PDP-11/04 issues

From: Doc Shipley <doc_at_mdrconsult.com>
Date: Thu Jul 29 17:25:15 2004

   I have a new-to-me 11/04 in the kitchen, and I'm having some very odd
problems with it.

   Slot 1 - M7263 11/04 CPU
   Slot 2 - empty
   Slot 3, AB - M9301-YA
   Slot 3, c-F M7859 KY11-LB Console interface
   Slot 4, C-F M7856 SLU, switched for 9600bps, 8N1, 20mA C.L. console
   Slot 5-6 - G657/H228-B 64KW core assy.
   Slot 7-9, D - G727 grant continuity modules
   Slot 9, AB - M9302 Terminator

   In the "book" configuration, as above, it boots to zeroes on the
console LEDs with the RUN light and SR DISP lit. I can CLR the SR DISP,
but the only other response I get with the panel is by halting it
(CNTRL-HALT), which lights the BUS ERR light.

   On the other hand, if I remove the M9302, the system powers up to
000002. I can load and examine addresses from the console, deposit
code, etc. CNTRL-HALT increments the counter, and CTRL-BOOT brings up
the console emulator on the VT220. I can run L, E, D, and presumably S
commands from the console emulator. Since I don't have any mass storage
on it yet, that's as far as I've gone.

   Last, if I replace the M7263 with an M7266 and M7265 in slots 1 and 2
respectively, All the above applies excpt there's no terminal output.

   There's something decidedly un-kosher there, and I'm not catching on.
  It doesn't help that the processor handbook I have assumes MOS memory
and contradicts everything I can find on Teh Inturnet about board
placement. (It says something about CC that I'll try configurations
I've seen twice in the archives over DEC's own literature.)

   So, the questions:

   Is there a simple program (or set of) I can key in to test operation?
  I'm no programmer, so you'd need to tell me the expected result, too.

   Is this correct behavior? Running without a terminator seems very
wrong. (I've tried replacing the G727 cards with G7273 NPG cards, BTW)

   I keep seeing references to the DIP switch settings on the M9301
board, but I can't find a reference to tell me how they should be set.

   Are we having fun yet? ;-)

   Yes, this is my two weeks at home between travels, my wife is
visiting her mom in New England, and I'm catching up on Geek Time.
There are 3 PDP-11s, a new-to-me IBM 9348-012 9-track tabletop, several
terminals, laptops, and monitors, and an Amiga A3000 in the dining room
right now.

   *I'm* having fun.


        Doc
Received on Thu Jul 29 2004 - 17:25:15 BST