Which Operating System for my DCC-116 E / Entrex 480 / Nixdorf 620 / Data General Nova 1200 clone ?

[jim stephens]

On 1/15/2018 5:16 PM, Jay Jaeger via cctech wrote:
> On 10/4/2017 3:33 PM, Dominique Carlier via cctech wrote:
>> Hi all
>>
>> I start here another topic concerning my research about a new Operating
>> System for my freshly restored DCC-116 E.
>>
>> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/second_boot/04.jpg
>> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/second_boot/02.jpg
>>
>> I originally intended to install RDOS on my machine but it seems very
>> difficult to find the files needed to make a system installation tape.
>>
> FIRST:  If you have drawings for the DCC, please let me know.  I have
> two of them (long in storage in the house, but they ran when I pulled
> them from their Unitote/Regitel rack a couple of *decades* ago.
>
> There is an RDOS - disk images, available at:
>
> http://simh.trailing-edge.com/software.html
>
> (Top entry in the list)  It is about a 2.5MB disk image.
>
> I suggest that you might download SimH and that image, configure SimH as
> a straight Nova (rather than a /3 or /4) and see if it runs that image
> OK.  If so, there you go!
>
> Beyond that, I *might* be able to help, but it will depend on what the
> status of copyright is on what I have, and whether your system can even
> run what I do have.  I am looking into the copyright part of it - that
> may take a week or two.  (This is something I needed to to anyway).
>
> In the meantime:
>
> Do you have a way to *write* a tape image?  I have an AWS format image
> of an RDOS starter system.   Note, however, that the label on the RDOS
> starter image I have suggests it may  only be appropriate for a NOVA 3
> or NOVA 4, so it might not run on your system.    So, I'd have to take
> some time to boot it and try and set up a system for a straight Nova.
> As this would take several hours, I'm not keen on doing that unless you
> know that one from SimH will not work for you.
>
> I also have some OS and compiler DG floppy images, if you have a
> DG-compatible floppy setup.  Several different operating systems there.
> Same issue: one would have to see how many are compatible with a
> straight Nova.  I have images of the floppies.
>
> Diagnostics for DG systems are notoriously difficult to find.  I have a
> few, in listing format.
>
> JRJ
Jay,
I have two Nova 4 systems with floppies and one Nova 3 with serial and a 
controller for Diablo, so would be interested in your images as is if 
you can share them.

They are all as acquired, so am trying to get as much as possible for a 
project to restore one of them at least down the line.  If you know of 
anything that runs or ran on the Nova 4 from floppies that would be 
appreciated.  The systems are 6" high basic controls and same for the 
floppy boxes for the Nova 4.

the Nova 3 I have a full switch panel for, but just the diablo 
controller, no peripherals.  The 4's are the most likely to be gotten to 
run.

For me, all I'd need is the images and of course help getting them 
going, you would hopefully not have to do as much as you would for the 
nixdorf.  Of course I hope he can get his going with your help, but if 
it isn't something he needs, putting in my word that I would appreciate it.
thanks
Jim