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AlphaPC 164SX Motherboard DIGITAL UNIX User’s Manual Order Number: EC–R8P7B–TE Revision/Update Information: This is a revised document. It supersedes the AlphaPC 164SX Motherboard DIGITAL UNIX User’s Manual, EC–R8P7A–TE.
Alpha 21164PC microprocessor and the companion 21174 core logic chip. It describes the motherboard’s features and how to set its configuration switches. This manual helps users to install and populate the AlphaPC 164SX motherboard with memory boards and peripheral cards.
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Manual Conventions and Terminology Terms: The following terms are used in this manual: This term... Alpha SRM console DIGITAL UNIX installation guide The DIGITAL UNIX Installation Guide DIGITAL UNIX About This Manual 1–2 Refers to... The Alpha SRM Console firmware The DIGITAL UNIX operating system...
Table 2–1 provides an overview of the AlphaPC 164SX motherboard’s features. Table 2–1 AlphaPC 164SX Features Feature Description Microprocessor Alpha 21164PC microprocessor (64-bit RISC) Core logic chip 21174 core logic chip, comprising a single control chip that pro- vides an interface to system memory and the PCI bus Synchronous DRAM 32MB to 512MB memory array -- Two banks of 128-bit memory;...
Power Requirements 2.1 Power Requirements The AlphaPC 164SX motherboard has a total power dissipation of 90 W, excluding any plug-in PCI and ISA devices. Table 2–3 lists the power requirement for each dc supply voltage. The power supply must be ATX-compliant.
Operating temperature Storage temperature Relative humidity Rate of (dry bulb) temperature change 11°C/hour 2.3 Physical Parameters The AlphaPC 164SX motherboard is an ATX-size printed-wiring board (PWB) with the following dimensions: • Length: 30.48 cm (12.0 in ±0.0005 in) • Width: 24.38 cm (9.6 in ±0.0005 in) •...
AlphaPC 164SX Switch Configuration The AlphaPC 164SX motherboard has a switchpack located at SW1, as shown previously in Figure 2–1. These switches set the hardware configuration. Figure 3–1 shows these switch configurations. 3.1 Mini-Debugger (CF3) The Alpha SROM Mini-Debugger is stored in the flash ROM and is enabled/ disabled by switch CF3.
AlphaPC 164SX Connector Pinouts This chapter lists the pinouts of the AlphaPC 164SX connectors (see Table 4–1 through Table 4–14). See Figure 2–1 for connector locations. 4.1 PCI Bus Connector Pinouts Table 4–1 shows the PCI bus connector pinouts. Table 4–1 PCI Bus Connector Pinouts...
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LOCK# AD[12] Not used AD[05] 64-Bit PCI Connectors Only (J18, J19) PAR64 D[58] D[48] D[42] D[32] — D[59] D[53] D[43] D[37] AlphaPC 164SX Connector Pinouts 4–2 Signal Signal AD[31] AD[29] AD[25] AD[21] AD[17] C/BE#[2] DEVSEL# PERR# C/BE#[1] AD[14] AD[10] AD[08]...
Pins 1 through 84 are on the front side and pins 85 through 168 are on the back side. The AlphaPC 164SX uses BA1 as both BA1 and ADDR12. Therefore, four-bank DIMMs using ADDR[11:0] are the maximum size. (Two-bank DIMMs can use ADDR[12:0].) Pull-down.
4.11 Enclosure Fan Power Connector Pinouts Table 4–11 shows the enclosure fan power connector pinouts. Table 4–11 Enclosure Fan (+12 V dc) Power Connector Pinouts (J16) Voltage +12 V dc AlphaPC 164SX Connector Pinouts 4–8 Description — Clock out —...
Table 4–14 Multipurpose Connector Pinouts (J20) Signal HALT_BUTTON RESET_BUTTON Microprocessor Fan Power Connector Pinouts Description — Fan connected — Description System power on/off — Description — Halt system — Reset system AlphaPC 164SX Connector Pinouts (Sheet 1 of 2) 4–9...
Alpha OEM World Wide Web Internet site. See Appendix A for the URL. For a list of vendors who supply components and accessories for the AlphaPC 164SX, see Appendix A. Refer to Figure 2–1 for DIMM connector locations. Note: 1Mb ×...
64-bit-wide DIMMs can also be used. 5.2 Upgrading SDRAM Memory You can upgrade memory in the AlphaPC 164SX by adding more DIMMs or replacing the ones you have with a greater size. Refer to Figure 2–1 for DIMM connector locations.
