[cctalk] VCF and System Source Computer Museum swap meet this weekend
Hi, I am curious if anyone here might be planning on attending. https://museum.syssrc.com/artifact/events/3000/ The Vintage Computer Federation and the System Source Computer Museum are hosting a vintage computer repair workshop on Saturday July 22nd and Sunday July 23rd 2023 ... Mark -- Mark G. Thomas , KC3DRE
Re: Xerox 820/II 8/16 Prom/Eproms ( Masters ) on e-bay
Tom, On Wed, Aug 11, 2021 at 11:05:59AM -0500, Tom Uban wrote: > Ok, I was going by the appearance of my case being the older style. I had not > considered the number > of PROMs, but now that you mention it, my old Ferguson Big Board (which was > an 820 clone) only had > two PROMs. If you still have any 8" floppies from your Big Board, these will probably boot and work in the 820 as well as 820-II. ... > >> At some point, I need to ask someone to make me bootable 8" floppies, but > >> I suppose I need to > >> determine if it is 820 or 820-II first... > > I can able to help you with floppies. The floppies are standard > > IBM 3740 Single Density and easy to write with Imagedisk software > > and a PC-connected 8" drive. > What do you use to connect an 8" drive to a PC? This adapter is useful: http://www.dbit.com/fdadap.html But, if your floppy doesn't require a TG43 signal, you could just wire a custom cable with no logic needed, or get something like this on e-bay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/114924378003 Additionally, some PC floppy controllers do not work for some kinds of floppy encodings. Here is the article I used as a guide. I've been using an Adaptec AHA-1522A SCSI+Floppy interace, which has a good FDC chip for optimum floppy format support. https://retrocmp.de/fdd/general/disk-imaging.pdf > > Both the swithing supply in my 820-II and it's external 8" drive box > > had failed. I replaced the supply in the 820-II case with a modern > > switching supply that easily fit. The HV bleeder resister for my CRT > > was arcing, so I replaced that. I replaced all the electrolytics on > > the monitor board. I also replaced the sockets for my ROMs, as some > > of their contacts "sprung" when I replaced the chips, but I do not > > recommend doing this unless it is absolutely necessary and you have > > good tools and practice. > I had not turned on my box for a number of years, but when you posted, I > decided to try it and it > worked perfectly, which I suppose is just lucky. I do have the tools and > skills to work on it if it > were to fail, but won't likely make changes unless it does. I'm all for not fixing it if it's not broken. But, I do suggest careful inspection of the electrolytics on the motherboard and monitor, especially since the monitor board is right above the logic board, so if a cap phsically leaked, the corrosive stuff that comes out could drip onto the logic board. I see this mostly in SMD style electrolytics, but have seen those like the ones in my 820-II physically leak, and the damage can be serious. > > The 820-II restoration was a fun and rewarding project. It is well > > documented, easy to work on. It was also my first ever CP/M computer. > > When I was in high school, the 820 motherboards were readily available > > for $75. > > > > Mark > It sounds like you had a good time, which in my opinion is the main goal! > > --tom -- Mark G. Thomas , KC3DRE
Re: Xerox 820/II 8/16 Prom/Eproms ( Masters ) on e-bay
Hi Tom, On Wed, Aug 11, 2021 at 09:37:24AM -0500, Tom Uban wrote: > I have a Xerox 820. I don't know how to tell if it is a -II or not. It is > marked as U05-013264 September 1984. You have an 820-II; the original 820 only has two ROMs (U63, U64). > It powers on and boots the monitor. Looking at the PROMs, they are labeled: > U33 5.0, U34 5.0, U35 5.0, U36 5.0, U37 4.01, U38 4.01 ... > At least some of the ROMs appear to be available here (along with other info): > > http://bitsavers.org/pdf/xerox/820-II/firmware/ I must have worked on mine right before someone put those files on bitsavers. I vaguely remember some alternate ROM version that supported a newer style keyboard, and was incompatible with my older setup, but I do not remember specifics. Labels in the e-bay photos also support that. > At some point, I need to ask someone to make me bootable 8" floppies, but I > suppose I need to > determine if it is 820 or 820-II first... I can able to help you with floppies. The floppies are standard IBM 3740 Single Density and easy to write with Imagedisk software and a PC-connected 8" drive. My 820-II currently boots and runs from disk images on SD cards, via a Lotharek HXC floppy emulator, with appropriate cable wiring. I used images found on the internet, and some I created from very old floppies of mine using Imagedisk on a PC with an 8" floppy connected. I highly recommend the Lotharek HXC floppy emulators. My only wish is the display on the floppy-form-factor version were easier to read. Both the swithing supply in my 820-II and it's external 8" drive box had failed. I replaced the supply in the 820-II case with a modern switching supply that easily fit. The HV bleeder resister for my CRT was arcing, so I replaced that. I replaced all the electrolytics on the monitor board. I also replaced the sockets for my ROMs, as some of their contacts "sprung" when I replaced the chips, but I do not recommend doing this unless it is absolutely necessary and you have good tools and practice. The 820-II restoration was a fun and rewarding project. It is well documented, easy to work on. It was also my first ever CP/M computer. When I was in high school, the 820 motherboards were readily available for $75. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas , KC3DRE
Xerox 820/II 8/16 Prom/Eproms ( Masters ) on e-bay
Hi, I'm not prepared to lay out $200 for these Xerox ROMs, but if I do manage to get them, I'll read and share them. I did not know there were 5.0 ROMs for the 820-II, but it appears there were, and they are included. https://www.ebay.com/itm/184980603844 Mark -- Mark G. Thomas , KC3DRE
Xerox 820/II 8/16 Prom/Eproms ( Masters ) on e-bay
Hi, I'm not prepared to lay out $200 for these Xerox ROMs, but if I do manage to get them, I'll read and share them. I did not know there were 5.0 ROMs for the 820-II, but it appears there were, and they are included. https://www.ebay.com/itm/184980603844 Mark -- Mark G. Thomas , KC3DRE
Re: XXDP diagnostic sources
Hi, On Mon, Mar 29, 2021 at 08:02:28AM -0700, Robert Armstrong via cctalk wrote: > Hopefully this is an easy question - are the sources for the XXDP > diagnostics online anywhere? I particularly looking for NKXA, the > Falcon-11/KXT11/DCT11 one. Not sure if it helps any, but this was recently posted: Newsgroups: alt.sys.pdp11 Subject: XXDP+ recovered source From: Ian Hammond I've finally completed reverse-assembling the full source code of the XXDP+ monitor (HMDLD0) and uploaded it to github, along with transcriptions of the XXDP+ File Structure specification and the XXDP V2 Driver Guide (minus the appendices), along with originals of some related documents. https://github.com/rust11/xxdp/tree/main -- Mark G. Thomas , KC3DRE
Re: Digitalker 54104 IC
Hi, On 2/13/21 9:15 AM, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote: On 2/12/21 6:09 PM, Ethan Dicks via cctalk wrote: On Fri, Feb 12, 2021 at 6:01 PM Jim Brain via cctalk wrote: But, I'm sad because no one either has one nor can help me test this one. So, I cannot enjoy the thrill of making it say inappropriate stuff :-( I have several vintage speech ICs, but not that one. I do as well. I have the Radio Shack "Voice Synthesizer IC Set" sitting on the desk in front of me right now. bill BG Micro sold a board called I believe the CompuTalker, with the SP0256A-AL2 and CTS256AL2/P pair, like the ICs Radio Shack sold. I have one of these boards sitting in front of me that I recently mounted in a nice case with power supply. Mine had some leaky electrolytic caps, but fortunately the damage was minimal and easily fixed. I found reference to it in this posting here: https://groups.google.com/u/1/g/comp.sys.tandy/c/X_6fSse6As4 I've temporarily (please save these if you want them) copied what I could find in terms of documentation and schematics for these ICs here: http://files.markgthomas.com/dl/SP0256-speech-IC-board/ Photos of mine are included. Mark -- Mark G Thomas , KC3DRE
