I have seen similar behavior on all Force2CE VME boards with empty NVRAM.
On Sunday, September 24, 2023, erik--- via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
wrote:
Hi there,
in the last weeks my last two working UltraBooks died. Today I
investigated the problem
and obviously in these RDI made notebooks, the NVRAMs not only contain the
boot information,
the host ID and the MAC address but also the hardware configuration.
Hence: Once the NVRAM is completeley dead, absent or replaced, the unit
will not
start up any more - it gets stuck in the power on test BEFORE the screen
shows any
information.
Do anyone out there have got UltraBooks or UltraBooks IIi up and running?
Would
highly be interested in a dump of the NVRAM/Timekeeper!!!
The failed first generation UltraBook are (DS1643 NVRAM):
(*) U20-14-9-512P with three (!!) hard drives, no battery port
(*) U20-14-3-128B two hard drives, battery port
And my beloved UltraBook IIi (TimeKeeper DS1553-070)
(*) U40-14-1X-1024C one harddrive, battery port and creator graphics.
Reply here or PM erik(a)baigar.de,
Thanks
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So advice to all owners: Backup your NVRAM contents and I'd be more than
happy
to get in touch with you!
Not affected seem to be the PrecisionBooks (e.g. H16-12-8-512L2, two hard-
drives and battery port) as they do not contain an NVRAM/TimeKeeper.