The RSTS riddle.

[Rod Smallwood]

On 21/05/2016 19:56, Robert Jarratt wrote:
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Rod
>> Smallwood
>> Sent: 21 May 2016 19:29
>> To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
>> <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
>> Subject: The RSTS riddle.
>>
>> Hi
>>
>>        Further to my posts this morning I have one last hurdle to jump.
>>
>> 1.  I  have a  VAX with a TK70 attached and a TQK70 controller.
>>
>> 2.  The tape drive works just fine.
>>
>> 3.  Also on the VAX I have the correct tape (.TAP) image file for a RSTS/E V10
>> install tape.
>>
>> 4. I would like to copy the .tap file to the tape so as to end up with a bootable
>> install tape.
>>
>> 5. I then power down the VAX and move the controller to an 11/83. (The
>> drive is external with its own PSU)
>>
>> 6. Boot the install tape and go from there.
>>
>> So suggestions please as to how to do  4.
>>
> Assuming the tape needs to be ANSI formatted then I would mount the .TAP file under SIMH, copy the files to a simulated VAX, noting the order of storage. Then copy the files to the real VAX and copy the files in the same order to the real TK70. I think a long time ago I made a diagnostic tape in this way (possibly in reverse though, from real tape to virtual tape, can't quite remember now).
>
> Regards
>
> Rob
>
>
Thank you Rob.

   OK first interesting point.
	SIMH knows about .TAP and real DEC systems don't

    Second point:
           The RSTS install tape is just a bunch of files.
          There's nothing requiring image copy to deal with funny file formats

   Third Point
	There's no way to copy an image only files under any DEC operating system.

   Fourth Point
  
          If I had a RSTS system how would I make a backup copy of the install tape?


So its a SIMH route answer.

Regards
Rod