[Info-vax] DEC Multia (UDB) issues

[Hans Vlems]

On Oct 18, 3:54 am, MG <marcog... at SPAMxs4all.nl> wrote:
> On 18-10-2011 0:12, david miller wrote:
>
> > I've had good luck finding memory at kahlon.com
>
> I presume these are the ones you're referring to from there?
>
>      - KAH8X36-60     32MB 72 PIN Fast Page Mode, Parity Simm 60NS
>      with Life Time Warranty, Fast Page Mode, Parity, 5V
>      $18.00     $8.00 In Stock
>
>      - KAH8X36-70     32B 72 PIN Fast Page Mode, Parity Simm 70NS
>      with Life Time Warranty, Fast Page Mode, Parity, 5V
>      $18.00    $8.00    In Stock
>
>      - KAH16X36-60     64MB 72 PIN Fast Page Mode, Parity Simm 60NS
>      with Life Time Warranty, Fast Page Mode, Parity, 5V
>      $26.00    $16.00    In Stock
>
> I haven't checked international shipping rates, but if I took four
> 32 MB 70NS parity SIMMs for the "web price" ($ 8 per SIMM) without
> having to wait a month (3-4 weeks), I'd have to pay a hefty sum of
> $ 66...  (Without even taking possible import duties taken into
> consideration.)  In other words, that's a lot more than I paid for
> the entire Multia and the accessories, about four times as much.
>
> Even if I made that investment, I'm still not sure if it's all going
> to work; like with the floppy diskette error in the SRM.  (That's the
> main problem and dilemma for now.)
>
>   - MG

My Multia uses the same memory as the Alpha Server 1000A 5/333.
It came with 40 MB, which is very little for VMS. Later it got
upgraded to 256 MB with memory
boards that only just fitted under the hood. The Multia generates a
lot of heat owing to its
small package; which is probably why John Wallace called it a miracle
of technology, or at least partly because of it.
The system now has 64 MB installed, which allows VMS V7.3 to run for
an hour or two before crashing.
No idea what causes the crash and I only bought it because it is
indeed a well engineered system.

If you have no (access to) Tru64 licenses then you're definitely
better off running VMS. Or netBSD.
You need the patch kit on separate media, so if the floppy is out why
not burn a cd with the required files?
Use LD to create a disk image, and burn that image.
I can't remember what model floppy is used in the Multia, the Systems
and Options guide might be helpful.
I don't think DEC built a floppydrive just for the Multia so a drive
from another Alpha might just work and even fit inside!
Hans