uVAX II Memory Board

From: Jerome Fine <jhfine_at_idirect.com>
Date: Fri Feb 2 20:43:59 2001

>healyzh_at_aracnet.com wrote:

> > But, is there any way that a regular PDP-11/73 could see this memory
> > and use it in some manner?
> I really doubt it. It would probably be easier to build up a memory board
> from scratch. Unless I'm mistaken the MicroVAX II doesn't even talk to the
> Q-Bus to access this board, it's all done via the ribbon cable that connects
> the RAM to the CPU.

Jerome Fine replies:

I assumed that is the case since the uVAX II supports 16 MBytes while the
Qbus is only 22 bits which means the maximum is 4 MBytes. I was
just hoping (dreaming more like) that it might be possible to use a
simple controller to drive the board and use all 8 MBytes as a RAM disk.

> OTOH, if I'm wrong, I wouldn't mind knowing about it, I've got at least a
> couple of these boards around myself.

It would be amazing at that - a uVAX II memory board for a now no longer
available new computer (I hear that no more new VAXs are being sold whereas
it is still possible to buy a new PDP-11) being converted since there are so
many available for use as a RAM disk for the older PDP-11.

> > Otherwise...
> > I don't expect that anyone will want it, but if so, can I swap it for a regular
> > PDP-11 Qbus memory of 4 MBytes?
> Good luck :^)

Just thought that someone might have an old uVAX I with a 4 MByte memory
and I could probably toss in a uVAX II CPU as well. I probably have a better
chance of winning a lottery.

On a more serious note, just think of what those 8 MByte boards used to cost
when DEC first sold them - I guess that was not serious after all.

Sincerely yours,

Jerome Fine
Received on Fri Feb 02 2001 - 20:43:59 GMT