[Info-vax] Personal Workstation 433 rescue guidance

[Crabs]

On Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 9:12:51 AM UTC-7, Larkin Nickle wrote:
> On Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 11:18:52 AM UTC-4, Crabs wrote: 
> > On Monday, June 14, 2021 at 9:36:53 AM UTC-7, Larkin Nickle wrote: 
> > > I’ve acquired a Personal Workstation 433, but I can’t get it to work. When powered on, the green light on the front turns on and I can hear the disk spin up, but there’s no serial or graphical output. The power light on the motherboard turns on but none of the diagnostic lights do. If the CD-ROM drive is connected to IDE, it shows no signs of life, but if connected to power only then it blinks, ejects, etc. just fine. The machine doesn’t even beep with all RAM removed. I’ve reseated just about everything and have also checked the PSU’s voltages and they’re all good. Any suggestions? 
> > There are 8 small leds on the upper motherboard between the processor and the ram, during the boot process they flash in a particular sequence. 
> > Somewhere there is documentation that will tell you what each combination means, but if they aren't flashing at all during the boot then the upper 
> > motherboard, or something on it has failed. 
> > Check to see if the right RAM is installed, it must be in identical pairs, 66MHz or 100MHz (133MHz won't work) ECC CL3 Synch 3.3v 168-Pin DIMM Memory, 
> > up to 1.5gb total. 
> > 
> > 'Crabs
> Those lights don't turn on at all. That's what I meant by "diagnostic lights" in the OP. The RAM does seem to be correct, and the system is supposed to beep if not as far as I'm aware.

Could be motherboard(s), could be processor (kinda unlikely, never seen one fail), could be RAM, could be power supply, or some weird combination.
Regardless, getting to the bottom of this cheaply is going to be difficult.
I do have spare guts for the PWS series and more than willing to loan you some to help diagnose the problem.
Kinda depends on where you're at, I'm on the left coast of the US.
If you're far far away, like in Antarctica or North Korea, shipping will be an issue.

'Crabs