RX8/RX01 Diagnostic Program

Summary

This document provides the technical documentation and program listing for the RX8/RX01 Diagnostic Program (MAINDEC-08-DIRXA-C-D). Originally published in July 1976, the program is designed to test the RX01 Flexible Diskette Subsystem, either as a complete system (interface, control, and drives) or as a partial subsystem.

Key features include:

• Operating Modes: The diagnostic supports both stand-alone operation and operation via an integrated Console Package, which allows for communication and control through a terminal without requiring manual switch register settings.
• Error Detection and Reporting: The program provides detailed error codes and definitions for various hardware issues, including write/read errors, CRC errors, parity errors, and seek errors. It includes specific logic for distinguishing between drive-related and interface-related failures.
• Manual Intervention and Troubleshooting: Includes field engineering aids that allow users to restrict testing to specific "windows" or tracks on the diskette, preventing accidental damage to formatted data on Track 0.
• APT-8 Support: The document details how to interface the diagnostic with the APT-8 system for automated testing.
• Program Listing: The document concludes with a comprehensive assembly language source code listing (Revision C) used by maintenance engineers for low-level system debugging.