Digital Equipment Personal DECstation 5000 50 Manual

PersonalDECstation5000Model50
Operator’sGuide
Order Number: EK–4MAXI–OP. A01
Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, Massachusetts

First Printing, April 1993
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 may appear in this document.
The software described in this document is furnished under a license and may be used or copied
only in accordance with the terms of such license.
All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
© Digital Equipment Corporation 1993.
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: DEC, DECconnect, DECnet,
DECstation, DECsystem, DECUS, DESTA, ThinWire, TURBOchannel, ULTRIX, ULTRIX-32, and
the DIGITAL logo.
Motif is a trademark of the Open Software Foundation, Inc. MS–DOS is a registered trademark
of Microsoft Corporation. PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc. Velcro is
a trademark of Velcro USA, Inc.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
FCC NOTICE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. 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 not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area
is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.
This document is available on CD–ROM.
S2081
This document was prepared using VAX DOCUMENT, Version 2.1.

Contents
Preface ..................................................... xiii
Part I Introducing Your Workstation
1 The Five Basic Parts
1.1 The System Unit . . ................................... 1–2
1.1.1 The Front of the System Unit ........................ 1–3
1.1.2 The Back of the System Unit ......................... 1–4
1.1.3 Icons on the System Unit . ........................... 1–4
1.2 Connecting the Monitor ................................ 1–5
1.3 Connecting the Keyboard ............................... 1–9
1.4 Connecting the Mouse ................................. 1–12
1.5 Connecting the Power Cord and Monitor Cable .............. 1–13
2 The Environment
2.1 Site Requirements . ................................... 2–1
2.1.1 Temperature and Humidity .......................... 2–1
2.1.2 Cleanliness....................................... 2–2
2.1.3 Interference . . . ................................... 2–2
2.2 Power Requirements .................................. 2–2
3 Starting and Testing
3.1 Turning On Your Workstation ........................... 3–1
3.2 Using the Power-Up Self-Test ........................... 3–2
3.3 Using the System Self-Test . . ........................... 3–2
3.4 Checking Your Workstation Configuration .................. 3–3
3.5 Booting Factory-Installed Software ....................... 3–4
3.6 Installing Workstation Software ......................... 3–5
3.7 Using the Workstation Software ......................... 3–5
iii

3.8 Turning Off Your Workstation ........................... 3–5
4 Moving Your Workstation
4.1 Dismantling Your Workstation ........................... 4–1
4.2 Packing Your Equipment ............................... 4–2
Part II External Additions to Your Workstation
5 Connecting to a Network
5.1 If Your Workstation Is Not Part of a Network ............... 5–2
5.2 Connecting Your Workstation to a Network ................. 5–3
5.2.1 Connecting to a ThickWire Network ................... 5–4
5.2.2 Connecting to a ThinWire Network . ................... 5–6
5.2.3 Connecting to a Twisted-Pair Network.................. 5–10
5.3 Finding Your Ethernet Address .......................... 5–15
6 External Storage Devices
6.1 Storage Devices You Can Add to Your Workstation . .......... 6–1
6.2 Guidelines for Connecting SCSI Storage Devices . . . .......... 6–3
6.3 Verifying the SCSI ID Settings .......................... 6–4
6.3.1 Factory-Assigned SCSI IDs .......................... 6–4
6.3.2 Verifying SCSI IDs ................................. 6–4
6.3.3 Changing SCSI IDs ................................ 6–6
6.4 Connecting an Expansion Box to the System Unit . . .......... 6–6
6.5 Linking Storage Devices Together ........................ 6–8
6.6 Testing an Expansion Box Installation. . ................... 6–12
7 Communication Devices
7.1 Connecting Communication Devices....................... 7–1
7.1.1 Connecting with a 25-Pin Connector ................... 7–2
7.1.2 Connecting with a Telephone-Jack Type of Connector
(MMJ) .......................................... 7–3
iv

