What RAM does a VAXstation 4000 VLC use?
Process Computing Dept
to be trashed. I wanted a VMS workstation, compatible (more or less) with
our production Alphas, to use as a test unit.
I pulled out an old VAXstation 4000 VLC, a nice size for the desktop, a
RRD24 external CD ROM, a TLZ06 external tape drive, and a VT420 terminal
(plugged into the printer port), powered them up - found that all still
worked. There was almost no free space left on the 225MB disk in the VAX, so
I changed it for a 1GB disk found in an abandoned Sun workstation. With VMS
7.2 in the CD, the OS installed sweetly on the new drive, so now I have my
off-line development computer.
But (of course there is a but, nothing is free :-) ) this VAX has only 16MB
RAM, so I have not installed DECwindows, and the VT420 is a bit limiting.
The console is not recognized as a terminal. It is also soooo slow compared
to the Alphas. I did notice in our junk room, though, two VAX 4000-50 and a
R400X (raid?) which could be cannibalized for their RAM. I have not been
able to open any of those cases because they are piled high with junk.
My question is: can I use memory from the VAX 4000-50 in the 4000 VLC? How
much do I need to get decent DECwindows performance?
Regards,
Michael O'Connor
Hoff Hoffman
:I pulled out an old VAXstation 4000 VLC...
It was a nice box, but its enclosure size and cooling, and its CPU
performance (at 6 VUPs) constrains it.
:My question is: can I use memory from the VAX 4000-50 in the 4000 VLC?
Nope. The VLC uses fairly normal 72pin SIMMs installed in pairs, and
is limited to 24MB. The MS40 part number was the memory, IIRC.
The (comparatively rare) VAX 4000 model 50 used 128MB memory modules,
and was typically (more than) triple the performance of the VLC (at
20 VUPs).
:How much do I need to get decent DECwindows performance?
As much (memory) as you can get installed, of course.
You could set up a network, and effectively drive the DECwindows display
remotely; you could run the applications on the VAX 4000 model 50 and use
the VAXstation as a display.
---------------------------- #include <rtfaq.h> -----------------------------
For additional, please see the OpenVMS FAQ -- www.openvms.compaq.com
--------------------------- pure personal opinion ---------------------------
Hoff (Stephen) Hoffman OpenVMS Engineering hoffman#xdelta.zko.dec.com
Mats Magnusson
PCD> 16MB RAM, so I have not installed DECwindows, and the VT420 is a bit
PCD> limiting. The console is not recognized as a terminal. It is also soooo
PCD> slow compared to the Alphas. I did notice in our junk room, though, two
PCD> VAX 4000-50 and a R400X (raid?) which could be cannibalized for their
PCD> RAM. I have not been able to open any of those cases because they are
PCD> piled high with junk.
PCD> My question is: can I use memory from the VAX 4000-50 in the 4000 VLC?
Vax 4000-60 and 4000-90 use 80-pin simms that is also used in vaxstation
3100/M76 and decsystem 5100.
4000VLC use 72-pin simms. I'm not sure if the 4000vlc use special
72-pin-simms or can use any standard simms.
I also have an VXT2000 x-terminal, and I'm sure that either the VXT or my
4000VLC has some standard "pc" 72-pin-simms now, but I actually don't
remember which one of them :(
Also, if the 4000-50 works and has atleast as much ram as the 4000VLC then
you shoud probably go for the 4000-50. I don't remember how fast that one
is, the 4000-60 is around 12 VUP and 4000VLC 7-8 VUP.
PCD> How much do I need to get decent DECwindows performance?
16MB shold be enpugh. I have free physical memory still available when I
have decwindows + netscape 3 running, if my memory serves me right.
--
M.V.H. Mats Magnusson http://plea.se/~mats
Chris Doran
> ...
> 4000VLC use 72-pin simms. I'm not sure if the 4000vlc use special
> 72-pin-simms or can use any standard simms.
They seem to be standard. I've successfully interchanged them with PCs
(and DecServer 700s).
Chris
David J. Dachtera
Hoff posted recently that generic 4MB 72-pin parity SIMMs should work
fine.
I realize that cross-country travel is rather a challenge right now.
Hoff's been silent here since the beginning of CETS (HPETS?). Sure hope
he's alright.
--
David J. Dachtera
dba DJE Systems
http://www.djesys.com/
Unofficial Affordable OpenVMS Home Page:
http://www.djesys.com/vms/soho/
Alan Winston - SSRL Admin Cmptg Mgr
>Chris Doran wrote:
>>
>> ma...@plea.se (Mats Magnusson) wrote in message news:<3ba3...@plea.se>...
>> > ...
>> > 4000VLC use 72-pin simms. I'm not sure if the 4000vlc use special
>> > 72-pin-simms or can use any standard simms.
>> > ...
>>
>> They seem to be standard. I've successfully interchanged them with PCs
>> (and DecServer 700s).
>
>Hoff posted recently that generic 4MB 72-pin parity SIMMs should work
>fine.
>
>I realize that cross-country travel is rather a challenge right now.
>Hoff's been silent here since the beginning of CETS (HPETS?). Sure hope
>he's alright.
I saw Hoff at CETS as recently as the Magic session on Thursday night. He
looked fine then.
-- Alan
===============================================================================
Alan Winston --- WIN...@SSRL.SLAC.STANFORD.EDU
Disclaimer: I speak only for myself, not SLAC or SSRL Phone: 650/926-3056
Physical mail to: SSRL -- SLAC BIN 69, PO BOX 4349, STANFORD, CA 94309-0210
===============================================================================
David J. Dachtera
>
> In article <3BA52F4C...@fsi.net>, "David J. Dachtera" <djesys...@fsi.net> writes:
> >Chris Doran wrote:
> >>
> >> ma...@plea.se (Mats Magnusson) wrote in message news:<3ba3...@plea.se>...
> >> > ...
> >> > 4000VLC use 72-pin simms. I'm not sure if the 4000vlc use special
> >> > 72-pin-simms or can use any standard simms.
> >> > ...
> >>
> >> They seem to be standard. I've successfully interchanged them with PCs
> >> (and DecServer 700s).
> >
> >Hoff posted recently that generic 4MB 72-pin parity SIMMs should work
> >fine.
> >
> >I realize that cross-country travel is rather a challenge right now.
> >Hoff's been silent here since the beginning of CETS (HPETS?). Sure hope
> >he's alright.
>
> I saw Hoff at CETS as recently as the Magic session on Thursday night. He
> looked fine then.
*WHEW*! That's WONDERFUL news!
Nic Clews
>
> Hoff posted recently that generic 4MB 72-pin parity SIMMs should work
> fine.
Having some experience in this area I would like to add, there are
differences. IME, you get 60ns and 70ns types, some of the later
(Alphaservers) need the 60ns (faster) memory.
Identifying the boards reliably at 'PC shows' where these are abundant
at reasonable prices is difficult, but the presence of '36 bit' is
helpful in indicating parity. Not all PC types understand what parity is
(no surprise there then), but explanation of what you want to achieve
may allow you to trial and error what they have in stock.
However supported hardware (if fully working) will give you no trouble,
un-named and unqualified hardware may, or may not.
--
Regards, Nic Clews CSC Computer Sciences
nclews at csc dot com