vord
New Member
Hi everyone. I seem to have fallen head first into the world of vintage computers by buying a 1984 Genrad 2515 (computer aided test system). It's running the RT-11 operating system with SDRC structural testing software (modal-plus and real time analysis).
I've actually picked it up to use it. It was by far the most capable machine for doing this sort of thing in it's day, and while technology has moved on the only real advantages of modern machines is the resolution available (and maybe a few extra features). Disadvantage of modern software is the software licencing cost for the sort of work this machine can do (analysing noise and vibration) can cost upwards of £10,000. Hence the Genrad.
It works perfectly at the moment (apart from never booting up first time). But I'm keen to get an image of the hard drive as that's not going to last forever and the machine would be useless without it. Still reading through the PDP-11 stuff here and on the internet, and am guessing clever things involving serial ports and emulators will be the way forward. Any pointers much appreciated.
Popped in to say hi and share some photos - here she is:
I've actually picked it up to use it. It was by far the most capable machine for doing this sort of thing in it's day, and while technology has moved on the only real advantages of modern machines is the resolution available (and maybe a few extra features). Disadvantage of modern software is the software licencing cost for the sort of work this machine can do (analysing noise and vibration) can cost upwards of £10,000. Hence the Genrad.
It works perfectly at the moment (apart from never booting up first time). But I'm keen to get an image of the hard drive as that's not going to last forever and the machine would be useless without it. Still reading through the PDP-11 stuff here and on the internet, and am guessing clever things involving serial ports and emulators will be the way forward. Any pointers much appreciated.
Popped in to say hi and share some photos - here she is: