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VirtualHub Retro Computing Documentation

website·Indexed 29 days ago

https://virtualhub.eu.org/

Guides and downloads for running vintage operating systems via emulators. Includes setup instructions for Unix v1 through v6, PWB Unix, RT-11 v2/v3, RSTS-11 v4B, OS/32, Alto OS, and HP 2100 RTE-II/III and MTS, utilizing emulators such as SIMH, Ersatz-11, Salto, and ContrAlto.

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What's inside VirtualHub

  1. Overview of VirtualHub resources for legacy software

    VirtualHub is a repository providing tutorials and resources for installing legacy operating systems and applications in virtual machines and emulators. The project offers guidance on running classical systems across multiple VM/emulator platforms, provides links to original PDF documentation manuals, and maintains a collection of third-party tutorials to help users experience the heritage of computing.

  2. Access DEC PDP-11 Hardware Manuals

    Since Unix v3, v4, and v5 were designed to run on the DEC PDP-11, the hardware manuals available via Bitsavers are useful for understanding the underlying architecture.
    - PDP-11 Manuals: http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/pdp11/

  3. Run Unix v6 on emulators

    Unix v6 can be executed using several emulators. Depending on the target architecture (DEC PDP-11 or Interdata 7/32), different tapes or kits are required.

    SIMH PDP-11

    • Requirement: Download the Unix v6 tape from squoze.net.
    • Guide: /1970s/1975/unix-v6/simh-pdp11/

    SIMH Interdata 7/32

    • Requirement: Download the Unix v6 kit from the "SIMH Legacy" website.
    • Guide: /1970s/1975/unix-v6/simh-id32/

    Ersatz-11

    Web Browser

  4. Configure SIMH PDP-11 emulator for RSTS-11 v4B

    Create a configuration file named pdp11.ini in the same folder as the RSTS11v4B.DSK image. This file defines the CPU architecture (11/05), memory (64K), and enables the necessary hardware components (RK disk controller) to boot the OS.
    set cpu 11/05
set cpu 64K
set clk 60HZ
set hk disable
set ptr disable
set dz disable
set rl disable
set rx disable
set rp disable
set rq disable
set tm disable
set ts disable
set tq disable
set tc disable
set tm enable
set rk enable
attach rk0 RSTS11v4B.DSK
attach lpt lineprinter.txt
boot rk0

  5. Access VirtualHub system setup and software screenshots

    VirtualHub provides dedicated subdomains for system configuration and software archives:

    • System Setup: Use https://setup.virtualhub.eu.org to configure your system for VirtualHub.
    • Software Screenshots: Visit https://screenshots.virtualhub.eu.org to view a collection of screenshots of old software.

  6. Run Unix v4 on PDP-11 Emulators

    Unix v4 was developed by Bell Labs for the DEC PDP-11. While a complete copy of v4 is unavailable, a hybrid environment can be created using a kernel from between v3 and v4 combined with v5 userland. This setup is compatible with the SIMH PDP-11 emulator and the Ersatz-11 emulator.

  7. Access VirtualHub resources for legacy OS installation

    VirtualHub provides a suite of specialized websites and resources for installing and configuring legacy operating systems and software. The ecosystem consists of the following sites:

    Additionally, video tutorials are available via the VirtualHub YouTube Channel (@Virtua1Hub) and the VirtualHub Setup YouTube Channel (@virtualhubsetup). Large files are delivered via Storj.

  8. Configure and run RT-11 v2 in SIMH PDP-11 emulator

    To start RT-11 v2, create a folder containing the downloaded disk image and a configuration file named pdp11.ini.

    1. Create pdp11.ini based on the image version used:
      • For v2B: Use att rk0 RTV2RK.B and boot rk0.
      • For v2C: Use att rk0 RTV2RK.C and boot rk0.
    2. Open a terminal in the VM folder and run the pdp11 command.
    3. Once the . prompt appears, type R PIP to start the Peripheral Interoperability Processor (PIP).
    4. Use /L within PIP to list files.

    Controls:

    • Exit PIP: Ctrl + C
    • Exit Emulator: Ctrl + E, then type exit.
    att rk0 RTV2RK.B
boot rk0

  9. Set up and run ! DOS-15 on SIMH PDP-15 emulator

    To run ! DOS-15, you must first install the SIMH PDP-15 emulator. Download the ! DOS-15 kit from the SIMH Legacy website, extract it, and move the files dosv2a_4p.rf and rfsboot.rim into a dedicated VM folder. Create a configuration file named pdp15.ini in that folder to automate the mounting of the disk and booting process. Start the emulator by running the pdp15 command from the terminal within that folder. When prompted for a date, use the MM/DD/YY format (preferably a date before the year 2000 to avoid Y2K issues); note that backspace does not work during date entry.
    at -e rf dosv2a_4p.rf
load rfsboot.rim 77637
run

  10. Run PWB Unix using the SIMH PDP-11 emulator

    PWB Unix, developed at Bell Labs for the DEC PDP-11, can be executed using the SIMH PDP-11 emulator. To set this up, a PWB Unix disk image is required.