[cctalk] Re: Netflix Series: American Conspiracy/Octopus Murders

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

It dates back to the early 1980s and seems to run on VMS. It was
specialised software for law enforcement used to manage casework, but
could also do some pattern matching. Almost like a "prehistoric
Palantir" based upon what the documentary said. There was a large
scandal involving the software, involving stolen source code and the
government trying to bankrupt the software company (which is still in
business.)

On Mon, May 6, 2024 at 5:53 PM Hans-Ulrich Hölscher via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> I do know the VAX-11/780 very well (although I do only own a /750), but
> what is the PROMIS software good for? Does it run on ancient VMS versions
> (i.e. V4 or earlier)?
>
>

[cctalk] Re: Netflix Series: American Conspiracy/Octopus Murders

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Awesome! I figured I'd know someone involved. Did you actually get a
vintage version of PROMIS running? They talk about it being so
"revolutionary" in the documentary, but it just seems like any other
database?

On Mon, May 6, 2024 at 6:25 PM Patrick Finnegan  wrote:
>
> My museum is in the credits, so it was probably me...
>
> Patrick Finnegan

[cctalk] Netflix Series: American Conspiracy/Octopus Murders

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Hey everyone,

My better half recently turned this on and also a podcast with the
creator/director. They mentioned they visited "someone" with a working
VAX 11/780 to get b-roll footage for the movie. Which one of us was
it? :D

In all seriousness, it would be fun to try and get a vintage copy of
the PROMIS software running on something (I assume it was VAX/VMS in
its original incarnation, but many other screenshots show
SNA/greenscreen implementations.)

Cheers, all!

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] Mexico’s SNIPE system?

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

A bit of an odd one….

I’m trying to figure out what type of computers ran Mexico’s infamous SNIPE
electoral vote system in 1988. I have an LA Times article from 1994 talking
about how the NEW system was RS/6000-based. But this was a system built in
1987-1988. Narcos Mexico had a pretty re-creation but I didn’t spy any
brand names. Any ideas? I figure there may be photos or press releases from
that time but my Google-fu (and español) is weak.


-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] Re: VCF SoCal

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

> In the UK context, where there is on-line documentation of the ICL 2900 
> series is a question I don't know the answer to
> There is of course an operational ICL 2966 at TNMoC, Bletchley Park

Given the whole Post Office/Horizon scandal and that it was ICL that
had the contract as they were absorbed by Fujitsu I'm wondering if
we'll (TNMOC) be called upon to replicate the systems/bugs (or if we
can get grant money for that.) Also, we need to think about digitizing
our archives.

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] Re: ICL / Digico

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

We have a lot of ICL expertise at TNMOC. I can ask there. I know we
have a lot of stuff.

On Mon, Jul 24, 2023 at 8:11 AM Christian Corti via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> So, I was trying to contact "Pete" at vintage-icl-computers.com several
> times during the last years. Obiously, the site and/or the person is dead,
> no reaction whatever.
> I'm hoping that someone on this list might be able to help me:
> I still have a Digico Micro 16V computer that, one day, I'd like to
> restore. On the ICL site above I can see that they have (had?) the service
> manual/schematics for the system, and I would really love to get a scan
> (or at least high resolution photos) of these. Does anyone here maybe have
> them or can provide me with some pointers? Oh BTW, software (e.g.
> papertape images) would be great, too :-)
>
> Christian



-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] Irix 5.3 ntpdate

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Hi everyone!

I'm having a horrible time trying to find ntpdate pre-compiled for
Irix 5.3 anywhere. Does anyone have a package/tardist?

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] IBM/RT help

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Hey folks,

Now that I'm done moving house I have time to wrench on the 6150.
Before moving it worked; you'd power it on, the LCD status countdown
would get to an OK value, but the CRT wasn't legible. I figured I'd be
wrenching on the CRT.

Instead, now when I power it on, it powers on for a second or two and
then shuts off. I'm assuming this indicates a short or power-draw
somewhere. I've reseated the CPU and RAM cards, the peripherals, and
unplugged the hard drives (2x ESDI) and floppy in case they had a
fault that was drawing too many amps and causing the power supply to
shut-down. I noticed nothing on the CPU or RAM boards (exploded caps,
etc.)

What should I look at next?

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] IBM RT Graphics

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Hello!

I have an IBM 6152 aka IBM RT system I rescued. (It may be a 6151?)
I'm 90% sure it has colour graphics. The system does seem to POST
correctly (according to the LED on the front) but the CRT is dead. I'm
wondering if anyone has built an adapter to hook this to a VGA
monitor.

I'm a bit confused by the pinout. It has high and low bits for the RGB
(and associated grounds for each colour.) So I'm not sure how that
would work hooking to a more modern monitor.
http://bio.gsi.de/DOCS/IBM/615x/faqshard.html

Otherwise I need a crash course in fixing CRTs.

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] Current Loop Schematics

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Hi everyone!

I'm working on a project where I need to build an RS-232 to Current
Loop adapter. I've seen some schematics on-line and the parts list
seems pretty small, but does anyone have a specific set of
instructions and schematics that they trust? Or does anyone in the UK
have a spare adapter they'd like to send me? :D

Thanks!

