DEC RX03 RT11A file extractor

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

List:

This is the first time I've run across a bunch of double-sided 8"
double-density floppies in RX02 encoding.  I'm assuming that this is
what's known as the RX03.  The system is identified on disk as RT11A.

Does anyone know of a program to extract the files from images of this
sort (1,025,024 bytes:  26x256 sectors/track, 2 sides, 77 tracks)?

I've tried John Wilson's PUTR, but it hangs when it sees the image--I
can mount the image, but then anything after that just hangs the program.

I'd prefer a Linux program, but DOS/Windows would be fine.  Otherwise,
I'll sharpen my pencil and get coding...

Thanks,
--Chuck

Re: Which Dec Emulation is the MOST useful and Versatile?

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

On 10/30/2017 03:44 PM, Paul Koning wrote:

> The timing is carefully orchestrated, including of course provision 
> for cable delays.
I'm reminded of a unit manager at CDC that I worked with for a time.
His first job at CDC as a fresh EE out of UofMinn was to measure all the
loops of cable on the backplane of the then-new 6600 to which Seymour
had attached tags that read "TUNE".

One marvels at the fiddling that must have been involved getting the
thing to run.  Fun with taper pins...

Cray was certainly a character.  Another associate regaled us with his
experience outside Seymour's lab in Chippewa Falls, sitting with a
couple of others in a car on a cold dark winter night exchanging code
and listings with Cray's daughter at the door.  He was not about to let
them inside...

--Chuck

Re: BBS software was Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[william degnan via cctalk]

I'd get a RS232toWIFI dongle, they're cheap and easy to make a connection
via simple terminal software to an outside telnet target.

On Tue, Oct 31, 2017 at 6:02 PM, tom sparks via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> I am looking for BBS software to run on my linux computer that i can use
> to down/up-load stuff for my psion 5mx
>
> I have 2 xbees[1] to make the link
>
> PS: I know there is pswin[2]
>
> [1]: they are radio modems, see https://www.sparkfun.com/pages/xbee_guide
> [2]: http://psion.info/GJ5/psiwin233_32.html
>
>
>  Forwarded Message 
> Subject:Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA
> Date:   Mon, 30 Oct 2017 06:38:23 +1000
> From:   tom sparks 
> To: Mike Stein , General Discussion: On-Topic
> and Off-Topic Posts 
>
>
> 
> I want download all the data before I go and upload it when I return or
> use a "dial-up" connection[^1]
> 
> [^1]: I am really unsure if I want to go down the TCP/IP path
>

Re: Which Dec Emulation is the MOST useful and Versatile?

[allison via cctalk]

On 10/30/2017 12:43 PM, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote:
>> On Oct 27, 2017, at 5:00 PM, Phil Blundell via cctalk 
>>  wrote:
>>
>> On Fri, 2017-10-27 at 13:38 -0700, Brent Hilpert via cctalk wrote:
>>> I wonder if they were just trying to draw an analogy between the
>>> inherent dynamic operation requirements of magnetic logic and the
>>> dynamic operation requirements of some (many?) NMOS designs (not
>>> really inherent to NMOS).
>> On the subject of NMOS dynamic logic, someone recently pointed out a
>> paragraph in the technical manual for a 1990s ARM2-based computer which
>> warned of dire consequences, including possibly destruction of the
>> chipset, if the circuitry was left powered with the clock stopped for
>> more than a second or two.
>>
>> Obviously if the clock is stopped for more than a few hundred
>> microseconds then the logic will start to lose its marbles and the
>> system will need a reset to recover.  But I don't think I've previously
>> heard any suggestion that dynamic logic ICs would actually be damaged
>> or destroyed under these circumstances.  I can just about imagine that
>> there might be some situation where an invalid internal state would
>> result in a short circuit between power and ground, but that's just
>> supposition really.  Anybody know of a case where something bad has
>> actually happened?
> I don't understand this at all.  "Dynamic logic" is not a familiar concept, 
> and certainly the NMOS logic I know isn't dynamic.  Memory (DRAM) is dynamic, 
> and will forget if you don't refresh it.  But DRAM doesn't mind if you stop 
> the clock, it just won't remember its data.
>
> So I don't know how you might have a logic design that "loses its marbles" if 
> you stop the clock.  And anything that is fried by clock loss is, in my view, 
> the work of someone who should not be allowed anywhere near a EE shop.

