[SunRescue] SPARCsystem 600MP needs an OS

[Chris Sterling]

On Sun, 5 Sep 1999, James Lockwood wrote:

> On Sun, 5 Sep 1999, Chris Sterling wrote:
> 
> > The netboot worked like a champ. The address for Sol2.6 is 0x71c, with
> > halt at 0x74c. 
> 
> Hrm, is this 2.6 3/98?  2.6 FCS had the address at 0x740 IIRC.
> 

It's 5/98. Once I get the mahcine up, I'll post the values (if that would
be useful?)


> > Unfortunatly, both disks are toast. Which brings me to my next question...
> > how the heck do I get those monster drives out?
> 
> It's a snap.  Take the plastic top off by unscrewing the large plastic
> knob on the back, the slide it backwards.  Then remove the starboard metal
> panel by undoing the row of screws on the top (these will either be
> Phillips or 3/16" Allen-wrench head), pull the panel sideways, and lift it
> up (heavy sucker).  The two drive bays are the large metal brackets you
> see with the large pair of flat-bladed screws next to each.  Get a big
> screwdriver, unscrew all four screws and the bays swing out on hinges.
> It's a really nifty design.
> 
> There is one thing that I just realized though, you may need to terminate
> the end of your SCSI chain.  Underneath the plastic top-panel near the
> back of the machine there is a small metal access plate with a screws
> holding it down.  Undo those screws and notice where the terminator packs
> are installed.  If they aren't in there or if they're in the "STORAGE"
> sockets, you will need to add an external terminator to the extra SCSI
> connector on the back.  The /x30 chassis is kind of funky in this respect,
> there is a short SCSI cable that comes from the mainboard into the lower
> socket in the back, this socket leads to a ribbon cable that connects to
> the drives, and it snakes back up to connect with the upper socket and the
> terminator packs (if installed).
> 
> > The drives I have on hand are... Seagate, 2.1BG (connor bios), and a old
> > Barracuda or two, probably 1GB'ers. Do I need drives with SUN bios, or
> > will these work?  I'll also have to go buy an external drive case I guess.
> > Can I mount 3.5" drives in the 330's chassis? 
> 
> Sure, in fact the /x30 came with four connectors on the long SCSI ribbon
> cable and four power connectors available for drives.  There are two 5.25"
> full-height bays, and you can install up to 4 3.5" half-height drives if
> you want to with those $2 3.5" to 5.25" PC drive adaptors.
> 
> You can use any SCSI-II drive you like, subject to power and heat
> constraints.  Since the /x30 has power to burn and tons of ventilation it
> should handle nearly anything.  The drive connectors are IDC 50-pin,
> standard narrow SCSI.
> 
> This brings another point to mind: the long SCSI ribbon cable is a weak
> point in the /x30 design.  Out of the 6 4/330's I've owned, 4 of them had
> dead or failing cables.  Even if it looks perfect, if you still have
> problems getting other drives to show up, go ahead and buy a PC narrow
> SCSI cable to replace it, and don't bend it too much (the originals are
> terribly squashed, you'll understand when you take a look).

This machine came with am external terminator, but no resistor pack in the
little compartment. It seems to be working OK, I'm formatting the new
drive on it right now. I got the drives out OK, well almost OK. I dropped
one of them, the Seagate I think, on my foot. The really dead one, a CDC
didn't give me too many problems though.  ;) 

 
> Does it show I used to run a lab of 30 of these?  :)

:)  

I bet it was fun. I really like this box, but I don't think I would have
it running if it was not for your help. If you want the Comm processor II
card or a 'Stingray Memory' board for a real 330 (it's loaded with simms),
you are welcome to 'em. I'll even pay for shipping.


--------------------------------
Chris Sterling					
System Administrator
EazeNet					     
lemmy at eaze.net
Office:	817-557-3038
Fax:	817-557-3468