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Document:	VAXstation 3100 Model 30 Owner's Manual
Order Number:	EK-265AA-OM
Revision:	1
Pages:	174
Original Filename:

OCR Text

EK-265AA-OM-001

Owner’'s Manual

digital equipment corporation
maynard, massachusetis

January 1989
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed
as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital Equipment Corporation assumes no
responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.

The software described in this document is furnished under a license and may be used or copied
only in accordance with the terms of such license.
No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software on equipment that is not
supplied by Digital Equipment Corporation or its affiliated companies.
© Digital Equipment Corporation. 1989.

The postpaid Reader’s Comments form at the end of this document requests your critical
evaluation to assist in preparing future documentation.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
CDA

DELNI

Q-bus

VAXcluster

CompacTape

DEMPR

ReGIS

VAXstation

DDIF

DIGITAL

Remote System Manager

VMS

DEC

LA75 Companion Printer

ThinWire

DECconnect

LNO3

ULTRIX

XUI

DECnet

LNO3R ScriptPrinter

UNIBUS

DECwindows

PrintServer

VAX DOCUMENT

dlilofit]al

The following are third-party trademarks: MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft
Corporation. NFS is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Personal Computer AT is a
trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. PostScrirr is a registered trademark
of Adobe Systems, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of American Telephone and Telegraph
Company. X Window System is a trademark of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
FCC NOTICE: The equipment described in this manual generates, uses, and may emit radio
frequency energy. The equipment has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for
a Class A computing device pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed
to provide reasonable protection against such radio frequency interference when operated
in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area may cause
interference, in which case the user at his own expense may be required to take measures to
correct the interference.

ML-S1018

Production Note
This book was produced with the VAX DOCUMENT electronic
publishing system, a software tool developed and sold by
DIGITAL. In this system, writers use an ASCII text editor to
create source files containing text and English-like code; this code
labels the structural elements of the document, such as chapters,
paragraphs, and tables. The VAX DOCUMENT software, which
runs on the VMS operating system, interprets the code to format

the text, generate a table of contents and index, and paginate the
entire document. Writers can print the document on the terminal
or line printer, or they can use DIGITAL-supported devices, such
as the LNO3 laser printer and POSTSCRIPT printers (PrintServer
40 or LNO3R ScriptPrinter), to produce a typeset-quality copy
containing integrated graphics.

Contents

R T S

Xl”

Systemfllghhghts ..... e e e e e S A
B ie e e
TheVAXstatmn?:lOOFamily.,,...,..,.H..,....,‘.f.,,f,.”. .....

1-2
1-3

1 Your VAXstation 3100 Mocot 30"

2 Installing Your System

{

Choosing the Right Location ............R
L R
Unpacking . ......iii ittt ittt e e
e e
Setting Up Your Symem B
B
e e
Identifying System Unit Ports and Connectors
|
|
Connecting the Keyboard . .. .......... A
Connecting
the Mouse .............

2-2
2-3
2-4
2-4
2-6
2-7

Attaching Ethernet Terminators ........... T
R PR
Connecting the Monitor ..................... 5
e
Connecting
the Power Cords .. ....................... .
Starting Your System . ......... Pe e i
e ee
Checking the Power-Up lwplay.................... e
Power-Up prlay for Syamm Withmut Dwkette
Drive . ... ...
e
e e
Power-Up lmplay for Syatem mth Diskette Drive ...
" IfYouHave Problems ............
...
iiiiiineo...
Setting the Keyboard Language . ......... & HY
e e e
Connectingtoa Network ..................A AT e
e e e
Installing Your Operating Sy&tem,,,,,, S
e e
ee e

2-8
2-11
2-13
2-15
2-15

Turning Off Your System . . .. .. ...,

2-16
2-16
2-17
2-17
2-17
2-18

2-18

Learning About Your System
Hard Disk Drives . . ... ......... C et ettt Tape Cartridges ............. e
e ettt
e
e
Labeling a Tape Cartridge . .. ..........
... .. ... .. ...,
Writing to and Protecting Tape Cartmdges

3-1
3-1
-

3-2

......... e

3-2

Write-Protecting a Tape . ........ e
e e e
WritingtoaTape ... .............. e e
Handling and Storing Tape Cartridges ............... e

3-3
3-4
3-4

TZ30 Tape Drive

. ... ... ... . ittt
i,

3-5

Inserting a Tape Cartridge . . . .............
... ... ......

3-6

Removing a Tape Cartridge ...............
... ... ......
Summary of TZ30 Lights . . ............... e e
If You Have Problems ................
... ... ... ......

3-7
3-8
3-8

RX23 Diskette Drive . ... ...

... ... . ..
..
Diskettes .. ...... .
i
e
Writing to and Protecting Diskettes . ........ e e

3-9

3-9
3-9

Write-Protecting a Diskette ......... e e

3-10

Writing to a Diskette . .. ........

.....

3-10

Insertinga Diskette . . . .........
... .. . ..
...

3-11

Removinga Diskette . ............
... .
..
..
Your Keyboard . .. ........ ... . ..t
Function Keys .. . . . .
. . @ it

3-12
3-13
3-13

Indicator Lights . . . .. ...

... ... ...

.. .. i

Special Editing Keypad . ...... ... ... ... .. ...
Numeric/Application Keypad ..........e
0 (00
T

3-14

. ...,
e

3-15
3-16
3-16

Guidelines for Connecting Expansion Boxes ............... ..
Preparing Your System for an Expansion Box ......... e

4-2
4-3

Unpacking an Expansion Box ........... JR R

4-4

4 Expanding Your System

Connecting One Expansion Box . .................. e
Connecting Two Expansion Boxes .............. R
RRD40 Compact Disc Expansion Box. ......................
Selectingthe Voltage . .........
... ... ..
...
Verifying the SCSI ID on the Flrst RRD40 ...............
Resetting the SCSI ID on the Second RRD40 e
Inserting a Compact Disc................. T
Removinga Compact Disc . ...........ciiiinn...
RZ55 Hard Disk Expansion Box. . .................. P
e e
Verifying the SCSI IDonthe First RZ65 . . ...............
Resetting the SCSI ID on the Second RZ55 ........... .

4-6
4-8
4-10
4-11
4-11
4-12
4-13
4-15
4-16
4-16
4-17

TK50Z Tape Expansion Box . . . ............
... ... ... . ...,

4-18

Verifying the SCSIIDonthe TK50Z . ...................
Inserting a Tape Cartridge. .. ........... e e
Removing a Tape Cartridge ............ GV e i
e
Summary of TK50Z Controls and Lights . ................

5 Connecting to a Network

4-18
4-20
4-22
4-24

A Brief Introduction to Networks . . .. ................ e
Connecting to a ThinWire Ethernet Network . . . .. ............
Verifying the Network Select Button Position .............
Verifying ThinWire Ethernet Network Installation .........

5-2
54
5-4
5-5

Connecting Your VAXstation 3100 to ThinWire Ethernet
Cable ..o
e
e
e e
e
e
CreatmgaDmfiwahamWorkGroup T
Connecting Your VAXstation 3100 to a DECconnect
Faceplate . . ... P
T T
A JPE SR LA I A
Troubleshooting the ThinWire Segment . . . .. ... ..........
Connecting to a Standard Ethernet Network . . . . .............
Setting the Network Select Button for Standard Ethernet . ..
Verifying Standard Ethernet Network Installation ....... ..
Troubleshooting Standard Ethernet . . .. ........ e e
Connecting a Transceiver Cable . . . .. ...................

5-6
57
5-8
5-9
511
5-11
5-11
5-12
5-13

6 Handling Problems
How to Use the Troubleshooting Table............. e
e e
Power-Up Error Messages . ............cuuuunn e R
S L) =Y
71
|
Configuration Display .................xin
e wien S e ha e b e .
System Without a Diskette Drwe ........................
System with a Diskette Drive ...............
... .. .... .
Device Display . . ... ...ttt
i,
SystemW1thoutaDwketteDmve.,...,.H...‘.,...,,....,.....H.
System with a Diskette Drive .............. e e

.... e
...ttt iiiriiennneenn.
System Exerciser . .....
Test Utilities ............... e e ..

RRD40 Test Disc Utility . . . .. ............ ee
~ Erase Disk Utility for Hard Disks ........ e
Changing the Keyboard Language . .................... ce e
Rebooting the System After Running Tests ........... e
Summary of Console Commands .......... e ...
Service Information . .........
... ... .. .
i

6-2
6-6
6-8
6-10
6-11
-

6-11
6-12

6-13
6-13

6-13
6-15

6-15
6-15
6-17
6-17
618
6-21

A Startup Procedures
LR

O®

0000000000000000000000000000

A-1

A-2

A-3

B SCSIIDs
SCSI ID Default Settings . . .. U
P
Setting SCSIIDs ........... ... ..
Setting SCSI Switches . ...................

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

flflflflflflflflflflflflflfl

B-1
B-2
B-5

C Options
Hard Disk Drives . . . .. ...................
Printers ... .. ... i

Connecting a Pmnter ..... P
R
Modems . ... i
e e e
Connecting a Modem ea e e e e e e e
Tablet......... P
R
oo s

bbbbbbbbbbbbbbb

uuuuuuuuuuuuuu

‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘

bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

fififififififififififififififi

CableOption ........................
ColorOption.........................

D Hardware Specifications
E Associated Documents

Glossary
Index

viii

wwwwwwwwwwwwwww

bbbbbbbbbbbbbbb

C-1
C-1
C-3
C-4
C-5
C-6
C-6
C-6
C-6

Figures

1-1

VAXstation 3100 System . ..............B ..

1-1

eo
ee oy
Unpacking ..... e e mare sie e e ed e
e
Ne
R
Lifting Equipment . ..................
e e
System Unit Ports and C«mnectmm e e Y deabete e s e

2-3
2-4
2-5

Connecting the Keyboard to the System Umt R RSP
A
.n
Connecting the Mouse to the System Unit.............. e
Connecting Terminators to the T-Connector. . ....
.. P
P AT
T
Connecting the T-Connector to the System Unit ...............
Connecting the Loopback Connector to the System Unit .........

2-6
2-7

2-8
2-9
2-10

2-11
3-1

Connecting the Monitor Cable to the System Unit. ... .. e
Connecting the Monitor Power Cord ........................

Connecting the System Power Cord . . ........ N ...
i e sU
Labeling a Tape Cartridge . ...............e

2-12
2-13

3-2

Write-Protecting
a Tape .. .....e

S g ae e A e s

3-3

Removing a Tape Cartridge fromthe TZ30 ...................

3-7

P
ST Y Ny
T...

3-13
315

'2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-6
2-7
2-8
2-9
2-10

3-3
3-4
3-6
3-7
3-8

p e 8K W B

TZ30 Lights and Controls .. ... RS T
.
Inserting a Tape Cartridge into the TZ30 S
T, .

T T
Keyboard ................. B
EditingKeypad ............... I

4-1
4-2

n v e
s ev
T
Removing the SCSI Cover ........A BN
Removing the SCSI Terminator . . ....... s S e

4-5
4-6

Connecting One TK50Z or One
Connecting One RRD40 Expanswn Bmc O

4-3
4-4
47
4-8

- 4-9
4-10
4-11
4-12
4-13

4-14

3-5
3-6

- 310
RO
Write-Protecting a Diskette . .. ... a
Inserting a Diskette ................. ;e ke es 3-12
P IR weie e b e ke s e
Removing a Di&kette .. '; ..... R

3-9
3-10

3-11

2-14
3-2

Numeric/Application Keypad . . .. .. PPV

<2 [

Expansion Box and Accessories ....................IR
50-Pin Terminator ........... e
.
|

4-5
4-6

.
P

Connecting Two Expansion Boxes ................. e
RRD40 Expansion Box .......... O
S

RRD40 Voltage Selectflr and Factory SCSI ID Smtch Pomtmm
Inserting a Compact Disc. .. .. S e e b e
e e e e e ey e 4T e s
Verifying the SCSI ID on the First RZ55 . . ...................
Resetting the SCSI ID on the Second RZ55 . ... ...............
Vemf;nngtheSCSIIDcmtheTKfiOZ...,.“..H..., .....

Insaertmg a Tape Cartridge into the TK50Z . ... ... P eee.

4-3
4-4

4-7
4-7

49
4-10
4-11

4-14
4-16
4-18
4-19

421

4-15

Removing a Tape Cartridge from the TK50Z ..................

4-23

S5-1

Network Select Button Set for ThinWire Ethemet ...... e e |

5-5

Adding ThinWire Cable .......................e .

5-3

Connecting the T-Connector to the Back of the System Unit ......

5-7

VAXstation 3100 Systemsin a Daisy-Chain Work Group. . .. .. e

5-8

-5

Connecting to a DECconnect Faceplate ................ e

Removing a System from an Active ThinWire Segment .. ........

5-10

Connecting a Transceiver Cable . . .. ........................

513

Halt Button .................. DS
L .. B

C-1

Connecting a Printer ............. e e e

C-3

C-2

Connectinga Modem ............... R

C-5

A T A

Tables
3-1

Summary of TZ30 Lights . . ... .. e

4-1

Expansion Box SCSI IDs and Switch Positions ................

4-6

4-2

Summary of TK50Z Controls ...................... e

4-24

4-3

Summary of TK50Z Lights.

... ............ ... ..

4-24

6-1

Troubleshooting . .... e

e e e e e ...

6-3

6-2

Power-Up and Self-Test Device Idenhfiers ........ e

6-7

6-3

Device Mnemonicsin Configuration Display ..................

6-10

Device Display Mnemonics. . . ............coiiiiinnunnnn...

6-12

Error Codes for Erase Disk Utility. ... ......................

617

6-6

Summary of SHOW Commands . ... ..................... -

6-18

6-7

Summary of SET Commands ......... e e e e

e e

6-8

Summary of Diagnostic Commands . .. ... PP

e e e e e

e e

3-8

6-19

619

A-1

SCSI Boot Device Names . . . ...........coiviieunnnnnn.. ..

A-2

Values for Recovery Action. . . .. A

A-3

B-1

SCSI IDs for VAXstation 3100 Model 30 (with Dwkette Drive) .

B-3

B-2

SCSI IDs for VAXstation 3100 Model 30 ......... e

B-4

B-3

- SCSI IDs for VAXstation 3100 Model 40 .....................

B-4

RRD40 Expansion Box SCSI IDs and Switch Positions . . . . . ..
RZ55 Expansion Box SCSI IDs and Switch Positions. ...........

B-5

B-5
B-6

B-6

TK50Z Expansion Box SCSI IDs and SWltch Pos:ntmns ‘‘‘‘‘‘ .

C-1

Hard Disk Drives . . .............. Ceee A

A LA
A

- C-1

C-2

Printers . ............. P e

C-2

C-3

Modems ............c.iiiiiiiininnn..LS LRI

C-4

D-1

System Unit (Dlskleas) Dlmenmons ..... L e .

D-1

D-2

System Specifications

D-1

...................... PSS

Sysfiem Storage Conditions ....................... e
Syst%em Operating and Nonoperating Conditions . . . . e ..
System Electrical Specifications . ... ............... PR

RZ22/23 Hard Disk Drive Specifications ............. e
e
RX23 Diskette Drive Specifications ............. e
et
...........
Dimensions
Drive
Disk
RZ55 Hard
RZ55 Hard Disk Drive Specifications .......................

D-10

RZ55 Hard Disk Drive Environmental Specifications ...........

D-11

TZ30 Tape Drive Specifications ................. . . ...

E-1

Associated Documents ....... e s e

i A ut This Manual
Purpose of T is Manual
This manual describes how to matall test, and maintain the
hardware components of a VAXstation 3100 Model 30 system.
This manual also includes informationon how to configure and
connectyour new system to an ‘Ethernet network.

Who Should Use This Manual
This manual is for anyone setting up and using the VAXstation
3100 workstation for the first time.

Structure of This Manual
This manual contains six chapters, five appendixes, a glossary of
technical terms, and an index.

Chapter 1 includes an overview of the VAXstation 3100
workstation and the associated VAXstation 3100 family of
products. It includes an illustration of a VAXstation 3100
system configuration, and introduces you to some of the
features of the product.

Chapter 2 shows how to install your new VAXstation 3100
Model 30.
|

Chapter 3 discusses how to use your VAXstation 3100 Model
30, including how to use the diskette drive and the TZ30 tape
drive. It concludes with a short discussion of the keyboard
and mouse.

Chapter 4 describes how to add and use expansion boxes for
your system.

Chapter 5 tells you how to connect your system to a simple

ThinWire daisy-chain network, as well as to standard

Ethernet.
Chapter 6 provides troubleshooting information.
Appendix A tells you how to set your startup procedures,

including how to reboot your system and change the default
recovery action.

Appendix B shows how to set the SCSI IDs on your expansion

boxes for optimal performance.

Appendix C lists the options available for your system. It also
shows how to connect a printer or modem to your system.
Appendix D provides hardware specifications for system
components.

Appendix E lists additional documents to help you get
acquainted with your new system.

The glossary explains technical terms used in the manual.
The index can help you find the information you need.

Gund@ to VAXstation 3100 Documentation
The manuals you will use to install and operate your VAXstation
3100 system are shownin the following table. The left column
lists the manuals. The right columngives the type of tasks and
mfmmatwn cflntmnedin each manual.

. Task

Manual

statmn 3100 Planning m:td pm st

VAX

Planning your office

~ Setting up the system unit

tion 3100, Ow ner’s Manual

* Connecting the keyboard and mouse

Monitor Installation/Owner’s Guide

_ Adjusting your monitor’s brightness
‘and contrast

VAXstation 3100 Owner’s Ma:nual

Turmng your system on

Setting the keyboard language

Conn&cting to a network

Creating simple networks

VMS lnstallation Gmde or

Adding storage devices

Installing operating system software
- Backing up files

DECmndowm Ums Guide or
VWS Installation Guide

Using the mouse

Application Installation Guides

Installing applications

Manipulating windows
Creating and using files

Conventions
The following conventions are used in this guide:

Convention

Meaning |

A sequence such as |Ctrl/x indicates that you must hold down

the key labeled Ctrl while you press another key.

blue-green ink

boldface
UPPERCASE

A key name is shown enclosed to indicate that yuu pmm a
key on the keyboard.
,
,
Blue-green inkin interactive ammplm mdlcmea mfomatwn
that you must enter from the keyboard.

