by billdeg
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Updated: [ Call from Beckman alumni ] 10/30/2024

Beckman Instruments, Inc. made a connected industrial research computer system called the DEXTIR, which was designed for to prepare data for computer entry. The model pictured in this photo was installed at the ESSO Research Labs in Baton Rouge, LA in July 1961. Click image for larger view.

Beckman issued a proposal to GM some time after the above photo was taken for an automatic monitoring and control system for the Die Casting Department of the Guide Lamp Division at General Motors. The comptuer that the DEXTIR would feed its data was (I believe) a UNIVAC 1108 computer from the same era. Perhaps also an IBM 704, 709, 7090) Download it here To my knowledge there is nothing published about this machine.">... [ read more ]

by billdeg
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National Semiconductor started selling a CPU called the Simple Cost-effective Micro Processor, or "SC/MP". This image shows the SC/MP microprocessor at the heart of a simple system and current loop to RS232 converter. Click image for larger view.

Here is a closeup of the SC/MP-1. This is the first gen version, part number ISP-8A/500. It's clocked at 1 MHz and uses P Channel MOS technology. Note the silkscreen date. This microprocessor was first available in April 1976. Click image for larger view.

More to come on this one. The builder of this SBC followed a magazine's des">... [ read more ]

by billdeg
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Updated: [ IBM 3270 PC Update ] 01/23/2024

The IBM 3270 PC, model 5271 after repairs made to the RAM. Click image for larger view.

View of display connector cable attachment to rear of IBM 5271. Note the dual card. Note also the RAM expansion card has been removed for troubleshooting. Click image for larger view.

The display paired with the 3270 PC (part no. 5272)running a color calibration program. Click image for larger view.

More photos This computer was donated to Kennett Classic. It initia">... [ read more ]

by billdeg
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Updated: [ Sweda User Describes Model 8452 Use ] 01/18/2024

The Floppy Disk Model 8452 by Litton Sweda. No information is forthcoming about the computer that used this drive.

Litton Sweda International business equipment, cash registers, and like many companies of the late 70's and early 80's they experimented with business computers. Litton was based in New Jersey, but this drive was manufactured in Japan. I am guessing that this is simply a re-branded something or another drive. If you're looking to complete a Litton Sweda system contact me if you're interested in this drive. Pics">... [ read more ]

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 5
Updated: [ SuperPet Starter-Pak ] 12/03/2023
The manuals supplied by Commodore are frustratingly incomplete and require a lot of head banging and experimenting to accomplish what should be simple tasks. The top of the klugey list is printing a program listing. Here are some useful tips and tricks including a few things that are not found in the original manuals. I still recommend that you try to find and read a copy of the SuperPET manuals (pamplets) too. 1. In order to use the SuperPET in 6809 mode, you must have the OS boot disk titled "SuperPet WCS" present in drive 1 (left drive) of an 8050 (or 8250) dual-diskette drive. Set the side dip switches to 6809 and R/W. If you do not have this disk or a 8050/8250 drive, you'll have to trouble doing much more than staring at the initial boot menu. This menu lists the programming language options (Pascal, COBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC, etc.) BUT these components are not included in">... [ read more ]

by billdeg
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Testing the Cromemco Dazzler video cards in an IMSAI 8080. Note sense switch 12 is up, which generates the pattern displayed on the video. The test program is listed in the Cromemco Dazzler user manual

More Photos Most software produced for the Dazzler was created to be run on a Z80 Cromemco Z1 (enhanced IMSAI 8080) running CP/M. The computer pictured is an IMSAI with an 8080 CPU and no CP/M. I would like to try to convert the CP/M Z80 programs to 8080 format. I would then and run them from memory without CP/M. Not impossible. So why did no one do this? 8080 is not much different than Z80, but I think it's a speed thing. I should be able to at least make basic graphics. What would realy">... [ read more ]

by billdeg
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1985 Zenith ZFA-138 Portable. Click image to see larger view.

Donation to Kennett Classic, outer case cleaned, machine in operational condition. More Pics">... [ read more ]

by billdeg
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XYBASIC initialization screen. 44K available, better than an IBM PC.

You can load and run XYBASIC for the IMSAI 8080 with SIO set for 9600b, assuming you have a ROM monitor can can accept binary HEX files or you have toggled in the bootstrap loader into RAM first. Also assuming you have a PC running a terminal program such as TeraTerm on the other end: 1. Prepare your PC terminal to transmit with a 10ms delay, 8N1. 2. Prepare the IMSAI to receive a HEX file. For most ROM monitor programs, the command L (load tape) should work. 3. From your PC terminal program send xybasic.hex as a binary file. 4. You should see the binary file contents stream line by line as the file downloads into your IMSAI from the PC. The 10ms delay is necessary">... [ read more ]

by billdeg
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Variations of the chase the lights toggle-in programs 1. 0000: F8 F1 E3 C7 8F 1F 3F 3F 1F 8F C7 E3 F1 F8 FC FC 0100: 80 40 20 10 08 04 02 01 00 01 02 04 08 10 20 40 ... run from 0000 Generates an inverse pattern effect, the non-shining light travels back and forth 2. Same as before except 0100 is: FE FD FB F7 EF DF BF 7F BF DF EF F7 FB FD FE FF Generates the traditional single light traveling back and forth">... [ read more ]

by billdeg
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The 1985 PC’S LIMITED Turbo PC. Click image for larger view.

ARC produced the first Turbo PC motherboard. Click image for larger view.

Newest chip dates are 25th week of 1985, making this an early model. Click image for larger view.

This machine was donated to Kennett Classic as unoperational. I replaced the power supply with an original IBM XT supply and replaced the hard drive controller card with a simil">... [ read more ]

by billdeg
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Click image for PDF version

Recently read ... Computers Admiration and Fear- "...the IBM 7094 digital computer as a translator of music..." used to generate music for a recital at the Riverside Museum in Princeton, NJ USA. Anyone have a recording? "On the other hand....The Anthroposophical Society whose members believe in the omnipotent computer in the sky.."...satellite anyone? Source: The Realist no. 75, June 1967 Supposedly you can hear this on Charles Dodge's "Computer Music" album from 1970.">... [ read more ]

by billdeg
Total messages in this thread: 2
Updated: [ Loading Imsai BASIC ] 07/04/2023

IMSAI 8080 running Jon Chapman's Glitchwrks GWROM-80 Intel 8080 ROM monitor program customized for the IMSAI 8080 and IMSAI SIO serial card. Click image for larger view.

The objective of this project is to build up an IMSAI with a usable ROM monitor program that can be used to load programs and manage RAM. The system should also provide access to most of the 64K address space, all while retaining the use of both the IMSAI front panel and/or a 9600b serial terminal. The use of a front panel is hightly valued for diagnostics, programming, and S-100 board hardware testing. Basically this will be my bench S-100 system. The challenge is to try to do all of this with a newer IEEE 696 RAM board.... [ read more ]

by billdeg
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Kennett Classic exhibit table. Click image for larger view.

Datec 1000. Click image for larger view.

Triadex MUSE and books relating to computer intelligence. Click image for larger view.

Many more photos">... [ read more ]

by billdeg
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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 ]

by billdeg
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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 ]