NMOS dynamic logic relies on two things memory or register cells that
operate just like
Dram so they forget without refresh.  It also relies on logic nodes that
precharge to some
state and are selectively discharged by the logic.  Doing that saves
resistive pullups or
complementary logic.  This type of logic has a specified minimum clock
though you
could usually go far slower.  The 8080 was an early example.

> Incidentally, while "soft core" magnetic logic is dynamic, memory core logic 
> is not.  You could slow that down and it would still work.  The signals are 
> pulses, not levels, but the pulses will still happen with a 1 Hz clock.
The timing of the logic in some cases where tied to the switching time
of the cores used.  Otherwise
it was hard to determine when and if the core switched.

However rope core and ferro-transformers would work at any rate so long
as the pulse waveform was
had the right rise and fall times.    FYI rope core was basically many
transformers either with a wire
in for the bit or wire around for the not bit.  The cores for rope
didn't change magnetic state like
coincident current cores of the bistable type as that allowed read write
but was DRO (destructive
read out with re-write) which is the more familiar core and why it had a
shorter read time and a
longer cycle time between reads.

Both have a fair amount of documentation out there.  The
ferro-transformer logic were documented
well too but you have to hunt for info.  They also came in many forms as
to the logic performed
including storage.


Allison

>   paul
>

BBS software was Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[tom sparks via cctalk]

I am looking for BBS software to run on my linux computer that i can use 
to down/up-load stuff for my psion 5mx


I have 2 xbees[1] to make the link

PS: I know there is pswin[2]

[1]: they are radio modems, see https://www.sparkfun.com/pages/xbee_guide
[2]: http://psion.info/GJ5/psiwin233_32.html


 Forwarded Message 
Subject:Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA
Date:   Mon, 30 Oct 2017 06:38:23 +1000
From:   tom sparks 
To: 	Mike Stein , General Discussion: On-Topic and 
Off-Topic Posts 




I want download all the data before I go and upload it when I return or 
use a "dial-up" connection[^1]


[^1]: I am really unsure if I want to go down the TCP/IP path

Re: H7861 PSU issues

[Aaron Jackson via cctalk]

Just had another look after watching a video about how switch mode power
supplies work On the small control board connecting to J4, there are
two D44Q1 transistors. As expected, there is about 65KHz going into the
base of the transistor for the 5V side. However, there is no signal
going into the base of the transistor for the 12V side, from pin 3 of
the 555. So, it looks like the problem is coming from around here. I
measured the suspicious components around the 555 and they seem fine.

How likely is it that the 555 is dead? There is 10v going into pin 8,
which I believe is correct.

Thanks,

Aaron.





Aaron Jackson writes:

> Hi everyone,
>
> I've been trying to figure out what is wrong with the 12V rail on my
> H7861 (BA11-S) power supply. It's showing about 4.2V. The 5V rail is
> spot on.
>
> Page 39 of the following schematics is the main part board of the PSU.
> http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/qbus/MP01233_BA11-S_schem_Mar81.pdf
>
> Going into the collector of Q3 is about 80V coming straight from T2 (I
> think I measured it at about 100Hz), but the emitter is putting out the
> 4.2V, which is the same as the base voltage and output voltage. I tried
> replacing this transistor because the hFE was about 80 and a good one
> was about 120. Unfortunately it didn't do anything.
>
> None of the capacitors look swollen and I don't see any leakage. There
> is a smaller board which I think goes into J4. The 12V side seems to
> have a 555 timer and adjusting the pot doesn't change the voltage at
> all.
>
> My understanding of switchmode power supplies is very poor. Does anyone
> have some pointers on what to check or what might be the possible cause?
>
> Hopefully I can get my PDP up and running again... Only got about 20
> minutes use out of it.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Aaron.


