Sparc Server 20 the adventure

[VAadmin]

Just to bring everybody up to speed, I recently started taking classed to help with my SOLARIS 8 Certs. I went on to E-Bay (I know you don't have to say it.), and purchased SOLARIS 8 for SUN Systems. I Also purchased a Sparc Server 20, and a kepboard/mouse. When I finally got it all installed I powered it up and was greated by a Beep followed by about 9 seconds of silence then another beep (and so on and so on.). I opened it up only to find out it did not come with a CPU card. I have since purchased a CPU (which came with a new BIOS chip.). After installing both the BIOS and the CPU card the computer again just beeps at me. It does power on, the drives spin up but no video and no way to diagnose. Does any body have any ideas?
As near as I can tell now the unit has a ROSS 125Mhz CPU card with 2.22 BIOS. 2 2gig SCSI Harddrives, a CD-Rom drive,1 additional video card (not including whats on the main board.), and 7 Memmory modules (not sure how much becuase I cant get it to post.).

 

[bpinos]

Did you try to hook up a null modem cable (unhook the keyboard and mouse) to a computer and use hyperterminal to view a terminal session.

You would have to have it all hooked up before powering it up. You should see the post screen in hyperterminal and maybe be able to tell what is wrong.

Also, I would try removing some of the memory. Incorrect memory could cause the system to not post, and therefore not come up. You would hear a beep, and the fan would run but nothing else would happen.

You can go to:

http://sunsolve.sun.com/handbook_pub/Systems/4m-System/4mSYSTEM_Sstation_20.html

and see all kind of good info about your system.

Also, you can get good info about which RAM to use and what combinations are allowed here:

http://sunsolve.sun.com/handbook_pub/Devices/Memory/MEM_SS20.html

Hope this helps!

 

[VAadmin]

Thanks for the info and the links. I will give it try tonight when I get home.

 

[49chevy]

?? Did you ever get the system to post ??..

I'm working on 14 Sparc 20s right now and have run into similar problems.

I over came two problems due to bad ram installations, and one system had a bad power supply (system posted but drives would not power up). The others were anywhere between loose daughter boards to other connections.

Install memory modules in this order J0201, J0303, J0202, J0301, J0305, J0203, J0302, J0304.

Here's a site for components

http://www.memoryx.net/spar20com.html

Let us know how you faired

 

[VAadmin]

49chevy:: Thanks for the info. I've tried various variations of the memory, but I will try your idea.
I was starting to look at powersupplies, because thats really that last thing I can think of that it could be.
Will let you know what I come up with.