DEC a-Series Assembly instructions

DIGITALPersonalWorkstation a/au-Series
InstallationandSetupGuide
Part Number: EK-ALMIG-SI. A01
April 1998
Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, Massachusetts

April 1998
Digital Equipment Corporation makes no representations that the use of its products in the manner described in this
publication will not infringe on existing or future patent rights, nor do the descriptions contained in this publication
imply the granting of licenses to make, use, or sell equipment or software in accordance with the description.
Possession, use, or copying of the software described in this publication is authorized only pursuant to a valid
written license from DIGITAL or an authorized sublicensor.
© Digital Equipment Corporation 1998. All rights reserved.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation: DIGITAL, OpenVMS and the DIGITAL logo.
The following are third-party trademarks:
Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks and Windows NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open
Company, Ltd.

FCC Information - Class B
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15
of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation.
Any changes or modifications made to this equipment may void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged
to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful: How to
Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems. This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C., 20402. Stock No. 004-00398-5.
All external cables connecting to this basic unit need to be shielded. For cables connecting to option boards, see
the option manual or installation instructions.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions set out in the radio interference
regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

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v
Table of Contents
1 Getting Started
Before You Begin................................................................................................... 1–1
Initial System Inventory...................................................................................1–1
Pre-Startup Checklist ....................................................................................... 1–2
Creating a Comfortable Work Environment..................................................... 1–2
Installing Your System............................................................................................1–4
Network Connection ........................................................................................ 1–5
Connecting External System Devices...............................................................1–6
Starting Your System..............................................................................................1–8
Preloaded Operating System Software.............................................................. 1–9
Turning Off Your System .......................................................................................1–9
Microsoft Windows NT............................................................................. 1–9
DIGITAL UNIX........................................................................................ 1–9
OpenVMS............................................................................................... 1–10
System Security.................................................................................................... 1–10
Chassis Lockdown Hasp................................................................................. 1–10
Kensington Lock............................................................................................ 1–10
Passwords ...................................................................................................... 1–11
2 Setting Up an Operating System
Starting a Windows NT Installation........................................................................ 2–1
Starting a DIGITAL UNIX or OpenVMS Installation ............................................. 2–5
Updating Firmware................................................................................................. 2–5
Microsoft Windows NT Operating System Firmware....................................... 2–6
Using the Flash Update Utility from AlphaBIOS....................................... 2–6
Updating Firmware from AlphaBIOS........................................................ 2–6
Preparing a Firmware Floppy Diskette ...................................................... 2–6

Contents
vi
DIGITAL UNIX and OpenVMS Operating System Firmware.......................... 2–6
Update Utility........................................................................................... 2–6
Using the Flash Update Utility from the SRM Console ............................. 2–7
3 Troubleshooting
Tips........................................................................................................................ 3–1
Logging Equipment................................................................................................ 3–2
System Troubleshooting ......................................................................................... 3–2
4 Customer Support
Product Information................................................................................................ 4–1
Support Resources/Checklist................................................................................... 4–1

vii
Preface
Welcome
This guide describes how to install, set up, and troubleshoot your DIGITAL Personal
Workstation a/au-Series system. Topics covered include:
• System inventory
• Ergonomics
• Connection of external devices
• System installation
• Preloaded operating system software
• System security
• Troubleshooting
• Customer support
The following table shows symbols used in this guide and their meanings:
Symbol Meaning
WWW Indicates a reference to material located on a Web site.
Indicates an inventory step or checklist.

