BlueSCSI NeXT Station Getting Started

[AlexMac]

Sharing my experience with the NeXT Station which I got running in short time with BlueSCSI V2

• Downloaded the file Nextstep 3.3 HD Image With Previous from this (https://winworldpc.com/product/nextstep/3x) page.
• Unpacked it
• In the archive I picked the file NS33_2GB.dd renamed it to HD30_512 2000MB.hda and copied it to a blank SD Card
• Added a bluescsi.ini to the SD Card
• Added only the following to the bluescsi.ini (nothing else)

[SCSI] System=NeXT

• Eject the SD Card, put it into BlueSCSI
• Stuck the BlueSCSI into my NeXT Station
• Booting
• It said, it wants to boot from Network (don't want that)
• Reboot
• Hold the right Command key and hit the Tilde key a few times (like getting into bios)
• Type in 'p'
• On the line 'en' enter 'sd'
• Confirm everything else with RETURN
• Reboot
• Computer boots from the BlueSCSI with the freshly installed NeXT Step 3.3 which is on the downloaded image
• Remember that this version is NOT Y2K aware

I hope I did not forget anything and wish you a lot of fun with your NeXT Computers / Stations / Cubes

 

[Michael]

Hi alexADB,

that's cool! Are you aware of such an HD image for other architectures (Sparc and PARISC)? I still can't get my HP712 to install NeXTStep on a BlueSCSI V2.

 

[AlexMac]

Not that I’m aware of. But I think you can add the installer image as a cd and go from there. Just installed the Y2K patch with that procedure and it worked nicely. Not sure though if you can boot your machine from a CD or would also need a boot floppy

 

[Michael]

I am able to boot from a CD image that lies on the BlueSCSI and start the installation on a HD image on the same BlueSCSI. Depending on the firmware version of the BlueSCSI, I get different errors on different stages of the installation process. This process is very reliable, so that the same firmware revision allways gets the same error on the same step of the installation. Using a real HP C2944D CD ROM drive produces the same errors, so the BlueSCSI CD ROM emulation shouldn't be the problem.

I haven't tested the newest firmware, though. I have to try it.

By the way, will you be coming to the "Computer Classic 2025" exhibition in northern Bavaria?

 

[AlexMac]

Hm, sounds tricky. Maybe someone else is successful in installing the HP version and can make a DD image. Never heard of that Computer Classic 2025. Will try to plan for it! What about VCFE in Munich in May? Where are you from?

 

[Michael]

The Computer Classic is a yearly event in Germany, taking place in different cities. More than 100 enthusiasts meet for three days, work with old computers and show them to (a rather limited number, like 1.000 for the three days) visitors. Last September, I brought my HZ712 with me, and an Atari TT where I (unsuccesfully) tried to get the Riebl Ethernet card to work. The number of workstations being used there is growing year by year.

I'm based near Karlsruhe, but I'm originally from Amberg/OPf.

I've never been to the VCFE, but have thought about it for some time. I can't really add to the 2025 theme "6502", other than with a non working VC20 and an also non working Elektor Junior Computer.

 

[AlexMac]

I found this cool model (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6690851) and thought it would be even nicer to have a direct mount for a BlueSCSI V2:

So, I remixed it, added some holes and made it a bit curvier here and there.

Find my Remix here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6930278

 

[AlexMac]

Even the original SCSI Cable fits again (was too short when used in combination with the NeXT metal mount)