--
Aaron Jackson
PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham
http://aaronsplace.co.uk

H7861 PSU issues

[Aaron Jackson via cctalk]

Hi everyone,

I've been trying to figure out what is wrong with the 12V rail on my
H7861 (BA11-S) power supply. It's showing about 4.2V. The 5V rail is
spot on.

Page 39 of the following schematics is the main part board of the PSU.
http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/qbus/MP01233_BA11-S_schem_Mar81.pdf

Going into the collector of Q3 is about 80V coming straight from T2 (I
think I measured it at about 100Hz), but the emitter is putting out the
4.2V, which is the same as the base voltage and output voltage. I tried
replacing this transistor because the hFE was about 80 and a good one
was about 120. Unfortunately it didn't do anything.

None of the capacitors look swollen and I don't see any leakage. There
is a smaller board which I think goes into J4. The 12V side seems to
have a 555 timer and adjusting the pot doesn't change the voltage at
all.

My understanding of switchmode power supplies is very poor. Does anyone
have some pointers on what to check or what might be the possible cause?

Hopefully I can get my PDP up and running again... Only got about 20
minutes use out of it.

Thanks!

Aaron.

Re: Does anyone need any before I list them on eBay?

[emanuel stiebler via cctalk]

On 2017-10-31 00:54, Paul Anderson via cctalk wrote:


There is another list member coming through here from the east coast and
going to Denver and back. Hopefully he'll junk in here...

Thanks, Paul


Who is it, and where on the east coast is he?

Yet More New Items For Sale from Ye Olde VintageTech archives

[Sellam Ismail via cctalk]

Here is yet another batch of items for sale.  Full running list with
updates is here:

http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?58709-New-Items-For-Sale-Check-the-List-and-Make-an-Offer-or-Request=483525#post483525

New items for October 31, 2017:

Boards
Problem Solver Systems, Inc. Model RAM16 16K Static RAM - for S100 systems,
with original instruction manual; uses TMS4045 1024 word x 4-bit static RAM
- $40
Vector 2201-1 S100 prototyping board - unused, has gold plated edge
connector with one pad per each pin, and a grid of holes - $15
Wameco EPM-2 - completely bare/unpopulated EPROM board for S100 bus - $10
Artec Electronics WW-100 [REV. 1] - completely bare/unpopulated S100 board
- $5
MediaVision Pro Audio (1993) - ISA 16-bit board, brand new, in originally
sealed anti-static bag - $5

Peripherals
Atari SX212 - modem only, no power supply - $10
Commodore VICMODEM - clean condition, minor scratches on face label - $13
shipped anywhere in USA
Tandy Enhanced Keyboard - 5-pin DIN connector; includes form-fitting
dust/spill-cover so keyboard is extremely clean - $25
TRS-80 Acoustic Coupler for TRS-80 Portable Computer Model 100 - excellent
condition, in original (very good condition) box - $20
Floppy Disk Services, Inc. 5SVA dual 5.25" disk drive - has two
Matsushita JA-551-2 half-height drives and dual 34-pin female header socket
ribbon cable, for TRS-80(?); powers up, both drives spin briefly, unable to
test further - $40

Parts
Heathkit H19 keybaord - decent shape; missing 4 keycaps on numeric keypad
(6, 9, and the two next to 0) and two on the main keyboard (next to BACK
SPACE and REPEAT); marked 85-2223-1 and 111078, "COPR HEATH 1978"; unknown
functional condition - $10

Computers
JUKO Tiny Pro SF - small footprint (10" x 11.5", 3" high) PC - motherboard
has Harris CS80C286-16 CPU, Oak Technology OTIVGA, AMI 286 BIOS, floppy &
IDE controllers; integrated NEC FD1138H 3.5" floppy drive; requires 5-pin
DIN 5VDC/7A power supply (not included); unable to test - $40
Apple //e - standard 64K model, bare bones, no adaptors; works great all
around, very nice condition with some yellowing - $40

