# Technolust: The Indigo Page (Silicon Graphics - SGI)
Source: http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/index.html
_**Online since 1998**_
**The Indigo Page** serves as a directory of information pertaining to the Indigo-class UNIX workstations, manufactured by [Silicon Graphics](http://www.sgi.com) (SGI) between 1991 and 1994. Much of the information here pertains to older SGI machines and IRIX in general, but I aim to constrain this page within the scope of the Indigo.
This page was compiled and written by [C.A. Magaret](mailto:megarat@yahoo.com), an ardent/hopeless Indigo enthusiast. (With lots of help from sources, both human and online.) It was originally published in 4/98 and gets updated whenever time permits. I'm creating this page with the best of intentions, but if you find something wrong, it's probably my fault. I'm also open to suggestions. Send me your links, corrections, advice, whatnot.
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permits. I'm creating this page with the best of intentions, but if you find something wrong, it's probably my fault. I'm also open to suggestions. Send me your links, corrections, advice, whatnot.
Mirrors of this page abound throughout the web. The original is NOW located at: <http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/>
**_Generic disclaimers:_** I apologize if any links below are outdated or broken. I try to keep everything in shape, but like everyone else, I enjoy moving on to new things. (I don't actively maintain this page anymore, although I will make corrections if you send them my way.) Also, this site has no affiliation with Silicon Graphics, Inc., the company. The name "Silicon Graphics", "SGI", that funky SGI cube-logo, and anything else I'm overlooking are registered trademarks of Silicon Graphics, Inc.
**Table of Contents**
* **General Fun Facts (Indigo FAQ)**
* **Advice, Troubleshooting and Technical Assistance (Indigo FAQ, Part 2)**
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registered trademarks of Silicon Graphics, Inc.
**Table of Contents**
* **General Fun Facts (Indigo FAQ)**
* **Advice, Troubleshooting and Technical Assistance (Indigo FAQ, Part 2)**
* **Other Sources of Useful Information**
* **Where can I get one of these?**
* **IRIX Software and You**
* **Specific IRIX Applications and Tools**
* **Fun and Games**
* **SGI Junk Drawer**
**General Fun Facts (Indigo FAQ)**
* **What is an SGI Indigo?**
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Software and You**
* **Specific IRIX Applications and Tools**
* **Fun and Games**
* **SGI Junk Drawer**
**General Fun Facts (Indigo FAQ)**
* **What is an SGI Indigo?**
The Silicon Graphics IRIS Indigo is a UNIX workstation, used principly for 3D graphics, manufactured between 1991 and 1994. For its time, it had unparalleled graphics performance for a desktop workstation. Its practical uses as a graphical workstation have long-since been eclipsed by bargain-basement PCs, and technologically, the Indigo has been left in the dust. For regular use, however, the Indigo is still very capable, and it's become very popular among computer hobbyists, even for everyday use. Plus it's the spiffiest-looking computer you can buy for less than the cost of a good meal.
* **What makes them so nifty?**
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become very popular among computer hobbyists, even for everyday use. Plus it's the spiffiest-looking computer you can buy for less than the cost of a good meal.
* **What makes them so nifty?**
The Indigo is a cool computer for a number of reasons. Some of these reasons have gotten less-cool over time, but they're still compelling enough to attract people more than a decade after its prime. Among them:
* Its top-of-the-line graphics can provide 24-bit color at 1280x1024, and can animate 3D wireframe and solid-color models, with fog, lighting and transparency effects, at up to 30 fps (even at full screen).
* It has built-in CD-quality stereo sound, with a bi-directional digital audio port that supports AES and S/PDIF encoding. When coupled with an ArDAT Python 4320 DAT drive, you can get DAT audio over SCSI.
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s built-in CD-quality stereo sound, with a bi-directional digital audio port that supports AES and S/PDIF encoding. When coupled with an ArDAT Python 4320 DAT drive, you can get DAT audio over SCSI.
* The hardware is easily accessible; the motherboard and graphics subsystems just _pop_ right out, and the internal drives are sled-mounted, which make them a breeze to install or remove.
* The Indigo runs a variant of UNIX (called IRIX), so it's nice and stable, and you can get a lot of work done at once, even with a (relatively) slow processor.
* Experts agree, the Indigo's most charming quality is its spiffy blue case.
* **What are its shortcomings?**
It's old. The Indigo is old enough to register to vote, or even rent a truck. While this computer helped pioneer the graphics industry with films like "Terminator 2" and "Jurassic Park", it's been long-extinct in the field.
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ld enough to register to vote, or even rent a truck. While this computer helped pioneer the graphics industry with films like "Terminator 2" and "Jurassic Park", it's been long-extinct in the field.
* The fastest processor it can have is more than an order of magnitude slower than a garden-variety Pentium-4.
* The 3D graphics hardware doesn't have texture memory, and consumer-level PCI/AGP/PCI-X graphics cards have been crushing it like a bug since the turn of the century.
* The serial ports have a maximum throughput of 38,400 bps, which makes ISDN and other high-speed communication impossible, and the internal networking is limited to 10baseT. (Although it can be upgraded with various high-speed networking options (FDDI/ATM/100baseT), if you can find them).
* The hardware runs pretty hot and lets off an odious (but not uncomfortable) amount of heat.
* And that spiffy blue case is, by today's standards, pretty large and heavy.
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find them).
* The hardware runs pretty hot and lets off an odious (but not uncomfortable) amount of heat.
* And that spiffy blue case is, by today's standards, pretty large and heavy.
* **Give me an overview of the system's hardware**
Being old, and having been built by a company that produced lots of large computers based on the VME architecture, the Indigo itself is modeled after a VME machine, but scaled down. This gives it a fundamental architecture that most people regard as being atypical for a computer. That is, it doesn't have a motherboard, per se. Instead, it has a backplane; two subsystems mount to the backplane (which are the "CPU" and "Graphics" subsystems), as do the internal and external drives and the power supply. Much like a VME system, the subsystems are installed in a mini card cage, and the drives are installed a mini drive vault, with three drive bays.
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e internal and external drives and the power supply. Much like a VME system, the subsystems are installed in a mini card cage, and the drives are installed a mini drive vault, with three drive bays. The CPU subsystem has -- of course -- the CPU, and sockets for RAM and the clock battery ("TOD battery"), plus user-non-installable bits like the cache, and audio and serial controllers. The graphics subsystem (a.k.a. GPU) comes in different flavors, and occasionally has lots of arcane parts attached to it. These parts will determine (1) what size of monitor your Indigo can support, in terms of resolution, (2) how many colors it can display, (3) its 3-D performance, and (4) what kind of video systems it can support. Each of these components are discussed in greater detail elsewhere on this page, starting with ...
* **What kind of processor does it have?**
The SGI Indigo will typically have either:
* A MIPS R3000 processor at 33MHz (a.k.a. the "R3000 Indigo")
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here on this page, starting with ...
* **What kind of processor does it have?**
The SGI Indigo will typically have either:
* A MIPS R3000 processor at 33MHz (a.k.a. the "R3000 Indigo")
* A MIPS R4000 processor at 100MHz (a.k.a. the "R4k Indigo")
Note that it is possible to upgrade the R4k Indigo with a 150MHz R4400 processor. This is a very simple upgrade, and will increase your computer's performance by about 30%. _Word of note:_ The R3000 and R4k Indigos are fundamentally different machines. They look alike on the outside, but on the inside, they have little in common. The downside is that it's impossible to upgrade from the R3000 Indigo to the R4k Indigo without swapping out the entire motherboard and power supply. (And, by some accounts, the NVRAM in the backplane.) The easiest (and cheapest, and most trouble-free) way to perform this upgrade is to obtain an entirely new system. Keep this in mind if you ever plan on getting an Indigo.
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e NVRAM in the backplane.) The easiest (and cheapest, and most trouble-free) way to perform this upgrade is to obtain an entirely new system. Keep this in mind if you ever plan on getting an Indigo.
* **What about RAM?**
As the R3000 and R4000 machines have fundamentally different architectures, this is reflected in the types of RAM they use.
* The R3000 can have up to 96MB of RAM (with bizarro SGI proprietary SIMMs (64 pin w/ASIC, parity), which are increasingly difficult to find).
* The R4k Indigo can have a maximum of 384MB, and they conveniently use the (relatively) common 72-pin SIMMs, with page-mode parity.
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/ASIC, parity), which are increasingly difficult to find).
* The R4k Indigo can have a maximum of 384MB, and they conveniently use the (relatively) common 72-pin SIMMs, with page-mode parity.
**_Word of note:_** There is a bug in the R3000 Indigo that allows it to only have one set of four 4MB SIMMs. If you install two or more sets of 4MB SIMMs, the computer will not work. From the SGI hardware FAQ: `"Due to a design flaw, only one set of 4MB SIMMs (16 MB per bank) can be used in an R3000 Indigo, 4D/30 and 4D/35.
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o or more sets of 4MB SIMMs, the computer will not work. From the SGI hardware FAQ: `"Due to a design flaw, only one set of 4MB SIMMs (16 MB per bank) can be used in an R3000 Indigo, 4D/30 and 4D/35. This limitation doesn't apply to the 2 MB or 8 MB SIMMs."` **_Additional word of note:_** In R4k Indigos, if you have one or more sets of 16MB or 32MB SIMMs installed, you may see a warning during booting along the lines of: `"Warning: Revision C Memory Controller (MC) chip needed in order to properly operate with SIMMS of this type."` (The actual wording depends on your version of IRIX.) This warning is in place because of poor RAM SIMMs that were being sold by vendors at the time, and not all Indigos have Rev. C memory controllers. This isn't an exigent problem; as long as you can see all the RAM once the boot process has finished (say, with the _hinv_ command), then the warning can be ignored.
* **What kind of graphics does the Indigo have?**
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roblem; as long as you can see all the RAM once the boot process has finished (say, with the _hinv_ command), then the warning can be ignored.
* **What kind of graphics does the Indigo have?**
The Indigo has the following graphics subsystem (GPU) configurations available:
* **Entry Graphics** (a.k.a. "Starter Graphics"): 8-bit color, soft-Z, no hardware acceleration, 1024x768 resolution;
* **Express Graphics** : some hardware acceleration, 1280x1024 resolution;
* **XS:** 8-bit color, no Z, one geometry engine;
* **XS-24:** 24-bit color, no Z, one geometry engine;
* **XS-24Z:** 24-bit color, hardware Z-buffer, one geometry engine;
* **XZ:** 24-bit color, hardware Z-buffer, two geometry engines;
* **Elan:** 24-bit color, hardware Z-buffer, four geometry engines.
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color, hardware Z-buffer, one geometry engine;
* **XZ:** 24-bit color, hardware Z-buffer, two geometry engines;
* **Elan:** 24-bit color, hardware Z-buffer, four geometry engines.
Both Entry Graphics and Express Graphics boardsets have a 13W3 port for "workstation monitors". Additionally, the Entry Graphics configuration also has an HD15 VGA port, so almost any old VGA monitor will work with it. Instead of VGA, the Express Graphics options have a "3-D" port, for you to attach a pair of stereo-vision goggles, and a BNC Genlock port, for synching up with external video components. (FYI, some rare Express Graphics boards have two BNC Genlock ports, labelled "Genlock in" and "Genlock out". These boards are so rare I almost decided against mentioning this, but it's my goal to be comprehensive.) The Indigo's 13W3 port expects a sync-on-green signal. This is important if you want to use a 13W3-to-HD15 converter/cable to connect your Indigo with a VGA monitor.
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's my goal to be comprehensive.) The Indigo's 13W3 port expects a sync-on-green signal. This is important if you want to use a 13W3-to-HD15 converter/cable to connect your Indigo with a VGA monitor. Why? Because the monitor will need to be able to sync on the green signal as well if they're going to work together. Most modern VGA monitors will do this. _Word of note:_ You can freely upgrade from one GPU to another, but you will need to reinstall the OS to get it running properly. (Technically, some systems with Entry Graphics have issues with the boot EPROM that prevent it from upgrading at all, but that's another issue.) Also, the graphics hardware itself can be difficult to find. Typically -- as with the processor -- the easiest way to upgrade the graphics is to buy an entirely new system.
* **I've read that dual-head Indigos exist. What's that all about?**
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lt to find. Typically -- as with the processor -- the easiest way to upgrade the graphics is to buy an entirely new system.
* **I've read that dual-head Indigos exist. What's that all about?**
Indigos that can run two displays simultaneously (instead of the traditional one) do indeed exist, although they are fabulously rare. I have only had one sighting of these before, on eBay. (Photos: [1](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/photo/DH_board.jpeg), [2](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/photo/DH_label.jpeg).) The dual-head video board is essentially two Entry Graphics cards conjoined. Be warned that I've seen people sell Indigos with Entry Graphics as "an Indigo that can accept two monitors". This is because they have both 13W3 and DB15 monitor ports. You can connect two monitors to these ports, but not only will the image be the same on both, but the results will be far from admirable.
