Digital PDFs

EK-VX31M-UG-1

October 1990

220 pages

Original

45MB

view download

OCR Version

21MB

view download

Document:	VAXstation 3100 Model 76 Owner's Guide
Order Number:	EK-VX31M-UG
Revision:	1
Pages:	220
Original Filename:

OCR Text

EK-VX3T1M-UG-001

VAXstation 3100
Model 76
Owner’s Guide

digital equipment corporation

maynard, massachusetis

October 1990
The information in this document is subject to change without notice
and should not be construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment
Corporation.
Digital Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors
that may appear in this document.

Any software described in this document is furnished under a license

and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such
license. No responsibilityis assumed for the use or reliability of software
or equipment thatis not supplied by Dlgltal Eqmpment Corporatmn or
its affiliated companies.
Restricted Rights: Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.sS.
Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph
(c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause
at DFARS 252.227-70183.
© Digital Equipment Corporation

1990.

All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A.
The postpaid Reader’s Comments forms at the end of this document
request your critical evaluation to assist in preparing future
documentation.

The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
DEC, DECconnect, DECnet, DECwindows, DELNI, DEMPR, DESPR,
DESNC, DSS, LAN Bridge, LA75 Companion Printer, LN03, LNO3R
ScriptPrinter, PrintServer, Remote System Manager, RRD40, RX|
ThinWire, VAX, VAX DOCUMENT, VAXcluster, VAXpc, VAXserver,
VAXstation, VMS, VT, XUI, and the DIGITAL Logo.
PosTScripr® is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc. TeflonTM
is a trademark of E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company, Inc. X Window
SystemTM is a trademark of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
FCC NOTICE: The equipment described in this manual generates, uses,
and may emit radio frequency energy. The equipment has been type
tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing
device pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are
designed to provide reasonable protection against such radio frequency
interference when operated in a commercial environment. Operation of
this equipment in a residential area may cause interference, in which
case the user at his own expense may be required to take measures to
correct the interference.
S1487

This document was prepared with VAX DOC‘UM.ENT, Version 1.2.

Contents

AboutThisGuide ....................... e

Your VAXsiation 3100 Model 76

__ 2 Installing System Hardware
Choosing the Right Location .............. e e e
Unpacking
Your System . .. ..........
ittt iiiienennnnn.

2-2
2-3

Setting Up Your System . . ....... C
et ettt
2.3.1
Identifying System Unit Ports ........................
2.3.2
Connecting the Keyboard ............ S
23.3
Connectingthe Mouse ............ccitiitititiinnennnnn

2-5
2-6
2-7

2.3.4
Attaching Ethernet Terminators ... .. ettt e e
23.5
Connectingthe Monitor ....................... e
2.3.6
Connecting the Power Cords ................... e
2.4
Starting
Your System . . .. . ..........
.
i, o
2.4.1
Checking the Power-Up prlay ...... e
e e

2-9
2-12
2-14
2-15
2-16

2.1
2.2
2.3

2-17

Setting the Keyboard Language . . .............. e
Whatto DoNext .........c0
ittt iiirneneenrnennenn
Installing Your Operating System ........... e e
Turning Your System Off . . ... ..... ... ... ...
...

2-17
2-18
2-19
2-20

242

2.5

2.6
2.7
2.8

IfYouHaveProblems

.................... C et

3 Learning About Your System
3.1
3.2

HardDisks ............. ... e e
RX23 Diskette Drive .................... Ceee e e
321
InsertingaDiskette..............ciiiiiiiiiiinnn..
3.2.2
Removing a Diskette ....... ettt
e
3.2.3
Write-Protectinga Diskette . ................... e
324
VWritingtoaDiskette ................. et
3.3
Mouse .....@
ettt et ettt et et
et
e

3-1
3-2
3-2
3-4
3-4
3-5
3-5

4 Adding and Using Expansion Boxes
4.1
4.2
4.3

Guidelines for Connecting Expansion Boxes ......... ce e
Preparing Your System for an Expansion Box ...... e
Connecting One BA42 ExpansionBox ............. e
43.1
Daisy-Chaining Multiple BA42 Expansion Boxes...........

4.4

Connecting One Compact Disc ExpansionBox................

4-3
4-4

46.1
4.6.2
4.6.3

SelectingtheVoltage ..............c
...
Verifying the SCSI ID on the First Compact Disc ..........
Resetting the SCSI ID on a Second Compact Disc........ ..

464

InsertingaCompactDisc..........civiiiiininnnnn..

465

RemovingaCompactDisc .........coviiiiiiiiinenen..

4-10
4-12
4-14
4-16
4-16
4-16
4-17
4-18
4-21

Testing Expansion Boxes.............c.iiiiiiiiinnnnn.

4-21

4.5

Daisy-Chaining Multiple Expansion Boxes

4.6

Adding and Using the Compact Disc ExpansionBox...........

4.7

4-2

.................-

5 Connecting to a Network
5.1
52

Networking Guidelines. . .. ................... e e ..
Connecting to a ThinWire Ethernet Network.................
52.1
Setting the Network Button ........................ ..
5.2.2
Verifying ThinWire Ethernet Network Installation ....... ..
5.2.3
Connecting ThinWire Ethernet Cable ............... cee
524
Creating a Daisy-Chain Work Group ............ e e
52.5
Connecting to a DECconnect Faceplate ..................

5.2.6

5-1
5-2
5-2
5-3
5-4
5-6
5-6

Troubleshooting the ThinWire Ethernet Segment ..........

5-7

Connecting to a Standard Ethernet Network . ................
53.1
Settingthe NetworkButton..................ccvou....
5.3.2
Verifying Standard Ethernet Network Installation .........
5.3.3
Troubleshooting Standard Ethernet . . .................. .
53.4
Connecting a Transceiver Cable........................

5-9
5-10
5-10
5-11
5-12

6 Troubleshooting
6.1
6.2

Identifyinga Problem ........................... Cee
Using the Troubleshooting ’Dable ..........................

6-1
6-2

Running Diagnostics
7.1

Reading Power-Up Messages . .........cuviiiinennnnennnns
7.1.1

Power-Up ErrorMessages ..........covviieeunnenn. o

7.2

7.1.2
Power-Up Status Messages ........ Ceh
s se s ie e eenenns
Running Self-Tests . .. ............ Cettt

7.3

Reading the Configuration Display ...... etttet

73.1

DZStatus Codes ............coiiiiiimnrieennnnnnnens
7.3.2
Configuration Display on a Diskless Syatem ........ e
7.4
Testing Internal
Storage Devices . ..............c.ccvvv....
7.5
Testing Memory Modules . ... ...........cciiiiiiinennnn.
7.6
Reading the Device Display ................ e cee
7.7
Using the System Exerciser . .......... ot
7.8
Running the Test Utilities . ................. ... ... ... ....
7.8.1
Compact Disc Test Utility ................ e
7.8.2
Erase Disk Utility for SCSIHard Disks..................
7.9
Changing the Keyboard Language ........ R et
7.10
Interpreting Console Commands ......... ciees e
e e
7.11
Using the Password Security Feature ......................
7.11.1 Setting or Resetting Your Password Security Feature .......
7.11.2 Enabling the Password Security Feature . ... .. cstedeanenes
7.12
Rebooting the System After Running Tests ..................
7.13

Calling Your Digital Service Representative

.................

7-2
7-3
7-4

7-5
7-7
7-9
7-10
7-10
7-12
7-14

7-15
7-17
7-17

7-17
7-19

7-20
7-21]

7-23
7-23
7-24
7-25

8 Available Options
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6

Hard Disks. .. ...ttt
ittt ittt tenenenennnnes
031
003
o e
Graphics Coprocessor Module/Color Option ................ ..
Scanline Coprocessor Module/Color Option ........ e
Guidelines for Internal Devices ............... e e
Printers ...... e C e te ettt
e ceee
8.6.1
ConnectingaPrinter ..................... e
8.7
Modems . ...ttt ittt ittt it
ettt e
e
8.7.1
ConnectingaModem ............ Ce e
ee e
8.8
Tablet. . ... .0t
i i
it i e ettt e
8.9
L% 0341870
o

8-2

8-2
8-2
8-2
8-2
8-3
8-3
8-4
8-5
8-6
8-7

9 Adding Optional Devices Inside Your System Unit
9.1

Preparing Your System

9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5

9.6
9.7

Sequence for Adding Devices . ............ ..t
..
Adding SIMM Memory Modules. . .........................
Removing a SIMM Memory Module.............. e e
Adding a Graphics Module/Color Option ....................
AddingHard Disks . ..........
... ... ..., Ce .
Restoring Your System Unit......... e
i e s e e

9.8
9.9

Testing Your System After Addinga Device..................

.......... e

Starting Your System . .. ......oiittiiirerrieeereeeeens

A Startup Procedures
Al

AutomaticBooting .. .........ciiiiiiiiinnnnn.. R

A-1

Changing the Default Recovery Actwn. e

e e

A-2

Setting the Default Boot Flags . . ........... et

A-4

A.4

Using an Alternate Console with Your System..........e

A-4

B SCSIIDs
B.1
B.2
B.3
B.4

SCSI ID Default Settings . .......... ettt
Setting SCSI IDs ... ... .ot
ittt tinennnnenns
Setting SCSI Switches for Devices Inmde the System Unit ......
Setting SCSI Switches for the RRD40 Compact Disc Expansion

C Power-Up, Self-Test, and Test 50 Status and Error
Codes
C.1
C2
C.3
C4
C5
C.6
C.7
C.8
C.9
C.10
C.11
C.12

Monochrome Video Circuits MONO) .. .........cciivv.... .
Time-of-Year Clock (CLK) .........civivvn... e e
Nonvolatile RAM (NVR) . . ............. e e s e c e ree o e
Serial Line Controller (IDZ) .. .......cciiiiiiiitiinnneernnn
SystemMemory (MEM) ........ct
ittt
tinnennenenenn
Memory Management (MM)...... et
e eneees e e
Floating Point (FP) .. ...t iiiiiiitiniennnannnnnn.
Interval Timer (IT). . . .. i it ittt it i it nn e
SCSI Bus Controllers (SCSI-Aand SCSI-B). . ..........c....
Interrupt Controller and Ethernet ROM (SYS) ...............
Graphics Coprocessor Module/Color Option .................
Ethernet Circuits (INI) .. ... ittt ittt ittt ittt rineenennns

B-2
B-2
B-4

Hardware Specifications

Related Documents

Glossary
IndeXx

Examples
7-1

SIMM Memory Error Display

. ........c.0iiiiinieiiinnennnn

7-13

Figures
1-1

VAXstation 3100 Model 76 System . . . . ..........cc
...

1-1

2-1

Unpacking . ...... ...ttt

inrinneenennsS cees

2-4

2-2

Lifting Equipment ............ C

et et et

2-5

2-3

System Unit Ports and Icons ............... coeee e

2-6

2-4

Connecting the Keyboard to the System Unit ......... e

2-7

2-5

Connecting the Mouse tothe System Unit....................

2-8

2-6

Connecting Terminators to the T-Connector . . . . ...............

2-9

2-7

Connecting the T-Connector to the System Unit ............. ..

2-10

2-8

Connecting the Loopback Connector to the System Unit .........

2-11

2-9

Connecting the Monitor Video Cable to the Monitor Using the

Universal Strain Relief Strap. . ...........
...
...

2-13

2-10

Connecting the Monitor Video Cable to the Syatem Unit.........

2-14

2-11

Connecting the Monitor Power Cord ........... et

eee

2-15

3-1

InsertingaDiskette . . . .........
...
i, e

3-3

3-2

RemovingaDiskette .................... et

3-4

3-3

Write-Protecting a Diskette ...............ettt

3-5

4-1

Removing the SCSI Terminator Access Door ............ e

4-3

4-2

Removing the SCSI Terminator ...................
... 0....

4-4

4-3

Removing the SCSI ID Switch Cover from the Expansion Box . ...

