test-drb December 1999

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

186 participants
742 discussions

MicroVAX 2000 SCSI (was Re: VAXstation 3100 history (Was ... different))

by IVIE＠cc.usu.edu

> I see not why not. Swap/page is just data. Booting is the only >limitation of which I'm aware. Only one way to find out. BTW, Herr Moeller also has a ROM patch which allows booting from a SCSI disk. Roger Ivie ivie(a)cc.usu.edu

25 years

VAXstation 3100 history (Was ... different)

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>> Yes, the first 3100's had MFM controllers, and half-height MFM drives >> (RD31, RD32) in them. They also had a 34-pin floppy interface to a >> non-SCSI RX23. Then came models that had *both* MFM and SCSI interfaces. >> The latest ones had two SCSI interfaces, and used a SCSI-fied RX23 in >> them. > I've never seen anything more primitive than the ST506/SCSI >controller. Was there really a non-SCSI board before that? Yes. > Even the >earliest production ST506/SCSI boards in my experience lacked some or >all of the 20- and 34-pin connectors for the ST506 disks The non-SCSI disk controller is a ST506/SCSI board unpopulated in the *other* direction - it lacks the SCSI chip and connectors, but has the ST506 parts. There's a plain metal flange on the rear where the external SCSI connector would be. There are also, of course, 3100's without any disk controller in them at all. > The potential of DUA0 and DUA1 explains why the RX23 floppy is DUA2. >I always assumed that DUA3 would be the other half of an RX50, if it >were ever supported, but that was only an assumption. The firmware on >my 3100 systems seemed bewildered by an RX33, so I never bothered trying >an RX50. I never got around to trying that particular combination (though I did have a RX50 hooked to a VS2000 - it worked fine under VMS, but evidently the built-in firmware didn't like it.) >> True, the RX23 doesn't have a lot of use. You can't even (officially) >> build a standalone backup kit on it. > I modified the V6.2 STABACKIT to build a kit on (three) RX23 >floppies, but some older firmware couldn't handle booting from them. >V1.5 is good, possibly V1.4 also, as I recall. Faster booting than from >a TK50. (Toggle switches would be _about_ as fast as a TK50.) Even faster, build standalone backup on a hard drive :-). If you want to see slow, remember the process of building standalone backup on TU58's on a 11/750 or 11/730? We're talking most of a *day*! No wonder we've tried to erase those times from our memories :-). -- Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/ 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917 Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927

25 years

MicroVAX 2000 SCSI (was Re: VAXstation 3100 history (Was ... different))

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<> Hmmm, what if said 2000 is part of a cluster and boots off a cluster disk <> would you then be able to use a SCSI disk as a swap disk? < < I see not why not. Swap/page is just data. Booting is the only <limitation of which I'm aware. Only one way to find out. Doing that you would MOP boot from a cluster member then install the extendded page and swap for the local disk. If all your doing is that then any drive over 20mb (but not ST225 or 251 as they are slow!) will do in the MFM slot. In the past I've found RD52s (quantum D540 30mb) are a good choice for that service as they are fast and bullet proof. Allison

25 years

MicroVAX 2000 SCSI (was Re: VAXstation 3100 history (Was ... different))

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<> --- sms(a)antinode.org wrote: <> > Herr Moeller's PK2K SCSI port driver for the 2000 should help total sto <> > but the firmware still needs an RDxx from which to boo < <Hmmm, what if said 2000 is part of a cluster and boots off a cluster disk, <would you then be able to use a SCSI disk as a swap disk? As time <progresses such a configuration would probably be the best to keep 2000's <running. that is only one possible configuration. Anyine that know MV2000 knows a small SCSI disk will fit in the area above the PS. that and a RD53/54 you have a very complete system. Or you can use any MFM for local swap and page with NIcluster (LAVC). A good use for the VS2000 in small environments with networking is modem gateway, Print server or terminal server to anyother node. Allison

25 years

VAXstation 3100 history (Was ... different)

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<I just got mail from a friend in Virginia who is saving a MicroVAX 3100-90 <for me that they are pitching out where he works (and he'll *deliver*, too! Thats a nice VAX!. I forget the URL of where to find vax performance numbers. <an external tape that, from his descriptions, I'm assuming is a TLZ30 or <similar. One minor catch - they filled the disk and it won't boot. I tak Never hard of that problem. I suspect soemthing else has happend. <it I can conversational-boot it and use the console as the startup file to <wrest control from the system in the earliest stages, then, at least, purg Likely you can assuming the disk is even there at all. If all else fails drop in a 200-400mb scsi drive and install VMS 7.2 (hobby license) and go on that. Once up you can mount the offending drive and see. <Did I miss anything? Is there a publish procedure for recovering from tota <full disks, or will I have to go back to the manuals and remember how to d Never seen that failure. Allison

25 years

VAXstation vs MicroVAX (was Re: dammit...)

