digital alpha server 4100 booting problem

[rajeesh k menon]

hi all,

digital alpha server 4100

3gb mem,599mhz processor, firmware version 5.4

my server is starts booting but hangs in between , it only gives a blue screen and then nothing happens.I tried to get the console from serial port but couldnt. Is it a firmware problem? which part i should replace?

[Karl Rohwedder]

You say 'starts booting': do you mean starts booting VMS, i.e. the console starts correctly?

Then you should halt the system in the console (pressing the HALT button) and check the configuration (SHO CONFIG, SHOW DEVICE, SHO BOO*...). Are all devices present, is the boot setup o.k.?).

Has VMS displayed its version string?

Perhaps you could log the output using a laptop and attach it as a file.

regards Kalle

[John Abbott_2]

It may be that the 'console' variable is not set to what you desire.

Check with >>> SHOW console If you are indeed using a gfx connection then set this to graphics (>>> set console graphics). IT maybe that you're loosing the output part way through the boot if the output is being directed the the serial port.

PS. The latest console version for an a4100 is V6.1-1.

See http://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/Alpha/firmware/
for an update.

Regards,
John.

[Willem Grooters]

Does the SRM specify SERIAL as console?
Just to be complete, this may not applicable, but nevertheless: If the system has 2 serial ports, be sure that you connected the right one.

[Robert_Boyd]

The 4100 has an LCD display as part of the operator control panel -- what is the last thing displayed in the panel before it stops?

Also, when you have it at the >>> prompt, what do you get for SHOW BOOT* and SHOW DEVICE, and what is the current value of OS_TYPE?

All of these may be important clues to what is happening.

Robert

[sujiths]

I cant execute any kind of commands,I thinks it hangs.

VMS displayed its version string, after that nothing happens.I cant halt the system.
The LCD display shows alpha server 4100.

I think I have connected to the right serial port, becouse I was able to get the console before, and after this not.

Server just starts , will get the version string, then it will not take any input from keybord.

[rajeesh k menon]

I cant execute any kind of commands,I thinks it hangs.

VMS displayed its version string, after that nothing happens.I cant halt the system.
The LCD display shows alpha server 4100.

I think I have connected to the right serial port, becouse I was able to get the console before, and after this not.

Server just starts , will get the version string, then it will not take any input from keybord.

[Heinz W Genhart]

Hi rajeesh

I attached a picture of a 4100. You can see the backside of this machine. In the left bottom corner of the machine are two 15 pin connectores. As You can see on the picture, the console connector is not the one at the bottom, but the one above it (see red arrow in picture)

After pressing the halt button, You should see the bootprompt ( >>> )
On this bootprompt you can enter the command
>>> set console serial
>>> boot -fl x,y disk

After doing this, the console should work

Hope that helps

Regards

Heinz

[Heinz W Genhart]

Hi rajeesh

here the attachement

Heinz

[rajeesh k menon]

still I am not able to get the console.

I have halted the machine, but I didnt get the prompt, I have connected to the proper port.

can anybody tell me where the firmware module is?whether it is with processor board or with any other board?