~ Boldface type represents the introduction of a new term New
terms are definedin the Glossary.

Uppercase lettersin interactive examples indicate that you
must enter a command. For example, enter
SHOW

lowercase

Lowercase letters in interactive examples indicate that you
must provide a value.

Warning

Warnings contain information to prevent personal injury.
Read these carefully.

Caution

Cautions provide information to prevent damage to equipment
or software. Read these carefully.
|
,

Note

Notes provide general information about the current t(va

XVi

This chapter deambea aome of the feamma of the VAXstation

3100 (F:mgure 1-1).

ost desktop system that offers all

VAX ar

mtum The VAthatmn

tools, and tranapent‘accefifif"" ],}fltmbuted applwatmns and
resmumes

Figure 1-1

VAXstation 3100 System

MLO-000941

Your VAXstation 3100 Model
30 1-1

System Highlights
The VAXstation 3100 provides you with an integrated

computing environment that offers the best of timesharing
and local or distributed applications.
The compact, three-piece desktop package minimizes desktop

footprint.

Your system supports up to 32 megabytes of memory.

You can choose either VMS orULT'RIX operating system
software.

Your VAXstation 3100 supports the VWS/UIS or the
DECwindows user interface.
The DECwindows interface is based on the X Window

System industry standard. This means that all applications
written for your VAXstation 3100 environment will give you
a consistent style of mteractmn thus reducing learning time
and reducing errors.

SCSI, or Small Computer Systems Interface, connectivity is

‘an industry standard for connecting mass storage devices.
Your SCSI (pronounced “skuh-zee”) port permits you to
connect DIGITAL’s and other manufacturers’ devices to your
workstatmn

Yaur system is equipped with both @tandard and ThinWire
Ethernet ports for connection to a DECnet network or
‘Network File System (NFS) cluster.

1-2

Your VAXstation 3100 Model 30

The VAXstation 3100

Family

The VAXstation 3100 family members range from the Model 30
diskless workstation used as a satellite on a local area VAXcluster
or a LAN, or a workstation with two hard disks each holding
104 megabytes of data, to a Model 40 server for one or more
VAXstation 3100 workstations.

The Model 30 diskless satellite workstation is the basic,
introductory system.
The Model 30 satellite workstation with paging and swapping
has a hard disk, holding 52 megabytes of data. It also comes with
a diskette drive, which uses 1.2 megabyte diskettes.

The VAXstation 3100 Model 30 gives you the optmn of wnrlnng on
your own or connecting to a network.

Your VAXstation 3100 Model 30

1-3

mght lwatmn fm*ymr Byg m

hic

your system,maludmg
s

Connec

Cunnectmg the muuse

. Attachmg Eth& n .tte nat: ,,rs;,prepam either for
metworkmg or dlagnoafid t;eam
=

Connecti .,;g th@ monitor

Cannectmg the power cords

Starting your system

The chaptergoes on to fi,, w ya: i;;;_em
your systemupand runnin
=

thing you need to do to get

What to d@ if you are planmng to mrmect toa netwnrk

= How to gn ‘about matallmg your opemtmg sy&tem and
Wmd@wmg enmmnmenm

Choosing the Right Location
Use the following checklist to keep your VAXstation 3100
operating at its best:
Keep the temperature between 10° and 40°C (50° and 104°F)
and the relative humidity between 10% and 95%. Tape
cartridges should also be stored at this relative humidity.
Keep the air well circulated to prevent excess heat and dust

fmm accumulatmg

Keep your eqmpment away from heaters, phutompwrs direct
sunlight, and abrasive particles.
Before you set up your system, select a surface that is large
enough to hold a monitor, a system unit, and a keyboard and
-

mouse. Your desk or work table is a good choice. If you need

to, you can place your system unit on a shelf. To place your
system on a shelf, you will need to order a long monitor cable.
You will be more comfortable if you place the monitor so that

the top line of the monitor display is at eye level.
To avoid screen glare, pick a place where bright light will not
reflect off the monitor.
Keep the area clean. Do not place food or liquid on or near
your equipment, and do not place your system unit directly on
the floor. Dust and dirt will damage the system components.

Keep air vents clear on each side of the system unit for proper
ventilation.

Do not place the system unit on its side. Blocking the air
vents can cause the system unit to overheat.

Warning Connect your mmputer to a grounded outlet.
If you have several pieces of equipment that need to be

plugged into an electrical outlet, use a grounding power strip.
Many power strips come with an on/off switch and a surge
protector (which acts like a circuit breaker).

To avoid damaging equipment that has been moved inside
from a cold environment, let the equipment warm to room
temperature before you turn it on.
Finally, carefully read all installation instructions before you
turn on the power.

2-2

Installing Your System

Make sure you have all the parts isted on th«e packing slip before

you set up your system. The contents of each of your boxes may
differ from those shown in Figure 2-1 depending on what you
order

Figure 2-1

Unpacking

Monitor

System Unit
Manuals

Monitor Cable

Keyboard

Mouse

Two Power Caords

Ethernet

—— 7

Loopback Connector

Screwdriver
Two Terminators and

One T-Connector
MLO-001874

Caution Because of the weight of the system unit and the monitor,
two

people should lift the equipment out of the cartons and place it on
,

a work surface.

Figure 2-2

Lifting Equipment

MLO-001783

- Always repack the unit in its original packing material when
|

moving or relocating your VAXstation 3100.

Setting Up Your System
You are ready to set up your system.

Identifying System Unit Ports and Connectors
Turn the system unit around so that the back of it is facing you.

Take a minute or so to look at all the ports and connectors
shown in Figure 2-3. Symbols (called icons) identify each port

and connector you will need to install your system. The SCSI port
on the back of your system unit has a cover to protect it during
shipping.

2-4

Installing Your System

Figure 2-3

On/Off Switch

Monitor AC Power

—

@..... SCS| Port
Standard Ethernet
Connector

Standard Ethernet Light

Network Select Button
Tthi’im Ethernet Ltght
ThinWire Ethmnet
Connector

) Halt Button
e

Maybnard Oannactm

®/L

Mouse C onnector

O Monitor Connector

'@3}] Printer P¢ DIt
— Communication Port

"Diagnustic L ights

MLO-000943

If you hav& a dmldem fiyfltem, your system will not have the SCSI

Installing Your System

2-8§

Connecting the Keyboard
M

Connect the free end of the keyboard cable to the keyboard
connector on the back of the system unit, as shown in Figure 2—4.
Figure 2-4

Connecting the Keyboard to the System Unit

Keyboard Cable

MLO-000945

2-6

Installing Your System

the
Connect the fre
the back of the system unit,

mouse cable to th
as shown in Figure

Mouse Cable MLO-001009

Installing Your System

2-7

You will need to connect the T-connector with two terminators

~and the loopback connector to the system init to complete the
diagnostic test later in this chapter.

~ To connect the two terminators to the T-connector (Figure 2-6):
1

Push one terminator into one side of the T-connector and turn
it to the right.

Push the second terminator into the other side of the Tconnector and turn it to the right.

‘Figure 2-6

Connecting Terminators to the T-Connector
T-Connector
Terminator

Terminator

MLO-000947

Here the T-connector is used with two terminators to complete the
ThinWire Ethernet circuit for diagnostic purposes. Later, if you
decide to connect to a network, you will exchange ThinWire cable
sections for one or both terminators, depending on your network
setup. The loopback connector completes the standard Ethernet
circuit for diagnostic purposes.
|

2-8

Installing Your Systerr

barrél to the mght as shmwfi
Figure 2-7

Connecting

the T-Connector to the System Unit

T-Connector

MLO-002055

Turn the T-connector at an angle to make room for the

loopback connector.

Connect the loopback connector to the standard Ethernet
- connector on the back of the fiym;mn unit, as shown in
- Figure 2-8.
,

fhe Loopback Connector to the
Figure 2-8 -~ Connecflng
System Urm

Ethernet
Loopback Connector

MLO-000951

2-10

Installing Your System

You can put t e monitor bes:wl@ the system unit or on top of it. To
plaee yuur mmmmr away fi'om the &y&tem umt you need to order

;»mx of any of the monitors available for your system
entally the same. Keep the monitor installation/owner’s
t cor nes w:lth th@ momt.r you ordered nearby. Your
ide

contai

sta’i@"‘*;aea»“:em@ for:

our

ilt na%‘f ihea ymr v
mstructmm )
2

monitor to make sure that

. (Check your monitor guide for

Select the appmpmate mcmwforfimurmommr The momtor

“

o Use the 8. »'m't screw fmr small colm'

mmmmm All uthar mommm use the long screw.

i the

madil

gai
de

connect

the

mamtor cable bmc to th@ momtor Do not connect the keyboard
and mouse to the monitor cable box. (You have already
connected the keyboard and mouse to the system unit.)

5 Connect the free end of the monitor cable to the back of the
-system unit, as shown in Figure 2-9.

Figure 2-9

Connecting the Monitor Cable
to the System Unit

Thumbsmewé
MLO-000944

2-12

Tighten the thumbscrews on the monitor connector by turning
them to the right.

Installing Your System

Two power cords come with your aya em. Use the short power
cord to connect themomtor m the aystem umt Use the long
n electrical wall outlet.

diks

stirethat the.e monitor a

the system unit are off (0).

3 %?i:twstmker on e back of the monitor to expose
*@ right voltage.

Eh biat valta

gfi

mttmg on

; m.mr monitor
and change it,

f necemary

Cnnnect one end af the flhmrt wer cm'd m the mumtor and

Monitor Power Cord

MLO-000952

Installing Your System

2-13

Connect the long system power cord to the system unit and

- plug the other end into

gr yunded electrical wall outlet.

Figure 2-11 Connecting the System Power Cord

System Power Cord

s
MLO-001776

2-14

Installing Your System

To start your aymem, set the on/off switc hes on your @qmpment to
1 (on), in the order given in the following
list.
1

Turn expansion boxes on (1) in the following order:

s RZ55 hard ‘diak expansion box
s TK50Z tape eim&n&:ixm box
s RRD40 compact disc expansion box |
To learn how to connect expansion boxes, see Chapter 4.

Turn the printer and modem on
equipment.

To learn how to connect
Wlth the symem umt
4

(1), if you have this

and modems, see Appendix C.
|

Turn the aystem unit on (1)

one and avhalf minutes for the fimt
It will takfl appmxxmately
dwplay
“lme ofthe 'pflwer~up

Thmisa good time
becs
ank
of your monitor. Your scre:
brightness and mntzmat may be turned down t«m Mw Follow
the directionsin yourmonitor guide to set the brightness and
contrast.

Checking the
When you turn on the system unit, a pow&rmup di splay comes up
on the monitor screen.

If you see a display similar to any af the fallwwmg your @Wtem
has passed all power-up tests:
Ka42-A

V1.0

0040

A—

0000.0005

Installing Your System

2-15

Power-Up Display for System Without Diskette Dri

you ha

a system without a diskette drive, you see a dmplay smular to the
following. This display means that ycmr &ystem has passed all
power-up tests:
KA42-A

V1.0

F...E...D...C...B...A...9...8...7...6...5...4...3 ..2 ..1..
?

0040

0000.0005

0050

0000.0005

VMS /VMB

ULTRIX
= ADDR

ESA0

SEO

DKA300

RZ3
. .HostID....

DKB200

RZ10

. .HostID....
[ESAO]

DEVTYP

NUMBYTES

RM/FX

DEVNAM

08-00-2B-07-E3-83

A/3/0/00 DISK

104 MB

RZ23

B/2/0/00 DISK

104 MB

RZ23

A/6

B/6

INITR

? >>>

Power-Up Display for System with Diskette Drive

If you have

a system with a diskette drive, a display similar to the following
appears on your monitor. This display means that your system
has passed all power-up tests:

0040

0000.0005

0050

0000.0005

VMS/VMB

ULTRIX

ESAO

SEO

DUAZ2

RX2

...HostID....
[ESAQ]

ADDR

DEVTYP

NUMBYTES

RM/FX

DEVNAM

08-00-2B-07-E3-83
DISK
A/6

INITR

RX23
'

>>>

Press [Cirl/c] to continue. That is, hold down the Ctrl key while
you press the c key.

2-16

Installing Your System

P
Lo

If You Have Problems
If you do not see one of the power-up displays, turn off your
system unit and review each installation step. Repeat the
power-up procedure.

Setting the Keyboard Language
When you receive your system, the keyboard language should be
set for the keyboard you ordered.
If the following display appears when you press
to set your keyboard language:
0)

Dansk

Francais

Deutsch

Italiano

Deutsch

(Schweiz)

10)

English

Espaiiol

Francais

you need

(Suisse Romande)

Nederlands

11) Norsk
(British/Irish)
|
(Canadien)

12)

Portugués

13)

Suomi

14)

Svenska

15)

Vliaams

3? >>>

To set the keyboard language:
1

Select a language from the keyboard language menu to match
the type of keyboard you have.

If you want to select the default (English, or option 3), press
the Return key. Otherwise, enter the number of the language
that matches the language of your keyboard, and press the
Return key.

A different keyboard is supplied for each language. If you do not

know the language variation of the keyboard you received, check
the packing list.

The language you choose is saved in memory, so you only have to
set the keyboard language the first time you turn on the system.
If you need to change the keyboard language later, Chapter 6
shows you how.

Connecting to a Network
If you are connecting your system to a network, read Chapter 5

and install your network hardware before you install your
operating system software.

Installing Your Systemn

2-17

Installing Your Operating System
jor——y

To install your VMS or ULTRIX operating system software, you
need one of the following:
s
m

TZ30 tape drive
Connection to a network to load the software from another
system

RRD40 compact disc expansion box

s TK50Z tape expansion box
To learn how to set your system up so that your operating system
automatically starts, see Appendix A.
To install VMS or ULTRIX software on the VAXstation 3100,
follow the operating system installation instructions shipped with
the software. During software installation, you transfer operating
system software from the installation media to a hard disk in your
VAXstation 3100 or to an expansion box.
If you are a member of a local area VAXcluster, you access
operating system software from your server.

Turning Off Your System
If you need to turn your system off (0), follow the shutdown
instructions in your operating system software documentation.

After shutting down the system, turn off your equipment in the
following order:

2-18

Other equipment, such as a printer or modem

Expansion boxes

System unit

Installing Your System

3
Learning About Your System

This chapter shows how to use:
The RZ22 and RZ23 hard disk drives
Tape cartridges

The TZ30 tape drive
The RX23 diskette drive
The keyboard and mouse

Hard Disk Drives
A hard disk drive stores information on a nonremovable disk.

Disks store information and come in different sizes. You can have
one or two 3.5-inch RZ22 or RZ23 hard disk drives in your system
unit.

The RZ22 hard disk drive stores 52 megabytes of information.

The RZ23 hard disk drive stores 104 megabytes of information.

You can increase your system’s storage capacity with hard disk

expansion boxes. See Chapter 4 to learn about these add-on

drives.

Tape Cartridges
The TZ30 tape drive uses TK50K or TK52K (CompacTape) tape

cartridges.

Learning About Your System

3-1

Labeling a Tape Cartridge
Always label tape cartridges. A slot for the label is provided on

the front of the cartridge, as shown in Figure 3—1. This label is
visible when the cartridge is in the drive. Labels or markings on

any other part of the cartridge can interfere with proper operation
of the drive. Do not write directly on the cartridge with pen,
pencil, or other marking medium.
Figure 3-1

Labeling a Tape Cartridge

Label Slot

e
i

13 ]

]

MLO-000960

Writing fo and Protecting Tape Cartridges
Write-protecting a tape prevents accidental erasure of information.

The VAXstation 3100 can read information on the tape regardless
of the position of the write-protect switch. However, the
VAXstation 3100 cannot write data to a write-protected tape.

3~-2

Learning About Your System

Write-Protecting a Tape

When you use a tape to install software
on the VAXstation 3100, set the write-protect switch on the front
of the cartridge to the write-protect position.

To write protect a tape, slide the write-protect switch left toward
the label until it locks in place (Figure 3—2). An orange rectangle
appears when the write-protect switch locks in the write-protect
position.
Figure 3-2

Wirite-Protecting a Tape

Write-

Protected

Not WriteProtected

MLO-000961

Learning About Your System

3-3

If you move the write-protect switch to the right during operation,

the system software does not recognize that the tape is no longer
write-protected. You must unload the software and then reload it

before the software recognizes the cartridge as write-enabled.
Similarly, if you move the write-protect switch to the left during
operation, the tape is not write-protected until the current
command executes.
Writing to a Tape

When you use a tape to make a backup copy

or to write out data, set the write-protect switch to enable writing
to the tape.
To enable writing, slide the switch to the right, away from the
label, until the switch locks in place.

Handling and Storing Tape Cartridges
Take the following precautions when handling and storing tapes:
s

Do not touch the exposed surface of the tape.

Avoid dropping the tape cartridge. The impact can damage

the cartridge.
s

Allow new tape cartridges to come to room temperature before

using them.
m

Write on the identification label before sliding it into the slot

on the tape cartridge. Do not put the label anywhere else on
the cartridge.
m
s

Store tape cartridges away from dust in their plastic covers.
Keep tape cartridges out of direct sunlight and away from

heaters and other heat sources. Store tape cartridges at an

even temperature between 10°C and 40°C (50°F and 104°F).

Store cartridges where the relative humidity is between 20%
and 80%.
~
s

Keep tape cartridges away from magnets and equipment that

generates magnetic fields, such as motors, transformers, and
video monitors and terminals.
s

3-4

Keep cartridges away from x-ray equipment.

Learning About Your System

1230 Tape Drive
The TZ30 tape drive holds one removable magnetic tape cartridge.
The tape cartridge stores up to 95 megabytes of data. Use the
tape cartridge to load software or data or to make copies (or

backups) of software or data. Figure 3—3 shows the position of the
TZ30 lights and controls.

