Subject: Re: Netbsd for dec 3k with no floppy
To: port-alpha@netbsd.org <port-alpha@netbsd.org>
From: Ted Sikora <tsikora@home.com>
List: port-alpha
Date: 04/28/2000 14:12:03
Wilko Bulte wrote:
> 
> On Fri, Apr 28, 2000 at 12:02:13PM +0100, Jim McBoyle wrote:
> >
> > > Whilst I was pretending to study, Wilko Bulte wrote:
> > >
> > > > On Wed, Apr 26, 2000 at 03:34:52PM -0700, Ross Harvey wrote:
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > >       Installing the NetBSD System
> > > > > >
> > > > > >:::
> > > > > > The cdhdtape image is not an iso 9660 image, but it is bootable
> > > > > > on your 3k...
> > > > >
> > > > > Oh, and I forgot to add .. don't try to get your 3k's CD drive to
> > > > > read a CD-RW, it will need a CD-R.
> > > >
> > > > FWIW: for DEC cdroms RRD46 and later will read CD-RW. This indeed
> > > > precludes the older machines unless they had new drives fitted.
> > >
> > > Speaking of CDROMs as we were(n't) I had this daft thought... Could I
> > > connect my old Sun external SCSI 2X cdrom drive (off of my Sparc LX) onto
> > > my 3000/300? It uses the same size of SCSI cable (50pin) so I would have
> > > though that it *should* be compatable, but...
> > >
> > > PLease excuse this heretical thought, but as I have the hardware and it
> 
> Is not heretical, done it before successfully.
> 
> > > *looks* like the idea might work I decided it would be a good idea to ask
> > > :-)
> > >
> > OOoo, tried it and it worked first time, the Alpha picked it up on the
> > console and NetBSD found it and allowed me to mount the CDROM drive
> > without having to change a thing (apparently the drive in the external Sun
> > box is a Sony, so sayeth the dmesg<g>)
> 
> DEC*), Sun, SGI (IIRC) CDdrives will default to 512byte/block
> 
> *) for later models you sometimes have to select "Workstation mode" by
> installing/removing the parity enable jumper. SCSI parity is always enabled
> on these drives.

I connected an old Nec 2x scsi cd changer to a DEC3000/300x
in hopes of booting NetBSD on it. It sees all the drives fine and works
but it will not let me boot a cd. Is there any way to get it to boot? Or
is this a firmware issue.

--
Ted Sikora
Jtl Development Group 
tsikora@powerusersbbs.com