AlphaServer 1000/1000A Systems READ THIS FIRST: System-Specific Release Notes

This document provides essential "Read This First" release notes for Digital AlphaServer 1000 and 1000A systems, covering online documentation, firmware, configuration utilities, and operating system installation specifics, particularly for Microsoft Windows NT.

Key Information:

1. Online Documentation:

   • All AlphaServer 1000/1000A systems include hypertext documentation on a CD-ROM. It can be installed on personal computers running Microsoft Windows (3.1 or later, NT 3.1 or later, 95) or a Windows emulator, requiring 4MB of disk space. Installation involves running D:\SETUP from the CD-ROM drive.
   • Model 5/xxx systems include supplemental online documentation on a diskette, installed by running D:\INSTALL from the diskette drive.

2. Firmware and Console:

   • Systems come with correct firmware installed; if re-installation is needed, use the latest version (e.g., V3.7) from Digital's FTP site.
   • AlphaServer systems use a console subsystem with two interfaces:
     • SRM Console (command-line): For OpenVMS and Digital UNIX.
     • ARC/AlphaBIOS Console (menu): For Windows NT.
   • Users may need to switch between consoles for specific tasks (e.g., running EISA Configuration Utility (ECU) for UNIX/VMS users, or system diagnostics for NT users).
   • SRM environment variables can be reset using the set and init commands.

3. Startup Displays:

   • All systems show an initial BIOS emulation display.
   • Windows NT systems then show an NT-specific startup test display, followed by the Windows NT Boot menu or AlphaBIOS Boot Menu.
   • Digital UNIX or OpenVMS systems display the SRM console prompt (>>>) after the initial display.

4. Configuration Utilities and Drivers:

   • EISA Configuration Utility (ECU): Required for adding, removing, or configuring EISA/ISA options. ECU does not automatically configure ISA cards; manual configuration or resource conflict resolution is needed.
   • Network Drivers: DC21040 and DE435 Ethernet controllers are not automatically detected during Windows NT installation. Drivers must be installed from the option diskette, not the Windows NT CDROM.

5. General Hardware Installation Notes:

   • SCSI ID 4 (slot 5) is typically reserved for the CDROM; an additional SCSI controller is needed to install a hard drive there.
   • If an optional graphics card is installed, plug the monitor cable into the option card's connector, not the system board.
   • Always power off the system before installing or removing options.

6. Windows NT Installation Updates (Specifics):

   • AlphaServer 1000: When partitioning the hard disk, the partition number should be 2. For formatting, the maximum partition size to enter is "displayed maximum minus 6" (e.g., 494 for a 500MB maximum).
   • AlphaServer 1000A: Requires creating two system partitions: the main partition (size "displayed maximum minus 6"), and a separate 6-megabyte FAT system partition.

7. AlphaServer 1000A PCI Configuration Restrictions:

   • Certain PCI options must be installed in primary PCI slots (11, 12, or 13), including:
     • DJ-ML200 PCI NVRAM module
     • KZPSA-BB Fast Wide Differential SCSI controller (for Windows NT)
     • PB2GA-Jx-Trio64 PCI graphics card
     • DE500 Ethernet controller (recommended).
   • The document also explains how PCI-to-PCI bridge options appear in the show config display.

8. Online Resources: Provides FTP and World Wide Web URLs for additional information and firmware updates.