Antediluvian Computers
13 messages in this thread
Ben:
Any interest in an antiquated, but lovely CBM 'B' system?
B-128 Lo-Boy
6809 cpu
BASIC 4.0
80 x 25 Monochrome video output
RS-232C port w/6551
SID (6581)
4032 printer (IEEE-4888)
40 column
9 pin dot matrix
8050 dual 5.25 floppy (IEEE-488)
single-sided floppies
1/2 megs formatted capacity per drive
9050 5 (FIVE!) meg hard drive w/power supply (IEEE-488)
a bit noisy, but works.
I'll even throw in SuperBase and SuperScript for the 'B'. 🙂
This isn't exactly in the same vein as the KIM's and SWTPC's you are
talking about, but I happened to see these boxes in the storage room the
other day. This really was a nice little 8 bit system. I used just those
two pieces of software mentioned for quite a while. Gee, that was swell.
Anyway, it really does need a home, where it will be used. Would be perfect
as a dedicated WP/Label generater system
Charles Conlow – via Whap!
No…. but thanks for thinking of me. :^)
–Ben
I wouldn't be interested in BUYING it, but I would pay your shipping costs
if you GAVE it to me.
Bob
Bob:
I'm glad that you think you can put the beast to use. Have you ever seen
one of the 'B' series? Used one? What do you plan on doing with it?
I would really like to see it go somewhere and be USED, not just sit in
someone else's storage.
Tell ya what… throw in a c_note ($100) and it's your. I'll have to check
on shipping costs. Let me know.
Charles Conlow – via Whap!
I would use it for experimenting and playing around more than anything
else. But I can't spend any money on it, sorry.
Bob
then I'll keep you in mind, Bob.
Charles Conlow – via Whap!
Say, you wouldn't happen to have the version of OS-9 for that machine, do
you?
I believe there's a group around Toronto who're still using them.
kev
Sorry, Kevin, no OS-9 for this 'B'. I have heard of at least one user group
myself. Also have heard of memory expansion to a meg, co-processors
(there's a slot for such) and other hacks.
Charles Conlow – via Whap!
Kevin,
I thought that the OS-9 was available only for the SuperPET – not for the B
machines. The SuperPET had both 6502 and 6809 processor chips, and I think
the OS-9 ran on the 6809 chip. That version of OS-9, as best I can recall,
was developed at the Univ. of Waterloo, and was made available through the
Toronto Pet User Group. The group is still in existence, but I don't know
about the OS-9 for the SuperPET. I happen to have a SuperPET, but not the
OS-9.
The user group that supports the B machines in in Illinois – somewhere
near Chicago, I believe.
Betty
Betty,
Thank you… you must be correct about OS-9 only being available for the
SuperPET.
You're also right about Toronto; the gentleman who did the port (Ave
Moise) works up there at a gas lab, if memory serves. They all got their
machines from dumpsters (!) I'm told, after a school threw them out to
"upgrade" to IBM PCs. ("They all" = Toronto Users Group)
best – kev
The SuperPET was a very nice machine. My husband loved his. It came with
five languages built-in, and with two processors, and 128K of memory –
quite a lot for its day. True, it only had a green on black screen, but it
is clear and crisp, easy to read. Ours is still in like-new condition.
Betty
Isn't there an OS/9 forum here on CIS? I also thought there was a version
of OS/9 for 68000's in general and Amigas in particular.
Bill Roberts in Ellettsville In. via Whap!
Bill,
Yessir, there's an OS-9 forum… I'm one of the sysops. (Actually, I used
to keep "[OS9]" in my online name here, but dropped it after I stopped
being accidentally mistook for an Amigaforum sysop. I guess the real ones
are all too well known nowadays!).
Yah, you can get OS-9 for the Mac, ST, Amiga and bunches of other 68K
systems (even a derivative for PCs now).
There are now new versions for all Amiga models (you can even use process
memory protection in MMU-equipped systems). But the port still isn't
readily available. When it is, I'll put the [OS9] back in my name here
<grin>.
They're finally working out some retail deals now. This will be good news,
as I've constantly gotten internet messages from government and college
labs who *wanted* to choose Amigas, but couldn't because their specs also
called for using OS-9… even tho we thought the Amiga OS would work fine.
regards – kevin