AlphaBIOS Overview
AlphaBIOS is a program used to help initialize and configure the Compaq AlphaStation XP1000 System. The AlphaBIOS
code resides in the system flashROM.
AlphaBIOS (Windows NT boot) Firmware
AlphaBIOS firmware has the following characteristics.
- Boots the Windows NT operating system.
- Completely menu driven.
- Has hardware and firmware configuration and revision data.
- Can partition and FAT format new hard disks.
- Can start a Windows NT installation from CDROM.
Start Sequence
The general flow of an AlphaBIOS initialization is as follows:
- POST takes from 3-15 seconds (64-2GB memory) during which monitor is dark.
- The BIOS emulator runs through graphics BIOS, and any SCSI BIOS present.
- The monitor displays a bitmap graphic of the Compaq logo.
- A start up message appears, possibly displaying memory test progress (if enabled).
- A boot menu appears, listing boot selection and counting down to autoboot (if enabled). Hit "F2" now if you wish to enter "set up" mode to configure AlphaBIOS.