I wouldn't describe the 3850 as poor quality, but it did sometimes drop a cartridge on the floor of the enclosure. Also, while it supported 3350 staging drives in 3330 compatibility mode, IBM never upgraded it to support native 3350, much less newer drives.
The BULL Gamma 30 was an RCA 3301, so I suspect that the device on it was a re-branded 3488. The major reliability issue that I recall is shooting a returning card off the end of the raceway. However, my experience was as a software developer while the 3488 was being designed; it's possible that RCA finally got the bugs ou by the time they shipped in volume. I know that ICL sold some re-branded RCA equipment but don't know whether that included the 3488. For the 2321, the major issue that I recall was returning the card to the wrong subcell, causing physical damage. CRAM? I only read about it and have no information on its reliability. -- Shmuel (Seymour J.) Metz http://mason.gmu.edu/~smetz3 ________________________________________ From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List <[email protected]> on behalf of R.S. <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, December 30, 2019 5:09 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: RCA MCF and jukebox Gentlemen, First: THANK YOU for your responses. I appreciate it much. Regarding topic: I'm looking for any information related to RCA devices, however other devices are also interesting for me, so thank you for IBM 2321 and MSS. Now it's time for small disclaimer: I have never worked with these devices, I'm simply to young (yes, I'm old, but 1960's stuff is older). This is my hobby to collect information about various old computers especially storage devices. Yes, it's crazy a little bit. ;-) Regarding other devices: I know NCR CRAM which is likely the only device in Poland (it's now in some museum, but the museum is closed for 3 years...). I know IBM 2321, IBM MSS (this is the first "strange" device I learnt about), Masstor M860 which is based on MSS technology. I also know a little bit about Burroughs/Electrodata Datafile 560, ICL MCF, Potter RAM, and very little about SEAC wire storage or GE removable 16" drives (very strange cartridges). BTW: ICL MCF looks very similar to RCA device. Almost the same card specs (there are cards inside). Of course my knowledge is very limited, that's why I dared to ask on the forum. Last, but not least, I have almost no clue about RCA jukebox. @Shmuel, you described those devices as poor quality. Well, maybe that's main reason why such devices disappeared from the market. Again, thanks to all responders! -- Radoslaw Skorupka Lodz, Poland (writing using web interface) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
