X-Nico

unusual facts about core memory


Magnetic-core memory

In many occasions, errors could be resolved by gently tapping the printed circuit board with the core array on a table.


Plugboard

One example is the Ferranti Argus computer, used on the Bristol Bloodhound missile, which feature a plugboard programmed by inserting small ferrite rods into slots, in effect creating a read-only core memory by hand.

TX-0

The TX-0, for Transistorized Experimental computer zero, but affectionately referred to as tixo (pronounced "tix oh"), was an early fully transistorized computer and contained a then-huge 64K of 18-bit words of magnetic core memory.


see also

Drum memory

As late as 1980, PDP-11/45 machines that used drums for swapping (and magnetic core memory) were still in use at many of the original UNIX sites.