Bell Tech W.G.E. use with "sissy" unix

[Scott Turner]

Well, it seems I am no alone in my feelings that the W.G.E. and Microport's
System V/386 make a great combo (the E-Mail runneth over.)

Microport's unix may be for the whimps who demand support from their unix
vendor, but with the trouble I've had with Bell Tech on software issues I'll
gladly be classified as a whimp at this point. :)

First step to happiness with the W.G.E. under Microport:

Sanity check, can you even USE the W.G.E. card?

That isn't as silly as it sounds. The driver supplied for the card maps
the 82786's registers into memory so they can be accessed rapidly and
easily. But if your system has a SRAM cache you may be in for a VERY
nasty surprise!

And remember, Bell only sells it's software to people with the "Right Stuff".
The fact you are trying to use their card with Microport labels you a "whimp".
So you won't be getting any SOFTWARE support from them. (You should get
excellent HARDWARE support though, the hardware people at Bell don't seem to
care if you're a "whimp" or not. :) So if your system has a cache you'd best
think long and hard before laying out the long green for this card, once
you've seen that 19" tube it may be a tad painful to give it up for Bell's
cheerful refund.

If you are using the Mylex 386 motherboard there is a solution for it at least.
Call Mylex at (800) 446-9539 and ask for sales. Be prepared to call back
several times as their sales people can be hard to get hold of (ie they may
or may not call back depending on how snowed under they are that day.) What
you want is the Computone PAL. It costs $15. What this little gem does is
turn off the SRAM cache for the top 2 meg of memory. This allows the
Bell Tech driver to work properly. (If you can't get one from Mylex drop a
E-Mail to mylexpal at l5comp and we'll see if we have one hanging around, but
no promises.) [While you have 'em on the line you may want to ask them
what other PALs they have, for example they have an Adaptec ACB2322 "tune
up" PAL...]

If you aren't using the Mylex motherboard then you'd best consult with the
manufacturer of your motherboard and see if their cache caches accesses
above 14meg. If it does you're screwed unless they have some way of turning
caching off up there (unless you just want to turn caching off for ALL of
memory...) And once again remember, this is a SOFTWARE issue for Bell Tech
because to fix it will call for a patch to the driver not the hardware. Thus
their "Right Stuff Customer" policy is in full effect, so don't expect help
from them if you can't turn the cache off and you can't afford to buy another
motherboard.

Also, memory usage goes up quite a bit with all the software you are going
to be installing into the kernel. The /unix here is 696,438 bytes long!
(and size /unix returns a total memory usage of 893,284!) You WILL need
more memory if you don't already have 4 meg. If you have 4 meg you may want
more unless you are willing to patch Nbuf to something like 500 in order
to free up ram for running programs. The system here had only 1,852,000
bytes left of it's 4 meg until I patched Nbuf. The problem is that at
1660x1200 an 8 bit per pixel image takes 1,992,000 bytes and system performance
gets a bit sluggish if you don't have enough core. And no, the card can't
display 8 bits per pixel at 1660x1200 but the outbitmap program can dither
that size image and display it, and BOY do they look neat! (We've been scaling
GIF pictures to 1660x1200, but more on that at a later date)

Still looking OK? Well the X10R4 driver needs a mouse. It is hardwired to
use the asy driver. Even if you have a big fancy smart serial card with 16
ports on it you will have to plug a Logitech serial mouse into tty00. You
CAN modify the driver to use tty01, but that's it. mknod'ing /dev/tty00
to be something else won't do anything, the driver uses kernel (or is it
carnal) knowledge to get right at the asy driver. It doesn't give a hoot
for /dev/tty00.

If you have other plans for either serial port you're screwed. The supplied
driver doesn't use anything except a Logitech serial mouse, with three
buttons mind you, plugged into either serial port. Buss mice need not
apply.

And don't forget to order that mouse! It doesn't come with the card and X
windows is damn near useless without it. (X doesn't seem to have a "No
pointing device/use keyboard" setup option) You'll need the C7 version
of the Logitech serial mouse, costs around $86. Don't get that new 2
button, MUCH cheaper, mouse by mistake (or design, you'll want all three
buttons.) Don't forget a mouse pad, they extend the life of the little
teflon pads on the bottom of the mouse quite nicely.

Second step:

Call Bell Tech and DEMAND the same set of disks that were shipped to L5
Computing. The serial number off the disks here is: 1.2-042588. There are
10 disks that count and the DOS demo "frisbee" disk (for a total of 11 disks.)

Why not get the latest? Well, I've gotten several interesting mail messages
that seem to indicate Bell has been fooling around with the disks. Lord only
knows what they've done to them, the above disks contain software that I know
works with the Microport System V/386 2.2 and System V/386 3.0e and DOSMerge
386 1.1. If I can confirm that later versions of their software work I'll
post a message with all the details. (So far trying to get updates out of
Bell has been like trying to seperate them from their children)

Third step:

Get the X10R4 tape. The disks sent here by Bell Tech were not complete. Fonts
like vtsingle and timrom12 are missing (among a PILE of other fonts.) Tools
are missing as well, like the bitmap editor they show in their huge glossy
advertizing sheet. (They did send the stunning Nagel bitmap along though :)

Life with X10R4 got much easier since we now have ALL the dox as well, Bell
supplies tools with no dox on how they work with the above set of disks.