Software
Infocom Suspended on 8" floppy disk in original Infocom sleeve for CP/M
(single density disk), near new looking - $20
Altera MAX+plus II Programmable Logic Development System - complete
package, includes Getting Started, User Guide, and AHDL manuals, version
4.02 software (Quartet?) diskettes still in shrinkwrap sealed envelope,
Max+plus II Software Guard dongle - $40
The Clone Machine with Unguard - a Commodore 64 program for
copying/inspecting/editing disks (cracking tool); includes original disk,
user made working disk, original manual - $20 including shipping to
anywhere in USA
MacProject - project management software for original Macintosh and Lisa
computers (as indicated on original box); box is in decent condition with
several creases and kind of punched in on the back; includes two MacProject
program disks and one A Guided Tour disk, labels are foxing - $15

Accessories
Apple Macintosh 512K enhanced accessory kit - includes Macintosh 512K
enhanced user guide, Mac software catalog & sampler, product registration
card, packing list, A Guided Tour (audio cassette, shrinkwrapped); missing
system software diskettes ; box is pushed in from the top and creased in
the corners but otherwise in fine shape; I'll throw in The Easy Guide to
Your Macintosh (Sybex, 1984) - $25
Original manual (shrinkwrapped) and Warranty, registration card inserts for
Apple 3.5" Drive, plus drive number stickers - $6

More information and photographs for any item upon request, but please have
serious intent to purchase and not just being a looky-loo as I field a lot
of requests and it takes a lot of time

I'm happy to negotiate a bulk price for multiple items, combined shipping
is cheaper, and items are always packed efficiently with superior care and
materials. Shipping is from California. Local pick-up is highly encouraged
(you get to shop my inventory). International purchasers are always welcome.

As always, please send inquiries to me directly via e-mail (
sellam.ism...@gmail.com) for best results.

Thanks!

Sellam

Re: Does anyone need any before I list them on eBay?

[Pontus Pihlgren via cctalk]

Hi

Do you have a BA11-VA ?

Thank you,
Pontus.

On Tue, Oct 31, 2017 at 01:54:24AM -0500, Paul Anderson via cctalk wrote:
> I have several Q-bus boxes available:
> 
> BA11-M 4x4
> MA11-N 4x9
> BA11-S
> BA23- no cases right now, a few have rack mount kits, some I'll hang on to
> till I find the
>micro vax boards. Looking for offers.
> 
> MOST CAN BE SHIPPED! Probably under $100 in US.
> 
> All boxes can be configured within reason, but I am getting short of
> memory, in more ways than o
> one...
> 
> I might be leaving Illinois and going to Baltimore, maybe Virginia, then
> north to the Boston area, back through NY, through Canada, Detroit, and
> back to Illinois. I could be leaving as soon as next week.
> 
> There is another list member coming through here from the east coast and
> going to Denver and back. Hopefully he'll junk in here...
> 
> Thanks, Paul
> 
> On Tue, Sep 12, 2017 at 2:02 AM, Paul Anderson  wrote:
> 
> > I'm still trying to sell some extra Q-bus boards before I list them on
> > ebay, and I would rather they found a happy home here.
> >
> > Shipping is a flat $10 within the US for as many as you want. Please ask
> > for overseas shipping. If you need any others, or have a "wishlist" please
> > contact me off list.
> >
> > Thanks, Paul
> >
> > M3106 DZQ11   $40
> > M3107 DHQ1140
> > M8043 DLV11-J   60
> > M8186 11/23 CPU   60
> > M8189 11/23+ CPU 60
> >

Re: Tubbs fire consumed the collected archives of William Hewlett and David P...

[Ed via cctalk]

I think  there are some people that will state anything at this point  at 
Corp. to cover their ass's over  this debacle...  Ed#  
 
 
In a message dated 10/31/2017 12:19:44 A.M. US Mountain Standard Tim,  
cctalk@classiccmp.org writes:

This  article has more details about the archive situation and, more 
important,  it has a comment from HP at the  end.

https://spectrum.ieee.org/view-from-the-valley/tech-history/silicon-revoluti
on/loss-of-hewlettpackard-archive-a-wakeup-call-for-computer-historians

Re: Look to get a copy of a Multi-Tech FM300 Modem manual

[Ed via cctalk]

they  claim FIRST ACOUSTIC COUPLER IN 1970 nah... 
 
