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AA-FH28C-TE

July 1986

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Document:	Console User's Guide VAX 8800/8700/8550/8500
Order Number:	AA-FH28C-TE
Revision:	0
Pages:	312
Original Filename:	AA-FH28C-TE_VAX_8800_8700_8550_8500_Console_Users_Guide_Jul86.pdf

OCR Text

Console User's Guide
VAX 8800/8 700/
8550/8500
ty

SOEHGE0

SO) IWVWANE

CONSOLE USER'S GUIDE
VAX 8800/8700/8550/8500
Order

Number:

AA-FH28C-TE

This book describes the console operation for the VAX 8800, 8700, 8550.
and 8500, including a hardware and software overview, and all system and
diagnostic commands.

Software

Version:

digital equipment corporation
maynard, massachusetts

VAX 8800/8700/8550/8500
Console Version 1

July, 1986
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.

by Digital Equipment Corporation

All Rights Reserved.
Printed in U.S.A.
The postpaid READER’S COMMENTS form on the last page of this document requests the user's critical evaluation to assist in preparing future
documentation.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
DEC
DEC/CMS
DEC/MMS
DECnet
DECsystem-10
DECSYSTEM-20
DECUS

DECwriter

DIBOL
EduSystem
TAS
MASSBUS
PDP
PDT
RSTS

RSX

UNIBUS
VAX
VAXcluster
VMS
VT

diijgijtiall

This document was prepared using an in-house documentation production system.
All page composition and make-up was performed by TeX, the typesetting system
developed by Donald E. Knuth at Stanford University. TEX is a registered trademark of
the American Mathematical Society.

Contents
PREFACE

CHAPTER

xiii

MANUAL

OVERVIEW

1.1

INTRODUCTION

1.2

MAJOR

HARDWARE

1.3

USING

THE

1.4

THE

1.5

BEFORE

1-1
1-1

AND

SOFTWARE

COMPONENTS

CONSOLE

1-2
1-2

START

1-2

SYSTEM

HARDWARE

2-1

2.1

PRODUCT

DESCRIPTION

2-1

2.2

THE CONSOLE SYSTEM
2.2.1
Console Hardware
2.2.1.1
Printer Interface ® 2-4

CHAPTER

YOU

COMMANDS

1-1

2.2.1.2

2.2.1.3
2.2.1.4
2.2.1.5
2.2.1.6
2.3

POWER

2.3.1

2-1
2-4

Console Storage Device ® 2-4

Time of Year Clock ® 2-6
Real Time Interface ® 2-6
External Port ® 2-6
Console Interface ® 2-7

SYSTEM

Environment Monitoring Module

2-8

CHAPTER

CONSOLE

SYSTEM

SOFTWARE

PHYSICAL

3.1

LOGICAL AND

3.2

SCOPE
CPU

3.3

THE SYSTEM

3.4

SOFTWARE-IMPLEMENTED PROCESSOR CONTROL
3.4.1
Software-implemented Keyswitches

3.5

CONSOLE

3.6

MODES
3.6.1
3.6.2

3.7

MULTIPLE

3.8

STATUS
3.8.1
3.8.2
3.8.3
3.8.4

3.9

CONSOLE

3.10

MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING
3.10.1
Boot This CPU

SYSTEM

3.10.2

Boot Other CPU

8800)

3.10.3
3.10.4
3.10.5
3.10.6
3.10.7

UNJAM
Clear Warm Start Flag
Clear Cold Start Flag
Get CPU Information
Toggle Next Primary (VAX 8800)

FOR COMMANDS

CPUS

3-1

ON THE VAX 8800

THAT AFFECT

3-2

THAN

ONE VAX 8800
3-2

CLOCKS

DIRECTORY

3-3

ORGANIZATION

3-3
3-4
3-5

OF CONSOLE OPERATION
Console Mode
Program Mode
COMMAND

PANEL

3-6
3-7
3-7

STREAMS

3-8

MONITORING
Power Change
Clock Change
Remote Port Change
Halt Messages

3-8
3-8
3-9
3-9
3-9

MESSAGES

3-9

(VAX

COMMANDS

3-9
3-10
3-10

3-10
3-10
3-11
3-11
3-11

3.10.8
3.10.9
3.10.10
3.11

CHAPTER

LOG

Write Time Of Day Register
Read Time Of Day Register
Disable Secondary (VAX 8800)

3-11
3-11
3-11

FILE

USING

3-12

THE

CONSOLE

4-1

UP THE CONSOLE

4-1

4.1

SETTING

4.2

STARTING THE SYSTEM

4.3

STARTING

THE SYSTEM

4.4

POWERING

UP AND

4.5

RECOVERING

4.6

RESTARTING

4.7

MOVING

4.8

ADDING AND REMOVING MEMORY

4.9

INSTALLING THE CONSOLE
APPLICATIONS

4.10

BOOT COMMAND PROCEDURES
4.10.1
Editing a Boot File
4.10.1.1
Keyboard Editing Functions ® 4-13

4-10
4-13

4.11

RESERVED

4-17

4-2
THE

FIRST TIME

4-2

INITIALIZING THE SYSTEM

4-4

FROM

A POWER

4-6

AFTER

A HALT

BETWEEN

CONSOLE

FILE NAMES

FAILURE

4-6
AND

PROGRAM

OPERATING

MODES

4-8

4-9
SYSTEM

AND

4-9

CHAPTER
5.1

CONSOLE

COMMANDS

5-1
5-1
5-1

COMMANDS
5.1.1
Parameters

5.1.2

Options

5.1.3

Qualifiers

5.1.4
5.1.5
5.1.6

Defaults
Command
Command

5.2

SYNTAX

ERROR

REPORTING

5-3

5.3

THE COMMAND LANGUAGE
5.3.1
Symbols
5.3.2
Prompts
5.3.3
Special Keys

5-3

5.4

CONSOLE

5.5

HELP

5-2
5-3
Abbreviations
Terminator

COMMAND

5-3

5-4
5-5

DESCRIPTIONS

@
BOOT
CLEAR

5-11

CLEAR

ACCUMULATOR

5-12

CLEAR

RESTART_FLAGS

5-13

CLEAR

SCREEN

5-14

CLEAR

SOMM

5-15

CLEAR

TOMM

5-16

CONTINUE

5-17

DEPOSIT

5-18

DISABLE

5-23

DISABLE AUTO

BOOT

5-25

DISABLE AUTO

POWERON

5-26

DISABLE AUTO

RESTART

5-27

DISABLE

LOCAL CONSOLE

DISABLE

PRINTER

DISABLE

REMOTE

CONSOLE

DISABLE

REMOTE

MODEM

DISABLE

REMOTE

MONITORING

DISABLE

REMOTE

USER

DISABLE

SECONDARY

ENABLE
ENABLE

AUTO

BOOT

ENABLE

AUTO

POWERON

ENABLE

AUTO

RESTART

ENABLE

LOCAL CONSOLE

ENABLE

PRINTER

ENABLE

REMOTE

CONSOLE

ENABLE

REMOTE

MODEM

ENABLE

REMOTE

MONITORING

ENABLE

REMOTE

USER

ENABLE

SECONDARY

EXAMINE
EXIT
FIND
HALT
HELP
IF
INITIALIZE
LINK
LOAD
MICROSTEP
NEXT
PERFORM
POWER
POWER

OFF

POWER

5-28
5-29
5-30
5-31
5-32
5-33
5-34
5-35
5-37
5-38
5-39
5-40
5-42
5-43
5-44
5-45
5-46
5-47
5-48
5-53
5-54
5-56
5-58
5-60
5-62
5-65
5-67
5-72
5-74
5-76
5-78
5-80
5-81
vil

POWER

STANDBY

5-83

PROBE

VBUS

5-84

SENSE

REVISION

5-88

SENSE

REVISION

CONSOLE

5-89

SENSE

REVISION

CPU(S)

5-90

SENSE

REVISION

MCL

5-91

SENSE

REVISION

NBI

5-92

REPEAT

SET

5-93

SET CLOCK

5-95

SET CPU

5-97

SET DEFAULT

5-99

SET EMM

5-101

SET MARGINS

5-102

SET NEXT_PRIMARY

5-104

SET NOVERIFY

5-105

SET RELOCATION

5-106

SET SOMM

5-108

SET SYNC

5-109

SET TERMINAL

5-110

SET TOMM

5-112

SET VERIFY

5-113

SHOW

5-114

SHOW

ACCUMULATOR

5-115

SHOW

CPU

5-116

SHOW

DEFAULT

5-118

SHOW

LOGFILE

5-120

SHOW

POWER

5-122

SHOW

REVISION

5-123

SHOW

STATUS

5-129

TIME

5-131

SHOW

vill

5-86

START

5-132

TEST

5-134

UNJAM

5-136

VERIFY

5-137

VERIFY

EMM

VERIFY

MODULE

5-138

VERIFY

REVISION

5-140

VERIFY

RTI

5-142

PLACEMENT

5-139

WAIT

CHAPTER

5-143

MICROMONITOR
CLEAR

COMMANDS

6-1

FLAGS

6-2

CONTINUE

6-4

DIAGNOSE

6-5

EXIT

6-8

LOOP

6-9

SELECT

6-10

SET

6-11

FLAGS

SHOW

MICMON

6-13

VERIFY

MODULE

6-15

APPENDIX

CONSOLE

COMMAND

APPENDIX

NUMERIC

AND

SYNTAX

ADDRESS

B.1

NUMERIC

B.2

SYMBOLIC ADDRESSES
B.2.1
Internal Processor

A-1

DATA

B-1

LITERALS

B.3

CONSOLE

STATE

BIT

B.4

GENERAL

PURPOSE

B-1

Registers

(IPRs)

DEFINITIONS
REGISTERS

(GPRS)

B-2
B-2
B-5
B-6

B.5

APPENDIX

TEMPORARY REGISTERS
B.5.1
Writable Only Temporary Registers

B-7
B-8

CONSOLE

C-1

MESSAGES

C.1

INFORMATION

C.2

WARNING

C.3

ERROR

MESSAGES

C-1

MESSAGES

C-4

MESSAGES

C-9

APPENDIX

BOOTSTRAP

CONTROL

APPENDIX

INSTALLING

THE

FLAGS

CONSOLE

SOFTWARE

E.1

INSTALLING

THE CONSOLE

E.2

INSTALLING

PRO/COMMUNICATIONS

E.3

INSTALLING

THE CONSOLE/PRODCL

APPENDIX

D-1

OPERATING

E-1

SYSTEM

(P/OS)

E-2
E-7

APPLICATION

SYSINIT AND

BOOT

FILES

F.1

SYSINIT.COM

- SYSTEM

INITIALIZATION

F.2

RESTAR.COM

- RESTART

SEQUENCE

F.3

DEFBOO.COM

- DEFAULT

BOOT COMMAND

F.4

SECBOO.COM, SECONDARY
SEQUENCE - VAX 8800

E-8

F-1

PROCESSOR

PROCEDURE

F-1
F-3

PROCEDURE
BOOT

COMMAND

F-5

F.5

EXIT SEQUENCE

F-6

F.6

BCIBOO.COM

- BOOT

FROM

CIBCI750

F-6

F.7

BDABOO.COM

- BOOT

FROM

KDB50

F-8

F.8

CSBOO.COM

BACKUP

F-9

- STAND-ALONE

GLOSSARY

Glossary-

FIGURES
2-1

VAX 8800/8700

System

Hardware

2-2

VAX 8550/8500

System

Hardware

2-3

Console Hardware

4—1

System

Power Failure Recovery or Error Halt Recovery Flow

4-2

Keypad

Editing Keys:

4-3

Additional Keypad

E-1

DIGITAL Logo

E-—2

Console Screen Showing

E-—3

Installation Display

2-3
2-5

LK201

Keyboard

Editing Keys:

LK201

—_—

4-7
4-16

Keyboard

4-17
E-3

Hardware

Problem

E-4
E-5

TABLES
3-1

Software-implemented

4-1

Keyboard

Editing Functions

Keyswitches

4-13

4-2

Advanced

Keypad

Functions

4-14

5—1

Command

Language Symbols

5-4

5-2

Command

Language

5-4

5—3

Command

Language Special Keys

B-1

Radix Specifiers

B-1

B-2

Mnemonic Addresses

B-2

B-3

Internal Processor Registers

B-3

B—4

Special Addresses

B-4

Prompts

3-4

5-5

B—5

Console

State

Bit Definitions

General Purpose Registers (GPRs)

xii

B-7

Readable and Writable Temporary Registers

B-8

Temporary

D—1

Bootstrap Control Flags

E—1

P/OS Volumes

Registers - Writing Only

B-5
B-6
B-8
D-1

Preface
Manual Objectives
This manual is a reference and tutorial guide with the following objectives:
e
e
e
e

To introduce the VAX 8800, VAX 8700, VAX 8550, and VAX 8500
systems and explain how to use the console to control them
To outline system control procedures such as those for powering up,
initializing, booting, and stopping the systems
To describe the console and Micromonitor commands and their effect
on the VAX systems
To provide pertinent reference information about the hardware and
software components of the VAX and console systems

Intended Audience
This manual is for VAX system managers, operators, and Field Service
representatives; that is, those responsible for the control, management,
and repair of the computer systems described in this manual.

Structure of This Document
This manual combines the features of a user’s guide and a reference
manual. Chapters 1 through 4 introduce the product and identify tasks
that must be performed on the VAX systems, providing instructions.
Chapters 5 and 6 and appendixes A through F are reference material.
The manual consists of the following chapters and appendixes:
Chapter 1, Overview, highlights the manual’s major points and lists the

steps for operating the console.
Chapter 2, System Hardware,

describes the VAX hardware modules,

including the console components, power system, and the Environment
Monitoring Module.

xii

Chapter 3, Console System Software, describes the VAX console components and their functions. The descriptions include the logical and

physical CPUs, the software-implemented processor control panel, modes

of console operation, multiple command streams, status monitoring, and
miscellaneous software commands.
Chapter 4, Using the Console, explains how to initialize and start the
console, start and restart the VAX, move between console and program
modes, and power down the system.
Chapter 5, The Console Commands, begins with a description of the

scope and structure of the console commands,

including definitions of

command defaults, names, qualifiers, parameters, options, prompts, and
special keys. (The conventions used to explain the commands are included
in the Preface.)
Chapter 5 then describes each console command including its parameters,
qualifiers, options, and defaults. The commands are ordered alphabetically.
:
Chapter 6, The Micromonitor

Commands,

describes the Micromonitor

commands (used in the diagnostics software), including parameters,
qualifiers, options, and defaults.

Appendix A, Console Command Syntax, lists the commands alphabetically, showing their proper syntaxes and abbreviations (using the
conventions described in the Preface).
Appendix B, Numeric and Address Data, lists the numeric literals and
symbolic addresses mentioned in Chapters 5 and 6. Brief descriptions of
the console State Bit Definitions and the Internal Processor Registers are
also included.
Appendix C, Error Messages, lists console error messages with brief
descriptions.
Appendix D, Bootstrap Control Flags to VMB, lists the bootstrap control
flags with their bit positions, symbolic names, and meanings.
Appendix E, Installing the Console Operating System and Application,
provides the installation instructions for the console operating system
(P/OS) and the console application.
Appendix F, System Command Files, lists and briefly defines the system
command files to initialize, start, halt, restart, and exit the system.

xiv

Command Language Conventions
The conventions used to describe the commands in this manual (Chapters
5 and 6) are as follows:

In examples, an exclamation point indicates that a comment
follows. Characters following the exclamation point are
ignored.

()

Parentheses enclose command options of which one must
be used. Command options are usually documented as
separate commands in this manual. Do not include the
parentheses in the command line.

Square brackets enclose command options that are not
required. Do not include the brackets in the command line.
A vertical bar indicates “or”. For instance, :!= means that
either the colon or equal sign may be used.

parameter

A parameter follows a command name without brackets or
parentheses, indicating it is a required part of the command.
For instance, the command syntax:
Command-name

filename

indicates that a file specification is a necessary part of the
command.
Represents the carriage return key on the keyboard.
[CTRL/n|

When CTRL/ prefixes a character, press the CTRL key with
the character that follows.

TAB

Represents the TAB key on the keyboard.

UPPERCASE

This manual presents commands and qualifiers in uppercase
characters. They can be entered in uppercase, lowercase, or
a combination.

lowercase

Syntax characters in lowercase indicate generic items to be
be entered with the command. For example, “file-name” is
the generic term for the name of a file.

bold

In Appendix A, the shortest abbreviations you can use with
commands, options, and qualifiers appear in boldface.

red ink

User input appears in red ink.

Associated Documents
VAX 8800/8700 Diagnostic User’s Guide (EK-KA88D-UG-001)
VAX 8500/8550 Diagnostic User's Guide (EK-KA85D-UG-002)
VAX 8800/8700 System Installation Guide (EK-8800I-IN-001)
VAX 8500/8550 System Installation Guide (EK-8500I-IN-002)
VAX 8800/8700 System Maintenance Guide (EK-88XV1-MG-001)
VAX 8500/8550 System Maintenance Guide (EK-85XVS-MG-002)
VAX 8800/8700 System Hardware User’s Guide (EK-8800H-UG-001)
VAX 8500/8500 System Hardware User’s Guide (EK-8500H-UG-002)

xvi

Chapter

Manual Overview

1.1

Introduction
This manual instructs you in operating the VAX 8800, 8700, 8550, and
8500 systems through their consoles. The VAX 8800 system is a dualprocessor (2-CPU) model. The CPUs operate under single copies of
the VAX operating system and are controlled by the operator console.
The VAX 8700, 8550, and 8500 systems are single-processor (1-CPU)
models. The systems accept instructions from the console and uses a
software-implemented processor control panel.
This manual describes the console operation for the four indicated VAX
models. Most descriptions in the manual apply to all models, so the
term VAX is used. If a statement does not apply to all models, the model
number is indicated.

1.2

Major Hardware and Software Components
The console is a complete computer system, with its own CPU, storage
devices, and operating system. From the console, you can control the
major hardware components of the VAX system unit.
The console program is the primary software component and runs as an
application under the console’s operating system (P/OS). With the console
program, you control and manipulate the VAX hardware and software
components. These components include the processor control panel

Manual Overview

1-1

(entirely in software), two modes of console operation, three command
streams, and status monitoring.

1.3

Using the Console
DIGITAL Field Service installs the VAX system and console. The first time
the system is started, some command files need to be modified. For more
information, see Section 4.3. After the first start, you turn on the switch
to power up and bootstrap the system. Software required to operate
the console system, including the console operating system (P/OS) and
command files, is installed at the factory.
If the software (or storage device) fails, follow the instructions in Appendix
E for reinstalling the console operating system (P/OS) and the console
program.

1.4

The Console Commands
You use the console commands more than any other aspect of the VAX
console software. The console commands specify and control activity on
the VAX system unit. These commands have names, parameters, defaults,
qualifiers, and options - all of which require a language and syntax.
Several special switches also control the operation of the commands.

1.5

Before You Start
To use the VAX effectively, you should understand the following topics:

1-2

e
e
e

The console hardware
The VAX power system
The console program

The system startup procedure

The Console Command Language and commands

Manual Overview

Chapter

System Hardware
This chapter introduces you to the VAX system, including the power
system hardware modules, the Environment Monitoring Module, and the
console.

2.1

Product Description
The system hardware consists of the processor(s) (two on the VAX 8800
one on the 8700, 8550, and 8500), memories, and I/O unit(s) (two on the
VAX 8800, one on the 8700, 8550 and 8500), connected by a common
set of backplane wires. I/O consists of the BI (Backplane Interconnect)
which allows for NI (Network Interconnect), and CI (Cluster Interconnect)
capabillities.

These bus architectures, coupled with a 70MB/sec

CPU

/Memory band width and four I/O channels, provide high I/O flexibility
and performance. An Environmental Monitoring Module (EMM) monitors
voltage, temperature, and air flow, protecting the CPU. A single console
system controls the processor(s). Figures 2-1 and 2-2 are block diagrams
of the VAX 8800, 8700, 8550, and 8500 system hardware.

2.2

The Console System
The VAX console is a secondary computer system that allows you to
control and monitor the primary VAX systems. The console contains
a processor and memory for managing the transactions between you
(the operator) and the VAX system, a storage device for microcode, and
additional disk space for the console, bootstrap, and diagnostic programs.
The console also has terminal interfaces to provide access to both local
and remote terminals. A console interface links the console subsystem
System Hardware

2-1

Figure 2-1:

VAX 8800/8700 System

Hardware

CPU—B

CPU-A

CONTROL

NMI
BI
ADAPTOR

BI
ADAPTOR

(NBI)

[ein
BI 2

System Hardware

MEMORY

(8800)

2-2

ARRAY
1

Leis
BI 4

MEMORY

CONSOLE
SUBSYSTEM

BUS

ARRAY
8

Figure 2-2:

VAX

8550/8500 System

Hardware

ARRAY
5
”

CONSOLE

SUBSYSTEM

re
SLU
S

MEMORY
CONTROL

CPU

>
a

ARRAY

NMI

BI
ADAPTOR
(NBI)
BI3.
BI4

System Hardware

2-3

and the VAX processor. The console interface consists of two parts: a
Real Time Interface (RTI), which extends the console’s I/O capabilities,
and a section of logic on the VAX clock module dedicated to supporting
console functions. Figure 2-3 is a block diagram of the console subsystem
hardware.
On the VAX 8800, two logically independent consoles reside in one
physical console, allowing both CPUs to be controlled independently.
(Some interdependencies exist, such as certain clock functions.)
You control the VAX CPU(s) at the console with the Console Command

Language, described in Chapter 5. These commands provide control over
the VAX CPU(s) with output to a CRT screen and an optional printer.

2.2.1

Gonsole Hardware
The console contains 1024 kilobytes (KB) of memory, RX50 diskettes, and
a fixed disk. The console comes with a VR201 monochrome monitor and

an LK201 keyboard.

2.2.1.1

An optional printer is available.

Printer Interface

A printer is a console option connected to the console through a serial
printer port on the back of the console system unit. The port is capable
of performing at programmable rates up to 19.2 Kbaud and uses RS423
signal levels.
2.2.1.2

Console Storage Device
VAX microcode, console programs, and the programs that help to run or
diagnose the VAX and console systems are stored on the console’s fixed
disk. Diskettes can be used as intermediate storage between the VAX and
the console.

The console has sole write access its own fixed disk, and the

VAX operating system has write access to the diskettes.

2-4

System Hardware

Figure 2-3:

Console

Hardware

REMOTE
TERMINAL

KEYBOARD

PRINTER

KEYBOARD
INTERFACE

CONSOLE
MEMORY

CONSOLE
CPU

EXTERNAL
PORT

PRINTER
INTERFACE

CONSOLE INTERNAL BUS

CONSOLE BACKPLANE | INTERCONNECT
REAL TIME
INTERFACE
PP| IEEE SLUA SLUB

VIDEO
BIT MAP
& DISPLAY

'
TO/FROM
CLOCK
CONTROL
LOGIC

TO/FROM
DECODER
MODULE
OF (LEFT) CPU

FIXED DISK
CONTROLLER
& DRIVE

CONSOLE

INTERFACE
(CLK MODULE)

DISKETTE
CONTROLLER
& DRIVE

ENVIRONMENTAL

TO/FROM
VAX
VISIBILITY
BUS
TO/FROM
DECODER
MODULE
OF RIGHT

(VAX8800)

MONITOR
(POWER SUPPLY)

CPU

System Hardware

2.2.1.3.

Time

of Year Clock

The console has its own clock, which uses an MC146818 CMOS chip
with backup power supplied by a rechargeable NiCD battery. The console
increments the clock every second. A Valid RAM and Time (VRT) bit
indicates the status of the clock. (An asserted VRT bit indicates that the
clock has not lost power and that the time and date have been updated
properly since the last initialization.) The VAX Time of Day Register is
implemented in console software, using the console’s Time of Year Clock.
The VAX CPU requests Time of Year information from the console when
necessary.
2.2.1.4

Real Time

Interface

The console communicates with the CPU(s) over a Real Time Interface
module (RTI), using the 24-bit Parallel Peripheral Interface bus (PPI)
connected to the VAX clock and console interface module located in the
CPU backplane. One of the two RS423 serial line interfaces on the RTI is
used to communicate with the Environmental Monitoring Module (EMM),
to enable the console to monitor and control the VAX power subsystem.
The other RS423 interface is not used.
2.2.1.5

External

Port

The console system module offers a Communication Port—an asynchronous or bit- and byte-synchronous R5423 port with modem control.
This port is used to establish a diagnostic link to the system from a remote
location. A 7201 USART is employed, operating at a rate up to 19.2Kbaud
asynchronously or 740Kbaud synchronously. This port can be accessed
from the back of the console system unit. When a modem is connected
to the Communication Port, it operates like a typical VAX remote diagnostic port. Use a BC22F 25-pin connector to connect the modem to the
Communication Port.
Use a null modem cable to connect a remote terminal to the Communications

Port of the console system unit.

2-6

System Hardware

2.2.1.6

Console

Interface

The console interface resides on the VAX clock module and shares it with

the VAX system clock.

The console interface allows the console to communicate with and control
the VAX system and provides the VAX with access to the console subsystem components. The console interface is linked to the rest of the console
subsystem by a 24-bit bus from the Programmable Peripheral Interface on
the Real Time Interface (RTI).
The VAX side of the console interface contains data, address, and control

paths to the Instruction Decoder module of the CPU. For the VAX 8800, a
duplicate set of connections is available to the second CPU.
The console controls the system clock. The clock can be stopped and
restarted, stepped any number of clock cycles, or stopped at preselected
program breakpoints by commands entered at the console terminal.
The console has access to the 16 channels of the VAX

8800 Visibility Bus,

which provides access to selected latches of the VAX 8800 system for
diagnostics. Each channel is a serial path from one of the 16 modules of
the left and right CPUs of the VAX 8800 or from one of the 8 modules of
the VAX 8700, 8550, and 8500.
Each VAX CPU has seven Internal Processor Registers on the console
interface. Four registers are for passing data to and from the console
processor: the Console Receive Data Buffer, Console Receive Control
and Status, Console Transmit Data Buffer, and Console Transmit Control
and Status. The remaining three registers are used in the Interval Clock to
time programmed intervals for the VAX CPU. These are the Interval Count
Register, Next Interval Count Register, and the Interval Count Control and
Status. One set of the seven IPRs on the interface exist for each CPU.
Partial contents of the System Identification Register are accessed through
the console interface. The console takes this data, along with the re-

mainder of the system identification data stored on the console disk, and

deposits it in the Slow Data File (SDF) at boot time. As a result, the
CPU looks for System Identification Register contents only in the Slow

Data File.

See the descriptions of the DEPOSIT,

EXAMINE,

and LOAD

commands in Chapter 5 for more information about the Slow Data File.

System Hardware

2-7

2.3

Power System
The VAX power system consists of a Modular Power Supply Module
(MPS), an Environmental Monitoring Module, a fan, and AC and DC
power distribution. The VAX 8800 also has a battery backup unit (BBU).

2.3.1

Environment Monitoring Module
The Environmental Monitoring Module controls the VAX power system
and protects the VAX hardware from environmentally induced damage.
The EMM senses the state of the system’s environment and relays this
information to the console. If the temperature exceeds the limits or if the
air flow goes below specified limits, the console issues commands to the
EMM to turn the power off. When the situation is corrected, the EMM
will turn the power back on.
When the system’s power-up sequence is initiated, both the console
and the EMM undergo self testing, after which the console loads its
operational software. As part of the system power-up sequence, the
console must initialize each EMM’s parameter table and then instruct it
to power on the rest of the computer logic. After the power-up sequence,
the console requests the EMM to compare the environmental conditions
with the nominal values in the initialization sequence and to report any
detected discrepancies.

The EMM

senses the module temperature, inlet

air temperature, air flow, and DC voltage levels. Power failure signals are
generated in the EMM, and the EMM implements the parallel and serial
keying of modules to detect when a module is missing or in the incorrect
slot.
Problems that can cause the EMM to turn off the system power might
include regulator voltages out of tolerance, excessive air temperatures in
the cabinet, or heat buildup across the logic components, insufficient air
flow, and changes in the MODULE OK signals from the regulators.
Because the Modular Power Supply is controlled by the system console,
the MPS subsystem acts as an intelligent peripheral, with the EMM as the
controller.

2-8

System Hardware

Chapter

Console System Software
The VAX console software is a set of application tasks built on the console
operating system (P/OS). This chapter describes those tasks.
The console provides control over one or two CPUs with the following
general functions:
¢
e
e

Control and monitor the VAX power system through the Environmental
Monitoring Module
Load microcode
Provide a “soft” processor control panel—software that is equivalent to
processor control panel switches and lights on previous VAX systems

Initialize the CPU(s) and major buses

Provide a means to identify, boot, or restart the VAX 8700 /8500/8550
CPU
Provide a means to identify, boot, or restart the primary and secondary
CPUs on the VAX 8800
Provide console, program, and remote user modes

Control diagnostic sessions

The console subsystem is the primary interface for service activity and
in-depth troubleshooting. The console software application allows the
manipulation of registers, control stores, and memory and acts as an
operator service terminal for the VAX operating system.
The console program implements the program and console modes, log
files, EMM support, the Micromonitor, and remote access. The console
functions not implemented by the console program are the logical block
server, the file server, spawned microdiagnostics, and drivers. The console

Console System Software

3-1

program is the only way to power down and power up the VAX, and
therefore must always be running.
The console program maintains constant read requests to the EMM,
the remote port (when enabled), and the local terminal. In console
mode, the local and remote read requests are for entire lines; in program
mode, the requests are for single characters. The local and remote ports
can be in different modes or the same mode. Therefore, the console’s
terminal driver uses console mode to implement special characters, such as
CTRL/U and the DELETE key. The VAX’s terminal driver uses program
mode to implement these special characters.

3.1

Logical and Physical CPUs on the VAX 8800
The two VAX 8800 CPUs are known logically as the Primary and the
Secondary CPUs. Physically, they are known as Left and Right. Console
software maps the logical CPUs, Primary and Secondary, to the physical
CPUs, Left and Right, respectively.

3.2

Scope for Commands That Affect More Than One VAX 8800 CPU
Some commands, such as EXAMINE, apply only to one of the VAX 8800
CPUs. Other commands including the initialization commands HALT,
INITIALIZE, LOAD/WCS, LOAD/CACHE, LOAD/IBD, LOAD/SDF,
SENSE REVISION CPU, START/CONTROLSTORE, TEST, VERIFY
MODULE PLACEMENT, and VERIFY REVISION CPU apply to either or
both CPUs.
A VAX 8800 CPU reponds to a command when it is both available and
selected. The CPU is available if the following conditions are true:
e
e
e

The CPU has passed the VERIFY MODULE PLACEMENT test.
The CPU is enabled because it is the primary CPU or because the
ENABLE SECONDARY command has been issued successfully.
The CPU is working (has passed all diagnostics) and thus has not been
marked as unavailable.

A VAX 8800 CPU is “selected” by the SET CPU console command. You
can vary the scope of a command by using the SET CPU qualifiers BOTH,
LEFT, RIGHT, CURRENT_PRIMARY, NEXT_PRIMARY,
CURRENT_SECONDARY, and NEXT_SECONDARY.
3-2

Console System Software

The CPU is marked “unavailable” if any of the following commands fail:

LOAD/WCS
LOAD/CACHE
LOAD/IBD
LOAD/SDF
VERIFY MODULE PLACEMENT
3.3

The System Clocks
Commands that require clocks to be off in order to execute check the clock
state (ON/OFF), and the state of the CPU (RUNNING/HALTED). If the
clocks are on and either CPU is running, the console issues a prompt
asking if you wish to stop the clocks before continuing. If you reply with
a “Y”, the clocks are stopped and the command executes. If you reply
with anything else, the command terminates without being executed. If
the CPU(s) are halted and the clocks are in the wrong state, the console
puts the clocks in the correct state and executes the command.

CAUTION
Stopping the clocks while the operating system is running (on
any CPU) can cause the operating system to crash.

3.4

Software-implemented Processor Control Panel
Unlike previous VAX consoles, this console does not have a physical front
panel with lights and switches. The typical front panel functions have
been implemented in the console software.
Console software implements these “front panel” functions, using the
following commands. (The commands are described in Chapter 5.)
e

Controlling power to the VAX system:
ENABLE/DISABLE AUTO POWERON
POWER ON/OFF /STANDBY

Enabling/disabling remote port:
ENABLE/DISABLE REMOTE CONSOLE
ENABLE/DISABLE REMOTE MODEM
Console System Software

3-3

ENABLE/DISABLE REMOTE USER
e

Selecting the auto restart and boot functions:
ENABLE /DISABLE AUTO BOOT
ENABLE/DISABLE AUTO RESTART

The AUTO_POWERON,

AUTO_BOOT, and AUTO_RESTART

keyswitches are disabled on new systems.

3.4.1

Software-implemented Keyswitches
Processor control panel keyswitches are implemented in software.
The AUTO_BOOT and AUTO_RESTART commands work together
as described in Table 3-1. These “switch settings” are checked in the
SYSINIT.COM and RESTAR.COM files to determine whether to restart
or boot the system following a power failure recovery or an error halt.
The command file checks the AUTO_RESTART “switch setting” first.
Depending on its setting or the outcome of that first operation, the
AUTO_BOOT “switch setting” may or may not be tested.
Table 3-1:

Software-implemented

Keyswitches

AUTO_
RESTART

AUTO_
BOOT

RESULT

ENABLED

Attempts restart; if restart fails, reboots CPU

ENABLED

DISABLED

Attempts restart; if restart fails, halts CPU

DISABLED

ENABLED

Attempts reboot; if reboot fails, halts CPU

DISABLED

Halts CPU

Also see Figure 4-1 for more information on the software-implemented
keyswitches. The AUTO_POWERON keyswitch determines whether
power is applied to the CPU following a CPU power failure recovery.
WARNING
If repair work is necessary on the CPU, you must issue the
POWER OFF command and shut off the main power breaker
of the CPU. The following safety feature is designed to protect
those working on the system hardware:

3-4

Console System Software

When you issue the POWER OFF command, the console saves
the contents of the AUTO_POWERON “switch setting” and
disables it. Then, with any kind of power failure (including
turning off the console), the initialization procedure (SYSINIT)
detects that AUTO_POWERON is disabled and does not power
up the system. That prevents a console-only power failure, for
instance, from powering up the entire system.
When the work on the system hardware is finished, turn on
the circuit breaker and issue the POWER ON command. The
AUTO_POWERON value is restored to its original setting
(prior to the POWER OFF command).
If you have enabled the AUTO_POWERON

have not issued a POWER

OFF command,

keyswitch and

the console responds

to power failures automatically. If the circuit breaker is then
inadvertently turned on, the console automatically powers
up the system, endangering those working on the system
hardware.

3.5

Console Directory Organization
Files used by the console program reside in more than one directory. The
directories used are [CONSOLE] and [8800], [8700], [8550], and [8500]
(depending upon your system). The [CONSOLE] directory contains all
files that are shared by all the VAX models: 8800, 8700, 8550, and 8500.
The other directories contain the VAX processor-specific files. For example,
there may be files in the [8800] and [8500] directories with the same name
but which are actually different. To locate system files, the console first
searches in the VAX-specific directory (according to the VAX model the
console is connected to). If the desired file is not found, it searches in the
[CONSOLE] directory.
From the console user’s point of view, this organization has the following
impact:
e

If you need to locate a file that the console program uses (for example,
to edit a command file) and you have an 8800, look for the file in
[8800]. If the file is not there, look in [CONSOLE]. If the file is in
neither directory, then the file is not usable by the 8800 console.

