All Questions
5,789
questions
4
votes
1
answer
223
views
Was it possible to complete the third rotation in Killer Gorilla?
As a kid I played a lot of Killer Gorilla on the BBC micro. This game was a clone of Donkey Kong.
Like Donkey Kong it had four levels, which the game rotated through and on each rotation they got ...
- 2,684
2
votes
0
answers
173
views
How to read old Macintosh text files?
I hope this is an OK place to ask this question.
The Internet Archive has a Macintosh floppy image containing presets for an old E-mu synthesizer module. The page is here Proteus Preset Libraries
...
- 171
3
votes
2
answers
363
views
What was the first satellite data link that can properly be called an internet connection?
Scott Manley, in his second video about communication satellites, focusing on the 1963 Telstar 1, mentioned at 10:22:
(Telstar 1) could be used for telephones it could carry multiple circuits, it ...
- 2,349
5
votes
0
answers
197
views
Where can I find a schematic of the AT&T KBD 301?
Where can I find a schematic of the AT&T KBD 301?
I have an old AT&T 6300 (AT&T's rebrand of the Olivetti M24) but the keyboard (AT&T KBD 301) is not working.
Many of the keys do work ...
- 399
9
votes
0
answers
271
views
How did Citrix for Windows NT 3.1 work?
The design of both Windows 9x and Windows NT (before NT4) was based on the assumption that the OS/kernel is driving a single local graphical console session (this is visible today: Windows Server 2022’...
- 781
20
votes
10
answers
8k
views
Was there any computer since about 1960 without interrupt support?
The invention and spread of interrupts in the 1950s is reasonably well known but I am curious: were there any systems after which didn't support them?
- 793
1
vote
0
answers
149
views
Windows 3.11 in DOSBox-X says that “Your network adapter MS$NE2CLONE is not working properly” [closed]
I had networking working on Windows 3.11 previously, now I am getting the error "Your network adapter MS$NE2CLONE is not working properly". I tried reinstalling all the files, changing ...
- 1,178
3
votes
0
answers
128
views
Did any DOS 3.3 variants relocate start of BASIC?
A common annoyance when programming in BASIC on the Apple II is that 6K of BASIC storage area falls before the start of the first hires screen, with another big chunk of storage falling after it. On ...
- 34.7k
16
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Was bootloading from punch cards possible on System/370 machines?
I have been idly looking into how System 370 works, though mostly at software and VM/370 OS. As a part of the system generation process, one needs to use DMKDDR utility and others. So I was curious ...
- 163
8
votes
2
answers
975
views
Help understanding TAIPAN source code for the Apple II
I am trying to run the source code found at https://taipangame.com/BASIC.txt on Epple 2 (with Apple II+ roms) to eventually run on my own Apple II+, but the program keeps crashing.
First, I used a ...
- 83
10
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How did the Apple IIe convert to upper case?
TL;DR
How did the Apple IIe convert commands to upper case?
Background
I've been using the Virtual ][ emulator in Apple IIe mode (with an Apple IIe Enhanced ROM).
After getting the ELIZA code from ...
- 3,349
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What happens if an invalid opcode is executed on a 287/387 math coprocessor?
https://groups.google.com/g/comp.os.msdos.programmer/c/Lds3MJAgSl0/m/y8zfPt-bMskJ I assume that the 287/387 math coprocessors do not have the same illegal opcode exception that the 286/386 processors ...
- 437
8
votes
1
answer
902
views
Using Sinclair ZX Microdrive is it possible to random access a text-file?
I wish to build a small database using Sinclair ZX Microdrive: one can think to create a text file using some simple BASIC. For simplicity let's say the record is 512 bytes in length, i.e. the same as ...
- 273
11
votes
1
answer
333
views
How can I communicate with a Nintendo DS using the Download Play protocol?
Would it be possible to use a Nintendo DS's Download Play feature over the Internet? I don't have a ton of understanding of how the protocol works, but so far I'm pretty sure it uses a network of ...
- 163
18
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Commodore 64 - any way to safely plug in a cartridge when the power is on?
Back in the early 1980s when my friends and I all had Commodore 64s, we all knew never to plug a cartridge in with the power on.
I once got a tape from someone with lots of utility programmes, one of ...
- 3,857
6
votes
1
answer
486
views
PC DOS E Editor (3.13v): "Not enough memory" error with a file of 1.65 MB and 40 320 lines, even with the /S switch
Using the E editor included with IBM PC DOS 7, I can't open a particular plain text file without encountering a "Not enough memory" error. The editor was invoked with the /S switch to make ...
- 61
14
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the bug in Creative Computing's version of "Amazing"?
