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

[Ken Fairfield]

On Sep 6, 6:22 am, Marc Schlensog <mschlens+n... at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:09:14 GMT
>
>
>
> VAXman-  @SendSpamHere.ORG wrote:
> > In article
> > <a14734b1-7a11-4f2a-84a8-7726c3ac6... at f18g2000prf.googlegroups.com>,
> > Ken Fairfield <ken.fairfi... at gmail.com> writes:
> > >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.
>
> > Many of the Alpha systems would default to the wrong console when
> > there was a failure of the NVRAM backup battery.
>
> > Look on the board.  Most of these used the nickel sized CR2025 or
> > CR2032 "watch" cells.
>
> It's a CR2032. Just replace it, switch to SRM in AlphaBIOS and you're
> set. I've done this just recently with two PWS I got :)

Cool!

I think I'll try Arne's suggestion first, to hit the reset switch
instead of actually powering down, just to get some chores
related to licensing out of the way this weekend.

Thanks to you Marc, and to Brian.  I'll grab a CR2032 next
time I'm at the store and plan my next weekend project.
(The system is only moderately accessible so I'll need
some time to get it out where I can work on it.)

Marc, is the battery in a "holder" or do I need to unsolder
the old and re-solder the new one?

   Thanks everyone, Ken