27 Apr
2006
27 Apr
'06
12:20 a.m.
Hi,
I've inherited a VW320 but it is missing the drive cage.
If I can get it running, I'd also be looking for some
extra memory for it (wacky 40 bit? modules).
I *think* I can replace the single CPU with a pair
of off-the-shelf "matched" processors?
Or, is this box not worth the time to get it running?
Thanks!
--don
27 Apr
27 Apr
3:52 a.m.
New subject: ISO: SGI VW320 parts
The memory shows up on ebay all the time. Yes, you can use std slot 1
processors with 100mhz bus speed. A few people have been using
Sloket boards with good results to adapt socket 370 flip chips to the
320. Depending on the motherboard revision, you can run up to 1ghz
cpu's. You need to check on the two VRM modules to see if they are
present. They sell on ebay occasionally too.
Setup and installation of Win NT or Win2k is a bit tricky. You have
to set up a small FAT partition as the first partition to load the ARC
loader into. The Sgi320, does not have a BIOS but has a real Unix box
style PROM monitor. To spoof Windows into loading and booting, you
load the ARC loader and then Windows boots within a Window of the ARC
loader. All necessary files are available on Sgi's website. If you
are going to load Win2k, you also need to select a special Sgi320 HAL
at first boot of the installation disk. When the Windows installer
prompts you to "Press F6 to select a disk controller" press F5
instead. Then select the SgiMP HAL. Once you have it running, it
makes a remarkable fast and stable Windows box. It's probably the
only Windows box that I have ever had a BSOD on.
On 4/27/06, Don Y <dgy at dakotacom.net> wrote:
Hi,
I've inherited a VW320 but it is missing the drive cage.
If I can get it running, I'd also be looking for some
extra memory for it (wacky 40 bit? modules).
I *think* I can replace the single CPU with a pair
of off-the-shelf "matched" processors?
Or, is this box not worth the time to get it running?
Thanks!
--don
--
www.blackcube.org - The Texas State Home for Wayward and Orphaned Computers
www.blackcube.org/personal/index.html - Personal web page
9:41 a.m.
New subject: ISO: SGI VW320 parts
James Rice wrote:
The memory shows up on ebay all the time. Yes, you
can use std slot 1
Search for "VW320"? Or, is there some special name for the little
memory modules?
processors with 100mhz bus speed. A few people have
been using
Sloket boards with good results to adapt socket 370 flip chips to the
320. Depending on the motherboard revision, you can run up to 1ghz
cpu's. You need to check on the two VRM modules to see if they are
present. They sell on ebay occasionally too.
Setup and installation of Win NT or Win2k is a bit tricky. You have
to set up a small FAT partition as the first partition to load the ARC
loader into. The Sgi320, does not have a BIOS but has a real Unix box
style PROM monitor. To spoof Windows into loading and booting, you
load the ARC loader and then Windows boots within a Window of the ARC
loader. All necessary files are available on Sgi's website. If you
are going to load Win2k, you also need to select a special Sgi320 HAL
at first boot of the installation disk. When the Windows installer
prompts you to "Press F6 to select a disk controller" press F5
instead. Then select the SgiMP HAL. Once you have it running, it
I managed to get most of W2K installed on it last night.
Along with the SGI video and audio tools to take advantage
of those capabilities (motherboard and some weird little
digital audio card??).
I tried stuffing a 29160 in it (it appears the PCI is 3.3V only?)
but the box wouldn't get past the 29160's BIOS. So, I pulled it
and will see if I can find another HA -- or, tinker with the
29160 later on.
Will I have any luck trying to find a disk cage for it? Or,
should I just have something fabricated? (I'd prefer not to
start drilling holes in things just to hack a disk into it)
makes a remarkable fast and stable Windows box.
It's probably the
only Windows box that I have ever had a BSOD on.
Is that a typo? "I have EVER" or "I have NEVER"?
--don
10:08 a.m.
New subject: ISO: SGI VW320 parts
That was definitely a typo, it was supposed to be "never had". Funny
On 4/27/06, Don Y <dgy at dakotacom.net> wrote:
Good, you've made progress.
--
www.blackcube.org - The Texas State Home for Wayward and Orphaned Computers
www.blackcube.org/personal/index.html - Personal web page
James Rice wrote:
Nope, searching for 320/540 will work. They both use the same modules.
The memory shows up on ebay all the time. Yes,
you can use std slot 1
Search for "VW320"? Or, is there some special name for the little
memory modules? processors with 100mhz bus speed. A few people
have been using
Sloket boards with good results to adapt socket 370 flip chips to the
320. Depending on the motherboard revision, you can run up to 1ghz
cpu's. You need to check on the two VRM modules to see if they are
present. They sell on ebay occasionally too.
Setup and installation of Win NT or Win2k is a bit tricky. You have
to set up a small FAT partition as the first partition to load the ARC
loader into. The Sgi320, does not have a BIOS but has a real Unix box
style PROM monitor. To spoof Windows into loading and booting, you
load the ARC loader and then Windows boots within a Window of the ARC
loader. All necessary files are available on Sgi's website. If you
are going to load Win2k, you also need to select a special Sgi320 HAL
at first boot of the installation disk. When the Windows installer
prompts you to "Press F6 to select a disk controller" press F5
instead. Then select the SgiMP HAL. Once you have it running, it
I managed to get most of W2K installed on it last night.
Along with the SGI video and audio tools to take advantage
of those capabilities (motherboard and some weird little
digital audio card??).
