C64 to VGA

[Kevin Parker via cctalk]

HI guys - not really a C64 person (I've been given a couple over the years and 
kept them rather than see them go to landfill).

Trying to fix one up for a very good friend for a house warming present for his 
games room (he said something the other day that
gave me the hint).

I have a genuine Commodore monitor but don't want to give him that but I have 
bucket loads of VGA (LCD) monitors I've scored over
time as well so thought I'd use one of those.

I've googled het subject a lot but there seems to be lots of options and views 
on what works and what doesn't and even how well.

I'd be most grateful if anyone on the list has any advice, suggestions, 
recommendations etc about this.

Thank you


Kevin Parker

Re: PDP 8e green / lab version rack Ebay

[Ethan Dicks via cctalk]

On Sun, Aug 27, 2017 at 4:47 PM, ben via cctalk  wrote:
> Remember the days "free for pickup." :-)

I sure do.  Got a lot of gear that way.  Mostly 1984-1994.  Not a lot
in the past 10 years, for rackable DEC stuff anyway.  A desktop
VAXstation or a desktop Alpha or two.

-ethan

Re: at unix pc

[william degnan via cctalk]

http://www.vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread_record.cfm?id=42=4

Bill Degnan
twitter: billdeg
vintagecomputer.net
On Aug 27, 2017 7:04 PM, "emanuel stiebler via cctech" <
cct...@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> anybody still uses them, collects them?
>
> I have to move, so I'm trying to thin out my collection of
> those ...
>
> If you like one, looking for documentation, etc. drop me an email please.
>
> Cheers
>

Re: PDP 8e green / lab version rack Ebay

[Ed via cctalk]

In a message dated 8/27/2017 3:59:28 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,  
cctalk@classiccmp.org writes:

On  8/26/2017 11:00 PM, jim stephens via cctalk wrote:
> 
> 
>  On 8/26/2017 6:52 PM, Anders Nelson via cctalk wrote:
>> LOL those  last 15 seconds were a deusey!
> Let's hope the buyer isn't a movie prop  fool.  At least they paid if 
> they are.
> 
> Looks  like two serious bids, the 1600 dollar one trumped in the end 
> frenzy,  and a final big > 4700 bucks that took it.  Wonder what that bid 
 
> was?
> 
> thanks
> Jim

Remember the days  "free for pickup." :-)
 
I still have  things  appear on the  museum  porch  gratis..
helps  balance out the  stuff I  over pay  for.
 
nothing as   cool as a lab  8 in recent  years  though!
Ed#
 
 

Re: packing and moving ...

[systems_glitch via cctalk]

Sealed Air InstaPak-RT for really fragile stuff. You can order it in bulk
boxes from ULINE. It's not cheap, but it's pretty much the perfect packing
system.

Thanks,
Jonathan

On Sun, Aug 27, 2017 at 3:33 PM, emanuel stiebler via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> Hi all,
> I planing on moving from the Midwest to the the east coast.
> Any recommendations how to pack the stuff? I'll get a container
> for my stuff, 19" racks we don't have to talk about, but what about all
> the smaller stuff, like desktop workstations, hard drives, monitors,
> terminals etc?
> Cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, or what?
> I know, for a uhaul across the city, I stacked them, but on a longer
> distance, how to pack it right?
>
> Thanks!
>

Re: at unix pc

[Todd Goodman via cctalk]

Hi,

I like them and have been looking for one for a while to pick up.

If you're looking to sell one and accessories then I'd love to purchase!

I'm in the US.

Thank you!

Todd


On 8/27/2017 3:29 PM, emanuel stiebler via cctalk wrote:

anybody still uses them, collects them?

I have to move, so I'm trying to thin out my collection of
those ...

If you like one, looking for documentation, etc. drop me an email please.

Cheers

Re: packing and moving ...

[Kirk Davis via cctalk]

I just moved from the Bay Area to AZ and I'll tell you what I did.

