29 Sep
2008
29 Sep
'08
8:49 a.m.
Hi,
Last year I bought an RS/6000 Model 34H as I wanted a cheap example of an old Unix/AIX
workstation. Having sorted out a monitor (with 3W3 lead) the machine appears to be
faulty.
So far whenever I power it up, I see:
- a series of numbers on the front LED display (got them listed on a piece of paper
somewhere, sorry not got it to hand).
- Nothing on the monitor
- No activity on either of the 2 serial ports (using an RS232 break-out box to a PC
running terminal emulator)
The machine didn't come with a manual, looking on the net I haven't found a source
to buy a suitable manual let alone download one.
Currently the machine is sitting out of the way doing nothing, I would like to see what
the problem is before deciding whether to scrap it or try and repair it (assuming it is
something like a failed SCSI hard drive).
Can anyone advise what to try, or a list of what the LED numbers mean? Should for example
the external SCSI connector have a terminator?
I think next time I buy an RS/6000, I will look for one that comes with a manual!
Regards,
John
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29 Sep
29 Sep
1:08 p.m.
On Sep 29, 2008, at 8:49 AM, John S <john_a_s2004 at hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi,
Last year I bought an RS/6000 Model 34H as I wanted a cheap example
of an old Unix/AIX workstation. Having sorted out a monitor (with
3W3 lead) the machine appears to be faulty.
So far whenever I power it up, I see:
- a series of numbers on the front LED display (got them listed on a
piece of paper somewhere, sorry not got it to hand).
- Nothing on the monitor
- No activity on either of the 2 serial ports (using an RS232 break-
out box to a PC running terminal emulator)
The machine didn't come with a manual, looking on the net I haven't
found a source to buy a suitable manual let alone download one.
Currently the machine is sitting out of the way doing nothing, I
would like to see what the problem is before deciding whether to
scrap it or try and repair it (assuming it is something like a
failed SCSI hard drive).
Can anyone advise what to try, or a list of what the LED numbers
mean? Should for example the external SCSI connector have a
terminator?
I think next time I buy an RS/6000, I will look for one that comes
with a manual!
Regards,
John
If I recall correctly, you will get nothing (aside from a few numbers
on the front panel) on these early machines unless you have bootable
media on the hard drive or in the floppy drive. I recall doing an
install from floppy and you get nothing on the display or serial ports
until several floppies have been loaded -- the front panel numbers
chane to indicate when to switch floppies, etc!
I'm at work so I can't send it now, but there is a PDF of the manual
that describes this process.
I also have images of the startup floppies, but you're on your own
finding an aix distro...
Hope that helps...
Josh
_________________________________________________________________
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1:16 p.m.
Josh Dersch wrote:
On Sep 29, 2008, at 8:49 AM, John S <john_a_s2004 at hotmail.com> wrote:
Yes, indeed. The video and console aren't talked to until the OS starts
to boot.
The manuals are available online. If you have trouble finding them, let
me know and I'll dig them up for you.
Peace... Sridhar
Hi,
Last year I bought an RS/6000 Model 34H as I wanted a cheap example of
an old Unix/AIX workstation. Having sorted out a monitor (with 3W3
lead) the machine appears to be faulty.
So far whenever I power it up, I see:
- a series of numbers on the front LED display (got them listed on a
piece of paper somewhere, sorry not got it to hand).
- Nothing on the monitor
- No activity on either of the 2 serial ports (using an RS232
break-out box to a PC running terminal emulator)
The machine didn't come with a manual, looking on the net I haven't
found a source to buy a suitable manual let alone download one.
Currently the machine is sitting out of the way doing nothing, I would
like to see what the problem is before deciding whether to scrap it or
try and repair it (assuming it is something like a failed SCSI hard
drive).
Can anyone advise what to try, or a list of what the LED numbers mean?
Should for example the external SCSI connector have a terminator?
I think next time I buy an RS/6000, I will look for one that comes
with a manual!
Regards,
John
If I recall correctly, you will get nothing (aside from a few numbers
on the front panel) on these early machines unless you have bootable
media on the hard drive or in the floppy drive. I recall doing an
install from floppy and you get nothing on the display or serial ports
until several floppies have been loaded -- the front panel numbers chane
to indicate when to switch floppies, etc!
I'm at work so I can't send it now, but there is a PDF of the manual
that describes this process.
I also have images of the startup floppies, but you're on your own
finding an aix distro... 
3:20 p.m.
On Monday 29 September 2008, John S wrote:
Hi,
Last year I bought an RS/6000 Model 34H as I wanted a cheap example
of an old Unix/AIX workstation. Having sorted out a monitor (with
3W3 lead) the machine appears to be faulty.
So far whenever I power it up, I see:
- a series of numbers on the front LED display (got them listed on
a piece of paper somewhere, sorry not got it to hand). - Nothing on
the monitor
- No activity on either of the 2 serial ports (using an RS232
break-out box to a PC running terminal emulator)
The machine didn't come with a manual, looking on the net I haven't
found a source to buy a suitable manual let alone download one.
Here's a list of SRNs (Service Request Numbers):
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/systems/scope/hw/index.jsp
Snoop around this site, and you'll likely find what you need regarding
manuals, etc.
Currently the machine is sitting out of the way doing
nothing, I
would like to see what the problem is before deciding whether to
scrap it or try and repair it (assuming it is something like a
failed SCSI hard drive).
Can anyone advise what to try, or a list of what the LED numbers
mean? Should for example the external SCSI connector have a
terminator?
See the above. I've been able to get just about every RS/6000 I've
obtained working. IBM Hardware and Software produces lots (perhaps
way too much) debugging information ;-)
Cheers,
Lyle
--
Lyle Bickley
Bickley Consulting West Inc.
Mountain View, CA 94040
http://bickleywest.com
"Black holes are where God is dividing by zero"
8:53 p.m.
Lyle Bickley wrote:
On Monday 29 September 2008, John S wrote:
Two things that are probably farther down the road than you're getting:
A DEC 3W-BNC video cable is wired opposite IBM's - if it's DEC or DEC
compatible, red will go to blue and vice versa.
Second, when you get the OS to boot, it's likely to stop at LED code
581 for a very long time. It's looking for a nameserver. That'll
eventually time out, but it takes long enough that folks often thing
it's hung.
If you can tell us what the code is where it stops, that would go a
long way toward finding your problem.
Doc
Can anyone advise what to try, or a list of what
the LED numbers
mean? Should for example the external SCSI connector have a
terminator?
See the above. I've been able to get just about every RS/6000 I've
obtained working. IBM Hardware and Software produces lots (perhaps
way too much) debugging information ;-)
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4 comments
5 participants
participants (5)
-
derschjo＠mail.msu.edu -
doc＠mdrconsult.com -
john_a_s2004＠hotmail.com -
lbickley＠bickleywest.com -
ploopster＠gmail.com