Compaq 4100 manual Memory Tests Can Take a Very Long Time

3	Things You Should Know the First Time You Power On
	Your Machine
	It is recommended that you read this section in its entirety prior to using
	your AlphaServer 4100 machine.
3.1	Memory Tests Can Take a Very Long Time!

Memory is tested by each CPU each time you power on or reset your machine. These tests can take upwards of several minutes on very large memory, single-CPU machines. The XSROM firmware responsible for testing memory prints a rotating asterisk as part of the operator control panel (OCP) display during the memory march test (Test 24). The rotating asterisk stops once testing has completed. Additionally, beginning with V3.0 SRM console, if both the CONSOLE environment variable is set to serial and the MEMORY_TEST environment variable is set to full an estimated test time will be printed.

Note: If running OpenVMS, Compaq Tru64 UNIX or DIGITAL UNIX, the MEMORY_TEST environment variable must be set to FULL (default). PARTIAL and NONE are not supported.

3.2Selecting Which Console Is Loaded and Your Display Device

Your system likely came pre-configured to run a particular operating system. There are two SRM console environment variables that play a key role in determining which console will be the final console loaded on a power-on/reset (SRM console or AlphaBIOS console) and to which display device (VT-type terminal or graphics device) the console will default. These two environment variables (EVs) are the OS_TYPE and CONSOLE EVs, respectively.

If OS_TYPE is set to "NT", the SRM console will automatically load and start the AlphaBIOS console from system flash ROM during power- on/reset. If OS_TYPE is set to "OpenVMS" or "UNIX", the SRM console will not load AlphaBIOS. If OS_TYPE is set to "NT", you can depress the front panel Halt button (LED on) and then reset the machine to force the SRM console to not load AlphaBIOS. In this situation, the SRM console will stop at the SRM console prompt. Not only will it not load AlphaBIOS if OS_TYPE=NT, but it will also not allow booting until the Halt button has been restored to the out position.

If CONSOLE is set to "SERIAL", the SRM console will power-on in serial mode and will print power-up display information to COM1 (assuming a VT-like device is connected at the other end). If CONSOLE is set

to "GRAPHICS", the SRM console expects to find a VGA card in PCI0 and will attempt to print to the VGA monitor after PCI sizing and configuration has completed.

3–1