Digital Equipment DECpc AXP 150 Manual

DECpcAXP150and
DEC2000Model300AXP
CustomerTechnicalInformation
Order Number: EK-A0636-TM.001
July 1993
This manual describes how to use the system firmware and how to test,
troubleshoot, and upgrade the DECpc AXP 150 and DEC 2000 Model 300
AXP systems.
Revision Information: This is a new manual.
Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, Massachusetts

First Printing, July 1993
Possession, use, or copying of the software described in this documentation is
authorized only pursuant to a valid written license from Digital, an authorized,
sublicensor, or the identified licensor.
While Digital believes the information included in this publication is correct as
of the date of publication, it is subject to change without notice.
Digital Equipment Corporation makes no representations that the
interconnection of its products in the manner described in this document
will not infringe existing or future patent rights, nor do the descriptions
contained in this document imply the granting of licenses to make, use, or sell
equipment or software in accordance with the description.
© Digital Equipment Corporation 1993.
All Rights Reserved.
The postpaid Reader’s Comments forms at the end of this document request
your critical evaluation to assist in preparing future documentation.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation: AXP, DEC,
DECchip, Digital, OpenVMS, RRD42, RX, RZ, VAX DOCUMENT, the AXP logo,
and the DIGITAL logo.
OSF and OSF/1 are registered trademarks of the Open Software Foundation,
Inc.
Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows NT is a trademark of
Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their
respective holders.
This document was prepared using VAX DOCUMENT, Version 2.1.

Contents
Preface ..................................................... xxv
1 Using the System Firmware
Introduction . . . ................................... 1–1
In This Chapter ................................... 1–1
OpenVMS and OSF/1 Console Description .................. 1–2
Summary ........................................ 1–2
Environment Variables Affecting the Console . . .......... 1–2
OpenVMS and OSF/1 Console Uses . ................... 1–2
Entering the OpenVMS and OSF/1 Console .............. 1–3
Windows NT Firmware Description ....................... 1–4
Summary ........................................ 1–4
Environment Variables Affecting the Firmware . .......... 1–4
Windows NT Firmware Uses ......................... 1–5
Entering the Windows NT Firmware ................... 1–5
Switching from the OpenVMS and OSF/1 Console to the
Windows NT Firmware ................................ 1–6
Summary ........................................ 1–6
Switch Procedure .................................. 1–6
Switch Example ................................... 1–7
Switch Result . . ................................... 1–7
Switching from the Windows NT Firmware to the OpenVMS and
OSF/1 Console ....................................... 1–8
Summary ........................................ 1–8
Switch Procedure .................................. 1–8
Reboot Selection Menu . . . ........................... 1–9
Getting Help on the OpenVMS and OSF/1 Console . .......... 1–10
Summary ........................................ 1–10
OpenVMS and OSF/1 Console Help . ................... 1–10
HELP Command .................................. 1–10
HELP ADVANCED Command ........................ 1–11
HELP SET and HELP SHOW Commands ............... 1–11
iii

Getting Help on the Windows NT Firmware ................ 1–12
Summary ........................................ 1–12
Windows NT Firmware Help . ........................ 1–12
Displaying the Setup Menu Help Screen ................ 1–12
Setup Menu Example ............................... 1–13
Help Example .................................... 1–13
2 Using the Windows NT Firmware
Introduction ...................................... 2–1
In This Chapter . . . ................................ 2–1
Windows NT Firmware Introduction ...................... 2–2
Summary ........................................ 2–2
Boot Menu Functions ............................... 2–2
Supplementary Menu Functions ...................... 2–2
Setup Menu Functions .............................. 2–3
Key Functions .................................... 2–3
Accessing the Boot Menu ............................... 2–4
Summary ........................................ 2–4
Access Procedure . . ................................ 2–4
Boot Menu Example ................................ 2–4
Booting the Default Windows NT Boot Selection ............. 2–5
Summary ........................................ 2–5
Booting the Default Boot Selection .................... 2–5
If Errors Occur .................................... 2–5
Example . ........................................ 2–5
Booting an Alternative Windows NT Boot Selection . . . ....... 2–6
Summary ........................................ 2–6
Booting an Alternative Boot Selection . . ................ 2–6
If Errors Occur .................................... 2–6
Example 1 ....................................... 2–7
Example 2 ....................................... 2–7
Running a Program . . . ................................ 2–8
Summary ........................................ 2–8
Valid Programs . . . ................................ 2–8
Running a Program ................................ 2–8
Device Names .................................... 2–8
Path and Program Names . . . ........................ 2–9
Example . ........................................ 2–9
Accessing the Supplementary Menu....................... 2–10
Summary ........................................ 2–10
Accessing the Supplementary Menu.................... 2–10
Supplementary Menu Example ....................... 2–10
iv

