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anyone have a physical 9 track tape drive still working?

by lee.gleason＠comcast.net

It's my month for trying to read old media. I've been going through my collection to try and eliminate bulky things I won't be using. I came across around 10 reel to reel mag tapes from RSX and VMS, from my early DEC career, that I would like to see about getting copied to SIMH tape format. Does anyone on the list here in the US still have a working 9 track tape drive on their systems, that would be willing to convert these at a hobbyist-friendly price? I dimly recall that these tapes would be 1600 BPI. -- Lee K. Gleason N5ZMR Control-G Consultants lee.gleason at comcast.net

11 years, 10 months

Re: LA120 PSU fault (fwd)

by clemc＠ccc.com

I believe that the prints for the H7150 are in the Field Maintenance Print Set Manx DECwriter III LA120 Operator Reference Card, 1978 LA120 Technical Manual, January, 1980 LA120 User Guide, May, 1984 LA120 Field Maintenance Print Set, October, 1979 On Sat, Dec 28, 2013 at 2:15 PM, Cory Smelosky <b4 at gewt.net> wrote: Afternoon, I've managed to acquire an LA120! Woohoo! However, it had some issues...as was discussed when I got it. ;) I've replaced the blown fuse, the there is continuity for the pico fuse on the PSU...but I have no idea if that indicates it works or not. The only thing that runs is the fan. What are some test points I can try? Also...what is the value for the picofuse? I have 125V 1.5A fuses...but I think it needs higher current. I tested to see which voltages are preset: +5 -12 -24. No +12 or +24. Anyone have full schematics for the H7110 PSU, or know enough about it to help me debug this one? Alternatively, I can get an H7150 for $95 on ebay. Can an H7150 be tossed in an LA120-AA? -- Cory Smelosky http://gewt.net Personal stuff http://gimme-sympathy.org Projects

11 years, 10 months

Re: LA120 PSU fault (fwd)

by b4＠gewt.net

Afternoon, I've managed to acquire an LA120! Woohoo! However, it had some issues...as was discussed when I got it. ;) I've replaced the blown fuse, the there is continuity for the pico fuse on the PSU...but I have no idea if that indicates it works or not. The only thing that runs is the fan. What are some test points I can try? Also...what is the value for the picofuse? I have 125V 1.5A fuses...but I think it needs higher current. I tested to see which voltages are preset: +5 -12 -24. No +12 or +24. Anyone have full schematics for the H7110 PSU, or know enough about it to help me debug this one? Alternatively, I can get an H7150 for $95 on ebay. Can an H7150 be tossed in an LA120-AA? -- Cory Smelosky http://gewt.net Personal stuff http://gimme-sympathy.org Projects

11 years, 10 months

VT320 issues

by bqt＠softjar.se

On 2013-12-28 00:45, G ran hling wrote: On 2013-12-25 16:59, Johnny Billquist wrote: On 2013-12-25 14:44, Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman- wrote: Johnny Billquist <bqt at softjar.se> writes: On 2013-12-25 03:36, Dave McGuire wrote: On 12/24/2013 09:35 PM, Johnny Billquist wrote: I have had a whole bunch of VT320 give up on me over the years. It's always been the flyback... I think there might even be some info on the net about it. And I think I've heard of people locating a source for new flybacks. Oh really? That would be great...I have at least two with dead flybacks. *Heard of*. I have not ever fixed any myself. I'm running on VT525 nowadays. Also have some VT420, VT510 and VT520... At least you don't have to worry too much about the VT525. Almost any VGA monitor could be used with its base unit. Yup. Really nice design there. Have LCD monitors for them. Well, I have got one also. When I had it connected to a "generic" LCD, I didn't enjoy the font... When I , for testing purpouse, was writing a full line of $-signs, I found out what was the problem;I got a cyclic pattern like $$$$$$$SSSS$$$$$$$$SSSSSS .... The horizontal adjustment of resolution vs. speed rendered this problem that made alla characters to lose some column of dots at some places of the screen, but not at other... I nowdays have this excellent terminal connected to a traditional "Trinitron" fat screen, where it comes to its best! If you haven't realized it yet, it (obviously) depends on your LCD monitor. They are not all the same resolution, and when they convert, it sometimes sucks. With the right LCD, it works great. I have tried several, and with some of them, I got the same result you did. A bit more difficult to locate good keyboards, though. Have plenty of LK201 and similar, but the LK401 (or was it LK421?) are a bit more scarce. I did buy one new produced keyboard made by the company that aquired production equipement when DEC stoped its production (that really never was "in-house"). Works fine and has prpoer key-layout. I might be able to find links etc at the bottom of my mail-box if you can't get Google to find the source... Boundless technology. But I think they were made in house by DEC originally. But DEC sold its terminal business in the great general sale, when they sold off almost everything. Boundless acquired the terminal business, and I think they still sell the VT525 new. Johnny

