--- David Gesswein <djg_at_drs-esg.com> wrote:
> > From: Ethan Dicks <ethan_dicks_at_yahoo.com>
> >
> > ...add the second core stack to the -8/i.
> > Got peripherals (RK05, RX01, DF32/DS32, TU56, PR04). Lacking in
> > pre-omnibus interfaces.
> >
> The DF32 is a external bus device so just hook up the 11 interface cables
> and away you go.
Right. I've had them hooked up in the past. I got as far as writing a
simple program to check the rotational pulse and stick it in the AC so
I could watch the disk rotate. That tells me that the cables and the master
electronics are probably OK.
> I should finish the DF/DS32 manual scanning also this weekend, it will be up
> with the rest soon and more pictures of the 8/I and DF32.
Cool. I have some DF32 docs. I'll be happy to see if there's more stuff
floating around than what I have.
> The disk monitor system runs on DF/DS32, the paper tape image (and DF32 diags
> etc) are in ftp://ftp.pdp8.net/software/paper_tapes/ docs
> http://www.pdp8.net/query_docs/query.shtml
Excellent. _There's_ something I know I don't have.
> OS/8 will run with a DF32 and DS32 and 8k but may not have enough space to
> be too useful.
Right. It will run, but lots of stuff wants more memory.
> I also may be able to help with 8/I parts.
At the moment, I'm not short on parts. Thanks for the offer. What would me
of immesurable use - a digital picture or three of the area around the power
input card to the -8/i backplane. I disconnected mine for transport a while
back and I can't remember how the loose wires hook back on. Once I get that
replaced, I can fire up the beast again and start looking for bad logic and
dirty backplane connectors.
> The reader/punch can also be hooked up to an 8/I if it had the
> interface cards in the 8/I.
Right. I only have one set of interface cards.
> Longer term the 8/I will join the 8/E runnable online although I
> will have to replace the disk heads with an emulation since the drive
> lands the heads on the disk when it spins down so has a limited number of
> spin down cycles. The platter is nickel cobalt alloy so is more durable
> than the iron oxide ones (ex RK05's) when the head does hit it.
Right. I've probably roached one of the platters on one of my master
units from experimentation in High School, before I knew of the destructive
nature of the drive. Once I get everything else in order, I'll probably
flip the platter over, if Field Circus hasn't beaten me to it.
> I also have a Straight 8 maintenance manual on the too scan list, if
> you need it (or any others, I may have them) before I get to it let me
> know and I will do it sooner.
It's not a priority for me, but I will eagerly soak it up when it gets scanned.
Somewhere, I do have some docs Doug Jones sent me years ago, but it's not
a complete set by any means.
My priority -8 items are - finish running the working -8/L through the
diagnostic tapes, get the -8/i up and in the same state, get/manufacture
some overhead connector blocks for the memory on my -8/e and get it
up and running, fix an -8/a and back up my RL01 to a disk image file, clean
and check out my BM-08 8kW expander for the PDP-8/L, test/repair the TU-56
with a TD8E, back up my DECTape collection to image files... Lots of stuff to
do; probably a year's worth of spare time for just that list alone.
-ethan
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Received on Mon Mar 26 2001 - 12:10:34 BST