July 2025 - vcf-midatlantic

Amiga Repair Blog by Andy Davis
by Jeffrey Brace 25 Jul '25

25 Jul '25

I read this and it was interesting: https://celso.io/posts/2025/01/26/the-first-perfect-computer/ Jeff Brace

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Northern VA Swap meet - 24 August 2025
by Ryan Stapleton 24 Jul '25

24 Jul '25

Hello All a fellow Northern VA member is hosting a swap meet here in northern VA on 24 August 2025 - 1:30 to 6:00. I am just posting here for visibility. I am not the one running it but do want to get the visibility out there. Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1445728786752675?acontext=%7B%22event_actio… Including text here for those that do not have or use Facebook. I do think you can see the page without an account though. Location: Dulles South Recreation and Community Center 24950 Riding Center Dr, South Riding, VA 20152 Date: August 24 Time: Event 1:30pm-6:00pm Event will be indoors ... So its a go rain or shine ... No suffering in heat and no fending off bugs !!! General Admission: $5, includes a beverage and a raffle ticket for a chance at winning a SONY VAIO Vintage System; this includes matching keyboard, mouse and speakers !!! This is a CASH ONLY event, however vendors may accept alternative forms of payments; please note this is not implied. The intent is to bring together those with the same passion for vintage computing, open access to difficult to find items, have some fun, and hopefully attract younger generations to the hobby. IMPORTANT VENDOR INFORMATION: *** Added a little more time for setup *** Vendor setup will be @ 12:30-1:30 Vendor tear down 6:00-6:30 *** No vintage tech to sell or trade? Vintage computing themed Artisans or repair services welcomed. *** 1) Table Availability: Table numbers depend on demand, availability is limited. I will provide frequent updates to table availability. 2) Pricing: A flat fee applies for each 5’ round table and a couple of chairs. There is no commission on sales. Currently 1 table per vendor. 3) Refund Policy: Since tables are limited, reserved tables immediately decrease available inventory. Once reserved (except in the event of a cancellation), no refunds will be issued. 4) Everything that is brought must be taken away, no exceptions. Any vendor leaving behind anything will be barred from participating in future events. 5) Despite being indoors, power availability to vendor tables is not implied. Please send me any questions you may have. Thank you -Ryan

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DMV VCM - 7 Sept 2025 Meetup!
by Ryan Stapleton 24 Jul '25

24 Jul '25

Hello All, I have scheduled the DMV VCM next meetup! Where: Chantilly Regional Library 4000 Stringfellow Rd Chantilly, VA, 20151-2628 We have the larger room. When: 7 September 2025 01:00 PM to 06:00 PM (Room needs to be cleaned up and returned to library by a little before 6) A flyer can be found at: https://www.bluewizard.net/dmvvcm/vintagecomputermeetup/Vintage_Computer_Me… See ya there! Thanks -Ryan

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NeXT Cubes Available
by Bill Degnan 23 Jul '25

23 Jul '25

Hello I have been in my spare time messing around with NeXT hardware and I have built three extra working NeXT cube systems (mouse keyboard, computer, display) that I would be willing to let go for less than Ebay prices (look on Ebay for sold status complete systems). Two of them have SCSI2SD hard drives and I have one that still has a working original drive. I don't have any optical disks available, but the optical drives come with the system, untested. There are always caveats to define "works", but basically these are working computer systems that could be connected to a network and they come with a basic Next OS installed. I don't want to ship these if possible. So if you're willing to pick up the system (Landenberg, PA), you can try before you buy and pick the one you want at a discount to Ebay price. Contact me through kennettclassic.com/contact.cfm with your offer/timeline. FIrst come first served. Shipping is available if you want to pay a shipping charge, plus postage. I have shipping boxes. I am going to VCFMW this year, but I am flying there and won't be able to bring them. If you want the cube system delivered to VCFMW, you'd have to find someone to deliver it for you, or have it shipped. I am willing to deliver a system a reasonable distance from the Phila/Baltimore area. Cash, CC, Paypal, check accepted. Bill Degnan 484 732 7041 kennettclassic.com

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OT: Save Murry Hill (Bell Labs)
by Jeffrey Brace 19 Jul '25

19 Jul '25

The future of the site is unknown. Help share your input to help preserve this historic site! Survey: https://www.berkeleyheights.gov/BellLabsSurvey Article: https://www.berkeleyheights.gov/1589/11-Nokia-Bell-Labs#:~:text=With%20Noki… . Jeff Brace

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Exhibitor Registration: VCF Montréal 2026
by Jeffrey Brace 18 Jul '25

18 Jul '25

Yes. The Vintage Computer Federation is having a new show in Montréal, Canada, Jan 24-25. Our first show in Canada! It's only a 6 hour drive from InfoAge! *Committed speakers:* LGR Adrian Black Curious Marc Jeri Elsworth Action Retro Peter Cherna DJ Sures Leo Binkowski Here is the info: https://vcfed.org/vcf-montreal/ This is the exhibitor registration form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4dnGLg9Ubt3gSxNNcOukTIhTNZZK2dQB… And don't worry, I will bring the good weather with me as always. So no need to worry about snow! Jeff Brace

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REPAIRING IBM 386 PS/2 PC
by Herbert Johnson 11 Jul '25

11 Jul '25

Just to be clear: Jesus A. Diaz of Elizabeth, reports he has an "IBM 386 PS/2 PC" that isn't booting up, and he describes the limited operations it performs on power up. Namely, the fan runs but nothing else, no LED lights no sounds. There's also something he calls "a screen" - maybe a CRT monitor? - that shows the literal words "NO SIGNAL". I have some suggestions to diagnose things further. Warning: proceed at your own risk on these suggestions. Also: I don't know everything, and I'm not an "official" in any way of VCFed or MARCH. But I think it's possible the "motherboard" has failed in some way, rather than the power supply. 1) I don't know if this model computer has its own internal CRT and monitor circuits; and if they are powered by the same DC power supply as the 368 computer. If "the screen" is an external and modern LCD monitor, those are perfectly capable of showing text messages with no computer inputs at all. If "the screen" is an integrated 1990 CRT monitor on a 1990 IBM computer, my guess is "it's not smart enough". Jesus should search the Web for IBM documentation for his exact PC model and see if it offers more diagnostic information, and if operation of the monitor to show *that message* suggests his AC to DC power supply is operating on the computer side. The IBM brand of 386 PS/2 PCs had some pretty good documentation about diagnosing problems. It would be good for Jesus to confirm the exact model and IBM model number of his PC, for anyone wishing to help him. 2) Same deal with that fan. Maybe something else powers that fan. See what documentation says. 3) A simple means to test some of the computer's DC power operation, is to pull the DC power connector from the floppy drive or the hard drive, and use a voltmeter to measure the 5 volts and 12 volts. The connector has four pins, two are ground and one each for 5 and 12 volts. Documentation for these devices will describe the connectors and where the voltages are. Typically the center two pins are "ground", the pins at either end are power. It's harder work, to measure voltages on the PC motherboard, or on the DC power cable. I don't suggest pulling the DC power cable from the motherboard. Without a connected power load on that supply, it may *cause damage*. I'm not sure. Be careful inside your PC, anything you do is at your own risk. 4) related to 3) maybe he can hear the hard-drive spin up when power is applied. He may have to work hard to listen for that. Possibly the floppy drives will spin, but that's not always true if the computer is not functional and or there's no floppy in the drive. Point being: if the DC power supply appears to function, then it's the motherboard. Not much else is left. After Jesus does some of this testing and work, and gets familiar with some of the inner features of this PC, another Web search on that model *and* specific problems, may yield more discussions on the Web about repairing one. Possibly it will lead him to some online sale of a motherboard, power supply or matching computer. Also: Jesus might look at archived previous messages in this vcf-midatlantic list, about the occasional workshops offered at InfoAge (in Wall NJ). Possibly he'd like to bring his PC for *his own work* to test and repair. Read prior discussions to see how that works. They are not "we will fix your PC" workshops, please be clear about that. https://lists.vcfed.org/pipermail/vcf-midatlantic/ Good luck with resolving the IBM 386 PC issues. Regards Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] rsx-11m v4.2
by Dave McGuire 10 Jul '25

