Need RT-11 on RX02

From: Doc Shipley <doc_at_mdrconsult.com>
Date: Tue Feb 3 00:13:06 2004

On Feb 2, 2004, at 11:42 PM, Guy Sotomayor wrote:
> On Sun, 2004-02-01 at 22:52, Doc Shipley wrote:
>>
>> If I recall correctly, the RX02 is a 256-byte block. Maybe you
>> need
>> to add "ibs=256 obs=256" to the dd command.
>
> Yea, I had figured that out after I posted. I used:
> dd if=/dev/rrx2 of=/tmp/rt11.n bs=256
>
> Wouldn't ya know after I created a new tape on the 11, I go to read it
> on my PC and my SCSI 9-track tape drive has died. It won't power up.
> :-( I smelled something funny in my office when I got home today but
> couldn't quite figure it out (the drive was "on" but in standby). I
> guess I know what that smell was.

   Oh, man! I hate it when that happens!

   I gotta strip the RX02 I've been using. It squeals like a little
girl at power-up, and I want to catch that before it doesn't squeal
anymore....

> Go figure. A tape drive that is > 20 years old works great. A newer
> one (what are the dates on a TSZ07?) dies. I guess the old adage "They
> don't make 'em like they used to" still holds.

   I love my TU80. When it starts moving tape, I feel like I'm in the
Bat Cave or some stuff. The TZ07 just doesn't carry the same thrill.

>> Also, if you have a Linux or *BSD system you can attach to the
>> /45's
>> serial console, you can image the RT-11 diskettes straight to the PC
>> disk with vtserver's built-in "copy" function. I've used it to
>> duplicate a bootable BRUSYS floppy on the 11/84.
>
> That's how I got the original RL02 image onto the 11/45. I like tapes
> because then I don't have to move equipment around (and it's quite a
> bit
> faster than 9600bps over a serial line).

   That is a true fact. Loading 2.11BSD over a serial line was an
exercise in napping. :)


        Doc
Received on Tue Feb 03 2004 - 00:13:06 GMT