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AlphaPC 164LX Motherboard Windows NT User’s Manual Order Number: EC–R2ZQF–TE This is a revised document. It Revision/Update Information: supersedes the AlphaPC 164LX Motherboard Windows NT User’s Manual (EC–R2ZQE–TE). Compaq Computer Corporation...
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The software described in this publication is furnished under a license agreement or nondisclosure agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement. COMPAQ, the Compaq logo, the Digital logo, and DIGITAL Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. AlphaPC is a trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation.
Alpha 21164 microprocessor and the companion 21174 core logic chip. It describes the motherboard’s features and how to set its configuration jumpers. This manual helps users to install and populate the AlphaPC 164LX motherboard with memory modules and peripheral cards.
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Manual Conventions and Terminology Italic Type: Italic type emphasizes important information and indicates complete titles of documents. Terms: The following terms are used in this manual: This term... Refers to... Microsoft Windows NT installation The Microsoft Windows NT Workstation guide Installation Guide and the Windows NT Server Installation Guide.
Features of the AlphaPC 164LX Motherboard Table 2–1 provides an overview of the AlphaPC 164LX motherboard’s features. Table 2–1 AlphaPC 164LX Features Feature Description Microprocessor Alpha 21164 microprocessor (64-bit RISC) Core logic chip 21174 core logic chip, comprising a single control chip that pro-...
Power Requirements 2.1 Power Requirements The AlphaPC 164LX motherboard has a total power dissipation of 100 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.
Physical Parameters The AlphaPC 164LX motherboard is specified to run within the environment listed in Table 2–4. Table 2–4 AlphaPC 164LX Motherboard Environmental Requirements Parameter Specification Operating temperature 10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°F) Storage temperature –55°C to 125°C (–67°F to 257°F) Relative humidity 10% to 90% with maximum wet bulb temperature 28°C...
AlphaPC 164LX Jumper Configuration The AlphaPC 164LX motherboard has two groups of jumpers located at J27 and J28, as shown in Figure 2–1. These jumpers set the hardware configuration and boot options. Figure 3–1 shows these jumper configurations. 3.1 CPU Speed Selection The clock synthesizer at location U47 makes it possible to change the frequency of the microprocessor’s system clock output without having to change the clock crystal.
Bcache Size Jumpers (CF1 and CF2) Figure 3–1 AlphaPC 164LX Configuration Jumpers J27 System Configuration Jumpers IRQ3 Frequency Ratio IRQ3 IRQ2 IRQ1 IRQ0 Comments IRQ2 466 MHz Out Out Default 533 MHz IRQ1 600 MHz IRQ0 All other combinations Reserved...
Section 8.5. 3.5 Flash ROM Update Jumper (J28) When J28–2/3 are jumpered together (default), the flash ROM is write-enabled. When J28–1/2 are jumpered together, the flash ROM is write-protected. AlphaPC 164LX Jumper Configuration 3–3...
AlphaPC 164LX Connector Pinouts This chapter contains pinouts for all of the AlphaPC 164LX connectors. 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...
Pins 1 through 84 are on the front side and pins 85 through 168 are on the back side. The AlphaPC 164LX 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.
— 4.6 Parallel Bus Connector Pinouts Table 4–6 shows the parallel bus connector pinouts. Table 4–6 Parallel Bus Connector Pinouts (J13) Signal Signal Signal Signal BUSY SLCT INIT SLIN — — — — — — AlphaPC 164LX Connector Pinouts 4–6...
This pinout is ATX-compliant. 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 (J2, J19) Voltage +12 V dc AlphaPC 164LX Connector Pinouts 4–8...
— FAN_CONN_L Fan connected — 4.14 Power LED Connector Pinouts Table 4–14 shows the power LED connector pinouts. Table 4–14 Power LED Connector Pinouts (J24) Signal Name POWER_LED_L Power LED input — — — — AlphaPC 164LX Connector Pinouts 4–9...
The Halt button is not used with the Windows NT operating system. 4.18 Soft Power Connector Pinouts Table 4–18 shows the soft power connector pinouts. Table 4–18 Soft Power Connector Pinouts (J1) Signal Name Input System power on/off — AlphaPC 164LX Connector Pinouts 4–10...