10 Jul '25

On 7/10/25 16:35, Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Thank you so much Dave, I will check them out. You're welcome Mike. Good luck. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] rsx-11m v4.2
by Dave Shevett 10 Jul '25

10 Jul '25

Dave McG (have to specify here) - can you share the download dirs? I'd love to pull modern versions of RSX for my PiDP, and then put them on my /73 also. (I also have a Pro/380 sitting in the wings I wonder if I could do this with) On Thu, Jul 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > On 7/9/25 17:09, wmrieker(a)nii.net wrote: > >>> > Does anyone have a distribution of RSX-11M V4.2? I'm installing on > >>> > an 11/34 and looking for a version that has both TM-11 tape drive > >>> > and DEUNA support. > >>> > >>> I have the 4.1 RL distribution kit, and the 4.8 "big disk" kit. I > >> > >> Hi Dave, > >> I'm pretty sure 4.1 does not have DEUNA support. > >> The SPD for 4.2 says it does. Are there files for that 4.8 somewhere I > >> can get hold of? > > > > Yes, I'll put it up for you to download tomorrow. (later today) > > Also, I just noticed that I have the 4.3 kit here, as a tape image. Can > > you wrangle that on your end? That'll be a bit smaller than 4.8; what > > is your target system disk type? > > Hi Dave, > Yes I could try the 4.3 stuff. I'm using RL02s. > Thank you. > Mike > > > > > -Dave > > > > -- > > Dave McGuire, AK4HZ > > New Kensington, PA > > > > > -- Dave Shevett shevett(a)pobox.com

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] REPAIRING IBM 386 PS/2 PC
by Bill Degnan 10 Jul '25

10 Jul '25

not battery. On Thu, Jul 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I realized just now that you did see my email I was questioning whether > you did or not > But I did not see a reply to it at all maybe I need to check my filters. > > Mike Rosen > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Jul 10, 2025, at 1:04 PM, "cuesnj(a)aim.com" <cuesnj(a)aim.com> wrote: > > > > If by "battery" you mean CMOS battery, that will display diagnostic > codes on the screen. No such codes appear now. In 2008 I replaced the CMOS > battery; the screen codes told me exactly what was wrong. A that time I > could do the repair myself, but I know my limits. The present repair is > beyond my ability. > > On Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 12:25:33 PM EDT, Bill Degnan via > vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > Battery. > > B > > > > > > > >> On Thu, Jul 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >> Hello and welcome to the group > >> Just a quick question or two and a couple of pointers on what to check. > >> > >> You say the fan comes on so you know it has power. > >> Do you see any other lights on including keyboard lights? > >> > >> If you see no other lights and no signs of life other than the power > >> fan,it seems to me as if you have AC power only and you don’t have any > DC > >> power. > >> > >> Which means the power supply is not functioning properly, probably a > blown > >> fuse. > >> > >> With the storms we’ve been having lately I wouldn’t be surprised. > >> > >> Because of its age, the power supply needs to be tested completely and > to > >> be made sure that it has parts that are 100% reliable. > >> > >> This, I am sure, can be done at any of the up upcoming repair workshops > at > >> InfoAge wall Township nj. > >> > >> While we do not have all of the parts to fix everything, we can > certainly > >> help you test it out and see if the power supply is working properly. > >> > >> Other things can be tested as well if the power supply works, sometimes > a > >> deep dive can be done, depending on how much time there is. > >> If you’re handy with a multimeter, > >> > >> You can do a quick test checking for 12 V and 5 v @ the connectors for > the > >> floppy drive or hard drive or even the motherboard. > >> I personally have not been to attend any of the workshops recently and > >> this weekend has a big swap meet up in North Jersey, so I will not be > there > >> at a workshop on Sunday for sure. > >> So I figured this might get you started ! > >> > >> Mike Rosen > >> > >> > >> Sent from: > >> My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > >> > >>> On Jul 10, 2025, at 11:33 AM, cuesnj--- via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > >> From: "cuesnj(a)aim.com" <cuesnj(a)aim.com> > >> To: "vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org" <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > >> Cc: > >> Bcc: > >> Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:01:37 +0000 (UTC) > >> Subject: REPAIRING IBM 386 PS/2 PC > >> Jeff Brace (see below) referred me to your groups as ones that might > help > >> me with the issue I described in my Jul. 8 email to him. Would be > delighted > >> to hear from you. > >> Jesus A. DiazElizabeth, NJ > >> > >> Hello Jesus, > >> Our local chapter (MARCH) which operates out of InfoAge Science and > >> History Museums in Wall, NJ has a discussion list where you might be > able > >> to get local members to help you: > >> https://lists.vcfed.org/mailman/listinfo/vcf-midatlanticWe also have a > >> repair workshop once a month: > >> https://vcfed.org/repair-workshops-at-infoage/. The next one is this > >> weekend. There are lots of people that can help.There is also our online > >> Forum: forum.vcfed.org where you can post your questions to the world > and > >> get answers. > >> Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. > >> Jeff Brace > >> > >> On Tue, Jul 8, 2025 at 12:02 PM cuesnj(a)aim.com <cuesnj(a)aim.com> wrote: > >> > >> I have an IBM 386 PS/2 PC that has served me well since I bought it > years > >> ago. It's having a problem now: When I press the power switch, I hear > the > >> fan (if I put my hand in front of the fan, feel the air coming out of > the > >> machine). On the screen I get the words NO SIGNAL. The normal > DOS-loading > >> screens do not show. The floppy drive light does not light up. Because > A - > >> - - > C is the boot sequence, that the floppy light does not come on > >> suggests the boot sequence does not begin. > >> All data are backed up; I'm at no risk of losing anything. I'm > considering > >> repairing the unit, if that's possible, for the reason I go on to > describe. > >> I taught college for 30+ years, so many files in the PC are formatted in > >> Word Perfect 5.1 & an early version of Microsoft Word. Though I retired > >> from f/t work I adjunct regularly. Occasionally, an old file, in its > >> original version or edited, is what I need for a class or another > project. > >> On my Windows 11 machine I have recent versions of Word Perfect & Word, > >> where I can open these files. But this requires substantial > reformatting, > >> which takes time. In other words, in my Windows 11 PC I can open & print > >> the fifes archived in the 386, but have to devote a lot of time to > >> reformatting. I would like to print files directly from the 386, where > >> conversion and reformatting are not necessary. Basic documents make it > >> through the conversion process better than those that are heavily > >> formatted. Most of my documents are heavily formatted. > >> I know that recent versions of Windows claim they run DOS programs. In > the > >> Windows Search function, look for "open an MS-DOS program from a command > >> prompt window" and/or ""allocating system resources for an MS-DOS based > >> programs." I have not tried these options but, even if they work, I > would > >> rather spend my time on things other than learning the tricks to run > this > >> option. > >> Repairing a 386 doesn't make financial sense, but it makes > time-efficiency > >> sense. > >> Taking the machine to a repair shop would probably not work; these shops > >> work on newer machines. Among the members of your organization, are > there > >> people who might take the challenge? > >> > >> Jesus A. DiazElizabeth, NJ > >> > >> > >> > >> > > > >

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