The Minicomputer Orphanage

This is The Minicomputer Orphanage, a place where you can find information
on computers from companies no longer in business.

It contains sales brochures, reference manuals, and other things.
This was started because with the passage of time, these computer systems
are just below the Internet event horizon, and there is almost no on-line information on them.

I'd like to add more techincal info, as well as historical data on
the companies that produced them.

If you have manuals or software for minicomputers produced before 1980
that you were thinking of selling on eBay, (other than DEC, DG, or HP) let me
make an offer for them, so that I can make them available to everyone, rather
than having them dissapear into someone's "computer collection", never to be seen again.

Or, if you worked at Interdata, Varian, TI, Modcomp, or the dozens of other
minicomputer companies in the 70's and would like to see some of their history
preserved, send me some of your memories via email (aek at spies.com).

At some point, I'm planning on adding a section to include graphics
(Ikonas, Megatek, Ramtek, Raster Technologies, Vector General) and
computer peripheral (AED, Andromeda, Dilog, DSD, Emulex, Plessey) vendors.

Preserving Old Hardware, Software, and Documentation

Feb 15, 2001 article about this web site


olddata.org, bitsavers.org and the [email protected] mailing list
Since DEC, DG, and HP minicomputers were popular and widely used in the 70's,
there's quite a bit of information out there on them.
  • Eric Smith's Retrocomputing page.
  • Eric Smith's 12bit.org
  • Eric Smith's 18bit.org
  • Eric Smith's 36bit.org
  • pdp8.com
  • Rich Cini's web page
  • Joe Smith's PDP10 page.
  • The Retro-Computing Society of Rhode Island
  • Doug Jones'PDP-8 Page
  • Kevin McQuiggin's PDP-8 Page
  • Jeff Moffatt's HP 2100 page.
  • Paul Pierce's collection

    Simulating Old Computer Systems

    Modern desktop computers are fast enough now that they can simulate most minicomputers
    from the 70's so that the programs running under simulation are faster than they were originally.

  • John Stiles' Emulation on the Macintosh page.
  • Bob Supnik's Computer History Simulators

    Orphaned computers

    Corvus Concept

    Mfr: Corvus Systems, San Jose, CA

    At one point in the mid 80's, I was really into this machine.

    There was a lot of Corvus stuff around at surplus stores in the Silicon Valley.
    Now, it's all gone..

    Corvus Concept Documentation

  • User's Guide (PDF 8MB)
  • Hardware Description (PDF 10MB)
  • Service Manual (PDF 10MB)
  • Operating System Reference Manual (PDF 8MB)
  • Boot Prom Listing (PDF 10MB)
  • Concept System Library
  • System Library Listings (PDF 10MB)
  • Disk Drive Installation Guide
  • Pascal Reference Manual
  • Transfer Utility Manager's Guide

    • Mfr: GRI Computer Corporation, Newton, MA












    Honeywell 316/516/716

    Thanks to the people who still had a bunch of Varian documentation, I now
    have a large pile of Honeywell 16 bit minicomputer manuals.
    including listings for the assembler, FORTRAN, and diagnostics

    Because they were used as the first Internet Message Processors (IMPs)
    there is actually a bit of info on Honeywell 16 bit minicomputers on the Web.

  • Adrian Wise's Honeywell H316 Page (including H316 simulator!)
  • Mike Umbricht's H316 Page

    Documentation

    DDP-516

  • 130071585C 316/516 Programmers Reference Manual May, 1969
  • 130071741A DDP-516 FORTRAN IV Compiler Program Jul, 1968

    • Honeywell 716

  • 70130072575 System 700 Programmers' Reference Manual Apr, 1976

    • Information Appliance Swyft

    Mfr: Information Applicance, Palo Alto, CA
    Year: 1985

    Information Applicance was formed by Jeff Raskin after he left Apple
    The Swyft is the ancestor to the Canon Cat, also developed by IA.
    Both the Swyft and Cat software is based on forth, and was resident.
    in ROM. The floppy is used for document storage.

  • side view
  • front view
  • top view
  • keyboard
  • screen
  • back panel
  • serial number plate
  • main PCB

    • Integrated Solutions

    Mfr: Integrated Solutions, San Jose, CA

    QBus (68010) and VME (68010/020) BSD Unix computer systems
    Integrated Solutions was one of the first companies to port BSD Unix to the 68K family and was
    one of a handful of companies that sold computers built to
    to use DEC's QBus and not use a DEC processor.

    History:
    Integrated Solutions was started by engineers from Zilog.
    ISI was bought by NBI in Colorado.

