interesting, interesting.

From: Chuck McManis <cmcmanis_at_mcmanis.com>
Date: Sat Feb 27 20:35:09 1999

More uVaxen bits...

So I finally got all my wires correct in the serial connector and now get
the following dialog:

    KA630-A.V1.3

    Performing normal system tests.

      7..6..5..4..3..

    Tests completed.


>>>

Pretty cool. However on the NetBSD/VAX faq they suggest typing 'test 50' to
get the ethernet address, if I type that it just says "Failure" does the
port need to be connected to a network?

So it turns out the _both_ systems had the Sigma Information System ESDI
controller in them (not too suprising because they came from the same
source) which everyone says "Ohhh, that's a nice controller." which warms
my heart, but I _need_ docs. Another reader said that you can plug into the
10 pin port on the board and do some cool stuff like low level format etc
etc. But I've not tried that until I get an ESDI disk.

I've done lots of searches on the net for ESDI, Q-Bus, Sigma information
systems, etc but no luck! I presume they've gone Tango Uniform.

But that brings up another issue, I need a mounting "sled" for the disk.
Preferably two sleds, (one for each disk). Anyone have any spares?
Presumably I can kludge something in a pinch (or use the bottom bay which
has a "floor" anyway.

I did get donated a complete set of VMS documentation (5.4) but I don't
have _any_ hardware documentation, again if you have said docs perhaps we
can work out some sort of trade.

Given the "mini-PDP-8 surge/hunt" that appears to be going on I expect this
thing to be in hot demand in 10 years :-)

What was the "standard" console terminal used with these in 1985? VT100?
VT220? something else?

On the tape drive in the BA123, it has a plain black front with a button
and two LEDs, one orange and one green. TK50? Where could I get media for
it? What does it look like?

Thanks for all the help everyone, this is what makes this hobby fun.

--Chuck
Received on Sat Feb 27 1999 - 20:35:09 GMT