Updating the Firmware ................................ 2–11
Summary ........................................ 2–11
Important Safety Rules . . ........................... 2–11
Updating the Firmware . . ........................... 2–11
Alternative Method ................................ 2–12
Firmware Update Utility Example. . ................... 2–13
Accessing the Setup Menu . . . ........................... 2–14
Summary ........................................ 2–14
Accessing the Setup Menu ........................... 2–14
Identifying and Correcting Setup Errors ................ 2–14
Setup Menu Example ............................... 2–15
Listing Windows NT Firmware Device Names ............... 2–16
Summary ........................................ 2–16
Listing the Device Names ........................... 2–16
Windows NT Firmware Device Names .................. 2–16
Available Hardware Devices Display ................... 2–17
Setting the System Date and Time from the Windows NT
Firmware ........................................... 2–18
Summary ........................................ 2–18
Setting the Date and Time ........................... 2–18
Set System Time Example ........................... 2–19
Setting the Default System Partition . . . ................... 2–20
Summary ........................................ 2–20
System Partition Definition .......................... 2–20
Setting the System Partition ......................... 2–20
Default System Partition Example. . ................... 2–21
Effects of This Procedure . ........................... 2–21
Configuring the System Diskette Drives ................... 2–22
Summary ........................................ 2–22
Configuring the System Diskette Drives ................ 2–22
Diskette Drive Configuration Example ................. 2–23
Effects of This Procedure . ........................... 2–23
Setting the System to Boot Automatically .................. 2–24
Summary ........................................ 2–24
Setting the System to Boot Automatically ............... 2–24
Setup Autoboot Example . ........................... 2–25
Effects of This Procedure . ........................... 2–25
Editing the System Environment Variables ................. 2–26
Summary ........................................ 2–26
Important Information . . . ........................... 2–26
Editing Environment Variables ....................... 2–26
Edit Environment Variables Example .................. 2–27
Effects of This Procedure . ........................... 2–27
v

Default Windows NT Firmware Environment Variables ....... 2–28
Summary ........................................ 2–28
Important Information .............................. 2–28
Default Environment Variables ....................... 2–28
Other Environment Variables ........................ 2–29
Resetting the System to Factory Defaults . . ................ 2–30
Summary ........................................ 2–30
Resetting to Factory Defaults. ........................ 2–30
Effects of This Procedure ............................ 2–30
Saving the System Set-Up or Quitting the Setup Menu. ....... 2–31
Summary ........................................ 2–31
Saving the System Set-Up . . . ........................ 2–31
Quitting the Setup Menu ............................ 2–31
Other Setup Menu Functions ............................ 2–32
Summary ........................................ 2–32
Managing Boot Selections . . . ........................ 2–32
Running the ECU . ................................ 2–32
3 Managing Windows NT Boot Selections
Introduction ...................................... 3–1
In This Chapter . . . ................................ 3–1
Accessing the Boot Selections Menu....................... 3–2
Summary ........................................ 3–2
Accessing the Boot Selections Menu.................... 3–2
Boot Selections Menu Example ....................... 3–2
Information on Boot Selection Variables . . . ................ 3–3
Summary ........................................ 3–3
Boot Selection Variables ............................. 3–3
Adding a Boot Selection ................................ 3–4
Summary ........................................ 3–4
Adding a Boot Selection ............................. 3–4
Example . ........................................ 3–5
Checking the Boot Selections for Errors.................... 3–6
Summary ........................................ 3–6
Errors in Boot Selections ............................ 3–6
Checking the Boot Selections . ........................ 3–6
Example . ........................................ 3–7
Changing a Boot Selection .............................. 3–8
Summary ........................................ 3–8
Changing a Boot Selection . . . ........................ 3–8
Example . ........................................ 3–9
Displaying the System Boot Selections .................... 3–10
vi

