VAX 4000/300 start up / KA670 issues

[Aaron Jackson]

On 14 September 2020 at 00:17 BST, Aaron Jackson via cctalk wrote:

> Hi
>
> I've had a VAX 4000/300 sitting around for the past couple of years. The
> second time I tried to switch it on there was a bit pop from the power
> supply. The 12v module of the H7874 PSU is completely dead and despite
> my best efforts I have not been able to fix it.
>
> Tonight I decided to remove that module and just use the PSU to provide
> the 5v, with -12 and 12v supplied from external supplies. Surprisingly
> this worked, as long as the 12v rails are up before you turn on the
> H7874 (so if you have a dead H7874 you might want to try this...).
>
> After some messing around with MMJ cables and various serial adapters, I
> finally got some stuff printing to a terminal (I have abbreviated this
> slightly because I don't want to type it out.
>
> ]] KA670-A V3.4, VMB 2.12
> ]] Performing normal system tests.
> ]] 66..65.. ... 51..
> ]] 50..49.. ... 35..
> ]] 34..33.. ... 19..
> ]] 18..17.. ... 11..
> ]]
> ]] ?5F 2 0F 44 0000 0000 07     ; SUBTEST_5F_0D, DE_SGEC.LIS
> ]] P1=00000000 P2=00000000 P3=00000000 P4=00000000  P5=00000000
> ]] P6=00000000 P7=00000000 P8=00000000 P9=0000080A P10=00000003
> ]] r0=00000054 r1=20084001 r2=00000000 r3=00000000  r4=00000000
> ]] r5=1FFFFFFC r6=C0000001 r7=00000000 r8=00004000 EPC=00000000
> ]] 10..
> ]]
> ]] ?5C 2 06 FF 0000 0001 00     ; SUBTEST_5C_06, DE_SHAC.LIS
> ]] P1=00000001 P2=00000000 P3=00000000 P4=00000000  P5=00000000
> ]] P6=00000000 P7=00000000 P8=00000000 P9=0000080A P10=00000003
> ]] r0=00000054 r1=0000002E r2=0000005C r3=20140784  r4=2005FFF8
> ]] r5=20060028 r6=20065224 r7=20004000 r8=00000000 EPC=00000000
> ]] 09..08..07..05..04..03..
> ]] Normal operation not possible.
> ]]
> ]] >>>
>
> It allows me to type at this point but does not appear to do anything
> with the input.
>
> I've looked through the KA670 manual and found a listing of the error
> codes.
>
> 5F = SGEC (Second Generation Ethernet Controller) "loopback_type
> no_ram_tests"
>
> 5C = SHAC (Single Host Adapter Chip) "shac_number"
>
> I'm not sure if it is relevant but I removed the TOY battery when I got
> it to prevent it eating everything. I've not taken apart the console
> door thing but perhaps it was too late. The SGEC might refer to the
> ethernet controller installed on that door?
>
> If anyone is better at understanding these error messages I'd greatly
> appreciate any info you could give.
>
> Cheers,
> Aaron
>

Never mind. I think these tests can be ignored, and I got rid of the
SHAC one by putting the terminator in the right place.

The VAX does respond to my keyboard input... when I have the terminal
set to the right serial config.

Need to figure out how to get it to boot from SCSI. It's picking up my
QBUS DHQ11 and DELQA cards fine.

I intend to replace the 12v module in the PSU with two small 12v 240v
boards and tap into the power coming into the PSU. This seems like a
reasonable approach given the nature of the H7874 PSU.

Very happy the machine seems to be working!

Aaron


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