[cctalk] Re: Identify 14" HDD with two heads on single arm
In 1979 Data General started manufacturing its own two line of 14" Winchester disk drives - a 12.5 MB [Model 6099] and a 25.5 MB [Model 6103] version. A "quad-density" 1.2 MB 8" floppy diskette drive or two were often part of the system for installation and backup purposes. There is usually an ID plate on the back of the disk drive that contains the model number and DG Product number (i.e. 005-x-yy) of that specific unit. Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 10/27/2024 7:55 AM, Paul Birkel via cctalk wrote: Can anyone identify the 14" HDD seen in the following photo (not mine)? It's unusual in that there are two moving heads on the top surface of the platter. I presume that there's a fixed head on the bottom surface for the clock track. This is from a Data General 6100 disc subsystem which is advertised as 25MB capacity. There's a related model with half that capacity. https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?attachments/img_5116-jpeg.1288418 The only thing that I can say for sure is that it's visually not a Shugart SA4000 and that exhausts my knowledge on the subject.. While I presume that the 25-signal twisted-pair ribbon cable is for control signals, there is also a 16(?) line grey ribbon cable connected to the left side of the DG-specific power control PCB. I'm guessing that would be data/clock lines from hidden electronics where the 25-signal twisted-pair ribbon originates; not sure what else may be then happening on the DG-specific power control PCB. Thank you for any insights into manufacturer, model, and documentation. -paul
[cctalk] Re: Data General MV/8000 emulator announcement
On 10/4/2024 8:53 PM, Cameron Kaiser via cctalk wrote: A Data General MV/8000 emulator beta release is now available from my DG legacy preservation web site: www.NovasAreForever.org Very good. Will there be source code, for those of us not on x86 or ARM? This is a new emulator that uses parts of our commercial product stuffed into the SimH structure. It is a challenge to adapt sections of our commercial software into the SimH framework due to their significant differences in design, implementation and certification. Accordingly, it will take time before source code will be part of a SimH release. What platform(s) were you targeting...? Bruce Ray b...@wildharecomputers.com
[cctalk] Re: Data General MV/8000 emulator announcement
On 10/4/2024 2:04 PM, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote: Nice! So is this the current open-simh simulator, or a newer version? Will you update the one in open-simh? paul None of the SimH versions currently has an MV emulator, so there is technically nothing to "update". This is a new emulator that uses parts of our commercial product stuffed into the SimH structure. It is a challenge to adapt sections of our commercial software into the SimH framework due to their significant differences in design, implementation and certification. Accordingly, it will take time before source code will be part of a SimH release. Bruce Ray b...@wildharecomputers.com
[cctalk] Data General MV/8000 emulator announcement
A Data General MV/8000 emulator beta release is now available from my DG legacy preservation web site: www.NovasAreForever.org The MV/8000 emulator runs AOS/VS and AOS/VS II, plus associated languages and utilities, in a single-user environment on Windows and Linux systems. Files are available at the bottom of the web site's emulator download page: www.NovasAreForever.org/dgbeta/index.php The 'Beta_Update_00.01.00_Notes.txt' file contains brief notes describing the emulator configuration and files, and assumes substantial knowledge about running DG systems. Now "MVs Are Forever..." Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
[cctalk] Re: Looking for a DG manual
G'day Peter - Currently-available AOS/VS manuals are located in the AOS/VS documentation section on: www.novasareforever.org/dgdocs/index.php Contact me if there is something else that you need... Bruce ..preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 1/9/2024 2:25 PM, Peter Ekstrom via cctalk wrote: Hello, Does anyone have a PDF of the AOS/VS Systems internals reference manual by chance? Thanks, Peter
[cctalk] Re: Ampex and the DG Compatible Market
G'day Paul - Indeed, Ampex sold Nova-compatible computers from around 1977. Ampex also sold memory systems for certain Nova series, PDP11, 11/70, DECsystem 10 and DECsystem 20, IBM, Unicac and Sigma 7 and 9(!). These in addition to the disk drives, tape drives, controllers, fixed-head disk emulators (using core) and OEM memory components. Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 12/5/2023 4:07 AM, Paul Birkel via cctalk wrote: Although I knew that Ampex was a supplier of Multibus non-volatile RAM boards (MC-8080 and MCM-8086) - Memory Products Division - I didn't realize that they had competed for a while in the DG-compatible market alongside companies like Digidyne, Fairchild, Bytronix, and SCI Systems (according to court documents and the trade press). Can anyone shed light on what they offered and when? And perhaps why? Thank you, paul
[cctalk] PDP-11/40 for sale in New Zealand
A friend has a PDP-11/40 for sale in New Zealand and sent me the following information: "I have a PDP11/40 for sale. It includes three (3) x RK05’s in various states of repair, one (1) tape unit, one (1) A/D unit, spare parts of unknown status, lots of disk packs, tapes and what looks like all of the circuit diagrams for every card and peripheral in the machine, plus RSK-11 manuals, some cobol manuals etc. It was formerly used in the Wellington Hospital diagnostic lab, presumably hooked up to some Lab machines there. Note that it is 230v 50hz, so while the CPU may be easily changed to your local voltage (I don’t know but I suspect it’s a transformer tap) the disk spindles are likely to rotate at the incorrect speed if they are clocked off the 50hz mains frequency. The racks have been split to make it easy(er) to get out of the its original location in a basement, and there is tape on the panels just for shipping purposes. I removed the front panel for shipping to prevent any damage, so it’s just installed temporarily for the photos. They will be wrap separately in place in a box for shipping. You can check out photo’s here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fcldk7rekg6sbq3/AADeCjVHhz2YNr1CVxZK5JKZa?dl=0 This system will take time and patience to restore. As far as I can tell everything is there, well maybe some of the disks have been ratted for parts to get another disk working, but of course it comes with no guarantees of any kind. There are 8 cards in the CPU slots, plus five other cards that I assumed to be tape controller, disk controller, A/D controller, plus memory x 2 or memory x 1 plus something else. Keep in mind that all of the manuals, disk packs, tapes etc are boxed up on a second pallet so there are two pallets for shipment." Contact Brendan McNeill, Christchurch, New Zealand. at bren...@mcneill.co.nz (I have no financial or other interest in this system, but would like to see it go to a good home...) Bruce -- Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
[cctalk] Re: Data General Nova and Eclipse Hobbyist License...
