New (old) SGI Indigo2

[James Rice]

On 6/20/06, Steven N. Hirsch <shirsch at adelphia.net> wrote:
> SGI makes what they're calling Irix 6.5.22m available for free download.
> It is in (3) tarballs containing a bunch of tardist files.
>
> First question is:
>
> Is it possible to do a bare-metal install of Irix over the network using
> these packages?  SGI manages to do a complete dance around the issue of
> whether this release is a maintenance ONLY (designed to drop over a
> previously installed system) or whether it can do a complete fresh install
> onto a bare hard drive.  If it cannot, would someone with the 6.5 Base CD
> set be neighborly and contact me off-list?

No you can't do a new install from this distribution.  You need the
6.5 base install first.  I'd make you a copy but all of my Sgi CD's
are in PODS in transit.

>
> Second question is:
>
> The unit came with the EISA "Extreme" graphics adaptor. When I connect it
> to my shop monitor with a 13W3 --> HD15 cable I get absolutely no display.
> Are these boxes like the Suns and Alphas where they default (or can be
> made to default) to a serial console under initial conditions?  If so, any
> pointers to the required null-modem wiring?  (The unit has Apple-type
> 8-pin mini-DIN serial ports).

http://techpubs.sgi.com/library/tpl/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi/hdwr/bks/SGI_EndUser/books/Indy_OwnerGd/sgi_html/apb.html

The cable is the same between the Indy and Indigo2.  Check out
http://techpubs.sgi.com for every doc ever published on the Indigo2.

>
> Any sage advice appreciated!
>
> Steve
>
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