21 Dec
2001
21 Dec
'01
11:35 a.m.
On Fri, 21 Dec 2001, William S . wrote:
Assuming I find one:
1. How important is it that it have a key?
Either have a key or "mknod /dev/big_screwdriver" and be handy with a
soldering iron. The key not only locks the cabinet, but controls the
boot sequence. You need it.
2. How important is it that it have media
or able to boot up? (Can I download and install
the appropriate version somewhere?)
The 7012 series will run at least up to version 4.3.3 AIX. NT PPC will
NOT run (yay). Not downloadable, but non-commercial AIX afficionados
tend to be generous. Um, Not every 512-byte CD drive will boot on that
box. Any Plextor, any IBM-badged reader, and the older NECs will work.
Most any 8mm tape drive. If you have an 8mm DAT tape drive, a
borrowed mksysb image (bootable full-system backup) tape will probably
be the easiest way to get up & running.
3. What is an approximate cash value?
I just today brought home a 7012-340 with 2 350M drives, 2 graphics
adapters (I dunno why) ethernet, and 2 64M memory boards for $15. I just
wanted the video card.
4. Are components easy to come by or should
I really take a look to make sure everything
is there?
Some things you will want to consider.
The 320 & 32h need proprietary serial cables. I can supply pinouts.
They, as well as a few others, also have a proprietary external SCSI
interface. It looks like a 68-pin connector, but it's not.
If it has a 2-or-3 slot graphics adapter and that is IBM-branded, it's a
Sabine card and is useless in verions >3.25.
Disks aren't a problem, any standard SCSI narrow, <2G will work. You may
have to tape it in.
RAM cards & SIMMs are proprietary. RAM cards are also somewhat model
specific. The card from a 320 won't work in a 350. But they look a lot
alike.
I'm probably forgetting stuff.
The 350 is MUCH faster than the 320 & 340, and the 370 is much faster
than that. Not a linear progression, and the price progression isn't
either.
Doc