Document revision date: 19 July 1999

V7.1

The following sections contain release notes specific to the ALPHAbook 1 notebook computer.

1.5.1 Using the SCSI_MODE Utility

The OpenVMS Alpha operating system includes a generic SCSI_MODE utility that allows privileged users to modify a SCSI device's mode pages. By using this utility to enable automatic disk spindown, users can save approximately 2 watts of power. Because mode pages are saved on the disk drive, the state is saved across power cycles.

The following example shows how to enable automatic SCSI disk spindown after a 1-minute timeout period. (To select a spindown time other than 1 minute, replace the "01" following the offset f with the desired number of minutes expressed as a 2-digit hexadecimal value.) This procedure is recommended for use only on the internal drive of the ALPHAbook 1 notebook computer. Note that the parameter values shown in this example apply only to DVAS-2810 devices. To identify the SCSI disk devices on your system, use the SHOW DEVICE/FULL DK command.

$ define dcl$path sys$etc $ scsi_mode -devnam dka0 -devtyp DVAS-2810 -offset f 01 -page 38 -mount -save $! $! Processing Page #38h $! $! Cur 00______ 04______ 08______ 0C______ 10______ 14______ 18______ 1C______ $! 0000 11000008 001829D0 00000200 B80400B4 0000 $! $! Chng 00______ 04______ 08______ 0C______ 10______ 14______ 18______ 1C______ $! 0000 11000008 001829D0 00000200 B80400FF 0000 $! $! Sel 00______ 04______ 08______ 0C______ 10______ 14______ 18______ 1C______ $! 0000 00000008 001829D0 00000200 38040001 0000 $! Perform MODE SELECT to page 38h [y/n] ? y

1.5.2 Naming Serial Line Devices

If an ALPHAbook 1 notebook computer is booted with the console environment variable set to graphics, the name of the serial line (COM1) will be different. On an ALPHAbook 1, the COM1 device is called TTA0.

The COM1 device is controlled by SYS$YSDRIVER instead of SYS$OPDRIVER.

If the console is set to serial, the device is called OPA0.

1.5.3 Graphics Display Modes

The ALPHAbook 1 notebook computer contains a Western Digital 90C24A graphics controller displayed on a 10.4-inch active matrix Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display.

Note that if a video monitor (CRT) is connected, the DECwindows display server software (which automatically detects the presence of an attached video monitor) will set the resolution to 1024 x 768 and disable the TFT display. If the server determines that no monitor is connected, it will force the size to match the LCD (800 x 600) and disable the CRT outputs (which saves power when the computer is running on battery).

1.5.4 Customizing the Graphics Display

You can override the size selection by modifying the SYS$MANAGER:DECW$PRIVATE_SERVER_SETUP.COM file.

You can also modify other parameters by using the DCL command DEFINE/SYSTEM for the following logical names:

• DECW$SERVER_DYNAMIC_SIZE
  If defined as TRUE, you are prompted for the screen size when the system boots. The prompt times out in 10 seconds and the default is set (unless you have overridden the default in your private server setup).
• DECW$SERVER_DISPLAY_SELECT
  You can specify one of the following values:

  Value	Result
  1	LCD-only operation
  2	CRT-only operation
  3	Simultaneous operation

  
  Note the following conventions:
  • The default is either 3 (if a monitor is available) or 1 (if no monitor is available.
  • If you have not explicitly selected the display or the resolution, then 1024 x 768 CRT-only is the default when a monitor is detected. If no monitor is detected, then 800 x 600 LCD-only is selected.
  • If you explicitly select the display, then that selection takes precedence over any other size requests. For example, if you select LCD, the 800 x 600 size supersedes any previous size specification.
• DECW$SERVER_REFRESH_RATE
  This logical name selects an alternate vertical refresh rate in Hertz (for example, 60 Hz). The defaults are as follows:

  Mode	Resolution	Vertical Refresh Frequency in Hz
  LCD-only	800 x 600	56
  CRT-only	640 x 480	72
  	800 x 600	72
  	1024 x 768	70
  Other CRT	640 x 480	60
  	640 x 480	70
  	800 x 600	56
  	800 x 600	60 1
  	1024 x 768	60
  	1024 x 768	75

  ---

  ¹Actual refresh is 62 Hz.
  

