Yes it was in the UK. From what I remember it looked manufactured, but it
could have been built from a kit I suppose. If you could scan just the
picture from that magazine that'd be great.
Replying to other kind people who have responded, It wasn't either of the
two machines you have posted links to - MiniVac 601 or Heathkit EC-1, but it
looked a bit like the Heathkit one except the wiring grid was smaller and in
the top left (I think), and there was a telephone dial - exactly the same as
that found on old telephones - on the right hand side too (can't remember
what must have been on the left!).
Thanks for everyone's help anyway,
cheers,
paul
-----Original Message-----
From: Hans B Pufal [mailto:hansp@aconit.org]
Sent: 27 March 2003 09:56
To: cctalk(a)classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Identification of an old machine
Hills, Paul wrote:
> This is going to be rather difficult I think. In 1977 when I first went to
> high school, we had a visiting computer science teacher (the school didn't
> own it's own computer). He used to come in with a PET mostly, but one day
he
> couldn't bring the PET so came in with this old machine which was roughly
> cubic, each side about 2 foot. On the front it had a wiring panel where
you
> had to plug in patch leads, and a rotary dial like on old telephones which
> was used to dial the numbers in. I don't remember how it displayed its
> results.
Interesting, I presume from your email address that this was in the UK.
The first thing that came to mind was the Wireless World computer, this
was a construction project published in the Aug thru Dec 1967 issues of
that magazine. (on my long list of things I to scan someday).
The 'computer' had an 8 bit word and a 3 word memory and an accumulator.
It could perform various arithemetic operations. The actual published
articles do not show a telephone dial but ISTR some mention of
extensions based on telephone equipment : dials and strowger switches.
The size and propotions seem to fit, the published design had switches
and lights on the front panel and no plug-board.
Do you recollect if the machine was homebrewed or manufactured?
-- hbp
> I want to attempt to install OpenVMS 7.2 via MOP over the network, to do this I
> need to get the files off the CD since I don't actually have another VAX to read
> the CD on. (I'm using a Linux host running mopd... I was able to install
> NetBSD that way)
>
> Anyone know how I could read the data off the CD under Linux or *BSD ?
Is there ODS-2 filesystem support for Linux? I think there might be, and
that's what you would need to be able to read the CD. Take a look at the
DECnet/Linux project, if there is ODS-2 support, they should have a link to
it.
Another alternative might be to get SIMH running on the Linux box, install
VMS on that, and then use SIMH (which includes network support) to get
OpenVMS installed on the VAX. I've no idea if this would work, and if you
get it working I'm sure others would be interested in knowing how you did
it.
Zane
> Are these drives worth anything?
There a 5MB drive. I think the major use for them is Hobbyist systems,
commercial systems using RL0x drives probably use the 10MB RL02 drives
(though I'm sure there are some commercial installations still using
RL01's).
Zane
I have two:
Imprimis 94166-182 (150 MB)
Maxtor XT-4170E (170MB)
Any one need them? I collect mostly old Tandy stuff. Model II, 12, 16, 6000
is my main focus.
Any interesting uses for these boat anchors?
Thanks,
Kelly
There's a BUNCH of these things in a scrap place here in central Florida if anyone is looking for one. I do not have a way to ship, store, move them. You'll have to come get them.
Joe
Who was looking for a pen and/or puck for a Sumna Graphics tablet just recently? Today I found a bag with a puck, pen, adapter cable and wall wart. It's your's for the postage and a little beer money if you still need it. I'm not sure if this one is for a Sumna tablet, there's no name on it. Both the pen and puck have cables with 8 pin male RJ-style connectors. There's also a cable that goes from RJ male on one end to DB-25 Female on the other. Also a 12 VDC 200 Ma wall wart with a male co-axial plug.
Joe
This is going to be rather difficult I think. In 1977 when I first went to
high school, we had a visiting computer science teacher (the school didn't
own it's own computer). He used to come in with a PET mostly, but one day he
couldn't bring the PET so came in with this old machine which was roughly
cubic, each side about 2 foot. On the front it had a wiring panel where you
had to plug in patch leads, and a rotary dial like on old telephones which
was used to dial the numbers in. I don't remember how it displayed its
results.
Being a first year student and never faced with a computer before I had no
idea what to do with it, and so don't remember much about it. However, now
I'm intrigued - what was that beast? Does anyone have any ideas?
cheers,
paul
I have a Digital LA75-A2 "Companion Printer" available if anyone wants
it. I don't know if it works, and I have no way to test it. It was pulled
>from a dumpster a few weeks ago, and John didn't want it (John has first
dibs on anything DEC that I get because he's been feeding me a fairly
steady stream of old Macs). John took everything else.
The printer looks clean, and is physically in good condition. Other items
I pulled from the dumpster that I have been able to test have all worked
fine for the most part (for instance, the HP LJ 4 that I pulled is up and
running just fine, and the 5L works but does the typical grabbing of too
many pages from the hopper that all of HPs in that stand up design seem
to do, and so far every cable that I pulled has tested ok).
So I have no reason to believe the printer doesn't work... but like I
said, I got it from a dumpster, and have no way to test it, so I can't
promise anything.
If anyone wants it, its free. Just come pick it up or cover shipping from
NJ (07450). Or if you are anywhere between Ridgewood and Wayne or Wayne
and Eatontown, I can drop it off tomorrow (friday) when I am out hitting
two of my offices.
If no one wants it, it will most likely end up back in the dumpster (I
might see if there are any print engine parts I can pull as visually it
looks like it may be based on the same engine the Apple ImageWriter 1 is
built around... if anyone can confirm that let me know).
-chris
<http://www.mythtech.net>
Anybody know what this card is? It has no card edge connectors like a Q-bus or Unibus card but does have a metal plate with connectors along one side. The plate has a BNC, DB-9M, DB-15M, DB-25M, RJ (something) and an eight pin Molex connecotr on it. The board has a NEC 7220 graphics IC, an AMD 8085 CPU and several LSICs with DEC copywrites on it.
Joe
