AlphaPC 264DP User's Manual

This document is the preliminary User's Manual for the Compaq AlphaPC 264DP, a computing system board released in January 1999.

The manual provides comprehensive information for users to install, configure, and troubleshoot the AlphaPC 264DP mainboard and its daughtercard, which are based on the Alpha 21264 microprocessor and 21272 core logic chipset.

Key areas covered include:

• System Features: Detailed descriptions of the mainboard and daughtercard components, including I/O support (PCI, ISA, IDE, SCSI, serial, parallel, keyboard/mouse), power requirements, environmental specifications, and physical dimensions.
• Hardware Configuration: Instructions on setting programmable switches on both the mainboard and daughtercard for functions like Fail-Safe Booter, Mini-Debugger, password bypass, flash write protection, and chipset speed.
• Memory: Details on the SDRAM DIMM memory subsystem, including supported configurations and installation rules (128MB to 4GB capacity).

• Firmware: An introduction to the two primary firmware interfaces residing in flash ROM:

  • AlphaBIOS: Used for system initialization, configuration, and installing/booting Windows NT.
  • Alpha SRM Console: Used for system initialization, loading AlphaBIOS, configuring, and installing/booting Tru64 UNIX.
  • Procedures for switching between these firmware types and updating them via the Loadable Firmware Update (LFU) utility are also provided.

• Operation & Security: Guidance on system initialization, setting and clearing console passwords, and creating custom power-up scripts.

• Connector Pinouts: Extensive tables detailing the pinouts for all mainboard and daughtercard connectors.
• Troubleshooting: Solutions for common startup issues (e.g., no video), interpretation of daughtercard LEDs, beep codes, and POST codes, and troubleshooting Windows NT startup problems.
• Support & Documentation: Information on customer support resources and associated documentation for related products.