I’ve come into possession of a VT520. What to do with it?
Posted by Ask_Me_About_Cyber@reddit | vintagecomputing | View on Reddit | 41 comments
As the title states, I’ve received a VT520 through work. I don’t really have a use case for a terminal, but would like to keep it around as I find it interesting. No keyboard, powers on and throws a “no keyboard” error while self testing (duh) so I’m not entirely sure where to go from here. Terminals were before my time, so I’m unsure if I just purchase a ps2 keyboard and poke around? Would it be possible to use it as a terminal display for one of my rasppis? Looking for ideas!
Mr_Chode_Shaver@reddit
If only I'd known 20 years ago. I trashed at least 400 of those bad boys.
TheRealProfB@reddit
Get a PiDP-8 or -11 and connect it to that ;)
lkesteloot@reddit
Just last night I got my ADM-3A serial terminal to sign in to BSD 2.11 on my PiDP-11, it was awesome. Definitely a fun use of these terminals!
the123king-reddit@reddit
My VT420 is paired with a PDP-11
RCHeliguyNE@reddit
VT420 was my favorite terminal because it could do two sessions and you could copy/paste between them!
Infinite-Land-232@reddit
THIS (if not a VAX)
Infinite-Land-232@reddit
Here is what you are missing: https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102626796/
These guys can probably help you with that https://www.jet-starinc.com/vt520.html
There is a catch, this is a multisession terminal so to do it right you need more than on server...
Bring on the VAXen!
fwingo@reddit
This but run a DEC Vax emulator like eVax on a PC then install Berkeley Unix on the emulated Vaxen, then you'll have uber nerd cred in your neighborhood.
Infinite-Land-232@reddit
I used to have an HP-UX box in the basement (2 power plugs, each on a different circuit) along with clustered FreeBSD boxen serving behind an OpenBSD firewall. Wife is happier now that all that is gone and I only have my RAID 10 OpenBSD NAS server for my music collection. I am curious to emulate a VAX.
International-Pen940@reddit
The Pi can have a serial console, you just need the right cable and a bit of configuration.
tes_kitty@reddit
Not just a cable but also a level shifter since the serial port of the terminal uses the standard +12/-12V signaling while the Pi uses TTL levels. Needs at least a MAX232, a direct connection will blow up your Pi.
International-Pen940@reddit
Yes. I just ordered a DB9 adapter that has the conversion, getting curious to try something.
DogWallop@reddit
Same here - I got the same one from a company that was disposing of a whole bunch of cool stuff. I've always wanted a real, proper serial terminal, even though I also have no real use for it. But I'd love to create a front-end for a parts database I have for my computer biz. I'm still researching how to do that from Windows, but I'm open to any other OS that might facilitate doing so.
Worldly-Corgi-1624@reddit
Linux serial device and use it for a word processing/spreadsheet device, and ascii doom.
tomxp411@reddit
You'd need a DEC keyboard, probably one specifically for that terminal.
You can use it with some vintage computers, like the Altair 8800 (or its more recent clones.) You could also hook it up to a PC with an RS-232 cable and send stuff to the display.
Personally, I'd love to have one of those to use with my Altair 8800 or IMSAI 8080 clones. That's a nice, clean unit.
rkrenicki@reddit
My VT520 has a standard PS2 keyboard port. Nothing special needed
tomxp411@reddit
That's good to know. Wikipedia seems to say the same thing.
I'd look for a white or beige PS/2 mechanical keyboard. A good mechanical KB will last a lifetime.
Ask_Me_About_Cyber@reddit (OP)
Quick and insightful response. Thank you!
1832jsh@reddit
You don’t need a DEC keyboard, the VT520 uses standard PS/2 keyboards, pretty much anything will work. You will need to press Caps Lock and Print Screen at the same time to access the setup menu.
king_for_a_day_or_so@reddit
Not just old computers - new ones too: https://superuser.com/questions/1059744/serial-console-login-on-osx
tomxp411@reddit
Yeah, it's pretty easy to do on Linux and Unix (MacOS is mostly Unix with Apple's UI on top.)
On Windows, it's possible, just not quite as easy, and there's not as much to do, since most Windows programs are GUI, and even console mode programs tend to do direct I/O, which is not going to be very useful here.
raindropl@reddit
Get a keyboard for it and I’ll connect it to one of my sparcs. Then use it for everything console, even Tetris and WordPerfect :)
EvilAlbinoid@reddit
I would use it as a Raspberry Pi terminal and pretend the rpi is a mainframe.
_ragegun@reddit
Terminal that baby up to a Raspberry Pi or equivalent
Flybot76@reddit
Why do low-karma accounts post so many idle questions like 'looky looky at thing in photo, whadda I do with it? Tell me everything!' Don't use it as your karma mule. Don't waste space asking us how to enjoy random stuff you find. This AI-bot stuff is beyond tiresome.
Ask_Me_About_Cyber@reddit (OP)
Hey man I just found this in the data center I work in and was given permission to take it home. Sorry for asking :-/
p_r0@reddit
If you don't like this post you can downvote and just go on with your day
kleinmatic@reddit
This is the hard part! You just need a DEC Keyboard and a VAXStation to complete the collection.
lazygerm@reddit
Geez, I have seen one of these since the mid/late 1980s!
Xfgjwpkqmx@reddit
Time to hack the Gibson.
hawkenhiemer@reddit
Burning Chrome...
caorlinhos@reddit
Com - Linux - ularn gaming... You will be good :-)
Savings_Art5944@reddit
almost every linux install has the option to output to serial. This would be handy for that.
3Cogs@reddit
Did this 25 years ago when my then girlfriend (now wife) and I were in our first flat. We had one PC between us which was running either Redhat or Debian, can't remember which now.
Anyway, work had switched to Citrix on NT4 from green screen terminals on SCO Unix and I snagged one and used it with a text web browser, email and Usenet readers so we could share the one machine.
I play Nethack a fair bit these days so it would probably still work for us even now.
arcade3145@reddit
If you're at all into networking you can get a serial to RJ45(cisco) adapter and plug right into even modern Cisco equipment i have a televideo 990 hooked up to my cheap cisco switch at the moment.
3Cogs@reddit
Putting the T in config t :-)
Ok_Ring5677@reddit
press ESC to continue
compu85@reddit
If you use a Mac, you can use an FTDI usb to rs232 converter, and use it as a terminal :)
GaiusJocundus@reddit
I'd like to connect my RC2014 systems to that. I think you just need a voltage converter for the serial line. And a keyboard, of course.
ConsiderationQuick83@reddit
There are a couple of keyboards on Ebay I think, but iirc this one also had a ps/2 connector in addition to the DEC keyboard. You'll need an USB-RS-232 adapter to send/receive to the rPi.
CookiesTheKitty@reddit
I'd sell one of my livers for a genuine VT100, but they seem to be as rare as rocking horse droppings & pricy as all hell. I'd have no actual practical use for it; it'd just be to feed my hoarding addiction by owning one of the most successful terminals of all time (together with the 3270 family), and it's still emulated wherever I look today. I wouldn't turn down a VT220 or one of the more advanced models like yours, but there's something about the aesthetics of the VT100 that particularly appeals to me.