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Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96 |
OliverK
Member
Posts: 25
Location: Germany
Joined: 24.05.10 |
| Posted on March 13 2012 08:16 |
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I'd like to connect a Keyboard to my brand new toy.
Is there any possibility to use a standard (PC) keyboard with my VAX? |
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RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96 |
OliverK
Member
Posts: 25
Location: Germany
Joined: 24.05.10 |
| Posted on March 24 2012 09:59 |
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It's not - I aleady bought a DEC Keyboard |
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RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96 |
saq
Member
Posts: 60
Joined: 24.05.08 |
| Posted on March 25 2012 17:57 |
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It's possible, but you'd have to build a converter using a PIC or other microcontroller. Easier to buy a DEC keyboard. |
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RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96 |
somersdave
Member
Posts: 67
Location: bristol,UK
Joined: 23.03.07 |
| Posted on March 27 2012 07:37 |
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With the Alpha 4000 (same number ) server I find using PuTTY over SSH/100Mbit Ethernet allows me to use the EDT keypad (I think delete word is missing) with my beloved EVE (eXtensible Vax Editor - before it became 'Versatile' ) - I was 'chuffed' the other day when I remembered CNTL K to learn an edit key sequence, after many years!
With Ubuntu, SSH enabled, running on the PC 'bringing up' a terminal window and entering :
sudo ssh -Y 192.168.0.4 -l system
allows a login which permits cut and paste to/from the PC when in EVE - but not the keypad functions.
The point being that although the Alpha has a PC KB socket with which I think I had some basic functionality with machine using a VGA screen and despite being fortunate to be given a VT420 monitor and KB - once the machine is booted and TCPIP running, it's 'nicer' to use the PC to 'talk' to the computer away from the fan noise and sometimes cold air!
Haven't tried much with Dec Windows but that can be run over SSH when sat at the PC, splitting processing between the Alpha and the PC. In this way I can do stuff (like trying to remember how to program) on the Alpha and be distracted by Youtube, etc.
I can't recall too much about the VAXstation 4000. I may have used one about 18 years ago but even some 'basic' communication with the machine may provide some more setup options to make it user friendly, possibly via a PC. |
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RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96 |
saq
Member
Posts: 60
Joined: 24.05.08 |
| Posted on March 27 2012 17:54 |
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VAXstation is the older DEC keyboard (LKA-201/401) interface, last seen on the DEC 3000 AXP. PS/2 came in on the later Alphas. |
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RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96 |
abrsvc
Member
Posts: 108
Joined: 12.03.10 |
| Posted on March 28 2012 02:36 |
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Oliver,
Send me an Email. I have a keyboard available for low $$ that works.
Dan |
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RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96 |
somersdave
Member
Posts: 67
Location: bristol,UK
Joined: 23.03.07 |
| Posted on March 28 2012 09:44 |
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Sorry, I didn't take too much notice of the hardware in my programming days (specifically the MMJ)
Found a little on the 'box' which looks like the desktop system I used.
The following has an image and link to a PDF "Digital Systems and Options Catalog"
http://www.global-itcorp.com/digital-dec/vax-systems/vaxstations/vaxstation-400096/
The DEC keyboard (I have an LK401) that plugs into the VT420 has the MMJ (Modified Modular Jack) here's a little history and description:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modified_Modular_Jack
http://www.lammertbies.nl/comm/cable/dec-mmj.html |
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RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96 |
OliverK
Member
Posts: 25
Location: Germany
Joined: 24.05.10 |
| Posted on March 28 2012 10:10 |
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Thanx for all of the replies.
I already bought a keyboard on ebay.
And it works.
I also bought connector cables from VAX to VGA.
I know that it's difficult to find a VGA monitor with SYSNC-ON-GREEN.
My flatscreen doesn't work- anyway.
So may next step will be to find a monitor with component input.
Is there a request?
PS: I can boot the VAX ("blind" because i just type b dka0)
After the system is booted I can connect by using a terminal connection.
But I cannot install the latest VAX OpenVMS without a monitor.
Thanx
Oliver |
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RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96 |
Bruce Claremont
Member
Posts: 623
Joined: 07.01.10 |
| Posted on March 28 2012 10:38 |
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You can connect a VT terminal or PC running a VT terminal emulator to the serial port on the VAXstation. It will also act as a console device. By default it should be set to run at 9600,8,N,1. |
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RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96 |
OliverK
Member
Posts: 25
Location: Germany
Joined: 24.05.10 |
| Posted on March 28 2012 10:58 |
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YES - I CAN.
As I posted before I use a "terminal connection"
I can use my PC to connect to OpenVMS 5.5-2 (which came with the BOX)
I would like to update to 7.3
Therefore I need a monitor.
The Problem is, that I can only connect to a running OS.
Thanx anyway
Oliver |
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RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96 |
saq
Member
Posts: 60
Joined: 24.05.08 |
| Posted on March 28 2012 18:24 |
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You don't need a running VMS to connect via serial. All "real computers" support alternate consoles, and VAX is no exception.
Turn your VAXstation around and look for a small switch (usually labeled "S3" Flip it to the other position. S3 is the alternate console switch, and will redirect the console from the graphics head to the printer port (it's the MMJ connector on the back). Sadly there's no way to redirect it to the D-sub connector.
If you look around you can find SOG capable flat panels - check out the UNIX workstation groups, as they also tend to be seeking out SOG monitors. I know Nekochan (SGI) has a list of known working panels.
MANX will be your friend: http://www.vt100.net/manx/search?cp=1&q=VAXstation |
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RE: Monitors with Sync on Green |
urbancamo
Member
Posts: 47
Location: Windermere, UK
Joined: 16.05.07 |
| Posted on April 20 2012 21:21 |
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There are quite a few flat panels out there that will do sync-on-green. I have an Iiyama panel (18.4" 1280x104) and two AG Neovo's that work fine.
Regards, Mark |
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