26 Jan
2003
26 Jan
'03
2:36 a.m.
All,
I used to have an AX/2 server at home quite a while ago, and all I have
left is the hard drive. I want to get this software off the drive, but
I threw out my last MFM controller card ages ago.
Does anybody have a copy of the old RM NET LM software that ran (runs?)
Z-Net networks of PC186 machines? Even better, does anyone have an ISA
MFM controller they'd be willing to swap for money? :) eBay hasn't
turned up anything :(
Best wishes,
Peter.
26 Jan
26 Jan
5:18 a.m.
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7:12 a.m.
Tony Duell wrote:
I apologise - it has been many years since I even said the letters
"MFM", and I can't find anybody amongst my circle of friends who
actually knows what MFM/RLL/ST506/ST412 means.
Going back to the website (http://www.mfarris.com/hard/Mitsubishi.html)
I found, the MR535R is a 65Mb RLL ST506 drive, not MFM. I was wrong,
but it was early this morning when I found the URL.
I used to have
an AX/2 server at home quite a while ago, and all I have left is the hard drive. I want
to get this software off the drive, but
I threw out my last MFM controller card ages ago.
I'll not flame you -- this time -- for refering to a interface by the data
encoding system it uses. Especially as, in this case, both are relevant.
The problem (for you) with the ST506/ST412 interface is
that the data encoding is handled by the controller, not by the drive. And not everybody
did it the same way. OK, if you're _sure_ the original used MFM encoding rather than
RLL, it's going to simplify things a bit, but it's still not certain that any old
controller will be able to make sense of the data on your drive.
I recall the problem. This takes me back a few years... the problem
being that Research Machines weren't renowned for using standard
off-the-shelf hardware, such as monitor connections and Ethernet (the
network I used ran on Z-Net).
However, I should have a PC-186 winging its way to me "soon", and one of
the tricks I'll try is popping the 60Mb (I nearly wrote Gb) drive in the
box and seeing if I can siphon off any data.
Do you have any idea what the original controller was?
I don't at the moment - the only hope I think I have is to either e-mail
Research Machines and hope I get a suitably positive response, or hope
luck is on my side. Am I likely to cause permanent damage to the drive
if I use the wrong encoding?
I have a pile of ST506/ST412 PC hard drive controllers
and could certainly spare one if you think it'll be any use.
I've had a reply from Brent Atkerson in the US, who has a ST506
controller - however since you're in the UK, it may be much cheaper and
easier to try a controller from you first.
Drop me a mail off-list, name your price and we'll take it from there...
but only if you have cables! :)
Best wishes,
Peter.
7:20 a.m.
Peter Hicks wrote:
I've had a reply from Brent Atkerson in the US,
who has a ST506
controller - however since you're in the UK, it may be much cheaper and
easier to try a controller from you first.
I may have an ST-506 controller, too. In Bristol.
Drop me a mail off-list, name your price and we'll
take it from there...
but only if you have cables! :)
I definately have cables. Will e-mail off-list as requested.
--
John Honniball
coredump(a)gifford.co.uk
8:32 a.m.
I apologise - it has been many years since I even said
the letters
"MFM", and I can't find anybody amongst my circle of friends who
actually knows what MFM/RLL/ST506/ST412 means.
Interesting problem.
from a web search: http://www.redhill.net.au/d-a.html
title: "Drives we used to love and hate"
Modified Frequency Modulation
Run Length Limited
Seagate ?Technology? 506: 5MB/ 412: 10MB
nice page BTW
John A.
10:48 a.m.
New subject: Little old Apple computer
Hello,
Hey, my aunt and uncle were given a little old apple computer and I don't think they
use it at all. I don't know what model it is, but I know it's ancient. It has a
little tiny monitor with a green display. I think the brains of the computer are inside
the keyboard........like the old Commadore 64s. The disk drive might be inside the
keyboard as well. I only looked at it once and I wasn't really trying to find out
what kind of computer it was so I don't know much about it yet.
If this computer sounds like it might be worth something to someone out there, let me know
and I can find out more about it. My aunt and uncle are having kind of hard times because
my uncle has been taken into the army and I'm quite sure they would be glad to sell
the computer to someone if it's worth something.
~Shawn
---------------------------------
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10:49 a.m.
New subject: Odd posting order on cctech
Hi folks,
Just a small puzzling question I've got - why is my mail delivery of
classiccmp so unpredictable and out of order? I'm not on the digest list so
I'd assume I'd be getting mails as and when they're sent to everyone else;
as it is I get them later rather than sooner, and not in the order I'd
expect them in....I'm on DSL so it's not like I'm waiting for deliveries.
It's not a UK thing either since Tony, John and Peter all get their mails
hours before I do, and I don't believe it's a Demon thing either since none
of my other mails are affected.
Anyone else get the same problem?
--
adrian/witchy
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - monthly gothic shenanigans
11:11 a.m.
