Stories with Tag Digital Equipment Corporation

• An AlphaStation's SROM

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  Posted: 2025-03-31 06:15:52

  Verbose tl;dr

  The blog post details the author's journey in reverse-engineering the System ROM (SROM) of their AlphaStation 255/300. Driven by curiosity and the desire to understand the boot process, they meticulously documented the SROM's contents, including memory maps, initialization routines, and interactions with various hardware components. This involved using a logic analyzer to capture bus activity and painstakingly decoding the assembly code. Ultimately, they were able to create a disassembled listing of the SROM and gain a deep understanding of its functionality, including the system's initial boot sequence and setup of key hardware like the interrupt controller and memory controller. This effort allows for greater understanding and potential modification of the early boot process on this vintage Alpha system.

  This blog post details the author's deep dive into understanding the Serial ROM (SROM) of their AlphaStation 255/300. The SROM, a crucial component for booting these vintage Alpha systems, contains firmware responsible for initializing the hardware and bootstrapping the operating system. The author's investigation stemmed from a desire to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the inner workings of their AlphaStation and potentially explore modifications. Their initial approach involved reading the SROM contents using the SRM console, a firmware-based command-line interface. This yielded a raw binary dump, which, while accessible, lacked structure and human readability.

  The author then embarked on a journey to decode this binary data, suspecting the presence of meaningful information beyond just executable code. Their efforts focused on identifying specific data structures and constants within the SROM, aided by the Alpha Architecture Handbook and existing knowledge of firmware design. They meticulously documented their progress, highlighting discovered elements such as the system's base MAC address, various configuration settings, and checksums for data integrity verification. The process involved careful analysis of byte patterns and offsets, piecing together the puzzle of the SROM's internal organization. This painstaking work revealed insights into the boot process, including the execution of initial bootstrap code and the loading of subsequent stages of firmware. The author also discovered string data embedded within the SROM, providing clues about the system’s configuration and intended operation. Ultimately, the exploration provided a significantly enhanced understanding of the SROM’s role and composition within the AlphaStation’s architecture. While the author acknowledges the investigation is ongoing, the documented findings represent a significant step towards fully deciphering the SROM and its function.

  • AlphaStation
  • SROM
  • DEC
  • Digital Equipment Corporation
  • Vintage Computers
  • Retrocomputing
  • Firmware
  • ROM
  • system ROM
  • Hardware
  • Computer Architecture
  • Boot Process

  Summary of Comments ( 1 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43531695

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discuss the blog post about an AlphaStation's SROM, focusing primarily on the intricacies and nostalgia of older hardware. Several commenters reminisce about working with AlphaStations and DEC hardware, sharing personal anecdotes about their experiences with these systems. Some delve into the technical details of the SROM, including its functionality and the challenges involved in working with it. Others appreciate the author's dedication to preserving and documenting these older machines. A few commenters express interest in similar exploration of other vintage hardware. The general sentiment is one of appreciation for the blog post and its contribution to preserving computer history.

  The Hacker News post titled "An AlphaStation's SROM" with the URL https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43531695 has a moderate number of comments discussing various aspects related to the linked blog post about an AlphaStation.

  Several commenters express fascination with the intricacies of older hardware and the process of reverse-engineering its firmware. One commenter details their own experience with DEC Alphas and the challenges of debugging them, highlighting the scarcity of documentation and the reliance on disassemblers and logic analyzers. This resonates with another user who mentions the complexity of SRM consoles and the difficulty in interpreting their output.

  There's a discussion thread related to the SROM (System ROM) and its role in the boot process. Commenters delve into the technical specifics, discussing checksum calculations, memory addressing, and the interaction between the SROM and other components. One commenter questions the author's interpretation of a specific byte sequence in the SROM, proposing an alternative explanation based on their experience with similar systems. This leads to a brief exchange about the nuances of endianness and its potential impact on the interpretation of the data.

