31 Aug
2011
31 Aug
'11
6:58 p.m.
Rob Jarratt wrote:
I have a MicroVAX II in a BA123 enclosure and I am
experiencing some
problems getting it to see the RD53. Whenever I try to boot I just get the
error DEVOFFLINE and the Ready light on the front panel goes out when this
happens (you can't get it to switch on again if you press the button a few
times).
Whenever I used an RD53 in a BA123 with the M9058 distribution
board, I always set the DS3 jumper for all hard drives. I don't know
if the RD53 will also work with the DS1, DS2 or DS4. However,
it definitely will work with the DS3.
I agree that it is likely that the M9058 distribution is the most likely
problem since that RD53 drive works with on a BA23 with the
same RQDX3 and all of the cables. However, I don't know enough
about hardware to really be sure.
The RD53 is known to work as it will boot in a MicroVAX
2000. The RQDX3 also
works as I have tested it in a working MicroVAX II (BA23). I have tested the
cable from the RQDX3 to the M9058 distribution board. I have also tested the
cable from the M9058 to the front panel. I have tested the front panel
button and it seems to be right (it shorts two terminals when depressed,
leaving the Open Circuit when it is out). I have swapped the cables from the
distribution board to the drive with another set.
In the BA23 box, the first hard drive MUST have the DS3 jumper.
If you have a 6 button front panel, then it is also possible to use
the RQDX2 or RQDX3 controller with a second RD53 in which
case the second RD53 MUST have the DS4 jumper. It is also
possible to set up an alternate circuit which can be used instead
of a 6 button front panel in a BA23, but the first hard drive MUST
has the DS3 jumper and the second hard drive must have the DS4
jumper.
If you forget and use both hard drives with the DS3 jumper and
the WRITE PROTECT buttons are not turned on, then I have
noted (from personal experience - once was enough to NEVER
forget that sinking feeling) that the LLF (Low Level Format) is
lost on BOTH hard drives.
There has been mention of:
Peter Turnbull wrote:
Does the RD53 have a terminator resistor pack in it?
R7 on a RD53 is a ZERO OHM resistor which the RQDX2 and RQDX3
require in order to recognize the Micropolis 1325 (also 1335D) as an RD53.
It is possible to take the PC version of the Micropolis 1325 and solder
in pins
where the R7 resistor would be located. A wire wrap between the pins is
then sufficient to take the place of the zero ohm resistor.
There have also been too many notes about the failure of the RD53 drive
due to the heads being stuck to consider the RD53 as a reliable drive.
My suggestion is to NEVER rely on the data on an RD53 once the drive
is powered down.
Jerome Fine