Figure 3-3

TZ30 Lights and Controls

Write-Protect Light
Tape in Use Light

Operate Lever Light

Unload Button

MLO-001866

Learning About Your System

3-5

Inserting a Tape Cartridge
To use the tape drive:

Make sure the system unit is on.

The TZ30 operate lever light (green) comes on and a beep
|
~ sounds.

Make sure the lever is to the left in the open position.

Insert the tape cartridge, as shown in Figure 3—4.

Figure 3-4

Inserting a Tape Cartridge into the 7230

MLO-000962

With the cartridge all the way in, slide the lever to the closed
position, all the way to the right. The green light goes off and
the yellow (tape-in-use) light blinks, indicating that the tape
is loading.
When the tape is loaded (ready for use), the yellow light stays
on continuously. Whenever the yellow light is on continuously

and it is the only light on, the tape is ready to use.
When the tape is being read, written to, or rewound, the yellow
light blinks.
Note If the write-protect switch on the cartridge is in the protected
position, the orange write-protect light on the front of the tape drive
comes on and you will be unable to write data to the tape.

3~6

Learning About Your System

Removing a Tape Cartridge
1

Press the unload button. Wait approximately 2 minutes for
the tape to rewind.

When the green light comes on and the beep sounds, slide the
lever to the open position (to the left). The cartridge ejects.
Remove the cartridge, as shown in Figure 3-5.

Caution A tape cartridge must be removed from the drive before the drive is
- turned off. Failure to remove the cartridge can result in damage to
the cartridge and to the drive.
Removing a Tape Cartridge from the TZ30

Figure 3-5

MLO-000963

Learning About Your Systemn

3-7

Summary of T230 Lights
Table 3—1 gives you a summary of the status lights on the TZ30

tape drive.
Table 3-1

Summary of 1230 Lights

Light

State

Meaning

Orange (Write-Protect)

Tape writeprotected

Off

Tape writeenabled

Blinking!

Tape in use

Tape ready for use

Ready to load
(move lever to
right) or unload
(move lever to
left)

Yellow (Tape in Use)
Green (Operate Lever)

Off

Do not operate
lever

All three

Blinking

Cartridge error
detected

On?

Power-up

diagnostic test

running

Blinking

Drive fault

1Fast blinking (four times a second) indicates that a read or write is in progress.
Medium blinking (two times a second) indicates that the tape is loading or
unloading. Slow blinking (once a second) indicates that the tape is rewinding.

2All three lights stay on for a few seconds, while the power-up diagnostic test is
running. If all three lights stay on for a long time, it means that the power-up

diagnostic test has failed. See Table 6-1.

If You Have Problems
If an error occurs when you are reading or writing to a tape, all

three lights blink. If an error occurs when you are inserting the
tape cartridge, the green light blinks and the tape does not move.
If this happens, see Table 6—1 for troubleshooting information.

3-8

Learning About Your System

RX23 Diskette Drive
The RX23 diskette drive installed in your system unit provides

you with 1.2 megabytes of storage space on RX23K diskettes.

Diskettes

Diskettes are magnetic disks that store information the same way

a hard disk does, though their storage capacity is considerably
less. They are easy to insert into your VAXstation 3100, easy to
remove, and easy to store. DIGITAL recommends that you use
high-density (HD) diskettes.
Keep your diskettes dry, out of extreme temperatures and direct
sunlight, and away from anything that contains a magnet, such as
a telephone.

Caution Do not place diskettes or magnetic media on or near your monitor.
The electromagnetism from your monitor may damage diskettes by
distorting or erasing the magnetic patterns.

Writing to and Protecting Diskettes
Write-protecting a diskette prevents accidental erasure of

information. The VAXstation 3100 can read information on
the diskette regardless of the position of the write-protect
switch. However, the VAXstation 3100 cannot write data to a
write-protected diskette.

Learning About Your System

3-9

Write-Protecting a Diskette
When you use a diskette to install
application software on the VAXstation 3100 or to protect
information on the diskette, move the write-protect switch on
the back of the diskette down until it locks in place, as shown in
Figure 3-6.
Figure 3-6

Wirite-Protecting a Diskette

Write-Protect Switch

MLO-002056

If you move the write-protect switch up during operation, the
system software does not recognize that the diskette is no longer

write-protected. You must unload and then reload the diskette
before the software recognizes the diskette as write-enabled.
Wwriting to a Diskefte

When you use a diskette to make a backup

copy of a file or to write out data, set the write-protect switch to
enable writing to the tape.

To enable writing, slide the switch up until the switch locks in
place.

3-10

Learning About Your System

Inserting a Diskette
The diskette drive is on the front of your system unit. The drive
can hold one diskette.

Caution Never remove or insert a diskette while the VAXstation 3100 is
performing a function. Inserting or removing a diskette while your
system is using the diskette can cause incorrect data to be written
to the diskette, and can cause damage to the diskette itself. Wait
until the VAXstation 3100 finishes doing whatever you requested
it to do. When the diskette drive is in use, the active light on the
front of the diskette drive is on.
To insert a diskette into the diskette drive slot, slide the diskette

into the drive, as shown in Figure 3-7.
The diskette slides straight in and drops down to its load
position.

Figure 3-7

Inserting a Diskette

Diskette

MLO-000969

Learning About Your System

3-11

Removing a Diskette
To remove a diskette from the diskette slot, push the eject
button in the lower right side of the diskette drive, as shown in
Figure 3-8.

Figure 3-8

Removing a Diskette

Diskette

Eject Button

MLO-000970

The diskette drive ejects the diskette.

3-12

Learning About Your System

Your Keyboard
Your keyboard has some special keys that differ from the keys on
a typewriter. Figure 3-9 illustrates a typical keyboard.
Figure 3-9
Keyboard Legend Strip

Keyboard
\

Special Editing Keypad
Numeric/Application Keypad

MLO-000959

Function Keys
At the top of the keyboard is a row of function keys. These keys
provide multiple functions; descriptions of some of these functions

can be found on the keyboard legend strip directly above the keys.
Note The specific functions of many keys on the VAXstation 3100
keyboard depend largely on the application used with the
system. Always refer to the documentation that comes with your
application for a complete explanation of how to use the keyboard.

Learning About Your System

3-13

Indicator Lights
The four green indicator lights at the top of the keyboard tell you

some things about the keyboard.
s

The Hold Screen light means the Hold Screen key (F1,
the leftmost function key) has been pressed while running

applications that support the hold function, such as the
DIGITAL VT200 or VT300 series terminal emulators. The

Hold Screen key "freezes" information as it scrolls by so that
you can read it. To resume scrolling, press the Hold Screen

key again.
s

The Lock light means the Lock key has been pressed, and

the alphabet is all uppercase. Pressing the Lock key again
unshifts the keyboard and turns the Lock light off.
s

The Compose light indicates that the system is waiting for you
to enter several keys to compose an alternate character. To

use the Compose Character key, press the Compose Character
key, and then type one or more characters, to create a new
character.
m

The Wait light lets you know that the computer is processing
your task or that you must wait before you can enter another

command.

3-14

Learning About Your System

Specidl Editing Keypad
With most applications, the keys on the special editing keypad, in
Figure 3-10, let you move the cursor with ease, although they do
not move the mouse pointer in DECwindows. They also perform

editing and screen control functions in many applications.
Figure 3-10

Editing Keypad

MLO-000957

Learning About Your System

3-15

Numeric/Application Keypad
The keys on the numeric/application keypad, shown in
Figure 3—11, can perform a variety of functions. Typical
applications deal with text editing and numeric entry. The
precise key functions depend on the application you are using and
the keyboard you ordered.

Figure 3-11

Numeric/Application Keypad

MLO-000958

Mouse
You can use the mouse to point to and select objects on the screen
after installing windowing software on your system. To learn how
to use your mouse, see your windowing documentation.

3-16

Learning About Your System

4
Expanding Your Sysiem

This chapter provides information about installing and using

external add-on disk storage and software load devices.
The following expansion boxes can be used with a VAXstation
3100:

600-megabyte RRD40 compact disc expansion box

The Model 30 can use one or more external RRD40 compact
disc expansion boxes.
s

332-megabyte RZ55 hard disk expansion box

95-megabyte TK50Z tape expansion box

Instructions for the following are included in this chapter:
»

Connecting one or two expansion boxes to your system unit

Verifying the SCSI ID default (factory) switch setting on the

first expansion box
»

Resetting the SCSI switches on a second expansion box

The RZ55 and the TK50Z provide disk and tape storage for your
system. Optionally, the TK50Z can be used to load software.

The RZ55 and the TK50Z are enclosed in an expansion box.

Each expansion box is shipped with the appropriate cables

and connectors for connecting more than one box. Cable
connections and installation instructions are the same for both
expansion boxes.
s

If you have more than one RZ55, you must reset the external
SCSI ID switches on the second RZ55.

Expanding Your System

4-1

The RRD40 is a read-only storage device that reads data from
removable compact discs.

The RRD40 can be used for many purposes. For example, it can
be used for software installation, database storage, and online
documentation.

s The RRD40 is contained in a smaller expansion box than the
RZ55 and the TK50Z.

Cable connections and installation instructions for the RRD40
are the same as those for the RZ55 and TK50Z expansion
boxes.

If you have more than one RRD40, you must reset the external

SCSI ID switches on the second one.
s

The voltage selector switch can be set to either 110V or 220V,
depending on your power requirements.

Guidelines for Connecting Expansion Boxes
Use the following guidelines when connecting expansion boxes.
s

You can connect three RRD40s, three RZ55s, or one TK50Z to
your system.

You can connect any combination of the three expansion boxes,
as long as you do not connect more than three expansion boxes
or more than one TK50Z to the system.

A system must have an integral hard disk and drive controller
in order to support an expansion box. Diskless VAXstation
3100 systems do not support external expansion boxes.

You must attach the 50-pin terminator that comes with your
expansion box to an unused SCSI port on the back of an
expansion box.

All expansion boxes should be plugged into the same grounded
power strip or electrical outlet.

Be sure to always turn on all expansion boxes before you turn
on the VAXstation 3100 system unit.
This procedure ensures that the device in each expansion box
will be ready to be used and that the system firmware will
include the device in its configuration.

4-2

Expanding Your System

Preparing Your System for an Expansion Box .

If you plan to add an expansion box to your system, you must first
remove the SCSI cover and the terminator from the SCSI port.
1

To remove the SCSI cover, place your fingers under the locking
tab and lift the cover to release it, as shown in Figure 4-1.

Figure 4-1

Removing the SCSI Cover

SCSI Cover

Lift Locking Tab

to Release

MLO-000985

Expanding Your System

4-3

To remove the SCSI terminator, place your fingers under
the loop and pull out. Figure 4-2 shows how to remove the
terminator.

Figure 4-2

Removing the SCSI Terminator

SCSI Terminator

MLO-002052

Save the terminator—you must reattach it if you disconnect the
expansion box from the system unit.

Unpacking an Expansion Box
Each expansion box is shipped from the factory with the following
accessories:
#

One cable with a 50-pin connector at the large end and a
68-pin connector at the small end. Use this cable to connect
the expansion box to the system unit.

One 50-pin to 50-pin cable. Use this cable to connect two
expansion boxes in a chain.

One power cord.

One 50-pin terminator. Use this to terminate the last

expansion box.

4-4

Expanding Your System

—

Make sure you have all the parts shown in Figure 4-3 before you
set up your expansion box.
Figure 4-3

Expansion Box and Accessories

“

Terminator

68-Pin to 50-Pin
Connector Cable
50-Pin to 50-Pin

Connector Cable

Power Cord

50-Pin Connectors
68-Pin Connector

//
MLO-001871

Expanding Your System

4-5

Connecting One Expansion Box
To connect a single expansion box to your system unit, perform

the following steps:
:@

Turn the system unit and expansion box off (0).

Turn the expansion box so that the back is facing you.

Verify the SCSI switch positions.

Each device is shipped from the factory with the default
switch positions shown in Table 4-1.
Table 4-1

Expansion Box SCSI IDs and Switch Positions

Expansion Box

SCSI ID

Switch Positions
(Left to Right)

RRD40

Up, Down, Down

RZ55

Down, Down, Up

TK50Z

Down, Up, Down

Connect the 68-pin to 50-pin cable.
Press the clips on the sides of the the 68-pin connector (small
end) and push the connector into the system unit SCSI port

until the clips lock into place.
Connect the other end to either port on the back of the
expansion box and snap the bail lock in place.
Connect a 50-pin terminator to the unused port on the
expansion box. Figure 4—4 shows you what the 50-pin
terminator looks like.
Figure 4-4

50-Pin Terminator

MLO-001875

Connect the power cord to the expansion box receptacle and
plug the other end into an electrical outlet.

4-6

Expanding Your System

Figure 4-5 shows how to connect one RZ55 or one TK50Z
expansion box to your system unit.

Figure 4-5

Connecting One TK50Z or One RZ55 Expansion
Box

Terminator

Connector Cable

’
g

Power Cord

MLO-000986

Figure 4—6 shows how to cannectA one RRD40 expansion box.
Figure 4-6

Connecting One RRD40 Expansion Box
N

Connector Cable

Terminator

Power Cord
MLO-000988

Expanding Your System

4-7

Connecting Two Expansion Boxes
You can add an additional expansion box at a later time and

daisy-chain the second box to the first. To daisy-chain (link two

expansion boxes together in series) one expansion box to another
expansion box, perform the following steps:
1

Remove the 50-pin terminator on the first expansion box.

Store the terminator for future use.

Connect one end of the connector cable to the second
expansion box.

Note If you have more than one of the same type of device attached to
your system, you must change the SCSI ID on the second device
to an open ID on the SCSI bus. See Appendix B for additional
information.

Connect the other end of the connector cable to an available
port on the first expansion box.

Attach a 50-pin terminator to the unused SCSI port on the

second expansion box.
5

Connect the power cord to the expansion box power receptacle

and plug the other end into an electrical outlet. Each
expansion box needs its own power cord.
Figure 4-7 shows how to daisy-chain two RZ55 expansion

boxes.

4-8

Expanding Your System

—

Figure 4-7

Connecting Two Expansion Boxes

Terminator

Connector Cable

MLO-000983

Expanding Your System

4-9

RRD40 Compact Disc Expansion Box
fi,\»mwm‘fifmn‘/t&% .

The RRD40 expansion box is available in an expansion box. For
unpacking and installation instructions, see the sections earlier in

this chapter.
The RRD40 expansion box has an opening for the compact disc

and two lights, as shown in Figure 4-8.

Figure 4-8

RRD40 Expansion Box

Opening for Compact Disc

Power Light
Activity Light

MLO-000971

When you turn on the RRD40 expansion box, the power light goes
on. The activity light goes on when you load a compact disc in the
drive; it flashes when the disc i$ transferring information.

4-10

Expanding Your System

Selecting the Voltage
Turn the RRD40 so that the back is facing you. Note that the

RRD40 has a voltage selector switch that can be set to one of
two voltages (110V or 220V). Check that the voltage selector
switch on your RRD40 is set to the correct voltage for your power
requirements (Figure 4-9).
Figure 4-9

RRD40 Voltage Selector and Factory SCSI ID

Switch Positions

Location of SCSI| Switches

Bail Lock

AC Power

Voltage Selector

MLO-000987

Verifying the SCSI ID on the First RRD40
The RRD40 expansion box is shipped from the factory with the

SCSI ID set to 4. Leave the SCSI ID on the first RRD40 set to 4,
the factory setting, as shown in Figure 4-9.

Expanding Your System

4~11

Resetting the SCSI ID on the Second RRD40
If you are adding a second RRD40 expansion box to your
configuration, you must reset the switches. The second RRD40

expansion box should be set to an open SCSI ID (one that is not
currently being used); for example, SCSI ID 1 with the switches
in the following positions: down, down, up. See Table B—4 for
additional information.
To determine available IDs on the SCSI-B bus, enter TEST 50 at

the console prompt (>>>), then press the Return key. Your system
configuration appears on the screen. The following example is for
a fully configured Model 30 system. FFFFFFO05 indicates an open
SCSI ID. Look for the following lines:
SCSI-B

1C1C.0001

V1.0

FFFFFF05 FFFFFF05 FFFFFF05

(2]

00000001

05020001

01000000 FFFFFF03 FFFFFFO05

©® SCSIID 0 — open
®

SCSIID 1 — open

® SCSIID 2 — open
®

SCSIID 3 — RZ23

@ SCSIID 4 — RRD40
® SCSIID 5 — TK50Z
@

SCSI ID 6 — SCSI-B controller

® SCSI ID 7 — Reserved for devices requiring the highest
priority on the bus

4-12

Expanding Your System

Inserting a Compact Disc
Make sure the power light on the front of the compact disc drive
is on. Insert the entire disc caddy into the disc door on the drive.
Do not remove the disc from the caddy.
To insert a disc:
1

Examine the disc caddy.
Make sure that it is not cracked or damaged in any way.

~ Never insert a damaged caddy into a compact disc drive.
- 2

Examine the disc inside the caddy.
-

The label on the disc should always be facing up when you
insert the disc into the drive. When the labelis facing up, the
four notches on the disc housing are on the left. These notches
line up with four similar notches on the front of the compact

disc drive.
If you have the disc positionedin the caddy label side up

~ and the notches are on the right, then the discis improperly
oriented in the caddy. See the RRD4O installation guide for
more mformatmn
Caution: Do not write on the disc with any implement. The silk-screened
label side of the disc is easily damaged.

Expanding Your System

4-13

Slide the caddy in as far as it will go and then remove the
transparent sleeve. The disc and its housing remain in the
drive. Only the transparent sleeve comes out. Figure 4-10
illustrates how to insert a compact disc.

Figure 4-10

Inserting a Compact Disc

MLO-000972

4-14

Expanding Your System

Check that the activity light comes on within 5 seconds.
If the drive accepted the disc and the activity light does not
come on, then the disc may be sitting incorrectly in the caddy.
Remove the disc using instructions in the section Removing a
Compact Disc.

If your software is not loading properly, use the test disc that

comes with the RRD40 to determine the source of the problem.
See Chapter 6 for information on using the test disc.

