Aha! It has an H7821-00 180W PSU which makes it a Model 10. So now I know for sure. - Peter On Sun, Dec 7, 2025 at 12:36 PM Peter Ekstrom <epekstrom(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Alright, so the 3100 arrived yesterday afternoon and looks to be in good > condition visually. The voltages from the PSU look ok as well. So I plugged > things back in and powered it on. > I don't have a console for it yet, but it seems to go through some > self-test, the tape drive does > some stuff as well as the hard drive. It came with the slightly larger > RZ25 rather than the RZ23. > > I am getting some 6-conductor cable soon and will make a console cable > for it. I'm very curious > to see what it does on the console. > > I have a SCSI CDROM coming in a few days. I also have an old SUN external > enclosure that I'll put to use for it as an external CDROM. > > Interestingly, it doesn't have a model number on the sticker, but based on > what I have seen, and > the pattern of the connectors in the back, I am pretty sure it is a model > 10. > > - Peter > > On Mon, Dec 1, 2025 at 10:30 AM emanuel stiebler <emu(a)e-bbes.com> wrote: > >> On 2025-11-30 14:53, Peter Ekstrom via cctalk wrote: >> > Very interesting thread. I was kinda thinking too that someone running >> VMS >> > on a machine for hobby use would be too small of a potato to go after. >> > Incidentally, what would y'all value a MicroVAX 3100 at? I am looking at >> > one on eBay for $550 but am considering making a lower offer. >> >> Which 3100? >> There are some very low performance 3100 at the lower end, and the >> best(?) 3100/105 or 3100/95 still fetch some serious money. >> >> My recommendation is usually the pizza box 4000/vlc ... >> Specially, if you don't know what you need it for :) >> >>

What SCSI Controller does it have in it? bill

On 12/7/2025 11:36 AM, Peter Ekstrom via cctalk wrote: on The model number isn't always put on the front, especially with the earlier models. The M80/86.9096 do. Plus the VAXstation 3100 m76 did. I'm not sure what others. BUt the M10 and 30 did not. -- John H. Reinhardt

I managed to reset the system password so now I can login as well. It runs pretty well. I tried to make a tape backup of what's on the disk but it seems all my tapes dirty-up the head of the tape drive. Anyone know of a way to clean an actual tape? Pull all the tape out and wipe it with a dry cloth?

On Dec 7, 2025, at 13:43, Wayne S <wayne.sudol(a)hotmail.com> wrote: Can you take the disk out and back it up on some other system? I’ve heard that taking apart a tk tape is problematic. I think bands stretch or break? Is the tape dirty or is the binder coming off? Sent from my iPhone >> On Dec 7, 2025, at 13:27, Antonio Carlini via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote: >> >> On 07/12/2025 20:27, Peter Ekstrom via cctalk wrote: >> I managed to reset the system password so now I can login as well. It runs >> pretty well. >> I tried to make a tape backup of what's on the disk but it seems all my >> tapes dirty-up >> the head of the tape drive. Anyone know of a way to clean an actual tape? >> Pull all the >> tape out and wipe it with a dry cloth? > > One option would be to create a SIMH VMS host, configure it to be in a cluster, configure your real HW uV3100 to be a satellite node (booting off a root on the SIMH host system disk), boot the uV3100 into the cluster, mount the uV3100 disk and back it up with BACKUP. > > That might be easier and quicker than cleaning a tape. > > > Antonio > > > -- > Antonio Carlini > antonio(a)acarlini.com >

On Dec 7, 2025, at 14:00, Hans-Ulrich Hölscher via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote: especially

On Dec 7, 2025, at 14:00, Hans-Ulrich Hölscher via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org<mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote: especially

