[cctalk] Altair 8800 50th birthday...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Based on what I have read, along with a few discussions I have had with
people involved in the early S-100 "scene" around now is the 50th birthday
(or conception day) of the Altair 8800.  Certainly, next year could properly
be called its 50th birthday.  Anyway, I'm thinking about "painting the show
blue" with Altairs and IMSAIs for the next few vintage computer festivals.
Anyone else interested?

 

Bill S.



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[cctalk] Visual 50 terminal troubleshooting

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I have a Visual 50 terminal that I am now troubleshooting.  I got it in the
late 1980s and it worked fine until 1995.  I can't find a good schematic for
it or ROM images.  Its symptom is that it powers up to continual beep (solid
tone, not repeated beeps) with a cursor on the screen.  This is not in the
troubleshooting table of the manual that I have.

 

I know the keyboard is capacitive foam pads.  I was hoping that was the
trouble, but it is not.  I disassembled the keyboard and removed the old
pads, replacing a few with some spares I had from SOL20 repairs.

 

Has anyone corrected this problem before?  I suspect that the EPROMs are
going.

 

Thanks,

Bill Sudbrink



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[cctalk] Re: FW: Re: ADM3a screen rot.

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Sellam Abraham wrote:

> I think you were fine.  That's how you discharge them anyway.  You were just 
> missing the grounding wire :)

Yes, I have one set up for just that purpose.  Wire clamped to the shaft with 
an alligator at the other end.
But I was so pissed off, I just grabbed a screwdriver off of my workbench.  I'd 
rather not be the electron sink
In this case.  I've never taken a hit off of a CRT have you?

Bill S.


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[cctalk] FW: Re: ADM3a screen rot.

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

There are several YT videos as you mentioned.  Definitive is in the eye of the 
beholder, I think.  In hindsight, I would remind people to keep their cool and 
carefully think through the safety procedures related to CRTs before starting 
any work.  I totally forgot to discharge my CRT but I got away with it (I guess 
because it had not been powered on for four months).  An interesting side note 
is that the anode cap on the leaking CRT had gone rock hard and there was a 
small "streak" on the back of the CRT that looked like the plastic that it was 
made of had released some sort of oil.  Maybe it was attacked by something 
outgassing from the goo that the CRT was dripping.  Anyway, like Wile E Coyote, 
after I had shoved a screwdriver under the uncooperative anode cap and finally 
gotten it off, I suddenly thought "What the HE** did I just do???".

Bill S.

-Original Message-
From: Bill Degnan via cctalk [mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org]
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2024 12:16 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts 
Cc: Bill Degnan 
Subject: [cctalk] Re: ADM3a screen rot.

Is there a definitive guide for repairing screen rot.  One of mine needs it.  I 
have watched others but I have not attempted my own.  I might try this at the 
Kennett Classic workshop this upcoming Feb 17th Bill

On Mon, Jan 29, 2024 at 11:41 AM William Sudbrink via cctalk < 
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> A quick note on ADM3a screen rot... my vintage collection resides in a
> cool
> (60-72 degrees F) dry basement.  My "pride and joy" ADM3a (I have
> several) was just starting to show a few bubbles at the corners last
> September.  I was pulling out some parts units on Friday and noticed
> that one had a much better screen than I remembered.  Thinking that I
> might swap screens, I took a close look at "PnJ" and discovered to my
> horror that most of the lower half of the screen had "melted".  "PnJ"
> was on a shelf, below eye level, nowhere near a vent or other source
> of heat.  I was so annoyed that I immediately started cleaning/repair
> without taking any pictures (sorry).
> Fortunately, there does not appear to be any corrosion from the "goo".
> I completely desoldered and removed the keyboard assembly to get all
> of the crud out of (and out from under) it.  The mainboard is a fully
> socketed example and the crud is down in several of the sockets.  I'm
> still working on that.  Anyway, the take away is don't assume (like I
> did) that the ruined ADM3as you see are the result of temperature
> extremes.  It can happen anywhere.  Keep a close eye on yours if you
> have one.
>
>
>
> Bill S.
>
>
>
> --
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> www.avast.com
>


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[cctalk] ADM3a screen rot.

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

A quick note on ADM3a screen rot... my vintage collection resides in a cool
(60-72 degrees F) dry basement.  My "pride and joy" ADM3a (I have several)
was just starting to show a few bubbles at the corners last September.  I
was pulling out some parts units on Friday and noticed that one had a much
better screen than I remembered.  Thinking that I might swap screens, I took
a close look at "PnJ" and discovered to my horror that most of the lower
half of the screen had "melted".  "PnJ" was on a shelf, below eye level,
nowhere near a vent or other source of heat.  I was so annoyed that I
immediately started cleaning/repair without taking any pictures (sorry).
Fortunately, there does not appear to be any corrosion from the "goo". I
completely desoldered and removed the keyboard assembly to get all of the
crud out of (and out from under) it.  The mainboard is a fully socketed
example and the crud is down in several of the sockets.  I'm still working
on that.  Anyway, the take away is don't assume (like I did) that the ruined
ADM3as you see are the result of temperature extremes.  It can happen
anywhere.  Keep a close eye on yours if you have one.

 

Bill S.



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[cctalk] Re: Silly question about S-100 and video monitors

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Now that I'm thinking about it, there were also instructions for hacking the
composite signal straight into the TV, bypassing the tuner... but Mom and
Dad probably wouldn't go for that (mine didn't).

-Original Message-
From: William Sudbrink via cctalk [mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2023 4:54 PM
To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'

Cc: 'W2HX' ; William Sudbrink 
Subject: [cctalk] Re: Silly question about S-100 and video monitors

There were RF modulators.  See the November 1976 review of the Poly-88 here
(on page 16):

http://cini.classiccmp.org/pdf/DrDobbs/DrDobbs-1976-11-12-v1n10.pdf

Note the reference to the "Pixie Verter".  It is a little cheap circuit
board that takes the composite signal and modulates it onto channel 3.  You
will find references to the Pixie-Verter in a number of publications and
user manuals for early video boards.  The Matrox and the Cromemco Dazzler
and the Ohio Scientific documentation all reference it.  David Ahl in his
"Saga Of A System" magazine article references it.  With that, a TV, video
board, RF modulator and a parallel keyboard were much cheaper than any
serial terminal back then.  The RF modulator was separate from the video
board (usually hung on the back of the TV) for noise reasons.



-Original Message-
From: W2HX via cctalk [mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org]
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2023 3:39 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts 
Cc: W2HX 
Subject: [cctalk] Silly question about S-100 and video monitors

Hi all,

I recently acquired an S-100 computer, and it came with a video card and a
keyboard (3rd party products, not originally equipped with these). I am
trying to figure out the benefits of having a video card and keyboard vs
just using a serial port and terminal. Certainly if the video card supported
graphics, that would be a reason to go that route over a terminal. As for
the keyboard, ok-maybe you need specific keys for a specific application.
But I don't understand the video monitor. I could understand maybe if there
was an RF modulator so that you could use a standard TV. That would save the
builder some money. But this computer just provides composite.

Other than graphics (and maybe some special function keys for an application
on a keyboard), why would an S-100 builder in those days opt to buy a video
card instead of a terminal?

Thanks for the bandwidth.

73 Eugene W2HX
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx/videos


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[cctalk] Re: Silly question about S-100 and video monitors

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

There were RF modulators.  See the November 1976 review of the Poly-88 here
(on page 16):

http://cini.classiccmp.org/pdf/DrDobbs/DrDobbs-1976-11-12-v1n10.pdf

Note the reference to the "Pixie Verter".  It is a little cheap circuit
board that takes the composite signal and modulates it onto channel 3.  You
will find references to the Pixie-Verter in a number of publications and
user manuals for early video boards.  The Matrox and the Cromemco Dazzler
and the Ohio Scientific documentation all reference it.  David Ahl in his
"Saga Of A System" magazine article references it.  With that, a TV, video
board, RF modulator and a parallel keyboard were much cheaper than any
serial terminal back then.  The RF modulator was separate from the video
board (usually hung on the back of the TV) for noise reasons.



-Original Message-
From: W2HX via cctalk [mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2023 3:39 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts 
Cc: W2HX 
Subject: [cctalk] Silly question about S-100 and video monitors

Hi all,

I recently acquired an S-100 computer, and it came with a video card and a
keyboard (3rd party products, not originally equipped with these). I am
trying to figure out the benefits of having a video card and keyboard vs
just using a serial port and terminal. Certainly if the video card supported
graphics, that would be a reason to go that route over a terminal. As for
the keyboard, ok-maybe you need specific keys for a specific application.
But I don't understand the video monitor. I could understand maybe if there
was an RF modulator so that you could use a standard TV. That would save the
builder some money. But this computer just provides composite.

Other than graphics (and maybe some special function keys for an application
on a keyboard), why would an S-100 builder in those days opt to buy a video
card instead of a terminal?

Thanks for the bandwidth.

73 Eugene W2HX
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx/videos


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[cctalk] Re: Source for NEW (unused) punch tape

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

The punch (on an ASR33 anyway) punches the feed (center) holes.  All the rolls 
I have are completely unperforated.

-Original Message-
From: Chuck Guzis via cctalk [mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org]
Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2023 12:10 PM
To: Adrian Godwin via cctalk 
Cc: Chuck Guzis 
Subject: [cctalk] Re: Source for NEW (unused) punch tape

On 6/8/23 08:52, Adrian Godwin via cctalk wrote:
> I think paper-slitters are pretty common. That is to say, if you go to
> anyone manufacturing adding machine rolls they will have the
> capability to make custom widths in rather small job lots. It's an
> industry comparable with printing (and often combined, for when till
> rolls with custom printing is desired). So it may be that although
> paper tape is no longer available from computer stationary suppliers,
> it can very easily be made in quite small MOQs.

How does one, using modern equipment, both slit and perforate (feed
holes) blank tape?  Color me curious.

--Chuck


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[cctalk] Re: Source for NEW (unused) punch tape

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Thanks to the estate of a "silent key" I have more paper tape than I will ever 
use.  If you are interested, let me know and I will sell you a couple of rolls. 
 I have both beige and black.

Bill Sudbrink

-Original Message-
From: Robotguy via cctalk [mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org]
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2023 2:19 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Cc: robot...@gmail.com
Subject: [cctalk] Source for NEW (unused) punch tape

For various reasons (including, but not limited to, insanity and 
obsessiveness*) I am building a diode laser based tape punch. It's not 
specifically for a classic comp, but I'd like to stick with standard format so 
that it'd be useful for making custom tapes for members in the future. I will 
probably need to make dozens of tapes so using actual, vintage rolls is out of 
the question. Does anyone know if 1" tape is used for anything else and where I 
might find some new? Otherwise I may have to add paper-slitter to my project 
list and make my own.




*I've had the idea of a lost-media ARG stuck in my head for years.


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[cctalk] OT: A list member in Japan?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Is there a list member in Japan or soon traveling to Japan?  I want to
acquire something (not really vintage computer related) and the seller does
not take paypal and I can't get funds to them.

 

Thanks,

Bill Sudbrink



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[cctalk] Re: TREK7 is back! - TREK7 FORTRAN Multi-User Game (PDP-10/VAX) Revived

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

In 1979, on an HP3000, we used to play a game called galaxy.  It seems somewhat 
like the description on your web page but I'm sure it allowed for more than 
four players.  I don't know if Frank McConnell still reads this list, maybe he 
knows if there was any relation between the two.  One thing I remember is that, 
if you ran the game and no one else was on, you could go hunting derelicts, 
ships that were still in the game database, left when someone disconnected 
without properly exiting the game.  Whenever the game was running, it would 
continue to update the position of these ships, based on their last speed.  The 
long range sensor display could zoom out to show the whole universe and you 
could see a cloud of derelict ships at the extreme edges.

Bill S.


