Help needed please re possible loss of a Burroughs B7800 CPU

[Paul Birkel]

Presumably unrelated, but claims to be "gates" from a Burroughs computer:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GOLD-PIN-WIRE-WRAP-1977-VINTAGE-COMPUTER-BOARDS-SCRAP-OR-USE-/221735150316

Poor photo, alas.



On Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 8:41 PM, <evan.linwood at eastek.com.au> wrote:

> 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
>