Ajrllbo Rl8-a/Rl02 Pck Vfyr

Summary

This document is a technical manual and assembly language source listing for the RL8-A/RL02 Pack Verifier diagnostic program, dated September 1981.

Purpose The program is designed to detect new bad sectors on RL02 disk packs. It updates the field "bad sector files" to include any new errors found. It can also be used to print existing bad sector files or to rewrite manufacturing bad sector files if the previous ones have been destroyed.

Key Features and Requirements:

• System Requirements: Requires a PDP-8/E, F, or M processor with at least 8K of memory, a VT278 (with 32K memory) or equivalent console device, and an RL8A controller with at least one RL02 drive.
• Compatibility: The program is fully compatible with the OS/8 operating system.

• Operation:

  • The program is loaded at starting address 200.
  • It includes a console package for operator interaction, which allows for setting non-default parameters, specifying device codes, and suppressing specific verifications.
  • Data area verification is optional because it destroys existing disk data.

• Error Reporting: Reporting is limited, as the program is not intended for general diagnostic use. It identifies unit failures, bad sector file write errors, and software errors.

• Technical Details: The document provides a comprehensive assembly source code listing, including instructions, subroutines (e.g., for disk I/O, error handling, and console input), memory maps, and symbol tables. It also includes specific instructions on how to handle "bad sector files" and detailed descriptions of the RL8A controller instruction set.