test-drb

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

101090 discussions

by yakowenk＠cs.unc.edu

I've been dorking around with this idea for a while now, and this seems a good lead-in. The basic problem was that the classiccmp web page seems to be permanently dead. Take a look at these URLs... http://www.cs.unc.edu/~yakowenk/classiccmp/ http://www.cs.unc.edu/~yakowenk/classiccmp/dwp.html http://www.cs.unc.edu/~yakowenk/classiccmp/keywords.html and, of course, http://www.cs.unc.edu/~yakowenk/classiccmp/wanted.html Suggestions are welcome, of course. Cheers, Bill.

28 years, 3 months

Wanted stuff (Was: Pretty good week)

by lisard＠zetnet.co.uk

On 1998-02-28 classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu said to lisard(a)zetnet.co.uk :apple //gs and a //c+ to complete my apple ][ collection, mmm, a //gs... yes please here also. the thought of a 16-bit 6502 to play with... :> (yep, even though we have a special affection for the much maligned 286.) as for a //c+ - were they the ones with the 3.5" disk instead of the 5.25"? we saw them in the states, one of the times we went over there (arizona - little hack shop in tucson that had all kinds of old hardware for frankly, silly prices; lots of pcjrs, which we'd also like one of, since they never made it over here) and thought they were cute, but we don't believe they ever crossed the atlantic. was the disk drive the only difference, or were there others & what were they if so? -- Communa (together) we remember... we'll see you falling you know soft spoken changes nothing to sing within her... Net-Tamer V 1.08X - Test Drive

28 years, 3 months

Aaargh! Item identified (BASF HD?)

by weese＠mind.net

previous subject : Can anyone identify this item ? (BASF HD?) > > On Mon, 23 Feb 1998, Lynn & Mike wrote: > > > BASF model 6106, part #54670 > > > > Looks like a HD, connected to a floppy with a > > ribbon cable, which then goes to the motherbd. > > Found in what appears to be a homebrew TRS80-type > > puter with LNW expansion board. > > So this morning I walked past the Beast & noticed that what I had thought was a solid panel had an inner part that was open, hinged at the top, the little black raised rectangle at the bottom had gotten pushed & the door had popped open, & I pulled a 5 1/4" disk out of it....... (duh) ---mikey

28 years, 3 months

Wanted stuff (Was: Pretty good week)

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

Hi, Tony. You're up late too :-) Seems we have quite a lot in common :-) > I don't know if I have a spare one, but I can trivially copy the EPROM > from the one in my Acorn System - I know where that is. That would be great. What size EPROM shall I send you? Can you see if you can find the Flex disk one day, as well? > I am looking for some of the Acorn user manuals/schematics from that > period - I think I need the 6502 CPU schematic, and the 80 column VDU > schematics/manual. It wouldn't be hard to reverse engineer them, though. I'll photocopy any of those I've got for you. Mail me a list. > Oh, and I have some kind of user I/O card in one of my Atoms that looks > as though it belongs in a System. It's easy to fit such cards to my Atom, since it's missing the bottom half of the case :-) > I know I have the 6809 manual, the Acorn DOS manual (including the disk > controller schematics), the Econet manual (System + Atom econet info), etc. Was the Acorn DOS for the Atom or 6502-based System? I assume the 6809 ran some variant of Flex? > I have a PromPro8X which does most 27xx from the 2716 onwards, and also > the bipolar and PAL modules for it. The latter only does the MMI Pals, > though. Then I have a homebrew (Elektor) GAL programmer, an Intel UPP > (2708's and 2716's), an Intel MCS8i (1702's), a Softy 1 (2708's again), a > strange thing which does upto the 2732 (including the 2708 and the 3-rail > 2716) based on an SCMP - and the 8-way copier that goes with it, etc. Hmmm... I still have the Softy-1 schematics, and I'm sure that uses an SC/MP. > One day I'll buy a modern universal programmer, but not yet... I had a Softy-1 and I wish I still did, since not many programmers do the 3-rail devices these days. Now I have a little box that sits on the 1MHz bus (it was meant for a BBC B but I have it on my Archimedes 440 now) which does 2716 - 27128, and I use a little adaptor for 27256/27512. The Department has two S3's and an S4, which I'm occasionally allowed to borrow, since they do up to 27400x. I came across a pair of 1702's in a pile of junk a few weeks ago. they're getting rare, now. I also have all the bits to build the Elektor GAL programmer (Manfred Nosswitz's design). First I'm going to redo the PCB layout, as I intend to incorporate the daughter board (for the updated version) on the same PCB, and possibly use a different DAC (the original one is a rarity, and expensive). I have the disk for the s/ware as well, but I wish I could get the source -- it grieves me to have to run it on a PC instead of a real computer. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

28 years, 3 months

Wanted stuff (Was: Pretty good week)

