Digital Equipment Alpha Operation manual

PersonalWorkstation(Alpha)
UserInformation
Order Number: EK-ALMIA-UI. A01
October 1996
Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, Massachusetts

October 1996
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment
by Digital Equipment Corporation.
Digital Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that might appear in this document.
The software, if any, described in this document is furnished under a license and may be used or copied only in
accordance with the terms of such license. No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software or
equipment that is not supplied by Digital Equipment Corporation or its affiliated companies.
Restricted Rights: Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in
subparagraph (c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013.
Copyright 1996 Digital Equipment Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
AlphaStation, DEC, Digital, Digital Semiconductor, OpenVMS, ThinWire, and the DIGITAL logo.
The following are third-party trademarks:
Microsoft and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries licensed exclusively through X/Open
Company Ltd.
All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
This document was produced with Microsoft Word for Windows, V6.0c.

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.

v
Contents
Preface
1 Getting Started
Introduction...........................................................................................................1-1
System Inventory............................................................................................1-2
Before Starting Your System..........................................................................1-3
Posture and Work Habits................................................................................1-4
Identifying the Correct AC Power Cord.......................................................... 1-6
Installing Your System..........................................................................................1-7
Connecting System Parts................................................................................ 1-8
Network Connection................................................................................1-9
Starting Your System ................................................................................... 1-10
Preloaded Operating System Software.......................................................... 1-11
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation..................................................... 1-11
Turning Off Your System.................................................................................... 1-12
Computer Security ..............................................................................................1-13
Chassis Lockdown Hasp............................................................................... 1-13
Optional Lock .............................................................................................. 1-14
Passwords.....................................................................................................1-14

Contents
vi
2 System Overview
Introduction ..........................................................................................................2–1
System Features....................................................................................................2–1
System Front View................................................................................................2–2
System Rear View.................................................................................................2–4
System Unit Components......................................................................................2–6
Motherboard .........................................................................................................2–8
Riser Card...........................................................................................................2–10
3 Configuring Your System
Introduction ..........................................................................................................3–1
Configuring with AlphaBIOS Firmware................................................................3–1
Starting AlphaBIOS .......................................................................................3–1
Booting the System........................................................................................3–2
AlphaBIOS Setup...........................................................................................3–3
Displaying Your Configuration................................................................3–4
Setting Up the Hard Disks.......................................................................3–5
CMOS Setup Tasks .................................................................................3–5
Advanced CMOS Setup...........................................................................3–8
Utilities ...................................................................................................3–9
4 Installing System Options
Introduction ..........................................................................................................4–1
Removing the System Cover.................................................................................4–2
Removing Front Door ...........................................................................................4–4
Adding Memory Modules .....................................................................................4–5
Installing Expansion Boards..................................................................................4–7
Drive-Installation Overview..................................................................................4–9
Removing the Front Bezel..............................................................................4–9
Configuration Guidelines for EIDE..............................................................4–11
Configuration Guidelines for SCSI...............................................................4–11
SCSI Bus Length...................................................................................4–11
Termination...........................................................................................4–11

Contents
vii
Installing Storage Devices...................................................................................4–12
Front-Accessible Bays..................................................................................4–12
Internal Bays................................................................................................4–13
Cabling for a Printer or Other Parallel Device ..............................................4–16
External Options...........................................................................................4–17
Internal Cable Layout...................................................................................4–18
Replacing the Battery..........................................................................................4–25
Replacing the System Cover................................................................................4–27
Installing Optional Lock......................................................................................4–28
Kensington Lock..........................................................................................4–28
5 Troubleshooting
Introduction...........................................................................................................5–1
Initial Troubleshooting..........................................................................................5–1
Equipment Log .....................................................................................................5–2
General Troubleshooting.......................................................................................5–2
Error Beep Codes................................................................................................5–10
LEDs...................................................................................................................5–10
A System Care
B Technical Specifications
C Device Mapping
D Updating System Firmware
E Starting an Operating System Installation
F Equipment Log

