Re: [VideoMagia] Reparando um Vectrex

[Louis Lipp via cctalk]

Que top Taba! é bem complexo!

2017-03-24 0:06 GMT-03:00 Alexandre Souza :

>
>Oba, post novo no blog! / New post on blog
>
>http://tabajara-labs.blogspot.com.br/2017/03/
> consertando-um-vectrex-com-um-defeito.html
>
> ---
>
>
>
>
> --
> --
> Videomagia: A lista dos clássicos de verdade!
>

Seeking schematics/maintenance prints for DMB32/T1012 and H3033 distribution panel

[Ethan Dicks via cctalk]

Hi, All,

With all the recent chatter on the VAX8200 on the simh list, I was
motivated to dust mine off and do a little digging.  I finally took
the plunge and got a DMB32 (right now, all I have are the 4 built-in
console ports) but while it was easy enough to find the
8.5"x11"-format user guide and technical manual which describe
registers and installation and problem diagnosis, I also want the
internal cable pinouts and schematics.  I know it's harder to find
post-Unibus-era C-sized prints since DEC stopped shipping printsets
with every order, so I have to ask, does anyone have any schematics
for either the T1012 module, the H3033 I/O bulkhead board, or both?  I
can likely quickly recreate the schematic for the H3033, it's 10
D-shell connectors (8x DB, 1x DC, 1xDD) and 6 30-pin ribbon cable
connectors.  Lots of signals, but lots of repetition.  The D-shell
pinouts are in the documenation I already have.  The 30-pin
connectors/BI fingers are not.  But if the schematics are already
available, I don't have to buzz one out.

http://manx-docs.org/collections/antonio/dec/dmb32ug1.pdf
http://manx-docs.org/collections/antonio/dec/dmb32td1.pdf

ftp://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pdf/dec/vax/vaxbi/EY-5554E-SG-0002_VAXBI_Adapters_Student_Guide_Feb87.pdf

Thanks for any new docs.

-ethan

Re: eBay: PDP-11/70 backplane?

[E. Groenenberg via cctalk]

It is the MK11 MOS Memory box backplane, not the cpu backplane which
is bigger (and has lots of twisted pair wiring).

Ed
--
Ik email, dus ik besta.
BTC : 1Lk6141nvDKPxtCa5erfFyovsoJN2LKqNJ


On Thu, March 23, 2017 21:19, Noel Chiappa via cctalk wrote:
> This:
>
>   http://www.ebay.com/itm/252820125010
>
> looks like it might be an -11/70 backplane, but I'm too lazy to look up
> the
> part number.
>
>  Noel
>

Re: eBay: PDP-11/70 backplane?

[jws-gmail via cctalk]

On 3/23/2017 3:51 PM, Ethan Dicks via cctalk wrote:

Oh, is_that_  what the red chicken-scratches on the label say?
One needs to be an old hen or a rooster to read such, or have chicken 
sunglasses.

Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Sam O'nella via cctalk]

For the record, I and I'm sure lots of others look forward to this blog of 
experience.
 Original message From: Terry Stewart via cctalk 
 
One other question regarding using this MS-DOS 486 to run an 8 inch floppu

Reparando um Vectrex

[Alexandre Souza via cctalk]

   Oba, post novo no blog! / New post on blog

   
http://tabajara-labs.blogspot.com.br/2017/03/consertando-um-vectrex-com-um-defeito.html

---

Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

On 03/23/2017 04:53 PM, Terry Stewart via cctalk wrote:
> One other question regarding using this MS-DOS 486 to run an 8 inch
> floppy drive when attempting to read/imaging etc.of a god-knows-what
> format.
> 
> What should I set the BIOS to?  Should it be the 1.2MB 5.25 setting?
> Do I need to even worry about the bios if I don't want to boot off
> the 8 inch disk?

If you're using ImageDisk or 22Disk or most other
direct-controller-access utilities, it doesn't matter; the BIOS doesn't
play a part in the overall scheme.

If you want to goof around with it with DOS native utilities, you can
set the drive type to 1.2M 5.25".  Just note that the drive will always
be in high-density mode.  No 360K mode.

--Chuck

GImix Ghost Video Board

[Brad H via cctalk]

Hoping someone might be able to help me on this.

