AlphaServer 1000/1000A Model 5/xxx Owner's Guide Supplement Order Number: EK–AL530–OG. B01 October 1996 This book is a supplement to the AlphaServer 1000 or AlphaServer 1000A Owner’s Guide and should be used in conjunction with the Owner’s Guide. It provides supplemental information on system hardware and firmware.
First Printing, July 1996 Second Printing, October 1996 Digital Equipment Corporation makes no representations that the use of its products in the manner described in this publication will not infringe on existing or future patent rights, nor do the descriptions contained in this publication imply the granting of licenses to make, use, or sell equipment or software in accordance with the description.
Table of Contents 1 Hardware Updates Introduction..........................................................................................................................1-1 Memory Modules .................................................................................................................1-1 CPU Card Jumper Settings ...................................................................................................1-3 Beep Code Information........................................................
Using the AlphaBIOS Menus Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 4-1 Preparing to Install the Operating System............................................................................. 4-2 Manually Setting Up the Hard Disk ............................................................................... 4-4 System Setup Tasks......................................................................................
Table of Figures Figure 1-1 Memory Modules ................................................................................................1-2 Figure 1-2 CPU Card J4 Jumper Settings ..............................................................................1-3 Figure 1-3 CPU Card J1 Jumper Settings ..............................................................................1-4 Figure 3-1 The Boot Menu ...................................................................................................
Table of Tables Table 1-1 Table 1-2 Table 1-1 Table 3-1 Table 3-2 Table 4-1 Table 4-2 vi Jumper Setting Functions..................................................................................... 1-4 Beep Codes .......................................................................................................... 1-5 Environment Variables ........................................................................................ 1-6 Serial Line Keyboard Commands ........................................
About This Supplement About This Supplement Purpose This supplement updates portions of your AlphaServer 1000 or AlphaServer 1000A Owner's Guide. Be sure to consult both your Owner’s Guide and your Owner’s Guide Supplement. Information in this document supersedes the information in your Owner’s Guide. Audience The information in this supplement is intended for users, system managers, and others who perform system management tasks.
About This Supplement Before You Use This Guide Some procedures in this document require that you refer to your operating system documentation. Please have your operating system documentation available for use with this guide. Reader's Comments Digital welcomes your comments on this or any other manual. If you have suggestions for improving particular sections or if you find any errors, please indicate the manual title, order number, and section numbers.
About This Supplement Conventions The following table lists the typographical conventions used in this guide. Convention Meaning Warning: A warning contains information to prevent injury. Caution: A caution contains information essential to avoid damage to equipment or software. Note: A note calls the reader’s attention to important information. boot System output and commands that you enter are shown in this special typeface.
1 Hardware Updates Introduction The model 5/xxx system hardware differs from that of previous models in several respects. Memory modules are organized differently on the system board, CPU card jumpers are located and set differently, beep codes have been added, as well as new environment variables. The latest revision of the motherboard does not contain an onboard graphics controller. Information in this chapter supersedes that in your Owner’s Guide.
Hardware Updates Note: A change in the ECC (error correction code) from longword to quadword allows the code to reside on the memory modules, eliminating the need for ECC modules on AlphaServer 1000/1000A Model 5/xxx systems. When installing memory modules, keep in mind the following rules: • A memory option consists of four memory modules. • A minimum of one memory bank (four modules) is required. • All memory modules within a bank must be of the same size.
Hardware Updates CPU Card Jumper Settings Your system has one of two possible variants of the CPU card. Figure 1-2 shows one variant of the CPU card; Figure 1-3 shows the other. Compare the card on your system to those in these figures to determine which variant of the CPU you have. A jumper on the CPU card activates the fail-safe loader and provides the standard boot setting. Bank 4 allows the system operate with Bcache disabled.
Hardware Updates Figure 1-3 CPU Card J1 Jumper Settings J1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 MLO-013469 Table 1-1 Jumper Setting Functions Bank Jumper Setting Function 0 1 2 3 4 Standard boot setting (AlphaServer 1000/1000A systems) Standard boot setting (AlphaServer 1000/1000A systems) Mini console setting (Internal use only) Mini console setting (Internal use only) Power up with no backup cache: Allows the system to run despite bad Bcache until a replacement CPU board is available Mini console setting (Internal use o
Hardware Updates Beep Code Information Two beep codes that you may encounter while using your system should be added to the codes listed in Chapter 8 of your Owner’s Guide. The codes are shown in Table 1-2. Table 1-2 Beep Codes Beep Code Meaning Action 1 at system start-up System start-up is successful. None 1-2-4 Backup cache error Disable Bcache on power-up using Bank 4 of the J1 or J4 jumper on the CPU board. Call your service representative for a replacement CPU board.