If you want to create a new console command file for an 8500, for
example, you should put it in the [8500] directory. This assures that
the 8500 console program will locate the file and also that it would not
be used if the console is later connected to an 8800.
Console System Software

3-5

e
e

3.6

To run the console program from DCL, type RUN CONTROL if the
default directory is [CONSOLE]. If you have changed the default
directory, you must type RUN [CONSOLE]JCONTROL since the
CONTROL program is located in [CONSOLE]. The location of the
default directory does not affect the console program.
Because the search path is hard coded into the console program, you
cannot specify a directory as part of a file name used in a console
command. For example, the console command @[8800]TESTFILE is
not allowed. You must use just @TESTFILE.
One exception to the directory organization is the file CI780.BIN,
which must be in the directory [USERFILES].
Because of its size, the console log file LOGFILE.DAT is in directory
[CONSOLE] instead of in several directories. This file differs between
models. Therefore, if you connect your console to a different machine
type delete the file [CONSOLE]JLOGFILE.DAT before running the
CONTROL program. Otherwise you will get an error message.

Modes of Console Operation
The VAX has two modes of operation: console mode and program mode.
Local terminals have the same two modes: console mode and program
mode. For remote terminals these modes are called remote console mode
and remote user mode.
In console mode (local or remote), the VAX CPU can be either running
or halted and the console terminal can execute some or all console commands. In program mode (called user mode for remote terminals), the
CPU must be running and the console terminal cannot execute console
commands.

3-6

Console System Software

3.6.1

Console Mode
In console mode, you can control and monitor the VAX (running or halted)
from the console terminal. Though not all commands are available when
the VAX is still running (in console mode prior to the HALT command),
a set of console commands is available when the CPU is halted. These
commands allow you to perform privileged operations, such as depositing
to and examining locations in main memory, GPRs, and IPRs; stepping
through macrocode or microcode; controlling the system clock; and more.
You may also make a list of these console commands to be run as a
program from the console processor.
The VAX CPU assists the execution of console command functions that the
console cannot perform alone. For example, EXAMINEs and DEPOSITs
to main memory or internal registers require CPU intervention because of
the access limitations of the console. The CPU must be halted to allow
the portion of microcode that is dedicated to assisting the console to run.
The VAX CPU does not respond to interrupts while halted. In order to
communicate with the console during a halt, the CPU must poll the Ready
and Done bits of the Console Terminal Control and Status Registers. The
console processor, however, still employs interrupts in performing its side
of the communication process.

3.6.2

Program Mode
While the console can be in console mode when the VAX is running
or halted, program mode operates only while the CPU is running. In
program mode, the console terminal is like a user terminal, passing input
to software in the CPU and displaying the output. Console commands
entered at the console terminal are not recognized, as they are no longer
sent to the console processor for interpretation. One exception is CTRL/P
on the local console terminal which returns the console to console mode.
CTRL/P works on both the local and remote terminals to change from
program mode to console mode. The one exception is that if REMOTE
CONSOLE

is disabled, CTRL/P

other program mode character.

on the remote port is treated like any

Console System Software

3-7

3.7

Multiple Command Streams
The local console is always enabled to some degree when the remote
terminal is active (so that the remote terminal can be disabled). The
commands available at the local terminal depend on the state of the
remote port and whether the local terminal is enabled when the remote
connection is active. See ENABLE LOCAL CONSOLE in Chapter 5.
Commands from the local and remote ports are called the local and
remote command streams.
Another feature of the VAX 8800 is that the secondary CPU can reboot
independently of any activity in the primary CPU. A third stream of commands, called the reboot stream, can execute independently of commands
entered at either the local or remote console. The command stream is also
used to implement several miscellaneous software commands, such as
Boot This CPU and Boot Other CPU (see Section 3.10).
The console program implements the three independent command streams
by having a separate data base for each stream. The console program
alternates between the command

streams on a line-by-line basis.

Thus,

if any stream is executing a long command, such as LOAD/WCS, you
may notice a delayed response when executing commands on another
command stream.

3.8

Status Monitoring
Before executing each console command, the console program checks
for the changes described in the following sections. Status changes are
displayed on the local terminal and on the remote terminal, if enabled.

3.8.1

Power Change
Unexpected power changes are reported. This situation is usually created
by the EMM commanding a TOTAL OFF to the main circuit breaker.
(Note that total power offs are normally preceded by a 5-minute warning
period.)

3-8

Console System Software

3.8.2

Clock Change
If the clock has stopped due to a STOP ON MICROMATCH (see SET
SOMM command in Chapter 5), the clock change is reported.

3.8.3

Remote Port Change
If the Communication Port modem detects a carrier change, which indicates that a remote console has been connected or disconnected, the
change is reported.

3.8.4

Halt Messages
Prior to executing a new console command, the console displays pending
HALT messages.

3.9

Console Messages
The console program generates informational, warning, and error messages, which include a console “beep” and a date-and-time stamp. These
message are listed and explained in Appendix C.
Error messages can be printed while a command line is being parsed,
while a command is executing, or while status is being monitored.

3.10

Miscellaneous Operating System Commands
The operating system (or macrodiagnostic) can request different console
functions, described in the following sections.

Console System Software

3-9

3.10.1

Boot This CPU
If issued by the primary VAX 8800 CPU or the 8700, 8550, or 8500 CPU,
the command @DEFBOO.COM is entered into the reboot command
stream.
If issued by the secondary VAX 8800 CPU, the command @SECBOO.COM

is entered into the reboot command

3.10.2

stream.

Boot Other CPU (VAX 8800)
If issued by the primary VAX 8800 CPU or the 8700, 8550, or 8500 CPU,
the command @SECBOO.COM is entered into the reboot command
stream.

CAUTION
If the @SECBOO.COM command is issued by the VAX 8700,
8500, or 8550 CPU, the results are unpredictable.
If issued by the secondary VAX 8800 CPU, the command @DEFBOO.COM

is entered into the reboot command

3.10.3

stream.

UNJAM
The UNJAM signal is asserted and deasserted.

3.10.4

Clear Warm Start Flag
The console maintains a “warm start” flag (see glossary) to prevent repeated attempts to restart a failing operating system. If the warm start flag
is not set after the operating system halts, a restart is attempted. If the
restart is successful, the warm start flag is cleared. If a restart is attempted
and the warm start flag is already set, no further attempt is made and all
processing stops.

3-10

Console System Software

3.10.5

Clear Cold Start Flag
The console maintains a “cold start” flag (see glossary) to prevent repeated
attempts to load and start (bootstrap) an operating system. If the cold
start flag is not set after a request to boot the operating system, a boot is
attempted. If the boot is successful, the the cold start flag is cleared. If
a bootstrap is attempted and the cold start flag is already set, no further
action is taken to boot.

3.10.6

Get CPU Information
For the VAX 8800, this command retrieves the following information
from the console: LEFT CPU AVAILABLE, RIGHT CPU AVAILABLE,
SECONDARY ENABLED.

3.10.7

Toggle Next Primary (VAX 8800)
This command changes the VAX 8800 next primary CPU from its current
setting to the alternative (from the left CPU to the right or vice versa).

3.10.8

Write Time Of Day Register
The operating system executes a MTPR TXDB command with the command field set to write TODR data.

3.10.9

Read Time Of Day Register
The operating system executes a MTPR TXDB command with the command field set to read TODR data.

3.10.10

Disable Secondary (VAX 8800)
The console disables the VAX 8800 secondary CPU and clears the
SECONDARY_ENABLE state bit.

Console System Software

3-11

3.11

Log File
Everything that appears on the console terminal in console mode and
OPAO: output from the VAX is saved in a log file, a circular buffer that
can store 3000 blocks of output. (On the VAX 8800, each CPU contains
a separate log file.) In console mode, input and output are logged. In
program mode, input and output are not logged (but are in effect, because
the characters echoed by the operating system are logged). To avoid
logging your program mode session, use the command SET TERMINAL
OPAn: (where n = 4 for local console and n = 5 for remote console) prior
to issuing the command SET TERMINAL PROGRAM. To log program
mode activity again, use the console command SET TERMINAL OPAO:.
The SHOW LOGFILE command provides a window, which can be moved
up and down, into the log file. See Chapter 5 for a description of SHOW
LOGFILE.

3-12

Console System Software

Chapter

Using the Console
This chapter describes how to use the system console, including:

4.1

e
e
e
e

Setting up the console
Starting the system
Starting the system the first time
Powering up and initializing the system

e
e

Recovering from a power failure
Restarting after a halt

e
e
e
e

Moving between console and program modes
Adding and removing memory
Installing the console operating system and applications
Editing boot command procedures

Using reserved file names

Setting Up the Console
Before the VAX system or console can be used, the hardware and software
must be installed and tested. Contact your DIGITAL representative to
arrange for installation.

Using the Console

4-1

4.2

Starting the System
The first time you start up the system following hardware/software
installation, follow the start-up procedure described in the next section.
After the first time, start the system by pressing the “On” (1) switch on
the console’s system unit. The console executes the power-up and systeminitialization sequence (described in Section 4.4). The first image on your
screen is the DIGITAL logo, followed by the VAX (8800, 8700, 8550, or
8500) banner. For instance:
VAX
Copyright

@ 1986

8800

Digital
Version

Equipment

Corporation

8- JAN-1986

Depending on the outcome of system initialization, the system enters
program mode or remains in console mode. If the system enters program
mode, the system initialization and boot/restart is successful. If the
system stays in console mode, the system initialization failed or the
AUTO_BOOT and/or AUTO_RESTART switches are disabled. The
successful completion of the START command in the boot file and restart
file constitutes successful system initialization.

4.3

Starting the System the First Time
The first time you start up the system, the system manager must install
the VAX operating system. Instructions for installing the operating system
are in the User’s Guide for your system. After the VAX operating system
has been installed, modify the boot command files to reflect your system’s
configuration. You can also set the software-implemented keyswitches
and EMM parameter files. The software-implemented switches (described
in Section 3.4.1) are disabled, and the system initialization procedure does
not complete the first time it powers up. Follow these steps to set up the
console to boot the VAX operating system. This procedure assumes that
the console software is installed.
1.

Turn the console off and then on to automatically execute the
SYSINIT.COM

file.

The first time SYSINIT.COM

runs, it exits to

console mode (> > > prompt) when it attempts to power up the
CPU(s). That happens because the AUTO_POWERON keyswitch is
disabled on new systems.
4-2

Using the Console

Once in console mode, you can enable the keyswitches AUTO_
POWERON, AUTO_BOOT, and AUTO_RESTART with the ENABLE
command

(see Chapter 5).

Now exit console mode by entering EXIT. The following message
appears:
SYSTEM

INITIALIZATION

NOT

COMPLETED

The following files are used to initialize the EMM parameter tables.
e PLIREG.DAT-Defines voltage limits for MPS regulators.
e PL2REG.DAT-Defines temperature limits and timeout intervals.
e DMMREGON.DAT-Mask of monitoring functions to perform
POWER ON.
¢
e

DMMREGSB.DAT-Mask of monitoring functions to perform
POWER STANDBY.
DMMREGOF.DAT-Mask of monitoring functions to perform
POWER OFF.

The VAX is shipped with the following files:
e PL1REG.DAT
e
e
e
¢
¢
e
4.
5.

PL1REG.850
PL2REG.DAT
DMMREGON.DAT (2 BI CONFIGURATION)
DMMREGON.1BI (1 BI CONFIGURATION)
DMMREGSB.DAT
DMMREGOF.DAT

On the VAX 8800 system with one BI power supply, copy the file
DMMREGON.1BI to DMMREGON.DAT. (On the VAX 8700, 8550 or
8500, skip this step.)
Edit the boot files for your hardware configuration. See Section 4.10.

6. Enter the P/OS command:
$ RUN

CONTROL

You see the following warning message:
PREVIOUS

INITIALIZATION

FAILED

Using the Console

4-3

7. At the console mode prompt, enter the following console commands:

> > > POWER ON
> > > @SYSINIT
The SYSINIT.COM file executes and automatically creates a memory configuration files MEMCONFIG.DAT, if one is not found. Also, depending
on the keyswitch settings, SYSINIT.COM attempts to boot the VAX.

4.4

Powering Up and Initializing the System
When the VAX is turned on (by turning on the console), power is applied
to the power supply control logic, to the Environmental Monitoring
Module (EMM), and then to the console. Both the EMM and console
administer self-tests to verify their operations as part of their power-up
procedures. The EMM also creates an environmental parameter list in its
RAM and begins performing a limited number of monitoring tasks, using
the list to determine what conditions are considered tolerable.
Once the console and EMM systems have been verified, the console executes SYSINIT.COM. If a system initialization is already in progress, the
console executes a POWER OFF command and (provided the power is
on) enters console mode. (System initialization is defined as execution
of SYSINIT.COM through the successful execution of a START command.) You should then enter the following commands to restart system
initialization:

> > > POWER ON
> >> @SYSINIT
The system initialization procedure then attempts to establish com-

munications with the EMM.

When

successful, a more extensive list of

environmental parameters are loaded into the EMM RAM, providing the
EMM with monitoring capabilities specific to the VAX system. If the VAX
power is off, the console attempts to turn on the VAX system power according to the programmed sequence in the command file SYSINIT.COM.
If the AUTO_POWERON keyswitch is enabled, the power is turned on.
If the AUTO_POWERON keyswitch is disabled, SYSINIT exits.
If SYSINIT exits, enter the following commands

the system initialization procedures.

$POWER ON
$@SYSINIT
4-4

Using the Console

to continue execution of

VAX modules in the CPU backplane are keyed electronically and with
the Visibility Bus (VBUS) to insure the modules are installed correctly.
Electronic keying uses the microcode and ensures the four modules (CPU,
Clock, NBIA and MCL) are in the correct slots. If they are in the wrong
slots, the EMM does not operate and the POWER ON command has no
effect. VBUS keying ensures the eight CPU modules are in the correct
slots. If a module is in the wrong slot, in, the CPU will not operate even
with the power on.
The console also tests its interface to the CPU at power-up time. Major

data, address, and control paths on the console interface may be looped

back to the console processor. These paths can be checked by writing to
the interface and reading back the data. The console has access to hardware and software revision-level data from the Visibility Bus, backplane,

and console fixed disk. The console collects that data and determines
the compatibility of the hardware and software components during the
initialization process.

VAX firmware is loaded into the Control Store and RAMs from the
console’s fixed disk. The console loads the Control Store, Decoder RAMs,
and Cache control store. The remainder of the VAX RAMs loaded from

the console receive their data with the assistance of microcode running
in the CPU. On the VAX 8800, an unbuffered path on the interface to
each of the CPUs

independently.

allows the control store of each CPU

to be loaded

The microcode then begins to execute, thus starting the CPU.
Originating on the console are the UNJAM and CPU INIT initialization
signals to the Memory Interconnect (NMI) and CPU. The console controls
the assertion or deassertion of these signals during initialization and while
the machine is running. These commands initialize the CPU to a known
state and establish a stable state on the NMI.
The system initialization procedure checks the AUTO_RESTART
keyswitch. If it is enabled, the system attempts to restart the VAX operating system. If the AUTO_RESTART switch is disabled or the restart
fails, the AUTO_BOOT

keyswitch is checked.

If it is enabled, a boot is

attempted. If the boot fails or the AUTO_BOOT
the system remains halted and in console mode.
flowchart of this boot/restart procedure.

keyswitch is disabled,
See Figure 4-1 for a

Using the Console

4-5

4.5

Recovering from a Power Failure
After a power failure, the console determines whether the console or the

CPU failed.

For a console-only power failure (the console power switch is pushed
to the “Off” position or the console is unplugged), the console program
restores the console state, which is saved in a log file. The information
includes the last known operating state of the CPU(s) (halted or running) and the console mode (console or program). The console interface
hardware registers are restored, and the console returns to its last mode.
If the console is recovering from a CPU power failure, the console forces
the execution of the SYSINIT.COM file.

4.6

Restarting After a Halt
If the operating system requests a reboot following a system halt, the
console executes DEFBOO.COM, regardless of the keyswitch settings.
If the operating system does not request a reboot after a system halt, the
console executes RESTAR.COM, which does the following:
e
e

e
e
e
e

Checks the AUTO_RESTART keyswitch. If it is not enabled, the
console checks the AUTO_BOOT keyswitch. If it is enabled, the
primary CPU is booted (DEFBOO.COM is executed).
If neither AUTO_RESTART

nor AUTO_BOOT

If the restart parameter block is not located and the AUTO_BOOT
keyswitch is disabled, RESTAR.COM exits and leaves the system
halted.

Figure 4-1 diagrams these procedures.

4-6

Using the Console

is enabled, the console

remains halted by exiting RESTAR.COM.
If AUTO_RESTART is enabled, the restart command procedure
(RESTAR.COM) is executed.
Ifa restart parameter block is located, RESTAR.COM completes.
If a restart parameter block is not located and AUTO_BOOT is enabled, a reboot is attempted by executing DEFBOO.COM.

Figure 4-1:

System Power Failure
Recovery Flow

Recovery

or Error Halt

POWER
FAILURE
{

_
~

ERROR
HALT

SYSTEM
INITIALIZATION

ATTEMPT
RESTART

RESTART

NO, SET COLD
START FLAG
y

a—

NO, SET WARM

ATTEMPT
BOOT

START FLAG

VAX HALTED.

{

CONSOLE IN
CONSOLE MO DE

VAX RUNNING
CONSOLE IN

PROGRAM MODE.
O/S CLEARS COLD
(BOOT) OR WARM
(RESTART) START
BITS.

OKT
|

RESTART

__ {FAIL

Using the Console

4-7

4.7

Moving Between Console and Program Modes
You can use the VAX console as a console terminal in console mode or
as a user terminal interfacing with the VAX operating system in program
mode. After the system successfully initializes, the console moves into
program mode, from which it can interact with the VAX operating system.
To move the console from program mode to console mode, type CTRL/P.
To return to program mode, enter the SET TERMINAL PROGRAM
command.
After CTRL/P, you can enter the HALT command to halt the processor
and run Console Support Microcode. To move from the halted console
mode back to program mode, type CONTINUE.
If you type EXIT to go from console mode to P/OS, type RUN CONTROL
to reenter console mode.
NOTE
After entering CTRL/P or SET TERMINAL PROGRAM, wait
for the console prompt or the VAX operating system prompt
> > > before typing. That is because the type-ahead capability is disabled while the processor changes modes. For instance,
if you type three commands, such as:

CTRL/P
>>> HALT
>>> SHOW CPU
before the console changes from program mode to console
mode, the commands do not work as expected, because the
console is not in a state to execute the last two commands.
The console ID determines if characters echoed in program
mode are logged. The default console ID is OPAO:. All OPAO:
data is logged. To change the console ID, use the command
SET TERMINAL OPA4 for the local console, or use SET
TERMINAL OPAS for the remote console. Enter the command
prior to issuing the SET TERMINAL PROGRAM command.

4-8

Using the Console

4.8

Adding and Removing Memory
To add or remove memory from your VAX system, use the following
steps:

Create anew MEMCONFIG.DAT

file with the following steps:

In console mode, enter the following commands:
> > >
>> >

POWER OFF
EXIT

You are now in P/OS. Change the memory boards.
2. Enter the following command to remove old copies of the memory
configuration table:
¢ DELETE MEMCONFIG.DAT;*
3.

Run the console software, either by using the Main Menu application
CONSOLE/PRODCL or the following P/OS command:
$ RUN CONTROL

You are now in console mode.
Enter the following commands:
$ POWER ON
$ @SYSINIT

The system initialization procedure creates anew MEMCONFIG.DAT
using the new memory configuration.

4.9

file,

Installing the Console Operating System and Applications
The console operating system (P/OS) and console applications (PRO
/DCL, PRO/Communications) are installed on the console’s fixed disk
at the factory. Under most circumstances, you do not need to reinstall
the operating system or applications. However, if you need to install
any of them (for example, if you have hardware problems or if there is
a console software update), refer to Appendix E. Generally, your service
representative can determine whether to reinstall the console operating
system and/or any of the applications.

Using the Console

4-9

4.10

BOOT Command Procedures
Your VAX system is delivered with a set of templates for boot files,
conversational boot files, and files for stopping in the primary bootstrap
program (VMB) for debug purposes. These templates are set up for and
named after the following devices:
e
e
e

BCI750
BDAS50
UDA50

The following naming conventions are used for the templates:
e

dddBOO.COM - Boot command procedures

e
e

dddGEN.COM - Conversational boot command procedures
dddXDT.COM - XDELTA boot command procedures

where:

ddd = BCI or BDA or UDA

When your system is installed, these command files contain instructions to
deposit zeros in R1, R2, and R3. However, the instructions are commented
out so that the command procedure fails if an attempt is made to use it
before it is updated. These DEPOSIT commands must be changed to
conform to your system’s configuration. Changing the deposit to R3 is
optional; leaving it commented out lets you provide the unit number in
the BOOT command. That makes booting more flexible. The deposit to
R5 under certain circumstances must be modified. This command can be
commented out if you wish to supply R5 data in the BOOT command.
Use the following chart to determine which bits must be set in each
register. The syntax <nn:nn> _ indicates the bits to modify. For instance,
<07:00> means bits 0 through 7. Bits are numbered from left to right in
the longword, starting at 0. MBZ means Must Be Zero. The configuration
information can be obtained from DIGITAL Field Service.
RO Boot device type code, hexadecimal radix
<07:00>
17 UDA-50
32 HSC on CI
33 BDA-50
64 Console block storage device

4-10

Using the Console

<31:08>

R1 Boot device’s bus address, hexadecimal radix

<31:06>

<05:04>

<03:00>

MBZ

indicates which BI, 0-3

BI node number of adapter, 0-F

R2 Controller, port number, hexadecimal radix

<31:24> Controller letter designator of boot device (optional).! To
specify a controller letter of C, 43 (hex), deposit the value 03 in bits
<31:24> of R2. In general, subtract %X40 from the hex value of the
ASCII controller letter.
UNIBUS:
<23:18>
<17:00>

CI:

MBZ
UNIBUS

address of the device’s Control and Status

<31:16> MBZ
<15:08> HSC port number (station address) of second HSC if
dual ported
<07:00> HSC port number (station address)

BDA:?

R3 Boot device unit number.

Uses %D

notation, decimal radix, for readability

This value can be included in the boot file if it is unlikely to change.
If you leave this DEPOSIT command commented out, you can use the
BOOT dddnnn command and replace nnn with the unit number from
which you wish to boot (BDA, UDA or BCI).
1 if your system has similar devices on a BI that use the same device driver, you must ensure that the
controller letter is specified in R2 if you wish to boot from any device other than the first one on the BI.
If, for instance, you have two BDA devices on the same BI and you wish to boot from the BDA at the
higher BI node number, then R2 must contain the controller letter of the BDA in the high-order byte.
The value placed in this byte overrides the VMS initialization time assignment of controller letters.
2 A BDA device requires no inputs to R2 other than the optional controller letter designator.

Using the Console

4-11

To boot from a Shadow set, the contents of R3 are as follows:
<31:24> 80 Shadow set indicator
<23:16> Shadow unit DUSnn
<15:0> Device in the set to boot

R4 Logical block number to boot from if bit 3 is set in R5, hex

R5 Software boot control flags (see Appendix D), hex
<31:28> Top-level directory number for system disks with multiple
systems. To boot stand-alone backup from the system disk, the standalone backup files are located in an alternate root. This root number
“E” must be deposited into R5.
In addition to the boot files described, you receive a template for
DEFBOO.COM, the default boot file. That file is executed when a BOOT
command is entered without a device name or when you enable AUTO_
BOOT, and the system reboots due to a power failure or error halt.
DEFBOO.COM consists of a single command, a BOOT command. You
must modify the device name to refer to the command file you have
set up to boot your system. For instance, if you wish to boot from a
device on the BCI750 with a unit number of 2, you would modify the
DEFBOO.COM BOOT command from:
> > >

BOOT dddniun

to:

> > >

BOOT BCI2

When DEFBOO.COM is executed, it starts the execution of BCIBOO.COM
and deposits a 2 in R3. Successful completion depends on the prior editing
of BCIBOO.COM. This assumes that you commented out the R3 deposit

in BCIBOO.COM

and that you have set up R1, R2, and, in this case, R5

(to specify for the system boot) correctly.

4-12

Using the Console

4.10.1

Editing a Boot File
To edit the boot files, you must be at the PRO/DCL

command

level and

in the proper directory. (See Section 3.5 for a description of the system
directories.) If you are in console command mode, type EXIT to enter
PRO/DCL. The $ prompt will appear.

You can make copies of the templates so that they will be available later.
To do this, enter the following command,

replacing ddd with a valid

device mnemonic as specified above for each file you wish to save:

$ COPY dddBOO.COM dddBOO.SAV
After you have “saved” the templates, you can edit the command files. To
do this, use the EDT editor provided with P/OS.
$ RUN EDT
EDT> dddBOO.COM
The P/OS EDT editor automatically enters command mode, where you
have both keypads (main and auxiliary) available for editing purposes.
Refer to Figures 4-2 and 4-3 for illustrations of the LK201 keyboards.
This editor is a subset of the VMS EDT editor. Refer to the VMS. EDT
editor documentation for more information. To obtain on-line help for
EDT, press the PF2 key after you have started the editor.
4.10.1.1

Keyboard

Editing

Functions

The following basic keyboard editing functions allow you to edit the
command files. Except for CTRL/Z and the <X] key, the keys are on the
two auxiliary keypads located to the right of your keyboard.
Table 4-1:

Keyboard

Editing

Functions

Key

Function

[T |

Moves

Moves the cursor up one line

the cursor down

one line

Moves the cursor one character to the right
Moves one character to the left
[.]

Deletes the character under the cursor

Using the Console

4-13

Table 4—1

(Cont.):

Keyboard

Editing Functions

Key

Function

<x]

Deletes the character to the left of the cursor

PND
A
Galle

Restores the last character deleted with [,]
Deletes a word (place the cursor on the leftmost character)
Restores the last word deleted with [-]

Deletes a line

Restores the last line deleted with

Insert character(s) at the location of the cursor by typing the desired

Press CTRL/Z to exit the editing command mode.
appears at the bottom left corner of the screen.

character(s) on the main keyboard keys.

An asterisk

“alt
*

Type EXIT to exit EDT and make a new file containing your changes.
Type QUIT at the asterisk if you wish to leave the edit session without
creating a new file that contains the changes.
A typical editing session requires using the arrow keys to move the
cursor between lines (vertically) and along lines (horizontally). The delete
character keys are useful for replacing the data portion of the DEPOSIT
command.

Following are descriptions of more advanced keypad keys:
Table 4-2:

Advanced

Keypad

Functions

Key

Function

[4]

Sets the direction of cursor movement to forward (toward the end of
the file).

[5]

Sets the direction of cursor movement to backward (toward the
beginning of the file).

[0]

Moves the cursor one line in the previously set direction and positions
the cursor at the left margin.

The following is an editing sequence that uses the rightmost keypad to
delete a character:
4-14

Using the Console

Pen Pr

Press 4 to set the direction forward.
Press 0 as many times as it takes to move to the line to be changed.
Press 1 as many times as it takes to move to the word to be changed.
Press the right arrow as many times as it takes to move to the character
to be changed.
Press the comma

(,) to delete the character.

. You may then type the character on the main keyboard you wish to
add and make any other necessary changes.
Finish the editing session by pressing CTRL/Z. At the “*” prompt, type
EXIT.
. When you have finished editing the boot files, enter:

$ RUN CONTROL
to enter console mode.

Type EXIT to return to the P/OS Main Menu.

If you are editing the files for the first-time start-up procedure, continue
with the instructions in Section 4.3.

Using the Console

4-15

Figure 4-2:

Keypad

Editing

PFI

PF2

LK201

PF3

PF4

SECT
FILL

Keyboard

FNDNXT | DELL
FIND
UND L

HELP

SOLD
PAGE
COMMAND)

Keys:

APPEND | DEL W
REPLACE ; UND W
9

WORD

EOL

CHAR

ENTER

CHNGCASE| DEL EOL | specins | FNTER
°

4-16

Using the Console

LINE
OPEN LINE

SELECT | suBs
RESET

Figure 4-3:

Additional
Keyboard

Keypad

Help

Find

Insert
Here

PASTE
Select

Prev
Screen

>
q

4.11

Editing

Keys:

LK201

Remove

CUT
Next
Screen

Reserved File Names
The following file names are reserved for the system and are listed
alphabetically with brief definitions. Do not rename these files or use
these names for your files.
BCIBOO.COM

CI750 boot command procedure

BCIGEN.COM

CI750 conversational boot command procedure

BCIXDT.COM

CI750 debug boot command procedure
Using the Console

4-17

BDABOO.COM
BDAGEN.COM
BDAXDT.COM
C1780.BIN
CI780V50.BIN
CI780V60.BIN
CCODE.BIN
CONTROL.TSK
CRASH.COM

4-18

BDA50 boot command procedure
BDASO conversational boot command procedure
UDAS50 debug boot command procedure
CI microcode version 7.0
CI microcode version 5.0
CI microcode version 6.0
Cache control store contents
Main console control program
Command procedure used to crash the VAX to get a
dump

CSBOO.COM

Stand-alone backup boot command procedure

CSGEN.COM

Stand-alone backup conversational boot command
procedure

CSXDT.COM

Stand-alone backup debug boot command procedure

SCIBOO.COM

Diagnostic Supervisor BCI750 boot command procedure

SDABOO.COM

Diagnostic Supervisor BDA50 boot command procedure

DEFBOO.COM

Default boot command procedure

DIABOO.COM

Diagnostic Supervisor boot command procedure from
console disk

DMMREGOF.DAT

Default Mode Mask when power is OFF

DMMREGON.DAT

Default Mode Mask when power is ON

DMMREGON.1BI

Default Mode Mask for a 1BI system when power is
ON

DMMREGSB.DAT

Default Mode Mask when power is in STANDBY

DRAM.BIN

Ibox decoder RAM contents

SUABOO.COM

Diagnostic Supervisor UDA5S0 boot command procedure

EXIT.COM

Command procedure used to exit another command
procedure

EZKPA.TSK

Power-up microdiagnostics

EZKPB.BIN

Power-up microdiagnostics

EZKPB.WC1

Power-up microdiagnostics

Using the Console

EZ% %.BIN

Licensed microdiagnostics - optional

EZK%%.TSK

Licensed microdiagnostics - optional

EZK%%.WC1

Licensed microdiagnostics - optional

* HLP

Help files

LBS.TSK

Logical Block Server program

LOGFILE.DAT

Console logfile (journal file)

MEMCOMNFIG.DAT

Memory array card to physical address space

MICEXIT.COM

Return to console mode from MICMON

NMIRESET.COM

Executed after NMI Reset signal

PL1IREG.DAT

Max/min voltage levels for monitoring

PL2REG.DAT

Automatic Shutdown parameters (red/yellow temperature limits)

RESTAR.COM

Restart command procedure

REVHIST.DAT

Definition of compatible revs mapping

RT.TSK

RTI device driver

SDFDEF.BIN

Slow Data File, Constants

SECBOO.COM

Secondary boot command procedure

SYSINIT.COM

System initialization and startup command procedure

UDABOO.COM

UDA50 boot command procedure

UDAGEN.COM

UDASO conversational boot command procedure

UDAXDT.COM

UDA50 debug boot command procedure

UCODE.BIN

ISP WCS contents

VMB.EXE

Primary bootstrap program

XKDRV.TSK

COMM

mode

port device driver

Using the Console

4-19

Chapter

Console Commands
The Console Command Language (CCL) is the set of commands you use
to control and monitor the VAX from the console. This chapter describes
each command, including its structure, syntax, parameters, qualifiers,
options, and restrictions. Examples of each command are also provided.

5.1

Commands
A command is usually a verb that describes the action the console program
is to take. For example, typing DISABLE PRINTER stops all console
output to the printer.
Commands must be contained on one line and can be a maximum of 120
characters. Adjacent spaces and tabs are equivalent to a single space or
tab.

5.1.1

Parameters
Parameters are always preceded by a space. They describe the object of
the command, which can be a file, an address, a bit offset, a command, a
count, or some data. For instance, the following MICROSTEP command
parameter specifies the number of microcycles to step:
> > >

MICROSTEP 6

If a command parameter is a‘file name, the syntax is always in Files—11
format:
filename.extension;version

Console Commands

5-1

where:

filename = any name up to 9 characters
extension = a 3-letter extension to the file name
version = number assigned by the Files—11 file system
Allowable characters are A through Z and 0 to 9.
Device names are not allowed. Any file name specified must reside on the
fixed disk, DW1:. Files may reside in the following directories:

VAX 8800 - [CONSOLE]
VAX 8700 - [CONSOLE]
VAX 8550 - [CONSOLE]
VAX 8500 - [CONSOLE]

or [8800]
or [8700]
or [8550]
or [8500]

You cannot specify a directory as part of a file name.

5.1.2

Options
An option is a keyword used with a command. For example, AUTO
RESTART and AUTO BOOT are options used with the ENABLE command. You are usually required to specify one option.

5.1.3

Qualifiers
A qualifier is a command argument preceded by a slash (/) that causes the
command to perform a more specific action. For example, the /NEXT=n
qualifier used with the DEPOSIT command causes the command to repeat
10 times at successively higher addresses:
DEPOSIT /NEXT=10 address data
Qualifiers are used with commands and parameters. You may leave a
space between the command (or parameter) and the qualifier but not
between the slash (/) and the qualifier.

5-2

Console Commands

5.1.4

Defaults
A default is a value automatically used by the system when you do not
enter another value. Commands have defaults that take effect when
the console application is installed. Defaults are either reinitialized each
time the console is powered up or retained across power failures. Some
defaults are initialized each time a new command is invoked. Defaults
and qualifiers for commands are included in their descriptions.

5.1.5

Command Abbreviations
Commands and qualifiers can be abbreviated as long as the abbreviation
contains enough characters to identify it uniquely. The briefest command
form appears in Appendix A in bold lettering.

5.1.6

Command Terminator
Any command can be terminated before execution with CTRL/U.

5.2

Syntax Error Reporting
The console reports syntax errors by displaying the command line just

read (either from the terminal or command

COMMAND

5.3

SYNTAX”.

file) and the words “INVALID

Error messages are described in Appendix C.

The Command Language
The following tables describe how symbols, prompts, and special keys are
used in the command language.

Console Commands

5-3

5.3.1

Symbols
Table

5-1:

Command

Language Symbols

Symbol

Definition

A slash indicates a command qualifier.
between the slash and the qualifier.

No space is allowed

A plus sign denotes a default address, which is the last address
plus the current data length in bytes.
A minus sign denotes a location just before (one less than) the
address previously referenced.
When used in place of an address or data argument, the at sign
indicates that the data returned from the last reference to an
address should be used as the current address or data. The
at sign is also used to execute command procedures. When
used as a data argument, the data of the previous EXAMINE or
DEPOSIT command is copied into the specified address. (See
descriptions of the EXAMINE and DEPOSIT commands for more
information.)
* Or.

When used as an address argument, the asterisk or period
indicates that the last address referenced is to be used again.
The comma separates items in a

= Or:

5.3.2

list.

The equal sign or colon separates a qualifier from an associated
argument. For example, /NEXT=n or /NEXT:n may be used.

