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

[maltboy20 at gmail.com]

Another idea, do I need to have a BNC terminator on the network out in order for it to boot up?  I am trying to test these without a working network.

Would a transceiver be adequate as a terminator?

thank you!



On Friday, November 4, 2016 at 3:28:56 PM UTC-7, malt... at gmail.com wrote:
> 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