Re: P112
Hi Bill, On Wed, Dec 04, 2019 at 01:06:39AM +, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote: > On 12/3/19 7:51 PM, Craig Ruff via cctech wrote: > > Just in case someone else hasn't already responded, the P112 does not use > > DOS style fdisk partitioning for a hard disk. It is done in the BIOS image, > > and then the logical disks have to be initialized. This is described in the > > "P112 GIDE Construction.pdf" document. > > > > I've only used 3.5" floppies, which work fine. You can also attach a PATA > > CD-ROM drive and access disks with a program that escapes my memory at the > > moment. > > > > Along this line I have solved one problem. I mentioned INIT in > RSX180 printing gibberish on the screen when trying to init a > hard disk partition where it had worked on a floppy. Problem > was the size of the partitions. I had tried just making one > partition for the test I learned that FDISK will make partitions > too big for any of the P112 OSes. I now have a hard disk with > 5 partitions to play with. On to the next problem. > > bill I have a pair of P112 systems, both with GIDE interfaces, booting CP/M from CF cards successfully. I have not done anything with RSX180 though. I have been meaning to try and get one reading/writing 8", ideally 3270 format, CP/M floppies, but have not gotten around to working on this yet, and have no idea how easy or difficult that might be. When I put these together and was getting them working initially, Terry Gulczynski was very helpful. See his site at http://www.stack180.com/ You may want to get the latest P112 ROM image and corresponding CF card image from his site. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas , KC3DRE
Re: P118
Hi Bill, On Fri, Nov 29, 2019 at 02:29:45PM +, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote: > > It's not really classic (although it does try to pretend to be :-) > but does anyone here do anything with the P118 SBC? I am trying to > get 8" disks running on it but I am seeing some rather strange behavior. Do you mean the p112? Mark -- Mark G. Thomas , KC3DRE
Re: 11/93 Rebuild
Rod, others, I have so far been unsuccessful getting my CQD220A for SCSI HD, and RQDX3 for floppy to coexist in an 11/83, at least with bsd2.11. I am eager to hear whether you get both controllers working in the same box, and how. Mark Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE > On May 18, 2019, at 15:10, Rod Smallwood via cctalk > wrote: > > Hi Guys > >Well the RD53 in my 11/93 finally clapped out. > >The CPU is a late model KDJ11-E with everything on the one board. > >So its a switch from MFM to SCSI Drives. > >A CQD220A will drive the hard disk and the RQDX3 will stay to look > after the RX50 > >I've put the Hard Drive on the primary CSR address (17772150) and I > will shift the RQDX3 to an alternate CSR > >Comments as to if this is the right way round and what CSR's to use > for the two controllers invited. > > Rod > > > -- > >
Re: 2.11 BSD on an 11/93 with an CMD SCSI Module
Hi Bill, On Fri, Mar 15, 2019 at 08:55:05PM +, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote: > > Can I assume that all the patches have been applied and tested and > none of them have been rescinded? > > Next, can I assume one need only apply them all in order to bring a > system up to current level? > > And then the logical direction this is going. Is there any where I > can find a file containing all of the patches already unpacked so I > can feed them all into a system just installed? Dealing with them > in the only format I have found so far could take weeks to actually > run them. :-) I've been using Compact Flash cards in CF-SCSI adapters with my 11/83s, with CMD SCSI controllers like yours. The beauty of these CF cards is I can back them up and copy them via my Mac and Linux systems so easily. If you get one of these Aztec Monster CF-SCSI adapters, I could send you an installed, bootable, patched BSD2.11 Complact FLash card, or image file you could put on a CF or disk. I'll follow up with you off list. Or, maybe there is some way you could write one of these images out to a SCSI disk via another system. I'll follow up with you off-list. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: WTB: Data I/O 351A-070, 071, 072 Socket Adapters
Hi, > On Jul 27, 2018, at 18:08, systems_glitch via cctalk > wrote: > > All, > > I'm looking for any or all of the following Data I/O Socket Adapters: > > 351A-070 (8741, 8748, etc) > 351A-071 (8751) > 351A-072 (8755A) I suggest asking on the DATAIOeprom list on groups.io too. I’m looking for a Unipak-2b. Mark Thomas
Re: old DEC stuff
Hi, On Wed, May 30, 2018 at 11:52:13AM -0500, Jay West via cctalk wrote: > Dominique wrote: > $75 for one toggle switch ? $9,999.00 for a rusty PDP8L ? > > hem ... No > - > Mitch Miller is a really good guy, and very "collector friendly". > He still sells to a lot of business clients, and those are the prices he can > get for those in that market. > > However, if you call or email him - let him know you are a collector - you'll > find him willing to work with you. My experience has been as Jay suggests. Mitch has been both extremely helpful, and reasonable to work with as a hobbyist on a budget, you just need to make clear up front you are a hobbyist; maybe mention CCTALK. I visited his warehouse on my Dayton Hamvention trip last week, and came away with some considerably better deals from Mitch than from the hamfest fleamarket. I know Mitch is interested in doing more hobbyist business, and understands dollar amounts and expectations are different than when selling to a government agency or big business. I see rusty PDP8s on e-pay from various sellers for what seem to me like crazy amounts, though am not sure if they actually sell for that kind of money. Maybe there is another entire category of collector who buys that kind of stuff for that kind of money. It would have been my loss had I written off Mitch on the basis of some of Mitch's listings expensive, but admittedly rare, pdp-11 switch listings. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: P112
Hi Bill, On Sun, Apr 08, 2018 at 12:36:35AM +, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote: > > It's not really Classic Hardware, but it does run some pretty classic > OSes. Anybody here working with the P112? I have had a couple for > ages but never had time to play with them. I see them now as a > possible way to manipulate floppies (including 8") from classic systems > so I decided to give it a try. Problem is, it won't boot anything. Not the > disk that came with it and none of the images I got off the web. > Anybody here know anything about them? I see you have made progress since this post, but I wanted to chime in. I have two, with GIDE cards, and booting from CF cards. One has the LAN interface card (see http://stack180.com/). I haven't been using the floppies, though have always meant to try to get it to do SSSD 8" format for compatibility with tons of CP/M floppies I have. I was always surprised not to hear more from other p112 users. There is a mailing list, but the last post I know of was five years ago when I asked if anyone else was on the list. http://lists.feedle.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/p112 Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
[RESOLVED] Re: EPROM baking
