[Info-vax] PWS 600au lost its memory: CMOS reverts to AlphaBIOS

[Arne Vajhøj]

Ken Fairfield wrote:
> So I powered on my digital Personal Workstation 600au today and found
> it
> going through the AlphaBIOS boot checks, and the "splash" screen
> showing
> a PWS, etc.
> 
> This happened once before, so I remembered to go into the Setup,
> choose
> CMOS setup, and go into the Advanced CMOS setup were I could switch
> back to the OpenVMS SRM console.  That done, I saved the new settings
> (which was confirmed by a message), exited and powered cycled the box.
> 
> No luck.  I booted into the AlphaBIOS again.  I tried several times.
> The one
> thing I think is key is that the AlphaBIOS complained first about an
> invalid
> time.  I expect the battery for the BBCC (is that what it's called?)
> is way dead.
> 
> So two questions:
> 
> 1) Given the CMOS setup is non-volatile, does the system nevertheless
> boot
> into the (default) AlphaBIOS if the clock chip's battery is dead?
> That seems
> to be the symptom, but I'd like to know if there could be a different
> cause.
> 
> 2) Can someone point me to documentation one changing the battery, or
> if it's integrated, the battery-backed clock chip?  Part numbers and
> possible
> sources would be much appreciated.

Basically you need a new battery.

But as workaround try:
- startup in AlphaBIOS
- wait a few minutes
- enter correct time and switch to VMS SRM
- reset (not power cycle !)

Arne