HP 9836C Technical Computer: Difference between revisions

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To decode flux data from a raw image of an internal 5.25" disk, you can use the following {{Archive web|url=https://github.com/keirf/greaseweazle|name=Greaseweazle}} diskdef to properly decode it
To decode flux data from a raw image of an internal 5.25" disk, you can use the following {{Archive web|url=https://github.com/keirf/greaseweazle|name=Greaseweazle}} diskdef to properly decode it
 
<pre>
<code>disk hp.lif.40dd</code>
disk hp.lif.40dd  
 
    cyls = 33
<code>   cyls = 33</code>
    heads = 2
 
    tracks * ibm.mfm  
<code>   heads = 2</code>
        id = 0  
 
        interleave = 1  
<code>   tracks * ibm.mfm</code>
        secs = 16
 
        bps = 256
<code>       id = 0</code>
    end
 
end
<code>       interleave = 1</code>
</pre>
 
<code>       secs = 16</code>
 
<code>       bps = 256</code>
 
<code>   end</code>
 
<code>end</code>


''Note that sector's are 0 indexed requiring id = 0''
''Note that sector's are 0 indexed requiring id = 0''

Revision as of 21:09, 28 June 2023

HP 9836C Technical Computer
General Info
Release Year 1981
Manufacturer HP
Condition Working
Technical Specifications
CPU Motorola 68000 8MHz
Categories
Computers
QR Code
(Click for Asset Tag)


A high end workstation computer from HP in the early 1980s primarily for use with CAD and instrument control using the integrated HP-IB (GP-IB/IEEE-488) interface.

Floppy Disk Drives

The internal floppy drives are standard Shugart interface compatible drives, the example I have used Tandon TM200-2A drives, but some units shipped with drives made by Magnetic Peripherals Inc and Control Data as well.

Both of the drives are jumpered at DS0 and MX on U1E as described in the Tandon Manual[1]. A Termination pack is also installed by default in U2F.

Rear of floppy drive from 9836C showing jumpers and termination pack.

Double Density 5.25" disks used in the system are formatted with a LIF filesystem using 33 tracks, 16 sectors per track, and 256 bytes per sector for a total capacity of approximately 270KiB.

HxC Disk map of floppy disk for 9836 showing 33 tracks with 16 sectors Disk Image Sample Files


To decode flux data from a raw image of an internal 5.25" disk, you can use the following Greaseweazle (archived) diskdef to properly decode it 

disk hp.lif.40dd 
    cyls = 33
    heads = 2
    tracks * ibm.mfm 
        id = 0 
        interleave = 1 
        secs = 16
        bps = 256
    end
end

Note that sector's are 0 indexed requiring id = 0

Repairs - Modifications

2023-06

  • Original video cable failed and was replaced with standard male-male DA-15 cable with straight pinout.
  • Computer was originally acquired with a HP 98629A Resource Management Card which was replaced with a HP 98622 GPIO Card since this system will likely never be used with others for the foreseeable future.
  • Floppy drives were disassembled and dry cleaned to remove dust

Archived Media

Video Appearances

Related Devices

External Projects and Software

External links

  1. ↑ Page 26 of "OEM OPERATING AND SERVICE MANUAL TMIOO-l, TMIOO-2 DISK DRIVES 48 TRACKS PER INCH" in the Tandon Manual (archived)
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