  • QBus 68010 Processor Board Manual
  • QBus RL02 Disc Controller Manual
  • QBus QIC02 Tape Controller Manual

    Interdata

    Mfr: Interdata, Oceanport, NJ

    Models

  • Model 2 (1968)
  • Model 3 (1967)
  • Model 4 (1968)
  • Model 15 (1969)
  • 50 (1972)
  • 55 (1972)
  • 70 (1971)
  • 74 (1972)
  • 80 (1971)
  • 85 (1973)
  • 5/16 (1976)
  • 6/16
  • 7/16 (1973)
  • 7/16 HSALU (1974)
  • 7/32 (1974)
  • 8/16 (1976)
  • 8/16E
  • 8/32 (1975)

    • Manuals

  • 02-279 "Programmable Async Single Line (PASLA) Maint Manual" Feb 1976
  • 29-254 "32-198 Cartridge Disc Controller Instruction Manual" Nov 1972
  • 29-350 "M71-Series 7/16 User's Manual Supplement" Dec 1973
  • 29-402R17 "M71-Series Model 7/16 HSALU Maintenance Manual" Dec 1977
  • 29-427 "M48-000 Universal Clock (10-Bit Adr) Maint Manual" Apr 1978
  • 29-446 "Programmable Async Single Line (PASLA) Prog Manual" Jun 1975
  • 29-493 "32KB Core Memory (750ns) Maint Manual" Jul 1977
  • 29-509R02 "16-Bit Processor User's Manual" Apr 1977
  • 29-567 "16-Bit Selector Channel (SELCH) Prog Manual" Oct 1976
  • 29-568 "Floating Point Processor Instructon Manual" Dec 1976
  • 29-573 "M81-Series Model 8/16 Maint Manual" Oct 1977
  • 29-633R02 "Model 8/16E Processor User's Manual" Jul 1980
  • 38-075 "System Configuration Guide" Apr 1974
  • xx-xxx "Switching Regulated Power Supply Maint Manual" May 1977

    Nanodata QM-1

    Mfr: Nanodata Corporation, Williamsville, NY (1972)
    Two level (micro/nano) code microprogrammed minicomputer.
    Emulations of other minicomputers of the day were written for the QM1

    Patents

  • 3766532 10/16/1973 DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM HAVING TWO LEVELS OF PROGRAM CONTROL
  • 3969704 07/13/1976 WORD TRANSFORMATION APPARATUS FOR DIGITAL INFORMATION PROCESSING
  • 4354225 10/12/1982 INTELLIGENT MAIN STORE FOR DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS
  • 4527237 07/02/1985 DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM
  • 4516199 05/07/1985 DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

    • Manuals

  • QM-1 Hardware Level User's Manual

    • PR1ME

    Mfr: Prime Computer, Newton, MA


    Manuals

  • Prime Computer Microcoders Handbook MAN.1857 Sept, 1974
  • System Architecture and Instructions IDR3060 P/N MAN3251-001 July, 1978

    • Ridge 32 / 3200

    Mfr: Ridge Computers, Santa Clara, CA

    Designed as a low cost,higher performance competitor to the VAX,
    the Ridge 32 was roughly a 8 MIP machine.
    Ridge was a spin off company of engineers from HP's 3000 system division.
    Marketed as the first commercial RISC system
    Also sold as the Honeywell Bull SPS 9

  • Ridge 32 "V1" CPU 12.5 MHz
  • Ridge 32C (small CPU box 32)
  • Ridge 32S "V2" CPU (hardware FP)
  • Ridge 3200 "Headwall" (1987) 16MHz
  • "Walnut" (small CPU box with Headwall CPU)


  • Ridge Opcode List

    Manuals

  • Hardware Reference Manual Sept, 1985
  • Processor Reference Manual Sept, 1985

    • TI 9xx Series

    Mfr: Texas Instruments, Digtial Systems Group
    Austin, TX

    During the 70's TI produced the 960, 980, and 990 computer families.

    960s and 980s are still in use for industrial applications, but
    bear little resemblance to the 990, which is a superset of the TMS9900
    microprocessor, that was released in 1975.

    TI 960 Process Control Computer

    960 (1970)
    960A (1971)

  • 960 Brochure

    Manuals

  • 960 Programmer's Reference Manual #214091-9701 15 Feb, 1970
  • 960 Programming Guide for the Model 960 Computer Vol 1 1970
  • 960A Pocket Reference Guide #TI030-5M-11/71 1 Nov 1971

    • TI 980 Minicomputer

    980 (1970)
    980A
    980B

    Patents

  • 4107773 Aug 15,1978 Advanced array transform processor with fixed/floating point formats
  • 4549263 Oct 22,1985 Device interface controller for input/output controller

  • 980 Brochure 1971

    Manuals

  • Programmer's Reference Manual Model 980 Computer #214853-9701 1 May, 1970
  • Programming Guide Level One Software for the Model 980 Computer #214851-9701 30 Jun, 1970

    • TI 990 Series Minicomputer

  • 990/4 CPU 990/4 boot rom disassembly
  • 990/10 CPU 990/10 universal boot rom disassembly 990/10 boot rom disassembly
  • 990/10A CPU
  • 990/12 CPU 990/12 boot rom disassembly


  • DS990 Model 4 (DS10 disc), 6 (DS25 disc), 8 (DS50 disc)
  • Business System 300, 600, 800


    • While on the road picking up Varian 620 parts, I bought
    a 990 minicomputer, built around 1981.
    This machine seems to be just below the web event horizon,
    with about as much info available as the
    other 'oddball' minicomputers that I have.

