Alpha 21164 Microprocessor Evaluation Board Read Me First

This document is the "Read Me First" guide for the Digital Semiconductor Alpha 21164 Microprocessor Evaluation Board (EB164) Kit, published in July 1995.

Key information provided:

1. Purpose: The EB164 Kit is an evaluation and development module designed to introduce users to the Alpha 21164 microprocessor and DECchip 21171 chipset, and assist in designing them into new products.
2. Kit Contents: The kit includes the EB164 board, an Alpha Evaluation Board Software Developer's Kit (EBSDK) on CD-ROM, an Alpha 21164 Evaluation Board Design Kit (on diskettes and DAT cassette), a Windows NT 3.51 Installation Kit, a documentation set, and an accessories kit. (Note: The Windows NT 3.51 operating system itself is not included).
3. Additional Hardware Requirements: Users need to supply an industry-standard PC power supply, a terminal or serial line connection, and for Windows NT installation, peripherals like a PS/2 keyboard and mouse, a supported PCI/ISA graphics card and monitor, a SCSI controller and CD-ROM drive, and an IDE/SCSI hard drive.
4. Initial Setup & Firmware: The EB164 comes with two firmware programs in its flash ROM: a debug monitor (default) for software and hardware debugging, and Windows NT ARC firmware for installing and booting Windows NT 3.51. The document provides step-by-step instructions for connecting the board, starting the debug monitor, and switching to the Windows NT ARC firmware.
5. Design Database: The Design Kit provides a hardware design database including example files, parts lists, schematics (PostScript), Gerber files, and ABEL source files for PLD equations, requiring a Viewlogic Powerview 5.1 (or later) license for use.
6. Software Developer's Kit (SDK): The CD-ROM based SDK includes software tools for Alpha Windows NT or Digital UNIX hosts, debug monitor source files, sample PALcode source files, and SROM power-up code source files.
7. Registration: Users are encouraged to register their evaluation board to receive notifications of changes and updates.