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. This is because they have both 13W3 and DB15 monitor ports. You can connect two monitors to these ports, but not only will the image be the same on both, but the results will be far from admirable. (I.e., the VGA monitor will be nice and clear, while the 13W3 monitor looks very dark and poor. As soon as you disconnect the VGA monitor, the 13W3 monitor immediately brightens up.) Instead of tracking down a dual-head Indigo, there are some good software workarounds if you're running IRIX 6.2 or above: (1) _nds_ , "network dual-head software", which is bundled with the SGI IRIX 6.2 distribution. (2) _x2x_ , "X-to-X connection", for IRIX 6.5 and above, available at [freeware.sgi.com](http://freeware.sgi.com/). Both of these utilities let you run a second monitor (connected to a second machine on the same network) using the same keyboard and mouse. You just move the mouse back and forth between the displays like you would a dual-head workstation, and it's pretty sweet.
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to a second machine on the same network) using the same keyboard and mouse. You just move the mouse back and forth between the displays like you would a dual-head workstation, and it's pretty sweet. (I used to use _nds_ at home with my R4400 Indigo and an R5000 Indy. The mouse/keyboard information was sent across the network via X11, and the performance was startlingly good.) You have to keep in mind that you're working on two different machines, but if you're using NFS, that can become quite transparent. This can even be an advantage, if you're running processor-intensive applications.
* **What about keyboards, mice, and other input devices?**
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u're using NFS, that can become quite transparent. This can even be an advantage, if you're running processor-intensive applications.
* **What about keyboards, mice, and other input devices?**
The Indigo uses a proprietary keyboard and mouse. There's not much more to say about this. Actually, there's quite a bit more to say about this. The keyboards/mice used by the Indigo are same keyboards/mice that are used by the Crimson and Onyx. And yeah, that keyboard port looks like it's PS/2, but it's not. I know what you're thinking. Don't go there. _**Do not plug a PS/2 keyboard into the keyboard port! It's a trap!**_ I'm not exaggerating. If you connect a PS/2 keyboard to an Indigo, only one of them will survive. While the next generation of SGIs (Indy, Indigo2, etc.) used the commonly available "PS/2 compatible" keyboards and mice -- and the newest ones have USB ports -- these original Indigos do not. Your only solutions are:
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ration of SGIs (Indy, Indigo2, etc.) used the commonly available "PS/2 compatible" keyboards and mice -- and the newest ones have USB ports -- these original Indigos do not. Your only solutions are:
* Use the original Indigo/Crimson/Onyx-specific keyboard and mouse.
* Build or purchase your own aftermarket PS/2-to-Indigo converter. (More info can be found [here](http://rshockley.dyndns.org/indigo.htm).) This seems like a promising solution, but I can't vouch for it personally.
Yes, it's a bummer that the Indigo keyboards/mice are proprietary, but at least they're not pieces of crap. In fact, I'm of the opinion that they're among the best keyboards/mice in the biz. Part of the Indigo's fabulous user interface is owed to the quality of its keyboard and mouse, and I think they are worth tracking down.
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opinion that they're among the best keyboards/mice in the biz. Part of the Indigo's fabulous user interface is owed to the quality of its keyboard and mouse, and I think they are worth tracking down. (If anyone reverse-adapts the SGI Indigo keyboard and mouse to work with USB interfaces, I'll switch over to that in a heartbeat.) Additionally, SGI computers are famous for interfacing with specialized input devices, namely dials, button-boxes, and spaceballs. The Indigo can also work with Wacom drawing tablets, as long as you have the requisite interface cable.
* **What kind of drives can the Indigo use?**
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amely dials, button-boxes, and spaceballs. The Indigo can also work with Wacom drawing tablets, as long as you have the requisite interface cable.
* **What kind of drives can the Indigo use?**
The Indigo has one narrow SCSI bus. There is a 50-pin Centronics port for external SCSI devices and three internal drive slots, (3.5", full-height), which typically hold hard disks, floppy drives, or 4mm DAT drives. The internal drive bays require a drive to be mounted on a "sled", which facilitates easy installation and removal. Unfortunately, these sleds can be difficult to find (outside of eBay, that is) and can be more expensive than an external drive case. A few random notes about the Indigo's SCSI bus and drives:
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val. Unfortunately, these sleds can be difficult to find (outside of eBay, that is) and can be more expensive than an external drive case. A few random notes about the Indigo's SCSI bus and drives:
* The SCSI bus itself takes ID=0. The system drive is typically ID=1, and is typically installed in the bottom-most drive bay, although these aren't critical. The internal drive bays are terminated, but any devices attached to the external SCSI port require termination.
* The original hard drives from SGI, when installed on the original sleds, will auto-select for SCSI ID based on the drive bay in which it is installed. (Bottom=1, middle=2, top=3.) You can get around this by jumping the drives yourself, if you feel so inclined.
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nal sleds, will auto-select for SCSI ID based on the drive bay in which it is installed. (Bottom=1, middle=2, top=3.) You can get around this by jumping the drives yourself, if you feel so inclined.
* To my knowledge, pretty much any narrow 50-pin SCSI hard drive will work, although if you want to install it internally, you'll need a drive sled. If you don't mind having your hard drive in an external case, you can play the field, which includes IDE hard drives, using IDE-to-SCSI adaptors.
* The internal drive bays can house both 3.5" "slimline" and "half-height" hard drives, and there is enough room on the sled for an SCA-to-SCSI adaptor, if you want to use an SCA drive in your Indigo.
* (I've seen cute hacks where two slimline drives are double-stacked into a single bay, and while it works, it's a tight fit and I don't recommend it. I suspect the heat generated by two drives in such a small space could compromise reliability over the long-term.)
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d into a single bay, and while it works, it's a tight fit and I don't recommend it. I suspect the heat generated by two drives in such a small space could compromise reliability over the long-term.)
* The Indigo can talk to most SCSI CD-ROM drives, if all you want to do is to read data. For installing system software, you'll need a CD-ROM drive that is "SGI bootable" (this is a big deal). Also, some CD-ROM drives allow audio over SCSI, for playing audio CDs; otherwise you'll need to use the headphone jack, or jump the CD-ROM's audio-out ports with the Indigo's audio-in port (this is not a big deal).
* The original internal SCSI floppy drive released by SGI is notoriously prone to failure. Keep this in mind when buying one used.
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ts with the Indigo's audio-in port (this is not a big deal).
* The original internal SCSI floppy drive released by SGI is notoriously prone to failure. Keep this in mind when buying one used.
* Not only will the SGI-released Insite SCSI "floptical" drive (created for the Indigo2) work just fine in the Indigo, (1) it can use 20MB floptical disks (although they're excruciatingly slow), (2) it looks great in the Indigo with its black bezel, and (3) it seems to be much more enduring then the original SGI floppy drive.
* Practically any old SCSI 3.5" DAT drive will fit in and work in the Indigo, but the original ArDAT Python 4320 DAT drive released by SGI is unique in that it allows you to play audio over the SCSI bus. This is a neat feature if you're into audio.
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in and work in the Indigo, but the original ArDAT Python 4320 DAT drive released by SGI is unique in that it allows you to play audio over the SCSI bus. This is a neat feature if you're into audio.
* Other popular removable-media formats can work fine with the Indigo, especially in IRIX 6.2 and later; IRIX's removable media demon (_mediad_) can automatically recognize (depending on your IRIX version): Iomega Jaz and Zip drives; various Syquest drives; various tape drives, from QIC to DLT; LS-120 "superfloppy" drives; and various magneto-optical drives. All in various filesystem types.
* **What other hardware features does it have?**
The Indigo also has:
* two serial ports (DIN8, as per the pre-USB Macintosh), with a maximum throughput of 38,400 bps each;
* an AUI networking port, for 10baseT networking;
* five audio ports (line-in, line-out, microphone-in, headphone-out, and bi-directional digital audio);
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throughput of 38,400 bps each;
* an AUI networking port, for 10baseT networking;
* five audio ports (line-in, line-out, microphone-in, headphone-out, and bi-directional digital audio);
* a 25-pin parallel port, for printers and other sundry peripherals;
* whatever ports are provided by the graphics subsystem.
There are no VME, SBUS, PCI, or other common expansion slots on an Indigo. There are, however, two "GIO32" slots on the motherboard for nifty, hard-to-find expansion boards, such as SCSI and network cards from SGI, and other 3rd-party devices.
* **Tell me some more about those optional expansion boards.**
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n the motherboard for nifty, hard-to-find expansion boards, such as SCSI and network cards from SGI, and other 3rd-party devices.
* **Tell me some more about those optional expansion boards.**
I really envy hobbyists that work with older Sun workstations. They can't walk through twenty feet of a computer flea market without tripping over a bazillion different SBUS option cards, from SCSI to ethernet to multi-serial controllers to fancy-pants audio processors. Those old Suns are quite expandable and the cards are not difficult to find. Trivial, in some cases. You might even be able to find one underneath your couch. With SGIs, I'm afraid, this is absolutely _not_ the case. The field is much more limited, and most of these options are quite uncommon. Some cards take one GIO32 slot, while others require both of them. Although technically, the dual-slot cards don't actually plug into both GIO32 slots; their board-size just needs the space. To my knowledge, you can find:
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2 slot, while others require both of them. Although technically, the dual-slot cards don't actually plug into both GIO32 slots; their board-size just needs the space. To my knowledge, you can find:
* SCSI-bus card (one slot);
* 10baseT networking card (one slot, with AUI port);
* Token-ring networking card (two slots, I think);
* FDDI card (available as both SAS and DAS, both take two slots; SAS has one dual-channel fibre port; DAS has two dual-channel fibre ports, with optical bypass switch (OBS) port));
* Various third-party ATM cards;
* Cosmo Compress card (one slot, requires Galileo Video board and R4k Indigo, and wacky cable; performs JPEG compression in hardware);
* Chyron Centaur video card (two slots, requires propetary software and wacky cables);
* Colorbus Cyclone RIP (raster image processor, for interfacing to a color copier/printer) (one slot).
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* Chyron Centaur video card (two slots, requires propetary software and wacky cables);
* Colorbus Cyclone RIP (raster image processor, for interfacing to a color copier/printer) (one slot).
_Word of note:_ The architecture behind the GIO32 bus differs slightly between the R3000 and the R4k Indigos. Some early expansion boards may not work for the R4k Indigo, and similarly, some later expansion boards may not work for the R3000 Indigo. While I haven't tried it myself, the use of non-Indigo GIO32 cards in the Indigo appears to be commonplace. These are GIO32 cards that were originally made for the SGI Indy and Challenge S, so they won't have the same precise form-factor, but they'll fit and some of them will even work. These cards include the Indy/Challenge Cosmo Compress board, FDDI board, and the Phobos G130 and Set Engineering 100mbit network cards. These latter two cards are the only way to get 100baseT into your Indigo, so this backwards compatibility is a blessing.
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rd, FDDI board, and the Phobos G130 and Set Engineering 100mbit network cards. These latter two cards are the only way to get 100baseT into your Indigo, so this backwards compatibility is a blessing. Though I should point out that your results will certainly vary, both by card and your version of IRIX.
* **Does the Indigo have hardware video support?**
The Indigo does not support video by default, only through add-on technogizmos. Being a pedantic git, note that I'm discussing _video_ here, as opposed to _graphics_. Graphics is the everyday digital output that a computer sends to a computer monitor. Video is a different beast altogether, and it's best described [here](http://www.lurkertech.com/lg/). Think of how a VCR talks to a TV, and you'll start to get the idea. In its day, SGI had two options available for the Indigo. They couple to the graphics subsystems themselves (not the GIO32 slots on the motherboard), and are dependent on the types of graphics you have.
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its day, SGI had two options available for the Indigo. They couple to the graphics subsystems themselves (not the GIO32 slots on the motherboard), and are dependent on the types of graphics you have. These options are:
* "Starter Video" (a.k.a. SVIDEO, a.k.a. Indigo Video), for Entry Graphics. This has three pairs of input ports (in composite/S-video pairs), one pair of output ports (also composite/S-video), and a DB15 RGB output port. This card allows for simple video input, output, and capturing. The quality isn't great, but it's a lot of fun. This board is not easy to find, and its drivers are only supported in IRIX 5.3 and earlier.
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card allows for simple video input, output, and capturing. The quality isn't great, but it's a lot of fun. This board is not easy to find, and its drivers are only supported in IRIX 5.3 and earlier.