Cardboard boxes with news paper. uHaul seemed to have the best boxes. The Small 
and Med have handles which help. Number the boxes with a sharpie and take 
pictures of the number then the snap a picture 2 or 3 times inside the box as 
fill it. You can do this quickly and then go through the images to find 
something rather than ripping into boxes once you are at your new location. I 
rented a Budget truck. They give you 5 days and you drop it at a local dealer. 
A 24’ truck is huge. uHaul trucks have the “grandma’s attic” over the cab but 
they include that in the length of the truck. So a 24’ Budget has more space 
than a uHaul 24’ truck.I used movinghelp.com and you can get 2 or 3 people for 
a reasonable price. Like everything else online look at the reviews. The guys 
that did the loading were really good. They packed everything like a puzzle & 
tight so I didn’t have to use much strapping. I’ve downsized my collection 2 
times on big moves both times I wish a kept more. I hope this helps.

Kirk



> On Aug 27, 2017, at 12:33 PM, emanuel stiebler via cctalk 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> I planing on moving from the Midwest to the the east coast.
> Any recommendations how to pack the stuff? I'll get a container
> for my stuff, 19" racks we don't have to talk about, but what about all the 
> smaller stuff, like desktop workstations, hard drives, monitors, terminals 
> etc?
> Cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, or what?
> I know, for a uhaul across the city, I stacked them, but on a longer 
> distance, how to pack it right?
> 
> Thanks!

Re: packing and moving ...

[Paul Anderson via cctalk]

U-line has great prices, and a wide variety of shipping products. They ship
overnight to most locations. 800-295-5510

I have used them for my shipping supplies for years, but I still like the
tape (get a real gun) from SAMS Club better.

Where in the Midwest are you?

Good luck with the move.

On Sun, Aug 27, 2017 at 2:33 PM, emanuel stiebler via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> Hi all,
> I planing on moving from the Midwest to the the east coast.
> Any recommendations how to pack the stuff? I'll get a container
> for my stuff, 19" racks we don't have to talk about, but what about all
> the smaller stuff, like desktop workstations, hard drives, monitors,
> terminals etc?
> Cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, or what?
> I know, for a uhaul across the city, I stacked them, but on a longer
> distance, how to pack it right?
>
> Thanks!
>

Re: at unix pc

[SPC via cctalk]

I am the owner of one in working condition and any kind of software and
complements would be appreciated, of course.

Kind Regards
Sergio

2017-08-27 21:29 GMT+02:00 emanuel stiebler via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org>:

> anybody still uses them, collects them?
>
> I have to move, so I'm trying to thin out my collection of
> those ...
>
> If you like one, looking for documentation, etc. drop me an email please.
>
> Cheers
>

Re: packing and moving ...

[Guy Sotomayor Jr via cctalk]

Here’s what I did (I was moving my stuff myself but it should work with 
professionals too).  I usually packed “smaller” items (terminals count as 
“small”) in bubble wrap and/or foam and then put it in a box.  I then stacked 
boxes onto a pallet and strapped and “shrink wrapped” the pallets.  I have a 
pallet jack, so once on a pallet it was easy to move it from one area to 
another.  Mid-sized stuff (like my Symbolics machines), I would put directly on 
a pallet and strap it and shrink wrap it.  I went to U-Line to get strapping 
stuff and the shrink wrap (do yourself an immense favor regarding the 
shrink-wrap…get the hand tool that takes the rolls and use that rather than the 
disposable ones…you can vary the tension and it has convenient handles so you 
don’t have to hold the cardboard tube).

If you do palletize, put “corner” pieces on equipment that’s directly on the 
pallet to keep from rubbing/chaffing from the straps.  Pallets are reasonably 
inexpensive if sourced locally (I think I paid ~$6/ea).  You can either buy 
plastic corner pieces…I just cut up some cardboard and folded it over.

The nice thing about having stuff on pallets, is that they can be 
loaded/unloaded onto a truck/container fairly quickly.  I loaded 14 pallets 
onto a 26’ box truck (all that would fit) in about an hour (and that was just 
me moving stuff).  This assumed a good lift gate on the truck.  I swear by 
“rail lifts” and swear at “tuck unders”.

