[LispM] UNS: console cables

[Michael L. Umbricht]

The original does 3600 use a different style console cable than the
later 36xx machines. Long term we're also looking for one of those, but
the later, more common, 36xx cable is more of a priority for us at the
moment.

At RCS we have a 3600, 3670, 3630 and two 3640's. We also have an
external cartridge tape, numerous moniterm consoles/keyboards and some
of the machines have CAD or color boards. Some of the machines that we
have were from Thinking Machines Corp. and have Connection Machine
interfaces along with an installation of the *Lisp distribution.

We have booted and run these machines a number of years ago before we
moved to our new location. Now I just need to recreate the environment
that we used then and fix a few problems that we had. But now the one
cable we have is a bit flaky and in need of repair. We'd also like to be
able to bring up more than one machine at a time to copy files and
configuration info.

Our goal is to get one small Symbolics fully functional for a
retro-computing display at the Rhode Island Mini Maker Faire on Sept.
10th. We'll also be running a NeXTstation and s DEC Lab-K psychology
experiment controller. Maybe also an EAI PACE analog computer.

RCS holds a public open house on the 3rd Sat. of each month from 1-8pm.
If anyone on the list is in the area, please feel free to drop by.  

The Symbolics will be a main focus on Aug. 20th. Brad, if you can't make
that, I could meet you there some other Sat. afternoon.  We'll probably
have a few Sat. work sessions during the summer. Any help would be
greatly appreciated.

-mikeu

Retro-Computing Society of RI

http://rcsri.org

info at rcsri.org

(401) 400-0727

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Retro-Computing-Society-of-Rhode-Island/167908683274263


> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: UNS: [LispM] console cables
> From: Brad Parker <brad at heeltoe.com>
> Date: Thu, July 21, 2011 9:08 am
> To: "Michael L. Umbricht" <mike at umbricht.org>
> Cc: lispm at tunes.org
> 
> 
> Michael L. Umbricht wrote:
> > Does anyone know of a source for console cables? (or even just the
> > connectors)
> >
> > We're looking for the 36xx style used on the 3670/3640.
> >
> >   
> I think they're all the same.  My 3600 cable works on my XL1200
> and visa versa.
> 
> But I don't know the part #, sorry.
> 
> I have two cables, one short and one long as well as a "wall plate"
> which is just a bare jack.
> 
> I could be talked into driving one down for borrow one evening after work,
> or on a saturday/sunday if you are planning on bringing up at 36xx.  I 
> have a
> few of those machines here in Boston.
> 
> you can't be more than an hour or so away (they way I drive :-)
> 
> I'm sure David Schmidt has some he'd be happy to sell you.
> 
> If you plan on using the cartridge tape I'm sure you know all about
> the capstan issues.  All of mine have turned to goo.  I have various
> fixes using high grade neoprene hose.
> 
> I'd be curious to hear your status/plans...
> 
> -brad