> > 1.  Backplane --- looks like a full 8 slot backplane.  I did not see
> >     any resin filled or otherwise nuked slots, and every slot was
> >     taken up with boards.
> 
> Could it be that the field circus already came out and "upgraded"
> this one?

Yes it seems someone did.  Good for me.

.....

> >    b)  MS630B VS II video board (mono?)
> > 
> >    c)  Clearpoint MV2RAM/8 (8mb ram board?)

What is the way to check the MS630B for the amount of ram it has?

It seems to be half filled with ram chips, and the rest is empty.

Is that 4mb on that board, then 8mb on the Clearpoint board for 12mb
total ram?


> >    d)  3 each grant continuity cards

What do these things actually do?

> >    e)  DiLogic DQ696 HD controller (ESDI?)
> 
> You lucked out with the memory and the disk controller.  There are 
> some threads earlier this summer both from me and Chuck McManis
> on how to get another disk formatted for this controller, how to 
> set it up to coexist with a RQDX3, etc.

Where do I find those, or does anyone have a copy they could bounce
me?

> >    f)  M75456 TK-50 tape controller
> > 
> >    g)  Viking VIK/QTO SCSI(?) controller (50 pin header thing)
> 
> If that's the case, you really lucked out?  Any disks hooked up to 
> this?

Nothing, just a 50 pin header cable to a DB50 connector on a cutout
on the back panel down at the lower left.  I am assuming something
external scsi was connected up, but have no idea what.  What CAN
be connected up to that controller, tapes or HD's or both?

> Several variations may work, I would suggest: cpu, memory, asynchronous
> IO (if you want it), ethernet, tape controller, disk controllers, grant
> continuity cards as needed.  

That is the reverse of what I was logically (or illogically) arriving
at.  I would have expected the HD and tape to be closer to the cpu,
but that is just a wild guess.  What is the reasoning for their
slot positions on the half-height cards?

> > IFF it actually has an esdi controller and a scsi controller, can
> > those work correctly with NetBSD?  If so, it may have the potential
> > to make a better 5 buckeroo machine that I originally thought.
> 
> Both will definitely work with Netbsd!

Great!  I have some outboard scsi cases from suns, with those silly
DB50 cables.  Maybe I can put them to use, now.
 
> > So, what NetBSD course of action is reasonable on the old VS II/RC
> > beastie?.....
>
> They are slow, but dependable, and nice machines when you have
> such golden disk controllers.

What I was thinking of doing with it was setting up a small ftp or
web server on it.  Not fast, but where lightning speed is relatively
unimportant, I would expect it to be adequate if the 664mb disk drive
is sufficient.

Thanks

Bob