It is not a sublicense, Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc., now has copyright and title to the legacy DG/EMC software. On 10/24/2022 5:35 PM, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote: Very nice! So I take it that's a sublicense of Dell/EMC IP? It doesn't say that. paul On Oct 24, 2022, at 6:26 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk wrote: Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc., is pleased to announce that a "Hobbyist License" is now available for legacy Data General Nova and Eclipse software. This license allows educational, hobbyist, non-commercial use of the vast amount of DG software - software that changed the world in many ways. The initial archives are currently available at: www.NovasAreForever.org/dgsw and includes documentation for the corresponding software. This October announcement also honors the 54th anniversary of the original Data General Nova. An international celebration of the Nova's 50th anniversary was hosted by Wild Computer Systems in Colorado, USA. Some of the festivities can be seen at: www.Nova-At-50.org and www.Nova-At-50.org/album/index.html To complement this Hobbyist License, a Nova and Eclipse emulator that can run all of the software will be introduced later this week. Wild Hare Computer Systems is dedicated to preserving Data General's significant contributions to computer history. We seek DG hardware, software, documentation, sales literature - basically "anything DG" - that can be added to the archives for posterity. Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org www.WildHareComputers.com www.NovasAreForever.org
[cctalk] Re: Nova and Eclipse Emulator beta release
G'day Jay - - You mention that the emulator combines "the SimH project structure" with Wild Hare's commercial code. I take this to mean that the emulator is an extension of simh to support the listed DG processors and devices. Can you clarify which version (and ideally commit id) of simh is this based on? OpenSimH rev 4, simh git commit id: 009d748a - I noticed that the license document available on the dgbeta <http://www.novasareforever.org/dgbeta/> page only covers the legacy software produced by DG. Given the inclusion of commercial code in the simh executables, can you clarify what license the emulator binaries are released under? (Ideally this would be published along side the legacy license text). The standard SimH structure is used and its license is honored. - Do you envision at some point publishing the simh emulator changes as a pull request to the simh project (presumably under the simh license)? The new Nova and Eclipse emulator, along with the commercial components, will become part of the standard OpenSimH project and its license. Again, thank you for your efforts here. It's great to see this software opened up to hobbyist use. --Jay On 11/10/2022 5:47 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk wrote: Wild Hare Computer Systems is pleased to announce the public beta release of its Data General Nova and Eclipse emulator. This emulator allows the full range of DG 16-bit Nova and Eclipse computer software to run on Microsoft Windows and Linux platforms, and will become a major part of Wild Hare's increased efforts to preserve Data General's significant contributions to computer history. The emulator combines portions of Wild Hare's commercial products with the SimH project structure to create a single emulator for the 16-bit Nova and Eclipse computers. The program supports a wide range of features, including: Processors: unmapped Nova, SuperNova, Nova 1200, Nova 800, Nova 2, Nova 3, Nova 4 mapped Nova 840 mapped Nova 3/D mapped Nova 4/X Eclipse S/130 Eclipse S/140 Eclipse S/150 Eclipse S/120 Eclipse Desktop Generation Model 20 and Model 30 Peripherals: TTI/TTO primary console (TeleType) input/output RTC real-time clock TTI1/TTO1 secondary console (TeleType) input/output PTR paper tape reader PTP paper tape punch PLT plotter LPT line printer MTA mag tape unit DSK fixed-head disks DKP moving head disks DEP Desktop Generation disks DZP popular "Zebra" moving head disks QTY 4060 "Quad" asynchronous multiplexers ALM 4255 Asynchronous Line Multiplexers Software: Operating Systems DOS Novas (first DOS written for Nova) URDOS RDOS for Novas and Eclipses (in unmapped mode) MRDOS RDOS for Mapped Nova 840 NRDOS RDOS for Mapped Nova 3/D and Nova 4/X ZRDOS RDOS for Mapped Eclipses MP/OS Nova 4 DG/RDOS Eclipses AOS Eclipses MP/AOS Eclipses Languages ASM (Assembler) MAC (Macro Assembler) ALGOL DG/L FORTRAN 4 FORTRAN 5 FORTRAN 77 Extended BASIC Business BASIC MP Pascal SP Pascal COBOL Interactive COBOL (ICOBOL) PL/1 RPG II IDEA INFOS II CEO Prior Data General knowledge is beneficial to using the emulator and corresponding DG software. For convenience, Wild Hare has created container files of pre-configured operating system environments and their corresponding languages to minimize the time needed to enjoy the full DG "experience". This "beta-level" software release is intended to gather user feedback to help guide future product development. Bug reports, comments, suggestions, ridicule and giggles can be sent to b...@wildharecomputers.com. Further information is contained in the emulator beta release web page: www.NovasAreForever.org/dgbeta Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
[cctalk] Nova and Eclipse Emulator beta release