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[cctalk] Re: After more than three years, U of Iowa's PDP-8 project active again

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Forgot the link:

https://homepage.divms.uiowa.edu/~jones/pdp8/UI-8/log.shtml


-Original Message-
From: William Sudbrink via cctalk [mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org] 
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2023 6:28 PM
To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'

Cc: William Sudbrink 
Subject: [cctalk] After more than three years, U of Iowa's PDP-8 project
active again

After more than three years, U of Iowa's PDP-8 project active again



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[cctalk] After more than three years, U of Iowa's PDP-8 project active again

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

After more than three years, U of Iowa's PDP-8 project active again



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[cctalk] I need to make some space...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I'm not getting rid of my whole collection or anything, but things are
getting a little tight in terms of physical space and I have stuff that
simply doesn't keep my interest.  I'd rather not do ebay so I'll offer them
here first.  I will put up pictures if there is interest.  None of this is
"barn stored".  It has all been in my temperature controlled house since
last century.

 

1)  HP series 100 (the 150 and 150 touchscreen II) documentation.  This
could be described as the "grey wall" for the HP 150.   All the basic books
plus Wordstar, Spellstar, Multiplan, etc.etc.  At least 20 "boxed books".
Many (I think all but have not checked yet) have original diskettes.  HP-150
with built in printer to come when I get back to it.

2)  IBM PC original "boxed books"

a) "DOS" part number 6024001 on spine.  I would call the condition
excellent.  Two original 5.25 diskettes:  DIAGNOSTICS Version 1.02 6081552.
DOS Version 1.00 6172212  (I'm tempted to keep this because of the CP/M -vs-
DOS controversy)

b) "DOS" part number 6024001 on spine with round sticker "1.10 with
Graphics".  I would call the condition very good.  One original 5.25
diskette:  DOS Version 1.10 1502330

c) Four UCSD p-System books: Beginner's guide, Assembler reference, Internal
Architecture Guide, User's guide.  The "User's guide" box contains five
original 5.25 diskettes: STARTUP, SYSTEM 2, SYSTEM 4, EXTRAS and UTILITIES.

3)  IBM FORTRAN-77 Reference for the UCSD p-System "boxed book".
Contains one original 5.25 diskette: UCSD p-System FORTRAN Version IV.0
6936510

4)  IBM COBOL Compiler by Microsoft "boxed book".  Contains two original
5.25 diskettes: LIBRARY 6936566,  COBOL 6172250

5)  Various other original IBM PC "boxed books".  Document Retrieval
Assistant, 3101 Emulation, Dow Jones Reporter, SNA 3270, etc. etc.  Maybe a
dozen.

6)  The box and binder for "Guide to operations, Personal Computer XT".
Unfortunately, it does not contain this.  Instead it contains "The CP/M and
IBM Public Domain Library" by Dynacomp.  This all seems to be later CP/M,
running on the IBM PC or Kaypro.  Just documentation and listings, no media.

7)  IBM Graphics Development Toolkit "boxed book".  Three original 5.25
diskettes: VDI device drivers, Language Libraries, Supplemental Programs.

8)  BASIC - Personal Computer - PCjr "boxed book". Contains original ROM
Cartridge "Cartridge BASIC" 1302285.  (Maybe this should go with the PCjr I
will be offering when I dig it out)

9)  ERGO MOBY BRICK 486DX-33 computer. Missing original power supply.  I
cobbled together a supply last century some time and it worked then.  Has
not been powered on in at least 25 years.

10)   Osbone Executive.  Limited Edition, personalized plaque to "ANNETTE
KING".  It ran last century.  Has not been powered on in at least 25 years.

 

More to come.

 

Bill S.



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[cctalk] Re: REPLICA Cromemco Cyclops Camera

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Senior moment below… should (obviously) be just _above_ visible.

 

From: William Sudbrink [mailto:wh.sudbr...@verizon.net] 
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2022 12:54 PM
To: 'Anders Nelson' ; 'General Discussion: On-Topic 
and Off-Topic Posts' 
Subject: RE: [cctalk] REPLICA Cromemco Cyclops Camera

 

The image sensor is a MOSTEK MK4008P-9 or an AMI S4008-9.  Cromemco used both.  
They removed the lid and added a glass cover, but the cover is not necessary.  
I have operated several cameras with no cover.  If you scroll up to the top of 
the page, you will see pictures of the chips.  The memory cells in the chips 
are three transistor design, allowing non-destructive reads.  The device 
repeatedly reads the cell array, watching as they fade out due to charge 
leakage caused by light hitting the cell.  Interestingly, the light sensitive 
component in the cell is not the capacitor, but rather the transistor linked to 
ground.  The transistor is sensitive to visible light but is even more 
sensitive to infrared (just below visible).

 

Bill

 

From: Anders Nelson [mailto:anders.k.nel...@gmail.com] 
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2022 12:31 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org> >
Cc: William Sudbrink mailto:wh.sudbr...@verizon.net> >
Subject: Re: [cctalk] REPLICA Cromemco Cyclops Camera

 

Was the image sensor a CCD/PD imager or  clever use of a memory chip with a 
window?

 

On Mon, Dec 5, 2022, 10:23 AM William Sudbrink via cctalk 
mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org> > wrote:

Sorry to spam the list, but I find myself in need of some holiday cash (or
positive PayPal balance, anyway) so I am offering a REPLICA Cromemco Cyclops
Camera for sale.  This is ONLY THE CAMERA.  You will need to have your own
Cyclops interface board set or build an XYZ scope interface as in the
manual:



https://www.autometer.de/unix4fun/z80pack/ftp/cromemco/Cromemco%2088%20ACC%2 
<https://www.autometer.de/unix4fun/z80pack/ftp/cromemco/Cromemco%2088%20ACC%20Manual.pdf>
 
0Manual.pdf



This will be the camera I demonstrated at 2018 VCF East.  All three circuit
boards are clearly labeled REPLICA in the copper layer.  Details of the
construction and other photographs are on my web page:



http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/cyclops/index.html#Cromemco



I would much rather sell it here to someone who clearly understands what
they are getting, rather than dealing with ebay.  I will also include a pair
of REPLICA side panels (made from measurements of an original) that I had
made last year.  I would be happy to zoom with the buyer and demonstrate the
camera in operation.



Email me directly if interested.



Thanks,

Bill S.



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[cctalk] Re: REPLICA Cromemco Cyclops Camera

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

The image sensor is a MOSTEK MK4008P-9 or an AMI S4008-9.  Cromemco used both.  
They removed the lid and added a glass cover, but the cover is not necessary.  
I have operated several cameras with no cover.  If you scroll up to the top of 
the page, you will see pictures of the chips.  The memory cells in the chips 
are three transistor design, allowing non-destructive reads.  The device 
repeatedly reads the cell array, watching as they fade out due to charge 
leakage caused by light hitting the cell.  Interestingly, the light sensitive 
component in the cell is not the capacitor, but rather the transistor linked to 
ground.  The transistor is sensitive to visible light but is even more 
sensitive to infrared (just below visible).

 

Bill

 

From: Anders Nelson [mailto:anders.k.nel...@gmail.com] 
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2022 12:31 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts 
Cc: William Sudbrink 
Subject: Re: [cctalk] REPLICA Cromemco Cyclops Camera

 

Was the image sensor a CCD/PD imager or  clever use of a memory chip with a 
window?

 

On Mon, Dec 5, 2022, 10:23 AM William Sudbrink via cctalk 
mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org> > wrote:

Sorry to spam the list, but I find myself in need of some holiday cash (or
positive PayPal balance, anyway) so I am offering a REPLICA Cromemco Cyclops
Camera for sale.  This is ONLY THE CAMERA.  You will need to have your own
Cyclops interface board set or build an XYZ scope interface as in the
manual:



https://www.autometer.de/unix4fun/z80pack/ftp/cromemco/Cromemco%2088%20ACC%2 
<https://www.autometer.de/unix4fun/z80pack/ftp/cromemco/Cromemco%2088%20ACC%20Manual.pdf>
 
0Manual.pdf



This will be the camera I demonstrated at 2018 VCF East.  All three circuit
boards are clearly labeled REPLICA in the copper layer.  Details of the
construction and other photographs are on my web page:



http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/cyclops/index.html#Cromemco



I would much rather sell it here to someone who clearly understands what
they are getting, rather than dealing with ebay.  I will also include a pair
of REPLICA side panels (made from measurements of an original) that I had
made last year.  I would be happy to zoom with the buyer and demonstrate the
camera in operation.



Email me directly if interested.



Thanks,

Bill S.



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[cctalk] REPLICA Cromemco Cyclops Camera

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Sorry to spam the list, but I find myself in need of some holiday cash (or
positive PayPal balance, anyway) so I am offering a REPLICA Cromemco Cyclops
Camera for sale.  This is ONLY THE CAMERA.  You will need to have your own
Cyclops interface board set or build an XYZ scope interface as in the
manual:

 

https://www.autometer.de/unix4fun/z80pack/ftp/cromemco/Cromemco%2088%20ACC%2
0Manual.pdf

 

This will be the camera I demonstrated at 2018 VCF East.  All three circuit
boards are clearly labeled REPLICA in the copper layer.  Details of the
construction and other photographs are on my web page:

 

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/cyclops/index.html#Cromemco

 

I would much rather sell it here to someone who clearly understands what
they are getting, rather than dealing with ebay.  I will also include a pair
of REPLICA side panels (made from measurements of an original) that I had
made last year.  I would be happy to zoom with the buyer and demonstrate the
camera in operation.

 

Email me directly if interested.

 

Thanks,

Bill S.



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[cctalk] Microangelo MA520...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Anyone familiar with this board (S-100 graphics adapter) knows that the
schematics and documentation for it and the matching palette board are
unavailable.  I recently made a remarkable discovery on the web:

 

https://store.gepower.com/mpps/parts/en/USD/search?sortParam=relevance

===false=
tStore=parts==
mpanyCurrencyHdnSearchPg==60628=3b6088cc-11d1-42c2-8a92-acab8
1491e0a

 

If you follow that link, you will see that GE Power seems to have them in
stock in their parts store.  My guess is that, at one time, they used them
as part of a power plant control room.  What I'm hoping is that they have
one with the original documentation.  Unfortunately, despite several
enquiries, I have been unable to make any contact with anyone in GE Power
that might offer me one for sale or otherwise help.  So, I'm throwing it out
to the general community of collectors.  You need to be a certified GE Power
customer, contractor or a GE Power employee to access the web store any
further than that link.  Anybody know someone who could sign and check?

 

Thanks,

Bill Sudbrink

 



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[cctalk] Re: 7485 chip history??? (Solid State Music SB-1)

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

For anyone that might be interested, I was able to get some 74L85s.  After 
installing them
(and chasing down a misbehaving 7400) I was rewarded with a fully functional 
SSM SB-1.

Bill

-Original Message-
From: Chuck Guzis via cctalk [mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org]
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2022 3:22 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Cc: Chuck Guzis 
Subject: [cctalk] Re: 7485 chip history??? (Solid State Music SB-1)

On 9/22/22 09:55, John Robertson via cctalk wrote:
> On 2022/09/19 9:51 p.m., ben via cctalk wrote:
>> On 2022-09-19 10:18 p.m., Tom Hunter via cctalk wrote:
>>> There are a few US based Ebay sellers of the 74L85.
>>>
>>> Tom
>> But most ebay sellers, from the USA seem to sell a item for $6.00 and
>> $75 shipping to Canada. China $2 and $3 shipping. With Covid all
>> shipping is several weeks.
>> Ben.
>>
> How many do you need? I have one or more of 74LS85, 74C85, 74HC85, and
> 7485...

The ICs that you've listed as having (74LS85, 74C85, 74HC85, and
7485) aren't what the OP needs.  The 74L85 is a different animal with a 
different pinout from the chips you've listed.