Memory and Microprocessor Configuration For higher system speed or greater throughput, you can upgrade SDRAM memory by replacing DIMMs with those of greater size. When configuring or upgrading SDRAM, observe the following rules: • Each DIMM must be a 168-pin unbuffered version and have a frequency of 100 MHz.
16Mb 16Mb 5.2 Upgrading SDRAM Memory You can upgrade memory in the AlphaPC 164LX by adding more DIMMs or replacing the ones that you have with a greater size. Refer to Figure 2–1 for DIMM connector locations. Use the following general guidelines: 1.
Increasing Microprocessor Speed 5.3 Increasing Microprocessor Speed This section describes how to complete the following actions to increase microprocessor speed: • Replace the 21164 microprocessor with an Alpha chip that has a higher speed rating. • Reconfigure the clock divisor jumpers. 5.3.1 Preparatory Information Static-Sensitive Component –...
Increasing Microprocessor Speed 5.3.3 Removing the 21164 Microprocessor Remove the microprocessor currently in place at location U40 by performing the following steps: 1. Unplug the fan power/sensor cable from connector J18 (see Figure 2–1). 2. Remove the four 6-32 0.875-inch screws that secure the fan and fan guard to the heat sink.
Appendix A . Refer to Figure 5–1 for heat-sink and fan assembly details. Figure 5–1 shows the Fan/Heat-Sink Assembly on AlphaPC 164LX. Figure 5–1 Fan/Heat-Sink Assembly Screw, 6-32 x 0.875 in...
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Increasing Microprocessor Speed 2. Wearing clean gloves, pick up the GRAFOIL pad. Do not perform this with bare hands because skin oils can be transferred to the pad. 3. Place the GRAFOIL pad on the gold-plated slug surface and align it with the threaded studs.
This section lists the system and I/O interrupt assignments. It also lists the physical AlphaPC 164LX I/O space assignments. 6.1 Interrupts Table 6–1 lists each AlphaPC 164LX ISA interrupt and its source. Table 6–1 ISA Interrupts Interrupt Number Interrupt Source...
Available IRQ14 IRQ15 The # symbol indicates an active low signal. 6.2 ISA I/O Address Map Table 6–2 lists the AlphaPC 164LX ISA I/O space address mapping. Table 6–2 ISA I/O Address Map Range (hex) Usage 000-00F 8237 DMA #1...
ISA I/O Address Map 6.2.1 Flash ROM Address Map The address range for the flash ROM is FFF8.0000–FFFF.FFFF. Flash space of 1MB is obtained by double mapping this 512KB space. FLASH_ADR19 register at I/O location 800 provides this function. Writing a 0 to this location enables the lower 512KB of flash.
The online documentation describes configuration information for Alpha systems running AlphaBIOS. The online documentation resides on a diskette labeled AlphaPC 164LX AlphaBIOS Firmware diskette. The documentation is available as a text file and a Help file compatible with Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 95.
AlphaBIOS 7.1.1 AlphaBIOS Conventions AlphaBIOS uses universally accepted keys and key combinations for navigating the interface and selecting items. If you are familiar with MS-DOS or Microsoft Windows keyboard conventions, navigating AlphaBIOS is simple. Table 7–1 shows the keys to use for navigating and selecting items in AlphaBIOS. Table 7–1 Action Keys Press...
AlphaBIOS Figure 7–1 AlphaBIOS Boot Screen AlphaBIOS Version 5.11 Please select the operating system to start: Windows NT Workstation 4.00 Windows NT Workstation 3.51 to move the highlight to your choice. Press Enter to choose. Alpha Press <F2> to enter SETUP FM-05954.AI4 7.1.3 Upgrading AlphaBIOS As new versions of Windows NT are released, it might be necessary to upgrade...
AlphaBIOS 7.1.4 Performing CMOS Setup Tasks CMOS Setup is divided into two modes, standard and advanced. Table 7–2 lists the tasks that you can perform in standard and advanced setup mode. Table 7–2 CMOS Setup Tasks Standard CMOS Setup Advanced CMOS Setup Autostart Memory test Date and time...
AlphaBIOS To perform express hard-disk setup: 1. Start AlphaBIOS Setup, select Hard Disk Setup, and press Enter. 2. Press F7 to enter express hard-disk setup. 3. Press F10 to continue with the setup. For information on manually managing hard disks, see the online documentation. 7.1.6 Displaying Your System Configuration You can use AlphaBIOS to display your system configuration in a clear, easy-to-read format, organized by categories: system board, memory, hard disk, PCI, SCSI, and...