I am reading about the history of the "game" Amazing that was converted to MS BASIC in BASIC Computer Games. These articles often note that the game has a bug in it, but I cannot find anyone ...
- 19.5k
18
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Why didn't Microsoft use a well-known encryption algorithm like RSA for telephone activation?
After 20 years the telephone activation algorithm of Windows XP has been cracked.
Please understand the algorithm itself has been cracked and not the activation program.
Microsoft had designed its own ...
- 4,684
7
votes
1
answer
380
views
What were the differences of the various AE RamWorks cards?
Applied Engineering (AE) produced some 80-Column cards for the Apple //e that, unlike Apple's offering which only brought the machine up to 128KB, would allow a user to install up to 3MB in addition ...
- 15.8k
3
votes
0
answers
308
views
Two Unknown Sony Corp Boards - Please identify
There are two Boards:
The first one has
Chips with the name "Sony 501 0C 185", "Sony 502 0J 043", "Sony 504 1B 002 504-3", "Sony 509 01 017 509-00", "Sony ...
8
votes
1
answer
449
views
What did a "blue-and-gray sheet of IBM printout paper" actually look like, circa 1994?
Scientific American's December 1, 2023 The Most Shocking Discovery in Astrophysics Is 25 Years Old outlines the "origin story" for the concept of dark energy, a term used to refer to an ...
- 2,349
8
votes
1
answer
297
views
What was the rationale for the 'INPUT' button on an ICL 1900 console teletype?
ICL 1900 computers were always supplied with 'executive' software tailored to the specific installation. Exec provided simple program load and run facilities. There were no 'lights and switches' on ...
- 33.5k
8
votes
1
answer
285
views
Where can I find info about OS/A WASP operating system for Soviet BK series computers?
OS/A WASP was allegedly developed by Kamnev, one of the creators of ANDOS and maybe others, but any information about this operating system is scarce. I heard rumors that it had windowing interface &...
- 1,547
3
votes
1
answer
324
views
Windows 3.x multimedia board or puzzle game featuring the “Toasty!” sound effect
There is a game I remember playing quite a while ago.
I have only the vaguest recollections of the gameplay. It was a 2D, maybe faux-3D game, I played it with a mouse. There were sounds, lots of ...
- 21.6k
6
votes
1
answer
319
views
A little confused about SCSI connectors with 80-68-50pin adapter on 1995 SCSI-2 controller
I have an old SCSI controller "Asus pci sc-200"
I have to connect a 80pin SCSI disk to it
This is the cable
This is the adapter
Actually I have connected the white connector to controller ...
- 1,697
10
votes
1
answer
538
views
Problem using Commodore 64 BASIC TAB() command in abbreviated form
I’ve encountered a bug on the Commodore 64. When I write out the full TAB command, i.e., TAB(…), everything works as expected. However, when I use the abbreviated form, tA, an extra parenthesis is ...
- 103
7
votes
2
answers
521
views
Were VGA palette's HSV math properties used in practice?
In "Why were those colors chosen to be the default palette for 256-color VGA?", we've established that 216 of its colors represent a 24x3x3 truncated HSV color space.
This results in an ...
6
votes
1
answer
196
views
How to run MOUSSUBS.BAS in QuickBasic? Looking for MIXED.QLB and MOUSE.ASM?
I retrieved some 30 year old basic files from old floppy disks.
Now I am trying to run some games I made back then. Some of them are actually dependent on this file called MOUSSUBS.BAS. That file ...
- 311
2
votes
3
answers
559
views
What binary format did QuickBasic use for BAS files?
I found some very old floppy disks. I sent them to a company to restore the files and they were still retrievable!
Next to old games and simcity save games I found some .BAS files.
Some of the names I ...
- 311
2
votes
0
answers
149
views
Early 2000s online PC game [closed]
I'm trying to remember an old PC game I used to play online, early 2000s.
I remember the game being a futuristic based game where you had a cyborg woman as the maim character. The character had a ...
3
votes
0
answers
156
views
Troubleshooting Legacy Hardware and Software Issues on MS-DOS and Windows 3.11
I have an old PC with the following hardware components:
Motherboard: AMI TITAN II EISA rev.D
RAM: 48MB of 4 SIMM
CPU: 154C Pentium (tm)
BIOS: 711011596
HDD1: SCSI controller adapter through PCI (PCI)
...
- 31
7
votes
3
answers
314
views
Could Teletype Model 33 ASR console work on a desktop, without the dedicated stand?
Definitely, the earlier teleprinters, like Model 15 and even earlier could be put on a table. But for some reason the fashion shifted and most hard-copy terminals in the 1960s and 1970s used a special ...
- 1,547
9
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What was the first laptop to support two external monitors?
