19 Aug
2025
19 Aug
'25
12:30 p.m.
On 19/08/2025 10:36, md.benson(a)gmail.com wrote:
Hi,
It’s been a long while.
Slightly off-topic but this is the best DEC group I am still part of so here goes…
A friend and I might well be about to rescue a pair of VAX 4000/500 systems. We aren’t
sure how much we’ll be able to transport in one go but we have them earmarked at least.
Nice machines. They fit in most estate cars/SUVs or small vans.
Firstly are there any “gotchas” to look out for on
these fridge-sized absolute units? I know little aside from what I’ve read in the DEC
documentation so far.
I don't think so. I believe the batteries are well away
from any
circuits, so no problems there. The PSUs seem temperamental and can be
fun to fix.
The Ethernet connector "cheapernet" or "AUI" so a media converter may
be
needed to get to 10baseT..
The mains lead is the high-voltage version of the standard lead with a
notch. Normally known as a kettle lead in the uk, I believe the official
name is C15..
https://amzn.eu/d/9s3opbR
Secondly, I am aware these are DSSI based systems. We
aren’t sure if the owners will release the disks yet as they could insist on retaining
them for data destruction. If we lose them are we completely shanghai’d? Are there and
modern solutions for DSSI emulation around at non-stupendous (i.e. hobbyist) prices?
Yes this is the issue. Best solution is a QBUS SCSI card that supports
disks, but these are expensive, or external disks with a DSSI to SCSI. I
believe the HSD30 is one option.
If we need to net-boot them the what’s the skinny on that? I think you can do it using a
SimH VAX and some clustering magic IIRC?
you can do that but I would expect this to
be slow...
All help is greatly appreciated. If we get these I want to put a big effort into saving
them and getting them running. I will need a lot of help as I am not at all well versed in
VAX hardware.
If you can get the disks your main issue is likely to be licences
Thanks!
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Dave