    What I have been able to find out was TI sold their S1500 Unix workstation
    product to HP (the 9000/1500) in 1992.
    HP's support for 9000/1500's was dropped about 5 years ago.

    The 900 series machines were not sold to HP, and no further development
    was done by TI.

    990s were targeted as multi-user business systems, and either ran
    the DX10 or DNOS operating systems. 990 systems are still in use running
    various applications (primarily written in COBOL) and a company called
    "Texas Computer Center" is still offering software support for these systems.

    Here are a few places on the Web that may have 990 related items
    Texas Computer Center
    Trident Computer (960, 980, and 990 boards and service)
    Here is a pointer to a TI S1500 page in Germany

    Preferred Computer in Houston (800-225-1923 x848) still repairs 990 boards

    30 Oct, 1999

    I found a book published by TI called

    Microprocessors / Microcomputers / System Design
    (c)1980 ISBN 0-07-063758-X

    Which is a description of the 9900 family. The 990 is mentioned
    as the high-end minicomputer member of the family.

    990 Systems Mentioned:

  • CS990/4 - 990/4 minicomputer (9900 CPU), term, floppy. $12,000 (cassette?)
  • FS990/10 - 990/10 minicomputer (TTL CPU), term, floppy. $15,000
  • DS990/10 - 990/10 minicomputer (TTL CPU), term, 9.4Mb disc. $25,000

    • Product Glossies

  • DX10 Operating System

    • 1983 TI Users Group Handouts

  • Hardware Concepts The Business System 300 Architecture The TI 990/10A
  • System Performace & Analysis
  • p-System

    • Manuals

    Here is a list of the manuals that I know about.
    The manuals that I've been able to find are in bold type.
    Scanned PDF files are linked to the part numbers

