Cogar C4 / ICL 1501/ Singer 1501

[jdreesen]

Not sure if this is the correct category, but here it goes :

anybody knows if this early 70's, 74181 based, personal computer actually has a operating system ?
Or ist it all just application programs, booted directly from the cartridge tapes ?

In this case I would expect there to be utility tape with some programs to list directories, copy tapes etc etc
Anyone know of a surviving copy ?

With my ICL1501 I also got a Diablo 30 type drive, alas no interface. Does dis have to be a complete 1503 unit, or are there other ways of adressing the disk ?

Rams in these machines are 1k bit dynamic rams, not multiplexed, and needing separate level convertors to interface them...


Jos

 

[JohnPhantom]

Yeah in around 1972 my dad worked a deal out for a prototype Cogar 4. Singer wanted to use me in a commercial because if a 5 year old could turn it on, put a tape in and load a game, then anyone could.

"Uncle" Eddie Vincent talked about making some sort of rudimentary OS for it. I really don't remember any details, other than vague recollections of the Cogar ASM or whatever it was called. He is now gone. The main thing I remember was the description of "Adventure" he gave me, I believe telling me it was like the Lord of the Rings that my father had read to us at a younger age every night. There were other games, Snake, Hangman, F1 Racing, Vegas Slots, some others I really don't remember.

Sorry I can't be more help. I really can't imagine one of these thing surviving.

 

[jdreesen]

. I really can't imagine one of these thing surviving.

There are 4 specimen ( ICL & Singer, no Cogar ) in my household alone...But they are on the "to be tackled" list. The tapecartridges, of which i have plenty, invariable suffer from old age and break the second you want to use them.

But thanks for the story !

Jos

 

[Al Kossow]

Reviving and old thread
Could you take some pictures of the 1503 boards that you have and a picture of the front of the diablo
drive so I can see if it is front or top loading?
CHM aquired a bunch of ICL 2315 style disk cartridges and I've been trying to figure out what system
they were used with. As you discovered, there is very little information on the hard disk model.

 

[jdreesen]

The disk was the fixed version of the Diablo 31. I believe it is a variant of the frontloading diablo 31.
The Stuttgart people have some more info on the 1501-1503 on their FTP server, some pics are on my FTP server.
Better pics will have to wait until I am back home in ca. 2 weeks time,..

 

[jdreesen]

I took pictures of the PCB's and other components of the 1503 system I have. Alas the system is not complete, although the great majority of components should be there. The Diablo disk is handled with 2 big boards full of TTL.
Find it on ftp.dreesen.ch/ICL1503

A manual for Cobol on the ICL1501 is on ftp.dreesen.ch/ICL1501
Also a reverse enginered schematic of the powersupply in the Singer/ICL, very different to the original PSU of the Cogar C4.

 

[Al Kossow]

thanks!
I took a look at the ICL packs we have and they have "ICL EDS 10" on them
Nothing really comes up in any searches I've made for that.