Apple UNIX (A/UX)
Also known as A/UX.
Compatibility
The later versions of A/UX require a 68030 or 68040 based Macintosh with an FPU and PMMU, and it will not run on AV models or LC models. Version 3.1.1 of A/UX was specifically designed to run on the Quadra 900 series, and version 3.0.1 is recommended for any other Mac model. The following Macintosh models should work with A/UX:
- Macintosh SE/30
- Macintosh IIci
- Macintosh IIfx
- Macintosh Quadra 610
- Macintosh Quadra 650
- Macintosh Quadra 700
- Macintosh Quadra 800
- Macintosh Quadra 900
- Macintosh Quadra 950
NOTE: Certain 68040 systems from this list may require the use of a system enabler both in the install boot media and in the initial Mac boot partition after A/UX has been installed.
Other models including those in the Macintosh II line should also work assuming an FPU is present. Likewise if you take a Centris model and switch out the 68LC040 chip with a full FPU version, it should work just like a Quadra.
Troubleshooting
Cannot mount "/dev/dsk/c100d0s0" - Invalid argument.
Encountered this error during the A/UX 3.0 installer process when it attempted to read its software package list. The system had an 8GB SCSI2SD with A/UX slices pre-partitioned from before the installer launched. Deleting these partitions leaving only the Mac driver bit at the start of the drive and reloading the installer fixed this issue.
Manuals
- Road Map to A/UX 2.0 (1990)
- A/UX Installation Guide (1990)
- A/UX Essentials (1990)
- Setting Up Accounts and Peripherals for A/UX (1990)
- A/UX Text Processing Tools (1990)
- A/UX Local System Administration (1990)
- A/UX Network System Administration (1990)
- A/UX System Administrator's Reference Sections 1M, 7, and 8 (1990)
- A/UX Command Reference Section 1 (A-L) (1990)
- A/UX Command Reference Sections 1 (M-Z) and 6 (1990)
- A/UX Reference Summary And Index (1990)
- A/UX Programmers Reference Sections 2 and 3 (A-L) (1990)
- A/UX Programmers Reference Sections 3 (M-Z), 4, and 5 (1990)
- A/UX Programming Languages and Tools Volume 1 (1990)
- A/UX Programming Languages and Tools Volume 2 (1990)
- A/UX Toolbox: Macintosh ROM Interface (1990)
- A/UX 1.0 Installation Guide (1987)
- A/UX 2.0 Release Notes (1990)
- A/UX Text Editing Tools (1990)
- A/UX User Interface (1990)
- A/UX Communications User Guide (1990)
Resources
- http://aux.preterhuman.net - netfreak's A/UX experience
- http://christtrekker.users.sourceforge.net/doc/aux/faq.html - A/UX FAQ
- http://www.floodgap.com/retrotech/os/aux/ - A/UX install instructions
Videos
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veOLuYgWkls - installing A/UX 3.0.1 on an SE/30