VaxStation 2000 and TK-50Zs - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

6 Aug 1999

Hi Don and other ListErs,

I have been working on a similiar problem... I have the original DEC
distributions for a few things (including Ultrix 3.1, looking for 
UWS 3.0), and I want to make archival copies of them...

I discovered the TK-50Z (both FA and GA) will work with FreeBSD and
an old Adaptec SCSI controller. This allows me to read (and copy) the
TK50 onto my PCs hard disk, but I haven't quite got the format right
to write a new tape (still playing with file marks)...

NOTE: I tried a 2940 and a 1535 and neither of them worked. I was 
successful with a AHA-1542B scsi adapter.

I also have a SCSI adapter for my uVAX II, and have copied tapes
...
 from TK50 to 4mm DAT, but it seems quite a waste to put
95MB on a 4GB tape.

Finally, if none of these options appeal to you (and you don't
have other success), I have a uVAX II with a TK70, TK50, SCSI 
adapter for the 4mm DAT, and a 9-track tape drive, and can copy 
them for you (contact me off list for this).

Laters,
clint

PS My 11/750 is up and running!!! The dead power supply turned out
to be two pins shorted on the backplane... Sometimes my debugging
skills leave something to be desired...

PPS What is a Fujitsu Eagle worth used? I am going to upgrade the
11/750 to a SCSI controller and 3.5" drive as soon as I get two
nickles to rub together :)

...

I have been tinkering around with my VaxStation 2000 and a couple of
TK-50Zs that I have.  One is an FA and the other a GA so I am able to set
them at differing SCSI node values.

My thought was that I could use both on the VaxStation and use them to
duplicate some tapes that are save_set(s).  Apparently it cannot be done
on the VS.  Either unit is recognized when connected alone, but when both
are connected the FA is always recognized as MUA0 and the GA is ignored.
Does anyone have an explanation for this, or am I just doing it wrong?

Assuming failure on the two tape approach, how might I make the duplicate
tape(s) without wiping out the contents of my hard disk?  It is at the
moment fairly lightly loaded and may hold the save_set.  The HD is an RD54
by the way and I am running VMS 5.5.

Thanks!
						 - don 