My DECserver 700-16 cannot startup normally

[Hoangles]

My DECserver uses RAM for momery It also uses 16 MJ8 ports and 1 10BaseT port for communication.
Recent my DECserver was unexpected powered off due to power interrruption.
When we try to power on the server it cannot startup normally, the LED display runs lighting at 4 then 3 then 4 then 3...
Does anyone know what is haappening with my DECserver?

[Steven Schweda]

Is it trying to download its software (and
not finding anyone to send it)?

You might get some useful messages on a
terminal plugged into Port 1 on the terminal
server, or on an operator's terminal on a VMS
system (REPLY /ENABLE).

[Bill Hall]

From an old version of the DECserver 700 documentation:

If the seven-segment display has a "3" after power up, the DECserver 700 has a downline loading problem. To isolate and diagnose the problem, do the following:

1. Connect a terminal to the console port of the DECserver 700, then power up the terminal.

2. Configure the terminal to operate with a speed of 9600 bits per second and a character size of 8 bits (no parity). (Refer to the specific terminal user's guide if you need help setting up the terminal parameters.)

3. Initialize the DECserver 700 by pressing Ctrl/P on your console terminal or by power cycling the DECserver.

4. Read the message that appears on the terminal display.

Bill

[Hoff]

Some general DECserver 700 troubleshooting:

http://labs.hoffmanlabs.com/node/990

That code 3 indicates a bootstrap back-off, which implies the DECserver is not successfully requesting or not receiving a MOP download, which implies a network problem or a MOP server problem.

To learn more about and to set up MOP, see one of the following depending on which of the three typical MOP environment tools are in use here:

http://labs.hoffmanlabs.com/node/183
http://labs.hoffmanlabs.com/node/233
http://labs.hoffmanlabs.com/node/234

[Hoangles]

Can I use the Hyperterminal on Windows to monitor at port 1 of DECserver?
is there any port other than port1 which can be used for monitoring?

[Steven Schweda]

> Can I use the Hyperterminal on Windows to
> monitor at port 1 of DECserver?

Should be good enough. As I recall, 9600b/s,
8 data bits, one stop bit, no parity. You
also need a cable which gets the right
signals to the right places.

> is there any port other than port1 which
> can be used for monitoring?

I believe that to see the messages, you need
to use the DECserver's console port. As I
recall, Port 1 is the default console port.
(Perhaps it's possible to set some other port
to be the console port, but I've seen only
Port 1 used for this.)

[Hoff]

The version of Hilgreave Hyperterm that has been integrated within Microsoft Windows is not known for its compatibility nor its robustness; it's variously considered very old and somewhat buggy and rather incompatible.

Use it at your own risk.

It'll probably work for simple stuff.

Beyond that, tools such as PuTTY and the current Hyperterm downloaded from the Hilgreave folks are usually considered better options.

[Hoangles]

Everybody,
I'd like to outline all my configuration and then you can image the problem clearly.
- Device: DECserver 716
- No flash RAM, uses one SIM 4MB for memory.
- 8 RJ45 ports are connecting to printer, terminal, equipments...
- 1 10BaseT Ehternet port is connecting to LAN
- The host is Alphaserver 4100 running OpenVMS (Alphaserver 4100 is now running normally)
- The Ethernet LED lights steady
- When power on without pressing reset button, the 7-segment LED has "3"
- When power on while pressing reset button, the 7-segment LED has "4" and then "3" alternately.

I am confusing on solve this problem, I don't know where I should begin from.

Anyone can help me to analyze problem the advice me how to do.
Thanks alot

[Hoangles]

Unfortunately my DECserver 7-segment LED now has "E" when I power on and has "5" when power on with pressing reset button.

[Steven Schweda]

You might get some useful messages on a
terminal plugged into Port 1 on the terminal
server, or on an operator's terminal on a VMS
system (REPLY /ENABLE).

> - The host is Alphaserver 4100 running
> OpenVMS (Alphaserver 4100 is now running
> normally)

Uh, "now"? What was it doing before?