11 years, 10 months

VT320 issues

by ahling＠eadc.se

On 2013-12-25 16:59, Johnny Billquist wrote: On 2013-12-25 14:44, Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman- wrote: Johnny Billquist <bqt at softjar.se> writes: On 2013-12-25 03:36, Dave McGuire wrote: On 12/24/2013 09:35 PM, Johnny Billquist wrote: I have had a whole bunch of VT320 give up on me over the years. It's always been the flyback... I think there might even be some info on the net about it. And I think I've heard of people locating a source for new flybacks. Oh really? That would be great...I have at least two with dead flybacks. *Heard of*. I have not ever fixed any myself. I'm running on VT525 nowadays. Also have some VT420, VT510 and VT520... At least you don't have to worry too much about the VT525. Almost any VGA monitor could be used with its base unit. Yup. Really nice design there. Have LCD monitors for them. Well, I have got one also. When I had it connected to a "generic" LCD, I didn't enjoy the font... When I , for testing purpouse, was writing a full line of $-signs, I found out what was the problem;I got a cyclic pattern like $$$$$$$SSSS$$$$$$$$SSSSSS .... The horizontal adjustment of resolution vs. speed rendered this problem that made alla characters to lose some column of dots at some places of the screen, but not at other... I nowdays have this excellent terminal connected to a traditional "Trinitron" fat screen, where it comes to its best! A bit more difficult to locate good keyboards, though. Have plenty of LK201 and similar, but the LK401 (or was it LK421?) are a bit more scarce. I did buy one new produced keyboard made by the company that aquired production equipement when DEC stoped its production (that really never was "in-house"). Works fine and has prpoer key-layout. I might be able to find links etc at the bottom of my mail-box if you can't get Google to find the source... Johnny G ran SM6NNC

11 years, 10 months

two dumb RSX questions

by ahling＠eadc.se

Dave McGuire skrev 2013-12-24 05:14: On 12/23/2013 10:46 PM, Johnny Billquist wrote: Ahh, got it. I have a bru64k.tap file that I think came from the same place. If you have a brusys.tap file, would you please send me a copy? I can't seem to find that anywhere. Did you try booting the BRU64K tape? Sounds like that should be a BRUSYS system as well. Not sure what the correct name is. I know it by BRUSYS, but there might be some slight difference between the 11M and M+ standalone BRU, or it might just be different versions of the same. BRU64K also rings some bell, so I think I've seem that name as well. I booted it. It seems BRU64K does not support MU: devices. The "regular" BRUSYS does. I don't know what other differences there may be. BRU64K "might" be able to fit into a system with merely 64 k RAM... (And might be older than your other BRU immage ...) Ok. I was mainly concerned about the stuff fitting...I'm assuming 4.2/4.3 are larger than 4.1. 4.1 was the last version I ran. I've found the relevant sections of the documentation and am reading it now. Excellent. Progress! I've restored the DL installation set under simh, moved the RL02 disk images over to a (real) VAX, written them to RL02 packs, and am running a sysgen on a (real) PDP-11/24. It's midway through the assembly of the executive. I took a crappy phone pic: http://www.neurotica.com/misc/pdp1124-rsx-sysgen-20131223.jpg (yes, that bottom RL02 really is dirty...I'll clean it soon) I wish I still had that tape, but sadly it was lost many years ago. Distribution tape for 4.1? I thought you had 4.3 anyway, so what would you use 4.1 for? I wouldn't...but it was a pristine, original DEC RSX-11M distribution tape, and those don't exactly grow on trees. Thank you Johnny. I'm sure I will have other questions as I become reacquainted with RSX. No problems. Feel free to ask anything. Thank you! First question: I'd like to try to get DECnet running on this system, if possible, to get it on HECnet. I've never run DECnet under RSX before. I could put a DEUNA in the machine, but I am running short of slots. I have a DELUA, but I don't recall sysgen asking about DELUAs. Are they compatible at the driver level? Meaning, if I re-do my sysgen to include a DEUNA driver, will that work with a DELUA? -Dave As I remember the SYSGEN/NETGEN task, the controller intended for DECnet should NOT be taken into SYSGEN at all, but later, at the totally separate task of performing NETGEN once Your OS. is up and running, it should be included there. So, no need to redo your SYSGEN when playing with different Ethernet cards. BTW: DELUA replaced DEUNA... /G ran -SM6NNC

11 years, 10 months

VT320 issues

by bqt＠softjar.se

On 2013-12-25 17:22, Brian Hechinger wrote: I've been lamenting the fact that I don't currently have a nice terminal. A vt525 really looks like an outstanding option. I should look into that. In that case I cen definitely recommend the VT525. What does the lk4xx get you that the lk2xx don't offer? I'm not that up on my dec keyboards anymore, sadly. PS/2 connector. The VT500-series all have PS/2 connectors for the keyboard. I think it's the LK421. The LK401 came with the VT420. It has a couple of new keys, but still have the modular plug. The LK421 looks the same as the LK401 but have a PS/2 connector instead. The VT500-series can use any PC keyboard, but I prefer one with the proper key layout. :-) Johnny -brian On Dec 25, 2013, at 10:59, Johnny Billquist <bqt at softjar.se> wrote: On 2013-12-25 14:44, Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman- wrote: Johnny Billquist <bqt at softjar.se> writes: On 2013-12-25 03:36, Dave McGuire wrote: On 12/24/2013 09:35 PM, Johnny Billquist wrote: I have had a whole bunch of VT320 give up on me over the years. It's always been the flyback... I think there might even be some info on the net about it. And I think I've heard of people locating a source for new flybacks. Oh really? That would be great...I have at least two with dead flybacks. *Heard of*. I have not ever fixed any myself. I'm running on VT525 nowadays. Also have some VT420, VT510 and VT520... At least you don't have to worry too much about the VT525. Almost any VGA monitor could be used with its base unit. Yup. Really nice design there. Have LCD monitors for them. A bit more difficult to locate good keyboards, though. Have plenty of LK201 and similar, but the LK401 (or was it LK421?) are a bit more scarce. Johnny

11 years, 10 months

test, Disregard

by b4＠gewt.net

On Wed, 25 Dec 2013, Johnny Billquist wrote: On 2013-12-25 09:15, Cory Smelosky wrote: changed mail server, testing spam-handling. Please don't. If you want to test or figure something out, contact me instead. I hate test mails to general lists. Okay. Sorry about that. All tests done and passed anyway Johnny -- Cory Smelosky http://gewt.net Personal stuff http://gimme-sympathy.org Projects

11 years, 10 months

VT320 issues

by wonko＠4amlunch.net

I've been lamenting the fact that I don't currently have a nice terminal. A vt525 really looks like an outstanding option. I should look into that. What does the lk4xx get you that the lk2xx don't offer? I'm not that up on my dec keyboards anymore, sadly. -brian On Dec 25, 2013, at 10:59, Johnny Billquist <bqt at softjar.se> wrote: On 2013-12-25 14:44, Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman- wrote: Johnny Billquist <bqt at softjar.se> writes: On 2013-12-25 03:36, Dave McGuire wrote: On 12/24/2013 09:35 PM, Johnny Billquist wrote: I have had a whole bunch of VT320 give up on me over the years. It's always been the flyback... I think there might even be some info on the net about it. And I think I've heard of people locating a source for new flybacks. Oh really? That would be great...I have at least two with dead flybacks. *Heard of*. I have not ever fixed any myself. I'm running on VT525 nowadays. Also have some VT420, VT510 and VT520... At least you don't have to worry too much about the VT525. Almost any VGA monitor could be used with its base unit. Yup. Really nice design there. Have LCD monitors for them. A bit more difficult to locate good keyboards, though. Have plenty of LK201 and similar, but the LK401 (or was it LK421?) are a bit more scarce. Johnny

11 years, 10 months

VT320 issues

by bqt＠softjar.se

On 2013-12-25 14:44, Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman- wrote: Johnny Billquist <bqt at softjar.se> writes: On 2013-12-25 03:36, Dave McGuire wrote: On 12/24/2013 09:35 PM, Johnny Billquist wrote: I have had a whole bunch of VT320 give up on me over the years. It's always been the flyback... I think there might even be some info on the net about it. And I think I've heard of people locating a source for new flybacks. Oh really? That would be great...I have at least two with dead flybacks. *Heard of*. I have not ever fixed any myself. I'm running on VT525 nowadays. Also have some VT420, VT510 and VT520... At least you don't have to worry too much about the VT525. Almost any VGA monitor could be used with its base unit. Yup. Really nice design there. Have LCD monitors for them. A bit more difficult to locate good keyboards, though. Have plenty of LK201 and similar, but the LK401 (or was it LK421?) are a bit more scarce. Johnny

11 years, 10 months

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