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Feb 28, 19:10, Tony Duell wrote: > > The first machine I owned was a Sorcerer; I still have one (not the same > > one, sadly) and I'd love to get the WP Pac and the DevPac (or copy of the > > code) to replace those I sold nearly two decades ago. > > Again, I'd really have to hunt for it, but I think I have the word > processor ROMs somewhere.... I'll send you some 2716's :-) > I know I have (and I know where it is) the technical manual for the > sorcerer and the S100 expansion box if you need any info. I may have sold the original machine, but I wasn't daft enough to let the tech manuals (as opposed to user guides) go with it. :-) In fact, I have both versions of the tech manual, plus the software manual, and the S100 manual. About two years ago, I used the Sorcerer for some serious development work -- debugging the code for an embedded Z80 -- and I updated the monitor ROMs. Gosh, was there ever a lot of redundant junk in there! It must have been cut-and-pasted out of something else, I reckon. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

28 years, 3 months

Wanted stuff (Was: Pretty good week)

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

Hi, Tony. Thanks for the response. I can't do much about it over the next two weeks, because I'm 12 days from dissertation hand in (with, naturally, four weeks work to do), but I'm certainly interested. > Well, I have one (or maybe 2) 6809 CPU boards from Acorn... > > Do you insist on an 'original' EPROM, or would a copy in a new 27xx be > OK? I have an EPROM programmer, you see, and I'm pretty sure Acorn > wouldn't mind after all these years, especially not for restoring a machine. > > Also, do you need schematics/ROM source for the 6809 board? I have those > as well, I think. > > It would take me _months_ to find it, but I may have a Flex boot disk for > the 6809 Acorn machine. I'd love a 6809 board. I have the User Manual (and some others from similar era) and the Eurocard schematics (as you may remember). I don't think I have the ROM source, so that would be nice. I do have a rather nice Eurocard rack (empty, cost me a fiver, and that was only because it had a nice PSU). I'd like to build a floppy add-on for the 6809 (I have the schematics for Acorn's one, and I think I even have the parts), so the Flex boot disk would be a goodie. I don't care if any of the firmware/software is original or an "off-site backup". Since I worked for Acorn, I can assure you they wouldn't care about copying such old stuff (unless it was ridiculously blatant for-profit misuse). I copy ROMs myself, all the time -- there's nothing worse than finding it's the ROM/PROM/PAL that's died in some old board, so I like to make copies of anything I get, for security. Yes, I know some manufacturers dislike that, but I've had two bad experiences trying to track down replacements. I have a 27xxx programmer of my own, but I wish I could persuade the Department to let me keep the MicroPross programmer (the one that knows how to program every TTL PROM, almost every 27xx, 27xx, 28xx EPROM, and umpteen PALs). It may be ten years old, but I've not seen anything else with a quarter of the performance. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

28 years, 3 months

Wanted stuff (Was: Pretty good week)

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Feb 28, 22:47, lisard(a)zetnet.co.uk wrote: > hmm. did the acorn 32016 workstation ever emerge, or did the arch > effectively replace that concept? Yes, they first appeared a the Acorn Cambridge Workstation (ACW) which was basically a BBC B-plus board inside a wierd monitor-type case, with a Microvitec 14" colour monitor, a custom PSU, a 5.25" 80-track floppy, a 20MB winchester, a 32016 with 4MB of RAM, and a LOT of metalwork. They didn't make many; I had one for a while (I worked for Acorn) but passed it on to a dealer eventually (idiot!). I've since seen two or three others. There were some other similar-looking machines in the range. For example, the ABC -- Acorn Business Computer, a Z80 instead of the 32016; and one with a 80186 and DR-DOS. Both were axed very quickly. I've still got some of the bumf for those... There was also a Second Processor version in a small box, as an add-on to a BBC Micro. That came in two versions, one had 512K of memory (IIRC) and the other had 4MB (same as the ACW). They ran the same firmware/software as the ACW, including PANOS, a sort of cross between Unix and Flex, with hints of UCSD. The Second Processor version remained in production for several years, eventually being available as an add-in for the Master 128 which replaced the BBC Micro (this version was called the Master Sientific, but it was just the same item). I've still got the glossies for those, too... -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