Removing a Compact Disc
Before removing a disc, make sure that the activity light is not
flashing. If it is flashing, the compact disc drive is transferring
data. Wait until the activity light stops flashing.
1

Position the transparent sleeve so that the arrow on the sleeve

is going into the drive first.
2

Insert the sleeve into the door as far as it will go. The activity
light goes on.

Remove the caddy.
The disc and housing are back in the caddy. The activity light

£~

goes out.

Expanding Your System

4~15

RZ55 Hard Disk Expansion Box
An RZ55 hard disk is available in an expansion box. If you need

additional disk storage, you can add one or more RZ55 hard
disks to your system. Each hard disk provides an additional 332
megabytes of disk storage.

Verifying the SCSI ID on the First RZ55
Turn the expansion box so that the back of the unit is facing you.

On the right side in a small recessed area behind the handle is a
set of red and white switches surrounded by a label.

Figure 4-11 shows the back of the expansion box and the location
of the switches. Do not remove the label.

Figure 4-11

Verifying the SCSI ID on the First RZ55

Location of SCSI Switches

Switch Positions:
Down (Open)

Up (Closed)

|
1
SCSIID

MLO-000982

Verify that the switches are in the following positions (left to right)

down, down, up. The RZ55 hard disk expansion box is shipped
from the factory with the switches set to SCSI ID 1. You do not
need to change the SCSI ID on the first RZ55 expansion box.

4-16

Expanding Your System

Resetting the SCSI ID on the Second RZ55
To determine available IDs on the SCSI-B bus for a fully
configured system, enter TEST 50 at the console prompt (>>>),
then press the Return key. Your system configuration is displayed
on the screen. The following example is for a fully configured
Model 30 system. FFFFFF05 indicates an open ID.

SCSI-B

1€1C.0001

V1.0

FFFFFF05 FFFFFF05 FFFFFF05 00000001 05020001

(3]

01000000 FFFFFFO3 FFFFFFO05

(6]

SCSI ID 0 — open
SCSI ID 1 — open
SCSI ID 2 — open

SCSI ID 3 — RZ23

SCSI ID 4 — RRD40
SCSI ID 5 — TK50

SCSI ID 6 — SCSI-B controller
SCSI ID 7 — Reserved for DIGITAL use

If you are adding a second RZ55, you must change the SCSI ID

to 0 or any other open ID on the SCSI-B bus. Each device on the
bus must have a unique SCSI ID. For SCSI ID 0, set the switches
to the following positions: down, down, down. Figure 4-12 shows
the proper switch setting.

Expanding Your System

4-~17

Figure 4-12

Resetting the SCSI ID on the Second RZ55
S

SCSIID 0

MLO-000984

TKS0Z Tape Expansion Box
The TK50Z tape drive is available in an expansion box. The drive

holds one removable TK50K or TK52K magnetic tape cartridge.
The tape cartridge stores up to 95 megabytes of data. Use the
tape cartridge to load software, databases, or to make copies (or
backups) of your files.

Verifying the SCSI ID on the TKS0Z
Turn the expansion box so that the back is facing you. On the
right side in a small recessed area is a set of red and white
switches surrounded by a label. Do not remove the label.

Figure 4-13 shows the back of the expansion box and the location

of the switches.

4-18

Expanding Your System

—

Figure 4-13

Verifying the SCSI ID on the TK50Z

Location of SCSI Switches

Switch Positions:
Down (Open)

Up (Closed)

MLO-001774

The TK50Z expansion box is shipped from the factory with

the SCSI ID set to 5. The switches should be in the following
positions: down, up, down. Leave the switches in the default
(factory) position.
The TK50Z expansion box has two primary controls: the cartridge
release handle and the load/unload button. The cartridge release

handle allows cartridges to be inserted, locked into position, and

removed. The load/unload button controls winding and rewinding
of the tape. The in (on) position of the load/unload button is for
loading, or winding, tape cartridges. The out (off) position is for
unloading, or rewinding, tape cartridges.

Expanding Your System

4-19

Inserting a Tape Cartridge
The TK50Z uses TK50K or TK52K (CompacTape) tape cartridges.

For information on tape cartridges, see Chapter 3.
Make sure the load/unload button is in the out (unload) position.

The red load/unload button comes on for approximately 4 seconds

during the tape drive automatic power-up test.
The red light goes off and the green light comes on, indicating

that it is safe to move the cartridge release handle.
If a cartridge is new, the tape drive performs a calibration
sequence that takes approximately 40 seconds. The green light

flashes rapidly and irregularly during calibration.

Caution Do not move the cartridge release handle unless the red light is off
and the green light is on.
Do not move the cartridge release handle while either light is

flashing.
If the red light flashes rapidly at any time, press the load /unload

button four times. If the problem persists, do not attempt to use the
tape drive or remove the cartridge.
TM

4-20

Expanding Your System

Figure 4-14 shows how to insert a tape cartridge.

Figure 4-14

Inserting a Tape Cartridge into the TK50Z

Raise the cartridge

release handle.

Cartridge
Release Handle

Cartridge
Arrow Is Facing Up

With the arrow on the cartridge

facing up and pointing into the
drive, insert the cartridge into
the drive.

The red light comes

on and the green light goes off.

Green Light
Red Light

Lower the cartridge release
handle.

The red light goes off

and the green light comes on.

‘

Push the load/unload

Eo‘?tdm?m&d

button to the in (load)

utton 1s

~ position. The red light
Rl

comes on and stays on.

The green light goes off.
MLO-000964

Expanding Your System

4-21

Removing a Tape Cartridge
Tape cartridges must be unloaded (rewound) before being removed

from the drive (Figure 4-15). See your software documentation
for information on rewinding a tape.

4-22

Expanding Your System

Figure 4-15

Removing a Tape Cartridge from the TK50Z

1
Release the load/unload button

Load/Unload
Button Is Out

to the out (unload) position.
The red and green lights flash

slowly as the tape rewinds.
When the tape is completely
unloaded, the red light goes off

and the green light comes on.

Raise the cartridge
release handle.

Remove the tape cartridge
and store it in its plastic
container.

Lower the cartridge
release handle.

MLO-000965

Expanding Your System

4-23

Summary of TK50Z Controls and Lights
Table 4-2 summarizes the function of TK50Z controls.
Table 4-2

Summary of TK50Z Controls

Control

Position

Function

Load/unload

Loads the tape (10 to 15 seconds).

Out

Rewinds and unloads the tape.

Lets you insert a tape or remove

button

Cartridge
release handle

a tape after rewind and unload
operations are completed.
Down

Locks tape in operating position.

Table 4-3 summarizes the function of TK50Z indicator lights.

Table 4-3

Summary of TKS0Z Lights

Green Light

Red Light

Function

Off

No power to the tape drive.

Off

Safe to move cartridge release
handle. Power is present.

Off

Do not move the cartridge release
handle. One of the following
conditions is in effect: powerup test is occurring; cartridge is
inserted but handle is still up;
tape is loading or unloading; tape
is stopped.

- Tape is in motion (except rewind).

On
Flashing

Tape loaded successfully.

Read/write commands are
being processed. Irregular fast
flashing of green light means tape
calibration is occurring. (First use
of tape.)

4-24

Flashing slowly

Tape is rewinding.

Off

Flashing rapidly

Tape or drive fault exists.

Expanding Your System

S
Connecting to a Network

This chapter contains information on how to
s

Prepare for connecting to a network

Create a simple daisy-chain network

When you daisy-chain systems together to form a work group, you
connect systems together sequentially with cables and connectors.

Connecting a system to a ThinWire Ethernet network or a
Standard Ethernet network takes only a few minutes for an
experienced user, a bit longer for a new user.

Connecting to a Network

5-1

A Brief Infroduction to Networks
Networks are useful to people who need to work together and
share information. When you work cooperatively on projects, you
need to communicate and exchange information, share common

databases, share files and disk storage, share printers, or use an
electronic mail system. DIGITAL networking lets you do all these

tasks.
Here are a few networking definitions to help you get started:

Network—A network is a group of computers, connected by
communications lines, that share information and resources.
A network can span a small office, a department, a building,

a country, or it can be worldwide. DIGITAL hardware and
DECnet software enable computers to form a network.

Local Area Network (LAN)—A local area network is a

high-speed communications network that covers a limited

geographical area, such as an office area, a department, a
building, or a campus (group of buildings).
s

Ethernet—Ethernet is the DIGITAL local area network. In

1980, Digital Equipment Corporation, Xerox Corporation, and
Intel Corporation developed a specification for the Ethernet

local area network. The specification includes information on

how to connect devices to a coaxial cable, how to configure
nodes, the maximum number of nodes, and the distance
between nodes.
s

ThinWire Ethernet—All DIGITAL Ethernet products can
connect to ThinWire cable. ThinWire cable can be used in

any environment; it is flexible, fully compatible with standard
Ethernet, inexpensive, and offers 10 megabit per second

communication. ThinWire is ideal for small daisy-chain
standalone networks in which VAXstation 3100 Model 40 and
Model 30 users share resources, such as printers and storage
devices.

5-2

Standard Ethernet—Standard Ethernet coaxial cable is
used to connect wiring centers and computer facilities, floors
of buildings, and standalone ThinWire segments. It is rugged,
reliable, and immune to external factors that might otherwise
limit high-speed 10 megabit per second data communication.

DECnet—DECnet networking software enables many
DIGITAL computer systems to form a network. It runs on
systems in both local area networks and wide area networks.

Connecting to a Network

—.

DECnet-ULTRIX—ULTRIX-32 software is DIGITAL’s
version of the UNIX operating system. DECnet-ULTRIX
provides an Ethernet-based communication link between the
VMS and ULTRIX operating systems.
ULTRIX-32 also uses Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocols (TCP/IP) to facilitate interaction with internet
networks.

Work group—A work group consists of cooperating
VAXstation 3100 systems; Ethernet cable connects each
of the computers together. Work groups are formed using
ULTRIX-32 software or VMS and DECnet software.

Local area VAXcluster (LAVec)—A local area VAXcluster is

a group of VAX systems that connect by means of Ethernet
cable to form a cluster (a type of work group) in order to share
resources, printers, and disk storage. A LAVc consists of up
to 42 nodes, any member of which can be the server node. A
VAXstation 3100 Model 40is the server node and a Model 30

is the satellite node
iin a LAVe.

DECcunnectmDECmnnectis a family of networking products
that includes networkelectmmcs, cabling, and connections.

Connecting to a Network

5-3

Connecting to a ThinWire Ethernet Network
If your system will be a networked standalone system, that is,
a workstation that starts and operates independent of all other
computers, you need only make one network connection for your
system.

If you are setting up a local area VAXcluster or work group, you

may need to designate someone as the network coordinator to
help create and manage the work group, assign unique node
names and addresses for each system, and provide administrative
assistance to users.
If you are connecting a work group to an existing network,
ask the network coordinator for the best way to connect to the
larger network. Check that all node names and node addresses
in your work group are unique and do not already exist in
the larger network. Call your service representative for more
network-specific information.

Verifying the Network Select Button Position
The ThinWire/Standard Ethernet network select button is
normally set in the out (flush) position when you receive your
VAXstation 3100. The two positions are:
g

Out—ThinWire Ethernet

In—standard Ethernet

When you turn on your system, the light to the right of the
network select button is green, indicating that you are ready to
connect to ThinWire Ethernet.
Figure 5—1 shows the network select button in the out (or flush)

position, that is, set for ThinWire Ethernet.

5-4

Connecting to a Network

Figure 5-1

Network Select Button Set for ThinWire Ethernet

Network Select Button
ThinWire Light
Halt Button

MLO-000950

Verifying ThinWire Ethernet Network Installation
Turn on your VAXstation 3100.
s

The following line appears:

F...E...D...C...B...A...9...8...7...6...5...4.. 3...2_..1
s

The console prompt (>>>) appears. If the console prompt does
not appear, press the halt button on the back of the system
unit. Use a pen or small, pointed object to push the halt
button.

Enter SHOW ETHE RNET at the console prompt. The

Ethernet hardware address appears in the following format:
ID XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX

and it could look like this example:
ID

08-00-2B-07-A7-80

Write your Ethernet hardware address here:
Ethernet hardware

address

You will need that Ethernet hardware address for each system

when you are configuring the software for your VAXstation
3100 in a local area VAXcluster (LAVc).

Enter TEST 50 at the console prompt. If the last line of
information in the display is NI 0000.0001, then the Ethernet
subsystem is working.

Connecting to a Network

5-5

If a number between 0000.0002 and 0000.7000 appears on
that line, there is a failure in the Ethernet subsystem.

If NI 0000.7000 or any number above 0000.7000 appears on
this line, check all Ethernet connections.

Connecting Your VAXstation 3100 to ThinWire Ethernet
Cable
To connect a VAXstation 3100 to ThinWire Ethernet cable:

Set your system unit on/off switch to the off (0) position.

Attach ThinWire cable to one side of the T-connector.

If your system is the first or last system in a single ThinWire
segment, leave the terminator attached to one side of the
T-connector.

A segment is a length of cable made up of one or more cable
sections connected with barrel connectors or T-connectors.

If your system is not the first or last system and you want to
connect another system to the ThinWire cable, add another
section of cable to the T-connector, as shown in Figure 5-2.

Figure 5-2

Adding ThinWire Cable

ThinWire
Connector
Cable

T-Connector

MLO-000976

5-6

Make sure that a T-connector is attached to the back of your
system. Push the T-connector onto the system unit BNC
connector and then turn it to the right until it locks in place.
See Figure 5-3.

Connecting to a Network

Figure 5-3

Connecting the T-Connector to the Back of the
System Unit

MLO-000977

Creating a Daisy-Chain Work Group
A daisy-chain work group is created by serially connecting several
workstations on the same ThinWire segment. This segment can
function as a standalone network or it can be connected to a larger

network.

The daisy-chain configuration lowers the cost of wiring, but there
is a risk that somevne might improperly unplug a system and
make the network connections inoperative between systems on
the same ThinWire segment. Figure 5-4 shows a VAXstation 3100
Model 40 connected to several VAXstation 3100 Model 30s forming
a work group.

Connecting to a Network

5-7

Figure 5-4

VAXstation 3100 Systems in a Daisy-Chain Work
Group
ThinWire
Ethernet

Model 40

Model 30s
MLO-000996

Connecting Your VAXstation 3100 to a DECconnect
Faceplate
If your office has been wired with DIGITAL DECconnect products,
then connect your VAXstation 3100 to the DECconnect faceplate
in your office. A faceplate is a wall receptacle that provides a
single network connection for your VAXstation 3100 system.

DECconnect cabling components support network configurations
ranging from simple standalone ThinWire networks to multimedia LANs that connect PCs, workstations, and VAXstation 3100

systems. No matter how large or small your network, the most
visible DECconnect component in your office is the faceplate.
m

A faceplate may contain a single ThinWire BNC connector
which permits one VAXstation 3100 Model 40 and multiple
VAXstation 3100 Model 30 satellite systems to be daisy-

chained one to the other on the office side of the faceplate.
m

A faceplate may contain a ThinWire Ethernet daisy-chain
connector which permits behind-the-wall daisy-chaining of
multiple faceplates to a single segment of ThinWire cable. One
VAXstation 3100 system can be attached to each faceplate.
Your network coordinator will know which type of DECconnect
faceplate you have in your office.

To connect your VAXstation 3100 system, attach one end of the
ThinWire cable to the office side of the DECconnect faceplate.
Attach the other end of the ThinWire cable to the ThinWire port
on the back of your system unit.

Figure 5-5 shows a VAXstation 3100 plugged into a DECconnect
office faceplate.

5-8

Connecting to a Network

Figure 5-5

Connecting to a DECconnect Faceplate

MLO-001867

Troubleshooting the ThinWire Segment
If you have verified your ThinWire Ethernet installation and

have found problems, use the following checklist to make sure all
connections are correct:
1

Check that all connections are secure on the ThinWire
Ethernet segment.

Check that there is a a T-connector between the connector on
the ThinWire cable and the system unit.

Check that there is no ThinWire segment between the system
and the T-connector. (The T-connector must attach directly to
the system.)

Check that there are no branches off a ThinWire segment
except through a DEMPR (Digital Ethernet Multiport
Repeater).
A DEMPR provides eight ThinWire Ethernet drops from a
single standard Ethernet connection.

Check that a ThinWire segment is not looped from one port on
the DEMPR to another port on the DEMPR.
Check that the T-connector has not been disconnected from an
operating ThinWire Ethernet segment.

Connecting to a Network

If you need to remove a system from an active ThinWire
segment, simply disconnect the center of the T¥connector from

the system. Figure 5-6 shows the correct way to remove a
T-connector from an active ThinWire segment.
Figure 5-6

Removing a System from an Active ThinWire

Segment

MLO-001772

Check that you have not disconnected a terminator from an
active ThinWire segment.

After you have checked all ThinWire Ethernet connections, retest

the Ethernet. Enter the following command at the console prompt:
>>> TEST

The resulting display tells you if your connection is established. A
(1...) and then the console prompt (>>>) appears. If a connection
is not established, the following message appears:
? 84 FAIL
>>>

510

Connecting to a Network

Connecting to a Standard Ethernet Network
If you are setting up a local area VAXcluster (LAVc¢), you will
need to designate someone as the network coordinator to manage
the network, assign unique node names and addresses for each
system, and provide administrative assistance to users.
If you are connecting a work group to an existing network, ask the

network coordinator for the best way to connect your work group
to the larger network. Have the network coordinator check that
all node names and node addresses are unique and do not already
exist in the larger network.

Setting the Network Select Button for Standard
Ethernet
To use standard Ethernet on your VAXstation 3100 Model 30,

press the network select button on the back of the system unit

in. When you turn on your system, the light near the standard

Ethernet connector is green and the ThinWire Ethernet light is
out. You are ready to connect to standard Ethernet.

Verifying Standard Ethernet Network Installation
—

To verify standard Ethernet installation, you need the 15-pin
standard Ethernet loopback connector attached to your system
1

Turn on your system. You will see the following:

F...E...D...C...B...A...9...8...7...6...5...4...3_..2_..1
2

The light on the end of the loopback connector should be on.

The console prompt (>>>) appears. Enter the SHOW
ETHERNET command.