Prompts
The following are the command prompts for various modes:
Table 5-2:

5-4

Command

Language

Prompts

Prompt

Definition

> >>

Console command input prompt

MIC>

Micromonitor input prompt

<<<

Link mode input prompt (see LINK and PERFORM

Console Commands

commands)

5.3.3

Special Keys
This section describes keyboard option keys and indicator LEDs for the
VAX Console Command Language.
Table 5-3:
Key

CTRL/C
CTRL/S
CTRL/Q
CTRL/U

Command

Language Special Keys

Definition

Aborts activity in progress.
Stops the screen from scrolling.

See CTRL/Q.

Allows the screen to resume scrolling.

See CTRL/S.

Aborts input without executing it. On the remote port,
CTRL/U must be followed by Return in order to obtain
a new prompt.

CTRL/Z

Terminates

<x]

Deletes the character to the left of the cursor and moves

Hold Screen

Freezes a screen display so you can read it. Press the
key again to release the hold. When Hold Screen is in
effect, its indicator light (top of the keyboard) stays on.

Print Screen

The Print Screen key causes the current image on the
screen to be printed. Certain types of graphics images
cannot be printed with Print Screen. Print Screen also
executes a Hold Screen (see Caution below).

and

executes

the command

line.

(Functionally equivalent to pressing Return.)
the cursor one space to the left.

Print Screen is disabled when the printer has been
enabled with the ENABLE PRINTER command.
Return

The Return key terminates and executes a command
line.

Set-Up

Pressing Set-Up unlocks a locked keyboard. If nothing
happens when you type on the keyboard, check to see
if the Wait light at the top of the keyboard is lit. If
the Wait light stays on for more than 15 seconds, the
keyboard is probably locked. You may be able to unlock
it by pressing the Set-Up key once. Some applications
intentionally lock the keyboard for brief periods, and
you need to wait. Pressing Set-Up may affect the
program running on the VAX.

Console Commands

5-5

CAUTION
Hold Screen causes program mode output to be lost. To prevent
this, use CTRL/S to hold the screen and CTRL/Q
to release it.

5.4

Console Command Descriptions
The remainder of this chapter describes each console command in detail. The commands are ordered alphabetically. Parameters, options, and
qualifiers associated with the command are described. Micromonitor commands, which enable you to use the diagnostics program, are described in
Chapter 6.
On the VAX 8800, some commands apply only to the CPU whose output
is on display, while others affect both CPUs. The scope of multi-CPU and
single-CPU commands is specified by SET CPU, which is described in this
chapter. The description of each command indicates the CPU to which
the command applies. See Section 3.2 for more information.
Multiple CPU commands (those referencing Primary, Secondary, Left, and
Right CPUs) do not apply to the VAX 8700, 8550, or 8500.

Information about each command can be accessed on-line by entering the
following at the console (> > > ) prompt:

> > >

HELP command-name

To get a listing of HELP topics, just enter HELP.

5-6

Console Commands

@
Executes console commands contained in a command procedure.

Format

@file-name

Description
The command procedure specified by the parameter file name is opened.
Records in the file are processed as sequential console commands. When
@ is invoked from a command file, the original command file is closed and
the new (specified) file opened. When the new file terminates, processing
stops. (Execution does not return to the previous file.) This command
allows chaining of one command procedure to another, but not nesting of
command procedures inside each other.
If VERIFY mode has been set, the console displays each line as it is read

from the command file, as well as the response to each command as it
is executed. If VERIFY mode has not been set, lines from the file are not

echoed.

(See SET VERIFY and SET NOVERIFY command descriptions.)

To terminate execution of a command file, press CTRL/C. Control returns
to the terminal.

Command Parameter
file-name
The file name specifies the command file to be opened. The file can be
any valid FILES-11 file specification that identifies a sequential ASCII file.
If the file extension is not supplied, .COM is assumed.

>>>
>>>

SET VERIFY
@SYSINIT

Console Commands

5-7

>>>
>>>

If not $AUTO_POWERON
POWER ON

>>>

@EXAMINE.COM

EXAMINE/P/L
EXAMINE/G

5-8

Console Commands

then

20080000/N=20
9

@EXIT

BOOT
Executes a command procedure that starts the VAX operating system
software.

Format

BOOT

[/device-name]

Command
/R5

Qualifiers

: data

Defaults
None

Description
BOOT

executes the command

file device-nameBOO.COM.

name is specified, the file DEFBOO.COM is used.

If no device

Command Parameter
device-name

Specifies the name of the device from which the operating system
is to be loaded and run. If no device name is specified, the default
device is booted as specified in the default boot command procedure
DEFBOO.COM. Device-name uses the syntax dddnnn where:
ddd is a 3-letter device mnemonic (valid devices are BCI, BDA, UDA).
nnn is an optional 1- to 3-digit unit number.
The unit number is picked up from the parameter device-name by the
console and deposited into R3 prior to execution of the boot file devicenameBOO.COM. Any deposit to R3 contained in the boot file overrides
nnn in device-name. Therefore, the DEPOSIT R3 command in the boot
command file can be commented out if greater flexibility is desired in
choosing a unit to boot.

Console Commands

5-9

BOOT
Command Qualifiers
/R5: data
Deposits the specified numeric literal in R5 before the command file is
processed. This mechanism passes information to the primary bootstrap
program (VMB). (See Appendix D for valid data.) If the /R5: data
qualifier is used, the DEPOSIT R5 command in the boot command file
must be removed or commented out.

777

BOOT BCI2

Executes
2. >>>

BCIBOO

and boots from unit 2.

B/R5:1

Executes DEFBOO.COM and stops in SYSBOOT.

5-10

Console Commands

CLEAR
Restores settings made by other commands to their former state.

Format

CLEAR

(option)

Description
The CLEAR command options are described as individual commands.

Command Options
ACCUMULATOR
RESTART_FLAGS
SCREEN
SOMM
TOMM

Console Commands

5-11

CLEAR ACCUMULATOR
Clears the accumulator set by the PROBE VBUS command. The accumulator can be displayed with the SHOW ACCUMULATOR command.

Format

5-12

CLEAR ACCUMULATOR

1, >>>

CLA

CLEAR

22>

Console Commands

ACCUMULATOR

CLEAR RESTART_FLAGS
Clears both the WARM_RESTART

Format

and COLD_RESTART flags.

CLEAR RESTART_FLAGS

Description
The COLD_RESTART

flag is set by the FIND/MEM

is used in the BOOT command procedure.
is set by the FIND/RPB

command,

which

The WARM_RESTART

flag

which is used in the RESTAR.COM

command procedure. The VAX operating system clears the COLD_
RESTART and WARM_RESTART flags following a successful boot or
restart. If the boot or restart fails, these flags remain set to prevent
automatic boot and restart procedures from looping indefinitely. The
CLEAR RESTART_FLAGS command can be used to manually clear these
flags so that a subsequent BOOT command will execute. It is used as the
final command in the SYSINIT.COM procedure.

Restriction
Use caution when including CLEAR RESTART_FLAGS inside command
files. Under certain error conditions, the command files may execute
indefinitely.

72> CLEAR

RESTART_FLAGS

Console Commands

5-13

CLEAR SCREEN
Resets the VAX

Format

5-14

console terminal from console mode.

CLEAR SCREEN

>>>

CLEAR

Console Commands

SCREEN

CLEAR SOMM
Clears the “Stop on Micromatch” flag.

Format

CLEAR SOMM

Description
See the description of the SET SOMM

command.

>>> CLEAR SOMM

2, >>> CLS

Console Commands

5-15

CLEAR TOMM
Clears the “Trap on Micromatch” flag.

Format

CLEAR TOMM

Description
See the description of the SET TOMM

5-16

>>> CLEAR TOMM

22> CL T

Console Commands

command.

CONTINUE
Resumes execution of a halted VAX instruction program.

Format.

CONTINUE

Description
CONTINUE starts macrocode execution at the address in the macro program counter (PC). Processor initialization is not performed, and the
CPU’s state is changed from Halted to Running. The console changes
from console mode to program mode. If output has been halted by
CTRL/P or the HALT command, the CONTINUE command sends
CTRL/Q (XON) to the VAX on OPAO:, OPA4:, or OPA5: (depending
on the most recent SET TERMINAL PROGRAM command), and output
resumes.
CONTINUE has a different meaning in Micromonitor mode.
Micromonitor commands are described in Chapter 6.

The

>>>C

2. >>> CONTINUE

Console Commands

5-17

DEPOSIT
Replaces the contents of a specified location or locations.

Format

DEPOSIT

address-identifier deposit-data

Command Qualifiers
/NEXT
address-space-qualifiers
/CACHE
/CONTROLSTORE or /WCS
/GPR
/IPR
/PHYSICAL
/SDF
/TB
/TEMP
/VIRTUAL
size-qualifiers
/BYTE
/LONGWORD
/QUADWORD
/WORD

Defaults
1
(PHYSICAL)

(LONGWORD)

Description
The DEPOSIT command can replace the contents of a location(s) in
memory, CPU registers, cache, translation buffer, control stores, IPRs,
GPRs, or I/O space.
Defaults

If no data size or address space qualifiers are specified, the defaults are
established by the most recent EXAMINE, DEPOSIT, or SET DEFAULT
command. (Note that the EXAMINE command does not change the
default address space when examining the PLS or the UPC.)
5-18

Console Commands

DEPOSIT
Initially, the default is LONGWORD data size, PHYSICAL
address identifier 0, and radix hexadecimal.

address space,

Restrictions

The CPU must be halted.

After the WCS is loaded (see the /WCS qualifier description), you

You cannot use the /GPR or /IPR qualifier when specifying a symbolic
address.
The size qualifiers /BYTE, /WORD, and /QUADWORD are valid
only with physical and virtual address spaces. However, if the size
qualifiers are used with any other address spaces, the qualifiers are
ignored and /LONGWORD is used instead. The default size changes
to /LONGWORD.

cannot deposit (or examine) the Slow Data File (SDF).

Command Parameters
address-identifier

Specifies the starting numeric or symbolic address of a location or series
of locations whose contents are to be replaced with deposit-data. The
numeric address is a numeric literal. (See Appendix B.)
deposit-data

A numeric literal that defines the data to be deposited into the specified
location(s). If deposit-data is specified as @, the last data examined is used
as the deposit data. (See the description of the EXAMINE command.) The
DEPOSIT command writes the data in consecutive locations, beginning
with the address specified. (See Appendix B.)

Console Commands

5-19

DEPOSIT
Command Qualifiers
/NEXT
Causes the DEPOSIT command to be repeated n times, with successively
higher addresses. The amount of address increment/decrement depends
on the size qualifier (see below). For GPRs and IPRs, the address
increments by one. The same data is deposited into each location.
The DEPOSIT command continues either until the command has been
repeated n times or until address overflow occurs. Address overflow
occurs when the GPR number exceeds 15(decimal) or the IPR number
exceeds 255(decimal).
address-space-qualifiers
The following qualifiers may be used on any DEPOSIT address to override
the default address space setting.
/CACHE
Cache data store.

/CONTROLSTORE or /WCS
|
The address is to be interpreted as a Writable Control Store (WCS)
address.
/GPR
/GPR indicates that the address is to be interpreted as the number of a
VAX General Purpose Register (GPR). The GPR number must be between
0 and 15(decimal). If /NEXT=n is specified and the GPR number exceeds
15, the command

terminates with an address overflow error.

/IPR

/IPR specifies that the address is to be interpreted as the number of an
Internal Processor Register (IPR). The IPR number must be in the range
0 to 255 (decimal). If the /NEXT=n qualifier is specified, and the IPR
number exceeds 255, the command terminates with an address overflow
error.

/PHYSICAL
The address space is to be in physical memory or physical I/O space.
/SDF
Slow data file.

5-20

Console Commands

DEPOSIT
/TB

Translation buffer.

/TEMP

IPRs known only to microcode, not macrocode. See Appendix B. Only
numeric literals are valid with the /TEMP qualifier.

/VIRTUAL

Interprets the address as a virtual address. Access and protection checking
occurs. If access is not allowed, the console issues an error message.
If memory management is not enabled, virtual addresses are equal to
physical addresses.
size-qualifier

Use the following qualifiers to specify data size. The initial default data
size is LONGWORD. The qualifiers /BYTE, /WORD, and /QUADWORD
are valid only on /PHYSICAL and /VIRTUAL address spaces. If /B, /W,
and /Q size qualifiers are used with any other address spaces, they are
treated as /LONGWORD and the default is changed to LONGWORD.
/BYTE
References a 1-byte quantity.
/WORD
References a 2-byte quantity.
/LONGWORD
References a 4-byte quantity.
/QUADWORD
References an 8-byte quantity.

>>> DEPOSIT/PHYSICAL

51B8

50001D0

Deposits the value 50001D0 at physical address 51B8.
>>> D/BYTE Bi97 15
Deposits a byte of data, changes default size to byte.

Console Commands

5-21

DEPOSIT
_ >>> D/GPRO

Deposits 0 to GPR 0.
_

>>> D/IPR

Deposits a 1 to IPR 85.
_ >>> DEP/TEMP 4E 0
Deposits the value to the temp location 4E.
_ >>> D/VIRTUAL/LONGWORD

>>>

DEP/T

>>> EX/L/P
P 20080000
P 20080004

61B7

70002D1

20080000/n:8
0000B810
OOOOE084

P 20080020 00000000
>>> DEP + C084

Sets the defaults to LONGWORD

longwords.

and PHYSICAL

then examine 9

Deposits values into 20080000 and the next longword.
_

>>> DEP

UPC

3710

Deposits the value 3710 in the micro-PC.
_

>>>

DEP

PSL

1F0000

Deposits the value 1F0000 in the PSL.
10.>>>

DEP

Deposits the data from the last EX/DEP
Demonstrates the use of the @ symbol.
1. 7?>> EX 1 FOOOO
P 001F0000 001F0000

5-22

Console Commands

at address 1F0000.

DISABLE
Prevents specified console options from operating.

Format

DISABLE

(option)

Description
Values established for console options by the DISABLE command are
retained across power failures, restarts, and reboots. DISABLE negates the
effect of the ENABLE command (described in this chapter). The DISABLE
command options are described as individual commands.

Command Options
AUTO

BOOT

AUTO

POWERON

AUTO

RESTART

LOCAL CONSOLE
PRINTER
REMOTE CONSOLE
REMOTE MODEM

Console Commands

5-23

DISABLE
REMOTE MONITORING
REMOTE

USER

SECONDARY (VAX 8800)

5-24

Console Commands

DISABLE AUTO BOOT
Suppresses automatic booting following recovery from a VAX power
failure or error halt. A restart may be attempted, depending on the AUTO
RESTART setting.

Format

DISABLE AUTO BOOT

>>> DISAB

9. >>> DIS AUTO BOOT

Console Commands

5-25

DISABLE AUTO POWERON
Suppresses automatic application of logic power following recovery from a
VAX power failure. The VAX logic remains off under these circumstances.

Format

5-26

DISABLE AUTO POWERON

>>>

DIS

>>>

DISABLE

Console Commands

AUTO

POWERON

DISABLE AUTO RESTART
Suppresses automatic restart of the operating system following recovery
from a VAX power failure or error halt.

Format

DISABLE AUTO RESTART

Restrictions
If AUTO

BOOT is enabled, a boot is attempted.

disabled, the VAX remains halted.

If AUTO

BOOT is

1, >>> DISAR
2.

2>>

DISABLE

AUTO

RESTART

Console Commands

5-27

DISABLE LOCAL CONSOLE
Prevents commands that change the state of the VAX from being processed
by the local console terminal during a remote diagnostic session.

Format

DISABLE LOCAL CONSOLE

Description
DISABLE LOCAL CONSOLE can be entered by either the remote or local
console operator. It negates the effect of the ENABLE LOCAL CONSOLE
command. The command is typically used after the local operator is
finished with state-changing commands.
DISABLE LOCAL CONSOLE issues an informational message on the local
and remote terminals.
This command is retained across power failures.

Default
The local console is initially enabled.

1. »>>DI LC
2,

5-28

>>>DISABLE

Console Commands

LOCAL

CONSOLE

DISABLE PRINTER
Stops console output to the printer.

Format

DISABLE PRINTER

Restriction
This command is rejected if entered from the remote console.

>>>

DIS

>>>

DISABLE

PRINTER

Console Commands

5-29

DISABLE REMOTE CONSOLE
Disables the remote port as a remote console.

Format

DISABLE REMOTE CONSOLE

Description
The following occurs if the remote port is in console mode when DISABLE
REMOTE CONSOLE is issued:
e
e
e

The warning message “SHUTTING DOWN REMOTE PORT” is printed
on the remote port.
The phone line is disconnected and reconnected.
The remote port is forced to program I/O mode, and a CTRL/PP
character received from the remote port is not processed by the VAX
operating system.

The remote port can still function as a user terminal (depending on the
state of REMOTE

USER).

Examples

5-30

>>>

DIS

>>>

DISABLE

Console Commands

REMOTE

CONSOLE

DISABLE REMOTE MODEM
Sets the Communications Port to NO MODEM.
wire a RS232 line to the Communications Port.

Format

This is required to hard-

DISABLE REMOTE MODEM

>>> DIS RM

2772

DISABLE

REMOTE

MODEM

Console Commands

5-31

DISABLE REMOTE MONITORING
Turns off the monitoring of remote port activity on the local terminal.

Format

DISABLE REMOTE MONITORING

Restriction
This command is rejected if entered from the remote console.

5-32

>>?

>>> DISABLE

Console Commands

DIS

MON

REMOTE

MONITORING

DISABLE REMOTE USER
Prevents access to the remote port.

Format

DISABLE REMOTE USER

Description
When this command completes, the remote port does not respond to any
character sequences. This is the most secure state of the remote port.
If the remote port is connected, the warning message “SHUTTING DOWN
REMOTE PORT” is printed on the remote port and the phone line is hung
up. If the remote console is enabled, it is disabled by this command.

>>>

DIS

>>> DISABLE

REMOTE

USER

Console Commands

5-33

DISABLE SECONDARY
Prevents the secondary CPU from booting. This command applies only to
the VAX 8800.

Format

DISABLE SECONDARY

Description
When the secondary CPU is disabled, encoded messages from the primary
CPU to boot the secondary CPU produce no response.
The secondary CPU remains disabled across power failures, reboots, and
restarts until enabled with ENABLE SECONDARY console command.

5-34

>>> DIS

>»>>DISABLE

Console Commands

SECONDARY

ENABLE
Enables console options to become operational.

Format

ENABLE

(option)

Description
Console parameters established by the ENABLE command are retained
across power failures, restarts, and reboots. The ENABLE command
negates the effect of the DISABLE command settings (described in this
chapter). The ENABLE command options are described as individual
commands.

Command Options
AUTO

BOOT

AUTO

POWERON

AUTO

RESTART

LOCAL CONSOLE
PRINTER
REMOTE CONSOLE
REMOTE MODEM

Console Commands

5-35

ENABLE
REMOTE MONITORING
REMOTE

USER

SECONDARY

5-36

Console Commands

(VAX 8800)

ENABLE AUTO BOOT
Allows the VAX to boot automatically following system initialization,
a power failure, or an error halt. This command applies if the restart
attempt fails or AUTO RESTART is disabled.

Format

ENABLE AUTO BOOT

Description

/
ENABLE AUTO BOOT sets the state bit AUTO_BOOT
example, when

to true. As an

this state bit is true, the following console command

executes the command procedure DEFBOO.COM to reboot the system
following recovery from a power failure or error halt:
> > >

IF AUTO_BOOT THEN @DEFBOO

If AUTO RESTART is enabled (see description of the ENABLE
/DISABLE AUTO RESTART command), a restart is attempted.

If AUTO

RESTART

fails and AUTO

If AUTO

RESTART

is not enabled but AUTO

attempted.

BOOT

is attempted.
If the reboot fails, the VAX remains halted.

is enabled, a reboot is
BOOT

is, then a reboot

See Figure 4-1 for more information.
AUTO_BOOT

is disabled on new systems.

Examples
1,

>>>

>>> ENABLE

AUTO

BOOT

Console Commands

5-37.

ENABLE AUTO POWERON
Allows logic power to be applied automatically following recovery from a
VAX power failure.

Format

ENABLE AUTO POWERON

Description
ENABLE AUTO POWERON sets the state bit AUTO_POWERON to
true. As an example, when this state bit is true, the following console
commands execute the POWERON command rather than EXIT and leaves

the system in a powered-off state.
> > >
> > >

IF NOT AUTO_POWERON
POWER ON

AUTO_POWERON

5-38

>>>EN AP

>>> ENABLE

Console Commands

AUTO

THEN @EXIT

is initially disabled on new systems.

POWERON

ENABLE AUTO RESTART
Allows the VAX to be automatically restarted following a power failure or
error halt.

Format

ENABLE AUTO RESTART

Description
ENABLE AUTO RESTART sets the state bit AUTO_RESTART to true. As
an example, when this state bit is true, the following console command
executes the command procedure RESTAR.COM to recover from the
power failure or error halt:

> > >

IF AUTO_RESTART THEN @RESTAR

See Figure 4-1 for more information.
AUTO RESTART is initially disabled on new systems.

Restrictions
If the AUTO RESTART attempt fails (or AUTO RESTART is disabled), an
AUTO BOOT is attempted, provided AUTO BOOT is enabled (see AUTO
BOOT).

Examples
1, >>>EN AR
2, >>>ENABLE AUTO RESTART

Console Commands

5-39

ENABLE LOCAL CONSOLE
Allows commands that change the state of the VAX to be processed by the
local terminal, whether or not a remote diagnostic session is in progress.

Format

ENABLE LOCAL CONSOLE

Description
Commands that change the state of the VAX hardware are normally
disallowed on the local terminal while the remote terminal is active. That
prevents the local operator from changing the hardware state while a
remote operator is diagnosing the system. The remote operator issues
ENABLE LOCAL CONSOLE in order for the local operator to issue
command(s) that change the VAX hardware state.

ENABLE LOCAL CONSOLE issues an informational message on the local
and remote terminals.
ENABLE LOCAL CONSOLE is retained across power failures.

Default
The local console is initially enabled.

Restriction
ENABLE LOCAL CONSOLE is not accepted from the local terminal. An
error message is printed. Note, however, that the DISABLE REMOTE
USER and DISABLE REMOTE CONSOLE commands implicitly set
ENABLE LOCAL CONSOLE.

5-40

Console Commands

ENABLE LOCAL CONSOLE

>>>EN

>>> ENABLE

LOCAL

CONSOLE

Console Commands

5-41

ENABLE PRINTER
Permits character output being written to the log file to also be printed on
the printer.

Format

ENABLE PRINTER

Description
Causes console mode output from both the local and remote terminals, as
well as OPAO: output from the CPU(s) to be printed.
ENABLE PRINTER allows the hard-copy output of local (OPAQO) console
events and VMS messages to be sent to the operator’s console (OPAO).

Restriction
If the printer is off line for 10 seconds, output is lost.

5-42

>>> EN

>>> ENABLE

Console Commands

PRINTER

ENABLE REMOTE CONSOLE
Allows the remote port to be used as a remote console.

Format

ENABLE REMOTE CONSOLE

Description
When REMOTE CONSOLE is enabled, the remote port is also enabled
as a remote user terminal. Many commands from the local port are then
disabled, such as those that affect the CPU

on.

clocks, halted CPUs,

and so

Restriction
When the remote port is connected through a modem, most local commands are disabled. Local users may experience a delay in command
execution.

>>>

>>> ENABLE

REMOTE

CONSOLE

Console Commands

5-43

ENABLE REMOTE MODEM
Sets the Communications

Format

.
Port characteristics for a modem.

ENABLE REMOTE MODEM

Description
The Communications Port can be used for remote diagnosis by DIGITAL’s
Diagnostic Center. For this service, a modem is connected to the console’s Communications Port and a phone line. The remote modem is
enabled, and a remote field service center can dial into the console and
run diagnostics.

5-44

>>> EN RM

>>> ENABLE

Console Commands

REMOTE

MODEM

ENABLE REMOTE MONITORING
Causes characters printed on the remote port to be monitored locally.

Format

ENABLE REMOTE MONITORING

Description
The local terminal screen displays all characters being displayed on the

remote port.

user terminal.

>>>

EN -R

>>> ENABLE

The remote port may be acting as a remote console or remote

MON

REMOTE

MONITORING

Console Commands

5-45

ENABLE REMOTE USER
Allows the remote port to communicate with the VAX as a user terminal.

Format

ENABLE REMOTE USER

Description
The ENABLE REMOTE USER command entered at the local console
terminal enables a user at the remote console terminal to interact with the
VAX operating system as though from a user terminal. The remote port
may not be used as a console if the remote console is disabled.

5-46

>>>EN RU

2>> ENABLE

Console Commands

REMOTE

USER

ENABLE SECONDARY
Enables the secondary CPU to be booted.
VAX 8800 only.

Format

This command applies to the

ENABLE SECONDARY

Description
ENABLE SECONDARY allows the console to act on encoded messages
from the VAX to boot the:secondary CPU.
The secondary CPU is enabled by default and can be disabled with the
DISABLE SECONDARY command.

>>>EN

>>>ENABLE

SECONDARY

Console Commands

5-47

EXAMINE
Displays the contents of a specified address.

Format

EXAMINE

address-identifier

Command

Qualifiers

Defaults

/NEXT=value
address-space-qualifiers

1
PHYSICAL

/GPR
/IPR
/PHYSICAL
/SDF
/TEMP
/VIRTUAL
size-qualifiers
/BYTE
/LONGWORD
/QUADWORD
/WORD

LONGWORD

Description
When the EXAMINE

command is executed, it displays the specified

address and its contents as follows:

address-space-indicator address contents-of-address
The address-space-indicator displays the following:
e
e
e

5-48

G - General Processor Register
| - Internal Processor Register
M - Machine-dependent space (PSL,SDF,TEMP)

Console Commands

EXAMINE
e

P - Physical memory: When examining virtual memory, the address
space and address in the response are translated to physical addresses.
The EXAMINE command normally changes the default address space,
except when examining the PSL or UPC.

The address is displayed in hexadecimal, right justified, and zero filled
to the actual address magnitude. The contents-of-address is displayed in
hexadecimal, regardless of default settings.

Defaults
The address-space and size qualifiers default to the values or radixes
used in the previous EXAMINE, DEPOSIT, or SET DEFAULT command.
Initially, the default is LONGWORD data size, PHYSICAL address space,
address identifier 0, and radix hexadecimal.

The size qualifiers /BYTE,

/WORD, and /QUADWORD used with any address-space qualifier other
than /PHYSICAL or /VIRTUAL reset the size-qualifier to LONGWORD.

Restrictions

The CPU

Do not use the /GPR or /IPR qualifiers when using a symbolic register
address. (See Appendix B for the symbolic addresses.)
After the WCS is loaded, you cannot examine (or deposit) the Slow
Data File (SDF).
The /BYTE, /QUADWORD, or /WORD sizes are valid only with the
/PHYSICAL and /VIRTUAL address-space-qualifiers.

e
e

must be halted.

Console Commands

5-49

EXAMINE
Command Parameters
address-identifier

Specifies the starting numeric or symbolic address of a location or series of
locations whose contents you want to examine. If no address identifier is
used, “+” is assumed. (See Section 5.3.1 for a description of command
language symbols.) The numeric address is a numeric literal. (See
Appendix B.)

Command Qualifiers
/NEXT=n
Causes the EXAMINE command to be repeated n times at successively
higher addresses. The amount of address increment/decrement depends
on the size qualifier (see below). For GPRs and IPRs, the address
increments by one.
The EXAMINE command continues until the command has been repeated
n times or until one of the following access errors occurs:
e
e

The GPR number exceeds 15(decimal).
The IPR number exceeds 255(decimal).

address-space-qualifiers
The following qualifiers may be used on any EXAMINE
override the default address space setting.

address to

/GPR
/GPR indicates that the address is to be interpreted as the number of a
VAX General Purpose Register (GPR). The GPR number must be between
0 and 15 (decimal). If /NEXT=n is specified and the GPR number exceeds
15 (decimal), then the command terminates with an address overflow
error.
/IPR
/IPR specifies that the address is to be interpreted as the number of an
Internal Processor Register (IPR). The IPR number must be between 0 and
255 (decimal). If the /NEXT=n qualifier is specified and the IPR number
exceeds 255 (decimal), the command terminates with an address overflow
error.
5-50

Console Commands

EXAMINE
/PHYSICAL
Places the address space in physical memory or physical I/O space.
/SDF
Examines

the Slow

Data File.

/TEMP

Slow Data File locations known only to microcode, not macrocode.

The

TEMPS are listed. Only numeric literals can be used with the /TEMP
qualifier.

/VIRTUAL
Interprets the address as a virtual address. Access and protection checking
occurs. If access is not allowed, the console issues an error message. If
memory management is not enabled, virtual addresses equal physical
addresses.
size-qualifiers

The following qualifiers may be used on any EXAMINE
initial default data size is LONGWORD.

address.

The

/BYTE
References a 1-byte quantity.
/WORD
References a 2-byte quantity.
/LONGWORD
References a 4-byte quantity.
/QUADWORD
References an 8-byte quantity.

>>> EX/P
P

00000000

EFDE4800

Examines physical address 0, default size=long.
2.

>>> EX/B Bi97

Examines a byte at physical location B197.
Console Commands

5-51

EXAMINE
.

2>2EX/G

Examines GPR 9, default size changed to LONGWORD.
_ >>>EX/I 133
Examines IPR 133 hexadecimal.
_

>>>EX/L/P
P 20080000
P 20080004

20080000/n:8
0000B810
OOOOE084

P 20080020

00000000

Examines nine longwords, starting at a physical address.
_

7?27EX

NMIFSR

Examines the IPR NMIFSR,

the size defaults to LONGWORD.

_ >>>EX/S
Examines the Slow Data File location last-address + 4 (+ is assumed),
default size is LONGWORD.
_ >>>EX/T 19/n=3
M
M
M
M

00000019
0000001A
0000001B
0000001C

OO6600F6
00000000
30BFFD97
00000000

Examines four TEMPS, starting with 19.
_ >>>EX/V 35DE/n=16
Examines 17 longwords, starting at virtual address 35DE.
10, >>>EX/W 5107
Examines a word at virtual address 51C7.

11,>>>EX/B
Examines a byte at the last address +1 (+ is assumed) or 51C8.
12, >>>EX PC/N:10
Examines the PC and the next 10 longwords (IPRs reset default size).
13, >>> EX PSL

Examines the PSL.

5-52

Console Commands

EXIT
Terminates the console program and returns control to the console
operating system (P/OS).

Format

EXIT

Description
The console program exits to the console operating system, enabling the
operating system to function.

To run the console program again, select the

CONSOLE/DCL entry from the VAX CONSOLE menu or use the RUN
command from DCL and RUN the CONTROL program.

Exiting from Micromonitor mode is described in Chapter 6.

Restriction
EXIT is not permitted from the remote port.

>>>EXI

>>>EXIT

Console Commands

5-53

FIND
Initiates a memory search required to boot or restart an operating system.

Format

FIND
Command Qualifiers

Defaults

/MEMORY
/RPB

None
None

Description
Use the FIND command in the boot and restart command procedures
to either search for space for the primary bootstrap program or to find a
restart parameter block. FIND also controls multiple boots or restarts.

Default
If no switch is specified with the FIND command,

/RPB is the default.

Restriction
The CPU must be halted.

Command Qualifiers

/IMEMORY

Requests a search of main memory starting at address 0, looking for
a page-aligned 64KB block of good memory into which the primary
bootstrap program (VMB) can be loaded. The stack pointer is loaded at
starting. address + 512, where VMB is loaded and started. To prevent
the console from repeatedly trying to bootstrap the system, the FIND

5-54

Console Commands

FIND
/MEMORY
/MEMORY

command sets the COLD_RESTART flag. If another FIND
command executes before the RESTART command completes

or boots the system, the second command

fails, because the COLD—

RESTART flag is still set. When the operating system successfully boots,
it sends a message to the console to clear the COLD_RESTART flag.
To clear the COLD_RESTART flag and boot manually, use the CLEAR
RESTART_FLAGS command.
The FIND/MEMORY command is in the boot command procedures
DEFBOO.COM and device-nameBOO.COM.

/RPB

Requests a search of physical memory for a valid restart parameter block,
which is used to restart the system after a power failure or error halt.
The stack pointer is loaded with the RPB (starting address + 512) and the
PC is loaded with the contents of RPB (starting address + 4). The search
leaves the contents of memory unchanged. To prevent the console from
repeatedly trying to restart the system, the FIND/RPB command sets
the WARM_RESTART flag. If another FIND/RPB command is executed
before the RESTART command completes or the system successfully
restarts, the second FIND/RPB

command

fails because the WARM_—

RESTART flag is still set. When the operating system successfully restarts,
it sends a message to the console to clear the WARM_RESTART flag. To
clear the WARM_RESTART flag and restart the system manually, use the
command CLEAR RESTART_FLAGS.
The FIND/RPB

command

is in the command

procedure RESTAR.COM,

which is executed automatically after a power failure or error halt if
AUTO_RESTART is enabled.

>>> F/M

2, >>>F/R
3,

>>> FIND/MEMORY

>>> FIND/RPB

Console Commands

5-55

HALT
Halts activity in selected and available CPU(s).
next macroinstruction, the CPU(s) halts.

Format

Instead of executing the

HALT

Description
HALT stops macrocode execution in selected and available CPUs, beginning at the next macroinstruction. I/O operations already in progress are
unaffected. For a description of “Selected” and “Available,” see descriptions of the SET CPU and VERIFY MODULE PLACEMENT commands, as
well as Section 3.2.

Restriction
If the processor is already halted when the HALT command is issued, a
warning message is displayed. If the CPU is malfunctioning, it may never
try to execute the next macroinstruction, and therefore never halt.

5-56

>>>H

Console Commands

HALT
2.

>>> HALT

When the CPU halts, a message similar to the following appears on
the console screen:
700
LEFT CPU
PC = 80001A21

CPU

HALTED

This message provides the 2-digit halt code indicating the operatorrequested HALT and, on the VAX 8800, shows which CPU is halted
(left or right).

Console Commands

5-57

HELP

Format

Provides

on-line information

HELP

/help-topic]

about console commands.

Description
HELP describes the specified command, including syntax, qualifiers,
parameters, and options.

If HELP is issued with no qualifiers, a list of HELP topics is displayed on
the terminal.

Restriction
The HELP command cannot be executed in a command procedure.

Command Parameter
help-topic

A topic that the help utility describes. HELP opens and prints the contents
of the file named help-topic.HLP. HELP topics follow:

5-58

Console Commands

HELP
@
BOOT
CLEAR
CONTINUE
DEPOSIT
DIAGNOSE*
DISABLE
ENABLE

EXAMINE
EXIT
FIND
HALT
IF
INITIALIZE
LINK
LOAD

LOOP*
MICROSTEP
NEXT
PERFORM
POWER
PROBE
REPEAT
SELECT*

SENSE
SET
SHOW
START
TEST
UNJAM
VERIFY
WAIT

* Command valid in Micromonitor mode only.
If the help file contains more than 22 lines, the prompt “Press RETURN for
more ...” appears at the bottom of the screen. To see the next screen, type
RETURN. To stop printing the help file, enter CTRL/C before pressing
RETURN.

7>HELP

MICROSTEP

>>2HE

>>>HELP

>>>HE

INITIALIZE

5. >>>HELP ENABLE
6.

>>>HE

Console Commands

5-59

IF
Tests the value of a specified state bit and executes the console command
following the THEN statement if the state bit is true (or false if NOT is
specified).