GE  1968

My customer has an Olivetti

terminal that he wants to use

on GE Time-Sharing Service.

How much does our acoustic

coupler cost and what is the

rental fee?



The TDM 114 acoustic coupler

rents for $25 a month (including

maintenance by service

shops) and sells for $395. The

TDM 115 acoustic coupler costs

$495.
Aug.  1968 GE service  Note  - time share  etc 
Multi-Tech says... 
1970: Dr.  Sharma founds and incorporates Multi-Tech Systems, renting new 
office  space in the basement of the Schneider's Drug building in 
Minneapolis. He sells  the world's first acoustic coupler to Professor Schmitt, 
inventor of the Schmitt  trigger, for $300. 
worlds first?   hmmm... Not. 
Remember too the  Deaf had acoustic couplers prior   to  1970 also! 
Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org)   


 
In a message dated 10/31/2017 12:02:56 A.M. US Mountain Standard Tim,  
cctalk@classiccmp.org writes:

https://www.multitech.com/about-us/history
How accurate is this  Multi-Tech history?

Ed#


In a message dated 10/30/2017  11:07:17 P.M. US Mountain Standard Tim,  
cctalk@classiccmp.org  writes:

That  would be great. Next year as one of my teleprinter  demonstrations I
want to  have a
Teletype 33 or 35 and the FM300  and a Bell System 500 rotary dial   desk
phone.

-pete



On Sun, Oct 29, 2017 at 8:20  PM,  Chris Elmquist  wrote:

> Give me a  day or  two and I think I can help you out.  I used to work  at
> Multi-Tech  when the FM300 was still a product.  I have  several along 
with
>  original schematics, which are "blue  prints"...
>
> I have almost  as many stories about  Multi-Tech as I do ETA ;-)
>
>  Chris
>
> On  October 29, 2017 1:40:03 PM CDT, Pete Lancashire via  cctalk <
>  cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
> >I've acquired  a Multi-Tech  FM300 acoustic modem and even though I could
> >figure  out the  pin-outs
> >and switch settings, it would be great if I could   get a copy of the
> >original manual.
> >
>  >Goal  is to add it to a Teletype 33 or 35 and a Bell System 500  desk

>  >set.
> >
> >-pete
>
>  --
> Chris   Elmquist
>
>

Re: Tubbs fire consumed the collected archives of William Hewlett and David Packard

[Evan Koblentz via cctalk]

This article has more details about the archive situation and, more 
important, it has a comment from HP at the end.


https://spectrum.ieee.org/view-from-the-valley/tech-history/silicon-revolution/loss-of-hewlettpackard-archive-a-wakeup-call-for-computer-historians

Re: Look to get a copy of a Multi-Tech FM300 Modem manual

[Ed via cctalk]

https://www.multitech.com/about-us/history
How accurate is this Multi-Tech history?
 
Ed#
 
 
In a message dated 10/30/2017 11:07:17 P.M. US Mountain Standard Tim,  
cctalk@classiccmp.org writes:

That  would be great. Next year as one of my teleprinter demonstrations I
want to  have a
Teletype 33 or 35 and the FM300 and a Bell System 500 rotary dial  desk
phone.

-pete



On Sun, Oct 29, 2017 at 8:20 PM,  Chris Elmquist  wrote:

> Give me a day or  two and I think I can help you out.  I used to work at
> Multi-Tech  when the FM300 was still a product.  I have several along with
>  original schematics, which are "blue prints"...
>
> I have almost  as many stories about Multi-Tech as I do ETA ;-)
>
>  Chris
>
> On October 29, 2017 1:40:03 PM CDT, Pete Lancashire via  cctalk <
> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
> >I've acquired  a Multi-Tech FM300 acoustic modem and even though I could
> >figure  out the pin-outs
> >and switch settings, it would be great if I could  get a copy of the
> >original manual.
> >
> >Goal  is to add it to a Teletype 33 or 35 and a Bell System 500 desk

>  >set.
> >
> >-pete
>
> --
> Chris  Elmquist
>
>

Re: Does anyone need any before I list them on eBay?