* "Galileo Video" (GV), for R4k Indigos with Express Graphics. The GV boards have two ports: a digital input and an analogue output. The analogue output is for the ABOB (analogue break-out box), which sports an impressive compliment of ports. The digital input can accept an Indycam, DBOB (digital break-out box) or allow the Indigo to work with the GIO32 Cosmo Compress card, described above. GV boards allow you to work with video that approaches broadcast quality. Unfortunately, GV boards are exceedingly rare, and the Cosmo Compress cards are rarer still. These options are supported up through IRIX 6.5, although the drivers are not bundled with IRIX (they are on a separate CD, and can also be downloaded [here](http://www.futuretech.blinkenlights.nl/depot/svideo_2.2.tar)).
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orted up through IRIX 6.5, although the drivers are not bundled with IRIX (they are on a separate CD, and can also be downloaded [here](http://www.futuretech.blinkenlights.nl/depot/svideo_2.2.tar)).
If you are ambitious enough to try to find a Galileo Video board, you should know:
* The GV board for the Indigo (part number 030-8112-003) is different from the "Galileo Video" board for the Indigo2 (030-8111-00x)
* The GB board requires a VB1.2 (video buffer board v1.2) in your graphics subsystem, instead of the all-too-common VB1.1. (You can determine which one you have with the command _/usr/gfx/gfxinfo_.)
[Chyron](http://www.chyron.com) created the "Centaur", which is a GIO32 boardset that will turn your Indigo into a video workstation, given the required proprietary driver software and cables. (Chyron has versions of the drivers for IRIX 5.3 and 6.2 [available for free download](ftp://ftp.chyron.com).)
* **What is the Indigo's native operating system?**
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y driver software and cables. (Chyron has versions of the drivers for IRIX 5.3 and 6.2 [available for free download](ftp://ftp.chyron.com).)
* **What is the Indigo's native operating system?**
The Indigo runs a variant of UNIX, developed at SGI, called IRIX. This is not something you can buy at a store or download for free. To install this operating system you will need the installation CD (or tape, for older versions). For UNIX-heads, IRIX started as an SVR2 platform with BSD and SGI extensions that crept in over time. Today it is compliant with UNIX SVR4, POSIX and UNIX 95. Regarding IRIX versions:
* The R3000 Indigo can only run IRIX 5.3 and earlier.
* The R4k Indigo, however:
* can run IRIX 5.3 and later;
* is typically found running IRIX 6.2 and later;
* can accomodate IRIX 6.5 up through IRIX 6.5.22 (which is the last version to support the R4x00 processor).
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un IRIX 5.3 and later;
* is typically found running IRIX 6.2 and later;
* can accomodate IRIX 6.5 up through IRIX 6.5.22 (which is the last version to support the R4x00 processor).
SGI officially released IRIX 6.5.22 in Q3 2003; the Indigo has been an orphan ever since. The 6.5.22m update is freely available for download [here](http://support.sgi.com/browse_request/irix_os). (Registration is required for download access.) It's a good idea to read the 6.5.22m update notes prior to installation, because of an incompatibility with inst. _Word of note:_ Obtaining installation media for IRIX is not as trivial as you'd hope. SGI will gladly sell you a copy of IRIX 6.5 for US$600.00. Their license agreement forbids the resale of the OS media unless it is in the presence of a computer, so purchasing a second-hand copy is technically illegal. If you anticipate needing the OS media, try to get a copy when you buy the machine.
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f the OS media unless it is in the presence of a computer, so purchasing a second-hand copy is technically illegal. If you anticipate needing the OS media, try to get a copy when you buy the machine. Otherwise, you'll need to trawl eBay and scrape up a copy there (which, I shall remind you, is illegal, blah blah blah), or go through other channels.
* **Can the Indigo run any of the free OSes out there? (e.g., Linux, NetBSD)**
The technical answer is "yes", although for all practical purposes, IRIX is the only game in town. Both Linux and NetBSD are currently under development for older SGIs, which will hopefully extend the life of these machines. From what I've heard, the NetBSD gang has created a bootable version for the Indigo (more [here](http://www.netbsd.org/Ports/sgimips/)), but that's it.
* **What's the story about compilers?**
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From what I've heard, the NetBSD gang has created a bootable version for the Indigo (more [here](http://www.netbsd.org/Ports/sgimips/)), but that's it.
* **What's the story about compilers?**
It's a complicated story, but I'll hash it out the best that I can. Like most commercial UNIX packages, the take-home message is that IRIX by itself does not come with a compiler. Some versions of IRIX are more friendly at supporting compilers than others. So here's the scoop, to the best of my understanding:
* **Up through IRIX 5.3:** You must obtain and install the Iris Development Option (IDO) from SGI if you wish to use any compilers at all. This includes GNU compilers, such as gcc, since IRIX does not include libraries or header files. Fortunately, SGI has made version 5.3 of the IDO available for [download](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/IRIX5.3/iris-development-option-5.3.tardist), which works with IRIX 5.3.
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de libraries or header files. Fortunately, SGI has made version 5.3 of the IDO available for [download](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/IRIX5.3/iris-development-option-5.3.tardist), which works with IRIX 5.3.
* **IRIX 6.2:** IRIX 6.2 can support the IDO from IDO v6.2 up through MIPSpro v7.2.1 (renamed "MIPSpro" from "IDO"). Anything up to v7.2 will work fine without a license; to my understanding, v7.2.1 will nag you about not having a license, but will allow you to compile anyway. If you cannot get a copy of the IDO, you are still not without options: you can obtain the Iris Development Foundation (IDF) and Iris Development Libraries (IDL) from SGI, which gives you all the header and library files needed to install gcc and make it work perfectly. (These are available in CD format, or as a relatively large [download](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/IRIX6.2/).)
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gives you all the header and library files needed to install gcc and make it work perfectly. (These are available in CD format, or as a relatively large [download](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/IRIX6.2/).)
* **IRIX 6.5:** This requires at least MIPSPro v7.2.1. With 6.5, the IDF/IDL is bundled with the base OS installation, so you are free to use gcc as a workaround. Since the IRIX 6.5 IDF/IDL is part of the operating system, SGI does not make it available for download.
Here are some other notes you might want to know:
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o you are free to use gcc as a workaround. Since the IRIX 6.5 IDF/IDL is part of the operating system, SGI does not make it available for download.
Here are some other notes you might want to know:
* SGI distributes compiler packages for: C, C++, Fortran 77, Fortran 90, Ada 95, and Pascal. C, C++, F70 and F90 are all being carried forth and supported to the present day. The Pascal package is obsolete, stuck on v7.1, and only works on IRIX 6.4 and earlier. Ada 95 has been stuck at v1.3 for a long time, but still works on IRIX 6.5. These packages are typically found on different distributions, although the C/C++/F77/F90 packages all live together as one big happy family on the "All-Compilers CD".
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, but still works on IRIX 6.5. These packages are typically found on different distributions, although the C/C++/F77/F90 packages all live together as one big happy family on the "All-Compilers CD".
* gcc is available for download on the [SGI Freeware site](http://freeware.sgi.com/). One caveat: the freeware site now only supports IRIX 6.5 (in some cases, 6.5.10), so any software here -- including gcc -- isn't guaranteed to work with 6.2 or any other versions. This means you'll need to be wary of which version you obtain:
* For IRIX 5.3, you will need gcc 2.7.2.2, which can be downloaded [here](http://reality.exsgi.org/drk/freeware/ariel/#gcc).
* For IRIX 6.2, you will need a more recent version, such as [gcc 2.8.1](http://reality.exsgi.org/drk/freeware/ariel/#gcc), or [gcc 2.95.2](http://freeware.sgi.com/fw-6.2/Dist/fw_gcc-2.95.2-sgipl1.tardist).
* For IRIX 6.5.x, just get the most-recent version on the [SGI Freeware site](http://freeware.sgi.com/).
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, or [gcc 2.95.2](http://freeware.sgi.com/fw-6.2/Dist/fw_gcc-2.95.2-sgipl1.tardist).
* For IRIX 6.5.x, just get the most-recent version on the [SGI Freeware site](http://freeware.sgi.com/).
* If you choose to install an SGI-branded compiler, beware of license requirements. Versions 7.2 and earlier don't require licenses. Versions 7.2.1 and above will generally nag you about installing a license, but will still produce an executable. There are conflicting stories about SGI compilers not working in the absence of a license. From one source, I've heard that versions 7.3 and above require a license in order to run at all, and from another I've heard that all post-7.2 versions are "nagware" that don't require licenses at all.
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one source, I've heard that versions 7.3 and above require a license in order to run at all, and from another I've heard that all post-7.2 versions are "nagware" that don't require licenses at all.
(Before you ask, you can purchase a compiler license from SGI for US$600+, but you might be interested to know that someone once posted a very comprehensive license.dat file to comp.sys.sgi.apps, which covered all versions of MIPSpro, including up through 7.4, and lots of other crap. (And as far as I can tell, it works.) I shant post the license.dat file here, lest I invoke SGI's wrath, but if you feel up for a treasure hunt, consider this your call to adventure.)
* **How much do Indigos cost?**
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ll, it works.) I shant post the license.dat file here, lest I invoke SGI's wrath, but if you feel up for a treasure hunt, consider this your call to adventure.)
* **How much do Indigos cost?**
How much change is in your pocket? Ho ho ho, I crack myself up. But really: the used market of today is much more forgiving than the value-added-reseller market of yesteryear. (At least, from the point of view of us hobbyists.) On Dec. 1, 1992, the R4k Indigo Elan retailed from SGI for US$32,000. As I write this, that very computer will frequently go unsold on eBay, with a starting bid of US$0.99, simply because the shipping costs will eclipse the unit's so-called "value". The moral of the story: the value of older SGIs has hit that abyssal point: where you'll spend less money buying one up-front than you will when you drop it off later at the computer recycling center. If you keep your ear to the ground, you'll probably find an Indigo for free. Maybe even a whole pallet of them.
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one up-front than you will when you drop it off later at the computer recycling center. If you keep your ear to the ground, you'll probably find an Indigo for free. Maybe even a whole pallet of them. _Personal reminiscence:_ I bought my first SGI, as a hobbyist, in March 1996. It was an R3000 Indigo with entry graphics, and it cost US$2000 (a fair price at the time). In May 2004 -- eight years later -- I posted a message in two different groups on usenet: "Free R3000 SGI Indigos: pick em up at my house and they're yours!" And no one responded. The computers were eventually hauled away by someone who had come to claim some of my Sun gear, and simply figured, "Sure, why not, they're free." That said, SGI collectors are known around the world for their fanaticism, so exceptional and/or rare specimens will still sell for non-trivial prices.
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simply figured, "Sure, why not, they're free." That said, SGI collectors are known around the world for their fanaticism, so exceptional and/or rare specimens will still sell for non-trivial prices. I'm speaking from personal experience; when I sold my own beloved Indigo (tricked out, pampered, perfect condition, complete with original box and literature) via eBay in Sept. 2005, it went for [a startling amount of money](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/ebay/sturgemoore.html). The same goes for individual parts. Scarcity is now an issue. Common parts seem to be sleds and keyboards. Uncommon parts seem to be everything else, including mice. So don't be surprised if that DAT drive or ATM card costs as much as an entire computer, or if you need to purchase an entire computer to get it.
* **I saw a computer that looked exactly like an Indigo, but it had a different logo on it, and it wasn't even blue. Was this some sort of cosmetic rip-off? Or maybe a custom mod-job?**
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et it.
* **I saw a computer that looked exactly like an Indigo, but it had a different logo on it, and it wasn't even blue. Was this some sort of cosmetic rip-off? Or maybe a custom mod-job?**
Probably not. SGI allowed other companies to OEM the Indigo, so there are a few rebadged variants out there. The hardware is identical, they even run IRIX, but the skins have no SGI Indigo logos to be found. Common rebadged Indigos include Control Data, Colorbus, and Siemens Nixdorf (with the latter unit, the computer case is dark grey).
* **Is this computer really very useful?**
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ogos to be found. Common rebadged Indigos include Control Data, Colorbus, and Siemens Nixdorf (with the latter unit, the computer case is dark grey).
* **Is this computer really very useful?**
Darn-tootin! While it might not be ideal for all the world's end users, the Indigo is a way-cool computer for the enthusiast who yearns to leave all Microsoft products behind and isn't afraid to hand-edit a configuration file with _vi_. The fact that it runs UNIX gives it a tremendous advantage: while the Indigo might not be terribly fast, UNIX gives it a lot of torque. The user base for the SGI Indigo (and IRIX in general) is larger than you might think, and helpful support can be found, if you ask nicely, in the comp.sys.sgi.* newsgroups. Software is freely downloadable from every corner of the globe, ranging from CDRW drivers to Quake3. And since SGIs have a niche popularity in the workstation world, it's usually pretty easy to build software for IRIX or find binaries.