  Another thread focuses on the practicality of emulating older hardware. One user suggests using an emulator like SimH to explore the AlphaStation's functionality without needing the physical hardware. Others discuss the benefits of emulating vintage systems for preservation and accessibility.

  A few comments touch upon the broader context of digital archaeology and the importance of preserving older computer systems. They appreciate the author's effort in documenting the inner workings of the AlphaStation, recognizing the value in understanding the history of computing.

  Finally, there are some shorter comments that simply express admiration for the author's work or share anecdotal experiences with AlphaStations and other vintage hardware. While not contributing significantly to the technical discussion, these comments add to the overall sense of community and shared interest in the topic.

• More pro for the DEC Professional 380 (featuring PRO/VENIX)

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  Posted: 2025-03-16 02:31:59

  Verbose tl;dr

  The blog post highlights the DEC Professional 380's strengths as a retrocomputing platform, specifically its ability to run the PRO/VENIX operating system. The author successfully installed and showcases PRO/VENIX 2.0 on the 380, demonstrating its impressive speed and functionality compared to the standard P/OS. The post emphasizes the sleek and responsive nature of PRO/VENIX, particularly its windowing system and overall performance improvements, making the 380 feel like a more modern machine. The author concludes that PRO/VENIX significantly enhances the user experience and opens up new possibilities for the DEC Professional 380.

  This blog post, titled "More pro for the DEC Professional 380 (featuring PRO/VENIX)," delves into the enhanced capabilities and allure of the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) Professional 380 personal computer, specifically when operating under the PRO/VENIX operating system. The author elaborates on their previous post about the machine, further extolling its virtues and explaining why it has become their preferred retrocomputing environment.

  The central theme revolves around the seamless integration of PRO/VENIX, a licensed version of the Unix System V operating system, with the Professional 380's hardware. This synergy, according to the author, elevates the 380 from a somewhat obscure and underappreciated machine to a powerful and highly enjoyable vintage computing experience. The author highlights the stability and responsiveness of PRO/VENIX, contrasting it with the more common MS-DOS environment typically associated with the Professional 380. They detail the ease with which they installed the operating system from original floppy disks, a process facilitated by the well-preserved condition of the media.

  Furthermore, the post emphasizes the rich software ecosystem available for PRO/VENIX, making the Professional 380 a versatile platform capable of fulfilling a variety of retrocomputing tasks. The author specifically mentions the availability and functionality of tools like troff, nroff, and the C compiler, indicating the system's suitability for document processing and software development. They underscore the satisfaction derived from using these tools in an authentic historical context, experiencing computing as it was in the past.

  The author also provides a visual tour of the system in operation, showcasing screenshots of various applications and the command-line interface. These images serve to illustrate the clean and efficient user interface of PRO/VENIX and further reinforce the author’s positive impressions. The overall tone of the post is one of enthusiastic rediscovery, presenting the DEC Professional 380 with PRO/VENIX not just as a functional vintage computer, but as a captivating and rewarding glimpse into the history of computing. The author concludes by expressing a renewed appreciation for this particular combination of hardware and software, solidifying its place as a preferred choice among their collection of retrocomputing systems.

  • DEC
  • Professional 380
  • PDP-11
  • PRO/VENIX
  • unix
  • Operating System
  • Retrocomputing
  • vintage computing
  • Minicomputer
  • 1980s Computers
  • computer history
  • Digital Equipment Corporation

  Summary of Comments ( 4 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43376570

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discuss the DEC Professional 380, primarily focusing on its historical significance and the PRO/VENIX operating system. Several commenters reminisce about using the machine, praising its then-advanced features and performance. Some highlight its role in bridging the gap between minicomputers and personal computers. The robustness of the hardware and the positive experience with PRO/VENIX are recurring themes. There's also mention of its connection to the VT100 terminal and how the 380 compared to other systems like the IBM PC and the Apple II. A few commenters express surprise at the system's relative obscurity, given its capabilities.

