NVRAM Problem

Host CPU of Contour/Profile has NVRAM on the mother Bd.

This NVRAM has HOST ID & Configuration data of host cpu etc.
Battery (included in NVRAM) is backing up configuration data.
But battery will expire around 7years. In that case, configuration data is reset to default value.

NVRAM

You can check configuration values

method 1
Shutdown the System

{0}ok ← ok prompt
{0}ok prinenv ← Type printenv

Many valiables will be displayed ↓

Variable Name Value Default Value

* * *
* * *
output-device screen screen
* * *
boot-device disk3 disk net
* * *
diag-switch? false false

This values became to default value when battery is dead

method 2
Open C-shell window
{vmxptac}[1] eeprom or /usr/sbin/eeprom ← type in this

Many variables will be displayed ↓ (default values are not displayed)

tpe-link-test?=true
scsi-initiator-id=7
keyboard-click?=false
keymap: data not available.
sbus-probe-list=e0123
ttyb-rts-dtr-off=false
*
* “***.doc”
You can save these data ↑
{vmxptac}[1] eeprom > filename (any filename is ok,but I recommend like this.）
If you want to see the saved data at your PC. Copy it to FD (formatted 1.44Mb)
See document of image_copy for more detailes.

Problem
There are many variables in the NVRAM. Next three variables affect booting up when battery is dead.
# boot-device (default value is "disk net")
This value become default when battery is dead.
In such case, System doesn’t boot up.
The following messages will be displayed;
Boot device:net File and args
Time out waiting for ARP/RARP packet
Time out waiting for ARP/RARP packet ……...

# output-device (default value is "screen")

If your system has color monitor. This variable doesn’t affect to your OC.
Because value for color monitor is “screen”, it is the same default value.
But your system has black-and-white monitor. It is problem.
Value for b/w-monitor should be “screen:r1280x1024x76m”.
B/W monitor does not display anything when this parameter is set to "screen".

#diag-switch? (default value is "false")

This value is set to “true”when battery is dead. Boot up diagnostics starts automatically.
Monitor screen stays black during diagnostics (about 5minutes). And Caps Lock LED is
blinking. 5minits is long, maybe you suspect OC is freezed.
You can check this LED whether OC is alive or not.
After 5minutes, monitor screen displays some messages.
Solution

#emergency
for Color monitor
If your system has color monitor, you can see the following message on the screen.
Type Ctrl, Alt, and Esc key simultaneously to reset the System..

Boot device:net File and args

Time out waiting for ARP/RARP packet
Time out waiting for ARP/RARP packet ← type “Ctrl” + “Alt” + “Esc”
{0}ok ← ok prompt comes up
{0}ok setenv boot-device disk3 ← type this
output-device = disk3
{0}ok setenv diag-switch? false ← type this
diag-switch? = false
{0} ok printenv ← check the outputs
{0} ok reset ← reset the OC

for Black-and-White monitor

If your system has b/w monitor, you can’t see any message on the screen.
You have to change output-device value by touch typing.　
Press Ctrl, Alt, and Esc key simultaneously. OK prompt will come up. But you can’t see it.
Type enter key 2 or 3 times. Then change output-device value and type reset.
If you typed correctly, you can see the following boot up messages.

Boot device:net File and args

Time out waiting for ARP/RARP packet
Time out waiting for ARP/RARP packet ← type “Ctrl” + “Alt” + “Esc”
can’t see {0}ok ← ok prompt comes up
these lines {0}ok
{0}ok
{0}ok setenv output-device screen:r1280x1024x76m ← type this
output-device = screen:r1280x1024x76m
{0}ok reset ← type this

Boot device:net File and args

Time out waiting for ARP/RARP packet
Time out waiting for ARP/RARP packet ← type “Ctrl” + “Alt” + “Esc”
{0}ok ← ok prompt comes up
{0}ok setenv boot-device disk3 ← type this
output-device = disk3
{0}ok setenv diag-switch? false ← type this
diag-switch? = false
{0} ok printenv ← check each values
{0} ok reset ← reset the OC
Solution

You must replace the failed NVRAM with new one.

Host ID number is written in the NVRAM. Option software key refers this ID number.
So you need to replace it with the one of the same ID number. Ask support engineer how to order it.

See the CD-ROM manual for replacement procedures

Replacement/PM → OC → Host CPU /CPB/KB/Adapter/Filter → Host Computer

NVRAM of Advantage Windows