Re: [M100] tranch #2 of REXCPM is off the docks!

[Jim Hart]

Greg,

I just finished writing this up, there are likely typos but I wanted to get
it to you before I get sidetracked again.  Things are very busy around
here. E-mail me if you have any questions. I will try and improve them this
week.

Linux instructions (rough draft)
-
Minicom is the "standard" in Linux terminal programs. You need a program
that will alllow for the binary transfer of data without a transfer
protocol.  Minicom can be configured for thie.  To configure Minicom,
 install it with apt get minicom and you will also need PV, so install it
also. TO actually configure Minicom for binary transfers you need to create
a small script sendbin.sh:

-
#!/bin/sh
INFILE=/dev/null
OUTFILE=/dev/null

while [ $# -gt 0 ]; do
 case "$1" in
 -i)
 shift
 INFILE="$1"
 ;;
 -o)
 shift
 OUTFILE="$1"
 ;;
 -h|--help)
 echo "$0 -i infile -o outfile"
 ;;
 *)
 INFILE="$1"
 esac
 shift
done
cat << EOF
binary-xfer utility for minicom
Sending file ${INFILE} to ${OUTFILE}
EOF

/usr/bin/pv --force -i 0.25 -B 128  ${INFILE}  2>&1 > ${OUTFILE}
# Use the line below if you don't have pv!

# /bin/cat ${INFILE} > ${OUTFILE}
cat << EOF

File transfer complete
EOF
sleep 10
-

Open Minicon and user -A, O to open the options menu.  From there
select "File Transfer Protcols", we are going to all a new selection.
Slots A through I are used so select J and enter the following values

bin/home/kimberley/scripts/sendbin.sh -o %l  YUY   N
N

This will create a new protocol for transferring data directly, while
passing binary values without change.

Use this new option to send your file.  Connect using Telecom and press F2
for Download, enter the filename "rxcini.do" and press -A, S to send
a file in Minicom.  Select the protocol, the new one, "bin", that was just
added. User the left/right arrow keys and "Enter" to select "Goto" in
Minicom and enter the directory to which you unzipped "rxcini.DO" to.  Used
the same keys to select "show" to filter the files, enter "rxcini.DO" Use
the up/down arrow to move the pointer to the file and then the left/right
arrows to select "tag" to actually select the file to send. Finally, press
"enter" to actually send the file.  When the transfer is complete, press
"F2" on the M100/T102 again to stop the transfer.

RXCINI.DO loads a file from the TPDD or emulator.  Under Linux the best
option is Laddie Alpha under Mono.  You need to install Mono and download
Laddie Alphe. Laddie Alpha can be downloaded from the Bitchin100 site at
http://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=LaddieCon#LaddieAlpha . Now you
need to install Mono, Debian based systems run "sudo apt install
mono-complete". You also need the file RXC_11.zip.  Make a directory and
unzip RXC_11.zip into the directory.  Change directories to the new
directory and run "mono LaddieAlpha.exe /dev/ttyUSB0", replacing ttyUSB0
with the device you are using.  Now follow the instructions to running
RXCINI.DO in the official documentation.

Classic REX functionality should now be working.

You can put Option ROM images into the same directory and use Laddie Alpha
to load these onto the REX also.

Grab the CP/M initialization files and the image for your sized REXCPM and
place these in the same directory.

Install the TS-DOS option ROM to copy the CPM.CO and CPMUPD.CO files to the
M100/T102 from Laddie Alpha.  These are the files to install the CP/M
functionality.  Leave the *.BK file in the directory, CPMUPD.CO will
transfer this to the REX.

Follow the instructions for CP/M on the M100/T102 found here:
http://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=M100_CP/M

-

--Jim


On Thu, Jul 23, 2020 at 10:54 PM Greg Swallow  wrote:

> Jim,
>
> I could use your Linux help/step-by/information. Just converted my last
> Windows PC to elementaryOS. Am also running openSuse Tumbleweed, but am
> consolidating to one/two system(s).
>
> Dropped an PCI 2-port RS232 in and am working on getting it working for
> the M100.
>
> Thanks,
>
> GregS <><
>
> Jul 23, 2020 7:32:22 PM Jim Hart :
>
> > I received mine yesterday, and after some trouble getting it initialized
> (all on the Linux host), it is working great.  If anyone is having trouble
> with installing the software from Linux, let me know and I can offer my
> solutions.
> >
> > I have the basic REX functionality and the CPM both working in the
> REXCPM.
> >
> > Thanks again Stephen for a great device.
> >
> > --Jim
> >
> > On Thu, Jul 23, 2020 at 8:30 PM Kevin Slater 
> wrote:
> >
> >> I al

Re: [M100] tranch #2 of REXCPM is off the docks!

[Jim Hart]

I received mine yesterday, and after some trouble getting it initialized
(all on the Linux host), it is working great.  If anyone is having trouble
with installing the software from Linux, let me know and I can offer my
solutions.

I have the basic REX functionality and the CPM both working in the REXCPM.

Thanks again Stephen for a great device.

