Description
HP 7958A HPIB 131MB External Hard Drive Hewlett-Packard GPIB IEEE-488 HP9000
The HP 7958A is a vintage external hard drive from Hewlett-Packard that connects to a host system via the HP-IB interface — the same bus HP designated IEEE-488 and the industry knows as GPIB. With a formatted capacity of 131MB, this self-contained desktop unit houses the drive mechanism, power supply, and HP-IB interface electronics in a single beige enclosure. It was designed to attach directly to HP 9000 series workstations and other HP-IB-capable computers without requiring an internal slot or separate controller card.
Specifications & What's Included
- Model: HP 7958A
- Interface: HP-IB (IEEE-488 / GPIB)
- Storage Capacity: 131 MB
- Connector: HP-IB Centronics-style 24-pin IEEE-488 port on rear panel
- Address Selector: Rear-panel ADDRESS switch (sets HP-IB bus address)
- Front Indicators: FAULT and ON LINE status lights; LINE address selector switch
- Power Input: 115/230V AC, 50/60Hz, 1.6A (115V) / 1.0A (230V) — switchable via rear VOLTAGE SELECTOR
- Fuse: 3AM 250V (rear panel fuse holder)
- AC Inlet: IEC C13 standard connector
- Form Factor: Desktop / tabletop external enclosure
- Option: STD
- Certifications: UL Listed (EDP/Business Equipment 364T), CSA
- Country of Manufacture: United States
Applications
The HP-IB (IEEE-488) bus was Hewlett-Packard's primary instrument and peripheral interconnect from the early 1970s through the 1990s. HP developed it originally for test instrument automation and later extended it to computers and peripherals including disk drives, plotters, and tape units. The 7958A was a standard mass-storage expansion device for HP 9000 series workstations and HP 1000 series minicomputers running HP-UX or HP RTE, as well as for HP technical workstations of the late 1980s that used HP-IB as their primary storage bus before SCSI became dominant. A single HP-IB bus could chain up to 15 devices using the daisy-chain connectors common to the standard. Today the 7958A is sought by collectors and by institutions maintaining vintage HP 9000, HP 1000, or HP measurement systems that still rely on HP-IB storage. Replacement drives of this type are increasingly scarce.
This HP 7958A HPIB 131MB External Hard Drive has been powered on at our facility. When powered, the green ON LINE indicator lights up and the FAULT light does not come on — both are the expected normal operating indications. The fan runs but is noticeably noisy. There is rust on the fan cover guard and on hardware inside the unit, clearly visible in the photos. The HP-IB connector mounting hardware and the power section hardware on the rear panel also show oxidation. Overall cosmetic condition reflects the unit's age, with the rust being the most significant concern. Please view our photo set and contact us if you have any questions.
Warranty Information
Additional Information
Brand: |
HP |
Model: |
7958A |
MPN: |
7958A |
Type: |
External Hard Drive |
SKU: |
41753 |
Interface: |
HP-IB (IEEE-488 / GPIB) |
Storage Capacity: |
131 MB |
Connector Type: |
HP-IB (Centronics-style 24-pin IEEE-488) |
Power Requirements: |
115/230V AC, 50/60Hz, 1.6/1.0A MAX (selectable) |
Voltage Selector: |
Switchable 115V / 230V |
Fuse: |
3AM 250V |
Form Factor: |
Desktop / Tabletop External |
Option: |
STD |
Compatible With: |
HP 9000, HP-IB / IEEE-488 / GPIB host systems |
Certifications: |
UL Listed (EDP/Business Equipment 364T), CSA |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
United States |
Seller Notes: |
Powers on; fan slightly noisy; rust on fan cover and interior. HP-IB interface. |
Condition Notes: |
This HP 7958A HPIB External Hard Drive powers on; green ON LINE light is lit, FAULT light is off. Fan runs but is noisy. Rust on fan cover and interior hardware. Please view photos and contact us with questions. |
California Prop 65 Warning: |
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, and DEHP (a phthalate), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Go to P65Warnings.ca.gov |