--Chuck


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[cctalk] 7485 chip history??? (Solid State Music SB-1)

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Hi, 

I recently acquired a Solid State Music SB-1 from which all the chips had
been removed.  I've reinstalled all of the chips (I located an SSM2000) and
I've been trying to figure out why this board crashes my computers.  The
conclusion that I've come to is rather astounding.  The board specifies two
74ls85 4 bit binary comparator chips to perform address decoding.  The
designers of this board seem to have had incorrect pinouts for it.  Every
source that I can find specifies: 

  B3116 VCC
AB (in)4 13 A2
A>B (out) 5 12 A1
A=B (out) 6 11 B1
AB (in)4 13 A>B (out)
Ahttps://wiki.theretrowagon.com/wiki/Solid_State_Music_SB1
What the heck???  Did the pinout of the 7485 just arbitrarily change at some
point?  Was this some competition between manufacturers?  Is there any way
to get the "right" 7485?



Thanks,
Bill

 



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[cctalk] Solid State Music SSM 2000 IC

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I know this is a long shot, but I just acquired an SSM SB1 S-100

board with no chips.  Everything on the board is easy to source

but the SSM2000 chip.  Does anyone have one for sale or know

where to get one?

 

Thanks,

Bill S.



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[cctalk] Old fashioned PCB layout images, red/blue

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Hi,

 

What is the "correct" name for the style (technology?) of circuit board
layout images where the top is blue, the bottom is red and overlaps are
purple?  Also, any silkscreen is black. I thought someone once told me that
there was an automated tool (maybe in KiCad?) that would produce Gerbers
from that type of image.  Does anyone know of such a utility?

 

Thanks,

Bill S.



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[cctalk] Re: Can someone explain...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I have verified that those cables go to the IMSAI SIO and PIO boards.  They
aren't even Altair!

-Original Message-
From: Kelly Leavitt via cctalk [mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org] 
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2022 4:28 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Cc: Kelly Leavitt 
Subject: [cctalk] Re: Can someone explain...

I could be selling a mint working Apple I and I wouldn't get bids like this.


From: Chris Zach via cctalk 
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2022 4:22 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org 
Cc: Chris Zach 
Subject: [cctalk] Re: Can someone explain...

I am selling the wrong things.

CZ

On 7/21/2022 2:37 PM, William Sudbrink via cctalk wrote:
> Now 455 ?!?!?!?!
>
>
>
> From: William Sudbrink [mailto:wh.sudbr...@verizon.net]
> Sent: Monday, July 18, 2022 10:56 AM
> To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts 
> (cctalk@classiccmp.org) 
> Subject: Can someone explain...
>
>
>
> Why anybody would bid more than three hundred dollars for a bunch of 
> ribbon cables?
>
>
>
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/234623364778?hash=item36a0a46eaa:g:y1oAAOSwwQ
> diz550
>
>
>
> Unless there's something I'm not seeing here, I can easily (and 
> exactly) reproduce them.
>
> I could even make them with red or "rainbow" cables if you prefer.  
> I'll do a set for the
>
> "bargain" price of $250.
>
>
>
> Bill S.
>
>
>


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[cctalk] Re: Can someone explain...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Now 455 ?!?!?!?!

 

From: William Sudbrink [mailto:wh.sudbr...@verizon.net] 
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2022 10:56 AM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts (cctalk@classiccmp.org)

Subject: Can someone explain...

 

Why anybody would bid more than three hundred dollars for a bunch of ribbon
cables?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234623364778?hash=item36a0a46eaa:g:y1oAAOSwwQdiz550

 

Unless there's something I'm not seeing here, I can easily (and exactly)
reproduce them.

I could even make them with red or "rainbow" cables if you prefer.  I'll do
a set for the

"bargain" price of $250.

 

Bill S.



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[cctalk] Re: [cctalk]Re: Can someone explain...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I can do Twist'n'Flat too, but I'd have to upcharge to 275.  Seriously, I'm 
pretty sure the 26 edge
to DB-25 females go with the IMSAI SIO that the same seller is offering in 
another lot.  The 50
edge to DB-25 pair cables go with the IMSAI PIO that the same seller is also 
offering.

-Original Message-
From: Chuck Guzis via cctalk [mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org]
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2022 11:20 AM
To: William Sudbrink via cctalk 
Cc: Chuck Guzis 
Subject: [cctalk]Re: Can someone explain...

On 7/18/22 07:56, William Sudbrink via cctalk wrote:

> I could even make them with red or "rainbow" cables if you prefer.
> I'll do a set for the
>
> "bargain" price of $250.

I'll do you one better--I'll do them with Twist 'n' Flat cable for $200.

I guess it's the "authentic" thing, although I don't remember any ribbon cable 
shipping with my Rev 0 Altair.

--Chuck



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[cctalk]Can someone explain...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Why anybody would bid more than three hundred dollars for a bunch of ribbon
cables?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234623364778?hash=item36a0a46eaa:g:y1oAAOSwwQdiz550

 

Unless there's something I'm not seeing here, I can easily (and exactly)
reproduce them.

I could even make them with red or "rainbow" cables if you prefer.  I'll do
a set for the

"bargain" price of $250.

 

Bill S.



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RE: HP 54200D oscope practically worthless?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Alexander Huemer wrote:

> The scope does what it is supposed to, you get a
> time-domain visualization of voltage.  Though, they
> are awkward to use due to the lack of rotary encoders.  
> Scaling horizontally or vertically requires you to go into
> a menu, navigate to the right option, do the actual
> scaling and go back.
> It's better than no scope at all

Yea, I have several other scopes, so I guess I won't
spend any time on it...

> but not exactly the model you'd hunt.

Anybody in the Washington, DC area want to pick it up
for a beer?

-Alex


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HP 54200D oscope practically worthless?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I picked up one of these in a batch of electronics.  Is it worth
repairing/investigating?
I don't see much on the web and they seem to go for practically nothing on
epay.
Is there something inherently wrong with them?

Thanks,
Bill S.


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RE: Slashed letter O, unslashed letter zero

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

At the University Of Maryland, in the Computer Science building (in the
basement) there were
about a dozen punches.  A few (two I think?) were labeled "EXPRESS PUNCH 10
CARDS OR LESS".
One evening, there was a line of 15 people waiting for a regular punch and a
line of about 5 people
waiting for the express punches.  After noting who was at the end of the
regular punch line, I got
in the express line.  I punched ten cards and went to the back of the line
(it stayed between 5
and 10 people long).  I think I punched about eighty cards.  I expected to
get yelled at (or dirty
looks at least) but nobody seemed to notice.  I finished before the guy who
was at the end of the
regular punch line when I entered got to a punch.


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RE: testing

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

ACK

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of jwest---
via cctalk
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2022 5:29 PM
To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'

Subject: testing

Test test


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RE: Retro Chip Tester Pro, done!

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

No, those don't seem to be in the list.  But then, testing a full CPU would be 
a pretty tall order.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of ED SHARPE via 
cctalk
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2022 8:45 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org; cctalk@classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Retro Chip Tester Pro, done!

does it test 4004  and 8008 

In a message dated 2/7/2022 6:32:24 PM US Mountain Standard Time, 
cctalk@classiccmp.org writes: You may recall that, a few weeks ago, I requested 
parts help (shoppingbaskets) for the Retro Chip Tester Pro that I got for 
Christmas.  Well, today's mailbrought the last few parts and I have finished 
and tested it.  Wow!  The only thing that itdoesn't do is slice bread  It's 
great.  I've put up a few pictures here:   
http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/images/RCTPro/   I got the 4008 and 1702 
adapters with it, but I'm pretty sure that I willget the rest over the next 
month or so.  This is the latest HW version with the latest releasesoftware.   
Bill S.   PS: Thanks to everyone that helped with parts.   -- This email has 
been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus 
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Retro Chip Tester Pro, done!

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

You may recall that, a few weeks ago, I requested parts help (shopping
baskets) for

the Retro Chip Tester Pro that I got for Christmas.  Well, today's mail
brought the last

few parts and I have finished and tested it.  Wow!  The only thing that it
doesn't do is

slice bread.  It's great.  I've put up a few pictures here:

 

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/images/RCTPro/

 

I got the 4008 and 1702 adapters with it, but I'm pretty sure that I will
get the rest over

the next month or so.  This is the latest HW version with the latest release
software.

 

Bill S.

 

PS: Thanks to everyone that helped with parts.



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RE: Retro Chip Tester Pro, US shopping basket?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Straight from Stephan.  Ask nicely and, if he has stock available, he will sell 
you one.  Use the inquiry/contact form link on the web page:

 

https://8bit-museum.de/sonstiges/hardware-projekte/hardware-projekte-chip-tester-english/

 

Bill S.

 

From: Patrick Finnegan [mailto:p...@vax11.net] 
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 6:28 PM
To: William Sudbrink ; General Discussion: On-Topic 
and Off-Topic Posts 
Subject: Re: Retro Chip Tester Pro, US shopping basket?

 

Where did you buy the board from? The eBay linked seller seems to only sell 
built testers, and the UK person linked from the author's site claims to only 
sell in the UK.

Patrick Finnegan

 

On Thu, Jan 13, 2022, 15:46 William Sudbrink via cctalk mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org> > wrote:

In response to my wife's "Buy yourself a Christmas present" direction, I've
ordered a Retro Chip Tested Pro board.  When you purchase the board, you get
a BOM and links to stored shopping baskets for some European vendors.  Has
anyone built this in the US and stored their basket with a US vendor?  Rev
1.2k by the way, but any basket would be helpful as the BOM differences
between the versions are listed.



Thanks,

Bill S.



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RE: Retro Chip Tester Pro, US shopping basket?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I'm talking about this guy:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133957290061?hash=item1f307a084d%3Ag%3ASPMAAOSwTpJhr8DA=true=Jv7lwO0W4lizYwsCX3KDWMC0wiA%253D_cvip=true=true=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

He's in the US.

-Original Message-
From: s shumaker [mailto:shuma...@att.net]
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 2:02 PM
To: William Sudbrink ; 'General Discussion: On-Topic 
and Off-Topic Posts' 
Subject: Re: Retro Chip Tester Pro, US shopping basket?

Ya except his web page say no US sales... is he being flexible if one asks 
nicely?

Steve

On 1/14/2022 9:16 AM, William Sudbrink wrote:
> Oh, US source, no.  You have to buy straight from Stephan.
> But there is a guy on ebay who builds and sells them.
> But you'll pay a premium.  I considered it, but I like to build things myself.
>
> The parts scavenger hunt?  Not so much.
>
> -Original Message-
> From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of
> William Sudbrink via cctalk
> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 11:50 AM
> To: 's shumaker' ; 'General Discussion: On-Topic and
> Off-Topic Posts' 
> Subject: RE: Retro Chip Tester Pro, US shopping basket?
>
> He just added 2708 programming to it.  Which is extremely useful.
>
> -Original Message-
> From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of s
> shumaker via cctalk
> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 11:20 AM
> To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
> Subject: Re: Retro Chip Tester Pro, US shopping basket?
>
> Seems like a very useful gadget.  Any suggestions for a US source?
>
> Steve
>
> On 1/13/2022 1:18 PM, Santo Nucifora via cctalk wrote:
>> Hi Bill,
>>
>> I have a Digikey shopping cart for most of the items and another for
>> Mouser for the rest of the items but mine was Rev "i".  I did this
>> back in August and I looked at the cart and noticed that  some of the
>> items may have substitutes now.  I know I had to do a few substitutes
>> when I followed the BOM even back then.  I'll post them here but
>> please be careful and check the BOM from the RTC (Retro Chip Tester) Google 
>> site you were emailed
>> against these carts.Again, you may have to make some substitutes and
>> some of the other components may not line up exactly but that's the
>> nature of these pre-created carts, unfortunately.  It will at least
>> give you a good start:  Note, I ordered from a Digikey.ca site but I
>> created an identical US cart for a friend in the US that was building one as 
>> well.
>> Again, triple check everything.
>>
>> Digikey US cart:  https://www.digikey.com/short/d9vrt54z
>> Mouse CA cart for 4 items not at Digikey (but they may be there now?):
>> https://www.mouser.ca/ProjectManager/ProjectDetail.aspx?AccessID=9e70
>> 7
>> cf7c4
>>
>> BTW, good choice on a Christmas present.  You will wonder how you did
>> without it.
>> Hope this helps,
>> Santo
>>
>> On Thu, Jan 13, 2022 at 3:46 PM William Sudbrink via cctalk <
>> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
>>
>>> In response to my wife's "Buy yourself a Christmas present"
>>> direction, I've ordered a Retro Chip Tested Pro board.  When you
>>> purchase the board, you get a BOM and links to stored shopping
>>> baskets for some European vendors.  Has anyone built this in the US
>>> and stored their basket with a US vendor?  Rev 1.2k by the way, but
>>> any basket would be helpful as the BOM differences between the
>>> versions are listed.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Bill S.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
>>> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>>>
>
>
> --
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>
>


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RE: Retro Chip Tester Pro, US shopping basket?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Oh, US source, no.  You have to buy straight from Stephan.
But there is a guy on ebay who builds and sells them.
But you'll pay a premium.  I considered it, but I like to build things myself.

