[Info-vax] MicroVAX 3100-30 - won't boot...

[AdeV]

This was, perhaps, predictable; but nevertheless is a bit disappointing. 
Any assistance appreciated...


Firing up the MV3100-30, it runs through its POST with only an ethernet 
error reported, follows:

  K45-A V1.4-38D-V4.2
  [mac address]
  24MB
  [long progress block]
  ?? 001   9        NI  0172

  >>>

According to the book, that error is caused by not having a loop-back 
adpater on the Ethernet port (or, indeed, any kind of device on the 
port). 

Typing "sh er" returns the following diagnostic info:

  >>> sh er

  ?  001   1       NVR  0025

  ?? 001   9        NI  00AC
  001 0000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000

  >>>

Somewhat confusingly, NVR code 0025 doesn't exist in the manual (in 
either decimal or hex) - but as a soft error that shouldn't be a 
problem. The NI error appears to be the loopback issue (d0172 = hAC)

"sh dev" reveals "DKA0" to be the hard disk, which reports:

  ?43 FILESTRUCT

Assuming that means it's unformatted or corrupted, I then boot from the 
CD, DKA500.

This appears to work, getting as far as the messages:

 -DKA500
 %SYSBOOT-I-SYSBOOT Mapping the SYSDUMP.DMP on the System Disk
 %SYSBOOT-W-SYSBOOT Can not map SYSDUMP.DMP on the System Disk
 %SYSBOOT-W-SYSBOOT Can not map PAGEFILE.SYS on the System Disk
 OpenVMS (TM) VAX Version X7G7 Major version id = 1 Minor version id = 0

however, it stalls there, and I have to power cycle the machine to 
regain control. The CD can be heard doing stuff for a while, but 
eventually it seems to stop accessing it - hard to tell, as the 
"activity" light seems to be more of an "on" light...



Any ideas what's happening? Am I asking too much of this system, trying 
to install OpenVMS7.3?

The media is a freshly-burned CDR (the original CDR wouldn't play at 
all). It is possible that the drive is dirty inside, could that cause 
this issue?

BTW, the simh version is working just fine now, thanks for the various 
assists with that one :)
-- 
Cheers!
Ade.