4-5

4-4

Setting the SCSI ID Switches on the Expansion Box............

4-6

4-5

Setting the SCSI ID Switches on the RX23 Diskette Drive .......

4-7

4-6

Connecting the System Unit to the Expansion Box .............

4-8

vil

4-7

Connecting the Power Cord to the Expansion Box ............. .

4-8

Expansion Box Connections . ..............c.c0viiiiinennn..

4-11

4-9

Connecting One Compact Disc Expansion Box.................

4-13

4-10

SCSIS0-Pin Terminator. ...........c.ciiiiiiiienenenennnnns

- 4-13

4-11

Connecting Two Compact Disc Expansion Boxes ...............

4-15

4-12

Compact Disc Voltage Selector and Factory SCSI ID Switch
POSItiONS

4-9

.. ...

- 4-17

4-18

4-13

Compact Disc Expanalon BoxX .. ...

4-14

A Compact DisC . .....iiiiiii
ittt i e e e e e e

4-19

4-15

Insertinga Compact Disc......... ..ot

4-20

iiinnnennn..

5-1

Network Button Set for ThinWire Ethernet . . ............ e

5-2

Adding ThinWireCable .................... e

et e

5-3

Checking Cable Connections ................... e

5-5

o-4

Model 76 Systems in a Daisy-Chain Work Group.............. .

5-5

Connecting to a DECconnect Faceplate ......................

5-7

5-6

Removing a T-Connector from an Active ThinWire Segment ......

5-8

Connecting a Transceiver Cable to the System Unit ............

5-12

7-1

Halt Button ..............

7-2

Diagnostic Lights . . . . ...... ..

ittt

7-25

8-1

Connecting Your Printer .. .........
... ..t
iinen..

8-4

8-2

ConnectingaModem . ............ciiiiiiiiiienrnenennnn

8-6

-1

Modules and Devices You Can Add ................ e

-3

-2

Disconnecting the System Unit and Monitor Cables ...... e

-6

9-3

Removing the System Unit Cover ............... e

9-7

ittt
.

7-6

Q-4

Device and Module Locations . ............. ee

-8

9-5

4MB SIMM Memory Module ............
..t iniienenn..

-9

9-6

Removing the Drive Plate ..................
... ... .. ...,

9-11

Q-7

Adding One SIMM Memory Module. .................... ce e

9-12

9-8

Adding Two SIMMSs . ... ..ottt
ittt it itiieeenn. ceen

9-13

Q-9

Removing SIMM Memory Modules ......... e e

9-15

9-10

Inserting Post Locks on the System Module

9-16

9-11

Adding a Graphics Module/Color Option—Top View

............

9-17

9-12

Adding a Graphics Module/Color Option—Side View . .. .........

9-18

..................

9-13

Two RZxx Hard Disks with a Diskette Drive on the Drive Plate . . .

9-19

9-14

Three RZxx Hard Disksonthe Drive Plate . ..................

9-20

9-15

Adding MountstoaHard Disk ................cc0iui....

9-21

9-16

Setting the SCSI ID on the RZ23 Hard Disk ........... PR

9-22

9-17

Setting the SCSI ID Codes on the RZ24 Hard Disk . .. ..........

9-23

0-18

RZxxHardDisk........... e e e S

0-24

9-19

Mounting a Hard Disk on the Drive Plate . .......... e

9-25

9-20

RZxx Hard Disk Cable Connections . .. .......coovueeueennnn..

9-26

9-21

Replacing the System Unit Cover ..........................

9-27

Tables
]

VAXstation 3100 Model 76 Documentation Kits . . ..............

Xiii

6-1

Troubleshooting . ............
...
ittt nnnennnn

6-3

7-1

Device Identifiers in Power-Up and Self-Tests ........ e ..

7-3

7-2

SCSI Status Codes Indicating Good Devices ............ e

7-11

7-3

SCSI Status Codes Indicating Possible Problems...............

7-11

7-4

8-Digit Memory Decimal Code .............. ...,

7-12

7-5

Locating a Failed SIMM Memory. . ... .. ...ttt tirieennnnnns

7-14

7-6

Error Messages for the Erase Disk Utility . . .. ................

7-19

7-7

SHOW Commands .......... e ettt ettt e

7-20

7-8

SET Commands . ........otiitiiiiittnnnnenneenneennenns

7-20
7-21

7-9

TEST Commands . ......... C

8-1

Printers ........ciiiiiii
ittt i
e
e

8-2

Modems ............... et ettt et

o-1

Memory Quantity. ........c.iiiiiiii
i ineinnnnnennnns

9-2

Adding SIMM Memory . . .. ottt ittt et ittt e eteneennenns

A-1

SCSI Boot Device Names . . ..........ciiviinnnnnn.. e

A-2
B-1

e et ettt

Values for Recovery
Action. .. ..
SCSI IDs for a VAXstation 3100 Model 76 with an Expansion

BoX . ..

ettt

B-2

SCSICodes ......coiiiiiiiiiiinnnenenense e

B-3

RX23 Diskette Drive SCSI ID Settings ......................

B-4

Hard Disk SCSIID Settings ............ci

B-5

RRD40 Compact Disc Expansion Box SCSI ID Settmga ...........

C-1

Monochrome Video Circuit Error Codes (0000.XXXX) ...........

C-2

Time-of-Year Clock Error Codes (0000.XXXX) ..........ovv....

C-3

Nonvolatile RAM Error Codes (0000 XXXX). .. ....civvivennnn.

C-4

Serial Line Controller Error Codes (0000 XXXX) . ..............

C-5

Serial Line Controller Status Codes (OOOOWWWW) . ............

C-6

Keyboard Self-Test Codes (YYYYYY
YY) ...ttt iiiiiiinnennnn

C-7

Mouse or Tablet Self-Test Codes (ZZZZZZZZ). . ................

C-8

4 Digit Memory Error Codes (0000.XXXX) . . .ot

C-9

Floating Point Error Code (0000.000X) ......... e

C-10

Binary Mask of Selected Devices (WWXX.0000)........ e

veeeeenrnnnn.
e e

C-11

Binary Mask of Error Flags (0000.YY00) . ....................

C-7

C-12

SCSI Controller Status and Error Codes (0000.00ZZ) ...... e

C-8

C-13

Device Status Codes (DDMMSSTT) . ... .....ciiiiiieinnn..

C-11

C-14

Interrupt Controller and Ethernet ID ROM Error Codes

C-15

Graphics Coprocessor Module/Color Option Error Codes

(0100009,
©. 0. T
(0000.YYYO0)....... i

e e

C-15

C-16

Ethernet Circuit Error Codes (0000.YYYY) . .........
.. ... ...

C-16

D-1

System Unit Dimensions (Diskless System)...................

D-1

D-2

System Specifications

et ettt
e e

D-2

D-3

System Storage Conditions .............. ..o, .
System Operating and Nonoperating Conditions . ......... Cee e

D-2
D-3

System Electrical Specifications . . . ..............
... .. ... .

D-3

RZ23 Hard Disk Drive Specifications . . . ................... e

D-4

RZ24 Hard Disk Drive Specifications . ... ... ettt

D-5

D-8

RX23 Diskette Drive Specifications .................cciuen..

D-7

E-1

Associated Documents ............ ..ttt

E-1

D-4

D-7

...... e

C-14

About This Guide

Purpose of This Manual
This manual describes how to install, test, and maintain the

hardware components of a VAXstation 3100 Model 76 system.
This manual also includes information on how to configure and

connect a Model 76 system to an Ethernet network.

~. Who Should Use This Manual
This manual is for anyone setting up and using the VAXstation

3100 Model 76 workstation for the first time. This manual is also
for anyone installing new devices inside the workstation system
unit.

Structure of T is Manuadl

This manual contains nine chapters, six appendixea, a glossary of
technical terms, and an index.

Chapter 1 introduces you to the VAXstation 3100 Model 76
system.

Chapter 2 shows how to install your VAXstation 3100 Model
76.

Chapter 3 discusses how to use your VAXstation 3100 Model
76 and the RX23 diskette drive.
Chapter 4 describes how to add and use expansion boxes for
your system.

Chapter 5 tells you how to connect your system to a simple
ThinWire daisy-chain network, as well as to a standard
Ethernet Network.

Chapter 6 provides basic troubleshooting information.

Chapter 7 provides instructions for running diagnostic tests.

Chapter 8 lists the options available for your system. It also

—
|

shows how to connect a printer or modem to your system.
-

Chapter 9 tells you how to add optional devices inside your

system unit.

Appendix A tells you how to set your startup procedures,
including how to reboot your system and change the default
recovery action.

Appendix B gives information about setting SCSI IDs for

devices inside the workstation system unit and for devices in
expansion boxes.
s

Appendix C gives information abou.t status and error codes
resulting from diagnostic testing.

Appendix D provides hardware specifications for system
components.

Appendix E lists addltmnal documents to help you get

acquainted with your new system.
#

The Glossary explains technical terms used in the manual.

The Index refers you to specific topics covered in the manual.

Guide to VAXstation 3100 Model 76 Documentahon
The following table lists some of the manuals you may use in
addition to this one to install and operate your VAXstation 3100
Model 76 system. The manuals you receive with your equipment
may differ, depending on your hardware and software. See also

Appendix E, Related Documents.
Manual

Monitor Installation/Owner’s Guide

Topics

Connecting a monitor to your system unit
Adjusting monitor screen brightness and contrast

VMS Installation Guide

Installing VMS operating system software

Backing up files

xii

—

Manual

Topics

VWS Installation Guide

Installing VWS system software
Using VWS software

Backing up files

DECwindows User’s Guide
|

Using DECwindows, an optional software interface
layered on VMS

Using the mouse
Manipulating windows
Creating and using files

Application Installation Guides

Installing software applications

BA42 Storage Expansion Box
Guides

Installing and using expansion boxes
V

Ordering Additional Copies
You can order additional copies of this documentation set from

DECdirect as described in the ordering information section at the

end of this document. The order numbers for the various available
combinations of VAXstation 3100 Model 76 documents are as

follows:
Table 1

VAXstation 3100 Model 76 Documentation Kits

Kit Number

Contents

EK-VX31A-KT

Owner’s Guide/Upgrade Guide

EK-VX31B-KT

Owner’s Guide

EK-VX31C-KT

Upgrade Guide

Conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:
A sequence such as
indicates that you must hold down the key
labeled Ctrl while you press another key or a pointing device button.
A name enclosed in a box in interactive examples indicates a key you
press on the keyboard.
red ink

Red in interactive examples indicates information you must enter from
the keyboard. In the online version of the book, this user input is bold
type.

Xili

bold

Bold type is used to introduce new terms. New terms are defined in the
Glossary.

RZxx

RZxx refers to any of the RZ-series hard disk drives.

UPPERCASE

Uppercase letters indicate that you must enter a command exactly as

shown. For example, enter SHOW.
lowercase

Lowercase letters in commands indicate that you must provide a value.
For example, enter SET PASSWORD new_password.

Warning

Warnings contain information to prevent personal injury. Read these
carefully.

Caution

Cautions provide information to prevent damage to equipment or
software. Read these carefully.

Note

Notes provide general information about the current topic.

Icon Descriptions
Throughout this manual, icons (symbols) identify important
switches, buttons, and procedures. These icons are briefly

described here. Figure 2-3 shows the locations on the system unit
for many of the ports, switches, and buttons.
Icons That Signal Procedures

Certain icons act as reminders about important procedures that
are being described in the text.
This icon signals that you must open another guide (for instance,

the monitor guide) for more complete instructions on a certain
procedure. Then you return to the procedures in this manual.
This representation of an on/off switch shows the off (O) position.
This icon signals that you should turn off one or more devices, as

described in the text.
The on/off switch is shown in the on (| ) position. This icon

signals that you should turn on one or more devices, as described
in the text.
Icons for Ports and Buttons

Some icons appear on the back of the system unit itself to identify
ports and buttons. In text, the icon for a port indicates that you
connect a cable to that port. The icon for a button indicates that

you press that button. See Figure 2-3 for icon locations on the
system unit.

xXiv

O R

The SCSI icon signals that you attach a cable or terminator to the
SCSI port. See Chapter 4 for instructions.
The Ethernet icon signals a procedure involving one of the
Ethernet connectors or the network button. See Chapters 2
and 5 for instructions.