Contents
viii
FIGURES
Figure 1–1: Digital Personal Workstation (Alpha).............................................. 1-1
Figure 1–2: Recommendations for Posture and Work Habits.............................. 1-4
Figure 1–3: System Airflow............................................................................... 1-7
Figure 1–4: Voltage Selector Switch.................................................................. 1-8
Figure 1–5: Connecting Cables and Power Cords............................................... 1-9
Figure 1–6: Starting Your System .................................................................... 1-10
Figure 1–7: Chassis Lockdown Hasp................................................................ 1-14
Figure 2–1: Front View of System......................................................................2–2
Figure 2–2: Rear Connectors..............................................................................2–4
Figure 2–3: System Unit Components................................................................2–6
Figure 2–4: Motherboard Components...............................................................2–8
Figure 2–5: Riser Card Components.................................................................2–10
Figure 3–1: AlphaBIOS Boot Screen..................................................................3–2
Figure 3–2: AlphaBIOS Setup Screen ................................................................3–3
Figure 3–3: Display System Configuration Screen .............................................3–4
Figure 3–4: Hard Disk Setup Screen...................................................................3–5
Figure 3–5: CMOS Setup Screen........................................................................3–6
Figure 3–6: Advanced CMOS Setup Screen.......................................................3–8
Figure 3–7: Operating System Selection...........................................................3–10
Figure 4–1: Unlocking and Removing the System Cover ...................................4–3
Figure 4–2: Removing the Front Door................................................................4–4
Figure 4–3: Memory Installation........................................................................4–6
Figure 4–4: Installing an Expansion Board.........................................................4–8
Figure 4–5: Removing Front Bezel ..................................................................4–10
Figure 4–6: Attaching Brackets to a Drive .......................................................4–12
Figure 4–7: Installing an Additional Drive.......................................................4–13
Figure 4–8: Adding a Drive in the Internal Bay................................................4–14
Figure 4–9: Mounting the 3.5-inch Drive .........................................................4–15
Figure 4–10: Cabling for Printer or Other Parallel Device..................................4–16
Figure 4–11: Power Supply Cable Configuration................................................4–18
Figure 4–12: Audio Cable Layout......................................................................4–20
Figure 4–13: MAU or MII Cabling.....................................................................4–21
Figure 4–14: CD-ROM Cabling.........................................................................4–22
Figure 4–15: FDC Cabling.................................................................................4–23
Figure 4–16: SCSI Cabling ................................................................................4–24
Figure 4–17: Replacing the Battery....................................................................4–26
Figure 4–18: Replacing the System Cover..........................................................4–27
Figure 4–19: Using the Optional Kensington Lock.............................................4–28
Figure A–1: Cleaning the System Mouse ..........................................................A–3
Figure B–1: CPU Frequency Switch Settings (433-MHz System)......................B–7

Contents
ix
TABLES
Table 1–1: Recommendations for Posture and Work Habits...............................1-5
Table 2–1: Front Components............................................................................2–3
Table 2–2: Rear Connectors...............................................................................2–5
Table 2–3: System Unit Components .................................................................2–7
Table 2–4: Motherboard Components.................................................................2–9
Table 2–5: Riser Card Components..................................................................2–11
Table 4–1: Power Supply Cable Configuration.................................................4–19
Table 4–2: Audio Cable Layout .......................................................................4–20
Table 4–3: MAU or MII Cabling......................................................................4–21
Table 4–4: CD-ROM Cabling...........................................................................4–22
Table 4–5: FDC Cabling ..................................................................................4–23
Table 4–6: SCSI Cabling..................................................................................4–24
Table 5–1: System Troubleshooting ...................................................................5–2
Table 5–2: Disk Drive Troubleshooting..............................................................5–7
Table 5–3: Audio Troubleshooting.....................................................................5–8
Table 5–4: Monitor Troubleshooting..................................................................5–9
Table 5–5: Error Beep Codes ...........................................................................5–10
Table B–1: Processor Features ..........................................................................B–2
Table B–2: System Specifications.....................................................................B–2
Table B–3: System Dimensions.........................................................................B–2
Table B–4: System Environmental Specifications .............................................B–3
Table B–5: Acoustics: Preliminary Declared Values .........................................B–3
Table B–6: Bidirectional Parallel Port Pinouts ..................................................B–4
Table B–7: 9-Pin Serial Port Pinouts.................................................................B–5
Table B–8: Keyboard and Mouse Connector Pinouts.........................................B–6
Table B–9: System Input Power Requirements..................................................B–6
Table B–10: System Output Power Specifications...............................................B–6
Table C–1: Default System Interrupt Assignments ............................................C–2
Table C–2: DMA Channel Assignments............................................................C–3
Table E–1: Starting a Windows NT Workstation Installation ............................E–3
Table E–2: Setting Up Partitions for a Windows NT Installation.......................E–6
Table F–1: Hardware Components .................................................................... F–2
Table F–2: ISA Equipment Configuration......................................................... F–3
Table F–3: Hardware Configuration.................................................................. F–3
Table F–4: Installed Software............................................................................ F–4
Table F–5: Additional Component Information................................................. F–4

