A company (not very creatively called) Recognition Equipment...NOT Entrex, but they are certainly using Entrex Data/Scopes there.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Recognition Equipment's Input 80 OCR
Computerworld - May 9, 1973 - page 9-10
A company (not very creatively called) Recognition Equipment...NOT Entrex, but they are certainly using Entrex Data/Scopes there.
But it looks like Recognition Equipment put a sticker over the "Entrex Data/Scope" on the plexiglass screen cover...
A company (not very creatively called) Recognition Equipment...NOT Entrex, but they are certainly using Entrex Data/Scopes there.
club-nixdorf.org archives & The last 620
Does anyone know the original author of this site? Is he/she still out there?
(backup at archive.org/web)
José A. Margolles Rodríguez or José Mesa
There are some fantastic promotional images of the Nixdorf 620 (Entrex 480) system and Data/Scope Keystations (terminals) on here...
Where did he get these?
And then there's
http://www.club-nixdorf.org/cn/web/anecdotas/ultimo620.htm
(backup at archive.org/web)
(backup at archive.org/web)
José A. Margolles Rodríguez or José Mesa
There are some fantastic promotional images of the Nixdorf 620 (Entrex 480) system and Data/Scope Keystations (terminals) on here...
Where did he get these?
And then there's
The Last 620
(backup at archive.org/web)
Friday, November 1, 2019
Scanner Board/Terminal Multiplexer Board
Clearly this is a very important component of the system, unique to Entrex! According to Barry King, who was an Area Field Engineering Manager for Entrex from 1977-1991 in Nashville, TN:
"The key to the Entrex system was the Scanner board and software developed by 2 or 3 guys at MIT as a project to complete their Master's.". Read more here.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Hex PerTerm boards - Entrex 480/Nixdorf 620
This board is from Slot 17 of the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum's Nixdorf 620 system on display, in Paderborn, Germany.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Entrex Data/Scope Key Tronic 065-01380 PCB-002D Keyboard preserved as refrigerator magnets!
My friend Cprossu has found this instructables.com post for me.
I left a comment for the author, complimenting him on saving this keyboard from the trash, and being so creative with it. It is [mostly] preserved, even though the reed switches are now removed completely. But one of the reasons I like this system is because of the terminals, and the keyboards are always one of the best parts of that!
https://www.instructables.com/id/Fridge-Magnet-Keyboard/
I left a comment for the author, complimenting him on saving this keyboard from the trash, and being so creative with it. It is [mostly] preserved, even though the reed switches are now removed completely. But one of the reasons I like this system is because of the terminals, and the keyboards are always one of the best parts of that!
https://www.instructables.com/id/Fridge-Magnet-Keyboard/
Entrex Data/Scope CRT Replacements - GTE Sylvania 9VADP4
Well, the CRT has indeed "gone to air", with the back neck seal broken off...
Monday, October 28, 2019
The MM5240: Understanding the operation of the Entrex/Nixdorf Data/Scope Keystation
The best description I've come across for how these terminals work:
RaymondHng [Reformatted by me for ease of understanding]
I use to work on a competing product, the UNIVAC 1900 CADE (Computer-Assisted Data Entry) system.
Unlike dumb terminals that have some logic of encoding key strokes into ASCII characters, sending the ASCII characters to the computer, receiving ASCII characters from the computer, storing the ASCII characters in its internal RAM, and displaying the ASCII character on the screen, data entry key stations have no ASCII encoding ability and no internal RAM storage.
A portion of RAM on the central computer serves as storage for each key station's display.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Reading AM2708DC EPROMs on the Scanner Board
On the Nixdorf 620 system owned by the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum in Paderborn, Germany, the Scanner board in slot #5 contains two AM2708DC EPROMs.
According to: https://museo.freaknet.org/en/eprom-2708/
[Translated from Italian to English] To read the EPROM 2708, power it with -5V to the VBB pin (21), +12 V to the VDD pin (19), + 5V to the VCC pin (24) and placing the VSS pin (12) to ground. Then the Not Chip Select pin (20) and the programming pin (18) must be connected to ground. At this point it is sufficient to write the memory address to be read into the indexing bus (A0 ... A9), wait for the output signal to settle (according to the datasheet at most 450 ns) and read in the data bus (Q0… .Q7) the data read.
