I'm experimenting with FreeAXP and OpenVMS via VSI's "OpenVMS Student Package".
This goes straight into booting. Unfortunately, I've added the same mount command twice to the SYS$STARTUP:SYSTARTUP_VMS.COM file and it hangs when attempting to boot.
Looking at page 56 of you manual, it says:
Errors in SYS$USER_CONFIG.DAT or in the SYSMAN commands could crash
OpenVMS. Be very careful in applying these settings. If VMS will not boot after
modifying SYS$USER_CONFIG.DAT, use a conversational boot with STARTUP_P1
set to "MIN" to regain access to the system and remove the offending
SYS$USER_CONFIG.DAT file.
but I don't see how this is done. I've tried adding it in various places in the .CFG file, but then FreeAXP either fails with an error and refuses to start, or goes ahead and runs the SYS$STARTUP:SYSTARTUP_VMS.COM file on boot anyway.
I would expect SYS$USER_CONFIG.DAT to be empty or non-existent. For a newbie, that is a don't touch file for now. It is for adding additional device drivers, which should not ever be needed on FreeAXP.
The openVMS Documentation manual for doing an install should guide to a coversational boot, by modifying the parameters in the FreeAxp boot command.
The FreeAXP forum here should be able to help you with that.
Once you get it working. Don't test mount commands in your SYSTARTUP_VMS.COM
Spend some time reading the WIKI for the VMSPORTS project on SourceForge before you start editing the system files. It will save you from making common mistakes.
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!