  • 939152-9701 "Model 990 Computer DX10 Operating System Installation Guide"
  • 939153-9701 "DX10 Operating System Release 3.4, System Design Document"
  • 939417-9701 "Model 990 Computer DX10 Operating System Release 3 Programmer's Card"
  • 939430-9701 "Model 990 Computer FORTRAN Installation Guide"
  • 939431-9701 "Model 990 Computer COBOL Installation Guide"
  • 939432-9701 "Model 990 Sort/Merge Installation for DX10 Release 3"
  • 939460-9701 "Model 990 Computer Model 810 Printer Installation and Operation" 15 May 1979 Rev A
  • 939524-9701 "Model 990 Computer Report Program Generator (RPG II) Programmer's Guide
  • 943423-9701 "Model 990 Computer Model 911 Video Display Terminal Installation and Operation"
  • 943440-9701 "Model 990 Computer Programming Card"
  • 943441-9701 "Model 990 Computer TMS9900 Microprocessor Assembly Language Programmer's Guide" Orig. 1 June,1974 Rev. 1 Jan,1976
  • 943441-9701 "Model 990 Computer TMS 9900 Microprocessor Assembly Language Programmer's Guide" 15 Dec 1979
  • 943457-9701 "Model 990 Computer Model 913 CRT Display Terminal Installation and Operation"
  • 945250-9701 "990 Computer Family Systems Handbook" (c) 1975,1976 3rd Ed. May 1976
  • 945236-9701 "Model 990 Computer Communications System Software"
  • 945251-9701 "Model 990/4 Computer System Hardware Reference Manual"
  • 945253-9701 "Model 990 Computer Model FD800 Floppy Disc System Installation and Operation"
  • 945254-9701 "990-733 ASR System Software Users Manual"
  • 945258-9701 "Model 990 Computer PROM Programming Module Installation and Operation"
  • 945259-9701 "Model 990 Computer Model 733 ASR/KSR Data Terminal Installation and Operation"
  • 945260-9701 "Model 990 Computer Moving Head Disc System Installation and Operation"
  • 945261-9701 "Model 990 Computer Model 306 and 588 Line Printers Installation and Operation"
  • 945262-9701 "Model 990 Computer Model 804 Card Reader Installation and Operation"
  • 945400-9701 "Model 990 Computer Diagnostics Handbook Volume 1
  • 945400-9702 "Model 990 Computer Diagnostics Handbook Volume 2
  • 945400-9703 "Model 990 Computer Diagnostics Handbook Volume 3
  • 945400-9704 "Model 990 Computer Diagnostics Handbook Volume 4
  • 945400-9705 "Model 990 Computer Diagnostics Handbook Volume 5
  • 945400-9706 "Model 990 Computer Diagnostics Handbook Volume 6
  • 945400-9707 "Model 990 Computer Diagnostics Handbook Volume 7
  • 945401-9701 "Model 990/4 Computer System Field Maintenance Manual"
  • 945402-9701 "Model 990/10 Computer System Field Maintenance Manual"
  • 945403-9701 "Model 990/4 Computer System Depot Maintenance Manual"
  • 945404-9701 "Model 990/10 Computer System Depot Maintenance Manual"
  • 945405-9701 "Model 990 Computer PROM Programming Module Depot Maintenance Manual"
  • 945406-9701 "Model 990 Computer Model 913 CRT Display Terminal Depot Maintenance Manual"
  • 945407-9701 "Model 990 Computer 16 Input/Output TTL Data Module Depot Maintenance Manual"
  • 945408-9701 "Model 990 Computer TTY/EIA Interface Module Depot Maintenance Manual"
  • 945409-9701 "Model 990 Computer Communications Systems Installation and Operation"
  • 945410-9701 "Model 990 Computer Synchronous Modem System Depot Maintenance Manual"
  • 945411-9701 "Model 990 Computer FORTRAN Programmer's Guide"
  • 945412-9701 "Model 990 Computer COBOL Programmer's Guide"
  • 945413-9701 "Model 990 Computer BASIC Programmer's Guide"
  • 945414-9701 "Model 990 Computer Models DS31 and DS32 Disc Controller Depot Maintenance Manual"
  • 945415-9701 "Model 990 Computer 16 Input/Output EIA Data Module Depot Maintenance Manual"
  • 945416-9701 "Model 990 Computer TX990 Operating System Programmer's Guide"
  • 945417-9701 "Model 990/10 Computer System Hardware Reference Manual" 15 November 1979 Rev A
  • 945417-9701 "Model 990/10 Computer System Hardware Reference Manual" 15 November 1980 Rev B
  • 945418-9701 "Model 990 Computer Floppy Disc Depot Maintenance Manual"
  • 945419-9701 "Model 990 Computer Peripheral Equipment Field Maintenance Guide"
  • 945419-9706 "Model CD1400 Disk System Field Maintenance Manual"
  • 945421-9701 "Model 990 Computer Family Maintenance Drawings"WANTED!
  • 945423-9701 "Model 911 Video Display Terminal Installation and Operation" Orig 1 Jun,1977 Rev. 15 Jan, 1979
  • 945423-9701 "Model 990 Computer Model 911 Video Display Terminal Installation and Operation" 15 October 1981 Rev B
  • 945411-9701 "Model 990 Computer FORTRAN Programmer's Guide"
  • 946229-9701 "Model 979A Magnetic Tape System Installation and Operation"
  • 946231-9701 "Model DS25/DS50 Disk System Installation and Operation"
  • 946236-9701 "Model 990 Computer Communications System Software"
  • 946250-9701 "DX10 Operating System Concepts and Facilities Manual, Volume I" Rev B Apr 15, 1981
  • 946250-9702 "DX10 Operating System Production Operation Manual, Volume II"
  • 946250-9703 "DX10 Operating System Application Programming Guide, Volume III"
  • 946250-9704 "DX10 Operating System Developmental Operation Manual, Volume IV" Rev A Dec 15, 1979
  • 946250-9705 "DX10 Operating System Systems Programming Guide, Volume V"
  • 946250-9706 "DX10 Operating System Error Reporting and Recovery Manual, Volume VI"
  • 946251-9701 "Model 990 Computer BASIC Programmer's Guide"
  • 946252-9701 "Model 990 Sort/Merge User's Guide"
  • 946258-9701 "Model 990 Computer Terminal Executive Development System (TXDS) Programmer's Guide"
