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

[VAXman- at SendSpamHere.ORG]

In article <627af68d-9d5f-409c-af35-3fbde5da36de at u36g2000prn.googlegroups.com>, Ken Fairfield <ken.fairfield at gmail.com> writes:
>On Sep 6, 6:22=A0am, Marc Schlensog <mschlens+n... at gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:09:14 GMT
>>
>>
>>
>> VAXman- =A0 at 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. =A0That done, I saved the new setting=
>s
>> > >(which was confirmed by a message), exited and powered cycled the
>> > >box.
>>
>> > >No luck. =A0I booted into the AlphaBIOS again. =A0I tried several time=
>s.
>> > >The one
>> > >thing I think is key is that the AlphaBIOS complained first about an
>> > >invalid
>> > >time. =A0I 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? =A0Part 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. =A0Most 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?

Just a spring-clip Ken. Use a small flathead or similar device to
pry the battery up at the edge opposite where the spring-clip is
mounted to the board and the slide out the old battery and insert
anew.  Try not to distort the clip such that it will not maintain
good contact pressure on the replacement cell.
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