Hello,
SUMMARY:
There is a problem with the Alphaserver 1000 4/200 SRM 5.4-101
firmware, released March 1999 (the current release). Unfortunately,
Compaq has de-supported this system and currently plans no more
updates. Our factory installed vanilla AS 1000 has a 200MHz CPU, one
DE435 (10baseT) in slot 11, and one KZPAA (FNSE SCSI) in slot 12 --
memory configuration does not matter in this situation.
The known work-arounds are;
. use a VT terminal, not graphics, as your console -- ignore the problem.
. replace the DE435 with a DE500.
. upgrade the CPU from a 200MHz to a 233MHz.
. set the bus_probe_algorithm from new to old, Compaq may not recommend this.
. run with SRM 5.3 or older if possible.
Any of the above work-arounds will allow your system to use the
graphics console and have Tru64 UNIX recognize the VGA graphics
adaptor built into the mother board. I have tried over 20 different
PCI option configurations with some that get around the problem -- let me
know if you want to see the configurations.
Tru64 UNIX 4.0G reports the following when the problem occurs;
-------------------------------------------
vmunix: cirrus: probe failed
vmunix: cirrus: attempting to use generic vga support
vmunix: vga0: generic probe failed
vmunix: cirrus0 not probed
vmunix: install_vga_console: Failed to probe vga hardware
vmunix: no graphics console driver configured
vmunix: generic console support installed: using firmware callbacks
-------------------------------------------
It is very difficult not to whine about the quantity of de-supported or
announced de-supported hardware and software. Anyone out there miss the
Digital Systems and Options Catalog?
QUESTION:
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-managers/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 Wed Jan 03 2001 - 19:28:45 NZDT