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] Vermont Research Solid State Storage

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Hi everyone!

Does anyone have documentation for a Vermont Research K2 Solid State
Storage device? Looks like it emulates a CDC Lark. But it may also be
configurable for other devices?

Thanks!

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] Re: Chatgpt : I had a retro dream

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

I know of people who've already done a CLI setup, so this next step
isn't that far off.

On Tue, Feb 7, 2023 at 10:52 AM Cedric Amand via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> I had a dream ; that someone makes a small telnet to chatgpt gateway (using 
> azure chatgpt API possibly ?) So that we could telnet our retro devices to 
> the hype of the year, and get chtgpt answers in our TRS80, PDP and such.



-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] Re: A UK Vintage Computer exchange buddy?

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

*waves frantically*

What do you need?

On Mon, Dec 5, 2022 at 6:02 PM Ethan O'Toole via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
>I have looked at vintage UK computers on Facebook Marketplace and the
> like. The people usually will not post, especially to me in the USA. They
> are normally looking for local collection. Anyone in the UK want to be a
> vintage computer swap friend? Looking to get some systems from there and
> could help get systems from here in return. I am in the USA.
>
>Private message if interested!
>
> - Ethan
>
>
> --
> : Ethan O'Toole
>
>


-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] Re: Old Silicon Valley poster

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Fry's also used to publish these maps, if this is what I think it is.

On Mon, Dec 5, 2022 at 2:56 PM Richard Cini via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> I think this is pretty cool map; I've seen different versions too in 
> publications like Computerworld and EE Times (long ago of course). I wonder 
> if an interactive map exists somewhere, like overlaying all of the old 
> addresses in Google Maps or something like that.
>
> Rich
>
>
> On 12/5/22, 9:54 AM, "David Williams via cctalk"  
> wrote:
>
> I've seen several different versions of this map on archive.org over the
> years. Some as posters, some as calendars.
>
> David
>
> On 12/5/2022 1:20 AM, Alexander Huemer via cctalk wrote:
> > It would be cool if those could be scanned before disappearing
> > somewhere.
> >
> > -Alex
>
>


-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] Whitechapel Computer Works

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Hi everyone!

I'm curious; other than Wikipedia what do we know about Whitechapel
workstations? Do any of us have some working in our collections, with
software, disk dumps, etc?

Cheers!

[cctalk] Re: Sun Fire V100 CPU not coming up on poweron

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Have you checked the PROM versions between the broken system and
known-good system? I'm wondering if the broken system has a buggy PROM
that just can't handle there are no fans?

On Sat, Oct 15, 2022 at 6:39 PM Alexander Schreiber via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I've got Sun Fire V100 that I'm pretty sure at some point in time
> actually worked, since I loaded the board with the maximum amount
> of memory supported (2G).
>
> Now, however, when powering on, the LOM comes up but upon issuing the
> poweron command the main CPU apparently doesn't, all I get is either
>  1. print_message: Wrong message ID
>  2. or continuous scrolling of what look like blocks of register dumps
>
> I can reliably get effect 1, but the effect 2 is not easy to reproduce.
> The memory itself seems ok - transplanted it into a known good V100
> board and that booted up to readiness (no OS installed yet), included
> full memory init. Just on general principle (i.e. try the obvious things
> first) I also retried with known good PSU, same result.
>
> There are no obvious signs of trouble (e.g. bulked up or leaky
> electrolytic capacitors, scorch marks).
>
> Any ideas what that message wants to tell me?
>
> Full bootup transcript below, note the fan failure is due to this being
> run as a naked board removed from the case, so the case fans are 'missing'.
>
> -- cute here for new monitor 
> LOMlite starting up.
>
> CPU type: H8/3437S, mode 3
> Ram-test: 2048 bytes OK
> Initialising i2c bus: OK
> Searching for EEPROMs: 50(cfg)
> I2c eeprom @50: OK
> i2c bus speed code 01... OK
> Probing for lm80s: none
> Probing for lm75s: 48
> Initialising lm75 @48: OK
> System functions: PSUs fans breakers rails gpio temps host CLI ebus clock
> Power restored
>
> LOMlite console
> lom>
> LOM event: +0h0m0s LOM booted
> lom>
> LOM event: +0h0m0s host power on
> �
> LOM event: +0h0m7s Fan 1 FATAL FAULT: failed 0%
>
> LOM event: +0h0m7s Fault LED 3Hz
> print_message: Wrong message ID
> lom>
> lom>poweroff
> lom>
> LOM event: +0h0m50s host power off
> lom>poweron
> lom>
> LOM event: +0h0m55s host power on
> �
> LOM event: +0h0m56s Fan 1 recovered
>
> LOM event: +0h1m2s Fan 1 FATAL FAULT: failed 0%
> print_message: Wrong message ID
> lom>
> lom>poweroff
> -- cute here for new monitor 
>
> Kind regards,
>Alex.
> --
> "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and
>  looks like work."  -- Thomas A. Edison



-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] Re: Intel's i860, Cray-On-A-Chip

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

>
> IIRC the Intel IPSC (Inter Personal Super Computer) put a ton of these in
parallel. It ran some kind of Unix and there has to have been a gcc port.

https://www.vaxbarn.com/42-repair/756-ipsc-860-repair



>
> I believe (I'll have to check) that in the Osborne-McGraw-Hill/Intel
> i860 book there's a quote from BillG saying that Microsoft was committed
> to developing for the 860 as a personal computer CPU.
>
> I think that never happened...it would have been interesting, however.
>
> --
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] TVI-921C

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

All,

I have a TVI-921C at the museum. I power it on and it beeps
continuously. One long, solid tone that does not stop until I power it
off. How do I start diagnosing this?