xi
Preface
Welcome to the Digital Personal Workstation (Alpha)
This guide introduces the Digital Personal Workstation (Alpha), the latest in the series of
Digital Personal Workstation products.
Use this information to start, use, update, troubleshoot, and configure your workstation.
You can also find general system information such as console commands and system care
here.
Audience
If you are operating, configuring, or adding options to the Digital Personal Workstation
(Alpha), the information included here is helpful to you.

Preface
xii
Organization of the Information
This guide includes information on Digital Personal Workstations (Alpha). The following
topics (see the Table of Contents for a detailed listing) are covered:
•Chapter 1, Getting Started. Installing, starting, restarting, and turning off the system.
•Chapter 2, System Overview. Motherboard, keyboard, system controls, indicators,
ports, and connections.
•Chapter 3, Configuring Your System. Using AlphaBIOS firmware.
• Chapter 4, Installing System Options. Installing hard disk, compact disc, and tape
drives; memory; option cards; printer cable; and external SCSI cable.
•Chapter 5, Troubleshooting. Possible causes and actions to solve problems.
•Appendix A, System Care. Cleaning your system, monitor, and mouse.
•Appendix B, Technical Specifications.
•Appendix C, Device Mapping. I/O addresses and interrupts.
•Appendix D, Updating System Firmware.
•Appendix E, Starting an Operating System Installation.
•Appendix F, Equipment Log.

Preface
xiii
Conventions
This guide uses the following conventions:
Example Description
c:\windows Monospaced text indicates file names, path names,
directories, or screen text. Each operating system has its
own specific syntax.
[Enter] Square brackets surrounding text represent a key on the
keyboard.
[Ctrl]+[R] A plus sign indicates that you press both the keys shown at
the same time.
F
A pointing hand indicates a reference to additional
information.
Abbreviations
This guide uses the following abbreviations:
Abbreviation Meaning
CD Compact disc.
CD-ROM Compact disc read-only memory.
CPU Central processing unit.
DIMM Dual inline memory module.
DMA Direct memory access.
DRAM Dynamic random access memory.
DROM Diagnostic read only memory.
EIDE Enhanced integrated drive electronics.
FDC Floppy disk controller.
flashROM Electrically erasable, rewriteable, nonvolatile memory.
GB A GB suffix to a numerical value indicates size in gigabytes
(for example, 1 GB). A gigabyte equals 1,073,741,824 bytes.
IRQ Interrupt request.
ISA Industry-standard architecture.
Kb A Kb suffix to a numerical value indicates size in kilobits (for
example, 512 Kb). A kilobit equals 1024 bits.
KB A KB suffix to a numerical value indicates size in kilobytes
(for example, 640 KB). A kilobyte equals 1024 bytes.

Preface
xiv
Abbreviation Meaning
LED Light-emitting diode.
MAU Media adapter unit.
Mb An Mb suffix to a numerical value indicates size in megabits
(for example, 10 Mb). A megabit equals 1,048,576 bits.
MB A MB suffix to a numerical value indicates size in megabytes
(for example, 550 MB). A megabyte equals 1,048,576 bytes.
MHz Megahertz.
MII Media independent interface.
ns Nanoseconds.
NVRAM Nonvolatile random access memory.
PCI Peripheral component interconnect.
RISC Reduced instruction set computing.
ROM Read only memory.
SCSI Small computer system interface.
SDRAM Synchronous dynamic random access memory.

