Digital Equipment STARION 200i User manual

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Service
Maintenance
Manual
STARION 200i/300i
PC Family
EK-A0851-SV. A01
Copyright Digital Equipment Corporation
All rights reserved

January 1996
January 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 Digital Equipment Corporation
All Rights Reserved
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
STARION and the Digital logo.
The following are third party trademarks:
MS-DOS and Windows and Windows NT and Windows NT Server are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
Novell and Netware are trademarks of Novell, Inc.
SCO and Open Desktop are trademarks of The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.
UNIX is a registered trademark of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
Created by:
MCS Logistics Engineering - Nijmegen
Printed in Ireland

Digital STARION 200i/300i PC Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
REVISION HISTORY................................................................................................................................7
PREFACE....................................................................................................................................................9
CHAPTER 1 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION............................................................................................11
PRODUCT INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................11
PRODUCT MODELS INFORMATION................................................................................................................13
CHAPTER 2 SYSTEM UTILITIES& CONFIGURATION................................................................15
SYSTEM UTILITIES........................................................................................................................................15
Before Using System Utilities and Video Drivers...................................................................................15
Using Utilities & Video Drivers .............................................................................................................15
PHLASH .EXE.......................................................................................................................................16
Before Using PHLASH.EXE..................................................................................................................16
Creating a Crisis Recovery Diskette.......................................................................................................16
Using a Crisis Recovery Diskette ...........................................................................................................18
Upgrading the Computer's BIOS............................................................................................................18
ULTILITIES AND VIDEO DRIVERS..................................................................................................................20
Setting High Resolution Mode for the Monitor Display.........................................................................20
Windows Video Drivers .........................................................................................................................21
MS-DOS Application Video Drivers......................................................................................................21
Using the S3refrsh Utility.......................................................................................................................22
CO/Session and Remote Support............................................................................................................22
BIOS SETUP UTILITY...................................................................................................................................22
Running the BIOS setup Ultility.............................................................................................................23
Updating The Computer's Configuration................................................................................................23
Helpful Hints..........................................................................................................................................23
BIOS Setup Utility Options....................................................................................................................24
Main Menu Options................................................................................................................................24
Hard Disk Options..................................................................................................................................24
Memory and Cache.................................................................................................................................26
Boot Options...........................................................................................................................................28
Keyboard Features..................................................................................................................................30
Advanced Options ..................................................................................................................................30
Integrated Peripherals .............................................................................................................................30
Advanced Chipset Control......................................................................................................................31
Security Options.....................................................................................................................................33
Power Options ........................................................................................................................................34
CHAPTER 3 SERVICE PROCEDURES..............................................................................................37
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS...............................................................................................................................37
RECOMMENDED TOOLS................................................................................................................................38
Other Needed Materials..........................................................................................................................38
Remedial Diagnostic Test Software........................................................................................................38

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Recommended Virus Detection and Cleanup Software ..........................................................................38

Digital STARION 200i/300i PC Table of Contents
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ECO/FCO INFORMATION.............................................................................................................................39
BIOS version information.......................................................................................................................39
UNLOCKING AND REMOVING THE COVER ....................................................................................................39
COMPUTER COMPONENTS............................................................................................................................41
EXPANSION SLOTS........................................................................................................................................42
MAIN LOGIC BOARD JUMPERS .....................................................................................................................44
Main Logic Board Jumper Settings ........................................................................................................44
Main Logic Board Jumper Locations......................................................................................................45
COMPUTER MEMORY CONFIGURATIONS......................................................................................................46
Memory Configurations..........................................................................................................................46
SIMM Sockets Locations........................................................................................................................46
PART REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT ...........................................................................................................48
Opening the Device Bay & Power Supply Subassembly ........................................................................48
Removing the 3½-Inch Diskette Drive. ..................................................................................................50
Removing the Main Logic Board ...........................................................................................................51
Removing the Power Supply...................................................................................................................52
Removing the Riser Card & Bracket ......................................................................................................53
Removing Expansion Boards..................................................................................................................54
Removing a 3½-Inch Mass Storage Device (Internal Drive Bay)...........................................................55
INSTALLATION PROCEDURES........................................................................................................................56
Installing a Higher Performance CPU.....................................................................................................56
Installing the CPU Voltage Regulator.....................................................................................................58
REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES .......................................................................................................................59
Replacing the Real-Time Clock (RTC)...................................................................................................59
CONNECTING DISKETTE AND IDE DEVICES .................................................................................................61
Connecting Diskette Drives....................................................................................................................62
Connecting IDE Devices.........................................................................................................................63
CHAPTER 4 TROUBLESHOOTING...................................................................................................65
INITIAL TROUBLESHOOTING .........................................................................................................................65
BEEP CODES.................................................................................................................................................66
POST AND BOOT MESSAGES .......................................................................................................................67
POST and Boot Error Messages .............................................................................................................67
POST and Boot Informational Messages................................................................................................70
COMPUTER TROUBLESHOOTING...................................................................................................................70
DISK DRIVE TROUBLESHOOTING..................................................................................................................75
MONITOR TROUBLESHOOTING .....................................................................................................................75
CD-ROM TROUBLESHOOTING.....................................................................................................................76
QAPLUS/FE ERROR MESSAGES ...................................................................................................................77
CHAPTER 5 DEVICE MAPPING ........................................................................................................79
CPU Memory Address Map (Full Range)...............................................................................................79
I/O Address Map.....................................................................................................................................80
Computer Interrupt Levels......................................................................................................................81
DMA Channel Assignment.....................................................................................................................81
CHAPTER 6 PASS / FAIL CRITERIA.................................................................................................83