The halt icon signals that you press the halt button to put the
system into console mode. See Chapter 7 for instructions.

The keyboard icon identifies the port into which you insert the
keyboard cable. See Chapter 2 for instructions.

The mouse icon identifies the port into which you insert the mouse
cable (or the tablet cable). See Chapter 2 for instructions.
This icon appears on the cable for the mouse (or tablet). You
insert this cable into the port labeled with the mouse icon. See
.
Chapter 2 for instructions.
The monitor icon identifies the port into which you insert the
monitor cable. See Chapter 2 for instructions.
The printer icon identifies the port for the printer cable. See
Chapter 8. This port also supports a hardcopy terminal or an
additional video terminal as an alternate console. See Appendix A.

This icon identifies the communications port. If you purchase a
modem, you insert the modem cable into this port. See Chapter 8.
This icon identifies the alternate console switch. See Appendix A
gives instructions installing and using an alternate console.
This icon identifies the row of diagnostic lights on the back of the
system unit.

]
Your VAXstation 3100 Model 76
This chapter describes some of the features of the VAXstation

8100 Model 76 system (Figure 1-1).
Figure 1-1

VAXstation 3100 Model 76 System

MLO-002344

The VAXstation 3100 Model 76 system is a low-cost desktop
system that offers all the advantages of Digital Equipment
Corporation’s VAX architecture. The VAXstation 3100 Model 76
system provides an integrated computing environment that offers
desktop VAX computing, industry-standard personal productivity
tools, and transparent access to distributed applications and
resources.

Your VAXstation 3100 Model 76

1-1

The VAXstation 3100 Model 76 system does the following:
Provides 8 VUPS of processing power on a Rigel-based

—

central processing unit (CPU).

Provides an integrated computing environment that offers the

best of timesharing and local or distributed applications.
Is contained in a compact, four-piece desktop package that

takes up a minimal amount of space.

Supports up to 32 megabytes of memory.

Supports the VWS/UIS or the DECwindows user interface.
The DECwindows interface is based on the X Window

System industry standard. This means that all applications
written for the VAXstation 3100 environment provide a
consistent style of interaction, thus reducing both learning
time and errors.
Is equipped with both standard Ethernet and ThinWire
Ethernet ports for connection to a DECnet network.
Provides a password security feature for securing your system
in console mode. See Section 7.11 for more information on

this feature.
The Model 76 diskless satellite workstation is the basic

system. With it you can work in a small group or be connected
to a network. You can configure it with a paging and swap
disk or with an RX23 diskette drive, which uses 1.4-megabyte
diskettes.

1-2

Your VAXstation 3100 Model 76

2
Installing System Hardware

This chapter describes the following steps involved in installing

the Model 76 system hardware:
Choosing the right location (Section 2.1)

Unpacking your system (Section 2.2)

Setting up your system (Section 2.3)
Starting your system (Section 2.4)
Setting the keyboard language (Section 2.5)

What to do next (Section 2.6)
Installing your operating system (Section 2.7)
Turning your system off (Section 2.8)

If you have ordered optional devices to install inside the system
unit, it is important for you to set up your new system and become

familiar with its operation before adding any internal device.

Chapter 8 describes available options and Chapter 9 tells how to
add optional devices inside the system unit.

Installing System Hardware

2-1

2.1

Choosing the Right Location
Use the following checklist to ensure that your VAXstation 3100
Model 76 operates at its best:
Keep the temperature between 10°C and 40°C (50°F and
104°F) and the relative humidity between 10% and 90%.

Keep the air well circulated to prevent the accumulation of
excess heat and dust.

Keep your equipment away from heaters, photocopiers, direct
sunlight, and abrasive particles.
Select a surface that is large enough to hold a system unit
with a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse or tablet. Your
desk or work table is a good choice. It is important that your
system unit be positioned at least 3 feet away from other

operating equipment.

Place the monitor so that the top line of the monitor display is
at eye level.
|

To eliminate screen glare, choose a place where bright light
will not reflect off the monitor.
|
Keep the area clean. Do not place food or liquid on or near
your equipment, and do not place your system unit directly on
the floor. Dust and dirt damage system components.
Keep air vents clear on each side of the system unit for proper
ventilation.

Do not place the system unit on its side. Blocking the air
vents can cause the system unit to overheat.

Connect your computer system to an isolated grounded
circuit.

Let the equipment stabilize to room temperature before you
turn it on.

Carefully read all installation instructions before you turn on
the power.

2-2

Installing System Hardware

2.2

Unpacking Your System
Unpack your system unit and monitor box. Figure 2-1 shows the

basic components of your system. The contents of your shipment
may differ from those shown in Figure 2—-1, depending on what

you have ordered.

Installing System Hardware

2-3

Figure 2-1

Unpacking
J—

Monitor

System Unit

Manuals
Monitor Video Cable

—————

(Color Shown)

Keyboard

Mouse

Power Cords

Ethernet
Loopback Connector
Two Terminators and

One T-Connector

Puck (Optional)

Stylus (Optional)

Tablet (Optional)

2-4

Installing System Hardware

MLO-005470

Warning The system unit and the monitor are heavy. Two people should
lift the equipment out of the boxes and place it on a work surface
(Figure 2-2).
Figure 2-2

Lifting Equipment

MLO-002462

Check whether your system unit is labeled color or monochrome.
Use the color or monochrome monitor video cable that comes with
your system unit to connect your monitor to the system unit. See
Section 2.3.5.

Your system is identified on the back of the system unit with
a label. For example, "Model: WS43A-xx" denotes a Model 76
system, the xx identifying the contents of the system unit.
Save cartons and packing material. Always repack your
equipment in its original packing material when you move it.

2.3

Setling Up Your System
You are now ready to begin setting up your system.
Note Digital recommends that you not add optional devices until you

have successfully installed and started up your VAXstation 3100

system. Refer to Chapter 9 for information on adding optional
devices inside your system unit.

Installing System Hardware

2-5

2.3.1

Identifying System Unit Ports

Turn the system unit so that the back faces you. Take a minute
to look at all the ports shown in Figure 2-3. Symbols (called
device icons) molded on the bezel identify each port you will
need to install your system. The icons are defined in About This

Guide. The appropriate icon appears in the margin of this manual
whenever you need to connect or disconnect a cable from one of

these ports, or when you need to operate a button.
If you have a storage device in your system, there will be a SCSI

(Small Computer System Interface) port with a cover on the
back of your system unit. Chapter 4 tells you how to remove this
cover to connect an expansion box to your system.

Figure 2-3

System Unit Ports and icons

On/Off Switch
Monitor AC Power

System AC Power

& Scsl Port
Standard Ethernet
Port

Standard Ethernet Light
Network Button

ThinWire Ethernet Light

ThinWire Ethernet

n Port

@ Halt Button
C— Keyboard Port
(B¥\. Mouse Port

(O Monitor Port

£&5 Printer Port
— Communications Port
S3

Alternate Console Switch

L Diagnostic Lights

2-6

|Installing System Hardware

MLO-005472

.,
|

2.3.2

Connecting the Keyboard

Connect the free end of the keyboard cable to the keyboard port

7' C::b

on the back of the system unit, as shown in Figure 24.

Caution Do not connect or disconnect the keyboard while the system is
turned on.
Figure 2-4

Connecting the Keyboard to the System Unit

Keyboard Cable

MLO-002203

Installing System Hardware

2-7

2.3.3
m

Connecting the Mouse

Find the mouse cable’s device icon, as shown in Figure 2-5.
Connect the free end of the mouse cable, with the pointing icon on
top, to the mouse port on the back of the system unit, as shown in
Figure 2-5. If you have a tablet, connect it to the system unit in
the same manner described for connecting a mouse.
Caution Do not connect or disconnect the mouse while the system is turned
on.

Figure 2-5

Pointing Icon

Mouse Cable

2-8

Installing System Hardware

Connecting the Mouse to the System Unit

2.3.4

Attaching Ethernet Terminators

Before you can complete the power-up test, discussed later in
this chapter, you must first connect the T-connector, with two
Ethernet terminators, and the loopback connector to the system

Push an Ethernet terminator into each side of the Tconnector and turn both to the right until they lock into place,
as shown in Figure 2-6.

Figure 2-6

Connecting Terminators to the T-Connector
T-Connector
Terminator

MLO-000847

Later, if you connect to a network, you will exchange ThinWire

cable sections for one or both Ethernet terminators, depending on
your network setup. See Chapter 5 for additional information.

Installing System Hardware

2-9

Next, connect the T-connector to the ThinWire Ethernet port
on the back of the system unit. To do this, turn the ribbed
portion of the connector to the right until it locks into place,
as shown in Figure 2-7.

Figure 2-7

Connecting the T-Connector to the System Unit

Ribbed Portion
T-Connector

MLO-002208

Make sure the T-connector is set at an angle, as shown in
Figure 2-7, to allow room for the loopback connector to be
connected in the next step.

2-10

Installing System Hardware

Connect the loopback connector to the standard Ethernet port
on the back of the system unit, as shown in Figure 2-8. Later,
when the system has been turned on, the green light on the
connector will come on.

Figure 2-8

Connecting the Loopback Connector to the
System Unit

Ethernet
Loopback Connector

MLO-002211

Installing System Hardware

2-11

2.3.5

Connecting the Monitor

Installation is basically the same for any of the monitors available

for your system. You can put the monitor beside the system unit
or on top of it. Install your monitor according to the instructions

in your monitor guide. See your monitor guide for information on

these procedures:
@

Connecting the monitor video cable

Changing the voltage setting

Replacing a fuse

Adjusting screen brightness and contrast

To set up your monitor, follow these steps:

See your monitor guide for installation instructions.

Caution Never connect or disconnect the monitor video cable and the
system unit while the power is on.

The color monitor video cable will attach to the monitor with

either a thumbscrew or a universal strain relief strap (USRS).
Check for an attachment point (screw hole) on the back of
your monitor where a thumbscrew can be attached. If there

is one, proceed to step 3. If there is none, proceed to step 5 to
attach the monitor video cable using the universal strain relief

strap. (See Figure 2-9.)

Select the appropriate thumbscrew for your monitor. The color
monitor video cable comes with two different thumbscrews.

Use the long screw for the large color monitor; use the short

screw for all other monitors.
4

Push the thumbscrew into the junction block of the monitor

cable until it snaps in place. Then screw it into the
attachment point in the back of the monitor, being careful
not to overtighten it. Proceed to step 6.

2-12

Instaling System Hardware

Attach the universal strain relief strap to the color
monitor video cable by completing the following procedure
(Figure 2-9):
x

Insert the three BNC connectors and cable junction block

of the monitor video cable through the center slot of the
universal strain relief strap, making sure the strap is

under the cable junction block.
Figure 2-9

Connecting the Monitor Video Cable to the
Monitor Using the Universal Strain Relief Strap
BNC Connectors

usis
Bottom

[
;
AN

\O )

USRS

—<—

Cable Junction Block

MLO-004580

Note The bottom of the cable junction block has the smaller of
the two screw holes, and is dimpled. The universal strain

relief strap should lie against this side of the cable junction
block.
m

Pull the monitor video cable into the slotted hole at the
bottom of the universal strain relief strap and pull the
strap flush with the cable junction box.

Align the center (green) BNC connector with the two key
slots of the closed hole at the top of the universal strain
relief strap, and snap the BNC connector into the hole.

Follow the instructions in your monitor guide to attach the
BNC connectors to the back of the monitor.

Installing System Hardware

2-13

Follow the directions in the monitor guide to connect the
monitor video cable to the monitor.