  ---

• DECW$SERVER_VIRTUAL_MODE
  If this logical name is set to 1, note the following characteristics:
  • The server operates as a virtual frame buffer.
  • The resolution can be any of the previously listed sizes (or higher).
  • An 800 x 600 window is displayed for the internal (TFT) monitor and a 1024 x 768 window is displayed for an external monitor. Moving the pointer to the screen edges pans the display within the virtual frame.
  • Drawing can be slower (due to offscreen memory requirements). Changed areas are updated on a batch count or when the server has no more work. You can set the batch count with the logical DECW$SERVER_BATCH_COUNT (the default is 10).

The following notes apply to the PCMCIA bus.

Supported PCMCIA Cards

OpenVMS support for the PCMCIA bus on the ALPHAbook 1 system is limited to the following cards:

• 3Com EtherLink III (3C589C)
• Megahertz 28.8 FAX/Modem (XJ2288)
• Apex Data ClipperCom V.34 International Data/FAX Modem (011--20811)

The OpenVMS operating system can configure a maximum of one Ethernet card and one FAX/Modem card.

Hot Swapping PCMCIA Cards Not Supported

Hot swapping (removing and replacing cards while the computer is running) PCMCIA cards is not supported. If a PCMCIA card is inserted or removed while the OpenVMS operating system is running, it could result in a system hang (the system is unresponsive) or a system crash. A future release of the OpenVMS operating system is expected to include support for hot swapping PCMCIA cards.

PCMCIA Modem Setting

The highest recommended baud rate for the Apex Data ClipperCom V.34 International Data/FAX Modem card is 9600. For access to the modem, Compaq recommends that you use the following DCL and modem commands:

$ SET TERM/PERM/SPEED=9600/ALT/MODEM TTB0: $ SET HOST/DTE TTB0: at*ncxx at&k6 at&s1 at\g1 at\q1 at\x1)

(Note that xx represents the country number; for example, the United States is 22. See the Apex Data ClipperCom V.34 documentation for a list of country numbers.)

The highest recommended baud rate for the Megahertz 28.8 FAX/Modem card is 9600. For access to the modem, Compaq recommends that you use the following DCL and modem commands:

$ SET TERM/PERM/SPEED=9600/ALT/MODEM TTB0: $ SET HOST/DTE TTB0: at&s1 at&r1

Audio Feedback Supported on PCMCIA Modem

Audio feedback is available for the telephone call status.

PCMCIA FAX Support

The Apex Data ClipperCom V.34 International Data/FAX Modem works correctly with the PMDF FAX and Gold-FAX software to transmit data.

The Megahertz 28.8 FAX/Modem works correctly with the PMDF FAX software to send and receive data with line speeds up to 19.2 baud. However, if you are using Gold-FAX software to send a Fax, the maximum baud rate allowed with a Megahertz 28.8 FAX/Modem card is 9600 baud.

1.5.6 Audio Support

The DECsound utility included with DECwindows Motif Version 1.2--3 does not support the sound processor on the ALPHAbook 1 system. Audio support is available on the OpenVMS Multimedia services kit, a separately licensed layered product available from Compaq.

1.5.7 Keyboard Mapping

The ALPHAbook 1 keyboard is an 88-key, PC layout keyboard. The following notes describe how to set up the keyboard and enable particular key functions.

Keyboard Setup

You can set up the keyboard either to follow the engravings or to map the keys in a manner that makes it easier for you as an OpenVMS user. To set up your keyboard either way, do the following:

1. Click on Options in the Session Manager box.
2. Select Keyboard from the list of options.
3. Select one of the following LK443 or LK444 keyboard types:
   • A keyboard type with the suffix _PC maps the keyboard to follow the engravings. For example, US_LK443AA_PC.
   • A keyboard type with the suffix _LK sets the keyboard to follow the LK-style mapping common to OpenVMS systems. For example, US_LK443AA_LK.

The procedure for setting up your keyboard is the same as that required for all current AlphaServer and AlphaStation systems. The only difference is that the ALPHAbook 1 keyboard does not have all of the keys directly on it. (The next section describes how to generate those missing keys.)

You can also attach an LK411 (LK401 layout) compatible keyboard or a PCXAL (PS2 layout) keyboard directly to the AlphaBOOK 1 computer using the mini-docking station.