Preface
viii
Symbol Meaning
Used to alert users to Warnings and Cautions.
Indicates installation and connection steps.
Indicates system startup and turning off steps.
Indicates system security topics.
Indicates topics on operating system installation or firmware
updates.
Indicates general troubleshooting tips.
Indicates system logging or general product information.
Indicates topics on system troubleshooting.
NOTE: Throughout this guide, illustrations and some textual explanations are intended as
examples only; based on your system’s particular hardware configuration, operating
system version, firmware update version, and so forth, your system’s display may differ.
Customer Support
See the Checklist in Chapter 4, Customer Support, for instructions on finding support and
additional information on the use of your new workstation.
Feedback
Our readers' opinions about this guide or any other DIGITAL product are important to us.
If you have any comments, please send e-mail to [email protected].
Please reference order number EK-ALMIG-SI. A01 in your correspondence.

1–1
1
Getting Started
This chapter includes an inventory of the items shipped with your system and tells you
how to start, install, restart, and turn off your system. Information about preloaded
software and guidelines for system security are included as well.
Your DIGITAL Personal Workstation is a high-performance system that uses the latest
microprocessor and core logic technology. Housed in a mini-tower box, the system can
stand alone or function as a client in an office
network environment.
A typical DIGITAL Personal Workstation
configuration is shown here. Your system may
differ.
Before You Begin
Initial System Inventory
Check to make sure you received the following components with your system, and note the
items in a safe place, for later reference:
 Monitor  System box  Mouse  Video cable
 Power cords  Microphone  Keyboard  Headphones
Your system may include different components from those listed. Consult the shipping list
that came with your system for an accurate listing of parts. If you think something is
missing, contact your distributor or DIGITAL representative.

Getting Started
1–2 Installation and Setup Guide
Pre-Startup Checklist
Before you start your system, perform the following checks:
• Review the information supplied with your system, including user documentation.
• Select a well-ventilated site for your system near a grounded power outlet and away
from sources of excessive heat. The site also should be isolated from electric noise
(for example, spikes, sags, and surges) produced by devices such as air conditioners,
large fans, radios, and televisions.
• Save all shipping containers and packing material for repackaging or moving the
system later.
NOTE: Do not install optional hardware or application software until you have started
your system and verified that the base system is working correctly.
WARNING: When unpacking and moving system components, be aware that
some components (such as the monitor) may be too heavy for you to lift alone safely.
If you are doubtful about whether you can lift these items alone, please get assistance.
Creating a Comfortable Work Environment
If you exercise poor posture while you work or if your equipment
is poorly set up, certain recent scientific articles suggest that
personal injury may result. Other articles suggest that there is no
cause and effect. Because the safety of our users is a great
concern to Digital Equipment Corporation, we strongly urge that
you read and follow the precautions outlined in the figure and
Table 1-1. In addition, be sure to adjust your work space so that
you are comfortable, and change your position frequently.

Getting Started
Installation and Setup Guide 1–3
WARNING: If you experience pain or discomfort while using your system, rest
and review the posture and work habits instructions. If pain or discomfort continues,
discontinue use and report the condition to your job supervisor or physician.
Table 1-1: Recommendations for Posture and Work Habits
Adjust To allow the following conditions
Chair 1. Feet are flat on the floor.
2. Legs are vertical and form a right angle to the floor.
3. Your thighs are horizontal, and they are not bearing weight. Keep the backs of
your knees away from the seat so you do not compress the area behind them, which
could restrict the blood flow.
4. Your upper body is erect and your lower back is supported with a backrest.
Keyboard and
Mouse
5. Your wrists are straight and do not flex more than 15 degrees. They are supported
and do not rest on sharp edges. If you use a mouse, rest your hand on the mouse so
your wrist is not on the work surface. Operate the mouse close to your body’s
centerline.
6. Upper arms are straight down at your sides, and elbows are close to your sides and
support your arm weight. Forearms are at a 70- to 90-degree angle.
7. If you use a mouse, rest your hand on the mouse so that your wrist is not on the
work surface. Operate the mouse close to your body’s centerline.
Head 8. Avoid neck strain. Your head should incline downward, but no more than 15 to 20
degrees.
Monitor 9. No higher than the level of your eyes and at the correct distance for your vision.
10. Avoid eye fatigue, which can be caused by glare, image quality, uncomfortable
furniture, eye height, and uncorrected vision. If you cannot focus to read at different
distances, you may need special glasses. Relax your eyes periodically by focusing on
distant objects.
Work breaks Take periodic work breaks. Morning, lunch, and afternoon breaks during the 8-hour
workday meet most recommendations. Take advantage of work breaks to move
around and do other activities.
Lighting Avoid direct lighting or sunlight on the screen, which causes glare and reflections.
Place lighting behind or to the side of your work area, and distribute the lighting
evenly on your work area.
Noise Keep background noise at a minimum. Background noise above 65 dBA is tiring.
Sound-absorbing materials (for example, curtains, carpeting, and acoustic tile) can
help reduce background noise.
Temperature 20 – 23 degrees C (68 - 74 degrees F).
Humidity 30% – 70%.
Ventilation Provide adequate air ventilation to operate the equipment and avoid fatigue.
Work Space > 70 cm (28 inches) center to center, preferably between > 152 cm (60 inches).

