June 2018 - vcf-midatlantic

Next VCF Repair Workshop June 30 & July 1, 2018
by Jeffrey Brace 10 Jun '18

10 Jun '18

Sign up here < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n8M9h5ZVbcA4VixgDy3GHyN2HTWzSsS3fAg… > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Applesauce - The protected disk imaging solution
by Henry S. Courbis 09 Jun '18

09 Jun '18

It's official - Applesauce is now being offered for sale. https://www.facebook.com/groups/5251478676/permalink/10157597145223677/ For those looking to learn about Applesauce. https://wiki.reactivemicro.com/Applesauce In short - it's a preservation solution which allows raw flux images to be captured from floppy disks - protected and unprotected alike. It runs off platform via USB. It captures all floppy magnetic flux data which is a perfect preservation solution unlike cracking or other modification solutions. The original disk's contents are preserved 100% and unmodified. The protection schemes are left in place and working. >From raw images users can make .WOZ formatted files which are smaller, timing and bit correct images that can be run in emulators. Unlike other image formats one of the biggest advantage of .WOZ is the ability to produce "random bits" (correct emulation of the MC3470) which many of the Apple II protections depended on. Henry S. Courbis Office Toll Free: (800) REACTIVE (732-2848) Office/Mobile Direct: (856) 779-1900 www.ReActiveMicro.com <http://www.ReactiveMicro.com> - Sales, Support, and News, Our Headquarters on the Internet ReActiveMicro.com/wiki - Support, Software, Manuals, and History. Create your own page today! Facebook.com/reactivemicrousa - Our Social Media Outlet and Support

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Orientation of vented cover for airflow
by Richard Cini 08 Jun '18

08 Jun '18

All — I have a question regarding S100 cabinet airflow. Here’s the setup. I just bought a TEi enclosure (12-slot, impeccably clean) on eBay. The power supply is to the right of the card cage, the fan blows inward and it was delivered with the cover installed such that the air vents are on the right (power supply) side. To me, this seems counterintuitive. I would think that the vents should be on the left with the fan blowing out so as to draw air through the card cage, over the power supply and then out the back. On my IMSAI (both sides of the cover are vented) and the fan blows out, but the vents next to the power supply are sealed with tape. Any thoughts on this? Thanks! Rich Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>

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Final note for repair workshop June 9&10, 2018
by Jeffrey Brace 08 Jun '18

08 Jun '18

I will be getting there late around 1pm Saturday and 1pm Sunday. I have to work at Taekwondo Saturday and Uber Driving Sunday. Call Evan before 1pm if you need something. Also, please don’t touch my machine in the museum workshop area! I’m in the middle of taking apart my machine and I don’t need anyone to “help” by cleaning up and mixing up my screws and parts. I have it laid out so that I can put it back together properly. On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 9:29 PM Jeffrey Brace <jeffrey(a)vcfed.org> wrote: > There is still time to sign up for the workshop: <*https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FFHVS4PkImaj7jHk8_7BTcf-nTEAuOQacnOB940R7Ng/edit?usp=sharing > <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FFHVS4PkImaj7jHk8_7BTcf-nTEAuOQacnO…>* > > > > As a reminder the workshop is $10 *per* person, *per* day. I'm sorry, I > don't make the rules for the rent of the space. This is an InfoAge rule and > not our decision. This has been in effect since June 2017. > > Sign up now to reserve your spot! > > DATE: June 9 & 10, 2018 > > LOCATION: > > InfoAge Building 9032A - (2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township, NJ) > > TIME: > Start about 10 A.M. on Saturday and ends whenever we go to sleep. > End about 5 P.M. on Sunday. (Starts around 10 A.M. Sunday morning) > > SIGNUP: <*https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FFHVS4PkImaj7jHk8_7BTcf-nTEAuOQacnOB940R7Ng/edit?usp=sharing > <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FFHVS4PkImaj7jHk8_7BTcf-nTEAuOQacnO…>* > > > > COST: > - $10 per person, PER day. This is required by InfoAge for us to pay for > renting the space. > > - $25 for those wanting to stay overnight. > > Please pay me when you get there so that I don't forget. Thanks! :-D > > OVERNIGHT: Bring your own pillow, blankets, soap etc. We provide a bed > frame and an uncovered mattress. There are showers and a kitchen for your > use. > > - You can pay via PayPal. Ask me for the info at the workshop. > > EQUIPMENT: > > - VCF will provide a table and you can use any available electrical outlet. > - Bring your own tools, power strips, power cords, and supplies etc. > > - Please bring an extra one or two power cords as these are often > forgotten by people. > > DRINKS: > You should bring your own. I would recommend bringing a cooler of some > type. > > FOOD: > You provide your own. We usually order pizza, subs or go out to a dinner > and everyone pays their own way. Usually, we make a decision when everyone > gets hungry. > > GATE: > > During the hours from 1 pm to 5 pm close the front gate behind you. We > want museum visitors to go to the front lobby and not wander through the > middle of the campus. Outside of those times, you can feel free to leave > the gate open. > > PARKING: > Park across from 9032 or 9010A on any blacktop area. InfoAge doesn't like > us parking on the lawn anymore. > > QUESTIONS? > > Please ask me (Jeff Brace) or Evan. My cell is 732 759 1783 and Evan’s > is 646 546 9999 in case you need to contact us. > > See everyone there! And have fun! > > > -- > ========================================= > Jeff Brace > Vice President > Vintage Computer Federation > > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Call now for VCF Repair workshop! Operators are standing by!
by Lou 08 Jun '18

