WANTED: DEC PDP-8 or PDP-11 Stuff
Jon Strack
I am new to this newsgroup, and am looking for a DEC PDP-8 or PDP-11
system. I don't have much money, but I am more than willing to drive to
pick it up if someone has one cheap, or knows of one available. I currently
have two RL02 drives (one working) and a VT-102 terminal, but I need a PDP
to run them.
If anyone knows of something, feel free to post a reply here, or e-mail
me at markvi82 (at) hotmail (dot) (com).
I am also going to post this in alt.sys.pdp11, as that seemed appropriate.
Thanks a lot!
Jon
R.A.Omond
>
> I am new to this newsgroup, and am looking for a DEC PDP-8 or PDP-11
> system. I don't have much money, but I am more than willing to drive to
> pick it up if someone has one cheap, or knows of one available.
Jon, I don't have any such equipment any more, but just a little tip.
Since you're more than willing to drive to pick it up, it might be
useful to actually mention where you are :-)
Bob Koehler
> Hello,
> I am new to this newsgroup, and am looking for a DEC PDP-8 or PDP-11
> system. I don't have much money, but I am more than willing to drive to
> pick it up if someone has one cheap, or knows of one available. I currently
> have two RL02 drives (one working) and a VT-102 terminal, but I need a PDP
> to run them.
I don't know what you'ld do with your drives, but I'm fairly sure
SIMH will simulate both PDP-8 and PDP-11.
radi...@gmail.com
If you don't want to go the SIMH route for a PDP-11 you can always build
you own... I saw this the other day:
http://www.heeltoe.com/software/pdp11/index.html
For a PDP-8:
http://www.sparetimegizmos.com/Hardware/SBC6120-2.htm
http://homepage.mac.com/dgcx/pdp8x/
I can't afford the vintage hardware either. That doesn't mean you still
can't some fun.
Bob Doyle
Jon Strack
Shawnee on Delaware, PA 18356, which is in the northeast part of PA, in the
Poconos. It's real close to the New Jersy border.
Hope that helps...
-Jon
"R.A.Omond" <Roy....@BlueBubble.UK.Com> wrote in message
news:4a7c58e6$0$303$1472...@news.sunsite.dk...
rd...@spamcop.net
> Jon Strack wrote:
> > Hello,
> > I am new to this newsgroup, and am looking for a DEC PDP-8 or PDP-11
> > system. I don't have much money, but I am more than willing to drive to
> > pick it up if someone has one cheap, or knows of one available. I currently
> > have two RL02 drives (one working) and a VT-102 terminal, but I need a PDP
> > to run them.
> >
> > If anyone knows of something, feel free to post a reply here, or e-mail
> > me at markvi82 (at) hotmail (dot) (com).
> > I am also going to post this in alt.sys.pdp11, as that seemed appropriate.
> > Thanks a lot!
> > Jon
> >
> >
>
> If you don't want to go the SIMH route for a PDP-11 you can always build
> you own... I saw this the other day:
>
> http://www.heeltoe.com/software/pdp11/index.html
Interesting, but I must finish the restoration of my 11/23!
> For a PDP-8:
>
> http://www.sparetimegizmos.com/Hardware/SBC6120-2.htm
Built two of these, one with a front panel. Very nice.
glen herrmannsfeldt
< I am new to this newsgroup, and am looking for a DEC PDP-8 or PDP-11
< system. I don't have much money, but I am more than willing to drive to
< pick it up if someone has one cheap, or knows of one available. I currently
< have two RL02 drives (one working) and a VT-102 terminal, but I need a PDP
< to run them.
As far as I know, a real PDP-8, not counting one based on an IM6100,
will be pretty expensive. There are enough collectors out there.
There are enough LSI-11's around that you can likely afford one,
or maybe even find one for free. Even those are heavy enough
that you might not want one shipped, though. There is a Qbus
inteface for the RL02, but maybe not so easy to find. (Well,
I know there is for RL01, and believe there is for RL02.)
Otherwise, emulation is the cheapest and easiest way to use
PDP-8 and PDP-11 software without old hardware.