3. Align the DIMM so that the notch in the DIMM matches the key in the socket. 4. Firmly push the DIMM straight into the connector. Ensure that the DIMM snaps into the plastic locking levers on both ends. 5. Restore power to the system. 5.3 Increasing Microprocessor Speed This section describes how to complete the following actions to increase microprocessor speed:...
Increasing Microprocessor Speed 5.3.3 Removing the 21164PC Microprocessor Remove the microprocessor currently in place at location U31 by performing the following steps: 1. Unplug the fan power/sensor cable from connector J14 (see Figure 2–1). 2. Remove the four 6–32 × 0.625-inch screws that secure the fan to the heat sink. 3.
Figure 5–1 Fan/Heat-Sink Assembly Airflow a. Put the GRAFOIL thermal pad in place. The GRAFOIL pad is used to improve the thermal conductivity between the chip package and the heat sink by replacing micro air pockets with a less insulative material. Perform the following steps to position the GRAFOIL pad: 1.
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Increasing Microprocessor Speed b. Attach the microprocessor heat sink. The heat-sink material is clear anodized, hot-water-sealed, 6061-T6 aluminum. The nut material is 2011-T3 aluminum (this grade is critical). Perform the following steps to attach the heat sink: 1. Observe antistatic precautions. 2.
Interrupts and ISA Bus Addresses This section lists the system and I/O interrupt assignments. It also lists the physical AlphaPC 164SX I/O space assignments. 6.1 Interrupts Table 6–1 lists each AlphaPC 164SX ISA interrupt and its source. Table 6–1 ISA Interrupts Interrupt Number IRQ0...
Interrupt Number IRQ13 IRQ14 IRQ15 The # symbol indicates an active low signal. 6.2 ISA I/O Address Map Table 6–2 lists the AlphaPC 164SX ISA I/O space address mapping. Table 6–2 ISA I/O Address Map Range (hex) 000-00F 020-021 040-043...
The Alpha SRM Console firmware initializes the system and enables you to install and boot the DIGITAL UNIX operating system. This firmware resides in the flash ROM on the AlphaPC 164SX motherboard. 7.1 Alpha SRM Console Firmware Conventions The following conventions are used in this section: Convention >>>...
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Alpha SRM Console Firmware Conventions The following table lists Alpha SRM Console special keys and their functions. These special keys, also referred to as shortcut keys, provide command recall, line editing, and basic input/output control flow. Shortcut Key Enter Backspace or Delete Ctrl/A Ctrl/B...
7.2 Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions This section describes the following basic Alpha SRM Console commands that are necessary to boot the DIGITAL UNIX operating system: • • boot • deposit • examine • fwupdate • • show The Alpha SRM Console offers additional commands. For a complete list of Alpha SRM Console commands, enter Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions at the Alpha SRM Console prompt (>>>).
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Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions Loads and runs the AlphaBIOS firmware update utility from a diskette. Syntax Arguments None Options None Description None Examples Either of the following commands load and run the AlphaBIOS firmware update utility from a diskette: >>>arc >>>nt Alpha SRM Console Firmware...
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Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions boot Initializes the processor, loads a program image from the specified boot device, and transfers control to the loaded image. Syntax boot [-file <filename>] [-flags <longword>[,<longword>]] [-protocols <enet_protocol>] [-halt] [<boot_device>] Arguments <boot_device> A device path or list of devices from which the firmware will attempt to boot.
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Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions Description The boot command initializes the processor, loads a program image from the specified boot device, and transfers control to that image. If you do not specify a boot device in the command line, the default boot device is used.
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Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions Examples boot Command Example >>>boot >>>boot ewa0 >>>boot -file dec2.sys ewa0 >>>boot -protocol bootp ewa0 >>>boot -flags 0,1 >>>boot -halt dka0 Description Boots the system from the default boot device. Boots the system from Ethernet port ewa0. Boots the file named dec2.sys from Ethernet port ewa0.
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Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions deposit Writes data to the specified address. Syntax deposit [-{b,w,l,q,o,h}] [{physical, virtual, gpr, fpr, ipr}] [-n <count>] [-s <step>] [<device>:]<address> <data> Arguments <device>: The optional device name (or address space) selects the device to access.
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Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions Symbolic Address Description The location immediately preceding the last location referenced by examine or deposit. The location last referenced by examine or deposit. The location addressed by the last location referenced by examine or deposit.
