Digital Equipment VAXmate User manual

Expansion Box
Installation Guide
and Owner's Manual

TM
mate
Expansion Box
Installation Guide
and Owner's Manual

September 1986
January 1987
© Digital Equipment Corporation 1986, 1987. All Rights Reserved.
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 only be used or copied in accordance with the terms of such
license.
No responsibility is assumed for
the use or reliability of software on
equipment that is not supplied by DIGITAL or its affiliated companies.
MS·DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
The following are trademarks
of Digital Equipment Corporation:
IIIIDIO""
DIBOL RSX
DEC MASSBUS UNIBUS
DECmate PDP VAX
DECsystem-lO
P/OS
VMS
DECSYSTEM-20 Professional VT
DECUS Rainbow Work Processor
DECwriter RSTS
Printed in U.S.A.

Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 Before You Begin
Chapter 2 Installing the Expansion Box
Chapter 3 Starting the V AXmate Workstation
Chapter 4 Testing, Formatting, and Installing Software
on the Hard Disk
Chapter 5 Installing Industry-Standard Options in the
Expansion Box
Chapter 6 Running Extended Self-Test After
Reconnecting V AXmate Workstation
Chapter 7 Owner's Information
Chapter 8 Problem Solving
Appendix A Thin Wire Ethernet Cable Guidelines
iii

Introduction
This guide describes how to install a VAXmate expansion box that contains a
hard disk drive,
test the installation, prepare and format the hard disk, and
install options within the expansion box.
This
guide is written for the following users.
• Someone installing an expansion box and VAXmate workstation that will
be connected to a network.
• Someone installing an expansion box and VAXmate workstation that will
be used as a standalone system.
• A system administrator installing an expansion box and VAXmate work-
station that
will be used as a VAXmate server for a network.
If you have a VAXmate workstation, expansion box, and several options,
install
the expansion box first.
You
can install the expansion box and most other options. Digital Field Ser-
vice installs the 80287 Coprocessor option inside the monitor where high
voltages are present.
v

11111 Introduction
When to Use This Guide
Use this guide to:
• Install the VAXmate workstation and expansion
box.
• Reconnect the VAXmate workstation and expan-
sion box if the expansion box was separated from
the VAXmate workstation.
• Install industry-standard options in the expansion
box.
• Solve a hard disk problem.
• Install standalone software on hard disk.
vi
Conventions
This guide uses the following conventions.
• Keyboard keys and commands are bold.
• <Return> means press the Return key.
• A note contains important general information.
• A caution contains information to prevent damage
to equipment or software.
• A warning contains information to prevent per-
sonal injury.

Chapter 1
Before You Begin
The following illustration shows some of the expansion box parts and a
generic industry-standard option for the expansion box. Do not install such
an option until instructed to do so.
INDUSTRY-STANDARD
OPTION AND CABLE
LJ-0999
1-1

IIIII Before You Begin
1-2
Introduction
Your VAXmate expansion box has a power supply and a
hard disk drive. The
expansion box also has two option
slots for industry-standard option boards. When power is
applied to the expansion box, you can see a green light
emitting diode (LED) through the left side vents (when
you are facing the front).
Handle
the expansion box carefully to avoid possible
damage
to the drive's read/write heads and nonremov-
able media.
Check your system type.
Identify your system type by the diskettes and documen-
tation
shipped with your system. You need to remember
this information for later.
If You Received ...
One diskette and the V AXmate
System Handbook
Several diskettes and the
VAXmate User's Guide
Several diskettes and the
VAXmate User's Guide and a
VAXmate System Administra-
tor's Guide
Then You Are
Installing ...
A networked system
A standalone system
A VAXmate Server
System
Installation Guidelines
Follow all instructions in sequence. The text tells you
when instructions and screens are different because of
specific requirements for networked or standalone
systems.
CAUTION
Do not plug in the power cord or switch on
the system until instructed to do so.
If you are installing an expansion box with a networked
system, you must connect the ThinWire Ethernet cable
shipped with the VAXmate workstation. DIGITAL recom-
mends
that you read the Appendix, ThinWire Ethernet
Cable Guidelines, before you handle the ThinWire
Ethernet cable.
Installing
and testing the expansion box can take up to 2
and 1/2 hours. That time includes preparing and format-
ting
the hard disk drive by running the FDISK and FOR-
MAT utilities, and installing software on the hard disk
drive. That
time does not include installing and testing
any industry-standard
options in the expansion box.
CAUTION
Do not run the FDISK or FORMAT utilities if
the hard disk has been used. These utilities
destroy any data
stored on the hard disk.
NOTE·
When you install the expansion box the first
time,
no data is stored on the hard disk.