The parts scavenger hunt?  Not so much.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of William 
Sudbrink via cctalk
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 11:50 AM
To: 's shumaker' ; 'General Discussion: On-Topic and 
Off-Topic Posts' 
Subject: RE: Retro Chip Tester Pro, US shopping basket?

He just added 2708 programming to it.  Which is extremely useful.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of s shumaker via 
cctalk
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 11:20 AM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Retro Chip Tester Pro, US shopping basket?

Seems like a very useful gadget.  Any suggestions for a US source?

Steve

On 1/13/2022 1:18 PM, Santo Nucifora via cctalk wrote:
> Hi Bill,
>
> I have a Digikey shopping cart for most of the items and another for
> Mouser for the rest of the items but mine was Rev "i".  I did this
> back in August and I looked at the cart and noticed that  some of the
> items may have substitutes now.  I know I had to do a few substitutes
> when I followed the BOM even back then.  I'll post them here but
> please be careful and check the BOM from the RTC (Retro Chip Tester) Google 
> site you were emailed
> against these carts.Again, you may have to make some substitutes and
> some of the other components may not line up exactly but that's the
> nature of these pre-created carts, unfortunately.  It will at least
> give you a good start:  Note, I ordered from a Digikey.ca site but I
> created an identical US cart for a friend in the US that was building one as 
> well.
> Again, triple check everything.
>
> Digikey US cart:  https://www.digikey.com/short/d9vrt54z
> Mouse CA cart for 4 items not at Digikey (but they may be there now?):
> https://www.mouser.ca/ProjectManager/ProjectDetail.aspx?AccessID=9e707
> cf7c4
>
> BTW, good choice on a Christmas present.  You will wonder how you did
> without it.
> Hope this helps,
> Santo
>
> On Thu, Jan 13, 2022 at 3:46 PM William Sudbrink via cctalk <
> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
>
>> In response to my wife's "Buy yourself a Christmas present"
>> direction, I've ordered a Retro Chip Tested Pro board.  When you
>> purchase the board, you get a BOM and links to stored shopping
>> baskets for some European vendors.  Has anyone built this in the US
>> and stored their basket with a US vendor?  Rev 1.2k by the way, but
>> any basket would be helpful as the BOM differences between the
>> versions are listed.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Bill S.
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
>> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>>



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RE: Retro Chip Tester Pro, US shopping basket?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

He just added 2708 programming to it.  Which is extremely useful.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of s shumaker via 
cctalk
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 11:20 AM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Retro Chip Tester Pro, US shopping basket?

Seems like a very useful gadget.  Any suggestions for a US source?

Steve

On 1/13/2022 1:18 PM, Santo Nucifora via cctalk wrote:
> Hi Bill,
>
> I have a Digikey shopping cart for most of the items and another for
> Mouser for the rest of the items but mine was Rev "i".  I did this
> back in August and I looked at the cart and noticed that  some of the
> items may have substitutes now.  I know I had to do a few substitutes
> when I followed the BOM even back then.  I'll post them here but
> please be careful and check the BOM from the RTC (Retro Chip Tester) Google 
> site you were emailed
> against these carts.Again, you may have to make some substitutes and
> some of the other components may not line up exactly but that's the
> nature of these pre-created carts, unfortunately.  It will at least
> give you a good start:  Note, I ordered from a Digikey.ca site but I
> created an identical US cart for a friend in the US that was building one as 
> well.
> Again, triple check everything.
>
> Digikey US cart:  https://www.digikey.com/short/d9vrt54z
> Mouse CA cart for 4 items not at Digikey (but they may be there now?):
> https://www.mouser.ca/ProjectManager/ProjectDetail.aspx?AccessID=9e707
> cf7c4
>
> BTW, good choice on a Christmas present.  You will wonder how you did
> without it.
> Hope this helps,
> Santo
>
> On Thu, Jan 13, 2022 at 3:46 PM William Sudbrink via cctalk <
> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
>
>> In response to my wife's "Buy yourself a Christmas present"
>> direction, I've ordered a Retro Chip Tested Pro board.  When you
>> purchase the board, you get a BOM and links to stored shopping
>> baskets for some European vendors.  Has anyone built this in the US
>> and stored their basket with a US vendor?  Rev 1.2k by the way, but
>> any basket would be helpful as the BOM differences between the
>> versions are listed.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Bill S.
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
>> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>>



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Retro Chip Tester Pro, US shopping basket?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

In response to my wife's "Buy yourself a Christmas present" direction, I've
ordered a Retro Chip Tested Pro board.  When you purchase the board, you get
a BOM and links to stored shopping baskets for some European vendors.  Has
anyone built this in the US and stored their basket with a US vendor?  Rev
1.2k by the way, but any basket would be helpful as the BOM differences
between the versions are listed.

 

Thanks,

Bill S.



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Hand tool to remove a difficult (stuck) circuit board

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I remember seeing this somewhere.  I have done a fair amount of googling
with no luck.

I'm looking for a hand tool with a plyer like grip at the top of a shaft.
At the bottom of the

shaft there is a "foot" that, when you squeeze the grip, scissors open.  The
idea being

that you slide the foot down between a daughter card and the motherboard it
is stuck in

and when you squeeze the grip, it lifts the card out of the slot.  Anybody
know what this

tool is called and/or where to get one?

 

Thanks,

Bill S.

 



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alt.folklore.computers... Altair Bob

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

A very, very long time ago, when dinosaurs still roamed the earth (or at least 
the computer rooms) there was a guy on usenet who called himself "Altair Bob" 
and offered to buy Altair computers.  This was back when they weren't worth all 
that much (mid to late 1980s).  He must have bought a dozen or so (as I 
remember).  Does anybody know who he really was and what became of his (what 
I'm assuming was a) collection?

Just idle curiosity brought on by a recent discussion of collections being 
destroyed by widows.

Bill S.


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RE: Overclocked TI Silent 703 at 1200 bauds?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Commodore Z (creator of the Cactus 6502 computer) seems to have a supply.  He 
has provided me with several rolls.

Bill Sudbrink

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Curious Marc 
via cctalk
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2021 4:06 AM
To: Tony Duell ; General Discussion: On-Topic and 
Off-Topic Posts 
Subject: Re: Overclocked TI Silent 703 at 1200 bauds?

Yes, I have ruined a few printouts using the isopropanol method ;-) . On that 
subject, can anyone recommend a source for the thermal paper used in the Silent?
Marc

> On Oct 31, 2021, at 9:36 PM, Tony Duell via cctalk  
> wrote:
>
> On Sun, Oct 31, 2021 at 11:40 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk
>  wrote:
>
>> The THERMAL paper that I used for the Silent 700s was "white" and
>> very slowly changing to yellow or brown.  Didn't hold up very well to
>> heat and/or sunlight.
>
> Another thing that ruins thermal printouts is propan-2-ol (isopropyl
> alcohol). It turn the paper black as if it has been heated.
>
> Since I normally have a can of said solvent on my bench for cleaning
> disk drive heads, connectors, etc, I have to be careful if there's a
> thermal printer about.
>
> -tony


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RE: Overclocked TI Silent 703 at 1200 bauds?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I just checked my 3 703's... all are switch 4 unused and functioning at 300 
baud.  If you would like to trade one in order to have the classic 300 baud 
experience...

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Curious Marc 
via cctalk
Sent: Saturday, October 30, 2021 3:51 PM
To: amp1...@gmail.com; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts 

Subject: Re: Overclocked TI Silent 703 at 1200 bauds?

Yes, I tried switch #4 and that did not do it. I opened it up, no other obvious 
jumpers. The processor doesn’t even say TMS 7041, it’s a custom numbered part. 
Not that I am complaining, I am fine with my blazing fast gamer’s TI 703 with 
overdrive. I’m just surprised they did not label it anywhere on the machine or 
even change the product naming. Like TI 703 Turbo or something!
Marc

> On Oct 30, 2021, at 9:44 AM, Ron Pool via cctalk  
> wrote:
>
> I hadn't known about 1200 bps Silent 700s.  I just found a TI Silent
> 700/1200 on eBay and it is now on its way to me.  If I can figure out
> if/how it can toggle between 300 and 1200 bps, I'll let you know.
>
> Meanwhile, I can tell you that a manual I have for a model 703 says
> that configuration switch 4 is "not yet used".  1 & 2 are for parity,
> 3 is for print width (80/132 columns).  Maybe switch 4 toggles between 300 
> and 1200.
> If you lift the smoky gray cover, you'll not only gain access to the
> roll of paper but also, just above the keyboard, an expansion slot on
> the left-hand side and the four DIP switches just to the right of the
> expansion slot.  The DIP switches are found below a small rectangular
> cutout in the terminal's plastic case.
>
> On a model 703 I have there is a label under the paper roll that tells
> what the 3 working DIP switches do and tells some of the CMD key
> sequences that can be use on models 703, 707, and 709.  Apparently the
> same label was used for all three basic models.  But maybe a unit with
> a 1200 bps option has a label that lists a function for DIP switch 4
> or a CMD key sequence for setting communications speed.
>
> Another possibility is the auto-access cartridge that can go in the
> expansion slot.  The 700/1200 I have on the way to me includes an
> auto-access cartridge.  Maybe it allows choosing between 300 and 1200 bps?
> If you have an auto-access cartridge in your terminal, try some of the
> commands for it that are listed on the quick reference card
> http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/ti/terminal/silent_700/2310610-0001_Silen
> t_700_ Auto-Access_Cartridge_Quick_Reference_Card.pdf .
>
> If you figure out how to toggle between 300 and 1200 bps, please share
> the trick.
>


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GE 600 film...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Some really nice GE 600 mainframe computer footage, including manufacturing,
just went up here:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vHCxwXTkXk
 =2470s

 

For those not familiar, A/V Geeks is a really neat channel, showing all
kinds of vintage films for an hour

at lunch time (East Coast US) each weekday.

 

Bill S.

 



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RE: Mystery (unusual) 1973 terminal

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Sort of reminds me of a DataPoint 2200.  Clone maybe?

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Jules
Richardson via cctalk
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2021 7:50 AM
To: xx Classiccmp mailing list
Subject: Mystery (unusual) 1973 terminal


Hi all,

Hopefully the following link works, but someone over on one of the Facebook 
vintage groups has this oddball terminal from 1973 that they've been 
looking for any information on:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-2uEFbi3OKBYr06y6yHnygDiLMtw2Qkj

.. it's somewhat unconventional in that half the CRT is hidden from view 
within the machine, i.e. it only actually displays the top half of the 
display to the user - I've no idea if that's because it had a specific 
application where space was limited, or if it was simply that memory at the 
time was horribly expensive and so it was designed to only use a few lines 
(I know some vendors did that, although I think they typically presented 
the whole CRT and at least had the option of RAM upgrade to more lines).