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

[cctalk] COMAL language in the UK?

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

This is a query which came into TNMOC, but I'm wondering if there are
people here who can assist.

From: 
Date: Thu, 1 Sept 2022 at 22:05
Subject: Comal 80 in Great Britain

Hey there, my name is Mikkel, I am working on a book about a series of
danish micro computers where the history of the programming language
"Comal" will be a part of, and i just discovered that there was a UK
Comal User groups and also a periodical called "Comal Bulletin", ive
searched the internet i cannot find anything. But i hope that you might
know some historians or hobbyist? or even online databases? you can
refer me to?

I would like to know all there is to know about Comal in UK? And as a
sidenote, if somebody knows something about danish computers in uk from
the 70s and 80s i would of course like to hear about that to.

Hope you can help me, more info about my book is here :
https://www.thedanishcomet.com

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Sparcbook 3000XT

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Hello everyone!

I managed to snag a Tadpole 3000XT Sparcbook! However, it is missing
the battery and power adapter. Does anyone have these spare?

Thanks!

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Re: Who/what is Molecular Electronics Branch Electronic Technology Division

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

https://archive.computerhistory.org/resources/access/text/2018/11/102740473-05-01-acc.pdf

??

On Wed, May 11, 2022 at 3:08 AM ED SHARPE via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> Were did you find that reference. Gavin?
>
> Sent from the all new AOL app for Android
>
>   On Tue, May 10, 2022 at 5:02 PM, Gavin Scott wrote:   
> Perhaps: "Molecular Electronics Branch, Electronic Technology
> Division, Air Force Avionics Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force
> Base, Ohio."
>
> On Tue, May 10, 2022 at 5:31 PM ED SHARPE via cctalk
>  wrote:
> >
> > Who/what is Molecular Electronics Branch Electronic Technology Division 
> > thanks Ed#
> >
> > Sent from the all new AOL app for Android
>


-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Re: OT: looking for help remembering name/info about security bug

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Heartbleed?


On Tue, 11 Jan 2022 at 20:00, Hauke Fath via cctalk 
wrote:

> On Mon, 10 Jan 2022 22:04:33 -0800, Stan Sieler via cctalk wrote:
> > It may have been that either the routine wasn't getting called when it
> > should, or that the programmer misinterpreted what the return value
> meant.
>
> The Debian 4 OpenSSL disaster comes to mind, where IIRC a know-it-all
> package manager beautified the source and reduced the effective length
> of any generated keys to 32 bit. But that was more like 15 yrs ago...
>
> Cheerio,
> Hauke
>
> --
> Hauke Fath
> Linnéweg 7
> 64342 Seeheim-Jugenheim
> Germany
>
-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Re: Looking for someone in London (UK) to read 2 9 track tapes

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

I'm not an official volunteer there, yet, but we do have 9-track
equipment. Right now most of it is on ICL-based hardware.

On Wed, Dec 1, 2021 at 9:43 AM Dave Wade G4UGM via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> Chuck,
> I think TNMOC can read these tapes.
>
> https://www.tnmoc.org/
>
>
> Dave
>
> > -Original Message-
> > From: cctalk  On Behalf Of Chuck Guzis via
> > cctalk
> > Sent: 30 November 2021 23:57
> > To: CCtalk 
> > Subject: Looking for someone in London (UK) to read 2 9 track tapes
> >
> > Hey list,
> >
> > I received a note today from a fellow in London who has 2 9-track tapes that
> > he'd like read.  Brands are CDC and BASF, so media shedding should
> > not be a problem.   Dates are '92 and '93, so likely 1600 or 6259.  The
> > tape seal on one (the other has no seal) is IBM-style, which may be the
> > system that produced the tapes.
> >
> > Any takers?  Let me know if so, I'll put you in contact and you can take 
> > things
> > from there.
> >
> > All the best,
> >
> > --Chuck
> >
>
>


-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

SCSI2SD for HVD?

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Hey everyone!

Has anyone been able to use a SCSI2SD setup where HVD is required? I
know by default that isn't supported, but given we can get custom kits
to solder, we could just change out one of the controller chips
(optimistically?)

Cheers!

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Seiko Epson Robotics Controller Boards

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Hi everyone!

My wife found some interesting VME-looking boards for sale on a surplus
auction website. This is what we scored. Is there any interest for these
here?

1x Main CPU SKP-220-3
4x Sub CPU SKP-221-3 (2 look good, one has a battery that exploded all over
it, one labelled bad CMOS but had a bent pin.)
3x Servo SKP-222-3
1x IO Board SKP-184-2

I have no card cage, no documentation, and no way to test these. Some are
labelled that they tested good in 2008. I'll happily supply pictures for
those interested, but they're essentially 2U VME boards with MC68000 chips
and the main CPU has an MC68HC000 CPU.