  • 946259-9701 "Model 990 Computer TX990 Operating System Programmers Guide ( Release 2)" Original issue 1 April 1977
  • 946260-9701 "Model 990 Computer FORTRAN Programmer's Reference Manual"
  • 946261-9701 "Model 990 Computer Model DS10 Cartridge Disk System Installation and Operation" 15 August 1980 Rev A
  • 946266-9701 "DX10 Operating System - Release 3 COBOL Programmer's Guide"
  • 946284-9701 "Model 990 Computer DS990 System Installation and Operation Manual" 1 April 1979
  • 946284-9701 "DS990 Models 4, 6, and 8, Systems Installation and Operation Manual" 15 September 1980 Rev A
  • 946289-9701 "Model 990 Computer DX2780/2780 Emulator User's Guide"
  • 946290-9701 "Model 990 Computer TI Pascal User's Manual"
  • 946294-9701 "Model 990/5 Computer Hardware User's Manual"
  • 949612-9701 "Model 979A Tape Transport Installation and Operation"
  • 949617-9701 "Model 990 Computer Link Editor Reference Manual"
  • 984030-9701 "Model 743 KSR Data Terminal Operating Instructions"
  • 2234398-9701 "WD900 Disc Drive / MT3200 Tape Drive General Description"
  • 2240276-9701 "Business System 300A System Description Manual"
  • 2240275-9701 "Business System 300A Operator's Guide"
  • 2246125-0001 "CDC 138 MB Drive Vol 1"
  • 2246125-0002 "CDC 138 MB Drive Vol 2"
  • 2246125-0003 "CDC 138 MB Drive Vol 3"
  • 2246125-0004 "CDC 425 MB Drive Vol 1"
  • 2246125-0005 "CDC 425 MB Drive Vol 2"
  • 2246125-0006 "CDC 425 MB Drive Vol 3"
  • 2246126-0001 "Cipher Data Products Operation and Maintanance"
  • 2246126-0002 "Cipher Data Products Theory of Operation"
  • 2246127-0001 "Spectra Logic, Spectra 126 Product Reference"
  • 2246127-0002 "Spectra Logic, Spectra 126 Schematics"
  • 2246127-0003 "Spectra Logic, Spectra 126 Microcode"
  • 2246129-0001 "CDC 138 MB Documentation Master Kit"
  • 2246129-0002 "CDC 425 MB Documentation Master Kit"
  • 2246130-0001 "Cipher Data Products Master Kit"
  • 2250077-9701 "Model 990 Interim Addendum to the TMS 9900 Microprocessor, Assembly Language Programmers's Guide for the Model 990/12 Computer"
  • 2250304-9701 "Model 990 Computer TI 990 BASIC Reference Manual"
  • 2250356-9701 "Model 990 Computer DX10 Remote Terminal Subsystem (RTS) for Model 915 Remote Terminal Installation and Operation Manual"
  • 2250361-9701 "DS990 Models 4 Through 9 Systems Site Preparation" 1 May 1981 Rev C
  • 2250374-9701 "Model 990 Computer TIFORM User's Guide"
  • 2250425-9701 "Model 990 Computer Data Base Management System Programmer's Guide"
  • 2250426-9701 "Model 990 Computer Data Base Administrator User's Guide"
  • 2250466-9701 "Query-990 User's Guide"
  • 2250697-9701 "Model 990 Computer Model FD800 Floppy Disk System with International Chassis Installation and Operation"
  • 2250698-9701 "Model 990 Computer Model FD1000 Flexible Disk System with International Chassis Installation and Operation"
  • 2250918-9701 "DX10 3780/2780 Emulator Object Installation Manual"
  • 2250924-0001 "DX10/DS990 Operating System Release 3 (Object) Product Doc Pkg" 1978
  • 2250954-9701 "Model 990/10 DX10/3270 Information Display System Emulator Operator's Manual"
  • 2250967-9901 "Release Information, DX10/DS990 Operating System Rel 3.2-990"
  • 2262325-9701 "DS990 Model 1 Site Preparation and Installation"
  • 2263354-9701 "TIBOL Programmer's Guide"
  • 2264446-9701 "Model 990/12 Computer hardware User's Guide"
  • 2268239-9701 "Model 990/12 CPU General Description"
  • 2268240-9701 "Model 990/12 Field Technical Manual"
  • 2268241-9701 "Model 990/12 Computer Depot Theory and Maintenance"
  • 2268678-9701 "DS990 Systems Field Engineering Reference Handbook"
  • 2268688-9701 "Model 990 Computer TILINE Coupler User's Guide"
  • 2268698-9701 "DS990 Models 4,6, and 8 Systems Unpacking and Inventory Guide"
  • 2270509-9701 "Model 990 Computer System 990/10 and /12 Assembly Language Reference Manual
  • 2270533-9701 "DS990 Models 4 through 30 Systems Operator's Service Guide"
  • 2270534-9701 "Model 990 Computer Universal ROM Loader User's Guide" 15 April 1980
  • 2270534-9701 "ROM Loader User's Guide" Rev B August, 1984
  • 2272034-9701 "Model 990 Computer DX10 Remote Terminal Subsystem (RTS) System Generation and Programmer's Reference Manual
  • 2272053-9701 "Model 990 Remote Terminal Subsystem (RTS) Hardware Installation Manual
  • 2272055-9701 "Model 990 Computer DX10 Remote Terminal Subsystem (RTS) Operator's Guide
  • 2276579-9701 "990 Family Communications Systems Field Reference Manual"
  • 2302629-9701 "Model DS80 Disk System Installation and Operation"
  • 2302631-9701 "Model DS300 Disk System Installation and Operation"
  • 2302633-9701 "Model 990/10A Computer General Descripton"
  • 2302642-9701 "Model MT1600 Magnetic Tape System Installation and Operation"
  • 2306140-9701 "WD800/WD800A Mass Storage System Installation and Operation"
  • 2306142-9701 "WD800/WD800A Mass Storage System Field Maintanance Manual"
  • 2308774-9701 "Model 990A13 Chassis General Description"
  • 2308776-9701 "990 System 990A13 Chassis Depot Theory and Maintenance"
  • 2308779-9701 "Model 990 Computer Memory General Description"
  • 2308780-9701 "Model 990 Computer Memory Field Technical Manual"
  • 2308789-9701 "Model 990A13 Programmers Panel, Operation and Maintenance"
  • 2533308-9701 "Business System 300 System Description Manual"
  • 2533318-9701 "Business System 300 Operator's Guide"
  • 2533319-9701 "Operator's Guide, WD800 Disk Unit"
  • 2533269-9701 "Operator's Guide, WD500/WD500A Disk Unit"