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APPENDIX A SERVICES NOTES........................................................................................................85
Modem Settings......................................................................................................................................85
Telecommunications Software Settings ..................................................................................................85
Sound Card Settings................................................................................................................................86
Disabling Fax/Modem/Sound Board Features ........................................................................................86
APPENDIX B USEFUL INFORMATION ............................................................................................87
RELATED DOCUMENTATION..........................................................................................................................87
ON-LINE BULLETIN BOARDS ........................................................................................................................87
DOCUMENT FEEDBACK.......................................................................................................................89
PERSONAL NOTES.................................................................................................................................91
READERS COMMENTS............................................................................................................................95
Table of Figures
Figure 3 - 1 Unlocking the Cover................................................................................................................40
Figure 3 - 2 Release Cover..........................................................................................................................40
Figure 3 - 3 Removing the Cover................................................................................................................40
Figure 3 - 4 Computer Components............................................................................................................41
Figure 3 - 5 Expansion Slots.......................................................................................................................43
Figure 3 - 6 Main Logic Board Jumper Locations ......................................................................................45
Figure 3 - 7 SIMM Socket Locations..........................................................................................................47
Figure 3 - 8 Release Front Locking Mechanisme........................................................................................48
Figure 3 - 9 Opening the Device Bay & Power Supply Subassembly.........................................................49
Figure 3 - 10 Removing the 3½-Inch Diskette Drive..................................................................................50
Figure 3 - 11 Removing the Main Logic Board..........................................................................................51
Figure 3 - 11 Removing the on Power Supply ............................................................................................52
Figure 3 - 12 Removing the Riser Card & Bracket.....................................................................................53
Figure 3 - 13 Removing Expansion Boards ................................................................................................54
Figure 3 - 14 Open Power Supply Subassembly .........................................................................................55
Figure 3 - 15 Removing the 3.5-Inch Device..............................................................................................55
Figure 3 - 16 Installing a Higher Performance CPU ...................................................................................57
Figure 3 - 17 Installing the CPU Voltage Regulator ...................................................................................58
Figure 3 - 18 Replacing the Real Time Clock.............................................................................................60
Figure 3 - 19 Diskette Drive Data Cable Connections................................................................................62
Figure 3 - 20 IDE Drive Data Cable Connections.......................................................................................63

Digital STARION 200i/300i PC Revision History
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Revision History
Revision of Date Description of change
EK-A0851-SV First release of the Service Manintenance Manual describing the
STARION 200i/300i series computer.

Digital STARION 200i/300i PC Preface
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Preface
The Digital STARION 200i/300i PC Family Service Maintenance Manual is a troubleshooting guide that
can be used for reference when servicing the STARION 200i/300i line of PC’s.
Digital Equipment Corporation reserves the right to make changes to the Digital STARION 200i/300i
series without notice. Accordingly, the diagrams and procedures in this document may not apply to the
computer(s) you are servicing since many of the diagnostic tests are designed to test more than one
product.
CAUTION
Digital recommends that only A+ certified engineers attempt to repair this equipment.
All troubleshooting and repair procedures are detailed to support subassembly/module
level exchange. Because of the complexity of the indivual boards and subassemblies, no
one should attempt to make repairs at component level or to make modifications to any
printed wiring board. Improper repairs can create a safety hazard. Any indications o
f
component replacement or printed wiring board modifications may void warranty or
exchange allowances.