Format

IF [NOT]

state-bit-name THEN console-command

Description
The IF command conditionally executes console commands. The conditional execution is based on one of the console state bits. Each state bit
has a mnemonic, all of which are defined in Appendix B. The state bits are
set by console commands or console software.
The success or failure of the console previous command is reflected in
the state bit mnemonic

$STATUS.

(The IF command itself does not affect

$STATUS.) If the console-command is an “@” command, another stream
of console commands follows. The use of “@” commands and $STATUS
and other state bits allows complicated sequences, such as the initialization
sequence, to be expressed in command files.

Command Parameters
state-bit-name
Each state bit is expressed by a mnemonic.

console-command

Any valid console command

>>>IF NOT AUTO_POWERON THEN @EXIT
See ENABLE AUTO POWERON.

5-60

Console Commands

IF
_

2?277IF

NOT

POWER_STATUS

Checks the power.
_

?22IF

AUTO_RESTART

T POWER

If it is not on, issues the POWER ON command.
T ORESTART

Enables AUTO

RESTART

»>>IF

THEN

@DEFBOO

Enables the AUTO

BOOT

AUTO_BOOT

?>>LOAD/WCS UCODE.BIN
>>>IF NOT $STATUS THEN

command.
command.

@EXIT

Checks outcome of previous command and branches to EXIT.COM if
previous command fails.

Console Commands

5-61

INITIALIZE
Sets selected and available CPU(s) or memory to an initial state.

Format

INITIALIZE
Command

Qualifiers

Defaults

/CREATE_CONFIGURATION_FILE
/MEMORY

None

Description
INITIALIZE is used to bring the hardware to a known consistent state.
It causes the console support microcode to execute and enables the
micromachine. The INITIALIZE command without qualifiers copies the
value of NEXT_PRIMARY to CURRENT_PRIMARY.
For a VAX 8800, INITIALIZE applies to selected and available CPU(s).
The CPU clocks are left on. Traps, stalls, and the Nautilus Memory
Interconnect (NMI) microsequencer are enabled.
The INITIALIZE command

does, a warning appears.

can halt a CPU under certain conditions.

If it

Restrictions
The CPU(s) must be halted.
To insure that the revision Internal Processor Registers (IPRs) are properly
filled in by INITIALIZE, the following commands must be executed prior
to INITIALIZE:
e

SENSE REV CPU
Reads and stores revisions of CPU

backplane.

5-62

Console Commands

modules,

CLK, and CPU

INITIALIZE
e

VERIFY REVISION CONSOLE

Determines the top revision of the console and displays
incompatibilities among the console program, RTI driver, P/OS,
and EMM firmware, as well as necessary corrections.
VERIFY REVISION CPU

Determines the top revision level of each CPU. Any
incompatibilities among the CPU backplane, the CPU modules,
and the clock module, as well as any necessary corrections, are
displayed. This option applies to available and selected CPU(s).
VERIFY REVISION MICROCODE

Microcode must be loaded for microcode
and stored.

revisions to be retrieved

LOAD/WCS

Data is loaded to the WCS.
e

LOAD/IBDECODER
Data is loaded to the instruction stream Decoder RAMs.

LOAD/CACHECONTROL
Data is loaded to the cache control store.

LOAD/SDF

Data is loaded to the Slow Data File, which requires that the CPU(s)
be halted.

Command Qualifiers
/CREATE_CONFIGURATION_FILE
Creates a MEMCONFIG.DAT file, which contains the interleaved map of
the physical address space to physical memory. This file is based on the
memory arrays present when the command is executed. This qualifier
must be used prior to the /MEMORY qualifier in order to create an initial
(or new) MEMCONFIG.DAT file. That is done during the first startup
procedure (see Section 4.3) and when you add or remove memory arrays
(see Section 4.8).

Console Commands

5-63

INITIALIZE
/MEMORY
This qualifier causes the console to load the MEMCONFIG.DAT file into
the memory controller’s decode RAM. If the memory controller’s cold bit is
set, indicating that the memory is invalid, physical memory is initialized to
zero with good parity. If the console cannot find the MEMCONFIG.DAT
file, it creates a new one and notifies you with a message.

NOTE
If memory is added or removed, the command INITIALIZE
/CREATE_CONFIGURATION-_FILE and INITIALIZE
/MEMORY must be executed before you attempt to reboot
your system.

5-64

>>> INIT

>>>

>>> I/MEMORY

>>>

Console Commands

I/CREATE_CONFIGURATION_FILE

LINK
Creates a temporary indirect command file.

Format

LINK

Description
LINK is used for repeatedly executing a series of console commands.
After building the temporary command procedure LINK.COM, execute it
with the PERFORM command. (The @LINK command is equivalent to
this.) The temporary command procedure remains until the next LINK
command is executed, replacing the previous command procedure with
the new commands.
When LINK is entered, the console deletes the previous LINK command
procedure and prompts with the link-mode prompt (< < <). Console
commands are saved in the temporary file LINK.COM (on the console’s
hard disk) until CTRL/C is entered. Renaming this file saves it. It can
also be edited with an editor running under P/OS.

Restriction
The PERFORM
command.

command is invalid inside a file created by the LINK

>>> LI
<<<EX 20080000
<<<dep 20080000
OOO0E81iC
<<<CTRL/C Return)

A LINK.COM is created which calls for EXAMINE and DEPOSIT at
the indicated addresses. CTRL/C terminates input.

Console Commands

5-65

LINK
2.

>>>LINK
<<<P 0/n: 100
<<<P 0/n:100 O
<<<CTRL/C Return)
>>> PERFORM

A LINK.COM file is created, using the POWER OFF command. Then
the PERFORM command is issued, causing the LINK.COM file to
execute.

>>>LINK
<<<SHO CPU

<<<SHO

STA

<<<CTRL/C

Return)

>>> PERFORM

A LINK.COM file is created, using the SHOW
PERFORM

5-66

Console Commands

commands.

command is issued to cause the LINK.COM

Then the

file to execute.

LOAD
Loads data into memory or a control store.

Format

LOAD

file-name | /DATA=numeric-literal

Command Qualifiers
/CACHECONTROL
/CONTROLSTORE or WCS

Defaults

/DATA=numeric-literal

/IBDECODER
/MAINMEMORY
/SDF

/START=numeric-address

/UWCS

Description
The LOAD

command is used by the system initialization routine to load

the Writeable Control Store (WCS), Instruction Stream Decode Rams
(IBDECODER), Slow Data File (SDF), and CACHECONTROL store.

NOTE
Failure of the LOAD

command

can mark a CPU unavailable.

Defaults
If no qualifiers are specified, the command defaults to loading main
memory (/MAINMEMORY), starting at physical address 0 (/START=0).

Console Commands

5-67

LOAD
Restrictions
The LOAD data comes either from a file or the command line (expressed
as a numeric literal-see Appendix B. Supply either a file name or the
/DATA qualifier. (See Command Qualifiers.)
The CPU must be halted and the CPU clocks running. (See the SET
CLOCK command or SHOW STATUS.) To load main memory or the Slow
Data File (see /SDF), the CPU must be halted.
Files of control-store data must be in the correct format for the particular
control-store specified in the LOAD command. If the Writeable Control
Store (/WCS), Instruction Stream Decoder Rams (/IBDECODER), Cache
Control Store (CACHECONTROL), or Slow Data File (/SDF) is loaded
from a file, the header block of the file is checked for the following
compatibilities:
The file is the same type of control store to which it is to be loaded.
The revision level of the file is the same as the previous file’s level
loaded into that control store since the last time the console was
powered on.
The /DATA qualifier and file name parameter cannot be used at the same
time.

Command Parameter
file-name

Name of the file containing the data to be loaded. It can be any valid file
name, including device and directory. The console device names are DW1
(fixed disk) and DZ1 and DZ2 (diskette drives 1 and 2).

Command Qualifiers
/CACHECONTROL
The destination is the cache control store. LOAD/CACHECONTROL
applies to selected and available CPU(s). If a parity error is detected, the
CPU is marked unavailable.

5-68

Console Commands

LOAD
/CONTROLSTORE or /WCS
The destination is the WCS. LOAD/WCS applies to selected and available
CPU(s). If a parity error is detected, the CPU is marked unavailable.
/DATA=numeric-literal
A single element of the control store or memory is loaded. You enter data
on the console terminal and load the data into the destination indicated
by the qualifier designating the address space and the /START qualifier
indicating the address in that address space. (See Appendix B.)
If loading main memory, the data is assumed to be a longword. If loading
a control store, the data is assumed to be the correct length for that control
store. Maximum sizes are as follows:
IBDECODER (or DRAM): 24 bits
CACHECONTROL (or CCS): 32 bits
SDF: 32 bits
MAINMEMORY: 32 bits

/IBDECODER

The destination is the instruction stream Decoder RAMs.

/IBDECODER applies to selected and available CPU(s).

/MAINMEMORY

The data’s destination is main memory.
to be halted.

LOAD

This qualifier requires the CPU(s)

/SDF
The data’s destination is the Slow Data File, which requires that the
CPU(s) be halted. LOAD/SDF applies to selected and available CPU(s).
/START=numeric-address
The data is loaded, starting at the address specified.
expressed as a numeric literal (see Appendix B).

The address is

If the /START qualifier is omitted, data is loaded at address=0 of the load
destination. /START is ignored if loading microcode or SDF (valid when
loading memory) from a file, because the address(es) are embedded in the
file.

Console Commands

5-69

LOAD
/UWCS
You use the /UWCS qualifier to load your own microcode into the User
Writable Control Store (UWCS). You can do this only if SDF has been
loaded. The system initialization procedure SYSINIT.COM provides the
commands to enable you to do this (though they are commented out).
The VAX Extended Function, XFC, instruction provides the mechanism for
software to request services of the nonstandard microcode loaded into the
UWCS.

Examples
1,

>>> LOAD/MAIN/START=0 CDRV0103 .EXE

Load CDRV0103.EXE file into main memory starting at address 0.
>>> L/MAIN/ST=0 EGYPTD.EXE

Load EGYPTD.EXE file into main memory starting at address 0.
>>> LOAD/M/S=4530/D=00000000

Load D=00000000 into main memory starting at address 4530.
>>> L TESTPGM. EXE
Load TESTPGM.EXE file; by default to main memory at address 0.

5-70

Console Commands

LOAD
(Contents

>>>L/W

>>>IF

>>>L/I

and

machine

response

LOAD

DONE,

16384

UCODE.BIN

NOT

$STATUS

DRAM.BIN
LOAD

>>>IF

>>>L/C

NOT

DONE,

$STATUS

CCODE.BIN
LOAD

DONE,

load

portion

LOADED,

REV=n.

LOADED,

REV=n.

LOADED,

REV=n.

LOADED,

REV=n

SYSINIT.COM)

WORDS

@GEXIT

256

THEN

WORDS

the

@EXIT

1195

THEN

DONE,

>>>IF NOT $STATUS
>>>L/M MCODE.BIN
LOAD

THEN

WORDS

@EXIT

26 BLOCKS

Console Commands

5-71

MICROSTEP
Steps the CPU master clock a specified number of cycles.

Format

MICROSTEP

count

Description
After stepping the specified number of microcycles, the console displays
the micro-PCs of available CPU(s) and enters “space bar step mode’.
On the VAX 8800, subsequent pressing of the space bar causes another
microcycle to be executed on both CPU(s). Space bar step mode is exited
by pressing any key other than Spacebar or Return. The micro-PCs of the
available CPU(s) are displayed.
The micro-PCs are displayed in hexadecimal.

NOTE
The micro-PCs on the VBUS are those of the trap silo, not the
actual micro-PCs. Therefore, single stepping through a trap
routine or decoder cycles does not change the micro-PCs.

Restrictions
The CPU clock(s) must be stopped. (See the SHOW STATUS and/or
SET CLOCK commands.) The console will automatically stop the clock(s)
unless a CPU is running.
If MICROSTEP is executed from a command file, “space bar step mode”
(see Microstep command) is not entered. Control returns to the command
file after the initial number of microinstructions have executed.

5-72

Console Commands

MICROSTEP
Command Parameter
count
Number of microcycles to step, expressed in a numeric literal. (See
Appendix B.) If count is not specified, 1 is assumed. The maximum
number of cycles that can be stepped at one time is 255.

>>> MICROSTEP

LEFT
LEFT
LEFT
LEFT
LEFT
LEFT
LEFT

upci:3419
upci:3410
upc1:3411
upc1:3412
upce1:3413
upci:3414
upce1:3415

upe2:3418
upce2:3419
upce2:3410
upce2:3411
upe2:3412
upce2:3413
upc2:3414

upc3: 3417
upc3: 3418
upc3:3419
upc3:3410
upc3: 3411
upc3: 3412
upc3:3413

RIGHT
RIGHT
RIGHT
RIGHT
RIGHT
RIGHT
RIGHT

upc1:3419
upci:3410
upci:3411
upci:3412
upc1i:3413
upci:3414
upci:3415

upc2:3418
upc2:3419
upce2:3410
upc2:3411
upc2:3412
upc2:3413
upc2:3414

upc3:3417
upc3:3418
upc3:3419
upc3:3410
upc3:3411
upc3:3412
upce3:3413

VAX 8800 example.

Shows upc locations for left/right trap silos.

Console Commands

5-73

NEXT
Executes the specified number of macroinstructions.

Format

count

Description
After the last macroinstruction is executed, the program counter (PC) is
displayed and the console enters space bar step mode. The next macroinstruction is executed, and the subsequent PC is displayed each time the
space bar is pressed. Typing any other character causes an exit from space
bar step mode.
The PC is displayed in hexadecimal.

Restriction
If NEXT is executed from a command file, space bar step mode is not
entered.

Control returns to the command

macroinstructions

execute.

file after the initial number of

Command Parameter
count
The number of macroinstructions to be executed is expressed in a numeric
literal. (See Appendix B.) If count is not specified, the default is one
macroinstruction. The maximum value of count is 32767.

5-74

Console Commands

NEXT
Examples
1.

>>>

N 2

LEFT CPU - PC = 00000009
LEFT CPU - PC = 00000010
Executes next two macroinstructions

>>>

CPU
CPU

PC
PC

=
=

on VAX

8800’s left CPU.

00000009
00000010

Executes next two macroinstructions on single-CPU model (8700/8550
/8500).

Console Commands

5-75

PERFORM
Executes the temporary command procedure created by the LINK command. PERFORM is identical to the command @LINK.

Format

PERFORM

Description
The temporary command procedure LINK.COM can be PERFORMed as
many times as desired until the next LINK command is entered. See the
@ command for a description of how command procedures are processed.

Restriction
The PERFORM command may not be included in a LINK.COM file
created by the LINK command.

>>> LINK

<<<EXAMINE/L/P 20080000
<<<EXAMINE 56B4
<<<EXAMINE 200A0000/N=5
>>>CTRL/C Return)

Shows LINK.COM

5-76

Console Commands

file which contains three EXAMINE

commands.

PERFORM
>>> PERFORM
20080000

UV 'U 'U 'U

O00056B4
200A0000
200A0004
200A0008
200A000C
200A0010
200A0014

00000000
00001234
00000001
00000002
00000003
00000004
00000005
00000006

Executes LINK.COM file in Example 1 (PERFORM command is equivalent to @LINK). This example shows the addresses being examined.
(Note that the third EXAMINE command in Example 1 has a /NEXT=5
qualifier.)

Console Commands

5-77

POWER
Changes the state of the VAX power system by issuing commands to the

Environmental Monitoring Module (EMM). The power can be ON, OFF,

or STANDBY.

Format

POWER

(option)

Description
One of the following options must be used with the POWER command:
OFF, ON, STANDBY.

The options are described as individual commands.

WARNING
If it is necessary to work on the CPU, you must issue the
POWER OFF command and shut off the main power breaker
of the CPU. The following safety feature is designed to protect
those working on the system hardware:
When you issue the POWER OFF command, the console saves
the contents of the AUTO_POWERON keyswitch and disables
it. Then with any kind of power failure (including turning
off the console), the initialization procedure (SYSINIT) detects
that the AUTO_POWERON keyswitch is disabled and does
not power up the system. That prevents a console-only power
failure, for instance, from powering up the entire system.
When the work on the system hardware is finished, turn on
the circuit breaker and issue the POWER ON command. The
AUTO_POWERON keyswitch value is restored to its setting
prior to the POWER OFF command.
If you have enabled the AUTO_POWERON keyswitch and
have not issued a POWER OFF command, the console responds
to power failures automatically. If the circuit breaker is then
inadvertently turned on, the console automatically powers
up the system, endangering those working on the system
hardware.

5-78

Console Commands

POWER
Restriction
POWER commands cannot be executed from the remote port. An error
message is printed.

Console Commands

5-79

POWER OFF
Turns off all system regulators.

Format

POWER OFF

Description
POWER OFF turns off all regulators in the reverse order they are turned
on (see POWER ON).
The POWER

OFF command

saves the current AUTO_POWERON

bit setting and disables AUTO_POWERON.

Restriction
POWER commands cannot be executed from the remote port.

5-80

>>>P

>>> POWER

Console Commands

OFF

state

POWER ON
Turns on all system regulators and enables the CPU(s) to function.

Format

POWER ON

Description
POWER

turns on all the regulators, deasserts the DCLO

VAX

8800:

VAX

8700/8550/8500:

signals,

deasserts the ACLO signals, enables battery backup (VAX 8800), enables
EMM default mode monitoring, tests the RTI, initializes the shadow copies
of the clockboard registers, unlocks the CSEQ module, clears CPU_INIT
to the CPU(s), initializes sensed revision tables, and loads the counts used
in loading the control stores. The regulators are turned on in the following
order:
J, B, C, F, H, E, and D
J, B, E, H, and D

The POWER ON command enables the saved AUTO_POWERON state.
This command may take as long as 10 seconds to complete. It may be
aborted with CTRL/C before execution.

Restrictions
POWER

cannot be executed until the VERIFY EMM

been successfully executed.

command

Console Commands

has

5-81

POWER ON
POWER commands cannot be executed from the remote port. An error
message is printed.

5-82

>>> POWER ON

Console Commands

POWER STANDBY
Powers down system to a STANDBY state. All regulators except B and J
are turned off.

Format

POWER STANDBY

Description
POWER STANDBY turns off the system regulators in the same order as
the POWER OFF command, stopping at regulator B. Regulator B supplies
power to memory, and regulator J supplies additional power to B. In
STANDBY mode, memory contents are preserved.

Restrictions
When power is off, the POWER STANDBY command cannot be executed.
POWER commands cannot be executed from the remote port.

>>>P Ss

772POWER

STANDBY

Console Commands

5-83

PROBE VBUS
PROBE VBUS specifies which bit of the accumulator receives which
Visibility Bus data bit. The accumulator is a 32-bit quantity that can
be cleared or shown (see the descriptions of the CLEAR and SHOW
commands). PROBE is useful for formatting VBUS data.

Format

PROBE VBUS

vdbus-address accumulator-bit

Description
The Visibility Bus (VBUS) displays signals for diagnostics and debugging.
The VBUS address is split into two fields. The low-order 12 bits specify
a multiplexer address in each of the eight CPU modules. The high-order
hexadecimal digit selects one of the eight CPU modules from which
to read the VBUS data. This command is used by Field Service for
maintenance purposes.

vbus address

hex

module
0

1
2
3

(hex)

+—-—-----—----—-+ - -digit--->|
3
|
2
|
1
|
0
4+—-—--—------—--- --- - ---

SEQ

wcs
DEC
CCS

selector
4

5
6
7

+
|
+

12 bit
address
sent
to VBUS

ADP

SLCO
SLC1l
SHR

Refer to the System Maintenance Guide for more information about the
addresses that can be probed.

5-84

Console Commands

PROBE VBUS
Restriction
The CPU master clock(s) must be stopped.
/or SET CLOCK commands.)

(See the SHOW

STATUS and

Command Parameters
vbus-address

The starting VBUS address at which the probe command reads, expressed
as a numeric literal. (See Appendix B.) Selects the module and the signal
in the module.
accumulator-bit

A number between 0 and 31 that specifies which bit of the accumulator to
OR with the VBUS data bit. The results replace the accumulator bit.

1, >>>CLEAR ACCUMULATOR
>>>PROBE VBUS %X1234 00
%X1234 is the address of VBUS bit %X234 on the WCS module and is

put in accumulator bit 0.

2, >>>PR VBUS ¥X1235 01

%X1235 is the address of VBUS bit %X235 on the WCS module and is
put in accumulator bit 1.

Console Commands

5-85

REPEAT
Causes a console command to execute continuously.

Format

REPEAT

(command)

Description
REPEAT

mode forces the continuous execution of the console command.

The REPEAT command can be terminated with CTRL/C.

Restrictions
The following commands cannot be used with REPEAT: @, ASSIGN,

DISABLE, ENABLE, EXIT, HALT, HELP, LINK, NEXT, POWER,
PERFORM, and REPEAT.
If the REPEAT

command

is used in a command

procedure, two CTRL/C

sequences must be used to stop execution of the command file. The first
CTRL/C stops the REPEAT command, and the second stops the command
procedure.

Command Parameter
(command)

The REPEAT command can be used with any of the following console
commands:

5-86

Console Commands

REPEAT

BOOT

INITIALIZE

SHOW

CLEAR

LOAD

START

CONTINUE

LOOP

TEST

DEPOSIT

MICROSTEP

UNJAM

DIAGNOSE

PROBE

VERIFY

EXAMINE

SELECT

WAIT

FIND

SENSE

SET

?2?7REPEAT

INITIALIZE

Repeats the INITIALIZE command.
>>>R E 30
Repeats the command to EXAMINE physical address 30.

3. >>>R E PC

Repeats the command to EXAMINE the program counter.

Console Commands

5-87

SENSE REVISION
Reads the revision(s) of the specified component group and stores them in
a table in console memory. The data is used by the VERIFY REVISION
commands.

Format

SENSE [REVISION]

(option)

Description
SENSE REVISION affects all selected and available CPU(s). After using
SENSE REVISION to read the revisions, they can be displayed with the
SHOW REVISION SENSED command. SENSE REVISION is necessary
prior to using the VERIFY REVISION commands.
Microcode revisions are implicitly sensed by the LOAD command.
The SENSE REVISION command requires one of the options listed below.
The options are described as individual commands.

Command Options
CONSOLE
CPU(S)
MCL
NBI

5-88

Console Commands

SENSE REVISION CONSOLE
Reads the revision of the console application software, Real Time Interface
(RTI) driver, Environmental Monitoring Monitor (EMM) firmware, and the
console operating system (P/OS).

Format

SENSE [REVISION] CONSOLE

>>>SEN

>>>SENSE

CONSOLE

Console Commands

5-89

SENSE REVISION CPU(S)
Reads the CPU backplane and module revisions for selected and available
CPU(s).

Format

SENSE [REVISION] CPU(S)

Restrictions
Module revisions are accessed through the VBUS. Thus, CPU master clock(s) must be stopped to execute this command (see the SHOW
STATUS and/or SET CLOCK commands). Module keying must be
successfully verified first, using the VERIFY MODULE

command.

5-90

>>>SENSE REVISION CPU(S)

>>>SEN

>>>SENSE CPU(S)

>>>SEN

Console Commands

PLACEMENT

SENSE REVISION MCL
Reads the revision of the memory controller.

Format

SENSE [REVISION] MCL

Restriction
The CPU must be halted, and the CPU clock must be running.
SET CLOCK

>>>SENSE

>>>SEN

command

REVISION

or SHOW

STATUS.)

(See the

MCL

3. >>>SEN R M

Console Commands

5-91

SENSE REVISION NBI
Reads the revisions of the NBIA and NBIB modules.

Format

SENSE [REVISION] NBI

Restriction
The CPU must be halted and the CPU clock must be running.
SET CLOCK

5-92

>>>SENSE

>>>SEN

>>>SENSE

Console Commands

command

NBI

or SHOW

STATUS.)

(See the

SET
Establishes or changes settings for specified options.

Format

SET

(option)

Description
The SET command requires one option.
separate commands.

The options are described as

Command Options
CLOCK
CPU (VAX 8800)
DEFAULT
EMM
MARGINS
NEXT_PRIMARY (VAX 8800)
NOVERIFY
RELOCATION

Console Commands

5-93

SET
SOMM
SYNC
TERMINAL
TOMM
VERIFY

5-94

Console Commands

SET CLOCK
Turns on or off the CPU master clock or sets the CPU clock period.

Format

SET CLOCK

(option)

Description
The SET CLOCK command affects clock settings for all CPU(s).
are retained across power failures, reboots, and restarts.

Settings

Only stallable clocks are affected by the SET CLOCK command.
running clocks are not affected.

Free

Command Options
FAST
SET CLOCK FAST sets the clock to a period of 43 nanoseconds.
NORMAL
SET CLOCK NORMAL

sets the clock to a period of 45 nanoseconds.

OFF
SET CLOCK OFF stops the clock.
ON
SET CLOCK ON starts the clock running at the cycle time previously set.
SLOW
SET CLOCK SLOW sets the clock to a period of 48 nanoseconds.

>>> SE CL ON
Turns

clock on.

Console Commands

5-95

SET CLOCK
2.

»>>SET

CLOCK

SLOW

Sets clock period to 48 nanoseconds.
>>>SE CL F
Sets clock period to 43 nanoseconds.

5-96

Console Commands

SET CPU
Logically connects the console terminal to the specified CPU(s). By selecting the CPU, this command affects the scope of subsequent commands.
This command applies only to the VAX 8800.

Format

SET CPU

(option)

Description
SET CPU changes the selected CPUs and the impact of commands whose
scope is for all available and selected CPUs. When SET CPU is specified,
commands

affect the selected CPU(s).

When

SET CPU

BOTH

single-CPU commands apply to the current primary CPU.

is specified,

The SET CPU command requires one of the options listed below.

Option
BOTH
SET CPU BOTH selects both CPUs. When SET CPU BOTH is set, singleCPU commands apply to the current primary CPU. If it is not available, a
warning message is printed, but the terminal is connected to the CPU for
diagnostics.
CURRENT_PRIMARY
SET CPU CURRENT_PRIMARY logically connects the terminal to the
CPU designated as primary. The logical primary CPU is translated to a
physical CPU (LEFT or RIGHT), and that CPU is selected.
CURRENT_SECONDARY
SET CPU CURRENT_SECONDARY logically connects the terminal to the
CPU designated as the secondary. The logical secondary CPU is translated
to a physical CPU (LEFT or RIGHT), and that CPU is selected.

Console Commands

5-97

SET CPU
LEFT
SET CPU LEFT logically connects the terminal to the CPU located on the
left side of the backplane (when viewed from the front of the machine).
NEXT_PRIMARY
SET CPU NEXT_PRIMARY logically connects the terminal to the primary CPU, specified by the SET NEXT_PRIMARY command. (See the
description of the SET NEXT_PRIMARY command.)
NEXT_SECONDARY
SET CPU NEXT_SECONDARY logically connects the terminal to the
primary CPU, implied by the SET NEXT_PRIMARY command. (See the
description of the SET NEXT_SECONDARY command.)
RIGHT
SET CPU RIGHT logically connects the terminal to the CPU on the right |
side of the backplane (when viewed from the front of the machine).

>>>SE

Selects both CPUs.
>>>SET CPU LEFT

>>>SE C CURRENT_P

>>>SE C NEXT_S

Selects the left CPU.

Connects the console terminal to the primary CPU.
Connects the console terminal to primary CPU as specified by the SET
NEXT_PRIMARY command.

5-98

Console Commands

SET DEFAULT
Establishes an address space, size, and radix for use by other console
commands.

Format

SET DEFAULT

[address-space, size, radix]

Description
SET DEFAULT changes either the default address space or default size

for the EXAMINE

and DEPOSIT

numeric input is interpreted.

commands

or the default radix in which

Command Parameters
The following table lists the kinds of defaults and the values for each one.
address-space

size

radix

CACHE

BYTE

BINARY

GPR

LONGWORD

DECIMAL

IPR

QUADWORD

HEXADECIMAL

PHYSICAL

WORD

OCTAL

SDF
TB
TEMP
WCS

Console Commands

5-99

SET DEFAULT
Restrictions
One option from each category may be entered. If more than one option
from a category is entered, only the last option is used. For example,

VIRTUAL,
VIRTUAL,

QUADWORD,
QUADWORD,

OCTAL is accepted. However, if PHYSICAL,
OCTAL is entered, PHYSICAL is discarded, and

the remaining options are accepted.

1, >>>SE D P,L,H
Sets address-space PHYSICAL,
HEXIDECIMAL as defaults.

size LONGWORD,

and radix

9. >>>SET DEFAULT Q,V,D

Sets size QUADWORD

5-100

Console Commands

and radix DECIMAL

as defaults.

SET EMM
Loads parameters into the Environmental Monitoring Module (EMM).

Format

SET EMM

Description
On power up, the EMM’s default mode parameters are loaded into a RAM
from a ROM in the EMM. The console, after its power-up sequence, loads
CPU-specific parameters into the RAM. Internal errors in the EMM cause
RAM contents to be destroyed. In this event, the console automatically
reloads the parameters.

1, >>>SEE
2. >>>SET EMM

Console Commands

5-101

SET MARGINS
Changes the values against which the EMM
tolerance.

Format

SET MARGINS

tests for voltages out of

(option) [regulator-list]

Description
The EMM monitors the environmental conditions of the CPU(s) against
the nominal (normal) values supplied in the EMM initialization sequence.
However, the EMM

uses a different set of parameters when monitoring a

The SET MARGINS

command requires one of its options.

“margined” regulator.

Command Options
HIGH

The SET MARGINS

HIGH command instructs the EMM to allow a 5%

increase over the normal values.

LOW
The SET MARGINS LOW command
decrease in the normal values.

NORMAL
The SET MARGINS NORMAL
those set at initialization.

instructs the EMM

to allow a 5%

command returns the parameter values to

Command Parameters
regulator-list

Specifies one of the following regulators for which to set the margins:
VAX 8800:
5-102

Console Commands

B, C, D, E, F, or H

SET MARGINS
VAX 8700/8550/8500: B, D, E, or H
The default is to set all of the regulators to the specified option value.

>>>

Returns parameter values to those at initialization.
>>> SET MARGINS LOW
Allows a 5% decrease in values.

>>> SE M HIGH
Allows a 5% increase in values.

>>> SET MARGINS N E,D,H

Console Commands

5-103

SET NEXT_PRIMARY
Specifies which CPU is the primary and which is the secondary when the
system reboots or restarts. This command applies only to the VAX 8800.

Format

SET NEXT_PRIMARY

(option)

Description
At the next reboot or restart, the CPU specified by SET NEXT_PRIMARY
becomes the current primary CPU (copied by the INITIALIZE command).
The other CPU becomes the secondary.
The initial NEXT_PRIMARY

is the left CPU; the initial secondary is the

right CPU.

The NEXT_PRIMARY command requires one option.

Option
LEFT
Specifies the left CPU as the next primary (and the right as the secondary).

RIGHT

Specifies the right CPU as the next primary (and the left as the secondary).

Examples

5-104

>>>‘SE

>>>SET

Console Commands

RIGHT

NEXT_PRIMARY

LEFT

SET NOVERIFY
Disables commands in command files from being echoed on the terminal.

Format

SET NOVERIFY

Description
Allows command files to execute without each command line being
displayed on the terminal. Echoing can be restored with SET VERIFY.

1. >>>SE No
2.

2722SET

NOVERIFY

Console Commands

5-105

SET RELOCATION
Places a value into the address relocation register.

Format

SET RELOCATION

base-address

Description
The value established by the SET RELOCATION

command

the effective physical or virtual address for the EXAMINE
commands.

is added to

and DEPOSIT

The relocation register value can be displayed with the SHOW
command. The value is initialized to zero.

DEFAULTS

Restriction
The relocation register is not preserved across console power failures or

restarts.

Command Parameter
base-address

SET RELOCATION base-address causes the base address value to be
added to the address value used by the EXAMINE and DEPOSIT commands. Base-address is a numeric literal. (See Appendix B.)

5-106

Console Commands

SET RELOCATION

The following examples show how the SET RELOCATION
EXAMINE command:
1, >>>SE R 1000
"

>>>EXAM/P
P

>>>SET

RELO

>>>EXAM/P
P

00001000

00000200

command affects the

12345678

200
12345678

Console Commands

5-107

SET SOMM
SET STOP

MICROMATCH

Micromatch register.

Format

SET SOMM

command.

Loads the micro-PC into the

address

Description
The SET SOMM command loads the micro-PC into the Micromatch register. When the micro-PC matches the value of the Micromatch register, a
sync pulse is generated, and the clock stops on the rising edge of the next
A clock.

Command Parameter
address
A valid micro-PC in the range 0-%X3FFF.

5-108

>>>SE S 328¢

>>> SET SOMM 32Ci

Console Commands

SET SYNC
Loads the micro-PC into the Micromatch register.

Format

SET SYNC

address

Description
SET SYNC

clears Stop On Micromatch (SOMM)

and Trap On Micromatch

(TOMM). When the micro-PC matches the value of the Micromatch
register, a sync pulse is generated.

Command Parameter
address
A valid micro-PC in the range 0-%X3FFF.

>>>SE SY 0

>>>SET SYNC 1000

Console Commands

5-109

SET TERMINAL
Changes the console or remote console from console I/O mode to program
I/O mode or modifies the console’s ID.

Format

SET TERMINAL

(option)

Description
The SET TERMINAL command affects how program mode characters are
transmitted to the VAX and how program mode activity is logged in the
console log files. When you enter program mode, the last OPA setting is
in effect.
SET TERMINAL has the options listed below.

Command Options
PROGRAM
The SET TERMINAL PROGRAM command causes the console to enter
program I/O mode. Subsequent characters typed on the terminal are
transmitted to the VAX connected to the console. If the CPU is halted, the
command is rejected and an error message is printed.
OPAO,

OPA4,

OPA5

SET TERMINAL OPAn specifies the ID bits to be supplied with program

mode data sent from the console to the CPU.

If OPAO is set, input and output from the terminal is logged iri the log file.
For more information on log files, see Section 3.10.
To avoid logging program mode data in the console log file, set the ID
bit to either OPA4 or OPA5. OPA4 is normally associated with the local
console, and OPA5 with the remote console. Change the ID before issuing
the SET TERMINAL PROGRAM command.

5-110

Console Commands

SET TERMINAL

>>>SE

Enter Program mode.
2.

>>> SET
>>>SET

TERMINAL
T P

Program mode activity will be logged.

OPA4

Reset the console ID bits, then enter Program mode.
activity will not be logged.

Program mode

Console Commands

5-111

SET TOMM
SET

TRAP

MICROMATCH

Micromatch register.

Format

command.

Loads

the micro-PC

into the

SET TOMM = upc-address

Description
The SET TOMM command loads the specified micro-PC into the
Micromatch register. When the micro-PC matches the value of the
Micromatch register, a sync pulse is generated, and a microtrap occurs.

Command Parameters
upc-address

A valid micro-PC in the range 0-%X3FFF.

5-112

>>> SE

»>>SET

TOMM

Console Commands

200

1000

SET VERIFY
Allows the contents of command procedures to be displayed during
execution.

Format

SET VERIFY

Description
The SET VERIFY command causes input from command procedures to be
echoed on the console and logged in the log file. This command is useful
for debugging newly created command procedures.
Echoing can be turned off by the SET NOVERIFY command.

