Do the following before you begin the RT--11 UPDATE session: (NUMBERED) Determine which software products to update. Preserve your current version of RT--11 and the original distribution kit for each layered product you want to update. Choose the type of medium from which to run RT--11 UPDATE. Preserve the update kit. (Determine Which Software Products to Update)

You must determine which software products you want to update so you will know which distribution kits you need and how many blank volumes you need to preserve the distribution software.

You should update RT--11 (if you do not receive a remastered RT--11 kit) and all its layered-product software. Digital does not support software that has not been updated to the current level. (Preserve the Distribution Volumes\pdv_sec)

Make backup copies of the current version of RT--11 and the original distribution kit for each layered product you want to update. Should an error occur that corrupts the software, you can generate another copy of the distribution kit and start again.

Make sure each volume has the correct volume identification number. Volume identification numbers are listed in the (RT--11 Update Release Notes). That document also contains the correct procedure to use in copying the volume identification numbers.

Use separate volumes for the backup copy of each distribution kit.

RT--11 UPDATE can update only the current version of RT--11 and the original layered-product distribution kits. If you have created an RT--11 system, using the system generation procedure, or performed a postinstallation procedure to customize a layered product, the system must be rebuilt and customized following each UPDATE session. For information on the system generation procedure, see the (RT--11 System Generation Guide).

If your distribution kit resides on 9-track 1600 bits/inch magtape, you must copy the distribution kit to a disk or diskettes. The files on the disk or diskettes must reside on the volumes as they are listed in the kit maps provided with the distribution kit. The arrangement of files on a volume is especially important when you copy a magtape distribution kit to diskettes.

For detailed instructions on preserving your distribution volumes, see the following documents: (UNNUMBERED) The (RT--11 Installation Guide) provides hardware-specific instructions for bootstrapping and preserving distribution volumes. Read the chapter that pertains to your configuration. The (RT--11 System User's Guide) explains all the keyboard monitor commands you can use to back up the distribution volumes.

For RT--11 layered products, you may also need to refer to the installation documents for those products. (Choose the Medium for Running RT--11 UPDATE)

RT--11 UPDATE is distributed on the following media: (2\14) (RL01 disk\RL02 disk) (RX01 diskettes\RX02 diskettes) (RX50 diskettes\TK50 magtape) ((2\left) 9-track 1600 bits/inch magtape)

UPDATE can run from any of the distribution media above, except 1600 bits/inch magtape. Update kits distributed on that magtape are not bootable and must be copied to a disk or diskettes.

UPDATE can also run from RK06 and RK07 disks.

Choose the medium from which you want to run RT--11 UPDATE, but note that the type of medium you choose affects the amount of time required to run UPDATE. Disks have a better performance time than diskettes. (Preserve the Update Kit\PRES_SEC)

Make a backup copy of the update kit. Should an error occur that corrupts the update software, you can generate another copy from the original kit and start again.

See the kit maps provided in the (RT--11 Update Release Notes) before you back up your update kit. Kit maps show how files should be arranged on each type of medium. When you have finished backing up the update kit, check the directory of the newly created volume(s) against the kit maps to make sure that each volume contains the correct files.

Making a backup copy of the update kit is similar to using RT--11 software to make a backup copy of a data disk. You must use RT--11 distribution volumes to perform the operations listed below. The update kit can be used only as input volumes for copy operations.

To create a backup copy of the update kit: (NUMBERED) See the (RT--11 Update Release Notes) to determine how many volumes the update kit requires for your medium and obtain the necessary number of blank volumes. Bootstrap the RT--11 system volume. If you are backing up the update kit on new RX02 diskettes, format the blank volumes. Initialize the blank volumes and replace or cover any bad blocks. Write-protect the original update kit, if possible. The update distribution volumes can be used only as input volumes during copy operations. Copy the update kit to the initialized volumes. As you copy the update kit, label each new volume as shown on the kit maps. Copy the bootstrap to the boot blocks of the UPDATE system volume (Volume 1 of a multivolume kit) in device ddn:, using the following command: (.)(COPY/BOOT ddn:RT11UP ddn: (RET)) The RX50 update kit is distributed with a DU bootstrap. This bootstrap will only boot a PDP--11 computer. If you are going to run RT--11 UPDATE on a Professional series computer, you must issue this command. This command copies the DZ bootstrap, allowing you to boot the diskette on a Professional computer. Store the original update kit in a safe place.

For detailed instructions on performing any of the preceding steps, see the following documents: (UNNUMBERED) The (RT--11 Installation Guide) provides hardware-specific instructions for bootstrapping and preserving distribution volumes. The procedures can also be applied to preserving your update kit. Read the chapter pertaining to your configuration. The (RT--11 System User's Guide) explains the keyboard monitor commands you need to back up the update kit.

Once you have made backup copies of the RT--11 and layered-product distribution kits and the update kits, you can begin the UPDATE session. (run_chap) explains how to bootstrap the update software and describes the UPDATE dialogue for different hardware configurations.