Jan 1998, Wirehead Prime wrote:
Got a couple interesting items tonight...a DecMate II
in a tower
box...it's just the desktop case stuffed inside a retrofit tower
enclosure...still kinda nice.
Just curious, is this item of any value? Does anyone know? Rare?
Also got a VT220 without a keyboard. Does anyone have
a working keyboard
they're willing to get rid of for the cost of shipping?
The keyboard for it is up at the Science Center, see if they
aren't still using it, if not, go get it back. :)
In addition, I got a big box 24 inches wide or so, a
couple feet deep and
like 18 inches tall...called a DEC Communications Server. Not very heavy
and has some DB25 (presumably RS232) connectors on the front. What
precisely IS it? Terminal server? Mux?
It's a multiplexor, takes many ports and multiplexes them into one
output which goes to the dedicated modem. Look on the _back_ of the
communications server, that's where it comes out, it goes in on the front,
up to 8 or so cards can be mounted for input channels. :)
Thanks...
No, thank YOU. :) Hope it all found a happy home. :)
PS: Also got a bunch of dial and leased line
modems...Paradynes,
etc...lots and LOTS of pretty lights...as Homer would say,
"aaaaggggghghhlllggghhhh". =-)
Does anyone know if a Paradyne VHS-19.2 will talk to a Motorola
Codex? I know the Codex and one of the Paradynes works, but I'm not sure
about the other paradyne, the disassembled one. I think it's broken.
sq
--
-<squest(a)cris.com>---------\ ( ( | ) ) Amendment1 Congress shall make
============================> /_\ no law abridging the freedom
MicroPower FM Broadcasting-/ /\_/\ of speech, or of the press.
3:17 p.m.
New subject: Need Keyboard for DEC VT-220
On Fri, 23 Jan 1998, Steve J. Quest wrote:
On Thu, 22 Jan 1998, Wirehead Prime wrote:
After reading what the other person said, maybe I don't know what
the thing is, but then again, that's why I gave it away. ;) Looks like
Tony alread found uses for it, so I'm happy. Better than the dumpster.
sq
--
-<squest(a)cris.com>---------\ ( ( | ) ) Amendment1 Congress shall make
============================> /_\ no law abridging the freedom
MicroPower FM Broadcasting-/ /\_/\ of speech, or of the press.
In addition, I got a big box 24 inches wide or
so, a couple feet deep and
like 18 inches tall...called a DEC Communications Server. Not very heavy
and has some DB25 (presumably RS232) connectors on the front. What
precisely IS it? Terminal server? Mux?
It's a multiplexor, takes many ports and multiplexes them into one
output which goes to the dedicated modem. Look on the _back_ of the
communications server, that's where it comes out, it goes in on the front,
up to 8 or so cards can be mounted for input channels. :)
21 Jan
21 Jan
5:15 a.m.
In order to straighten some confusion out...
Jim and I will need help (mostly in the money and muscle department) just
to get the things out of Charleston, WV. It very well could come to $50
(or more) a head, just to pay for the truck/gas/etc.! Once the things are
in my storage area, there will be another shipping bill to get the goods
to their final destination (like California). I do not think I will have
the time or resources to ship stuff directly from Charleston to buyers.
William Donzelli
william(a)ans.net
9831
days inactive
9834
days old
12 comments
7 participants
participants (7)
-
ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
bill_r＠inetnebr.com -
DSEAGRAV＠toad.xkl.com -
rexstout＠ptld.uswest.net -
Squest＠cris.com -
william＠ans.net -
wirehead＠retrocomputing.com