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California Intel iPDS portable CP/M-80 computer - ICE and EPROM programmer

Covers: California
MicroCoreLabs

MicroCoreLabs

Experienced Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2016
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292
Delivery Options
Local Pickup Only
I've got an Intel iPDS portable CP/M computer. It's main purpose is to be an ICE for the 8051 and 8085 and also an EPROM/microcontroller programmer, but it also operates very nicely as a CP/M computer.

There are two 8085 CPUs installed, each running with 64K of DRAM and 2K of ROM. Both disk drives work and I verified that the EPROM programmer works. I have tons of documentation as well.

Multiple ICE plugins are included as is the EPROM programmer board and the microcontroller programmer board.

The keyboard works fine, but some of the keys are loose and fall out when you clip the keyboard back into the case. Just drop them back in and it works great.

I have many diskettes with the applications and boot disks. Half are Intel specific CP/M boot disks and the other half are actual Digital Research CP/M.

Basically this is a rare Intel luggable 64K, two disk drive computer that can run CP/M-80 that can program/read EPROMS (up up 27128) and act as an 8051/8085 ICE.

$300 OBO. Pickup in Pleasanton, CA

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So this will emulate the 8051 and the 8080? I’m not that interested in 8051, but 8080 emulation is interesting, and it is a nice looking package. You’re firm on local pickup only? No shipping?
 
I meant to type 8085. I have two heads for 8051 and one for 8085. Plus the to EPROM programming heads. Computer is quite heavy and the books are even heavier. Im not saying shipping is out of the question, but it would be an heavy and expensive affair...
 
I've had a few crazy things shipped to me -- an Olivetti M20 from France, a Convergent Miniframe from Egypt. You're just one state south of me. :) But I get that doesn't mean it would be cheap or convenient. Domestic shipping can get expensive.

Had a quick browse over an online brochure. That is quite the interesting machine. I don't suppose it has the "iPDS-120 Multimodule Adapter Board" installed in it, does it?
 
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That's too bad. I have an SBX-251 bubble memory module that I think might have been right at home on it.

Anyhow, if you don't have any local takers, and if we could make the shipping work out, I'd definitely be interested. It's exactly the sort of thing I've been getting excited about lately.
 
smbaker said:
That's too bad. I have an SBX-251 bubble memory module that I think might have been right at home on it.

Anyhow, if you don't have any local takers, and if we could make the shipping work out, I'd definitely be interested. It's exactly the sort of thing I've been getting excited about lately.
Click to expand...

I have around four iPDS-100 units. It's been a long time since I looked at them. I forget how many I have now. I might have had five or six of them, and gave at least one away.

One of the ones I still have does have a bubble memory module. I guess that must be an SBX-251. I forget if I was able to get the bubble memory module set up as a boot drive. I should take a look some time and see exactly what I have.
 
I need to make space for it in my collection space, so while I'd say I'd pick it up this weekend I'll if you happen to have it in a month when I've made some room and don't have the missus giving me "the stare" then I'd gladly take it off of your hands. If you manage to find a good home for it in the meantime, that's great too.
 
gslick said:
I have around four iPDS-100 units. It's been a long time since I looked at them. I forget how many I have now. I might have had five or six of them, and gave at least one away.

One of the ones I still have does have a bubble memory module. I guess that must be an SBX-251. I forget if I was able to get the bubble memory module set up as a boot drive. I should take a look some time and see exactly what I have.
Click to expand...

So I went ahead and bought MicroCoreLabs' iPDS. It's sitting here on my desk, and I have to say it's pretty cool. Maybe this weekend I'll program my first EPROM.

However, I'm committed to using Bubble Memory on it. @gslick you said you have several iPDS. Is there any chance you have one of the multimodule adapter boards that you would like to sell? I have an SBX-251 already, so I don't need anything other than the multimodule adapter board.

I'm not content unless I have a quest, and getting Bubble Memory working on this is to be my quest :)

Scott
 
For my latest project, a Rockwell AIM-65, I needed to program some 2532. I made a 2532 to 2732 adapter, but my fancy modernTL866II USB programmer just wouldn't have anything to do with it. Not even with me supplying the necessary 25V programmer power myself. So what did I do? I switched on the trusty iPDS. This thing has no trouble whatsoever programming a 2732 (or a 2532 in a 2732 adapter). Truly a nifty machine. The software is quite easy to use and I was able to sneakernet over the image I wanted to burn using a 28C64, read it to the buffer, and write it to my 2532. Thanks again MicroCoreLabs! :D

I thought this iPDS was going to be another project, but in reality it's not just a project, but now one my lab tools!

It's still begging for a multimodule adapter so I can install bubble memory into it though... The floppies are loud and slow.
 
smbaker said:
However, I'm committed to using Bubble Memory on it. @gslick you said you have several iPDS. Is there any chance you have one of the multimodule adapter boards that you would like to sell? I have an SBX-251 already, so I don't need anything other than the multimodule adapter board.
Click to expand...
I took a look at the iPDS units I have. Only one of them has the second 8085 processor board and the SBX-251 bubble memory module installed. None of the others units have any expansion boards installed. If I'm going to bother keeping any of them, the one with the expansion boards is the one I want to keep.
 
gslick said:
I took a look at the iPDS units I have. Only one of them has the second 8085 processor board and the SBX-251 bubble memory module installed. None of the others units have any expansion boards installed. If I'm going to bother keeping any of them, the one with the expansion boards is the one I want to keep.
Click to expand...
Bummer. I had high hopes that you had a stash of those boards.
 
gslick said:
I took a look at the iPDS units I have. Only one of them has the second 8085 processor board and the SBX-251 bubble memory module installed. None of the others units have any expansion boards installed. If I'm going to bother keeping any of them, the one with the expansion boards is the one I want to keep.
Click to expand...
Any chance I could borrow the SBX expansion board to make a reproduction version?
 
candrews said:
Any chance I could borrow the SBX expansion board to make a reproduction version?
Click to expand...

Do you mean the module expansion adapter, or the SBX-251 bubble memory module?

The module expansion adapter doesn't look like it is too complicated. Two 8259A interrupt controllers and 18 common 74LS TTL parts, and a few passives. Maybe the more difficult part would be the getting an accurate reproduction of the mechanical aspects and the connectors. Have you done any similar reproduction projects?

http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/intel/iPDS/pictures/

Multimodule_Adapter.jpg
 
The iPDS discussed here is in very nice conditions !

Regarding the floppy disks, I don't find any in bitsavers for the iPDS. Would it be possible to create an image of those discussed here ?
The association I'm member of has an iPDS (along with a MDS-800) but without any floppy disk.
 
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