Wild Hare Computer Systems is pleased to announce the public beta release of its Data General Nova and Eclipse emulator. This emulator allows the full range of DG 16-bit Nova and Eclipse computer software to run on Microsoft Windows and Linux platforms, and will become a major part of Wild Hare's increased efforts to preserve Data General's significant contributions to computer history. The emulator combines portions of Wild Hare's commercial products with the SimH project structure to create a single emulator for the 16-bit Nova and Eclipse computers. The program supports a wide range of features, including: Processors: unmapped Nova, SuperNova, Nova 1200, Nova 800, Nova 2, Nova 3, Nova 4 mapped Nova 840 mapped Nova 3/D mapped Nova 4/X Eclipse S/130 Eclipse S/140 Eclipse S/150 Eclipse S/120 Eclipse Desktop Generation Model 20 and Model 30 Peripherals: TTI/TTOprimary console (TeleType) input/output RTCreal-time clock TTI1/TTO1secondary console (TeleType) input/output PTRpaper tape reader PTPpaper tape punch PLTplotter LPTline printer MTAmag tape unit DSKfixed-head disks DKPmoving head disks DEPDesktop Generation disks DZPpopular "Zebra" moving head disks QTY4060 "Quad" asynchronous multiplexers ALM4255 Asynchronous Line Multiplexers Software: Operating Systems DOSNovas (first DOS written for Nova) URDOSRDOS for Novas and Eclipses (in unmapped mode) MRDOSRDOS for Mapped Nova 840 NRDOSRDOS for Mapped Nova 3/D and Nova 4/X ZRDOSRDOS for Mapped Eclipses MP/OSNova 4 DG/RDOSEclipses AOSEclipses MP/AOSEclipses Languages ASM (Assembler) MAC (Macro Assembler) ALGOL DG/L FORTRAN 4 FORTRAN 5 FORTRAN 77 Extended BASIC Business BASIC MP Pascal SP Pascal COBOL Interactive COBOL (ICOBOL) PL/1 RPG II IDEA INFOS II CEO Prior Data General knowledge is beneficial to using the emulator and corresponding DG software. For convenience, Wild Hare has created container files of pre-configured operating system environments and their corresponding languages to minimize the time needed to enjoy the full DG "experience". This "beta-level" software release is intended to gather user feedback to help guide future product development. Bug reports, comments, suggestions, ridicule and giggles can be sent to b...@wildharecomputers.com. Further information is contained in the emulator beta release web page: www.NovasAreForever.org/dgbeta Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
[cctalk] Re: Data General Nova and Eclipse Hobbyist License, update 2
G'day Ray - The three targets are currently Windows 7/10/11, Linux x86 (32-bit), Linux ARM (Raspberry Pi) 32-bit. Bruce On 10/25/2022 4:52 PM, Ray Jewhurst via cctalk wrote: Will the upcoming emulator/simulator be for Windows, Linux or both? The only reason why I am asking is I would like to know which pc to start collecting files on. Thanks Ray Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> From: Bruce Ray via cctalk Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2022 6:39:58 PM To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts Cc: Bruce Ray Subject: [cctalk] Data General Nova and Eclipse Hobbyist License, update 2 Data General public archive Update 2 has been uploaded to the web site, and includes the following additions: Software added: - MRDOS and TRDO - AOS IDEA - AOS INFOS II - RTOS Datagen - RTOS - AOS CEO - AOS RPG II - diagnostic software, paper tape Documentation/manuals added for: - computer reference manuals - RTOS Datagen - RTOS - DOS - SOS - DOS [Diskette] - DG/RDOS - MP/OS - MP/AOS - AOS IDEA - AOS INFOS II - AOS CEO - AOS RPG II -- Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org<http://www.NovasAreForever.org>
[cctalk] Data General Nova and Eclipse Hobbyist License, update 2
Data General public archive Update 2 has been uploaded to the web site, and includes the following additions: Software added: - MRDOS and TRDO - AOS IDEA - AOS INFOS II - RTOS Datagen - RTOS - AOS CEO - AOS RPG II - diagnostic software, paper tape Documentation/manuals added for: - computer reference manuals - RTOS Datagen - RTOS - DOS - SOS - DOS [Diskette] - DG/RDOS - MP/OS - MP/AOS - AOS IDEA - AOS INFOS II - AOS CEO - AOS RPG II -- Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
[cctalk] Re: Data General Nova and Eclipse Hobbyist License...
G'day Paul - It is not a sublicense - Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc., now has full IP rights and title to Data General software pursuant to a transfer agreement by DG/EMC[/Dell] and Wild Hare. Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. On 10/24/2022 5:35 PM, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote: Very nice! So I take it that's a sublicense of Dell/EMC IP? It doesn't say that. paul On Oct 24, 2022, at 6:26 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk wrote: Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc., is pleased to announce that a "Hobbyist License" is now available for legacy Data General Nova and Eclipse software. This license allows educational, hobbyist, non-commercial use of the vast amount of DG software - software that changed the world in many ways. The initial archives are currently available at: www.NovasAreForever.org/dgsw and includes documentation for the corresponding software. This October announcement also honors the 54th anniversary of the original Data General Nova. An international celebration of the Nova's 50th anniversary was hosted by Wild Computer Systems in Colorado, USA. Some of the festivities can be seen at: www.Nova-At-50.org and www.Nova-At-50.org/album/index.html To complement this Hobbyist License, a Nova and Eclipse emulator that can run all of the software will be introduced later this week. Wild Hare Computer Systems is dedicated to preserving Data General's significant contributions to computer history. We seek DG hardware, software, documentation, sales literature - basically "anything DG" - that can be added to the archives for posterity. Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org www.WildHareComputers.com www.NovasAreForever.org
[cctalk] Data General Nova and Eclipse Hobbyist License...