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<The idea was that a VAX*station* would have a primary user and would only <get a two user license (one for the serial port on the back, presumably <for emergencies) and a MicroVAX 2000 would have many users, possibly on <the rare and optional 8-port serial expansion, possibly on a terminal serve <This way, you could get more money for the same software on the assumption <that more potential users means more latitude to charge for software. your forgot the 3 port adaptor, maybe you meant that. they are uncommon but rare is not quite true. With that adaptor you have 3 MMJ serial ports and the already present 25pin comm serial. I have one and it's handy. Allison

25 years

[OT] They're restarting Chernobyl?

by DSEAGRAV＠toad.xkl.com

Slashdot has a link to an MSNBC story about the Russians restarting reactor #3 at the Chernobyl plant in the Ukraine. They need the power but can't afford a new reactor. Sounds like a fun place to work, eh? ^_^ -------

25 years

MicroVAX 2000 SCSI (was Re: VAXstation 3100 history (Was ... different))

by sms＠antinode.org

From: healyzh(a)aracnet.com > > --- sms(a)antinode.org wrote: > > > Herr Moeller's PK2K SCSI port driver for the 2000 should help total > > > storage, but the firmware still needs an RDxx from which to boot > > Hmmm, what if said 2000 is part of a cluster and boots off a cluster disk, > would you then be able to use a SCSI disk as a swap disk? I see not why not. Swap/page is just data. Booting is the only limitation of which I'm aware. Only one way to find out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Steven M. Schweda (+1) 651-645-9249 (voice, home) 1630 Marshall Avenue #8 (+1) 612-754-2636 (voice, work) Saint Paul MN 55104-6225 (+1) 612-754-6302 (facsimile, work) sms(a)antinode.org sms(a)provis.com (work)

25 years

MicroVAX 2000 SCSI (was Re: VAXstation 3100 history (Was ... different))

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- sms(a)antinode.org wrote: > Herr Moeller's PK2K SCSI port driver for the 2000 should help total storage, > but the firmware still needs an RDxx from which to boo Ah ha! A *real* reference to the elusive SCSI driver. Is there a web page for this? Thanks, -ethan ===== Infinet has been sold. The domain is going away in February. Please send all replies to erd(a)iname.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one place. Yahoo! Shopping: http://shopping.yahoo.com

25 years

VAXstation 3100 history (Was ... different)

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

I just got mail from a friend in Virginia who is saving a MicroVAX 3100-90 for me that they are pitching out where he works (and he'll *deliver*, too!) Where can I go to learn more about specific models of 3100s? He mentions that it has either 64 or 128Mb of RAM, a 500Mb and 1Gb scsi disk, DAT and an external tape that, from his descriptions, I'm assuming is a TLZ30 or similar. One minor catch - they filled the disk and it won't boot. I take it I can conversational-boot it and use the console as the startup file to wrest control from the system in the earliest stages, then, at least, purge the SYS$MANAGER area of old log files to leave enough room to perform a full boot (and clear the SYSTEM password while I'm at it ;-) Did I miss anything? Is there a publish procedure for recovering from totally full disks, or will I have to go back to the manuals and remember how to do it from scratch? I've been away from VMS for the past couple of years. All I've really done recently is log on and run some ancient DCL scripts. Now back in the old days, I used to assemble 11/730's from piles of parts, reconstruct console tapes, write system programs and devices drivers, etc., but never with anything newer than an 8530. Our "main" machines were an 11/750 w/12Mb RAM, SI9900, Fuji Eagle, RA81, etc., etc. and an 8300 w/16Mb RAM, KDB50, RA81, etc. No Ethernet; all 56Kb sync serial DECnet. :-P Cheers, -ethan ===== Infinet has been sold. The domain is going away in February. Please send all replies to erd(a)iname.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one place. Yahoo! Shopping: http://shopping.yahoo.com

25 years

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test-drb December 1999