Digital Equipment DEC 3000 500X AXP User manual

DEC3000Model500XAXP
Owner’sGuide
Order Number: EK-D5AXP-OG. A01
Digital Equipment Corporation, Maynard, Massachusetts

First Printing, March, 1993
© Digital Equipment Corporation 1993.
All Rights Reserved.
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FCC NOTICE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
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These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
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S2234
This document is available on CD–ROM.
This document was prepared using VAX DOCUMENT, Version 2.1.

Contents
Preface ..................................................... xiii
Part I Basic Operations
1 Introduction to Your System
Chapter Overview . ................................... 1–1
An Overview of the DEC 3000 Model 500X AXP System ...... 1–2
Operating Systems ................................... 1–4
Software Product Descriptions (SPD) . . ................... 1–6
Graphics Capabilities ................................. 1–6
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) ................ 1–9
Audio Capabilities . ................................... 1–10
Available Options . ................................... 1–11
2 Preparing to Install the System
Chapter Overview . ................................... 2–1
Choosing a Location .................................. 2–2
Customizing Your Work Area ........................... 2–4
Moving Your System .................................. 2–6
Unpacking Your System ............................... 2–8
A Closer Look at Your System .......................... 2–11
Where to Go Next . ................................... 2–16
iii

3 Installing the System
Chapter Overview . ................................... 3–1
Before You Begin . . ................................... 3–2
Task Overview . . . ................................... 3–3
Connecting the DEC 3000 Model 500X AXP Workstation ...... 3–5
System Unit Cover Lock ............................... 3–17
Checking Your Installation . . ........................... 3–20
Where to Go Next . ................................... 3–21
4 Connecting the System to a Network
Chapter Overview . ................................... 4–1
Before You Begin . . ................................... 4–2
Connecting to an AUI Ethernet Network .................. 4–4
Connecting to a 10BASE-T Network . . . ................... 4–6
Connecting to a ThinWire Network ....................... 4–8
Setting and Verifying the Network Connection .............. 4–12
Completing the Network Connection . . ................... 4–14
5 Starting Up the System
Chapter Overview . ................................... 5–1
Before You Begin . . ................................... 5–2
Turning On the DEC 3000 Model 500X AXP System ......... 5–3
Reviewing the Startup Display .......................... 5–6
Starting a System with Factory-Installed Software .......... 5–8
Loading Operating System Software . . . ................... 5–13
Where to Go Next . ................................... 5–14
6 Turning Off the System
Chapter Overview . ................................... 6–1
Before You Begin . . ................................... 6–2
Task Overview . . . ................................... 6–3
Shutting Down the System . . ........................... 6–3
Halting the System ................................... 6–5
iv

7 Maintaining the System
Chapter Overview . ................................... 7–1
Before You Begin . . ................................... 7–2
Maintaining the System Unit and Keyboard ................ 7–2
Cleaning the Monitor ................................. 7–4
Cleaning the Mouse .................................. 7–4
Removing the Front Access Door ........................ 7–6
Part II Advanced Operations
8 Using Console Commands
Chapter Overview . ................................... 8–1
Before You Begin . . ................................... 8–2
Modes of System Operation . ........................... 8–3
Console Mode User Interface ........................... 8–4
Console Commands ................................... 8–6
The boot Command ................................... 8–8
The continue Command ............................... 8–11
The halt Command ................................... 8–11
The help Command ................................... 8–12
The help advanced Command ........................... 8–13
The set or setenv Command . ........................... 8–14
The show or printenv Command ......................... 8–15
The test Command ................................... 8–16
9 Changing Environment Variables
Chapter Overview . ................................... 9–1
Before You Begin . . ................................... 9–2
Available Environment Variables ........................ 9–2
Displaying Current Environment Variables ................ 9–4
Changing the Default Startup Action (auto_action) .......... 9–5
Changing the Default Boot Device (bootdef_dev) . . . .......... 9–7
Changing the Default Diagnostic Startup Mode (diag_quick) . . . 9–9
Changing the Default Keyboard Language (language) ........ 9–10
v

