[cctalk] Re: looking for DQ696 and RQDX3
Hi Nigel, Toby Thain is currently without access to email but would like to speak to you about an RQDX3. He asked me to email you on his behalf. Would you be able to call him? Cheers, Aaron Nigel Johnson Ham via cctalk writes: > Hi folk, > > I am still looking for a DQ696 to allow me to get ESDI drives going on > both my microVAX and 11/73 since the Webster RQD11 controller failed I > only have the one. I'd also like to get old of an RQDX3 since I built > a Gesswein emulator and have nothing to test it with :-) > > Any help appreciated, > > Nigel -- https://aaronsplace.co.uk
Reviving VT220?
Hi all, A colleague and I are trying to get a VT220 working again as it recently died on us. We are hoping to set up a few items for the mid-80s (including this terminal) to show the graduands what it would have been like if they were doing their CompSci degree 30 years ago. It looks to me like the flyback is dead. There is a lot of soot and there looks like there is some damage to the top of the transformer, better seen in the second image. http://www.cs.nott.ac.uk/~psxasj/sparse/flyback1.jpg http://www.cs.nott.ac.uk/~psxasj/sparse/flyback2.jpg The terminal powers on and does the usual beeping but nothing is displayed on the screen. Does anyone have any advice about what to do here? Are there any sources of compatible flyback transformers? We have a second VT220 which exhibits the same behaviour, hopefully for a different reason so we can try and cobble two into one. Any thoughts / advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Aaron. -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory http://cs.nott.ac.uk/~psxasj
Re: Reviving VT220?
Thanks for the information, Peter. It makes me want to try and test a few of the components around the flyback. Thanks again, Aaron. Peter Coghlan via cctalk writes: >> Hi all, >> >> A colleague and I are trying to get a VT220 working again as it recently >> died on us. We are hoping to set up a few items for the mid-80s >> (including this terminal) to show the graduands what it would have been >> like if they were doing their CompSci degree 30 years ago. >> >> It looks to me like the flyback is dead. There is a lot of soot and >> there looks like there is some damage to the top of the transformer, >> better seen in the second image. >> >> http://www.cs.nott.ac.uk/~psxasj/sparse/flyback1.jpg >> http://www.cs.nott.ac.uk/~psxasj/sparse/flyback2.jpg >> > > I think the soot is fairly typical of what accumulates on high voltage > components in a city environment. I'm not sure this indicates any damage to > it but it may well be faulty without showing any signs of damage. > >> >> The terminal powers on and does the usual beeping but nothing is >> displayed on the screen. Does anyone have any advice about what to do >> here? Are there any sources of compatible flyback transformers? >> > > I have a VT220 which also appears to have a faulty flyback. This results in > it drawing too much current from the power supply. I am not certain the > flyback is faulty but I have eliminated most of the other components which > are likely to be responsible. > > I have looked for replacement flybacks or equivelants but I have never found > any. Someone mentioned that they might have VT220 parts available on the list > some time ago but I didn't get anywhere in following that up. > >> >> We have a second VT220 which exhibits the same behaviour, hopefully for >> a different reason so we can try and cobble two into one. >> > > I have a second VT220 which works and I have used it to compare readings > with my faulty one. I also tried swapping some of the suspect components > but this failed to take suspicion off the flyback. I am reluctant to try > swapping the flybacks over in case I cause damage to the working VT220. > > While the two flybacks appear likely to be electrically similar, I am not > certain of this and they are physically different - one is PCB mounted > and the other is chassis mounted with flying leads to the PCB as far as > I recall. They have different part numbers, 16-21181-01 and 16-26299-01. > >> >> Any thoughts / advice would be greatly appreciated. >> > > Sorry, I haven't been able to provide much help or hope. > > Regards, > Peter Coghlan > >> >> Thanks, >> >> Aaron. >> >> >> >> -- >> Aaron Jackson >> PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory >> http://cs.nott.ac.uk/~psxasj
Re: Reviving VT220?
Yes we checked for the glow. It's very dim but it is there. I will bring one home this weekend and check some of the surrounding components. Hopefully it is something very simple to replace. I'll have a probe. Thanks! Aaron. Peter Coghlan via cctalk writes: >> >> Thanks for the information, Peter. It makes me want to try and test a >> few of the components around the flyback. >> > > It would also be good to check the stuff like voltages on the base of the CRT > and that the CRT heater is glowing. You could have a problem that is nothing > to do with the flyback. (I'm assuming the brightness control is turned up). > >> >> Thanks again, >> > > You're welcome. > > Regards, > Peter Coghlan. > >> >> Aaron. >>
Re: Reviving VT220?
Hi Tony, Thanks for the information, that is all very useful! I think I will open up my VT420 which is working nicely to compare the glow in the base followed by checking the voltages, as you describe. Thanks again! Aaron. Tony Duell writes: > On Fri, Apr 28, 2017 at 4:38 PM, Aaron Jackson via cctalk > wrote: >> Yes we checked for the glow. It's very dim but it is there. I will bring > > What do you mean by 'very dim'? It should be a distinct orange glow, > best seen looking > up the base of the CRT. > > I normally start by checking the CRT pin voltages. There's nothing on > the pins of > a monochrome CRT that can't be measured with a normal multimeter. The sort of > voltages I would expect are : > > pin 2 -- cathode -- 70V-100V > pin 1 or pin 5 -- control grid (the 2 pins are linked inside the CRT) -- > perhaps > 10V-20V less than the cathode > > pin3,pin4 -- heater. One will be grounded (0V). The other will be around > 11V-12V > > pin6, pin7 -- anodes. I forget which is the first anode and which is the > second > (focus) anode, but expect a few hundred V -- say 400V-800V on each of them. > > The higher voltages (cathode, anodes) will come from the flyback transformer > in the horizontal output stage, so if they're all missing, suspect problems > there. If the heater voltage is low, suspect PSU problems. > > I assume you have the printset (I think I got it from bitsavers). The monitor > section circuit looks very standard to me. > > -tony
Re: Reviving VT220?
The heater and control pins appear to be giving sensible voltages. The logic of the board is fine, I can type on the terminals keyboard and I get the correct characters on the other end of the serial cable. The PSU is putting out 31v which seems fine? I'm used to discharging the tube before fixing things inside CRTs (usually I only attempt to fix simple things like a broken toggle switch), but I have not managed to get a spark off this monitor. The tube doesn't seem to get charged up at all. I've measured the capacitance of nearly all caps and they seem fine, diodes seem to be working fine. Does this mean it is most likely the flyback transformer? Are there any other bits I should be wary of and test properly? Thanks again for your help. Your voltage listing and advice in general has been very useful. Aaron. Tony Duell writes: > On Fri, Apr 28, 2017 at 4:38 PM, Aaron Jackson via cctalk > wrote: >> Yes we checked for the glow. It's very dim but it is there. I will bring > > What do you mean by 'very dim'? It should be a distinct orange glow, > best seen looking > up the base of the CRT. > > I normally start by checking the CRT pin voltages. There's nothing on > the pins of > a monochrome CRT that can't be measured with a normal multimeter. The sort of > voltages I would expect are : > > pin 2 -- cathode -- 70V-100V > pin 1 or pin 5 -- control grid (the 2 pins are linked inside the CRT) -- > perhaps > 10V-20V less than the cathode > > pin3,pin4 -- heater. One will be grounded (0V). The other will be around > 11V-12V > > pin6, pin7 -- anodes. I forget which is the first anode and which is the > second > (focus) anode, but expect a few hundred V -- say 400V-800V on each of them. > > The higher voltages (cathode, anodes) will come from the flyback transformer > in the horizontal output stage, so if they're all missing, suspect problems > there. If the heater voltage is low, suspect PSU problems. > > I assume you have the printset (I think I got it from bitsavers). The monitor > section circuit looks very standard to me. > > -tony > >> one home this weekend and check some of the surrounding >> components. Hopefully it is something very simple to replace. I'll have >> a probe. >> >> Thanks! >> >> Aaron. >> >> >> Peter Coghlan via cctalk writes: >> >>>> >>>> Thanks for the information, Peter. It makes me want to try and test a >>>> few of the components around the flyback. >>>> >>> >>> It would also be good to check the stuff like voltages on the base of the >>> CRT >>> and that the CRT heater is glowing. You could have a problem that is >>> nothing >>> to do with the flyback. (I'm assuming the brightness control is turned up). >>> >>>> >>>> Thanks again, >>>> >>> >>> You're welcome. >>> >>> Regards, >>> Peter Coghlan. >>> >>>> >>>> Aaron. >>>>
Re: Reviving VT220?
Seems to be working fine as a terminal hooked up to the TV which is good news. I am sure you are correct about me having made a measurement error there... I'll take another look at the schematics. Thanks again, Aaron. > On Sat, Apr 29, 2017 at 2:34 PM, Aaron Jackson > wrote: >> The heater and control pins appear to be giving sensible voltages. The >> logic of the board is fine, I can type on the terminals keyboard and I >> get the correct characters on the other end of the serial cable. The PSU >> is putting out 31v which seems fine? > > Err, the PSU has 3 voltage outputs, +5V, +12V, -12V. I am not sure where you > are measuring 31V between, but that doesn't sound 'fine' to me. > > On the other hand, if the +12V rail was 31V the CRT heater would be burnt > out. If the +5V was 31V then the logic ICs would be totally fried so it > wouldn't > respond to the keyboard. > > So I suspect a measurement error > > >> >> I'm used to discharging the tube before fixing things inside CRTs >> (usually I only attempt to fix simple things like a broken toggle >> switch), but I have not managed to get a spark off this monitor. The >> tube doesn't seem to get charged up at all. I've measured the >> capacitance of nearly all caps and they seem fine, diodes seem to be >> working fine. Does this mean it is most likely the flyback transformer? > > According to the schematic of the monitor section (p16 of the 17 page > .pdf file I have) there is a bleeder (discharging) resistor between the EHT > output and ground inside the flyback. This would discharge the CRT in > a few seconds I think. So you probably wouldn't be able to get a spark. > > I assume you don't have an EHT meter. > >> Are there any other bits I should be wary of and test properly? >> >> Thanks again for your help. Your voltage listing and advice in general >> has been very useful. > > Do you have a TV-rate video monitor with a composite video input? If > so, connect it to the BNC socket on the logic board. That's a video > output. If you get no video there, then you need to troubleshoot the > video logic first. > > -tony
Re: Reviving VT220?
Unfortunately I do not have an oscilloscope anymore. I've been trying to find a cheap one on eBay for a few months but the prices seem very high these days. I might be able to borrow one. For now I just have a true RMS multimeter. I've tried both extremes of the contrast and brightness but the screen is completely off. This is the amber version of the 220 if that makes any difference. I can't hear any high pitched whining from the flyback, which I can hear from my 420. All the large caps seem to be giving a very close reading considering I haven't taken them off the board. This terminal was working fine until about two months ago. It was in a air conditioned server room and probably hadn't been powered off for 5 years or so until we had a long power cut, after which it didn't work. Does this provide any insight? Thanks, Aaron. Tony Duell writes: > On Sat, Apr 29, 2017 at 4:19 PM, Aaron Jackson > wrote: >> Seems to be working fine as a terminal hooked up to the TV which is good >> news. I am sure you are correct about me having made a measurement error >> there... > > So the logic side is working. The problem is very likely to be in the > monitor circuit, > page 16 of the schematics. > > What test gear do you have? Do you have a 'scope, for example? > > Can you get anying on the screen if you adjust the brightness preset? > > -tony
Re: Reviving VT220?
I have measured these again because I thought they seemed a bit strange. I must have probed the wrong pad on the circuit board earlier (my probes don't fit in the CRT header). Here are all the voltages and they don't seem too promising: pin 1, green, 4.3v, should be 50v to 80v pin 2, yellow, 6.6v should be 70v to 100v pin 3, brown, 12v - fine pin 4, black, 0v - fine pin 5, white, 0v, fine, goes to case ground pin 6, red, 0v, should be 400v to 800v pin 7, blue, 0v, should be 400v to 800v The voltage from the brightness control ranges between 2.4v and 5.5v, and matches pin 1 above. Tony Duell writes: > On Sat, Apr 29, 2017 at 4:44 PM, Aaron Jackson > wrote: >> Unfortunately I do not have an oscilloscope anymore. I've been trying to >> find a cheap one on eBay for a few months but the prices seem very high >> these days. I might be able to borrow one. For now I just have a true >> RMS multimeter. >> >> I've tried both extremes of the contrast and brightness but the screen >> is completely off. This is the amber version of the 220 if that makes >> any difference. I can't hear any high pitched whining from the flyback, >> which I can hear from my 420. All the large caps seem to be giving a >> very close reading considering I haven't taken them off the board. > > If you have a few hundred volts on pins 6 and 7 of the CRT then the > horizontal output stage must be working. I believe you've checked > this. I assume you used the terminal's ground (e.g. the outside of that > BNC connector) as the reference for all voltage measurements. > > The colour of the screen phosphor should make no difference at all. > AFAIK the only difference between the various colours is the CRT. > > What voltages do you measure on the 'ends' of the brightness > preset? With respect to terminal ground (as above) of course? > > >> >> This terminal was working fine until about two months ago. It was in a >> air conditioned server room and probably hadn't been powered off for 5 >> years or so until we had a long power cut, after which it didn't >> work. Does this provide any insight? > > Normally the power supply fails to start when that happens, but we > know the power supply is fine since the logic side is working. > > -tony
Re: Reviving VT220?
Hi Jon, I can hear a light crackle but not a whine. Are you referring to Q202? The centre pin is 11v, the other two are at 0v. Thanks, Aaron Jon Elson writes: > On 04/29/2017 08:34 AM, Aaron Jackson via cctalk wrote: >> The heater and control pins appear to be giving sensible voltages. The >> logic of the board is fine, I can type on the terminals keyboard and I >> get the correct characters on the other end of the serial cable. The PSU >> is putting out 31v which seems fine? >> >> I'm used to discharging the tube before fixing things inside CRTs >> (usually I only attempt to fix simple things like a broken toggle >> switch), but I have not managed to get a spark off this monitor. The >> tube doesn't seem to get charged up at all. > If everything is working, even a small monochrome monitor > should give a bit of a crackle (might have to listen closely > in a quiet place) and you should be able to feel the > electrostatic field on the hairs on the back of your hand > for a few seconds after powering on. >> I've measured the >> capacitance of nearly all caps and they seem fine, diodes seem to be >> working fine. Does this mean it is most likely the flyback transformer? >> > Since it doesn't smoke, I'm thinking the horizontal sweep > transistor may have gone out. It may have shorted, which > then may have burned up the primary winding in the flyback > (if left on long enough). I'd check that transistor for a > short, and then you can trace a few traces to identify the > primary terminals on the flyback and see if they are an open > circuit. > > Jon
Re: Reviving VT220?
> Since it doesn't smoke, I'm thinking the horizontal sweep > transistor may have gone out. It may have shorted, which > then may have burned up the primary winding in the flyback > (if left on long enough). I'd check that transistor for a > short, and then you can trace a few traces to identify the > primary terminals on the flyback and see if they are an open > circuit. Hmm, not good news. zero ohm between pin one and three of the transistor you mentioned. To be fair the board around it looks a little brown, but I assumed this was just because it would have got hot. Could replacing this cause damage to the flyback? I seem to have a low resistance on what I think is the primary coil. I am wondering if there was also a power surge when we had the power failure that killed the terminal. If so, perhaps this is the only reason why the transistor may have died. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: Reviving VT220?
I am taking another look at this. In this VT220 there is a "Billion" transformer attached to the side which gives AC to the board via a two pin connector. My multimeter (which is supposedly true RMS) tells me that there is 246v going into the transformer (fine, I'm in the UK) and 40v coming out. Is this the right voltage that the board should be getting? Maybe it is supposed to be 110v. Would setting the switch on the back to 110v bypass this allowing me to try it from a 110v transformer? The logic side of the terminal is fine. I can hook it up to a TV and use it, but there is no high voltage to power the tube. The layout of the board in this terminal is slightly different to what is shown in the block diagram in the schematics, but of the circuit diagram appears to match for the most part. Getting a bit confused here. Thanks, Aaron. Aaron Jackson via cctalk writes: > Hi all, > > A colleague and I are trying to get a VT220 working again as it recently > died on us. We are hoping to set up a few items for the mid-80s > (including this terminal) to show the graduands what it would have been > like if they were doing their CompSci degree 30 years ago. > > It looks to me like the flyback is dead. There is a lot of soot and > there looks like there is some damage to the top of the transformer, > better seen in the second image. > > http://www.cs.nott.ac.uk/~psxasj/sparse/flyback1.jpg > http://www.cs.nott.ac.uk/~psxasj/sparse/flyback2.jpg > > The terminal powers on and does the usual beeping but nothing is > displayed on the screen. Does anyone have any advice about what to do > here? Are there any sources of compatible flyback transformers? > > We have a second VT220 which exhibits the same behaviour, hopefully for > a different reason so we can try and cobble two into one. > > Any thoughts / advice would be greatly appreciated. > > Thanks, > > Aaron.
