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

[P. Sture]

In article <4aa30c58$0$285$14726298 at news.sunsite.dk>,
 Arne Vajhøj <arne at vajhoej.dk> wrote:

> 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 !)
> 

I found with a battery on its last legs that if you do a Save it can 
revert to the AlphaBIOS. Setting the VMS SRM and hitting the reset 
button straight away can get around this until you can get to the
shops.

To replace the battery you need to take the motherboard out (IIRC you 
need to remove the RAM first).

-- 
Paul Sture