Allow at least four inches of air space around the expan-
sion box for cooling. Do not place any objects against the
expansion box vents.
Install
and test the expansion box to determine if it is
working correctly. Do this before you install any indus-
try-standard
options you might have in the expansion
box.
WARNING
Do not operate the VAXmate workstation
with its rear door open.
Before You Begin
IIIII
Separate the expansion box from the VAXmate
workstation whenever you want to move the VAXmate
workstation
to a new location. Never carry the VAXmate
workstation with the expansion box attached.
WARNING
The expansion box and VAXmate workstation
together weigh 44.5-50 lb (20.1-23 kg).
Whenever you reinstall the expansion box after separat-
ing it from the VAXmate workstation, you must run the
VAXmate extended self-test. Instructions for running the
extended self-test are in Chapter 6, Run extended self-
Test
Mer Reconnecting VAXmate Workstation.
1-3

Chapter 2
Installing the
Expansion Box
This chapter describes how to install the expansion box on your VAXmate
workstation. Installation
procedures are included for VAXmate workstations
that have not been used, and for VAXmate workstations that are already in
use.
2-1

IIIII Installing the Expansion Box
Is your V AXmate workstation already in use?
If a ThinWire Ethernet cable is connected to the
VAXmate workstation, tell your system administrator that
you are going to disconnect the T -connector from the
VAXmate workstation.
1. Make sure the VAXmate workstation power switch
is set to 0 (off).
2. Disconnect all cables from the VAXmate
workstation.
2-2
NOTE
If present, remove the ThinWire Ethernet
cable T-connector from the back of the
VAXmate workstation, but do not remove the
ThinWire cable from the T-connector.
WARNING
If telephone cables are connected to the
VAXmate workstation, first disconnect the
telephone cable from the wall, then from the
VAXmate workstation.
LJ·0981

Connect the V AXmate workstation to the
expansion box.
1. Place the expansion box where you want the
VAXmate workstation located.
WARNING
The VAXmate workstation weighs 33.5 lb
(15.1 kg), and you must lift it to do steps 2,
3, and 4. The VAXmate workstation is
heavier toward the front (screen) of the unit.
LJ·0741
Installing the Expansion Box 11111
2. Lift the VAXmate workstation over the expansion
box.
3. Gently lower the VAXmate workstation onto the
two expansion box posts.
LJ-0742
2-3
--- -------- -------------

IIIII Installing the Expansion Box
4. Press down firmly on the VAXmate workstation.
You
should hear the expansion box click into
place.
5.
If you have them, install the PC50X-MA integral
modem and/or PC50X-AA 2 megabyte memory
options. Follow the instructions provided with
these VAXmate workstation options, then return
here to continue.
LJ-0743
2-4
NOTE
If you are installing both the modem and
memory boards, install the modem board
first.
6. Connect all necessary cables as described in Chap-
ter 1 of your VAXmate System Handbook. Then,
go to Chapter 3 in this book to continue.
NOTE
If you are installing a standalone system, do
not connect the ThinWire Ethernet cable to
the VAXmate workstation.
LJ-Q817A

Chapter 3
Starting the V AXmate
Workstation
Are you installing a V AXmate workstation to be connected to a
network?
Get your key diskette and any password(s) you might need to access network
software from your system administrator.
Was your VAXmate workstation in use in a networked system
before you attached the new expansion box?
Ask your system administrator to prepare your key diskette for use with a
hard disk.
Are you installing a standalone V AXmate workstation?
Use the VAXmate SjA Install diskette. This diskette is shipped with your sys-
tem software. Then, continue with instructions in this book.
Are you a system administrator preparing to install the
V AXmate server software?
Use the MS-DOS diskette to start the system. Follow the instructions in this
chapter for standalone systems. Your start-up screen is the MS-DOS start-up
screen (not shown here).
3-1

11111 Starting the VAXmate Workstation
Starting the V AXmate Workstation
1. Remove your appropriate diskette from the
envelope.
DISKETTE
JACKET
PROTECTIVE
ENVELOPE
3-2
NOTE
Your diskette(s) may have a self-adhesive tab
covering the write-protect notch. If so, do
not remove the write-protect tab.
2. Make
sure the notch on the diskette faces down,
then insert the diskette in the diskette drive.
3.
Push the diskette in until the diskette is seated.
4. Lock
the diskette drive.
See Chapter 2, steps 2 through 6, in your
VAXmate System Handbook if you want more
information about using the diskette drive, but
make sure you do the remaining steps in this
procedure.
LJ-0900

