But see this July 2004 update: Corestore aquires second pdp-12!
It came with a fair collection of software on LINCtape, and runs the DIAL
operating system.
It's quite a highly expanded system, with 3 linctape units (identical
to dectape but incompatible - the motors are wired to run the opposite
way!), an FPU, an RK05 and controller (the controller is a small Omnibus
chassis with an RK8E in it, plus the boards to interface it to the pdp-12
bus!), some custom experiment control hardware, and a 3rd party Fabritek
32 kword core box (the orange box in the photo).
Whilst I'm very fond of it - the pdp-12 is probably my favourite of all
the pdp systems - this particular pdp-12 is one I'm not very happy with. It's been quite heavily
modified - a non-DEC power control system, backplane changes, a kludge
board to make the console interface RS232 instead of 20ma, non-DEC memory
expansion... and it wasn't in good physical condition when I got it. All
of which I dislike. I'd be much happier with a plain old unmodified basic
pdp-12 with a LINCtape or two, like this:
The current status of the system is 'faulty' - it worked ok when I got
it and for some time afterwards, but then it went down bit by bit... first
the terminal control, then the LINCtape control, then it failed totally,
getting hung with the run light on if you use any of the major console
switches - exam, dep etc. Probably something fundamental like missing volts
to memory... haven't had time to troubleshoot yet.
Troubleshooting is fun... the LINCtape controller is a complex state machine
of some notoriety, the cpu & backplane are a rat's nest...
A very comprehensive front panel... most unfortunately wrecked. It was
shattered when I got the system :-(
I have a complete set of manuals and prints for this system and a good
set of s/w on LINCtape. I need a spare front panel - the printed screen,
not the lights and switches - as it was damaged before I got the system.
Even the loan of an undamaged one to make a copy would be helpful.
Some useful pdp-12 links (LINCs?):
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/dec-faq/pdp8/section-7.html LINC and pdp-12 FAQ
http://www.parse.com/~museum/pdp12/index.html Robert Krten has one
http://www.cca.org/tech/rcs/pdp12.html RCSRI have *three* pdp-12s!
http://www.spies.com/~aek/pdf/dec/pdp12/ Al Kossow's invaluable collection of pdp-12 manuals (I contributed the FPP12 printset :-)