They seem to fetch a fair sum on eBay, but just because they're listed at
these prices doesn't mean that they actually sell at that price:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seiko-Epson-Accu-Sembler-Robot-Control-Sub-CPU-Board-SKP-221-1-/131626986911

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Re: Printers in Manchester UK

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

I actually had a dream last night about a wide-format dot-matrix printer
coming into my life.

On Wed, Nov 13, 2019 at 3:59 PM Dave Wade via cctalk 
wrote:

> Folks,
>
>
>
> Any one got any interest in any dot-matrix printers. Got a Panasonic wide
> carriage, DEC narrow carriage, and a Tandy DMP200..
>
>
>
> Dave Wade
>
> G4UGM & EA7KAE
>
>
>
>

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Anyone familiar with these vintage touchscreens?

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Hi!

I saw this crop up on twitter and now I’m curious. Anyone familiar with
these? Any idea what the backend was?

https://twitter.com/newsfedora/status/1154813199054712833?s=21

-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Re: Mystery old computer & terminals on eBay UK

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Some google shows BCL=Business Computers Limited (potentially)

Or maybe one of these:

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:mBGDWqY-bzkJ:www.tnmoc.org/special-projects/lost-systems/bcl-molecular-computer+=4=en=clnk=uk

On Wed, Feb 27, 2019 at 11:13 AM Liam Proven via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> I don't recognise this, but I'm no expert.
>
> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113665872765
>
> --
> Liam Proven - Profile: https://about.me/liamproven
> Email: lpro...@cix.co.uk - Google Mail/Hangouts/Plus: lpro...@gmail.com
> Twitter/Facebook/Flickr: lproven - Skype/LinkedIn: liamproven
> UK: +44 7939-087884 - ČR (+ WhatsApp/Telegram/Signal): +420 702 829 053
>


-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Re: PDP-11 in russia?

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

IIRC +7 is Russian country code. Anything after that is probably a city or
exchange.

On Tue, 2 Oct 2018 at 14:04, Jay West via cctalk 
wrote:

> Sorry, all I got was two sentences, a .ru email address and a +79 phone
> number :)
>
> -Original Message-
> From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Bill
> Gunshannon via cctalk
> Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2018 7:56 AM
> To: cctalk@classiccmp.org
> Subject: Re: PDP-11 in russia?
>
>
>
> On 10/02/2018 08:52 AM, Jay West via cctalk wrote:
> > I do have a phone number for them. I am not really familiar with
> international dialing, but it starts:
> >
> > +79507. which my google-fu seems to indicate is Slovenia?
> >
> >
>
> I wouldn't call a Slovenian a Russian to his face.  :-)
>
> It's also a very  long ways from Russia.
>
> bill
>
>
>
> --
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Re: PDP-11 in russia?

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

On Tue, Oct 2, 2018 at 1:37 PM Jay West via cctalk 
wrote:

> Someone has contacted me about a pdp-11 that controls a "measuring machine
> dea epsilon".
>

Russia is a pretty big place.  Any idea where? If we have list members in
Ukraine versus Finland versus Romania it could make a huge difference. Or
Japan if the machine is in Vladivostok.

Re: SPARCstation Voyager - Any history?

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

At that point in time SUNW was silk-screening all kinds of code-name
animals on their boards. The SS20 was code-named Kodiak and had a bear in
the middle of the motherboard. Various sbus cards had the names of the QA
people on them who QAd the card.

Here, this page on the IPX shows your cat on the IPX motherboards.

http://www.obsolyte.com/sun_ipx/

And also here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/computers/comments/7jwmpf/found_this_guy_etched_into_the_board_in_an_old/




On Wed, Aug 15, 2018 at 3:44 AM, Steve Algernon via cctech <
cct...@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> Cleaning up a non-post’ing SPARCStation voyager 146 (are there others?)
> and found a crude cat drawing on the silkscreen:
>
> https://twitter.com/salgernon/status/1029474524100616192?s=21
>
> Just curious if anyone knows any backstory for this kitty. (I was at sunw
> from ‘90 to ‘92 and this machine is a little after my time!)
>
> —sma




-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Northern Telecon ICs

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

All,

A buddy on twitter is trying to find out info on the following NT ICs. Info
here:

"Northern Telecom QMV271BY1 / NTOOR66C3A : Unknown device. Ceramic Pin Grid
Array package with gold cap. Manufactured Week 33 of 1990. No further
information known."

https://twitter.com/Neko_Ed/status/1029034885573500929

Any ideas to help him?


-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Re: Password reset for ~1998 AIX on RS/6000?

