I need help with my new Unisys toy (mpe4668 server)
fern...@internet1.net
Hello,
I bought a Unisys server off of Ebay....probably paid to much, oh well :-)
It is a MPE4668 with a 486dx-2/66 and 24megs of ram, and I have a few
questions.
Is the memory anything special? They are 72 pin simms, but I am used to
dealing with 30 pin memory, and don't know a lot about 72s. I would like to
upgrade the memory to about 64megs while using as few simm slots as
possible. Do other memory cards exist? Perhaps one that uses DIMMS?
My computer has a processor board with a 486, and a Pentium Overdrive Ziff
socket. What other processor boards are around? I notice that the MB has a
jumper for the detection of multiple processors. What will this computer
handle, dual P90s? higher? lower?
What about the EISA bus? I don't know very much about it, but I am thinking
I need a configuration disk of somesorts. I did download the files I need
for my Adaptec cards from the Adaptec web site, but now I need something
that will use those files. The computer complains that I removed 3 cards,
and I need to change the floppy configuration as well. Is the bios/EISA OS
independent?
I plan to get the computer up and running with PCDOS and WFWG 3.11, but just
until I get used to this EISA bus and whatever else. I would like to
eventually install Caldera Open Linux 2.3 or SCO OpenServer 5.05.
Thanks,
From the Unisys 386DX-33 of
Chad A. Fernandez in Battle Creek, MI USA
Dale 'Cat' Robinson
On Sun, 10 Oct 1999 20:48:04 GMT, fern...@internet1.net wrote:
>It is a MPE4668 with a 486dx-2/66 and 24megs of ram, and I have a few
>questions.
Unisys based their CTOS SG6000 server on it. So someone with an
SG6000 SCU disk might be able to help you out.
>Is the memory anything special? They are 72 pin simms, but I am used to
>dealing with 30 pin memory, and don't know a lot about 72s. I would like to
Note sure, but Unisys had (has?) a habit of using TIN PLATED SIMMS.
>My computer has a processor board with a 486, and a Pentium Overdrive Ziff
>socket. What other processor boards are around? I notice that the MB has a
Kingston 586 chips are a popular upgrade.
>jumper for the detection of multiple processors. What will this computer
>handle, dual P90s? higher? lower?
You'll need the book, or someone with the book. Unisys
(www.bookstore.unisys.com) will sell you an SG6000 Installation guide
for 10 cents, so you might want to try that if all else fails.
>What about the EISA bus? I don't know very much about it, but I am thinking
You need an SCU disk to configure EISA boards. Under CTOS, Unisys had
a number of IOP boards available for use.
>I plan to get the computer up and running with PCDOS and WFWG 3.11, but just
You could even ran Windows NT 3.51 if you wanted :-)
Good luck,
,-_|\ - Dale 'Cat' Robinson Computer analyst/programmer,
/ \ Short, fat guy. WHO said Pizza?
\_,-\_/ Sometimes, CTOS FAQ Author.
v "Being ordinary and nothing special is a full time job."
CTOS FAQ Site: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Pines/4011/
-----------== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News ==----------
http://www.newsfeeds.com The Largest Usenet Servers in the World!
------== Over 73,000 Newsgroups - Including Dedicated Binaries Servers ==-----
Mort Guffman
PARITY. Parity memory costs a little more and I know some of the old
Unisys machines we run (MPI 46664) require parity (36 bit).
The ISA systems use 1 or 4 or 16 meg simms... but I seem to recall
that the MPE's also took 2's and 8's.... possibly 32's.
I have some info on this at work - I am pretty sure we have a few of
these computers. Is it in a HUGE case? Like a small refrigerator with
wheels?
mort
On Sun, 10 Oct 1999 20:48:04 GMT, fern...@internet1.net wrote:
>
>Hello,
>
>I bought a Unisys server off of Ebay....probably paid to much, oh well :-)
>
>It is a MPE4668 with a 486dx-2/66 and 24megs of ram, and I have a few
>questions.
>
>Is the memory anything special? They are 72 pin simms, but I am used to
>dealing with 30 pin memory, and don't know a lot about 72s. I would like to
>
>upgrade the memory to about 64megs while using as few simm slots as
>possible. Do other memory cards exist? Perhaps one that uses DIMMS?
