Peripherals Help

Managing your peripherals in DECOR

Do not hesitate to ask the administrator ([email protected]) for help if this text leaves any questions unanswered.

In DECOR, a hardware item that is installed outside a computer is considered a "Peripheral".

On the other hand, a hardware item that is installed inside a computer is considered a "Component".

Some items (especially disk drives) can be both, i.e. depending on the computer they belong to they can be internal or external.

For example, RD54 hard disk drives could be installed in the BA23 enclosure belonging to a MicroVAX II. On the other hand, RD54s were also available in so-called "Leprechaun" boxes, which could be connected to computer systems externally.

Another difference between peripherals and components is that peripherals (like computers) can - but do not necessarily have to - consist of components.

Table of Contents

Peripheral Model

Mandatory field.

Select your Peripheral Model by starting to type the model name or parts of it, alternatively you can scroll through the list.
Hitting [Enter] will confirm your choice, [Tab] will take you to the next entry field DEC Part Number.

There are no free-text entries allowed in this field - the peripheral model designations are fixed to enable unambiguous identification.

Write an email to [email protected] in case you cannot find your peripheral model.
So far, there are over 400 DEC peripheral models in DECOR, but we have likely overlooked quite a few.

DEC Part Number

Optional field, maximum 20 characters.

Each DEC peripheral model has several variants that differ, for example, in configuration, or enclosure; these variants have got unique DEC Part Numbers. You can find your peripheral's part number, along with the serial number, on a small label - often on the back of your peripheral.

For example, "VT100-AB" is the part number for an expandable VT100 Video Terminal, for use with 230 V 50Hz mains voltage.

There is no list to choose the part number from, we recommand entering the part number from your peripheral's label or leave the field blank if the part umber is unknown.

The part number you find may not accurately identify your peripheral, as subsequent modifications may be involved. In this case, feel free to enter a part number that best matches your peripheral and configuration.

DEC Serial Number

Maximum 20 characters. Defaults to "-" if left blank.

All DEC peripherals have got a unique DEC Serial Number.
Enter the serial number to distinguish between otherwise identical peripherals.

If the original serial number is unknown, leave the field blank.

Owner Part Number

Maximum 20 characters. Defaults to "-" if left blank.

You can enter your Owner Part Number here - owners with larger collections usually have their own numbering system.

You can enter either one of the two part numbers (DEC Part Number / Owner Part Number) or both; at least one part number is required.

The combination of both part numbers (using a dash where numbers are missing) must be unique for a peripheral.

Condition

Optional field.

The Condition field is about originality and completeness of your peripheral.

Select from the predefined Condition descriptions.

Run Status

Optional field.

In the Run Status field you can indicate the extent to which your peripheral is operational.

Select from the predefined Run Status descriptions.

Trade Status

Optional field.

Trade Status indicates whether you wish to trade your peripheral; it is visible only to registered members.

"No Trade" is the default value that you can change to "Offered" or "Wanted".

History

Optional field, maximum 500 characters.

If known, tell the History of your peripheral - for example, who owned it (with the previous owners' consent of course), what it was used for, and how you acquired it.