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every corner of the globe, ranging from CDRW drivers to Quake3. And since SGIs have a niche popularity in the workstation world, it's usually pretty easy to build software for IRIX or find binaries. If you are looking to get into UNIX for the first time, then you might find Linux to be a better learning platform, since it has better support and software availability. But in many regards, IRIX has always been one of the more innovative UNIXes out there, and the Indigo is a very fun computer to run it on. When you consider the fact that this computer was released at the dawn of the 1990s, that it predates the web, multimedia, CD-ROM technology ... I challenge you to find a computer of a similar vintage that can fare, in a modern computing environment, with as much vim and vigor as the Indigo. _Word of note:_ Software availability for IRIX 5.3 is getting scarce, so the R3000 Indigo is, tragically, showing its age.
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n a modern computing environment, with as much vim and vigor as the Indigo. _Word of note:_ Software availability for IRIX 5.3 is getting scarce, so the R3000 Indigo is, tragically, showing its age. Much of the software you find around the Internet, available for download, only have binaries or builds that will work with IRIX 6.x. So if you intend to get an R3000 Indigo, you'd better become good friends with the compiler. This is yet another reason why many people find the R4k Indigo to be a more-useful machine than its R3000 predecessor.
* **So, does the R3000 Indigo suck, or what?**
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friends with the compiler. This is yet another reason why many people find the R4k Indigo to be a more-useful machine than its R3000 predecessor.
* **So, does the R3000 Indigo suck, or what?**
_No, not at all!_ The major fault of the Indigo is its age, and unfortunately, the technology behind the R3000 is older than that of its R4k sibling. For everything a technohobbyist needs out of a cool, decades-old computer, the R3000 delivers it in spades. Take it from me: an R3000 Indigo with a full 96MB of RAM, a complete suite of compilers and freeware, and the Starter Video option is one of the most entertaining computers you can find. It's even common knowledge that the R3000 Indigo is more reliable than its R4k counterpart, in the realms of both hardware and software. In the past, when planning out my Home Network(TM), I opted for the pragmatic economy of R3000 Indigos over anything else.
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iable than its R4k counterpart, in the realms of both hardware and software. In the past, when planning out my Home Network(TM), I opted for the pragmatic economy of R3000 Indigos over anything else. For over a year, an R3000 Indigo served this web site and many others to the entire world, and another one offered services like DNS, mail, bzflag, and more. (Yes, those R3000 Indigos were phased out and replaced with an R5000 Indy -- which was since phased out and replaced with a rackmount 300MHz Celeron machine running OpenBSD 3.3, which was since phased out in favor of a remote hosting service -- but only because I wanted to scale back my electricity usage. Those machines were rock-fucking-solid, with years-long uptimes that were only interrupted by power outages, and to this day I still think R3000 Indigos are quite keen.) So don't get the idea that R3000 Indigos suck. They're just older than their R4k successors, and with this fact comes a few caveats.
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es, and to this day I still think R3000 Indigos are quite keen.) So don't get the idea that R3000 Indigos suck. They're just older than their R4k successors, and with this fact comes a few caveats.
* **What's up with Silicon Graphics, the company?**
It's a bit like watching the country of Zimbabwe. For over a decade, Silicon Graphics was a cool, inventive company that made groundbreaking computers. Since about 1997, however, they've been on the slide. The first sign of the apocalypse was when Silicon Graphics started producing -- _ptui!_ \-- Windows NT workstations. Then, in a grim-yet-wacky attempt to improve their public image, Silicon Graphics officially renamed the company to "SGI" ("Servers, Graphic Workstations, and Innovation!"), destroying a prominent brand that had existed for well over a decade. Even their funky "cube" logo was put to bed.
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lly renamed the company to "SGI" ("Servers, Graphic Workstations, and Innovation!"), destroying a prominent brand that had existed for well over a decade. Even their funky "cube" logo was put to bed. With the advent of cheap supercomputing clusters and killer consumer-level 3D graphics, SGI's hold on the industry has almost hit bottom. One day, I believe, SGI will bite it (i.e., get bought out), and their computers will disappear, with the possible exception of the super-high-end models. I've never been good at predicting the timing of these things, but even if it happens next week, the hobbyists can still survive like roaches. Still, I don't wish SGI any ill will. They can still make cool computers -- the Octane2 is a testimony to this -- so maybe they have a few more rabbits they can pull out of their hat.
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like roaches. Still, I don't wish SGI any ill will. They can still make cool computers -- the Octane2 is a testimony to this -- so maybe they have a few more rabbits they can pull out of their hat.
**Advice, Troubleshooting and Technical Assistance (Indigo FAQ, Part 2)** As the creator and maintainer of this page, I tend to get asked a fair number of questions. I've been noodling with these computers since 1996; while I don't claim to be an expert, I'm happy to help. Here are some of the common questions I receive, summarized.
* **Alright, you've sold me: I've decided to get an Indigo. What caveats should I mind in purchasing one?**
Good for you! To wit:
* Be mindful of what kind of CPU and graphics the unit has.
* To be a fully prepared hobbyist, you'll need an SGI-bootable CD-ROM drive and installation media. You _will_ need them eventually.
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Be mindful of what kind of CPU and graphics the unit has.
* To be a fully prepared hobbyist, you'll need an SGI-bootable CD-ROM drive and installation media. You _will_ need them eventually.
* If the computer doesn't come with a working monitor, then you'll need a monitor that can "sync on green". If you only have a VGA monitor, you'll need to find a 13W3-to-HD15 adaptor or cable; even once you get an adaptor, the Indigo will only work with the monitor if it can sync on green.
* If the unit has IRIX installed, try to get the root password, if it has one.
* When Indigos are left around, powered down, for a long period of time, it's common for the TOD battery to die. So beware of Indigos that are sold "untested" or "as-is" or "just excavated from a decade of storage". (More on this [here](http://sgistuff.g-lenerz.de/documents/indigo-battery-faq.txt).)
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ry to die. So beware of Indigos that are sold "untested" or "as-is" or "just excavated from a decade of storage". (More on this [here](http://sgistuff.g-lenerz.de/documents/indigo-battery-faq.txt).)
* **In purchasing an Indigo, what would you recommend, with regard to CPU, OS, compilers, graphics, et al?**
Here's where my opinions currently stand: **CPU:** Get an R4k Indigo. Yes, we're only a few paragraphs away from my devoted love song to the R3000 Indigo, but I still recommend you to get one of its R4k successors. This is because of improved software availability and processor speed. If you enjoy that old-school retrocomputing thing, then by all means get yourself an R3000 Indigo; these computers are super-cool and you'll have a grand old time. But for everyone else, the benefits that come with the R4000 (or better yet, the R4400) are well worth it. If you have an R4000 Indigo, I recommend tracking down an R4400 upgrade.
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a grand old time. But for everyone else, the benefits that come with the R4000 (or better yet, the R4400) are well worth it. If you have an R4000 Indigo, I recommend tracking down an R4400 upgrade. They're only $15 or so on eBay and the performance boost is worth every penny. **OS:** This is a little more opaque. If you have an R3000 Indigo, IRIX 5.3 is the end of the road; it works quite well and it's super-stable, especially if you get the final patchset, so this is an easy recommendation. But I have to admit: IRIX 4.0.5 is pretty darn cool! I've had a great time fooling around with it. If you have an R4k Indigo, go with IRIX 6.5. IRIX 6.2 isn't bad, all things considered, but ponder the following caveats: Comparing IRIX 6.5 to 6.2: the response of the windowing system is slower in IRIX 6.5, although the base system is faster. This gives the user an immediate perception that the Indigo is underpowered for IRIX 6.5, although that perception is cosmetic alone.
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system is slower in IRIX 6.5, although the base system is faster. This gives the user an immediate perception that the Indigo is underpowered for IRIX 6.5, although that perception is cosmetic alone. For everything but the UI, IRIX 6.5 is measurably faster than 6.2. IRIX 6.5 has the greatest software support, as the [SGI Freeware Site](http://freeware.sgi.com/) now only supports IRIX 6.5 and above. Some of these new 6.5-specific freeware packages are particularly worthwhile. Both IRIX 6.2 and 6.5 have been end-of-life'd for the Indigo, but the final patchset for 6.2 has been put to bed for years, while 6.5.22 was released in late 2003, and patches are still coming. So IRIX 6.5 will fare better in a modern computing environment. No matter which version you choose, your web-browsing experience will leave you underwhelmed, possibly even psychotic. The base installation of IRIX 6.5 includes Netscape Communicator 4.07 by default, which is a disaster.
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n you choose, your web-browsing experience will leave you underwhelmed, possibly even psychotic. The base installation of IRIX 6.5 includes Netscape Communicator 4.07 by default, which is a disaster. Upgrading to Netscape 4.8 improves things dramatically, but it's still quite pokey, and you'll routinely spend minutes at a time -- literally -- waiting for complex web pages to resolve. Mozilla is even more of a hog, and runs on an Indigo about as well as a 450-pound sci-fi fan in a marathon. Mozilla Firebird is slightly better, and it handles modern web pages reasonably well, but it's still not worth dancing about. I have yet to find a modern port of Firefox that even launches on the Indigo. With IRIX 6.2, you can run Netscape 3.x, which is relatively snappy, but in today's world-wide web, you'll find yourself irretrievably mired in a morass of javascript errors. Really, the only sane route to browse the web with one of these vintage computers is Lynx, which is saying something.
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web, you'll find yourself irretrievably mired in a morass of javascript errors. Really, the only sane route to browse the web with one of these vintage computers is Lynx, which is saying something. **Compilers:** This will be driven by your version of the OS. Personally, I use IRIX 6.5 with gcc and MIPSpro v7.3. Running version 7.2 of the IDO with IRIX 6.2 is an excellent combination; this gives you a warning about licensing your software (a.k.a. "nagware"), but still gets the job done. This combo gives you the best of both worlds, as you can use both the IDO and gcc. No matter what, install whatever version of gcc is appropriate, because you can. Now (post-MIPSpro 7.2), compilers are supposedly licensed, and getting an SGI compiler to work with IRIX 6.5 is allegedly less-trivial, although the matter appears to be just a bluff.
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cause you can. Now (post-MIPSpro 7.2), compilers are supposedly licensed, and getting an SGI compiler to work with IRIX 6.5 is allegedly less-trivial, although the matter appears to be just a bluff. v7.2.1 has worked fine for me -- as nagware -- and posts on comp.sys.sgi.* claim that all versions, even 7.3 and later, are nagware and don't enforce the mandatory license. Of course, I am assuming that you are unwilling to pay SGI prices for an official compiler. If you can pay the money for an SGI compiler, heck, you're probably not using an Indigo anyway. Elsewhere on this page I mentioned a warez license.dat file that was once posted to comp.sys.sgi.apps. I can vouch that it works with v7.3 and earlier. Allegedly it will work up through v7.4. **Graphics:** To some degree, the GPU on your Indigo isn't that important.
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once posted to comp.sys.sgi.apps. I can vouch that it works with v7.3 and earlier. Allegedly it will work up through v7.4. **Graphics:** To some degree, the GPU on your Indigo isn't that important. Sure, these graphics rocked the house back in 1991, and even today it's fun to make an Elan run the gauntlet -- _"Wheee! Look at that baby spin!"_ \-- but in all honesty, you shouldn't get an Indigo strictly for its graphics. The simplest projects, by today's standards, will bring an Elan to its knees. That aside, Entry Graphics is fine for servers or machines that don't get much use, and it's tolerable if you specifically want to play around with Starter Video. If your Indigo is going to be a desktop workstation, however, then I would recommend using Express Graphics (XS-24 and above). The extra resolution and color-depth are worth fighting for, especially since today's cost difference is negligible.
* **What kind of software will I need?**
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xpress Graphics (XS-24 and above). The extra resolution and color-depth are worth fighting for, especially since today's cost difference is negligible.
* **What kind of software will I need?**
Here's a quick checklist of the vitals; more links are listed below:
* IRIX installation media
* [IRIX 6.5 updates](http://support.sgi.com/browse_request/irix_os), if necessary (registration necessary)
* [SGI's "Surf Zone" downloads](http://www.sgi.com/products/evaluation/index.html) (registration necessary)
* freeware.sgi.com ([6.5](http://freeware.sgi.com/), [6.2](http://freeware.sgi.com/fw-6.2/), [5.3](http://freeware.sgi.com/fw-5.3/))
* IDO (for [5.3](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/IRIX5.3/iris-development-option-5.3.tardist)), IDF/IDL (for [6.2](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/IRIX6.2/) or 6.5), or MIPSpro Compilers (depending on IRIX version)
* [Doom](ftp://ftp.idsoftware.com/idstuff/doom/sgi/sgixdoom1.8.tar.gz)
After that, it's all a matter of taste.
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.sgi.com/sgi/IRIX6.2/) or 6.5), or MIPSpro Compilers (depending on IRIX version)
* [Doom](ftp://ftp.idsoftware.com/idstuff/doom/sgi/sgixdoom1.8.tar.gz)
After that, it's all a matter of taste.