28 years, 3 months

Wanted stuff (Was: Pretty good week)

by lisard＠zetnet.co.uk

On 1998-02-27 classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu said to lisard(a)zetnet.co.uk :> ah, if we're going to get on to the "what do i wish for?" list... :Well, I don't recomend killing me to get your hands on my little :collection... And I rarely sell machines. never dream of it (unless of course, you were to flip and unload your entire collection into the nearest municipal dump. *then*, you'd be targeted... but that isn't going to happen ;> ;> ) :> any system based on the 32xxx (a ceres would be nice, but we doubt :> they're available...) :More practically, there are still a number of Whitechapel MG1's :about. Repairing one is not hard - the main problem is the NiCd :battery used for starting it. A Technical manual does exist... hmm. did the acorn 32016 workstation ever emerge, or did the arch effectively replace that concept? :> a linn rekursiv (wouldn't you? ;> ) :Ooooh... Now that's a machine I don't have, and would like! very rare though. linn only ever used them in-house, and god knows if they are still in use. :What about a Zilog 8000 ? It was/is (there's at least one still :operational) a Z8000-based unix box. Mine has an SMD disk didn't know about it. it'd be nice to find one, though. the processor is more important to us than the box it come in. (except that we would really love an olivetti, just because they're so ugly they wrap around into cuteness ;> ) oh, add a sirius one to the list; we forgot it. :> a perq :Does the fact that you've listed 'perq' about 4 times mean that you :want one from each series? no, it means we want one about 4 times as much as we want anything else. :> an original cp/m system or three (hm systems; the minstrel always :> appealed) :What do you mean by 'original'? If you mean a machine designed to :run CP/M, then there must still be some RML 380Z's (very solid UK :CP/M machines used in schools) about. Ditto for DEC rainbows, :Amstrads (although I don't like those myself), BBC Z80 second :processors, Epson QX10's (IMHO one of the nicest CP/M machines ever :built), etc. designed as a cp/m box is about the closest, but what we really meant was the other definition of original - the one that's a couple of steps either side of weird. :Just out of curiousity, why aren't you looking for the following :machines? :DEC PDP8, PDP11, Vax, any other PDP's? we must have deleted the line we were going to put in that said "any pdp that isn't 8 or 11". not an 8, because we want to write a simulator for that first; not an 11, because - well, it just strikes us that everyone's got an 11... :AMT DAP (Distributed Array Processor) how could we program it effectively? we wouldn't refuse one if it came along, but it isn't something for which we'd actively go looking. :Anything transputer-based what was/is there? did the ATW ever happen? :The Xerox D-machines (somewhat PERQ-like in many ways) rarity, didn't think these ever escaped from xerox. obviously if we were offered a dolphin or (mmmmm) a dorado we'd jump at it, but why break your heart because you can't get something that it's impossible to get? :Torch XXX, quadX, etc on the "refuse but not actively chase" list. :Tiger. Now there's a strange machine.. A Z80 + 64K RAM, a 6809 + 8K :RAM, RS232, parallel, cassette ports, 1200/75 baud modem, 7220 :graphics chip + 96K RAM, etc, etc, etc. It was going to be sold as :a home computer... didn't know of its existence - more information please...? -- Communa (together) we remember... we'll see you falling you know soft spoken changes nothing to sing within her... Net-Tamer V 1.08X - Test Drive

28 years, 3 months

Wanted stuff (Was: Pretty good week)

by lisard＠zetnet.co.uk

[kip crosby] :>> a linn rekursiv (wouldn't you? ;> ) :Okay. Now, one person mentioning this is one thing, but Tony coming :back and knowing what it IS (even though it's Tony) is too much for :me. Given the name Linn and the funny spelling, I keep thinking :this is something like a turntable, but if so, why mention it here? :What is it? it's in the "great microprocessors" list, although it was a single-board computer rather than an mpu. exact details slip our memory at the moment, but the history is that the chairman of linn (yes, the company who make the turntables) wanted a computer system to replace the ageing systems already automating his production line. being something of a techie, he analysed the available systems, but none of them did what he wanted; so basically, they designed their own. what they came up with was the machine that the intel 432 should have been - the architecture of it was completely object-oriented, even down to the handle:offset-based addressing. a lot of oo mechanisms were done in hardware, there as no concept of linear address space, and the machine ran under the steam of its own language, lingo (used in at least one academic book on oo - we read it during our degree course - and afawk not related to the inferno project, although it's possible...). there was a byte article on it somewhere too (dick pountain). sorry for the vagueness. we'd recommend looking at the great cpus list for better detail. -- Communa (together) we remember... we'll see you falling you know soft spoken changes nothing to sing within her... Net-Tamer V 1.08X - Test Drive

28 years, 3 months

16 bit 6502?! No, you don't want it... trust me!

by adavie＠mad.scientist.com

>mmm, a //gs... yes please here also. the thought of a 16-bit 6502 to >play with... :> (yep, even though we have a special affection for the >much maligned 286.) Having spent 2 years programming the 65816, believe me you DON'T want to play with a 16 bit 6502!!!! The memories, the memories.... There was a processor dog if ever I saw one. Interpretation of opcodes was dependant on the mode the processor was set to, and so if you branched to a section of code when you were in the wrong mode, results were... screwy. All sorts of wierd and wonderful things when you switched modes; for example switching from 16 bit accumulator to 8 bit cleared the high byte, but switching the index registers the same.... didn't. It was a very painful time in my life :) A

28 years, 3 months

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