Summary ........................................ 3–10
Displaying the System Boot Selections ................. 3–10
Example ......................................... 3–11
Changing the Default Boot Selection . . . ................... 3–12
Summary ........................................ 3–12
Default Boot Selection Definition . . . ................... 3–12
Changing the Default Boot Selection ................... 3–12
Example ......................................... 3–13
Deleting a Boot Selection ............................... 3–14
Summary ........................................ 3–14
Deleting a Boot Selection . ........................... 3–14
Example ......................................... 3–14
4 Using the EISA Configuration Utility
Introduction . . . ................................... 4–1
In This Chapter ................................... 4–1
EISA Configuration Utility Overview . . . ................... 4–2
Summary ........................................ 4–2
Function of the ECU ............................... 4–2
Configuration Files ................................ 4–2
Copying the Configuration Diskette . ................... 4–2
Getting Help . . ................................... 4–3
Automatic Help Screens . . ........................... 4–3
Help Menu ....................................... 4–3
Important Information . . . ........................... 4–3
Running the ECU . ................................... 4–4
Summary ........................................ 4–4
Running the ECU from a Diskette . . ................... 4–4
Running the ECU from Another Location ............... 4–5
Quick Configuration ................................... 4–6
Summary ........................................ 4–6
When to Use This Procedure ......................... 4–6
Quick Configuration Procedure ....................... 4–6
Configuring an EISA Option . ........................... 4–7
Summary ........................................ 4–7
Configuration Procedure . ........................... 4–7
Configuring an ISA Option. . . ........................... 4–10
Summary ........................................ 4–10
Important Information . . . ........................... 4–10
Configuration Procedure . ........................... 4–11
Using the Generic ISA Configuration File .................. 4–14
Summary ........................................ 4–14
vii

Generic ISA Configuration Procedure . . ................ 4–14
Moving an EISA Option Board to Another Slot .............. 4–17
Summary ........................................ 4–17
Moving an EISA Option Board........................ 4–17
Moving an ISA Option Board to Another Slot ............... 4–18
Summary ........................................ 4–18
Moving an ISA Option Board . ........................ 4–18
Removing an Option Board ............................. 4–19
Summary ........................................ 4–19
Removing an Option Board . . ........................ 4–19
Changing Board Function and Resource Settings ............ 4–20
Summary ........................................ 4–20
Function and Resource Settings ....................... 4–20
Changing Function and Resource Settings ............... 4–21
Advanced ECU Features ............................... 4–22
Summary ........................................ 4–22
Accessing the Advanced Menu ........................ 4–22
Advanced Features. ................................ 4–22
Resolving a Conflict in the Configuration . . . ................ 4–24
Summary ........................................ 4–24
Causes of Configuration Conflicts ..................... 4–24
Detecting Conflicts . ................................ 4–24
Resolving the Conflict .............................. 4–24
5 Using the OpenVMS and OSF/1 Console
Introduction ...................................... 5–1
In This Chapter . . . ................................ 5–1
Displaying the OpenVMS and OSF/1 System Device Display . . . 5–2
Summary ........................................ 5–2
Displaying the System Device Display . . ................ 5–2
Using the System Device Display...................... 5–2
Identifying the Boot Devices . ........................ 5–2
System Device Display .............................. 5–3
Displaying the OpenVMS and OSF/1 System Device Display,
continued ........................................... 5–4
Displaying System Device Information . ................ 5–4
System Device Display .............................. 5–5
Displaying the System Configuration ...................... 5–6
Summary ........................................ 5–6
Displaying the System Device Display . . ................ 5–6
Using the System Configuration Display ................ 5–6
Interpreting the Display ............................ 5–6
viii

