Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!munnari.oz.au!metro!usage.csd.unsw.oz.au!decus!stewart_andy
From: stewart_andy@decus.com.au
Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Subject: Re: Info wanted about VT180
Message-ID: <6296.2757dd8b@decus.com.au>
Date: 1 Dec 90 06:42:50 GMT
References: <0bJ_ewH0BwweN1WWhK@transarc.com>
Organization: DECUS, South Pacific Chapter
Lines: 31

In article <0bJ_ewH0BwweN1WWhK@transarc.com>, Pat_Barron@TRANSARC.COM writes:
> Through very little effort on my own part, I seem to have acquired a few
> VT180 systems.  They seem to be VT100-AA's with an extra board (which says
> it's a "VT180" board), which connects to a box with dual RX180 floppies
> in it.  
....
> 
> Can anybody tell me what these systems are all about?  What software runs on
> them, can it still be gotten?  What is the processor?  I'm suspecting it's some
> sort of LSI-11 based thing, but I'm not sure.  

Congartulations! You have a "Robin", DEC's first attempt at a PC.
It is a Z80 microprocessor with CP/M software.  

> And what about these RX180
> floppy drives?  Are they "normal" floppy drives (where "normal" is defined as
> either single or double sided, single or double density format, as would be
> found on most micros), or are they perhaps RX50 compatible?

I believe they are a 40 track drive, double sided, single density drive.
Ie. not RX50 compatible.

> 
> Inquring minds want to know....  While I can always use another terminal, it
> might be fun to make these things do more than be just VT100's....
> 

I believe the award for the worst product DEC produces each year is called 
the Robin award.  

Good Luck!  You'll need it!  Andy 8^)}