[Info-vax] VAX VMS 5.4 on Microvax 2

[Steven Schweda]

> [...] I do not think it is possible to get anything approaching
> a functioning 5.4 system on an RD53. [...]

   Define "functioning".  "approaching" from which side?

   According to "VMS Operating System, Version 5.4    SPD 25.01.34", 

          The disk block size for the VMS Operating System, Version 5.4,
          after installation is approximately 82,000 blocks. This fig-
          ure includes 5,600 blocks for page and swap files. Most systems
          will require larger page and swap files. This figure also in-
          cludes help library files which are in data-compressed format.
          Most system managers choose to expand these files (for faster
          access). The expansion requires approximately 8,500 additional
          blocks.


          To support full VMS, a system disk of greater than 100 MB is
          recommended. When a smaller disk is used, additional tailoring
          is required prior to installing some VMS options. This does not
          include the dump file space. Refer to VMS Upgrade and Installa-
          tion Procedures Manual for information on tailoring.

   But, a 71MB RD53 (139264 blocks) would seem to be big enough for the
basic OS.

> [...] Even an RD54 is marginal.

   Define "marginal".  It's been a while since it's seen power, but, as
I recall, my VAXstation 2000 ran V5.5-2 (and DECwindows, and a compiler
or two) on an RD54.  It also had an external RD54 where a little actual
work could be done, too.  With some special tailoring, one RD54 might
have been tolerable.  (Or, as tolerable as anything on that slug.)