This book introduces the AlphaStation 500 Series system. Use the information in this
book to configure, start, use, update, and troubleshoot your system. You will also find
general system information, such as console commands and system care, in this book.
Revision/Update Information:This is revision.
Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, Massachusetts
First Printing, December 1995
Revised, January 1997
Digital Equipment Corporation makes no representations that the use of its products in the manner described in this
publication will not infringe on existing or future patent rights, nor do the descriptions contained in this publication
imply the granting of licenses to make, use, or sell equipment or software in accordance with the description.
Possession, use, or copying of the software described in this publication is authorized only pursuant to a valid
written license from Digital or an authorized sublicensor.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation: AlphaStation, Digital UNIX, OpenVMS,
ThinWire, and the DIGITAL logo.
The following are third-party trademarks:
Microsoft and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
SIMM is a trademark of Molex Corporation.
UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open
Company Ltd.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
[S3420]
FCC CLASSIFICATION
There are many variants of AlphaStation 500 Series systems. Your AlphaStation 500
Series system may be classified as either a Class A or a Class B FCC/EMC device,
depending upon its options and configuration.. To determine your system’s classification,
look at the FCC Classification Label on the bottom of the system.
FCC NOTICE -- CLASS A DEVICE
The equipment described in this manual generates, uses, and may emit radio frequency
energy. The equipment has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device pursuant to part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide
reasonable protection against such radio frequency interference.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area may cause interference, in which case the
user at their own expense will be required to take whatever measures are required to
correct the interference. If shielded cables have been supplied or specified, they must be
used on the system in order to maintain international regulatory compliance.
FCC NOTICE -- CLASS B DEVICE
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following
conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. Any
changes or modifications to this equipment may void the user's authority to operate this
equipment.
FCC NOTICE -- CLASS B DEVICE (continued)
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver is connected.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
The keyboard and video ports should be connected only with shielded data cables with an
external ferrite bead over the cable. When either of these ports is connected with cables
without such a ferrite bead, the additional ferrite beads shall be clamped over these cables
next to the cable connector.
Appendix E, Updating System Firmware, explains how to use the firmware update
utility.
•
Appendix F, Starting an Operating System Installation, provides the information you
need to begin an operating system installation.
•
Appendix G, Sound Card Overview, describes the Digital AlphaStation 500 Series
system sound card.
•
Appendix H, Equipment Log, contains tables that you can use to record information
about your system hardware and software components.
Refer to the Table of Contents for a detailed listing of topics.
Conventions
This guide uses the following conventions:
Convention ExampleDescription
c:\windowsc:\windows>
[Enter]Square brackets surrounding text represent a key on
[Ctrl]+[R]A plus sign between keyboard keys indicates that
auto_action
)
xiv
AlphaStation 500 Series User Information
Monospaced, bold text indicates file names, path
names, directories, or screen text.
the keyboard.
the keys shown should be pressed at the same time.
Italic text indicates environment variables. Titles of
information sources are in italic, and occasionally
italic is used for emphasis in the text.
A pointing hand indicates a reference to additional
information.
Abbreviations
This guide uses the following abbreviations:
AbbreviationMeaning
ACalternating current
ampampere
ARCadvanced RISC computing (Windows NT console)
ARCINSTARC installation program
CCelsius
CDcompact disc
CD-ROMcompact disc read-only memory
CEEInternational Commission for Conformity Certification of
You may wish to consult the following information resource for additional information
about your AlphaStation 500 Series system.
• AlphaStation 500 Series Installation Information (order number EK-ALPH5-IN),
which presents a graphical overview of the AlphaStation 500 Series system
installation.
Contact your distributor or Digital representative for other available product-related
information or visit the Digital WorkStation web site.
• Digital WorkStation Web Page - http://www.workstation.com/text.html
AlphaStation 500 Series User Information
xvii
Preface
Reader’s Comments
Digital welcomes your comments on this or any other manual. You can send your
comments to Digital in the following ways:
• Internet electronic mail to: readers_comments@zk3.dec.com
• Mail:
Digital Equipment Corporation
Shared Engineering Services
129 Parker Street - PKO3-2/21J
Maynard, MA 01754-2199
Please reference order number EK-ALPH5-UI. B01 in your correspondence.
xviii
AlphaStation 500 Series User Information
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the AlphaStation 500 Series System. The
AlphaStation 500 Engineering team is very proud of this product and you can be assured
that this machine has been designed and tested with the utmost attention to performance
and reliability. It can run OpenVMS, Digital UNIX, or Windows NT. Your machine’s
performance range can be extended by the addition of memory, PCI cards, video upgrades,
and hard disk drives.
The AlphaStation 500 Series is a high-performance system that uses the latest
microprocessor technology. The system can stand alone or function as a client in an office
network environment. This chapter describes the AlphaStation 500 Series system hardware
components, including the peripheral component interconnect (PCI) architecture, the
keyboard, the system unit front panel, and the system unit rear panel.
Following the information provided here will assure safe and proper operation of your
AlphaStation 500 Series System.
1
System Overview
AlphaStation 500 Series User Information 1-1
System Overview
System Unit
Your AlphaStation 500 Series system uses a high-performance Alpha architecture CPU.
The system unit includes:
• Two accessible I/O bays: one for 3.5 inch x 1 inch floppy disk or 3.5 inch tape devices
and one for 5.25 inch x 1.6 inch CD-ROM
• Two non-accessible I/O bays: one that can accommodate a single 3.5 inch x 1.6 inch
device or two 3.5 x 1 inch devices. The bay below the floppy drive will accommodate
a single 3.5 inch x 1.6 inch hard drive (not available with tape option).
• Diskette controller that supports one diskette drive
• Integrated PCI-based SCSI-2 controller with Direct Memory Access and external
SCSI-2 connector that supports up to five SCSI devices. Initial offerings of the
AlphaStation 500 support Fast/Wide 10Mb/sec SCSI which will be phased into
Fast/Wide 20 Mb/sec SCSI.
• ThinWire or twisted-pair Ethernet ports.
• Four expansion slots - one for 64-bit PCI options; three slots for 32-bit PCI options.
• Eight industry standard DIMM connectors for a maximum of 1 GB.
• Keyboard and mouse
• Two serial ports and one bi-directional parallel port
• Built-in 16-bit audio card
Refer to Appendix C, Technical Specifications, for additional information.
)
See the Digital WorkStation Web Page for the latest details.
)
(http://www.workstation.com/text.html)
1-2
AlphaStation 500 Series User Information
Enclosure Front Panel
Figure 1-1 shows a front view of the system enclosure with pointers to the controls and
indicators (storage bay door removed for clarity). Table 1-1 describes these items.
System Overview
1
2
3
78
Figure 1-1 Front Controls, Indicators, and Drive Bay Locations
Table 1-1 Front Control, Indicators, and Drive Bay Locations
Figure
Legend
1Floppy or tape drive bayLocation of external bay for 3.5-inch floppy
2Diskette eject buttonReleases a 3.5-inch diskette from the diskette
3CD drive bayLocation of 5.25-inch CD-ROM device.
4CD-ROM eject buttonOpens the CD loading drawer
5Halt/Reset buttonJumper Selectable. When halt is pressed, the
6LED IndicatorDC On, lights when the system is on.
7LED IndicatorLights to indicate SCSI activity.
8Louvered air intakePassageway for cooling air to enter the
Control or IndicatorFunction
diskette or optional tape device.
drive.
system halts immediately (the halt button is a
momentary contact switch). When reset is
pressed, resets the system and causes the selftest to run.
system. (Do not block the air intake.)
6
4
5
MA00999
AlphaStation 500 Series User Information
1-3
System Overview
Enclosure Rear Panel
Figure 1-2 shows the rear controls and connectors. Table 1-2 lists the rear controls and
connectors and describes their functions.
23
1
6
8
4
7
5
10
9
11
12
13
14
15
22
18
21
1920
17
Figure 1-2 Rear Connectors (Rear View)
16
MA00995
1-4
AlphaStation 500 Series User Information
Table 1-2 Rear Connectors
System Overview
Figure
Legend
1On/Off SwitchPower
2Voltage selection
3Lock SlotUse with optional Kensington type security lock
4System (chassis)
5Sound card stereo
6Sound card stereo
7Top Cover ScrewSecures top cover
8Sound card
9Sound card stereo
10Twisted Pair
11ThinWire connectorConnection to the embedded Ethernet controller
1264-bit PCI
13, 14, 1532-bit PCI
16Enhanced bi-
17Wide SCSI
18Keyboard connectorConnects a VMS or PS/2 style keyboard
19Mouse connectorConnects a PS/2-compatible mouse
20COM1 - Serial port
21COM2 - Serial port
22AC power connectorConnects the system to AC power
ItemFunction
Allows user to set voltage from factory set 230V
switch
lock
LINE OUT
connector
headphone jack
microphone jack
LINE IN connector
connector
expansion slot
expansion slots
directional parallel
port
connector - 68-pin
connector
connector
to 115 VAC power
Provides security for internal components.
