Re: Couple of Xerox 6085 questions
On 2/16/16 2:35 PM, Mike Ross wrote: 1. Anyone who has played with Xerox systems will have encountered the dreaded 0937 code at boot time; it means "I have been configured for network operations. I abjure the world and will wait until hell freezes over before continuing the boot - unless I get the time from a network time server!" This is inconvenient and frustrating at times. Netware IPX/SPX is basically Xerox XNS implemented pretty much unchanged; does anyone happen to know if a Netware server can provide network time server functions - and in a way that a Xerox workstation would grok? 2. I haven't powered up my 6085s in a long time - at least 5 years; maybe 10 for some of them. The results have been most disappointing. They won't even *start* POST - and/or they give a rolling screen with no sync - and/or a blank screen - and/or they pass POST but won't boot with an 0151 error. I've tracked these down in most cases to flaky IOB boards. These boards hold the system PROMs. Anyone else seen similar issues? Could it be bit rot in the PROMs? Is that a known thing with 6085s? My experience (which is admittedly limited) is that removing socketed chips, cleaning with contact cleaner, and re-seating the chips can make a pretty big difference. This includes the CLCC-style socketed chips. I'd also make sure none of the backplane pins have gotten bent while swapping boards, just for good measure. - Josh Thanks Mike
Re: Couple of Xerox 6085 questions
On 2/16/16 2:35 PM, Mike Ross wrote: 1. Anyone who has played with Xerox systems will have encountered the dreaded 0937 code at boot time; it means "I have been configured for network operations. I abjure the world and will wait until hell freezes over before continuing the boot - unless I get the time from a network time server!" This is inconvenient and frustrating at times. Netware IPX/SPX is basically Xerox XNS implemented pretty much unchanged; does anyone happen to know if a Netware server can provide network time server functions - and in a way that a Xerox workstation would grok? there was an NS time server for Unix. it would require some hacking to get it to work on another system You can set the time manually, but its a bit awkward to set up. See page B-7 of 610E00201_XDE_User_Guide_Oct88.pdf under xerox/xde on bitsavers 2. I haven't powered up my 6085s in a long time - at least 5 years; maybe 10 for some of them. The results have been most disappointing. They won't even *start* POST - and/or they give a rolling screen with no sync - and/or a blank screen - and/or they pass POST but won't boot with an 0151 error. I've tracked these down in most cases to flaky IOB boards. These boards hold the system PROMs. Anyone else seen similar issues? Could it be bit rot in the PROMs? Is that a known thing with 6085s? possible. I'm digging out all of my 6085 parts now so I'll know more in a couple of months
Couple of Xerox 6085 questions
1. Anyone who has played with Xerox systems will have encountered the dreaded 0937 code at boot time; it means "I have been configured for network operations. I abjure the world and will wait until hell freezes over before continuing the boot - unless I get the time from a network time server!" This is inconvenient and frustrating at times. Netware IPX/SPX is basically Xerox XNS implemented pretty much unchanged; does anyone happen to know if a Netware server can provide network time server functions - and in a way that a Xerox workstation would grok? 2. I haven't powered up my 6085s in a long time - at least 5 years; maybe 10 for some of them. The results have been most disappointing. They won't even *start* POST - and/or they give a rolling screen with no sync - and/or a blank screen - and/or they pass POST but won't boot with an 0151 error. I've tracked these down in most cases to flaky IOB boards. These boards hold the system PROMs. Anyone else seen similar issues? Could it be bit rot in the PROMs? Is that a known thing with 6085s? Thanks Mike