If you absolutely can't come up with X10R4 send an E-Mail to x10r4 at l5comp
and perhaps we can work something out. If demand is great enough maybe we
can setup a disk/tape service to provide the bits at cost.

Fourth step:

Install all the '386 unix software that Microport sells. :)

Actually you can skip their Text Preparation package if you wish to use
something more useful like the ELAN stuff. But you WILL want an equ, tbl,
and nroff/troff so you can make human readable versions of the X documentation.
What little Bell supplies comes only in the unprocessed form.

If you plan to use DOSMerge make sure it is installed at this time as well.

And the NSE package is NOT optional. It MUST be installed before proceeding.

You must also install the link kit. And if you plan on providing yourself with
the missing X tools you will need the software development system.

And don't forget the order of installation:
	Runtime
	Software Development
	Text preparation
	Link Kit
	NSE
	DOSMerge 386

And don't forget to call Microport customer service and request the crypt
disk, but only if you're a site located in the good ol' U.S. of A. Dirty
aliens will have to write their own. :) I've found a useful X tool that
needs crypt access and you'll need this disk if you want to compile it as
well.

Once all of the above software is installed I'd suggest doing a sanity check.
Especially if your system is at all "Bleeding edge". I've found that if the
system is going to have a blow out and eat the hard drive it will do it
sometime within the first 4 days after installation. I strongly urge you to
make sure your unix is running fine for at least 4 days before proceeding
if you have ESDI and/or DOSMerge 386. And don't just let it sit there, use it.
I suggest compiling GNU Emacs, this seems to bring out any beasties faster
than anything else we've tried. And has the side advantage of installing a
great editor. (Which has nice X support unlike vi)

Fifth step:

NOTE: Do not skip step three, without the fonts vtsingle and timrom12 the X10R4
will NOT work as advertized in the Intro to X manual. If you're REAL impatient
to get underway send a mail message to xfonts at l5comp and someone here will
send you the missing font files via return E-Mail free of charge.

If you have the disks we got then you can follow the instructions on the label
and use the sysadm program, NOT pkginstall(!), to install the X window software.

WARNING: If you DO NOT have the exact disks we received you may DAMAGE your
link kit! If you aren't sure then make a quick backup of your link kit as
follows:

(as super user do the following:)

mkdir /etc/saveconf
cd /etc/atconf
find . -print | cpio -pdmau /etc/saveconf

Next edit the file /etc/atconf/systems/system.std and make the following
changes to it:

Change the line

		cpyrt	* Copyright notice "drive"r

to

		cpyrt,	* Copyright notice "drive"r

and add the following right after that line:

*
* Manticore, Inc. X5 drivers

		xptc,	* Control side of X5 pseudo tty driver
		xpts,	* Slave side of X5 pseudo tty driver
		btb,	* Bell Tech Blit Express driver
		btbs,	* Bell Tech Blit Express streams driver
		conx	* X5 console driver

At the very end of the file add the following:

*
* Manticore, Inc. X5 driver defines

NBLK4 = 100
NBLK16 = 100
NBLK64 = 100
NQUEUE = 196
NSTREAM = 64

Then type mkunix and sit back for awhile.

Once the new unix is built SAVE YOUR OLD /unix! (My personal favorite method
is ln /unix /unixnox and I also keep a /unixx around so I can take my pick
at bootup)

Then install the new unix as /unix. If you don't like those nasty messages
during shutdown then install the new unix as /unixx, shutdown -g1, and
enter /unixx during boot up, once booted ln /unixx /unix.

Now, unpack that X10R4 and copy the fonts vtsingle and all the timrom fonts
into /usr/new/lib/X/font.

Next cd /usr/new/bestofimages and issue sh ./unpack.sh.

Next edit the script file that sets your PATH environment variable. (For
sh users this will be .profile for csh .cshrc) Add /usr/new into your path
right after /usr/bin.

Now would be a GREAT time to pop a DC600A into yer Everex and make a backup.
I only say that because it's the right thing to say, not because I did. ;)

Sixth step:

Drink something you like, 2 liter bottle of classic Coke for example. We're
about to enter the "Dave, don't you think we should talk about this" zone.
An error in this next step and you can screw yourself and but good.

Shutdown your system (cd /;shutdown -g1) and break out the screwdriver.

If you have a Mylex 386 now is the time to put the Computone PAL in. Locate
the BIOS EPROMs, then scan right, in between the rightmost slot and the
next to the rightmost slot you will find the PAL to be replaced. You may
need to remove cards to do this, if so do it! Don't try and do it without
removing the cards, if you screw that PAL up you're going to be kicking
yourself because that 19" monitor is going to be sittin' there lookin' at
you and you'll be thinkin' "Gee, just how BIG will the pictures be?!!?"

