> -----Original Message----- > From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Robert > Jarratt > Sent: 23 April 2016 17:34 > To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts' > <cctalk@classiccmp.org> > Subject: RE: AlphaStation 200 NVRAM Problem > > > But from the discussion referred I gather DROM outputs its > > diagnostics to this port too and you might be able to learn what > > exactly about NVRAM it complains. Also you might be able to correct > > configuration, e.g. by > poking at > > NVRAM or elsewhere appropriately; notice that the manual also suggests > > you might be able to bypass the DROM sequence and go to SRM/ARC > > directly, which might help recovery too. > > > > Having checked the manual I think you may be referring to the following > text: > > " When the SROM code has completed its tasks, it normally loads the DROM > code and turns control over to it. The SROM checks to see if the DROM > contains the proper header and that the checksum is correct. If either check > fails, the SROM code reads a location in the TOY NVRAM. The location > indicates which console firmware (the SRM or the > ARC) > should be loaded. > When the console firmware is loaded, the header check and the checksum > are checked. If either is in error, the SROM code jumps to its mini-console > routine. With the appropriate adapter, you can attach a terminal to the CPU's > serial port and use the mini-console. > Typically, this port is used in the manufacturing environment." > > To get this sequence to work needs two things though. First I have to create > a DROM error. The DROM seems to be fine. Perhaps I could remove the > DROM chip as it is socketed to provoke the error. > > However, then it says it checks the TOY NVRAM for which firmware to load. > The battery was flat, so the TOY NVRAM won't have this info. Hopefully it will > default to one of them. > > Still, if I had the mini-console adapter, that would probably really help. > > Regards > > Rob
Well! I took out the DROM and switched it on again. The machine bleeped at me, but then it gave me a console and I was able to boot VMS! I will have to see if the NVRAM is now populated and whether it will continue to work with the DROM installed. Thanks! Rob