--Jim

On Thu, Jul 23, 2020 at 8:30 PM Kevin Slater  wrote:

> I also want to let you know I received my as well. I was on vacation so
> didn't get held mail until Wednesday. Looks great, haven't installed it yet
> but will get to it soon as I'm looking forward to it!
>
> Kevin
>
> On 07/22/2020 8:51 PM Stephen Adolph  wrote:
>
>
> Great stuff Brian.  Glad it arrived and is working for you.  REXCPM
> benefitted from a lot of good ideas from others.  The cable harness and
> Molex carrier add to the quality significantly.
>
>
> On Wednesday, July 22, 2020, Brian Brindle < bbrin...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Just checked the mail ten minutes ago and found mine in the box! Have to
> say, very impressed with the quality of everything. Even enjoyed the extra
> effort and details in the initialization software. Fantastic work!
>
> Thanks for everything Steve!
> Brian
>
>
> On Thu, Jul 16, 2020, 2:17 PM John R. Hogerhuis < jho...@pobox.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jul 16, 2020 at 7:36 AM Stephen Adolph < twospru...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> John, what flavor?  T102 or M100?
> cheers
>
>
>
> M100 please
>
> -- John.
>
>

-- 
--Jim Hart
j...@jimhart.org

Re: [M100] TS-Ultimate ROM II Error

[Jim Hart]

Kurt,

I have not touched the system ROM. The M100 should be stock. I purchased
it used from someone else but do not see any sign of modifications.

Thanks,
--Jim


> Kurt McCullum <mailto:kurt.mccul...@att.net>
> June 30, 2016 at 3:38 PM
> Hi Jim,
>
> I had an almost identical problem with my NEC 8201 about a year ago.
> But in my case it was the Sardine ROM by traveling software. I thought
> I had a bad ROM but I had also upgraded my main system ROM with a Y2K
> patch. In doing that, I had put a version of the NEC system ROM in
> that didn't match my hardware. I put back the original system rom and
> everything worked. Not sure you have the same problem but I wanted to
> mention that. Have you upgraded your system ROM?
>
> Kurt
>
>
> On Thursday, June 30, 2016 11:28 AM, Jim Hart <j...@jimhart.org> wrote:
>
>
> Hello all,
>
> I recently acquired a original TS-Ultimate ROM II. When I installed the
> module and ran the BASIC "call" command one of two things would happen.
> I got an "?FC error" (illegal instruction) or I would get dumped back at
> the menu.  I powered off the M100 and cleared the memory between
> attempts.  Does anyone have any suggestions on troubleshooting steps?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> --Jim
>
>
> Jim Hart <mailto:j...@jimhart.org>
> June 30, 2016 at 2:28 PM
> Hello all,
>
> I recently acquired a original TS-Ultimate ROM II. When I installed the
> module and ran the BASIC "call" command one of two things would happen.
> I got an "?FC error" (illegal instruction) or I would get dumped back at
> the menu. I powered off the M100 and cleared the memory between
> attempts. Does anyone have any suggestions on troubleshooting steps?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> --Jim

[M100] TS-Ultimate ROM II Error

[Jim Hart]

Hello all,

I recently acquired a original TS-Ultimate ROM II. When I installed the
module and ran the BASIC "call" command one of two things would happen. 
I got an "?FC error" (illegal instruction) or I would get dumped back at
the menu.  I powered off the M100 and cleared the memory between
attempts.  Does anyone have any suggestions on troubleshooting steps?

Thanks in advance,
--Jim

Re: [M100] Customized Model 102 on ebay

[Jim Hart]

This machine appears to be from Convex test equipment not Convex computers.  It 
seems to be for testing phone lines, probably digital lines like a T1 or maybe 
a 56K.  The headsets were often used to allow the user to talk to someone at 
the other end of the line to coordinate testing.  The test equipment utilizes 
one of the channels of the T1 for voice while it is being tested, much more 
convenient than actually trying to find am analog line in the central office or 
at the customer site.  
--Jim


Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

 Original message 
From: Josh Malone  
Date: 4/3/2016  08:21  (GMT-05:00) 
To: Model 100 Discussion  
Subject: Re: [M100] Customized Model 102 on ebay 

Wow - what a strange collection. We had a Convex computer at work many many 
years ago, although not with that logo. Nice machine, so I've heard (it was 
well before my time).

Yes - clearly a Model 100/102 machine, but I'm puzzled by the accessories. What 
on earth could the headset be for? And the floppy disk has MSDOS filenames 
written on it. Maybe this wasn't for a Convex supercomputer but for some other 
machine like a PBX? Weird. "Convex 2000" turns up nothing useful on Google.

On Sun, Apr 3, 2016 at 6:26 AM, Hiraghm  wrote:
I have never seen a machine like this before. I thought it was an MSDOS 
machine, maybe a workslate...

Then I got a look at the screen closeup... it's a 102 in a custom case!



I'm sharing the link; I can't justify the cost, but maybe someone else can...



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-2102-Convex-Portable-Laptop-Computer-Model-2000-Test-Set-Module-/272196467369?hash=item3f602c7aa9:g:I~MAAOSwZ8ZW~trl

Re: [M100] Club100.Org Down

[Jim Hart]

It looks like their web hosting provider is having some issues.  This is
what the web host is saying on their homepage:

"We are currently experiencing cache hardware failure in our primary
drive array that is causing servers to crash when processes start. We
have ordered the replacement hardware and will restore services as
quickly as we can. In the mean time we are investigting ways to start
services back up in a limited capacity until replacement hardware
arrives. We sincerely appologize for any issue this causes you and your
customers and will resolve the issue as soon as we can. We will issue
service credits to all customers once services are fully restored.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we resolve the
issue. If you have questions about this outage you may text (702)
546-6004 or email lizardhillhost...@gmail.com."


> Kurt McCullum 
> March 29, 2016 at 10
> :13 A
> Is it just my internet access here at work or is Club100.org down?
>