Micral P2 - Part 1 - Acquisition
Earlier this month, I managed to acquire a very rare French luggable computer called the Bull Micral P2. Here it is, next to another obscure computer with a similar origin, an Olympia Boss
What is it
It was made by R2E (Réalisation Etudes Electroniques), which made the Micral N, one of the first 8008-based commercial computers. The company was bought in 1979 by Cii Honeywell Bull, later renamed to just Bull.
The Micral line started as industrial rack-mounted computers with front panels, but diversified over the years with the luggable Micral V, the series 80 Prologue machines (80-20, 80-30, …) etc.
The Micral P2 was released around 1981~1982, but data about that machine is sparse. Most sources say it was destined for military use, especially the French Gendarmerie Nationale (armed forces for internal affairs).
This specific unit was likely saved from the scrapyard. The seller got it a while ago and doesn’t remember specifics. According to the them, the machine powers on fine but doesn’t boot from the disk.
Specs
Specs:
- Z80 CPU at 5 MHz
- 64k RAM
- 2 double-density 80 track floppy drives
- Internal modem
- Probable teletext terminal cababilities
Ports:
- Phone cord with French T-shaped landline plug
- Peritel (= French SCART) video out, maybe RGB?
- Composite video out, SMB connector
- DB25 V24 / serial port
- Printer port, 36 pin
- Cassette port, DIN5
Condition
The machine is in good condition with light wear, and rust on the handle fixation. Two of the metal clips holding the keyboard latches are dislodged. As the machine sits on these latches when opened, it’s probably why the clips are this way. It looks fixable but finicky.
It also came with a a “CP/M 2.2 + BASIC disk”. Sadly, the disk has been damaged due to broken bits in one of the floppy drives.
There are two inscriptions on the keyboard: B0,0 and B0,1. They looks quite like the R2E/CCMC Portal boot process for booting on a specific drive (and side? sector?).
Another fun detail is how the back case protector is more or less a modified keyboard shell. It doesn’t have the recess and the handle, and it used to store cables.
What now
Next up is to:
- Take the machine apart, check for damage
- Take pictures
- Dump ROMs
- Power on
The floppy disk has been lent to someone with the tools and knowledge to save as much as possible.
I’m gathering technical data here: Micral P2.