  The Hacker News post titled "More pro for the DEC Professional 380 (featuring PRO/VENIX)" has generated several comments discussing various aspects of the DEC Professional 380 and its historical context.

  One commenter expresses nostalgia for the machine, recalling its use with VT100 terminals and reflecting on its role as a bridge between the PDP-11 world and the then-emerging IBM PC compatible market. They specifically mention the PRO/ToolKit assembler and linker, reminiscing about its power and efficiency.

  Another commenter delves into the technical details of the Professional 380's architecture, highlighting the use of the PDP-11's FPU and the challenges involved in porting VENIX, a Unix-like operating system, to the machine. This comment provides insight into the complexities of software development during that era.

  A subsequent comment chain focuses on the operating systems available for the Professional 380, mentioning both VENIX and Microsoft XENIX. Commenters discuss the licensing costs associated with XENIX, contrasting it with the relative affordability of VENIX. The discussion further touches upon the competitive landscape of the time, comparing the Professional 380 with the IBM PC and its clones, and considering DEC's overall market strategy.

  Another commenter shifts the focus to the Professional 350, a related model, and its use of the PDP-11/23 processor. They mention specific details like the use of a DC-powered hard drive and the prevalence of these machines in the newspaper industry. This adds another dimension to the conversation, illustrating the diverse applications of DEC's Professional series.

  Finally, the thread includes a brief exchange about the scarcity of information on the Professional series online, with one commenter suggesting the existence of a dedicated website with more detailed resources. This underscores the historical significance of these machines and the ongoing interest in preserving their legacy.

• Work at the Mill Or, the Story of Digital Equipment Corporation

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  Posted: 2025-02-10 17:39:28

  Verbose tl;dr

  "Work at the Mill" tells the story of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) through the lens of its unique and influential culture. From its modest beginnings in a Maynard, Massachusetts wool mill, DEC fostered a highly engineering-driven, decentralized environment that prioritized innovation and individual contribution. This culture, while empowering and productive in its early years, ultimately contributed to DEC's downfall as the company struggled to adapt to the changing demands of the personal computer market. The "engineering first" mentality, coupled with internal politics and a resistance to centralized management, prevented DEC from effectively competing with more agile and market-oriented companies, leading to its eventual acquisition by Compaq. The narrative emphasizes how DEC's initial strengths became its weaknesses, offering a cautionary tale about the importance of adapting to a changing technological landscape.

  The blog post "Work at the Mill, Or, the Story of Digital Equipment Corporation" provides a comprehensive, albeit nostalgic, exploration of the rise and fall of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), a once-dominant force in the computing industry. The author meticulously paints a picture of DEC's unique culture, emphasizing its profound impact on the technological landscape and the indelible mark it left on its employees. The narrative begins by highlighting DEC's early successes, attributing them to a potent combination of innovative engineering, a fiercely independent spirit, and a decentralized organizational structure that fostered creativity and rapid product development. This decentralized model, often referred to as the "matrix management" system, allowed engineers considerable autonomy and encouraged them to pursue projects they were passionate about, a stark contrast to the more rigid hierarchies of competing companies. The post details the development and evolution of DEC's groundbreaking products, including the PDP and VAX series of minicomputers, which revolutionized the industry by making powerful computing accessible to a wider range of users than ever before.

  The author expounds on the "Engineering Culture" that permeated DEC, describing a workplace where engineers were treated like royalty, empowered to take risks, and encouraged to constantly innovate. This environment bred a strong sense of loyalty and camaraderie amongst employees, fostering a unique "DEC identity" that extended beyond the workplace. The narrative elaborates on the company's generous benefits, including profit sharing, stock options, and a commitment to employee growth and development, all contributing to a highly motivated and productive workforce. The post portrays DEC's rapid expansion and its subsequent struggles to adapt to the changing landscape of the computing industry, particularly the rise of the personal computer. The narrative suggests that the very decentralized structure that fueled DEC's initial success ultimately became a hindrance, leading to internal conflicts, fragmented product lines, and an inability to effectively compete with the emerging giants of the PC era.