SHOW CONFIG Display . ........................... 5–7
Setting the Default Boot Device for OpenVMS and OSF/1 ...... 5–8
Summary ........................................ 5–8
Valid Settings . . ................................... 5–8
Setting the Default Boot Device ....................... 5–8
Important Information . . . ........................... 5–9
Default Boot Device Example......................... 5–9
Setting the Default Boot Flags for OpenVMS and OSF/1....... 5–10
Summary ........................................ 5–10
OpenVMS and OSF/1 Boot Flags . . . ................... 5–10
Setting the Default Boot Flags ........................ 5–10
Important Information . . . ........................... 5–10
Default Boot Flags Example ......................... 5–11
Setting the Default Startup Action ....................... 5–12
Summary ........................................ 5–12
Startup Action Values . . . ........................... 5–12
Setting the Startup Action ........................... 5–13
Default Startup Action Example . . . ................... 5–13
Setting the Default Keyboard Language (DECpc AXP 150
Systems Only) ....................................... 5–14
Summary ........................................ 5–14
Keyboard Languages ............................... 5–14
Setting the Keyboard Language ....................... 5–14
Default Keyboard Language Example .................. 5–15
Setting the Default Operating System from the OpenVMS and
OSF/1 Console ....................................... 5–16
Summary ........................................ 5–16
Operating System Names ........................... 5–16
Setting the Operating System ........................ 5–17
Default Operating System Example . ................... 5–17
Setting the HOST SCSI ID . . ........................... 5–18
Summary ........................................ 5–18
SCSI Buses . . . ................................... 5–18
SCSI IDs ........................................ 5–18
Setting the HOST SCSI ID .......................... 5–18
HOST SCSI ID Example . ........................... 5–19
ix

6 Troubleshooting the System
Introduction ...................................... 6–1
In This Chapter . . . ................................ 6–1
Before You Begin ..................................... 6–2
Summary ........................................ 6–2
Problem Solving Methods............................ 6–2
What You Must Do First ............................ 6–2
Determining the Problem ............................... 6–3
Summary ........................................ 6–3
Troubleshooting Table Titles . ........................ 6–3
Network Problems . ................................ 6–3
Power-Up Problems . . . ................................ 6–4
Summary ........................................ 6–4
Power-Up Troubleshooting . . ........................ 6–4
Boot Problems ....................................... 6–7
Summary ........................................ 6–7
Boot Troubleshooting .............................. 6–7
Keyboard and Mouse Problems (DECpc AXP 150 Systems
Only) .............................................. 6–8
Summary ........................................ 6–8
Keyboard and Mouse Troubleshooting . . ................ 6–8
SCSI Drive Problems . . ................................ 6–10
Summary ........................................ 6–10
Generic SCSI Drive Troubleshooting . . . ................ 6–10
RRD42 CD-ROM Drive Troubleshooting ................ 6–11
SCSI Drive Problems, continued ......................... 6–12
TLZ06 Tape Drive Troubleshooting .................... 6–12
TZK10 Tape Drive Troubleshooting .................... 6–13
Diskette Drive Problems ............................... 6–14
RX26 Diskette Drive Troubleshooting . . ................ 6–14
Network and Option Board Problems...................... 6–16
Summary ........................................ 6–16
Network Troubleshooting . . . ........................ 6–16
Option Board Troubleshooting ........................ 6–16
x