[misc.misc] Data Point Computers

chuck@virgil.UUCP (Chuck Cartledge) (03/28/89)

I'm posting this for a friend of mine.  He has purchased three Data Point
computers at a flea market and is looking for any information or schematics
about the hardware.

The side panel information reads:
	Data Point Corp.
	9725 Data Point Drive
	San Antonio, TX

	Data Point 6600
	Model 6640-001 Computer
	256K Model

It has 2 cassette drives, a multi-port com adapter, and synchronous com
adapter.

Any information regarding software, users groups, other owners would be
greatly appreciated. He fired them up over the Easter weekend and didn't
blow any fuses, so he feels that there may be hope for them.
-- 
Chuck Cartledge (804)498-1012                     chuck@virgil.UUCP
EDO Corporation  (804)424-1004
Virginia Operations
814 Greenbrier Circle, Chesapeake Va.  23320

aubrey@val.UUCP (Aubrey McIntosh) (03/29/89)

In article <1987@virgil.UUCP> chuck@virgil.UUCP (Chuck Cartledge) writes:
>I'm posting this for a friend of mine.  He has purchased three Data Point
>computers at a flea market and is looking for any information or schematics
>about the hardware.
>
>The side panel information reads:
>	Data Point Corp.
>	9725 Data Point Drive
>	San Antonio, TX
>
>	Data Point 6600
>	Model 6640-001 Computer
>	256K Model
>
>Chuck Cartledge (804)498-1012                     chuck@virgil.UUCP
>EDO Corporation  (804)424-1004
>Virginia Operations
>814 Greenbrier Circle, Chesapeake Va.  23320

I worked for datapoint when the 6600 was under development.  For those
of you that remember such things, that was the same year that IBM
introduced some cheap, small storage media called a "Floppy" to
replace the Diablo cartridges.

As of last year, the address was still correct, and you should be able
to call them.  I would expect that an assembler is available, as well
as a smattering of (business type) languages.  Much of their language
support is custom, since such CPU's as the 8008 did not exist then,
and in fact are derivative of Datapoints CPU architecture.

A CTOS existed, and possibly is still available.  Additionally, there
should be LAN hardware support available, since they developed
a LAN in about '75.  ARCNet, if I remember correctly.

I believe that there is still a following in the business community,
so this isn't necessarily an 'orphan.'  It may even turn out that
it is a currently supported product.

-- 
Whatcha' call a boomerang that doesn't come back?      --Lost--
--------------------------------------------------------------
1-(512)-346-5781 (v)                                Using Modula-2.     
Austin, TX 78759   ...!cs.utexas.edu![dell|oakhill|kvue]!val!aubrey

pss@unh.UUCP (Paul S. Sawyer == paul) (03/30/89)

I was running a Datapoint system until about 3 years ago.  The 6600 could
operate from a Cassette Tape OS (CTOS) (never tried it), a local disk, or
through an Attached Resource Computer (ARC) network.  We had 4 or 5
processors on the ARC.  The file server had a whopping total of 40 megs!
This was on two 10-meg removable/10-meg fixed drives, so you could swap
out one of the 10-meg, 20-inch diameter cartridges while the system was
operating, if you were set up right.  I had no local disks, everything
booted from the ARC...

Restart the 6600 using the right-hand, bottom-middle-top keys, releasing
one (I forget which) before the others, and you are in a ROM debug command
mode.  If I can find any manuals, I'll send you the opcodes, etc, but
I think most everything went with the machines, which we sold to a used
equipment broker (who probably sold it at a flea market???  B-).

The main use for our system was to run an Infoswitch Long Distance Calling
System (telephone switch).  This system (ca. 1972) had some features its
replacement System 85/ 3B15 don't have!

Besides Datapoint, who keep reorganizing, but are probably still around,
get a catalog from Dartek Computer Supply, 800-323-1872;  they sell 
supplies for Datapoint systems, even a "plug compatible file server"
which might bring your 6600's to life...!  Also, Intelogic Trace is
a nationwide maintenance firm (once owned by Datapoint) who can service
the things.  

But... word processing is not much fun on that 12-line screen!  B-))

Disclaimers: Only a customer of above named firms.  Things in caps are
probably trademarks. Your mileage may vary...
-- 
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Paul S. Sawyer              uunet!unh!unhtel!paul     paul@unhtel.UUCP
UNH Telecommunications
Durham, NH  03824-3523      VOX: 603-862-3262         FAX: 603-862-2030