I have just loaded OpenVMS 8.3 from the hobby kit onto an AlphaStation 200. The install appeared to go fine and I took all of the defaults (it's a long time since I loaded VMS). At the console prompt bootdef_dev is defined as dka0, which is correct. When I boot >>> b dka0 the machine goes through the boot process and then displays as follows:
jump to bootstrap code
%APB-F- BADSYSROOT
System root [SYSA.] does not exist, check bootflags
Halted CPU 0
Halt code 5
HALT instruction executed
PC = 20003Fc4
Warning HWRPB is invalid
If I boot from the installation disk I get the oportunity of executing DCL commands. From here if I mount the system disk I can see all of the directories that I might expect to see. Also the system logicals (eg. sys$common, sys$manager) seem to be fine.'
This was indeed the solution. I had been running True64 on the box previously. Machine now boots fine. Just have to work out how to login to it now. Will check the FAQs.
malmberg August 04 2022 No more VAX hobbyist licenses.
Community licenses for Alpha/IA64/X86_64 VMS Software Inc.
Commercial VMS software licenses for VAX available from HPE.
ozboomer July 20 2022 Just re-visiting.. No more hobbyist licenses? Is that from vmssoftware.com, no 'community' licenses?
valdirfranco July 01 2022 No more hobbyist license...sad
mister_wavey February 12 2022 I recall that the disks failed on the public access VMS systems that included Fafner
parwezw January 03 2022 Anyone know what happened to FAFNER.DYNDS.ORG?
I had a hobbyist account here but can longer access the site.
gtackett October 27 2021 Make that DECdfs _2.1A_ for Vax
gtackett October 27 2021 I'm looking for DECdfs V2.4A kit for VAX.
Asking here just in case anyone is still listening.
MarkRLV September 17 2021 At one time, didn't this web site have a job board? I would love to use my legacy skills one last time in my career.
malmberg January 18 2021 New Hobbyist PAKs for VAX/VMS are no longer available according to reports. Only commercial licenses are reported to be for sale from HPE
dfilip January 16 2021 Can someone please point me to hobbyist license pak? I'm looking for VAX/VMS 7.1, DECnet Phase IV, and UCX/TCPIP ... have the 7.1 media, need the license paks ... thanks!
