RL02 Help

From: John Lawson <jpl15_at_netcom.com>
Date: Thu Jun 10 01:39:11 1999

  Thanks to all who have been of great assistance so far.

  I have two RL11 cards, one RL11 -> RL02 cable and connectors, and
nine (9) RL02 drives.

  Tonite, in the 11/44, I have tried unsuccessfully to get an RL02 to
at least function properly.

  I have an RL01 installation and operator's guide, and the RL01/02
Pocket Service Guide (in case the pocket in the drive goes bad...)

 I have tried both cards... the machine seems to be happy, and the
Emulex 1/2" card in the next SPC slot makes the Kennedy do it's
thing, with either RL11 card in the system.

 I have traced, by hand, the cables from the RL11 Berg to the RL02
cable transition header, and unless I'm missing something really
subtle.. it looks like the book sez it should look.

  I have tested the power supplies of both the RL0s I have currently
in the rack. Voltages are in spec.

  I do not have sufficient Unibus card extenders to test a hex-height
module up out of the frame. [NOTE: Will be very happy to buy one more
dual-height extender, or a complete hex one.]

  Both drives act like there is no clock coming from the RL11.. the
Fault and Ready lights are on and the drive does not spin up when
the Load button is pushed. If I open the drive and jumper the
appropriate points, the spindle does come up to speed, tho the heads
never extend.

  Before I get into a long, frustrating troubleshooting session, I
would like some possible opinions from perhaps someone who has more
experience with the RL02 system than I do. These units were
originally connected to my 11/34, and they *used* to work there,
however I have never had them run successfully here at home.

   The Deal:

  If someone (Tim? Allison? Megan?) would be interested, I have a
toll-free 888 number (for my home business)... maybe on a weekend
we could do a little phone consulting while I have access to the
running system. I have plenty o' test gear, lots of disk packs,
etc.

  I want to *use* the System, not spend the rest of my life endlessly
repairing and debugging it. I keep complex electronic systems running
all day, many times under 'cannot fail' conditions.... when I
finally have a bit of time for playing with the DECs, the thrill of
the hunt has been, well, used up... so to speak.

  I am perfectly willing to cover any charges/expenses/consulting
fees involved in trying to get this going... whether or not the
diagnostic session(s) result in a working subsystem... at least it
might point me down the right road.

 Any interest? OR: anybody in SoCal wanna come over and play on a
weekend? I **really** want to get this off the ground.

  Then.... RX02s. ThenThen... RK05s....

  But I digress.

 
Cheers and Thanks once again to all who have offered help so far..


  John
Received on Thu Jun 10 1999 - 01:39:11 BST