Digital Equipment VT18X User manual

-*
EK-VT18X-IN-002
VT18X
UPGRADE AND
SYSTEM TEST GUIDE

First Edition, DecemblJr 1981
Second Edition,
July 1982
Copyright ©
1981,1982 by Digital Equipment Corporation
All Rights Reserved
The material in this manual is for informational purposes
and is subject
to change without notice.
Digital Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility
for any errors which may appear
in this manual.
Printed in U.S.A.
The manuscript for
this book was created on aDIGITAL
Word Processing System and, via atranslation program,
was automatically typeset on DIGITAL's DECset-8000
Typesetting System. Book production was done by Educa-
tional Services Development and Publishing
in Marlboro,
MA.
@CP /M is aregistered trademark of Digital Research, Inc.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment
Corporation:
DEC
DEC
net
DECUS
DECsystem-10
DECSYSTEM-20
DECwriter
DIBOL
.. ma
EduSystem
lAS
MASSBUS
MINC-11
OMNIBUS
OS/8
PDP
PDT
RSTS
RSX
TOPS-10
TOPS-20
UNIBUS
VAX
VMS
VT

CONTENTS
Preface
Chapter 1Introduction
Overview 1
Parts and Tools Required................................................................................................ 3
Chapter 2 VT18X Upgrade Kit Installation
Introduction..................................................................................................................... 5
Remove Module Access Cover on Back of the VT100..................................................... 5
Remove Top and Bottom Covers on the VT100............................................................... 5
Remove Terminal Controller Module from Inside VT100.................................................. 9
Check ROMs on Terminal Controller Module................................................................... 10
Install the
VT 180 Paddle Board 12
Disconnect DC Power Harness from Front of Chassis 13
If Necessary Remove Key Plug from Expansion Backplane............................................. 13
If Necessary Remove Key Plug from DC Power Harness................................................. 14
Install VT1 00 Expansion Backplane on Card Cage.......................................................... 14
Fasten DC Power Harness to Backplane 14
Install Card Guides............
16
Install RF Shield 16
Install Bottom Cover 17
Change Logo. 17
Install Top Cover 18
Install Terminal Controller Module 18
Install the VT 18X Control Module 18
Install New Metal Module Access Cover (Rear Shield) 20
Install RX180 Disk Unit...
21
Install Printer (If Available)............................................................................................... 24
Install Communications Cable 24
Reconnect Keyboard....................................................................................................... 24
Install Cable Access Cover (Wort Cover) 25
Turn Power
On 26
iii

CONTENTS (Cont)
Chapter 3 Special Procedures
Introduction............... 29
ROM Removal and Installation
29
Word Processing Option 30
Chapter 4 System Test
Introduction 31
VT18X System Installation Test 31
ROM-Based Diagnostic........... 31
Formatting Diskettes....................................................................................................... 32
VT18X Diskette Diagnostic 36
Booting the VT18X Diskette Diagnostic.......... 36
Initial Test................................................................................................................ 37
Extended Test
38
Individual Tests 39
Hardware Installation Complete 41
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting
Introduction.................................................................................................................. 43
Troubleshooting Procedure 43
Appendix VT18X Error Messages
FIGURES
1-1 VT 18X Upgrade Kit.......................................................................................................... 1
2-1 VT100 Video Terminal (Rear View) 6
2-2 Removing Top Cover 7
2-3 Removing Bottom Cover.......... 8
2-4 Advanced Video Option Removal and Installation.. 9
2-5 Checking ROM Numbers on Terminal Controller Module 10
2-6 Advanced Video Option with Jumpers........
11
2-7 Advanced Video Option with Switches...... 11
2-8 Installing VT 180 Paddle Board.... 12
2-9 Disconnecting DC Power Harness... 13
2-10 Remove Key Plug from Expansion Backplane..................................................... 13
2-11 Remove Key Plug
from DC Power Harness
(on Early
VT100 Terminals) 14
2-12 Installing Expansion Backplane..... 15
2-13 Installing Card Guides 16
2-14 Installing RF Shield 17
2-15 Removing VT100 Logo and Installing VT180 Logo 18
2-16 Check Switches on VT 18X Control Module..................................................................... 19
2-17 Installing VT18X Control Module
20
iv

