21 Jan
2018
21 Jan
'18
2:50 p.m.
On Sun, Jan 21, 2018 at 3:04 PM, Rob Jarratt via cctalk <
cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
The DEQNA is obsolete (even by Q-bus standards), troublesome
<http://antinode.info/dec/deqna_settings.html#Troubles>, and not supported
by VMS <http://antinode.info/dec/deqna_settings.html#VMS_Support> since
about V5.4. A compatible card, the DELQA
<http://antinode.info/dec/delqa_settings.html>, replaces the DEQNA.
I was going to say VMS 4 is a better bet since 5 removed support, but looks
like 5.4 is the last version with support. Though the MicroVAX is UP, so
you might be better off with VMS 4 instead of VMS 5.
Warner
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Jules
Richardson via cctalk
Sent: 21 January 2018 19:26
To: xx Classiccmp mailing list <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Subject: Microvax II 'primer'?
So, I picked up (and I did just carry it into the house, and now I hurt)
a
Microvax
II from another list member yesterday.
Cosmetically it's a disaster
(BA123
has a
cracked top panel, broken wheels, missing front
door, missing right-rear
panel)
but internally it appears to be complete; board
wise we have:
M7606 - CPU
M7608 - 4MB ram
M9047 - grant continuity
M7504 - DEQNA ethernet
M3104 - DHV11 8-port serial
M7555 - RQDX3 disk controller
M7546 - TX50 controller
... it's got a TK50 and hard drive (no idea of capacity).
Operational status is a complete unknown, and I have absolutely zero
knowledge about these systems - so my question at this stage is what
background reading I need to be doing in terms of pre-powerup* checks,
actually hooking a console, if there's a suggested minimal config I can
use
to
diag the CPU, and then (assuming it gets to that
point) how to actually
use the
thing (I'm assuming it was running VMS rather
than Ultrix, but I don't
know for
sure). I'm wondering there aren't any
handy tutorials out there,
alongside
whatever DEC docs are recommended.
* e.g. for most machines I'd be thinking in terms of pulling all
boards/drives,
hooking up a dummy load to whatever PSU rails
required it, and then at
least
running the PSU up in isolation first, but I
don't know to what extent
this
machine requires some logic in place for the PSU
to even run.
cheers
You might find that the filter capacitor goes up in smoke soon after you
connect the PSU to the mains, even without powering it on. It doesn't
actually do any damage and the PSU will continue to work (assuming it is
just the filter capacitor). Check it, it is likely cracked and will soon
go.
If I remember correctly there are actually two of three of these (marked
"RIFA"), it is probably a good idea just to replace them before they go.
Otherwise it is certainly wise to check the PSU visually for any obviously
failed electrolytics. If you have one of the DEC load boards you could
connect the PSU to that as a dummy load. I don't think there is much in the
way of dependency on the CPU to run the PSU.
Once you have the machine up and running the easiest thing to do is to boot
it over the DEQNA by setting up a cluster on SIMH and making your MicroVAX
II a satellite. I am not sure if 4MB is enough to do that though. Go with a
5.x version of VMS as I believe later versions may not support the DEQNA.