AS 1000 4/200 SRM 5.4 disables graphics console

From: Richard Jackson <rjackson_at_portal.gmu.edu>
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 09:39:55 -0500 (EST)

Hello fellow Tru64 UNIX warriors,

I am having a problem with Alphaserver 1000 4/200 SRM 5.4 firmware
apparently disabling the VGA (graphics) monitor in console mode. The
monitor uses the builtin motherboard VGA support, Cirrus Logic
CL-GD542X SVGA. I need to upgrade to TU 4.0G and my understanding is
SRM 5.4 is the minimum firmware rev. It is the minimum for 4.0E and
4.0F too.

I get the same results with versions of 5.4, the latest, on the
Firmware Update 5.4 and 5.7. Once I boot from the firmware CD from
console mode (either from SRM 5.2-101 or 5.3-89), my graphics monitor
goes blank. I noted from the LCD that LFU is started. Also, if I set
console to serial and upgrade the firmware to SRM 5.4, then the monitor
is blank if I set console to graphics. I did note that I could enter
commands such as boot to Digital UNIX, DU 4.0D is installed, and it
would boot but I can't see my commands. Once the system reaches
multi-user mode the graphics display becomes active and displays the X
Windows login screen.

I also noted if I run ECU, 1.11A and 1.10, while SRM 5.4 is loaded the
graphics console does become active and I am able to verify the VGA
Graphics Controller is Enabled. I also verified jumper J27 on the
motherboard is jumped in the ON position (J27 turns on/off VGA).
I even had Compaq field service replace the motherboard -- old rev
F and new rev L. I see the same problem with both motherboards.

I tried to upgrade the firmware via ARC (from ARC 4.57, SRM 5.3-89) also
and after selecting 'Install new firmware...' and displaying the
message about searching CDROM and floppy for software the graphics
monitor goes blank and stays blank.

Finally, I verified downgrading from SRM 5.4 to 5.3 caused the graphics
console to work fine as expected. So, the problem points to SRM 5.4.

I noted a post to the list on 11/27/1999 about this problem but no summary
by Don Wilkerson. http://www.ornl.gov/its/archives/mailing-lists/tru64-unix-man
agers/1999/11/msg00459.html

-- 
Regards,
Richard Jackson
Computer Center Lead Engineer,
Central Systems & Dept. UNIX Consulting
University Computing & Information Systems (UCIS)
George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
Received on Thu Nov 30 2000 - 14:41:00 NZDT

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