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From: jim@ferkel.ucsb.edu (Oreo Cat)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec,misc.wanted,misc.forsale.computers
Subject: Re: Wanted: Information, Hardware, and Software for DEC MV II
Message-ID: <6285@hub.ucsb.edu>
Date: 14 Sep 90 20:22:02 GMT
Sender: news@hub.ucsb.edu
Organization: Laputa, Castle in the Sky
Lines: 53

I have a MV II system which a few months ago was completely broken,
but I am now close to having it up and running again.  I'm almost 
there, but I need a few more pieces to complete things.

First, the one big problem with this system was that the hard disk
died.  It was an RD53.  I took it out and tested it on an IBM AT
compatible and found that while there was something wrong on the
way to head 0, the rest of the drive worked OK.  Repairing the drive
would cost $150-200.  However, in the process of testing the drive,
I wiped the formatting.  I didn't realize that you had to have special
software to format the thing.  I have the 'Customer Diagnostics' tape
but I understand that I need to have the 'Maintenance Diagnostics' tape
to format disks.  So first off, is there anyone out there who will lend
or sell me their 'Maintenance Diagnostics' tape or disks?  Alternatively
I understand that there are places which specialize in repairing DEC
drives.  Would they be able to reformat the drive for me?  I would 
imagine that this would be a great deal more expensive though.  Another
option is to just buy a whole new drive.  I see them advertised for
$150 for a RD52, $300 for a RD53, and $1400 for an RD54.  I was thinking
that maybe someone on the net would have one of these (preferably and
RD53 or RD54) for cheaper than this.  If you do, send me a note.  Also,
out of curiousity, why is the RD54 so expensive?  It's just over twice
the capacity of an RD53, but 4 times the price!  Another question: Is
it possible to hook up non-DEC drives?  It's just an ST506 interface,
and a lot of these drives are really cheap.  I understand that this
would require the 'Maintenance Diagnostics' discussed above, but what
else do I need to know?

	Next,  I purchased a DLVJ1 four line async card from someone
on the net, but unfortunately it did not come with cabling.  Does this
have the same pinouts as the console serial port?  Or does anyone have
the cabling and would like to get rid of it?  Specifically, I need 
CK-DLVJ1-LA, the Cabinet Kit for the BA123 enclosure.

	Next, sometime after it crashed, the mouse cable got pulled
out of it's DB-15 connector.  The mouse itself is probably fine, but
I have no idea what the pinouts on it are.  Does anybody know the 
right pinouts?  Or does anybody have an extra mouse they'd like to sell?
It's model VS10X-EA Rev A3.

	I also have a pretty old version of the operating system.  It's
1.2.  If anybody has an unused OS, I'd be interested in buying it.  Or
any other neat stuff for this system.

Thanks for the help!

                            Jim Lick		       
Work: University of California	| Home: 6657 El Colegio #24
      Santa Barbara		|       Isla Vista, CA 93117-4280
      Dept. of Mechanical Engr. |	(805) 968-0189 voice
      2311 Engr II Building     |	(805) 968-1239 data 1
      (805) 893-4113            |	(805) 968-2734 data 2
      jim@ferkel.ucsb.edu	|	bahamut!jim@ivucsb.sba.ca.us