Alphaserver DS10

[Nathan_55]

I have a DS10 AlphaServer. The unit powers on and comes to a blue screen with a blinking cursor, and it wont let me do anything else. If anyone out there knows whats causing this I would appreciate the help on getting this resolved.

Thanks

[Robb_T]

Hi,

I realise this was a *very* long time ago, but...

Did you ever find a sloution to your problem of your DS10 going to a blue screen with flashing cursor when powered on?

I'm having the same issue with one of mine today.

Thanks,

Robb

[Steven Schweda]

> [...] DS10 going to a blue screen with flashing cursor when powered
> on?

   I assume that this is with a keyboard and graphics console?

   I know nothing, but ...

   Have you tried connecting a serial terminal (or equivalent)?  (If the
NVRAM power has died, then the system may be using a console different
from the one expected.)  Does Ctrl/X do anything?

   Any interesting main-board LED indications?

[Robb_T]

Ctrl-x gets me to a >>> prompt, so it appears that's exactly what is going on.

Good call, thanks!

[Steven Schweda]

> Good call, thanks!

   Glad to help.  (Even the ignorant can get lucky at times.)

   Once you can talk to the SRM console program, you can show/set the
console setting, and see if it sticks on "graphics" or reverts to
"serial" when the AC power goes.  Knowing nothing, I know not if you
have a loose lithium coin cell or some fancy/more-expensive epoxy lump,
but it's bound to be documented (or observable) somewhere.

[Robb_T]

Yes, expensive epoxy-lump type NVRAM.

As an added complication, it appears the keyboard was also flaky, causing the console to revert to serial even after giving the 'set console graphics' command.  Swapped out the keyboard, set console graphics, and was able to boot.

Thanks again!