Connect the free end of the monitor video cable to the back of

the system unit, as shown in Figure 2-10.

Figure 2-10

Connecting the Monitor Video Cable to the
System Unit

Thumbscrews

MLO-005556

Tighten the thumbscrews on the monitor connector by turning
them to the right.

2.3.6

Connecting the Power Cords

The power cord is an electrical ground for your system. To
connect your system to a power source, perform the following
steps:

2-14

|Installing System Hardware

Make sure that the monitor and the system unit power
switches are off (O).
Whereas the system unit automatically adjusts itself to the
correct voltage, your monitor may not. Refer to your monitor
guide to check the monitor voltage rating.
Before proceeding, ensure that your monitor’s voltage
requirements match the voltage of the AC power outlet
into which you plan to plug the monitor. Monitors require
either 110 VAC or 220 VAC.

Connect one end of the short power cord to the monitor, as
shown in Figure 2—-11. Plug the other end of the power cord
into the system unit’s AC power outlet.

Figure 2-11

Connecting the Monitor Power Cord

Monitor Power Cord

AC Power Outlet

2.4

Starting Your System

©® )

To start your system, turn your system components on ( | ) in the
order given here.
1

Turn expansion boxes on ( | ) in the following order:

BA42 expansion box

Other expansion boxes (if present)

Compact disc expansion box (if present)

Installing System Hardware

2-15

To connect expansion boxes, see Chapter 4.

Turn the printer and modem on ( | ), if you have this
equipment.

To connect a printer or modem, see Chapter 8.

Turn the monitor on ( | ).
Leave the monitor on so that the monitor turns on and off
with the system unit.

Turn the system unit on ( |).

The green light on the front of the monitor and system unit should
come on. It takes approximately 1 to 2 minutes for the first line of

the power-up display to appear on the screen.
This is a good time to adjust the brightness and contrast of your
monitor. Your screen looks blank if the brightness and contrast

are turned down too low. Follow the directions in your monitor
guide to set the brightness and contrast.

24.1

Checking the Power-Up Display

When you turn on the system unit, a power-up display appears on

the monitor screen.
=

Power-Up Display for a Diskless System

If you have a diskless system, you will see a display similar

to the following. This display means that your system has
passed all power-up tests.
KA43-A
F

V1.0

E‘UUD“ fl‘*CQUUBUU'A‘mQ figflflfle

6”‘l~fi50'34

NUMBYTES

RM/FX

VMS /VMB

ADDR

ESAQ

08-00-2B-07-E3-83

[ESAQ:]

DEVTYP

7”

‘3”

2.-

DEVNAM

>>>

Power-Up Display for a System with a Hard Disk and

Diskette Drive

If you have a system with a hard disk and diskette drive, you"

will see a display similar to the following. This display means
that your system has passed all power-up tests.

2-16

|Installing System Hardware

Ka43-A

V1.0

0040

0000.0005

?2
?

0050

0000.0005

80A1

0000.4001

(This

is not

an error if a drive

attached to

SCSI-B port)

Enter the following to display a list of devices:

[ESAO] >>>

SHOW DEVICE

VMS /VMB

ADDR

DEVTYP

ESAQ

08-00-2BR~-07-E3-83

DKA300
DKAS500

A/3/0/00 DISK
A/5/0/00

...HostID....

A/6

INITR

...HostID....

B/é6

INITR

NUMBYTES

RM/FX

104 MB
e ee..

FX
RM

DEVNAM

RZ23
RX23

Press Ctrl/C to continue; that is, hold down the Ctrl key while

you press the C key.
After you have checked the power-up display, remove all
media from integral devices or expansion boxes. See
Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 for instructions on how to remove
the media.
|

2.4.2

If You Have Problems

If you do not see one of the power-up displays, turn off your

system unit, review each installation step, and repeat the powerup procedure. If you still have problems, see Chapter 6 for
information on power-up error messages.

2.5

Setting the Keyboard Language
If the following display appears on your monitor, you need to set

your keyboard language. If this display does not appear, your

keyboard language has been set.

Installing System Hardware

2-17

Dansk

Francais

Deutsch

Italiano

English

11)

Norsk

English

12)

Portugués

Espanol

13)

Suomi

Francais

14)

Svenska

Francais

15)

Vlaams

3?2

>>>

2) Deutsch (Schweiz)
(British/Irish)

(Canadien)

(Suisse Romande)

10) Nederlands

Use the following guidelines to select a language from the
keyboard language menu. The language you select must match
the type of keyboard you have.
1

If you want to select the default language (option 3, English),
press Return.

If you want to select another language, enter at the prompt
the number of the language that matches the language of your
keyboard, and press Return.
A different keyboardis available for each language. If you do
not know the language variation of the keyboard you received,
check the packing list.
The language that you choose or that has already been set
is saved in memory. If you need to change the keyboard
language later, refer to Section 7.9.

At this point go to Chapter 7 and read it so that you will
understand the diagnostics.

Now run TEST 50 to display the system configuration,

Ethernet hardware address, ROM revision levels, and status
information.

2.6

Record all the information to check the status information.

What to Do Next
If you plan to connect your workstation to a network or to add an
additional expansion box to your system, you need to do so before
installing your operating system software. The following table
shows you where to find instructions for completing these tasks.

2-18

Installing System Hardware

Task

Location

Adding expansion boxes

Chapter 4

Installing network hardware

Chapter 5

Connecting a printer

Chapter 8

Connecting a modem

Chapter 8

Connecting a tablet

Chapter 2

Adding optional devices inside the system

Chapter 9

Selecting system startup procedures

Appendix A

After installing your network and optional hardware, you are

ready to install your operating system software.

2.7

Installing Your Operating System
To install your VMS operating system software, you need one of
the following:
s

Connection to a network to load the software from another
system

Compact disc expansion box

Before you install your operating system software, set the system
startup choices to start the operating system from the disk drive

on which you plan to install your software. See Appendix A.

To install VMS software on the Model 76, follow the operating
system installation instructions that came with the software.
During software installation, you transfer operating system
software from the installation media to a hard disk in your system
unit or in an expansion box.
If you are connecting a printer to your system unit, refer to

Section 8.6 for device-specific information you need to complete
installation of your operating system.
If you are connecting a modem to your system unit, refer to

Section 8.7 for device-specific information you need to complete
installation of your operating system.
If you are a member of a local area VAXcluster configuration,
you access operating system software from your server.
If you are part of an Ethernet local area network, you can use

the Remote System Manager (RSM) on the server to install
your operating system as well as application software.

Installing System Hardware

2-19

For information about using RSM or accessing the VMS operating
system software on your server, refer to your operating system

documentation.

2.8

Turning Your System Off

| Ol

—

“

If you need to turn your system off (O), follow the shutdown

| instructions in your operating system software documentation.
After shutting down the operating system, turn your system
components off in the following order:

Expansion boxes

Printer, modem, and other equipment

System unit and monitor

/SMWJMWW@ -

2-20

Installing System Hardware

3
Learning About Your System

Your Model 76 system can use disk drives or diskettes to store and
retrieve information and compact discs to retrieve information.

You may have a diskless system, or you may have one or more
built-in storage devices. Devices can be added to your system,
either inside the system unit, as explained in Chapter 9, or

outside the system unit as expansion boxes, as explained in
Chapter 4.
This chapter discusses the following:

» Hard disk drives (Section 3.1)
» RX23 diskette drive (Section 3.2)
m

3.1

Mouse (Section 3.3)

Hard Disks
A hard disk consists of a drive that stores information on a

nonremovable disk. Disks come in different sizes. You can have
one, two, or three 3.5-inch RZ22, RZ23, or RZ24 hard disks in
your system unit.

The RZ22 hard disk stores 52 megabytes of information.

The RZ23 hard disk stores 104 megabytes of information.

The RZ24 hard disk stores 209 megabytes of information.

See Chapter 9 for information about adding hard disks inside your
system unit.

Learning About Your System

3-1

3.2

RX23 Diskette Drive
This section tells you how to insert, remove, write-protect, and
write to a diskette.
The disk drive provides 1.4 megabytes of storage space on RX23K
diskettes.

Diskettes are magnetic disks that store information the same way
hard disks do, though their storage capacity is considerably less.
Digital requires that you use high-density (HD) diskettes.

Keep your diskettes dry, out of extreme temperatures and direct
sunlight, and away from any equipment that contains a magnet,
such as a telephone.

Caution Do not place diskettes or magnetic media on or near your monitor.
The heat and electromagnetism from your monitor may damage
‘diskettes by distorting or erasing the magnetic data.

3.2.1

Inserting a Diskette

If a diskette drive is installed in your system, it is located at the
front of the system unit. The drive can hold one diskette.
Caution Never remove or insert a diskette while the diskette drive is

performing a function. When the diskette drive is in use, the green
light on the front of the diskette drive is on. Inserting or removing
a diskette while the green light is on can cause incorrect data to be
written to the diskette, and can damage the diskette itself.

To insert a diskette into the diskette drive slot, slide the diskette
into the drive, with the front of the disk up (Figure 3-1).
The diskette slides straight in and drops down to its load
position.

3-2

Learning About Your System

3.2.2

Removing a Diskette

You must do a software dismount on the diskette drive before

—

removing a diskette. For information on dismounting, see your
software documentation.
|

To remove a diskette from the diskette slot, push the eject button,
as shown in Figure 3-2. Then remove the diskette.
Figure 3-2

Removing a Diskette

Diskette
Drive Select Light

Eject Button.

MLO-005473

3.2.3

Wirite-Protecting a Diskette

Write-protecting a diskette prevents accidental erasure of
information. The diskette drive can read information on the

diskette regardless of the position of the write-protect switch.
However, the diskette drive cannot write data to a write-protected

diskette.
If you are using a diskette to install software applications on your

system, or if you want to protect information on the diskette,
move the write-protect switch on the back of the diskette toward

the protect label until it locks in place, as shown in Figure 3-3.

3-4

Learning About Your System

Figure 3-3

Wirite-Protecting a Diskette

Write-Protect Switch

3.24

Wiriting to a Diskette

If you are using a diskette to make a backup copy of a file, or if

you want to write out data, set the write-protect switch to enable
writing to the tape.
To enable writing, slide the switch away from the protect label
until the switch locks in place.

3.3

Mouse
Use the mouse to point to and select menu choices and other
screen elements after windowing software has been installed on
your system. To learn how to use your mouse, see your windowing
software documentation.

Learning About Your Systemn

3-5

4
Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

This chapter discusses the following:
Guidelines for connecting expansion boxes (Section 4.1)
Preparing your system for an expansion box (Section 4.2)

Connecting one expansion box (Section 4.4)
Daisy-chaining multiple expansion boxes (Section 4.5)

Adding and using the compact disc expansion box (Section 4.6)
An expansion box is an external box that connects to your system

unit to provide additional compact disc, hard disk, or tape storage.
Each expansion box is shipped with the appropriate cables and

connectors for connecting more than one box. The following
expansion boxes can be used with a Model 76 system:

600-megabyte compact disc expansion box

Various hard disk expansion box storage options in the
RZ5x-xx series
Refer to the documentation that accompanies each expansion
box for installation and user information.
BA42 storage expansion box

Refer to the BA42 Storage Expansion Box Installation Guide
for installation information.
The compact disc is a read-only storage device that reads data

from removable compact discs. It can be used for many purposes,
including software installation, database storage, and online
documentation.

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

4~1

4.1

Guidelines for Connecting Expansion Boxes
Note See your operating system documentation for shutdown procedures

before turning your system off.
Use the following guidelines when connecting expansion boxes:

Connect no more than three expansion boxes to the system
unit SCSI port. Remember the following rules:
—

Seven SCSI IDs are available for customer configuration.

—

More than one SCSI device is housed in one expansion box

with a total of six external devices supported. For more
information on SCSI, please refer to Appendix B.
—

Each device must have a unique SCSI ID.

Use only expansion boxes purchased for the Model 76
system. Expansion boxes purchased for use with other Digital
equipment must be upgraded by a Digital customer service
representative.

