xxdp RL02?

[Pete Turnbull]

On Mar 27 2006, 19:00, Jay West wrote:

> I'm just shocked diags seem to receive such short shrift at DEC. I
guess it
> makes me feel quite fortunate that for HP 2100 & 21MX we have a
complete set
> of full source listings that exactly match diag documentation that
exactly
> match the code version on the media. I've refered to that code many
times.
> Hopefully someday a late full library of DEC diags will be unearthed
with
> matching source & docs.

Actually DEC took a lot of care over diagnostics.  All systems were
sold with comprehensive relevant diagnostic media, normally accompanied
by the listings.  In the early days the listings were on paper, but
later on microfiche.  Furthermore, DEC maintained those diagnostics
carefully, and there were regular revisions and patches when necessary
which were sent out to customers who had maintainance contracts.  I
don't know about the paper listings, but microfiche was certainly sent
out (inserting the updates used to be one of my jobs).  In fact,
there's the problem -- when you do find listings, which have often been
separated from the machine and media they originally were meant to be
with, they may be for a different revision or patch level.  The code
will be close, and the listings may be useful, but may not be quite the
same.  Paper listings in particular will usually be for older versions
of the diagnostics, and many diags came along late enough that the
listings were only on microfiche.

A full set of PDP-11 microfiche diagnostics listings, such as might
have been held by a Field Service office, reseller, or a third party
maintainer, is one whole microfiche box, some 14" deep.  There would
normally be another box beside that with the hardware documentation:
manuals, engineering drawings, parts lists, illustrated parts
breakdown, field and engineering change orders, etc.

-- 
Pete						Peter Turnbull
						Network Manager
						University of York