We've had two W.G.E. cards through here so far. Both of them generate heat
like a hot plate. It's all those fast PALs and ECL chips. I suggest you
carefully consider which slot you put this card into. Putting it into a
slot that has a half card to the right (like maybe a half slot Hercules
clone monitor card :) is a win. Putting an auxillary fan in the case in
front of the card isn't a bad idea either. :) If you think I'm kidding, just
remember that the video clock rate on this sucker in 160MHz! And the cooler
you keep chips the longer they last. And just so you know HOW hot this thing
gets, the ones here have been capable of heating up boards two slots away
when the fan isn't running...

I heartily suggest you check the board after it's been running for a day to
see that it isn't getting too hot.

Once installed put everything back together and plug in that huge monitor.

Power sequencing isn't important if you selected the onboard -5v option
(factory default), otherwise you will need to turn the monitor on first.

Turn the system on. If you have a later model W.G.E. with the onboard EPROMs
you should see the monitor turn on and start displaying stuff shortly. Most
BIOS' write directly to the screen so don't panic if some text shows up on
the little screen and not on the big one.

In any case you pretty much ignore the big monitor for now. Boot up the new
unix (/unix or /unixx depending on what you did) and login. Gather everyone
around and type xinit.

Almost instantly you should see the screen be covered with a large grey box.
It should be roughly 1" in from the edges of the monitor on all 4 sides.

Depending on how powerful you system is it may take a few seconds for the
mouse cursor to appear and a window to pop up.

If on the other hand xinit dies after a few seconds and complains that the
card wasn't ready then you need to recheck whatever it was you did to
turn the cache off.

If xinit runs without stopping, but all you see on the monitor is a single
line, with every other pixel turned on, running down the righthand side of
the screen. Your card is dead, call Bell for hardware support. They'll connect
you with a person that will ask you for your customer number, card serial
number, and will take down the symptoms. She will then schedule a tech to
call you back, or she may call you back later to just plain ol' issue you an
RMA number if the tech is confident the card is screwed without needing to
talk to you. The one time we've had to return the card we shipped it down
UPS Red and they shipped another card back out the same day they got it in
via Federal Express Standard Delivery (2 day service.) They were quick,
pleasant, and no-nonsense. Dealing with the hardware arm of Bell Tech has
been MUCH more fun than the software arm.

If you managed to get vtsingle and timrom12 you should now be able to type
uwm& and get a beep rather than an error message.

Next, go have fun with the demos! Be warned that some of the demos listed in
the Intro to X manual are NOT supplied. For example the parrot, whatever it
is, isn't supplied and I haven't run across it in the X10R4 tape either.
(So don't drop an E-Mail to parrot at l5comp asking for it ;)

Seventh step:

At this point pat yourself on the back and have fun with X10R4 until X11 is
released by Bell Tech.

Pray that getting the X11 update is easier than trying to get an X10R4
update (I've been trying for over a MONTH now and still haven't gotten
their latest X10 hence why I can't say yes/no about their latest code
working under Microport.)

You will find that the stock X10R4 makefiles need updating to work under
Bell's X10R4. Whenever you link you will need to add -lnsl_s to get the
streams library added in. Currently they don't have an x_s which is a shame
since just about anything needing to use X will thus be over 100K long
in final size due to the size of the X library.

A project for the use of that X10R4 source code you say? I'd agree but with
X11 promised any day now it seems silly to make a shared X10 library at this
point. Let's just hope they supply a shared X11 lib.

Well that's it for now. If the above steps give you the W.G.E. running under
Microport then great! I think you'll grow to love this card. If things still
aren't humming then you haven't followed my directions EXACTLY enough. I
do have the W.G.E. running X10R4 under Microport so it can be done. I think
the trickest step is in getting Bell Tech to part with the same set of disks
as they sent here. If you get link errors while building the unix, and you
followed the instructions on making a system.std, then this is your most
likely problem. Can we send you copies of the disks here? You'll have to
bug Bell about that not us. If Bell calls me and says it's OK to send a copy
of the disks to someone then we'll be happy to do so. But I run a tight shop
here and there will be NO Bell Tech code leaving here without Bell's say-so.

One note to DOSMerge 386 users, the DOSMerge here doesn't seem to like running
in xterm windows with more than 25 lines. Be careful because it gets so
tangled up you have to kill the xterm in order to recover, <esc> ctrl-K
hasn't worked here as a recovery (which I find HIGHLY interesting.) Also, there
is NO support for Herc, CGA, or EGA emulation (another reason to keep the
"Twin Head" configuration.)

Also, we are NOT a retail outlet for Bell Tech. If you want to buy the card
call Bell Tech. Currently I can't get a straight answer out of them about
dealer pricing, and even if I could we're into chasing vertical markets not
retail customers.

Scott Turner
scotty at l5comp -or- uunet!l5comp!scotty

"We need more machine guns, we can't run the mines without them."
	-Anonymous american mine owner, 1918