Scott Stevens <chenmel(a)earthlink.net> wrote:
> 1. I notice on the Web that there is quite a bit of info about
> MicroVAX 3100 systems. I also see that there are a variety of models.
> Is there an easy way to figure out which one I have?
Power it up with a terminal connected to the console port, write down what
it scribbles on the console on power-up, and post it to the list. One of
the lines (the one starting with KA) identifies the system board.
> 2. Would it be possible and/or work to replace the tape drive with a
> SCSI CD-ROM reader? I don't have a source for tapes.
Look for one that can be set to 512 byte block mode.
> 3. Is it worth putting VMS on this box?
That's only for you to decide for yourself. What OS do you want to run?
Do you want VMS or UNIX?
> Is there a flavor of vintage UNIX that I could put on the system?
I'm pretty close to getting 4.3BSD-Quasijarus to run on it. Just need to
write the SCSI code.
> 4. What is the console on this hardware? It has the three serial
> ports on RJ-type connectors, and from what I gather this is a TTY-only
> machine, no framebuffer, etc.
You are correct, except that the connectors are not RJ but DEC423 MMJ. In
normal operation port 1 is the console. There is also an "alternative
diagnostic console" mode enabled by a switch on the back that moves the
console to port 3 and makes the CPU halt on line break.
> 5. Is there a thorough hardware reference for this machine out there
> on the net that I should get? I looked on the HP/Compaq site, and it
> appears that they pay a small amount of homage to the system, but
> without much substancial info. A hardware reference manual in PDF
> would be great.
Unfortunately it's a completely undocumented machine. DEC never published
a real technical manual for it, only screwing/unscrewing guides for failed
servoids.
MS
I've been trying to recall, with no success, how subroutine
calls were implemented in the 8x300. I used to write code for
this weird thing (realtime video processing) and the assembler
I used (some horror that ran under TSO) hid it from me so I
don't have a clear recollection of the method.
It's a really weird CPU, "subroutines" were essentially jumps,
as in a lot of machines, but the "return" was through some
strange jump table or something.
Once upon a time there was a website with CPU instruction cards
(man I had a huge pile of these things, pitched loooong ago...)
but I can't find it. Nothing on bitsavers I can find.
(There's also some really bad info out there on the origins
of "Harvard" architecture, attributed to some stupid hardvard
vs. princeton microprocessor design thing. Please -- about 40
years earlier: that asshole Aiken. No one liked him anyways.)
Hi folks,
I've just re-joined the lists after a... uh, something like a four
year absense, I guess! It's good to be back, even if it is a little
more verbose than I remember.
I looked through the recent archives and didn't see this covered
already, forgive me if I missed it -- I've been unable to contact
www.trailing-edge.com or simh.trailing-edge.com for the last week
or so. Is anyone else able to get through? Does anyone know if
something is wrong? Or, alternately, does anyone know how else to
get in touch with Tim Shoppa to ask, other than his trailing-edge.com
email? Maybe I'll resort to snail mail.
-Seth
--
"It looks just like a Telefunken U47! Seth Morabito
You'll love it." - Frank Zappa sethm(a)loomcom.com
It's a drag that it is in NZ. There are still docs I'm missing
in the hp/64000 section of bitsavers, and copies of the software
would be good to archive.
Sorry, I never bothered making or downloading those ROM images.
I must admit that it would be a nice addition to the M9312 page that
I have put in the PDP-11/34 folder ... if Pete gets his hard disk data
recovered (or read the PROMs again), I will gladly add that to my site
(if Pete does not object).
As proven last week: some copies of the stuff at several sites may not
be such a luxury as first thought of ...
- Henk, PA8PDP.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-bounces(a)classiccmp.org
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Sent: 4-12-2004 13:29
Subject: Re: M9312 boot roms (again)
On Nov 27 2004, 23:01, Wai-Sun Chia wrote:
> Hello,
> Sorry to beat this old horse again, but did anybody set up a
> repository for M9312 boot images since the last discussion?
> (I actually went to look for them in www.classiccmp.org/M9312, and
> Pete's DECROM repository doesn't seem to have the 23-xxxA9 M9312
> roms)
>
> I need some of them, specifically the DU, DX, and DY.
Henk may have (http://www.pdp-11.nl/index.html), but maybe not online.
I have a few on a local disk. Ah, spit, that's the one that crashed a
few months ago, and I've not wired up the programmer again yet, so I
have some ROMs but not the images. The ones you want are:
23-753A9 RX01 DX Boot ROM
23-757A9 UDA50 DU Boot ROM } I'm not sure if both are
23-767A9 UDA50/RAxx DU Boot ROM } correct -- see below
23-811A9 RX02 DY Boot ROM
I have at least one of each of these, except the 23-767A9. I probably
have that number in the list because it's been listed somewhere with
that description, but since I have two 23-757A9 and no 23-767A9, I
wonder if the 767 is a typo? Or is the "DU" against 757 meant to be
"TU"?
I'll host the images if no-one already has.
> Question:
> Is the DY (supposed for RX02) able to boot RX01s too?
If you mean boot from RX01 drives, no, the bootstraps are different.
If you mean boot from an RX01 diskette in an RX02 drive, yes, it
should work, though depending on the OS, the diskette may need a DY
boot block.
--
Pete Peter Turnbull
Network Manager
University of York
Anybody want three developing tanks for making printed circuit boards?
They're intended for developing/etching/tinning and each holds almost 9
litres (about 1.9 gallons/2.3 US gallons) of liquid when working. Each
is 490mm x 140mm x 370mm high (400mm including the lid, with its
handle), and they're designed to be fitted into cutouts in a bench top,
though you could stand them on a low bench or in a (large) sink.
One is a plain tank, one is fitted with a thermostatically-controlled
heater, and one has both heater and air-bubble tubes, and I have two
controller boxes for them (which have been kept indoors, in the attic).
I'm never realistically going to use these, as I have small
fit-in-a-cupboard dishes and a heater I use for small boards.
I got these from the University about 10 years ago, intending to put
them in my new workshop. Unfortunately by the time the workshop was
built I had a lot more computers, electronics, and mechanical things,
there wasn't room, and The Boss refused to give up space in her utility
room. They've been stored where she keeps garden stuff, ever since,
but I've been given an ultimatum. If you can collect them, let me know
by Monday that they're wanted otherwise they'll go to the local tip.
If I know someone will take them, I might persuade The Boss that they
can remain in her utility room (now they've been cleaned up a bit)
until Christmas, but suggesting any longer would probably have fatal
consequences (for the tanks, not me; I'd probably get away with
crippling injury).
--
Pete Peter Turnbull
Network Manager
University of York
If any of you happen to be in SW Florida today (Sat) or Sunday, December 5,
we're having a garage sale and a lot of classics and their software are
available. Mainly 8-bits, such as TRS-80s, Apples, Commodores, Atari, etc.,
etc., etc.
Its at 2587 Lakeshore Circle in Port Charlotte, Florida. Directly off of Hwy
41 at West Tarpon Blvd.
Sincerely,
CORD G. COSLOR
Celebrity Direct Entertainment
-----
| Celebrity Direct Entertainment
| PO Box 494314 - Port Charlotte, FL - 33949
| phone: 941.624.2254 fax: 309.218.1426
| www.CelebrityDirect.net * CDE(a)CelebrityDirect.net
| AOL IM: CelebDirectEnt:
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