FIGURES (Cont)
2-18 Installing Module Access Cover (Rear Shield) .. 21
2-19 RX180 Dual Disk Unit (Rear View)................................................................................... 22
2-20 Alternatives for Placement of RX 180 Disk Units.. 22
2-21 VT180 Cable
Connections with One Disk Unit...... 23
2-22 VT180 Cable
Connections with Two Disk Units 24
2-23 Connecting a Printer to the VT180 25
2-24 Installing Cable Access Cover (Wort Cover).................................................................... 25
2-25 Opening Drive A26
2-26 VT180 Start-Up Message 27
3-1 ROM
Installation.. 30
4-1 VT180 Main System Menu.. 31
4-2 Applying a Write-Protect Tab........................................................................................... 32
4-3 Loading the Diskette... 33
4-4 CP / M System Program Start-Up Message. 34
4-5 Diskette Formatting Program Message........ 35
4-6 Diskette Diagnostic Menu 36
4-7 Extended Test Messages................................................................................................ 38
4-8 A Successful Pass of the Extended Test 39
4-9 Individual Test Menu 40
4-10 Loopback Connectors... 41
TABLES
1-1 VT100 Series Terminals that Can and Cannot
Use the VT18X Option 2
1-2 VT100 Set-up
Features for VT180 Compatibility.............................................................. 2
2-1 VT18X
Control Module Communioation Switches...................... 19
5-1
Installation Troubleshooting Procedure............. 43
A-1 ROM Diagnostic Error Messages and Tests 50
A-2 Diagnostic Diskette Error Messages.. 52
v

PREFACE
This manual provides the procedures to upgrade your VT100 video terminal to aVT180 personal
office computer. You already have most of the hardware necessary to build the VT180. The VT18X
upgrade kit adds adual mini-floppy disk unit and a control module to your VT100. You are asked to
format two diskettes and to run a diagnostic diskette to test the installation.
Chapter 1 lists the parts included in the upgrade kit and the tools necessary for its installation.
Chapter 2 provides the hardware installation procedure.
Chapter 3 lists some special procedures to upgrade your VT100 if it already includes the printer
port option or aword processing option.
Chapter 4 provides the system test procedure used to make sure the installation is correct and the
diskette formatting procedure.
Chapter 5 provides some basic troubleshooting procedures to help you isolate and solve problems
encountered during installation.
Some of the dialog in this manual requires your response. That response is printed in color. The
terms "disk" and "diskette" are used interchangeably in the computer dialog.
After completing this manual, refer to the VT180 User's Guide (AA-M044B-TV) for information on
how to use the CP /M® software.
®CP / M is a registered trademark of Digital Research, Inc.
vii

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
OVERVIEW
The VT18X Personal Office Computing Option Upgrade Kit, illustrated in Figure 1-1, adds the ca-
pability to run CP/M application software to the VT100 video terminal. This kit adds aVT18X con-
trol module and one or two dual disk drives to the VT100. The CP /M compatible software and
diagnostics come on 13.3 cm (5 1/4 in) diskettes.
MA 7852
Figure 1-1 VT18X Upgrade Kit
This upgrade and system test guide provides the installation procedures to upgrade your VT100 to
aVT180 personal office computer. This guide also provides a test procedure to make sure that the
installation is correct. Table 1-1 lists the VT1 00 series models that can and cannot use the VT18X
upgrade kit.
NOTE: Before attempting this installation, make sure your VT100 is operating correctly. Specific
set-up features are also required and must be "saved" in the VT100 on power-up so that each
feature's setting is like that listed in Table 1-2.