Routes audio signals to an external amplifier
Connects headphones, or amplified speakers
Connects microphone (2.2Ohm to 2.5V)
Brings audio signals into the card (for example,
from a stereo amplifier)
Connection to the embedded Ethernet controller
Used for PCI expansion options
In this example, a PCI graphics adapter is shown
in the bottom slot. It provides the interface
between the video/graphics expansion module
(option) and the supported monitor.
Connects an industry-standard parallel printer or
other parallel device
Provides the interface between the system unit
and external SCSI devices
Connects serial devices
Connects serial devices
AlphaStation 500 Series User Information
1-5
System Overview
The Keyboard
Your system comes equipped with a 101-key enhanced keyboard (shown in) that allows
you to communicate with your system by entering data or commands. Note that some
European keyboards have 108 keys. Refer to Figure 1-3 and Table 1-3 for information on
keyboard key groups and functions.
Refer to your operating system or application software documentation for software-
functions are determined by the installed
application software.
functions are determined by the installed
application software.
[CapsLock], or [ScrollLock] has been
activated.
software-defined functions, including cursor
control. The [NumLock] key allows you to
toggle between the numeric functions and
software-defined functions.
highlighted cursor on the monitor screen.
automatic-repeat capability. If you press and
hold down any of these keys, the keystroke
repeats automatically until released.
AlphaStation 500 Series User Information
1-7
Introduction
This chapter describes how to install, start, restart, and turn off your AlphaStation 500
Series system. You can also find information here about preloaded software as well as
guidelines for system security. Figure 2-1 shows a typical AlphaStation 500 Series system.
When unpacking and moving system components, be aware that some
components (such as the system unit or monitor) may be too heavy for you
to safely lift alone. If you are doubtful about whether you can lift these items
alone, please get assistance.
Before you start your system, follow this procedure:
1.Read and understand the information supplied with your system.
2.Select a well-ventilated site near a grounded power outlet and away from sources of
excessive heat. Also, use an appropriate power strip to isolate the site from electric
noise (for example, spikes, sags, and surges) produced by devices such as air
conditioners, large fans, radios, and televisions.
3.Save all shipping containers and packing material for repackaging or moving the
system later.
The proper AC power cord accompanies your AlphaStation 500 Series system. Because
variations exist from one country to another, and systems may be moved, inspect your
power cord to ensure that it is the correct one for your country or region. If you are not
sure that the supplied AC power cord is correct, contact your authorized Digital service
representative or distributor before you use it.
Do not attempt to modify or use an external 115V AC power cord for 230V
AC input power. Modifying the power cord can cause personal injury and
severe equipment damage.
Power cords supplied with the Digital AlphaStation 500 Series system meet the following
criteria:
• The cords are UL-listed and CSA-certified, rated for use at 250V AC with a current
rating that is at least 125% of the current rating of the Digital AlphaStation 500 Series
system. In Europe, the cordage carries the <HAR> mark.
• The AC plug is terminated in a grounding-type male plug designed for use in the
region. It must also have marks showing certification by an agency acceptable in the
region.
• The connector at the computer end must be an IEC
• The cord length does not exceed 4.5 m (14.5 ft).
1
International Electrotechnical Commission.
2
International Commission for Conformity Certification of Electrical Equipment.
1
-type CEE2-22 female connector.
AlphaStation 500 Series User Information
2-3
Getting Started
Installing Your System
The AlphaStation 500 Series Installation Information you received with your system
graphically outlines the steps to follow to install your system.
1. Make sure you received all of your system components. Use Appendix H, Equipment
Log, to list your equipment. If something is missing, please contact your distributor or
Digital representative.
2. Position your system so that air can flow freely to and from the vents, as shown in
Figure 2-2.