Integrity Server requires date and time entry on each boot

[Anne Hrovat]

We have a number of Integrity servers HP rx1620 and rx2620 models. Recently, they have started asking for the time and date on boot. The boot stalles until someone enters the time and date at the console terminal. The servers have been in service approximately 2 years and they did not behave this way until recently (last 2-4 months).

Has anyone else experienced this?

[Hein van den Heuvel]

Typically, on any server, that suggests that the battery for the TOD clock on the motherboard needs to be replaced.

Those 1620's may have been in service for 2 years, but they are 5+ years old right?

fwiw,
Hein

[Volker Halle]

Anne,

which version(s) of OpenVMS I64 ?

See the following thread:

http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1398139

Volker.

[Anne Hrovat]

I believe they are all less than 4 years old.

[Hein van den Heuvel]

Argh yes, I remember that now.

Are you still running OpenVMS 8.2?

Per referenced topic:
---
You can Fix Problem Date & Time by update 2 patch as follows

VMS821I_PCSI-V0300
VMS821I_UPDATE-V1500
-----

But you should consider moving to 8.3-H1 for various reasons, this issue being one of many.

Hein

[Anne Hrovat]

I will try the patches.

Thanks,

Anne

[P Muralidhar Kini]

Hi Anne,

>> Is there anything else that could cause this behavior?

Check the value of the SETTIME sysgen variable.
If this is set to 1 then everytime the system is rebooted, you will be asked
to enter the date and time.

You can check the current value of the SETTIME sysgen parameter with the
following DCL command -
$MC SYSGEN SHOW SETTIME

Currently, what is the value of SETTIME sysgen parameter?

Regards,
Murali

[Hoff]

SETTIME and TIMEPROMPTWAIT are the two typical system parameters that trigger self-inflicted boot-time time prompting.

Bad (failed) batteries and down-revision patches can also trigger this as has been mentioned. Various of the rx series boxes have one or often two coin cell batteries for their settings.

[Anne Hrovat]

SETTIME is set to zero on all systems.

[cnb]

FYI -

Instructions for changing the batteries, if needed.

Per the rx2620 User Service Guide (typo's included):

"The main server battery is located on the system board. Servers with iLO hardware have an
additional battery located on the iLO MP card."

"If date and time or customer settings are cleared, you might need to replaced the system
board battery."

http://bizsupport.austin.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c01404139/c01404139.pdf


Rgds,

[P Muralidhar Kini]

Hi Anne,

>> SETTIME is set to zero on all systems.
The SETTIME sysgen parameter is ruled out.
You may want to also check the TIMEPROMPTWAIT sysgen parameter that Hoff
has pointed out.

If not these then it has to be the hardware (battery) which is already dicussed
in this forum.

Interesting discussion on a similar problem in the following thread
http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=248888

Regards,
Murali

[Volker Halle]

Murali,

with the information obtained from the other thread, that I've referenced earlier, this clearly seems to be an OpenVMS I64 bug in V8.2-1 (and below), which showed up with any boot in 2010 and seems to have been 'silently' (i.e. un-documented) fixed in SYSINIT.EXE, which was being delivered with VMS821I_MOUNT96-V0100.

Volker.

[Anne Hrovat]

I think I will start by installing the patch and see if that resolves the issue.

Thanks.

Anne

[P Muralidhar Kini]

Hi Anne,

>> I think I will start by installing the patch and see if that resolves the issue.
Yes. Thats a good start.
Keep the hardware troubleshooting for the end.

Volker,
>> and seems to have been 'silently' (i.e. un-documented) fixed in
>> SYSINIT.EXE, which was being delivered with VMS821I_MOUNT96-V0100.
I have no idea about this. Will check this out and let the concerned people know
about it. Nice find by the way.

Regards,
Murali