08 Jun '18

I was really considering going this Saturday since I would actually be available however since there was a delay in getting a system that I was planning on bringing to the workshop the only systems I have currently that need repair I do not think would be of much interest aside from my old terminal. I am still debating my options on the matter, worst case scenario the next workshop I will have some real interesting beauties that might need some repair. -Lou

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Found: 2 New-In-Box TI-99/4a Machines
by J. Alexander Jacocks 06 Jun '18

06 Jun '18

All, I just picked up, at the Manassas, VA, hamfest, a pair of new-in-box Texas Instruments 99/4a machines. Both boxes are a bit scuffed and dusty, but one still has the factory tape on it. I opened the other box, since it wasn't taped, and looked at the contents, which are definitely factory new. The computer was in a sealed bag, which I opened to check it out. The PSU and RF modulator are in their cardboard wrapper, which the adhesive has failed on. So, I decided to keep one machine. I checked the PSU, and the voltages were within 1VAC on both the inputs, so given that they are internally regulated, that should be close enough. Via RF adapter, I get a grey screen, at power up. Via a homemade composite video cable, I get a stable tone, and a black screen. So, two questions: 1) Does anyone want a new-in-box, untested, TI 99/4a beige model? 2) Does anyone know anything about fixing TI 99s? I'd like to go through the one machine and figure out what's wrong. - Alex

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Call now for VCF Repair workshop! Operators are standing by!
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Jun '18

06 Jun '18

There is still time to sign up for the workshop: <*https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FFHVS4PkImaj7jHk8_7BTcf-nTEAuOQacnOB940R7Ng/edit?usp=sharing <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FFHVS4PkImaj7jHk8_7BTcf-nTEAuOQacnO…>* > As a reminder the workshop is $10 *per* person, *per* day. I'm sorry, I don't make the rules for the rent of the space. This is an InfoAge rule and not our decision. This has been in effect since June 2017. Sign up now to reserve your spot! DATE: June 9 & 10, 2018 LOCATION: InfoAge Building 9032A - (2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township, NJ) TIME: Start about 10 A.M. on Saturday and ends whenever we go to sleep. End about 5 P.M. on Sunday. (Starts around 10 A.M. Sunday morning) SIGNUP: <*https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FFHVS4PkImaj7jHk8_7BTcf-nTEAuOQacnOB940R7Ng/edit?usp=sharing <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FFHVS4PkImaj7jHk8_7BTcf-nTEAuOQacnO…>* > COST: - $10 per person, PER day. This is required by InfoAge for us to pay for renting the space. - $25 for those wanting to stay overnight. Please pay me when you get there so that I don't forget. Thanks! :-D OVERNIGHT: Bring your own pillow, blankets, soap etc. We provide a bed frame and an uncovered mattress. There are showers and a kitchen for your use. - You can pay via PayPal. Ask me for the info at the workshop. EQUIPMENT: - VCF will provide a table and you can use any available electrical outlet. - Bring your own tools, power strips, power cords, and supplies etc. - Please bring an extra one or two power cords as these are often forgotten by people. DRINKS: You should bring your own. I would recommend bringing a cooler of some type. FOOD: You provide your own. We usually order pizza, subs or go out to a dinner and everyone pays their own way. Usually, we make a decision when everyone gets hungry. GATE: During the hours from 1 pm to 5 pm close the front gate behind you. We want museum visitors to go to the front lobby and not wander through the middle of the campus. Outside of those times, you can feel free to leave the gate open. PARKING: Park across from 9032 or 9010A on any blacktop area. InfoAge doesn't like us parking on the lawn anymore. QUESTIONS? Please ask me (Jeff Brace) or Evan. My cell is 732 759 1783 and Evan’s is 646 546 9999 in case you need to contact us. See everyone there! And have fun! -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Makin' Ethernet...
by Evan Koblentz 05 Jun '18

05 Jun '18

We need a bunch of network cables to wire up the museum PoE security cameras. I have not yet measured. My estimate is about 200 feet total for four cables. Two questions: 1. Does anyone have a very long reel of cat 5 to donate? I prefer black. 2. Does anyone have the RJ-45 ends and the tool/experience to terminate the cables? (I used to know how, but it's been 17 years since I last did it.) ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, executive director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation instagram.com/vcfederation

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Soldering tutorial/workshop recommendation
by Thomas Fuchs 05 Jun '18

05 Jun '18

Hi everyone, While I’ve been collecting (and using!) old computers for a while, and can do some repairs, I never learned to solder. Obviously that would be a useful skill… :) What are your recommendations? I’m thinking this is something that you can probably learn best directly with another person but if there’s a good online tutorial or course, I’d be happy to hear about that as well. I do have the equipment, but I don’t really know where to start, and I don’t want to mess with old hardware until I have somewhat of a grip on it. What’s a good beginner project? Maybe an arduino or something like that? My main interests area is late 70s to early 90s, and I’d love to be able to identify and properly fix broken connections, weak solder points and (eventually) to recap boards; I’m located in Bucks county, PA. Thanks for any suggestions! Best, Thomas F.

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Museum report, etc.
by Evan Koblentz 04 Jun '18

04 Jun '18

Tony was at the museum Saturday. Jeff B. was there Sunday. Overall a slow weekend with moderate visitorship, but it gave everyone a chance to work on projects and take it easy as we continue recovering from VCF East and the several months of hard work before that. I'm looking forward to the workshop this weekend.

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