>>>SE V

77°SET

VERIFY

Console Commands

5-113

SHOW
Displays information about the VAX or the console.

Format

SHOW

(option)

Description
The SHOW command requires one of the options listed below.
described as separate commands.

Command Options
ACCUMULATOR
CPU
DEFAULTS
LOGFILE
POWER
REVISION
STATUS
TIME

5-1 14

Console Commands

They are

SHOW ACCUMULATOR
Displays the contents of the probe accumulator.

Format

SHOW ACCUMULATOR

Description
After the PROBE command, the accumulator contains digits in the longword according to the mask provided in the PROBE command. If the
PROBE command has not yet been executed, the SHOW ACCUMULATOR
command gives the following response:
% X00000000

>>>SH

>>>SHOW

ACCUMULATOR

Console Commands

5-115

SHOW CPU
Displays operational information about the CPU(s).

Format

SHOW CPU

Description
SHOW
e

CPU displays the following information:

CPU INDICATOR (LEFT/RIGHT) (VAX 8800)
The CPU to which single-CPU commands apply is marked by a
carat (* ) on the left margin of the screen. The CPU with the carat

is always selected.

If SET CPU

BOTH

is in effect (VAX 8800),

the primary CPU has the carat, and both CPUs are selected. The
selected CPU is affected by those commands that affect all selected
CPUs. If a CPU is not selected, nothing is displayed.

STATE
RUNNING, HALTED, POWER OFF, UNAVAILABLE

UMATCH
The status of the UMATCH can be SYNC (a result of SET SYNC),
SOMM (a result of SET SOMM), or TOMM (SET TOMM). The

Micromatch address is also shown.

5-116

FLAGS/STATUS (VAX 8800)
For a VAX 8800, FLAGS/STATUS tells which CPU is available and
selected, the current primary, the next primary, and the secondary.
(If the secondary is disabled, SECONDARY_DISABLED appears.)
The display also shows the settings of the software-implemented
keyswitches (AUTO_POWERON, AUTO_RESTART, and AUTO_
BOOT).

Console Commands

SHOW CPU

>>> SH

VAX 8800 example shows both CPUs halted, both CPUs selected
and available. Right CPU is primary; a sync pulse occurs when
upc=%X316F.

Left CPU is secondary.

RESTART and BOOT disabled.
>>> SH

AUTO

POWER

is enabled,

STATE
UMATCH
FLAGS/STATUS -- 11-JAN-86 14:10:59
HALTED
SYNC %X0000 AVAILABLE
Automatic Poweron:ENABLED;
Restart:DISABLED;
Boot: DISABLED

VAX 8700/8550/8500 example shows AUTO POWER
RESTART and BOOT disabled.

ON enabled,

Console Commands

5-117

SHOW DEFAULT
Displays the defaults established by the SET DEFAULT
RELOCATION

EXAMINE

Format

commands.

or DEPOSIT

and SET

Otherwise, the defaults result from the last

command.

SHOW DEFAULT

Description
The SHOW DEFAULT command displays the following information:
The address (in hexadecimal) used to calculate the next EXAMINE or
DEPOSIT address.
The default EXAMINE/DEPOSIT address space.
The default size of EXAMINEs or DEPOSITs to physical or virtual
memory.
The relocation automatically applied to physical and virtual addresses
(in hexadecimal).
The radix in which input is interpreted. The radix can be overridden
with a radix prefix.
The state of the VERIFY flag.
Defaults are specified by the SET DEFAULT, SET RELOCATION,
EXAMINE, and DEPOSIT commands. Default settings are retained across
power failures and restarts of the console software.

5-118

Console Commands

SHOW DEFAULT

>>>SH

EXAMINE/DEPOSIT%ZXOOOOOOOE
DEFAULT RADIX
=
VERIFY FLAG
=

/GPR /LONGWORD
Hexadecimal
ON

RELOCATION=%X00000000

VAX 8800 machine response shows current defaults for EXAMINE and
DEPOSIT. Relocation default is established by the SET RELOCATION
command. The Verify Flag is set by the SET VERIFY command.

Console Commands

5-119

SHOW LOGFILE
Displays a log file containing console output.

Format

SHOW LOGFILE

Description
Console output is saved in a journal, or log file. On the VAX 8800, a
separate log file exists for each CPU.
Console mode input and output and OPAO: output from the VAX are
saved in the log file. In program mode, input on the console and output
from the VAX are not logged if the console ID is set to OPA4 or OPAS.
The SHOW LOGFILE command displays the log file. After the log file
appears, subcommands scroll it up or down on the screen.
Subcommands
After displaying the log file, use the following function keys to scroll
through it:

Key

Function

Scrolls up one line.

(I ]

Scrolls down

Prev Screen

(Also [ESC{5.]) Scrolls up 23 lines.

Next Screen

(Also [ESC[5.] ) Scrolls down

Scrolls 23 lines in direction of last command.

CTRL/W

Repaints current display.

Use CTRL/C

one line.
23 lines.

to exit the log file and return to console mode.

SHOW LOGFILE and its subcommands are not logged in the log file.

5-120

Console Commands

SHOW LOGFILE
Restrictions
SHOW LOGFILE searches for a line feed <LF> _ to delimit records. If
you scroll to an area that that has no line feeds, several seconds may
elapse until the next <LF> is found. Two examples are MONITOR
PROCESSES/TOPCPU and SHOW CLUSTER/CONTINUOUS. If the log
file wraps around into the output of one of those commands, SHOW LOG
may take a few moments to respond. Also, in such cases, the screen may
produce unexpected results.

22> SH

2. >>>SHO LOG
3,

>>> SHOW

LOGFILE

Console Commands

5-121

SHOW POWER
Displays the current state of the sensors that the Environmental
Monitoring Module can read.

Format

SHOW POWER

Description
Temperatures are shown in degrees Celsius, voltages in volts. You can
change the voltage displayed, using the SET MARGINS command.

Examples
1 .

>>>SH

POWER SYSTEM STATUS: 8-JAN-86 16:02:19
D
E
MODULE:
B
C
-1.99
-5.19
VOLTS:
5.0 2
5.02
ok

5.0 2
ok
non

D21

D31

D4i

nom

MARGIN:

RANGE:

ok
nom

nom

THERM:
TEMP:
ZONE:

T1
22.9 9
nom

T2
26 .99
nom

T3
26.32
nom

T4
23 .99
nom

MODULE:
STATUS:

B
ok

C
ok

D
ok

E
ok

F
ok

H
ok

J
ok

L
ok

LAC
ok

KEY
ok

SIGNAL:
VALUE:

PERR

PENA
hi

DCLO

ACLO

AFF2

CBF
lo

BBF
hi

AFF1i

55D
lo

ASD
lo

L+
11.81
ok

5.08
ok
nom

DME
hi

L-12.02
ok

PSW
lo

VAX 8800 machine response. VAX 8700, 8550 and 8500 machine
response is similar, except the C and E modules are omitted.
2

5-122

>>>SHOW

Console Commands

POWER

SHOW REVISION
Displays revisions of VAX modules.

Format

SHOW REVISION

(option)

Description
The SHOW REVISION command displays current or historical revision
data in a hierarchical fashion. Each system component has a revision
level. Low-level revisions are combined to form a revision level for a
group. Group-level revisions form a kernel (top-level) revision.
Revisions are used to insure that hardware, software, and their combinations are valid.

Default
If no option is specified, the default is SHOW REVISION SENSED ALL.

Command Options
HISTORY
[ALL, CONSOLE,

CPU, KERNEL, MCL, MICROCODE,

NBI]

SHOW REVISION HISTORY displays the contents of the revision history
file REVHIST.DAT. The revision history file defines top revisions and
compatibility between revisions and top revisions. The display shows the
revision range of subordinate components that make up a top revision.
The revision of the history file is displayed as File rev n.
The display is segmented into sections that describe the range of top revisions for each top revision group. The top revision groups are CONSOLE,
CPU, KERNEL, MCL, MICROCODE, and NBI. Under each segment, the
values of the top revisions for a given group are displayed across the
page and labeled Rev n, where n is the value of the top revision. Under
‘Console Commands

5-123

SHOW REVISION
each top revision, a column of subordinate components is listed, with the
minimum and maximum required component revision for that top revision
(labeled min and max). The top revision sections also comprise the following options of the SHOW REVISION HISTORY command. If none of
these options are used, the default is SHOW REVISION HISTORY ALL.
e

ALL-displays the revision history for hardware and software compo-

nents.

CONSOLE-displays console revision information.

e
e

CPU(S)-displays revision information about the CPU(s).
KERNEL -displays the revision history of top-level revisions for components, including the CPU, console, Memory Controller (MCL),
microcode, and NBI.

e
e

MCL-~-displays revision information about the Memory Controller.
MICROCODE-displays revision history about the microcode.

NBI-displays revision history about the NBI.

SENSED
[ALL, CONSOLE, CPU, KERNEL, MCL, MICROCODE,

NBI]

SHOW REVISION SENSED displays the revisions of modules sensed
with the SENSE command, the kernel software components, and the top
revisions that have been calculated by the VERIFY REVISION command.
SHOW REVISION SENSED does not actually cause the revisions to be
read or calculated. The command accepts qualifiers that limit the display
to a specified revision group.
Items in the Component column identify the component or top revision.
A top revision is calculated by the console from the revisions of one or
more individual components. Indentation of a component name indicates
that it is subordinate to a top revision. Top revisions are calculated when
the VERIFY REVISION command is executed.
For the VAX 8800, the value of top revisions and components are displayed under the columns labeled Left CPU, Right CPU, and Common.
(The VAX

8700, 8550, and 8500 columns are labeled CPU and Common.)

Some components, such as CPU logic modules, are unique to a CPU.
Since these components and top revisions might have components with
different revisions in each CPU, the components are displayed under
the Left CPU or Right CPU columns. Components that are not unique
to either CPU, such as console software, are displayed in the Common
column.

5-124

Console Commands

SHOW REVISION
A revision for an individual component is displayed as a number or a
letter. If a component is “unavailable”, that component has not yet been
sensed.
Top revisions are expressed as a number, flagged as unavailable, or undefined <n> . When a number is displayed, the top revision has been
calculated through the associated VERIFY REVISION command. The
information is stored in the revision history file. The flag “unavailable”
indicates that the VERIFY REVISION command has not yet been successfully executed to determine a top revision. The flag “undefined <n> ”
indicates that the revisions of the subordinate components do not match
any top revision described in the revision history file. The <n> is
the closest top revision in the revision history file, based on the sensed
revisions of the subordinate components.
The Comments column displays information about the component revision
status. “Not calculated” or “Calculated” refers to whether the VERIFY
REVISION has been successfully executed to determine a top revision.
“CPUs mismatched” on a VAX 8800 is a warning that differences occur in
top revisions of the CPUs, which violates a VMS compatibility rule. “Not
sensed” indicates the revision is unavailable, because the SENSE command
for that component was not executed or failed to read the component’s
revision.
SHOW
ALL.
e
e
e

REVISION SENSED has the options listed below.

The default is

ALL - displays sensed revisions for all components.
KERNEL - displays the revisions of all top-level components groups
sensed with the SENSE command. These component groups include
console, CPU, MCL, microcode, and NBI.
CONSOLE - displays revisions of the console sensed with the SENSE
command and/or calculated by the VERIFY REVISION command.

CPU(S) - displays revisions of CPU(s) sensed with the SENSE command.

MCL - displays revisions of the memory controller sensed by the
SENSE command and/or calculated by the VERIFY REVISION command.
MICROCODE - displays revisions of the microcode that were remem-

e
e

bered when the microcode files were loaded.

NBI - displays revisions of the NBI sensed by the SENSE command
and/or calculated by the VERIFY REVISION command.

Console Commands

5-125

SHOW REVISION

The following examples for the 8800, 8700, and 8550 are shown with
sample machine responses. Machine response for the 8500 is the same,
except the DEC component is F1015 instead of F1007.
>>>SHOW

REVISION

ALL

Component

REVISION HISTORY <file rev
KERNEL Top Revisions
Rev 10
Rev 11
Rev 12

Component
erect nrc rccn--

CPU Top Revisions
Rev 7
Rev 8
Rev 9
|min,max|min,max|min,max
ed
PA
S ©
PP
GUO

YP Pd
TP
PO
PrP
OW

ed
PA
PS PS
PrP
PrP

GUO

OWr
re PO
& P

Pp PS

GOP
PP PA
S P

Backplane

(CLK)

CPU

(SLC1)
(SHR)

F1010

F1003
F1002

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

(WCS)
(SEQ)
(DEC)
(CCS)
(ADP)
(SLCO)

PrP

F1009
F1008
F1007
F1006
F1005
F1004

|min,max|min,max|min,max
| 008 ,008 | 008 , 008/009
, 009
| 006 , 007 | 006 , 007 | 008 , 008
[003 , 003/003 ,003|004 ,004
| 006 , 006 | 007 , 007 | 007 ,007
[006,006|007 ,007|007 ,007

PrP

wana ncn nn nnnCPU Top Rev
MCL Top Rev
NBI Top Rev
Console Top
Microcode Top

Component
eececcen----MCL hardware

MCL Top Revisions
Rev 7
Rev 8
|min,max|min,max
|F,HI
J, J

Component
woccrcecon--NBIAO
NBIAO-NBIBO

NBI Top Revisions
Rev 2
Rev 3_
Rev 4
|min,max|min,max|min,max
1B,BIA,BIC,OD
|
»CIlA,CIA,C

NBIA1
NBIA1-NBIBO

1B,Bi/A,BIC,OD
lc, ClaA,CIlA,C

NBIAO-NBIB1
NBIA1-NBIB1

5-126

HISTORY

Console Commands

,cla,cla,c

,cia,cla,c

SHOW REVISION

Component
Console

prog

RTI

driver

EMM

firmware

P/OS

software

Component
WCS
SDF
IBD
CCS

microcode
microcode
microcode
microcode

CONSOLE

Top

Revisions

Rev

|min,max|min,max|min,max
1036 ,036 [003 ,003|001
,001

|004 ,004|004 ,004|005 ,005
|002 ,002|002 ,002|002 ,002
|067 ,067 |068 , 068 | 068 , 068
MICROCODE

Top

Rev

Revisions
6

Rev

|min,max|min,max|min,max
1199, 199| 216, 216/220,
220
1186, 186/186, 186/186,186
|142,142|216,
216| 216, 216

|010,0101010,010|010,010

VAX 8800 sample machine response. VAX 8700/8550/8500 machine
response contains one CPU column and omits the NBIAO information.
SENSED

Component

SENSED
Left

KERNEL Top
CPU Top Rev

closest

REVISIONS

Pe et
SS oP

(WCS)

F1007

(DEC)

F1008

(SEQ)

F1006 (CCS)
F1005 (ADP)
F1004 (SLCO)
F1003 (SLC1)
F1002 (SHRJ
F1010 (CLK)
CPU Backplane
MCL

Top

MCL

hardware

Rev

NBI Top Rev
NBIAO
NBIAO-NBIBO
NBIAO-NBIB1
NBIA1
NBIA1-NBIBO
NBIA1-NBIB1i
Console Top

REVISIONS
cpu
Common

Right

cpu

Comments

unavailable
to

closest

Not calculated
CPUS revs match

no ee

F1009

ALL

72>? SHOW

X
D
unavailable
unavailable
unavailable
unavailable
unavailable
unavailable
unavailable
unavailable
unavailable
unavailable

Not

calculated

Not
Not
Not
Not
Not
Not
Not
Not
Not

sensed
calculated
sensed
sensed
sensed
sensed
sensed
sensed
calculated

Console Commands

5-127

SHOW REVISION
Console

driver

EMM

firmware

P/OS

software

Microcode Top
WCS microcode
SDF
IBD

001
004
002
067

prog

RTI

microcode
microcode

CCS microcode
UWCS ucode

unavailable
227
186
216
010
unavailable

Not

sensed

VAX 8800 sample machine response. VAX 8700/8550/8500 response
is similar, except there is just one CPU column, and omitting the
NBIAO information.

5-128

Console Commands

SHOW STATUS
Displays information about the console state.

Format

SHOW STATUS

Description
SHOW STATUS displays some of the same information about the CPU(s)
as SHOW CPU. In addition, the following information is displayed:
The state of the power system (ON, OFF, STANDBY).
The state of the battery backup (MISSING/PRESENT, ENABLED
/DISABLED).
The state of the CPU clock (ON, OFF) and the clock period. The clock
period is not usually an integral number of nanoseconds.
The state of the remote port, which has the following possibilites:
Remote Console: Enabled /Disabled
Remote User: Enabled /Disabled
Remote Monitoring: Enabled/Disabled
Remote Modem: Enabled /Disabled
Remote Carrier: Present/Absent
The state of the printer, as specified with ENABLE
PRINTER. Valid states are:

and DISABLE

Enabled on-line
Enabled off-line
Disabled on-line
Disabled off-line

The printer does not print, even if it is enabled, if it has transmitted
XOFF. (If that happens, the Ready light on the printer should go off).
Program Mode settings: this shows the IDs specified with the SET
TERMINAL command for the local and remote ports.

Console Commands

5-129

SHOW STATUS

>>>SH

CPU
STATE
UMATCH
FLAGS/STATUS -- 8-JAN-86 16:01:39
>LEFT
HALTED
SYNC %X316F AVAILABLE SELECTED(DUAL) PRIMARY NEXT_PRIMARY
RIGHT HALTED
SYNC %X0000 AVAILABLE SELECTED(DUAL) SECONDARY
Automatic Poweron:ENABLED; Restart:DISABLED; Boot: DISABLED
Power:0N.
BBU:DISABLED,MISSING.
Clock:0N; CLOCK PERIOD = 4D44.94 ns
Printer ENABLED, ONLINE.
Remote carrier: ABSENT.
Remote user:DISABLED; console:DISABLED; modem:DISABLED; monitoring: DISABLED
Program Mode settings:
LOCAL=O0PAO
REMOTE=OPA5

VAX 8800 machine response shows status of VAX CPUs; also shows
console as disabled as well as status of printer, remote carrier, remote
user, modem, remote monitoring.
>>>SH

STATE
UMATCH
FLAGS/STATUS -- 8-JAN-86 16:01:39
HALTED
SYNC %X0000 AVAILABLE
Power:O0N.
Clock:0N; CLOCK PERIOD = %D44.94 ns
Printer ENABLED, ONLINE.
Remote carrier: ABSENT.
Remote user:DISABLED; console:DISABLED; modem:DISABLED;

monitoring: DISABLED

VAX 8700/8550/8500 machine response shows status of VAX CPU;
also shows console as disabled as well as status of printer, remote
carrier, remote user, modem, remote monitoring.

5-130

Console Commands

SHOW TIME
Displays the current Console Operating System (P/OS) date and time.

Format

SHOW TIME

1, >>>SHT
10-DEC-1985 15:39:16
9.

>>>SHOW TIME
10-DEC-1985 15:39:16

Console Commands

5-131

START
Starts execution of either macrocode

Format

START
Command

or microcode.

address
Qualifiers

/CONTROLSTORE

or /WCS

Defaults
None

Description
START applies to selected and available CPU(s).
If the /CONTROLSTORE or /WCS qualifier is not entered, START
executes macrocode. If the /CONTROLSTORE or /WCS qualifier is
provided, START begins execution of microcode.

Restriction
The clocks must be stopped prior to issuing this command.
SHOW STATUS and/or SET CLOCK commands.)

(See the

Command Parameter
address

Specifies the address at which execution begins. The address is expressed
as a numeric literal, the special address symbol @, or the symbolic name
CSM_INIT (see Appendix B). When the address is specified as a numeric
literal, the macro-PC is set to the specified address, and a CONTINUE
command is automatically executed.
When the @ symbol is used as the starting address, the data pointed to by
the last EXAMINE or DEPOSIT command is taken as the address.
If no address is specified, a CONTINUE

execution begins at the current macro-PC.
5-132

Console Commands

command

is executed, and

START
Command Qualifiers
/CONTROLSTORE or /WCS

Execution begins at the Writable Control Store (WCS). The micro-PC is

loaded into the micro-PC register, and microcode execution is initiated
by starting the clock. The starting address CSM_INIT is used with the
/CONTROLSTORE or /WCS qualifiers. Starting the microcode at this
address initializes the micromachine to a known state.

>>>S

1600

Starts execution at address

1000.

>>>SET CLOCK OFF
>>>S/C

CSM-INIT

Turns off the CPU
address.
4.

1600.

>>>START 1000

clock and starts execution at the CSM_INIT

>>> EX SP
>>> START

Console Commands

5-133

TEST
Initiates the microdiagnostic test sequence and changes the mode to
Micromonitor.

Format

TEST
Command

Qualifiers

/COMMANDS

Defaults

None

Description
The TEST command (issued without the qualifier) causes a series of
diagnostic tests to proceed automatically under the control of the
Micromonitor. The Micromonitor commands are described in Chapter
6. Diagnostics are included if you have a DIGITAL Field Service contract
or a Diagnostic License. If diagnostics are not available, an error message
appears.
Micromonitor commands ignore the “selected” and “available” attributes
and apply to the CPU(s).
The Micromonitor command EXIT returns control to the console prompt
level > > >.

Command Qualifiers
/COMMANDS
Starts the Micromonitor, which displays the MIC>
a Micromonitor command (see Chapter 6).

5-134

Console Commands

prompt and waits for

TEST

>>> T/C
MIC>

>>> TEST /COMMANDS
MIC> DIAGNOSE
MIC> EXIT

Console Commands

5-135

UNJAM
Produces a stable state on the Nautilus Memory Interconnect (NMI).

Format

UNJAM

Description
UNJAM clears all NMI sequences without affecting the NMI error conditions.
CAUTION
The UNJAM

command

Restriction
The clocks must be running.

5-136

>>>U

>>>UNJAM

Console Commands

can cause data in transit to be lost.

VERIFY
Tests communications with the EMM,

communication

positioning of modules, and revision levels.

Format

VERIFY

over the RTI,

(option)

Description
The VERIFY command requires one of the options listed in the following
VERIFY commands.

Command Options
EMM
MODULE PLACEMENT
REVISION
RTI

Console Commands

5-137

VERIFY EMM
Executes EMM
revision level.

Format

loopback and confidence tests and obtains the EMM

VERIFY EMM

Description
VERIFY EMM is the only way to mark the Environmental Monitoring
Module as available. The EMM can be marked unavailable from a communication failure. If the EMM is not available, the power-up sequence
fails. After power-up completes successfully, an EMM failure inhibits
console interaction with the EMM.

5-138

Por Vy E

7??? VERIFY

Console Commands

EMM

VERIFY MODULE PLACEMENT
Verifies that each CPU module is in the correct slot and marks the CPU(s)
available.

Format

VERIFY MODULE PLACEMENT

Description
VERIFY MODULE PLACEMENT marks a CPU as available. (Several
other console commands that detect hardware errors can mark a CPU
as unavailable.) On the VAX 8800, both CPUs are checked. Each CPU
module is verified as being in the correct slot. Note that the CPU-available
states are preserved across console-only power failures.
Execute this command prior to the SENSE REVISION CPU command.

Restriction
The CPU clocks must be stopped.
CLOCK

commands.)

2>>V

>>> VERIFY

MODULE

(See the SHOW STATUS and/or SET

PLACEMENT

Console Commands

5-139

VERIFY REVISION
Determines the revision group’s top revision and checks the compatibility
of components in the group.

Format

VERIFY REVISION

(option)

Description
The revision-control commands automate some revision management
tasks, prevent problem propagation, and provide remote access to revision
data. VERIFY REVISION checks for compatibility, determines top revision
levels, reports incompatibilities, and reports possible corrections. Execute
the SENSE REVISION command before executing a VERIFY REVISION
command. Microcode is implicitly sensed during load procedures.
VERIFY REVISION requires one of the options listed below.

Command Options
CONSOLE
Determines the top revision of the console and displays incompatibilities
among the console program, RTI driver, P/OS,

well as necessary corrections.

CPU
Determines the top revision level of the CPU(s).

and EMM

firmware, as

Any incompatibilities

among the CPU backplane, the CPU modules, and the clock module, as

well as any necessary corrections, are displayed.
available and selected CPU(s).

This option applies to

KERNEL
Determines the kernel revision level of the machine (top revision level)
by checking the compatibility of CPU, MCL, NBI, CONSOLE, and
MICROCODE top revisions. Use this command after the other VERIFY
commands.

5-140

Console Commands

VERIFY REVISION
MCL
Determines the top revision level of the memory controller.
MICROCODE
Determines the top revision level of the microcode.
among the WCS,

SDF, IBDECODER,

necessary corrections, are displayed.

and CCS

Incompatibilities

microcode, as well as

NBI
Determines the top revision of the NBIA and NBIB modules.
and necessary corrections are displayed.

>>>V

Incompatibilite

Determines the top revision level of the CPU(s), displaying incompatibilities.
9. >>> VERIFY REVISION CPU
See Example 1.
3,

>>>V

R MI

Determines the top revision level of the microcode, displaying any
incompatibilities.
4.

>>>V R CO

Determines the top revision level of the console, displaying any
incompatibilities.

Console Commands

5-141

VERIFY RTI
Executes Real Time Interface module loopback tests.

Format

5-142

VERIFY RTI

2>>VR

>>> VERIFY

Console Commands

RTI

WAIT
Causes the console to wait for selected and available CPU(s) to halt. Used
in command procedures after the HALT command.

Format

WAIT

>>>W

>>>WAIT

Console Commands

5-143

Chapter

Micromonitor Commands
This chapter describes the Micromonitor commands that are available in
Micromonitor mode for the VAX 8800, 8700, 8550, and 8500 diagnostics
program. Commands are issued in Micromonitor mode, which you enter
by using the TEST/COMMANDS command. The user prompt is:
MIC>
The Micromonitor commands are valid if you have a DIGITAL Field
Service contract or a DIGITAL VAX Diagnostic License for one of the
models. (See the Diagnostic User’s Guide for more information.) If the
Micromonitor commands are not valid, they produce error messages.
The microdiagnostics test the following components:
e
e

CPU(s)
CPU clock/console interface

e
e
e

Nautilus Memory Interconnect (NMI)
Memory
Nautilus Backplane Interconnect (NBI)

Power-up microdiagnostics are included in the SYSINIT.COM file.

Micromonitor Commands

6-1

CLEAR FLAGS
Clears flags that have been set with the SET FLAGS command (see SET
FLAGS).

Format

CLEAR FLAGS = [flag[, flag,...]]

Description
The CLEAR FLAGS command has the options listed below. If no options
are used, all Micromonitor flags are cleared. If both QUICK_VERIFY and

EXHAUSTIVE

are entered, the default is QUICK_VERIFY.

Command Options
DEBUG_MESSAGES
Clears the flag that prints debug messages embedded in a microdiagnostic.
EXHAUSTIVE
Clears the flag that runs all tests.
HALT
Clears the flag that causes the Micromonitor to halt and issue a prompt
when an error occurs during the execution of diagnostics. The operator
can then issue Micromonitor commands.

(Default = set.)

QUICK_VERIFY
Clears the flag that causes short, fast tests to run.
TRACE
CLEAR FLAGS TRACE has two options: SECTIONS and TESTS. CLEAR
FLAGS TRACE SECTIONS clears the flag that causes the section name
and revision level to be displayed as each new microdiagnostic section is
executed. CLEAR FLAGS TRACE TEST clears the flag that causes the test
name and a short description of each test to be displayed as each new test
is being executed. If neither option is provided, both flags are cleared.

6-2

Micromonitor Commands

CLEAR FLAGS
WCS_STEP
Clears the flag that enables you to use the MICROSTEP command to step
through the WCS microdiagnostic.

1, MIC> CL FLAGS TR S
Clears the section/revision level flag.
2. MIC> CLEAR FLAGS TRACE TEST
Clears the test name flag.
3. MIC> CL F H
Clears the halt flag.
4. MIC> CLEAR FLAGS EXHAUSTIVE
Clears all test flags.

Micromonitor Commands

6-3

CONTINUE
Continues the execution of a microdiagnostic that failed or was halted by

or an error.

Format

CONTINUE

1. MIc> c
9.

6-4

MIC> CONTINUE

Micromonitor Commands

DIAGNOSE
Executes specified diagnostics.

Format

DIAGNOSE
Command Qualifiers
/CONTINUE
/PASS:count
/SECTION:section1[:section2]
/TEST:test1[:test2]

Defaults
None

Description
The standard set of microdiagnostics can be run by executing the
DIAGNOSE command with no qualifiers. Specific tests can be selected,
using the SECTION and TEST qualifiers.
An error results unless you have the DIGITAL Field Service contract or an
appropriate Diagnostic License.
Reboot the system after the DIAGNOSE command executes.

Command Qualifiers
/CONTINUE
The qualifiers can be used together as follows:
e

/C/S:section
This combination starts at test 1 of the specifed section and executes
all tests in the section, as well as the remaining sections.

/C/S:section/T:test
These qualifiers direct the Micromonitor to start at the specified test
in the specified section and to execute the remaining tests in that
section, as well as all tests in the remaining sections.

Micromonitor Commands

6-5

DIAGNOSE
e

/C/T:test
This combination starts at the specified test in the current section
and executes the remaining test in that section. The /CONTINUE
and /PASS qualifiers are mutually exclusive.

/PASS: count
Executes the microdiagnostics a specified number of times. A pass count
of zero causes infinite passes. The maximum value that can be specified is
32767.

/SECTION:section1 :[section2:]
Causes execution of all tests in the first section and in all subsequent
sections until the second section specified is reached. If only one section
name is specified, tests in that section are executed. Valid section names
are EZKPA and EZKPB. (These are the power-up tests and are included
with all systems.)
A section is a collection of microdiagnostic tests.

/TEST:test1 :[test2]

Executes microdiagnostics, starting with the first test specified and
continuing to the second test specified (test1 and test2 are numeric literals).
If only one test number is specified, only that test is executed. If the test
number is not in the section, an error results.

To test a series of tests sequentially, specify the first test number, followed
by the number of the last test to be executed.

MiIc>

MIC>

DIAGNOSE/S:EZKPA

Executes all tests in the section EZKPA.

6-6

Micromonitor Commands

DIAGNOSE
_

MIC>

DI/T:1:5

Executes
_

MIC>

tests 1-5 in the current section.

DIAGNOSE/P:2/S:EZKPA/T:2

Executes

test 2 in section EZKPA

twice.

Micromonitor Commands

6-7

EXIT
Returns the console program from the Micromonitor to the Console
Command Language.

Format

EXIT

1, MIC> EXI
9. MIC> EXIT

6-8

Micromonitor Commands

LOOP
When an error occurs, the Micromonitor loops on the error.

Format

LOOP

Restrictions
LOOP is only valid immediately after an error has occurred. Otherwise,
an error message is returned by the Micromonitor, and no action is taken.

1, MIC> Loop

Micromonitor Commands

6-9

SELECT
Specifies which memory arrays to test in the memory diagnostics.

Format

SELECT

ARRAY=(array/,array,...] | ALL | NONE)

Description
The SELECT command requires one of options listed below.

Command Options
ARRAY=(array [,array ,...])

Selects the specified memory arrays for testing in the memory diagnostics.

Array=ALL

Selects all memory arrays (0-7 for the VAX 8800, 0-4 for the VAX 8700
/8550/8500).

Array=NONE
Selects no memory arrays. Tests only the memory controller.

MIC>

SEL

ARRAY=ALL

Selects all memory arrays for testing.
9. MIC> SEL A = 5,2
Selects memory array 5.2 for testing.
3. MIC> SEL ARRAY = NONE
Tests controller but not memory arrays.

6-10

Micromonitor Commands

SET FLAGS
Sets Micromonitor flags used to control execution of microdiagnostics.

Format

SET FLAGS

[DEFAULT | flag[,flag,...]]

Description
The SET FLAGS command has the options described below.
is specified, SET FLAGS DEFAULT is used.

If no option

Command Options
DEBUG_MESSAGES
Prints debug messages that are embedded in a microdiagnostic, for instance, turning on clocks, turning on stalls, and locating RAMs.
DEFAULT
Sets the defaults for the SET FLAG options as follows:
DEBUG_-MESSAGES

Disabled

EXHAUSTIVE

Disabled

HALT

Enabled

QUICK_VERIFY

Disabled

SBE_THRESHOLD

512

TRACE SECTIONS

Enabled

TRACE TESTS

Enabled

WCS_STEP

Disabled

EXHAUSTIVE
Sets the flag to run all diagnostic tests.

Micromonitor Commands

6-11

SET FLAGS
HALT
Causes the Micromonitor to halt and issue a prompt when an error
occurs during the execution of diagnostics. The operator can then issue
Micromonitor commands. (Default = set.)
QUICK_VERIFY
Executes a set of short, fast tests.

SBE_THRESHOLD-maximum tolerance

Parameter is used by memory diagnostics. SET FLAGS SBE_
THRESHOLD specifies the maximum number of single bit memory errors “tolerated” before an error is reported. (Default=1.) To clear this flag,
set SBE_THRESHOLD to 0. The maximum value is 32767.
TRACE [SECTION, TEST]
SET FLAGS TRACE SECTION displays the section name and revision
level as each new microdiagnostic section is executed. SET FLAGS TRACE
TEST displays the name and a short description of each test. If neither
SECTION nor TEST is specified with the TRACE option, the default is
both.
WCS_STEP
Allows you to use the MICROSTEP command to step through the WCS
microdiagnostic.

1. MIC> SEF TS
Enables TRACE SECTION flag.

9. MIC> SET FLAGS TRACE TEST

Displays the name and provides short description of each test.
3. MIC> SE F H
Enables the HALT flag.
4. MIC> SET FLAGS EXHAUSTIVE

5. MIC> SE F S=2
Sets the maximum number of tolerable single-bit errors to 2.

6-12

Micromonitor Commands

SHOW MICMON
Shows the state of all Micromonitor flags.

Format

SHOW MICMON

Description
Besides showing the state of Micromonitor flags, SHOW MICMON shows
how RAMs are loaded for diagnostics. It also shows the currently loaded
section and its revision. If no section is loaded, the command reports
“None”. See the Diagnostics User’s Guide for more information.

Examples
1,

MIC>

SH M

Micromonitor Section:
Micromonitor flags set:
Memory arrays selected:
Memory SBE threshold:
Rams loaded in LEFT CPU:
Rams loaded in Right CPU:

NONE.
Trace Section, Trace
0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7
4D512
None.
None.

Test,

Halt

VAX 8800 machine response shows state of flags, arrays selected, and
RAMs loaded in both CPUs.

Micromonitor Commands

6-13

SHOW MICMON
2.

MIC>

SHOW

MICMON

Micromonitor Section:
Micromonitor flags set:
Memory arrays selected:

NONE.
Trace Section,
0,1,2,3,4

Rams

None.

Memory

SBE threshold:

loaded

CPU:

Trace

Test,

Halt

%4D512

VAX 8700/8550/8500 machine response shows state of flags, arrays
selected, and RAMs loaded in the CPU.

6-14

Micromonitor Commands

VERIFY MODULE
Runs all pertinent diagnostics for the specified module.

Format

VERIFY MODULE

module-name or (option)

Description
The VERIFY MODULE command is implemented as a command procedure. See the Diagnostic User’s Guide for more information.

Restrictions
VERIFY MODULE

must be the last command in the file.

Command Options
' module-name

VERIFY MODULE can be used to test the following CPU modules: ADP,
CCS, CLK, DEC, EMM, MAR, MCL, RTI, SEQ, SHR, SLCO, SLC1, and
WCS.

