[rescue] So I picked up an old POWER2 system...

[Patrick Finnegan]

On Wednesday 03 August 2005 14:40, Andrew Jones wrote:
> I went to VCF midwest and picked up an IBM 3CT for 10$.  I had always
> wanted one of the old multi-chip POWER systems, and now I have one.

Cool.  I wonder where you got that from... ;)

> The catch is that I have no idea what to do with it.  The graphics
> boards have a 3w3 connector (not 13w3, 3w3, like a DEC) and I have no
> monitor.  I also cannot find any hardware information on IBM.com at
> all; it seems they stopped publishing any information about MCA
> systems. 

Not true, see below.

> Luckily for me, the CD-ROM drive had an AIX 5.1 disc sitting 
> in it, which I believe to contain the BOS distribution, so I should
> be able to get /something/ up and running if I can get a serial
> console.

The seller should probably ask for that CD back... make sure you have a 
license to run AIX 5.1 before using it.

> To sum things up, does anyone have any leads on the old hardware
> manuals, preferably in computerized form? 

You didn't look hard enough at IBM's site:
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/pseries/index.jsp?topic=/com.ibm.pseries.doc/hardware.htm

Look at the manuals under the "7012 Model 300 Series" link (a 7020-3CT 
is the same as a 7012-39H).  Also, look under "Adaptors, devices, and 
cable" and "Diagnostic" links under "General service documentation".

> Can anyone tell me how to 
> get a serial console on this system? Hints, tips?

Step 1: connect via a null model to serial port "S1"
Step 2: boot installer.
Step 3: profit.

Pat
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