Preface
xv
Special Notices
This guide uses four kinds of notices to emphasize specific information.
________________________WARNING __________________________
A WARNING indicates the presence of a hazard that can cause personal
injury.
____________________________________________________________
________________________ CAUTION___________________________
A CAUTION indicates the presence of a hazard that can damage hardware or
corrupt software.
____________________________________________________________
__________________________NOTE ____________________________
A NOTE gives general information, such as compatibility with other products or
pointers to other information.
____________________________________________________________
__________________________ HINT_____________________________
A HINT includes suggestions to make your computing tasks easier.
____________________________________________________________
Additional Information Resources
You may wish to consult the following information resources on your Digital Personal
Workstation (Alpha):
•Quick Setup Guide (order number ER-B30WW-IM. A01) presents a graphical
overview of the Digital Personal Workstation (Alpha) system installation. (Note that
not all Digital Personal Workstation [Alpha] systems will be shipping with USB.)
•Digital Personal Workstation (Alpha) Family Technical Information (order number
EK-ALMIA-TI. A01). This optional manual contains detailed technical information
for value-added resellers (VARs) and independent software vendors.

Preface
xvi
This guide includes basic information on AlphaBIOS. Those Windows NT operating
system users who would like more detail on AlphaBIOS may wish to consult the Digital
Windows Enterprise Computing Infocenter located at http://www.windows.digital.com/.
Select Service and Support; then under Firmware and Drivers, choose Alpha-based
systems, and press the Go! button. At the Windows NT Drivers and Firmware page, select
the latest Configuration Guide. (The "guide" consists a .zip file containing the AlphaBIOS
information in .hlp and .txt formats.)
For other product-related information, we suggest that you consult our Web site at
http://www.workstation.digital.com/. Your distributor or Digital representative also can
provide you with information on products and services.
Feedback
Our readers' opinions about this guide or any other Digital manual is important to us. If
you have any comments, we'd appreciate your taking the time to send us electronic mail at
[email protected].
Please reference order number EK-ALMIA-UI. A01 in your correspondence about this
manual.

1-1
1
Getting Started
Introduction
Your Digital Personal Workstation (Alpha) is a high-performance system that uses the
latest microprocessor and core logic technology. The system, housed in a mini-tower box,
can stand alone or function as a client in an office network environment. This chapter
includes an inventory list of the items shipped with your system and describes how to start,
install, restart, and turn off your system. You can also find information here about
preloaded software as well as guidelines for system security. Figure 1–1 shows a typical
Digital Personal Workstation (Alpha) configuration.
ML013566
Figure 1–1: Digital Personal Workstation (Alpha)

Getting Started
1-2
System Inventory
Check to make sure you received the following components with your system, and note
the items in Appendix F, Equipment Log, for later reference:
Monitor Video cable
System box Microphone
Keyboard Headphone
Mouse Power cords
Documentation
Your system may include different components. Consult the shipping list that came with
your system for an accurate listing of parts. Also, you may refer to the Quick Setup Guide
(ER-B30WW-IM. A01) you received for a pictorial representation of the system.
If you think something is missing, contact your distributor or Digital representative.

Getting Started
1-3
Before Starting Your System
Before you start your system, perform the following steps:
1. Review the information supplied with your system.
2. 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.
3. 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 safely lift
alone. If you are doubtful about whether you can lift these items alone,
please get assistance.
____________________________________________________________

Getting Started
1-4
Posture and Work Habits
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 Figure 1–2 and. In addition, be sure to adjust your work space so that you are
comfortable, and change your position frequently.
Additional ergonomic information is provided on the CD-ROM that you received with
your system.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
MLO-011325
Figure 1–2: Recommendations for Posture and Work Habits
________________________WARNING___________________________
If you experience pain or discomfort while using your system, rest and
review the instructions for posture and work habits. If the pain or
discomfort continues after resuming work, discontinue use and report the
condition to your job supervisor or physician.
____________________________________________________________