I've got VMS 2.something on 8" floppies, and VMS 5.something on TK-50 tapes,
but that's it. There might be a way to finagle VMS onto the 9 track or 5.25"
media from the current OpenVMS distro on CD. Check out the NetBSD VAX
Section (
) People have come up with some pretty
inventive ways of getting NetBSD onto a machine, you might be able to use
the same procedures with VMS.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Geoff Roberts" <geoffrob(a)stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au>
To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2000 10:15 PM
Subject: Fw: VMS media availability for VAX 8530
  Following post from comp.sys.dec reposted to classic
computers at
 request of originator.  Anyone on the list that can help him?
 I have the Pro380 console and 5.25" media for an 8530 console, (and an
 8530 - minus the console to vax cables) even VMS on 9 track, but I'm a
 bit far away...  I initially thought this place was in Europe somewhere,
 but it seems it's actually in New York USA.
 I've mentioned the room heater effects of ECL based systems.
 ----- Original Message -----
 From: "Derek Konigsberg" <konigd(a)rpi.edu>
 Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
 Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2000 1:31 AM
 Subject: VMS media availability for VAX 8530
  Hello,
     In the Electronics Club at RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute),
 we've come across a number of old DEC machines.  It all started with a
 PDP-11/45, then we got a VAX 8530 that was being dumped.  We also have
 a VAXstation 4 (doesn't exist, but we have one, and it looks like a II
 by the case design) and a VAXstation 3100.  Anyways, the main problem
 is the 8530.  Our main RA82 hard drive doesn't spin up, and we can't
 find the problem.  We have other functional hard drives, but no means
 of installing VMS on them.  Basically, we need the tape for our TU81+
 tape drive (6250bpi, I think), and the 5-1/4" floppy disk to put in
 the console to bootstrap the machine.  Yes, for anyone who didn't
 know, this machine requires a special "VAX Console" (no, it's not a
 terminal) to tell the machine to power up and to download the
 microcode.  Anyways, right now the machine is an impressive metal
 obstruction in the room until we get it operational.  So, does anyone
 have or know where we can find the right VMS media for this beast?
 P.S. Just wondering, but anyone know what thing thing sold for back in
 '87 when it was new?
 Thanks,
     Derek Konigsberg
     RPI Electronics Club, President
     konigd(a)rpi.edu