TTFN - Guy


> On Aug 27, 2017, at 12:33 PM, emanuel stiebler via cctalk 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> I planing on moving from the Midwest to the the east coast.
> Any recommendations how to pack the stuff? I'll get a container
> for my stuff, 19" racks we don't have to talk about, but what about all the 
> smaller stuff, like desktop workstations, hard drives, monitors, terminals 
> etc?
> Cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, or what?
> I know, for a uhaul across the city, I stacked them, but on a longer 
> distance, how to pack it right?
> 
> Thanks!

Re: packing and moving ...

[emanuel stiebler via cctalk]

On 2017-08-27 14:29, Paul Anderson wrote:

U-line has great prices, and a wide variety of shipping products. They
ship overnight to most locations. 800-295-5510

I have used them for my shipping supplies for years, but I still like
the tape (get a real gun) from SAMS Club better.

Where in the Midwest are you?

Denver area ...


Good luck with the move.

On Sun, Aug 27, 2017 at 2:33 PM, emanuel stiebler via cctalk
> wrote:

Hi all,
I planing on moving from the Midwest to the the east coast.
Any recommendations how to pack the stuff? I'll get a container
for my stuff, 19" racks we don't have to talk about, but what about
all the smaller stuff, like desktop workstations, hard drives,
monitors, terminals etc?
Cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, or what?
I know, for a uhaul across the city, I stacked them, but on a longer
distance, how to pack it right?

Thanks!

Re: packing and moving ...

[emanuel stiebler via cctalk]

On 2017-08-27 16:11, Kirk Davis wrote:

I just moved from the Bay Area to AZ and I'll tell you what I did.
Cardboard boxes with news paper. uHaul seemed to have the best boxes. The Small 
and
Med have handles which help. Number the boxes with a sharpie and take pictures 
of
> the number then the snap a picture 2 or 3 times inside the box as 
fill it.

You can do this quickly and then go through the images to find something rather
than ripping into boxes once you are at your new location.


Good idea!


I rented a Budget truck. They give you 5 days and you drop it at a local dealer.
A 24’ truck is huge. uHaul trucks have the “grandma’s attic” over the cab but
they include that in the length of the truck. So a 24’ Budget has more space
than a uHaul 24’ truck.I used movinghelp.com and you can get 2 or 3 people
for a reasonable price. Like everything else online look at the reviews.
The guys that did the loading were really good. They packed everything
like a puzzle & tight so I didn’t have to use much strapping.


OK, thanks!


I’ve downsized my collection 2 times on big moves both times I wish a kept 
more. I hope this helps.


Everything was helpful, but the last remark ;-)


Kirk

RE: packing and moving ...

[Ed Sharpe via cctalk]

we shipped buck of suff paid van people to load.. they put layer wrapped
. then platform attached to side of trailer.. then stuff wrapped on top of that
.. then another platform... on and on and on...
not cheap. bUT  I did not... what to go back east and drive a truck
.. nothing broken...

Sent from AOL Mobile Mail

On Sunday, August 27, 2017 emanuel stiebler via cctalk  
wrote:
Hi all,
I planing on moving from the Midwest to the the east coast.
Any recommendations how to pack the stuff? I'll get a container
for my stuff, 19" racks we don't have to talk about, but what about all 
the smaller stuff, like desktop workstations, hard drives, monitors, 
terminals etc?
Cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, or what?
I know, for a uhaul across the city, I stacked them, but on a longer 
distance, how to pack it right?

Thanks!

Re: PDP 8e green / lab version rack Ebay

[ben via cctalk]

On 8/26/2017 11:00 PM, jim stephens via cctalk wrote:



On 8/26/2017 6:52 PM, Anders Nelson via cctalk wrote:

LOL those last 15 seconds were a deusey!
Let's hope the buyer isn't a movie prop fool.  At least they paid if 
they are.


Looks like two serious bids, the 1600 dollar one trumped in the end 
frenzy, and a final big > 4700 bucks that took it.  Wonder what that bid 
was?


thanks
Jim


Remember the days "free for pickup." :-)

Available at VCFMW: Varity of Qbus boxes, anything else...

[Paul Anderson via cctalk]

I have a variety of Q-bus boxes that I can configure to order and deliver
at VCFMW if anyone needs one.

