3 | Things You Should Know the First Time You Power On | |
Your Machine | ||
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| It is recommended that you read this section in its entirety prior to using | |
| your AlphaServer 4100 machine. | |
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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,
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
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
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.