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc., is pleased to announce that a "Hobbyist License" is now available for legacy Data General Nova and Eclipse software. This license allows educational, hobbyist, non-commercial use of the vast amount of DG software - software that changed the world in many ways. The initial archives are currently available at: www.NovasAreForever.org/dgsw and includes documentation for the corresponding software. This October announcement also honors the 54th anniversary of the original Data General Nova. An international celebration of the Nova's 50th anniversary was hosted by Wild Computer Systems in Colorado, USA. Some of the festivities can be seen at: www.Nova-At-50.org and www.Nova-At-50.org/album/index.html To complement this Hobbyist License, a Nova and Eclipse emulator that can run all of the software will be introduced later this week. Wild Hare Computer Systems is dedicated to preserving Data General's significant contributions to computer history. We seek DG hardware, software, documentation, sales literature - basically "anything DG" - that can be added to the archives for posterity. Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org www.WildHareComputers.com www.NovasAreForever.org
Re: General Data? Computer Equipment Auction - GSA
The rack on the left appears to have a Nova 1220 with 6030 315Kb dual diskette drive and 6045 5 + 5 MB top loader (Phoenix) drive, the rack on the right appears to be a Nova 2/10 with early model 6026 9-track tape drive and 6045 disk drive. Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 3/12/2022 7:41 PM, Jon Elson via cctalk wrote: On 3/12/22 18:10, STAN IRWIN via cctalk wrote: Found an interesting item for bid on GSA auction site if anyone interested. Reminds me of General Data equipment... https://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/aucitsrh/?sl=31QSCI22048010 Sorry, link did not send correctly on first try. Stan Irwin Yes, two Data General Nova (16-bit) CPUs roughly in the center of each rack. Doesn't help that the aspect ratio of the photo is not right. Jon
Re: For Sale, Seattle area: Data General MV/7800 + drives, docs
G'day Lothar - I will contact you off-list... Bruce Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 11/23/2021 5:39 AM, info--- via cctech wrote: Hi Josh, my name is Lother Schröder. I'm living in Germany and I'm a collector of Data General machines. It would be nice to get the machine, but I'm afraid it's too difficult to get it here to germany. I have a MV/7800 here in my collection, but no documentation and software. My question is: Can you tell me what documentation or tapes you have? Perhaps I can get a copy. Thanks for today Kindly regards Lothar
Re: Data General Terminal Question
I am not aware of any 'standard' Data General CRT terminal with a model number greater than 1400 - but I recall the 52xx model numbers were used for special custom, hand-held wands, scanners and "mini-terminals" that may be connected to a standard DG terminal or keyboard. Just send a picture of the terminal front and back (especially the model and part information plates) to me off-list so I can better help you... Bruce Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 9/10/2021 1:50 PM, Mike Nealey via cctech wrote: Hello all, I have a Data General Model 5220 MT terminal I picked up recently. Sadly, no keyboard. I am trying to find out if the terminal will use a standard AT keyboard (based on the connector) or if I need to find a special DG keyboard. Any help is appreciated.. in fact any information about this device is appreciated.. I’m finding nothing about this terminal on the interwebs! Thanks!
Re: Data General NOVA 2/10
G'day Tom - Information provided to you off-list... Bruce Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Denver, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 9/7/2021 10:56 AM, Tom Hunter via cctalk wrote: I just started working on a Data General NOVA 2/10 which is in quite reasonable cosmetic condition, but has a number of problems. The system comes with 8 kwords plus 16 kwords of core boards and a "Cassette I/O" board and the CPU board. After reforming the "man sized" caps and verified the power rails I took a leap of faith and plugged in the CPU and the 16 kword core board. I managed to deposit a few bit patterns and read back mostly what I deposited. After a few power cycles I could no longer deposit values and read back what I deposited. I also noticed that a 30 Ohm resistor rated at 3W which previously got quite warm now stayed cold. That PCB area around that resistor has cooked in the past and has changed colour - not dramatic, but it obviously got quite hot in the past. Unfortunately I didn't find a good schematic specifically for the Nova 2/10. There is one for the Nova 2/4 up on Bitsavers, but it is hard to read and does not cover the NOVA 2/10 which is not quite the same as the NOVA 2/4. For example the power supply is completely different. Until now I have been spoiled with quite decent DEC PDP-8/e documentation and would be surprised if Data General did not provide a similar level and quality of documentation. Maybe I am looking in the wrong place. Thanks Tom Hunter
Re: Vintage 1976 Digital Computer Controls, Inc. D-116 Computer Maintenance Manual
I did not bid on it but are you looking for the DCC-116 Maintenance manuals Volume I and Volume II? (contact me off list) Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. b...@wildharecomputers.com On 10/6/2020 7:29 AM, AJ Palmgren via cctalk wrote: Just wondering if anyone here might have been the winning bidder on this one... https://entrex480.blogspot.com/2020/10/vintage-1976-digital-computer-controls.html https://www.ebay.com/itm/284026555447
Re: Nova BASIC paper tape image
G'day Camiel - I will contact you off list - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 5/21/2020 7:48 AM, Camiel Vanderhoeven via cctech wrote: Does anyone have an image of the BASIC interpreter paper tape for the DG Nova?