* **So ... where can I obtain IRIX installation media? Or compilers?**
Contact an SGI sales rep and order a copy. It's easy!
* **Har har har. Do you think I want to spend US$600+ on this blue brick that I rescued from a dumpster? Be realistic.**
Well, alright ... I'm afraid you're stuck to scouring the second-hand market. A particularly good place for this is eBay. Keep in mind that buying IRIX installation media from agencies other than SGI is a violation of the licensing agreement, so it's technically illegal. Blah blah blah. Besides, SGI won't even sell you a copy of IRIX that predates version 6.5. So if you have an R3000 Indigo, you have no choice but to live outside the law. _Solidarity, comrade!_
* **How do I format a hard disk and install the OS from scratch?**
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t predates version 6.5. So if you have an R3000 Indigo, you have no choice but to live outside the law. _Solidarity, comrade!_
* **How do I format a hard disk and install the OS from scratch?**
Unfortunately, the process isn't intuitive. You can find some salvation in the following [document](http://www.amazing.com/internet/sgi-recovery.html) from David Dennis. (If you have trouble reaching it, I also mirror it [here](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/recovery.html).) This document makes a few assumptions that you should know about in advance: (1) that you are installing from CD media; (2) that your SCSI CD-ROM drive is set to ID=4; (3) that you are not using an R4k architecture.
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kes a few assumptions that you should know about in advance: (1) that you are installing from CD media; (2) that your SCSI CD-ROM drive is set to ID=4; (3) that you are not using an R4k architecture. Addressing the assumptions: (1) Older versions of IRIX (v4 and earlier) are available on tape; I've never built an SGI system from scratch using tape media before, so I'm afraid I can't help you with this.) (2) For the SCSI ID, change the "4" in the "boot" commands to the SCSI ID of your CD-ROM drive if it's not "4". (3) If you are using an R4k Indigo (or any other R4k machine), you will need to use "ARCS" in place of the "IP12". (E.g., "sashARCS", "fx.ARCS".)
* **What is meant by "SGI-bootable CD-ROM drive"?**
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f you are using an R4k Indigo (or any other R4k machine), you will need to use "ARCS" in place of the "IP12". (E.g., "sashARCS", "fx.ARCS".)
* **What is meant by "SGI-bootable CD-ROM drive"?**
Easy: the Indigo is only capable of booting from select CD-ROM drives. So if you are buying a CD-ROM drive for an Indigo, take care about which drive you purchase, depending on your needs. (Essentially, for a drive to be bootable, it needs to be able to use a 512-byte block size. This usually isn't advertised as a feature, so you're better off going by brand and model.) Keeping a comprehensive list of SGI-bootable CD-ROM drives would be sisyphean; generally speaking, people say that you'll have best luck with drives from Toshiba, Sony and Plextor, with Teac, NEC, and Yamaha being reasonable alternatives. Avoid CD-R or CD-RW drives, unless you specifically need those features.
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at you'll have best luck with drives from Toshiba, Sony and Plextor, with Teac, NEC, and Yamaha being reasonable alternatives. Avoid CD-R or CD-RW drives, unless you specifically need those features. (From what I've read, it's probably best avoiding CD-RW drives altogether.) The most-reliable CD-ROM drives you can find are the ones originally sold by SGI that were coeval with the Indigo, namely:
* Toshiba XM3301B (1x, caddy)
* Toshiba XM3401B (2x, caddy)
* Toshiba XM3501B (4x, platter)
Unfortunately, good luck finding someone who thinks that a 4x CD-ROM drive is compatible with a twenty-first century computing environment. There are three general functions to be had from CD-ROM drives, when used with an older SGI, and depending on which drive model you choose, your performance with any of these three will vary:
1. Reading data: Accessing data from a CD-ROM, once the computer is up and running from a working installation of IRIX.
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e model you choose, your performance with any of these three will vary:
1. Reading data: Accessing data from a CD-ROM, once the computer is up and running from a working installation of IRIX.
2. Booting and installing: Booting from an IRIX installation CD and installing a new system to the computer's hard disk.
3. Playing audio CDs: Duh. This can be accomplished either by having "audio over SCSI", where the audio data is sent over the SCSI bus, or the old-fashioned way, by having the audio played over the CD-ROM drive's audio-out ports.
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can be accomplished either by having "audio over SCSI", where the audio data is sent over the SCSI bus, or the old-fashioned way, by having the audio played over the CD-ROM drive's audio-out ports.
While the Indigo is picky about which CD-ROM drives it can use for reading data, when it comes to booting and installing system software from a CD-ROM, it can be described as downright fickle. This is because when a fully-booted Indigo uses a CD-ROM drive, it's using device drivers that are as recent as its version of the operating system. Conversely, when the Indigo boots and installs from a CD-ROM, it's running from the PROM and using firmware-based device drivers, which haven't been updated since the computer was born in the early '90s. If that's not bad enough, playing audio CDs on an Indigo is generally a lot more of a hassle than it should be.
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ice drivers, which haven't been updated since the computer was born in the early '90s. If that's not bad enough, playing audio CDs on an Indigo is generally a lot more of a hassle than it should be. Most of the software CD players built into IRIX have a low level of compatibility (i.e., Toshibas and Sony units only), so don't expect a lot if you're using a different brand of CD-ROM drive. You might be able to get it to play out of the headphone or audio-out ports, but only if you're lucky. The important morals for you to take home:
* If a CD-ROM drive works on a computer that's already up and running, it won't necessarily work as a boot device, or as an audio CD player;
* Of the recommended brands mentioned above, you'll have better luck with older/slower drives than newer/faster drives;
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, it won't necessarily work as a boot device, or as an audio CD player;
* Of the recommended brands mentioned above, you'll have better luck with older/slower drives than newer/faster drives;
* Because age is the demon, R3000 Indigos have a smaller selection of bootable CD-ROM drives available than do R4k Indigos, and even older R4k Indigos have a smaller selection than do newer R4k Indigos;
* If someone is selling a CD-ROM drive and advertises it as "SGI bootable", it may indeed boot for some of the recent SGI models, but not the Indigos.
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ler selection than do newer R4k Indigos;
* If someone is selling a CD-ROM drive and advertises it as "SGI bootable", it may indeed boot for some of the recent SGI models, but not the Indigos.
It is common for hobbyists to keep around one of the primordial SGI-issued (1x-4x) Toshiba CD-ROM drives for the sake of that initial IRIX installation, but switch to one of the newer (24x and above) models once the system is up and running. Myself, I use a 12x Toshiba XM5701B, which plays audio CDs and reads data CDs on my R4k Indigo, and I keep a Toshiba XM3401B in the closet for installations. More on this subject can be found [here](http://www.vigyan.com/~blbates/sgi/hardware_notes/CDROMpoll.html) and [here](http://www.futuretech.blinkenlights.nl/cdtips.html). If you ask me for a recommendation, I'd say get a newer Toshiba or Sony for general use, and one of the original Toshiba units as an installation unit, to keep on a shelf. It's all so cheap nowadays, you might as well.
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recommendation, I'd say get a newer Toshiba or Sony for general use, and one of the original Toshiba units as an installation unit, to keep on a shelf. It's all so cheap nowadays, you might as well. I'm making this recommendation based on the assumption that you care about playing audio CDs: If you don't care about this feature (after all, even the R3000 Indigo can play MP3s), then you don't have to be so choosy.
* **How can I tell the difference between R3000 and R4k Indigos?**
I actually get this question a lot, from people who acquire Indigos secondhand. If you don't know much about the Indigo, it's understandable that you might not know the dichotomy exists. Fortunately it's easy to differentiate them. If your computer is running: type _hinv_ at the command line. The output will have the answer: if there's a line that says something like, "CPU: MIPS R3000A Processor Chip", then you have an R3000 Indigo.
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ur computer is running: type _hinv_ at the command line. The output will have the answer: if there's a line that says something like, "CPU: MIPS R3000A Processor Chip", then you have an R3000 Indigo. But if there's a line that resembles, "CPU: MIPS R4x00 Processor Chip", then intuitively enough, you have an R4k Indigo, with the described CPU. If your computer isn't running: inspect the motherboard. The R4k Indigo has the processor mounted on a daughtercard near the front of the motherboard. (It's very easy to spot. Just look for the ugly-mutha heat sink.) The motherboard for the R3000 Indigo is very simplistic: it has no daughtercards at all, and no heat sinks. The only things you can attach to it are the RAM sticks. There is an excellent FAQ on this topic [here](http://sgistuff.g-lenerz.de/documents/indigo-versions-faq.txt). I also have it mirrored [here](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/indigo-versions-faq.txt).
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ellent FAQ on this topic [here](http://sgistuff.g-lenerz.de/documents/indigo-versions-faq.txt). I also have it mirrored [here](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/indigo-versions-faq.txt). Unfortunately, there is no reliable way to determine the computer's CPU from the outside of the machine.
* **How can I determine what kind of graphics my Indigo has?**
Like the above, the best way to make sure is with the command _hinv_. The output will contain a line that resembles one the following examples: ` Graphics board: GR2-Elan
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aphics my Indigo has?**
Like the above, the best way to make sure is with the command _hinv_. The output will contain a line that resembles one the following examples: ` Graphics board: GR2-Elan
Graphics board: LG1 ` "LG1" translates to "Entry Graphics". "GR2" translates to "Express Graphics", and the successive qualifier tells you what specific level of Express Graphics you have. (E.g., "ELAN", "XZ", "XS-24", etc.) Many other upgrade options are recognized and displayed here as well, provided you have the proper driver software installed. E.g., if you have the Starter Video ("Indigo Video") board, you'll also see a line that says: ` IndigoVideo board: unit 0, revision 2 ` If your computer isn't turned on: take a look at the ports on its hindquarters. "Entry Graphics" has two monitor ports -- one for 13W3 "workstation" monitors, and another for standard VGA monitors (DB15).
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ur computer isn't turned on: take a look at the ports on its hindquarters. "Entry Graphics" has two monitor ports -- one for 13W3 "workstation" monitors, and another for standard VGA monitors (DB15). Express Graphics has only one monitor port (13W3), but it has a "3-D" port (for 3-D stereo glasses) and a BNC "Genlock" port. (To be pedantic, some variants of Express Graphics have two BNC Genlock ports, labeled "Genlock in" and "Genlock out". They're not common, however.) Sometimes in eBay auctions, the seller will post a photo of the Indigo's backside. By counting the ports on the GPU, you can determine which graphics family it belongs to. Entry Graphics cards have two ports; Express Graphics cards have three (and on occasion, four). (Additionally, the Starter Video board will have a bevy of RCA and s-video jacks and a DB15 RGB port.
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Entry Graphics cards have two ports; Express Graphics cards have three (and on occasion, four). (Additionally, the Starter Video board will have a bevy of RCA and s-video jacks and a DB15 RGB port. The Galileo Video board has two crazy-looking high-density ports.) For more detailed information about your computer's graphics, use the command _/usr/gfx/gfxinfo_. It will actually give you a specific component-by-component report on your computer's graphics subsystem. It will even make an educated guess as to what kind of monitor it's hooked up to. This topic is also covered in the above [faq](http://sgistuff.g-lenerz.de/documents/indigo-versions-faq.txt) (mirrored [here](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/indigo-versions-faq.txt)).
* **How can I determine what version of IRIX is installed on my Indigo?**
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ts/indigo-versions-faq.txt) (mirrored [here](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/indigo-versions-faq.txt)).
* **How can I determine what version of IRIX is installed on my Indigo?**
If the computer is running, use the command _uname -R_. This will give you the full version number. You can also determine the IRIX version when you turn on the computer: look sharp, and you should see the version number appear as part of the scrolling boot messages.
* **My Indigo doesn't start up! (Or acts twitchy.) What should I do?**
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ou turn on the computer: look sharp, and you should see the version number appear as part of the scrolling boot messages.
* **My Indigo doesn't start up! (Or acts twitchy.) What should I do?**
If you have an Indigo that is having problems, there are two initial things to try. (Make sure your computer is powered down when attempting these.) First, blow out all the dust. The Indigo is like a vaccum cleaner, and if you leave it too close to the floor, it'll clean your carpet really well. Actually, it's better than a vaccum cleaner; it's more like a HEPA-filter. Even if your Indigo is nowhere near the floor, it'll suck so much dust out of the air, you'll start to get paranoid about all the crap you're inhaling. All this dust gets inside the computer, and it can cause some pretty wacky problems, from slightly erratic behavior to apparent death. But if you have a strong pair of lungs (or a nearby leaf-blower), you should be able to clean it out pretty well.
