Wow, you got an amazing deal!
I've been looking for a spare 2113 for a while now, as I have a custom
instrument that is based on a HP 2113 processor. I would have easily paid 10
times that price!
As for operating systems and software, you have at least two options...
First, the easy path...
Simply run HP's stand-alone basic. You can download a binary image of the
media, originally a paper tape, from Jeff's HP2100 Archives. Now you need a way
to get
that data into the machine, and a console port.
You will also need a 'Buffered TTY Register' board to serve as a console serial
port. Later HP machines (like the 2113) often use the BACI (Buffered Async
Communications Adapter) board, which is NOT compatible with HP Basic.
Depending on what interface boards you have, we may be able to work out a deal.
I usually boot HP Basic from a custom tape reader emulator that holds the binary
image of the paper tape in EPROM. This reader-emulator connects to a HP
'Microcircuit Interface' board, and the software is loaded using the built-in
boot loader ROMs in the HP 2113. You simply power up, set a few switches on the
front panel, then press IBL, Preset, then IBL once again, and the loader code is
stored in memory. Pressing RUN at this point will load the tape image into
memory, and away you go.
Now then the hard way...
HP's operating system's for these machines are pretty nasty. The 'top of the
line' OS was RTE-6VM, and the more common OS was RTE-IVB (RTE 4B). These
operating systems were unlike anything I've ever seen, cryptic, obtuse, and
fairly painful to use. As an example, to run a compiled program, you had to
link the code into the OS itself.
The hardest part here, is getting a useable disk system. RTE-IVB uses what were
called MAC interface disks, while RTE-6VM also supported ICD drives, using a
specialized version of the IEEE-488 interface.
Supporting the original operating systems is a lot of work, and I strongly
reccomend you run HP Basic.
Now, what exactly do you have?
The HP 2113 was one of the last machines in a long series going back to 1968.
Your 2113 is binary code compatible with the original HP 2116, the first HP
product to use the then new-fangeled IC chips. HP2113's were still selling for
$13,000+ in 1983, and are exceptionally well-built.
It has no stack, but executes subroutines much like a PDP-8. In addition to the
original HP 2116 instructions, the HP 2113 also adds several new registers and
instructions, as well as a virtual memory scheme that can address 1 megaword of
solid-state memory.
Oh yes, many of the original interface boards from a 1968 HP 2116 will plug
right into your 2113 and work perfectly (but not the cool oscilloscope
point-plot display board...).
I have a MS-DOS based version of the HP assembler, so you can assemble small
programs on your PC. I am also working on a program for the PC that will send
the paper tape image from the assembler into the HP via my tape reader
emulator. Once this is working, it should be possible to boot the HP directly
from a file on the PC's disk.
Take a careful inventory of the interface boards you have, and we can see if
there is something in there you can use to get your machine running HP Basic.
(many generic HP interface boards can be made to serve as psudo-tape reader
interfaces).
Steve Robertson wrote:
> Took deliveery of my "New" HP 1000/E last week and yes Virgina, there really
> is a Santa Clause. For those who would bash eBay, here's proof that there
> are good deals to be had.
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1294677875
>
> Obviously there are no disks or OS but otherwise, the computer seems to be
> complete. Considering it's age, it's in remarkably good condition. All the
> cards aand covers are in place, very clean inside. Cool!
>
> I powered the thing up and it seems to work. I have absolutely no experience
> with these machines so, I really can't say for sure. When powered up, some
> of the lights do come on and I can select different registers and toggle
> data in and out.
>
> So... What's next?
>
> I'd really like to see it do "something" even if it's only blinking a coule
> of the lights. If someone could provide a SIMPLE routine to make it do that,
> I'd be grateful. Once again, I don't have any exposure with this thing so,
> I'll need pretty explicit instructions.
>
> I'm not familiar with all the cards but, from what I can tell, there is no
> ASYNC card in the box. I think it was originally used with a HPIB terminal.
> I do have some HP terminals but, none of them have HPIB interfaces. If
> anyone has a ASYNC card the'd be willing to part with, please let me know.
>
> I'm not sure what the licensing issues are but, would really like to find a
> OS for the system. I've got plenty of HPIB disks, tapes drives, etc... so
> copying the OS shouldn't be an issue. If anyone can provide a reasonable
> solution to getting the OS, once again, I'd appreciate it.
>
> Thanks for the help and Happy holidays to all,
>
> SteveRob
>
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Received on Sun Dec 23 2001 - 08:56:42 GMT