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

This may have the answer. AIX was certainly in version 4 at that
point, so this should work.

http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1000366

On Thu, Feb 1, 2018 at 8:28 PM, Tapley, Mark via cctech
 wrote:
> All,
> I’m trying to resurrect an AIX workstation that may well contain 
> useful information for the NASA IMAGE spacecraft.
> The system is an IBM RiscSystem/6000 43P-140 according to the badge 
> on the front (which I think is reasonably accurate).
> It’s running a version of AIX from ~1997 or 1998. It does boot to the 
> GUI login prompt.
>
> Is there a standard procedure for recovering lost passwords for these 
> systems, or for resetting passwords? I do have physical access to the 
> machine; it’s possible I can find an AIX install disk but it’s *highly* 
> desirable to preserve the contents of the existing hard drive.
>
> Apologies in advance if this is posted somewhere obvious, I have not 
> done my google homework so a pointer may be all I need.
> - Mark
> 210-522-6025 office 
> 210-379-4635cell
>



-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Re: Foonlies

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

On Wed, Jan 31, 2018 at 7:03 PM, Lars Brinkhoff via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> Before I do anything rash, has anyone seriously tried to track down what
> happened to the F1 and/or its software?


When I asked about Flight of the Navigator many, many moons ago, I
remember the F1 did the special effects for that movie. That means
Disney had it for a bit.

Re: Getting Sun Sparcstation 10 to recognize its graphics card

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

On Wed, Jan 10, 2018 at 7:54 AM, Rico Pajarola via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> I assume it's just the screen staying blank. Note that using an SGI monitor
> on a sun using a 13W3 to 13W3 cable will not work. There's 2 ways around
> it: you can either use a 13W3 to BNC cable connected to a BNC to 13W3 cable
> to connect the monitor, thus disconnecting all non-RGB pins, or you can cut
> off the extra (non-RGB) pins on either side of the cable (I've successfully
> done that to connect SGI machines to SUN monitors but it should work the
> other way around too).
>
>
I may have gotten the SUNW system -> SGI Monitor thing backwards. There are
cobwebs in this part of my brain!

Re: Getting Sun Sparcstation 10 to recognize its graphics card

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

SGIs did sync on green. Sun uses a dedicated signal. SGI trinitron-based
(Sony OEM) monitors should handle both. If you boot your SS10 to the point
where you think it is dead and then unplug/replug the keyboard it should
bring you back to the “ok” prompt. Shows the system is still running OK
without output.

On Wed, 10 Jan 2018 at 07:40, Alan Perry via cctech 
wrote:

> Jonathan may be on to something here. I only deal with Sun stuff and am
> mostly unfamiliar with SGI stuff. However, I use LCD displays with
> 13W3-to-VGA adapters on my Suns and, relevant to this discussion, I know
> that the adapters used with Suns are different from the ones with SGIs,
> though I don't know the details.
>
> alan
>
> On 1/9/18 4:01 PM, systems_glitch via cctech wrote:
> > Bill,
> >
> > Are you sure the SGI monitor will work with the Sun graphics adapter?
> Just
> > because the plug fits doesn't mean the monitors are compatible, when it
> > comes to 13W3. It may be just transferring control to the video console
> and
> > *appear* to be locking up, and you're not getting anything out of the
> > display as a result.
> >
> > Do you get diagnostic LED patterns on the keyboard LEDs?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Jonathan
> >
> > On Tue, Jan 9, 2018 at 4:18 PM, william degnan via cctech <
> > cct...@classiccmp.org> wrote:
> >
> >> Working from this page to configure my sparcstation 10 after NVRAM
> >> replacement:
> >> http://www.obsolyte.com/sunFAQ/faq_nvram.html
> >>
> >> ...but curious is there an installation manual or whatever specific to
> the
> >> video card in my system, a TurboXGX with STP3010GPA chip
> >>
> http://vintagecomputer.net/sun/SparcStation-10/Sun_STP3010PGA_TURBOXGX.jpg
> >>
> >> I have Solaris 4 installed.  I am guessing around trying different
> things.
> >> With help I have the OS installed but so far I can't get the system to
> >> recognize the video card and Sun keyboard.  With these installed it
> freezes
> >> the system...so, I am using a serial terminal to interact with the
> system.
> >> The video display I have is an SGI GDM-20D11
> >>
> >> Eventually I'll poke through to the solution, this is my first Sun box,
> up
> >> to this point they were "too new" but I'd like to learn how to perform a
> >> system install.
> >>
> >> If I find the answers I am looking for I'll post here.
> >>
> >> Bill
> >>
>
> --
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Re: NeXT hardware about to be recycled in Texas

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

Totally on the wrong continent but this needs to be saved!!!

On Mon, Dec 4, 2017 at 12:56 AM, Liam Proven via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> https://twitter.com/tapbot_paul/status/937465839888093184/photo/1
>
> I don't know if anyone is in the area to rescue this...
>
> --
> Liam Proven • Profile: https://about.me/liamproven
> Email: lpro...@cix.co.uk • Google Mail/Talk/Plus: lpro...@gmail.com
> Twitter/Facebook/Flickr: lproven • Skype/LinkedIn/AIM/Yahoo: liamproven
> UK: +44 7939-087884 • ČR/WhatsApp/Telegram/Signal: +420 702 829 053
>



-- 
-Jon
+44 7792 149029

Selling SGI Fuel

[Jonathan Katz via cctalk]

I should post to Nekochan but I'm going here 1st.

