Renovating the PDP-8/L

To contact me : pdp8@sonnet.be

August 14, 2005 : The PDP-8/L and the TELETYPE ASR33 are both working and connected.

Here is the complete system. The four parts are inserted in a self-made rack (set of shelves, tailor-made for me by EVOLUKIT, Louvain-la-Neuve). The Teletype (top) and the main box (with the paddle-like switches forming the console) are repared. The 4K memory extension (black box) and the fast reader/puncher (bottom) have not yet been restored.

Here is a fragment of the FOCAL initial dialogue typed out by the TELETYPE.

Here is the print out of first FOCAL program which was tested on the system. It is the example program provided by the Small Computer Handbook "Introduction to Programming, PDP-8 Familiy Computer" (1969) p. 9-31.
The program is consists of the lines labelled 01.05, 01.10, 01.20 and 02.05. Instruction WRITE asks FOCAL to print the program on the TELETYPE. Intruction GO asks FOCAL to start the execution of the program.

Number of replaced faulty parts, so far:

PDP-8/L general view 1 : main box (bottom), BA08A memory expander box (middle), PC04 high speed paper tape reader/punch (top) and SOROC monitor modified to function as a Teletype ARS-33 on a current line.

PDP-8/L general view 2 : the panel at the top of the expander has been removed.

Several view of the two boxes: c, d, e, f, g, i, j, k, l, m

PDP-8/L to BA08A cable connectors : the PDP-8/L was found with all the FLEXPRINT flat cables cut.

Fused wire wrap connexion

Teletype ARS33

The Teletype ARS33 connector : (front face) waiting to be connected to the SOROC monitor or the ASR33 Teletype.

The Teletype ARS33 connector : (rear face).

PC04 fast punch/reader