When the PDP-8 interface link is clicked on a java program downloads (about a minute), and the PDP-8 Control window will open.
The previous link gives information on using the shortcut option to automatically start a program. To operate the machine manually use the device pulldown menu to turn on the PDP-8/E front panel and Console 0 windows. They can be toggled between displayed and hidden by clicking on their item in the device menu.
After the PDP-8 front panel interface is displayed, click on POWER
in the lower left to turn on the PDP-8 and OFF to turn it off.
Power OFF 
Power ON 
Nothing
can be done with the machine until power is turned on. 3-6 seconds
after the power is turned on random lights on the front panel should come
on. You can now use the front panel
to control the PDP-8. To change the indicator selector rotary switch,
click on the text labels next to it (e.g. STATE, STATUS). The switches
are changed by clicking on them; the switch register switches are in the
0 state on startup.
The console windows are VT52 emulators; console 0 is the main console used for entering commands. Use the device pulldown menu to turn on the console 0 window. Also turn on console 1 if you will be running ETOS.
Next load an image onto one of the mass storage devices on the PDP-8. Select or enter a file name and use the load button to transfer the device's contents. Various Images are available for playing with. I have attempted to allow the images to be transferred while an operating system is running but it may cause the operating system to act up. Let me know if you have problems, my email is at the bottom of all pages. diag-games-kermit.rk05 under os8 is a good choice to load on RK05-0.
After loading an image want to boot from that device. The easiest is the RK05. Using the front panel enter the following bootstrap. Note that all values are normally given in octal.
Start loading from address 0030
6743 See Show Boot to have boot procedure demonstrated .
5031
Then run from address 0030
RX01 Bootstrap
TD8E TU56 Bootstrap
If you loaded the diag-games-kermit.rk05 image you can run adventure game by entering the command RUN RKB0: ADVENT
Here are quick command references for
Operating systems
Languages
Feel free to contact me, David Gesswein djg@pdp8online.com with any questions, comments on the web site, or if you have related equipment, documentation, software etc. you are willing to part with. I am interested in anything PDP-8 related, computers, peripherals used with them, DEC or third party, or documentation.
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