8 The Server Configuration
8.1 Connecting a Console Terminal .......................... 8–3
8.2 Halting a Server . . ................................... 8–3
8.2.1 Default Settings for Using the Console Terminal .......... 8–4
8.2.2 Operational Background Information ................... 8–4
Part III Internal Additions to Your Workstation
9 Opening and Closing the System Unit
9.1 Opening the System Unit............................... 9–1
9.2 Using the Antistatic Wrist Strap ......................... 9–3
9.3 Closing the System Unit ............................... 9–4
10 Internal Storage Devices
10.1 Disk Drives That Digital Supports ........................ 10–1
10.2 Installing a Floppy Disk Drive ........................... 10–2
10.2.1 To Check the Drive Select Number . ................... 10–2
10.2.2 To Install the Floppy Drive .......................... 10–2
10.3 Testing a Floppy Disk Drive Installation ................... 10–6
10.4 Removing a Floppy Disk Drive........................... 10–7
10.5 Setting the Hard Disk Drive SCSI IDs . ................... 10–9
10.5.0.1 RZ23L Hard Disk Drive .......................... 10–10
10.5.0.2 RZ24L Hard Disk Drive .......................... 10–11
10.5.0.3 RZ25 Hard Disk Drive ........................... 10–12
10.5.0.4 RZ26 Hard Disk Drive ........................... 10–15
10.6 Installing a Hard Disk Drive . ........................... 10–16
10.7 Testing a Hard Disk Drive Installation . ................... 10–19
10.8 Removing a Hard Disk Drive . ........................... 10–20
11 Memory Modules
11.1 Identifying Memory Modules . ........................... 11–1
11.2 Adding Memory to Your Workstation . . . ................... 11–5
11.3 Testing the Memory Module Installation ................... 11–7
11.4 Removing Memory from Your Workstation.................. 11–8
v

12 CPU Modules
12.1 Removing a CPU Module ............................... 12–1
12.2 Installing a CPU Module ............................... 12–4
12.3 Testing Your CPU Module . . . ........................... 12–8
Part IV Workstation Management
13 Using the Console Program
13.1 Operating and Console Modes ........................... 13–1
13.2 Entering Console Mode ................................ 13–2
13.3 Console Command Conventions and Terms ................. 13–3
13.3.1 Conventions Used ................................. 13–4
13.3.2 Definition of Terms ................................ 13–4
13.4 Summary of Console Commands ......................... 13–6
13.4.1 ? Command . . . ................................... 13–7
13.4.2 boot Command . ................................... 13–7
13.4.3 cat Command . . ................................... 13–9
13.4.4 cnfg Command . ................................... 13–9
13.4.5 d Command . . . ................................... 13–12
13.4.6 erl Command . . ................................... 13–12
13.4.7 go Command . . ................................... 13–13
13.4.8 init Command . ................................... 13–13
13.4.9 ls Command . . . ................................... 13–13
13.4.10 passwd Command ................................. 13–14
13.4.11 printenv Command ................................ 13–14
13.4.12 restart Command .................................. 13–15
13.4.13 script Command ................................... 13–15
13.4.14 setenv Command .................................. 13–15
13.4.15 sh Command . . ................................... 13–17
13.4.16 t Command . . . ................................... 13–18
13.4.17 test Command . ................................... 13–18
13.4.18 unsetenv Command ................................ 13–18
14 Troubleshooting
14.1 Troubleshooting Techniques . . ........................... 14–1
14.2 Invoking the Power-up Self-Test ......................... 14–2
14.3 Interpreting Video Error Messages ....................... 14–3
14.4 Minimum Configuration Troubleshooting with the System
LED............................................... 14–5
vi

14.5 Understanding the Power-up Self-Test Sequence and the LED
Indicator ........................................... 14–6
14.5.1 The Power-up Sequence . . ........................... 14–7
14.5.2 When the Power-up LED Indicator Is Inactive . .......... 14–10
Part V Appendixes
A Regulatory Information for the UK
A.1 Service Requirements ................................. A–2
A.2 Approvals for Digital Circuits ........................... A–2
A.3 Host Independent Approvals . ........................... A–4
A.4 Host Power Rating . ................................... A–5
A.5 Environmental Conditions . . . ........................... A–5
A.6 Apparatus Between the Approved Apparatus and a Digital
Circuit (PTT) ........................................ A–5
B The Audio I/O Port and Multimedia
C Equipment Specifications
C.1 Personal DECstation 5000 System Unit. ................... C–2
C.2 RZ23L Hard Disk Drive ................................ C–3
C.3 RZ24L Hard Disk Drive ................................ C–5
C.4 RZ25 Hard Disk Drive ................................. C–6
C.5 RZ26 Hard Disk Drive ................................. C–7
C.6 RX26 Diskette Drive .................................. C–9
D Connector Pin Assignments
D.1 SCSI Connector . . . ................................... D–1
D.2 ThickWire Ethernet Connector........................... D–3
D.3 EIA RS232 Communications Connectors ................... D–4
D.4 Power Supply ........................................ D–5
D.5 ISDN Connector . . ................................... D–6
D.6 ACCESS.bus ........................................ D–6
D.7 Sound Connector . . ................................... D–7
D.8 Loopback Connector .................................. D–7
vii