>>> SHOW ETHERNET
The Ethernet hardware address is displayed in the following
format:
ID XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX

For example:
ID

08-00-2B-02-CC-71

Write down your Ethernet hardware address and save it.
Each Ethernet hardware address is unique.
Ethernet hardware address

Connecting to a Network

5~11

You will need the hardware address for each system when you

configure the VAXstation 3100 in a LAVec.
Enter TEST 50 at the console prompt. If the last line of the
display is NI 0100.0001, then the Ethernet subsystem is
installed and working.
If a number between 0000.0002 and 0000.7000 appears on this

line, there is a failure in the Ethernet subsystem.
If NI 0000.7000 or any number above 0000.7000 appears on

that line, check all Ethernet connections.
After successfully completing the power-up self-test and
verifying the network, remove the loopback connector and

store it for future diagnostic testing. Go to the section
Connecting a Transceiver Cable.

Troubleshooting Standard Ethernet
If data appears on the last line of information above the console
prompt:

Make sure the loopback connector is securely connected to the
system.

However, if you are connected to an active Ethernet segment,
your system can be tested without a loopback connector.
Turn off your system and turn it on again. Ethernet
connection is verified during the power-up sequence.
After you have checked all Ethernet connections, retest the
Ethernet subsystem. Enter the following command at the
console prompt:
>>> TEST

If a connection has been established, the console prompt (>>>)
appears.

If a connection is not established, the following appears:
?

>>>

5-12

Connecting to a Network

FAIL

—~

Connecling a Transceiver Cable
A transceiver cable is the physical connection between a standard
Ethernet network interface and a VAXstation 3100. You use a
transceiver cable when you want to connect your system to an
H4000 transceiver or a DELNI that is attached to the standard
Ethernet cable.
‘To connect a transceiver cable to your system:
(

Set the system unit on/off switch to off (0).

Attach the 15-pin connector on the standard Ethernet
transceiver cable to the back of the system unit.

Use the screwdriver that is included in your shipment to move

the sliding lock (part of the standard Ethernet connector) and
make the standard Ethernet connection secure. Figure 5-7

shows the correct connection.
Figure 5-7

Connecting a Transceiver Cable

Sliding Lock

MLO-001873

Connecting to a Network

5-13

6
Handling Problems

To determine the point at which your problem occurs, follow these
steps:

Turn your equipment off (0) in the following order:
s

The monitor and all peripheral devices such as printers

and modems

Any expansion boxes

The system unit

Check that the following cables are correctly connected:
s

Monitor cable from monitor to system unit

Monitor power cord

System power cord

Expansion box connector cable to system unit

Expansion box power cord

Turn your equipment back on (1) in the following order:
s

Expansion boxes (in the following order):
s

RZ55

TK50Z

RRD40

The monitor

The system unit

Adjust the contrast and brightness on your monitor.

Handling Problems

6~1

After you determine the source of the problem, see Table 6-1 to
learn how to correct it.

How to Use the Troubleshooting Table
When you have a problem, follow these steps:
Note the symptoms of the problem.

Check the Symptom column in Table 6-1 for a match.

Check the conditions for that symptom in the Possible Cause
column. If more than one possible cause is given, check the
possible causes and their suggested solutions in the order
listed.
Follow the advice in the Suggested Solution column.

If a problem persists, call your service representative.

6~2

Handling Problems

Table 6~-1

Troubleshooting

Symptom

Possible Cause

System Unit Problems

System unit fan is off.

Power cord is not plugged in.

Check connections and power source.

Power-up display does not
appear after 20 seconds.

Monitor cord or video cable is not

Check monitor cord and video cable

.plugged in.

connections.

Monitor brightness and contrast
controls are too dark to see screen
display.

Adjust the monitor brightness and
contrast controls.

Keyboard cable is not connected.

Check the keyboard cable connection.

Monitor fuse is blown.

Refer to your monitor guide to replace
the monitor fuse.

Power-up display contains
question marks.

Possible hard error.

See sections Power-Up Error Messages,
Self-Tests, and System Exerciser for
further test instructions.

Operating system software
does not appear on the

Operating system software is not
installed.

See operating system software
documentation for installation
instructions.

~screen.

A problem exists with the hard
disk.

See sections Self-Tests, Configuration
Display, and System Exerciser for
further test instructions.

Expansion box cable and power
cord are not connected.

Check the power cord and expansion box
connector cable.

Default recovery action is set to
halt.

Change the default recovery action
to boot system from the location of
your operating system software. See
Appendix A.

Incorrect boot device specified.

See Appendix A to specify the correct
boot device.

Monitor Pmbloms
Refer to the installation/owner’s guide that comes with your monitor.

(continued on next page)

Handling Problems

6-3

Table 6-1 (Cont.)

Troubleshooting

Symptom

Possible Cause

Suggested Solution

Pointing device cable is installed
incorrectly or is loose.

Turn off the system and then unplug
and replug the cable to reset the device.

The system is in console mode,
and no pointer appears on the

Install windowing software.

Mouse Problems
Pointing device (mouse or
optional tablet) pointer does
not appear on the monitor
screen, or the monitor does
not respond to the pointing
device commands.

screen.

Keyboard Problems

- Keys do not work.

The Hold Screen key is active.

Press the Hold Screen key to release the
hold on the screen.

A problem exists with the hard

Check to see if the operating system

Disk and Diskette Problems

Software does not boot from

hard disk drive.

disk.

software is installed.

See the sections Self-Tests, Configuration
Display, and System Exerciser.

Default boot device is set

incorrectly.

Recovery action is set to halt.

—,

See Appendix A to set or change the
default boot device.
See Appendix A to change the default
recovery action.

Software cannot be read
from diskette drive or
diskette read or write error
message is displayed.

Software is not installed or is
corrupted on the hard disk.

Refer to your software documentation
for help.

No diskette is in the diskette
drive.

Insert a diskette with software. Use the
software documentation instructions.

Diskette was inserted incorrectly.

Check that the write-protect notch on
the diskette is to your left when you
insert the diskette and that the label is

Diskette is damaged or does not
contain software.

Try another diskette.

up.

(continued on next page)

6-4

Handling Problems

Table 6-1 (Cont.)

Troubleshooting

1230 Tape Drive Problems
TZ30 tape drive green light
flashes rapidly and tape
does not move.

The drive mechanism is faulty or
the tape cartridge is damaged.

Press and release the unload button to
clear the fault. If the condition persists,
do not attempt to remove the tape
cartridge or use the tape drive.

TZ30 passes power-up test
but does not operate.

No cartridge in drive or the
cartridge is not loaded.

Insert the cartridge and press and
release the unload button.

Cartridge release lever does

Cartridge is in use.

Wait for green light to come on and try
again. If the problem persists, do not
use the drive.

Cartridge is not inserted properly.

Reinsert the cartridge.

not slide.

Cartridge release lever does
not lock.

Tape does not load.

Press and release the unload button.
‘Wait for green light to come on before
sliding lever and removing tape. If
green light blinks, call your service
representative.

RZ55 fails system exerciser
test and power-up self test.

Faulty disc drive assembly. No AC
power. Faulty cabling.

Check that all cables are secure. Check
to see if the activity light comes on or if
the fan is blowing (AC power is present).
Call your field service representative.

TK50Z Tape Expansion Box Problem
Unable to access informa-

SCSI ID is incorrectly set.

See Chapter 4.

tion on tape.

For other problems, refer to the installation/owner’s guide that comes with your TK50Z tape expansion box.

RRD40 Compact Disc Expansion Box Probiems
Refer to the installation/owner’s guide that comes with your RRD40 compact disc expansion box.

Network Problems
Refer to Chapter 5.

Handling Problems

6~5

Power-Up Error Messages
Nofte If your monitor does not display any information on the screen

after the power-up test sequence, you may have a monitor, video,
or system board failure. Check your monitor guide for more

information.

The VAXstation 3100 displays important information during its
power-up test sequence. If the power-up sequence contains three

periods (...) after each device identifier, then the device has passed

the power-up test successfully.
F...E...D...C...B...A...9...8...7...6...5...4_.3
.2
.1...

An underline (_) after a number means that this particular device,

as identified in Table 6-2, is not in the system or the device
identifier is reserved for future use.
In this example, the underline after the 4 means that this system

does not have an optional 8-plane graphics coprocessor. The
underline after the 3 and 2 means that these identifiers are
reserved.

If there is a problem, the sequence displayed during power-up
contains single question marks or asterisks such as:
F* .E...D...C...B...A...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2?2..1...

A single question mark next to a device identifier means that

there may be a faulty device in your system.
An asterisk means that the ROM for the device is corrupted.

Use Table 6-2 to identify the faulty or corrupted device and then
do a self-test on that device (see the section Self-Tests).

Handling Problems

Power-Up and Self-Test Device Identifiers

Identifier

Device

Fxi

Table 6—-2

Base video

. Bl o Wl o Bl

System clock

Nonvolatile RAM
Serial line controller

Memory-management unit

Memory

Floating point unit
Interval timer

- "S- SR TP B

Device controller (STRG-1) for system with diskette drive

Device controller (SCSI-A) for system without diskette drive
Device controller (SCSI-A) for system with diskette drive

Device controller (SCSI-B) for system without diskette drive

Interrupt controller and Ethernet ID ROM

CRR I

Reserved

Optional 8-plane graphics coprocessor

Ethernet network interconnect

Reserved

Some common power-up status messages are:
1

Clock not set
2?2

0040

0000.0005

This message indicates that the system clock has not
been set. Setting the clock is part of the operating system
software installation; see your operating system software
documentation for instructions.
Low battery
?

0050

0000.0005

This message indicates that the system battery’s charge is low
or completely discharged. Run the system for about 17 hours
to recharge the battery.

Handling Problems

6~7

Monochrome monitor with 8-plane graphics coprocessor
AW

00D0O

0009.0213

This message indicates that a monochrome monitor is
connected to an 8-plane graphics coprocessor.

No Ethernet cable

A double question mark indicates a hard error. This
indicates a serious problem that may affect normal operation
and use of some component of the VAXstation 3100. An
example is:
??

00CO

0000.7004

Check your system for the following:

Is the loopback connector attached to the standard
Ethernet port?

Is a T-connector with terminators connected to the
ThinWire Ethernet port?

Is the network select button in the correct position for the
type of Ethernet that you have?

Are there any faulty or loose cables?

Correct the problem and turn off the system and then turn on

the system.

If you still get the same error message, you may have a
hardware problem with your Ethernet module.

Self-Tests
Self-tests help you to isolate the problem when calling your service
representative. You can run self-tests from the console prompt

(>>>).

To test a device in your VAXstation 3100, follow these steps:

]

Use Table 6-2 to find the number or letter that represents the

device you want to test.

6~8

Handling Problems

Put the VAXstation 3100 in console mode by pressing the halt
button on the rear of the system unit. Use a pen or small
pointed object to push the halt button. Read your software
documentation for shutdown procedures before halting the
system.

Figure 6-1

Hait Button

Halt Button

MLO-001766

Enter TEST and a space followed by the test identifier for the
device you are testing.
>>>

TEST

If you want to test a consecutive series of devices, enter TEST
followed by the first and last test identifier:
>>>

TEST

The system displays the number of each device as it is tested,

followed by a series of periods.
If the self-test is successful, no question mark or error message
is displayed, and the console prompt appears:
7...
>>>

If a device fails the self-test, a failure message is displayed
before the console prompt is returned.
72..

84 FAIL
>>>

‘Handling Problems

6-9

Configuration Display

If a self-test results in a failure, call your service representative.
Your service representative may ask you to run the following
configuration display.
To run the configuration display, enter
>>> TEST

This procedure displays the system configuration, Ethernet ID,
status information, and ROM revision levels. The mnemonic for

each device in the configuration is listed in Table 6-3.
Table 6-3

Device Mnemonics in Configuration Display

Mnemonic

Device

CLK

System clock

8PLN

8-plane graphics coprocessor

Serial line controller

Floating point

STRG-1

Device controller option for system with
diskette drive

SCSI-A

Device controller option for system with disk
drive

SCSI-B

Device controller option for system with disk
drive

Interval timer

MEM

Memory

Memory management

MONO

Monochrome video circuits on system module

Network interconnect

NVR

Nonvolatile RAM

SYS

Interrupt controller and Ethernet ID ROM

—

6-10

Handling Problems

System Without a Diskette Drive
If you have a system without a diskette drive, you will see a

display similar to the following:
KA42-A

V1.0

ID 08-00-2B-07-E3-83
MONO

0000.0001

CLK

0000.0001

NVR

0000.0001

0000.0001
00000001

00000001
MEM

00000001 00000001 00000001

000012A0

0008.0001

00800000
0000.0001

0000.0001

SCSI-A
0808.0001
V1.0
FFFFFFO05 FFFFFF05 FFFFFF05 00000001 FFFFFFO05 FFFFFF05 FFFFFF03 FFFFFF05
SCSI-B

1C1C.0001

wVv1.0

FFFFFF05 FFFFFF05 FFFFFF05 00000001 05000001 FFFFFF05 FFFFFF03 FFFFFF05
SYS

0000.0001

8PLN

0000.0001

V1.0

>>>

System with a Diskette Drive
If you have a system with a diskette drive, you will see a display

similar to the following:
KA42-A
ID

V1.0

08-00-2B-07-05-02

MONO

0000.0001

CLK

0000.0001

NVR

0000.0001

0000.0001
00000001

MEM

00000001

000012A0

0008.0001
00800000

0000.0001

STRG-1

7777.0001

00000000
SCSI-A

V1.0

00000000 FFFFFFFF 00000000
0808.0001

V1.0

FFFFFF05 FFFFFF05 FFFFFF05 00000001 FFFFFFO05 FFFFFF05 FFFFFF03 FFFFFF05
SYs

0000.0000

8PLN

0000.0001

V1.0

>>>

Handling Problems

6-11

Device Display
To determine the devices installed in your system and where they
are located on the SCSI bus, enter
>>>

SHOW

DEVICE

Table 6—4 explains the mnemonics in the next two displays.

Table 6-4

é6~-12

Device Display Mnemonics

Mnemonic

Definition

VMS/VMB

Device numbers for VMS operating system

ULTRIX

Device numbers for ULTRIX operating system

ADDR

Address

DEVTYP

Device type

NUMBYTES

Number of megabytes

RM/FX

Removable or fixed device

Write protected

DEVNAM

Device name

Handling Problems

System Without a Diskette Drive
If you have a system without a diskette drive you will see a

display similar to the following:
VMS /VMB
E

ULTRIX

SE0

DKA300

RZ3

ADDR

A/3/0/00
/6

RZ10

...HostID....

NUMBYTES

RM/FX

DEVNAM

104 MB

RZ23

104 MB

RZ23

08-00-2B-07-E3-83

...HostID....

KB200

DEVTYP

DISK
INITR

B/2/0/00

DISK

INITR

> o>

System with a Diskette Drive
If you have a diskette drive, you will see a display similar to the

following:
VMS /VMB
T

ULTRIX
N

0 W

ESA0

SEO

DUA2
DKA500
DKA600

RX2
RZ5
RZ6

>>>

‘

ADDR

DEVTYP

NUMBYTES
T

RM/FX

DEVNAM

08-00-2B-07-05-02

A/5/0/00
A/6/0/00

DISK
DISK
DISK

104 MB
104 MB

RM
FX
FX

RX23
RZ23
RZ23

System Exerciser
The system exerciser emulates an operating system by the
interaction between devices within the system. Use the system

exerciser if your system has intermittent problems, or if you see
errors associated with 7 or 6 in the power-up displays or self-tests.
If you suspect that there is a problem with a diskette or tape
cartridge, use the system exerciser to check the quality of your

software media by inserting it into the drive before running the
system exerciser.

The system exerciser takes up to 11 minutes to complete, and will
not write on any media. To run the system exerciser:

Handling Problems

6~13

1
|

Put the system in console mode by pressing the halt button on
the rear of the system. Read your software documentation for

shutdown procedures before pressing the halt button.
2

Enter:

The following display appears on your screen after the system
exerciser has run all tests. The 4101.0471 in the fourth column
indicates that there is an error in the RRD40 compact disc
expansion box. If you get this error message, contact your service
representative.
KA42-A

V1.0

O00BO

MONO

0000.0001

0080

0000.0001

1005

00:00:35

0010

MEM

0137.0001

O0O0A7

00:01:12
00:02:02

0090

SCSI-A F000.0001

0002

00:02:23

OOA0

SCSI-B 0000.0001

0002

00:02:56

1100.0001

?2?

4101.0471

6200.0001
7200.0001

00D0O

S8PLN

0000.0001

0 00:03:55

00CO

0000.0001

00:04:01

RRDA40 test disc error code—one of several possible codes

Device identifier
Status/error indicator
Mnemonic for the device

Error information for each device

Different graphics tests display on the screen during the system
exerciser. Single question marks provide status information and
do not interfere with the operation of the system. Double question
marks in the final display indicate errors.
If you get double question marks next to the tape drive or diskette

drive mnemonic (STRG-1, SCSI-A, or SCSI-B), and you ran
the system exerciser with media in the drive, try a different
tape cartridge or diskette. Your media may be the source of the
problem.

6~-14

Handling Problems

If you get any other double question marks, call your service
representative for assistance. Table 6-3 gives the device that

corresponds to each mnemonic. Know the mnemonic associated
with a question mark in your display when you call your service
representative.

Test Utilities
If an expansion box fails, first check that all cable connections are
in place.

RRD40 Test Disc Utility
The RRD40 compact disc drive is shipped with a test disc to be

used when you suspect RRD40 disk drive problems. To test your
RRD40, perform the following steps:

Press the halt button on the back of your system unit. The
console prompt (>>>) is displayed on your screen.

Insert the test disc in the RRD40 following the instructions in
Chapter 4.

Type the TEST 0 command.

If the 4101.0471 error code is displayed on the screen, there

is a problem with the RRD40 compact disc drive. If the
4104.0A71 error code is displayed on the screen, the RRD40
has failed the test. Do not use the drive, call your service
representative for assistance. 4200.0001 is a normal response
code.

Erase Disk Utility for Hard Disks
The erase disk utility erases all data on a specified hard disk.
1

Press the halt button on the back of your system unit. The

console prompt (>>>) is displayed on your screen.