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Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions Description The deposit command writes data to the specified address, such as a memory location, register, device, or file. The defaults for address space, data size, and address are the last specified values. After initialization, the default for address space is physical memory;...
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Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions examine Displays the contents of the specified address. Syntax examine [-{b,w,l,q,o,h,d}] [-{physical, virtual, gpr, fpr, ipr}] [-n <count>] [-s <step>] [<device>:]<address> Arguments <device>: The optional device name (or address space) selects the device to access.
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Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions examine Command Option -ipr -n <count> -s <step> Description The examine command displays the contents of the specified address, such as a memory location, register, device, or file. The defaults for address space, data size, and address are the last specified values.
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Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions fwupdate Loads and runs the AlphaBIOS firmware update utility from a diskette. Syntax fwupdate Arguments None Options None Description The fwupdate command script is used to load and run the AlphaBIOS firmware update utility from a diskette. The file fwupdate.exe is extracted from a diskette with a FAT file structure.
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Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions Sets or modifies the value of an environment variable. Syntax set <envar> <value> [-default] [-integer] [-string] Arguments <envar> The environment variable to be assigned a new value. <value> The value that is assigned to the environment variable. It can be either a numeric value or an ASCII string.
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Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions Examples set Command Example >>>set bootdef_dev ewa0 >>>set auto_action boot >>>set boot_osflags 0,1 >>>set foobar 5 Alpha SRM Console Firmware 7–16 Description Modifies the default boot device to ewa0. Attempts to boot the operating system following an error, halt, or power-up.
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Basic Alpha SRM Console Command Descriptions show Displays the current value of the specified environment variable or information about the system. Syntax show [{config, device [device_name], iobq, hwrpb, map, memory, pal, version, <envar>...}] Arguments show Command Argument config device [device name] iobq hwrpb memory...
Environment Variables for Alpha SRM Console Commands Examples show Command Example >>>show device dka0.0.0.6.0 dka400.4.0.6.0 dva0.0.0.0.1 ewa0.0.0.12.0 pka0.7.0.6.0 >>>show memory 48 Meg of System Memory >>>show * (refer to Section 7.3) >>>show boot* (refer to Section 7.3) 7.3 Environment Variables for Alpha SRM Console Commands This section describes environment variables that are used to define the system operational state and to pass information between the firmware and the operating...
Environment Variables for Alpha SRM Console Commands 7.3.1.1 Architecture-Required Environment Variables The following table shows common Alpha SRM Console architecture-required environment variables and their descriptions. For a complete list, enter show * at the Alpha SRM Console prompt. Architecture-Required Environment Variable auto_action boot_file...
Environment Variables for Alpha SRM Console Commands 7.3.1.2 System-Defined Environment Variables The following table shows common Alpha SRM Console system-defined environment variables and their descriptions. For a complete list, enter show * at the Alpha SRM Console prompt. System-Defined Environment Variable console control_scsi_term ewa0_mode...
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Environment Variables for Alpha SRM Console Commands System-Defined Environment Variable Description The language environment variable assigns language n to language n the system (where n is the option number of a language listed in the menu that follows). Use the following procedure to select the language: 1.
Using the AlphaBIOS Firmware Update Utility to Update the Flash ROM 7.4 Using the AlphaBIOS Firmware Update Utility to Update the Flash ROM Use the AlphaBIOS firmware update utility to update the firmware in a flash ROM. 7.4.1 AlphaBIOS Conventions AlphaBIOS uses universally accepted keys and key combinations for navigating the interface and selecting items.
Using the AlphaBIOS Firmware Update Utility to Update the Flash ROM 7.4.2 Starting the AlphaBIOS To start the AlphaBIOS, follow this procedure: 1. Insert the AlphaBIOS diskette into diskette drive A. 2. At the Alpha SRM Console prompt, enter the following command: >>>fwupdate Because the firmware update utility reinitializes some system compo- Note:...
Using the AlphaBIOS Firmware Update Utility to Update the Flash ROM 7.4.3 Installing Alpha SRM Console Using AlphaBIOS Setup Program Figure 7–2 shows an example of the AlphaBIOS Setup screen. Select the AlphaBIOS Upgrade... option by using the arrow or Tab keys. Figure 7–2 AlphaBIOS Setup Screen Press Enter to begin installing the SRM Console firmware image.