E Drives You Can Connect to Your Workstation
Index
Figures
1–1 The System Unit .................................. 1–2
1–2 The Front of the System Unit ........................ 1–3
1–3 The Back of the System Unit ......................... 1–4
1–4 Icons on the Back of the System Unit .................. 1–5
1–5 Connecting the Video Cable to the VRC16 Monitor ........ 1–6
1–6 Connecting the Video Cable to the VRM17 Monitor ........ 1–6
1–7 Connecting the Monitor Cable to the Video Connector on the
Back of the System Unit . ........................... 1–7
1–8 Connecting the Monitor . . ........................... 1–8
1–9 LK501 Keyboard .................................. 1–9
1–10 Tilting the Keyboard ............................... 1–10
1–11 Connecting the Keyboard Cable to the Workstation ........ 1–11
1–12 Connectors on the LK501 Keyboard . ................... 1–11
1–13 Mouse .......................................... 1–12
1–14 Connecting the Mouse . . . ........................... 1–13
1–15 Power Cable and Power Cord ......................... 1–14
2–1 Voltage Labels . ................................... 2–3
5–1 Connecting the Loopback Connector ................... 5–2
5–2 Unlocking the Sliding Lock on the System Unit Ethernet
Connector ........................................ 5–3
5–3 Locking the Sliding Lock on the System Unit Ethernet
Connector ........................................ 5–4
5–4 ThickWire Ethernet cable ........................... 5–5
5–5 Connecting the ThickWire Ethernet Cable to the System
Unit . ........................................... 5–6
5–6 Parts Used to Connect a ThinWire Network . . . .......... 5–7
5–7 Connecting a ThickWire cable to the ThinWire Adapter . . . . 5–8
5–8 Attaching a T-connector . . ........................... 5–9
5–9 Attaching a T-connector Terminator . ................... 5–10
5–10 ThickWire Ethernet Cable ........................... 5–11
viii

5–11 Connecting the ThickWire Ethernet Cable to the System
Unit . ........................................... 5–11
5–12 Parts for Connecting to a Twisted-Pair Ethernet Network . . . 5–12
5–13 Connecting the Adapter to the ThickWire Cable .......... 5–13
5–14 Connecting the Twisted-Pair Cable to the Adapter ........ 5–14
6–1 SCSI Connector on the System Unit ................... 6–2
6–2 Attaching a System-Unit-to-Expansion-Box Cable to the
SCSI Connector on the System Unit ................... 6–7
6–3 Attaching a System-Unit-to-Expansion-Box Cable to a
Typical Expansion Box . . . ........................... 6–8
6–4 Connecting Expansion Boxes in a Chain ................ 6–9
6–5 Terminating the Final Expansion Box .................. 6–10
6–6 Connecting a Power Cord to an Expansion Box . .......... 6–11
7–1 Connectors and Adapter for Communication Devices ....... 7–1
7–2 Connecting a 25-pin Connector ....................... 7–2
7–3 A Communications Connector Adapter ................. 7–3
7–4 Using an Adapter to Connect a Communications Device to
the System Unit ................................... 7–4
8–1 Installing a Console Terminal ........................ 8–2
9–1 Removing the System Unit Cover . . ................... 9–2
9–2 Attaching the Antistatic Wrist Strap ................... 9–3
10–1 Checking the Drive Select Number on a Floppy Disk
Drive ........................................... 10–2
10–2 Floppy Disk Drive and Mounting Bracket ............... 10–3
10–3 Connecting the FDI Cable and the Internal Drive Power
Cable to the Floppy Disk Drive ....................... 10–4
10–4 Installing the Floppy Disk Drive in the System Unit ....... 10–5
10–5 Connecting the FDI Cable and the Internal Drive Power
Cable ........................................... 10–6
10–6 Removing a Floppy Disk Drive........................ 10–8
10–7 SCSI ID Jumper Settings for the RZ23L Hard Disk Drive. . 10–10
10–8 SCSI ID Jumper Settings for the RZ24L Hard Disk Drive. . 10–11
10–9 SCSI ID Settings Using the Pins on the Side of the RZ25
Drive ........................................... 10–13
10–10 SCSI ID Jumper Settings Using the Pins on the Front of the
RZ25 Drive....................................... 10–14
10–11 SCSI ID Jumper Settings for the RZ26 Hard Disk Drive . . . . 10–15
10–12 Hard Disk Drive and Mounting Bracket ................ 10–16
ix

