RQDX3 - format disk on PDP-11, use on MicroVAX?

[leegleason]

I'm experimenting with old disks here. I have a Micro-11/73 with an RQDX3 that I used to format an RD32, no problems, no errors. I copied XXDP to it, just so there would be some data on the disk. I ran XXDP from the RD32 for a while, to make sure it was working OK on the 11/73 system. I then moved the RD32 over to a VAXstation-1 with an RQDX3. I am working on a toggle in program to read and write disks on the VAXstation. However, when I issue the RQDX3 ONLINE command, I get a status back of "5", which is ST.MFE, media format error. The response packet contains the correct disk info (serial number, size, etc), so I know basic communication with the disk is working.

Before I troubleshoot further, I'd like to verify my supposition - that formatting a disk via ZRQC on an 11 with an RQDX3 will produce a low level disk format that is compatible with use of the disk on an RQDX3 in a VAXstation. Is that the case?

 

[bqt]

I'm pretty sure it is compatible. The actual formatting is done by the RQDX3 itself, as far as I know.

But it seems strange you would get that error then...

 

[AK6DN]

Did you run any of the RQDX3 diagnostics on the disk after formatting? Like any read only media scan tests? XXDP is a very minimal OS and just loading it and booting it is not much of a test, other than the low blocks of the disk are probably OK.

 

[leegleason]

"It seems strange you would get that error then..."

Likely an error in my code. Well, back to the salt mine...

 

[leegleason]

"Did you run any of the RQDX3 diagnostics on the disk after formatting? Like any read only media scan tests? XXDP is a very minimal OS and just loading it and booting it is not much of a test, other than the low blocks of the disk are probably OK."

Well, my code was only trying to read blocks 0 and 1.... But, could be a disk or format problem. I just tries two other disks that I use in RSX systems for system disks, and reads of them fail the same way.. Looks like I have more debugging ahead of me...