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1997 IBM AS/400e 9404-620 Server

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 1
Pictured is an 1997 IBM AS400e model 9404-620, donated by GG Bearings along with related hardware and software. The hardware had been updated over the lifetime of the system, which was finally retired in 2018! Click image for larger view.
Additional hardware donated was a Magstar MP 3570 tape storage unit, and a 06G6331 terminal. It's currently sitting in the entrance of the library under the stairs alcove. This should be a fun project. I am hoping I can start by scaling back the system in order to limit the power usage. Otherwise I may have to get three-phase power. Fortunately we have the AS/400 OS install CDs and a few hard drives that are compatible with which to install the OS. ... [ read more ]

1979 Intertec Superbrain Computer

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 1
In 1979 Intertec Data Systems Corp made an all-in-one Z80 computer with twin internal 5 1/4" disk drives. Note that the display adhesive has started to separate from the CRT and needs to be restored by removing the old adhesive.. Click image for larger view.
The machine itself does not boot yet. The display can be fixed in a manner similar to that when one repairs the ADM-3a terminal (hopefully). Stay tuned.">... [ read more ]

1983 TI Portable Professional Computer

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 1
This Texas Instruments Portable Professional Computer was donated by Robert Martin. Click image for larger view.
This computer booted up just fine, but I had no boot disks. The Portable Professional uses a disk format that's incompatible with any other MS DOS computer that I know of. It's not possible to simply copy the disks from another DOS machine. I found a disk image repository that had a copy of the TI boot disk: Microsoft DOS images https://winworld...om/product/ms-dos/ I created a physical disk using the archive PC at Kennett Classic, using Dunfield's image disk utility with a 1:2 interleave.">... [ read more ]

Windows 1.01 Running on an XT Clone

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 1
Harry Zwick donated this IBM XT clone. It has an Intel 386 processor card installed. As you can see, it's running Windows 1.01. Click image for larger view.
I thought maybe it might be fun to put Windows 1.0 on an XT clone, to take advantage of the 386 add-on controller. I probably could get Windows 3.0 running but for another time. To install WIndow 1.01 on this computer first I needed to update the install disks. I replaced the mouse.drv with a newer version (from the Win 2 install disks) so that my P/S mouse would be recognized. I did this, rather than use an original MS Mouse because the system already had DOS drivers installed for the DOS 3.3 environment previsiouly installed before I added Windows. Sometimes">... [ read more ]

1988 Apple IIc Plus FugiNet Testing

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 1
Apple IIc Plus. Click image for larger view.
The internal 3.5 drive controller was toast, so I had to replace it to get the drive to work correctly. This is a wonderful machine, very fast and has an smart drive that allows it to interface easily with the FujiNet networking device being developed today. The only issue I have with the IIc Plus is that most Apple II software is written for 5 1/4" drives. The system is thus most useful with an external 5 1/4" drive attached. It's not possible to use the FUJINET with an external drive attached.
FUJINET for Apple II works best on the II">... [ read more ]

VDM-2021 (a VDM-1 reproduction)

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 1
Sitting on a riser card, the VDM-2021 is a reproduction of the original 1076 Processor Technologies VDM-1 video / display S-100 controller.
I traded a non-working original VDM-1 for the replica VDM-2021. It worked great. The only issue is that as received the connector coming off of the card is in a bad spot and needs to be moved. For testing I simply put the card on a riser. As ALWAYS with this IMSAI 8080, one of the first I owned, it's always in need of some repairs. A few keyboard wires are in need of suring up. I can't do much until the connector wires are cleaned up. I am temporarily using an aligator clip, etc.">... [ read more ]

1991 Apple Macintosh Powerbook 170

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 1
1991 Apple Macintosh Powerbook 170 had a Motorola 68030 microprocessor and cost $9100 in 2023 dollars!
This computer works, no restoration needed at this time.">... [ read more ]

1995 Apple Macintosh Performa 6300CD

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 1
Apple Macintosh 6300CD computer, upgraded to a 6360CD by Joe Tooman.
READ MORE: https://www.kenne...h-performa-restoration/">... [ read more ]

Scientific Data Systems 420

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 2
Updated: [ Not Good ] 04/19/2023
Scientific Data Systems SDS 420
The SDS 420 computer is a 6502 CPU computer with Persci model 277 dual 8" disk drives and proprietary operating system. Click image for larger view.
More pictures I received the computer in pieces. The CPU board and RAM expansion board have a 1977 date on them but the actual machine was produced or last upgraded in 1979 (?). I worked with one of the engineers who built the computer, Bill Scheding, to re-assemble it. The Persci drives require repairs but overall everything looks good and should be fully restorable. I have a lot of notes and will post asap. Next - Rehab the drives and boot up the system. Document the memory map and archive the software.">... [ read more ]

Digital TU56 for PDP-9?

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 2
Updated: [ Negibus or Posibus? ] 01/17/2023
View of a recently donated TU 56 dual tape drive, prior to any restoration efforts. Click image for larger view.
W850 C bus connecting cable. This end goes to the PDP-9 (!). Click image for larger view.
More photos">... [ read more ]

DEC PDP 8/e MM8Ej RAM (8K) Repairs

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 2
Updated: [ Getting 32K Again ] 12/09/2022
PDP 8e with H-19 terminal on the ground, displaying a directory from RK05 diskpack. Click image for larger view.
This thread will document the current progress with the PDP 8/e located at Kennett Classic. It's the same system written about earlier here. The current issue is that the system boots from RK05 diskpack 0, but the MEMORY command says only 8K RAM is available, even when more RAM is installed. 8K is not enough for any useful operations on this system. The proper next step is to run the MAINDEC DEC8X diagnostics, which naturally bombs without more RAM in the system. Love the classic chicken and egg DEC troubleshooting problems. There does not seem to be any manual online for this specific board">... [ read more ]

CTC Datapoint 3300 Video

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 1
A demonstration of the Datapoint 3300 connected to the Area 29 telnet bulletin board via WIFI modem.
For those of you who want to hear the beeps from a Datapoint 3300 connected to telehack.com's telnet time service: https://twit...8184403259596802 The Datapoint does not have the ability to refresh / redraw. Essentially the 3300 is a "glass Teletype" that prints text to the screen as if it were a serial printer printing text into tractor-feed paper">... [ read more ]

1974/5 TCC-3700 i8080 Computer

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 1
The TCC-3700 was a specialized 8080 CPU-based computer used to translate IBM communications data into other formats. More detail is needed. Click image for larger view.
I like this system because it is a great example of the kinds of homebrew computers and prototypes mid-1970's engineers were building with the new microprocessors that became available then. In this case the TCC engineer chose the Intel 8080. The TCC 3700 was a full 8-bit "computer". The system was housed in a TeraDyne card rack supplied with individualized controller cards for CPU, ROM, Serial and other I/O and TTL logic. Little is known about TCC but it was not a large company. The computing unit was donated to Kennett Classic by Bob Martin who was given the TCC-3700 by the original engineer (n">... [ read more ]

1950 RCA Memory Tube Ad

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 1
Click for PDF (guest registration required)
">... [ read more ]

1976 Digital PDP-8/A Minicomputer

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 1
Partially Assembled. Click image for larger view.
This system came nearly complete, but was missing the cable that connects the power console to the backplane. I got one from the parts bin. I also had to move one of the molex connectors from the main transformer to a different location on the power backplane. Some of the cards were in the wrong slots. I wonder if this is why whomever had the computer originally gave up on it.
A edge-on view of the controller cards installed. The original module assignment sheet on the back">... [ read more ]
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