[Info-vax] DEC Multia (UDB) issues

[MG]

On 23-8-2011 0:23, John Wallace wrote:
> There's a Multia service manual at http://www.alphalinux.org/docs/udb-manual.pdf.gz

Thank you, I'll download that for safe keeping.  (Always good to have.)


> It confirms that console settings will be lost when the battery is
> dead. Sadly the manual also illustrates that the battery is not an off-
> the-shelf coin cell in the Alpha Multia (I had been thinking it was -
> maybe I had it confused with the Intel UDB, which did have a standard
> coin cell, but obviously didn't run VMS). Someone willing to improvise
> with a soldering iron could probably sort the battery.

Too bad.  So, yes, the latter 'option' will be the only one (besides
replacing the NVR/TOY completely).


> Obviously VMS isn't supported on Multia anyway. In an Alpha-centric
> setup, clustering the Multia might have been worth some thought, but
> booting an old Multia-compatible Alpha VMS version as a satellite in
> an IA64-centric setup (ie more recent VMS) probably isn't a bright
> idea at all (even if it stood much chance of working).

I don't mind simply using an older version of VMS.  The biggest problem
for now is that I'd need to find something to house a SCSI disk in.  I
have plenty of spare SCSI disks, cables, terminators and so on, but
simply not enough enclosures.

It has also crossed my mind to just wait until some cheal Wintel laptop
comes buy, to take out the 2.5" PATA/IDE disk out and use that.  But,
I'm not extremely comfortable with just letting it rest on the main-
board...  (Especially since the Multia has infamous cooling problems.)


> Back to the RRD43 - it should work as a load device, subject to
> correct SCSI config. Non-DEC stuff may work, subject to things like
> block size and other settings.

The Yamaha, to my great surprise, worked.  Well, it was detected with
the correct brand/model name information in the SRM.  I didn't expect
that, so that was a pleasant surprise.


> Are you using an actual pressed VMS CD, or a CD-R? Some much older CD
> drives weren't good at reading CD-R media.

CD-R, prepared at 1x speed at the time.  In my AlphaServer 1000 (an
even older system, isn't it?) it worked just fine.

I think the boot floppy boot-strapping method will have to do for now.
If that won't work, I think it's safe to say that there's (also?) some-
thing wrong on the hardware end.



> What's inspiring you to do this Multia thing? You might be impressed
> by running VMS on a box that size, but you probably won't be impressed
> with the performance.

That's a very good question.

   First of all, anything with the trusty "[d|i|g|i|t|a|l]" branding is
bound to catch my attention.  Plus, I was surprised to find out that
DEC made its own Alpha-powered thin-client.  I ran NetBSD on a Java-
Station-NC "Krups" for years (via DHCP/bootp and TFTP net-booting) and
really liked the machine.  I thought with an Alpha, this would be even
more interesting.

   Secondly, ever since I sold my AlphaServer 1000 --- no matter how
riddled with glitches and defects --- I missed an Alpha system and
the Multia was being offered on a local auction site.  I knew of the
limitations, but considering the price it was something of later worry
for me.  The system itself is in great physical condition, only the
vertical mounter was damaged during transport (the 'lips' snapped off,
but I managed to glue them with an appropriate glue).

   Thirdly, in June I was expecting to lay my hands on a DS10.  Due to
some difficulties, the person who promised me one wasn't able to get
to it and since then --- in the meantime, as I described above ---
came across the Multia.

I'm not at all sorry I bought it though, it looks great and even if
running VMS on it isn't ideal, I'll find another use.  (Preferably
VMS though!)


> Have fun anyway!

Thank you, also for all the help!

  - MG