> Just a bit of data we stumbled across when testing some things out for the
> 1.4.1 release.  Maybe some people already know this, but if not... You can
> actually boot from SCSI drives under 1.4 and 1.4.1-pre -- but you're
> REALLY going to want to be using 1.4.1-pre or 1.4.1 when it's out.  And
> you must use one of the 1.4.1-pre kernels with the SCSI disconnect hack.
> 
> Boot from the VAXstation 3100's boot prom (just an example):
> 
>   >>> boot dka0 
> 
> And then when you get to the 2nd stage bootloader countdown, press <space>
> to drop to the bootloader prompt and type:
>   
>   > boot rom()netbsd -d
> 
> This gets the kernel up and running.  You'll be prompted for a root device
> so use sd0 or sd1 or whatever device you've setup to contain your root
> filesystem.
> 
> -brian.
> ---
> Brian "JARAI" Chase | http://world.std.com/~bdc/ | VAXZilla LIVES!!!
> 
The help in the 2nd stage bootloader could really be made more helpful.

A few days ago i tried this quick and dirty fix to vax/boot/boot/conf.c
It makes the 2nd stage bootloader use the rom routines if it boots from scsi
and works perfectly on my 31000/m30.

--- conf.c.old  Sat Jul 31 10:15:11 1999
+++ conf.c      Sat Jul 31 10:15:35 1999
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
        SADEV("mt",tmscpstrategy, tmscpopen, nullsys, noioctl),
         SADEV("rom",romstrategy, romopen, nullsys, noioctl),
         SADEV("rd",mfmstrategy, mfmopen, nullsys, noioctl),
-        SADEV("sd",nullsys, nullsys, nullsys, noioctl),
+        SADEV("sd",romstrategy, romopen, nullsys, noioctl),
        SADEV("st",nullsys, nullsys, nullsys, noioctl),
        SADEV("le",netstrategy, netopen, netclose, noioctl), /* LANCE */
         SADEV("ze",netstrategy, netopen, netclose, noioctl), /* SGEC */


I also compiled a new kernel with:

# Kernel(s) to compile
#config          netbsd root on ? type ?
config         netbsd  root on sd0a type ffs

So now my 3100 autoboots netbsd from scsi without any help from me.

/Magnus