Free to a good home, VAXstation 3100 M38, memory errors
I have a VAXstation 3100 m38 which fails its POST due to problems with the on board memory. I am not particularly interested in trying to fix it myself, as I have another VAXstation which I am fond of. However, if anyone else would like to try and repair it, it is free to a good home. It seems as though the battery had leaked and caused some. I've cleaned it up a bit but of course this wasn't enough to fix it. The only condition is that you also take it with its alleged life long partner, a working VR290 display (cables included). I'm based in Nottingham, UK. Please contact me off list if you are interested. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: Free to a good home, VAXstation 3100 M38, memory errors
I won't post it again to avoid spamming people, but just one reminder to say that the below still available. I did have some interest from abroad but shipping would be far too expensive and difficult. > I have a VAXstation 3100 m38 which fails its POST due to problems with > the on board memory. I am not particularly interested in trying to fix > it myself, as I have another VAXstation which I am fond of. However, if > anyone else would like to try and repair it, it is free to a good home. > > It seems as though the battery had leaked and caused some. I've cleaned > it up a bit but of course this wasn't enough to fix it. > > The only condition is that you also take it with its alleged life long > partner, a working VR290 display (cables included). I'm based in > Nottingham, UK. Please contact me off list if you are interested. > > Thanks, > > Aaron. -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
Any PDP11s for sale in the UK?
Hi everyone, I am very interested in DEC stuff and I would love a PDP11 to play with and have in my (small) collection. If anyone has one in the UK that they would be interested in selling, please contact me off list. I'm interested in both Q-bus and Unibus models. Pretty unlikely but I thought I'd ask. Thanks! -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
Re: vaxstation/vlc mouse connector
A VSXXX-AA for example? I thought it was just a 7 pin mini DIN Aaron. emanuel stiebler via cctalk writes: > anybody here knows what the right name for it is? > I need to replace some on a vlc, but how to find the right one ... > > Thanks! -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
Re: FTGH clear-out at Mesa Electronics, Richmond, CA, USA
I would love an LK421, although I guess it is taken now. Although shipping to the UK would be horrific using FedEx. Anders Nelson via cctalk writes: > It's an lk421 -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
Re: FTGH clear-out at Mesa Electronics, Richmond, CA, USA
Good idea, Rob. Thanks! I would be interested in one or two of the Ultrix tapes if they are MIPS/DECstation. Rob Jarratt writes: > Aaron/Anders, > > Aaron lives relatively close to me, my parents live in the same city. So if > there is anything that Aaron wants that is still available then perhaps we > could combine it into one package and share a bit of the shipping cost. I > could get it to Aaron later. > > Regards > > Rob > >> -Original Message- >> From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Aaron >> Jackson via cctalk >> Sent: 26 May 2017 23:14 >> To: Anders Nelson ; General Discussion: > On-Topic >> and Off-Topic Posts >> Subject: Re: FTGH clear-out at Mesa Electronics, Richmond, CA, USA >> >> I would love an LK421, although I guess it is taken now. Although shipping > to the >> UK would be horrific using FedEx. >> >> >> Anders Nelson via cctalk writes: >> >> > It's an lk421 >> >> >> -- >> Aaron Jackson >> PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham >> http://aaronsplace.co.uk/ -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
Re: Random musing: VCB02 on VAX-11/750
My knowledge of Qbus and Unibus is incredibly spars, but I would be interested in knowing how this pans out. At the very least, I would expect NetBSD to be able to see a keyboard attached to the VCB02? Aaron. Josh Dersch via cctalk writes: > So I had a random thought in the wee hours this morning and I leave it > to you, the cctalk braintrust, to tell me exactly how stupid this idea > is: > > I have a VAX-11/750, an Able QNiverter (UNIBUS->Qbus adapter), a > 22-bit Qbus backplane, and a VCB02 (QDSS) 4-bit graphics boardset. > > Theory: With an appropriately modified NetBSD driver for the VCB02, > such that it provides only 18-bit addresses to the VCB02's DMA engine, > I can get X running on the VCB02 on the 11/750. > > That is, the configuration is: 11/750->Unibus->QNiverter->Qbus->VCB02. > > Obviously the console functionality of the VCB02 won't work since that > requires support on the VAX side of things that won't be present, but > I think everything else should work. I've browsed the technical > manual and I don't see anything that should get in the way, I'll just > need to hack up the driver appropriately. > > But this is something that randomly popped into my head (I was > inspired by a research paper, "A VAX Based Data Acquisition Computer > System at the Nuclear Structure Research Laboratory" wherein a Matrox > QRGB Qbus graphics board was lashed to an 11/750 in a similar > manner... > > What say you all? > > - Josh -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
Re: Any PDP11s for sale in the UK?
I had a couple of emails about but nothing has come of them (at least, not yet anyway). The LSI models are perhaps safer to send across Europe? Maybe an 11/23, 34 or 73? Thanks, Aaron. > Hi everyone, > > I am very interested in DEC stuff and I would love a PDP11 to play with > and have in my (small) collection. If anyone has one in the UK that they > would be interested in selling, please contact me off list. I'm > interested in both Q-bus and Unibus models. > > Pretty unlikely but I thought I'd ask. > > Thanks!
Re: DEC terminals and classic server computing
Hey Henry, Nice to see you on the list :) I was just doing a search and it looks like the VT510 has a DIN socket on the back. Is this just PS2? The earlier terminals used an RJ-11 connector. Aaron. Henry Bond via cctalk writes: > It's a 510, cheap on eBay it is a bit new for what I was going for. > > Thanks for the link though :) > -H > > On 29 May 2017 00:19:05 BST, Toby Thain via cctalk > wrote: >>On 2017-05-28 7:08 PM, Henry Bond via cctalk wrote: >>> I have long had an interest in server tech and "technology with >>character" I finally took the plunge and got a DEC and I am looking for >>something of a similar vintage to connect it to. >>> I have read about VAXstations, z80 based mainframes. This seems like >>the kind of devices I would like to acquire and learn the workings of. >>> >>> I also require a keyboard for my DEC terminal. >> >>If it's a VT100, there's a keyboard on ebay currently. >> >>http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vintage-Digital-DEC-VT-100-Series-Computer-Keyboard-/302320158666 >> >>--Toby >>(not affiliated) >> >>> >>> As this is my first post to the list, I am mostly looking for >>resources (UK would be preferable) >>> -- H >>> Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity. >>> -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
RL02 Replacement indicator bulbs
Hi everyone, Can anyone suggest a source of replacement indicator bulbs for an RL02 drive? Are they fairly standard? I found this eBay listing, 14v, similar looking bulb: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm//152525108621 Do we think they will work? Just looking for some confirmation before I buy a bunch of bulbs I might not be able to use. Thanks, Aaron. -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
Re: RL02 Replacement indicator bulbs
> From: Aaron Jackson via cctech: Saturday, June 17, 2017 2:14 AM >> Can anyone suggest a source of replacement indicator bulbs for an RL02 >> drive? Are they fairly standard? > > The correct bulb is the GE-73, a fairly common bulb: > http://www.so-much-stuff.com/pdp8/repair/bulbs.php > >> I found this eBay listing, 14v, similar looking bulb: >> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm//152525108621 > > That appears to be the CM73, the Chicago Miniatures equivalent bulb. > >> Do we think they will work? Just looking for some confirmation before I >> buy a bunch of bulbs I might not be able to use. > > They should work, but look overpriced (unless I missed a quantity somewhere). > > Mouser has CM73 for $0.68 each, and GE/JKL 73 for $0.37 each. > http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/JKL-Components/73/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMucm%2f%252bFOY0TQtr%2fchrLORC0xYYiuSfLQkw%3d > http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/VCC/73/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMucm%2f%252bFOY0TQvNzfw4NjimHyaFGQISSa2U%3d > > Maybe Farnell.com, or if you're in a hurry, your local "bulbs plus" > equivalent store > is worth a shot. > >Vince Thanks Vince. Some useful information there. I'll take another look. They seem a bit hard to find in the UK, for a sensible price anyway. I've been told there is a similar bulb which is quite commonly used in cars, but they are 12v and draw more current. I don't want to melt my buttons! I'll take another look. Thanks again, Aaron.
RL02 Cables
Hi everyone, Sorry for all the RL02 emails. I am wondering if anyone has a spare cable and terminator they would be willing to sell to me? I am not sure of the part number, but would need to go from the ribbon connector (on an RLV12) to the chunkier connector on the back of the RL02. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: RL02 Replacement indicator bulbs
Thanks Gregory, I ordered some of these this morning. Aaron. Gregory Beat writes: > CM73 is preferred, due to its ~ 15,000 hour operating life. > > CML Datasheet > http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/9986.pdf?_ga=2.221200730.354234894.1497893544-1697820496.1468261067 > > gb > > Sent from iPad Air -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
Re: RL02 Cables
> I've seen two ways of doing this. One was a clunky RL02 connecter that > mounted on the BA and took the ribbon cable on the inside and the other > was the round cable with the molex connector for the RLV11/12 on one end > and the clunky bit on the other. I'm sure I still have them around here > somewhere but I haven't had an RL drive in ages. I have terminators here > somewhere, too. I think I have seen this too, and was actually beginning to wonder if a box with the clunky connector was the only "official" way of doing it. I believe I read somewhere about bypassing the connector on the back of the drive and going straight inside with a ribbon cable. Not sure how this would be terminated though, or if it would have to be straight through or not. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: DEC LK201 Keyboards for VT220 terminals etc.
Just saw this - All good here. I have an LK401 and LK201 :) Thanks Liam, Aaron. Liam Proven via cctalk writes: > -- Forwarded message -- > From: Aaron Jackson > Date: 17 May 2016 at 11:28 > Subject: LK401 Keyboard > To: cctalk@classiccmp.org > > > Hi all, > > Bought a VT420 off eBay last night which should be arriving sometime > this week. Unfortunately it doesn't come with a keyboard. Is there > anyone near Nottingham (UK) willing to sell an DEC LK401 keyboard for a > fair price? > > Thanks, > > Aaron > > On 30 June 2017 at 05:28, Richard Loken via cctalk > wrote: >> It seems to me that somebody recently was looking for an LK201 style >> keyboard with the RJ style connector. If somebody is indeed looking for >> such a keyboard then send me an email, I came across a couple today that >> I may be able to aquire. >> >> -- >> Richard Loken VE6BSV: "...underneath those tuques we wear, >> Athabasca, Alberta Canada : our heads are naked!" >> ** rllo...@telus.net ** :- Arthur Black -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
Replacement key caps for LK201
Hi all, At our department we have few DEC LK201s boards with missing keycaps. In particular, a couple of the blank F-keys and a compose key. For some reason every LK201 I see seems to have a missing cap or two. Can anyone help us out? Happy to pay, but nothing extortionate. Thanks, Aaron. -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Re: eBay: RL02 packs, UK
I think this is the third time he has listed RL02K packs with the same image. Either the buyer doesn't pay or they just have a huge number of them. I bought some 8in floppies from the same seller. They are from Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, so I assume the packs are too. There is another seller, different name, but same address listed at the bottom, who is also selling the packs (some new ones too). Aaron. Noel Chiappa via cctalk writes: > Lot of 6; UK only, I think > > http://www.ebay.com/itm/253056726492 > > Noel
2.11BSD on two RL02 drives? Probably not, but...
Hi all, I will soon be getting a PDP-11/73 with 1MB of RAM, an RLV12 and DEQNA controllers. I already have two RL02 and packs (which need a clean), with thanks to Dave Wade on this list. Ideally I would like to run 2.11BSD, on two RL02 drives, I'm not sure this is going to be possible. Does anyone know/think otherwise? Maybe by removing *many* unnecessary and running strip on any binaries left from my destruction? Ignoring spare for the user, for the time being... If not, what other UNIX options are there which I will be able to use, supporting the DEQNA and running on two RL02 drives? Input much appreciated. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: 2.11BSD on two RL02 drives? Probably not, but...
> From: cctalk [cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] on behalf of Aaron Jackson via > cctalk [cctalk@classiccmp.org] > Sent: Wednesday, August 2, 2017 2:32 PM > To: cct...@classiccmp.org > Subject: 2.11BSD on two RL02 drives? Probably not, but... > > Hi all, > > I will soon be getting a PDP-11/73 with 1MB of RAM, an RLV12 and DEQNA > controllers. I already have two RL02 and packs (which need a clean), > with thanks to Dave Wade on this list. > > Ideally I would like to run 2.11BSD, on two RL02 drives, I'm not sure > this is going to be possible. Does anyone know/think otherwise? Maybe by > removing *many* unnecessary and running strip on any binaries left from > my destruction? Ignoring spare for the user, for the time being... > > If not, what other UNIX options are there which I will be able to use, > supporting the DEQNA and running on two RL02 drives? > > Input much appreciated. > > Thanks, > > Aaron. > ___ > > Ultrix-11 works just fine on two RL02's. > > bill Hi Bill, Thanks for the suggestion. I dismissed Ultrix without much thought unfortunately, but I actually see some pre-built images for two RL02 drives which should get me going. For anyone who is interested in my 2.11BSD progress: I managed to get it to under 12MB, 8MB of which are in /usr. So, it is possible, the system works, but I am left with no /usr/src, /usr/man, /usr/doc, /usr/dict. It can compile stuff, it boots, but man pages are always nice to have. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: 2.11BSD on two RL02 drives? Probably not, but...
>> On Aug 2, 2017, at 11:32 AM, Aaron Jackson via cctech
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I will soon be getting a PDP-11/73 with 1MB of RAM, an RLV12 and DEQNA
>> controllers. I already have two RL02 and packs (which need a clean),
>> with thanks to Dave Wade on this list.
>>
>> Ideally I would like to run 2.11BSD, on two RL02 drives, I'm not sure
>> this is going to be possible. Does anyone know/think otherwise? Maybe by
>> removing *many* unnecessary and running strip on any binaries left from
>> my destruction? Ignoring spare for the user, for the time being...
>>
>> If not, what other UNIX options are there which I will be able to use,
>> supporting the DEQNA and running on two RL02 drives?
>>
>> Input much appreciated.
>
> Here’s what I did (but I wasn’t space constrained as I have the equivalant
> of 4 RP06 drives).
That is huge compared to my total of 20MB! :D
> You’ll likely have to configure the kernel. This is easiest done within an
> emulator,
> as it took 24hours on my 11/70. I decided that the emulator approach was best
> after the 2nd time I screwed it up. :-/
>
Thanks for the suggestion. I have been playing with this already. I
recompiled the kernel and set a bunch of stuff to NO which I knew I
wouldn't need. It compiled fine, but then said:
base segment is 47232, min is 49152, too small by 1920 bytes.
System will occupy 175264 bytes of memory (including buffers and clists).
end {0054200} nbuf {0012134} buf {0035352}
nproc {0012122} proc {0044344} ntext {0012124}
text {0053240} nfile {0012130} file {0051260}
ninode {0012126} inode {0012220} ncallout {0012132}
callout {0025764} ucb_clist {0012140}nclist {0012136}
ram_size {000} xitdesc {0012216} quotdesc {000}
namecache {0035070} _iosize {000} nlog {0011206}
SYSTEM IS NOT BOOTABLE.
If anyone can explain what this mean and possibly how to fix it, I'd be
very pleased.
> Running on an emulator allows you to “play around” with the configuration
> and what will and won’t fit. You’ll likely have to start with a
> configuration larger
> than your target just to get started (but I haven’t done it in a long time so
> YMMV).
>
> That will also tell you what you can reasonably fit on two RL02 drives. Also
> it’s
> easier to “back up” and start over if you make mistakes (save a version of the
> emulated disk files before making substantive changes and copy them back if
> you screw up).
>
> Once you have something working reasonably well, you can transfer the “bits”
> over to your 11’s RL drives though your preferred method.
>
> TTFN - Guy
Thanks again,
Aaron.
Re: 2.11BSD on two RL02 drives? Probably not, but...
