🚀 go-pugleaf

tls@panix.com (Thor Lancelot Simon) writes:

>Having just picked up an 11/750, I find that I can't boot the thing without
>some kind of tape drive.  I'm using a repaired RA-80 for disk, but right now
>I think it's got /usr from a 4.3BSD system on it.  I've got tapes and a license
>for BSD, but no tape drive to boot from, since the Massbus TE-16 I was initially
>going to get with the VAX turned out to be a bit too big to come along.  I'd
>really like one of the tape drives that are about the same size as a storage
>cabinet.  I think I've seen a TU-78 in this configuration, and I'm sure I've
>seen the TU-81, but anything reasonably small that I can read the 1600bpi
>BSD reels on would be appreciated.  I do have a TS03, but the 600' limitation
>on reel length causes some not insignificant problems.  If anybody in the NY
>area (NJ or CT would be fine, too!) has something appropriate that they're
>looking to sell, I'd love to hear from him.  I'm also looking for a DMF32 to
>replace the one I've got, which was fried when a "friend" plugged it into my
>11/44, *backwards*.  (To add insult to injury...)  I've no idea what these
>cost these days, though.  If anyone has one of those (actually, a DMZ would be
>real nice, too, but I've never met one.  Were they very rare?) I'm sure we
>can work something out about cost, shipping, etc.

>Finally, I have a few questions.  I know almost nothing about Massbus.  Do I need to terminate the Massbus port on the back of the CPU chassis?  If so, could I
>just unplug the connectors from the back of the backplane instead?  Second question -- I've got a feeling that someone may have played switcheroo with the
>CPU cards.  What order should they go in in a 750?  Lastly, are there any
>Unibus serial boards that will go >=38400bps?  I thought I remembered that the
>DMF would, but the BSD drivers don't seem to think so, and the manual for it
>doesn't mention anything over 19200bps, either.


>Thanks!

Your best bet for a cheap and relatively inexpensive and small tape
drive is a TU80 and its associated UNIBUS controller, however you
WILL NOT be able to boot from it.  The problem is that you have an 11/750
which is a bit odd in terms of console operations as it does not
have a seperate dedicated console  processor like the 11/730 and 11/78X
did (and many models of the 8000 family).  The 11/750 has a BOOT PROM
which has specific boot code for certain (as i remember it 4, front
panel selector positions A-D or somesuch).  On the 11/750 you really
can only boot disks or the internal TU58 catridge.  Rl02s were popular
software distribution points!  Hey, they are cheap.

I have a DMF32 that works (actually 2) that I can sell to you for real
cheap, contact me at this email address if you are interested.

Advice? Get a uVAX II instead, the processor is only around $250
these days, it is MUCH more flexable and faster than the 11/750 and
consumes MUCH less power.  You can also have bootable tape devices.
I ditched my 11/730 (actually is is still busy holding the basement floor
down in the basement :-) ) for my new system.
-- 
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Michael F. Santangelo                 + Internet: mike@socrates.umd.edu
Computer & Network Systems Admin      +           mike@cbl.umd.edu
CBL / CEES (Solomons Island)          +           mike@kavishar.umd.edu