[cctalk] Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Lars Brinkhoff via cctalk]

Jan-Benedict Glaw wrote:
>> My idea is to make a VS100 emulator and have it run the firmware
>> uploaded by early X versions.
>
> What kind of emulator are you planing? A completely new thing? Or do
> you want to use SIMH as a basis?

It's just a vague idea.  It's much too early to say I have any kind of
plan in place.  I might use SIMH, or something like Musashi, or write my
own in adjunction to my VT52 and VT100 simulators.  I suppose the Unibus
interface to a VAX host would favour use of SIMH, in which case the
VS100 would look like a SIMH device with a 68000 inside.

[cctalk] Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Jan-Benedict Glaw via cctalk]

On Tue, 2022-09-06 05:02:08 +, Lars Brinkhoff via cctalk 
 wrote:
> Matt Burke wrote:
> > I dumped the ROMs from my VAXstation 100 some time ago (along with many
> > other DEC devices):
> >
> > http://www.9track.net/roms/
> Thank you very much!  My idea is to make a VS100 emulator and have it
> run the firmware uploaded by early X versions.  But I have some other
> things going on now, so it will have to wait.  I'd be grateful for any
> help; I may well get in touch in the future.

What kind of emulator are you planing? A completely new thing? Or do
you want to use SIMH as a basis?

MfG, JBG

-- 

[cctalk] Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Lars Brinkhoff via cctalk]

Matt Burke wrote:
> I dumped the ROMs from my VAXstation 100 some time ago (along with many
> other DEC devices):
>
> http://www.9track.net/roms/
>
> 23-288E4.bin and 23-289E4.bin are probably the two main ones you are
> looking for. Do you just need the ROMs or are you looking for technical
> info on the VAXstation 100? I may be able to help.

Thank you very much!  My idea is to make a VS100 emulator and have it
run the firmware uploaded by early X versions.  But I have some other
things going on now, so it will have to wait.  I'd be grateful for any
help; I may well get in touch in the future.

[cctalk] Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Matt Burke via cctalk]

On 05/09/2022 18:04, Lars Brinkhoff via cctalk wrote:
> Lee Gleason wrote:
>>   I gave my VAXstation 100 system unit to Dave McGuire last year (I 
>> didn't need it since I lost interest in UNIBUS sized hobby equipment).
>> Perhaps he could make a copy of its ROMs.
> Thanks!  I asked, and he said he's willing to dump the ROM.

I dumped the ROMs from my VAXstation 100 some time ago (along with many
other DEC devices):

http://www.9track.net/roms/

23-288E4.bin and 23-289E4.bin are probably the two main ones you are
looking for. Do you just need the ROMs or are you looking for technical
info on the VAXstation 100? I may be able to help.

Regards,

Matt

[cctalk] Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Lars Brinkhoff via cctalk]

Lee Gleason wrote:
>   I gave my VAXstation 100 system unit to Dave McGuire last year (I 
> didn't need it since I lost interest in UNIBUS sized hobby equipment).
> Perhaps he could make a copy of its ROMs.

Thanks!  I asked, and he said he's willing to dump the ROM.

[cctalk] Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Lee Gleason via cctalk]

Reviving a year old thread, did anyone get around to dumping the  VAXstation 
100 firmware?


  I gave my VAXstation 100 system unit to Dave McGuire last year (I 
didn't need it since I lost interest in UNIBUS sized hobby equipment).  
Perhaps he could make a copy of its ROMs.


--
Lee K. Gleason N5ZZMR
Control-G Consultants
lee.glea...@comcast.net

[cctalk] Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Jan-Benedict Glaw via cctalk]

On Sun, 2022-09-04 22:19:29 -0700, Glen Slick via cctalk 
 wrote:
> Reviving a year old thread, did anyone get around to dumping the
> VAXstation 100 firmware?
> 
> I don't see it where I looked here:
> http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/vax/vaxstation100/
> http://www.bitsavers.org/bits/DEC/

I don't have a VS100, so I cannot dump the ROMs. But if anybody has
ROMs to read but no reading device, I'd offer to dump those.

MfG, JBG

-- 

[cctalk] Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Glen Slick via cctalk]

On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 10:18 AM Al Kossow via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> On 9/21/21 9:58 AM, Chris Zach via cctalk wrote:
> > How the hell did I miss *that*? Cool beans device, I've never heard of a 
> > VS100. Was it in a Rainbow sized box or a Pro/350 box?
>
> Smaller. I have access to one to take pictures and dump the firmware

Reviving a year old thread, did anyone get around to dumping the
VAXstation 100 firmware?