The blower assembly seems a little on the homebrew side, but on the other 
hand the PCBs and case construction make it seem like a professional
product.

The owner says the only label anywhere on the thing is the one on the CRT 
saying "Mfd in Japan for Conrac", but that's presumably just the CRT itself 
and not the entire machine.

I don't believe there's anything resembling a microprocessor in the system, 
it's all just TTL logic (the large white ceramic IC is an ACIA).

Oh, I believe the owner's in Canada, so it may be it was made there and 
never exported to other parts of the world.

cheers

Jules


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dp8340n IBM 3270 protocol transmitter encoder

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Hi,

 

In cleaning up my lab and stores, I have discovered that I have a tube of 10
of these chips.

I'm not quite sure what they are for or were used in (or even where I got
them).  Anyway,

if they are, in fact, for managing 3270 mainframe terminal traffic, they're
probably not of

much use to me.  I've also noticed that I'm getting very low in vintage 4000
series CMOS

chips.  Anybody want to trade?

 

Bill S.



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RE: WTB: CompuPro / Godbout RAM 17

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Yes, I was going to bid that one too, until I read he needed it.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Mike
Douglas via cctalk
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2020 11:01 AM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: WTB: CompuPro / Godbout RAM 17

Were you the winner of the eBay auction? It went for a very reasonable price
It was very difficult for me to not bid on it - those are great boards for
use with early S100 systems :)

Mike


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RE: Vintage Computer Federation Swap Meet 11/7/2020

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Yup, I still have it.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Bill Degnan 
via cctalk
Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2020 11:48 PM
To: Jeffrey Brace; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: Vintage Computer Federation Swap Meet 11/7/2020

Fun fact  - we *did* have a swap meet when we were MARCH, in Wilmington, in
the mid-late 2000's.  We rented a hall and there was a pretty big crowd.  I
don't have any pictures but I remember selling an HP85 to Bill Sudbrink for
$25.  A good deal then.
Bill

On Tue, Nov 3, 2020 at 11:33 PM Jeffrey Brace via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> The Vintage Computer Federation is having its first Swap Meet event. This
> swap meet is for vintage computers, radios, TVs, ham radios and related
> items.
>
> FREE FOR BUYERS!
>
> VENDORS $20 FOR 1ST SPACE, $10 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL SPACE
>
> DATE: November 7, 2020 (RAIN DATE: November 8, 2020)
> TIME: 9AM to 6PM
> ADDRESS:
> Huge Parking lot on Monmouth Boulevard, Wall, NJ between Watson Road and
> Taft Street
> Across from InfoAge Museum and Brookdale College
> GPS location: 40.1848793,-74.0630848
> Google Maps:
>
> https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B011'05.6%22N+74%C2%B003'47.1%22W/@40.1832946,-74.0661625,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d40.1848793!4d-74.0630848
> Satellite Map:
> http://vcfed.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Swap_Meet_Map.png
> Flyer –
> http://vcfed.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Swap_Meet_Flyer-1.png
> Flyer –
> http://vcfed.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/VCF_Swap_Meet_2020_Flyer.pdf
>
> WEBSITE: http://vcfed.org/wp/vcf-swap-meet
>
> If you are interested in renting a space, please fill out this
>
> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftdpkFQo0CBCatGfqt1OICP-_g22n8nAjEdjiBl96u_6NQ7A/viewform
>
> --
> =
> Jeff Brace
> Vice President & Board Member
> Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner
> Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity
> http://www.vcfed.org/
> jeff...@vcfed.org
> cell: 732-759-1783
>


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RE: AOL CD and other old PC software...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

geneb wrote:
> I collect developer tools, so if you've got any of that stuff I'd be 
> interested!  Thanks!

Ah, then it's getting to be worth my while to inventory this stuff.
I'm pretty sure there's a stack of old MS Developer Network CDs
in there.

Bill S.


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AOL CD and other old PC software...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Like most of us, as a result of COVID, I've been mostly stuck at home.

Consequently, I've been going through and organizing a lot of boxes

of old stuff that just accumulated and I did not consider to be part of my

vintage computing collection.  However, I have noticed (and chuckled

over) the fact  that others are collecting computers and software that I

"just used".  Anyway, I'm finding stuff that I think others may appreciate

more than I and I'm wondering about its value.

 

First, I have what I believe is a pretty early AOL CD and I understand that

it may be collectable.  It includes the original silver, blue and red
cardboard

sleeve that reads (in part):

 

America Online CD-ROM!

IT'S NEW!  IT'S FREE!

Now with World Wide Web Browser!

 

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.  Most of what I find with

Google seems to be related to a boom about five years ago.

 

I have also found boxes full of other software, along with their original
packaging.

Original DOOM, original Lemmings, Wing Commander, Wing Commander II, Falcon,

several old Microsoft Flight Sims, etc., etc.

 

Thanks,

Bill Sudbrink

 



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B.E.I uSounder S-100 board...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I just picked up one of these on a lark.  It has an SN76477 sound

effects chip on it.  Not much other info besides the copyright,

1978.  Anyone have schematics or a user manual?

 

Thanks,

Bill S.



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RE: CYCLOID faceplate for Altair computer...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Finally found it:

 

https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Poptronics/70s/1977/Poptronics-1977-03
.pdf

 

Bottom of page 116 (PDF page 108)

 

From: William Sudbrink [mailto:wh.sudbr...@verizon.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2020 5:53 PM
To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'
Subject: CYCLOID faceplate for Altair computer...

 

I seem to remember this being discussed many years ago, but I can't find it.

 

Anyway,  there's an Altair on epay right now with a CYCLOID faceplate.

If I remember correctly, this is just a replacement plastic insert that was

sold simply to "freshen up" an Altair where the original had worn badly,

as so many did.  I've done a fair amount of searching but I can't find an

ad or other reference to the product.  Does anyone recall the time period?

I would assume it was at least a couple of years after the introduction of

the Altair. 78 or 79?  A pointer to an advertisement or one of those "new

product" paragraphs that many of the magazines did back then would be

most helpful.

 

Thanks,

Bill S.



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CYCLOID faceplate for Altair computer...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I seem to remember this being discussed many years ago, but I can't find it.

 

Anyway,  there's an Altair on epay right now with a CYCLOID faceplate.

If I remember correctly, this is just a replacement plastic insert that was

sold simply to "freshen up" an Altair where the original had worn badly,

as so many did.  I've done a fair amount of searching but I can't find an

ad or other reference to the product.  Does anyone recall the time period?

I would assume it was at least a couple of years after the introduction of

the Altair. 78 or 79?  A pointer to an advertisement or one of those "new

product" paragraphs that many of the magazines did back then would be

most helpful.

 

Thanks,

Bill S.



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Circuit board trace repair...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Hi All,

 

I'm going to be attempting to repair, both cosmetically and operationally, a
circuit board that had a strip of 12 volt trace "blown off" of it by a
short.  The fiberglass is clean and there was no solder resist in the
affected area.  I'm considering using 3M 1183 adhesive tinned foil tape for
the job.  Has anyone else done this?  Could you recommend this or another
product?  Any tips?

 

Thanks,

Bill Sudbrink

 



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HP 16C Badge (logo)

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

This is not exactly vintage computer, but it is very close.  A friend just
gave me an HP 16C calculator in excellent, working condition, EXCEPT the 16C
badge (or logo if you prefer) is missing.  I seem to recall that, some years
ago, someone on this list knew of a source for replacements but I can't find
it in the archive.  So, I'll ask, does anyone know where to get a
replacement 16C badge?

 

Thanks,

Bill S.



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RE: Ever seen a Cromemco Cyclops in the wild?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

The really interesting thing (to me anyway) is just how

it works.  The cells are 3T1C (3 transistor, 1 capacitor).

There’s a good diagram here:



https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/477173/the-detailed-working-steps-of-the-dram-3t1c-cell



I assumed that the photons were just allowing charge to

escape across the capacitor.  Terry corrected me.  The

transistor labeled “T2” in the above diagram is what is

light sensitive.  When struck by photons, T2 allows charge

to leak to ground, discharging the cap and “flipping” the

bit to zero.



Bill



From: Eric Smith [mailto:space...@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2020 12:38 PM
To: William Sudbrink; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: Ever seen a Cromemco Cyclops in the wild?



On Tue, Jun 9, 2020 at 6:14 PM William Sudbrink  wrote:

No, I'm afraid not.  I can tell you from both personal experience and from the
designer (Terry Walker) that the chip is either a Mostek MK4008P-9 or an AMI
S4008-9.  I have used both chips.  See my web page:

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/cyclops/index.html



You obviously must be correct, and use of a DRAM makes much more sense than an 
SRAM. It's possible that an SRAM could be made to work as an image sensor, but 
it would not be anywhere near as sensitive as a DRAM. When, back in 1975, I 
compared the pinout to the data books I had on hand, and observed that it 
exactly matched the 2102, and didn't search any further. I had no idea that the 
MK4006 and MK4008 dynamic RAMs happen to have the same pinout as the 2102 
static RAM.  Intel's own 1K DRAMs (1103 PMOS, 2105 NMOS) do not share that 
pinout.





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RE: Ever seen a Cromemco Cyclops in the wild?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Hi Tim,

No problem.  I'll use this as an excuse to put a want ad in cctalk:

I have a working example of everything in the August 1976 Cromemco
catalog EXCEPT the EXC-2 extender board on the back cover.  I would
really like to complete this little "sub-collection" of mine.  Consequently,
I would probably pay a lot more for one in good shape than it's really
worth (after all, it's just a passive extender board).  Just sayin'

Bill Sudbrink


-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Shoppa, Tim
via cctalk
Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2020 10:22 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Ever seen a Cromemco Cyclops in the wild?

Bill, thanks in particular for the reference to the August 1976 Cromemco
catalog. I definitely remember the Dazzler graphics on the cover but somehow
had lost memory of the camera on the second to last page.

Tim


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RE: Ever seen a Cromemco Cyclops in the wild?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

No, I'm afraid not.  I can tell you from both personal experience and from the
designer (Terry Walker) that the chip is either a Mostek MK4008P-9 or an AMI
S4008-9.  I have used both chips.  See my web page:

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/cyclops/index.html

Among other important features of those chips is the fact that the memory cells
are laid out in a 32 by 32 square and that the cells are multi-transistor per 
cell.
The multi-transistor design allows for non-destructive reads which is crucial 
for
the design.

Bill Sudbrink

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Eric Smith via 
cctalk
Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2020 7:40 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: Ever seen a Cromemco Cyclops in the wild?

On Tue, Jun 9, 2020 at 4:53 PM Boris Gimbarzevsky via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> so probably read the Cyclops article, decided that $25 was way
> too much for one chip and never bothered.


In 1975 the B2102 or C2102 in the lidded ceramic package was more expensive
than the D2102 (CERDIP, frit seal, no die cavity lid), and far more
expensive than the P2102 (plastic). The B2102 or C2102 in low volume sold
for over $10 at the time, so $25 for one that had been manually de-lidded
then fit with a transparent lid doesn't seem like it was too unreasonable.

If you wanted to save a few bucks you could have bought a normal C2102 and
replaced the lid yourself.

Of course, the article didn't say that it was a 2102, but that was evident
from the pinout. The A/B/J/K jumpering was needed because the topology of
the 2102 and 2102A were different, which didn't matter in normal RAM
applications.