You must attach the 50-pin terminator that comes with your
expansion box to the unused SCSI port on the back of the last
expansion box.

All expansion boxes should be plugged into the same grounded
power strip or electrical source.

To reduce potential problems with signal integrity that may
occur when transmission lines are poorly matched, Digital
recommends the following:

—

Cables should be no more than 4 meters (13 feet) long.

—

Cables and terminators should be supplied by Digital.

After you have installed all expansion boxes but before you
turn on the system unit, turn on all expansion boxes in the
following order:
1

BAA42 storage expansion box

Other expansion boxes

Compact disc expansion box or boxes

This procedure ensures that the device in each expansion box
is ready for use and that the system firmware includes each
device in its configuration.

4-2

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

See Section 7.3 for instructions on how to display your new

system configuration with the TEST 50 command. See
Section 7.7 for instructions on how to run the system exerciser
with the TEST 0 command.

4.2

Preparing Your System for an Expansion Box

To add an expansion box to your system, you must first remove
the SCSI cover and the terminator from the SCSI port on your
system unit.

Note See your operating system docunwntatmn for shutdown procedures

before turning your system off.

| O}

Turn your system off (O).

To remove the SCSI cover, place your fingers under the locking
tab. To release the SCSI cover, lift it as shown in Figure 4-1.

Figure 4-1

Removing the SCSI Terminator Access Door

SCSI Cover

SCSI Terminator

SCSI| Cover

MLO-005555

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

4-3

To remove the SCSI terminator, place your fingers under the
loop and pull out, as shown in Figure 4-2.

Figure 4-2

Removing the SCSI Terminator

SCSI| Terminator

MLO-008585

Set the terminator and the cover aside. You must reattach
them later if you disconnect all the expansion boxes from the
system unit.

4.3

Connecting One BA42 Expansion Box

Note See your operating system documentation for shutdown procedures
before turning your system off.

To connect a single BA42 expansion box, follow these steps:
[j"—@

4-4

Turn both the system unit and the expansion box off (O).

Turn the expansion box so that the back is facing you. Remove
the SCSI ID switch cover by pressing up on the bottom of the
cover and lifting it away, as shown in Figure 4-3.

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

Figure -3

Removing the SCSI ID Switch Cover from the
Expansion Box

SCSI Switch

Cover

\\
ml
u» mmnmml)
MLO-005704

Verify that the SCSI ID switches are set to the correct default
positions (Figure 4—4).

If you have one diskette drive in your expansion box,

the rightmost three SCSI ID switches on the back of the
expansion box determine the SCSI ID for that drive. The

switches should be set as follows:

Switch 1 = Down
Switch 2 = Down
Switch 3 = Up

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

4-5

If you have a second diskette drive in your expansion box,
the leftmost three SCSI ID switches on the back of the
expansion box determine the SCSI ID for the second drive.
These switches should be set as follows:
Switch 1 = Down
Switch 2 = Down
Switch 3 = Down

Figure 4-4

Setting the SCSI ID Switches on the Expansion Box

O Ly

BT
2 iy

SCSIID
Switches

CUSECE

n
l
m
m
i
m
m
'
numm””u

\\\

MLO-005705

4-6

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

If you have an RX23 diskette drive, set the SCSI ID on the

drive to 5 (Figure 4-5). See the BA42 Storage Expansion Box
Installation Guide for instructions on removing the box cover.
The switches should be set as follows:
Switch 1 = Down

Switch 2 = Up
Switch 3 = Down
Figure 4-5

Setting the SCSI ID Switches on the RX23 Diskette
Drive

SCSI ID Switches

Captive Screw

MLO-005708

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

4-7

Connect the expansion box cable to the system unit, as shown
in Figure 4-6.

Install the diskette drives in the expansion box as described in
your BA42 expansion box documentation.

Figure 4-6

Connecting the System Unit to the Expansion Box

System Unit
SCSI Port

————

Expansion Box Cable

MLO-005706

4-8

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

Connect the prongless end of the power cord to the expansion
box and plug the pronged end of the power cord into the power
outlet. (Figure 4-7).

Figure 4-7

Connecting the Power Cord to the Expansion Box

Power Cord

, mn

l
¥
ll
|

MLO-005707

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

4-9

4.3.1

Daisy-Chaining Multiple BA42 Expansion Boxes

You can connect additional expansion boxes, linking the new boxes

to the previously connected ones. You can daisy-chain devices to
your system in any order by following these steps:

Halt the system unit and turn the power off (O).
Remove and set aside the 50-pin terminator on the most

recently added expansion box. Store the terminator for
possible future use.
Connect one end of the 50-pin-to-50-pin SCSI cable to the new
expansion box.
Connect the other end of the 50-pin-to-50-pin SCSI cable to
the available port on the first expansion box.
Attach the 50-pin terminator that you just removed from

the first expansion box to the unused SCSI port on the new
expansion box.
Connect the power cord for the new expansion box to the

expansion box power port. Plug the other end of the power
cord into a grounded power source. Each expansion box needs
its own power connection.

Figure 4—8 shows how two expansion boxes are connected.

4-10

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

—.

Figure 4~-8

Expansion Box Connections

Power Cord

SCSI Terminator

System Cable

Expansion Box
Connectors
MLO-005703

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

4-11

4.4

Connecting One Compact Disc Expansion Box
Note See your operating system documentation for shutdown procedures

before turning your system off.
To connect a single expansion box to your system unit, follow

these steps:

Turn both the system unit and the expansion box off (O).

Turn the expansion box so that the back is facing you.

Verify that the SCSI ID switches on the back of the expansion
box are set to the correct default switch positions.
The default switch positions for the compact disc expansion

box are as follows:
Switch 1 = Up

Switch 2 = Down
Switch 3 = Down
Switch 4 = Down
Refer to Table B-5 if you have changed the default switch
positions.

Connect the 68-pin-to-50-pin SCSI cable, as shown in
Figure 4-9 for the compact disc.
s

Note the orientation of the pins in the system unit SCSI

connector. There are more pins in the top than in the
bottom row. Turn the 68-pin connector (small end of the
cable) so its holes match the pins.
m

Press the clips on the sides of the 68-pin connector and

push the connector into the system unit SCSI port until
the clips lock into place.

4-12

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

Figure 4~9

Connecting One Compact Disc Expansion Box

SCSI Cable
Terminator

Power Cord
ML

O-

Caution Do not force the 68-pin connector into the SCSI port. You
may damage the pins in the SCSI port.
m

Connect the 50-pin connector (large end of the cable) to

either port on the back of the expansion box and snap the
bail lock in place.

Connect the 50-pin SCSI terminator that comes with the
expansion box to the unused port on the expansion box.
Figure 4-10 shows the 50-pin terminator.

Figure 4-10

SCSI 50-Pin Terminator

MLO-002346

Connect the power cord to the expansion box power port; plug
the other end into a grounded power source.
Figure 4-9 shows how to connect one compact disc drive

expansion box to your system unit.

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

4-13

4.5

Daisy-Chaining Multiple Expansion Boxes
You can connect additional expansion boxes, linking the new boxes

to the previously connected ones. You can daisy-chain devices to
your system in any order by following these steps:
(E@

Turn the system unit and all expansion boxes off (O).

Remove and set aside the 50-pin terminator on the most
recently added expansion box. Store the terminator for
possible future use.

Note If you have more than one of the same type of device attached
to your system, you must change the SCSI ID on the second
device to an open ID on the SCSI bus. See Section 4.6.3 and
Appendix B for additional information.

Connect one end of the 50-pin-to-50-pin SCSI cable to the new
expansion box.

Connect the other end of the 50-pin-to-50-pin SCSI cable to
the available port on the first expansion box.

Attach the 50-pin terminator that you just removed from
the first expansion box to the unused SCSI port on the new
expansion box.

Connect the power cord for the new expansion box to the
expansion box power port. Plug the other end of the power
cord into a grounded power source. Each expansion box needs
its own power connection.

Figure 4-11 shows two daisy-chained compact disc expansion
boxes.

4-14

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

Figure 4~-11

RRD40 —»|

Connecting Two Compact Disc Expansion Boxes

RRD40 —>

........

& gfii;‘::&fzz; ~~~~~~

‘

\‘

:n,

J‘”

Terminator

/,,;@,’,.‘

To System

SCS| Port

>~ scsicable
MLO-004559

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

4~15

4.6

Adding and Using the Compact Disc Expansion Box
This section describes the following steps:
s

Selecting the voltage

Verifying the SCSI ID

Inserting a compact disc

For instructions on unpacking and preparing to connect a compact
disc expansion box, read Section 4.1, Section 4.2, and Section 4.3.

4.6.1

Selecting the Voltage

Turn the compact disc expansion box so that the back is facing
you and locate the voltage selector switch below the power port
(Figure 4-12). This switch can be set to one of two voltages,
110 VAC or 220 VAC. Check that the switch on your compact
disc expansion box is set to the correct voltage for your power
requirements.

4.6.2 Verifying the SCSI ID on the First Compact Disc
The compact disc expansion box is shipped from the factory with
the SCSI ID set to 4, as shown in Figure 4-12. Leave the SCSI
ID on the first compact disc set to 4. If you are adding a second
compact disc to your system, go to Section 4.6.3 for information on
resetting the SCSI ID.

4-16

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

Figure 4~-12

Compact Disc Voltage Selector and Factory
SCSI ID Switch Positions

SCSIID4

@QQQ
2

Location of SCS| Switches

Bail Lock

Voltage Selector

4.6.3

Resetting the SCSI ID on a Second Compact

Disc
If you are adding a second compact disc expansion box to your
configuration, you must reset the switches on the second box
to an open SCSI ID (one that is not currently being used). See
Table B-5 for possible switch settings.

To determine which IDs are available on the SCSI-B bus, enter
TEST 50 at the console prompt (>>>), then press Return. Your
system configuration appears on the screen, as shown in the
following example:
SCSI-B

1C1C.0001

V1.3

FFFFFFO05 00000001 FFFFFF05 FFFFFFO5 05000001 FFFFFFO5 FFFFEF03 FFFFFFO5

(1]

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

4-17

In this example, SCSI IDs 0 to 7 are identified by @ to © as
described below. The code FFFFFF05 indicates an open SCSI ID.

oB O

SCSI ID 1 — RZ55, RZ56, or RZ57 hard disk

SCSI ID 0 — Open

SCSI ID 3 — Open

SCSI ID 2 — Open

SCSI ID 5§ — Open

oo I~

SCSI ID 4 — Compact disc

SCSI ID 6 — SCSI-B bus controller

SCSI ID 7 — Open

4.6.4

Inserting a Compact Disc

The compact disc expansion box has an opening for a compact disc
and two indicator lights, as shown in Figure 4-13.
Figure 4-13

Compact Disc Expansion Box

Opening for Compact Disc \
Power Light

Activity Light

MLO-000871

The power light comes on when you turn on the compact disc

expansion box. The activity light comes on when you insert
and load a compact disc in the drive; it flashes when the disc is
- transferring information.

4-18

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

Before inserting a disc, make sure the power light on the front

of the disc drive is on. Insert the entire disc caddy into the disc
opening on the drive; do not remove the disc from the caddy.
Figure 4-15 shows a compact disc and its caddy.

Figure 4~-14

A Compact Disc

Notches

Housing
Label

Disc

Caddy

MLO-005654

To insert a disc, follow these steps:
1

Examine the disc caddy.

Make sure that it is not cracked or damaged in any way.
Never insert a damaged caddy into a compact disc drive.

Examine the disc inside the caddy.
The label on the disc should always be facing up when you
insert the disc into the drive. When the label is facing up,

the four notches on the disc housing are on the left. These
notches line up with four similar notches on the front of the
compact disc drive.
Note If the disc is in the caddy label side up but the notches are on
the right, the disc is improperly oriented. Proceed no further

with the loading. See the compact disc installation /owner’s
manual for more information.
Caution Do not write on the disc with any implement. The data area on
the disc is easily damaged.

