Running CHARON-VAX and CHARON-PDP for Windows
Table of Contents
Introduction
It is possible to run one or several instances of CHARON-VAX / CHARON-PDP at the same time if your license allows it.
In case of multiple instances, please use only absolute paths and unique names to all the files referenced in the configuration file of each CHARON-VAX / CHARON-PDP instance (log, toy clock, nvram files and all the other data such as disk images - all these objects to be discussed later in this document). Also, hardware devices (e.g., CD-ROM) may be used by only one instance at a time (not shared).
Example:
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Please refer to the next chapters for more details concerning CHARON-VAX / CHARON-PDP configuration details.
Running from a Desktop shortcut
The CHARON installation procedure creates shortcuts on the desktop for so-called "default" VAX/PDP11 model and shortcuts under "Start" menu for all VAX/PDP11 models included during installation.
Desktop shortcut:
"Start" menu shortcuts:
To run a certain CHARON-VAX / CHARON-PDP model, double click the target model's desktop shortcut (or click on "Start" menu shortcut).
By default the CHARON sample configuration files do not contain any specification of disks and network; you need to update a copy of the sample configuration file to specify your specific disk and network configuration.
Depending on settings, Windows may display a Firewall warning dialog asking to confirm CHARON access to different networks.
Check the desired options and press "Allow access" button.
The CHARON icon will appear in the system tray menu:
Next, the VAX/PDP11 emulated console will appear:
If the CHARON icon in the system tray menu disappears, it means a critical error happened at run-time. In this case you have to analyze the CHARON log file, by default stored beside CHARON executables. The default location for log files is "C:\Program Files (x86)\CHARON\Build_XXX\x86" (x64) or "C:\Program Files\CHARON\Build_XXX\x86" (x86). The name of the log file depends on the model of emulated VAX/PDP11 and the date and time, for example "MicroVAX_3100_Model_98-2015-08-05-14-40-51-000000000.log"
The easiest way to find the needed log file is to sort all the files in the CHARON executables directory by date of modification.
Generally it is not recommended to use template (sample) configuration files (used in shortcuts) for your configuration since those files are part of the installation and may be deleted by the CHARON installation procedure on modifications or re-installation. It is a good practice to copy the required configuration template from "C:\Program Files (x86)\CHARON\Build_XXX\x86" (x64) or "C:\Program Files\CHARON\Build_XXX\x86" (x86) directory to some local file and build the configuration from there.
Once the sample configuration files are copied, the CHARON default shortcut (created by the installation procedure) can be changed to use your target configuration file:
Right click on CHARON shortcut for target VAX/PDP11 model
Choose "Properties"
In the "Target" edit box, change the default template configuration file path and name to the local one. For example "C:\My configurations\my_mv3k6.cfg"
Press "Apply" button
The next step is to install or copy a system disk for CHARON operation. This can be either installation of a new VMS, RSX11, RT11, etc. system using a distributive provided by HP or a transfer of data from an existing VAX/PDP11 system. These possibilities will be discussed in detail in the next chapters.
To exit from CHARON-VAX / CHARON-PDP emulator use the following methods:
Configuration with no changes to the template configuration file
Right click on CHARON icon in the system tray menu, choose "Stop & Exit":
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Configuration file updated to enable "F6" button in configuration file to trigger exit from CHARON:
#----------------------------------------------------------------------------## Uncomment to allow 'F6' to terminate the running emulator.##----------------------------------------------------------------------------set OPA0 stop_on = F6To exit, press "F6" in the console window
Use CHARON icon tray menu as shown above
Before stopping the CHARON-VAX / CHARON-PDP service, shutdown the operating system running in CHARON-VAX / CHARON-PDP.
Running from the Launcher utility
Running from the "CHARON Launcher" utility is very convenient during the debugging of your CHARON configuration. The utility shows CHARON log updates in real time. If RDP is used to connect to the CHARON host, the CHARON may not see the license; start CHARON as a Service instead. From the Launcher, CHARON runs as a User process which will terminate if the User logs off. The Service is a System process and will continue to run until stopped.
Start the Launcher:
In the Launcher main interface, click the "Browse" button to select the desired CHARON configuration file:
Select the desired configuration file:
The Launcher will display the CHARON model specified in the selected configuration file:
Now it is possible to run CHARON. Press "Run selected configuration" button.
Depending on system settings, Windows may display a Firewall warning dialog asking to confirm CHARON access to different networks.
Check the desired options and press "Allow access" button.
Next, the CHARON icon will appear in the system tray menu:
Right after that the VAX/PDP11 emulated console will appear (in the default configuration. Some configurations may not assume console startup):
The Launcher will display CHARON log file:
Log messages have the following colors:
lightyellow means information
cyan means warning
red means error
It is possible to scroll the log file to analyze possible problems.