Index: /en/computer/univac9200.shtm =================================================================== --- /en/computer/univac9200.shtm (revision 202) +++ /en/computer/univac9200.shtm (revision 203) @@ -20,22 +20,20 @@
-The Univac 9200 (Univac 9300) is a punch card computing data center from 1966. It is not - common that such old devices are completely preserverd, even all - manuals are available. This system was stored over four years in the museum - archives until we moved it with a freight company just into the museum, next +
The Univac 9200 (Univac 9300) is a punch card computing data center from 1966. It is + uncommon that such old devices are completely preserved, even all the + manuals are available. This system was stored for over four years in the museum + archives until we moved it with a freight company into the museum, next to the UNIVAC 9400.
-After moving the devices with a trucking company to the museum buidling, - the restauration started with cleaning all the devices, removing the typical - old rotten noise-absorbing mats at the very first. They have been replaced by +
After moving the devices with a trucking company to the museum building, + the restoration started with cleaning all the devices, initially removing the typical + old, rotten noise-absorbing mats at the very first. They have been replaced by brand new cellular rubber.
-We expect most of the problems with all the mechanical parts that take most - of the place in the cabins. We already removed transportation lockings - - and replaced some bearings, drive rollers and belts. The card puncher features - 15 timing belts, for instance. - The card reader (500 cards/minute) works again and the puncher mechanics is - now executable, too. The processor link of these auxillary devices is another +
We expect most of the problems to be with the mechanical parts in the cabinets. + Already we have removed the transportation locks and replaced some bearings, + drive rollers and belts. The card puncher features 15 timing belts, for instance. + The card reader (500 cards/minute) works again and the puncher mechanics are + now executable, too. The processor link to these auxillary devices is another issue and will be checked in the near future.
@@ -43,19 +41,19 @@- UNIVAC 9300 electronic data processing system, with the entities (left - to right): bar printer, cpu, "electronic cabinett" (power supply and plated wire + UNIVAC 9300 electronic data processing system, with its components (left + to right): bar printer, cpu, "electronic cabinet" (power supply and plated wire memory), card reader, card puncher.
-For optical reasons, we also repainted the cases.
-Afterwards, we will address the bar printer. In contrast to the already +
For aesthetic reasons, we also repainted the cabinets.
+We will address the bar printer at a later time. In contrast to the already mentioned devices, the printer cannot be controlled manually, so we will - start up the processor, too. This will be a buggy job, too. + have to start up the processor, too. This will be a buggy job. But all the work is not for nothing, since the system is really unique, featuring punch card assembler programming.
We will continously update this page about the progress of the reparation - untill the device is fully functional again.
+ until the device is fully functional again.17.01.2010: There were some mice in the power supply and printer, they - bit thorught some small cables. -
16.02.2010: After locating two defect resistances the power supply is - running again. Thus we can use punch card devices from the CPU by now. Actually +
17.01.2010: There were some mice in the power supply and printer; they + bit thorugh some small cables. +
16.02.2010: After locating two defective resistors the power supply is
+ running again. Now we can use punch card devices from the CPU. Actually
we cannot read nor punch data.
Now there is another malfunctioning device: The
- plated wire storage does not work. We try to get it working at least a bit,
- replacing it with a new selfmade solid state memory. As you can read on our
+ plated wire storage does not work. We are trying to get it working at least partially,
+ replacing it with a new self-made solid state memory. As you can read on our
detailed description of the
plated wire storage, this type of memory has always been very error-prone.
@@ -79,5 +77,5 @@
UNIVAC 9300 front panel: 160 - states of processor and periphery can be indicated with light bulbes and + states of processor and periphery can be indicated with light bulbs and selected via switches.
02.05.2010: A broken thyristor (hammer driver) raised the - "printer error" message. Data integrity was the most important part at those - time: If only one of the 140 printer columns is not working correctly, the whole - printer goes offline to avoid wrong output. -
10.05.2010: We could get the plated wire storage online. We + "printer error" message. Data integrity was the most important consideration at the + time. If only one of the 140 printer columns is not working correctly, the whole + printer goes offline to avoid any wrong output. +
10.05.2010: We managed to get the plated wire storage online. We can even start some small test programs via the input switches, but there are - bugs while running. This is perhaps the unique device that still uses the old - plated wire storage. Anyway we are planing a replacement. -
12.06.2010: After callibrating the optical card reader, we could read in + bugs while running. This is perhaps the only device that still uses the old + plated wire storage. Anyway, we are planing a replacement. +
12.06.2010: After calibrating the optical card reader, we could read in and execute small programs in the data memory. We will report about the high - security level at the card reading process later. Surprisingly the plated wire + security level of the card reading process later. Surprisingly the plated wire storage still works.
-16.06.2010: The card puncher doesn't work any more. 30 years inactivity +
16.06.2010: The card puncher doesn't work any more. 30 years of inactivity
are a long time for computers, too.
On the other side, we could execute a printer loop program. The huge printer
@@ -103,18 +101,18 @@
25.06.2010: The fuse is triggerd by a broken centrifugal switch from the
printer engine start-up windings. Therefore the winding was always on and
- dissipated constantly current. Now the engine is running, but print commands
+ constantly dissipated current. Now the engine is running, but print commands
are not yet executed.
-
We also could find a bug in the memory. Now all 8kB seem to run completely
+
We also found a bug in the memory. Now all 8kB seem to run completely
error-free.
30.06.2010: We could locate another bug in the printer logic (faulty - transistor). The first time after 30 years, the bar printer works and is capable of +
30.06.2010: We located another bug in the printer logic (faulty
+ transistor). For the first time in 30 years, the bar printer works and is capable of
printing files from various punch cards. The type face looks good.
-
Now we turn towards the damaged printer.
05.08.2010: After replacing a broken transistor and injecting some oil, - the puncher is up and running! Now we are able of duplicating punch cards. + the puncher is up and running! Now we are able to dublicate punch cards. Unfortunately we had to disable the error checking functions since the device - detected a non-existing error at punching. Locating this error is the next + detected a non-existing error when punching. Locating this error is the next problem.
-26.08.2010: Locating this bug in the device's internal error checking +
26.08.2010: Locating the bug in the device's internal error checking of punched data was hard work. The computer compares the data which should be punched with the position of the hammers in the punch station in a very @@ -122,9 +120,9 @@ furthermore a transistor which amplifies the particular induced voltage was out of order and there was a cold solder joint. Finally the complete sensing - station had to be recallibrated to deliver all information simultaneously to + station had to be recalibrated to deliver all information simultaneously to the comparing element. The adjustment has only a margin of 5 microseconds. - After this reparation, all duplicated punch cards are checked, too. If there + After this repair, all duplicated punch cards are checked too. If there is a wrong punch hole, the computer stops immediately (an event that occurs - extremely rare as from now).
+ extremely rarely now).This blog will be irregulary continued.