[Info-vax] Synch-On-Green Graphics, Adapters (was: Re: Troubles with using LCD monitor on Vaxstation 3100/38)

[maltboy20 at gmail.com]

Ok, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything obvious.  It seems as if they should be outputting something...

Plans are in the works to replace the systems requiring this gear in the next two years.  80% of the functionality of the program can be performed on a windows-type PC, but the VAX stations are able to perform certain functionality that it is not worth trying to modify and recompile and test the original software.

Thank you!





On Friday, November 4, 2016 at 3:17:38 PM UTC-7, Stephen Hoffman wrote:
> On 2016-11-04 21:39:56 +0000, maltboy20 at gmail.com said:
> 
> > I am testing a number of Vaxstations before sending them to my users 
> > and none of them are generating output to the monitor.
> > I don't have a SOG type monitor...
> 
> You already know the answers to this question, of course.
> 
> Maybe scrounge a synch-on-green adapter, but it's unlikely there are 
> many of those available (even) on the used market.   Most likely, 
> you'll get out your soldering iron or a breadboard and scrounge some 
> parts, and create yourself a synch-on-green video adapter.   Or 
> scrounge a synch-on-green display, and use that.    Links to the 
> specific ICs, pin-outs and related wiring are available:
> 
> http://labs.hoffmanlabs.com/node/446
> 
> But then why are you even bothering to test this gear?   I mean I 
> appreciate the sentiment here certainly, but these VAXstation 3100 
> series boxes are old enough and flaky enough that merely looking at 
> them askance is enough to trigger a failure.  Shipping around VAX boxes 
> could and variously did cause problems and failures even back then 
> these boxes where new, too.
> 
> Best for the customer to stop working with hardware this far back, and 
> either migrate to VAX emulation, or to haul the code forward to OpenVMS 
> I64, or port the code to a more modern and mainstream software and 
> hardware platform.  Yes, I've heard most (every?) rationale for not 
> doing this, too, and — at the bottom of all of the often-elaborate 
> justifications I've heard — they're all efforts in deferring payments 
> for some earlier mistake or three.  Computers don't last forever, and 
> this gear is already ~three decades back.
> 
> And yes, you did ask for "any ideas"...
> 
> > Any ideas?  I am stuck and the vendor is not helping.
> 
> 
> -- 
> Pure Personal Opinion | HoffmanLabs LLC