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I own a number of prices of vintage/retro HP hardware including stuff that was from specific divisions (Agilent, IDACOM). I ended up having a number of question

I own a number of prices of vintage/retro HP hardware including stuff that was from specific divisions (Agilent, IDACOM). I ended up having a number of questions on these things and I’m also in need of missing software. I wonder if these sort of things are on topic here, even though information on them outside the documentation I currently have is a log shot either way.

tyingq 6y ago
Caused me to search for "IDACOM". The PT500 protocol tester is pretty neat. A color screen luggable with seven separate MC68k processors, all running FORTH. And pretty cheap ($120+shipping) for a used one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Idacom-PT500-Protocol-Tester-E4095C/323301485824?epid=1628823464&hash=item4b46452d00:g:ctYAAOSwFxtbIqIT https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Idacom-PT500-Protocol-Tester-E40... Here's the guts: https://imgur.com/a/tz0Y4BZ https://imgur.com/a/tz0Y4BZ Looks like a MVME bus system.
- unixhero 6y ago
  That was incredibly fascinating. Loved the keyboard.
- the_only_law 6y ago
  That’s exactly what I have :). Got a really good deal on one with the original carrying case manuals and a lot of the software although I’m missing a few disks that I want in particular. It also has a CGA video out I’m trying to get converted to something like VGA. There’s a company that exists supposedly full of former engineers for the company providing support. Or at least I should say a website for a company. I tried reaching out to them to get some information on the missing software but unfortunately didn’t hear back. I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s abandoned but I would have imagined their domain / hosting expired in that case. I also made some minor progress on reverse engineering the file system used on the floppy disks but haven’t done much in a while.
- smcleod 6y ago
  Here's a HP 4951C I had on loan until recently: https://smcleod.net/tech/2017/12/27/hp-4951/ https://smcleod.net/tech/2017/12/27/hp-4951/

tyingq 6y ago

Caused me to search for "IDACOM". The PT500 protocol tester is pretty neat. A color screen luggable with seven separate MC68k processors, all running FORTH. And pretty cheap ($120+shipping) for a used one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Idacom-PT500-Protocol-Tester-E4095C/323301485824?epid=1628823464&hash=item4b46452d00:g:ctYAAOSwFxtbIqIT https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Idacom-PT500-Protocol-Tester-E40... Here's the guts: https://imgur.com/a/tz0Y4BZ https://imgur.com/a/tz0Y4BZ Looks like a MVME bus system.

unixhero 6y ago
That was incredibly fascinating. Loved the keyboard.
the_only_law 6y ago
That’s exactly what I have :). Got a really good deal on one with the original carrying case manuals and a lot of the software although I’m missing a few disks that I want in particular. It also has a CGA video out I’m trying to get converted to something like VGA. There’s a company that exists supposedly full of former engineers for the company providing support. Or at least I should say a website for a company. I tried reaching out to them to get some information on the missing software but unfortunately didn’t hear back. I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s abandoned but I would have imagined their domain / hosting expired in that case. I also made some minor progress on reverse engineering the file system used on the floppy disks but haven’t done much in a while.
smcleod 6y ago
Here's a HP 4951C I had on loan until recently: https://smcleod.net/tech/2017/12/27/hp-4951/ https://smcleod.net/tech/2017/12/27/hp-4951/