Wow. I got several responses on this subject, all helpful.
In brief, I installed AS255 v7.6 firmware on an AS200, when in fact I
should have installed AS200 v6.5 firmware. This conflict sent my ARC
console into an infinite loop, preventing me from installing the AS200
firmware.
Some points:
1) Alphastation 200's don't have a HALT switch per se. You have to set
jumper J1 to the other setting and then the RESET switch becomes a HALT
switch.
2) While finding out this info, I discovered that jumper J2 when
switched forces the AlphaStation 200 to boot from the floppy drive.
After I used another machine to imprint the as200_v6_5 firmware on a
floppy, setting this jumper and putting in the floppy reset my firmware
with no problems. The new (old?) ARC console works great for installing
NT now.
3) Just yesterday, a new option appeared on the Alpha firmware page
(
http://ftp.digital.com/pub/Digital/Alpha/firmware/) for the
Alphastation 200/400 series. The confusion appears to have stemmed from
the fact that while the 200 and 255 machines have different firmware
files and versions, they share the same "as200" README (which points
this fact out in one section.) The new page points to the same as200
readme as the AlphaStation 255 webpage, but has a different link to the
as200 firmware file.
4) Right after I figured out the above, I got the attached email from a
Michael Bruno at DEC explaining that path clearly and noting that the
AS200 web page was temporarily dead. Kudos for the accurate response!
5) The following people helped me stumble on the J2 solution:
jude_at_tsi.com.my (Jude T. Cruz) [thanks for patience about HALT vs RESET]
klarsen_at_enterprise.afit.af.mil (Kristin (Kris) Larsen)
Susan Rodriguez <SUSROD_at_HBSI.COM>
"Pam Woods, Systems Manager" <axsymgr_at_UAA.ALASKA.EDU>
Thanks for your help!
--Pat McCormick
[Note from Digital Support]
> Hello, we have received your message with regards to
> your problems with the AlphaStation 200 firmware. At the
> time you attempted to download the firmware, the page
> for AlphaStation 200/250 systems was temporarily
> unavailable. We apologize for the confusion. If you are
> unsure which is the correct firmware image to use, the
> release notes (alpha200_v65_fw_relnote.ps/.txt)
> completely detail this information.
>
> To restore your system, you will need a special failsafe
> boot floppy, which we will provide for you. You will
> also need to move a jumper switch on your motherboard.
> This will force your system to load the image from the
> floppy instead of the FlashROM. Once you get to the SRM
> prompt, you will be able to reload the proper system
> image into the ROM.
>
> If you could just provide me with a mailing address,
> I'll send out that floppy along with detailed
> instructions ASAP. Please do not hesitate to contact me
> if you have any further questions.
>
> Thank you for your patience,
>
> Michael Bruno
> Servers Engineering & Technical Services,
> Digital Equipment Corporation
>
> email: bruno_at_proxy.enet.dec.com
> phone: 508 493 4229
Received on Thu Sep 25 1997 - 07:35:08 NZST