I don't see it where I looked here:
http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/vax/vaxstation100/
http://www.bitsavers.org/bits/DEC/

Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Lars Brinkhoff via cctalk]

> Does anyone have a (set of) ROM image(s) for the VAXstation 100?
> It might be interesting to attempt an emulator.

I think the machine has some historical interest.  Barbara Liskov's CLU
group received a number of VS100 terminals for their VAX.  This prompted
Bob Scheifler to create X.  CLU even got X libraries before C.

X10 comes with software for the VS100 "version 3.10", but it goes into
RAM through the ROM firmware.  The other main concern, emulation-wise,
would be the blitter with its separate microcode.

Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Ethan Dicks via cctalk]

On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 2:04 PM Josh Dersch via cctalk
 wrote:
> (DEC did make a Unibus to Qbus adapter, the DW11-B, but it was unrelated to
> the VS100)

Yes.  I have one.  It came in a PDP-11/34 so they could install an
IBV11 on a Unibus machine for a Physics Department.

Much older than the VS100.

-ethan

Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Jonathan Stone via cctalk]

 

On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 11:04:22 AM PDT, Josh Dersch 
 wrote:

[...]
>No, there's no QBus involved here.  The M7452 "UNIBUS Window Module" connects 
>the VS100 to the VAX via a fiber-optic link.

thanks for the correction. I wonder what I was mis-remembering. maybe a 
QBus-to-Unibus?

   

Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Josh Dersch via cctalk]

On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 10:43 AM Jonathan Stone via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

>
>
> On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 10:17:33 AM PDT, Chris Zach via cctech <
> cct...@classiccmp.org> wrote:
>
>
> > How the hell did I miss *that*? Cool beans device, I've never heard of a
> > VS100. Was it in a Rainbow sized box or a Pro/350 box?
>
> If old memories serve, you'd also need the Unibus-to-Qbus converter. I
> recall a discussion between someone from, I think DEC UK Reading, asking
> about a DEC Unibus-to-Qbus converteer. The other person said DEC didn't
> have such a device. then Vaxstation-100 was mentinoed. I expect you could
> get it to work as a Qbus device with 18-bit addresssing.
>

No, there's no QBus involved here.  The M7452 "UNIBUS Window Module"
connects the VS100 to the VAX via a fiber-optic link.

(DEC did make a Unibus to Qbus adapter, the DW11-B, but it was unrelated to
the VS100)

- Josh

Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Jonathan Stone via cctalk]

 

On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 10:17:33 AM PDT, Chris Zach via cctech 
 wrote:


> How the hell did I miss *that*? Cool beans device, I've never heard of a
> VS100. Was it in a Rainbow sized box or a Pro/350 box?

If old memories serve, you'd also need the Unibus-to-Qbus converter. I recall a 
discussion between someone from, I think DEC UK Reading, asking about a DEC 
Unibus-to-Qbus converteer. The other person said DEC didn't have such a device. 
then Vaxstation-100 was mentinoed. I expect you could get it to work as a Qbus 
device with 18-bit addresssing.
  

Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Al Kossow via cctalk]

On 9/21/21 9:58 AM, Chris Zach via cctalk wrote:

How the hell did I miss *that*? Cool beans device, I've never heard of a VS100. 
Was it in a Rainbow sized box or a Pro/350 box?


Smaller. I have access to one to take pictures and dump the firmware

Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Zane Healy via cctalk]

On Sep 21, 2021, at 10:10 AM, Josh Dersch  wrote:
> 
> On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 10:04 AM Zane Healy via cctalk  > wrote:
> I’m rather wondering how I missed that Auction.  That’s the first time I’ve 
> ever seen any photos of a VS100.  I believe it required a UNIBUS card to 
> connect it to the VAX.
> 
> Yes, with a fiber optic link; here's a picture of the board (M7452) and 
> cabling:
> 
> https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aqb36sqnCIfMo_cMPAR0aeAPKAYXJg 
> 
> 
> And here's a pic of my VS100 running (connected to an 11/750 running 4.3BSD):
> 
> https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aqb36sqnCIfMo_cUO4EiMWOHZVk8yg 
> 
> 
> (Still trying to hunt down a VR100 monitor, in case anyone has one...)
> 
> - Josh

I’m officially seriously impressed, I had no idea anyone had one working!

