Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ulowell!redsox!campbell
From: campbell@redsox.bsw.com (Larry Campbell)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec.micro
Subject: Re: VENIX, Hard Disks, RAM expansion
Message-ID: <742@redsox.bsw.com>
Date: 1 May 89 10:21:34 GMT
Reply-To: campbell@redsox.bsw.com (Larry Campbell)
Organization: The Boston Software Works, Inc.
Lines: 61

[I tried responding by mail, but per2 is not in the UUCP maps, so
my mail bounced.  Allow me to point out that people shouldn't post
articles with reply addresses like "dag@per2.UUCP" unless their
system is in the UUCP maps.  See your local news administrator for
details.  -lc]

In article <850@per2.UUCP> dag@per2.UUCP writes:
-I have just inherited a DEC Rainbow 100+ (no graphics, 512kb, 10mb
-winchester, rx50 drives) with VENIX installed.  VenturCom no longer
-sells or supports VENIX-86 for the Rainbow.
-
-I have some questions that someone out there on the net may be
-able to answer --
-
-  o What would be involved in replacing the 10mb RD51 with a larger drive?
-    Will VENIX support a larger drive?  Up to how large?

Out of the box it supports only the 10MB drive.  I have modified the disk
driver to support arbitrary drives, and have run it with a 70MB disk.
However, I would need VenturCom's permission to send you the code, since
it's based on their source.  If you can get their OK I will root around
in my backup floppies and try to find it for you.

-  o How much RAM can I put on this system?  How is the RAM expansion done?

You can go up to 896K by adding chips to the memory expansion board.  If you
only have 512K, then you've probably got 128K on the motherboard, one bank
of 256K chips on the expansion board, and two banks of 64K chips on the
expansion board.  To get up to 896K, replace the 64K chips with 256K chips
and diddle the DIP switches appropriately.

-  o Does anyone know how to activate the GETTY on the comm port under
-    VENIX?  I would like to be able to dial in.

Edit /etc/ttys and change the first character of the line for com1 from
a zero to a one.

-  o Where does one get parts/software for this machine?

Parts you get from DEC, of course (except for nonproprietary stuff like
chips and disks, which you'd be crazy to pay DEC prices for).  Software
you write.  There are no commercial application packages available for
VENIX/Rainbow.  (Well, there's one actually: tplus, a ditroff port with
HP LaserJet drivers for, I think, about $500.)

-  o I've seen talk of a '286 upgrade for this beast...  How much does
-    it cost, and is it worth it?  Is there a Un*x flavor that runs on
-    it?

It's sold by an outfit called Suitable Solutions.  In my opinion, you'd
be better off junking the Rainbow and buying a 386.  (Don't waste money
on a 286, they're almost as obsolete as the 8088).

-  o How much can I expect to pay for a graphics upgrade w/o color
-    monitor?

Anywhere from $300 to $600 would be my guess.
-- 
Larry Campbell                          The Boston Software Works, Inc.
campbell@bsw.com                        120 Fulton Street
wjh12!redsox!campbell                   Boston, MA 02146