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134980892951 PCI - SCSI adapter + an old PC + Linux on a USB -> disk copy Even easier if you have all the bits to hand, SCSI tends to require a selection of cables, adapters and terminators to make it fly A DC power cable and 50-way ribbon may suffice for an RZ-25 Martin -----Original Message----- From: Wayne S via cctalk [mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org] Sent: 07 December 2025 22:20 To: Hans-Ulrich Hölscher &lt;vaxorcist(a)googlemail.com&gt; Cc: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts < cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt;gt;; Wayne S &lt;Wayne.Sudol(a)hotmail.com&gt; Subject: [cctalk] Re: MicroVAX 3100 ( was: Re: Re: VAX and OpenVMS) They are expensive. Can you get a scsi drive and attach it to your mv ? Doesn’t it have an external connector? Or buy an older cheap desktop and use your scsi cards. I have an old Dell desktop that i use for ide drives and also have a pci scsi card to use. Sent from my iPhone On Dec 7, 2025, at 14:14, Hans-Ulrich Hölscher &lt;vaxorcist(a)googlemail.com&gt; wrote:  Good idea! But do you know an inexpensive USB-SCSI adapter? The last time I was looking for one I only found a few that were REALLY expensive, unfortunately. I own some older ADAPTEC PCI SCSI adapters, but that does not help me with my notebook. Wayne S <wayne.sudol@hotmail.com<mailto:wayne.sudol@hotmail.com>> schrieb am So., 7. Dez. 2025, 23:06: Nice program. Has the resultant backup been tested? I mean can you restore and boot it? Sent from my iPhone cctalk@classiccmp.org<mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote:

... and the resulting backup will be much more reliable than the one written by an old tape drive (which model, by the way?) on a possibly old tape, if that ever succeeds. I made especially frustration experiences using the once famous TK50 drives, and even (a little) more recent DAT drives tend to fail very often nowadays. One disadvantage, however, is the necessary struggle with licensing, although that can be managed with a little help. Another option is a backup over network WITHOUT using an operating system running on the system to be saved. Unfortunately it has up to now been tested on MicroVAX I and MicroVAX II systems using a DEQNA or DELQA network adapter only. It uses a simh VAX to send a special machine language program to the backup target computer, on that the program in turn uses MSCP commands to send a bit-wise disk copy back to the simh VAX. It is new, it is unconventional, but it has been successfully tested on several MicroVAX I and MicroVAX II computers. I think it is time to get out one of my VAXstation 3100s (won't make any difference) and test it there. But you will need to be patient – other projects have priority for the time being. To be honest - I expect the program will need adaptation to the newer hardware, especially the network adapter - MSCP hasn't changed I think. Am So., 7. Dez. 2025 um 22:27 Uhr schrieb Antonio Carlini via cctalk < cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt;gt;: tape?

On Dec 7, 2025, at 14:25, Wayne S &lt;wayne.sudol(a)hotmail.com&gt; wrote: Anything interesting software on the system? Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 7, 2025, at 14:20, Peter Ekstrom via cctalk &lt;cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt; wrote: > > Yeah, both ideas are good ideas. I am considering replacing the rz25, or > adding a ZuluSCSI, that way I could assign one of the devices for backups. > For now, I am just trying to preserve what's on the disk now. I want to do > a fresh install once the CDROM arrives. It is an interesting exercise to me. > Right now that RZ25 is running nicely without much noise so no rush I don't > think, but still. > > - Peter > >> On Sun, Dec 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM Hans-Ulrich Hölscher via cctalk < >> cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt; wrote: >> >> ... and the resulting backup will be much more reliable than the one >> written by an old tape drive (which model, by the way?) on a possibly old >> tape, if that ever succeeds. >> I made especially frustration experiences using the once famous TK50 >> drives, and even (a little) more recent DAT drives tend to fail very often >> nowadays. >> One disadvantage, however, is the necessary struggle with licensing, >> although that can be managed with a little help. >> Another option is a backup over network WITHOUT using an operating system >> running on the system to be saved. Unfortunately it has up to now been >> tested on MicroVAX I and MicroVAX II systems using a DEQNA or DELQA network >> adapter only. It uses a simh VAX to send a special machine language program >> to the backup target computer, on that the program in turn uses MSCP >> commands to send a bit-wise disk copy back to the simh VAX. It is new, it >> is unconventional, but it has been successfully tested on several MicroVAX >> I and MicroVAX II computers. I think it is time to get out one of my >> VAXstation 3100s (won't make any difference) and test it there. But you >> will need to be patient – other projects have priority for the time being. >> To be honest - I expect the program will need adaptation to the newer >> hardware, especially the network adapter - MSCP hasn't changed I think. >> >> Am So., 7. Dez. 2025 um 22:27 Uhr schrieb Antonio Carlini via cctalk < >> cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt;gt;: >> >>>> On 07/12/2025 20:27, Peter Ekstrom via cctalk wrote: >>>>> I managed to reset the system password so now I can login as well. It >>>> runs >>>>> pretty well. >>>>> I tried to make a tape backup of what's on the disk but it seems all my >>>>> tapes dirty-up >>>>> the head of the tape drive. Anyone know of a way to clean an actual >> tape? >>>> Pull all the >>>> tape out and wipe it with a dry cloth? >>> >>> One option would be to create a SIMH VMS host, configure it to be in a >>> cluster, configure your real HW uV3100 to be a satellite node (booting >>> off a root on the SIMH host system disk), boot the uV3100 into the >>> cluster, mount the uV3100 disk and back it up with BACKUP. >>> >>> That might be easier and quicker than cleaning a tape. >>> >>> >>> Antonio >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Antonio Carlini >>> antonio(a)acarlini.com >>> >>> >>