New subject: Odd posting order on cctech
On Sun, 2003-01-26 at 15:17, Witchy wrote:
Hi folks,
Just a small puzzling question I've got - why is my mail delivery of
classiccmp so unpredictable and out of order? I'm not on the digest list so
I'd assume I'd be getting mails as and when they're sent to everyone else;
as it is I get them later rather than sooner, and not in the order I'd
expect them in....I'm on DSL so it's not like I'm waiting for deliveries.
It's not a UK thing either since Tony, John and Peter all get their mails
hours before I do, and I don't believe it's a Demon thing either since none
of my other mails are affected.
Anyone else get the same problem?
Yes and I'm here in San Jose, California. Messages dribble in one or
two at a time and then I'll get 50-100 all at once from the day before.
--
TTFN - Guy
11:31 a.m.
New subject: Odd posting order on cctech
----- Original Message -----
From: "Guy Sotomayor" <ggs(a)shiresoft.com>
To: <cctech(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2003 7:11 PM
Subject: Re: Odd posting order on cctech
I get them more or less continuously - they seem to trickle in, at a rate
that makes me think that they are being received as they are sent. My email
program is checking my POP at a 5 min rate and I may get no messages or 2-5
messages in that interval.
Stuart Johnson
US, Alabama
On Sun, 2003-01-26 at 15:17, Witchy wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> Just a small puzzling question I've got - why is my mail delivery of
<snip>
> hours before I do, and I don't believe
it's a Demon thing either since
none
of my other
mails are affected.
Anyone else get the same problem?
Yes and I'm here in San Jose, California. Messages dribble in one or
two at a time and then I'll get 50-100 all at once from the day before.
--
TTFN - Guy
11:44 a.m.
New subject: Odd posting order on cctech
I get classiccmp messages in 'burp' mode.... hours go by, then 10-40
stream in in 15 minutes.
Also, I know it's getting toward evening in the Western US because the
Duell Dump takes place: Tony hitting the keys right before beddie-bye in
Merry Old. ;}
But seriously, message traffic from the several lists I subscribe to is
typically 'bursty' - while a classiccmp mesage that I originate takes
about 3 - 5 min on the average to propagate back to me in the form of a
posted message.
Cheers
John
27 Jan
27 Jan
1:42 a.m.
New subject: Odd posting order on cctech
John Lawson wrote:
I get classiccmp messages in 'burp' mode....
hours go by, then 10-40
stream in in 15 minutes.
Also, I know it's getting toward evening in the Western US because the
Duell Dump takes place: Tony hitting the keys right before beddie-bye in
Merry Old. ;}
But seriously, message traffic from the several lists I subscribe to is
typically 'bursty' - while a classiccmp mesage that I originate takes
about 3 - 5 min on the average to propagate back to me in the form of a
posted message.
Probably due to the way e-mail is handled by some servers.
They collect messages for a while, then every (x) minutes try
to forward whatever they have collected. This will cause
you to see the delays, and bursty traffic.
You can also get this with a very busy server somewhere
between you and the list.
2:59 a.m.
New subject: Odd posting order on cctech
Guy Sotomayor wrote:
On Sun, 2003-01-26 at 15:17, Witchy wrote:
The same thing happens here. I get my mails through a corporate
connection to the Internet, which is in Malvern, Pennsylvania. A short
look at the "Received" headers didn't enlighten me, maybe I need to look
closer? - It seems like the header(s) that might cover the hop(s) where
this happens are missing...?
--
Andreas Freiherr
Vishay Semiconductor GmbH, Heilbronn, Germany
http://www.vishay.com
Hi folks,
Just a small puzzling question I've got - why is my mail delivery of
classiccmp so unpredictable and out of order? I'm not on the digest list so
I'd assume I'd be getting mails as and when they're sent to everyone else;
as it is I get them later rather than sooner, and not in the order I'd
expect them in....I'm on DSL so it's not like I'm waiting for deliveries.
It's not a UK thing either since Tony, John and Peter all get their mails
hours before I do, and I don't believe it's a Demon thing either since none
of my other mails are affected.
Anyone else get the same problem?
Yes and I'm here in San Jose, California. Messages dribble in one or
two at a time and then I'll get 50-100 all at once from the day before.
10:39 a.m.
New subject: Odd posting order on cctech
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Guy Sotomayor
Sent: 27 January 2003 01:12
To: cctech(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Odd posting order on cctech
Phew - nice to know it's not just me then :)
--
adrian/witchy
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - monthly gothic shenanigans
of my other mails are affected.
Anyone else get the same problem?
Yes and I'm here in San Jose, California. Messages dribble in one or
two at a time and then I'll get 50-100 all at once from the day before. 
26 Jan
26 Jan
12:52 p.m.
New subject: Odd posting order on cctech
On Sunday, January 26, 2003, Witchy wrote:
Anyone else get the same problem?
It's not a bug, it's a feature. Or rather, it's a side effect of how the
lists work. You may wish to read these:
http://www.classiccmp.org/cctech.html
http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2003-January/013113.html
--
Jeffrey Sharp
28 Jan
28 Jan
3:31 p.m.
New subject: Odd posting order on cctech
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Jeffrey Sharp
Sent: 27 January 2003 02:55
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Odd posting order on cctech
On Sunday, January 26, 2003, Witchy wrote:
Ah, right - that'll teach me to RTFM then won't it :) (actually nothing's
done that yet so I'm not going to start now....*g*)
--
adrian/witchy
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - monthly gothic shenanigans
Anyone else get the same problem?
It's not a bug, it's a feature. Or rather, it's a side effect of how the
lists work. You may wish to read these:
http://www.classiccmp.org/cctech.html
http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2003-January/013113.html 
27 Jan
27 Jan
1:16 a.m.
New subject: Odd posting order on cctech
On Sun, 26 Jan 2003, Witchy wrote:
Anyone else get the same problem?
Sometimes, yes.
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
* Old computing resources for business and academia at www.VintageTech.com *
26 Jan
26 Jan
11:17 a.m.
New subject: Little old Apple computer
Sounds like an Apple IIc. Here is a link that will give you some more
information about it -
http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=69 I don't
really know what it would be worth, but there were a lot of them made,
and they are really fun computers to play with. With the little 9"
green monochrome monitor that was meant to go with it, and it's
internal 5 1/4 floppy drive, it's a very small Apple IIe-like computer.
It even has built in 80 column support, and there is a switch to toggle
the keyboard layout (Dvorak or QWERTY). The main "problem" with these
machines is that they require a power adapter brick that frequently
gets separated from the computer. If you have the complete system
(computer, monitor, power adapter, and possibly a second floppy), it is
still a very useful system - I know of one guy that still uses his
regularly for word processing.
Ian Primus
ian_primus(a)yahoo.com
On Sunday, January 26, 2003, at 06:02 PM, Shawn H. wrote:
Hello,
Hey, my aunt and uncle were given a little old apple computer and I
don't think they use it at all.? I don't know what model it is, but I
know it's ancient.? It has a little tiny monitor with a green
display.? I think the?brains of the computer?are inside the
keyboard........like the old Commadore 64s.? The disk drive might be
inside the keyboard as well.? I only looked at it once and I wasn't
really trying to find out what kind of computer it was so I don't know
much about it yet.
If this computer sounds like it might be worth something to someone
out there, let me know and I can find out more about it.? My aunt and
uncle are having kind of hard times because my uncle has been taken
into the army and I'm quite sure they would be glad to sell the
computer to someone if it's worth something.
~Shawn
<image.tiff>
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11:21 a.m.
New subject: Little old Apple computer
On Sun, 26 Jan 2003, Shawn H. wrote:
Hey, my aunt and uncle were given a little old apple
computer and I
don't think they use it at all. I don't know what model it is, but I
know it's ancient. It has a little tiny monitor with a green display.
I think the brains of the computer are inside the keyboard........like
the old Commadore 64s. The disk drive might be inside the keyboard as
well. I only looked at it once and I wasn't really trying to find out
what kind of computer it was so I don't know much about it yet.
It sounds a lot like it's an Apple IIc or maybe a IIc+. Really great
little computers, but not worth all the much. Maybe $10-$30 depending
on the condition--possibly a bit more if you can find someone who really
wants one badly.
<http://oldcomputers.net/appleiic.html>
If this computer sounds like it might be worth
something to someone
out there, let me know and I can find out more about it. My aunt and
uncle are having kind of hard times because my uncle has been taken
into the army and I'm quite sure they would be glad to sell the
computer to someone if it's worth something.
What, they've reinstated the draft?! I didn't even know we were at
war (yet).
-brian.
28 Jan
28 Jan
3:41 p.m.
New subject: (Thanks to everybody for the info) Little old Apple computer
Hello everybody,
I just wanted to say thanks to everybody for all the info about the little Apple computer.
Now that I know more about it I might want to buy it myself. ;-)
I also thought I should maybe mention that my uncle wasn't drafted. He was in guards
and now he has been taken into active duty. Thankfully he hasn't been sent overseas
yet though; we're praying that he won't be.
Thanks everybody,
Shawn
Brian Chase <vaxzilla(a)jarai.org> wrote:On Sun, 26 Jan 2003, Shawn H. wrote:
Hey, my aunt and uncle were given a little old apple
computer and I
don't think they use it at all. I don't know what model it is, but I
know it's ancient. It has a little tiny monitor with a green display.
I think the brains of the computer are inside the keyboard........like
the old Commadore 64s. The disk drive might be inside the keyboard as
well. I only looked at it once and I wasn't really trying to find out
what kind of computer it was so I don't know much about it yet.