AlphaBIOS Figure 7–2 Display System Configuration Display System Configuration Systemboard Configuration Use the Arrow or Tab keys to view Hard Disk Configuration different categories PCI Configuration of configuration EISA Configuration information. SCSI Configuration MC Bus Configuration Memory Configuration Server Management Features Integrated Peripherals System Type: AlphaServer 4100/500...
AlphaBIOS 7.1.7 Running a Maintenance Program You can run maintenance programs such as RAID and other configuration utilities directly from the AlphaBIOS utility menu. To run a maintenance program: 1. Start AlphaBIOS Setup, select Utilities, select Run Maintenance Program from the submenu shown in Figure 7–3, and press Enter.
7.2 Installing the Windows NT Operating System This section supplements the Microsoft Windows NT installation guide for installing the Windows NT operating system on an AlphaPC 164LX system. If you already have a previous version of Windows NT installed, see the Microsoft Windows NT installation guide for information about how to upgrade to a new ver- sion of the operating system.
The AlphaPC 164LX AlphaBIOS Firmware diskette • The AlphaPC 164LX Windows NT 4.0 Installation diskette The AlphaPC 164LX Windows NT 4.0 Installation diskette is required Note: for the Windows NT 4.0 operating system. Future versions of Windows NT may not require this diskette. Contact your OEM or system vendor for details.
During the Windows NT installation procedure, you may be prompted for the type of computer that you have. For the AlphaPC 164LX system, choose DIGITAL AlphaPC 164LX. If AlphaPC 164LX is not one of the choices, choose “other” after you have inserted the AlphaPC 164LX Windows NT 4.0 Installation diskette. The following procedure supersedes the Starting Setup on a RISC-based Computer sec- tion of the Microsoft Windows NT installation guide.
Troubleshooting This chapter contains information about troubleshooting hardware and software during AlphaPC 164LX startup. 8.1 Password Bypass AlphaBIOS provides password protection. However, Password Bypass is provided for system setup or startup when the AlphaBIOS password is unavailable. Password Bypass is enabled by inserting jumper CF3 in the J27 System Configuration Jumper Block (see Figure 3–1).
Beep Codes 8. Reseat the DIMMs. 9. Replace the DIMMs. 8.3 Beep Codes The beep codes provide error information about the AlphaPC 164LX 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.
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 164LX AlphaBIOS Firmware diskette. The fail-safe booter will load and run AlphaBIOS from this diskette.
1. Power off your system. 2. Add jumper CF7 as described in Section 3.4. 3. Power on your system. 4. Insert the AlphaPC 164LX AlphaBIOS Firmware diskette into the diskette drive. 5. Proceed to Section 7.1.3 and follow the procedures.
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 pre- cautions may apply: • Replace batteries correctly to prevent possible explosion. • Replace batteries with the same or equivalent type. •...
Support A.1 Customer Support The Alpha OEM website provides the following information for customer support. Description http://www.digital.com/alphaoem Contains the following links: • Development tools, code examples, Developers’ Area: driver developers’ information, and technical white papers • Motherboard details and Motherboard Products: performance information •...
32810 – – A.2.3 Power Supply An ATX form-factor power supply, suitable for use with the AlphaPC 164LX (+3.3 V, +5 V, –5 V, +12 V, –12 V), is available from: Quantum Power Labs, Inc. 1410 Gail Borden Place C –...
– – Contact: Han Liu PN PP 253X – A.2.4 Enclosure An enclosure, suitable for housing the AlphaPC 164LX and its power supply, is available from: Delta Axxion Technology 1550 Northwestern Drive El Paso, TX 79912 Phone: 915 8888 –...
Third–Party Documentation A.4 Third–Party Documentation You can order the following third-party documentation directly from the vendor. Title Vendor PCI Local Bus Specification, Revision 2.1 PCI Special Interest Group PCI Multimedia Design Guide, Revision 1.0 U.S. 1–800–433–5177 PCI System Design Guide International 1–503–797–4207 PCI-to-PCI Bridge Architecture Specification, 1–503–234–6762...
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