[Paul Anderson via cctalk]

I have several Q-bus boxes available:

BA11-M 4x4
MA11-N 4x9
BA11-S
BA23- no cases right now, a few have rack mount kits, some I'll hang on to
till I find the
   micro vax boards. Looking for offers.

MOST CAN BE SHIPPED! Probably under $100 in US.

All boxes can be configured within reason, but I am getting short of
memory, in more ways than o
one...

I might be leaving Illinois and going to Baltimore, maybe Virginia, then
north to the Boston area, back through NY, through Canada, Detroit, and
back to Illinois. I could be leaving as soon as next week.

There is another list member coming through here from the east coast and
going to Denver and back. Hopefully he'll junk in here...

Thanks, Paul

On Tue, Sep 12, 2017 at 2:02 AM, Paul Anderson  wrote:

> I'm still trying to sell some extra Q-bus boards before I list them on
> ebay, and I would rather they found a happy home here.
>
> Shipping is a flat $10 within the US for as many as you want. Please ask
> for overseas shipping. If you need any others, or have a "wishlist" please
> contact me off list.
>
> Thanks, Paul
>
> M3106 DZQ11   $40
> M3107 DHQ1140
> M8043 DLV11-J   60
> M8186 11/23 CPU   60
> M8189 11/23+ CPU 60
>

Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[Sam O'nella via cctalk]

It could also be from the popular article about George RR Martin using a 
vintage dos computer with wordstar 4.0 for his writing rig. Similar to some 
other authors I've heard look for a machine that doesn't offer distractions.
My own mis-remembrance though for some reason I thought it was a trs-80 model 
4p but I'm not finding specifics in the quick google search.
 Original message From: Evan Koblentz via cctalk 
 Date: 10/30/17  2:47 PM  (GMT-06:00) To: "General 
Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts"  Subject: Re: 
looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA 
> Radio Shack M100 ... still used by some writers for the very reason you 
> mention.

That is not true.

It was an urban legend in the 1990s that a handful of old farts in the 
entirely sportswriting industry (thousands of writers overall) may 
"still" be using their Model 100s. I'm sure if you looked hard enough 
some of them still used typewriters too.

In 2017? It's ridiculous to even speculate.

Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[Evan Koblentz via cctalk]

Radio Shack M100 ... still used by some writers for the very reason you mention.


That is not true.

It was an urban legend in the 1990s that a handful of old farts in the 
entirely sportswriting industry (thousands of writers overall) may 
"still" be using their Model 100s. I'm sure if you looked hard enough 
some of them still used typewriters too.


In 2017? It's ridiculous to even speculate.

Re: Tubbs fire consumed the collected archives of William Hewlett and David Packard

[Evan Koblentz via cctalk]

It seems with the internet that crowd-sourcing is way of resourcing things. 
Maybe we (that's us on this list) need to apply this concept to the scanning 
and archiving and retention of any paper based repositories that still exist. 
I'll call it crowd-scanning for the time being.


Unfortunately, it sounds like much of what was lost is internal HP 
documentation, no way to replace that.

Re: Look to get a copy of a Multi-Tech FM300 Modem manual

[Pete Lancashire via cctalk]

That would be great. Next year as one of my teleprinter demonstrations I
want to have a
Teletype 33 or 35 and the FM300 and a Bell System 500 rotary dial desk
phone.