Getting Started
1–4 Installation and Setup Guide
Installing Your System
This section shows the installation and
connection steps for your system.
NOTE: All connectors are keyed with icons on
the back of the system box.
CAUTION: To ensure proper cooling, verify
that air can flow freely into the system front and
out the rear of the system. Position your system
so that air can flow freely to and from the vents,
as shown. Do not block any of the vents,
especially those on the system rear or bottom
front.
To connect system components, follow these
steps:
1. Confirm that the voltage selector switch
matches your local voltage (either 115 Volts
or 230 Volts), as shown.
CAUTION: Improper voltage selection can
damage the system’s power supply!
230V
115V

Getting Started
Installation and Setup Guide 1–5
2. Connect the mouse and keyboard, as shown.
3. Connect the monitor, as shown.
Network Connection
Your DIGITAL Personal Workstation has an embedded Ethernet LAN controller. Refer to
the figure, which shows the MAU (media adapter unit) installed, and connect your system
to the network. Your system was preconfigured with either a 100-Mbps MII (media
independent interface) or a 10-Mbps MAU.

Getting Started
1–6 Installation and Setup Guide
The internal network cables are already installed for you.
Optional network kits are available. Contact your DIGITAL
representative for more information about the availability of
these options.
Connecting External System Devices
The following section describes how to install external devices into your system.
1. Connect the microphone and headphones into
the icon-keyed connectors on the side of the
system box, as shown.
2. If a SCSI controller is installed and you have an
optional external SCSI (Small Computer
System Interface) device or SCSI storage box,
connect the SCSI cable to the SCSI port on the
controller card.
If you purchased speakers for your workstation, refer to the figure and perform the
following steps to connect them:
1. Unpack the speakers.
2. Plug the secondary speaker cable into the primary speaker (“Speaker Output”).
3. Connect the loose cable to the primary speaker (“Audio Input”) and to the top
connector on the adapter card (“Speaker Out”).

Getting Started
Installation and Setup Guide 1–7
4. Connect the AC adapter cord to the
primary speaker.
5. Plug the speaker AC adapter into a
power outlet.
NOTE: The figure shows a typical
speaker system. Your speakers and
connections may vary, depending upon
the make and model you purchased.
Refer to the documentation that came
with your speakers for further
information.
If you purchased a MIDI/joystick device for your workstation, refer to the figure and
perform the following steps to connect it:
1. Unpack the MIDI/joystick device.
2. Connect the MIDI/joystick device cable into the MIDI
port connector on the adapter card, as shown.

