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OpenVMS Hobbyist Program | VAX Systems Forums | VAX Hardware Forum
Author Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96
OliverK
Member

Posts: 25
Location: Germany
Joined: 24.05.10
Posted on March 13 2012 08:16
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?
Author RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96
OliverK
Member

Posts: 25
Location: Germany
Joined: 24.05.10
Posted on March 24 2012 09:59
It's not - I aleady bought a DEC Keyboard
Author RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96
saq
Member

Posts: 60
Joined: 24.05.08
Posted on March 25 2012 17:57
It's possible, but you'd have to build a converter using a PIC or other microcontroller. Easier to buy a DEC keyboard.
Author RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96
somersdave
Member

Posts: 67
Location: bristol,UK
Joined: 23.03.07
Posted on March 27 2012 07:37
With the Alpha 4000 (same numbersmiley ) 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' smiley ) - 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.
Author RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96
saq
Member

Posts: 60
Joined: 24.05.08
Posted on March 27 2012 17:54
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.
Author RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96
abrsvc
Member

Posts: 108
Joined: 12.03.10
Posted on March 28 2012 02:36
Oliver,

Send me an Email. I have a keyboard available for low $$ that works.

Dan
Author RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96
somersdave
Member

Posts: 67
Location: bristol,UK
Joined: 23.03.07
Posted on March 28 2012 09:44
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
Author RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96
OliverK
Member

Posts: 25
Location: Germany
Joined: 24.05.10
Posted on March 28 2012 10:10
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
Author RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96
Bruce Claremont
Member

Posts: 623
Joined: 07.01.10
Posted on March 28 2012 10:38
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.
Author RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96
OliverK
Member

Posts: 25
Location: Germany
Joined: 24.05.10
Posted on March 28 2012 10:58
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
Author RE: Keyboard for VaxStation 4000/96
saq
Member

Posts: 60
Joined: 24.05.08
Posted on March 28 2012 18:24
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"smiley 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
Author RE: Monitors with Sync on Green
urbancamo
Member

Posts: 47
Location: Windermere, UK
Joined: 16.05.07
Posted on April 20 2012 21:21
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
http://www.wickensonline.co.uk
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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!

Bart
October 16 2020
OpenVMS, and this website!

malmberg
September 05 2020
VSI community non-commercial licenses for AXP/IA64 are available now.

malmberg
September 05 2020
See the forum about licensing. Don't know if HPE hobby licenses still being issued. Commercial licenses still being sold.

silfox70
September 01 2020
I need the license for OpenVMS7.3. Where can I find them?

malmberg
August 29 2020
Eisner, which is currently being moved, got an SSH update and the keys were updated to more modern encryption standards.

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