HECnet December 2013

hecnet@lists.dfupdate.se

25 participants
128 discussions

by gregg.drwho8＠gmail.com

Hello! Do what I do when I get confronted by a very unhappy system. Examine all of the steps you followed to get that far. And remember, the system you are looking at has a reason for being unhappy, and it probably isn't yourself. ----- Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8 at gmail.com "This signature fought the Time Wars, time and again." On Mon, Dec 30, 2013 at 8:53 PM, Dave McGuire <mcguire at neurotica.com> wrote: On 12/27/2013 04:16 AM, goran ahling wrote: As I remember the SYSGEN/NETGEN task, the controller intended for DECnet should NOT be taken into SYSGEN at all, but later, at the totally separate task of performing NETGEN once Your OS. is up and running, it should be included there. So, no need to redo your SYSGEN when playing with different Ethernet cards. Ahh, excellent. Thank you. I've run into a snag, though. I'm trying to allow sysgen to autoconfigure the hardware via ACF, and it hangs on my 11/24 system. I've tried with both 4.3 and 4.6. Thinking it might have something to do with my recently-installed and untested DELUA, I removed it, but I get the same result. So I completed sysgens via manual hardware configuration entry, both with and without the DELUA. Both sysgen runs completed successfully, but the system hangs when I try to boot the new executive. The hardware is, as far as I can tell, otherwise fine. I built the system up from parts a few weeks ago, and have exercised it with RT-11. Everything seems ok. The baseline RSX system boots just fine. I've set up an identically-configured instance of simh, and run through the same process on that, and it works. My next step is to pull it out of the rack and triple check things like the memory boards' CSRs and such, etc., but I thought I'd ask here first. I last ran an RSX sysgen almost thirty years ago, and I barely remember it at all...but I'm certain nothing like this happened. That was on an 11/34 with RL01s, RL02s, and RK07s. Any thoughts? -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

12 years, 1 month

two dumb RSX questions

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

On 12/27/2013 04:16 AM, goran ahling wrote: As I remember the SYSGEN/NETGEN task, the controller intended for DECnet should NOT be taken into SYSGEN at all, but later, at the totally separate task of performing NETGEN once Your OS. is up and running, it should be included there. So, no need to redo your SYSGEN when playing with different Ethernet cards. Ahh, excellent. Thank you. I've run into a snag, though. I'm trying to allow sysgen to autoconfigure the hardware via ACF, and it hangs on my 11/24 system. I've tried with both 4.3 and 4.6. Thinking it might have something to do with my recently-installed and untested DELUA, I removed it, but I get the same result. So I completed sysgens via manual hardware configuration entry, both with and without the DELUA. Both sysgen runs completed successfully, but the system hangs when I try to boot the new executive. The hardware is, as far as I can tell, otherwise fine. I built the system up from parts a few weeks ago, and have exercised it with RT-11. Everything seems ok. The baseline RSX system boots just fine. I've set up an identically-configured instance of simh, and run through the same process on that, and it works. My next step is to pull it out of the rack and triple check things like the memory boards' CSRs and such, etc., but I thought I'd ask here first. I last ran an RSX sysgen almost thirty years ago, and I barely remember it at all...but I'm certain nothing like this happened. That was on an 11/34 with RL01s, RL02s, and RK07s. Any thoughts? -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

12 years, 1 month

anyone have a physical 9 track tape drive still working?

by mcguire＠neurotica.com

On 12/30/2013 11:29 AM, lee.gleason at comcast.net wrote: It's my month for trying to read old media. I've been going through my collection to try and eliminate bulky things I won't be using. I came across around 10 reel to reel mag tapes from RSX and VMS, from my early DEC career, that I would like to see about getting copied to SIMH tape format. If a stack of 9-track tapes is "bulky" to you, you would HATE my place. ;) Does anyone on the list here in the US still have a working 9 track tape drive on their systems, that would be willing to convert these at a hobbyist-friendly price? I dimly recall that these tapes would be 1600 BPI. I have several functional 9-track drives here, though none are hooked up at the moment due to a physical reorganization in-progress here. I expect to have one up and running in the next week or so, though, and can certainly help you out. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