>
>My computer has a processor board with a 486, and a Pentium Overdrive Ziff
>socket. What other processor boards are around? I notice that the MB has a
>
>jumper for the detection of multiple processors. What will this computer
>handle, dual P90s? higher? lower?
>
>What about the EISA bus? I don't know very much about it, but I am thinking
>
>I need a configuration disk of somesorts. I did download the files I need
>for my Adaptec cards from the Adaptec web site, but now I need something
>that will use those files. The computer complains that I removed 3 cards,
>and I need to change the floppy configuration as well. Is the bios/EISA OS
>independent?
>
>I plan to get the computer up and running with PCDOS and WFWG 3.11, but just
>
Victor A. Garcia
> I would bet that the memory is standard 72 pin (not EDO), but it is
> PARITY. Parity memory costs a little more and I know some of the old
> Unisys machines we run (MPI 46664) require parity (36 bit).
The MPE's are servers, they all required Parity memory (36bits).
> The ISA systems use 1 or 4 or 16 meg simms... but I seem to recall
> that the MPE's also took 2's and 8's.... possibly 32's.
Most likely the biggest mem will be 16Mgby simms, each block has to be same
size simms, they will be hard to find new, they are obsoleted too, but there
should be plenty in the used market.
fern...@internet1.net
On 1999-10-11 hst...@clampett.com said:
>I would bet that the memory is standard 72 pin (not EDO), but it is
>PARITY. Parity memory costs a little more and I know some of the old
>Unisys machines we run (MPI 46664) require parity (36 bit).
I kinda thought they would be parity. My Unisys 386 (don't recall the
model) takes parity 30-pin simms.
>The ISA systems use 1 or 4 or 16 meg simms... but I seem to recall
>that the MPE's also took 2's and 8's.... possibly 32's.
It has 6 simms in it, so the existing simms must be 4's
>I have some info on this at work - I am pretty sure we have a few of
>these computers. Is it in a HUGE case? Like a small refrigerator
>with wheels?
Not quite that wide, .........getting out my
trusty tape measure it's 11" wide and 22" high.
>mort
Thanks Mort :-)
From the Unisys 386DX-33 of
Chad A. Fernandez in Battle Creek, MI USA
Net-Tamer V 1.12 Beta - Test Drive
fern...@internet1.net
On 1999-10-11 catfro...@geocities.com(Dale'Cat'Robinson) said:
>>Is the memory anything special? They are 72 pin simms, but I am
>>used to dealing with 30 pin memory, and don't know a lot about 72s.
>I would like to
>Note sure, but Unisys had (has?) a habit of using TIN PLATED SIMMS.
Is that bad? I always assume Gold was better, but sre there any rules about
mixing or switching?
>>My computer has a processor board with a 486, and a Pentium
>>Overdrive Ziff socket. What other processor boards are around? I
>notice that the MB has a
>Kingston 586 chips are a popular upgrade.
I thought filling the Overdrive socket, but if I can find the board I would
rather swap the whole processor board.
>>jumper for the detection of multiple processors. What will this
>>computer handle, dual P90s? higher? lower?
>You'll need the book, or someone with the book. Unisys
>(www.bookstore.unisys.com) will sell you an SG6000 Installation
>guide for 10 cents, so you might want to try that if all else fails.
I'll check the online bookstore.
>>What about the EISA bus? I don't know very much about it, but I
>am thinking
>You need an SCU disk to configure EISA boards. Under CTOS, Unisys
>had a number of IOP boards available for use.
What does SCU stand for?
>>I plan to get the computer up and running with PCDOS and WFWG 3.11,
>but just
>You could even ran Windows NT 3.51 if you wanted :-)
I thought about getting it...still might. I just have WFWG 3.11 handy
>Good luck,
thanks :-)
fern...@internet1.net
Oh here is the full model number if it helps anyone help me :-)
MPE46681 FDD
That is what is printed on the back of the case.
fern...@internet1.net
On 1999-10-11 vgar...@tampabay.rr.com said:
>No it will not handle dual CPU's, one will override the other.
Well, I understand the with the current cpu board is designed to
handle only one cpu at a time. The motherboard has a jumper to inable the
detection of multiple cpu's, However...or is that just to enable the OD
socket?
The current cpu board doesn't use the
64-bit extension, either. I wondered what this other connector was, and the
diagram on the inside of the case labled it as a 64-bit cpu interface or
something like that. I assume a cpu board for a pentium would connect
to both that 64-bit slot and the slot with the current cpu board...assuming
I remove the current cpu board.
***for clarification...the CPU is NOT on the motherboard, but on a separate
board that plugs into the motherboard***
>Most likely the biggest mem will be 16Mgby simms, each block has to
>be same size simms, they will be hard to find new, they are
>obsoleted too, but there should be plenty in the used market.
I'll check eBay.
Even though it is not REQUIRED, would FPM or EDO memory work?
Thanks,
Tim McCaffrey
fern...@internet1.net says...
>
>
>
>Is that bad? I always assume Gold was better, but sre there any rules about
>mixing or switching?
>
There is a chemical reaction between gold and tin (I think it is called
electomigration) that causes bad contacts eventually between the two. You
should always match the SIMMs to the sockets (and, yes, they are probably
tin).
> >Kingston 586 chips are a popular upgrade.
>
>I thought filling the Overdrive socket, but if I can find the board I would
>rather swap the whole processor board.
>
Well, I think the only processor upgrade for those machines was a Pentium 66.
If you look in there, and see the chipset is made by TI, then don't get real
optimistic about the performance. The POD83 upgrade will probably give you
about the same performance as the Pentium 66, and the Kingston upgrade about a
P75's worth. The POD83s are available on eBay for $25-30 (I just got one,
myself for an MPE4665).
>What does SCU stand for?
System Configuration Utility. This requires the correct SCU for your machine
(they are not interchangeable). EISA works something like Microchannel, in
that you have to have a master configuration utility, and configuration files
for every damn card you stick in the thing (well, I think you could get away
with old ISA cards).
>
> >>I plan to get the computer up and running with PCDOS and WFWG 3.11,
> >but just
>
It will run W95, just don't expect blazing speed.
Tim McCaffrey
NOT speaking for Unisys!
fern...@internet1.net
On 1999-10-11 timothy....@spam2filter.unisys.com.takethisoff said:
>There is a chemical reaction between gold and tin (I think it is
>called electomigration) that causes bad contacts eventually between
>the two. You should always match the SIMMs to the sockets (and,
>yes, they are probably tin).
Oops, I should check my 386! I know I have some 4 meg Gold simms, but
everything else is Tin, I believe.
>Well, I think the only processor upgrade for those machines was a
>Pentium 66. If you look in there, and see the chipset is made by TI,
>then don't get real optimistic about the performance. The POD83
>upgrade will probably give you about the same performance as the
>Pentium 66, and the Kingston upgrade about a P75's worth. The
>POD83s are available on eBay for $25-30 (I just got one, myself for
>>an MPE4665).
I think I did see some TI chips, I'll have to look again, However.
What is the difference between a 4668, and a 5668? I see the MB has
4668/5668 printed on it. Would the 5668 be basically the same computer, but
with a processor card designed for a true Pentium?
>What does SCU stand for?
>System Configuration Utility.
I was thinking of that earlier today, I kinda feel dumb for asking that
now...I should have realized that right off.
>This requires the correct SCU for
>your machine (they are not interchangeable). EISA works something
>like Microchannel, in that you have to have a master configuration
>utility, and configuration files for every damn card you stick in
>the thing (well, I think you could get away with old ISA cards).
I have dealt with Microchannel a bit. Not real deep, Though.
>It will run W95, just don't expect blazing speed.
I'm going to save W95 for my 233mhz computer :-)
>Tim McCaffrey
Thanks Tim!
From the Unisys 386DX-33 of
Chad A. Fernandez in Battle Creek, MI USA
Net-Tamer V 1.12 Beta - Test Drive
fern...@internet1.net
On 1999-10-11 timothy....@spam2filter.unisys.com.takethisoff said:
>There is a chemical reaction between gold and tin (I think it is
>called electomigration) that causes bad contacts eventually between
>the two. You should always match the SIMMs to the sockets (and,
>yes, they are probably tin).
