Who is still running a VAX/780?

[Robotrontechnik]

I have such a heavy metal computer as an exhibit in my museum, showing three major problems:

(1): The machine is incomplete, I'm failing to make it functional again because missing spares.
(2): The computer has four hard disks and don't find a way to save its data.
(3): I'm still not familiar with this computer class.

Does anybody want to discuss these themes?

 

[Wildfire]

Rüdiger,

did you get an original 11/780 - or do you mean your Robotron version ?
I assume your "Handynummer" is still the same ? - I will call you the next days...

 

[Robotrontechnik]

did you get an original 11/780 - or do you mean your Robotron version ?

Robotron version. But fortunately the boards are compatible to DEC's.

Only the console processor was an own development of Robotron. But there is no chance to get an original one...

 

[g4ugm]

Robotron version. But fortunately the boards are compatible to DEC's.

Only the console processor was an own development of Robotron. But there is no chance to get an original one...

I have the boards and Q-BUS cage from an 11/03 console processor from one of the VAX that used the 11/03 but its in the UK. I don't have a tape drive. I guess its not of use to you as your "VAX" used a different interface and you need the software, and tape drive.

 

[Robotrontechnik]

I have the boards and Q-BUS cage from an 11/03 console processor from one of the VAX that used the 11/03 but its in the UK. I don't have a tape drive. I guess its not of use to you as your "VAX" used a different interface and you need the software, and tape drive.

The 780 uses floppy disks to boot the console processor: 8" Floppies at DEC VAX, 5,25" disks originally at my VAX.
Would you like to publish a picture of the VAX interface card?

The usual boards in the 780's console processor are M7264-YC, M7946, M7940, M8400-EH, M9400-YE.
The last one is VAX interface.

My VAX has an 1/2" tape, but currently no tape controller.

 

[g4ugm]

OK so I don't have an M8400-EH but an M8044-EE. The M9400-YE is pretty bare. No ROMs (sorry). I wonder how this booted because the hardware guide suggests it has ROMS . I wonder if they were in the 11/780?

 

[Robotrontechnik]

Current situation:

About (1): I have
-Main rack: CPU, FPU, DW780, 16 MB RAM, MBA RH880, Emulex HDC, power supplies.
-four huge hard disks
-one 1/2" tape drive

Missing components:
-At the main rack: board M8272 (part of DW780). (4)
-The complete console processor rack. (5)
-The UNIBUS rack containing the terminal controller and the tape controller. (6)
-Most cables between controllers and disk/tape drives. (7)

About (5):
We think about replacing it by a unit from an old QBUS PDP.
Main problem is we still not got a M9400-YE board.

About (6):
We think about replacing it by a unit from an UNIBUS PDP.

 

[g4ugm]

About (5):
We think about replacing it by a unit from an old QBUS PDP.
Main problem is we still not got a M9400-YE board.

Where are you? Would that little QBUS box be usefull?

 

[Robotrontechnik]

Where are you?

Germany.

Would that little QBUS box be usefull?

Your pictured board would perfectly match to my VAX and the box would also do.

 

[g4ugm]

Germany.



Your pictured board would perfectly match to my VAX and the box would also do.

I am having a big downsizing, so I am happy for you to have it. How can I get it to you?

 

[Wildfire]

I am having a big downsizing, so I am happy for you to have it. How can I get it to you?

Hmmm, you are downsizing...
Do you also want to sell/trade parts or systems ? - And if yes what do you have ?

 

[g4ugm]

Nothing big. Off the top of my head.