12 years, 1 month

anyone have a physical 9 track tape drive still working?

by roll＠Stupi.SE

On 2013-12-30 17:29, lee.gleason at comcast.net wrote: It's my month for trying to read old media. I've been going through my collection to try and eliminate bulky things I won't be using. I came across around 10 reel to reel mag tapes from RSX and VMS, from my early DEC career, that I would like to see about getting copied to SIMH tape format. Does anyone on the list here in the US still have a working 9 track tape drive on their systems, that would be willing to convert these at a hobbyist-friendly price? I dimly recall that these tapes would be 1600 BPI. I bet there are some. But in case noone turns up, and you have plenty of time, it could be solved this summer in Sweden... Johnny I have one in Sunnyvale.... -P

12 years, 1 month

anyone have a physical 9 track tape drive still working?

by bqt＠softjar.se

12 years, 1 month

anyone have a physical 9 track tape drive still working?

by lee.gleason＠comcast.net

It's my month for trying to read old media. I've been going through my collection to try and eliminate bulky things I won't be using. I came across around 10 reel to reel mag tapes from RSX and VMS, from my early DEC career, that I would like to see about getting copied to SIMH tape format. Does anyone on the list here in the US still have a working 9 track tape drive on their systems, that would be willing to convert these at a hobbyist-friendly price? I dimly recall that these tapes would be 1600 BPI. -- Lee K. Gleason N5ZMR Control-G Consultants lee.gleason at comcast.net

12 years, 1 month

Re: LA120 PSU fault (fwd)

by clemc＠ccc.com

I believe that the prints for the H7150 are in the Field Maintenance Print Set Manx DECwriter III LA120 Operator Reference Card, 1978 LA120 Technical Manual, January, 1980 LA120 User Guide, May, 1984 LA120 Field Maintenance Print Set, October, 1979 On Sat, Dec 28, 2013 at 2:15 PM, Cory Smelosky <b4 at gewt.net> wrote: Afternoon, I've managed to acquire an LA120! Woohoo! However, it had some issues...as was discussed when I got it. ;) I've replaced the blown fuse, the there is continuity for the pico fuse on the PSU...but I have no idea if that indicates it works or not. The only thing that runs is the fan. What are some test points I can try? Also...what is the value for the picofuse? I have 125V 1.5A fuses...but I think it needs higher current. I tested to see which voltages are preset: +5 -12 -24. No +12 or +24. Anyone have full schematics for the H7110 PSU, or know enough about it to help me debug this one? Alternatively, I can get an H7150 for $95 on ebay. Can an H7150 be tossed in an LA120-AA? -- Cory Smelosky http://gewt.net Personal stuff http://gimme-sympathy.org Projects

12 years, 1 month

Re: LA120 PSU fault (fwd)

by b4＠gewt.net

Afternoon, I've managed to acquire an LA120! Woohoo! However, it had some issues...as was discussed when I got it. ;) I've replaced the blown fuse, the there is continuity for the pico fuse on the PSU...but I have no idea if that indicates it works or not. The only thing that runs is the fan. What are some test points I can try? Also...what is the value for the picofuse? I have 125V 1.5A fuses...but I think it needs higher current. I tested to see which voltages are preset: +5 -12 -24. No +12 or +24. Anyone have full schematics for the H7110 PSU, or know enough about it to help me debug this one? Alternatively, I can get an H7150 for $95 on ebay. Can an H7150 be tossed in an LA120-AA? -- Cory Smelosky http://gewt.net Personal stuff http://gimme-sympathy.org Projects