It sounds a lot like it's an Apple IIc or maybe a IIc+. Really great
little computers, but not worth all the much. Maybe $10-$30 depending
on the condition--possibly a bit more if you can find someone who really
wants one badly.
If this computer sounds like it might be worth
something to someone
out there, let me know and I can find out more about it. My aunt and
uncle are having kind of hard times because my uncle has been taken
into the army and I'm quite sure they would be glad to sell the
computer to someone if it's worth something.
What, they've reinstated the draft?! I didn't even know we were at
war (yet).
-brian.
26 Jan
26 Jan
1:27 p.m.
New subject: Little old Apple computer
On Sun, 2003-01-26 at 17:02, Shawn H. wrote:
Hello,
Hey, my aunt and uncle were given a little old apple computer and I don't think they
use it at all. I don't know what model it is, but I know it's ancient. It has a
little tiny monitor with a green display. I think the brains of the computer are inside
the keyboard........like the old Commadore 64s. The disk drive might be inside the
keyboard as well. I only looked at it once and I wasn't really trying to find out
what kind of computer it was so I don't know much about it yet.
If this computer sounds like it might be worth something to someone out there, let me
know and I can find out more about it. My aunt and uncle are having kind of hard times
because my uncle has been taken into the army and I'm quite sure they would be glad to
sell the computer to someone if it's worth something.
~Shawn
The local thrift store has about a half dozen of these systems ... I
don't know how much they are for sure, but off hand, I think they were
asking $10 for the systems. I remember these were really popular with
students during the early '80s so there is not a real lack of them. Not
to say that they were not fun little systems, I just never had one, and
don't collect them or else I would have bought them.
Paul
---------------------------------
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3:27 p.m.
New subject: Little old Apple computer
Sounds like an AppleIIc
On Sun, 2003-01-26 at 17:02, Shawn H. wrote:
--
Jim Strickland
jim(a)DIESPAMMERSCUMcalico.litterbox.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
MacOS X Powered!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello,
Hey, my aunt and uncle were given a little old apple computer and I don't think they
use it at all. I don't know what model it is, but I know it's ancient. It has a
little tiny monitor with a green display. I think the brains of the computer are inside
the keyboard........like the old Commadore 64s. The disk drive might be inside the
keyboard as well. I only looked at it once and I wasn't really trying to find out
what kind of computer it was so I don't know much about it yet.
If this computer sounds like it might be worth something to someone out there, let me
know and I can find out more about it. My aunt and uncle are having kind of hard times
because my uncle has been taken into the army and I'm quite sure they would be glad to
sell the computer to someone if it's worth something.
~Shawn
The local thrift store has about a half dozen of these systems ... I
don't know how much they are for sure, but off hand, I think they were
asking $10 for the systems. I remember these were really popular with
students during the early '80s so there is not a real lack of them. Not
to say that they were not fun little systems, I just never had one, and
don't collect them or else I would have bought them.
Paul
---------------------------------
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Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now
10:50 a.m.
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27 Jan
27 Jan
6:04 a.m.
Tony Duell wrote:
You're a good man, Mr Duell! I've formed a plan of action - if the PC1
I'm getting can read the drive, I'm sorted. If not, I should be in a
better position to do some digging, maybe with the help of Witchy on
this list.
Naturally!
Watch this space, I'll report back once I have a PC1 cluttering the
cramped conditions here!
Best wishes,
Peter.
Whether an ST506/ST412 interfaced drive uses MFM or RLL
encoding depends on the controller, not the drive. RLL wasa method of encoding the data so
as to fit more of it into the same space without increasing maximum number of transistions
on the medium. IIRC, though, you needed a higher 'resolution' to do this...
I recall the age old DD/HD debate with the floppies - is there really
just one production line, and disks that are 'good enough' get stampted
with HD in the top right corner, and the rest are just deemed DD and put
in to other boxes.
Drop me a mail
off-list, name your price and we'll take it from there...
The price would be exssentially free _if I have one you can use_. I have a fair
number of them, of different types, so knowing a little more about
what you are looking for would help.
but only if you
have cables! :)
The cables are trivial to make up using standard ribbon cable and connectors. I may
have some, if not, I would have to charge for any new components I bought.
8:14 a.m.
On Mon, 27 Jan 2003, Peter Hicks wrote:
I recall the age old DD/HD debate with the floppies -
is there really
just one production line, and disks that are 'good enough' get
stampted with HD in the top right corner, and the rest are just deemed
DD and put in to other boxes.
Yeah, right.
(-: And on Kodak's only assembly line, they take small samples from each
roll of film; the ones that turn out to be fastest get marked TRI-X, and
the slower ones get marked PLUS-X. :-)
DD 5.25" disks are about 300 Oerstedt.
HD 5.25" disks are about 600 Oerstedt.
DD 3.5" disks are about 600 Oerstedt.
