SUMMARY: Help DS20 Tru64 v4.0E not booting

From: Chris Los <clos_at_trentu.ca>
Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:07:13 -0400

Thanks to all those who quickly offered advice during our state of
panic.

In summary, our problem was due to a faulty clock on the Primary CPU (0)
of our 2 CPU system. After COMPAQ field service replaced the primary CPU
board the system booted up fine.

Here are the responses I received:

+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
The power supply is not providing one or more DC voltages to the CPU
box. Sounds like it's time to call Field Service, unless you have a
spare power supply kicking around.

John Francini

John Francini, francini_at_zk3.dec.com
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+

   From:
        Joe Fletcher <joe_at_meng.ucl.ac.uk>

The lack of anything in the LCD display suggests that whatever is wrong
is
fairly terminal. Call field service.

+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   From:
        "Stott, Trevor" <StottT_at_bis.adp.com>


Try taking the power cord out of the power supply for a couple seconds.
If
there was any type power surge these machines can act funny.

Trevor


+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+

   From:
        Andrew Tolmie <Andrew.Tolmie_at_carltontv.co.uk>

 Chris,
  
 I had a similar problem with an AS4100 a couple of weeks a couple of
weeks ago! Removed the CPU cleaned any dust of it and the slot, put it
 back in and all was fine!?!?!?!?
  
 Sorry if this doesn't help - but it worked for me!
  
 Hope you get it sorted.
  
 ANdrew
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+


Try unplugg mouse and keyboard, then connect a vt100 console (if you
have one!)
on serial port, reset your computer. You should see on vt100 what is
normaly on console. If you have so
that probably mean that you have a problem with graphic card or mouse or
keyboard.

Hope this helps.

-- 
Pierre Bergdolt          mailto:Pierre.Bergdolt_at_alcatel.fr       
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   From: 
        Morgan Rogers <Morgan.Rogers_at_imserv.invensys.com>
Had a similar thing on DS10s.
The solution (believe it or not) was to unplug them for about 20
seconds.
i.e. physically remove the plug from the back. Simply turning off is not
enough.
Seems there is some sort of safety capacitor in the back of the things
and
this needs to discharge following a large power drain. In our case, it
was
memory channel cards using lots of power. Symptom was DS10 would boot
first
time (obviously, just plugged in) and would run happily for as long as
you
liked. If you powered it off you could not get it on again. Just the
lights
and fan as you describe. Unplugged it for 20 seconds , plug it in and
it's
fine....
Might help you......
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   From: 
        "Roetman, Paul" <PRoetman_at_CSXLines.com>
Is it a serial console or graphics console.
If graphics, then get a serial console - it displays a lot more info
(generally including the error).
There is an easy way to use a PC as a serial console - if you would like
details - send me an email.
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   From: 
        Vikki Drummond <Vikki.Drummond_at_imserv.invensys.com>
Hi,
We have similar problems with our DS20s when we come to reboot them.
We've
found that powering them off then back on again seems to do the trick
and
they boot. We also have some DS10s which don't get to console when
switched
off then back on again unless the power cord has been physically removed
from them first. I don't know why this is but it seems to work.
Hope this helps,
Vikki
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   From: 
        "Freesmeyer, Mary" <mfreesmeyer_at_cvty.com>
Check your hardware support contract for CPU.
Mary
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Original Post:
Came in this morning and our DS20 is dead. Tried to reboot and no luck.
The power supply fans are running, the disk lights blink a little on
power-up, and I see the light on beside the power button but thats all I
get, no console activity whatsoever. And nothing shown in the LCD
display on the front panel.
Any suggestions on what I might check?
-- 
Chris Los
Computing Services Dept.
Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario
ph: 705-748-1011 ext. 1588

Received on Mon Aug 21 2000 - 19:08:21 NZST