topic Re: Fail-Safe loader in Operating System - OpenVMS

Fail-Safe loader

geir_2 — Mon, 07 Mar 2005 10:05:43 GMT

Hi,
I have problems to boot my Alphaserver 1000A. Could someone help me to get Fail-Safe loader.
What software do I need to boot from diskette, and run Fail-Safe Loader?

regards geir

Re: Fail-Safe loader

Kris Clippeleyr — Mon, 07 Mar 2005 10:36:05 GMT

Geir,

The OpenVMS FAQ has some useful info on updating the firmware (section 14.3.7 and onward). See:
http://h71000.www7.hp.com/wizard/openvms_faq.html

Kris (aka Qkcl)

Re: Fail-Safe loader

Ian Miller. — Mon, 07 Mar 2005 12:01:41 GMT

A direct link
http://h71000.www7.hp.com/wizard/faq/vmsfaq_020.html#alphasrmfw
firmware is here
ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/Alpha/firmware/archive/alpha1000a/

Does this mean your AS100A fails to get to a console prompt?

To activate the FSL:
1. Install the jumper at bank 7 of the J1 or J4 jumper on the CPU daughter board. The jumper is normally installed in the standard boot setting (bank 1 for AlphaServer 1000A Model 4/xxx systems, bank 0 or 1 for Model 5/xxx systems)
2. Install the console firmware diskette and turn on the system. Two messages are displayed on the operator control panel (OCP) when the FSL program loads the diskette:
OCP Message Meaning
Floppy Boot - FSL firmware is executing.
Starting CPU - FSL firmware found a valid boot block, loaded the program into memory,
and is attempting to transfer control to the loaded program.
3. Reinstall the console firmware from a firmware diskette.
4. When you have finished, power down and return the J1 or J4 jumper to the
standard boot setting (bank 1).

Re: Fail-Safe loader

geir_2 — Tue, 08 Mar 2005 01:58:08 GMT

Ian Miller

Thanks for the answer. That's correct, I can't even see the console prompt. Now I try to find out what the problem is.

Maybe it's a HW problem?

regards geir

PS:
The power is on, the led lamp is on, and the fan is working.

Re: Fail-Safe loader

Ian Miller. — Tue, 08 Mar 2005 08:11:01 GMT

the procedure I gave earlier is for when the firmware has a problem.
Do you see anything on the serial console?
Any response to pressing return

Re: Fail-Safe loader

geir_2 — Tue, 08 Mar 2005 08:16:34 GMT

Hi,
Thanks for the e-mail. The problem is that the screen is black, with no output at all.

The power is on, the led is on, the fan is on. And I still get no contact(connection) with the computer.

The guy that worked with this computer before, says that he had no problem to logg in to the system.

regards geir

Re: Fail-Safe loader

Ian Miller. — Tue, 08 Mar 2005 14:47:26 GMT

Do have something (VT or emulated VT) connected to the upper serial port on the back?

Is there anything displayed on the lcd display during power on?

Re: Fail-Safe loader

ca750090 — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 01:57:06 GMT

Hi,

Sorry no solution, but as mentioned in another thread I have exactly the same problem with an AS1000A.
When using the FSL software from floppy, the system does not come further than "Starting CPU" (which I broke off after 10 minutes of waiting, or is that too short ?).

Very interested to see if someone has any further suggestions !

Re: Fail-Safe loader

geir_2 — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 02:02:53 GMT

Hi,

"Floopy Boot" in the LCD display. The reason is the jumper setting on J1. If I set the jumper to normal postion, nothing is displayed in the LCD display.

I have also tried to use both serial connection to the terminal. The ternminal type is VT520. I have tried different settings on the terminal (speed, flowcontrol, etc), with no success.

I hope that someone could give me some hints.

regards geir

Re: Fail-Safe loader

geir_2 — Thu, 10 Mar 2005 04:11:33 GMT

Hi,

I talk with a colleague from Digital. He told me that I should not use Fail-safe loader. It could be dangerous, and and in worst case destroy the mainboard. He give me following advice:

1) Connect keyboard, mouse and external VGA screen directly to the Alphaserver 1000A
2) Connect a laptop to COM-1 on the Alphaserver.
3) Wait.

And suddenly I have contact with the console prompt. But after a minute or so, the computer crashed with following core dump.

Next time the same thing happened. Then I tried different configurations, without success.

At end I tried the original setting (advise from colleague), but this time I had no connection as before.

The computers behavior is strange/odd.

Any suggestions?

Re: Fail-Safe loader

Ian Miller. — Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:12:17 GMT

when you did have access did you do SHOW CONFIG and if so what did you see?

Re: Fail-Safe loader

geir_2 — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 02:01:17 GMT

Hi,

To little time to seee the config.

regards geir