Any chance you can dump ROM’s for Lars?

Zane

Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Josh Dersch via cctalk]

On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 10:04 AM Zane Healy via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> I’m rather wondering how I missed that Auction.  That’s the first time
> I’ve ever seen any photos of a VS100.  I believe it required a UNIBUS card
> to connect it to the VAX.
>

Yes, with a fiber optic link; here's a picture of the board (M7452) and
cabling:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aqb36sqnCIfMo_cMPAR0aeAPKAYXJg

And here's a pic of my VS100 running (connected to an 11/750 running
4.3BSD):

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aqb36sqnCIfMo_cUO4EiMWOHZVk8yg

(Still trying to hunt down a VR100 monitor, in case anyone has one...)

- Josh



>
> Zane
>
>
> > On Sep 21, 2021, at 9:58 AM, Chris Zach via cctalk <
> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
> >
> > How the hell did I miss *that*? Cool beans device, I've never heard of a
> VS100. Was it in a Rainbow sized box or a Pro/350 box?
> >
> >
> > C
> >
> > On 9/21/2021 12:35 PM, Glen Slick via cctalk wrote:
> >> On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 9:10 AM Lars Brinkhoff via cctalk
> >>  wrote:
> >>> Hello,
> >>>
> >>> Does anyone have a (set of) ROM image(s) for the VAXstation 100?
> >>> It might be interesting to attempt an emulator.
> >> Did someone on the list buy this one? That was the only one that I
> >> have noticed for sale on eBay anytime recently.
> >>
> >> https://www.ebay.com/itm/294252478149
> >> Rare Dec Vaxstation 100 Prototype Digital VAX
> >> Ended: Jul 07, 2021
> >> Winning bid: US $256.00
>
>

Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Zane Healy via cctalk]

I’m rather wondering how I missed that Auction.  That’s the first time I’ve 
ever seen any photos of a VS100.  I believe it required a UNIBUS card to 
connect it to the VAX.

Zane


> On Sep 21, 2021, at 9:58 AM, Chris Zach via cctalk  
> wrote:
> 
> How the hell did I miss *that*? Cool beans device, I've never heard of a 
> VS100. Was it in a Rainbow sized box or a Pro/350 box?
> 
> 
> C
> 
> On 9/21/2021 12:35 PM, Glen Slick via cctalk wrote:
>> On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 9:10 AM Lars Brinkhoff via cctalk
>>  wrote:
>>> Hello,
>>> 
>>> Does anyone have a (set of) ROM image(s) for the VAXstation 100?
>>> It might be interesting to attempt an emulator.
>> Did someone on the list buy this one? That was the only one that I
>> have noticed for sale on eBay anytime recently.
>> 
>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/294252478149
>> Rare Dec Vaxstation 100 Prototype Digital VAX
>> Ended: Jul 07, 2021
>> Winning bid: US $256.00

Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Chris Zach via cctalk]

How the hell did I miss *that*? Cool beans device, I've never heard of a 
VS100. Was it in a Rainbow sized box or a Pro/350 box?



C

On 9/21/2021 12:35 PM, Glen Slick via cctalk wrote:

On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 9:10 AM Lars Brinkhoff via cctalk
 wrote:

Hello,

Does anyone have a (set of) ROM image(s) for the VAXstation 100?
It might be interesting to attempt an emulator.

Did someone on the list buy this one? That was the only one that I
have noticed for sale on eBay anytime recently.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294252478149
Rare Dec Vaxstation 100 Prototype Digital VAX
Ended: Jul 07, 2021
Winning bid: US $256.00

Re: VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Glen Slick via cctalk]

On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 9:10 AM Lars Brinkhoff via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> Does anyone have a (set of) ROM image(s) for the VAXstation 100?
> It might be interesting to attempt an emulator.

Did someone on the list buy this one? That was the only one that I
have noticed for sale on eBay anytime recently.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294252478149
Rare Dec Vaxstation 100 Prototype Digital VAX
Ended: Jul 07, 2021
Winning bid: US $256.00

VAXstation 100 ROM image

[Lars Brinkhoff via cctalk]

Hello,

Does anyone have a (set of) ROM image(s) for the VAXstation 100?
It might be interesting to attempt an emulator.