FS (CH) - Anyone interested in DEC PDP stuff? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: compet17
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 01:20:49 pm
content: We are clearing our DEC parts stock because there is only one customer left who has an PDP11.We have:- Manuals and schematics for all kind of PDP11 and peripherals.- Many boards, CPU's, memory, controllers- Complete machines (e.g. 11/44, 11/73)- Screws and bolts and stuff for printers.- Cables (serial, disk, special)- J-11 CPU chipshttp://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-11#mediaviewer/File:KL_DEC_J11.jpgI give it away for freeif transportation cost will be paidby receiver. Otherwise all will go to recycling.Location is Switzerland, so overseas shipping could become expensive depending of weight...Send me a message if you're interested in something special and I will have a look if it's available.

author: akkarin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 01:24:10 pm
content: Ok, wait..... what?There is a customer left with a PDP11But, ye I guess there are quite a few nuke plants relying on those PDP11

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 02:10:45 pm
content: This made me feel nostalgic, I never worked on the pdp11 but I did use a Vax extensively.Unfortunately I don't have any space.But the thought occurred to me that perhaps the Science Museum might be interested as Unix was born on the PDP11 I think (as was C).It would be a shame for them to be scrapped so perhaps you could email the Science Museum in Londonhttp://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/about_us.aspxor the Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park.I just did a quick check though and the National Museum is currently not accepting as they have run out of space:http://www.tnmoc.org/support/donate-equipment

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 03:05:51 pm
content: I last used a PDP11 in 1982

author: xtech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 03:15:42 pm
content: I'm interested with PDP11/73. PM sent

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 04:39:46 pm
content: We used them as late as 95' , controlling a weight system on the Danish Sugar factories.Tractor "full inbound" - Tractor "Empty outbound) = Weight of SugarBeetsIt was connected to an IBM-3274 Clustercontroller (Yes the old one w. 8" floppys) , and made an automatic entry in the Mainframe "Accounting system" for that farmer./Bingo

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 05:13:20 pm
content: Quote from: bingo600 on January 12, 2015, 04:39:46 pmyou need a pdp/11 to do that ? crazy norwegians...

author: compet17
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 06:28:15 pm
content: PDP11 have widely been used for controlling industrial machinery. Long before the tiny SPS' were available, this was the smallest computer you could have for this application. And because it was widely used, the supply of spare parts was not difficult. And furthermore, the PDP was a very reliable design that could run 24/7.We had a customer who run a huge dairy on a redundant PDP11 system. When one processor failed, the other took over immediately. The plant was built by Alfa Laval (a swedish milk machinery maker). When it was replaced a couple of years ago, it was in service for 30 years, 24 hours a day nonstop. ... well except some repair stopsThe customer that is still running his PDP has a animal food mill. I don't know exactly what he's doing with the PDP but we just have to replace the disk from time to time. Everything else never had a problem.The problem with museums is that they already have PDP's. And especially the 11/73 was built in high numbers. On Ebay they are still available and also from hardware brokers.I have an 11/34 which is running with it's original magnetic core memory. That one I will keep... I'd like to hook up an old disk drive and install a RSTS system

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 06:33:39 pm
content: Can I get the J11 chips? Postage on those would be cheap.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 06:35:01 pm
content: Core memory boards as well, I want some wall decorations.

author: DIPLover
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 08:37:23 pm
content: Also interested in the J11 chips if more than one available.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2015, 11:57:37 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on January 12, 2015, 06:35:01 pmI will not pass the wife test.

author: eas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2015, 01:29:57 am
content: My first personal computer was a PDP-11/34 that served as a spare for the PDP-11/70 that replaced it at my fathers work. I'd call in from a DEC terminal he had at home to play DUNGEON (Zork), ADVENTURE, and use BASIC.I'd be interested in some of the J-11 chips, if there are more available.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2015, 08:00:27 am
content: Quote from: compet17 on January 12, 2015, 01:20:49 pmJust to be fair, you do realize that in those machines a lot of real gold was still used, I would really first get an estimate on the grams of gold in those machines, I would not be surprised if it would go beyond a couple of hundred $ worth.Great old machine, wish I had room for it.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2015, 11:21:01 am
content: Oh God... I always wanted a DEC PDP machine with a front panel. But I doubt I could afford the shipping to Australia.In any case, there are forums specific to vintage computing enthusiasts. I am certain that ALL the old DEC gear you have will be wanted somewhere. To actually maintain in working condition, not hang pieces on walls or crush for a few grams of gold.This gear is becoming rarer, and a valuable part of history.Please don't junk anything or split for parts until you post your offer on at least one of these groups:http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/forum.phphttp://www.classiccmp.orghttp://www.nycresistor.com/2014/05/15/pdp-11/http://www.oldcomputermuseum.com/http://www.computerhistory.org/There are many more. Google with terms like retrocomputing, vintage, museum, and DEC PDP.Do you have a list or photos of what 'complete systems' you have?