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n cause some pretty wacky problems, from slightly erratic behavior to apparent death. But if you have a strong pair of lungs (or a nearby leaf-blower), you should be able to clean it out pretty well. Don't forget to blow out the power supply (from the back, through the fan). When any of my Indigos ever gets twitchy, this usually does the trick. Next, re-seat all the boards, drives, and RAM modules. That is, pull them out and stick them back again, securely. (Make sure you're grounded, obviously.) The Indigo's ease-of-disassembly does have its drawbacks, and sometimes these components can come loose, especially after shipment. And if none of these strategies work, and you don't have any definitive clues (e.g., error messages) then I'm afraid you're on your own. At that point it's anyone's guess.
* **My computer gives a "TOD Error" and won't boot. What's up?**
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u don't have any definitive clues (e.g., error messages) then I'm afraid you're on your own. At that point it's anyone's guess.
* **My computer gives a "TOD Error" and won't boot. What's up?**
This happens frequently to Indigos that are stored for long periods of time, and because of the advancing age of these computers, it's happening more and more frequently. Thankfully it doesn't mean that your Indigo is "completely dead". This problem happens all the time and it's only fatal for the computer if you let it be. "TOD" means "time of day", and this error means that the clock battery on the motherboard has perished. [Here](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/tod.txt) is a excerpt from a usenet thread about how to cope with this problem, and [here](http://www.savel.org/hardware/indybatcpu.html) is a web page with a unique solution that looks promising. _Disclaimer:_ I can't vouch for any of the methods or vendors mentioned therein.
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and [here](http://www.savel.org/hardware/indybatcpu.html) is a web page with a unique solution that looks promising. _Disclaimer:_ I can't vouch for any of the methods or vendors mentioned therein. The one time I had to handle a TOD error, I solved it by salvaging the battery from a dead motherboard. More information about this problem can be found [here](http://sgistuff.g-lenerz.de/documents/indigo-battery-faq.txt). (If you have problems accessing it, I have it mirrored [here](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/indigo-battery-faq.txt).)
* **I upgraded my Indigo (with either a new CPU board or graphics subsystem) and now it doesn't work. Honest, it was working fine before I started tinkering. What's going on?**
Are you sure everything's seated properly? Or maybe you killed something because you weren't properly grounded? Or maybe there's a dust problem; be sure to blow everything out thoroughly, including the power supply. Or ...
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s seated properly? Or maybe you killed something because you weren't properly grounded? Or maybe there's a dust problem; be sure to blow everything out thoroughly, including the power supply. Or ...
* If you are encountering this problem after upgrading the GPU from Entry Graphics to Express (i.e., XS-8 through Elan) Graphics, then you might have one of the weird Indigos with a boot EPROM that is only compatible with Entry Graphics. Bummer, dude. This happened to me, back when Indigos cost real money, so I feel for ya. You can get around this by either (a) finding an Indigo nut with a ROM-burner, or (b) buying a new Indigo.
* If you upgraded the GPU from Entry Graphics to Express Graphics, like the scenario above, and the computer boots but gives you serious problems with the graphics output, then you probably didn't reinstall the operating system. Many of the OpenGL libraries are specific to GPU families.
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e, and the computer boots but gives you serious problems with the graphics output, then you probably didn't reinstall the operating system. Many of the OpenGL libraries are specific to GPU families.
* If you are upgrading the CPU board from R3000 to R4k, you also need to upgrade the power supply as well. (By part number: The R3000 PS (210W) is 9430810; the R4k PS (250W) is 9430812.) If you upgraded your power supply and are still experiencing problems, then you may be confirming the rumor that there are Indigo variants with CPU-specific NVRAMs in the backplane. The only way around this is to purchase a new Indigo, at least that I know of.
In any case, try going back to your original configuration; if the computer still works, then I'd put money on one of the above bad-luck scenarios. If the computer still doesn't work, then I think yer hosed.
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se, try going back to your original configuration; if the computer still works, then I'd put money on one of the above bad-luck scenarios. If the computer still doesn't work, then I think yer hosed.
* **My Indigo seems to shut itself off, even though the power switch is still in the "on" position. I'll switch it back on, and it will work, but it will "shut down" again after a few days, or a few hours, or even just a few minutes. And it seems to be getting worse. What's going on?**
Sorry, bub, it sounds like your Indigo's power supply is giving up the ghost. As soon as you can, get a new PS -- or if you can afford it, get your troublesome PS repaired, preferably by someone who knows what they're doing. Having the computer spontaneously shut down isn't good for the filesystem (or the hardware), so leave the computer turned off until you can get the power supply fixed or replaced.
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what they're doing. Having the computer spontaneously shut down isn't good for the filesystem (or the hardware), so leave the computer turned off until you can get the power supply fixed or replaced. This problem seemed to suddenly rear its ugly head in droves back in the late '90s, because of the advancing age of Indigos, and a tendency for the PSes (especially those in the R4k Indigo) to have an apparent expiration date. The PS in my R4400 Indigo died in 10/97; I had it repaired by the folks at [MCE](http://www.mce.com) (for a sum of money that, at the time, seemed reasonable, but would be embarrassing today), and it still works dandy.
* **10baseT networking is too slow. What can I do about this?**
I know, once you get used to (or come to rely upon) 100Mbit or gigabit networking, 10baseT is a bitch. Unfortunately there are only two workarounds that I know of.
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low. What can I do about this?**
I know, once you get used to (or come to rely upon) 100Mbit or gigabit networking, 10baseT is a bitch. Unfortunately there are only two workarounds that I know of.
1. The practical solution: locating either a Phobos G130 10/100baseT ethernet card or a Set Engineering 10/100baseT ethernet card (designed for the Indy and Challenge S, but it reportedly works fine in the Indigo).
2. The spiffy solution: resort to an alternate means of high-speed networking (e.g., FDDI or ATM).
The Phobos/Set 10/100baseT cards aren't terribly difficult to find, especially if you're not too stingy; the ATM/FDDI cards can be described as rare, perhaps even very rare.
* **Is there a "Vulcan Nerve Pinch" for SGIs?**
Yes, of sorts. If 4Dwm (the default IRIX X-Windows manager) freezes up, press the following four keys simultaneously:
* LeftShift
* LeftCtrl
* NumericKeypad /
* F12
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?**
Yes, of sorts. If 4Dwm (the default IRIX X-Windows manager) freezes up, press the following four keys simultaneously:
* LeftShift
* LeftCtrl
* NumericKeypad /
* F12
This will take you back to the login screen, if all goes well.
* **Where's the _whois_ command in IRIX?**
Beats me. But I keep a copy of it [here](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/warez/whois.Z). (This compressed binary works with IRIX 5.3, 6.2, and 6.5.)
* **I've seen a lot of CDs with IRIX software for sale. Will all of this stuff work on my Indigo with impunity?**
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go/warez/whois.Z). (This compressed binary works with IRIX 5.3, 6.2, and 6.5.)
* **I've seen a lot of CDs with IRIX software for sale. Will all of this stuff work on my Indigo with impunity?**
No. If only life were so simple. The vast majority of IRIX software is licensed and/or nodelocked, which means it won't work unless (1) you spend some money, or (2) you can find a work-around. Some might say that spending money is easier than finding a work-around, but that's only true if you have more money than time. Of course, we're entering the realm of software piracy, so I can't endorse any of this, but at the same time this isn't exactly uncommon knowledge. For nodelocking issues, you can (try to) spoof your Indigo's system ID ("sid") using some [sketchy software](http://www.squirrel.com/squirrel/sgi-sysid.html). To use this method, you will need a working license from another host.
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n (try to) spoof your Indigo's system ID ("sid") using some [sketchy software](http://www.squirrel.com/squirrel/sgi-sysid.html). To use this method, you will need a working license from another host. As I've mentioned elsewhere on this page, for much of SGI's own licensed software, someone once posted an extremely comprehensive set of licenses to comp.sys.sgi.apps, and it works for many of SGI's software packages. I won't post the liceses here, because I don't want to poke the lion with a stick, but it's out there if you're tenacious and handy with a search engine.
* **What are SGI's HotMix and IndiZone CDs?**
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post the liceses here, because I don't want to poke the lion with a stick, but it's out there if you're tenacious and handy with a search engine.
* **What are SGI's HotMix and IndiZone CDs?**
The HotMix CDs are collections of software demos that were handed out by SGI as promotional items. There were twenty or so editions, and some people have been very keen on collecting them (see what happens when you put volume numbers on things?), but I must say their allure has escaped me. The IndiZone CDs are collections of games and utilities, the winners and honorable mentions of SGI's game-programming contests back in the mid-90s. There are three volumes of IndiZone CDs, of which volume one is the least common. Personally, I think they're nifty and worth tracking down. Some of the games are a serious kick and they seem to work with most everything that runs IRIX 5.3 and above.
* **I'm looking for _(obscure Indigo part)_. Do you have one you can give/sell me?**
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me of the games are a serious kick and they seem to work with most everything that runs IRIX 5.3 and above.
* **I'm looking for _(obscure Indigo part)_. Do you have one you can give/sell me?**
No. I offloaded my entire Indigo kit, plus another 1,600 pounds of techno-effluvia, so my personal stores are low. But if you ask nicely, I might be able to refer you to someone.
* **What do you think of that heat-sink hack with R4400 Indigos?**
Okay, this isn't really a frequently asked question, but I allow myself some evangelism from time to time. _This hack rocks the house._ I've had my R4400 Indigo hacked thusly since January 2003, and it ran happily with no problems up to the day I sold it (in September 2005). I cannot recommend this hack any more highly.
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s the house._ I've had my R4400 Indigo hacked thusly since January 2003, and it ran happily with no problems up to the day I sold it (in September 2005). I cannot recommend this hack any more highly. (Granted, I kept around a spare R4400 processor with the original heat sink, just in case, but I never needed it.) If you're unaware, I'm referring to the how-to on "Reducing the noise of an R4400 Indigo", found on the [hacks page](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/indigo/hacks/index.html) of the web site, [All you want to know about the IRIS Indigo](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/indigo/index.html), created by an anonymous, conscientious SGI employee. (If the above site is down, I have it mirrored [here](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/www/sgi-indigo/hacks).) I strongly recommend this hack for anyone who values their R4400 Indigo. Simply put, it will give you the computer you should've had in the first place. Having that big-ass Indigo2 heat sink on the CPU? _That_ was the hack.
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s hack for anyone who values their R4400 Indigo. Simply put, it will give you the computer you should've had in the first place. Having that big-ass Indigo2 heat sink on the CPU? _That_ was the hack. This is the real deal. It makes the Indigo whisper-quiet in comparison and I would bet real money that it extends the life of your power supply. Not to mention that when you're done, you can use that ugly-mutha heat sink as an [übergeeky coaster](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/pics/misc/coaster.jpeg). How cool is that? Do it. Turn your R4400 Indigo into a Stealth Indigo today!
* **Do you _really_ use an Indigo yourself?**
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](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/pics/misc/coaster.jpeg). How cool is that? Do it. Turn your R4400 Indigo into a Stealth Indigo today!
* **Do you _really_ use an Indigo yourself?**
Alas, not any more. I was an Indigo owner and proselytizer for a few months shy of a decade, and boy howdy, during that time I used that computer almost every day. (For gearspotters: my _[hinv and gfxinfo](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/hinv.txt)_.) But I've been out of the SGI game since I sold my beloved Indigo in September 2005. I'm probably a nut, but even though these computers are over a decade old, I found that not only are they still quite capable of accomplishing most everything I want them to, but I even _preferred_ to use the Indigo for many tasks that weren't CPU-intensive. IRIX's 4DWM windowing manager, with the Indigo keyboard and mouse, combine for a fabulous user interface.
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them to, but I even _preferred_ to use the Indigo for many tasks that weren't CPU-intensive. IRIX's 4DWM windowing manager, with the Indigo keyboard and mouse, combine for a fabulous user interface. I was so furiously productive with that computer; I used it for opportunistic freelance work between 1997-2001, and it earned back its value by at least an order of magnitude, which isn't a small claim when you consider that I put a minimum of US$5,000 into that puppy, maybe even twice that. But then again, the only car I own is a '76 Volkswagen bus, which might tell you something about my tolerance for cranky old things that aren't very fast. Why did I sell it, you ask? Because I let myself get overrun with hobbies, and one day I decided to take a weed-whacker to them. I decided that what I did with computers was more important to me than the computers themselves.
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? Because I let myself get overrun with hobbies, and one day I decided to take a weed-whacker to them. I decided that what I did with computers was more important to me than the computers themselves. I still have my little server rack for dishing out internet services (update: well, not anymore; I've offloaded everything to a remote service provider, as the maintenance and power consumption became a bother once the novelty wore off), but other than that I sold/donated the rest, leaving myself with only a desktop computer, a laptop, and a couple of low-maintenance classics. The number of computers in my life went from a couple dozen down to a handful, and I didn't want the Indigo to spend the rest of its life on a shelf and end up with a dead TOD battery. I figured it would make someone out there happy, and simply satisfying my nostalgia wasn't worth keeping it around. Selling off that computer was a sad day indeed, even though it went for a good chunk of change.