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

4-19

>0B

Figure 4-15

.5 =

T
-g2

t2m..flm8fl.m
o

5QaO=>£
0o
oS 25¢
y
D

Q.2

Inserting a Compact Disc

Housing
Caddy

Disc

Caddy

MLO-005655

4-20

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

sy 5

The activity ligfit should come on within § seconds.
If the drive accepted the disc but the activity light does not

come on, the disc may be sitting incorrectly in the caddy and
should be removed and reinserted.
If your software does not load properly, see Chapter 7 for
information on using the test disc.

4.6.5

Removing a Compact Disc

Before removing a disc, make sure that the activity light is not
blinking. If it is blinking, the compact disc drive is transferring

data. Wait until the activity light stops blinking. To unload a disc,
follow these steps:

Position the caddy as for loading, with the arrow on the sleeve
pointing into the drive opening (Figure 4—15).

Insert the sleeve into the drive opening as far as it will go.

Remove the caddy.
The disc and housing should be in the sleeve. The activity

light will go out.

.. 4.7

Testing Expansion Boxes
After installing each expansion box, see Chapter 7 to run the

configuration display and then run the system exerciser.

Adding and Using Expansion Boxes

4-21

Connecting to a Network

This chapter discusses connecting your VAXstation 3100 system to

a network. It covers the following topics:
m

Networking guidelines (Section 5.1)

Connecting to a ThinWire Ethernet network (Section 5.2)

Connecting to a standard Ethernet network (Section 5.3)

You can also daisy-chain VAXstation 3100 systems to form a work

group. For additional information, see Section 5.2.4.
All networking cables and connectors must be purchased

separately.

5.1

Networking Guidelines
Use the following guidelines when connecting your VAXstation
3100 system to a network:
n

If your VAXstation is a networked standalone system (a
workstation that starts and operates independently of all

other computers), you need make only one network connection.
The connection is from your workstation to your system with

either a ThinWire Ethernet connection or a standard Ethernet
connection.

If your VAXstation is to be part of a work group (a

VAXcluster, for example), you need to make a ThinWire
Ethernet or standard Ethernet network connection between
your system and the work group, each workstation of which is

connected to another.

Connecting to a Network

5-1

5.2

Connecting to a ThinWire Ethernet Network
This section covers all aspects of connecting your VAXstation 3100

to a ThinWire Ethernet network, as follows:

Setting the network button

Verifying the ThinWire Ethernet network installation

Connect ThinWire Ethernet cable

5.2.1

Setting the Network Button

The ThinWire/standard Ethernet network button is usually set in
the out position when you receive your VAXstation 3100. There
are two positions for the network button:

Out—Standard Ethernet

In—ThinWire Ethernet

Figure 5-1 shows the network button in the in position, set for

ThinWire Ethernet.
Figure 5-1

Network Button Set for ThinWire Ethemet
P T

Network Button

ThinWire Light
Halt Button

MLO-008513

If your system is set incorrectly, follow these steps:

Locate the recessed network button.

Press the network button so that the light to its right comes
on.

5-2

Connecting to a Network

5.2.2

Verifying ThinWire Ethernet Network Installation

To verify ThinWire Ethernet installation, follow these steps:

Turn your VAXstation 3100 system on ( | ). The green light

to the right of the network button should come on, and the

following display should appear on your monitor screen:
KA43~-A V1.0
F...E...D...C...B...A

..9...8...7...6...5...4...3

..2

..1

>>>

If the console prompt (>>>) does not appear, press the halt button

on the back of the system unit. Figure 5-1 shows the location of
the halt button.

At the console prompt, enter the following command:
>>>

SHOW ETHERNET

The Ethernet hardware address appears on the screen in
the following format:
ID

XX-XX=-XX-XX-XX-XX

For example:
ID

08-00-2B-07-A7-80

Note The letters ID are not part of the address. Each Ethernet

hardware address is unique.
3

Write your Ethernet hardware address here:
Ethernet hardware

address

You use the Ethernet hardware address as system
identification during software installation.
4

At the console prompt, enter TEST 50 and press Return.
If the last line of information in the display is NI 0000.0001,

the ThinWire Ethernet subsystem is working.
If a number between 0000.0002 and 0000.7XXX appears,

there may be a failure in the Ethernet subsystem. Check that

terminators are attached to the T-connector. Enter TEST 1 at

the console prompt and press Return. TEST 1 provides data
for the TEST 50 display. Now repeat the TEST 50 command.
If you continue to receive a failure indicator, call your Digital
service representative.

If NI 0000.7XXX| or any number above 0000.7XXX, appears

on that line, check all Ethernet connections. See Section 5.2.6.

Connecting to a Network

5-3

5.2.3

Connecting ThinWire Ethernet Cable

Follow these steps to connect a VAXstation 3100 to a ThinWire

Ethernet cable.

‘

(10

Turn your system off (O).

Remove a terminator from one side of the T-connector.

Firmly push a ThinWire connector into this side of the
T-connector and turn it to the right until it locks into place.
s

If your system is the first or last system in a single
ThinWire segment, leave the terminator attached to the
other side of the T-connector. A segment is a length of
cable made up of one or more cable sections connected
with barrel connectors or T-connectors.

If your system is not the first or last system and you want

to connect your system between two other systems, replace
both terminators with sections of ThinWire cable.
Figure 5-2 shows you how to connect two ThinWire cable
segments to a T-connector.

Figure 5~2

Adding ThinWire Cable
ThinWire

—

T-Connector

Connector

MLO-002356

5-4

Connecting to a Network

Check that the T-connector is securely attached to the back of

your system. Figure 5-3 shows the correct way to connect the
first or last workstation in a ThinWire network.
Note Always turn the ribbed portion of a T-connector to the right

until it locks in place.

Figure 5-3

Checking Cable Connections

MLO-003412

Connecting to a Network

5-5

5.24

Creating a Daisy-Chain Work Group

A daisy-chain work group consists of several serially connected
‘workstations on a single ThinWire Ethernet cable segment. This
cable segment can function as a standalone network, or it can be
connected to a larger network.
|
The benefit of a daisy-chain configuration is that it lowers the cost

of wiring. The risk is that someone might improperly unplug a

system and disrupt network connections between systems on the
same ThinWire Ethernet segment. You must always terminate
both ends of a ThinWire Ethernet segment.
Figure 5—4 shows a Model 76 connected to several other Model
76s to form a daisy-chain work group.
Figure 5-4

Model 76 Systems in a Daisy-Chain Work Group
ThinWire
Ethernet

Server

Satellites
MLO-002334

- 5.2.5

Connecting to a DECconnect Faceplate

If your office has been wired with Digital DECconnect products,
you must connect your Model 76 to the DECconnect faceplate in

your office (Figure 5-5). To connect your system to a DECconnect
faceplate, follow these steps:
1

Attach one end of the ThinWire Ethernet cable to the
faceplate.

Check that the other end of the ThinWire Ethernet cable is
firmly attached to the ThinWire Ethernet port on the back
of your system unit. Figure 5-5 shows a VAXstation 3100

plugged into a DECconnect faceplate.

5-6

Connecting to a Network

Figure 5~5

Connecting to a DECconnect Facepiate

MLO-002333

5.2.6

Troubleshooting the ThinWire Ethernet Segment

If you have verified your ThinWire Ethernet installation
(Section 5.2.2) and have found problems, use the following
checklist to make sure all connections are correct:

Check that the green light to the right of the network button
1S on.

Check that the T-connector has not been disconnected from an
operating ThinWire Ethernet segment.

Note If you need to remove a system from an active ThinWire Ethernet
segment, disconnect the center of the T-connector directly from the
system.

Figure 5—6 shows the correct way to remove a T-connector from an

active ThinWire Ethernet segment.

Connecting to a Network

Figure 56

Removing a T-Connector from an Active ThinWire

Segment

MLO-003411

Make sure that no more than two ThinWire Ethernet
segments are connected to the T-connector. If you remove
a ThinWire Ethernet cable, replace it with a terminator.

Check that you have not disconnected a terminator from either
end of an active ThinWire Ethernet segment. This procedure
disrupts network operation.

Check that all connections on the ThinWire Ethernet segment
are secure.

After you have checked all ThinWire Ethernet connections,
retest the Ethernet by entering the following command at the
console prompt:
>>>

TEST

If a connection is established, the following display appears:
1 L
>>2>

5-8

Connecting to a Network

If a connection is not established, the following message
appears:

1? L
84

FAIL

>>>

Note Make sure the network button is in the correct position: out for
standard Ethernet, in for ThinWire Ethernet.
7

If a connection is not established, follow these steps to find the

source of the failed connection:
»

Remove the T-connector from the ThinWire Ethernet port

on the back of your system unit.

Note If you need to remove a system from an active ThinWire
segment, disconnect the center of the T-connector directly
from the system.

Take the T-connector and two terminators you received
with your system and plug the two terminators into the
T-connector. Plug this T-connector with the terminators
attached into the ThinWire Ethernet port on the back of
the system unit.

Enter the following command at the console prompt:
>>> TEST

If TEST 1 passes, the following display appears:
1”.“
>>>

If TEST 1 fails, you have an internal hardware problem
with your VAXstation 3100 and need to call your Digital
service representative.

5.3

Connecting to a Standard Ethernet Network
This section covers the tasks involved in connecting your system
to a standard Ethernet network:
m

Setting the network button

Verifying a standard Ethernet network

Troubleshooting standard Ethernet

Connecting a transceiver cable to your Model 76 system

Connecting fo a Network

5-9

5.3.1

Setting the Network Button

To use standard Ethernet on your Model 76 system, follow these
steps:
1

Press the network button on the back of the system unit (see
Figure 5-1) to the standard Ethernet (out) position.

When you turn on your system, the green light to the left of

‘the network button comes on, indicating you may connect to
standard Ethernet.

5.3.2

Verifying Standard Ethernet Network
Installation

To verify standard Ethernet installation, follow these steps:

Check that the Ethernet loopback connector is attached to
your system unit. If you have not attached the loopback
connector, see Section 2.3.4.

| I O

Turn your system on ( | ). The light at the end of the loopback

connector should come on. The following display appears on

your monitor screen:
KA43-A V1.0
F...E...D...C...B...A

..92...8...7...6...5...4...3

..2

..1

>>>

At the console prompt, enter the following command:
>>>

SHOW

ETHERNET

The Ethernet hardware address appears on the screen in the

following format:
ID

XX-XX=-XX-XX-XX-XX

For example:
ID

08-00-2B-02-CC-71

Note The letters ID are not part of the address. Each Ethernet

hardware address is unique.
4

Write your Ethernet hardware address here:
Ethernet

hardware

address

You need the Ethernet hardware address as system
identification during software installation and VAXcluster
configuration.

5-10

At the console prompt, enter TEST 50 and press Return.

Connecting fo a Network

If the last line of the display is NI 0100.0001, the standard
Ethernet subsystem is installed and working.
If a number between 0100.0002 and 0100.7XXX appears on
that line, there is a failure in the Ethernet subsystem. See
Section 5.3.3 for troubleshooting.
If NI 0100.7XXX or any number above 0100.7XXX appears on
that line, check all Ethernet connections.

After successfully completing the power-up self-test and
verifying the network, remove the loopback connector and
store it for future diagnostic testing.

Proceed to Section 5.3.4, Connecting a Transceiver Cable.

5.3.3

Troubleshooting Standard Ethernet

If your standard Ethernet TEST 50 display includes data on the
last line of information above the console prompt (>>>), you need
to run some diagnostics:
1

Make sure the loopback connector is securely connected to the
system and the green light is on.

Note If your system is already connected to an active Ethernet
segment, your system can be tested in console mode without a
loopback connector.

Turn your system off (O) and then on ( | ) again. Ethernet
connection is verified during the power-up sequence.