At the console prompt (>>>), enter SHOW DEVICE and press
the Return key.

Enter the TEST 50 command and press the Return key. See

the section Configuration Display for an example of the TEST

50 screen display.
4

Identify the SCSI ID of the hard disk you wish to erase.

Enter TEST 75 and press the Return key.

Handling Problems

6~15

The following example shows the erase disk utility formatting
the hard disk in an RZ55 expansion box. The hard disk
is located on SCSI-B bus address ID 1. The formatting
procedure completes successfully.

>>>

TEST

PV_SCS_FMT
CHN

(0=SCSIA,

PV_SCS_FMT
ID

PV_SCS_FMT RUSURE
PV_SCS

1=SCSIB)?

(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)?

(1/0)?

1
1

FMTING................. cee

PV_SCS_FMT BBrepl=0
PV_SCS_FMT_SUCC
>

@ 00 0O

Caution This utility destroys all data on the hard disk.

@ Select SCSI-A bus or SCSI-B bus. Systems with one SCSI bus
do not display this line. In this example, the SCSI-B bus is

selected.
Specify the SCSI ID. In this example, SCSI ID 1 is selected.
Provide verification of your action: 1 = yes; 0 = no.

Your hard disk is being erased.
The number of bad blocks is listed. O=success.
Your hard disk has been successfully erased.
The following is an example of running the erase disk utility on
the hard disk located at SCSI address ID 3, SCSI-B bus, with an
error.
>>>

TEST

PV_SCS_FMT
CHN
PV_SCS_FMT
ID

(0=SCSIA,

1=SCSIB)?

(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7)2

PV_SCS_FMT RUsure

(1/0)?

1
3

PV_SCS FMTing........ e ?

PV_SCS_FMT_ERR#3
>>>

Table 6-5 lists all the data erasure messages and gives an
explanation for each message.

6~-16

Handling Problems

Table 6-5

Error Codes for Erase Disk Utility

Code

Description

Illegal unit number entered.

Error occurred during a SCSI bus command.

Reassign blocks failed (no more replacement blocks
available).

Unit not ready.

Illegal device type for operation.

Changing the Keyboard Language
To change your keyboard language after you have turned on your
system for the first time, do the following:

Note Check your software documentation for shutdown procedures

before pressing the halt button on your system.
1

Make sure your system is in console mode. Enter
>>>

TEST 54

The keyboard language menu appears.
2

Select a language from the keyboard language menu.
0)

Dansk

Francais

Deutsch

Italiano

Deutsch

English

10)

Nederlands

'11)

Norsk

12)

Portugués

Espaiiol

13)

Suomi

Francais

14)

Svenska

Frangais

15)

Vliaams

3 ?2 >>>

(Schweiz)

(Suisse Ror

(British/Irish)

(Canadien)

9 [Refun]

In this example, the keyboard language is changed from English
(3) to Italiano (9).

Rebooting the System After Running Tests
While you are running any of the tests or procedures in this
chapter, you are in console mode. To resume normal operation of
the VAXstation 3100, you must reenter program mode. The two

ways to do this are:
1

Enter BOOT at the console prompt and press
The
system then searches each device in turn for operating system
software.

Handling Problems

6~17

Enter BOOT followed by a space and the name of the device
that contains operating system software, as shown in this
example:
>>>

BOOT

DKA300

This procedure lets the system boot the operating system
software immediately, without searching.
For more information, see your operating system documentation.

Summary of Console Commands
A summary of all console commands, and the tests or utility
programs they execute, is shown in Tables 6—6 to 6—8.
To see a list of these commands enter HELP at the console
prompt.

6~-18

Table 66

Summary of SHOW Commands

Command

Information Displayed

HELP

All commands

SHOW BFLG

Default boot flag

SHOW BOOT

Default boot device

SHOW DEVICE

Boot devices available

SHOW ETHER

Hardware Ethernet address

SHOW HALT

Default action after your system halts

SHOW KBD

Keyboard type selected

SHOW MEM

Memory for your system unit

SHOW DEVICE

Boot devices available

SHOW SCSIA

SCSI-A bus device ID numbers

SHOW SCSIB

SCSI-B bus device ID numbers

SHOW VER

Version of ROM

Handling Problems

Summary of SET Commands
Command

Default Set

SET BFLG

Default boot flags

SET BOOT

Default boot device

SET HALT

Default recovery action

SET KBD

Keyboard language

SET SCSIA

SCSI-A bus device ID numbers

SET SCSIB

SCSI-B bus device ID numbers

Table 6-8

Summary of Diagnostic Commands

Command

Test or Utility Program

TEST F

Type of Device in System

Self-test on base video

(MONO)
TEST E

Self-test on system clock

(CLK)
TEST D

Self-test on nonvolatile
RAM (NVR)

TEST C

Self-test on serial line
controller (DZ)

TEST B

Self-test on system memory

(MEM)
TEST A

TEST 9

Self-test on memorymanagement unit (MM)

Self-test on floating point
unit (FP)

TEST 8

Self-test on interval timer

am
TEST 7

Device controller—STRG-1

TEST 7

Device controller—SCSI-A

System with diskette drive

System without diskette
drive

TEST 6

Device controller—SCSI-A

System with diskette drive

TEST 6

Device controller—SCSI-B

System without diskette
drive
(continued on next page)

Handling Problems

6~19

Table 6-8 (Cont.)

Summary of Diagnostic Commands

Command

Test or Utility Program

TEST 5

Self-test on interrupt
controller and Ethernet
ID ROM (SYS)

TEST 4

Self-test on 8-plane option

(8PLN)
TEST 3

Reserved

TEST 2

Reserved

TEST 1

Self-test on the Ethernet
circuits (NI)

6-20

TEST 0

System exerciser

TEST 50

Configuration display

TEST 54

Change keyboard language

TEST 75

SCSI disk data eraser

TEST DISC

Tests RRD40 compact disc
drive

Handling Problems

Type of Device in System

Service Information
If you have followed the corrective actions listed in this chapter
and you continue to have problems with your VAXstation 3100,
call your DIGITAL service representative.
Before you call:

Write down the serial and model numbers of your system.
Your system is identified on the back of the system unit with

a label: Model: VS42A-xx, is a VAXstation 3100 Model 30
system. Your service representative may need this number
when you call. The numbers in place of xx identify the
contents of the system unit.

Make notes based on Table 6-1.
This information helps your DIGITAL service representative

know the state of your system when the problem occurred.
Be prepared to read information from the screen and to enter

commands at the keyboard while you talk to your DIGITAL
service representative on the telephone.
Eight recessed lights on the back of the system unit light
up when you turn on the system. Your DIGITAL service
representative may ask you to describe which lights are lit on
the back of the system unit.

Handling Problems

6-21

A
Startup Procedures

This appendix describes how to:
=

Set the hardware to boot the operating system software

automatically from a particular device
s

Set your system to have a particular mode of action should the
system power down

Set the default boot flags for your software

For more information on setting your startup procedures, see your
operating system installation guide.

Automatic Booting
Set the default boot device to the disk drive where you installed
your operating system software. The VAXstation 3100 will boot

from that device at startup. The operating system software should
reside in one of the following places:

s On a hard disk in the system unit
s On a hard disk in an expansion box
s

On a compact disc drive in an expansion box

On a remote system that you access through the Ethernet

Table A-1 shows the names assigned to each of the possible

devices. The default boot device should be set to one of these.

Startup Procedures

A-1

Table A-1

SCSI Boot Device Names
VMS

ULTRIX

Device

Name

Hard disk in systemhunit (SCSI-A bus at ID 0-7)

DKAx00

RZx

Hard disk in system unit (SCSI-B bus at ID 0-7)

DKBx00

RZx

Hard disk in expansion box (SCSI-B bus at ID 0-7)

DKBx00

'RZx

Mass storage on remote system

ESAO

SEOQ

Tape (SCSI-A bus at ID 0-7)

MEKAx00

TZx

Tape (SCSI-B bus at ID 0-7)

MKBx00

TZx

Device and Location

To change the default boot device:

Note Check your software documentation for shutdown procedures

before halting your system.

Check that the system is in console mode. To get the console

prompt (>>>), press the halt button on the rear of the system
unit.

At the console prompt, enter SET BOOT and the name of the
default boot device where the software will reside and press
the Return key. For example,
>>> SET BOOT DKA300

Changing the Default Recovery Action
When you receive your system, it automatically starts up the
operating system software every time you power up or in the
event of an operating system software failure.
The options you have for setting the default recovery action and
what they mean are listed in Table A-2.

A-2

Startup Procedures

—

Table A-2

Values for Recovery Action

Value

Recovery Action

Result

Action

Automatic restart

System restarts

None

Automatic reboot

Operating system software
reboots automatically

None

Automatic halt

Console prompt appears

Enter

BOOT!

1Enter BOOT or BOOT and the device name, for example, BOOT DKAx00, where
the operating system software resides.

If you want to change the default recovery action, follow these
steps:

Put the VAXstation 3100 in console mode by pressing the halt
button on the back of the system unit.

At the console prompt, enter the following:
>>>

SHOW HALT

The value for the default recovery action displays:
2
>>>

To set the recovery action to automatic restart should the
system go down, at the console prompt enter:
>>> SET HALT

To change to automatic reboot, at the console prompt enter:
>>> SET HALT

If you want your system to halt after every power up, at the
console prompt, enter:
>>> SET HALT

Setting the Default Boot Flags
The default boot flags should be set for the operating system

installed on your VAXstation 3100. Consult your operating
system documentation for more information. A list of related
documentation appears in Appendix E.

Startup Procedures

A-3

To set the default boot flags:
|

Check to be sure the system is in console mode. If the console

prompt does not appear on the screen, press the halt button
on the back of the system unit.
Get the default boot flag number (a hexadecimal number

of up to 8 characters) from your operating system software
documentation.
At the console prompt, enter:
>>>

SET BFLG

default-bootflag-number

Default-bootflag-number is a number you enter for your
system. See your software documentation for more
information.
4

Set the default boot flags for your operating system.

A-4

Startup Procedures

SCSI IDs

This appendix contains information common to both the
VAXstation 3100 Model 30 and Model 40 systems. The
information is for technical users who wish to do custom
configurations.

SCSI is the acronym for Small Computer Systems Interface. SCSI
is an interface designed for connecting disks and other peripheral
devices to computer systems. SCSI is defined by an American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard and is used by
many computer and peripheral vendors throughout the industry.
Up to eight SCSI devices can share a SCSI bus (a cable). All data
is sent back and forth on the cable. Each SCSI device attached to
the cable looks at all the data, but a SCSI device only takes the
data that has the proper device identification (called a SCSI ID).

SCSI ID Default Settings
You are responsible for the SCSI ID settings on your equipment.
Digital Equipment Corporation sets each SCSI device to a default
setting before the equipment leaves the factory. You may never
need to change a default setting. Default settings should only be
changed when a system is configured with more than one of a
particular device.

The SCSI ID numbers are 0 through 7; 7 is the highest ID. The
number 7 is reserved for devices requiring the highest priority on
the SCSI bus. The number 6 is reserved for the controller. Six
IDs (0 through 5) are available for custom configuration.

SCSI IDs

B~1

SCSI default settings for each VAXstation 3100 system are listed

in Tables B-1, B-2, and B-3. The identification numbers listed
give optimal performance on most systems. However, if you have
special performance needs, you can set the identification number
on each SCSI device manually. For most applications, SCSI IDs

can be set arbitrarily as long as no two devices share the same ID.
Each device has a set of switches or jumpers that can be set for a

specific ID. The TK50Z tape drive, the RZ55 hard disk drive, and
the RRD40 compact disc drive are mounted in expansion boxes.
Each of these devices has external switches which you can set.

The integral RRD40 compact disc drive (Model 40 system only),

the RZ22 (Model 30 system only) and RZ23 hard disks, the TZ30
tape drive, and the RX23S diskette drive (Model 30 system only)

have internal switches or j‘umpers that must be reset by your
Digital service representative.

Setting SCSI IDs

Enter TEST 50 at the console prompt (>>>), then press the Return

key. Your system configuration is displayed on the screen.

Note that FFFFFFO05 identifies an open ID. Remember—a fully
configured Model 30 system contains a controller, one RZ23 hard

disk, one TK50Z tape, and one RRD40 compact disc drive on the

external SCSI-B bus. This leaves four open IDs. Of these, ID 7
is reserved for devices requiring the highest priority on the SCSI

bus.

B-2

SCSI IDs

Wiy

SCSI-B

1C1C.0001

V1.0

FFFFFF05 FFFFFF05 FFEFFFOS5 00000001 05020001 01000000 FFFFFF03 FFFEFF05

SCSIID 0 — open
SCSI ID 1 — open

SCSI ID 2 — open
SCSI ID 3 — RZ23

SCSI ID 4 — RRD40
SCSI ID 5 — TK50Z tape

SCSI ID 6 — SCSI-B controller
SCSI ID 7 — Reserved
Follow these rules when you set SCSI IDs:
You can have up to seven devices on one bus.
Each device must have its own unique identifier.

You cannot have two devices with the same SCSI ID on the
same SCSI bus.
Each SCSI bus must be terminated. Add a terminator to an
unused SCSI port.

Table B-1

SCSI IDs for VAXstation 3100 Model 30 (with
Diskette Drive)

SCSI-ST506 Option
7 Reserved for expansion

6 SCSI Adapter
5 TZ30, TK50Z, RX23S
4 RRD40 expansion box
3 RZ22 (paging and swapping disk), RZ23
2 RZ22, RZ23

1 Reserved for expansion

0 Reserved for expansion

SCSI'IDs

B-3

Table B-2

SCSI IDs for VAXstation 3100 Model 30

SCSI-A Internal Bus

SCSI-B External Bus

7 Unused

7 Reserved for expansion

6 SCSI A adapter

6 SCSI-B adapter

5 TZ30, RX23S

5 TK50Z expansion box

4 Unused

4 RRD40 expansion box

3 RZ22, RZ23 (system disk)

3 RZ22, RZ23

2 Unused

2 Reserved for expansion

1 Unused

1 Reserved for expansion

0 Unused

0 Reserved for expansion

Table B-3

SCSI IDs for VAXstation 3100 Model 40

SCSI-A Internal Bus

SCSI-B External Bus

7 Unused

7 Reserved for expansion

6 SCSI-A adapter

6 SCSI-B adapter

5 TZ30

5 TK50Z expansion box

4 Unused

4 RRD40 internal or expansion box

3 RZ22, RZ23 (system disk)

3 RZ22, RZ23

2 Unused

2 RZ22, RZ23

1 Unused

1 Reserved for expansion

0 Unused

0 Reserved for expansion

Note Proper operation of the SCSI bus requires that high-quality,
properly configured cables and connectors be used to connect all

devices. It is recommended that only DIGITAL-supplied cable
assemblies intended for interconnecting SCSI devices be used. This

ensures that the impedance characteristics, signal propagation
velocity, inductance, capacitance, cross-talk, grounding, conductor
pairing, and shielding meets the requirements for proper operation
of the bus. In addition, it is recommended that all units on the

SCSI bus be powered from a common AC power source. The
proper operation of any SCSI bus that uses cable assemblies not
supplied by DIGITAL, or that are not configured in accordance
with DIGITAL’s recommendations, is not guaranteed.

B-4

SCSI IDs

Sefting SCSI Switches
The switch positions shown in the following tables are the
recommended switch positions for each expansion box.

Table B-4

RRD40 Expansion Box SCSI IDs and Switch Positions
Switch Positions — Switches 1, 2, 3, and 4

SCSI ID Address
on SCSI-B Bus

Down

Not used

Down

Not used

Down

Not used

Down

Not used

Down

Not used

Down

Not used

Down

Not used

Table B-5
SCSI ID Address

RZ55 Expansion Box SCSI IDs and Switch Positions
Switch Positions — Switches 1, 2, and 3

on SCSI-B Bus

Down

SCSIIDs

B-5

Table B-6
SCSI ID Address
on SCSI-B Bus

B-6

SCSI IDs

TK50Z Expansion Box SCSI IDs and Switch Positions
Switch Positions — Switches 1, 2, and 3

Down

C
Options

This appendix describes the hardware options available for your

VAXstation 3100.

Hard Disk Drives
A hard disk drive stores information on a nonremovable disk.

Internal hard disks available for the VAXstation 3100 are the
RZ22 and RZ23. One or two hard disks can be installed inside the

system unit. Contact your DIGITAL sales representative if you
wish to add an RZ22 or RZ23 disk drive to your system unit. The

RZ55 hard disk is available in an expansion box. Table C-1 lists
the hard disks available for your system.

Table C-1

Hard Disk Drives

Disk Type

Storage Available

Location

RZ22

52 MB

Integral

RZ23

104 MB

Integral

RZ55

332 MB

Expansion box

Printers
Table C—2 lists the printers available for the VAXstation 3100
system.

Options

C-1

Table C-2

C-2

Options

Printers

Printer

Description

LNO03

Desktop laser printer

LNO03 PLUS

Enhanced LNO3; prints text and graphics

LNO3R ScriptPrinter

Nonimpact page printer; prints PosTScript
text and graphics

LA100

Desktop dot matrix printing terminal

LA75 Companion
Printer

Desktop dot matrix printer, sixel graphics

LPS20 PrintServer

Networked PostScripr printer

LPS40 PrintServer

Networked PostScripT printer

LJ250/252 Companion
Color Printer

Desktop dot matrix color, serial (LJ250) or
parallel (LJ252) printer

Connecting a Printer
You will need to order a serial line cable to connect a printer to
your system.

To connect a printer:

Use the documentation that shipped with the printer to:
s

Unpack and set up the printer

Set the baud rate on your printer to 480C baud before
connecting it to your VAXstation 3100

Make sure that the printer and the system unit are off.

Attach one end of the printer cable to the back of the printer.

(Check the documentation that shipped with the printer.)
4

Attach the serial line cable to the other end of the printer
cable.

Attach the free end of the serial line cable to the printer port
on the back of the system unit, as shown in Figure C-1.

