Rl11/01 Disk Sub-system Training Handout

Summary

This document is a training guide for the RL11/01 Disk Sub-system, designed for use by Field Service Engineers. It covers the technical operation, troubleshooting, and diagnostic procedures for the RL01/RL02 disk drive and the RL11 controller.

Key sections of the manual include:

• Sub-system Overview: Describes the RL disk drive (5MB RL01 or 10MB RL02), its media compatibility with IBM 5440-type cartridges, and the controller's functionality.
• Error Reporting: Details various subsystem errors (e.g., Clock Error, Data CRC, Drive Select, Seek Time-out, and Write Gate Errors) and explains conditions that trigger head retraction.
• Servo Data and Block Diagrams: Provides an in-depth technical explanation of embedded servo data, how heads handle servo bursts, and block diagram analyses of the RL11 controller and RL drive.
• Command Procedures: Outlines programming steps and hardware logic for essential commands: Get Status, Seek, Read Data, Write Data, and Write Check.
• Diagnostics: Details the suite of diagnostic programs (CVRLA, CZRLG, CZRLH, CZRLI, CZRLJ, CZRLK, CZRLL, and CZRLM) used to test and troubleshoot the system.
• Practical Examples: Includes code listings and walkthroughs for "toggle in" programs used to verify read/write functions and boot the system.