Re: DG Nova 4 for pickup on Lon Gisland
Conner and Jay - I will contact you off-list in the next few days regarding software license and docs... Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 12/18/2018 8:16 AM, Connor Krukosky via cctalk wrote: Well I ended up picking up this machine. Its a bit beaten in some places, cleaner than expected in others. Overall it cleaned up pretty well and all power-supplies appear to work well! Got it up to DG's "ODT" can't remember what they called it. Ram looks good at the beginning of the address space anyway. This has a "JR. CPU" board in, a Cassette I/O board which I believe only has an extra UART on it, none of the cassette interface as its pretty sparse. And the 8" Disk controller board (6030 controller). Overall a pretty small machine. Looks like it used two serial ports, one at 9600 baud for the primary console, then the other at 300 baud. Probably a teletype off to the side. Seems to be a 1981 machine. Unfortunately I got no docs or media with this machine. And it appears all that is up on bitsavers are tape images? Anyone have any disk images for the 6030 drive of anything like RDOS? Photos: https://imgur.com/a/A0hZEVf -Connor K On 12/12/18 3:37 PM, Camiel Vanderhoeven via cctalk wrote: And I assume the Fortran IV compiler could run on this system. On 12/12/18, 9:11 PM, "cctalk on behalf of William Donzelli via cctalk" cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: While this is an absurdly small Data General Nova system for the era (at least it is not a microNova), you would run RDOS - not unlike a dual 8 inch floppy Z80 system of the day. -- Will On Wed, Dec 12, 2018 at 2:27 PM Anders Nelson via cctalk wrote: > > How does a person program this computer? I assume there's no C compiler. > > Would one have to boot to a DOS, then load a compiler into RAM, then read > program text into ram, them compile? > > I have less-than-zero experience with DG systems, but a higher-than-zero > adoration for their design/pedigree. > > =] > -- > Anders Nelson > > +1 (517) 775-6129 > > www.erogear.com > > > On Wed, Dec 12, 2018 at 2:21 PM Jacob Ritorto via cctalk < > cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > Shoot, was asking my wife if I could have it for Christmas to replace my > > regular desk in the family room :) > > But to keep the decor of our home a little more sane, I'll abstain from > > bidding and wish you best of luck instead! > > > > happy holidays and good luck! > > --jake > > > > On Wed, Dec 12, 2018 at 1:28 PM Connor Krukosky via cctalk < > > cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > > > Alright, I think I will go for it. I am not too far from it being in > > > Poughkeepsie. > > > Always loved the desk machines, and I personally have another kinda > > > parts Nova 4 that hopefully I can use to switch parts between to get one > > > really nice machine :) > > > > > > -Connor K > > > > > > On 2018-12-11 13:04, William Donzelli via cctalk wrote: > > > > I had one of those quite a few years ago. The desk comes apart fairly > > > > easily. The main unit is just a standard shorty 19" rack. > > > > > > > > -- > > > > Will > > > > On Mon, Dec 10, 2018 at 10:34 PM Anders Nelson via cctalk > > > > wrote: > > > >> > > > >> I'm about an hour drive away and somewhat interested, but I don't have > > > >> space for the desk unfortunately. > > > >> > > > >> -- > > > >> Anders Nelson > > > >> > > > >> +1 (517) 775-6129 > > > >> > > > >> www.erogear.com > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> On Mon, Dec 10, 2018 at 9:33 PM Tony Aiuto > > > >> wrote: > > > >> > > > >> > It is close enough to me to rescue, but I really don't have the > > space > > > to > > > >> > store it. > > > >> > Will anyone take it if I hold it a while? > > > >> > > > > >> > On Mon, Dec 10, 2018 at 9:24 PM Anders Nelson via cctalk < > > > >> > cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > >> > > > > >> >> Would this system fit in a standard 19" wide equipment rack? > > > >> >> > > > >> >> =] > > > >> >> -- > > > >> >> Anders Nelson > > > >> >> > > > >> >> +1 (517) 775-6129 > > > >> >> > > > >> >> www.erogear.com > > > >> >> > > > >> >> > > > >> >> On Mon, Dec 10, 2018 at 6:10 PM Chuck Guzis via cctalk < > > > >> >> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > >> >> > > > >> >> > Cribbed from VCF: > > > >> >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> >> > > > > > https://www.ebay.com/itm/Data-General-NOVA4-Nova-4-nova-desktop-computer-minicomputer-8-floppy-v
Re: DG/UX install media
AViiON Aficionatos - Resolution of questions regarding DG/UX software title, licensing and availability will be announced next month at the Nova-At-50.org conference. Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 9/27/2018 10:38 AM, Grant Taylor via cctalk wrote: On 09/27/2018 10:11 AM, Warner Losh via cctalk wrote: He's always interested in *ANY* unix distribution he doesn't already have. His goal is their preservation first. You can't argue about whether or not you have the rights to distribute something that doesn't exist, so he's making it possible to have that argument :) Agreed. I'm also fairly certain that Warren / TUHS has software that he doesn't make available because of questions about the legality. He's simply holding onto a copy of and preserving it for when the legality question is asked and / or the answer changes.
Re: Novapalooza in 2 months...
I see what you mean... sorta like the DEC "Rainbow"? Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 8/31/2018 11:44 AM, Alan Frisbie via cctalk wrote: Bruce Ray wrote: > Really, the Nova is 50? Yup - so join us in celebrating the personal and > technical impact of this youngster.. I always found it amusing that Data General's computers were named after transitory phenomena: Nova, Supernova, Eclipse. Of course, in the grand scale of things, we all are. :-( Alan
Novapalooza in 2 months...
The celebration of 50 exciting years of Data General Nova history is quickly approaching - on October 22-24, 2018, in Denver, Colorado. Details and registration may be found at: www.Nova-At-50.org or www.NovaPalooza.org Really, the Nova is 50? Yup - so join us in celebrating the personal and technical impact of this youngster.. Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
Re: I ran across this strange modernistic? Data General ...odd?
