This is a request to you archaeologist. We have a 9672-A14, running VM/ESA 2.4, that was originally supposed to die in 2001. It is still alive, but not feeling too well. The big problem is our 3274 (you read right) controllers. The 3174s are gone, but we need something when/if we have to IPL. We have two 3274s, neither in good shape. IBM has announced that they will no longer give us a service contract on them, but the machine will probably have to work after that date.
We are looking for an alternate way to IPL the system. We have been unable to do so using the hardware management console. Either we don't know how, or we are too far out of date for it to work. We were told by an IBM expert, that it does can not work on our system. It looks like we have to buy an old controller of some kind -- 2074, 3174, 3274, or engage in prayer that the electricity to the 3274s does not go down. Even without having to power them up, we have had one instance of a controller stopping working. I would appreciate any ideas of how to proceed. I also have a related question. Our SYSTEM CONFIG file contains: Operator_Consoles 0320 321 9A0 9B0 SYSTEM_CONSole Emergency_Message_Consoles 0320 321 9A0 9B0 SYSTEM_CONSole Because of the problems with controllers the operator logged on to 321, not at IPL time. When we SHUTDOWN the system we had working terminals on 321 and 9A0, but got no message. When we tried to IPL, the system tried to use 320, and did not switch to 321 nor to 9A0. Was that because the controller for 320 and 321 was active?No real problem, because I changed to console address in the load parameter screen in the HMC, and was able to proceed, but I am interested in why it didn't work. As I said, a problem for archaeologists. (My real archaeologist daughter-in-law was unable to help.)
