Nova 4/C Questions

[Bruce Ray]

G'day Dave -

I have been on a business trip and classiccmp viewing has not been possible.

Briefly, the Nova 4 series consisted of three (3) main family members:

Nova 4/C
Nova 4/S
Nova 4/X

The Nova 4/C (perhaps for "Compact") was a 32KW computer on a single board;
The Nova 4/S ("Standard") consisted of a CPU board and 32KW memory board;
The Nova 4/X ("Extended) consisted of CPU board with MMPU (Memory Map and 
Protection Unit) and 128 KW memory board.

The 005-xxxxxx-yy model numbers for the series included:

Nova 4/C: 005-008390
Nova 4/S: 005-008392
Nova 4/X: 005-008394

The "005-xxxxxx" numbers are usually located on the board reinforcement 
strip in between the two board insertion/extraction handles.  This indicates 
the definitive type of each board and its options.

Each Nova 4 CPU board has a "standard" RS-232 port for the main "soft 
console".  The backplane pin-outs for the serial port have been a Data 
General standard since 1970 - this machine is no different.

Please contact me off-list so I can arrange to get full installation and 
maintenance manuals to you.

Bruce


Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
bkr at WildHareComputers.com




----- Original Message ----- 
From: <david_comley at yahoo.com>
To: <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:05 AM
Subject: Nova 4/C Questions


>
> I'm assessing a pair of Nova 4/C chassis that I have had for a few months. 
> One of the units has a CPU but no memory; the other has a MOS memory board 
> but no battery backup unit.
>
> Can anyone tell me whether older Nova core memory is compatible with the 
> 4/C processor (I suspect not), and whether the battery backup unit is 
> required for the memory to operate, or whether it was just sold as an 
> option ? I think the wiring is there for it in the chassis.
>
> My notes and some photographs are online at
> http://comley.us/browse.php?&action=show&artefactID=1054
>
> Thanks,
> -Dave
>