25 Sep
2016
25 Sep
'16
7:52 p.m.
Thanks for all the helpful information. The machine looks to be working. I
found a few different key in programs. I can get to the console emulator
prompt on the attached vt100. I keyed in a few short programs to write to
the vt100 and they worked as expected. One step closer. I am about to
install the disk drive controller and connect the drive, i do have a bunch
of disks labeled for rsx, what is the procedure for booting off of a disk
pack?
On Sat, Sep 24, 2016 at 4:11 AM, Don North <ak6dn at mindspring.com> wrote:
On 9/23/2016 6:15 PM, Paul Popelka wrote:
You might try looking at the M9312 proms that Don
North has made
available here:
http://www.ak6dn.com/PDP-11/M9312/
If you have an M9312 in your system it will have the basic console prom
in it.
There are listings of the prom contents on that web page.
There is also a simple diagnostic prom that loops forever near the bottom
of the page.
If you don't have an M9312 then you could probably key in a program from
the rom listings provided.
I'd bet Don will be along shortly to provide a better explanation.
Basically correct. The 'ZZ' pseudo boot PROM I generated just runs the
basic diagnostics contained
within the associated 248F1 11/04-34 console PROM in a continuous loop.
The diagnostics are very simple, and do a number of datapath and register
checks, as well as a low memory
(0-28KW) write/read/check confidence test.
Not comprehensive by any means but having the diag in PROM and not reliant
on any peripherals (except
the console TTY interface) is sometimes a very useful starting point for
system debug.
If anyone wants one of the programmed console PROMs (a 256x4 82S129)
programmed with the ZZ pattern
just ping me at the email address shown on the above mentioned website (or
this post).
I can also provide programmed 82S129 devices for any of the other
available DEC boot PROMs should anyone
need one.
Cost will be free for low quantities (ie one or two for personal use).
Cost negotiated for larger quantities.
Don