Since HP 3000 users rely on the "ain't broke — don't fix it" maxim, many of these sites still use much older versions of the MPE/iX operating system. Sooner or later these 6.0 and earlier customers find a reason to upgrade — to keep pace with a third party application, fix a problem with network software, or take advantage of FTP features. Whatever the cause, it can seem like a large leap to go from a 1997 OS to one that HP first released in 2002.

It's not a complicated journey, according to HP 3000 support expert Gilles Schipper. The founder of GSA — the oldest third party 3000 support firm in North America — guided a customer through the necessary steps recently.

Schipper shared his experience with the community in a posting on the 3000-L newsgroup:

A. Is 7.5 the latest and last HP 3000 version?

Yes. And PowerPatch 2 is the latest (although not necessarily the last) PowerPatch for 7.5 (I believe).

B. Can I go directly to 7.5 or do I have to go to 6.5, then 7.0 then 7.5?

No, you've got to get onto 6.5 first to make the shift to 7.5.

According to the "HP e3000 MPE/iX System Software Mainteneance Manual (Release C.75.00)" (Order Part No. 30216-90342 E0802), Chapter 3, Page 60, you need to be at minimum Release Version 6.5 to be able to update to 7.5.

If you are on release 6.0, you must first update to 6.5 or 7.0 before you can update to 7.5.

Also, you cannot update to 7.0 or 7.5 with certain older models of HP3000 - such as 9x7 models.

You can get the manual at:

www.docs.hp.com/en/30216-90344/30216-90344.pdf

(The above link downloads a PDF file from HP's server.)

C. Is there a list of changes from 6 to 7.5?

Yes. Best to see the 6.5, 7.0, and 7.5 Communicators:

Tracy Johnson added an important hardware note:

Don't forget to remove any HP-IB cards.