See below...
On Wed, 2002-01-16 at 00:22, Ethan Dicks wrote:
> --- "Clint Wolff (VAX collector)" <vaxman_at_qwest.net> wrote:
> > PS If you do get a dump, I'd appreciate a copy. I'm archiving all the
> > TU58s I can find to CD-Rs...
>
[snip]
>
> That's one way to do it. You could also mount the "mini-DOS" computer in
> the 11/730 where you extracted the TU-58 from (depending on which style
> of VAX you have, it might or might not be easy. If I were going to do
> this (and I just might someday), I'd consider a Linux-based TU-58
> emulator, and stick a tiny 486 in the base of the rack with a serial
> cable going into the VAX (11/730 or 11/750), a spare serial cable
> going to either a port on the VAX or a terminal server or the like, as
> well as an ethernet connection to my LAN, so I could run a shell to
> monitor the TU-58 tape images - manipulate file names, create "blanks"
> for writing, that sort of thing. I'd also consider attaching a 4x20 LCD
> display to the parallel port or a spare serial port, a-la LCDproc, with
> a menu and a switch or two for easy "tape swapping". An old and slow
> laptop might also be a good option. Don't need much horsepower to
> flood a 38400 bps cable with bytes.
That's more or less what i have in mind. Especially since i now have a
spare old Compaq Contura, nice and small.
>
> > > BUT: How do i get the contents of the microcode tape of the tape, into
[snip]
> > > I mean, i have
> > > a original DEC tape, with serial number and all. I might even come up
> > > with a license document, if i search long enough...
>
> Do you have access to another VAX? I used to cut console tapes all the
> time for our 11/730 (k-panda when it was in the UUCP maps) - I still
> have it (and the tapes).
Yes, but only newer ones, nothing with a tu58.
>
> The tape from DEC was sub-optimized. I wrote a quick DCL script to
> write the files in optimal order and sped up boot time to under 3
> minutes. It was not an original idea, but it did work *great* (the
> microprocessor in the TU-58 caches the directory AFAIK, so if you ask
> for the next sequential file on the tape, it doesn't have to seek back
> to the front to locate it - you just spin the tape to read it).
Oh, yes, the original tape is just bloated. But under 3 Minutes? That
sounds impressing.
>
> > > Any help would be greatly welcomed. This old lady is just to beautifull
> > > to use it as an electric heater only...
>
> Did you ever get a tape for your machine (this is an old message, after
> all)? If not, this past weekend, I happened to run across the box with
> my old console tapes (which is why I'm writing now). Let me know the
> numbers off of your tape (since there are different revs of the stuff
> on the tape, and something on there might or might not be VMS-version
> dependent).
No, no tapes up to now.
My console tape reads:
BE-T173I-ME
TU58:34 VAX 11725/739 CONSOLE
(c) 1982,84
an was cut Jun21/84.
Unfortunately i do not know the exact VMS version installed on my
machine, because the only time got it booting i was so exited that
i spoiled my notes. Very un-scientific, i know.
But i think it is VMS 3.2, IIRC. Or 3.6, that's the label on my
"standalon backup"-tape.
>
> If you ever did get things running, I know it's possible to build new
> tapes from a running machine. I'd have to find my program on a backup
> tape; I know I don't have it handy, and that 11/730 is in storage.
Hmm, yes, i think i even have some documentation about this. I'll have
to look.
>
> -ethan
>
Again: Any help would be more than appreciated!
And, tell me what i can do for you!
cheers
ms
>
>
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--
Michael Schneider email: ms_at_vaxcluster.de
Germany http://www.vaxcluster.de
People disagree with me. I just ignore them.
(Linus Torvalds)
Received on Tue Jan 15 2002 - 18:14:59 GMT