[Simh] EXT : VAX SDL support?

[Mark Pizzolato]

On Friday, March 10, 2017 at 10:06 PM, Tony Nicholson wrote:
> On Fri, Mar 10, 2017 at 12:31 PM, Paul Koning wrote:
> >
> >> On Mar 9, 2017, at 7:20 PM, Hittner, David T [US] (MS) wrote:
> >>
> >> The Qbus-based VAXen support the QVSS (black-n-white) video module
> >> cards, which were the basis of the original VaxStation I and were also
> >> compatible with VaxStation II's, III's, and 4000's. The SIMH QVSS uses SDL 
> >> for visualization.
> >>
> >> This is a native DecWindows interface.
> >
> > The eary VAXstations could also run VAXwindows, which predates
> > DECwindows and isn't based on X.  I used it at one time.  It was ok, but rather
> > slow.  It's not a client-server system as X is.  I wonder if any copies of the
> > software still exist.
> 
> A few years back I managed to image VWS V3.2 from an old TK50 distribution
> tape and successfully installed it under VAX/VMS V4.7 using SIMH microvax II
> (KA630) with "set cpu model=vaxstation"
> graphics enabled.
> 
> I put a copy of the tape image of VWS032 at
> 
>   https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8ua4QU-
> 3W8kTG0yR2FMTmlZa0E/view?usp=sharing
> (just click Download).
> 
> To get VAX/VMS V4.7 installed, the distribution tapes are on ftp.trailing-
> edge.com.  You'll need to install VAX/VMS V4.6, apply the mandatory update
> for V4.6, upgrade to VAX/VMS V4.7 (all separate
> tapes)
> 
> bb-bt05d-be_vaxvms_v4_6_bin_c1987.tap
> bb-fy83c-be_vms_v4_6_mand_upd_c1987.tap
> bb-ky59a-be_vms_v4_7_bin_c1987.tap
> 
> There's also a couple of security updates for VAX/VMS V4.7 from TK50s that
> I've put at
> 
>   https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8ua4QU-
> 3W8kLTBLaVpZbml6N0U/view?usp=sharing
> (again click Download)
> 
> It all fits on an RD54 emulated system disk - however it is a bit of a tight fit.
> There's no Y2K fixes in VAX/VMS V4.7 but it seems to cope with the current
> date just fine.

There is absolutely no need to be stuck with a tight fit.  The RQ disks simulated
on the MicroVAX2 simulator can be any size.  VMS doesn't care one way or 
another.

- Mark