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RE: Ever seen a Cromemco Cyclops in the wild?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Hi Tim,

I have 1 and a half "in the wild" Cyclops cameras (Cyclopi? whatever) and
three board sets.  I demonstrated a real Cyclops as well as my repro at VCF
East.  If you haven't seen my web site:

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/cyclops/index.html

Both Terry Walker and Harry Garland have retail Cyclops cameras and they say
that Roger has one too.  I visited Terry in San Jo and he kindly gave me a
personal demonstration of his, driven by a little FPGA board that he came up
with.

Bill Sudbrink

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Shoppa, Tim
via cctalk
Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2020 9:22 AM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Subject: Ever seen a Cromemco Cyclops in the wild?

I think a Stanford AI lab has one in a display case. Any others out there?

It was supposedly "commercial" but I don't even remember ever seeing an ad
for the Cyclops from Cromemco and I had a really good stash of Cromemco
literature and hardware.

I do remember the BYTE article where you pop the top off of a DRAM chip to
make a Camera but that was 1983-ish, nearly a decade after the Cromemco
Cyclops was supposedly "commercial". In the discussions I had in the 80's
none of us seemed to know about the Cromemco Cyclops having preceded it.

Tim N3QE


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RE: Odd book

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Noel Chiappa wrote:

> Competent, but nothing special. Then it
> gets interesting, though.

> MONROBOT III (!!),

Yes, the Monrobot is particularly interesting
because (among other things) it was reviewed
in the New Yorker magazine.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1960/03/19/portable-robot

Bill S.


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RE: Unable to download Dave Dunfield's ImageDisk

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

My thanks as well.  I've used it for years and have a 386 machine dedicated
to running it.

Bill Sudbrink

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Seth
Morabito via cctalk
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 12:23 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Unable to download Dave Dunfield's ImageDisk

On Wed, Mar 25, 2020, at 4:47 AM, Dave Dunfield via cctalk wrote:
> 
> Should be fixed now - may have to refresh your browser if It cached
> the bad links.
> 
> Dave

By the way, Dave, I just wanted to say thanks for ImageDisk. I use it
constantly on my floppy archiving box and it's one of the most important
tools in my workflow. I've even used it to realign several floppy drives
with great success. I truly appreciate your work on it.

All the best,

-Seth
-- 
  Seth Morabito
  Poulsbo, WA
  w...@loomcom.com


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RE: SWTPC SuperClock II board

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I would bet that that board increases the resolution of one of the early SWTPc 
terminals.  I'm not sure which one.

Bill S.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Kyle Owen via 
cctalk
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2020 3:52 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: SWTPC SuperClock II board

In the midst of cleaning up, I came across this board. Can't seem to find
any info online about it. There's another board from another company, not
SWTPC, with the same name—apparently a timekeeping board for an Apple II.

https://imgur.com/a/j8pyqMZ

I assume this is a way to generate a composite video signal with the
current time displayed? Anyone have schematics or a parts list?

Thanks, and stay healthy!

Kyle


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RE: SWTPC 6800, FLEX and Percom Floppy

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Hi Mike,

You really want to ask this on the fufu list:

http://www.flexusergroup.com/flexusergroup/fufusub.htm

I did about a year ago, but didn't get anything definite.  The list tends to be 
bursty.
It's been pretty quiet for the last couple of weeks.

Bill S.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Mike Douglas 
via cctalk
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2020 10:02 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Subject: SWTPC 6800, FLEX and Percom Floppy

Now that I have my SWTPC 6800 loading and saving programs with paper tape, 
cassette, and floppy disk (using the Percom LFD-400 controller and their 
MiniDOS and MPX “operating systems”), the next logical step is getting FLEX up 
and running. Unfortunately, I only have the Percom floppy controller and I 
don’t know if FLEX compatible disk drivers and boot code were ever written for 
it. Before I go create Percom support for FLEX from scratch, does anyone have 
any leads?

Mike

RE: Parasitic Engineering Altair Clock Fix Kit...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I have an Altair with the power supply mod and a printed copy of the power
supply instructions.  I don't think the printed instructions are original.
As a
matter of fact, I think they are probably printed from deramps's scan.  Mr.
Ahl's
"Saga of a System" mentions both the PS mod and the clock mod although it
does not suggest that he ever installed the clock mod.  I'd still like to
show it at
VCF East if possible.

Bill S.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Fred Cisin
via cctalk
Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2020 8:26 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: Parasitic Engineering Altair Clock Fix Kit...

On Thu, 20 Feb 2020, William Sudbrink via cctalk wrote:
> Hi,
> Does anyone happen to have the instructions for this kit?  I would really
> appreciate a scan if you do.
> Also looking for a 1975ish GE Porta-Color television (borrow, rent or buy)
> for VCF East.
> Thanks,
> Bill Sudbrink

Please let us know what you find.

Howard Fullmer created a "beefier" power supply for the Altair.  Ed 
Roberts said that people selling aftermarket peripherals were "parasites", 
so Howard named his company "Parasitic Engineering".

He later produced the "Shuffleboard" (daughterboard) set for TRS80 that 
changed the memory map to be CP/M compatible, and an adapter 
(daughterboard) to change the exp-ansion interface to support 8" single 
density.   (4th West Coast Computer Faire 1979)

He and George Morrow put out early proposals for standardizing S100.

Later, he was chief engineer for Morrow.


He is no longer at the same addresses in north Berkeley and Albany.
I heard a rumor that he had died, but I have been unable to find more 
information.  George Morrow, who would know, is also dead.

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

RE: Parasitic Engineering Altair Clock Fix Kit...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I really appreciate it!

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Mike Douglas 
via cctalk
Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2020 10:29 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Parasitic Engineering Altair Clock Fix Kit...

I have an original paper manual for it. I’ll try to get it scanned tomorrow.

Mike

Parasitic Engineering Altair Clock Fix Kit...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Hi,

Does anyone happen to have the instructions for this kit?  I would really
appreciate a scan if you do.

Also looking for a 1975ish GE Porta-Color television (borrow, rent or buy)
for VCF East.

Thanks,
Bill Sudbrink

Croemeco 4FDC daughter board...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Interesting daughter board on the 4FDC in this ebay lot:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Lot-of-2-Cromemco-S-100-Boards-Z80-ZPU-CPU-
4FDC-Floppy-Disk-Controller/202903187221?hash=item2f3df8ef15:g:kGQAAOSwhKZeQ
z9C

 

(sorry if you have to paste the URL back together)

 

I thought maybe it was the JVB FDCX4 but after looking at some pictures,

it clearly is not.  Looks like it just adds a data separator to the 1771?
Anybody

have one of these?

 

Bill S.

RE: SWTPC 6800 and Percom Floppy Controller

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

You might try asking on the Flex Users "fufu" list.  I have a working MiniDOS 
PlusX LFD-400 setup.  I would be happy to trade dumps if you are interested.

Bill S.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Mike Douglas 
via cctalk
Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2020 7:45 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Subject: SWTPC 6800 and Percom Floppy Controller

I’m restoring a SWTPC 6800 that includes the Percom LFD-400 floppy controller. 
This controller goes on the SS-50 bus instead of the SS-30 bus where the SWTPC 
controllers installed. The standard Percom MiniDOS PROM is installed, and the 
other two PROM sockets have a third party extension called “Minidisk+”. This 
was made by a company called Cer-Comp. These PROMs are instead of Percom’s own 
“MiniDOS PlusX (MPX) PROM. 

I’ve got the system working, and I can use Minidisk+ to save and load files, 
but I know I’m missing some nuances of command parameters. I don’t have any 
sort of documentation for Minidisk+, so before I go figure it out by 
disassembling the PROMs, does anyone have any sort of documentation for 
Minidisk+ by Cer-Comp for the Percom LFD-400 floppy disk controller?

Also, I’d like to burn the MPX PROM as an option. Does anyone have the MPX PROM 
or the source code for MiniDOS PlusX?

Mike

RE: WANTED: Cromemco EXC extender board...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Um, sorry, no.  It is an S-100 bus extender card.  Found on the back cover of 
this catalog:

https://archive.org/details/CromemcoCatalogAugust1976/page/n7

Thanks,
Bill

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Chris Zach via 
cctalk
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2019 4:26 PM
To: William Sudbrink via cctalk
Subject: Re: WANTED: Cromemco EXC extender board...

Was that for the Vic-20 with three sockets and switches? I might have it 
somewhere.

On 12/12/2019 3:40 PM, William Sudbrink via cctalk wrote:
> Hi All,
> 
>   
> 
> I would like to buy, but I will borrow/rent if I have to for VCF East 2020.
> I'm looking for ONLY the Cromemco EXC, no others.
> 
>   
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Bill Sudbrink
> 

WANTED: Cromemco EXC extender board...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Hi All,

 

I would like to buy, but I will borrow/rent if I have to for VCF East 2020.
I'm looking for ONLY the Cromemco EXC, no others.

 

Thanks,

Bill Sudbrink

One old Sol, Two old names...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I've just had the pleasure of taking a new machine into my collection, a Sol
20.

It's particularly interesting for several reasons.  First, it was once in
the possession

of Jim Willing (zoom into the label next to the control key):

 

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/images/fixed_sol/20191125_195224.jpg

 

For those that don't know, Jim was a very early collector of vintage
computers

and one of the first collectors to put up a web site with pictures of his
collection,

scans of documents and the like.  Also, he was one of the first posters to
the

original classic computer mailing list:

 

http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/cctalk/

 

That's the first old name.

 

Other interesting things about the Sol include that it has an 80/64 video
modification

(with patches all over):

 

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/images/fixed_sol/20191125_202606.jpg

 

and a patched personality module socket with a custom ROM:

 

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/images/fixed_sol/20191125_195249.jpg

 

which leads to the second old name.  One that I don't know:

 

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/images/fixed_sol/20191125_211019.jpg

 

Every time that the machine boots it displays that banner:

 

*** DAN CETRONE ***

 

I've done some googling but I can't find out anything about him.  I've
started

to disassemble the contents of the ROM.  There are some blocks that look
like

the Micro Complex ROM, but other sections don't match.  I'll publish it when

I'm done.  Anyway, I don't know if Dan was the author or just wanted to
uniquely

identify his Sol.  If anyone knows, knew, knew about, Dan, I'd love to hear
about

it.

 

Thanks,

Bill Sudbrink

 

RE: swtpc.com expired???

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Well, more than just "web friends".  Michael Holley was a member of the Home
Brew Computer Club and a pioneer of 6800/6809 based computers.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Guy Dunphy
via cctalk
Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2019 6:14 PM
To: Lyle Bickley; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: swtpc.com expired???


For others like me, who are newcomers to this group:

 
http://web.archive.org/web/20190616094729/http://www.swtpc.com/mholley/index
.html

I hope he's just having a nice fishing holiday or ocean cruise or something.
That's the trouble with circles of 'net friends.' Without fallback physical
contact lines,
people (and their personal websites) can just disappear without anyone being
able to find
out what happened.

Hopefully not premature: 
Wills should include notes on where to make announcements. Mail lists,
social media, etc.
And where and how to offer personal collections. Never leave this up to
relatives, who
usually dgaf about technological relics and have highly random ideas about
preservation worth.

Guy


At 02:42 PM 6/11/2019 -0800, you wrote:
>On Wed, 6 Nov 2019 17:15:01 -0500
>William Sudbrink via cctalk  wrote:
>
>> Domain has been down for 7 days now.  No reply to emails.  Does anyone
know
>> anything?
>
>I looked it up and got this from "GoDaddy":
>
>---
>NOTICE: This domain name expired on 10/30/2019 and is pending renewal or
>deletion.
>---
>
>Best,
>Lyle
>
>--
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: William Sudbrink [mailto:wh.sudbr...@verizon.net] 
>> Sent: Monday, November 04, 2019 12:29 PM
>> To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'
>> Subject: swtpc.com expired???
>> 
>> Anybody know if Mike Holley is OK?
>> 
>> Bill S.


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RE: swtpc.com expired???

