I have a COMPAQ 1000 Alpha computer running OPENVMS 7.2 and recently the system has not been able to access the hard drive. I am able to see the device intermittently but it fails after a short period of time. I also have intermittent trouble with the cdrom reading.

you get that option to format when you run the windows installation CD here's a guide
http://newtechstop4u.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/how-to-format-c-drive-and-re-install.html#

Try disconnecting the harddrive from the case and then place it back in. if that doesn't help you may have a faulty drive, hows warranty? Compaq / HP would fix it for you free if you still have warranty.

let me know.

Thanks,
Ekse

a softdisk error 301 means the hard drive is failing it is common on hp and compaq laptops ( hp owns compaq) unfortunately you are screwed to say the leas the hard drive is failingt. BUT you can save your data by hooking up an external hd and running ubuntu live cd to boot and copy any files you need from your hard drive over. you can download ubuntu from ubuntu.com and download and burn the live cd then you will need to set via ur bios when you boot i think its f2 or del key to get into the bios then go to boot order and select cd dvd drive to boot b4 cd then boot into the ubuntu disk and copy your files.

Run or open the anti-virus software. Then, run the
Tune-up Utility of 2008 (from the internet free) to
optimize your registry. If this won't do the job, save
your important file in another hard drive. Then, you can reformat the hard drive.

http://laptoppassword.blogspot.com/2011/06/hp-mini-password-service-compaq-mini.html

Clear Bios Password for HP Mini - Compaq Mini:HP Mini 1000, HP Mini 110, Compaq Mini 110C, Compaq Mini 110, HP 2230S, HP Mini 1120LA, HP Mini 1151NR, Compaq 700....If you see this screen on boot:Enter CURRENT Password: [_______________]
We can help you Remove Password, right now !!!
You just enter 3 random passwords one by one and see if you get a similar [System Halted] message with 10 chars Error Code. (e.g CNUXXXXXXX, 2MCXXXXXXX....)

Check the errlog files using CLUE or Anal/ERR. There should be some entries there that will give us a clue. Since more than one drive is effected, I'd be looking toward a controller failure.

Dan

the Only VMS post on fixya ever.
wow. from the dark ages of DEC. VMS. OS.
sounds like bad drive if it can not be mounted.(or disk bad)
sounds like you are 42 years behind the upgrade curve too...
i used to work on all DEC systems. so know that . 1975
the DS10, is now 18 years old.

here is a relic manual, on that

http://zzz.physics.umn.edu/_media/computing/department/ds10-cr.pdf

is this your only DS10, of not try the drive on system #2?
ahh its now called OPENVMS,, amazing thing that is.

open vms was ported to ALph chips. 1992
then 2001 port of OpenVMS to the Intel Itanium architecture
so it's an 17 year old OS.

get HP proliant Server G7 up. and win. for sure.

Hello Narvaar

I believe I've found what you need.

HERE is the OpenVMS home page

HERE is the support page for all the HP OpenVMS versions through 7.x & OpenVMS VAX 7.x

HERE is the support page for OpenVMS 7.x including manuals.

HERE is HP/Compaq's customer support contact information. If the info. and downloads aren't available on the site, customer support should be able to help you.

HERE is their "Questions Before You Buy" contact information.


Please, let me know if you have any difficulty accessing any of these sites or if you have any more questions at all, comments, etc. We're here to help.

Thank you,
BJ @:)

You can get all the hardware that is supported on both HP's Site and the OpenVMS.org site. http://h71000.www7.hp.com/servermatrix.html
and
http://www.openvms.org/pages.php?page=OpenSource

HP has a hobyist section here: http://www.openvmshobbyist.com/news.php

If you just want to see what OpenVMS looks like and play with it in an emulator.

hi sucb Clear nvram and replace memory then checked it will work. there is one black button on system board plz locate it and by pressing it put power on after the display comes update the firmware and bios. pls be free for any assist thanks