I tried stuffing a 29160 in it (it appears the PCI is
3.3V only?)
but the box wouldn't get past the 29160's BIOS. So, I pulled it
and will see if I can find another HA -- or, tinker with the
29160 later on.
I think that the Adaptec card for the 320/540 had special firmware.
Will I have any luck trying to find a disk cage for it? Or,
should I just have something fabricated? (I'd prefer not to
start drilling holes in things just to hack a disk into it)
You might want to go on nekochan.net and ask around there. It's a Sgi
hobbyesy site. you may be already on there, but if not, ask there.
makes a remarkable fast and stable Windows box.
It's probably the
only Windows box that I have ever had a BSOD on.
Is that a typo? "I have EVER" or "I have NEVER"?
--don
11:06 a.m.
New subject: ISO: SGI VW320 parts
On Thu, 27 Apr 2006 12:08:16 -0500
"James Rice" <james.rice at gmail.com> wrote:
I think that the Adaptec card for the 320/540 had
special firmware.
IIRC the VW wants a QLogic ISP10[248]0 because they are supported
by the
main board firmware or somthing like this.
--
tsch??,
Jochen
Homepage: http://www.unixag-kl.fh-kl.de/~jkunz/
11:43 a.m.
New subject: ISO: SGI VW320 parts
I remember that now. My 320 is IDE only. i don't have a SCSI card for it.
James
On 4/27/06, Jochen Kunz <jkunz at unixag-kl.fh-kl.de> wrote:
On Thu, 27 Apr 2006 12:08:16 -0500
"James Rice" <james.rice at gmail.com> wrote:
--
www.blackcube.org - The Texas State Home for Wayward and Orphaned Computers
www.blackcube.org/personal/index.html - Personal web page
I think that the Adaptec card for the 320/540 had
special firmware.
IIRC the VW wants a QLogic ISP10[248]0 because they are supported
by the
main board firmware or somthing like this.
--
tsch??,
Jochen
Homepage: http://www.unixag-kl.fh-kl.de/~jkunz/
28 Apr
28 Apr
10:27 a.m.
New subject: ISO: SGI VW320 parts
James Rice wrote:
I remember that now. My 320 is IDE only. i don't
have a SCSI card for it.
On 4/27/06, Jochen Kunz <jkunz at unixag-kl.fh-kl.de> wrote:
> On Thu, 27 Apr 2006 12:08:16 -0500
> "James Rice" <james.rice at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I think that the Adaptec card for the 320/540 had special firmware.
> IIRC the VW wants a QLogic ISP10[248]0 because they are supported by the
> main board firmware or somthing like this.
IIRC, the board's "BIOS" (firmware) announced itself (i.e.
a banner typical of most adaptec controllers on bootstrap)
and then just hung -- as if the controller was probing
the SCSI bus and waiting for replies from (nonexistent)
devices on that bus.
So, it looks like the VW's firmware at least transfers control
*to* the card's BIOS to some extent. But, perhaps doesn't
have the right framework in place for the card and it to
coordinate their activities? I don't care if I can't *boot*
from a SCSI device. But, I would like for the
bootstrap
PROCESS to continue and let Windows decide to recognize
the card or not...
I.e. I could understand if the VW's firmware had something
in it's PCI enumeration algorithm that just refused to talk
to anything that it didn't recognize ("support").
More to the point: does the VW place any other restrictions
(aside from 3.3V which the PCI connectors mechanically "enforce")
on the choice of cards that I can stuff in the box?
27 Apr
27 Apr
11:11 a.m.
New subject: ISO: SGI VW320 parts
On Thursday 27 April 2006 09:41, Don Y wrote:
--snip--
I tried stuffing a 29160 in it (it appears the PCI is
3.3V only?)
but the box wouldn't get past the 29160's BIOS. So, I pulled it
and will see if I can find another HA -- or, tinker with the
29160 later on.
Yes, both boxes are 3.3V ONLY. I remember talking to SGI Engineers about that
when they were developing the boxes - and they had the idea that making it
3.3V only would 1) Limit the cards that folks could add w/o going through SGI
and 2) They wanted to follow the PCI "latest standard" and not support
"legacy" cards. I told them it was a mistake - that the more "open"
they made
them, the more they'd sell - and so did other consultants - but they ignored
us all.
Cheers,
Lyle
--
Lyle Bickley
Bickley Consulting West Inc.
Mountain View, CA
http://bickleywest.com
"Black holes are where God is dividing by zero"
11:32 a.m.
New subject: ISO: SGI VW320 parts
Lyle Bickley wrote:
On Thursday 27 April 2006 09:41, Don Y wrote:
--snip--
Heh heh heh... "Captains of Industry" -- and where are they *now*? :>
I tried stuffing a 29160 in it (it appears the
PCI is 3.3V only?)
but the box wouldn't get past the 29160's BIOS. So, I pulled it
and will see if I can find another HA -- or, tinker with the
29160 later on.
Yes, both boxes are 3.3V ONLY. I remember talking to SGI Engineers about that
when they were developing the boxes - and they had the idea that making it
3.3V only would 1) Limit the cards that folks could add w/o going through SGI
and 2) They wanted to follow the PCI "latest standard" and not support
"legacy" cards. I told them it was a mistake - that the more "open"
they made
them, the more they'd sell - and so did other consultants - but they ignored
us all.
6596
days inactive
6597
days old
8 comments
4 participants
participants (4)
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dgy＠DakotaCom.Net -
james.rice＠gmail.com -
jkunz＠unixag-kl.fh-kl.de -
lbickley＠bickleywest.com