For those who don't know, Monash University (Melbourne Australia) has had the chassis of a B7800 CPU sitting around under a stoir case, left over from the days when a series of large Burroughs systems had been in use there during the seventies. I'm no expert on Burroughs systems, but from all the Internet based trawling I've done over the years it appears that Burroughs had a 'scorched earth' policy, and systematically reclaimed and disposed of all B5000 and onward family machines. At least to date, I haven't been able to find any other surviving example of a B5000 family machine (or major components). Naturally I'd be very happy to be proved wrong. Unfortunately all cards and power supplies had been removed but it still had the basic frame, backplane (very impressive in it's own right) and two large front control panels all in place (also very impressive). (I've been told that the front panels were pulled prior to disposal). Many of you will be familiar with Ralph Klimek and his amazing stories of life as a technician with these machines. He has some pictures of this particular frame, about mid way down this page on his site: http://users.monash.edu.au/~ralphk/burroughs.html Because I live close by, I was dropping in every so often to check up on both this frame, and a (smaller) VAX 11/780 sitting next to it. Because the Uni has quite a decent vintage computer display in place at it's Caulfied campus, I had felt comfortable that both machines were safe. On a relatively recent visit (a few months ago, late last year? I'm not quite sure as life is a bit of a blur at present) I noticed that both machines had gone, and that some renovations were taking place in the building. I felt that the machines must be safe but decided I should try and make contact to be sure (working in ICT for so long, I should have known not to trust an assumption), A few days ago I got a note back saying that the Uni had requested the builders to remove the B7800 chassis and dispose of it (the 11/780 was moved to the Caufield collection). Since then I've gone on a bit of a campaign to try and find out of the machine might still be sitting somewhere with the builder (or their sub-contracter). It's a very long shot, but in this case I think most here on the list would agree it's worth it? Apparently the scrap metal value would be quite low at the moment, and hopefully whoever has it has been too busy to deal with disposal yet (a long shot, as I said). I've managed to speak to numerous people both inside the Uni and the builder, but have realised from them that my enquiries now need to be pushed four ways - into two Schools within the Uni, and also two service departments. My problem is that I'm attempting to get a startup software company off the ground, so time isn't something that I've got any of, let trying to push my way through contacting people within four different internal departments (and sitting through all the on-hold music, call transfers & drop outs). I don't think that the Uni wants this chassis at the end of the day. Is there anyone who can attack this at a higher level? I'm happy to pass on relevant details to anyone who could help positively (I don't want to cause unnecessary aggravation by posting everything here, the people I've spoken to have already been as helpful as they can). If it's true that it is possibly one of the last existing CPU frames of the B5000 family, and if it went to one of the major Museums in the US as a result, that would be a great outcome (if it still exists at all). Regards Evan