Just getting started with a MicroVax 3400

From: Chuck McManis <cmcmanis_at_mcmanis.com>
Date: Sun Apr 1 15:57:13 2001

At 02:53 PM 4/1/01 -0500, Chad wrote:
>I did try that. I came up with 3 HDs, ethernet, and something else.
>I'll have to recheck it and right it down. ...
>... If a whole disk is missing, it must have been external, as all of my
>bays are used.

Interesting, notice the "ready" light on the disks, are they all on? This
it turns out is also a push button switch. When it is pressed in the disk
is made "on-line" and when it is out it is off line. You should get that
incredibly amusing DSSI 'seek calibration test' on all disks that are
enabled. Its possible you've just pushed one of the buttons and disabled a
disk VMS was hoping to use.

>I think I have 2 16s, and an 8. If I am thinking correctly, I have 3
>memory boards total

Ok, I've seen 5 port connector straps (allowing for 4 mem boards) but it
was on a custom box.

>I didn't think NetBSD supported the internal DSSI controller?

It doesn't (yet) however with a KFQSA in there you can run the disks and it
is supported or you can use a SCSI interface to external devices (or and
SDI interface to external devices)

>I thought I did, at first. That card I thought was SCSI is a serial
>card, I think. It has the same little double arrows on it as the
>console port, even if the connectors are centronics 50.

Yup, the CXY08. Nice serial card, easy to program, supported by NetBSD.

>Will it take anything special in a cdrom, or will anything scsi work? I
>have an old 4Plex stashed away some place.

The 4Plex should work fine on it, *if* you have a SCSI interface in there.

--CHuck
Received on Sun Apr 01 2001 - 15:57:13 BST