Figure C-1

Connecting a Printer

Printer Cable -

MLO-001012

Options

C-3

Modems
Table C-3 lists the modems available for the VAXstation 3100.
You will need to order a serial line cable to connect a modem to
your system.

The communications port on the back of the system unit comes set
at 1200 baud. Refer to your modem documentation for the correct
baud needed for your modem.
Table C-3

Modems

Modem

Description

DF242 Scholar Plus

300, 1200, and 2400 bps (bits per second) full
duplex asynchronous

DF224

300, 1200, and 2400 bps full-duplex
asynchronous

DF212

300, 600, and 1200 bps full-duplex

asynchronous
DF112

300 and 1200 bps full-duplex asynchronous

DF03

300 and 1200 bps full-duplex asynchronous

Refer to your operating system software documentation for
information about other supported modems.

C-4

Options

Connecting a Modem
To connect your modem:
1

Make sure that the modem and the system unit are off.

Follow the directions that come with your modem to set it up.

Use your modem guide to clear the Force DSR attribute on
your modem. (By clearing the Force DSR attribute, your
system will recognize the loss of modem connection, should
this occur.)
,
a

Attach the 25-pin D-sub adapter to the back of the modem.
Attach one end of the serial line cable to the 25-pin D-sub
adapter.
Attach the free end of the serial line cable to the
communications port on the back of the system unit, as
shown in Figure C-2.

Figure C-2

Connecting a Modem

Modem Cable

MLO-001011

Options

C-5

Tablet
The tablet with the puck or stylus may be used as a pointing
device instead of the mouse for menu selection, graphics entry,

and pointer control. The VSxxx—AB tablet system consists of a
digitizing tablet, a 4-button puck, a 2-button stylus, and a 1.5
meter (5 foot) power/signal cable.

Monitors
Several monitors are available for the VAXstation 3100. Contact
your DIGITAL sales representative for more information.

Cable Option
If you need to place your system unit away from your monitor,
order a long monitor cable.
To connect a long monitor cable to your monitor, follow the

directions in your monitor guide. You can connect the keyboard
and mouse either to the monitor cable as shown in the monitor
book or to the back of the system unit as shown in Chapter 2 in

this manual.

Color Option
To add color to your system, you can order an 8-plane graphics
coprocessor and color monitor.
The 8-plane graphics coprocessor provides your system with a
resolution of 1024 by 864 pixels and displays up to 256 colors

from a palette of 16.7 million. Realistic three-dimensional shading
is also possible with 256 colors.

C-6

Options

Hardware Specifications

Table D-1

System Unit (Diskless) Dimensions

Weight

Height

Width

Depth

7.7 kg

10.3 cm

46.2 cm

40 cm

(17 1b)

(4 in)

(18.12 in)

(15.5 in)

Table D-2

System Specifications

Subject

Description

Processor

KA42-AA 90 ns CPU

DRAM memory

8 MB on board

ROM memory

256 KB

Coprocessor

Optional 8-plane graphics coprocessor

Hard Disk

Options include one or two 52 MB integral hard disks, one or two 104
MB integral hard disks, and 332 MB hard disk expansion box.

Monitor

Options include 38 cm (15 in) monochrome or color, 1024-by-864-pixel;

48 cm (19 in) monochrome or color, 1024-by-864-pixel

For hardware specifications, see your monitor guide.
Interfaces

1 SCSI/ST506 or 1 SCSI/SCSI port, 1 ThinWire Ethernet port, 1
standard Ethernet port

Hardware Specifications

D-1

Table D-3

System Storage Conditions

Temperature range

5° C to 50° C (41°F to 122° F)

Relative humidity

10% to 95% (non-condensing)

Altitude

0 to 2400 m (0 to 8000 ft)

Maximum wet bulb

32 °C (90° F)

temperature

Minimum dew point

Table D-4

2° C (36° F)

System Operating and Nonoperating Conditions

Operating Conditions
Temperature range

10° C to 40° C (50° F to 104° F)

Temperature change

11° C (20° F) deg/hour maximum

rate

Relative humidity

10% to 90% (non-condensing, no diskette)

Altitude

2400 m (8000 ft)

Maximum wet bulb

28° C (82° F)

temperature

Minimum dew point

2° C (36° F)

Nonoperating

Conditions
Temperature range

—40° C to 66° C (-40° F to -151° F)

Relative humidity

95% @ 66° C (may condense)

Altitude

4900 m (16,000 ft)

Maximum wet bulb

28° C (82° F)

temperature

Minimum dew point

Table D-5

2° C (36° F)

System Electrical Specifications

Input voltage

Automatically adjusting AC input from 120 VAC to 240 VAC

Frequency

47 to 60 Hz

D-2

Hardware Specifications

RZ22/23 Hard Disk Drive Specifications

Table D-6

Physical Dimensions

RZ22

RZ23

Weight

780 kg (1.72 Ibs)

826 kg (1.82 Ibs)

Height

41.28 mm (1.625 in)

Width

101.6 mm (4.00 in)

Depth

146.05 mm (5.75 in)

Formatted Storage Capacity

RZ22

RZ223

Per drive

52 MB

104 MB

Per surface

13 MB

Bytes per track

16,896

Bytes per block

512

Blocks per track

Blocks per drive

102,432

204,864

Spare blocks per track

Spare blocks per drive

3104

6208

Performance

RZ22

RZ23

Transfer rate to/from media

1.25 MB/sec

Transfer rate to/from buffer

1.25 MB/sec

Seek time track to track

< 8 msec

Seek time average

< 25 msec

Seek time maximum (full stroke)

< 45 msec

Average latency

8.4 msec

Rotational speed

3575 RPM +0.1%

Start time (maximum)

20 sec

Stop time (maximum)

20 sec

Interleave

1:1

Hardware Specifications D=3

Environmental Specifications

Operating

Nonoperating

Ambient temperature

10° C to 60° C

-40° C to 66° C

Relative humidity

8% to 80%

8% to 95% (packaged)

Altitude

—-1000 ft to 10,000 ft

-1000 ft to 40,000 ft

Maximum wet bulb
(noncondensing)

25.6° C (78° F)

46° C (115° F)

Heat dissipation

8 W (typical) (27.36
Btwhr) 9 W max. (30.8
Btu/hr)

N/A

Temperature gradient

11° C/hr (20° F/hr)

20° C/hr (36° F/hr)

Table D-7

RX23 Diskette Drive Specifications

Subject

Description

Diskette size

9 cm (3.5 in)

Diskettes/diskette drive

Data capacity

1.2 MB (RX23K)

Track density

135 TPI

Storage capacity (high
density)

600 KB

Table D-8

RZ55 Hard Disk Drive Dimensions

Weight

Height

Width

Depth

13.2 kg

14 cm

33 cm

29 cm

(29 1b)

(5.5 in)

(12.75 in)

(11.25 in)

D-4

Hardware Specifications

Table D-9

RZ55 Hard Disk Drive Specifications

Subject

Description

Formatted capacity per drive

332.30 MB

Formatted capacity per surface

2.48 MB

Formatted capacity per track

18,432

Formatted capacity per block

512 bytes

Formatted blocks per track

Formatted blocks per drive

649,040

Formatted capacity spare blocks per cylinder

Formatted capacity spare blocks per drive

10300 MB

Transfer rate to from media

1.25 MB/sec

Performance bus asynchronous mode

1.50 MB/sec

Performance bus synchronous mode

4 MB/sec

Performance seek time track to track

<= 4 milliseconds

Performance seek time average

<= 16 milliseconds

Performance seek time maximum

<= 35 milliseconds

Average rotational latency

8.3 milliseconds

Rotational speed

3600 RPM

Start time

20 seconds maximum

Stop time

20 seconds maximum

Interleave

1:1

Bus latency

600 microseconds

Input current

2.4 Amps @ 100-120 VAC

Frequency

50-60 Hz

Power

160 Watts

Table D-10

RZ55 Hard Disk Drive Environmental Specifications

Operating

Nonoperating

Ambient temperature

10° C to 50° C (50° F to 122° F)

—40° C to 66°C (—40°F to 150° F)

Relative humidity

8% to 80% (noncondensing)

8% to 95%

Altitude

0 to 4600 m (0 to 15000 ft )

0 to xxxxx m (-1000 ft to 40000
ft)

Maximum wet bulb

25.6° C (46° F)

46° C (82.8° F)

Hardware Specifications

D=5

Table D-11

TZ30 Tape Drive Specifications

Subject

Description

Mode of operation

Streaming

Media

12.77 mm (0.5 in) unformatted magnetic tape

Bit density

2624 bits/cm (6667 bits/in)

Number of tracks

Transfer rate (at host)

62.5 KB per second

Tape speed

190 cm/sec (75 in/sec)

Track format

Multiple track serpentine recording

Cartridge capacity

95 MB, formatted (approx.)

D-6

Hardware Specifications

E
Associated Documents

For option and system hardware part numbers, consult your
DIGITAL sales representative.

Not all the following documents are available in every country.
Check with your DIGITAL sales representative for availability.
Table E-1

Associated Documents

Titles

Order Numbers

VAXstation 3100 Family
VAXstation 3100 Planning and Preparation

EK-286AA-RC

VAXstation 3100 Maintenance Guide

EK-285AA-MG

VAXstation 3100 Illustrated Parts Book

EK-288AA-IP

VAXstation 3100 Model 30 Desktop—VMS Basic
System Guide

EK-259AA-UG

VAXstation 3100 Model 30 Desktop—VMS
Advanced System Guide

EK-260AA-OM

VAXstation 3100 Model 40 Desktop—VMS
Management Guide

EK-261AA-OM

VAXserver 3400 Model 640QS Desktop—VMS
Management Guide

EK-259AA-OM
(continued on next page)

Associated Documents

E-1

Table E-1 (Cont.)

Associated Documents

Titles

Order Numbers

Microcomputer Handbook Series
Microcomputer Interfaces Handbook

EB-20175-20

Microcomputers and Memories Handbook

EB-18451-20

Technical Summary of Digital’s VAXstation
Family

EB-29389-51

Printers
Installing and Using the LNO3

EK-0LNO03-UG

LNO3 PLUS User Guide

EK-LN03S-UG

LNO3R ScriptPrinter Installation Guide

EK-LNO3R-UG

LNO3R ScriptPrinter Operator Guide

EK-LNO3R-OG

LA100 Letterwriter User Documentation Kit

EK-LW100-UG

Installing and Using the LA75 Companion

EK-OLA75-UG

Printer

Installing and Using the LJ250/252 Companion
Color Printer

= EK-LJ250-DK

LPS20 PrintServer User Guide
LPS40 PrintServer User Guide

RRD40 Disc Drive
RRD40 Disc Drive Owner’s Manual

EK-RRD40-OM

1230 Tape Drive

TZ30 Cartridge Tape Drive Subsystem Owner’s
Manual

EK-OTZ30-OM

TZ30 Cartridge Tape Drive Subsystem Service
Manual

EK-OTZ30-SM

TZ30 Cartridge Tape Drive Subsystem Reference
Card

EK-OTZ30-RC

(continued on next page)

E-2

Associated Documents

Table E-1 (Cont.)

Associated Documents

Titles

Order Numbers

TK50Z Tape Drive
TK50Z Tape Drive Subsystem Owner’s Manual

EK-LEP05-OM

TK50Z User’s Guide

EK-OTK50-UG

‘

- TK50Z Technical Manual

EK-OTK50-TM

DECconnect System
DECconnect System General Description

EK-DECSY-GD

DECconnect System Requirements Evaluation
Workbook

EK-DECSY-EG

DECconnect System Installation and Verification
Guide

DECconnect System Stand-alone ThinWire
Networks: Planning and Installation Guide

EK-DECSY-TG

DECconnect System Planning and Configuration
Guide

= EK-DECSY-VG

=~ EK-DECSY-CG

Associated Documents

E-3

“'WMM

M{Y

|
t

Glossar
application program

A program, such as a financial spreadsheet pmgram, that performs an end-user
task.

architecture

The internal configuration of a computer (processor) including its registers,
instruction set, and input/output structure.
ANSI

American National Standards Institute.

ASCIl
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A set of 7- or 8-bit binary
numbers representing the alphabet, punctuation, numerals, and other special
symbols used in text representation and communications protocol.
backup

A copy of files or software made for safekeeping in a backup operation.
backup process

The pmcess of making copies of the data stored on your disk so that you can recover
that data after an accidental loss. You make backup copies on tape cartridges, or
over a network using the Remote System Manager.

Glossary-1

bad blocks
A damaged block on a disk that the system cannot access. Blocks become damaged

from wear or abuse.
barrel connector
A female connector for connecting two sections of ThinWire cable.

batch queue
A series of tasks that the computer processes in a certain order, without user
interaction.

baud rate
The speed at which signals are serially transmitted along a communications line.

One baud equals 1 bit per second.
binary
A number system that uses two digits: 0 and 1. They are represented in system
circuitry by two voltage levels, and programs are executed in binary form.

bit
A binary digit; the smallest unit of information in a binary system of notation,
designated as a 0 or a 1.

block

A standard unit of storage space on a disk or tape surface; 512 bytes. Although a
drive writes data to the disk or tape 1 byte at a time, a block is the smallest amount
of space on a disk or tape that the system can access.
BNC connector
See connector
boot
To bring a device or system to a defined state where it can operate on its own.

bootable medium
software that can be loaded into memory and executed.

Glossary-2

]

A fixed disk, an optical disk, or magnetic tape cartridge containing operating system

boot device

The device on which the operating system is loaded.
boot node
The management center for a work group and its major resource provider.

bootstrap
See boot.

BOT
Beginning of tape. See drive leader.

bus
A channel (a set of wires) along which communication signals in a computer system

travel.

byte

A group of 8 binary digits (bits). A byte is one-quarter of a VAX system word.
cable
A sheathed group of electrical conductors.

caddy
The holder for the compact disc.

cartridge insert/release lever
This lever sets internal TZ30 mechanisms to accept or eject the tape cartridge.

Move the lever to the left to insert a tape, move to the right so the tape can be used,
and move to the left again to eject the cartridge after the tape has been completely
rewound.

cartridge leader
See drive leader.

CD
See compact disc.

Glossary-3

central processing unit (CPU)

The part of the system that controls the interpretation and execution of instructions.

client
Hardware or software that obtains a specific set of services from a server.

cluster

A group of computers networked together that share disk storage, application
programs, and other computer resources. Also called a VAXcluster.
coaxial cable
A two-conductor, concentric, constant impedance transmission cable.
command

A request you make to the operating system to perform a specific function. For
example, a request to run a program.
communications line

A cable along which electrical signals are transmitted. Devices or systems that are
connected by a communications line can share information and resources.
compact disc

A flat circular plate on which read-only optical data is stored. A laser optical reader,
also called a compact disc, retrieves this information.
computer system

A combination of system hardware, software, and external devices that performs
operations and tasks.
configuration
See system configuration.
connector

A BNC-style connector that connects a section of ThinWire cable to a T-connector, to
a system, or to a barrel connector.

Glossary-4

T
|

console

A device through which an operator communicates with the computer.
console mode
The state in which the computer is controlled from the console terminal. Your
system can be put in console mode by pressing the halt button on the rear panel
of the system unit. Console mode is indicated by the console prompt (>>>) on the
monitor screen. Compare program mode.

console prompt
A prompt used for communication between the user and the computer.

controller
A system component, usually a printed circuit board, that regulates the operation of

one or more peripheral devices.

CPU
See central processing unit.

Cursor

A blinking line or figure on the screen that indicates where the next character the

user types will appear.
daisy-chain

To link computers or expansion boxes sequentially.
data
A formal representation of information suitable for communication, interpretation,

and processing by humans or computers.

data transmission
The movement of data in the form of electrical signals along a communications line.

debug

To detect, locate, and correct errors (bugs) in hardware or software.

Glossary-5

DECconnect
DIGITAL’s simple, cost-effective cabling system for extending Ethernet and terminal

interconnections into offices and work areas.

DECconnect faceplate

See faceplate.
DECnet
DIGITAL networking software that runs on nodes in both local and wide area
networks.

default

A value or setting that in most cases is normal or expected.
DEMPR

A multiport repeater that provides eight ThinWire Ethernet drops from a single
standard Ethernet connection.
device

The general name for any unit connected to the system that is capable of receiving,

storing, or transmitting data.
device icon

An icon on the back of the system unit that identifies the device that can be plugged
into the connector.
device name

The name by which a device or controller is identified in the system.
diagnostics

Programs, located in read-only memory, that detect and identify abnormal system
hardware operation.

disc

See compact disc.

Glossary-6

—

disk
A flat circular plate with a coating on which data is magnetically stored in
concentric circles (tracks). A fixed disk resides permanently inside a disk drive,
while a diskette is removable.
disk drive
A device that holds a disk. The drive contains mechanical components that spin the
disk and move the read/write heads that store and read information on the surface
of the disk.
diskette

A flexible disk contained in a square jacket. Diskettes can be inserted and removed
from diskette drives.
diskette drive

A disk drive that only reads or writes on removable diskettes.
diskless system
A VAXstation 3100 Model 30 system that has no storage capacity of its own.
disk server

A hardware system designed to provide operating system and data storage for other
users.

display screen
See monitor.
down-line load
To send a copy of a system image or other file over a communications line to the
memory of a target node.
drive leader
A plastic leader inside the TZ30 tape drive. The cartridge leader on the magnetic

tape and the drive leader on the tape drive mate. The drive leader draws the
magnetic tape out of the tape cartridge and onto a take-up reel inside the drive.

As the tape is wound onto the take-up reel, it passes the magnetic read and write
heads.

Glossary-7

error message

A message displayed by a system to indicate a mistake or malfunction..

Ethernet
A type of local area network based on Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision
Detection (CSMA/CD). A communications concept for local communication networks

that use coaxial cable.
faceplate

A wall receptacle that provides a single network connection for your workstation.

firmware

Software that is stored in a fixed or wired-in way, usually in read-only memory.
fixed disk
See disk.
floppy disk

See diskette.

footprint

The amount of physical space needed for a computer and its devices.
format
To prepare a diskette to accept data.
formatted data

Data structured in a pattern understood by the system software.
formatting

An operation that divides a disk’s magnetic surface into segments in a specific

pattern. Formatting allows the drive to read and write useful data to the disk.
graphics

Computer output of drawings, charts, and graphs.