  The decline of DEC is depicted with a sense of melancholy, highlighting the painful layoffs, restructuring efforts, and eventual acquisition by Compaq, which itself was later absorbed by Hewlett-Packard. The author laments the loss of the unique culture and the innovative spirit that defined DEC, suggesting that the industry lost something valuable with its demise. The post concludes with a reflection on the enduring legacy of DEC, emphasizing its contributions to the computing world and the lasting impact it had on the lives and careers of its employees. The narrative leaves the reader with a poignant sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of technological innovation and a unique corporate culture that may never be replicated.

  • Digital Equipment Corporation
  • DEC
  • minicomputers
  • computer history
  • technology history
  • business history
  • 1960s
  • 1970s
  • 1980s
  • 1990s
  • Ken Olsen
  • corporate culture
  • engineering culture
  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Innovation
  • decline
  • merger
  • Compaq
  • Hewlett-Packard

  Summary of Comments ( 22 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43002906

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discuss the changing nature of work and the decline of "lifetime employment" exemplified by DEC's history. Some commenters reminisce about their time at DEC, praising its engineering culture and lamenting its downfall, attributing it to factors like mismanagement, arrogance, and an inability to adapt to the changing market. Others draw parallels between DEC and contemporary tech companies, speculating about which of today's giants might be the "next DEC." Several discuss the broader shift away from paternalistic employment models and the rise of a more transactional relationship between employers and employees. Some express nostalgia for the perceived stability and community of the past, while others argue that the current system, despite its flaws, offers greater opportunity and dynamism. The cyclical nature of industries and the importance of continuous adaptation are recurring themes.

  The Hacker News comments section for "Work at the Mill Or, the Story of Digital Equipment Corporation" contains a lively discussion sparked by the linked article about DEC's history. Several commenters reflect on their personal experiences with DEC, its culture, and its eventual decline.

  A recurring theme is nostalgia for DEC's engineering-driven culture. One commenter who worked there describes it as a "golden age," highlighting the freedom engineers had to explore new ideas and the company's commitment to high-quality products. Another commenter praises DEC's early adoption of networks and its emphasis on customer support. These positive recollections paint a picture of a company that valued innovation and its employees.

  However, other commenters offer more critical perspectives. Some argue that DEC's downfall was due to its inability to adapt to the changing market, particularly the rise of the personal computer. They point to DEC's resistance to embracing open systems and its focus on proprietary technology as key factors in its eventual demise. One commenter specifically mentions DEC's reluctance to acknowledge the potential of the PC, viewing it as a toy rather than a serious computing platform. This missed opportunity, according to some, allowed competitors like IBM and Apple to seize control of the burgeoning PC market.

  Several commenters discuss the impact of DEC's organizational structure. One suggests that the company's decentralized nature, while initially fostering innovation, eventually led to internal competition and a lack of focus. Another commenter notes the challenges posed by the "matrix management" system, which sometimes created confusion and conflicting priorities.

  There's also discussion of Ken Olsen's leadership and his infamous pronouncements, such as his skepticism about the personal computer. Some commenters defend Olsen, arguing that his vision was ultimately correct in the long run, even if DEC couldn't execute on it. Others criticize his stubbornness and resistance to change.

  The thread also touches on the technical aspects of DEC's products, with commenters reminiscing about VAX/VMS and other technologies. One commenter shares an anecdote about the robustness of DEC's hardware, recalling a system that survived a lightning strike.

  Overall, the comments offer a multifaceted view of DEC's history, acknowledging both its successes and its failures. The discussion combines personal anecdotes, historical analysis, and technical insights, providing a rich and engaging perspective on the rise and fall of a once-dominant tech giant.