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Yes, GoDaddy renewed the registration so that they could sell it to someone 
else if it is not renewed.  I more concerned about Mike.  Has anyone heard from 
him?

-Original Message-
From: Kevin Lee [mailto:8...@128.ca] 
Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2019 5:44 PM
To: William Sudbrink; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: swtpc.com expired???

Current reg says will expire in 2020 
So has been renewed.  

Sent from my iPhone

> On 7 Nov 2019, at 06:15, William Sudbrink via cctalk  
> wrote:
> 
> Domain has been down for 7 days now.  No reply to emails.  Does anyone know
> anything?
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: William Sudbrink [mailto:wh.sudbr...@verizon.net] 
> Sent: Monday, November 04, 2019 12:29 PM
> To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'
> Subject: swtpc.com expired???
> 
> Anybody know if Mike Holley is OK?
> 
> Bill S.
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
> 

RE: swtpc.com expired???

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Domain has been down for 7 days now.  No reply to emails.  Does anyone know
anything?

-Original Message-
From: William Sudbrink [mailto:wh.sudbr...@verizon.net] 
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2019 12:29 PM
To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'
Subject: swtpc.com expired???

Anybody know if Mike Holley is OK?

Bill S.



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swtpc.com expired???

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Anybody know if Mike Holley is OK?

Bill S.



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RE: 50 yrs. ago today

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Chuck Guzis wrote
> 50 years ago, inter-computer communication was common enough that it was
> a standard option in most vendors' catalogs.
> 
> Maybe you've got a digit wrong?

500 years ago?  A pair of abaci (or abacuses?) linked with strings?


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RE: Introduction and need help bringing some pdp11's back

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Chris Zach wrote:

> Maryland

I'm in Maryland, but not much into dec.  You may remember David Gesswein, he's 
here in MD as well.  The MARCH group is technically in New Jersey, but most of 
us down here belong to that as well.

Bill S.



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Wanted: Scan of RF modulator article in Sept. 1978 Radio Electronics

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Hi,

 

I'd like to read the second part of the article found here:

 

https://www.schematicsforfree.com/archive/file/Video/Circuits/Video%20Modula
tor.pdf

 

I don't have a real print of the magazine and my Google-Fu fails me if it's
already scanned somewhere.

 

Thanks,

Bill S.

 



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RE: Early Univac Commercial

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Isn't there also one that's a "help wanted" for programming positions?
I seem to recall that they didn't say anything about professional training
or experience, just things like "do you have a logical, ordered way of
thinking?"

Bill S.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Chuck Guzis 
via cctalk
Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2019 10:10 PM
To: Marvin Johnston via cctalk
Subject: Re: Early Univac Commercial

There are several Univac commercials in the archive.org video library.

I like the one that talks about he Univac "memory tank", which, it
really was.

The curious thing was that Remington Rand ran commercials not only for
UNIVAC computers, but also for shavers and typewriters.

--Chuck


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Wanted: ATV Research Pixie-Verter

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Hi,

 

For historical reasons (I'm starting to plan my VCF East 2020 exhibit) I'd
like to get real ATV Research PXV-2A Pixie-Verter.  I know that there were a
lot of other RF modulators out there (I have a SUP "R" MOD II (that I might
trade)) but I want this one in particular.  Various S-100 boards and other
vintage computer hardware available for trade or cash if necessary.

 

Thanks,

Bill Sudbrink



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Needed: instruction manual for AVA 103C

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I just picked up an AVA Model 103C Floppy Exerciser. While it has a few
quick

tips silkscreened on the bottom of it, I think it would be helpful to have
the

full manual.  I've done a fair bit of googling, but all I've turned up is
several

repair manuals for other equipment, suggesting the 103C as the ideal tool
for

testing and repairing their gear.

 

Thanks,

Bill Sudbrink

 



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RE: Resurrecting integrated circuits by cooking them.

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Brent Hilpert wrote:

On 2019-Jul-24, at 10:31 AM, Jeffrey S. Worley via cctalk wrote:

>> Yesterday evening, in the process of refurbishing five very badly
>> treated Atari 800 computers I had a hunch and subjected a failed Pokey
>> chip (Atari Part CO12294 Wikki link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/POKEY
>>) to high heat by way of the barrel of my soldering iron until
>> saliva evaporated from it in about 1 second.
>> 
>> The chip, which did not work before in any of the machines now works
>> perfectly.
>
> cross your fingers that it stays working. I performed a fix like this some
> years ago with a ca.1970 chip from an SSI logic family from Sony. However,
> it reverted to its failed state some weeks or months after the heat
> application, long after (obviously) the chip had returned to ambient
> temperature. So it wasn't merely that the chip was temperature sensitive,
> the heat application indeed must have had made some internal alteration,
> but it wasn't permanent.

Probably temporarily reattached a bond wire which "re-broke" after a few
thermal cycles.

Bill S.



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RIP: John Parsons

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I have unfortunately just discovered that John Parsons, who shared my
interest in the Cromemco Cyclops and spoke at VCF East XI, passed away on
March 29th:

 

https://www.kentandpelczarfh.com/obituary/john-parsons

 

Bill S.

 



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RE: Pleas ID this IBM system....

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Chuck Guzis wrote:

> How well sealed were the raised floors?

If you mean "when properly installed", pretty well.
If you mean "as actually used", not at all.

With the exception of the very small raised floor under
the HP-3000 in my high school, every place I've encountered
raised floors there were "permanently removed" tiles, tiles
with corners cut off, tiles with large holes drilled into their
centers, etc. etc.

Bill S.



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RE: Pleas ID this IBM system....

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Adrian Stoness wrote:
> had to crawl 300feet under raised floor cause it was carpeted runing
> 48pair fiber line took a good hour and half to get it over to the room with
> the rack in it from the building raise

When I interned with the Social Security Administration, I was tasked with
crawling under the raised floor, pulling cable.  As well as the various scenery
already mentioned by others, I came up at the other end with several dozen
9-track tape write rings.  I stuck them on my (then skinny) arms as I crawled,
The older guys, waiting at the other end, laughed and told me stories of the
write ring battles that went on "back in the day".

Bill S.



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RE: Gaming Gear

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Don't trust it with anything important?

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Chuck Guzis 
via cctalk
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2019 10:56 AM
To: CCtalk
Subject: OT: Gaming Gear

Okay, Newegg dropped a deal on a Seagate 25B "Gaming" SSHD.   Exactly
what does that mean?

--CHuck


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RE: What is this?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I believe that that is a joystick interface for an Apple ][.  I think it
allows you to attach both joysticks and knob style controllers and switch
between them "on the fly".

Bill S.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Electronics
Plus via cctalk
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2019 2:22 PM
To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'
Subject: What is this?

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/486774619186135050/578282338375565322
/JPEG_20190515_130651.jpg

Can anyone identify/explain this to me? The same company made joysticks and
other peripherals for pre-PC systems.

 

Cindy Croxton

Electronics Plus

1613 Water Street

Kerrville, TX 78028

830-370-3239 cell

sa...@elecplus.com

 



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RE: Ultimate FDC? (Was: IBM 6360 - Filesystem(ish) info?

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

A design that can manage Ohio Scientific as well would be nice.


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RE: Christmas came early...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Thanks for the link.  I just opened both of them (I didn’t take pictures, maybe 
later).  The GRI is a factory 753.  It is spotless inside, wired per spec.  I 
made a 753 work-alike for my IMSAI with the Processor Technology Subsystem B 
board set:

 

http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/VCF-East2009/IMG_0561-L.jpg

http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/VCF-East2009/IMG_0562-L.jpg

 

I can’t wait to check it out and replace my Frankenstein keyboard with it.

 

The other keyboard contains a “Cherry 026-0738 Art Rev. C” keyboard unit.  It 
also has “001-1085” on the board. The board has three ICs “dead bugged” on the 
back of it with “white wires” running all around, including to the I/O edge 
connector.  I’m not familiar with this unit, I’m starting to look for 
schematics now.

 

Bill S.

 

 

From: Santo Nucifora [mailto:santo.nucif...@gmail.com] 
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2018 5:57 PM
To: William Sudbrink; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: Christmas came early...

 

Hi Bill,

 

They are both great looking period keyboards but I do particularly love the 
George Risk keyboard.  It might not be a model 756 but I do have some 
documentation and hopefully it can help.  Check 
http://vintagecomputer.ca/files/George%20Risk%20Industries/

 

 

 

On Sat, Dec 15, 2018 at 5:34 PM William Sudbrink via cctalk 
 wrote:

In the form of an estate sale.  The first in a long while where I found 
anything interesting.  In addition to buying a large box of 7400 and 4000 
series chips, all with 1970's date codes, I got two vintage keyboards:

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/images/kb_pics/20181215_162104.jpg

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/images/kb_pics/20181215_162139.jpg

The estate sale employees have no idea where the associated systems (if any) 
are.  They did not see them during the sale preparation and have not sold them. 
 I also got a manual and set of 8 inch floppies for "Unicorn Systems Software 
Tools For CP/M".  Twenty floppies, all with factory labels, various libraries, 
utilities and documentation files.  I have not made a careful study of them yet 
(I just got home with them an hour ago).

Bill S.


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Christmas came early...

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

In the form of an estate sale.  The first in a long while where I found 
anything interesting.  In addition to buying a large box of 7400 and 4000 
series chips, all with 1970's date codes, I got two vintage keyboards:

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/images/kb_pics/20181215_162104.jpg

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/images/kb_pics/20181215_162139.jpg

The estate sale employees have no idea where the associated systems (if any) 
are.  They did not see them during the sale preparation and have not sold them. 
 I also got a manual and set of 8 inch floppies for "Unicorn Systems Software 
Tools For CP/M".  Twenty floppies, all with factory labels, various libraries, 
utilities and documentation files.  I have not made a careful study of them yet 
(I just got home with them an hour ago).

Bill S.


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RE: Re: 34 pin Card Edge “Male to Male” Connector

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I'm not sure you're quite getting it... they say a picture is worth a thousand 
words:

http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/images/20181128_194316.jpg

Assuming I make up some gerbers myself, two questions:

1) how do you specify the slightly beveled edge required for easy insertion?
2) is there some way to specify "hardened" or whatever plating for the 
connector traces?

And actually a third: Does anyone have a particular PCB company that they like, 
communications wise?

Bill S.



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34 pin card edge male to male biscut (wafer? adapter?)

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Hi,

 

Before I go to the bother of making up a gerber, and

putting in a cheap Chinese PCB order, does anyone

know of any place that has them for sale?

 

I bought a stack of them for about a buck a piece, a

number of years ago, but I can't seem to find them

for sale anymore.

 

They are very useful when you want to preserve the

original cables on machines where the CPU and drive

chassis are "permanently" joined but you want the

ease of being able to separate them.  Ohio Scientific

machines are a good example of this.

 

They are also useful to provide test points in the CPU

to drive signals.

 

Over the years, I've lost a few and given a few away

and now I need some more.

 

Thanks,

Bill S.



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RE: desoldering (was Re: VAX 9440)

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Al Kossow wrote:
> Cleaning the Hakko is SO much easier than a
> Pace (there is no glass to burn your
> fingers on).

The newer Pace desoldering tools (SX-90, SX-100)
are much better, both in cleaning (disposable traps)
and usage (the tips simply don't block at all).

Bill S.


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RE: Swap clarification (Was: bill was my first "real" computer comoany customer"

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Fred Cisin wrote:

> Opened to public at 10:00 AM, by which time, the vendors had been buying 

> each others stuff for quite a while.  "It's worth getting a vendor table, 

> just for the early admission!"

 

That's true for just about any hamfest/swap meet, isn't it?  Buy stuff right
out

of the back of the truck as it is unloaded.

 

Bill S.

 



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RE: Microsoft-Paul Allen

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Wait!  It gets stranger.  I just squinted hard at that Byte Mag ad.

