DEC PDP 11/23

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Title: DEC PDP 11/23
Post by: sdinet on March 31, 2009, 10:32:16 PM
I just picked up a HUGE lot of a DEC PDP 11/23.  Everything in MINT MINT MINT condition, probably a dozen boxes and over 300 pounds of accessories and docs.  

Anyone use a PDP 11/23 or similar, and recommendations on testing it out and setting it up?  

Is it safe to plug it on and power on since it's been sitting in storage for 17years, will the capacitors in the PSU withstand the sudden surge of power?
Title: Re: DEC PDP 11/23
Post by: cubist on April 01, 2009, 12:37:42 AM
Quote from: "sdinet"
Is it safe to plug it on and power on since it's been sitting in storage for 17years, will the capacitors in the PSU withstand the sudden surge of power?

If you *really* want to do this safely (both to yourself and the hardware) you should probably check first with the people on alt.sys.pdp11 or on the various classiccmp.org mailing lists.  Particularly listen to people like Rich Alderson or Al Kossow.
Title: DEC PDP 11/23
Post by: hanul on April 01, 2009, 03:11:56 AM
Disassemble the system and disconnect the power supply unit internally, then do a power-on test with the PSU only and measure the output.

I wouldn't plug it in all at once.

What kind of variant of the PDP 11/23 to you got? Is it something like this: http://hampage.hu/pdp-11/1123.html?

Great classic system. What kind of operating system do you plan to run on it? UNIX v7, RSX-11?
Title: DEC PDP 11/23
Post by: hanul on April 01, 2009, 08:21:41 AM
You can find a PDP11 boot image of UNIX V7 here:

http://ftp.fibranet.cat/UnixArchive/PDP-11/Boot_Images/
Title: DEC PDP 11/23
Post by: sdinet on April 02, 2009, 07:05:40 PM
thnx for the info, that user group on google is a HUGE help.

Below is a link to some photo's of the main unit, more photos to come of the terminal monitor, keyboard, tape drive and docs.

http://picasaweb.google.com/NeXTprototype/DECPDP1123Plus#
Title: DEC PDP 11/23
Post by: niteshooter on April 03, 2009, 10:07:15 AM
Wow that's pretty cool. Look at the size of the caps in the PS, wow.

Thanks for sharing.

Kevin
Title: DEC PDP 11/23
Post by: helf on April 03, 2009, 02:48:01 PM
man, that is nice. I've been wanting a working PDP11 for a looong time. Nice find :) Selling any bits?
Title: DEC PDP 11/23
Post by: neozeed on April 13, 2009, 06:20:48 PM
google around and check with Warren Toomey (pdp 11 preservation society)..

Anyways if you have the multiply/divide hardware module you can possibly be the first to get Unix v1 to boot on real hardware.....

PUPS... PDP 11 preservation society......

You should be able to find it.
Title: DEC PDP 11/23
Post by: compusplurge on June 17, 2009, 01:12:46 AM
Haha, nice score! Just dont go TOO overboard, ok?


http://public.enemy.org/zt_pdp11.jpg

[nsfw, but still lolz. was found by searching pdp11 on google images :D]

//compusplurge

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