Everybody else talks about using 2716s in systems that are designed to use 2708s, which is in essence the opposite of what I want to do right now, yet still different. I just want to accurately and safely read a 2708.
Could it be as simple as building a chip socket adapter, and applying constant +5v, -5v and +12v to the pins 24, 21 and 19 respectively, then setting the MiniPro TL866 to read an AM2716 chip, and click go?
Maybe I should lift/isolate pin 18 as well, so programming can't accidentally happen?
Also reference http://www.jrtwine.com/jtwine/arcade/EPROMRef.htm
Other threads about using 2716s in systems designed for 2708s:
(which is roughly the opposite of what I wish to do...)
http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?23603-2716-to-2708-conversion&p=165483#post165483
and
http://compgroups.net/comp.os.cpm/question-on-eprom-programmers/945291
vs
Of course, we must read these EPROMs!According to: https://museo.freaknet.org/en/eprom-2708/
[Translated from Italian to English] To read the EPROM 2708, power it with -5V to the VBB pin (21), +12 V to the VDD pin (19), + 5V to the VCC pin (24) and placing the VSS pin (12) to ground. Then the Not Chip Select pin (20) and the programming pin (18) must be connected to ground. At this point it is sufficient to write the memory address to be read into the indexing bus (A0 ... A9), wait for the output signal to settle (according to the datasheet at most 450 ns) and read in the data bus (Q0… .Q7) the data read.
Everybody else talks about using 2716s in systems that are designed to use 2708s, which is in essence the opposite of what I want to do right now, yet still different. I just want to accurately and safely read a 2708.
Could it be as simple as building a chip socket adapter, and applying constant +5v, -5v and +12v to the pins 24, 21 and 19 respectively, then setting the MiniPro TL866 to read an AM2716 chip, and click go?
Maybe I should lift/isolate pin 18 as well, so programming can't accidentally happen?
Also reference http://www.jrtwine.com/jtwine/arcade/EPROMRef.htm
(which is roughly the opposite of what I wish to do...)
http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?23603-2716-to-2708-conversion&p=165483#post165483
and
http://compgroups.net/comp.os.cpm/question-on-eprom-programmers/945291
Entrex Data/Scope turned Commodore C116
On 18/10/2019 09:55, Andreas wrote:
Hello...,
I found your page
-https://entrex480.blogspot.com/p/nixdorf-620-restoration.html-
with the help of Philipp Maier. -www.diskettenschlitz.de- in my
collection I've an old 620 Terminal. In the 1980 I used this monitor
with an enbedded commodore c116. I through out the keyboard and build
in the commodore. Now I tried to restore this system, but the terminal
has a problem with the vertical distraction. Do you have the wiring
diagram for the Terminal?
If your are interested I'll send you some photos.
Best regards
Andreas Stamer
Wolfenbüttel, Lower Saxony
Entrex Datascope PS Serial # 325625
UPDATE 2019-10-27: After having a lovely conversation with Andreas over Skype, I was able to confirm that, alas, decades ago he did indeed discard the terminal motherboard and keyboard from this Entrex Data/Scope - Nixdorf terminal. As we can see in the first picture, he replaced both, in a VERY creative fashion, with the full Commodore C116 computer. But I'm glad to know that he has at least preserved the items shown above.