Also a wide variety of DEC parts, boards, options, VTs and printers.  A lot
of 3100s, 3000 Alphas, and 5000s. Feel free to send me a wish list.  I'm
down to one VRC21 if anyone wants to ruin their back.

If you are going to be in the area before or after the show and want to
stop by, I'm 10 minutes from I -74 and I-57.

Please contact me off list.

Thanks, Paul

CDC 9762 drives and packs

[Paul Anderson via cctalk]

I have 2 CDC 9762 drives and about 10 packs  available for sale or trade.

They are leaving Canada, and going through Minneapolis and Madison on their
way to Champaign, IL area.

It may be possible to get them to VCFMV.

If you have any interest, please contact me off list.

Thanks, Paul

packing and moving ...

[emanuel stiebler via cctalk]

Hi all,
I planing on moving from the Midwest to the the east coast.
Any recommendations how to pack the stuff? I'll get a container
for my stuff, 19" racks we don't have to talk about, but what about all 
the smaller stuff, like desktop workstations, hard drives, monitors, 
terminals etc?

Cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, or what?
I know, for a uhaul across the city, I stacked them, but on a longer 
distance, how to pack it right?


Thanks!

at unix pc

[emanuel stiebler via cctalk]

anybody still uses them, collects them?

I have to move, so I'm trying to thin out my collection of
those ...

If you like one, looking for documentation, etc. drop me an email please.

Cheers

Re: PDP 8e green / lab version rack Ebay

[Anders Nelson via cctalk]

Haha, yeah sniping is the only way to win an auction.

I really hope this went to an enthusiast, what a prize. If I hadn't
just moved to an apartment in Queens I would have bid!

On Sun, Aug 27, 2017 at 9:39 AM Noel Chiappa via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> > From:  Anders Nelson
>
> > This is crazy, how is this auction not at $5k already at least?
>
> "Patience, grasshopper"! :-)
>
> With these big-budget, rare, items, the real action is always in the last
> few
> seconds. I remember a PDP-11/40 that went from, like $2K (don't recall the
> exact number, too lazy to look it up) to $10K in the last 10 seconds.
>
> > those last 15 seconds were a deusey!
>
> And who knows how high it might have gone if the seller did not have a
> feedback rating of  1!! :-)
>
> Noel
>
-- 
--
Anders Nelson
+1 (517) 775-6129
www.erogear.com

RE: DECstation 220. Another Impasse

[Rob Jarratt via cctalk]

> -Original Message-
> From: Brent Hilpert [mailto:bhilp...@shaw.ca]
> Sent: 27 August 2017 09:00
> To: r...@jarratt.me.uk; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
> 
> Subject: Re: DECstation 220. Another Impasse
> 
> On 2017-Aug-26, at 11:09 PM, Rob Jarratt wrote:
> >> You have some of your reasoning reversed regarding comparator
behaviour.
> >> Comparators are typically: +in > -in --> output transistor off -->
> >> output
> > TRUE /
> >> HIGH with pull-up R.
> >
> >
> > I have double-checked the datasheet
> > (http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm339.pdf). It says "The output NPN
> > sinks current when the positive input voltage is higher than the
> > negative input voltage and the offset voltage". My interpretation is
> > therefore the opposite of what you say above. Is it possible that
> > different versions of the LM339 work differently?
> 
> 
> No, the writer needs to be shot.   OK, fired.Well OK, demoted.
> 
> Move down from section 8.3 where the comment you quote is, to section
> 9.2.2.1:
>   When both IN– and IN+ are both within the common-mode range:
>   – If IN– is higher than IN+ and the offset voltage, the
output is
> low and the output transistor is sinking current
>   – If IN– is lower than IN+ and the offset voltage, the
output is
> high impedance and the output transistor is not conducting
>   etc.
> 
> They seem to have given up on including circuit examples in the datasheet
but
> if you look at older datasheets you can work through examples to see the
in/out
> relation.
> All the standard comparator circuits like an oscillator or adding
hysteresis with
> a feedback R to the +in wouldn't work if they functioned in the manner you
> were reading.
> 
> Another way to look at it is that a comparator is essentially an open-loop
op-
> amp and as with an op-amp the output follows in like direction to the +in
and in
> inverse to the -in.
> 


Thanks for pointing that out. I have to say that it seemed logically strange
but I thought these datasheets were all pretty accurate, that one is a
pretty big mistake, although as you point out it is correct elsewhere.