After you have checked all Ethernet connections, retest
the Ethernet subsystem. At the console prompt, enter the
following command:
>>>

TEST

If a connection is established, the following display appears:
1...
>>>

If a connection is not established, the following message
appears:

12..
84

FAIL

>>>

Note Make sure the network button is in the correct position: out for
standard Ethernet, in for ThinWire Ethernet.

Connecting to a Network

5-11

If TEST 1 fails, you have an internal hardware problem and

need to call your Digital service representative. Make a note
of the code that appears on your screen along with the fail
message, and provide this information when you call.

5.3.4

Connecting
a Transceiver Cable

A transceiver cable is the physical connection among a standard
Ethernet network interface, the H4000 or H4005 transceiver,

the DELNI transceiver tap, and a VAXstation 3100 system.
If your work environment is set up for standard Ethernet, follow
these steps to connect the transceiver cable (Figure 5-7):

Turn the system unit off (O).

Remove the loopback connector.

Attach the 15-pin connector on the standard Ethernet
transceiver cable to the back of the system unit (Figure 5-7).

Using a screwdriver, move the sliding lock shown in
Figure 5—7 to the left. Insert the standard Ethernet
transceiver cable and slide the sliding lock to the right.

Figure 5-7

Connecting a Transceiver Cable to the System
Unit

Transceiver Cable

Sliding Lock

MLO-005657

5-12

Connecting to a Network

6
Troubleshooting

This chapter tells you how to do the following:
s

Identify a problem (Section 6.1)

Use the troubleshooting table (Section 6.2)

If you know the source of your problem, see Table 6-1 for

Suggested Solution

Power cable is not

Check the power cable connections at both

connected.

ends.

Power supply or system

Contact your Digital service representative.

System Unit Problems

System unit fan is off.

unit fan has failed.
Power light is off.

Power cable is not

Check the power cable connections at both

connected.

ends.

Wall socket may not be

Try a different wall socket, or try an electrical

working.

device that you know works in the wall socket.

Turn the system off for 10 seconds and then

back on. Turn the system off. Unplug the video
cable, communications cable, and printer. Then

plug all cables back in and turn the system on.
Contact your Digital service representative.

Check that the monitor power cord and video

Power-up display does not

Monitor power cord or video

show after 2 minutes.

cable is not connected.

cable are plugged in at both ends.

Alternate console switch is

Move the alternate console switch to the correct

in the wrong position.

pos&:tian, See Section A.4.

Monitor brightness and

Adjust the monitor brightness and contrast

contrast controls are too

controls.

dark to show the screen

display.
Keyboard cable is not

Verify that the monitor power switch is on ( | ).

Check the keyboard cable connection.

connected.
Monitor fuse is blown.

See your monitor guide for fuse replacement
instructions.

Wall socket may not be

Try a different wall socket, or try an electrical

working.

device that you know works in the wall socket.
If the problem persists, contact your Digital
service representative.

(continued on next page)

Troubleshooting

6-3

Table é6~1 (Cont.)

Troubleshooting
ey

Symptom

Possible Cause

Suggested Solution

System Unit Problems
If you have a monochrome

Check system and monitor to make sure that

system with color monitor.

both are color or monochrome.

Eight-plane graphics

Install the color cable.

coprocessor module is

installed, but the new color
cable is not installed.
Power-up display contains

Possible system error; can

If question marks or asterisks appear with

question marks or asterisks.

be a soft error or a hard

any numbers in the power-up display, see

error.

Section 7.1.1, Section 7.2, and Section 7.7 for

further test instructions.
Window display does not

Software is not installed.

appear on the screen.
(System does not boot.)

See your software documentation for

installation instructions.
See Section 7.2, Section 7.3, and Section 7.7 for
further test instructions.

Video option has failed.

See Section 7.2 and Section 7.7 for more
information.

Software problem.

Call your Digital service representative.

Default recovery action is

Change the default recovery action to boot the

set to halt.

system from the system disk. See Appendix A.

Incorrect boot device has

Change the default recovery action to boot the

been specified.

system from the system disk. See Appendix A.

Monitor Problems
No display on monitor

Monitor is not turned on.

Check monitor on/off switch.

Check that monitor power cable is connected at

screen.

both ends.

Contrast and brightness
controls are too dark to

Adjust the contrast and brightness controls.
Refer to your monitor guide for more

show the screen display.

information.

Color board installed, no

Check for color cable or monochrome monitor.

color cable or monochrome
monitor.

Monochrome system, color

Make sure your system and monitor match

monitor.

up with color system to color monitor, or
monochrome system to monochrome monitor.

(continued on next page)

6-4

Troubleshooting

Table 6~1 (Cont.)

Troubleshooting

Symptom

Possible Cause

Suggested Solution

Mouse/Tablet Problems
Pointing device (mouse or

Pointing device cable is

Turn off system. Unplug and then replug the

optional tablet) pointer does

installed incorrectly or is

cable to reset the device.

not appear on the screen,

loose.

or the monitor does not
respond to pointing device
commands.

System is in console mode;

Install your windowing software.

no pointer appears on the
screen.

Pointing device is faulty.

Replace with another pointing device, or call
your Digital service representative.

Keyboard Problems

Keys do not work.

Hold Screen key is active.

Press the Hold Screen key to release the hold
on the screen.

Keyboard cable is loose or

Check the keyboard cable at both ends.

not connected.
Keyboard has failed.

Replace the keyboard. If the problem persists,
contact your Digital service representative.

Compact Disc Drive Problems

Refer to the compact disc drive owner’s manual.

See Section 7.8.1 in Chapter 7 of this manual for additional information.

BA42 Storage Expansion Box Problems

Refer to the BA42 Storage Expansion Box Installation Guide.

(continued on next page)

Troubleshooting

&6-5

Table 6~1 (Cont.)

Troubleshooting

Symptom

Possible Cause

Suggested Solution

A problem exists with the

See Section 7.3, Section 7.4, and Section 7.7.

Disk and Diskette Problems
Software does not boot from

the hard disk.
Default boot device is set

See Appendix A to set or change the default

incorrectly.

boot device.

Recovery action may be set

See Appendix A to change the default recovery

to halt.

action.

A problem exists with the

Refer to your software documentation for help.

software (if installed) on the
hard disk.

Software does not boot from

No diskette in the diskette

Insert a diskette with bootable software. Use

the diskette drive, or a
diskette read or write error

drive.

instructions in software documentation.

Diskette was inserted
incorrectly.

Check that the write-protect notch on the

message is displayed.

diskette is to your left when you insert the

diskette and that the label is up.

Troubleshooting

Diskette is damaged or

Try another diskette that contains bootable

does not contain bootable
software.

software.

/
Running Diagnostics

This chapter describes some of the diagnostics you can run

on your Model 76 system to check that the system is running
correctly. It also describes messages commonly displayed during
system power-up.

This chapter tells you how to do the following:

Read power-up messages (Section 7.1)

Run self-tests (Section 7.2)

Read the configuration display (Section 7.3)

Test internal storage devices (Section 7.4)

Test memory modules (Section 7.5)

Read the device display (Section 7.6)

Use the system exerciser (Section 7.7)

Run the test utilities (Section 7.8)

Change the keyboard language (Section 7.9)

Interpret console commands (Section 7.10)

Use the password security feature (Section 7.11)

Reboot the system after running tests (Section 7.12)

Call your Digital service representative (Section 7.13)

For information on status and test codes, see Appendix C.

Running Diagnostics

7-1

/.1

Reading Power-Up Messages
Every time you turn your system on, the system runs power-up

tests to check all the devices installed in your system. As each
device is tested, a test number is displayed on the terminal screen.
Diagnostic lights on the rear of the system unit indicate the status

of the system as it is powering up.
Nofte The system may take from 60 to 90 seconds to display the power-up
test sequence.

Upon successful completion of the tests, the operating system
starts to boot.
|
Note If your monitor does not display any information on the screen

after the power-up test sequence (approximately 1 second), you may
have a monitor, video, or system board failure. Check your monitor
gutide or chapter 6 of this manual.
An example of a power-up screen display follows:

KA43-A V1.0

(1)

F...E...D...C...B...A ..9...8...7...6...5...4_..3

..2 ..1... ©®

@ The CPU designate (KA43-AA) and the read-only memory
(ROM) version (V1.0)

@ Test numbers for each device in system. See Table 7-1 to
identify the devices. Three dots (...) after a test number
indicate that the device tested successfully. An underscore and

two dots (_..) indicate that the optional device is not installed
or that the device has not been tested. Question marks or an
asterisk indicate an error; see Section 7.1.1.
To look at the status of a device, display the configuration table by
running TEST 50 as described in Section 7.3.

7-2

Running Diagnostics

Table 7-1

Device Identifiers in Power-Up and Self-Tests

Identifier

Mnemonic

Device

MONO

Base video

CLK

System clock

NVR

Nonvolatile RAM

Serial line controller

MEM

Memory

Memory-management unit

Floating point unit

Interval timer

SCSI-A

SCSI-A bus controller

SCSI-B

SCSI-B bus controller

SYS

Interrupt controller and

8PLN

Ethernet ID ROM
Optional 8-plane graphics
coprocessor

Reserved

Ethernet network
interconnect

7.1.1

Power-Up Error Messages

If an error is detected during power-up, the power-up sequence

contains question marks or asterisks next to the identifier for
which the error was detected. For example:
Fl. fl'EQ HODQ L OCI L HB‘ ‘OAWHO

WQ‘B‘.UW.‘?ON m6?00‘50n04*n U‘3ll‘fi2flflllifll

A single question mark (?) next to a device identifier indicates a

minor problem that probably will not interfere with the system
power-up. See Section 7.1.2 for examples of problems flagged with
a single question mark.
A double question mark (??) indicates a serious problem that will
affect normal operation and use of the system. The device may
need to be replaced. Contact your Digital service representative.
An asterisk (*¥*) means that the device is installed but its ROM
code is not executed. Only device identifiers 7, 6, or 4 can have an

asterisk (*).

Running Diagnostics

7-3

Use Table 7-1 to identify the faulty or corrupted device. Then run
a self-test on that device.
To look at the status of a device, display the configuration table by
running TEST 50 (see Section 7.3).

7.1.2

Power-Up Status Messages

Common power-up status messages are explained here:
System clock not set

0040

0000.0005

The system clock has not been set. Setting the clock is a
normal part of software installation. The clock cannot be set
while the system is in console mode. Once you have set the
clock, this code will clear the next time the system is powered
up.

Low battery
?

0050

0000.0005

The system battery’s charge is low or completely discharged.

Run the system for about 17 hours to fully recharge the

~ battery.

No devices connected to internal SCSI-A bus
2

O00A0

0000.4001

No devices connected to external SCSI-B bus
?

O00AO

0000.4001

No Ethernet cable (ThinWire)
2?2

00CO

0000.7004

This message indicates one or more of the following:

No cable is installed on the ThinWire Ethernet connectors.

No terminator is on the ThinWire Ethernet (port), or no
terminator is present at one or both ends of the segment.

The network button is set to the wrong position (it should
be in for ThinWire Ethernet, out for standard Ethernet).

There is a faulty cable or loose connection.

No Ethernet cable (standard)
22

7-4

Running Diagnostics

00CO

0011l.700E

This message indicates one or more of the following:
s

No cable is installed on the standard Ethernet connectors.

No loopback connector is installed on the standard
Ethernet port.

The network button is set to the wrong position (it should
be in for ThinWire Ethernet, out for standard Ethernet).

There is a faulty cable or loose connection.

See Section 6.1 for the correct order in which to turn your system
components off (O) and on ( | ).

To correct the problem, turn the system off (O) and check each of
the above possible problems. Now turn the system back on ( | ).
If you get the same message again, you may have a hardware
problem with your Ethernet module.
Note See your operating system documentation for shutdown procedures
before halting your system.

7.2

Running Self-Tests
Self-tests are used to display the status of the devices installed on
your system. Self-test diagnostic programs reside permanently in
the Model 76 ROM.
To test a device in your Model 76 system, follow these steps:
1

Use Table 7-1 to find the number or letter identifier for the
device you want to test.