> On Wed, Aug 2, 2017 at 2:14 PM, Aaron Jackson via cctalk <
> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
>
>> >> On Aug 2, 2017, at 11:32 AM, Aaron Jackson via cctech <
>> cct...@classiccmp.org> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Hi all,
>> >>
>> >> I will soon be getting a PDP-11/73 with 1MB of RAM, an RLV12 and DEQNA
>> >> controllers. I already have two RL02 and packs (which need a clean),
>> >> with thanks to Dave Wade on this list.
>> >>
>> >> Ideally I would like to run 2.11BSD, on two RL02 drives, I'm not sure
>> >> this is going to be possible. Does anyone know/think otherwise? Maybe by
>> >> removing *many* unnecessary and running strip on any binaries left from
>> >> my destruction? Ignoring spare for the user, for the time being...
>> >>
>> >> If not, what other UNIX options are there which I will be able to use,
>> >> supporting the DEQNA and running on two RL02 drives?
>> >>
>> >> Input much appreciated.
>> >
>> > Here’s what I did (but I wasn’t space constrained as I have the
>> equivalant
>> > of 4 RP06 drives).
>>
>> That is huge compared to my total of 20MB! :D
>>
>> > You’ll likely have to configure the kernel. This is easiest done within
>> an emulator,
>> > as it took 24hours on my 11/70. I decided that the emulator approach
>> was best
>> > after the 2nd time I screwed it up. :-/
>> >
>>
>> Thanks for the suggestion. I have been playing with this already. I
>> recompiled the kernel and set a bunch of stuff to NO which I knew I
>> wouldn't need. It compiled fine, but then said:
>>
>> base segment is 47232, min is 49152, too small by 1920 bytes.
>> System will occupy 175264 bytes of memory (including buffers and clists).
>>
>>end {0054200} nbuf {0012134} buf
>> {0035352}
>> nproc {0012122} proc {0044344} ntext
>> {0012124}
>> text {0053240} nfile {0012130} file
>> {0051260}
>> ninode {0012126} inode {0012220} ncallout
>> {0012132}
>>callout {0025764} ucb_clist {0012140}nclist
>> {0012136}
>> ram_size {000} xitdesc {0012216} quotdesc
>> {000}
>> namecache {0035070} _iosize {000} nlog
>> {0011206}
>> SYSTEM IS NOT BOOTABLE.
>>
>> If anyone can explain what this mean and possibly how to fix it, I'd be
>> very pleased.
>>
>
> The base segment is too small. The 2.11BSD kernel is built as a base image
> plus a bunch of 8K segments that are overlaid as needed. Usually what I
> end up seeing is that one of the overlay segments is too large rather than
> the base being too small.
>
> To fix it, edit the Makefile in your kernel's configuration directory.
> There is a line that starts with "BASE=" -- move an .o file from one of the
> overlay "OVX=" lines (something larger than 1920 bytes but not TOO big) and
> run make again. You'll probably also end up needing to tweak some of the
> overlay definitions... it's a balancing act.
>
> - Josh
Ah I see - good to know. Thank you for the information!
>
>
>
>
>>
>> > Running on an emulator allows you to “play around” with the configuration
>> > and what will and won’t fit. You’ll likely have to start with a
>> configuration larger
>> > than your target just to get started (but I haven’t done it in a long
>> time so YMMV).
>> >
>> > That will also tell you what you can reasonably fit on two RL02 drives.
>> Also it’s
>> > easier to “back up” and start over if you make mistakes (save a version
>> of the
>> > emulated disk files before making substantive changes and copy them back
>> if
>> > you screw up).
>> >
>> > Once you have something working reasonably well, you can transfer the
>> “bits”
>> > over to your 11’s RL drives though your preferred method.
>> >
>> > TTFN - Guy
>>
>> Thanks again,
>>
>> Aaron.
>>
--
Aaron Jackson
PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham
http://aaronsplace.co.uk
RL drive bulkhead connector
Hi everyone, Is the 2x20 pin bulkhead connector on the back of RL02 drives proprietary? Is there a source of them? It seems impossible to find the cables and terminators for these drives, so I was planning to make them. I would rather not have a ribbon cable hanging out the back. Thanks, Aaron.
ULTRIX 4.5 on DECstation won't boot into multi-user mode
Hi all, I picked up a DECstation 5000/200 over a year ago, which I haven't really played with until this weekend. I burnt an Ultrix 4.5 iso, as I have a RRD43 cdrom drive. The installation appeared to go fine, and I was very pleased to see that Emacs is available in the unsupported packages. When I try to boot, it prints out to the console ]] ]] preserving editor files ]] clearing /tmp ]] standard daemons: update cron accounting network snmpd printer. ]] start errlog daemon - elcsd ]] Thu Aug 14 18:30:23 GMT 1997 and then it seems to just stop. I can hear some repetitive disk activity, but nothing is happening on the console. I have a monitor hooked up to the PMAG-F card, but it just displays a black screen. If I boot into single user mode "boot 5/rz1/vmunix single", things seem to work fine, although I can't start X. From here, I took a look in /etc/rc and /etc/rc.local, and it seems to get to the end of them both fine. There is an "exit 0" on the line after the date command is executed. Is there a script called after this which I have missed? I'm a bit new to Ultrix. Does anyone have any ideas? Is it X related? Perhaps I should try a fresh install without DECwindows, if that is an option. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: ULTRIX 4.5 on DECstation won't boot into multi-user mode
> I am clueless etc, have no idea about how Ultrix does its things under > the hood, but have you tried setting the proper date when in single > mode, then reboot into normal mode? I guess some parts of the system > may refuse to work if they find out that filesystem is "newer" than > the clock. Thanks for the suggestion - it sounds plausible. If I remember correctly, it asks for the time when you boot up, but I might not be remembering it properly so I'll give it a try soon. Aaron.
Re: ULTRIX 4.5 on DECstation won't boot into multi-user mode
>> Thanks for the suggestion - it sounds plausible. If I remember >> correctly, it asks for the time when you boot up, but I might not be >> remembering it properly so I'll give it a try soon. > > I think you're tilting windmills with that. > > PMAG-J apparently isn't related to any of the other turbochannel > display adapters. Do you have the right Xserver package installed to > drive it? AFAIK it's the "True Color Server", but I'm not sure what > the package name is. UDWWSTSER450 or UDWXTXSER450 perhaps. > > > ok > bear. I installed to a fairly large disk so didn't skip any of the Xserver packages, although for now I've just been trying to boot with a console attached. So, not so sure if X is the issue. I can ping it, but no login prompt appears, just sits there. Thanks for your suggestion. Best, Aaron.
Re: ULTRIX 4.5 on DECstation won't boot into multi-user mode
>> >> Thanks for the suggestion - it sounds plausible. If I remember >> >> correctly, it asks for the time when you boot up, but I might not be >> >> remembering it properly so I'll give it a try soon. >> > >> > I think you're tilting windmills with that. >> > >> > PMAG-J apparently isn't related to any of the other turbochannel >> > display adapters. Do you have the right Xserver package installed to >> > drive it? AFAIK it's the "True Color Server", but I'm not sure what >> > the package name is. UDWWSTSER450 or UDWXTXSER450 perhaps. >> > >> > >> > ok >> > bear. >> >> I installed to a fairly large disk so didn't skip any of the Xserver >> packages, although for now I've just been trying to boot with a console >> attached. So, not so sure if X is the issue. >> >> I can ping it, but no login prompt appears, just sits there. >> >> Thanks for your suggestion. >> > > Can you boot in single user and check /etc/ttys to see what terminals are > recorded there? > > Warner Hi Warner, This was actually one of the first things I tried - probably should have mentioned it in the original post. It seemed fine. console was enabled, as were the first few tty. Unless the device naming has me confused. I will need to double check this tomorrow. I also commented out the last line which appears to try and start the X login prompt. Thanks for the suggestion, Aaron.
EMI filter in PDP-11/23
Hi all, The EMI filter in my PDP-11 (11/23+) chassis has failed and appears to be a dead short. I've had a browse on the web but thought I would ask here if anyone knows of a fitting replacement? It's a Corcom F2932C, 5A at 250V. The small IEC sockets with built in 5A EMI filter was my first thought, but I think they might be a bit too long to fit within the steel housing. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks! Aaron. -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Re: EMI filter in PDP-11/23
I did think this - if I can't find something that will fit, I'll pretend it didn't happen and just remove it. Good to hear some validation, still. Thanks! Aaron. Paul Koning writes: > If all else fails, a pair of wires will do. You don't actually need an EMI > filter for the thing to work. But it's good to have one to keep EMI within > factory specs. So I'd classify these devices as "optional but desirable". > > paul > >> On Sep 22, 2017, at 12:12 PM, Aaron Jackson via cctalk >> wrote: >> >> Hi all, >> >> The EMI filter in my PDP-11 (11/23+) chassis has failed and appears to >> be a dead short. I've had a browse on the web but thought I would ask >> here if anyone knows of a fitting replacement? >> >> It's a Corcom F2932C, 5A at 250V. The small IEC sockets with built in 5A >> EMI filter was my first thought, but I think they might be a bit too >> long to fit within the steel housing. >> >> Does anyone have any suggestions? >> >> Thanks! >> >> Aaron. >> >> >> -- >> Aaron Jackson >> PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham >> http://aaronsplace.co.uk -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Re: EMI filter in PDP-11/23
Thanks Andrea, Yes you are right, it is in a tightly sealed casing and getting it open is probably going to be very destructive. As per Rob and Paul's suggestion, I ended up removing it, since I was considering this open already. It running fine of course, but I will keep an eye out for a line filter which will fit in the steel housing. Thanks, Aaron. shad via cctech writes: > Hello, > I don't have in mind the exact image of the filters of PDP11, but in some > case the filters are repairable in some way. > The hard problem of course is to dismount it. > Sometime these are stained iron foil boxes, filled with inductors and > capacitors, then some gel insulator, and finally soldered with SnPb. > Usually Rifa oil capacitors were used, which will explode after some years. > > If you have some mechanical ability, you could try to open the filter case, > desoldering it, or cutting on two edges, or removing bolts, etc. > > I successfully desoldered a filter of a Pro380, after it exploded. > It took a couple of good hours to do the work, but now has new capacitors > inside, and it seems like new. > > Andrea -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
M8195 SLU died while in use
Hi all, I'm pretty new to PDP-11s. I recently got a PDP-11/73, M8192 CPU, two M8067 RAM, M7195 (2 async SLU card with boot ROMs and an extra 128K of RAM), plus a few other cards which I've removed to try and figure out what is going on. While playing in ODT, the console completely stopped responding. I hooked up pin 1 to a scope and I can see the UART clock, divide by time per division and 16 and I get something close to 9600. The M8192 CPU has four diagnostic lights, as does the SLU. The CPU shows 1000, which I believe is fine, and means it's in ODT. The SLU card has . I've had a Google and I believe this means it can't communicate with the CPU. I've cleaned the contacts with 99%+ isoproyl, but no luck unfortunately. Does anyone have any ideas? It was working and then it wasn't :( Thanks, Aaron.
Re: M8195 SLU died while in use
Hi Noel, Thanks for the very useful information. I'll do some investigation this weekend and keep an eye out for a spare SLU. Being in the UK makes it quite difficult to find these things. Thanks again, Aaron. Noel Chiappa via cctalk writes: > > From: Aaron Jackson > > > a PDP-11/73, M8192 CPU, two M8067 RAM, M7195 ... While playing in ODT, > > the console completely stopped responding. > > ... > > The CPU shows 1000, which I believe is fine, and means it's in ODT. The > > SLU card has . I've had a Google and I believe this means it can't > > communicate with the CPU. > > ... > > Does anyone have any ideas? It was working and then it wasn't :( > > Hmm. Well, it's possible something just died. Dead boards are not un-common, > I've found, but to have one die while it's being worked with is a bit of bad > luck... Alas, I can imagine a zillion failures that could produce this symptom > (from EIA driver chip, down to a bus transceiver chip on the CPU). > > > OK, to start with, those LED values. When you say 1000 on the CPU, there's > some ambiguity as to which direction you're reading them; so, which LED is > on? From above the board (component side up), with the contact fingers at the > bottom, the one on the left, or the one on the right? I'm going to assume the > one on the right, which does indeed mean the CPU is claiming it's in ODT. > > While we're on the CPU, is it set to halt on power-up (power up mode 1) or > try and start the ROM (power up mode 2)? I always set mine to halt, on the > grounds that it's easy to start the ROM. > > I'm not familiar with the MXV11-B (M7195), and I couldn't turn up a manual > online, but likely those LEDs are set by software (I can't imagine how one > would turn on a "can't communicate with the CPU" bit in hardware ... unless > it's a flop that's set on power-on, and cleared by the first bus cycle to the > card)... > > > Anyway, there are two approaches to solving this problem. > > So, one option (depending on your budget) is to buy spare boards so you can > board-swap to localize the problem to one board. > > I would recommend getting the spare boards anyway since I would recommend > always having a spare minimal set of boards (CPU, serial line) etc. Without a > 'working' machine - at least to the point of running ODT - it's hard to do > much poking into problems without a lot of pain (i.e. hard work with things > like a logic analyzer or oscilloscope). Being able to board-swap to at least > localize the problem to one board is a big help. > > So, start with another serial card (QBUS serial cards are pretty easy to find > on eBay, and not too expensive), and swap out the MXV11-B, and hope the > serial card you bought works. There are a ton of boards that can do this - > M7940, M8017, M8028, M8043 (the first 3 single line, the last is a quad, but > uses the same connector as the MXV11-B, unlike the first 3). (If that option > is out, I can lend you a known working serial card.) > > If it's not the serial card, the next thing to buy is a spare CPU; -11/23's > are not too expensive, you don't need a /73 to debug hardware issues. > > > The other approach is to debug the hardware. You mention an oscilloscope; do > you also have a logic analyzer? Some things (e.g. checking that when you type > a character, the serial interface presents it to the CPU) are going to be hard > with only an oscilloscope - although I suppose one could program one's > computer to send a constant stream of characters (probably DEL) to the -11. > > I couldn't find a set of MXV11-B prints online - does anyone know of a set? > Without that, if the problem is in the MXV11-B, finding it's going to be > painful. > > Anyway, you could check on the QBUS to make sure the processor is actually > cycling, trying to read the console input status register, waiting for the > 'input character ready' bit to go on. So look at BSYNC and BRPLY, to see if > they are hopping up and down. > > > Oh, I guess there's a third option: send the CPU and MXV11-B to someone who > has a working system, so they can board-swap and check them out. (I've done > this for people...) > > > Bottom line, though: if the fault is in the MXV11-B, unless we can find some > prints for it, you're probably stuck with buying at least a replacement > console serial card. > > Noel -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
M7195 SLU issue might actually be 12v rail
Hi all, Instead of jumping straight in and ordering an SLU, I decided to check the power supply voltages. My +12V rail appears to be only giving about +4.6V, where as the 5V rails are something like 4.9V, which should be fine. This is an 11/23+ chassis and the power supply seems very large, but reasonably easy to trace. I thought I'd ask first if anyone has any tips on how to debug this, common components to fail or what might even result in this sort of voltage droop. Thanks! Aaron. Aaron Jackson via cctalk writes: > Hi all, > > I'm pretty new to PDP-11s. I recently got a PDP-11/73, M8192 CPU, two > M8067 RAM, M7195 (2 async SLU card with boot ROMs and an extra 128K of > RAM), plus a few other cards which I've removed to try and figure out > what is going on. > > While playing in ODT, the console completely stopped responding. I > hooked up pin 1 to a scope and I can see the UART clock, divide by time > per division and 16 and I get something close to 9600. > > The M8192 CPU has four diagnostic lights, as does the SLU. The CPU shows > 1000, which I believe is fine, and means it's in ODT. The SLU card has > . I've had a Google and I believe this means it can't communicate > with the CPU. > > I've cleaned the contacts with 99%+ isoproyl, but no luck > unfortunately. Does anyone have any ideas? It was working and then it > wasn't :( > > Thanks, > > Aaron. -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Re: M7195 SLU issue might actually be 12v rail
> On Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 6:33 PM, Aaron Jackson via cctalk > wrote: >> Hi all, >> >> Instead of jumping straight in and ordering an SLU, I decided to check >> the power supply voltages. My +12V rail appears to be only giving about >> +4.6V > > That does not sound fine. I mean the 5V rail seems fine. >> This is an 11/23+ chassis and the power supply seems very large > > What type of box? BA23? BA11-M? BA11-N? You said "11/23+" which > could easily be a BA23, but it's not a guarantee. It's a H7861 power supply. > In particular I ask because I'm sifting through a pile of DEC Qbus > backplane and PSU assemblies for, I think, a BA11-M, and these have > two PSU modules, one that takes in mains and provides +5V for the > backplane, then a smaller board that taps two cables off the main PSU > and provides +12V and -12V. Both of these bolt down to a common > mounting bracket and have to be removed as a pair then each unit can > be removed from that. The other Qbus supplies I have worked with are > single-unit affairs. I had a proper look tonight and traced it back to Q3 (an MJE15030). The input is about 80V and the output is 4.4V (the same as the output). Looking at the emitter on the scope I can see that it outputs the ~4V with a bit of "vibration" which fades away very quickly. I've ordered a replacement so we will see if it fixes it. > Any sort of Hxxx number you can find would be most illuminating. > > -ethan Thanks, Aaron. -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Re: H7861 PSU issues
Just had another look after watching a video about how switch mode power supplies work On the small control board connecting to J4, there are two D44Q1 transistors. As expected, there is about 65KHz going into the base of the transistor for the 5V side. However, there is no signal going into the base of the transistor for the 12V side, from pin 3 of the 555. So, it looks like the problem is coming from around here. I measured the suspicious components around the 555 and they seem fine. How likely is it that the 555 is dead? There is 10v going into pin 8, which I believe is correct. Thanks, Aaron. Aaron Jackson writes: > Hi everyone, > > I've been trying to figure out what is wrong with the 12V rail on my > H7861 (BA11-S) power supply. It's showing about 4.2V. The 5V rail is > spot on. > > Page 39 of the following schematics is the main part board of the PSU. > http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/qbus/MP01233_BA11-S_schem_Mar81.pdf > > Going into the collector of Q3 is about 80V coming straight from T2 (I > think I measured it at about 100Hz), but the emitter is putting out the > 4.2V, which is the same as the base voltage and output voltage. I tried > replacing this transistor because the hFE was about 80 and a good one > was about 120. Unfortunately it didn't do anything. > > None of the capacitors look swollen and I don't see any leakage. There > is a smaller board which I think goes into J4. The 12V side seems to > have a 555 timer and adjusting the pot doesn't change the voltage at > all. > > My understanding of switchmode power supplies is very poor. Does anyone > have some pointers on what to check or what might be the possible cause? > > Hopefully I can get my PDP up and running again... Only got about 20 > minutes use out of it. > > Thanks! > > Aaron. -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
H7861 PSU issues
Hi everyone, I've been trying to figure out what is wrong with the 12V rail on my H7861 (BA11-S) power supply. It's showing about 4.2V. The 5V rail is spot on. Page 39 of the following schematics is the main part board of the PSU. http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/qbus/MP01233_BA11-S_schem_Mar81.pdf Going into the collector of Q3 is about 80V coming straight from T2 (I think I measured it at about 100Hz), but the emitter is putting out the 4.2V, which is the same as the base voltage and output voltage. I tried replacing this transistor because the hFE was about 80 and a good one was about 120. Unfortunately it didn't do anything. None of the capacitors look swollen and I don't see any leakage. There is a smaller board which I think goes into J4. The 12V side seems to have a 555 timer and adjusting the pot doesn't change the voltage at all. My understanding of switchmode power supplies is very poor. Does anyone have some pointers on what to check or what might be the possible cause? Hopefully I can get my PDP up and running again... Only got about 20 minutes use out of it. Thanks! Aaron.
Re: H7861 PSU issues
That's good to know. I'll head over to Maplin after work and pick up some timers and sockets. I removed one of the suspicious ceramic caps and tested it and it came out fine. The other cap is shared with the other oscillator so I assume it is fine. Thanks! Aaron. Rob Jarratt via cctech wrote: > I had a dead 555 on a completely different PSU, so it could be worth > checking. I socketed it when I replaced it so it was easy to replace again. > > Also, just because a capacitor doesn't appear swollen or show signs of > leakage, it seems that this doesn't necessarily mean that it doesn't need > replacing. In yet another PSU that I repaired recently, replacing the > capacitors fixed it, although in the end I think the one that really fixed > it was showing signs of leakage. On a lot of caps that I replace they show > no leakage signs, but I do see a bit of a deposit on the negative terminal, > I am not sure if this is a sign of any kind of problem. > > Regards > > Rob > > > -Original Message- > > From: cctech [mailto:cctech-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Aaron > > Jackson via cctech > > Sent: 31 October 2017 21:26 > > To: cct...@classiccmp.org > > Subject: Re: H7861 PSU issues > > > > Just had another look after watching a video about how switch mode power > > supplies work On the small control board connecting to J4, there are > two > > D44Q1 transistors. As expected, there is about 65KHz going into the base > of the > > transistor for the 5V side. However, there is no signal going into the > base of the > > transistor for the 12V side, from pin 3 of the 555. So, it looks like the > problem is > > coming from around here. I measured the suspicious components around the > > 555 and they seem fine. > > > > How likely is it that the 555 is dead? There is 10v going into pin 8, > which I > > believe is correct. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Aaron. > > > > > > > > > > > > Aaron Jackson writes: > > > > > Hi everyone, > > > > > > I've been trying to figure out what is wrong with the 12V rail on my > > > H7861 (BA11-S) power supply. It's showing about 4.2V. The 5V rail is > > > spot on. > > > > > > Page 39 of the following schematics is the main part board of the PSU. > > > http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/qbus/MP01233_BA11-S_schem_Mar81.pdf > > > > > > Going into the collector of Q3 is about 80V coming straight from T2 (I > > > think I measured it at about 100Hz), but the emitter is putting out > > > the 4.2V, which is the same as the base voltage and output voltage. I > > > tried replacing this transistor because the hFE was about 80 and a > > > good one was about 120. Unfortunately it didn't do anything. > > > > > > None of the capacitors look swollen and I don't see any leakage. There > > > is a smaller board which I think goes into J4. The 12V side seems to > > > have a 555 timer and adjusting the pot doesn't change the voltage at > > > all. > > > > > > My understanding of switchmode power supplies is very poor. Does > > > anyone have some pointers on what to check or what might be the possible > > cause? > > > > > > Hopefully I can get my PDP up and running again... Only got about 20 > > > minutes use out of it. > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > Aaron. > > > > > > -- > > Aaron Jackson > > PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham > > http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Re: H7861 PSU issues
Picked up a few 555s and sockets and now it works! I am very happy. Going from not knowing how switch mode power supplies work, to watching some YouTube videos, and then finally being able to debug the problem and fix it was a lot of fun. I wonder what will die next. Thanks, Aaron. Rob Jarratt writes: > I had a dead 555 on a completely different PSU, so it could be worth > checking. I socketed it when I replaced it so it was easy to replace again. > > Also, just because a capacitor doesn't appear swollen or show signs of > leakage, it seems that this doesn't necessarily mean that it doesn't need > replacing. In yet another PSU that I repaired recently, replacing the > capacitors fixed it, although in the end I think the one that really fixed > it was showing signs of leakage. On a lot of caps that I replace they show > no leakage signs, but I do see a bit of a deposit on the negative terminal, > I am not sure if this is a sign of any kind of problem. > > Regards > > Rob > >> -Original Message- >> From: cctech [mailto:cctech-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Aaron >> Jackson via cctech >> Sent: 31 October 2017 21:26 >> To: cct...@classiccmp.org >> Subject: Re: H7861 PSU issues >> >> Just had another look after watching a video about how switch mode power >> supplies work On the small control board connecting to J4, there are > two >> D44Q1 transistors. As expected, there is about 65KHz going into the base > of the >> transistor for the 5V side. However, there is no signal going into the > base of the >> transistor for the 12V side, from pin 3 of the 555. So, it looks like the > problem is >> coming from around here. I measured the suspicious components around the >> 555 and they seem fine. >> >> How likely is it that the 555 is dead? There is 10v going into pin 8, > which I >> believe is correct. >> >> Thanks, >> >> Aaron. >> >> >> >> >> >> Aaron Jackson writes: >> >> > Hi everyone, >> > >> > I've been trying to figure out what is wrong with the 12V rail on my >> > H7861 (BA11-S) power supply. It's showing about 4.2V. The 5V rail is >> > spot on. >> > >> > Page 39 of the following schematics is the main part board of the PSU. >> > http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/qbus/MP01233_BA11-S_schem_Mar81.pdf >> > >> > Going into the collector of Q3 is about 80V coming straight from T2 (I >> > think I measured it at about 100Hz), but the emitter is putting out >> > the 4.2V, which is the same as the base voltage and output voltage. I >> > tried replacing this transistor because the hFE was about 80 and a >> > good one was about 120. Unfortunately it didn't do anything. >> > >> > None of the capacitors look swollen and I don't see any leakage. There >> > is a smaller board which I think goes into J4. The 12V side seems to >> > have a 555 timer and adjusting the pot doesn't change the voltage at >> > all. >> > >> > My understanding of switchmode power supplies is very poor. Does >> > anyone have some pointers on what to check or what might be the possible >> cause? >> > >> > Hopefully I can get my PDP up and running again... Only got about 20 >> > minutes use out of it. >> > >> > Thanks! >> > >> > Aaron. >> >> >> -- >> Aaron Jackson >> PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham >> http://aaronsplace.co.uk -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Re: H7861 PSU issues
Thanks! It was very satisfying and not the worst thing to go wrong for a beginner. I was also quite surprised that such a simple component would die, and what I find more confusing is that it died while I was using the machine. Aaron. Noel Chiappa via cctalk wrote: > > From: Aaron Jackson > > > Picked up a few 555s and sockets and now it works! > > Congratulations! > > It's odd that a 555 failed, but sometimes there's no rhyme or reason to what > fails. E.g. I was fixing some broken M7859's (KY11-LB Programmer's Console), > and on one of them a 7493 (4-bit counter) had died. That's not one of the > 'problem' 74xx chips, like ISTR the 7474 being? > > Noel
RL02 Spinup fails
Hi everyone, I have managed to hook up an RL02 drive to my PDP-11 (thanks to Dave Wade for the drives) . This took me longer than I thought it would - I tried with a flat ribbon cable with a DIY terminator going straight into board , but couldn't get it to work. Removed the terminator, and the fault light turned off. So that's positive. I tried to load a cartridge, which I had cleaned, inspected and generally appears to be in good condition. It started to spin up and I could hear it getting faster, but after 30-40 seconds the fault light returns. I made a short video demonstrating this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=japwBBodO8U According to the manual the fault light can appear for the following reasons: - Drive select error... Surely this would come on at the start? - Seek time out error... I'd have to hear the heads move first - Write current in heads during sector time error... Same as above - Loss of system clock... The fault light would be on from the start. - Write protect error... I don't think it got that far - Write data error... Same as above - Spin error... Is this the only remaining fault? So could the only cause be a spin error? I am wondering if the belt is slipping or something like that? Can anyone offer some advice? Thanks, Aaron.
Re: RL02 Spinup fails
This can probably be ignored. I since realised it's almost definitely an issue with my terminator. Although, it doesn't matter how many times I build a terminator, it won't work. I based my terminator off Mark Blair's RL02 to USB project: https://github.com/NF6X/RL02-USB/blob/master/pcbs/RL02-USB-terminator/RL02-USB-terminator.pdf Aaron. Aaron Jackson via cctalk writes: > Hi everyone, > > I have managed to hook up an RL02 drive to my PDP-11 (thanks to Dave > Wade for the drives) . This took me longer than I thought it would - I > tried with a flat ribbon cable with a DIY terminator going straight into > board , but couldn't get it to work. Removed the terminator, and the > fault light turned off. So that's positive. > > I tried to load a cartridge, which I had cleaned, inspected and > generally appears to be in good condition. It started to spin up and I > could hear it getting faster, but after 30-40 seconds the fault light > returns. I made a short video demonstrating this: > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=japwBBodO8U > > According to the manual the fault light can appear for the following > reasons: > > - Drive select error... Surely this would come on at the start? > - Seek time out error... I'd have to hear the heads move first > - Write current in heads during sector time error... Same as above > - Loss of system clock... The fault light would be on from the start. > - Write protect error... I don't think it got that far > - Write data error... Same as above > - Spin error... Is this the only remaining fault? > > So could the only cause be a spin error? I am wondering if the belt is > slipping or something like that? > > Can anyone offer some advice? > > Thanks, > > Aaron. -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Re: RL02 Spinup fails
william degnan writes: > On Sun, Nov 5, 2017 at 12:43 PM, Aaron Jackson via cctech < > cct...@classiccmp.org> wrote: > >> Hi everyone, >> >> I have managed to hook up an RL02 drive to my PDP-11 (thanks to Dave >> Wade for the drives) . This took me longer than I thought it would - I >> tried with a flat ribbon cable with a DIY terminator going straight into >> board , but couldn't get it to work. Removed the terminator, and the >> fault light turned off. So that's positive. >> >> I tried to load a cartridge, which I had cleaned, inspected and >> generally appears to be in good condition. It started to spin up and I >> could hear it getting faster, but after 30-40 seconds the fault light >> returns. I made a short video demonstrating this: >> >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=japwBBodO8U >> >> According to the manual the fault light can appear for the following >> reasons: >> >> - Drive select error... Surely this would come on at the start? >> - Seek time out error... I'd have to hear the heads move first >> - Write current in heads during sector time error... Same as above >> - Loss of system clock... The fault light would be on from the start. >> - Write protect error... I don't think it got that far >> - Write data error... Same as above >> - Spin error... Is this the only remaining fault? >> >> So could the only cause be a spin error? I am wondering if the belt is >> slipping or something like that? >> >> Can anyone offer some advice? >> >> Thanks, >> >> Aaron. >> > > > At that point, for the time it takes the drive to be ready from a load > should be about 15 seconds.For you the Fault light comes on instead. > If I turn on my drives but leave the computer (11/40) off, the fault light > comes on immediately. If I then turn on the computer the fault light will > turn off, although I may have to press load first and if so it will turn > off after a few seconds.It's independent of the LOAD/READY lights > > based on this informal comparison I'd venture you have a drive issue. I am > not 100% sure what your termination situation is. I have two drives, one > terminated but it's with a DEC terminator on the bottom port of drive 1. > The cable comes from the computer into drive 0. I have a cable going from > drive 0 port 1 to drive 1 port 1. > > Bill The only thing I can think of with the terminator is that by using the bulkhead connectors on the back you would end up with something like this: |--- logic board pdp11 rl02 | []--+ | terminator ---| but I built my terminator directly onto the end of a ribbon cable, and I realised that it is actually slightly different. More like this: pdp11 +-+ | | logicterminator board I wouldn't thought it would matter but maybe timing is very sensitive. I can imagine something like this causing an issue with 10base2 networking for example. Thanks for the information. Aaron.
Re: RL02 Spinup fails
>> On Nov 6, 2017, at 10:21, Aaron Jackson via cctalk >> wrote: >> >> I based my terminator off Mark >> Blair's RL02 to USB project: >> >> https://github.com/NF6X/RL02-USB/blob/master/pcbs/RL02-USB-terminator/RL02-USB-terminator.pdf > > Hi there! Just one warning: My project stalled after I ordered boards and > lost inertia while waiting for them, and I have not yet put together the > hardware. Thus, I can’t guarantee that my terminator design is correct yet. > I’m glad that it has been deemed to be potentially useful even in its > unfinished state, and I sure hope that I haven’t led anybody down the wrong > path due to any errors that may be in the design. Good luck! Hi Mark, Thanks for your words of caution. :) I think it is correct thought. I found this old post on classiccmp which seems to agree with your design, although the pins might be reversed. I've tried it both ways... https://marc.info/?l=classiccmp&m=104966057301826&w=2 Thanks, Aaron.
Re: List Problems?
>> -Original Message- >> From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Tomasz >> Rola via cctalk >> Sent: 07 November 2017 18:26 >> To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts >> Cc: Zane Healy >> Subject: Re: List Problems? >> >> On Sun, Nov 05, 2017 at 09:46:18AM -0800, Zane Healy via cctalk wrote: >> > I know around the 20th I wasn’t the only one having problems. Are >> > there still issues? >> >> I have had some issues during Oct 21st-22nd (Sat + Sun). Emails from US-based >> mailing lists stopped coming. On top of that, www.classiccmp.org was not >> responding. On later Sunday afternoon (I was >> GMT+2, now I am GMT+1) everything looked normal again and mute lists >> all came back either around this time or (I think) during next day or two. >> >> No idea what could have been the cause of this or how widespread it was. I >> have not spotted anything in the news, and maybe I will have some time to >> spare on thinking more about this puzzle, or maybe not - given that is solved >> itself and chances are, very few were affected. >> > > > This has happened to me too, twice in recent weeks, and not just to me, to a > friend here in the UK too. By "this" I mean, no emails from the list and > www.classiccmp.org not responding. > > Regards > > Rob If better hosting is required and there was a donation button, I'd be happy to click it. I'm sure many other list members would be too. Aaron.