10 Using the Password Security Feature
Chapter Overview . ................................... 10–1
Before You Can Use This Chapter ....................... 10–2
Before You Begin . . ................................... 10–3
Task Overview . . . ................................... 10–5
Entering a Password .................................. 10–5
Enabling System Security . . . ........................... 10–7
Forgetting the Password ............................... 10–8
Disabling or Changing the Password . . ................... 10–9
11 Using an Alternate Console
Chapter Overview . ................................... 11–1
Before You Begin . . ................................... 11–2
Using the Alternate Console Feature . . ................... 11–3
Part III Handling Problems
12 Identifying a Problem
Chapter Overview . ................................... 12–1
Before You Begin . . ................................... 12–2
Task Overview . . . ................................... 12–3
Determining Type of Problem ........................... 12–4
Startup Problems . ................................... 12–6
Interpreting the show Command Display .................. 12–12
Display Problems . ................................... 12–21
Daily Operations Problems . . ........................... 12–24
SCSI Device Problems ................................. 12–25
Network Problems ................................... 12–28
Where to Go Next . ................................... 12–29
13 Running Diagnostic Tests
Chapter Overview . ................................... 13–1
Before You Begin . . ................................... 13–2
Task Overview . . . ................................... 13–3
Running Diagnostic Tests . . . ........................... 13–4
Recording the Diagnostic Display Light Pattern . . . .......... 13–8
Reporting Problems to Digital Services . ................... 13–10
Handling Problems Worksheet .......................... 13–16
vi

Part IV Appendixes
A Hardware Specifications
Appendix Overview ................................... A–1
System Specifications ................................. A–2
B Port Pin-outs
Appendix Overview ................................... B–1
Alternate Console/Printer Port .......................... B–2
Synchronous/Asynchronous Communications Port . .......... B–3
External SCSI Port ................................... B–5
Keyboard/Mouse or Tablet Port .......................... B–7
AUI Ethernet Port ................................... B–8
ISDN Port .......................................... B–10
10BASE-T Port . . . ................................... B–11
Audio Port .......................................... B–12
C European Economic Community (EEC) Considerations
Appendix Overview ................................... C–1
EEC Installation Instructions for Nonshielded Cables ........ C–2
D Associated Documents
Appendix Overview ................................... D–1
Associated Printed Documents .......................... D–2
OpenVMS AXP Documentation .......................... D–5
DEC OSF/1 AXP Documentation ........................ D–6
E Special Information for PTT Network Users
Appendix Overview ................................... E–1
Service Categories . ................................... E–2
Host Power Rating ................................... E–3
Module Isolation . . ................................... E–4
Safety Warnings for UK Installations Only ................. E–5
Cable Approval . . . ................................... E–7
Supported Cables . ................................... E–8
Equipment Between the Approved Module and a Digital Circuit
(PTT) . . ........................................... E–9
vii

Glossary
Index
Figures
1–1 The DEC 3000 Model 500X AXP Workstation . . .......... 1–2
1–2 Audio Ports on the DEC 3000 Model 500X AXP .......... 1–10
2–1 Dimensions of System . . . ........................... 2–2
2–2 Positioning Components . . ........................... 2–4
2–3 The DEC 3000 Model 500X AXP System Handle ......... 2–6
2–4 Lifting the DEC 3000 Model 500X AXP ................. 2–7
2–5 Required Workstation Components and Parts . . .......... 2–9
2–6 Components and Parts to Save ....................... 2–10
2–7 Back of System Unit ............................... 2–12
2–8 Front of System Unit ............................... 2–14
3–1 Parts Needed to Install Your Workstation ............... 3–3
3–2 Attaching the Ethernet Loopback Connector . . . .......... 3–5
3–3 Connecting the Keyboard/Mouse Extension Cable ......... 3–6
3–4 Connecting the Keyboard and Mouse to the Keyboard/Mouse
Extension Cable ................................... 3–7
3–5 Connecting the Universal Strain Relief Strap . . .......... 3–9
3–6 Connecting the Monitor Video Cable ................... 3–12
3–7 Factory-Installed Software Sticker . . ................... 3–13
3–8 Connecting the System Power Cord to System. . .......... 3–14
3–9 Checking the Video Refresh Switch . ................... 3–15
3–10 Checking the Alternate Console Switch ................. 3–16
3–11 System Unit Cover Keys . ........................... 3–17
3–12 Locking the System Unit Cover ....................... 3–19
3–13 A Connected Workstation . ........................... 3–20
4–1 Connecting to an AUI Ethernet Network ................ 4–5
4–2 Connecting a 10BASE-T Network Cable ................ 4–7
4–3 Connecting the AUI Ethernet Cable to the DECXM
Transceiver or a DESTA Unit ........................ 4–9
4–4 Connecting the ThinWire Cables and T-Connector to the
DECXM Transceiver or a DESTA Unit ................. 4–10
4–5 Terminating the Ethernet Connection .................. 4–11
viii

