wambacq@haydn.kulesat.uucp (03/16/89)
Hi all,
Recently I tried to install a second RD54, purchased directly from Maxtor,
into a VaxStation 3200 in a BA23 box. Based on my previous experiences with
several MicroVax II in a BA123 box, I thought this was going to be an easy job.
However, it didn't turn out that way. Let me summarize what I have been doing.
Because the VS3200 doesn't have a tape drive, I had to format the disk
using the supplied diagnostics tape elsewhere. I tried to do that in a
MicroVax II (BA123). After 11 minutes I got the message that the format failed.
Trying it on another MVII was of no use; the same thing happened. So I thought
there was something wrong with my disk. Disks that were purchased earlier
didn't show this behaviour. It was however possible to format it,
with success, on a MV2000. I then took the formatted disk and tested it in a
MVII (BA123) with an RQDX3 controller, and it worked although the interleave
factor was not optimal for this type of controller. Assuming that it would also
work with the RQDX3 in the VS3200 (BA23), I took the disk to this station,
attached the cables, modified the BA23 frontpanel, booted, and saw that VMS
didn't see it at all.
I see two possible reasons for this : either I modified the BA23 frontpanel
wrongly, or the VS3200 doesn't like this disk with its wrong interleave factor
(whereas the MVII does). I don't have the feeling that this last explanation
is right because the VS3200 and MVII both use the RQDX3 controller (but there
is maybe a different behaviour due to differences in revision levels).
To get back to the frontpanel, I kind of reverse-engineered it, and saw that
it has provisions for adding two switches for a second disk (Ready and Write
Protect). I found out that simulating a ready condition can be done by simply
soldering a little jumper connection where the switch should come. Of course,
this doesn't give you any visual indication (no LED, and no circuitry to
power it), but it should work. At least, an analogous approach always worked
in a MVII (BA123) box, but there different types of frontpanels are used.
So here is my question : what did I do wrong. I would be glad if anyone who
solved this problem could share his experiences with me. Please respond
directly to me via using my email address below. Thank you.
Patrick Wambacq
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Division ESAT/MI2
Kard. Mercierlaan 94
B-3030 Heverlee
Belgium
E-mail : ...!kulcs!kulesat!wambacq (UUCP)
wambacq%kulesat.uucp@blekul60 (BITNET)