Are there any DOS IBM System/23 disk utilities?

[bolex]

I just made some System/23 Datamaster 8" disks from disk images I found online. I would love to do a test to just verify the disks are written correctly. Are there any utilities that will at least do a directory of the disks so I can verify the contents? I have not been able to find anything via google searches.

The disk images I'm using are here: https://gitlab.com/NF6X_Retrocomputing/system23

 

[GeoffB17]

Hm, not seen this machine before.

What can you do with the machine now? I assume that you can start it, load an OS? If you found some utilities, I assume they would need a working system?

The /23 supposedly has an Interp BASIC built in. Does it? This basic is supposed to be the same as that used on the System/34, and that is supposed to be 'very similar' to that used on the System /36.

I have used the BASIC on the /36, and I have the manual for it. Been scanned as well. Might be able to create something to type in that might help you?

Geoff

 

[bolex]

I had never heard of this system prior to being asked to make disks. I sent those disks off to the guy who found this and we will see if they work or not. The system does boot to basic right now.

 

[GeoffB17]

Thanks for the update.

I've had a look at the manual. There are no commands of the sort I was thinking, nothing like DIR or FILES or CAT or such like.

But could do some sort of test.

A prog could create a RANDOM file, intended to fill the disk (near enough). Each rec could be marked as per the supposed sector ##. Then try a succession of RANDOM reads, and see if the record data matches the data in the record.

OR - create multiple small files, and see how many can be created, and do they read back OK.

If things like this all seem OK, then the disk is working fine?

Geoff

 

[GeoffB17]

I've been looking via Google, and I note that the Rhode Island Computer Museum seems to have two of this machine, received separately from different donors. No indication if either came with disks etc, but could be worth checking. Someone from RICM is just on the DEC forum here.

Geoff

 

[m_thompson]

Someone from RICM is just on the DEC forum here.

The RICM has two Datamasters, but unfortunately I don't know anything about them. The next time I am in the warehouse I will see if there are any manuals or diskettes with them.

 

[krebizfan]

Bitsavers has most of the manuals in PDF form. The DIR command is described on pages 6-9 to 6-16 of the Operator Reference. One key point is that the DIR command requires specifying the correct drive.

See http://bitsavers.org/pdf/ibm/system23/ The Operator Reference is in user_manuals/binder_02