The BEAST
Posted by
Arne Chr. Jorgensen
on 1999-10-19 13:05:10 UTC
Hi,
I am very sorry Andrew, - but I finally found your drawings. I
picked up what someone else was talking about, and even though I
have not looked much on it, I do see some of the confusion.
The paper tape reader is a parallel interface - going to T2.
You have both a current loop, and a RS232 interface - to T4.
And it looks like you have a magnetic tape - to T1.
The machine looks great ! :)
I have not seen anything of it before, and I am sorry. This tape
reader is a parallel interface, and has nothing to do with the stuff
I said. I would need more info about it, but you may be able to
make a smart program using the printer port of another computer.
You should be able to download any programs, on a current loop I
described ( TTY on T4 ) or just use common serial port RS232.
( I could tell you how to wire up a current loop - but the RS232
is easier. )
There might be some trouble - I just don't know. You have to check
the manual. First, there should be an option to select a download
on the RS232 port, and you would have to use that one. Find the
baud rate and data setup, and set the "other" computer serial port
to this setting.
If you don't find it anywhere, try to locate a section that
describes how you can send data to this port. Wire up and use
Procom, or any software that will emulate a terminal. Test with
different baud rate settings, and you may find it out that way. (
You should see something readable when it is right )
I said, there may be some trouble. How much memory is installed in
this machine ?
For any data from an external port, paper or computer, - it may use
the "mag.tape.deck" to store it on, and just use smaller blocks as
needed. It would be useful if you also had the labels for the 26
wired flat cable. Does it work ?
If not, then you may have luck if you have those interface data .
Let me stress this point: It does not have to be anything like
this, - I just say it could be.
Anyway - some of this is guess work. For a machine from -83, I
would believe that you could get all parts and help needed. In this
context ( machines ) - I doubt that you will gain much at all with a
"new" brain. It simply should work okay. But if you want to do it, -
then I would like to see what kind of servo stuff you have. I don't
find anything on the schematics. ( I didn't get any nice printout,
maybe I haven't looked good enough )
I wonder if you once said something about the CRT. According to
these drawings, you will not have any trouble replacing it.
Best wishes,
//ARNE
I am very sorry Andrew, - but I finally found your drawings. I
picked up what someone else was talking about, and even though I
have not looked much on it, I do see some of the confusion.
The paper tape reader is a parallel interface - going to T2.
You have both a current loop, and a RS232 interface - to T4.
And it looks like you have a magnetic tape - to T1.
The machine looks great ! :)
I have not seen anything of it before, and I am sorry. This tape
reader is a parallel interface, and has nothing to do with the stuff
I said. I would need more info about it, but you may be able to
make a smart program using the printer port of another computer.
You should be able to download any programs, on a current loop I
described ( TTY on T4 ) or just use common serial port RS232.
( I could tell you how to wire up a current loop - but the RS232
is easier. )
There might be some trouble - I just don't know. You have to check
the manual. First, there should be an option to select a download
on the RS232 port, and you would have to use that one. Find the
baud rate and data setup, and set the "other" computer serial port
to this setting.
If you don't find it anywhere, try to locate a section that
describes how you can send data to this port. Wire up and use
Procom, or any software that will emulate a terminal. Test with
different baud rate settings, and you may find it out that way. (
You should see something readable when it is right )
I said, there may be some trouble. How much memory is installed in
this machine ?
For any data from an external port, paper or computer, - it may use
the "mag.tape.deck" to store it on, and just use smaller blocks as
needed. It would be useful if you also had the labels for the 26
wired flat cable. Does it work ?
If not, then you may have luck if you have those interface data .
Let me stress this point: It does not have to be anything like
this, - I just say it could be.
Anyway - some of this is guess work. For a machine from -83, I
would believe that you could get all parts and help needed. In this
context ( machines ) - I doubt that you will gain much at all with a
"new" brain. It simply should work okay. But if you want to do it, -
then I would like to see what kind of servo stuff you have. I don't
find anything on the schematics. ( I didn't get any nice printout,
maybe I haven't looked good enough )
I wonder if you once said something about the CRT. According to
these drawings, you will not have any trouble replacing it.
Best wishes,
//ARNE