Slightly OT: What to do with a DEC 3000/300?

From: Jan Koller <vze2mnvr_at_verizon.net>
Date: Sun Oct 14 00:41:23 2001

> machine - that's as far as I got, mainly due to that blasted 8-plane
> framebuffer. None of the text editors that I can find work right - they
> can't figure out how to run the terminal "text-mode"... so I can't modify
> the config files to try to get DECWindows running, which makes it
> impossible to read my dox, because they're only on CD-ROM -- it's a vicious
> cycle... :-(



So I hate to ask the obvious, but why didn't you just change
the frame buffer to one that would work with your applications?




Roger Merchberger wrote:
>
> I *think* these are slightly newer than the 10-year rule, but they're a
> rather "odd" machine, so I'll post anyway...
>
> I just purchased a "new" computer for my wife (Compaq 300Mhz PentiumII
> dual-processor server -- $50 USD - can't complain -- she needs to run
> office software now, so it'll be staroffice & linux)......
>
> Anywho, I now have a "spare" DEC Model 3000/300, 150Mhz Alpha 21064 (or 66,
> can't remember now), 64Meg RAM, (2) 2-Gig DEC (barracuda) drives, 19"
> monitor, 2Meg framebuffer, TurboChannel slots, etc. etc.
>
> This machine will not (easily) run anything but Tru64 Unix or
> OpenVMS/Alpha... primarily due to it's TurboChannel architecture.
>
> My wife was using Tru64 Unix V.5.0 - it was easiest to set up, had
> Nutscrape preinstalled, and with my extensive Linux/Solaris background,
> made it a relative cakewalk to set up & maintain... but Emacs & sc *aren't*
> office software... I had installed OpenVMS/Alpha V7.2 on the machine, but I
> had problems with the dual-booting, due to boot flags that there was no way
> I could get my wife to remember... (She's a "click here", "mouse there"
> kinda person. She's not a geek, that's why she married *me*... ;-) so I
> deep-sixed the VMS install (which never did work outside of single-user
> mode) on that box.
>
> I've *wanted* to learn VMS, but my current VAX makes it difficult, mainly
> because it's "Beefed" to the max -- VaxStation 3100/m38, 32Meg RAM, 1Gig
> HD, VMS 7.1 (full distro - like 11 CD's) 2Meg 8-plane framebuffer & 17"
> monitor. I have successfully installed & hobby licensed VMS 7.1 on the
> machine - that's as far as I got, mainly due to that blasted 8-plane
> framebuffer. None of the text editors that I can find work right - they
> can't figure out how to run the terminal "text-mode"... so I can't modify
> the config files to try to get DECWindows running, which makes it
> impossible to read my dox, because they're only on CD-ROM -- it's a vicious
> cycle... :-(
>
> I also have a distro of Ultrix/VMS for that box, and had gotten that
> running well, but 1) was dog-slow, and 2) I don't really need YAUB (Yet
> Another Unix Box) -- I wanted VMS!
>
> Anyway, I've heard that 64Meg RAM was awfully tight to run VMS on an Alpha,
> but is it still faster than Tru64 Unix? (The machine was no screamer, but
> it was still faster than my wife... ;-) Or should I just sell it to someone
> willing to give it a good home? (I have too many computers now - and I'm
> trying to purchase a [smaller] house so may be moving soon... I *need* to
> consolidate my collection & am downsizing machines which I will never have
> time to tinker with...)
>
> Advice?? Ideas?? Thanks!!
>
> Roger "Merch" Merchberger
Received on Sun Oct 14 2001 - 00:41:23 BST