    • TMS99000

    99000-series microprocessors were used in the 990/10A
    TI introduced a 24-MHz TMS99000 MPU, with a $65 price in 100-piece
    quantities. (Quotes from the Nov 2, 1981 Electronic News).
    It includes an "on-chip macrostore memory with 1K bytes of ROM and 3K
    bytes or RAM for storage of frequently-used functions which can then
    be accessed at full processor speeds." The company is preparing a
    chip version using that macrostore for floating point operations, and
    said that part, designated the TMS99110, would be available in
    December at $99. The instruction set is a superset of the TMS9995 and
    TMS9900, with object code compatibility. There are also new
    instructions for multiprecision arithmetic, stack operations, parallel
    I/O, and memory bit manipulation. It has "an instantaneous address
    reach of 256K bytes of main memory and 120K bytes of internal and/or
    external macrostore memory", as well as compatibility with the
    TIM99610 memory mapper for control of address space up to 16M bytes.

    There was also a 99105, which was similar to the 99110, without floating point

    Varian "The Big Company in Small Computers"

    Mfr: Varian Data Machines, Irvine, CA

    The Varian 620 series is a 16 bit minicomputer which was sold around
    the same time as the HP211x, PDP-11, and DG Nova. The first 620 came
    out in the mid 60's from a company called Data Machines, Inc.

    The 620/L-100 was one of the last in the 620 series, realeased in 1973.

    Sperry Univac bought the minicomputer operation from Varian Jun 16,1977.

    Sperry used the V77 in a few projects but eventually sold the product line
    to Second Source Computers in Irvine. As of the fall of 1999, no more info
    on Second Source Computers has been found

    Here is a picture of the original 620 (note "Data Machines, Inc." on the front, under the blinkinlights)

    Some computers built by Varian Data Machines

    5xx Series

  • 520i (9/1968) (variable length accumulators in 8 bit increments)

    6xx Series

    620 Series Instruction Set

  • 610 (7/1964)
  • 611/612 (9/1965)
  • 620 (11/1965)
  • 620/i (5/1967)
  • 620/f (5/1971)
  • 620/L (7/1972)
  • 620/f-100 (1972?) add/sub = 1.5uS 620/f Chassis 620/f Front Panel 620/f CPU Block Diagram
  • 620/L-100 (1972?) add/sub = 1.9uS 620/L-100 Front Panel 620/L-100 Block Diagram

  • 622/i (1969?) 18 bit version of the 620/i

    • V70 Series

    The V70 series was an (optionally user) microprogrammable computer
    which was microcoded to emulate an extended 620 instruction set.
    V75 Brochure
    V7x family chart (V71-V75)
  • V71
  • V72 (1972?)
  • V73 (1972?) add/sub = 660nS(DRAM),1320nS(core) V73 Picture V73 Chassis V73 Front Panel V73 Block Diagram
  • V74
  • V75 (1975)
  • V76
  • V77
  • V77-220 (1977?)

    • Software

    Varian Paper Tape Software

    Looking for Vortex, MOS, BASIC, EXTENDED BASIC, FORTRAN

    Labels on paper tapes

  • 92U0106-013D MAINTAIN II TEST EXECUTIVE 09-13-76
  • 81U0106-030A INSTRUCTION TEST PART 2 10-08-76
  • 92U0107-002K INSTRUCTION TEST PART 1 09-13-76
  • 92U0107-005E TELETYPE TEST 07-10-74
  • 92U0107-008F POWER FAIL RESTART TEST 06-16-75
  • 92U0107-009G PIM TEST 09-13-76
  • 92U0107-020K MEMORY TEST PART 1 03-19-76
  • 92U0107-021H MEMORY TEST PART 2 03-19-76
  • 92U0107-035E REAL TIME CLOCK TEST 09-13-76
  • 92U0107-043A TELETYPE TEST (TEST TAPE) 92U0107-043A 11-06-70
  • 92U0206-002D SOURCE PROGRAM EDITOR 10-29-73
  • 92U0207-011B DEBUG UTILITY (AID III) 09-12-75
  • 92U0106-010D DAS 8A ASSEMBLER I/O SECTION 12-04-74 92U0306-011F DAS 8A ASSEMBLER 08-06-73

    • Documentation

    There was one hardcover book that appeared which used the 620/L for its examples.



