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EISA CMOS checksum error

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dlee35

Technical User
Feb 14, 2005
1
US
I have a UNIX server w/an Adaptec aha-2740 card and i keep getting this error during post: EISA CMOS checksum error. It then tries to boot from the floppy. Upon researching this problem i found that it could be one of two things. Either it is the battery on the m/b (which i have all but ruled out), or i need to run the configuration utility for the EISA. I am a complete newbie when it comes to UNIX boxes and EISA. I haven't been able to find the config utility and the only references to it that i see are pointing toward the board manufacturer. Anything to help me solve this probem and also to familiarize myself with this antiquated setup would be greatly appreciated.
 
I wouldn't rule out the battery yet. Depending on the type of hard drive it could also indicate that CMOS has lost the hard drive type and gone back to default, which is none. And with no hard drive to boot from it will try the floppy in most systems.

You prove it by getting into CMOS and setting the hard drive type, setting the CMOS to boot from the hard drive, then power down. If the settings are lost after 5 or 10 minutes the battery is the ususal suspect.

Various combinations have been used for CMOS setup. Delete key during power up splash screen, plus key on numeric keypad, [F2], [F10], [ESC]. Might help if you posted your machine manufacturer and model, both here and in pchardware and you might be seen by somebody with a comparable machine. Or you might go to the website of the machine manufacturer to see if there is a manual posted.

If it is not the battery, the problem can usually be resolved by getting into BIOS and modifying something and rewriting CMOS.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
 
I am a complete newbie when it comes to UNIX boxes
Your problem is unrelated with any operating system.
If you made no change in the hardware configuration (RAM, EISA slot change, ...) the most likeky is a battery fault.
Anyway you must have a bootable EISA config utility floppy with hopefully a saved configuration of this PC.
Ed, I don't think that setting the hard drive type is relevant for SCSI drives.

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ222-2244
 
You're right PHV. got into the battery change mode and quit thinking.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
 
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