Andreas also provided a picture of the box of Nixdorf floppy disks below, and even though I haven't been able to receive full confirmation, I believe that he included these only because they are branded "Nixdorf", and not because they had any connection with the original Entrex 480/Nixdorf 620 system, or any components thereof.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
My visit to the Nixdorf Museum in Paderborn, Germany
https://www.facebook.com/heinznixdorfmuseumsforum/posts/2609878145737181
https://twitter.com/hnfpb/status/1186937856503226368
Twitter code to embed:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Wir haben Besuch aus den USA. AJ Palmgren plant, das Entrex-System 480 nachzubauen. Im HNF hat er sich deshalb den Nixdorf 620 genauer angeschaut, der auf Entwicklungen des amerikanischen Herstellers basiert. <a href="https://t.co/4OJTd4o1cK">pic.twitter.com/4OJTd4o1cK</a></p>— HNF Paderborn (@hnfpb) <a href="https://twitter.com/hnfpb/status/1186937856503226368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
https://twitter.com/hnfpb/status/1186937856503226368
Twitter post Translated German to English:
We have a visitor from the USA. AJ Palmgren is planning to replicate the Entrex 480 system. In the HNF, he therefore took a closer look at the Nixdorf 620, which is based on developments from the American manufacturer.
Twitter code to embed:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Wir haben Besuch aus den USA. AJ Palmgren plant, das Entrex-System 480 nachzubauen. Im HNF hat er sich deshalb den Nixdorf 620 genauer angeschaut, der auf Entwicklungen des amerikanischen Herstellers basiert. <a href="https://t.co/4OJTd4o1cK">pic.twitter.com/4OJTd4o1cK</a></p>— HNF Paderborn (@hnfpb) <a href="https://twitter.com/hnfpb/status/1186937856503226368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And how is this system/museum related?
Monday, October 14, 2019
diskettenschlitz.de & runningserver.com Entrex / Nixdorf Data Scope Terminal
(link dead, now only at archive.org)
[Translated from German to English] This is one of the legendary Nixdorf terminals for Nixdorf mainframes. The terminal dates back to the time when Nixdorf was still an independent company. It has a 9-inch black and white picture tube which is covered with a yellow color filter and a thin wire mesh. This is a terminal from the 70s where computers were still huge expensive machines. The purpose of such terminals was to bring the computing power of the mainframe computer to the user's desktop. The terminal thus served as a remote control for the mainframe computer. Today, where personal computers have become small and cheap, the terminal mainframe concept has gone out of fashion. Central mainframe (nowadays, rather, the term "server")
Unfortunately, this terminal is a wreck, on the one hand, the electronics are incompatible with today's Linux / Unix servers and probably have problems with the memory, as it outputs only a par confused characters. On the other hand, the chassis of the monitor is heavily rusted and the electronics of the monitor is no longer working properly.During the last test I noticed that the picture tube at the back glows blue. A sure sign that it has drawn air. Since the whole thing is in the bucket, I will I think about what I will do. You could equip the keyboard with a microcontroller and replace the monitor with something new.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
This image appears at the bottom of this page on runningserver.com
(link dead, now only at archive.org)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, October 4, 2019
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Another version of the DSS620 from Nixdorf & Power Supply
Dominique shared these with me today, saying he found these pictures a long time ago. image.google.com finds no matches.
Monday, September 9, 2019
Building a Power Supply for a DG Nova / DSS-116 from "scratch"
To keep costs down, I'm going to attempt to start with a modern ATX power supply (and likely 2 or 3 laptop power supplies), and attempt to adapt it/them, simply because I have such a surplus of all of these.
The DG Nova power supply apparently consists of these voltages:
+5v
-5v
+15v
+11v (Front panel lamps only?)
-15v (Optional for customers only? What does that mean?)
+/-15v Oscilating at 60hz/50hz from the source AC power line input, 30v peak-to-peak
+5V OK 7-8vdc?
PWR FAIL 3-4vdc?
Here's some golden information in the 1969 DG Nova Maintence Manual on power signals.
And yet more, somewhat differing information on some/all of the same power supply outputs, in the Technical Manual for the Nova 800 Volume I, page 4-47 (starts at the bottom of 4-46 and goes all the way through 4-50. Almost all of this seems relevant for creating a power supply from scratch)
The "P2" "lower power supply" connector on this backplane is mapping out as follows:
Well, it ALL depends on how you number the pins on this connector. Are all of the even pins on one side, where all the odd pins are on the other? Like all of the board backplane connectors? NO. Turns out that there's inconsistency with the numbering scheme on the backplane. Some connectors are the all-even side and all-odd side, and others are sequential each side, and then back to the top on the other side where the sequence continues...Talk about confusing!
