From: David J. Dachtera [djesys.nospam@earthlink.net] Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 1999 9:48 PM To: Info-VAX@Mvb.Saic.Com Subject: Re: openvms on multia. Terry Murphy wrote: > > In article <7lb4o2$c5p@usenet.pa.dec.com>, > Hoff Hoffman wrote: > > > From the Freeware Multia V7.2 area: > > > > -- > > > >MULTIA, SYSTEM MANAGEMENT, Tools for booting OpenVMS on Multia systems > > > >Unsupported OpenVMS V7.2 files for Multia Systems > > > > This directory includes various versions of files that will likely > > allow hobbyists to bootstrap OpenVMS on the Multia system. > > > > Unpack the BACKUP saveset onto a floppy disk, and then check the > ^^^^^^^^^ > > release notes included on the floppy for additional details. > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > THIS is the file I'm talking about (the release notes). The document > you quoted tells how to create the disk image (from VMS), but does not > tell how to use it to boot (and I'm assuming the release notes file > does). For those of who do not have a working VMS system with a floppy, > we will need to get a copy of the release notes file as well as the > disk image file, since we cannot read the release notes from the floppy > since we don't have a working VMS system with a floppy. > > > I would not recommend a Multia box for a new OpenVMS user. No way. > > I understand this, but by just providing a saveset, you are excluding > those of us who just don't have a VMS system with a floppy drive > handy. I have done dozens of VMS installations on supported hardware, > and have installed Linux on the Multia, so I think I can handle VMS on > the Multia. ;-) I just need the files. > > > I'll see if I can get one of the local folks (with a Linux system > > handy) to create the necessary floppy images, and get them posted > > on the Freeware website. (If somebody's got the appropriate Windows > > NT commands that do this, I can try creating the floppy image here.) > > OK, thanks, I would be eternaly grateful if you could post the images > on-line. I do not think there is a way to create a disk image from a > floppy in Windows without installing an extra program. > > -- Terry Hey, Guys... I think I can help here. Take a look on the freeware CD for the Logical Disk driver software. At the very least, I have links to it from my freeware page, http://home.earthlink.net/~djesys/vms/freeware.html#lddrvr This should do it, provided you can download the floppy image saveset to a VMS system where you have installed the LD software: $ LD CREATE MULTIA_FLP.DSK/SIZE=2880 $ LD CONNECT MULTIA_FLP.DSK LDA1: $ INIT LDA1: ANYLABEL ! Extra INIT can prevent a system crash! $ MOUNT/FOREIGN LDA1: $ BACK/IMAGE/VERIFY MULTIA_V72.BCK/SAVE LDA1:/INIT $ DISMOUNT LDA1: $ LD DISCONNECT LDA1 Now, transfer the MULTIA_FLP.DSK file to your PC (remember to transfer is as BINARY!! FTP will do nicely, as will Kermit, WRQ, ZMODEM, etc.), then find a copy of the RAWRITE program (try rawrite.exe under ftp://ftp.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD/tools/) and use that to write the floppy image (MULTIA_FLP.DSK) to a floppy. If I can, I'll do exactly that (create the boot floppy image) and post it to my personal web site under "Hobbyist Support". I'll be back here to post the link when that's done. Now a word of caution (and I know I'm likely to get flamed for this): DO NOT ATTEMPT !! ...to make these floppies using RAWRITE in a DOS Window under Win/9x !! Win/9x has a "feature" whereby it attempts to modify offset 03h (the media identifier) in the boot sector of any diskette you attempt to write. Running RAWRITE in a DOS Window *DOES NOT* guarantee that this will be defeated !! If you have no other choice but your Win/9x machine, be *SURE* to start it in Command Line Only mode - *NO GUI* !! This is the safest, but still makes no guarantees !! -- David J. Dachtera dba DJE Systems http://home.earthlink.net/~djesys/ Unofficial Affordable OpenVMS Home Page and Message Board: http://home.earthlink.net/~djesys/vms/soho/