Hi, Please see resolution below, if you are curious about how this turned out. On Wed, Dec 20, 2017 at 09:18:50PM -0500, Mark G Thomas via cctalk wrote: > Hi, > > > On Wed, Dec 13, 2017 at 9:08 AM, Mark G Thomas via cctalk < > > cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > > > Hi, > > > > > > I am working on several projects requiring 2708 and 2716 EPROMs, and > > > am finding some of my chips will not erase, and some will not take > > > a program. I've also learned more in the past week than I wanted > > > to know about repairing Data-I/O 29a/b programmers. > > > > > > I vaguely remember in the 1990s baking such EPROMs in the oven, but > > > I do not remember temperature or time. I was surprised that Google > > > didn't turn up anything useful with this info. > > > > > > I'm sure someone here will have some notes on EPROM baking. > > > > > > Mark > > > > Mark, > > > > If this is an issue about reviving bad eproms? I assume you have tried the > > regular stuff. > > > > What process are you using now to erase 2708/16's? I have a simple eraser > > unit and it seems to always work. Some eproms go bad but I never have > > issues with erasing them. My point is that maybe you need a better prom > > eraser unit. > > They seem to erase fine, using a PRO-LOG 9103 eraser (box, timer, tube...) > > > I would avoid baking them until you have exhausted other > > options. Not sure what others think. This topic has come up before here, > > about putting them outside and all that. The erasers are all over ebay, > > and the hardware store is full of the correct types of lighting, why not > > make a box that will do the job?I assume there is more to it that > > simply erasing them. > > > > > > Bill After more experimentation I came to the following conclusions. 1) Some of my chips are legitimately bad, erasing fine but won't take a program. 2) Many of the chips were failing to program because my Batronix programmer apparently requires more current than my USB port provides. This surprised me because I have been programming chips for years using this programmer on this computer port successfully, and this is the first I have had the problem. Using a Anker powered USB hub solved things. My Batronix programmer even arrived with a cheap powered hub when I ordered it, but I never used it because it was shipped with an incompatible wall wart, but looking at it in the box gave me the idea that this might be the issue. 3) I thought I had ruled out the programmer (#2) because of troubles programming those same chips using another programmer, but I probably had the wrong chip type selected, or simply failed on some of the #1 chips so assumed that was my only problem. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: wonky eproms
David, This might seem stupid, but I recently had peculiar results with a usb-powered programmer failing on certain ranges of addresses on certain chips, that turned out to be inadequate current available on my USB port. For me, a high-current powered USB hub solved it. I programmed a huge number of chips successfully before I ran into this problem with a particular batch of chips. Mark Mark G Thomas > On Feb 4, 2018, at 9:40 AM, David Griffith via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org> > wrote: > > > I have a few tubes of ST-branded M27C256B UV-erasable EPROM chips. All of > these fail to program starting at 0x200 until 0x27F. At 0x200, 0x00 is > written, then until 0x27F, the bytes are 0xFF. What would cause this? Can it > be fixed by an extra-long time in the eraser? Should I just break out the > hammer? > > At least I know the programmer is capable of programming a TI-branded 27c256 > and 29c256 flash chips. Might there be a bug in the programming software? > > FWIW, I'm using a Minipro TL855. Linux software is available at Github: > https://github.com/vdudouyt/minipro > > -- > David Griffith > d...@661.org > > A: Because it fouls the order in which people normally read text. > Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing? > A: Top-posting. > Q: What is the most annoying thing in e-mail?
Re: Adaptec 1522A SCSI Support (was re: New TestFDC Results Registry)
Hi, On Thu, Jan 18, 2018 at 08:26:45PM -0600, Jason T via cctalk wrote: > On Thu, Jan 18, 2018 at 7:55 PM, Richard Cini <rich.c...@verizon.net> wrote: > > I use this card as a floppy/disk controller in a PC/AT that's used solely > > for imaging. The controller is connected to two Seagate ST-2502N (442MB) > > hard drives running MS-DOS 6.22. Works like a champ. Cables are readily > > available on eBay but since they're regular 50-pin IDC connectors, you can > > DIY if needed -- connectors are readily available. > > Do you have (and can you post) the MS-DOS drivers for that card? I > also run one in my floppy imager machine, which dual-boots btw. MS-DOS > and some later Linux. Having SCSI for at least one of the OSes would > be nice. > > I could also switch the other partition over to FreeBSD, as Warner L > suggested. I think you want this: http://files.markgthomas.com/dl/adaptec/EZSCSI40.IMD (This URL is temporary.) I just found, imaged, and installed it, on my disk-imaging PC using an AHA-1522A: --- IMD 1.18: 24/12/2017 4:54:15 Adaptec EZ-SCSI v4.01a Setup Diskette Disk 1of1 HD 3.5 Windows 95/NT/3.1x and DOS Drivers >From Windows 95 or NT Click Start, Run, Type a:\setup >From Windows 3.1 or NT 3.52 File/Run Type a:\setup >From DOS Type a:, Type dosinst ------- Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: Google, Wikipedia directly on ASCII terminal?
Hi, On Tue, Jan 16, 2018 at 02:07:59PM -0700, Grant Taylor via cctalk wrote: > On 01/16/2018 12:18 PM, Anders Nelson via cctalk wrote: > >I suppose one could emulate the telephone carrier dial tone and > >ring back tone with a third device, then the modems would just act > >like a direct connection after their handshake? > > I doubt that will work quite like you are thinking. There is more > to an analog phone line than the audio that comes over it. Namely > the loop current and voltage are also additional bits of signaling. > > I don't think there is such a thing as a cross over phone line. > > You will quite likely need something like an old school PBX that > provides analog ports to pull this off. Teltone and several other companies made/make phone line similators which provide battery, dial tone, ringing, caller ID (sometimes), DTMF (and maybe even pulse?) dialing between several ports. These are designed for testing and demonstrating fax machines, modems, and other analog phone gear. I'm not talking about the sophisticated bench testing gear simulators which provide simulated line loss, delays, and noise, but the simple small portable 2-8 line devices. A quick search on e-bay produces lots of listings for these devices. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: EPROM baking
Hi, > On Wed, Dec 13, 2017 at 9:08 AM, Mark G Thomas via cctalk < > cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > Hi, > > > > I am working on several projects requiring 2708 and 2716 EPROMs, and > > am finding some of my chips will not erase, and some will not take > > a program. I've also learned more in the past week than I wanted > > to know about repairing Data-I/O 29a/b programmers. > > > > I vaguely remember in the 1990s baking such EPROMs in the oven, but > > I do not remember temperature or time. I was surprised that Google > > didn't turn up anything useful with this info. > > > > I'm sure someone here will have some notes on EPROM baking. > > > > Mark > > Mark, > > If this is an issue about reviving bad eproms? I assume you have tried the > regular stuff. > > What process are you using now to erase 2708/16's? I have a simple eraser > unit and it seems to always work. Some eproms go bad but I never have > issues with erasing them. My point is that maybe you need a better prom > eraser unit. They seem to erase fine, using a PRO-LOG 9103 eraser (box, timer, tube...) > I would avoid baking them until you have exhausted other > options. Not sure what others think. This topic has come up before here, > about putting them outside and all that. The erasers are all over ebay, > and the hardware store is full of the correct types of lighting, why not > make a box that will do the job?I assume there is more to it that > simply erasing them. > > > Bill Erasing seems to work fine. It's the re-programming them that is the problem. On Wed, Dec 13, 2017 at 02:49:39PM +, dwight via cctalk wrote: > When I was at Intel, years ago, I recall the baking was only to repair > the retention of the EPROMs. It was not to fix random failures. > > It sounds like your EPROMs have various failures that wouldn't be helped by > baking. > > Each time the EPROM is programmed, there is a slight increase in the leakage > of the floating gate. This was typical after thousands of program/erase > cycles. Baking them repaired the damage to the insulating layer that was > damaged. > > Dwight I don't think these chips have been reprogrammed many times. It seems more age related, affecting some brands/models in my spares but not others. The failure mode is the chips erase successfully, but any attempt to program them fails, and they still test blank and read back "...". Some of these were chips I erased years ago before putting in my spares drawer, and some had fine working code on them, but I erased them to re-program with a newer version of software on them, to discover I could not. My stash of TI and NEC 2732s seem to have the disease, but my ST, Mitsubishi, and several others program fine. In the case of a bunch of 2732s, I have tried both a vintage DataI/O 29A programmer and a modern Batronix programmer, with the same results. I don't think I have a programmer problem. I still swear someone in the late 80's had me baking EPROMs in an oven to restore their programability, but I don't remember the specifics. I tried a few at 450F for 15 minutes, but they still won't program. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
