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From: joltes@husc9.harvard.edu (Richard Joltes)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Subject: Re: RD54 Woes, yet again
Message-ID: <5128@husc6.harvard.edu>
Date: 20 Dec 90 16:10:41 GMT
References: <1990Dec19.234817.14316@csn.org>
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Reply-To: joltes@husc9.UUCP (Richard Joltes)
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Organization: Harvard University Science Center   Cambridge, MA
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In article <1990Dec19.234817.14316@csn.org> rainer@rhubarb.colorado.edu (Rainer Malzbender) writes:
>Say I had a Microvax II and an RD54 disk drive. Say also that I tried to
>use the RD54 without one of those little "write-protect, ready" pushbutton
>panels on the front. Would this possibly screw up the disk ? This is the
>second time I seem to have wiped out the factory formatting on this drive.

First, I'm presuming you're referring to a BA123 (world box) cabinet.

I've used RD5x drives of all types on the BA123 without the write protect
modules with no problem.  All the modules do is enable the toggling of drive
ready and write protect.  They're not essential.

Now if you're using a BA23 enclosure, remember that you'll need a 6-button
front panel if you're trying to support 2 drives (and I'd run the second hard
disk from an external power supply, since hanging two hard drives on the BA23
supply isn't supported because it strains the supply).
>
>Say, furthermore, that I was running VMS 4.7. Could this be a problem? I am
>trying to upgrade to 5.whatever, but first I need a working RD54.

The VMS version shouldn't bother this, and I can think of no bugs in 4.7 that
would cause this sort of behaviour.  You don't mention which disk controller
you're using.  If it's not an RQDX3 this may be the problem, since as far as
I know the RQDX1 and 2 don't support the RD54.  It also may be the PROM version
on your RQDX3, although I *think* all firmware revs on the 3 support the RD54.
>
>I apologize for contributing to the many whiny "help me" posts, but I promise
>to help someone else if I can!

This list is here to offer help to people who need it, and to distribute info
to as many people as possible.  Apologies unnecessary.

Good Luck, and please let me know how it turns out.
>--
>Rainer Malzbender, PhD 
>Dept. of Physics   (303)492-6829
>U. of Colorado, Boulder        rainer@boulder.colorado.edu 128.138.240.246

Dick Joltes					joltes@husc9.harvard.edu
Mgr. of Hardware & Facilities
Harvard University Science Center