5. Set the VAXmate workstation power switch to 1
(on) and watch for the first screen.
The VAXmate workstation performs a short power-
up test every time you switch it on. The test pro-
gram draws a test bar across the screen and slowly
fills this bar during testing.
6. Did the screen display a number or remain blank?
If so, the system might have a problem. Go
directly to page 3-5 for help.
7. Did the system complete the power-up test and
then display a blinking cursor only? If so, the dis-
kette or the expansion box connection might have
a problem. Go directly to page 3-5 for help.
8. Watch for your diskette'S start-up screen. Check
this page and page 3-4 for examples and informa-
tion about your start-up screen. Follow the appro-
priate instructions.
Starting the VAXmate Workstation
Start-Up Screen Using the Key Diskette
(Networked System)
11111
After the power-up test, the system displays the key dis-
kette start-up screen, which may vary with each user.
1. Set the power switch to off; wait five seconds,
then turn the system back on. (This procedure
allows the VAXmate computer to recognize the
presence of the expansion box.)
2. Boot the key diskette by holding down the Ctrl
key and pressing the Alt and Del keys at the same
time.
The system should display the DOS prompt, either
A> or I>.
3. Check to see if the hard disk has already been
prepared. At the prompt, type:
dir C: <Return>
If your hard disk has been prepared for you, the
system displays a list of files on it. If not, your
system displays an error message.
4.
In either event, go to Chapter 4, Testing, Format-
ting,
and Installing Software on the Hard Disk
(page 4-1).
3-3

IIIII Starting the VAXmate Workstation
Start-Up Screen Using the VAXmate S/ A
Install Diskette
After the power-up test, the system displays the follow-
ing keyboard selection screen.
VAxmate operating Environment Version 1.1
(c) Copyright 1985, 1986 by Digital Equipment Corporation
VAXmate Standalone Installation Diskette
Select your keyboard using the arrow keys, then press Return.
united States
Canadian
German
Spanish
French
Norwegian
Swedish
English
Danish
Finnish
Italian
Swiss (German)
Swiss (French)
1. Using the arrow keys, select your keyboard. Then,
press Return.
3-4
If successful, a message similar to the following
message displays on your screen. The file name in
quotation marks varies depending on the keyboard
selected.
Keyboard Map Loader Ver5ion 1.00
(C) Copyright 1985, 1986 by Digital
Equipment Corporation
The default keyboard map "STDUS.KEY"
ha5 been 5ucce55fully loaded.
A:>
2. Enter the new date and time in the format shown
on the following screen. Press Return after each
entry.
NOTE
The version number(s) displayed on your
screen might be different.
Keyboard Map Loader Version 1.00
(c) Copyright 1985, 1986 by Digital Equipment Corporation
The default keyboard III:ap "STDUS.KEY" has been successfully loaded
I Please enter the date and time
Current date is Fri 11-14-1986
Enter new date (mm-dd-yy):
Current time is 9:11:01.82
Ente r new time:

3. If your disk has not been formatted, the screen
displays the following message. If your disk has
been formatted, you will not see this message. In
either case, go to the next step.
rr=======================~
Please run the FDISK and FORMAT utilities
as described in the VAxmate Expansion Box
Installation guide and Owner's Manual.
I
4. When you see the A> prompt, unlock the diskette
drive and set the power switch to 0 (oft).
5. Go to Chapter 4, Testing, Formatting, and
Installing Software on the Hard Disk (page 4-1).
NOTE
Chapter 4 in this guide tells you when to
turn the power switch on again. This
procedure of turning the power on, off, and
then on again prepares the VAXmate
workstation for more testing.
-~~ -~- ~~~~--------.--~~-~~- -.-.---~- ~- -~----
Starting the VAXmate Workstation IIIII
When the Power-Up Test Displays a Number
Did the V AXmate workstation display the number
83?
The power-up test detected the presence of an unformat-
ted hard disk. Ignore the number and go to Chapter 4,
Testing, Formatting,
and Installing Software on the Hard
Disk (page
4-1).
Did the V AXmate workstation display any other
number?
The system might have a fault. Try to clear the fault as
follows.
1. Unlock the drive and remove the diskette.
2. Set
the power switch to 0 (oft).
3. Make sure all cables are firmly connected.
4. Make sure the expansion box is firmly connected
to the VAXmate workstation.
5. Wait 15
seconds and then insert your diskette.
Make
sure the write-protect notch is facing down.
6. Lock the drive and set the power switch to 1
(on). The power-up test runs again.
3-5