On Aug 19, 2025, at 6:30 AM, David Wade <dave.g4ugm@gmail.com> wrote:

On 19/08/2025 10:36, md.benson@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..

...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