10–13 Connecting the SCSI Cable and the Internal Drive Power
Cable to the Hard Disk Drive ........................ 10–17
10–14 Installing the Hard Disk Drive in the System Unit ........ 10–18
10–15 Connecting the SCSI Cable and the Internal Drive Power
Cable to the Base System Module . . ................... 10–19
10–16 Removing a Hard Disk Drive ......................... 10–21
11–1 Identifying 2-MB Memory Modules . ................... 11–3
11–2 Identifying 8-MB Memory Modules . ................... 11–4
11–3 Memory Module Connectors .......................... 11–6
11–4 Inserting a Memory Module .......................... 11–6
11–5 Installing a Memory Module ......................... 11–7
11–6 Releasing the Latches on a Slot Connector .............. 11–9
11–7 Removing a Memory Module ......................... 11–9
12–1 The CPU and its Mounting Posts. . . ................... 12–2
12–2 Releasing the Lock on a Mounting Post ................. 12–3
12–3 CPU Module and Base Module Connector ............... 12–4
12–4 R4000 CPU Module Switch Packet Settings . . . .......... 12–5
12–5 Attaching the CPU Module .......................... 12–6
12–6 Removing the Nameplate Medallion ................... 12–7
12–7 Attaching the Product Conversion Label ................ 12–8
14–1 Flash Sequence of the Diagnostic LED Indicator .......... 14–8
A–1 System Module J-Connector Locations .................. A–6
Tables
1Conventions Used ................................. xiii
6–1 Commonly Preassigned SCSI IDs . . ................... 6–4
8–1 Alternate Terminal Settings .......................... 8–3
11–1 Identifying Memory Modules ......................... 11–2
11–2 Memory Module Configurations ....................... 11–5
13–1 Console Commands ................................ 13–6
13–2 Module Codes . . ................................... 13–11
13–3 SCSI Device Codes ................................. 13–11
13–4 Environment Variables. . . ........................... 13–16
14–1 Diagnostic Tests for Base System . . . ................... 14–4
14–2 Identification Codes for Selected TURBOchannel Options . . . 14–4
14–3 Interpreting Diagnostic LED Indicator at Power-Up ....... 14–9
x

14–4 Interpreting Diagnostic LED Indicator During First 30
Seconds After Power-Up (Firmware Initialization Period) . . . 14–9
14–5 Interpreting Diagnostic LED Indicator During Second
30 Seconds Following First Video (Power-Up Self-Test
Period) .......................................... 14–10
A–1 PMBA-AA Service Requirements . . . ................... A–2
A–2 Clearance and Creepage Specs for PMBA-AA . . .......... A–4
A–3 Module Power Rating for PMBA-AA ................... A–5
B–1 XMedia (Software) Kits . . ........................... B–2
B–2 DECmedia (Hardware) Kits .......................... B–3
C–1 System Unit Description . ........................... C–2
C–2 System Unit Operating Conditions . ................... C–2
C–3 System Unit Nonoperating Conditions .................. C–3
C–4 Acoustics—Preliminary Declared Values per ISO 9296 and
ISO 7779 ........................................ C–3
C–5 RZ23L Hard Disk Drive Description ................... C–3
C–6 RZ23L Hard Disk Drive Operating Conditions . .......... C–4
C–7 RZ23L Hard Disk Drive Nonoperating Conditions ......... C–4
C–8 RZ24L Hard Disk Drive Description ................... C–5
C–9 RZ24L Hard Disk Drive Operating Conditions . .......... C–5
C–10 RZ24L Hard Disk Drive Nonoperating Conditions ......... C–6
C–11 RZ25 Hard Disk Drive Description . ................... C–6
C–12 RZ25 Hard Disk Drive Operating Conditions . . . .......... C–7
C–13 RZ25 Hard Disk Drive Nonoperating Conditions .......... C–7
C–14 RZ26 Hard Disk Drive Specifications ................... C–7
C–15 RZ26 Hard Disk Drive Operating Conditions . . . .......... C–8
C–16 RZ26 Hard Disk Drive Nonoperating Conditions .......... C–8
C–17 RX26 Diskette Drive Specifications (formatted) . .......... C–9
C–18 RX26 Diskette Drive Operating Conditions .............. C–10
C–19 RX26 Diskette Drive Nonoperating Conditions . .......... C–10
D–1 SCSI Connector Pin Assignments . . ................... D–1
D–2 ThickWire Ethernet Connector Pin Assignments .......... D–3
D–3 EIA RS232 Communications Connectors Pin Assignments. . . D–4
D–4 Power Supply Pin Assignments ....................... D–5
D–5 ISDN Connector ................................... D–6
D–6 ACCESS.bus Pin Assignments ........................ D–7
D–7 Sound Connector .................................. D–7
xi