Re: Computing Pioneer Dies
A few years back I wanted to study at Manchester uni, primarily so I could apply to be a demonstrator for the SSEM. Sad news. Dave Wade via cctalk writes: > https://www.theguardian.com/global/2017/nov/08/geoff-tootill-obituary > > > > Dave Wade > > G4UGM & EA7KAE > > -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Re: RL02 Spinup fails
It sounds silly but I don't actually have access to a Windows machine, but PD11GUI looks nice. I managed to boot into XXDP today using tu58em and ran the RLV12 controller test. It seems though that the version of XXDP I loaded does not support the 22bit address (17774400) and defaults to the 16bit address (174400) so it just shows errors for everything. VTserver does seem to default to the 22bit address, and I can tell this because the error for vtserver (as included in my previous email) shows the output of the CSR (142205). I've also checked this value manually from ODT and it comes out the same after trying to read. b 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 = o 142205 >From what I can tell, this decodes to, from right to left: 0 Drive ready, yes 1-3 Command function code (0,1,0 = get status) 4-5 Extended address bits. I don't know what this means. 6 Interrupt enable, no. 7 Controller ready, when this gets cleared it runs the cmd in 1-3. 8-9 Indicates the current drive. I've only one connected, hence 0. 10-13 Error Code (0,0,0,1 = operation incomplete) 14Drive Error, yes unfortunately. 15Composite Error, indicates one or more error bits are set. The RL02 technical manual says to figure out why a drive error occurred, I can execute a get status command (?) and then perform an MPR read (?). So while I don't know how to do that, the error could be one of the following (apparently) - spin error. I assume it's not this because the ready light is on? - seek time out. Maybe this? - write lock. Only set when the drive is write protected. - current head error. Set when write current is detected while reading. - write data error. Set when no transitions are detected during writing. So, pretty confused. Thanks, Aaron. william degnan via cctech writes: > I have successfully built a rl02 disk using pdpgui on a windows XP laptop, > the newer version works on window 10. All you need other than the software > is a serial card like a m7800. Pdpgui acts as a gui. Do you have a m9312 > rom/terminator card with a terminal console rom? > > Bill Degnan > twitter: billdeg > vintagecomputer.net > On Nov 11, 2017 7:04 AM, "Aaron Jackson via cctech" > wrote: > >> Well, some progress. >> >> It seems that a terminator is not required so long as the cable is VERY >> short. The controller RLV12 controller appears to have a few termination >> resistors on it anyway. There is no fault light appearing and the drives >> spin up fine. Mine cable is less than 20cm and the PDP is sitting just >> on top of the drive. >> >> I can see that the drive is communicating because the lsb of the csr >> changes flips between 0 and 1 when I load and unload the drive. >> >> I wanted to try and dump the disks using vtserver, but when I run the >> copy program I end up with the following >> >> ]] Enter name of input record/device: rl(0,0,0) >> ]] >> ]] Can't get rl(0,0,0) sts >> ]] rl(0,0,0) err cy=0, hd=0, sc=2, rlcs=142205, rlmp=0 >> ]] rl(0,0,0) error reading labelsector >> ]] Enter name of input record/device: >> >> The same happened on both packs - they have both been cleaned and look >> as though they are in good condition. The heads have been cleaned too. >> >> Given that the drive appears to be communicating with the PDP-11, where >> might this problem come from? >> >> Thanks, >> >> Aaron. >> >> Aaron Jackson via cctech writes: >> >> > Hi everyone, >> > >> > I have managed to hook up an RL02 drive to my PDP-11 (thanks to Dave >> > Wade for the drives) . This took me longer than I thought it would - I >> > tried with a flat ribbon cable with a DIY terminator going straight into >> > board , but couldn't get it to work. Removed the terminator, and the >> > fault light turned off. So that's positive. >> > >> > I tried to load a cartridge, which I had cleaned, inspected and >> > generally appears to be in good condition. It started to spin up and I >> > could hear it getting faster, but after 30-40 seconds the fault light >> > returns. I made a short video demonstrating this: >> > >> > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=japwBBodO8U >> > >> > According to the manual the fault light can appear for the following >> > reasons: >> > >> > - Drive select error... Surely this would come on at the start? >> > - Seek time out error... I'd have to hear the heads move first >> > - Write current in heads during sector time error... Same as above >> > - Loss of system clock... The fault light would be on from the start. >> > - Write protect error... I don't think it got that far >> > - Write data error... Same as above >> > - Spin error... Is this the only remaining fault? >> > >> > So could the only cause be a spin error? I am wondering if the belt is >> > slipping or something like that? >> > >> > Can anyone offer some advice? >> > >> > Thanks, >> > >> > Aaron. >> >> >> -- >> Aaron Jackson >> PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham >> http://aaronsplace.co.uk >> -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, C
Re: RL02 Spinup fails
> Aaron, > > Do not underestimate the need for termination, even with a very short > external cable. > When you factor in the internal cables runs, crosstalk or signal reflections > which interfere > with operation may still be present, especially when data transfers start. > > If you have access to another bootable drive (8inch floppy?), suggest you > load the > XXDP+ diagnostics for RL Drives. > > Jerry Hi Jerry, thanks for the information. I had built several terminators, but being terrible at geometry I always did something wrong. I have now fixed one of the terminators I built. I had pins 1 and 40 mixed up, the rest of the terminator is basically a mirror copy. Unfortunately I still have the same error. I have an RX02 drive but no controller yet, so I'll have to continue investigating in the dark. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: RL02 Spinup fails
>> > Could elaborate a bit on this part of your earlier message. > >> I managed to boot into XXDP today using tu58em and ran the RLV12 >> controller test. It seems though that the version of XXDP I loaded does >> not support the 22bit address (17774400) and defaults to the 16bit >> address (174400) so it just shows errors for everything. > > VRLBCO expects 16 bit addresses for hardware setup. Most of the > XXDP diagnostic programs understand the 16 bit address for IO page > type devices. > > Separately, if this diagnostic itself is not able to use 22 bit memory > on an 11/73 with 1MB ram, then you may have other issues. It > should not be tossing errors. The fact that XXDP cannot boot > into extended addressing (XXDPXM) is not a good sign either. I can try - it's not throwing errors as such but the tests are failing. For example, here is output for one of the tests. ] ROUTINE TRACE SEQ: ] 034314 ] 017252 ] INIT STATE TEST ] OPER: GET STAT ] RESULT:CNTLR HUNG ] BUS ADD=174400 DRV=0 ]RLCSRLDARLBARLMP CYLHD ] OP INIT = 000104 03 00 0 ] OP DONE = 00 00 00 0 000 1 ] ] CZRL1 HDR ERR 10002 ON UNIT 00 TST 009 SUB 000 PC: 020074 It's saying the controller has hung, but address 174400 is just RAM so I don't expect it to get anything interesting back. Maybe telling a bit about the system will help. Here are the cards in the order that I have them. There were originally more but I have removed them as they are not necessary for getting RL02 drives working. - M8192 CPU (PDP-11/73) - M7185 Multifunction (boot, serial, 128K RAM) - M8067-LA (512K RAM) - M8067-LA (512K RAM) - M8061 (RLV12 controller) The M7185 has its own RAM. I'm not sure where this appears on the system, there may even be some kind of conflict with the proceeding RAM cards? There is not much documentation online for this card. I have no idea how to start the boot loader. A friend dumped the ROMs for me and I compared them to someone elses dumps and they seemed okay. I've read about people making a minor modification to this card to disable the on-board RAM. The RLV12 has its jumpers in the default configuration, so 22bit addressing. I can query the controller's registers at 17774400..17774410. The CSR usually has something interesting in which I can decode and it always makes sense, and matches the current drive state, for example whether the pack is loaded or not on the least significant bit. I'm not sure what is going on with the MPR. I perform a get status as described in Appendix C3 of the RL02 technical manual. If I am decoding the contents correctly it says things like the cover is open and that the drive type is an RL01. For example, at one point the contents was 167: w h w s s w v d d h c h b s s s d c l k p g c s t s o o h t t t e e t e e e c b a 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 - ST A,B,C are status bits, being 1,1,1 means "Spin down" - BH is brushes home, but I don't think this drive has brushes - HO is heads out - CO is cover open... the cover is closed unless it's referring to the logic cover. - HS is head select. 1 indicates the lower head - DT is drive type, 0 indicates RL01, but it is an RL02. - DSE is drive select error - VC is volume check - WGE is write gate error - SPE is spin error, either too slow or too fast - SKT is seek time out - WL is write lock, the status of the write lock button on the front - HCE is head current error - WDE write data error So there seems to be something wrong somewhere but I have no idea where. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: Sync on Green RGB video
You might be surprised how many LCD monitors support SoG. I have several iiyama LCD panels which work fine with a 3100. Aaron. Douglas Taylor via cctech writes: > I have a couple of vaxes that output 'unique' video, Alpha 3000 300, > Alpha 3000 400, Vax 4000 VLC, and Vax Station 3100 M76. > > The Alpha and VLC each have a 3W3 type of connector and the 3100 has a > 15 pin DEC designed connector. > > What does it take to connect these to inexpensive, modern VGA light > weight monitors? > > Doug
MXV21 with RX02
Hi all, I was given an MTI MXV21 controller which is apparently compatible with the RX02 drive. The card has a 50 pin header, but the RX02 drive has a 40 pin ribbon cable. Does anyone know what am I missing here? I don't see anything about this in the manual: http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pdf/microTechnology/MXV21_floppyCtlr.pdf Thanks, Aaron.
Re: MXV21 with RX02
Never mind. The manual is not particularly clear. It is for a Shugart drive, which can read/write to RX02 floppies, but does not work with an RX02 drive. Ah well! Thanks, Aaron. Aaron Jackson writes: > Hi all, > > I was given an MTI MXV21 controller which is apparently compatible with > the RX02 drive. The card has a 50 pin header, but the RX02 drive has a > 40 pin ribbon cable. Does anyone know what am I missing here? > > I don't see anything about this in the manual: > > > http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pdf/microTechnology/MXV21_floppyCtlr.pdf > > Thanks, > Aaron. -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Any difference between VAX Q-bus and PDP-11 Q-bus cards?
I'm looking after a VAX 4000 for a friend, which has a SCSI Q-bus card (M5976). If the card did not have the large metal face, would it work in a Q-bus PDP-11? We are not going to potentially ruin a card by trying this, but I am interested to know if this is the case. Thanks, Aaron.
VAX Q-bus identical to PDP-11 Q-bus?
I'm looking after a VAX 4000 for a friend, which has a SCSI Q-bus card (M5976). If the card did not have the large metal face, would it work in a Q-bus PDP-11? We are not going to potentially ruin a card by trying this, but I am interested to know if this is the case. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: VAX Q-bus identical to PDP-11 Q-bus?
Thanks Glen and Jerry. I think that settled that debate! haha Thanks, Aaron. Glen Slick writes: > An M5976 KZQSA is not MSCP compatible so it wouldn't do any good with a > PDP-11 system. It's really only useful for RRD4x SCSI CD-ROM drives with > VMS on a VAX 4000. > > On Dec 6, 2017 9:47 AM, "Aaron Jackson via cctech" > wrote: > > I'm looking after a VAX 4000 for a friend, which has a SCSI Q-bus card > (M5976). If the card did not have the large metal face, would it work in > a Q-bus PDP-11? We are not going to potentially ruin a card by trying > this, but I am interested to know if this is the case. > > Thanks, > > Aaron. -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
RX02 Difficulties
Hi everyone, I originally posted this on VCFed (which was new to me) but the moderation queue has had me waiting for about 3 days, so I thought I'd ask here as well, the usual of gurus. :) I was recently sent an RXV21 controller so I could test out my RX02 drive. When I power up the PDP-11 or reset the machine I get the nice clunking sound which I have been told is normal. I expect I wouldn't hear this if the ribbon cable was in the wrong way. To test, I tried to use VTserver to dump the contents of a disk, but it immediately threw an error. I soon realised there are two DIP switches on the logic board of the RX02 drive which had to be adjusted to work with the RXV21. So, I had some progress. Output of VTserver almost looked promising but then it hangs, as below: ]] Tape record n from device xx is written as xx(0,0,n) ]] Disk drive xx is written as xx(0,0,0) ]] ]] Enter name of input record/device: rx(0,0,0) ]] Enter name of output record/device: vt(0,0,1) ]] ]] Opened copy.out read-write ]] So, following some advice I booted via TU58em into XXDP and ran the diagnostics: ]] DR>STA ]] ]] CHANGE HW (L) ? N ]] ]] CHANGE SW (L) ? N ]] ]] CZRXFB0 SYS FTL ERR 00040 ON UNIT 00 TST 011 SUB 000 PC: 003476 ]] CSR BITS - LGC TST ]] AC LOW FATAL ERROR ]] REG ACTUAL=00 ]] REG EXPECT=00 ]] ]] POSSIBLE FAILING "FRU'S": ]] INTERFACE - M8029 ]] ]] UNIT#0 RXCSR=00 RXESR=00 CMD=00 -> ]] ->NO PWR, CABLED BACKWARDS, STRAPPED RX01, PDP-8 ]] DROP UNIT#0 FROM TEST ]] ]] PASS ABRTD THS UNIT ]] CZRXFB0 SYS FTL ERR 00040 ON UNIT 01 TST 011 SUB 000 PC: 003476 ]] CSR BITS - LGC TST ]] AC LOW FATAL ERROR ]] REG ACTUAL=00 ]] REG EXPECT=00 ]] ]] POSSIBLE FAILING "FRU'S": ]] INTERFACE - M8029 ]] ]] UNIT#1 RXCSR=00 RXESR=00 CMD=00 -> ]] ->NO PWR, CABLED BACKWARDS, STRAPPED RX01, PDP-8 ]] DROP UNIT#1 FROM TEST ]] ]] PASS ABRTD THS UNIT ]] CZRXFB0 EOP1 ]] 2 TOTAL ERRS So, the possible errors according to XXDP: - Bad power - I get 25v, 5v and -5v. The motors are spinning, not convinced it is this? - Cable backwards - I don't think I'd be hearing that clunk. - Strapped RX01 - I don't know what this means - PDP8 - eh? If anyone has any suggestions it would be great to hear them. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: RX02 Difficulties
> On Fri, Dec 8, 2017 at 2:45 PM, Aaron Jackson via cctalk > wrote: > >> - Strapped RX01 - I don't know what this means >> >> - PDP8 - eh? > > No idea as to the fault (heck, it's not in front of me with a logic analyser > to hand), but I think I can explain that. > > There is a pair of DIP switches on the controller board (the upper board > in the RX02 itself, the one that hinges up). Three of the 4 settings are > used : RX02 (which is the one you want, it is an RX02 drive to link > to an RX211 or RXV21 interface), RX01 (turns the drive into a single- > density-only RX01-a-like to link to an RX11 or RXV11) and 'PDP8' which > is used to link to an RX8e for Omnibus PDP8 machines. The switch > settings are in one of the manuals, you should check them. > > -tony I think I have this set correctly, can be seen in this photo, unless I misunderstand the colouring. Originally it was the other way around and VTserver would throw an error instead of hang. I can try it again, with the originally settings, under xxdp and see what happens. http://aaronsplace.co.uk/private/pics/rx02insides/logic.jpg Manual says it should be S1=off, S2=on for RX211 and RXV21
Re: RX02 Difficulties
> On Fri, Dec 8, 2017 at 3:03 PM, Aaron Jackson wrote: >> >> Manual says it should be S1=off, S2=on for RX211 and RXV21 > > In the photo, I think S1 is on and S2 is off. Check them with an > ohmmeter if in doubt! > > -tony Yes - you are right. I switched them back to how they were when I got the drive. I think one of the switches was half down because XXDP actually does something now. Most of the tests now look something like this: CZRXFB0 DVC FTL ERR 00034 ON UNIT 00 TST 031 SUB 000 PC: 003476 SECTOR ADR - LGC TST SECTOR ADDRESS ERROR EXPECTED SECTOR=18. TARGET SECTOR=17. I suppose these should match? Starting to think I might need to confuse myself with my logic analyzer and the RX02 control board. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: RX02 Difficulties
> > From: Aaron Jackson > > > Most of the tests now look something like this: > > ... > > SECTOR ADDRESS ERROR > > EXPECTED SECTOR=18. > > TARGET SECTOR=17. > > I wonder if there's a problem with the floppy you are using? > > Remember, the RX0x drives can't hard reformat the floppies (as in, write the > sector headers), so if the floopy has a problem, you can't fix it with the > RX02. > > Noel Possibly, but I ran the same test on about 4 floppies and failed in the same way. I bought a box of 13 floppy disks a while ago off eBay, so unless the box was kept on top of a magnet or something, I'd expect at least one of them to work. Some of them have quite interesting names: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Software and Code from Neutron Divider So I am quite interested to see what's on them. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: RX02 Difficulties
