7 Feb
2012
7 Feb
'12
9:40 p.m.
On Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 11:14 AM, Kevin Reynolds <tpresence at hotmail.com> wrote:
The cabinet for the microvax I is different that the BA123 and the BA23 that are
available for the later vaxes I believe. ?This model has a chassis which is
6"x28"x22", and a KD23 CPU (probably faulty). ?It has a maximum RAM
capability of 4MB. ?It definitely cannot run netbsd later than 1.61, maybe nothing before
that, but I haven't validated...
I figured that I had gone as far as I could go with the hardware anyway. ?If I can't
find a good priced replacement in the uv-II or uv-III/III+ line maybe I'll look for a
replacement CPU (if thats all that failed).
I do want to stick with the 5.2 license for the time being, perhaps I will play with my
7.3 hobbyist license when I get bored with it.
Kevin
I have never seen a MicroVAX I, but according to this manual the
backplane is the same H9278-A that you would find in a BA23:
http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/vax/610/EK-KD32A-TD-002_MicroVAX_I_CPU_Tec…
Page 1-11, Backplane - H9278-A
Page 1-12, Figure 1-3 MicroVAX I Backplane
With a H9278-A you could install either a KA630 with up to 16MB, or a
KA650 or KA655 with up to 32MB with DEC memory or up to 64MB with 3rd
party memory. The limitation being the (3x) Q22-CD slots in the
H9278-A.
If you're willing to settle for a KA630 and willing to wait for decent
deal you can sometimes find those in the $10-$20 range on eBay. There
are some there now for $40 including shipping. Where are you located?
You might find someone on this list that has spare KA630/KA650/KA655
boards they are willing to part with for a reasonable exchange. I
think I probably have a couple KA630 boards myself that I don't have
installed in any systems. I don't know if I have any spare console
bulkhead connectors that haven't been corroded by battery leaks.
-Glen