1, MIC> Vv M DEC
9.

Tests DEC

module.

MIC>

MODULE

VERIFY

CCS

Tests CCS module.

Micromonitor Commands

6-15

Appendix

Console Command Syntax
This appendix displays the syntax of each console command, including all parameters,
qualifiers, and options. The commands are listed alphabetically and use the conventions
described in the Preface.
@file-name
BOOT [device-name]
[/R5:data]
CLEAR
ACCUMULATOR
RESTART_FLAGS
SCREEN
SOMM
TOMM
CONTINUE
DEPOSIT address-identifier deposit-data
[address-space-qualifier]
[size-qualifier]
[/NEXT=value]

Console Command Syntax

A-1

address-space-qualifiers

size-qualifiers

address-identifier

/CACHE

/BYTE

GPR mnemonic

/CONTROLSTORE

/LONGWORD

/GPR

/QUADWORD

IPR mnemonic

/IPR

/WORD

numeric literal

/PHYSICAL

PSL

/SDF

UPC

/TB

/ TEMP

/ VIRTUAL

/WCS

@
*

DISABLE
AUTO

BOOT

AUTO POWERON
- AUTO RESTART
LOCAL CONSOLE
PRINTER
REMOTE CONSOLE
REMOTE MODEM
REMOTE MONITORING
REMOTE USER
SECONDARY (VAX 8800)
ENABLE
AUTO BOOT
AUTO POWERON
AUTO RESTART
LOCAL CONSOLE
PRINTER
REMOTE CONSOLE
REMOTE MODEM
REMOTE MONITORING
REMOTE USER

A-2

Console Command Syntax

SECONDARY
EXAMINE

address-identifier

/{NEXT]
[address-space-qualifier]
[size-qualifier]
address-spacequalifiers

size-qualifiers

address-identifier

/GPR

/BYTE

GPR mnemonic

/TPR

/LONGWORD

IPR mnemonic

/PHYSICAL

/QUADWORD

numeric literal

/SDF

/WORD

PSL

/TEMP

UPC

/VIRTUAL

@
EXIT
FIND
/MEMORY
/RPB
HALT

HELP [help-topic]

IF [NOT] state-bit-name THEN console-command

INITIALIZE
/CREATE_CONFIGURATION_FILE

/MEMORY

Console Command Syntax

A-3

LINK

LOAD (file-name or /DATA=numeric-literal)
/CACHECONTROL
/CONTROLSTORE or /WCS
/IBDECODER
/MAINMEMORY
/SDE
/START=numeric-address
/UWCS
MICROSTEP

[step-count]

NEXT [next-count]
PERFORM
POWER
OFF
ON
STANDBY
PROBE [VBUS] vbus-address accumulator-bit
REPEAT command

A-4

BOOT

MICROSTEP

CLEAR

PROBE

CONTINUE

SELECT

DEPOSIT

SENSE

DIAGNOSE

SET

EXAMINE

SHOW

FIND

START

TEST

INITIALIZE

UNJAM

LOAD

VERIFY

LOOP

WAIT

(Console Command Syntax

SENSE [REVISION]

CONSOLE
CPU(S)
MCL
NBI
SET
CLOCK

FAST
NORMAL
OFF
ON
SLOW
CPU (VAX 8800)
BOTH
CURRENT_PRIMARY
CURRENT_SECONDARY
LEFT
NEXT_PRIMARY
NEXT_SECONDARY
RIGHT
DEFAULT [address-space, size, radix]
EMM
MARGINS (option) [regulator-list]
HIGH
LOW
NORMAL
NEXT_PRIMARY (option)—-VAX 8800
LEFT
RIGHT
NOVERIFY
RELOCATION base-address
SOMM upc-address
SYNC upc-address

Console Command Syntax

A-5

TERMINAL (option)
PROGRAM
OPAO:
OPA4:
OPAS:

TOMM upc-address
VERIFY
SHOW

(option)

ACCUMULATOR
CPU
DEFAULTS
LOGFILE
MICMON
POWER
REVISION (option)
HISTORY
SENSED

ALL
CONSOLE
CPU(S)
KERNEL
MCL
MICROCODE
NBI
STATUS
TIME
START address
/CONTROLSTORE

|
or /WCS

TEST
/COMMANDS
UNJAM
VERIFY (option)
EMM
MODULE
A-6

Console Command Syntax

PLACEMENT

REVISION

RTI

CONSOLE
CPU
KERNEL
MCL
MICROCODE
NBI

WAIT

Console Command Syntax

A-7

MICROMONITOR

COMMANDS

CLEAR FLAGS [flag[,flag,...]] (default: clear all flags)
DEBUG_MESSAGES
EXHAUSTIVE
HALT
QUICK_VERIFY
TRACE

SECTIONS
TESTS
WCS_STEP ]
CONTINUE
DIAGNOSE
/CONTINUE
/PASS
/SECTION:section1[:section2]
/TESTI[:test2]

EXIT
LOOP
SELECT ( ARRAYS = (array(#)[,array(#),...] | ALL | NONE )
SET FLAGS [DEFAULT | flag|,[flag,...]]
DEBUG_MESSAGES
EXHAUSTIVE
HALT
QUICK_VERIFY
SBE_THRESHOLD=numeric-literal
TRACE

SECTIONS
TESTS
WCS_STEP
SHOW

MICMON

VERIFY MODULE

A-8

Console Command Syntax

module-name

Appendix

Numeric and Address Data
This appendix provides the numeric literals and symbolic addresses
referred to in Chapters 5 and 6. The state bit definitions and the Internal
Processor Registers descriptions are also listed.

6.1

Numeric Literals
A numeric literal can be specified in any base by using a radix specifier.
The default radix is set with the SET DEFAULT command and displayed
with the SHOW DEFAULTS command.

Table

B-—1:

Radix Specifiers

Radix
Specifiers

Definition

%O—

Numeric literal interpreted and verified as OCTAL.

%X—

Numeric literal interpreted and verified as HEXADECIMAL.

%D—

Numeric literal interpreted and verified as DECIMAL.

%B—

Numeric literal interpreted and verified as BINARY.

The maximum size of a numeric literal depends on its context. For
example, micro-PC addresses may not exceed 14 bits, physical and virtual
addresses may not exceed 32 bits, and the size of the EXAMINE or
DEPOSIT commands data may not exceed the size qualifier.

Numeric and Address Data

B-1

The default radix is initially hexadecimal.
the default radix.

B.2

Using a radix specifier changes

Symbolic Addresses
The console supports a set of symbolic addresses to facilitate use of
the EXAMINE and DEPOSIT commands. The symbolic addresses are
expressed as mnemonics, symbolic IPR names, and special addresses.
When symbolic IPR and GPR names are included in a command, the
command qualifiers /IPR and /GPR must be omitted. When a mnemonic
or symbolic address is specified, it is translated into a numeric address
value, an implicit size, and an implicit address space.
Table

B.2.1

B—2:

Mnemonic

Addresses

Mnemonic
Addresses

Definitions

PSL

Processor status longword

RO-R11

General registers

Argument pointer

Frame pointer

Stack pointer

Program counter

UPC

Micro-PC

Internal Processor Registers (IPRs)
The internal processor registers for the VAX 8800, 8700, 8550, and 8500
are listed below with brief descriptions. Numeric addresses are in hexadecimal.

B-2

Numeric and Address Data

Table

Internal

B-3:

Processor

Registers

Mnemonic

Numeric
Address

Description

ASTLVL

AST level register

CBER*

C-Box error register

COR

Cache on Register:

EBER*

E-Box error register

1=ON, 0=OFF

ESP

Executive stack pointer

IBER*

I-Box error register

ICCS

Interval clock control and status reg

ICR

Interval count register

INOP

When written to, posts interrupt to other CPU

IPL

Interrupt priority level register

ISP

Interrupt stack pointer

KSP

Kernel stack pointer

MAPEN

Memory mapping enable register

MCSTS

Machine check status

NICR

Next interval count register

NMIEAR

NMI error address register

NMIFSR

NMI fault/status register

NICTRL

NMI interrupt control

NMISILO

NMI silo data

POBR

PO base register

POLR

PO length register

P1IBR

P1 base register

P1LR

P1 length register

PCBB

Process control block base register

PME

Performance monitor enable register

REVR1

Revision control

REVR2

Revision control

SBR

System base register

Numeric and Address Data

B-3

Table

B-—3 (Cont.):

Internal Processor

Registers

Mnemonic

Numeric
Address

Description

SCBB

System control block base register

SID

System identification register

SIRR

Software interrupt request register

SISR

Software interrupt summary register

SLR

System length register

SSP

Supervisor stack pointer

TBCHK

Translation buffer check register

TBIA

Translation buffer invalidate all reg

TBIS

Translation buffer invalidate single reg

USP

User stack pointer

* May be accessed using the numeric literal only. Symbolic names are not
supported.

Table

B—4:

Special
Addresses

Special Addresses
Definitions

Increments the EXAMINE/DEPOSIT address.
enced address plus data length in bytes.)

(Last refer-

Decrements the EXAMINE/DEPOSIT
preceding last reference.)

(Location

* or.

Leaves the address unchanged.

Copies the previous EXAMINE/DEPOSIT
address or data argument.

CSM_INIT

Microcode address to initialize the micromachine to a known

address.

(Last address referenced.)
data into the

state.

How much the address increments or decrements depends on the size
qualifier.

B-4

Numeric and Address Data

B.3

Console State Bit Definitions

Table

B—5:

Console

State

Bit Definitions

Mnemonic

Meaning

Modified by

AUTO_BOOT

Reboot following power
failure and error halt if

ENABLE / DISABLE
AUTO_BOOT

AUTO_POWERON

Turn on VAX following
power failure

ENABLE / DISABLE
AUTO_POWERON

AUTO_RESTART

Restart following power
failure or error halt

ENABLE / DISABLE
AUTO_RESTART

BBU_STATUS*

Battery Backup working

Console code

CLOCK_RUNNING

Clock running

SET CLOCK ON
/OFE

CPU_AVAILABLE

CPU has not failed any
tests

Enable: VERIFY .
MODULE
PLACEMENT.
Disable: LOAD
parity errors among
other things.

DIAG__CSM_LOADED

Diagnostic console support
microcode loaded

Micromonitor

EMM_STATUS

EMM

checks out ok

Console software

HALTED

CPU

halted

HALT or START
command

LEFT_CPU_SELECTED*

CPU specified by SET CPU

SET CPU LEFT
/RIGHT

MICMON_—MODE

Micromonitor

Enable: TEST
Disable: EXIT

POWER_STATUS

VAX power on

POWER_STANDBY

All power regulators are
off except B and J

restart fails

mode

en-

abled

POWER ON/OFF
POWER ON/OFF

Numeric and Address Data

B-5

Table

B—5

(Cont.):

Console

State

Bit Definitions

Mnemonic

Meaning

REMOTE—CONSOLE—
ENABLE

Remote

console enabled

ENABLE / DISABLE
REMOTE CONSOLE

REMOTE_MODEM

Remote

modem

ENABLE / DISABLE
REMOTE MODEM

REMOTE_USER_ENABLE

Remote user enabled

RIGHT_CPU_SELECTED*

CPU specified by SET CPU

SECONDARY_ENABLE*

Secondary CPU enabled
for booting

$STATUS

Modified by

enabled

SET CPU RIGHT
/LEFT
ENABLE / DISABLE
SECONDARY

command

All commands,
except IF

Last bit read from VBUS

PROBE

Success or failure of last

$VBUS

ENABLE / DISABLE
REMOTE USER

* VAX 8800 only.

B.4

General Purpose Registers (GPRs)
The VAX 8800, 8700, 8550, and 8500 General Purpose Registers are listed

below.

Table B—6:

B-6

General Purpose Registers (GPRs)

Frame pointer

Program counter

Numeric and Address Data

Argument pointer

Table

B.5

B—6

(Cont.):

General Purpose Registers (GPRs)

~ R7

R10

R11

Stack pointer

Temporary Registers
Temporary registers (specific to microcode) are listed in Tables B—7 and

Table

B-—7:

WDR

STEMP12

STEMP13

STEMP14

CN.TO

CN.T1

CN.T2

CN.T3

CN.T4

MDO

MD1

MD2

Readable

and Writable Temporary

Registers

Numeric and Address Data

B-7

Table B-—7 (Cont.):

B.5.1

MD3

MD4

MD5

MD6

MM.MDR

CN.VA

BACK.UP.PC

shiftcntb

get x reg

Readable and Writable Temporary
Registers

Writable Only Temporary Registers
Table B—8:

Temporary Registers - Writing Only

Validate cache with Os

Initialize without clearing TB or cache.

Note that you cannot use symbolic names for reading/writing temporary
registers.

B-8

Numeric and Address Data

Appendix

Console Messages
This appendix lists and defines VAX console messages.
sages apply only to the VAX 8800.

Dual-CPU mes-

C.1 Information Messages
AIR FLOW FAULT CONDITION CLEARED
EMM sensed that an air flow fault has gone away. Console reenables
EMM’s default mode monitoring and takes no further action.
Note:

AUTO POWERON

See other AIR FLOW

FAULT

entries.

DISABLED
The POWER OFF command saves the current setting of the AUTO_
POWERON keyswitch and then disables it (the keyswitch). POWER
ON restores the saved keyswitch setting.

BURST COMPLETE
Clock burst requested by MICROSTEP command completed.
CLOCK STOPPED
Clock status changed from running to stopped.
CSEQ PREVIOUSLY LOCKED HAS BEEN UNLOCKED
CSEQ MCA on the VAX Clock module detected a “console gone”
condition (console-only power failure) and disabled communication

Console Messages

C-1

with the VAX console.

When power is restored to the VAX console, it

attempts to reestablish the communication link through its RTI.

This message indicates that the VAX console was able to reestablish

the communication link to VAX clock module.
because the console was unable to unlock it.

CSEQ

LOCKED

occurs

EMM RAM PARITY ERROR CHECKING DISABLED
Console found the EMM RAM parity checking circuits disabled after
powering on the regulators and checking the EMM’s status.
LOAD DONE, n BYTES LOADED STARTING AT ADDRESS xyz
Format of status string when microcode is loaded.
LOAD DONE, n WORDS

LOADED, REV = m

Format of status string when load is completed.
LOAD

TERMINATED

CTRL/C

Operator interrupted the console LOAD command.
POWER ALREADY IN REQUESTED STATE
VAX power system already in the state requested by a POWER
OFF, or STANDBY command.
POWER IS NOW

IN STANDBY MODE
As a result of the POWER
changed to STANDBY.

POWER IS NOW

ON,

STANDBY command, the VAX power has

OFF
Power has unexpectedly changed, however, not because of a console
command.

POWER IS NOW

ON
As a result of the POWER ON command, the VAX power has changed
to the ON state.

REMOTE

CONSOLE MODE

DISABLED

Response to the command DISABLE REMOTE
user mode is still enabled.
C-2

Console Messages

CONSOLE.

Remote

REV HIGHER THAN TABLE ENTRY. HISTORY FILE OUT OF DATE.
The revision history file is out of date.
SHUTTING DOWN

REMOTE PORT
Connection to the remote port, if established, is broken.
user and console modes are disabled.

The remote

STARTING UP REMOTE PORT IN REMOTE USER MODE
Remote console mode is disabled, but remote user mode is still enabled.

STOP ON MICROMATCH

IN (LEFT /RIGHT) CPU

VAX micro-PC matched contents of Micromatch register.
n BLOCKS LOADED

STARTING AT PHYSICAL ADDRESS

Format of status string when LOAD/MAINMEMORY

completes.

Console Messages

C-3

C.2

Warning Messages

ACLO NOT DEASSERTED

EMM failed to deassert the ACLO signal after a POWER ON command
was issued. The power system has a fault.
ACLO REMAINED DEASSERTED ON POWER OFF
Console found MPS regulator modules B and J powered off, DCLO
asserted, but ACLO not asserted following a POWER OFF command.
AUTO POWERON

REENABLED
The AUTO_POWERON command keyswitch setting saved by the
POWER OFF command was restored by the POWER ON command.

BBU IS UNAVAILABLE (VAX 8800)
Console read the BBU available bit and found it deasserted, meaning
that the Battery Backup Unit was unavailable.
CPU(S) BEING POWERED

DOWN

Previous power-up sequence was interrupted; consequently, the console powered down the VAX to a known state.

CPU(S) ALREADY HALTED
A HALT command was issued, but the CPUs were already in a halted
state.
CROWBAR

FAULT

LATCHED
EMM

detected a crowbar fault.

CSEQ LOCKED; CONTROL

OF CPU INHIBITED

CSEQ MCA on the VAX Clock module detected a “console gone ”
condition (console-only power failure) and disabled communication
with the VAX console. When power was restored to the VAX console,
it attempted to reestablish the communication link through its RTI.

C-4

Console Messages

The CPU ignored the console. Control functions attempted from the
console were ignored by the VAX hardware.
DCLO NOT ASSERTED
DCLO signal was not asserted within 10 microseconds after a POWER
OFF or POWER STANDBY command, signalling a power system
failure.
DESIGNATED

NEXT_PRIMARY NOT PRESENT; CHANGING

PRIMARIES (VAX 8800)

The console changed the NEXT_PRIMARY to the working CPU. If
the NEXT_PRIMARY CPU was not available (VERIFY MODULE
PLACEMENT or LOAD parity error), a subsequent INIT and SET CPU
CURRENT_PRIMARY directed the console to a missing or a broken
CPU. To prevent this, the console changes NEXT_PRIMARY to the
working CPU.
EMM

FAILED MOD

OK INTERRUPT TEST
EMM 5.5 interrupt test failed during the power-up verification, impacting the EMM’s ability to detect and report power system problems.

EMM RAM PARITY ERROR CHECKING DISABLED
After powering on the regulators, the console checked EMM status for
unusual conditions. EMM RAM parity checking was disabled during
the check.
EMM

REVISION NOT GUARANTEED

TO BE COMPATIBLE

EMM revision did not match the level expected by the console application software.
EMM

SELF TEST DONE, EMM RAM UNPREDICTABLE
Each time the EMM ran self-tests, its RAM contents were unpredictable
and needed to be reinitialized by the console.

FORMAT ERROR IN MEMORY

CONFIGURATION TABLE

MEMCOMFIG.DAT did not have the correct format, possibly because
it was edited incorrectly. Use INIT/CREATE to create a properly
formatted file.

Console Messages

C-5

INVALID MARGINING

LEVEL

Internal console

error.

LEFT AND RIGHT CPU REVS MISMATCHED

(VAX 8800)

VERIFY REVISION CPU ‘computed
different module revision levels.

LEFT CPU MARKED

UNAVAILABLE

different revision levels, based on

(VAX 8800)

A problem in the left CPU made it unavailable. Operation continued
with the right CPU, if available. Use the command VERIFY MODULE
PLACEMENT to mark the CPU available again.
(LEFT) CPU NOT HALTED
The console command requires the CPU to be halted.

(LEFT) CPU STALLED
An error condition caused the left CPU
exceeded 5 seconds.

MICROCODE

to stall.

IN (LEFT/RIGHT) CPU EXECUTING AT UNKNOWN

The stall interval

UPC

After loading microcode, the console tried to load a NOP into the
microcode pipe. However, the NOP instruction had not been loaded.
MICROCODE

INIT FUNCTIONS NOT PERFORMED
Microcode-assisted initialization functions were not performed by the
console’s INITIALIZE command.

MICROCODE

REV DOES NOT MATCH PREVIOUS REV
The console compared the microcode revision stored in the file specified by the LOAD command to microcode revisions previously loaded.
The revision of the microcode files changed since last loaded.

POWER MUST BE OFF TO TEST MOD

NOT OK INTERRUPT

The POWER ON command routine that tests the EMM’s MOD NOT
OK interrupt found an MPS regulator on. All MPS regulators must be
powered off. Use SHOW POWER to determine which regulators are
on.

C-6

Console Messages

POWER NOT ON
VAX power is not on. Diagnostics cannot run.
PREVIOUS INITIALIZATION FAILED
During the power-up sequence, the console application found the
SYS INIT IN PROGRESS bit set, which indicated that the previous
sequence was interrupted prior to completion. System initialization is
defined as the execution of SYSINIT.COM through the execution of a
START command.
PRINTER OFFLINE
XOFF was received from printer, and XON was not received within 10
seconds.
PRINTER ONLINE
XON was received from the printer. (Printer is ready.)
REMOTE

CONNECTION

BROKEN

The modem detected a hang up.
REMOTE

CONNECTION ESTABLISHED
The modem answered an incoming call.

RETRYING FIRST TIME INITIALIZATION
The previous system initialization failed and was attempted again.
REVISION HISTORY FILE CONTAINS BAD RECORDS.
The file REVHIST.DAT, containing revision history information, was
out of date or corrupted.
REVISION OF EMM IS INCOMPATIBLE
Console application software determined during power up that the
firmware revision of EMM did not match that expected.
RIGHT CPU MARKED

UNAVAILABLE

(VAX 8800)

A problem in the right CPU made it unavailable. Operation continued
with the left CPU, if available. Use the command VERIFY MODULE
PLACEMENT to mark the CPU available again.
Console Messages

C-7

RIGHT CPU NOT HALTED (VAX 8800)
The right CPU was not halted. The console command requires it to be
halted.

RIGHT CPU STALLED (VAX 8800)
An error condition caused the right CPU to stall. The stall interval
exceeded 5 seconds.
SYSTEM BEING POWERED

DOWN

The flag indicating that system initialization was in progress was set
and the VAX power was on. System power was turned off so that
system initialization could proceed from a known state. To reexecute
the system initialization procedure, enter

POWER ON
@SYSINIT
TOP REVISION IS UNAVAILABLE.

CAN’T CHECK COMPATIBILITY.

A problem reading revisions of system components made verification
at top-level revision uncertain.
UNEXPECTED

6.5 INTERRUPT ON EMM
The console’s once-a-minute EMM polling routine detected an EMM
problem, causing the console to reload the EMM parameters.

UNEXPECTED

TRANSFER TO PC 0 ON EMM
The console’s once-a-minute EMM polling routine detected an EMM
problem, causing the console to reload the EMM parameters.

UNEXPECTED

TRAP INTERRUPT ON EMM
The console’s once-a-minute EMM polling routine detected an EMM
problem, causing the console to reload the EMM parameters.

C-8

Console Messages

C.3

Error Messages

64KBYTES OF GOOD

MEMORY

NOT FOUND

The Console Support Microcode (CSM) failed to locate a 64KB block of
contiguous error-free memory necessary to cold start the system. The
operation was requested by the FIND/MEMORY command.
ACLO NOT ASSERTED
EMM failed to assert ACLO signal 5 MS after a POWER OFF or
POWER STANDBY command. The console powered down the VAX
due to a problem with the power system.
ADDRESS NOT LONGWORD

ALIGNED

The address specifier in a DEPOSIT to Cache or TB was not longword
aligned.
ADDRESS TOO LARGE
An illegal address was specified in a DEPOSIT or EXAMINE command.
AIR FLOW FAULT CONDITION PERSISTS, FORCING TOTAL OFF
The EMM still reported an air flow fault after the console’s 5-minute
timer elapsed. (See next message). Console initiated a total power off.
Note: Operator intervention is required to restore power.
tion of the POWER ON command in Chapter 5.
AIR FLOW FAULT CONDITION PERSISTS, POWERING

See descrip-

OFF REGULATORS

The EMM still reported an air flow fault after the console’s 30-second
timer elapsed. The console issued a POWER STANDBY command and
set a 5-minute timer. (See previous message.)
AIR FLOW FAULT LATCHED
The EMM reported to the console that an air flow fault condition exists
after the POWER ON command.
Problem may be due to:
e A restriction in the air cooling path
e A defective air mover
Console Messages

C-9

ALGORITHM

¢
e

Missing or misplaced dummy modules
A malfunctioning air flow sensor

A malfunctioning EMM

ERROR
An internal console application software error occurred while trying to
initialize and create the memory configuration file MEMCONFIG.DAT
with the INIT/CREATE command.

(ALL AVAILABLE) CPU(S) NOT HALTED
CPU(s) were not halted. The UNJAM command requires all CPU(s) to
be halted, because bus traffic may be corrupted.
ARRAY SPECIFIED NOT BETWEEN 0 AND

7 (VAX 8800)

An illegal memory array value was specified in the Micromonitor
SELECT command.
ARRAY SPECIFIED NOT BETWEEN 0 AND 4 (VAX 8700/8550 /8500)
An illegal memory array value was specified in the Micromonitor
SELECT command.
ASSIGNMENT

OF LUN TO RTI FAILED
The console application software failed to establish a logical connection
with the RTI driver by assigning a Logical Unit Number to the device
during console application initialization.
Error is fatal. Console application exited to P/OS.

AT LEAST ONE MODULE

OK SIGNAL DEASSERTED

After the POWER ON command, the console checked the EMM MPS
regulator status register and found that one or more regulators did not
come up to power. The console powered off the VAX.
AUTOMATIC

SHUTDOWN

TIMEOUT IN PROGRESS

After the POWER ON command, the console checked the EMM status
and found that the EMM initiated an automatic shutdown. A severe
environmental error is indicated.

The ASD bit was set for one of the following conditions:
e “Red” zone temperature violation
C-10

Console Messages

Air flow fault

If the problem persists for 2 minutes or more, EMM
forces a total off.

automatically

CAN’T OPEN REVISION HISTORY FILE
Console application software could not open the REVHIST.DAT file,
which stores revision compatibility information.
CAN’T READ P/OS VERSION
During the SENSE command, QIO failed to determine the revision of
P/OS.
CAN'T READ REVISIONS ON VBUS
SENSE command failed. VBUS not read successfully.
CAN’T SENSE REVISION
The console could not read the revision of the requested component.
CAN’T SHOW REVISION HISTORY
The console could not read the revision history file REVHIST.DAT.
CAN’T VERIFY REVISIONS
The console could not match the sensed revision to the revision history
file REVHIST.DAT.
CANNOT

RESUME FROM TRAP, DID NOT GET TO CSM BY TOMM
The console directed the microcode to release the trap, but a trap had
not occurred.

CLOCK CRITICAL COMMAND

ON OTHER CONSOLE—TRY

AGAIN LATER

The remote port was active (see the REMOTE CONNECTION
ESTABLISHED informational message) and in console mode.
Commands that require clocks to be on or off or require the CPU
to be halted cannot be accepted from the local port.
CLOCK MUST BE STOPPED
The command required the clock to be stopped.

Console Messages

C-11

CLOCK

NOT

STARTED
The SET CLOCK

command

failed to start the clock.

CLOCK NOT STOPPED
The SET CLOCK OFF command failed to stop the clock.
CLOCK ON ERROR
The console detected that the clocks were on when previously they
had been off, and no intervening operation had started them.
CLOCKS COULD NOT BE SET CORRECTLY
The clock state could not be set as required to execute the specified
command.
CLOCKS NOT STOPPED AT END OF BURST
The MICROSTEP command stepped through microinstructions by
bursting the clock. The clocks did not stop at the end of a burst.
CLOCKS STOPPED FOR UNKNOWN

REASON

The MICROSTEP command stepped through microinstructions by
bursting the clock. At the end of the burst, the clock status was
checked. The clock was stopped, but not as a result of burst completion or Stop On Micromatch.
COMMAND

FILE LINK.COM NOT FOUND
The LINK.COM file could not be opened for read access; most likely
because the file does not exist.

COMMAND

FILE NOT FOUND

OR IN USE

Command procedure could not be opened for read access. Possible
reasons:
e
e
e
COMMAND

File name specified incorrectly in an “@” command
File locked or nonexistent
File already opened by console or logical block server

NOT EXECUTED
A console command was rejected due to a mismatch between the
current clock state and that required by the command.

C-12

Console Messages

If the command is not being executed from a command procedure and
the clock is not in the required state, the console asks if the clock state
should be changed. If the answer is no, this message is displayed to
confirm that the command was aborted before any system state was
changed.
COMMAND

NOT VALID WHILE REMOTE IS ACTIVE
Command issued from the local console was rejected to prevent the
state from being manipulated by the remote console.
Example: The local console user deposits to registers that the remote
user is examining. The remote port must exit from console mode to
allow the local console to perform certain commands.

COMMAND

ONLY VALID FROM LOCAL CONSOLE
A command was issued from the remote port that could only be
executed from the local console.

COMMAND

ONLY VALID FROM LOCAL OR REMOTE
A command was issued from a command procedure that could only be
executed from the local or remote terminal.

COMMAND

ONLY VALID IN MICMON

MODE

A Micromonitor command was attempted in console mode.
To enter Micromonitor mode, issue the TEST/COMMAND from the
console prompt > > > . Micromonitor mode is indicated by the
MIC> prompt.
CONSOLE

INTERNAL ERROR
An error has been encountered in the Console Operating System
or one of its applications. Contact your DIGITAL Field Service
Representative for assistance.

COULD

NOT FIND VALID RPB
The Console Support Microcode (CSM) could not find a Restart
Parameter Block in memory while servicing a FIND/RPB command.

Console Messages

C-13

The error usually causes a cold restart to be performed instead of a
warm restart.

COULDN’T

CLEAR COLD BIT
INITIALIZE/MEMORY command failed to clear the cold start bit in
Memory

Controller (MCL) register CSR3.

The cold start bit is set when the memory power is lost and indicates
that memory should be initialized to generate good parity and ECC.
Most likely cause of the error is an MCL problem.
COULDN’T

CREATE CONFIGURATION

TABLE

The memory configuration file MEMCONFIG.DAT could not be created
by the INITIALIZE/CREATE command.
COULDN'T INITIALIZE MEMORY
The Console Support Microcode (CSM) returned an error status to
the console request to initialize memory by writing good ECC. The
initialization request was made as a result of an INITIALIZE /MEMORY
command.
CPU HALTED
The CPU was halted, which prevented a console command from
executing.
CPU NOT SCOPED
The LOAD command could not perform the requested operation. The
VAX CPU(s) (one or two) are marked unavailable due to a failure in:
e Power-up diagnostic
e
e
e

VAX module revision check
VAX module keying check
Previous parity error during LOAD

CPU NOT HALTED
The CPU was not halted, which prevented a console command from
executing.

C-14

Console Messages

CSM COULD NOT COMPLETE

COMMAND

The Console Support Microcode (CSM) failed to complete a console
command.
CSM RETURNED BAD STATUS
The Console Support Microcode (CSM) returned a bad status at the
completion of a console command.
DATA FIELD OVERFLOW
The LOAD command failed. The data specified in a command procedure or command argument was too large.
DATA NOT STORED IN LOGFILE
One or more buffered LOGFILE.DAT

blocks could not be written while

executing the EXIT command to return to P/OS.
DATA SIZE MUST BE LONGWORD

The data size specifier for DEPOSIT or EXAMINE of a GPR or IPR was
not a longword.
DATA SIZE NOT LONG, QUAD
The data size specifier for DEPOSIT to Cache or TB was not in multiples of 4 bytes.
DATA TOO LARGE
The data loaded with the /DATA and /START switches was too large.
Works the same as DEPOSIT.
DATA VALUE TOO LARGE
The data specified was too big for the specified location.
data sizes (in bits) are:

Maximum

DRAM 24
CCS 32
SDF 32
Memory 32

Console Messages

C-15

DCLO NOT DEASSERTED
The DCLO signal was not deasserted after a POWER ON command.
The console powered off the VAX due to a problem with the power

system.

DEPOSIT, EXAMINE ERROR REGISTER NOT ACCESSIBLE FROM CONSOLE
The console uses some registers to communicate

to the VAX, RXDB,

and TXDB registers. Reading these registers is invalid.

DMMREG.DAT

NOT FOUND
Console application software could not locate the file containing
the Default Mode monitoring parameters to be loaded into the
EMM’s DMMREG register. There are three files, DMMREGON.DAT,
DMMREGSB.DAT, and DMMREGOF.DAT. Selection depends on the
current power state.

EMM

BROKEN OR NOT POWERED

The console could not read the EMM revision level during a powerup sequence to verify communication with the EMM. The console
assumed it could not communicate with the EMM, exited the power-up
sequence, and entered VAX console I/O mode (> > > prompt).
The possible cause is a bad or disconnected cable between console and
EMM.
EMM

COMMUNICATION

ERROR, CHECK EMM

The RTI driver failed to complete the command sequence to the EMM
(for reasons other than a time-out).
EMM DEFAULT PARAMETERS

NOT LOADED

The console failed to load a complete set of EMM default mode
parameters while attempting to initialize or reinitialize the EMM.
EMM DIAGNOSTICS FAILED
The VERIFY EMM
failed.

C-16

Console Messages

command issued the EMM

self-tests, and they

EMM TIMED OUT
The EMM waited the time-out period and powered off. The possible
causes are a bad connection or EMM power is off.
EMM IS UNAVAILABLE
The console failed to communicate with the EMM during the power-up
sequence. The console marked the EMM unavailable and entered VAX
console I/O mode.
EMM IS UNVERIFIED
The VERIFY EMM command was not executed prior to the POWER
ON command, marking the EMM unavailable.
EMM

REGISTER OPERATION NOT ALLOWED
An attempt was made to WRITE, BIS, or BIC an EMM
register; or attempted to READ a write-only register.

ENVIRONMENTAL

MONITORING

read-only

MESSAGE RECEIVED

An environmental problem or a power system exception was detected
by the EMM.
Detailed information about an exception is reported in the following
format:
DMCODE:nn

<type>

<exception

specific

message>

AUTOMATIC

SHUTDOWN

regs.)

EXCEPTION

REPORTED,

PROGRESS

(VAX

dd-mmm-yy

hh:mm:ss

8800.

8700/8550/8500,

For

omit

C and

REG: ABCDEFH
J K L KAC LAC KEY
MOK: 0000111111
1 0 14
SIG: AF1 BBF CBF AF2 ACL DCL PEN PER (VAX 8800. For 8700/8550/8500, omit BBF
sig.) VAL:
O O
141 0
1 01
1
NOTE
This report can also be requested with the SHOW
command.
Legend:

POWER

DMCODE—default mode message code
Console Messages

€-17

REG—MPS

regulator

MOK —status of MODOK

for regulator

SIG—status of selected EMM monitored signals, such as ACLO and
DCLO
VAL —0, signal deasserted; 1, asserted
Additional information is provided for voltage and temperature exceptions and air flow faults.
e Voltage exceptions

Transition from/to voltages
Margin status
Temperature exceptions
Measured temperature
Zone transition
Compared limits

Air Flow Faults

No additional information provided
Console sets timers to initiate staged air flow status checks and
selectively power down as necessary
e

Battery Back-up Faults (VAX 8800)
Since console can take no corrective action, the BBU is disabled.

ERROR INITIALIZING MEMORY
The Console Support Microcode (CSM) returned bad status as a
of a console request to initialize memory (write good parity).

result

ERROR LOADING PHYSICAL MEMORY
The LOAD command failed to write to physical memory.
ERROR SENDING TO FILE SERVER PROGRAM
The console was unable to communicate with the logical block server
(LBS). The LBS is a separate task image, which may have aborted.
ERRORS DETECTED
The test executed by the DIAGNOSE command detected errors.

