And The Woz...discusses DG Nova
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Nixdorf DSS 620 Service Manuals
eBay Seller vitesse1000 reports on 2019-02-26:
He was the seller of these 2 auctions. (And I was the buyer, of course...)
He was the seller of these 2 auctions. (And I was the buyer, of course...)
Nixdorf DSS 620 Computer Service Manual - Entrex Key-to-Disc
The use of Nixdorf 620 systems in [European] lottery coupon processing
The seller of these fantastic service manuals has provided his history working with these systems. We are all thankful that he remembers this, saved these images, and especially, the service manuals...thank you Brian!
Here is his own story, in his own words:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the second
half of the last century, many European countries introduced national or
regional lotteries in order to raise funds to benefit good causes and
charities.
Coupons were
available to buy by the general public at agent locations such as tobacconists,
newsagents and other local stores. Each coupon had a unique machine-readable (magnetic
or optical fonts) serial number in a range of layouts depending on the games
offered by the lottery operator – could be simple games of chance e.g.
selecting 5 numbers out of 45, 6 numbers out of 49 etc. or based on skill and
knowledge such as predicting the results of soccer matches.
All of the
completed lottery coupons were returned to each lottery organisation’s central
processing centre by the selling agents on a weekly basis. At the centre the coupons
were microfilmed for security before passing through high speed document reader
/ sorters (up to 30 coupons per second / 108,000 per hour) in order to capture
the betting mark and serial number data of all the punters’ coupons, which was
then written to magnetic tapes.
Any coupons
with read errors, such as not enough or too many marks, missing or invalid (e.g.
failed check sum) serial numbers, were physically segregated by the reader /
sorter equipment.
The Nixdorf 620
Key to Disc systems were used for a range of processes but mainly to access the
rejected coupon data records from the magnetic tapes, load them to disc to
facilitate the manual correction / verification of the data by operators
visually checking each rejected coupon.
The corrected
data records were then merged with the previously correctly read data to
produce a master record of all coupons entering the pool that week. After the
drawing of the lucky balls for a straight lottery or the completion of the
soccer matches, the master record was then processed to produce winners lists
for the different classes of win and the printing of payout cheques to be sent
to the winners.
In the early 1970’s,
I was involved with the installation and commissioning of the reader / sorter
equipment and the Nixdorf 620 systems at the French lottery’s new computer
centre situated in the grounds of a chateau not far from Paris Charles de
Gaulle Airport. This lottery was originally setup to support French war injured
soldiers but subsequently became the French national lottery. Its data
processing operations were modeled on those of the highly successful Nordwestlotto,
based in the German state of Nordrhein-Westfalen.
Although I was
never directly involved with the German equipment, they also used Nixdorf 620’s
(and later 8870/6’s) for reject coupon correction / verification.
At around the
same time, the Massachusetts State Lottery introduced similar machine-readable
coupons and high speed reader / sorters. They would also have had a need for
reject coupon processing. Maybe they used the Entrex system???
The below images provide some visual reference to the above text.
Click each to enlarge, or click the "see maximum size" hyperlink below each image
620 installation at French lottery – 2 of the 3 main system racks and
printers
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
The Rest of All of Dominique's Pictures
Well, until I get them better sorted anyway, so please forgive the random order here.
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Vintage Rare Entrex DG 8K Core Stack Memory Wincor Nixdorf Siemens Computer
This is probably and "archive of an archive". An eBay auction from years gone by, archived by "Worthpoint".
Based on context, I suspect that this was from one and the same seller who currently has a very similar board on eBay, and has for the past year or so: NRS1 (Richard DuBois).
I archive this here to keep this rare stuff documented somewhere, before it all disappears into obscurity:
Entrex 8K Core Memory Board from: 1971
8K Core Stack on 16 bit Memory Board
Nice Piece of Vintage Computer History!
This board measures 15" X 15"
A copy of the NOVA 16K Memory made by Data General
Pulled from a Entrex/Nixdorf 480 Computer Mini Computer
Entrex was bought out by Nixdorf Computer and Nixdorf was
merged to Siemens Nixdorf Informations systems than later split off to
Fujitsu Siemens Computers and later known as
Wincor Nixdorf .
44 YEAR OLD CORE MEMORY !!!
Collectors or Teaching Item
Sold As Is * No Returns * Not for use
You'll receive the item pictured - only have one!
Monday, January 7, 2019
Entrex Data/Scope Keystation Connector: Winchester Electronics MRE14S and MRS14P
Well, we finally figured out what this bizarre connector was, and to my astonishment,
they aren't quite as rare as I thought!
Thank you to Dominique, for sharing this picture of the connector to your
Thank you to Dominique, for sharing this picture of the connector to your
Entrex Data/Scope Keystation "Terminal", from your private collection...
What a bizarre plug!
Here's where the cord comes out of the back of the Keystation. (I believe that this id-tag is for the Keystation's power supply, instead of for the terminal itself.)
And the backside of the boards that hold those female "sockets":
And how it connects on the inside of the "keystation" terminal
Monday, August 20, 2018
Vintage Computer ENTREX NIXDORF SIEMENS Very Rare Collectible Advertising Sign
I've asked the seller about where, when, and how he/she acquired this fantastic item. I received this reply:
I wonder if this was a proof for a 2-page ad published in industry magazines, such as the ones we see in ComputerWorld in the early 70s, as I show in "Entrex Ads"
New message from:
nrs1
|
(3,434
)
Very Rare Vintage Collectible Computer Advertising Sign
ENTREX / NIXDORF / SIEMENS
ENTREX 480
Sign was distributed back in 1975 as a promotion
of a small computer business Entrex in Burlington
Massachusetts that was later purchased by Nixdorf
and then finally by Siemens.