Getting Started
1–8 Installation and Setup Guide
Perform the following steps to connect a local printer to your workstation:
1. Review your printer documentation and perform any pre-installation instructions
before attempting to connect it to your workstation.
2. Make sure your printer and workstation are turned
off.
3. Plug the printer cable into the appropriate printer
port (the parallel port for a parallel printer, in
figure, or a serial port for a serial printer).
4. Turn on your printer and workstation.
5. Configure your printer for operation with your
workstation.
Refer to your operating system online Help and printed
documentation for instructions on installing your
printer’s device driver.
Starting Your System
Perform the following steps to start (boot)
your DIGITAL Personal Workstation:
CAUTION: Verify the correct voltage
setting for your system before proceeding.
1. Plug the power cord into the system and
then into the wall outlet.
2. Turn on any external devices, system unit
power button (shown in figure), and
monitor power.
3. After waiting for the monitor to warm up,
if necessary, adjust the contrast and
brightness to obtain a readable screen
display.
Refer to the information supplied with your monitor for adjustment instructions.
4. Allow your system to complete the power-on self test (POST) and device
initialization. (This takes approximately one [1] minute.)

Getting Started
Installation and Setup Guide 1–9
Preloaded Operating System Software
Your system was preloaded with the operating system that you specified when ordering
your system (i.e., Microsoft Windows NT, DIGITAL UNIX, or OpenVMS). See Chapter
2, Setting Up an Operating System, for instructions on reinstalling an operating system.
Turning Off Your System
Before turning off your system, save and close all open files according to the steps
outlined for your specific operating system. If you turn the system off without saving and
closing files, you might lose some or all of your work.
CAUTION: Do not turn off power to your system or peripherals until the shutdown
sequence has completed.
WARNING: Always disconnect the power cord from the wall before servicing
your system.
Microsoft Windows NT
Perform the following steps, in order, to turn off your system:
1. Close any application data files you have open as well as any applications you have
running. Most application programs prompt you to save the information before
closing.
2. To shut down your operating system:
• Click on Start on the Windows NT toolbar.
• Select Shut Down…
• The Shut Down Windows menu displays.
You are asked to confirm the shutdown.
• Select Shut Down and click the Yes button.
3. Wait for the operating system to complete the shutdown process. Your system displays
a message indicating it is safe to turn off or restart the system.
4. To turn off power, press the system unit power button.
5. Disconnect the power cord from the wall before servicing your system.
DIGITAL UNIX
Perform the following steps, in order, to turn off your system:
1. Close any open application data files as well as any running applications. Most
application programs prompt you to save the information before closing.
2. To shut down your operating system:
NOTE: You must be a superuser to shut down the system.

Getting Started
1–10 Installation and Setup Guide
• Open a terminal window.
• Type Shutdown -h now.
• The system returns to the SRM console.
3. Your system displays >>> indicating it is safe to turn off or restart the system.
4. To turn off power, press the system unit power button.
5. Disconnect the power cord from the wall before servicing your system.
OpenVMS
Perform the following steps, in order, to turn off your system:
1. Close any open application data files as well as any running applications. Most
application programs prompt you to save the information before closing.
2. To shut down your operating system, follow these steps:
• Log into the system account.
• Open a terminal window (if not already opened).
• Type Shutdown.
• The system returns to the SRM console.
3. Your system displays >>> indicating it is safe to turn off or restart the system.
4. To turn off power, press the system unit power button.
5. Disconnect the power cord from the wall before servicing your system.
System Security
Chassis Lockdown Hasp
The system is equipped with a lock welded onto the back of the chassis. To use this
security feature, use a lock of your choice to attach the system to a secured surface such as
a table, cabinet, and so forth.
Kensington Lock
If you ordered an optional Kensington lock (order number PCP3H-AG), refer to the figure
and secure the lock onto your system as shown.

Getting Started
Installation and Setup Guide 1–11
1. Insert the lock into the opening at the back of
the system.
2. Turn the lock clockwise to secure it.
3. Connect the power cord and plug it into the
wall outlet.
4. Turn on the system.
Passwords
For additional security, most screen saver and pause screen displays can have password
protection enabled. See Chapter 3, Troubleshooting.
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help