Gaining access to an MDFS

  It can be a rather traumatic event if you have just been locked out of your MDFS. Its security is quite heavy. Take the supervisor mode switch. You don't simply open the front door... oh no, you have to insert a key and turn it!

If you cannot log into your MDFS and you have no supervisor password or usable discs, do not panic. Follow the steps below:

1. Unplug the server from the network.
2. Plug a null-modem cable into the MDFS serial port (it uses the same wiring as the BBC microcomputer). The other end of the cable should go to a computer running decent terminal software (such as a RiscOS machine running HearSay2).
3. Switch the server on and turn the keyswitch directly to System Mode.
4. When the Discs Free light blinks slowly, press the Release Discs button once. The Discs Free light will blink quickly for a few seconds.
5. The Discs Free light will then come on steady, and the Utility Mode light will be blinking slowly. The No Clock and Power lights should also be on.
6. Set your terminal software to the same protocol configured for the serial printer in the MDFS. This is, by default:
   9600bps, hardware flow control, 8N2 parity.
   However you may need to experiment. Change your settings and press RETURN a few times. When you have got it, the MDFS will send you a menu...
7. The MDFS menu looks like:

      MDFS Utility Program ver 1.16
      (ROM version: 1.05)
      
      A - Alter configuration parameters
      B - Boot the fileserver
      C - Copy whole disc
      D - Add to hard disc Defect list
      F - Format disc
      I - Initialise disc
      L - List discs
      M - Monitor
      P - Clear Password file
      R - Rename disc
      S - Set fileserver station number
      T - Tape menu
      V - Verify disc
      X - Modify disc's 'Block Zero'
      Y - Adaptec Hard Disc Defect Utility
      Z - Park hard disc heads
      
      Or push the front panel button
      to start the fileserver.
      
      Command (H for help) ? 
   

8. Select P to clear the password file:

      Command (H for help) ? P
      
            CLEAR PASSWORD FILE
      
      This option will remove a corrupt or
      unwanted password file from a disc.
      The disc will be left with
      NO PASSWORD FILE AT ALL : for security
      a new password file should be written
      (using EDITPASS) as soon as possible.
      
      Clear disc in which drive (A..L)? J
      Partition number (1..3)? 1
      Name: MainPart   36400K 
      
      OK (Y/N)?
   

9. Press Y to confirm, or N to abort. This will remove ALL password entries. Everybody...
10. Having done that, you can set up a few other options if necessary, or boot the server from the menu or by pressing the Release Discs button.