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would make someone out there happy, and simply satisfying my nostalgia wasn't worth keeping it around. Selling off that computer was a sad day indeed, even though it went for a good chunk of change. It was less a computer than it was a good friend.
* **Why don't you update your site more often?**
Many reasons. Like everyone else, I'm busy and I'd rather spend my time doing new and exciting things. Plus there's not a whole lot going on in Indigo-land, as of late. Even if the Indigo scene was hopping, I'm out of the game myself, and updates are now few and far between. Sorry about the inconvenience.
**Other Sources of Useful Information** With the info presented above, I've only scratched at the surface of what you can find about SGI systems and IRIX. If you're thirsty for more, the depths await.
* [The Official SGI FAQ](http://www-viz.tamu.edu/~sgi-faq/)
It's almost too old to be useful, but at the same time it's the best place to start.
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If you're thirsty for more, the depths await.
* [The Official SGI FAQ](http://www-viz.tamu.edu/~sgi-faq/)
It's almost too old to be useful, but at the same time it's the best place to start.
* [Indigo Owners Guide](http://www.sgi.com/products/legacy/pdf/iris_indigo_owners_guide.pdf)
In PDF format, hosted by SGI. I have a copy of it mirrored [here](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/owners_guide.pdf).
* [SGI Indigo Field Service Manual](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/indigo_service.PDF)
In PDF format. I don't know where it came from, but it's full of interesting factoids.
* Usenet: The grassroots support from the online SGI user community is outstanding. It can help you get through even the nastiest snarl. (But be sure to read the above FAQ before posting.)
* [comp.sys.sgi.admin](news:comp.sys.sgi.admin)
* [comp.sys.sgi.announce](news:comp.sys.sgi.announce)
* [comp.sys.sgi.apps](news:comp.sys.sgi.apps)
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d the above FAQ before posting.)
* [comp.sys.sgi.admin](news:comp.sys.sgi.admin)
* [comp.sys.sgi.announce](news:comp.sys.sgi.announce)
* [comp.sys.sgi.apps](news:comp.sys.sgi.apps)
* [comp.sys.sgi.audio](news:comp.sys.sgi.audio)
* [comp.sys.sgi.bugs](news:comp.sys.sgi.bugs)
* [comp.sys.sgi.graphics](news:comp.sys.sgi.graphics)
* [comp.sys.sgi.hardware](news:comp.sys.sgi.hardware)
* [comp.sys.sgi.misc](news:comp.sys.sgi.misc)
* [comp.sys.sgi.marketplace](news:comp.sys.sgi.marketplace)
* Wikipedia: Everyone's favorite collaborative reference has a few entries relevant to the Indigo.
* [SGI Indigo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SGI_Indigo)
* [IRIX](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRIX)
* The Periodic Tables of the Irises: Get system-specific information in these "periodic tables" from SGI. Not extremely useful, but full of wonderful gee-whiz facts.
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/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRIX)
* The Periodic Tables of the Irises: Get system-specific information in these "periodic tables" from SGI. Not extremely useful, but full of wonderful gee-whiz facts.
* [12/01/92 _(GIF, 118k)_](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/921201-Periodic_Table.gif)
* [05/19/93 _(JPEG, 342k)_](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/930519-Periodic_Table.jpeg)
* [07/13/93 _(JPEG, 266k)_](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/930713-Periodic_Table.jpeg)
* [01/10/94 _(JPEG, 243k)_](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/940110-Periodic_Table.jpeg)
* [01/24/95 _(JPEG, 174k)_](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/950124-Periodic_Table.jpeg)
* [Silicon Graphics, Inc.](http://www.sgi.com/)
The corporate hype zone for Silicon Graphics on the web.
* [Man Pages, Insight Books, Manuals and Other Documentation](http://techpubs.sgi.com/library/)
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Graphics, Inc.](http://www.sgi.com/)
The corporate hype zone for Silicon Graphics on the web.
* [Man Pages, Insight Books, Manuals and Other Documentation](http://techpubs.sgi.com/library/)
A fabulous online resource. Very useful, especially when your computer isn't responding and you need to look up something obscure. If you feel so inclined, you can even save lots of space on your hard disk. (For IRIX 5.3 - 6.5.)
* [SGI's Indigo Press Release](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/announce.txt) The text of the press release announcing the creation of the IRIS Indigo computer.
* [SGI Part Numbers](http://sgistuff.g-lenerz.de/documents/partnumbers.txt)
An excellent compilation of part numbers for SGI products. Not official, not complete, but very useful. (In case of problems, I have it mirrored [here](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/partnumbers.txt).)
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ation of part numbers for SGI products. Not official, not complete, but very useful. (In case of problems, I have it mirrored [here](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/docs/partnumbers.txt).)
* [All you want to know about the IRIS Indigo](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/indigo/index.html)
Just as the title says ... it's a very good compilation of information, straight from an employee at SGI. Of particular note is the hack on [reducing the noise of an R4400 Indigo](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/indigo/hacks/index.html). If you have an R4400 Indigo, I strongly recommend this.
Here are some web sites that are excellent, all-around resources:
* [Ian Mapleson's SGI Resource](http://www.futuretech.blinkenlights.nl/sgi.html)
* [Iris Indigo](http://www.irisindigo.com/)
* [SGI R4k Indigo Elan](http://www.obsolyte.com/sgi_indigo/)
* [IRIX Network](http://www.irixnet.org)
* [Gerhard Lenerz's SGIstuff](http://sgistuff.g-lenerz.de/machines/indigo.html)
ple/Faculty/Randy.Carpenter/sgimeta.html)
* [Indigo Index](http://sgi.cartsys.net/indigo/)
* [Indigo Guild (mirror)](http://www.bbsolutions.com/jodeman/IndigoGuild/SGI_Indigo/sgi_indigo.html)
**Where can I get one of these?** There used to be lots of resellers that would sell SGI Indigos and other coeval hardware, but as the Indigos got older, these resellers have moved on to greener pastures. No surprise: if you want an Indigo, you're stuck to scouring the second-hand market. Of online sources, your best chances of locating an Indigo are the following:
* Usenet: Caveat emptor.
* [comp.sys.sgi.marketplace](news:comp.sys.sgi.marketplace)
* [misc.forsale.computers.workstation](news:misc.forsale.computers.workstation)
* [eBay](http://www.ebay.com/)
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t emptor.
* [comp.sys.sgi.marketplace](news:comp.sys.sgi.marketplace)
* [misc.forsale.computers.workstation](news:misc.forsale.computers.workstation)
* [eBay](http://www.ebay.com/)
This pretty much speaks for itself, and it's become the primo place to locate computer hardware of this vintage. You can find everything from the older Personal Irises to Origin servers, with prices ranging from dirt-cheap to delirious, and quality that's across the spectrum. _Be careful out there!_
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is vintage. You can find everything from the older Personal Irises to Origin servers, with prices ranging from dirt-cheap to delirious, and quality that's across the spectrum. _Be careful out there!_
In the early '90s, Indigos were the meat and potatoes of every SGI value-added-reseller. Today, you're a fool if you try to make a living selling them. Even if you get them for free, good luck making it worth your while. So the field has changed: if you look around, you can find a few people out there who play with this stuff as hobbyists, and sell it off when they get bored or build up a surplus. Sometimes their prices are reasonable, sometimes they're stupid, but heck, the journey is half the fun.
* [Herb Johnson](http://pluto.njcc.com/~hjohnson/sgi.html) [(Mirror)](http://retrotechnology.net/herbs_stuff/sgi.html)
* [Ian's SGI Depot](http://www.futuretech.blinkenlights.nl/sgidepot/index.html)
* [Ira Moser](http://www.meco.org/)
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hnson/sgi.html) [(Mirror)](http://retrotechnology.net/herbs_stuff/sgi.html)
* [Ian's SGI Depot](http://www.futuretech.blinkenlights.nl/sgidepot/index.html)
* [Ira Moser](http://www.meco.org/)
Below, I have listed some resellers who specialize in SGI hardware, but have focussed on more-recent machines. I figure that if you're looking here for information about buying an SGI, then you're not really interested in paying US$6k+ for a brand-new computer from a value-added reseller, so these places are reasonable alternatives.
* [Reputable Systems](http://www.reputable.com/)
* [Minicomputer Exchange, Inc.](http://www.mce.com/)
* [B&B Solutions](http://www.bbsolutions.com/)
* [Mashek Consulting Corp.](http://www.mashek.com/)
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Systems](http://www.reputable.com/)
* [Minicomputer Exchange, Inc.](http://www.mce.com/)
* [B&B Solutions](http://www.bbsolutions.com/)
* [Mashek Consulting Corp.](http://www.mashek.com/)
Of course, don't forget your local surplus sales and flea markets. You can score some fabulous items this way. **IRIX Software and You** The Indigo is so old, the only way you can get decent software for it is to download it from the net, or purchase it secondhand. But the scene isn't so bad. Binaries are available everywhere, for all kinds of applications. I'm only showing you a few places to start. If possible, become well-acquainted with your compiler and master the zen of porting UNIX software. If you can do that, you're set for life.
* [SGI Freeware](http://freeware.sgi.com/)
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o start. If possible, become well-acquainted with your compiler and master the zen of porting UNIX software. If you can do that, you're set for life.
* [SGI Freeware](http://freeware.sgi.com/)
_This is an excellent web site._ SGI creates a set of "freeware" CDs, with the newest and best stuff you can find for IRIX, in easy-to install "dist" files. Instead of trying to get the CDs, download it all from here. Alas, this web site used to get updated every three months, but now it hasn't been updated since May 2004. (Another sign of the coming SGI apocalypse? You tell me.) While the main freeware site only supports IRIX 6.5, there are little cloisters where you can find older software that supports [IRIX 5.3](http://freeware.sgi.com/fw-5.3/) and [IRIX 6.2](http://freeware.sgi.com/fw-6.2/). Oh happy day. SGI will occasionally put beta software in a special directory on the freeware site, which is located [here](http://freeware.sgi.com/beta/).
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RIX 6.2](http://freeware.sgi.com/fw-6.2/). Oh happy day. SGI will occasionally put beta software in a special directory on the freeware site, which is located [here](http://freeware.sgi.com/beta/).
* [IRIX 6.5 Downloads From SGI](http://support.sgi.com/browse_request/irix_os)
Here is a page where updates/patches to IRIX 6.5 can be downloaded by everybody. You need to be a registered Supportfolio member to get access. These downloads are _big_. If you're a paying member, you get access to the newest stuff; ordinary mortals are left behind by about a year.
* [SGI's Web Site of Patch Excellence](http://support.sgi.com/colls/patches/tools/browse/index.html)
Looking for an IRIX patch? Give this site a try. You need to register, but it's worth it. Do a search, check things out, and download away!
* [The Surf Zone Software Evaluation](http://www.sgi.com/products/evaluation/index.html)
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site a try. You need to register, but it's worth it. Do a search, check things out, and download away!
* [The Surf Zone Software Evaluation](http://www.sgi.com/products/evaluation/index.html)
SGI's "privileged access program", which lets you download IRIX software and demos. It's actually worth registering at the [Surf Zone](http://www.sgi.com/developers/program/) to access some of the stuff that's available. (This is where you access Netscape Communicator, among other things.)
* [Iris Development Option Version 5.3](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/IRIX5.3/iris-development-option-5.3.tardist)
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t's available. (This is where you access Netscape Communicator, among other things.)
* [Iris Development Option Version 5.3](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/IRIX5.3/iris-development-option-5.3.tardist)
* [IDF](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/IRIX6.2/irix-development-foundation-1.2-for-irix-6.2.tardist) and [IDL](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/IRIX6.2/irix-6.2-development-libraries.tardist) for IRIX 6.2
In a move of never-before-seen beneficence, SGI has allowed this obsolete, unsupported software to be allowed to run wild and free. The download is formidable (240+ megabytes), but you should be able to order the software on CD. Personally, I'm delighted that SGI is making this software available. They're actively fortifying their older computers in the world of hobbyists.
* [SGI's Developer's Toolbox](http://access.sgi.com/developers/toolbox/)
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hat SGI is making this software available. They're actively fortifying their older computers in the world of hobbyists.
* [SGI's Developer's Toolbox](http://access.sgi.com/developers/toolbox/)
This used to be a nice resource of development tools, which could be downloaded by any members of SGI's [Developer's Program](http://www.sgi.com/developers/program/). I guess it still is, but it's fallen into disrepair and hasn't been updated since 2001, which tells you something about SGI's priorities. The software is still useful and fun, and still available for download, so you might want to grab it while you can.
* [SGI's "Serious Fun"](http://www.sgi.com/fun/)
This is the part of SGI's corporate web site with lots of downloads: games, graphics, web stuff, et al. It doesn't have the best selection out there, but it's worth checking out.