On Dec 7, 2025, at 14:25, Wayne S <wayne.sudol@hotmail.com<mailto:wayne.sudol@hotmail.com>> wrote: Anything interesting software on the system? Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 7, 2025, at 14:20, Peter Ekstrom via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org<mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote: > > Yeah, both ideas are good ideas. I am considering replacing the rz25, or > adding a ZuluSCSI, that way I could assign one of the devices for backups. > For now, I am just trying to preserve what's on the disk now. I want to do > a fresh install once the CDROM arrives. It is an interesting exercise to me. > Right now that RZ25 is running nicely without much noise so no rush I don't > think, but still. > > - Peter > >> On Sun, Dec 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM Hans-Ulrich Hölscher via cctalk < >> cctalk@classiccmp.org<mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote: >> >> ... and the resulting backup will be much more reliable than the one >> written by an old tape drive (which model, by the way?) on a possibly old >> tape, if that ever succeeds. >> I made especially frustration experiences using the once famous TK50 >> drives, and even (a little) more recent DAT drives tend to fail very often >> nowadays. >> One disadvantage, however, is the necessary struggle with licensing, >> although that can be managed with a little help. >> Another option is a backup over network WITHOUT using an operating system >> running on the system to be saved. Unfortunately it has up to now been >> tested on MicroVAX I and MicroVAX II systems using a DEQNA or DELQA network >> adapter only. It uses a simh VAX to send a special machine language program >> to the backup target computer, on that the program in turn uses MSCP >> commands to send a bit-wise disk copy back to the simh VAX. It is new, it >> is unconventional, but it has been successfully tested on several MicroVAX >> I and MicroVAX II computers. I think it is time to get out one of my >> VAXstation 3100s (won't make any difference) and test it there. But you >> will need to be patient – other projects have priority for the time being. >> To be honest - I expect the program will need adaptation to the newer >> hardware, especially the network adapter - MSCP hasn't changed I think. >> >> Am So., 7. Dez. 2025 um 22:27 Uhr schrieb Antonio Carlini via cctalk < >> cctalk@classiccmp.org<mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>>: >> >>>> On 07/12/2025 20:27, Peter Ekstrom via cctalk wrote: >>>>> I managed to reset the system password so now I can login as well. It >>>> runs >>>>> pretty well. >>>>> I tried to make a tape backup of what's on the disk but it seems all my >>>>> tapes dirty-up >>>>> the head of the tape drive. Anyone know of a way to clean an actual >> tape? >>>> Pull all the >>>> tape out and wipe it with a dry cloth? >>> >>> One option would be to create a SIMH VMS host, configure it to be in a >>> cluster, configure your real HW uV3100 to be a satellite node (booting >>> off a root on the SIMH host system disk), boot the uV3100 into the >>> cluster, mount the uV3100 disk and back it up with BACKUP. >>> >>> That might be easier and quicker than cleaning a tape. >>> >>> >>> Antonio >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Antonio Carlini >>> antonio@acarlini.com<mailto:antonio@acarlini.com> >>> >>> >>

