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Conference ssag::ask_ssag

Title:Ask the Storage Architecture Group
Notice:Check out our web page at http://www-starch.shr.dec.com
Moderator:SSAG::TERZAN
Created:Wed Oct 15 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:6756
Total number of notes:25276

6493.0. "VAXstation 4000/60 Cougar SCSI Bus" by SLOAN::HOM () Wed Mar 19 1997 07:09

I'm having problems bringing up VMS 5.5-2 on a Cougar.
The OS works fine on a VS3100.  

The system has "fatal controller" errors when plugged
into the Cougar. All the drives are external.

Could it be SCSI lengths/segments problems?  I'm using
retreads such as the old Storage Expansion boxes holding
2 5.25" drives, external TK50 plus a  pizza box.


Gim
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
6493.1LEFTY::CWILLIAMSCD or not CD, that's the questionWed Mar 19 1997 08:279
    Best guess is that the 4000/60 needs a later version of O'VMS to run.
    V5.5-2 is -old-. V5.5-h4 is probably the minimum that you will get
    anyone to even discuss. Upgrade.
    
    If you run a current release of VMS and it happens, then it's time to
    check busses. 
    
    Chris
6493.2Shorten the bus, remove the widgets...XDELTA::HOFFMANSteve, OpenVMS EngineeringFri Apr 04 1997 10:2723
   The VAXstation 4000-60 is supported under V5.5 and later, unless there
   is some other I/O widget around that requires a later OpenVMS release.
   It should boot fine under V5.5-2.

   (I'd still recommend running the current release, OpenVMS VAX V7.1.)

   A scatter-shot collection of widgets can certainly cause all manner of
   SCSI problems.  Heck, even compliant SCSI can cause SCSI problems.  :-)

   Pull the widgets off the SCSI bus and check for unique SCSI IDs across
   all other widgets and across the host SCSI controller, then add (only)
   the necessary SCSI widgets back onto the bus one at a time, verifying
   correct operation after each connection.  (Do *not* hot-plug this SCSI
   configuration.  Power the system and all SCSI enclosures down before
   disconnecting the bus.)  If you have any slack in any SCSI cable, get
   a shorter SCSI cable.  If you have any way to consolidate widgets into
   fewer SCSI expansion enclosures, do it.

   Note that there are specific versions of the TK50 for SCSI, and there
   are versions for the VAXstation 2000 almost-SCSI bus.  They're not
   interchangeable.  (There was a ROM upgrade for these widgets, but
   that may also be long gone from the price files...)