VAX-11/730 Diagnostic Overview Manual

This document, the "VAX-11/730 Diagnostic Overview Manual" (EK-DS730-UG-002) by Digital Equipment Corporation, published in 1983, serves as a guide for field service engineers, manufacturing, and customer training programs on using the diagnostic system for the VAX-11/730 computer.

The manual details the structure and operation of the VAX diagnostic system, covering:

1. Console Subsystem: Explains the VAX-11/730 console as a primary diagnostic tool, including its controls, indicator lights, power-up self-tests, and command language (e.g., BOOT, EXAMINE, DEPOSIT, HALT, LOAD, START, TEST).
2. Start Functions: Describes cold (boot) and warm (restart) procedures for the operating system and diagnostic supervisor.
3. Diagnostic Levels:
   • Microdiagnostics (Level 5): The lowest level, used when higher-level diagnostics fail, testing the console microprocessor and CPU microcode. It introduces the Microdiagnostic Monitor (MICMON) for control and error reporting.
   • Diagnostic Supervisor: A higher-level program (ENSAA.EXE) that can be loaded from various media (disk, tape) and facilitates running other diagnostics. It includes methods for handling primary load path failures.
   • Level 4 Diagnostic Program (EVKAA.EXE): A "hardcore instruction test" with detailed instructions for loading, execution, and error interpretation, including techniques for looping on intermittent errors.
   • Customer Runnable Diagnostics (CRD): A simplified control program offering AUTO (automated bottom-up) and MENU (user-controlled) modes for executing both micro- and macrodiagnostics.
4. System Disk Management: Procedures for building and updating the diagnostic area on the system disk using COPY commands or the Diagnostic Update Configuration Tool (DUCT).

Appendices provide technical references for internal processor registers and detailed MICMON commands. The manual is intended to enable users to effectively diagnose and maintain the VAX-11/730 system.