Hardware Updates Environment Variables Three new environment variables for modems used with serial ports COM1 and COM2 have been added. Use the SRM console commands, set and show, to set and examine these variables. Use the init command to put the new settings into effect after using the set command. The new environment variables are shown in Table 1-2. Table 1-1 Environment Variables Variable Function com1_baud, com2_baud com1_flow, com2_flow Sets the baud rate of the COM1 or COM2 port.
Hardware Updates If you run ECU version 1.9 or earlier on an AlphaServer 1000A that does not have the onboard CIRRUS VGA controller, you may have to manually set the controller to DISABLED while running the ECU. New Halt Button Functionality If the Halt button is depressed when the system is powering up, no nvram scripts are executed and the system powers up to the SRM console prompt, >>>.
2 Using the SRM Console Introduction Because the AlphaServer 1000/1000A systems support more than one operating system, they offer two separate interfaces to the console subsystem. Systems that run the Digital UNIX and OpenVMS Alpha operating systems are supported by the Alpha System Reference Manual (SRM) console. Model 5/xxx systems that run the Windows NT operating system are supported by the AlphaBIOS console.
Using the SRM Console AlphaServer 1000A Systems The AlphaServer 1000A show config command display (Example 2-1) includes these elements: Firmware: Version numbers for the firmware code, PALcode, SROM chip, and CPU are displayed. Memory: Size and configuration for each bank of memory are displayed. Hose 0, Bus 0, PCI: All controllers on Hose 0, Bus 0 of the primary PCI bus are displayed. For storage controllers, the associated devices are also displayed.
Using the SRM Console contains a PCI-to-PCI bridge, the bus number increments by 1, and the logical numbers start anew at 0. Note: The onboard SCSI controller (Qlogic 1020A) is always device pka. Example 2-1 AlphaServer 1000A show config Command Display >>> show config Digital Equipment Corporation AlphaServer 1000A 5/300 Firmware SRM Console: X4.5-4322 ARC Console: 5.12 PALcode: VMS PALcode V1.18-2, OSF PALcode V2.21-4 Serial Rom: T1.
Using the SRM Console AlphaServer 1000 Systems The AlphaServer 1000 show config command display (Example 2-2) includes these elements: Firmware: Version numbers for the firmware code, PALcode, SROM chip, and CPU are displayed. Memory: The memory size and configuration for each bank of memory is displayed. Hose 0, Bus 0, PCI: All controllers on Hose 0, Bus 0 of the primary PCI bus are displayed. For storage controllers, the associated devices are also displayed.
Using the SRM Console Note: The onboard SCSI controller (NCR 53C810) is always device pka. Example 2-2 AlphaServer 1000 show config Command Display >>> show config Digital Equipment Corporation AlphaServer 1000 5/300 Firmware SRM Console: X4.5-4352 ARC Console: 5.12 PALcode: VMS PALcode V1.18-2, OSF PALcode V1.21-4 Serial Rom: T1.
3 Introduction to the AlphaBIOS Console Introduction This chapter describes the AlphaBIOS interface and includes the following topics: The AlphaBIOS Console Windows NT System Startup The Firmware Menus Help in Navigating AlphaBIOS Primary Operating System and the Auto Start Option The AlphaBIOS Console AlphaBIOS is a program used to initialize and set up the I/O system of the computer, which includes the PCI bus and connected devices such as SCSI disk controllers, the video display, the diskette drive, and
Introduction to the AlphaBIOS Console Windows NT Users Users of the Windows NT operating system can use the information in this manual along with your system Owner’s Guide to configure, start, update, and troubleshoot your Alpha system. Please note that this supplement supersedes the information in the Owner’s Guide related to the ARC firmware interface for Windows NT.
Introduction to the AlphaBIOS Console Table 3-1 Serial Line Keyboard Commands Graphics Line Commands Serial Line Commands F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 Insert Delete Backspace ESC CTRL +A CTRL +B CTRL +C CTRL +D CTRL +E CTRL +F CTRL +P CTRL +R CTRL +T CTRL +U CTRL +V CTRL +W CTRL +H CTRL +[ Windows NT System Start-up For systems using the Windows NT operating system, AlphaBIOS initializes the video and keyboard devices first.