EPROM baking
Hi, I am working on several projects requiring 2708 and 2716 EPROMs, and am finding some of my chips will not erase, and some will not take a program. I've also learned more in the past week than I wanted to know about repairing Data-I/O 29a/b programmers. I vaguely remember in the 1990s baking such EPROMs in the oven, but I do not remember temperature or time. I was surprised that Google didn't turn up anything useful with this info. I'm sure someone here will have some notes on EPROM baking. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Altair Peripheral Emulator
Hi, Does anyone know where I can find the Altair Peripheral Emulator? Links I have found so far are all dead: http://home.comcast.net/~forbin376 http://frankbarberis.tech.officelive.com/default.aspx Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: Ibm rs6000 7025-f50
Hi, On Thu, Jul 27, 2017 at 04:05:56AM +0100, Henry Bond via cctalk wrote: > I'd be more than happy to buy it, do you think settling for 4.1.4 when it can > run 4.1.5? > Probably a patience moment! AIX 5.3 should run on this machine, so why run 4.x? Here are the AIX_5.3 release notes, which mention 7025-f50: https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/forums/ajax/download/----13948999/d5c75973-f837-4fe1-b0d2-d0aff023a00a/attachment_13948999_AIX_5_3_Release_Notes.pdf As best I can tell, 5300-12-02-1036 was the final service pack and technology level. 5.3 CDs shoud be readily available on ebay for cheap. I think I got mine for less than $20, and you can probably find the 5300-12-02-1036 SP download via google. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: Morrow 8" disk image CP/M uploaded
Hi, On Thu, May 11, 2017 at 11:31:21AM -0400, Mark G Thomas via cctalk wrote: > Hi Bill, > > On Tue, May 09, 2017 at 09:56:15PM -0400, william degnan via cctalk wrote: > > Hi, > > > > I was contacted though my site by someone looking for a boot disk for their > > California Computer System S-100 2200 computer with Morrow's Disk Jockey > > DJ/DMA floppy disk controller. I checked and found what might be a > > suitable disk. > > > > I imaged the disk and the file has been uploaded to my web site along with > > a PDF of the directory the original owner printed and inserted into the > > disk sleeve. Does anyone have such a drive controller and would like to > > take a look at this image to see if it's usable? Uploaded, here: > > > > http://vintagecomputer.net/disk_images/Morrow/ > > > > There may be something wrong with the disk. The label reads > > 8" Morrow E14 Phil's System Disk Backup 9/22/86 > > Permanent error on boot track > > > > Despite what was printed on the lable I was able to image the disk without > > error. I am hoping the error referred to in the hand-written label is not > > a physical error and can be edited/corrected. Maybe this disk is > > salvageable, maybe the error is a BIOs thing. > > > > There was talk about trying to find a diskJockey boot disk on this list a > > few weeks ago (right?), if so I hope this is useful. If anyone attempts to > > read, let me know how it goes. > > > > Bill > > There are at least two different versions of this controller, with different > ROM decode addresses. It's non-trivial to modify the card -- not just a jumper > and PROM to change. The boot disk is specific to which version of the > card. I have the earlier version of the card with the BIOS at E000H, and > have been meaning to try the images from Herb's disks. > > These cards are nice in that they include a serial port, so the provided > CP/M boot disk and CBIOS will boot up to a functional enough system > to further configure for specific hardware, solving the chicken and > egg problem with CP/M BIOS and hardware configuration. > > Newer versions of this card have BIOS at F800H, which Mike Loewen has > images for, which are probably good, for that version of the card. > It would be helpful if the person inquiring could determine which version > of the card they have. > > When I was working on this, I found manuals for both versions on Bitsavers > (I think), which should have enough info to match up with the card: > > 0xE000 Morrow Disk Jockey 2D Floppy Controller Users Manual 1980 rev2.pdf > 0xF800 Disk_Jockey_2_Model_B_Technical_Reference_Rev_1_Dec82.pdf > > Please feel free to put the person inquiring in contact with me. I'd like > to get mine booting, and may be able to help them do similarly. Sorry to follow up my own post, but I realized after I posted this that the DJ/DMA is a different product than the DJ/2D models I incorrectly responded about, so I don't have anything to offer here. -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: Morrow 8" disk image CP/M uploaded
Hi Bill, On Tue, May 09, 2017 at 09:56:15PM -0400, william degnan via cctalk wrote: > Hi, > > I was contacted though my site by someone looking for a boot disk for their > California Computer System S-100 2200 computer with Morrow's Disk Jockey > DJ/DMA floppy disk controller. I checked and found what might be a > suitable disk. > > I imaged the disk and the file has been uploaded to my web site along with > a PDF of the directory the original owner printed and inserted into the > disk sleeve. Does anyone have such a drive controller and would like to > take a look at this image to see if it's usable? Uploaded, here: > > http://vintagecomputer.net/disk_images/Morrow/ > > There may be something wrong with the disk. The label reads > 8" Morrow E14 Phil's System Disk Backup 9/22/86 > Permanent error on boot track > > Despite what was printed on the lable I was able to image the disk without > error. I am hoping the error referred to in the hand-written label is not > a physical error and can be edited/corrected. Maybe this disk is > salvageable, maybe the error is a BIOs thing. > > There was talk about trying to find a diskJockey boot disk on this list a > few weeks ago (right?), if so I hope this is useful. If anyone attempts to > read, let me know how it goes. > > Bill There are at least two different versions of this controller, with different ROM decode addresses. It's non-trivial to modify the card -- not just a jumper and PROM to change. The boot disk is specific to which version of the card. I have the earlier version of the card with the BIOS at E000H, and have been meaning to try the images from Herb's disks. These cards are nice in that they include a serial port, so the provided CP/M boot disk and CBIOS will boot up to a functional enough system to further configure for specific hardware, solving the chicken and egg problem with CP/M BIOS and hardware configuration. Newer versions of this card have BIOS at F800H, which Mike Loewen has images for, which are probably good, for that version of the card. It would be helpful if the person inquiring could determine which version of the card they have. When I was working on this, I found manuals for both versions on Bitsavers (I think), which should have enough info to match up with the card: 0xE000 Morrow Disk Jockey 2D Floppy Controller Users Manual 1980 rev2.pdf 0xF800 Disk_Jockey_2_Model_B_Technical_Reference_Rev_1_Dec82.pdf Please feel free to put the person inquiring in contact with me. I'd like to get mine booting, and may be able to help them do similarly. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: KDJ11-B PDP 11/73 getting stuck in Exit standalone mode diag #56
Hi Bill, > > From: cctalk [cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] on behalf of Mark G Thomas via > cctalk [cctalk@classiccmp.org] > Subject: KDJ11-B PDP 11/73 getting stuck in Exit standalone mode diag #56 > > Hi, > > I picked up an empty 4x8 Q-bus chassis at VCF-East this year. It's > labelled "USDC CSS-823 Processor System" on the outside. It's not a DEC > backplane, but the chassis is light aluminum, smaller and in some ways > nicer than my pile of BA23s. It includes a switching power supply, > LTC and q-bus termination, and I confirmed it's wired for Q22. I was > hoping to transplant an 11/83 into it, since it will fit more comfortably > in my work area. It has lit DCON/RUN/LTC/HALT buttons on the front pane. > The etching on the backplane says something like "MDB Systems, Inc. > East Orange, CA 92665" > > Unfortunately, I discovered slots are all wired Q22/Q22, no top ABCD > (Q22/CD) PMI slots like a BA23. So, not good for an 11/83 CPU wired > for PMI on slots C-D. > > So, I was hoping I could get my KDJ11-B (quad-wide 11/73) running in it. > Upon power up or reset I get "Testing in progress. Please wait" on > the serial console, and the LEDs get stuck on test 56. CTRL-C doesn't do > anything yet, and my only options seem to be to hit reset, or if I hit the > run/stop toggle, I can reset to the ODT prompt. This is with either just > the KDJ11-B in the top slot, or with the addition of a suitably configured > MSV11-QA in the next slot. If I turn off the LTC on the front panel, > I get the expected Error 61 M8190 clock error, PC and register values, > and options to re-run once or loop on test, so I know the LTC is working. > > I confirmed the KDJ11-B works fine in a BA23, getting past test 56. I also > tried an 11/53 CPU here in the ABAB backplane and that gets past the self > tests into dialog mode, but I really would like to get the KDJ11-B working > in this chassis. I do see that a couple traces to the KDJ11-B C-D slots > besides the Grant Continuity connections. I assume since the KDJ11-B > has those Grant Continuity connections on slots C-D, it can run in a > qbus/qbus Q22/Q22 quad Q-bus slot. > > I noticed the FP "RUN" lamp never comes on (and is not burned out), but maybe > that's normal -- monitoring something on the bus that doesn't happen during > power on self test. > > Does anyone here have suggestions about next steps in diagnosing this? > > https://archive.org/stream/bitsavers_decpdpaintNov86_5833755/EK-1184A-MG-001_1184maint_Nov86_djvu.txt > - > 4.10.18 Exit Standalone Mode (Test 56) > > In the 22-bit mode, the exit standalone mode is checked by using the > guaranteed timeout address of 17 760 000 to verify that the timeout > logic works without hanging up the CPU. > - On Wed, Apr 05, 2017 at 03:02:55PM +, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote: > OK, I have the book on that. You need to determine which backplane you have. > MLSI-BPA84-TSerpentine A-B-A-B > MLSI-BPA84-A-T Serpentine except for slots 6 and 7. > > We'll ignore the MLSI-BPA82 as that's just a dual wide A-B. > > I will see if I can scan the book and send it to you but no promises how > soon. It's pretty good sized and my scanning capabilities are primitive. > > bill I didn't realize the M8190 (11/73) was PMI, and really the same board as my 11/83. Fortunately, there was definitely no smoke, and the 11/73 still works fine in my BA23. I think the magic smoke problem might be more likely if someone plugs a Q22 board into PMI slots, due to the unfortunate wiring of those grant continuity connections. I cannot find anything like BPA84-anything on this backplane. There is a tiny whale emblem on the trace side of the board saying something like "MO__ Quick" under it, though faint, and bold easy to read "MLSI-CHASSIS #40040328" close to the end with the power terminals. I confirmed with a meter that all slots are A-B-A-B, including 6 and 7. I'm not sure I need the manual, unless it also includes schematics for the power supply, RTC, and front panel control electronics wiring. I'm now up and running with a dual-wide M8192 from a batch from a scrap board guy on ebay, and an M7195 borrowed from another system for testing. Next challenge is figuring out the jumpers on an M8043 for SLU console and seeing if I have or can find a working SCSI controller with a boot ROM on it, since I don't have another M7195 and they seem to go for high prices these days on e-bay when they do show up. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
KDJ11-B PDP 11/73 getting stuck in Exit standalone mode diag #56
Hi, I picked up an empty 4x8 Q-bus chassis at VCF-East this year. It's labelled "USDC CSS-823 Processor System" on the outside. It's not a DEC backplane, but the chassis is light aluminum, smaller and in some ways nicer than my pile of BA23s. It includes a switching power supply, LTC and q-bus termination, and I confirmed it's wired for Q22. I was hoping to transplant an 11/83 into it, since it will fit more comfortably in my work area. It has lit DCON/RUN/LTC/HALT buttons on the front pane. The etching on the backplane says something like "MDB Systems, Inc. East Orange, CA 92665" Unfortunately, I discovered slots are all wired Q22/Q22, no top ABCD (Q22/CD) PMI slots like a BA23. So, not good for an 11/83 CPU wired for PMI on slots C-D. So, I was hoping I could get my KDJ11-B (quad-wide 11/73) running in it. Upon power up or reset I get "Testing in progress. Please wait" on the serial console, and the LEDs get stuck on test 56. CTRL-C doesn't do anything yet, and my only options seem to be to hit reset, or if I hit the run/stop toggle, I can reset to the ODT prompt. This is with either just the KDJ11-B in the top slot, or with the addition of a suitably configured MSV11-QA in the next slot. If I turn off the LTC on the front panel, I get the expected Error 61 M8190 clock error, PC and register values, and options to re-run once or loop on test, so I know the LTC is working. I confirmed the KDJ11-B works fine in a BA23, getting past test 56. I also tried an 11/53 CPU here in the ABAB backplane and that gets past the self tests into dialog mode, but I really would like to get the KDJ11-B working in this chassis. I do see that a couple traces to the KDJ11-B C-D slots besides the Grant Continuity connections. I assume since the KDJ11-B has those Grant Continuity connections on slots C-D, it can run in a qbus/qbus Q22/Q22 quad Q-bus slot. I noticed the FP "RUN" lamp never comes on (and is not burned out), but maybe that's normal -- monitoring something on the bus that doesn't happen during power on self test. Does anyone here have suggestions about next steps in diagnosing this? https://archive.org/stream/bitsavers_decpdpaintNov86_5833755/EK-1184A-MG-001_1184maint_Nov86_djvu.txt - 4.10.18 Exit Standalone Mode (Test 56) In the 22-bit mode, the exit standalone mode is checked by using the guaranteed timeout address of 17 760 000 to verify that the timeout logic works without hanging up the CPU. --------- -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: need (physical) key for Sun SPARCserver 1000e
Hi, On Thu, Feb 09, 2017 at 12:29:17AM -0600, Jerry Kemp wrote: > ... > >>I was informed that the key I need is part #330-1651 . > >> > >>This key was shared by the SS1000, SC2000, StorEdge L1000, StorEdge L140, > >>StorEdge L400, SPARCstorage Library Model 8/400, 8/140, and possibly other > >>hardware of that vintage. > Thanks for the reply. I did just go try. No luck though. > > Given that I now have a P/N for the key, and that it was used across > a wide assortment of equipment, right now, I'm feeling pretty > confident that one will pop up somewhere. > > Only time will tell. I believe I have the correct key. Although I no longer have my 1000e, I still have a storage box which uses this key, so I'm not ready to part with it yet. I'm 95% sure this key fit my 1000e, but it has been a few years. http://files.markgthomas.com/dl/sunkey/ I thought maybe having a picture would help in finding the correct key. > Worse case, maybe its a legitimate justification to purchase one of > those lock pick sets I see on the Internet. :) I also remember successfully turning the keyswitch on my 1000e using a small screwdriver and a paperclip. There is a knack to getting the pins to stick in the right places while applying just slight turning pressure with the screwdriver. You may be able to unlock the keyswitch if you read about pin tumbler locks, no official "picks" necessary. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: IA-1010 Z-80 board difficulties!
Hi, On Mon, Jan 02, 2017 at 10:32:28PM -0800, Richard Pope wrote: >Walter, >. . . . I appreciate all of this information. I have a revision 2.0 >board and my info shows U8 as a 96S02 multivibrator chip. I have tried >to find a replacement for this and I have not been successful. I believe this is a suitable replacement. I found it while getting the parts together necessary to build my bare IA-1010 Z-80 board. "AM26S02PC - Schottky Monostable Multivibrator ( 5 pcs ) - 16 Pin DIP Plastic" http://www.ebay.com/itm/261370092245 Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: PDP-8e power switch key?
Hi, On Wed, Nov 30, 2016 at 08:35:31PM -0800, W2HX wrote: > Hi folks, > > What are people doing for keys for the 8e? Is there a standard key used for > all of them? Or do I need to have one made with some specific serial number > of my key lock? I did some googling of this issue but wasn't able to get > info. > > Thanks > Eugene W2HX I bought one of these for $18.47 for my 8/e, and it works fine. http://www.ebay.com/itm/142118132040 Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
WTB several IMSAI-8080 ON-OFF-ON momentary switches
Hi, Does anyone have any available? I don't need the paddles, just the the ON-OFF-ON momentary switches. I got good ON-OFF address/data ones from Herb Johnson, but the momentary ON-OFF-ON ones I have are worn out and do not return to center properly. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: Altair, IMSAI, SWTPC, etc. for sale in Philly
Hi All, I had the pleasure of visiting Rick yesterday. Please see below additional information about remaining items, with links to photos. Please contact Rick directly if interested. Original posting here: On Tue, Oct 18, 2016 at 08:44:39AM +, steven stengel wrote: > --- > * Contact Rick below if interested. * > --- > Name: Rick Bunker > Contact: r...@bunker.us > Location: Jenkintown, PA > I have a computer collection that I have to sell. My wife and I > have separated, and the house is being sold, and I have no > place to keep the computers in my new apartment. ... > Is there anybody in striking distance of Philadelphia suburbs, who > would consider buying and picking up this collection? > --- 10/30/2016 Update: -- > Hi, > > If you are getting this, it is because you have expressed interest in my > old computers. Here are a lot of pictures, which will be pretty > self-explanatory I think. I think I got everything other than a few spare > 8-inch drives and some boxes of software and documentation. > > The Altair 8800, a very early one, 4-slot motherboard, 1K ram, ceramic CPU, > you will see: https://goo.gl/photos/3C1pzfwFoZ3koPgt9 > > IMSAI 8080 complete system, with monitor and drives > https://goo.gl/photos/KjeTN7FR4btah3QM9 > > A KIM-1 (alas Commodore not MOS) https://goo.gl/photos/JWHn5b8Bvy2g2xNu7 > > Original Apple ][, not a plus or c or anything. With Disk ][ controller, > and original color display. https://goo.gl/photos/H47sr7oZy6MrCpzJ8 > > Original IBM PC, original bios, no hard drive - 2 floppies. Aftermarket > keyboard and monitor. https://goo.gl/photos/nRE1aFrGvPKz2a647 > > A beautiful NorthStar Horizon, populated with all NorthStar boards, disk > drives, memory, controller etc. https://goo.gl/photos/B9tFYd1Nse2cHdBi8 > > I paired it with with the LSi terminal. This was the desirable terminal > back then: https://goo.gl/photos/jTkqP6jQhLDozF1HA > > A very first gen TRS-80 with all the matching peripherals > https://goo.gl/photos/ct3ha8XMGEvLRaer6 > > A KAYPRO luggable with wordperfect keyboard overlay > https://goo.gl/photos/moUCaEeMARf1T94k9 > > A Cromemco, which was a pretty cool multi-user CP/M box that I programmed > on for one of my earliest programming gigs, just a shell though. But very > robust shell: https://goo.gl/photos/aLCg2AjgbCreCVND9 > > An NEC APC https://goo.gl/photos/YfDovSzaa73zCbVZ6 -- might not be that > interesting, a little later, but boots and runs CP/M. I worked on one > which is why I grabbed it. > > Google Glass, with packaging and stuff > https://goo.gl/photos/dDyDG3uWJpQ2wsnQA > > "Mario" chromebook. First chromebook ever. Works fine. Given to me by > GOOG (they were giving them to CIO's to gain feedback). > https://goo.gl/photos/pycpJtijdLjsxmN29 > > Some semi-random stuff. https://goo.gl/photos/edhbov7U6ezcFG3X7 > > SWTPC 6800 shell https://goo.gl/photos/33on8zYvGJZ6LvnMA > > Heathkit training system 6800 based https://goo.gl/photos/E5iFobDVtggqxshE9 > > Apple ][c with printer, drive, mouse, monitor all matching > https://goo.gl/photos/B1HjEKkjBhVUtWWT6 > > Day one original iPhone. https://goo.gl/photos/2dpWEZKGmecU3RgQ8 > > TI 99 with a ton of program modules including BASIC > https://goo.gl/photos/XyNZRuSwwYHzJiLL7 > > Let me know if/how you want to move forward. Please feel free to share > with anyone you think might be interested. > > Rick. > > -- > Rick Bunker > r...@bunker.us -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
RQDX3 as secondary MSCP controller
Hi, Last year I rescued a dual-wide 8-position q-bus backplane. I added the wire wrap to convert it from 18 to 22-bit, and now can boot BSD2.11 from CMD/CQD SCSI controller and CF card at DU0, via an AztecMonster CF-SCSI adapter. If I remove the SCSI controller, I can boot XXDP from an RQDX3 connected floppy drive at DU0. My CPU is an M8192 from the scrap-card guy on e-bay, and I'm using an M7195 SLU/ROM card for console. It's got 23-14534/23-146E4 ROMs. I'm using a 2MW Clearpoint RAM card. I'm fabricating a cool desktop flexiglass case, so I can put the tiny-pdp11/73 on the desk at work. The difficulty I am having is I would like to configure the system with both MSCP controller cards installed, so I can boot from either SCSI or floppy, preferably with the SCSI still starting at DU0 so my BSD2.11 CFs remain portable to my other system. I changed the W1-W11 jumpers on the RQDX3 for 17760334 secondary MSCP address. And, I installed W12 to start at MSCP unit number 4. I used the menu on the SCSI controller to set it for DU0-DU3-only device mappings (SCSI ID 0-3). My understanding is each controller needs the different CSR, and non-overlapping MSCP unit numbers. I confirmed I (finally) got the RQDX3 address jumpers because the bootrom memory map now displays 17760334-17760336 as in use, as well as 17772150-17772152 for the SCSI controller. I was expecting that I'd now be able to boot from the floppy at DU4 (BOOT> DU 4), but after a long pause, I get ?BOOTROM-F- DU 4 device error. I also tried "BOOT> 17760334 DU 4", but still no joy. Another oddness I noted was that with my original RQDX3 config, if I plug the M7516 ethernet card in, that breaks booting from floppy. Are there some other jumper changes I need to make on the RQDX3? Does anyone have any other suggestions about what I might be doing wrong? Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: SWTPC 6800
Hi Brad, On Wed, Aug 03, 2016 at 10:58:44PM -0700, Brad H wrote: > > > Thought I would post this here in case it reaches eyes my forum posts don't. > So I finally got my hands on a SWTPC 6800! > This machine is chock full of boards.. 4 ram boards, the cpu card (with > SWTBUG ROM), MP-S, MP-C serial cards, a floppy controller, some little custom > board, a sound card.. etc. > This presents some challenges obviously, since the machine has been altered > from stock it could be tricky getting it running. ... There was someone with a table at VCF-East for the past two years who had new SWTPC replica and enhanced interface boards. He also had interesting kim-1 peripheral boards, with things such as booting from SD-card support. I cannot remember his name right now, but I have one of his coffee mugs somewhere, so can find it out and follow up, if no one else beats me to it. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
pdp8/e problems
Hi, Is there anyone with a good set of 8/e prints who could help me narrow down some troubles? My 8/e was working a few years ago, but now it's developed some problems. It seemed to work fine for about the first 2 minutes that I tried it, but then it developed these two symptoms: - Most of the time, upon power up, LOAD-ADDR clears all the random address lamps, but will not take an address, just all 0s. Occasionally when I power it up, LOAD-ADDR will permit me to load an address, and see it's contents as it should. I can then enter other addresses, hit LOAD-ADDR, and get consistent results looking around at random data in different memory addresses. - Regardless of whether it's in the broken load-addr state above or not, hitting DEP or EXAM just turns on the RUN lamp, and it's then stuck with RUN on, and non-responsive to any other front panel actions. This happens irrespective of the position of HALT. I then power-cycle it and it is back in either broken or working LOAD-ADDR mode as described above, usually broken. So far, the only M8330 prints I have found are extremely fuzzy, so I cannot make out the IC identifiers or match them up to the equally fuzzy schematic. By board-inspection I identified the 74S74 "run" flip-flop, and in fact I can un-stick the RUN state by briefly grounding CLR, but still cannot DEP or EXAM from the front panel -- it gets stuck back with RUN on if I hit either DEP or EXAM again. The power supply voltages are right-on. I've reseated and repositioned the boards. The connectors are very clean. Wiggling boards doesn't change any of the symptoms. Wiggling switches doesn't affect anything. This is a very clean 8/e. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
wanted - M8650/M8655 async card
Hi, After meeting up with Kyle Owen at VCF-East today, and booting OS8 via OS/8 Disk Server on his system, I have renewed interest in getting my pdp-8/e more functional. Does anyone have an extra M8650 (KL8E) or M8655 (KL8JA) asynchronous interface card they would be interested in selling or bartering? Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
BA23 fan noise
Hi, I've been messing around with my PDP11/83 and a Microvax, both in BA23 boxes here. These fans make too much noise for my home office area, and I cannot possibly need the original airflow. Even with the internal jumper set for 10V to power the 12V rated fan motor, these are still noisy. It's not even just the noise of the air moving, but largely a whine from the fan motors. One box is worse than the other with the wine. I've unplugged the front fan, since instead of spinning drives I have solid state CF cards and SCSI converters -- no heat in the front of the box at all. I have some 24V fans in my junk box that fit and make almost no sound at 12V, but at half voltage might not move enough air to keep the power supply, CPU, memory, SCSI, and ethernet boards happy. My guess is so long as there is some air movement over the boards, the biggest issue of concern is cooling the power supply. Does anyone have any suggestions for figuring out how much airflow I actually need, and achieving it with either stock fans at further reduced voltage, or some kind of replacements? I don't need an accurate solution, or something with complicated compensation for varying temperature, just something quieter, moving less air, but still enough air. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: SCSI Questions (Was: "Re: Purchased a Microvax 3800")
Hi, On Mon, Dec 07, 2015 at 02:25:25PM -0500, Christian Gauger-Cosgrove wrote: > On 6 December 2015 at 13:24, Mark G. Thomas <m...@misty.com> wrote: > > As much as I love old CPUs, I've lost my patience with hard disk drives. > > I've been using AztecMonster (search ebay) CF-SCSI adapters, with several-GB > > CF cards instead of spinning disks. The KA660 and several PDP-11/83s > > here run reliably from CF storage. I see now there are SCSI2SD cards for > > half the price of the AztecMonster CF adapters I've been using. These > > might be an alternative, if they play okay with whatever q-bus SCSI > > controller you find. Installing from SCSI CDROM and using flash > > storage is definitely the way to go if you can get the parts. > > That's great news to hear that the AztecMonster works on QBUS PDP-11s. > I now know exactly what my future plans are... I had mixed results with some QBUS SCSI adapters. Some played well with the AztecMonster and some did not. Oddly, I think my Emulex UC07 was one that did not, but the CQDs and maybe one other model work fine. > But I have a "random" question for those here. I know some of the QBUS > (and UNIBUS) SCSI controllers can act both as an MSCP and TMSCP > controller. (CMD CQD-220A/TM for one example.) And I know that several > of the PDP-11 operating systems install from tape, and can install > from TMSCP tape (hello RSTS/E). What I'd like to know is: Is there > anything out there that can emulate a SCSI tape device on a CF card/SD > card/USB stick/what-have-you? So far, I've been using a DLT8000 when I've needed a sequential tape device, such as for the BSD2.11 install. It's been convenient to write the tape on a Linux or Sun box, then plug it into the PDP11. All my older SCSI tape drives (Exabyte and DAT) have developed problems, but this DLT8000 drive works great. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: Purchased a Microvax 3800
Hi Devin, I upgraded my 3300 to a KA660 CPU and a CQD SCSI controller. If you are patient, sometimes QBUS SCSI controllers show up on e-bay much cheaper than the reqularly listed several hundred dollar ones. I paid around $75. As much as I love old CPUs, I've lost my patience with hard disk drives. I've been using AztecMonster (search ebay) CF-SCSI adapters, with several-GB CF cards instead of spinning disks. The KA660 and several PDP-11/83s here run reliably from CF storage. I see now there are SCSI2SD cards for half the price of the AztecMonster CF adapters I've been using. These might be an alternative, if they play okay with whatever q-bus SCSI controller you find. Installing from SCSI CDROM and using flash storage is definitely the way to go if you can get the parts. Mark On Thu, Dec 03, 2015 at 12:22:29AM -0500, devin davison wrote: > Thank you for all the helpful information Glen. I will definately grab > that scsi interface when i get the funds, I have a scsi cd drive already to > be used with my SGi gear. > > I removed that cpu board out and took a couple of pictures. There is one > connector, on the top, with two notches in it. Same as the controller board > I just bought. I would assume that is the DSSI connector? > > http://postimg.org/gallery/1iafnu1oa/ > > I have a stockpile of scsi disks over here, i might just need to save up > and get the better controller that works with disks as well as cdrom's > > I've yet to find the battery, but that is next on my list, thanks for the > suggestion. > > > --Devin > > On Wed, Dec 2, 2015 at 12:03 AM, Glen Slick <glen.sl...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > On Tue, Dec 1, 2015 at 7:25 PM, devin davison <lyokob...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > > Just figured id post about it here, to show my progress twords getting > > it > > > running. > > > > > > http://postimg.org/gallery/fztxjqbe/ > > > > Another tip: If you haven't done so already, remove the CPU console > > panel and check to see if there is still a NiCad battery pack > > installed. The battery pack is mounted under the console panel PCB and > > you have to remove a few screws holding the PCB in place to get to it. > > If the pack is still installed then remove it. If it hasn't already > > started leaking it is only a matter of time before it does and starts > > corroding the PCB. > > -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: Spare Time Gizmos Life game LED tool
Hi Dave, On Tue, Oct 06, 2015 at 05:40:14AM +, d...@661.org wrote: > > I've acquired an unpopulated board for a Spare Time Gizmos Life > game. Does anyone here who've made one still have an LED tool you > don't need that you can pass along. How about a design file for > making one myself? I tried asking this on the Spare Time Gizmos list > and nobody replied. I do not have an LED tool -- my board came from someone else who had already done that part. I just wanted to comment that the voltage regulator and bridge rectifier run quite hot. If you choose to put it in an enclosed frame, consider a TO-3 regulator and screw-mount bridge recifier on an aluminum back-plate. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
wanted - MXV11-B (M7195-XX)
Hi, Does anyone happen to have a spare MXV11-B (M7195-XX) they would be willing to sell or trade? I'd like to build a small BSD2.11 system from this M8192 from the cheap board guy on e-bay and need something with a bootstrap ROM. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: wanted - MXV11-B (M7195-XX)
Hi Johnny, On Fri, Aug 28, 2015 at 07:33:21PM +0200, Johnny Billquist wrote: On 2015-08-28 19:30, Mark G. Thomas wrote: Hi, Does anyone happen to have a spare MXV11-B (M7195-XX) they would be willing to sell or trade? I'd like to build a small BSD2.11 system from this M8192 from the cheap board guy on e-bay and need something with a bootstrap ROM. Unless I remember wrong, and is confused, the M8192 is an 11/73 or 11/83 CPU board. It already have boot roms on it. Johnny The M8192 is a dual-width 11/73 card, with no ROM or SLUs. Quad-width 11/73 (and 11/83) CPUs have boot roms, but the M8192 does not. Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: Cheap board guy
Hi, On Fri, Aug 21, 2015 at 11:54:52AM -0400, Noel Chiappa wrote: From: Ethan Dicks That looks like a great haul. We're talking about the guy on eBay whom I posted a pointer to a couple of days back, the one with large lots of QBUS CPUs, memory, DLV11s, etc? I hope they are working cards. All the ones I've gotten from the guy above which I was able to test (couldn't test, e.g. the RK05 cards 'cause I don't have a working RK05 yet) were OK - QBUS memory, 11/23's, etc. I picked up a bunch of the boards too. My results have been mixed, but for the price and description, I expected some wouldn't work. 1x M8028 - DLV11-F SLU works. 1x Plessey 32kW memory, works. 2x M8186-YA - KDF11-AA, works. 4x M8192 - KDJ11 (AA or AB?) -- two work, two fail POST, with LEDs lit. 4x MMS1132-N3-128 Motorola 128kW memory - undetermined if works. 1x MMS1102-34 Motorola 32kW memory - undetermined if works. I haven't figured out the jumpers on the Motorola memory boards yet. As provided, if I plug one in with the KDF11-AA, I fail to even get an ODT prompt. I picked up a chassis with bridged 2x8 and 2x12 Qbus backplanes in it at a hamfest (with a good KDF11-AA and 4xM8044s), so my goal is to make a pair of small working 11/23 or 11/73 systems. So far, I've got PDP11GUI successfully running memory tests using microODT via the SLU and a Windows PC, enough to test out the hardware as per above. 1) I was hoping I could boot XXDP or RT11 from an RX33/RQDX3. The RX33/RQDX3 works in my 11/53, but so far I'm not having much luck with the KDF11 above. I picked up a M9058 RQDX3 signal distribution board on e-bay from seller efi (he has one more listed). It's only got one jumper on it, labelled RX50, which I have in the non-RX50 position. Since none of this has a bootstrap, I run the bootstrap from ROM provided by a Dilog SCSI card here, but typing DU or DU0 at the * prompt spins the floppy ever-so-briefly, then kicks out an error about no boot media found. Suggestions? Maybe I should try other bootstrap? 2) I could use PDP11GUI, or other tools to load XXDP via the SLU. If anyone has already done this and wants to talk to me about it, I welcome some help. I'm a little confused about what should work and what should not work, with just the 18 bit qbus. Do I need to wire wrap the additional address lines to be able to do anything with these KDJ11 CPUs? Does anyone have good instructions for this modification -- I'll probably want to do it. Do I just add the additional address lines, or are there other considerations? Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
Re: Cheap board guy
Hi, On Fri, Aug 21, 2015 at 03:00:25PM -0400, Noel Chiappa wrote: From: Mark G. Thomas 4x M8192 - KDJ11 (AA or AB?) -- two work, two fail POST And alas, we don't seem to have any prints for that card (although we do have what amounts to a tech manual, so maybe we can create a set, with a certain amount of tracing with an ohmmeter), so at the moment, at least, fixing them isn't so easy. I lucked out. One of the dead ones had a broken trace on the bottom, and cracked corner of the socket for one of the big square chips. The second one started working after I simply re-seated the two square chips around their sockets. I was hoping I could boot XXDP or RT11 from an RX33/RQDX3. The RX33/RQDX3 works in my 11/53 Well, that's a very good sign... Since none of this has a bootstrap, I run the bootstrap from ROM provided by a Dilog SCSI card here, but typing DU or DU0 at the prompt spins the floppy ever-so-briefly, then kicks out an error about no boot media found. Suggestions? Maybe I should try other bootstrap? Definitely; the code on the Dilog card might not support that controller properly (even though it seems to recognize DU). Ok. Next step is try real DEC bootstrap code. I'm a little confused about what should work and what should not work, with just the 18 bit qbus. If you have less than 256KB of memory (so Q22 processors won't wrap around, when trying to size memory, and think there's memory there above 256K - although Q18 memory probably will stop responding at 248KB, anyway), pretty much everything _should_ work, I would think. The high address lines being put out by the processor, DMA devices, etc should just have no effect. Although the details get tricky... Well, now both my 11/23 and 11/73 CPUs work with the MSV11-DB cards. E.g. if you don't have BDAL18-21 for a Q22 memory card, what will its bus interface do when faced with those lines, which aren't driven in any way - _especially_ not pulled up by terminators? Some DEC memory cards (e.g. MSV11-L, M8059) have jumpers to run in either Q18 or Q22 mode, to work around this. Eventually, I'd love to get one of these running 2.11BSD, with a KDJ11 CPU and a Clearpoint(?) Q22 memory card from my 11/53. I'm thinking I can make a plexiglass shell to show off the cards, and it will be small enough to fit on my desk at work, if I commit the sin of putting a switching supply in it. Do I need to wire wrap the additional address lines to be able to do anything with these KDJ11 CPUs? No, if you have less than 256KB of memory, the high bits should just be ignored (I think - I haven't actually tried this, to be absolutely sure). Does anyone have good instructions for this modification -- I'll probably want to do it. Do I just add the additional address lines, or are there other considerations? I have modified an H9273 backplane (Q18) to H9276 (Q22), and it works fine; all I did was bus all the BDAL18-21 pins together: pretty easy, as it's a Q/CD backplane, not a Q/Q - just run a wire down, and solder it to each pin as it goes (those backplanes don't have the pins stick out far enough for wire wrap). Q/Q will be only slightly more complicated (since you have to bus down one side, then run the signals up and across to the top of the other side, and then bus them in turn - do it this way, to avoid creating a branch in the bus which will encourage reflections); I have done this mod on a Q18/Q18 backplane (a Sigma Q18/Q18), but have yet to actually try it. These backplanes are just Q/ -- they are double connector (single card) wide. They have long wire wrap pins, so it should be easy. The only complication might come with termination/pull-ups. Not all backplanes have these built in (e.g. the DEC H9273/H9276 don't). But you might not need them - IIRC both the 11/23 and 11/73 have on-board termination which will pull the lines up. But if you _do_ need them... best bet, unless There are terminators soldered onto the backplanes, or rather one of the two, since someone modified it to bus them together and unsoldered the terminators from the one. I'll put them back when I split these backplanes apart. you want to start soldering resistors to the backplane, is a terminator board with Q22 pullups. That's a whole separate discussion which I will leave for the moment... :-) Mark -- Mark G. Thomas (m...@misty.com), KC3DRE
