Article 49808 of comp.sys.dec:

In article <5gao3j$r9k$1@nntpd.lkg.dec.com>, carlini@krakar.enet.dec.comx (Antonio Carlini) writes:
:
:In article <33258B6B.1832@swipnet.se>, Mats Karlssohn <sm5tfx@swipnet.se> writes:
:|>Stephen Hoff Hoffman wrote:
:|>> :2. How does the Mono graphics version differ form the color one ?
:|>> :   Can I upgrade my mono VS3100 to a color one ?
:|>>    Might be little more than finding a monitor that can synch-up
:|>>    with the GPX or SPX controller in this system...
:|>What's the difference ?

   SPX:        1280 x 1024 at 66 Hz
   GPX & SPX:  1024 x  864 at 60 Hz

   In addition to the above, the monitor must be capable of processing
   the video synchronization signalling via the green BNC connector:
   synch-on-green....

..
:|>> :3. Will the newer [Open]VMS versions work on the beast or am I struck
:|>> :   with 5.x ?
:|>>    OpenVMS VAX V7.1 is supported on this box, assuming sufficient
:|>>    disk and memory is configured.
:|>How much i actually needed for a typical system ?
:In practice, you'll want around 400MB system disk (200MB will work, but 
:there will be little spare room left). 16MB of memory will work, but go for
:32MB if you can get it: you won't regret it (at least, you won't if you have
:as many windows open as I do).

   "More is better".  SCSI system disk of a capacity up to 1.073 GB, but
   not! more.  (Data disks can be larger.)  Memory: as much as you can
   get: 32 MB (4 on-board, 12 MB on a daughter, 16 MB on a daughter). 
   OS Version: VAXstation 3100 model 76: V5.4-1; other VAXstation 3100
   series: V5.3-1.  These systems are supported on V7.1, assuming the
   specific disk and memory configuration meets the applicable Software
   Product Description (SPD) minimums.  DIGITAL storage peripherals are
   generally a better choice if you have not previously performed device
   integration and testing (or if you have and don't want to re-live the
   pain :-), but various third-party drives can be gotten to work...

:|>Last, but not least will it boot from any (SCSI-2) CDROM, or do I need
:|>a DEC CDROM ?
:I think you need to be able to set the CDROM to 2048 byte blocks (or maybe thats
:512 bytes - whichever PCs do not normally use). But that may be incorrect info
:(and even if it used to be correct, things may have changed). Try it and see,
:you (probably) won't do any harm.

   Support for 512 byte sectors is required -- there are a number of new
   and used CD-ROM drives available from DIGITAL (and others) that support
   this sector size.

   If looking for a used system in the VAXstation series, I'd look to the
   VAXstation 4000 models 60, 90 (et al), and VLC.  The 60 and 9x series
   have some expansion capabilities via optional the TURBOchannel bus, and
   have support for larger SCSI system disks, and are at least twice the
   speed of the VAXstation 3100 model 76 (fastest member of the VAXstation
   3100 series).

  -------------------------- pure personal opinion ---------------------------
   Hoff (Stephen) Hoffman   OpenVMS Engineering   h*ffman@xdelta.enet.dec.c*m
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