Looking for Exxon 500-series word processor

[Colonel Mustard]

Hi guys,

A person who reached out to me at the Museum is trying to recover important documents he created decades ago on a 500-series Exxon word processor. Note -- these are not PCs but some kind of Z80-based system running Vydec word processing software, I believe in a turnkey configuration? He's gone the data recovery route but they can't interpret the format; it appears as though this is a case of really needing the original hardware to make any progress.

Thanks for any leads!

-- Dag, CHM.

 

[jafir]

If he's wanting to try professionals again, he might try @Chuck(G) and his company https://sydex.com/

 

[Viking]

Hi! I just acquired one of these machines 2 days ago. I’ve only booted it up once and need to learn how to operate it. If I can help in any way let me know.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

If he's wanting to try professionals again, he might try @Chuck(G) and his company https://sydex.com/

Perfect -- thanks Jafir. I did recommend Chuck at Sydex -- who is amazing. Very much appreciate you responding!

 

[Colonel Mustard]

Hi! I just acquired one of these machines 2 days ago. I’ve only booted it up once and need to learn how to operate it. If I can help in any way let me know.

Wow -- amazing. Could I put you in touch with the person I am trying to help? My email is: spicer@computerhistory.org. Thank you Viking!!

 

[Chuck(G)]

Problem is that Chuck right now is over his head in work...I will get to it, as I'm sure David will.

 

[Chuck(G)]

I've since discovered a few things about the images--and even found a manual for the WP. I've communicated my findings to David--and there my involvement stops. It's not my job after all, and I get no compensation for it.
In the meantime, I have several crates of 9 track "problem" tapes that have to be handled...

 

[Colonel Mustard]

Thank you Chuck -- as usual, you go way beyond the call of duty!

Have a great weekend!

-- Dag.

 

[Chuck(G)]

The image storage is very complex--"Format blocks" interspersed control what you see. It's going to take some real head-scratching to figure those out. The directory entries themselves have a sort of "master format block". Not your usual dumb filesystem. Allocation is just a simple bitmap, as far as I can tell. Perhaps the poster with one of these gizmos can run some test text for David and send him the images. Right now, we're without a Rosetta Stone.