-pete



On Sun, Oct 29, 2017 at 8:20 PM, Chris Elmquist  wrote:

> Give me a day or two and I think I can help you out.  I used to work at
> Multi-Tech when the FM300 was still a product.  I have several along with
> original schematics, which are "blue prints"...
>
> I have almost as many stories about Multi-Tech as I do ETA ;-)
>
> Chris
>
> On October 29, 2017 1:40:03 PM CDT, Pete Lancashire via cctalk <
> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
> >I've acquired a Multi-Tech FM300 acoustic modem and even though I could
> >figure out the pin-outs
> >and switch settings, it would be great if I could get a copy of the
> >original manual.
> >
> >Goal is to add it to a Teletype 33 or 35 and a Bell System 500 desk
> >set.
> >
> >-pete
>
> --
> Chris Elmquist
>
>

CDC 6000 series transistors [was RE: Which Dec Emulation is the MOST useful and Versatile?]

[Rich Alderson via cctalk]

From: Paul Koning
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2017 12:07 PM

> True if you have a TTL machine.  6600 is discrete transistor, and the actual
> transistor specs are nowhere to be found as far as I have been able to tell.

> But that doesn't directly relate to gate level emulation.  If you have gate
> level documentation you can of course build a copy of the machine out of
> actual gate-type parts, like 7400 chips.  Or you can write a gate level model
> in VHDL, which is not the most popular form but certainly perfectly
> straightforward.  Either way, though, you have to start with a document that
> shows what the gates are in the original and how they connect.  And to get it
> to work, you need to deal with timing issues and logic abuse, if present.  In
> the 6600, both are very present and very critical.  For example, I've been
> debugging a section (the central processor branch logic) where the behavior
> changes quite substantially depending on whether you favor S or R in an R/S
> flop, i.e., if both are asserted at the same time, who wins?  And the circuit
> and wire delays matter, down to the few-nanosecond level.

Paul,

I asked the Principal Engineer here, who has spent the last 3 years making our
6500 run, about transistors in the 6000 series.  He replied:

Near as I can tell, the 6500 uses 2n2369 transistors in a slightly shorter
version of the to-18 package. I have had good success with both the 2n2369
for replacements, and mmbt2369 for the modules I have re-manufactured.

Since the flip-flops are merely cross coupled transistors, if they are both
set at once, both outputs will be true. In my experience, the set and reset
run on different phases of the clock, so that doesn't happen.

What you see on the logic diagrams can be interpreted this way: Each arrow
is a transistor, with the emitter tied to ground. The base usually has
about a 150 ohm resistor. The circle or square is the collector pull-up
resistor, so in the example of the PC module in 1n15 of the 6500, there are
two gates that can set flip-flop 0, and they come in on transistor 15, and
17, and the other side of the flip-flop comes in on transistor 19. All
three transistor collectors are connected together to 1 pull-up. If the
output pin does not go anywhere internal to the card, there will be a 120
ohm resistor in series with a diode to ground on it. If it does go
somewhere internal to the card, they will leave off the resistor/diode, as
the load will provide it.

Hope that helps.

Rich


Rich Alderson
Vintage Computing Sr. Systems Engineer
Living Computers: Museum + Labs
2245 1st Avenue S
Seattle, WA 98134

mailto:ri...@livingcomputers.org

http://www.LivingComputers.org/

Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[tom sparks via cctalk]

On 31/10/17 00:34, Liam Proven wrote:

On 30 October 2017 at 00:57, tom sparks via cctalk
 wrote:


cant find the Gateway HandBook on ebay :(
if wanted the GPD Pocket i could buy these
 or  GDP Win
Toshiba Libretto size issues

Your quoting is broken. It took 3 goes to type this because I couldn't
find your actual reply.


I checked cctalk mail archive I could not find where my text quoting is 
broken[1]




The Pandora is a gaming toy. It's got a terrible keyboard.

The GDP is one device, it just comes with either Windows or Ubuntu
installed. I think even the specs are the same.


I was say that the "modern" GPD pocket version sucks compared to the 
older versions.


if i was designing the next gen, i would start of with a kindle keyboard[2],
clamshell it, then make it smaller


The difference between modern things and the Psion is of course
battery life. A Psion 5/5mx ran for months on a pair of AAs. A
mini-laptop runs for a few hours.



[1]: http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2017-October/035578.html
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Kindle#Kindle_Keyboard