The peaks of the G176 output are about 300ns long. I can't tell from the
datasheet if that is long enough, but that may be because I don't understand
datasheets all that well. What I can see is that it can take up to 1.3us to
respond, but that isn't quite the same thing (I think).

I have added an addendum to my post now which explains what the G176 on the
other board does. This is what I added:

"For comparison, on the original board, where I get a corrupted video
display, the G176 outputs rather different signals, with a signal on pins 1,
2 and 3, the signals seem to vary in amplitude from 1V to 2V. I can't see
the length of the peaks though because the signal is too irregular, unlike
on the board in question. The difference in behaviour could be either cause
or effect, because, I assume, the BIOS is telling the G176 what to do and
that may depend on whether it has sensed anything at all. Or it could
just be a faulty G176."

Regards

Rob

RE: DECstation 220. Another Impasse

[Rob Jarratt via cctalk]

> You have some of your reasoning reversed regarding comparator behaviour.
> Comparators are typically: +in > -in --> output transistor off --> output
TRUE /
> HIGH with pull-up R.
> 


I have double-checked the datasheet
(http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm339.pdf). It says "The output NPN sinks
current when the positive input voltage is higher than the negative input
voltage and the offset voltage". My interpretation is therefore the opposite
of what you say above. Is it possible that different versions of the LM339
work differently?

Regards

Rob

> The 176 outputs are connected to the  comparator -inputs. The two 0V -ins
are
> thus below the +ins at 0.36V and their output transistor will thus be off
/ not
> conducting to GND.
> 
> Of course that doesn't solve the problem, the 3rd, oscillating, -in should
be
> toggling its output transistor and the overall output should be toggling
rather
> than steady +5.
> Is power good at the 339 supply pins (including gnd)?
> Is  the oscillating 176 output high long enough (pulse width when high)
for the
> frequency response of the 339?

Re: DCC-116 E / DATA GENERAL NOVA 2/10 / Nixdorf 620 - Restoring and restarting

[AJ Palmgren via cctalk]

Dominique, I just want to say how impressed I am with your work here, as
well as the way you're documenting it.  This is fantastic stuff!

There's a lot of emails on this thread for me to catch up on from the past
month.  But if I have one request, it's that you post any additional pics
you might have on the Entrex terminal.  This is what has really drawn me
into this chapter of your project.

Keep up the great work!

-AJ

http://Entrex480.blogspot.com  (badly in need of updating)