Put your Model 76 system in console mode by pressing the
halt button on the back of the system unit. Figure 7-1 shows
the location of the halt button.

Note See your operating system documentation for shutdown
procedures before halting your system.

Running Diagnostics

7-5

Figure 7-1

Halt Buiton

Halt Button

MLO-002330

Enter TEST and a space followed by the device identifier, and
press Return.
>>>

TEST 7

In this example, the SCSI-A bus controller is being tested.
If you want to test a consecutive series of devices, enter TEST

followed by the first and last numbers of the series:
>>>

TEST F 7

In the above example, the system tests device F, then E, D, C,
B,A 9, 8, and 7.

The system displays the number of each device as it is tested,
followed by three periods (...). If the self-test is successful, no
question mark or error message is displayed, and the console
prompt appears after the last device has been tested:
7...
>>>

If the device is not installed, or is not tested, an underscore
and two dots (_..) are displayed before the console prompt
appears:

7.— L ]
>>>

7-6

Running Diagnostics

If a device fails the self-test, a question mark (?) follows the

device identifier and a failure message is displayed before the
console prompt appears:
72..

FAIL

>>>

If a self-test results in a failure, enter the TEST 50 command
to display your system configuration. You do not need to press
the halt button.
Call your Digital service representative.

7.3

Reading the Configuration Display
The configuration display is a table that lists the status of each
device installed in your system. The configuration table holds the

results of the self-tests and power-up tests and is updated each
time the self-test is run.

To display your system configuration, perform the following steps:
1

Put the Model 76 in console mode by pressing the halt button

on the rear of the system.
Note See your operating system documentation for shutdown
procedures before halting your system.

Enter the following:
>>>

TEST

This procedure displays the system configuration, Ethernet
hardware ID, ROM revision levels, and status information.
Error information in the configuration display is valuable

to your Digital service representative. See Appendix C for

additional information about status and error codes in the
configuration display.

Running Diagnostics

7-7

A sample configuration display follows:

KA43-A

V1.0

J—

ID 08-00-2B-07-E3-83
MONO

0000.0001 ©

CLK

0000.0001

NVR

0000.0001

00000001 00000001 00000001 00000001 00000001 00001220 &

MEM

0010.0001

01000000
MM

0000.0001

SCSI-A
FFFFFFO05
SCSI-B

FFFFFF05
SYS

2828.0001

Vv1.59

FFFFFFO5

FFFFFFO05

1C1C.0001

V1.59

FFFFFFO05

00000001

@
00000001

FFFFFFO05

01000001

FFFFFFO03

FFFFFFO05

00000001

05000001

FFFFFFO5

FFFFFFO03

FFFFFFO05

0000.0001

8PLN

0000.0001

V1.3

S>>

@ CPU designate (KA43—-AA) and ROM version (V1.0)
@ Ethernet hardware address
© Status codes for devices (see Appendix C)
O

D2Z status codes (see Section 7.3.1)

16 megabytes of memory (see Section 7.5 for more information)

® SCSI status codes (see Section 7.4)
Table 7—1 gives the mnemonics for devices that may be part of
your configuration.

Any code in the configuration table other than 0000.0001 on the
lines for MONO, DZ, MM, FP, IT and SYS devices indicates a
hard error. If you observe such a code, contact your Digital service
representative.

7-8

Running Diagnostics

The other devices (CLK, NVR, MEM, SCSI-A, SCSI-B, SPLN,
and NI) may have a code other than 0000.0001 and still operate
normally.
Note To update the information in the configuration display after

making a change to the system configuration, you can either power
up the system or enter the following command:
>>>

TEST

Reenter the TEST 50 command to view the current configuration
status.

7.3.1

DZ Status Codes

The DZ status codes cover the status of the four serial lines,

the keyboard, and the mouse or tablet. The DZ lines from the
previous example are explained in detail here:
DZ

0000.0001

QP00

OO%)OOO].

00&00001

0%00001

0030001

00&00001

000@0121&0

Keyboard port status
Video port status

Communications port status
Printer port status

Keyboard self-test
Mouse or tablet self-test

Any status code other than 00000001 for the four ports and

keyboard indicates a failure on that line. A status code of
00000000 for the keyboard indicates that the keyboard is

disconnected. A status code for the mouse or tablet other than
000012A0 (good) or 00000000 (nothing connected) indicates a
device failure.

Running Diagnostics

7-9

7.3.2

Configuration Display on a Diskless System

If you have a diskless system, the TEST 50 command will produce
a configuration display similar to the following:
KA43-A
ID

V1.0

08-00~-2B-07-05-02
MONO

0000.0001

CLK

0000.0001

NVR

0000.0001

0000.0001
00000001

MEM

00000001

000012A0

0008.0001

00800000
MM

0000.0001

SYS

0000.0000

8PLN

0000.0001

V1.3

>>>

7.4

Testing Internal Storage Devices
You can use the TEST 50 command to check the status of hard
disk drives and any diskette drive installed in your system unit.

To determine the status of a device from the TEST 50
configuration display, you must first do the following:
s

Ascertain the device’s SCSI ID setting from the address

column in the device display, explained in Section 7.6.
m

Find the SCSI-A line in the TEST 50 display.

The eight alphanumeric SCSI-A codes (SCSI IDs 0 through

7, numbered @ through © in the following example) tell the

functional status of each device:
SCSI-A

2828.0001

7-10

V1.3

FFFFFF05 FFEFFFFO5

@00 000Q

FFFFFF05

Running Diagnostics

00000001

FFFFFF05

FFFFFF03

FFFFFFO5

SCSI ID 0 — Open
SCSI ID 1 — Open
SCSI ID 2 — Open

SCSI ID 3 — RZ22, RZ23, or RZ24 hard disk
SCSI ID 4 — Open

SCSI ID 5 — Open

@ SCSI ID 6 — SCSI-A bus controller

©® SCSIID 7 — Open
In this example, the absence of two question marks in the left

column indicates that no failure has been detected. Two question
marks in the left column indicate that one or more of the drives

are faulty. To determine which device is faulty, examine the status
codes. A status code different from those listed in Table 7-2 may
indicate a faulty device.

Table 7-2

SCSI Status Codes Indicating Good Devices

Status Code

Device

FFFFFF03

SCSI-A bus controller

00000001

- RZ22, RZ23, RZ24, or RX23 drive

The status codes in Table 7-3 may indicate faulty devices or open
SCSI IDs.
Table 7-3

SCSI Status Codes Indicating Possible Problems

Status Code

Device

FFFFFF05

Device is offline or not installed at this address

FFFFFFFF

Device was not tested—possible SCSI bus controller
error

A device code of FFFFFF05 in the SCSI-A line indicates that the
device’s SCSI ID may be set incorrectly, that the device cabling
may be disconnected, or that the device is not installed. Halt your
system then turn it off and check the device’s cabling and SCSI ID
setting. Then turn your system on and retest it. If the code is still
FFFFFFO05 after retesting, call your Digital service representative.
If you see any code different from those listed in Table 7-2 and

Table 7—3, make sure that no two devices are set to the same

SCSI ID. If you still have problems, call your Digital service
representative.

For more information on SCSI status codes, see Appendix C.

Running Diagnostics

7-11

7.5

Testing Memory Modules
To check the functional condition of memory modules, find the
memory (MEM) line in the configuration display. If a system’s

memory is good, a line similar to the one below appears:

MEM

0008.0001 @
00800000

The 8-digit decimal code following MEM (@) indicates the amount
of error-free memory available, as follows:
Table 7-4

7-12

8-Digit Memory Decimal Code

Code

Available Memory

0004.0001

4MB

0008.0001

8MB

000C.0001

12MB

0010.0001

16MB

0014.0001

20MB

0018.0001

24MB

0020.0001

32MB

Running Diagnostics

In the bit map representation in Example 7-1, each digit

represents a SIMM memory module and four banks of memory (1
bank = 1 megabyte). A digit other than 0 indicates an error on a
SIMM memory module.

Example 7-1
7?7 MEM

SIMM Memory Error Display

0010.0020
01000000 00000000

| |

|
—

Bit map representation of the failed
memory bank on a memory module if not
all zeros (0000000).

This field is displayed only when a failure
is detected on one of the SIMM modules.

Hexadecimal representation of the
total amount of memory in the system
as listed below.
00400000
00800000

4MB
8MB

00C00000
01000000
01400000
01800000
01C00000
02000000

12MB
16MB
20MB
24MB
28MB
32MB

To determine which are the failing modules, do the following:
1

Refer to Table 7-5 and find the line that shows your system’s

total memory module configuration.
2

Check the position of the nonzero digit in the 8-digit number.
Then refer to Table 7-5 to determine which module or modules
are failing.

Running Diagnostics

7-13

Table 7-5

Locating a Failed SIMM Memory

Memory Module

Configuration

8-Digit Error Code for MEM

SIMM Callout on

System Module

SIMM 11

SIMM 2!

SIMM 3!

SIMM 4!

SIMM 5 !

SIMM 6 ?

SIMM 71

X220

SIMM 81

X20

X220
0

Memory modules are numbered from 0 through 7 in SIMM memory error displays,
but on the CPU module they are numbered 1 through 8.

2A 0 in this SIMM location means this SIMM is good. Any other code indicates
this SIMM is failing. For example, a code of 00004000 indicates that the SIMM

numbered 4 on the etch of the system module is bad.

7.6

Reading the Device Display
Use the SHOW DEVICE command to display a list of the devices
installed in your system and their locations on the SCSI bus:
>>>

VMS/VMB

ADDR

NUMBYTES

RM/FX

ESAO

08-00~-2B-07-E3-83

DKA300
A/3/0/00 DISK
...HostID.... A/6
INITR

104 MB

RZ23

DKB200
B/2/0/00 DISK
DKR300
B/3/0/00 DISK
DKB400
B/4/0/00 RODISK
...HostID.... B/6
INITR

104 MB
104 MB
205 MB

FX
FX
RM

RZ23
RZ23
RRD40

>>>

7-14

SHOW DEVICE

Running Diagnostics

DEVTYP

DEVNAM

Address—Tells which SCSI bus (A or B) a device is on and
what the device’s SCSI ID setting is
Device type (disk or RODISK (read-only disk)); INITR
(initiator) is the host Model 76

©¢Q

Device numbers for the VMS operating system

Number of megabytes available

Note The compact disc (RRD40 in this example) is a read-only

QO
© 0

device. The display in this column varies for this device,
depending on the number of files loaded on the compact disc by
the manufacturer.
Removable (RM) or fixed (FX) disk
Write-protected
Device name

Ethernet device and Ethernet hardware address

Consider, for example, the following line from the previous
display:
DKB400

RZ12

B/4/0/00

RODISK

205 MB

RRD40

This line indicates a compact disc drive (the RRD40 in this

example), located at address ID 4 on the SCSI-B bus. The
compact disc is a read-only, removable disc and is write-protected.

7.7

Using the System Exerciser
If you suspect system problems, use the system exerciser to check

the quality of your software media.
Emulating an operating system, the system exerciser interacts

among and tests all internal and external devices on the system.
Use the system exerciser if your system has intermittent
problems. It first exercises each device individually, then exercises
them all simultaneously. The system exerciser takes as long as 11
minutes to complete. It does not write on any medium.
Note See your operating system documentation for shutdown procedures
before halting your system.

To run the system exerciser, follow these steps:
1

Insert media in all devices. Put the test disc in the compact

disc drive and a blank diskette in the RX23 diskette drive.

Running Diagnostics

7-15

Put the system in console mode by pressing the halt button on
the back of the system unit.

Enter the following command:
>>>

TEST

The following example shows the type of display that appears

after the system exerciser has run all tests.
KA43-A

206

OOBO

MONO

0000.0001

0080

0000.0001

0010

MEM

0010.0001

0090

SCSI-A

6000.0001

O00AO

SCSI-B

00CO

00:00:35