600Mhz R14K SGI Fuel, 1G of RAM. 16G HDD.  I threw in a soundcard that
*should* work with IRIX but I'm not 100% sure. IRIX 6.5.30 seems to be
loaded. I tried to build/load some of the Nekoware stuff at one point
but ran out of time. Size and weight makes shipping prohibitive
(unless you're willing to pay.) I'm located in the UK now in OX10
(south of Oxford and north of Reading.)

-- 
-Jon
+44 7465 605833

Re: Sun E10000 Historical Enquiry

[Jonathan Katz]

On Mon, Feb 20, 2017 at 4:53 PM, JP Hindin  wrote:
> All this talk of favourite machines and getting into the hobby has gotten me
> amped up to work on my E10k. The E10k was always the "coolest" machine for
> me - largely due to the timing of my entry into the industry.

It started as a Cray system; have you read up on the CS6400? The E10K
was the next derivation of that.

I deployed them as a Sun PS engineer; towards the end of the life they
were giving the inventory away, almost (buy a SF6800 and get an E10K
"free".) There was a guy who I used to talk to who was on one of the
Sun lists and was based in the top-tier hardware development/software
development out of San Diego, and then later he moved east, but I
forgot who that was.

Re: The Biggin Hill Omnibus

[Jonathan Katz]

On Tue, Feb 7, 2017 at 9:54 AM, Tony Duell  wrote:
> Some of you might like the photos here ...
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_duell/albums/72157677925921112

Better than Coronation Street Omnibus, that's for sure.

-- 
-Jon
+44 7465 605833

Re: Front Panel update - Catalog

[Jonathan Katz]

>> I assume you can just register and set up shop there. I don't think
>> the overhead is too bad. You just upload some photos of your panels,
>> price them, set the quantity (or build to order) and you're done.
>>
>>
> Good grief a old typewriter with a display!!!

People with too much time on their hands... am I right? :D -- in all
seriousness, it takes the legwork out of setting up your own on-line
shop, no code, no "hard work" since that's left to the site. You can
post what photos you want of what runs you do, set price-per-unit,
functionality, etc.

Here are other examples of computer-y projects.

Electronics Category: https://www.etsy.com/c/electronics-and-accessories

DIY electronics kits:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/272737382/diy-basic-complete-lightsaber
https://www.etsy.com/listing/236205713/infrared-based-2-digit-digital-object
https://www.etsy.com/listing/291073801/delay-echo-effect-diy-kit-eurorack-ready
https://www.etsy.com/listing/254936327/iv-3-vfd-tube-7-pieces

Stuff I think is kind of neat:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/224240129/5-tube-nixie-clock-v1-diy-kit-with
https://www.etsy.com/listing/248279121/usb-flash-drive-with-light-up-vacuum



-- 
-Jon
+32 0 486 260 686

Re: Front Panel update - Catalog

[Jonathan Katz]

On Thu, Aug 18, 2016 at 3:15 PM, Rod Smallwood
 wrote:
> Whats an Etsy?
>

on-line storefront for artisan stuff, low-volume stuff.

This is my friend's store for homemade portraits and the link:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/cordialkitten

Here's something that is kind of interesting:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/94667084/usb-typewriter-computer-keyboard-black

I assume you can just register and set up shop there. I don't think
the overhead is too bad. You just upload some photos of your panels,
price them, set the quantity (or build to order) and you're done.


-- 
-Jon
+32 0 486 260 686

Re: Front Panel update - Catalog

[Jonathan Katz]

On Thu, Aug 18, 2016 at 1:08 PM, Rod Smallwood
 wrote:
>
>
>> Other information and addenda is welcome, but not necessary (re: Ian's
>> point about necessity), and I wouldn't postpone posting in favor of
>> fancier distribution. LCD is the most survivable (broadly), and easiest
>> to archive.
>>
> Hi
>  Its mostly pictures of panels plus data. How would that work?
> Rod
>

As stupid as it sounds, why not set up a storefront at Etsy and leave
the heavy lifting/commerce to someone else?

-- 
-Jon
+32 0 486 260 686

Random stuff in Belgium

[Jonathan Katz]

All,

I was surfing our local website which is essentially "Belgian Craigslist"
and found some vintage ads. I'm curious about this and too lazy to google
on my own. It looks like these are Sony PCs with robot arms which can be
controlled?

http://www.2ememain.be/informatique-jeux-vid%C3%A9o/bureautique/286-et-plus-anciens/msx-computers-onderdelen-299603209.html

He's about 50-60km from me if someone wants/needs me to snag anything. If
there is other stuff around here you're interested in, please let me know.

-- 
-Jon
+32 0 486 260 686

Re: E10K?

[Jonathan Katz]

On Sat, Jun 4, 2016 at 9:42 PM, Alex McWhirter  wrote:
> I understand that, but isn't there something type of licensing built into the 
> ssp software which is paired to a specific ssp?
>

Not quite -- the E10K has no real EEPROM, it's delivered by the SSP.
The EEPROM is a in-part generated on an SSP with two pieces, the S/N
of the system and a domain key delivered by Sun. There is a way to
generate these and I remember reading a web page with the info. All
you need is the S/N of the system to generate the key. Someone reverse
engineered the process, but I can't find links right now.

Re: E10K?

