System Hardware Installation or Modification

This document provides technical instructions for the hardware installation, system configuration, and maintenance of the ETOS time-sharing system on PDP-8 computers. It covers:

• Booting Procedures: Detailed steps for booting ETOS distribution and production packs using hardware bootstraps, front panels, or non-RK05 peripherals on various hardware configurations, including DEC Data Systems.
• System Configuration: Instructions for formatting disk packs and creating ETOS fixed packs. It also explains the use of the CONFIG program to tailor ETOS to specific hardware environments by modifying binary patches, system tables, and monitor components (including setting memory configuration, terminal I/O, and scheduler tuning).
• Hardware Setup: Requirements and procedures for enabling hardware features such as time-sharing (via M837/M8317 modules), clocks, line printers, and terminal characteristics (parity, stop bits, and fill characters).
• Testing and Diagnostics: Use of the TSC8.SV diagnostic program to test the ETOS (TSC8-75) board, including switch register formats and error message interpretation.
• System Operation: Procedures for starting and stopping the ETOS system, initializing system time and date, and managing system resources like swap tracks and terminal buffers.