Recently, I've been deep into paper tape territory. I exhumed my HP 2748B high speed paper tape reader, and got it running after a clutch plate adjustment. It's connected to my HP 2108A minicomputer, along with a 2645A terminal. I can punch tapes from a Linux system to a GNT-4601 paper tape reader/punch, connected via serial port. Then load the tape into the 2748B and read it into the 2108A. They're not kidding when they say "high speed". http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/HP/2748B/ So, I'm able to load diagnostic tapes from a very large paper tape library on Bitsavers. Some of the diags only require front panel operation, while others need a terminal. There's also paper tape BASIC, which I'll get to after a connector arrives to make a different terminal cable. http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/HP/2108A/HP2108A_2748B_2645.jpg The 2748B reader doesn't have a takeup reel, so naturally the tape goes all over the floor. Rewinding it is a PITA. I saw a picture of a handheld HP tape rewinder, and built my own to chuck into my cordless drill. Rewinds even faster than it spits out! http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/HP/Rewinder.jpg Mike Loewen mloewen@cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/