[Simh] Interesting problem in using the (new) VAX emulation code

[Gregg Levine]

On Tue, Mar 20, 2012 at 1:27 PM, Mark Pizzolato - Info Comm
<Mark at infocomm.com> wrote:
> Hi Gregg,
>
> I just downloaded the vaxcd-5.1.2.iso and did an install.  I installed from CD (and selected the cd device as ra1c).  I had to use a telnet session for the console so I could read the various install menus which presumed a VT100 capable terminal session.
>
> I didn't do a network install since although the correct device name was mentioned (qe0) I didn't know a valid answer to the media type prompt which came shortly after.  This isn't a simh issue though.
>
> I selected a 'minimal install' from CD (as mentioned above), and after a few minutes there was a kernel panic and a resulting HALT instruction executed similar to what you saw.
>
> I tried again with the same target ra92 disk, but this time using an older NetBSD 5.1 image (not the NetBSD 5.1.2 which is current).  This install went fine.  I say that there is something wrong with the vax CD image for 5.1.2.  You may want to pursue that issue with the NetBSD folks or run with an older version.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> - Mark Pizzolato
>
> On Sunday, March 18, 2012 1:20 PM, Gregg Levine wrote:
>> On Sun, Mar 18, 2012 at 4:31 AM, Mark Pizzolato wrote:
>> > Hi Gregg,
>> >
>> > On Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 7:52 PM, Gregg Levine wrote:
>> >> Hello!
>> >> I am trying to use the instructions for installing (and then running)
>> >> NetBSD with the VAX emulation. Since it seems to be a bit of a SNAFU
>> >> for installing via CD, I decided to try and make use of the improved
>> >> networking code to fetch the sets via FTP and install that way.
>> >> However the installer is causing a strange dump effect. Here's a cut
>> >> and paste of what is happening:
>> >>  Status: Running
>> >>     Command: progress -zf /targetroot/usr/INSTALL/base.tgz tar
>> >> --chroot - xhepf -
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >> -----------
>> >>  73% |*************************          | 53420 KiB  178.64 KiB/s
>> >> 01:48 ETApanic: Segv in kernel mode: pc 80058e6f addr 32
>> >>
>> >> dumping to dev 23,1 offset 8
>> >> dump succeeded
>> >>
>> >> HALT instruction, PC: 800DC7A4 (PUSHAB 80103B88)
>> >> sim>
>> >> --
>> >> What is interesting is that always happens that way. Even with a new
>> >> disk image being created. I did once manage to get the original one
>> >> to accept the NetBSD instructions and install the OS a while ago, but not
>> on this machine.
>> >> Mark this is something running on a snapshot from your collection, it
>> >> is not what is being offered from the site.
>> >
>> > The above info is interesting, but hardly enough for me to make any sense
>> of...
>> >
>> > I don't think I've ever done a NetBSD vax install, and certainly never done
>> one via ftp.
>> > What specific set of instructions were you following?
>> > What simulator (vax or vax780) are you using?
>> > What host OS are you running under?
>> > What specific simulator source are you using? (a snapshot from my
>> collection isn't very specific since it is changing over time (when was this
>> taken))?
>> > What does your simulator configuration file look like?
>> >
>> > Give me enough to work with and I'll probably have some input...
>> >
>> > Thanks.
>> >
>> > - Mark Pizzolato
>> >
>> >
>>
>> Hello!
>> Mark according to my system the source code drop was made last Monday,
>> 3/12/2012. As for the routines used to start the emulator, here they
>> are:
>> load -r /usr/local/bin/ka655x.bin
>>  set cpu 64m
>>  set rq0 ra92
>>  at rq0 /usr/local/vax-netbsd/netbsd.dsk  set rq1 cdrom  at rq1
>> /usr/local/vax-netbsd/vaxcd-5.1.2.iso
>>  at xq0 eth0
>>  boot cpu
>> ---
>> I believe its the regular vax simulation at work rather then the vax780 one.
>> -----
>> Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8 at gmail.com
>> "This signature fought the Time Wars, time and again."
>
>

Hello!
That's something. Okay Mark, when I resume my work with that
environment I shall indeed try a older release. 5.0 or 5.1 which you
used.

Ideally it just might be the fault of the installer. Or it might be
just me........

Now the interesting one, regarding a media issue for the network, I
just hit return <enter> actually at that prompt. (Return is also the
enter key.) it just accepted it and away it went.

Now I've got a new project up. I'll post more later.

Oh and I owe you something food related, the next time you're
somewhere in the City if you do visit NYC sometimes.
-----
Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8 at gmail.com
"This signature fought the Time Wars, time and again."