>> On Dec 8, 2017, at 12:53 PM, Aaron Jackson via cctalk >> wrote: >> >>> On Fri, Dec 8, 2017 at 3:03 PM, Aaron Jackson >>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Manual says it should be S1=off, S2=on for RX211 and RXV21 >>> >>> In the photo, I think S1 is on and S2 is off. Check them with an >>> ohmmeter if in doubt! >>> >>> -tony >> >> Yes - you are right. I switched them back to how they were when I got >> the drive. I think one of the switches was half down because XXDP >> actually does something now. >> >> Most of the tests now look something like this: >> >> CZRXFB0 DVC FTL ERR 00034 ON UNIT 00 TST 031 SUB 000 PC: 003476 >> SECTOR ADR - LGC TST >> SECTOR ADDRESS ERROR >> EXPECTED SECTOR=18. >> TARGET SECTOR=17. >> >> I suppose these should match? >> >> Starting to think I might need to confuse myself with my logic analyzer >> and the RX02 control board. >> >> Thanks, >> Aaron. > > To isolate the problem further, try to see if any of the errors follow > the media as you move them between drives. > > If the same errors occur on both drives, regardless of media then the > RX02 system board or perhaps the Qbus controller are at fault. > The field maintenance prints should allow you to trace the fault down > a bit further, with or w/o a logic analyzer. > > How many different types of errors do you see? > > Jerry Thanks for the info Jerry. I get read errors, data errors, density errors, sector addressing errors. Probably every kind of error xxdp can give :) Please see this link if you are interested: https://aaronsplace.co.uk/private/o/48859c14f6a619a5316d6af37d60579c.txt I will take a proper look through the field manuals tomorrow, and also try what you suggested with trying the same media in both drives. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: RX02 Difficulties
> On Dec 8, 2017, at 5:17 PM, Aaron Jackson wrote: >> >>>> On Dec 8, 2017, at 12:53 PM, Aaron Jackson via cctalk >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> On Fri, Dec 8, 2017 at 3:03 PM, Aaron Jackson >>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Manual says it should be S1=off, S2=on for RX211 and RXV21 >>>>> >>>>> In the photo, I think S1 is on and S2 is off. Check them with an >>>>> ohmmeter if in doubt! >>>>> >>>>> -tony >>>> >>>> Yes - you are right. I switched them back to how they were when I got >>>> the drive. I think one of the switches was half down because XXDP >>>> actually does something now. >>>> >>>> Most of the tests now look something like this: >>>> >>>> CZRXFB0 DVC FTL ERR 00034 ON UNIT 00 TST 031 SUB 000 PC: 003476 >>>> SECTOR ADR - LGC TST >>>> SECTOR ADDRESS ERROR >>>> EXPECTED SECTOR=18. >>>>TARGET SECTOR=17. >>>> >>>> I suppose these should match? >>>> >>>> Starting to think I might need to confuse myself with my logic analyzer >>>> and the RX02 control board. >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> Aaron. >>> >>> To isolate the problem further, try to see if any of the errors follow >>> the media as you move them between drives. >>> >>> If the same errors occur on both drives, regardless of media then the >>> RX02 system board or perhaps the Qbus controller are at fault. >>> The field maintenance prints should allow you to trace the fault down >>> a bit further, with or w/o a logic analyzer. >>> >>> How many different types of errors do you see? >>> >>> Jerry >> >> Thanks for the info Jerry. >> >> I get read errors, data errors, density errors, sector addressing >> errors. Probably every kind of error xxdp can give :) >> >> Please see this link if you are interested: >> >> https://aaronsplace.co.uk/private/o/48859c14f6a619a5316d6af37d60579c.txt >> >> I will take a proper look through the field manuals tomorrow, and also >> try what you suggested with trying the same media in both drives. >> >> Thanks, >> Aaron. > > > When you have many errors it can be hard to separate the primary fault(s) > from the knock-on errors. > The M7745/M7744 or Media Errors dominate the entries. > > 1) Try to verify the media is a DEC 8 Inch formatted RX02 or RX01 if you do > not know the source of the > the disks. The disk should have only 1 hole punched for index on the > media itself. Even if it is > a DEC Brand, there’s still possibility that the media has been exposed > to strong magnetic fields. > > I have not seen much natural bit-rot on my floppy media, but YMMV. If > could find someone local > with RX02 drives to confirm your media, that would also help rule out > some things. > > Many third party drives and controllers that were DEC compatible also > had the ability to do a > low level format of media, something the native RX02 did not. So if > the media type is correct, but > the format is not, they may be salvageable (with complete loss of > original data). > > 2) Check the connections between the drives and controllers. Gently clean > contacts, especially anything > gold plated. Getting clean signals from the floppies is critical if the > RW electronics are to function. > > 3) Try and contrast to the other drive as previously covered. > > This will help rule out a few things and provide some better direction. > > > Jerry Thanks Jerry. That was very helpful. Found a stray piece of metal lying across the board next to an AND gate, which is slightly disconcerting. Possibly a stray wire clipping. Both drives pass the diagnostics. It's strange though, if I try to dump using vtserver using a floppy which passed the diagnostics, it fails. So, not sure. Will have to investigate a bit more. Thanks again, Aaron.
Re: RX02 Difficulties
Noel Chiappa via cctalk writes: > > Aaron Jackson > > > if I try to dump using vtserver using a floppy which passed the > > diagnostics, it fails. > > My copy of of the V7 standalone stuff (which I got from the VTServer > directory) didn't include an RX driver. Where'd you manage to find one? > (I need one for my own use, plus I want to look at the source, to help > with this.) > > Noel I am using the version from here: https://github.com/sethm/vtserver/ It's likely that there is still an issue with reading the data, or the floppy is still bad but some how managed to pass the test anyway. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: RX02 Difficulties
Well, would you believe it. It was the disks after all. I can't believe they are all bad! Just booted straight into RT-11. Thanks all for your help anyway. Time to play. Aaron. Aaron Jackson via cctalk writes: > Hi everyone, > > I originally posted this on VCFed (which was new to me) but the > moderation queue has had me waiting for about 3 days, so I thought I'd > ask here as well, the usual of gurus. :) > > I was recently sent an RXV21 controller so I could test out my RX02 > drive. When I power up the PDP-11 or reset the machine I get the nice > clunking sound which I have been told is normal. I expect I wouldn't > hear this if the ribbon cable was in the wrong way. > > To test, I tried to use VTserver to dump the contents of a disk, but it > immediately threw an error. I soon realised there are two DIP switches > on the logic board of the RX02 drive which had to be adjusted to work > with the RXV21. So, I had some progress. Output of VTserver almost > looked promising but then it hangs, as below: > > ]] Tape record n from device xx is written as xx(0,0,n) > ]] Disk drive xx is written as xx(0,0,0) > ]] > ]] Enter name of input record/device: rx(0,0,0) > ]] Enter name of output record/device: vt(0,0,1) > ]] > ]] Opened copy.out read-write > ]] > > So, following some advice I booted via TU58em into XXDP and ran the > diagnostics: > > ]] DR>STA > ]] > ]] CHANGE HW (L) ? N > ]] > ]] CHANGE SW (L) ? N > ]] > ]] CZRXFB0 SYS FTL ERR 00040 ON UNIT 00 TST 011 SUB 000 PC: 003476 > ]] CSR BITS - LGC TST > ]] AC LOW FATAL ERROR > ]] REG ACTUAL=00 > ]] REG EXPECT=00 > ]] > ]] POSSIBLE FAILING "FRU'S": > ]] INTERFACE - M8029 > ]] > ]] UNIT#0 RXCSR=00 RXESR=00 CMD=00 -> > ]] ->NO PWR, CABLED BACKWARDS, STRAPPED RX01, PDP-8 > ]] DROP UNIT#0 FROM TEST > ]] > ]] PASS ABRTD THS UNIT > ]] CZRXFB0 SYS FTL ERR 00040 ON UNIT 01 TST 011 SUB 000 PC: 003476 > ]] CSR BITS - LGC TST > ]] AC LOW FATAL ERROR > ]] REG ACTUAL=00 > ]] REG EXPECT=00 > ]] > ]] POSSIBLE FAILING "FRU'S": > ]] INTERFACE - M8029 > ]] > ]] UNIT#1 RXCSR=00 RXESR=00 CMD=00 -> > ]] ->NO PWR, CABLED BACKWARDS, STRAPPED RX01, PDP-8 > ]] DROP UNIT#1 FROM TEST > ]] > ]] PASS ABRTD THS UNIT > ]] CZRXFB0 EOP1 > ]] 2 TOTAL ERRS > > So, the possible errors according to XXDP: > > - Bad power - I get 25v, 5v and -5v. The motors are spinning, not > convinced it is this? > > - Cable backwards - I don't think I'd be hearing that clunk. > > - Strapped RX01 - I don't know what this means > > - PDP8 - eh? > > If anyone has any suggestions it would be great to hear them. > > Thanks, > Aaron. -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Re: RX02 Difficulties
> > From: Aaron Jackson > > > It was the disks after all. > > Well, I'm glad you got it working. Where'd you get a good floppy? > > Noel Friend popped over with an RX02 drive and a working RT-11 floppy. The drive worked with my controller so I tried the disk in my own drive and it booted up straight away. He suggested it might be likely that all my drives were magnetically erased before I got them. I think this is quite likely. There is still one RX02 mystery though... VTserver will not dump the working disk, despite the system being able to boot from it. It's double density, so I am a bit surprised. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: RX02 Difficulties
I just checked all of them in RT-11, out of 12 floppies, two of them were bad, or at least I am unable to perform dir in RT-11. My source of confusion comes from both A) not being able to boot from any of them, and B) not being able to dump them using vtserver. The ones labelled RT-11 don't actually have RT-11 on them, just some random files, and these were the ones I had tried to boot from. I'm not sure why vtserver doesn't seem to work though. I have Kermit in RT-11, is there a way to dump the other drive over this? I would like to put LSI Unix on one of the floppies, can this be done with Kermit too? While on the topic of vtserver, it also doesn't seem to like my RL02 drive. If I try to write to it or dump a cartridge, it tells me that it was unable to read the labelsector. About the thing vtserver has done is launch itself over odt. RT-11 is unable to list the files on the RL02 drive, but maybe they are UNIX or maybe they are dead packs... Thanks, Aaron. systems_glitch via cctalk writes: > We've gotten around the formatting issue by formatting SSSD using ImageDisk > on a regular PC (with a floppy controller that supports single density/FM, > of course). If you want RX02 media there's an XXDP routine to upconvert > RX01s to RX02s. > > Thanks, > Jonathan > > On Sat, Dec 16, 2017 at 2:02 PM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk < > cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > >> On 12/16/2017 10:43 AM, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote: >> > On Sat, 16 Dec 2017, Aaron Jackson via cctalk wrote: >> >> Well, would you believe it. It was the disks after all. I can't believe >> >> they are all bad! >> > >> > I can believe it. >> > Were they "bad"? >> > Or just not what they were labelled as being? >> >> I suspect that they weren't formatted to the 3740 spec (26/128 FM). >> ISTR that the RX02 doesn't have formatting abilities. >> >> The other possibility is that the disks were DS rather than SS >> (different index aperture position). >> >> --Chuck >> >> >> -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Re: RX02 Difficulties
Thanks for the tips! :) Aaron. allison via cctalk writes: > If you have a system that can create/format SSSD (base RX01 media > format) RT11 can > reformat that as RX02. Of the top of my hear the command is INIT and > you specify the > drive and /double. It cannot format a blank disk but it can set a RX01 > format to > double density. > > Note a RX02 on a PDP-11 will not boot RT11 if it has the RX01 boot drive > in place, you must have > the RX02 driver built into the boot. > > Whenever you have a disk fail its advisable to check the heads for crud > buildup (on RX01, RX02, > or RX33 and RX23) as sometimes the binder on the media goes to goo and > coats the head. If > that happens the next good disk can have the media gouged off. Been > there done that. I > always test new media (dir /bad) on drive 2 so if it fails the system > still boots and likeliness > of munging the boot media is lower. > > I use my S100 CP/M crate for format blanks for RX01 and using R11CPM I > can copy files > between the two system (sneakerware). > > To read a RX02 formatted disk you must have a RX02 or one of the > functional equivalents like a DSD > or Emulex. PCs cannot without a special board. > > A slick trick for Qbus 11s is install a RQDX2/3 and put a RX33 or RX23 > drive on that as the formats > they use are PC readable at the base ODS. I managed to get a few RQDX3s > just for that in the various > Qbus 11s I have. Even if you do not have a MFM hard disk for the > RQDX2/3 is a good choice for floppies > and it can format media. It also can store more on the media. > > > Allison > > > > On 12/16/2017 04:21 PM, Jerry Weiss via cctalk wrote: >> Glad to hear that you cleared that up. >> >> For the other floppies. >> >> 1) DUMP/TERM/RAD50/END:0 DY1: >> If you share the listing that will give us some hints as to the OS on >> the floppies. >> >> 2) DIR/BAD DY1: >> will do a bad block scan to see if can read all of the blocks on the >> media. It >> does not require an RT11 directory, despite the command name. It uses >> the utility DUP.SAV with the K option, not DIR.SAV You will hear the >> floppy >> reset if it sees a bad spot as it attempts a retry. The number of >> retries >> is configurable via a SET command. >> >> For files with an RT11 Directory, DIR/BAD/FILES will include the file >> name >> of files affected by unreadable blocks. >> >> You can do the same with the RL02 Drives. >> >> Jerry >> >>> On Dec 16, 2017, at 2:28 PM, Aaron Jackson via cctalk >>> wrote: >>> >>> I just checked all of them in RT-11, out of 12 floppies, two of them >>> were bad, or at least I am unable to perform dir in RT-11. >>> >>> My source of confusion comes from both A) not being able to boot from >>> any of them, and B) not being able to dump them using vtserver. The ones >>> labelled RT-11 don't actually have RT-11 on them, just some random >>> files, and these were the ones I had tried to boot from. >>> >>> I'm not sure why vtserver doesn't seem to work though. I have Kermit in >>> RT-11, is there a way to dump the other drive over this? I would like to >>> put LSI Unix on one of the floppies, can this be done with Kermit too? >>> >>> While on the topic of vtserver, it also doesn't seem to like my RL02 >>> drive. If I try to write to it or dump a cartridge, it tells me that it >>> was unable to read the labelsector. About the thing vtserver has done is >>> launch itself over odt. >>> >>> RT-11 is unable to list the files on the RL02 drive, but maybe they are >>> UNIX or maybe they are dead packs... >>> >>> Thanks, >>> Aaron. >>> >>> >>> systems_glitch via cctalk writes: >>> >>>> We've gotten around the formatting issue by formatting SSSD using ImageDisk >>>> on a regular PC (with a floppy controller that supports single density/FM, >>>> of course). If you want RX02 media there's an XXDP routine to upconvert >>>> RX01s to RX02s. >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> Jonathan >>>> >>>> On Sat, Dec 16, 2017 at 2:02 PM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk < >>>> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: >>>> >>>>> On 12/16/2017 10:43 AM, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote: >>>>>> On Sat, 16 Dec 2017, Aaron Jackson via cctalk wrote: >>>>>>> Well, would you believe it. It was the disks after all. I can't believe >>>>>>> they are all bad! >>>>>> I can believe it. >>>>>> Were they "bad"? >>>>>> Or just not what they were labelled as being? >>>>> I suspect that they weren't formatted to the 3740 spec (26/128 FM). >>>>> ISTR that the RX02 doesn't have formatting abilities. >>>>> >>>>> The other possibility is that the disks were DS rather than SS >>>>> (different index aperture position). >>>>> >>>>> --Chuck >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>> >>> -- >>> Aaron Jackson >>> PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham >>> http://aaronsplace.co.uk >> >> >> -- Aaron Jackson PhD Student, Computer Vision Laboratory, Uni of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Re: Vaxstation 4000 m60 and NetBSD
> 1.) It is not posible to switch the console from RS232 to the VGA > Monitor and Keyboard. If i switch the S3 switch in down position i can > only see the NetBSD Kernel decompression. After that i see nothing on > VGA and RS232 console. The System starts up anyway. After some time it > is possible to connect via LAN. Very few frame buffers are supported in NetBSD - you will need to check the hardware support list. Even if it is supported, you will only be able to use it as a text-console. To put progress into perspective, I think support for hardware assisted smooth scrolling has only just been added. > > 2.) Is it posible to run the NetBSD X.Org on that sort of Vaxstation? If > yes... Whats to do to get that running? I Think i have to fix my point 1 > first. NetBSD includes the libraries to run X applications, but no Xserver, so you can only display graphics over the network, nothing locally. Hope that helps. I haven't played about with it for about a year so I might have remembered some things wrong. I'm sure someone will correct me if that's the case :) Thanks, Aaron.
