On Wed, 09 Mar 2016 20:29:56 +0100, Robert Jarratt <robert.jarr...@ntlworld.com> wrote:

You could run the 3200 by netbooting it from a SIMH instance of VMS. If the RD54 was formatted (and working!) then you could transfer VMS onto the disk from the boot node.

G'day Rob, thanks for the quick reply.

I've contemplated the SIMH/netboot option (was made aware of it a while ago), but I'm not even sure the 3200 can netboot; at least it does have a DELQA, so correct me if I'm wrong. In any case, I'd have to set up DECnet under Linux first.

To format the RD54 you would need to find a 2000 though, or at least borrow one. You should tell the list where you live as there might be someone close by who could help out.

The VS is located in Germany, but I'm currently working in Switzerland and won't get at the thing until my next vacation, probably sometime after Easter.

I know that Bernd Ulmann (alias VAXMAN!) has a VS2000 and is --more or less-- close by, but I haven't managed to schedule a visit (yet).

It might be though that the RD54 is formatted, worth trying once you netboot.

I checked out the RD54 on an old ST506/412 controller a few years back, and it did seek. Of course I couldn't read the format, so I can't tell what's on it. It definitely doesn't boot on the VS. Any other way to check for a format from the console?

As for the KA675, I don't know really, I suspect you would be into surface mount work, but with two boards you might be able to swap bits around to get a working board. Perhaps if you got a KFQSA or a KZQSA you could get this to work?

Yep, it's SMT, but replacing a 22 pin DIP shouldn't be a big deal with the right tools and a bit of practice. But the console diags don't indicate the faulty chip! :^(

The 4000 does have a KZQSA, and it boots from CD -- until it bails out with the async write error, which I assume has to do with the failed B-cache.

Thanks for the hints,

--GT



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