    Computing with Mini Computers
    Fred Gruenberger & David Babcock

    Melville Publishing Co -- division of John Wiley & Sons
    Los Angeles 1973

    ISBN 0-471-33005-1

    Handbooks

  • "Data 620 Manual" (wanted)
  • "Varian 520/i Computer Handbook" Bulletin No. 520 Nov, 1969
  • "Varian Data 620/i Systems Computer Manual" Bulletin #605 Oct, 1967
  • "Varian Data 620/i Computer Manual" Bulletin 605-A Apr, 1968
  • "Varian 620/i Systems Computer Manual" Bulletin 605 Oct, 1969
  • "Varian 620/f Computer Handbook" Bulletin 6FH Apr, 1970
  • "Varian 620/f Reference Handbook" Bulletin 113 Nov, 1970
  • "Varian 620/L Computer Handbook" P/N 98A9905-000 May, 1971
  • "Varian 620/f Computer Handbook" P/N 98A9908-002 Aug, 1971
  • "Varian 620 100's Computer Handbook" Bulletin No. 122 DP-10M P/N 989905-003 Apr, 1972
  • "Varian 72 System Handbook" 98A9906-200 Mar, 1974
  • "Varian 73 System Handbook" DP-124-6/22-15 P/N 98A9906-010 Jun, 1972
  • "Varian 74 System Handbook" 98A9906-210 Feb, 1975
  • "Varian 75 System Supplement" 98A9906-220 Sep, 1975
  • "Varian Software Handbook Volume 1" DP-120A-6/73-5 Jun, 1973
    • Introduction DAS Assemblers
    		Binary Loader Programs - BLD II section (describes paper tape formats)
    Debugging Program (AID II)
    		Source Program Editor (EDIT)
    		Mathematical Subroutines
    FORTRAN IV
    		BASIC Language
    		Report Program Generator IV (RPG IV)
    Master Operating System (MOS)
  • Model 76 and 77 Documentation (wanted)

    Software Reference Manuals

  • "V70/620 MAINTAIN III Reference Manual" P/N 98A9952-071 October, 1975
  • "ADAPTS Users Guide" P/N 03-996 700B (wanted)
  • "Varian Omnitask Real-Time Executive (VORTEX) Reference" P/N 98A9952-101(wanted)
  • "VORTEX II Reference Manual" P/N 98A9952-243 Jun, 1976
  • "Master Operating System (MOS) Reference" (wanted)
  • "MAINTAIN III listings"
  • "Subroutine Library Listings"
  • "FT-80 NMR Spectrometer Program Listing"
  • "Varian Microprogramming Guide" Preliminary Dec, 1972
  • "Varian Microprogramming Guide" Jul,1975

    • Hardware Reference Manuals

  • "620/i Ref Vol 1"
  • "620/i Ref Vol 2"
  • "620/L-100 Ref Vol 1"
  • "620/L-100 Ref Vol 2"
  • "Power Fail / Restart"
  • "Real Time Clock"
  • "Priority Interrupt"
  • "Buffered Interface Controller"
  • "Digital Input Module"
  • "Digital Output Module"
  • "Analog In"
  • "Analog Out"
  • "Oscilloscope Display" (wanted)
  • "Fixed Head Disc" (wanted)
  • "Universal Serial Controller"

    I could also use the maintanance drawings for the ADAPTS card rack, and an extender card.

    Xerox Workstations

    I've been concentrating on collecting Xerox computer hardware for the past ten years, because the hardware is much more obscure than, say, DEC PDP8's and 11's (people outside of DEC actually have schematics for DEC computers), there have been very few people concentrating on trying to save any of them, because it is almost impossible to get documentiation on them, and there was a lot of old Xerox workstations being scrapped in the Silicon Valley over the past decade. Here's a pointer to my Xerox Workstation Collection including a small archive of information on the machines.

    The following sections are REALLY works in progress!

    Xerox Alto Simulation

  • Microcode-level simulation
  • BCPL instruction level simulation
    The Alto Executive and some applications will run just simulating the extended Nova instruction set.
  • Mesa instruction level simulation
  • Smalltalk instruction level simulation

    Xerox D Machine Simulation

  • Microcode-level simulation
  • Mesa instruction level simulation
    Most software writen by Xerox for use on their workstations
    was written in Mesa.
  • Lisp instruction level simulation
    Envos was a spinoff from Xerox to sell their Interlisp environment
    Eventually, this was ported to Unix workstations.
  • Other Languages
    Cedar and Smalltalk implementations existed for D Machines, but
    I have not been able to locate copies of this software

    Orphaned Computer Peripherals


    1970-1986(?)