P2, the main (lower) power connector to the backplane, where the resistor board connects the power supply to the backplane:
07 A11 on Slots 2-12 RINH
08 A15 on Slots 2-12 RINH
09 A13 on Slots 2-12 RINH
10 A19 on Slots 2-12 RINH
11 A24 on Slots 2-12 RINH
12 A28 on Slots 2-12 RINH
13 A25 on Slots 2-12 RINH
14 A27 on Slots 2-12 RINH
27-31 +5v
32-47 Ground
48&22 +15v to A10, B46, B84 on Slots 2-12
49 -15v "available as a customer option..."
50 +5v OK to A8 on Slot 1 (so is this high or low in an OK state?)
51 -5v unreg. to A6, B81 on Slots 2-9
52 +15v unreg. LAMP (to P1 pin 33)
There's nothing on the backplane other than a "1" by pin 1, so unless you figure it out through trial and error, you'd never know which way the pins are numbered! Thus my numbered image above.
From my video below, I mention missing power supply connector "resistor" boards also.
I MAY have found one of those here on bitsavers...
The DG Nova power supply apparently consists of these voltages:
+5v
-5v
+15v
+11v (Front panel lamps only?)
-15v (Optional for customers only? What does that mean?)
+/-15v Oscilating at 60hz/50hz from the source AC power line input, 30v peak-to-peak
+5V OK 7-8vdc?
PWR FAIL 3-4vdc?
MEM OK 3-4vdc?
Here's some golden information in the 1969 DG Nova Maintence Manual on power signals.
Well, it ALL depends on how you number the pins on this connector. Are all of the even pins on one side, where all the odd pins are on the other? Like all of the board backplane connectors? NO. Turns out that there's inconsistency with the numbering scheme on the backplane. Some connectors are the all-even side and all-odd side, and others are sequential each side, and then back to the top on the other side where the sequence continues...Talk about confusing!
P2, the main (lower) power connector to the backplane, where the resistor board connects the power supply to the backplane:
01-05 +5v
06 A9 on Slots 2-12 RINH07 A11 on Slots 2-12 RINH
08 A15 on Slots 2-12 RINH
09 A13 on Slots 2-12 RINH
10 A19 on Slots 2-12 RINH
11 A24 on Slots 2-12 RINH
12 A28 on Slots 2-12 RINH
13 A25 on Slots 2-12 RINH
14 A27 on Slots 2-12 RINH
15 A29 on Slots 2-12 RINH
16 A23 on Slots 2-12 RINH
17 A21 on Slots 2-12 RINH
18 A17 on Slots 2-12 RINH
19 A18 on Slots 2-12 RINH
20 A7 on Slots 2-12 RINH
21 A5 on Slots 2-12 RINH
22&48 +15v to A10, B46, B84 on Slots 2-12 )
23 POWER FAIL to A5 on Slot 1
24 MEM OK to A9 on Slot 1
25 +/-60Hz AC to B6 on slot 3
26 Lamp Ground (to P1 pin 40)
32-47 Ground
48&22 +15v to A10, B46, B84 on Slots 2-12
49 -15v "available as a customer option..."
50 +5v OK to A8 on Slot 1 (so is this high or low in an OK state?)
51 -5v unreg. to A6, B81 on Slots 2-9
52 +15v unreg. LAMP (to P1 pin 33)
There's nothing on the backplane other than a "1" by pin 1, so unless you figure it out through trial and error, you'd never know which way the pins are numbered! Thus my numbered image above.
From my video below, I mention missing power supply connector "resistor" boards also.
I MAY have found one of those here on bitsavers...
And then, for schematics for these power supplies, first, from my own site right here, I've posted 2 books full of schematics, and here's 12 schematic excerpts that may be relevant (warning, 11Mb file)
And more continued below.....
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