I opened up the case again last night. I was changing things around a bit
with the drives, so I decided to look at the memory while I was at it.
I didn't pull the memory board, or a simm, but from what I could see the
contacts looked like gold.
I still would like to know if I can use EDO or FPM memory, even though the
computer does not require it. All I have found so far has been one of these
types.
Tim Roy
will tend to look in his cabinet/drawer of "previously enjoyed equipment."
One thing to keep in mind is that the system MIGHT require single sided
SIMMS. In other words, either 4MB or 16MB SIMMs. Some PCs of that vintage
wouldn't take 8MB SIMMs (and 32s were quite probably not available or in
wide use). I'd suggest you go for four 16MB gold plated partiy SIMMs. Like
the other poster suggested, I'd avoid the newer 3 chip SIMMs.
While gold-plated parity memory tends to cost a wee bit more, the plus for
you is that fewer machines use(d) it. By that I mean that there may well be
someone with some to sell that might have had a bit easier time selling some
non-parity/EDO SIMMs.
Good luck!
Tim Roy
Not speaking for Unisys...
fern...@internet1.net wrote in message ...
fern...@internet1.net
On 1999-10-19 tim...@uniREMOVETHISsys.com said:
>Get gold-plated parity 72 pin SIMMs. Once you get into that area
>your source will tend to look in his cabinet/drawer of "previously
>enjoyed equipment." One thing to keep in mind is that the system
>MIGHT require single sided SIMMS. In other words, either 4MB or
>16MB SIMMs. Some PCs of that vintage wouldn't take 8MB SIMMs (and
>32s were quite probably not available or in wide use). I'd suggest
>you go for four 16MB gold plated partiy SIMMs. Like the other
>poster suggested,
I have heard of a single sided simm, but don't really know what it is. Does
it have contacts on one side only?
I thought I would get some 16s. like you suggest. I was hoping to use 32s,
However. I am going to check with a guy at work to see if he has a few 32s
around that I could try. That way I won't be out any money, if they don't
work.
>I'd avoid the newer 3 chip SIMMs.
Yes, I learned that with 30-pin simms :-)
>While gold-plated parity memory tends to cost a wee bit more, the
>plus for you is that fewer machines use(d) it. By that I mean that
>there may well be someone with some to sell that might have had a
>bit easier time selling some non-parity/EDO SIMMs.
>Good luck!
Up until recently, I wasn't aware that simms were even supposed to be
matched to the slot. So many people, at least on Ebay, make the Gold simms
out to be just a higher quality product. They may be higher quality, but
unless you have Gold simm slots, you shouldn't really use them!
>Tim Roy
Thanks Tim!
Victor A. Garcia
news:RDeP3.20943$E_1.1...@typ11.nn.bcandid.com...
> I have heard of a single sided simm, but don't really know what it is.
Does
> it have contacts on one side only?
No, they have contacts on both sides, but, CHIPS in only one side, that's
what to look for.
> Up until recently, I wasn't aware that simms were even supposed to be
> matched to the slot. So many people, at least on Ebay, make the Gold
simms
> out to be just a higher quality product. They may be higher quality, but
> unless you have Gold simm slots, you shouldn't really use them!
Yes, that can cause problems in the long run, due to the use of two
different alloys in closed contact to each other, the chemical reaction
between both, eventually will break the contact.
There is not electrical difference between both types, the golden ones,
looks better, that's it.
fern...@internet1.net
On 1999-10-21 vgar...@tampabay.rr.com said:
>> I have heard of a single sided simm, but don't really know what
>>it is. Does
>> it have contacts on one side only?
>No, they have contacts on both sides, but, CHIPS in only one side,
>that's what to look for.
That was my second guess. Is it a space issue? Unless the simm slots are
closer together, what does it matter about the chips being on one side or
two?
Edward Reid
> No, they have contacts on both sides, but, CHIPS in only one side, that's
> what to look for.
Right -- often it's simply a matter of space, and the SIMMs with chips
on both sides are too fat.
Edward Reid