On Sun, Jan 21, 2018 at 3:04 PM, Rob Jarratt via cctalk < [email protected]> wrote:
> > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: cctalk [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jules > > Richardson via cctalk > > Sent: 21 January 2018 19:26 > > To: xx Classiccmp mailing list <[email protected]> > > Subject: Microvax II 'primer'? > > > > > > So, I picked up (and I did just carry it into the house, and now I hurt) > a > Microvax > > II from another list member yesterday. Cosmetically it's a disaster > (BA123 > has a > > cracked top panel, broken wheels, missing front door, missing right-rear > panel) > > but internally it appears to be complete; board wise we have: > > > > M7606 - CPU > > M7608 - 4MB ram > > M9047 - grant continuity > > M7504 - DEQNA ethernet > > M3104 - DHV11 8-port serial > > M7555 - RQDX3 disk controller > > M7546 - TX50 controller > > > > ... it's got a TK50 and hard drive (no idea of capacity). > > > > Operational status is a complete unknown, and I have absolutely zero > > knowledge about these systems - so my question at this stage is what > > background reading I need to be doing in terms of pre-powerup* checks, > > actually hooking a console, if there's a suggested minimal config I can > use to > > diag the CPU, and then (assuming it gets to that point) how to actually > use the > > thing (I'm assuming it was running VMS rather than Ultrix, but I don't > know for > > sure). I'm wondering there aren't any handy tutorials out there, > alongside > > whatever DEC docs are recommended. > > > > * e.g. for most machines I'd be thinking in terms of pulling all > boards/drives, > > hooking up a dummy load to whatever PSU rails required it, and then at > least > > running the PSU up in isolation first, but I don't know to what extent > this > > machine requires some logic in place for the PSU to even run. > > > > cheers > > > > > You might find that the filter capacitor goes up in smoke soon after you > connect the PSU to the mains, even without powering it on. It doesn't > actually do any damage and the PSU will continue to work (assuming it is > just the filter capacitor). Check it, it is likely cracked and will soon > go. > If I remember correctly there are actually two of three of these (marked > "RIFA"), it is probably a good idea just to replace them before they go. > Otherwise it is certainly wise to check the PSU visually for any obviously > failed electrolytics. If you have one of the DEC load boards you could > connect the PSU to that as a dummy load. I don't think there is much in the > way of dependency on the CPU to run the PSU. > > Once you have the machine up and running the easiest thing to do is to boot > it over the DEQNA by setting up a cluster on SIMH and making your MicroVAX > II a satellite. I am not sure if 4MB is enough to do that though. Go with a > 5.x version of VMS as I believe later versions may not support the DEQNA. > The DEQNA is obsolete (even by Q-bus standards), troublesome <http://antinode.info/dec/deqna_settings.html#Troubles>, and not supported by VMS <http://antinode.info/dec/deqna_settings.html#VMS_Support> since about V5.4. A compatible card, the DELQA <http://antinode.info/dec/delqa_settings.html>, replaces the DEQNA. I was going to say VMS 4 is a better bet since 5 removed support, but looks like 5.4 is the last version with support. Though the MicroVAX is UP, so you might be better off with VMS 4 instead of VMS 5. Warner