Introduction to the AlphaBIOS Console After memory is tested, AlphaBIOS detects and initializes SCSI disk controllers connected to the computer. As each controller is detected, AlphaBIOS probes its SCSI bus and reports each of the SCSI devices detected. Finally, after the SCSI initialization is complete, AlphaBIOS leaves the initialization window and displays the Boot menu, shown in Figure 3-1. Whenever you turn on or reset your system, the Boot menu is displayed.
Introduction to the AlphaBIOS Console The Firmware Menus By pressing F2 in the Boot menu, you can access the AlphaBIOS Setup menu, shown in Figure 3-2. From the Setup menu you can access other menus to perform the tasks listed in Table 3-2. Figure 3-2 AlphaBIOS Setup Menu AlphaBIOS Setup Display System Configuration... Upgrade AlphaBIOS Hard Disk Setup... CMOS Setup... Install Windows NT Utilities About AlphaBIOS... Press ENTER to partition or format hard disks.
Introduction to the AlphaBIOS Console Table 3-2 Choosing the Right Menu Task Menu Enable the Auto Start option Set date and time Configure the diskette drive and keyboard Test memory at system start-up Set PCI parity Set password protection Select a console (AlphaBIOS or SRM) Run a configuration utility Set up the hard disk Display the system configuration Upgrade the AlphaBIOS firmware Verify and change operating system selections CMOS Setup (Standard) CMOS Setup (Standard) CMOS Setup (Standard) CMOS S
Introduction to the AlphaBIOS Console The second level of keyboard help, reached by pressing F1 twice from the CMOS Setup menu, shows explanations of the keystrokes available for navigating the interface throughout the AlphaBIOS firmware interface. Figure 3-4 shows an example of the second Help display. Figure 3-4 Second Level Help Display AlphaBIOS Setup F1=Help Help: Action Keys TAB Move highlight forward between fields of a dialog. SHIFT+TAB Move highlight backward between fields of a dialog.
Introduction to the AlphaBIOS Console Figure 3-5 shows an example of a primary operating system selection as it appears in the Boot menu. Notice that the primary operating system is listed first on the boot display. Figure 3-5 Primary Operating System Selection AlphaBIOS Version 5.11 Please select the operating system to start: Windows NT Workstation 3.51 Use and to move the highlight to your choice. Press Enter to choose.
Introduction to the AlphaBIOS Console The primary operating system can be selected in the Operating System Selection Setup menu, shown in Figure 3-7. Figure 3-7 Operating System Selection Setup Menu Operating System Selection Setup Windows NT Server 3.
4 Using the AlphaBIOS Menus Introduction This chapter introduces the AlphaBIOS menu displays and explains how to perform common tasks needed to get up and running.
Using the AlphaBIOS Menus Preparing to Install the Operating System Note: Systems with Pre-installed Windows NT Software If you have a system with Windows NT installed at the factory, Windows NT setup will start automatically the first time you turn on your system. If your system does not have Windows NT pre-installed, you must have a CD-ROM drive attached to your system to install Windows NT. Refer to your operating system documentation to install your operating system.
Using the AlphaBIOS Menus Figure 4-1 Express Hard Disk Setup AlphaBIOS Setup Display System Configuration... Upgrade AlphaBIOS Hard Disk Setup... CMOS Setup... Install Windows NT Utilities About AlphaBIOS... Press ENTER to partition or format hard disks.
Using the AlphaBIOS Menus those used by the Windows NT Disk Administrator. For example: ARC Path Name = scsi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1); AlphaBIOS Path Name = Disk 0, Partition 1. 3. Put the Windows NT CD into the CD-ROM drive. 4. Start AlphaBIOS Setup, select “Install Windows NT,” and press Enter. To complete the installation, refer to your operating system documentation. Manually Setting Up the Hard Disk For information on manually managing hard disks, see “Hard Disk Setup Menu” in Chapter 5.
Using the AlphaBIOS Menus To enter standard CMOS setup mode: 1. From the AlphaBIOS Setup menu, select “CMOS Setup,” and press Enter. To enter advanced CMOS setup mode: 1. From the AlphaBIOS Setup menu, select “CMOS Setup,” and press Enter. 2. In the CMOS Setup menu, press F6. Note: ARC vs AlphaBIOS With ARC firmware, a number of settings stored in CMOS and NVRAM are set using several separate ARC firmware selections. With AlphaBIOS, these settings are integrated into the CMOS Setup program.