I am also interested in FPGA based hardware emulation of older
processors. That isn't quite the same as having actual old hardware,
but seems closer than software emulation.
-- glen
BobB
> Oops! I forgot to mention where I live! Sorry about that. I live in
> Shawnee on Delaware, PA 18356, which is in the northeast part of PA, in the
> Poconos. It's real close to the New Jersy border.
You might not have far to go to find some old pdp-11's,
maybe 8's. The Tobyhanna Army Depot is a huge facility
in NE Penna and the area's largest employer.
It's buried in the woods, hard to see but huge. Up till
about three years ago I did quite a bit of work there and
they had numerous old DEC, HP, DG. etc systems and
peripherals.
Over the years myself and numerous other hardware types
have learned how the Feds excess old IT equipment and
how you position oneself in that pipeline to get/buy this
equipment.
That "technique and skill" is too long to describe here,
but if I were you I'd take a serious hard look at
Tobyhanna. Been there, done that (numerous other
fed sites too).
>
> Hope that helps...
>
> -Jon
>
> "R.A.Omond" <Roy.Om...@BlueBubble.UK.Com> wrote in message
vaxorcist
Hi,
I'm successfully running my PDP-11s (/23 and /83) with RL02 drives
connected
via RLV12 controllers. Both machines are built from parts (mostly
bought from Ebay).
The modular design of QBUS systems makes it possible to use other &
newer
enclosures (e.g. VAXstation 3200 as in my case) for self-made QBUS
PDP-11s.
So if you cannot get hold of a complete machine just watch out for a
CPU, Memory,
Serial Line Controller (for the console, if not included in your CPU)
and Disk Controller.
A PDP-11/23 CPU for example should not be that hard to find. Memory is
somewhat
harder in my experience, but there are a lot of differnt board types
that will fit.
I'm running ULTRIX-11 V2.0 (and RT-11) on my 11/23 with 4*64KB boards.
My 11/83 has got 2*1MB and runs ULTRIX-11 V3.1 (with TCP/IP), RSTS/E
V9.6
and RSX-11M-PLUS V2.1.
Good luck finding (building) your own real PDP-11!
Regards,
Ulli
(from Germany)
P.S.
I'm using simh as well - and it is very useful indeed -, but when I've
got the choice,
I prefer the real thing!
Johnny Billquist
> In alt.sys.pdp8 Jon Strack <mark...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> < I am new to this newsgroup, and am looking for a DEC PDP-8 or PDP-11
> < system. I don't have much money, but I am more than willing to drive to
> < pick it up if someone has one cheap, or knows of one available. I currently
> < have two RL02 drives (one working) and a VT-102 terminal, but I need a PDP
> < to run them.
First question would be how to know that one RL02 is working and not the
other, as both should light up with the FAULT light on, until a
controller is connected.
> As far as I know, a real PDP-8, not counting one based on an IM6100,
> will be pretty expensive. There are enough collectors out there.
Probably. But as with all these systems, it's a question of being in the
right place at the right time. Sometimes you get lucky, and get them for
free.
> There are enough LSI-11's around that you can likely afford one,
> or maybe even find one for free. Even those are heavy enough
> that you might not want one shipped, though. There is a Qbus
> inteface for the RL02, but maybe not so easy to find. (Well,
> I know there is for RL01, and believe there is for RL02.)
Actually, there are two controllers for the Q-bus for RL drives. Either
will work with both drives. You have the RLV11 and RLV12. RLV12 is an
improved design.
If I remember right, the RLV11 can only do 16-bit and 18-bit DMA
addressing. It is also two cards. The RLV12 is a single card, and can
also do 22-bit DMA addressing.
But within those restrictions they both work just fine.
> Otherwise, emulation is the cheapest and easiest way to use
> PDP-8 and PDP-11 software without old hardware.
>
> I am also interested in FPGA based hardware emulation of older
> processors. That isn't quite the same as having actual old hardware,
> but seems closer than software emulation.
I believe there are several people working on that.
