Software Selection:

Software for HP 3000 computer systems was originally distributed on half-inch reel-to-reel magnetic tapes in the 1970s. By the end of the 1970s, some software was distributed on 8-inch floppy discs. Beginning in the early 1980s, software was also distributed on quarter-inch tape cartridges. By the end of the 1980s, software for the new 3000/900 systems was distributed on DAT tapes and eventually on CDs.

At this stage, the museum has only succeeded in archiving the basic fundamental operating system (FOS) from quarter-inch tape. We have managed to install this software (version G.B3.05) onto a 7959B disc drive, and then image the disc drive. This image will boot the computer to the MPE colon prompt. It includes all MPE commands and some (but not all utilities). It includes the VINIT utility which will allow you to perform mass storage functions like initializing discs and copying media.

G.03.05 is one of the later versions of MPE V. We also have the FOS cartridge tape for G.2P.00 (from 1992), but we have not succeeded in reading it.

The image file (.hpi) is a virtual disc that does not require any vintage mass storage devices to use. But, you will need an HP-IB interface in your PC to use the hpi file. Be sure to visit Ansgar Kuekes' outstanding site to learn how to use hpi files with his hpdrive emulation utility. The file is also very large (297MB). It must be sent via FTP, rather than as a regular download. Contact us if you have a system that you are ready to boot. You can find a listing of all the MPE software we have on CD and DDS tape here.

Manuals for MPE operating system and for HP 3000 software can be found here.

Our collection of HP 3000 software is very limited. Please contact us if you have any HP 3000 software.