AlphaServer 2100 - won't power up
Small Vax4000 - can' remember if its a 300 or a 400 - has VMS installed - works but backup battery duff
Vastation 3000/30 - currently running on a VT terminal - I think I have a spare puck mouse.
Documation Card Reader - Needs US voltage and frequency - Probably also needs work
Kennedy 9612 - SCSI tape drive - has failed PAT test label so I haven't powered on
IBM 3174 screen controller. Has MFM emulator and token ring card.
Small Roland Plotter, HP Plotter - working
Large HPGL plotter - can't remember make - was working
Probably got other plotters - Tandy, Bryant...
Decwriter - think it has PSU issues, prints a couple of characters then faults.
Silent 700 - has cracked plastic inside.
Televideo PT100 terminal.
Couple of Late SWTPC 6809 systems. Not the classic case. Probably used as Uniflex terminals.
SUN Ultra 60 - conditions unknown
very scruffy Sparcstation 20 - does not power up.
SBC6120 with expansion board.


Dave

 

[pbirkel@gmail.com]

SBC6120 with expansion board.

IOB6120? You out to list this a sales-thread. I expect that there would be interest!

 

[g4ugm]

IOB6120? You out to list this a sales-thread. I expect that there would be interest!

I think that is the one. I was going to list things eventually, but as I was asked drew up a quick list. Trouble is being in the UK is a significant disadvantage...

 

[Robotrontechnik]

An update of my project:

-The power supplies of the VAX (5V/1000A, wow!) are repaired now and the VAX can be powered on (a perfect heater at cold winters or to dry wet hair).

-All boards are tested for shorts and are accepting electrical power.
We sent a lot of money to USA to buy the missing board for SBA, a complete board set for the missing MBA and two missing boards for the memory unit.

-Thanks to g4ugm I got a KC780.
After replacing CPU card it is communicating with the terminal.

-We are going to replace the missing RX02 floppy disk drive unit by an emulator.

-Serious problem is I don't own an adapter (called "RM") between Massbus and SMD hard disks. Does anybody sell such a unit?
At DEC VAXes is was probably a component of the disk units.
http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pdf/dec/disc/rm05/EK-RMADA-TD-001_Oct80.pdf
At my computer it was originally a stand-alone unit.

-We did not yet start to replace the missing Unibus unit and its boards by PDP components.

-I still have not found a possibility to make backups of my four hard disks.
Does somebody have experience with such a job?

-And I'm still searching for somebody who would like to share VAX/780 knowledge with me.

 

[pbirkel@gmail.com]

-And I'm still searching for somebody who would like to share VAX/780 knowledge with me.

Find the buyer of: https://www.ebay.com/itm/156419405054
An eBay message to the seller might get you in contact with the buyer.

 

[hhedeshian]

Find the buyer of: https://www.ebay.com/itm/156419405054
An eBay message to the seller might get you in contact with the buyer.

No need. You found the buyer. The first cabinet arrived today (waiting on the disks). I'm not an expert on this system, but so far it looks like I'm missing the console 11/03 and all of the bootstrap / microcode floppies (hoping to get a copy/image from someone). If there is something you want me to look at on my system, happy to help. It is otherwise complete.

 

[pbirkel@gmail.com]

Congratulations on your excellent acquisition! Exactly where does the 11/03 go in the cabinet and how does it connect to the 11/780?

 

[hhedeshian]

Thanks! The PDP 11/03 would normally sit in the lower left-hand corner of the 11/780 cabinet. Above the 11/03 you would have a memory battery backup (also missing in my unit). The 11/03 would be paired with a single RX01 drive on a swing-out tray. The 11/03 has a M9400-YE which is a QBus terminator + ribbon cable adapter (simple board). That would have two 40-pin ribbon cables running up to J7 and J8 on the 11/780 CPU backplane. My unit is also missing the ribbon cables, but those are easy enough to make new. J7 and J8 are wired to the console interface board (last slot on the CPU backplane) that just runs QBus back to the 11/03 and exposes registers that the 11/03 manipulates the microcode. That is the limit of my knowledge on this part of the system, I suppose I will learn more as I make progress on this restoration!

 

[hhedeshian]

I wonder if they were in the 11/780?

The CIB (slot 29 on the 11/780 CPU backplane) has 4k of ROM on it