INTRODUCTION
Table 1-1 VT100 Series Terminals
that Can and Cannot Use the VT18X Option'
Model
VT100-AA, -AB
VT100-L,
-N
VT100-WA, -WB
Can
Use VT18X
Option
x
X
X
Cannot
Use VT18X
Option
Reason
VT100-WC - Wz
VT100-X
VT101
VT102
VT103
VT1
05 (VT1 X5)
VT125
VT131
VT132* *
XForeign
character set
XXNonexpandable
XNonexpandable
XLSI-11 backplane
XLose graphics capability
XLose graphics capability
XNonexpandable
XLose
block mode and local
edit capability
,The VT180 does not support the 20 mA (VT1XX-AA) or the printer port option (VT1XX-AL, -AM, -AU. -AV). See Chapter 3for special
procedures.
"The terminal can use the VT18X option if it is reconfigured to a basic VT100. but it loses the feature(s) mentioned.
Table 1-2 VT100 Set-Up Features for VT180 Compatibility
Set-Up Feature
ON-LINEILOCAL
ANSI/VT52*
AUTO XON IXOFF
Wraparound
New Line
Power
Selection
ON-LINE
ANSI
ON
OFF
OFF
60 Hz or 50 Hz
Setting
ON-LINE light should be on
1
1
o
o
o=
60 Hz; 1=50 Hz (set to match
power line frequency)
'The VT180 supports both ANSI and VT52 modes. however. the terminal must power up in ANSI mode.
2

INTRODUCTION
PARTS AND TOOLS REQUIRED
The VT18X upgrade kit includes the following parts.
Parts Kit
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
VT18X control module
VT180 paddle board
VT1 00 expansion backplane
Shield, card cage '
Shield,
rear (module access cover)
Cable access cover (wort cover)
Card guides'
Cable, 16-conductor'
RX 180 dual disk unit (drives Aand B)
BC26K cable, terminal-to-disk
Line cord
Box of small miscellaneous mounting hardware
Part Number
54-15152-AA
54-15150
54-13384-01
74-25604-01
74-26146
74-26145
12-12405
70-08612-0M
RX180-AB
17-00297
17-00150-01
The
following parts are included with a second disk unit (order number RX180-AE).
Part
1
1
1
RX180-AD dual disk unit (drives C and D)
BC26Z cable, disk-to-disk
Line cord
Part Number
RX180-AD
17-00298
17 -00150-02
The tools needed for installing the VT18X upgrade kit are as follows.
1
/4 inch nut driver
Phillips screwdriver, no. 1
Flat blade screwdriver
Needlenose pliers
Scriber (pointed tool)
Wire cutter (if ROMs must be changed)
'Included in mounting hardware box
3

CHAPTER 2
VT18X UPGRADE KIT
INSTALLATION
INTRODUCTION
This chapter provides the procedure for adding the VT 18X upgrade kit to the VT 1 00 video terminal.
The kit also
adds an RF shield to the VT100. New government rules require shielding electronic
equipment to avoid interference with television and radio equipment.
NOTE: Before installing this kit, make sure your VT100 is operating correctly and is set up for the
features given in Table
1-2.
Use the following procedure to install the VT18X personal office computer option upgrade kit.
REMOVE MODULE ACCESS COVER ON BACK OF THE VT100
Use the following procedure.
1. Remove ac power from the VT 1 00 by setting the 1 /0 switch on the back of the VT 1 00 to 0
(Figure 2-1). Remove
the ac line cord from the wall receptacle and from the back of the
VT100.
2. Unplug the keyboard and the communication cables if attached to the back of the terminal.
Unplug
any video-in or video-out cables. See Figure 2-1.
3. With ascrewdriver, loosen
the four captive screws from the module access cover at the back
of the terminal. Remove
this cover; it will not be used with the VT 180. See Figure 2·1.
REMOVE TOP AND BOTTOM COVERS ON THE VT100
Use the following procedure.
1. Remove the top cover on the video terminal as follows:
a. With ascriber, release the two front pop fasteners found under the video screen. Refer to
Figure 2-2.
b. With ascriber or asmall flat blade screwdriver, release the two rear pop fasteners found
under
the lower back edge of the bottom cover. See Figure 2-2.
c. Remove the
top cover by lifting it straight up.
5

UPGRADE KIT INSTALLATION
VT18X
CAPTIVE
SCREW ~ __
COMMUNICATION
POWER
CORD
,I(Rear View)
V
'dec Termma VT100 I
Figure 2-1
6
POWER
SWITCH
MR·7863

PGRADE KIT INSTALLATIONVT18X U
MR-7248
~-
.Top Cover
2RemovmgFigure 2-
7

VT18X UPGRADE KIT INSTALLATION
2. Remove the bottom cover on the video terminal as follows:
a. Face the front of the terminal, turn it on its left side, and remove the four screws (if present)
fastening the bottom
cover to the chassis during shipment (Figure 2-3). Save these screws
if the terminal is to be sent to another location, otherwise, discard them. Turn the terminal
upright.
b. Find the four pop fasteners holding the chassis to the bottom cover. Pull the fasteners up
until
they click.
c. With
two hands, lift the chassis by its center support bar up and out of the bottom cover.
REMOVE
SCREWS
(4
PLACES)
MA 7971
Figure 2-3 Removing Bottom Cover
8

VT18X UPGRADE KIT INSTALLATION
REMOVE TERMINAL CONTROLLER MODULE FROM INSIDE VT100
Use the following procedure.
1. Remove the terminal controller module (Figure 2-4) from the card cage. Disconnect the
ground wire, if
present, from the module and pull the module out of its connector.
2. If present, remove the advanced video option (AVO) shown in Figure 2-4 from the terminal
controller module. With needlenose pliers, press each standoff together while lifting up on the
AVO.
3. Remove
any module installed in the STP connector on the terminal controller module (Figure
2-4). The printer port option (VT1XX-AC) is not used in this computer. If a printer port option is
removed,
go to Chapter 3 for special instructions; if not, continue with the next step.
ADVANCED VIDEO OPTION
TERMINAL
CONTROLLER
MODULE
""
o
J6
STANDOFF
==~----
STANDOFFS (4)
Jl ADVANCED
VIDEO
CONNECTOR
TERMINAL
CONTROLLER
MODULE
STP
CONNECTOR
MR 7051
Figure 2-4 Advanced Video Option Removal and Installation
9

VT18X UPGRADE KIT INSTALLATION
CHECK ROMS ON TERMINAL CONTROLLER MODULE
To use the VT18X on the VT100, the ROMs on the terminal controller module must be the same as
for a standard VT100. The ROMs are the memory chips that plug into the sockets on the terminal
controller module. The ROMs contain the program for the terminal operation. If the ROMs are not
the same as those for the VT100, they may cause an error message or an unexpected halt. Use
the following procedure to check these ROMs.
1. Check the ROMs on the terminal controller module and compare the numbers on the module
with the numbers in Figure 2-5. They should be the same; if not, go to Chapter 3for ROM
removal and replacement instructions.
NOTE: The ROMs on the terminal controller module may be installed in either order illus-
trated in Figure 2-5.
ORDER AORDER B
D
54~ 13009~03
~
~I--
CHARACTER
GENERATOR
D
J6
22
ROM 3
23061 E2 23034E2
'OM' """" '''33>' E!
ROM 1 23033E2 23 032E2 t.t:J
ROM 0 23034E2 23061 E2
NOTE:
ROMS
MAY BE INSTALLED
IN EITHER ORDER AOR B
ON TERMINAL CONTROLLER
MODULE.
MR-7064
Figure 2-5 Checking ROM Numbers on Terminal Controller Module
2. If previously removed, check for the presence of ROMs and jumpers (or switches) on the ad-
vanced video option. Except for aVT100 with aword processing option, the VT180 uses no
ROMs or jumpers on the AVO. The ROMs and jumpers should be removed (Figure 2-6). If the
AVO has switches instead of jumpers, they should be set to off. See Figure 2-7.
NOTE: For an AVO on aVT100 terminal with aword processing option installed (VT100-WA,
-WB), refer to Chapter 3 for special configuration instructions.
3. If previously removed, install the AVO on the terminal controller module. See Figure 2-4.
10

VT18X UPGRADE KIT INSTALLATION
JUMPERS
c=J11
c::::J 12
c:::J13
c:::J 14
MA·7073
Figure 2-6 Advanced Video Option with Jumpers
{'I
-
· ""
o. w
ALL S1 ~. ...
OFF z (Jl
I•
O"l
• --J
•(Xl
MR 7074
Figure 2-7 Advanced Video Option with Switches
11

VT18X UPGRADE KIT INSTALLATION
INSTALL THE VT180 PADDLE BOARD
Use the following procedure.
1. Insert the VT180 paddle board (54-15150) in the STP connector on the terminal controller
module (Figure 2-8). Fasten this paddle board to the terminal controller module with a 4-40 X
1/4 inch Phillips head screw and nylon flat washer through the fiber spacer.
2. Place one end of the 16-conductor ribbon cable in connector J2 on the VT180 paddle board
observing
the red line on the cable, as shown in Figure 2-8. Extend the cable to the right of the
module.
TERMINAL
CONTROLLER
MODULE
I'
,,
'-L..-oU'I_;f\\ , ,
"
,,
.: ;
\: '
TO J3 ON
VT18X
CONTROL
MODULE
J2
STP
CONNECTOR
VT180 PADDLE BOARD
\
FIBER SPACER
FIBER SPACER
NYLON WASHER
ION REVERSE SIDE) j4-40 X
1/4 IN
@ sC7W
Cl - -~-mrrmrO
J2~
:....- VT180 PADDLE BOARD
MOUNTING
HOLE
ADVANCED
VIDEO OPTION
CONNECTOR
oROMs
D
D
o
VT180 PADDLE BOARD
'"
TERMINAL
CONTROLLER
MODULE
Figure 2-8 Installing VT180 Paddle Board
12

VT 18X UPGRADE KIT INSTALLATION
DISCONNECT DC POWER HARNESS FROM FRONT OF CHASSIS
Remove the 22-pin connector (Figure 2-9) from the front, right chassis by releasing the two retain-
ing rings from
its edge with needlenose pliers, or lift the clips off the top and bottom of the con-
nector and discard. .
CHASSIS
CARD
CAGE
l8-PIN
CONNECTOR
22-PIN
CONNECTOR
(P1)
MR 7875
Figure 2-9 Disconnecting DC Power Harness
IF NECESSARY REMOVE KEY PLUG FROM EXPANSION BACKPLANE
The expansion backplane, shipped with the VT18X, has a key plug in connector J6 on the back-
plane (Figure 2-10). This key plug is for the new VT100 terminal controller module (54-13009-03),
which
has a slot in its connector J6 between pins 5and 6.
When
installing the VT18X, inspect your terminal controller board for a notch in connector J6 (Fig-
ure 2-5). If
the notch is not present, you will have to remove the key plug from J6 of the expansion
backplane to insert the module into the backplane. Use needlenose pliers to pull the key plug out
of
the connector on the backplane.
REMOVE
KEY PLUG
Figure 2-10 Remove Key Plug from Expansion Backplane
13

VT18X UPGRADE KIT INSTALLATION
IF NECESSARY REMOVE KEY PLUG FROM DC POWER HARNESS
When installing the VT18X into an early VT100, you must remove the key plug from connector P1
of the dc power harness or it will not fit on the edge of the new expansion backplane. Use needle-
nose pliers to pull the key plug out of the connector. See Figure 2-11.
P3
Pl
o
REMOVE
KEY PLUG
22
o _ --I
I
DC POWER HARNESS
(70 14978)
o
1- --
18
MR-7873
Figure 2-11 Remove Key Plug from DC Power Harness
(on Early VT100 Terminals)
INSTALL VT100 EXPANSION BACKPLANE ON CARD CAGE
Install the VT100 expansion backplane (54-13384-01) on the front, right chassis on the terminal as
follows.
1. Find four 4-40 X1 /2 inch screws, two round fiber spacers, and four kep nuts in the small
parts box.
2.
Install two screws from the inside of the chassis so they line up with the top and bottom holes
of connector J6 on the expansion backplane. See Figure 2-12.
3. Fasten the backplane to the card cage with kep nuts.
4. Install the other two screws at location J4 of the backplane using a spacer between the card
cage and the backplane. Secure these screws with kep nuts.
FASTEN DC POWER HARNESS TO BACKPLANE
Bend the dc power harness around the card cage wire frame and fasten this harness to the expan-
sion
backplane module fingers. To do this, you may have to remove the shorter wires from the
plastic clip on the chassis and replace them later.
NOTE: The dc power cable must be flat against the chassis or the RF shield will not fit on it.
14