HD 3.5" disks are about 750 Oerstedt.
Yes, there IS a chemical difference that creates the different coercivity.
9:12 a.m.
On Mon, 2003-01-27 at 17:18, Fred Cisin (XenoSoft) wrote:
On Mon, 27 Jan 2003, Peter Hicks wrote:
Which may explain why a 5.25" HD disks won't work worth a frap in my
Apple II's...
David
I recall the age old DD/HD debate with the
floppies - is there really
just one production line, and disks that are 'good enough' get
stampted with HD in the top right corner, and the rest are just deemed
DD and put in to other boxes.
Yeah, right.
(-: And on Kodak's only assembly line, they take small samples from each
roll of film; the ones that turn out to be fastest get marked TRI-X, and
the slower ones get marked PLUS-X. :-)
DD 5.25" disks are about 300 Oerstedt.
HD 5.25" disks are about 600 Oerstedt. DD 3.5" disks are about 600 Oerstedt.
HD 3.5" disks are about 750 Oerstedt.
Yes, there IS a chemical difference that creates the different coercivity.
9:07 a.m.
Tony Duell wrote:
Oh, not again (this has been a FAQ on this list many times...)
HD disks are different (higher coercivity) to DD/SD disks. Period. That's
why HD disks do not work reliably in DD drives.
However, it is believable that all disks are made as double-sided and the
ones that failed the tests on one side were sold as single-sided...
Whether an ST506/ST412 interfaced drive uses MFM
or RLL encoding depends on the controller, not the drive. RLL wasa method of encoding the
data so
as to fit more of it into the same space without increasing maximum number of transistions
on the medium. IIRC, though, you needed a higher 'resolution' to do this...
I recall the age old DD/HD debate with the floppies - is there really The price would
be exssentially free _if I have one you can use_. I have a fair number of them, of
different types, so knowing a little more about
what you are looking for would help.
You're a good man, Mr Duell! I've formed a plan of action - if the PC1
28 Jan
28 Jan
5:44 a.m.
Tony Duell wrote:
I should have put quotes around the debate. I never understood
magnetics and coercivity, but always bought HD disks for HD drives, and
DD disks for DD drives.
I just sat around smug when DD-formatted-as-HD disks mysteriously failed
on colleagues...
Peter.
I recall the
age old DD/HD debate with the floppies - is there really
Oh, not again (this has been a FAQ on this list many times...)
26 Jan
26 Jan
10:41 a.m.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Peter Hicks
Sent: 26 January 2003 16:39
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org; cctech(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: RM Nimbus
I used to have an AX/2 server at home quite a while ago, and all I have
left is the hard drive. I want to get this software off the drive, but
I threw out my last MFM controller card ages ago.
Does anybody have a copy of the old RM NET LM software that ran (runs?)
Z-Net networks of PC186 machines? Even better, does anyone have an ISA
MFM controller they'd be willing to swap for money? :) eBay hasn't
turned up anything :(
Peter,
I've got an AX/2 here in the museum that powers on but I haven't got as far
as connecting a monitor to it yet - I've only had it a couple of years :)
I've also got a few PC1s that have HDs in them so said software might be
installed, though last time I tested them I didn't have a suitable monitor.
Can you remember what spec the monitors used?
cheers
--
adrian/witchy
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - monthly gothic shenanigans
27 Jan
27 Jan
5:58 a.m.
Witchy wrote:
I've got an AX/2 here in the museum that powers on
but I haven't got as far
as connecting a monitor to it yet - I've only had it a couple of years :)
I've also got a few PC1s that have HDs in them so said software might be
installed, though last time I tested them I didn't have a suitable monitor.
Can you remember what spec the monitors used?
Funnily enough, a PC1 should be winging its way to me "real soon now",
complete with monitor and manual. I'll have a look for you. I doubt
they're standard VGA monitors. When I get my hands on the manual, I'll
mail you off-list and let you know pinouts, if I can find them.
The AX/2 takes a 'standard' (for once) VGA monitor. I still have my
AX/2's monitor sitting on my firewall here. Its a little dodgy, but it
managed to display 800x600 at 256 colours inbetween the time I bought my
PC and the time I'd saved enough for a 17" monitor.
If you manage to get either the AX/2 or any of the PC1's up and running,
I'd be most grateful for anything off their hard drives.
Best wishes,
Peter.
28 Jan
28 Jan
3:33 p.m.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Peter Hicks
Sent: 27 January 2003 20:02
To: cctech(a)classiccmp.org
Cc: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: RM Nimbus
Funnily enough, a PC1 should be winging its way to me "real soon now",
complete with monitor and manual. I'll have a look for you. I doubt
they're standard VGA monitors. When I get my hands on the manual, I'll
mail you off-list and let you know pinouts, if I can find them.
It's well over a year since I last had them plugged in so I can't remember
what monitor I was trying to use; at the time I got an un-sync'd blue BIOS
screen so at least they powered up. Nowadays I've got more monitors than I
know what to do with, but they all belong to machines that will eventually
be exhibited. The old Amsturd PC series monitors (and therefore the Sinclair
PC200, which is an Amsturd PC20 in a black case, which essentially contains
the motherboard of the PPC series of portable machines) were either CGA or
EGA so they may work with the RMs.
If I remember tomorrow I'll dig one of each out and try it.
<scribbles note on piece of paper>
The AX/2 takes a 'standard' (for once) VGA
monitor. I still have my
AX/2's monitor sitting on my firewall here. Its a little dodgy, but it
managed to display 800x600 at 256 colours inbetween the time I bought my
PC and the time I'd saved enough for a 17" monitor.
I'll live in hope then :)
--
adrian/witchy
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - monthly gothic shenanigans
29 Jan
29 Jan
2:43 p.m.
New subject: DEC RZ28 2gb drive
Hi list,
In my old days as a DEC VAR I'd just call support on this one, but this is
my own kit so I don't have that choice. I recently found an old RZ28
(Seagate drive I think, have to check) I'd forgotten I had so I stuck it in
my 3100-90 for testing. Stuff like $analyze/disk/repair work fine (vms 7.3
courtesy of my last workplace :) but part way through
$analyze/media/exercise=full the drive goes offline so it obviously has a
Bad Area on it. Anyone know if a low level reformat is possible??
cheers
--
adrian/witchy
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - monthly gothic shenanigans
2:59 p.m.
New subject: DEC RZ28 2gb drive
On Wed, 29 Jan 2003, Witchy wrote:
In my old days as a DEC VAR I'd just call support
on this one, but
this is my own kit so I don't have that choice. I recently found an
old RZ28 (Seagate drive I think, have to check) I'd forgotten I had so
I stuck it in my 3100-90 for testing. Stuff like $analyze/disk/repair
work fine (vms 7.3 courtesy of my last workplace :) but part way
through $analyze/media/exercise=full the drive goes offline so it
obviously has a Bad Area on it. Anyone know if a low level reformat is
possible??
On the VAXstation 3100s and early MicroVAX 3100s, I believe "TEST 75" at
the console prompt ">>>" drops you into a low level formatter.
There's
also a floppy formatter somewhere nearby--I think it was TEST 74 or
TEST 76. I'm not sure if these work in later model MicroVAX 3100s like
yours, so your mileage may vary. Also, it takes a /long/ time to run on
large disks; one of my 4GB SCSI drives took a number of hours.
-brian.
2 Feb
2 Feb
3:19 a.m.
New subject: DEC RZ28 2gb drive
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Brian Chase
Sent: 30 January 2003 05:03
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Cc: cctech(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: DEC RZ28 2gb drive
On the VAXstation 3100s and early MicroVAX 3100s, I believe "TEST 75" at
the console prompt ">>>" drops you into a low level formatter.
There's
also a floppy formatter somewhere nearby--I think it was TEST 74 or
TEST 76. I'm not sure if these work in later model MicroVAX 3100s like
yours, so your mileage may vary. Also, it takes a /long/ time to run on
large disks; one of my 4GB SCSI drives took a number of hours.
True, I'd forgotten about TEST 75 (and TEST 50 for a full hardware scan). I
haven't got the docs for the 3100-90, just the 40/80, so I'll try the
freeware disk for the RZ utility first, then stuff from the dead sergeant
prompt next....
cheers!
--
adrian/witchy
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - monthly gothic shenanigans
29 Jan
29 Jan
7:47 p.m.
New subject: DEC RZ28 2gb drive
On 2003.01.29 11:13 Witchy wrote:
Anyone know if a low level reformat is possible??
You can use sformat to reformat, repair and verify SCSI disks. (If you
have a Unix system to run sformat on.)
--
tsch??,
Jochen
Homepage: http://www.unixag-kl.fh-kl.de/~jkunz/
30 Jan
30 Jan
5:52 a.m.
New subject: TRS80 HB, Calif
Just passing this on to the list please contact the person directly. HB is
a few miles south of Los Angeles, and from talking to them on the phone
looks like they would really prefer someone who could just stop by and pick
it all up.
Mike,
I have a considerable amount of TRS80 Model 1 and 2 software. I also have a
complete TRS80 Model 1 system with expansion unit, floppy drives, printer
(Epson) and a VOX80X. The VOX80X is a voive input device that Radio Shack
sold for use on the Model 1.
Manuals are all there and I also have most of the original marketing
materials (brochures, ads, etc)
I am located in the Huntington Beach area.
Email address is JBMcL96(a)aol.com
2 Feb
2 Feb
3:19 a.m.
New subject: DEC RZ28 2gb drive
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Jochen Kunz
Sent: 30 January 2003 09:50
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: DEC RZ28 2gb drive
You can use sformat to reformat, repair and verify SCSI disks. (If you
have a Unix system to run sformat on.)