Sign was distributed back in 1975 as a promotion
of a small computer business Entrex in Burlington
Massachusetts that was later purchased by Nixdorf
and then finally by Siemens.
Entrex advertised that it was the best system for the cost
back in the day ... building 20 systems per month.
back in the day ... building 20 systems per month.
This is a very rare sign and sold as-is with no returns.
The sign measures 17" X 11"
A real nice piece of vintage computer history.
Friday, July 6, 2018
Vintage Large Hard Disk Head Assembly Siemens Nixdorf Mainframe NEW OLD STOCK
I am wondering if this hard disk drive head assembly could possibly be for the Entrex 480 system...or is it "too new", with the date of April 12, 1982?
Up for sale is a Vintage Large Hard Disk Head Assembly Siemens Nixdorf Mainframe NEW OLD STOCK. This appears to be NEW OLD STOCK. look at the pics. Seems like it was headed back to Siemens Nixdorf as that was where it is addressed on the box. If you know who makes this let me know. Look at all pics and offer accordingly.
Up for sale is a Vintage Large Hard Disk Head Assembly Siemens Nixdorf Mainframe NEW OLD STOCK. This appears to be NEW OLD STOCK. look at the pics. Seems like it was headed back to Siemens Nixdorf as that was where it is addressed on the box. If you know who makes this let me know. Look at all pics and offer accordingly.
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Monday, March 26, 2018
ENTREX / NIXDORF COMPUTER 8K core memory board & stack 480 16 bit 15" (PL-62-45-01391-000)
From: https://www.ebay.com/itm/382419626645
eBay Auction Archived Bidding History Bidding Details
ENTREX INC. / NIXDORF COMPUTER (Burlington Massachusetts)
8K core memory board & stack
Pulled from a retired Entrex / Nixdorf Model 480 System
15" X 15" 16 bit Data General Nova Base Board from the mid 1970's
Date codes on most of the IC's are 1974.
The sticker on the back indicates it was inspected by quality assurance in 1975.
Memory Board is 15" X 15"
Chances are the stack was made by EMM but didn't want to remove the cover.
It probably still works but there is no way to test.
32 Data Terminals were connected to the 480 system running with 4 of these boards.
The sticker on the back indicates it was inspected by quality assurance in 1975.
Memory Board is 15" X 15"
Chances are the stack was made by EMM but didn't want to remove the cover.
It probably still works but there is no way to test.
32 Data Terminals were connected to the 480 system running with 4 of these boards.
The hardware & software was incredible to maintain data transfer
of 32 keypunch operators typing all at once on just 32K of memory.
of 32 keypunch operators typing all at once on just 32K of memory.
A very rare find & real nice piece of vintage & early computer history.
Being sold as is with no returns due to the age.
Friday, March 2, 2018
Vintage Nixdorf Entrex Mini Computer Mag Tape 280 380 480 System Collectible
https://www.ebay.com/itm/183101950665
https://mesg.ebay.com/mesgweb/ViewMessageDetail/1/96732349390
eBay Auction Archive
https://mesg.ebay.com/mesgweb/ViewMessageDetail/1/96732349390
eBay Auction Archive
Here we have a very collectable "Magnetic Tape" that was used on the ENTREX & NIXDORF
16 Bit 280, 380 & 480 Mini Computers back in the early 1980's.
This is a brand new unopened 200' tape that was used to backup data and programs way back in the day.
This is a brand new unopened 200' tape that was used to backup data and programs way back in the day.
Very rare and hard to find still in the unopened factory sealed package.
The tape has a date code of 8521 - 1985 21st week (33 years old).
The tape has a date code of 8521 - 1985 21st week (33 years old).
It has a yellow "write ring" in the back to enable writing or if you remove the label it was write protected.
The black piece on the top of the tape is the locking dust cover and had a hook on it to hang it in tape storage units.
Very nice and interesting piece of vintage computer history.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Nixdorf - Branded Entrex Data/Scope Terminal
These were all posted on Flickr back on September 15, 2007
He says... "This machine has been found in a barn... and is now looking for its long lost identity!"
He says... "This machine has been found in a barn... and is now looking for its long lost identity!"
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Limited Edition Serigraph Print "Entrex Building" by C.J. Yao!
Well, it's not about any Entrex system, per se, but it is likely a picture (or painting, if you can believe that) of the Entrex building in Massachusetts back in the day. It seemed mildly worthy of historical archive on this site, anyway...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/142668123833
https://www.ebay.com/itm/142668123833
eBay Auction Archive Bidding History? Bidding Details?
We have the limited edition serigraph print "Entrex Building" from the incredible artist C.J. Yao up for auction!
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Vintage Entrex 480 DCC D116 mini computer, DG nova clone
In the words of the original seller of this auction, May 2017:
Vintage Entrex 480 Mini Computer
This is the computer component of a larger Entrex data entry system from the early 70s. This CPU is based on if not build by Digital Controls Corporation(DCC).
It is physical appearance if very similar to the DCC D-116 (see the last photo). Indeed it contains a DCC CPU board and a DCC Synchronous communications controller board.
It also contains a Entrex Disk controller board and an Entrex Tape controller board.
Finally it has 4 Entrex Core memory boards of 8K each. Most likely a very rare computer.
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