RT-11 on 8" media

From: Megan <mbg_at_world.std.com>
Date: Thu Oct 8 00:50:25 1998

>In a box of Stuff, I got 2 cartons of BASF 8".... one of which is
>marked "RT-11 V3 System DO NOT OVERWRITE!!!".

Congrats... been a while since I've seen one...

> All this absurd and useless detail aside... I am wondering if
>there is a 'Minimum Set' of files, which placed on a floppy(ies)
>would boot a PDP11... and, I am assuming, it would require Sysgenning?

It's been so long since I saw a V3 kit, I've forgotten whether it
was a version with split monitors and device handlers, or if the
monitor had to have the system device built in (and the table for
all other supported ones as well).

If the latter, than you'll probably need to locate a file with a
name of the form RXMNSJ.SYS (for RX01 MoNitor - Single Job). This
file, with SWAP.SYS and PIP.SAV and you should have enough to
start. You'll have to write the bootstrap on it, which, if I
remember correctly, was done with

        .R PIP
        *DX:A=DX:RXMNSJ.SYS/O
        *^C

(I don't think DCL was available yet... maybe CCL, but it is
clumsy).

If the former, then you'll need:
        SWAP.SYS
        RT11SJ.SYS
        DX.SYS
        PIP.SAV

(and the bootstrap, written as mentioned above).

> Is there available on the Web this info?

There is a faq - I've forgotten where it is located...

> Also, I have an 11/73 with RT-11SJ V5.0.... it has an 8" drive.
>What would I have to do to make a bootable minimal floppy on this
>machine? In other words how few files can one get away with to wake
>up a PDP11 with only an RX02 clone as it's mass storage?

By V5.0 time, the split monitors/handlers had been long accomplished,
and DCL was around, and PIP had been split, so you'll need the following:

        SWAP.SYS
        RT11SJ.SYS (or RT11FB.SYS or RT11XM.SYS)
        DX.SYS (or DX.SYS or DXX.SYS)
        (plus any other device drivers you want)
        DIR.SAV
        DUP.SAV
        PIP.SAV
        RESORC.SAV

And creating a bootable floopy is as simple as:

        COPY/BOOT DX0:RT11SJ.SYS DX0:
        (or substitute RT11FB or RT11XM)

                                        Megan Gentry
                                        Former RT-11 Developer

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Received on Thu Oct 08 1998 - 00:50:25 BST

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