[Jonathan Katz]

On Sat, Jun 4, 2016 at 4:31 AM,   wrote:
> but all the units i ever come across are missing SSP's. Pretty much my only
> requirement is a working SSP, the rest i can sort through.

Unlike the CS6400, the SSP can be any Sparc system with the packages
installed. The control boards for the E10Ks went over ethernet (JTAG
over ethernet in some cases.) Sun sold systems with everything from
Sparc 5s to Ultra 5s and Ultra10s as SSPs.

Re: 2 x Sparcstation LX and Ultra Enterprise 2 available in Sweden.

[Jonathan Katz]

On Fri, Jun 3, 2016 at 11:55 AM, Mattis Lind  wrote:
> Hello.
>
> to a good home. Preference for local pickup. Shipping can be quite
> expensive. The location is Sweden.

How expensive do you think the shipping from Sweden to Belgium would
be? I would be interested in the UE2.

-- 
-Jon
+32 0 486 260 686

Re: Ohio company with opening in Portland OR

[Jonathan Katz]

On Wed, Jun 1, 2016 at 7:11 PM, Pete Lancashire  wrote:
> https://sherwin.taleo.net/careersection/10/jobdetail.ftl

Try this, instead:
https://sherwin.taleo.net/careersection/jobdetail.ftl?job=160008I1=en#.V0_ZDUScGCQ.mailto

I assume that's what Pete wanted to post, because every thing else is
truck driver or sales associate. This is more pertinent for the list.

Taleo is the work of the devil. It's now owned by Oracle. They do a
lot of their implementation via POST instead of GET so job site
aggregators can't mirror content. Makes it a PITA to share job links.



-- 
-Jon
+32 0 486 260 686

Re: Finding classic computers in the UK

[Jonathan Katz]

> >> Thanks for the links. I'll take a look. I probably stand more chance
> > looking at
> >> my University. I was in the server room the other day clearing some
> space.
> >> On one of the shelves they had a VT220 connected up to an old Solaris
> box.
> >> Very stylish!
>

I may be interested in the old Solaris box ;)

Re: 4.2BSD TU58 distribution tape for VAX-11/750?

[Jonathan Katz]

On Sun, Apr 24, 2016 at 7:44 AM, Josh Dersch  wrote:

> Hey all --
>
> I can't seem to track down a copy of this TU58 on the 'net -- anyone have
> one squirreled away somewhere, or know where I should be looking?
>



http://www.tuhs.org/Archive/4BSD/Distributions/4.2BSD/Per_Andersson/

Re: strangest systems I've sent email from

[Jonathan Katz]

On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 1:24 PM, Rod Smallwood <
rodsmallwoo...@btinternet.com> wrote:

> Extreme  Mailing
>
> What is the most unusual place you have sent mail from?
>

I think we need to restrict this to specific dates/eras/times -- these days
we have wi-fi enabled jet airliners and cruise ships and can send/receive
e-mail from anywhere, satellite communications, etc.

Using something like "dtmail" on a Sparc 10 in 2016 on a daily basis, or
VMS MAIL on a MicroVax would be an anachronism equal to hooking up a KayPro
luggable to an acoustic coupler over a cellular modem in the 1980s in the
back of your A-Team van ;)

Re: Seeking immediate rescue of full-rack SGI ONYX near Northbrook, IL

[Jonathan Katz]

On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 11:04 AM, Liam Proven  wrote:

> Intel's effort at RISC. Didn't go so well for them, but did inspire
> the name of Windows NT and was the original host platform for the
> then-new OS.
>

The i860 was a neat little bugger. There was an iPSC/860 done by Intel
which would be a fun box to save/rescue/run with its own variation of Unix.

Re: Shipping big things across the atlantic.

[Jonathan Katz]

When I moved from the US to Belgium we used http://upakweship.com/

You can ship a single pallet worth of stuff; the fees are done by
cubic volume, so you may want to load up that rack.

On Fri, Apr 1, 2016 at 11:53 AM, Mike Ross  wrote:
> If you're in no hurry best bet is an international mover on
> 'consolidation' - basically it's delivered to the mover and it's
> loaded in a shared container and it only moves once the container is
> full. And if you can pick it up at the arrival end that saves big-time
> too.
>
> Mike
>
> On Fri, Apr 1, 2016 at 5:48 AM, Pontus Pihlgren  wrote:
>> Hi.
>>
>> I'm considering to ship an empty full height rack from the USA to Sweden. It 
>> is
>> definitely something I wont find here so it might be worth the cost and 
>> effort.
>>
>> What are my options to get it here safely? If you have any experience I would
>> greatly appreciate if you could share them.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Pontus.
>
>
>
> --
>
> http://www.corestore.org
> 'No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother.
> Not for millions, not for glory, not for fame.
> For one person, in the dark, where no one will ever know or see.'



-- 
-Jon
+32 0 486 260 686

Re: Virtualizing AIX 1.3 - WAS::::Re: AIX for IBM PS/2

[Jonathan Katz]

On Thu, Feb 4, 2016 at 9:15 AM, Jerry Kemp  wrote:
> All this AIX 1.x on Intel talk has me wanting to look at it deeper.
>
> Does anyone have AIX 1.3 running on VirtualBox ?
>
> Thanks,

This was talked about a while back. The PS/2 (x86) version of AIX
required some specific hardware with an MCA bus and oddball SCSI chips
that are not emulated in any modern emulator (VMWare, VirtualBox,
etc.) Supposedly there was a later beta version of AIX for x86 that
had support for more standard ISA and SCSI hardware but it never made
it outside IBM.