Key Functions

When mapping to an LK-style keyboard, note the following:

• The right ALT key does not transmit any code. Instead, the keyboard controller generates missing LK-style keys when pressed in combination with this key. These alternate keys are engraved in grey on the keyboard. For example, pressing RIGHT-ALT-U ([grey 4]) provides the function of KP4.

  Note By default, the right ALT key is set for the special functions described in the ALPHAbook 1 User Guide (such as increasing or decreasing display brightness). To set the right ALT key to perform different functions so you can emulate a LK-style keyboard, you must change this setting at the console level by entering the following command at the console prompt: >>> SET HOTKEY OFF After you enter this command, either enter the INIT command or powercycle the system. You can then use the right ALT key to perform the LK-style keyboard actions described in this section.

• Two keys are mislabeled. The KP_Subtract and KP_Add are engraved in grey on the minus (-) and plus (+) keys. However, the 0 (zero) and P keys actually provide the function for KP- and KP+ respectively.
• NUMLOCK is generated by SHIFT-NUMLOCK, and KP_ENTER is generated by RIGHT-ALT-ENTER.
• There is no way to generate directly RIGHT-ALT, RIGHT-COMPOSE, or LEFT-COMPOSE. You can provide the function of the compose key by pressing LEFT ALT-SPACE.
• You can generate missing function keys by pressing CAPS LOCK-Fn. Pressing CAPS LOCK adds a value of 10 to the function key (Fn) that you also press. For example, pressing CAPS LOCK-F1 generates the F11 key; pressing CAPS LOCK-F2 generates the F12 key.
• Use the following table to help you determine which keys to press to provide the function of the corresponding LK-style key.

  LK-Style Key	ALPHAbook Key Combination
  PF1	[SHIFT] [grey Numlock]
  PF2	[RIGHT ALT] [grey /]
  PF3	[RIGHT ALT] [grey *]
  PF4	[RIGHT ALT] [0]
  KP,	[RIGHT ALT] [P]
  KP-	[LOCK] [RIGHT ALT] [P]
  KP_ENTER	[RIGHT ALT] [ENTER]
  KP.	[RIGHT ALT] [grey .]
  KP0	[RIGHT ALT] [grey 0]
  KP1	[RIGHT ALT] [grey 1]
  KP2	[RIGHT ALT] [grey 2]
  KP3	[RIGHT ALT] [grey 3]
  KP4	[RIGHT ALT] [grey 4]
  KP5	[RIGHT ALT] [grey 5]
  KP6	[RIGHT ALT] [grey 6]
  KP7	[RIGHT ALT] [grey 7]
  KP8	[RIGHT ALT] [grey 8]
  KP9	[RIGHT ALT] [grey 9]
  FIND	INS
  INS	HOME
  REMOVE	PAGE UP
  SELECT	DEL
  PREV	END
  NEXT	PAGE DOWN
  HELP	PRINT SCREEN
  DO	SCROLL LOCK

Due to controller limitations of the PCMCIA Ethernet card, Compaq recommends that you use the ALPHAbook 1 computer only as a satellite node in a cluster environment rather than as a cluster boot node.

1.6 AlphaServer 1000A (Alpha Only)

The following sections contain release notes pertaining to the AlphaServer 1000A computer.

1.6.1 Problems and Restrictions

The following notes describe problems or restrictions with the AlphaServer 1000A computer.

1.6.1.1 Bus Probe Algorithm Default

V7.1

You cannot set the console variable BUS_PROBE_ALGORITHM to OLD on AlphaServer 1000A computers. The default setting is NEW. If you reset the bus probe algorithm to OLD, your OpenVMS system will not boot correctly.

1.6.1.2 Installation Failure with DEFPA Adapter

V7.1

When you attempt to install the OpenVMS operating system on an AlphaServer 1000A computer that uses a DEFPA adapter, the installation might fail, resulting in a KERNEL STACK NOT VALID HALT error message. If this failure occurs, powercycle your system and restart the installation.

1.7 AlphaServer 2100 (Alpha Only)

V7.2

The following sections contain information specific to the AlphaServer 2100 series computer.

