ID this Data General

From: THETechnoid_at_home.com <(THETechnoid_at_home.com)>
Date: Mon Oct 9 08:13:19 2000

You have a micro-nova (nova 3 ish?) machine of the "Desktop Generation"
series. It will run RDOS and maybe AOS and AOS/VS. It is a 16bit
mini-micro computer that, if outfitted for it, can support a number of
dumb terminals. It also has the capability to run MSDOS as a task under
RDOS if you have the PC-compatible card installed. I think the machine is
maxed at 512kb (not including ram on PC card).

This series is modular - each module looks a lot like a DG 6311 series
cart tape unit. The modules are bolted together which gives it it's
distinct look. The tape drive is a DC300 type and stores appx 20mb on a
tape (more like 15mb really). New carts are hard to find. If you really
really need a some, let me know as I have a few spares. Since I got my
9track drive, I've left off the 6311 cart unit (9track is much faster in
most cases).

If you need documentation, operating system carts, or replacement/upgrade
hardware, Ed Kirby at Computer Parts Barn has at least one complete unit
available which has the msdos pc card installed.

There are allmost no DG machines (excepting the very largest ones) which
require 220. Generally, it is a simple matter of a set of jumper wires on
the PS that dictate the input voltage. Check with Ed on that.

IIRC, the hard disk is an ST506/412 compatible type. My experience with
my Eclipse MV4000dc is that the systems are very picky about what drive(s)
they will accept. Ed should be able to help you with that as well.

Rdos is a robust, multi-user, multitasking, Real-time operating system.
AOS and AOS/VS are robust Unix-like operating systems which came later.
I've little sticktime with RDOS but lots with AOS, AOS/VS, and AOS/VS II -
the 32 bit version of AOS/VS. IIRC, DG started selling the Nova sans
operating system. DG quickly realized that customers wanted an operating
system and so wrote and continually upgraded RDOS.

RDOS was the subject of suits. Other companies making Nova clones wanted
to bundle them with the DG operating system. DG balked and was sued for
'tying' thier operating system with thier hardware. DG won the suit as
did they with a similar, later suit regarding thier nova/eclipse Advanced
Diagnostic EXerciser operating system. Under questionable circumstances,
the clone maker's building burned? and the company was later aquired by
DG. Interestingly, this ADEX suit was cited by Microsoft in it's recent
antitrust defense as regards 'tying' MSIE to Windows.

Probably the best resource for tech support on nova hardware is Chris
Kennedy - right here on the list or Chris_at_Maincoon.com.


Ed Kirby (edcpb_at_email.com)
16 London Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803

In <3.0.1.16.20001008184435.34b78d6c_at_mailhost.intellistar.net>, on
10/09/00
   at 09:13 AM, Joe <rigdonj_at_intellistar.net> said:

>"www.intellistar.net/~rigdonj/nova-dt/dg-back.jpg",

Regards and good luck,

Jeff
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jeffrey S. Worley
President
Complete Computer Services, Inc.
30 Greenwood Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803
828-277-5959
THETechnoid_at_home.com
-----------------------------------------------------------
Received on Mon Oct 09 2000 - 08:13:19 BST

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