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Digital TU56 for PDP-9?by billdeg Total messages in this thread: 2 Updated: [ Negibus or Posibus? ] 01/17/2023  View of a recently donated TU 56 dual tape drive, prior to any restoration efforts. Click image for larger view.
 W850 C bus connecting cable. This end goes to the PDP-9 (!). Click image for larger view.
More photos">... [ read more ]
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DEC PDP 8/e MM8Ej RAM (8K) Repairsby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 2 Updated: [ Getting 32K Again ] 12/09/2022  PDP 8e with H-19 terminal on the ground, displaying a directory from RK05 diskpack. Click image for larger view.
This thread will document the current progress with the PDP 8/e located at Kennett Classic. It's the same system written about earlier here.
The current issue is that the system boots from RK05 diskpack 0, but the MEMORY command says only 8K RAM is available, even when more RAM is installed. 8K is not enough for any useful operations on this system.
The proper next step is to run the MAINDEC DEC8X diagnostics, which naturally bombs without more RAM in the system. Love the classic chicken and egg DEC troubleshooting problems. There does not seem to be any manual online for this specific board">... [ read more ]
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CTC Datapoint 3300 Videoby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 1  A demonstration of the Datapoint 3300 connected to the Area 29 telnet bulletin board via WIFI modem.
For those of you who want to hear the beeps from a Datapoint 3300 connected to telehack.com's telnet time service:
https://twit...8184403259596802
The Datapoint does not have the ability to refresh / redraw. Essentially the 3300 is a "glass Teletype" that prints text to the screen as if it were a serial printer printing text into tractor-feed paper">... [ read more ]
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1974/5 TCC-3700 i8080 Computerby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 1  The TCC-3700 was a specialized 8080 CPU-based computer used to translate IBM communications data into other formats. More detail is needed. Click image for larger view.
I like this system because it is a great example of the kinds of homebrew computers and prototypes mid-1970's engineers were building with the new microprocessors that became available then. In this case the TCC engineer chose the Intel 8080. The TCC 3700 was a full 8-bit "computer".
The system was housed in a TeraDyne card rack supplied with individualized controller cards for CPU, ROM, Serial and other I/O and TTL logic. Little is known about TCC but it was not a large company. The computing unit was donated to Kennett Classic by Bob Martin who was given the TCC-3700 by the original engineer (n">... [ read more ]
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1950 RCA Memory Tube Adby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 1 
Click for PDF (guest registration required)
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1976 Digital PDP-8/A Minicomputerby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 1  Partially Assembled. Click image for larger view.
This system came nearly complete, but was missing the cable that connects the power console to the backplane. I got one from the parts bin. I also had to move one of the molex connectors from the main transformer to a different location on the power backplane. Some of the cards were in the wrong slots. I wonder if this is why whomever had the computer originally gave up on it.
 A edge-on view of the controller cards installed. The original module assignment sheet on the back">... [ read more ]
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1982 Digital VT180 Z-80 CP/M Computerby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 1  VT180 "Robin" personal computer with Z-80 Processor. A dual 5 1/4" disk drive sits on top. Click image for larger view.
 Here is a view of the directory screen after booting CP/M from the RX 180 AB dual 5 1/4" disk drive. Click image for larger view.
I am impressed by the sharp grey text on white background screen. This was DEC's first "personal computer", technically a VT100 with the Personal CP/M Computing Option Kit installed. The kit provides a Zilog Z-80 CPU, disk drive and extra serial port to the VT100. There may be some sort of graphic upgrade (?)
This particular machine was donated to Kennett Classic and will be">... [ read more ]
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Honeywell / DDP-516 simH experimentsby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 1 This thread describes use of the Honeywell H316/516 simH scripts found here Start by downloading simH scripts. The CMD files should be opened in a text editor...stand by...">... [ read more ] |
Recovering 1969 Honeywell Paper tapesby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 3 Updated: [ Tapes Read - It's LUNAR LANDER ] 08/06/2022  Mysterious papertape with hand-printed text that reads "Start 1000 tty RUN -> 90" Click image for larger view.