C-18

Console Messages

FAILED PPI REGISTER TEST
The power-up test of Programmable Peripheral Interface (PPI) registers
on the Console’s Real Time Interface (RTI) module failed.
FAILED RTI LOOPBACK A TEST
FAILED RTI LOOPBACK B TEST
The console’s Real Time Interface module failed the power-up tests.
Loop-back A tested the address, data, and control paths of the
Programmable Peripheral Interface (PPI), of the RTI, and of the VAX
Clock module (CLK). Loop-back A faults indicate problems with the
RTI module.
Loop-back B tested the data paths on the VAX CLK module that allow
the console to communicate with the CPU(s) through the receive and
transmit data buffers (RXDB and TXDB). Loop-back B faults indicate
problems with the VAX CLK and, possibly, the Decoder (DEC) module.
FAILURE

READING

REVISION

RECORD

FROM

FILE

The console could not read REVHIST.DAT.

FEWER THAN 256 RECORDS IN CONFIGURATION

TABLE

File MEMCONFIG.DAT, which contains memory configuration parameters, had fewer than 256 records. The error may indicate a file
editing error or an illegal file format. Create a valid file with the INIT
/CREATE command.
FILE NOT FOUND
The console application software could not open the specified file. The
file was already opened by the console or LBS or the file does not exist.
FUNCTION ALREADY DISABLED
A specific function, switch, or mode was already disabled by default or
by a previous DISABLE command.
FUNCTION ALREADY ENABLED
A specific function, switch, or mode was already enabled by default or
by a previous ENABLE command.

Console Messages

C-19

HELP COMMAND

NOT VALID INSIDE COMMAND

FILE

The HELP command cannot be included in a command procedure.
HELP FOR THIS TOPIC IS NOT AVAILABLE YET.
The Help file for the specified topic could not be opened.
causes:
e The Help file does not exist.
e The other console is viewing the Help file.
e

Possible

An illegal parameter was used with the HELP command.

ILLEGAL IPR# OR INVALID DATA
One of the following states occured:
e
e
e

Nonexistent IPR
Reading a write-only IPR
Writing a read-only IPR

Providing an unacceptable value (that is, mapen can only be 0 or 1)

ILLEGAL REGISTER FOR READ /WRITE IPR
The Console Support Microcode (CSM) rejected a console read or write
request of an Internal Processor Register because it was reserved or
improperly specified.
|
ILLEGAL TEST NUMBER(S)
Illegal test numbers were specified in a DIAGNOSE

command.

INPUT FILE EMPTY
The file specified by the LOAD command was empty.
INPUT FILE INCOMPATIBLE WITH DESTINATION
The file header of the file being loaded did not match the command
specifier indicating where the file was to be loaded.
Example:
RAMs.

C-20

Console Messages

Attempting to load a Decoder RAM data file into the WCS

INVALID COMMAND
An illegal command was issued in a logfile. Legal SHOW LOGFILE
commands are: [T |, [L_], Prev Screen, Next Screen,
[8], CTRL/C,
CTRL/P, CTRL/W.
INVALID COMMAND

SYNTAX

The input command string was not recognized by the command
interpreter.
INVALID CSM FUNCTION
The Console Support Microcode (CSM) cannot execute indicated
function. Indicates a console internal error.
INVALID DEVICE SPECIFICATION
The boot device specified was not understood by the BOOT command. The device specification must be in the form dddnnn. (See the
description of the BOOT command in Chapter 5.)
INVALID EMM FUNCTION CODE IN COMMAND
The console EMM

The EMM
error.

command

MESSAGE

contained an invalid EMM

returned a bad status to console.

function code.

Indicates a console internal

INVALID FILENAME SPECIFICATION
The file name contains illegal characters.
INVALID PARAMETER IN QIO CALL
This message indicates an internal console application coding error.
INVALID TXDB ID RECEIVED FROM CSM
The console received TXDB

data with an invalid ID field from the

Console Support Microcode (CSM).

INVALID VALUE; DATABASE CORRUPTED
This message indicates an internal console error.

Console Messages

C-21

EMM TIMED OUT, CHECK EMM CONNECTION
The RTI driver timed out waiting for the EMM to respond to a command message. Enter message again, then check EMM.
IPR NOT ACCESSIBLE FROM CONSOLE
The EXAMINE command specified an invalid IPR.
LBS NOT INSTALLED
The console application software could not spawn the Logical Block
Server program.
(LEFT) CPU IS NOT WORKING

(VAX 8800)

This message indicates that the SET CPU LEFT command sensed the
left CPU is unavailable due to a diagnostic, revision, a module keying
problem or a LOAD command encountering a fatal error while loading
a Control Store RAM.
LINK COMMAND

NOT VALID INSIDE COMMAND

FILE

A LINK command was issued from a command procedure.
LOGFILE OPENED BUT NOT READABLE
An error was encountered while reading the console log file
LOGFILE.DAT.
MACHINE

CHECK WHILE IN CONSOLE MODE
Operator tried to access nonexisting memory or I/O space while in
console mode.

MACROCODE

NOT STARTED
Macrocode was not running during attempt to transfer from VAX
console I/O mode to program mode.

MEMORY

ACCESS VIOLATION
An EXAMINE or DEPOSIT to virtual memory failed due to an access
control violation.

C-22

Console Messages

MEMORY

CONFIGURATION TABLE NOT FOUND
MEMCOMNFIG.DAT could not be opened by the INIT/MEMORY or
UNJAM command. File either did not exist or was opened by another
console port.

MICMON

PROTOCOL ERROR
The Micromonitor could not communicate with a WCS-based test.

MICROCODE

ERROR - EMPTY LOCATION EXECUTED
The Console Support Microcode (CSM) detected an attempt to execute
a microword that does not contain a valid code.

MICROSTEP

COUNT NOT IN RANGE

1 - 255

An invalid microstep count was specified in a command.
MODULE

A NOT OK ON POWERUP
The console detected Module A did not assert its MODOK signal
during its EMM polling routine (once a minute). Module A should
assert its MODOK signal when the main power breaker is on.

NMI RESET RECEIVED—REBOOTING

SYSTEM

NMI reset was received by the console, which then:
1. Waited for NMI RESET to be negated.
2. Halted the CPU(s) by asserting HALT PENDING.
3.
4.
NON-CSM

Set the SYSINIT IN PROGRESS flag.
Executed the command procedure NMIRESET.COM to reboot the
system.

RXDB DATA RECEIVED
The Console Support Microcode (CSM) could not understand the data
passed to it through RXDB by the console.

NON-EXISTENT PHYSICAL MEMORY
The console requested the Console Support Microcode (CSM) to read
/write physical memory, but memory did not respond.

Console Messages

C-23

NON-EXISTENT

OR UNIMPLEMENTED

FAST TEMP

The console requested the Console Support Microcode (CSM) to read

/write an illegal Fast Data File register.

NO ACCESS TO PAGE IN VIRTUAL MEMORY,

INSUFFICIENT PRIVILEGE

A DEPOSIT or EXAMINE VIRTUAL command was rejected by the
Console Support Microcode due to a privilege violation.
NO ACCESS TO PAGE IN VIRTUAL MEMORY, LENGTH ERROR
A DEPOSIT or EXAMINE VIRTUAL command was rejected by the
Console Support Microcode due to a page-length violation.

NO CPU(S) AFFECTED BY THIS COMMAND
The CPU was not selected and/or available.

could not manipulate the CPU.

Therefore, the command

A CPU is selected with the SET command. It is marked available with
the VERIFY MODULE PLACEMENT command. It can be disabled by
failure of either power-up tests or revision-compatibility checks.

NO CPU(S) AVAILABLE
The CPU

was not available.

manipulate the CPU.

Therefore, the command

could not

A CPU is selected with the SET command. It is marked available with
the VERIFY MODULE PLACEMENT command. It can be disabled by
failure of either power-up tests or revision-compatibility checks.
NO MEMORY

ARRAYS IN SYSTEM
The Memory Controller (MCL) could not detect any memory array
cards during the INITIALIZE/MEMORY command.

NO SECTION CURRENTLY LOADED
A section was not specified or previously loaded, preventing
DIAGNOSE from executing.
NO USER WCS
A test was requested to exercise the User-Writeable Control Store, but
it was not loaded.

C-24

Console Messages

NUMERIC VALUE TOO LARGE OR SMALL
An illegal numeric literal value was specified in a command.
OTHER REMOTE PORT FUNCTION IN PROGRESS
A remote port function was running when another function was issued.
Wait until the current function is complete before entering another.
OVERRUN

ERROR
The Console Support Microcode (CSM) rejected a console request due
to a Console Support Microcode protocol violation.

PARITY ERROR DETECTED DURING LOAD
The Console application detected bad parity from parity checking logic
in VAX CPU(s) while loading firmware. Parity error bits are checked
after every microword is written.
PC NOT AVAILABLE
The console application software was unable to examine the VAX PC
after the VAX CPU halted.
PLIREG.DAT NOT FOUND
PL2REG.DAT NOT FOUND
The console application software could not locate the file containing
Environmental Monitoring Module parameters to be loaded into the
EMM’s PL1REG or PL2REG register.
POWER IN REQUESTED

STATE

The power is already in the state requested by POWER
STANDBY command.

ON, OFF, or

POWER MUST BE ON
A command failed because power was off. Change the power state
before issuing the command.

Console Messages

C-25

POWER NOT SET TO DESIRED STATE
After completing a POWER sequence, the console could not receive
verification from the power system that the power is in the requested
state. To verify power state, use the SHOW POWER command.
POWER RETURNED

TO ORIGINAL STATE

An error occurred in the POWER
state is still in effect.
POWER

ON command.

The original power

STANDBY ONLY VALID WHEN POWER IS ON
A POWER STANDBY command was issued while power was off.
Power can go to STANDBY from an ON state only.

R5 DEPOSIT FAILED
The BOOT command failed to deposit VAX General Purpose Register 5
with a parameter to be passed to VMB. The error was reported by the
Console Support Microcode (CSM).
REGISTER NOT ACCESSIBLE FROM CONSOLE
An EXAMINE

or DEPOSIT

command

to the VAX register failed,

possibly because the Console Support Microcode (CSM) was not
loaded.
REGULATOR

MODOK

SIGNAL NOT ASSERTED

The MODOK signal was not set in 100ms after the POWER ON
command issued to the EMM to turn on regulator power. The console
shut off the power and reported the offending regulator.
RESTART

1 INSTRUCTION EXECUTED ON EMM
The console’s once-a-minute EMM polling routine detected an EMM
problem. The console reloaded EMM parameters.

RESTART FLAG WAS ALREADY SET
The COLD_RESTART or WARM_RESTART flag was already set by
the FIND /64K or FIND/RPB command respectively.
The COLD_RESTART and WARM_RESTART flags were cleared when
the operating system booted. If either flag was set, the previous BOOT
or RESTART would not complete. The console aborted the FIND
command to prevent repetitive BOOT or RESTART attempts.
C-26

Console Messages

RIGHT CPU IS NOT AVAILABLE (VAX 8800)
The SET CPU RIGHT command sensed that a CPU is unavailable
because of a diagnostic, revision, or module keying problems or
because a LOAD command encountered a fatal error while loading a
Control Store RAM.

RPB NOT FOUND (VAX 8800)
The Console Support Microcode (CSM) could not find a valid Restart
Parameter Block during a FIND/RPB command.
RTI NOT INSTALLED
The console application software could not spawn the Real Time
Interface task RTI.TSK into the operating system data base. An SCB
read error is indicated.
SECONDARY

NOT AVAILABLE (VAX 8800)
The secondary CPU was marked unavailable due to the failure of
a previous command, such as VERIFY MODULE PLACEMENT or
LOAD.

SECTION NAME

IS MORE THAN 9 CHARACTERS
The test section name parameter in the DIAGNOSE
ceeded the allowable character length.

SHOW

LOGFILES COMMAND

NOT VALID INSIDE COMMAND

command ex-

FILE

A SHOW LOGFILE command was issued from a command procedure.
SHOW LOGFILE must be issued separately.
SHUTTING DOWN

REMOTE PORT
The EXIT command terminated a console application, disabling the
remote port.

Console Messages

C-27

SPECIFIED ADDRESS IS NOT LOADED
The mnemonic address in the START command was not defined by
loading a WCS file with the LOAD/WCS command.
START ADDRESS MUST BE LONGWORD

ALIGNED

The LOAD/START command attempted to load memory into a
tion that is not longword aligned.

loca-

When loading memory with the LOAD/START command, the console
application software only supports loading files to locations starting at
longword boundaries.
SYNTAX ERROR
The format of the command

command syntax.

is incorrect.

See the manual

for the correct

TIMED OUT WAITING FOR CSM STATUS
The Console application Real Time Interface driver timed out waiting
for the Console Support Microcode (CSM) to respond through the
TXDB to a request made by the console.
UNABLE

TO INIT CPU, START ABORTED
The initialization failed, preventing the START command from completing. The flag for system initialization remained set.

UNABLE

TO LOAD

CONSOLE-BASED

SECTION

The Micromonitor DIAGNOSE

more of the following:
e
e
UNABLE

command

was unable to do one or

Spawn a P/OS-based task to execute a console-based diagnostic
section.
Communicate with the task through a P/OS-based intertask communication.

TO LOAD DIAGNOSTIC CSM
The Micromonitor DIAGNOSE

command

could not load WCS

with

diagnostic Console Support Microcode from the file DIAGCSM.BIN.

C-28

Console Messages

UNABLE

TO LOAD WCS-BASED SECTION
The Micromonitor DIAGNOSE

command

more of the following:
e Load diagnostics into the VAX WCS.
e Spawn the console-based section.
e
UNABLE

was unable to do one or

Communicate with the console-based section through SEND
/RECEIVE intertask communication messages.

TO OPEN LOGFILE
The console could not open the LOGFILE.DAT file during the powerup sequence, so it created a new LOGFILE.DAT file.

UNKNOWN

CSM ERROR
The Console Support Microcode (CSM) rejected a console request, but
the console had no translation for the reason code.

UNKNOWN

EMM ERROR CODE
The console detected an unknown error code during its once-a-minute
EMM polling routine. The problem may have been from a communication failure between the console and the EMM. The console reloaded
the EMM parameters.

UNKNOWN

MACHINE

HALT EXECUTED

A macrocode
console.

UNKNOWN

SUBCOMMAND

halt occurred,

but the halt code

was

not known

to the

VALUE

The internal console application subroutine call passed an invalid
parameter, which may indicate corruption of console code.
UNSUPPORTED

CSM COMMAND
The Console Support Microcode (CSM) rejected a console request
because the CSM does not support or recognize the request.

VALID PTE CANNOT

BE FOUND

The Console Support Microcode (CSM) could not find a valid Page
Table Entry to complete the console request.

Console Messages

€-29

VALID RPB NOT FOUND
The Console Support Microcode (CSM) could not find a valid restart

parameter block while executing the FIND/RPB command.
VALUE TOO LARGE

The data specified in BOOT/R5=data command exceeded 4 bytes.
The data value exceeded the maximum size for specified data type on
a DEPOSIT command.
WCS MUST BE LOADED BEFORE DECODER RAM
WCS

microcode was not loaded, preventing the execution of the LOAD

/DRAM command and an NOP microinstruction.

WRITE-ONLY IPR
An attempt was made to EXAMINE a
allowable.

write-only IPR. This is not

WRITING NON-EXISTENT I/O SPACE
The console requested the Console Support Microcode (CSM) to read
/write an I/O page, but the specified address did not respond.

C-30

Console Messages

Appendix

Bootstrap Control Flags
The bootstrap control flags provides VMB.EXE, the primary bootstrap
program, with additional information about the type of bootstrap being
performed. Table D-1 is a list of the flags that you can pass to VMB.EXE.
These flags are passed by setting the appropriate bits in R5 of your boot
command procedure.
Table

D-1:

Bootstrap

Control

Flags

Bit Position

Symbolic Name

Meaning

RPB$V_CONV

Conversational boot. At various
points in the system boot procedure, the bootstrap code solicits
parameters and other input from
the console terminal

RPB$V_DEBUG

Debug. If this flag is set, VMS
maps the code for the XDELTA
debugger into the system page
tables of the running system.

RPB$V_INIBPT

Initial breakpoint.

If RPBSV_

DEBUG is set, VMS executes
a BPT instruction in module

INIT immediately after enabling
mapping.

Bootstrap Control Flags

D-1

Table

D—1

(Cont.):

Bootstrap

Control

Flags

Bit Position

Symbolic Name

Meaning

RPB$V_BBLOCK

Secondary boot from boot block.
Secondary bootstrap is a single
512-byte block, whose LBN is
specified in R4.

RPB$V_DIAG

Diagnostic boot. Secondary
bootstrap is image called
[SYSMAINT]

RPB$V_BOOBPT

Bootstrap breakpoint. Stops
the primary and secondary
bootstraps with breakpoint instructions before testing memory.

RPB$V_HEADER

Image header. Takes the transfer
address of the secondary bootstrap image from that file’s image
header. If RPB$V_HEADER is
not set, transfers control to the
first byte of the secondary boot
file.

RPB$V_NOTEST

Memory test inhibit. Sets a bit in
the PFN bitmap for each page of

memory

present.

the memory.

Does not test

RPB$V_SOLICT

File name. VMB prompts for the
name of a secondary bootstrap
file.

RPB$V_HALT

Halt before transfer. Executes a
HALT instruction before transferring control to the secondary
bootstrap.

RPB$V_NOPFND

No PEN deletion (not currently
used). Intended to tell VMB
not to read a file from the boot
device that identifies bad or
reserved memory

pages, so that

VMB does not mark these pages
valid in the PFN bitmap.

D-2

Bootstrap Control Flags

Table

D-—1

(Cont.):

Bootstrap Control Flags

Bit Position

Symbolic Name

Meaning

RPB$V_MPM

Specifies that multiport memory
is to be used for the total
executive memory requirement;
no local memory is to be used.
This bit applies to the VAX-11

/782 only. If the bit RPB$V_

DIAG is set, the diagnostic
supervisor enters AUTOTEST
mode.
12

RPB$V_USEMPM

Specifies that multiport memory
can be used in addition to local
memory (as though both were
one single pool of pages).

RPB$V_MEMTEST

Specifies that a more extensive algorithm is to be used
when testing main memory for
hardware uncorrectable (RDS)
errors.

RPB$V_FINDMEM

Requests the use of MA780
memory if MS780 memory is
insufficient for a bootstrap. This
flag is used when performing
software installations on a
VAX-11/782.

RPB$V_AUTOTEST

Used by diagnostic supervisor.

RPB$V_CRDTEST

Specifies that memory pages with
correctable (CRD) errors are NOT
discarded at bootstrap time. By
default, pages with CRD errors
are removed from use during the
bootstrap memory test.

<31:28>

RPB$V_TOPSYS

Specifies the top-level directory
number for system disks with
multiple systems.

Bootstrap Control Flags

D-3

Appendix

Installing the Console Software
Your console is actually a computer with an operating system (P/OS)
and application software. This software is separate from the VAX operating system and application software running on the VAX system.
The console’s operating system and required application (PRODCL, PRO
/Communications) have been installed on your console’s hard disk at
the factory. Under most circumstances, you do not need to reinstall software on the console. However, if your console experiences software or
disk problems, you must reinstall the operating system and/or applications. Detailed instructions for installing the P/OS operating system,
PRO/Communications, and Console/PRO DCL application are provided
in this appendix.
Before installing console software, make certain that your hardware
components are correctly installed (see the System Hardware User’s Guide)
and check with your DIGITAL Field Service representative.
Read the following before installing console software:
e
e
e

To choose a menu item, use the arrow keys to place the pointer and
press DO.
To insert diskettes, push the drive doors to open them. Insert the
diskettes, lining up the arrows on the drive with those on the diskettes.
Close the drive doors.
Device names of diskette drives 1 (top) and 2 (bottom) are DZ1: and
DZ2: respectively. The fixed disk device name is DW1:

Installing the Console Software

E-1

E.1

Installing The Console Operating System (P/0S)
The P/OS diskette volumes listed in Table E-1 are in the release package
accompanying this product. Store your P/OS diskettes in this box or
in some other container made for storing diskettes. Use these diskettes
as backups if the copy on the disk becomes unusable or if you need to
reinstall P/OS.
Table

E-1:

P/OS

Volumes

Order Number

Title

Label

BL-FH31A-ME

P/OS HARD

DISK SYSTEM CONSOLE

PROSYSTEMV2

BL-FH32A-ME

P/OS HARD

DISK SETUP CONSOLE

PROSETUPV2

BL-FH33A-ME

P/OS LIBRARIES CONSOLE

PROLIBRARYV2

BL-FH34A-ME

P/OS UTILITIES CONSOLE

PROUTILV2

BL-FH35A-ME

P/OS DISPATCHER

PRODISPATV2

CONSOLE

When you install P/OS, the information on the diskettes is copied onto
the disk in the console system unit. The console disk is erased (initialized)
during this procedure. Stay near the console during the installation, since
you may need to write down some information. The installation takes
from 30 minutes to one hour.
To install the Console Operating System, follow this procedure:
1.
2.
3.

Press the power switch on the system unit to 0 (off).
Remove the write-protect silver tape from the upper right side of the
PROSYSTEMV2?2 diskeite. The installation fails if this diskette is write
protected.
Open the top (or left) diskette drive door and line up the orange arrow
on the diskette with the arrow on the diskette drive. Insert the diskette
VOL NAME: PROSYSTEMV2?2 into the drive and close the door.
Leave this diskette in the drive until the installation procedure is
completed.
Open the bottom (or right) diskette drive door and line up the arrows
on the diskette drive. Insert the diskette VOL NAME: PROSETUPV2

into the drive and close the door.

This diskette contains information

about the keyboard and the monitor.

E-2

Press the power switch to “1” (on). The system runs a
and the DIGITAL logo appears as in Figure E-1.

Installing the Console Software

brief self-test,

Figure E-1:

(=)

DIGITAL Logo

and.

If the self-test detects problems, a diagram of the console components
appears as in Figure E-2.
The console component with the problem is highlighted on the screen.
Write down the numbers you see on the screen and call your DIGITAL
Field Service representative for help. If the message indicates a
problem that prevents the operating system installation, remove the
diskettes and call your DIGITAL Field Service representative. If the
message indicates that an error is interfering with the operating system
after installation, either press the DO key at the top of the keyboard
to continue installing P/OS (and fix the problem later) or remove your
diskettes and contact your DIGITAL Field Service representative.
If this display appears after you have installed your operating system software, write down the numbers that appear on your screen.
These numbers will help your DIGITAL Field Service representative
determine the source of the problem.
If nothing happens when you turn on the power, call your DIGITAL
Field Service representative.

Installing the Console Software

E-3

Figure E-2:

Console Screen Showing

Hardware

Problem

Your Professional has hardware problems.
Please record the numbers on the right side
of the screen, then press RESUME.
(001403

000001)

B00

J
6.

After the DIGITAL logo, the Installation Display appears on your
screen as in Figure E-3.
7. Press the DO key at the top of the keyboard to continue the installation
procedure. Press the EXIT key instead of DO to discontinue the
installation.
8. If the operating system has been installed on your disk, the following
message appears:
WARNING
Information

has

been

found

sure

you

want

you

are

If you do not want to begin
installation diskettes.

your

erase
the

disk.
the

information,

installation,

press

DO.

EXIT

and

CAUTION
If you are reinstalling the console operating system, you
must reinstall your applications and personal files, using

E-4

Installing the Console Software

take

out

the

Figure E-3:

Installation Display

C
P/O0S
€

STS0RE0

Version

1984

2.0

DIGITAL

Installation

EQUIPMENT

CORPORATION

CAUTION
This installation process erases all information on the hard
If you have used the hard disk before and want to save any
information that is stored on it, make sure that you copy it
diskettes BEFORE you start the installation process.
Press

Press
EXIT
if

DO
you

disk.
to

to begin the installation.
do not want to begin the installation.

your backup diskettes, because the installation procedure
erases any information previously on the console disk.
At this point, press DO to continue the installation procedure or EXIT
to terminate the installation.
Wait for the date and time form to appear:
The blinking rectangle on the screen is the cursor, which marks the
“active position” on the screen.

Installing the Console Software

£-5

10. Fill in the form as instructed by typing the appropriate numbers from
the auxiliary keypad (far right on your keyboard). Press RETURN to
move from one entry to another. Be sure to enter 24-hour time. For
example, if the time is 3:30 p.m., enter 15:30.
If you make a mistake and have not yet press RETURN, press <X] to
erase the mistake and then retype. If you want to change an entry
after you pressed RETURN, press CANCEL and start again. If you
type an impossible number (such as 13 for the month), the keyboard
beeps,

and

you

can

enter

a correct

number.

11.When you have entered the date and time, press DO

EXIT to discontinue the installation).

to continue (or

12.Wait for P/OS to format and initialize the console disk. This proce-

dure, which takes about 10 minutes, formats the console disk so the

operating system can write information on it.

Throughout the rest of the installation procedure, messages on your
screen let you know what is happening and what to do next.
13.If a problem develops during the rest of the installation procedure, a
series of numbers appears on the screen. Write down these numbers.
They indicate a problem, and the operating system cannot be installed
until the problem is corrected.

After you write down

the numbers,

remove all diskettes from the drives and repeat the installation procedure, beginning at step 1. If you still get an error message, call your
DIGITAL Field Service representative.
14.When the formatting and initialization completes, a message asks you
to press DO to change your keyboard setting or RESUME to continue
without changing your keyboard setting. Press RESUME.
15.Wait 5 to 10 minutes while P/OS copies the information from the
PROSETUPV2 diskette to the disk.
16.When the diskette is copied, a message tells you to remove the
PROSETUPV2 diskette from slot 2 and to insert the next P/OS
diskette. (Make sure you leave the PROSYSTEMV2 diskette in slot
1.) When you have inserted the new diskette, close the diskette slot
door and press RESUME to continue.
If you do not insert the correct diskette, the same message tells you to
insert the diskette, allowing you to try again.
17.Wait a few minutes while the information is copied from the next
P/OS diskette to the disk.
18.When the diskette is copied, a message tells you to remove that
diskette and insert the next diskette. When you have inserted the next
diskette, press RESUME.
Installing the Console Software

19.Screen messages prompt you to insert the following diskettes in turn:
PRODISPATV2
PROLIBRARV2
PROUTILV2
You are informed when the installation is complete.
20. Remove the diskettes from both drives and store them. These are
your backup diskettes. If anything should happen to the operating
system on the disk, you will need to use these diskettes again.
21.Turn off the power switch and then turn it on. The console runs the
self-test. Then the console returns to the P/OS Main Menu.
22.The next step is to install PRO/Communications. See the next section.

E.2

Installing PRO/Communications
NOTE
You must be certain the PRO/Communications application is
installed before installing the CONSOLE/PRODCL application
(described in the next section).
The following diskettes are required to intall PRO/Communications.

Order number

Title

Volume Label

BL-FH36A-ME

PRO/COMM

1/3 CONSOLE

COMV20BL6HD1

BL-FH37A-ME

PRO/COMM

2/3 CONSOLE

COMV20BL6HD2

BL-FH38A-ME

PRO/COMM

3/3 CONSOLE

COMV20BL6HD3

Before installing PRO/Communications, you must remove the existing
version, if any, from the disk using these steps:
1. At the Main Menu, select “Disk /diskette services.”
2. At the Disk/Diskette Services Menu, select “Remove application”.
3.
4.

At the Application Group Menu, select “Main Menu Applications”.
At the Applications Within a Group Menu, select “PRO/Communications

Installing the Console Software

E-7

After the application is removed, press EXIT to return to the Main
Menu.

To install the PRO/Communications application, use the following procedure:
1.
2.

From the MAIN screen, select “Disk/diskette services”.
From the Disk/diskette services screen, select “Install Application”.

Insert diskette VOL NAME: COMV20BL6HD1
diskette drive and press RESUME.

into the top (or left)

4 . From the Application Install menu, select “PRO/Communications”.
5. From the Application/Group menu, select “Main menu application”.
6. From the Application Group Name Change menu, press DO.
7 . When prompted to do so, remove the first diskette, insert Diskette VOL
NAME: COMV20BL6HD2 in its place and press RESUME.
8. When prompted to do so, remove the second diskette, insert the
diskette VOL NAME: COMV20BL6HD3 in its place and press
RESUME.
9.

When the application is installed, remove the final diskette and
press EXIT. Press MAIN SCREEN to display the Main Menu. PRO
/Communications appears on the Main Menu.
10. Select “PRO/Communications” from the Main Menu and press
RESUME.
11.Cycle power to the console (turn it off and then on).
/Communications is now operational.

E.3

PRO

Installing the CONSOLE/PRODCL Application

NOTE
Before installing the CONSOLE/PRODCL application, the PRO
/Communications application must be installed.
If you have installed the Console Operating System, you also need to
install PRO/Communications and the Console/PRODCL application. If
you have not installed the Console Operating System and need to install
the Console/PRODCL application only, you must first remove the existing
Console/PRODCL application, using steps 1 and 2.
E-8

Installing the Console Software

This installation procedure assumes that the console already has POS Rev
2.0A and PRO COMMUNICATIONS installed.
The Console/PRODCL application consists of seven diskettes, labeled as
follows:

Name

Volume name

COMMAND

LANGUAGE

1/2 CONSOLE

CONSOLEDCL1

COMMAND

LANGUAGE

2/2 CONSOLE

CONSOLEDCL2

RX99 REVISION HISTORY

NCON3

RX100 CONSOLE

NCONI1

TASKS

RX101 ISP MICROCODE
RX102 BOOT COMMAND
RX107 MICRODIAG

NCON2
FILES

NCON4
NDIAG4

Follow these steps to install the Console/PRODCL application:
1. Power up the console. The first time the console system is powered
up it displays the Main Menu. If you are reinstalling the Console
/PRODCL application, powering up the console will run the Console
application and enter console mode, (the > > > prompt). If this
occurs, perform the following steps:
a. Exit console application to the $ prompt by typing the console
command, EXIT.

b. Type EXIT again at the $ prompt to display the Main Menu.
2.

If Console/PRODCL does not appear on the Main Menu, skip to step
3. If the Console/PRODCL application appears on the Main Menu,
remove it with these steps:
a. At the Main Menu, select “Disk /Diskette services”.
b. At the Disk/Diskette Services Menu, select “Remove application”.
c. At the Application Group Menu, select “Main Menu Applications”.
d . At the Applications Within a Group Menu, select “CONSOLE

/PRODCL”.

When the application is removed, press EXIT to return to the
Main Menu. Now you may install the application. The Console
/PRODCL application diskettes can be inserted into either diskette
drive.
Installing the Console Software

£-9

3. From the Main Menu, select “Disk/diskette services”.
4. From the Disk/diskette services menu, select “Install application”.
5. You are now instructed to insert the application diskette CONSOLEDCL1.
Insert the diskette in the top (or left) drive and press RESUME.
6. From the Application Installation Menu, select “Console/PRODCL”.
7. From the Application Group Menu, select “Main Menu Application”.
8. You are then asked if you want to change the application name. Press
DO. (Do not change the application name).
9.

You are then asked to insert CONSOLEDCL2.

Remove CONSOLEDCLI,

insert diskette labeled CONSOLEDCL2, and press RESUME.

10. You are then asked to insert NCON1.

Remove CONSOLEDCL2,

the diskette labeled NCON1, and press RESUME.

insert

11. You are then asked to insert NCON2. Remove the diskette labeled
NCONT, insert the diskette labeled NCON2, and press RESUME.
12. You are then asked to insert NCON3.

Remove

the diskette labeled

13. You are then asked to insert NCON4.

Remove

the diskette labeled

NCON2, insert the diskette labeled NCON3, and press RESUME.
NCONS3, insert the diskette labeled NCON4, and press RESUME.

14. You are then asked to insert NDIAG4. Remove the diskette labeled
NCON4, insert the diskette labeled NDIAG4, and press RESUME.

15. The installation is now complete. Remove the last diskette from the
drive and save all the diskettes as backups.
16. After the Console/DCL application is installed, exit to the Main Menu.
17. At the Main Menu, select “Console/PRODCL”. The > > > prompt
appears.
18. Exit from console mode to the $ prompt by typing the EXIT console
command.
19. Use the following steps to set up a pointer in [ZZSYS] to make the
P/OS boot procedure automatically run the console when the console
system unit is powered on:
a. Enter the following:
$ SHOW LOGICAL APPL$DIR
P/OS will display:

$ APPL$DIR = SYSDISK:[ZZAP000nn]

E-10

Installing the Console Software

To make [ZZSYS]FIRSTAPPL.PTR point to the APPL$DIR, enter:
$ RUN EDT
EDT> [ZZSYS]FIRSTAPPL.PTR
P/OS will display:

$ ZZAP000nn
c.

Edit this line to matche the value returned by P/OS in response to
the SHOW LOGICAL APPL$DIR command. For instructions on
using the editor see Chapter 4.
d. Exit EDT by typing CTRL/Z and then EXIT.
20. Before powering up, be sure ALL floppies have been removed from the
_ drives.

21.Switch the console system unit to off (0) and then back on (1)

Installing the Console Software

E-11

Appendix

SYSINIT and BOOT Files
This appendix lists the command file sequences that are invoked during
the VAX 8800 system initialization, restart, and boot. The sequences are
very similar for the VAX 8700, 8550 and 8500, except for commands that
involve dual CPUs. The SET VERIFY command can be used to display
the commands in these files as they are invoked.

F.1

SYSINIT.COM - System Initialization Procedure
Following is a listing of the SYSINIT.COM file:

SET
SET

VERIFY
DEF HEX

THIS

Set

SYSINIT.COM

FOR

A VAX

8800

default

hexidecimal

SYSTEM

SET TERMINAL OPAO
SHOW TIME
VERIFY EMM
IF NOT $STATUS THEN
IF NOT POWER_STATUS
IF NOT AUTO_POWERON

@EXIT
THEN
THEN @EXIT

NOT

POWER_STATUS

THEN

IF
!

NOT

$STATUS

@EXIT

SET
SET
SET

CLOCK OFF
SYNC O
CLOCK NORMAL

VERIFY
IF NOT

THEN

MODULE PLACEMENT
$STATUS THEN @EXIT

POWER

Set up logging
Put time stamp in logfile
Make sure we can talk to the EMM
If no EMM, abort system init.
If power is not on
and AUTO_POWERON keyswitch not enabled
exit system initialization procedure.
ON

If power is not on and AUTO_POWERON
keyswitch is enabled, turn on power.
Abort if POWER ON failed

Clear SOMM and TOMM
Set clock period
See if any CPUs are
If no CPUs, quit.

present

SYSINIT and BOOT Files

F-1

SET

CPU

BOTH

SENSE

REVISION

CPU

SENSE

REVISION

CONSOLE

SET
1+

CLOCK

For

whatever

CPUs

are

Read

console,

EMM,

drivers,

! Read

! Perform power up diagnostics
! After this test only the RIGHT

CPU

board

there,

revisions

selected,

reselect

both

! Enter

micromonitor

etc.