1.7.1 Console Display

On AlphaServer 2100 and 2100A systems, a console display similar to the following is normal and does not represent system errors:

P00>>>SET CONSOLE SERIAL P00>>>INIT VMS PALcode X5.48-112, OSF PALcode X1.35-81 starting console on CPU 0 initialized idle PCB initializing semaphores initializing heap initial heap 1c0c0 memory low limit = 132000 heap = 1c0c0, 13fc0 . . . probing hose 0, PCI probing PCI-to-EISA bridge, bus 1 probing PCI-to-PCI bridge, bus 2 *** unable to assign PCI base address *** bus 2, slot 7, function 0, size 00001000 (16 bit I/O) bus 1, slot 1 -- fra -- DEFEA bus 1, slot 2 -- vga -- Compaq Qvision bus 1, slot 3 -- pua -- KFESA bus 2, slot 1 -- pka -- NCR 53C810 bus 2, slot 6 -- pkb -- NCR 53C810 bus 2, slot 7 -- pkc -- DEC KZPSA bus 0, slot 7 -- ewa -- DECchip 21041-AA initializing keyboard Memory Testing and Configuration Status Module Size Base Addr Intlv Mode Intlv Unit Status ------ ----- --------- ---------- ---------- ------ 0 64MB 00000000 1-Way 0 Passed Total Bad Pages 0 Testing the System Testing the Disks (read only) Testing the Network econfig: 20041 99 econfig: 20042 04 econfig: 20043 00 AlphaServer 2100A Console V4.3-130, built on Oct 26 1996 at 19:44:57 P00>>>P

Note that in the previous display, the KZPSA adapter is successfully installed despite the error message displayed in the following lines:

*** unable to assign PCI base address *** bus 2, slot 7, function 0, size 00001000 (16 bit I/O)

1.7.2 SCSI Controller Restriction

The Adaptec 1740/1742 SCSI controller (PB2HA--SA) is not supported on AlphaServer 2100 systems having more than 1 gigabyte (GB) of memory. If the controller is connected to such a system, the following message appears on the operator's console:

%PKJDRVR-E- The direct DMA window does not map all of memory. Port is going OFF LINE.

1.8 AlphaServer 4100 (Alpha Only)

The following sections contain release notes specific to the AlphaServer 4100 computer.

1.8.1 Problems and Restrictions

The following notes describe restrictions related to the AlphaServer 4100.

1.8.1.1 EISA Configuration Utility (ECU)

V7.1

AlphaServer 4100 systems do not support automatic startup of the ECU (EISA Configuration Utility). Instead, follow the procedure described in this section.

1. In the SRM console, enter the arc command. This starts the AlphaBIOS facility.
2. Press the F2 key after the following display:

   ---

   
3. Use the DownArrow key to select Utilities. Then use either the RightArrow or Enter key to highlight the first submenu entry, "Run ECU From Floppy..." The display is as follows:

   ---

   
4. Insert the ECU diskette in the floppy drive (if it isn't there already).
5. Press the Enter key to run the ECU.
6. After the ECU has run and returns control to AlphaBIOS, press the reset button to restart the system.

If you switch from another operating system to OpenVMS on AlphaServer 4100 systems, you may have to remove EISA boards that have not been qualified on OpenVMS and run the EISA Configuration Utility (ECU).

To run the ECU on other platforms, use the ECU command. To run the ECU on the AlphaServer 4100, use the ALPHABIOS command; and then run the ECU from the ALPHABIOS utility menu.

For more information about using the ECU, refer to the AlphaServer 4100 System Drawer User's Guide.

1.8.2 FRU Table Error

V7.1

After you boot the OpenVMS operating system, the following message might display on the screen:

*****Config packet buffer allocation failure: Continuing without writing Errorlog

This message indicates that the Field Replaceable Units (FRU) table is too large for the default set by the SYSGEN parameter ERLBUFFERPAGES. It is a warning message only and indicates that the FRU table was not written in the Error Log on this reboot.

If your system displays this message, Compaq recommends that you change the ERLBUFFERPAGES parameter from 4 (the default) to 6. The following example shows how to use the SYSGEN utility to accomplish this task:

$ MCR SYSGEN SYSGEN>use current SYSGEN>set erlbufferpages 6 SYSGEN>write current SYSGEN>exit

If this warning appears again after you reboot the system, increase the ERLBUFFERPAGES parameter in increments of 2 (maximum value is 32) until the warning message is no longer displayed. The final size of ERLBUFFERPAGES (the value that resolves the problem) varies depending on the configuration of your system. Note that if the FRU table exceeds the limit set by the ERLBUFFERPAGES parameter, during a boot of the OpenVMS Alpha operating system, no entry will be written to the error log file.

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