 

I got a Gimix Ghost SS50 video board today and was trying to find a manual.
I'm sure these were used in Gimix's own ghost systems but the very limited
info I've come across out there suggests they may have worked with any SS50
system.  It basically provides a direct composite video feed out from the
computer, I assume bypassing the need for a terminal.  I plugged it in and
fired it up on my SWTPC 6800 and it is working - I think - it generates a
full screen of readable random characters.  However it does not put up
anything from the computer - that still goes out via terminal.  I'm assuming
Ghost systems were wired up somehow to use this.. I'm hoping to find a
manual that explains how.  I don't see a keyboard interface for it anywhere
so maybe this went along as a complete Ghost system with hardware I don't
have.

 

Thanks if you have anything!

 

Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Ali via cctalk]

Chuck,
Are these dumb adapters that just convert 34 to 50 or do they so more then 
that? Thanks.
-Ali

 Original message 
From: Chuck Guzis via cctalk  
Date: 3/23/17  1:59 PM  (GMT-08:00) 
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org 
Subject: Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts… 

On 03/23/2017 01:32 PM, Mike Stein via cctalk wrote:

> I was just going to suggest the same thing, but I see you (Tez) are 
> going the FDADAP route; more convenient for sure.
> 
> But the majority of the 34- and 50-pin signals actually line up 1 to
>  1 when aligned pin 34 to pin 50; as a matter of fact I have a system
> that uses the same 34-pin cable to connect to both, with just a
> jumper or two to select 5 or 8" (the index signal is one IIRC).


I've still got a couple of the Microsolutions "adapter cards" with 50-
and 34-pin headers.   They work in reverse as well.

--Chuck

Re: eBay: PDP-11/70 backplane?

[Ethan Dicks via cctalk]

On Thu, Mar 23, 2017 at 6:26 PM, Noel Chiappa via cctalk
 wrote:
> It's actually an MJ11 (-11/70 core memory) backplane (I checked the part
> number - plus someone pointed out that you can see "MJ11" written somewhere).

Oh, is _that_ what the red chicken-scratches on the label say?  I
couldn't quite make out the option name, but it does kinda look like
"MJ11".

-ethan

Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Mike Stein via cctalk]

- Original Message - 
From: "Chuck Guzis via cctalk" 
To: 
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2017 4:59 PM
Subject: Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…


> On 03/23/2017 01:32 PM, Mike Stein via cctalk wrote:
> 
>> I was just going to suggest the same thing, but I see you (Tez) are 
>> going the FDADAP route; more convenient for sure.
>> 
>> But the majority of the 34- and 50-pin signals actually line up 1 to
>>  1 when aligned pin 34 to pin 50; as a matter of fact I have a system
>> that uses the same 34-pin cable to connect to both, with just a
>> jumper or two to select 5 or 8" (the index signal is one IIRC).
> 
> 
> I've still got a couple of the Microsolutions "adapter cards" with 50-
> and 34-pin headers.   They work in reverse as well.
> 
> --Chuck
>

... And for the 24VDC I use these:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/150W-DC-DC-Boost-Converter-10-32V-to-12-35V-6A-Step-Up-Power-supply-module-/141316770525?hash=item20e722cadd:g:V2UAAOSw5cNYgyC5

Re: eBay: PDP-11/70 backplane?

[Noel Chiappa via cctalk]

> From: Pontus Pihlgren

> The 11/70 backplane is wirewrapped. 

Oh, right you are! I don't know where my brain has fled to these days!

It's actually an MJ11 (-11/70 core memory) backplane (I checked the part
number - plus someone pointed out that you can see "MJ11" written somewhere).

Noel

Re: eBay: PDP-11/70 backplane?

[Ethan Dicks via cctalk]

On Thu, Mar 23, 2017 at 5:15 PM, Guy Sotomayor Jr via cctalk
 wrote:
> 11/70 memory box backplane?  Seems about the right size and the
> molex connectors on the edge seem to be in the right places.  I’m
> however, not sure about the mounting brackets on each end.

ISTR the MOS memory box should have room for 16X M8728 256KB memory
boards (4MB) and 2? non memory boards (I haven't looked in mine in a
long time).  4MB of memory total, but I'm forgetting if it's 2MB per
box or 2MB per backplane in the same box or 4MB on one backplane...

-ethan

Re: eBay: PDP-11/70 backplane?

[Guy Sotomayor Jr via cctalk]

> On Mar 23, 2017, at 2:07 PM, Henk Gooijen via cctalk  
> wrote:
> 
> AFAIK, the 11/70 backplane is about that size, but it consists of *two*
> separate backplanes with lots of fragile wiring between the 2 halves.
> Further, I am “missing” a few MOLEX connectors on the top side.
> My guess, this is NOT an 11/70 backplane – but what it is …?

11/70 memory box backplane?  Seems about the right size and the
molex connectors on the edge seem to be in the right places.  I’m
however, not sure about the mounting brackets on each end.

TTFN - Guy

RE: eBay: PDP-11/70 backplane?

[Henk Gooijen via cctalk]

Van: Pontus Pihlgren via cctalk
Verzonden: donderdag 23 maart 2017 21:27
Aan: Noel Chiappa; General Discussion: 
On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Onderwerp: Re: eBay: PDP-11/70 backplane?

On Thu, Mar 23, 2017 at 04:19:01PM -0400, Noel Chiappa via cctalk wrote:
> This:
>
>   http://www.ebay.com/itm/252820125010
>
> looks like it might be an -11/70 backplane, but I'm too lazy to look up the
> part number.
>
>  Noel


The 11/70 backplane is wirewrapped. If that is an 11/70 backplane.. it
requires some work :)

/P


AFAIK, the 11/70 backplane is about that size, but it consists of *two*
separate backplanes with lots of fragile wiring between the 2 halves.
Further, I am “missing” a few MOLEX connectors on the top side.
My guess, this is NOT an 11/70 backplane – but what it is …?

Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

On 03/23/2017 01:32 PM, Mike Stein via cctalk wrote:

> I was just going to suggest the same thing, but I see you (Tez) are 
> going the FDADAP route; more convenient for sure.
> 
> But the majority of the 34- and 50-pin signals actually line up 1 to
>  1 when aligned pin 34 to pin 50; as a matter of fact I have a system
> that uses the same 34-pin cable to connect to both, with just a
> jumper or two to select 5 or 8" (the index signal is one IIRC).


I've still got a couple of the Microsolutions "adapter cards" with 50-
and 34-pin headers.   They work in reverse as well.

--Chuck

Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Mike Stein via cctalk]

- Original Message - 
From: "Chuck Guzis via cctalk" 
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" 
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2017 4:12 PM
Subject: Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…


> On 03/23/2017 12:59 PM, Terry Stewart via cctalk wrote:
> 
>> There will be a hiatus in the project while I get the connecting
>> hardware organised. Then we will see what we will see.  Hopefully the
>> drive itself works.  I don't know that for sure yet.
> 
> For what it's worth, unless you're intent on *writing* 8" single-density
> floppies on the PC, the interconnect between the 8" drive 50-conductor
> cable and the PC 34-conductor one is pretty straightforward.  You don't
> need a FDADAP board for that, although it's very convenient.
> 
> --Chuck
>

I was just going to suggest the same thing, but I see you (Tez) are going the 
FDADAP route; more convenient for sure.

But the majority of the 34- and 50-pin signals actually line up 1 to 1 when 
aligned pin 34 to pin 50; as a matter of fact I have a system that uses the 
same 34-pin  cable to connect to both, with just a jumper or two to select 5 or 
8" (the index signal is one IIRC).

m

Re: eBay: PDP-11/70 backplane?

[Pontus Pihlgren via cctalk]

On Thu, Mar 23, 2017 at 04:19:01PM -0400, Noel Chiappa via cctalk wrote:
> This:
> 
>   http://www.ebay.com/itm/252820125010
> 
> looks like it might be an -11/70 backplane, but I'm too lazy to look up the
> part number.
> 
>  Noel


The 11/70 backplane is wirewrapped. If that is an 11/70 backplane.. it 
requires some work :)

/P

Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Terry Stewart via cctalk]

>For what it's worth, unless you're intent on *writing* 8" single-density
>floppies on the PC, the interconnect between the 8" drive 50-conductor
>cable and the PC 34-conductor one is pretty straightforward.  You don't
>need a FDADAP board for that, although it's very convenient.

Yes, and I'm all for convenience given that reading these things will be a
challenge enough.

I've ordered an FDADAP board and also an FDDC power converter.
http://www.dbit.com/fddc.html
http://www.dbit.com/fdadap.html

Now I just has to wait a week or two for them to arrive!

Terry (Tez)

eBay: PDP-11/70 backplane?

[Noel Chiappa via cctalk]

This:

  http://www.ebay.com/itm/252820125010

looks like it might be an -11/70 backplane, but I'm too lazy to look up the
part number.

