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From: coyne@tifsie.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.os.vms
Subject: Re: MicroVAX Disk Formatter
Message-ID: <405@tifsie.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 12-Jun-87 13:49:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: tifsie.405
Posted: Fri Jun 12 13:49:13 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 14-Jun-87 05:46:51 EDT
References: <8706090243.AA28225@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>
Organization: TI Process Automation Center, Dallas
Lines: 49
Summary: Requirements for formatting RD5[1-4] disks on an RQDX[2-3] controller

In article <8706090243.AA28225@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>, KBCASEY@GALLUA.BITNET (Kevin Casey) writes:
> 
>         We recently tried to move a DEC RD52 disk from a MicroVAXII
> to a GPX workstation.  After a modest amount of grief, I learned that
> the RQDX2 formatted the RD52 in a way which prevents the RQDX3 controller
> in the GPX from recognizing the disk.  It must be re-formatted by the
> newer controller.
>         I would appreciate any advice about where I can obtain a
> formatting program for either the GPX or the MicroVAX II.
>         Thanks for any consideration you can give us.
> 

The DEC diagnostic software supplied with your system(s) might be capable
of supporting the format function.  The customer diagnostics version
2.0 and later have the diagnostic/formatter "built-in", this was 
evidently DEC's response to a **large** number of customers who were
tired of having to call DEC Field Service to format disks...

If you are not one of the fortunate souls to have a 2.0 release of the
customer diagnostics, you will have to purchase a package from DEC,
known as MDM.  This is the Maintenace Diagnostic package that the
DEC Field Service types use, and has the formatter included.  Beware,
the customer version and the MDM version are based on common software
(the customer version is actually a subset of the MDM package).

MDM/the customer diagnostics will work on any flavor MicroVAX II, be it
GPX, BA123, BA23, etc.  The MDM version cost us $2500, plus $680 per year
for updates (you also get various loopback connectors and some excellent
documentation with this package...), both non-discountable.

You have to boot the diagnostics from either RX50 floppy, or TK50 tape
to tell what version you've got, this information will be displayed on
the initial time/date screen that appears several minutes (15 minutes
give or take :-( ) after booting...

Hope this helps.

-----------------

Coyne Gibson
Texas Instruments
Process Automation Center
P.O. Box 655012, M/S 3635
Dallas, TX 75243

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