MicroVax II

[Douglas Taylor]

On 7/29/2016 9:30 PM, Zane Healy wrote:
>> On Jul 29, 2016, at 6:08 PM, Douglas Taylor <dj.taylor4 at comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> I just got a MicroVax II in the BA123 world box chassis.  I has a TK50, RX50, RXDQ2, but no DEQNA.  I'd like to get it running an OS.
>>
>> The DU disks don't work, but I have a couple of Qbus SCSI controllers that might come in handy.
>>
>> Can you use those SD to SCSI convertors in this type of configuration?  Anyone have experience with this?
>>
>> What OS's can I use with this hardware?  NetBSD?  Are versions of VMS available?  How do you get an OS onto this system?
> The all around best choice would be VAX/VMS v5.5-2.  You can get Hobbyist licenses.  The OS was available as part of the Hobbyist program.  If you add a SCSI adapter, you can hopefully attach a CD.  IIRC, it will run up to either v7.2 or 7.3, at least I know I had v7.2 on a MicroVAX III (well, technically I still do, if it will boot).
>
> Ultrix would also be available.
>
> What I did though was I gave it a brain transplant, and converted mine to a PDP-11 once I got a better VAX.
>
> I need to invest in a couple of those SD adapters myself.  I’d really like to put one on one of my AlphaStation 200 4/233’s.  Hopefully they’ll still work.  It’s been years since I’ve done anything with my DEC HW. :-(
>
> Zane
>
>
>
I have a couple of Viking (TD Systems) scsi controllers which is what I 
am thinking of using.  I have some S-Box SCSI controllers then may come 
in handy.

I like the idea of VMS 5.5 just to restore the system back to its former 
glory.

Doug