My MicroVAX produced no output via the QDSS. I saw the monitor flash as if the QDSS was initialized, but video output appeared. Instead text went to the serial console of the KA650 CPU board. There, at the start of self test, I saw an error:
?62 2 08 FF 00 0000
According to the KA650 CPU Module Technical Manual, this is:
62 2004 E254 console QDSS mark_notpresent self test r0 self test r1 ****
It appeared at the same time as a keyboard beep. At the end of self tests there was the ominous "Normal operation not possible" warning. Swapping the LK201 keyboard fixed the problem. The keyboard causing the problem had all 4 LEDs lit, while the working keyboard had them all unlit except for a flash during initialization. There is no more error, and QDSS console works fine.
The MicroVAX can still boot NetBSD/VAX 1.3_BETA from the RA90 drive. Digital sure built this stuff to last!
The known failing parts are the RD53 drives. They can spin up with the trick of disconnecting the head actuator coil at startup, but have many read errors. I'll try reformatting them.
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