12 years, 1 month

VT320 issues

by bqt＠softjar.se

On 2013-12-28 00:45, G ran hling wrote: On 2013-12-25 16:59, Johnny Billquist wrote: On 2013-12-25 14:44, Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman- wrote: Johnny Billquist <bqt at softjar.se> writes: On 2013-12-25 03:36, Dave McGuire wrote: On 12/24/2013 09:35 PM, Johnny Billquist wrote: I have had a whole bunch of VT320 give up on me over the years. It's always been the flyback... I think there might even be some info on the net about it. And I think I've heard of people locating a source for new flybacks. Oh really? That would be great...I have at least two with dead flybacks. *Heard of*. I have not ever fixed any myself. I'm running on VT525 nowadays. Also have some VT420, VT510 and VT520... At least you don't have to worry too much about the VT525. Almost any VGA monitor could be used with its base unit. Yup. Really nice design there. Have LCD monitors for them. Well, I have got one also. When I had it connected to a "generic" LCD, I didn't enjoy the font... When I , for testing purpouse, was writing a full line of $-signs, I found out what was the problem;I got a cyclic pattern like $$$$$$$SSSS$$$$$$$$SSSSSS .... The horizontal adjustment of resolution vs. speed rendered this problem that made alla characters to lose some column of dots at some places of the screen, but not at other... I nowdays have this excellent terminal connected to a traditional "Trinitron" fat screen, where it comes to its best! If you haven't realized it yet, it (obviously) depends on your LCD monitor. They are not all the same resolution, and when they convert, it sometimes sucks. With the right LCD, it works great. I have tried several, and with some of them, I got the same result you did. A bit more difficult to locate good keyboards, though. Have plenty of LK201 and similar, but the LK401 (or was it LK421?) are a bit more scarce. I did buy one new produced keyboard made by the company that aquired production equipement when DEC stoped its production (that really never was "in-house"). Works fine and has prpoer key-layout. I might be able to find links etc at the bottom of my mail-box if you can't get Google to find the source... Boundless technology. But I think they were made in house by DEC originally. But DEC sold its terminal business in the great general sale, when they sold off almost everything. Boundless acquired the terminal business, and I think they still sell the VT525 new. Johnny

12 years, 1 month

VT320 issues

by ahling＠eadc.se

On 2013-12-25 16:59, Johnny Billquist wrote: On 2013-12-25 14:44, Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman- wrote: Johnny Billquist <bqt at softjar.se> writes: On 2013-12-25 03:36, Dave McGuire wrote: On 12/24/2013 09:35 PM, Johnny Billquist wrote: I have had a whole bunch of VT320 give up on me over the years. It's always been the flyback... I think there might even be some info on the net about it. And I think I've heard of people locating a source for new flybacks. Oh really? That would be great...I have at least two with dead flybacks. *Heard of*. I have not ever fixed any myself. I'm running on VT525 nowadays. Also have some VT420, VT510 and VT520... At least you don't have to worry too much about the VT525. Almost any VGA monitor could be used with its base unit. Yup. Really nice design there. Have LCD monitors for them. Well, I have got one also. When I had it connected to a "generic" LCD, I didn't enjoy the font... When I , for testing purpouse, was writing a full line of $-signs, I found out what was the problem;I got a cyclic pattern like $$$$$$$SSSS$$$$$$$$SSSSSS .... The horizontal adjustment of resolution vs. speed rendered this problem that made alla characters to lose some column of dots at some places of the screen, but not at other... I nowdays have this excellent terminal connected to a traditional "Trinitron" fat screen, where it comes to its best! A bit more difficult to locate good keyboards, though. Have plenty of LK201 and similar, but the LK401 (or was it LK421?) are a bit more scarce. I did buy one new produced keyboard made by the company that aquired production equipement when DEC stoped its production (that really never was "in-house"). Works fine and has prpoer key-layout. I might be able to find links etc at the bottom of my mail-box if you can't get Google to find the source... Johnny G ran SM6NNC

12 years, 1 month

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HECnet December 2013