@sequent.com (Robert Kelley) (06/01/91)
I just acquired 2 of these devices for $15, one of them works. From what I can determine, they speak Basic and seem to have about 128K ram. Specific questions: Anything noteworthy about the BASIC? Processor? Machine language escape mechanism? What does the DIP switch do? What are the video specifications? (why does every monitor I've tried seem to overscan so much? Can I adjust for this somehow?) Any more information or general comments would be appreciated. Robert Kelley rjk@sequent.com
dan@Apple.COM (Dan Allen) (06/04/91)
@sequent.com (Robert Kelley) writes: >I just acquired 2 of these devices for $15, >one of them works. From what I can determine, >they speak Basic and seem to have about 128K ram. >Specific questions: > Anything noteworthy about the BASIC? > Processor? > Machine language escape mechanism? > What does the DIP switch do? > What are the video specifications? > (why does every monitor I've tried > seem to overscan so much? Can I > adjust for this somehow?) I recall that the HP-86 had a BASIC language quite similar to the HP-75C, which was a fairly nice BASIC from a numerics point of view. There was an Advanced Programming ROM that extended the BASIC with matrix manipulation stuff, etc. I never had one, but I had a friend who had one--sorry I don't know anything about the various hardware questions you raise above... >Robert Kelley >rjk@sequent.com
jmcvey@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com (John McVey) (06/04/91)
Here's what I know: 1) DIP switch sets select code for built in HPIB interface. Like if switch is set to 111 (binary for 7) then discs are referenced as :D700 or :D701, etc. 2) Processor is an 8-bit HP proprietary design. 3) Basic is fairly complete with graphing functions, etc. Is quite friendly for teaching beginners,etc. 4) Video interface is essentially CGA (15750 hz horizontal) but does overscan. All HP monitors for use with the 86 were tweaked at the factory to account for this. Some non-hp monitors work. I remember the AMDEK 300 works. Good luck, John