G'day Chuck - DG extensively used both its microNova and microEclipse processors for various products. The microNova was used for printer, terminal and display products around mid '70s, the microEclipse (code named "Alpha") was heavily used in communications processor add-ons. I do not recall a single customer/OEM using the chips in its own products - only board or systems. I am curious and will look into this further. I do not think it was a hostile attitude of DG's, rather the diverse and competitive chip market in the 1980s that made DG a non-issue. The Fairchild 9445 was a very good product, and was an extension of the Nova 3 architecture. It had few superior memory MAP and alternative address extension that I wish were in the DG products. (BTW, Fairchild used Nova 3s in its own production facilities.) Strobe Data created a successful PC ISA-bus Nova-like, Fairchild-based co-processor that a significant number of DG OEMs eventually moved to. MCBA applications were indeed written initially in standard DG Extended BASIC and later [re]written in ICOBOL (DG Interactive COBOL). MCBA and several other OEMs each independently wrote ISAM file libraries to adapt Extended BASIC for business environments. MCBA was able to successfully expand into other hardware vendor markets due to using the "portable BASIC" (and COBOL) approach and its derivatives are still in use today. The story of Nova architecture derivatives - technical, business and legal - is another long story. And 'yes', Novas and its derivatives are still used today... - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 5/23/2018 9:47 AM, Chuck Guzis via cctech wrote: On 05/22/2018 10:46 PM, Lars Brinkhoff via cctech wrote: This is with a microEclipse CPU, right? I'm surprised the Nova/Eclipse architecture doesn't get more love. It seems quite pleasant. As I recall--and please correct me--DG was extremely hostile to the notion of third parties incorporating the MicroNova in any of their products. The same situation applied to the Fairchild 9440 MicroFlame, which was essentially a clone of the MicroNova architecture. I recall that Fairchild didn't want to talk to you (I tried) if you weren't in defense or aerospace or the like. The basic idea of the 4x16 bit register 16-bit architecture was copied to some extent by National Semi in their multichip IMP-16 and single-chip PACE and 9440, but it was mostly in the "spirit of a Nova"--performance wasn't all that great in comparison to the current 8 bit MPUs. Weren't the MCBA business applications originally written in Nova BASIC? --Chuck
Re: I ran across this strange modernistic? Data General ...odd?
DG extensively used both its microNova and microEclipse processors for various products. The microNova was used for printer, terminal and display products around mid '70s, the microEclipse (code named "Alpha") was heavily used in communications processor add-ons. I do not recall a single customer/OEM using the chips in its own products - only board or systems. I am curious and will look into this further. I do not think it was a hostile attitude of DG's, rather the diverse and competitive chip market in the 1980s that made DG a non-issue. The Fairchild 9445 was a very good product, and was an extension of the Nova 3 architecture. It had few superior memory MAP and alternative address extension that I wish were in the DG products. (BTW, Fairchild used Nova 3s in its own production facilities.) Strobe Data created a successful PC ISA-bus Nova-like, Fairchild-based co-processor that a significant number of DG OEMs eventually moved to. MCBA applications were indeed written initially in standard DG Extended BASIC and later [re]written in ICOBOL (DG Interactive COBOL). MCBA and several other OEMs each independently wrote ISAM file libraries to adapt Extended BASIC for business environments. MCBA was able to successfully expand into other hardware vendor markets due to using the "portable BASIC" (and COBOL) approach and its derivatives are still in use today. The story of Nova architecture derivatives - technical, business and legal - is another long story. And 'yes', Novas and its derivatives are still used today... - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 5/23/2018 9:47 AM, Chuck Guzis via cctech wrote: On 05/22/2018 10:46 PM, Lars Brinkhoff via cctech wrote: This is with a microEclipse CPU, right? I'm surprised the Nova/Eclipse architecture doesn't get more love. It seems quite pleasant. As I recall--and please correct me--DG was extremely hostile to the notion of third parties incorporating the MicroNova in any of their products. The same situation applied to the Fairchild 9440 MicroFlame, which was essentially a clone of the MicroNova architecture. I recall that Fairchild didn't want to talk to you (I tried) if you weren't in defense or aerospace or the like. The basic idea of the 4x16 bit register 16-bit architecture was copied to some extent by National Semi in their multichip IMP-16 and single-chip PACE and 9440, but it was mostly in the "spirit of a Nova"--performance wasn't all that great in comparison to the current 8 bit MPUs. Weren't the MCBA business applications originally written in Nova BASIC? --Chuck
Re: I ran across this strange modernistic Data General ...odd computer
G'day Zane - Like every other computer system created, the Desktop Generation has its own set of quirks and wonders. It was an interesting evolutionary repackage of the microEclipse processor, but I never saw a customer or user site actually using the Model 10's MS-DOS "compatibility feature". The hardware consisted of modular metal frame chassis with snap-on plastic covers. While great for manufacturing and cost control, the delicate plastic cover retaining tabs were always breaking and the covers would pull away from the chassis or just fall off. Only an annoying cosmetic problem until you find that a "dead man's switch" interlock was maintained by the power supply chassis front cover. Yes, the power supply would always be cut off whenever the plastic cover shifted, vibrated or fell off the chassis. Which happened often. (The cheapest solution was the unintended, creative use of a ball point pen combined with nerd engineering.) Many OEMS delivered DG/RDOS- or AOS-based applications written in ICOBOL or Business BASIC (i.e. NAPA). These were good systems for OEMs who had previously developed software for DG - providing their application was not disk-bound. DG eventually was forced to design and sell a parallel I/O bus option to help improve disk performance... to the confusion of customers previously told of the benefits of a serial I/O bus design. The system was followed by the DG/500, which had a similar hardware functional microEclipse-based design but enclosed in a then-familiar IBM PC AT (desktop) form factor. This was the final unsuccessful attempt to defend the low-end 16-bit Eclipse line from the PC onslaught. - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
Re: I ran across this strange modernistic Data General ...odd computer