Looking at https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkPad_Dock and https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-7500.c645 I suspect docked ThinkPads around 2000-2001 were able to run two external monitors ...
- 793
8
votes
1
answer
292
views
Why weren't CGA colors selectable from palette?
Most memorable graphics mode in games for CGA was 320x200 which supported 4 colors. (I know there was 16 color composite mode trick, but let's ignore that.)
Those 4 colors could be selected from ...
- 183
36
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Why were those colors chosen to be the default palette for 256-color VGA?
Although subjective, I believe I'm not the only one considering default VGA 256 color palette to be hideous and ugly.
What is the story behind this, why were these particular colors chosen?
- 2,753
1
vote
1
answer
148
views
Interrupt latency on the PDP-11/23
I'm trying to understand the interrupt latency on the PDP-11/23 (more specifically the KDF11-A). Diagnostic JKDBD0 test 375 (Test that a TTY interrupt causes an overflow trap) contains the following ...
- 101
1
vote
0
answers
136
views
Defective Apple IIe motherboard
I have a PAL Apple IIe, put in service in 1982. Components C9, C12, C15, and C17 on the 820-0073-B motherboard are burnt out. I originally thought they appear to be power diodes, but seem to be 10 µF ...
- 11
3
votes
1
answer
183
views
Do Z80 datalines need termination [closed]
If I am using a z80 can you just tie all data lines to the ROM 28c16 or do they need termination via 10k ohm resistors to ground?
- 31
8
votes
3
answers
693
views
History of static analysis tools for defect identification
As part of an article I'm writing, I wanted to give a sense of how long static analysis tools have been with us. There was no mention of them in my copy of The Mythical Man-month (1982 edition). This ...
- 183
17
votes
7
answers
4k
views
Why did Linux standardise on RTS/CTS flow control for serial ports
I've recently been working out how best to wire up a serial cable for a vintage plotter, and it's thrown me down the rabbit hole of RS-232.
As far as I can tell, many RS-232 devices which act as DTEs (...
- 403
12
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is side 0 on the top or bottom of a floppy disk?
Assuming a 3.5" or 5.25" diskette placed on a surface with its label side facing upwards, which side of the magnetic disc within does head #0 of the drive reside on?
- 223
1
vote
0
answers
221
views
CD-ROM not recognized by Windows 98 Pentium 2 [closed]
I have a Windows 98 Pentium II computer which behaves strangely. Although the CD-ROM opens and closes, I can't see it in Device Manager or play music. I get message that there is no CD-ROM device ...
- 11
58
votes
5
answers
11k
views
Why have consumer-level graphing calculators seemingly not developed in 20+ years?
I am not a mathematician, though I was reading up on the various technological advancements of calculating technology.
The TI-84Plus was released in 2004. I used it in high school; it cost me around $...
- 623
8
votes
3
answers
377
views
What is the correct power supply for this SD card/cassette reader for Sinclair computers?
I bought this some time ago, but I did not keep the power supply with it. It does not have any product name on it, and I can't locate the correct information. What is the correct power supply and what ...
- 283
2
votes
1
answer
183
views
How to connect Elektronika BK-0010 to an RS-232 interface?
Does any one of you have an electronic diagram and description of connecting the RS-232 serial bus to the Lithuanian computer Elektronika BK-0010? I need a diagram of a device to make myself.
My ...
4
votes
1
answer
121
views
Mac Plus refusing to read disks
OK, so I was gifted a Mac Plus a couple weeks ago, and finally got it up and running a couple days ago (had to wait for mouse and a couple lots of disks for it to arrive, since it came as just the Mac ...
- 143
28
votes
4
answers
3k
views
What was the legal arrangement between author, publisher and end user for 'type-in programs' in old computer magazines?
Today we live in a world where the idea of open-source is well understood and protected by legal gobbledygook like the MIT, GPL, LGPL, Apache, and EI-EI-O licenses. (Ok, I made up that last one). It ...
- 9,795
14
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Were cassette tapes designed to be adjusted by pencils? [closed]
Back in my ZX Spectrum days, it was normal to do manual fine adjustment of a cassette tape position using a hexagonal pencil or a cheap Biro pen. It's almost like the hub is designed to be twiddled ...
- 251
17
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Does this 1978 code for a 6800 really clear ALL of memory?
On page 43 of the October 1978 Dr. Dobb's Journal (reprinted in Volume 3 Page 425 Issue 10 Number 29) is a letter to the editor giving three 6800 routines to clear ALL of memory, stating...
Routine ...
- 171
78
votes
7
answers
37k
views
Who invented file extensions in file names?
Do we know when and where the idea of adding a suffix to filenames was conceived? I have found a lot of information about the history of specific file formats, but I am curious about when the need for ...
- 783