On Dec 7, 2025, at 14:25, Wayne S <wayne.sudol@hotmail.com<mailto:wayne.sudol@hotmail.com>> wrote: Anything interesting software on the system? Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 7, 2025, at 14:20, Peter Ekstrom via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org<mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote: > > Yeah, both ideas are good ideas. I am considering replacing the rz25, or > adding a ZuluSCSI, that way I could assign one of the devices for backups. > For now, I am just trying to preserve what's on the disk now. I want to do > a fresh install once the CDROM arrives. It is an interesting exercise to me. > Right now that RZ25 is running nicely without much noise so no rush I don't > think, but still. > > - Peter > >> On Sun, Dec 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM Hans-Ulrich Hölscher via cctalk < >> cctalk@classiccmp.org<mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote: >> >> ... and the resulting backup will be much more reliable than the one >> written by an old tape drive (which model, by the way?) on a possibly old >> tape, if that ever succeeds. >> I made especially frustration experiences using the once famous TK50 >> drives, and even (a little) more recent DAT drives tend to fail very often >> nowadays. >> One disadvantage, however, is the necessary struggle with licensing, >> although that can be managed with a little help. >> Another option is a backup over network WITHOUT using an operating system >> running on the system to be saved. Unfortunately it has up to now been >> tested on MicroVAX I and MicroVAX II systems using a DEQNA or DELQA network >> adapter only. It uses a simh VAX to send a special machine language program >> to the backup target computer, on that the program in turn uses MSCP >> commands to send a bit-wise disk copy back to the simh VAX. It is new, it >> is unconventional, but it has been successfully tested on several MicroVAX >> I and MicroVAX II computers. I think it is time to get out one of my >> VAXstation 3100s (won't make any difference) and test it there. But you >> will need to be patient – other projects have priority for the time being. >> To be honest - I expect the program will need adaptation to the newer >> hardware, especially the network adapter - MSCP hasn't changed I think. >> >> Am So., 7. Dez. 2025 um 22:27 Uhr schrieb Antonio Carlini via cctalk < >> cctalk@classiccmp.org<mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>>: >> >>>> On 07/12/2025 20:27, Peter Ekstrom via cctalk wrote: >>>>> I managed to reset the system password so now I can login as well. It >>>> runs >>>>> pretty well. >>>>> I tried to make a tape backup of what's on the disk but it seems all my >>>>> tapes dirty-up >>>>> the head of the tape drive. Anyone know of a way to clean an actual >> tape? >>>> Pull all the >>>> tape out and wipe it with a dry cloth? >>> >>> One option would be to create a SIMH VMS host, configure it to be in a >>> cluster, configure your real HW uV3100 to be a satellite node (booting >>> off a root on the SIMH host system disk), boot the uV3100 into the >>> cluster, mount the uV3100 disk and back it up with BACKUP. >>> >>> That might be easier and quicker than cleaning a tape. >>> >>> >>> Antonio >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Antonio Carlini >>> antonio@acarlini.com<mailto:antonio@acarlini.com> >>> >>> >>

I gotcha. I don't know if I have seen a SCSI DVD drive. I guess I have never looked for one. That's a good idea though. When I run low on CD-Rs I'll have to look for one. Thanks, - Peter

