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Re: Why no "recent" OpenVMS VAX Suport on VAX-11? (was: Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM)

From Stephen Hoffman <seaohveh@hoffmanlabs.invalid>
Newsgroups comp.os.vms
Subject Re: Why no "recent" OpenVMS VAX Suport on VAX-11? (was: Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM)
Date 2025-12-11 11:52 -0500
Organization HoffmanLabs LLC
Message-ID <10hessf$2bmar$1@dont-email.me> (permalink)
References <10gd7ig$6g5c$1@mail.neurotica.com> <10gg022$lc6$1@panix2.panix.com> <mddms43kpmr.fsf@panix5.panix.com> <10giqjn$rp4i$1@dont-email.me>

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On 2025-12-01 01:21:59 +0000, Arne Vajhøj said:

> On 11/30/2025 7:33 PM, Rich Alderson wrote:
>> kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) writes:
>>> In article <10gd7ig$6g5c$1@mail.neurotica.com>,
>>> Dave McGuire  <mcguire@lssmuseum.org> wrote:
>>>> Hi folks, I thought some here might be interested to hear that we at
>>>> the Large Scale Systems Museum have gotten our VAX-11/780 to the point
>>>> where it will boot VMS.  We fixed a list of hardware issues as long as
>>>> my arm, but it runs, and it runs great.
>> 
>>>> Next on the list for that machine is the addition of a DEUNA Ethernet
>>>> controller and a permanent system disk.  (For our final testing we
>>>> borrowed the VMS v4.7 system disk, an RA90, from our VAX-11/750.)
>> 
>>> What's the last version of VMS that can run on that machine?  I may have
>>> a Multinet kit for it but I think I gave my DEUNAs both away.
>> 
>> We ran 7.3 on our 11/780-5 (a field upgraded 780) at Living Computers.
> 
> I don't think DEC/CPQ/HPE would have supported it.
> 
> VMS 7.1 SPD state:
> 
> <quote>
> VMS V5.1 was the final version to support the
> VAX-11/725.
> 
> OpenVMS VAX Version 6.2 was the final version to sup-
> port the following:
> VAX-11/730
> VAX-11/750
> VAX-11/751
> VAX-11/780
> VAX-11/782
> VAX-11/785
> </quote>
> 
> But if it runs then it runs.
> 
> And both 6.2 and 7.3 are generally out of support and has been
> so for many years anyway.
> 
> Arne

Having been directly involved in researching and writing that 
particular SPD text, the removal of VAX/VMS and OpenVMS VAX support for 
those VAX systems was promulgated for two reasons:

1: no supported optical media devices on those VAX models, and no 
InfoServer boot, and no media; no then-available TK50, 9 track magtape, 
RC25, or other supported boot media at the Digital Equipment 
Corporation (DEC) Software Distribution Center (SDC) / Software Supply 
Business (SSB),

2: no then-working VAX ystems to test and troubleshoot with, so 
software support was going to be difficult or intractable for any 
platform-specific issues.

DEC could no longer source quantities of blank TK50 or older supported 
media for those installs and upgrades.

Which meant those VAX systems need entirely-feasible but less than 
easily supported shenanigans for performing OpenVMS VAX installations 
and upgrades.

Nothing was done to OpenVMS VAX to prevent those VAX systems from 
booting, and OpenVMS VAX V7.3 will boot and work just fine — assuming 
sufficient main memory available, and assuming a system manager / admin 
knowledgable in shuffing OpenVMS VAX installers around and with some 
spare / swappable storage ardware.





-- 
Pure Personal Opinion | HoffmanLabs LLC 

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Thread

VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM Dave McGuire <mcguire@lssmuseum.org> - 2025-11-28 17:26 -0500
  Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM Subcommandante XDelta <vlf@star.enet.dec.com> - 2025-11-30 10:23 +1100
  Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) - 2025-11-29 18:36 -0500
    Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM Arne Vajhøj <arne@vajhoej.dk> - 2025-11-29 18:42 -0500
      Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM Dave McGuire <mcguire@lssmuseum.org> - 2025-11-30 21:56 -0500
        Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM Johnny Billquist <bqt@softjar.se> - 2025-12-03 13:25 +0100
    Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM Rich Alderson <news@alderson.users.panix.com> - 2025-11-30 19:33 -0500
      Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM Arne Vajhøj <arne@vajhoej.dk> - 2025-11-30 20:21 -0500
        Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM "Robert A. Brooks" <FIRST.LAST@vmssoftware.com> - 2025-11-30 21:33 -0500
        Re: Why no "recent" OpenVMS VAX Suport on VAX-11? (was: Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM) Stephen Hoffman <seaohveh@hoffmanlabs.invalid> - 2025-12-11 11:52 -0500
  Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM Simon Clubley <clubley@remove_me.eisner.decus.org-Earth.UFP> - 2025-12-01 13:10 +0000
    Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM Dave McGuire <mcguire@lssmuseum.org> - 2025-12-02 12:15 -0500
      Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM chrisq <syseng@gfsys.co.uk> - 2025-12-05 16:22 +0000
        Re: VAX-11/780 up and running at LSSM Dave McGuire <mcguire@lssmuseum.org> - 2025-12-06 11:01 -0500

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