"Kentucky Fried Computers" is offering a "North Star Computers-FP8 &
disk"???

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of William
Sudbrink via cctalk
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2018 2:15 PM
To: 'Fred Cisin'; 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'
Subject: RE: Microsoft-Paul Allen

Hmmm... so they were only "Kentucky Fried Computers" while they were
reselling other (IMSAI, etc.) brands?
You will never see a Northstar Horizon like case with a "Kentucky Fried
Computers" badge on it?

Bill

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Fred Cisin
via cctalk
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2018 2:05 PM
To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'
Subject: RE: Microsoft-Paul Allen

On Fri, 19 Oct 2018, William Sudbrink wrote:
> Fred,
> Have you ever seen any actual "Kentucky Fried Computers" anything?
> Ads?  Marketing lit? Hardware? Letterhead?  Incorporation application?
> I've looked in the past and have never turned up anything.

http://www.digibarn.com/collections/newsletters/homebrew/V2_06/Homebrew_CC_J
un76.pdf


"Greenberg, Mark; Charles Grant (February 1977). "Kentucky Fried Computers 
advertisement". BYTE. 2 (2): pg 103. Slogan: "A Computer in Every Pot" 
Address was 2465 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710"

https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1977-02/page/n103
upper right hand corner quarter page ad


H.  where to find "Google streets" of 2465 4th street (east side of 
street, near Dwight Way) from 40 years ago?, . . .
10 years ago, when I was looking for pictures and memorabilia from those 
days, a friend of mine said that he thought that he remembered them having 
a small sign on the front of the building; but he's dead, and his 
collection of pictures of interest of Berkeley and Albany was dumpstered 
immediately after his death. Now, there is a biodiesel place and some 
maildrops there.

Hmmm.   Maybe, if you contacted KFC and asked their IP lawyers for details 
and anecdotes for how they have protected their trademark?,  . . .


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RE: Microsoft-Paul Allen

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Hmmm... so they were only "Kentucky Fried Computers" while they were
reselling other (IMSAI, etc.) brands?
You will never see a Northstar Horizon like case with a "Kentucky Fried
Computers" badge on it?

Bill

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Fred Cisin
via cctalk
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2018 2:05 PM
To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'
Subject: RE: Microsoft-Paul Allen

On Fri, 19 Oct 2018, William Sudbrink wrote:
> Fred,
> Have you ever seen any actual "Kentucky Fried Computers" anything?
> Ads?  Marketing lit? Hardware? Letterhead?  Incorporation application?
> I've looked in the past and have never turned up anything.

http://www.digibarn.com/collections/newsletters/homebrew/V2_06/Homebrew_CC_J
un76.pdf


"Greenberg, Mark; Charles Grant (February 1977). "Kentucky Fried Computers 
advertisement". BYTE. 2 (2): pg 103. Slogan: "A Computer in Every Pot" 
Address was 2465 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710"

https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1977-02/page/n103
upper right hand corner quarter page ad


H.  where to find "Google streets" of 2465 4th street (east side of 
street, near Dwight Way) from 40 years ago?, . . .
10 years ago, when I was looking for pictures and memorabilia from those 
days, a friend of mine said that he thought that he remembered them having 
a small sign on the front of the building; but he's dead, and his 
collection of pictures of interest of Berkeley and Albany was dumpstered 
immediately after his death. Now, there is a biodiesel place and some 
maildrops there.

Hmmm.   Maybe, if you contacted KFC and asked their IP lawyers for details 
and anecdotes for how they have protected their trademark?,  . . .


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RE: Microsoft-Paul Allen

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Excellent!  Thanks very much!

Bill S.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Fred Cisin
via cctalk
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2018 2:05 PM
To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'
Subject: RE: Microsoft-Paul Allen

On Fri, 19 Oct 2018, William Sudbrink wrote:
> Fred,
> Have you ever seen any actual "Kentucky Fried Computers" anything?
> Ads?  Marketing lit? Hardware? Letterhead?  Incorporation application?
> I've looked in the past and have never turned up anything.

http://www.digibarn.com/collections/newsletters/homebrew/V2_06/Homebrew_CC_J
un76.pdf


"Greenberg, Mark; Charles Grant (February 1977). "Kentucky Fried Computers 
advertisement". BYTE. 2 (2): pg 103. Slogan: "A Computer in Every Pot" 
Address was 2465 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710"

https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1977-02/page/n103
upper right hand corner quarter page ad


H.  where to find "Google streets" of 2465 4th street (east side of 
street, near Dwight Way) from 40 years ago?, . . .
10 years ago, when I was looking for pictures and memorabilia from those 
days, a friend of mine said that he thought that he remembered them having 
a small sign on the front of the building; but he's dead, and his 
collection of pictures of interest of Berkeley and Albany was dumpstered 
immediately after his death. Now, there is a biodiesel place and some 
maildrops there.

Hmmm.   Maybe, if you contacted KFC and asked their IP lawyers for details 
and anecdotes for how they have protected their trademark?,  . . .


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RE: Microsoft-Paul Allen

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

I'd love to see it if you get the chance.

Thanks,
Bill S.

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Al Kossow via 
cctalk
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2018 1:19 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Microsoft-Paul Allen



On 10/19/18 8:24 AM, William Sudbrink via cctalk wrote:
> Fred,
>
> Have you ever seen any actual "Kentucky Fried Computers" anything?
> Ads?  Marketing lit? Hardware? Letterhead?  Incorporation application?


There is something in the Jim Warren West Coast Computer Faire correspondence 
we have

http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102739208

I'd have to pull it to see what is there.


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RE: Microsoft-Paul Allen

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Fred,

Have you ever seen any actual "Kentucky Fried Computers" anything?
Ads?  Marketing lit? Hardware? Letterhead?  Incorporation application?

I've looked in the past and have never turned up anything.

Thanks,
Bill

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Fred Cisin
via cctalk
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2018 6:01 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: Microsoft-Paul Allen

Thank you for the correction.

Yes, companies often change their names.

Gary Kildall founded Intergalactic Digital Research.

George Morrow founded Thinker Toys, which later became Morrow's Micro 
Stuff, and eventually Morrow Designs.

Greenberg and Grant founded Kentucky Fried Computers, which became North 
Star (due to a lawsuit from a chicken place), and eventually NorthStar

Can you pinpoint when the microcomputer businesses lost their sense of 
humor?


On Thu, 18 Oct 2018, Murray McCullough via cctalk wrote:

> I would like to make a correction: Paul Allen helped to create
> Micro-Soft not MicroSoft as I had written. When trying to preserve
> computing history it's really not permissable to make such an
> error.(It's the prof. in me!)
>
> Happy Computing!
>
> Murray  :)
>

--
Fred Cisin  ci...@xenosoft.com
XenoSofthttp://www.xenosoft.com
PO Box 1236 (510) 234-3397
Berkeley, CA 94701-1236


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RE: Old Classiccmp archive

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Livin' in a small town...
Nobody locks their door at night...

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Jon Elson
via cctalk
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2018 11:35 AM
To: r.stricklin; gene...@ezwind.net; discuss...@ezwind.net:On-Topic and
Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: Old Classiccmp archive

On 03/01/2018 10:34 PM, r.stricklin via cctalk wrote:
>
> 8) Once the @ character is echoed, press enter.  You should get
>an error message (I no longer remember the text).  Now type
>"@O 77".  This instructs the TIP to connect you to the
>MIT-DM (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dynamic Modeling)
>computer.
>
> 9) Start pressing the return key once a second until you get a
>logon prompt (I no longer remember the prompt text).  The user
>name and password are GUEST.
>
>
Ahh, the good old days when nobody worried about security!

Jon


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RE: Old Classiccmp archive

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Bingo!  Thanks a lot!

-Original Message-
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Dennis
Boone via cctalk
Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2018 5:50 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Old Classiccmp archive

 > Does anyone have an archive of classiccmp that goes back to the 90's?
 > If so, could I ask you to "hunt down" an old message of mine?  I once  >
wrote a "reminiscence" of connecting to the ARPANET when I was a kid  > that
I was rather pleased with.  Unfortunately, I seem to have lost  > it in a
disk crash (actually a couple of disks, primaries and  > backups).

This one?

De


==
That last exchange of messages has me reminiscing so (with a little tongue
in cheek)...

Procedure For Connecting To The 'net Circa 1978

(That's the ARPANET for all you young whipper-snappers.  What we called the
internet before they let all of the riff-raff in.)

Initial notes:

Do not begin this procedure before 11PM.  This avoids conflicts over
telephone usage with your parents.  Net resources are generally not
available to "tourists" before this time anyway.  Resource availability is
generally best on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and holidays.
Keep an ear open for police sirens.  Rumor has it that the FCC will come and
arrest you (and/or your parents) if it detects illegal equipment attached to
the telephone system.  Another reason to operate late at night, they
probably aren't watching.

1) Move your computer from your bedroom to the kitchen table (that's where
the phone is!).  Don't connect power to the modem yet, it produces a carrier
whenever it is powered and you need to be able to hear the far end of the
telephone connection when you first dial.
Also, you want it to be cool when you initiate the connection.

2) Take the handset off of the hook and replace it with the piece of
broomstick that you fashioned for that purpose.

3) Get a big towel from the linen closet.  Fold it into quarters and put the
handset on it.  Attach the speaker and microphone to the handset with wide
rubber bands.  Fold the towel over the handset.
This will prevent various ambient sounds (like the sound of typing) from
introducing noise on the line.

4) Being sure that the cassette/modem switch (a DPDT switch that connects
the transmit and receive pins of the USART to either the cassette interface
or the modem) is in the cassette position, load the terminal program.  Run
the program.  You are greeted with a blank screen (this is normal but you
can't be 100% sure that it loaded correctly until you have connected).
Switch the cassette/modem switch to modem.  You may see a few garbage
characters on the screen (that's a good sign).

5) Get an ice cube from the freezer, put it in a sandwich bag and put it on
the towel next to the modem.

6) Remove the broom stick from the telephone hook and dial the NBS (National
Bureau of Standards) TIP (Terminal Interface Processor).
Listen for the call to be answered and for the carrier on the far end.
Sometimes the TIP is down and won't answer, sometimes it is down and will
answer but won't give a carrier.  If it's down, wait an hour and try again.

7) If you get a carrier, apply power to the modem.  Start pressing the @
(at) key once a second until it is echoed on your screen.
Listen for the chirp when you press the key.  If you don't hear it, the
terminal program isn't running correctly, hang up, unpower the modem, reset
the computer and go back to step 4.

8) Once the @ character is echoed, press enter.  You should get an error
message (I no longer remember the text).  Now type "@O 77".  This
instructs the TIP to connect you to the MIT-DM (Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Dynamic Modeling) computer.

9) Start pressing the return key once a second until you get a logon prompt
(I no longer remember the prompt text).  The user name and password are
GUEST.

10) Once logged on, wait for a minute or two, pressing enter every ten
seconds or so.  This gives the operator a chance to notice you and kick you
off if the system is busy.  If he's in a chatty mood, you'll get a message
like "The system's busy, get lost!".  If not, your connection will just die.
If the system is busy, try again in an hour or so.

11) I no longer remember how to start up Zork or some of the other
programs... anyone feel free to provide details I'm missing.  Keep an ear on
the connection.  If the carrier starts to change pitch, wipe any
condensation off the ice cube bag on the towel and then apply to the smaller
chip on the right on the modem board.


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Old Classiccmp archive

[William Sudbrink via cctalk]

Does anyone have an archive of classiccmp that goes back to the 90's?  If
so, could I ask you to "hunt down" an old message of mine?  I once wrote a
"reminiscence" of connecting to the ARPANET when I was a kid that I was
rather pleased with.  Unfortunately, I seem to have lost it in a disk crash
(actually a couple of disks, primaries and backups).

Thanks,
Bill Sudbrink



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