5–1 Turning On the DEC 3000 Model 500X AXP System ....... 5–5
5–2 Startup Display ................................... 5–6
5–3 OpenVMS AXP Initial Startup Display ................. 5–9
5–4 OpenVMS AXP DECwindows Motif Start Session Screen . . . 5–10
5–5 DEC OSF/1 AXP Initial Startup Display ................ 5–11
5–6 DEC OSF/1 AXP DECwindows Motif Start Session
Screen .......................................... 5–12
6–1 Turning Off the System Unit ........................ 6–4
6–2 Pressing the Halt Button . ........................... 6–6
6–3 System Halt Message ............................... 6–7
7–1 Removing/Replacing the Mouse Cover Plate . . . .......... 7–5
7–2 Removing the Front Access Door . . . ................... 7–7
9–1 The show device Display . ........................... 9–8
11–1 Attaching a Device to the
Alternate Console/Printer Port........................ 11–4
11–2 Changing the Alternate Console Switch................. 11–5
12–1 Power Indicator Light . . . ........................... 12–7
12–2 Startup Display with Error .......................... 12–9
12–3 Configuration Display with Error. . . ................... 12–13
12–4 The show device Display . ........................... 12–15
12–5 The show error Display . . ........................... 12–19
12–6 The show memory Display .......................... 12–20
13–1 SCC Diagnostic Test Display ......................... 13–5
13–2 SCC Test Display with Error ......................... 13–6
13–3 Initializing Your System. . ........................... 13–7
13–4 Initializing the System with the SCC Test ............... 13–7
13–5 Position of Diagnostic Display Lights................... 13–8
13–6 Console Mode Diagnostic Lights . . . ................... 13–9
13–7 Serial and Model Numbers .......................... 13–11
13–8 Connecting the 10BASE-T Loopback Connector . .......... 13–13
13–9 Connecting the Alternate Console/Printer Loopback
Connector ........................................ 13–14
13–10 Connecting the Modem Loopback Connector . . . .......... 13–15
B–1 Alternate Console/Printer Port........................ B–2
B–2 Synchronous/Asynchronous Communications Port......... B–3
B–3 External SCSI Port ................................ B–5
B–4 Keyboard/Mouse or Tablet Port ....................... B–7
ix

B–5 AUI Ethernet Port ................................. B–8
B–6 ISDN Port ....................................... B–10
B–7 10BASE-T Port ................................... B–11
B–8 Audio Port ....................................... B–12
C–1 Connecting a Pigtail Grounding Wire .................. C–3
E–1 Front View ....................................... E–6
E–2 Connector Pin Layout . . . ........................... E–7
Tables
1Parts Description .................................. xiii
1–1 Graphics Capabilities for OpenVMS AXP ............... 1–7
1–2 Graphics Capabilities for DEC OSF/1 AXP .............. 1–8
1–3 Setting Up Multiple Graphics Devices .................. 1–8
2–1 Positioning Your System Components .................. 2–5
2–2 Back of the System Unit . ........................... 2–13
2–3 Front of the System Unit . ........................... 2–15
2–4 Where to Go Next ................................. 2–16
3–1 Steps to Install Your DEC 3000 Model 500X AXP
Workstation . . . ................................... 3–4
3–2 Making Monitor Connectors .......................... 3–10
3–3 Connecting the Monitor Cords ........................ 3–11
3–4 Where to Go Next ................................. 3–21
4–1 Required Network Cables ........................... 4–3
4–2 Steps for Connecting an AUI Ethernet Network .......... 4–4
4–3 Steps for Connecting a ThinWire Ethernet Network ....... 4–8
4–4 DECXM and DESTA Documentation ................... 4–11
4–5 Network Settings .................................. 4–12
5–1 Steps for Starting Your System ....................... 5–4
5–2 Startup Display Information ......................... 5–7
5–3 Factory-Installed Software Documentation .............. 5–8
5–4 Start the Operating System .......................... 5–13
5–5 Where to Go Next ................................. 5–14
6–1 Current System Status . . ........................... 6–2
6–2 Steps to Shutting Down Your System .................. 6–3
6–3 Operating System Shutdown Procedure ................. 6–3
6–4 Halting the Operating Systems ....................... 6–5
x