* [Ian's SGI Depot](http://www.futuretech.blinkenlights.nl/depot/)
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s of downloads: games, graphics, web stuff, et al. It doesn't have the best selection out there, but it's worth checking out.
* [Ian's SGI Depot](http://www.futuretech.blinkenlights.nl/depot/)
This is such an excellent collection of downloadable SGI software, I can't imagine it's legal.
* [SGIstuff: Software](http://sgistuff.g-lenerz.de/software/index.php)
A great directory of software information and downloads.
* [Bill Henderson's Anonymous FTP list](http://www.hendersonzone.net/bill/sgi/)
A huge (although outdated) list of IRIX software available around the world, downloadable through anonymous FTP.
* [Some popular freeware for SGI IRIX](http://reality.exsgi.org/drk/freeware/ariel/)
A page of some neat and useful utilities available for download, hosted by a conscientious SGI employee.
* [The "Nirvana" tools at Fermilab](http://cepa.fnal.gov/CPD/nirvana/)
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eeware/ariel/)
A page of some neat and useful utilities available for download, hosted by a conscientious SGI employee.
* [The "Nirvana" tools at Fermilab](http://cepa.fnal.gov/CPD/nirvana/)
Some free downloadable utilities by those wacky high-energy physicists at Fermilab. Of particular note is [Nedit](http://nedit.org/), a sweet GUI text editor. (A tardist of Nedit is available at [freeware.sgi.com](http://freeware.sgi.com/).)
* [Graphics and analysis software](http://stommel.tamu.edu/~baum/ocean_graphics.html)
An enormous directory of UNIX scientific visualization and analysis software. It's not IRIX-specific, but you can usually find binaries anyway.
* [Micro Madness](http://www.madness.net)
A very large archive of downloadable IRIX software, mostly IRIX 5.3 and 6.2; they even include access to the SGI "Freeware" CDs.
* [SGI Mega CD](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/warez/sgimegacd.tar)
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chive of downloadable IRIX software, mostly IRIX 5.3 and 6.2; they even include access to the SGI "Freeware" CDs.
* [SGI Mega CD](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/warez/sgimegacd.tar)
This appears to be a custom-compiled CD of older (circa IRIX 5.3/6.2) software for the SGI. I have it posted here (on my home server, using my home internet connection) as a very large tar file. Download it at your own leisure/risk. While most of this is clearly freeware, some of it appears to be not-so-freeware, but since it's 10+ years old I'm posting it anyway, at least until someone complains.
* [NetBSD SGIMips](http://www.netbsd.org/Ports/sgimips/)
How hardcore are you? And lastly ...
* [eBay](http://www.ebay.com/)
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ld I'm posting it anyway, at least until someone complains.
* [NetBSD SGIMips](http://www.netbsd.org/Ports/sgimips/)
How hardcore are you? And lastly ...
* [eBay](http://www.ebay.com/)
I'd hate to admit it, but you can find lots of SGI software on eBay. OS media, IDO, Fortran compilers ... the whole enchilada. This probably won't faze you, but keep in mind that buying IRIX installation CDs on eBay is a violation of SGI's software licensing agreement. And equally importantly, if you're not smart about nodelocking issues, you'll end up paying hundreds of dollars for a SoftImage coaster.
**Specific IRIX Applications and Tools** There are some specific software distributions for IRIX that I think you should know about. These are all free (sorta) for the taking.
* [The Blender](http://www.blender3d.org/)
A great (and _free!!_) 3D graphics program from NeoGeo. Get it while it lasts!
* [Prophet](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/warez/prophet-4.3.tar)
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lender](http://www.blender3d.org/)
A great (and _free!!_) 3D graphics program from NeoGeo. Get it while it lasts!
* [Prophet](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/warez/prophet-4.3.tar)
Okay, this is probably going to get me in trouble, but what the hell. Prophet is a very nice spreadsheet and data-analysis tool -- geared toward the scientific community but usable by anyone. Calculate your home finances or analyze the frequency of polypeptides in protein sequences. Prophet has a nice Motif GUI and lots of nifty tools, and it was originally created through funding by the National Institutes of Health. It ran freely on UNIX and VMS, and if you wanted it for Windows badly enough, you could pay for it. Upon hearing this, you'd normally think, "Hey, our tax dollars are working in our favor for once. Cool!" In its heyday, Prophet was a dream come true, but times change.
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enough, you could pay for it. Upon hearing this, you'd normally think, "Hey, our tax dollars are working in our favor for once. Cool!" In its heyday, Prophet was a dream come true, but times change. What started as a great freeware utility with _actual support_ eventually became the casualty of rampant commercial technocracy and greed, and has since wilted into an expensive commercial software package, which only runs on Windows. So, with the above link, I'm offering you a tarred copy of Prophet 4.3, the last version to exist freely for UNIX before evil descended from the skies in the form of Abtech. It's big (29+ megabytes) and my pipeline is small (386k), but it's well worth the download, and it compiles smoother than plain yogurt. Help yourself, your tax dollars paid for it.
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he form of Abtech. It's big (29+ megabytes) and my pipeline is small (386k), but it's well worth the download, and it compiles smoother than plain yogurt. Help yourself, your tax dollars paid for it. (As a side note, for those of you who want to get Prophet compiled properly on an R10k machine (Indigo2, Octane, Onyx, et al.), be sure to check out [this useful README](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/warez/README.prophet.r10k).)
**Fun and Games** All work and no play makes Indigo a dull computer. The pickings may be meager, but just because a game's old, that doesn't make it any less fun.
* [SGI "Serious Fun" Games](http://www.sgi.com/fun/freeware/games.html)
A pretty good portal for some IRIX-friendly games.
* [Doom](ftp://ftp.idsoftware.com/idstuff/doom/sgi/sgixdoom1.8.tar.gz)
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SGI "Serious Fun" Games](http://www.sgi.com/fun/freeware/games.html)
A pretty good portal for some IRIX-friendly games.
* [Doom](ftp://ftp.idsoftware.com/idstuff/doom/sgi/sgixdoom1.8.tar.gz)
Personally, I think Doom should be bundled with every major operating system, but that's just me. (And SGI did this with IRIX 6.5. Good job, guys!) This port plays splendidly on all kinds of Indigos -- the R3000 may require a smaller screen size, but the performance on the R4k Indigo can't be beat. You can use the binary to play Doom II, Ultimate Doom, or any of the millions of modified WAD files available on the internet. (If you have any questions about this port, refer to the [FAQ](ftp://ftp.idsoftware.com/idstuff/doom/sgi/sgidoomfaq.txt).) (As an unrepentant Doom fan, I am more than happy to mirror the files here: [game](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/warez/sgixdoom1.8.tar.gz), [faq](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/warez/sgidoomfaq.txt).)
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an, I am more than happy to mirror the files here: [game](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/warez/sgixdoom1.8.tar.gz), [faq](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/warez/sgidoomfaq.txt).)
* [Quake and Quake2](ftp://ftp.sgi.com/sgi/quake/index.html)
Don't get your hopes up. I'm really just providing this link to be polite. As the Indigo is lacking hardware texture memory, you'd be better off using a Pentium-90 with a Voodoo card.
* [bzflag](http://www.bzflag.org/)
This game is very simplistic, but its brilliant gameplay makes it enormously entertaining and insidiously addictive. It's similar (but unrelated) to a demo game called "bz", which is a remake of the old Atari arcade game "Battlezone" but featured network play. "bzflag" features "capture the flag" scenarios, power-up (and "bad") flags, and team play. In terms of gameplay, it reminds me of the old (circa 1992) Macintosh game "Spectre", but much more glorious.
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bzflag" features "capture the flag" scenarios, power-up (and "bad") flags, and team play. In terms of gameplay, it reminds me of the old (circa 1992) Macintosh game "Spectre", but much more glorious. You can find bzflag servers on the Internet, for carnage and mayhem on a global scale. It's graphics are completely scalable, making it playable on anything from Entry Graphics to a Reality Engine.
* [Battalion](http://www.evl.uic.edu/aej/AndyBattalion.html)
A very cute and hilarious 3-D game. You get to be a monster and rampantly destroy a small city. Plays very well on an Indigo with a hardware Z-buffer.
* [koules](http://www.ucw.cz/~hubicka/koules/English/koules.html)
What a game. The graphics are dopey and the gameplay is simplistic, but damn, once I get going, I just can't stop. The premise is easy: try to bounce your enemies into the walls without hitting the walls yourself. It's especially fun when networked.
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y is simplistic, but damn, once I get going, I just can't stop. The premise is easy: try to bounce your enemies into the walls without hitting the walls yourself. It's especially fun when networked.
* [Tranquility](http://www.speicherabzugerzeuger.de/~rhoenie/TQ/tranquility-2.x_irix-6.5_mips3.tar.gz)
An old SGI classic. This game was [originally released as a COFF binary](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/warez/tq-ver2.0.tar.gz) and thus stopped working on architectures later than the R3000. [This version](http://www.speicherabzugerzeuger.de/~rhoenie/TQ/tranquility-2.x_irix-6.5_mips3.tar.gz) was recompiled for IRIX 6.5 and works great on the R4x00. If the link above doesn't work, I've mirrored it [here](http://archive.irixnet.org/megarat-indigo/warez/tranquility-2.x_irix-6.5_mips3.tar.gz). While these retro-versions of _tq_ are pretty cool, if you have a modern computer, you should give the [real version](http://www.tqworld.com) a try. Holy crap, what a cool game.
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-6.5_mips3.tar.gz). While these retro-versions of _tq_ are pretty cool, if you have a modern computer, you should give the [real version](http://www.tqworld.com) a try. Holy crap, what a cool game.
**SGI Junk Drawer** There's lots of SGI esoterica out there, and some of it is less simple to classify. So I bundle it down here: lots of links with no common context. Sometimes useless, sometimes wonderful, but always fun to look through.
* [Open Source at SGI](https://web.archive.org/web/20010401234550/http://www.linux.sgi.com/)
Featuring the official SGI work of porting Linux to older SGI machines. It only works for a few models as of now, excluding the Indigo, but there's always hope. (Imagine making a Beowulf cluster out of a wall of 32 R3000 Indigos ... whoa!)
* [The Lurker's Guide to Video](http://www.lurkertech.com/lg/)
Lots of rock-solid information on working with digital video; it focusses on SGI hardware and software.
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R3000 Indigos ... whoa!)
* [The Lurker's Guide to Video](http://www.lurkertech.com/lg/)
Lots of rock-solid information on working with digital video; it focusses on SGI hardware and software.
* [Connecting (cheap) stereo glasses with SGI workstations](https://web.archive.org/web/20050308185901/http://www.roosmcd.dds.nl/index.htm)
Are you itching to hook up some stereo glasses to your "3D" port, but you don't have hundreds of dollars to shell out for a pair of [Crystal Eyes](http://www.stereographics.com/)? Check out this ingenious hack from Michiel Roos.
* [Audigo](https://web.archive.org/web/20030424032956/http://www.audigo.com/)
You pretty much need to see this for yourself.
* [The Unofficial Lightwave SGI Resource Guide](https://web.archive.org/web/20060213085749/https://www.matchmove.com/sgi/sgi.html)
On online reference to the 3D animation package, Lightwave, for SGI. By freelance animator Gregg Lukomski.
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Guide](https://web.archive.org/web/20060213085749/https://www.matchmove.com/sgi/sgi.html)
On online reference to the 3D animation package, Lightwave, for SGI. By freelance animator Gregg Lukomski.
* [change_sid](https://web.archive.org/web/20060213031300/http://www.squirrel.com/squirrel/sgi-sysid.html)
A possible way around nodelocked software. I haven't tried it myself, and it's unsupported. Don't say I didn't warn you.
* [TOD battery replacement](https://web.archive.org/web/20040224120247/https://www.savel.org/hardware/indybatcpu.html)
A cool solution for that dead TOD battery. Looks much more practical than chasing down one of the original ones. (I haven't tried this myself, and the instructions are a bit terse, but it seems reasonable.)
* [Get a PS/2 keyboard/mouse to work on your Indigo](http://rshockley.dyndns.org/indigo.htm)
Apparently this do-it-yourself converter will show you the way. Good luck!
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t it seems reasonable.)
* [Get a PS/2 keyboard/mouse to work on your Indigo](http://rshockley.dyndns.org/indigo.htm)
Apparently this do-it-yourself converter will show you the way. Good luck!
* ["This Old SGI"](http://archive.irixnet.org/thisoldsgi)
A cornucopia of info about older SGI systems; mostly applies to pre-Indigo machines, but an excellent web site nonetheless. (This site is a mirror of the original, which has since passed on.)
* [The "Buying an SGI System FAQ"](http://www.amazing.com/internet/old-sgi-faq.html)
Quite outdated, but it gives lots of good facts across a spectrum of different (old) SGI systems.
` End of The Indigo Page
Last Modified: 26 Aug 2006 `