RS6000 43p/140 AIX 4.3 new install - get stuck!

Good morning -

I've recently come into ownership of a well used RS6k 43p model 140
terminal server (and all the serial gear came with it! Very cool!).
I've got the manuals for the RS6k, and for the full version of AIX 4.3
that came with it (install guides, network maintenance guides, etc). I
popped a used 4.3gb barracuda drive in, and ran the AIX install off the
CD by a serial console (I've managed to use both the greenscreen serial
terminal that came with it, and my laptop w/ Hypertrm as a console).
The first CD finished up the installation, then rebooted. Now when it
boots, I get the following:

Saving Base Customize Data to boot disk
Starting the sync daemon
Starting the error daemon
System initialization completed.
0513-059 The syslogd Subsystem has been started. Subsystem PID is 2648.
0513-059 The sendmail Subsystem has been started. Subsystem PID is
3878.
0513-059 The portmap Subsystem has been started. Subsystem PID is 3614.
0513-059 The inetd Subsystem has been started. Subsystem PID is 4128.
0513-059 The snmpd Subsystem has been started. Subsystem PID is 4386.
0513-059 The dpid2 Subsystem has been started. Subsystem PID is 4644.
Starting NFS services:
0513-059 The biod Subsystem has been started. Subsystem PID is 5680.
0513-059 The rpc.statd Subsystem has been started. Subsystem PID is
5942.
0513-059 The rpc.lockd Subsystem has been started. Subsystem PID is
6200.

after the RS/6000 init screens. I can get into the config pages before
all that starts up, to change the boot sequence, run diags, etc. But
when booting normally, that's as far as it gets. I never get taken to
a login prompt, nor does it ask me for any additional commands to run.
According to the manuals, I need to run install_assist and/or smitty
assist, to specify the console and create user accts, but there's no
opportunity to enter in commands. I'm a little confused as to where to
go from here...

Also, I've got a couple questions about hardware.

I've read that the architecture in the system isn't compatible with
x86based hardware (I'm thinking specifically video cards), so I can't,
for instance, pop in an old PCI video card, and use a GUI console.
I've also read that the monitors need to have higher support for the
video being piped down the cable, so an off-the-shelf monitor won't
work with the video coming out of the system. A) What make/model of
video card would be suggested for the system, B) Where are they
available (aside from Ebay, that's my first stop), and C) What
characteristics of a monitor do I need to look for to use with the
system? I know high resolution is one thing, but I also remember
reading about it using a more advanced synch signal than regular VGA
monitors? But I dont' remember where I read it, or the specifics.

I'm also curious about the memory. My system has 32mb that it came
with. The manual says it will take up to 768. Is that something a
bios/firmware update would increase? And it doesn't appear to take
standard dimms - I tried fitting in a few PC-100 sticks that I had
sitting around, but the notch nearest the smallest grouping of contact
points is just slightly off from the stick from the system. Does it
not take standard ram? Do I need to buy a special form?

My apologies for the barrage of questions - I'm very keen to get this
up and running!! Thanks very much for your help!

Rgds,
NM

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