CPUs

TEST /COMMAND
SET FLAG TRACE

mode

Display section and test names
Execute console-based powerup tests
If diagnostic fails, exit
Execute more powerup tests
If diagnostic fails, exit
Exit micromonitor mode
Make sure clocks are on

DIAGNOSE/SECTION
: EZKPA
IF NOT $STATUS THEN @MICEXIT
DIAGNOSE/SECTION
: EZKPB
IF NOT $STATUS THEN @MICEXIT
EXIT
SET CLOCK ON
1+

! Power

diagnostics

done

Reset CPU selection
Load ISP microcode,
Exit if any error is encountered
Cache microcode,
Exit if any error is encountered
IBOX decoder tables.
Exit if any error is encountered
Stop clocks to start microcode
Start the CPUs!
Exit if something went wrong
Wait for CPUs to HALT
Load microcode constants

SET CPU BOTH
LOAD/WCS UCODE.BIN
IF NOT $STATUS THEN @EXIT
LOAD/CACHECONTROL CCODE.BIN
IF NOT $STATUS THEN @EXIT
LOAD/IBDECODER DRAM.BIN
IF NOT $STATUS THEN @EXIT
SET CLOCK OFF
START/CONTROLSTORE CSM_INIT
IF NOT $STATUS THEN @EXIT
WAIT
LOAD/SDF SDFDEF .BIN
IF NOT $STATUS THEN @EXIT
1+

Remove

the

comment

flags

the

following

lines

you

are

user

WCS

! LOAD/UWCS USERWCS.BIN
SET CLOCK OFF
START/CONTROLSTORE CSM_INIT
IF NOT $STATUS THEN @EXIT
! WAIT
INITIALIZE
IF

NOT

UNJAM
SENSE
SENSE

$STATUS

THEN

@EXIT

REVISION
REVISION

MCL
NBI

F-2

SYSINIT and BOOT Files

! Must come after SDF is loaded
! Clocks off to start microcode
! Restart microcode with user WCS
1,
!
!
!
!
!
!

Wait for CPUs to halt again
Initialize hardware states & VAX
Reset I/0 devices
Read memory controller revision
Read NBI adapter revision

regs

All

the

component

revision

levels

have

been

sensed,

now

verify

them

VERIFY REVISION CPU
VERIFY REVISION CONSOLE
VERIFY REVISION MICROCODE
VERIFY REVISION MCL
VERIFY REVISION NBI
VERIFY REVISION KERNEL
INITIALIZE
IF NOT $STATUS THEN @EXIT

Check CPU revision compatibility
Check console revision compatibility
Check microcode revision compatibility
Check revision compatibility
Check revision compatibility
Check compatibility of all components
Load SID and rev IPRs

!
!

Before memory
created. This

can be initialized,
command will create

a memory
the file

configuration
memconfig.dat

file must have been
if it doesn't exist.

INITIALIZE/MEMORY

Write O's to all of
were not backed up

memory

Initialize

halt

code

each

CPU

SET CPU LEFT
DEPOSIT/SDF OCA

Powerfailure

halt

code

SET CPU RIGHT
DEPOSIT/SDF OCA

Powerfailure

halt

code

Attempt

restart

boot

the

primary

SET CPU CURRENT_PRIMARY
IF AUTO_RESTART THEN @RESTAR.COM
IF

AUTO_BOOT

CLEAR

F.2

THEN

RESTART_FLAGS

@DEFBOO.COM

Single-CPU
Attempt to
enabled
If

operations
restart if

AUTO_RESTART

from here on
AUTO_RESTART

disabled,

and

AUTO_BOOT enabled attempt to
Otherwise, EXIT.
Clears WARM and COLD restart

boot
flags

RESTAR.COM - Restart Sequence
RESTAR.COM is executed following a power failure or an error halt when
the AUTO_RESTART keyswitch is enabled.

SYSINIT and BOOT Files

F-3

SET VERIFY
!
! RESTAR .COM
!
! This command file is invoked after a HALT, if
! requested by the VAX, and after power failure
i is enabled.
1
! The following tests are required:
AUTO_RESTART

THEN

Execute

defboo

reboot

recovery

has

not

been

AUTO_RESTART

NOT

IF
IF

AUTO_BOOT THEN @DEFBOO
! auto_restart is not enabled but auto_boot is.
NOT AUTO_RESTART THEN @QEXIT ! if neither auto_restart nor auto_boot are
! enabled then remain halted

Set up logging
SET TERMINAL OPAO
SET DEFAULT HEXADECIMAL
, PHYSICAL , LONGWORD
SET CPU NEXT_PRIMARY
Boot the processor specified
Halt processor.
IF NOT HALTED THEN HALT
WAIT
for processor to halt
EXAMINE/SDF OCA
Retrieve HALT code
DEPOSIT AP @
Put halt code into the AP
EXAMINE PC
Retrieve old PC
DEPOSIT R10 @
Put old PC into R10
EXAMINE PSL
Retrieve old PSL
DEPOSIT R11 @
Put old PSL into R11
INITIALIZE
Initialize processor.
EXAMINE AP
DEPOSIT/SDF
OCA
DEPOSIT RO 0
DEPOSIT Ri O
DEPOSIT R2 0
DEPOSIT R3 O
DEPOSIT R4 0
DEPOSIT R5 O
FIND/RPB
IF
IF
IF

NOT $STATUS THEN
AUTO_BOOT THEN @DEFBOO
NOT $STATUS THEN @EXIT

EXAMINE PC
START @

F-4

SYSINIT and BOOT Files

last

SET

NEXT_PRIMARY

Clear unused register.
Clear unused register.
Clear unused register.
Clear unused register.
Clear unused register.
Clear unused register.
Locate restart parameter block and put addr
in SP and contents of RPB+4 into PC
If an RPB was not found and
auto_boot is enabled go try to reboot
If an RPB was not found and auto_boot is
Disabled then remain halted
Get start address
go

+ 200

F.3

DEFBOO.COM - Default Boot Command Procedure
The following command procedure is executed when the BOOT command is entered. It also executes following a power failure or error halt
when the AUTO_BOOT keyswitch is enabled and a restart attempt fails.
DEFBOO.COM consists of a single BOOT command that allows you to
maintain a single copy of your boot command file.

!DEFBOO
. COM
!
This command procedure will be executed automatically during system
!
initialization or following a power failure or an error halt if you
!
enabled the AUTO_BOOT keyswitch.
It will also be executed when the
!
!

!
!
t
1
{

BOOT

Replace
wish to
DDD
nnn

!
SET VERIFY
BOOT DDDnnn

F.4

have
command

entered.

DDDnnn with
execute.

the

name

the

boot

device name:
BCI, BDA,
boot device unit number

UDA

device

Boot

from

command

type

DDD,

procedure

unit

that

you

nnn

SECBOO.COM, Secondary Processor Boot Command Sequence VAX 8800
On the VAX 8800, the main difference between the Primary and
Secondary CPUs is that the Secondary never actually “boots.” A “boot”
in the Secondary CPU is implemented as a restart. The Secondary never
needs to initialize its state from scratch. The Secondary uses a restart
parameter block (RPB) that the Primary built and put into memory for the
Secondary to find. The console reboots the Secondary when requested by
the Primary. (provided the command DISABLE SECONDARY has not been
issued), using the SECBOO.COM

are in SECBOO.COM:

command

file. The following commands

SYSINIT and BOOT Files

F-5

!
i
!
!
!
'

SECBOO .COM
Command procedure to boot VMS on the secondary CPU.
The
primary CPU must be booted first.
This procedure is invoked
by the primary as a result of a VMS DCL START/CPU command.

IF NOT SECONDARY_ENABLE THEN @EXIT
!Boot only if secondary enabled
SET TERMINAL OPAO
!'Set up logging
SET DEFAULT HEXADECIMAL
, PHYSICAL , LONGWORD
SET CPU CURRENT_SECONDARY
'Select CPU
iF NOT HALTED THEN HALT
'Halt CPU
WAIT
!Wait for halt
DEPOSIT MAPEN 0O
'Disable memory management
DEPOSIT PSL 41F0000
!Set IPL=31, interrupt stack

FIND/RPB

!Locate

EXAMINE/SDF OCB
DEPOSIT PC @
CONTINUE

!Show the restart routine address
!Set the PC with the start address
!'VMS entry at RPB+100

IF NOT $STATUS THEN @EXIT

F.5

the restart

!Boot if we find one

parameter

block

EXIT Sequence
When a command exits with bad $STATUS, a status check chains into
EXIT.COM which contains an <EOF> character to signal the console
program that the command file is finished. The EXIT.COM command file
exits from the command file to console mode.
1+

EXIT.COM

F.6

BCIBOO.COM - Boot From CIBCI750
The BCIBOO.COM

boot command

procedure boots from unit 53, which is

dual ported between HSC 1 and HSC 2. The path to the CI is BI 1, which
contains the BCI750 at BI node 4.

F-6

SYSINIT and BOOT Files

!
!
!
!
!
t
'
i
'
!
'
!
{
t'

BCIBOO.COM
Command

procedure

boot

NEXT_PRIMARY is expected
as the primary CPU.

VMS
to

from

point

an HSC

over

CPU

the

that

BCI.
is

used

The following register deposits must be done before executing this
command procedure or must be edited to correspond to the hardware
configuration:
Ri

bus

device

address

- CI port

information

# of HSC(s)

unit

to which drive

is ported

number

!
SET
SET

VERIFY
TERMINAL

!Set up logging
OPAO
SET DEFAULT HEXADECIMAL
, PHYSICAL , LONGWORD
{Select both CPUs
SET CPU BOTH
IF NOT HALTED THEN HALT
!'Halt both CPUs
Wait for both CPUs to halt
WAIT
INITIALIZE
!Init both CPUs, copy next_primary to current
'Select current_primary
SET CPU CURRENT_PRIMARY
UNJAM
!Clear BI errors, NMI and BI node state info
EXAMINE/L/P 3E000010
EXAMINE/L/P 3E000014
DEPOSIT/L/P 3E000000
DEPOSIT/L/P 3E000008
INITIALIZE
DEPOSIT RO 20
DEPOSIT Ri 14
DEPOSIT

!'Read mem CSR4
O20FOOFO
FOO00000

DEPOSIT R3 %D53
SET DEFAULT HEXADECIMAL
DEPOSIT R4 0
DEPOSIT R5 20000000

FIND/MEM
IF NOT $STATUS THEN @EXIT
EXAMINE SP
LOAD/MAINMEMORY/START=@ VMB.EXE
START @

(clears

interrupts)

!Read mem CSR5 (clears NMI fault)
!Clear interlock timeout in mem CSRO
!Clear RDS error bits in mem CSRO
{Init primary
!CI boot device type code
!Boot device bus address:
!<3:0>=BI node #, <5:4>=BI #
!CI port # of HSC:
1<7:0>=CI port # of HSC,
1<15:8>=CI port # of 2nd HSC if dual ported
{Unit # of drive, decimal radix
'Reset radix
!Not applicable
!Software boot control flags and
!root directory # in <31:28>.
Defaults
!to SYSO or unrooted directory
'Find
{Boot
!Show

64kb of
if find
address

working memory; set cold start
was successful
of working memory + 4X200

!Start

executing

bit

!Load VMB into good mem + %4X200
VMB

SYSINIT and BOOT Files

F-7

F.7_

BDABOO.COM - Boot From KDB50
The BDABOO.COM boot procedure boots from unit 53, which is connected to a KDB50 at BI node 4 on BI 1.

i
'
i
!
!
!
!
!
'
!
'
!

!
!
SET
SET

BDABOO
. COM
Command

procedure

boot

NEXT_PRIMARY is expected
as the primary CPU.

VMS
to

from

point

a BDA

disk.

CPU

the

that

used

The following register deposits must be done before executing this
command procedure or must be edited to correspond to the hardware
configuration:
Ri

- <31:24>

Bus

address

device

information

= optional
depend on
unit

controller letter
device type in RO

specifier,

remaining

bits

number

VERIFY
TERMINAL

OPAO
!Set up logging
SET DEFAULT HEXADECIMAL, PHYSICAL , LONGWORD
!Select both CPUs
SET CPU BOTH
IF NOT HALTED THEN HALT
!Halt both CPUs
'Wait for both CPUs to halt
WAIT
!Init CPUs, copy next_primary to current
INITIALIZE
!Select current_primary
SET CPU CURRENT_PRIMARY
!Clear BI errors and NMI and BI node state
UNJAM
!Read mem CSR4 (clears interrupts)
EXAMINE/L/P 3E000010
!Read mem CSR5 (clears NMI fault)
EXAMINE/L/P 3E000014

DEPOSIT/L/P 3E000000
DEPOSIT/L/P 3E000008
INITIALIZE
DEPOSIT RO 21
DEPOSIT Ri 14
DEPOSIT
DEPOSIT

R2
R3

020FOOFO
FOO00000

0
%D53

SET DEFAULT HEXADECIMAL
DEPOSIT R4 0
DEPOSIT R5 0
FIND/MEM
IF NOT $STATUS THEN @EXIT
EXAMINE SP
LOAD/MAINMEMORY/START=@ VMB.EXE
START @

F-8

SYSINIT and BOOT Files

{Clear

interlock

timeout

mem

!Clear

RDS

bits

mem

CSRO

type

code

error

{Init primary
!BDA boot device

{Boot device bus address:
!<3:0>=BI node #, <5:4>=BI

1<31:24>=optional

controller

{Unit

decimal

drive,

CSRO

letter

specifier

radix

{Reset radix
!Not applicable
'Software boot control flags and
!Root directory # in <31:28>.
Defaults
!to sysO or unrooted directory
!Find 64KB of working memory; set cold start
!Boot if find was successful

!Show address

of working memory

!'Load VMB into good mem
'Start executing VMB

info

+ %4X200

+ %X200

bit

F.8

CSBOO.COM - Stand-alone Backup
CSBOO.COM is used to boot stand-alone backup from the console
diskette DZ1. For information on booting stand-alone backup from an
alternate root on your system disk, see Section 4.10.1.

!
CSBOO .COM
!
'
Standalone backup conversational boot command file.
i
Boot from CSi:
!
!
SET VERIFY
'Set up logging
SET TERMINAL OPAO
!'Select both CPUs
SET CPU BOTH
IF NOT HALTED THEN HALT
!'Halt processor.
!Wait for both CPUs to halt
WAIT
INIT
!Init both CPUs, copy next_primary to current
{Select the primary to be booted next
SET CPU CURRENT_PRIMARY
UNJAM
!Clear BI errors, NMI and BI node state info
!Set radix
SET DEFAULT HEXADECIMAL
!'Read mem CSR4 (clears interrupts)
EXAMINE/L/P 3E000010
!Read mem CSR5 (clears NMI fault)
EXAMINE/L/P 3E000014
DEPOSIT/L/P 3E000000 O20FOOFO
'Clear interlock timeout in mem CSRO
DEPOSIT/L/P 3E000008 FOO00000
!Clear RDS error bits in mem CSRO
DEPOSIT RO 40
!Device type (console storage device).
DEPOSIT Ri 0
!Clear unused register.
DEPOSIT R2 0
!Clear unused register.
DEPOSIT R3 1
'Unit number.
DEPOSIT R4 0
'Clear unused register.
DEPOSIT R5 4000
'Sftwr boot flags.
FIND/MEM
IF NOT $STATUS THEN @EXIT
EXAMINE SP
LOAD/MAINMEMORY/START=@ VMB.EXE
START @

!Find
!Boot
!Show
!Load
!

and

64kb of working memory, set cold
if successful
address of working memory + 512
primary bootstrap...
start

start

bit

it.

SYSINIT and BOOT Files

F-9

Glossary
argument

An optional qualifier that can be entered with a command.
available

A state in which the CPU is present (it passed VERIFY MODULE
PLACEMENT), enabled (it is the primary or ENABLE SECONDARY
entered), and working (it has not failed any diagnostics).

was

back-up process
The process 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 from
the console’s fixed disk to the diskettes.
back-up copy
A copy of data stored on your disk. The duplicate copy is stored on diskette.
baud rate
The speed at which signals are serially transmitted along a communications
line. One baud equals one bit/second.
BI
Backplane Interconnect.
VAX-11 systems.

It is the successor to the SBI, CBI, and UNIBUS for

binary
A number system that uses two digits: 0 and 1. They are represented in
VAX circuitry by two voltage levels. VAX programs are executed in binary
form.

Glossary-1

Glossary
bit
A binary digit; the smallest unit of information in a binary system of
notation, designated as a 0 ora 1.
board
A printed circuit board.

The board contains chips, electrical components,

and electrically conductive pathways between components.
data and memory or controls the functions of a device.

A board stores

boot
See Bootstrap.
bootable medium

A disk containing software (such as an operating system) that a bootstrap program can load into the VAX system memory and begin program
execution.
bootstrap
1. A program that you start when you turn on the VAX. The bootstrap loads
software contained on a fixed disk into memory. After the software is
loaded, the VAX stops executing the bootstrap program and starts executing
the software in memory. The software usually loads an operating system
or other software into memory so that the VAX can start processing. The
bootstrap program (VMB) is loaded into memory by executing a boot
command procedure. The command procedure is executed from SYSINIT
(which runs when the console is powered up or after a power failure or
error halt) if AUTO_BOOT is enabled. The boot command procedure can
also be executed through the BOOT command.
2. To use a bootstrap program.
byte
A group of eight binary digits (bits). A byte is one-quarter of the size of a
VAX word.

Glossary-2

Glossary
central processing unit (CPU)
The part of a VAX system that controls the interpretation and execution of
instructions. The VAX 8800 system has two CPUs, a primary and secondary.
The VAX 8700, 8550, and 8500 systems have one CPU only.
clock

The VAX CPU master clock, which synchronizes the CPU’s activities. The
VAX 8800 two clocks: Clock A (Left CPU) and Clock B (Right CPU).
clock burst

When the clock steps a specified number of cycles and stops.
command

An order you can give to the VAX, often through a terminal keyboard.
communications

line

A cable along which electrical signals are transmitted. Devices or VAX
systems that are connected by communications lines can share information
and resources.
computer system
A combination of VAX hardware and software and external devices that

perform computing operations.
console

mode

The state in which the console terminal can be used to control the VAX
CPU(s).

CPU
An abbreviation for central processing unit. See central processing unit.
cold start

To start the system from a powered-off state.
debug
To detect, locate, and correct errors (bugs) in system hardware or software.

Glossary-3

Glossary
diagnostic program (diagnostics)
A program that detects and identifies abnormal VAX hardware operation.
Diagnostic programs are run in Micromonitor mode on the VAX system.
EMM
Environmental Monitoring Module. By means of its own microcomputer,
the EMM enables the console to control and monitor the VAX power system.
error message
A message displayed by the VAX to indicate a mistake or malfunction.
file
A collection of related information treated by the VAX as a

single item.

formatted data

A pattern of data that conforms to a structure dictated by the system
software.
halted
A CPU state in which power to the CPU(s) is on and the clocks are running,

but all CPU activity is on hold.
hard-copy terminal

A terminal that displays information on paper. See video terminal.
hardware

The physical components, mechanical and electrical, that make up a VAX
system. See software.
IBDECODER
The Instruction Buffer Decoder holds VAX instructions for the CPU to execute, parses the instructions, and directs the CPU to execute the instruction.
interface

A device or software that allows the components of a VAX to communicate.

Glossary—4

Glossary
I/O
Abbreviation for input/output.
IPR
Internal Processor Register.
processor.

A hardware register that is specific to one

K
The symbol for 2 to the 10th power (or 1024 in decimal notation).
keyswitches
Software switches that can be enabled to start/restart the system and/or
operating system. They are: AUTO_POWERON, AUTO_BOOT, AUTO
RESTART.
kilobyte
1024 bytes of information.
LED
Light-emitting diode. LEDs are indicators on the control panel. A segmented LED display on the CPU distribution panel insert on the back of
the VAX cabinet displays the characters F—A and 8-0 during the power-on
sequence to indicate CPU status and normal/abnormal operation.
load

1. To move software (usually from a peripheral device) to memory.
2.

To physically place a disk on a disk drive or a tape on a tape drive.

M
The symbol for 1024 squared (1,048,576 in decimal notation).
MCL
Memory controller.
megabyte
1,048,576 bytes.

Glossary—5

Glossary
memory
The temporary storage area of the VAX. Information held here is erased
when the system power is turned off.
memory module
A logic circuit board that contains additional memory for the system. Three
memory modules with 1, 2, or 4 megabytes of memory can be added to the
VAX.
menu
A displayed list of P/OS options that you can select to run.
Micromonitor

mode

The mode in which the diagnostics software is operable for troubleshooting
the VAX system.
micro-PC

A microcode program counter; the address of a microcode instruction.
NBI
An NMI to BI adapter interfaces the NMI bus to two Backplane Interconnect
(BI) buses. It is the principal I/O path to BI-based disk storage, terminals,
and other BI peripheral devices.
NBIA
An extended hex module mounted in the CPU backplane and contains the
NMI port and NBI transaction ports.
NBIB
A BI Eurocard containing the BI user ports. It is located in the BI backplanes
and connected to the NBIA through an interface cable.
NMI
Nautilus Memory Interconnect. The primary interconnect medium in
the VAX system. The NMI can support up to two processors, a memory
subsystem, and two I/O adaptors. It is a limited-length synchronous bus
with centralized arbitration and control.
Glossary-6

Glossary
off line

The state at which equipment and devices are unable to communicate with
the VAX or console.
on line

The state at which equipment and devices are able to communicate with the
VAX system.
operating system
A collection of VAX programs that control VAX operation and perform
tasks, such as assigning memory to programs and data, processing requests,
scheduling jobs, and controlling the operation of input and output devices.
parameter

A term used with a command to specify the object of the command.
Examples are a file, an address, or data.

P/OS
VAX console operating system.
power-up sequence (power up)
A series of ordered events that occur when you supply power by turning on
the console system.
PPI
Programmable Peripheral Interface. It offers three 8-bit programmable
ports used in the VAX system as data, address, and control ports linking
the Console Interface on the VAX clock module to the rest of the console
subsystem.
printer
An optional hard-copy device.

With the VAX 8800, 8700, 8550, and 8500, it

is used to provide paper copies of information stored in the VAX logfile.

program
The sequence of instructions the VAX needs to perform a task. See software.

Glossary-7

Glossary
program mode
A state in which

the console

communicates

with the VAX

as a terminal.

prompt

Words or characters the VAX displays to indicate that it is waiting for you to
type a command.

PRO/DCL
The command language application used to control the console operating
system (P/OS).

qualifier
A term that makes the action of a command more specific.
usually optional and are preceded by a slash (/).

Qualifiers are

RAM
Random-access memory.

See Random-access memory.

random-access memory (RAM)
Memory that can be both read and written to during normal operations. The
type of memory the VAX uses to store the instructions of programs currently
being run.
read-only memory (ROM)
A memory whose contents cannot be modified.
contained in a ROM but cannot change it.

The VAX can use the data

reboot

To restart a VAX system. This causes a cold start in which the operating
system must be reloaded.
restart

To start the VAX system via the RESTAR.COM command procedure and
Restart Parameter Block (RPB) without reloading the operating system. See
Warm start.

Glossary-8

Glossary
ROM
Read-only memory.

See Read-only memory.

RTI
Real Time Interface. A console peripheral option containing an IEEE-488
bus, two serial line units, and a 24-bit wide programmable interface (PPI).
run

A single continuous execution of a program.

scope
A VAX 8800 CPU that is both selected and available. Console commands
affect one or both CPUs. Commands that can affect both CPUs do so only
if the scope is set for both CPUs. The scope of a command affected by the
select and available criteria is controlled by the SET CPU command.
SDF
Slow Data File. A RAM used by the microcode to store constants and certain
IPRs. See IPR.
selected

The CPU specified in a SET CPU command.
serial line unit

The connection between the console processor and the Environmental
Monitoring Module (EMM) in the VAX power subsystem.
software

A program or programs executed by a VAX system to perform a chosen or
required function. See hardware.
storage medium
A device that records information, for example a diskette.
store

To enter data into a storage device, such as a disk, or into memory.

Glossary-9

Glossary
sync pulse
A signal which is generated when the micro-PC matches the Micromatch
register. Used by testing equipment.
system
A combination of VAX hardware, software, and peripheral devices that

perform specific processing operations.

system image
The executable image of system software.
terminal

An input/output device that allows you to communicate with the VAX
system. Terminals are divided into two categories: video and hard-copy.
trap silo
The stack of error traps used by microcode.
video

terminal

A terminal that displays information on the screen of a cathode ray tube
(CRT). See hard-copy terminal.
warm

start

The system power is on, SYSINIT.COM is reexecuted following a power
failure or error halt. RESTAR.COM will be executed to restart the operating
system, provided the AUTO_RESTART soft keyswitch has been enabled.
See Restart.

WwCS
Writeable Control Store. It consists of three RAMs into which the system’s
microcode is written.
winchester

disk

A hard disk permanently sealed in a drive unit to prevent contaminants
from affecting the read/write head.

Glossary—10

Glossary
word

The number of bits (32) that the VAX handles in an operation in which the
/WORD qualifier is used.
write protect
To protect a disk, diskette, or other storage medium from the addition,
revision, or deletion of information.
write-protect notch
The small notch on the side of an RX50 diskette that you can cover with
an adhesive-backed foil label or tab to prevent loss of data by accidental
overwriting.
write-protect tab
A rectangular tab that is used to cover the write-protect notch of an RX50
diskette to prevent loss of data by accidental overwriting. See write-protect
notch.

Glossary-11

INDEX
A
Adding Memory ® 4-9
Associated Documents ® xvi
AUTOBOOT ® 4-2
AUTORESTART ® 4-2

BCIBOO.COM ® F-6
BDABOO.COM ® F-8
BOOT command ® 5-9
Boot Command Procedures ® 4-10

Boot From BCI750 ® F-6
Boot other CPU ® 3-10
Boot this CPU ® 3-10

C
Chapter summaries ® xiii
Characters
deleting ® E-6
CLEAR ACCUMULATOR command ® 5-12, 5-13
Clear cold start flag ® 3-11
CLEAR command ® 5-1 1
CLEAR FLAGS command ® 6-2
CLEAR SCREEN command ® 5-14
CLEAR SOMM command ® 5-15
CLEAR TOMM command ® 5-16
Clear warm start flag ® 3-10
Clock change ® 3-9
Command Abbreviations ® 5-3
Command Descriptions ® 5-6
Command files, executing ® 5-7
Command language conventions ® xv

Command Language symbols ® 5-4
Command prompts ® 5-4
Commands
alphabetized listing ® 5-6
Commands syntax ® A-1
Command Terminator ® 5-3
Console/PRO DCL application
installing ® E-1
Console commands ® 5-1
for more than one CPU ® 3-2
Console directory organization ® 3-5
Console hardware ® 2-6
Console hardware ® 2-4
Console Hardware Diagram ® 2-4
Console installation ® 4-1
Console interface ® 2-7
Console messages ® 3-9
Console mode ® 3-2, 3-7, 5-1
Console Operating System
installing @ E-1
Console program ® 3-2
Console state bit definitions ® B-5
Console storage device ® 2-4
Console System Description ® 2-1
Console system software ® 3-1
CONTINUE command ® 5-17, 6-4
CPUs
left and right ® 3-2
CSBOO.COM ® F-9

Date and Time Form ® E-5

Defaults ® 5-3
DEFBOO.COM ® F-5
DEPOSIT

command ® 5-18

Index—1

DIAGNOSE command ® 6-5
DISABLE AUTO BOOT command ® 5-25
DISABLE AUTO POWERON command ® 5-26
DISABLE AUTO RESTART command ® 5-27
DISABLE
DISABLE

command ® 5-23
LOCAL CONSOLE

DISABLE

REMOTE

CONSOLE

DISABLE
DISABLE

REMOTE
REMOTE

MONITORING command ® 5-32
USER command ® 5-33

DISABLE

SECONDARY

command ® 5-28

DISABLE PRINTER command ® 5-29
DISABLE REMOTE

MODEM

command ® 5-30

command ® 5-31

Disable Secondary ® 3-11

command

® 5-34

Editing a Boot File ® 4-13
Editing DEFBOO.COM ® 4-12
EMM ® 2-8, 3-2
ENABLE AUTO BOOT command ® 5-37
ENABLE AUTO POWERON command ® 5-38
ENABLE AUTO RESTART command ® 5-39
ENABLE command ® 5-35
ENABLE LOCAL CONSOLE command ® 5-40
ENABLE PRINTER command ® 5-42
ENABLE REMOTE CONSOLE command ® 5-43
ENABLE REMOTE MODEM command ® 5-44
ENABLE REMOTE MONITORING command ® 5-45
ENABLE REMOTE USER command ® 5-46
ENABLE SECONDARY command ® 5-47
Environmental Monitoring Module ® 2-8
ERROR MESSAGES ® C-9
Error messages ® E-3
Error reporting ® 5-3
EXAMINE command ® 5-48
Executing Command files ® 5-7
EXIT.COM file ® F-6
EXIT command ® 5-53, 6-8
Exit command sequence ® F-6
External port ® 2-6

F
FIND command ® 5-54
Function keys
CTRL/C @ 5-5
CTRL/Q ® 5-5

2-Index

Function keys (cont’d.)
CTRL/S ® 5-5
CTRL/U ® 5-5
CTRL/Z ® 5-5
DELETE ® 5-5
Hold Screen ® 5-5
Print Screen ® 5-5
RETURN ® 5-5

Set-Up ® 5-6

General Purpose Registers ® B-6
Get CPU information ® 3-11

HALT command ® 5-56
Halt messages ® 3-9
Hardware
diagnosing problems ® E-3
Hardware problem
screen display ® E-3
Help ® 5-6
HELP command ® 5-58

IF command ® 5-60
INFORMATION MESSAGES ® C-1
Initialization failure © 4-2
INITIALIZE command ® 5-62
Initialize command sequence ® F-1
Installation display ® E-4

Installing console operating system ® 4-9
Installing PRO/DCL ® 4-9
Installing the CONSOLE/PRODCL Application ® E-8
Installing the Console Operating System (P/OS) ®
E-2
Installing the Console Operating System and
Applications ® 4-9
Intended audience ® xiii
Interface
console ® 2-7
Internal Processor Registers ® B-2

Keyboard Editing Functions ® 4-13
Keyboards
locked, unlocking ® 5-6

L
LINK command ® 5-65
LOAD command ® 5-67
Locked keyboard
unlocking ® 5-6
Log file ® 3-12
Logical and Physical CPUs, VAX 8800 ® 3-2
LOOP command ® 6-9

PERFORM command ® 5-76
Power change ® 3-8
POWER command ® 5-78
Powering Up and Initializing the System ® 4-4
Powering up system ® 4-2
POWER OFF command ® 5-80
POWER ON comand ® 5-81
POWER STANDBY ® 5-83
Power System ® 2-8
Printer interface ® 2-4
PROBE VBUS command ® 5-84
Product description ® 2-1
Program mode ® 3-2, 3-7

Qualifiers ® 5-2

Manual objectives ® xiii
Micromonitor commands ® 6-1
Micromonitor mode ® 5-1
MICROSTEP command ® 5-72
Miscellaneous Operating System Commands ® 3-9
Modes of console operation ® 3-6
Moving between console and program modes®
4-8
Multiple command streams ® 3-8

NEXT command ® 5-74
Notes
console hardware ® 2-6
Numeric and address data ® B-1
Numeric literals ® B-1

Operating system
reinstalling ® E-5
Options ® 5-2

P
P/OS diskettes ® E-2
Parameters ® 5-1

Read Time of Day Register® 3-11
Remote port change ® 3-9
Removing Memory ® 4-9
REPEAT command ® 5-86
Required system files ® 4-17
Reserved file names ® 4-17
RESTAR.COM ® F-3
Restarting After a Halt ® 4-6
Restart Sequence ® F-3

Screen messages ® 3-9
Scroll

stopping with Hold Screen key® 5-5
SECBOO.COM ® F-5
Secondary Boot Command Sequence ® F-5
see EMM
SELECT command ® 6-10
SENSE REVISION command ® 5-88

SENSE REVISION CONSOLE command ® 5-89
SENSE REVISION CPU(S) command ® 5-90
SENSE

REVISION

MCL

command ® 5-91

SENSE REVISION NBI command ® 5-92
SET CLOCK command ® 5-95
SET command ® 5-93
SET CPU command ® 5-97

Index-3

DEFAULT

command ® 5-99

SET EMM command ® 5-101
SET FLAGS command ® 6-1 1
SET MARGINS command ® 5-102
SET

NEXT_PRIMARY

command ® 5-104

SET NOVERIFY command ® 5-105
SET RELOCATION command ® 5-106
SET SOMM command ® 5-108
SET

SYNC

command ® 5-109

SET TOMM

command ® 5-112

SET TERMINAL command ® 5-110
SET VERIFY command ® 5-113
SHOW ACCUMULATOR command ® 5-115
SHOW command ® 5-114
SHOW CPU command ® 5-116
SHOW
SHOW

UNJAM

command ® 5-136

signal ® 3-10

V
VAX 8550/8500 Hardware Diagram ® 2-1
VAX 8800 Hardware Diagram ® 2-1
VAX banner ® 4-2
VERIFY command ® 5-137
VERIFY EMM command ® 5-138
VERIFY MODULE command ® 6-15

VERIFY MODULE
VERIFY
VERIFY

PLACEMENT

command ® 5-139

REVISION command ® 5-140
RTI command ® 5-142

DEFAULT command ® 5-118
LOGFILE command ® 3-12, 5-120

SHOW MICMON command ® 6-13
SHOW POWER command ® 5-122
SHOW REVISION command ® 5-123
SHOW STATUS command ® 5-129
SHOW TIME command ® 5-131
Soft Keyswitches ® 3-4
Software-Implemented Processor Control Panel ®
3-3
Special keys®5-5
Stand-alone Backup ® F-9
START Command ® 5-132
Status monitoring ® 3-8
Structure of document ® xiii
Symbolic Addresses ® B-2
SYSINIT.COM file ® F-1
System block diagram ® 2-1
System command files ® F-1
System hardware ® 2-1

T
Temporary Registers, Readable and Writable ® B-7
TEST command ® 5-134
The Console Commands ® 5-6
The System Clocks ® 3-3
Time of year clock ® 2-6
Toggle Next Primary ® 3-11

4—Iindex

UNJAM

WAIT

command ® 5-143

Wait light ® 5-6
WARNING MESSAGES ® C-4
Write Time of Day Register® 3-11

HOW

TO ORDER

ADDITIONAL

DOCUMENTATION

DIRECT TELEPHONE ORDERS
In Continental USA _
and Puerto Rico
call 800-258-1710

In Canada
call 800-267-6146

In New Hampshire
Alaska or Hawaii
call 603-884-6660

ELECTRONIC ORDERS (U.S. ONLY)
Dial 800—DEC—DEMO with any VT100 or VT200
compatible terminal and a 1200 baud modem.
If you need assistance, call 800—DEC-—INFO.

DIRECT MAIL ORDERS (U.S. and Puerto Rico*)
DIGITAL

EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
P.O. Box CS2008
Nashua, New Hampshire 03061

DIRECT MAIL ORDERS

(Canada)

DIGITAL

EQUIPMENT OF CANADA LTD.
940 Belfast Road
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1G 4C2
Attn: A&SG Business Manager

INTERNATIONAL
DIGITAL
EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
A&SG Business Manager
c/o Digital’s local subsidiary
or approved distributor

Internal orders should be placed through the Software Distribution
Digital Equipment Corporation, Northboro, Massachusetts 01532
*Any prepaid order from Puerto Rico must be placed
with the Local Digital Subsidiary:
809-754-7575

Center

(SDC),

Console User’s Guide VAX 8800/8700/8550/8500
AA-FH28C-TE

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Assembly language programmer
Higher-level language programmer
Occasional programmer (experienced)

User with little programming

Student programmer

experience

Other (please specify)

Name

Date

Organization
Street

City

State ________—_—6cZip

Code

or Country

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NO POSTAGE
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IN THE
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MAIL

FIRST CLASS PERMIT NO.33 MAYNARD

MASS.

POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE

DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
CORPORATE USER PUBLICATIONS
MLO5—5/E45
146 MAIN STREET
MAYNARD, MA 01754-2571

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SOEHGE0

DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION