From: bqt@softjar.se   
      
   On 2025-09-25 14:35, Simon Clubley wrote:   
   > On 2025-09-24, retrev  csh.rit.edu  wrote:   
   >>   
   >> I'm running VMS 4.7 on a simh vaxen and I'm trying to create a standalone   
   backup to tape but I'm having some issues. I suspect it's a PEBCAK.   
   >>   
   >> simh> attach tq0 stabac.tap     # tq is an emulated TU81   
   >>   
   >> $ @SYS$UPDATE:STABACKIT   
   >>   
   >> Enter the name of the device on which to build the kit: MUA0   
   >>   
   >> Do you want to initialize _VAX1$MUA0:?  Note that this will erase all   
   >> files currently on the volume.   
   >>   
   >   
   > Have you tried with an emulated TK50 device instead ?   
   >   
   > Also, when was the TU81 supported in VMS, and did it need a patch kit   
   > to enable that support ?   
      
   TU81 - TK50. Both are TMSCP tape drives. If one works, the other works.   
      
   But as asked by Volker - standalone backup on a tape? As far as I know,   
   that was generally not supported. Old VAXen in general can't boot off   
   tape. (MicroVAX being the first exception.) That's why the standalong   
   backup exists. Because if you have a full backup of the system on tape,   
   you need a way to recover that back to disk, in addition to a way of   
   doing an initial install on disk. Standalone backup is what provides   
   this. Done via floppies on the VAX-11/780, DECtape II on the VAX-11/750   
   and /730. Exists on the FE RL02 on the VAX 86x0.   
      
   I never used many machines beyond that, so someone else needs to fill in   
   the rest. :-)   
      
   (And "can't boot off tape" is meant in the general sense in that VMB   
   didn't have the capability. Of course you could always write your own   
   bootstrap which booted off tape if you were inclined.)   
      
      Johnny   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)