Glossary-8

graphics coprocessor
A special-purpose CPU, with its own set of commands, data formats, and an
instruction counter, which executes a sequence of display instructions to create a
drawing or graph on the display device.
ground

A voltage reference point in a system that has a zero voltage potential.

H4000
An Ethernet transceiver used to connect standard Ethernet communications
equipment to standard Ethernet. The H4000 supports a heartbeat signal used in
network diagnostics. hard disk
A hard disk resides permanently inside a disk drive. Compare to diskette.
hard error
A non-recoverable error.

hardware
The physical equipment—mechanical and electrical—that make up a system.

Compare to software.
hardware Ethernet address

The unique Ethernet physical address associated with a particular Ethernet
communications controller.
head

The part of a fixed disk drive, diskette drive, or tape drive that reads, records, and

erases data. Also called read/write head.
Help Menu
A pull-down menu that allows you to access a help facility associated with a specific

application.
host system
The primary or controlling computer in a multiple computer network.

Glossary-9

housing
The plastic case in which a compact disc sits.

“f

I/O device
See input/output (I/0) device.
icon
A graphic representation of an object, application, or window.

IEEE

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Initialize
To prepare a new disk or diskette for use. Initializing erases any files stored on the

disk or diskette.
input/output (I/0) device
A piece of equipment that accepts data for transmission to (input) and from (output)
A

the system. For example, a terminal.
interactive
A method of communicating with the system. In an interactive session, you enter a
command at the keyboard and the system executes the command and responds with
a prompt character for another command.
interface

(1) an electronic circuit board that links an external device to a computer. (2) A

device or piece of software that allows the components of the system to communicate
with each other.
kilobyte (KB)
When referring to memory or secondary storage capacity, 1024 bytes.

LAVCc

See local area VAXcluster.

Glossary-10

LED
Light-emitting diode. LEDs are used as indicators on the system enclosure.
link

A communication path between two nodes. A physical link is the electrical
connection between two nodes. A logical link implies that two nodes are able to
communicate whether or not they have a direct physical link.

load

To copy software (usually from a peripheral device) to memory. Also, to place a disk
in a disk drive or a tape in a tape drive.
load device

The drive that holds the distribution media during software installation.
local
In close proximity to the computer. Compare remote.

local area network (LAN)
A high-speed communications network that covers a limited geographical area,

such as a section of a building, an entire building, or a cluster of buildings. It is a
privately owned communication network whose speed is upward of 1 megabit per
second.
local area VAXcluster (LAVC)
A group of two or more computers connected by an Ethernet cable or computerinterconnect. In a LAVc, one computer serves the other computers (the server), and
starts the other computers and manages the resources that they share.
local device
A disk drive, tape drive, or other device that is only available to the computer to
which it is connected.
log in

To identify yourself to the operating system. When you log in, you type an account
name and password. If the name and password match an account on the system,
you are allowed access to that account.

Glossary-11

magnetic tape
A tape made of plastic and coated with magnetic oxide that is used to store data.

Also called magtape.

megabyte (MB)
A unit of measure equal to 1,000 kilobytes or 1,048,576 bytes.

memory

The area of the system that electrically stores instructions and data, often

temporarily.
memory module
A printed circuit board that contains additional memory for the system.
modem

A device that converts computer signals to signals that can be sent over a telephone
line.
module

A printed circuit board that contains electrical components and electrically

conductive pathways between components. A module stores data or memory or
controls the functions of a device.
monitor

A video device that displays data.
mouse

A hand-held input device that is moved across the desktop to move the pointer or

mouse cursor on the monitor screen and that is used to select menu options and
draw graphics. The mouse is palm-sized and contains three buttons (function keys).
multiport repeater
A repeater used to connect two or more cable segments. The repeater lets you

extend Ethernet networks beyond the limits imposed by a single segment. Repeaters
perform the basic actions of restoring signal amplitude, waveform, and timing
amplitude to normal data and collision signals.

Glossary-12

—

multitasking
Declaring parts of an application to execute concurrently with each other and with
the main program.
network
Two or more computers linked by communication lines to share information and
resources.

network coordinator

The person who manages the network, assigns unique node names and addresses
for each system on the network, and provides administrative assistance to network
users.

node
A computer, workstation, or peripheral device that is connected to a network, and

can communicate with other members of the network.

operating system
An integrated collection of programs that controls the execution of computer

programs and that performs system functions.

optical disc
See compact disc.

output device
A device that accepts data from the system. For example, a printer.

password

A unique string of characters and/or numbers that identifies you to the computer.

peripheral device
A device that provides the CPU with additional memory storage or communication
capability. Examples are disk and diskette drives, video terminals, and printers.
pixel

A picture element. A location on the monitor screen that can be selectively turned
on or off. The basic unit of a graphic display.

Glossary-13

plotter
A device to construct visual representations of data by an automatic pen or pencil.

Plotters can also receive plotting coordinates from digital computers.

pointing device

A terminal input device that allows you to make a selection from a menu or to draw
graphics. See mouse and tablet.

port

The name of the socket at the back of the computer to which a terminal, printer, or
other communication device is connected.
power-up sequence (power up)

A series of ordered events that occur when you supply power by turning on the
system.

print queue

A group of items waiting to be printed by a printer. The arrangement of items
determines the processing priority.

process

A program currently using memory and running on the system.

program

The sequence of instructions the system uses to perform a task. See software.
program mode

The state in which the computer is controlled by the operating system. After the
operating system is installed, the system will always operate in program mode
unless you put it into console mode. Compare console mode.
prompt

A brief message printed or displayed by a program or an operating system, asking
you to provide input.

Glossary-14

public device
A disk drive, tape drive, or other device available to computers that are not directly
connected to it. In a VAXcluster, computers access public devices across a local area
network.

puck

A palm-sized device that slides on a tablet’s surface. The puck and tablet together
function as a pointing device. See pointing device and tablet.

queue

A list of items or tasks to be processed in a certain order. See batch queue and
print queue.

RAM
See random-access memory.

random-access memory (RAM)

Memory that can be both read and written to and can randomly access any one
location during normal operations. The type of memory the system uses to store the
instructions of programs currently being run.
read-only memory (ROM)

Memory that cannot be modified. The system can use (read) the data contained in
ROM but cannot change it.
remote

Linked to a computer by communication lines. Compare local.
remote install
See down-line load.
resolution
A measure of the precision or sharpness of a graphic image. Often a function of the

number of pixels on a screen.

restore

To recover files or softwar. inat has been backed up, copying the material from the
backup medium (such as a tape or diskette) to the medium you normally use.

Glossary-15

ROM
See read-only memory (ROM).

run

A single continuous execution of a program (noun). To execute a program (verb).
runtime

The amount of computing time a program requires to be carried out.

saiéllite node
A node that is booted remotely from the system disk on the boot node. A computer
system that obtains a specific set of services from a server system.

SCSI
See Small Computer System Interface.

section
A single length of ThinWire Ethernet cable terminated at each end with a connector.

segment
A length of ThinWire Ethernet cable made up of one or more cable sections
connected with barrel connectors or T-connectors.

server

Hardware or software that provides a specific set of services to a satellite or client.
server node
In a VAXcluster, a computer that is used to start the satellite nodes and to manage
their use of common resources.
Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)
- An interface designed for connecting disks and other peripheral devices to computer
systems. SCSI, pronounced “skuh-zee,” is defined by an ANSI standard and is used
by many computer and peripheral vendors throughout the industry.

Glossary-16

software
Programs executed by the system to perform a chosen or required function.

Compare hardware.
standalone workstation
A workstation that starts and operates alone without being connected to another
computer.
standard Ethernet network

An IEEE standard 802.3 compliant Ethernet network connected with standard
Ethernet cable. Compare ThinWire Ethernet network.
storage medium
A device, such as a diskette or tape, capable of recording information.
store
To enter data into a storage device, such as a disk, or into memory.

stylus
A penlike device that draws on the surface of a tablet and functions as a pointing

device.

system
A combination of hardware, software, and peripheral devices that perform specific
processing operations.

system configuration
The layout of the hardware in a partlcular computer system.

system disk
The disk that stores the operating system, and which starts the system and allows

it to run properly.

system image
The image that is read into memory from disk when the system is started up

(booted).

Glossary-17

system management tasks
Tasks performed by an assigned person (usually the system manager) to operate

and maintain the system.
tablet
An absolute-positioning input device composed of a flat-surfaced digitizing tablet
and a puck or stylus. The tablet is a drawing surface. The puck and stylus are
pointing devices that move the cursor on the monitor screen, draw graphics, and
make selections from the menu.
tape drive
A device that contains mechanical components and holds, turns, reads, and writes
on magnetic tape.

T-connector

Connector used to join ThinWire Ethernet cable sections.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Networking protocols standard
with ULTRIX software.
terminator
A connector used on one or both ends of an Ethernet segment that provides the

50-ohm termination resistance needed for the cable.

ThinWire Ethernet network

A DIGITAL trademark used to describe its 10base2 (IEEE standard 802.3
compliant) Ethernet products used for local distribution of data.
ThinWire connector
The connector on the rear of the system unit to which the ThinWire Ethernet cable
is attached.
timesharing
A system in which two or more programs get, in turn, equal time or use of a
computer or computer device.

Glossary-18

fransceiver

A device that provides a single physical connection between standard Ethernet and
Ethernet communication equipment.
turbo system
A VAXstation 3100 Model 30 with a hard disk for paging and swapping.

ULTRIX

DIGITAL implementation of the UNIX operating system.
user interface
The interaction style between the computer and the user of that computer.
VAXcluster

A group of two or more computers connected by an Ethernet cable. In a VAXcluster,
one computer serves the other computers: it is required to start the other
computers, and manages the resources that they share.

VMS
DIGITAL’s proprietary operating system.
window
An area on your monitor screen in which you can start, run, and view a separate

process. Windowing is supported by both VMS and ULTRIX workstation software.
workstation

A single-user system that offers high-performance, high-resolution graphics, and can

function in a network environment.
write-protect
To protect a disk, diskette, or other storage medium from being overwritten or
deleted.
write-protect notch
The small notch on the side of a diskette that you can cover with an adhesive-backed
foil label or tab to prevent loss of data by accidental overwriting.

Glossary-19

write-protect switch
The switch that you slide down on a TK50 tape cartridge to prevent loss of data by
accidental overwriting.
window system
A windowing system architecture that allows the execution and display of

applications to be independent. Specific components of the architecture control
the display of applications. Different components determine how applications
run. Since its introduction by MIT, the X Window System has become an industry
standard.

Glossary-20

Index

Air vents,

2-2

Cables, 24
expansion box, 4-4
keyboard, 2-6
modem, C—4
monitor, 2-11, C-6

ANSI standard
SCSI,

B-1

Applications

installing,

2-18

Asterisks

mouse,

in power-up display,

6-6

2—7

optional monitor,

optional serial line,

printer,

Backups

using the TK50Z for,

using the TZ30 for,

Barrel connector,

4-18

3—4

5-6

Baud rate

modem,
printer,

C-4
C-3

BOOT command, A-3
Boot devices
changing, A-2
names of, A-1
setting, A-1
Boot flags, default
setting,

A-3

Booting

after running tests, 6-17
automatic, A-1
Brightness control,
2-15

C—6

C-3, C—4

C-3

SCSI, 4-6
serial line, C-3, C+4
transceiver, 5-13
troubleshooting, 6-1
Care and handling
diskettes, 3-9
hard disks, 24
tape cartridges, 3—4
Cartridge release handle
TK50Z, 4-24
Color monitor, C-6
Communications port, 2-5
baud rate, C—4
connecting modem to, C-5
CompacTape cartridges, 3-1
Compact discs
caddy, 4-13
components,

4-13

Index-1

Compact discs (cont’d.)
housing,

4-15

inserting,

4-13

Database storage,

installing software on,
removing,
test,

2-18

connecting to,

4-15

Compose Character key,

3-14

Configuration display, 4-12, 6-10
code example for, 6-11
mnemonics,

6-10

4-2

Ethernet terminators,

keyboard,

2-6

modems,

C-5

monitor,
mouse,

2-8

setting,

4-6 to 4-9

2-13

2-17

5-4 to 5-10

Connectors
24

Console mode, 6-8, 6-17
Console prompt (>>>), 4-12
Contrast control, 2-15

mnemonics,

6—12

6-14

Diagnostic lights,

6-20

2-5, 6-21

Diagnostics
Ethernet,

2-8

standard,

5-11

ThinWire,

5-5
TZ30 tape drive, 3-8
Disc

See Compact disc
Disc drive

See RRD40 compact disc drive
Disk drives

4-24

Conventions
used in this guide,

xvi

See RZ22/23 hard disk drive; RZ55
hard disk drive
Diskette drive,
3-9 to 3-12
inserting a diskette,

3-11

removing a diskette,

3-12

Diskettes

Daisy-chaining

4-8

expansion boxes,

index-2

6-12

6-8
Diagnostic commands,

5-8

5-13

Device display,

Device testing,

ThinWire Ethernet,

work groups,

5-9

in system exerciser,

5-10

defined,

A-2

troubleshooting,

standard Ethernet,
5-13

Controls
TK50Z,

A-3

Device controller

to DECconnect faceplate,

system unit,

A-1

DEMPR

C-3

transceiver cable,

A-1

setting,

2-11

to networks,

A-2

names of,

Default recovery action

2-7

power cords,
printers,

changing,

Default boot flags

Connecting
expansion boxes,

Default boot devices

setting,

Configurations
for expansion boxes,

5-8

DECnet software
defined, 5-2
DECnet—-ULTRIX
defined,
5-3

6-15

transparent sleeve,

5-8

DECconnect faceplate

4-15

Compose light,

4-2

DECconnect cabling components,

5-7

4-8

caring for,

3-9

inserting,

3-11

installing software with,

3-10

Diskettes (cont'd.)

removing, 3-12
write-protecting,
writing to,

F
3-9 to 3-10

Diskless system,

2-5, 4-2

DKAx00 device,
DKBx00 device,
Drive controller,

A-1
A-1
4-2

Editing keypad,

3-13, 3—15

Eight-plane graphics coprocessor,
Eject button,

F1 key, 3-14
Faceplate, DECconnect
connecting to,
5-8
Fan
troubleshooting, 6-3
Field service, 6-21
Function keys, 3-13

3-9, 3-10

C—6

3-12

Environmental requirements,
Erase disk utility
for hard disks, 6-15
Error messages
power-up display, 6-6
ESAQ device, A-1
Ethernet

2-2

H4000 transceiver, 5-13
2-5, 6-8

Halt button,

Halt recovery action,
Handling problems

See RZ22/23 hard disk drive; RZ55
hard disk expansion box
adding, C-1
turning off, 2-18

5-11

ThinWire, 5-5
Ethernet networks

turning on,

See also Standard Ethernet networks;
ThinWire Ethernet networks
Expansion boxes, 4-1 to 4-18
See also RRD40 compact disc
expansion box; RZ55 hard disk
expansion box; TK50Z tape
expansion box
as default boot device, A-1
connecting one,

4-6

daisy-chaining (connecting two),
guidelines, 4-2
possible configurations, 4-2
turning off, 2-18
|
turning on, 2-15, 4-10
unpacking, 44

A-3

See Troubleshooting
Hard disk drives

2-8

Ethernet hardware address

standard,

2-2

defined, 5-2
Ethernet connectors
attaching to system unit,
Ethernet diagnostics, 2-8

Graphics coprocessor
8-plane, C-6
Grounding powerstrip,

2-15

Hard disks, 3-1
as default boot device, A-1
device names, A-1
erase disk utility, 6-15
installing software on, 2-18
protecting, 2-4
Hardware specifications,
Hold Screen key, 3-14
Hold Screen light, 3-14

D-1

4-8
Icons

port and connector, 24
Installing software, 2-18

with diskettes,

3-10

index-3

Installing software (cont’d.)
with tape cartridges,

Local area VAXcluster (LAVc)
defined,

3-3

5-3

installing software on,

setting up,

Keyboard,

Standard Ethernet hardware address
for, 5-11
ThinWire Ethernet hardware address
for,
5-5

3-13 to 3-16

connecting,

2-6

green indicator lights,

3-14

numeric/application keypad,
3-16

special editing keypad,

special function keys,
troubleshooting,

3-13,

3-13, 3-15

3-13

6—4

Keyboard connector,

Locating the workstation,

Lock key,

setting,

2-2

3-14

Lock light, 3-14
Loopback connector
attaching to system unit, 2-8
diagnostics, 2-8
in network diagnostics,
5-11

2-5

Keyboard language
changing,

2-18

6-17

2-17

Keyboard language menu, 2-17, 6-17
Keyboard legend strip,
3-13

Magnets

MKAx00 device,

A-1

MKBx00 device,

A-1

keeping media away from,

Labeling tape cartridges,

3-2

LAN

Modems,

C—4

connecting,

See Local area network

list of,

Language, keyboard
See Keyboard language
LAVc
See Local area VAXcluster
2-4

Lifting equipment,

Lights

turning off, 2-18
turning on,
2-15
Monitor
checking voltage setting on,

2-13

connecting to system unit,

2-11

installing,

keyboard,

3-14

RRD40,

4-10, 4-13

optional,

system unit,

2-4, 6-21

ThinWire Ethernet,

TK50Z,

4-20 to 4-24

2-11

C-6

positioning,

2-2, 2—-11

setting brightness and contrast,
2—-15
troubleshooting,
6-3
turning off,

2-18

3-8

turning on,

2-15

Load/unload button
TK50Z,
4-24
Local area network (LAN)

unpacking,

2-3

Monitor AC power,

2-5

Monitor cable
long (optional),

2-11

Monitor connector,

2-5

TZ30,

defined, 5-2
installing software on,

index-4

2-18

2-11

connecting power cord to,

2-5, 6-21

5-11

C-5

C—4

diagnostic,

standard Ethernet,

3-4, 3-9

Mouse
connecting,

Outlets, grounded,

2-7

troubleshooting,
using, 3-16

6-3

Mouse connector,

2-2

Peripheral devices,

2-5

4-1