init scsi external hard drive

[SCC_2]

Hello,

System running Micro VAx II v5.2, with an external seagate Hd, few weeks ago, the drive have error on it (2 files or date write into the block or area) and can't reboot it. Have a tk50 vms v5.2 tape 2 with s/a can't boot up too because the tape is bad...my lord here goes my weekend....lol.
Install the drive to another Vax 3100 running on v5.5 and can see the drive and can read file but can't write to it,for some reason the drive was write protected. There are 2 extra scsi hd by seagate was use before on PC and by looking at the spec. which will work for Vax system. install it and can see the drive (dka0) but I can't init it. Disk drive error.
I think is the format or the scsi controller that was old and cause the error message. I try init dka0: test and also try init/erase dka0: test but no go. Is there a way I can try to init. this drive ?
Thanks !
SCC

[Joseph Huber_1]

VMS versions before 6.2 had many problems with some Seagate drives, coming from the firmware of the drive.
From an old comp.os.vms posting:


There is a bug in VMS 5.5-2 pertaining specifically to Seagate drives
- I have hit this problem myself - The patch regards "non-standard"
startup microcode received from the Seagate. The patch is probably
incorporated into later versions of VMS.. If I remember correctly it
took all "invalid extraneous" bits and ignored them...


Newer VMS versions often can handle these drives.
Eventually google comp.os.vms to find a patch, if You can't upgrade to a newer VMS.

[Karl Rohwedder]

I've used Seagate drives on VAXes and Alphas,
but not all foreign models will work, esp.
on VAXes.
Perhaps it is best you try to get some used
origical DEC disks, RZ26,RZ28...

regards Kalle

[Antoniov. · Accepted solution]

Hi SCC,
I'm afraid HD SCSI used on PC aren't usable on vax with vms V5.*. In the past I tryed to use some PC disk on alpha station without success. You have to use RZ* disk.
However, if you will try again you have to check all disk parameters.
- I think you have SCSI I or SCCI II controller (50 pin connector); your HD has to work with SCSI I or II.
- Check for termination.
- Format HD on PC before using on VAX.

May you report disk models?

Antonio Vigliotti

[Joseph Huber_1]

maybe this note helps a bit further:

http://wwwvms.mppmu.mpg.de/~huber/vmsnet/notes/segate_firmware.note
and get the Seagate program mentioned there on a PC to change the write cache enable bit on the drives setup pages.

[Joseph Huber_1]

If You are able to use the seagate utility to change the code pages, in addition check if in page 1 there is
_ENABLE AUTOMATIC READ REALLOC
and/or
_ENABLE AUTOMATIC WRITE REALLOC
turned on. VMS 5* doesn't like these bits set, turn it off.

BTW, if You (or a colleague near You) have a newer VMS system available, there is a scsi_mode utility in sys$etc: which also can modify code page bits.

[Joseph Huber_1]

and,sorry, a typo in the above URL:

http://wwwvms.mppmu.mpg.de/~huber/vmsnet/notes/seagate_firmware.note