 Noel

Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

On 03/23/2017 12:59 PM, Terry Stewart via cctalk wrote:

> There will be a hiatus in the project while I get the connecting
> hardware organised. Then we will see what we will see.  Hopefully the
> drive itself works.  I don't know that for sure yet.

For what it's worth, unless you're intent on *writing* 8" single-density
floppies on the PC, the interconnect between the 8" drive 50-conductor
cable and the PC 34-conductor one is pretty straightforward.  You don't
need a FDADAP board for that, although it's very convenient.

--Chuck

Re: RE: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Terry Stewart via cctalk]

>Let's start with determining the hardware aspects to see whether Terry's
machines are capable of reading the disks.

Yes, this is the first step for me.  Last night I pulled out an MS-DOS 486
that seems capable. It can read/write single density according to TESTFDC.
This is the machine I'll use.

There will be a hiatus in the project while I get the connecting hardware
organised. Then we will see what we will see.  Hopefully the drive itself
works.  I don't know that for sure yet.

Thanks for all comments and advice.

Terry

More interesting (?) stuff from my attic

[Bill Gunshannon via cctalk]

A couple more.

TU58 DECTape II Users Guide  (EK-OTU58-UG-003)

CMS11-K CARD READER - OPTION DESCRIPTION  (JUNE 1977)

CR11/CM11 card reader user's manual (EK-CR11-OP-001)

RELEASE DESCRIPTION (SRD) SYSTEM V (WECO 301-909)  (This one will not fit in an 
envelope so a bit more postage.

bill

More interesting (?) stuff from my attic

[Bill Gunshannon via cctalk]

I have a couple more items for the auction block.

Real, original, in good shape: DECWRITER III -  LA120 OPERATOR REFERENCE CARD

DIGITAL Alpha Architecture Handbook - Special Announbcement Edition - February 
1992 - PRELIMINARY

INMOS Limited occam 2 Reference Manual (ISBN: 0-13-629312-3 Prentice Hall)

Any of them should fit in a USPS Flat Rate Envelope so figure less than $10 
postage.

bill

Re: Any faithful VT100 Emulators?

[Sam O'nella via cctalk]

This had kept the prices on that model a bit higher. The serial port while 
smaller is easy to hack a cable for most connections you need. I guess it's not 
that way for the other models? I hear it very often for the lx-200 pretty 
exclusively.
 Original message From: Robert Feldman via cctalk 
 Date: 3/23/17  11:20 AM  (GMT-06:00) To: 
cctalk@classiccmp.org Subject: Re: Any faithful VT100 Emulators? 
Warren Toomey wrote:
> are there any _good_ VT100 terminal emulators


Another alternative is to get a used HP LX 200 palmtop computer. Its DataComm 
program has a good VT100 mode.


Bob

Re: Z-8000 something on eBay

[Ian S. King via cctalk]

On Thu, Mar 23, 2017 at 2:12 AM, jim stephens via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

>
>
> On 3/22/2017 6:26 PM, Ken Seefried via cctalk wrote:
>
>> I don't have any idea what this is but it appears to have Z-8000
>> CPU+MMU chips.  Perhaps an Onyx or S8000 CPU card?  I know some folks
>> here are in to that sort of thing.
>>
>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Vintage-DSC-MP-4-EPC-Rev-D-K-Exp
>> ansion-Board-Card-PCB-for-Mini-Computer/152475939021
>>
>> KJ
>>
> just guessing with the number of I/O's it may be a controller board of
> some sort for something which needed a lot of go power, or perhaps an
> embedded OS.
>
> The EPC part of the nomenclature kept hitting things made by Epson, so
> maybe it is a scanner or printer controller?
>
> The large number of connectors is what bothers me with respect to it being
> a part of a general purpose mini.  I've not seen many with so many
> connectors of this type, and therefore cables coming to the main
> processor.  And in a chassis type mounted mini that would be a huge mess of
> cables to run out of a card slot if it were a high performance controller.
>
> Can prove me wrong, but I'm guessing some sort of controller.
> thanks
> Jim
>

All of those connectors make me think it's some sort of comm controller.
FWIW.

-- 
Ian S. King, MSIS, MSCS, Ph.D. Candidate
The Information School 
Dissertation: "Why the Conversation Mattered: Constructing a Sociotechnical
Narrative Through a Design Lens

Archivist, Voices From the Rwanda Tribunal 
Value Sensitive Design Research Lab 

University of Washington

There is an old Vulcan saying: "Only Nixon could go to China."

Re: Any faithful VT100 Emulators?

[Robert Feldman via cctalk]

Warren Toomey wrote:
> are there any _good_ VT100 terminal emulators


Another alternative is to get a used HP LX 200 palmtop computer. Its DataComm 
program has a good VT100 mode.


Bob

RE: RE: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Bill Gunshannon via cctalk]

From: cctalk [cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] on behalf of Fred Cisin via cctalk 
[cctalk@classiccmp.org]
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2017 10:38 AM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: RE: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

On Thu, 23 Mar 2017, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote:
> Let's not forget UCSD-Pascal or RT-11. :-)  Lot's of formats, some easier to
> recover than others.

Let's start with determining the hardware aspects to see whether Terry's
machines are capable of reading the disks.

Deciphering the file system structures can come after we know whether it
is going to be possible.

UCSD p-system, for example, is trivially easy to do IFF it is a hardware
compatible recording system.

_
Well, I can throw my hat in the ring of people with the capabilites to read 8" 
floppies.
Nothing set up at the moment, but I can set things up realtively easily if 
needed.

bill

Re: RE: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Fred Cisin via cctalk]

On Thu, 23 Mar 2017, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote:

Let's not forget UCSD-Pascal or RT-11. :-)  Lot's of formats, some easier to
recover than others.


Let's start with determining the hardware aspects to see whether Terry's 
machines are capable of reading the disks.


Deciphering the file system structures can come after we know whether it 
is going to be possible.


UCSD p-system, for example, is trivially easy to do IFF it is a hardware 
compatible recording system.



--
Grumpy Ol' Fred ci...@xenosoft.com

Re: Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[dwight via cctalk]

What kind of science lab?

There are a couple of different lab computers to do things like chemical 
analysis. It could be a number of different. things.

Dwight



From: cctalk  on behalf of Terry Stewart via 
cctalk 
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 8:39:48 PM
To: Fred Cisin; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

Thanks Guys,

Now I'm intimidated (-:

Just kiddingthat's useful stuff Fred.  Thanks for taking the time to
type all that out.

I'll give it a go...and see what I can see.  If anything it's a good excuse
for me to wire the drive up.  I'd like to image those Panasonic disks one
day for posterity and at least I should be able to do that.

Chuck, in the highly likely event of the formats NOT being common CP/M or
DOS ones (i.e. ones I could probably manage), I'll give these guys your
email (-:

Cheers

Terry (Tez)



On Thu, Mar 23, 2017 at 2:58 PM, Fred Cisin via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> Once you've got sectors, speak up, and we'll give you more things to
>>> look at.
>>>
>>
> On Wed, 22 Mar 2017, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:
>
>> Fred, how about the image of a Compugraphic typesetter floppy I have?
>> It uses Hebrew for its code set.
>> Feel up to it?
>>
>
> Nope.
> You're much better at it than I am.
> I was just trying to be encouraging, and suggesting some preliminary
> things that he could start with.
>
>
> Some disks were easy.
> And there were plenty that I never could figure out.
>
> --
> Grumpy Ol' Fred ci...@xenosoft.com
>

RE: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Bill Gunshannon via cctalk]

From: cctalk [cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] on behalf of Chuck Guzis via 
cctalk [cctalk@classiccmp.org]
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2017 12:08 AM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

On 03/22/2017 08:39 PM, Terry Stewart via cctalk wrote:

> Chuck, in the highly likely event of the formats NOT being common
> CP/M or DOS ones (i.e. ones I could probably manage), I'll give these
> guys your email (-:

Tez,

Here's what I would do in your situation.

If the disks are hard-sectored, forget it, unless you have the system
that wrote them.

If they're soft-sectored, dig through your pile of PC "tweeners" using
Dave Dunfield's "TestFDC" and see if you can find one that does
single-density.

Then hook your 8" drive to the PC and use his ImageDisk to grab a copy.

That way, you can tinker with the image to figure out what's going on.
Failing that, you can pass the image to the list here and see if it
rings any bells.

http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/img/index.htm

___

Let's not forget UCSD-Pascal or RT-11. :-)  Lot's of formats, some easier to
recover than others.

bill

Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Terry Stewart via cctalk]

>Tez,

>Here's what I would do in your situation.

Excellent, thanks.

Terry (Tez)

On Thu, Mar 23, 2017 at 8:17 PM, Jay Jaeger via cctech <
cct...@classiccmp.org> wrote:

>
> > On Mar 22, 2017, at 23:08, Chuck Guzis via cctech 
> wrote:
> >
> >> On 03/22/2017 08:39 PM, Terry Stewart via cctalk wrote:
> >>
> >> Chuck, in the highly likely event of the formats NOT being common
> >> CP/M or DOS ones (i.e. ones I could probably manage), I'll give these
> >> guys your email (-:
> >
> > Tez,
> >
> > Here's what I would do in your situation.
> >
> > If the disks are hard-sectored, forget it, unless you have the system
> > that wrote them.
> >
>
> Not necessarily.  For example, I have used a Catweasel board to recover
> hard sectored Data General floppies.  But it is certainly much harder,
> particularly if the format is not known in advance.
>
>
> > If they're soft-sectored, dig through your pile of PC "tweeners" using
> > Dave Dunfield's "TestFDC" and see if you can find one that does
> > single-density.
> >
> > Then hook your 8" drive to the PC and use his ImageDisk to grab a copy.
> >
> > That way, you can tinker with the image to figure out what's going on.
> > Failing that, you can pass the image to the list here and see if it
> > rings any bells.
> >
> > http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/img/index.htm
> >
> > --Chuck
> >
> >
>
>

Re: Extracting files off “unknown” 8 inch disks. Any thoughts…

[Jay Jaeger via cctalk]

> On Mar 22, 2017, at 23:08, Chuck Guzis via cctech  
> wrote:
> 
>> On 03/22/2017 08:39 PM, Terry Stewart via cctalk wrote:
>> 
>> Chuck, in the highly likely event of the formats NOT being common
>> CP/M or DOS ones (i.e. ones I could probably manage), I'll give these
>> guys your email (-:
> 
> Tez,
> 
> Here's what I would do in your situation.
> 
> If the disks are hard-sectored, forget it, unless you have the system
> that wrote them.
> 

Not necessarily.  For example, I have used a Catweasel board to recover hard 
sectored Data General floppies.  But it is certainly much harder, particularly 
if the format is not known in advance.


> If they're soft-sectored, dig through your pile of PC "tweeners" using
> Dave Dunfield's "TestFDC" and see if you can find one that does
> single-density.
> 
> Then hook your 8" drive to the PC and use his ImageDisk to grab a copy.
> 
> That way, you can tinker with the image to figure out what's going on.
> Failing that, you can pass the image to the list here and see if it
> rings any bells.
> 
> http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/img/index.htm
> 
> --Chuck
> 
> 

Re: Z-8000 something on eBay

[jim stephens via cctalk]

On 3/22/2017 6:26 PM, Ken Seefried via cctalk wrote:

I don't have any idea what this is but it appears to have Z-8000
CPU+MMU chips.  Perhaps an Onyx or S8000 CPU card?  I know some folks
here are in to that sort of thing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Vintage-DSC-MP-4-EPC-Rev-D-K-Expansion-Board-Card-PCB-for-Mini-Computer/152475939021

KJ
just guessing with the number of I/O's it may be a controller board of 
some sort for something which needed a lot of go power, or perhaps an 
embedded OS.


The EPC part of the nomenclature kept hitting things made by Epson, so 
maybe it is a scanner or printer controller?


The large number of connectors is what bothers me with respect to it 
being a part of a general purpose mini.  I've not seen many with so many 
connectors of this type, and therefore cables coming to the main 
processor.  And in a chassis type mounted mini that would be a huge mess 
of cables to run out of a card slot if it were a high performance 
controller.


Can prove me wrong, but I'm guessing some sort of controller.
thanks
Jim

Re: For Sale: STM Pied Piper "Portable Computer"

[Adrian Graham via cctalk]

On 22/03/2017 19:51, "cctalk"  wrote:

> I have for sale this fine STM Pied Piper, Z80 CP/M machine from Canada
> circa 1983.  Please see details here:
> 
> http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?56872-STM-Pied-Piper-Portable-Comput
> er=453120#post453120

I have several of these including the full disk set of 'Perfect'
applications and diagnostics, demo disk etc. One of my jobs for last year
was to image those disks but it took me so long to find them I never got one
of those tuits we all need.

If anyone buys this let me know and I'll see what's still readable.

-- 
Adrian/Witchy
Binary Dinosaurs creator/curator
Www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the UK's biggest private home computer
collection?