The bit I am confused about is that I got a console prompt with just the CPU
(M7133) and Unibus Map Module (M7134) installed. Presumably I could type in a
bootstrap program from there?
Sure, that's just normal ODT if I recall. On my 5.25 inch 11/24 I have
the CPU, MMU, a 1mb memory card, H7273s in the other slots on the way
down, a RL11, a RX21, and a terminator (I forget if it's a 9302 or 9312).
C
Regards
Rob
From: Bill Degnan <billdeg...@gmail.com>
Sent: 19 February 2022 08:29
To: r...@jarratt.me.uk; Rob Jarratt <robert.jarr...@ntlworld.com>; General
Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk@classiccmp.org>
Subject: Re: Is The M9312 Boot Module Essential?
You need some way to initialize the system to the peripheral that contains
the.OS media. The m9312 is a general purpose co ntroller for that purpose.
There are roms that install on the 9312 for almost any drive hardware. When
you get a system that comes with an M9312, it will have the appropriate
peripheral Rom and console ROM installed from the factory. The M9312 also had
a console ROM monitor to allow a person to attach a terminal to enter bootstrap
commands.
But yes the *function* provided by the m9312 is necessary.
Alternatively you can key in the bootstrap that tells your system how to boot
your OS and communicate with your boot device.
The m9312 is less useful without at least a console ROM
Where are you located? Maybe someone nearby has in you could borrow just to
see what you need.
Bill.
On Sat, Feb 19, 2022, 2:12 AM Rob Jarratt via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org
<mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org> > wrote:
I have a PDP-11/24. I have never got very far with it because of power
supply problems which I am hopeful will be resolved soon. Looking at the
technical manual, it describes an M9312 bootstrap/terminator module. The
machine did not come with one of these.
I am not sure how the machine could have been useful without it. It did work
briefly before the PSU failed and I remember getting a console prompt. So,
is the M9312 essential to ever get this machine to boot up an operating
system?
Thanks
Rob