G'day Zane - Like every other computer system created, the Desktop Generation has its own set of quirks and wonders. It was an interesting evolutionary repackage of the microEclipse processor, but I never saw a customer or user site actually using the Model 10's MS-DOS "compatibility feature". The hardware consisted of modular metal frame chassis with snap-on plastic covers. While great for manufacturing and cost control, the delicate plastic cover retaining tabs were always breaking and the covers would pull away from the chassis or just fall off. Only an annoying cosmetic problem until you find that a "dead man's switch" interlock was maintained by the power supply chassis front cover. Yes, the power supply would always be cut off whenever the plastic cover shifted, vibrated or fell off the chassis. Which happened often. (The cheapest solution was the unintended, creative use of a ball point pen combined with nerd engineering.) Many OEMS delivered DG/RDOS- or AOS-based applications written in ICOBOL or Business BASIC (i.e. NAPA). These were good systems for OEMs who had previously developed software for DG - providing their application was not disk-bound. DG eventually was forced to design and sell a parallel I/O bus option to help improve disk performance... to the confusion of customers previously told of the benefits of a serial I/O bus design. The system was followed by the DG/500, which had a similar hardware functional microEclipse-based design but enclosed in a then-familiar IBM PC AT (desktop) form factor. This was the final unsuccessful attempt to defend the low-end 16-bit Eclipse line from the PC onslaught. - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 5/21/2018 6:36 PM, Zane Healy wrote: Thank you Bruce, I took quick look through, and will need to go back and read up on the hardware bits, Chapter 4 looks like it goes into the stuff I’m curious about. I’m normally a software guy, but this is one case, where the hardware is of more interest. Thanks, Zane On May 21, 2018, at 12:22 PM, Bruce Ray wrote: G'day Zane - I have placed Desktop Generation information for you at: www.NovasAreForever.org/tmp/014-000751-00__The_Desktop_Generation__1983-Jul.01.pdf - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 5/20/2018 6:37 PM, Zane Healy via cctalk wrote: On May 20, 2018, at 5:16 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk wrote: G'day Ed - That picture was taken from our web site - specifically a photo of a Data General Desktop Generation Model 10 beside a (1983) newsletter announcing the DG/10's introduction. The computer system was announced in 1983 in DG's effort to blunt the effect of the "microcomputer revolution" on Data General's proprietary systems' sales. It was based on a 16-bit microEclipse processor contained in a small, modular, consumer-oriented (desktop) form factor that ran DG operating systems and software. However, one version also contained an Intel 8086 co-processor that could run newfangled MS-DOS software, thereby targeting the pesky, soon-to-die microcomputer market. ;-) The system was designed around modules that could be plugged together which simplified system configuration and expansion. It was very reliable (except for some of the OEM disk drives used) but disk and tape operations were very slow due to its serial I/O data bus design. The Desktop Generation series was very popular with many DG users and OEMs worldwide but was overshadowed by the factors that affected the traditional minicomputer manufacturers in the mid-1980s. And "yes", information does exist for these systems. Do you have pictures of your system? Bruce It sounds like a fascinating hardware design, and pretty much one I’ve long dreamed of. It’s interesting to know that DG made such a system. Are any manuals for it online? Zane
Re: I ran across this strange modernistic Data General ...odd computer
G'day Zane - I have placed Desktop Generation information for you at: www.NovasAreForever.org/tmp/014-000751-00__The_Desktop_Generation__1983-Jul.01.pdf - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 5/20/2018 6:37 PM, Zane Healy via cctalk wrote: On May 20, 2018, at 5:16 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk wrote: G'day Ed - That picture was taken from our web site - specifically a photo of a Data General Desktop Generation Model 10 beside a (1983) newsletter announcing the DG/10's introduction. The computer system was announced in 1983 in DG's effort to blunt the effect of the "microcomputer revolution" on Data General's proprietary systems' sales. It was based on a 16-bit microEclipse processor contained in a small, modular, consumer-oriented (desktop) form factor that ran DG operating systems and software. However, one version also contained an Intel 8086 co-processor that could run newfangled MS-DOS software, thereby targeting the pesky, soon-to-die microcomputer market. ;-) The system was designed around modules that could be plugged together which simplified system configuration and expansion. It was very reliable (except for some of the OEM disk drives used) but disk and tape operations were very slow due to its serial I/O data bus design. The Desktop Generation series was very popular with many DG users and OEMs worldwide but was overshadowed by the factors that affected the traditional minicomputer manufacturers in the mid-1980s. And "yes", information does exist for these systems. Do you have pictures of your system? Bruce It sounds like a fascinating hardware design, and pretty much one I’ve long dreamed of. It’s interesting to know that DG made such a system. Are any manuals for it online? Zane
Re: I ran across this strange modernistic Data General ...odd computer
G'day Ed - That picture was taken from our web site - specifically a photo of a Data General Desktop Generation Model 10 beside a (1983) newsletter announcing the DG/10's introduction. The computer system was announced in 1983 in DG's effort to blunt the effect of the "microcomputer revolution" on Data General's proprietary systems' sales. It was based on a 16-bit microEclipse processor contained in a small, modular, consumer-oriented (desktop) form factor that ran DG operating systems and software. However, one version also contained an Intel 8086 co-processor that could run newfangled MS-DOS software, thereby targeting the pesky, soon-to-die microcomputer market. ;-) The system was designed around modules that could be plugged together which simplified system configuration and expansion. It was very reliable (except for some of the OEM disk drives used) but disk and tape operations were very slow due to its serial I/O data bus design. The Desktop Generation series was very popular with many DG users and OEMs worldwide but was overshadowed by the factors that affected the traditional minicomputer manufacturers in the mid-1980s. And "yes", information does exist for these systems. Do you have pictures of your system? Bruce - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 5/20/2018 5:29 PM, Ed Sharpe via cctalk wrote: In a message dated 5/20/2018 4:14:06 PM US Mountain Standard Time, cctalk@classiccmp.org writes: While in the warehouse I ran across this strange modernistic Data General ...odd computer I do not remember buying it! Ed# "https://www.smythretail.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DG10_1-300x227.jpg";
Re: DEC Field Guide > equivalent available for Data General?