RL02 weirdness
Now that I have my RX02 drive working I have started to take a look at the RL02 drives again. I hooked a scope up to the sector transducer and sector timing test points, and they look nicely aligned. So I moved on. Then I hooked up the scope to the TP1, TP2 and the sector timing TP and compared it to the output in the RL02 tech manual. S1 was fine but S2 was offset in the wrong direction (probably need to see page 3-8 in the manual to understand). I had a look at where the heads are connected to at up was connected to down and down was connected to up. Without understanding the consequences I switched these and loaded a pack. Unfortunately I heard a horrible sound and I now have a thin black ring on the bottom side of my platter, which I am very upset about. :( I unloaded very quickly but I think the damage is done. Why would the heads be installed this way? and why did it destroy my platter when they are connected "correctly"? Does anyone understand what might have happened? Thanks, and sorry for destroying a pack :( Aaron.
Re: RL02 weirdness
>> Does anyone understand what might have happened? > Simple the heads are designed to fly and have a shape suited for that. > Flip them over and they are wrong shape, they don't fly, they dig in > oops! Yes I understand that, but why didn't it damage my platter when they were connected (electrically) the to the wrong sockets on the R/W module? As in, down was plugged into the up header pins and up into the down header pins. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: RL02 weirdness
> On Sun, Dec 17, 2017 at 5:04 PM, Aaron Jackson via cctalk > wrote: >> Now that I have my RX02 drive working I have started to take a look at >> the RL02 drives again. I hooked a scope up to the sector transducer and >> sector timing test points, and they look nicely aligned. So I moved on. >> >> Then I hooked up the scope to the TP1, TP2 and the sector timing TP and >> compared it to the output in the RL02 tech manual. S1 was fine but S2 >> was offset in the wrong direction (probably need to see page 3-8 in the >> manual to understand). I had a look at where the heads are connected to >> at up was connected to down and down was connected to up. > > I wonder if you fell into the 'trap for the unwary' here. The heads are named > by > the direction they face. So the upper head, nearest the top of the drive, is > the 'down' had as it faces down onto the platter. Similarly the lower > head is the > 'up' head. Yes, it confused me at first, > I'm not sure, because the labels on the female connector says up or down, as does the circuit board. So I connected them so up->up and down->down, which resulted in this crash. So maybe the person who used it before me fell into the trap you mention, failed to get it to work, and then ended up with me in a none-working state? >> >> Without understanding the consequences I switched these and loaded a >> pack. Unfortunately I heard a horrible sound and I now have a thin black >> ring on the bottom side of my platter, which I am very upset about. :( I >> unloaded very quickly but I think the damage is done. >> >> Why would the heads be installed this way? and why did it destroy my >> platter when they are connected "correctly"? >> >> Does anyone understand what might have happened? >> >> Thanks, and sorry for destroying a pack :( > > My first worry is that you have damaged the heads as well as the pack. Possibly, although I hope not. The head looks okay but perhaps the damage is invisible. > > I am not sure why this caused a headcrash. It shouldn't have done. > > -tony I have a second drive which I am willing to use for parts, but only if I am certain it won't damage something else. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: RL02 weirdness
>> I wonder if you fell into the 'trap for the unwary' here. The heads are >> named by >> the direction they face. So the upper head, nearest the top of the drive, is >> the 'down' had as it faces down onto the platter. Similarly the lower >> head is the >> 'up' head. Yes, it confused me at first, >> > > I'm not sure, because the labels on the female connector says up or > down, as does the circuit board. So I connected them so up->up and > down->down, which resulted in this crash. So maybe the person who used > it before me fell into the trap you mention, failed to get it to work, > and then ended up with me in a none-working state? I just checked and it looks like they are in correctly. The head for the top-side of the platter is labelled down, and the lower head is facing up. The only thing I changed is connecting up->up and down->down. So, I'm not sure. I cleaned the packs well a while back - I'm just hoping there wasn't something left over which caused the crash. Thanks, Aaron.
Re: RL02 weirdness
>> -Original Message- >> From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Aaron >> Jackson via cctalk >> Sent: 17 December 2017 17:56 >> To: Aaron Jackson ; General Discussion: On-Topic >> and Off-Topic Posts >> Subject: Re: RL02 weirdness >> >> >> I wonder if you fell into the 'trap for the unwary' here. The heads >> >> are named by the direction they face. So the upper head, nearest the >> >> top of the drive, is the 'down' had as it faces down onto the >> >> platter. Similarly the lower head is the 'up' head. Yes, it confused >> >> me at first, >> >> >> > >> > I'm not sure, because the labels on the female connector says up or >> > down, as does the circuit board. So I connected them so up->up and >> > down->down, which resulted in this crash. So maybe the person who used >> > it before me fell into the trap you mention, failed to get it to work, >> > and then ended up with me in a none-working state? >> >> I just checked and it looks like they are in correctly. The head for the > top-side >> of the platter is labelled down, and the lower head is facing up. The only >> thing I changed is connecting up->up and down->down. >> >> So, I'm not sure. I cleaned the packs well a while back - I'm just hoping > there >> wasn't something left over which caused the crash. >> >> Thanks, >> Aaron. > > If these are the ones you got from may I may have put the leads back the > wrong way round. :-( > I suspect they have been bounced about so much in my car they may be out of > alignment. > I would see about checking the alignment before doing anything else... > > Dave Hi Dave, They are the ones from you but it's odd how the lower head didn't crash the way you had it connected :) I will study the manual a bit more... Thanks, Aaron.
Re: RL02 weirdness
> On 12/17/17 9:04 AM, Aaron Jackson via cctalk wrote: >> I unloaded very quickly but I think the damage is done. >> > > I KNOW the damage is done. > > NEVER attempt to load a pack if you haven't inspected it AND the heads > first. The pack was cleaned with lint-free kimwipes and 99.9% isopropyl alcohol not too long ago. > Was this combination ever known to work? The heads had loaded many times (with this pack) without crashing before I connected the heads to the correct headers on the R/W module (i.e. up->up and down->down). > You now need to throw that pack out, and thoroughly inspect and clean the > heads > and any pack to attempt to use in the future. > > You also need to inspect the filter, purge the air filtration system if you > haven't done that already > along with cleaning the filtered air path in the drive > and run the spindle for a while before attempting to load the heads again. I will check these things, thanks. The absolute filter is basically brand new by the looks of it. >> Why would the heads be installed this way? and why did it destroy my >> platter when they are connected "correctly"? > > The only thing that comes to mind is the servo system is going to be extremely > confused with the embedded servo information coming in the reverse direction. It seems to me though that the servo information was wrong before. Please see these: http://aaronsplace.co.uk/private/pics/rl02/scope.jpg http://aaronsplace.co.uk/private/pics/rl02/manual.png This was from TP2 on the R/W module. S2 is wrong, which is why I noticed that up was connected to down and down to up. Thanks, Aaron.
Searching for manual for ADAC 1664ATTL output pulse board
Does anyone have a copy of the manual for the ADAC 1664ATTL 64bit parallel I/O Q-bus card? Thanks, Aaron.
Re: TU-58 support under Unix
TU-58 support wouldn't need to be in the kernel, it could easily run in user space. Perhaps someone had written an application in user-space to dump TU-58 tapes. Aaron. Bill Gunshannon via cctalk writes: > Here's a question for someone who has been around long enough to > remember. > > Why did none of the available PDP-11 Unixes support the TU-58? > I have looked at Ultrix-11, V7M and BSD 2.11 (didn't try 2.9 > but I suspect if it isn't in 2.11 it wasn't in 2.9) and none > of them had support for the TU-58. Seems to me it would have > been a rather simple device to handle as it ran over a serial > line. > > bill -- Aaron Jackson - M6PIU http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
Re: H786 power supply help wanted
Glad the 23 PSU seems to be working again. My H7861 had a fault a couple of years ago where the 12V rail stopped working. It turned out to be a dead 555 timer, totally flat-lined. Perhaps it would be worth checking that in your H7861 if it is the MJE15030 that is blowing. At least it's a nice power supply to work on. :) Aaron Charles via cctalk writes: > Update: I removed the H786 from the chassis, and set it up on the workbench > with loads on the +5 and +12. > No output. 320V across the half-bridge, but no +12 Startup. Found I had > forgotten to put a cliplead to the primary of the startup transformer. > Turned it on and it works... 5 and 12 volts into 1 ohm and 4.7 ohm > respectively. WTF. > > So I disconnected the PC supply, put the H786 back in, and it fired right up > (including the real-time clock) and I ran it for half an hour. > Go figure. Ain’t classic computers fun sometimes... > > > From: Paul Anderson > Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2019 3:26 PM > To: Charles ; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > Subject: Re: H786 power supply help wanted > > > Hi Charles, > > The H786 was standard for the 11/23, BA11-N. The H7861 was for the 11/23+, > BA11-S and had afrw more amps of +5 volts. > > I would start by looking at the electronic caps. > > I have a few extras here but am pretty busy for the next week or so. > > Paul > > On Sat, Mar 30, 2019 at 2:25 PM Charles via cctalk > wrote: > > I have a PDP-11/23+ and the power supply (H786) "last ran when parked" a > year or so ago. But there's no DC output at all today, and the fans are > running so there is AC power... > I also have the original H7861 that came with it, which had a blown chopper > transistor. I couldn't find anything else bad, so I replaced the transistor > and within a few seconds of running, it blew again. :( > > So I need some help - I've never been good at fixing switching supplies, not > to mention the high-side hazards. > The simplest solution would be just to replace it with a working unit. > Anyone got one to sell, hopefully cheap? :) > If not, can anyone fix one or both of mine? > > thanks! > Charles -- Aaron Jackson - M6PIU http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
DELQA?
Unsurprisingly the DEQNA card in my PDP-11/73 is quite unstable and results in 2.11BSD panicing. Is there anything that can be done about this? Other than unplugging it that is... I don't think there very much broadcast traffic making its way to the PDP. It's usually when I'm transferring files. If not, does anyone have a DELQA card they would be willing to part with (preferably in the UK) for a sensible price? Thanks, Aaron. -- Aaron Jackson - M6PIU Researcher at University of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
Re: DELQA?
On 15 April 2019 at 07:35 BST, Ethan Dicks wrote: > On Mon, Apr 15, 2019 at 1:16 AM Kevin McQuiggin (SFU) via cctalk > wrote: >> Not in the UK, but Mitch Miller at Keyways Inc (keyways.com) has >> tested/working cards at reasonable prices. I had the same issue on a recent >> MicroVAX II upgrade, I replaced a incompatible DEQNA with a DELQA. I’ve >> bought near a dozen cards from him, honest dealer and experienced with DEC >> stuff. > > He's near me (about 90 minutes West). I used to run into him at > computer shows/hamvention in Dayton. He is definitely experienced and > trustworthy. He has some stratospheric prices on some items, but > those are typically the prices and items for businesses with immediate > need and someone to stand behind the product. I haven't purchased > from him recently (since the Dayton Computer Shows ended) but I've > heard from others that he can be accommodating to hobbyists where > possible. > > -ethan Thanks both, yes I have spoken to Mitch a few times in the past and he does seem like a nice / genuine guy. I will keep Keyways in mind. The main annoyance for me is paying import tax but perhaps it won't be too bad. I think I do have a DELQA card but it is in a VAX 4000/300 and riveted to a quad width frame. Aaron
Re: What do to with an Internet-connected PDP-11?
There is a TCP/IP stack available for RT-11, although I've never tried it. It apparently works with both DEQNA and DELQA cards, and I suspect you've got one or the other in your 11/23. http://shop-pdp.net/rthtml/tcpip.php It is possible, but also very painful, to view websites using the telnet client "GET / HTTP/1.1" followed by two returns should give you a page. I think it's more fun to do the opposite. My PDP-11/73 (in a 11/23+ chassis) is accessible via the web, when it's powered up. http://catbert.rhwyd.co.uk https://web.archive.org/web/20190420150036/http://catbert.rhwyd.co.uk/ So there's plenty of room to have fun :) Aaron Richard Cini via cctalk writes: > All – > > > > Over the last few months, I’ve built myself a nice little PDP-11/23 with a > SCSI interface/drive, extra SLUs and Ethernet. With the help of a few people, > I was able to get an Ethernet configuration running, which is kind of cool. > It’s been a great learning process getting this up and running. It’s a Q18 > system, so memory is limited and I don’t think able to run BSD (I’m running > RT-11 right now). > > > > So, for playing around, what can I practically do with this? Is it even > possible to access any Web sites (unconventional browsing for sure; I’ve read > about telnetting to port 80)? I’m sure email is possible, as is FTP/Telnet > (I’ve used that inside my lab setup), but I don’t really know where to start > with that. > > > > If anyone has any pointers/suggestions, I’d appreciate it. > > > > Thanks! > > > > Rich -- Aaron Jackson - M6PIU Researcher at University of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk/
Re: VCF Southeast Photos
Very nice photos although I am confused by some. Some of them appear to be moving but a lot of stuff stays still. What is happening?? This one for example: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMxQT03fXAj3rZSF8jUm5IrLnmLnVYTTP_hgiNtZ6z-0-pKjaFeKB3aw1ItxldqKA/photo/AF1QipPyuT8UHx84MIB-PxX5L04jePbF6tP80ojp73Iz?key=RjVnUU5qZ19haWNrbkkxMmF2bTFlMndiOFlkRWxB Aaron On 1 May 2019 at 21:10 BST, Jason T via cctalk wrote: > Last weekend I made an unannounced visit out to Roswell, GA to visit > our brothers-and-sisters-in-hoarding at the Vintage Computer Festival > Southeast. They were hosted by the new location of the Computer > Museum of America, not yet open to the public. The show was a solid > representation of the hobby, with a wide range of micros, minis and > workstations as well as a few calculators and computing ephemera. On > the museum side, I've never seen so many Crays in once place - and > they're not even done yet! > > Here is my photo set: https://photos.app.goo.gl/aiKGadREX511xeUt5 > (contains computers, computer collectors and one giant rabbit) > > Big thanks to Earl and the gang for putting on another great VCF and > showing me that southern hospitality. > > More VCF Midwest news coming soon! > > -j -- Aaron Jackson, Research Associate Computer Vision Lab, University of Nottingham http://aaronsplace.co.uk
Too many DEC binders
I have a full book case of DEC binders, each containing one or more manuals. I went through the lot of it this evening and checked to see what was on bitsavers. It seems an awful lot of it is not available. I cannot bring myself to dispose of any of it until it is digitised, but keeping hold of this much paper is not practical for me. I'm going to try to scan as much as I can. The full list of what I have is available at the link below. It is mostly mid 1980's VAX/VMS stuff.. If anyone would like one of the manuals for the cost of shipping, I'd gladly send it over to you. http://aaronsplace.co.uk/dec-manuals.html *** If there is anything you consider a priority in terms of being scanned, please let me know and I'll try to do it sooner, rather than later. *** Finally, I'd like to mention that these manuals came from a friend, Marc, who passed away early last year. Marc used to be somewhat active on this list (more so the #classiccmp IRC channel). A friend of Marc will be participating in a walk for the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) charity. If anyone is willing to donate (even a small amount), it would mean a lot to me. CALM is a charity supporting men who suffer from depression - one of the leading killers of men under 45 in the UK. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/losthourswalk2019inmemoryofmarc Many thanks, Aaron
Re: Too many DEC binders
> On 24/08/2019 08:18, Aaron Jackson via cctalk wrote: >> I'm going to try to scan as much as I can. The full list of what I have >> is available at the link below. It is mostly mid 1980's VAX/VMS >> stuff.. If anyone would like one of the manuals for the cost of >> shipping, I'd gladly send it over to you. >> >> http://aaronsplace.co.uk/dec-manuals.html >> > I seem to have PDFs for quite a lot of the manuals you have listed. I > think I got these on a CD from a friend several years ago and I'd always > assumed they were online somewhere. Maybe they were and have since > disappeared. I'll get these uploaded once I've sorted out what's needed. > > From your list these are the ones which I don't have a PDF for: > > AA-D113C-TE VAX-11 SORT / MERGE User's Guide > AA-H501B-TC DECnet/E Network Programming in BASIC-PLUS and BASIC-PLUS-2 > AA-H503B-TC DECnet/E Network Programming in COBOL > AA-H504B-TC DECnet/E Guide to User Utilities > AA-H505B-TC DECnet/E System Manager's Guide > AA-J055D-TK Introduction to DECnet Phase IV > AA-JF88A-TE VAX / VMS Release Notes, Version 4.5 > AA-K714A-TC DECnet/E Network Installation Guide > AA-KX21A-TE VAX / VMS Supplemental Information, Version 4.7 > AA-KX22A-TE LAT / VMS Management Guide > AA-L265A-TC DECnet/E Network Programming in MACRO-11 > AA-L266A-TC DECnet/E Network Programming in FORTRAN > AA-M269B-TC DECnet/E Release Notes > AA-M539A-TE VAX / VMS Magnetic Tape User Guide > AA-Y510B-TE Guide to VAX / VMS System Security > AA-Z104C-TE VAX / VMS Master Index > AA-Z501C-TE VAX / VMS System Services Reference Manual > AA-Z501C-TE VAX / VMS Run-Time Library Routines Reference Manual > AA-Z505C-TE Part II Run-Time Library Routines > AA-Z601C-TE VAX / VMS I/O User's Reference Manual: Part II > AD-L034A-26 VAX / VMS System Dispatch July 1985 > AD-L034A-27 VAX / VMS System Dispatch September 1985 > AD-L034A-28 VAX / VMS System Dispatch November 1985 > AD-L034A-29 VAX / VMS System Dispatch January 1986 > AD-L034A-30 VAX / VMS System Dispatch March 1986 > AD-L034A-32 VAX / VMS System Dispatch July 1986 > AD-LO34A-31 VAX / VMS System Dispatch May 1986 > AI-T512B-TE Guide to Networking on VAX / VMS > AI-Y516A-TE VAX / VMS Mini-Reference > AI-Y517A-TE VAX / VMS User's Manual > > I'm not sure about these two though. I have a PDF for AI-Y502B-TE and > AI-Y508B-TE with the same titles. Is the part number you listed correct? > > AI-T502B-TE Guide to Text Processing on VAX / VMS > AI-T508B-TE Guide to VAX / VMS File Applications > > > Matt Hi Matt, This certainly reduces the size of the problem quite a bit. Can we try and get those online some how? I will check T502B-TE and T508B-TE tonight. Perhaps they are slightly different versions... Y and T are very close together though. Thanks, Aaron
Re: Too many DEC binders
> On 8/24/19 12:18 AM, Aaron Jackson via cctalk wrote: >> I have a full book case of DEC binders, each containing one or more >> manuals. I went through the lot of it this evening and checked to see >> what was on bitsavers. It seems an awful lot of it is not available. > > here is a list of the manuals I have scanned but not pdf'ed Thanks Al, that's 8 which I don't need to worry about then. By the way, the first item on my list is on bitsavers but the filename is incorrect. The order number is AA-Y513A-TE but the filename is vax/vms/4.0/AA-Y512A-TE_VMS_4.0_Guide_To_VAXclusters_Sep84.pdf Aaron.
Re: Too many DEC binders
Many thanks to Matt Burke and Al Kassow, I have reduced my list of "need to scan" to 24 manuals. If anyone has any of these, please let me know so I can avoid scanning them. AA-Y510B-TEGuide to VAX / VMS System Security AI-Y517A-TEVAX / VMS User's Manual AA-Z501C-TEVAX / VMS System Services Reference Manual AA-H501B-TCDECnet/E Network Programming in BASIC-PLUS and BASIC-PLUS-2 AA-H503B-TCDECnet/E Network Programming in COBOL AA-Z501C-TEVAX / VMS Run-Time Library Routines Reference Manual AA-JF88A-TEVAX / VMS Release Notes, Version 4.5 AA-M269B-TCDECnet/E Release Notes AA-K714A-TCDECnet/E Network Installation Guide AA-L266A-TCDECnet/E Network Programming in FORTRAN AA-L265A-TCDECnet/E Network Programming in MACRO-11 AA-Z601C-TEVAX / VMS I/O User's Reference Manual: Part II AA-M539A-TEVAX / VMS Magnetic Tape User Guide AA-D113C-TEVAX-11 SORT / MERGE User's Guide AA-Z505C-TEPart II Run-Time Library Routines AA-KX22A-TELAT / VMS Management Guide AA-KX21A-TEVAX / VMS Supplemental Information, Version 4.7 AD-L034A-28VAX / VMS System Dispatch November 1985 AD-LO34A-31VAX / VMS System Dispatch May 1986 AD-L034A-27VAX / VMS System Dispatch September 1985 AD-L034A-29VAX / VMS System Dispatch January 1986 AD-L034A-30VAX / VMS System Dispatch March 1986 AD-L034A-26VAX / VMS System Dispatch July 1985 AD-L034A-32VAX / VMS System Dispatch July 1986 http://aaronsplace.co.uk/dec-manuals.html This page has been updated to reflect what has already digitised. Thanks, Aaron Aaron Jackson via cctalk writes: > I have a full book case of DEC binders, each containing one or more > manuals. I went through the lot of it this evening and checked to see > what was on bitsavers. It seems an awful lot of it is not available. I > cannot bring myself to dispose of any of it until it is digitised, but > keeping hold of this much paper is not practical for me. > > I'm going to try to scan as much as I can. The full list of what I have > is available at the link below. It is mostly mid 1980's VAX/VMS > stuff.. If anyone would like one of the manuals for the cost of > shipping, I'd gladly send it over to you. > > http://aaronsplace.co.uk/dec-manuals.html > > *** If there is anything you consider a priority in terms of being > scanned, please let me know and I'll try to do it sooner, rather than > later. *** > > Finally, I'd like to mention that these manuals came from a friend, > Marc, who passed away early last year. Marc used to be somewhat active > on this list (more so the #classiccmp IRC channel). A friend of Marc > will be participating in a walk for the Campaign Against Living > Miserably (CALM) charity. If anyone is willing to donate (even a small > amount), it would mean a lot to me. CALM is a charity supporting men who > suffer from depression - one of the leading killers of men under 45 in > the UK. > > https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/losthourswalk2019inmemoryofmarc > > Many thanks, > Aaron
Re: Too many DEC binders
I have done some test scans tonight. If anyone has any feedback, now would be a good time to give it, before I spend many more hours scanning. http://aaronsplace.co.uk/private/myscans/ Thanks, Aaron Aaron Jackson writes: > Many thanks to Matt Burke and Al Kassow, I have reduced my list of "need > to scan" to 24 manuals. If anyone has any of these, please let me know > so I can avoid scanning them. > > AA-Y510B-TEGuide to VAX / VMS System Security > AI-Y517A-TEVAX / VMS User's Manual > AA-Z501C-TEVAX / VMS System Services Reference Manual > AA-H501B-TCDECnet/E Network Programming in BASIC-PLUS and BASIC-PLUS-2 > AA-H503B-TCDECnet/E Network Programming in COBOL > AA-Z501C-TEVAX / VMS Run-Time Library Routines Reference Manual > AA-JF88A-TEVAX / VMS Release Notes, Version 4.5 > AA-M269B-TCDECnet/E Release Notes > AA-K714A-TCDECnet/E Network Installation Guide > AA-L266A-TCDECnet/E Network Programming in FORTRAN > AA-L265A-TCDECnet/E Network Programming in MACRO-11 > AA-Z601C-TEVAX / VMS I/O User's Reference Manual: Part II > AA-M539A-TEVAX / VMS Magnetic Tape User Guide > AA-D113C-TEVAX-11 SORT / MERGE User's Guide > AA-Z505C-TEPart II Run-Time Library Routines > AA-KX22A-TELAT / VMS Management Guide > AA-KX21A-TEVAX / VMS Supplemental Information, Version 4.7 > AD-L034A-28VAX / VMS System Dispatch November 1985 > AD-LO34A-31VAX / VMS System Dispatch May 1986 > AD-L034A-27VAX / VMS System Dispatch September 1985 > AD-L034A-29VAX / VMS System Dispatch January 1986 > AD-L034A-30VAX / VMS System Dispatch March 1986 > AD-L034A-26VAX / VMS System Dispatch July 1985 > AD-L034A-32VAX / VMS System Dispatch July 1986 > > http://aaronsplace.co.uk/dec-manuals.html This page has been updated to > reflect what has already digitised. > > Thanks, > Aaron > > Aaron Jackson via cctalk writes: > >> I have a full book case of DEC binders, each containing one or more >> manuals. I went through the lot of it this evening and checked to see >> what was on bitsavers. It seems an awful lot of it is not available. I >> cannot bring myself to dispose of any of it until it is digitised, but >> keeping hold of this much paper is not practical for me. >> >> I'm going to try to scan as much as I can. The full list of what I have >> is available at the link below. It is mostly mid 1980's VAX/VMS >> stuff.. If anyone would like one of the manuals for the cost of >> shipping, I'd gladly send it over to you. >> >> http://aaronsplace.co.uk/dec-manuals.html >> >> *** If there is anything you consider a priority in terms of being >> scanned, please let me know and I'll try to do it sooner, rather than >> later. *** >> >> Finally, I'd like to mention that these manuals came from a friend, >> Marc, who passed away early last year. Marc used to be somewhat active >> on this list (more so the #classiccmp IRC channel). A friend of Marc >> will be participating in a walk for the Campaign Against Living >> Miserably (CALM) charity. If anyone is willing to donate (even a small >> amount), it would mean a lot to me. CALM is a charity supporting men who >> suffer from depression - one of the leading killers of men under 45 in >> the UK. >> >> https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/losthourswalk2019inmemoryofmarc >> >> Many thanks, >> Aaron
Re: Too many DEC binders
> Starting around the VMS 5.5 era, isn’t anything from then or later on > the Condist documentation CD’s? And thus we don’t have to make a > priority for scanning? The stuff I have is mostly pre 4.5. Aaron
Re: VT420 drawings
Awesome! thanks for sharing this. Aaron On 21 October 2019 at 14:37 BST, Mattis Lind via cctalk wrote: > I got heaps of documentation from an ex-DEC field service engineer. > > Among them there were a VT420 print set. I didn't see any schematics for > the VT420 on bitsavers so even though this one looks a bit strange it is > better than nothing. > > http://storage.datormuseum.se/u/96935524/Datormusuem/DEC/VT420-engineering-drawings.pdf > > /Mattis
DEC VR290 Colour Monitor, free to good home (UK)
I have a DEC VR290 colour monitor for use with VAXstations. It was working fine when I last powered it on (2-3 years ago), hooked up to a 3100 M76. It's free to a good home (preferably a home with a VAX), absolutely collection only. I'm in Nottingham UK. It's too heavy and large to ship safely. I have two video cables which are intended for use with it. I think they are both for VAXstations of some kind, one might be for DECstation. You've welcome to have them both with the monitor. Please let me know if you are interested. If in the unlikely event there is more than one person interested, it'll be mostly whoever picks it up first but I will prioritise those who actually do have a suitable VAX to use it with. Also, if there are any documentation hoarders I have an entire book case of VAX/VMS manuals (thick red binders). Full list is here, let me know if you want any. aaronsplace dot co dot uk / dec-manuals.html Cheers, Aaron This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.
Re: VAXmate PSU fixed, but no video
>> 1. If the EHT lead was not properly connected to the CRT anode, could >> that cause problems? > > Possibly. I have VT220 terminal which was making a smell of ozone when it was > running which I should have done something about but never got around to. > This could have been due to corona discharge around the CRT anode connection > or around the flyback transformer but I never found out. Eventually, it > stopped working, drawing excess current from the 12V power supply. The > flyback transformer appears to have been damaged. I recently decided to take another look at a VT220 I've got which appears to have a bad FBT. Q202 switching transistor has been replaced and is outputting a 14.7KHz signal but the flyback also seems to draw too much current and causes the terminal to hiccup. It appears to be a problem with the primary winding, which has an inductance of 5.6uH, although has now increased to 6.4uH after smoking again (I left it on while hiccuping to check that the transistor was still switching)... If you have an LCR meter I'd be curious to know what inductance you measure on the primary winding. I did eventually notice a small crack in the plastic on the primary winding side. I'm not sure if it is superficial but I suspect this is where the smoke escaped. >> 2. Is there anything I can safely do with a bench power supply to >> isolate the problem? >> 3. Any other suggestions for diagnosing the problem? > > One approach to testing flyback transformers seems to be to use a circuit > that causes them to ring and observing whether the ringing is damped by > shorted turns. I've never got around to trying this myself. If you want to check the secondary winding, there is a diode which has a high forward bias voltage. If you pass 20v or so through the secondary and look at it with a volt meter you should see the voltage drop. It won't conduct at all if the voltage is too low. >> 4. There is an outline spec of the flyback transformer in the section >> 4.4.3.2 of the VAXmate technical description, what chance of finding a >> "modern" replacement? > > I wish you good luck with this. I never had any luck locating one for my > VT220 :-( There were two VT220 designs (I think), using either an onboard or offboard flyback. The part number of the onboard flyback is 16-26299-01, and there are some available on eBay if you are feeling rich. Cheers, Aaron (Sorry about the ridiculous footer that will appear below.) This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.
VAX 4000/300 start up / KA670 issues
Hi I've had a VAX 4000/300 sitting around for the past couple of years. The second time I tried to switch it on there was a bit pop from the power supply. The 12v module of the H7874 PSU is completely dead and despite my best efforts I have not been able to fix it. Tonight I decided to remove that module and just use the PSU to provide the 5v, with -12 and 12v supplied from external supplies. Surprisingly this worked, as long as the 12v rails are up before you turn on the H7874 (so if you have a dead H7874 you might want to try this...). After some messing around with MMJ cables and various serial adapters, I finally got some stuff printing to a terminal (I have abbreviated this slightly because I don't want to type it out. ]] KA670-A V3.4, VMB 2.12 ]] Performing normal system tests. ]] 66..65.. ... 51.. ]] 50..49.. ... 35.. ]] 34..33.. ... 19.. ]] 18..17.. ... 11.. ]] ]] ?5F 2 0F 44 07 ; SUBTEST_5F_0D, DE_SGEC.LIS ]] P1= P2= P3= P4= P5= ]] P6= P7= P8= P9=080A P10=0003 ]] r0=0054 r1=20084001 r2= r3= r4= ]] r5=1FFC r6=C001 r7= r8=4000 EPC= ]] 10.. ]] ]] ?5C 2 06 FF 0001 00 ; SUBTEST_5C_06, DE_SHAC.LIS ]] P1=0001 P2= P3= P4= P5= ]] P6= P7= P8= P9=080A P10=0003 ]] r0=0054 r1=002E r2=005C r3=20140784 r4=2005FFF8 ]] r5=20060028 r6=20065224 r7=20004000 r8= EPC= ]] 09..08..07..05..04..03.. ]] Normal operation not possible. ]] ]] >>> It allows me to type at this point but does not appear to do anything with the input. I've looked through the KA670 manual and found a listing of the error codes. 5F = SGEC (Second Generation Ethernet Controller) "loopback_type no_ram_tests" 5C = SHAC (Single Host Adapter Chip) "shac_number" I'm not sure if it is relevant but I removed the TOY battery when I got it to prevent it eating everything. I've not taken apart the console door thing but perhaps it was too late. The SGEC might refer to the ethernet controller installed on that door? If anyone is better at understanding these error messages I'd greatly appreciate any info you could give. Cheers, Aaron P.S. Apologies for the absurd footer appended by my university. You can probably ignore it... The list does not accept mail from my personal mail server for some reason. This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.