I have, but I'll save that for a last resort.
cheers
--
adrian/witchy
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - monthly gothic shenanigans
30 Jan
30 Jan
3:35 a.m.
New subject: DEC RZ28 2gb drive
RZDISK from the Compaq VMS freeware CD will low level format among other
things.
********************************$
**** SCSI Disk Utility Menu ****$
********************************
Usage: rzdisk [-q] [-m] [-b] -cdfghiprstuwy [LBN|command] [length] device
Options:
-f vendor device Formats disk with VENDOR only defects.8
-f known device Formats disk with all KNOWN defects.(
-f device Formats a floppy diskette..
-r 1234 device Reassigns bad block (1234).8
-s 0 -1 device Scans the entire disk for bad blocks./
-i device Prints out the inquiry data info.
-d bfi device Reads defect list in BFI format.7
-d sector device Reads defect list in SECTOR format.
-d block device Reads defect list in BLOCK format.8
-c device Changes disk parameters to DEFAULT VALUES.8
-c ask device Changes disk parameters interactively.8
-g current device Gets CURRENT disk drive parameters.5
-g saved device Gets SAVED disk drive parameters.
-g default device Gets DEFAULT disk drive parameters.>
-g changeable device Gets CHANGEABLE disk drive parameters.%
-p device Gets the disk capacity.
-t device Test of device.
-t full device Full test of device.
-q (may precede any option) dumps data to/from device.
-b (may precede -c or -g option) treat page 37 as foreign.
-m (may precede -c option) masks parameters with changeable values.%
-n Disable pagination of output.
-u spin up a device (start unit)
-w spin down a device (stop unit)&
-y report whether device is ready"
-h Prints out this help menu.
On Wed, 29 Jan 2003, Witchy wrote:
Hi list,
In my old days as a DEC VAR I'd just call support on this one, but this is
my own kit so I don't have that choice. I recently found an old RZ28
(Seagate drive I think, have to check) I'd forgotten I had so I stuck it in
my 3100-90 for testing. Stuff like $analyze/disk/repair work fine (vms 7.3
courtesy of my last workplace :) but part way through
$analyze/media/exercise=full the drive goes offline so it obviously has a
Bad Area on it. Anyone know if a low level reformat is possible??
cheers
--
adrian/witchy
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - monthly gothic shenanigans
--
2 Feb
2 Feb
3:18 a.m.
New subject: DEC RZ28 2gb drive
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Paul Thompson
Sent: 30 January 2003 17:37
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Cc: cctech(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: DEC RZ28 2gb drive
RZDISK from the Compaq VMS freeware CD will low level format among other
things.
Brilliant! Thanks Paul.
--
adrian/witchy
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - monthly gothic shenanigans
4 Feb
4 Feb
1:56 p.m.
New subject: DECserver 700-16 firmware etc
Hi folks,
Finally got my VAX sorted and purring nicely, though that RZ28 is
v.troublesome and gets marked read only as soon as I try and do anything
with it. Sort that out later.
Anyway, I've put the DECserver firmware here:
ftp://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/pub/DEC/other/decserver/wweng1.sys
If you're using a non-browser to connect you'll obviously know what to do; I
don't want to be accused of teaching egg-suckage :) It's anon ftp and
therefore read only.....
More stuff to come, including DNAS 2.2 once I find the bloody thing.
cheers
--
adrian/witchy
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - monthly gothic shenanigans
5 Feb
5 Feb
2:33 a.m.
New subject: DECserver 700-16 firmware etc
Witchy wrote:
Hi folks,
Finally got my VAX sorted and purring nicely, though that RZ28 is
v.troublesome and gets marked read only as soon as I try and do anything
with it. Sort that out later.
You're probably not going to like this, but your drive is probably
dying. I've had a few that did this, and the only fix was to replace them.
Try to use them, even set read-only, and you will probably see them
completely fail in a few weeks.
Back up whatever you want to keep from them asap, while they
will still read.
Anyway, I've put the DECserver firmware here:
ftp://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/pub/DEC/other/decserver/wweng1.sys
If you're using a non-browser to connect you'll obviously know what to do; I
don't want to be accused of teaching egg-suckage :) It's anon ftp and
therefore read only.....
More stuff to come, including DNAS 2.2 once I find the bloody thing.
6 Feb
6 Feb
1:54 p.m.
New subject: DECserver 700-16 firmware etc (plus ISO oddities)
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctech-admin@classiccmp.org]On
Behalf Of Kevin Handy
Sent: 05 February 2003 16:52
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: DECserver 700-16 firmware etc
You're probably not going to like this, but your drive is probably
dying. I've had a few that did this, and the only fix was to replace them.
Try to use them, even set read-only, and you will probably see them
completely fail in a few weeks.
Back up whatever you want to keep from them asap, while they
will still read.
