New to VAX (4000/200)

Thu May 1 21:42:01 CDT 2008

Glen Slick wrote:
> Curt,
>
> I also have a 4000-200.  There are faster desktop 3100 and 4000
> models, but I think it's kinda cool having the big Q-bus box to tinker
> with.
...

M7622-AT boards aren't
> too expensive on eBay at times, but then you have to pay for shipping
> too and that adds up.
>   
...

Yes, but would M7622-AE from Microvax III work in a VAX 4000/200
(my same size module is M7622-AT) ?????

> You don't have an ethernet board?  Look for a M3127-PA DESQA-SA or a
> M7516-PA  DELQA-S.  They can be cheap at times on eBay.
>   

I have a separate ethernet board (DEC) that came with it but wasn't in it.
Does the KA660 have on board ethernet, or no ?  (I didn't even think to
look)

> Don't know anything about a SI-SC 1000.  Power up the 4000-200 to the
>   
>>>> prompt and do a "SHOW QBUS" and "SHOW DEV".  That should help to
>>>>         
> figure out what address(es) the SI-SC 1000 is at and whether it is
> MSCP or TMSCP, or both.  If it is MSCP it might support booting from a
> SCSI CD-ROM.  You could also look for a M5967 KZQSA which will support
> booting from a SCSI CD-ROM.
>
> For the CXA16 and CXY08 you need breakout cable sets.  I forget what
> the part numbers for those cables are.
>
> An RF72 is 1GB, RF73 is 2GB, RF74 is ~4GB.  They might all work fine
> on a 4000-200 with VMS7.3.
>   

Anyone have any DSSI drives 1G or larger for me to expand my storage with
(cheap to free is best :-) ) ?

> A TF70 is a DSSI TK70.
>
>   
Does the 4000/200 support TF70 (if so, why did they ship it with a TK70
and TQK70
controller (presuming it was shipped with them... I don't actually know
that it was)) ?

Anyone have a TF70 (or other DSSI tape drive) (same cheap to free
requirement :-) ) ?

I'd like to max the memory... anyone have memory boards for a 4000/200 ?

Thanks,

-- Curt

> Have fun.  I'm sure you'll get lots of other helpful responses.
>
> -Glen
>
> On Tue, Apr 29, 2008 at 8:04 PM, Curtis H. Wilbar Jr.
> <rescue at hawkmountain.net> wrote:
>   
>> I am the 'proud' owner of a VAX 4000/200.
>>
>> I have not tried to do much with it yet, first I'll indicate it's config,
>> then my questions
>> (as I'm 'new' to VAX (I admin'd one for a bit 14 years ago... but I deferred
>> to several
>> folk on campus as I was new to admin'ing VMS and I didn't stay in the role
>> long enough
>> to really pick much up)).
>>
>> M9715-AA        VAX 4000 internal card (terminates DSSI and SCSI busses)
>> M7626-AA        KA660 CPU
>> M7622-AT        16M Memory
>> M7622-BF        8M Memory
>> M3108-PA        DSV11-S 2 Line Sync Comm
>> SI-SC 1000      System Industries SCSI card
>> M3118-YA        CXA16-M 16 Async Line
>> M3118-YA    CXA16-M 16 Async Line
>> M3119-YA     CXA08-M 8 Async Line
>> M3118-YA    CXA16-M 16 Async Line
>> M7559-00        TQK70 Tape controller
>>
>> are the cards present (from slot 0? (rightmost slot))
>>
>> And it has 3 DSSI drives, 2 5.25" RF31 (381M) and 1 3.5" RF36 (in one of the
>> 'rail' sets
>> that will support 2 3.5" drives) (1.6G).
>>
>> the 2 RF31s are ID 0 and 1
>> the RF36 is ID 2
>>
>> It also has a TK70.
>>
>> Now onto the questions:
>>
>> 1. How is 24M of RAM ?  Should I be on the lookout for more ?
>> 2. What releases of VMS, Vax Ultrix, etc should I limit myself to based on
>> 24M and KA660 ?
>> 3. Was there a DSSI version of TK70 ?
>> 4. 4000/200 does not have SCSI, correct ?  (other than someone added an SI
>> SC-1000)
>> 5. any idea if a SCSI CD can be booted via the SI SC-1000 ?  (boot cmds
>> would be ?)
>> 6. This is supposed to have some version of VMS on it... I have no PW...
>> pointers to 'break in'
>>   procedure and password reset ?  What is the default sysadmin account  as
>> well ?
>> 7. There is what looks like a 50 pin scsi terminator (small size like Sun
>> 411 case) that I've
>>   identified as DSSI terminator., What is the 50 pin centronics style
>> connector above that ?
>> 8. What is a DSV11-S good for ?
>> 9. Not that I plan to, but how do you make use of the async cards (they have
>> 50 pin centronics
>>   style connectors)
>> 10. Anyone got any more of the 2 3.5" drive mounting assemblies ?
>> 11. Anyone got any RF36 or higher density DSSI drives available ?
>> 12. Can the DSSI drive 'bus' be converted to SCSI ?
>> 13. What is the largest drive/partitions supported on 4000/200 (DSSI or
>> otherwise) ?
>> 14. Have I asked enough questions ?  (What have I forgotten to ask :-) ? )
>>
>> How are the 4000/200 machines ?  (Other VAXen I have is VAXStation 2000 and
>> VAXStation 3100, neither of which is running (driveless))... I find the
>> enclosure
>> design pretty cool... and for a large box, has nice design (visually)... (I
>> know it is no
>> SGI... and that it is DEC beige.... but I like the design (doors, badge,
>> etc)).
>>
>> Any drop in cpu/memory upgrades that are worthwhile (in the free to cheap
>> territory
>> of course :-) ).
>>
>> Thanks in advance for any cool info/pointers/etc...
>>
>> -- Curt
>>
>>
>>
>>     
>
>   