D–8 Summary of Loopback Connectors . . ................... D–7
D–9 Ethernet Loopback Connector Pin Assignments. .......... D–8
D–10 Modem Loopback Connector Pin Assignments . . .......... D–8
xii

Preface
This guide explains how to operate the hardware components of your Personal
DECstation 5000 Model 50 workstation.
Table 1 Conventions Used
Convention Use
Boldface type Indicates a command that you type.
Caution note Information that protects the workstation from being damaged
is set off in a caution note.
italic type Indicates variables and complete titles of manuals.
Monospace type Indicates type that appears on your monitor.
xiii

PartI
Introducing Your Workstation

1
The Five Basic Parts
This chapter describes the following topics:
• The System Unit
• Connecting the Monitor
• Connecting the Keyboard
• Connecting the Mouse
• Connecting the Power Cord and Monitor Cable
The Personal DECstation 5000 Model 50 is a desktop workstation that can
be configured in many different ways. Certain basic parts–the system unit, a
monitor, a keyboard, a pointing device–will always be present1The type and
number of other parts–such as memory modules and internal and external
storage devices–will vary.
A basic system has 8 megabytes of memory and may include an internal
hard disk drive and an internal floppy disk drive. There are two slots for
TURBOchannel option modules. Later chapters of this guide explain how you
can expand both the workstation’s storage capacity and its memory.
1When used as a server, the Personal DECstation is usually configured without a
graphics monitor and its corresponding LK501 keyboard, as explained in Chapter 8.
The Five Basic Parts 1–1

1.1 The System Unit
1.1 The System Unit
Figure 1–1 The System Unit
WSMXS103
.
The system unit is designed to sit flat on a level surface with the monitor on
top of or next to it.
Caution
Do not stand the system unit on its side. This can block the cooling
vents and damage the unit.
1–2 The Five Basic Parts

1.1 The System Unit
1.1.1 The Front of the System Unit
The front of the system unit has a green indicator light (LED). When you turn
on your workstation, the light flickers for a while as the system performs its
self-tests and then glows steadily once the system is up and running.
Figure 1–2 The Front of the System Unit
Power-up
indicator light
WSMXS005
.
The Five Basic Parts 1–3

1.1 The System Unit
1.1.2 The Back of the System Unit
On the back of the system unit you will find:
• The On/Off switch. Press the | on the switch to turn the power on. Press
the O on the switch to turn the power off.
• The connectors shown in Figure 1–3.
Figure 1–3 The Back of the System Unit
WSMXS004
.
Turbochannel option slot 0
Turbochannel option slot 1
On/off switch
System unit power connector
Monitor-to-system-unit power connector
Graphics video connector
Serial communications connector
Keyboard-mouse connector
Sound connector
Base system ThickWire Ethernet
connector
Base system SCSI connector
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
1.1.3 Icons on the System Unit
Above each connector is a small picture, or icon, that describes the purpose of
that connector. Figure 1–4 shows the icons found on the back of the system
unit.
1–4 The Five Basic Parts