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New ETKM 8800b Turnkey Monitor Foundby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 2 Updated: [ ETKM = Vector Graphics Monitor ] 08/23/2015 A few ROMs for the 8800 I have collected including a totally new to me "ETKM" Turnkey Monitor Program that is HEX, not octal based. I still need to take a look at it in a HEX editor so I can see what commands are available and learn more about what it does. So far I learned it has an E command as in E 0000 - 0FFF (show me a dump of RAM from this range). Stay tuned.">... [ read more ] |
TRS 80 Model III Hi-res Graphics Boardby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 4 Updated: [ Compatibility Issues ] 08/19/2015  TRS 80 Model III 26-1125 hi-res board demo image. Click on image for larger view.
Here are the initialization commands necessary for a model III with programs written with micro-labs GBASIC, and a model III 26-1125 graphics board:
A=PEEK(16912) OR 16
POKE 16912, A
OUT 236,A
 TRS 80 Model III 26-1125 hi-res board. Note that to get to the board I had to first remove the factory-in">... [ read more ]
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Friden Model 132 Electronic Calculatorby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 3 Updated: [ repair complete ] 07/27/2015  The 1965 Friden 132 Electronic Calculator was the first electronic calculator capable of doing square root.
 The 4 row display of the Friden 132.
More pictures
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PDP 11/40 Power Supply Issue!by billdeg Total messages in this thread: 14 Updated: [ Basic stress testing ] 07/17/2015 Nooo! The console and power supply light flicked out while in use. WTD: Power Supply or Power Supply Module. The part number on the front is "H742a" and it's the big part of the power supply in the back. In front (looking from the side) are power modules. The modules and the console power are attached to the "H742a" Other H74x supplies should work. Here is the wording on the unit: Dec Power Supply H742a Caution AC & DC OUTPUTS ARE PRESENT WHEN LIGHT IS ON POWER ON (( )) ------------ where (( )) = the light bulb. The supply's red indicator light no longer comes on, nor do the console lights, though the fans still run. In the meantime I will test with a volt meter and so on, maybe there's a bad connection. More to follow.">... [ read more ] |
1972 DEC idacs 11/07 Industrial PDP 11by billdeg Total messages in this thread: 1  The circa 1972 Digital Equipment Corporation idacs 11/07 industrial PDP 11 computer. Click for larger view.
Download Sales Brochure">... [ read more ]
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Xerox 820-II - Set Upby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 4 Updated: [ Blew a Power Cap! ] 06/23/2015  The Xerox 820-II Computer with DD 8" and "Rigid" disk option.
Xerox is one of those computer companies, like Apple, whose computers you'd buy partially because of the brand name. At least that was the the case in early 80's. The initial reaction of consumers when the Xerox 820 series was announced was "Ah ha, watch out IBM, Xerox is getting in the game and they'll show everyone how to make a real computer".
It did not quite work out that way, the 820 series was pretty boring - no mouse and no hi-res graphics like the Lisa-inspiring Xerox Star, the production version of the Xerox Alto. Instead, the 820-II was a business machine, and as such it wa">... [ read more ]
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DECpc 433SLC Laptopby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 1  The 33Mhz i486 Digital "DECpc 433SLC Premium" laptop model PCP38 - One of the last Digital-branded laptops made before the company was bought by Compaq. The SLC was first made available in February 1994 and would have been designed for Windows 3.11, but would have run Windows 95 as well.
More photos">... [ read more ]
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1993 Compaq Deskpro 5/60Mby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 2 Updated: [ Restoration progress ] 06/17/2015  The unassuming Compaq Deskpro 5/60M computer is considered one of the first commercially-sold desktop computers with an Intel Pentium processor. Click for larger view.
 Pictured is a rare Compaq QVGA EISA video card. These were at the time Cadillac VGA cards, a good match for the system. The QVision VGA cards also appeared in AlphaServers. Click for larger view.
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Raspberry Pi as Gateway to Internetby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 3 Updated: [ IRSSI IRC slashnet.org #vc ] 06/13/2015  The Raspberry Pi can be used to connect vintage computers to the internet. This image shows my preference - A USB wireless dongle and a USB to serial cable. One could also use the serial port of the Pi, but that method is not covered here.
The operating system I chose is a version of Debian Linux tailored for Apple II use (search the web for "IvanX" to download a copy with directions), but this Pi distro is also good for most other terminal software-driven vintage computers. Click for larger view.
The first thing I attempted was to connect a Digital VT102 terminal to the Raspberry Pi. I used a cabled ethernet conection rather than wireless. I also">... [ read more ]
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The Digital Ultimate Workstation 533au2by billdeg Total messages in this thread: 1  The 1998 Digital Ultimate Workstation 533au2 was one of the last Digital-branded mini computers. Click image for larger view.
 These machines shipped with either Windows NT® Server 4.0 or DIGITAL UNIX, but many installed OpenVMS as well. As you can see, this machine has OpenVMS 7.3 installed (the latest VMS release version as of this writing). Click for larger view.
Marketing Brochure:
http://manx.c...ons/antonio/dec/EC-F869">... [ read more ]
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Telebyte 65A RS232 Converterby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 6 Updated: [ Repairs ] 05/07/2015  I modified my Altair 680 for 110b, no Baudout, 1 stop bit (see notes about stop bits below). I tested my work by connecting the Altair to a DEC VT102 terminal. Comms are slow but they work enough to get to the ROM monitor prompt and enter commands. Now I know the system works well enough at 110 baud to continue. Note in the photo next to the Altair is a Multi-Tech Systems MT25 EIA-CCITT Breakout / Monitor tester. This device allows me to see what signals are being sent through the serial cable. Click image for larger view.
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MITS 8800b Turnkey Restoration (#3)by billdeg Total messages in this thread: 3 Updated: [ Restoration Complete ] 04/30/2015  Started Pertec / MITS Altair 8800b Turnkey system restore project. After doing an initial power test I disassembled the unit for cleaning. Click image for larger view.
 The system itself works pretty well, with 48K RAM. The only functional issue remaining is the front panel. I cannot reset nor start the system using the switches. I removed the front panel card by desoldering the switch posts connected to the rear of the card from the front of the chassis so I could slide the card out. I also desolder">... [ read more ]
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Vintage Joystick Kitby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 1  A game controller from the mid 1970's that was built from a kit. Designs for these kits were published in magazines like Radio Electronics and Popular Electronics.
Looking for the source of the kit for this joystick. If you can provide, please contact me. It looks a lot like the Cromemco joystick, but not exactly.">... [ read more ]
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VCF East 10by billdeg Total messages in this thread: 1  Dave Gesswein powering up the R.E.S.I.S.T.O.R.S. historic PDP-8 computer for the first time in 40 years. A magnificent restoration achievement.
 My pick for best exhibit of the show was Doug Crawford's comprehensive VISICALC, with an impressive display of systems running VISICALC, plus a spreadsheet program he wrote for the RCA ELF.
 Mike Loewen's TRS 80 Model 4 exhibit featured a unit with a hi-res display.
 Dave McGuire's fabulous Digital Pavilion was a smorgasbord of DEC goodness that filled a truck.
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