ID Systems ID 100

[gnupublic]

Some weeks ago I got three of this ID 100 terminals. You could send your VT-100 to ID Systems and got it back as ID 100. The ID 100 has a colour display!

The only thing I find on the web is this flyer:

https://archive.org/details/TNM_Service_to_convert_DEC_VT_100_monitor_to_colo_20170914_0066/mode/2up

Two of this terminals are in working conditions, the third has missing voltages on the power supply.
Is there anybody who knows more about this terminals?

Thanks,
Volker

 

[Chuck(G)]

Can't say that I've ever seen one of those.

The same outfit also marketed an 8085-based computer system Description, which I've never seen either.

 

[hush]

woah, nice find! i'd be interested in seeing pictures, seems like a really neat piece of kit!

 

[Roland Huisman]

Hi Volker,

it would be great to see some pictures of the insides. I wonder what language it uses, Tektronix or Regis? Or maybe something of their own?

Regards, Roland

 

[gnupublic]

I found the ID-100 mentioned with TEK in some articles of Computerworld. But if I try the teapot.tek demo, this does not work. It works with VT-100 with the TEK retrofit extension or in xterm, but not with ID-100. I will need to find out.

This is like I got one ID-100:











They used the power supply from the VT-100, but this is not easy to remove any more. It is mounted flat to save space and the capacitors are mounted aside with cables.
The only thing in color I see is the setup page...

Have fun,
Volker

 

[Chuck(G)]

For some time, retrofits like this were a puzzle to me. Usually more expensive than a complete unit, I asked myself why anyone would want to purchase one (rather than a new terminal). Then I was clued in by an accounting type who said that a retrofit constituted "maintenance" on the books, where a purchase of a new unit would be acquisition of a new capital asset--and more paperwork.

 

[Roland Huisman]

Nice, the original VT100 main board is still in the terminal. It has probably some special ROMs on it. I don't know what actually makes these retrofits profitable. The first 'official' colour terminals were probably very expensive... Or the VT100 were not yet written off in the books like Chuck says, and an update was valid for the accountants.