Hi,

Since NetBSD-1.4 was recently released, I decided to check if it would run
on my old MicroVAX 3100-40 - since the previous releases didn't (the bootloader
failed).

I was pleased to see the bootloader come up this time, and even fetch the
kernel. The problem arose when the kernel was in the middle of device
configuration/reporting -- the console is cluttered with line noise (seemingly).

The machine itself has no drives, so it's netbooted using various NetBSD,
IRIX and FreeBSD systems. It also lacks an MMJ-capable terminal (or adapter),
so I'm using a DECstation as a console. Basically a rather dependent machine,
intended for full remote administration (at least until I can track down an
MMJ-adapter for my Wyse60's..).

The MOP request and download transpires without complications:

May 15 20:32:31 thjalfe mopd[349]: 8:0:2b:31:bd:c9 (2) Do you have 08002b31bdc9? (Yes)
May 15 20:32:31 thjalfe mopd[349]: 8:0:2b:31:bd:c9 Send me 08002b31bdc9
May 15 20:32:31 thjalfe mopd[349]: 8:0:2b:31:bd:c9 Load completed

.. and so does the BOOTP request:

May 15 20:33:04 sleipner /vmunix: xl0: promiscuous mode enabled
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: version 2.4.3
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: bootptab mtime: Sat May 15 18:53:50 1999
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: reading "/etc/bootptab"
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: read 8 entries (5 hosts) from "/etc/bootptab"
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: recvd pkt from IP addr 0.0.0.0
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: bootptab mtime: Sat May 15 18:53:50 1999
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: request from Ethernet address 08:00:2B:31:BD:C9
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: found 192.42.172.66 (fenris)
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: bootfile="/tftpboot/fenris"
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: vendor magic field is 99.130.83.99
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: request message length=548
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: extended reply, length=548, options=312
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: sending reply (with RFC1048 options)
May 15 20:33:05 sleipner bootpd[938]: setarp 192.42.172.66 - 08:00:2B:31:BD:C9

plus the NFS mount:

indigo 4% /etc/showmount -a
fenris.vmunix.dk:/export/fenris

Here's a typescript of what happens on powerup:

[20:26 15/05] sst@thjalfe|ttyp0:~% cu -l ttyD3 -s 9600
Connected.



KA45-A V1.2-343-V4.0
08-00-2B-31-BD-C9
16MB
|                               |
#################################

OK

  83 BOOT SYS

-ESA0
>> NetBSD/vax boot [May  7 1999 06:49:43] <<
>> Press any key to abort autoboot 5
> boot netbsd
Trying BOOTP
Using IP address: 192.42.172.66
myip: fenris (192.42.172.66), gateip: 192.42.172.64, mask: 255.255.255.0
root addr=192.42.172.64 path=/export/fenris
834728+43864+161316+[64440+72735] total=0x11f603
Copyright (c) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
    The NetBSD Foundation, Inc.  All rights reserved.
Copyright (c) 1982, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993
    The Regents of the University of California.  All rights reserved.

NetBSD 1.4_BETA (GENERIC) #2: Thu Apr 29 03:21:07 CEST 1999
    ragge@vs4000:/usr/src/sys/arch/vax/compile/GENERIC

VAXstation 4000 VLC     # Do I have a VS4000 in a uV3100's clothing?
realmem = 16515072
avail mem = 12996608
Using 201 buffers containing 823296 bytes of memory.
mainbus0 (root)
cpu0 at mainbus0: KA48  # The BootPROM says KA45, though
cpu0: turning on floating point chip
vsbus0 at mainbus0
vsbus0: interrupt mask 0
dz0 at vsbus0 csr 0x200a0000 vec 124 ipl 15 maskbit 4
dz0: 4 lines
lkc0 at dz0 # There's no LK201 on this box. It has no graphics, either



KA45-A V1.2-343-V4.0
08-00-2B-31-BD-C9
16MB
|                               |
#################################

OK

  83 BOOT SYS

-ESA0
>> NetBSD/vax boot [May  7 1999 06:49:43] <<
>> Press any key to abort autoboot 5
Press '?' for help
> ~.

It repeats the exact same procedure and failure from here.

Note that it doesn't restart automagically - Only if I attempt to enter
input on the 'console' -- It's even ping-able, though it doesn't come
up multiuser. It does remain 'up' until I attempt input on the console.

I first suspected a wrong speed setting, but I've got it set to 9600 everywhere
-- no mention of 19200 or somesuch.

What arguments can be given to the kernel in NetBSD/vax to have the system
come up multiuser per default (and where/how)?

I do have a working NetBSD-1.3 installation on a MicroVAX-II, should a kernel
recompile be required.. but since this would take ~2.5 days of compiletime,
I need to be sure it would help - could I for example remove the 'lkc0' device:

lkc0            at dz0                  # Keyboard LK201

.. since there's no LK201 attached but a terminal emulator, and things seem to
be working OK until this is detected? I'm guessing the kernel starts speaking
LK201 to the terminal emulator, thus confusing it greatly.

Would it make any sense whatsoever to attach an LK201 to the machine, even
though it's headless?

// Sune Stjerneby
<sst@hermes.koege-gym.dk> {Herfoelge, Denmark, EU}
  -- "Go, Go, DECzilla!"
  -- "Berkeley UNIX: 22 Years on the VAX."
  -- http://www.{Net,Free,Open}BSD.ORG