http://Point4iris.com


On Sat, Aug 19, 2017 at 12:50 PM, Curious Marc via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> A straightforward linear supply. We should be able to get that puppy
> working. Looks like you have two of the same thing on G2, two +5V supplies.
> You could take advantage of that and compare voltages of one against the
> other at several points. You coukd also monitor the voltage on the non
> regulated side of the power transistors, if that crashes too, it's more
> likely it's a problem in the caps or the rectifier diodes. If it crashes
> after, transistors or regulation circuit could be suspect. Maybe we can do
> a Skype "en Francais"  and debug it together.
> Marc
>
>
> On Aug 19, 2017, at 12:10 PM, Dominique Carlier via cctalk <
> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
>
> Maybe it's better to give us all the useful information these power
> supplies, moreover it might be useful to other people with the same
> computer.
>
> An overall bloc diagram of the D-116 power supply including G1 and G2.
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/psu_overall_bloc_diagram.jpg
>
> The complete schematics of the part of the power supply named G2.
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/g2_schematics.jpg
>
> A drawing of the regulation board of the power supply G2 with the physical
> locations of the components.
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/g2_regulator_board.jpg
>
> The schematics of this regulation board.
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/g2_regulator_board_schematics.jpg
>
> And a bit of literature concerning the principle of operation about the
> regulation with this PSU (you will understand better why I am a little bit
> lost ;-) This principle of regulation with a panoply of verification and
> Protection systems everywhere is unusual for me)
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/psu_regulation_principe.jpg
>
> I have already tried without the CPU board: same symptoms. Next step, try
> to check the capacitors in operation.
>
> And because all this is a little bit boring, here is, as a small gift, a
> photo gallery of the machine under different angles ;-)
>
> Ensemble
>
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/ensemble_01.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/ensemble_02.jpg <
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/ensemble_02.jpg>
>
> D-116 Front panel
>
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/d116_front_panel_01.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/d116_front_panel_02.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/d116_front_panel_03.jpg
>
> D-116 open rack
>
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/d116_open_01.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/d116_open_02.jpg
>
> G2 regulator board
>
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/g2_regulator_board.jpg
>
> Disk Pack drive Diablo Model 40
>
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/diskpack_drive_01.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/diskpack_drive_02.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/diskpack_drive_03.jpg
>
> Mag-tape Pertec 8840A
>
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/pertec_close.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/pertec_open_01.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/pertec_open_02.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/pertec_open_03.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/pertec_open_04.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/pertec_open_05.jpg
>
> Drum printer Data Products model 2230
>
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/printer_01.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/printer_02.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/printer_03.jpg
>
> Terminal Entrex
>
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/terminal.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/terminal_nacked.jpg
>
> Rear panel / connectors
>
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/rear_panel.jpg
>
> From inside
>
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/flat_cables.jpg
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/from_inside.jpg <
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/serie01/from_inside.jpg>
>
> Haa I can't wait to operate this heavy machine! ;-)
>
> Dominique
>
>
>

Re: PDP 8e green / lab version rack Ebay

[Noel Chiappa via cctalk]

> From:  Anders Nelson

> This is crazy, how is this auction not at $5k already at least?

"Patience, grasshopper"! :-)

With these big-budget, rare, items, the real action is always in the last few
seconds. I remember a PDP-11/40 that went from, like $2K (don't recall the
exact number, too lazy to look it up) to $10K in the last 10 seconds.

> those last 15 seconds were a deusey!

And who knows how high it might have gone if the seller did not have a
feedback rating of  1!! :-)

Noel

Re: DECstation 220. Another Impasse

[Brent Hilpert via cctalk]

On 2017-Aug-26, at 11:09 PM, Rob Jarratt wrote:
>> You have some of your reasoning reversed regarding comparator behaviour.
>> Comparators are typically: +in > -in --> output transistor off --> output
> TRUE /
>> HIGH with pull-up R.
> 
> 
> I have double-checked the datasheet
> (http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm339.pdf). It says "The output NPN sinks
> current when the positive input voltage is higher than the negative input
> voltage and the offset voltage". My interpretation is therefore the opposite
> of what you say above. Is it possible that different versions of the LM339
> work differently?


No, the writer needs to be shot.   OK, fired.Well OK, demoted. 

Move down from section 8.3 where the comment you quote is, to section 9.2.2.1:
When both IN– and IN+ are both within the common-mode range:
– If IN– is higher than IN+ and the offset voltage, the output 
is low and the output transistor is sinking current
– If IN– is lower than IN+ and the offset voltage, the output 
is high impedance and the output transistor is not conducting
etc.

They seem to have given up on including circuit examples in the datasheet but 
if you look at older datasheets you can work through examples to see the in/out 
relation.
All the standard comparator circuits like an oscillator or adding hysteresis 
with a feedback R to the +in wouldn't work if they functioned in the manner you 
were reading.

Another way to look at it is that a comparator is essentially an open-loop 
op-amp and as with an op-amp the output follows in like direction to the +in 
and in inverse to the -in.



> Regards
> 
> Rob
> 
>> The 176 outputs are connected to the  comparator -inputs. The two 0V -ins
> are
>> thus below the +ins at 0.36V and their output transistor will thus be off
> / not
>> conducting to GND.
>> 
>> Of course that doesn't solve the problem, the 3rd, oscillating, -in should
> be
>> toggling its output transistor and the overall output should be toggling
> rather
>> than steady +5.
>> Is power good at the 339 supply pins (including gnd)?
>> Is  the oscillating 176 output high long enough (pulse width when high)
> for the
>> frequency response of the 339?
>