Using the AlphaBIOS Menus Figure 4-2 Display System Configuration Menu Display System Configuration Systemboard Configuration Hard Disk Configuration PCI Configuration Eisa Configuration SCSI Configuration MC Bus Configuration Memory Configuration Integrated Peripherals System Type: Processor: Speed: Memory: AlphaServer 4100/500 Digital Alpha 21164, Revision 4.0 (1 Processor) 300 MHz 128 MB Floppy Drive A: Floppy Drive B: Keyboard: 3.5" 1.44 MB None U.S. 101-key keyboard AlphaBIOS Version: 5.
Using the AlphaBIOS Menus Running a Configuration Utility If you change your system configurationfor example, by adding a new EISA adapter or another RAID drive, you will have to run an EISA or RAID configuration utility. As you modify your system, you might be required to run other types of configuration utilities as well. Configuration utilities (also called maintenance programs) are run directly from the AlphaBIOS Utility menu.
Using the AlphaBIOS Menus Figure 4-4 Execute Run Maintenance Program AlphaBIOS Setup Display System Configuration... Upgrade AlphaBIOS Hard Disk Setup... Run Maintenance Program CMOS Setup... Install Windows NT UtilitiesProgram Name: ecu.exe About AlphaBIOS... Location: A: ENTER=Execute F1=Help .
Using the AlphaBIOS Menus To enable password protection: 1. From the AlphaBIOS Setup menu, select “CMOS Setup,” and press Enter. 2. In the CMOS Setup menu, press F6 to enter advanced CMOS setup mode. 3. In the Advanced CMOS Setup menu, shown in Figure 4-5, select “AlphaBIOS Password Option.
Using the AlphaBIOS Menus Troubleshooting Suggestions Table 4-2 describes symptoms of hard disk problems and suggests possible causes and solutions. Table 4-2 Troubleshooting Error message “Internal error occurred” “No hard drives were found connected to your computer” “Perform an express disk setup?” Possible Cause Corrective Action Incompatible or failed disk cables. Try another cable known to be good. Disk controller not configured.
Using the AlphaBIOS Menus Upgrading AlphaBIOS As new versions of Windows NT are released, it might be necessary to upgrade AlphaBIOS to the latest version. As improvements are made to AlphaBIOS, you may want to upgrade to take advantage of new AlphaBIOS features. To upgrade from an earlier version of AlphaBIOS, follow these steps: 1. Insert the diskette or CD-ROM containing the AlphaBIOS upgrade. 2.
Using the AlphaBIOS Menus 3. At the UPD> prompt, type the appropriate update command. To update AlphaBIOS only: UPD > update arc To update both SRM and AlphaBIOS: UPD> update To update SRM only: UPD> update srm 4. When the update is complete, type exit to return to the console prompt.
5 Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions This chapter presents detailed explanations of the elements found in each of the AlphaBIOS menus.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions Hard Disk Setup Menu This section details all of the information presented on the AlphaBIOS Hard Disk Setup menu. An example is shown in Figure 5-1. Figure 5-1 Hard Disk Setup Menu Hard Disk Setup 1 Disk 0 2 Disk 3 1.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions Partition size. The partition size is the raw (unformatted) storage capacity of the partition. Actual storage space will differ based on the file system with which the partition is formatted. Partition format. The file system (if any) used on a partition. This field will display FAT, NTFS, or unknown (if the partition is unformatted). 3. Disk Setup Options p Insert partition. Use this option to create new partitions.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions Operating System Selection Setup Menu This section details the information presented on the AlphaBIOS Operation System Selection Setup Menu. An example is shown in Figure 5-2. The process of setting up your operating system selections is somewhat like using an editor. You can make all the changes you want to your operating system selections, and then either save your changes or exit without saving your changes.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions modified if necessary. For example, a developer testing different versions of OSLOADER.EXE can store the different versions in different locations and modify this line to start the operating system with the different versions as needed. During Operating System Selection Setup, the disk and partition for the location of the boot file can be selected from a list of choices presented in a list box.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions You can also delete all of your OS selections at once by pressing the Control and Delete keys at the same time while in the Operating System Selection Setup menu. Note: If you delete all of your OS selections, a dialog box appears informing you that no OS selections exist and offering three options. You can create a new OS selection, exit without saving changes, or exit and save changes. Edit OS Selection.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions Display System Configuration Menu Information about the system board configuration is presented when you select “Systemboard Configuration” and press Enter. An example is shown in figure Figure 5-3.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions 4. Cache The Cache field shows the amount, in kilobytes, of static RAM cache memory installed. Cache memory is used to speed system performance by acting as an intermediary between the processor and the system’s main memory, which uses slower dynamic RAM. 5. Memory The Memory field shows the amount, in megabytes, of main memory installed. 