Digital STARION 200i/300i PC Product Description
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Chapter 1 Product Description
Product Introduction
The Digital STARION 200i/300i computers are high-performance, multi-media, personal computers
featuring the latest in computing technology. They can be used as stand-alone computers, as clients, or as
servers in a network environment. Developed using the following state-of-the-art technology, these
computers are the most value packed full-profile desktop computers in their class.
♦ Microprocessor
◊ 75 Mhz Pentium
♦ System Memory
◊ 8MB System RAM, expandable to 128MB
♦ Onboard Video
◊ S3 Trio 32 technology to take full advantage of the computer’s CPU
♦ CD-ROM Reader
◊ Double-speed CD-ROM reader with industry-standard IDE/ATAPI interface and audio
capability.
♦ Fax/Modem/Sound Card
Sophisticated fax/data/voice modem and 16-bit FM synthesis sound card. Some features of this card
are:
◊ 14,400 bps internal fax/modem
◊ Error correction and data compression (V.42bis/MNP-5)
◊ Fax capability directly from MicrosoftWindows3.1 applications
◊ Digital telephone answering Device
◊ 16-bit stereo recording at 11 kHz, 22 kHzand 44 kHz sampling
◊ 16-bit stereo playback at 8 kHz to 44 kHz sampling rates
◊ Supports Windows Sound System

Product Description Digital STARION 200i/300i PC
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◊ Support Sound Blasterand Sound Blaster Prosound standards

Digital STARION 200i/300i PC Product Description
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Product Models Information
STARION 200i/300i Models
Product Model Memory HDD Cache CD-ROM
STARION 200i FR-901AA-A4 8MB 540MB None Dual-Speed
STARION 300i FR-901AA-A5 8MB 840MB None Dual-Speed

Digital STARION 200i/300i PC Utilities & Configuration
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Chapter 2 System Utilities& Configuration
System Utilities
This chapter describes how to use the utilities and video drivers supplied with the STARION 200i/300i
computer. These utilities and drivers have been factory installed on the hard disk drive. You may use the
video utilities to change video graphics settings of the monitor. Additional video drivers, utility
programsand device drivers have also been factory installed as image files on the hard disk drive. This
chapter also describes PHLASH.EXE, which is not supplied with the computer. This utility is available
only via bulletin board distribution to customers needing BIOS upgrades.
Before Using System Utilities and Video Drivers
When unfamiliar with utility programs, video drivers and their uses, carefully read and understand this
chapter before attempting to use any of the utilities or to install video drivers.
Using Utilities & Video Drivers
The system utilities and video drivers enable to take full advantage of the computers enhanced video
features. Use the following information to reset the video mode of the monitor, or to load MS-DOS
application drivers when using various non-Windows CAD or business software.
NOTE If this is the first time using these utility programs and/or video drivers, it is
recommended to follow the procedures in the order given.
1) Turn on or reboot the computer. If POST detects an error, refer to chapter 4, “Troubleshooting” for
possible causes and suggested solutions.
2) If necessary, run PHLASH.EXE to upgrade or restore the computer's BIOS.

Utilities & Configuration Digital STARION 200i/300i PC
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3) Install any applicable DOS or CAD application video drivers. Additional information about these
drivers is provided later in this chapter.
4) Install any Windows 3.x video drivers. Additional information about these drivers is provided later
in this chapter.
PHLASH .EXE
All computers have BIOS software in a read-only, non-volatile memory (ROM) chip. This BIOS initializes
hardware and boots the operating system when the computer is turned on. The BIOS also provides access
to other services such as keyboard and disk drives.
STARION Desktop PC computers are equipped with flash memory. This means that the computer's BIOS
simply can be restored by running the PHLASH.EXE utility. The computer's BIOS can be upgraded to
future releases by running PHLASH.EXE along with any flash BIOS update diskette if necessary.
Before Using PHLASH.EXE
A crisis recovery diskette should be created before PHLASH.EXE is used to upgrade the computer's BIOS.
This diskette can then be used to reprogram the computer's BIOS in case the flash process built into the
computer fails.
The following are needed to create this diskette:
♦ A blank 3½-inch 1.44 MB formatted diskette
♦ A diskette copy of the BIOS upgrade diskette
NOTE PHLASH utilities are not shipped with STARION 200i/300i computers. However,
they are available on the Digital Bulletin Board System.
Creating a Crisis Recovery Diskette
1) Turn on the computer and allow the POST to complete.
If POST detects an error, refer to Chapter 4, “Troubleshooting” to identify and determine how to
correct the problem. After the problem has been resolved, restart the computer.
2) Insert the BIOS diskette into the diskette drive and enter: A:DIR
The entry should show that the following files are on the diskette:
MINIDOS.SYS
PHLASH.EXE
MAKEBOOT.EXE
MAKECRD.EXE
Note that there are some additional files as well. Refer to the README file on the diskette for
additional information.
3) Create an upgrade directory on the hard disk drive. For example, if the hard disk drive is c:>, enter at
the DOS prompt: C: MD UPGRADE.
4) Copy the files from the BIOS diskette into the upgrade directory on the hard disk drive. For example,
from the DOS prompt enter: COPY A: \UPGRADE\*.* C:\UPGRADE\*.*.

