Vax 11/750 disks - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

18 Aug 2009

Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks at gmail.com> wrote:

...
  On Mon, Aug 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM, Pontus<pontus at
update.uu.se> wrote:
  I now have the 11/750 in my house (yay!), it was
"fun" to carry up the
 stairs.  
 That must be a new use of the word "fun" of which I was previously unaware. 
;-) 
Indeed. But I'm sure you actually know what kind of fun that is, Ethan. ;-)

...
   Now, I just
mounted the RA70 disks I got into their rack and dusted them
 off. They are mounted four in box similar to the RA90 and has a small
 front panel. I have only found the Pocket Reference Guide. So I'm
 wondering: does anyone have a manual?

 Alternatively, can anyone give me an introduction how to operate the
 front panel. Can I run diagnostics like on the RA90 ?  
 I, too, would appreciate any documentation pointers or especially
 "lessons learned" with RA7X drives.  My former SDI experience was all
 with RA81 drives (starting back when they were $24,000!) but I have a
 couple of RA70s that I'd love to use either in a BA123 with either a
 MicroVAX II or a KDJ11, or with my 8300/KDB50 or an 11/750/UDA50.
 ISTR there were "internal" SDI cables that weren't as sturdy for
 in-cabinet use.  I only have external, heavy, black, rubberized SDI
 cables.  A pointer to where to acquire light-weight SDI cables would
 be good to have. 
RA70 drives have switches so that you can set the unit number directly 
on the without having a front panel (look at the PCB).

"Internal" cables are just the cable from the controller, which is an 
unshielded cable, usually red. You normally connect that cable to a bulk 
head, but you can connect that one directly to a drive as well, if you 
want to.

That's what you usually have in a BA223(?).

Apart from that, RA7x drives are nice and easy. All except the RA70 must 
have a front panel to set the unit number, meaning they don't work as 
well directly in a BA cabinet.
You can connect one without a front panel, and it will be unit #0, but 
don't try connecting several this way.
There aren't any diagnostics you can run on the disks without a 
computer, as far as I know. There are some power-up diagnostics of 
course, but they are run without operator control.

	Johnny

-- 
Johnny Billquist                  || "I'm on a bus
                                   ||  on a psychedelic trip
email: bqt at softjar.se             ||  Reading murder books
pdp is alive!                     ||  tryin' to stay hip" - B. Idol