6. AlphaBIOS Version The AlphaBIOS Version field shows the version of AlphaBIOS currently running on your system.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions Fields in the hard disk configuration menu include: n Physical disk ID. The physical disk ID is based on the SCSI ID. The disk with the lowest SCSI ID is disk 0; the disk with the next lowest SCSI ID is disk 1, and so on. o Controller. The controller is the brand and model of SCSI chip used on the SCSI controller. p Controller number. The controller number is based on how many SCSI controllers of a particular type are installed in the system.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions Figure 5-5 PCI Configuration Menu Display System Configuration Systemboard Configuration Hard Disk Configuration PCI Configuration Eisa Configuration SCSI Configuration Memory Configuration Integrated Peripherals Device Name Device Type Revision Physical Slot Intel 82375 PCEB Digital 21040 S3, DevID=8811 NCRC810 NCRC810 EISA bridge Ethernet VGA SCSI SCSI 5 35 0 2 17 PCI0-Embedded PCI0-2 PCI0-4 PCI0-5 PCI1-Embedded ENTER=Select ESC=Exit PK-0740-96 1.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions PCI Device Detail You can also get additional detail about any of the PCI devices listed by following this procedure: To get additional detail about a PCI device 1. Press Enter to allow selection in the device list. 2. Select the device about which you want additional detail. 3. Press Enter, and the detail is displayed, as shown in Figure 5-6. 4. Press Escape to return to the table of PCI devices.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions 1. Bus Number The bus number is the virtual PCI bus number. 2. Function Number The function number represents the number assigned to a particular function on a multifunction device. For example, a combination Ethernet/SCSI controller would be listed twice, with the first function listed as function 0 and the other function listed as function 1. 3. Device Number The device number is the PCI bus device number. 4.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions 1. Device Name This is the name and model of the device as recorded in the device’s firmware. 2. Device Type The device type lists the function of the device in the system. 3. Physical Slot The physical slot lists the actual EISA slot number to which the device is attached. Refer to your system manual for the physical location of EISA slots on your particular system board.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions Controller. The controller is the brand and model of SCSI chip used on the SCSI controller. Controller number. The controller number is based on how many SCSI controllers of a particular type are installed in the system. The first controller of a type is always numbered 0. SCSI ID number. The SCSI ID number is a unique number assigned to the SCSI controller. This must be a unique number. The standard controller numbering scheme is for controllers to be SCSI ID 7.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions Memory Configuration Menu Information about the memory configuration is presented when you select Memory Configuration and press Enter. An example is shown in Figure 5-9.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions Integrated Peripherals Menu The integrated peripherals, such as parallel and serial ports, installed in your system are detailed in this menu, shown in Figure 5-10.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions Run Maintenance Program Menu This section details the information presented on the AlphaBIOS Run Maintenance Program Menu. An example is shown in Figure 5-11. Figure 5-11 Run Maintenance Program Menu AlphaBIOS Setup Display System Configuration... Upgrade AlphaBIOS Hard D Run Maintenance Program CMOS S Instal Program Name: rcu.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions CMOS Setup Menu CMOS Setup is used to configure several basic system parameters. There are two modes for CMOS Setup, standard and advanced. Standard CMOS setup, shown in Figure 5-12 is used to configure basic system parameters. Advanced CMOS setup, shown in Figure 5-13, is used for system-specific parameters and password protection. To move through the fields, use the Tab key.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions 3. Keyboard The keyboard setting makes it possible to use just about any language keyboard available. To ensure correct character mappings, the language of your keyboard, Windows NT, and the keyboard language selection in CMOS setup should all match. 4. Auto Start and Auto Start Count The Auto Start setting determines whether the primary operating system is automatically started after the system is reset or power-cycled.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions Figure 5-13 Advanced CMOS Setup Menu Advanced CMOS Setup PCI Parity Checking: Disabled Power-up Memory Test: Enabled AlphaBIOS Password Option: Console Selection: F1=Help Disabled Windows NT Console (AlphaBIOS) Press or to select the firmware console that will be presented the next time the system is power-cycled. ESC=Discard Changes F10=Save Changes PK-0750-96 1.
Index to the AlphaBIOS Menu Functions 2. Power-up Memory Test Possible settings for the power-up memory test are enabled and disabled. When enabled, the memory test writes and then reads patterns of data to main system memory. This testing verifies the integrity of main system memory. 3. Password Setup Possible settings for password setup are “disabled,” “setup password protection,” and “startup password protection.
