---
keywords: ["RSTS-11 v4B", "PDP-11", "Ersatz-11", 1970s, 1975]
image: ./rsts-11-v4b-Ersatz-11-3.webp
description: 'We can run ! RSTS-11 v4B on the Ersatz-11 emulator. First, we need to download the ! RSTS-11 image. You can download the image needed to run it from here.'
sidebar_position: 2
sidebar_label: "! RSTS-11 v4B on Ersatz-11"
---

# How to install ! RSTS-11 v4B on Ersatz-11?

![Ersatz-11 emulator with ! RSTS-11 v4B](./rsts-11-v4b-Ersatz-11-3.webp)

We can run [! RSTS-11 v4B](/1970s/1975/rsts-11-v4b) on the Ersatz-11 emulator. First, we need to download the ! RSTS-11 v4B image.

## Downloads

:::tip

This tutorial covers how to use ! RSTS-11 v4B on Ersatz-11 emulator using a pre-installed image. If you want to manually install RSTS-11 v4B from its tape image, visit [this page](https://iamvirtual.ca/PDP-11/RSTS-11/Install.htm). That page covers installing it on SIMH, and not Ersatz-11, though.

:::

You can download the image needed to run ! RSTS-11 v4B from here:

- [! RSTS-11 v4B image](https://iamvirtual.ca/PDP-11/RSTS-11/RSTS11v4B.DSK)

## Using ! RSTS-11 v4B

:::tip

If you have not already installed Ersatz-11 emulator, see [the VirtualHub Setup tutorial on how to do so](https://setup.virtualhub.eu.org/ersatz-11/) on Linux and Windows.

:::

Create a folder somewhere to store the files for this VM, and move the file named `RSTS11v4B.DSK` into it.

Now we will create a config file for our VM. Create a text file called `e11.ini` with the following content in the VM folder:

```ini
set cpu 05
set memory 64
mount dk0: RSTS11v4B.DSK /rk05
boot dk0:
```

![e11.ini](./rsts-11-v4b-Ersatz-11-1.webp)

Now open a terminal and move to the VM folder. Run the following command to start the emulator:

```bash
e11
```

![e11](./rsts-11-v4b-Ersatz-11-2.webp)

After the emulator starts, you will get a `OPTION?` prompt. Type `START` and press enter. Next, you will be asked for date. Provide the date in `DD-MMM-YY` format. For example, `05-JUN-74`. Try entering a date before the year 2000, to avoid problems related to [Y2K](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_2000_problem).

After that, you will be asked for time. Enter the time in `HH:MM` format. For example, `19:23`. You will be asked if you want to enable crash dump. Type `Y` and press enter.

Now start PIP by executing `RUN PIP`. After PIP starts, you will get a `#` prompt. You can now type `/DI` followed by enter. It will list all the files available on the disk.

![! RSTS-11 v4B](./rsts-11-v4b-Ersatz-11-3.webp)

That's it! We used ! RSTS-11 v4B. We can create a shell script to make it easy to launch the VM.

### Linux

Create a file called `rsts-11-v4b.sh` with the following content:

```bash
#!/bin/bash
e11
```

Now make the file executable:

```bash
chmod +x rsts-11-v4b.sh
```

Now you can start the VM using the shell script. For example, on KDE you can right-click the file and choose `Run in Konsole` or on GNOME, where you can right-click the file and choose `Run as executable`. The VM will start.

See the [manuals section](/1970s/1975/rsts-11-v4b/#manuals) on the [main ! RSTS-11 v4B page](/1970s/1975/rsts-11-v4b) to learn how to use it.

### Windows

Create a file called `rsts-11-v4b.bat` with the following content:

```bash
e11
```

Now you can start the VM by double-clicking the shell script. See the [manuals section](/1970s/1975/rsts-11-v4b/#manuals) on the [main ! RSTS-11 v4B page](/1970s/1975/rsts-11-v4b) to learn how to use it.

## Credits

- The disk image and other files used above are from [https://iamvirtual.ca/PDP-11/RSTS-11/Install.htm](https://iamvirtual.ca/PDP-11/RSTS-11/Install.htm).

## Video tutorial

Do you want to follow the tutorial by watching a video? We will post a video on our [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@virtua1hub) soon.

Archives of this tutorial are available on [Wayback Machine](https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://virtualhub.eu.org/1970s/1975/rsts-11-v4b/ersatz-11/).