Ta for that; I'd already formatted it with rzdisk (which didn't complain,
btw) so I'm not bothered about contents. I completely forgot I had a BA350
with 7 RZ28s in so I just raided one of those for now.
Having fun with the ISO creation though. So far I've tried Nero, CDRwin and
IsoBuster and the only one to give me half decent results is IsoBuster;
unfortunately no matter which drive (reader is a Plextor 40x and writer is a
Yamaha 4416s) I use I get errors, which strikes me as odd since the disk
surface looks perfect - no marks or fluff, plus the disks obviously worked
when I used them on our InfoServerVXT, which admittedly would be 5 or 6
years ago now. I tried reading the Disk Access CD and the InfoServer 1000
Tape access CD.....
Haven't tried doing this on the wife's laptop yet though :)
Anyone else see a similar problem?
cheers
--
adrian/witchy
www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the online computer museum
www.snakebiteandblack.co.uk - monthly gothic shenanigans
26 Jan
26 Jan
10:42 a.m.
I have several. Do you have a specific model in mind. I have a few of the
old winchester cards. I also have some other not-so-easily identifiable
cards.
Brent Atkerson/Quad "A" Enterprises
Professional PC Repair and Networking solutions
www.quadaenterprises.com
Registered Linux User #269466 http://counter.li.org
Peter Hicks wrote:
All,
I used to have an AX/2 server at home quite a while ago, and all I
have left is the hard drive. I want to get this software off the
drive, but I threw out my last MFM controller card ages ago.
Does anybody have a copy of the old RM NET LM software that ran
(runs?) Z-Net networks of PC186 machines? Even better, does anyone
have an ISA MFM controller they'd be willing to swap for money? :)
eBay hasn't turned up anything :(
Best wishes,
Peter.
4:17 a.m.
Brent,
The drive I have is a Mitsubishi MR535-MOD, which sucks 4A at 12V, and
0.8A at 5V. It is circa-1990, and has a 34-way and 20-way PCB connector
thing (sorry, I've forgotten the correct term!) at the end of the PCB.
I guess I need either an 8-bit or 16-bit ISA card - I'll end up putting
it (temporarily) in a P166 I have here, to copy the data off. I'd also
need cables, as those were thrown out with the MFM card!
If you've got one suitable you're willing to sell, mail me off list and
we'll discuss :)
Best wishes,
Peter.
Brent (Quad A) wrote:
I have several. Do you have a specific model in mind.
I have a few of the
old winchester cards. I also have some other not-so-easily identifiable
cards.
Brent Atkerson/Quad "A" Enterprises
Professional PC Repair and Networking solutions
www.quadaenterprises.com
Registered Linux User #269466 http://counter.li.org
Peter Hicks wrote:
All,
I used to have an AX/2 server at home quite a while ago, and all I
have left is the hard drive. I want to get this software off the
drive, but I threw out my last MFM controller card ages ago.
Does anybody have a copy of the old RM NET LM software that ran
(runs?) Z-Net networks of PC186 machines? Even better, does anyone
have an ISA MFM controller they'd be willing to swap for money? :)
eBay hasn't turned up anything :(
Best wishes,
Peter.
10:45 a.m.
I have several. Do you have a specific model in mind. I have a few of the
old winchester cards. I also have some other not-so-easily identifiable
cards.
Brent Atkerson/Quad "A" Enterprises
Professional PC Repair and Networking solutions
www.quadaenterprises.com
Registered Linux User #269466 http://counter.li.org
Peter Hicks wrote:
All,
I used to have an AX/2 server at home quite a while ago, and all I
have left is the hard drive. I want to get this software off the
drive, but I threw out my last MFM controller card ages ago.
Does anybody have a copy of the old RM NET LM software that ran
(runs?) Z-Net networks of PC186 machines? Even better, does anyone
have an ISA MFM controller they'd be willing to swap for money? :)
eBay hasn't turned up anything :(
Best wishes,
Peter.
7772
days inactive
7783
days old
43 comments
23 participants
participants (23)
-
allain＠panix.com -
Andreas.Freiherr＠Vishay.com -
ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
brent＠quadaenterprises.com -
cisin＠xenosoft.com -
coredump＠gifford.co.uk -
dholland＠woh.rr.com -
foo＠siconic.com -
ggs＠shiresoft.com -
ian_primus＠yahoo.com -
jim＠calico.litterbox.com -
jkunz＠unixag-kl.fh-kl.de -
jpl15＠panix.com -
jss＠subatomix.com -
kth＠srv.net -
mikeford＠socal.rr.com -
Peter.Hicks＠POGGS.CO.UK -
sanepsycho＠globaldialog.com -
shawnmhoffman＠yahoo.com -
ssj152＠charter.net -
thompson＠new.rr.com -
vaxzilla＠jarai.org -
witchy＠binarydinosaurs.co.uk