AlphaBIOS Menu Screens
The following is a general map of AlphaBIOS Menus (in set up mode). Items followed by ... have a submenu attached to them.
Click on highlighted menu entries for further detail of that particular entry.
Set Up Mode Top Level Menu:
Display System Configuration...
Upgrade AlphaBIOS
Hard Disk Setup...
CMOS Setup...
Network Setup...
Install Windows NT
Utilities
About AlphaBIOS...
Systemboard Configuration
Hard Disk Configuration
PCI Configuration
SCSI Configuration
Memory Configuration
Integrated Peripherals
The Systemboard Configuration screen displays hardware and firmware revision data, as well as CPU speed, memory and cache size. An example follows:
System Type: Compaq AlphaStation XP1000
Processor: Alpha 21264, Revision 2.3
Speed: 500 MHz
Cache: 4MB
Memory: 256 MB
Floppy Drive A: 3.5" 1.44 MB
Floppy Drive B: None
Keyboard: U.S. 101-key keyboard
AlphaBIOS Version: 5.66 980610.1751
Post Code Version: SROM A.9
ACPI Power Management Support
Power Management Controller Version: Rev. 0.36
- Lists Disks by controller type with size, mfg name, mfg firmware revision.
- Controllers can be SCSI and/or IDE.
- Has a sub-menu for each controller listing all devices attached to that controller.
- IDE CDROM is listed under "ATAPI" controller as a SCSI device.
- Lists both option cards and embedded devices for both PCI busses.
- Lists device name, type, revision, and physical slot.
- Lists onboard serial and parallel ports.
- Currently no disable feature, but may be added in future.
The following is a sample Integrated Peripherals screen.
Serial Port 1: Enabled as COM1: 3F8, IRQ4
Serial Port 2: Enabled as COM2: 2F8, IRQ3
Parallel Port 1: Enabled as LPT1: 3BC, IRQ7
- Lists memory installed by bank.
- Useful for tracking down faulty DIMMs given failing address.
- Useful for verifying installed memory has been recognized by system.
The following is a sample Memory Configuration screen.
System Memory Configuration
Bank A: 512 MB (128 MB per DIMM) -- Starting Address = 0x00000000
Bank B: 256 MB (64 MB per DIMM) -- Starting Address = 0x10000000
- Shows all SCSI drives on the system by SCSI ID and controller number.
- Change time, date, 1.44 MB diskette drive config, keyboard type, auto start.
- Pressing "F6" enables the Advanced Setup Menu.
CMOS Setup F1=Help
Date: Wednesday, June 04 1998
Time: 11:40:20
Floppy Drive A: 3.5" 1.44 MB
Floppy Drive B: None
Keyboard: U.S. 101-key keyboard
Auto Start: Enabled
Auto Start Count: 30 Seconds
F3=Color F6=Advanced F7=Defaults ESC=Discard Changes F10=Save Changes
- Enable or Disable PCI parity checking, AlphaBIOS memory test, AlphaBIOS password, and SCSI BIOS Emulation.
- SCSI BIOS Emulation adds about a minute to the boot time but allows access to SCSI controller setup routine to configure SCSI adapter.
- "Console selection" enables switching to SRM console at next reset or power on.
- Integrated Audio or USB can be disabled (can allow use of a higher end option).
The following is a sample CMOS Advanced Setup screen.
PCI Parity Checking: Disabled
Power-up Memory Test: Full
AlphaBIOS Password Option: Disabled
SCSI BIOS Emulation: Disabled For All
Console Selection: Windows NT Console (AlphaBIOS)
Integrated Audio: Enabled
Integrated USB: Enabled
Reset Button Function: Reset
- Complete revision information on AlphaBIOS: revision & date/time.
- Useful for uniquely identifying AlphaBIOS version when trying to track down the cause of any potential AlphaBIOS related problem.
The following is a sample About AlphaBIOS screen.
About AlphaBIOS
AlphaBIOS Version.5.66 (Jun 10 1998, 17:51:37)
Copyright (c) 1998 COMPAQ Computer Corporation
ARC Multiboot
Copyright (c) 1993-1998 COMPAQ Computer Corporation
Copyright (c) 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation
X86 BIOS Emulation
Copyright (c) 1993-1998 COMPAQ Computer Corporation
Copyright (c) 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation
- Network Setup allows you to enable or disable the embedded network controller on the system and any network options that can be installed in the PCI slots.
- Allows use of DHCP, BOOTP, and static for IP Address.
- Allows display of the network adapter.
The following sample Network Setup screen lists network options.
Select Network: Network 0
Network: Enable
IP Address Source: DHCP
Status: Adapter initialized
Adapter: Digital 21142/21143 Ethernet Address: 08:00-2b-86-05-1c
Lease Time: 72:00:00 Lease Starts 05/13/1999 10:47:46
Local IP: 16.119.64.193 TFTP Server IP: 0.0.0.0
Gateway FP: 16.119.64.254 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
TFTP Directory:
Press up or down arrows to choose IP Address Source. If the network was initally enabled, the change will take effect when saved. Network downtime will cause a delay.
- Use Hard Disk Setup to automatically partition target disk prior to install.
- RISC NT systems require ~5MB FAT partition for the OS loader, HAL, PAL.
- Remainder of OS is installed in remaining partition as FAT or NTFS.
- Write down partitions where each piece lands, in case you need to restore the partition and directory names into the 'OS selection setup' (next slide).
- Insert Windows NT distribution CDROM into drive, hit enter to start install.
- If Windows NT doesn't recognize the Compaq AlphaStation XP1000, place hardware support files from web on a 1.44 MB diskette (typically: HALxxx.DLL, A221264.PAL, txtsetup.oem). These provide Alpha 21264 processor and hardware abstraction layers for NT.
- If install fails with 'inaccessible boot dev' restart install. If ATAPI CD not shown as SCSI device, get driver & setup file from web, specify as additional controller.
- Current versions of these files will be available on the web when shipping starts: 'www.workstation.digital.com/firmware.html'
- AlphaBIOS can maintain several boot paths (like a 'boot.ini file').
- These are created and maintained through AlphaBIOS and stored in flash ROM.
- 'OS Options' tips:
- basevideo - forces NT to use VGA mode
- noserialmice - stops probing at COM ports during boot
- sos - provides verbose boot.
- Use function keys listed at screen bottom to delete, edit, validate, etc.
- It is a good idea to write these down prior to firmware upgrade in case of corruption.