getting started with your new HP 21xx

Mon Jan 8 13:17:32 CST 2007

It just dawned on me something that might be helpful... a quick list of the 
most relevant documents to look at first when you get your first HP 21xx 
box. Fortunately, Al at bitsavers has made a concerted effort to put up docs 
for these boxes, there's a lot of good info there - probably everything 
you'd ever need. Here are the manuals I'd suggest getting first....

For the hardware.....

If you read nothing else, here's the one to read even for folks just curious 
what these boxes are. Very short (50 pages), quick read, but informative:
Whoops... wow, apparently there's no 21MX E or 21MX F short user guide on 
bitsavers. Wierd! So there's no step by step tutorial on how to use the 
front panel, etc. My best suggestion - skim the 2100A user guide. The front 
panel is much different, but the instruction set (a subset), I/O 
architecture, etc. is pretty much the same. The main difference to keep in 
mind... the MX's have a store button. Use it :) 2100's autostore if you incM 
or decM or select a different register (select the register you're already 
viewing to revert contents). The 2100 doesn't have loader roms cause it's 
core (so MX's have a IBL button to load a given rom into upper ram). I need 
to get Al a 21MX E or F short user guide to put up on bitsavers, that's a 
big omission. The 2100 variant is here:
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/21xx/02100-90001_2100refManDec71.pdf this will 
get you the basics of your machine.

Next essential reading to learn about setting up & configuring your 
machine...
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/1000/12992-90001_loaderRomsApr86.pdf describes 
what loader roms are, what they do, how to install them, including source 
code listings. Essential for learning all about booting your machine.
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/1000/12791-90001_fwInstRef_Feb86.pdf describes 
what firmware exists, what boards exist for you to install firmware in to, 
and how to do so. Includes not just firmware options, but base set firmware 
as well. You'll need this, it's the second thing to check if your machine 
doesn't boot.
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/1000/5955-4310_stdPerfMem_Apr79.pdf describes 
the different memory boards & controllers & accesories, how to 
configure/jumper them and how to install them. Standard Performance memory 
only. One of the first things to check and change.
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/1000/5955-4311_highPerfMem_Dec83.pdf same as 
above, but for High Performance memory.

For any interface boards in the rear of the computer, see the manuals here:
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/21xx/interfaces/

Now... the heavy duty everything you could possibly need in the future 
definitive reference....
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/1000/1000_MEF_EngrRef/

For diagnostics:
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/1000/Diagnostics/02100-90157_Oct-1980.pdf This 
is the diagnostic configurator manual. It's the program used to load all 
other diagnostics. Learn this one well. Note - older diagnostics exist that 
are standalone. Some (not all) standalones CAN run under the diagnostic 
configurator. I'd suggest just learning the configurator and sticking to the 
diagnostics which run under it (all are available).
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/1000/Diagnostics/ is the main directory of 
diagnostic manuals. Each diagnostic has it's own manual.

Note: HP diagnostics are (apparently) unlike DEC diagnostics for the 11/45 
(my own experience, not neccessarily universal fact). The HP diagnostics 
work, and work well/right/AsDocumented. They are extremely thorough. They 
ARE the best and recommended test for if a given card is working properly 
before proceeding to attempt running anything else. If a card doesn't pass 
diags, DONT bother trying to use an OS/application to test it. If the card 
doesn't seem to work with the application, the diags ARE the best way to 
troubleshoot. They often tell you what section (or chip) on a card is 
suspect. The diag manuals on bitsavers aren't the complete set, nor the 
latest set. I have been working for some time on putting together a CD that 
contains the entire latest (last) diagnostic library for HP1000 stuff, 
including all manuals, source code, object code, and assembler output 
listings (with memory addresses). That will fix the above lack of info :)

Once you have general 2100/21MX knowledge under your belt from the above, if 
there is just one manual you should keep handy... it's the ce handbook. It's 
a quick-reference cheat sheet on most of the above manuals. At least in the 
CE handbooks I have, little attempt is made to explain anything. It's just 
quick reference for jumpers, installation, etc. Note that it also includes 
quick reference information for many operating systems & software. The link 
is:
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/1000/5950-3767_M-E-F_CEhbk_Jul84.pdf

For operating systems:

TSB:
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/2000TSB/ contains the starting point for the 
documentation you'll need/want.

RTE:
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/1000/RTE-IV/
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/1000/RTE-IVB/
http://bitsavers.vt100.net/hp/1000/RTE-6VM/

HP-IPL/OS:
http://www.infionline.net/~wtnewton/oldcomp/hp2100/

Hope this all helps!

Jay West