🚀 go-pugleaf

Rainbow EchoMail Digest                         Jul 19, 1990

In this issue:
  RE: DECCOMM
  RAINBOW INFO
  PD SOFTWARE                    (2 messages)
  RE: FLOPPIES AND THE RAIN


  Articles posted to either INFO-DEC-MICRO or comp.sys.dec.micro are
currently gatewayed to the Rainbow Echo on FidoNet. You do not need
to take special action to respond to articles in these digests.

  Please send reports of problems or suggestions for improvement of
this digest to GTHEALL@PENNDRLS.UPENN.EDU (Internet).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:     07-17-90 (08:40)
To:       ALAN CONROY
Subject:  RE: DECCOMM
From:     FRANK MALLORY

 AC>   Well, the software and/or modem you use with the Rainbow really
 AC> have no bearing on the fact that the BIOS is different from the IBM
 AC> BIOS.  You can, however, determine if the program is currently running
 AC> on a Rainbow or an IBM and remap your BIOS calls based on that.

DecComm, as the name implies, pertains specifically and exclusively to
DEC  computers (the Rainbow, in particular) and has nothing to do
whatsoever with  IBM PCs and/or their BIOS.  It's what is known as a
communications FOSSIL  program, which is a class of TSR system
programs that adapt an application  program to a specific computer
architecture.

DecComm was written by Vince Perriello, and I am (still) hoping to get
a  response from him on this echo.


- --- msged 1.99L MSC
 * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md. - 301-622-2247
------------------------------
Date:     07-18-90 (07:35)
To:       CHRISTOPHER WROTEN
Subject:  RAINBOW INFO
From:     PAUL OLSON

Christopher,
The Rainbow 100A is expandable to 832Kb, while the 100B is expandable
to 896Kb.  The difference is the amount of memory DEC placed on the
mother board.  The 100A had only 64Kb, while the 100B had 128Kb.  The
easiest way for you to tell if you have an A or a B is to look at the
startup menu.  If there is a W option for booting off the hard drive,
it is a 100B.  You can expand your memory by buying chips for the
memory board in the machine.  From the sounds of it, you have the
memory expansion board with socketed chips on it.  If so, all you need
to do to upgrade is to buy the proper chips (256x1, I think, but
double check; it has been a long while since I bought chips for the
'bow), pull the old 64Kb chips out of the board, insert the new chips,
and flip the proper dip switches on the board.  It may also involve a
software setup in the setup screens. (Boy, it has been a _long_ time
since I looked at this stuff!)  I suspect you have a 100B with the
memory board with the socketed chips.  The only way to tell which
memory board you have is to pull out the mother board (by removing the
system unit cover, unscrewing the large black screws on the back of
the system, and sliding the mother board out), and removing the memory
board from the motherboard and looking at it. Be VERY careful about
static shock to your boards!!  Also, be prepared to support your
motherboard from underneath.  It is a big board.  The memory board is
located in the middle of the motherboard.
As for disk drives, your best bet would be to buy a disk controller
and cables from a used equipment dealer, and a hard drive from a mail
order house.  You can call Newmann computers in Ann Arbor, MI, or
Eustace Enterprises in Orlando (?).  I don't have the numbers with me.
Alternatively, you can also contact the Internation Rainbow Users
Group for more information.  Their number is 618/632-1143.  Caroline
Mack has more contacts than anyone I know.  My own system has a
MicroCHS dual hard disk controller and a Seagate ST-225 20Mb hard
drive.  I don't know the availability of the MicroCHS and its
associated software as the manufacturer and the distributor both went
out of business.  A single drive DEC controller should work just fine
for you.  You will also want to download WUTIL from your favorite BBS
system. Other resources include CompuServe which has a good DEC
Rainbow forum.  Unfortuantely, they charge for connect time.
If you have any more questions, just yell.  Next time I'll try to
answer from home rather than work.  I don't have any of my Rainbow
info at work.
As Always,
Paul

- --- ConfMail V3.31
 * Origin: The Pot of Gold - (703-359-6549) (1:109/103)
------------------------------
Date:     07-18-90 (07:54)
To:       GEORGE THEALL
Subject:  PD SOFTWARE
From:     PAUL OLSON

To Jason Gabler,
There are basically three more sources of RB PD software.  Fido/Opus
BBS systems catering to the RB; the WARUG library, maintained by the
International Rainbow Users Group (618/632-1143); and CompuServe.  Of
course CompuServe charges for connect time.
As Always,
Paul

- --- ConfMail V3.31
 * Origin: The Pot of Gold - (703-359-6549) (1:109/103)
------------------------------
Date:     07-17-90 (18:22)
To:       ALL
Subject:  RE: FLOPPIES AND THE RAIN
From:     FRANK ZSITVAY


>Please note that this is the low density 720K drive that I'm doing this with.
>The 1.44M floppy doesn't want to work in my Rainbow out of the box, so I'm not
>sure what to do with it.

  Do you know if a single sided version of that drive would work?? i've
seem mitsubishi mf351 (ssdd 400k 3.5 inch) drives for as little as $40
mail order.   united products in seattle has sony d32v drives (ssdd 600k
3.5 inch with 8 inch electronics) for $5 each.

>Now that SS is gone, is there any interest in a PD double sided driver for the
>Rainbow?

  at times i've sworn i'd give my right testicle for just such a
driver...

  I'd even PAY you for the driver....


- --
fzsitvay@techbook.COM - one of these days i'll get it right...

- --- QM v1.00
 * Origin: TECHbooks One, Fido Gate to techbook (503) 644-8135
------------------------------
Date:     07-19-90 (15:13)
To:       PAUL OLSON
Subject:  PD SOFTWARE
From:     GEORGE THEALL

PO>There are basically three more sources of RB PD software.  Fido/Opus
PO>BBS systems catering to the RB; the WARUG library, maintained by the
PO>International Rainbow Users Group (618/632-1143); and CompuServe.

    Two additional comments:

- - some Rainbow software is available from the INFO-DEC-MICRO file
archives at Carnegie-Mellon Univ. For those with anonymous FTP access,
connect to DRYCAS.CLUB.CC.CMU.EDU, switch over to [.INFO-DEC-MICRO],
and download to your heart's content. And at no cost!

- - there is at least one bbs which is not part of Fido/Opus carrying
Rainbow files. It's Penn's Landing, +1 215 898 8511, 8N1. You should
check with George Dahlco about others.


George
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