TOPS-10 Operators Guide Oct88

This document is the TOPS-10 Operator's Guide (AA-H283C-TB), published in October 1988, by Digital Equipment Corporation.

It serves as a task-oriented reference for experienced computer operators using the TOPS-10 operating system, specifically for KS10-based (DECSYSTEM-2020) and KL10-based (1090, 1091, 1095, 1099) TOPS-10 systems.

The guide covers key operational topics including:

• System Familiarization: Overview of hardware components (central processors, memory, front-end processors/microprocessors, peripherals, remote stations).
• Device Operation and Maintenance: Instructions for managing and maintaining various peripheral devices like line printers, card readers/punches, DECtapes, disk packs, magnetic tapes, and plotters.
• System Startup: Detailed procedures for powering up and loading the TOPS-10 system on both KS10 and KL10 central processors, including using default and non-default parameters, and answering monitor startup questions.
• Software Tasks: Comprehensive instructions on using the Operator Command Language (OPR) to control GALAXY batch system programs (like QUASAR, BATCON, LPTSPL, CDRIVE, SPROUT, SPRINT, PULSAR, NEBULA), managing system events, batch streams, Network Queue Controller (NQC) streams, File Access Listener (FAL) streams, batch jobs, line printer jobs, card reader jobs, LAT (Local Area Transport) devices, card punch, paper tape punch, and plotters. It also covers scheduled tasks like updating the message of the day, accounting files, system catalog files, saving accounting/gripe files, riddling detached jobs, backing up the system (daily/weekly), refreshing file structures, and analyzing disk information.
• Error Recovery Procedures: Step-by-step guidance on recovering from various system crashes and errors on both KS10 and KL10 central processors, including microprocessor crashes, monitor crashes, hung systems, stopcodes, parity/NXM errors, KLINIT errors, data channel errors, and environmental errors. It also describes procedures for system dumping and reloading, and reconfiguring system hardware.

The document emphasizes the operator's responsibilities to keep the system running, respond to user requests, and perform hardware/software-related duties, including documenting system activities and problems in a logbook. It also includes appendices with boot error messages, KS10 microprocessor console commands, PARSER commands, KLINIT operator dialog details, and information on saving/restoring disk files with BACKUP.