On Sun, Dec 7, 2025 at 8:30 PM Wayne S &lt;Wayne.Sudol(a)hotmail.com&gt; wrote: > I was just suggesting thst you might be atto replace the cd drive with a > dvd drive. Maybe there is a driver available for vms. > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Dec 7, 2025, at 17:19, Peter Ekstrom &lt;epekstrom(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: > >  > I have a stack of CD-R disks so I'll burn an ISO image I have onto one of > those and give that a try. A CDROM drive can't read a DVD so it has to be a > CD-R. > > - Peter > > On Sun, Dec 7, 2025 at 5:27 PM Wayne S &lt;Wayne.Sudol(a)hotmail.com&gt; wrote: > >> Also: what kind of cd is your cdrom going to use? I have an Alphastation >> 200 and the cdrom only takes the old 640 mb cd’s which are difficult to >> find. >> Maybe a dvd drive could work? >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On Dec 7, 2025, at 14:25, Wayne S &lt;wayne.sudol(a)hotmail.com&gt; wrote: >>> >>> Anything interesting software on the system? >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>>> On Dec 7, 2025, at 14:20, Peter Ekstrom via cctalk < >> cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt; wrote: >>>> Yeah, both ideas are good ideas. I am considering replacing the rz25, >> or >>>> adding a ZuluSCSI, that way I could assign one of the devices for >> backups. >>>> For now, I am just trying to preserve what's on the disk now. I want >> to do >>>> a fresh install once the CDROM arrives. It is an interesting exercise >> to me. >>>> Right now that RZ25 is running nicely without much noise so no rush I >> don't >>>> think, but still. >>>> >>>> - Peter >>>> >>>>> On Sun, Dec 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM Hans-Ulrich Hölscher via cctalk < >>>>> cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt; wrote: >>>>> >>>>> ... and the resulting backup will be much more reliable than the one >>>>> written by an old tape drive (which model, by the way?) on a possibly >> old >>>>> tape, if that ever succeeds. >>>>> I made especially frustration experiences using the once famous TK50 >>>>> drives, and even (a little) more recent DAT drives tend to fail very >> often >>>>> nowadays. >>>>> One disadvantage, however, is the necessary struggle with licensing, >>>>> although that can be managed with a little help. >>>>> Another option is a backup over network WITHOUT using an operating >> system >>>>> running on the system to be saved. Unfortunately it has up to now been >>>>> tested on MicroVAX I and MicroVAX II systems using a DEQNA or DELQA >> network >>>>> adapter only. It uses a simh VAX to send a special machine language >> program >>>>> to the backup target computer, on that the program in turn uses MSCP >>>>> commands to send a bit-wise disk copy back to the simh VAX. It is >> new, it >>>>> is unconventional, but it has been successfully tested on several >> MicroVAX >>>>> I and MicroVAX II computers. I think it is time to get out one of my >>>>> VAXstation 3100s (won't make any difference) and test it there. But >> you >>>>> will need to be patient – other projects have priority for the time >> being. >>>>> To be honest - I expect the program will need adaptation to the newer >>>>> hardware, especially the network adapter - MSCP hasn't changed I >> think. >>>>> Am So., 7. Dez. 2025 um 22:27 Uhr schrieb Antonio Carlini via cctalk < >>>>> cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt;gt;: >>>>> >>>>>>> On 07/12/2025 20:27, Peter Ekstrom via cctalk wrote: >>>>>>>> I managed to reset the system password so now I can login as well. >> It >>>>>>> runs >>>>>>>> pretty well. >>>>>>>> I tried to make a tape backup of what's on the disk but it seems >> all my >>>>>>>> tapes dirty-up >>>>>>>> the head of the tape drive. Anyone know of a way to clean an actual >>>>> tape? >>>>>>> Pull all the >>>>>>> tape out and wipe it with a dry cloth? >>>>>> One option would be to create a SIMH VMS host, configure it to be in >> a >>>>>> cluster, configure your real HW uV3100 to be a satellite node >> (booting >>>>>> off a root on the SIMH host system disk), boot the uV3100 into the >>>>>> cluster, mount the uV3100 disk and back it up with BACKUP. >>>>>> >>>>>> That might be easier and quicker than cleaning a tape. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Antonio >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Antonio Carlini >>>>>> antonio(a)acarlini.com >>>>>> >>>>>>

Anything interesting software on the system? Sent from my iPhone cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt; wrote: backups. do me. don't old often system network program it MicroVAX being. my

Yeah, both ideas are good ideas. I am considering replacing the rz25, or adding a ZuluSCSI, that way I could assign one of the devices for backups. For now, I am just trying to preserve what's on the disk now. I want to do a fresh install once the CDROM arrives. It is an interesting exercise to me. Right now that RZ25 is running nicely without much noise so no rush I don't think, but still.

- Peter On Sun, Dec 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM Hans-Ulrich Hölscher via cctalk < cctalk(a)classiccmp.org&gt; wrote: often network program MicroVAX being. my