Using the AlphaBIOS Firmware Update Utility to Update the Flash ROM Figure 7–3 shows an example of the AlphaBIOS Upgrade Options screen. If more than one image is found, the new image's name is displayed. If the name of the new image is not SRM Console, use the down arrow key to cycle through the available field values until SRM Console is displayed.
Using the AlphaBIOS Firmware Update Utility to Update the Flash ROM Figure 7–4 shows an example of the AlphaBIOS screen that warns you that you have selected to switch the operating system. Figure 7–4 AlphaBIOS Warning Screen Press Enter to continue the installation. Alpha SRM Console Firmware 7–26...
Using the AlphaBIOS Firmware Update Utility to Update the Flash ROM A screen similar to Figure 7–5 is displayed. The version numbers shown on your screen may be different than those shown in Figure 7–5. Figure 7–5 AlphaBIOS Upgrade SRM Console Screen Press F10 to continue the installation.
Using the AlphaBIOS Firmware Update Utility to Update the Flash ROM Figure 7–6 shows an example of the AlphaBIOS Upgrade Complete screen. Figure 7–6 AlphaBIOS Upgrade Complete Screen To load the SRM Console, power-cycle the system. Alpha SRM Console Firmware 7–28...
DIGITAL UNIX Version 4.0D is the minimum revision required for the AlphaPC 164SX motherboard system. This section supplements the DIGITAL UNIX Installation Guide for installing the DIGITAL UNIX operating system on an AlphaPC 164SX motherboard system. If you already have a previous version of DIGITAL UNIX installed, see Note: the DIGITAL UNIX Installation Guide for information on how to upgrade to a new version of the operating system.
This chapter contains information about troubleshooting hardware and software during AlphaPC 164SX startup. 8.1 Hardware Startup Use the following troubleshooting steps if video is not working on your system. If you still have no video after reviewing these steps, please call your system vendor.
Beep Codes 8.2 Beep Codes The beep codes provide error information about the AlphaPC 164SX system. Table 8–1 lists and describes the beep codes. Table 8–1 Beep Codes Beep Code Description 1–2–3 This sequence represents the fail-safe booter startup. No valid header found in ROM; loading entire ROM.
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Table 8–2 Post Codes Post Code Source (hex) Description Jump to Mini-Debugger Fatal error. Second code identifies source of error: 05 = No memory found 06 = Checksum error detected when image was read back Starting console Console Idle PCB initialization Semaphore initialization Heap initialization Heap initialization...
1-2-3; that is, one beep and a pause, followed by two beeps and a pause, followed by three beeps. After the diskette activity light flashes, insert the AlphaPC 164SX SRM Console Firmware diskette. The fail-safe booter will load and run the AlphaBIOS firmware update utility from this diskette.
Battery Recycle/Disposal Information NOTICE Recycle or dispose of batteries promptly in accordance with your organization’s environmental policies. If this is a LITHIUM battery, the following additional precautions may apply: • Replace batteries correctly to prevent possible explosion. • Replace batteries with the same or equivalent type. •...
Support, Products, and Documentation A.1 Customer Support The Alpha OEM website provides the following information for customer support. http://www.digital.com/alphaoem Description Contains the following links: • Developers’ Area: Development tools, code examples, driver developers’ information, and technical white papers • Motherboard Products: performance information •...
Fax: 603-642-5819 PN 70-33148-01 A.2.3 Power Supply An ATX form-factor power supply, suitable for use with the AlphaPC 164SX (+3.3 V, +5 V, –5 V, +12 V, –12 V), is available from: Quantum Power Labs, Inc. 1410 Gail Borden Place C-4...
2859 Bayview Drive Fremont, CA 94538 Phone: 510-770-1200, ext. 313 PN PP-253V (250 W) A.2.4 Enclosure An enclosure, suitable for housing the AlphaPC 164SX and its power supply, is available from: Delta Axxion Technology 1550 Northwestern El Paso, TX 79912...
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Associated Documentation Title PCI Local Bus Specification, Revision 2.1 PCI Multimedia Design Guide, Revision 1.0 PCI System Design Guide PCI-to-PCI Bridge Architecture Specification, Revision 1.0 PCI BIOS Specification, Revision 2.1 CY82C693U hyperCache/Stand-Alone PCI Peripheral Controller with USB Data Sheet Super I/O Floppy Disk Controller with Infrared Support (FDC37C669) Data Sheet A–4 Support, Products, and Documentation...
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