This thread details the technical aspects of the data recovery itself, if you want to learn the background story, visit https://www.kennettclass...m-lunar-mission/
The short story is we received an ASCII papterape proported to have had been created containing a "data dump" from the 1969 American Apollo lunar landing. Teh tape was generated using a Honeywell DDP-516 minicomputer located at a NASA facility in White Sands, New Mexico. Apparently an operator made a personal backup of the lunar landing data (?)
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Computer Terminal Corp DataPoint 3300by billdeg Total messages in this thread: 4 Updated: [ Restoration Completed. ] 11/13/2022  The Computer Terminal Corp. DataPoint 3300 after cosmetic restoration work completed. This is the first glass terminal first produced by CTC in 1969 (after being announced in 1967). The 3300 was a play on the ASR 33, which is what this machine was designed to replace. The serial number sticker says 1030. Click image for larger view.
 System after cleaning. The terminal was in pretty bad shape (evidence of rodents on the keyboard), but fortunately there was no rodent nests inside. First, the cover was removed and">... [ read more ]
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Kaypro IIby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 3 Updated: [ Replace Power supply ] 07/09/2022  As soon as I saw this raised socket I knew this was not a stock Kaypro II, but other than raising the Z80-PIO chip what else is different? Click image for larger view.
This Kaypro II was donated to Kennett Classic and does not boot, disk drive is not detected. Should be fixable.
James Palic, the original owner of this portable computer writes:
"...Online Consulting is the name of the company that I and my partner started nearly 40 years ago after we left Dupont. Initially we sold Kaypro and other computer hardware. Someone showed us how to modify the boot ROM to have our company name show when booting.
Online Consulting is still around but we're now known by our DBA - ONLC Training Centers.
That particular Kaypro is a ve">... [ read more ]
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1983 Eagle Spirit XLby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 1  The Eagle Spirit XL was an early IBM/MS DOS-compatible portable intorduced in October 1983. Click for larger view.
Keyboard with LET status lights, 320K floppy and 10Mb hard drive.
32.5 pounds, monochrome screen. i8088 CPU.
Needs work..will post updates as progress made. More pics
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PC Professional Users Group of Delawareby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 2 Updated: [ William Bleakney, Founder found ] 06/20/2022 Anyone a former member of this group based out if Wilmington, Delaware? They put out about 50 diskettes in the mid-80's for IBM format PCs. Lots of interesting programs and utilities. I have about a quarter of the disks, looking to complete the set. Enter Archive">... [ read more ] |
Atari 400 With 32/48K RAM Expansionby billdeg Total messages in this thread: 1  Atari 400 homebrew RAM expansion front. Click image for larger view.
Unlike modern RAM upgrades, this one is an actual vintage wire-wrapped 48K upgrade constructed in 1981 or so.
 Atari 400 homebrew RAM expansion obverse. Note the wirewrap connections and pin 4 has been cut. Click image for larger view.
 The wire jumpers added to the motherboard to allo">... [ read more ]
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The thread date indicated last update. Suggest a site here. Bitsavers Software and Document Archive http://bitsaver...dge.com Retroarchive Multi-Platform http://w...ve.org TextFiles.com rTTY Art Repository http://artsc...LLECTION/ Mazjel.com Datastore: Manuals and system docs galore. http://maben.ho...S100/index.html Dave Dunfield's Site - vintage computer newbies should start here, disk archiving info here http://www.classic...dunfield Glitchworks FDC Results Registry - Drive controllers for imaging disks https://services....tfdc_results Bryan's Old Computers Document Archive http://bytecoll....com/m8_docs.htm The Homebrew Computer Club Newsletters https://ark...-computer-club Every Computer That Ever Was (list) http:">... [ read more ]