[mod.computers.vax] : VMS V4.3->4.4 and 780->8300 upgrade

KROON@HGRRUG51.BITNET (Peter A. Kroon, KVI, +31-50-633618) (09/05/86)

Subj:   VMS V4.3->4.4 and 780->8300 upgrade

Does anyone have some experience with the following upgrade situation?

We have a 780 running VMS V4.3. The 780 will be replaced by a 8300.
Since the 8300 needs VMS V4.4 we have to install it. Now there are
two alternatives:

1.      - keep running V4.3 on the 780,
        - ugprade the hardware to 8300,
        - install a virgin VMS V4.4,
        - tailor the virgin VMS V4.4 to the local environment

2.      - upgrade V4.3 to V4.4 while still on the 780
        - upgrade the hardware to 8300

Obviously the second alternative is much easier because the need for local
tailoring is absent.

My problem is the following: will a VMS V4.4 system that has been created
by upgrading a VAX-11/780 + VMS V4.3 to VMS V4.4 bee bootable on a 8300?
The reason that I am not sure about this can best be explained by the
following example:

Assume that I have also installed VAX/RSX V2.1 on my V4.4 and 780. Because
it is a 780 with compatibility mode the installation procedure will not
include the PDP-11 instruction emulator. It is obvious that this will
cause problems on the 8300 which has no compatibility mode.

I have asked this question to our local DEC rep but his answer doesn't
help me. He expects no problems, but agrees with our sceptisism.

Thanks for any info. Peter A. Kroon.

(This is the 2nd time I sent this mail. The previous one seems to be
lost somewhere in the BITNET/ARPANET gateway)