The Jim Austin Computer Collection
Data General Nova 2 - Link data system
This machine was donated by Hull University in April 2005. It was used for x-ray spectrum analysis. It seems to work and has all its disks and a full set of Data General Manuals.
The picture below shows the main rack of the machine.
At the top of the rack there is the systems for controlling the X-Ray machine. The main Nova 2 computer is below that. At the bottom are the floppy drives.
The Link units are: Pulse processor 2010 (x2 - one not functional) - probably to pulse the x-ray.
ADC 1057.
High voltage unit (3KV!), probably to run the x-ray device.
The system is unusual as it has Data General floppies. These are type S1oB1o.
The following is an image of the main rack of the Nova 2.
The main processor has the following cards:
Link main logic card (top)
DG Disc cartage controller
Link teletype plotter with alphanumeric options
16K core memory (missing in picture)
Nova 2 processor (bottom)
A good site to get more information is Herb Johnson's at; http://www.retrotechnology.com/herbs_stuff/s100.html
Herb notes:
http://www.virtualaltair.com/virtualaltair.com/mits0011.aspDid you know that the Nova 2 was the inspiration for the front panel design of the MITS Altair 8800? See the Web link below.
MITS Altair 8800 designer and MITS president Ed Roberts, in the interview on that Web page, describes it this way: "We had a Nova 2 by Data General in the office that we sold time share on, and as a matter of fact that was how we got into building a little terminal. The front panel on an Altair essentially models every switch that was on the Nova 2. We had that machine to look at. The switches are pretty much standard of any front panel machine."