    Mfr: Advanced Electronics Design, Sunnyvale, CA

    AED Disc Controller Products

  • 2500 Hard-Sectored Floppy Disc System
  • 3100 IBM Compatible Single Density Floppy Disc System
  • 6200 Double Density Disc System (NOT IBM compatible)
  • 8000 Removable Disc Controller (Emulated RP03, uCode stored on disc)
  • Flex02 QBus floppy disc controller (RX02 compatible)
  • Winc08 RL02 8" winchester controller (QBus and Unibus)
  • Storm? Unibus SMD Controller (RM compatible)
  • Winc05 Combined Floppy / ST506 disc controller board

    • AED Graphics Products

  • AED 512 Raster Graphics Terminal
  • AED 767 Raster Graphics Terminal

    • Remember "G3DDDN" ?, probably not..

    AED 512's were popular in universities, because it was a low cost (for the time)
    8 bit color graphics terminal. It was also supported in a popular university
    chip layout program (UCB's "Magic").

  • Colorware 1024 Raster Graphics Terminal
  • Colorware 1280 Raster Graphics Terminal

    • After the 512 and 767, AED repackaged the terminal with a different
    keyboard, producing the "Colorware" product family.

  • Colorware Cards (VME and QBus graphics controllers)


    • By 1985, the market for serial graphics terminals had been wiped
    out by Unix workstations. The board level product line attempted to
    integrate a window system and Tektronix graphics terminal simulation
    onto a board set that could be integrated into VME or QBus computers

    AED Computer Products

  • "Freeport"(QBus box in IBM-PC looking case)
  • Colorware System 23/73

    AED also tried to sell OEM LSI-11 computer systems packaged to
    match the graphics terminals.

    AED Spin-off companies

  • Jupiter Systems (Jupiter 7 Graphics Terminal)
  • Parallax Graphics (board-level graphics products)

    • Century Data

    Mfr: Century Data Systems

    Century Data Systems was the disc drive division of Calcomp

  • T-25 Disc Drive
  • T-50 Disc Drive
  • T-80 Disc Drive
  • T-200 Disc Drive
  • T-300 Disc Drive


    • Trident Performance Specification P/N 76205-902 Nov, 1980

    Corvus Systems

    Mfr: Corvus Systems, San Jose, CA

    Corvus manufactured disc, tape and networking products
    as well as a 68000 based computer which was sold as the
    Corvus Concept. They also OEMed versions of this design
    to Honeywell, and to Valid Logic (the SCALDStation)

    Peripheral Products

    Corvus' original disc product line had a parallel
    interface cable, and interface cards for a variety
    of computers. They later developed "Omninet", and
    connected these drives to a Z80 based disc server
    box. Corvus sold Omninet networking cards for a
    variety of small computers (Apple II, Macintosh, IBM PC, etc.)
    Omninet networking was also a standard feature on
    the Corvus Concept.
    A faster version of Omninet (Omninet II) was developed in
    the mid 80's

    Peeping Tom

    A program, called "Peeping Tom", existed for the Concept
    which is the equivalent to "packet sniffer" programs for
    Ethernet. The mechanism for putting a Omninet controller
    into "Promiscuous Mode" was not documented in the hardware
    references for the NEC designed Omninet controller. Special
    version of the Omninet microcontroller on the earlier
    controllers (A Peeping Tom ROM) were needed to run Peeping
    Tom on a Concept.

    Patents

  • 4380047 04/12/1983 INTERFACE APPARATUS EMPLOYING A VIDEO TAPE DRIVE TO BACK-UP A DISC DRIVE AND INCLUDING ERROR DETECTING AND CORRECTING CIRCUITRY

    • Products

  • 8" Disc Drive (parallel interface)
  • "B" Series Disc Drive (parallel interface)
  • "H" Series Disc Drive (parallel interface)
  • Omnidrive (integrated Omninet server)
  • Omninet Disc Server
  • Mirror VCR Tape Backup
  • Serial Port Server

    Data Systems Design (DSD)

    DEC-compatible disc and tape controllers

    Diablo Systems

  • 31 Disc Drive
  • 44 Disc Drive
  • Daisy Wheel Printers

    • Dilog

    DEC compatible disc and tape controllers Unibus and QBus

    Emulex

    DEC compatbile disc,tape, and serial controllers

    Pertec

  • Floppy Disc Drives
  • 9 Track Tape Drives

    • Plessey Peripheral Systems

    DEC compatbile disc,tape, and serial controllers

    Scientific Micro Systems (SMS)

    SMS was the first company to produce controllers for the Shugart Associates
    System Interface (SASI) which was the the base interface that was used to
    define SCSI

    Sykes

    Sykes produced data cassette drives and one of the first 8" floppy disc systems
    Single Drive Inside Single Drive Dual Drive

    Xebec

    Mfr: Xebec Systems, Sunnyvale, CA

    Xebec produced the first "low-cost" ST506 SASI controller (the 1410).
    They were also used by IBM as the supplier for the hard disc controller
    for the PC XT.

  • S1401 SASI Floppy Controller Manual
  • S1410 SASI ST506 Disc Controller Manual(1982)