ALTAIR stuff (was Re: E-Over Pay strikes again! original Altair disk sells for... )

From: Don Maslin <donm_at_cts.com>
Date: Sat Feb 13 13:49:11 1999

Well, I would not venture to suggest just where it originated, but the
37-pin D-sub connector has pretty much (there have been exceptions) been
the standard for connecting external floppy drives of all sizes. Almost
all PC (ISA) FDCs that support external drives use it, and the Xerox 820
(CP/M) series used it. Most S-100 crates did not, as they typically ran
the ribbon cable direct from the card to the drive.

                                                 - don


On Sat, 13 Feb 1999, Richard Erlacher wrote:

> What I find odd about the MITS FDD is that they used a 37-pin "D" connector
> and cable as opposed to the 50-pin more commonly seen on the 8" types. I
> found one among a set of enclosures I bought about 20 years ago. While
> this is already promised out (once I find the top of the box), I do know
> that there's an ALTAIR hard disk controller box, apparently with a drive
> inside, judging from the weight, at Gateway Electronics in Denver, (303)
> 458-5444, if anyone's interested. It's the same size as the ALTAIR FDD
> box.
>
> Dick
>
> ----------
> > From: Allison J Parent <allisonp_at_world.std.com>
> > To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
> <classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
> > Subject: RE: E-Over Pay strikes again! original Altair disk sells for
> > Date: Friday, February 12, 1999 6:34 PM
> >
> >
> > <True enough I'm sure. MITS also produced a "mini"-floppy controller
> that
> > <was also a two board TTL set. The first board (computer interface) was
> th
> > <same board as in the 8" set (except for different RC values), the second
> >
> > Well heres where I stand on it. Never seen one, I was there, and never
> > seen an advert for one, I have back issues. Was it possible, sure. The
> 8"
> > design with some tweeks would certainly do minifloppy.
> >
> > Allison
>
Received on Sat Feb 13 1999 - 13:49:11 GMT