Notes on Data General product numbers: Data General gave definitive part numbers for each product it created. The part numbers are usually located on small labels on each board, and have the format of 005-x-yy where 005 indicates that this is a product number, xx is the specific product, and yy is the product revision number. In later systems (1980s) the labels sometimes had two 005 numbers on the label: a "T" (Type) number and an "A" (Assembly) number. This was done because a specific PCB, or "Assembly", could actually be used for different products depending upon what chips or PROMs were stuffed on the PCB. In these cases the T 005 number would indicate what specific options were supported by that specific PCB. On PCBs the 005-xx-yy part number usually exists on a label attached to the 15"x15" board stiffener (the side opposite the finger edge connectors). This PCB label might look something like this (note that this is just an example): T 005-001322-03 A 005-001367-04 In these situations the important number is the "T" (type) number rather than the "A" (assembly) number since it uniquely identifies the particular product and its capability/function. The "107-xx-yy" type number is a circuit board "artwork" number, not a Data General product number. Similar to an "assembly", a single 107-xx-yy circuit board artwork may actually be used by multiple 005-xx-yy parts. Therefore, the part number is the primary (PCB) reference to be used because a single 107-xx-yy circuit board artwork may actually be used by multiple 005-xx-yy parts. Schematics are identified with an 001-xx-yy part number, and may not even have its corresponding "artwork" number listed on the schematic(!). Unfortunately, I do not know of an official cross-reference between product numbers and artwork numbers. - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 3/21/2018 3:37 AM, Ulrich Tagge via cctalk wrote: Hi all, is there somewhere a list of DG modules which includes also 3rd party/OEM, ... like it is available for DEC? Would be good to know what the following is: 107-000621 02 107-000621 03/11 107-001632-00 107-0016320/02 107-000718-00 107-000181-04 107-000187-16 107-000187-15-30 AB020116-00 107-000621-03 107-001768-02 107-001768-03 107-0017680-1E 107-00053905 Zetaco SCZ-2 >500-453-00 K >500-542-00 K Many Greetings Ulrich
Re: Nova 50 year celebration...
Yup (again) - a personal invitation has been sent to Mr. Kidder. Note that his book was about the MV, 10 years and 2 DG computer generations after the Nova. - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 12/2/2017 6:04 AM, Liam Proven via cctalk wrote: On 2 December 2017 at 02:48, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote: Did you invite Ed de Castro? He's still around. What about Tracy Kidder? :-)
Re: Nova 50 year celebration...
Of course he was invited! - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org On 12/1/2017 6:48 PM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote: On 11/30/2017 10:20 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk wrote: G'day fellow Nova'holics - Next year the Nova computer will be 50 years old, and we am organizing a celebration of this important part of minicomputer history. Nova hardware and software designers, users and admirers can get initial information at: http://www.Nova-At-50.org The celebration of a half-century will come around only once, so check it out and sign up soon... Hey Bruce, Did you invite Ed de Castro? He's still around. Cheers, Chuck
Nova 50 year celebration...
G'day fellow Nova'holics - Next year the Nova computer will be 50 years old, and we am organizing a celebration of this important part of minicomputer history. Nova hardware and software designers, users and admirers can get initial information at: http://www.Nova-At-50.org The celebration of a half-century will come around only once, so check it out and sign up soon... Bruce - Bruce Ray Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc. Boulder, Colorado USA b...@wildharecomputers.com ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
Re: Data General MTB Reference Sought
In most tape devices the DCH Device address register refers to a logical address - 0-32 KWords in Novas and Eclipses, and usually 0-256KB in most MVs. In a mapped system, DCH map functions are transparent to these devices since only the 'logical' address is sent from the device to the CPU during a DCH data transfer. It is up to the specific processor and its corresponding operating system to determine how and when the logical-to-physical map. The DG hardware interface guide describes the PIO, DCH and on MVs the BMC, specifications. On 2/23/2017 12:32 AM, Stephen Merrony wrote: Hi Bruce, Thanks for that confirmation of my hazy memory! What I can't seem to find is any reference as to how the tape drives interact with the DCH bus and the associated map slots. I thought maybe a later guide might cover that? Steve -Original Message- From: Bruce Ray [mailto:br...@wild-hare.com] Sent: 25 January 2017 18:23 To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts Subject: Re: Data General MTB Reference Sought G'day Steve - AOS/VS OS tape drive base names are MTA, MTB, MTC, etc. and do not directly correspond to the assembler mnemonic name(s) - don't be confused by this difference. The AOS/VS 'MTA'-type tape drive is described on page IV-5. These correspond to the original DG model 4030/6020 units. The AOS/VS 'MTB'-type tape drive is described on page IV-15. These correspond to the DG model 6026 units. The AOS/VS 'MTC'-type tape drive is internally the same as the MTB except only a single unit is supported. This was done to distinguish single-unit support for the popular DG model 6125 streamer. The IV-15 mag tape programming model was consistent between the Nova/Eclipse/MV bus controllers and the Lbus controllers through emulation. One size [almost] fit all. What difference(s) are you seeing? Bruce On 1/25/2017 1:01 AM, Stephen Merrony wrote: Does anyone have (a scan of) a manual that covers programming the MV-era MTB tape controller? I have a 1980 "Peripherals" manual (014-000632-01) from the "Programmer's Reference Series" which covers the MTA type, but it seems that the MTB behaves a bit differently and I am missing some information for my current project. Thanks, Steve
