[Info-vax] Troubles with using LCD monitor on Vaxstation 3100/38

[Bart Zorn]

On Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 2:10:05 PM UTC+1, Kerry Main wrote:
 [ Snip ]   
> if you were using the unit as a VAXstation, you'd remove this
> device and
> plug the monitor/mouse/keyboard cable into the D15 connector.
> This 
> connector provides access to OPA0 and TTA1, used for the keyboard
> 
> and mouse (they're serial, near-EIA232 devices), along with the
> video
> leads.  At the other end of the monitor/mouse/keyboard cable are
> three BNC
> plugs, the mini-modular jack to accomodate DEC keyboard cables,
> and the mini-DIN
> socket to accomodate the DEC mouse. 
> 
> The D9 connector remains the printer port, TTA3, and the D25 
> connector is TTA2, providing full modem control (even CTS, which
> iis odd given
> that it's a DZ-like device, but it does).  The box with the 
> MMJ sockets on it simply converts all of these to MMJ (and
> ignores the
> video signals).  "

  [ Snip ]

Kerry, most of the time you are very well informed. But this time I think you are confusing VAXstation 3100 series machines with the predecessor, the VAXstation 2000. The latter had a 15 pin D type connector for both video, mouse and keyboard combined, as you described (although, IIRC, the mouse had a RJ type connector). The 3100 had separate connectors for keyboard (MMJ) and mouse (a DIN look-a-like, also like PS-2 but different). Video was 15 pin D type.

The 3100 could be mono chrome, GPX color or SPX color. The 15 pin connector carried both the mono chrome signal as well as the color signals. With a special cable you could connect both a mono chrome monitor and a color monitor to have a dual head configuration.

HTH,

Bart