Re: For you SGI fans...

[Jonathan Katz]

On Wed, Jan 13, 2016 at 9:16 AM, Ian Finder  wrote:
> Yeah, the versions > 6.5.22 can be nice for a variety of reasons if you've
> got the later hardware. [I think the last one even had an
> almost-totally-working default DHCP config out-of-box. ;) ]
>
> I run it on systems where I can.

The only thing I really want for Christmas is a modern JDK/JRE running on Irix.

Re: Trivia Question: Pixar Image Computer

[Jonathan Katz]

My guess would be good 'ol John Lasseter.

On Mon, Oct 5, 2015 at 3:28 PM, Toby Thain  wrote:

> Hi,
>
> This recent Quora answer contained a little gap - the name of the person
> who designed the original logo on the case.
>
> Quick Googling didn't help. Anyone have the trivia answer?
>
>   http://qr.ae/RP2GQy
>
> Any other PIC/Pixar/Renderman anecdotes welcome. Sounds like a pretty
> fancy bit of hardware for the time.
>
> --Toby
>



-- 
-Jon
+32 0 486 260 686

Re: Indianapolis: More classic computing equipment than I can shake a stick at.

[Jonathan Katz]

@#%!^

Why is all this posted a full year after I leave Indianapolis and move
to Belgium!? :D

LOLOL

I will ask my local contacts.

On Sun, Aug 23, 2015 at 10:52 PM, Maxx Wood max...@gmail.com wrote:
 Anyone who's passing through, or lives near Indianapolis, feel free to give
 me a shout to set up a time to peruse what I have. I have amassed enough
 machines to take on their own gravitational pull. Most are in various states
 of disrepair, in need of attention, but quite a few still work or don't need
 much work to be functional. A number of machines I intend on keeping for
 their neat factor (like an Olivetti M20) but might be persuaded to part
 with.

 Apple (bunch of IIc's, IIe's, IIgs's)
 Macintosh (40 or so compact Macs - 512, Plus, SE, 'splodey-battery-SE/30's
 -, a big 'ol stack of 68k and PPC desktops, PowerBooks, a stack of DuoDock
 II's)
 Kaypro (maybe 6?)
 Osborne
 Compaq Portables (luggable and plasma)
 Epson QX-10 (2 machines, 1 monitor, pretty certain I have the Valdocs disk
 somewhere)
 IBM (5150's, 5160's, and a 5170 with box, and a few monitors)
 Wang (PC S1-2 with keyboard/monitor(s))
 Franklin 8000 with keyboard
 A few 386/486 machines
 ADM 3A terminal (doesn't power on, but it's cute)
 Amiga 2000HD (boots, but I don't have a keyboard or mouse, and the floppy
 drives continuously seek)
 Amiga 500 (untested, no power supply)
 C64's (definitely for parts!) and some drives
 Tandy 1000 EX (untested)
 NeXT 21 Color Monitor (too huge and heavy for me to keep, I'll be happy
 with a VGA converter when I find one)

 And probably a few other things I'm forgetting about. Price-wise, basically
 make me an offer. Scrap metal prices are fine with me for a lot of machines
 so long as they're not actually getting scrapped (hence the post here!). If
 you're looking for something specific, let me know and I'll see what I have.

 Thanks!

 Kind regards,
 -Maxx



-- 
-Jon
+32 0 486 260 686

Re: organizing a trip to Cuba

[Jonathan Katz]

On Tue, Jun 23, 2015 at 12:46 PM, Paul Birkel pbir...@gmail.com wrote:
 I wonder to what Soviet equipment they would have upgraded?

 On Mon, Jun 22, 2015 at 5:06 PM, william degnan billdeg...@gmail.com
 http://millennialmainframer.com/2014/12/ibm-still-waiting-cuba-pay-mainframes/

I wonder what kind of intelligence the Soviets gained from the ex-IBM
mainframes there. At that point in time a lot of the US defense
(NORAD) was run off of the SAGE setup, which must have had some 650s
as a component, right?

Re: Front Panels Personal Update

[Jonathan Katz]

On Thu, Jun 18, 2015 at 3:54 PM, Christian Gauger-Cosgrove
captainkirk...@gmail.com wrote:
 That article is quite neat, I must say. I always thought that the logo was
 only Helvetica, but it's interesting to see what it really is.

The only reason I know about the article was due to Google, but that
was because I used to work for ArcSight and we were taken over by HP.
I wanted to make a faux ArcSight logo in the image of the old DEC logo
for a co-worker who retired early from HP. I made my faux-logo did
using Helvetica. His story was interesting. He worked for Tandem. Was
bought by Digital. Was bought by Compaq. Was bought my HP. Took early
retirement. Found job at ArcSight. Worked there for a few years and
then was assimilated by HP (again.) It was amusing for him to see
everything come full-circle.