There have been a few versions of the utility imd2raw.c floating around
that will take Dave Dunfield's ImageDisk-created images (i.e. an .IMD file)
and make a linear binary image devoid of any metadata. This is similar to
the function of Dave's IMDU.COM program's /b switch.
I've corrected a problem with the assumption that all imd2raw.c descendants
to date have made: sectors that have a skew (i.e. not 1-1 interleaved)
weren't linearized correctly. The skewed sectors need to be written out in
"sorted" order, which is not necessarily captured/physical order. This is
easily verified by comparing output from "IMDU /b" to earlier imd2raw
outputs on any .IMD that has a sector skew that isn't 1, 2, 3 [...].
It's up on github here:
https://github.com/RetroFloppy/imd2raw
Hello,
I'm an employee with the National radio astronomy observatory here in Socorro New Mexico.
As part of our NGVLA upgrades, we are seeking to get rid of old data tapes from the tape reel days of Computing. These contain things such as the boot loaders, OS, specific collection programs and antenna movement programs.
I personally would hate to see these just wind up in the literal dumpster and would like to see them sent out to a museum or an archiving body that can preserve them and keep them safe as a dynamic part of history.
If anyone is interested or knows someone who would be interested in the VLAs data tape library please let me know.
V/R
Danielle Werts
Front end engineer
VLA Socorro New Mexico
As many of you know I have been trying to finish organizing my Unibus parts
and finish building several systems for years. Other than time and my
health I don't have enough space. I would like to sell, at reasonable
prices, all of my q-bus parts which include 400 - 500 boards, about a dozen
boxes, and a lot of spare parts. I have BA11-M, BA11-N, BA11-S and a few
BA23 boxes left.
If you have an original 11/03, I have a dozen or so H780 power supplies,
which are very hard to find. They are also used in the Vax 11/780 front
end, the
RKV11-D and possibly a few other items. I can test them if I have time, but
that might take awhile.
I'm also taking offers on some of my 8-E and all of my 8-A items. I will
entertain offers on the VT14 and all of the PDP 14 industrial controller
parts.
I have a few Vax 3000, 5000, and a few others along with parts including
memory.
Those of you who have been here know I have a ton of DEC and
DEC-compatible parts, but no one has seen everything. I have brand new
disk heads, tape drive heads, alignment packs, and literally tons more. I
went through over 50 backplanes a few weeks ago looking for a few specific
ones.
Some Unibus items are also going. Probable some 11/05s, 11/34s, 11/83
and/or 84s and a lot of options and boards.
So if you need or are thinking about DEC items, feel free to send me a wish
list off list.
I prefer phone calls and will send my number upon request. I was never
great at typing and I'm getting worse.
Oh- I also trade for US and foreign coins and currency.
Thank, Paul
Front panels: I have both 8-A, KY11-LA and -LB for 11/04, /34, one each
11/70 RDC remote diag con, corporate (blue/blue), and regular. I think
there is an 11/40 with a 11/35 silkscreen. I have to go through the 8-E, F,
and Ms.
The last dual extender is on hold, one quad is left, a few hex, a comet
(730 or 750 I think), and a 780.
Also a few 11/04 and 34 in BA11-L, maybe a -K, and a few 11/83s. I think
most of these are systems, not just boxes.
The printers include LA12, LA34, LA36, and LA120 and parts for most.
There are several hundred non-DEC boards, and a lot of core memory.
I'm still looking for the rest of the simms.
At some point, I'll be cutting the fingers off of boards no one wants. If
you are interested in any qbus or unibus boards for chips, let me know.
I can bring items to VCFMW to drop off there. There are a lot of people who
drive in from different parts of the country who might be willing to work
something out for some gas money.
Thanks, Paul
Paul Anderson <useddec(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> If you have an original 11/03, I have a dozen or so H780 power supplies,
> which are very hard to find. They are also used in the Vax 11/780 front
> end, the RKV11-D and possibly a few other items.
Wow, someone who actually knows about the RKV11-D!!! I've had DEC
people visit my place, see the RKV11-D, and proclaim that "DEC never
made that!". Since you know what it is, can you tell us anything about
how it came to be, and why it is so little-known?
I bought mine back in 1978 or so from Newman Computer Exchange for
my 11/03. I later added the missing wires (and chip) to enable 18-bit
addressing when I got an 11/73. I haven't used it since I moved to
Oregon six years ago, but it would take just a few hours to remove
the RK05 head locks and plug things in, assuming that all the
capacitors are still good.
It came in handy to prove to the RSX development group that RSX-11M
version 2.0 would run on an 11/73. :-)
Alan Frisbie
Now that I have my 18 bit retro computer working, I am thinking of
adding classic IO, like paper tape. Sadly I am a few decades too late.
Is there anything out there to replace a punch/reader used as 70's i/o?
Any good mag tape (cassete tape) replacements? I would love a tiny 9
track mag tape toy sized if they made one, like the wall hanging PDP8's.
On wish list, a flex writer or TTY video display replacement, ie
overstrike and underline in 2/3 size VT100 case.
Ben.
https://www.instructables.com/23-Scale-VT100-Terminal-Reproduction/
At 09:18 PM 3/11/2025, Jeffrey Brace via cctalk wrote:
>VCF West is back on August 1 & 2, 2025 at the Computer History Museum in
>Mountain View, California.
>
>We're partnering with the Sacramento Amiga Computer Club and AmiWest to
>celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Amiga and other special guests.
I'm considering attending this Amiga 40th anniversary celebration.
I was invited to speak on a panel on the topic of the experience of
early Amiga code development.
Who else might attend?
- John
I have a salvaged Epson 6110 tape punch on the bench, also it's interface card from a Data Dynamics Zip 30.
The 6110 is the shiny paper tape punch which was very common, at front left, on TTY etc in the 70's and into the 80's
I'm working on reverse engineering the Epson 6110's connector / interface, it's a "centronics" 24 pin.
Does anyone have or know of a spec for the Epson interface, or manuals for a system using it.
The basics are plain enough 24V power, ground connections, 8b+s, all low side drivers (54SN463's), one output (to a 7414) I presume Ready_n, and another two inputs I guess Enable_n and Advance_n (or maybe Reverse).
RevEng should get me there, documentation would ensure no possibility of magic smoke - excluding bad components.
Bring up plan is:
- apply 28 V and scope "connector"
- button up to suitable processor; ie interpose LoSide drivers between processor's LVTTL and the punch
VMTiA
Martin
Just a quick note/ update from my earlier post.
If you're looking for an option, please send me the board #.
Example:A DLV11 can be a M8017, M8027, M8028, or M8043 if my memory is
working tonight. My boards are basically in numeric order, and it takes
time to convert option # to part # and I don't want to ship anyone the
wrong part.
I have a few VT11's I will finally sell, along with a (believe it or not,
long story...)
VR17 which now has screen rot.
A few dozen BA350 and BA356 boxes and selection of power supplies and
drives.
50 or so "S" box handle boards including M3108, M3116, M3127 DESQA, M3134,
M5976 KZQSA, M7493, M7740 KLESI, M8086 LPV11, M8020 DPV11,
M7516 DELQA, M7504 DEQNA, M7504, M7554 CPU, Non DEC and more.
Also found a pile of DECMUXII , DECMUX300, decservers and that type of
stuff.
And something everyone needs, SC08s!!!
Please excuse any typos or messed up part #s.
Thanks, Paul