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5) Insert a blank formatted diskette into drive A.

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6) On drive A, make a directory for the files previously copied. For example, from the DOS prompt
enter:
A:MD UPGRADE.
7) Return to the hard disk drive and copy the files. From the DOS prompt, enter: C:MAKECRD.
The MAKECRD command prompts for a recovery diskette to be placed in drive A and then
automatically copies the files to drive A.
8) Remove the crisis recovery diskette from drive A and store it in a safe place.
Using a Crisis Recovery Diskette
The crisis recovery diskette must be used only if the computer's BIOS fails or if a BIOS upgrade was
unsuccessful.
If the computer's BIOS failed to flash properly or is corrupted in some way, the following sequence of
events occurs:
♦ POST detects an error after a normal boot cycle or a BIOS upgrade. This message(s) appears on the
monitor screen, indicating that the computer's BIOS did not flash properly or has failed.
♦ The BIOS in the bootblock memory automatically executes. The computer attempts to find the
correct BIOS files to execute the correct boot cycle.
♦ The computer beeps several times. This means the computer cannot properly boot using the BIOS
files that were just copied during the flash update.
♦ The computer accesses the diskette drive. The computer is searching for the crisis recovery diskette to
restore the BIOS to its previous known state.
Restore the computer's BIOS to its previous known state by performing the following procedures:
1) Turn off the computer, remove the coverand set the recovery mode jumper (J10) to Recovery Mode
(jumpered).
2) Replace the cover, insert the crisis recovery diskette into drive Aand then power on the computer.
3) The computer automatically boots from drive A and upgrades the BIOS. Upon completion, the
computer sounds a beep code and attempts to restart.
4) After the BIOS is restarted, turn off power to the computer and remove the crisis recovery diskette
from drive A.
5) Remove the cover and set the recovery jumper (J10) to normal.
6) Replace the cover and turn the power back on for normal operation.
Upgrading the Computer's BIOS
Perform the following steps to update the computer's BIOS in the flash memory to a new updated one:
1) Locate or create a crisis recovery diskette (Do not use a crisis recovery diskette created on any other
computer). Refer to “Creating a Crisis Recovery Diskette”.
2) Insert the BIOS diskette in the diskette drive.
3) Turn on the computer and allow the POST to complete. The computer now boots from the BIOS
diskette.

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If POST detects an error, refer to Chapter 4, “Troubleshooting” to identify and determine how to
correct the problem. After the problem has been resolved, restart the computer.

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4) At the MS-DOS prompt, type: A:\UPGRADE\PHLASH.
A screen appears on the monitor warning that the computer's BIOS is about to be erased.
5) Press [Enter] to continue. Press [Esc] to cancel.
If [Enter] is pressed, PHLASH.EXE automatically updates the computer's BIOS.
After the flashing process completes, the computer automatically reboots itself so changes
immediately take effect.
6) Remove the BIOS diskette.
Ultilities and Video Drivers
Setting High Resolution Mode for the Monitor Display
When purchasing a high resolution monitor, you might want to run the Galileo video setup utility supplied
with the computer. Galileo is a Windows-based utility used to change video resolutions, color depthsand
refresh rates to match the capabilities of the monitor.
To use Galileo to change video resolution, perform the following steps:
1) From the Windows Program Manager, double click on the Control Panel icon.
2) Next, double click on the Galileo icon to display the video console.
3) Select the monitor resolution, color depthand refresh rate to match to the monitor's specifications.
4) Select "Switches" that apply to the CAD software package. Digital recommends to leave these set to
the "Enabled" or "On" position when not sure about their functions.
5) Click "OK" to save the settings and exit the utility.
NOTE Video selections shaded gray are not valid choices due to the computer's maximum
video memory or installed controller type.
CAUTION
Do not select a monitor type setting that exceeds the monitor's resolution, refresh rate
(vertical synchronization)and interlace or non-interlace specifications. Refer to the
monitor's support documentation for performance specifications.