Johnny
--
Johnny Billquist || "I'm on a bus
|| on a psychedelic trip
email: b...@softjar.se || Reading murder books
pdp is alive! || tryin' to stay hip" - B. Idol
Johnny Billquist
> glen herrmannsfeldt wrote:
>> There are enough LSI-11's around that you can likely afford one,
>> or maybe even find one for free. Even those are heavy enough
>> that you might not want one shipped, though. There is a Qbus
>> inteface for the RL02, but maybe not so easy to find. (Well,
>> I know there is for RL01, and believe there is for RL02.)
>
> Actually, there are two controllers for the Q-bus for RL drives. Either
> will work with both drives. You have the RLV11 and RLV12. RLV12 is an
> improved design.
> If I remember right, the RLV11 can only do 16-bit and 18-bit DMA
> addressing. It is also two cards. The RLV12 is a single card, and can
> also do 22-bit DMA addressing.
> But within those restrictions they both work just fine.
And to be complete. The Unibus controller is the RL11. It also works
fine with both RL01 and RL02, and do 18-bit DMA on the Unibus (there
isn't anything more to be done on the Unibus).
And the PDP-8 alternative is the RL8A controller. Also works fine with
both RL01 and RL02 drives, and do DMA (with the full 15 bits :-) ).
And you don't need a PDP to use RL drives, or a VT102. VAXen will also
do, and I also believe there are some MIPS-based systems using a Qbus.
Johnny Billquist
> glen herrmannsfeldt wrote:
>> or maybe even find one for free. Even those are heavy enough
>> that you might not want one shipped, though. There is a Qbus
>> inteface for the RL02, but maybe not so easy to find. (Well,
>> I know there is for RL01, and believe there is for RL02.)
>
> Actually, there are two controllers for the Q-bus for RL drives. Either
> will work with both drives. You have the RLV11 and RLV12. RLV12 is an
> improved design.
> If I remember right, the RLV11 can only do 16-bit and 18-bit DMA
> addressing. It is also two cards. The RLV12 is a single card, and can
> also do 22-bit DMA addressing.
> But within those restrictions they both work just fine.
Doh! I hate to comment myself, but as usual, I start reading more and
more things once I've made a comment, and find more information that
might be relevant.
I believe there is a third Q-bus controller as well. The RLV21. And that
jogged another memory I had.
So, I think the correct description is:
RLV11: 16-bit and 18-bit DMA. RL01 only.
RLV21: 16-bit and 18-bit DMA. RL01 and RL02.
RLV12: 16-bit, 18-bit and 22-bit DMA. RL01 and RL02.
Lou
There are plenty of closets in labs with long forgotten machines.
Perhaps a helpful grad student or professor can be a useful contact. I
would think that most professors would be glad to see someone put that
old machine they have to use. My 11/23s and 11/73 came from
universities.
Lou
Jon Strack
That sounds like a good idea, but I would have no idea how to approach
them. I don't know anyone who works at the Depot, and would feel odd just
driving up and asking if they have any old computers..lol. If you'd rather
not describe it here, perhaps you could e-mail me? My e-mail is
markvi82(at)hotmail(dot)com. Sorry, had to protect against spambots. They
seem to be everywhere! Sorry to bother you, but it does sound like you have
a good idea. But one that should be done with appropriate tact.
Thanks in advance,
Jon
=================
Quote:
BobB
Sorry I was just responding to you original post and pointing you
in the right compass direction.
You said:
"....... I don't have much money, but I am more than willing to drive
to
pick it up if someone has one cheap, or knows of one available..."
I'm too old and tired to teach you all thats required, maybe
someone else can clue you in or if I get a chance I'll email
you.
All I know the stuffs there, drop your mouse, get off your
butt and go get it.
LenW
Hi Jon:
I can get you pretty much anything you want. Just need to know a
config.
Can do below for: $895.00
o PDP1123+ 256KB memory
o RQDX3 and RD31 Disk Drive (21MB)
o Dual RX33 Floppy Drive
o BA23 Chassis
Len
-Len Whitwer
Puget Sound Data Systems, Inc.
NEED PARTS?? "PartsDirect" http://www.psds.com/
e-mail mailto:l...@psds.com
Toll Free: (866)857-0710
Tel: (425) 488-0710